Baptism of Fire 79

[Loyo]

Scores
Matchday 1: Loyo 2–1 Talannua @ Spectrum Stadium, Dannin

‘45 Plant
‘48 Seth Lambosa
‘68 Harrison Smithini

Loyo faced fellow Atlantian Oceania competition Talannua in their first international outing. Spectrum Stadium welcomed a small traveling crowd of fans from Loyo, and worried murmurs arose after the Talannuans dominated the first 20 minutes in possession and energy.

David Woods found Takara Coca flat footed and made a sprint towards the goal that pitched those murmurs into shouts and beleaguered screams, but a timely block by Luka DeVayne sent the ball off the post for a corner.

Loyo found its first shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the booted ball from Cora Takeshi outside the penalty box was easily fallen upon by John True. Loyo would only find one more shot on target in the first half, when Harrison Smithini’s chance at finding the top left corner was batted away by the keeper.

The Wild Horses found a go-ahead goal before the whistle, as a John Stable pass found Matthew Plant routing inside, who beat Tsujii Matashichi with a solidly placed shot just out of reach.

The sullen team that walked into the locker room at the halftime break was not the same team that emerged to play the second half. Of course, the team was literally not the same. Ineffective Joss Saturnalis was subbed for Seth Lambosa, as the manager looked to fire up the attack on the right side of the pitch.

Quick results followed as Lambosa rewarded the manager for the chance with a header on a Smithini lobbed ball in the 48th minute. There was a tangible shift in the momentum of the game from that moment forward, as the Loyons seemed to gain their confidence after finding the net. Tenacious pressing made Joseph Jester lose the ball to Smithini, who capped off his night with the winning goal right before substitutions were made again.

A closely contested match, it could have gone either way. Smithini was roundly applauded when he stepped off the pitch for Mo Guanyu, and the manager embraced him merrily.

“I couldn’t have asked more for the first match,” Han Tamada said. “A great showing from some players that really gave their all. It’s clear that there are things to be desired, but we’ll save that for tomorrow’s practice.”

Lineups for Matchday 2: Elmyia

Matashichi,
Coca, DeVayne, Liucci,
Celadon, Cetti, Smithini, Lambosa,
Jinaowa, Takeshi, Risamasu

[Cap Nord]

“Pair of jacks, read ‘m and weep.”

With a toothpaste smile, Rohan Williams carefully put his cards on the bin that served as a makeshift card table. Nearly simultaneously, ‘Johnny’ Peary and Pieter Valentijn threw their hand through the room, mumbling some profanities about the ancestry of their teammate. It did not seem to matter which activity was involved (scoring in a stadium, scoring in table tennis, scoring with cards, scoring in a club), Williams had fallen in a kettle of good luck as a toddler and the golden aura that surrounded him had never waned. Having arrived in Koroa already two weeks ago, they hadn’t seen much more than the training pitch, the stadium and the inside of their room. Forseth believed that focus mattered, but by now they were racing up the walls.

“At this point, you would almost hope we would get eliminated before the second round,” Patrick sighed, “I’m sick and tired of losing to mister Four-Leave Clover.”
“If you stop helping Siel to get clean sheets, I promise to no longer curl free kicks in the top corner,” Williams grinned.
“What, are we…”. Pieter Valentijn never had been the sharpest pencil in the box, but a quick smack in the back of Johnny set him straight.
“There are other ways to resolve that…”

The smile from Williams deserved to make it into the dictionary under cheeky. Collectively, their eyes followed his stare out the window, looking to the neon lights of the Grand Casino. They had been taunting the players from day one and now, their resistance crumbled.

“Just grab the drainpipe, jiggle a little and after a jump, we’re on the emergency stairs.”
They all contemplated for a second.
“As soon as Van Nooten has passed by the doors, we leg it.” Peary rarely used more words than necessary, so that decided it. Almost.
“I…”

Siel Leuwert looked for words. A lot of things were falling over one another in his head and he had always struggled to put such a cascade into coherent sentences.

“If they catch us it’s… And we will be seen, I mean… And how do we get in?”
“They won’t, they won’t and we will.” The plan had lodged itself into the head of the four others, with Williams inspecting the drainpipe up close and Valentijn looking over in the hallway.

“And…” Siel protested.
“What?”
“And my thumb.”

The part that connected it to the palm still was double as thick as usual but so far, his gloves had managed to mask that from the staff. His roommates kept shut, in part because Leuwert was a quiet but very likeable fellow but mainly as their confidence in his replacements had hit rock bottom. Marzinn was considered too young for such a responsibility and Le Vallez had managed to instigate a feud with most of his defensive line, ensuring that the crew preferred a half-injured Leuwert over the alternatives.

“You are worrying too much Siel, your thumb can use a night out as much as the rest of your body.”

Patrick Van Hilvaren had possessed the voice of a captain since back when he played with the under-9s, so that decided it. After sharing some fake yawns with assistant coach Van Nooten, they dressed up quietly and swung open the window to freedom.

-

The metallic stairs made more noise than they recalled or maybe that is what multiple hours of drinks on the house do to your hearing. Behind the majestic hotel, the first glimmer of sunrise was working its way up.

“Hurry,” Rohan hissed, having swung his leg already over the window sill. With an unexpected elegance, Peary swung himself along the drainpipe like a gymnast, making it two. For Pieter Valentijn, making it was a little harder. His bulky stature hung by the pole like a rippled flag and it seemed implausible that the room next door had not heard the loud bang with which he tripped back into the room. At first, it appeared as if Siel did a more inspired job, holding on with his left hand and trying to grab the sill. But in his swing, he narrowly missed it. The velocity of his action smacked him against the wall, doubling his thumb which had left behind against the hard rock. The blow cost him his hold and he slid a little down. Only the characteristic goalie finger strength kept him from falling two stories down to the ground.

Leuwert groaned and that only became louder after Patrick and Johnny hauled him into the room. “It’s torn, it’s f—ing torn”, he repeated. “It is not that bad,” Rohan attempted to say, but he too could not keep his eyes off the fifteen shades of purple which danced on the goalie’s hand.

Perry took a look, whistled shortly and concluded. “Yeah, you’re f—ed.”

Feel free to let your tabloids hint to the incident but the official reason for Leuwerts absence for the second game is a training injury. Le Vallez enters the team

[Tecoia]

Three Cultures, Three Styles

Ever since Tecoian merchants took the beautiful game from the geese-filled lands of Rushmore to tropical Tecoia at the turn of the 20th century, the denizens of the eastern Mandalanusan archipelago have adored the sport. Numerous clubs were established, each with their own unique style of football to boast. Even when the nation was suffering through its civil war in the 1920s, Fabiano Ramiro Almeida's dictatorship in the 1960s, or sporadic violence between its cultural divides in the present, futebol was always the thing everyone could unite with (besides its other love, basquetebol). Everyone tuned it to watch stars such as Álvaro Lopes, Marciano Romão, and Érico Costa, and it's even said that crime rates drop whenever Os Marítimos enter the pitch. Let us look into the different styles of Tecoian football, caused by the nation's cultural divisions.

In the year 1509, the Tecoian archipelago was colonized by raiders from still-unknown origins. These colonizers had a mostly Lusitanian-influenced culture and language, which greatly influenced Tecoian culture for the next three centuries. The nation's most-spoken language after native Tecoian is still Lusitanian. The introduced culture also greatly affected how football clubs from the Lusitanian-influenced cities were formed and organized. No city represents this better than Portavem, Tecoia's most populous city. Nacional Portavem, Sporting Clube de Portavem, and SD Teixeira were three of Tecoia's five most influential clubs when the sport was still growing in the mid-20th century. While the capital Aveidras did not have such rich footballing history, Atlético Aveidras is still a team to be reckoned with every season.

By the 1840s, another set of colonizers invaded the archipelago. This time, they were said to have departed somewhere in Terranea. How they got to Tecoia is still a hot topic for debate among historians. Their culture had a vastly-different effect from the Lusitanian clubs. While not being one of the oldest teams in the Primeira Liga, Hazelport United and Port Shepherd FC have taken pride on eagle-eyed scouting, progressive youth development, and smart transfers to quickly cement themselves on top of the Tecoian football hierarchy. Of course, they have since developed intense rivalries with the Lusitanian clubs and amongst themselves. The Terranean clubs are currently Tecoia's best-possible representatives in IFCF competitions, something that the Lusitanian-majority population have despised. Despite all the hate, no teams look good enough to beat them, except Nacional.

Lastly, we won't be able to complete the story without mentioning the native Tecoian (colloquially called Takoy) culture and how it has snuck between the cracks of the great Lusitanian-Terranean rivalry. Despite the two giant foreign influences crashing down on the islands over the centuries, Takoy culture has never really been erased. Today, Takoy is still the most-spoken language in the isles, and many aspects of Tecoian life have been heavily altered by the intermingle between Takoy, Lusitanian, and Terranean. This includes football. Behind the big two Terranean teams and Nacional, largely-Takoy club FC Carnauan 1955 has always provided a tough challenge for many teams attempting to take the crown.

Three major influences, three vastly different footballing cultures. Lusitanian football is characterized by a crafty and patient type of progression, Terranean football focuses more on high pressing and rapid attacking, while Takoy football is known by its never-say-die attitude. In the upcoming Primeira Liga season, which will come out on top? Right now, there are only three clubs that truly seem like championship-caliber squads. However, football can be unpredictable at times. Can an underdog sneak by? Another, which new Tecoian starlets will have their breakthrough this year? With Tecoian football in its current state, there is a lot of potential for Os Marítimos to quickly climb up the ranks. However, if there's a lesson the Tecoians have learned throughout the years, it is to not be too complacent when things go your way.

---

Amidst controversial circumstances, misunderstanding between opponents quickly resolved

After what was a bizarre and contentious finish to Tecoia's fixture against Ganes Ame in the 79th Baptism of Fire, held at the Estádio Marítimo in Ko-oren, a mix-up occurred between Tecoian midfielder Fabio Sequeira and adversary Valdo Pina Salcedo. What made their altercation even more heated was the fact that Pina conceded a last-minute penalty to the Tecoians after fouling Sequeira. However, many have since disputed the call, arguing that the Tecoian flopped in order to salvage a point through a penalty. After the tendentious ending, Pina apologized to Sequeira for his lunge. However, Sequeira seemed to interpret what he said; translating "lo siento" as "I feel" instead "I'm sorry" . Sequeira immediately looked confused, and after exchanging some words with the right-back, both realized that it was just a misunderstanding. Sequeira later explained to the press that he had no issues whatsoever with any of the opposing players. He also decided not to comment on his debatable fall. Next on Os Marítimos' itinerary is Harmonia, who smashed Ingont 6-2 at the Hazel Arena, in Straudum.

---

BOA SORTE, MARÍTIMOS!

[Yakk]

YAKKIAN NATIONAL TEAM

FORMATION 4-4-2
STYLE MOD +1.25
COACH: RIchard Presintino (Xanneria)

BOLD Names = starters

GK Egered Khad
GK Tsendahk Morgil-Bahk
GK Nygil Ohkmar
LB Tenzig Lhi
LB Orgil Ambat
LCB Nije Xi
LCB Tsedorgil Naanbagred
RCB Uslan Kirminov
RCB Narmandahk Ayil-Orbat
RB Nyam-Oyush Sahkmar
RB Ohk-Nyam Oranbaat
LDM Nohkmar Ayil-Orbat
LDM Tengza Tibie
RDM Vitaly Openka
RDM Gankaat Egered
LOM Mihkeal Boryozov
LOM Mandahk Agart
ROM Tsend-Agil Orgaat
ROM Jin Tinpeg
LW Tsagaantsoojiin Oryaangabar
LW Ki Ninjao
RW Sohkmaat Tsedinaat
RW Naar-Osir Guyanbar
ST Guyar Cirmahk
MF Bilguur Nyasabahk
DF Angaat Nyar-Ohkbaat

[Mertagne]

BAPTISM OF FIRE 79 - MERTAGNE AND KO-OREN
Matchday Two Scores

Group A - Mertagne
Mystylands 0–4 Talannua @ Flynn Ar3na, New Fligsive
Elmyia 2–2 Loyo @ Dannin City Stadium, Dannin
The Republic of Covelandia 0–1 West Barack and East Obama @ Spectrum Stadium, Dannin

*  Group A                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 West Barack and East Obama   2   2  0  0    2   0  +2    6
2 Loyo                         2   1  1  0    4   3  +1    4
3 Talannua                     2   1  0  1    5   2  +3    3
4 Elmyia                       2   0  1  1    2   3  −1    1
  The Republic of Covelandia   2   0  1  1    1   2  −1    1
6 Mystylands                   2   0  1  1    1   5  −4    1

[Ko-oren]

BAPTISM OF FIRE 79 - MERTAGNE AND KO-OREN
Matchday Two Scores

Group B - Ko-oren
Ingont 1–0 New South Yukon @ Hazel Arena, Straudum
Ganes Ame 0–0 Captina Island @ Estádio Marítimo, Santa Teresa
Harmonia 1–2 Tecoia @ Spider Stadium, Alara

* Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Captina Island         2   1  1  0    3   0  +3    4
2 Tecoia                 2   1  1  0    5   4  +1    4
3 Harmonia               2   1  0  1    7   4  +3    3
4 Ingont                 2   1  0  1    3   6  −3    3
5 Ganes Ame              2   0  2  0    3   3   0    2
6 New South Yukon        2   0  0  2    0   4  −4    0

Group C - Koroa City
Atetancillo 3–5 Cap Nord @ Bazaar, Koroa City
Koronavia 3–1 Canadian Dominion @ Pavilion, Koroa City
Kethsi 1–5 Yakk @ Arena, Koroa City

* Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Cap Nord               2   2  0  0    6   3  +3    6
  Koronavia              2   2  0  0    4   1  +3    6
3 Yakk                   2   1  0  1    5   2  +3    3
4 Kethsi                 2   1  0  1    4   6  −2    3
5 Canadian Dominion      2   0  0  2    1   4  −3    0
6 Atetancillo            2   0  0  2    4   8  −4    0

Matchday 3 will be scorinated in roughly 48 hours from this post.

[New Harmonia]

HARMONIA NEWS SERVICE sport

Harmonia Runs Riot!

Soccer fever took over the country as Harmonia kicked off the Baptism of Fire in Straudum. Plazas and bars across the country were filled with people, from the most die hard ultras to casual supporters who wanted to show national pride. “Win, lose, or tie, we will still be proud because it is a historic day for this country” were the words of Neil Watts, an owner of a bar near the business district in Harmony City. He offered a free drink to anyone who showed up in a Harmonia jersey.

The game got off to a poor start, with Ingont scoring a free kick from just outside the box in the 12th minute. That foul was one of six that Harmonia committed in the first 30 minutes, with the defense becoming needlessly physical. A textbook counter attacking move in the 27th minute pulled Harmonia back equal, causing cheers to erupt across the country. This joy was short lived however, as Ingont scored a brace in the 38th minute off of a poor goalkeeping error. A ball which should have easily been swatted away fell through the fingertips of the goalkeeper and into the net.

Understandably, Domenique Canaan’s team talk at the half was very intense. “I told the boys that they needed to focus and remember why we are here. We need to focus and play for the badge if we are going to be successful,” was his comment when the press asked him what he said to spark the second half comeback.

It was an auspicious start to the second half, as a long ball into the box brought Harmonia even minutes after half. From then, the goals started to flow. A header from a corner in the 54th minute. A close range volley in the 62nd minute. From that point on, it became apparent that Harmonia had the upper hand on their competitors. They played with more energy and we’re making the better decisions.

The frustration seemed to boil over for Ingont in the 76th minute as they conceded a penalty after a dangerous slide tackle in the box. Harmonia converted this penalty to make the score 5-2. To add insult to injury, the attacker put a cheeky chip over the goalkeeper to make it 6-2.

Even for the most optimistic fan, the result was surprisingly good. Although it may be a knee-jerk reaction, it seems like the manager Canaan has won favor among many fans for not only being able to win, but win convincingly. It almost makes it easier to stomach the fact that he refused to release the starting XI for the next game.

[Loyo]

Scores
Matchday 2: Loyo 2–2 Elmyia @ Dannin City Stadium, Dannin

‘21 Taskeshi (Penalty)
‘33 Jinaowa
‘72 Bernardini
‘88 Bernardini

”We Need More Fans, Dammit!”

A month before leaving for Mertagne and the Baptism of Fire

Han Tamada had been trying to drink less. He really had. But it was nearing 5 o’clock and he had been on hold for an hour. The tinny anthem blasted into his eardrums for what must have been the seven hundredth time, and the manager decided that a whiskey on the rocks was in order for the evening. A pause in the music gave him false hope that someone on the other end had finally picked up, but the ear-piercing trumpets returned only a second later.

“Why didn’t the revolution decide on a calming piano piece instead of the bombastic blaring of a billion trumpets?” he wondered, whirling the drink in his hand.

“Your call is important to us, please remain on the line and we will be with you promptly!”

Even in socialism he could not escape the droning hollow automated voice of the on-hold. If Tamada were in a better mood, he might have thought about how such an inconvenience would have been impossible only 15 years before, as the room in which he sat almost assuredly would not have had telecommunications connection. Yet at this moment, Han Tamada was not an optimist. He saw a glass half-empty, and the booming trumpets were about to shatter the glass into pieces.

“You are on hold with the department of domestic sporting affairs, under the purview of the general committee of the communist party of Loyo. Please have your concern written out and readily accessible!”

Tamada mockingly voiced out the line that he had heard every minute for the last hour. His history with the communist party was decades long. His father had been a farmer during the revolution, and had served in both the Loyon People’s Defense Army and the Revolutionary Police. He had been able to attend university in the capital when his family moved, and the fact that his father was among the first to organize with the party made the Tamada name more well known than ever before. His oldest brother, Jao, became an editor at the national newspaper, and his only sister, Qia, went on to have a very successful career within the same general committee in which he was currently trying to communicate with.

“Your call is important to us, please remain-”

The line was quickly filled with a voice that Tamada knew all too well.

“Mr. Tamada, always a pleasure to hear from you.” Was that sarcasm?

“Yes, you as well, Mr. Fiota. I was calling to talk to you about-”

“About your silly little soccer thing, yes?”

Tamada fumed. Yes, it was about the silly little soccer thing. He decided to brush past the insult and get into the meat of the matter.

“I believe that our football team can provide much-needed levity for the people of Loyo, and that’s why I wanted to talk with you today, Mr. Fiota, to see if it is possible to secure funding for 5,000 fans to fly to Mertagne for the tournament, and waive the exit permit for any fans that can travel to the country themselves.”

The line was quiet for a long while. So long that Tamada thought that the line had perhaps been muted.

“Am I on speaker again? That’s really unprofessional.”

When Mr. Fiota returned to the call, there was the aftermath of a chuckle resonating through the phone.

“Well I’ve talked with some other members of the department of domestic sporting affairs, and the best we can do is 250.”

“250 fans won’t be enough to fill even a section. It will be a national embarrassment on the world stage.” Tamada grit his teeth, as he had lowballed at even 5,000.

“Listen, Mr. Tamada. We just paid for several thousand fans to travel to the World Baseball Classic. We’re tight on funds you know. There’s some fellow in Hanseong that has a broken something or other at Saint Donghai’s, we’re trying to get a youth league up and running… It’s a whole thing. 250 fans can come see you kick a ball around. That should be generous.”

“And about the exit permits? I’m sure thousands would come to see this new game that you so mockingly call ‘kicking a ball around.’”

“If your ragged, skinny, baseball-hating, tradition scoffing players can scrounge up a knockout round showing, we can find some way to waive more exit permits than not.”

“Perfect. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Fiota.”

“Good luck, and don’t lose that practice ball we gave you. We won’t be funding a replacement.”

Tamada was already pouring a second drink.

Lineups for Matchday 3: The Republic of Covelandia

Matashichi (C),
Ambarita, DeVayne, Sastre,
Celadon, Cetti, Smithini, Guanyu,
Argayagoyena, Takeshi, Yoshiaga

[Elmyia]

Control, control, control. If a manager could request three things, this is what they would be after. Football is a game that often lacks it. It is low scoring, so setting up your team of better players, to play in a better style, might not even result in victory. Clubs can often be rife with differing agendas, people pulling in different directions. It's hard to have control when your best player decides to throw in a transfer request, your chairman won't green light any transfer spend and your star centre-back selfishly ruins an important ligament. International management is even worse, you get little time with the players, cliques form around clubs and you don't know enough about the opposition.

Benni had spent his managerial lifetime trying to assert as much control as possible. He had found his ways to control his players, much like a good school teacher, control can be established with a series of tricks, and it doesn't necessarily require a big personality or force of nature. When he first started, his main one was to set rigorously high standards and then follow through with discipline. One player, usually a star striker, will decide they don't love turning up early to training. They don't love doing endless stamina work. They don't love doing endless drills on defensive shape. They let their displeasure be known, either by saying something, or by simply not doing what they've been told. If it was the first, he'd simply bollock them. If they did the latter, he would send them to reserves and transfer list them. Once players had seen this happen once, they were usually more than happy to comply. As he moved through his career, however, he found two more subtler tools. The first was to buy players who wanted to play for you, the logic of which is obvious. The second was to prove you are a good coach. This is probably the most effective. If players think you can improve them, and forge a team that play well, they will love you. Not matter how cold, distant and awkward.

These last two, the issue is, take time, and are far less possible when you are an international manager. So, control is hard to establish, especially when you find yourself two-nil down with just 25 minutes left to run. Benni huffed, time to throw the dice. Not really his style, but when out of options it has to happen. Now to think, who to replace and who to bring on? Well we're shit in possession and shit out of possession, so all of them? Elmyia has looked porous at the back, Chizzo was having another nightmare, the switch to a different marking system was really throwing her out. Skinned by Risamasu early on, she hauled him to the ground conceding a penalty. She also looked at fault for the Jinaowa goal, pulled out of position by an onrushing wing back, Freschi and Grosso found themselves outnumbered 3 on 2. So, Chizzo comes off for Savalas, but what about the issues in possession? Holding possession had remained challenging, whilst they were being afforded a reasonable share of it, players were too skittish in running forward, and not enough control was being established. Wing-back Awfield would make way, his endless running and industry to be replaced by the more technical gifts of Monica Rossellini.

Sure enough, it worked. Rossellini whipped a corner in, and finally one of the set-piece routines paid off. The ball in dropped to the space just inside the edge of the box, Grosso and Chapman shield the run of Benedetti, he peels round, has miles of space and smashes an effort in, glancing off a defender. Belief rushes in, momentum swings. Benni started pacing around the technical area. They were connecting now, weaving passes, building towards something. "Drop back 10 yards" he screamed across, they were leaving too much space. He passed another note to Scoular at right-back, instructing her to tuck in slightly and asking Beluigi to move into the channel. With just minutes left on the board, Scoular picked up the ball, laid it off to Beluigi in the channel who then fed it through to Katsouranis on the other wing. She cut in, shot, blocked, out to Benedetti. 2-2. They'd salvaged something. Full-time came, the players came bouncing in, high off the buzz of pulling it off at the death. They sat down and slowly went quiet.

"Control, we must learn control. Better performance second half, tomorrow we start again." The players looked slightly taken aback, they were expecting a bit more praise for a result dug out at the last minute. Benni cleared his throat again for one final intervention "we need to win our remaining games. We must be perfect. Not good, PERFECT." He walked out.

***

Paul Reynard swirled his brandy one final time before sinking it. He hated pre-season. Endless drills, getting his team into shape, trying to push them forward. But, without games, he felt hard to be motivated. He wasn't one of those managers, of course, interested in shape and all that modern bollocks. He wanted to motivate his team to be lions, to win, to strive. For that you need games, otherwise it just sounds like a load of guff. A knock came at the door, it was Jackie Froggatt. Froggatt, bloody love her. Best in the league. In the WHOLE league. "And what can I do for you Jackie?"

"Did you see the Elmyia result just come in?"

"No, as you know I'm keeping well away." he paused and felt he might be being slightly ungenerous here "go on then, tell me."

"2-2. That's 1 point from 6, they look adrift."

"Aye, terrible shame for the nation. Terrible. But that's what they get for employing... him" That bastard, smug, useless. What good's your big ideas now eh?.

"They looked lost, better as the half went on."

"That'll happen, that'll happen. Missing the best players mind you, the very best."

"That they are boss. I was wondering, if they keep him on for qualifying are we... well. Are we..." Jackie's throat went dry, Paul's face had already started to shift through the different shades of red. He could well be bubbling up towards thunderous. That, or the brandy was kicking in.

"Jackie, for both of our sakes, I'll pretend you were not about to ask me the question you were, okay?" his voiced came out stilted, like he was firing each word like a dart at her.

"Understood gaffer."

His face relaxed again "can I interest you in a drink?"

[The Republic of Covelandia]

I agree too Everything but it aint letting me copy on meh phone

[The Republic of Covelandia]

Breaking News Ostania Mesoli has been cannibalising on his team-mate Hosem Macklahim, The royal cabinet decided to keep cannibalism strictly controlled with only ritually sacrificed beings allowed to be eaten. This has letted 2 open slots as Mesoli is arrested for 4 and a half years. As Emed Gahmen and Ibby Wahi take there spot giving Covelandia a boost is Wahi as he places 7th in most offensive player 2 years ago before his break but this will change game style to +1.5 offensivly. Now on to the "break."

[New South Yukon]

Lemmings drop to 0-2 as they, yet again, get shut out

Ingont defeated New South Yukon 1-0, not letting the Lemmings score a single goal, as was the case last game. However, on the bright side, our goalie only allowed ONE goal! Hopefully we can do better in the final 3 games, otherwise we have no hope at making the QFs. A 3-game win streak could get us to 3rd, though.

[Cap Nord]

The fans had witnessed, possibly, the best performance in the admittedly short history of the Capnordic national team and a certain sense of triumph did not go amiss in the group. The neon lights screamed the boisterous 1-5 score to all present. Atetancillo had started the game on par but a flurry of goals just after half time had knocked them all out and now they all focussed on keeping the damage limited (in so far this was still an option). It did not help that in Cap Nord, running up the score does not have the vague negative flair it has elsewhere and they all tried to find a hole in the eleven-man wall for that bit more icing on the cake.

To correct, it was a ten-man wall. The opponents had brought in a young striker late in the game. Usually, this was just a move to stall the pace or to rest more important players: their next game would already be do or die if they wanted to reach the quarters. But the youngster had little appetite to run down the clock. When one of his defenders booted it forward, trying to win a few seconds to reorganise, he chased it with gusto. Erik Brymsaeter missed his control and before you know it, the Atetancillan replacement had marked his first international goal. With 2-5 on the board and just minutes left, most Capnordic brushed it off and lifted their shoulders. Most.

“You f—ing dimwit, keep your head in it!” Pierre Le Vallez was not the kind of goalkeeper to temper his feelings. Being snubbed by Leuwert had initially been a blow but he too had to admit that his competitor had proven himself worthy of the gloves. That did not mean that he would not grab this chance with both hands and as any goalie knew, figures do matter.
“Brym! Brym! Yeah, you, Pencil! Get sharpened up!” In other circumstances, it could have been a witty wordplay on Brymsaeters nickname but after a tiring match, in which he had been a driving force, the left back was having none of it.
“F—ing can it, bigmouth, you better save it.”

Within seconds, the two stood nose to nose and only a fast reaction from van Hilvaren kept them apart. A slightly confused referee, more used to opponents carrying bad blood than teammates, waved them to their respective positions and restarted play. But the matter loomed over them like a black cloud. It wasn’t quality and in the last minute, the same Atetancillan intercepted a mediocre pass from Worbe to Brymsaeter, gave it two fast touches and posted it in the bottom corner. A fine shot, not impossible to catch but decent quality. Before it hit the net, Le Vallez already stepped forward, fuming. He looked seconds away from have cartoonish steam coming out of his ears. With a sprint unsuitable for a goalie, he ran up to Brymsaeter, lifting the defender up by his shirt with one powerful arm.
“You shitstain, you just let him get away, you didn’t even chase it.”
“Oh f— off, just do your job you moron.”

Again van Hilvaren appeared in time to appease, aided by the ref who handed Le Vallez a yellow whilst trying to understand the dynamic himself. The goalkeeper dropped Pencil back to the floor and slumped back to his goal, muttering in himself. What happened next remains a mystery. Le Vallez claims he just complained about his left back, the latter claimed that Le Vallez slurred his mother. His mother, who passed away in the build-up to the tournament. Erik Brymsaeter was known as every inch a gentleman, but this turned a switch in his head. In two steps, he reached his goalie and smacked him in the face with the fist.

..

Jon Forseth rewinded the images one last time. It had been Van Nooten who had pointed him to it, but he wanted to see it with his own eyes to be sure. Again, Carl Worbe gave a worthless pass to Brymsaeter that got easily intercepted. The first time he had watched the Atetancillan striker scoring the 3-5. Now he ogled his defenders: Brymsaeter, van Hilvaren, Peary, …Wax statues. Jon nodded to his assistant who asked. “So… Do we replace three guys or just two? Because either Le Vallez goes or…”

Forseth sighed: “I can’t condone this kind of behaviour from the defenders - they should stick with their goalie in all circumstances, personal dislike or not. But going up against Koronavia with Noble and Gustafsson in central defense… The Foxes are on fire, Pördsen scores easily and their midfield absences only make them stronger: that Siewart is a talent. And besides, Le Vallez also is not completely excused.”
Van Nooten nodded. “Maybe the only correct alternative is, well… Four replacements. It’s still a long tournament. Either we cut short the problem or it will fester. Even if it costs points.”

[West Barack and East Obama]

MOMO AND THE OBAMASAURUS: PUTTING THE FIRE BACK INTO THE BAPTISM OF FIRE

Uploaded 1st September 2022 by DJ Momo Official

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Hey hey hey! It's your G DJ Momo, and today I'm releasing the second episode of my amazing vlogging series! Thanks for all the views and donations to my patreon, that was really thoughtful. So yes, I will be discussing the national football team's journey in the Baptism of Fire, and release some snippets from our upcoming Obamania album!

Did you guys know that our opponents yesterday are a team full of cannibals? Weird, right? Well, it was a good thing that we beat such a primitive nation. The Republic of Covelandia were soundly destroyed... 1-0. But hey, another clean sheet for us, and it's probably all thanks to me. I almost made a terrible backpass but I didn't! That would had led to a goal scoring opportunity and Denovitz would had ordered my head to be chopped off. I mostly stayed quiet for the whole match, cause I was so relaxed from such an easy game you know. Plus we scored in 5th minute from Lily Chobamya's free kick so we could sit back and relax for the whole game.

Actually while I was running around the pitch, trying my best to not give the ball away, I thought of some really fire beats. You know, the way I was running, it was like... rhythmic. Also all the claps from the fans? That's the bass. Well, you all wouldn't understand, since you're not award winning musicians. But it was fire. So amazingly epic. In fact, maybe after this tournament is over, we'll make a bonus track for the album.

Speaking of the album... wanna hear a snippet of the second song? It's titled 'Poor People Diss Track' and it's just straight up epic. I sampled the grunts of some random beggar while I visited Lozho, and I was so inspired to create this. The Obamasaurus took it from there, and we have pure amazingness.

Sod off poor peeps you bunch of freeloaders
We got caviar you got Sozha Soda
You don't have a home, we have a mansion
Begging for our wealth, just seeking attention

Sheeeeeesh! That was so fire my eyebrows burned off. Anyways, remember to buy some of the promotional merch for Obamania. Link is in the description below. See you all next time?

[Yakk]

www.Railphotos.xan - Photo tour!

RAILROAD: Empire Railways (Yak Empire)
LOCOMOTIVE: CONRail LDF-1900
LOCOMOTIVE #: YER #1219
LOCATION: Ginje Bridge
DATE: June 25th 2017
DESCRIPTION: The Lhaskan Plateau is one of the most inaccessible places in all of Atlantian Oceania. For years the Lhaskans would ascend the plateau and attack farming settlements at the base of the plateau, they would then hurry back up the plateau before the Yak Empire could counter, now a days with trains, any Yakian can get to Lhaska, thanks to a series of plentifull bridges and tunnels that were built in the 1860s with help from some of the brightest engineers in Yak.

SCORECARD

YAKK - 5 Oryaangabar 5' 52' 84' Tsedinaat 30' Tinpeg 66'
KETHSI - 1 ??? [PK] 70'

[Talannua]

I wake up.
I am surrounded by white walls, and I lie in a firm, grey bed.
There is a warmth in the room as the sun peeks through the windows, tries to force its way through the closed blinds.
I notice right away that I feel very different. I am still a little tired, and still trying to wake up, but I am able to notice multiple things at once. My thoughts are coming together better. I don't know where I am right now, but it occurs to me the men on horses who came for me right before I passed out at the sight of my own leg, and that they must have helped me greatly since then.
There is a blanket covering me. I become aware that my leg stings all the way up and down. But it is rather mild. My left arm is on top of the blanket. I notice there is no hand there, but the arm looks clean, as though there was never supposed to be a hand there.

A woman walked in, wearing a green jacket and holding a book and a pen. "Sir, how are you?"
"Fine, miss," I reply. Suddenly, questions flood my head, and I spit out, "What's going on?"
"You were very badly hurt," the woman replied calmly. "My husband is one of the town constables. He and his officers found you out in the fields, stumbling. They brought him to me."
"And where is this?"
"This is the hospital. My name is Talia. I am one of the doctors here. You are safe."
"You were able to fix me?"
"Time will tell, but I think so. You were missing your hand, but we were able to clean and close your wound, so you should have no problems. Your leg was mangled, but a lot of it was flesh damage except for your ankle, they think you walked on it for a long time before they found you, and fortunately you didn't suffer major blood loss. We'll have to keep you here to make sure the wound remains healthy and the flesh adapts, but I am hopeful. Like I said, you were badly hurt. You're very lucky."
I lean forward to touch my leg, wincing as I do so, but much of it seems to be there, a thigh, a kneecap, a calf, a shin. I nod and smile slightly.
"You've been sleeping for three days," Talia continued. "We gave you medicine to do that, to help you heal."
"Thank you," I reply.

She pauses for a minute, then asks. "What is your name?"
I hesitate.
"It's okay if you don't remember."
"No, I do," I squint and shake my head. "No, wait... sorry."
"It's okay. You said 'Sharon' to my husband. Is that you."
"That's... my wife." I sit up straighter. "Do you know where she is?"
"Not yet," Talia reached her hand out to indicate I should lie back down. "We can try to find her, but we need more information."
Something clicks. "Ben," I say. "My name is Ben."
"Alright, Ben. Nice to meet you." She makes a note in her book. "Okay, Ben, I'm going to ask, just try to remember as best as you can. Who did this to you?"
I close my eyes, searching my mind. Instinctively, I respond, "Not who."
"Not who?" she returned, quizzically.
I feel a whooshing in my head, I hear it too. My stomach seizes and I involuntarily crunch in, letting out a yell as the wind of a hundred hurricanes whips my body. Over the deafening roar, I faintly hear my name, "Ben... Ben..."
"Ben!" Talia shouts, and her lithe frame comes back into focus. I look at her wildly, my forehead drenched with sweat.
Her smile is thin with worry as she replies, "I'm going to let you rest a little more. One of the nurses will be in with some food soon."
She patted my chest soothingly before leaving the room. I heavily exhaled and rubbed my face with my hands, bemused.

[Mertagne]

BAPTISM OF FIRE 79 - MERTAGNE AND KO-OREN
Matchday Three Scores

Group A - Mertagne
West Barack and East Obama 2–0 Mystylands @ Flynn Ar3na, New Fligsive
Loyo 1–0 The Republic of Covelandia @ Dannin City Stadium, Dannin
Talannua 3–3 Elmyia @ Spectrum Stadium, Dannin

*  Group A                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 West Barack and East Obama   3   3  0  0    4   0  +4    9
2 Loyo                         3   2  1  0    5   3  +2    7
3 Talannua                     3   1  1  1    8   5  +3    4
4 Elmyia                       3   0  2  1    5   6  −1    2
5 The Republic of Covelandia   3   0  1  2    1   3  −2    1
6 Mystylands                   3   0  1  2    1   7  −6    1

[Ko-oren]

BAPTISM OF FIRE 79 - MERTAGNE AND KO-OREN
Matchday Three Scores

Group B - Ko-oren
Tecoia 3–1 Ingont @ Hazel Arena, Straudum
Captina Island 0–1 Harmonia @ Estádio Marítimo, Santa Teresa
New South Yukon 1–3 Ganes Ame @ Spider Stadium, Alara

* Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Tecoia                 3   2  1  0    8   5  +3    7
2 Harmonia               3   2  0  1    8   4  +4    6
3 Ganes Ame              3   1  2  0    6   4  +2    5
4 Captina Island         3   1  1  1    3   1  +2    4
5 Ingont                 3   1  0  2    4   9  −5    3
6 New South Yukon        3   0  0  3    1   7  −6    0

Group C - Koroa City
Yakk 4–2 Atetancillo @ Bazaar, Koroa City
Canadian Dominion 1–0 Kethsi @ Pavilion, Koroa City
Cap Nord 1–2 Koronavia @ Arena, Koroa City

* Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Koronavia              3   3  0  0    6   2  +4    9
2 Yakk                   3   2  0  1    9   4  +5    6
3 Cap Nord               3   2  0  1    7   5  +2    6
4 Canadian Dominion      3   1  0  2    2   4  −2    3
5 Kethsi                 3   1  0  2    4   7  −3    3
6 Atetancillo            3   0  0  3    6  12  −6    0

Matchday 4 will be scorinated in roughly 48 hours from this post.

[Loyo]

Scores
Matchday 3: Loyo 1–0 The Republic of Covelandia @ Dannin City Stadium, Dannin

‘65 Argayagoyena

Our Opponents Did What???

The Loyons are now over the hump, with only two games remaining in the Baptism of Fire group stage. With two wins and a draw, the team has set itself in a position to challenge for a knockout round berth. Looming large at the top of the group is West Barack and East Obama, who have been an impregnable force defensively, not allowing a single goal so far in the competition. Loyo’s strikers will need to be on their A-game to find a way to break that wall.

“I’ve been looking at their squad since we discovered they were in the same group,” said Cora Takeshi, who has scored once thus far, off a penalty kick against Elmyia. “They’re without a doubt the most intimidating squad in the group, but we don’t want to leave anything up to the last game. We’re ready for the challenge.”

Before the Loyons last match, a surprising revelation came out about their opposition. The Republic of Coverlandia’s Ostania Mesoli had been cannibalizing a teammate. Perhaps that was why the Loyons were more cautious than usual in being physical with their opponents.

“DeVayne heard about it first. He told it to Sastre, and you know how he is,” said Jasper Celadon. “Everyone knew when the manager addressed the elephant in the room at the halftime break.”

“I told them to stop worrying about being bit. Frankly it looked like our entire defense was running away from the opposing attack, and that’s when I knew something was up. One of our bench players came up to me and whispered that he would rather go back home than be subbed on, and when I asked why, I was frankly astonished.”

Tamada had a team talk with the players, and told them to bite back first and then they would have nothing to fear. Upon further lamentations from the team, Tamada elaborated, saying that what he MEANT to say was that if they played with overwhelming physicality, the opposing team wouldn’t have the opportunity to bite them.

“Have any of them tried to bite you yet? It’s a foul if you get bit, you know,” the manager said. “If any of you are going to get bit, I’d advise you to do it in the penalty box. Do you think the champions of the last Baptism of Fire were afraid of getting bit? No, they played the game!”

The Loyons did not get bit in the second half, and there was a noticeable energy to the team. Perhaps it was an energy originating from fear, but it was an energy nonetheless.

In the post-match press conference, captain Tsujii Matashichi joked with the media about the situation. “I hope this match has given the team a bite in the rear— Metaphorical bite that is. I still need to check with the team to make sure that there’s no odd marks that they can’t explain.”

Lineup for Matchday 4: West Barack and East Obama

Matashichi (C),
Coca, Bilbao, Liucci,
Spadini, Cemal, Smithini, Saturnalis,
Argayagoyen, Takeshi, Jinaowa

[West Barack and East Obama]

MOMO AND THE OBAMASAURUS: PUTTING THE FIRE BACK INTO THE BAPTISM OF FIRE

Uploaded 3rd September 2022 by DJ Momo Official

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Wassssssuuupp! It's your bro DJ Momo, and today I'm releasing the THIRD episode of my awesome vlogs! Today we have a very special guest, and as usual we will discuss our journeys with some juicy behind the scenes footage of both the team and the upcoming Obamania album!

BAR-RACK: Hey guys. It's Rachel Bar-Rack, but y'all know me better as 'The Obamasaurus'.

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: That's right folks! We've got the one and only Obamasaurus right here with us! She got special clearance to get in the training camp to help me with this new episode.

BAR-RACK: Yep! So, we have a great song coming up for you all. It's very personal so that's why-

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Heh, wait just a second! First, we're going to get into some of that juicy team gossip. Isn't that what you all want to hear?

BAR-RACK: Umm... sure.

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: So... speaking of special guests, yesterday during our after-match party Bark Obamallama brought an actual llama to the party. How crazy is that?? Turns out it's one of the newer ones that are genetically modified to drink and enjoy alcohol.

BAR-RACK: Interesting.

OBAMADEUS-MOZART Yeah so something totally hilarious happened. Oh man, it was funny. You see the llama... it... wait, did it jump on the bar? No, that was me... uh... crap, I forgot. Hold on, let me grab someone's phone.

[silence]

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Ahah! There you go. The llama swallowed all the nachos and vomited all over the bar. That's great. You know, it's a good thing we're not in Ko-oren, cause we'd all be in the cells by now.

BAR-RACK: That was... great! Now, can we discuss the song?

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Hold on, dear. We need to tell them all about MY performance in the game against Mystylands. Despite the mystery surrounding them (heh!), we beat them by more than one goal! All thanks to me, really. I made an incisive pass that set up the second goal during stoppage time. Plus, we're the only team to have not conceded a single goal in the competition so far. How great is that? As a-

BAR-RACK: Oh my god, Wolf, shut the hell up. I don't care about football. Or soccer. Or whatever. Any of this shit. You said I could have all the time to talk about the song!

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: You... you don't? But you told me the other day that my performance was totally man of the match worthy!

BAR-RACK: I made a cursory glance of Instagram comments from your fanpages! I was talking right out of my arse. I'm just going to leave now, this is clearly a waste of time.

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Wait! Wait! Hold on, we can discuss the song. What was it again...? Praise Obama? Wait, that's from our previous album...

BAR-RACK: See? You don't even remember! That's how little you care. Or how forgettable your tunes are.

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: I'm the forgettable one? Um, who's the face of the duo? Who's the one doing all this football stuff for our image? Those damn Mystylanders or whoever gave my legs a good kicking! But I did it for the album! I-

B. OBAMAFINAKIS: Oi! Who took my phone?

OBAMADEUS-MOZART: Oh hey there coach. Oh look! Your phone is right over there, coincidence right?

B. OBAMAFINAKIS: Don't BS me. You and I both know you're trying to delete the incriminating photos of yourself which I store in case I need to prove my innocence to the High Council of Obamas. Now both of you get lost, and you better cut ALL of this from your vlog. There will be consequences if one photo from yesterday appears on the internet!

[The Republic of Covelandia]

Scores
Matchday 3: Loyo 1–0 The Republic of Covelandia @ Dannin City Stadium, Dannin

‘65 Argayagoyena

Our Opponents Did What???

Before the Loyons last match, a surprising revelation came out about their opposition. The Republic of Coverlandia’s Ostania Mesoli had been cannibalizing a teammate. Perhaps that was why the Loyons were more cautious than usual in being physical with their opponents.

[/align][/box]

He was also pleaded at court his friend Samuel piped up, "I swear Ostania said that he was going to bring a fork and knife!" "If you must please displace Ostania out the job! just for the better sakes!" continued Samuel

"Before we continue further how do we know it wasnt an accident?" replied the tired non-sober judge.

"Be... be because..."Fade-out Samuel

"Because he said so" shouted a formal senior

"Tha... that is a sensible an.. answer, one sec... seco... *vomit sounds(very intelligble)*

"But i think Ostania has proved he ca... can run about freely... he proved worthy! he... he is not gui... guil... guil... guilty..." Passed out the drunk judge

"Well i better say goodbye world hope the best of luck ostania is already on me bye bye!" Slowed samuels voice

*Narrator*
"That'll be the last we'll hear from samuel the numeral man..."

[Tecoia]

One, Two, and Three, what more does he need?

When it comes to Tecoian goalscorers, none comes close to Mariano Simões. Moving up in Nacional Portavem's youth system, he was soon noticed by scouts from Tjorlish Zentraliga club Vestrageid FC. After three years of helping the Scholars fight relegation, he earned himself a move to SF Kjol, one of Tjorl's most historic sides. This season, he had his best goalscoring season yet, netting 24. As for the national squad, he hasn't shied away from being the star man up front; he led the Seafarers all the way to a Mandalanusa Cup championship in their debut appearance, an impressive feat.

The right foot. While taking the Zentraliga by storm, Simões' right foot quickly became a page of Tecoian footballing folktale as he just can't miss with his dominant foot. Doesn't matter how he's doing it: curling into the top corner, striking it on the volley, or simply trying to rapidly dribble en route to an easy finish, Simões always shows quality and class while on his right foot.

None too different against Ingont. After the opponents' attempt to progress upfield was quickly hampered by Raul Queiros' tough tackling, Matias Guerra launched a counterattack with Simões charging through. When Guerra's lofted pass flew over Ingont's defensive line, Simões had time and space to toy with the defender and poke the ball past the keeper. Opening goal for Tecoia, and the fans are loving it! The dynamite man performs his signature slide celebration and the game kicks off for a second time.

Despite Simões having his right as his dominant foot, he can still be deadly on the left. When needed to, he can swiftly switch from the right to the left while keeping opposing defenders at bay. Out of the striker's 24 league goals in the past season, 7 of those were scored with his "weak foot", if he even has any.

Coming off scoring the opener, the Kjol attacker was still hungry for more. In the 33rd minute, he challenged the opposing center-back, who was then able to close down his right. However, Simões quickly switched to his left and tapped the ball just past the defender, leaving him stranded as Simões found himself clear to take a shot. With Ingont's goalkeeper coming in on his right side, Simões decided to chip him with the left, which he accomplished with aplomb. Two for the man on the day, was it gonna get better for Simões and Os Marítimos?

It was, but not for now. Ingont took a goal back in an attempt to spark a comeback. Now that they were the ones walking back to the middle of the pitch having just conceded a goal, the Tecoians knew they needed to keep going and put the game beyond any sort of doubt. Twenty minutes remain and still in front, Liam Masangkay ran past a number of Ingont's players as he found himself open on the right flank with plenty of options. Out of all of them, he chose Simões. Why?

Mariano Simões might not be the tallest guy on the field, but his 5'10" frame can still challlenge defenders in the air with his towering leap. His lethalness in the air makes him such a dangerous person to leave open in set pieces or as targets of a cross. Knowing this, Masangkay did not think twice before lobbing the ball towards Simões. As expected, it ended in a third goal for Os Marítimos and a hat-trick for the super striker, who celebrated with the Tecoian fans in the stands. Getting what they needed, the Tecoians then proceeded to close out the match in style.

The victory marked their second win in their Baptism of Fire campaign. While their defense is subpar compared to the rest of Group B, their offense has definitely been outstanding. Two matches are left for the Seafarers, and all they need is a win in their next match against Captina Island to secure at least third place. But who settles for third when you can go for first? Since they know what they need to do to win and with Group B's first place position on the line, the Tecoians will continue performing at their best to finish at the top of the group.

---

BOA SORTE, MARÍTIMOS!

[Talannua]

Talia stepped out the hospital room, taking some final notes on Ben's condition. Looking up, she spotted Bradley, the on-duty nurse, coming the other way.

"Bradley, will you please offer Ben in there some dinner?" she said, nodding her head in the direction of the room.

"Of course. How is he?"

"Well, he's healing remarkably well. The dittany has really taken, I'm quite surprised. But physically, I wouldn't be surprised if he were ready to leave in a week."

"You said physically."

"Well, I still don't know how this happened to him, I haven't seen wounds quite like it. And he can't remember at all. But it seems to have been quite traumatic for him. I think his memory may come back enough that he'll be able to recall more, but it won't be pleasant."

"Did you learn anything about what happened?"

"I asked him who did it to him. He said, not who."

"As in...what did it to him."

"Right," Talia replied.

Then Bradley suggested, "Or... where."

"What are you on about?"

"Well, what if the Tearing had something to do with it?"

"How do you figure?"

"I mean, that was a big event when it happened. Terrifying storms on the outskirts of town. I know my horses were all riled up because of it. Maybe he got caught up in it?"

"Maybe... but he's not from here. I've never seen him, have you?"

"No. But what about from another town?"

"I thought we were the only town for fifty miles that anchored down."

"I'll ask Doc Brown, I'm sure he'd know. But that's a good point."

There was a commotion towards the end of the hall and Bradley and Talia turned to look. Talia spotted her husband, the constable Paul, at the end as several nurses ran down the hall, carrying a bloodied man in a makeshift stretcher. Talia ran down to Paul, Bradley jogging behind to keep up.

"What happened?"

Paul threw his hands up. "Same as that other guy! This one's worse off, I think. He was collapsed in the grass, we damn near ran over him while out on a ride."

"Do you have any idea what's going on?"

"Not a clue, but we're all going to start patrolling the radius all the way out to the next towns. There have got to be more out there."

"Atlantis is the only town out in these parts, isn't it?" Talia asked. "Bradley was thinking Ben got caught up in the Tearing storms. Ben's not from here though."

"No, he isn't," Paul drawled, "but it must be that Tearing business. And I've got to wonder, I think something went awful with it."

"How?"

"Well, Andrew George was telling me his cows got attacked by some coyotes that night, but I went out and saw his cows and it didn't look like no coyotes got to them. It looked, well, like this."

"What about Ben, though?"

"Well, think about it this way, right? Most of Delaclava was folded up. We were one of the towns that chose to stay but it looks like we got tore up a bit ourselves. What if this Ben, this other guy, they were supposed to be folded up and most of them was left here?"

Talia put her hands up to her head. "Oh wow. Yeah."

"There are more out in the fields, aren't there?" Bradley asked fearfully.

Paul nodded grimly. "I'm afraid so." He turned back to Talia, "It's going to be some long days ahead I think, dear, it's the middle of the summer and we've got to use all the daylight we got."

"Of course," Talia said. "If you find others, I'm sure I'll be busy fixing them up too."

She looked down the hall the other way. One of the other doctors, Sean, walked past, his jacket spattered, shaking his head and cursing as he pulled off his gloves.

"Maybe not," Bradley mused darkly.

Talia looked at Paul and told him urgently and fearfully, "Hurry."

[Mertagne]

BAPTISM OF FIRE 79 - MERTAGNE AND KO-OREN
Matchday Four Scores

Group A - Mertagne
Mystylands 0–1 Elmyia @ Flynn Ar3na, New Fligsive
The Republic of Covelandia 0–3 Talannua @ Dannin City Stadium, Dannin
West Barack and East Obama 0–0 Loyo @ Spectrum Stadium, Dannin

*  Group A                    Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 West Barack and East Obama   4   3  1  0    4   0  +4   10
2 Loyo                         4   2  2  0    5   3  +2    8
3 Talannua                     4   2  1  1   11   5  +6    7
4 Elmyia                       4   1  2  1    6   6   0    5
5 The Republic of Covelandia   4   0  1  3    1   6  −5    1 - Eliminated
6 Mystylands                   4   0  1  3    1   8  −7    1 - Eliminated

[Ko-oren]

BAPTISM OF FIRE 79 - MERTAGNE AND KO-OREN
Matchday Four Scores

Group B - Ko-oren

Ingont 2–3 Ganes Ame @ Hazel Arena, Straudum
Harmonia 1–0 New South Yukon @ Estádio Marítimo, Santa Teresa
Tecoia 0–0 Captina Island @ Spider Stadium, Alara

* Group B              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Harmonia               4   3  0  1    9   4  +5    9
2 Ganes Ame              4   2  2  0    9   6  +3    8
  Tecoia                 4   2  2  0    8   5  +3    8
4 Captina Island         4   1  2  1    3   1  +2    5
5 Ingont                 4   1  0  3    6  12  −6    3 - Eliminated
6 New South Yukon        4   0  0  4    1   8  −7    0 - Eliminated

Group C - Koroa City

Atetancillo 3–7 Koronavia @ Bazaar, Koroa City
Kethsi 0–2 Cap Nord @ Pavilion, Koroa City
Yakk 1–1 Canadian Dominion @ Arena, Koroa City

* Group C              Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Koronavia              4   4  0  0   13   5  +8   12
2 Cap Nord               4   3  0  1    9   5  +4    9
3 Yakk                   4   2  1  1   10   5  +5    7
4 Canadian Dominion      4   1  1  2    3   5  −2    4
5 Kethsi                 4   1  0  3    4   9  −5    3 - Eliminated
6 Atetancillo            4   0  0  4    9  19 −10    0 - Eliminated

Matchday 5 will be scorinated in roughly 48 hours from this post.