12:24 p.m.
"Mein Herr."
Feldmarschall (Field Marshal) Otto von Pfelz handed King Franz V the latest issue of DIE NATIONAL ZEITUNG, Wustenland's one and only national news resource. King Franz V had already been briefed on the situation well before the Wustenlanders had publically announced their scheme, but now time was of the essence, and the country could not afford to sit on the matter longer than it already had.
"The Wustenlanders know that Sudenland is de jure territory of Krieslen, despite all their hopes to fabricate claims, and Krieslen is now ours. Any other nation worth its salt and with a decent legal system will say the same. I understand the wisdom for not acting on them when they occupied the region, but this is now boiling over; they are not content with what we let them have. Their forces have already mobilized! I've sent orders to my officers to do the same, even the Krieslenian units absorbed into the military, but it was only a matter of time until--"
Franz V raised his hand to stop the Feldmarschall.
"Feldmarschall von Pfelz, please do not tell me what I already know." He let out a long, drawn-out sigh before continuing. "President Mansnecht thinks he is clever, yet he vastly underestimates the might of our forces. Their nuclear program is a ruse and an attempted deterrent, though the Wustenlanders know we would cause a worldwide incident should we use ours on them. Regardless, their threats are hollow and empty. Feldmarschall, I understand that despite the addition of the Krieslenian Armed Forces, Wustenlander numbers still outmatch us two-to-one, ja?"
"Affirmative, my liege. But keep in mind they are on the 'cutting edge' of the 1980s. The KSK, and even the KAF, sport some of the most modern weapons in the world. Best trained troops, might I add."
"So then we will have no problem defeating them. I will have von Redeln issue a statement immediately calling for war."
The Feldmarschall was shocked.
"Sire? So soon?! Our forces are not even finished mobilizing to the border. You understand the repercussions of this, correct?"
"I do. We will lure the Wustenlanders into Rohst, lulling them into a sense of an easy conquest. Their logistics are laughable at best and they will not see our forces encircling them into a pocket as they push inward."
"But milord, you would have their boots touch Rohstian soil?"
The King smirked.
"Let them come. We shall wait for them with open arms."
The Kingdom of Rohst
Königreich der Rohst
To President Gottfriend Mansnecht,
An impending declaration of war stands following your nation's recent military actions towards the Kingdom of Rohst and its sovereign territories. Should a resolution not be met, the states of Wustenland and Rohst will be considered, as per rule of international law and political practice, henceforth at war.
Our demands are as follows:[] Immediately evacuate all Wustenlander military personnel from sovereign Rohstian territory, including the province of Sudenland, de jure to the Kingdom of Rohst.
Should such criteria be accepted, risk of conflict shall be avoided.
[] A debt owed to Rohst of 100 billion KM.
Your government has until 12:00 to respond, or else it shall risk war.
Regards,
King Franz V of Rohst