The Voyage of the Redfern(Open Atten Blue Star Destinations)

[Wolfenium]

"Hmm... Never really thought about it yet. Neither of us are still of legal age so marriage would have to wait... I suppose I could save up in the meantime."

[The Floor Kippers]

"So How did a Decent Guy like You End up in the Forces?" Doc Charlie asked as they turned another Corner

[Wolfenium]

"Decent?" Andriy remarked, "am I? I always thought I was anything but, judging from Elia's reactions. But yeah, I doubt I'm actually that decent...

I was only a child back then when I was rescued from a plane crash by the then Captain Kalinin. Unfortunately, I was the only survivor and both my parents died in the crash. The Pereda team's rescue was unauthorized and was later officially denied. To the government, there was no plane crash, no rescue and no survivors. Efforts made by the captain to find my living relatives failed and I was put in a state orphanage.

But it didn't take long before I was placed in an Oprichnina training program for child soldiers. There, I was trained as an assassin and was sent to Topazca to eliminate a local insurgent leader. Ironically enough, I failed, and the man I was sent to kill adopted me. At that point, I served in the Topazcan insurgency. However, I was eventually captured and by some bizarre chance, my captor was none other than Captain Kalinin, who offered me a place in the Amythysian special forces, the Gvardiya, in exchange for my freedom. It was then I rejoined the Gvardiya as a Black Ops agent, fighting the many battles scattered throughout the frontiers of Amythyst.

Of course, even if I didn't join the armed forces back, I still would have to at this age. The Commonwealth practices conscription and all those of legal age must serve a mandatory number of years in the military. But I guess I've already chosen my career."

[The Floor Kippers]

Doc Charlie Shook his head
"I'll Tell you what" He said "You're Bloody Braver than me, I have No Qualms admitting it, I could never do what you do."
He sighed, Feeling guilty at how easy his youth was compared to Andriy's
"Just, Be careful. I'd Hate for a Good, Decent Fellow like you to Cop it in the field of battle."

[Wolfenium]

"Thank you," Andriy responded, "although to be honest... I've always thought of doctors as an admirable type. They've always been there to... save lives..."

As they were reaching the haberdasher, Andriy snapped an order. "Stop," he said, raising an arm to the doctor as he looked ahead. The lights flickered ominously as he scanned the surrounding area. He had a bad feeling creeping up to him. Someone was there, watching...

[The Floor Kippers]

Doc Charlie Leaned forwards And Whispered "What's the Matter?"

[Wolfenium]

"Something's wrong," Andriy whispered, scanning over the surroundings once more.

As he looked ahead, he noticed a grown man, dressed in a black suit, quietly picking up his costume from the haberdasher. He had a professional, expressionless look on his face as he collected his ware. Then, as he slowly turned his head to face the duo, Andriy felt a sudden chill on his spine as in a flicker of the light, an expression of pure ecstasy filled his face, his eyes wide with excitement as he vanished into the burst of light. Andriy gasped in shock as he instinctively reached for his pocket, panicking slightly as he realized he was unarmed. However, as the lights were restored to full operation, he could not help but gasp for air.

Mages had always been dangerous to deal with. Even with the help of modern weapons to even the odds, Andriy knew how lethal a highly skilled mage could be against non-magical combatants. Looking back at the now empty corridor again, he asked in a slightly nervous tone, "did... you see... what just happened, or... was it just my nerves?..."

[The Floor Kippers]

"I'm Afraid that Happened" Doc Charlie said, in a shocked tone of voice "Do you Know him?"

[Wolfenium]

"No," Andriy admitted, "but I'm pretty sure he's not supposed to be here. From his height and size, he looked similar to the accomplice who helped the imposter escape earlier, minus the mask of course. For some reason, I don't think the mask was just there to hide his identity..."

[The Floor Kippers]

"You Know our Problems?" Doc Charlie Queried "I have a Terrible Feeling they've just worsened"

[Wolfenium]

"We should warn the others," Andriy suggested quickly, "but best not to arouse a panic again. We had enough of that already. We better grab the costumes and head off ASAP. At this time, I'm pretty sure the Madam's already making her way to the party."

[The Floor Kippers]

Doc Charlie Grabbed Andriy a Tweed Suit with Tweed Waistcoat and A Doctor's Outfit from the Era
"Hope You're Not Allergic to Tweed" He said rushing Andriy Back to the lift "If this Guy Shows up again, Do you Think we could Lead him to Shada and Diadem?"

[Wolfenium]

"Much as I'd like to believe in their abilities," Andriy replied grudgingly, "I'm not even sure if they can deal with him. We don't even know who or what that man is, or his intentions and plans. Although killing the Madam is by far the most plausible one, he could easily have waited for the ship to dock in Saint Olivie, his home ground, and strike at her deep in the city streets with his comrades. I seriously doubt he would be as careless as the Doppelganger.

And no, I'm not allergic to tweed, thank you."

[The Floor Kippers]

"Its worth a Try, But I think you're right, this new guy doesn't seem as amateur as the Doppleganger" Doc Charlie said, Pushing him into the lift "Andriy, What is covered by the Bruhl Armistice? As in what Breaches it?"

[Wolfenium]

"The Armistice?" Andriy responded, "well... The Bruhl Armistice states that on the 25th December, Year 1325 of the Crystallian Calender, that is five years ago, on 1200 hrs, all belligerent parties, the Empire of Wolfenium and the Commonwealth of Amythyst, along with their allies, are to ceasefire and fall back 2,000 m from the frontline, roughly to where the Zhukov and Heidi Lines are positioned. Theoretically, the ceasefire is meant to last for an indefinite period of time until 'either party engages the other in combat with the intention of invading and occupying the neighbouring territory'. It's quite ambiguous, but it pretty much states that the armistice would end once either side open fires again.

It's for that reason the Amythysians were so desperate to break the Heidi Line into Belka until the last minute - they knew they were going to be on the losing end if they just stood by and allowed the Wolfeners to occupy Southern Halkenginia. They failed anyway and now the territories south of the DMZ are effectively lost.

As for breaching it, I don't even think the armistice is still in effect anymore, if it ever were. There had been hundreds of skirmishes between the two sides over the past four years, each aiming to test the other's defences. Such an attack wouldn't be out of place. But both sides still kept out of any full-scale battles. Such things would effective break the armistice permanently.

[New Amerik]

Drake was by the food stands, busilly filling himself up with those little open-faced sandwhiches, until at last he felt had enough and stepped back. He began to scan the crowds, and tapped a nearby waiter on the shoulder. "Excuse me, what's the schedule for tonight like?" he asked, smiling.

[The Floor Kippers]

"Well sir, The Music is going to start shortly so you can dance and after that its up to you how long you stay at the party" The Waiter replied

[New Amerik]

Drake replied, "Do they play Boxy?"

[The Floor Kippers]

"Boxy, Sir?" The waiter queried

[New Amerik]

"Boxy, Sir?" The waiter queried

Drake nodded. "Yeah, Boxy! Combining the ragtime and jazz of the 1920s and 30s with the soothing electronic beats of the 2010s and the funk of the 1970s. Great genre, it really is."

[The Floor Kippers]

"I believe the Band only Plays Music from the 20s sir" The Waiter replied "The 70s, 30s and 2010s are slightly out of their musical Niche"

[New Amerik]

Drake looked downcast, before waving it off. "Eh, no problem. Let's get on with the festivities!"

[The Floor Kippers]

"The Armistice?" Andriy responded, "well... The Bruhl Armistice states that on the 25th December, Year 1325 of the Crystallian Calender, that is five years ago, on 1200 hrs, all belligerent parties, the Empire of Wolfenium and the Commonwealth of Amythyst, along with their allies, are to ceasefire and fall back 2,000 m from the frontline, roughly to where the Zhukov and Heidi Lines are positioned. Theoretically, the ceasefire is meant to last for an indefinite period of time until 'either party engages the other in combat with the intention of invading and occupying the neighbouring territory'. It's quite ambiguous, but it pretty much states that the armistice would end once either side open fires again.

It's for that reason the Amythysians were so desperate to break the Heidi Line into Belka until the last minute - they knew they were going to be on the losing end if they just stood by and allowed the Wolfeners to occupy Southern Halkenginia. They failed anyway and now the territories south of the DMZ are effectively lost.

As for breaching it, I don't even think the armistice is still in effect anymore, if it ever were. There had been hundreds of skirmishes between the two sides over the past four years, each aiming to test the other's defences. Such an attack wouldn't be out of place. But both sides still kept out of any full-scale battles. Such things would effective break the armistice permanently.

"What Started this Whole Mess off anyway?" Doc Charlie Asked

[Wolfenium]

"How it started?" Andriy replied, glancing away in shame as he answered, "it's a... long story... But I'll try."

"Amythyst was once a great nation... a land of heroes... a land of diversity. For most of Astoli history, the Kingdom and later Commonwealth had controlled over all the known world, Extending its reach beyond the Agarian subcontinent, but by the turn of the 16th Century A.D., much of Amythyst's once powerful empire began to crumble, as years of stagnation and corruption gave way to rebellions all across its southern possessions. By the arrival of modern era, Amythyst had lost virtually a third of its territory, which were to form what is now modern day Vinchi and Wolfenium. It is for that reason that relations between the Commonwealth and its neighbours had been so tense. The ruling noble class are still bitter over the losses, and even till today, they continue to delude themselves in vision of grandeur, in a time long after the end of our golden era. But that was just the beginning of our tragedy...

By the second millenium A.D., Amythyst was but a shadow of its former self. Bearing the brunt of a frigid, little Ice Age, the nation's people suffered under the pain of famine, drought and disease. Its citizens, though technically still living in a First-World nation, were now trapped in a Third-World backwater, while its leaders continue to indulge in whatever riches the land has left. With rising popular anger against the aristocratic class, revolutionaries and separatists alike prowl the countrysides, wreaking havoc on the already shattered city centers of the Motherland. The nation seemed doomed to a slow, painful death. And yet its leaders remain adamant in controlling the reins, using its all-powerful military to stamp out dissent with extreme prejudice. But then came that faithful decision.

As the ice front moved south, the Agarian Federation, fearing a similar crisis as their rivals, quickly imposed a limit on trade, stocking up whatever supplies they had and in effect, stifling whatever life their northern neighbour had left. It was the final straw. Desperate to stave off any eventual uprising, the Amythysian government turned to the one solution that had always served them well up to this point - war. On April the 9th, Year 1319 of the Crystallian Calender, or 2000 A.D., elements of the Amythysian Expeditionary Force stormed the border between Amythyst and its smaller neighbour, Wolfenium, taking advantage of their mourning over the death of their emperor. Seizing control of most of the Province of Belka, and with Wolfsburg within range of Amythysian bombers, analysts proudly proclaimed a swift victory within six weeks...

But we were wrong... Six months passed, and the A.E.F. were left pinned at the foot of the Alstein mountains. The Wolfeners took advantage of the border's weakened defences and tunneled their way into our lands, circumventing our troops and effectively trapping the Amythysians in their own soil. We had underestimated their resolve. We had been forced back by their defences, and we were made to pay for our own errors. The next six years would see a bloody standoff in Amythysian soil, as we fought our way across our own, scorched lands against the Wolfen enemy. It was a bitter fight, but in the end... millions of Amythysian soldiers and civilians died for nothing. Nothing. Our armies were decimated by their superior weapons, our pride and prestige shattered beyond repair, and our nation humiliated in the loss of thousands of square kilometers of land to the Imperial Defence Force. We had failed our Halkenginian allies, and most of all, we have failed ourselves.

The Wolfeners now scorn us for this unprovoked attack, and continue to play up sympathy to the international community. In truth, they relish the spoils of victory, one at which came at a heavy price, but with a - need I say it... - 'deserving' reward. I do not wish for you and your people to be caught up in our nation's politics. It's not worth the pain.

We should check up on the Madam first, just to make sure that... man had not gotten to her. We can change up once we're sure she's under watchful eyes."

[The Floor Kippers]

"Can't say I Blame you" Doc Charlie said "People have gone to war for Worse reasons. And there is a Difference between Spoils of war and reparations Hammered forcefully out of a desperate nation. As far as I am concerned any sympathy that Wolfenium may possibly have gotten from me, the captain, the CEO, The Major and quite a few other people has gone out of the window because of recent events."
They were now outside Irina's room.
Doc Charlie Knocked on the door.