World Cup 77 - Roleplay Thread

[Chromatika]

Lineup against Lymantatia: Thorben; Morningstar - Stef - Aart (Colbert '50) - Ellen; Montague - Liam; Rien - Hellion (Sybill '75) - Antonio; Andísorí (Quren '81)

Visitor's Locker Room
Lymantatia

It had been a physical match in the downpour in Lymantatia. Parker had sent out the Starting XI at least for the first half against Lymantatia, who were one of the top five seeds, so demanded a bit of respect. Not really, but Silian wasn't the type to take an opponent likely. He also wanted to see how they'd handle the road, in bad weather.

The result was a dominating match. The score might have read 2-0, but Lymantatia never had a chance. Just five shots were taken against Nikolai, and none of them really on target. He only had to push away a stray ball or two. Tackling from the entire squad made sure of that.

Goals? Header from Morningstar on a corner from Rachel. Breakaway by Nioli late, making a rare appearance for Kéìrâ. Altogether a solid performance heading into the meat of the schedule.

The first home match of the qualifying campaign, at a sold-out crowd in Chromatik City, in front of the Chromatik Government Committee (the ones making the new Constitution and whatnot), against Red Blackiland, the third-ranked team in this group.

No pressure, Parker. No pressure at all.

"Gather in," he said, looking at all the drenched faces, "Solid victory out there, awesome effort. Alyss, good form out there on your first start as member of the Starting XI. Really solid tackling from everyone overall. We might not have lit up the scoreboard, but in that downpour, we played fantastic football. Great team play. Now, we go home, we prep for all that the media and the crowd is going to throw at us, and also we give Red Blackiland the respect they're due. They'll be hungry to turn the momentum against us. Our people deserve our best playing in front of them for the first time in four years. Go wash up, and we'll fly back soon."

The players nodded, and headed off to the showers, leaving muddied cleat marks all over the floor. The sign of a battle, well fought, well won.

---

"Cheers, love, to both of us being out there, playing together, and having some sweet moments in game," Alyss said, handing Kéìrâ a glass of sparkling water in their hotel room in Chromatik City. The two spent as much time together as possible, but with Alyss playing at Coret and Kéìrâ in Starling, it had been hard to see each other. The World Cup Qualifying, however, gave them ample time to be together.

"You were brilliant out there," said Kéìrâ, patting Alyss on the back, "Didn't look like it was your first real game playing with the rest of the crew, at all. Carrol really trusts you, and that's a bit weird because it took him a long time to trust Meagan."

"The poor kid was just too scared of Meagan," laughed Alyss, "She can be a bit commanding, you know. You just need to encourage him, he's a solid player. By the way, do you see the way he looks at Erika? The poor kid is so shy, he should just ask her out!" she burst out laughing.

Kéìrâ joined in, and then chastised lightly, "Now, now, I don't know if the locker room can handle another relationship. Not with Meagan off to Turori and getting married to Tyuliku Mirikali and Gabriella dating that Cosumarite Cormak..."

"And us two, love, don't forget about us!" Alyss said, giggling. She leaned in and pecked Kéìrâ on the lips, making the star blush. She never blushed under pressure from a football standpoint, but Alyss turned her into a hot mess. Alyss winked at her, and giggled again.

"Did I ever tell you about my supposed sister in Brenecia?" Kéìrâ asked, changing the conversation and the mood drastically.

"What? Sister? I thought you said you were orphaned!" exclaimed Alyss. "Tell me everything!"

"So, there's this teenager by the name of Béâúñîä Añdìsörì that's started to play at Rozelle, in Brenecia," Kéìrâ said, "I swear I don't remember anything from when I was a baby... But the name Andísorí isn't really common."

"The accents are different, though?" asked Alyss, holding Kéìrâ's hand, "What about that?"

"Well... The accents weren't part of my name. I change them as I want," said Kéìrâ, "My name is really just Keira Andisori. I just don't like to write it without accents. Which is weird. But apparently, she does the same thing? Too weird to be just coincidence, right? Or am I losing my mind and just wanting to have any semblance of a family?"

Alyss turned Kéìrâ around. "Of course you want family, silly! Everyone does! That doesn't mean you're going insane, it means you're human! Now, write this sister of yours an e-mail, tell her to come watch one of the games! You have enough money to fly her, and meet her! That's not a request, it's an order, Keira, you got me?"

Kéìrâ stared at Alyss, dumbfounded.

Alyss walked out of the room, saying, "I'm not coming back in until you send that email and text me a picture of the screen!"

The last thing Kéìrâ heard before the door closed was Alyss telling her robotic butler, Butler:

"Don't let anyone in until I say so, got it, Butler?"

"Of course, Ma'am," was the reply.

Kéìrâ Andísorí (henceforth just Keira Andisori as that is her name, not the accents) sighed, sat down, and started writing an email to her possible sister...

Lineup against Red Blackiland: Nier; Morningstar - Stef - Colbert - Ellen; Montague - Liam; Rien - Hellion - Antonio; Andísorí.

[Damukuni]

Damukuni: A Peaceful Haven in the Midst of Political Hegemony
Editorial
Shunsuke Koruno

---

Take a good look at the world around you, my fellow brothers and sisters.
We have Electrum, over in Rushmore, with the Euran border crisis. The recent citizens' referendum there, which unceremoniously reshuffled their cabinet, suddenly put an insidious bunch of far-right extremists, once ridiculed and threatened with their lives, into power. The political establishment thought they could get away with tabling a debate over a security apparatus which would strengthen their border and put immigration quotas into place. They were wrong - dead wrong.
Over here? Business as usual.
There's Anglatia, also in Rushmore. Along with Abanhfleft, the gangland violence sees no end in sight. The reporters at ERAO Unchained, a Reporters Without Borders affiliate, uncovered the violence in Rastaka and near the Nordskanian area in a revealing exposé, so graphic and unnerving that many naysayers would call it a hoax. Also, the fact that the Nordskanian region has fallen into the hands of anarcho-capitalists bent on contract killings for power shows the nation's impotence.
Over here? Business as usual.
We have Osarius. Rest assured, they continue their transition from war to peace. The road will not be an easy one, however. The King of Osarius fought against the political powers-that-be to formally recognise the nation of Cobrio and bring it into the Rabastorian Union. I highly doubt, however, the government will be amicable to Cobrio once the King gives the power of rule back to the Osarian parliament. The Legislative Assembly of Damukuni has passed a resolution that formally recognises Cobrio as a sovereign nation, but without the willpower and possibly military strength of its allies, Cobrio may not survive for much longer than five years.
Over here? Business as usual.
And, of course, I should not have to even begin to mention that monstrous joke of a false "god" that tries to pass himself off as a benevolent deity. While their "Execution Channel," along with any other channels from Gregoryisgodistan, has been barred from the airwaves, everybody with a brain knows of the "Brownie Cutters of Death" used in their executions. I, adherent to the official position of the Damukunian National Catholic Church, do not approve of capital punishment, but since it is legal in Damukuni, at least here it's humane as a handcuffed human escorted to a guillotine, forced to kneel in front of it, and a blade sliding down. It's rumoured that they hold a record book there.
Over here? Business as usual.
While we sit on our thumbs and watch the World Cup, we do not realise that there may soon not be a world to have a Cup in. For the sake of ourselves, and for our fellow world citizens, we must take up the mantle of our Lord Jesus Christ, and do as He would have us do: serve others. The Scriptures say, "Non privabit bonis eos quibus est bonum, cum sit in potentia." Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. We must go out into the world and be a light to our fellow man and woman, while we are stable and have the power to. That may require you to leave everything you know and love: your family, your friends, your material possessions. But it is more than rewarding when you are crowned by Our Lord in the glorious resurrection of all His holy saints.
Benedícat te.

---

Shunsuke Koruno is the vicar of All Saints' Parish in Namagoro. This editorial is taken from his homily, delivered on 5 February 2024.

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
All Ahead Full

While there is no denying that the qualifiers this cycle are a marathon and not a spring, it is safe to say that the Marauders are content with the way that their campaign has started as they look to continue the long tradition of success that the side has had in this competition. Six points from six possible, even if the first result against Brigantii was a bit more nervy than anyone on the team or spectating in support of the squad would have liked, it was still the result that was in favor our the Marauders and they showed no signs of that rust four days later when they traveled away from the Eternal Empire for the first away match. Granted that their second match was not nearly as well statured opponent as their first, after over a century of participating in the qualifiers, Vanorians can tell you that no away fixture should be taken for granted. Each and every side in this campaign, both in the Marauders group and out of it, are quite capable of pulling off a result at home even against the best of opponents. Merely look at what happened to the current holders here in this first Qualifying weekend and you can see how true those words ring.

Is the success that Vanorian teams have across a spectrum of sports taken for granted though, even after the long standing streak of concurrent qualifications for the Marauders broken a few years ago. While that event shook up the population and the squad a bit, a few short years later and it seems that we are already sinking into the same routine where we think that we should have the right to progress rather than having to earn it. This right is not helped out by the fact that in Ice Hockey that the Calcuttas have recently won their sixth title and second in three tournaments, while the Dragons have become one of the better basketball teams as well. I know it is an odd thing to ask or to complain about, that a nation could come to have too much success from its sportsmen and women, and yet here we are raising the issue all the same. Are Vanorians too spoiled when it comes to the success of their sporting representatives that we can not truly appreciate the amount of effort it takes to earn those achievements, that there is this sense of entitlement to success because of its longevity?

I suppose it is a question that can not truly be answered but you can be sure that whatever the fans and the population as a greater whole may feel, the squad itself will not take for granted anything. While they have regained most of their lost prestige, rankings, and respect from when the concurrent qualification streak was broken, that event so shattered the mentality of the squad that I do not think that they could ever go back to just being that well oiled machine that cruised into Quarterfinals without much of a care given. This not even taking into account how great some of the other nations in the world have become in the last two decades, as the Sunrisians and Nepharim have really shown what Esportiva can do after so many years of frustration for that region, while the likes of Eura, Pasarga, and Valladares make sure that Rushmore retains their standing within the footballing community. As for AO, well there has never been a shortage of quality teams or teams looking to improve in their quality, such is the rich history in the game from the nations of the region.

The first weekend is done and now there will be roughly a month before the squad comes together for another international weekend and another pair of matches that will help steer their fate closer towards what they hope is a qualification. It is going to be a tiring journey for all and if the Brigantii game is anything to go by, there will be rough spots throughout the campaign that will have to be overcome. However if through over a century of competing in the World Cup has taught our squad, it is that persistence and patience pay off in the long run and that the journey may strike blows at you, yet the destination at the end is quite worth it.

[Kaboomlandia]

Phoenix off to a fast start in tough Group 4

After a near miss last cycle in the playoffs, the Kaboomlandia Phoenix football team is off to a strong start, jumping out to a 2-0 record on the backs of a 1-0 win over last year's group neighbour Hirvania and a tough 2-0 win over North Carcossia and the Hesperides. "The first two games have been good, low-ranked sides to help us ease back into form. The new system has been tough to adjust to after five years of the trap but the defense are really helping me out," remarked star goalie Duncan McEachern afterwards. The game against Hirvania was the first World Cup qualifying game for the Phoenix after finally abandoning their longtime strategy of infuriating their opponents with a 1-8-1 scheme that proved to be both rage-inducing and incredibly effective. McEachern has now put up eight straight shutouts in qualifying games, not including last year's playoff sweep to Eura. Rene Allard proved to be quite effective when he wasn't the single point of offense, putting up two of the three goals over the two games and setting up Diana Libin for the third with a pretty cross pass right in front, leading to an easy tap-in for the 21-year-old wing. New head coach Tom Burns hasn't had issues with his team's adjustment to the new system, saying "We trialled this system in the last Cup of Harmony and it worked, as we made the playoffs. And remember, it's almost the exact same team from that tournament."

Looking ahead, the Phoenix will play unranked Spaam, who have been off to a pretty solid start in their return to World Cup action - Spaam are from the days of single-digit World Cups and once hosted the Baptism of Fire. Perennial giants Eura are also in, and they are expected to be the Phoenix' chief competition in this group.

[Ceni]

---

Seth Tyandas - Economics correspondent

G

lobalization has been the rage lately, with politicians denouncing countries as currency manipulators and demanding to bring back lost manufacturing jobs. Whatever the politicians’ gripes, however, globalization is likely here to say - and there definitely have been some winners and some losers. But the winners haven’t been able to have the same economy that they used to - globalization has changed the very structure of their economies. Ceni has arguably been one of those winners - so let’s dig deep down into how Ceni has changed its economy, and more importantly, why it has been able to catch up with the rising tide of globalization.

One of the factors leading to Ceni's adoption of the high tech economy is certainly its education system. From the very beginning, Cenian students learn math at a more advanced level than their peers, with technological and scientific education also prioritized. But a secret of the Cenian primary and secondary school systems stands out: continued, and emphasized, funding for music, the arts, and foreign languages - and frequent breaks from school. "When students have the opportunity to experience art and music, not only do they find an outlet of all the energy that they have stored up, but they also learn more - they learn about different perspectives on a single issue, they learn about how different cultures view the world," says Dr. Niachei Ni Anek, a Professor of Education at the University of New Oxford. "Additionally, recess extends for as much as one hour throughout the country, which gives students time to ruminate on the lessons they've learned, and to let out some of that distracting energy that they've built up being cooped up in schools." Students in secondary schools have smaller break times, but they have them too, with 15-minute breaks spread out through the day. Furthermore, the Cenian educational system mandates that students learn a second language, and encourages them to learn a third - both increasingly important aspects in an increasingly connected world with many languages. Cenian schools teach technology at a young age, so students have an opportunity to interact with it in a controlled, beneficial setting. Cenian high schools have vocational centers and trade schools, too, allowing those who aren't going to enter undergraduate education (which many do) to enter the workforce with a set of baseline skills - skills that are becoming increasingly valuable, as you can't outsource jobs like plumbing or electrical work. Finally, education is a respected field of study, and schools are well funded - enough to pay teachers an actually decent salary. All of these factors have left Ceni in an excellent place when it comes to education - a highly educated workforce with many basic skills that allows individuals to easily build on specialized skills that are increasingly necessary in a world where basic functions are outsourced. That's where Ceni's postsecondary education system comes in.

If Cenian secondary schools give students a solid foundation to build their careers on, Cenian colleges and universities build the house, giving students the chance to differentiate themselves from foreign competition. "Cenian universities definitely have two major advantages over foreign universities," says Guy Yzalli, a Professor of Globalization at the University of Cenial who specializes in the role of education in the process. "One, their prestige and value allows their graduates a leg up on others - their good reputation with employers has actually led many to specifically request graduates from our institutions. A lot of this reputation actually comes from their programs and curricula - and what they do is the second major advantage." Yzalli uses an analogy here to explain the difference. "What's being outsourced to cheaper companies, I call it the vanilla ice cream of the world.* Basic things, like accounting, tech support, basic imaging, that sort of thing. The real jobs today are in the knowledge economy - interpreting those kinds of results, artistic creativity, design, innovation, things that can improve upon the vanilla ice cream - chocolate sauce, sprinkles, the cherry on top. And Cenian universities are centers of innovation - they help to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to help innovate, and they teach people the skills to help them get into the knowledge economy, which allows them to be the purveyors of goods and services that are extra special, jobs that you want to be done right here in Ceni." That's where the advantage of the Cenian universities lies - in their ability to innovate, and to give people the skills to innovate.

Another factor leading to Ceni's ability to succeed in the age of globalization is its system of beliefs and values that drives it forward. Among those values are tolerance and even encouragement of diversity, hard work, education, and immigration. Professor of Human Geography at the University of Montague-Hawkesbury Keith Svel, who specializes in immigration and refugees, notes that diversity and immigration, and the welcoming of refugees, helps to attract top talent from all over the world. “Countries in a lot of regions in the world have a brain drain - they have their best and brightest people coming to other countries to get educated, and then they stay there. Ceni is the type of country that attracts people - not only for its excellent education system, but also because of its commitment to diversity and the value of immigrants - indeed, Ceni welcomes immigrants, and so a lot of people have come to Ceni and stayed for that very reason.” Additionally, much research has shown that refugees actually work harder than native citizens - and contribute many more innovations. Because of its embrace of immigration and free movement of people, Ceni has been able to poach the best talent to make more innovations. Furthermore, Ceni’s values of hard work, drive, and ambition have also worked in its favor - it has been encouraging its population to work hard, to get where they need to be, and to get on top of the ladder, as quickly as possible, and those factors have driven innovation on Ceni’s shores, and enabled Cenian companies to establish a foothold in the globalized market. “Cenians are just ready to do whatever it takes to one-up the competition, and that makes them great innovators and competitors,” says Svel.

J

ust plain geography might also have helped Ceni along its path toward thriving in today's interconnected world. Because Ceni is located closely to the booming industrial economy of Eura, it is the perfect place to export high technology and innovations - and a closeby source of factories to actually produce the innovations that Cenian thinkers come up with. Additionally, because Ceni is located on the eastern end of Rushmore, near where seas meet up with those heading into Esportiva and Atlantian Oceania, it's the perfect point to be an entrepôt for goods, travelling back and forth between the three main regions, and it has also leveraged this position to establish itself as an air hub, as well as a shipping hub. Of course, shipping cannot be replaced by outsourcing - and indeed, the increasing globalization of manufacturing has increased need for shipping and, thus, the ability of Ceni to take in ships and people from all over the world and make a profit from it. This location as a port and hub has also led to an increase in diversity - always a good thing for innovation, as mentioned earlier. Finally, Ceni's location just across from Electrum and New Gelderland means that Ceni has two ready allies to collaborate with on products, and their proximity means that all three countries can specialize, allowing Ceni to specialize in high-tech, high-margin items, doing things that create value and add value rather than just producing the bread-and-butter of the world.

Finally, and probably most importantly, government intervention in the economy - at early stages - sent Ceni on the path that it is taking, one that has seen it survive, and even thrive with, globalization. First of all, Ceni's strong tradition of welfare means that the Cenian government has been able to provide unemployment insurance, allowing people in older industries like bread-and-butter manufacturing to have time to find another job, and its governmental programs have given thousands the opportunity to retrain for the knowledge economy's new programs. Stipends and guaranteed cash flow programs have allowed people to train on the job for new positions at new companies that desperately need highly trained workers, allowing the so-called "losers" of globalization to get back on their feet. Additionally, Ceni's government arguably played a large role in getting Cenian companies on their feet in the innovation economy by parlaying Ceni's green ethos into a profitable industry, making Ceni a leader in green technology. The Cenian government started to provide subsidies and development grants to companies, groups, and individuals so that they could develop new ways of reducing carbon emissions - either by promoting renewable energy development or programs to increase energy efficiency. Cenian entrepreneurs went to work, creating new forms of solar, wind, and tidal power, hydrogen fuel cells, electric scooters and cars, and much more in terms of energy efficiency products and services. That transformed the economy - allowing it to move away from traditional manufacturing, such as chemical manufacturing, which used to be the lifeblood of towns like City Centre, and towards more specialized manufacturing and an innovation economy. The influx of funds from other nations allowed Ceni to invest in itself, developing its economy and giving it more jobs. So, jn essence, the Green Revolution, sponsored and funded by Ceni's government, was the ultimate success story in demonstrating that one can be both ethical and profitable - and in jumpstarting Ceni's economy. All of this can be traced directly back to Cenian government intervention.

So, we’ve looked at a number of factors examining Cenian success in an era of globalization - its education system, its cultural values, geography, and, most importantly, the willingness of the Cenian government to be on the vanguard of climate change - which propelled the Cenian economy further into the next century. So when politicians in other countries whine about how globalization has negatively impacted their countries, they may have to think again. Although it may impart some short-term pain, in the long run, nations such as Ceni show that it is very possible to get ahead and succeed in the flat world.

* Shamelessly stolen analogy from Tom Friedman.

[Qasden]

Qasden
Athletic News

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Blue-Reds best "shockers" in battle, make history in Nume

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For the second straight qualifier, the Qads have won their inaugural match in their campaign, defeating Gumusservi 3-2 to start the team on the right foot. Luckily, this time there's no Schottia nor Eshan to fiddle with our luck. Last night was the second matchday of the 77 campaign, the second away game of the series. Unlike the pre-ranked gummy bears, this venue would belong to none other than Nume, the new squad whom failed to strike any gold in Bonesea and Mercedini. However, despite the initial beliefs, the "shockers" had started their campaign off with a close win over complete newbies, Faustii. Still, the 3 points they have don't even seem to be noticed by someone like coach Merritt.

"Nume's gonna be a strong team with a strong will in this competition. Unfortunately, their experience will limit them just as it did to us. But now we are stronger than quite a few teams. After that match in Gumusservi, I thought of this game as my ticket to get the backups on the field for once. Maybe that offer is still on the table..."

When the team arrived at the hosting stadium in their striped jerseys, there were virtually no Qad fans in sight apart from maybe 2-3 families or so. Even then, they were buried by the masses of Nume fans that extinguished the light bouncing off their blue and red jerseys.

The game started with the Qads attacking first. Torshen Wurst sparrows the ball over to Chip Tyson. Tyson squeaks it through two defenders to Raz Temew. Temew makes the shot and OH!! Just off the crossbar. The game went on back and forth. The Nume "shockers" slipped in a couple of attempts on Kai Metre, but alas, the backup proved to be a strong keep.

40 minutes in, no one has even added a smidge of a point on the board. Iter gets the balls and launches it towards Temew. Raz is struck down again from adding the first goal of the game, as was Owais Lumière, who tried to rebound the deflection. The whistle finally blew, and the match remained empty. Merritt wanted to be disappointed, but this was the first time no starters took the field in quite awhile, so he knew the backups might not be as adjusted towards these kind of situations. After getting some rest on the sidelines, Temew ended up being subbed out for Bostun before beginning the second half due to a pulled muscle.

Nume was given the ball first this time, which was almost speedily wasted as the advancing Vans swarmed the opponent midfielder. Tyson passed the ball to Bostun, who made the shot but NO! Another deflection, only this time......the ricochet worked in their favor. Out of the sea of defenders, Owais comes sliding into the inner box and skids the ball past the goalie. 1-0, Qasden. Fans across the country fired a powerful rejoice at Lumiere's achievement 48 minutes in, and soon resettled in excitement to launch more fireworks.

70 minutes in, the "shockers" stopped an armada of attackers before sending the ball across the field and into the net behind Mètre. It was tied, but for some reason, the ref ruled it offsides in a controversial call. Many fans booed at the official's declaration, but otherwise preceded with the remanence of the game to watch. 6 minutes later, Bostun comes barreling down the field and whams the ball between the keep's legs. At that second, Qads and cats alike bursted into a victorious celebration. With 14 minutes remaining in gameplay, the Blue-Reds led the home team 2-0. It stayed that way for the clear majority of the remaining time left, and soon the whistle blew. That was it, game over. 2-0, the Qasden Vans stay in the hunt to qualify.

During a post game interview, Merritt seemed quite pleased by the comeback by the backups.

"It's not every day you get to see a bundle of backups and reserves strike down another team with such prestige. I have to admit, the first half scared me a little. The defense was lacking a sort of power, and the offense couldn't quite get on level with the goal. Thank goodness we were able to come back and win this thing. Now we can no longer make any mistakes. Our lineup ahead has some huge heavy hitters, so we're gonna need to step up big time before our next big game.".

The win placed Qasden as the group's #2, just short of a magnificent Tumbran team. The V also broke a few records for QAFA, such as the best start in a WCQ campaign, as well as the highest placement known to date. With other shocking factors, such as Semarland's fall and Valladares's shocking draw with the latest BoF champions, TQ remains one of group 3's 2-0 nations, with the only other one being the lions of Tumbra.

Up next for the Qads is a flight back home to play Cosneolta at the Stade de Solis in Fyre. The eagles have had median struggles in their first two games, leaving them squatting in 7th place. With homefield and rank advantages, it looks to be a hopeful 3-0 beginning to a road of dreams. Can the Vans cement 9 points this fast into the competition? Or will Cosneolta beg to differ? Only one penguin can survive the heat, so stay tuned, stay updated, and stay alert for our next report of the 77th World Cup Qualifiers, coming soon to the mountainous southwestern city of Fyre!

[Ethane]

Last Gasp - Part 5
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

14th July 2018 - 6:30PM

Mr Holmes had just been let out of the interview. He had been interviewed on the technological climate in this day and age, and what policy on tech the government would be following, and while the interview, which was live on ENTV 3 - the main politics national channel - went well, it was an extremely stressful half-an-hour after a rather stressful day, preparing for the interview as well as the current domestic issues he was having to deal with as leader of the country, and the manoeuvring in his back-benches trying to topple him for someone who would take less of a moderate, and more of a radical approach, even though the opposition even considered himself to be radical in policy demands. He just felt like falling on his bed and staying there all night, sleeping. Drained by the job. All life being ripped out of his soul.

He sighed, standing up. He realised his day wasn't over yet, as even though practically everything had been finished off in the office for the day that wasn't an emergency - leaders do need rest and sleep too - he knew that he would be going to dinner with the Abersons, where he was due at now in about half-an-hour. This put a smile, albeit small, on his face. He had never been invited around the see the Aberson's house. He knew where they lived because the farmer had told him in case he did ever pop round - rather useful in this circumstance for the both of them. He always liked chatting to Mr Aberson. The farmer was a serene sort of figure, bringing Mr Holmes some peace on stressful days where everything seems overwhelming, like its just going over his head, nothing sticking, unable to really concentrate on anything.

He opened the front door, revealing a rather wet, empty market square. The square had been empty of stalls for a few hours now, with all the traders often beginning to pack up about 3:30 pm, and all heading home by around 5 pm, especially on the quieter days of the week. Mr Holmes realised that the storm which he had seen coming in earlier while he was out with Mr Aberson, buying some fruit, and from which he got a little wet because of the rain beginning, must have come over and lingered, the rain drenching the country, the floors wet but lacking in large puddles as if it were a large sponge, soaking up the water but notably different because of the wetness. He halted, putting on his coat on (he had hoped to not have to wear it, as he was hoping it wasn't raining) before stepping outside, his feet propelling him to his car at a fast rate of knots like a speedboat flying across the water, splashing up the occasional puddle, soaking the bottom of his dark navy smart trousers.

It felt like someone had been throwing buckets and buckets of water down on him by the time he found himself opening the door of the car and climbing into the driving seat. He was soaked; the rain was that heavy. He turned a dial on the bottom-centre of his dashboard, which controlled the heating and air conditioning functions of the car, placing the heater onto full blast as to warm himself up and try to dry out a little bit. Mr Holmes quickly pulled off his coat, placing it on the back seats of the car, before sitting there for five minutes, just warming up and letting the car warm itself up inside to make it feel more comfortable for him to drive in. He checked the time on the dashboard monitor. 6:38pm. It took about twenty minutes to drive to the Aberson's house from his office, from what he had found out online, so he knew he had to leave now to arrive on time. And hope there was no traffic. Which there probably was, being situated in the political and business district of the capital city of Ethane.

Now you might think that, with New Sarum being the capital city of the nation, and being a relatively large city in itself, reaching around 1 million inhabitants in the city and surrounding suburban New Sarum areas which are all incorporated into the Greater Sarum area, that it would actually be impossible to find a farm within twenty minutes of his workplace. However, the main political and business district of the nation - where the centralised government met - was actually in the far north of the city towards the city's borders, and even though traffic was heavy around the area, it was only a ten to fifteen minute drive without traffic to reach the free roads and twenty minutes to the Aberson farm. The thing that had to be remembered is that while the home of the farmer is in one location on the farm - this one being not to far distance from the city, but far enough to be slightly off the beaten track - and in 'the hub' of all farm life as such, the farms often expand over miles and miles of land, making it possible for the farmhouse to be not too far from the capital city, but with the large farm spread out over hundreds of acres of land stretching far away from the city; this was the style of farm which Mr Aberson owned.

Unfortunately for Mr Holmes, he ended up hitting traffic almost immediately on his way out of work, being rush hour, which delayed him substantially in the time he took to travel to Mr Aberson's farm house. He ended up getting stuck around Lyon's street, which was a good ten to fifteen minute's clear driving from the free roads, adding at least another half an hour onto his journey. Typically, Ethane did well with traffic, but this time of day, in this particular area of the city - conditions which get replicated in very few places in Ethane - the conditions all stacked up to create the perfect storm for traffic jams to form and cause significant delays with little or no movement. This was one of the reasons why New Sarum had a small charge for driving in the city, because of the amount of congestion caused previous to the charge, and the outlook of the nation under the GreenerEthane! government in reducing pollution, protecting the environment, and reducing congestion.

About 25 minutes later, Mr Holmes received a phone call, the name on the screen flashing up as Mr Aberson. He used the voice activation software on the phone to pick up and place the call on loudspeaker in the car, as it was illegal to take a phone call on the phone while driving, or be 'significantly distracted by any forms of communication device, electronic device, other gadgets or any other item that may distract while driving a car.'

''Where are you?'', Mr Holmes heard Mr Aberson ask him over the phone. He asked in quite an aggressive tone, demanding to know where he was as if he were Mr Holmes' mother or something, wondering where her child was late at night when he should be in bed sleeping. Naturally, the leader didn't pick up on this tonality, feeling as if the farmer was expressing genuine concern about his whereabouts.

'I'm stuck in traffic. I'll hopefully be there in about twenty minutes now.' he replied to Mr Aberson, who could be heard relaxing the other side of the phone, a loud sigh echoing out the loudspeaker.

'I did hear something about a crash on the radio recently around where you work. That's probably what's causing the delays.' he said. Mr Holmes nodded, before realising that a nod couldn't be seen through the phone, so instead replied with short acknowledgement.

'I think I can see the crash site now.' Mr Holmes said, just as he stopped in front of a guy on the road who was signalling for him to stop. It appeared that the crash had blocked half the road, and with the emergency vehicles also accessing the site, they had to close off one side of the road, which was probably why there were people directing traffic flow, and probably why there was a massive tailback of cars, considering it was rush hour. 'Once I get past this lights, it should be clear driving.', he confirmed, more for the benefit of himself than Mr Aberson, who was on the phone with him.

'Great!' he exclaimed down the line, over-enthusiatic in tone. 'Dinner will be almost ready when you arrive. We have other guests as well tonight, that I forgot about.' He then hung up, the car automatically disconnecting the phone from the loudspeaker and continuing the background music that had been playing - from a duo called AQUILO (beautiful music) - for the journey, relaxing Mr Holmes after his stressful day at work.

---

Match Review

---

Red Kites Achieve Narrow Win Again

The Red Kites have achieved a second victory out of two games after a narrow win against Rebuild the Wall.

Rebuild the Wall, who are ranked 183rd in the world, were not ever really considered too much of a threat to the Red Kites, especially at home, coming into this World Cup, as it was very much clearer who the more dominant, stronger team was - Ethane. However, after the friendly loss to Qasden, which was a massive blow to the preparation of the team for these World Cup Qualifiers - especially with such a challenging group - no team was seen by the manager, whose job is on the line with the performance at this World Cup, as an easy team to beat, and every team was taken as seriously as the other; Damukuni and Electrum, Tinhampton and Rebuild the Wall all placed on a similar pedastal of importance as games that could provide a challenge, and games that - in order to reach the actual World Cup - the team from Ethane would need to be winning most of.

After the game against Korizland yesterday, in which the defence performed extremely well and held up like a brick wall, readlly shutting down any attempts at solid attacks on the Ethanese goal, and the attack performed poorly, with all three strikers struggling to rack up the goals and breach the defence of the opposition, the manager knew where the team needed to improve to have a shot at t qualifying for the World Cup.

However, even with a small shake-around of the starting players, very little has been acheived in bolstering the attack of the side, while the defence has remained the bastion of strength and unity, pulling and holding the whole team together with a solid and regimented plan.

However, there are to be no complaints as quite often, the narrow one-nil clean sheet win is what the team guns for, although it is always preferable to have an even greater goal margin to work with. The team should not be over-criticised for their marvelous performance, in which the defence really shone out and kept the members of the Rebuild the Wall team away from having too many decent shots on goal, and any half-decent shots on goal were easily saved by Brody Church, the magnificent goalkeeper from South Saints.

The team started off strong, and with the home team advantage behind them from the fans, really pushed on to threaten with an early goal. The pressure they applied on the team from Rebuild the Wall paid dividends quite easily, with Samuel Mitchell, who is one of the great 'new generation' upcoming stars, scoring in the 17th minute, assisted by Kevyn Stidolph. The goal was a beautiful goal, showing true precision and expert control. Stidolph whipped the ball in from the far-left wing, keeping it only just on the pitch by the corner flag to the far-right of the box, in the back corner. Samuel Mitchell was able to control the ball into space just to the left of him, past Thomas Waller from Rebuild the Wall, where he was able to get his foot sufficiently enough around the ball to slam the ball home in the top right corner, only just passing the outstretched fingers of John Stoneman.

John Stoneman himself played a significant role in the game against Ethane, and is a key factor for the Red Kites not scoring a much higher tally in goals, with some of his magnificent saves frustrating the Ethanese strikers - who have been struggling to really knock in those goals at a consistent rate.

The home advantage for the Ethanians was much greater at this match in comparison to others due to the very low number of travelling fans from Rebuild the Wall, leaving the stadium almost completely full of Ethanese fans. Only 100 visitor tickets were granted to Rebuild the Wall fans for this match in retaliation to the inadequate seats granted to visiting fans from Ethane for the World Cup match that will occur on Match Day 10, when the reverse fixture of the Rebuild the Wall match is played out. When the stadium was announced for the Rebuild the Wall team, the Ethanian Footballing Union was very quick to raise its criticisms of a team with such an inadequate and poorly equipped stadium participating in the World Cup, and its criticisms remain. Not only do they view the number of seats granted to visitors as insignificant and a poor number for travelling fans, but there are also serious safety issues surrounding the stadium, including the way it is most likely policed, and the wooden structure of the design, considering footballing history in Ethane.

Next up, the Red Kites will travel to Electrum - the 15th ranked team in the world - who they are currently tied for first in the group with. This is one of the more important games in the group and has high significance in the title race. While the Red Kites are not expecting to win it, they are expecting for a decent result, and a win when the team from Electrum return the fixture and visit the King Edward IV stadium in New Sarum Ethane. The team facing them will be the best the Red Kites have to offer, so they are expected to do not fail too badly. Whoever wins this game will establish themselves as the early group leaders in group 8, while whoever loses will probably lose their second place position, although early group standings don't indicate too much with the fluctuating skill level required in matches affecting a team's position. If the teams draw, both will remain tied for first place in the group.

'61: Gerald Coleman
'75: Cliff Driscoll
'78: Kyle Cooper

---

Lineup @ Electrum

---

GK: Brody Church
LB: Cliff Driscoll
CB: Darien Fear
CB: John Campbell
RB: Archie Holmes
CDM: Merlin Midgley
LM: Kevyn Stidolph
RM: Branden Veresoto
ST: Dewayne Boivin
LF: Wilmer Jaurequi
RF: Samuel Mitchell

---

Schedule and Stats

---

---

Note: statistics do include friendlies.

---

Pre-WCQ Friendly: Qasden 1-0 Ethane @ Royal T.V. Stadium, T.V. City
MD1: Korizland 0-1 Ethane @ Korizland
MD2: Ethane 1-0 Rebuild the Wall @ King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum
MD3: Electrum vs Ethane @ Centralis Arena
MD4: Ethane vs Cetheque @ King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum
MD5: The Andromeda Archipelago vs Ethane @ The Andromeda Archipelago
MD6: Ethane vs Tinhampton @ King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum
MD7: Boring Paradise vs Ethane @ Boring Paradise
MD8: New Gazi vs Ethane @ New Gazi
MD9: Ethane vs Damukuni @ King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum
Mid-WCQ Friendly TBC
MD10: Ethane vs Korizland @ King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum
MD11: Rebuild the Wall vs Ethane @ Wooden Palisade
MD12: Ethane vs Electrum @ King Edward IV Stadium, New Sarum
MD13: Cetheque vs Ethane @ Cetheque
MD14: Ethane vs The Andromeda Archipelago @ King Edward Stadium, New Sarum
MD15: Tinhampton vs Ethane @ Tinhampton
MD16: Ethane vs Boring Paradise @ King Edward Stadium, New Sarum
MD17: Ethane vs New Gazi @ King Edward Stadium, New Sarum
MD18: Damukuni vs Ethane @ TBC
Post-WCQ Friendly: TBC

Stats
Goals
Julian Harrington - 1
Samuel Mitchell - 1
Assists
Branden Veresoto - 1
Kevyn Stidolph - 1
Sub Appearances
Samuel Mitchell - 2
Christian Ali - 1
Caleb Powell - 1
Branden Veresoto - 1
Jonathan Harris - 1
Cliff Driscoll - 1
Gerald Coleman - 1
Kyle Cooper - 1

[95X]

95X 1, Olastor 0

95X
Goals - Yorkton :25
Substitutions - Foureleven for Hunt :45 (HT), Morrison for Yorkton :70

The Lucky Businessperson Stadium filled to capacity to watch the 95X NT play its first home game in the building in recent memory. 95X dominated the match and the opponents' two shots at the goal were questionable at best, sailing high and over the goal.

Bo Foureleven was subbed in for Eric Hunt to begin the second half of play, and as the half went on it was clear Alyssa Yorkton's talents were going to waste. That's when Randy Larch pointed to the end of the bench.

"Hey kid!" he calls Micah Morrison. "You're in!"

"Y-yes sir!" Morrison leaps up, throws off his jacket and takes the field for the first time in a NT uniform.

Twenty minutes wasn't a lot of time for a first-time NT player to make magic, and he knew his first game wasn't the time to show off. Yet he relished the experience as he knew tougher opponents were coming.

[Mriin]

Information on the Daineri populace gathered from NSI, blame them if this is wrong!

Nev shuffled awkwardly on Haven Stadium's sideline, watching the Daineri warm up. "There's something... a little off-putting about them."

"That their football squad is ranked 69th in the world despite having not released a press statement about them since World Cup 70?" said Don, sitting on the nearby bench, reading a newspaper--particularly the match report of the Tomikosan game, where the journalist had the gall to say they played too conservatively with their lead.

Harnan, sitting on the dragon's other side, guffawed. "Heh. Sixty-nine."

Nev squinted, then shook his head. "It is a little weird how none of them got names on their jerseys, but that's not the thing eatin' at me. They... are they part dragon?"

"Pffft. Surely not." Don looked over the newspaper, adjusting his glasses with a long claw. "What sort of dragon would demean themselves by breeding with a human?"

Solara wandered over, having caught the tail end of the discussion. "Not every dragon is as stuck-up as you are, Don."

"And they're fools for it. Greatness doesn't come to those who don't think they deserve it."

"I swear," continued Nev, still staring at the opposition, "that their gait isn't quite human. And their noses are too snout-y. This is weird."

"Yer weird," spouted Harnan, wile nearly falling off the bench, "since when are ya a human expert?"

"I'll have you know my first girlfriend was a human! She was an exchange student in my high school."

Solara went to help stabilize Harnan and chuckled. "My first girlfriend was a dragon, and I don't see anything weird with these guys. What's your point?"

"Talk about low standards..." muttered Don, which prompted a slap upside the back of his head (involving an impressive standing jump on Solara's part). "...alright, I deserved that."

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ Rise of the Domestic Player?

After one very satisfying weekend in the Qualifiers for the Wanderers, we turn our eyes towards the greater footballing community to look and see what is happening outside our two islands. However in doing so, we have noticed a trend among the national teams that are participating in this qualifying campaign, particularly among the better teams in the world, and that is a greater rise in the domestic based player composing the majority of the national pools. This can even be seen with our own Wanderers and was definitely seen in Valanora this summer when the manager took a very domestic heavy side with him to the Eternal Realm, coming away with that unpredictable DBC title in the process. The question though, what has caused this trend among the better teams in the world and is it one that we will see continue to hold strong through the next few years or is this simply a matter of coincidence that several of the top thirty teams have produced a largely domestic based player pool?

As for our own squad, the rise of Tani as well as the resurgence of CAP in the international club competitions sees a very natural progression for more of those players to be taking up slots in the national pool. For if these players are able to contend with the best not just in the domestic league but against some of the best clubs and players in the entire world, then surely they are capable of putting up good results for the national team. The rest of the SuperLiga has seen their own squads get better in the process to, as they have strengthened their sides and bolstered the domestic league, in turn causing the academies to get better instruction and produce better quality players. The idea that a stronger domestic league breeds a stronger national team certainly seems to be the popular theory and the results it has had in Pasarga speak for themselves with the middle and upper tier clubs of the league, but what of the stragglers who are still seeing some of their talent make it into the national pool?

That is a more complicated answer and one that asks whether you believe in luck or not, for it would be that belief that would say why there has been an increase of good talent being produced locally in the last few years. While the imports of Audioslavs, Eurans, and Osarians certainly paved the way for better the overall player in those upper tiers, those players were not going to the likes of Stilinkeep or Peynol-Lunas, so how do they get their players in the mix? The current theory has to be that simply there has been a great amount of luck and fortune in the quality of the player not just at the big clubs but across the entire nation, as even little clubs like Avidë are starting to see good players come through their ranks. The club that once consistently sat at the bottom of the SuperLiga 3 won a promotion and has now established itself as a good but not great second tier side and they are not the only example of this.

As for across the globe, perhaps it is merely the perception of their own strong domestic team or an agenda the coaches are looking to push, hoping that their domestic based products can achieve the results needed to push their home grown players first agenda. Whatever the case, that the Sunrises, Audioslavias, and Cosumars of the world are now sending more of their home grown talent over those that are plying their trade abroad is definitely a sign of a trend. If this is to continue though, one would have to think that these sides will have to see a good amount of success to validate their reasons in not picking more of the players who play outside of their home domestic leagues. Our own side has a solid mix of both of grown and abroad, as Tobias Möller seemingly picking the best players at the position who are in the best form. Those players however will be put to the test the next time the Wanderers get together, as they venture away from the sanctuary of Stade de Torgos for the first time in qualifying and have their road game tested against Augusticinia.

[Witty Penguins]

Proud sponsor of the Penguinish football team
#GoPenguins

TOP NEWS: Assassination threat against President | Poll: 61% unhappy with tax increases | Penguin-human relations still frosty

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FOOTBALL: Wait, we actually won a game?

9 February 2017

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WC77 QUALIFIERS - GROUP 2, MATCHDAY 2
PIC Stadium, Arctic Republic of Witty Penguins

WPG 3-1 WHO

31' Fort
43' Whovian Tardisia
61' Fort
80' Swiss

Witty Penguins and Whovian Tardisia facing off at PIC Stadium.

MACQUIRE, ADELIELAND - Despite being the lowest-ranked team in their qualifying group (in fact, they aren't even ranked at all), Witty Penguins pulled off an impressive win over Whovian Tardisia at PIC Stadium today, scoring 3 goals against 1. The surprising, yet pleasing result will redeem some of the team's lost dignity, after their worst ever defeat in their previous match. Having now scored 3 of the team's 5 goals in the tournament so far, team captain and veteran player Pierre Fort appears to be cementing his place as the Penguins' most valuable player as well.

There were great expectations for the Penguinish side, as they prepared to kick off on their home turf in front of a sold-out crowd. Many fans had not been pleased with their result against Bonesea and the team was under pressure to make amends. Furthermore, heavy rain earlier in the day made the pitch very muddy and wet, adding further difficulty to the game. While the first half-an-hour was quite a boring, goalless affair between the two sides, Fort returned the excitement back into the game when he made a break through the Tardisian defense. For a moment Penguinish fans held their breath as Fort almost slipped on the soaking wet ground, yet somehow managed to regain his balance to place the ball well back into the net. From then on, the home side gained energy and pushed back against the visitors, but were perhaps a little too eager when Roger Yorick made a harsh tackle against one of the Tardisian players in the 40th minute. The player was thankfully unhurt, but Yorick would walk away with a yellow card. Furthermore, Whovian Tardisia were awarded a free kick, which allowed them to equalize the match a minute later. Into the second half, Penguinish fans appeared uneasy as their hopes of winning the game were on the line, but were put at ease when Fort claimed his second goal of the match in the 61st minute. Amanda Swiss would then seal the deal, scoring in the 80th minute after a well-placed pass from Klaus Gunther. Whovian Tardisia, despite proving a strong challenge, couldn't make the most of their scoring opportunities, perhaps due to the wet pitch, and the game ended 3-1.

Kelvin Wood, now with a win up his sleeve, was clearly relieved at the post-match press conference. "Even though the conditions out there weren't that great, the team played beautifully, and I'm very proud of them," he said. Tomorrow the team leaves Witty Penguins to play Quakmybush (ranked 72). It will be a hard game for the players, but coming off the high from a win, they may prove a challenge.

---

Assassination threat against President; arrests made

9 February 2017

---

UNITIA CITY, SOUTH SPHENSCIPIA - Penguinish authorities reported that there had been a "credible threat" against President Winters' life, who had been planning to attend today's World Cup qualifying match against Whovian Tardisia. However they have reported that those behind the threat have been taken into custody.

The Penguinish Intelligence Service said that plans for the President to attend the match at Macquire's PIC Stadium were canceled after plans made by a unnamed "terrorist" group were uncovered. The group reportedly planned to assassinate the President during the match. At a press conference today, the PIS assured the public that there was no threat to those attending the match.
"Five people have been arrested in response to the threat. We have also increased police presence outside the stadium, so there's nothing to worry about," chairman Jacob White said. Furthermore, he told reporters that security would be increased for all future WCQ games being held in Witty Penguins. He refused to name the group behind the plans. The five people who were arrested are being charged with terrorism, and are under automatic name suspension. Owners of the PIC Stadium said in a statement that from now on, they will be requiring baggage checks for all match goers, and would increase security inside the stadium for all further WCQ games.

According to unconfirmed sources, the President was reportedly unhappy with his change of plans, saying that he was "sick of these *expletive* people", and that he instead watched the match on TV back at the Presidental Office. It is not known whether the President will attend any future qualifying games being held in Witty Penguins.

[Flardania]

Opening Theme

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Bonjour et Ohayōgozaimasu Kirishima. Welcome ladies and gentleman to the World Cup 77 Qualifiers edition of the Kitsune Report, brought to you by the Nagatomo Sports Network (NSN), sponsored by Air Pacifica, and Pocari Surge. Here at the Kitsune Report, it's all about Kirishinan sports but right now, world cup football is king. With matchday 2 out of the way, how did the Kitsunes fare against newcomers Turkmenbasyn? It's time to get grooving to some world cup football yet again and find out!

Turkmenbasyn 1-6 Kirishima Review:

Following a dominating 5-0 win against 69th ranked Dainer, the Kitsunes was once again abroad as they were off to face Turkmenbasyn a nation primarily known for its melon industry. Coming off an empowering win the Kitsunes were determined to take advantage of a weak opening schedule. Seong Mi-Soo was reserved pre and post game for Dainer and the same held true in the lead up to this match. Despite being the favorites on paper and coming off of a huge win Mi-Soo did not show it within interviews. Perhaps she is focused or cold blooded this time around or perhaps both. With a total of 11 goals and a goal differential of +10 after two matches in certainly seems that the Kitsunes are taking things seriously.

The beginning of the match started off explosively as the opposition was caught completely off guard and an early loss of possession and a resulting counter attack led to a high through ball from Ako Izumi to Joseph Yabuta which resulted in a chip shot off a nice bounce into the right side of the goal in the second minute. The 28 minute saw Yabuta score again after a pass inside the box from Renee Gudice. At this point, the visiting Kitsune fans were getting pumped but the Kitsune sideline was not giving anything away in terms of the team's excitement level. In the 31st minute after an opposition yellow card, Ako Izumi saw it fit to take an attempt at goal to put the Kitsunes up 3-0 which for a team heavily favored to win on paper, was decisive. At this point, it wasn't whether the Kitsunes would win or not but whether Kirishima will be able to put more goals on the board like they did in the previous match.

Just before the half, Renee Guidice would see her 28th minute assist rewarded with a goal off of a cross that sailed over Yabuta. Guidice simply guided the ball with her head into the lower right corner, thus catching the keeper off guard as they expected a high shot. This gave Kirishima a dominant 4-0 lead at the half, a scoreline that made it hard for Seong Mi-Soo to stay serious as we saw the familiar smile we saw not too long ago when she still played together with her players.

The second half saw things slow down which worked towards the opposition favor. The half was able to cool the spark the Kitsunes had until the 67th minute at least. Matsuoka who subbed in for Yabuta in the 65th passed the ball out to Mizoguchi who drilled a finesse shot into the left side of the net to put the Kitsunes up by 5. Perhaps at this stage, the Kitsunes got a little too relaxed as the opposition scored in the 69th minute after a counter-attack. This left Seong Mi-Soo unamused as her whole message was about consistency and playing like a top team. Careless over confidence leading to opposition goals is a pet peeve of her this year and it showed. That smile was all but gone. In the 83rd minute, Izumi would score from the edge of the box, as the Kitsunes were in attacking position and she took the advantage of an opening.

Following the win, Kitsune manager Seong Mi-Soo had this to say. "I am happy for the win but as I say over and over again a win is a win whether it's by 1 or 1000. What is more important to me is whether we are defeating the team we are supposed to and how do we play whether we win or lose. We played well and took the game seriously as we should. This, however, is a stage in a much longer marathon and we can't be satisfied. We need to keep chaining these wins together."

I agree with the manager on this one. While she seems stoic more often than usual it is clear that she wants to avoid disaster and she is applying the discipline that she says the team needs in her own coaching. Being calm, careful and calculating and leaving most of the joy to be shared by the players. Seong-san wants this to be a team no longer happy to qualify, she wants a team that can contend and in order to do that making the World Cup can no longer be a goal. It has to be a requirement before crafting any goals for the team.

Turkmenbasyn 1 - 6 Kirishima 
TBA(69')      Yabuta(2' 28')
              Izumi(31' 83')
              Guidice(45')
              Mizoguchi(67')

Kirishima v Mriin Preview:

With a 2-0 opening record here in qualifiers Kirishima heads to the Ostianae Magnaem Centre in the nation's capital, Heiwa for the Kitsunes home opener against Mriin. This will be the Kitsunes first ever encounter with this nation on or off the pitch. While Kirishima has the advantage on paper the opposition did make the quater-finals in their Baptism of Fire appearance showing the hint of potential from here on out. Furthermore, their win against BOF 63 3rd place finishers Tomikosan and Draw against Dainer is even more impressive for the team. Seong Mi-Soo while already taking every game seriously will definitely be preparing on how to shut down the team.

With the opposition being offensive minded expect Hojo to once again start in goal. Kirishima really just needs to stick to it's game of football and they should be able to pick up the win. While the opposition has some momentum and form, the Kitsunes have the same in greater amounts. The homefield advantage should also help the Kitsunes in the next match. Until then Lets Go Kitsunes!

Post by: Keita Woo

[Sulsuland]

SuLSU conFuseD. SulSu anD friEnDS wEnt tO sLeEp neXT tO fiSh Net. WhEn sulSu wAkE uP peoPlE aRe yeLliNg and tElL sulSu aNd friEndS they Lose. SuLSU noT KnoW whAT hE KeEp LosInG.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

I ain't got no patience with my medication. I smoke every day, that's the dedication.

Matchday Three Cutoff

[-Anthor-]

Chapter II: Hitting the Pavement Running; Or Atleast Hitting It

---

"Ahh"

The sound of relief filled the recovery room as Jason slowly slid his two battered legs into the level-with the floor tub, that had been prepared with an ice bath for the striker that left the match early after a very strong challenge sent his whole body frame to the ground, and sheering pain up his legs.

He slowly slid his legs into the bath, peeling off his kit shirt and tossing the dirtied red and blue colored kit piece onto the tile floor and then eased the rest of his body down into the tub, slowly relaxing, and closing his eyes as relief flooded through his body as the pain was eased. His mind was first content, but then it eventually wandered to the match; he was so nervous when he left, he shut off any reporting piece of equipment in the clubhouse to prevent him from hearing the scores, but the silent entry of all of his team mates into the clubhouse about ten minutes ago told him all he needed to know; they had lost, despite him scoring a wonderful goal early on. It had come off a beautiful lob pass from Bissette too, he had stolen the ball straight from between the feet of one of the Frenline Delphian's midfielders, and lobbed it straight forward on a clean kick towards Jason who had been awaiting just onside, and scoped it right up and banged in from outside the outer box's corner; it was a truly wonderful play, very fast paced and something he hadn't been used to in awhile.

He heard someone's feet shuffling on the tile,but he ignored them, figuring just another player that was beat from the match looking to ease some pain and he then heard a intentionally stifled cough, and he opened one of his eyes, revealing Jessica leaning against the doorframe leading into the recovery room. Her hair, usually meticulously collected into a simple ponytail, was messy and her bangs were frayed or laying on her face. Jason looked at her for a second before asking "How bad?"

"5-2."

"Lords, I was hoping you guys could keep up the score after I left, I thought I put us on a good rally."

"Yeah, well, you did put someone on a rally, just seemed to ignite the Frenline's instead of us"

Jessica chuckled slightly and Jason just frowned and then went back to leaning his head back with his eyes closed resting. Jessica moved over towards his tub and sat down on the tile floor near his head "Don't blame yourself Rigsby, you're not our captain nor were you responsible for us simply being out-played."

"I'm pissed because this gorram knee prevented me from playing the gorram full match."

Jessica slapped his chest "Well, prove you're better. Meet me at the practice pitch at 8 tomorrow morning? Let's get some early morning sprints in, prove to me that thing isn't turning you into a pro-am midfielder."

Jason opened his eyes and flicked water at Jessica, who ran away as soon as it was sprayed "Pro-am my ass, I'll prove this knee wrong and get my titles back from you"

[Jeruselem]

This RP is for Match Day 2 not Match Day 3 ...

Chloe Dallas and Princess Elsa at Dazza Dallas Stadium (both naked)

Chloe: This is Chloe Dallas for Naked News Jeruselem, we're back at home at Dazza Dallas Stadium for a home game of World Cup 77 qualification. It's Match day 2, we excited to play our first home game. I'm with unofficial team spokesperson Princess Laura, who happens to be a Princess but anyway.
Elsa: Good day everyone
Chloe: Group 2 - time to round up the results. Witty Penguins hosted Whovian Tardisia, we don't know much about this lot. Anyway, the penguins won proving even a time machine doesn't win you games. 3-1.
Elsa: Not the best of starts for them whovians but they aren't last.
Chloe: Drawkland hosted Garifunya and got a 2-2 draw.
Elsa: Those two are actually in the top 4 at the moment, due to their wins first game. Don't write them off.

Chloe: Darmen hosted Barunia - and well Darmen lost 3-2!
Elsa: Well we beat Barunia at home last game. I mean beating Darmen at home is huge thing. Even for us.
Chloe: Just proves being a big seed doesn't mean much if you can't win
Elsa: Yes, we're just some mid ranked team. On paper we're crap. Yet, people don't take us lightly.
Chloe: Bonesea beat Quakmybush 2-1
Elsa: Much expected, no shocker there.

Chloe: We had Willinois visit us, must be shock for them because they've never been here.
Elsa: For sure, I'm sure for some teams Jeruselem is a culture shock
Chloe: I mean, not used to so many women around.
Elsa: Especially a stadium with lots of statues of Dazza Dallas, nude ones.
Chloe: They did score 3 goals so they weren't overawed but got smashed with 6 goals
Elsa: Yeah, defending wasn't the best. But the way the game was played, defenders didn't have much rest.

Chloe: Not your best day
Elsa: These type of games. you're better off trying to score goals
Chloe: Is the team still sorting out positions
Elsa: Yes, we didn't have any friendlies. Due to the chaos in our prep.
Chloe: A court case is coming up, a certain football coach being charged with child interference related charges.
Elsa: Yeah, we couldn't afford to have such a person in charge on the team. We would look bad.

Chloe: What if he's innocent
Elsa: I can't say but it wasn't some off incident. It seems to be bit of history going on there.
Chloe: Football being a family game. we can't afford to have those sort of people.
Elsa: Coaches in charge of children or youger adults, need to know they can't be irresponsible like that.
Chloe: Let's get to some better news.
Elsa: We got an official app for the team

Chloe: Oh yes, that one.
Elsa: Yes, an official app for the Jeruselem World Cup team! For Android, iOS, Windows and even that Linux thingy.
Chloe: Really, Linux?
Elsa; OK, any Debian or Ubuntu. We couldn't be bothered with other ones.
Chloe: Great. I got an iPhone.
Elsa: You can even watch these Naked News interviews on it.

Chloe: That's all from us
Elsa: Up next we visit ... Garifunya. Where ever that is.
Chloe: Never been there?
Elsa: Not in my memory anyway, but it's not a team we'd remember much about.
Chloe: I wouldn't know either
Elsa: Same here

[Mercedini]

World Cup MD3: Gadirya vs. Mercedini LIVE
@ Gadirya National Stadium - Charmat, Gadirya

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Hello and welcome back to our coverage of the World Cup Qualifiers and today we are in Gadirya for match-day three. We are here in the beautiful Gadirya National Stadium where the hosts will welcome Mercedini in order to further their qualifying hopes. Mercedini have opened up qualifying very well as it stands with two wins in two matches. Neither match has been comprehensive but it's the results that count and the win against Savalen has made people wonder if third time truly is the charm. Gadirya have had a fairly mixed back of results in qualifying thus far. They have played two matches and got a win and a draw out of those matches. Although they have both been against unranked sides so many would've expected Gadirya to be on six points and not four. Anyway, the Mercedinian fans have had a great turnout once again but the Gadiryan fans don't seem to have turned up. I'm hearing they have had to close one of the stands due to lack of spectators which means that the Gadiryan fans are only occupying two stands while Mercedini have taken over one for themselves. A lot of empty seats, let's see if that effects the action today.

---

0' - The noise levels are significantly lower that in the Sports City Stadium last time round which has slightly effected the national anthems. The Mercedinians are singing loudly and are widely visible in their black and blue kits, some of them are in the red and white away kits which Mercedini will be playing in today while Gadirya are in their black and green kits. Should be a fascinating tie. Let's see if Mercedini can spoil Gadirya's party and make it three on the bounce. Billic has just kicked off and we are underway in MD3 of World Cup Qualification

7' - (GAD 0-0 MRC) - The opening of this match has been fairly lethargic at the moment, the weather looks to be obviously affecting the players, the sun is beating down at the moment and it's a good job I've got my favourite Gadiryan-branded bottle of water with me or else I'd be absolutely parched. No chances to speak of yet, both teams are trying to suss the other one out. 0-0

12' - (GAD 0-0 MRC) - I think Gadirya are starting the match on top as they are obviously acclimatised to the weather, Presic is working hard on the wing to try and find some space for the attackers but the rest of the team is are jogging around like it's a warm-up. I should state that the Gadiryan Association, like Savalen, have not submitted a roster for us so we will be commentating blind for this match. Do they know they are being really inconvenient for us here at Mercedini Sports Daily?! Bloody foreigners. Still 0-0

18' - (GAD 0-0 MRC) - Mercedini are getting a foothold in this match with Nymark and Jackic leading at the forefront of the attack, they are playing good balls forward but Gadirya are solid in defence thus far. One chance to speak of and it came for Gadirya. One of their player broke down the wing, entered the box and squared a low fizzing cross inside the six yard box but the sliding attacker couldn't get any contact on the ball and it went out for a throw in. It's was chance for Gadirya but it stays nil-nil as we are approaching the twenty minute mark in this game.

25' - (GAD 0-0 MRC) - The defences are ruling the day so far in this game as both sets of attackers have been limited to half-chances. Possession looks to be the name of the game as they try to forge chances on that hard turf, there is plenty of time left in the game but the clock is ticking and there's about twenty minutes left in the half. 0-0 as it stands, there surely must be a goal in this game from somewhere.

31' - (GAD 0-0 MRC) - We've hit the half hour mark in this game and still nothing to separate either team. They are cancelling each other out and the battle is mainly being played in the midfield. Mercedini and Gadirya look complacent with what they have in the game but this isn't what myself and the fans have come to see. Where's the action?! 0-0 so far, the future of this game isn't looking too rosy unless something changes.

38' - (GAD 0-0 MRC) - GOAL!! and this match has finally been kicked into life by Mercedini as we approach the end of the first half. Johannes Nymark has put the Golden Eagles ahead with a clean strike from the edge of the box. It came from a Presic run at first, the Somer City and Surrounds winger sent a cross in the box which was well defended as first with the ball sent out of danger, but no one was there to pick up the loose ball and Nymark picked it up and guided the ball into the bottom corner. It looks as if the view of the goalkeeper was obscured by a couple of bodies but he didn't react quick enough and the ball nestled into the bottom corner. The Mercedinians are celebrating at the other side of the stadium, it's 1-0 Mercedini!

44' - (GAD 0-1 MRC) - Play has slowed since that goal with Mercedini holding onto the ball in order to kill off any hopes that Gadirya will score before the half is over. Bjarnasson is gesturing to his players to slow the pace of the game, he is staying as cool as a cucumber in this scorching sun. We only have a minute of regulation time left in the match so I'm not too sure if Gadirya have time to get an equaliser. 1-0 as the first half draws to a close

45+1' - (GAD 0-1 MRC) - Not too much stoppage time in this game, the one minute is up and the players are now entering the tunnel for their half-time refreshments. A rather drab affair thus far with Mercedini grabbing the only goal of the game. It was Nymark with a shot on the edge of the box with about ten minutes of the half left, but apart from that, there was little action to speak of. At the end of the first half. it's Gadirya 0, Mercedini 1.

HALF TIME
Gadirya 0 - 1 Mercedini
Nymark 38'

The teams are back our and the ready are seated for the second half of the match. We are all hoping for more action in the second half, but personally I would be complacent with Mercedini parking the bus to solidify their lead. Billic has already kicked off for the second half. I should say that the climate has now mellowed out as we enter nightfall, the floodlights have now come on so we are pretty much all set for the second half!

48' - (GAD 0-1 MRC) - It seems very clear what the Gadiryan manager has ordered his players to do and that is to press press press to get the equaliser. They have put pretty much every man in the Mercedinian half to force the ball forward and into the net. Gadirya have had one shot already which clipped the outside of the post before going out for a goal kick. Mercedini will have to weather this storm to keep the score at 1-0.

58' - (GAD 0-1 MRC) - GOAL!! and Mercedini have doubled their lead after a devastating counter attack has all but killed this game off. It actually came from a Gadiryan attack! A tame shot from one of the Gadiryan players meant that Hosset scooped the ball up and booted it downfield. Chillotov was ahead of all the Gadiryan players but was onside because he was in his own half. He raced forward with only the goalkeeper to beat. His shot came off the chest of the goalkeeper and deflected back into open play where Billic came into the fray and slotted the ball into the open net. The stadium is silenced save for the Mercedinian fans. 2-0, are another three points coming our way?

63' - (GAD 0-2 MRC) - It's park the bus time for Mercedini, almost every man back for them as they try to weather this Gadiryan onslaught. The Mercedinian fans are singing loud and proud as this moment in time, their team are taking this group by storm at the moment, I don't think many people expected it but Mercedini would be top if this match and other result stayed as they are.

70' - (GAD 0-2 MRC) - Twenty minutes to go in this match and Mercedini are holding strong. The attackers are trying to stop any balls going into the danger area but obviously they aren't that good at it because they are attackers. Bjarnasson is sitting in his chair and letting his players to the work. He is taking the nation higher and higher in the rankings and could be taking the nation out of the grasp of the Cup of Harmony and into the World Cup for the first time! I'm not hedging my bets as a meltdown could ensue. Still 2-0

76' - (GAD 0-2 MRC) - Gadirya have thrown on a couple more attackers for their cause as they look to get a goal back in this match and deny Mercedini their first clean sheet of the campaign. The Gadiryan manager is getting more animated as he orders his players forward, that's in complete contrast to the Mercedinian manager who is probably playing Candy Crush on his phone. 2-0 to Mercedini with about 15 minutes or so of the match remaining.

85' - (GAD 0-2 MRC) - Mercedini are finishing this match off with a bit of ease. Gadirya are fumbling on the ball and the control of the ball has all but disappeared. Mercedinians are singing while the home fans look miserable. It looks as if their team will get their first loss of the campaign while Mercedini will make it 9 out of 9 in their group. They're going places people!

90+1' - (GAD 0-2 MRC) - Goal for Gadirya! They have denied Mercedini a clean sheet in this match with a scrappy goal but they all count in the end. Another low cross skidded of the turn and made it's way through many bodies before finally being turned home to reduce the deficit by one. Hosset is barking at his players for not defending what was a simple ball. It may only be a consolation goal but it raises some questions about the Mercedinian defence. 2-1 to Mercedini with the match drawing to a close!

90+6' - (GAD 1-2 MRC) - That's it! Gadirya made them sweat for it but Mercedini have secured another three points for their cause. Goals from Nymark and Billic sent Mercedini into a two goal lead before Gadirya reduced the defecit and claimed a consolation goal at the very end. The Mercedinians will be singing all the way back to the Sports City Stadium as it's finished Gadirys 1, Mercedini 2!

FULL TIME
Gadirya 1 - 2 Mercedini
unknown 90+1' | Nymark 38', Billic 58'

Mercedini have made it three on the bounce at the World Cup and can make it an unprecedented fourth against Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland! They may have a long name but their chances of qualifying are even longer as they have yet to pick up a point thus far. Can Mercedini get another win and inflict more sorrow onto the nation with a long name? Join us next time where we will give you live coverage of the match. From Gadirya, auf wiedersehn!

[Spaam]

Part 3

Silence filled the cavern, a silence that was deafening as dozens of people looked up reverently to the machine that took centre stage in the ancient site. Mela could feel all the eyes watching her as she carefully made sure everything was in order, though she still had no idea how something like this could actually do anything. The majestic conglomeration of marble, stone and the hard, cold, shining metal was beyond anything she had ever seen or studied. Her boss, Professor Torbanise, seemed to have every faith in her to get the machine working, but while he seemed to anticipate what was about to happen, he kept his thoughts secret. Standing behind her, he was the epitome of calm, and that just unnerved Mela that much more.

She stood back and nodded, mainly to herself. “It’s done. Well, as done as it could be under the circumstances.” She turned back to the professor. “We’re ready to turn it on.”

“If you’re sure, my dear, you may proceed.” The professor uncharacteristically showed no emotion as he replied.

Mela turned back to the machine, took a big breath, and pulled the lever that would launch the machine into action.

---

Spaam Draws At Home

In a match that had everything, few expected the Orange Army to take a point against their much more fancied opponents. The Kaboomlandia Phoenix, one of the top fifty teams in the world, had come off two solid wins and clean sheets, were confident during their pre-match interviews in taking the win. Spaam, on the other hand, were still on a high from their comeback away win against Hirvania, and Paatukar Football Stadium was almost at capacity with fans coming all the way from New Artanis to watch their national team.

Kaboomlandia started strongly, with the Phoenix claiming the lion share of possession, smothering the Spaamanian defense with their passing game. In fact, it wasn’t until the 40th minute that the home offense had their first shot on goal, with Merlara Sehelin on target from twenty metres out. The keeper McEarshan shut it down, however, and that would be Spaam’s only chance in the first half. Read more…

World Cup 77 Qualifying

  SPAAM 1-1 KABOOMLANDIA
 (Sehelin 75’)          (Allard 44’)

Full match stats…

Group Four Highlights

There were few surprises in the other group matches for qualification. Top seeds Eura continued their perfect run at home against the in-form Veldgouwen, but they almost didn’t take the three points. Only a late goal by veteran Kris Cambell sealed the win for the group favourites. West Saintland continued their disappointing performances, failing to put away the underdogs North Carcossia and the Hesperides to the delight of the home crowd. 59th ranked Kandorith are still winless, giving the Socialist Northern Islands their first point in a dry scoreless game at home. And Hirvania delivered their first win of the campaign, with a masterful three goal to none away display against Nagore. Full reports…

Accusations Of Sarian Doping

There are reports coming from anonymous sources that the Sarian national football team has been involved in a system of institutionalised doping. According to sources, the performance enhancing drug Bi-Rhino-Anaboloid-Di-Yttribumide, known colloquially as BRADY, is being fed to the players before matches. This drug, while giving players almost miraculous passing abilities, has the side-effect of causing people to bray like a GOAT. These reports of blatant cheating have done nothing to improve the reputation of team that has caused much anger in the football community. Exclusive report…

---

Everything went haywire.

Mobile phones throughout the cavern made a multitude of cacophonous sounds as tweets, emails, messages, news updates and countless other apps strived to notify their owners. Mela stood shocked as something which couldn’t happen had clearly just happened. Dumbly she took out her phone, and saw the numerous notifications that had come up on the screen in front of her. Touching the first icon, an online newspaper that she didn’t even know existed came up, bright colours and meaningless text unfolding before her.

Mela looked back up and around until she faced the professor, who stood before her, an unnerving grin on his face.

“And that, my dear Mela, is what we call spaaming.”

Part 5

[Juvencus]

First win for the Squadra!


Juven players celebrating victory

Tobiasia XI:
GK:Percy Matthews
CB:Abraham Peters
CB:Paul Goldsmith
CDM:Arthur Slim
CM:Flint Eastgate
RM:Alexander West
LM:Drew Ford
LM:Harry Lithgow
CAM:Frank Woods
LW:Lee Ryans
RW:Matthew Card
CF:Fraser Philips

Juvencus XI:
GK:Naldo Zappa
CB:Dudu Madeiros
CB:Valerio Scarpa
CB: Nicolò Bassi
CDM:Elio Provenzano
CDM:Gian Lando
RM:Sansone Barsotti
LM:Angelino Alberighi
LF:Joaquim Martell
RF:Oriol Vives
CF:Jaumet Albert

The Squadra finally did it! Juvencus gets it first 3 points against a hard Tobiasian defence with the score being 0-3. Juven offence seems to have taken off completely after 3 fast goals in the last 20 minutes after 70 minutes of Juven dominance in the midfield and offence with minor exceptions during the end of the first half when Fraser Philips was close to opening up the game after a missed pentaly.

The first half was a pretty slow paced one, a lot of possessive play from both sides, especially Juvencus which dominated for most of the game. It was on the 8th minute that Juvencus pushed forwards for the first time after a failed offensive play by Tobiasian players. Barsotti was able to cross it on the other half side of the stadium to Angelino Alberighi, the latter saw Jaumet Albert all alone and passed it to him, Albert turned his back and shot the ball just a bit wide. It was a morale booster for the players given the fact they wanted to bounce up from the defeat against Anglatia last matchday. However, Juvencus earnt a free kick after Vives was pulled back by Slim, with the latter receiving a warning. Martell decided to cross it instead of kicking it(A fatal mistake) and found Vives scoring a goal only for his celebrations to be cut short after the assistant refferee decided that was an offside goal. Apporaching the end of the first half, Bassi was yellow carded for pushing Philips with big force, earnign Tobiasia a pentalty. As of course, Philips was the pentalty taker, sadly for Tobiasian fans that were expecting him to score, Zappa was able to make the save, thus saving Juvencus from a sure defeat.

The second half started in scary fashion for Juvencus, as Lee Ryans' strong shot almost caught Zappa off guard but luckily it hit the top post and went outside for the play to keep going. After that, Juven players started playing the same offensive play Anglatian players played against them last matchday, which was quite effective all the way until finding the keeper. Vives, Albert, Martell all missed 2 chances each which were all one on one situations with the Tobiasian keeper and Vives hit the post in both his chances. Barsotti was subbed off for Hugo Grec, Albert was subbed for Gallo and Alberighi was subbed off for Aleix Costa. As soon as these 3 fresh players got in, Juven play suddenly got more lively. At the 71st minute, Vives found Gallo and the latter scored a great chipped shot for the opener. A few minutes later at the 79th minute, Martell was able to find space between defenders and scored a lightning bolt of a shot which left Matthews unable to react. Last but not least, Vives scored one too, at injury time, after Costa found him free in the big box area and he did the low cross for Vives to score the volley, ending the match in 0-3. Next match is against Eastfield Lodge, who are unbeaten so far with a 3 win streak.

Match mistakes:
Juvencus:The players were unable to utilise during the first half, especially at the end of it, when Tobiasia was given the pentalty. Were it not for Zappa's great goalkeeping ability, Juvencus would have been screwed during the first half.
Tobiasia:Juven players managed to push Tobiasians on their own box many times in the second half. Possibly the great loss of morale and low stamina of the players during the last 20 minutes played its part for the game with the result turning from 0-0 to 0-3 in a matter of minutes.

Top goalscorers this cycle's WCQ:
Joaquim Martell: 3 goals
Angleino Alberighi: 1 goal
Rodolfo Gallo: 1 goal
Oriol Vives: 1 goal

Top assistmakers this cycle's WCQ:
Angelino Alberighi: 1 assist
Joaquim Martell: 1 assist
Oriol Vives: 1 assist
Aleix Costa: 1 assist

[Schottia]

The Art of Sneaking

Part four.

A pre-emptive strike

'Ye certain this is her hoose?' Asked the man, grinning as they crouched behind one of Mrs Hanson' peony rose bushes. Gary was gripped with a strange mixture of fear and excitement, and his shoulders shook violently with the adrenaline. He knew this was a bad idea, and what's more, it was scary that it had only taken two pints worth of Dutch courage to get him to volt the fence into Claire's parent's Garden. Gary had initially been worried that there would be too many people around, but at half eleven in the evening, Livingstone Crescent was as quiet as the grave.

'Yeah, it definitely is... or was, I should say,' Gary answered as the two of them tried to peer across the small back garden toward the rear of the house. 'My father and Claire's actually used to be part of the same Port Sebastian supporters club. I knew him before I knew her... weirdly.' There had been a light on upstairs, one which Gary and the man had deduced, was probably a bedside reading light They were waiting anxiously for it to go out so they could proceed with their plan. Ever since the man had heard about the Claire Hanson incident, he had been adamant that Gary should get some revenge. If ye dinna strike first, it'll be her or her husband that get you... he had said several times. Ye need to teach these kind of folk a lesson.

'There ye go, look!' The man pointed to where the window - presumably their bedroom window - had now gone dark. 'Come on, the coast's clear.' The man got up and walked onto the middle of Mr and Mrs Hanson's immaculately mown lawn, cracking his knuckles as he eyed it up. The grass was fringed with a neat flower border, delicately pruned shrubs. There was also a series of garden gnomes that were hard at work with wheelbarrows, and spades poised for action. It wasn't the garden of a wealthy person, but it was tidy and modest, a bit like Claire's parents. Everywhere you looked, there was evidence of both their hard work.

Gary inhaled and exhaled a few times, making a few quiet fussing noises before joining his friend in the middle of the lawn. 'So what should we do first?' He asked nervously. 'I've never vandalised anything before, I fear I'm a little out of my depth.'

'It's easy.' The man said with a mischievous grin. 'Just picture her face, and at the same time destroy something.'

'Ah okay... very good.' Gary tried to picture Claire giving him a far more vigorous rubdown than was necessary, smiling smugly at him as he winced with pain. He then reached down and pulled the heads off of some large, pink, daisy-like flowers, and dropped them on the grass. 'Take that Claire!' He whispered, standing back and dusting his hands, happy with his work.

'No' like that,' the man intervened. 'Like this.' He said, reaching purposefully with both hand, pulling the plant out of the ground, roots and all. Then, to Gary's horror, he proceeded to throw into the neighbouring garden.

'Goodness,' was all that issued from Gary's lips as the man repeated this action all the way round the garden, ripping and tearing up plant after plant, even dumping several in the fish pond. The man then went to the greenhouse and came back with a spray can of weed killer, which he proceeded to squirt liberally all over the lawn. Gary didn't know what to do, he didn't want to join in, yet he was gripped with fear and unable to run. The man then opened the garden shed and retrieved a spade, which he used to start digging up Mr Hanson's vegetable patch. This was the last straw for Gary, the thought of someone doing that to him was too much to take. He needed a plan, something to stop the man before he got to the succulent looking strawberries. The destruction of root vegetables, he could just about turn a blind eye to - but soft fruit was a different matter, especially given the summer hadn't provided the best conditions for growing them.

All Gary could think to do was pick up a garden gnome, and throw it onto the path. The sound of it shattering was like a bell wringing in the night, and the sound of a dog barking quickly followed. Gary wondered whether or not he had done the right thing, whether smashing one of poor Mrs Hanson's gnomes had been a sacrifice worth making.

'Good idea Gary.' The man dropped his spade, and jogged back over to where Gary stood, with a real look of purpose in his eyes. 'This is for upsetting my friend,' he said, gritting his teeth and throwing another gnome, this time at the side of the house. With that, the bedroom light went back on, and Gary tugged fearfully at the man's sleeve, as he smashed yet another against the pebbledash wall.

'Let's go.' Said Gary, practically dragging the man as they ran up to the top of the garden. How on earth had this ever been a good idea. Gary had to stop allowing himself to be so easily led. This was like being back at primary school all over again, peer pressured into stealing sweets from poor old Mrs Manck's corner shop.

Back at the house, the Hanson backdoor swung open with such force that Gary almost felt the draft from the other end of the garden. There, silhouetted in the doorway was the sizable bulk of Mr Hanson, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. Claire's father worked with heavy machinery, and his build was one consisting of a hefty amount of fat, over an even heftier amount of muscle. His beer belly hung around his waist like a cannonball, and he had arms resembling a silverback gorilla (with just about as much hair). The only part of him not covered in thick greying hair was his dome of a head, which was closely shaven and shone in the light coming from the kitchen.

'What the fu...' It took Mr Hanson a couple of seconds to survey the destruction. The fact that someone would even consider doing this took its time to sink in. Gary took advantage of the moment's indecisions to quickly push the man towards the gate, using the shadows from the high fence that surrounded the garden, to conceal their escape.

'Wait! Who's that.' Mr Hanson saw some movement in the moonlight and armed himself with a brick. The man pulled Gary's head downward just in the nick of time, as the projectile whistled past his ear. Such was the power that Claire's father possessed; it passed through one side of the greenhouse and out the other without even dropping momentum. Had the brick connected with either of them, they would have been decapitated. 'Come back here, ye fanny!'

Gary wasn't about to give in to the request nor was he going to waste any time in turning round to see where Mr Hanson was. No sooner were they out of the garden gate and into the back streets, than a second brick exploded through the wooden panel fence a metre or so behind them. Gary and the man ran as fast as their legs could carry them, hopping there wasn't enough light from the street lamps to allow them to be identified. The back of the housing estate where the Hansons lived was a maze of fences, forming narrow, dingy alleyways, perfect for concealing one's self.

'He's... He's... surprisingly fleet footed for a man of his age.' Gary managed to splutter, and the man laughed in reply. Gary had to hand it to him... it was pretty funny. Gary had spent the last two years trying to connect with himself, yet right now, he had never felt so alive. Running down the backstreets of Handon, being pursued by a middle-aged man in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts was definitely a story that would stay with him.

His companion was a good fifteen years older than him, but he was tall and lean, and the two of them eventually put some ground between them and their pursuer. Gary turned back one last time, from a safe distance, before they rounded the corner and could disappear into the housing estate. At than moment he felt a surprising amount of sympathy for Claire's father, as the magnitude of what he had done began to sink in.

'I'LL KILL YE' Mr Hanson had given up the chase and had collapsed to his knees in defeat, fists held in the air, as he screamed like some primordial creature at the full moon. 'YE ARSEHOLE! YE ARESHOOOOOOLE...'

[Anglatia]

Hustlers United

Chapter Four

While Stefan Rakocic was hustling to create a business in Redvale, there were another group of hustlers to the distant east of that island that were hustling for another goal entirely, the goal of having their own country again. They were, of course, the Gold Hands, the main rebel organization that had taken up the role of fighting for the freedom of Patierre from Anglatia, after the Democratic Forces of Patierre had folded after the Anglatian invasion. It was more than a year now since the Imperials had regained control on that resource rich island, but they still hadn’t rolled over. They spoke a different language than Anglatia, had a history of being independent, and had formerly been under a democratic government that represented their people and not the interests of a foreign empire. They weren’t going to roll over easily, and while the insurgency had seemingly ended for now, the Hands still existed in the shadows, preparing for the time when they and their country would rise again.

It could be said that the Gold Hands were the extremists in the Patierre independence movement, while the Democratic Forces had been left of center. But now, the extreme left wing anarchists were the only rebels with real power, and they had taken over as the representatives of not just the far left, but of the entire movement. They used crime to fund their activities, and they were connected to Redvale through the territory of Endelos, where they had a sizable following in Hovland and Slado. Their network reached into parts of Anglatia, too, spreading silently but effectively as they made more connections. Their two leaders, Eshe Al-Hatem and James Vodenicharov, were high on the radar of Imperial Intelligence, though they hadn’t taken action against them because for now, it was more useful to keep them around and follow their activities closely. It could also be said that the Hands had a better strategy than previous rebellions in Anglatia had; unlike the others, they knew the strength of being subtle and building over time.

So when the Gold Hands were approached by another group who wanted to fight for the same things that they did, albeit under the banner of a different ideology, they saw it as a chance to come out of the shadows and take advantage of the momentum that they had built. James claimed that it was important to keep under the radar for a bit longer and wait for something that was unrelated to them and out of their control distracted the Empire and made their movement possible, but Eshe believed differently. She said that the longer they waited, the more risk there was that they would be uncovered outside of Patierre and brought down. According to her, if they didn’t do something with their momentum, they would lose it permanently. Both of them disagreed and their supporters were split too, but when the two newcomers showed up with a plan to take action, the Hands realized that they had more momentum going for them than they had initially realized.

Those newcomers, Evan Aubin and Marcie Chapin, were strangers, but they had the connections to tap into what could be a powerful force for a revolutionary movement; the universities. Both of them were students in Alery, and that city had long been a hotbed for DFP recruitment when the Anglatians first invaded. If they could get the university on their side in Alery, the manpower and level of training that the Hands had would increase dramatically. They would no longer be made mostly of ‘low life’ types and street thugs, but they would have educated students on their side who also had access to money. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be in school in the first place.

James was more cautious around the newcomers when they arrived at the abandoned office complex that was used by the Hands as a makeshift headquarters, and he never kept his hand far from the holster by his waist. But Eshe was unafraid, trusting even. While she saw a risk, she also saw opportunity. With James trailing and keeping his hand near his weapon, Eshe walked in front of the two and led them right into the heart of the Hands’ operations, the central section of the complex. “Welcome to what we call our headquarters,” she said, spreading her arms wide and grinning as Evan and Marcie entered. “The business that used to run here shut down when the Imperials landed, so we decided to move in and make it our base of operations. There’s a few offices, a few workshops, some makeshift bedrooms… We call it the Commune.”

“It’s a lot more than what I expected from a rebel HQ,” admitted Evan. “Aren’t you guys trying to keep a low profile, with all the Imperial units in town? Don’t you get a bit nervous every time a bunch of tanks roll by?”

“We do keep a low profile. You think we just tell everyone that we’re rebels and that this is our base?” chuckled Eshe. “If anyone asks, we tell them that we converted this place into housing for poor people. Nobody is going to call the cops on a bunch of volunteers who want to help the lower classes. And it’s not like that’s a lie, a lot of us are doing this full time and keeping the lights on around here by working part time.”

As soon as the four stepped into the main room, the newcomers could see that this place had a different feel to it. There was a certain counter culture to it, that could be spotted a mile away. The walls were painted with anarchist graffiti that was against the absolute monarchy of Anglatia, the music that happened to be playing when they walked in was of the punk genre, and the flags that were draped along the north wall featured communist and anarcho-syndicalist designs. Most notably, the flag of the Soviet Republic of Nordskania was there, and the old flag of Communist Nordskania from before the revolutions and invasion split that country up. The people were also different than the ones that Evan and Marcie were used to being around, too. They were rougher around the edges, with many of the men wearing beards and many of the woman having dyed hair in atypical colors. And there were also plenty of burqas being worn by the women, which made sense. Islam had always been marginalized in Anglatia, stemming from years of warfare between Christianity and Islam in the Anglatian colony of Kisote. Islam and the left wing had long been allies in Anglatia, because they had the same enemies; Christianity and the monarchy.

Eshe herself was a Sunni Muslim, though Evan had no idea where she was from. Her skin was too light to be from Kisote, meaning she was probably Arab, but he was also sure that she was at least partially mixed raced. Either way, she had likely immigrated from somewhere else, like many Imperial citizens in certain regions had, before finding out the hard way that her religion wasn’t welcome in mainstream public opinion. That would explain why she had founded the Hands. James, on the other hand, looked Slavic. There was a chance that he was from Jugoskania, but because of his last name, Evan doubted that. It was more likely that he had come from Nordskania when the revolution in the north unseated the communist government, but unlike most Nordskanians, he was probably a loyalist to that government who didn’t want to live under the northern clans.

“The place is nice,” said Marcie. “If you have room for a few more, maybe this can be the base of our operation, too. If you’re fine with bringing in the rest of the political spectrum, too. Our plan is to rebel through uniting the different factions that fought within the DFP against Anglatia during the invasion. The Democratic Forces were too divided, but if we could unite all of the factions… We’d have a fighting chance against the Imperials.”

“Our place is open to the far left, only,” said James. “But we could set you up with somewhere if we decide that we want to help you. There’s plenty of these abandoned offices and warehouses, the invasion did hit the economy hard in Alery, after all. What are you trying to do, exactly? And why is it that you came to us for help?”

“We’re trying to bring the Democratic Forces together and team up with you guys to strike back at the occupation,” explained Evan. “We think we know where we can get manpower, and Clovis Decuir, who was in the original DFP, can set us up with someone to help train our army. You have more experience than us, though, and you guys also have a larger network. If we want to free the country, we’re going to have to team up-”

“Hold up, it’s going to be a large investment on our part to set up an entire faction for you two, that might turn on us because we’re too far to the left,” Eshe said, leaning against the wall. “Look, if you want to join the Gold Hands and fight alongside us, that’s no problem. But we’re going to need to work with you more before we hand you our resources. We’re working on our own plans, namely expanding into Saint Rainier and striking at the Imperial leadership across the country-”

“Yeah, good luck with that,” Evan said sarcastically. “You haven’t even managed to break into Saint Rainier and you’re already trying to go after Ross? That’s not going to go over well. That’s a good way to have Imperial Intelligence track you back to Alery and come kicking down the doors at this place.”

“Under normal circumstances you’d be right, but it just so happens that I have connections,” Eshe said, grinning again. “Trust me, I have a way of striking at Ross, and we’re going into that plan pretty soon. We might be under the radar now, and Ross might not know our names, but soon, they will. If all goes to plan, of course.”

=====

“You’re telling me I just invested fifteen million dollars into… A gridiron football league?” asked Allie Vacek, incredulously, as Stefan Rakocic tried to explain what she had done while she was under the influence. “I get that you’re trying to become a big time agent and all, but what kind of person refers to an entire sports league as a ‘side project’? You don’t think it would have been a good idea to wait until today to ask for cash?”

“First off, I didn’t ask for it, I mentioned the deadline to Ash and you heard and you just offered me the money,” Stefan explained. “Second, it was a side project until the other guy that’s working on this with me, Petro, talked to his buddies in the TV business and found out that there’s a Nordskanian TV company, the Turbayov Broadcasting Company, that’s scrambling to get something to put on their sports channels after the football league over there was suspended. Because of the lack of the usual kind of football, Petro suggested that they put on gridiron football, and they really liked the idea. You see, back when we were both at Mount Maris, we came up with this idea to bring gridiron football to his home region, Endelos. We have the G-League here in Redvale but no professional Endelosi league, and the idea expanded and we decided to bring it to Nordskania, too, because of the lack of a professional league. We were going to launch this thing way later, when the agency gets profitable, but we had to move the starting date up by years because of the chance we have right now. TBC needs something to fill up the slots that the Revolutionary Football League used to fill, and they decided that they would use our product if we could get together a very large fee to pay to them.”

“That’s not how this is supposed to work, they’re supposed to be paying you for the rights to your league, not the other way around,” Allie said. “For an agent, I’m surprised you don’t know that-”

“When your product is completely new and unproven and doesn’t even exist yet, a big company like TBC is going to want some compensation for taking a risk on it,” Stefan argued. “Don’t worry, we’ll get it back tenfold if it works out. Petro did the math on the viewership numbers and if we do as well as the RFL did, we’re going to make even more money because of the larger territory covered. That’s how I can borrow fifteen million from you and pay you back with one hundred million in five years. Think of the fee as a security deposit to make sure TBC gets something back if we flop.”

“And you’re sure that this idea of yours won’t flop?” asked Veli. “Nordskania hasn’t had a gridiron football league in a long time. You’re sure that the quality is going to be decent despite the sport not being popular there for at least the last seven or eight years?”

“Petro is a really smart stats guy, and he’s done the research and he sees that there’s a huge demand for gridiron football. That’s why the G-League is the most watched foreign sports league over there. We already have some owners lined up that have already done their market research, too. This thing is going to be huge, and both Allie and Hakki are going to be very rich in a few years for being brave enough to invest in it from the start,” Stefan said. “We’re calling it the KFL. The Kontinental Football League. You know, because it spans two different islands, Endelos and Nordskania. There’s also plans to expand into Redvale and go toe to toe with the G-League in certain smaller cities, if the eight team launch works out.”

“Eight teams, eh? Where are you putting them?” Kesha asked, sounding genuinely interested. “Nordskania is a war zone, and even if there’s demand, nobody is going to go to games where there’s a risk of getting hit by a cruise missile.”

“We’re splitting it so there’s four teams on each island. Karakosa, Slado, Rone, and Hovland are our Endelosi cities. Turbayov, Masloka, Maslev, and Kurovo are the cities we’re likely going with in Nordskania. They’re all Northern cities, not ones in the war zone part of the country. There’s already stadiums, too, that will do for now until some more exclusive stadiums can be set up. The plan is pretty much foolproof, except for the need for players, but we can get those by looking at G-League rejects who were good in college. There’s plenty of ex-RCAA players who would give anything to put on the pads again and play professionally.”

Allie took a long sigh, but she nodded. “The things I do when I’m drunk…” she muttered under her breath, but before she could speak again, she reached for her phone, which was now ringing. She answered it without looking at the caller ID, and she recognized the voice of the person calling as Yanick Martins, her national team manager.

“Hey Allie, I’m aware that there’s some controversy about your actions last night, but I just want to say that you’re still going to be included in the next national team friendly. We’ll be playing an eleven from the Nordskania Democratic People’s Republic, and it will be our first match in Kisote in three years. It’s been forever since we’ve played in that colony, and we aren’t going to disappoint our loyal fans there by dropping one of our top players,” Yanick explained. “You can start packing on Wednesday, because everyone should be arriving on Thursday for a Friday day of camp and a Saturday match. Got it?”

“Yeah… Thanks, boss. For having faith in me and sticking with me, I mean. Not a lot of people do.”

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

"Here we are. Evergreen Forest!"
Sunrise looked to the vast forest, carrying a guitar and a backpack with him.
He then looked to his folks who were behind him.
The Evergreen Forest was a rather expansive scenery with a rather clean train station serving as the main way to get there.
"Since I know the World Cup qualifiers will start soon, I thought it'd be best if I brought you all to train a bit."
"So, this is the Evergreen Forest? Looks pretty nice."
"And large."
"From what I've read, this is a regular training and catching spot as Pokémon live here in droves."
"Can we catch a Skitty, daddy?"
"Call me Sunrise. And well, you're free to do so if you wish."
Sunrise nodded.
"Say, why don't we spend the afternoon here and gather to meet here at the station?"
"That's a good idea. Chrom, I want you to take Qasden around, so that she doesn't get lost."
"Kirisaki and myself will go the other side, still need to show her some pointers."
"Heheh... And here I thought I was the champion."
"I'm the Global Champion, remember that!"
"If you say so..."
The two groups and Sunrise separated, each taking a route into the expanding woods.

Sunrise found a clearing at the forest.
Noticeably, he could see a fairly sized pond.
He let his Pokémon out of their Pokéballs.
Of note, there were all of his Eeveelutions.
Vaporeon ran to the pond, quickly mixing to it as it turned into water.
Leafeon ran across the trees, feeling rather homely as a result.
Umbreon, Sylveon and Flareon kept near their trainer, inspecting the field.
Jolteon sneakily jumped into a shrubbery, eating some berries without much of a care.
Some of his reserve Pokémon such as Pidgeotto and Oddish seemed to prefer enjoying the scenery.
Haunter and Yamask flat out returned to their Pokéballs.
Sunrise himself set a special sort of bread on a couple of strategic places before whipping out his guitar.
His fingers started to pass over the strings as he prepared to sing a tune.
"I was scared of dentists and the dark
I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations
Oh, all my friends are turning green
You're the magician's assistant in their dream"
A Chatot prodded from beneath the leafs on the tree behind Sunrise, starting to fly in a circular fashion.
A Xatu was staring at the sun, before quickly dropping from its' place on top of a branch.
A Ledyba also sprung from a shrubbery.
"Oh, oh, and they come unstuck"
A clear set of wide eyes could be seen from beneath the trees, although the Pokémon itself chose not to reveal itself until listening to more of Sunrise's song.
"Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong"
The trio of Pokémon slowly approached, reaching for the bread Sunrise set as the music guided them on.
"There's this movie that I think you'll like
This guy decides to quit his job and heads to Mardi City
This cowboy's running from himself
And she's been living on the highest shelf
Oh, oh, and they come unstuck"
The being of the glaring eyes finally left its' hideout, showing herself to be an Espurr.
"Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong"
The Espurr approached one of the loafs of bread, followed by a Venomoth.
"I just wanna, I just wanna know
If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay
I just gotta, I just gotta know
I can't have it, I can't have it any other way
I swear she's destined for the screen
Closest thing to Jeanne Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh"
Finally, a Rattata reached for one of the bits of bread remaining. Sunrise didn't even look at the Pokémon gathering, continuing his music.
"Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong"
The wild Pokémon all got closer to Sunrise, following the song with their heads.
"Oh Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong"
Sunrise opened his eyes, peacefully finishing the accords as the song got closer to the end.
"Oh lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong
And I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong"
As he saw the Pokémon, he gave a fair smile.
They all seemed rather happy about the song and specially the food.
"Say, it looks like you enjoyed my special bread recipe and my little song."
They all seemed to agree.
"I can cook more of these if you wish but... you kind of have to join my team."
Almost all of the Pokémon that were attracted by Sunrise's food and song accepted.
Except for the Espurr.
"Espurr!" ("I should've known! You're another of those trainers!")
The Pokémon Sunrise already had decided to make a case for his trainer.
"Vaporeon! Vaporeon!" ("Miss, trust him! He's a very good trainer!")
"Fla-flareon." ("And a rather caring one as well, you should consider it a honor.")
The Jolteon rolled from out of the shrubbery, face dirty from the berries he had eaten.
"Jolteon-Jooool." ("...And he feeds us very well... *buuurp*!")
"...Espurr." ("...I don't trust this sort of thing.")
"Pidge!" ("Trust us!")
The Espurr gave in the peer pressure and allowed herself to be captured by Sunrise.
He left the clearing, packing his new Pokémon on his bag and bringing the rest back.

Qasden looked around, wandering across the forest.
"Custardy brother!"
She yelled more, looking around.
"CUSTARDY BROTHER!"
As she walked onwards, however, she found herself stopped in place.
She looked up, finding a hand holding her head.
"Little girl, are you lost?"
"She looks like it."
"I lost my brother, sir!"
"Well, fair enough. Can you describe the person?"
"He's... uh... bigger than me and older than me!"
"That... doesn't narrow it down."
"He's... he's got black hair, wears a black shirt and white shorts... His name is Chrom!"
"Hmmm... Think we can help. But maybe we should introduce ourselves!"
"...do we really have to?"
"Yes! I'm the Doctor!"
"...fine. I'm the nurse."
"And we work day and night to help civilians!"
"S-s-so you're the Pokémon Police? Where's your outfit?"
"We're not like that..."
"And you didn't introduce yourself."
"Ooh! My name is Qasden! I live with my new parents!"
"...New parents?"
"Yeah! My mommy Kitsunia and my daddy Sunrise!"
"...and that creep Chrom is your brother?"
"Eh?"
"You know her brother?"
"We know her brother, sir. Remember Chromatika? I'm pretty sure it's the same person."
"...You're not helping me."
"Tell you what, we'll take you to our machine and then we'll see if we can find her."
"Him."
"No!"
"...What?"
"Mommy Kitsunia said I shouldn't go around with strangers!"
"Doctor, let's do this. I take the girl to the train station nearby while you go look for Sunrise."
"...You know my daddy?"
"There's nothing the Doctor can't do!"
"Expect win Pokémon battles."
"Oi!"

Kitsunia guided Kirisaki across the woods, the two of them fending off their threats with Kitsunia's Ninetales and Kirisaki's loaned Pikachu.
However...
"...Man, I'm spent!"
She sat over a rock, looking to the younger trainer, only to find her pumped up.
"Eh?"
"One simply can't stop the talents of Pokémon Trainer Kirisaki! The finest trainer of the Shining Moon!"
The Pikachu looked on, tail pointing up. It seemed focused.
"Think she's becoming a bit like you."
"Yeah! She learned with the best, after all!"
"Heh. The best?"
"...On battling, right?"
"..."
"I'm pretty good with a sword."
"Pokémon battling."
"..."
"Fine, not killing your buzz."
"Yay!"
A loud noise of falling trees could be heard.
Suddenly, a Milotic fell.
Kitsunia stared at the beast as it barely touched the two.
Kirisaki had... better ideas.
"MILOTIC SUSHI!"
"DON'T!"
"...Why?"
She dropped her sword, confused.
"This Milotic is hurt... Look..."
Kitsunia pointed to a wound, staring at Kitsunia.
"Well, I couldn't do it if it was all alive and well!"
Kitsunia sighed, patting the Milotic in the head.
"...Let's take you to the train station, Milotic, I think there's a Pokémon Center there."

Character Label Guide.

[Abanhfleft]

Just a little break from my usual storylines to establish a little background on the current crop of Fleftic national players. We hope you appreciate the effort all the same.

May 26 Revolution Memorial Stadium
Riuwiee, Abanhfleft
Abanhfleft vs. Revolutionary Nordskania
World Cup 77 qualifying match

The final whistle had long been blown. At the end of this particular game, Abanhfleft had beat Revolutionary Nordskania four goals to two. Rory Edwards had opened the scoring in favor of the hosts as the home fans had expected, but then the Nordskanians had taken a surprise lead within three minutes before half an hour had even passed. Eventually, Abanhfleft did triumph, but they had to work hard for it in the second half. The scoreline did flatter the hosts eventually, but overall a lot of people seemed to think of it as fair.

For Abanhfleft, it was just another qualifier, a game to play and get three points from if they wanted to keep pace with Nephara, who was winning games left and right. But apparently for the Nordskanians, it might as well be the final of the World Cup itself. The Nordskanians seemed to have got it in their heads that Abanhfleft was allies with Pridnestrovia, the country invading their homeland, when in fact there was no such thing between the two countries. Perhaps it was due to the fact that Pridnestrovia was considered part of Abanhfleft’s “sphere of influence” that the Nordskanians thought that the two countries were allies, but barring a few trade agreements and the hard-to-define Treaty of Politovskaya, there was no alliance between the two countries.

Two players in particular drew the ire of the Nordskanian fans whenever they touched the ball: Toumain Vincelot, who was born in Patierre but fled to Abanhfleft with his family when the Anglatians invaded the country and turned into a colony of theirs and, when he came onto the pitch to officially represent Abanhfeft in football for the first time, Vitaly Zima, brother of Revolutionary Nordskania star Arkadi Zima. The Nordskanians booing Vitaly Zima had their reasons for jeering at him: Vitaly Zima had Nordskanian blood in his veins but, unlike his younger twin Arkadi, had decided not to fight alongside other loyal Nordskanians for the freedom of their country from the Communist regime from the south. But the Nordskanians booing Vincelot seemed strange to the Fleftics: Vincelot was from Patierre, not Nordskania, so there should be no reason for the Nordskanians to boo him, but they booed him nonetheless. Still, the boos directed at both Vincelot and Vitaly intensified once Vincelot had scored his first international goal for Abanhfleft and Vitaly was not penalized for a studs-up challenge on his twin brother inside the penalty area, but that was the way things went, and no amount of boos could change it now.

The Fleftic players had long left the pitch, leaving behind the devastated Nordskanian players still trying to egg their fans on against their enemy’s ally. The customary handshakes between the players had been cursory at best and nonexistent at worst. No jerseys were swapped, and the Fleftic players had been told to come down the tunnel for their own safety, as the Nordskanian fans were already throwing their spare flares at the pitch. For the Fleftics, it was a strange occurrence, but once they had become part of the greater multiverse, nothing was ever truly strange to them now. So some people from a faraway country were angry at them because a country that had invaded them was within the sphere of influence of another country? That was old hat to a country like Abanhfleft.

The fact that some of their fellow players had received more boos than usual hadn’t escaped some of the other players. Since there were new faces in the current pool of players being called up for the qualifiers, the old faces in the team were still getting to know the new arrivals, and it was inevitable that questions were going to be asked once they realized that the visitors had some special hate for two of their own.

“Hey, new guy!” Valery Zolnerov, a central midfielder who had been a fixture in Abanhfleft’s first few Di Bradini Cup squads and now a steady part of the senior national team, shouted as he called out Toumain Vincelot. “Yeah, you, Vincelot!” he said in a lower volume once Vincelot turned around to face him. “You’re from Patierre, right? So how come those Nordskanians were jeering you every time you got the ball?”

“Ah, it’s nothing I haven’t been used to ever since I played for Abanhfleft in the Independents Cup,” Vincelot replied. “These Revolutionary Nordskanians wouldn’t even be here were it not for the interference of those meddlesome Anglatians. Patierre was, is, a nation of its own standing before, remember. What business do those Anglatians have, invading us and turning our country into a colony of theirs? We were doing just fine without them, but now they’ve gone and turned the people of Patierre into their subjects, and just so they could have a jumping-off point when they finally decide that Nordskania will be their next colony. Those Nordskanians may be thanking the Anglatians for letting them get their freedom right now, but once they realize that they’re being turned into the next Anglatian colony and the Anglatian flag flies above their little anarchist community, they’ll realize that they were better off under Zharkov.”

“You’ve really got a lot of emotions pent up over there, Toumain,” Zolnerov said with a grin. “But at least you’re finally letting them out now. That’s a good sign. Let’s keep this up. Where did you say you and your folks were from again, mate?”

“Syhaux,” Vincelot replied. “It used to be a beautiful port town. I remember the days when I used to go out to the breakwater and watch the trawlers coming in with their catches. Now, the whole place has been militarized by the Anglatians after they devastated it during their invasion. My parents were part of a branch of the royal family of the local barons who used to run the area, but we’re the only ones left after the invasion. My eldest brother Bacary was killed trying to fight the Anglatians during their siege of Syhaux, and when my parents got word that my grandfather Jean-Luc had been executed because he was a high-ranking member of the Communist Party, they decided that it was time for us to leave. There was this fisherman who was being paid good money to smuggle people past the Anglatian blockade, and my family were on one of the last boats to make it out. Eventually we landed here, and it’s almost like a second homeland to me. Sometimes, though, I wish and imagine that we had landed in Pridnestrovia so that I could now be over in Nordskania fighting against the Anglatians supporting the northerners to avenge what they did to Syhaux and Patierre. But I guess that I’ll just have to content myself with scoring against the anarchists tonight.”

“Ah,” Zolnerov muttered, nodding his head. “Now that we’ve established where your loyalties lie—as if you hadn’t done that already by running right up to the tricolor and saluting it when you scored your goal—let’s talk about what could happen to you in the return leg to Nordskania, or wherever they’re going to hold their home games now that their country’s at war once again. I saw that Nordskanian goalie chick who plays for Rosen Ladies looking at you, and she looked like she wanted to stab you right then and there. I also heard rumors that the Nordskanians are already offering a large reward to anyone who takes you out of commission, temporarily or permanently, they don’t care. Aren’t you a little scared of your life right now, man?”

“Scared?” VIncelot scoffed at the notion. “Why would I be scared of doing what I believe is right and just? I survived Anglatia’s elite when I was just a toddler, Valery. What can a bunch of anarchists hope to do to me?”

“Well, just never let it be said that you weren’t warned, man,” Zolnerov said, patting Vincelot’s back and then going back to his cubicle to change back into civilian gear. At the same time as Zolnerov and Vincelot wrapped up their talk, Fleftic national team captain Luke Edwards was just beginning his conversation with Vitaly Zima. The two of them had finished changing into their street clothes and was now making their way out of the locker room and to the team bus.

“Yo, Vitaly,” Edwards said, “did you notice that the Nordskanian players didn’t seem to want to shake hands with us after the game?”

“Oh, really? I hadn’t, to be honest,” Vitaly replied. “Then again, when you’re being pumped full of jingoistic whatnot by your own fans telling you that your opponents are secretly supporting your sworn enemy, I probably wouldn’t want to shake hands with us as well.”

“You and your brother Arkadi are going to make the news, you know that, right?” Edwards continued. “You two barely even shook hands at the end of the game! That’s a lot more than I can say about the rest of the team. People are going to try and make a story out of it.”

“There’s not much of a story that they could get out of it, to be honest. When the war in Nordskania broke out and threatened to spread to the north, Arkadi was transferred to some club in some place called The Redvale. I have no idea if that Redvale team was also forced to bring in his physio girlfriend who, it turns, out, is actually related to the gangster Lyo Kotov who’s now running that fascist bit of Nordskania, but Mari fired off a tweet saying that Arkadi had found himself a new trophy GF in the Redvale. Arkadi fired back saying that Mari’s already been going out with me even before he broke up with her during the Baptism of Fire so Mari retaliates by saying that Arkadi cheated first, then I had to step in and tell Mari to stop falling into his trap, but it’s too late. The damage’s been done. But that’s already been in the news; I doubt that the media could even milk half a day’s worth of news, speculation and click-bait about it.”

“Let’s not forgive that penalty you were lucky not to concede, and on Arkadi to boot!”

“Oh, yeah, that. Now about that, I’m sure that the media will have a field day. Yeah, I really got lucky with that one, though. I know that I got my studs into Arkadi’s legs but every camera in the stadium didn’t have a clear view of the incident, and the only camera that had a good view, the overhead, seems to show that I got the ball cleanly so the penalty was not called. But I also know that the media’s going to defend me because it’s obvious that there’s some kind of campaign against me by the Nordskanians because I’ve got Nordskanian blood in my veins but refused to fight for them during their revolution and then play for them, not that they gave me a call-up. Still, when Kachka managed to get through when things were still 3-2, I really thought he was going to score to make up for the penalty not being called. Good thing Maksim’s still got his good reflexes, right?”

“And thank God for Tristan, that lovely chav, scored right after your brother’s chance, right?”

“Turnabout is fair play, I suppose,” Vitaly shrugged, and as he and Edwards walked out to the underground parking lot where the team bus was waiting for them, he noticed that someone was waiting for him. “Hey, Mari!” Vitaly called out to his girlfriend, and they shared a kiss before he introduced her to Luke Edwards. As Edwards boarded the bus, Vitaly turned to Mari and asked her, “What are you doing here, Mari? I thought you had a modeling gig tonight.”

“Well, I had to see my boyfriend get his first internationally recognized appearance for the national team, even if it is only as a sub,” Mari replied.

“Haven’t you already been through this before?”

“Please,” Mari snorted. “I could hardly care less about that guy’s team. And to think that his new girl was part of the team staff! Well, at least you know where your loyalties lie, Vitaly.”

“So I do,” Vitaly said, kissing Mari once again to the cheers of those Fleftic players already on the bus.

Meanwhile, back up in the stadium, the Nordskanian players and fans had finally left as well. The groundskeepers and stewards were the only people in the stadium doing their job. And because of their jobs, they were also the ones who dealt with the end products of the last match. Burned-out flares were old hat to the stewards, but whenever a flare or two got thrown out to the pitch, it made the groundskeepers’ jobs a little bit harder because then they would have to dig out the patches of burned turf and then plant new turf in their place. Good thing synthetic turf now existed or else the ground wouldn’t be match-ready in time for the Ladies’ Premier League match between Riuwiee United Women and Keephall Valkyries.

Up in the stands, though, the stewards were dealing with the trash and detritus left behind by the visiting Nordskanian fans. As the result became further and further set in stone, the Nordskanians had begun burning flags; first, the Soviet flag, then the Pridnestrovian flag, and finally the Fleftic flag. The Pridnestrovians were, after all, invading the Nordskanian homeland, so them burning the Pridnestrovian flag was understandable, but the fact that the Nordskanians had burned the Fleftic flag as well indicated that they now saw the Fleftics as their enemies. After all, in their view Abanhfleft had secretly approved of the Pridnestrovian invasion of Nordskania even though there was no evidence of Fleftic presence or influence in the invasion of Nordskania. Then again, there was supposed to be the Treaty of Politovskaya which should have prevented Pridnestrovia from performing a military invasion without dire consequences from the Fleftics, but the fact that no Fleftic-mandated sanctions had befallen the Pridnestrovians once they had invaded Nordskania meant, in Nordskanian minds, that the Fleftics had approved of the Pridnestrovian invasion.

As a steward picked up the charred remains of the Fleftic flag which the Nordskanians had left behind in their section of the seats, all he could say about the whole thing was, “Bloody ultras.”

---

I shall be using Averyickan's Independents Cup roster as that's the most recent roster of his/hers/them that I could find. If he/she/they would like to submit an official roster to the roster thread then I shall update this when I can with the actual correct information.

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ DERT LI NG • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

WORLD CUP 77 QUALIFIERS: AVERYICKAN CITY VS ABANHFLEFT
By Malik Qazizadah


Abanhfleft's Tristan Lee celebrates his second goal against Averyickan City. (Courtesy of Crescent News Network Sports Channel/Andros Tasasa)

AVERYICKAN CITY - A brace from Tristan Lee was ultimately more than enough to seal all three points for Abanhfleft as they kept their hold on top spot of Group 14 of World Cup 77 Qualifying.

The Admiral Porcusces striker, who was making his first start for the national team in over a year due to Kareem Dagen appearing to strain his hamstring during warmups, shot right out of the gates to reward Abanhfleft manager Ranulph Bustamante's faith in him, being involved in a number of early chances for the Revolutionaries straight away.

And it was a classic Tristan Lee performance which opened the scoring in favor of the Fleftics as Toumain Vincelot fired off a long ball to which Lee latched on after beating the Averyickan defense before motoring straight for the goalkeeper and then slotting home calmly the ball just a minute before the end of the first half.

It was more of the same performance in the second half, and Lee scored his second goal of the game when she swept home substitute Vitaly Zima's cross. This was Lee's first brace wearing a Fleftic shirt, and Lee could very well have had his hat trick if he had managed to get a little bit better contact on Kenneth Owobowale's through ball, but instead he had to watch the Averyickan keeper make an easy save.

An Averyickan forward player eventually managed to score a goal after taking advantage of yet another defensive miscommunication between Owobowale and Daisuke Ogigayatsu, but hopes of an Averyickan City rally after that goal were stifled by a better Fleftic defensive display and Abanhfelft eventually held on to the end to get all three points.


Abanhfleft manager Ranulph Bustamante: Winning feeling is good feeling

Abanhfleft manager Ranulph Bustamante: "It isn't everyday that you get this winning feeling in your veins, and I have to tell you that it's an overall good feeling. You just want to feel it every day of every week of every month of every year. After all, that's what winning feels like: like you can do anything."

"It's good that we're entering a good run of form with regards to our qualification campaign. Now, I don't want to say anything and jinx us for the rest of the campaign, but if we keep doing as well as we have, barring that struggle of a game against Nordernious, but I really believe that this squad, this team, has what it takes to secure qualification to the World Cup for the third time running. I'm that confident with it."

Abanhfleft will host Mangetsujima at the Monsanto Stadium in Releinthi for the next qualifying match.

AVERYICKAN CITY 1 - 2 ABANHFLEFT
NAMALUCKY (87')       LEE (44', 67')

ABANHFLEFT
GK: 1 Varamoninov
RB: 2 Afolayan
RCB: 4 L. Edwards
LCB: 5 Owobowale
LB: 3 Ogigayatsu
RM: 8 Vincelot █ (Behrendt - 68')
CM: 7 Zolnerov █ (Lovren - 78')
LM: 6 Marilungo
CAM: 10 R. Edwards
RS: 9 Kelvin (V. Zima - 59')
LS: 23 Lee

AVERYICKAN CITY
GK: 15 Mombamosada
RB: 6 Darienus (Shelslak - 80')
RCB: 4 Kink
LCB: 8 Leonus
LB: 23 Telford (Burat - 74')
RM: 13 Tesla
LM: 10 Lanoba
RW: 3 Schmankis (Taguganalia - 57')
CAM: 30 McShulz
LW: 7 Namalucky
ST: 11 Peters

MATCH STATISTICS
Possession
Averyickan City: 33%
Abanhfleft: 67%
Shots
Averyickan City: 5 (2 on target)
Abanhfleft: 17 (10 on target)
Corners
Averyickan City: 4
Abanhfleft: 10
Fouls
Averyickan City: 12
Abanhfleft: 20

[Barunia]

OOC: Like our MD3 opponents Bonesea, we're a few days behind. I was hoping to have a full episode written, but a half episode will have to do for now.
The Beat is a Barunian television series. The crime drama focuses on the lives and activities of police at an inner-city station in Edwardton, Marion.

The Beat

Episode 1

It was a peaceful day in Edwardton, the cosmopolitan city overlooking Edward Bay. Not all was peaceful in one particular street, a concrete cannon lined with parked cars, and people bustling along the pavement. The cause of the commotion was a blaring alarm, and a crowd of people, some hurrying away, some drawn by curiosity. Molly Dawson was also drawn to the arm, but for very different reasons. Five foot seven, blonde and pretty, at twenty-four she hardly looked a force to be reckoned with. But the crowd separated as she approached to let her pass, in deference to the badge on her sleeve and hat that proclaimed Molly to be one of Edwardton's finest, a constable of the Marion Police.

As she reached the corner of the grocery whose alarm was blaring, she was pushed roughly aside by a young man in a grey hooded jacket. He was in a hurry, and the crowd made no effort to stop him as he passed by. Constable Dawson summed up the situation. Jumping to her feet, she yelled a sharp "Oy, you!", and gave chase. The youth was fast, but he was no match for Molly, who was soon on his heels. Perhaps he might have made it though, had his hood not slipped from his head during the flight. The loose fold of fabric was enough for Molly to grab a hold of, and his movement impeded, it was but the work of a moment for the young officer to grab his arm and convey the miscreant to the pavement. As she cuffed his hands behind his back, she leant down to his ear and uttered the immortal words: "You're nicked."

<Title>

Camden Police Station is a sleek, modern station. It's interior is painted a bright white, and the custody area, where prisoners are taken for processing, is a high security area full of white desks behind glass panels. At the counter of the custody sergeant's desk, Constable Dawson stood with the prisoner she arrested earlier. Alongside her was her partner, Constable Richard Bills. He was a tall, thickset man, of around the same age as Dawson. The custody sergeant, seated by the desk, was much older, a man of maybe forty years, his hair greying and thinning at the top. His name badge read "SGT. HALL". He looked up from the contents of the prisoner's pockets, which included a switchblade and a handful of fifty tilda bills, and scrutinised the prisoner.
"What happened to his face?" he asked, noting grazes and a new bruise.
Constable Dawson replied, "Sustained during arrest, sir. The prisoner fell on to the pavement while attempting to escape."
"We'll have to get the M.O. to have a look. Right you two, off you go."

Dawson and Bills left the station in high spirits.
"Another win for the wonder team," said Richard, as they walked out into the carpark.
Molly laughed. As she unlocked the police cruiser, she paused to respond. "No way buster. This one's all mine. Where were you?"
Richard shrugged as he settled into the passenger seat. "Hey, you were the one who wanted coffee."
Dawson started the engine, but as she pulled away, she was flagged down by Sergeant Maynard. He leant in through the window.
"Yes Sarge?" asked Dawson.
"That armed robbery you just handled. Could you go back to the scene? I haven't had another officer down their yet to take statements."
"Sure thing Sarge" replied Molly, and drove the car out of the yard.

Sergeant Maynard watched them leave, then turned and walked back into the station. he had not got far when Sergeant Hall approached. "John, have you seen Dawson?"
"I just sent her off. What's up, Frank?"
Sergeant Hall motioned John Maynard to the side, as if to impart confidential information. "That armed robber she brought in. Reckons she gave him a seeing to."
"Has he got any injuries?"
"To the face. He told the doc that Dawson slammed his face into the deck a few times after she cuffed him."
"What does Dawson say?"
"She said it happened when she collared him."
Maynard sighed. "I'll have a word. Just between you and me, what's your feeling?"
"It's not what Dawson would do. But you know as well as I do that that's not going to matter to Internal Affairs."
Maynard thought for a bit. "I'll talk to Dawson when she comes in. Until then, keep this under your hat, alright?"
Hall nodded. "Will do."

John Maynard knocked on the door of the Criminal Investigation Department. Detective Inspector Bob Powell looked up from his computer. "John! What can I do for you?" The inspector was a large, heavy-built man with a booming voice.
Maynard replied, "I need you to interview a suspect, Bob. Armed robbery."
Powell looked interested. "No worries. Got the file?" Maynard handed him a file. Powell flicked through the file, and grimaced. "No can do, mate."
Now John Maynard grimaced. "What do you mean, no?" he demanded.
Bob spread his hands to indicate the paperwork on his desk. "Look John, I've got a gang cooking up ice down at Glenmorris, which means I've got a raid to organise, and that's on top of all the other fraudsters, dealers, pushers and other lowlifes your lot can't nab in the act. This little toe-rag", here he through the file dismissively back at John, "does not warrant the attention of a Detective Inspector."
He then added, "Give it to Magnus. He likes this sort of thin. Magnus!"
A bushy-haired young man popped up from behind a computer screen. "Yes, gov?"
"Job for you."
John stood firm. He held the file back out to Bob. "I'd prefer it if you handled it personally, Bob."
The detective inspector looked at him. "Alright, I'll bite. What's so special about this one?"
"The cuts on his face. He says one of my officers did that to him."
Bob took the file and opening it, pulled out the photo of the suspect. Examining it, he asked, "What do you want me to do? Scare him into not making a complaint? Come on John."
"I think he's making this complaint so he gets away with it. I want him to see that that's not going to happen, and we're taking his crime very seriously."
"Well Magnus will be enough for that. He's serious, alright. Don't think I've ever seen him smile."
Magnus sighed. "I'm dedicated to my work, that's all. Sergeant, will you take a seat?"

<interval>

[Olastor]

A few years ago, in Olastaryn, somewhere deep inside the Government buildings, a breaking news report about Sameba's nuclear attack was playing to a silent room.

President Neville Sishank, along with his emergency response advisors, just sat there, staring at the monitor as the fuzzy pictures showed the huge mushroom cloud over Pooltree, or rather, what was left of it. Intel reports were streaming in left, right and centre, most of them coming to same worrying conclusion - that Sameba had nuclear weapons, and had decided to use them on Eura. Coupled with the reports now coming in about the numerous shootings and bombings across Eura and the attack on the Euran Navy in Falourr, a very dire picture was being painted over in Terranea.

Sishank looked over at his Chief of Intelligence, Raulo Carter, and his Defence Minister, Gard Reeves, who were both in pretty deep discussion, paying little attention to the spectacle unfolding before them on the bank of screens. Gard looked up, and saw Neville looking his way.

"So, what happens now?" asked an inquisitive Neville.
"Well, we don't know. This isn't our fight, not yet anyway. Eura will probably declare war on anybody who helps Sameba, and vice versa. We have business interests in both nations, however, so we'll have to tread carefully," replied Gard.
"And what about Uke?"
"We haven't yet heard anything on that front, so Hemula may pass by unaffected. But this is Sameba. The entire world thought they were reformed, changed for the better. Nobody expected an attack from them, and judging by the Euran military's reactions thus far, they weren't expecting anything either. We can't predict what Sameba will do. They have a decent naval presence in the Uke Islands, and the Euran navy have been patrolling the Goose Sea as usual. There's a possible flashpoint right there."
"Before we go further, I want to know. Can any part of this nuclear attack be traced back here?"
Raulo thought for a moment, before answering, "Not that we know of, Sir. We'd been hearing rumours of something nuclear in the black market, mainly fuel as far as we could make out, but nothing substantial that indicated Olastian sales to Sameba so far. We're going to keep looking though."

At this point, Arianna Antonsen, Minister for the Economy, walked into room, quite flustered, saying, "Well, this is a pretty bad situation I've got here. Sorry I'm late, but the Corporation Consortium managed to waylay me on the way here. They're scared, probably more scared than they've ever been."
"Why?" piped up Salim Vara, the Domestic Affairs Minister.
"Are you thick or what? Eura's one of our biggest trading partners, and they've literally just been nuked. Twice, by the looks of that screen. They've just entered a war, and with Sameba on our horizon, the fat cats are scared their exports to Eura or Sameba are going to be sunk in the Goose Sea. Imagine if Eura manage to blockade Sameba, that's a not-insignificant chunk of our exports gone. Fair enough, the Arms sector are about the happiest they've ever been, but they want to make sure that either side won't lash out if we supply the other. The Euran pound is already through the floor, and it's going to keep falling, and so our exports are just going to get more expensive."
Salim more or less shrank under Arianna's bristling gaze, before Gard intervened. "I think in the circumstances, and I believe the President will agree with me, it will be best for the country if we temporarily suspend all exports to both countries, until we can figure out where we stand on this conflict and what he intend to do about it. Nonetheless, we should let the black market thrive, we nominally have no control over that, after all. The Arms sector can use that if they want. And as for other trade, I'm sure the Consortium will be happy with deployment of the Olastian Navy as escorts in the Goose Sea, even though it won't be efficient."

The room fell quiet, and Neville decided to end the meeting for the time being. Getting up, he said, "Right. What we know so far is that Eura has been attacked by Sameba, with nuclear weapons amongst things. That inevitably means they'll declare war in return. Both nations' economy are going to be devastated, Sameba probably more so. We can't be seen to favour one side over the other at the moment, not this early into the conflict. Raulo, you keep monitoring channels, see if you can find out anything about Goose Sea movements. I want to know what Sameba will be doing from the Uke Islands. Gard, yes, I agree with you, we need to put the navy onto Level 2. Get the plans for escort duties in play. Also, inform the navy in Hemula, tell them to move to Level 3. I doubt Sameba will attack us out of the blue, but Hemula is in more danger than the mainland. Arianna, suspend exports to both nations until the end of the week, try and convince the Consortium that we need the time to assess the situation and act accordingly. I don't want to lose control of them over this. We'll obviously send out condolences to the Eurans, but I don't want a statement on our position given out, not to the belligerents or the media - Arber [Arber Farag, Foreign Affairs Minister], I'll leave that with you. Obviously, try and recall as many Olastians in both countries as possible. For now, we will wait, and we will watch."