The Hare Marches On

[Oryctolagus cuniculus]

So it had come to pass. The dawn of a new age and the world had thus been more or less opened for those that dwelled within the near mythos of The Commonwealth of Oryctolagus cuniculus. Not as in some sort of fantasy way, well maybe it really was.

The Commonwealth existed or rather had existed within the same world but not. It was a trying time to come out into the open and declare your people, when the rest of the world at large would react poorly. Walking, talking, veritable images of Militant Easter Bunnies.

There were humans in the Commonwealth, but they're numbers were so few, that when a few embassies had been established, the wide eyed stares from the citizenry had already begun. A bit of a nose twitch, and then a sigh as Snag glanced at a few reports here and there. His fellow members of the ruling military junta were set to gather in a few minutes. A military parade had been planned for some months now, the military able to show off it's new procurements to the common people and others alike.

It was aggrevating, their decade long war with the CA had been fought apparently in secrecy, then again however, it was only recent that they and the human nations began to interact. A grumble or two, brought that wife of his into the room. A pleasant doe who tended after her aging buck, and managed a small legion of children, grand children and so on.

A bit of a smile to the old gal, the royal queen of the warren before rising up. He stood there for a moment as she fussed over him, adjusting the tunic, and dusting his cap off. She did look quite charming tonight, always looking good in red. Tail twitched a bit as examined and then chuckled as holding out paw and arm to his beloved. Once secured, they both strolled towards and up the stairs into the ground level of their home, out the front door and to the waiting armored Swiftkick sedan.

Once comfortable inside, a junior lieutenant at the wheel and the vehicle moving with escorts towards the city center, did he pause to look out the tinted window some. Off hand commenting. I still cannot believe that we have not known of the greater human regions until now. Is our land like some sort of Bermuda Triangle, there but not there? Acornia, wife of said Grand General merely fussed with a few wiskery nose twitches before speaking. It is odd dear, and if we were so shrouded, why does it not shroud us now? Why do they see us now? It doesnt make much sense, but we shall be fine. The people trust in your lead along with the other two. Righteous nod of head, ears perked.

Swerve of the vehicle, four wheels to the front, two in the back as the extended Swiftkick rolled to a stop soon enough. The Temple of El-ahrairah wasnt really a temple, though it had a massive statue in the center, a podium before it and thousands of seating areas in a half moon like arrangement. Joined at the podium beside and with their own wives, were that of Vice Generals Topf Hopalong, and Twitcher Cottontail. Before them, marching into the arena as the people hoorayed and cheered to the flashing of cameras and strobe lights, several regiments of the Oryctolagus National Defense Force (ONDF), and that of the Oryctolagus Army (OA, pronouced Oh Ah) began to arrive.

As the her husband-mate saluted, so to did the wives follow. Though not military, which is not to say that Doe's did not serve, infact many did, they were still respected because of their aid to the people. Many of the wives were caretakers of training or some such that was especially important. Acornia's for example was that of history. She made sure all the libraries, schools and so forth recieved ample education money. As the brave buck and doe alike paraded past, she felt such a surge of national pride. The sound of the boot heels hitting pavement reverbrating throughout the temple grounds, and eventually would head down the city of Othus's main road.

Topf had a bit of a grin in place, the recent aquisitions via an alliance had granted immense discounts and hardware packages. The rows of the S-80U MBT's were proof of that. Followed by the older but still useful S-64b MBT, APC's, SPG's, SPA's, mobile SAM vehicles, and so on. Fireworks in the air as members of the aircorps hurtled by above in FF-16A VTOL fighters, and Mil-24 Superhind E's. The Commonwealth had recieved the boost it needed, time would only tell where and what became of them.

[Machina Haruspex]

Watching not so much from the shadows but close enough, the weasel representative of the Principality, formerly a citizen of the Commonwealth he had been indeed, though having grown accustomed to power and the wealth of such had long since converted, Sniptooth Valgra watched intently the passing military parade. Dressed in a long trench, that hung open to present the dark grey dress uniform to one's eye, and the slightly cocked officers cap and one had the military advisor from the Haruspex on hand.

Gloved paws clasped each other behind back as he slipped up and near the podium, next to Snaggle Ear and voiced his support of such, nearly making the Grand General jump. Curse words at sneakiness before a glance was paid towards he and only then would he continue.As a protectorate, The Commonwealth can look forward to a great supplying of arms at donation or at cost for some items. The means to fight the spread Communism is as ever, an important dream of The Principality, and now shared by The Commonwealth. A great day it is indeed Grand General Brightwood, a grand day indeed.

A few nods from the rabbits present, it was odd really, this whole society that had survived, which he shouldnt be surprised since he'd started here, but being out in another country had reminded him of just how alone they really were. A nod or two from an unrelated question to his own mindgames, and stood there watching the flow of traffic. Every soldier bore something of Haruspex origin in one form or another. Massive re-armament donation meant being a protectorate for some time. A binding contract, for a century of exclusive rights, trade, and alliance.

It'd been nearly to easy as well, simply the matter of getting the Junta onboard with the idea through his network of embassy contacts and thus, the Commonwealth would have a safe, and protected futute in which to exist within.

[Oryctolagus cuniculus]

Sniptooth Valgra, the weasel was one to watch, and not to be trusted. Nevermind that he was of an ally, he like many did not originate there, but were plucked from their lives to serve. It was unsettling to a great many in the Commons, but it had to happen sometime. That they needed this protectorate status hadnt gone unnoticed either.

Humans were starting to become a viable presence also, which was fine, they had after all opened their doors to the international community. Still they were oddities and life in the Commons was more geared towards those of decidedly non-human status. As the parade was winding down, he basked in the adoration of his mate, of which whose gaze had never wavered all these long years. He felt quite young again in those green emeralds, much like the buck he once was, down there with the marching ears and so on. The signs of the time were present even there, though the OA was and would probably always be dominated by the long ears, there were a stoats, badger, otter and others that he could see amongst the ranks.

That they served the Commons so, well, it was high time he acknowledge them and did so with a snap salute, mirrored by the others of the junta and then the people following enmasse. It was up to the OA, OAF, and the ONDF to protect them all from those that might wish to see their end. Coming to an end of both the parade and the salute, his arm slid down to his side and casual was the stride that carried the old long ear from the podium to the waiting chariot.

As a flight of FF-16A's shot overhead, trailed by the venerable HAD-22 Cobra's, a bit of a grin surfaced at a thought and he'd in due time tell his compatriots as formenting in his head what exactly it was that made him smile. Door of the Swiftfoot sedan clicked and in the back of their chariot, ideas were churning.

[Canini]

To the west, and beyond the thick forests and lush vales lay The Empire of Canini, mortal enemy to that of Orycto Cuniculus and it's motley assortment of peoples. Still licking their wounds after the last war between the nations, much hate was held towards their enemy just within reach.

It'd been a quick thing, but they to had found allies, in the form of the Rhydinians, and the upgrading of the Canini military forces had begun. While at a lesser pace then then that of the OA, the Canini Imperial Troops were not going to be as haphazard as before. Foreign military advisors and instructors were training the new forces and those of the old how to truely function as soldiers for the greater cause of The Empire.

Much to the chagrin of their neighbors, the bulky and unweildy tanks of the Empire had been scrapped in favor of more modern and able designs. Haruspex designs, how would that be taken? S-94 main battle tanks were the chosen platform for their agility and reliability. Though a bit cramped, they could be maintained in the most basic of machine shops should repairs need doing, or on the road without requiring an extensive convoy. While admittedly working on a tight budget, The Empire had been able to purchase vast quanities of vehicles of older make, while still being newer then those they were replacing.

It wasnt any secret that The Empire wanted another stab at the rich lands of Orcyto. Being landlocked themselves, at least they didnt have to worry to much about the naval forces that were managed by their enemy. That could prove disasterous, though such would become a problem the further east they pushed. The closer to the sea would and had proven a thorn in their plans before. Hopefully the new anti-aircraft and missile technology they were purchasing, would be effective thought General Nyren.

His tail wagged a bit as he stood there, wearing the somber grey officers uniform that lead into ebony hued jackboots and colour coordinated with the field officers cap, and leather strap across chest in a diagonal fashion. Holster held a TAC-4 mini-submachinegun styled in the fashion of a pistol, and before him arrayed in parade were Q38 armored cars and S-94 main battle tanks. AAT-3 anti-aircraft missile vehicles were in key positions about the area, more then enough he thought to deter any would be hostile intentions.

A slight sigh did come forth from between muzzle though, to many instances of humankind were begining to show. The shem were to pushy, or were breeding even more then his own kind, their warring had alerted the shem, or mongs as they were referred to, to their non human kin. It strayed from going well, to going badly in limited meets. A slide of eyes about the field, and then headed back towards the officers building to finish his reports.