Uhræskt, Fascistisk Norway
Chancellor Trygstad was sat in a large, open hall, filled with reporters and officials from all over the Union. She was positioned at the front of the room, sitting comfortably in a plain wooden chair and gazing out at the sea of Scandinavian faces. She was dressed in her common attire - double breasted greatcoat marked with a rich purple lining, the deep colour signifying her position as a member of the High Party, and in fact, the leader of that select group.
"And is it true that our nation has involved itself in this emerging conflict?" A man in the front of the crowd stood, a pad of paper in one hand and a pen twitching in the other.
Trygstad took a breath and began to speak, her voice light and even. "In a sense. The High Party was hoping we might be able to mediate between the two sides. I thought it fitting, since we have no interest in either of their causes."
The man scribbled something down. "But if it does come to war, which side will we support?"
The Chancellor tilted her head to the side. "If conflict should truly come to pass, then we will bring a proposal to the People's Assembly. We will vote for Stojam, for Lamerika, and for neutrality. Whichever wins is the course we will take."
The man murmured his thanks, sitting down. Another reporter stood. "The Lamerikan President has been quoted speaking of some sort of 'global revolution', a war that will never be finished until their own ideology is dominant across the globe. How can we even speak of supporting this man, now that he is calling for our destruction?"
Trygstad's face flashed with amusement. "Yes, I watched that speech as well. Overdramatic was a word that came to mind." Her expression became serious again. "I think we should remember that Taylor's nation had just been through a devastating war - a little bravado goes a long way in dark times. Besides, Miroslav's words were just as bloodthirsty."
"But if they bring their revolution to our shores, is the Kombihæren prepared for a prolonged conflict?"
Trygstad nodded firmly. "Of course. Whatever the outcome of this incident, we will be ready. The Overkommando has seen it fit to put our military on standby, in a state of pre-mobilization, in response to the worsening conditions in Stojam. The Kombihæren stands vigilant to meet any threats, should they arise."
A wave of emotion went through the press, and many of the journalists tried to stand at once. Trygstad remained silent while the loudspeakers called for order, patiently waiting for a proper question to emerge from the rabble. One did. "Chancellor, could this mobilization be viewed as an offensive act by the Fascistisk States?"
The Chancellor frowned, leaning forward in her seat as the room continued to quiet. "It is not an offensive act, it is quite the contrary. We are one nation, awash in this rising tide of anger and violence. Lamerika has called it's revolutionary allies, and Stojam has called her coalition as well. I will not be wedged between these walls of iron without a blade to defend myself; if they want to take that as an aggressive action, so be it."
Narvik, Fascistisk Norway
Columns of soldiers dressed in their drab grey uniforms marched through the streets, cheered on by thousands of citizens that lined the roads and tossed flowers onto the departing soldiers. The port city was awash with these sorts of celebrations - the Fourth Sjokk Division would be boarding their ships the next morning, casting off and joining with the strategic battlegroup being formed off the coast of Norway. From there, the soldiers would be moved to staging areas in the Fascistisk territories in the Middle East, where the Fourth Sjokk would meet with their regular army components and wait for further instruction.
Just as planned, the vessels departed to much fanfare, meeting the KNK Renhet and it's host of destroyers as the sun began to rise over the Norwegian city that they had left.
