Damoclea Rising (Closed; Only Current Players)

[Damoclea]

Southern Damoclea, McNernian-Occupied Zone:

In the small town of Hermia, 5 KM east of the city-state of Posidonis, the people were rather tired of many things. Chief among their complaints was that the rule of the local ethnarch, Apollonius Swanson, one of many appointed by the Deputy Governor, General Pisistratus, had been rather lax in the enforcement of the various laws and often punished people for complaining about graft, cronyism, embezzlement, corruption, etc.

What brought matters to a head, however, was the recent mass arrest of some thirty known members of a little known activist group called Damocleans For Matriarchy, which advocated a gynocratic state. They demanded an end to the "rape culture" and other social tendencies that "indicate that for all of its supposed egalitarianism, Damoclea is truly a patriarchal slave state, with women slaves who think themselves equal and free."

Swanson dealt with the small collection of agitators with uncharacteristic firmness and efficiency. He ordered them all hanged on the spot, without any pretense of a trial. His reason was that "Damoclean culture should not be so defamed, and so to libel it, especially by our own people, who know better, undermines the progress that we have made in this nation since the occupation began. To preach against traditional Damoclean culture and religion is to preach intolerance for the Damoclean way of life and impiety toward the spirits of our forefathers, who built this land."

As a result of this incident, which actually killed more men than women (16 male "gynocrats" to 14 female ones), Swanson outlawed all "feminist lies, propaganda, and sedition against the lawful occupational authorities." Among them was the Chairwoman of Damocleans For Matriarchy, Zoe Randall.

His Hermian Special Constabulary also arrested another 8 more known feminists of both sexes in a "clean sweep of this latest infestation".

However, this "infestation" spread to other parts and elements of society, from people suffering from various diseases untreated due to the diversion of medications being sold on the black market for thrice their value, hungry folk complaining about breadlines and bread shortages that forced the Hermian ethnarch to impose rationing and a ban on hoarding any food, students demanding promised improvements in the educational system, workers walking off the job because they were not paid in weeks, citizens bitter about the blackouts and brownouts in the electrical grid, to people generally demanding reforms of the outmoded civil service that was not reformed, to people demanding investigations into abuses of police power, to those against the growth of organized crime, to those who wanted basic changes in the system, to those who favored democracy, socialism, Communism, the Judges, etc., to nationalists seeking to know when the occupation would end.

One by one, the groups with grievances against Swanson grew, and soon they were joined by people in similar towns ruled by the handpicked ethnarchs of General Pisistratus himself. All across the McNernian Zone, Damocleans fed up with more than six months of misrule began to actively protest, strike, demonstrate, or resist the agents and deputies of Pisistratus. No worse candidate for Deputy Governor could exist, though of course the McNernians did not realize this at first. He used his position to cover his tracks, to ensure that since they relied so heavily on him for enforcement of their laws, to make sure that he and his cronies never got caught. Word did not reach back to the McNernians, and as always he planned, the administration of the zone was entirely in his jurisdiction, without any real accountability to anyone.

The McNernians were little more than totems, except for their troops. The actual control of the zone in many cases, remained with the Damoclean collaborators. Pretty soon, McNernia was tainted by association with the Deputy Governor. The average Damoclean simply didn't know the sheer level of ignorance of the McNernians, due to the effective cover-up carried out by Pisistratus.

The kleptocracy might be gone in other zones, but in southern Damoclea's McNernian zone, it was alive and well.


Zoe Randall, slain chairwoman of Damocleans For Matriarchy.

[El Cuscatlan]

I am Amanda Velasquez, and this is broadcast of the The Falange. We are greatly disgusted by actions carried by Damocleans for Matriarchy. Their stupidity is that they are against gender collaboration when it comes to family, and they try to impose a failed government rulled by single gender ideology. Feminism is the same as nazism, it is ideology of one Gender, just as communism is ideology of one class.
I decided that feminist evil needs to be combated by drastic means. People have right to defend from such madwomen!

MOLON LABE!

***

" Juan, do you have what was sent here? " smiled the tall Latino man, who officially was here under cover of helping Damocleans rebuild after gay war. In fact he was member of of "Action Team" as four men units of The Falange were named.
" Yes " replied his brother, Juan, who had a big bag on his back " we smuggled it here. Has target left already?"
Their target was popular feminist who openly spoke about need of uprising. The Falange wanted to send a message to Feminists: They are not safe from their wrath.
" Good " smiled Sebastian who was brother of Juan " follow me! She will be leaving shortly! "
And they waited past a corner, in a place where almost no one could see them, with ski masks on their heads. Juan uncovered AS VAL rifle, hidden in his bag. This was enough firepower to slaughter dirty femminazi.
Their target has left the house. While walking on the stairs, three shots from scilenced gun were shot. Juan and Sebastian begun escape, packing the AS VAL into their bag. Inside local block they quickly changed their clothes, removed ski masks and left calmly like nothing happened.

[Damoclea]

The town of Asklepion, where the attack on the new feminist leader took place, was soon rocked with the news of the latest death, but it wasn't difficult so much to smash that group, because they lacked support. Most Damocleans simply did not see a point to matriarchy and feminism, because the sexes had always been equal and Damoclean women felt no sense of being oppressed or mistreated by men in general. The Redstocking types would only get confused or mocking reactions from most Damocleans to be sure.

Even so, there were other groups at work, such as the remnants now emerging from hiding of the Communists, plus various ex-Judges eager to resume the power once promised and later denied them after the Gay War. There were students seeking better education, farmers demanding better farm machinery, better roads, etc. People who felt cheated by the current judicial system and missed the straightforward justice of the Judges. People who resented the corruption of the Deputy Governor and his civil servants.

More and more trouble, and getting worse every day. Enough was enough. Unlike in other zones, life wasn't better yet, and the Damocleans in the McNernian Occupation Zone were fed up with it. Knowing that the Edomites, Imperials, Lyscanians, and Malacanoi had done so much better at post-war reconstruction than their own conquerors, the Damocleans had decided that they had given them enough chances and it was time to get their country back, at least in the south.

[Damoclea]

The former street Judges, many of whom have roles in the police and government in other zones, but have been excluded under the Deputy Governor, have marched in several towns, demanding that they be "given a chance to bring law and order back to southern Damoclea!"

Dissatisfaction with McNernian rule has grown, and to many Damocleans living in the southern zone, Judicial rule was the best government they ever knew. Not only the Judges, but many other citizens, are calling for the restoration of the Judges as the enforcers of law and order in the McNernian occupation zone, and for the replacement of the Deputy Governor with "one not nearly as corrupt and venal."

Others, perhaps more high-minded or idealistic, favor a more democratic or liberal system, ranging from social democracy to anarcho-communism to a capitalist republic. Some are even advocating a constitutional monarchy, but there are some doubts as to who would even be accepted as a ruler, plus this would divide southern Damoclea permanently from the rest of the nation.

Nearly all want the McNernians gone, however. Everyone from the Communists to the monarchists agree that it's high time that the McNernians left.

To put it in the words of one Damoclean clan chieftain whose clan has established a large co-operative olive garden in spite of Pisistratus, "The McNernians have outworn their welcome by about three months now. All we want is for them to go home and leave us be. We're readier for self-rule than many parts of Damoclea, we have pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps, largely because we've had no other choice. McNernian neglect has forced us, the Damoclean people, to act where our absentee landlords have failed and their henchmen and collaborators have conspired to rob us blind."

[McNernia]

The McNernian Army was quite capable of putting down this revolt, the mandate of the Allied Occupational Authority was not over yet, the neglect was partly political and partly military. Aid would be forthcoming. Or would it not be. Only time would tell, with the appointment of Field Marshal Louis MacKellon as Governor things were about to turn.

McNernian Military Occupation

The previous Governor and others under him had been trusting of the native Damocleans, the mentality then had been the Damocleans would have to pick themselves up, but Nationalists in Parliament in far off Griffindon had heard of the opportunity for the Empire to show its goodness on the world stage independent of New Edom, aid had been sent but it was no doubt MacKellon thought up in the beauracracy that was unpopular with the people.

The Governor sat in a tent at MRAF Posidonis he looked at the reports troops in the areas that had seen disturbances. He would act under his prerogative with the three infantry divisions he had been given, the sound of armored vehicles and aid trucks echoed through the streets as the McNernians spread out, a force of Special Response Team, SRT Royal Military Police in Commando armored vehicles rolled towards the headquarters for the corrupt Constabulary. The Army line soldiers had mostly been a presence, watchers on the walls, the Damocleans were charged with enforcement but now with allegations flying, things were going to be different, the Deputy would be placed under arrest.

The Judges, they would receive messages asking to meet with the military Governor in Posidonis so that some kind of accord would be reached, the Army troops worked to neutralize the leadership within the native administration, Ironheart APCs and Scorcha heavy fighting vehicles were present along with troops in MPBAS body armor and WRETCH helmets toting APCs, the people had to but name their tormentors and the evil ones would be arrested.

[Lyscania]

The Lyscaneum Leader

Saturday February 15 2014

Great Wall of Lyscania?

---

by Orfeo Kazantzakis
LYSCANEUM, Lyscania— Due to the ongoing troubles in nearby Damoclea, a recent rash of illegal immigrants have been caught at the borders of Lyscania, prompting many citizens to call for tighter immigration laws.

Ephor Solon Kalamatas, a known Fascist and former judge, said during an interview at his villa just outside Terpsichore, "These illegal aliens are just an eyesore with their strange customs and funny languages. Uneducated immigrants like these only worsen crime and steal valuable jobs! I say we should boot them all out on their ears and put a big fence around the country! Ad are we forgetting—these are Damocleans, dirty Damocleans. Let the Edomites and Arbiters deal with them, and the McNernians, if they can keep up.”

Even the moderate Ephor Dr. Philip Marathon, a Socialist and professor of moral philosophy, said, "Damoclea must never be restored to being a nation again, it must remain occupied! We count on our allies to make sure we are not invaded again. And immigration must be very strictly controlled--only people who can demonstrate that they are civilized, intelligent and capable of filling job quotas our own citizens are not should be permitted into the country--if at all. We do have job training programs at our schools after all. Lyscanian culture is not something we can afford to gamble."

However Thetis Ajax of the Lyscania Civil Liberties Union does not agree. "We must welcome these refugees from any nation into our open arms, they are fleeing one oppressive dictatorial regime in the only way they know, we must not let them think they're jumping from the frying pan into the fire!"

The immigration laws are a concern. Anger at the Damoclean invasion, which cost thousands of lives, millions of bonds in property damage, and traumatized many men and women who were subjected to atrocities, torture and rape by the invaders, results in violent attacks on Damoclean immigrants. The immigrants also anger workers’ associations who fear them undercutting them for wages.

The much admired Archon, General Anticles Pleiades, has refused to comment, stating that the Council of Ephors will meet to discuss the matter.

[McNernia]

Griffindon Times- February
What to Do with Damoclea?

By S.Kragen
Griffindon- The Ministry of Colonial and Dominion Affairs has conducted a review into the possibility of making the Damoclean Occupation Zone a McNernian Protectorate or a Crown Colony. The idea arouses mixed feelings in a nation that is torn about the widely known as largely botched Operation Avenging Dragon, the action undertaken to assist the Allied States of New Edom in their war against the Communist Damocleans over the homosexuality reeducation centers.

Sitting member of the Foreign Committee of the House of Commons Timothy Alart (Labour)-Norford-West had this to say on the matter.
We were clearly quite negligent, the policy of the Government being to make things quick and easy and that is not good, nothing is quick and easy when you think about it, we leave a token force of a division and some Police and Navy and Air Force and then we trust a former Communist with running the law enforcement structure, the Damocleans need help, I commend them for picking themselves up, the Foreign Affairs Committee has decided that we should consider Occupation Zone a potential Colony until further notice

Others are not so inclined to help the Damocleans, Steven Ichond MA-Ret had this to say.

What about the veterans who dropped straight into HELL? Terpischore, the Government has done pretty good by the vets of the 19th and the rest of the Army and other services who went in to help. We ran into a race of bloody f--king savages who did not give a hoot about what happened to the people they conquered, or to put it in their speak, "Liberated." I hid for a long time in the rubble, me ...if all of the Dammies died of something I would not give two s--ts

[Damoclea]

With the fall of the Deputy Governor and the Constabulary, the Judges moved swiftly to seize control of any area or sector not directly occupied or patrolled by the McNernians. Their solution to the admitted corruption problem was absolutely ruthless. Most constables and agents of the Deputy Governor and his ethnarchs were "judged" and summarily executed. There was no pretense of a trial. They didn't have control over the whole zone yet, but anything that was left up for grabs, they grabbed it with both hands and didn't hesitate to fill the power vacuum.

When offered a conference with the McNernians, the head of the local "judicialist" movement in southern Damoclea was rather blunt.

"Sir, it is a simple matter of keeping law and order by absolute willingness to use lethal force. Had we remained in power, there would have been no war with New Edom. Our regime was making progress when the Communists stole Damoclea right from under us. Give us six months, and you will not recognize Damoclea. Trade and travel, infrastructure, tourism, etc. All of that can pick up under our rule. Just trust us to manage the whole thing for you. You had the right idea: respect local autonomy. You just trusted the wrong locals, that's all," Judge Heracles assured the McNernians.

Now he waited to see if the McNernians would go along with this. If they did, southern Damoclea would soon be rid of its scum and progress toward peace and prosperity was just a matter of time. Like most street Judges, Heracles firmly believed in the rightness of his cause. They were fanatically devoted to their own notions of law and order, no matter how many criminals had to die to make that a reality. When enough villains had been purged and Damoclea was cleansed, then it could be ready for self-rule.

[New Edom]

Lycaeum, Damoclea, New Edomite Occupied Zone

If there was one thing that was a major headache for General Adam Nicanor it was the compensation cases that were drowning his officers in paperwork.

In Lyscania as in New Edom rape laws were really more a matter of a violation of property and family law rather than about private consent; that idea, considered to be foreign, had taken root among some, but they were a minority. For the most part those seeking compensation were the guardians of the women in question or in some cases the women themselves protesting that they had been violated as a crime against person in the sense of the violence and lack of honour in it more than anything.

For Nicanor and his officers this was a distasteful matter. Violations in war were to him particularly egregious in that it showed a complete lack of trustworthiness or honour on the part of those who had taken part in it. It was also troubling because the Lyscanians, just across the border, were angry and wanted revenge for this as well as massive amounts of property damage, deaths of family members and other outrages. They hated the Damocleans, to put it bluntly. So the border had to be enforced rigidly. On the Lyscanian side this was a delicate matter and they had many disputes with lax Lyscanian authorities on the matter.

The Damoclean side was another matter. Lest the specters of communism and feminism rise, he sternly maintained Compulsory Nudity, and unleashed the Council Police upon the population. The Council Police were swift to act; they promoted a network of informers, used drones, phone tapping, and SATCOM elements seconded to Pythonia to observe telecommunications. Hackers observed suspect websites.

They also tried to create a set of dummy operations to prepare entrapments--arms and equipment smuggling operations to be infiltrated or established with an eye towards following what movements might be taking place into the McNernian Occupation Zone.

Justice was to be harsh and firm but fair in the New Edomite occupation zone. Marriage and fidelity were encouraged with rewards; promiscuity was discouraged by disdain and contempt; rape was punished by death. Those who made accusations were also ruthlessly investigated; any hint that it was a seduction gone wrong could result in both parties being sent to a labour battalion and forced to build roads and railroads.

[Malacanos]

The work on rebuilding the former prison city of Pythaeum as a real city of actual, voluntary residents had gone ahead in full stride, along with many other public works in the Malacanosian Zone. Houses, shops, offices, hospitals, temples, shrines, apartments, factories, all were built with incredible focus and methodical attention to detail. Building codes were strictly maintained, but that was fairly easy for a city being rebuilt from scratch, as a sort of model. There were sewage plants, power plants, telephone poles, welding plants, etc. Roads, streets, streetlights, police stations, fire stations, etc. were all put in place. The overhead was made easier on purpose for small shopkeepers as well as major capitalists. Most industries involved partnerships, boards with both Malacanosian and Damoclean directors, mostly Damoclean, but some Malacanosian factory managers, and a mix of both nationalities at the executive level. It was a concerted effort to tie the two nations closely together, at least in the North.

Many young Damoclean men were recruited swiftly into the Northern Damoclean Police Force, which was deemed critical to maintaining law and order. They were retrained to think in terms of enforcing every law, no matter how silly they might personally deem it to be, since their culture would take some time to adjust to the new mores. They were also encouraged to practice polygamy, which solved a major problem in terms of dealing with so many unmarried, unemployed women. No matter how egalitarian a culture the Damocleans were, after all, there were always more men than women killed, especially given their greater predisposition to commit violent crimes in more urban settings, where clan culture was not predominant. Besides, the Malacanoi made a point of encouraging young Damoclean women to marry the sort of men who supported the new order, such as the police.

Promiscuity and rape were out. Marriage, especially polygamy, was in. Also, more than a few Damocleans of both sexes gladly became catamites and concubines for their new overlords. It was increasingly shown true from the Malacanosian point of view what they had always said of the Damocleans.

They love whom they respect, and they respect whom they fear. The weak they enslave and the strong they serve without pride or shame.

Also key to this whole process was fully inculcating Hellenized values to the population. Signs and billboards were all in Greek. Temples were set up before any churches or other religious structures had a chance to be. New priests were recruited and taught the ways of the Malacanosian brand of Hellenism. It took some work to make them grasp that they were to be celibate, but that was part of the national growing pains. Festivals were encouraged. Wine and ouzo were emphasized over other types of strong drink.

And many strong young men were recruited into the Malacanosian Army, at least for now. It was voluntary. They were part of the Foreign Auxiliary Corps, but still there were huge financial incentives, as with the Northern Damoclean Police and Militia. Still other young men became part of the Labor Brigade, a key part of the infrastructure work, composed of healthy young men who were given work, pay, housing, benefits, etc. to help provide labor for the many building projects of what was called the Occupational Reconstruction of Northern Damoclea. Full industrialization was now going ahead, full electrification, etc. Damocleans were learning how to farm, to raise livestock, to fish (if they didn't already know), to garden, and how to use technology that the average Malacanosian took for granted, such as indoor plumbing and central heating/cooling.

Naturally, there were those assigned to the Regular Damoclean Army, and they were something of a lost cause, since they would be under Edomite command and presumably follow Christian, Edomite values. Still, by and large, the northern zone was orderly, peaceful, prosperous, and increasingly Hellenized.

The role of women was trickier, since while there were certainly women who worked in the Malacanosian Zone, as in Malacanos itself, the idea of gender equality was a bit alien to the Malacanoi. Women were intended to obey and serve the menfolk, and any work they did was to be lauded, but only as it contributed to the family wealth. The notion of independent, career-oriented women was nipped in the bud as much as possible, as the Malacanoi did not wish it to take root. They were naturally glad that few, if any Malacanosian women followed the men along on the campaign. The last thing that Malacanos needed was the disease of feminism. The social order had to be preserved at home, eunomia maintained everywhere.

[Damoclea]

What the Edomites, Imperium, and Malacanoi had brought the rest of Damoclea through foreign occupation, Admiral Aristocles and General Yossel Feldman (now a Major General) achieved by raising more marine and naval units, maintaining strict martial-law, encouraging trade, commerce, foreign capital, etc., and favoring foreign immigration to Damoclea.

Conspicuous among the immigrants was the high number of Jews now entering Damoclea, seemingly more every day. They often sought waivers from the Compulsory Nudity Act, which were freely granted on religious grounds, so that one could tell who was a native Damoclean and who was a Jew in many cases not only by their racial traits but by their clothing or lack thereof. People from countries like Neu Engollon were granted such waivers easily, too.

What the Judges and Communists (and McNernia) had failed to bring about, the new military municipal administration achieved in spades. Literally so, in many cases. Marines were everywhere, enforcing law and order, along with the new civilian police of the city itself, the Xanthisea Police Service. XPS, however, were very much subordinate to the Marines, and their tasks were the minor infractions for the most part. It was still the Marines who handled the violent crimes. XPS was led by former street Judges, but it also included many unemployed locals of both sexes. Among their duties was to enforce the Compulsory Nudity Act, from which they themselves were naturally exempt.

All of this was done in the capacity of being nominally subject to Queen Mara in a sort of personal union situation with New Edom. Technically, they were subordinate to the New Edomite command, but as they were unoccupied, they were effectively an autonomous city-state. What remained of the Damoclean Navy was there was well, under the direct command of the Admiral, who was also Ethnarch of the city. Feldman acted as his deputy, and was often in charge of the direct administration of the city as well as the Marines, but he still answered to the Admiral/Ethnarch.

Vice certainly existed, but the pall cast by the Morality Act and the increasing moral influence of the Jewish immigrants tended to push it more into the background, make it more of a subculture and not so pervasive as in the past. Fraternization was strictly forbidden, too, on pain of demotion for the superior and a slight caning for the subordinate.

While the Jews didn't proselytize, some Damocleans were drawn to the new synagogues and the strong sense of identity, faith, community, organization, etc. offered by Judaism. Feldman himself took an ethnic Damoclean wife, a recent convert to the Faith, setting an example for others. Renamed Leah, she became a vital part of his inner circle and his household. Already, she was two months' pregnant with their first child.

Yes, in this part of Damoclea, at least, with some 20,000 Marines (the Army contingent was also folded into the Marines) and 50,000 or so seamen, not to mention more than 100,000 police, everything seemed to be following according to plan.

So far, only one part of Damoclea was in any kind of disarray: the South.

[Posidonis]

The recently elected government in Posidonis was naturally rather well-disposed toward the McNernians, mostly because they were no real threat. The most that they did was irritatingly nag about the option of becoming some sort of "Crown Colony" of McNernia, which didn't really fit with the plans of Neander and the others in power here. The city-state had won back its freedom and wasn't eager to surrender that so fast.

However, there was talking of joining Lyscania, which under the circumstances would make excellent sense. Fellow Hellenes, fellow Hellenists, devoted to the Gods and uninterested in converting to any new religions, the Lyscanians might as well have been cut from the same cloth, except that Posidonis was more given to peace and commerce, and to the use of its reemerging fleet than to being some kind of land-based military power. It was too small, anyway. However, there was still very much a resolve never to reunite with Damoclea if it could be avoided. The forced, artificial union of the two nations was something that many Posidonians found rather distressing, a history that they wished to forget, but could not. They were civilized and did not belong with the same country with those barbarians.

In any case, most Posidonians went to incredible lengths to have as little to do with Damocleans as possible. Trade, yes, as necessary, but travel was limited from both ends. Border and customs units were on constant patrol for illegal aliens, who were immediately deported without any pretense of a hearing. They were not wanted anywhere near Posidonis, if it were possible to avoid that. The border was very tightly controlled from the Posidonian end. Guards carried Uzis and made it clear that they were ready to use them if they must. The army might be small, even the militia less active most of the time, but the border police meant business. More guards in towers wielded high-powered, bolt-action rifles, often the dreaded German Mauser and Russian Mosin-Nagant. Anyone trying to cross into Posidonis illegally also had to climb the barbed-wire fences, get past the specially trained Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds, and then had to still find a way to get money and fake ID. The new city identification system was, of course, a laminated card with personal information and a photograph taken by the Customs Bureau. Besides, it was incredibly hard for a Mongoloid Damoclean, as most were, to avoid being noticed by the Mediterranean-looking Posidonians. Even non-Damoclean Asians were viewed with suspicion due to the chance that they might be Damocleans.

It was, all in all, quite understandable from the Posidonian perspective. The fear of spies, of Damocleans taking Posidonian jobs, of Damocleans robbing or raping Posidonians as they had in the past, of street thuggery, and their alien religions, including those brought by their new conquerors, not to mention recent history, all conspired to motivate the Posidonians to shut out Damoclea as much as they could. Most of all were the bitter memories of five years of military occupation and annexation, on being at the mercy of whatever regime was now in power.....it was very hard to forgive and forget if one wished to do so, but being Hellenists, not Christians, the Posidonians felt no obligation to do either. They still hated the Damocleans for what they had done and they couldn't forget the horrors of living under their rule if they tried. The feeling of the average Posidonian was that the only good Damoclean was a dead one. They were barbarians, savages, not civilized people at all.

So for the Politarchs, led by Neander, the advice that they gave McNernia now, often unsolicited, through the McNernians present (they jointly protected Posidonis along with the Lyscanians) was simple: put your feet on their necks and don't let up. Treat them like the savage dogs that they were. The McNernians had been too easy on the Damocleans. The Posidonians far more approved of how the Edomites, Imperials, Lyscanians, and Malacanoi governed the land. They were seemingly strict enough to meet with Posidonian approval. They were mildly surprised by the Xanthisea Free Zone and didn't trade with it except through the Jews, whom they trusted.

So, all in all, the Posidonians wanted not a light hand on the bridle, but a heavy one.

As Neander famously told one McNernian officer, "You have to rule Damoclea with an iron fist, and screw the velvet glove. Otherwise, they will bite the very hand that feeds them."

[Restored Judea]

The 18,000 or so who were about to be expelled from Judea under the orders of the Arif, David Bar-Gad, were all known transgressors of the Torah. They had been charged with various crimes that could well have resulted in their execution, but they were given precisely 48 hours to leave the country before their trials were held. If convicted, the State would have had no choice under the Torah but to have them stoned (or in some rare cases, burned alive). Their life was forfeit in that case, so the State offered them a way out of execution, one that would still rid the country of them. That was the main goal, after all, to purge the evil from the land and retain the blessings of Hashem as part of the holy covenant and the law of Moses.

Another 12,000 or so were to be deported later for crimes that required excommunication from the congregation. In both cases, their destination was the Xanthisea Free Zone in Damoclea. Once there, they could be as liberal or conservative, or whatever else, as they pleased. They would probably fit in better with the sort of Pharisaic, Rabbinical Judaism that existed in that city. Restored Judea strictly practiced the Torah as determined by the priests and enforced by the State. It was the Sadducean strain of the Jewish faith, of course, often known as Karaite in other parts of the world.

Among them was Adah Bat-Shimon, a priest's daughter who faced death by burning for being immoral and "playing the harlot", as she was pregnant without being married first. That she was in fact coerced into it was not considered, because she lived in the city and that meant that she was presumed to have been able to call for help. Now she would be emigrating from Judea, in this case to Damoclea, to avoid the horrific fate that the dreaded Torah Compliance Agency, the religious police, had in mind for her. TCA monitored and guarded all checkpoints in this deportation center, and notified all who left that they had forfeited their right to ever return. If they did return, they would be tried as if the charges were brought yesterday. That in itself was reason for Adah and her new husband (who had chosen to share her fate rather than abandon her to it) Eli Bar-Aaron, a disgruntled Levite, to depart from Judea for Damoclea.

Now they would have to make the most of their new lives in another country, while getting used to their marriage of convenience (women were not allowed to even leave the country unless in the company of a husband or male relation). There was talk that they would divorce once they arrived in Xanthisea, but that was by no means certain. Both of them could use the combined income, and marriage was strongly encouraged in all parts of Damoclea. Even so, the moral restrictions of the various governments were tame next to those of the Holy State. Nowhere else in the known world were the exact commandments of the Torah so strictly applied to all cases.

It was a wonder to some, such as Eli, that the Holy State still stood. Maybe it really did have the blessing of Hashem. This was His Law, after all. That didn't mean that Eli had to agree with it, parts of which seemed barbaric and cruel to him.

Once they got to Xanthisea, however, how would they live?

[Common Territories]

International Waters
Far Off The Coast of Southern Damoclea, McNernian-Occupied Zone
SIGS infiltration, Operation: Black Mamba
12:00 A.M. local time

It was a pitch black night high above the choppy waters far bellow. High above the clouds flew a single CM-7 Tactical Airlifter -- unnoticeable to the naked eye and no sound of the engines on the Earth's surface; being 27,000 thousand feet from the surface does that sort of thing. Captain Antonio Burns, codename: Flame, sat on a bench inside the bay of the plane. He was looking over his map and equipment again like the rest of his men were -- better safe then sorry he always practiced. All fourteen of the men looked serious and intent on what they were studying; all geared up in air suits and breathing gear, they sat there quietly. They all seemed prepared for a jump -- a long and treacherous jump. Nothing to their name other than some basic equipment and side arms, these men were on an incredibly risky mission that could very much cost them their lives if not worse. Flame was already wearing his helmet and gear -- only his breathing mask was left incomplete from the suit. Under that was his military GCU -- no patches, no tags; identifying him was not an option. The only writing present was "Flame", his codename.

Flame stood up and made his way in front of the men sitting before him. "Okay team, listen up." He hollered over the engines and wind. "We've been briefed but we're going over this here and now once again to make sure we're ready before shit hits the fan."

King unfolded his map and placed it on the open bench in front of him -- the others gathering around to see while holding their own opened copies. The map was of Damoclea; it contained the split zones, cities, targets, and any other military information they could get -- which was not much as of yet. "We are HAHO dropping 20 miles off the coast of southern Damoclea. We are avoiding radar and other detection systems for obvious reason. Our LZ is a small town called Hieros Gamos. According to our Damoclean comrades" he looks over at two of the men sitting before him, "it's a focal point for attempts to encourage marriage among the Damocleans. Once landed, our contact is an ex-Judge who goes by Theocritus. I don't have to tell you all that this mission is different from what we're familiar with. The situation like Othman is why we were created after all. This, however, is a job for intelligence agents in my opinion. Whether or not this is an unusual job for us shouldn't matter because all of us have been trained to the razor's point. We jump in under an hour; good luck, remember your training, and may Krieg be with you all."

Flame was not wrong when he said this mission is out of the bounds of normal for them. Their sole purpose as a unit of SIGS is to perform a force multiplying tactic in order to sabotage local or national governments, or to combat organizations using these tactics; this usually entails recruiting a small insurgent army or uniting rebels to perform the SIGS unit's hidden goal. This operation however derails. The goal is not to wage a war but to inspire one; a revolt against the current zone rulers, McNernia. Although the goal isn't to wage war initially -- the prospect of it happening anyways is very high, which is why they were sent, among other reasons. The first change however was the installment of two soldiers foreign to the unit and branch; they were Legionnaires from the fourth class of the Commoner Foreign Legion. They were in fact Damoclean refugees -- former Judges -- natives to the now McNernian southern zone; these two were in fact former Judicial Front members from the very area they're infiltrating. Their information and native knowledge are an important asset -- their informant's would as well, among the other informants leaking information.

The high risks of lethal danger was the only thing that remained the same for this operation. They were obviously going against McNernia, but they were also going against the Allied Authority. This meant going against Cornellian regional neighbors New Edom and Arbites. Although this mite not be totally the case, the high risk is still there if their existence and identity ever came to light. Even so, the Empire wasn't afraid. It's informants gave excellent information and the higher military aristocracy smells an opportunity -- an opportunity that his royal imperial majesty the Emperor also smells too. TECT's goal was to yet again shape the destiny of a country -- using its own domestic issues to Commoner advantage. The dissenting natives and enraged Judges gave TECT opportunity to manipulate the south to become close to the Commoner government. The prospects of aid and freedoms are always a tempting offer no?

---

The Jump

The descent was taking what seemed like hours. Nothing but the low lit moon light illuminated the night time sky. What would happen is simple: GPS and compass worked to guide their decent down to the earth bellow; past the coast and deep into the countryside -- passing few glowing lights of the settlement and many patches of darkness. The group would eventually make it to their destination outside of town and make landfall. The countryside of southern Damoclea is farmland and rural community -- wilderness and attempts at farm fields stretched on for miles. They would quickly pack their chutes and other air gear into their own bags and quickly change into common local outfits to blend in as much as possible -- being done and ready within five minutes or less. The next step would be meeting the contact, the informant who'd been put up to assisting the team. It was a thirty minute hoof to the old shrine outside of town from where they landed -- they would look like a group on their way to make devotions. They would make their way quietly while blending in to the shrines -- blades and silenced side arms if things gone astray. It was a good thing local natives were leading the way.

[McNernia]

McNernian Forces

The Mcnernians did not entirely approve of the way in which the corrupt Constabulary were dealt with, the discovery of the graves of the Damoclean activists did of course change that. So well the deaths of the Deputy Governor and his Ethnarchs were deemed, Result of Public disorder. It was a simple thing on the various reports that cycled around the McNernian Military Government, the incident was by and large closed, all in all it was largely met with approval by the McNernian commanders.


Audience with the Judges
Posidonis, McNernian Occupation Zone

The Governor steepled his white gloved fingers, he wore full dress to this meeting sitting at one side of the conference table in army Khaki decorated with gold braid and leather, a peaked cap sat on the table to his right hand, he wore his ASP .45 9mm semi-auto. The gun was loaded in case the Judges across the table would try things. He took his time considering the Damoclean question. A gesture to a junior officer standing behind his chair produced a tablet.

"The fact that the Communists were able to take power out from under your noses does not fill me with the greatest of confidence, the Lyscanians don't want an independent Damoclea, they fear what could happen." He slid the tablet with the relevant Lyscanian news article across the table. "So you see, they wont forget what was done, I dont want them crossing the border again in anger, and well there is a proposal to make Damoclea a self governing colony of McNernia, the Mcnernian Occupation Zone of course, Posidonis excluded of course." He looked towards the Posidonian representatives smiling a bit.

"There would be a Colonial Assembly, one Member of Assembly elected from each province with a leader of the majority, Prime Minister that would be the government with a cabinet, there would be a Customs Service and Police, run by the judges and a Defense Force of a few Infantry battalions and a few squadrons of helicopters and aircraft, McNernian Security Services, MD-5, MD-6 and MRC would have trumping authority, also HMAF, His Majesties Forces would be maintaining garrison here. Foreign Affairs and such external things would be our responsibility."

The Posidonians caught the ear of Admiral David Peltright, the naval officer looked at them, 'Best to hid your true intent, a fist of steel may wear a glove of velvet, war is the last thing we want back home. Do not presume to lecture us, best to apply the proper tool to the cancer when it is deemed necessary, we will have a garrison here. Dont worry."


Damoclean Countryside

The McNernian Army had established Skygaurd batteries along the coast and along the frontier to intercept any aircraft that were of hostile intent, but well the peace had made the watchers sloppy to a degree, the unknown contact was not noted by a Hatchet class frigate that was running picket duty off the coast, the Skygaurd battery was also somewhat inactive, but well as Air Defense systems were more automated, and the McNernians were on alert, the call went to the Royal Air Force.

"Unknown aircraft, SCRAMBLE ALERT TEAM."

The pilots of the two F-31 air supremacy planes sprinted from their room to the jeep outside the barracks that would take them to the loaded aircraft parked in revetments the two pilots sprinted from the jeep to the ladders as the siren continued to wail into the cool night air, there was also the sound of a A-340 AWACs powering up the big radar on top was spinning as it headed for the runway ahead of the two fighters.

The AWACS rolled into the air the fighters just behind, it soon had a disturbance, the CM-7 was trusting that it would be found as a conventional airliner, well the physical signature did not seem to indicate it, the two G-5 fighter planes moved in to investigate.


On the Ground

The McNernian Army took efforts in the wake of the fall of the deputy governor to enact public initiatives to combat the clan warfare that was pretty rampant, the rape was strictly outlawed, women who were raped would be compensated with money, the assets of the one who did the horrible deed, black clad soldiers with POLICE, written in white across their vests took up patrol duties in Marauder APCs, the McNernian Royal Constabulary was a professional paramilitary force, the Army was present where it was near the Damoclean judges that the Army and Royal Marines had a presence.

The promiscuity was frowned upon and ignored and promptly referred to the Judges when deemed appropriate, more violent things were the McNernians responsibility by their claim.

[Damoclea]

If the McNernians thought that the Judges were totally mollified by this proposition, they didn't fully grasp what the nature of the grievance was, nor did they seem to understand how much the misgovernment of the Deputy Governor and the Ethnarchs had undermined things. For now, however, they did have an element of self-rule, albeit under the umbrella of this proposed "Crown Colony" rigamarole that seemed to be taking shape. So, for now, the Judges at least officially played along. They were not too thrilled with it, but they tolerated it.

There were clear indications that the McNernians were a bit uneven in their handling of the enforcement business, especially on the sexual matters. Sure, the rape was curtailed a bit, though money wasn't really the object, but rather justice. It wouldn't hurt, to be sure, but the Judges were concerned that there were plenty of those who had made considerable wealth recently and would have no problem paying fines to answer such things. Seriously, a fine for such an offense as sexual assault seemed a bit tame by the Judges' standards, even if it certainly dissuaded the poorer culprits. The phrase "rich man's justice" passed more than a few lips as a result.

There were other matters, naturally. There was a drastic need for infrastructure, roads, schools, social services, etc. The Judges understood this implicitly, even if it seemed to be something that the McNernians had overlooked. In order to win the hearts and minds of the locals, the Judges would have to undertake such matters themselves, paying the expenses from tolls from the roads and fines for such acts as "public and disruptive congress", a useful term for those acts of promiscuous sex which actually endangered the public peace. "Drunk and disorderly" was another recent crime created, since the post-war Damoclea was more alcohol-friendly than was its old incarnation. Private, discrete acts of sexual congress, whatever their nature, provided that they were completely consensual, were still considered lawful, though there was an increased awareness program to push the idea that date rape was still rape, that suggestive clothing did not mean consent, and drunken intercourse was to be treated as a form of sexual assault. If the McNernians chose not to prosecute that, given the circumstances, it would be on their own heads. Also, the Judges promoted the notion of "safe sex" where possible, as well as encouraging people to form serious relationships, whether exclusive or not, especially marriage.

In the meantime.....

At the old shrine to Hera, goddess of marriage and protector of women, former Judge Theocritus awaited the arrival of the Commoner special operations group. He knew how dangerous this plan was, but at least they were meeting in a protected, holy place, one not likely to draw any ire from the McNernians. They were meeting when the usual, mostly female devotees of the cult stayed away, had babies to attend and such...

The Judicial Front had plenty of inside men within the Occupational Administration of the McNernians, men and women to be precise, who were convinced that self-rule under at least a better foreign power, if not outright independence, was a better proposition for all. For now, they feigned consent with the whole Crown Colony nonsense, but none of them were content with that notion. The McNernians had already proven that they had a rather clumsy and imprecise style of governing, which did not exactly inspire much confidence in the Judges, especially men like Theocritus. If they had to give up their absolute power, fine, but they could handle it if there was something to offer.

The McNernians had their turn and they had let Damoclea down. Time for a new boss.

[Common Territories]

International Waters
Far Off The Coast of Southern Damoclea, McNernian-Occupied Zone
Operation: Black Mamba, SIGS Unit
12:30 A.M. Local Time

It was a quiet night fly operation for the two pilots who had just dropped their cargo on target and were now proceeding to their next objective. It was a quiet night until the beeping alarms went off; the Cervelo SDH-5 radar honed in on the radar locking onto the aircraft and established it was a large mobile system flying as high as they were if not close. They could clearly see the signal on the displayed night vision projection covering the windshield; it was far but they knew what it meant. It wasn't a quiet night anymore.

"Threat detected. I have to guess by the signature that it's an AWACS or other mobile command." The first pilot spoke aloud, softly but quiet.

"Fighters are no doubt on our tail right now too. Seems someone's taking aim at us -- even in international airspace." the second pilot spoke up in response.

"Proceeding according to schedule; now on close approach to New Edomite Damoclean controlled airspace -- commencing communication request. "This is Senior Master Sergeant Ericson of the TECT Imperial Air Force. Requesting permission to land CM-7 aircraft for refueling stop. Over.""

"Preparing countermeasures and response protocol. What if the McNernians come after us? Hassle us I mean." The second pilot looked worried, though you could only tell by his tone and not his face -- which was covered by his helmet. His real worry was over more than just hassling.

"Well, if they do, we'll handle it." Ericson responded, knowing the second pilot was scared of being shot down more than just being bullied. "These are international waters. McNernians have no authority here and the fact they're scrambling to intercept just means they're overreacting to nothing; these are international waters, so if they pull something, it's on their heads. I doubt their goal though is to shoot us down; if they were to do it however -- may their god pray that Krieg can be hold back his royal imperial majesty's temper."

---

Hieros Gamos, Southern Damoclea

Flame was walking next to one of the natives as he and his party made they're way down the road. Passing few people, they were ignored mostly and blended with the culture; the only thing they couldn't blend into was their height profile, which they were moderately taller than a normal Damoclean -- their race and facial features were hidden to the best with baseball caps and any other makeup/accessory they found. Flame knew the way but the two CFL members who led the pack felt at home walking the streets. To them, this was like returning home after a long vacation -- which they never expected to come back from ever. Their peaceful and carefree demeanor helped bring the group into a calm mood; virtually being one with the culture they had infiltrated. They passed an older man who greeted them in greek, which was responded with a greek greeting in response; a flawless accent. One CFL soldier was so used to speaking english now he spoke it on the beginning of the march and was scolded for it; "Here, you speak to me in greek understood? Next time I'll do the McNernians a favor by shooting you for them." Flame had harshly warned and scolded the man for good reason. English was not a popular language and accents give you away anyways -- the fact they could speak it could draw them out or even get them killed.

They could now see the temple from their current location; it was maybe a few miles away. It reminded Flame of the temples in TECT; contrary to common belief, TECT has a deep rooted culture that still brings to light Commoner mythological tales. Greek and Commoner mythologies share a lot of similarities and have been compared to each other (among other religions) for centuries; most scholars equate the two as the greeks having their myths and the Commoners having a germanized version of them. The Hera temple reminded Flame to their own temples in TECT that are kept up to standard; though not as good as these temples -- the main difference being the number of followers who actually maintain them. TECT has less cultists or believers in the myths anymore to a conservative point; more modern day believers are moderates or non-strict practitioners. This huge difference meant that the government had to spend money on maintaining the sites for historical value instead of cultists managing upkeep -- which many do contribute through volunteering and donations. The Hera temple made Flame feel at ease oddly enough -- like he was home once more in his homeland.

Flame's thoughts quickly went back to the mission at hand. Political sabotage. He remembers the briefing as clear as daytime.

---

Flashback
Somewhere in TECT, Top Secret Location
Operation: Black Mamba Briefing

The room was moderately dimmed. There were no windows present and the room was not appealing to the average eye -- the room was utterly plain and incredibility dull. Filled with desk rows made of some hardwood and metal -- a projector touch screen dominated the room's attention; images dominated the screen -- maps, people, locations. A man who could not be seen clearly was standing at the screen, out of the way so those in the seats could see. His upper chest and head were completely taken by the shade of darkness -- he would remain faceless and unknown.

"Operation: Black Mamba" the man began with, in a dark and sharp tone -- english was not his first language obviously. "A black mamba does not kill by using brute force. No. It instead uses highly deadly venom it produces to take down its prey and other foes that challenge it; a fight that involved a fierce strike and a silent kill. That is why it has been given the honor of bearing this operation's name. Simply put: this is a mix between a SIGS mission and intelligence operation. The purpose is to empower southern Damocleans into fulfilling their growing hatred over McNernian rule. Out of the current occupation zones, McNernia is the only one that is facing challenges -- challenges that threaten to become a full scale revolt. From our numerous informants inside the Damoclean populace and other areas, we can estimate that the zone is spiraling into a complete disaster -- so much that it is coming to a point of it exploding into a revolution. That is where we come in." The man taps the screen which then turns into an operational instruction simulation -- touching whenever he shows the next step.

"From your ride over to the Damoclea landmass, you will review your plans sitting in front of you -- they are a more condensed piece of literature of this briefing that I encourage you all to look over one-hundred times here and on the flight out. It goes without saying that these documents are to be destroyed before jumping and shall not ever leave that plane. Once at the twenty mile point off the coast in international waters, you men will perform a HAHO jump and glide to your target LZ in southern Damoclea, McNernian occupied zone. Once deployed, the plane will continue its path near McNernian zone of control into New Edomite -- landing in Edomite controlled Damoclea on a refueling mission; eliminating the suspicion of being close to border boundaries and giving us a reason to be in the area in the first place. Once at your LZ on the outskirts of Hieros Gamos; you will make your way to the Hera temple in town -- a short distance that im sure you all can make without trouble. There you will randevú with your contact to the country. His name is Theocritus; a Judge part of the Judicial Front in the occupation zone. Please memorize his appearance in the photo provided and other basic information in order to identify him correctly. Once making contact is done, your route will depend on you; your commander will make the judgement calls from there on out. The overall mission plan is to empower Damocleans to revolt against their current rulers and gain independence from them. You men will assist that to the best of your ability without having to go into warfare; unless given permission or qualifications met, do not engage hostiles or in acts of further warfare. This means the usual rebel organizing, recruiting, and advising roles SIGS usually take on; spreading good faith on our Empire's behalf is also crucial. We need them to want to be friends with us and to like us; we are nation building here people -- manipulation is key. I don't care if you have to assassinate key leaders to do it or make promises that we will need to keep later -- make them our allies. Important targets along with locations will be provided to you and other information can be retrieved in the field. As you all have noticed, these two gentlemen have been loaned to us by the CFL; as former Judicial Front members and natives to the area -- their information is crucial and an important asset you can use in the field. Now; are there any questions?" The man finally finished.

"Yes sir." Flame spoke up. "Why are we doing this now? Is there a reason?"

"Yes. If you recall the recent news reports, McNernia is making a mess of southern Damoclea. They have lawmakers proposing colonialism and protectorate statuses while the people are exceptionally starting to hate them further -- which begs the question on what the hell they are thinking. They are not keeping the people satisfied, happy, or seem to even be helping them. The McNernians also seem to be unaware at their own mishandling of the situation that is southern Damoclea. But the worse of it is the current political situation between McNernia and New Edom. The mess between those two starts off as old news but recent events have pulled them close; the turn of faiths in Gloria Regis have brought these two on opposite sides -- threats of war are being circulated daily. There could be an outbreak of war at any moment for all we know. Overall, we are abusing the situation of deteriation in southern Damoclea in order to nation build -- the Gloria Regis situation also brings new possibilities to the table in the near future."

"So we're essentially being the weasel that jumps into the fray covertly to take up an opportunity to gain allies and other opportunities we see in the future?"

"Yes. The prospect of enticing a new state to support us has enticed higher ups -- including the heavy crown himself. There aren't any current plans but the basic goal is to make these people love us enough so they will become allies, maybe even protectorates if not better. We aren't seeking a colony rule but that is still in the open to decide. In the chance that the two do go to war, we can go all out here and wage insurgent warfare on McNernia -- supporting and backing the Judges and whoever fights them."

And with that, the meeting simmered on down and eventually ended.

---

Continuing...

Flame and his party had arrived at the temple. They took careful precautions in case of potential dangers; including dispersing and surrounding the place covertly and being ready to draw if necessary. One of the CFL men was chosen to walk up to the temple based on his appearance and native knowledge. First Lieutenant Agathocles, codename: Blue, couldn't see them but he could feel the deadly stares of his comrades watching his back as he walked up to the temple. Blue instantly recognized Theocritus from the photo, from which he studied before jumping. He casually walked up beside the man and tried to make it as casual a meeting as possible. "Theocritus, may I presume? Are you alone and have you been followed?" The CFL soldier asked in a light causal greek tone like this situation was a casual "bumping into your neighbor feel" of the moment.

[McNernia]

Skies overhead

The two F-31 air supremacy fighters closed in on the enemy aircraft, the signature did not come back as an airliner so it was to be investigated, the MRAF had worked to restore civil traffic to the airspace above Damoclea and provide for the defense of such, it was the first thing that was gotten up, the Skygaurd batteries and the fighter jets. The TECT had no occupation area, the country was divided into several parts, TECT had nothing.

The two fighters had the support of AWACS in monitoring the transports communications. They were flying into a headwind that was forcing the

"Bullshit Wing Commander, Eagle-eye reports nothing scheduled and the TECT dont have anything around here."

"I agree, the bastards are going to have to land."

The message would go through to Edomite control. "Advise TECT have no occupation zone....recommend you turn back inbound flight ,this is MRAF AWACS Eagle-1 calling Edomite control."

The reason that the scramble had taken place was the MRAF had picked up signatures coming from the aircraft. Slow, falling...with the wind coming on they were able to be propelled at higher speeds.

"Advise break off, Intercept team break off..wait belay that. Maintain overwatch."

The McNernian planes circled in the skies watching.


On the Ground

The McNernian Army had a lot of junior officers who were young and enterprising for the business of an occupation, they were all inclined to put their backs into rebuilding Damoclea, one such man was the Chief of Engineering Lt Colonel Peter Gylan, the young chief of the engineering staff, the man quickly received the proper authority to deal with the situation as he saw fit, the roads and railroads would have to be put back together, the young Lieutenant Colonel organized civil engineers, those who were at a loss for employment would find a job, 300 pounds a month for basic laborers.

Schools were another thing, the McNernians worked to build the necessary buildings, the Royal Corps of Engineers had a bit of great pride in their work, the same labor policy applied, the Damocleans who signed up for work in the building of the schools were paid much the same, Administration was handled by the Judges, degrees for teaching were offered by McNernias Government, free of charge, investments would be given to Damoclean entrepreneurs and businesses were able to trade at the Commonwealth and Imperial Stock Exchange, C&IX in Griffindon. Aid was flowing, the condition was, More will come if you are nice and easy.

The sexual affairs thing, Judges were told to bring their problems to the Governors office, the whole business of drunken intercourse, the McNernian view on the matter was that they would be sent to the drunk tank in the nearest Police station for a week. Consensual by both parties or no its was simply disgusting, I would be inclined to agree with the Detective Colonel Sir, you are disgusting, you and your woman.

The McNernian Royal Constabulary approved of the drunk and disorderly conduct fine and two days in the clink were clacked on to that, the rape fines were basically the woman could demand the money she felt she deserved, that also extended to material goods of the man who did it or the woman. The issues of suggestive clothes, the Judges opinion on the matter was duly seconded, shipments of condoms arrived and married families received subsides, Crown gifts of 9000 pounds.

[New Edom]

Lycaeum

"MRAF AWACS Eagle-1 this is Air Traffic Control Lycaeum, please state the reason for your objection to this flight, over," replied Captain Tamar Jondanab, as she sat at her console with her headphones on. She had a lot of work to do normally; Damoclea was a hub for flights throughout Pythonia and to Delvian States, Hutanjia and back to New Edom. Lately nearly 50 C-10s and 20 CM-7s had been going through over a 48 hour period, very hectic. Her Squadron Commander, Major Shams, had said that it was a good test of the unit's abilities. "We don't get a lot of the glory, but they sure can't do it without us. And this is also a good opportunity for you."

Anyway, she was ready to contact the unit's intelligence liaison--it could be some McNernian hysterian over nothing but if not she wanted to cover her somewhat ample rear. The McNernians were sort of personae non grata lately because of their Prime Minister's ongoing squabble with President Pahath-Moab; there was a general feeling that they were crappy allies--if they could be called allies at all anymore.

A flight of Sparrowhawks called Khopesh Flight, attached to the 1st Squaadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Group, was out on patrol anyway. They had been advised to be cautious about McNernian activities. They were advised that no McNernian planes seemed to have crossed the border at this time.

[Damoclea]

"Ah, yes, good friend Agathocles. Welcome back to Damoclea. I see that you have brought company with you. I am Judge Theocritus, a leader of the Judicial Front and their representative here. And to be rather blunt, the Mickeys couldn't follow a whore back to a brothel. We are safe here. They mean well, at least of late, but this is not how a state should be governed. I had such high hopes for their rule, but at every turn, even now, they hamstring true justice, preventing the necessary severity of the Law. Crime and corruption are easing of late, but we should be caught up with the other zones by now, and we are still eating their dust.

"I do not care about national pride or prestige of some Anglophile empire. I would even consent to being ruled by a foreign power as part of an overseas territory on a more permanent basis, provided that my people had autonomy and eventually some kind of representation in the central government. What I seek for my people is a restoration of law and order, fully and completely, so that we can become truly civilized and prosper with the rest of the world. I want normalcy for Damoclea. It is in the best interests of the People here, to be normal, do you not think?" Theocritus ranted a bit.

He brought out a cigarette and asked the Commoners present, "Mind if I smoke?"

Theocritus wondered what the Commoners would make of Damoclea now that they were here. Perhaps they needed a little tour.

[Common Territories]

Hieros Gamos, Southern Damoclea

"Not at all friend." the young former Judaical Front Judge replied with little hesitation; he didn't care for the things, especially after training, but it wouldn't kill him to be second-handed.

"A good greek rant -- I haven't heard the native ruckus in such a long time. I tell you what Theocritus; the Emperor, my Emperor, really brought out light in me." Agathocles began his own rant, looking into the distant night sky at the stars. "I shook that young man's hand and it was like I was meeting Zues; his face showed experience and glowed with confidence, yet, you could tell he was tired from hard work -- something I've never seen in a such a young man. His grip matched mine in strength and he looked as royal as he's proclaimed to be. I too disliked the sense of royalty and empires but TECT and this Emperor have changed my opinion somewhat -- his attitude showed me he cared not only for the soldiers but also for anyone Commoner. Besides him, my new home is amazing! Cities, culture, and many other wonders that I can't describe! Nothing that even matches what we had here in Damoclea. I'll tell you more later but TECT, my friend, is a nation you can give a chance to get to know. Staying out in the opening for now is dangerous, let us go now."

Agathocles gave a bird call from which was the all clear signal -- his comrades arriving at any moment. "We should move now."

[Damoclea]

"Yes, by all means, friend, let's get going. I know a place, a safe house just for Judges. I doubt very much that the Mickeys even suspect that it exists. Come with me," Theocritus offered the Commoners and Agathocles a refuge for now.

"When we're there, we can talk more about this. I look forward to discussing the future and how to get there," he added.

He wasn't lying, either. The safe house was very real and they would be very safe there, at least for now. It looked like an abandoned tenement from the outside, but inside, it was well-kept, organized, and closely watched/guarded by the Judges and their adherents. It was one of the many nerve centers of the Judicial Front, far away from the official buildings where they were forced to cooperate with the Mickeys.

Inside were six more Judges, seven "cadets", and several assistants, not to mention Judge Theocritus's new wife, Acte. She was very pretty in a foreign-looking way, but she had adopted Damoclean culture despite her Greymarker past. After all, she had never known life back in Greymark, having been taken from there in 1993, at the age of 4. Now she was a fully-grown woman of 25, for whom Damoclea was her country. This was all she ever knew. Despite her childhood as a hostage, she was now very much a Damoclean. She would never have considered moving anywhere else. She was a Christian, but she knew better than to plague Theocritus too much about that. They had learned to agree to disagree, at least for now.

Acte was also something that few Damoclean women, at least traditionally. She was faithful and all she asked from Theocritus was the same. Given how jealous he was by nature, this appealed to him, though most Judges sneered a little at the notion. They weren't for promiscuity, but monogamy was still a bit alien to them.

"Acte, my dear, meet my friends, Agathocles and our guests from the Common," Theocritus kept it short and sweet.

[Common Territories]

Hieros Gamos, Southern Damoclea
Safe House

Agathocles, along with the rest of his unit, made their way to the safe house. Following the contact, they couldn't help but be suspicious the entire time; hearing stories about how dangerous these people were didn't help their situation. Regardless, they had a job there to do and their primary focus would be that said mission. They were also keeping close eyes on their surroundings for tails and other suspicious persons. They say the man who strides forward without looking back will have his back stabbed from the past; in this translation though, soldiers who do not watch their backs get shot.

Upon arriving, the men took careful note of the building; they annualized it from a hideout's perspective, defensive viewpoint, and if it was truly a safe haven. It may be safe now but there is no telling when info on its location and use of its facility will leak out; hopefully, that wont become a problem. Acte almost came as a surprise -- a foreign looking Damoclean is something of a rarity. Flame got a gist of her home country -- Greymark or close to that region of the world. "Thank you for hosting us. We hope we are not a bother, as that is not our intention." the man tried to sound respectful. "I believe we should get straight to the point -- in order to delay this no further." Flame began. "We want to hear a strategic report. Anything you can give us on the current situation and anything on the McNernians would be helpful further. We must get a better understanding of the situation if this mission is to succeed."

[McNernia]

Damoclean Air Space

Eagle One
The McNernian AWACS commander Group Captain Steven Adrian looked at the comms readout, the TECT had no business sending airplanes around. The commander set a text message to the New Edomite Control.

Advise what TECT CM-7 is doing.

Adrian paced away from the console, Damn it, we are in a real royal cock up and if we fuck this up, I shudder to think of what the consequences could be.

"Sir, Mulitple small contacts....Edomite Sparrowhawk fighters."

Adrian looked over the mans shoulder at the radar readout, the sitiuation was quite a grim one that would lend itself poorly to the relation of the Kingdom and the Allied States. His two aircraft could not be seen easily by the New Edomite so things were still good.


Hunter Team

The two F-31s orbited in ractracks along the border, they were from 563 Squadron 45 Fighter Wing, the team was a good one that could do the job of air supremacy or bringing down a unknown aircraft, the pilots exchanged chatter as the time wore one.

"So we get the order to follow that Wanker?"

"Not yet, control is sorting the damn problem out...."

"Dumb fucks, we have to wait to get a kill."

"Control yourself goddamnit, we have to wait."

"Yes sir." For all their aggression the MRAF pilots were professional combat flyers, they knew to combat the rage that could beat within every warriors heart.


Heiros Gamos
Damoclea

The McNernians had stepped up patrolling, there were more black armored APCs on the streets, the Marauders were emblazoned with the 8 pointed star of the McNernian Royal Constabulary that also bore the Royal Arms, the officers seemed like soliders save for the colors were different, the camouflage pattern was more urban and they did not boast grenade launchers on their AR5 rifles. They checked papers from behind tactical sunglasses, the vests had POLICE on the back.

If the party wanted to approach the Government area they would all have to present papers.

[Damoclea]

"Thank you for coming, friends. You are no trouble at all. My husband's work is important work, bringing Damoclea into the modern world. Bringing it the light of civilization, which I hope that your people can help ours with. You are very welcome, sir," Acte assured them, before resuming her own chores as a housewife.

"Well, it is rather simple, in fact. The McNernians are slowing awakening to how much they have botched their occupation and trying to fix things, but it is still very clumsy and poorly managed. They have taken over so much of the governance directly and have tried to get us to go along with the idea of becoming one of their protectorates or colonies. Given how poorly they have ruled, however, few Damocleans are eager to adopt that policy. They didn't begin serious work on nation-building until prompted by us, for example. Now they have suddenly realized that they should be building schools, libraries, government centers, police stations, highways, fire houses, hospitals, etc. Some of this we already had, but not enough of it for a truly modern state. The McNernians have lagged behind the other zones, while we Judges have done our best to provide what leadership and guidance to the people that we can.

"However, what the McNernians have done of late is to step their military occupation and police presence. So far, we are not impressed. They would not need to step those up if they had governed well from the outset. They're moving in security forces, police forces, imposing checkpoints, asking for papers, adding more troops, just generally acting paranoid. It will take some work here, but I think that we can work this out. I am glad, by the way, that this doesn't look like a government office or building. Given how much the McNernians have the government districts locked down, we're going to have operate out of safe houses like this one and other headquarters until we are strong enough to take the Mickeys on. If we can get a proper insurgency moving, however, we can build up a groundswell of support from local sympathizers, and start to really take over the place.

"They are going to hate us for this, but then why should we care? We trusted them to make things better for us, and they let us down. They can go ride off in a magical huff for all we care. If they wanted our support, they should have worked with the Judges from the beginning. Now it is too late," Theocritus explained.

"Right now, we have roughly 8,000 or so ex-Judges in the Judicial Front, albeit spread throughout southern Damoclea. That is the nucleus of our movement. If we can build from there, and I know that we can, the Mickeys will have a serious insurgent army to contend with and they will have to reconsider their position. It especially helps with our cause that they are on bad terms with New Edom, so the Edomites are not likely to help them at all. It is one hell of an occupation, if you ask me," he added.