The Kalko's Cry
The First Independent News Source of the Shrailleeni Empire
First Modern Imperial Fighter Jet Flight SuccessfulAs the technology and power of the Imperial Military increase, the future of Shrailleen seems brighter with each passing day. But how will the government respond to a million-strong army as it becomes increasingly expensive to maintain?
Imperial City1:00pm, 2012The LY909 shown above, nicknamed the "Sparrowhawk," is a light multirole fighter designed by
Lyran Arms. First offered to the Shrailleeni government in light of the Cookish conflict in Dengali, its production was considered emergency top priority, and adequate facilities built with incredible speed from existing factories and machinery. With electronics supplied in part by the Empire's allies and armament produced in separate factories across the Empire, the first Shrailleeni prototype was born with weeks of the start of the conflict.
However, the speed of the production and the advanced design of the aircraft raised doubts in the minds of top military Matriarchs that the finished product would be sound, or even flight worthy. In addition, the Empire's few pilots had only recently finished training in the Allied States of New Edom, and were as yet untested in practical conditions. The risk was high enough that for the first flight test, the Mother Empress resurrected an ancient prayer meant to keep sailings ships safe from the dangers of the sea during the secret date of the test flight.
The prayers and Shrailleeni engineering worked, and the Empire's first Sparrowhawk flew successfully yesterday at around noon. The fighter's pilot, a young woman of common birth named Lystraya Telayarra, took the aircraft on a leisurely tour of the airspace over the small island testing facility, lapping the coastline twice before landing touching down once again. Lystraya reported that the electronics and sensors preformed perfectly, adding that "it felt like touching the Goddess herself."
Expensive AdvancementHowever impressive, the flight of the Sparrowhawk raised an important question for the Imperial Palace and the military alike. As Shrailleeni troops and equipment grow ever more modern and expensive, will the Empire be able to effectively maintain its compulsory military service? With a budget designed for a much cheaper age of warfare, even the new equipment assigned to the ordinary footsoldier has a much larger price tag than ever before. As more Sparrowhawks and, pending a rumored deal with Lyran Arms, even more advanced vehicles roll into Shrailleeni service, the matter becomes more pressing.
Compulsory military service is one of the backbones of Imperial culture. Originally created out of necessity, the military is now considered to be the right of passage for young adults into the larger world of adult responsibilities, including jobs, marriage, and government positions. Every Shrailleeni subject enters the military at the age of twenty, and remain for at least two years while learning the skills and discipline that distinguish Shrailleeni society. As a millennium-old tradition, changing the policy of the military would mean dramatic and sweeping cultural change throughout the Empire.
And yet that is precisely what the Matriarchy of War is advocating. Tress Vilnis fe Fromathra, Matriarch of War, commented on her decision to bring the matter before the Mother Empress.
"It would be one thing if we were reducing the size of the military for political reasons, but this is an absolute necessity. That fighter or others like it may mean the difference between life and death for our Empire, but it comes at a cost. And the new helicopters, MRLS, tanks, and AMTVs included in this package are only the tip of the reforms we have planned, reforms that will soon include an overhaul of the Imperial Navy and new additions to the fledgling Air Force. We simply cannot pay for all of this on the current budget, and I am told that cuts from welfare and education are out of the question. That leaves only one option left, and although I don't like it we simply have to cut down on the size of our military. That means the end of compulsory military service."
The proposal will go before the Royal Court and the Mother Empress within the week, the
Cry will be eagerly awaiting the Mother Empress's pronouncement on the matter.
The War in DengaliAs Dressanna counts the Shrailleeni dead, two questions remain. Will peace reign in Dengali, or will the common animosity of the Edomites and the Cookish ignite another conflict...with the Empire of Quendi?
Dressanna1:00PM, 2012The conflict in Dengali, now being called "The Dengali War" by many in the Empire, has subsided for now, with the Cookish retreating back across the border after feeling the sting of the brave Shrailleeni and Edomite defenders. After three days of solid fighting near the obscure jungle village of Lakobi, the combination of unyielding ground forces and the aerial and missile supremacy of the Lamoni and Quendi militaries convinced the Cookish that the invasion of the peaceful country was not on the side of right, and talks are expected to commence soon. It is known that the Shrailleeni dead alone number in the thousands, though full statistics are still being compiled. However, as the Empire prepares to honor its dead alongside our Edomite brethren, there is some question of what the future holds.
It is well known that the conflict escalated due to the presence of a large Quendi carrier fleet in Dengali waters, which arrived to force the Cookish out of their deceitful annexation of the nation. Although originally hostile to the Shrailleeni presence there, the truth of the matter soon revealed itself, and the light of understanding was lit with the honorable Quendi. New Edom, however, felt threatened by the Quendi presence, and a standoff ensued which was broken only by the Cookish aggression that launched the Dengali War.
Now that peace reigns, that old animosity has resurfaced alongside Cookish claims that the Quendi are to blame for the conflict in the first place. If left unchecked by the voice of reason, many in the Empire fear that this mistrust may very well lead to another conflict, and a rising count of the dead. The Queen of Shrailleen and Dressanna, Arianna Resyanna fe Shrailleen, has stated to the
Cry that the Empire plans to do everything in its power to show the Quendi our honor and gratitude for their aid and friendship in this situation, and to alleviate the fears of our Edomite friends concerning their presence in the area. Always on the side of Enlightenment, the early breakdown of communication with New Edom has been sworn not to be repeated, and the Shrailleeni government's hopes for a peaceful resolution to tensions in the area may be well founded.
Other News:
Protests Continue as Emergency Decrees SubsideAs war with the Cookish seems a less likely prospect by the day, the emergency laws enacted to ensure industrial production have fallen to the side, and patriotic workers have again began to protest across the Empire. As the 'Railtic Christians' add their strange voice to the movement, many wonder how far behind the Republicans are from the 'Railtic Cross.'
New Edom Bans FeminismThe news that shocked the Empire becomes a hot topic for philosophers across the islands. As the Shrailleeni investigation takes its time, the questions emerge: What does the ban mean? Who are the
real Edomite feminists? And is New Edom ready to hear the Enlightened Word?
Overcrowding in Major CitiesAs the population of the Empire becomes increasingly urbanized, the great cities have begun to fill to capacity. As crowding and discontent grows, the government considers a major overhaul of the urban systems. 'The Great Blossoming,' as it is called, would extensively improve the electricity, water, road system, and public transportation systems of the Empires cities...and look stunning as well.