The Hellion in Black(Semi-closed,ATTN Tyrr)

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

Gold spiraled against each obsidian granite pillar that formed the long and narrow walk from the fifty foot, massive black wooden doors of the War Hall to the tables arranged as a horseshoe around the central planning unit, a massive twelve foot wide monitor, with several somewhat smaller screens placed around them, upon which a half a hundred faces watched with intense focus.

"Bulgislavia is a weak nation, riddled with famine, disease, and instability. A broken government, communist and corrupt in origin, currently..."rules" over the nation," a man dressed in olive green military uniform said, emphasizing the word 'rules' with massive air quotes. "With the renunciation of the "good neighbor" policy as per the order of our most brilliant and grand Emperor," the man added, turning to face the young man dressed in black, and bowing deeply, before returning to his original address to the crowd, "we have many new potential colonies in our home region. Yallak and several other of our larger competitors for influence in Tyrrhenia have also gone quiet, instituting massive isolationist policies or focusing elsewhere. Currently, we have the best chance to achieve regional domination now. A base in Bulgislavia, and likely later Strolingrad, will put us right on the border with the current southern continental competitor, the Allamunnic Regime."

"Lord Commander Rarka, How long will the invasion of the Bulgislavian nation take? And what are the logistics behind this invasion?" questioned Lord Ward Minister Karro, one of the few men in the room not wearing a military uniform. Lord Karro, a comparatively elder statesman, and leader of the Karro Clan, retainers to the Traskov clan, was head minister of the Lower Ministry of the Ralkovianization of Colonies, Territories, and Protectorates, which as far as invasions went, meant that he was in charge of the conversion process, removing the former culture of the region and replacing it with Ralkovian or Ralkovian approved ones. It was a daunting task, one that could often take an entire life time without seeing noticeaable improvement. His attention split between forty-two colonies in varying states of open conversion as well as ten Protectorates in closed conversion, meant that he was an extremely busy man. Of course, actual governing of the Empire fell to other, however the Lower Ministry was the chief when it came to designing and approving everything from lesson plans to architectural designs. At seven million employees, the Lower Ministry was the second largest branch of the High Ministry of Colonies, Territories, and Protectorates, only superseded by the Command Authority of Colonies, Territories, and Protectorates..

"If you are asking how long it will take to dismantle the Bulgislavian regime, we believe four months at absolute most, however, the current assessment is two weeks from landing. Annexation of area twenty will give us a direct path to Bulgislavia allowing rapid Ralkovianization,” Lord Bratan, Lord Commander of the Navy, answered, turning in his elegant leather seat to face Lord Karro.

“Area Twenty? You mean Volseverus. They’re situated in a semi-mountainous, semi-forested geographical region. They also have a rather strong army, being between Mykola and the other predators of the Levantia. It will be no easy task, dislodging them. They aren’t some unstable, technologically backwards nation,” Lord Karro responded, watching Lord Bratan’s eyes shift into an irritated glance.

“They have a population of fifteen million, an army of three hundred thousand, they use technology from the nineties, we have them outmatched on resources, military size, and technology. We can rapidly destroy them in less than a few days. The fact that you doubt our ability to do so only reveals that you remain completely uninformed and unpatriotic,” Lord Admiral Bratan retorted angrily.

“Do not be rash Lord Bratan, Volseverus has maintained friendly relations with those around it. It’s continued existence is evidence of a cunning people. Furthermore, do you honestly think anyone in Levantia will be pleased when one thousand Ralkovian war vessels appear on their shores? Who is to say they won’t turn around and back the Volseverians? If you’re saying no one in Emperatia, Mikol, or the Allamunnia wouldn’t like to see the Ralkovian fleet at the bottom of the Ocean, than you’d be a bigger fool than anyone living in Kahanistan,” Karro snapped back, his own tone rising sharply to meet Bratan.

“Cool down both of you. Our forces will launch quickly into Volse- Area Twenty, we will seize control, begin rapid militarization and then launch into Bulgislav, immediately afterwards. The Emperor has already assigned Death Guard Legion XIX for both expansions. We also have been given Army Group XXII, and XXVI, along with three home fleets. Combined it’s about seven million men, this is in addition to sympathizing forces in Bulgislavia,” Rarka said, interrupting both men, before the argument spiraled out of control any further. The Emperor was watching closely.

---

It had been almost a month and half since the meeting, and already the Ralkovian combat fleets had left port, heading for the Volseverians. It was under the guise of combat exercises with the GWO in the South of Levantia. Nearly three hundred warships, seventy submarines, and little over one thousand combat transports had been sent. A massive and power fleet; they would sail the strait between Prussia-Steinbach and Elcric Kcalb.

(Sorry for the shortness, a little busy, but I wanted to get this done. If you're not in Tyrrhenia, please TG me if you want to join and I'll pitch it to those involved.)

[Bulgislavia]

Provisional Capital, Craasi
Central Convention Center

The Interim Assembly was currently in session, the seats of the Convention center were filled with journalists, observers and the transitional political representatives.

Chairman Igor Rukesku the leader of the Interim Government stood up to the podium before the gathering of representatives

"The establishment of the Peoples Confederal Assembly is rightly being hailed at this time as political progress for the country, the old centralized ways of doing things has led us down a blind alley and now all of Bulgislavia's 155 polities are building their own systems in total autonomous self determination and self rule. The 'City State' solution as it has been called was the only way for the country to not entirely fall to chaos as the central government disintegrated into civil war throughout 2013. Now we are in a new year with new priorities and new goals..." before he could continue applause began to rouse first at the front of the room but then extended to the rest of the representatives

Igor Rukesku savored the applause for a few seconds waving his hand and gesturing for it to settle down which is quickly did

"... Now, I have received a lot of requests by both the free media and pressure groups from within civil society around the details of the 2014 political road map for the recovery of the nation. I would like to address this by stating the commitment of the Interim Assembly to hold free elections for a Revolutionary People Power Assembly by the end of the year. There have also been independent attempts by several rights groups to hold elections for a Free Citizens Parliament which I can say is totally independent of this Interim Assembly.... Despite this we wish to commend this spontaneous movement of greater people power and will support this independent political action by the people...."

The room once again burst into applause with some standing to their feet

"People Power! People Power! People Power!" broke out a chant in the back of the room which quickly spread.

All of this was captured by the media and was broadcast live on a dedicated TV channel devoted to national politics. The highlights of the Interim Assembly session were also broadcast on daily news broadcasts.

After the session Igor Rukesku retired to his office to sign off on some legislation regarding Refugee resettlement among other matters such as reconstruction and resource allocation

The Bulgislavian government has little knowledge of what impending danger they were in from outside powers.

Rukesku leaned over his desk to see the most recent foreign intelligence reports by the PRIA.

"hmmm lets see here...."

Ralkovian war games in South Levantia.... Bulgislavia's exiled elite class establishing a new life for themselves in several countries in Tyrrhenia and further abroad, possibly funding anti government groups within Bulgslavia such as the Free Levantia Movement..... news of Bulgislavian refugee's surfacing in the international slave trade starting to emerge.....

Rukesku sighed and moved the reports aside when there was a knock at the door

"Come in" he called. The door opened and Omar Milea walked in, he was largely tipped by almost everyone as the future leader of Bulgislavia. He was the second in command during Radu Suslov's radical "Revolutionary Popular Front" government in 2012 until he was unseated in a recall referendum. He also played a role in the Ureyn uprising against the Asimovist regime which gave him the reputation as a resistance fighter as well as being a survivor of both the Terevesti Quarantine and the Second Siege of Crecea.... the man had quite a presence, especially in his brown jacket with the black and red armband commemorating the liberation of the Ureyn Polity from Asimovist control.

"Omar, to what do I owe the pleasure" Rukesku stood from behind his desk and leaned over to shake Omar's hand, before gesturing for Omar to take a seat.

"Well I really came to get clarification about the status of the Bulgislavian nation" Said Omar, he sounded quite serious

"The status of the Bulgislavian nation? hmmm I'm afraid your going to have to be a bit more specific" replied Rukesku

"Well, for one, is Bulgislavia even one nation anymore? The Economic system is in chaos and is being fought over by rival factions and interests within the Supreme Peoples Economic Assembly..... Bulgislavia's 155 polities are controlled by five different blocs with differing agenda's for the future of the country..... The PRIA continues to have a dominant presence and despite your assurances, torture is still taking place at some Security Centers that were suppose to have closed down after the April Edict Ban on Physical Torture..... The Dushov Exclusion zone has been completely depopulated because of the Crimson Fever and....." Before Omar could continue with the list of ill's that affected the country Rukesku raised his hand and nodded

"Omar I'm not going to lie, the situation in the country is dire, there is no doubt about it, what we have all witnessed is the total collapse of Bulgislavian society. As for clarification on each of the points you have brought up, let me begin" Igor Rukesku cleared his throat as he began

"Yes the influence of the Peoples Enterprises dominate in 73 of Bulgslavia's 155 Polities have allied themselves with the Peoples Enterprise Union inside the SPEA and they are attempting to reverse Nora Firmescu's socialist reforms as well as break the power of the trade union alliance of the Bulgislavian Confederation of Labour. On the other hand the Red Bloc polities have allied with the BCL and are pushing ahead with the transformation of the economy along socialist lines. So yes the economic schism between the western polities under the influence of the Peoples Enterprises and the East of the country affiliated with the Red Bloc Polities may lead to two distinctly different economic systems, but this is not to be of our concern, the Supreme Peoples Economic Assembly was formed to have sole domain and power of the economic system of the country and the Chief Economic Delegate, Nora Firmescu has assured me the SPEA is on track to meet its goals....."

Omar felt a little uneasy at Rukesku's explanation

".... As for the polity affiliation elections which took place at the beginning of the year, yes we have seen the nation fracture into five rival blocs, however the establishment of the Peoples Confederal Assembly should be able to address this issue and prevent total uncontrolled national dissolution. The Red Bloc Polities, Peoples Democracy League and the Confederate Alliance number 69 polities are closely aligned and rival the 77 polities controlled by both the Peoples Enterprise League and the Movement Toward Union..... There are also the non-affiliated polities such as Anarchist Priesti and the Spiritual Polities controlled by the Oracles Union and the Shamanic Collective that remain quite neutral. In the worst case scenario Omar, the country may split into 155 independent polities, but would that really be such a bad thing? The Guiding ideology of the Great Peoples Enlightenment Revolution was the devolution of power down to the masses, remember, even at a communal level..."

Omar nodded

"As for the controversial powers held by the PRIA, well yes, there are rogue elements that still continue to operate security centers that are suppose to have shut down. Director Janos Humala has begun cracking down on those who have defied the April Edict. But his words are not matching up with the reality, which is why it is important that we remain on track for the election of the Revolutionary People Power Assembly which will be able to adequately curtail and challenge the power and influence of the intelligence and security apparatus..."

"And lastly concerning the Dushov Exclusion Zone.... It will not be safe to set foot in that swath of land until at least sometime in 2016, so said BHO Chief Donescu. But on a brighter note the Terevesti Quarantine is set to be completely lifted by October in time for the 3rd anniversary of the Great Peoples Enlightenment Revolution. After two years we will be able to have our capital city back" Grinned Rukesku

Omar shook his head "The situation is too precarious for my liking, back when I was Radu Suslov's premier in 2012, never in my wildest imaginations would I have thought the country would disintegrate this much. Now Radu languishes in a Penal Commune with a life time ban on politics for murder and the country has transformed beyond recognition. Its a fucken mess"

"Yes well, we must continue to do the best we can. How are you anyway?" asked Rukesku

"Well several Popular Assemblies have nominated me as a candidate for the Free Citizens Parliament, Damir Banovich wants me to serve as his vice polity chief alongside him in Ureyn and Mariella and I are thinking of getting married so it will be easier to adopt Gabita, but overall I'm good.... But tired"

"Gabita? Oh right the orphan girl you two picked up in Crecea. Poor child, she's been through much trauma"

"Yes.... Which is why Mariella and I are thinking of maybe getting out of politics all together...."

Rukesku interrupted "HA! That won't happen, I stake my life on it that the people will elect you as Chief Political Delegate of the Revolutionary People Power Assembly, the job, politics in general is in your DNA and I couldn't think of anyone better for the job"

Omar was silent before he stood from his chair "Well thank you for clarifying those points for me, I must get going. I'll forward you the details of the wedding, both Mariella and I have decided on a small low key affair"

"Very well, Omar. Be well"

..................................................................................................................................................

[The Fanboyists]

Staethaaldur's Quarters, Federal District of Faedrulhulm

The entire circumstance made him more than a little nervous. When it came to affairs of state, the General's almost-unimpeded pragmatism was extremely well-known. Only a little less well-known was the man's foul temper when it came to dealing with nobility or royalty. And the General had his own definition of treason, to boot, and his patience for those he considered traitors was even worse.

All in all, the man thought, not a great set of omens for his meeting with the General. Not for a royal who was clearly a threat to national stability (at least from the General's reckoning) and had, by that man's standards, plotted treason. Not a good start at all. No, Sigismund Haaldstadt would have been worried even if he and the General had been on good terms before. As he strode down the hall, two guards at his side, the thought occurred to him that he might well be leaving the head of state's residence in handcuffs.

And there would not be a thing he could do about it. He had been forbidden from bringing his own security staff; the men escorting him were Federal regulars, and if he had looked at their unit insignia, it would have confirmed what he already knew: they were from a unit that was particularly loyal to Grimmeberger. Or, at least, to Grimmeberger's friend and enforcer, Tyrrus Grahulm. The difference was moot, in any case.

He took his eyes off his path and the guards with him, instead examining the veritable palace that General Grimmeberger now used as his residence. He knew that it had been constructed over the last two years along with the rest of Faedrulhulm, meant to house the President of the unified Allamunnic States. Of course, there would be no president, now. One bad election and narrowly-averted civil war had been enough to convince the temporarily-retired autocrat that the people could not be trusted with their own well-being.

The edifice itself was, Sigismund admitted, a nice one. Restrained, tasteful, even if it was obvious to any who saw how fine the materials from which the building was constructed and furnished were. It was a government building, after all, housing a public servant. It could be well-made, even expensive, but it needed to be tasteful. Sigismund, accustomed as he was to the Haaldstadt's collection of palaces in the eastern states, would not have even begun to call the building ostentatious.

As they turned and moved down another hall, they stepped up to a set of heavy oaken double doors. He knew this would be the entrance to the head of state's office. One of the soldiers knocked on the doors. A voice with a hint of gravel to it answered, and Sigismund recognized it despite having only heard it in person two or three times. The soldier pushed the heavy door open slowly, and the other soldier escorted the King of Ostlund into the room.

He would not be alone with the Generalissimo, he saw. If he did not miss his guess, every single governor was present, the heads of each state government standing around the room along with several high military officers. He saw a man of slightly below-average height in a grey great coat looking out the window turn his head to glance at Sigismund. A dry smile crossed his face, and a low chuckle was audible.

"That looks like everyone," the grey-haired Generalissimo said, stepping back behind a solid-looking mahogany desk. The dry smile widened into an actual grin. "I suppose you're all wondering why I called you here..." he began, trailing off. Faced with blank looks, he sighed. "Politicans. Don't you all ever watch any reels*?" He shook his head. "No culture to you people. Anyway, I suppose you're actually wondering why I've asked you all to come here today." He eyed each of the governors, his expression registering the faintest... distaste when he made eye contact with Sigismund. There were murmurs of assent and nods to the statement.

Grimmeberger grabbed a pile of folders off of his desk and began handing them out to each of the governors. Several began opening them and reading the contents. Sigismund was among those who did so, and the contents startled him. In it was a report detailing a Ralkovian-GWO wargame near Southern Levantia, but with additions noting that the number of forces seemed much too large for an exercise, along with notable activity in the area of Volseverus, a small nation to the north of Mykola. After giving the governors the opportunity to peruse the files, Grimmeberger looked around.

"Tell me what you see in there," he demanded (gently, of course, but it was still a demand) of the assembled people. One of them said more or less the same things that Sigismund had observed. Grimmberger nodded, agreeing. "Now, tell me what you think it means." He looked the crowd over again. Sigismund volunteered his opinion.

"I'd suspect the Ralkovians are attempting something in Central Levantia. What, exactly, is not exactly clear from this, but I doubt it's to deliver a fruit basket and friendly telegram to any of the countries in the region." Grimmeberger nodded again.

"My thoughts exactly. Where they're showing activity makes it more than likely that whatever it is is not aimed against us, but against either Mykola or Bulgislavia. But what I am worried about is that Ralkovia, the strongest active power in the region, given Yallak and Waldenburg's current states, is putting its attention in central Levantia. I don't think I need to explain to all of you why this is bad for us," he added, looking around at the governors and generals. "But, until we have a better idea of their plans, there's not a lot we can do about it."

Sigismund spoke up again. "Then why tell us about this? Is this not a foreign policy issue?" the King of Ostlund asked. Grimmeberger nodded. "So why meet with us about this." A wintry smile crept over the General's face, and his attention seemed to focus on Sigismund, who suddenly became very nervous.

"I'm so glad you asked that, your majesty. I wanted you all to be aware of the gravity of our current situation. How dire things might become in our neck of the woods in the coming months or years." His next words seemed all the more emphatic for the lack of special inflection on them. "How important it is that we are all on the same page, presenting a united front for the benefit of all Allamunnae, rather than our own factions' interests."

He paused, considered, and apparently decided to discard all subtlety. "We narrowly avoided a rather messy and divisive civil conflict, just weeks ago," Grimmeberger said. "I'm still not entirely sure I can trust all of you." He eyed Sigismund and a few others, mostly a handful of high officers. "So I want to be extremely clear about something. We need to be working on the same team. If one starts working against us, looking out just for them and theirs, they will put this whole country in danger. And that, ladies and gentlemen, cannot be tolerated. Nor will I tolerate it. I have limited myself, thus far, to dismissing, demoting, and reprimanding those that caused too much trouble, that stepped out of line before I began correcting things."

"You know me. I have never shied away from criticism, disagreement, and allowing others to have their own opinions. Alloys are stronger, pure metals are often soft or brittle. But if I catch wind of any of you plotting against us, working towards your own ends at the expense of this country's, of this people's, well, I tend to think of that as treason. And I will deal with it accordingly. Class status be damned. Political power be damned. I will park your ass in front of a firing squad if that's what it takes to keep you lot in line. I don't want to, but don't think for a second that I won't. Am I clear?"

There were gulps and vigorous nods all around the room. The wintry smile returned. "Good. We understand each other. Now. I am perfectly willing to give you every help and assistance that I can, otherwise. So there's no need to be so scared. Just don't try any secessionist shit, if you value your life. Dismissed." It was almost comical how quickly the governors and generals tried to leave the room.

"Oh, Lord Haaldstadt, a minute, if you would." Sigismund froze, and stopped, waiting for everyone else to leave the room before he turned to face Grimmeberger. He suppressed a wince as he stepped back toward the General.

"Yes?" he said, trying to keep the shaking from his voice. "Is there something I can do for you?"

Grimmeberger's face was impassive. "I wanted to embellish the warning a bit for you, Sigismund. Because I know how your family operates, and those like it. I am well aware that the nobility and the traditional powers that be don't care for me, and in fact would probably love to watch me burn." That humorless smile came back yet again. "Which is why, I figure the next time a noble family gives me trouble, I'm going to follow Bloody Walter's example. You are familiar with his measures, yes?"

Sigismund nodded, again trying not to wince. Walter Filie had thoroughly suppressed a revolt by one of the bannermen of the Kingdom of Stalhamark. It had been simple pragmatism that had caused him to spare any of that family at all, and the Sproeks were still an improvished and rather small family by the standards of Allamunnic nobility, having never really recovered from Filie's "pruning" of their family tree. "I assure you, General, that you will have no trouble from Haus Haaldstadt," he said with a deep nod. "Our place will be at your side, working for Allamunnika's future."

The General's smile was a little more good natured. "Excellent, your majesty. I look forward to continuing to work with you. You are free to go whenever you like." With that, Sigismund hurried from the room with all the decorum and formality he could manage. When the door swung shut behind the Haaldstadt, Grimmeberger turned to the only other man left in the room with him apart from the guards.

"Very polite, the Haaldstadts. Always do what's best for the nation and their people," Grimmeberger said cheerfully to the general who had remained silent throughout the meeting. "I foresee no problems. Very polite folk."

Tyrrus Grahulm grunted through his own dry smirk. "Scared shitless is what they are." Then he left.

*("Reel" - a slang term from the Bluwaald region of the Western Allamunnic States referring to a movie.)

[Bulgislavia]

Bulgislavia, Naradia Polity

Rosalina Gianescu was still confined to house arrest, although officially she was under a BHO quarantine due to her being infected with the Crimson Fever. As long as her supply of Crimson Fever inhibitor continued she would never develop the fatal later symptoms.

One of her assistants entered wearing a Hazmat suits

"What do you have to report?" she said in her usual snappy tone while she brushed her long silky black hair. She stared at herself in the mirror as she spoke, hardly acknowledging her assistant in the Hazmat suit

"We have word on the fate of Alexei Markov"

At this Rosalina turned to face the assistant "Its about time. What is his status?"

"He's also under a strict BHO quarantine, apparently being held in a PRIA facility in Craasi" replied the assistant

"There still interrogating him!? Well I suppose I should be thankful he's still alive. How much information could he possibly have to warrant holding him this long?"

"Well he was Christopher Alarenko's top assassin, he probably holds many of Shadow Org's secrets, the PRIA will probably hold onto in indefinitely"

"Indefinitely!? That is bloody bullshit, he may have been Alarenko's personal assassin, but he rescued me from certain death and helped me defect to safety.... Even if he did infect me with the fever, he redeemed himself..... In my eyes"

"What do you propose we do?" asked the assistant

"I need him out of PRIA custody and into my custody, I need him by my side" Rosalina stood up from her dresser and placed down her hair brush. She may be infected with the most deadly diseases in the world, but her beauty remain undiminished, and she still enjoyed dressing in designer and labelled clothing. Her trademark sunglasses alone were priced at $800.

She walked over to the window and looked down on the back yard where two armed BHO guards patrolled the lawn

"Madam Gianescu... I do not think its possible to break Markov out of PRIA custody... this is the PRIA were talking about here"

"Well I don't care what you do or do not think. I thought I had nothing but visionaries and people of action in my employ, not timid idiots!" she snapped

"My apologies Madam Gianescu. I will consult with our contacts within the PRIA and tell them of your orders"

"Good. Is there anything else?"

"All in all Futuro Technologies is making a healthy profit, the workers are content...."

"Aside from the update on the status of my Peoples Enterprise, what of the political situation.... I hear a lot of noise about elections for a Free Citizens Parliament, I hope none of the candidates call for my head"

"This movement is the least of your worries Madam Gianescu, there are already members within the provisional government that want you executed for the bio-terrorism and treason"

"Hmph, indeed..... That will be all. Oh I also believe you have something to deliver to me?"

"yes Madam Gianescu, the Crimson Fever inhibitor has been placed in the fridge, its a week's supply"

"Very good. Now leave me"

"yes Madam Gianescu" the assistant then backed out of the room, leaving Rosalina to sit back at her dresser and try on some newly ordered diamond earrings

............................................................................................................................

Craasi Polity (Provisional Capital)

At a Penal Commune on the outskirts of Craasi

The young Athena Rianu, once known as the "Flower of the Bulgislavian Revolution" and a prominent grass roots activist was currently campaigning in the Free Citizens Parliament viewtopic.php?f=23&t=297562&hilit=bulgislavia as a leading member of the Social Justice Front, which was affiliated with the Social Movement Alliance (Which was currently polling quite poorly among the other blocs)

She had traveled down a very long gravel road for around about two hours and passed several military checkpoints (Since the end of the civil war the Revolutionary Armed Forces had taken control of the justice system and controlled a network of labour camps and prison penal communes)

Athena checked in, she was a familiar visitor for her lover, the ex president Radu Suslov was currently serving a 10 year sentence in a penal commune for the murder of one of his political rivals and various abuse of power charges, however due to his charismatic leadership throughout the period that Bulgislavia was the "Revolutionary Republic" he still had quite a number of followers who saw him as the leader of the Great Peoples Enlightenment Revolution.

In a meeting room Athena and Radu embraced each other tightly

"I'm sorry it's been a while, the campaign has been quite tiring" said Athena

"You don't have to explain" Radu kissed Athena. His appearance seemed quite disheveled since the last time they meet more than a month ago, his beard was quite large and wild, his hair long and knotted and his cream colored prison uniform had dirt and mud stains over it, a result of the labour that the inmates of the Penal Commune were engaged in.

Athena on the other hand was well dressed in a white button up blouse and a black skirt and heels, her waving black hair fell past her shoulders.

"So how have you been?" asked Athena sitting down at the table

Radu duly sat down at the table also and brushed his knotted hair out of his face "We've been digging trenches around the Craasi Polis boundaries in preparation for the construction of the Crimson Fever defensive wall, some of us are already working on the northern section of the wall"

Athena nodded "Are you all being treated well?"

"Since when have prisoner's in Bulgislavia ever been treated well?" bitterly spat Radu. Athena was taken aback, she was all too familiar with Radu Suslov's fragile mental state, even at the best of times and she sensed that something was up, his physical appearance was enough to convince her of that.

"I'm sorry my love. Perhaps there is something I can do" Athena grabbed Radu's hands which contained a few scrapes and grazes

"No.... You just focus on the campaign, it would bring me such joy to hear you have been elected to this Free Citizens Parliament"

Athena smiled "I'm going to be meeting with Omar Milea sometime during the week, if there any message you would like me to pass on?"

Radu sighed "Ah, It was less than two years ago the people decried him as a wannabe dictator and now he's hailed as a national hero for stumbling through the civil war" Radu was silent for a while "Tell him, I wish him luck in his political endevours and that if he ever wants to visit I'm right here... Working on the wall that would save you all in the event of another Crimson Fever outbreak"

Athena nodded.

.......................................................................................................................................
Meanwhile in Central Craasi
"Lavrovs" Restaurant

Omar Milea entered the high class restaurant in an upmarket commercial area of the Provsional Capital. One of the waiters walked over to Omar

"Comrade Milea, please follow me" The Waiter led Omar to the back of the restaurant and up the stairs to the upper mezzanine floor which overlooked the bottom floor. He then led Omar to a smartly dressed man sitting in a VIP booth, the man was cuddling up to a young beauty in a white satin gown and black feather boa. Omar recognized both of them almost immediately, The waiter nodded at the man and women and then bowed his head at Omar before backing away.

"Enrico Lavrov its a pleasure to meet you finally, Rukesku has told me much about you" said Omar reaching out to shake his hand

Enrico grinned and gripped Omar's hand to shake it "Probably not as much as what he has told me about you Comrade Milea"

Omar then turned to the young beauty

"And the lovely Galina Penalcu" Omar held out his hand which the young woman grabbed, Omar kissed it in a gentlemanly fashion "Your music bring much joy and inspiration to the people to Bulgislavia"

"Thank you Comrade, its an honor to meet you in person" she said

"Please make yourself comfortable Comrade" said Enrico

Omar joined Enrico and Galina at the VIP booth

"So. lets get straight down to business shall we?" said Enrico, still maintaining his confident grin. Omar was impressed, this man after all did endure torture at the hand of the PRIA because of the young oligarchs suspected links to Shadow Org.

"Yes, Rukesku tells me you would like to volunteer support for the cause of establishing a 'well-being led society' in Bulgislavia"

Enrico nods "Both Galina and I are an admirer of your politics and were deeply upset at the results of the 2012 Recall Referendum"

"Well that's democracy for you, popularity can rise and fall as often as one changes their underpants" smiled Omar

"Yes, well despite what everyone said back then, I did and still believe you are good for democracy in Bulgislavia. So I do hope you intend on participating in the elections for the Revolutionary People Power Assembly"

"Mmmm, I suppose I will find myself participating in some capacity" replied Omar

"That is good to hear. I don't have to tell you how much of a mess the country is in, the civil war has completely devastated the interior of the country and while I admire the Chairman's strong personality in leading the Interim Government, I would not consider him a friend of democracy"

"Hah, well I'm sure quite a significant proportion of the country would not class the remaining oligarchs as friends of democracy either"

Enrico shrugged "We have all payed dearly and lost much over the last few years, including the oligarchs. But there is no reason why we can not all work together in harmony, for the country. Thanks to the SPEA my wealth is capped at 10 million Urmi, the state has taken the rest..."

"Well I don't have to remind you how many people are starving and homeless in the worst affected area's of the country. The SPEA have the hard task of rebuilding the country, everyone must chip in their share" Omar's tone then lifted to one of sternness "The oligarchs are not exempt from their social responsibilities"

"Yes indeed, all glory to collectivism" said Enrico sarcastically, still maintaining his grin

"So I suppose you want something in return in exchange for your generous support"

"Well like I mentioned earlier, I am an admirer of your politics. Your a unifying force, in a country that is so divided. You represent the best choice for a society where the upper classes and lower classes are both interested in each others well being, all the other prospects bring to mind, imagery of lynch mobs and extremism"

"So your after protection and security?"

"98% of my wealth has already been confiscated by the SPEA, my family is under constant surveillance by the PRIA, I've even been detained and interrogated by then and what a delightful experience that was" Enrico then lifted up his sleeves which revealed the remnants of cigarette burn marks and scarring around his wrists from when he was hung by the ceiling in handcuffs.

Omar closed his eyes and sighed "I'm sorry for what the PRIA did to you, that should not have happened, those methods belong back in history before the 2010 revolution, they do not belong in Bulgislavia's future"

"All the more reason to throw my support behind you. Also I plan on supporting Miss Rianu in her political ambitions, she's a big supporter of my anti-torture foundation"

"Ah, she is a sweet one, I will be meeting with her later in the week. Although her relationship with Radu presents a complication" said Omar cautiously......
..............................................................................................................

While the political future of the country was being secured by the various players, few concerns were being raised of external threats, in fact totally oblivious to the expansionist ambitions of Rakovia, the main foreign security threat was classed by the PRIA as being "Exiled Shadow Org" and the Tyrrhenian states of "New Belhavia" and "Prussia-Steinbach".

In the Anarchist Polis of Priesti, the veteran Partisan's who had fought in the civil war were attempting to establish the "Popular Army of the Revolution" because there were fears that their anarchist social experiment could be closed down by the Provisional government at any moment, despite many reassurances by Chairman Igor Rukesku that "Anarchism will remain a respected and influential ideology now and into the future" and media coverage that painted Anarchism as "Vital to the political struggle in the Bulgislavian Peoples Revolution"....

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

Lord Bratan would have smiled, the warm Sun and calm seas seemed near heavenly, if it weren't for the cacophony coming off the Death Guard Ships. He had always heard of the vile creature's rituals, but he had never had the pure discomfort of seeing them. The water of the Infant Killer was tinged with a deep ruby red for miles around and behind. Bratan had ordered all non-essential crew to remain off deck, hoping that they would not see the brutal acts before them, but that did little to stop them from hearing the screams of men and women, and the incessant war beat of the drums the Death Guard were playing. The scene could have easily caused a lesser man to go mad.

Nearly ten thousand slaves had been brought aboard the Death Guard Hellion Commander Ship Infant Killer; men, women, children; the Death Guard did not discriminate, all would be sacrificed to their G-d of the Sea, Dar'Har'Kravgrovka, to their Hadiian homeland, and most importantly to their War Lord Emperor Raskov. The screams of those lucky sacrifices echoed across the Ocean, along with the heavy crack of the hammers as they broke and crushed bones. Lord Bratan, removing the hookah from his mouth, losing his appetite for the sweet mango flavor, watched those screamers silenced with cut throats before being hoisted high on the long towers that hung over the Sea, blood still spilling from their necks into the Ruby waters below.

The Death Guard would lead the invasion, they had demanded that right, for it was the fifth day of Draglomak, their holiday that celebrated Death, for that was what the Death Guard would now bring, upon all they touched. Black, Plaguing Death; the rot and musty smell, the destruction, the hatred and malice. They would accept no surrender, all fifteen million people of Volseverus would meet their horrific end, that was what the Death Guard had promised at the foot of his Lordship's throne. Bratan felt a shiver run up his spine, remembering the soulless eyes that stared deep into his, he could sense that they were no longer creatures capable of human emotion, instead they simply lived to consume and snuff out the life that surrounded them.

Monsters, they had long been called, but he had never had the misfortune of actually observing them in war before. The Death Guard rarely participated with the actual military, and were either sent in separately or as the advanced guard. Bratan, having been a naval man, had always been insulated from this brutality. However, what he saw now only sickened him. The Death Guard were far worse than monsters, they were creatures that embodied pain, misery, and death.

The Death Guard fleet, seventy vessels in all, streamed forward, past Bratan's own; causing him to exhale in relief. His men would be occupiers of an empty land, though, whether he could honestly receive comfort in being part of the clean up crew, was honestly up for debate.

---

Death Guard Fleet
H.E.S The Broken Man, F-Transport Vessel
The Devil's Drummer, MCAE-7 Sumerian Battle Tank

"Everyone who isn't part of the Bulgislavian rebels can be sacrificed, remember that. We've given them orders to stay in residential area Grid 1A3, everything else we burn for the War G-d," Dreb Ggrego, Assault Commander of the seven Timber-wolves, said standing atop his own Battle Tank, the sea spraying violently around him. Nearly four hundred F-Transports were rapidly carrying the twenty thousand plus men to the shores of Volseverus.

"We Fo-" Dreb began, only interrupted immediately after by the streaming of the two thousand plus missiles launched from the warships. Most of the Death Guard simply watched as the fire lit up the night sky, leaving long trails of light and smoke behind them. The night clouds flashed with these lights, almost like the sparks of two blades smashing into them, as if the G-d's themselves were doing battle above. It was only moments later that he could make out the sound of several fighter jets, blending in with the night above.

"We Forward Soldiers, do what we do for the sake of the Emperor," Dreb said, renewing his attempt to speak, pausing only for the helicopters that quickly passed over, "We were born for this, raised for this. Each and everyone one of us knows the sacrifices we have made, giving up our lives for this cleansing war. Every rat and vile creature will be annihilated. Every living creature remaining will bow before his Lordship. So my Death Guard, I ask you, are you ready to sacrifice these creatures in his honor?"

"ROSH MIKENDAY BAYLAR, ROSH MIKENDAY FRA," came the yell in response. 'Let all men bow, let all men die.'

The ruins of the city of Vulkan began to appear on the horizon, the fire that had set it ablaze causing great brightness that indubitably did battle the darkness, painting a vaulted reflection of destruction upon the water. A city did burn with all the ferocity of a storm that would whip the sea into such frenzy throwing it against the beaches and lands. But in the stead of water, it was a great fire, which did rage. Ggregos Battle tanks had quickly closed the distance and soon began to disembark from the landing craft and into the belly of the city.

The Death Guard had not yet received even an inch of resistance, overwhelming the Volseverians own defenses early on. The only obstruction that remained now were the cameras that rolled throughout the city documenting the slaughter for the World to see, but they were of no concern, in fact they were just more cattle for the slaughter. Every building would be toppled and every living man would find themselves soon dead.

Of course, the city of Vulkan was yet the second most important city, and with preparation the Volseverians might yet resist in the city of Hephaestus, nearly seventy miles up river. However, the Ralkovians would spare not any creature, and countless more missiles would yet rain upon that most hallowed of grounds.

[Bulgislavia]

Stavropol was a small, thin nation wedge of land with a thin coastline, it was neighbors were Sozopol to the south, a Mykolan client state, Zhatovica to the north and Tashtagol and Bulgislavia to the east. (I'm just going by the region map http://i.imgur.com/pbme2rN.png).

This was indeed the country the Ralkovian's referred to as Volseverus and was to be the first society on the Levantian continent to fall victim to the Ralkovian policy of genocidal obliteration of societies and people.

As Stavropol's coastal cities were quickly obliterated with missiles and the Ralkovian ground forces began their scorched earth policy, the Stavropolian/Volseverusian's seemed completely overwhelmed and incapable of standing up to such a force.

Information of the attacked streamed through the monitors of the PRIA offices. Director of the intelligence agency Janos Humala was receiving as much intel as possible. There were indeed PRIA agents present in Stavropol, currently two agents were based in the coastal zone of Stavropol but there had been no word on them since the onset of the invasion.

Another three agents were currently in Hephaestus reporting intel back to the PRIA in Bulgislavia. Journalist and new's channel's were also dedicated to the breaking news of the extreme bombing of Vulkan, already estimates of casualties were easy in the ten's of thousands and could easily make the hundred thousands probably by the second day if not sooner.

Director Humala made his way down the grey, brightly lit corridors, agents were rushing about with the latest reports streaming in on the the invasion of Bulgislavia's northern neighbor.

"How bloody ridiculous, its not a war, its more like a human stomping on an ant, that's what this is" he said looking at the most recent casualty estimate.

A female PRIA agent with wavey, light brown hair approached Director Humala

"Director, once they occupy Stavropol they won't stop, they will expand, and expand and expand until they control all of Levantia, and it won't stop there until they have dominion over the whole region of Tyrrhenia"

Humala was silent before turning back to the agent "Yulia, you know I respect you greatly, your a prime asset for the agency, but unless you can find me the evidence to support these claims the political class is unlikely to jump to the defense of a tiny insignificant state...."

"A state that is on our border! What I am telling you doesn't require evidence, it requires common sense!"

Humala breathed heavily "I'm about to enter a crisis meeting with Nora Firmescu, Igor Rukescku and Omar Milea, director of the IHF Felix Ormencu and Chief of the BHO Mihail Donescu will also be attending.... You can rest assured I will pass on your concern's to them"

Yulia huffed in frustration, she hoped her words did get through to her boss, how long till a Bulgislavian city was to face such an atrocity as what has befallen Stavropol's coastal city.

"Oh in the meantime, Yulia I want you to order our agents in Stavropol back home, but ask if any of them wish to volunteer to remain for as late as they can so we can get the updates we need"

Yulia nodded, turned then left.

Crisis Meeting

Igor Rukesku the Chairman of the provisional government paced back and force across the room nervously, Nora Firmescu the elected Chief Delegate for the Peoples Economic System of Bulgislavia sat back in her chair at the circular, varnished table, made from a light colour of wood.

"Igor, sit down, try to relax" she said moved a chair out from the table so he could sit in it. Igor stared at it for a moment and then continued pacing

"Thousands of people are being killed right now, if the genocidal madness of the Ralkovian's can't be contained to their own land then we are all in serious danger...." he said, his voice was a flutter of nerves

The door to the meeting room opened and in walked Mihail Donescu chief of the Bulgislavian Health Organization, since the Crimson Fever outbreak that took Bulgislavia's traditional capital of Terevesti out of commission since October 2012, the BHO has become a powerful and dominant institution in Bulgislavia, there is not a situation of state that does not occur where the BHO are not consulted.

Felix Ormencu was the main coordinator for the International Healers Federation, a humanitarian NGO struggling to cope with the humanitarian disaster wrought by the Bulgislavian civil war of last year.

And finally Omar Milea once a disgraced politician and now a national hero, followed by Janos Humala the PRIA director.

"Right where all here then, now what do we do about this national obliteration currently taking place in our northern neighbor?" said Igor hurriedly.

Everyone moved into their seat's before responding to Rukesku's question

"We have to stand with them and send a message that we will not let small countries stand again a bully alone...." said Omar Milea

"That's probably what they want us to do, then they will have more reason to do the same to us!" replied Igor

"Let's not be too rash with our decision to defend a small neighbor we hardly have relations with.... in fact a lot of exiled oligarch's have made their home in this country. There is also the issue that it may not be possible to maintain the Dushov Quarantine Exclusion Zone in the event of a full scale invasion, it could lead to a Crimson Fever outbreak of epidemic proportions" explained Mihail

"Great, so at the same time we are bombed to hell by an extremely powerful enemy, we also have to suffer through an apocalyptic doom's day plague for a second time, except this time it won't just be knocking out a capital city" Rukesku had a pessimistic, almost defeatist tone in his speech, it made the others uncomfortable, mainly for the fact that what he was saying could be a realistic possibility.

"The economic system is only just starting to get off the ground after the disruption caused by the civil war..... But it is in no mean's capable of surviving another conflict, as soon as Bulgislavia faces an invasion the economy may survive for a month at the most, one to two week's at the worst, after that the entire economic system will collapse" Said Nora Firmescu pulling out some manilla folders containing reports drawn up by the Supreme Peoples Economic Assembly, on the state of the Bulgislavian economy.

Omar opened up one of the folders and briefly skimmed over it "We should start our national evacuation plan as soon as possible" he said, throwing the report down

"Good idea, unfortunately I've received word that our sanctuary program has suffered a serious set back with the committee for National Salvation having their request's denied by Cornellian regional authorities to set up a Bulgislavian sanctuary.... apparently they are now seeking island's in the waters beyond the jurisdiction of any established region, to set up the sanctuary polity" explained Janos Humala

The group continued the crisis meeting for another few hours.

By the time of the morning news, representatives of the Bulgislavian Provisional Government gave statements and press conferences on the missile bombing of Vulkan, and Stavropol's coastline being occupied by an invasion force of some kind. At this point it was still unclear in the media who the aggressor was. While Ralkovia was the most mentioned name on all the media outlets, some other names were thrown out ther.

Already the breaking news was having a negative effect on Bulgislavia's economy and many panicked citizens in the northern Polities of Bulgislavia were ordered to evacuate further inland. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Bulgislavia (RAFB) as well as the anarchist Popular Army began fortifying the northern polities as well as assist with the program to evacuate the civilian population south/eastward.

All reservists were called up and instructed to report to barrack's and military camps for briefing and training.

Some vital industries and facilities were given notice to move their operations. Large crews of workers were mobilized to help dismantle facilities and factories and begin transporting them by train and truck further inland to be re-assembled in Bulgislavia's eastern highlands, or transported across the border to Strolingrad where they would be reassembled.

Meanwhile in the besieged nation of Stavropol
City of Hephaestus

Ion Mihalescu, a Bulgislavian agent with both the BHO and PRIA had made his way out of Bulgislavia following a lead to one of the Shadow Org arms's dealers. An oligarch by the name of Iani Nicolo who fled Bulgislavia early last year with his wealth and fortune and had made himself a cosey life in exile in Stavropol, generously funding the Free Levantia Movement, an anti-communist agitation group that worked to undermine and eventually overthrow the current Bulgislavian government, it was a program established by the New Belhavian's.

Iani Nicolo's palatial residence was located in the surrounding forested mountains of Hephaestus, a looming reddish/grey blur shrouded the western horizon.... an ominous sign of what was approaching Hephaestus. Like all of Bulgislavia's oligarch's, Iani dressed expensively, he was middle aged and commonly puffed on cigar's when he felt stressed. His hair was recently dyed black. Standing on the balcony he viewed the horizon, puffing on his cigar. Many of his servants had already fled eastward and hoped to find refuge in one of Stavropol's neighbors. Iani however choose to stay.

In his eye's he thought that perhaps the aggressor's in this conflict could help him..... He was after all connected to Shadow Org, the terrorist group that the new Bulgislavian government had vowed to eradicate. Perhaps if these aggressors do have expansionist aspirations that spread beyond this slither of a country, they may help me return to Bulgislavia....

And it was with this in mind he thought he would wait out the invasion in his palace, only time would tell if his decision not to leave would be for better or worse.

Ion Mihalescu meanwhile had infiltrated the exiled oligarch's palace, pretending to be a double agent of the PRIA, secretly allied to Shadow Org, Iani Nicolo believed in Ion's story.

Ion made his way out to the balcony and slowly approached Iani

"Iani, all PRIA agents in Stavropol have been called back to Bulgislavia"

Iani turned, he looked unconcerned "If you must go, go. I will not force anyone to remain here with me"

"They ask that one agent volunteer to stay in Stavropol for as long as possible..."

At that a glimmer of hope flashed in Iani's eyes "If you could?"

"Of course Iani" Replied Ion

"Thank you..... If this goes badly we may both be dead, but if it goes well we may return to Bulgislavia in an even more powerful position then we were in when we were kicked out"

Ion nodded and then reported back to his superiors at the PRIA that he would volunteer to remain in Stavropol for as long as possible, while the other agents were recalled......

[Strolingrad]

Leninskaya, Capital of Strolingrad

Evening began to don over the the Capital of Strolingrad. It all seemed like business as usual in the capital, as politicians and government workers went home for the night and city's extensive night life began to spring to life in the form of night clubs opening up around the city. However there was certain feeling the air that night, a feeling that had began to see prevalence during the past few days, a feeling of anticipation. This feeling was owed to the news of the Ralkovian invasion of Tyrrhenia through Stavropol, a move that shocked many within both civilian, government, and military circles throughout Strolingrad.

In light of the so called 'imperialist incursions' in Levantia, a emergency meeting had been called by Premier Zakahaev at the presidential palace. The Council of Marshall's (Strolingradi equivalent to the joint chiefs of staff), head of all intelligence agencies, the commissar of the foreign affairs office, and other high ranking government and military officials were all attending. The room was filled with the smell of cigar smoke of the top ranking generals.The room was awash in unceasing arguing between those present.

"I'm sure this is just the Ralkovians wanting to get a little territory in Tyrrhenia, that is all. Quit making such Domesday predictions, it sounds completely unreasonable." Shouted a Foreign Affairs official.

"You idiot! Why else would they invade Stavropol? It's just a bridgehead for a attack into the rest of Tyrrhenia! Next it will be the Bulgislavians, then us!" Screamed one of the Generals back to the Foreign Affairs official.

"I heard what they do to the places they invade, they kill or enslave everyone they find. A policy of both genocide and destruction of the culture of the country they attack... And we are in their sights... God help us." Said one of the PRSS officials to himself.

The bickering continued until a furious Zakhaev stood up at his chair, his expression a combination of anger and frustration, both at the situation he was faced with and the infighting within his own emergency committee. "ENOUGH!! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!" screamed Zakaev, causing all those present to instantly cease talking and made them look at Zakhaev.

"How long will this idiocy and bickering continue? Until the Ralkovians are at our damn door? Until they have each of you tortured, enslaved, or shot?" Said Zakhaev calmly despite his rage a few minutes ago.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you what the Ralkovians do to the places they occupy and people that are within the places they occupy. So with that fact in mind, lets figure out what to do. Any suggestions?" Said Zakhaev.

Field Marshall Gregori Zaytsev from the ground forces stood up, "I think we should send a expeditionary force into Bulgislavia, a few divisions large with accompanying air support. They can help bolster Bulgislavian defenses and see what we are up against if the Ralkovians decide to march on Bulgislavia." Said the Marshall, who then took a long drag on his cigar."

"Another suggestion." Said the PRSS Commissar Jeff Cruse. "Now I don't thing we should escalate to nuclear weapons as that would cause for everyone to get killed, us included. However I think, when they do invade, that we consider the possibility of opening up our chemical weapon stockpiles. While this is something I would never suggest in a normal war, this isn't a normal enemy we are fighting against. We need to be prepared to use whatever means necessary to repel the invaders." Following this statement Cruse sat down.

Zakahev then stood up, "Excellent idea Gregori, see to it that this expeditionary force is put together immediately, use whatever resources necessary to see that this is done." He then looked at Cruse, "I appreciate the suggestion but you know our policy with chemical weapons, we don't use them until our enemy uses them. However I do agree that in light of the fact that these are dangerous times, that they be sent with the expeditionary force, just in case." Said Zakhaev to Cruse. Zakahev then faced his emergency committee, "One more thing that we will be doing. I want the preparations for Operation Last Resort to begin, immediately." This caused gasps and surprise within the committee. "And I want it shared with vetted Bulgislavian officials. With that, this meeting is adjourned."


Following Zakhaev's statement, the committee members stood up, picked up their briefcases, and left... A sense of anticipation hanging over all.

[Bulgislavia]

Bulgislavia
Provisional Capital Craasi

The dimly lit conference room was dead silent except for the crackling of a video transmission from a field agent in Stavropol.

Members of Bulgislavia's core leadership sat silently around the table fixed on the video transmission which crackled and fuzzed as explosions and bombs rocked the other end of the transmission.

'The Ralkovian are laying waste to absolutely everything..... *fuzzle crackle*.... No lives spared.... Request permission to pull out of the country' said the agent to the camera, the agent was cowering in what looked out a bombed out bakery store, as more blasts rattled the agents hiding place, pieces of the ceiling broke to the floor.

Director of the PRIA Janos Humala looked over to Igor Rukesku who gave Director Humala a reassuring nod, with that Humala turned back to the screen.

"The National Crisis Council approves your action to pull out of Stavropol.... But have you heard anything else from agent Mihalescu?" Humala had a calm and soothing voice, able to break a bit of the tension and anxiety within the confined conference room.

'I have heard nothing from Agent Mihalescu, last I heard he was undercover with the exiled Shadow Org Oligarch somewhere in Hephaestus'

"Very well, do you best to return to Bulgislavia safely and as quickly as possible" ordered Humala

the agent in the video transmission nodded "Yes Director", just as the transmission cut out more bombing on the streets outside the agents bakery hideout occurred.

"I do hope he manages to get out safely" said Nora Firmescu fidgeting with her orthodox cross necklace in her right fingers

Chairman of the Provisional Government Igor Rukesku stood up, getting everyone's attention

"So we know what the Bulgislavian people will be up against" said Igor

"Perhaps we can appease them to buy us time...." suggested a minister

"Absolutely not! We will not wait around and let them get away with this atrocity, they will declare war on us as soon as they feel like it, we must make all the necessary preparations for the moment their death machine spills over the border and into our motherland"

The other council members looked to each other anxiously

"As head of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Bulgislavia, General Serescu is to be in charge of the nations main defense, I have already been in many discussions with both him and PRIA director Mr Humala. General Serescu if you may explain the situation and our strategy" said Igor taking his seat once again and allowing General Serescu to hold the floor.

The General brought up a digital map of Bulgislavia and its neighbors on the large wall mounted TV screen where they had seen the video transmission just moments earlier.

"If the Ralkovian's fully occupy Stavropol their forces will be able to pour in across land through the three northern most polities of Noevk, Taralia and Gorbek, directly south of these polities is the Berezin Polity which contains our largest urban center and is the most populous polity in Bulgislavia. The Ralkovian's will most likely push hard to take this vital polity as early as possible..."

"So what do you suggest we do, General?" asked Omar Milea

"The order must be given that all civilian's resided in the three northern polities be evacuated immediately further south, past Berezin. The only people to be in those polities will be military personal and defense volunteer's. For good measure I strongly suggest that the civilians in the Oala and Avidi polities also be evacuated further south. All vital industrial infrastructure and machinery should also be immediately dismantled, evacuated and reassembled in a more defensive location in the countries interior"

"I'm sorry Generation but mass civilian evacuations in those polities encompass around 7 to 8 million people, how can moving that many people so suddenly be undertaken?" said Nora in disbelief

"During the Terevesti Crimson Fever outbreak in the last months of 2012 over 6 million city dwellers were successfully evacuated within a one month period. We must do the same against now, only this time its not an apocalyptic virus that we will be saving our people from" replied Serescu.

"Very well General, prepare the defenses in the north polities and evacuate the citizens further south. In the meantime what is the word regarding the Free Peoples Parliament?" asked Igor

"The Anarchist Black Bloc are mobilizing volunteer's and former partisan veteran's to staff their newly established Popular Army of the revolution, around 20,000 have begun to move north to reenforce the northern border as well as begin construction of defenses and assist the RAFB. The remaining 20,000 popular army volunteer's have begun constructing defenses in Anarchist Priesti and the Ureyn Polity and are training new recruits as well as started stockpiling emergency rations, ammo and weapons in secure locations. The core of the Popular Army are also coordinating with the RAFB on strategies of fighting even if the country should be entirely occupied" replied Omar Milea who made sure he stayed in the loop seeing as his partner Mariella Danalov was the leader of the Rights and Freedom's group within the Parliament.

"Will all of this provoke the Ralkovian's into attacking?" asked Nora

"They will attack us either way, they want to extend their reach to this side of Tyrrhenia but we must do absolutely everything possible to defend our people and our homeland..... Also Director Humala has there been any word on our Strolingradi allies, what do they make of all of this?" inquired Igor

Humala responded "There nervous.... And most probably frightened like us.... There is a genocidal murder machine coming right for us. We received a request earlier that a Strolingradi expeditionary force be allowed to assist in our defensive preparations, they would be dispatched the moment we say the word"

"Good, politely invite them in and tell them we would happily accept the help in formulating an adequate defense on our northern border. In our response also propose that several emergency high ways and rail tracks be constructed from Bulgislavia and Strolingrad to assist with fast and effective relocation and evacuation or resources and refugee's should this whole affair actually come to war" replied Igor, to which Humala nodded.

Northern Polities, north of Berezin

As the RAFB (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Bulgislavia) swarmed into the northern polities, defense volunteer's were quickly drafted. All the buses quickly gathered in well known public spaces to begin the mass evacuation of the civilian populations of the polities. Soldiers knocked on every door to ensure that only those who remained within the polities were either military authorized personal or defense volunteers.

Once the civilian evacuation was underway by both train, plain, bus and private vehicles, the military got to work establishing defensive strongholds while defense volunteers dug ditches, laid mines and began moving emergency supplies and rations into secure locations

The Noevk and Taralia polities would no doubt be the first to fall assuming the Ralkovian invasion would come from the northern border area that connects Bulgislavia to the besieged Stavropol. The Polis Assemblies of both the polities surrendered their powers and civic duties to the military, the polis assemblies were then placed under the control of the Polity Defense Chiefs and would rule from the deep tunnels of the underground subway systems of the polities main urban centers.

The atrocity occurring to the north was deeply troubling to many and to some it was both outrageous and terrifying. In Bulgislavia's major urban centers, missile drills were to be held at the very least on a weekly basis and the TV and media were to urge citizens to stock emergency supplies, and be prepared in the event that Ralkovian's send a shower of missiles over Bulgislavian cities.

[Bulgislavia]

Central Core Bunker Network

A bit of context:
Shadow Org is a domestic terrorist organization, it was for a long time a central part of Bulgislavia's Stalinist system under dictator Yegar Provoce, when he died in 2008, Shadow Org had strong influence in controlling the society, the 2010 Revolution severely disrupted their operations but they remained the shadowing power pulling the strings in the background.

In 2012 in the first year of the Popular Front government's rule, run by the radical and unpredictable Radu Suslov the Shadow Org engineered a crisis by funding a rogue psychotic general in wreaking havoc in Bulgislavia's northern provinces which ultimately ended in the Siege of Crecea and the psychotic General Stanko committed suicide rather than be captured by Strolingradi and Bulgislavian soldiers as well as other allies socialist volunteer's.

The crisis saw Omar Milea take much of the political control as Radu Suslov's mental stability began to crumble, despite this Milea was ousted after a recall referendum and Radu Suslov went on to be elected the Supreme Representative of the Revolutionary Republic of Bulgislavia. Shadow Org then created another crisis by supplying a fanatical apocalyptic doomsday group the "brotherhood of renewal" with the lethal Crimson Fever virus which ultimately led to the Terevesti Outbreak and Quarantine in late 2012. (The old capital is only now starting a process of reinhabitation, although much of the city remains closed off and under strict BHO (Bulgislavian Health Organization) Patrols.

The Bulgislavian Civil War then occurred following Radu Suslov's resignation due to mental health issues, Shadow Org puppet Boris Asimov was then put into power and a harsh dictatorship then began to be established, even going so far as creating fanatical brigades to eliminate political opponents (The most high profile of these being the kidnap of influential grass roots peoples activist Athena Rianu, before she could be quickly tried and executed in the public square of Emergency capital Antoresc by a fanatical peoples court she was rescued by a burgeoning resistance to the Shadow Org dictatorship. The Civil war lasted from March to December of last year (2013) in which Strolingrad had a large part in defeating the Shadow Org Asimovist regime.

Early on in the conflict Shadow Org convinced Boris Asimov to begin a mass evacuation into the underground bunker network in the nations central mountain ranges, canyons and gorges. An estimated 2 million Shadow Org approved civilians were evacuated into this underground bunker network. All mention of Boris Asimov vanished as Shadow Org head agent Alarenko took control of the surface operations.

With the end of the Civil War the RAFB (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Bulgislavia) are still attempting to secure all of the secret entrances to this complex underground network of cities and tunnels. There has so far been no order to breach the bunker network due to the risks involved, however it is estimated that the bunker network......

===============================================================================================================================================
Sink Hole Mountain, Central Bulgislavia

RAFB Soldiers scoured the surrounding rocky landscape for any Shadow Org personal. Other soldiers were in the nearby base which was perched on the edge of the sinkhole, a steel suspension bridge went across the sinkhole to a small landing pad which led into the side of the sinkhole mountain and ultimately down a large shaft to what was believed to be one of the bunker networks main entrances.

At the bottom of the huge sinkhole was a large cavernous network, the bunker network was dug into these caverns. The dim fluorescent lights beaming out of some window's dug into the side of the dark cavern produced a sickly looking eerie glow over the cave. Inside the window's were table containing larges capsules mounted to the wall's, they were large enough to hold a human inside them and some did. Suspended in the liquid were strange and grotesque beings in various form of mutations, some of the Shadow Org's sickly unethical scientific work they were known for (They did create the Crimson Fever after all).

Alarenko walked over to one of the capsules and looked at the floating mutated man, half of his face looked like a mangled mess of new bone structures and brain matter, his veins pronounced and seething with infectious blood, the skin was slipping off, it was faded grey colour.

"Another failure!" spat Alarenko "If we are to turn the tide we need more than just good fortune" He turned and walked past six scientists who stood uniformly in a line and to attention. "Good fortunate that we have been short of for the last year. So I ask you dedicated team of top scientists and brightest minds, what is your solution to our current predicament?" Alarenko's voice was a type of cold croakyness, a man in his 60's and had a long career (over 30 years) within Bulgislavia's darkest corridors of power, secret police work, scientific black projects, torture, targeted assassinations, crisis generating, terror creating were all his daily chores.

One of the scientists stepped forward, a pale man with cold dark eyes, clean shaven "I say we launch everything we have, we burst forth from the bunker, we will most probably get aid and supplies from the Ralkovian's who will greatly appreciate us weakening the country for their invasion. Once we are able to firmly establish ourselves we will have many more options at our disposal"

Alarenko smiled "Something I'm sure you have thought much about..... And what then do you suggest we do about the bunker situation?" croaked Alarenko

"Well since the Asimovists began attacking Shadow Org the bunker cities are essential in a state of civil war, around 40% are in quarantine because of targeted crimson fever outbreaks. I believe the bunker is a lost cause, the whole network will most probably be completely contaminated. We should leave and seal it completely" explained the scientist

"And the lives of the remaining 1 million plus uninfected still residing in the network?"

The scientist shrugged "They will become Crimson Fever infected soon enough, they may hold out for perhaps a month, maybe two if their lucky, but I believe this underground network should be left a tomb.... or a booby trap for either the Revolutionary Government or the Ralkovian's depending on whatever serves our purpose"

"A booby trap for the Ralkovians? You earlier suggested that we attempt to ally with them"

"They will ally with us while its convenient for them, then when they have fully occupied the country and we are no longer useful to their aims they will destroy us"

"Well I don't see the Ralkovian's wanting anything to do with us if we remain a cowering band of near defeated terrorists such at the bottom of a cave.... Fortunately a plan is in the works to send a message that we are not defeated yet" Alarenko smirked as he put his hand on the shoulder of the young scientist "You are to be my chief science officer and personal adviser, now get back to work all of you, we have to prep our experiments for their job"

==============================================================================================================================================

[Ascelonia]

The Winter Palace, Areval, Therangal

She sat nursing a child not more than three months old. From empress to prisoner and back again. The media loved her more than ever, especially after she stood alone against an entire battalion at Waylon Crossing and protected a refugee train with her words alone. A video of her convincing a band of Werlin loyalists to abandon their posts leaked onto the net. Yet, in all her glory, Caroline resembled a young mother more than the ruler of a nation of ten billion. Her aides stood at the edge of the room, a small study, which had been half-converted into a nursery.

The rich scent of leather bindings saturated the air. Important texts from every age and era lined the shelves. Most of them went unread save for a Nerovian Bible and some dusty novels she kept to maintain her reading speed. A crib and a walker occupied the space where a shelve of books and a suit of armor once worn by Numeran knights previously stood. Her advisors found, to their great annoyance, that she refused to part with the child and would engage in odd religious rituals at the most inconvenient moments, denying any audience for the duration of her prayers.

A man dressed in a wool suit sans jacket, stood in the doorway looking uncertainly at the three men crowded at the entrance. Silence. No one spoke, but their unsure eyes said everything. Caroline was whispering unintelligible words to her son, pausing only for quick glances at a large wooden cross she had placed opposite her heavy oak desk. Minutes passed, threatening to stretch into an hour before Caroline's lips stopped moving. Her gaze shifted to the guest carrying a bundle of papers. It would only add to the mess of unsorted paperwork scattered across her desk with the occasional runoff drifting onto the floor.

"Yes?" she gestured to an empty chair.

He paused. Donawitz shook his head, walked a few paces and remained standing. She eyed him for a second and he met her gaze. Though her exterior bore all the semblance of a woman in the spring of youth, her cold blue eyes betrayed some sense of aged madness. The middle-aged man who stared down mass murderers, tyrants, and their sadistic lackeys almost shivered. Her eyes almost seemed empty like the children in the slums. Aged beyond their years.

"You have something for me?" Caroline shifted her gaze to the bundle of papers under his arm.

He nodded. "Yes, the Ralkovians appear to be mobilizing."

"Aren't they always?" the Empress shifted the baby's weight on her lap. "Everyone's always mobilizing these days. Preparing for one war or another. This region hasn't seen peace since the first man set foot in Levantia. Is it against us?"

"No. We don't think so, but-" the minister began. Caroline proceeded over the interruption.

"Then there is no concern. Mr. Minister, under my rule, Ascelonia shall embrace a policy of peace and prosperity like our neighbors in Waldenburg and Yallak. The war of succession is over. The civil wars are over. The Blomburger war is over. So long as I am Empress here and Queen in Blomburg, this peace will continue even if I have lost control of the Blomburger government. It will continue even if I lose control of Ascelonia. We lick our wounds today lest we be vulnerable to another invasion."

"I understand, my liege. However," he laid the papers at the corner of the desk. "They're moving a large force to near Levantia. This is of great concern to our friends in the Confederation and in the League."

"And what do you ask of me?" Caroline measured him carefully. "I cannot raise another army while we are paying down our debts and I cannot build a fleet while we are auctioning our ships to the other Houses. The bulk of our men stand by the border and guard the thin wall that keeps the barbaric Ralkovians from pouring over."

"I ask that you take a look at this. Innocent men, women, and children," he reached into the pile of papers and produced a photo of a Death Guard incinerating a child. "How many decades have we allowed them to murder and enslave other nations while we politicked about?"

"I thought you were supposed to be a minister of foreign affairs not a moral crusader," she closed her eyes and smiled as if she were touched with bliss. "My, dear Donawitz, I have no guilty conscience. I did not preside over the past decades of policy. Of plotting and schemes. Of looting and plunder. Yet, I see the light in your heart still shimmers though stained by your actions under my predecessors."

She paused and looked at the cross. "Perhaps, you should ask him for answers."

His mouth opened and closed for a moment. He had rarely dealt directly with her before. She usually sat quietly listening in the cabinet meetings with a thoughtful look, if she ever attended in person. Most of her affairs were delegated to subordinates, assistants which consisted of a medley of staffers, life-long bureaucrats from previous administrations, and followers, men and women who admired and adored her, bordering on worship. He stared at her. An unconventional regent. She wore a green and purple plaid wool shirt and wrinkled brown sweatpants.

The more he thought about it, the more Caroline seemed like a crazy religious trailerwife hanging around the outskirts of surburbia than an Empress. Her hair formed a tangled mess, carelessly styled like a teenage girl rushing to a nearly forgotten date. He had only seen her in magazines and on TV, the embodiment of maidenly beauty and grace. Donawitz understood she was attractive in an objective sense, yet he felt none of it. She felt more like a daughter or a mother.

He stared for a moment and turned his gaze to the cross. She looked completely certain as if every word from her mouth carried the weight of fact. The weight of God. She was insane. Dangerous. But, he gauged her words carefully. Nothing seemed too out of place or unreasonable besides the outlandish suggestion at the end.

"Alright," he conceded. "Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of," she frowned.

"Are you going to look at any of it?"

The Empress replied, "My people clear my desk of paperwork every Friday."

He sighed internally and turned to walk away.

"Oh, and one more thing minister," he looked back to see her hoisting the baby closer to her bosom. "I will not permit you act in any official capacity on the matter aside from the standard gestures and assurances."

Donawitz nodded reluctantly.

"However, if, say, some corporation launches a mercenary venture or some volunteers gather for an expedition. Well, under our system of laws, I have no obligation to prevent them from doing so."

Minister Donawitz raised his eyebrows. His mouth shifted into an asymmetrical grin. He bowed, "I will do my best, my Empress."

"As you shall. Remember, I cannot be everywhere at once or lend an ear to all your problems," she waved toward the cross with a free hand. "But He can. Remember that and you shall serve your people well."

[Bulgislavia]

Bulgislavia
Ureyn Polity

Liberation Park

Polity Chief Damir Banovic walked down the street, anarchist volunteers from the neighboring "Anarchist Free Peoples Polity of Embaro" were laying the foundations of a new apartment block after having cleared the rubble from a bombed out shell of a building a week before. Across the street from the construction work was a large park, with a wide stone path that led from the street to a grand central fountain, the water system had recently been restored so to mark the occasion Banovic decided to hold an open public assembly.

Crowds were already filling the park, many laid down picnic blankets and got out food, some played music on portable radio's whole others used the radio's to get updates on the status of Stadium Convergences and Mass Assemblies that were currently being held around the country.

The microphone system was set up and the elected Polis Assembly (mostly made up of the high profile resistance members that took a leading role in liberating the city from the Shadow Org controlled Asimovist dictatorship) sat on the sides of the grand fountain in front of the mic set.

Roaming assembly facilitators with a mic set walked around the gardens giving people the opportunity to raise issues or direct a question to one of the Polis Assembly members, it was a large turn out, perhaps around 3,000'ish city residents had assembled in the park.

Damir grabbed one of the central seats from among the elected members, above the tree tops Damir could see old stone buildings draped in red and black flags. He stepped up to the microphone "I call this Mass Polis Assembly in solidarity and join with our comrades participating in other such events, stadium convergences and rallies all across the nation"

There was an applause which started first with those sitting closest and then spread out.

Damir continued on "The absolute first thing on the agenda for the Ureyn Mass Polis Assembly is a call for willing volunteers to join the next company of Popular Army volunteers heading north....."

"Question over here!" yelled up a man who struggled to be heard over a chorus of debate that rose and then suddenly recinded when Damir gestured at the man who yelled, one of the roaming mic men ran over to the man

"Can you confirm when Nishini's column will be passing through Ureyn to head north?" said the man into the mic

"Vasily Nishani's column is already in the north, it passed Berezin on its way to dig in defenses in the Taralia polity" explained damir

discussion once again began to stir

"However I have been told that Partisan Leader Dan Oltescu has put out a call to form a column in Priesti, they are expected to begin marching north before the end of the month" Damir finished and more citizens raised their hands or shouted to be heard

"I have a question!" Yelled another woman, another mic man quickly went over to the lady "What preparations have you taken in the event that Ralkovia invades us?"

"Well..... It would be hard to know how long it would take Ralkovia to cross the distance from the northern border to our Polity. But in terms of preparations I have word that the Ureyn Polity Defense League is up and running and is already recruiting volunteer's, defensive structures and fortifications are also being constructed on the polity outskirts and it complies with the bare minimum standards set by the BHO to be able to have a survivable chance of holding off a Crimson Fever outbreak...." Damir was cut off by some gasps and shouts

"Crimson Fever!?" Shouted someone nearby in shock

"We have stock piled many crates of Crimson Fever inhibitor and emergency supplies. In the event of a full scale war the BHO has warned that its ability to keep the Dushov Exclusion Zone completely quarantined may be diminished, which would in theory lead to another Crimson Fever outbreak. We just have to make every precaution"

The "Citizen's input" segment of the mass convergences were always the most challenging for the countries leadership, however the experience was quite different for Chairman Igor Rukesku who had to address questions to an audience of 60,000 in the Craasi Central Stadium.

After the Citizens Input segment there followed various other segments like a special stack list of speakers and planning proposals by elected representatives. Political activists did their best to make Bulgislavia at the cutting edge of direct democracy heavily laden with the ideals of the 2011 Great Peoples Enlightenment Revolution of transforming the country into a true Peoples Democracy.

The last segment were usually mass votes to either approve or reject motions that had become particularly controversial and contentious. The stadium participants voted with colored cards which they held above them to create a mosaic of colour across the stadium arena but would usually provide easy visual of approval or disapproval for a motion, for extra accuracy on the popular mood those following convergences/mass assemblies on the internet were encouraged to also vote in relevant poll's.

Notable resolutions from the Nationwide Peoples Convergence event

* A resolution to send a force to assist the Stavropolian people was voted down by the population in favor of a policy of defensibly digging in

* A resolution that enhances greater powers for the PRIA in light of the security crisis narrowly passed, though the opposition insist the matter isnt over and is set to draft a motion to appeal it at the next peoples convergence session

* A resolution that would ban any of Bulgislavia'a 155 polities from breaking away was voted down sharply, particularly in the Anarchist Polities who cited that such a resolution conflicts with the "Priesti Liberation Resolution of 2012" which asserted a polities right to self determination

Meanwhile in Bulgislavia's northern polities

Mostly all the civilian inhabitants were now in major train stations and gymnasiums in Berezin, waiting to be relocated, while many more are boarding with extended family or complete strangers. The Berezin polity chief has warned that the over populated polity can not handle another influx of refugee's and cites an increasing strain on resources and impending humanitarian disaster.

The RAFB had taken up positions, secured underground security bunkers in the northern border land, fortified the cities (which were eerily empty of civilian inhabitants) and continued to formulate strategies for defending the country from an invasion in the north. The Popular Army Column's were also moving into the northern polities to beef up the RAFB defense.

[Ascelonia]

War Room, "Ansappa"

Etched into the Hochwer mountainside, ANSA's central command building sat overlooking the spires of glass and steel rising from Gervaal. The city once sallied against the Fictionese Sekh Kaari Industries, only to be outflanked and outcompeted in the global market. Within a few years, it emptied out as the economy collapsed, driving real estate prices into the ground and the rats soon outnumbered people. The few industries that remained, began pursuing contracts with the private defense firms. Companies once specialized in drilling, mining, and storing natural resources soon found themselves digging bunkers for the super wealthy and the super paranoid.

The compound, ANSA central command apparatus affectionately known as "Ansappa", hugged the Hochwer for several hundred meters and reached about two kilometers into the mountain at a downward angle. Designed to stop a small nuclear bomb, the facility, planned in the 50's and built in 90's, didn't keep up with the times aside from its minimalist glass-steel exterior, which was designed by Ponean architects. The original War Room was dug into the deepest part of the facility, which took four days to carve out since the drill kept overheating and coolant had to be pumped in and out. However, the severe security measures and the depth of the structure meant that reaching the War Room from the exterior would take an hour and a half in an age when a high-speed passenger train could take you from Numera to Cyrone in a four hours and a supersonic corporate jet could cross the North-South span of the country in two and a half hours.

Security was only worth it if there was profit to be had and time is money. These days, men of power built bunkers to protect them from angry mobs and pipe bombs instead of foreign invaders and atomic bombs. So, the War Room was moved to replace an office space sprawled across the face of Ansappa and large section of the interior was converted into a tourist trap with its own mall. It was a large open room where sunlight scattered through the glass roof and a sweeping view of Gervaal and the adjacent countryside poured through a transparent wall.

Four tables sat in the center of the room. Three curved around one round husk of solid verawood. Government bureaucrats, corporate spokesmen, and emissaries from the Houses usually staffed the three flanking tables. Today, the room was quite empty outside the center, which was normally reserved for the power players, the Empress, the Chancellor, and the President of ANSA. Rosa Blackburn tapped her fingers impatiently against the Bulnesian wood.

She was descended from a medieval House that went out of circulation a century ago when the Emperor stripped them of their status during the revolution. Blackburn now served as a spokesperson for Greystone Security, which provided escorts for senators visiting Levantia and corporate executives running PR campaigns in the slums. Next to her, sat Colonel Pyotr Kalchek, the head of Executive Solutions. He was never a Colonel under any government-run military, but he made the title for marketing purposes. He wore full military regalia resembling a strange mix of Hakkapelitan marching pomp and Arcindin Bush War practicality. Karen Tahira, Frank Donawitz, and Leonhart Niemann were seated across from the two corporate spokesmen.

"Well?" Blackburn held her hand out. "What do you have to give me? Another escort mission in the slums around Cyrone? A visit to Sudar? Maybe, Caroline finally lost her mind and wants to play pilgrim in Qualah."

"Patience," Chancellor Tahira said, tapping her watch. Five minutes till nine.

"Surely, you have a better offer than that," Blackburn smiled unpleasantly. "Or I'm afraid you have wasted my time and I will bill you accordingly."

Tahira held her hand up. "There will be no need for that."

"My time is very valuable," Blackburn held up her manicured fingers with sparkling black nails. "Ten thousand credit nail polish. The solution contains micro-diamonds."

Tahira smiled and raised a soft hand with red nails, "Five credits. I paid my daughter to do them for me."

"I suppose you're used to running things on a shoestring budget," Blackburn sneered.

The Chancellor shrugged, "I suppose I do."

"What's he doing here anyway," Colonel Kalchek raised his wrinkled, liver spotted hand and pointed a bony finger at Leonhart. "This fucker spent the last decade talking shit about how I run things. I ended the Arcindin Bush War, I stopped an attempt on Caroline's life, and I killed Werlin. What do you have to say about that?"

"You were part of the team that killed him," Leonhart leaned forward from his seat. "And I'm pleased to meet you, too."

Kalchek looked at Blackburn, "What's with these wise guys in government? It's like they never had a thousand dollar steaks."

"At least they shower," Blackburn replied.

Donawitz raised smirked, "We've never caught syphillis from a Manganibian hooker either."

A very red Kalchek blurted, "How the fuck did you find out about that one?"

"As you know, we've got case files on everyone in this room," Tahira spoke with a neutral tone. "And I expect certain people not to run their mouths."

"Yes, Chancellor," Donawitz bowed his head. Tahira tapped her watch in reply. Nine.

"It's time," she said and she turned swiveled her chair and flicked a remote at the wall behind her. A screen rose from the ground and the news turned on. Ralkovia invades Stavropol stood out in bold white letters at the top of the screen.

"Ralkovian forces have launched military operations against Stavropol, a small nation of fifteen million people. The operation has proceeded with such speed that many states in Levantia have yet to react. We expect the Levantian Council to prepare a statement on the matter soon. Casualties number in thousands so far, as the bombardment of Volseverus and the ground attack continue with total disregard for civilian lives. Senior Ralkovian expert Benjamin Huntley is with us today to explain Ralkovian policy."

A middle aged man in an unremarkable grey suit with an equally bland blue tie sat in front of a green screen where footage of civilians fleeing Volseverus and Stavropolian tanks rolled toward their certain doom kept looping. Huntley adjusted his glasses before speaking.

"Yes, Anne. I've studied Ralkovian history at Helmann University and I've worked at a think tank based in Cyrone focused on generating policies for businesses and government agencies to deal with Ralkovia on our northern border."

"What do you think of the current situation? Is it expected? It this the norm?"

"Well, Anne. Most foreign policy analysts try to understand international relations by viewing each state as a rational actor. The problem is the Ralkovian government isn't always rational. At least, not from our perspective. They're exceptionally cruel and unprofessional in their conduct of war. They torture and maim when they can have quick clean deaths. They conduct war in an extremely violent and uneven fashion even when less volatile alternatives would suffice. They're boisterous and provocative when softer words could win the day. You could say they speak loudly and act like massive dicks."

Anne chuckled before continuing, "Well, you've studied them before. Don't you identify with them? Don't have any sympathy for them?"

"To some extent, yes. I feel for the Ralkovians who have grown up in a different, more violent culture. I wish they could enjoy the freedom we have in here. Unfortunately, I cannot sympathize with the actions of the Ralkovian government in any manner. They've caused the deaths of billions of innocents and they continue to propagate their worldview and achieve their strategic aims through violent means. I would be more sympathetic if they kept within their borders."

"So, why did they invade Stavropol?"

"Why do they invade anybody? Ralkovians want slaves and resources. They're willing to do anything to get them. In a post-war world without interventionism from Yallak and Waldenburg, there's no one around to keep Ralkovia from exerting its influence within the region."

"What about us?"

"Are you f*cking crazy? I like my life, thank you very much. War with Ralkovia would destroy our economies, but it would certainly hurt us more since we have a stronger appreciation for the luxuries of liberty."

"So where is Ralkovia going with this? What's next?"

"What's next is that it will continue disrespecting established conventions as it always does. The Emperor in Ralkovia doesn't care much for international laws, regional authorities, and what have you. You can think of him as a rebellious teenager who pulls as many crazy stunts as possible to seem cool and edgy."

"Will anybody stop them?"

"Certainly. Not in the long run, but the international community could certainly put Ralkovia in a timeout for a little while."

"What's that supposed to mean to us?" Blackburn frowned. "And here I thought you had something useful."

"It means you can save millions of lives," Leonhart interjected.

"Who the fuck invited this guy?" Colonel Kalchek spat. "He's one of them. Them..."

He seemed to lose the word before Blackburn stepped in, "Humanitarians."

She said like a dirty word and she was explaining its meaning to her fundamentalist Christian parents.

"Look. I think we could all benefit from this situation," Tahira said.

"How?" Blackburn raised an eyebrow. "How do we benefit from giving free aid and assistance to the Bulgislavians?"

"Providing security for Bulgislavia would do wonders for your PR. It would give your personnel experience and serious training they can bring back. Last but not least, your clients might have some interest in the western Bulgislavia. The polities there are far more accomodating than their socialist rhetoric would suggest. Cheap labor and development."

"Fair enough," Blackburn nodded, somewhat satisfied. Kalchek shook his head. "Since we're dead set on this, the whores in Bulgislavia better be as good as the fightin'."

"Alright, we'll send a message to the Bulgislavian government concerning our collective interest in the country and we'll suggest they ease restrictions in the western half of the country and open trade between our countries. Ideological differences aside, none of us will profit from millions of dead civilians," Tahira nodded and the meeting adjourned in silence.

[Bulgislavia]

Bulgislavia
Provisional Capital

The elected Chief Peoples Economic Delegate of the SPEA, Nora Firmescu was skimming some inbox reports detailing the state of the Bulgislavian economy and how the nations "Revolutionary Peoples Economic System" was functioning. A wall mounted flat screen TV was on mute, but the images and footage being displayed from the screen was of death and destruction, live coverage of Ralkovia's invasion of Stavropol.

'Hmmm lets see here'

One file in particular caught her eye.

[URGENT READING - Declaration of establishment for the Free Trade Polities Bloc, A Special Session of the Supreme Peoples Economic Assembly is advised]

Nora was intrigued by the development, but basically the rundown of the report was:

Eight polities that had elected Polis Assemblies that affiliated with the Peoples Enterprise League have declared their intent to form the "Free Trade Polities Bloc", which is actually one of the economic reforms being pressed by the powerful Peoples Enterprise Union. Economic Delegates from these polities were now advocating for a bill which would allow their polities to deal freely with international capital, free from the restrictions of the SPEA and the revolutionary government.

Nora shook her head, while she personally opposed the idea, believed that the polities would end up being corrupted into foreign/corporate controlled proxies for further capitalist expansion into the country. On the other hand an experimental economic zone in capitalism has been a highly desired reform since the 2010 revolution ousted the old Stalinist regime, it had proved to be an elusive reform..... until now.

She looked over to her stamp holder..... any one of those stamps could determine the fate of the act and considered for a moment of stamping a special CPED override that would prevent the bill from being debated in the SPEA.

Before she could reach for it the TV screen turned blue and chimed a bleeping tune, indicating that someone was calling her office. She pressed a button on her keyboard and the wall mounted screen displayed live capture of a corporate looking office, in some skyscraper overlooking the city of Berezin. Sitting at a desk was a clean shaven man with thick dark side burns, wearing some expensive suit. He looked middle aged.... maybe a bit younger, perhaps late 30's. Leader of the Peoples Enterprise Union within the SPEA, pretty much the leader of the opposition to the green -left coalition that had been elected last year to run the economy for the next 5 years.

"Nicu Vargas, to what do I owe the pleasure?" asked Nora diplomatically

'Yes, greetings Chief Delegate Firmescu, I'm sure your now very well aware of the growing momentum for Bulgislavia to finally establish a free trade zone within our borders' spoke Nicu, he had a kind of sly expression, a look of satisfaction that for once he was going to get one over Firmescu and her radical socialist economic administration which had warred much of Bulgislavia's upper class and business sector for the last year.

"Yes I have it right in front of me, I was agonizing about what to stamp on it" She rested her finger on the stamp that would delay any discussion of the bill for at least a year

'There's only one stamp that is to go on it, your own seal of approval fast tracking it into the SPEA'

"Ha! Free Trade Zones are not at the top of this economic administrations agenda, there is a humanitarian crisis in the country! not to mention the threats and accusations of counter revolution and capitalist infiltration. Not only does the Peoples Enterprise Union intentionally block the humanitarian relief tax but now you have the cheek to tell me to put your business profit making agenda to the front of the line! I don't think so" The stamp she rested her finger on was now in her hand and held above the top of the report

Nicu's eye's widened in shock, he had been personally assured by Chairman Igor Rukesku that the act would be fast tracked through the SPEA.

'Don't act too hasty Nora, the Chairman approves and wants it passed'

"Chairman Rukesku would never support such a bill, it is an affront to everything we have fought for, everything we are trying to achieve!"

'Then get Chairman Rukesku on the line, after you speak with him I believe you will change your mind, now put down the stamp and call the Chairman' Nicu relaxed in his chair now that he felt like he was getting some semblance of control in the situation. Nora typed on the keyboard of her sleek black desk computer and within moment the image on the wall mounted TV split in two, with Nicu on one side and blank blue image on the other that indicated it was establishing contact with Rukesku's office. Within moments the blank blue side of the screen displayed an image of Rukesku, sitting in his office.

'Hello CPED Firmescu and Delegate Vargas, is this call regarding the Free Trade Polities Bloc?' asked Rukesku, he looked aged and tired, probably loosing sleep over this Ralkovian situation

"Yes, greetings Chairman. It is about the Free Trade Polities. Delegate Vargas here, tells me that you give this bill your approval and wish it to be fast tracked, is he talking nonsense or what?"

'He tells the truth Nora. The business community has already established contact with a powerful overseas backer that has not done Bulgislavia any ill will in the past, they will bring much needed capital into the country after last years capital flight'

"But Chairman, with all do respect, how do you expect to keep the Red Bloc and Anarchist polities to go along with this, they will say we have betrayed all those who died in the civil war"

'The Free Trade Bloc will be entirely confined to those eight polities, they are located in Peoples Enterprise League polities, not Red Bloc or Anarchist polities. I have also spoken with many of the polity chiefs concerned and they assure me that if it has the potential to bring that ever elusive prosperity to our country then we should give it a go'

Nora let out a deep breath "Ok Rukesku you convinced me.... But for the record I am opposed to this bill. Vargas, it appears you were right about me changing my mind" Nora placed a green stamp of approval for the proposed act to be fast tracked and be discussed and voted on at the next session of the Supreme Peoples Economic Assembly, it would no doubt be dramatic, the trade unions were already protesting restrictions on trade union influence in the Peoples Enterprise League polities, how would they react to the setting up of free trade polities were militant trade unions will find a very, very diminished influence.

By the next day the 700 plus, elected Peoples Economic Delegates filed into the Craasi central convention center as well as media and public observers. As expected it was a very loud, controversial and contentious bill right from the moment the first words began to leave the mouth Nicu Vargas and after almost seven hours and four 15 minutes breaks the bill was passed. The SPEA was forced to recognize the Free Trade Polities Bloc and just like that eight polities (out of Bulgislavia's 155) were now open for business to foreign companies and capital. The Peoples Enterprise Union delegates actually jumped with joy and had a standing ovation while the Trade Union and Communist faction heckled and booed.

In a defeated tone Nora Firmescu called for another 15 minute break before reforming to continue the debate on the Humanitarian Relief Tax which called for Bulgislavia's largest commercial operations and Peoples Enterprises to pay millions to the International Healers Federation, a humanitarian NGO attempting to deal with not only Bulgislavia's current existing refugee and internally displaced people, but now an incoming surge of Stavropolian refugee's.

Nora was fuming when she was approached by Nicu Vargas

"Come to gloat?" she asked

"No, actually I've come to tell you that the Peoples Enterprise Union has had a change of heart and will now unanimously support the Humanitarian Relief Tax" smiled Nicu

Nora was suspicious "What changed your mind?"

"The Chairman promised to deliver a free trade zone in Bulgislavia in exchange for the Peoples Enterprise Union to put up no opposition to some humanitarian and emergency economic acts that both the Chairman, PRIA Director Janos Humala and Chief General Serescu have heavily advised we also fast track"

"Ugh" Nora shook her head "What ever happened to use handling the economic system and them handling the political system"

"Well I suppose there is quite a lot of overlap, I mean the economy can't be completely separated from the political sphere"

"Ok, well lets get this Humanitarian Relief Tax passed them"
..................................................................................................................................

Almost within hours Bulgislavia's major Peoples Enterprises were getting into contact foreign companies, mostly those from Ascelonia who had also helped facilitate the Bulgislavian governments decision to pressure the SPEA to ensure a free trade zone was established.

The Polities that are now part of the Free Trade Polities Bloc are Tecetia and Markovsburg in the south, Pittenburg and Yensburg on the border region with Mykola, Antoresc and Ristev in the center of the country and Talnburg and Berezin in the north

[Strolingrad]

Koniev Military Base
20 miles from the Strolingradi-Bulgislavian Border


Koniev military base, named after the General Kordovonsky Koniev, whose statue stood at the front of the entrance to the base. He was a mutineer who during the revolution led the military wing of the revolutionary forces against the old regime.

At the base masses of men and material were being assembled, three divisions, two Mechanized and one armored. Tanks and other mechanized vehicles being assembled by the concrete bunkers within the base. They were equipped with the best weapons and equipment in the Strolingradi arsenal, mainly consisting of weapons of Lyran origin and heavily upgraded Soviet tech.

Morale was high among the men and women of 'Task Force Thunder', despite the rumors of Ralkovian atrocities in the nation of Stavropol. It was 6 o'clock in the evening and the movie Apocalypse Now was being shown at the center of the base. Apocalypse Now, since the skyrocketing in popularity of western movies in Strolingrad since the 90's, had become a favorite in Strolingrad.

It was around the ride of the valkaries portion of the film, when the projection ceased, much to the dismay of the soldiers attending and the head of the task force, Lieutenant General Mikhail Gordovonsky's voice appeared on the base PA system.

"All Personnel report to your CO's immediately, we are on the move in 1 hour. We have gotten the to ahead from command to move to Bulgislavia. Repeat, all personnel get to your CO's immediately, we are on the move in 1 hour." Immediately men jumped up from the floor and went to go find men their comrades from their platoons and companies.

Within a hour the three divisions were on the move towards the Strolingradi border, which since the Ralkovian landings in the northwest was being fortified by the the reserve forces and national peoples militia.

In addition to the three divisions that were embarking from the Koniev base, a airborne division, the 10th Paratrooper Division at the Engles Airbase in central Strolingrad were making final preparations to depart for Bulgislavia as they boarded their massive transport craft. A couple hour behind the ground forces the planes began to depart the base one by one. The paratroops, who were arriving well ahead of the rest of the force, were to make contact the Bulgislavian Army, who they presumed were already near the northern frontier of Bulgislavia in force.

[Ascelonia]

Berezin Polity, Bulgislavia

Rosgeld sat in an idling jeep outside a refugee camp. He spent several hours listening to the horror stories of bombings and shootings. By now, he felt desensitized and disgusted. He could fill a book, and he might someday, about this travesty and nothing would come of it. Book tours. Talk shows. Maybe some high profile interviews. What good does that do for the millions of displaced Stavropolians? he thought as he puffed on an e-cig as the sun started to fall. It was all the same now. The same stories of lost parents, lost limbs, and lost children.

As hard as one can try, one cannot stop the inevitable. Rosgeld took another drag in reflection. He had moved through a dozen refugee camps in Sozopol and in Bulgislavia. A press pass and an Ascelonian passport separated him from them. It meant freedom of movement while they were stuck, waiting for relief that may never come. He removed his thick framed black glasses and rubbed his nose bridge. They're going to become statistics. Ralkovia's already won. Another pull of the e-cig. The cruelty and inequality of life struck him hard. All he could salvage was some award for hardhitting journalism. What does that mean? Millions dead? The world just moves on as if nothing happens?

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. Dennis, the cameraman from Greston, walked back from taking shots of refugee children playing football in the muddy grass. An aid worker wearing a big red vest with letters "IHF" printed in bold white refereed the match while a dozen onlookers of varying ages watched. Some of them were missing arms and legs, but they still smiled. Life goes on, Rosgeld thought as Dennis approached.

"You done moping?" he grinned, gently kicking a jeep tire. "We're rolling out."

"Alright," Patrik nodded.

"Oh, and one more thing," Dennis paused, pulling the camera strap over his head. "Your article changed things."

"What do you mean?" he eyed him, taking a deep pull on the e-cigarette. "You liked it?"

Dennis shook his head, "No. You changed everything. Public opinion has shifted in Ascelonia, especially after Bulgislavia set up free trade zones."

"I did, huh?" Rosgeld eyed his e-cig thoughtfully before tucking it into his pocket. "We better get going then. We have an appointment to keep."

Antoresc Polity, Bulgislavia

A pack of three helicopters drifted over the Bulgislavian landscape. All transport helicopters hastily outfitted with active protection systems and state of the art electronic countermeasures. Most state visits by land were an extreme hassle. The entire roadway from airport to meeting zone would have to be shut down and security teams would need to cover every section of the journey. By contrast, a trip by air wouldn't clog traffic and corporate sponsors were footing the bill.

"Theremin Prime. This is Anteater. What's your ETA? Over."

The co-pilot replied, "This is Theremin Prime, we are fifteen minutes out. Give or take."

"Roger that. We'll be expecting."

An odd medley of corporate executives, a humanitarian activist, and government bureaucrats filled the interior of the craft. In addition, about a dozen or so guards. About half were Republican Guards, soldiers whose sole purpose was to serve and protect Ascelonian top officials, and the rest were men from Greystone Security and Executive Solutions.

"Tahira. With all that secrecy," Blackburn shouted over the half-muffled whirring of helicopter blades. "I didn't expect you to come. What changed?"

Tahira held her hand up, "Ralkovia invaded Stavropol."

"So?" Blackburn looked mildly surprised. "Ralkovia's done it before. We haven't batted an eye."

She shook her head, "That's because we never looked."

"Ten minutes till landing!" the co-pilot announced. The guards tightened their grip on their automatic weapons to varying degrees. They knew Bulgislavia could be a dangerous country and many of them were prepared to take a bullet if the need arised. Their arachnofiber vests were far lighter than those used by frontline infantry, designed for endurance and mobility. Besides, they didn't need to walk into Vargas' office building equipped with heavy armor and assault gear. The Republican Guards wore dark blue T-shirts underneath their vests and matching caps with golden badges pinned at the front. The corporate soldiers dressed in professional black with the Ascelonian blue and gold emblazoned on armbands to identify their nationality.

A security team on the ground had been deployed in advance to secure the landing site while another team stood on standby ready to provide logistical assistance in case things went south. Usually, a few more units would be operating in the area to provide emergency evacuation and relief, but their lives were more expendable than the life of an Emperor or Empress.

The shout came from the front, "Five minutes!"

[Bulgislavia]

Bulgislavia
Antoresc Polity

Nicu Vargas stared down at a large construction site from the 15th floor of the Antoresc Polity Administration Tower. It was the highest building in the drab, uniform city. The Large construction site use to be the seat of the Asimovist government until it was obliterated by Strolingradi missiles. With the polity now under the control of the "Free Trade Polities Bloc" the provisional government have virtually given this coalition a widely creative license (At least by Bulgislavian standards) to reform the economies in these polities into commercial and financial centers using any means necessary.

Although this move was only reluctantly approved of by the SPEA economic chief, Nora Firmescu, a fact that satisfied Nicu immensely.

".... I'm just saying you shouldn't antagonize the Red Bloc polities, we don't want to give them any more reason to gun after anyone with a seven figure salary, I do live in Craasi after all.... Nicu? Nicu are you even listening to me?"

Nicu snapped out of his gave and turned to face Enrico Lavrov, the charismatic chief of the Peoples Hospitality Union which was a chain of expensive hotels, restaurants, night clubs and even brothels (Prostitution was decriminalized in Bulgislavia in 2012).

"Yes, I was listening. You said not to antagonize the red's because your worried they will take their frustrations out on one of your homes, cars or girlfriends" Smirked Nicu, he walked over to his desk and cracked open a bottle of expensive Bulgislavian champagne.

"I thought you had that bottle ready for our guests?" asked Enrico

"Nah I have water waiting for us in the conference room and another bottle spare if a decision is made on cracking open another if the need arises"

"Speaking of which I believe our guests should be here any minute... Oh and just a quick question what are you doing with all that land?" Enrico nodded down at the large construction site outside the window

"Well I don't have to tell you how dreary, drab and pathetic the skyline of this city is, if we are to become a massive financial center of commerce we need something that will reflect that. Its the groundwork for an 85 story business center, I'll show you the conception designs later. Right now I think we should get going and greet our guests" Nicu grabbed the bottle of expensive champagne and had a few big gulps, walking with Enrico to the elevator.

"Want any?" said Nicu offering the bottle to Enrico

"nah, I'm good" said Enrico pushing the ground floor button in the elevator.

"So..... Has the PRIA given you any more trouble since that time last year?" asked Nicu, he tried to be sensitive about it considering they did kidnap and detain Enrico for almost a week and tortured him in one of the "Security Centers" last year.

"Well I know they have my whole family under surveillance, apparently a cousin I came across once in my whole life is now working for Shadow Org. Rukesku has assured me that the PRIA will never detain or torture me again but that all my communications are to be under constant surveillance and I have to alert them at once if I ever come across my cousin, they even tried to recruit me to actively seek out and find him"

Nicu nodded just as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Nicu gulped back some more of the champagne and then took the half empty bottle over to the front counter and intructed the secretary to place the bottle on ice and have it returned to his office after his appointments are concluded for the day, he also instructed for a second one to be ready on hand to replenish the thirsts of our guests if they should desire more than just water.

The lobby was bustling with people, the Polity Defense Chief strategised with some RAFB soldiers in front of a large map of the Antoresc polity, painted as a mural on one of the walls of the foyer. Two PRIA agents entered and made straight for the hallway to one of the back corridors and who knew how many staff members were just your average run of the mill informants. Outside RAFB troops shared cigarettes and a joke with the heavily armed employees of Security and Risk Control Services Peoples Enterprise. SRCS was assisting the army in providing security in the shaky post civil war environment.

Nicu stepped out the front doors with Enrico in tow, the front courtyard contained a circular garden with a small rocky fountain in the center. A stone path and seats were arranged around the embellishment and led to a front gate which led onto 'Assembly Boulevard', a large 6 lane road, directly across the boulevard was the massive construction site. A large billboard in front of the works states mysterously "The future of Antoresc to rise here shortly".

One of the SRCS guards approached both Enrico and Nicu "Sorry to interrupt but if you're going to be standing out here for a while I must advise you to put on a bullet proof vest, both of you"

"What ever happened to the days were bullet proof vests were only needed in Berezin and war zones, pffft!" scoffed Nicu

"You instructed us to take every precaution with your lives sir"

"Yes, yes alright, we won't be out here long anyway but get the vests"

The central CBD of Antoresc was very heavily secured. Road block's and checkpoints had been established in the streets and block's close to administrative and government buildings. Patrol's and the provision of security was given to both the RAFB and contracted private security firms like Security and Risk Control Services

[Bulgislavia]

Taralia Polity
Northern Bulgislavia, on boarder of Stavropol

The city of Taralia once had a population of 167,000 at its peak in 2011, the economic and political troubles the country has gone through in the years since reduced the population to 116,000. Since the evacuation order issued by the Interim Government the population has plummeted further to a little under 40,000.

While over half that number were RAFB personnel the other half was a mixture of corespondents, IHF aide workers facilitating Stavropolian refugee evacuation from the "Threat Zone" into the "Safe Zone" south of Berezin. Others were local volunteer's who were helping the RAFB fortify the area. The Polity Defense Chief and his staff as well as PRIA agents and lastly a 10,000 column from the Anarchist "Popular Army" led by revolutionary partisan resistance fighter Vasily Nishani.

"The Ralkovian's must be penetrating further inland, the number of refugee's passing through is increasing by the day" Said Vasily, looking down on the street which was filled with IHF buses picking up Stavropolian's at the border and driving them south through Taralia and into the save zone south of Berezin. Vasily had set up his base of operations in a now abandoned cafe in a two story building with an exterior of old stone masonry built at the start of last century.

"We should expect a heavy hale of missiles any day now" said one of the anarchist militia men

Vasily sighed and his stomach sank "We should expect the worst, the Polity Defense Chief has given me a briefing on the local terrain, the entrance zones of the local polity bunker system and all of its entrance zones and the RAFB commander tells me that Strolingradi reinforcements will also be joining us in the north"

One of the Popular Army volunteers cracked a kind of awkward smile "So do we actually stand a fighting chance against them?"

There was a silence before Vasily finally spoke up "I don't know comrade but I like to think we do..... It wont be easy though"

"Is it true the entire native population of territories the Ralkovians invade get completely massacred?" asked a militia woman

"The Ralkovian genocidal madness would put that of the Asimovists to shame, we should do what we can to evacuate as many civilians and get them away from the Ralkovian death machine as fast as possible and if need be we must be willing to give our lives to hold the Ralkovian's back even just to provide a critical evacuation an extra 10 minutes. Those they don't massacre end up lost in their brutal slave system, they are highly racist, we are certainly viewed as insignificant bugs in their mad Emperor's eye"

When Vasily had finished explaining the room buzzed with chatter amongst the Anarchist fighters before one of them spoke up

"Then why aren't we in Stavropol assisting their defense forces in fighting the Ralkovian's!"

Vasily sighed "It's the politic's of it, the Interim government doesn't want to provoke the Ralkovian's into declaring war sooner than they need too, they want more time to mobilize and prepare the nations defenses"

"Fuck the politician's, we are an anarchist army, we should be marching into Stavropol to take on the Ralkovians!" argued back the militiaman

"We have to be patient and secure Taralia and help Stavropolian refugee's flee south. We have to be at our fullest strength when the Ralkovian's arrive"

"I don't want to fucking sit here and wait for them!"

"Comrade if you feel so passionately about such a cause then find some volunteer's and take a Resistance Solidarity Force into Stavropol and help them. But personally I think you would be throwing your life away. But should you go on such an assignment I urge you to return to the column as soon as possible if things start going to hell"

"The militiaman nodded "Thank you Comrade Vasily. I'll put the call out and march at first light"

"Has there been any word on the Oltescu Column?" asked another anarchist fighter with a raised hand

"Dan Oltescu marches north, he just went through the Ureyn Polity today and he has over 8,500 volunteer fighters with him"

There were some cheers and clapping among the room full of Popular Army volunteer's before one of the volunteer's spoke up "To you think he will be able to recruit 10,000 and become a full Column before he hit's Berezin?"

Vasily laughed "Yeah are you kidding? the feedback I have gotten from Dan is that there is no shortage of volunteer's willing to stand up and defend the country from such a monstrous force"

Just then a woman dressed in black with a black beret and a red star in the center of it entered the room with a phone "Comrade Nishani, it is the Polity Defense Chief asking to talk with you"

Vasily nodded and took the phone off the young woman "Hey Chief how's it going?" said Vasily in his usual laid back tone

'I need some of you men to go to the border immediately'

"Oh? What is it?"

'A wave of refugee's estimated at around 100,000 is being escorted by a retreating Stavropolian army unit. I want you and your Popular Army volunteer's to meet them at the border and secure the evac route for the civies'

"Ok thanks I'll get right onto it" Vasily hung up and then looked up at the Popular Army volunteer's "Ok we have a job to do, arm up, get everyone we march north up the highway to the border checkpoint. We have an incoming wave of 100,000 Stavropolian refugee's that need to be safely evacuated south of the Polity" With that Vasily clapped his hands and the cafe quickly emptied. Before long the rag tag column of Popular Army volunteers headed north, out of the desolate city and up to the border between Bulgislavia and Stavropol.

The terrain of very flat, being in a low lying basin with thick vibrant green forestry and rural farmland on some rolling hills. A few small mountain ranges wormed across polity although they weren't very steep and were covered with dense forests.

The Vasily Column of the Popular Army made its way up a small four lane highway up to the Stavropolian border checkpoint which was guarded by RAFB soldiers and two tanks. IHF refugee buses were just being led through the checkpoint before passing the column of approaching anarchists.

They hastily filtered the large number of refugee's through the border checkpoint, although many more entered the country illegally by taking their chances through the dense forests, unable to wait in the border zone refugee camps. In another strange twist in this assignment it appears that the retreating Stavropolian army unit that had escorted the 100,000 refugee's from Hephaestus had fought on the front lines and got completely decimated, lost the will to fight and instead choose to desert the flee south with the refugee's.

The commander of the unit was quickly detained by the RAFB for the intel he would have concerning his experience with the Ralkovians while the disheartened soldiers were instructed to continue to protect the refugee's by providing safety and security in a refugee camp south of Berezin. A small handful however decided to assist the RAFB with the defense of the Taralia polity.

******************************************************************************************************************************************************

[Bulgislavia]

Bulgislavia, Tecetia Polity
Futuro Technologies Quad Tower

Since the declaration of the "Free Trade Polities Bloc", finance and investment (Not all of it domestic) began to flood into the polities. Most were in the form of huge construction projects for new Peoples Enterprise complexes and HQ towers. Tecetia was chosen by Futuro Technologies P.E. (Peoples Enterprise) to be the base of the company HQ due to its southern location deep within Bulgislavian territory and its relative stability (It avoided much of the disturbances caused by last years civil war).

Millions of Urmi (Bulgislavian currency) were flooding into the construction of a futuristic "Quad Tower Complex", the complex would be made up of four 60 story, glass and steel office towers and an elaborate basement complex would contain labs for secretive R&D projects. Under the direct command of the Chief Operator for Futuro Technologies, Rosalina Gianescu, the completion of the basement laboratory complex was a top priority.

After Gianescu Industries was declared an illegal economic entity by the SPEA for its close collaboration with Shadow Org, all of its assets, facilities, resources and infrastructure was nationalized and placed under the SPEA's control. 60% of these assets ended up being brought by Futuro Technologies when the SPEA was forced to sell off some of these assets due to the nation's economic troubles.

As cranes and construction workers were up to the 35th levels of the quad tower complex, some of the highest paid scientists in the country worked quietly in the basements bellow.

"Where the bloody hell is the delivery truck, if we don't get the necessary compounds the sample will have to be thrown out!" stressed Irena Meracu, the chief scientist for Futuro Technologies "Cloning Division"

Irena walked up to a huge vat that contained a twisted mess of blood and guts, all of it had been grown in the laboratory setting, unfortunately this is as far as the cloning process could go, a fully functional human clone was an illusive fantasy for many (Even those that had been assigned to the Cloning Division).

"This sample is a failure, its going to have to be flushed..." said Irena shaking her head

"But Doctor Meracu, its taken us months to grow this sample, we have to at least have something to show Miss Gianescu when she arrives today" said one of the nearby scientists who was inspecting the vat of bloody goop alongside Irena

"Her visit was today!? Shit!" just then the security elevator opened up and sure enough out came four armed body guards and Rosalina Gianescu who was wearing a specially designed Hazmat suit just for her (As she was infected with the highly contagious Crimson Fever). Despite her getup Rosalina still looked glamorous, renowned for wearing expensive make up, jewelery and other fashion accessories.

"My dear Doctor Meracu" Smiled Rosalina, stepping into the sterile, laboratory facility.

"Miss Gianescu, you must be here to check on our projects progress"

"That's exacatly right, now show me how all of my companies millions are being put to work"

"Well as you can see" Irena looked at the bloody slurry that filled the vat "All of the main organs have been successfully grown in a laboratory setting, however we seem to have hit a wall, unable to progress past this point... This is as far as we got when the PRIA raided and shut down the Shadow Org clinic in Berezin" Irena looked back to Rosalina who's expression looked slightly disgusted by the horrid contents of the vat

"I see.... So how do you see yourself progressing past this point in the cloning process?" asked Rosalina sternly

"Well" Irena thought for a moment before continuing "It would help immensely if we could get back all the research that was seized by the PRIA"

"Indeed" Rosalina was silent, deep in thought before facing Irena and smiling "I'll see what I can do. In the mean time forward me a report on all the progress that you made and include in that report what resources and infrastructure you will need to further this line of research"

Irena smiled before the group moved on to another section which contained hundreds of vial's containing blood samples next to a special DNA research annex.

It was a goal of Rosalina Gianescu to be at the fore front of genetic and medical research, her only competitor was Genesis Pharmakea another powerful Peoples Enterprise.

The visit from Rosalina Gianescu was significant in that the BHO and the Bulgislavian Interim Government had largly relaxed her home detention and had allowed her to travel around the country so long as it was only on property owned by Futuro Technologies or herself and that she took all the standard BHO precautions to ensure she had her Crimson Fever infection under control (Considering Futuro Technologies was now mass producing Crimson Fever Inhibitor, this was not that hard to do)....

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

Vulkan, Volseverus, Occupation Area 98

Lord Bratan sat at his new Headquarters watching Ralkovian troops streaming forwards from their steel ships in the mechanical fashion they were so well known for. However, there was not a soul to watch except the Lord Admiral himself, the city was absolutely empty. The crunch of gravel and rubble under the boots of two hundred thousand men echoed through the remains of the city. Blood was the only evidence remaining that this place had shortly been occupied by millions. He was truthfully grateful to the Death Guard, he didn't know what had become of the bodies of the previous occupants, nor did he want to know, but they were gone now.

It had been nearly forty eight hours since Ralkovian forces had landed in Volseverus turning the country into a raging inferno of violence and death. Lord Bratan was not a man who relished death or blood. As a warrior of Ralkovia, he was expected to perform duties that many would find unsavory, but he did not enjoy them. Several heartfelt surrenders by the Volseverians had to be ignored, he was not the dog handler, he carried with him no leash. The Death Guard were wild animals who once pointed in the 'right' direction left nothing but calamity and destruction. They accepted no orders other than those from the Emperor himself, and therefore were a blunt instrument that the Ralkovians used to smash, snap, twist, and break. In truth, they were much more than that. He knew that they could be used as a specialized, precision instrument, but so far he had not seen them used in that way once.

He sighed violently, staring back down at the map of Volseverus. So far Ralkovian losses had been minimal, however, that was the least of his problems. Currently, the bulk of Ralkovian forces were still offshore, where they would remain until the Death Guard had reached Hephaestus. However, he had currently lost where the Death Guard were located, or rather they had ignored his request for a position update. He knew that they had been given their own orders separately from the Emperor, and he could easily infer that Ralkovia's next target was Bulgislavia, but the fact that the Death Guard were being completely uncooperative, in the name of 'secrecy,' with the Imperial Military infuriated him to no end.

At the estate of Iani Nicolo

Forward agent Dalek Garka and Dikkirik Greaver would have easily stood out amongst the Volseverian population, however in the panic of Hephaestus they had gone completely unnoticed. With their pale white skin and massive stature contrasting against the smaller black business suits they wore, they looked more like someone had stuffed a baby elephant into formal wear, than elite secret agents of the Death Guard. Currently, an Iani Nicolo, a member of a resistance group in Bulgislavia had contacted them about an alliance, which normally would have had no concern to the Ralkovian Empire or the Death Guard, but Bulgislavia was a formidable opponent. Not the people, but the nation of Bulgislavia was such a dangerous place with such a broken infrastructure that a normal Ralkovian invasion would likely get bogged down and severely weakened.

Intricate knowledge was going to be needed to make sure that everything would proceed smoothly, and if that meant throwing a few dogs some scraps and bones, then so be it. Of course, this decision was greatly helped with the total unwillingness of any Ralkovian to become a colonist in a "Bulgislavian" territory. If that continued, the Bulgislavians could very well just end up as an autonomous vassal state.

After all, the Ralkovians were really only interested in further securing the homeland from attack. It had been an absolute shock to Ralkovia when ICE forces had the courage to actually attempt to move forces into the Tyrrhenian region. It had been far more shocking when the Tyrrhenian bloc refused to get involved. Now Ralkovia realized what it needed was a massive buffer zone, and so it came with a long shopping menu. Volseverus and Strolingrad were the two most important pieces, closing the Waldenburg-Levantia passage from enemy use, and shutting down enemy forces trying to ride up the Levantian Coast.

So Ralkovia had sent Dalek and Dikkirik to negotiate with this resistance organization for help, and if they were found to be useful, maybe to replace the current government.

[Bulgislavia]

Hephaestus
Iani Nicolo's estate

Iani was slightly shaking as he sipped back a glass of champagne, he had been at it all morning after reading reports of the death toll and absolute genocidal cleansing that had taken place along the Ralkovian occupied coast. He was beginning to doubt the prospects of an alliance with the Ralkovian's, but there was no alternative, if he failed he would be dead.

Ion Mihalescu walked into the lounge room where Iani sat on a soft white sofa, three other sofa's were arranged around a glass coffee table, large floor to ceiling windows allowed for stunning views over some forested mountains with some distant Hephaestus suburbs on the horizon.

"Iani, two Ralkovian agent's are here to listen to the Shadow Org proposal"

"Bring them up"

Ion went down stairs to the foyer, greeting the two Ralkovian agents and ushering them inside and upstairs to the lounge to meet with Iani

When the two agents entered the lounge Iani gestured to the other sofa's "Please make yourself comfortable, thank you for willing to meet with me. Especially considering your ethnic policies" Iani waved Ion away who duly nodded and left the room

"My name is Iani Nicolo, I'm an agent of Shadow Org. I'm not sure how big Ralkovian's are on introductions but if Shadow Org establishes a fruitful and beneficial relationship it might be helpful to know how I should refer to you?"

...........................................................................................................................

Ureyn Polity

Polity chief Damir Banovic was address a Popular Assembly in one of the cities public parks.

"I have recieved information from the PRIA of a mass national evacuation should the Ralkovian's invade and drive deep into our territory. The plan is almost identical to plans to Evacuate from Crimson Fever outbreak zones..."

noise and chatter quickly began to rise throughout the Popular Assembly participants until Damir settled them down with some hand gesturing

"I have been told that should the Ralkovian's begin to engulf the country we are to be evacuated eastwards through Strolingrad and into emergency refugee transport vessels. Currently the Committee for National Salvation is in negotiations to secure an overseas 'Sanctuary Polity', and with an upcoming Workers International gathering there is hope that a safe haven can be secured"

The Popular Assembly erupted some more into chatter and heckling, another speaker then began calling for more defense volunteer forces to fortify the Ureyn Polity. Damir stepped out of the way and made his way to the outskirts of the gathering of polity inhabitants. Mariella walked over.

"Do you really believe it will come to the complete evacuation of the country?" she asked

"From what the PRIA have briefed me on with whats currently happening in Stavropol, its possible. Where is Omar?"

Mariella sighed "Chairman Rukesku called Omar to Craasi to help coordinate a national defense strategy"

"How is little Gabita?" asked Damir

"She still has nightmares and we still can't locate her parents..... It's likely they were killed during last years siege of Crecea"

The numerous popular assemblies were being held across the Ureyn polity to discuss the state of affairs in the polity and the rest of the country.....

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

"I am Dalek, this is Dikkirik," the Death Guard answered back in a raspy response. The Death Guard were cold looking creatures, better fitted to the nomadic tundra of Northern Ralkovia, their skin was that of a soft cloudy white tinge, not entirely albino-like, but far paler than the peach color of most 'white' people. It might have been that contrast in skin color that made their blue eyes so brilliant, not even a comparison to a flawless sapphire did them justice. They were a clear, glittering, light blue, almost reminiscent of the shining waters off the coast of those Caribbean Islands. Yet, just like those waters, they were shallow, empty of things below, one could call them as dead as the saltiest Sea.

Their voices were course, raspy, bordering nearly on a growl, but at the same time pleasant to listen to. Deeply masculine, each syllable hanging on the back of their throat, generating an almost audible vibration, they were a mesmerizing thing to listen to. It would quickly become apparent to someone, who could be categorized as unfortunate, if they had met many Northern Ralkovians that this was a shared accent between them; similarly that unfortunate person would easily be able to distinguish a Southern Ralkovian as well, with the frequent soft sounds, even if they didn't speak a word of Ralkovian or Ralkovic languages.

"It should be ever apparent to the World by now, that Ralkovia doesn't intend to just stop in Volseverus, and that we intend to continue into Bulgislavia," Dikkirik began, training his eye on the Bulgislavian Oligarch.

"It is also very well known Bulgislavia is an exceeding dangerous place, with poor infrastructure, rampant disease, and hazardous territory. A land totally unsuitable to a regular invasion," Dalek added, turning to face where Ion had exited, before facing back to the entry way, as if on guard.

"As a contact to this Shadow Org, we want you to relay this message to them, with the understanding that the Emperor himself has given us full approval for this offer and negotiations. Ralkovia will invade Bulgislavia, destroy all Socialist, Communist anarchies that hold power in that land. We will install a government led by Bulgislavians loyal to the Ralkovian Emperor and help fund and rebuild the infrastructure of this land. Those who will lead this new government will be recruited from the most loyal and trustworthy. In return, your organization will raise what forces it can within the Bulgislavian land, lead Ralkovian forces around obstacles, and give all aid it can. We will outfit, arm, and fund you. Do you have any questions?" Dikkirik said promptly.

[Bulgislavia]

Nicolo's estates

"It is also very well known Bulgislavia is an exceeding dangerous place, with poor infrastructure, rampant disease, and hazardous territory. A land totally unsuitable to a regular invasion," Dalek added, turning to face where Ion had exited, before facing back to the entry way, as if on guard.

"As a contact to this Shadow Org, we want you to relay this message to them, with the understanding that the Emperor himself has given us full approval for this offer and negotiations. Ralkovia will invade Bulgislavia, destroy all Socialist, Communist anarchies that hold power in that land. We will install a government led by Bulgislavians loyal to the Ralkovian Emperor and help fund and rebuild the infrastructure of this land. Those who will lead this new government will be recruited from the most loyal and trustworthy. In return, your organization will raise what forces it can within the Bulgislavian land, lead Ralkovian forces around obstacles, and give all aid it can. We will outfit, arm, and fund you. Do you have any questions?" Dikkirik said promptly.

Iani held back his sigh of relief at what the Ralkovian agents had said

"I believe Shadow Org can work with these terms. There is however another factor that must be taken into consideration. The Interim government in Bulgislavia is fully supported by the Workers International alliance, they already have troops stationed in the country. A summit of this alliance is currently being organized and is set to take place soon. Their involvement may complicate matters somewhat"

Iani sipped more of his champagne which brought refreshment to his mouth which was dry with nerves

"Despite this the Shadow Org has formulated a plan that will greatly cripple the Interim Government. At the outbreak of war with Ralkovia, there will be a series of coordinated Crimson Gas attacks in high population area's which will also coincide with the assassination of the Chairman of the Interim government, Igor Rukesku. After that we will emerge from our hiding places, weapon and supply drops from your side will arm us for an attack, once we have a few polities under our belt we can fully immerse ourselves to the cause of cleansing the country of all the filth" Iani smiled before he took another sip from the champagne.....

[Bulgislavia]

Shadow Org hidden bunker near Sartov

The white modular shuttle slid into the underground station platform, the bunker network was connected via the underground shuttle rail, however due to the mysterious happenings within the bunker network (which was still controlled by Shadow Org and the Asimovist regime), much of the rail links were being sealed off or shut down with entire bunker nodes beings sealed up as if under some kind of quarantine procedure.

As the shuttle doors opened out stepped the cold and darky figure of Alarenko, the mastermind and leader of Shadow Org, as usual he was accompanied by his eutorage of top scientists and virologists and for security, two hugely massive and thickly built twin's known within Shadow Org as the "Korbascu Brothers", the legacy of one of the old Stalinist Provoce Government's twisted experiments for the perfect killer. Injected with growth hormones, steroids and with an education which extended only to the different ways a person can be killed, they were extremely dangerous individuals.

"I want Dmitry Lavrov on the line as soon as possible, we have a new bio-weapon and a plan to begin our take over of the country" Said Alarenko, he had a kind of cherry optimism in his tone. Controlling the drama happening inside the bunker network had grown tiresome over the past year and now he was in a position to see the surface of Bulgislavia for the first time in a year

"The military supplies and funds coming from the Ralkovian occupation in Stavropol has quickly accelerated plans and we should be able to launch an attack on the polities of Leth and Radeya" continued Alarenko

A gaunt looking scientist with a pale complexion then spoke up "But the smuggling route along the border with Tashtagol has been compromised by the PRIA, the supply will start to dry up"

"There are other ways of smuggling goods into a country. The Free Trade Bloc polities have seen a rise of international goods enter their airports, so what is a few dozen containers and crates are unaccounted for eh?" smirked Alarenko

"So what is the plan?" asked the scientist

"Wait till we get Dmitry Lavrov on the line" replied Alarenko

The group walked down some sterile corridors and into a kind of conference room. A man in a black uniform stood at the end of the table and immediately stood to attention and gave a bow.

"Ah Bunker Chief Administrator Maris, nice of you to join us, what have you got to report?" smiled Alarenko

The man looked nervous, he had a slight quiver in his voice as he spoke "Ah.. Everything in this sector of the bunker is peaceful and secure..."

"Is it? CCTV of what goes on in this bunker is wired to my office on demand and I've seen a lot of disturbing things happening in this sector of the bunker, three levels have had their CCTV blocked out and the footage from nearby sections show lots of angry mobs, is that what you are calling peaceful and secure?"

The bunker admin chief swallowed, his hands beginning to shake, sweat coming down his forehead "We have sent in two negotiators to seek a peaceful resolution...."

"Negotiators!? Alright that's about enough of you, Korbascu's" Alarenko pointed at the shaking administrator. The two Korbascu heavy's approached the poor man, while one held him tightly the other gripped the mans face and twisted violently until several cracks could be heard, the administrators lifeless body was then thrown to the floor.

"Very good, I think you two have earned a Rivurtin fix for the day" Alarenko pulled out two white pill jars containing the highly addictive amphetamine and stimulant drug Rivurtin. While one of the brothers opened the jar and threw all the pills into his mouth chewing them, the other nodded and stuffed the jar in his pocket.

Alarenko pushed a button which brought up the wall projector screen to life, it was webcam footage of another Bunker Admin worker at his desk "Hello this is Yannik Gregescu?" asked Alarenko

"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" replied the man dutifully

"You have now be promoted to the Chief Bunker Administrator for this sector, you're first order is to eliminate the resistance in this part of the bunker, no negotiations or peaceful solution, they must be utterly crushed. Fail in this task and the Crimson Fever will wipe out everyone in this sector" Alarenko then shut down that screen and opened up another, the screen was blue with some sounds and images indicating it was attempting to reach Dmitry Lavrov. Before long the screen changed to an image of Dmitry Lavrov sitting in the backseat of a limo with his cousin Enrico Lavrov who Shadow Org had co-opted into assisting in their activities least anything bad happen to his fiance who was kidnapped by Shadow Org over a month ago.

"Alarenko, next mission?" asked Dmitry

"We have a new bio-weapon and a plan to swiftly take two polities. I will be sending the Korbascu brothers to meet with you in the Leth Polity. They will deliver to you a modified version of the Crimson Gas"

"A modified version?" asked Enrico who could only just be seen on the corner of the screen sitting beside Dmitry

"The Crimson Gas causes intense and out of control brain swelling to all those who inhale the air, it usually kills within 10 seconds, the Crimson Fever virus was used in the gas' creation however that component died as soon as the host died. However this modified version has made the Crimson Fever component more persistent and the virus will overwhelm the corpse and stay active for up to 72 hours. This should then trigger more Crimson Fever outbreaks which will overwhelm the interim government and military response as well as cause massive depopulation"

"That is fucking insane!" yelled Enrico

"Dmitry tell your cousin that if he doesn't shut up I'll have one of his girlfriends arm amputated and sent to him in the post" replied Alarenko

Dmitry briefly turned to Enrico who sat back in his seat, seemingly powerless to do anything

"After we have a few polities under our belt more assistance from Ralkovia is expected, when we establish the Shadow State there will be some tokenism towards legitimacy as the rightful successor state of Bulgislavia and ally of Ralkovia, Niccolo our agent in Stavropol will become a puppet president backed by Ralkovia. Once Bulgislavia is totally subjugated there will be an intense period of exploitation and depopulation. Strolingrad will also suffer the same fate and those still loyal to the old Communist ideals will be either killed or forced to flee Tyrrhenia for good"

Alarenko then continued "I'll forward you the details when you inform me of you're arrival in the Leth Polity"

The screen then closed off and Alarenko turned back to the entourage

"I want more modified Crimson Gas in production at once and I want you two Korbascu's to make for Leth immediately"

When the gathering convened Alarenko began making preparations for his own journey to the northern polities when the Shadow Org action was to begin......

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