Small New Nation Seeks International Recognition (MT)

by **Kehrahn** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 4:10 pm

IC:

To the Nations of the World

I, Jada, Matriarch-Queen of House Aiadi, have liberated my country from the oppression and corruption of the Feminist Empire of Deadora. Where formerly our people were cut off from the world and foreign to it, we now embrace it. Where formerly our people were unwilling to pursue the path of diplomacy and wisdom, we are now eager to do so. We welcome discussions of trade exchanges and diplomatic recognition.

In particular, we maintain our commitment to upholding the rights of women everywhere. We particularly embrace those nations which support such rights, and particularly seek friendship with such countries. To other nations, we say that we hope that we may be friendly as well and that your countries may learn from our ways. Above all, we hope for peace with the international community.

As we are a small and new country, we hope that the nations of the world will recognize our right to independence and self-determination.

In the name of National Freedom
Matriarch-Queen Jada of House Aiadi
Leader of Kehrahn

Background: The Matriarch-Empress of Deadora, Jennifer Thrall, had not been heard from in some time. In the year that had followed her sequestering, the Feminist Empire had begun to degenerate into squabbles. Increasingly, the centralized economy could not keep up with needed services and resources, increasingly military personnel were failing to be paid or supplied adequately. The violent female dominated population did not take to this meekly. Riots, torch lit processions of angry protest, duels between leaders and attacks on warehouses and transport hubs had followed.

In the small state of Kehrahn, resentment of the dominant ethnicity, the Nadirii, mingled with resentment of Imperial Thrallism and the mess that the leaders of the desert state felt it had led to. It was in response to demands for oil, which Kehrahn produced, that led to a coup that in effect divided Kehrahn from Deadora.

However the leaders of this coup were by no means so naive as to believe that this would simply work. They did believe that ultimately they would become prey for either a Deadora united against them or for more powerful states...

Kehrahn, Capital City of the Queendom of Kehrahn

For the time being, everything was fine in Kehrahn. The coup leaders, led by Matriarch-Queen Jada of House Aiadi, had where possible seized potential opposition. There was concern to make sure that Nadirii were included in the coup who had a strong sense of the former province being their home.

Thus, out in the streets, people were celebrating, waving the new state flag. Gangs of young women were whooping and hollering, screaming with delight, some of them busy forcing men and women who had belonged to Imperialists to kiss their feet and bare their necks while being filmed.

In the State Palace, Queen Jada swept into an audience hall and received the applause of the gathering throng there--aristocrats, scholars, military personnel. The Queen, who had long dark brown wavy hair and a lightly tanned complexion, wore her ceremonial robes of semi-diaphanous silver clasped at her small waist with a slim white gold stomacher belt. The outlines of her finely sculpted body were clearly visible to all, as was traditional at this very formal meeting. She wore the ancient jewel-encrusted crown, made long ago and the royal scepter was in her hand. On her feet she wore very high stiletto heeled thong sandals with the laces criss-crossing up her calves almost to her knees. Following her were members of her own family. Princesses Vanessa and Aurelia were the dominant ones; below them came the two princesses who were still children and the two young men and one boy. These, while nicely dressed in ways that flattered the masculine figure, had no role to play in government.

The Queen first summoned the key members of the coup, for they would play a part in the new government that was being formed. Then she announced a key part of her foreign policy. This was the announcement to the world of the new nation's independence.

by **Byzanthia** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 4:46 pm

ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ - ΕΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΒΥΖΑΝΘΙΑΣ
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ - HELLENIC REPUBLIC OF BYZANTHIA

ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ | MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

To: The Governments of Deadora and Kehran
From: Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Message:

The Hellenic Republic of Byzanthia, noting the complexity of the issue at hand, has decided to remain neutral in this conflict, pending a thorough investigation of the coup/secession conducted by our intelligence bureau. In the meantime, our nation shall quietly observe the events that transpire between your nations. We wish all participants in this conflict the best of luck and hope that a peaceful conclusion to the crisis can be achieved in the near future.

Signed,

- His Excellency Charles Burgardt, President
- The Honorable Filippos Michelakis, Prime Minister
- Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs

by **Kehrahn** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 5:44 pm

Kehrahn City,
Kehrahn

The new Ruling Council sat around an oval shaped table. Most wore gowns of light material, jewelry, wrist guards showing rank and clan associations. Queen Jada listened gravely to a new report from the Matriarch of War, Starla Vang.

Vang was a Nadirii. Jada knew she risked offending her strongest clan supporters in appointing such a person, but Vang was very popular in the armed forces of the nation. A woman to be supported...and watched. Vang was, however, also a girlhood friend, they had serve at the Imperial Academy together, and had been very close, and had remained in close contact. She was a very tall and very pale ice blonde with a body that was voluptuous for a soldier. Her rather full breasts were extremely firm and rode high. Her rounded derriere was rock hard and her small waist still managed to display a perfect set of abs. But it was her eyes that held the viewer's attention. They were the palest gray, almost colorless and gave her face a ghostly appearance. Each of her uniform sleeves bore a single crown and female symbol denoting her rank.

"We have had a number of demonstrations of military strength near the Aedoran and Ordetian borders. Refugees from both areas are starting to crowd near border crossings, and our patrols have encountered refugee convoys trying to move into the desert on the paths of oases. But as yet no full mobilizations on those borders...or the Edomite border. However, I recommend that we continue to have all our forces on full alert."

"There were attempts to sabotage the fuel storage at Raeqysh, as well as saboteurs who were caught trying to damage the landed phone lines between Raeqysh and Kehrahn," the Matriarch was saying. "They have been apprehended and are being interrogated by my intelligence corps."

"We must develop our own Internal Security as soon as possible," said Princess Vanessa. "I would like to propose myself to do this."

Queen Jada considered her elder daughter. She resembled her father, Prince Galenym, in height and coloration, nearly six feet tall and sleekly built in a manner that belied her strength. She was perhaps half his weight, with bright red shoulder-length hair and piercing green eyes. Her bosom seemed small on her large frame. . Her waist was narrow and her rear was rounded without being generous. Overall, she was a beautiful and very athletic specimen. However, there was a hardness about her face with its high cheekbones, and a flinty shine in her eyes that suggested that she was used to command and capable of considerable cruelty. She knew from testing her that Vanessa would not flinch.

"Do any have reservations about this?" the Queen asked.

"Acting rank for now," said the new Matriarch of Foreign Affairs, Adina Olonna. One of the oldest women in the room, she had a narrow, high cheeked face, steady gaze, greying long wavy formerly fair hair, and a slow steady way of speaking. Somehow every word and syllable seemed to have meaning in it. "With respect, Princess, you are untried in so high an office. You have not borne children, you have only traveled so far as Gloria Regis and the Shrailleeni Empire before. It remains to be seen if you can manage something like Internal Affairs. We shall have everyone after us: Edomites, Shrailleeni, and other members of the Region. The Romans...the Romans will stick their long noses in, they always do..."

"I will prove myself," vowed Princess Vanessa. "Give me the chance, my mother, and I will make sure our enemies are terrified of sneaking around us, without disrupting the delicate balance you seek..."

The Queen took the temperature of the room, but her advisers clearly sided with Olonna. "Very well," she took her daughter's hand. "It is yours, then, on probation. See us through the current troubles. Your first task will be dealing with all dissenters...an the followers of my predecessors."

"I will, Mother, you will see!" Vanessa said proudly.

"What of me, Mother? Surely I am to play a role...I should like to be in charge of National Communications," said her second daughter, Princess Aurelia. She resembled her mother far more, at about five foot six, but her figure was much more of an hourglass, with breasts the same size and a bigger rear on a much smaller frame. Her hair was jet black and cropped short in a pageboy cut. "You know how much I love film and oratory, and I did a good job with those when I was in the army."

"Good," said the Queen. "You shall excel at this."

There was no talk of dissent here--all of them knew that Aurelia was the 'good' daughter who was far more obedient, less impetuous, but also less adventurous. It was fitting; Aurelia had organized much of the propaganda for the coup.

"Your first duty," said the Queen, "Shall be collaborating with Matriarch Olonna on a response to our first diplomatic response..."

"They do not recognize us," observed Princess Aurelia, glancing over the missive.

"Oh, little things start big things," said the Queen with a flash of a smile. "Just take a man's little...self...add it to a proper woman, and see how it grows into a human being, useful to Kehrahn..." there was a general laugh at this. "And of course a man in a male dominated government is timid in the face of powerful women. We must reassure him that we will be hard and firm but fair."

To:Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hellenic Republic of Byzanthia
From: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs, Queendom of Kehrahn
Subject: Recognition
Encryption: Moderate

Dear Minister,

Thank you for your letter and your expressions of concern. Of course your nation, so focused on national stability (as we hope to be soon) must abstain from getting involved in any conflict. We are happy to receive any questions you may have. We are also happy to discuss observers and diplomatic talks such as may be mutually beneficial. We look forward to further correspondence.

Sincerely,
Adina Olonna
Matriarch of Foreign Affairs

by **New Edom** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:48 pm

Durkland Naval Base
Magna Lacuna

Not only had there been an announcement of state, but it confirmed the puzzling meaning behind a lot of strange activity in Deadora of late. Of course that nation had hardly a free press or free movement even for diplomats, and so what had begun as shortages and some challenges to government infrastructure were now clear: internal divisions within the Empire were starting to collapse.

Corvettes and patrol ships as well as planes and drones from the Edomite side of the huge lake were trying to carefully monitor the situation. For a number of weeks, there had been fear of some kind of military incursion to try to take advantage of New Edom being stretched a little thin.

Colonel Josiah Adoraim, who headed the Deadora Section of Military Intelligence, had gone up to the naval base to question officers and other ranks there himself.

The problem, the Colonel felt as he sat in the bachelor officer quarters he was using, reviewing the materials while he smoked a cigarillo and sipped some pepper vodka, was that human intelligence about Deadora was all too difficult to get. The Deadoran situation had been one of containment for so many years, for generations.

First, there was the problem of getting human intelligence. It was such a shockingly different society, and it was only in the last two generations female agents were recruited to any large extent at all. A special office within the Council Police as well as his own existed to deal with Deadora—it was now 4 years old. From what he understood from a general overview, agents on the ground were scant. There were also Elwe agents but they were not considered reliable; interpreting their information was like trying to interpret cuneiform, apparently. The border tribes that bore similar to the Kehrahni might as well be Kehrahni rustics.

Second, there was an attitude of defeatism. The last and only major attempt at getting forces across the lake had been in 1913, the Lake Expeditionary Force’s attempt to invade Deadora. It had taken 4 days to cross the lake to a supposedly secure landing zone, organize forces to advance, only to find that the Deadorans had not opposed the landing in order to trap them there, surrounding them with improved fortifications, with their own fleet swooping down to attack the gunboats and monitors escorting the transports. The besieged Edomties ran out of ammunition and food, their supplies even in Raith Immel under constant attack from Elwe independence fighters and their fleet immobilized; they finally managed to retreat some of their forces while others surrendered. Tales of their humiliation and torment were infamous.

Of course modern views had to change with changes in technology, such as aviation’s improvements. But the Deadorans kept their measure. It had been of course observed that the Deadorans were unable to capitalize on their victory—for generations it was more about raids, spies, sabotage and the war for the hearts and minds of the Elwe.

He had reported to his boss, General Thomas Josephus, that it was unlikely that the nation could successfully seize any territory or seriously intimidate Deadora two years ago. Now, if he was right, the situation had changed. It might be possible, now, to divide and rule and reduce the threat of Regional Matriarchy for good, isolating their Shrailleeni allies, who had already nicely contained the Gloria Regian communists for good.

The main direction from which danger might come--the Imperial Home Province--could be contained with far greater ease partnering with the Kehrahnis. But could it be done? Thus far, according to his contacts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there had been zero positive responses to the Kehrahnis from the international community. It would only be a matter of time before someone--Jacqueline Thrall perhaps--made a bold move to try to gain more support.

Nabal Townhouse,
Fineberg, New Edom

Basil Jerome, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, had called, with his wife Lavinia, on his father and mother in law, the Count and Countess of Nabal and their other guests. Soft music was playing, deep couches were placed around the room, large cushions had been placed in corners and the lighting was subdued giving a pink glow which heightened the feeling of intimacy and friendliness.

“Isn’t this nice,” said Countess Lavinia Jerome, graciously, approaching Basil Jerome. “Just a warm family get together, nay?"

"Indeed my dear, it is." Basil Jerome smiled at her and paused to pop a small pastry in his mouth. He was hardly anyone's dream man--he was hairy bodied, plump, round faced, and stocky. It was hard for Lavinia to believe that her husband came from a good solid family, even if they lacked formal titles. It was not a match made in heaven for her, but he was kind to her and she found herself able to put up with it. Some parts of it were even nice. If onl he wasn't such a bore.

Linking her arm in his she moved over to the drinks table. "Perhaps you be so kind as to pour me a cognac" she said. After he had poured out two Remy Martin she led him to one of the couches at the side of the room.

Her husband smiled and as he was doing so he was informed by one of his father-in-law, the Count's servants. "Excuse me, my dear..." he followed the man into the study and took the phone.

"I don't know if you've been watching the television," reported his assistant undersecretary for Deadora, "But there has been a message sent out by the Matriarch-Queen of Kehrahn. It appears that there has been a coup. And my friends at the Ministry of Police and Defense confirm it. I'm forwarding you a copy, it's virtually public information."

Basil Jerome was immediately interested. "Really. How fascinating...I want a full report prepared to be presented to the Minister. And compose me a message of sweet nothings to say to them for now. Don't ignore it. Has there been any response from Bryn Tegna?"

"A message from Jacqueline Thrall condemning it, sir. Nothing to us directly yet."

"Very well. Sweet nothings for now." Basil Jerome rubbed his double chin thoughtfully and remained sitting in the easy chair in the den for several minutes before calling his own counterparts to confirm their information and ideas. How to put it to the Kehrahnis?

To: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs for Kehrahn
From: Basil Jerome, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for the Allied States of new Edom
Subject:News from Kehrahn
Encryption:Most Secret, Eyes Only (Hand delivered by Consul-General in Kehrahn)

Dear Matriarch,

I hope this letter finds you well, and that your family and can continue to prosper and live in peace among your people.

I have received reports that there has been a change of government in Kehrahn, and that there are differences of opinion as to how the state should be governed between the government in Kehrahn and the government in Bryn Tegna.

There has also been a declaration from Queen Jada, which we have observed with great interest. It will, of course, be necessary to properly brief our own Monarchs on what she has declared. I would appreciate receiving information as to the situation in Kehrahn in order to understand what is going on. Perhaps we have misunderstood the Queen's message to the world and would hate for culture shock to get in the way of good relations.

I have the honour to be
Basil Jerome,
Undersecretary

by **Kehrahn** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:21 am

Kehrahn

The Council chambers were full of the sounds of occasional murmuring, like a swelling sea, and were now and then echoing with the sound of shouting and cries of outrage. Katisha Erann, one of the leading Kehrahni officials who was soon to be announced as Matriarch of the National Economy, was arguing that they must begin negotiations with the international banking community in order to borrow money against their oil reserves. The very idea was nauseating to many of them--as much as they wanted foreign trade, they wanted no submission to international banking, which was full of patriarchs and would be equivalent to selling their mother land.

"Mere expediency!"

"You want us to spread our legs for the patriarchs!"

"Never!"

"Fools!" shouted Erann. "Listen, the only reason why we are not having our bases clobbered by the Imperial Air Force is that they are so entangled in mistrust and lack of resources--but how long will that last? We have good officers and ground personnel who have come over to us, but we do not have enough materiel for them to be able to defend us! Our Navy is already stretched far too thin! And the Edomites..." she paused for effect. "Listen to me...the Edomites are even now, I am told, assessing our weaknesses. So are our Shrailleeni sister-rivals. We must be prepared! The time to prepare is now! We have barely had a peep from the international community! We must act!"

The Queen had excused herself, leaving one of her older cousins to chair the meeting. There was a corridor leading to private offices in the palace one direction; the other was full of guards and officials trying to field many petitions. Office seekers and money grubbers.

Her daughter, Princess Vanessa, stood there in a traditional veil like gown over a leotard and high heeled sandals.

"Oh what a relief..." groaned Queen Jada. "All the arguments...but I want to hear them all out, I want to get the smell of the room...but you did not just come to give me a break, my daughter..."

"Your patience is extraordinary, Mother, why not just get them to bare the neck or kiss your shoes?" Vanessa wondered.

"That's the Thrall way, yes, but I can do that at any time. I like to hear all the arguments first, then make a decision," replied Jada. "Now: what is it, or did you just come to see your Mama?"

Vanessa smiled and said, "Well, there is always that! But no, we have a message from the New Edomite Undersecretary, Jerome..."

"That's the fat one, not the woman one, right?" said Jada.

"The very one. Olonna says fat but smart. Well, it is an ambiguous message. Olonna says that he is probably playing for time. Vang has said that our radar array to the west is picking up a lot of signals from their side of the Magna Lacuna."

Jada thought rapidly. The Edomites would probably not risk any attempt at an incursion. If they were to, it would have to be a large one, as even though Kehrahn was not a great power they still had a whole field army and a fleet to defend themselves, and they would be aware that it could unify Deadora against them. Of course anything was possible, and that would hardly be what she wanted either.

"I'll speak to Vang myself," she decided, "And have our patrols make their presence very clear. Make it very clear our frontiers are defended and on full alert. Meanwhile, you and Olonna respond...courteously and with clarity. But...don't make any demands. Make offers. And talk about FODE. Point out that we wish to remain within FODE."

"Yes Mother," replied Vanessa.

To: Undersecretary Basil Jerome
From: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Diplomatic Relations
Encryption: Most Secret, Eyes Only

Dear Undersecretary,

It is very pleasant to hear from you. I do not remember if you recall, but I was present at the last general meetings for FODE and the CPO. I was very impressed by how efficiently you helped prepare all the materials and points of discussion. May your Monarchs continue to be in good health and your lands peaceful.

I appreciate that you need more information about what is going on. What is happening is this: we are claiming our national sovereignty, which was ours before the arrival of the Cornellians, and our self determination as a people. However we have only the fairest intentions towards New Edom. That is to say, we intend to maintaint he current frontiers. We also hope to maintain relations through FODE and the CPO.

Our current Matriarch-Queen is the rightful ruler of Kyrrnn, or Kehrahn as we now call it as it once was, and we are rejecting Imperial Thrallism in favour of Classic State Thrallism for the betterment of our people.

We propose that your government consider making your current Consul-General in Kehrahn your ambassador, or replace her with another whom your government feels is more qualified for such an august position. We are also quite happy to discuss how to make such an embassy secure according to mutual agreement.

in Her Name,
Adina Olonna
Matriarch of Foreign Affairs

by **New Edom** » Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:53 pm

To: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs for Kehrahn
From: Basil Jerome, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for the Allied States of new Edom
Subject:News from Kehrahn
Encryption:Most Secret, Eyes Only (Hand delivered by Consul-General in Kehrahn)

Dear Matriarch,

I hope this letter finds you well, and that your family and can continue to prosper and live in peace among your people.

I have passed on your kind offer to have our Consul-General in Kehrahn become your ambassador to my superiors, and I hope you can expect a reply soon. Of course New Edom has, as I understand it, no intention of violating any territorial boundaries.

Naturally we would like to discuss the matter of Kehrahn's involvement with FODE, and we shall of course immediately convene the Economic Council to advise the Foreign Ministry on this matter. Please expect a reply soon.

I have the honour to be
Basil Jerome,
Undersecretary

by **Kehrahn** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 5:03 pm

To: Undersecretary Basil Jerome
From: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Diplomatic Relations
Encryption: Most Secret, Eyes Only

Dear Undersecretary,

My government proposes that there should be a meeting between officials from our country and yours, to discuss the parameters of negotiations. There will, we hope, be opportunities to establish what your government hopes for from us in terms of meeting any obligations for FODE and the CPO.

in Her Name,
Adina Olonna
Matriarch of Foreign Affairs

Fort Ordenica
Northern Kehrahn

It was a stormy evening at the base. That meant the wind rattling with harsh blowing gritty dust, people shouldering their way around the roads, tarmacs and drill grounds--as one would against rain--against bowing sand. The air was rusty brown all over. While many soldiers were out at the bars drinking heavily and chasing bottoms, others were having a great time at the Junior Ranks Mess Hall where a huge Mess Dinner was held in celebration of their national independence. Members of the military community, women and men, were all dressed up for the grand occasion.

Most of the officers were women. Some proudly bore dueling scars or small mutilations. The only way to be in a support service, as a woman of an honourable clan, was to have been wounded in some way so that you couldn't operate machinery or see well enough to aim with care. No whole bodied woman would dare the shame of being some desk clerk. They often joked about how people in other countries actually sought such service. Cowards and fools! Well, it was alright for men. There were more male than female officer clerks and cooks for instance than women.

The Regiment, the 11th Kehrahni Motorized Rifle Regiment, was doing this celebration in shifts. Soldiers stood to along the Frontier Line, wary of possible incursions. While it would be crazy for the Imperial Deadoran Army to attack in such conditions, crazy things had happened; the Brigadier-General commanding the base wanted to take no chances.

Captain Derla Kralen put on a smile during the feast, but was glum inside. She had been seconded, shortly after independence, to desk duty. During a series of skirmishes with Imperial loyalists, she had been tasked with medevacking some patriot wounded. Just as she was landing at the field hospital, someone on the ground opened fire on them with a rifle. A lucky shot hit the rotor hub on the chopper causing it to malfunction and stop providing lift. They were about 30 feet from the ground and dove into the ground. The right skid folded up and crushed the cabin and other things into Kralen's legs.

Everyone lived but suffered some type of injury. Luckily there was a medic on board who was not badly injured. When he was able to get out of the rear, he rushed to the front of the chopper and found Kralen unconscious and bleeding badly from severe leg injuries. He applied tourniquets and saw that her foot was gone on the right leg. He knew she had lost a lot of blood before he could get it stopped. It was going to take help with the proper tools some time to get there. He used his knife to amputate that leg at the knee as he would not have been able to cut the bone any place else. He and another crew member were able to get her away from the chopper in case of fire. Another medic started IV's.

She had put a good face on it, hitting on the nurse when she was able to speak reasonably rationally again, asking if he was married yet, and how come why not with such a sweet butt. She enjoyed his blushes as a distraction from the pain of it all. Maybe she needed some distraction other than the booze tonight; stuck in an office, exercising under the grim admonishments of the refit officer, she needed something...sweet. There was every possibility of the independence going to result in war. There were rumours about ongoing negotiations with the Edomites, but no one else in the Region had acknowledged them, and no one in the International Community either. She got up with her crutches. She was hardly malingering; people nodded to her with respect. She winked at them, "There's some sweet ass I need more than drink!" she said, hiding her sorow. There were whistles and ooooohs from the other women as she headed towards the medic.

by **Xanadaria** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 6:13 pm

To whom it may concern,

The Federation of Xanadaria would like to welcome you to the international stage. We would like to offer our congratulations on your newfound independence and wish you the best of success.

As you are a new nation, we would like to offer you a trade deal that may be beneficial to you. Should you be interested, feel free to reply to us via telegram.

Glory to Xanadaria!

Signed,
Michael Blumenthal III, Chief of Foreign Affairs

by **Kehrahn** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 6:27 pm

To: Michael Blumenthal III, Chief of Foreign Affair
From: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Diplomatic Relations
Encryption: Most Secret, Eyes Only

Dear Mr. Blumenthal,

Many thanks for your nation's recognition of our rightful independence and self-determination. We hope to have good future relations with your country, and encourage you to place an embassy in our capital. And we will be happy to discuss trade relations. For general information, Kehrahn produces the following: oil, natural gas, hydrocarbon products, aluminum. For imports, Kehrahn requires textiles, paper products, refined metals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals for industry, cleaning and machine production, vehicles, machinery, ammunition, planes, ships and boats, IT and electronics.

I look forward to further correspondence.
in Her Name,
Adina Olonna
Matriarch of Foreign Affair

by **Xanadaria** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 6:48 pm

Kehrahn wrote:Snip

To whom it may concern,

Please find attached a copy of the trade agreement we have created.

Glory to Xanadaria!

Signed,
Vincent la Xanadaria, Chief of Economics

Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1w3k8p ... TW0mAP0HRF

by **Novitera** » Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:08 am

Avantine, Novitera

The subway trains of Avantine were running smoothly today. There were no delays and in the middle of the day the carriages were not too crowded. A few businessmen chattered to each other but mostly the people browsed their phones. Although there was no service underground, the subway trains all now had their own wifi. Logging on required viewing a few advertisements but otherwise it was free.Parker Gladwin was reading the news on his phone until the train stopped.

"Kuoka. Kuoka." A voice said the the trains PA system.

Parker departed the carriage with a few others to enter the underground station. He knew which exit to take and passed the various digital signage advertisements to take an escalator that lead to the street. A light rain was falling so he opened his umbrella and walked the distance to Comet Izakaya, a higher end bar and restaurant. This one was on the first floor of a 30 story building. It was not a large establishment. A few televisions played the news silently but otherwise it was fairly quiet being just after lunchtime. The man Parker was looking for was already sitting a table with nearly empty plates and bowls.

Director Clarence Tadashi, Officer of the Intelligence Committee, was in a charcoal black suit. The man was slim and in his mid 40s with neatly combed brown hair. Like Parker he wore black plastic frame glasses. Close by, Parker could see two men eyeing him from another table. No doubt it was Clarence's private security. If Parker were to guess he would say they were Noviteran ex-police. Clarence waved a greeting but did not smile. "Good afternoon Director. May I sit?" Parker asked. Clarence nodded began to type out a text on his phone.

A waitress asked for his order while setting down a cup of green tea for Clarence. He requested ice water. "Good timing. I just finished my last meeting." Clarence said plainly while finishing up the text.

"With Katashi?" Parker asked talking about the large Noviteran military and intelligence software company.

Clarence set the phone down and looked annoyed that Parker knew that. "What's this about?"

"Kehrahn." Parker replied.

Clarence snorted. "I knew someone was going to approach me about that soon. My committee is publishing a report for the Directorate tomorrow."

"I know what it is going to say. It is going to give the basics and say the Outfit knows little more than that." Parker said, referring to the United Federation Intelligence Service by its nickname. Clarence shrugged in response deciding he had no obligation to explain himself.

"I'll be frank with you. This is an opportunity to get another maverick to go against FODE and undermine that cartel. You know as well as I our Party wants us to jump on this. But we cannot convince the Nationals and Commoners to cut a deal unless we know more about what is going on. We need to know if this Jada is actually in control. They are afraid of putting their chips on a house of cards." Parker explained.

Clarence seemed to be thinking for a moment. "Reasonable, with budgets being tight and our lack of intelligence. But we are going to make overtures to Kehrahn about joining the CTO. The Directorate has approved that."

"Yes but no money has been earmarked. There has been no vote and a vote would not pass at this time. Not without more information. To change their economic policy from that of the Thrall government so dramatically would take a substantial...bribe, to put it bluntly." Parker replied.

"I think it is a fools errand. Deadora was in that filthy cartel, FODE, for many years and it served them well. Why should this...successor state...do any different?" Clarence asked rhetorically and sipped from his tea.

"We'll just have to come up with a better offers. Modernity. When you think modern you think Novitera before you think of any nation in FODE. And we can outbid any offer of cash New Edom puts on the table...if we get the votes." Parker said.

"There are more nations in FODE than New Edom." Clarence stated plainly.

"Adiron and the rest of the CTO would have an interest in this too. We're going to look into that." Parker replied.

Clarence noted. "If those socialists in Ceti are involved they'll try to block Kehrahn from the CTO I suspect."

"So be it. Preventing Kehrahn from joining FODE is the priority. That would be enough of a victory. Many are working on this. But you're end is critical." Parker responded.

Clarence finished his tea and picked out the last piece of chicken from his plate with chopsticks. "I have to go. I'll think about it. Good speaking with you Mister Gladwin." He picked up his briefcase and walked out. The two bodyguards followed.

"Have a good day Director." Parker replied as Clarence was walking away.

To: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs for Kehrahn
Matriarch Queen Jada
From: Eric Douglas
Subject: Greetings and Congratulations
Encryption: Moderate

Your Majesty and Your Excellency,

First, I on behalf of the United Federation would like to congratulate you on your newly established independence. For too long turmoil has plagued the area that was once Deadora and it is good to see stability being established. I commend you in being able to remedy the situation for your Queendom. Your situation reminds us of our own history. Novitera was once a young nation of chaos and uproar, clamoring for a place on the world stage. Kehrahn still has much labor and toil to do if history has anything to teach us on the development of nations. It is our hope this will be accomplished and the following generations Kehrahnis will see great success.

Although, our government frets for the sake of Kehrahn. We do not wish to see your nation fall prey to the same mistakes that led to the failures of the Thrall government. The United Federation would like you to explore different methods and ideas on global politics and economics. My government offers to present one such alternative and help guide Kehrahn into the future. There are endless opportunities here. One simply needs to reach out and take it. We would like to discuss the possibility of trade agreements and even Kehrahn's entrance into the CTO. As well as any financial aid packages from our government necessary to assist in the smooth development of Kehrahn. You will find that our foreign policy is one of extreme generosity to our trading partners. If you are interested in exploring these possibilities, please let me know and the United Federation shall send envoys immediately.

Sincerely,
Eric Douglas
Executor of State, United Federation of Novitera

by **Byzanthia** » Sat Dec 23, 2017 10:40 pm

Prime Minister Filippos Michelakis sat at his desk, ready to sign the bill presented before him. The Byzanthian government had spent days deliberating the increasingly volatile situation in Deadora, and had reluctantly arrived at a conclusion:

Byzanthia would formally recognize Deodora as the legitimate governing body over Kehrahn.

While unpopular with most of the government, many saw it necessary to maintain the "status quo" of international relations. Reports conducted over the past couple of days made clear that no provisions within the Deadoran government allotted for secessions, therefore making the Kehrahnian secession illegal.

And so, the Prime Minister signed the bill, followed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and finally the President himself.

ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ - ΕΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΒΥΖΑΝΘΙΑΣ
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ - HELLENIC REPUBLIC OF BYZANTHIA

ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ | MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

To: The Governments of Deadora and Kehran
From: Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Message:

The Hellenic Republic of Byzanthia has, in accordance with a decree issued by the Byzanthian Parliament, decided to formally recognize Deadora as the sole governing body of Kehran. I sincerely hope for the best concerning the situation unfolding in Deadora and Kehran.

Signed,

- His Excellency Charles Burgardt, President
- The Honorable Filippos Michelakis, Prime Minister
- Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"That's it?" Michelakis raised and eye as he held a copy of the dispatch in his hand, with Minister Antoniou standing by. A few hours earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had officially released the communique to the Deadoram and Kehranian governments.

"I'm sorry sir; considering how little we know about the situation, there wasn't much to talk about. We only came into contact with them barely a week ago".

"I suppose you're right...but we barely have any idea how powerful these people are. Our reports hardly shoe anything, thanks to the incompetence of our Intelligence Bureau. What if they get angry, or even worse, threaten violence? There's no way of telling how this could go..."

Antoniou looked out the window for a moment. The Sun was setting, casting a brilliant golden haze over Nafplio's skyline. "I have no clue what will be in store for us, but I know for a fact that the world we know is coming to an end. We might now see it now, but this is the dawn of a new era for our nation. Sir, we've made the dangerous decision to anger a nation that is potentially more powerful the ourselves. I fear we might've made the wrong decision in refusing to recognize their sovereignty." The minister abruptly left the Prime Minister's office, leaving Michelakis in a stunned, and rather confused, silence.

by **Hittanryan** » Sun Dec 24, 2017 4:46 pm

Government Office
New Laconia

Three individuals received the same exact phone call from Chief of Staff Ober in response to Kehrahn's announcement: "The President wants an assessment of Kehrahn's declaration of independence by tomorrow morning, if not sooner, before he directs the State Department." These three were Secretary of War Paul Fortner, National Security Advisor Guy Ferrain, and Foreign Policy Advisor Kevin Martin. They met in a conference room after dark, once most of the Assembly had gone home. Martin and Ferrain arrived first, Ferrain busily organizing notes while Martin's thumb worked at the screen on his smartphone.

"Deadora, huh? They say don't stick it in crazy, and that place is exhibit 'A' if you ask me," Fortner joked as he entered the room. Ferrain sat stonefaced while Martin looked up from his phone and said "Wha? Huh?"

"Never mind," Fortner said abashedly, clearing his throat as he sat down. "So Kehrahn, who, what, where, when? Kevin?"

"This coup was carried out by Queen Jada of the House of Aiadi. It is centered on and around Kehrahn, capital of Deadora's Kyrrn Province. We don't know how much of Kyrrn is under the Queen's control or how exactly this coup was carried out. We do know that Kyrrn is the traditional homeland of the Kehrahnii people, one of Deadora's major ethnic groups," he explained.

"Are they the ones who cut off your Johnson if you jaywalk?" Fortner asked blithely.

Martin glanced at Ferrain, who didn't respond. "Uh, I don't think they castrate you for jaywalking..."

"Kevin I was joking," Fortner said, rolling his eyes. "Are these Kayrawnee the ones in charge? Was the Empress one of them?" he asked, mispronouncing the Deadoran word.

"No, the Thralls were Nadirii," Martin replied.

"Boy they're playing with fire then, aren't they? Where does this Queen of theirs get the nerve to strike out on her own? They're a conquered people like the rest of Deadora?" Fortner asked.

"Historically the Kehrahnii people actually have great significance to Deadora," Martin explained. "The Kehrahnii are every bit as Deadoran as the Nadirii, enjoying the same special status within the empire. The Thrall dynasty--actually, Deadora as a nation was born from a union between the Nadirii and the Kehrahnii. It was that union which subdued the rest of the Deadoran empire. They expanded east first, then clashed with the Edomites once they tried to go west, in fact Kehrahn borders Magna Lacuna. We all know how that turned out." Fortner was starting to look bored by the time Martin finished.

"More importantly though, Kehrahn is, or was, Deadora's energy capital. Mostly going off FODE publications, which may or may not be one hundred percent accurate, Kehrahn is believed to have between 50 and 100 billion barrels in proven reserves," Martin said. Fortner sat up straight at this, listening to Martin seriously for the first time as he continued. "The oilfields are productive and are still growing thanks to state-sponsored development and more recently investment from FODE. Infrastructure is there too; pipelines and railroads connect the oilfields to refineries and the international port in Raeqysh. Kyrrn Province, now Kehrahn, is the reason Deadora is in FODE."

"So there's no way in hell the Thralls would let it go, not without a fight," Fortner surmised.

"Exactly," Martin said. "There are serious implications here. Twenty or even ten years ago this coup would've been impossible. Bryn Tegna's state security apparatus would have sniffed it out and quashed it before it even began. We likely wouldn't have even heard about it."

"But someone's gotta be hopping mad in Bryn Tegna now," Fortner pointed out. "This is the worst crisis Deadora's faced since the Great War. This is...scramble the fighters, gas up the tanks, load the shells, the empire's breaking up."

"It should be, but if it is, it's moving very, very slowly, at least for Deadora. Jennifer Thrall hasn't been seen in a year. Something is wrong, but we don't know what. We need to find out," Martin said.

"How?" Ferrain interjected. "We do not have intelligence assets there, and it would take too long to build them up if we were to start now. Deadora is a totalitarian state with a ruthless security apparatus. It would take years, it would be like building our network in the Imperium."

"Maybe we need to ask someone who would know, someone who knows Deadora," Martin said.

The military men looked at the bookish advisor. "Who?" Fortner asked.

"The Shrailleen," Martin said with a gesture.

Fortner and Ferrain looked a bit puzzled. "Why would they help us?" Fortner asked.

"They were willing to help us out during the Palisades Crisis. Kehrahn says they're committed to matriarchal rule. The Shrailleen have differences in policy with Bryn Tegna, and certainly no love for the Imperium,..." Martin started to explain.

"They restored relations with the Imps," Fortner said.

"Well, I don't know, resolving a twenty year old colonial border spat isn't the end of the world," Ferrain pointed out.

"They offered to break the oil embargo after the fighting started last year, despite all the risks that entailed," Martin added.

"All right, I see your point, but let's not just rely on them to hold our hands," Fortner said, waving a hand. "We'll be too late if we don't try to get on top of this soon. The Edomites, the Imps, they're going to pounce, you can be sure. What do we think might be happening? Why is Bryn Tegna so slow? Are the Thralls finished?"

"I don't like to speculate," Ferrain said quickly.

Martin thought a moment and hesitantly said "I mean it's possible. Yeah, they might be. Normally the response to this coup would be swift and brutal. For some reason it hasn't been yet."

"Here's what I think," Fortner said. "From what I know about the country, I don't think the Deadoran nobility would be paralyzed without the Empress. They're not just courtiers or even civil servants, right?" he asked Martin.

"No, they're clan leaders in their own right, a lot of them serve in the military as officers," Martin replied.

"Okay, but the Thrall dynasty was one of totally centralized power. The nobles were deprived of certain resources so that none of them could challenge the Empress. Now that the Empress is hors de combat, there might be a power vacuum among the Nadirii."

"And without the Empress, the Queen of Kehrahn may have decided she didn't need the Nadirii or Deadora anymore," Fortner continued. "Think about it: if they gain foreign recognition and allies, they walk away with a booming oil industry already paid for by Bryn Tegna and FODE, keep their foreign trade, have their borders secured by foreigners, and in the meantime the rest of the Empire falls to infighting."

"The Secretary of State isn't going to be thrilled at supporting a totalitarian monarchy," Martin said, shaking his head. "They're still Thrallists, best I can tell. If you thought Edomite culture was hard to deal with, you haven't seen the Deadorans. The State Department don't even send men over there as part of our diplomatic staff. It's not just that they're not taken seriously, it's that their safety can't be guaranteed."

"And I said I don't like to speculate," Ferrain repeated himself. "If we are speculating, it is just as likely that the Nadirii may rally against this threat. They put aside their differences temporarily, or perhaps this is even what brings Jennifer Thrall out of hiding. She then invades Kehrahn, deposes its new government, and personally executes the Queen as she is known to do. What then happens to us if we backed this rebellion within her empire?"

"I don't know, Guy," Fortner said, looking at him somewhat exasperatedly.

"Right, none of us know," Ferrain said, ignoring his tone. "So we don't know what sort of risk we're taking at all. Consider this: however brutal the Thrall regime is--or was--it opposed the FODE embargo and even threatened Krutongo during the Palisades Crisis. Our biggest threat is here in Ceti. We cannot afford to be distracted by a new enemy of our own making in South Acheron."

"Damn, Guy, I'm not saying send First Army there," Fortner said with a frown. "I know full well that we need to assess the situation. If they still believe in Deadoran principles, when it comes down to it we're a bunch of evil patriarchs. Will they even take men seriously? Hell, this could have been orchestrated by another foreign power from the start."

"But if this is viable, here's what I'm suggesting," Fortner said, looking at the two of them. "New nations need capital, especially breakaway ones. Think about what it was like for us in the Council days when there was fighting all the time. They need to pay and feed their troops, they need to resupply and do maintenance. They need to keep their government running. They need money."

"Secretary, an Old Cetan president once said the same thing in the 1820s. The Deadorans defaulted and ran straight into the arms of Ceti's enemies," Martin pointed out.

"This is different. We get collateral. What industry does Kehrahn have? Oil. That would be enough to support them, only trouble is that they're not gonna be selling it. If there's anything remotely left of the Deadoran Navy, that port of theirs is going to be under blockade. Even if the Edomites back them and admit them to FODE, there aren't any pipelines or railroads running across the border. They won't be able to move much product, and who knows how much the Edomites will take off in 'carrying charges.' Kehrahn needs cash in the short term. So we allow them to borrow against their oil reserves."

Ferrain and Martin didn't look convinced. Fortner sighed and said "If nothing else, let's try to beat the Imps over there. Kehrahn's right on the border with New Edom and they're a prime target for a new Edomite acquisition. In case you hadn't noticed, they're building an empire across the region, and that means the Imps can sink their claws in too." In truth Fortner knew there was more to it than that through his own contacts, but he wasn't going to let on.

"I think the President needs to be advised of all the risks," Ferrain concluded. "We must report everything we discussed tonight. Our first priority is to figure out what is going on. Then act on it as you said, Secretary."

"Fine," Fortner said, "but if you were this slow in the field, Guy, I don't know how the Imps didn't run circles around you."

If Fortner hoped to needle him, he was disappointed. Instead Ferrain smiled coolly and said "Because of our diligence with reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, Secretary."

Martin's phone then buzzed, and the way he reacted it was as though the phone itself was angry. "Oh shoot..." he muttered as he checked it. "Yeah, uh, are we all set?"

A blended summary of this conversation reached the President's ears in a briefing, and after being filtered through the Secretary of State, several communications went out.

by **Kehrahn** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 1:12 am

Border of Kehrahn and Ordetia Province of the Deadoran Empire

The mission, which was simply to make sure a convoy of replacement parts, fuel, batteries and similar maintenance and support equipment reached a town about 20 KM from the city of Durahn, met with disaster. A young officer, Major Talitha Graslic, led the convoy. There were still concerns about saboteurs. However, intelligence operating across the border into the Imperial Province stated that a large number of Imperial troops and bureaucrats were mutinying and demanding to be told the status of the Matriarch-Empress or else they would refuse to return to duty.

The town was surrounded by small dirt roads, irrigation ditches and protected farmland stretching out into the sere landscape around it, and of course more oil derricks than farms.

Major Graslic was dead before she hit the ground; the .50 caliber slug passing through her Kevlar helmet, helmet liner, skull and brain tissue as easily as a swallow's darting flight. Senior Lieutenant Marthak ducked behind the charred hulk of a ZIL, hearing muffled sobs behind her as the convoy ground to a halt, officer sand NCOs barking orders to seek cover and defend the perimeter.

'This ball loving town was declared secure", Marthak fumed, seeking a target for her AK-74 and finding none, '"Raping intel raped up again'.

The radio headset she wore scratched and then her First Platoon commander said "Shots coming from that warehouse building approx 70 meters to our left, my Lady, third story, that row of broken windows."

"Very well, put some explosive rounds through those broken windows on the high rise to our left."

"Yes, my Lady"

Dust and flying grit from around the buildings and the vehicles were flying up. The protected grills of the ZILs would hopefully deflect enough of the small arms fire, but two of the trucks were pretty much destroyed by heavy machine gun fire. There was no possibility of getting any air support--all that the country had was guarding against air incursions and had been sent on raids to strike at enemy radar and refueling capacity. Intelligence and propaganda had urged Imperial soldiers to keep on protesting and mutinying. Then this happened...Marthak extended a mirror sight up around the ditch she and her CP were hiding in. The Major's body with ruined head lay in the road, already gathering the flies that desperately sought any moisture or food, while one woman lay groaning with pain, a shattered leg revealed. Marthak waved down a medic she saw about to go for her across the road. Wait for the building to be hit, you dumb man sucking fool, thought Marthak.

Small arms fire riddled the building to provide covering fire, then a 60 mm mortar followed by a grenade launcher struck the building. The bank of windows erupted in gouts of smoke and flame and bodies spiraled outward to disappear in the rubble below.

The convoy guards whooped a shrill cheer.

"Holy Mother, we musta hit an ammo dump!" cried one of the squad leaders.

"What do you want us to do, my Lady?" asked the grizzled, leathery skinned Sergeant Major nearby her.

Marthak turned to her. "Six women on point, the rest single file on both sides of the street. Stay close to the buildings. No firing unless fired upon."

A chorus of "Yes, my ladies" was the response.

They traversed the town's center meeting no resistance. Frightened faces peered out from doorways and windows,saw the Kehrahn flags on their shoulders and helmets and began to offer cans of food and soft drinks to the passing troopers, all of which were politely refused. Those still inhabiting the town needed all the supplies they could find, but the gesture was appreciated. Besides the women were all fed well at their base still, and they had been told to spread goodwill as much as possible. "Make it clear: Mother Queen loves her loyal subjects, and only is cruel to those who are disloyal. As it was in the old days before the damned Imperial Thrallism," the senior regimental intelligence officer had told them before sending them out.

Kehrahn City

Several of the Queen's Council sat listening to a briefing by War Matriarch Vang.

"It turns out that it was a raiding party after fuel. Durahn, as you know, is a major oilfield area, and so naturally the Imperials wanted to get it. The raiding party was strong, and is being fought off as we speak. However there will be others. They aren't going to let the oil go without a fight. An intercepted radio transmission from Jacqueline Thrall says that we stole the oil that rightfully belongs to the Empire." Vang paused. "And one of our Intelligence and Recon planes came under attack from Imperial Air Defense; the plane was damaged but managed to limp back over our border. They are starting to take things seriously."

Olonna chimed in. "The Imperial propaganda is going to blame the infrastructure and resource problems on us, I'll bet my sandals. We need to anticipate this and hit them harder with our own."

"I agree," said Vang, nodding vigorously.

"We've been working on a plan about it," said Princess Aurelia, leading in and looking purposeful as she could.

"But what would frankly work best would be if we hit some of their potential staging areas now, and fast," said Vang. "Not wait for them to build strength. We should simultaneously make sure that leaflets, radio messages, whatever it takes, gets to them and makes it clear that if they back off we'll stop."

Jada snorted and shook her head. "These are Deadoran soldiers and sailors and airwomen. They're not going to hesitate like a bunch of Ashabis or Dengalis. They'll prefer to fight."

"I'm...not so sure, my Queen," said Vang slowly. "I think that they'll hesitate, because right now they're not sure of what they're fighting for. They're being poorly equipped, fed, provided for, and a number of their senior officers are more concerned about picking whether to support a doubtless sick Empress or a bunch of pretendeders. I think that our coup has come as a shock, and that dealing them another will not unite them. The focus of the leaders in Bryn Tegna seems to be on, well, Bryn Tegna."

"My people will confirm this," said Princess Vanessa. "I also urge an attack."

Queen Jada nodded. it would not do to hesitate. "Very well. Form a task force, present me with a plan, and prepare to have it move rapidly. But Vang, I want no protracted battle. I want a sharp, swift hard victory like pegging a defiant man, I want it to be such a short sharp lesson that it makes it clear that we are superior."

"My Queen, it shall be done," replied Vang.

"We have some opportunities at last, and we may be able to use them to squeeze the Edomites a lot more," said Olonna with a faint smile. "Let me sum them up for you, my Queen..."

As for the Allied States of New Edom, discussions would be initiated between bureaucrats and officials and those of New Edom to begin the talks. Queen Jada had decided that she must in particular get the other Cornellians to fight for their independence as much as possible. Though she showed none of this, she feared what Deadora might yet do.

by **Byzanthia** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 9:07 am

ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ - ΕΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΒΥΖΑΝΘΙΑΣ
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ - HELLENIC REPUBLIC OF BYZANTHIA

ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ | MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

To: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs of Kehran
From: Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Message:

In light of your recent statement, I would like to formally request an audience with your government and Her Majesty, Matriarch-Queen Jada of House Aiadi. I myself would not be in attendance; rather, Byzanthia would be represented by Ambassador Augustina Palaiologos, our nation's current representative to the United Nations and senior diplomat within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Signed,

- His Excellency Charles Burgardt, President
- The Honorable Filippos Michelakis, Prime Minister
- Konstantinos Antoniou, Minister of Foreign Affairs

by **Kehrahn** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 1:51 pm

Border of Kehrahn and Ordetia Province of the Deadoran Empire

Army Matriarch Dahlteya Aiadi, the Matriarch-Queen's cousin, commanded the former Imperial 3rd Army Corps, which was being re-designated the Royal Army of Kehrahn. It consisted of two armoured divisions, four mechanized divisions, four motorized divisions, two desert divisions and a Cavalry Legion (recon) as well as support units. It was faced, in theory at least, with nearly four times their numbers in Ordetia and Aedora Provinces.

However, talking with War Matriarch Vang, Army Matriarch Aiadi agreed that this was illusory. Intelligence indicated that Aedora appeared lukewarm, and that they had been receiving aid from the Shrailleeni, which might lead to their own independence. Indeed, the Matriarchs of Foreign Affairs and Internal Security had begun discreet talks with the leadership in Aedora. It had a different past than that of Ordetia and other more harsh provinces, and they were doing their best to start to open talks about very favourable trade. There were still enough Thrall loyalists there to make this a cautious venture.

Ordetia was a different story, but its forces were required to cover a lot more border territory, and so, Vang believed, and Aiadi agreed, they would face less fierce opposition than it might appear.

Nevertheless, Army Matriarch Aiadi had mobilized III Corps to secure as much of the border between Ordetia as possible, as well as sending elements of the 1st Desert Division and 12th Motorized Division over the border to support a series of sabotage missions. The orders to prepare had gone out, and maps were being carefully examined, timetables and organization of logistics and movement prepared by staff officers at Corps HQ.

And they must not forget the Edomites. The II Corps had elements both protecting the capital as well as the coast of Magna Lacuna and inland from it. No one doubted that the only reason why the Edomites might be friendly would be to undermine the Deadoran Empire. Examining Edomite history, Vang had observed that the Edomites tended to slyly get you to open the door, then sneak a little more force projection in until they owned the place.

by **Late Roman Empire** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 6:38 pm

To: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
From: Count Marcellinus, Master of Offices
Subject: Diplomatic Relations
Encryption: Most Secret, Eyes Only

Excellency,

Let me first congratulate you, on behalf of the Empire, of the Divine Augustus and Lord of the World, on attaining your independence from Deadora. Believe me when I tell you that I am very eager to normalize diplomatic relations and trade relations with Kehrahn on behalf of the Emperor Titus and the Roman State. Accordingly, as a first gesture of faith and goodwill, the Emperor has formally deigned to recognize your government as legitimate and lawful, unilaterally. We would like to discuss the terms of appointment of a permanent Legate in Kehrahn, of course, but for now, we're sending a special envoy, Count Ausonius, on behalf of the Augustus. Ausonius is a consular, a senator, and Imperial State Secretary. He will provide information on what Rome wishes for itself as part of any trade and diplomatic relations package deal. Given his significance in the Roman government, I am confident that you grasp how important this diplomatic mission is to the Augustus.

In hoc signo vinces,
Count Marcellinus, Magister Officiorum (Master of Offices)

by **Hittanryan** » Mon Dec 25, 2017 8:35 pm

To: Matriarch of Foreign Affairs Arlenica Nessic
From: Ambassador Theresa Weinberg
Subject: Kyrrn Province
Encryption: High

Greetings, I realize it has been some time since our last communication, but I think given the current situation it was proper to reach out to your office.

My government was shocked by the announcement out of Kyrrn Province. The union between the Nadirii and Kehrahnii peoples has lasted over one and a half centuries, forged during the struggle for independence from the Cornellians and enduring the trials of the Great War. It may be that national security prohibits your government from sharing information at this time, but anything you can tell us about this coup would be greatly appreciated by members of the State Department trying to fathom this all out and form a coherent policy.

My government is aware that Her Highness Jacqueline Thrall condemned the coup d'etat, but we would like to know how exactly your government plans to respond. In addition, we would like to know if there have been any new developments with the Empress. Her leave of absence was sudden and unexpected, and she would ordinarily play a pivotal role in a possible national crisis such as this.

Our understanding of current events in Deadora may be limited, and perhaps our concerns are overblown, but it appears to us that the Empire of Deadora has fractured or is in danger of fracturing. This would raise grave concerns over trade, security in the Gulf, and the possibility of civil war with all the perils that would entail.

We hope you can clarify these concerns and that this crisis will be resolved in due course.

Sincerely,
Ambassador Weinberg

To: Matriarch of Foreign Affairs Adina Olonna
From: Consul June Archer
Subject: Independence
Encryption: Hand-delivered

Your announcement to the world was most surprising. Bryn Tegna may have been a bit confused without the Empress, but as far as we could tell the empire itself was sound. Even a year ago, the idea of Kehrahnii independence would have seemed outlandish, yet we now find ourselves facing that very prospect. As I am sure you are aware, the Deadoran government has simply condemned the Queen and her supporters as traitors. Although my government broadly supports the right of nations to self-determination especially in the face of oppression, there is a dearth of information about what is going on in South Acheron. The State Department wants to know more about what is really going on.

My government notes that your declaration cited the oppression and corruption of Deadora as a cause for your secession. Could you explain what is meant by that, exactly? What is really happening in Bryn Tegna which prompted Kehrahn to declare its independence? Are there specific policies which your government opposed? How will your government differ?

There are some in the State Department who believe self-determination is the right of every nation. There are also justifiable fears within that same body that the Queen's actions will spark a civil war, assuming fighting has not broken out already. This would threaten the oil trade which is of vital importance to Kehrahn's economy. Energy security is one of the President's foremost concerns, and I would therefore like to inquire what your government intends to do about FODE and Deadora's trade partners which will be affected.

Any information you can provide us would be most appreciated, and I am sure that recognition will be forthcoming as long as mutual trust and understanding can be established between our two governments.

Sincerely,
Consul Archer

To: Foreign Minister Zattem Resbruck
From: Ambassador Sherry Flynn
Subject: Kehrahn
Encryption: Hand-delivered

I hope this communication finds yourself and your family in good health. As you must be aware, there has been some kind of coup d'etat in Kyrrn Province in Deadora. Queen Jada of the Kehrahnii people has declared independence and the reconstitution of the nation of Kehrahn. Although apparently still committed to matriarchal rule, the Queen has denounced the government in Bryn Tegna and overthrown Imperial authority within her province. We do not know at present how much of the province is under the Queen's control.

Although diplomacy has not been impossible, Deadora has never been especially transparent with us. Our values, culture, and priorities have always been very different, and furthermore we have to fight for every scrap of information that has not been sanitized through their state media. We still do not know what has become of Empress Jennifer Thrall, much less how the Deadoran government has been functioning--or not--in her absence. This declaration out of Kehrahn suggests that the Deadoran empire may be in ailing health in spite of its long martial strength and tradition. Somehow, Deadora was unable to control this, and we are not sure what this means.

The State Department employs thousands of analysts who could spend months trying to read the tea leaves about this situation. Your government, on the other hand, has been most helpful to us within the past year, from its offer of energy security during the Palisades Crisis to its ongoing peacekeeping efforts in its aftermath. Despite the differences in philosophy and policy between your two empires, Shrailleen and Deadora remain allies. We want to know what is really going on in Bryn Tegna, and in light of the Shrailleeni Empire's generous recent assistance, we would do our best to return the favor.

Sincerely,
Ambassador Flynn

by **New Edom** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:04 am

NAF Paracrax, E-15 Early Warning Aircraft, Station Magna Lacuna

The 787 frame rattled occasionally as it hovered over the huge lake. It was like the matriarch for a pod of whales; it guided the movements of a number of smaller members of its species. Two Blackfly UAVs, four Terrier VSTOL fighters, and a P-20 Maritime Patrol Aircraft were on patrol with it. Other aircraft stood by.

Radar grasped information was streaming into the plane. Storm hitting Northeastern Kyrrn--Kehrahn--a flight of MiGs darting between the coast and the waters of the Magna Lacuna. Farther south, what might be cargo or passenger planes arriving at Kehrahn itself, winds stronger there but not so merciless as to batter the slower planes. Encrypted radar chatter in Nadirii and Kehranii. No big push yet. Regular nautical activity on the Dea side of the Big Lake. Patrol craft, fishing craft. The huge lake was more like an inland sea than anything else, there were big fish processing ships on both sides to refrigerate or salt the fish and mollusks and crustaceans pulled out of it, as well as freighters to haul lumber, fuel and other goods.

A cubesat had picked up a lot of road activity in the north of the province. A large number of military vehicles and helicopters. Corresponding ones in Ordetia Province. The Senior Intelligence Officer on the plane sat at a table, glancing at the satellite photos and radar reports. Major David Hermon was tired; there were bags under his eyes, his jumpsuit felt sticky, and he kept yawning. His thermos had strong coffee mixed with honey and cinnamon in it. He got up, put his thermos in one of the beverage holders on the foldable table in the mess area, and did a few moments of running on the spot to get the blood going. Get those knees up, get 'em up! he heard the ghostly memory of his Drill Instructor ages ago in his mind. He grinned and sat down again and began to finish the report which would be sent by encrypted channel back to the base and then, after review, to the Ministry of Defense.

Fineberg, New Edom

(with Kehrahn

Far from stormy Magna Lacuna, it was a warm day at the National Bird Sanctuary Park in the capital city of New Edom. Tourists were taking pictures of flamingos, herons and the odd Lesser Griffon. The park had a number of hiking trails as well as main trails fit for small vehicles if need be. There were spots where one could find cafes and other services.

Julian Eupator of the Foreign Ministry Intelligence Section was sitting on a wooden bench which had a brass plaque on it stating it had been carved from a captured Cornellian warship. He admired the avian majesty before him as a flight of egrets took off from the river, dazzling the air with white feathers. Not far off, to his amusement, a group of tourists cried out in delight.

"Mr. Eupator?" said a feminine voice. A woman was jogging up to him and looking at him with the unsettlingly direct look that only a Deadoran woman would have, a challenging unyielding stare.

Tall and strikingly good looking, her bright red ponytail swished from side to side as she ran in place to come down from her run. The muscles of her sculpted back moved harmoniously under the tight harness of her purple-white splotched sports bra. The sunlight reflected off the sheen of sweat on her tanned skin. On her left shoulder blade, there was a small tattoo for a Deadoran Army regiment. The Edomite man was able to take in her perfectly rounded glutes in profile, which swiveled sinuously under her knee-length tights – black with purple splotches.

Her black-purple tights were thin and looked like they were painted on her. She ran with perfect form, and her smooth movements accentuated perfection of her musculature. A sports bra that matched the tights was soaking in her glistening sweat. She breathed in and out deeply and evenly.

Eupator's Cornellian heritage was obviously, he had a fair tan, brown hair slicked back in neatly combed waves, and wore only exercise sandals and a shoulder pack. He removed his sunglasses. He was not handsome exactly but wa attractive, strong features, a body hardened by exercise.

"Isn't this all a bit theatrical?" asked Eupator.

"Theatrical? No. It's just discreet," replied Information Coordinator Brixa as she finally stopped jogging and lifted a watr bottle to her face. She squirted some over her face, shutting her eyes and revelling in it, and then over her neck and upper chest. "Greetings, Eupator. May your Monarchs continue to lead your land in prosperity and wellness."

Did she mean it, wondered Eupator. Hard to tell; her face seemed to only express enjoyment at her run and the water on her fair skin. Running; he had done his share of it but only as a means to an end. He thought of wrestling her and it was a pleasantly amusing thought. "And may your nation and your Queen be blessed as well." he replied courteously, bowing.

She sat down beside him. "My ambassador wishes to know what your government will do for us."

Eupator glanced at her. "My government is concerned at what your government is going to do about other governments who will want to try to drive a wedge between us."

"Support us," she said bluntly, "In our independence. Give us recognition, agree to buy our products and refine them, and promise security for the transfer of goods on the seas and on Magna Lacuna, and we shall be friends."

Eupator nodded slowly. "Your nation will have other offers, I am sure. Mark this well, Coordinator: we are closer than the other nations...."

"Except the Shrailleeni," she said with a cold smile.

"The Shrailleeni support Deadora, Coordinator," said Eupator with the same sort of tight cold smile. "We will support you. To be blunt, which I know you people like, we want the Feminist Empire broken up. Into smaller pieces. You lead the way well. Tell your government that in exchange we want to coordinate patrols on Magna Lacuna with yours. It will be our intention to help defend your country from the Deadorans or others if it needs to happen."

Brixa stared at him. "You will not have a single soldier on our soil or a single plane or ship in our waters, son of Christ. That is a promise."

He inclined his head. "But of course."

Brixa could not help but bristle inwardly. This man flaunted himself naked as a slave yet gave himself the airs of a Clan Matriarch. If only he were not needed! He bowed as an equal and did not bare the neck. She felt sure she could take him, force him to a pegging that would make him hers. "Very well," she managed to say as politely as she could. "Until later. I will inform my government."

"And I will inform mine," replied Eupator coolly.

She got up and jogged away again. It burned through her deliciously; she had to do this to wash out the taste of these negotiations. At least in such locations she could be informal. Her feet were pounding with her heart as she raced off...

by **West Phoenicia** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:04 am

Greetings Queen Jada of the House of Aiadi of the Queendom of Kehrahn,

King Glenton Gryphon-Bush II Philometor Philopator of the mighty and opulent nation of The Confederate Kingdom of West Phoenicia and his two wives; Head Queen Angelique and Queen Alotta welcome the nation of Kehrahn onto the world stage.

West Phoenicia believes nations have a right to independence and self determination. Nations that breakaway have every right to live in peace and harmony without fear of reprisals from their former motherland or other nations seeking to expand their own lands. We ask how is the relationship between Kehrahn and the nation of Deadora?

West Phoenicia recognises your right to exist and we welcome a new nation to the world stage.
In matters of diplomacy for West Phoenicia on the home front to formally recognise the nation of Kehrahn, it will need 3/4 support from the 400 senators in our Congress as well as approval for the divine King Glenton Gryphon-Bush II Philometor Philopator.
If passed it will open up doors such as an exchange of embassies, ambassadors, trade deals and alliances if needed or called upon.

West Phoenicia also has a strong standing military offering our nation the finest protection in our region.

West Phoenicia has lucrative trade deals which have made our nation incredibly wealthy especially in areas of agriculture such as cotton, tobacco, fruits, linen and fine wines, luxury items, automobiles and ships.

A token gesture of goodwill is all that is needed plus assurance that your nation as a good track record for human rights and equality of both genders for myself to submit formal recognition to the West Phoenician Congress . Something I hope you will consider to open up friendship between our two nations and to ensure the legitimacy of Queen Jada as the rightful ruler of an independent Kehrahn.

Formally,

Senator Jack Portland

Minister of Foreign Affairs

by **Kehrahn** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:40 am

Kehrahn

Celebration was the mood of the Royal Palace, as the latest messages were streaming in. The women who led the new nation were gladly embracing one another, cheering and giving war cries of delight. Aurelia and Vanessa were held in their mother's arms a long moment, the three laughing and being applauded. Even Vang and Olonna were smiling and raising triumphant fists to them.

"Long live Queen Jada!" shouted the women of the Ruling Council at last, raising triumphant female fists.

"Thank you, beloved countrywomen!" said Queen Jada. "But we must not get too excited! We have much work yet to do! Let us not forget, there are Imperial incursions to deal with, there are no doubt Thrall and Shrailleeni plots! But we are on the road to victory for sure! Long live Kehrahn!"

"LONG LIVE KEHRAHN!" roared the Matriarchs and Princesses. Not far off, the princes of the Royal family and servants cowered and moved back, fearing a violent celebration...

Of course they had no illusions. The Patriarchs...led by the father of Patriarchy, the romans, would want Deador split p. They had just heard from Information Coordinator Brixa at their ad hoc embassy in Fineberg reporting as much. But they must play the game and seize what advantage they could.

by **The Shrailleeni Empire** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:26 pm

Imperial Palace, Bryn Tegna
The Feminist Empire of Deadora

Errisyn D'Teyn stalked through the halls of the Imperial Palace with the grim purpose of a smilodon approaching its quarry. The grand history of Deadora stood on display all around her, grand pillars and relics acquired spanning the centuries and works of art depicting the powerful female forms of the Revolutionary Mothers, but today they seemed to cast their unloving gazes upon her with contempt. She had let this thing go too long - far too long now. She should have acted far sooner than this, but she had been convinced by the others to wait and plan and bide her time. Well no more. She had been pushed around, denied, and humiliated for over a year. She would get satisfaction now.

She passed the doors to the throne room, where Imperial Guardswomen stood nobly and uselessly to guard an empty chamber. They bore their necks to her as she strode by, but she gave them no recognition. She continued down the hall, making a right here, a left there, until she came to the part of the palace that functioned as the personal chambers for the Matriarch Empress and her family.

If she lived another forty years, the Matriarch would never become accustomed to the sight that greeted her here. The palace halls remained the same, but instead of tall, strong Imperial Guardswomen, the epitome of female power and the might of Deadora, the hall was filled with the silent, standing forms of Shrailleeni Imperial Guard. The average Deadoran stood half a head taller than any of the islanders, D'Teyn even more so, and their black and white uniforms stood at stark contrast to the crimson and silver that adorned most of the palace. But even worse to D'Teyn's eyes, many of the Shrailleeni were men. Men, not of royal blood, standing ungelded in a part of the palace reserved for the Matriarch Empress. It made her blood boil, and a fire light in her eyes. 'Insult to injury' did not do justice to the emotions she felt.

The Shrailleeni guards did not move to stop her advance, and they bore their necks as she past. But on them the gesture seemed more robotic, men just following orders rather than feeling any true deference. She could see it in their stoney expressions as she passed, but she did not slow to reprimand them. It would have been a waste of her time. She did not notice that the Shrailleeni women, who were the majority of the guards, would share the same expression.

It was easy to tell when she had drawn near her destination. Outside of one grand set of double doors in the hall stood six Shrailleeni and six Deadoran Imperial Guards, in pairs flanking the doors and standing against the opposite wall. The Deadorans seemed to tower over their Shrailleeni counterparts, bronzed muscles showing in their warms while the Shrailleeni uniformed tunics covered much of their bodies. The Deadorans bore their necks for her immediately, and the Shrailleeni did only seconds later - clearly not a natural reaction.

She disdained them, but when she approached the doors it was two Deadoran Guardswomen who moved to block her path. The continued to expose their necks, but their words were form.

"Matriarch," they said in unison, and then one continued, "apologies, but no one is permitted to enter at this time."

The Matriarch of War glowered at them, livid.

"No, absolutely not," she said, her voice rising in anger. "Do you have any idea what is happening outside? Are you blind and deaf? Our enemies are chomping at the bit while we rot from the inside out! No, I will not be turned away again! And if the Matriarch Empress will not see me,"

Her voice lowered to a cold threat.

"...then perhaps it is time to find one who-"

"Wait!"

A voice could be heard coming from behind the door. It had risen sharply and loudly, but now no sound could be heard from the other side. Even so, the Matriarch's eyes narrowed and she stood upright, chin high, waiting to see what happened next.

A few moments passed, and then the door began to open with the quiet hush of wood moving over tile. An old woman stood at the door, dark skin wrinkled with age but green eyes still bright. She met the Matriarch's eyes, and did not bear her neck, but the two Guardswomen moved aside and the old woman beckoned for D'Teyn to enter.

She walked briskly into the chamber, striding past the old woman, and was suddenly struck with a feeling of anxiety. No one in the Deadoran government had seen the Matriarch Empress in three months, and she had begun to disappear for odd periods long before then. Only Jacqueline Thrall had been made an exception, and she had come away from the experience silent and contemplative. There were rumors of course, rumors that Jennifer's pregnancy had experienced complications. It seemed the most logical reason, and one that led to many hushed conversations and greedy looks among the powerful of Deadora. But nothing could have prepared D'Teyn for what she now saw.

In the center of the room was a bed that strongly resembled a hospital bed, metal frame bent upward to to allow its occupant to sit up with some ease, lined with sterile-looking white sheets. Around the walls were sets of medical equipment displaying a variety of readouts on computer screens, wires running behind them. The room was largely bare, the floor tile and curtains closing off all of the windows. And aside from herself and the old woman who was now closing the doors, it had only one other occupant.

On the bed, propped upright by the automatic recliner, was the form of Jennifer Thrall. Looking upon her, the Matriarch struggled to find a resemblance between this woman and the lean, cruel, twenty-seven year old Empress who struck fear and respect into all who saw her. Her face was gaunt, her eyes lined with dark bags and her skin paled to an unhealthy pallor. Her hair was clearly being cared for, but hung around around her shoulders without the pretense of control. She was wearing what appeared to be Shrailleeni maternity robes, black and white, possibly a gift of royalty, which fit around her swollen belly. Wires ran to her wrists, connected to the machines around her.

So shocking was the sight that D'Teyn nearly forgot to bear her neck. But then she caught a look at Jennifer's eyes, and saw an old and familiar anger come to them at the transgression. She averted her own gaze immediately and turned her face to the right, baring her neck, but did not fall to her knees. She was, after all, not here for that.

"Matriarch D'Teyn," the Empress said, her voice surprisingly strong. "I don't recall having summoned you."

"No Empress. But there is a matter of extreme importance that requires your attention."

"I see," the Empress said. Her eye narrowed. "Let us not be coy D'Teyn, and let me make something clear to you right now. You came here to accuse me, your Empress, of weakness. You think that my isolation these long months has left us vulnerable, and you are here to see that vulnerability for yourself. You want to accuse me of ineptitude, and overthrow me. Am I getting close?"

Despite her apparent physical condition, her voice grew louder as she spoke. Angry and dangerous. And it worked, for a moment D'Teyn's resolve was shaken.

"No Empress," she said, now lowering shelf to her knees. "But the Kehrahni...it is unthinkable, but they have betrayed you. They have declared independence. They are courting our enemies, who circle like wolves..."

"I know this," Jennifer Thrall snapped. "Do you think I am blind here in this chamber? Has Jacqueline not already condemned the traitors?"

D'Teyn stared hard at a particular spot on the floor to her right, anger welling up within her. How dare this woman, who had abandoned them, sit there and lecture her?! But now was not the time to react. That time would come soon enough.

"Well? Have you nothing to say for yourself?"

D'Teyn steadied her voice.

"The other Matriarchs and I," she said through clenched teeth, "merely wish to know how we are to respond to the Kehrahni. We cannot deploy the Army without your orders, Your Ascendency."

The Empress leered at her, contempt in her voice. "The same army whose officer corps was almost exclusively trained in Kehrahn? Whose headquarters is in Kehrahn? Whose ranks are filled with Kehrahnii? Perhaps it was a mistake to appoint a Nadirii royal to your position Matriarch. You clearly do not comprehend the magnitude of this disaster."

D'Teyn snapped. She whipped her head around to look directly into the young empress's eyes, a direct challenge, fury on her lips.

"HOW DARE-"

She paused. The old Shrailleeni woman was now standing next to the bed. A pistol was held in her hand, an impassive look on her face. For being so elderly, D'Teyn noticed that the gun was not wavering, and was aimed at her heart.

For a few seconds she thought that she was dead, and waited for the old woman to pull the trigger. Instead, a gleam of triumph came to the empress's eyes, and sneer on her lips.

"How dare I what D'Teyn? Rule this nation?"

D'Teyn dared not respond.

"Here is what is going to happen," Jennifer Thrall practically purred, "you are going to leave, and you are going to mobilize the army. I want every available unit not already on the border of New Edom or Kurungarra to head south, and surround Kehrahn. No more raids, no more tolerance for traitorous units. I want the Airforce to establish total control over our skies, not a single Kehrahnii plane enters our airspace without being shot down, and I want our fleet in Magna Lacuna to prepare a blockade operation of the Kyrrn coastline and especially Durahn."

"You...do not want to attack the rebels?" D'Teyn asked, finding her voice again. "With all due respect Matriarch Empress, I must advise that we crush the rebellion now before they have time to find any more foreign support."

"Oh that will come in time. First you will do as I say and make the preparations. I want the Army, Navy, and Airforce mobilized and ready for action."

D'Teyn found herself uncertain of where to go from here. She had come to make an ultimatum, and had not expected to actually receive orders. It doesn't matter, she thought to herself. One way or another, she won't be Empress for long.

"It will be done, Matriarch Empress," she responded coolly.

"Good," Jennifer said with a small smile. D'Teyn rose as if to leave, but the Matriarch Empress spoke again. "And now, if you wish the honor of carrying out my commands, you will apologize to me for your treasonous tone."

D'Teyn turned back, and saw the Matriarch Empress's hand trail along her belly to her hip. Her lips thinned, and a bitterness rose in her gullet. Her eyes moved from the empress to the old Shrailleeni woman. Impassive as ever. Gun still trained.

There was no other way out.

The doors to the chamber closed, and by the time that Vellda turned back around Jennifer Thrall was easing back into her bed. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was weak. The Shrailleeni woman looked at her vitals, and saw that they were weakened from the ordeal of the meeting. There was concern in the old woman's eyes.

"I do believe..." the Matriarch Empress said, her voice weak and nearly a whisper, "...that woman intends to have me killed."

"You should not have done that," Vellda chided her lightly, straightening out the young woman's rustled robe and sheets. "You need to conserve your strength."

"I have been conserving my strength, and look where that has brought me," Jennifer hissed. Then she began to fret on the same old line to which Vellda was accustomed. The old woman listened patiently as the rant began. "I hate this. I hate being so weak. What right does a weak woman have to rule Deadora? I should have ended this pregnancy when I had the chance. I could still end it. And then I could make them all pay..." A hand absently caressed her stomach.

"Now we've been over this," the Shrailleeni midwife consoled her. "The heir is strong within you, she will be a fine and healthy ruler. You asked for Her Enlightened Majesty's assistance just in time, your mother's intuition was correct. You will not be weak forever. The time draws near."

"Not near enough," Jennifer whispered. Then, slightly stronger. "Crowd. Where is Crowd?"

Vellda rose to her feet, and exited the room through a door which led to an adjoining chamber. After a few minutes, she returned in the company of a tall Deadoran man, the empire's first male officer, and the Empress's consort. He had a grim expression on his face, but he bore his neck without hesitation. The two said nothing to each other, but the empress's demeanor relaxed noticeably when he entered.

"Damn the Kehrani," she now said. "Damn them. Couldn't they wait for just a few more weeks?"

"It is terrible timing," Vellda agreed. "But all is not lost. Aedora is loyal to you Your Ascendancy, we have made sure of that. And our sources indicate that most of the army remains loyal to you as well, they remember the hero who pacified New Creedtown. Surely Kehrahn will not forget that you are its most celebrated daughter?"

"Not a true daughter," Jennifer mused darkly. "I am still Nadirii. That might be all that matters to this upstart Queen and her criminal backers. The Black Sand have their hands in this, mark my words. Damn them."

She closed her eyes.

"What do we know about the Military Headquarters? Have they surrendered to the Kehrahni?"

"We are not sure Matriarch Empress. It is all still very recent."

Kehrahn was more than a small Deadoran province, it was and had been for many years the heart of the Deadoran military. The city of Kehrahn was a capital that rivaled Bryn Tegna, and in many ways the two provinces mirrored one another. The mountainous Nadhiri province of Ordetia housed the ancient homes of the powerful Deadoran nobility, while the flatlands of Kehrahn was home to the might of the military. Jennifer's mother had been a backer of the nobles during her rule, but Jennifer's heart had alway lain with Kehrahn and the military academy there. She had always counted Kehrahni among her most trusted advisors, and still had strong ties to the military that she so favored. At least, until now.

Seeing her contemplations, Vellda spoke to reassure her.

"Do not forget who the true enemy is Your Ascendency. Ever since you came with child, the nobles have been plotting to overthrow you and return to the days of your mother with Jacqueline as their puppet. They have taken every advantage of your condition, usurped every power. They now rule as petty despots with no one to control them. They have led your empire to ruin. It is not your fault."

"It is my fault," Jennifer said, her voice stronger with anger, "if I am too weak to stop them."

Suddenly everything seemed clear to her, and sat upright once again. The Shrailleeni elder moved to stop her, worried for her health, but she brushed the woman off.

"D'Teyn is right. The time has come for action. We need to put the plan into motion now, today, before my enemies can move against me."

Vellda's eyes widened. "No Matriarch Empress, you are in no condition to travel. You need to rest or we risk losing you and the heir!"

"And if I remain here D'Teyn and her faction will have me killed, and we will lose myself and the heir anyway. Crowd, do it."

The man nodded once, and left the chamber. Jennifer sat back again, her eyes blazing with purpose.

"I will make Jada bear her neck to me," she whispered. "I will make them all bear their necks." She glanced sideways at the Shrailleeni woman, who was looking at some of the monitors that filled the room. Typing. Writing a message. Jennifer's eyes narrowed. Yes, they would all bear their necks in time.

by **Kehrahn** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 1:03 pm

To: Senator Jack Portland, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From:Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Recogntion
Encryption: Moderate

Dear Senator,

We greatly appreciate your government's overtures and discussion of possible trade and diplomatic relations.

Our country is new, and as such we have many decisions to make. Equality is a tricky matter. Most nations in the world err on the side of favouring men or women to some degree. It may interest you to know that there are more Kehrahni men in profitable jobs and men who hold military commissions than in other parts of our country. We would be willing to discuss how this works with you and other members of your government.

Your resources would be welcomed in trade here. We would be glad to discuss the details off trade further.

sincerely,
Adina Olonna
Matriarch of Foreign Affairs

by **West Phoenicia** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:23 pm

Antebellum Territory; West Phoenicia

Winter Palace:

Christmas in West Phoenicia always found the royal family spending time at the Winter Palace.
It's location was in the city-state of Antebellum Territory. The defacto seat of government if anything was to happen to the main capital city Melbourne-Haven located in the city-state of Jackson.
Christmas was a well respected tradition by all and as such instead of just one day; Christmas lasted for 7 days.
Each city-state worked hard to outdo each other transforming themselves into a winter wonderland of Christmas or Yule Trees, tinsel of all colours of the rainbow, silver bells, ribbons, glittery baubles and candy canes.
The Winter Palace was no exception, there were no less than 100 Christmas trees, shades of green, white and even a pink Christmas tree in the nursery of the youngest children of King Glenton Gryphon-Bush II Philometor Philopator.

Being a multi faith nation the month of December was full of holiday cheer. While members of the True Path celebrated Christmas to its full extent, many of the Pagan majority city-states celebrated Yuletide. Households would burn yule logs while decorating their homes in evergreen wreaths & boughs, mistletoe, holly, and ivy. Many would write yule poems reading them in the forest as they paid homage to the solstice sun by lighting candles and meditating followed by huge feasts.
Saturnalia was another celebration period in a handful of the nations city-states usually starting around the 17th of December; the priests dedicated to Jupiter would open the festival with a public sacrifice and feast while followers would exchange presents and sweets followed by a continuous party of booze , gambling and partying that would last to Christmas Eve.
West Phoenicia loved to celebrate to many in the world it came across as over indulgent but thats how the people were.

Each night the palace came alive starting with the 12 course meal prepared by an army of royal cooks for the royal family, the extended family, close friends and invited guests ranging from politicans, movie stars, members of the aristocracy and upper class members of the religious clergy of all the different faiths of West Phoenicia.
After the banquet a night of dancing or sleigh rides in the snow followed by ice skating had been planned.

The seven day Christmas Holidays was usually a time for the king to unwind with his family. His two wives Angelique and Alotta and his 11 children.
By this time next year a new wife would be added to the mix; he was working on a political alliance with The Kingdom of Widemeadow Isles in exchange for West Phoenicia stepping in to protect them from the aggression of the Kingdom of Rhodes, the king of Widemeadow Isles would marry off his eldest daughter to the king of West Phoenicia.

King Glenton Gryphon-Bush II was speaking in hushed tones on his mobile phone. His first wife and head Queen Angelique sat by a roaring fire working on her needlepoint while Lotus one of her ladies in waiting roasted chestnuts by the fire for the royal couple.

The king's other wife sat flipping through a fashion magazine as she sipped a glass of brandy.

“Thank you Jack. Just so I have this straight. This new nation Kehrahn has separated from the Empire of Deadora and has installed some queen by the name of Jada.”

“Deadora? The nation that is run mainly by women. what a world that would be,” Queen Alotta said sipping her brandy and let out a light laugh.
Queen Alotta definitely had designs for the throne. While it was a feather in her cap to be co-queen she knew she would have been a better ruler than her husband. If anything would happen to her husband Queen Angelique’s children were in line for the throne next, followed by her own children. For years she had been working on ways to get her husband to push her children ahead in the line of succession. As long as they were still under age she would reign as Regent Queen, than simply not hand the throne over. She knew she deserved it more. Unfortunately her husband was healthy as a horse. Looking back at over 300 years of her husband's family rule that included brother-sister marriages, patricides, matricides, and sibling rivalry that had siblings murder each other for the throne, she had not ruled that out.. She secretly applauded nations like Kehrahn and Deadora who knew how a country should be run. She shrugged at her pipedream and returned to her magazine.

“The newly independence of a nation is a precious time,” the king said. “They can either bloom or fail. For us to assist would be great PR especially after the Hoosier Alliance debacle. How I could not tell what a phony that President was. But at least our Airforce got some experience bombing the hell out of rebel strongholds in the Hoosier Alliance.
Get Senator Casey Chaps to draw up a trade deal with Kehrahn. in our favour of course. Arrange for our Intelligence bureau to investigate, ensure we are backing the right horse.
Let Queen Jada know, due to Christmas our senate is on holidays but in the spirit of Christmas that I have blessed the issue. West Phoenicia officially recognizes the Independence of Kehrahn and Queen Jada as the rightful Queen that West Phoenicia is a friend to the nation of Kehrahn.
Call Prime minister Jimmy Bain to make him aware.
As a token gesture of kindness and friendship on their part a financial thank you really needs to be in order.
I would also like an invitation to visit the nation and speak with Queen Jada, so if there is anything they can offer and what assistance we can be. Goodbye Jack.”

To: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
From: Senator Jack Portland, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Recogntion
Encryption: Moderate

Greetings,

It brings me great joy to annouce King Glenton Gryphon-Bush II Philometor Philopator the benevolent king and divine ruler of the Confederate Kingdom of West Phoenicia has blessed the proposal of West Phoenicia recognising Kehrahn right to independence and Queen Jada as its rightful queen.
As a token of goodwill during this festive time in West Phoenicia the king has foregone the Congress vote and as a gift has blessed the recognition and your nations right to exist in exchange for a financial blessing to West Phoenician charities

The King will have his Trades Minister, Senator Casey Chaps contact your Trades minister to work out a lucrative trade deal for both nations.

As a token of goodwill King Glenton Gryphon-Bush II Philometor Philopator who sings the praises of Queen Jada wishes to arrange a visit so the two heads of states can talk of various matters of importance between both lands to build bridges and eternal friendship between West Phoenicia and Kehrahn.

Formally,

Senator Jack Portland

Minister of Foreign Affairs

by **Kehrahn** » Fri Dec 29, 2017 6:30 pm

Kehrahn

Princess Aurelia lounged on her couch, feeling rather well satisfied with herself. Her propaganda machine, really just a matter of using that of the psychological warfare division of the Army HQ, was the carrot to her sister's stick, and her mother had praised her as she knelt to bare her neck to give her report. Her mother tended to worry a lot about what might happen, she privately knew, but she hid it well. Things were going great.

She wore a purple and green bustier and matching short skirt, high gloss black ankle boots, and wrist braces bearing her rank insignia. The skirt was however around curvaceous hips while one of her aides showed her devotion down below. The young woman had needed a little persuading, as the bruises glowing on her cheek and the finger prints on her neck showed, but was by now eagerly buried in her task. Mother's Rage, she was bloody good at it too, real enthusiastic, using little tricks she had no doubt learned at the Academy on those lonely hot nights...

The door opened--which started her as it was locked, but then two Royal Guards stepped in and stood on either side of the door and her mother, in a pale gown swishing around her high boots and muscular bare thighs came in, waving a flimsy at her.

"Oh...shit...Mother..." gasped Aurelia, grabbing at the hair of the aide.

"Celebrating, are we?" laughed Jada. "You always were hot blooded. Wait outside," she told the aide. The aide bared her neck with awe and scuttled out, stealing a glance of yearning admiration at her queen. Aurelia stretched languidly as she lowered her skirt, also baring her neck.

Jada regarded her younger daughter with the affection she could barely conceal. "My sweetheart, you fulfill all my tasks! But I have an onerous one for you now. With possible war between us and the Empire looming, I must not dare to leave the capital. Why I would be out on my ass in a week, if I was lucky! And I need Vanessa running Internal Security."

Aurelia frowned. "But...am I not equally vital, Mother?"

Jada said, "Yes, the difference is that you can run your Matriarchate from a plane if you have to, Vanessa can't. It must be someone of the Blood of Queens of Aiadi that goes to West Phonencia, to represent me." Jada waited for that to sink in.

"Wait, West Phonencia, isn't that that place where they have harems?" exclaimed Aurelia. "That disgusting patriarchy where they have seven days of ridiculous celebrations of the man-god Christmos?" Aurelia exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. "Why there?"

Jada stared at her. "Because Mother wishes it."

Aurelia dropped her eyes. "Mother. I am not questioning your rule."

Jada smiled. "No, sweet. I want you to go because you are my eyes and ears most of all, and because they are offering us a great deal of aide. You are better at lying. You were always such a bad girl, getting your sisters and your brothers into trouble so easily, blaming them for your own naughtiness. And now you've grown up and you can talk any woman to her knees and make men smile as you show them their place. Honey wouldn't melt between your legs!" she sat down beside her and stroked her dark hair. "And we have a crisis looming. Intelligence reports have come to Vanessa and thus to me that the Imperial War Matriarch has been ordering a large scale mobilization. Those raids are going to be crucial. I have to manage it, and I'm on the way now. You have a briefing on West Phonencia to review before you depart. A plane is being fueled, and I want you on it. Now: one more thing: if there is any threat to your return..." she took a deep breath. "You are not to go to any Shrailleeni territory. I smell their jungle stink in our troubles, somewhere. Remember how they did their best to control everything about Dengali? They are crafty, those folk. They are true matriarchy, but different, they do not share our aims. They no doubt want a strong Deadora under their thumb. So, sweetest, you run to Adiron, Novitera, Ghant if you must. For the Mother's sake, don't let the Empire, the Shrailleeni, or the Edomites and their lackeys get you."

"I'll die first," said Aurelia grimly. The two embraced.

As Queen Jada left, she pushed the part of her that grieved to send her favourite daughter away in this manner, but she knew in many ways it was right. She must not trust anyone fully either, not even Aurelia...let her prove herself further. And...if worst came to worst...Aurelia would fight on, be a source of inspiration to fight for for their House if they were ever cut off or so embattled she could not easily return.

To: Senator Jack Portland, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Adina Olonna, Matriarch of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Recogntion
Encryption: Moderate

Dear Senator,

We are greatly honoured by the declared intent of your country to support ours in our pursuit of independence.

Unfortunately, we are trying to deal with a potential military confrontation with the Empire of Deadora right now. We are not yet certain how committed the fractured Feminist Empire is, and so we must be cautious about how we handle the matter. I am sure your King will understand if I am not able to attend.

However, I am going to send my second daughter, who is also Information Matriarch, as my direct representative, who will be in regular contact with me, as my representative. Along with her will be our Trade Matriarch and other senior officials who will be glad to meet with yours.

I hope this will be satisfactory. As your people say, "Merry Christmas."

sincerely,
Adina Olonna
Matriarch of Foreign Affairs

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