Winds of Change ~ IC

by **Shalum** » Sat Feb 03, 2018 5:16 pm

Saint Gall Technical College

The lean man, who had a good bit of height over her, blinked once in surprise as she sneezed. With bright afternoon light coming in through the uncovered windows, it was all too easy to watch the particulants and spittle hang in the air for a brief moment. He was rather tempted to take a step back, but the last thing he wanted to do was come across as rude. Instead, he settled on holding his breath for a small moment. Joshua would have never considered himself to be a germaphobe, but his luck had always been terrible when it came to getting sick. At least the island hadn’t been hit nearly as hard as his homeland was when it came to influenza.

Rolling a shoulder, the backpack on his shoulder slid off gracefully and thumped quietly as it settled on the surface. He set his notebook down as well, but paid it little mind as he tugged a metal water bottle out from the webbing on the right side. “Joshua Schaeffer,” he replied as he unscrewed the top, “I was an infantry officer in the Imperial army that was cross-trained in using drones against insurgent forces in urban environments.” It was probably a fair bit more information than she needed to know, but if Ruth couldn’t even remember his name, than his meager accreditations were out the window as well.

Digging his laptop out of his bag next, he opened it up and powered it on. “I’ve never been a big math wiz, you know, but I’ve always been pretty good with building these things. In my experience, piloting them is a lot like driving a car. It takes practice to use them, especially if we’re looking to do something like haul cargo. That will certainly affect control.” At least he didn’t have to worry about strapping a forty-millimeter grenade to their newest project, unless they were going to practice being guerrilla troops too. “If it helps, I’ve got the formulas we used for our Switchblade drones back in the army, and a program that could be used to calculate flight paths…”

While he was eager, math had always made him the weakest link. He had always enjoyed things like chemistry and biology, but physics (which would been damn important here) was something he’d never really clicked with. Hopefully it was something that Ruth wouldn’t mind. Teams played to each other’s strengths, rather than weaknesses, after all.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:14 pm

Republic of Urat
1st Infantry Division
HQ, Border Post 7

Major General Cassidy Turner was the Uratic Army's first female General officer, one of President Thorne's early victories in her campaign for women's equality, she had played dirty to get Turner in her position too, the Army was refused further funding to accompany its expansion until they allowed women to hold commissions. Major General Turner's position was even more amazing being that it was as commanding officer of Urat's oldest unit, the First Division, officially named the First Infantry Division and nicknamed 'Goldenboys' for the shiny brass buttons on their uniforms and the golden number one on their unit insignia. The First had fought their way through a dozen small wars and incidents since their formation in 1821 and despite their long and fabled list of battle honours they had only once faced their Vionna-Frankenlischian opponents in combat. The previous instance, a battle in the Second Balonic-Imperial War, was technically a Uratic victory but the division was never truly the same. 62% of the unit's officers had been killed or permanently put out of action and just over a quarter of the enlisted men were killed in gruelling pre-20th-century open warfare.

Cassidy Turner had finally received her final draft of young conscripts, fresh from mobilisation and only had twenty-four hours to whip them into fighting shape and make sure they were equipped, fed and rested for the inevitable fighting ahead. All told, the First Division had almost 20,000 men available to it including combat troops, service and support units along with disorganised reserves. Eight battalions of regular Infantry armed with Urat's main service rifle, the MA-15, most of which were imported from Balion with some being produced under licence in Urat, a variety of other weapons including the M1919 and M1948 Machine Guns were also at the disposal of the Uratic regulars. Along with these were two battalions of Rifle Infantry and six of Reserve Infantry, both received the same uniforms and level of training but the men of the Rifle Infantry battalions received the Galante Rifle and the Reserves received a mishmash variation of old service rifles such as the Malducian 1892 Infantry Service Rifle or the Balonic Springford Rifle.

Accompanying their infantry counterparts was an artillery battalion, a semi-mechanised reconnaissance battalion, a supply battalion and a small cluster of other supporting units such as medical and engineer units. The Uratic Infantry Division was designed as a basic unit, meant to rely on their own support units only if other units more suited to the task were not available, sixteen Infantry Divisions made up the Uratic Army for a total of 276,000 men, many of which were reserves only just mobilised and there would be fresh conscripts to fill their places but a solid core of career soldiers and officer meant that the units had some experience that could be passed down to the new blood.

The word had arrived only an hour ago that the invasion was to begin the next afternoon and as the sun began to set on the island of Saint Gall, Major General Turner began to feel a strange kind of euphoria. Like everything she had trained and studied for, everything she had worked towards over her military career was finally coming to pass. She had known for a long time that a climactic battle would one day occur with the neighbouring Colony, the patriot inside her yearned for her country to come out victorious, the soldier inside her wished only to come out alive. The seventeen thousand men under her command were a mixture of green boys and hardened career soldiers, it mattered not, neither were in a fit state to fight, many would die and many more would be wounded or would go missing in some circumstance but Major General Turner was sure they would fight anyway, they'd do most anything for their nation. She just hoped that anything had its limits.

by **New Edom** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:02 pm

Saint Gall Technical College

Gabriel had to smirk to himself. He had noticed a few young men flirting with Ruth from time to time, though she always either gave them the cold shoulder or acted mystified. Did they not know she was low born and weird? Hardly anyone but some hard up peasant or colonial would bother with someone like her. He bore the girl no real ill will; he just knew that the Shalumite was probably not thinking clearly or was ignorant. Not his business. And she would not get her stupid tilt-rotor; they had to do something for this project that would wow the profs.

"What I'm proposing essentially is this," he finally said. "So I hope that my fellow students will agree, this is very doable, very possible, and we can put it into effect. It is simply a matter of making her smaller..."

Ruth brushed some of her dark hair away from her forehead after cleaning her nose with a tissue. "Um. Yes. Soldier, army, got it, got it, you were a drone pilot, or just what? Let me look..." she took a look at what he was offering, and said awkwardly, "Do you mind, uh, the numbers, run through them, yes?" she felt like the local language just didn't let her express herself. Damn Gabriel, she could see him looking down his Baran nose at her. When he had come to the coffee shop the other day she had called him Your Honour without thinking. Mr. Know-it-all.

Fortunately it was time for a break. "Well..." she managed a smile. "Thank you. Joshua."

"Good Baran sounding name, that is," said Gabriel butting in. "Joshua, you know me, I'm Gabriel, shall we dispense with the idea of the tilt-rotor and go with my design?"

"I'm going for my break..." offered Ruth, heading out. Her dress softly moved around her body as she shrugged on her backpack, then she was hurrying out the door.

by **Noordeinde** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:14 pm

City of the Hague, the United States of Noordeinde

After Secretary McCord had left the President's Office she walked down the stairs to the lobby and immediatley returned to her waiting motorcade. She stepped into the waiting limousine and the door was closed behind her. A few seconds later the motorcade left the premises of President's Hall with lights and sirens on. About fiftheen minutes later she arrived back at the State Department where her Senior staff members had returned to their office because of this emergency situation. The motorcade stopped in front of the entrance and Elizabeth stepped out of her car and walked into the lobby of the State Department. She took the 8th floor where she was met by her senior staffmembers on the hallway. Together they walked into the Secretary's Meeting Room. "I'm sorry that all of you had to get back to the Office in the middle of the night." Elizabeth started the meeting with: "it seems that we are going to have a bussy night. In a couple of hours we will fly to St. Gall."

Once all were seated along the table Elizabeth explained the situation on the island. They just had a couple of hours to prepare for this emergency visit. In the meanwhile, on St. Gall, Consul General van Amstel had arrived at Government House. He stepped out of his car and was escorted into the building by his own security detail. In his hand an envelope with inside a copy of a personal message by the President of the United States to Sir MacAllen. In this letter the President informed His Majesty's Representative that Secretary of State Elizabeth was due to arrive next morning to mediate between the two parties and that he hoped that the Secretary's visit to St. Gall would buy them some time to figure out the situation without a shot having been fired. He furthermore reassured Sir MacAllen that the island as well as the entire Kingdom enjoyed the support of the United States and, if neccesary, military support could be given.

State Department of the United States of Noordeinde, City of The Hague

Meanwhile, back at the State Department, things went fast. All of a sudden the President called Secretary McCord from the situation room at President's Hall. "Bess are you there?" He asked. "It seems that we have a really serious situation on our hands which could possibly escalate very quickly." McCord listened carefully as the President continued: "I'm here with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Council and the Secretary of Defense. We now have live satellite images which confirm that Urat is mobilizing its military along the border with the Colony of St. Gall. We see a lot of troop movements and also our intelligence agencies confirm that they have picked up chatter among government and military officials about a possible attack."

"In that case I better hurry up" McCord replied: "As I said before, sir, we might have an opportunity to buy some time here and prevent this conflict from escalating in a armed military conflict." - "In that case, Bess, I'm advised by everyone here in the situation room to have you covered by one of our Carrier Groups of the U.S. Navy. They will be ordered to reroute to St. Gall as they are passing by now after military exercises." President Hoekstra replied as he put his thumbs up to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense. They immediatley went to work to make sure that Secretary McCord could safely visit St. Gall.

"Yes sir, that will be fine. Thank you." Secretary McCord replied. She paused for a moment to take in what is about to happen. As a former analyst with the Noordeindean Central Intelligence Bureau she has been in conflict areas before but never had she expected to possibly go into another conflict which was about to escalate in an armed military conflict between two states. With her stuck in the middle. "Sir, let's go public with this." McCord said and she continued: "Sir, let me organize an emergency press briefing at the State Department. This could be breaking news. Let's wake up all the journalists in town." - "What is your strategy here, Bess?" President Hoekstra asked.

"Sir, by having this emergency press conference we can possibly buy some time and prevent this conflict from escalating into a war." She replied to President Hoekstra. She went on to explain: "Sir, we will be breaking news on both national and international channels. I'm quite sure that if they hear in Urat about me visiting St. Gall they will not attack during my stay there. I can wake up the international community if we also go public with the information you just gave me from our satellites and intelligence. No one wants another war. This would not only have consequences for these two countries but it can destabalize the entire region around."

"I also think I can send a clear message to the government of Urath and in diplomatic terms also tell them at this press conference that we have a Carrier Group close-by which is there on so called 'military exercises'. They will probably understand that it will have consequences for them to attack St. Gall while I am there. And beside that I'll let them know that after visiting St. Gall I'll be coming to them for a serious conversation."

"And at last, sir.." McCord continued: "And since I will also announce that I'll be visiting them too, they will make a fool out of themselves if they deny me entry and instead start a war. They will be the laughingstock of the world, while I can imagine that they want to be taken seriously in this conflict. In that case they have no other option but to talk." President Hoekstra acknowledged what McCord had just said: "In that case, Bess, you have my permission. Safe travels, stay stafe and keep me updated. Good luck there!" he replied and they hung up the phone. Meanwhile her staff had prepared talking points for the Press conference as well as for their trip to St. Gall.

Press Briefing Room -State Department of the United States of Noordeinde, City of The Hague

About 45 minutes later most State Department correspondents and other journalist had assembled in the press briefing room. About an hour ago most of them were called out of bed and returned to their press offices at the State Department. Daisy, McCords's Press Secretary started the press conference by announcing her boss. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry that we called you in, especially in the middle of the night. But I would not do that if I did not have something very important to share with you." McCord said. She paused for a moment, glared into the room and continued: "Ladies and Gentlemen, just a few hours ago the United States government has been informed through diplomatic channels that a conflict between two countries, the Republic of Urat and the Vionna - Franckenlisch's Colony of St. Gall, is about to escalate into a full, armed, military conflict. Live satellite pictures of our military satellites and our intelligence sources confirm that the Republic of Urat is currently mobilizing it's military troops along the border with St. Gall and is thus forming a real threat to the stability of the island."

Secretary McCord continued by informing the press about the current state of affairs. Thereafter she announced that she was about to visit St. Gall, the Republic of Urat and the United Kingdom of Vionna - Frankenlisch. "After this Press Conference I will immediatley depart for The Hague Airforce Base, where my plane to St. Gall will be waiting. It is my purpose to mediate between the two parties and to prevent this conflict from escalating into a war. In Saint Gall I will therefore have talks with the island's government authorities. Thereafter I am also intending to visit the President of Urat for official talks. And last but not least I will thereafter visit His Majesty the King in Vionna-Frankenlisch. We need to get all parties around the table and de-escalate this conflict before it is too late and broker a peace deal that benefits all.

Elizabeth paused for another moment and looked at the reporters who were becomming wild: "Before I take you're questions, let me add one more thing. The United States of Noordeinde will not accept any breach of international law and national sovereignity. Therefore, at this moment, the Fifth Carrier Strike Group of the U.S. Navy has been rerouted to St. Gall after orders of President Hoekstra." One after one she named the names of the eight vessels which are part of the Fifth Carrier Strike Group and of which class and type they were. "These eight vessels will be rerouted towards St. Gall and continue they're military exercises in international waters. Now I will take some of your questions." The briefing room went wild as reporters fired questions at Secretary McCord.

After answering a number of questions and thanking the reporters she left the room. Immediatley Elizabeth's Chief of Staff informed her that the announcement was breaking news on national and international news channels and websites. Moments later the Secretary and her staff took the elevator down and stepped into the waiting cars of her motorcade that would bring them to the airforce base. Once everyone was seated the lights and sirens went on and the cars started moving. In the meanwhile several Airforce Boeing C17 Military transport aircraft had already taken off with onboard several armored suv's which the secretary could safely use whill being in St. Gall. As well as a large security detail of special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service and a detachment of armed Marine Security Guards.

The Hague Airforce Base, The United States of Noordeinde

About twenty minutes later the motorcade arrived on the platform of the Airforce Base. The cars parked next to the waiting aircraft which engines were already running stationary. Elizabeth stepped out of the car and made one more phonecall to her husband Henry before boarding the plane. In the meantime her staff and the reporters, which had just attended the press conference, had already boarded the aircraft. Elizabeth finished her phonecall and walked up the stairs and into the aircraft. Another 15 minutes went by and the plane took-off from the airbase. They we're due to arrive six, maybe seven, hours later, at around 9/10AM in the morning.

Onboard Elizabeth and her staff continued with their preparations for the next day. However, since it was quite a long flight she also had some time to get some rest and sleep before all other meetings the next day.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:30 pm

Republic of Urat
City of Coniston
Presidential House

"They intend to make fools of us!" President Thorne declared, slamming her balled fists down on the dark oak table, General Yates recoiled and Minister Keene coughed weakly. "Minister Anderson, has the news of the Noordeindean visit gone public yet?"

"Not as far as we know, Ma'am..." Jimmy Anderson, the Uratic Foreign Affairs Minister replied. "We don't even officially know yet, it's only thanks to Randy Mackson's technical prowess that we managed to find out this early."

Minister Keene added, "They also appear to have a Carrier Group in the area. Five major combat vessels as we can tell. A large flattop and several support vessels, Destroyers, probably. If they changed course towards Sandiford and the Naval Base there then they could be there by... Well. Just about by the scheduled invasion time."

"How many men do we have on the border?" Thorne asked.

"About two-hundred thousand of my boys along with artillery, tanks and all kind of boomsticks and fancy-pants technology." General Yates said from behind his slowly shortening cigar, "The Navy has twelve Destroyers, a couple of minesweepers and some of them smaller ones ready to move. And the RNV Coniston, complete with her full set of planes. The Air Force has 410 planes and helos ready to go too." He added, reading off a sheet of paper.

"Launch the invasion."

Every head turned towards President Katherine Thorne in an array of countenances that betrayed all manner of emotions. Fear, shock, confusion and excitement were just a few of these. "Ms President..." Minister Damien Keene said, choosing his words carefully, "With all due respect, ma'am... That isn't particularly... Prudent."

"Errr, yeah..." General Yates added, "I don't know if we're prepared for that."

"I was briefed a little before this meeting," President Thorne replied, "We outnumber the Imperial forces by twenty to one, do we not?"

"Yes, ma'am..." The reply came.

"They have five vessels and thirty aircraft."

"Yes ma'am."

"I am not letting Noordeinde make a fool out of us, that woman is on her way to St Gall. Soon enough, we'll know about it officially. I'm not backing down, I'm not negotiating. Minister Keene, General Yates, Launch the invasion."

by **Noordeinde** » Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:31 am

International airspace - About 150 Miles out of St. Gall

After about three hours of sleep Elizabeth woke up at 7:15 AM. She refreshed herself in her personal cabin onboard of the plane and got dressed. At around 7:45 AM she and her staff got back to work for the final preperations of this first leg of their trip. Only moments later the Lt. Colonel who was captain of this flight announced that due to good weather conditions and a jetstream from behind that they would be landing earlier as planned, somewhere between 8:15AM and 8:30AM. Furthermore the Lt. Colonel informed everyone that within a couple of minutes the plane would be intercepted by three U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets of the USN New-Amsterdam. Due to the rising tensions between Urat and St. Gall these fighterjets would escort the Secretary's Airforce Jet to St. Gall International Airport.

This was also the signal for Press Secretary Daisy to go to the back of the plane where the press corps was seated. She was joined by the Special-Agent in charge of the Secretary's Security detail. Together they would give a security briefing to the members of the press corps which had decided to join them on this trip. But since this was no normal trip, which is usually prepared months ahead, all of them had to get a proper briefing about the security situation on the ground. Vans had been arranged for the journalists in order to travel along in the secretary's motorcade and for their own safety reporters had to follow instructions by U.S. security personnel.

About two or three minutes later the Airforce jet carrying the Secretary of State was intercepted by the U.S. Navy fighterjets from the USN New-Amsterdam. Elizabeth looked outside of her window when one of the F/A 18F Super Hornets intercepted them and then flew close next to her own aircraft, just above the wing. it was magnificent to look at. Getting closer to St. Gall Secretary McCord called President's Hall again for a final update of the situation before they would land.

From inside the situation room the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security council and the Secretary of Defense had been working the entire night to monitor the situation on the ground and to make sure that Elizabeth could safely visit St. Gall. This morning President Hoekstra joined them in the situation room when Elizabeth called. At this moment the situation looked as if it was stable enough to visit. Through the night troops were seen moving along the border by satellites but it seemed like the border was still intact at that moment.

St. Gall International Airport

About two hours before the Secretary of State would arrive, several U.S. Airforce Boeing C17 Globemasters had already landed at the airport. They had unloaded Secretary McCord's armored vehicles and all security personnel of the Diplomatic Security Service and the Detachment of Marine Security Guards had been armed and were on duty. They had secured the platform at the airport where the plane would be parked and now it was just a matter of waiting untill Secretary McCord would arrive. Not much later U.S. Consul-General to St. Gall, van Amstel, also arrived at the airport as he would officially welcome her to St. Gall after she had landed.

Around 8:20AM the Secretary of State her plane was on final approach to the runway, being escorted by F/A 18F Superhornets of the U.S. Navy next to both wings. As the Secretary her plane landed the fighterjets passed by in the sky, climbed up again and returned to the USN New-Amsterdam. The plane taxied to the secured airport platform and the motorcade drove up to the plane and eventually they parked next to eachother. An agent with the Diplomatic Security Service unfolded the Noordeindean and Diplomatic flags, which carried the seal of the U.S. Government, on the bonnet of the waiting suv. Usually this was only done for ceremonial purposes. This time these flags were also put on the cars for a more serious reason. In case something would happen these flags on the car might be their only protection as it would identify them as U.S. government vehicles.

Moments later the stairs were placed near the hull of the plane and another few minutes later Secretary McCord disembarked from the aircraft. Down the stairs she was greeted by Consul-General van Amstel: "Good morning ma'am. I had wished that we could have met under different, better circumstances" he said. She shook his hand: "I would have wished the same Louis. However it is great to see you. But how are you and how are things going here?" she asked. Thereafter she introduced her staffmembers who accompanied her on this trip: "I believe you know my Chief of Staff; Nadine, my Press Secretary; Daisy, my speechwriter; Matt, my senior policy advisor; Jay and my personal assistant; Blake." One after one van Amstel shook their hands.

Thereafter McCord and van Amstel walked to the waiting motorcade togeter with Chief of Staff Nadine Tolliver and stepped into the car. A short moment went by and the motorcade started moving and a minute later they drove through the aiport gates and onto the public road. Luckelly the Consulate had been able to make arangements through the morning and night for a police escort to and from Government House as well as for other safety measures during the Secretary's visit. Driving with lights and sirens on they hoped to reach Government House around 9:00AM in order to meet with Sir MacAllen.

by **Shalum** » Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:08 pm

Saint Gall Technical College

“I flew drones, yes.” He confirmed with a little nod as he scratched at his chin for a moment. Joshua had been too lazy to shave before he set out for class earlier in the morning, and the beginnings of a beard were beginning to take shape. “Though not the big ones like the airforce has. Mine could fit in a backpack, and were supposed to be assembled while in combat. I had a launcher and...a bunch of other stuff that I used.” He added with a little shrug, figuring that she didn’t want to be bored with the details. It had been an exciting line of work, but trading hot days in the sun for cool ones in a classroom was perfectly fine by him.

Looking from her pretty face back to his computer screen, the Shalumite bobbed his head once. “I would be happy to.” He replied, smiling softly as he took hold of his wireless mouse and began to open up a few programs and other tabs. Given that math had always been his most difficult subject, it had taken him a while to learn all of this, but he had grown to be rather proficient with the system - even if he had to double, and sometimes triple, check his work. “Maybe that would give us a good start, eh?”

He was awfully tempted to ask her for her number, or perhaps even her email address. There weren’t many classes that they shared, and this was the only one where they were in a group together; if he was ever going to make headway with her, this was probably it. Before he could so much as ask, though, she had gathered her things and was headed towards the door. “Ruth…” He began, but she was already gone. The only upside was that he got a view of her sweet backside for a fleeting moment.

Blinking once, he couldn’t help but wonder if they were all like her - Edomite girls, that was. Truth be told, he knew very little about the country, and even then, most of it was through mutual friends and squadmates of his. A couple of them had been deployed to Tericio, and had discovered that a flight down to New Edom (plus hotels, and whatever else) was still cheaper than any of the local fare. Apparently the locals were ‘nothing short of welcoming,’ and there was no shortage of salacious stories to be shared.

Glancing to her countrymen, Joshua tilted his head to the side with slight curiosity for a moment. At least some of what Gabriel had said was a lie, if only because he couldn’t remember ever really speaking to the man outside of the usual pleasantries and a few times during class and in groups. They were acquaintances, yes, but to say that they actually knew each other would have been a bit much.

“I wasn’t aware that I would fit so well into Edomite society.” The Shalumite replied, trying to be as pleasant as he could. From what he knew, the Barans were an ethnic group, and they were Christian as well, so it was easy enough to deduce what the man meant. He couldn’t help but spare a glance towards the door though. “I’m not sure we should...simply dispense of it. Ruth’s idea has just as much merit as your own does, and should be explored. Trial and error as they call it, right?”

Aside from the fact that he was, yes, trying to get to know the pretty girl better, Joshua truly was interested in what ideas she brought to the table. Healthy conflict, or at least differing ideas, usually sped along advancement. “While I am not saying your idea is bad, perhaps we should give her’s a shot as well. You never know, Ruth might just surprise you.”

by **Letwinist States** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 5:33 am

Athens Coffee Franchise,
Near St Gall Technical College,
Colony of St Gall,
Vionna-Frankenlisch.

"That sounds really interesting. I must say however that I am not really an expert of Vionna-Frankenlischian history though." Elii looked at Sohvi, raising her eyebrows.

"Sorry, me neither. Nonetheless, it sounds rather fascinating, especially thinking that a part of this Kingdom used to be an anarchist community seems hardly imaginable from what we see nowadays. The two of us are studying at the Padiwaankis Military Academy. I am in my second year in political sciences, where we analyse different political systems and the ideologies they stem from. Mostly from our own history but also from abroad."

Elii nodded: "And I am almost done with my law studies, with only about a year to go until I take my state examination in the field of state organisation. Essentially it entails looking at how a state functions and how international treaties fit into the workings of the state. It is rather interesting when you can get your head behind it but you have so many different fields to choose from that I am still not entirely sure if I am doing the right specialisations.

So how exactly did this anarchist Vionna turn into a Kingdom?" Elii asked embedded in thought.

"Although I still hope we are not imposing on you with all our questions." Sohvi shot Elii a chiding smile.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:11 am

Saint Gall Colony
Athens Coffee Franchise,
Near St Gall Technical College

"Oh..." Bill's mouth twisted into a queer smile and he laughed heartily, much the confusion of the pair of girls. "Sorry..." He said, calming down. "Sorry..." He repeated.

"I should have realised. I explained rather badly..." He explained, "The Vionnan Anarchy was a period of warfare from 1398 to 1411, the Vionnan Alliance fought against the Kingdom of the Riverland, which later became the Kingdom of Vionna and later in the war they attacked Gestoria, bringing the Kingdom of Frankenlisch in. Because it involved two different wars, they are just lumped together as the Vionnan Anarchy. Incidentally, we haven't had any real support for Anarchism since the Industrial Revolution and small groups today back in the mainland. Saint Gall has voted for the Imperial Party for the Colonial Congress since the party's creation and the locals are intensely loyal to the King. So when it was suggested that he be the governor of Saint Gall and Parliament rejected it, the locals all signed a petition saying the King should be given the chance to run for office. He did and got a 97% majority." He added with a smile, "You could never impose, I enjoy the questions."

by **Noordeinde** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:31 pm

Government District - St. Gall

In the car on her way to Government House Secretary McCord made one final phonecall to President Hoekstra for a final update on the situation, before she would meet with Sir MacAllen. Through a secure phoneline she got in contact with the President whom was already in the situation room. "Bess, are you there?" he asked. "Yes sir, I am. Do we have any further updates on the current situation on the ground?" she asked. "Well I'm here in the situation room with the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Security Council.." he continued. "Our intelligence sources on the ground have picked up more chatter between government- and military officials about a possible order from the President, which is to invade."

It took Elizabeth a few seconds to take in the information which she just got and President Hoekstra continued: "At this moment, however, we have only seen increasing troop movements along the border with our satellites. At this moment the border has not, yet, been breached. We estimate that Urat has between 200.000 and Maximum 300.000 military personnel mobilized. Are you still there, Bess?" he asked. "Yes, sir I am" she replied. "Well I'm almost at Government House. Do I need to be concerned for my safety and for the safety of my delegation?" Elizabeth asked.

"Momentarily we have the situation under control" President Hoekstra reassured her: "The Fifth Carrier Strike Group is in range to come and pick you up there if things go wrong. Navy Seals, Helicopters and Navy Ospreys are on stand-by. Escape plan A is to get you back to the airport as quickly as possible and to get you out of there with your own plane. US Navy Fighterjets from the USN New-Amsterdam will be in the sky to patrol the skies and control the airspace over the city while we're getting you out of there. If we fail at getting you out by car and with your own plane, plan B will come to action. In that case a Navy Seal team will come to the rescue. But hopefully everything will go according to plan."

"I hope so too sir. I think this would also be the moment to let our Ambassador to Urat know that he should now go to President Thorne - in her office - to personally inform her that I will be coming to visit her too" McCord replied. - "I will get in contact with him" the President replied. "Wish me luck!" McCord answered and she hung up the phone.

"Ma'am, we're almost there." van Amstel said. Two minutes and a housing block later the motorcade arrived in front of the steps of Government House of St. Gall. As her Diplomatic Security Service detail secured the premises, the journalists who had accompannied her jumped out of their vans to get the best spot to report on the news that Secretary McCord had arrived in St. Gall. And that she is about to start diplomatic negotiations to broker a peace deal between the Imperial Kingdom, including St. Gall ofcourse, and the Republic of Urat. Eversince Elizabeth had announced the night before that she was going on this trip, the national and international news media had given her, and her efforts, a lot of attention.

Exactly according to Elizabeth's strategy to solve this conflict. She knew that her efforts to broker a diplomatic negotiated peace deal between these two rival countries would get a lot of attention by both national and international news media. Entire tv and radio crews flew along with her to St. Gall this night, as well as journalists and other reporters who worked for newspapers, newswebsites and other types of media. They were from the U.S. an international news media organizations. Elizabeth wondered whether or not Urat - and in particular President Thornde - understood that if they were about to attack St. Gall, or her personally, that the whole world would be watching live when they would start a war in St. Gall and litteraly blow-up peace negotiatons.

Elizabeth hoped that President Thorne understood that, if that would happen, that this would have major consequences for Urat as well. Because Elizabeth knew beforehand that blowing up peace talks would cause outcry by the international community as well. Especially with all the media attention which these peacetalks are getting at the moment. Not only the United States but the international community would be furious and would probably intervene in Urat. Which could mean that Urat could be subject to any kind of international sanctions, including military efforts to contain Urat's aggression. That was her leverage to force President Thorne to the table.

Government House - St. Gall

About a minute later a DSS agent opened the door of her car. As she stepped out of the car she hoped that President Thorne also understood that going to war would be to self destruct her own country. Her troops would be fighting in another country while the international community could militarily intervene in the Capital of Urat and destroy the rest of the country and its military if that is what it takes to stop an ongoing military conflict.

Once out of the car Elizabeth waved to the reporters with their flashing camera's. Before going inside Government House, to meet with Sir MacAllen, Elizabeth approached some of the tv reporters with their camera's. The waiting journalists stuck out their microphones as the cameras were rolling: "Good morning everyone. I hope you all had a good night of sleep? I see quite a few faces here which I've also seen at last nights press conference." Flanked by her security detail she decided to make a statement to the press to, once again, emphasize how important these talks are to diplomatically solve this crisis without that a shot had, yet, been fired.

"Thank you all for joining me as today we will start with these series of important meetings to mediate between the Imperial Kingdom, its territory St. Gall and the Republic of Urat." McCord continued. - "Today we have a long day of work ahead of us as we start this process which will hopefully lead to peace on the island. I'm looking forward to the meeting which I am about to have with Sir MacAllen and I'm curious to hear about what his view is on the current situation which we are facing. Now, if you don't mind and will excuse me, I'll leave it at that for now as I don't want Sir MacAllen to wait for me any longer. But for updates you can talk to my staff as I am probably in meetings all day long." She then walked to the door and entered into the building's lobby where she expected Sir MacAllen to wait for her.

by **New Edom** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:49 am

St. Gall College

After Ruth got out of class and for the first time all day had some time to relax. She had a favorite spot on campus: a tree-covered area that separated the Business Administration Building from a large parking lot full of parking meters. In theory the lot was for campus visitors, but students filled it up early in the morning and stayed parked at the meters all day. There was a rush in the area in the early morning and late afternoon, but in the middle of the day it was totally quiet and very rarely was anyone around.

During her first week at the university, Ruth had realized that if she went into the shade under the trees, it was very hard to see her from either the parking lot or the sidewalk leading to the Business Administration Building. As for the building itself, the foliage completely concealed the ground from the windows. If anyone came from either the parking lot or the building, a person sitting under the trees could see the passerby long before the passerby noticed anyone was sitting under the trees. That detail was important for the way she planned to spend her afternoon.

After making sure no one was in sight, Ruth laid a towel on the ground and took off her dress. As was normal for her, she wore nothing underneath the flimsy garment. She totally hated having to wear clothing, and had it not been illegal, she would have spent her life in the nude. The light dress was the next best thing, because it covered her enough to keep her within the confines of the law but did not feel suffocating on her skin.

She lay on the towel under the shade and pulled out two textbooks and a notebook. She had about two hours to prepare for her next class, so she'd be relaxing and studying under the pleasant shelter under the leaves with the breeze caressing her bare skin. She pulled out a pear from her backpack and munched on it while she took notes.

Gabriel, meanwhile, changed into one of his political t-shirts and left the Science and Technology Building. He walked to the library building, enjoying a nice breeze that carried a hint of the nearby ocean.

He put on his headphones to go for a run after changing into his gym shorts and t shirt behind a building. While not as unselfconscious as Ruth, he nevertheless felt this was modesty enough. As he began to run, he could hear his favourite local radio station talking about a major diplomatic visit...and a possible war?!

He slowed down and began to listen more carefully, but there was little information. It still did disturb him, and he decided to add possible hits onto his newsfeed. should he start hoarding canned goods, water and batteries or something? Frowning, still troubled, he resolved to speak to the first well read and political local he could find...

"Minister" Aaron Nemgadi, the Consul, said, talking on the phone, "The Noordeinde Secretary of State...yes, that's their Foreign Minister, sir...has arrived here to negotiate. Have you watched the press conference?"

Hosidius Geta, the Foreign Minister, was sitting behind his own desk watching news from the Region. "No. I'm watching this piece on the sinking of a Gavinian freighter. I wonder what evil bastard did this?"

"I'm sending you a video of it to you, sir," said the consul.

"Wait..." began Geta.

Back in Fineberg, Geta grumbled and watched, putting down his breast shaped stress ball and observed.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry that we called you in, especially in the middle of the night. But I would not do that if I did not have something very important to share with you." McCord said. She paused for a moment, glared into the room and continued: "Ladies and Gentlemen, just a few hours ago the United States government has been informed through diplomatic channels that a conflict between two countries, the Republic of Urat and the Vionna - Franckenlisch's Colony of St. Gall, is about to escalate into a full, armed, military conflict. Live satellite pictures of our military satellites and our intelligence sources confirm that the Republic of Urat is currently mobilizing it's military troops along the border with St. Gall and is thus forming a real threat to the stability of the island."

Secretary McCord continued by informing the press about the current state of affairs. Thereafter she announced that she was about to visit St. Gall, the Republic of Urat and the United Kingdom of Vionna - Frankenlisch. "After this Press Conference I will immediatley depart for The Hague Airforce Base, where my plane to St. Gall will be waiting. It is my purpose to mediate between the two parties and to prevent this conflict from escalating into a war. In Saint Gall I will therefore have talks with the island's government authorities. Thereafter I am also intending to visit the President of Urat for official talks. And last but not least I will thereafter visit His Majesty the King in Vionna-Frankenlisch. We need to get all parties around the table and de-escalate this conflict before it is too late and broker a peace deal that benefits all.

Elizabeth paused for another moment and looked at the reporters who were becomming wild: "Before I take you're questions, let me add one more thing. The United States of Noordeinde will not accept any breach of international law and national sovereignity. Therefore, at this moment, the Fifth Carrier Strike Group of the U.S. Navy has been rerouted to St. Gall after orders of President Hoekstra." One after one she named the names of the eight vessels which are part of the Fifth Carrier Strike Group and of which class and type they were. "These eight vessels will be rerouted towards St. Gall and continue they're military exercises in international waters. Now I will take some of your questions."

Geta had had enough and turned it off. "Alright, Nembori--"

"Nemgadi, sir."

Geta was quiet over the phone a moment. "Nemgadi. I will take all this under advisement."

"There are about 200 or so Edomite citizens here, sir." pointed out Nemgadi.

Geta groaned. "Well, monitor the situation, and I'll get an intelligence review and get back to you. Do you realize, Consul, that we have a real war going on here? What is there on St. Gall to fight for? Other than our citizens?"

"As you say sir. There is, er, no policy about this?" Nemgadi said nervously.

"Not right now. I advise that you recommend that our citizens work with the St. Gall police and other authorities and keep their heads down. I'll call you later."

Geta had hung up.

Nemgadi thought about all the tourists, students, business travelers, and felt, to his distress, responsible for them. But he was just a minor diplomat; he had no troops, no intelligence gathering capability, no real influence here other than in the politest way. He decided to make a call to government house and request information or a possible meeting to see what could be done.

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:03 am

by **Noordeinde** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:23 am

Embassy of the United States of Noordeinde in Coniston - The Republic of Urat.

In his office at the United States embassy in the capital of Urat Ambassador Jim de Kooning sat behind his desk as he was going through some paper work. In the meanwhile he had also switched on the flatscreen television on the wall in order to watch the news and to monitor the current situation between Urat and St. Gall. A couple of minutes later someone knocked on the door of his office and his personal secretary opened the door and walked into his office. "Sir, I have President's Hall on line 1 for you" she said. As she walked out of the Ambassador's Office and closed the door behind her, de Kooning picked-up the phone and pushed the number one button on the phone's keyboard.

"This is Ambassador de Kooning speaking" he said. "Sir, please hold on for the President'' the switchboard operator said on the other side of the line. A few seconds later Ambassador de Kooning was put through to President Hoekstra who had just returned to his office. "Mister Ambassador, how are you sir? As you are probaly aware the Secretary of State has arrived on the other side of the border, in St. Gall, this morning. Today she will talk to the local government authorities in St. Gall but she also intends to speak directly to President Thorne in an attempt to diplomatically solve this situation." - "Yes sir, I understand. But to what do I owe the honor of speaking to you directly. Is there anything I can help you with?" Ambassador de Kooning asked.

"Well we would like you to go to President Thorne's office, in order to personally inform her that Secretary McCord is intending to travel to Urat in the coming days and that she requests to speak personally with the President." President Hoekstra continued: "Please emphasize to her that the reason for this meeting is urgent." - "Yes, sir, I will" Ambassador de Kooning replied. "Good, I will make sure that you will receive the neccesary information within the hour" President Hoekstra continued. "Please keep me updated" - "Yes, thank you sir. I will keep you updated" de Kooning replied and the connection was broken.

Right after this phonecall Ambassador de Kooning assembled his senior staff in his office. Together they went through the briefing, full with information, which had just arrived through secure digital channels. About an hour and a half later they finished their meeting at the embassy and the Ambassador was ready and prepared to go and meet with President Thorne. Just before he left his office, he asked his personal secretary to call President Thorne's office to inform them that he was on his way to them. The Ambassador then walked out of his office, down the stairs to the lobby of the embassy. His security detail already awaited him and together they walked outside, into the embassy courtyard, where the Ambassador's diplomatic car was waiting for him. Two or three minutes later the embassy gates opened and the car left the premises..

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 5:25 pm

Saint Gall Colony
Government House

"Tiring day, sir?" Anna asked, Sir Alex MacAllen's faithful assistant and secretary laid down a cup of coffee in front of him and took the liberty to sit down next to him.

"Tiring?" Sir Alex looked surprised by the question, "Anna, don't you understand what's going on?"

She stared back, her expression seeming to speak for her, 'Go on then!' It said, impatiently.

"Anna, Urat will invade us..." Sir Alex replied, only just now seeming to grasp the weight of what he was conveying, "We're going to have to fight. There's going to be a war..."

Despite the fact that she made no vocal response, Anna's countenance betrayed nothing but fear and an acute understanding. She stood up, picked Sir Alex's coffee up and took it out of the room. She returned moments later with a decanter of Port and some crystal glasses. Filling two of the glasses up to the brim, she placed one down in front of Sir Alex and took an uncouth gulp from the other. Sir Alex sipped at his more politely but made no comment.

"A diplomat of some kind is coming in from Noordeinde, she's planning on having meetings with you and the Colonial Council, the Uratic government and even His Imperial Majesty." Anna said, offhand.

"I've heard." Sir Alex replied, "Urat won't let her see them, not now, and the King is being kept under the eye of that bloody doctor. I can't see her either, I have to plan the defence of this colony. Tell her to wait, if all goes well I'll have a space tomorrow and Urat won't invade until the end of the week."

"Yes, sir." Anna finished her port and left respectfully, leaving Sir Alex to drink down a few more glasses.

Republic of Urat
City of Coniston
Presidential House

"A message from the Noordeinden Embassy, Ma'am." Carrie Morris, President Thorne's advisor reported. "Their ambassador, His Excellency, Mister de Kooning, is coming to visit, he wishes to speak to you in person."

"Don't let him in," Thorne snapped in reply, "That damned woman or the Noordienden president has clearly sent him and I doubt it's for anything pleasant. They've already positioned a fleet outside of our territorial waters."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll have the gate guards send anyone not in your cabinet away." Morris replied, leaving to deliver the message.

Saint Gall Colony
Qhorin Bridge Service Post

As night began to fall, Lieutenant Phillips' service group returned their shovels to the supply office and some were transported back into town in an army lorry, the rest laid down to rest on bunk beds in the makeshift dormitory that an old workshop had been converted into. Phillips himself took to inspecting the entrenchment works that his group had been working on. Forty men in total, they had performed some admirable work for a group of students, unemployed teens and homeless men and women. While none of them appeared in a particularly dangerous or difficult state, Phillips had delegated a pair of provosts to guard the dorms nonetheless. A third man had been placed on the door to the cellar where fifty Lancaster 1960 Rifles lay waiting for action.

Phillips took up his binoculars and began to look plain-facedly through them towards the Uratic border. Beyond the border, he could see dark shapes appearing. 'Trucks...' He thought idly to himself and walked back to his office. It was not until he had poured out his steel mug of tea that realisation hit him... 'Army trucks...' He rushed to the telephone on his side table and phoned the number for Government House.

Government House

"Hello?" Sir Alex MacAllen asked, clutching the handset to the side of his head, "Sir Alex MacAllen, His Imperial Majesty's representative in Saint Gall Colony."

A young-sounding voice on the other end of the line replied "Lieutenant Jock Phillips, sir, Quorin Bridge Service Post."

"What do you have for me, Lieutenant Phillips?"

"Army trucks, sir, dozens of them streaming towards the border. Men are getting out of them as we speak."

"Are they hostile?"

"They are not moving towards the DMZ but I'm beginning to see other vehicles and horses now. Urat is massing troops on our border, sir, there's no doubt about it."

"Thank you, Lieutenant, I'll dispatch some pathfinders to you immediately to keep an eye on the situation. Get yourself some rest, you'll need it."

Kingdom of Frankenlisch
Imperial Palace
Doctor Robinson's Office

"How fairs the King, doctor?" Sir Jaremy Flint asked, the Palace's Master-at-Arms was suitably worried about his King and had called on Doctor Robinson annoyingly frequently.

Doctor Robinson sighed and replied, "A little better, I've been prescribing Laudanum to keep him docile."

"You've been drugging the King?" Flint exclaimed, his face one of shocked surprise.

"It is necessary for me to do so, Sir Jaremy. Without it, the King is quite agitated and will not rest. I must have him calm if I am to treat him."

Flint's anger began to boil and his face reddened, "I warn you..." He said, shaking his finger at Robinson, "I shall be keeping an eye on you. If I find that the King is not being treated correctly, you can consider your career over..." He left before he could finish what he wanted to say, before he could hit the condescending Doctor. He left Robinson sitting there, a surprised yet smug expression on his face.

by **Noordeinde** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:47 pm

Government House - Saint Galll.

As secretary McCord walked into the lobby as she expected to be welcommed by Sir MacAllen. Instead she was welcommed by a friendly young women, Anna, who seemed to be the Private Secretary to Sir MacAllen. Elizabeth shook her hand as she heard the negative news by Anno. "That's quite unfortunate news, unfortunately" she said. "I can understand why he is bussy, though. However, I have some urgents news to share with with His Majesty's Representative" she emphasized. "Without going into detail, but according to my information it is possible that St. Gall can be attacked within 24 hours" McCord continued. "If His Majesty's Representative wishes to safe his own life and those of the island's citizens he should really speak to me now. Time is of the essence and, in case of an attack, the colony has the full diplomatic and military support of the United States Government."

For a brief couple of secconds McCord paused, before she continued: "I also fully understand that things are probably difficult since His Majesty the King, whom is alslo Governor over the Colony, has been unable to fullfill his duties due to illness. I can also understand that as a result of that problem, that the Sir MacAllen and the Colonial Council do not have all the information there is. What doesn't mean that it does not exist. I actually have information which proves that Urat will be begin a war within 24 hours, if not stopped. So could you please go back and see if Sir MacAllen has time to talk?" She asked: "I am here to help".

While she waited her phone went of as she received an incripted text message on her mobile phone. She swiped open her phone and opened the message which she had just received from Ambassador de Kooning in Urat: "Ma'am, I'm not being allowed to meet with President Thorne. Thus I was not able to convey her your message in person. Since I expected this to happen I delivered a letter in an envelope and asked it to be given to President Thorne. I'll be returning to the embassy now."

Presidential House, Coniston - the Republic of Urat.

A few minutes before sending Secretary McCord that text message, Ambassador de Kooning had left Presidential House. About another 15 minutes before they had arrived at the President's office building. De Kooning had walked into the lobby and had requested to see President Thorne, but instead he was eventually being asked to leave and send away by the security guards. In his car, on his way back to the embassy he texted Secretary McCord about what had just happened. Luckelly he was still able to deliver the letter to President Thorne. It didn't come as a big surprise to him that she was not willing or able to see him. Therefore everything he wanted to say was also written down, in case something like this would happen.

EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF NOORDEINDE
THE REPUBLIC OF URAT

OFFICE OF THE AMBASSADOR

February 10th, 2018

Madam President Thorne,

I hereby write to you on behalf of the government of the United States of Noordeinde. Early this morning I received the request by U.S. Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord to ask you whether it would be possible to meet within the coming next days. She also asked me to emphasize to you the urgency and importance of this meeting. At this moment she is currently in St. Gall to talk to local authorities about the rising tensions between the colony and the Republic of Urat. In order to get a better understanding of the situation she would like to talk to you too about your position, as well as the position of your cabinet, in light of the recent developments between the Repulic and the Imperial Kingdom.

It is however neccesary to solve this problem through diplomatic means before the situation escalates into an armed, military conflict. The United States government is willing to mediate in the negotiations between both parties, as we will work towards a deal that benefits both and which will settle this dispute forever. Which is in the best interests of the citizens of Urat and the Imperial Kingdom. As well as it is in the best interest of the region as a peace deal will also ensure further stability in the region.

Now, the United States government is aware that you have currently mobilized the military, both career and reservist soldiers, along the border with St. Gall. In this letter, on behalf of the U.S. government, I also would like to inform you that A; a violation of Internationa Law by B; invading another country and breachig its sovereignty will have tremendous consequences for the Republic of Urat as well. If Urat invades St. Gall this will cause enormous outcry in the international community and you will leave the U.S. Government no other option but to take appropriate counter-measures. Furthermore we assure you and your government that not only the United States government will be furious, the entire international community will be furious.

In that case the United States will have to mobilize the international community in condeming this blatant violation of international law and, if neccesary, take all measures neccesary to stop an armed conflict between the Republic and St. Gall. In the best interest of both nations and both peoples, for mankind in general, I therefore call upon you to meet with Secretary McCord and to agree with peacetalks. Before it is too late.

Yours Sincerely,
Ambassador Jim R. de Kooning
United States of Noordeinde

by **Shalum** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:22 pm

Imperial Foreign Ministry
Aragon, Shalum

The nation’s chief diplomat wasn’t what many would call a handsome man. Whipcord thin and stern faced more often than not, his days as an infantry officer had long since passed. The stress of his work had begun to show through more with each passing year of his tenure. His hair, once raven black, had long since fallen wayside to a more gentlemanly silver and there wasn’t a day where he could go without being bespectacled anymore.

“You remember when I said that there couldn’t be anymore crises today, for my schedule was full?” Minister Phelps asked dryly as he looked up from the assortment of documents that were spread across his mahogany desk. He had just come back from an emergency meeting at the palace in regards to the Arzell incident, as well as the buildup of military fortifications along their south border.

“Yes sir, I do.” His assistant, a young noblewoman whose family wanted her to be more than some arm candy for someone twice her age, replied nervously as she shifted from one heel to another.

“I know I may be getting old,” the minister grunted as he motioned to the manilla folder in her hands, “but that looks an awful lot like another crises.” He finished dryly as he began to stack several other folders to clear out a space big enough for her to deposit the latest report.

“I’m afraid so, sir.” She replied with a little nod, clicking forward with practiced ease. Once the file was on his desk, she took a step back and rested her hands behind her back. “This time it is in regards to Vionna-Frankenlisch - well, a colony of theirs really.” She explained as she watched the minister open up the file and purse his lips. “An island by the name of Saint Gall.”

Minister Phelps spent all of a minute reading up on the situation. Their ally in question was new to the coalition that he’d lobbied hard to join, and while every member was vital, Vionna’s membership was still too fresh for any judgements to really be made. The issue of their colony’s security was, in the grand scheme of things, a minor one, but nations like the Empire would be expected to react with the appropriate force. “I presume the military has been allocating troops for a worst case scenario?”

Heather, his assistant, bobbed her head once. “Yes sir. That is in there somewhere.”

There was a rustle of paper, and then a scoff from the Shalumite. “They’re not even going to deploy a whole regiment?” He replied with a quiet snort.

“I’m afraid not. With tensions at their current levels, the Imperial military is deploying troops to other potential combat zones.”

“Please,” the minister shook his head, “the Ossorians don’t want a war anymore than we do. As for Azura and Azurlavai? They’re too spineless.” Despite the fact his job was to prevent conflict, some part of Phelps wished that their rivals would step up for another round in the ring. They had bested the enemy several times already, and he would have liked to settle the issue once and for all.

There was a reason the warhawk factions of the upper house enjoyed his support.

“At least they’re Kasrkins?”

“Kasrkins may be our elite troops,” Phelps replied slowly as he dug around in his drawer. He produced a cigar, and then began to search for his zippo lighter. “But they die just like any other man does. The enemy could easily overwhelm them with sheer numbers.”

“General Malcomson is one of our best, from what my father says.” Heather replied softly. She was aware of the bear of a man that the officer was, and she was glad that she’d managed to avoid courting him so far. She could only imagine what sort of young thing he would end up with. “And our allies have a sizeable defense force on the island.”

“Then let’s hope they are enough, or that the Imperial Army wizens up and decides to send more troops, yes?” The minister replied as he flicked open his lighter. Of course, he would do what he could to protect the Shalumites on the island, but at the end of the day, they were too far away to offer any real protections - at least until the Kasrkins were on the ground, or the situation was resolved peacefully.

St. Gall College

Unlike many of his classmates, Joshua had the advantage of being a bit more mature and established - even if it only meant that he had a few thousand dollars to his name, and owned a duplex that he rented out half to another student. While his classmates filed out, heading off to their next class or to go meet up with friends and the like, he popped in a pair of headphones and packed up his things. His schedule allowed him a lot of free time, most of which he used to better himself. Aside from when he dealt with drones, most of his courses were either early in the morning, at night when things were less busy. Even if it was eccentric, it was how he liked to do things.

The power of smartphones allowed him to isolate himself from the world. Rather than a local radio station, he was tuned into a place halfway across the world - his hometown, to be exact. There was something comforting about being able to tap into the little things, even if he had chosen to move away so that he could experience some new things along the way. On the other hand, it left him blissfully unaware of the latest ongoing to strike the island, such as the arrival of foreign diplomats and the impending threats of war. Even if he had been informed, it wasn’t the sort of thing he would have worried over. Having grown up in a nation that was always under threat, and surviving his fair share of combat, idle threats weren’t something he was going to sweat over. If worse came to worst, he still had a bag of basic survival supplies, which he had prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

Cutting through a more wooded part of campus like he always did, Joshua hummed to himself as he flicked through a few emails, glancing up every now and then as he headed down a concrete path with a crack in it here or there. With nothing else that was really pressing on his agenda, he figured he would head down to a coffee shop that he frequented to pick up a caffeinated drink and a snack before he headed home to work on his mathematics sheets and Ruth’s calculations. It was ironic, in a way; the subject he enjoyed least was the one he spent most of his time on.

by **New Edom** » Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:58 pm

To: The Right Honourable Larry Tristram, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Hosidius Geta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Allied States of New Edom
Subject: Urat/Vionna-Frankenlisch Relations
Encryption: Moderate

Dear Minister,

I hope that this message finds you well, and your family and government in good situation. Unfortunately, I have heard of some unsettling rumours and information about a possible threat to your St. Gall colony. As you may be aware, new Edom has some 200 citizens living in St. Gall as students, business travelers and tourists, and my government is naturally concerned for their welfare.

Information we received came from a press conference held in Noordeinde. We have also been informed that Secretary of State McCord, also of Noordeinde, has set out for St. Gall. Is this visit about the possible conflict with Urat?

In addition to being concerned for our citizens, we are concerned for yours as our nations are allies. If there is any help my government can offer, please do not hesitate to let us know.

I have the honour to be,
Hosidius Geta,
Foreign Minister

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Sat Feb 10, 2018 4:15 pm

Saint Gall Colony
Government House

"Impossible..." MacAllen replied, "They couldn't mobilise so quickly, surely... Very well, you'd best show her up, Anna."

"Very good, sir." Anna acknowledged and turned. She left the room and descended the stairs to Government House's downstairs parlour where Secretary McCord waited patiently. "Sir MacAllen will recieve you now", she informed McCord.

Anna waited a moment for McCord to gather herself and led the diplomat up to Government House's conference room where Sir Alex awaited. She bowed her head respectfully and left the pair alone.

"Anna tells me you have information pertaining to the incoming Uratic invasion." MacAllen exclaimed, "I must ask you what you know..."

Republic of Urat
Presidential House

"Shit..." Thorne muttered, putting the letter down on the conference table, "They're trying to get us 'round the table. But at least they're stupid enough to think the international community will care about Saint Gall Colony."

"Yeah..." Kerry Elliot concurred.

"Indeed," Harriet Pendleton, Urat's Foreign Minister agreed, "I'll see him tomorrow just after the declaration of war is issued. I'll have Harry tell give the message to MacAllen himself at seven tomorrow morning."

"Got it." Thorne replied, "I'm turning in for the night. I suggest you lot do the same. We'll need all our strength tomorrow."

To: The Right Honourable Hosidius Geta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Allied States of New Edom
From: Larry Tristram, Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Kingdom of Vionna-Frankenlisch
Subject: re: Urat/Vionna-Frankenlisch Relations
Encryption: Moderate

Dear Minister,

Thank you for your kind message, I do hope this reply finds you and all your compatriots in good health. I know of the situation between Urat and Saint Gall Colony and I understand fully your obligation to and concern for Edomite citizens. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any escalation in the situation as since the King fell ill we have received no official communications from Saint Gall.

I have, however, heard of this press conference and I believe that Noordeinde's Secretary McCord has left for Saint Gall. I can only persume that she has worries about the small number of Noordeinden citizens in the colony.

I would consider it a great aid if you were to send any number of troops or ships to Saint Gall, I may be ignorant of what is going on but I'm not stupid and I have no pretensions that Urat is scared of our might. Their President, Katherine Thorne, will no doubt be planning something but without the King's permission, we cannot act ourselves, with His Imperial Majesty unwell and no regency in place we shall simply have to wait. Any support your nation can offer would be much appreciated until such a time that we can legally act.

Yours with appreciation,
Larry Tristram
Foreign Minister

by **Noordeinde** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:43 am

Government House - Saint Galll.

Secretary McCord followed Anna into the conference room where Sir MacAllen already waited. She shook his hand and introduced herself and her staff. "Its an honour to finnaly meet you, sir. I had hoped, though, that we could have met under better circumstances." McCord and her delegation sat down around the conference table as they listened to the question that was being asked by Sir MacAllen. "Yes, sir, I do have some troubling information for you" she said as she took a file out of her bag and opened it on the table. "Let me first of all emphasize, again, that you and the island's government as well as the Imperial Kingdom have the full diplomatic and military support of the United States in case a war breaks out. As we do not tolerate for any country to violate international law by invading another country's sovereign territory. That is also why a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group has been directed to St. Gall by the President as they were already passing by the region after military exercises."

She looked through the files as she tried to determine with which information she would start. "As for the information that I have with me today, it is indeed concerning to our government. Not only because there are about 150 U.S. citizens on the island but also because an armed, military conflict would also lead to further destablization in the region. Now U.S. defence and intelligence satellites confirm that Urat is currently mobilizing its military along the border. With that, I really mean, as we speak. Live satellite pictures show that approximately between 200 thousand and 300 thousand troops have been brought to a supreme state of readiness."

McCord paused for a brief moment as she turned the page in her file. "According to my country's highest military leaders, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and our Secretary of Defense this can only indicate that they are about to strike within 24 hours." McCord turned another page in the file which was in front of her on the table: "Furthermore the NCIB, the Noordeindean Central Intelligence Agency, has intercepted so called 'chatter' between Urat's government officials and military officers. According to the NCIB station chief at the U.S. embassy in Coniston, they have heard this chatter for quite a few days now. No direct orders to strike have been intercepted, yet, but we pressume that Urat is willing and able to strike within 24 hours. In particular when looking at the latest live satellite images."

Elizabeth paused for another brief moment as she looked at Sir MacAllen. "Now, I've come here to prevent an attack from happening. That's why I like to know, sir, if there have been any recent developments in the relationship between the Imperial Kingdom, the Colony and Urat? I am aware of some of the historic tensions between both parties. In order to help you, I also would like to know if you - or your government - have any statistics about which countries momentarily have citizens in the colony? With help from the international community we would be able to create some sort of leverage to force President Thorne and her government to the table. With such information I would be able to reach out to other foreign governments, which also have interests in the colony. Together with this international coalition I'd like to assemble we could put a lot of pressure on Urat. I do not think that they would like their own country to be subject to a foreign military intervention, in case we as an international community have to stop them from further invading St. Gall.""

In the meanwhile the Secretary's Chief of Staff, Nadine, handed Sir MacAllen a copy of this file with all the information he needed to have. On top of it, in red letters, it said 'Classified - Top Secret'. Back at the U.S. Consulate the 12 Marines had already been ordered to change from their ceremonial dress uniform to a full combat outfit, in order to protect the premises of the Consulate as well as the 50 U.S. citizens who had already reported themselves. Back at Government House, inside the conference room, McCord continued: "In the meanwhile, President Hoekstra, has already ordered the Marine Security Guard Detachment to increase the level of security at our Consulate. As a matter of fact, as a security precaution, we will evacuate our non-essential diplomatic personnel and those U.S. citizens whom have reported themselves will also be evacuated."

by **New Edom** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:18 pm

Fineberg, New Edom

"Please, Your Excellency, do hold still," admonished the photographer.

Count Thomas Lalery, standing by his rosewood and brass desk, rolled his eyes humourously at his wife, Countess Caroline (born a Zuria of Ghant) who was sitting half looking at some pictures of her children and stepchildren, while a photography team were preparing to take a series of pictures of the new President of the Council of Ministers. The Count's characteristic cream coloured suit with blue silk tie displayed his broad shoulders and deep chest well, his black hair neatly oiled and combed, his olive tan and dark eyes vivid.

"The things I have to put up with to achieve my well deserved authority, eh?" he said with a chuckle. "What is it, Daniels?"

His private secretary, Joseph Daniels, flushed with joy at his dazzling arrival to being personal secretary to the President, came in with a bow and said, "Forgive me, Excellency, but the Foreign Minister has dropped by and wonders if he might have a word."

"Oh, so sorry, I must deal with this," Lalery said wagging a finger at the photographer, who threw up his hands.

Lalery winked at his wife and marched out with Daniels, and said, "What's he want, did he say?"

"He was mum as Job in his sorrow," replied Daniels.

Geta, a short man with a big beaky nose, was waiting in a sitting room sipping mint tea when Lalery arrived.

"My home is honoured, my dear friend," said Lalery.

"I apologize for troubling you," said Geta. They exchanged bows and sat together, and Daniels withdrew and closed the door behind him.

"I hate to, really," Geta went on. "But I've had a letter exchange with the Vionna-Frankenlisch Foreign Minister, and I should provide you with a summation and well...he has also asked for our military assistance."

"Just a minute!" Lalery exclaimed. "You told me before this matter was being handled by local government, by the Governor, what was his name..."

"Sir Alec something," said Geta. "Well, Thomas, no one else other than Noordeinde has really responded, but they took it seriously enough to send their foreign minister to St. Gall itself. Anyway: Urat apparently is going to attack St. Gall. We have 200 of our people there. And we have a commitment to our alliance."

Lalery reached into his pocket and took out a cigarillo case, lit one and offered one to Geta, who shook his head.

"We have an obligation, unfortunately. But I would like to suggest, my dear Thomas, that we consider working with Noordeinde. Perhaps they'll handle the situation before we can really get involved..." Geta offered.

"Maybe," Lalery grumbled. "We have other obligations and concerns here in our own Region. But I'm going to send instructions to Unwerth to section off staff to give me a report on what we can do. We're supposed to have a readiness force for Imperion. Work with Defense and with Ashdod's people, see what we can come up with."

"Ashdod has little idea that this is even happening," said Geta, hiding his amusement behind a bland exterior.

NENS Anaconda, NENS Jehoshaphat, NENS Chauve-Souris were all coming off duty in Ayaca. These vessels were replenishing in The Theocracy of Ashab, with a friendly oil tanker from the Imperium and with food, drink and other goods purchased either directly off a container ship or from the markets in Ayaca. Lalery read through the reports on their conditions, and on what troops were available. There was a regiment of Marine Infantry available that could be deployed which had been stationed in Ayaca with their allies supporting their independence for the last two years, and they had been replaced by Dengali and Damoclean troops.

To: The Right Honourable Larry Tristram, Minister of Foreign Affairs
From: Hosidius Geta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Allied States of New Edom
Subject: Urat/Vionna-Frankenlisch Relations
Encryption: Most Secret, Eyes Only

Dear Minister,

I have spoken to the President of the Council, and he is advising the King that naturally we must support our allies in time of trouble.

I have been instructed to ask the following things:
1. That any intelligence available to your government on Urat and St. Gall's vulnerability to invasion
2. That your government will help provide resupply support for our expedition
3. That our government be made privy to information shared between yours and Noordeinde

My government is, in return, going to offer a light carrier/LHD and two escort vessels to support the defense of st. Gall along with a Marine Infantry Regiment with about 2,400 troops. This expeditionary force we are offering will be highly trained, well equipped, and will be led by Rear-Admiral Gaderoth.

I have the honour to be,
Hosidius Geta,
Foreign Minister

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Wed Feb 14, 2018 11:16 am

Saint Gall Colony
Government House

"I was of the opinion that such numbers were impossible, Urat didn't seem able to mobilise so many men so quickly." Sir Alex replied, "I see now that I may have been wrong. In any case, these documents have confused me more than anything else." He took a sip of brandy and gestured to Anna, "Anna, fetch Her Excellency a glass, please." She did so and placed the glass down in front of Secretary McCord.

"Now then. If what you tell me is true, and I don't doubt that, then we have several hours to prepare for the invasion." MacAllen informed McCord, gravely, "I have a garrison of 10,000 men, a naval station of five vessels and thirty aircraft. We won't be able to hold them, even with the little foreign support that we've been offered. We will just have to stand for as long as we can, evacuate the civilian population and do as much damage to the Uratic war machine as we can."

To: The Right Honourable Hosidius Geta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Allied States of New Edom
From: Larry Tristram, Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Kingdom of Vionna-Frankenlisch
Subject: re: Urat/Vionna-Frankenlisch Relations
Encryption: Top Secrecy, recipient's eyes only

Dear Minister

My deepest gratitude for your continued support, your offer is much appreciated and I am all too happy to respond to the best of my knowledge.

1. Saint Gall Colony has only two clear routes of attack, the forests north of the island's mountainous central region and the plains to this area's south-east. Urat has, obviously, the same routes of attack through Saint Gall Colony but has a larger coastline and landmass meaning that amphibious or airborne attacks should be easier to execute. You must understand that I am not a military man so strategy isn't particularly my strong suit.

2. The Imperial Military would be proud and perfectly capable to provide allied forces with resupply facilities and would also able to provide a small amount of its own supplies as a reserve in case allied forces were to run low or lose their own supplies.

3. Unfortunately, in Frankenlisch, we have received little information from Noordeinde. They appear to be communicating directly with Saint Gall Colony rather than His Imperial Majesty's Government. I can offer nothing on this matter, we know that Elizabeth McCord, the US Secretary of State, is currently in Saint Gall Colony.

Please feel free to approach me with further requests.

Yours with appreciation,
Larry Tristram
Foreign Minister

by **Letwinist States** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 5:32 pm

Athens Coffee Franchise,
Near St Gall Technical College,
Colony of St Gall,
Vionna-Frankenlisch.

Elii laughed at Bill's response: "Oh, I see. How silly, I literally thought that you meant a phase of actual anarchy. As you explained, I think we both were rather surprised when thinking of Vionna-Frankenlisch actually having an anarchist past."

"I agree", Sohvi continued, "after all, your monarchy seems to be working rather well. But it is really interesting to hear that there is a seperate governor's office the King has, why not simply keep the King as the head of the greater Vionna-Frankenlisch without this role more or less squished in between? Would not having the governor as a position be a lot easier?"

iiWiki · by **Vionna-Frankenlisch** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 4:16 pm

Saint Gall Colony
Athens Coffee Franchise,
Near St Gall Technical College

"Well..." Bill replied, "As he was elected to the office, and has no desire to turn it down, especially with such an overwhelming majority, a similar result has never been achieved in Vionna-Frankenlischian politics,
the King just sticks with it. He has his representative here, Sir Alex MacAllen, who runs the day to day affairs and commands the colonial forces while he speaks with the colonial council weekly about affairs of state."

Despite their continued questions, Bill sensed that something else was on the foreigners' minds, he cleared his throat and drew the conversation to something more leisurely. He stood up and said, "Now, it's been marvellous. But I had hoped to take in a drink, the night is still young. I shall be heading now to the Seaborne Spirit, by old Kentish Dockyard, if you'd like to join me?" He asked with a smile.

Saint Gall Camp
1st and 2nd Gallian Rifle Regiments

"How many rounds, Colonel?" Asked a lieutenant.

"We pulled them out of storage with thirty shells per gun, we may be able to scrounge more but I doubt the border posts have any. They all appear to be in workable shape so we are at least fielding ninety guns."

Another junior officer asked, "How will they do any damage to tanks though, sir?"

"They won't." Lieutenant Colonel Taylor replied, "While Urat uses outdated tanks, even they are resistant to these guns. They were last used in the Second Europan War, made 1942. We will use them to take out vehicles without hard armour so our dedicated AT and tanks won't have to waste ammunition on them. The IAS can't afford to waste its few bombs on these kinds of targets, they'll be needed on tanks and infantry. We're relying on the accuracy and high fire rate of these old guns to deal with motor vehicles and APCs."

Lieutenant Colonel Norris Minnet added, "Forty-five will be allotted to each regiment as the Territorials haven't been on the 'Antique Weapons Course' that the Regulars have. Better this way, anyway, our professionals will be better prepared to use them than some half-civvies."

"Now, get some rest, chaps." Taylor ordered, "We're going to have a busy week ahead of us..." He added ominously.

by **Noordeinde** » Wed Feb 28, 2018 7:30 pm

Government House - St. Gall

Secretary McCord listened carefully to His Majesty's Representative and took a sip of her brandy. "Let's hope that it will not escalate that quickly" McCord said and she looked at her watch. "At this moment President Thorne must have received my message. I have asked our U.S. ambassador in Coniston to, on my behalf, ask for a meeting to convey a special message to her. I've asked her to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss and end of hostilities between the colony of St. Gall and Urat." McCord looked for a second time on her watch: "Now the United States will back the colony in case this situation will escalate into an armed military conflict. We have a Carrier Strike Group in place, including four destroyers, three amphibious transport docks and an aircraftcarrier with helicopters and fighterjets onboard."

"What I also think is neccesary, sir, is that you inform your government about what we have just discussed." McCord continued and she took another sip of her brandy. "Before I left the United States last night I've also asked our Ambassador in Vionna-Frankenlisch to personally inform the Prime Minister, first thing in the morning. It might not be too late to ask for military reinforcements. Time is of the essence now." McCord looked for a third time on her watch: "If you will excuse me sir, is there somewhere room for me to make a phone call? I will call my boss, the President, and ask him if he is able to reach out to your government. I'd also like to find out wheter or not we already have a reaction by President Thorne about my request to meet with her."

Embassy of the United States of Noordeinde in Frankenlisch

The next morning Ambassador Max Hoffman arrived early at the embassy building in Frankenlisch. Due to different time zones his day started a couple of hours later then in St. Gall. The night before at his residence he was called by Secretary McCord who gave him the assignment to personally deliver a highly classified file at the Prime Minister's office the first thing in the morning. Also Ambassador Hoffman was informed that the government of Vionna - Frankenlisch wasn't functioning properly due to the fact that His Majesty the King had taken ill and that communication with the island's government wasn't therefore operating smoothly as well. Therefore the United States government had also taken it on themselves to personally deliver the information about the situation on St. Gall island at the Head of Government because he might be able to act.

Ambassador Hoffman arrived at his desk in his office and not much later the embassy's Defense attaché, U.S. Navy Captain van Cleef, walked in with a suitcase in his hand. He opened the suitcase on the ambassador his desk. Inside of it was the latest information about the current situation on St. Gall island, including satellite images and intelligence reports which could be shared. Ambassador Hoffman quickly went through some of the papers and layed them back into the suitcase. Captain van Cleef closed the suitcase and both headed for downstairs, where outside of the chancery their car would be waiting for them. Downstairs both men walked towards the door where a saluting Marine of the Security Guard Detachment opened the door for them. It eas standard procedure that in case this type of military information was shared that the Defense attaché would accompanny the ambassador in order to provide a full strategic briefing on the situation.

Outside two agents of the Diplomatic Security Service opened the backdoors of the old 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood that was being used for transporting the ambassador. Both Ambassador Hoffman and Captain van Cleef got into the car and the doors were closed after they got in. Not much later a small motorcade of three diplomatic vehicles left the premises of the embassy. Once outside of the embassy gates the lights and sirens were switched on. While on their way to the Prime Minister's office the Ambassador tried to get a hold of Prime Minister Count Dochlov Zimmermann. He called his office in order to inform them that he was on his way. As he finally got through to the Prime Minister's personal Secretary he told him that it was urgent and that he had to share to share some very important information with the Prime Minister. Making clear that it is about a matter of national security.

by **Letwinist States** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 4:43 pm

Athens Coffee Franchise,
Near St Gall Technical College,
Colony of St Gall,
Vionna-Frankenlisch.

"Why yes", Sohvi's eyes lit up at the prospect of getting to know St Gall's nightlife: "we would love to come along."

Elii grinned at her friend's sudden flurry of motivation, hoping that Bill would not take offence or get the idea that they had not been enjoying themselves before. Nonetheless, even though she had been fascinated by all the new information they had been getting, she too was no less fond of the idea of spending the night out. Especially not with a guide such as Bill. "That would be absolutely amazing, yes", she nodded, "Seeing what people do on a night out is always an interesting and fun way to learn more about their country."

"Or simply learn more about their alcoholic beverages." Sohvi winked at Elii: "Let us see what St Gall has to offer."

Winds of Change ~ IC

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