NationStates

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Creighton Castle, Eastern Achesia, 0123

"I look out over the land and only see death, I hear their screams and see the fire consume them. All of this here on my high perch unable to do anything but watch and cry over my good fortune. Why must I be highborn in a castle in these dark times and be spared the rape of our world." A girl said in words soft as her skin as she looked out over the burning Achesian country side. She was half startled when a answer she did not expect came from behind her.

"Life isnt fair sweet dove." The voice of an older man comforted her as she turned around to greet the sight of her father. "As a Creighton you have been given many things, but you must give back many things in time as well, such is the duty of a noble." The man stepped towards the marble railing that overlooked the valleys bellow and the bright fire burning the the darkest of nights.

"Then why do we watch from our castle and do nothing?" She looked up at her father with silver eyes gleaming in the moonlight, her hair as red as the fire.

"I hope you know me better than that dove. Your father is doing all in his power to defend the people of this land, but I cant stop them all from dying." Her father finished his sentence just as a loud spurt of machine gun fire echoed through the valley. The two stood watching down on the village its buildings afire and people running with screams in their lungs. "Many things will change, this dark time on the world will birth a new era, and many things will be different." He put his hand on her shoulder, and she closed her eyes and leaned her head over it, her hair running down her back. "I will need you to be strong in the coming days Rebeckah, you and your sisters both. Much responsibility will fall on your shoulders, although I have every faith you can handle it." He leaned down and kissed her one the cheek before walking away into the shadows of the ancient castle built hundreds of years ago by their ancestors.

As the door closed behind her she turned back to watch the chaos below in the valley. Screams of dying women and children shrilled her very spine as she tired to keep the images of their gruesome deaths out of her mind. She wondered what responsibility her father was talking of and how she could help these people from her white castle atop this mountain.

Somewhere in the city of Judgestone, Former New Republic of Achesia, 0130

"Medium two three coming right, thirty seconds to target."

Three black unmarked NH90 utility helicopters flew low over the rooftops of the city, their rotors buzzing through the air as they began to come to a slow stop.

"Alpha team out the right side, Bravo team out the left, fast ropes!" The commands were shouted out and several thick ropes were dropped from the helicopters to the roof bellow. "Go, go, go!" Without thinking or hesitating the teams were out of the helicopters sliding down the ropes to the roof, their boots making thuds on the concrete as they took positions.

"Ten Seconds, roof top, move to staircase." The commander signaled. Men in black carrying G36K assault rifles rushed to rush a staircase. A particular member of this squad stood ready to take point in the assault. His hair was as black as his uniforms his eyes green and soulless. The war takes every ones soul, so he was no different in that respect, a certain ferocity was about him, and it made stick out to his commanders.

"Breach and clear." The door was kicked open and the team with the dark haired man made their entrance, weapons raised. So far, uneventful as they stepped down the stairwell. As they continued they reached the floor they were looking for, the 5th floor. He stood by the door waiting for the signal to enter.

"Avondale, go." He heard over the radio. Grabbing the handle slowly he opened in ever so slightly and entered weapon first. It was a dark hallway and it seemed empty enough. He and his team tip toed slowly down the carpet floor trying not to make a sound. However they were not alone.

The first to take a bullet was two men behind Avondale, he fell to the floor without a scream, but the shots kept coming. From the adjacent rooms, through the walls they were shooting. More of Avondale's team fell before they realized this. Avondale and the man behind him managed to escape the trap and get into on the the rooms. They took a few of the hostiles by surprise dispatching them silently with knifes. They then set bout clearing the rest, but sadly there were not many for as many of their teammates as they lost. When they returned to the hallway they found the rest of their team dead and dying. Their commander laying on the floor blood gushing from his wounds.

Avondale ran to treat the man but his commander only grabbed him by the collar. "Leave me, kill the bastard, for all of us." Were the last words the man said before he let go his final breath and looked up at the ceiling with his dead eyes. Avondale looked back at his teammate who was pulling security.

"Looks like its only us." He said standing up and continuing with the mission. The other man agreed and silently followed.

They walked the rest of the hallway to a door at the end of it. Avondale pressed his ear up to it and listened for any movement. Slowly he turned the handle and began to step inside. The bullet from an enemies weapon just barely missed his face. Sticking his G36K around the corner Avondale dispatched the hostile and rushed the room. There was no others left.

He and his partner continued up another staircase that led to a part of the building only accessed through this stairway. Another door awaited them at the top.

"He has to be in there." His partner said. Avondale didnt answer however, he just moved to a ready position to open the door. "Do it." swinging the door open Avondale threw in a flash bang and waited for it to detonate. A loud pop and flash followed and the two man team rushed in firing at the targets they could find.

When the gunfire finally stopped Avondale looked around to see many bodies laying on the floor, some were crouched ont he ground in pain from the flash bang when they died, others were attempting to raise their weapons in their blindness. Others were successful as Avondale turned his attention to his partner who lay dead next to him. The many face death with much courage on his face. Kicking aside the bodies Avondale held back emotion to find his target. None of them fit the description, until he heard something coming from the closet. Rushing over to check it out he opened the white door and a man fell out onto the floor. He was unarmed thankfully, a stout man with a curly mustache and bald head. He wore a military dress uniform with many medals to show his status.

"Braam Adrianus." Avondale muttered as he kicked the man over.

"Please, please dont hurt me. Take me back to your leader, I will answer for my crimes!" The pitiful man begged and pleaded.

However; Avondale didn't have a place in his heart for mercy tonight, the Ultra nationalist leader had been the cause of much terror in the region for some time during the Anarchy, not to mention the rest of Avondale's comrades now lie dead in the hallways of this building.

"No, you answer for your crimes right here, right now." He raised his weapon and fired, executing the man from the earth he terrorized. There is a special circle in hell for men like him, and Avondale would love to see him in it.

Creighton Castle, Eastern Achesia, 2 Days Later, 1032

Giggles and laughter coming from throughout the garden distracted Rebeckah from her readings as she sat upright against a marble bust of one of the old Creighton Princes whom she could barely recall her name of, a long lost memory of her ancient and powerful family. She looked up from the words on the page to spy her younger sister Davena chasing her twin Hayley across the shore of the small pond in the courtyard of the castle. Their playful screams and shouts bounced off the stone walls of the manor bringing a light hearted atmosphere to the castle. Gardeners went about their business around them trying to dodge out of the way as the two youngest Creighton girls rand and skipped around them. Rebeckah smiled as she watched them play, envious of the carefree attitude they exhibited in the face of such a dark time in the world. What did they know of the terrors going on out side? Aside from the distant gunfire they can hear the girls had not been outside the castle grounds for several years since the fighting started, a beautifully tragic prison where they grew up not knowing anything but the stones that stood around them.

Rebeckah had learned through patience that their time would come when they would step outside the walls into the real world. And there they would not be met with beautiful gardens and stone walls to protect them. She knew her father had plans for the future, she reflected more and more on what her father told her the other night, how she would have much responsibility. She was the women of the Creighton House, ever since her mother died some years ago she had been the mother of the castle ensuring every person within its walls felt apart of the family. Her father always told her how amazingly strong of a women she had become, at only the age of nineteen she had exhibited exceeding amounts of compassion for living things, mainly people. She would make a great matriarch one day he always said. Matriarch of the Creighton House, with no male heirs that duty would fall to Rebeckah as the eldest offspring. While not traditional many outsiders saw it as the fall of a dynasty, with only four daughters and no sons that Lord Creighton would fall into obscurity. Lord Creighton only laughed at that when anyone brought it up, he always said that his daughters were likely to rule the world one day, he could see it from their infant years, they ferocity as children, nothing could stop them.

"Rebeckah read us something!" Davena requested her elder sister as she sat cross legged on the grass, her flowing skirt folded under her knees. Her twin Hayley echoed the request with much enthusiasm as well. Or was it Hayley requesting and Davena echoing? Rebeckah could hardly tell sometimes they looked so much alike.

"Alright alright, shhh." She quieted them down with a finger to her smiling lips. "Listen here we go. There once was a princess who found a ring in the garden of her father's palace. The ring gave the princess 5 stunning powers. The first was the ability to sleep efortlessly. The second was the ability to make fire without a flint. The third was the ability to make..." The story went on for awhile from Rebeckah's book. Davena and Hayley were both thirteen but they still loved stories like this, of princes and princesses. Rebeckah caught them acting one out once with brooms acting as their princes. Oh the imagination of children when they are stuck in such confines, Rebeckah wished she could be as content, but something else was calling her beyond the walls.

"Then sudenly she had an idea. She ran out to her balcony and faced the way of were there kingdom was and started to sing. she sang... Father, good to see you." Rebeckah rose to great her father, as was customary for her to do. The younger ones followed suit and then rushed in to give him a hug.

"How are my beautiful girls today?" He said as she smiled at them all.

"Great daddy, how was your trip?" Davena said her arms still locked around her father.

"It was productive." Lord Creighton was always short of speech.

"Will we be able to go with you sometime father?" The other twin chimed in.

"Soon darling, very soon. Here I brought you both back something," He held out a cloth covered object. But before Hayley could grab it he pulled it back and looked them both in the eye. "you have to share it though."

"Yes daddy!" They both exclaimed.

He pulled the cloth off to reveal some perfumer in an elegant purple glass bottle. "Run along now, I need to speak with Rebeckah." He stated and the two younger girls ran off to play elsewhere. Standing back up from his crouched position, Lord Creighton smiled at his eldest daughter. "Walk with me dear." He said as he began to walk the path of the garden.

Rebeckah followed beside him as they strolled around looking at the different colored flowers.

"There is to be a ball here on the grounds in a week." Her father stated as he watched the gardeners plant some new roses. "Many important people are to attend."

"In these times, seems strange father as the fighting is still going on." Rebeckah stated as she was confused as to the timing.

"Sometimes elegance and tradition are of great importance in times like these. They bind us together and remind us of what could be lost. Regardless, many people, important people from across the land are to attend to discuses the future of this land. There will be many meetings, a luncheon, and then on the third day a ball. You and your sisters only need to concern yourselves with the ball, you especially as you will take a major part in preparing for it. Can you handle it?"

"Yes father." She nodded and smiled as she tired to keep up with her father's larger strides. She was very curious as to what the meetings were to be about as she rarely heard what her father actually did when he left the castle, his business was very secretive.

"Oh yes, and you are to be escorted by a young man, your age, at the ball. He is a soldier who will be given a high military honor during our summit here. I saw it fitting that you both should go together." her father continued on being as secretive and coded as ever.

"Yes Father." She replied, her curiosity soon got the best of her as she decided to finally ask what was going on. "Father? What is this summit about?"

Her father was silent for a moment before he answered. Finally he let out a sigh before replying, stopping in front of a statue of one of the late Achesian Emperors. "It is about forming a new nation from the ashes of this anarchy. Many of the nobles have decided it is time to use our resources to put an end to the violence. Many of us have even put men and resources into raising an army to form this nation, and as of late we have taken control and secured much of the land. Now it is time to decide how we shall rule it." He stroked his chin while staring into the eyes of the Achesian Emperor long and hard. "What are our words Rebeckah?"

"Noblesse oblige" She replied quickly with the family motto.

"Nobility obliges, Whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself nobly." Her father sounded more serious than she ever had heard before with those words.

"So how will the land govern itself?" She questioned her father further.

"That remains to be seen." He stared her in the eye before turning to walk away. "Talk to my assistant chief of staff about what you need to prepare for the ball. I have every faith in you dear." He spoke over his shoulder as he walked to the many building, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Rebeckah Creighton

Davena Creighton

Hayley Creighton

Lord Creighton

Creighton Castle, Eastern Achesia, 3 days later, 19:56

The sounds of Por Una Cebeza being played by the band for the guests that had arrived early rolled down the mountain side to the receiving area where between rotor washes from helicopters carrying VIP's by the load will fill those who waited for limos to take them up the mountains ears. Helicopters flew in and out with no near end carrying women and men all dressed in elegant attire for the most talked about ball of the year, in fact the only known ball being held this year. It was a clear night and Castle Creighton with all its grandeur and lights lit up the sky on top of the mountain as the guests waited for their shuttle to make the accent. James Avondale was among the, dressed in full military dress, from choker collar, to medals, to striped pants. He even sported a silver handled sword at his side, a ceremonial piece of course.

Looking around him James grew more nervous by the minute as crowds of more party guests arrived around him. With each passing moment the mean age of the group seemed to increase, and he felts as if he doubled his own age it still would not equal or surpass the next youngest person. Soon a limo arrived to take James' and the rest of his party to the top, a butler in suit opened the door for them. In his party were several Admirals and Generals, for what military he was not certain. James did not even know why he was there in dress, just a few days ago he had been in the ruins of Judgestone with the rest of his unit until he found out he had orders to come to Eastern Achesia. But orders from whom? As far as James knew his unit operated in the dark as a paramilitary force for some mysterious figure with a strange objective. Now he was to receive a military honor from this figure? Perhaps now he would get some answers.

He sat quietly in his seat in the limo as the rest of the VIP's around him conversed among themselves. The wives of the generals and admirals chatted about how long it had been since they had attended a ball, and their husbands of their long lost youthful days. James thought he had gone unnoticed until one of the generals addressed him.

"So Lieutenant, are you anxious for tonight?" He focused in on the young James, his gray mustache puffing out with every syllable.

Trying to appear as if he had experience with this sort of thing James shrugged it off. "No Sir, I have received awards many times before." Truth is this was his first, he had spent most of his life in one Achesian hell hole to the next, and even a short trip across the sea, all fighting some nameless cause.

"I have no doubt, but what of your escort? Does that prospect not unnerve a young man like you." He continued questioning as if probing James for weakness.

"My escort Sir?" James was caught off guard.

"Why yes, a young man like you spending this evening with such a lovely lady, I'm sure you haven't seen a proper women in some years being where you have been." The Generals wife chimed in, her obviously fake red hair distracting James from eye contact.

"Lord Creighton's daughter is said to be the beauty of our time, such a young thing, my how lucky you must feel right now, although I'm sure a handsome boy like you could handle it." Another women added her two cents in as the whole limo began to gossip about James and his supposed "escort" for the night this Lord Creighton's daughter. He defiantly didn't get briefed on escorting anyone to this event. Should he have come armed? James didn't feel prepared to be a body guard.

"Yes it will be a beautiful thing to see two lovely young people waltz tonight, It brings back such good memories of when I was a girl her age."

That's when it donned on James that he wasn't guarding anyone, he was escorting them, as in that person's date. And that person presumably was the daughter of the namesake of this castle. Now he really was anxious, although he tried not to show it. He kept quiet for the rest of the car ride until they reached the main gate. More butlers opened the door for them and showed them through the gate to the party. Before he could reach the crowd however and manservant tapped him on the shoulder.

"Lieutenant Avondale."

"Yes, that is me."

"Yes.." He said as he looked James up and down. "This way Sir, Lady Creighton awaits."

"Of course." He said trying not to seem nervous. He gripped the handle of his sword tighter as he allowed the butler to lead him through a door and down a hall. That's when he saw her, standing there in her long pink dress that flowed out onto the floor around her. The top of the dress ending on the lowest portion of the chest that would be considered decent of a woman. Her bare white arms fumbling around with her done up red hair as her hand maids rushed around to put the finishing touches on her. One of them soon whispered of James' and the butlers approach and all work stopped.

"Lady Creighton, may I present Lieutenant Avondale, your escort for the night." The butler said with his nose and inflection ever higher.

The proper young lady curtsied as she had always been taught to do and smiled at the young officer as he too returned a bow of respect.

"Milady it is an honor to meet your acquaintance." James said as he desperately tried to search for all of his courtesies.

"The honor is mine." Rebeckah said with a large smile. "Thank you Lourens that is all." She dismissed the butler who gave James a discouraging look. He couldn't figure out if it was envy or caution he saw in his eyes.

"Madam, your father plans to start the main festivities right away, so we must make our way down to the ball room." One of the handmaidens said.

"It will be fine Jantine, you all go enjoy your night." She waved them off in a friendly manner. Rebeckah being the mother of the castle was always on friendly terms with most of its staff. It was after all the curators job to be the mean one. Once the rest of her handmaidens left she turned to James. "Please call me Rebeckah, all this talk of madam is making me feel old." She said with a giggle as she took James' arm and began to walk down the hall towards the party. "What is your name? Your first name I mean."

"James." He responded taking her arm with ease. She seemed to be friendly enough, not nearly as intimidating as he had expected.

"James Avondale, that's a noble name." She smiled and laughed as they continued on, just down the hall her father and sisters were queuing up to enter the party, her sister Lisanne was the only other one with an escort.

"A noble name?" James felt comfortable enough for small talk.

Rebeckah giggled, "Yeah, every had any kings or princes in the family?" She held back a laugh behind her awkward smile. But before James could answer they were face to face with the man himself. Lord Creighton.

"Ah yes Lieutenant Avondale, it is good to finally meet you." The Lord stuck out his hand for embrace and James obliged. This must be the man calling the shots behind the scenes.

"The pleasure is mine Sir." Unlike his daughter this man did intimidate James.

"Whos this Beckah?" A voice from behind the pair questioned.

"Lisa this is Lieutenant James Avondale, my escort." Rebeckah said in a half annoyed tone when introducing him to her sister. Right away he could pick up the two of them did not get along. Lisanne herself was also a very beautiful girl, but a more promiscuous look was about her in the way she looked James in the eye. Her half sly smile seemed to presume allot of things about her personality. It was a great contrast to Rebeckah's innocent carefree demeanor.

"Sir, the guests are assembled and ready for you to enter." The butler at the door stated to the Lord as she held his hand to his ear mic. Several guards at the door readied themselves to escort the Creighton's in.

"Very well." Lord Creighton gave his approval.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Lord Creighton, and his daughters Rebeckah, Lisanne, Hayley, and Davena." The announcer stated as they entered. The party guests gave a courteous clap of the hands as they entered and walked to their tables. James being a gentleman pulled out the chair for Rebeckah as they sat down, a sentiment that struck a good cord for many in the room. They all then dived into conversation with the different people at their tables. At James' and Rebeckah's table for instance there were many humanitarians here today to receive an award for their services in Good Anchor during the fighting. It was very stimulating conversation in which James found out that Rebeckah had a strong passion for such humanitarian work. The night went on and several guest speakers began to talk of the recent happenings throughout the land with the wars and conflicts and great strides forward to regaining peace. From what James could understand is that all of these VIP's had one thing or another in common with trying to end the conflict in the region and reform some sort of government. What he didn't know is that Rebeckah knew about as little as he did about what tonight was about. Soon however another guest speaker walked up to the podium. He was dressed in a black dress uniform with a deep purple sash and many medals hanging off his jacket. While he was not a member of any sort of military it was common place for civilians to wear some sort of military attire. He had a smooth exterior that gave him a charismatic look and as he put his note on the podium he began to speak to the guests.

"Good evening. What a night this is at this beautiful location. I thank you all for being here, and while you took pain staking strides to get here, it shows your dedication to our cause. Tonight I am here to announce to you the accumulation of our efforts. The council has finally come to a decision as to how we shall take our nation into the future. Yes I say our nation while many of you come from areas not considered to be apart of one single nation. There are representatives from as far west as The Kingdom, north as The New Republic, and everywhere in between, and as members of the council have all agreed to work together to form a single nation to unite us all in security in these troubling times. Who will lead this nation? It has been discussed many times how the government of said nation should be constructed, and the council has come to a decision to mix two styles of government together to form a two tiered government split into a monarchy and senate giving both the stability and democratic aspects to our future. Who will be these founding leaders? A seven person Concilium will be made up of representatives elected by the population by percentage vote. Until elections can be held however the members of the council will act as these men. And lastly for our monarch, a high and esteemed position in our new society, the council has selected and found that no other suitable choice could be made than Lord Creighton whom we shall name Lord Rector, Ruler of the United Ascendancy, and Protector of the Realm. Under his leadership we shall make this nation strong, may he and his descendants rule us justly."

The guests burst into applause at this announcement. The formation of a new state under the rule of an appointed monarch.

Rebeckah sat still in her seat. What did that make her? A princess? Was that what her father was talking about when he said that she would have much responsibility? She looked over at James with a look of shock on her face, but even he did not quiet know how to respond. It seemed like this land was about to get a face lift, and that he now was apart of a national army.

Lord Creighton amiss the applause made his way to the front to say a few words. He carried no notes with him but his held was held high with much inner confidence as well as the confidence of those who had appointed him to this seat. As he stood behind the oak podium he took a deep drawn breath before beginning his words. "Noblesse oblige, those are the words of the house of Creighton and the founding rock of this nation. We the privileged are now using the assets and resources available to us to reach out to the less fortunate people of this land in an effort to bring together a people in peace. All of us could very well have stayed in our high castles, bunkers, and other safe havens to ride out this storm, but we have chosen to do what was in our power to make this nation something beyond what it is, a nation of strong, creative, and brave citizens that can weather this storm and come out into a better future. Tonight..."

Lord Creighton was interpreted by the large resounding sound wave of an explosion from the base of the castle's hill. Many party guests were shaken by the sudden explosion but Lord Creighton's security burst into action taking the Lord Rector's family from their seats and ushering them away. At the same time gunshots could be heard erupting from the valley bellow as the Achesian Army surrounding the castle in defense began to fight off the intruders.

James was taken with the Lord Rector's family and stood by Rebeckah as they were shoved into a small room within the main structure of the castle. They could still here the commotion of the crowd as they were being corralled from the party area to a safer location within the castle. Security personnel were on the mic reassuring them as they moved.

"Ladies and gentlemen please remain calm, the situation is under control."

Lord Rector Creighton looked to the head of his security as they stood in waiting withing the dark room.

"Whats going on?"

"Sir, it seems the paladins have attacked the main entrance checkpoint with RPG's and light arms. As of right now Guard forces are in the process of routing them out but the main objective of their attack is unclear if not to disrupt today's events." The man dressed in black military dress addressed the Lord Rector as he viewed a small touchscreen pad with security details.

Then it happened. When the first guard fell dead to the floor it took several moments for the others to react. But by then it was too late. Four men armed with silenced assault rifles had crept out of the shadows to kill the other guards. As they lay bleeding out on the floor the assailants closed in on the Creighton family. They wore black masks to cover their faces and were dressed in dark camouflage that blended perfectly into the dark. As they approached the Lord Rector's family one of the assailants grabbed Rebeckah's arm shoving her down on her knees. He then began to issue his orders to the rest of the family as he pointed his rifle at Rebeckah's head.

"Down on your knees now or she gets killed." He said in a cold tone as the family began to obey. All but James Avondale who stood completely still just inches away from where Rebeckah knelt. One of the men started to walk towards him to force him on his knees but as he approached James grabbed his weapon just as it discharged its round into the assailant standing above Rebeckah. Twirling the weapon's sling around the first man he caught him off balance knocking him on the floor. The other two terrorists tried to spring into action but the first was tackled to the ground by the Lord Rector himself who had the man in a choke hold his weapon safely forced to point muzzle down. The fourth man was caught by two bullets from a Guard's assault rifle just as security began to storm the room.

"Lord Rector, please hurry with us." Two of his guards detained the man the Lord Rector was holding as another two rushed the Lord Rector off. James handed his assailant over to the guards as well and grabbed Rebeckah's hand quickly and helped her to her feet.

"Hey, come with me hurry, you'll be fine." He reassured her as they followed the train of guards and Creighton family members.

They were rushed out of the Castle main building into an open field on the north side where a small utility helicopter awaited them. The guards deposited the Creighton family one by one onto the helicopter as quickly as possible. As James approached with Rebeckah he made sure that she got onto the helicopter before he turned around back to the castle.

Rebeckah didn't let go of his hand though.

"Thank you." She said to him but he could only see the movement of her lips as the helicopters engine roared. He smiled to her and she squeezed his hand before letting go as the helicopter began to ascend into the sky.

"What a night." James sighed as he marched back into the castle.

Lisanne Creighton

Freeport, Southlands, 7 Days after the party at Creighton Castle, 13:45

The normally busy streets of Freeport were entirely clear of civilian traffic as a group of Achesian Guard Army M60 Patton tanks rolled down the pavement in Achesia's boldest move yet to send troops directly into the Paladin Militia held city of Freeport, the traditional capital of the Southlands.

For the past six months the Paladin Militia the historical guardians of the "Freelands" or "Southlands" as it is now officially known as have been waging a war against the supposed northern Achesian aggressors. While most Achesians and the official government the Achesian United Ascendancy view the Southlands as part of the nation, many people of the Southlands disagree. The people of the Southlands are ethnically different than the average Achesian. While some have the blood of the old Empire most do not come from that bloodline. Apart from the ethnic tension between the Achesians and Southlanders is the geographic different, while Northern Achesia is a mountainous and temperate land the Southlands are subtropical to temperate isolated by a large river to the west, and mountains to the north from any Achesian influence. This has made the Southland's a culturally unique land in the four Achesias which sets it and its people apart.

Aside from the reasons stated above the Freeland as it is still called by the local holds to a completely different political and governmental belief than most of Achesia. While Kings and Senates ruled to the North there was no ruler in the South. Most people from the outside considered in Anarchy but the Free People considered it complete freedom. Each man lived for himself and his family. Villages were the biggest communities that most saw in their lives and the Paladins kept order and peace from both the inside and out since the dawn of the Freeland. But since the attacks which some say were instigated by the Paladins, war has ravaged the whole of Achesia and now is finding its way south.

Isidro Victorino watched a UH-1N Huey fly above him following the street pattern on its patrol above the tank column as he sat stop his parent's roof. Most of the fighting has not reached the outskirts of Freeport where the young Isidro lived but the tanks had been rolling by for hours now, like a never ending stream. Tired of watching the constant flow of armor he jumped down to his back yard where his father and older brother were both standing next to the gate to their villa holding their FAMAS assault rifles. They both had blue bandannas hanging out of their back pocket, signifying their membership in the local gang which controlled most of this outskirt village. The gang was mostly in hiding in their many villas at this time while the Achesian forces moved south into the city.

"Papa! El tanques guardar eyaculación , Veo them por millas de putna!"


"Sí chico , Sé , cuánto tiempos must Cuento usted no trepar el techo. Volver interior con su madre y hermanas."


Isidro did as he was told and ran inside with his head hung low. His mother and sisters were all huddled in the kitchen where the youngest were being entertained midst the noise of tanks outside. Isidro's mother seemed to be praying with her eyes closed so instead he ran to his older sister who sat holding his baby sister in one hand and playing with a toddler with another.

"Amalia! Papá made me ea interior , allí are asignar de tanques."


"Sé Isidro pero no seríais andar fuera derecho ahora quedarse aquí su peligroso "


"Pero Amalia, son justo impulso por nada es acontecimiento "


Before Amalia could counter the nine year old a large bursting sound followed by an explosion could be heard from the roof above them. This was followed by what seemed like hundreds of gunshots from across the street which sent bullets all through the glass above them. The boy, his mother, and sisters all fell to the ground in an attempt to take cover from the incoming bullet storm. Above them again they could hear gunshots which unknown to them came from their father and older brother who with several other members of their street gang had begun to open up fire on a passing convoy of Achesian Mounted Infantrymen. As the two sides returned fire the family was stuck in the cross fire. While none of the bullets were making it as low as where they huddled much of the glass and parts of the roof were. Amalia the oldest girl at age seventeen was shielding the youngest Jesenia who was just a baby.

Suddenly the door burst through as an Achesian Guard Army Fire team filed into the house brandishing their FN FAL assault rifles. Noting the family huddled in the kitchen they identified them as not being a threat and continued upstairs where they would find the patriarch of the family, his oldest son, and four other gang members waiting for them with their FAMAS assault rifles. Gunfire ensued and through all the screaming, yelling, and loud noises the family bellow could only huddle and scream themselves. Soon it all stopped but all they could hear were the english speaking Achesians in the aftermath. A few of the soldiers came back down stairs dragging one of their wounded comrades who had taken several bullet wounds to the extremities. The rest of the soldiers came down with their rifles now pointed at the family screaming.

"Lets go get up! Now!" The fireteam leader ordered as he pointed his rifle and motioned it towards the door. All the girls could do is scream and as the soldiers then forced the mother and Amalia to their feet much kicking and screaming ensued. Isidro hung closely to his mother but as she struggled with one of the soldiers who was forcing her out a loud gunshot went off next to his head and the next thing he knew his mother was on her knees with a look of shock on her face while his sister Amalia was now screaming and kicking in the arms of two soldiers who had grabbed her. All he could think to do was run, and that he did, out the back door and into the yard, out the gate and into the streets.

"Let him go." The fireteam leader ordered his men to break chase. "I have better plans for this one." He rubbed his hand on Amalia's cheek.

The two soldiers carried her out into the ally beside the house while another lead the children outside. Amalia struggled to break their grasp but they forced her to the ground and began to tear at her clothes, managing to rip off her shirt and shorts exposing her breasts. As they began to fondle her the rest of the squad began to get in on the action groping and pull at all parts of the girl. She couldn't even scream as some soldier was grabbing at her cheeks and mouth. She could only cry as she tried to kick out but her legs were being held.

Another gunshot rang out. This time however it didn't have a target and the men all jumped up off the girl and stood at a mangled attention, some of the men their pants unbuttoned and others with their rifles setting down on the wall of the ally. Amalia only lay there topless as she could only sob, some screams escaped her breathless lungs as well.

"Whos in charge here." An officer asked the men.

"I am Sir." The fireteam leader feebly attempted to zip up his trousers as he raised his hand. And that was the last move he made.

Another shot rang out but this time it met its mark dead center on the fire team leader's chest. None of the other men made a move as it had come from the officer's Px4 Storm.

"There will be no rape during this campaign." The officer said in a noticeably Northern Achesian accent. "These people are you're brothers and sisters and I will have you treat them as such." The officer went one for another moment. "Now fix this cluster fuck and carry on. Get rid of that body at the collection point as well. I hope to never have to do that to any of you."

The soldiers snapped to it instantly when he dismissed them. Amalia just lay on the ground in awe as she attempted to cover her breasts with her hands. The tears were smaller now and she wasn't screaming but as the officer approach her she tried to back away.

"It's ok Ma'am." He said as he showed his open palms. "I'm not going to hurt you." He pulled off his coat and handed it to the girls as she now sat up against the wall. She took it suspiciously but then put it over her shoulders to cover her half naked body. "Habla inglés?" He officer asked in her native tongue. Amalia only nodded her head and used her free hand to signify a little. "Good, good. Ma'am if you would come with me you're sisters are being treated by the medics and I would like for you to be looked at as well. I apologize for how the men treated you, it was unforgivable." The officer helped her to her feet.

"What about my brother?" She finally broke her silence.

"You're brother? There was a baby but the rest were girls if I'm not mistaken." The officer replied with a concerned look on his face.

"No! Isidro he is nine, I don't know where he is."

"I will have men look for him. Please come with me and get yourself looked at first." The officer lead her off to an assembly area in he center of town but the concern for her brother was still in the back of her mind.

Amalia Victorino

Isidro Victorino