World Cup 64 RP Thread

[Taeshan]

What an explosion. For the second time this season the Purple Knights managed a 4 goal game with a big win at home on the final matchday of the first time through world cup qualifying. With a 4-0 win over Lalo Limahina the Purple Knights closed out the first half in style. The win puts the Knights 5 points ahead of Hutt River, 7 ahead of Barunia and 11 ahead of Karditan. So you can start partying Knights fans they are basically all but guaranteed to qualify for the next round. The Knights close the first half out with a nice tally of 17 goals, 8 behind beating last years overall and the Knights have one lone goal against, 5 behind last year.

It was another dominating game for the Knights, prowling the offensive and defensive sides of the field with the ball and the game well withing their grasps. The Knights first goal came 28 minutes in as Ender Wiggin put forth the first tally with a nice free kick from 38 yards bananaing it outside the wall and barely into the goal. The second goal for the Knights was a nice header from defender Jeremy Jaffacake. Goal number 3 came after the half with Gwyn Juniper's second of the campaign off of a Peter Fasnacht corner. The final goal came from the second substitute
Brian Kljestan off of another header from a cross. Also playing in the game were Walter Palisades for Xavier Ptolemy, Eddie Styles for Ender Wiggin and Kljestan for Juniper.



Goalscorers
Ender Wiggin - 8
Gwyn Juniper - 2
Brian Ibrahim - 2
Seth Clapton - 1
Tyler Icicle - 1
Jeremy Jaffacake - 1
Brian Kljestan - 1
Xavier Ptolemy - 1

[Super-Llamaland]

Group 17
Branta Island 2–3 Mashiki
Melbergia 3–0 Arcquest
The Alphabet Letters 2–0 Kialga
Geisenfried 0–1 The Babbage Islands
Astograth 2–0 Super-Llamaland

Group 17 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 The Babbage Islands 9 8 1 0 23 8 +15 25
2 Mashiki 9 7 1 1 32 21 +11 22
3 Geisenfried 9 7 1 1 17 7 +10 22
4 Astograth 9 6 0 3 10 8 +2 18
5 Branta Island 9 5 0 4 14 11 +3 15
6 Melbergia 9 3 1 5 15 16 −1 10
7 Super-Llamaland 9 2 2 5 11 14 −3 8
8 The Alphabet Letters 9 2 0 7 10 25 −15 6
9 Kialga 9 1 2 6 10 14 −4 5
10 Arcquest 9 0 0 9 5 23 −18 0

Pair of Losses Puts Llamas in Dire Condition
2-0 Defeat by Astograth puts Llamas ten points out of fourth

Today, Nick DeJesus was far from his dominant shutout against T.A.L, allowing two goals early before Tyson Richards went in. The offense was easily stifled, of course, limited to a mere five weak shots on goal, all skillfully deflected by the goalie, who of course had a shutout.

Richards is reportedly ready to go for the next game. Our dominant yet injury-prone starter and fan favorite may be ready to start in place of the struggling DeJesus, now allowing 1.6 runs a game, up from 1.4 already.

Can the seventh-place Llamas rally back? It will be tough, but with Richards back we may just pull it off.

[Zwangzug]

The Spenson Star
Going bananas

For any foreign readers out there, or those just not in the know, there aren't very many days that the entire country of Zwangzug gets off from work. New Year's Eve, to be sure, and New Year's Day. Beyond that, the government tends to prefer allowing workers to choose their own, many, vacation days, rather than imposing the same cultural tendencies on anyone. Oftentimes people will de facto coordinate theirs. Depending on where you live, you'd be forgiven for believing that certain religious observances are official holidays. [Then again, depending on where you live you might be continually surprised that your coworkers are observing the same observances as you, ahem. -ed]

Quite. The point is, other than New Year's, there is one other day that is somewhat of a statewide holiday, even if not celebrated anywhere else. (What, "Intellectual Freedom Day"? What are you supposed to do, read a book or something?) But for whatever obscure reason, April 4 has been chosen as Zwangzug's extra holiday. Let's be clear, it's not for watching football--or, for that matter, giving the starting eleven the day off--but it sure beats observing Vitamin C Day. [Not necessarily; a distinguished and sneezing politician was observed, er, "celebrating" the latter occasion. Upon the suggestion that more bananas in the diet would be appropriate, said dignitary retorted with a "when you're the leader of this many billions you can eat what you feel like." -ed]

As for the football, it was actually quite good, with Antje Kurzmann-Tremme at the heart of Zwangzug's offense. She provided a goal and an assist, the latter for domestic teammate Yuuki Nakano, as Zwangzug defeated Kishrael to climb to a tie for sixth place. Magen Kachol are coming under fire from their own fans, though their attack looked briefly threatening today. Young Yehuda Taputzov had the best of their chances, towards the end of the second half. But Dima Novak was on form, closing down the home team's attacks and setting up new waves of midfield control.

Certainly it is the defense that has been this team's selling point. Among the other starters, Penny Consky-Bock provides elegant control, Jerzy McFetridge has surprising reserves of speed going forward, and Brett Chrowder by all accounts gives patient leadership. Though, he's had an easy go of it so far--or, put another way, perhaps the time for patient waiting came and went while we weren't looking.

And even if they weren't all that--even if it had really been all about Kurzmann-Tremme and her fellow midfielders, or even about Nakano waiting for an opening--what would it matter? The attitude in the clubhouse is probably a lot closer to a very dry dismissal of us excited questioners than true complacency, but they seem to sense that they're not playing like an unranked team (at least literally; most of the latter have less than three points, each). Bridget Scroves' continued calm by this point almost seems to invite us to go along with the underdog story, just a little longer, but someday she too will come around to acknowledging the form the fans already rave about. (The attitude in the Banana Nest stands themselves, at least at the visiting end, is one part "go team," one part "happy whatever day it is back home," and many parts "these colorful seat patterns are amazing.")

[What day is it back home, anyway? -ed]

Right, we need to go set the "@@TIMEUNITS@@ without a time dilation joke" calendar/clock/display thing, methinks.

[Filopines]

Smart, Dumb and Funny
Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Part 6

*continued from Part 6 last scene*
Kate, Mark, Julie vs Rachel, Aaron, Luis
(Sound effects: whistle blows to start the match, Eye Of The Tiger song plays)
(Mark kicks off by passing to Julie)
(Julie dribbles down the middle)
(Sliding tackle by Luis)
(Ball goes to Aaron)
(Aaron pass to Rachel)
(Rachel panics)
(Music stops)
Luis: Pass here! Rachel!
Rachel: What do I do?
(Rachel unknowingly shoots at goal)
(Rachel screams and jumps up and down)
(Aaron and Luis run to Rachel)
Aaron: Great goal, Rachel!
Rachel: Heehee.... thanks.
(Music restarts)
(Mark pass to Julie)
(Julie pass to Mark)
(Mark dribbles forward then stops to look around)
Kate: Pass here, honey! I'm all alone!
(Mark looks at Kate then continues to dribble)
(Mark does a roulette past Aaron)
(Mark pass to Julie)
(Music stops)
Aaron: Offside!
Julie: Who cares? (kicks the ball into the net)
Luis: That's offside. It doesn't count.
Julie: Why! (goes in front of Luis's face)
Luis: (steps back) I just know. Besides, it was pretty clear you were offside.
Kate: Does it matter?
Everybody except for Kate: Yes!
Luis: How about Kate chooses?
(Everybody leans in and stares at Kate)
Kate: Uh, it was offside?
(Luis, Aaron and Rachel hi-5)
Mark: I'm outraged!
Julie: Me too!
Luis: Kate said it was offside so it was offside.
Julie: Fine.
(Music restarts)
(Luis long kick to Aaron)
(Aaron rainbows over Kate)
(Aaron crosses ball)
(Luis heads into the net)
(Skips to another play)
(Mark takes penalty and scores)
(Julie dribbles past Rachel, shoots and scores)
(Aaron takes a long shot and scores)
(Rachel dribbles down the wing)
(Mark slide tackles Aaron)
(Luis long pass to Aaron and scores on the half-volley)
(Luis slide tackles Julie)
(Julie slide tackles Luis)
(Unknown amount of time later)
(Music stops)
Aaron: So.... the scores are level after one hour. Call it a tie?
Mark: Yeah, sure.
Luis & Julie: NO!
Aaron: Penalty shootout out of three?
Luis & Julie: YES!
Aaron: Ok. Call it in the air. (Throws coin in the air)
Julie: Heads!
Aaron: (Catches coin) It's tails.
Luis: (to Julie) YEAH!! TAKE THAT! Bitch.
Julie: What did you say?
Luis: (nervously) Take that!
Julie: No.... you called me a bitch, bitch.
Luis: No, what are you talking about bitch?
Julie: You said it again!
Luis: No, I didn't. Who cares? Let's do the shootout.
(Julie stares at Luis while he walks away)
(Teams huddle)
Luis: I'll go first, Rachel, then Aaron. Aaron will be goalie.
Aaron & Rachel: Ok!
(They split)
Julie: Order, Kate, me, then Mark. Mark will be goalkeeper.
(They split)
(Music restarts)
(Luis shoots to bottom left corner and scores)
(Luis fist pumps)
(Kate kicks ball and moves slowly)
(Aaron waits for ball)
(10 seconds later, Aaron picks up the ball)
(Rachel shoots to middle and Mark goes to right and Rachel scores)
(Julie shoot to top right corner and scores)
(Aaron shoots to bottom left and scores)
(Mark shoots to bottom left and misses)
(Luis, Rachel and Aaron win)
Luis: (to Julie) TAKE THAT!! HA!!
Julie: That was unfair!
Luis: No!
(Luis and Julie shout at each other indistinctly)
(Luis and Julie stop and stare at each other)
(Luis and Julie begin to make out)
Aaron: What the hell just happened?!
Rachel: This is so nice! Luis and Julie!
Mark: I am confused. Just a few minutes ago, they looked like they were going to kill each other and now this?
Kate: Nawww... this is so sweet!
Aaron: Me and Rach are the survivors!
Rachel: Not for long..... (giggles)
Aaron: Luis! Come back! NOOOOOOOO!
(Kate gives box of sandwiches to Aaron)
Aaron: Ooh! Sandwiches!
(Luis and Julie continue to make out)

[Maklohi Vai]

OOC: Stream of conscious RP that unexpectedly turned personal. I'd really appreciate any feedback, because I've never really done anything like this before.

A Few Thoughts

What is this pantheon I seek? What is this land I seek to sow? For what do the myrtles creak? What do they say that I need to know?

But if I cannot find what I seek, there shall be light at the end. For reasons otherwise explained, there shall be light. Not from God, not from love. From charity, perhaps, but not of pure gold. These things I seek have little end, and may they be prosperous. For what I seek is a fertile land, a land of plenty and much.

I cannot believe what happened. There was something there, wasn't there? Those looks, those chats. I thought there was something, so I did something. But no. Nought was to be had. It is peaceful now under the myrtles, but remembrance is bitter. My thoughts must be far away from me, as I cannot think of her right now.

But for what do these thoughts turn? For peace? Nay, I think. They are for an outlet. What else drives the mind but imagination? Ergo, I imagine. These thing, they are odd indeed.

I am one of the suburbs, yet I dream of open pastures. Cows, perhaps, but no manure. Why do dreams never have nasty elements?

These pastures are open and brave, ready to be planted. Their green curves caress the soil like a mother does to her child. But I sit. These pastures are not real, they are nothing. These pastures are just figments of my imagination, nothing more.

I still think of her, reluctantly.

She was amazing, and further than that it gets painful to delve. Why do these things happen? Why?

But what is the reason ultimately? Do I learn? Not really. A relationship such as this can only work if it is mutual, and it wasn't. There are places some people can go, but to that I do not know.

These pastures, I realize now, are nothing. What is my passion? Language? But for what does linguistics bring? Why should this be my path?

For the struggles I face cannot end at the moment. Is it my desire to control the minute that drives my interest? Or is it the odd facts that brought me here? What is real and what is not? Linguistics could be just another pasture, for all I know.

But now my thoughts are muzzled, for the grogginess of sleep has hit. I need to wake up in the morning, but that's not for thinking now. She's still there physically, I know, and I see. But there is a sense of loss, a clear one. Could I say, give me a chance? Yes, but that solves nothing.

It does not make my pastures real, nor my passion confirmed. Asking for a chance solves nothing. Why, then, does man labor? To compensate for this. We cannot ask for chance, it must be given. Realizations are not a commodity for trade, they are merely had.

So do I need a realization? I suppose, maybe, but how? Does this help? Does thinking of pastures or passions help? No, it merely shows what me what I have to realize.

And yet, I still think that the pastures have no other meaning, when I know they do. I still think linguistics is just a hobby, but in reality it may become my career. I still think she might change her mind once more, but...

That loss I can't think about. Even opening to myself and saying that I need to think about it- that doesn't make me think about it. It was 4 years ago, and it was a short 4 weeks recently. Gone from that stage, yes, but not forever? Hope is different than asking for a chance, I suppose.

I cannot be the next initiator of our contact, that much his clear. For now, she has a liasion of sorts.

But isn't this appropriate? We never talked about the big issues face to face. Everything through text, and then the final death knell not only through text, through meme. One I had seen before, no less. Why is this hard in the way it is? I don't know.

Hope will still prevail, but I know that something will have to change. One of us will have to change.

This pantheon I seek, it is closure of my thoughts and hopes and dreams. This land I seek is one that was oh so close, and now far away. The myrtles creak in sorrow, I suppose. What do they say?

I don't know.

Tumo

[Ossidiacqua]

SO, YOU WANT TO FOLLOW LA RENAISSANCE ON TOUR?
A guide to international travel and the risks involved, produced by The Magisterium
All hail Grand High Cardinal Giocomo Re


Chapter FIVE:
Electricity
Section THREE:
Appliances

SPINNY BLADES

What does it do?
It annihilates all in its path and chops it up into smaller bits. So far, it would appear that the main application of this device is in food preparation. This fact raises the question; is all that spinny whirry danger really necessary when foreigns could just chop smaller with a knife like any normal Acquan chef?

Are they common?
So far as we can tell, yes. Bafflingly. However, this is mainly in personal kitchens, and, as football tourists, you are unlikely to come across them very often in fay to day life. You don't tend to find them in hotel rooms, for example.

What should I do if I am offered one?
This is probably unlikely, but at the very least you might be able to garner some fun from throwing things in it and seeing what happens to them. Our tech-priests recommend adding fruit to milk and making what is called a 'smoothie' - a personal favourite of the Grand High Cardinal.

Are they a sign of wealth?
Not particularly. In fact, this is another device where the very wealthy appear to employ people to use it for them.

Can I learn how to use it?
Depends how brave you are, but yes, probably. Just make sure the lid is fastened on tightly.

Will it hurt me?
More than likely.

[Mashiki]

OOC: I believe that Branta Island's roster has not been linked to the name in the group draw. It can be found here.

---

The Mashiks were on a roll. After losing to the Babbage Islands, they'd become a team transformed, recording 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 games, the most impressive of which being a superb win against Astograph, but now it was time for their final match before the mid-qualifying break, and it would be against the 6th seeds in the group, Branta Island. This only meant a short trip across Rushmore, which was handy for a team that had travelled far and wide in the games they'd played so far.

A plane journey wasn't really necessary for this trip, as it was only a short one, so they decided to have a boat trip instead, as a lot of the squad had barely recovered from the trip to Kialga. But for every compromise, there must be a consequence. A lot of the players in the squad weren't exactly the biggest fans of boats either, especially Nemi Willard, who was especially traumatised after his uncle had been killed in a crash that he himself had witnessed in Lake Capira, off the coast of Baltana. Consequently, half the team had opted to stay in their cabins, to have a bit of privacy in preparation for this match.

One of these people was the notorious Dilio Menz, a figure basked in glory in Mashik football. However, he was a bit of a statistician himself, and every now and again he enjoyed delving into the depths of figures and numbers that cropped throughout the tournaments that he played in. This World Cup qualifying he had been looking back at the figures on the way to every match, predicting what would be the best result for them (which was usually a win). But the position they were in now looked particularly promising. After 8 matches, Mashiki were still holding on to 3rd in the group, but they'd extended their advantage over 4th placed Astograph with a win last match. Their advantage now stood at 4 points over both Astograph and Branta Island, but they were playing the latter of those today. The two teams above Mashiki also faced off today, meaning either of them or both would drop points. So with a win from either side, Mashiki could go level on points with the losing team, and possibly go ahead through Goal Difference. Thinking about goal difference, Mashiki were still the highest scorers in Group 17, and the 3rd highest scorers overall, with 29 goals, only beaten by Darmen and the Equestrian States. But they also had a very high Goals Against Tally, conceding a total of 19 goals, the 3rd highest in the group of 10 teams. But now it was time to switch off the stats and focus on the game...

The Mashik squad arrived in Leggio readily prepared for the challenge that they may face, and they knew that hey could certainly continue their run here. Now Branta Island wasn't exactly an easy team to beat, as they were ranked 139th in the world, and they had been round long enough to known the ins and outs of World Cup football. Branta Island seemed to have recovered after the apocalypse, and were happy to be back up and running once more. Upon arriving at the Stadio della Costa, the manager Edoardo Gaspari was happy to greet the team and ingratiate them into the country:

"Welcome to Branta Island! How was your journey?"

Maha Bubuneski decided to take control:

"Thank you for your kinfd greetings, and yes are journey here was fine. We came here by boat, as we didn't want to risk the plane."

"Yes, I heard about your little adventure by Kialga. It's lucky that you're all alive and well."

"I know, right. So, I trust that everything is set for tonight's game?"

"Yes, we're all ready at our end. Are you ready?"

"We're good to go," replied Maha.

"Well then let's begin!"

The friendly greetings seemed to show a positive side to the game that was about to take place. The game kicked off at around 19:00 local time, and it was set to be a close encounter from the off. The team seemed incredibly evenly matched throughout the first half with not many chances to show from either team. This meant that both manager seemed quite tense going into half-time, not knowing which way the scores would turn. The team talks were very similar as well though, with both managers looking for a goal in the early period of the next half. And so the game kicked off again, and the game exploded into action. The Branta Island crowd were quick to get behind their team, and were rewarded almost instantly with a 47th minute goal from one of their star strikers, Orsino Rocca. But Mashiki cam back on a counter immediately afterwards only a minute later when Francos Ivan powered a ball along the goal mouth from the right hand side, and Branta Island defender Romano Cesar could don nothing about it as he pushed the all past his own keeper. The score was now 1-1.

Mashiki wanted more though, as Ivan came forward again and bolted a strike off the bar and in from 30 yards out, a spectacle even enjoyed by the home fans. Mashiki had made the score 2-1 in 56th minute. A quick substitution and a change of formation made it certain that Branta Island wanted a comeback as Gilberto Ruzzeri was brought on for Tonio Anselmi in the 76th minute, and the result was almost immediate. Branta Island took the corner they had and it went straight over to the far post where Ruzzeri was waiting to slot the ball home. Ruzzeri had scored after only 12 seconds of being on the pitch. Then things began to get nasty... Tensions were running high as both teams hunted for a goal, with 4 players being yellow-carded within the next 10 minutes, and then Papovska broke through into the penalty area, and was brought down by Ercole Nana, a player already booked for an earlier offence. It looked like a certain dive from the Mashik forward, and no-one expected what was to happen next... The referee pointed to the spot. The crowd was in uproar, as were the Branta Island players, and things got worse for them when the referee brandished a second yellow card to Nana in the 88th minute of play, sending him off. The Branta Island players protested further, but to no avail, as the referee once again shrugged them off. Papovska's brother stepped up to the spot and placed the ball, before cooly finishing the game by placing the ball in the right hand corner. The game was won. Mashiki had prevailed once more at a score of 3 goals to 2. They were on the rise in Group 17.

[Barunia]

GAME NINE
Michelangelo Willans
Michel was not having a good day.Tthe Suns were missing two of their starting defenders in Joric Ruskin and Lucio David, and the cracks were showing. Lopez, Millet and Pacifique fought hard, but silly mistakes were costing them the possession and allowing Hutt River to dominate. Michel had already let one, after a poor pass from Lopez was intercepted by Hutt River's Tyler Adams right on the penalty spot. Michel had rushed him, but Adams had held his nerve and shot the ball just clear of Michel's desperately outstretched arm.

It wasn't all the defenders fault though. The midfield had failed to keep hold of the ball, and on the rare occasions the forwards found themselves with the ball, they were unable to find the target. Only Castolo had come close, with a weak drive that was easily covered by Zimmerman, the Hutt River goalkeeper.

The bad news continued, with Bhara fouling John Klaus near the edge of the area. It was well within range of the goal, so the Suns formed a wall in front of goal. Willans could see Tyler Adams near the far post, as well as Bauschulte, another dangerous player for Hutt River. Willans positioned himself near them, expecting the free kick to be played to one of the two. He picked wrong. The shot came flying over the wall, and Willans saw it only as it passed Millet's head by scant inches. It was heading to the other side of goal, and he had to dive. He timed it perfectly, the ball hitting his gloves. But it was spinning, and he couldn't get a grip, the ball ricocheting off his hands, off the inside of the post, and then to Willan's horror it rolled across the line.


Lucio David
Lucio was watching the game in his hotel room. As the Suns marched off at full time, he put his head in his hands. A two-nil loss, and with it the second spot in the group. Now they would have to fight to get back into the spot for any chance of qualifying. Lucio could not help but blame himself. If only he had kept his cool after the incident in the match against the Republic of Egpty, he would have been on the pitch. Instead of watching it on a hotel television, barred from the field after a red card. If he had been there, perhaps he could have boosted the defence, prevented the Suns from the biggest loss in the world cup campaign so far.


Joric Ruskin
Machine gun fire. That was the sound that Joric heard now, constantly running through his head. He'd taking his first human life yesterday, when his patrol had run into a Republican unit. They'd traded shots, crouching behind trees for cover. Joric saw the man dusk out from his cover, and he'd squeezed the trigger. The man had staggered back, blood shooting from between his eyes before he dropped out of sight behind the tree. Joric knew then that the image would haunt him forever. The rest of the battle was short and decisive, the Federation troops victorious at the loss of two of their own.

The platoon were on the move again today. The Corporal suspected that their were more enemy troops nearby, and he wanted to put as much distance between them and the battle site as possible. Joric agreed, but for a completely different reason. He wanted to escape the memories of that place. Once agin, he had doubts about his decision. With football he knew where he stood. He wondered how the team were doing. He hadn't been able to find out if they'd won the game against Egpty, and they faced Hutt River today. The game was probably over by now. Time. It seemed to go so fast, the so slow. Joric wondered, if he could wind time back, would he do things differently?

[Bears Armed]

It's Marra and Urra, again _


“Hwhere’s the list of matches that the Belles are to play for this Cup’s second series of qualifiers?”

“Here”

Alexanderburn (away)
Runimia (home; Wimbley)
Kartvelistan (away)
Ossidacqua (home; NorthPort)
Romantique Belle Vie (away)
Liventia (home; Wimbley)
West Angola (away)
West Zirconia (home; NorthPort)
Ancharmum (away)

“Hr’rmm…
"Bearing in mind past form as well as the offical rankings, and with the spiritual momentum that the Belles should have after not only managing an 8-1-0 rrecord during the first series of qualifiers but also those verrry good wins in both their 'friendly' match against Eastfield Lodge and the 'Pink Cup' game against Jeruselem — and playing ‘away’ in both cases, at that — as well..
"Ur'rmm _
“Win, win, win, win, win, win, draw, win, win?”

“Hr’rmm…
“Ayyuh, that sounds about hrright to me. It can get pretty hot over in West Angola, I gather, which might slow our girls down a bit hwhen they play there, but if they could beat the locals by four-to-none here as they did then I'd hope that they can manage at least a draw against that side 'away' as well... Touch wood!”

"It was pretty hot in Jeruselem, too, but.. four-to-nil, for the Belles. I think that they should be able to cope hokay."

"Could be, maybeso. I hope so, anyhows."

“And are you going to any of those games?”

“I’ve got tickets for all of them, so now I’m just hoping that — despite these weird rred skies that we’ve been getting on-and-off lately* — no emergency intervenes.”

“Same here, actually.”

“Hrright: You hear that, spirits? No emergencies to keep us from going to the games, hokay?”

“Urra, isn’t that tempting fate a bit?”

“Well, maybeso…”

“Oh, almost forgot, I’ve finished rreading those comics that you lent to me. Here they are.”

“So, hwhat did you think?”

“Not really my cup of cha, sorry, but I agree that they’re quite well hwrritten and did I like some of the artwork.
“There’s one aspect of the situation that I’m a bit confused by, though…”

“Hr’rmm?”

“Well, if CG are publishing series about the same heroes that are set in two different eras, doesn’t that sort-of rremove any suspense about hwhether the stars of the earlier-set stories will actually survive those adventures?”

“It does by a bit, ayyuh, but there’s still the suspense of waiting to see how they’ll survive and also — of course — how thoroughly they’ll defeat their opponents… and in my opinion it’s nice to have that depth of background behind some of the heroes, too: Makes their world seem a bit more hrreal, it does, at least to me.”

“Well, hokay, I suppose I can smell that.”

“Anyhows, sometimes the heroes do die, and then there’s the suspense of waiting to find out hwhether they’ll somehows “get better” or hwhether the ones who look like them in the later stories are actually verry similar hrreplacements for the originals — and, if so, how — instead.”

“Ur’rmm…”

“For example, Superbear himself was “killed” in one storyline just a few years back, by an extraterrestrial killing-machine called Doom’s-night**, despite being one of the verry toughest heroes around… but a combination of his own powers with some technology left over from his lost homeworld ‘Krapton’ and the magic of Dr Fatt meant that he could eventually be resuscitated… and, in the meanhwhile, we were given a look at how things would go without him around, and how other heroes might try to fill that gap — hwhich introduced two new heroes, the subsequent adventures of both of hwhom I’ve enjoyed reading — too.” **

“Hr’rmm.”

“Anyhows, if they’re not to your taste then they’re not, but that doesn’t mean that I should stop rreading them as well: Hrright?”

“Hrright, sure, for true. If you enjoy them, that’s fine.”


_____________________________________________________________________

OOC

* If you remember DC’s ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ from the mid-’80 (Gods, has it really been almost three decades since that was published?!?) then you might recognise the reference: More foreshadowing…

** DC actually ran a ‘Superman’ storyline like this (with a villain called ‘Doomsday, but without Dr Fate, as far as I [having read only articles that mentioned it, rather than the actual comics involved] know) in the early’ 90s, rather than in the mid-’70s as my ‘CG Comics’ has done. I moved the publication date back in time so that the [#CG'] counterparts of those two new heroes, whom I like, would be available for use in the “1978” list for my planned RP.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________


(Meanwhile? Maybe not... Elsewhere? Definitely...)

The Lonely Road (Part Three)

"ZOMBIES!
"We have to destroy them quickly, before they get too close."

"Hrright. Quarter-field zones each, as practiced. Selective fire, conserve ammo. Fire at will."

*<Sounds of gunfire>*

Silence fell across the clearing.

"That the lot?"

"Seems so."

"None of you let any zombie get close enough to actually attack you physically, hrright?"

"Not me, sarge."

"Nope."

"Nor me, neither."

"And neither did I... Good, so if the old stories got that detail hrright then we should all be safe from getting changed into Dead Bears Walking ourselves".

"Ur'rmm.
"Sarge, no pulses, hrremember?"

"Ayyuh, Grey, but do you hrreally feel as though you were a reanimated corpse? Not just in the physical aspects, I mean: We've all still got self-wareness, free will, and our normal brains"

"Brains... brrains..."

"That's not funny, Bigbear.
"Anyhows, we're all still thinking normally, hrright? So, maybeso, if we're not actually fully 'alive' as such then we're currently dismebodied spirits instead and this place only seems material to us... or something like that."

"Makes sense, that does."

"Sounds better than the alternative, anyhows to me."

"For true!"

"Hrright.
"So, anyhows, after that attack I don't hrreckon staying around here for longer would be a good idea. As I was saying before we were so hrrudely interrupted"
*<her three subordinate troopers all laugh>*
"Lightning, point; Grey, rearguard; Bigbear, with me. Hokay, onwards. 'Who Bears Wins'!

"Who Bears Wins!"

[Darmen]

From the Scott City Times:

Commonwealth Summit opens, several debate sessions and a voting session added to Schedule for Sunday

The Second Darmeni Commonwealth Summit opened in Scott City on Thursday, and the early debates were filled with several competing visions on Commonwealth policy. One of the most important happenings of the day though occurred just after the delegates arrived. Prime Minister Scat Peari took only one round to be elected General Secretary of the Summit, gaining 65 votes of support. Meanwhile, Premier Prokhor Vasilyev, who was considered by many to be Peari's toughest competition for the position, had only 35 votes of support.

Vasilyev was however elected as the Secretary of the Summit, gaining 70 votes of support, and won in the first round. The Election for Treasurer of the Summit was the only election to last two rounds, as Emir Tjak Herumpk and Duke Francisco Lyons the XXth squared off. Herumpk won, but only be eight votes, and Lyons' credibility within the Commonwealth seemed to only take a minor hit.

Six motions were submitted on the first day, four by Peari, for consideration of the delegates in the first voting session of the summit. Many of the delegates agreed that the Darmeni Constitutional Convention should get it's game together, and finish drafting the new Darmeni Constitution as soon as possible. But they also agreed that the Elections in Darmen should remain scheduled for September, much to the chagrin of Peari.

"I think I can speak for many of the candidates that we've already spent most of the money we've raised for this very important campaign. Adding five months of further campaign, I'm not sure how many parties are going to be able to withstand that, let alone my own party," he said. We can assure you that the Second Communist Group has more than enough funds to continue a campaign for several years. Now can Peari withstand it personally. Peari will most likely make good use of the members of his cabinet and other prominent party figures on his campaign in the next five months, taking a heavy burden off his own shoulders.

When it came down to the conflict currently ongoing in Esportiva, many were stunned when the Peari motion to call for their continued involvement in the conflict was accepted. It still had to pass though, and did so, 61 in favor, and 51 against.

"I think the current position of Earo in the conflict is that of peacemaker. And I think it's worked so far. No shots haven been fired by any Earon, and no Earon's have lost their lives," said Peari.

But Earon Prime Minister Prokhor Vasilyev took a different approach. "The conflict currently ongoing in my region never involved us in the first place. The Prime Minister of Darmen is simply using us as a puppet to expand their imperialist foreign policy and test out new weapons."

"I am doing nothing of the sort," responded Peari.

But that imperialism that Vasilyev alluded too could be seen in the next proposal voted upon. The proposal, submitted by Peari, called for Darmen to at the very least make an attempt to secure a portion of land in the former Pays de Horreur and drill for oil. It passed, 66-46.

Debate on Day Two was fairly limited, although after hearing of a new conflict brewing up north between Sargossa and Polar Islandstates, the Summit was extended to include debate on the issue. The day begin however, with debate on the possibility of conflict involving the Westlands. In the end, the proposal submitted by Peari only called for increased defense of the Darmeni side of the border. The proposal, which passed 70-42, calls for all unnecessary incursions by Valladar forces to be defended against.

"If some Valladar soldiers are flying a kite near the border, and they lose it over on our side, we'll gladly let them cross the border to retrieve their kite, so long as they are unarmed and supervised by an IG-2 agent. If some Valladar soldiers are chasing some criminal, and that criminal crosses over the border, we won't be allowing them to cross and chase after him. They don't have the jurisdiction. Now, that being said, we'll be happy to track down the criminal for them, and return him to Valladares in the proper manner and to the proper authorities," said Peari, drawing laughs from several of the delegates and journalists present. Valladars flying kites?

Peari also added, "That any move made by the Valladars that we perceive as even the slightest bit threatening to the integrity of our borders or sovereignty, will be met with a quick and harsh response. They've been warned before, and they'll be warned again."

The next issue on the day was the disestablishment of the Legonian Legion, a unified Commonwealth Armed Forces which never quite materialized. Only thirteen delegates wished to see the Legonian Legion actually continue, and it was duly disbanded. It was during the debate on this issue however, that the delegates learned of a conflict brewing between Sargossa and Polar Islandstates in the north of Rushmore. Peari quickly moved to add the conflict to the agenda, forcing a fourth day, Sunday, to be added on to the schedule.

"I understand that adding Sunday onto the schedule will mean that many delegates will be absent for the day, but the issue of this new conflict is urgent and needs to be discussed, at the very least," said Peari.

The addition of the debate on the conflict to the agenda was opposed by only two delegates, Holy Pupá Matthew Wilkerson and Archbishop Patriarch Franciscus Platt of Earo, who along with large portions of their respective delegations, will return home to their countries on Saturday night. "We can not serve God if we are at a political summit now can we?" said the Holy Pupá, "It is the Sabbath after all, and the Lord commands us to keep it Holy." Fourteen delegates in total will be absent on the final day.

Delegates also overwhelmingly decided to discuss the topic of a Commonwealth Trade Agreement in further depth at a later date, with a Trade Summit being held within at least one month of the end of the current Summit. A beer pong tournament was also scheduled for Sunday night, allowing the delegates to "relax and unwind" after several hard days of work, at least according to Peari.

Election for General Secretary of the Second Darmeni Commonwealth Summit
First Round
Prime Minister Scat Peari (Darmen)     65 Elected
Premier Prokhor Vasilyev (Earo)        35
Emir Tjak Herumpk (Naitpyge)           11
Duke Francisco Lyons the XXth (Darmen)  1

Election for Secretary of the Second Darmeni Commonwealth Summit
First Round
Premier Prokhor Vasilyev (Earo)                          70 Elected
Emir Tjak Herumpk (Naitpyge)                             36
Duke Francisco Lyons the XXth (Darmen)                    5
Holy Pupá Matthew Wilkerson the Ist (Holy Forden Church)  1

Election for Treasurer of the Second Darmeni Commonwealth  Summit
First Round
Emir Tjak Herumpk (Naitpyge)                             54
Duke Francisco Lyons the XXth (Darmen)                   48
Holy Pupá Matthew Wilkerson the Ist (Holy Forden Church) 10 Eliminated

Second Round
Emir Tjak Herumpk (Naitpyge)           60 Elected
Duke Francisco Lyons the XXth (Darmen) 52

Officers of the Summit
General Secretary: Scat Peari (Darmen)
Secretary: Prokhor Vasilyev (Earo)
Treasurer: Tjak Herumpk (Naitpyge)

Debate Session #1-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to call upon the Darmeni Constitutional Convention to speed up the process of drafting a new Constitution
Debate Session #2-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to call upon the Darmeni Election Committee to reverse its latest decision on delaying the elections
Debate Session #3-Motion submitted by Delegate Vasilyev (Earo) to withdraw from conflict
                  Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to call upon the military of Earo to remain involved in the conflict
Debate Session #4-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to call upon the military of Darmen to protect Darmeni interests in any future conflict involving the situation
                  Motion submitted by Delegate Hofstadter (Rigerata) to ignore the situation

Voting Session #1
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the Constitutional Convention of Darmen                                                  FOR-83             AGAINST-29           PASSED
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the Elections in Darmen                                                                  FOR-33             AGAINST-79           FAILED
Decision on which Motion to accept regarding the current conflict in Esportiva involving Earo                                                  VASILYEV MOTION-55 PEARI MOTION-57
-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the current conflict in Esportiva involving Earo                                        FOR-61             AGAINST-51           PASSED
Decision on which Motion to accept regarding the possibility of conflict in the former Pays de Horreur involving Darmen                        PEARI MOTION-65    HOFSTADTER MOTION-47
-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the possibility of conflict in the former Pays de Horreur involving Darmen              FOR-66             AGAINST-46           PASSED

Debate Session #5-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to defend the border from unnecessary incursions by Valladar forces
Debate Session #6-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to disband the Legonian Legion
                  Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to extend the schedule and agenda (UNRELATED)
                  Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to add the Conflict between Sargossa and Polar Islandstates to the agenda (UNRELATED)
Debate Session #7-Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) to convene a Commonwealth Trade Summit no latter than one month following the conclusion of the current Summit

Voting Session #2
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the possibility of conflict in the Westlands involving Darmen                            FOR-70             AGAINST-42           PASSED
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the possibility of disestablishing the Legonian Legion                                   FOR-99             AGAINST-13           PASSED
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the extension of the schedule and agenda                                                 FOR-110            AGAINST-2            PASSED
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the addition of debate on Conflict between Sargossa and Polar Islandstates to the agenda FOR-110            AGAINST-2            PASSED
Motion submitted by Delegate Peari (Darmen) regarding the possibility of a Commonwealth trade agreement                                        FOR-101            AGAINST-11           PASSED

New Schedule for Day 3 & Day 4
DAY 3-Saturday, April 6th
11:00am: Voting Session #3: On all topics not resolved in Sessions #1 or #2
Noon: Delegate's Luncheon (Speaker: Earon Premier Prokhor Vasilyev-On the need for unified Defense between members)
1:30pm: Debate Session #8-On the issue of a unified currency
3:00pm: Debate Session #9-On the Conflict between Sargossa and Polar Islandstates
4:30pm: Debate Session #10-On all issues which require further debate
6:00pm: Delegate's Dinner: (Speaker: Frecmentan President John Truman-On future expansion of the Commonwealth)
7:30pm: Voting Session #4: On all topics discussed on Day 3

DAY 4-Sunday, April 7th
1:00pm: Delegate's Luncheon (Speaker: The Sportocracies Chief Elder Tyson Guerrero-On Sport in the Commonwealth)
2:30pm: Debate Session #11-On all issues which require further debate
4:00pm: Voting Session #5: On all topics not yet resolved
6:00pm: Delegate's Dinner: (Speaker: Duke Francisco Lyons the XXth-Thank-you and Farewell)
7:30pm: Beer Pong Tournament

[Cassadaigua]

Five Burning Questions for the 2nd half,
by Kristen Sharper, Concord Heights Times- senior Sports Editor

Qualifying is halfway over, and Cassadaigua is doing a good job of hanging around in Group 16. It won’t be good enough to qualify unless some upsets in other games happen for us, but they’ve shown that Dagan soccer has not died, and can again be strong. Right now, let’s take a moment to address some of the biggest concerns surrounding the team, and Dagan soccer in general.

1) At 4-3-2, is this better then expected, worse then expected, or about right?

Because Cassadaigua did not attempt to qualify for World Cup 63, they plummeted down the rankings. Some people may say “so what” to that, a ranking is just a number, and we’re still Cassadaigua, a nation that has qualified for the World Cup with regularity. Unfortunately, a nation can not take a qualifying campaign off and just expected to be right where they were before, and Cassadaigua was even in the downswing in World Cup 62, failing to qualify for that Cup. That adds up to eight years on the wrong side of the curve, while others were rising. In a sense we are picking up where we left off, because we left off as a team going the wrong way. Record wise, you can say that 4-3-2 sounds about right, but I think they could be doing better. They have been close in all their games, have had a couple bad draws, and in their losses, held a top-ranked team close throughout the match, only losing by one. The flashes have been there, and that’s what I would have expected.

2) Will Cassadaigua get back to the World Cup soon?

This is a very tough question to answer, but as I go back to the first question, I mentioned that this team has shown flashes of their old form. I do expect that they will be back in the World Cup, but it’s not going to happen in this one. We have a two very strong nations in our group, and that’s what will keep us from being a sleeper this year. Polar Islandstates and Qazox know what it takes to get to the World Cup, and they know us enough to know that we could be a threat and will not back down to us. A nation like Gaveo is on the upswing and hungry, and that complicates things for us as well. I would look to World Cup 66 as the one we could maybe get back into the final field of 32. It’s gonna take some time, and probably doesn’t happen in four years, either.

3) Could Cassadaigua win the Cup of Harmony this year?

I wouldn’t say that was impossible, but even that’s a tough tournament to win now. It’s much deeper then it was when we won Cup of Harmony 39. That was a great springboard to our later success as we were building as a nation, and could be again. It’s a little early to answer this question, though. First and foremost, the players all believe they can still qualify for the World Cup, and while we were only a handful of points of first, we should be supporting them. Secondly, we have no idea who else would be in the Cup of Harmony, so there’s no way I could evaluate their chances right now.

4) WIll Meaghan Bateman bring any significant changes to CASE?

A lot of us were shocked when Stacie Kerrigan-Fraser resigned as President of CASE (Cassadagan Association for Soccer Excellence), as we all just thought she would probably stay there until she eventually passed on. She was 96, after all, and still making decisions and being as active with it as a woman half her age (or a quarter of her age?). There are some people out there who would like to see CASE make significant changes, and they know who they are. MEN (Male Equality Now). So far, MEN has kept quiet in pushing Bateman to begin changing policies, but don’t expect that to continue. However, Bateman is part of the system. She served as the head coach of the national team for decades under Kerrigan-Fraser, and she was then chosen by Kerrigan-Fraser to be her replacement. Therefore to think that Bateman is going to do things differently is far-fetched. Look for the status quo to continue, as much of MEN wants it to change. You may recall that CASE had the male all-star team go to The Icemark to participate in the Swamp Soccer World Cup. It appears as though that tournament is coming back, so look for the man to get their chance for that World Cup.

5) Is Brittany Lawton a stop-gap as coach?

Brittany isn’t in an easy position, but she was aware of the pitfalls when she took on the job. Many Cassadagans will view this qualifying effort a failure, despite my answers to the first two questions. While some fans may accept not qualifying for this Cup, if it lasts two or three Cups, then people will call for Brittany to be sacked. No one wants to hear that the nation is re-building. I’m not sure if its fair to label Brittany a stop-gap, or in other words, a hired gun to see over this period before a new coach is hired, because she was always next in line, so to speak. She presided over the Di Bradini Cup teams, so this is someone that CASE believed in to be a long-tenured coach. I also don’t see anyone really waiting in the wings behind her. Allison Salamida is a name that pops up, but she’s getting older, and by the time a move would be made on Lawton, Salamida’s not gonna be seen as an option. We can throw other names out there as possibilities, but that’s all we would be doing, mentioning names just for the sake of doing that. Therefore, I do not believe Brittany is a stop-gap, and feel she has full support of CASE.

[Saintland]

Royal One - Prematch Interview

The TV feed is in the Royal One studio in St. Petrus prior to today's match against Spagbogia at Royal Stadium. Abraham Volusenus is hosting the prematch show, as usual.

Abraham Volusenus - I know everybody in the Kingdom is looking forward to today's match against Spagbogia. There is still an hour to go before the match starts and we have a very special interview today. Today, we are joined by Stephanus Vagionius, the starting striker for our Kingdom's National Soccer Team. Today, he seeks his 10th career International goal and he is doing it at Royal Stadium.

Vagionius walks in the studio and sits across from Volusenus.

Abraham Volusenus - Welcome to our studio.

Stephanus Vagionius - I thank you for having me. Its a pleasure to be interviewed by Royal One.

Abraham Volusenus - Yesterday, the National Team had a day off following their 2nd half collapse against Audioslavia. Now that you've had time to reflect, how satisfied are you with your team's performance in the first half of World Cup qualification?

Stephanus Vagionius - I'm not satisfied with our performance. The way I see it, we should have 20 points right now instead of 15. We've made too many mistakes in the first half.

Abraham Volusenus - Presumably, you're talking about the injury to Seius against Soviet Canuckistan and Prince Andreas's bad substitution decisions against Kinitaria and Audioslavia.

Stephanus Vagionius - That is exactly what I'm talking about. We had Audioslavia beat, but our Captain made a mistake and cost us that match. He should have listened to Alessandro.

Abraham Volusenus - I understand your frustration. Today, you face Spagbogia. Last time, you beat them 1 to nil at their place. Do you expect things to be different today?

Stephanus Vagionius - Last time around, we had just faced New Sideburn in an unexpected exhibition match and we thought we were visiting Audioslavia. It was awful trying to sleep on that airplane and we just weren't ourselves when we arrived.

Abraham Volusenus - Your performance against them was especially atrocious. You had scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity, but blew all of them with bad shots.

Stephanus Vagionius - I didn't sleep at all on that airplane, so I had been awake for probably 30-36 hours by the time that match started. I think I may have taken a short nap in the locker room before the match started.

Abraham Volusenus - No wonder you didn't seem to be on form last time. What do you expect to be different today?

Stephanus Vagionius - Today, we are well-rested. We have played every other team in this qualification group already. We have our confidence, but we are not arrogant. They are a team that has just 2 points and just 7 goals so far. In our 5 victories, we have not conceded a single goal. Although only God knows what will happen out there, I believe that today will be a good day for us.

Abraham Volusenus - I want to change the subject for a moment. As you know, your brother Philippus has become a star in the League this season, playing for your home team of St. Paulus. What are your thoughts about your brother's performance?

Stephanus Vagionius - I think he's better at this than I am. He signed with St. Paulus straight out of school. He was not expected to start, but he somehow won a starting striker spot despite none of the St. Paulus strikers being selected for the National Team. When I came out of school, I didn't have confidence in my ability to get off the bench, so I didn't sign with St. Paulus.

Abraham Volusenus - Some people say that Philippus Vagionius has performed as well as he has because the best players have been away with the National Team for most of this season. Do you share that point of view?

Stephanus Vagionius - Obviously, the caliber of play isn't what it used to be, but the 18 men on this team are not the only talented soccer players in our Kingdom. Its a good thing we have the policy prohibiting players that play in a foreign League from playing for the National Team while they are under contract to foreign teams. We don't need to lose workers to other countries because they have professional sports leagues.

Abraham Volusenus - Agreed. I think the ban actually extends for a year after the contract expires.

Stephanus Vagionius - I think Andreas told us exactly that. We need to stay in our Kingdom and play in our amateur leagues. It isn't right that some people actually get paid money to play a game.

Abraham Volusenus - I think most of the citizens of our Kingdom would agree with you, but I want to bring the conversation back to your brother Philippus.

Stephanus Vagionius - That's fine.

Abraham Volusenus - As you know, the King has named him the team captain for the upcoming Beach Soccer tournament. How do you think he will perform?

Stephanus Vagionius - I think he'll score many goals in that tournament. Whether or not it is enough is something I just don't know.

Abraham Volusenus - Is there any chance of players from the World Cup side playing in the Beach Soccer tournament?

Stephanus Vagionius - If we are done with our World Cup cycle by the time that starts, I think Antonius will be playing keeper for that team.

Abraham Volusenus - Speaking of Antonius Avidius, what did you think of his performance for St. Alessandro the other day? He somehow had a clean sheet against St. Paulus and led his side to an upset victory.

Stephanus Vagionius - It was a good performance. Stopping Philippus is hard. He's better than I am. I still can't believe St. Alessandro actually pulled that one off.

Abraham Volusenus - It was one of the upsets of the year. If your brother Philippus ever joins the National team, do you think Prince Andreas should change up the formation?

Stephanus Vagionius - Actually, I think he should put Philippus in as a second striker and move the Poenius brothers up to outside midfield. I think a 3-4-1-2 would be a great formation for us and I think we'd be a very dangerous attacking side.

Abraham Volusenus - A 3-4-1-2? You mean like the legendary St. Petrus teams?

Stephanus Vagionius - Yes, I think we could pull it off and do it justice, but that is obviously his decision. He's our captain.

Abraham Volusenus - That is definitely true. I have just one final question. What do you think your chances are of qualifying for the World Cup?

Stephanus Vagionius - I believe we can hang with any of those other 9 teams in this group, so I'd say we have a chance. It isn't really my place to say that, though. We will qualify if that is God's will and we will not qualify if it is not meant to be.

Abraham Volusenus - Well said. We go now to Andreas Epidius with the News.

[Kalumba]

Ambubwe felt like a small boy again as he stalked through the bush, his prey in sight. With a sudden burst of speed he was out of the bush and sprinting towards his quarry. Before the shopkeeper could react Ambubwe had grapped the nearest newspaper and a greaseproof paper bag of fresh Kudu meat, and was back running for the safety of the bush. As he ran he listened hard for the sound of a cocking gun, and was relieved to hear a string of swear words. He threw back his head and laughed, for the first time in a while hee was truly happy, he had caught the game on the radio and was hugely relieved to hear that Kalumba had won once again and now he felt the childlike delight of getting away with misbehaviour.

Reaching the camp him and his gang had erected the night before, he chucked the bag of meat to one of the men gathering around the fire and lay back in his hammock to read the match report.

The Herald
Report By Bruce Mtwetwe

Kalumba record their second win with a close victory over Nova Torshavnia at home. After a string of defeats Kalumba rally and achieve another home win pulling themselves further from the embarrasment of last place. Thankfully, despite our poor scoring record, we are now 6 points clear of that shame and still improving.

The game was unusually tight for us in this tournament where we have either been swatted aside wit contemptuous ease or have dominated at home for a win. With over half an hour played neither side had mustered a shot on target, the game being a battle of attrition in the midfield. Conditions were not condusive to fast moving football with the sun blazing down and the pitch solid after weeks without rain. Kalumba used to playing on sticky, moist pitches ideal for their long ball game, had real issues getting going but still defended solidly.

With no creative work in the midfield manager Davies replaced big William Anderson with Ben Rowlatt, a player more suited to the passing game. This soon payed dividends as Rowlatt linked well with Cheeter, who crashed a shot against the underside of the bar. Despite well founded protests, the linesman refused to raise his flag and play continued. Television replays were inconclusive but definatley suggested that the ball had crossed the line.

However the setback didn't seem to affect either side nd the game continued in much the same vein. Half time brought no new changes and the match continued to stagnate. Nova Torshavnia started the second half brightly, but after their centre forward nodded wide, they seemed to crawl back into their shell and Kalumba started to dominate possesion. But this did not lead to chances and with ten minutes to play it appeared Kalumba were heading to anoter draw, wasting an opportunity to pull clear of the bottom of the group.

Thankfully our player of the tournament so far, Chris Abouto, finally came to life. Picking up the ball on the edge of the centre circle he burst past the Torshavnian midfield and drove towards the byline. A quick dummied cross allowed him to make the corner of the six yard box, and he laid the ball back to the edge of the area. Ollie Roberts had slipped his man and was unmarked, but as the defenders closed him down dummied and shot and stroked the ball home with his left foot past the wrong-footed goalkeeper.

Even a goal behind our opponents showed a lack of ambition and didn't threaten our goal once, but worryingly we sat back and allowed them possesion of the ball for much of the remainder of the game. While it did not cost us this time it may in the future, and we need every point that we can get. We should also be pressing for more goals, having scored a mere 8 in our 7 games. But let us not dwell on the failings as we have recorded a second win and are clear of last place.


Ambubwe sighed and lay back the newspaper over his eyes. He knew that Kalumba needed to score more, and win more, but he was pleased that they had won again against a fellow struggler. He was also pleased with wat he had seen earlier in the morning, a grove of baobab trees picked clean and even one knocked to the ground. This suggested a full herd of elephants, not just the two bulls they had been following. He would rest today and tonight decide which quarry to pursue.


Wilson Mtuwa was once more sat raging in his office. He had been ordered back to his post, after Norman had reported seeing the two young bulls crossing the Bilto. This meant they were safe, but the poachers were still at large and one of the great herds was nearby. But his bosses had argued no one would dare to attack a whole herd, despite consistent evidence to the contrary. Idley wasting his time staring at the grey TV screens Wilson felt almost as if his bosses wanted the poachers to get away or the elephant to be poached. Bored out of his skull he logged onto OTLWTL.

On The Lash With The Lads

Whey, more points on the board, more foes vanquished at the impenatrable Kahali National Stadium. Or some other jingoistic spew. We struggled once again against a mediocre side who, a few years ago we would have beaten with ease. But that's what two and a bit years without any high level sport does. There is a real dearth of talent out their for Kalumba and it showed.

Especially for the first half hour their was nothing. Big Ando is not a creative player and on a dead pitch like that his crunching tackles meant nothing, and to be honest I was surprised that he started. And when Rowlatt came on our questioning of George Davies was vindicated as he began to actually create something from the midfield area.

And we did score. I don't mean to criticise the officials, but they should be ready to make those crucial calls. Technology is not the answer, it is just better training for the officials. But it is done and in the past and there is no point on dwelling on it. However the 'goal' did show we still have vestiges of the talent that allowed us to win the Baptism of Fire all those years ago.

And Chris Abouto, one of the players rewarded for his performances in the BoF with a foreign contract, showed why he was rated so highly by foreign clubs with a marvellous run. He was always going to be a star and he has really kept us in this tournament along with Terry Ottbourne. And wee Ollie is still playing with some sign of the skills that took us to the final of the BoF and finished there with aplomb.

And as for the hooliganism, well sadly (sort of) our police were quite organised and the publicans a little to quick to call time. As such, barely inebrieated, we roamed the streets in search of some fun and we found some. A small group of us stumbled accross their fans and stormed in, vastly outnumbered. and soon our alcohol intake and small numbers began to show. They were on the brink of routing us when one of the scariest, and funniest, sights I have seen in all my years occured.

A few of you will remember stories of Nils Barbara, or 'Babs' as we know him, from pre-Emergency editions of OTLWTL, but for those that don't he's a seven foot giant and enjoys nothing more than picking up smaller opponents and just carrying them away from the fights. But in The Emergency he lost an arm, and we had not seen him all campaign and feared he had lost the passion. In fact he had found a new passion, a lovely petite blonde, and we happened to be fighting outside his new flat. And he just happened to be engaged in an act of passion. Disturbed by the noise he went to the window and saw us in trouble. Without thinking he comes storming down the stairs and out his front door, just behind their fans. With a scream of rage he storms into the fight, and their lads just break and run as they see 'One-Armed Babs', his little Troopie at attention, bearing down on them.

Mr Spleen

O, Mr Spleen's views are entirely his own and should just be ignored.


Wilson smiled, he thoughts away from his own problems for once. He could see 'Babs' storming into a fight and winning it for the boys, he had seen it many times before. He hoped that all the boys would be there next week when he could finally get down to a game. But dragging his mind from football he returned to the present and the problem of these invisible poachers. He studied his maps and decided to quiz Norman on where the main herds were. If he could anticipate where they would be, then he could work out the quickest route to them in case anything happened. So taking out a ruler and protracter he began to mark his map, while listening for the whine of an aero-engine.

[Polar Islandstates]

President Iversen-Eklund wrung her hands and addressed her Defence Secretary once again.

"So you're sure there's nothing we can do, Diedrich?"

"Well," he responded, "of course there are things we can do, just, they'll need to be discussed in more detail with the rest of the cabinet when they get here. The most important thing to remember is that, technically, a blockade is not an act of war, and so we cannot just go in all guns blazing. We need to consider things carefully."

"You're sure about that?"

"Positive, Madame President."

The President sighed and looked around the Red Room. The name wasn't particularly accurate. For a start, it wasn't red. For second, it wasn't a room, more a sort of entire open office complex in a deep sub-basement of the Ensign Tower in Aasiaat. The headquarters of the Federal Polarian Navy, this was the place where the people in charge would go when the chips were really down. And now, for the first time since the Federation was formed from the Valhallan Union nearly two decades ago, the cabinet of the Federal government was in crisis, and all rushing towards the Red Room.

"So where are the rest of my cabinet, anyway?" she asked impatiently, "There's no chance they could have been intercepted by Sargossans, you think?"

"Unlikely," replied the Defence Secretary, attempting to calm her down a bit, "there's no doubt they're using underhand tactics here, but I don't think the Sargossans have reached the point of full on assassinations yet. They'll be here in time, Madame President, please don't worry."

"So what are their plans, then?" she pressed, "what are they on about with the Superhub being a military installation?"

"Well, it could be paranoia," replied the well experienced Secretary opposite her at the meeting room table in the corner of the floor, "the Sargossans have been antsy about us Polarians ever since the nations started uniting together to form the Federation. I think they fear our strength as a single nation. What's far more likely, is that they're using it as a way to justify this blockade. They still consider Külmsaar a far flung part of their nation, and when they elected to join with Terra Scotia in a union rather than join with them I think it stung a bit. Even more so when KATS voted in favour of joining the Federation."

"So they want Külmsaar?"

"My sources indicate that that would be their likely 'end-game' objective in this scenario, yes. It is highly unlikely that they are just putting up a blockade for the hell of it. And I can't see them fancying an all out war, either."

"What does Mika think?"

"You can ask him yourself."

"Pardon?"

"I believe he's just arriving now." said the Defence Secretary, pointing in the direction of the door to the intelligence complex.

Sure enough, a worried looking man with a pale complexion was picking his way between the flashing monitors and their dutiful attendants observing all the latest data and weaving towards the President.

"Madame President, Diedrich," he said, nodding at each in turn, "I got here as soon as I could."

"Good evening, Mika," said the President, "did you make it out of Agheim okay?"

"Just about," he replied with a worried look, "they were just applying the full blockade as we left. Had we not been carrying diplomatic call-signs I doubt we'd have managed to avoid a hassle."

"Good," nodded the President, "I trust you've seen their press conference?"

"I watched it on the plane over."

"And?" asked Diedrich.

"It's bollocks."

"Bollocks? How do you mean?" asked the President, "You know the Sargossans better than most, Mika, what are you talking about here?"

"Well," said Mika, laying his papers down on the table, "this Superhub thing, they must know that its nothing military. I mean, I've had no pressure about this from them at all, whatsoever, nada. Usually, if we so much as pass a patrol craft up the west side of Külmsaar I get an angry phone call from their Defence Sec. So, I'm not convinced they think anything of this at all. Secondly, a blockade? An excuse to legitimately position troops and craft all around the island they've wanted for a long time?"

"Agreed," said Diedrich, "and those boats exploding were definitely not our doing. We'll wait for the full cabinet to arrive, but I think we need to be readying for some severe sable-rattling. All Polarian air-space between Aasiaat and Islay could be held clear at a moment's notice if you deemed it necessary, Madame President."

"Thank you Diedrich, I'll bear that in mind." she replied, deep in thought. "And what about things in Külmsaar itself? What will conditions be like there?"

"I imagine they'll be fine." replied Mika.

"I mean politically." she snapped.

"Oh, well, if I know Soluca, they'll have their sources inside the island's political and social make-up already."

"What, like, sleeper-agents?" asked the President, incredulous.

"Well, sympathetic activists with a similar goal." replied Mika.

"And we're okay with this? Why was I never informed about this?" said the President.

"It's relatively standard practice down that part of the world," replied Mika with a shrug, "I've got my guys out in Soluca. Or, Diedrich has, at any rate."

"Well, it's all a little grey, but, yes that is true." confirmed Diedrich.

"I see," conceded Iversen-Eklund, "well, in that case, what will be going on in Külmsaar now?"

"We can only guess," said Mika.

"In any case," said Diedrich, "I'll get onto Admiral Harstad and let him know what might have to happen. We've also got satellite passes occurring regularly over the next three days."

"Where are the action groups now?" asked the President.

"Oh, they're on their way, Madame President," said Diedrich, "but we'll have to careful. We can' risk all out confrontation just yet. We've got citizens on those islands..."

---

One such citizen was Marius Eduardo. He'd looked up the terms in the codebook he'd been given a long time ago by an anonymous man, and now he was working on his side of the deal. He'd hoisted the Ol' Pointy in his back garden, and blasted the Sargossan national anthem as loudly as he could, and now he was out leafletting.

Sure, he was met with outright hostility a lot of the time from the more Polarian-set neighbours of his, and a lot of them were too glued to their television screens following events to even answer the door, but it was worth it for the one time in ten he was met with open arms and a warm handshake. The atmosphere was hotting up in Natalis, and from the vital bridge over the straits there they could only spread to Agheim.

Even better, every one in a thousand leaflets would work their way to a Külmsaari citizen strong of will enough to wonder where Marius had got them from in the first place. And when they got in touch, Marius knew; that was one more on his side.

One more for what was coming. Time to sow the seeds of chaos.

Today, Natalis.

Tomorrow, Külmsaar.

---

Dima Koolhaas sighed, and stretched out a little in his chair. He'd almost reached the bottom of his IN tray for now, and he thanked small blessings for that. The whole nation had gone a little topsy turvy right now. With all eyes on Külmsaar and wondering what the Sargossans would do next, the football was going a little under the radar. Not that that meant any reduction in paperwork for Dima. In fact, with the seat of the WCC on that island currently just off Franz Josef, coupled with the installation of a new manager and all the work that entailed as well, it had probably meant an increase in the amount of work passing through Dima's desk as head of the FPIFA.

Rasmussen had done okay so far, he had to admit. A tight defence and perhaps a little too conservative an attack had led to one or two too many draws for Dima's liking, but he trusted Rasmussen to re-overtake Qazox at the top of the group, and he wasn't going to go about making rash statements and putting undue pressure on the guy in his first cycle. Certainly seemed more clued up than Schwartz had, anyway.

Taking a sip of his water, Dima reached for the last envelope and sat back in his chair. Funny, normally the unmarked envelopes were passed to his personally. And yet somehow, this one had found itself in the regular IN tray. He just hoped it wasn't anything important. Not a council safety contract or anything like that with regards to the upcoming visit of Qazox to the Nasjonale. That would have been a disaster.

He opened the envelope and shook the contents out onto his desk.

Photographs.

Dima frowned. Who'd send him photographs?

He looked closer at the subject of the photographs. It was old manager Joachim Schwartz at a cafe in some foreign location, Dima couldn't quite locate the language. And who was he with? By the looks of the little flags embroidered into their jacket pockets, some Licentian officials.

Well, what was up with that? Schwartz was managing Licentiapacisterra now, so why would these photographs be of interest to him?

And then Dima noticed the timestamp in the lower right hand corner of the photograph. He gasped. Why, that date would put the meeting about three quarter of the way through the last qualifying campaign. He frowned. This was looking shadier by the second, and was a hassle he could well do without.

He flicked through the photographs, they were definitely showing Schwartz deep in conversation with the Licentians. He turned over the last of them, showing the people at the table shaking Schwartz's hand. A messaage was written on the back, the ball point pen indented into the soft printed paper.

Call me.
+3315211 5224511

Dima picked up the phone hesitantly, dialled, and listened to the phone dial its way to the right number.

A click at the end of the line.

"Hello? It's Dima Koolhaas," he said slowly, "it's about these photographs you've sent me..."

[Lalo Limahina]

"Hey, man, what are you doing to prepare for the game?

"Drinking some orange juice."

"Why's that?"

"It's Vitamin C Day, after all."

"Oh, I see. Do you always follow these weird holidays?"

"Most of them, yes. I find they give me comfort."

"Why?"

"I dunno."

"Are you dead?"

...

"Man?"

...

"Dude?"

...

"Fuggin hell."

"Just messin with you. Haha!"

"Fuck you."

---

A land of plenty rose over the far horizon. It was a land of milk and cookies, all delicately placed on silver plates. It was Oreoland.

Geese flew through the summer winds, hoping to reach their new homes in Cabo. But they would not make it. They got shot.

For three reasons there are demons: 1. Ego 2. Lego 3. Eggo waffles.

---

"So the two things you just wrote were crap, huh?"

"Pretty much."

"Writer's block?"

"You could say that. I would say it's a temporary slowing down of


OOC: Called away, will finish later.

[Mytannion]

Elita smiled as she heard the news, Gornaya-Mesnost had fallen – which meant the government’s last foothold in the far north had gone too. Only days before had Kiznhiy-Grod Neputsk fallen into rebel hands, when Befreiungsarmee members armed with Sargossan Conquista weapons stormed the nuclear power station that the government were trying so hard to keep a hold of and killed the final soldiers that had been stationed in the town. The Sameban soldiers had fled the scene fairly quickly as they realised this was not their battle and they wanted to get back to the (relatively) warmer climes of further south. They weren’t used to the snow, the cold, the tundra, this wasn’t their fight and they didn’t care all that much, so they simply left claiming they had been overrun by the rebels and so had to escape in order to get out alive.

Elita and Adder’s cell had moved on from Snezhnaya, after their narrow escape to the oil rig in the middle of Carpignan Bay, they had been a part of the downfall of Kiznhiy-Grod Neputsk. They had been crucial in operations on destroying government supply routes in and out of the town that was pretty much based around the power stations that supplied energy for much of the north of the nation.

They were crucial and the government was trying to protect them with everything they had, if they fell into rebel hands – Ebor would fall soon after and that would strengthen the revolution to a point where they could literally do as they wished in the far north. They would control all the major settlements there and that would be catastrophic for the government.

Above anything else it would just be highly embarrassing, they couldn’t beat some fairly unorganised rebels with the help of the Samebans and the Sargossans.

That was something interesting that the Befreiungsarmee had discovered in recent weeks. Apparently the Sargossans were helping the government with equipment – much in the same way the Eurans were playing benefactor to the rebels. That’s where the shiny new tanks and guns had come from, when really they just needed a better plan to be able to beat the rebels in their own backyard – as that was truly where they were losing the war.

It was an interesting move by the Sargossans to say the least, if they chose to become involved further they could easily overstretch themselves with their squabble with the Polarians and then trying to support a fellow dictatorship down on the Goose Coast, so far away from home.

Adder didn’t think that the Sargossans would give more than help in the form of weapons though, citing Euran intelligence which would suggest they wouldn’t support the ailing regime any further than this: “The Sargossans reckon that unless there was a full intervention, the regime’s going to fall anyway, their position is just too precarious for the Sargossans to want to intervene further – it would take nothing short of an invasion to reverse what has happened thus far.” He had added that the Befreiungsarmee had secured a vital area of the nation, given its strategic advantages (how easy it was to defend, how easy it was to mount attacks from etc), the tactics the MB used in this region were hugely helpful too – with people being won over to the rebel cause week by week.

The victories in Kiznhiy-Grod Neputsk and Gornaya-Mesnost were possibly the best propaganda victories that there could be for the rebels. They ensured they had a strong base support that realised that changes could be made. The more people that believed this, the more people that sided with them and offered them support in times of need.

Not that the rebels were exactly needy, they were in a stronger position than the government at the moment.

The MB had Ebor surrounded, as soon as the government building was taken there, the north would be theirs and they could turn their focus back to moving southwards. They could begin to import some proper Euran battle pieces and have some proper set-piece battles against government forces in areas that were further afield from the strongholds in the north.

The problem was that a lot of people were simply too afraid to do as they had done in the north and just try and secure important areas – they didn’t want to incur the wrath of the government – which was telling them that they were being supported by the Samebans, a nation that many in Mytannion believed had a strong military that could probably deal with the whole rebel force easily never mind small bands of rebels that were causing problems around the country.

Sure, the ambushes and bombings continued but as more and more people had been made examples of the use of IEDs had become less prevalent. Sabotage was crucial and had been made use of in Ibon especially – which was now the place the government had chosen to act out of, with its good links to the autobahn system that gave them access to the north.

The MB had supplied rebels that had said they wanted to cause a bit of damage in the city and they had performed admirably, using bombs to destroy bridges which significantly slowed the government’s progress. They had to use old country roads that gave them the links to get back on the autobahn further along the road, after the bridges that had been split in two.

These country roads were perfect for the rebels to then ambush the troops that were moving along them, the narrow roads meaning progress was slow and the rebels could get in and out a lot quicker than the soldiers could react in the congested area. Of course, the soldiers didn’t know their way through the forests that lined the narrow roads either. This proved to be a huge advantage for the MB as they could escape to do the same again.

In this same manner, at least three government tanks had been put out of service, as well as lorries which were used to transport both troops and equipment and of course the soldiers themselves who had been killed or injured – something which had actually caused quite a few of them to defect and join the MB, bringing equipment and more hands to the cause.

Elita’s own eyes had turned back to Ebor. It would be the next step on the road to the revolution being completed – even though that was still a long way off.

It would be difficult to take, given the soldiers who were stationed in the city still being fairly loyal to the regime and the regime actually had a Minister in the area. Winning hearts and minds could still be crucial, soldiers could chose to mutiny against their masters and join the cause and that could be the most useful thing – however unlikely it was.

Other than that, direct head-on contact would probably be the most realistic solution. A strike from two different areas was the avenue that the commanders were trying to follow up. With Euran soldiers possibly making a quick raid on the government buildings in the centre of the city – this could distract the main force from an attack from behind. The Befreiungsarmee would have helicopter support from the Eurans and would be able to use the large amounts of cover in the city centre. They could always retreat into the narrow streets of the old city too, if they really needed to.

Eh, this wasn’t something a 19 year old should be planning. Elita just wanted someone to hand her a rifle and let her kill some MGA. She would imagine each one was Natella Kalinina and would pick them off like a top marksman.

She hadn’t even fired a gun until six months ago, but Isaiah, her boyfriend, had become involved with the MB and then so had she soon after. Everything she did now was to fight for Isaiah and her dead family too, of course. All of whom had been killed by the government at one point or another.

Her job now was to dispose of the despot who had taken control of her once proud, democratic, liberal nation and to make sure nothing like this could happen again. Which is why the more radical communist members of the group worried her – but that wasn’t an argument for now, it was for the future – right now was about destroying the government and Natella Kalinina.

Elita picked up her rifle and walked out of the room. She had work to do.

[Equestrian States]

Unofficial World Cup 64 Standings

After Match Day 9

World Cup 64 Qualifying                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
  1 Vilita                                9    9   0   0    34   17  +17    27   (1st in Group 14)
  2 Bears Armed                           9    8   1   0    22    2  +20    25   (1st in Group 3)
  3 Milchama                              9    8   1   0    25    7  +18    25   (1st in Group 18)
  4 Equestrian States                     9    8   1   0    30   13  +17    25   (1st in Group 6)
  5 Starblaydia                           9    8   1   0    29   12  +17    25   (1st in Group 7)
  6 Saugeais                              9    8   1   0    26    9  +17    25   (1st in Group 11)
  7 Taeshan                               9    8   1   0    17    1  +16    25   (1st in Group 8)
  8 The Babbage Islands                   9    8   1   0    23    8  +15    25   (1st in Group 17)
  9 Apox                                  9    8   1   0    15    3  +12    25   (1st in Group 9)
 10 Krytenia                              9    8   0   1    25    8  +17    24   (1st in Group 2)
 11 Valanora                              9    8   0   1    29   13  +16    24   (1st in Group 13)
 12 Darmen                                9    7   2   0    38   16  +22    23   (1st in Group 4)
 13 Mapletish                             9    7   2   0    25    6  +19    23   (1st in Group 12)
 14 Jeru FC                               9    7   1   1    24    8  +16    22   (2nd in Group 18)
 15 The Holy Empire                       9    7   1   1    28   13  +15    22   (1st in Group 1)
 16 The Archregimancy                     9    7   1   1    20    6  +14    22   (1st in Group 19)
 17 Mashiki                               9    7   1   1    32   21  +11    22   (2nd in Group 17)
 18 Thatius                               9    7   1   1    24   13  +11    22   (1st in Group 10)
 19 Osarius                               9    7   1   1    23   12  +11    22   (2nd in Group 6)
 20 Carpathia & Ruthenia                  9    7   1   1    17    6  +11    22   (1st in Group 5)
 21 Jeruselem                             9    7   1   1    18    8  +10    22   (1st in Group 15)
 22 Geisenfried                           9    7   1   1    17    7  +10    22   (3rd in Group 17)
 23 Qazox                                 9    6   3   0    30   13  +17    21   (1st in Group 16)
 24 Kiryu-shi                             9    7   0   2    27   11  +16    21   (2nd in Group 7)
 25 Kulverint                             9    7   0   2    23    9  +14    21   (2nd in Group 13)
 26 Farfadillis                           9    6   3   0    25   12  +13    21   (2nd in Group 4)
 27 United Gordonopia                     9    6   3   0    18    5  +13    21   (2nd in Group 1)
 28 Kinitaria                             9    6   3   0    24   12  +12    21   (2nd in Group 2)
 29 Ossidiacqua                           9    7   0   2    20   10  +10    21   (2nd in Group 3)
 30 Polar Islandstates                    9    6   3   0    12    3   +9    21   (2nd in Group 16)
 31 The Sylvanaes Queendom                9    6   2   1    31   16  +15    20   (2nd in Group 11)
 32 Audioslavia                           9    6   2   1    22    9  +13    20   (3rd in Group 2)
 33 Hutt River                            9    6   2   1    21    8  +13    20   (2nd in Group 8)
 34 Blouman Empire                        9    6   2   1    26   14  +12    20   (2nd in Group 5)
 35 19th Century Beards                   9    6   2   1    21   12   +9    20   (3rd in Group 4)
 36 Eura                                  9    6   1   2    27   16  +11    19   (2nd in Group 10)
 37 Gyatso-kai                            9    6   1   2    20    9  +11    19   (2nd in Group 12)
 38 Andossa Se Mitrin Vega                9    6   1   2    15    5  +10    19   (3rd in Group 5)
 39 Vettrera                              9    6   1   2    23   14   +9    19   (3rd in Group 7)
 40 Iturributa                            9    6   1   2    22   14   +8    19   (3rd in Group 1)
 41 Earo                                  9    6   1   2    18   11   +7    19   (3rd in Group 11)
 42 Yesopalitha                           9    6   1   2     9    2   +7    19   (2nd in Group 15)
 43 West Angola                           9    6   1   2    20   14   +6    19   (3rd in Group 3)
 44 Western Cuba                          9    6   1   2    23   18   +5    19   (2nd in Group 9)
 45 Michael VII                           9    5   3   1    19    9  +10    18   (2nd in Group 19)
 46 Lymantatia                            9    6   0   3    16    6  +10    18   (3rd in Group 6)
 47 Legalese                              9    5   3   1    14    4  +10    18   (4th in Group 5)
 48 Akbarabad                             9    5   3   1    28   19   +9    18   (3rd in Group 13)
 49 Mytannion                             9    6   0   3    21   12   +9    18   (3rd in Group 9)
 50 Khytenna                              9    6   0   3    29   21   +8    18   (4th in Group 7)
 51 Sicoutimont                           9    5   3   1    27   19   +8    18   (3rd in Group 15)
 52 Valladares                            9    5   3   1    19   11   +8    18   (4th in Group 4)
 53 Mesoland                              9    6   0   3    16    8   +8    18   (3rd in Group 18)
 54 Estope                                9    5   3   1    24   17   +7    18   (3rd in Group 12)
 55 Boring Paradise                       9    6   0   3    15   10   +5    18   (5th in Group 7)
 56 Barunia                               9    6   0   3    16   12   +4    18   (3rd in Group 8)
 57 Astograth                             9    6   0   3    10    8   +2    18   (4th in Group 17)
 58 Kandorith                             9    6   0   3    17   17    0    18   (2nd in Group 14)
 59 Pasarga                               9    5   2   2    21   14   +7    17   (3rd in Group 10)
 60 Jedi8246                              9    5   2   2    20   13   +7    17   (3rd in Group 19)
 61 Ko-oren                               9    4   5   0     9    4   +5    17   (4th in Group 19)
 62 New Ecopia                            9    5   2   2    15   11   +4    17   (4th in Group 13)
 63 Antoletia                             9    5   2   2    17   18   -1    17   (4th in Group 11)
 64 Leorudo                               9    4   4   1    24   14  +10    16   (3rd in Group 16)
 65 Turori                                9    4   4   1    14    6   +8    16   (3rd in Group 14)
 66 Sargossa                              9    4   4   1    17   10   +7    16   (4th in Group 6)
 67 Gaveo                                 9    4   4   1    22   16   +6    16   (4th in Group 16)
 68 West Zirconia                         9    5   1   3    19   13   +6    16   (4th in Group 3)
 69 New West Guiana                       9    5   1   3    22   19   +3    16   (4th in Group 18)
 70 Kintratar                             9    5   1   3    20   17   +3    16   (4th in Group 12)
 71 Kerblaekistan                         9    5   1   3    16   13   +3    16   (5th in Group 5)
 72 Svengarda                             9    5   1   3    15   14   +1    16   (4th in Group 14)
 73 Armed Bears                           9    4   3   2    23   13  +10    15   (4th in Group 1)
 74 Ancharmunn                            9    5   0   4    26   17   +9    15   (5th in Group 3)
 75 Warkus                                9    5   0   4    16    8   +8    15   (5th in Group 4)
 76 Filopines                             9    4   3   2    25   18   +7    15   (5th in Group 1)
 77 Cassadaigua                           9    4   3   2    21   14   +7    15   (5th in Group 16)
 78 Silar                                 9    4   3   2    21   16   +5    15   (4th in Group 9)
 79 Bongo Johnson                         9    4   3   2    22   18   +4    15   (5th in Group 6)
 80 Branta Island                         9    5   0   4    14   11   +3    15   (5th in Group 17)
 81 Paradystopia                          9    4   3   2     5    2   +3    15   (6th in Group 5)
 82 Northern Sunrise Islands              9    4   3   2    17   15   +2    15   (4th in Group 15)
 83 Saintland                             9    5   0   4    16   16    0    15   (4th in Group 2)
 84 Cosumar                               9    5   0   4    14   14    0    15   (5th in Group 14)
 85 Anollasia                             9    5   0   4    17   18   -1    15   (5th in Group 13)
 86 Stachland                             9    4   3   2    14   15   -1    15   (4th in Group 10)
 87 High Heels                            9    5   0   4    19   21   -2    15   (5th in Group 12)
 88 Maklohi Vai                           9    4   2   3    14    8   +6    14   (5th in Group 15)
 89 Shadowbourne                          9    4   2   3    22   17   +5    14   (5th in Group 10)
 90 Karditan                              9    4   2   3    15   10   +5    14   (4th in Group 8)
 91 Soviet Canuckistan                    9    4   2   3    20   16   +4    14   (5th in Group 2)
 92 The Inevitable Syndicate              9    4   2   3    22   19   +3    14   (5th in Group 9)
 93 Secundus Kasius                       9    4   2   3    14   12   +2    14   (5th in Group 19)
 94 The Islands of Qutar                  9    4   2   3    18   17   +1    14   (6th in Group 13)
 95 Zwangzug                              9    4   2   3     8   11   -3    14   (6th in Group 2)
 96 Liventia                              9    4   1   4    20   17   +3    13   (6th in Group 3)
 97 Cambirano                             9    4   1   4    19   18   +1    13   (6th in Group 10)
 98 Nethertopia                           9    4   1   4    18   18    0    13   (6th in Group 9)
 99 Perinpanland                          9    4   1   4     9   10   -1    13   (5th in Group 18)
100 Hyskigland                            9    4   1   4    19   22   -3    13   (7th in Group 9)
101 Free South Califas                    9    4   1   4     9   13   -4    13   (6th in Group 18)
102 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec           9    4   1   4    16   22   -6    13   (6th in Group 1)
103 Bearded Moose                         9    4   0   5    17   11   +6    12   (6th in Group 19)
104 Licentiapacisterra                    9    3   3   3    16   11   +5    12   (6th in Group 12)
105 Powersith                             9    3   3   3    14   12   +2    12   (5th in Group 8)
106 Cowardly Pacifists                    9    3   3   3    16   16    0    12   (6th in Group 6)
107 Bergnovinaia                          9    3   3   3    16   18   -2    12   (6th in Group 16)
108 Birolika                              9    4   0   5    22   25   -3    12   (6th in Group 4)
109 New Sideburn                          9    4   0   5    13   20   -7    12   (6th in Group 15)
110 Kaledor                               9    3   2   4    16   13   +3    11   (6th in Group 8)
111 Slembana                              9    3   2   4    15   13   +2    11   (7th in Group 10)
112 Westros                               9    3   2   4    18   17   +1    11   (5th in Group 11)
113 Sandwich Territories                  9    3   2   4    17   17    0    11   (6th in Group 14)
114 Lalo Limahina                         9    3   2   4    16   18   -2    11   (7th in Group 8)
115 Chunnan                               9    3   2   4     7    9   -2    11   (7th in Group 14)
116 Eastfield Lodge                       9    3   2   4    20   24   -4    11   (6th in Group 11)
117 Kericia                               9    3   2   4    10   16   -6    11   (7th in Group 19)
118 San Potato                            9    3   1   5    24   23   +1    10   (7th in Group 1)
119 Yelvoldia                             9    3   1   5    21   20   +1    10   (7th in Group 15)
120 Melbergia                             9    3   1   5    15   16   -1    10   (6th in Group 17)
121 Mycellena                             9    3   1   5     8   11   -3    10   (7th in Group 12)
122 Nenets Autonomous Okrug               9    3   1   5     7   11   -4    10   (7th in Group 13)
123 Basque Socialist States               9    3   1   5    12   16   -4    10   (8th in Group 15)
124 Charruterra                           9    2   4   3    11   16   -5    10   (7th in Group 16)
125 Swyftlandre                           9    3   1   5    17   24   -7    10   (6th in Group 7)
126 Deadmans                              9    3   1   5    15   25  -10    10   (7th in Group 4)
127 Euskirribakondara                     9    2   3   4    12   12    0     9   (7th in Group 18)
128 Camerania                             9    2   3   4    15   19   -4     9   (7th in Group 11)
129 Backyard Sports                       9    2   3   4    19   25   -6     9   (7th in Group 2)
130 Glascovia                             9    2   3   4    17   24   -7     9   (8th in Group 10)
131 Super-Llamaland                       9    2   2   5    11   14   -3     8   (7th in Group 17)
132 Fulflood                              9    2   2   5     6    9   -3     8   (7th in Group 7)
133 Timfen                                9    2   2   5    11   16   -5     8   (8th in Group 19)
134 Mangolana                             9    2   2   5    11   18   -7     8   (8th in Group 7)
135 Nekoni                                9    2   2   5     8   18  -10     8   (8th in Group 8)
136 The Monopoly                          9    2   1   6    18   22   -4     7   (7th in Group 6)
137 Nova Torshavnia                       9    2   1   6    14   18   -4     7   (8th in Group 11)
138 Dance 2 Revolution                    9    2   1   6    10   17   -7     7   (8th in Group 13)
139 Schmiegelland                         9    2   1   6     8   15   -7     7   (8th in Group 18)
140 Cyborg Holland                        9    2   1   6     6   13   -7     7   (7th in Group 5)
141 Levivania                             9    2   1   6    11   19   -8     7   (8th in Group 5)
142 Advenia                               9    2   1   6     6   16  -10     7   (8th in Group 16)
143 Lisander                              9    2   1   6    14   25  -11     7   (8th in Group 1)
    HorusLand                             9    2   1   6    14   25  -11     7   (8th in Group 12)
145 The Sova Empire                       9    2   1   6     4   15  -11     7   (9th in Group 8)
146 Kartvelistan                          9    2   1   6    12   24  -12     7   (7th in Group 3)
147 Kalumba                               9    2   1   6     6   18  -12     7   (9th in Group 11)
148 Pzetrovlaskia                         9    1   3   5    17   19   -2     6   (8th in Group 14)
149 Queer Poco el Mono Ara                9    2   0   7    12   20   -8     6   (8th in Group 2)
150 The Gypsies                           9    1   3   5     9   18   -9     6   (8th in Group 6)
151 Alexanderburn                         9    2   0   7    15   28  -13     6   (8th in Group 3)
152 The Alphabet Letters                  9    2   0   7    10   25  -15     6   (8th in Group 17)
153 Sprool                                9    2   0   7     8   24  -16     6   (9th in Group 18)
154 Romantique Belle Vie                  9    1   3   5     5   21  -16     6   (9th in Group 3)
155 Wittenbach                            9    2   0   7    14   33  -19     6   (9th in Group 12)
156 Kialga                                9    1   2   6    10   14   -4     5   (9th in Group 17)
157 Eridanus 3                            9    1   2   6     8   16   -8     5   (9th in Group 14)
158 Democratic States of Fenbar           9    1   2   6     9   19  -10     5   (9th in Group 19)
159 SingapuROAR                           9    1   2   6    12   23  -11     5   (9th in Group 10)
160 German American States                9    1   2   6     8   19  -11     5   (8th in Group 9)
161 Yakostan                              9    1   2   6    10   22  -12     5   (9th in Group 1)
162 Rikatan                               9    1   1   7     9   19  -10     4   (9th in Group 15)
163 Tyrants                               9    1   1   7    13   25  -12     4   (9th in Group 9)
164 East Shippensburg                     9    1   1   7    10   22  -12     4   (8th in Group 4)
165 Kinzar                                9    1   1   7     7   20  -13     4   (10th in Group 15)
166 Islo Aiz ens Islo Dorne               9    1   1   7    10   25  -15     4   (9th in Group 4)
167 Lacus Magni                           9    1   0   8    12   20   -8     3   (10th in Group 9)
168 Shining Armour                        9    1   0   8    10   23  -13     3   (9th in Group 7)
169 Phalnia                               9    1   0   8     8   21  -13     3   (9th in Group 16)
170 Zomni                                 9    1   0   8    16   31  -15     3   (9th in Group 13)
171 Kriegiersien                          9    1   0   8     8   25  -17     3   (9th in Group 5)
172 Kishrael                              9    1   0   8    12   30  -18     3   (9th in Group 2)
173 United Provinces of Atlantica         9    1   0   8    13   32  -19     3   (9th in Group 6)
174 Tobys Great Britain                   9    0   2   7     5   15  -10     2   (10th in Group 12)
175 Spagbogia                             9    0   2   7     7   18  -11     2   (10th in Group 2)
176 Runimia                               9    0   2   7     6   19  -13     2   (10th in Group 3)
177 The Andromeda Islands                 9    0   2   7     5   19  -14     2   (10th in Group 14)
178 Mitumba                               9    0   2   7     4   21  -17     2   (10th in Group 6)
179 The United Kingdoms of Zackalantis    9    0   1   8    12   27  -15     1   (10th in Group 11)
180 Jugarus                               9    0   1   8     6   23  -17     1   (10th in Group 13)
181 Secuelas                              9    0   1   8     2   19  -17     1   (10th in Group 18)
182 Algal States                          9    0   1   8     1   18  -17     1   (10th in Group 5)
183 Rodard                                9    0   1   8     8   26  -18     1   (10th in Group 10)
184 Catholican Catholica                  9    0   1   8     9   28  -19     1   (10th in Group 16)
185 Altiplane                             9    0   1   8     9   29  -20     1   (10th in Group 4)
186 Republic of Egypt                     9    0   1   8     5   25  -20     1   (10th in Group 8)
187 Silver Beach                          9    0   1   8     3   26  -23     1   (10th in Group 19)
188 Nova Cambria                          9    0   1   8     7   32  -25     1   (10th in Group 7)
189 Arcquest                              9    0   0   9     5   23  -18     0   (10th in Group 17)
190 Victorious Islands of Mitonesia       9    0   0   9     5   30  -25     0   (10th in Group 1)

Qualifies - Group Winner (19)
Qualifies - Runner-Up (3)
Playoffs - Runner-Up (16)

If Qualifying Ended Today...

Automatic Qualification: Wight, New Montreal States, Vilita, Bears Armed, Milchama, Equestrian States, Starblaydia, Saugeais, Taeshan, The Babbage Islands, Apox, Krytenia, Valanora, Darmen, Mapletish, Jeru FC, The Holy Empire, The Archregimancy, Mashiki, Thatius, Osarius, Carpathia & Ruthenia, Jeruselem, Qazox
Playoffs: Kiryu-shi, Kulverint, Farfadillis, United Gordonopia, Kinitaria, Ossidiacqua, Polar Islandstates, The Sylvanaes Queendom, Hutt River, Blouman Empire, Eura, Gyatso-kai, Yesopalitha, Western Cuba, Michael VII, Kandorith

The above table was made for my RP, but as that may not be finished prior to the cutoff I thought I would post this here for use by anyone who might want to. Tiebreakers used were GD and GF. Spoilered for obvious reasons of size.

[Hyskigland]

Di Hārold
Di Furš ænt End Āŋlɨš Tɨndiŋ av di Komunwelþ av Hískɨglænd

Sumir: Di Blʉ-Svards vɨnar dār mač kontra Lakʉs Magni 2-1.

---

The Herald
The First and Only English Newspaper of the Commonwealth of Hyskigland

On the road against the last-place team in the group, the Blue-Blacks looked shaky, but managed to pull out the victory to end the first half of qualifying on a very positive note.

Despite giving up the first goal in just the fourth minute, the Hyskiglandic team was able to recover, with Erɨk Fɨsk equalizing in stoppage time at the end of the first half, and Mɨkel Smarsun scoring the winning goal in the seventy-seventh minute. This gave the Blue-Blacks a 4-1-4 record over the course of the first half, and kept them tied on points with Nethertopia for the sixth spot in Group 9.

After a long break, the squad will be looking to start out the second half of qualifying strong, as they visit Silar, with whom they tied 2-2 at home to kick off this campaign.

---

Di Kampakt av di Ʉtahundra Famɨlis (Prologue)

Her beštama skrapar en kampakt kana av ʉrthardāŋ di rat av tim har di suns av Adam; av Aksel; av Harmen; av Jan, ænt av hār bror Len; ænt av Mak, ʉtahundra mens av ʉtahundra famɨlis i sum.

Ovargar av vɨn ratnɨs, hel av di Heligs, wi herfar rʉsar etablar di prɨnsɨps so di la av di volks av di Lænd av di Hí Skɨgs.

“Here resolved to create a compact capable of enduring the rot of time are the sons of Adam; of Aksel; of Harmen; of Jan, and of his brother Len; and of Mak, eight hundred men of eight hundred families in all.

Convinced of our rectitude, blessed by the Heavens, we hereby resolve to establish these principles as the law of the peoples of the Land of the Tall Shadows. ”

---

1: “Enduring the rot of time” is perhaps the most famous phrase from the Compact of the Eight Hundred Families, which is still enforced as the supreme law of Hyskigland, albeit with several major revisions made by new generations in order to keep the document current. Rot of Time is also the title of a famous novel of historical fiction by Hyskiglandic author Ketɨl Kraftssun.

2: The six names listed here are six legendary patriarchs of the Hyskiglandic people. They are usually said to have been the founders of Olfyordstad, the first settlement on the island.

3. At the time that the Compact of the Eight Hundred Families was written, the island was referred to variously as the Land of the Tall Shadows (Lænd av di Hí Skɨgs), Tall-Shadow Land (Hískɨglænd), and the Land of White Hills (Lænd av Vankafels).

[Western cuba]

Las Palabras de Libertad

Apox 5-1 Western Cuba

Javier Andino

---

Same shit different day, that little saying perfectly sums up the Western Cuban team in the match against Apox, one of the other top two teams in our group. Same score, 5-1 and the same horrific injury with Tito Moreno being escorted off the field early. (Thank gosh it wasn't violent though like last time against Mytannion).

So while brightness has be shown in glimpses throughout this world cup qualifying stage, a large vastness of uncertainty remains deep in the void for this national team. To put it simply, when Moreno is not on the field this team is an absolute mess, and can not contend with the better teams. Let alone against teams in its own rankings, Mashiki beat Western Cuba twice in two mid-qual friendlies. Why yes we were playing a majority of our subs, but that doesn't matter. One thing does though, and we won't qualify if Tito Moreno is sitting out big games against teams like Apox and Mytannion.

And if the miracle occurs, we make the world cup, what would happen there then without Moreno. Total humiliation perhaps, and none of us want that. The rest of the starting XI need to wake up, along with the strikers up front replacing Moreno when he is out injured.

Its a tough task to fill in for the best player in your country, but its also maybe your only chance to shine, and these players need to realize that. Scouts are watching them from all across the world, and I'm quite also sure that these players want out of those hell hole academies that the government sponsors and runs. They wish to live their own free lives, just like every other citizen imprisoned in Western Cuba.

Well guess what footballers, this is your chance to let freedom ring, its your opportunity to escape the horrors that the Makarov regime brings to Western Cuba.

Yes I"m directing this to the national team, and they better take these words seriously. You guys are the light in this very dark pit that is Western Cuba, the fans come out to cheer you in what is other a dark and gloomy time. It doesn't matter the sport whether it is basketball, soccer, or baseball, what matters is that you brighten the days of your fellow countrymen, and that is what all matters.

So next time you take to the pitch, ask yourself this question as you sing your national anthem. What impact will you have on your country?

[New Montreal States]

Matchday 10 scores!

---

BREVITY-ESQUE CREATIVE CHALLENGES
Just for fun or inspiration, there is no disadvantage if you choose to ignore them.

Word of the day, NMS's choice: Scruples

Quote of the Day: "Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more." - Mark Twain

Insult of the Day: "[Rex Grossman] can be rattled easily...he's a mental midget." - former San Diego Chargers linebackers coach Matt Wilheim briefing his defense on Chicago's favorite quarterback

Drink of the Day: Whiskey Sour (It's easier to make and better with fresh-squeezed lemonade instead of mixing lemon juice and sugar on the spot, though)

[Svengarda]

"Hang on..." Finn said with a stutter "are you sure this is a good idea, I mean, last time we 'went on adventure' we ended up stealing art and being shot at by every police officer in Helsingborg."

"Meh" Ransu hoisted himself into the darkness beneath "live a little"

He dropped into the hole, shortly followed by Kirt, and after a brief role of the eyes, Finn dropped down after them.

Inside the hole it was dark and dank. The only light was creeping in from the top, but you couldn't see five metres ahead of you because of the thick gloom.

"Lights on" Kirt said, whilst switching on his torch. They were instantly taken aback by the almost perfect sides of the tunnel, as if they had been dug by a machine. The floor was earthen, and their shoes crunched against the loose gravel as they walked along the tunnel. They flashed their lights along the smooth grey walls, and Finn stopped to look at something which caught his attention.

"Look at these notches, what do you think they are?"

The notches in the wall were at head height, and looked like sideways cupholders. They appeared in the same spot on the wall every 10m.

"No idea, perhaps things for err..." Ransu trailed off " I dunno"

"Meh" Finn turned away and continued walking.

After five minutes they stopped under a thin shaft of light which came from appeared to be a similar hole which they had found in their own house. There was a ladder in the side of the wall which enabled Kirt to climb up and try to operate the door. This doors handle was new and had been used recently, and it opened easily outwards. Kirt looked downwards as if for confirmation from the other two, but he didn't need it as he hoisted himself through the whole, with Ran and Finn in tow.

The room they came up into was some sort of stock room, with cans and boxes of unidentifiable food. There was a single snooker light on the ceiling which did poorly to light the room. The room was no bigger than large cupboard, except for a small conclave which housed the door downwards. There was a door leading outwards, and Kirt went to open it but it was locked from the outside. He bent down and peered through the keyhole of the door.

They were in the back room of the shop which they had been two, and the dark-haired twins were visible through the hole. Also visible were two other figures, but he couldn't make them out, presumably locals. They waited for a few minutes, opening one of the packets of food, and upon discovering its taste, promptly putting it back. They were alerted when someone outside mentioned "check" and "storeroom" followed by motions made by one of the people to unlock the door.

"Quick, shit, Finn, open that door!" Kirt whispered. Finn was on his hands and knees struggling with the heavy lock. Kirt turned when a key was slid into the lock of the storeroom, then followed by the door creaking open slowly. He drew his gun and held his breath. There, on the other side of the door, he saw what he most dreaded. The crisp black and white suit, the ear piece, the sunglasses...the SIA agents...

[Gaveo]

Past Editions of The Gaveoan Times:
And so it begins...
We tied, but not against the Polar Islandstates
Victory!
Two in a row!
Undefeated.
Ouch.
A dramatic finish in Gaveo.
Special Edition Issue: Interviewing Sebastian Cadiz
A tie with Cassadaigua makes Gaveo go down in the standings.
Special Edition Issue: Gaveo vs Polar Islandstates
A surprising draw gives us nothing but trouble.

The Gaveoan Times

Bye week.

The Gaveoan flag.

By: Beni Cortez

Gaveo ties 1-1 with Charruterra and with that we go to the bye week, we finish round one with a 4th place standing and a total with 16 points, not bad considering that we were way worse two years ago. In the Charruterra-Gaveo game we scored first with a goal from Sebastian Cadiz in the 27th minute giving Gaveo the lead 1-0. Gaveo attempted to increase their lead but failed as the ball either hit the post or was blocked by the Charruterran goalie. Halftime Gaveo maintained the lead 1-0. Lets fast forward to the 66th minute as Gaveo lost it's 1-0 lead when Charruterra scored the game tying goal. Gaveo tied again 1-1, and with that we maintained our 4th placing in Group 16. In other news the Equestrian States gave out it's unofficial Mid-WC 64 qualifying rankings and they placed us 67th in the world, a huge step forwards for Gaveoan football, as we were ranked 154th. We face Leorudo next and we hope to the win the match as we face them at Leorudo. Go Gaveo!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Player's Journey

Cadiz, Gaveo
May, 20th, 2028
Sebastian's Residence

Sebastian had one week off from international football, from qualifications, he was conflicted. He was happy that Gaveo was in 4th place in the group but he was mad that his team wasn't preforming 100%, he knew that the team could do better but they didn't do better. They tied games they should have won, examples would be the Charruterra game and the Cassadaigua game. But that was in the past as was all the results for matches he played, he needed to spend time with his sons and his wife. Sebastian Cadiz Jr. (17) and Miguel Cadiz (14), both young talented boys at the sport he plays, football and his beautiful wife Maria Cadiz (32). He relaxed for the first few days (like going to GarciaWorld with his family) but after those days he trained, mainly by himself and before they had to fly off to Leorudo, with the team. They face Leorudo next week, will he be able to preform and win? Sebastian will find out soon enough...

[Vettrera]

In Continuation (3)

---

"Carson....when's the last time you talked to your mom."

"Look. I don't know. I don't know why I need to be here. This is bullshit."

"Are you still with your boyfriend?"

"No goddammit."

"When's the last time you talked to anyone in your family?"

" I don't know,"

"When's the last time you've felt loved?"

"Shut Up! Just Stop!"

"When's the last time you've felt loved?"

"Shut Up!. Just stop, please, just stop!"

"When's the last time you've talked to your mom?"

"You already asked that."

"You didn't answer me...."

"Yes, I did."

"I don't know isn't an answer. Because you do know. Does your mom know you play for the National Soccer team, does she know that you got an abortion, does she even know that you're still alive?"

"How should I know what she knows?"

"You'd know if you talked to her..."

"And what good would that do? 'Oh hey mom, I know it's been like 8 years. Well, since then, I got pregnant, had an abortion, and became a part of the National Soccer Team. So Yay Me!"

"You don't need to be sarcastic. You and your mother have a broken relationship that needs to be repaired. And I'm not letting you onto that field until you consult with her."

"I don't even know why I'm in therapy."

"Yes. You Do."

"Why?"

"Because you're on anti-depressants. And we don't need any legal trouble when the WC comes around. Now Go Talk To Your Mom."

"Fine..."

[Kinitaria]

Continued from here.

Weren't the numbing effects of alcohol fantastic, thought Milo to himself. He hadn't been entirely sure what he was doing all night. All he knew was that one drink had turned into two, which then became several. It was now morning - or it could have been afternoon, it was hard to tell, really - and, following on from his team's first win in about two months, Milo was developing a close, albeit platonic, relationship with his pillow. More specifically, he was using it to block out all stimuli from reaching his head, because the ideas of light and motion were enough to make him quite nauseous right at that moment. Some might argue that's how you're supposed to feel after your team's just snatched a fantastic victory in a dramatic league clash, but maybe not if you just so happen to be the manager.

Wait, shit, he was the manager. And it was... he fumbled around until he grasped his phone - it was mid-afternoon. He had a funny feeling that something was off, but given that his thoughts had roughly the consistency of tar right at that moment, it took a while before anything would click. Okay, baby steps. He was the manager, which meant he was supposed to run the team, which meant that he was supposed to organise training, and training happened on mornings, so he should have been at training that morning. At least he'd sorted that one out.

Possibly the most potent and fast-acting hangover remedy in the history of mankind is to give the unfortunate individual in question a realisation that makes them think "oh, crap". He'd been manager for less than a week and he was already getting smashed out of his head and missing training sessions. Running through his list of options, he realised that he could either run down to the stadium now - probably not an option, not in this state and several hours late - or he could, in the time-honoured tradition of drunks everywhere in the multiverse, pull a sickie. He wasn't really sure who he was supposed to call in sick to - the chairman, possibly? At least he sounded sick enough without even trying.

With great effort, he managed to locate the club reception's number on his phone. It was answered almost immediately. "Good afternoon, Lokani United Football Club, how can I help you?" answered the kind of bright and cheery voice that makes the hungover want to reach through the phone and slap it silly.

"I'd like to speak to Kristian Palkič," slurred Milo, ignoring the throbbing pain his brain was inflicting on him for daring to speak in that condition.

"Who's calling, please?" inquired the voice on the other end, no doubt alarmed by his tone.

"Um. It's Milo Kovraev. New manager," he added by way of explanation, given that his conversation skills were superbly fluent right then.

"I'll just put you through, Mr. Kovraev, please hold," continued the operator in that same cheery voice. If Milo had been fully of sound mind, he may have reflected on the fact that he was getting through to the chairman just by virtue of calling the club's front desk and saying he was the manager. But he wasn't of sound mind, so he just gritted his teeth by means of getting through the hold music.

"Hello, Kristijan Palkič speaking," a now-familiar voice eventually answered.

"Um, hey." Milo managed. "It's Milo Kovraev. Manager," he added again, just in case Palkič was in the habit of forgetting who he'd appointed.

"Milo? To what do I owe the pleasure?" responded the chairman in quite a surprised tone. "You're not sounding too great, I have to say."

"That's sort of what I was phoning in for," he managed to force out. "I think I've picked up some sort of bug, and, uh. I wasn't able to make it in. You know, for training."

"What's that? You're concerned about missing training tomorrow? Well, tell you what. Call back in the morning and let me know if you're up to it," answered the chairman jovially. "I think we can give you some leeway after that fantastic result yesterday, huh?"

"No, I mean-" Milo tried to interrupt, to say that he'd got the wrong end of the stick, but Palkič pushed on anyway. He had the sort of personality which wouldn't let itself be interrupted, which said what it had to say, and which expected everything else to get out of its way. All very well if it was on your side, but Milo was suddenly rather concerned about making enemies with this man. "If you can't make it, we'll sort out that one of the coaches will take the sessions instead. Lucky we don't have training scheduled for the day after a weekend match, isn't it? That said, you're the manager, you could make it happen if you wanted to."

"Yeah, right you are," said Milo, a fraction of a second before what Palkič had actually said dawned on him.

"Thanks for phoning in, anyway," Palkič carried on. "Nice to see you're so dedicated to the job, huh? Either way, I hope you're up for it tomorrow."

Once the conversation had been concluded, Milo buried his head in the pillow once more and groaned something into it. This groan could probably be translated into coherent English, but then it would be unprintable. He'd probably realise on reflection that he made himself look a bit of a fool on the phone, but the chairman had thought him devoted to the job, so that's got to be worth something. Any more complex thoughts could wait for later, though. The main priority for now, however, was getting life to stop beating him around the head with a hammer, and the pillow was going to be his primary tool in that regard.

Suffice it to say that Milo arose the next morning bright and early, and got himself down to Parc Alultorii well on time, smart, clean and well-groomed. Boris Velkič, the capable first-team coach with whom Milo had been building a good working relationship in his limited time there, showed up at the stadium not two minutes after Milo himself had arrived.

"Alright, boss," said Boris by way of greeting. "Good to see you up and about, the chairman told me you might not be too well today."

"Oh, yeah, just something I came down with yesterday," responded Milo dismissively. "Must have been one of those twenty-four hour bugs or something. Anyway, I'm fine now. Nothing to worry about. Let's be focusing on the Karzuli game, hey?"

Boris grinned, revealing the gap in his teeth. "That's what I like about you. Determined, for a start. You want to make a difference around here. To be honest, the chairman was telling me just the same yesterday."

"I love this club, I don't want to see it die," was all Milo needed to say. He was beginning to think Fate was dealing him a helping hand here. What man, other than one with luck on his side, could blunder his way into a managerial job five games from the end of the season with no previous experience, become an instant hit with the fans after snatching a win in one of the club's most crucial games ever, and then go on a binge drinking session in his own house in the small hours of the morning and turn it into a reputation boost with the chairman and club staff? He just hoped that Fate would stay with him for the crucial final four fixtures, because if she abandoned him... well, they were all going to be tricky games. He did not want to be remembered as the man who led Lokani United Football Club into the abyss.

And that was why he was going to succeed, with or without Fate's help.

[Audioslavia]

Israel Klimt straightened his tie, took a deep breath, fixed a confident smile to his face and opened the door.

The inhabitants of the room - decked out in blazers and striped ties to a man - stood, respectfully, and the FFA chairman bade Israel hello. Hands were shaken, nods and light small-talk were had. Israel took a seat at the end of the table. Israel donned his best 'winning' smile.

"We're getting a bit scared, Israel" came the opening conversational gambit.

"Third in the group isn't ideal, no" said Israel, "but we've just lost one game. I have no reason to believe we'll lose another"
"To Krytenia" said another of the suit.
"To Krytenia" said Israel, hanging his head. "We can't win all the derbies"
"It wasn't the Krytenia match that most scared us, truth be told" said the chairman, "we anticipated a set-back, albeit not one that pushed us back into third place. The team's performances have been very suspect."
"We've not quite hit the heights of the last campaigns, no, but I think the team need time. The fact that they're all playing in foreign countries can't help. Vilitan, Apoxian, Polarian football and the like have contrasting styles, the players are learning to play in different ways, and not necessarily complimentary ways."
"You think the team, as a whole, is a less effective unit?" asked another suit.
"I didn't say that. If anything we've the capability of playing even better. Teams are upping their game against us, whereas in our last World Cup we were perceived to be a stern test, but one that would be overcome if our opponents simply played solidly, didn't make any errors, and took one or two of the chances that would invariably come their way. Also, we're no-longer an unknown quantity. Teams always expected the Audioslavians to counter-attack, hit on the break, play through the channels, but they were never clued in as to *how* we went about it. The vidoes of our games for the last three years would have been played back to back in the football associations of other countries, striving to find just how we did what we did."
"These sound like excuses" said one suit.
"We didn't hire you for excuses" said another, slightly smaller suit. Evidently one who relished power even more than the average blazer-wearing bureaucrat.
"No, you hired me to qualify for a World CUp" retorted Israel, squarely facing the offending suit. "And I delivered you the entire trophy, and the AOCAF one, and lost only three games our of forty or so, so far.
"How do you explain the performance against Saintland?" asked the chairman, changing the subject. Israel nodded.
"That was a... difficult test"
"We were utterly second best for the first half. They threw it away in the second. A few games more experience under their belts and that bunch of bible-bashing BoFfers would have humped us 3-0, and we'd have been the laughing stock of the world."
"We can't afford not to qualify" added another suit.
"We'll qualify. We'll beat Krytenia in the return match, that will quarter the gap between us, and we'll qualify. Ideally as group winners. If we don't qualify then, well.."
"Your resignation?" asked the smaller suit. Israel stared him in the eye again.
"No. I'd give you the Cup of Harmony"
"The World Champions playing for the Cup of Harmony? I'm not sure if we'd ever live that one down"
"On the contrary" said Israel, "we'd become the only team to hold all three of the major tournaments at the same time. World Cup, Cup of Harmony, AOCAF Cup, albeit only for a few weeks before the World Cup final is played out."
This answer didn't garner much in the way of positive grunting.
"Yes, I know. Not qualifying for the World Cup would be a massive failure on my part, but I doubt you could ask for my resignation."
"Why not?" asked the smaller suit. Israel glanced up at the chairman, who looked like he wanted to lean over and give the little guy a great big *shush*.
"Because you couldn't face the press afterwards. The fall-out would be enormous."
"True" said the chairman, before the small suit could retort. "Either way, we expect a marked improvement in the second half of qualifying. We'll meet again to review after the qualifiers finish, before christmas at the end of the year"
"Thankyou sir" said Israel.

Israel couldn't get out of that room quick enough. The nerve! The bloody cheek! He'd delivered them the World Cup and another AOCAF Cup and they had the nerve to imply his job wasn't entirely safe? The sons of bitches should have given him tenure for what he did over the course of the last World Cup.

Making his way to the car, Israel remembered his assistant, David Radic, and his off-hand comment that Israel was getting rather big for his boots, these days, and that there was still hard work to be had.
"Pah" thought Israel, "the hard work is done. QUalifying from here will be easy."