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[Jedoria]

Protests and clashes over Internal Security abuses erupt across country

The Capital Report, Est. 1898

Across the Confederation - Following the leaking of reports and documents allegedly proving the Department of Internal Security has embarked on a campaign of kidnapping and torturing of suspected dissidents, hundreds of thousands of left wing activists and minority rights supporters launched rallies and gatherings in protests of the Department's actions. In major cities like Tharkad, Eitria, Sykios, Davion, Los Matar, Strana Mechty, Zerana, Kypsela, Aizis, Larissa, Nentinava, and Drabeskos, an estimated million strong coalition of like minded activists, ranging from socialists, anarchists, marxists, social democrats, liberals, Christians, and Magi clashed with Internal Security.

The Reverend Paul Vlaicu stressed the need for peaceful assembly and non-violent resistance to the Department's actions, calling for supporters to "embrace one another as brothers and face this evil head on." Predicant Teodorescu echoed this sentiment while addressing Gaia Worshipers in Los Matar, calling for solidarity with their fellow citizens who face persecution and intimidation from Internal Security. "In times like these, we must stand hand in hand as Mother Gaia would want us to. Our hearts and souls form a bond stronger than any iron or steel."

The Department of Internal Security continues to deny the validity of the leak, maintaining the documents and reports are fabricated and authored by "criminal elements most likely associated with underground radical leftist movements." Despite the controversy, the Department made clear it's intentions to carry out further actions against suspected terrorist groups in Jedoria, launching a series of raids against several far left wing organizations in Makos and Terraphyt earlier this morning. In some cases this led to violent clashes, in particular in Egeta, where Internal Security field agents attempting to arrest clergy members of the 'Redeemed Gospel Mission' on charges of tax evasion and fraud were pelted with debris and projectiles from Socialist Party members, eventually forcing the agents to retreat from the church. The District Commander in Egeta called the incident a "gross violation of the law" and declared the actions of the Socialist Party as "in direct contempt of the law and absolutely unacceptable."

In response to a wave of criticism and controversy, the Department agreed to release several hundred pages worth of investigative reports and documents, revealing ties between some left wing groups and known terrorist and radical organizations, including ties to Homofront, and the Vengeance of Allah. Supreme Chief Pytor Olsogovic stressed the need to combat terrorism and other "despicable acts of cowardice" at all times, and continued to defend his Department's actions as "justified under the authority of the Domestic Security Act".

However, the future of the act may be in doubt. In a short press conference, Duke Victor Răceanu stated he intended to address the High Council later this week to discuss the implications of the Domestic Security Act, in light of what the Duke has called "troubling developments."

"While the safety and security of our people remain paramount, it's clear that a great deal of controversy has erupted over recent actions undertaken by the Department of Internal Security. I intend to meet with the High Council and establish a clear response to recent events in the hope of working out a combined solution."

This statement, however, appears to contradict earlier statements by Minister of Internal Affiars Otilia Țurcanu, who stated the DSA will be the "law of the land going forward."

[Jedoria]

Ministry of Internal Affairs
Larissa, Jedoria

The building that housed the Ministry of Internal Affairs was, like most Jedorian Government buildings, based mostly on functionality rather than aesthetic. The gray reinforced concrete structure bore large letters that identified the compound as the headquarters of the Ministry, but apart from that there was little decor aside from windows and a Jedorian flag flying from the top of the building. The Ministry of Internal Affairs's main purpose was law enforcement, border security, supervisions of local elections, emergency management, and other national security measures. By far it's largest Department was that of Internal Security, and as a result the Ministry had come under a great deal of scrutiny by self-proclaimed watchdog groups and activists. They were of course forbidden from actually trespassing on the facility, which suited Pyotr Olsogovic just fine as he entered into the familiar double doorway, followed by a brief passage through security before he was on his way to the office of the Minister herself.

Olsogovic normally spent his time in his Department headquarters, but last night he had been summoned to the Ministry for a meeting with Otilia Țurcanu herself. The Supreme Chief, getting on his years, took his time getting up the stairs that led to her office, but before long had entered into the office of his superior and sat before her. Țurcanu was a middle aged woman, but still had the same sharp features and frown that seemed the norm for her. She greeted Olsogovic with little more than a nod, moving around papers on her desk while he sat down, occasionally glancing at titles and words before finally setting them aside and folding her hands in front of her. Her gaze met the Supreme Chief, which he returned without wavering. After a moment, she spoke.

"You realize how bad this looks, yes?"

Oslogovic grunted. She waited for a moment to see if he woud have anything else to say, but after it became clear he had nothing more to say she sighed. "You were supposed to be discreet. I realize the scope of your operations make complete secrecy nigh on impossible, but this-" She held up a copy of the Capital Report, "this it a clusterfuck."

"If you had let me start sooner, I would've been able to put the pieces in place to keep things under wrap. But this shit got shoveled on me faster than I expected, and that's not my fault."

Țurcanu didn't seem satisfied at first, but seemingly relented on that one point. Instead, "Now we have the Allamunnae, the Ghantar, Shrailleeni, Vannoisian stirring trouble, and on top of that, this little cunt down in New Edom felt the need to open her dickholster and speak."

"Since when does the opinion of infidels matter?" Oslogovic shot back with a glare.

"It matters because it gives the problem makers here fuel to add to the fire." Țurcanu replied back coolly. "You heard Vlaicu's speech. Now he's got college students and that band going around spreading his message. It doesn't look good."

"I can make them disappear." Olsogovic said flatly.

Țurcanu rolled her eyes. "Not without alerting half the fucking country. These covert actions aren't covert anymore."

Olsogovic grunted once again. "So now what?"

Țurcanu was silent for a moment, her eyes flashing. "The Duke is moving against us. He knows what's going on, which means it's only a matter of time before he uncovers it all."

"I thought he said he was just going to pro-" Olsogovic began before he was cut off.

"No, he intends to repeal the DSA. Rusu and Rotaru confirmed. He's making his stand here and now." She leveled her eyes directly at Olsogovic. "Which means Damocles is in effect."

A moment of silence passed between them, during which Olsogovic's eyebrows raised ever so slightly. After a bit, he shifted in his seat, muttering "S'only a matter of time, I figured."

Țurcanu nodded. "Begin moving your assets into position. Top priority will as always, be alpha and beta. Rusu will make sure the Ministries fall in line, and Rotaru will take over foreign affairs. Cernea will ensure the military stays loyal."

Olsogovic nodded, reaching up to scratch at his mustache briefly. "When do we begin?" He asked.

"Very soon."

[Jedoria]

All my friends are heathens

Despite the arrival of summer, the the night brought forth a suprising but gentle cool breeze, allowing Reverend Paul Vlaicu a welcome respite from the heat of the day. "Thank the Lord we are blessed." He said with a smile to some of his followers, who smiled back and handed around bottles of water to help assist with the heat. Nearly 60,000 people had gathered in Karis Park, located just outside the city of Drabeskros, the provincial capital of Xylian. Most of them were left wing activists, liberals, socialists, social democrats, among them Christians of various denominations. Vlaicu had spent the past week traveling throughout the breadbasket of the Confederation, speaking to crowds that ranged from just a few dozen to tens of thousands. It was with surprise that he found himself cheered on by throngs of supporters that had heard his words and shared his sentiments. It was a bit overwhelming at first for the older gentlemen who spent most of his week tending his garden and writing sermons for his usually small flock, but the Lord had seen fit to appoint him the shepherd of many more.

Vlaicu's message resonated with nearly every minority and left wing group, driving home a simple message of peaceful cooperation with one another regardless of faith, ideology, or ethnicity. "We are all brothers and sisters, of one mind sharing many bodies. We stand unified under the simple principle that civil rights are for all citizens." Vlaicu had repeated this line and variations of it countless times, but despite the relative simplicity of it it seemed to resonate greatly with the crowds that followed him from location to location across Jedoria. He had tried to keep up to date with happenings across his homeland as he traveled, and it was while riding with a colleague to yet another rally that he had learned of the leak. It troubled him greatly to see so openly the truth that he had long suspected but could never confirm.

If anything, it was a sign that his efforts must be doubled. Vlaicu tried to avoid getting to entangled in politics or ideological disputes, instead pushing forward the objective case of civil and human rights. He urged citizens of every stripe to contact their representatives in both the High Council and Provincial Councils and ensure they were dedicated to the egalitarian values the Jedorian Constitution called for. He had already spoken with a few Viceroys and discussed current events. Almost all gave him a similar response; while they agreed with the Reverend they're was little they could do beyond the borders of their own provinces, and even that was limited. Despite constantly referring to itself as the 'Confederation', Jedoria was far more like a unitary state with all it's centralization.

Still, it was comforting to see such large crowds gathering wherever he seemed to step foot. It was solace that despite a seemingly increasing level of abuse from Internal Security, many Jedorians continued to support the Reverend and his message. His grassroots campaign was in fact gaining ground, as polling revealed increasing suspicion of the Department of Internal Security and their actions. While cultural values would mean transferring this into action against the State would be difficult, Vlaicu didn't intend to leave a revolution. He had fought and bled for the homeland, and even as his government seemed to crack down on his compatriots, the support of many Jedorians filled him with a quiet patriotism. His country wasn't going to go down the drain if he could help it.

But Vlaicu had seen too much footage of Ashab and New Edom to simply allow the cause to run wild. He continued to stress nonviolent means, rather than swinging weapons or tossing molotovs he urged letter writing campaigns, passive resistance, legal rallies and protests to showcase that while his people may be facing wanton acts of violence, they would not respond in kind. Eventually it would hopefully showcase his civil rights cause as having the moral high ground, at least to the majority of the Jedorian people. Once they had the average Ion and Ionna supporting the civil rights of minorities, they could really cause some change in the system. Vlaicu refrained from general anti-government sentiment however; he was a native Jedorian despite his faith and knew the culture of the Confederation. The State was worshiped nearly as much as any diety, and flat out criticism would be too easily dismissed or clumped together with treason. Therefore he made use of words like "misguided", "unfortunate", "disappointed", to imply he felt the government was a generally well intention entity but was now walking down the wrong path.

His opponents didn't seem to share that sense of restraint. Every now and then, Vlaicu would lose contact with one of his supporters or colleagues. They would simply disappear, and though he kept them in his thoughts and prayers, the Reverend knew their fate was indeed in God's hands. He could hope for the best, but expected the worst. He tried to use it as motivation and spur himself on to try even harder, and sometimes he was able to convince himself it was working. Some of his supporters had suggested enlisting foreign help, but Vlaicu was a bit reluctant. If properly applied, perhaps it could help, but if missteps occurred, the nationalists would surely exploit it and make it appear that foreign powers were attempting to intervene in Jedorian affairs. It was easier for the nationalists to draw supporters to their cause than the left wing, and so Vlaicu refrained from outright calling for help from outside Jedoria.

Even while on the road, Vlaicu tried to keep up to date with happenings in the region as a whole. It did little to comfort him; the situation in Ceti troubled him, as it looked like the Adirans were being forced to end their embargo on a state that had tried to destroy them several times. While Vlaicu insisted on equal rights for his Magi brethern, he privately greatly feared the Imperium. They had shown themselves willing to stoop to any low to expand their faith, and while Vlaicu had always enjoyed spreading the word of the Lord, the ways the Imperium seemed to go about it, insisting on it's prominence and ruthlessly seeking out those who opposed it troubled the Christian preacher. The words of his fellow Christians didn't always help; the Heir in New Edom had weighed in but instead seemed to use the opportunity to deflect attention from her own country's sins. Bishop Avitus's call for sanctions was precisely the kind of overt action that he feared would only drive nationalist sentiment in Jedoria to rise even further. As an Imperial Christian, Vlaicu was a bit safer than his fellow followers of Christ that belonged to Edomite denominations, as the Imperial Church had never been the principle faith of an enemy nation to the Confederation (at least in recent memory), but if Rome turned on Jedoria, that would likely change. Vlaicu had been able to exploit this and rise to a great deal of attention and praise despite being a Christian, and the last thing he needed was to lose that advantage.

The Gaia Worshipers continued to be the main bastion of his support along with the left wing coalition. Many Predicants had expressed support for Vlaicu's mission. Unfortunately, the national faith of the Jedorian people was not as organized as in the Shrailleeni Empire or New Edom, so transferring that support to the general public wasn't as effective. Still, it at least helped paint his cause as a broad spectrum front, rather than just the actions of a single disgruntled Christian Church, and that was invaluable.

All these and more thoughts were on Vlaicu's mind as he sat down on the grass of Karis Park, sitting alongside some associates. He had spent most of the day walking to and fro, discussing current events with supporters. To his surprise, he had even received requests for photographs and autographs. He had scribbled his signature and soon found himself posted all over social media. It it helped spread his message, then hey, he would take it. But speaking and talking was just one way to rally supporters for his cause, another was to gain the public's eye through high profile support. The Message Men, the Confederation's most popular music group, had filled that niche.

Vlaicu continued to be impressed by the demeanor and attitude of the duo, drummer Antonie Drăgoi and singer Felix Minovici. Vlaicu had had an admittedly dim view of celebrities and pop stars, but had been in for a surprise when he found the two band mates were rather quiet and shy, coming across more as two best friends just winging it through adulthood, rather that high status celebrities that needed to have their own reality TV show for some reason. He found their conversations seemingly nonsensical at first, until he learned to decipher their subtleties and patterns of speech. They liked to just sit together sometimes and describe what they felt through colors rather than terms and phrases, apparently helping them write lyrics and practice together. Vlaciu wasn't one to judge, but he was still mildly surprised when the duo had approached them and told them they had written a song about the whole situation.

So both supporters of the band and of Vlaicu had gathered here in Karis Park, where on a small stage the two set up their drums, keyboard and synthesizer. Vlaicu watched with interest as the two began, a slow beat that quickly settled into a rather rhythmic tune.

All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse

Vlaicu watched as the crowd fell into the beat as well, cheers and arms thrown up as the song took hold among the crowd. The band continued to impress him, and as sixty thousand people fell in sync, it was a little comfort to the old preacher.

[Jedoria]

The sun's gone dim

---

As Jedorian cultural emphasis on hierarchy demanded, the home of the Jedorian Duke was located on an acropolis overlooking the capital city of Strana Mechty. From a distance and even more so as one drew nearer, the Hearth looked like an odd conglomeration of a castel and a palace. It was one of the oldest structures in Strana Mechty, as most of the older buildings in the city had been torn down to make room for new projects. Approaching from the south on Highway 18 gave motorists a good view of the complex as they passed by on the elevated interstate. Highway 18 came in from the south, beginning where Highway 36 ended, crossing over the Stea River and passing over the inner city, downtown areas, and finally over the government district before it left the city and continued northward.

It was a route that Another Jedoria Party Whip Alexe Stănculescu had taken many times before, but today was not the case. Instead he sat in the back seat of his personal chauffeur, watching the buildings on each side of Capital Avenue pass by. Cafes, book stores, restaurants, and other places could be seen in the Government District of the City, set up around the various government buildings around. Further west the Chambers of the High Council stood, tall and rectangular. There was a great deal going on today. The High Council would be in session to hear the Duke speak about the recent turn of events, the reports regarding Internal Security, the protests, and now the situation in Ceti. Nearly every major political group in the nation was being drawn in as the Duke was reportedly planning on releasing an outline of his policy for dealing with the situation. It needed to be done; the entire country was being racked by protests across major cities as left wing activists decried the leaks and reported Internal Security abuses, all while the Department insisted it was innocent and merely performing their duty as the protectors of the Jedorian people. It was an ugly mess.

Stănculescu's role as the party whip was stretching him to the limit. With their leader in office abandoning what they stood for, the Party lacked guidance. They still controlled the High Council, but only through numbers. The Moderates and the United Peace Party were snapping at them like jackals, recognizing how weak the Alții were. The polling numbers were already in; as of right now the Alții stood to lose not only the office of the Duke, but nearly everything in the High Council. The nationalist base they drew most of their support from was infuriated with them. Some party members were already threatening to break away and go out on their own, trying to salvage their career. The general elections were in two years; short of a miracle they were pretty much guaranteed to suffer major losses.

Perhaps most annoying to the Duke (as Stănculescu had heard) was the creeping feeling he was out of the loop. He couldn't quite place where and when, but he had a growing feeling something behind the scenes was going on with his party. He had heard rumors of high level meetings between government officials in both the Executive and the Legislature. Certain members of his own party and apparently some government ministers were cooking something up, probably some sort of joint statement. As the party whip, Stănculescu had been informed by the members of the government that were now seeking a regime change. His main job was still to keep the High Council in line with the various Ministries worked to keep the government operational and resume normal functions once the initial events had passed.

Soon enough, Stănculescu's driver had pulled up to the entry checkpoint at the Duke's Hearth. The Bastarnae, an overarching term that referred not only to the Secret Service but also the military's special forces, guarded the Hearth, along with a suite of sensors, anti-air defenses, and anti-personnel emplacements. Stănculescu had read an article once explaining the sub divisions in the Bastarnae between the actual special forces and the VIP protection groups, but he had long forgotten the details. Frankly, that was the least of his concerns right now. The Duke had requested his presence before the official speech before the High Council. Once clear of the initial checkpoint, the vehicle continued down a guarded road where it met another checkpoint that once again checked the drivers and occupants credentials to verify who they were, as if their very being could change over the course of a minute.

After a few more such events, the vehicle had finally climbed up the acropolis to sit outside the Hearth. Like most Jedorian architecture, the design favored geometric shapes and angles, with curves virtually non existent, ceilings that were far higher than the people who walked underneath them, and little decor. The only thing seemingly out of place was a large oak tree planed in a circular patch of soil in front of the Hearth, a rather upfront display of Mother Gaia's creation, even in the midst of what her children had built. This wasn't Stănculescu's first time in the Hearth but once again took note of the structure as he approached the glass entrance, which he knew was bullet proof and several inches thick.

The two Bastarnae at the doorway opened the entrance for Stănculescu and he stepped inside the lobby of the building. Standing around were a variety of staff, aides and secretaries, but the primary focus was on the group of men standing in the center of the room, watching a large flat screen TV that was off to the side. Stănculescu's footsteps echoed on the tile floor while glancing at the walls that looked like they were made with a wooden finish but were reinforced by rebar, concrete and steel. A fortress in many ways, but still a home. A home to Duke Victor Răceanu, the leader of the Jedorian Confederation and it's people, and right now one of the most hated men in the country.

Stănculescu had met Răceanu on several occasions before, talking and shaking hands when their lives had crossed, and even then the party whip was still surprised at how big Răceanu was. Not fat or overweight, but thick; broad shoulders, barrel chest, big arms and legs. Stănculescu was by contrast slimmer with a slight athletic build; a sharp pointed face, thin eye glasses on his face, underneath chestnut hair, the only physical trait he shared with the Duke besides the normal similarities that came with being part of the same ethnic group. Around the Duke were his cabinet and staff, namely the Foreign Minister Andrei Paler along with some supporting staff.

There were more apparently on the way. Minister of Culture Haralamb Rusu and Minister of Internal Affairs Otilia Țurcanu were supposed to meet them at the Council's Chambers. It would be a major gathering of Jedorian political leadership, a nexus of central government power. Security was a top concern given the unrest present all over the nation. Stănculesc made his way towards the collection of politicians, who were all distracted by the television. A quick glance revealed it was a news broadcast of the current turmoil with various analysts and pundits taking their chance to give their own opinion of the situation.

Duke Răceanu didn't register Stănculescu at first, his eyes remained on the TV while he looked sullen, hands in his pockets, slouched over a bit. It was clear the former community organizer had been hit hard by the wave of unrest. It wasn't likely an affliction unique to him; Stănculescu was willing to bet that most other Duke's and Duchess's would've reacted the same given the circumstances, but it nevertheless drove home to Stănculescu the severity of the situation. He stopped a few feet next to the Ministers and waited to be addressed, eye's occasionally flickering to the television. After a few minutes, the Duke noticed Stănculescu's arrival and appraised the party whip.

"Been a while, Alexe." The Duke said in uncharacteristically slow speech.

"Indeed it has, sir."

Victor Răceanu had campaigned for the position of Duke in 2012 with an enthusiastic vigor that seemed to have completely faded at this point, replaced with a sulking slow moving and speaking man who seemed to have aged twelve years in just four. At the time the party had been more than happy to throw their weight behind a young up and comer who had a youthful energy that many other older politicians lacked. That advantage had faded noticeably after the conclusion of the Vozgarni War, and by now it was pretty much untraceable. Stănculescu could tell a beaten man when he saw one, and the Duke was standing before him in that very image. Privately Răceanu had grown suspicious as well, taking note of subversive moments by members of his own cabinet. Their actions had not gone unnoticed, and by now the Duke was beginning to suspect they were planning on something. Likely an ultimatum regarding policy that would allow them to save their own careers.

Stănculescu waited for a moment before speaking. "The High Council is read to receive you."

"They're not going to like what I'm going to say." The Duke said pointedly. Stănculescu internally agreed, in private Răceanu had made it clear he had lost all faith in the DSA. On the protests he had no real answer; in fact in private he had started to agree with them.

Stănculescu paused, frown still on his face. "What we need is something to work with. Then we can start climbing out of this hole instead of digging it further."

The Duke met Stănculescu's gaze head on and they both held it for a few moments. The energy and spirit that Răceanu possessed during his election and early years in office was gone. Just four years in and it had already taken it's toll. Stănculescu didn't envy the Duke as he watched the man he once admired looked more downtrodden than seemed possible. Finally the Duke nodded. "Let's get this show on the road then."

The group of politicians and officials made their way down to the garage of the Hearth, where a motorcade of vehicles waited for them, including the Duke's Limo. The well furnished leather interior greeted the Duke and Foreign Minister, with the party whip taking a second vehicle. Once all were on board the convoy of vehicles, consisting of the limo along with several unmarked but reinforced SUVs guided the motorcade out of the Duke's Hearth and onto Capital Avenue. The trip to the Council's Chambers was only about 30 minutes or so, really 20 with the roads secured like they were right now, courtesy of Internal Security and the Bastarnae. As they traveled the conversation continued, discussing the upcoming address and it's ramifications, before switching to the greater picture.

"The situation in Ceti is a bit concerning. The Imperium's rhetoric seems more and more threatening. And now there is doubt if the Edomites actually present a neutral party." Paler pointed out. "There is some worry that Adiron will be forced to end it's embargo or risk the resumption of hostilities. If that happens, only Ghant and ourselves will still have our embargoes in place.

Răceanu nodded but did little else, instead leaning back in his seat and staring out the window as the buildings of the Government district passed by. The sun was above the horizon but still young, casting the city in an early dawn light that right now passed through the clear skies above. To the north though some cloud cover was beginning to roll in, the weather forecast predicted overcast for the day. That didn't bother Răceanu that much, he liked overcast, enjoying the shapes of the clouds as they lazily drifted above. He leaned his head back on his seat and sighed, wishing his position was better as he closed his eyes. He never opened them again.

The shaped charge underneath the limo exploded with enough force to tear through the steel plate that covered the bottom of the vehicle, placed to prevent too much damage from this exact kind of attack. But the bomb was too powerful and it cut through the steel plate like paper, turning it's hot metal fragments into shrapnel as it fired upward towards the floor of the limo. Just a fraction of a second after detonation the blast engulfed the floor, the interior, and it's occupants in a fireball that burst upward through the roof, expanding in all directions to consume the near entirety of the center of the car. The force of the blast quickly overwhelmed the weight of the limo and the structural integrity of the frame, ripping it all in half with the main seating area no longer a cohesive entity. From the outside it looked like the center of the limo had simply disappeared in the explosion, leaving only the trunk and rear wheels in the back, and the front drivers seat and the hood with it's set of wheels remaining.

The front end of the vehicle, with the driver still alive for the moment, lifted up in the air high enough to sail over the head of most people in the Cornellian region, save for a few giants in the Allamunnic States and Deadora. The driver barely reacted fast enough to realize he was suddenly airborne while still buckled into his seat, suddenly the ground pulled away from him momentarily before he was now facing downward, along with the entire front part of the car as it came crashing down back to terra firma. The hood crumpled and the driver's head smacked against the steering wheel with enough pressure to crack his skull open. The shattered remains of the front the car came to a stop upside down and lying on the asphalt.

The read end of the car had been travelling forward with the rest of the vehicle when the explosion hit, the force of the blast overwhelming it's momentum just enough that it suddenly stopped and was tossed to the side. Little of it was left besides the trunk and the rear pair of wheels, which clattered noisly to the right side of the road before coming to a stop unceremoniously.

Driving behind the limo in the convoy had been Major Kogălniceanu, head of this Bastarnae team responsible for the security of the convoy, could only watch in horror as the Duke's personal vehicle was torn apart by the blast. The driver of Kogălniceanu's SUV reacted a bit faster. "Son of a bitch!" He yelled, throwing the steering wheel to the left and sending the SUV to the side of the road, before slamming on the brakes. The SUV behind the did likewise, but the driver of that car hit his brakes too hard and turned too much. The reinforced armor of the SUV made the natural model more top heavy, and as the driver attempted to stop the car he ended up causing it to tip over land on it's side, sending it's occupants slamming into each other.

Kogălniceanu fumbled with the door handle almost comically before he finally swung the door open and jumped out, handgun in his palm and began running towards the wreckage. The whole thing was a mess; the center of the limo had been replaced by a million tiny fragments scattered over several dozen meters and the two ends that remained were hardly in better shape. The Bastarnae agent stood with mouth agape as he watched the shattered remains of his Duke's vehicle come to a halt. Where his boss had been just moments ago had been replaced with ruin. No one could have survived that blast. The reality that his Duke was certainly dead dawned on him like a tidal wave. He had failed. All their security had failed. Every endeavor, initiative, and attempt to protect their leader had come crashing down right in front of his face. The Jedorian Confederation had just lost it's elected leader.

"Form a perimeter." Were the first words out of Kogălniceanu's lips, but they came out hoarse and weak. Realizing this, he suddenly yelled it out, loud enough for everyone else to hear. "FORM A PERIMETER!" The rest of the Bastarnae immediately began to take up positions while others attempted to assess the damage. It was total, but their jobs needed to be done. While they did so, Kogălniceanu spoke into his ear piece, an encrypted communication back to the Duke's Hearth.

"Home 1 this is Gold Leader, convoy has been hit! I repeat, convoy has been hit! Limo Prime is down, initiate Alpha Contingency!"

There was no reply, but Kogălniceanu didn't register that, for as soon as he finished speaking the wail of a siren could be heard, and further down the road, an Internal Security patrol car sped onto the road, turning so fast it burned a bit of rubber and left trails of smoke as it tore down the road towards the wreckage. Soon there was an overwhelming chorus of sirens as more and more Internal Security vehicles, patrol cars and SUVs pouring in from all directions. Internal Security Field Agents appeared in great numbers, soon outnumbering the Bastarnae themselves. Kogălniceanu watched as they quickly formed a perimeter of their own, soon encompassing the entire area around the wreckage. Kogălniceanu was a bit taken back, first the detonation and now there was Internal Security swarming about. It was impressive, how fast they had all gotten here. Even more impressive, considering his communique hadn't gotten through, unaware one of the Internal Security vehicles contained a jammer that was blocking out all communications from the scene.

---

The Chambers of the High Council could be found within a large, rectangular building several stories high, and looked to be made of brick with similar Jedorian standards of architecture. The home of Jedoria's legislature could be found on the other end of the Capital Avenue, opposite of the Duke's Hearth, on the other side of the Government district of Strana Mechty. The work place of all 200 members of the High Council, members from all parties began to slowly trickle in as the day started. They had all been informed earlier in the week that the Duke would be giving an address concerning the recent events that were the main cause of protests in the country.

The High Council was alive with activity as Council members and their staff, aides and secretaries went to and fro, members of all major parties milling around or making their way to the main assembly hall. Dianna Wilks, the head of the United Peace Party, was leaving her office with party whip Alin Tănase in tow. The two UPP leaders walked down the tiled hall, a bit more energy than usual in Wilks's walk. "The Alții done fucked now." She was saying as they began making their way down the hallways towards the assembly. "The numbers are already in; Verux, Byzantium, Mankera and Makos are already up for grabs."

Tănase scratched his chin while they walked. "Still got two years to go." He pointed out. Wilks shook her head. "Two years is shorter than you think. I mean really, it's not like Răceanu's going to do another 180 spin. This is the chance we've been waiting for Alin." The two UPP members made their way to join with the other members of the UPP; all 24 of them. Ever since the Alții had come to power in 2012 every other party in the country had basically taken a back seat in the legislature. It was infuriating for people like Wilks, trying so hard to get the party agenda simply mentioned, but for the most part just trying to sneak around the Alții's grip on the Government.

The duo entered into the assembly hall of the Chambers, where sessions concerning hearings, debates, and filibusters were heard. Connected desks surrounded the seat of the Head Legislator of State, a post currently held by Moderate Party member Andrei Kirov. Wilks and Tănase made their way to their seats with the other 22 members of the United Peace Party section and sat down in their seats, chatting away with colleagues as they waited for the Duke's arrival. The UPP's policy was simple; the DSA had always been and still was a gross violation of civil rights. Wilks, like most other left wing and moderate political elements in Jedoria, were already putting their sights on the next election. That suited Wilks just fine.

The Duke was scheduled to arrive shortly, but as minutes kept ticking by, Wilks found her constant glances at her watch did not help to pass the time. Even as the clock continued to turn, however, there was no grand announcement concerning the Duke's arrival. Members of the the High Council began to glance around, murmurs among the crowd of Jedorian politicians as time continued to pass. Wilks rolled her eyes at the Duke's tardiness, muttering to Tănase "Of all the times to be late..."

But as minutes continued to pass Wilks noticed that Head Legislator of State Andrei Kirov was also absent. She was not alone; by now there was a sense of confusion settling across the High Council as it's members waited in their seats at the assembly, but missing the leadership of their branch of government and the leader of the Executive. Murmurs and whispers rose to dim conversation that even Wilks partook in, until she noticed movement. But it was not the arrival of the Duke or his entourage, but the dark uniforms and weapons of the Department of Internal Security. Heads turned and chairs swiveled as the members of Jedoria's legislative body bore witness to dozens of Internal Security Agents suddenly swarming into the building, taking up what looked like defensive positions across the interior. The Council Members could only watch in confusion as to what was going on. Wilks tried to keep track of her own party members and tried to figure out just what in the hell was happening, until one of the field agents jogged into the center podium that usually help the Head Legislator of State. Speaking into the microphone, he said. "Ladies and gentlemen of the High Council; there is a situation developing in Strana Mecthy. Reports are still coming in, but as of right now all government centers are on lock down until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation."

There was a flurry of activity and outcry as the members of the High Council called out various questions and queries, but the agent didn't address any of them. Wilks looked on in shock before finding Tănase standing next to her. The older man simple asked "Where's the Duke?" Wilks didn't have an answer, but an icy ball began to form in the pit of her stomach.

---

Over the course of the next two hours, field agents of the Department of Internal Security seized control of major government facilities. Ministry buildings, administrative centers, the Duke's Hearth, and other high profile institutions. The entire city of Strana Mechty was soon placed on lock down as thousands of Internal Security agents took control of Kerenskey International Airport, and every major roadway leading out of the city. Before long, a flurry of rumors were beginning to spill out through word of mouth, the news, and social media. A terrorist attack of some kind had occurred, the Duke's whereabouts were unknown, and the entire capital city was now shut down as what remained of the Jedorian government declared a state of emergency.

In accordance with the plan, Field Marshall Bianca Cernea ordered Epsilon contingency into effect. All military forces of the Confederation were activated and placed on high alert. In bases, airfields, and ports across Jedoria, enlisted personnel ran to and fro gathering up weapons, munitions and equipment, while officers barked orders or demanded them from their superiors. Reinforced flights of aircraft were sent into the sky and every division, ship, and flight was put into standby status. This of course led to a great deal of waiting around, which led to rampant speculation. Anything from a foreign invasion to a meteor strike was considered, until finally word began to spread regarding some kind of terrorist attack in the capital.

After a few hours, word finally got out; Victor Răceanu, Duke of the Jedorian Confederation, was dead.

[Jedoria]

Duke killed in Strana Mechty, Government declares state of emergency

The Capital Report, Est. 1898

STRANA MECHTY - Earlier today, it was confirmed by members of the Jedorian Government that Victor Răceanu, Duke of the Jedorian Confederation, is dead in what appears to have been an orchestrated terrorist attack. Also dead is Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Paler, who was riding with the Duke on their way to the Chambers of the High Council, where they intended to discuss the future of the Domestic Security Act. Reports are still coming in, but based on what we know it appears that the convoy carrying the Duke and Foreign Minister was bombed while en route, killing both men and injuring several others.

In response to this shocking event, Minister of Internal Affairs Otilia Țurcanu declared an imminent national state of emergency across the Confederation, while Field Marshall Bianca Cernea ordered full activation of the Jedorian Armed Forces, possibly out of fear of further terrorist attacks. A full lock down has been placed on the capital city of Strana Mechty, as members of the Department of Internal Security seized control of various government buildings and took up what appears to be defensive positions, possibly out of fear of further attacks. Supreme Chief Pyotr Olsogovic declared that until further notice, all traffic into and out of Strana Mechty would cease until he "find out what the hell is going on".

Minister Țurcanu spoke briefly to the press stating that "We are still recovering from the shock of this incident. We are still securing the scene of the attack and it will take time before he establish a definite answer as to who has committed this most heinous crime. Until we can safety confirm the Confederation is not under threat of further attack, we urge all citizens to remain in their homes or places of work until further notice."

"As per accordance with government protocol, it will be the responsibility of the High Council to appoint a new Duke once the situation has been cleared of any further danger. We ask people to remain calm and restrain from unnecessary traveling for the time being. Field Marshall Cernea has given the orders for the armed forces to move to a state of high alert and increased readiness in response to this attack. I'm sorry we don't have more details at this time, but our primary concern at this time is ensuring no further attacks take place. We thank your for your cooperation, and I remain confident that whomever committed this attack will face justice."

[Jedoria]

Outskirts of Strana Mechty,
Jedoria

Sebastian Caragiale had slept fairly well the previous night and awoke to an overcast morning. Gray clouds hung overhead as far as the eye could see, with more coming in from the north. The Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration didn't mind the rain, and took his time getting ready that morning. He wasn't expected in his office until nearly noon, a welcome break from his normally busy routine. The annexation of Peregrino had given him quite a number of tasks to be completed, and it was only within the previous week had he finally been able to un-shoulder the burden and pass it off to some of his Ministry members. His deputy had spent all the previous day running over last minute figures with him, and while Caragiale expected to have plenty of phone calls waiting for him when he arrived at his office, he would enjoy what free time he had.

His house was however, empty, his wife and youngest daughter visiting family in Makos, while his eldest child remained at college. He planned to pay a visit to both this summer, hopefully having a few weeks off and catching up with the family he sometimes feared he didn't get enough time with. Duty of course, was paramount, but so was his family. As he walked down the stairs from his bedroom and into the kitchen, he noted with a small smile the family portrait that hung proudly from the wall. Once inside the kitchen he made himself a small meal of toast with jelly, orange juice and a fruit smoothie that had become the norm of his diet, along with weekly exercise. While not a weight lifter like his Duke or a yoga practitioner like the foreign minister, Caragiale did well to keep himself in shape, and as a result still had the athletic body of a younger man despite his approaching middle age status.

He had yet to check any forms of media, preferring to listen to the radio while on the road. While he owned his own car, Caragiale had never been the biggest fan of driving, not with as many road ragers and people who didn't use their turn signals. As a government minister he was afforded his own driver, and the sole text he had received this morning was the driver confirming he was there. Sebastian gathered up his book bag and keys, exiting the house and locking the door behind him. As he turned to walk down the steps, he was surprised to see not his driver waiting for him, but three armed soldiers. Upon further inspection however, Caragiale could see these were not soldiers, but members of the Department of Internal Security, as evident by their police cruiser parked in front of the Minister's house. It was an easy mistake to make, considering they were all wearing front load carriers and two of them held assault rifles. The leader of the trio, standing slightly in front of the two others, took note of Caragiale's exit and motioned to his two subordinates.

The Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration rather slowly made his way down the steps, a contrast to the normal bounce he took while descending on a normal day. The three agents seemed to be waiting for him, and as he got closer, he cautiously spoke to the apparent leader of the trio.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" He asked, trying to be friendly but also unsure as to why these men were here.

"You are Sebastian Caragiale, yes?" The leader asked flatly. All three of them wore helmets and masks that covered all but their eyes. The leader's voice was muffled, but still audible, which meant that Caragiale could hear a bit of impatience in the man's voice.

"Yes, that's me." Sebastian confirmed, slowly stepping off so he was on equal terms with the three men. "Is there something wrong?"

"Sure, there's been a situation in the city. We need you to come with us." The leader said.

Caragiale waited for further explanation but received none. "A situation? What kind of?"

"Sir, it's a serious incident. We need you to come with us, your life may be in danger." The leader insisted. Caragiale was in a mind to agree, but if anything seemed threatening, it was the three armed men standing before him.

"My life, what is-" Caragiale stopped himself, glancing down the driveway. The car and his driver, who would normally be waiting right there, were nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Ion?" The Minister asked.

"Ion? Who the fu-"

"Ion, my driver." Caragiale insisted. "He's supposed to be meeting me here."

The lead agent seemed to be growing impatient. "Sir, I don't know. We need you to come with us, now."

None of this seemed right. Sebastian had a growing sense of unease that was now gnawing at his insides, and the demeanor of these agent's was helping. "Look, I have a driver, if I can reach Ion, I can-"

"Sir, you need to come with us! The Duke's dead, and we need to-"

Caragiale couldn't hide his surprise. "The Duke is dead?! What, how- When did this happen?"

"That's why you need to come with us sir, we need to get you to a secure location, now." The Agent insisted, harshness in his voice and seemingly through gritted teeth.

None of this made any sense to the Minister. Caragiale stared at the men before his, glancing at each agent, their seemingly fully loaded assault rifles, and couldn't shake the feeling that this, all of it, was somehow fundamentally wrong. Starting to turn back to his house, he said "I need to grab my phone and make some calls, if the Duke-"

"For FUCK'S sake," The lead agent swore, "I'm tired of this shit!" Before Caragiale could react, the leader of the trio reached behind his back and produced a handgun, leveling it right at the Minister's head. Sebastian froze in his spot.

"You're coming with us, now. That's not a question, that's an order." The leader said, eyes glaring and voice low and dangerous. Caragiale looked at the pistol, the agent holding it, and the two compatriots, both of whom seemed to have tightened their grips on their rifles. Caragiale swallowed nervously, but after a moment nodded. "Alright then." He started slowly towards the cruiser the men had arrived in. The leader seemed to relent a bit, lowing his pistol a bit. "Good, now if you can just-"

Caragiale however, had no intention of obeying these men. They were acting far too suspiciously, if the Duke was dead he surely wouldn't been contacted as per Alpha contingency. Surely the Duke wasn't really dead, and something sinister was going on. Or perhaps Victor was indeed dead, which made the fact that no one but these men had told him made the situation even concerning. Caragiale had decided he would not go with this men, and concluded they were not likely to let him go easily, however. He would have to fight his way out.

With the speed granted to him courtesy of a well maintained body, he threw his fist forward and slammed into the face of the leader, sending him stumbling back and landing flat on his ass, hands throwing up to his battered face. Both of the other agents swore, the one on the right immediately began raising his rifle. Instinct powered by adrenaline took over, and Sebastian Caragiale pounced, closing the distance between the two before, quite literally, drop kicked the agent, lifting his entire body off the ground and kicking the bottom of his feet directly into the man's chest. Like his leader, he stumbled backwards, falling over while his rifle clattered to the ground.

With no time to congratulte himself on such a quick move, Caragiale scrambled to his feet, raising his head up to aim for the other agent, before he froze. The Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration had been fast, and had he been facing only two agents he might've gotten way. But the third one, unmolested and unharmed, had enough time to bring his rifle to bear and aim it directly at Caragiale. For the briefest of moments, nothing happened as Caragiale started at the barrel just a few feet away from him, before suddenly it felt like he had been punched in the chest. The breath was knocked out of him and pain exploded inward, but as he crumpled to the ground, Caragiale found no strength left in him to scream out. Instead he lay there, struggling to inhale with his punctured lungs, starting up at the gray overcast sky. He continued to stare until the third agent approached the fallen Minister, rifle still pointed at him.

Caragiale saw the barrel, and then saw the man's eyes, the only visible part of his face, the rest obscured by black helmet and mask. A thousand thoughts entered his mind, nearly all of them of his daughters and wife, a few of more distant family and friends, as a final solace before the agent pulled the trigger.

The leader of the agents rose from the ground, one hand still holding his broken bloody nose, groaning in pain. "That motherfucker." He swore, shaking his head to try to clear away the daze. The public servant had a hell of a right hook, and he had caught him off guard as well. The other agent who had been kicked rose as well, grasping his chest and coughing. The gunshots were still ringing in his ear, courtesy of his second subordinate, who was now standing over the corpse of Sebastian Caragiale.

"Sorry Lt, didn't really have-" The man began, before his superior cut him off.

"Yeah yeah, stupid prick had it coming." The leader said dismissively. He looked down at the bloodied body that was now staining the sidewalk. He shook his head before retrieving his radio and calling in his report.

"Control, this is Rho Lead; Objective Apollo is dead..."

[Jedoria]

Strana Mechty,
Jedoria

It had been a tense few hours. Minister of Internal Affairs Otilia Țurcanu remained in her office, a cadre of coordinating officers and personnel keeping track of every objective they had been assigned to take. For the most part, things had gone over smoothly. All major government buildings had been secured, including the National Court, the High Council, and the Hearth. The city of seven million people had ground to a halt and was disturbingly silent, save for the occasional while of a police siren. Nearly the entire population had heeded the urges of Internal Security, taking shelter within their homes, apartments or offices. Only a scant few ventured outside, usually only to glance around, and ducking back inside if anything seemed out of the ordinary.

Still, it wasn't without it's hiccups. Just an hour ago she had been called and informed that the Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration (What most other nations would call "supervisor of infrastructure) had apparently been shot and killed by the agents sent to secure. He had been right to be suspicious, after all as a Moderate he had been singled out for apprehension in order to make sure the government's ministers all fell in line, but the fact that he was now dead put a sour on things.

"I don't know what the hell your agents were thinking, but next time try not to make a fucking huge scene out of it." Țurcanu had told Supreme Chief Olsogovic over the phone. "I've already seen the news, the the fuckers in Adiron are already suspicious, and some dumbass ambassador to Ghant ran his mouth. You're not making this any easier."

She could hear Olsogovic grunt over the phone. "Then well just say he was connected to the attack and say they fired in self defense."

Țurcanu rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Don't you think that will sound awfully suspicious? Everyone knew Caragiale was a Moderate. Hell, his own daughter is banging an Edomite embassy staff."

"You got a better idea?" The Supreme Chief asked.

Țurcanu swore under her breath but relented. Of course things weren't going perfectly. They needed to be able to respond and adapt to changes and developments, or else they were doomed ot failure. "Anything else worth noting?" She asked.

"Neg. All major facilities secured. At this rate, we can drop the lockdown by tomorrow."

"Good. Any resistance?"

"Couple of worried looks and confusion, nothing to serious. Also, I have the report ready to be sent to your office."

"Good. Send it up by tonight and I'll go over it before we release it." They bid farewell and hung up. Țurcanu leaned back in her chair for a moment of respite before she picked up the phone again to reach one of her field commanders. "Psi, this is Nexus. Send in Kirov. We gotta get this show rolling soon."

---

Armed Forces Central Command was the heart of the Jedorian military, nestled away near Fort Davion, which was right next to it's namesake, the city of Davion itself. As per Epsilon contingency the entire base, as was every other military installation in Jedoria (both public and private), on high alert. Armed guards and MPs patrolled the perimeters and could be seen everywhere. In motor pools and airfields technicians and mechanics made sure everything could start and whatever was still in need of repair was being hauled away.

The halls themselves, however, rather quiet as every general and admiral was tucked away in a variety of briefing rooms, keeping up to date with their respective units and formations. This left Field Marshall Bianca Cernea and Minister of Defense Dragomir Rotaru alone as they walked slowly down the tiled hallway towards the "black hole", the most secret of armed forces command and control centers. Neither of them were particularity imposing figures save for their rank and position. Rotaru was average height for a Jedorian male, with a round face, small nose and receding hairline, while the Field Marshall was utterly average in appearance save for an above average state of physical fitness. Cernea was wearing the standard Jedorian duty uniform of her green fatigues, here field cap folded in her arms that interlocked behind her back.

"Anything out of the ordinary?" Rotaru asked as they walked.

Cernea shook her head. "Neg. All major components are at standby status. Granted, for reservists that amounts to little other than standing by their armories and storage spaces."

Rotaru nodded. "As to be expected. Once the lockdown on Strana Mechty is lifted and the official report comes out, we can start deactivaiting our forces."

"Is that wise at this point?" Cernea questioned. "Some of our enemies may take the opportunity while we're recovering."

Rotaru shook his head. "I don't believe so. The Edomites would like to have everyone believe they're the greatest cause of peace in the region. Attacking us right now would destroy that narrative. The Vozgarni aren't about to do anything alone. It actually seems are biggest issues might come from Ceti, in the form of Adiron. They seem suspicious."

Cernea frowned. "And what are they going to try to do?"

Rotaru shrugged. "They're not really in a position to do anything, actually. Not with that whole debate over their embargo ongoing. Honestly, that can work to our advantage. We just need to mourn a bit, swear we'll have justice, and as along as we keep quiet, everyone will go back to focusing on Ceti. The Adiran paper's have said it themselves, we've managed to largely slip under the radar until now. As long as we don't have anymore leaks or such, most people will prefer to move on."

"What about New Othman?" She asked.

Rotaru shook his head. "The Othamni terrorists are fools. The more innocents they kill, the more people will accept our presence there. The Valikans, Lazodirians, hell even the Imperium aren't going to complain when we start killing these Vengeance of Allah folks. Plus, with Zaharia at the reigns, we'll be able to present a strong united front. Our national leadership should reflect our resolve in all this."

Cernea nodded, stopping as the two came to a window. Despite the bulletproof glass being several inches thick, it gave a decent view into the rest of the city of Davion. Quietly, Cernea said "It's a shame we had to kill him."

"Indeed." Rotaru agreed. "But life is full of hard choices. Mother Gaia wants her children strong, so sometimes we have to do what is necessary."

[Jedoria]

New Duke approved as Internal Security reveals suspected assassins



Constantin Zaharia, Duke of the National Union of Jedoria

STRANA MECHTY - With the lockdown lifted on the capital, the Chambers of the High Council were free to resume normal operations, though given the dramatic series of events this week, 'normal' is not a phrase many would use to describe the situation. Instead, the High Council's Head Legislator of State, as ordained by the Jedorian Constitution, announced the appointment of a new Duke, and following the approval of the High Council, Constantin Zaharia, former Minister of Communications and Information, became Duke of the Jedorian Confederation.

In a brief induction speech, the new Duke proclaimed a strong desire to bring Victor Răceanu's murders to justice, and to embark the nation on a path towards recovery following the shocking attack on the highest level of government. "I believe above all Duke Răceanu was a good man. A strong leader, an excellent father, and an individual of great moral fortitude, who during the course of his administration was forced to make several tough decisions who's consequences were far reaching and pervasive. I believe the Duke died not as a victim of the horrors of terrorism, but as a martyr for the cause of Jedorian unity and strength. We mourn not only the loss of our Duke, but the loss of a fellow citizen, and a father. He leaves behind his husband and a daughter who will grow up without their loved ones, and while there is nothing we can do to bring him back, we can ensure both of them can live out their lives knowing the death of Victor Răceanu was not in vain."

Following the induction, it was revealed by the Department of Internal Security that indications of the identity of the assassins has already been uncovered. In a press release by Supreme Chief Pyotr Olsogovic, evidence was presented indicating far left wing elements, believed to be radical socialists and other similar forces, conspired and carried out the assassination. In addition, the Supreme Chief revealed that Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration Sebastian Caragiale, was killed earlier this week, after Internal Security attempted to escort him to a secure location following the attacks.

"It appears that the Minister acted aggressively towards our officers, in addition participated in several actions that under new light appear suspicious in nature. I of course have no intention to sully the man's name, but it is the opinion of our investigators that the Minister may have been some how involved with the killing of Victor Răceanu. At the same time, we are investigating reports that certain radical Christian elements may have also had a hand in the attack. Of course, I cannot disclose the full details at this time, but rest assured, the murderers will be found and brought into the light of justice."

Field Marshall Bianca Cernea announced as well that, with the situation under control for the time being, the Jedorian military will began stepping down from it's heightened alert status and resume normal operations. The FIeld Marshall, however, stressed caution on the part of everyday citizens and the armed forces, stating "If there's anything we've learned this week, it's that there is no depth to which our enemies will not sink to."

[New Edom]

The New Edomite Embassy, Strana Mechty

"My God," said Levi Libbim, the Ambassador, aghast.

Dr. Darien, Tobias Manasseh the Cultural Attache and Captain Sharra were all in his office. "It's appalling..." said Dr. Darien.

"Alright, let's not all shit ourselves," said Manasseh. "This is what the situation is as far as I can tell. We ahve a coup d'etat on our hands."

"Proof?" said Libbim sharply.

Manasseh hesitated. "Er, it's a hunch sir..."

"Well, to hell with your hunches, Manasseh. I want information." Libbim growled, his eyebrows furrowing darkly.

"Their Internaal Security has done a wonderful job of pulling the wool over our eyes. We didn't see any of this coming, but the pieces fit if you think about it," Manasseh insisted. "The very fact that we know so little is part of it. It's a classic set of moves though. And that should worry us. There's a strong pro-border war faction in the government, and the ones who were anti-border war are mostly dead now: Raceneau, paler, and Caragiale. Caragiale was always an outlier anyway. We're in a very dangerous situation now. I urge that we advise the government to pressure the international community about this. Though this time...it may not work. They have a hardliner for a Duke again, advised directly by the militlary-internal security cabal. This is bad."

"How many citizens are in Jedoria right now?" asked Libbim.

"There are always some. But it's mostly commercial travelers at the moment, and there have been people who came to support the citizens' movement that priest started," said Dr. Darien, consulting her tablet briefly. "About 384 all told."

"I want preparations made to evacuate them," said Libbim. "Just in case. And the embassy, I want a plan in place, and cooperation with the Adiran Shrailleeni governments to make sure of it...and the Romans if need be. Set up a protocol for that." Libbim said. "In the meantime, let's keep playing dumb and show that we are..." he oked at Darien. "Appalled by all this, assume it's communists or Homofront."

"It's the kind of thing Homofront would do," said Manasseh. "We could maybe feed that idea to our press and let them think we're stupid."

"We are stupid. We didn't see this coming fast enough, or didn't listen to those who did. Sharra, you're being awfully quiet, man."

"Yes sir," said Sharra, glancing up. "I'm thinking that this will be awfully hard on a girl I know. But also that there's absolutely nothing we can do if the Jedorians say wanted to round all of us up and throw us in the brig as hostages. There are only 75 people here, and only a contingent of 25 military personnel, some of whom are staff officers, though they'll do their duty. There's been ahell of a lot of military movements. But I think that it's more likely that the Bugers will fight one another."

"Explain," said Libbim.

"Sir, I don't think any of you are taking into account how popular Racenau really was. He was a man of the people, and a charismatic one. He was good looking, his daughter was cute, his partner was a kind and decent man, for a queer. But Buggers don't care about that. They care about down to earth stuff. That's why the priest is so popular, even the Magist fellow who is aprtnering with him. The riots, let's not forget that. You think last year was ugly? This will be worse."

"I agree with Max," said Manasseh, nodding. "Good points. I don't think this iwill be an easy matter, and I don't think we should panic. Even if there's reason to."

"And finally, they're not as concentrated here as they used to be. They have a hundred thousand troops in New Othman," Sharra said. "It's not as easy as all that."

Libbim had notes sent to the Adiran, Imperium, Shrailleeni, Roman, Gavinian, Garzan, Ghantish and Draconian embassies to coordinate withdrawal if it came to it. He didn't trust the Akai, Ashab, Demphorian, Latium, or the other neutrals to be of much help, though a note was sent to the Lazodirians who were considered humanitarian enough to possibly intervene for the sake of civilians. This was more or less just confirming that they would help one another if things got out of hand, as they might in so militarized a state as Jedoria after a series of asassinations. Things getting ugly was a natural thing to assume.

---

Max Sharra was concerned about Alina and her family, and wanted to make sure that they were alright. He also was worried about drawing attention to them, and wondered what had happened to the families of the men who had been killed. This, he realized, was part of what he had been afraid of, in getting involved so much with her. Part of it was of course that he had assumed at first she was just his fuck, and that he was hers, and that like most beautiful women she was vain enough that she also wanted him to be as the song said "like a dog who begs for somethign sweet". But sometimes the hurt in her eyes was real when he was indifferent, or maybe it was.

Anyway he did care for her. So he did send her a message, and a formal one to her family expressing hsi sorrow for their loss and his outrage at the terrorists...no doubt Homofront who had vowed to attack nations that were pro gay rights but did not do 'enough' by their standards. What barbarians. He was careful not to mention communists as that was now policy--communists formed part of the rank and file of the protest movement and they did not want to give the hardliners in Jedoria any cause for provocation; they could do that well enough on their own.

No doubt she would be followed to his place, but if she could get away he wanted to meeet with her. If she was too upset he would comfort her, but he would not say no to her getting over his lap naked for a good whacking before a thorough ploughing. The thought inflamed him; upright and rampant betwen those glowing thighs as he whacked the jiggling mounds till she was writhing and gasping, squealing like the bitch in heat she was. Barely able to control himself, then more slapping as she reared that glorious fundament back at him like a mare in heat till he filled her thoroughly.

But what he also wanted to talk to her about was her family being safe. Maybe going on a vacation to a friendly nation to Jedoria would be a good idea.

He was a soldier. He was reconciled in his heart to people he cared about dying. He also knew it was his duty to care about how they died, and stave it off if he could. And if she did come, he would tell her, at last, that he loved her.

[Jedoria]

Hear my words that I might teach you

---

The Reverend Paul Vlaicu had, like many of his fellow Jedorians, been stunned by the news coming from Strana Mechty, the death of his Duke and several other government ministers. Like many Jedorians, he had been fed the government line; the left wing were to blame. Vlaicu privately felt this was nonsense. But the government had control over what information was given out. The investigation into the assassination was covered solely by the Department of Internal Security, and of course, any request for details or information was denied on the basis of the security of the ongoing investigation. For most Jedorians, they received only what the official line was.

The Reverend Vlaicu had been asked early on following the assassination to discuss his thoughts on the attack. He had appeared in his usual priestly garments, his prosthetic leg slightly visible as he sat down with a reporter from the Capital Report. In between sips of ice water, he spoke. "I, like most of my fellow Jedorians, am deeply shocked and troubled by the death of our Duke. I cannot claim to have known the Duke personally. But I knew of him, of his deeds, his life, and his time in office. I knew he was a homosexual, that he was married to another man, and than he adopted a young child to raise as his own. The Good Book has it's own scriptures with regards to such lifestyles, but I have always believed there is more to being a follower of Christ than simple reciting of scripture. It is essential to understand the underlying messages present throughout all of the Lord's teachings. Compassion, respect, love, mercy, and forgiveness."

"I am aware the Duke was a controversial figure to many. The events of the previous year certainly only added to the discussion. But I also am aware that the position of national leadership is a challenging one. It requires the shouldering of a burden few will ever have to suffer under. I believe the Duke always acted in what he felt was the best of intentions. I believe causes of righteousness and the good of the Jedorian people were always on his mind, even if his actions and results may not always have been viewed as such. I believe the Duke acted as any good minded shepherd would to his flock. His death, not only serves as a painful reminder to the wickedness the devil is capable of, but how evil permeates through the souls of men."

"I cannot help but express my concern regarding the developments in Strana Mechty. It appears that following the death of the Duke, certain elements conspired to secure certain provisions of the State, and in doing so, have cemented certain ideology-based factions firmly within this new government. I pray that the Lord guide their hands and minds towards the path of peace and prosperity not just in the homeland, but abroad as well."

"I ask my brothers and sisters, be they socialist, Christian, Magi, liberal or social democrat, to stand as one and mourn the death of a man who attempted to lead, to shoulder a great weight that has crushed many men and women over the course of human history. I ask that you pray for the well being of his daughter and husband, that they may find peace with the Lord and be safe."

---

Anton and Denisa had been shocked by the news, but only a few minutes had passed before Anton and firmly declared "It was Internal Security."

"But how? Why? Why would they do this?" Denisa had asked, hardly able to tear her eyes away from the television screen. She had watched with mouth agape as the first words scrolled over announcing the death of Victor Răceanu.

"He must've got in their way." Anton said grimly. "He was heading to the High Council, probably to speak out against the DSA. They found out, and..." He trailed off, staring at the screen. "So they killed him."

Denisa watched the news reporter repeat what limited knowledge had been leaked by Internal Security. Anton was quick to point out the problem; the only news anyone would get would come from Internal Security. "That's their whole modus operandi. They don't let anyone else examine the evidence, and if they don't reach the conclusion they want, they just plant it and make it look like what the want it to look like. Just watch, by the end of the week they're going to be saying it was socialists or Christians or something."

Anton's words proved prophetic. As they walked back to the University from a restaurant they had dined out at, Anton stressed they needed to act, and fast. "We gotta redouble everything. Fuck letter campaigns, forget speeches, we need rallies across the whole country. We need to start talking with people in Adiron, the FAS, Ghant, hell even some people in New Edom if they'll listen."

Denisa didn't know what to say back, still somewhat shocked by the recent developments. Before she had a chance to reply, they passed by an alley, and a man appeared out of the darkness and appraised them. They both came to a sudden stop, unable to make out the features of the man in the darkness.

"Hey, sorry to bother you guys, but you wouldn't happen to have seen my brother around?" He asked.

"Your brother?" Denisa repeated, confused.

"Yeah, he's this tall," the man said, indicating with a flat palm held at the level of his shoulder. "He's got short hair, big nose, goofy grin? He's got some screws loose, so I'm kind of worried..."

Anton shook his head. "No, sorry friend, I haven't seen him. Have you tri-" His words were cut short, as was Denisa's scream as firm iron grips closed wrapped around their mouths. Something shiny flashed in front of Anton's face from a distant light post, before a sickening, sharp pain erupted over his entire throat. He tried to scream in pain but found only a gurgling noise would erupt as he struggled to breath, falling to the ground unceremoniously, followed by Denisa shortly there afterwards. They both lay on the concrete, staring up at the men who had just slit their throats, only able to gurgle and bubble uncontrollably as their lives seeped out amid the rain of red from their opened throats.

The man who had appraised them frowned as they stopped moving eventually, before motioning to his associates. "Move them." The two killers grabbed the corpses one by one by the arms and legs, tossing them into a dumpster located in the alley. The trio of field agents then turned and fled the scene, leaving the bodies to be discovered by a waste disposal worker the next morning. More field agents arrived and took the bodies in for an autopsy, and a day later concluded that the two had been tragic victims of gang violence, a somewhat common occurrence in the major city of Sykios, especially following the riots earlier this year. It was, in the words of the district commander, only proof of the need for a stronger Internal Security presence in the city.

---

Alina Caragiale had never cried so much in her life. Tears fell from her eyes like a broken water faucet. She went through tissue paper like a machine, leaving her a sobbing wreck in her dorm room. Her college friends did their best to comfort her, but even they could only hold her for so long while she wept. Her father, the man responsible for bringing her into this world, was dead. A possible victim of a terrorist attack. Internal Security had first promised to get to the bottom of it, but now there were even rumors he was actually in line with the murderers of the Duke. The thought was outrageous to her, and she found herself filled with despair. She had taken time off from school to visit her mother and sister, all three of them weeping and comforting each other as best they could. They had lost a member of their family, and nothing could be done to bring him back.

She had, only briefly, managed to speak with Max Sharra. She couldn't stay for long, but in between kisses interrupted by tears, she spoke of worry. "Max, it's not safe here anymore. Not for people like you. I know you work at the embassy, but I've been hearing, at my campus, people have been disappearing. I don't know what's going on, but when I was on the bus a few weeks ago, they took this guy off for questioning." She seemed to struggle to find words, resting her head against his neck and running her fingers through the hair of the only man left in her life. "Max, I'm scared. What if they come after you and your people next?"

[New Edom]

Reme, New Edom

The old fashioned pokey capital of Etruria Majora Province was often used as a film location for foreign companies wanting to film a movie set in the old days of the Cornellian Empire--because it still had a lot of old fashioned domii, insulae and villas, churches and streets which were still cobbled. It had large newer roads and rail systems but had kept a lot of the older infrastructure. When King Elijah had been governor he had also instituted the agrarian farm reform system and such, and it was surrounded by three key military bases: the naval air station, an army base, and a small deep water port that could be used as a naval port but was mostly used as a freight port. It was smaller in population than Calafia and Port Autovia, the other cities in the province.

There was a lot of worry about the militarized nation to the north again. As the province was preparing for elections, the disruption of the government of the leading men who had pursued peace created a new set of issues that really had been lurking in the background all along.

Calafia, Etruria Majora

Mario walked into the lounge and was surprised to see it virtually empty. He had changed from his t-shirt and jeans into tan cotton pants, a floral pattern button down shirt and casual deck shoes. Most of the guests he saw were in or around the large pool outside. He took a seat near one of the windows looking out onto the patio area where there were a few die hard 'sun worshippers' still soaking up the last rays of the day. Many of them were topless and one or two even bottomless. Mario smiled as he enjoyed the view. The resort had some nice lounges, restaurants, shops and services right around where the main strips of rental villas and bungalows were. This made things convenient for foreign tourists and commercial expats.

He found himself wondering about the lovely somewhat older woman in white he had sen the other day. She could really be from anywhere, but he had guessed her accent to be northern Acheronian. Maybe something like Wielkilasian or nekulturnyan? He had to shake his head at himself; every time he smelled perfume or sw a flash of white, heard a click of heels he would turn his head.

He wanted to check his messages so he booted up his laptop and carried it around the condo but couldn't get a signal. He finally got one when he went out onto the balcony and picked up somebody's Wi-Fi so he could access the net. It connected and there was no password needed but the connection was so slow he left his computer on the table to download his emails while he signaled for another drink.

The orange juice at the hotel apparently came from a section of the country that specialized in them, and he had never had anything so perfect as a mojito there except maybe in Chaco, so he ordered one. As he waited for it he saw that his list was loading, so he began to to read the list of emails. Most were junk and there were several that he felt if he opened them he would worry about them and end up working so he logged off and closed the computer case.

There were a couple of mildly annoying young men in t shirts and shorts in the bar were talking rather loudly and were clearly trying to film women through the glass door in the lounge looking over the pool resort area. Using their phone. He was torn between confronting them to see the looks on their faces and not wanting the drama.

One thing that could be a bit annoying was spotty wifi in Calafia. It had been explained to him by someone from the Adiran consul's office that it was because the city had suddenly grown exponentially after the 1st Civil War and they simply hadn't been able to keep up with demand. "That's part of what the Cubesat Program is for," the woman had explained. "It should help a lot. We try to be patient. You will have a lot of slow upload time in peak times. Try letting it load at off times when you're resting or something."

He put his laptop back in his shoulder bag, finished his mojito and decided to head back to his villa to put his laptop away in his safe and then head to the beach. Because of his streamlining his company he only really had to work the equivalent of two days a week; he used various services to provide what might have taken a huge office of people ten years ago, and other services in New Edom he felt he used well providing local work, one hand feeding the other.


At Calafia University, the atmosphere had a grim and tense sense of political division that the tourists and commercial travelers might have been surprised by. Mario was barely aware of this, though he had heard about the abortion issue and found it a little puzzling.

In the Peace and Harmony Party, arguably one of the most popular parties, local elections were coming up. A major umbrella issue was whether provincial governors should be elected or appointed. It was a huge debate in the National Chamber of Deputies, and in the Provincial Legislature it would be too. Some felt it might become too divisive. Let the monarchs appoint persons of ability; let the provincial legislature deal with how the trickle down budget and policy should be allocated. The provincial legislature would replace the old rather symbolic and ineffective senate which had traditionally held sway since the time of the Cornellians. A provincial referendum had established that Etruians wanted to do away with it and have a legislature like Bara, Peregrino, Raith Immel and Haran. No doubt Teman and Lookinghaven would follow suite.

The "Progressives", now aided by corporate campaign donors and foreign professional political advisors, were well organized and campaigning aggressively. Their advisors had developed a slick advertising campaign against the Christian Socialists (a Peace and Harmony related party), the provincial wing of the National Wisdom Party and a tiny feisty Free Congress party who might just get a few seats. in particular and against traditional Edomite Christian values in general. Their candidate was a charismatic investment banker named Bartholemew Chorus. He had a flamboyant personality and shady past, but was a gifted speaker and accustomed to appearing on television.

"People say I'm against the family. I am not. I love the family. I don't just love one idea of the family though. I love the widows, I love the widowers; I love the orphans, I love the re-married! For it is written that in my Father's House there are many mansions!"

A lot of rfoeigners liked him. He had been met by some of them at the nicer parties at hotels where he had shaken handsd like a Roman and seemed very straightforward and jolly, not remote and full of poetic turns of phrase like so many Edomite aritoscracy and political leaders.

Etrurians valued their own provincial traditions. Nudity was not shameful, but weather got a bit colder in the off season and it could get chilly at night sometimes, but apart from that they wore clothes except during athletics, bathing, swimming and when doing housework. It was the equivalent of 'extreme casual' to them, and they took pride in dressing nicely. So no Free Congress. Free Congress was looked down on as rural, ignorant and occasionally violent. It was generally understood with some local pride that this safe part of the country was a target for foreign business and tourism and so it was accepted that some foreigners might want o strip off in Etruria.

The Intellectual Party was not quite right for many Etruians though, for it was a strongly Christian province, and while they had some popularity it was mostly those who were counter-cultural. As Chorus said, "I am proud to call myself a man of faith. I believe in the resurrected Christ like many of you. But like our representatives to the Chamber of Deputies I want to open the question of the Moralityh Act once again..."


So instead of the Free Congress it was the National Wisdom candidate mobilized the anger of the northern and eastern parts of the province into a populist movement of uneducated voters to oust the country's old leaders once and for all. It looked like Etruria was about to be thrust, completely and fully, into a global economy of which its people understood nothing. Calafia's intellectuals saw disaster looming in the frantic rush for change, but were unsure what to do about it.

The Ethnarch of Calafia, Theodora Maccabee, came out in support of Chorus.

Mario heard a couple of officials from the government talking to a man he knew from Thorco brooding over their wine in the lounge.
"This country is going to be in a lot of trouble, no matter who wins the next election. Our choices are just terrible. The Intellectual Party doesn't have a viable candidate and they think they can govern the country by political and economic theories. The "Progressives"...that's a joke...in the Peace and Harmony party have been bought out and want to hand us over to foreign companies. The local Free Congress couldn't organize making a pot of tea. Who will we vote for? Or maybe we'll just have election after election..."

In a way it went over Mario's head though, even though he intellectually understood it, it was hard to really take it seriously. The New Edomites of rank in Calafia tended to go into this broodign mode from time to time.

General David Daniels was proposed as the National Wisdom candidate. It was said that General Solomon Barak was going to replace him. Daniels had experience in diplomacy and in other aspects of government, was ahndsome, charismatic and well respected among people in the province, and he stood for a more conservative set of politics. He humbly said that he would accept, and stood with his wife who smiled up at him happily now and then as he spoke firmly and thoughtfully about the view that the rights of Edomites and their laws protecting them should be put before internationalism.

---

Strana Mechty

Sharra stroked her hair. "I know. You know no one is ever really safe in this life, Alina. Just safe-er. As far as I go, I can handle it. But I'm worred about you, sweetheart. I want you and your family to get out of here. Here a few things I want to tell you. You and your family stay in very public places all the time. Don't hang around at night anywhere that no one is around you. In fact I want you and your family on a plane now. Today." He looked at her intently. "Don't wait, don't worry about packing, you can always buy new tampons and panties elsewhere. And if you can't get on a plane now, then get to the Shrailleeni embassy and ask for asylum. But right now...I want ot drive you to your place, pick up your mom and siter and take you to the airport."

He got up and adjusted his uniform and opened his safe and took out his pistol and a spare clip, checked it and slammed the clip home grimly. He picked up his cellphone and said, "Toby...I'm heading to the match, make sure I've got a training partner."

He glanced at her. "Let's go."

What he wanted to do was drive her by her home, pick up her family and drive them to the airport. He had signaled to the CP that he wanted a drive and a tail. Any assassins would be dealing with at least four armed men, including two with machine pistols. He hid his worry. Now that he had openly said he loved Alina...he really had something to lose here.

[Jedoria]

Strana Mechty

Max's foreign origin was on clear display as he went through his plan of action with Alina. Alina Caragiale, nor her sister or mother, had the weight or power to order around multi-ton steel birds laden with fuel and with turbofan engines. To get a flight out of Jedoria meant ordering plane tickets, reserving seats in advance, and then packing. Had Alina been in the right of mind and not distracted by the loss of her father, she might've pointed this out to Sharra, but instead she only listened to Sharra's directions, trying to contemplate what he was saying. Asylum in the Shraileeni embassy? Did he really fear for her life so dearly he felt she warranted the protection of a foreign power? The sound of his magazine being inserted into his weapon brought her snapping to movement.

She followed him into his car and buckled herself in, pulling out her phone and calling her mother. She didn't have a lot of time or composure to explain, but simply telling her sole remaining parent that she and her sister needed to be ready to be picked up, and that they were leaving. Her mother protested that this was so sudden, but Alina made it clear it wasn't negotiable. The Caragiale household, the site where just a few days ago their father had been "shot in self defense", lay on the outskirts of Strana Mechty. Like all noticeable cities in the National Union, all major roadways were guarded by checkpoints that monitored by field agents of the Department of Internal Security to keep tabs on traffic and movement, in partial to note traffic volume and help with future development of highways.

As Max would've found as he and his escorts made their way to the Caragiale household, they would've found themselves arriving at checkpoint 18C. A field agent, clad in his black clothing, front load carrier on his chest and rifle slung over his shoulder, approached Max's vehicle as it came to a stop at the checkpoint. "IDs." The agent said, face concealed behind a black mask that only kept his eyes and bridge of his nose exposed to the air. He held his hand out, indicating for both occupants to pass him their IDs.

[New Edom]

Strana Mechty

Max slowed his vehicle down and murmured, "Be relaxed and calm, Alina." But his heart sank.

He moved the window down and said in a firm clear confident voice, "I am a New Edomite embassy official. My name is Captain Sharra. Here is my identification."

His ID was presented to them with smooth, slow confident gestures. He met the eyes. The Jedorian security department's tendency to mask themselves in this way was very sinister, and was often used as propaganda to talk about how totalitarian the Jedorians really were. It was occurring to him that this had been an impetuous gesture on his part, but all he could do now was brass it out, rely on diplomatic immunity.

"Show them your ID, it will be alright," he told Alina, not sure if he was being honest or not but determined to not just let her be pushed around no matter what.

[Jedoria]

Strana Mechty

Alina swallowed and tried to steady her hand as she handed her ID card over, but as it left her grasp her fingertips trembled noticeably. They continued to do so until she interlaced them with Max's own, using his firm steady form as an anchor. Her heart beat a bit faster; she had passed through checkpoints like these dozens of times, but with Max in the car, and recent events having unfolded as they did, this all went from routine to suddenly terrifying. She forced herself to breath in slowly and put her faith in Max.

The field agent took both IDs and held them in front of a scanner to ensure they were really who said they were. He held out Max's IDs and after a noticeable delay the scanner confirmed his identity. It earned him a raised eyebrow from the field agent, wondering what an Edomite official was doing out here at this hour. He scanned Alina's ID next, and after a moment seemed ready to give them back and send them on their way. But instead he stopped, glanced at the IDs, the scanner, then leaned down to look both Max and Alina in the eyes before rising up again. After a few moments, he simply said "Wait here."

He turned around and made his way back to the small compound that served as the field agents shelter, walking inside out of view of either Max or Sharra. They were left alone save for a single field agent that waited on the other side of the checkpoint, submachinegun holstered and leaning against a pillar, keeping eyes on the vehicle. Inside the compound, the field agent contacted his superior at district command and informed him that the daughter of a slain government minister was now passing through with an Edomite embassy official. After conferring with his superior, the agent returned to the vehicle. He leaned down and peered at the two for a moment before asking "Where are you two going?"

[New Edom]

The Check Point

Max Sharra looked at Alina with a warm gaze as the man went to check with his superiors, and then waited, whistling an air as he sat there. He couldn't wait to be gone from Jedoria. Not so much the crisis--it was how most people here would be so rude and brusque all the time; it was hard for him to discern what they felt about hings without getting to know them well.

When the man returned and queried them, it was a typical Jedorian action: no honorifics, no courtesy, just a blunt demand as though he was a lor of creation. Max had been here long enough and been trained well enough not to bristle, but it irked him nevertheless.

He met the man's eyes. "I am going with this lady to take her to her family. They have sufered a terrible tragedy through the hands of madmen who killed her father. My government is sure it was Homofront terrorists, the bastards. She needs to be with her family."

He was aware of a problem. If security was this tight just driving down the road, then going back would also be a problem. Without a flight plan it would be hard to explain the departure. One thing at a time. Checkpoint first.

Don't get too involved. his father had warned him, by God, and he had ignored the warning. His mother had begged him to return home. He had ignored the begging. Now here he was.

[Hittanryan]

Adiran Embassy
Strana Mechty, Jedoria

Ambassador Vince Caro had called a staff meeting about the crisis. He had small eyes set close together, a bent nose, an uninspired haircut, and thin lips. He now sported laugh lines, but with no additional wrinkles they didn't seem to wizen him any in appearance, just dig a pair of trenches across his face. In build he was thin, of perhaps slightly below-average height. Caro's tendency to fidget even while calm made him look distracted. Right now he kept nervously picking up a pen, moving as though he was about to write something with it, before setting it down. In fairness, this time it could simply be nerves.

"No, it's not normal. The Duke's body barely hit the ground before Internal Security seized the capital," Rob Bedell, his political advisor, was saying.

"I know that, you know that, the Edomites know it," Caro said, holding up the communiqué from Libbim. "And we're being kept in the damned dark. All anyone is getting out of what's left of the government is Internal Security's line."

"There might not be anyone else left. My gut says it's a coup. This isn't like Cariagale. They're setting up checkpoints all over the city and already scapegoating the protest groups. This is going to get ugly," Bedell cautioned.

"We can't take any chances then. If this is what it looks like, and the Jedorian government has been overthrown by authoritarian nationalists in Internal Security, then no one is safe. If they were willing to kill the Duke then they'll kill anyone else in their way as well," Caro said.

"This is going to drastically affect our relations with Jedoria. The Duke demobilized the border to help broker a peace in Ceti. He sought detente with the Edomites, and by the looks of it he was serious about stopping Internal Security's abuses. If this is true, that's why they killed him, and I wouldn't put it past them to be carrying out a purge as we speak," Bedell said, starting to pace a bit. "This Zaharia, or Oslogovic, or the other hardline nationalists? They'll blame Adiron for weakening Jedoria like the nationalist protestors a few months ago. They reverse the demobilization and suddenly our end of the bargain with the Edomites is unfulfilled. That leaves us with no bargaining power with New Edom in the peace process. What happens to Ceti then?"

"We don't know a thing," Caro said sharply, sick of the what-ifs and tangents. "We trusted the Duke's government to be transparent, and we apparently trusted them too much. The Duke might not have had the authority we assumed he did. Now we're stuck without any reliable sources."

"We have one: the protest leaders," Stephanie Tucker, his intelligence advisor, pointed out. "Contact the ones here in the capital, the ones who have been in the public eye. If we can, get them here. If they've been disappeared, well, eventually we'll at least know what we're dealing with."

"That's a risk that I'm not prepared to take," Caro said.

"Why not? You just said we're in the dark. We need to figure out what the hell's going on here so we have something to report back to the State Department," Bedell pointed out.

"That's not what I mean. The instant we suggest foul play or openly associate with groups the new government considers enemies of the state, we become a target. Assuming we're not simply arrested, it reflects on our government and could even endanger the people you want to help," Caro said.

"I was not suggesting we just call them up directly," Tucker said, a bit taken aback. "Internal Security is almost certainly monitoring their communications. Obviously if the embassy called them up it would trigger a major red flag. Let's have the press do it."

"Won't that put both the reporters and the activists at risk?" Caro asked.

"No, they're not going to ask about the coup. We're just looking to confirm whether or not they're alive. The press will contact them with some innocuous-sounding query. Something like...'This is so-and-so from ANBC, would the protest groups here in the capital like to comment on the Duke's assassination?' And if they're not there, leave a message."

The room sat quietly a moment, until Caro asked "So who do we call?"

Tucker had to think a moment. "Off the top of my head, Anton Zamfir, he was involved with the leak..."

"Hold on a moment," Bedell said, leaving the room while Tucker mulled it over.

Bedell returned with a young man who was part of the embassy staff, a Jedorian named Teofil Șerbănescu. "Teofil, you marched in the demonstrations, right? Who would you say are the main leaders of the protest movement here in the capital?"

"Why?" he asked.

"We're trying to contact them, and figure out if they're still alive," Caro said.

"You mean..." he said, looking worried.

"We're trying to figure out what we're dealing with, Teofil, so our government can figure out what's happening here in Jedoria," Caro explained.

Bedell noticed the alarm in Teofil's eyes. "I think...it might be best if you stayed here at the embassy for now," he said. Teofil nodded.

Using the embassy's secure satellite phone, the embassy contacted the State Department advising them of their plan. The State Department did one better and contacted ANBC's South Acheron Office in Novitera. Although they couldn't order them around, they could plant ideas in their heads. The State Department asked if ANBC had managed to contact the protest leaders Teofil mentioned, dropping their names as well. It didn't take long for ANBC to either make the calls or start looking for their contact information. It would have looked like a simple inquiry from the media. A few more government ministers were contacted as well, generally across the board, nationalist or otherwise.

[Jedoria]

Strana Mechty

The field agent listened to Sharra's explanation, casting a glance at Alina before returning his gaze to Sharra. He glanced down back at the IDs, as though rechecking the names, before turning over his shoulder and yelling back at the compound. "El spune că e pentru familia ei." A voice shouted back something indecipherable. The agent looked back at the two before again returning to the compound. Voices could be heard inside, but from where Alina and Max were sitting, it was impossible to make out exactly what they were saying. Alina swore she heard 'leave' and 'watch', but other than that could just keep her hand interlocked with Sharra and hope.

After a minute, the agent returned, and handed them both back their ID cards. With no further explanation, he simply motioned them forward. "Get moving." Alina breathed a sigh of relief as the car began moving again.

The remaining Caragiale family was in truth an insignificant factor in the grand scheme of things as far as Internal Security was concerned, but the fact that she was now being escorted around by an Edomite embassy official was enough for them to take further notice. They knew already she was in a relationship with him, but apart from that there was little concern. However, now Internal Security was aware of their movements.

---

Strana Mechty was the capital of the National Union but not the epicenter of the protest movement, but there were some notable leaders. The Socialist Party had a chapter headquarters in the city, led by Doctor Duiliu Movilă, who had been a primary organizer for left wing activists in the city. Movilă, who was under watch by Internal Security for his ideological affiliation, told any inquiries by foreign media that he was shocked by the death of the Duke. While he admitted Răceanu had been a controversial figure due to his past support of the Domestic Security Act, and the fact that the former Duke had been a member of the nationalists' party, he found his death to be saddening.

Reverend Marin Pițurcă was a priest of Strana Mechty's largest Imperial Christian Church, and one of Reverend Vlaicu's most vocal supporters in the capital. He had cooperated with Movilă on more than one occasion, speaking out against Internal Security abuses and told ANBC in no short terms he was greatly suspicious of the attack. Unfortunately, like most Jedorians, he got his news only from Jedorian news media. And while there remained many independent and objective television channels and newspaper, they all ultimately got their information from the only source who provided it; the government. So in the end, all they were ultimately were doing was repeating what the State was saying. A few more venturous ones invited skeptics and activists onto their shows to try to get some fresh perspective, but in the end it was only a fraction of the overall broadcast.

Both leaders highly recommended the ANBC get in contact with the Reverend Paul Vlaicu, the impromptu leader of the left wing/minority coalition. Both heaped praises on the man, stating he was the right man with the proper foresight to bring the plight of Jedoria's minorities to the center stage. There were a few other names and faces, Vladimir Popa, the head of Strana Mechty's minuscule Magi community, who echoed the sentiments shared by the aforementioned persons, and Eduard Lucescu, a professor and liberal activist at Strana Mechty Provincial University. Both were minor players but had plenty to speak on; Popa would speak at length of the persecution his followers were apparently subject to, and Lucescu would be more than happy to sit down and point out the similarities in the actions of Internal Security and other authoritarian regimes throughout history.

However, further attempts to contact Popa would fail after a few days, and it would be several weeks before any investigators were finally able to discover the Magi minister had been arrested on charges of tax evasion and was in prison. Any request for further information would be met by a single form allegedly proving that he had skipped out on yearly taxation requirements, and there seemed to be nothing else to be found about him. At least, as far as Internal Security would say.

[New Edom]

The Edge of Strana Mechty

Soundtrack

when you've fallen on the highway
And they ask you how you're doing
Of course you say you can't complain
If you're squeezed for information
That's when you got to play it dumb
You just say you're out there waiting for the miracle to come...

--Leonard Cohen "Waiting for the Miracle"[/b]


As they drove down the road, the sky was flushing to pinks and oranges, and the strange landscape of more rural Jedoria lay before them. Yet in a way Sharra was familiar with it, as any officer who came out of the Academy would be, aware of what they might cross as they battled their way acros it. It was a weird thought, for what if things had not gone the way they had, and it was he who was terrorizing Alina's family as his mech company stormed across these fields?

The strange thing was, rude and barbaric as they were, he felt almost more kinship with those men he had just passed than with the girl beside him. They were the same.

"It's not safe for you, but they could easily have taken you aside if they wanted to," said Sharra. 'I don't know who to be more worried about, possible terrorists...or your own government. Be careful, Alina. I don't know if you'll be able to leave right away. Or where you and your family would go. I'm sorry."

As he drove her to her home he felt a strange tension as though he was out on patrol, feeling vulnerable in the civilian car with almost no one around him of his own comrades. What was he doing in this strange country? Leave her at home his father's voice warned him. Leave her to her own people and do your duty.

He glanced at her. "Alina, I'm so sorry about your father, he was a good man. Whatevre I can do, I will do."

He drove on to get her to her home. He hoped to speak briefly to the other two women there and find out what their intentions were...but perhaps the best thing he could do was leave them alone, get back to the embassy. He felt torn, confused for the first time in his life, and it almost angered him.

---

The Formal Betrothal Ceremony of Princess Ava to Prince Alexander,
Fineberg, New Edom

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem

A cluster of the Council of Ministers members were gathering in the larger vestry of the great cathedral in Fineberg, the choir echoing to the flying buttresses as murmuring officials moved into the cavernous sanctuary. Aides and assistants kept people at bay from bothering them; to all appearances they wer quite solemn but in fact they were all muttering about some pieces of paper they wer handing back and forth.


How dangerous does a man have to be before he is separated from the rest of his fellow men, locked behind prison bars, put in a camp or...disappeared? Clearly it is a last resort...

Dr. Aphek looked away from the pamphlet and raised his face to look at the other members of the Councl of Ministers.

"What is this stuff?' said Dr. Aphek.

"The words of Prester Matthias, who is speaking in sympathy with Reverend Paul Vlaicu. These are being printed and distributed...initally by the Haranese Christian Church...what is it..." General Ashdod squinted at his tablet. "Christ Redeemer Church of South Sterry...it is also part of a petition. The petition is being gathered for a response and to be sent to the CPO and the OCS, thus far they have 11,300 signatures. We can anticipate more."

"What do they want exactly?" demanded Dr. Aphek. "We have I hope no desire to provoke the new Jedorian government."

"For once I agree with the history teacher," said Count Lalery. "Let's practice containment, it's easilyl done."

"What they want is for the religious leaders of Jedoria to be taken seriously and for the excesses of that government to be checked," said General Ashdod. "hey, don't look at me, I'm just reporting what they say."

"Let the prester say what he likes," said Lalery irritably. "Are we going to let some painted zealot squatting in a dusty street in Sterry with sand up his ass dictate foreign policy?"

Count Sharra said a trifle coldly, "I'm concerned about our policy too. You'll remember my son is there. And also: it is the people of New Edom..he's just a spear point."

"The people of New Edom will follow their appetites and best interests as all people do," said Lalery with annoyance. 'i'm sory about your boy but he took an oath, didn't he? And he's an embassy official. If they mess with him, they can't be so stupid that they won't know how angry it will make everyone in our government."

"What if they don't care?" said Dr. Aphek. "Well let's see what they have to say..."

"And Prester Mathias has put up something on the internet, it's been uploaded, information about the petition as well as voiced concern and brother hood...and the Queen and the Prophet have approved," said Ashdod. He looked up gravely. "they have commended his actions."

"but not supported them," said Lalery, seizing on that.

"Well..."

Prince Enoch, tall, handsome, glittering in full dress, stepped into the vestry, a shout of choir behind him as the door opened, then muting as he closed hte heavy reinforced door. "What are you all fussing about?" he demanded. "not a conspiracy I hope..."

"Funny you should say, sir," said Dr. Aphek, who was first o tell him to the annoyance of the others.

"I think someone should advise the Queen, Prophet and King about this, and we should put this before the Chamber's committee on foreign policy to be discreet," said Lalery firmly.

Prince Enoch said, "The King will say national security and regional peace must be balanced and come first; the queen will say that the good of the righteous path of the nation must come first. And we will speak with them. Before we speak with the HEir," eh said, looking at Aphek. Aphek held up a hand in mock surrender. "Now...we should all be in there, should we not?"

"Sure," said Lalery with a smirk. "You'd think this Jedorian thing was a crisis or something."

[Jedoria]

Strana Mechty Outskirts

Alina had managed to calm down a bit in between the checkpoint and there arrival at the Caragiale household. She had opted to remain quiet for the duration of the ride, her only connection being her fingers interwoven with Sharra's own. The young women did this partially out of a desire to keep all the feelings and emotions that were stirring inside of her at bay. Her father was dead, the details confusing and in many ways too horrid to think too much about, at least this recently after the fact. Normally the familiar hills and plains would provide comfort for her as they made her way back home, but today they just brought back tearful memories that she did her best to keep under wraps. It wasn't easy.

She tried to smile at Max's words of comfort. She leaned into him and kissed his cheek, unable to prevent her eyes from becoming slightly teary. "Just, promise me you'll stay safe." She asked. Losing the only other man in her life right now would be too much to bear. She wrapped her arms around him when she could, seeking the comfort of his chest and arms and the hopefully comforting sound of his heartbeat.

Rebecca Caragiale was an older women who still was quite pretty, but it was clear by the bags under her eyes and the still present hints of red next to her iris that she was still very much a women in mourning. She embraced her daughter as any mother would their child, and did her best to be courteous to the young Captain Sharra, inviting him into their home and offering what refreshments she had. The youngest of the Caragiale household, Gabi, scarecly seemed to notice the trio discussing things in the kitchen, merely taking a glass of water and retreating back upstairs, evidently wanting to be alone.

The matriarch of the Jedorian household admitted she did not have much of a plan. "They won't even tell me the details." She lamented over a cup of wine she offered to Sharra. "First they said it was a terrorist attack like the one that killed the Duke, but now they're saying he attacked some Internal Security fellows and they think he might've supported the terrorists." She sounded like she found the whole thing outrageous, almost laughable, but was too distraught to articulate it. "I'm not sure what to do. They said they're looking into it, but they haven't told me anything else. I'm not sure they would allow us to leave, but if they suspected us, why wouldn't they take us in for questioning?" Indeed, Rebecca Caragiale had very few answers, and frankly seemed to be nothing more than a women who had just lost her husband. It was hard to imagine her being a member of any conspiracy.

"Did you see any Internal Security on the way here?" She asked.

Alina nodded. "At the normal checkpoint.They stopped us and asked us where we were going, but then let us go."

Rebecca appraised the young Edomite officer. "You work at the embassy, yes? What is your government's view of all this? We don't hear much from outside the country here."

[Jedoria]

After a few days, a message was circulated to every nation that had an embassy in Strana Mechty, sent by former Minister of Defense Dragomir Rotaru, who was now acting Foreign Minister for the time being.

To: The embassy staff of all nations represented in Strana Mechty
From: Dragomir Rotaru, acting Foreign Minister
Subject: Recent Events
Encryption: Moderate

Dear esteemed ambassadors,

I would first like to preface this message with an apology from myself to you. I'm sure recent events within Jedoria have taken you all by surprise, as I myself can scarcely believe the words I have been forced to write by circumstances so tauntingly out of my control. The death of Victor Răceanu at the hands of what can only be described as the most malevolent of individuals, those being the ones who openly commit acts of terror against the innocent, had stricken my government and nation with a great deal of concern, worry, and despair. These past few days have been quite hectic and I hope you understand that any lack of communication from our government in response to any inquiries your own nation's may have is not intentional in any form. In the hope of facilitating future communication as we recover from this tragedy, I would like to take the opportunity to establish open dialogue with everyone one of you.

At this time, my colleagues and I are still in the process of rectifying the current chaos that has unfolded as a result of the assassination of our Duke and Foreign Minister. An investigation into the perpetrators of this most evil of acts has already begun, and we believe at this time (though I cannot reveal the full details for security purposes) to have been an act committed by radical left wing elements, with possible support from corrupted religious groups. We fear at this time several major religious organizations may have been corrupted by communist influence, although at this point in the investigation nothing is ironclad. Regardless, my government maintains that justice will be served, and ensure that two of our most decorated civil servants will not have died in vain.

I would also at this time like to thank you all for the kind words expressed by your governments and public officials with regards to the tragedy that has unfolded here. I know our nations may not always have seen eye to eye on things, and on several instances may even have clashed on certain issues, but it is often in times of darkness that we so strongly seek out the firm hands of our fellow man. I hope we all can leave this darkness behind us and emerge into the light once more, together. Your solidarity with us in these trying times will not be forgotten, by myself, my government, or Jedoria.

If you have any inquires, I would be more than happy to answer them, though unfortunately for the time being I cannot guarantee quick replies.

Kind Regards,
Dragomir Rotaru, Acting Foreign Minister of the Jedorian National Union

[New Edom]

Fineberg, New Edom

Dr. Aphek expressed his pleasure at the note from the new foreign minister. He pointed out o the rest of the Council and to delegates from the Chamber that it was a sign that while Jedoria had been damaged badly by terorist attack...as indeed New edom had been a few years ago...that it would recover and roll with this. He pointed out that Dragomir Rotaru was a man with a great reputation for even handedness, calm and thoughtful approach to government, hardly a demagogue, a man that they could deal with.

Undersecretary Corbulo and others who worked with him were a little dubious and pointed out delicately that the Ministry of Police had strong suspicions that he had tried to create a stronger Deadoran-Jedorian alliance to pin down New Edom so that Jedoria could take all of Peregrino and Deadora could push the Imperium out of Krutongo. That this had failed was more due to paralyzing intrigues in Deadora than the plan not being viable. It was, General Ashdod believed, a very good plan, one which probably would have worked since New Edom would have been forced to defend Gilead and Magna Lacuna over Peregrino and would not have been able to come to the aid of the Imperium, and no doubt the carrier group that the Imperium had helping patrol Edomite waters would have been drawn away or forced to help defend Gilead.

In short, Corbulo, Ashdod, Fish, and Nicanor all believed that Dragomir Rotaru was a dangerous man. He didn't look like one true..he looked like someone's bland friendly uncle--but that didn't matter, so did Ashdod.

However they could not argue with Aphek guiding Libbim to send a very polite note back thanking the acting Foreign Minister and reminding him of New Edom's offer to help in any way that they could. "...reminder of the proposal of my government...of mutual sharing of information of border crossings and alerts of suspicions of movements of possible extreme left terrorists, a concern our governments both share..." was included in the note.

Libbim pointed out that Caragiale had been one of the few ministers who really favoured good relations, and he was gone now. Nearly everyone left was a hard line nationalist. He presented reports that security had clamped down and was in effect martial law.
Intelligence reports about Jedoria's readiness suggested to the wary minds of Ashddod and NIcanor that it was possible that the NEw Othman operation was actually a kind of massive drill. Coupled with the improvements in their military readiness, sealift and airlift capacities, improved coordination of combat branches that the nation wide military exercises represented, had them seriously worried.
Haralamb Rusu, the Minister of Culture, was, they believed, strongly anti-Christian anyway. The recent accusation of tax evasion against a prominent cleric could be just coincidence but it could just as easily be not.

When the key ministers spoke to Prince Enoch Tubal-Cain about this, he advised that they put together a briefing for the Monarchs and the Heir, and that current status of the new Edomite Armed Forces compared with the suspected readiness of the Jedorian Ministry of Defense should be carefully reviewed.

---

The Caragiale Family Home

Count Sharra said, "Yes Madame, I believe you may recall we all met when your late husband...may God rest his soul...visited our embassy. I met you and your family there. I honour his menmory; he was a good man."

Max sipped his own wine, appraising the older woman in turn. He could see where Alina got her beauty from. She was more settled, more thoughtful, and he wondered if she had partied like her daughter, probably more discreetly back then but he wondered.

"Yes I'm the Army Attache there. We have had cordial notes passed back and forth between the ambassador and foreign ministry officials for a couple of days, little more than that. Our government has officially offered condolences...I'm sure you saw our Queen on the news...and offered our support in dealing with this problem insofar as we can. I would suggest that if you have extended family or friends, especially with wealth or influence that you consider staying with them, and do it visibly. I hesitate to stir up trouble, but during times like these, things get ugly and you need to watch who you trust. When I was only a little boy, our nation was in a state of civil war and it only stopped last year. If it really has stopped and is not just another pause," he added grimly.

"There's something else...I don't know if your daughter has told you yet...we have been dating I believe the Adirans call it. I thought you ought to know. I care for her very much...I told her I loved her for the first time today. I do not know where all this will lead, and under the circumstances if you would like me to back away I will. Her safety and that of those she lvoes matters more to me than I can say, and I also have my duty to do. However if you would consent, I would like to stand by her and continue to love her and court her. She is beautiful, kind, gentle and good hearted, and I smile just thinking of her. And if that is acceptable to you, then I will also do all that I can to help your family during your time of mourning and crisis."

[Free Garza]

From: Foreign Minister Dr. Julio Ruiz-Cardenas of Free Garza
To: Foreign Minister Dr. Paul Aphek of New Edom; Count Servius Ahenobarbus, Master of Offices of the Late Roman Empire; Foreign Minister Leonor Bozagua of Ghant
Re: Illegal Coup
Encryption: High

Your Excellency,

I write you to inform you that His Catholic Majesty's Government, upon the advice of His Catholic Majesty himself, has decided to withhold formal diplomatic recognition of the new regime in power in Strana Mechty, seat of government in the Confederation of Jedoria, pending inquiries into the circumstances of the assassination of the late Duke, Victor Raceanu and the suspicious deaths of several key persons in his cabinet. Normal diplomatic congress will continue, but as continuity of government is uncertain at this time, we shall communicate with the leaders of Jedoria without the benefit of public recognition of their current de facto posts.

We are most eager to co-ordinate with you, as our allies, on the matter of how best to manage the safety of possible evacuees in the event of the worst possible scenarios, such as revolution, violent purges, or civil war. Feel free to seek a meeting at any point in the near future to discuss potential security issues.

Sincerely,
Dr. Julio Ruiz-Cardenas, Foreign Minister of Free Garza

[Jedoria]

The Caragiale Household

Rebecca Caragiale could at least smile thankfully when Sharra spoke highly of her deceased husband. "Yes, it was that meeting at the embassy, wasn't it? It seems like so long ago, but it was just a couple of months prior. How time flies." She said, trying to put on a friendly face but her eyes fell as sadness continued to creep in from all sides. The mother of Sharra's lover did indeed bare some resemblance to Alina. Similar cheekbones, eyes, hair. Though not entirely alike, the heritage was clear, interwoven among her Jedorian genes. She nodded at Sharra's words, knowing that growing up in New Edom, he undoubtedly had more experience in dealing with civil unrest than most Jedorians did. "I have considered taking my youngest out to Makos again and visiting with family there, though I am, reluctant to leave our home, I'm sure you understand."

She offered a small smile and nod when Sharra spoke of his relationship with her daughter. "Yes, I am aware. And I thank you for your kind words and offer." She glanced at Alina, and then again at Sharra. "I would be honored to have you take care of my daughter. She's a young woman now, and she may have left the nest, but I'm sure you can understand my desire to see her safe and sound. Please, just keep her safe."

Rebecca at that point excused herself, explaining that she wanted to make sure her youngest daughter was doing alright. Gabi Caragiale had been largely silent since her father's passing, staying in her room and barely eating anything, and so it hurt her mother to see her like this. After she left, Alina and Max were left alone in the kitchen. Alina wrapped her arms around Sharra, seeking the comfort of his embrace while asking "Do you have to go back to the embassy?"

[New Edom]

The Caragiale Household

Max watched the older but still beautiful woman leaving, and said, "Give her my warmest thoughts please. I hope she will be well." Then he looked back at Alina after she had gone

"Yes I do. I've been thinking" said Max, looking into her eyes. "I wish it was not like this, and so if you refuse I understand but...Alina, I have come to love you. You have been devoted to me, have taken risks to be with me to your reptuation and to your other relationships, and you have been loyal and faithful, loving and kind hearted. I would like to offer to marry you.

"I realize this is a bit of a startling thing," he continued, caressing her hands," But think about it a moment. It makes sense. If things work out, you can remain here and finish your school and then we can work out how we want to live our lives exactly. But if not, we can move to my place or you can live with me while I finish my duties here and it would give some measure of protection to you as well. If you are my wife, then my position is extended to you." He grinned. "And you'd be 'Countess Alina'. Wouldn't that be nice? Listen...things are troubling, but life an also be good. And as long as it lasts, life with me will be. What do you say?"

[Jedoria]

The Caragiale Household

Alina felt a surge of emotions when Max effectively proposed. She couldn't deny to herself she had thought about this, not exactly the proposal by marrying him, starting a family, and eventually raising children like all good and honest folk. She had toyed with the possibilities, but she wasn't entirely sure of it, and now with things haven gone down as they had, she couldn't hide her concern. "Max," She began, taking his arm and hand, "I love you. I truly do. And the idea of spending our lives together is, well it's amazing."

She bit her lower lip, uncertainty seeping in. "But is this the right time? There's so much going on here, what if it draws attention to us? Not the good kind Max, I mean...the kind that might make it not safe for you and me." Her expression was pained, as though the idea of refusing him seemed to physically hurt. "I want to be with you." She said quietly. A thought seemed to strike her. "Would your parents approve? They must be concerned about you with all that's going on here."

---

Field Marshall Bianca Cernea's role in the conspiracy had always been to secure the loyalty of the armed forces, a necessity given the military's typically more independent status compared to other democratic nations. She had done so to good effect, having removed the only foreseeable obstacle in the form of Colonel General Alin Prodan by sending him to New Othman, and by far the armed forces were firmly under government control. Dragomir Rotaru had congratulated the Field Marshall on a job well done, though she had said that it really was not that difficult of a task, as long as you knew the right people and spoke with them in earnest.

She had left the finer details of ensuring control to the rest of the government. Let Internal Affairs deal with the dissidents, let foreign affairs handle the rest of the region. Ultimate defense of the National Union ultimately fell to her, and so while Internal Security purged the country of the undesirable, she sat down to work out the contingencies in place in case her homeland was threatened. She by now knew all the numbers and operations that had been put in place by her predecessors and the Joint Chief of Staff, so she set her eyes on other things, refinement and expansion in particular.

The reserves were her first target. The Jedorian Army divided it's components into three levels of condition, active duty, reserve, and inactive reserve. Active duty was of course the standing army of the National Union, with the reserves being weekend warriors. Inactive reserve was only a technical term truthfully, merely a list of several hundred thousand citizens who had in the past five years served in some capacity of the armed forces. In the event a sudden surge of manpower was needed, Jedoria had in theory a few hundred thousand more personnel with recent military experience they could call upon. That all suited Cernea fine, but she put her focus onto the secondary level, the reserves.

She never liked the fact that the standing army outnumbered their reserves. It was in affect like being very wide but not very deep; they could field large numbers but sustaining them would be difficult once attrition set in. There was no real plan in place to deal with this, so Cernea took it upon herself to come up with a remedy. Her first proposal was a simple expansion. Meeting with the Joint Chief of Staff in Central Command, she stated her desire to expand the reserve components of every branch of the armed forces. In particular she wanted to raise the number of army reserves from 650,000 to a million, and another 300,000 for both the air force and the navy. Further integration of reserve elements into Comstar, the Jedorian integrated battlespace communication system, was to be undertaken as well to improve the combat effectiveness of those units should they be called up.

Cernea set about also unveiling her newly developed defense doctrine she had coined Homeland Guard, which entailed the plans for the Jedorian military to emulate should they face the prospect of foreign invasion of their territory. Internal Security and other paramilitary forces were to be involved, forcing any potential invader to wade through echelon after echelon of entrenched defenders. The strategically significant provinces that contained Jedoria's oilfields and agricultural breadbasket would be top priority, seeing as both food and fuel would be needed to sustain a protracted war effort. Industrial zones and arms manufacturing plants would also be secured and given high priority.

The problem arose over the issue of gun control. Cernea support less restrictive measures on personal firearms under the auspice that armed mustered citizenry would help resist potential invaders, but some of her colleagues in the nationalist clique worried on those same firearms being turned on them. Cernea disagreed and explained that if that path was not chosen, the Provincial Guard, small military elements owned by the provinces (though mostly used for humanitarian issues like disaster relief or search and rescue), be reinforced and expanded. Jedoria didn't have a history of militia movements or the like, but Cernea hoped to at least have significant reserves of armed personnel to call upon if needed.

Cernea knew her government did not want war, so overt expansion like more aircraft or warships was not permissible at this time, so instead she ordered her subordinates in both branches to focus on refinement and efficiency. The recent exercises and state of emergency had given her a good idea on how fast the armed forces would react to sudden alerts, and so she ordered her subordinates at Central Command to form committees to asses unit readiness and functionality. The key, she explained, was speed. Being able to rapidly respond to potential threats or incursions of their territory would be paramount in deterring future threats. Nobody charges headfirst into a phalanx, she would say.

But she couldn't field large forces without taking away workers and technicians from the civilian labor force. She approached this on two fronts; one was to tell the Minister of Culture Rusu to encourage more participation from women in the work force, the other was to have an internal committee weigh the pros and cons of allowing women to serve in combat roles. She couldn't very well fight a war if no one was making her troops weapons and ammunition.

Cernea kept this all a secret from even some of her own colleagues, but most importantly from the outside world. As Rotaru had stressed, the most important thing right now was convincing everyone else in the region to just move along.