IC: Things to do in Caracasus before you die. (MT/PMT - Dip)

by **Caracasus** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 2:56 am

To: Gualterio Marquez.

We are glad that the new military council is eager to re-open negotiations with Caracasus. We will, of course, be sending a delegation of representatives to Nanjiwa. The recent wars, both on the border of the Orisio province and within Menthi have placed an unwelcome burden on both our peoples. We are hopeful that a treaty will be signed in short order to ensure a lasting peace between our nations.

As an act of goodwill, we will make Internal Security records and evidence of the incident involving the late General Maezawa open to Flaucian security teams. Whilst it is possible that the truth of the incident will remain hidden forever, some evidence has been recovered that indicates that the plane was not destroyed by a missile, but by some form of tampering with the plane's systems.

In addition, the quarantine zone in Quoris currently holds six possible Flaucian citizens suffering from the later stages of the Carosi Plague – most likely infected whilst in Menthi. Whilst at present there is no cure for the disease once it reaches the final stages, perhaps a Flaucian delegation could be made to the Quarantine Zone so that they can be identified and perhaps some peace may be bought to their families.

With regards,

Caracasus Council Elect.

We once again ask for the extradition of Hentry Rochefort and his various associates to Tekeristan in order for these individuals to be tried in court for actions committed on a vessel under the Tekeristan banner, and thus under Tekeristan law. Many of these individuals are citizens of Tekeristan, and thus we see fit that these individuals are returned to their homeland, so that visitations and proper assessment of law is addressed.

To: Tekeristan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Following the actions of Henry Rochefort and his crew in the strait of Menthi, those responsibe have been found guilty of self-determination theft and other crimes. An analogous finding would be manslaughter or perhaps reckless endangerment of life. The full details of the report can be found here:

Findings of inquest 42525b

Preamble:

A Tekeristani freighter was involved in an incident that included the exchange of missile fire between the freighter and a speedboat appearing to belong to the Brotherhood of Pirates. The remit of this inquest is to uncover the narrative surrounding these events.

Narrative:

These are known facts supported by evidence provided.

The Tekeristani freighter Sippy Tippy was moving at a constant speed along pre-designated international shipping lanes towards Quoris City.

Twenty eight miles from the island of Tortuga in international waters it was approached by a black speedboat that fired a missile at the freighter. The freighter suffered some damage, including a hull breach, and one crew member suffered injury from shrapnel. The black speedboat hoisted a pennant associated with a known pirate group operating in the vicinity – The Brotherhood of Pirates. This vessel then moved away from the frigate at high speed.

There was no attempt by either party to communicate. Tekeristani Private Military Contractors on board the freighter opened fire with assault rifles and a guided missile. The black speedboat was destroyed in the explosion, with the loss of four lives.

Shortly after these events, the freighter Sippy Tippy was hit and scuttled by a large explosion. Debris from the vessel indicate the use of some form of mine or other explosive device.

Recommendations:
The issue in front of this inquest is clear. The question is two fold. One of self defense and one of Proportionate self defense.

The vessel in question opened fire on the Tekeristani freighter with an anti-tank weapon and following careful analysis of the video and original camera we can assert that the footage shown was not tampered with. The damage to the hull is consistent with damage from an anti-tank weapon and corroborates the narrativee From the video footage, it is reasonable to assert that there would have been no way the commander could have known at the time if the vessel was retreating or preparing for another assault. It must also be noted that the weapon fired from the speedboat could have been fired from the stern of the vessel as easily as from the aft.

Actions must be considered in light of recent events. It must be noted that several freighters and crews have vanished in the stretch of sea that the freighter was traversing. It must also be noted that one freighter from Significance heading towards Parsoh was destroyed utterly in an explosion.

We conclude that given (i) the extreme nature of the threat posed to international shipping around Parsoh in recent months and (ii) the initial assault on the Tekeristani freighter, Tekeristan has a narrative of self-defence in this instance, though has little narrative of proportional self defense. There are no grounds for the arrest of allTekeristani personnel in this instance whatsoever, unless evidence of a company wide conspiracy to commit murder is uncovered. Indeed, this inquiry requires that all arrested Tekeristani personnel are released. It is impossible to lawfully arrest a citizen for crimes committed by another, as this goes against the bulwark of every fair and reasonable legal system.There is no question in the minds of the inquest that Tekeristan was justified in acting in self defense against an aggressor utilizing military hardware and taking part in international piracy.

The actions of the crew of the freighter are, however, seriously out of proportion with the threat posed at the time of the incident. A guided missile is neither appropriate for stopping a speedboat, nor is it a proportionate response to piracy. Furthermore, no attempt was made to contact the vessel after the initial assault. In these areas we find actions sorely lacking in respect to the value of human life over that of property

We find that the shipmaster acted without due care or diligence in issuing commands that resulted in a disproportionate strike against an aggressor and in failing to attempt to communicate or negotiate with the aggressor. Under Caracasusian law, the arrest of Shipmaster Rochefort for the crime of four counts of self-determination theft, third order, first degree following his authorisation of the missile launch from the Tekeristani freighter Sippy Tippy. We are ordering the arrest of Tekeristani Citizens and members of the private military company guarding the vessel, Brock Hoover (gunner) and Elliot Reese (Laser guider) for the crime of four counts of self-determination theft, second order, first degree of the following people: Rubio Bonastre, Rosario Bonastre, Roberto Cardinal and Alessandro Ferrand.

Furthermore, this inquest finds the Republic of Parsoh negligent in its responsibilities to deter and limit acts of piracy within its own waters and within nearby international waters. Complaints directed towards Parsoh regarding criminal pirate activity have been met with little response or concrete efforts to deal with them. Had Parsoh been more diligent in pursuing piracy within its own waters, this state of affairs may have been avoided. Further inquests have been launched into Parsoh’s lack of action regarding international piracy.

Balagan’s actions in response to this incident are a cause of grave concern. The arrest of sailors and personnel aboard trade ships breeches many international laws and legislations, and charges bought before them do not reflect any legal system Caracasus is familiar with. In particular arrests for illegal firearms and narcotics are of grave concern considering that many nations differ greatly regarding laws surrounding these items. It is hoped that these illegal arrests will cease and that the captives will be returned in due course.

The use of missiles, increasing militarization of trade vessels and the absence of attempted negotiations with the hostile vessel are found to show a deeply concerning and flagrant disregard for human life. At best these are actions of crew members who were deeply concerned following the disappearance of other freighters in the area – above and beyond the normal predations of piracy. At worse this is an instance of first degree, second order self-determination theft.

Henry Rochefort and his compatriots will be returned once a final narrative has been generated. This is expected to happen within a week.

With regards,

Caracasus Internal Security

by **Tekeristan** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 12:44 pm

"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
Bertrand Russell

To: Powers of the Iberius Peninsula
To whom it may concern,

I write this letter to the international community, especially those active within the Iberius Penninsula, as an active plea with the intention of saving and preserving as much human life as possible in the times ahead.

It has become clear that the conflict within Menthi, a conflict of which has displaced an enormous number of people (1), fractured families and communities (2), and led to an unprecedented amount of death and danger, has evolved beyond that of a power struggle into a war of survival. Even now, as disease and hunger worsens across Menthi, conflict continues despite the worsening welfare of individuals all across Menthi. With worsening struggles, this war has become a conflict of survival rather than political struggle.

Tragedies are plentiful, but 2 have stuck out from the crowd.
A tragedy has recently occurred with the attempt on Joseph A. Watters, a man and nation of which has shown tremendous humanitarian effort and humanity that has saved many thousands of lives. Not only that, but recent confusion and conflict surrounding a Watersvillian aid camp in the Menthian city of Peni.
While the conflicts in and around Menthi, loud of cold, continue, the last threads holding up the Menthian people are under threat. It is through these recent events that I find it necessary to craft this letter.

In the interests of the Menthi people and with the backing of my homeland, I urge the creation a neutral humanitarian organization between the various powers and factions in and around Menthi, not to give any organization leverage over the other, but to improve the welfare of the displaced well enough as to ensure their survivability and welfare in the times ahead. Or they may not be anything left to fight for.

It is no secret that the Carosian plague has also been a major source of concern, with the potential to once again spread to several nations. This is easily shown with the near absence of vaccine production, as well as theft and near total lack of cooperation between factions. By creating a central and neutral organization where we can work together to quickly remove this disease, I hope that the welfare of Menthians can be put first.

Thus, I invite all groups relevant to the Iberian conflict to join together in order to accomplish the humanitarian goals necessary not only to secure the safety of the people of Menthi, but the world. This organization shall be known as the Iberian Health Committee for the near future. I hope that the Watersvillian government would be the first to join this movement.

The goal of this potential movement is to take firm action against both hunger and disease, primarily the Carosian plague, within Menthi; As well as linking with the 'Family First' project - which works to help shattered families re-connect and heal. The continuous presence of the Athiok weed blockade is simply unacceptable, not only in my eyes, but in the eyes of thousands of Menthian families.

In order to help this project go through with the various factions in and out of Menthi, I ask my various followers within Menthi to undergo a cease fire for the period of next Monday, so that peaceful ground can be struck in the interest of all Menthians. During this small cease fire, I ask that representatives of domestic Menthi factions and organizations come join me in Caracasus, under the diplomatic protection of Tekeristan and whatever additional nations endorse this project, for the purpose of peaceful negotiations for the aid program as well as an exchange of data.

Regards,
Costin Gabor

by **Watersville** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:16 pm

From: The Royal House of Waters City and Watersville
To: Public

The government is happy to hear of the creation of the Iberian Health Committee. After the recent events in Menthi and the surrounding the Iberian Peninsula, we feel that now more than ever that help is needed. Also with the completion of recovery efforts after the devastating hurricane, we are pleased to announce that we would be more than willing to begin placing the funds that the nation had placed into recovering into the fund to help those through our camps as well as through this new program. For Watersville, it would be an honor to be the first offical member of such an committee. Therefore, we officially submit a request of admission into the Iberian Health Committee.

With regards,
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Hannah Watters of Watersville

by **Balagan** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 6:14 pm

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF BALAGAN

TO: Public
FROM:President Haydar Koç
Legal Frame Work

The formation of yet another international body with well paid administrators, fancy job descriptions and plenty of bureaucracy might not be the best way forward on the Iberis penisular. While we do support Watersville's efforts to ease the pains of the average citizen in this region we do not think that more bureaucracy will work. In order for such an organization be be successful all of the participants would have to sign the Treaty of Saruwa first. This would be the only way to prevent them from deliberately sabotaging the work.

Cardulan and Balagan are currently the most important donor nations. Flauc is working hard to keep the peace in Menthi and Caracasus is sheltering refugees. The situation requires quick decisions. When we are going to evacuate the aid camps and relocate them to the security zone we can't have lengthy discussions and delegates trying to veto actions. The situation is complicated enough as it is. The contracting parties of the Saruwa Treaty must work closer together but at the same time shield themselves against sabotage and attacks from non-signatory nations. Each and every nation genuinely interested in peace has signed the non-aggression treaty. Only those who seek to bring more war and more death to Iberis have not signed the document.

With the current change of government in Flauc we will allow small-arms ammunition and fuel to the Flaucian peace keepers in Menthi. On the day of the first free election in Flauc after the coups we will entirely drop the blockade.

We ask all our friends to consider these facts and work in the best interest of the suffering civilians and do not follow their vanity.

Haydar Koç
President of the Islamic Republic of Balagan

by **Parsoh** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 5:55 pm

To: Public
From: Parsoh Senate

The Senate has come to the decision that we will once again support the stand of our ally Balagan. More bureaucracy means longer reaction time and longer reaction time means more people dead. We must face this, the crisis is largely a result of Tekeristan and to a lesser extend Caracasus preventing the cure from reaching Menthi because they are not willing to work with the legitimate government. This stand is as criminal as it is reckless. It is time for them to understand that they have to work on eye level with Menthi. They have to put aside their hate and for once think of the good for the people. They stand alone and isolated, even Watersville has accepted the new government and is working hand in hand with Tanaka to increase the humanitarian situation.

It is easy to see that this new body is intended to con naive nations into giving the pariah states more control over the humanitarian work in Menthi. Let's not forget that those nations are the very same who have blocked humanitarian nation in the past and who even went so far as to withdraw humanitarian help when they were asked to give the people something for their spiritual needs. The Republic of Parsoh will not participate in this as long as Balagan's prerequisites are not met. We will continue our humanitarian work and combine our efforts with Watersville and Balagan and every other nation trying to bring stability to our region.

Now is a good time for the regime in Tekeristan to put its criminal past behind. Now would be a good time to leave the existence of a pariah and become a respectable state among equals. Opening relations with Menthi and finally ending its illegal blockade by accepting the legitimate government would isolate Caracasus even further and prove to the world that Tekeristan truly has changed and that it is not just the old regime with new names.

With Honour,

President Jatti

Broken Knife Entertainment Presents:

The Siege Of Parsoh

Rated full five stars by the Parsoh Tribune and all other international critics this outstanding movie is an absolute must this year. In this epic tale of daring deeds, intrigue, seduction and treachery history will come to life. Set during the very first Peninsular War this movie features Balaganian beauties, Cardulanain chivalry and cutthroats from Caracasus. The Jarshot the Great, Rajah of Parsoh has led his city state into an era of prosperity and blessedness. When Parsoh is attacked by its treacherous neighbors Jarshot defends the city and repels the attackers. Jealous of his successes and the marvelous riches of his city Jarshot's enemies besiege Parsoh and try to bleed her dry. Unable to overcome her heroic defenders the bandits turn to the Empire of Caracasus and ask the cult of Ganesha to build the Kavverit, a steam powered steel elephant that will help them to breach the defense of the proud city. Meanwhile Jarshot is betrayed by his own son-in-law the greedy prince Jabbi. Jabbi poisons Jarshot and accuses his own wife of having murdered her father. Together with the feared Moriarty Crime Family he takes control of the city and declares himself Rajah, he hands out gold coins to the poorest of the city to buy their loyalty, knowing that all that gold and more will be taken from them when he opens the gates to his masters in Caracasus. The tides turn when Nashaya the beautiful dancer from Balagan has a vision about Jarshot being still alive and hiding in the jungle. She informs the people about her dream at the foot of the statue of Mardock II. She is hunted by the Moriarty gang and Jabbi's goons who try to kill her before she can start a rebellion. Every night the poor wander to the statue and throw the gold coin that Jabbi gave to them in the well, all of them wish for Jarshot to return.

While the things in the city escalate, captain Aramir a brave dragoon from Cardulan uncovers Jabbi's past. The man is an impostor, born as the son of a prostitute from Caracasus he had always been member of the cult of Ganesha. Captain Aramir went to Iberis on his own, to rescue his brother, a young Jesuit who went missing when the bandits first attacked Parsoh. He found his brother in a cave where he was sacrificed by the cult, even though he could not safe his brother he could unmask the high-priest and learn Jabbi's secret identity. Is the handsome Rajah still alive and hiding in the jungle? Is the Balagani dancer an assassin, send by the Sultan to defend Jarshot and fight for the freedom of Parsoh? Will captain Aramir avenge his brother? Will the prayers of the poor be heard? Or will Jabbi be able to open the gates and let the Kavverit slaughter the children and sacrifice their blood to his evil god? You will find out in every decent cinema. Not in places like Caracasus of course, where the censoring board has already banned "The Siege of Parsoh" for promoting democratic values and and nudity.

Watch this masterpiece before the communists outlaw it in Parsho too.

by **Cardulan** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:42 am

The Harper

The Harper had been under surveillance for several weeks. Wherever it made a call, the death vessel spread chaos and destruction. Not only in Watersville but also in places like Caracasus, Nangajala and Bohemoravia. Parsoh was a stronghold of progress and a close ally of Balagan. Letting the Harper dock in the city state would have been reckless - treason almost. The evidence the RMS had collected against the ship and its crew was overwhelming. It was time to send the marines. The latest atrocity - the attack on King Joseph pushed things too far. it was time to strike back against the terrorists and feed them their own medicine.

The mission was to prevent the ship from getting close to the blockade without increasing the tensions and without causing too much trouble. From the transponder signals it was easy to calculate it route and set an ambush right below the shipping lane. When the Harper passed above them - the commandos reacted quick. Their underwater-sledges took them to the target - limpet mines were placed and the Royal Marines disappeared back into the nothingness from which they had emerged. A few miles later the mines exploded and ripped the Harper's hull to shreds - once and for all neutralising this menace to society.

Don't mess with the RMS - Royal Marine Commandos delivering greetings from Joseph I

International Aid

To: Public
From:Royal Ministry of Health

The concerns voiced by Balagan and Parsoh are shared by the RMH. The problems in Menthi are largely a result of the policy of pariah states. If Malsti would stop shooting down humanitarian aid planes the help could be distributed faster and more precisely. If the nations who fund the terrorist groups would stop doing so the work of the aid workers would be much easier. Neither Balagan nor Watersville have ever used aid for black mail or have withdrawn humanitarian aid for political reasons. Nations and other organisations wishing to help Balagan and Watersville are free to donate huge sums of money to these nations. Nations wishing to increase their own influence at the expense of the people perishing in Menthi should be ashamed of themselves.

by **Malsti** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 3:12 pm

The central committee of the CPM might be communist but they are also traditionalists: a freshly donated Helmvir helicopter, covered in thick layers of chalk.

Karthos Soviet Council Elect HQ - Malsti City

The building had served many purposes. Once upon a time it had been a factory - the great glass windows that stretched from the floor to the roof had provided light for the workers. It had served time as a community center and a college before the remnants of the Karthos Soviet's Council Elect had taken up residence.

FMLN commanders and Retirada logisticians had battle maps laid out among the lobby, some had pushed tables together so that the great things could be unfolded. Many had simply laid them on the floor, or pinned them to the wall. The Council Elect itself sat around a series of great wooden tables. Official documents, propaganda and lists of contacts within media communes and businesses the world over dominated one of the tables. A phone rang, constantly someone was talking, using a computer to upload images or videos.

The Malsti Air Force colonel spoke to the FMLN operative in charge of the battle for Bloque Movile Olga Benario. The two discussed quietly for a while before approaching the Council Elect. The Colonel spoke, keeping his words brief, clipped. A man more used to bellowing orders than presenting medals.

"Sixteen Helmvir Helicopters. You know the ones. Malsti will be happy to donate them to our shared cause."

The Council elect member smiled, gratefully. The helicopters were among the last ever made in Caracasus, before production switched completely to Kavverit. Indeed, the Helmvir helicopter had seen extensive use after this date, as the Kavverit had, on first inception, been a notoriously unreliable vehicle. It had taken the best part of a decade to iron out all the bugs.

None needed to explain why the Helmvirs were to be sent either. The Colonel felt he had to though.

"We'd give you Kavverits but those things require a lot of maintenance. Nowhere in Menthi you're going to get the tools or expertise. Good luck comrades!"

In a public announcement on national TV Premier Belismarra addressed her people and the wider general public.

"These are times of great difficulties and decisions of historic dimensions. The people of Iberis are fighting, united by the dream of a republic without borders, an Iberies for the people, ruled by the people. It has always been my dream to unify our nation with our comrades in Caracasus. We are united in our thoughts and philosophy, why not remove the borders on our maps as well? Over the past few months these dreams have become more and more unlikely. Caracasus remains save and secure. Its citizens prosper and almost a third of the of the people of Malsti already hold a passport from Caracasus. While they are still ready and capable to defend their citizens the communist party of Caracasus has become weak. The council elect runs the nations affairs and not the central committee. As a political organization the party is almost useless. Our comrades have forgotten that it is the duty of the revolutionary to make revolutions. It is one thing to improve the lives of all those inside the security of Caracasus but it is a different one to forget about the millions of people who are not so lucky and live in nations not as free and prosperous as the united socialist states.

It has come to our attention that the Republic of Balagan wich already has a ridiculously high amount of troops in the area, including tens of thousands of ground soldiers, is sending even more men and ships and missiles to our region. It seems to be once again on me to protest against this movement of troops and this unnecessary escalation of the situations. We have been willing to work with Balagan and we have lifted the no-fly-zone in the far east to enable the Islamic Republic to deliver humanitarian aid. Unfortunately Balagan has used our trust in them to attack FMLN positions on various occasions. We will continue to let Balagani air craft fly through the zone unharmed as long as every flight is registered with the proper authorities in Malsti. Unregistered flights are at high risk of being shot down without further notice. The deployment of more troops to Parsoh has damaged Balagan's reputation and our relationship.

There have been frequent allegations that Malsti has either openly or covertly supported the FMLN insurgency on the Iberis Peninuslar. These allegations are wrong. The government of Malsti does not support armed insurgents in neighboring countries. Humanitarian and civil aid is given to resistance groups as well as political support. The Tanaka regime and their mercenaries do not represent the people of Menthi. I have ordered a one sided ceasefire that will last for 48 hours and that will include all offensive ground operation of Malsti forces inside Menthi. I hope that the FMLN will participate in this project. Be aware that the no-fly zone will not be touched by this ceasefire.

It would be in the best interest of our friends in Flauc to withdraw towards Parsoh during that window of opportunity. Iberis is the graveyard of empires. Too many of your citizens have died because of this adventure, both at home and far away in Menthi. With the fresh fuel delivered to you by Balagan it is just a few hours drive to the border and into the security of Parsoh. Your men deserve better than to die, hopeless and trapped in a foreign land where the population hates them.

I personally think that the establishment of an Iberian Health Committee might be a good step. Our comrades of the Communist Party in Tekeristan have high hopes in the new ruling party. At first I did not share their views, but the ultra-chauvinistic and ultra-right nationalist party has done a few remarkable reforms. I have always been an outspoken critic of the racist policies in Tekeristan and of the habit of the last government to blame foreigners and ethnic minorities or religious minorities like Jews or Balagani or other migrants for the problems caused by the government and the capitalist system. I hope that despite the racist rhetoric of the new ruling party they will have the interests of their people in mind and that incidents like the Ferrum Pogrom will not be repeated. My friend and comrade Vasilly Toprovich a migrant from Tekeristan who has just recently been nationalized and promoted to the rank of general in our armed forces has urged me to put some faith in the new regime. I must admit that he is the greater expert on the topic of Tekeristan and that I trust his advise. We will continue to support the communist party and we will keep up our cultural exchange programs. Forming an Iberian Health Committee might be a good idea if all fractions and currents are included in this body. Representatives of the tribal councils of the Zaria must be invited as well as those of the pirates and the FMLN as well as other significant groups. I don't think that it is possible to find a lasting solution for Iberis without the consent and participation of Balagan. I do not say this because of respect for the Islamic Republic but because of the obvious fact that Balagan has too many soldiers in the region. No aid will reach Peni or Jarka without the consent of Balagan and Parsoh. Without the participation of these nations the formation of such a committee will be doomed to failure. It will indeed, as the esteemed president of Balagan, Mr Haydar Koç has pointed out, be a waste of resources and time. An administrative giant that does nothing else but to produce jobs for bureaucrats.

I hope that the future will be more peaceful and secure and that the new dictator in Flauc will realize what is good for him and his people. His first steps towards peace with Caracasus are highly welcome and are watched with great interest by the people of Menthi and Malsti. The recently produced propaganda movie The Siege Of Parsoh is one of the worst of his kind ever produced in the inglorious history of the City State's propaganda factories. Racist prejudice towards people from Caracasus, a defamatory description of Ganesha worshipers and the objectification of women are only the tip of the iceberg. I am surprised and disappointed that so many people on Iberis have already downloaded that movie. The only intention of the film is to misinform, to falsify history and to increase racism. I hope that Parsoh will not produce a sequel.

You know that the reaction, the counter-revolution, constantly seeks to discredit the revolution. We urge the people of Menthi not to crawl before anyone, and absolutely not to fear anyone. There will be justice in order to prevent vengeance. It is necessary to have justice, for without justice there can be no peace. We Iberians will remain bound to the people of Menthi if they have a government that is the product of free elections. I stand with Menthi, Menthi our friend, our loyal friend, Menthi with her people and her wealth represents a great future on Iberis."

Official Dispatch - The People's Republic of Malsti
To strengthen the cooperation between Malti and Tekeristan I will personally travel to Tekeristan and oversee humanitarian and economic aid granted to our friends in Ferrum. As the first foreign head of state to visit your nation after the elections I hope that we will find common ground to promote both our agendas and improve the situation for both our nations. I hope that we will find a solution for the political prisoners currently in jails all over Tekeristan and I intend to meet with their representatives and listen to their thoughts and worries. I will also meet with representatives of the communist party.

I hope that we can improve our relationship and that our nations will work together more closely in the future.

Premier Belismarra

by **Balagan** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:13 pm

The Palace Cinema, one of many movie theaters in Parsoh

The night was dark and the tropical rain was falling hard. It was cold for Parsoh standards. Probably a hot night for the three northerners. Fahima was happy. For the first time in Parsoh she had found real friends. Strange friends, much older than her, friends who had all killed other human beings in their past, friends with scars and tattoos. All of that did not matter, because they were her friends. The cinema was crowded with Balagani soldiers and officers. They all fell silent and rose from their seats when Balagani superstar Sahel Adar announced the movie to the audience. Her appearance was followed by an endless applause, free soft drinks for the soldiers and the officers and roses for every woman in the audience.

The movie was great from every perspective, cgi, story, acting, plot and camera. An instant classic. At home she thought the movie would be a good forty minutes shorter. Still great, still very long but at least forty minutes would not get clearance from the censorship authorities. She took a great risk coming here. It was a huge theater but one of the officers might recognize her and inquire about her strange friends. Just a few hours ago she had forwarded information about the third carrier group to arrive in Parsoh to her handler. More missiles, more man and more nuclear arms. She did not want to think about all that now but the only reason to bring such a huge amount of soldiers and weapons to Parsoh was a direct confrontation with Caracasus.

"Soooooooooooooooooooooooo?" She asked Seb. "How did you like it?"

"Propaganda." He said and shrugged his shoulders. "Well made and expensive, a lot better than that Slavery is Freedom stuff they fed us back home but still propaganda. I must admit I loved the choreography of the action sequences and I must get that elephant-robot-monster-godzilla thing you guys are building in Taris." He added, looking at Keynes.

She smiled at him and nodded. "Wow, what a piece of...art." She shook her head. "I can't even..." She shook her head once more. "So, Caracasus? It never was an empire. It was a colony at that time. If I would only know what period it was. The provinces were all under control of the Parsophine Empire. This was long before the nine day revolution. There never was a Rajah of Parsoh! This is so ridiculous I can't find the right words to describe it." She was warm now and the words continued to flow out of her. "The Peninsular War took place in another century. Judging from the costumes. Speaking of the costumes, I have serious doubts that this bikini thing and those see-through gowns Ms Adar was wearing actually had any historical counter part." She looked at Fahima but did not fail to notice traces of a smile on Kjell's face.

"Yes!" Said Fahima with a stern voice. "It was sexist and racist." She was looking for confirmation in the older woman's face. As usual Keynes was not showing any emotions so Fahima added "no such costumes ever existed in Balagan."

"See?" Said Keynes in Kjell's direction. "Nothing of historical accuracy." Faint traces of a smile became visible on her face. "I did like the Rajah though. That Jarshot guy? Great actor and in great shape for his age." Kjell frowned. "Great philanthropist too. I met him once in some backwater refugee camp when he was touring there, donating millions of syndicated yen left and right." Kjell coughed, Birla laughed and Fahima looked at her with admiration. They walked by the statue of Mardock II. Hundreds if not thousands of cash cards were floating in the near by fountain. Some had written the name "Jarthos" on them others had pictures of the old president attached to the surface. Small groups of elderly men were playing games of Bocce in the floodlights that illuminated the statue.

"Spooky" Said Seb, looking at the thousands of syndicated yen right in front of them.

"Why does no one pick them up?" Asked Birla, already afraid that she might know the answer.

"See the men over there?" Replied Keynes. "The heavy set gentlemen playing ball?" They all nodded. "Broken Knifes" She explained. No further explanation was necessary. A few minutes later they reached their subway station. Fahima had not used a car since her 'accident'. Just when Birla was about to open her purse and place a few coins next the the homeless girl sleeping on the stairs, Fahima recognized the bruised face of the woman.

"Orlena?" She whispered shaking the sleeping woman softly. "Are you all right?"

by **Caracasus** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 2:48 am

Caracasus

The dreaded Kavverit! (5th year Historical Engineering project – courtesy of Majalla University

The film itself became something of a cult hit overnight. The dialogue was considered to be one of the most unintentionally funny parts of the film. Caracasusians were soon requesting shirts and bags from Ind/Trad printed with the immortal lines spoken by the “Emperor” of Caracasus:

”Of course it's evil! I'm the Emperor of Caracasus!”

Groups came and gathered to watch the film, either in a cinema or an impromptu screening around someone's block or home. Costumes from the film were replicated on the great autolooms of Ind/Trade and Caracasusian social media sites were inundated with a plethora of memes created from various still frames. And to be fair, the great battle scene with hordes of Caracasusians waving Khopeshes riding on the back of flame spewing steampunk elephants was pretty awesome.

If concepts like "Intellectual property rights", "copyright" and "internet piracy" held any weight at all in Caracasus, Broken Knife Studios would most likely have made a fortune from Caracasus alone... As it was, several enterprising Cajji groups had begun to smuggle quantities of bootlegged T-shirts and memorabilia out of the country. Internal Security had made a handful of half-hearted, distinctly lukewarm efforts to "respect the international copyrights issued by other economic models" as per their obligations to the World Assembly, and a few Cajji had their shipments intercepted.

Many in Caracasus did not see the funny side of the film. Some communes elected to not show the movie, though this was if anything a token response. Anyone who wished to could find a copy – usually filmed at the back of a Parsoh cinema – online. Many groups found the rampant sexism and racism overshadowed the film's comic potential. The Order of Ganesh went as far as to make a public statement on the matter:

Concerning the recent film Siege of Parsoh

The Order of Ganesh has taken a stand against this current film. Quite aside from the moral aspects of this propagandised piece of pornography, its depiction of our order is highly racist and slanderous.

The Order of Ganesh – often referred to as The Cult of Ganesh has been subjected to multiple smear campaigns over the decades, rumours and conspiracy theories that place the so-called Cult of Ganesh on a par with the Illuminati or the infamous Men in Grey.

Our order has received more hate messages following this film than in the past year together. We would urge people to examine the actual history of the Order of Ganesh, from the outlawing of our religious practises and the destruction of our temples before the Nineday Revolution to the internment of our followers in the concentration camps of Inigio and the islands.

This film may appear to be a badly made, high budget action film but its damage is far more insidious. It normalises discourse and denial of the treatment of our order and many other groups of Caracasusians at the hands of the Parsaphone Empire. It legitimises campaigns of hatred against our order and it attempts to steal our past and reshape it.

We would ask especially our younger members, but all Caracasusians to refrain from promoting the messages of hatred found in this movie. You may not know the damage you do in wearing a T-Shirt emblazoned with what you feel to be a funny line from a film. In doing so you are normalising the kind of language that is used to target us online and in the real world.

For those who wish to know more about our order and the oppression and genocidal attempts that we overcame in the past, our temples are open to all – as is our website.

Parsoh

“Easy now...”

Orlena's world blurred – colour was beginning to seep back into her vision. Where was she? She blinked. Fahima? What was she.....

Fahima was worried. Her nervous tick – twisting the end of her headscarf through her fingers. A look of concern on her face. She held a glass of cold water out to Orlena. Orlena's throat burned... she greedily gulped down the water, before promptly hurling it up into the bucket that Fahima offered.

Kjell and Birla were talking in low, hushed voices.

“...stims. She must have been running on them for days... god – did you see her eyes?”

Keynes scribbled a list down on a piece of paper and handed it to Birla.

“That's what we need. Pharmacies for the stuff I've underlined – there's a doctor on Jarthos Street that will write a prescription for the other stuff... for a few Silver Bits....”

“More amphetamines? Is that... wise?”

“She could go into shock again. Her body is......”

…............

Orlena woke again. It was night. Fahima was not there, just the strangers. She heard “Mortic”.

“The Mortics? Criminals.” Keynes frowned. “A crime family of sorts... they're everywhere.”

Seb shrugged. “So? We're criminals.”

Kjell coughed. “Says who?”

“Well, there was that bank you two robbed a month ago. They might think otherwise.” Birla finished her coffee. “Waiting until the building next door is being refurbished and drilling into the vault at night....”

Kjell yelled over to the kitchen of the tiny self contained apartment. “Hey, Keynes... does it count if we rob banks?”

Keynes walked in. Shrugged. “A bank? As in the chains of the oppressive classes? Hah!”

“That's sorted then..”

…..............

“Okay. I think she's awake now.”

Orlena sat up. A thin length of plastic tube ran from a port in the back of her hand. A plastic bag containing a slightly blue tinted liquid hung over her head. She felt... awful.

“Wh..”

Fahima spoke.

“Quiet... you've been unconscious for forty eight hours.... speak slowly.”

“Wh... where... am I?”

by **Watersville** » Mon Dec 05, 2016 6:10 pm

From: The Royal House of Waters City and Watersville
To: Public

After the recent discussion about the creation of the Iberian Health Committee, we feel that it is important to continue the discussion that has been started. To begin, we must first discuss the concerns that have been raised. We hope that this organization can help to bring a more uniform and overall organized effort into bringing help to anyone and everyone who needs help across the region. We wish to make it clear that should this new organization begin to restrict the ways that aid is released to the public or if it attempts to restrict those who can receive aid we will protest these actions. We also plan to keep the actions of our aid camps already in place under separate control of this Organization while also ensuring that policies introduced are enforced. Again, we will not stand by should the IHC try to interfere in an negative way in how aid is distributed in the region. In the mean time, we will keep our faith in the IHC until they either prove us wrong or until the IHC is no longer needed.

With Consideration,
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Hannah Watters of Watersville

Waters City, Watersville

News spreads quickly, yet rumors spread quicker. It was no surprise that the King would still be in the hospital after all this time, however the newest rumor to begin spreading was that the Kings health continued to deteriorate. What the people did not know was that this was not a rumor at all, but was the truth. The burns the king sustained continually grew worse and worse. Hannah cried in the corner of the room, shock and fear spread on her face. Her father was being recessitated for the second time in two days. Hannah watched the screens as the doctors rushed around the room. "Get the Caracasusians on the line!" "I need 50cc power stat!" "We are losing him again!" "His arm is in bad condition, I thought it would get better by now." "He needs surgery now!" "Again, I need someone to get the Caracasusians on the line! They are the top of the line in terms of prosthetic limbs." "The heart is back in rhythm! Get him to OR 2 now!" The crowd quickly pushed the cart out of the room and rushed down the hallway toward the OR, leaving Hannah alone in the room once again.

All across Watersville

The Siege of Parosh, as with many other foreign movies, was unable to gain much traction across the nation. Many felt the content to be, well, too violent. Unsurprisingly, the movie was not censored, but it did receive a much stricter movie rating than it did in many other nations. In fact, it was only available to those over the age of 18, with no exceptions. It did not surprise many that the movie did not do very well in Watersville based off the content.

by **Tekeristan** » Tue Dec 06, 2016 9:34 pm

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

To whom it may concern,

I am greatly pleased to hear that Watersville has taken the steps necessary in order to join and become an essential component in the Iberian Health Committee, and I look forward towards working with them myself. Watersville has been accepted into the Committee, and due to Watersville's experience within Menthi, we have voted to put Watersville into the lead council position.
Due to Watersville's neutral stance to international affairs and dedication towards humanitarianism, we kindly request that the office of the Iberian Health Committee be located within Watersville until future notice.

As a first order of business, which I will propose immediately and in the first meeting, we seek access to the large array of profiles your camps have likely gathered during the length of their operations. We hope that this information can be used to assist the "Family First" program, which is joined with the Iberian Health programs, so that we can deliver news to families that may have been shattered during the conflict - Menthian and not.
In combination with recent harvests and domestic health initiatives, Tekeristan is prepared to donate large sums of foodstuffs to the program.

While I'm deeply saddened that the states of Balagan, Parsoh, and Cardulan have denied the Iberian Health Committee, largely on the basis of 'unneeded' bureaucracy, I am understanding and am in full agreement with Watersville on the issue. However, myself and this program are seeking to preserve and re-establish the welfare of people. Issues such as this are fully intended to be discussed and debated, not directly dismissed, so that a concentrated and cohesive humanitarian effort can begin for the people of Menthi as well as an agreement, however small, can be formed between the powers.

While I argue that an administrative center is largely required for certain aspects, in regards to the large total number of individuals that have been disrupted and the "Family First" program, I hope that a consensus can be reached and an alternative can be proposed by the nations of Balagan, Parsoh, or Cardulan in regards to this, one that, hopefully, puts the people of Menthi first.

It has become apparent that the current humanitarian situation is proving largely ineffective at efficiently helping even a majority of the Menthi population. The proposed action of relocating aid camps to restricted areas is a option that threatens the availability of aid to many thousands of Menthian in certain areas, and could potentially create an even worse refugee crisis then there already is. My nation, however, promotes that a coalition force, with complete transparency, formed by all partner nations, is used to extend security to current and future camps in order to ensure that they can remain properly distributed and secure.

The Committee also seeks to begin to large-scale vaccination effort against the Carosian plague, which has been severely disrupted due to conflict and international hostility between nations. We seek to surpass these obstacles to provide free and accessible vaccine security to those of the Iberius and Menthi. We seek the removal of the blockade on the flow of Athiok weeds, both in the direction of Caracasus but also Parsoh. We hope that at least this proposition is agreeable to the declining powers, so that progress can finally be made in the name of the Menthian people, and a future is secured.

In order to help represent the various humanitarian needs of the various Iberian groups, so that solutions can be drafted, we open this Committee to all groups - including the Zaria, FMLM, the Menthi de-facto government, Karthos, Flauc, the representation of Tortuga, and so forth, so that their voices may be heard. Our intention is to gather the humanitarian concerns of all groups, so that they can be addressed and human welfare is improved.

With the recent revolution in Flauc installing yet another head of state, I ask Gualterio Marquez of Flauc if they are willing to join this committee, not only to help further assist the people of Menthi, but also those of Flaucese descent. We remain hopeful and optimistic that a future can be secured even through this time of darkness.

With hopeful regards,
Mr. Costin Gabor

Tekeristan

There was a hidden empire in Tekeristan, hiding in both the night and the alley ways, terrorizing communities and evading police. A kingdom built on the backs of tipped bins and waste. It had existed for many decades, fueled by the corruption of the old state, and many rumored that its borders extended beyond that of Tekeristan herself.

But in Victor's vision of a new Tekeristan - it was a kingdom that had to be destroyed, dismantled, removed.

The alley behind Viva Italia was one of the locations that saw almost constant territorial conflict, and with increasingly cold nights came increasingly desperate fights.

Orosz was part of a new 'elite' unit that was brought together to combat this menace, to abolish it from the homeland once and for all. He was clad in a snazzy bright orange boiler suit, which did well to protect against the cold and wind. He was also assigned the most strange of air-rifle abominations and a catchy new name to go with the new volunteer unit: The "Friendly Paws" program.

The program was in its second phase. He had spent the weeks prior on a scouting mission through the streets of various towns, reading data handed down to him from above, and learning his contraptions. But now it was time for part two - elimination.

Orosz slowly crept up the street side with the air rifle in hand, guided by the dim street lamps. Around the alley corner, he heard scattered cans being tossed about, followed by occasional crunches and growls. He slipped his hand over the rifle's safety, silently clicking it as he peeked into the alley.

2 large canines were once again feasting into a tipped canister, its plunders tipped asunder, scores of cans that previously awaited recycling. The dogs, scarred from competition, carefully guarded their prize - for at any moment, another pack could appeared to contest them if they were off guard.

Orosz slowly turned himself around the corner, raising his air rifle and bracing it against the stone. Silently, with soft breaths through the nose, he carefully aligned the sight over the first dog, until.. PFWOF, a gently puff of air gently pressed the butt of the rifle back against him.

The brightly colored dart zipped from the gun at great speed, finding its target in a mere moment and causing the large black canine to yelp and flinch. The second jumped where they stood, tompling over in the can, but got just enough time to lift its head from the can before a dart pierced its leg as well, sending both of them sprawling to the ground in sudden confusion and fear. Gasping for air, it didn't take long for them to finally slump over.

Orosz clicked the safety and slung the rifle around his shoulder, stepping down the alley. Behind him, down the main driving road, an orange van slowly cruised to meet him. By the time Orosz dragged both of the canines to the entrance and applied his tags, it had arrived against the curb.

Pintér, Orosz's partner, stepped from the drivers seat and looped around back, opening the rear doors of the van - revealing a dozen or so cages waiting in the back. The barks of animals, confused, terror, anger: many of them were filled, but a few spaces were left. Working together, Orosz and Pintér quickly put the dogs into their individual cages, shut the doors, and disappeared down the street leaving behind only the tipped can.

by **Parsoh** » Wed Dec 07, 2016 8:21 am

The Broken Knife

President of Parsoh's offices

The note had been left on Jatti's desk. Somehow it had appeared, simple and typed. It needed no signature. It needed little introduction. As Jatti read it his face clenched in a rictus of anger and fear.

Dear President Jatti,

I doubt that my survival of your little assassination attempt is news to you, if it is then I have seriously overestimated your moderate abilities. It was a sloppy power grab, if I may say. It had the drive it needed but felt short on execution. Poison remains the best method for eliminating rivals – a lesson perhaps for next time. Do not worry, I have not poisoned this note or yourself. I hold you no ill will, between us is a strictly professional relationship in the finest traditions of Parsoh.

And what a president you have made! I must congratulate you on the credit card giveaway. A bold move! And one that certainly paid for itself. Your close relations with Balagan though? Do you not remember the parable about riding a tiger? It is very easy to get on a tiger's back and let it take you for a ride. It is getting off the tiger once the ride has finished that is... problematic. Your city, your cities defences President Jatti rest on a foreign fleet with their own vested interests. You cannot very well send them away now, but I always prided myself on creating a strong, independent Parsoh that did not require a foreign power to bow down to. Balagan wishes to ensure a stable border to our south. If you were a little more inventive, a little more intuitive, you would understand as well as I do that this is the last thing that Parsoh should wish for.

You have had an interesting run President Jatti, but it is close to over for you now. The Broken Knives are mine – they always were. The Jade Whisper, the Orion Syndicate – will all fall in line behind them. Your supporters – those few papers loyal to you, businesses, Balagani naval officers and of course the Mortics belong to another age.

I know you will not resign. I know you are too stubborn for that, and I suspect you will give me a challenging fight. I expect no less. President Jatti, I will have my city back and I will have it back soon.

Jatti shuddered, paced up and down. Hating himself, he pulled on his overcoat, stepped into his car and made his way to the Balagani trade embassy, the note burning in his pocket.

Mortic HQ

Remnants of the apartment complex used by the Mortics

At approximately 2am, a series of co-ordinated assaults were made against the Mortic family. The first hit hardest, and at the head of the family itself. A maintenance worker in the employ of the Broken Knives rigged sixteen pounds of plastic explosives to the piping directly underneath the luxurious apartment that Mr Mortic lived in.

The blast took out three stories of the large apartment complex. Mr Mortic, head of the Mortic family was killed instantly as the fireball ripped through the wooden walls and concrete floors as if they were tissue. Three of his lieutenants were killed in the blast, and an unknown number of henchmen.

Maximum Security Prison – Parsoh

The Mortic family had many members who spent some or even most of their lives in the infamous Hanging Rock Prison. Located six miles off the coast, constructed on an artificial island, the prison was all but impervious to escape. The guards however were underpaid and easily bribed – allowing the Mortics to essentially run the place where their street level operatives and henchmen would most likely spend at least a few years of their lives.

As such, the prison was a fairly cosy spot for Mortics. It took the sting out of a sentence, removed some of the fear from the Mortics operators and even provided a recruiting ground for new members. It made a logical target.

No-one knew who started the riot – only that by the end of the third hour when the Militia finally regained control, every one of the Mortic Family's inside “fixers” lay dead. They had been set upon by numerous crude weapons – two were unrecognisable after having their heads smashed again and again against the bars of their cells. One had been drowned in their own toilet. For the Mortics imprisoned on the island, life had gotten significantly harder.

Hephaustus District – Parsoh

The Mortics dealt in drugs, guns and weapons across the globe – but Parsoh was their home. It provided their roots, their contacts and places to lie low and operate from. To create this happy environment for the Family, the Mortics extended a protection of sorts to the citizens of Parsoh's poorer districts. The Mortics could be counted upon to solve minor problems that someone might have. A debt would be forgiven, or extended. A daughter or son who had run away with a Zaria sailor would be found again, and bought back home. A couple barely struggling under the burden of paying rent for a tiny apartment could speak to the Mortics, and might well find their landlord strangely apologetic and eager to lower rents. In return, the citizens of Hephaustus District turned a blind eye to strange vans travelling the streets in the early hours of the morning. The arrangement worked well.

Until it didn't. Under the pay of the Broken Knives, a series of shops and businesses were hit for protection money. A bar where several members of the family met was firebombed, whilst three assassins stood wait outside, gunning down anyone who attempted to flee.

Smaller gangs, sensing weakness, turned on the Mortics, grabbing a street here, a bar there... the Mortics struck back. Within twenty four hours the Hephaustus district was almost a warzone by night.

by **Carosi** » Wed Dec 07, 2016 9:25 am

Village – 30km north of Mardokstantinopal.

“Where is he?”

The old man nodded to the shack. The soldier, dressed in a patchwork of surplus uniforms from several nations looked confused, then strode over to the ramshackle shack. This far into Carosi's countryside, villages clung chaotically to the edges of the jungle. Mardok III had decreed that taxes levied from these villages would be taken in kind. That meant, for most villages, crops. Sugar cane, maize... anything that would grow in the soil.

This village though... this village paid part of its tribute in another fashion. A clue as to the nature of this tribute could be found in the dusty, weed choked square. The white stone building that served as post office, village hall and police station was framed with the large metal cages, some rusting gently in the rain.

The six soldiers headed into the shack, more a storage barn than a simple dwelling. The air stank of fear, sweat and a strange animal odour. A good haul this month, several of the cages were full.

The soldiers nodded wordlessly to each other. Eight others, dressed in drab grey strode out of the six trucks. The eight men stood, staring blankly until the first soldier gave them orders. They strode forward, some taking two or three cages each. Others working together to haul the larger cages and their captives onto the back of the flatbed trucks. The first set of soldiers worked nimbly to rope the cages down onto the trucks.

In little over an hour, the trucks departed, moving back into the jungle from where they came.

by **Balagan** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 5:40 pm

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF BALAGAN

TO: Public
FROM:President Haydar Koç
Humanitarian Work

At the moment the only contribution of Tekeristan to the humanitarian aid in Menthi is through the compensations paid to Cardulan which are used to finance schools and hospitals in the DMZ. We had high hopes in the new government but we were severely disappointed. The politics of empty words, blackmail and sponsoring of terrorism continue. The failure to reform the Iberian Health Committee along the lines of the international criticism has led to the total collapse of the idea.

Despite Tekeristan's violent attempts to block the people of Menthi from being immunized against the man-made disease, Parsoh, Flauc, Menthi and Balagan are working together to produce and distribute the cure. With the help of Watersville we cure hundreds of people every day under the most dangerous circumstances while nothing at all is done in Ferrum despite producing hot air.

After the collapse of the IHC we propose the establishing of an Iberis Aid Fund. Through the coordinated financing of the humanitarian operations aid will reach those in need faster while money will not simply vanish in a bureaucratic apparatus. To join the IAF an initial deposit of 10 Million Syndicated Yen would be sufficient even though larger sums would be appreciated. The IAF will have its headquarters in Parsoh, at the pulse of the action. Votes in the board should be in proportion to the amount donated and decisions should be made with a simple majority. We invite all those who wish to bring stability, peace and security to Iberis to join the IAF and work side by side with Watersville and Balagan to help those in need.

Haydar Koç
President of the Islamic Republic of Balagan

by **Tekeristan** » Thu Dec 08, 2016 6:59 pm

Caracasus, Quoris
Mr. Costin Gabor

Costin's makeshift office much resembled the one he had back in Karthos, except that the oaken desk was replaced with a cheap assembled table and the gracious amount of natural light was replaced by cheap but efficient LEDs, but at least the grey filing drawers and atmosphere were the same. Various stacks of folders were still scattered between the various pieces of furniture, many containing copies of names, data from his various watch dogs, even a few small papers that roughly formed his sore schedule as of late.

Nonetheless, a clear space was made on the center of his desk. Costin stood beside his chair, frowning at the recent telegraph from President Haydar Koç of Balagan. It was a rather unsatisfying read that did little more than prove his point, but it was an important one all the same. He kept this letter crisp, still fresh from its printer just a few paces away, unusual as of late.

Jairo Pomar, Costin's assistant through the recent weeks, was one of Caracasus's bright new immigrants - having recently fled the chaos of Menthi. He was a bright kid, Costin found his level of compassion made him a loyal and eager friend. But Jairo was also frowning at the letter.

"Shesh.." he muttered "it's like they just.. Handed it right too us, didn't they?" he raised towards Costin, eyes blanking with a curious hesitance.

Costin replied in short with a small nod, a small sigh leaving his lips. "Indeed.. Almost too easy.." he muttered, gently tapping his spoon against the edge of the glass before letting it drop in again and setting the glass down on a stack of papers. Picking the letter back up, he tilted it some with his head, so he could get a better angle of light upon its letters. "I suppose when they have so many guns, they don't have to care about their choice of words or who they direct them at.." he clicked a pen, gently tracing a line of ink on the page to sign it.

"Our friends will no doubt be kicking themselves for all these recent letters, so..".

Costin folded the telegram and handed it over to Jairo, giving him a simple command.

"Take it to the printing and media crew, along with the earlier tabs of messages. They'll make sure all everyone in Menthi gets their news." Costin followed with a mock solute to Jairo before turning back to look at a paper map plastered onto the wall beside his desk. Menthi was present on it. Red lines of erasable marker had been carefully etched through it, splitting between seemingly dozens of locations - he had been keeping a close track of Menthi.

During his various endeavors, Costin had been acquiring quite the line of friends throughout Menthi. For a moment, he wondered how the farmers of Peni would react to the claims, the sick, or the multitude more that had local aid threatened. Costin watched his assistant slip from the room and quickly run down the hall, smiling.

The Menthi Chronicles, as he liked to call it, has been Costin's pet project for the past few weeks. It had a clone written in Zaria so that it could be shared, a small section of religious prayers, raw news, weather reports, even basic knowledge for handling PTSD, sickness, and starvation.

Costin, however, didn't smile. Instead he looked at the map of Menthi. How much longer could he get away with all this? He shook his head, banishing such thoughts as he slipped back into his chair.. Now.. Where did he put those letters?

by **Cardulan** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 3:41 am

Iberis Aid Fund

To: Public
From:Royal Ministry of Health

The IHC was stillborn - it never had a chance of succeeding. Simply ignoring all criticism finally nailed its coffin. It is not a big loss as nothing good could have come from it. The formation of the Iberis Aid Fund is a giant leap forward. Help can finally be coordinated and all nations will be able to participate - despite their political differences. To ensure a fair and appropriate distribution of power and influence within the IAF we suggest one vote in the board per every 100 million of Syndicated Yen donated to the help of the suffering people of Iberis. This system of forcing participants to provide the money in advance prevents abuse and black mail. It also helps unstable regimes to become more reliable.

Cardulan is running several refugee camps inside Caracasus at the moment. The situation in Menthi has prevented people from leaving the nation therefore more aid has to be distributed to the internally displaced persons. The crises can not be solved without the aid of Flauc and Balagan the most influential fractions on Menthi soil. Both nations have signed the Treaty of Saruwa and can therefore be expected to work closely together. We explicitly ask Flauc to join the IAF. Flauc has done a lot to help the people of Menthi - and Flauc has done much more than donating out-of-date medicine and used blankets. To solve the problems of Menthi we need to have Flauc's expertise on rebuilding Menthi's economy. The long term goal of the IAF will be to establish an independent, self-sufficient Menthi that does no longer rely on international aid.

The Kingdom of Cardulan will continue its own operations but will also fully participate in the IAF. We donate 200 Syndicated Yen to the IAF and hope that the first billion will soon be reached. Depending on the success of the fund we will donate more in the future. The first two members of the board are on their way to Parsoh to begin coordinating the work with the local authorities and the other members of the IAF.

For his idea of starting the IAF and through that promoting peace among the nations. President Haydar Koç has qualified for the Order of Peace. Political games and intrigues over influence have all failed in the past. Hesitation to join the IAF won't lead to a better position for those nations who refuse to grant aid to Menthi.

Gravel crunched underfoot as Inspector Harloch of Caracasus Internal Security walked from his self-driving car up to the manor house. It was in places like this that Cardulan's old warhorses were put out to pasture. This far out of Tarbard Cardulan's countryside spilled out, covering the rolling hills up to the mountains. Fields bisected by hedgerow, the sound of a thousand birds chirruping as he walked, two large, shaggy coated sheep eyed him with studied boredom.

The grounds were modest, by the standards of Cardulan aristocracy. The house, a grey stone monolithical construction nearly six hundred years old had been built upon over the centuries. A historian could chart, almost to the month, the waxing and waning fortunes of the family by the additional wings constructed, which buildings had fallen into disrepair and which had been renovated. Great stone lions and gargoyles stood like sentries, glaring into the distance.

Here and there there were signs of the modern world. As always strangely unsettling when seen in the context of one of Cardulan's old homes. A motorised lift had been bolted to the great stone stairs leading up to the door. A concession to the General's declining health. A television areal poked up among the rooftops and chimneys like a strange chrome tree. In the garage, if the inspector had chosen to go prying, three great old classic cars lay under oiled cloth, as if in stasis. A modern sedan parked discretely round the sides showed greater sign of use. No doubt a car used by a member of staff for the day to day running of the house. Its tired cloth covered seats and dusting of crumbs over the passenger side spoke of something more utilitarian.

The General was in the study, a warm woollen blanket covered the lower half of his body, following the contours of his wheelchair. A butler stood, discretely to one side. A lifetime of warfare surrounded Inspector Harloch. Great brass gongs etched with regiments and campaigns that the General had led cast shadows over the dressers they rested on. A long display case contained medals, faded ribbons and precious metal. Photographs, ranging from grainy black and white to colour, and finally one holoprint decorated the wall, mixed with oil paintings and prints of older campaigns fought by the general's ancestors.

A veritable armoury decorated the walls. Breech loading muskets hung on wire next to deadly looking sabres. A great iron claymore surrounded by the cracked and broken weapons of three countries that Cardulan had historically gone to war with. Trophies.

The General was taking tea when Harloch visited. In spite of his condition and age, he remained sharp and bright.

“So you are here about... him are you?” The General shuffled forward, reaching for his cup with slightly shaking hands. Harloch sipped his. The General chuckled, wryly. “I rather thought that someone might be along to ask at some point...” He breathed in. “So. What especially do you wish to know?”

Harloch spoke the name. The General nodded. “Yes. He served under me in the Volunteer Brigade. You know of the Volunteer Brigade?” Harloch nodded. Spoke.

“People who had a damn good reason to sign up to the army? I understand the Volunteer Brigade didn't ask too many questions....”

The general laughed. “Hah! That's putting it lightly. The Volunteer Brigade were the worst of the worst. Back in those days we were given license to recruit from the prisons and asylums, the slums... anyone who could hold a rifle. It was formed from the scum of society – rapists, murderers, thieves, heretics, bigamists and other perverts. Instead of a twenty year prison sentence or a short walk off a tall platform with a hemp necklace, they were signed up for a fifteen year tour of duty. Any who survived were issued a pardon. This has changed now, the Brigade is no longer what it once was.” Harloch was not sure whether the general was happy or upset about that.

The General paused for breath. Sunlight filtered through, glinting off the steel swords lining the west wall. “They were... useful and I was in charge of them. Executions were frequent, as were desertions. Murder... fights... knifings – the unit was good for one thing – shock. We would turn them loose on the enemy and watch. I had orders to signal my own artillery to bombard my unit if they faltered or ran. I tell you this because I want you to understand. I want you to have context when I explain that this... this man... frightened me.”

“He was a discipline problem?”

“No... no, quite the opposite. When the others would fight and drink and pillage, he would... pray. Or read. Earned him his nickname – The Preacher. No... let me tell you about the battle of Harper's Field. We had been sent to harass an enemy controlled position. Knife work – in the dark most often. Small patrols. By this time, he'd earned command of a squad and his squad... his squad was the most effective we've ever fielded.”

“Our commanders wanted to know numbers, you see. How many dead, how many soldiers killed, ammunition dumps removed... that sort of thing. Of course, with the kind of operation we were running, you don't tend to count the dead. Only The Preacher had an idea.”

“Oh?”

“He came back from a mission with a Hessian sack. Upended it in the command tent, as easy as anything, like he was unloading potatoes. Twenty three severed right hands. Taken from the soldiers he had killed. That was....” The general searched for words, gave up and sighed. “It... wasn't unusual for soldiers – especially these soldiers – to take trophies. Ears... teeth... but the way he went about it? It was as if he was was a quartermaster, taking count of ammunition or food...”

by **Tekeristan** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:13 am

To whom it may concern,

My heart lies with the people of Menthi, a people, who even through the worse of times, manage to find the strength to smile and laugh. I consider humor vital. I have worked with the Menthian people for quite some time now, having gotten to know farmers, priests, even mothers through the time I have volunteered and traveled.

While I have my concerns surrounding the Iberius Aid Fund, I have them for good reason. The donation minimums make it impossible for smaller nations, organizations, or even individuals from donating to the cause (My organization is sustained off of individual contributions alone). It can be noted as well that representative power requires extremely large sums of money and thus ensures many groups, even native ones, will hold no representation. Nonetheless, it is the path that has been decided.

While it could be considered offensive, and I must admit I slightly am, that the offer for reform and negotiations regarding the Iberian Health Committee have been completely ignored, or were even claimed to even be completely denied and non-existent, my heart lies with the people of Menthi.

Regardless, I hope that it is successful in helping Menthi. The qualms between nations are not of my interest, the people of Menthi are.

I have managed collect a pot consisting of 500 dollars in total from a small crowd of the Menthian refugees I work with that are still optimistic about the Iberius Aid Fund and I desire to donate this pot towards the program. Remembering the horrors they witnessed first hand, they hope that these funds can be used towards vaccination efforts as well as investigation into ethnic cleansing and murder by Parsohian troops.

Regardless, my heart lies with the people of Menthi.
Mr. Costin Gabor

P.S. The Iberian Health Committee's first meeting will continue as planned.

by **Balagan** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 5:07 pm

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF BALAGAN

TO: Public
FROM:President Haydar Koç
Iberis Aid Fund

I am deeply honored by the appreciation of the Queen of Cardulan. To be awarded such a precious and prestigious honor fills my heart with joy. I gladly accept the order of peace. The Islamic Republic of Balagan will double your deposit and donates 400 million Syndicated Yen to the people of Menthi and their well being. I am glad to see that the IAF will not turn into yet another debating club but will remain the most important tool to help the people of Menthi.

I agree that without Flauc there will be no stability on Iberis. I think that the key to success is to focus on small and medium enterprises and to enable the people of Menthi to care for themselves. The job projects started by Flauc in Karthos are a great example how to design the future of Menthi. We need to work on a program to re-integrate former terrorists into society and we need to find ways to put these men into employment. I would like to have the Republic of South Cardulan as a member state of the IAF. South Cardulan has a lot of experience in rebuilding torn societies and economies.

Haydar Koç
President of the Islamic Republic of Balagan

by **Parsoh** » Sat Dec 10, 2016 10:30 am

To: Public
From: Parsoh Senate

The Iberis Aid Fund is the logical consequence of the Treaty of Saruwa. A unified entity to work towards peace and development on Iberis. President Jarhtos failed policy towards Menthi is partly responsible for the chaos as he had clearly put too much trust in G.L. Industries before the total collapse of the company. The IAF is the perfect tool to unite all those nations that are interested in peace and stability. The democratic internal structure prevents single nations from gaining too much influence and keeps them from promoting their own agendas rather than to focus on the problems of Iberis as a whole.

It is a great honour and a good decision to place the headquarters of the IAF in the only stable and democratic nation on Iberis. To improve the situation of those suffering from Tekeristan and Caracasus sponsored terrorism we wish to place 500 million Syndicated Yen at the disposal of the IAF.

With Honour,

President Jatti

by **South Cardulan** » Sat Dec 10, 2016 10:59 am

From: Republic of South Cardulan
To: Public

For a long time the Republic of South Cardulan had been among the nations that received humanitarian aid. With the help of nations as diverse as Cardulan, Caracasus and Watersville to name but a few on the long list of friends who stood by our side when we did manage to gain our freedom and rebuild our republic we succeeded in becoming the state we are today.

We wish for the same for Menthi. Becoming a pluralistic, free market democracy seems the only way out of the misery for this war torn nation. Menthi has been robbed of all its riches, the nation has been destroyed several times and there is no way that any of the warring fractions will get the upper hand in the near future. We ask all sides to stop supporting a violent solution and instead join the Iberis Aid Fund.

To increase the efficiency of the IAF the Repubic of South Cardulan will donate 100 Million Synicated Yen to the cause. Our financial situation does not allow us to donate more but the investment in peace is the best investment a nation can undertake.

Yours sincerely

Alexander Nielsen

by **Watersville** » Sun Dec 11, 2016 10:50 am

From: The Royal House of Waters City and Watersville
To: Public

Although we plan to continue our participation in the IHC, we are still excited at the prospects that the IAF have for the peninsula. With this in mind, we would like to ask to join the IAF as well with a donation of 500 million Syndicated Yen. Keeping this in mind, we understand that this would give us a full 5 members. Keeping this in mind, we find that we do not need 5 members, therefore we would like to begin by donating a member slot to our friends in South Cardulan, bringing their number of members up to 2. This would leave Watersville with four members on the council. We hope that we will be accepted and we look forward to the first meetings that will take place.

With regards,
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Hannah Watters

by **Carosi** » Sun Dec 11, 2016 1:02 pm

The Empire of Carosi

Like no other nation the Empire of Carosi has always had the best interests of all of Iberis in mind. To secure ourselves a say in the future of this conflict and a vote on the controlling council of the IAF the Empire will make the donation of 100 (one-hundred) Million $¥. Through that we are guaranteed a vote in all affairs regarding the IAF. A delegate will be send to participate in the first meeting of the IAF in Parsoh.

We hope that the money will be used to provide help to all regions of the peninsular that are suffering from economic hardship. As always the Empire will work as the representative of the Zaria people. We will see to the compensation of the Zaria victims of the violence and the financial support of their traditional way of living. While peace has not yet been reached we are confident that through the Treaty of Saruwa which the Empire has just recently signed and ratified and the IAF we will find a way out of this labyrinth.

In full accordance with the Treaty of Saruwa all our military operations against any signatory state, offensive or otherwise will cease at midnight today. This includes all operations in and against Menthi. This does not include operations against terrorists groups and criminal gangs illegally occupying Menthi territory.

As a signatory state of the Treaty of Saruwa we ask our friends Flauc, Balagan and Menthi to help us deal with the terrorist threat. We explicitly ask our allies in Balagan to resume the bombing of bandit camps. To break Malsti's grip over the peninsular we need to violently confront their illegal no-fly-zone. Peace can only come from unity therefore we do believe that only a unified Menthi will be able to deal with the road towards the future.

As our allies in Flauc have pointed out so often. Everyone who wishes to have a say in the future of Menthi is free to do so. The terrorists need to lay down their arms and accept the amnesty. They need to enter a political process or they will be annihilated by the forces of the Treaty of Saruwa.

Following the terrorist acts of the criminal enterprises that call themselves nations we believe that the best way to deal with those cretins is to to enter their game and throw it right back at them. As long as nations refuse president Tanaka his recognition we suggest that Balagan, Parsoh, Flauc and all other signatories of the Treaty of Saruwa close all diplomatic channels to Malsti and withdraw the recognition of this muppet state. Malsti has never acted on its own but is an economic and political part of Caracasus. Withdrawing the recognition of Malsti will put a lot of pressure on those financing terrorism.

Mardock III
Emperor of Carosi

by **Flauc** » Sun Dec 11, 2016 1:19 pm

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF FLAUC

THE TRAGEDY OF MENTHI

TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The recent statement by the Premier of the People's Republic of Malsti is not the truth. Their lies about not supporting the FMLM might have fooled people in Caracasus or Malsti, but they have not fooled anyone in Flauc. There is no way that the FMLM would have acquired drones, helicopters without Malstian or Caracasusian support. The Premier even contradicts itself, first calling for revolution, and then denying any claim of involvement. It still shocks me that such reputable nations such as Caracasus continue to support Malsti in their actions supporting the communist terrorist group, FMLM, which has hindered economical progress in Menthi and has promised to kill every Flaucese in the peninsula. Every helicopter given to Malsti by Caracasus has a chance of going to the FMLM to kill more Menthians and Flaucese.

We must tell the world that we blame the stagnant economy of Menthi on the communists. There will be no economical nor industrial future for Menthi with communism. Before the FMLM continued their brutal civil war, there was a sign of development in Karthos. Flaucese businesses opened in Menthi, as well as Karthos, and plans were made to build an airfield in Jarka, possibly a port in the future. Karthos's industry was being rebuilt. In return of our genuine efforts, we were met with violence and anger from the FMLM. Flaucese civilians were captured and were ransomed - so far, they have not been found and have been declared dead, most likely murdered in the Caracasusian jungles. The FMLM is no different than a terrorist group, capturing civilians, ransoming them, and conducting violent uprisings with the aim to destabilize the main government and to begin a genocide against the Flaucese on the peninsula.

Despite the recent conflict, we will adhere to the 48 hour ceasefire and we will stop any offensives for the 48 hours.

In order to help the people of Menthi, and to show that we wish to assist in the humanitarian aid efforts, we will donate a sum of 600 million Syndicated Yen to the IAF. Flauc and Menthi have always been reaching for peace.

Sincerely,
Gualterio Marquez.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF FLAUC

CYBER ATTACK

TO BUSHIDO

We request a cyber attack on the Ministry of Defense of Malsti. This is to remain classified from the general public. It will be payed by the government of Flauc. The Second Battle of Karthos is taking a toll on our forces. We would have won already if not for the fuel and supply shortage and communications problems following attacks on radar installations. A leak to the public - about their operations of Menthi would be the biggest target, as we must damage the reputation of their nation, to prove they have been lying.

Menthi, at first, was divided in two sides following the collapse of G.L Industries by going bankrupt when paying Menthian debt, before that, Menthi was occupied by Parsoh, annexed and sold to G.L Industries. However, following their collapse, two sides emerged. The legitimate in Jarka and the illegal communists in Karthos, which longed to create a socialist state, a dictatorship. Peni was quickly captured by the Republic of Menthi with mercenaries. Following Flaucese support, the First Battle of Karthos commenced. Before that, Malsti had signed a defensive pact with Karthos Soviet and the Karthos Soviet had demobilized their military and scrapped it. Before the attack, the Malstians imposed a no-fly zone, which has been harming our interests today. We had also instituted a no fly zone, but we have since cancelled it. Karthos Soviet was captured and integrated. We began economic reform, but following the death of Maezawa on the Flaucese-Caracasusian border when his plane crashed in mysterious circumstances, Marela took over and attacked the Caracasusian border, saying that the Caracasusians had shot down Maezawa's plane.

The Balagani and Caracasusian Navies began a blockade of Menthi in order to make sure supplies do not reach our soldiers. A uprising was staged in Karthos, most likely by the support of Malsti. Our navy is trapped in this blockade as well. We are still fighting, although a 48 hour ceasefire has been declared in Menthi, but their no fly zone is not affected by this. The Premier of Malsti has denied any involvement in the uprisings in Karthos, but we know this is not true, as there is no way the FMLM could have drones and helicopters. They are also most likely trained by Malsti.

This is the history of the conflict, a brief one. We hope your strike on the Malstian Ministry of Defense is successful.

Sincerely,
Gualterio Marquez.

Menthi
Karthos

In the eyes of Marquez, the 48 hour cease fire was not a problem, but an opportunity to use. The FMLM would, with no doubt, would violate it. Flaucese Peacekeeping Forces would stand guard, taking defensive positions in Karthos to defend the territory they held in Menthi. Mysteriously, MFLM forces were retreating out of the city into the jungle, possibly to the highway. Perhaps Flauc would retreat soon too? The FMLM and Malsti could speculate on what the MFLM and Flauc was doing or planning. The Flaucese-Menthian Defense Force retreated as well. It seemed that only the professionals could hold Karthos?

Before the MFLM left, some of their men stayed to 'hire' some people. They approached houses with bicycles and offered them Syndicated Yen in exchange for delivering supplies with bicycles through the jungle to Flaucese supported forces and Flaucese forces themselves in Karthos. They could do this multiple times if they wanted to, earning themselves money to buy necessities which had only raised in cost with the blockade.

It was a dangerous job, even more dangerous when the MFLM fighters informed their possible employees that they would be shot if they delivered supplies to enemy forces. Despite the dangers, it was hoped many would take up the job, since the starving people of Karthos did need food, since the FMLM got their hands on any aid they could get.

by **Balagan** » Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:29 pm

THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF BALAGAN

TO: Public
FROM:President Haydar Koç
Iberis Aid Fund

The Idea of the IAF is not to engage in political juggling. The threshold has been established to prevent those nations from gaining any influence on the board that don't have the interest of the people of Menthi in mind. The Treaty of Saruwa has already set the course towards the future of Iberis. There is no problem with Watersville passing a place at the controlling board to the Republic of South Cardulan. At the contrary, votes can be passed on freely and seats can be left vacant. We will need to hire experts for the day to day business to deal with the problems in Menthi and to conduct surveys of what are the most urgently needed goods and services in Menthi and the rest of Iberis.

I am delighted to inform you that the IAF has already mastered the 1 billion Syndicate Yen threshold by twice that amount and more. I am disappointed that the most rabid supporters of terrorism and critics of Flauc and Tanaka are the ones wo totally refuse their help to the people of Menthi. To give the public a list of the nations who have the well being of the Zaria, the people of Menthi and those wo are forced to work as pirates or bandits today in mind, here are those who donated to the IAF.

Cardulan 200 Million
Parsoh 500 Million
South Cardulan 200 Million
Watersville 400 Million
Carosi 100 Million
Flauc 600 Million

With 2.4 billion Syndicated Yen available for investments in the future of Iberis this is going to be the biggest humanitarian investment in history. The people of Iberis will have more aid per-capita as the Marshall fund had for Europe. I am glad to see that even Carosi has interests in finding a peaceful solution to all the problems ravaging the peninsular. Following the example set by Watersville Balagan will pass its four seats on the board of directors to Menthi. One for the legitimate government, one for the Zaria, one for the Jesuits and the last one for the opposition.

The meeting will begin as soon as the preparations are done. Once the first meeting of the board is in secession, no additional members can be allowed. Everybody willing to make a donation is free to participate. Those too stupid to embrace the future should not be coming whining to the international community that they had not been invited. If you want to be part of the solution, join the IAF. If you want to remain a part of the problem don't blame others for your lack of intelligence.

I support the idea of withdrawing international recognition of the regime in Malsti. We have been able to work with them to a large extend but the refusal of the international recognition of the legitimate government of Tanaka is one of the biggest problems on Iberis. It serves as a pretense for the terrorist supporting states to withhold the cure from the civilians in Menthi.

Haydar Koç
President of the Islamic Republic of Balagan

Flauc, Parsoh, Balagan and Menthi working together.

Now that Caracasus was no longer hindering the production of the cure, Tekeristan's sabotage became a lot weaker. The boycott and the threats had almost no effect as they simply did not have the military or political power to prevent the cure of being produced. Tekeristan now stood even more isolated than Carosi. Tons of the cure were produced day and night in 24 hour shifts in Parsoh. The cure was first administered to those who made it into the save zones but it was also shipped to Watersville's aid camps and along with ammunition and fuel to Flauc's peace keepers in Menthi. Both groups were responsible to distribute the cure to rebel held areas as well as to loyalist soldiers and civilians.

Balagan and their Mortic allies meanwhile made sure that quite a few shipments were lost, wrongly delivered or sold on the black market. That way they Balagan made sure that the shipments would find their way into the hands of the pirates and from there to the rebels and even Malsti. It was always made sure that the deliveries that were en rout to the pirates were accompanied by informative leaflets.

Seafarers, Pirates, Buccaneers, Scallywags & Swashbucklers!

Our friends are working day and night to produce a cure for the people in Menthi, in Malsti and along the coast of Iberis. The same forces who have always fought a bloody war against the brotherhood are responsible for the delay in the distribution of the cure. Those nations that have always turned a blind eye towards us or even covertly supported us are now producing the vaccine and are distributing it in large numbers to the brotherhood for free.

Remember who killed your fellow brothers and their young daughters, remember who did openly state that the Zaria are not a people. Watch their actions closely, be on guard. Our sworn enemies are trying to have the killer released from custody who murdered retreating women and children just for the fun of it. We are like the elephant on our flag, we never forget. Those who wronged us and those who stood by our side. Remember who is distributing this cure, remember who avenged our dead brothers and sisters by humiliating our enemies and causing them millions of damage.

Don't ever forget the names Rubio Bonastre, Rosario Bonastre, Roberto Cardinal and Alessandro Ferrand. Don't fraternize with the enemy, keep alert and don't trust those who destroyed your families and refused the recognition of the Zaria. Don't share information with the enemy, don't become a traitor to the brotherhood and do not forget who is supporting our cause.

Liberty!

by **Tekeristan** » Sun Dec 11, 2016 8:22 pm

Tekeristan,
Victor Dinescu

To succeed, Victor had to make some questionable friends in his campaign. Some were on purpose, others indirectly. Victor spoke of a strong Tekeristan, where the boots of arrogant foreign powers were not accepted.

While he always considered himself a patriot, there were always those who went above and beyond in ideology. The Nationalists were a growing group within Tekeristan, people who felt like Tekeristan was always being stomped upon with reckless abandon by arrogant foreign powers, who saw great potential in Tekeristan and its democratic freedoms, who realized that freedom was something that had to be fought for. But even they had their extremists. Unfortunately, one of these extremists had found themselves in Victor's office.

Victor had respected Tavian, as he was a dedicated adviser and the spear head of Victor's largely successful anti-corruption campaigns, but they often had their disagreements. While Victor always knew Tavian had a more nationalistic view on things, today, however, Tavian took it a level beyond what Victor was expecting.

"I'm simply saying.." Tavian continued, his eyes tipped with the recognizable glow of seriousness. "Costin Gabor is equivalent to a traitor!" Tavian placed a hand on top of the chair opposite from Victor, leaning against it. The 2 were located not within the capital building, but in the grey confines of a bunker located somewhere in the mountains of Transylvania, safe from any would-be assassins, Cardulanian or not.

But at this moment, Victor, who had spent most of the talk staring off into the distance, raised his voice towards Tavian as his eyes suddenly snapped back into focus. "Enough!" he shouted, word shaking the room, the man standing from his seat. Tavian flinched some, but quickly recovered blinking. Victor continued, his voice sweeping.

"You keep making these.. These claims! Yet how is Costin a traitor, what have they done?" Victor stabbed, his patience warped. He paused, taking a deep breath. "Costin is far from a traitor, Tavian." he muttered.

Tavian squeezed his fingers into the furnish of the chair before standing straight again, freeing his hands. He took a breath as well, stepping forward with his words "Costin has betrayed the great race of Tekeristan, fraternizing with Balagani women in Parsoh, and there are photographs that prove that! He seeks to undermine the great nation of Tekeristan, and drag us into another international squabble that is not our concern!"

"Great race?!" Victor sputters, slightly bewildered. He paused, taking a breath through his teeth. "Tavian.." he paused. "I've been your friend for a long time now, even through the disagreements on immigration reform or whatever else.. But it is not your concern, let alone MY concern, who Costin does or does not sleep with! What makes our nation, our people great, Mr. Tavian, is our freedom of choice in such matters!"

"Bu-" Tavian began, but was quickly cut off by Victor.

"The fact of the matter is that Costin is our last rope of influence within Menthi, possibly even the last chance of true democracy in Menthi, and he isn't bringing us into any more squabble than we haven't already gotten forced into! We're about to potentially fight a war over the future sovereignty and freedom of our people! Whoever Costin sleeps with or not, THAT is not our concern!" Victor firmly placed, hands that otherwise danced with his words remaining flat against his sides.

Tavian blinked a few times, his eyes pulling backwards as the pair stood in silence for a few moments. He took a breath, hesitated, then spoke again. "My apologies, Victor. I don't-"

"Try not to worry about it, friend." Victor cuts, his voice losing some of its earlier tone. "You're good at what you do, and you're a good friend. But please, keep to your post. Now. How about we go get that drink?"

IC: Things to do in Caracasus before you die. (MT/PMT - Dip)

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