International Socialist Congress (IC/Closed to Members)

[The Cardwith Islands]

IMPORTANT: Posting for members of the Congress only. To join, please use the application located in the OOC thread and wait for a confirmation.

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INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST CONGRESS

THE CONGRESS

The International Socialist Congress was formed a few years ago in order to organize active socialist parties into one unified assembly with the collective power to push back reactionary, fascist and imperialist efforts across the World (Multiverse). It was also decided that this would be the ruling body of the ISVC, the multi-national military/interventionist force organized to throw Imperialist forces out of the Cardwith islands and, later, to aid Marxist revolutions and bolster leftist governments under siege, everywhere possible.

The first home of the Congress was in Norritts, on East Cardwith Island, during the Hutanjian War. With a growth in membership and a wider mission, a new home was necessary to encompass the expanded operations and scope of the Congress. As part of Central Committee elections, a resolution was also voted upon to select from candidate cities submitted by ISC member parties. Those candidate cities included:
Icaromd, The Heartlands Region, The Frozen Forest
Bratislava, Greater Bratislava, Aressna
Makhno, Zaporozhia, The Free Territory of Makhnovia
Torusogu, North Cardwith, The Cardwith Islands

The ISC began a move to the winning candidate city, Bratislava, in Ressia (Aressna). Facilities were constructed and preparations were made to accommodate the Congress, other ISC administrative offices, security facilities, as well as potential future members. Coordination was initiated between local security and military forces and introducing ISVC forces into the metropolitan area of Bratislava, with the full cooperation of the Ressian government.

The ISC continues to expand and the representatives of the delegate parties of the world now hold session regularly to discuss the threat of reactionaries and imperialism, as well as what socialist nations and parties are most in need of humanitarian and military assistance or other intervention. Many other topics, both mundane and internationally challenging, are regulated by resolution within the Congressional chambers, as well as the smaller Central Committee chambers.

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BRATISLAVA

This Ressian Beauty on the Danube, commands its own Greater Municipality, west of Trnava Province and bordering Austria. It is a city is full of history and culture and worthy of being the world headquarters of the International Socialist Congress.

The first political settlements were made during the 7th century. The first records of the name Bratislava were used around the 10th century. For many centuries, it was part of Hungary and other greater powers, cut off from the rest of country (which was also split), until the unification of Aressna under the Tarnowski Monarchy in the 18th century.

After the revolution, most of the city was a wreck. The new Government, supported by the locals of Bratislava, sought to erase the bourgeois culture of the previous monarchy, which entailed destroying much of the classical architecture affiliated with the monarchy, as well as revitalising many of the working-class or peasant suburbs of the city affiliated with the monarchy. This led to Bratislava having a unique design style, with often brutalist suburbs neighbouring post-modernist and sometimes futurist suburbs.

The local Ressian population generally speak Czech, Slovak or German, and this language influence is reflected in their culture. Bratislavan recognised cuisine is often a combination of Czech, Slovak and German cuisine. Likewise, music and art has flourished across the city since the revolution, with a strong emphasis on the uniqueness of the city’s ethnic minorities.

However, there are still many of those who do not accept this change in both the metro area, and other parts of Aressna, and actively denounce the embracing of multiculturalism. This is a problem plaguing Bratislava - a near-border city on an important trade river. Most shockingly, this clash was seen in the St. Martin’s Riot of 1979, where hundreds of anti-multicultural Ressians marched towards a street in the city centre area dedicated to religious services, looting and invading all the religious institutions except the St. Martin’s Cathedral, a beacon of Orthodox Christian culture. The riot sparked a period of religious suppression, which only recently has been reversed. As such, this issue still divides Bratislavans. Religion and culture is a very sensitive topic in the area.

There is a lively nightlife in the city, especially the city centre, where a popular entertainment district is most evident with a plethora of clubs and lounges. Also, the previously mentioned boom of multi-ethnic cuisine is present all over the city. Several internationally renowned restaurants are based in Bratislava, such as ‘Vinice’ (‘Vineyard’) and ‘Utópia’ (‘Utopia’), which are quite popular among foreign visitors.

Sports, such as football (‘soccer’) and ice hockey, are played on most nights in the city, with local leagues and interprovincial leagues and teams competing in the city.
The three Bratislavan football teams are:

• FC Pezinok Bratislava
• Ružinov Dynamo AC
• Sporting Bratislava

The five Bratislavan ice hockey teams (Sporting Bratislava includes teams for various sports)

• Ružinov Bears
• Central Eagles
• Dúbravka Roosters
• Sporting Bratislava (national)
• Pezinok Niners

CONGRESSIONAL FACILITIES

The International Socialist Congress building fronts the Square where local revolutionaries declared against the crimes of the Ressian monarchy and called to action Bratislavans to take up arms against the state, which initiated the Slovak Revolution. It was built in 1980 in the brutalist style, directed by popular architect Emil Belluš. The inside is adorned with images of the Revolution and the current ‘prosperity’ of the new nation, and was previously home to the Museum of the Revolution (moved to Krakow late last year). The building is surrounded by a plaza below steps leading down from the front entrance, the plaza being bounded by an ornamental fence, with one front north-facing entrance, a west-facing entrance, facing onto a side road, and a south facing entrance leading onto a main road.
The grounds are guarded at all times by rotating shifts of two dozen Bezpa (State Security) officers, not to mention ISVC security personnel (Reporting directly to the ISC Commissar for Justice) that also add another layer of security. All assigned Bezpa guards are equipped with searching equipment and open carried firearms. ISVC personnel are armed with some assault rifles and sub machine guns, as well as standard side arms for all. Heavier ordinance, spare firearms and equipment are kept in a secured armory within the ISC HQ building.

The Ressian Territorial Guard can be called on in emergency situations. Additionally, rotating units of the ISVC are assigned to security, air and waterborne defense, and contingency/evacuation duties to the ISC HQ. They are housed in barracks and a forward base within kilometres of the city centre at Pezinok, on loan from the Ressian military.

A housing block, around a kilometre (just over half a mile) from the Congress building, has been chosen to house the Representatives and other Congressional staff and their families. The majority of the apartments are four-bedroom, two-bathroom, with a spacious and modern interior, and include sporting facilities, including an indoor pool, sports complex and playground in a communal area in the block. Two parking spaces have been reserved for the new residents. If families require more bedrooms or extra parking spaces, they may apply for them.

Originally, children of the Delegates were to attend the school local to the residence of the delegate families, however, a newly constructed and ISC funded academy staffed with both ISC member and local teachers has been dedicated for ISC dependents, in the hopes this will provide a less intimidating experience for the children. This also affords the ISVC the opportunity to provide their own security for the institution.

[The Cardwith Islands]

OOC RULES FOR THE THREAD

1. Follow along with the current flow of the RP and don't assume that Congress is always in session. Ask if you don't know what's going on IC.

2. No one liners unless it is response dialogue to someone else's post.

3. Those who are observers and not full members with a full representative in Congress can not vote on resolutions, but there will be opportunities for them to speak in order to influence a vote or voice their party's opinion on a matter.

4. Keep the IC discussion in this thread as focused on NS socialist events as possible. You can make some vague references to RL events, but we're not going to vote or have a full discussion on the current state of affairs in RL Venezuela or Ukraine, for example.

5. Just because there hasn't been a post in days or even weeks, doesn't mean that the thread is 'dead'. We're not going anywhere. Have patience while we work on our quality posts. Any OOC posts declaring the thread to be dead or over here, in the Discord server, or on the OOC thread are liable to get you both kicked from the threads and the organization. There should be no OOC posting in this thread anyway. That's why we have THIS THREAD.

6. International Socialist Volunteer Corps specific business and related posts between ISVC personnel belong in THAT THREAD or a current RP for the ISVC, our military/interventionist wing of the Congress. Unless the Congress is talking about ISVC matters. If you're confused on that, ask.

7. If you feel that arbitration is needed and someone is 'attacking your staunch socialism or lack of' unfairly, contact one of the CC leaders. Let's not get carried away in here, okay? This is ultimately about having some fun with like-minded folks.

[The Cardwith Islands]

The Central Committee
and the Congress meet in Bratislava, Kraj, Aressna

Chairman
Trevor Obelanka, Representative of the UFF Party of the Cardwith Islands

Party Secretary
Jiang Xuegang, Representative of the Asian Communist Party of the Pan-Asiatic States

Commissar of Socialist Unity (Foreign Relations)
Valthor Ormussen, Representative of The Socialist Party of The Yellow Star Republic

Commissar of Industry & Finance
Asle Waaler, Representative of the Revolutionary Front of Nanban-ha

Commissar of Justice
Elisa Navarre Moreno, Representative of the Socialist Popular Front of The North American Socialist Commonwealth (Post War America)

Commissar of Revolutionary Action (Defense and Intervention)
Major General Henry Perkins of the Red Bands of the Worker's Socialist Party (Vionna-Frankenlisch)

Commander of Revolutionary Forces (Appointed by Commissar of Revolutionary Action)
Commander Comrade General Joffard Tozimbga (Cardwithian People's Army)

[The Cardwith Islands]

Bratislava

The Cardwithian delegation had arrived some days earlier than most of the other delegations. Chief Aide Sajala Yotesenga, even while mid-air, before even setting foot in Ressia, had begun to check on the arrangements and accommodations set up for the Chairman, Trevor Obelanka, as well as coordinating with her opposite in the ISVC Commander Joffard Tozimbga’s entourage, Colonel Shaw Hevalu. He was an affable man, but being military, had a bit of a different, almost too by-the-book style of organizing that sometimes was irritating to deal with.

Before they touched down in the Ressian metropolis, she had lined up local Bratislavan services that would help with transporting supplies, equipment and household goods to both the ISC offices, ISVC HQ, and the living quarters for the Cardwithian delegation. The transporting and setting up of the more sensitive technological equipment and arms for the security force would be handled in house by the lower level Card staff.

Chairman Obelanka had settled his family in to their residence on the first day. He and his wife, Emzala, had gone around the city with a security detail and local guide to familiarize themselves.They made a stop at the ISC dependents school, approving of what they saw.
Emzala spoke “The Ressians have really gone to some great lengths to make us welcome and comfortable.”

Trevor smiled, taking her hand. “Well, yes dear, they certainly have, but the Congress has also funded a lot of the infrastructure and construction. I don’t want to take anything away from Bratislava and the Ressians, but...this was a group effort amongst all the member nations.”

She scoffed at him. “Uch...You and giving credit where it’s due. Just be thankful that they want us to be here.”

“Yes, of course, dear.” He smiled, looking with uncertainty out at the horizon of the Bratislava skyline.

---

A day later, despite worries of getting his family and his staff situated, Obelanka couldn’t put off business. They needed to prepare for the upcoming Congressional session.
“Mrs. Yotesenga, we need to get in touch with Party Secretary Xuegang, or someone in his party. We need to coordinate. As we talked about before, I want to have some preliminary meetings with him, then the entire Central Committee. I’d like you and Gawvemba to get that in motion. Work with the other Central Committee aides.” Secretary Pendleton Gawvemba also acted as a backup to Yotesenga, but currently was nowhere to be seen.

“Yes, Comrade Chairman. I have already been in touch with his staff. We will make that happen.”

“I want it to be tonight if he's available. An informal meeting, maybe at this Vinice place I’ve heard about.”

“Yes, Comrade Chairman.”

“Are all the Congress in the city yet?”

“Honestly Comrade Chairman, I’m not even sure all of the Central Committee are here yet, let alone the whole Congress.They’re definitely trickling in from the reports I’m reading.”

“Hmmm. They don’t have long before the first Congressional session begins.”
“I’m sure they know that, Comrade Chairman.”

“Right. I will be in my new office, setting up and organizing my files and books.”

“I will find you when I get final word of arranging a meeting, Comrade Chairman.”
Yotesenga looked around the space that had been given over to them as the new suite of offices for the Chairman and his staff, on the upper floor of the ISC building. She had no idea if it was any larger than that of the rest of the CC Commissars, or even any of the representatives of the Congress, but imagined it had to have some advantage over the regular offices on the floors below.

“Excellent. I look forward to that meeting,” The Chairman disappeared back into his inner office, leaving Yotesenga to marvel at all her thoughts once again, alone. She wouldn’t be alone for long. She picked up her phone, typing furiously to contact all the staffers she knew from all the CC and Congressional representatives.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Bratislavia

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Ambient Theme

Smiling faces all around accompanied the black and red banners which signified the arrival of the Pan Asiatic delegation to the International Socialist Congress. After the plane had reared itself into foreign soil, travelling a great distance from the arid December climate of Neo-Manila, the motorcade which accompanied the man-of-the-hour, Jiang Xuegang to the Congress grounds, experienced an easy and jovial trip.

Xuegang was a relatively vernacular individual who'd learned Foreign Studies late into his career, making him a new player in the political world. He worked his way up the bureaucracy of the Pan-Asiatic States as any sensible and clean party official did to gain his or her rank. But Xuegang was a determined young man, committed to effecting great social changes upon the world. He was different from the flock of age-old politicians hoping for an excuse to escape the capital smog through the Asian Diplomat's Cadre. Xuegang was a hardened soldier-turned-politician, just like his nation's premier, Secretary-General Abra. A senile man of sensible and pragmatic aims, Jiang Xuegang fought for the National Democratic Front as a Captain during the Siege of Manila. After the establishment of the States in 1991, his valour in combat easily made leeway for his appointment as First Minister of the Interior. His reforms as a key member of the Asian Communist Party would lead to the expansion of public transport, the rebuilding of devastated Asian cities, and greater political freedom in the Pan-Asiatic States. He organized the entirety of Red Guard groups nationwide during The 1995 Cultural Revolution, effectively upholding the law and human rights whilst still destroying the bourgeois elements that the second revolution aimed to ostracize. He attempted to run as Secretary-General against Hồ Ngọc Quang in 1996, but lost in a landslide. The States now offer his prestige to the greater Internationale. His experience with State dignitaries and settling diplomatic disputes made him a prime candidate for the position. Now, he was Party Secretary of something greater than the Federated Republic he fought for, and served for.

The first day in the country was for him to settle-down and manage personal affairs such as accommodation, and schedules. He brought along his Assigned Wife, Maria Lim-Jiang; and their only-son, Emilio Jiang. The Jiangs were happy with any home offered to them, being very proud yet simplistic people. Emilio was a quiet, morally upright young boy of 13, and, despite having tough trouble making friends with the foreign classmates he found to be energetic and ambitious compared to the conservative, uniform classmates he had in Neo-Manila, found ways to adapt and cope with his family's new endeavors.

During intervals of settling work affairs, Mr. Jiang was quite interested in visiting some of the national museums offered by the revolutionary victors. He enjoyed himself in downtown cafes, learning the languages and the happenings from the locals. The government at home always pressured him to present himself as an extravagant individual from some far-off Oriental utopia, but his brutish, proletariat vigor that cut deep into his roots overtook him at times. He cheered with Bratislavians watching soccer games on the television, cleaned-up after himself, and went to Catholic mass despite the cultural sensitivity surmounting it. The Asian Diplomat's Cadre was appalled at first, but the central government learned to sympathize.

Most importantly, however, he was glad to set-up his office at the Congressional grounds. He hung a flag of the States behind him, placed a portrait of the Secretary-General on the newly-furnished walls, assembled acacia furniture on his own, and polished a new bust of Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino historical folk-hero, as a paperweight for his desk. Pan-Asia was officially open for business.

[Kowani]

Kowani was, first and foremost, a tech nation. It had survived so long only due to its technological prowess and geography. This became apparent the moment the Kowani hovercade entered the city of Bratislava. It had been a relatively simple trip north, leaving behind Barçelona as it headed towards Aressna. But now, as it hovered over the streets of Bratislava, it had arrived, bring the culture of Kowani with it. Sleek, and silver, each vehicle appeared to be one large piece, rather than several interconnected pieces. And in one of those cars sat the Ambassador Gérex Kekel.

He was an administrator more than anything else, never a major politician or firebrand. Yes, he did very good work, but he was not the face of close government. But, in Kowani, this was beneficial. He was an economist, and in Kowani, economists did not give public speeches. However, with him sat the best speechwriter that was available, Emilia Duasca. This woman was known for writing Ijho D'Cadela's inauguration speech, his Kowani in Crisis Speech, and many more adresses by other state officials. Together, the two of them had been selected to represent Kowani in the international stage, perhaps the biggest one Kowani had set foot on since the International Senate.

Gérex was a austere man at heart, and as such, had not brought any luxuries, or anything beyond the necessary, nor had he brought with him a retinue of attendants. Additionally, being a Kowani state official, he had no wife, although he had adopted a daughter, a 13 year old girl, Jhulia Tákekel. A small thing, she stared now with wide eyes out of the windows at the city.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Upon arriving at his office, Gérex's first task was to hang a holographic replica of the Kowani flag upon his door, and set about navigating the city. Sure, the chips in his head definitely held maps, but there was no substitute for traveling it himself. Walking with Jhulia to the school, he left the quiet girl there before resuming his duties as Ambassador. Kowani had been closed for too long. Perhaps it was time to throw the doors open once more.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

ISC Grounds

---

Xuegang arrived early that morning, and saw Gérex, at the gates, walking to his office right after he'd dropped-off his daughter to her new school. Xuegang too, had just dropped-off Emilio a few minutes earlier, and was now standing outside the main office with a cup of joe to warm his throat in the December snow. Perhaps before the first session, he thought, this could be his chance at small-talk.

As he chugged the last drop of his metallic mug, he wiped it clean with a handkerchief from his olive ACP garbs, then stored it back into his black leather satchel. He wore a black fur coat, and the stars on his commissary cap shone brightly by the Bratislavan streetlights. He calmly approached Gérex with his hands in his coat's pockets, wearing the most important accessory an ambassador must have on his person at all time; a smile.

"Good day, Ser. Lovely breeze today, don't you think?"

[Kowani]

Another chip activated in his ear, detecting the sound of conversation directed at him. Turning to face it, he was met with a smiling face. A quick run through the database showed him to be the Pan-Asiatic Ambassador, one Jiang Xuegang. Nodding once in respect, he then shivered, his heavy coat not being enough. Ah, Mr. Xuegang! Pleasure to meet you, and see another living person in this city. I’ll confess, I do not know what the weather is like in your country, but in Kowani, it does not get this cold. So, I suppose, in a roundabout answer to your question, it is not a lovely breeze.

[Yellow Star Republic]

Bratislava

Valthor Ormurssen walked down the street of his new city, passively noting details about the people, vehicles and buildings. They seemed to be much more at ease here than back home, where most of the Yellowsian cities had been through the trauma of two major wars, that with them, had brought food riots, a coup and several other privations down upon the people.

He had served as a diplomat for some years now. It was a rare honor to be able to represent the YSR and travel outside the Republic. Due to the ostracization and isolation of the Yellow Star Republic by the rest of the Teremara region, and most of the rest of the world, there were few places a Yellowsian was welcome, unless they were a refugee fleeing the reach of the government in Arkjelstad.

Ormurssen’s previous post had been as Ambassador to the Democratic Socialist Republic of the Cardwith Islands, a nation that had also been heavily scarred by imperialist attacks. The two nations had a strong bond for many years now. The YSR had sent volunteers to fight in the fledgling ISVC, aiding in the Cardwithian independence war against Hutanjia. In return, the Cards couldn’t spare the YSR any monetary or military help, but they shared any intelligence their CID (Cardwithian Intelligence Directorate) had that might be helpful to the RLO.

The only exception was the Falkasians, the Cardwithians greatest benefactor, and a historic, bitter foe of the Yellowsians on their southern border. In the three way relationship, the Falkasians and Yellowsians had an unwritten agreement to be neutral towards each other when it came to operations in the Wishton Sea, and the Cardwithians agreed to not share information about one with the other. So far, the political armistice held, and at times Falkasian and Yellowsian ISVC troops had even fought side by side in the Cardwiths.

Bratislava in Ressia was a far different climate than the tropical Cardwiths. It was actually much closer to his home Nordic climate, if a little more temperate. The slightly balding, bespectacled man continued on his way, marvelling at how adapted he had become to tropical airs that he had to tug his coat around him tighter.

His musings distracted him to the point that he almost lost sight of his turn. He backtracked a few steps to glance down the street towards the ISC headquarters.
Yes. This is the route. I can't believe I am about to walk into the new International Socialist Congress Headquarters building.

His heart was fluttering as he neared ever closer to this pivotal moment in his life. It was his biggest posting yet, and possibly bigger than any of his contemporaries could ever expect in their lives, working for the government of the Republic.

[Leskya]

This was not Erik Gunnhautrsson's first visit to Bratislava. As a popular politician and a member of the State Council, he had enjoyed the privilege of international travel many times before, and with his recent appointment as the permanent delegate to the ISC, these privileges have only been solidified.

He was enjoying his morning cup of coffee at one of his favorite Ressian diners and reading Pravda, as was the tradition during his visits.
"Enjoying your coffee, Comrade Gunnhautrsson?" asked a blonde-haired waitress with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Clara," he responded, "such a nice day we're having."

Looking outwards, he saw the early sun shining through the trees outside, and he felt a light breeze on his face, which cooled his coffee. The marketplace in front of the diner was already populated by many locals and the sounds of bartering and honest work drowned out the music played by the loudspeakers present everywhere. As a diplomat who spent so many years working in Aressna, Gunnhautrsson knew Ressian well, yet his thick accent and distinctly Scandinavian appearance betrayed his Leskyan origins. His deep blue uniform, the red armband on his left bicep, and the badge of the Leskyan United Socialist Party on his collar most certainly did not help blend in.

Sipping the last few drops of his coffee, Gunnhautrsson stood up and put on his warm fur jacket. Even if Bratislava was considerably warmer than much of Leskya, Gunnhautrsson considered his jacket a part of his uniform -- a way to patriotically display his Nordic blood.

"Thank you for the wonderful breakfast. I'll see you tomorrow." Waving goodbye, he left, his FKSS officers following closely behind.

Gunnhautrsson disappeared into the crowds of the city and marched towards the ISC embassy.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

ISC Grounds

---

"Then, nevertheless, regardless of the wind's magnitude; Father Asia sends his greatest regards to the Kowani people. And, I understand the confusion, please forgive my officiality; but Xuegang is my given name. Please address me as Mr. Jiang, or Xuegang on casual basis, next time--"

The aged man was interrupted by the grazing impact of a decorated Ressian, who stumbled and staggered a little as he recited his sincere apologies.

"Ah, Valthor Ormussen! Please. The honor is mine, really. I have heard much about your partaking in the fight against the reactionaries as an international mediator. I'm personally honored by your people's engagements under the ISVC. But, as for now, I am delighted to meet such an experienced ambassador."

Xuegang gave a humble, traditional bow to both ambassadors; as a sign of respect.

[Gylias]

The captain went into the usual end of flight spiel — we have now arrived in [insert city name], the temperature is [number], we hope you had a pleasant flight and you'll choose to fly with us again — as the plane pulled into the Bratislava airport terminal and was prepared for unloading. Eleni didn't pay it any mind; it just sort of drifted in one ear and out the other as she looked out the window. She preferred window seats, as there was much less chance of inconveniencing others if anyone needed to leave their seats... usually to go to the toilet or something.

No reason to rush, she thought, seeing the other passengers retrieving their luggage from overhead compartments. She was traveling light, having bundled the important things into two backpacks. Her husband was still asleep in the seat next to her, and was holding the other one. Hopefully he wasn't going to have trouble with his ears on waking up.

Sadly the plane had pulled up in a slightly awkward position for disembarking, so she didn't have a chance to see much of Bratislava from the window. It wasn't a city she'd visited before, so she had a natural amount of curiosity to soak in on the way to the office.

Seeing that enough passengers had disembarked that things were a bit less hectic and moving along alright, she playfully elbowed her husband. "Come on, love, we're here."

"Mmmuh?", Lartæ mumbled as he was jolted out of sleep. Shaking his head slightly to clear his vision, he saw his wife smiling in the seat. "Oh, we're here?"

"Yep," Eleni said as she flicked Lartæ's nose. "We can get off the plane much better now."

Lartæ took a moment to look around, and saw the queue for disembarking was indeed lighter. "Oh good! Good," he said, still getting his bearings energy-wise (as well as clutching his backpack). "I would hate to be first in line to leave... do we have... one of those, errr, umbilical bridges, or a bus, or do we just walk in?"

Eleni chuckled as they both got out of their seats and joined towards the end of the queue. "You have got to stop calling them 'umbilical bridges' Lar, that's not what they're called." She jokingly stuck her tongue out for a moment. "I don't know what they're called either, but, I don't use such an... anatomical term."

"I, uh..." Lar was lost for words. He chuckled. "Haha, yeah. It is."

Heading out through the airport, Eleni and Lartæ would've looked like any other tourists, still reasonably young in their 30s. They both resembled each other slightly on account of having dark hair; Eleni still had freckles around her nose, and wore a plain white T-shirt with a black miniskirt. Lartæ had opted for a blank red T-shirt and a longer skirt, reaching down to his knees. They both had rather thick coats and shoes on, since they'd been forewarned about the weather.

It somewhat helped things that they were both delegates to the ISC. Eleni had been voted Comissar of Industry and Finance; Lartæ was technically her assistant, also an economist, with an important experience in accounting. We make a pretty good team, as he would occasionally goofily quote Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime" to make his wife eyeroll slightly. (His David Byrne impression was a bit more David Bowie.) They'd met while working for the Maveás City Council; Eleni had gone on to be elected councillor herself twice, but Lartæ preferred to stay in the background and do the committee work.

When the Democratic Left suggested Eleni as a candidate for the ISC Central Committee, it was only logical that she bring her husband with her. The Progressive Alliance were somewhat latecomers to the ISC. The SP had joined first as an observer to see how things were going, and then had brought their electoral bloc colleagues along. The DCP looked forward to the inevitable shouting matches that would happen when anarchists would join a leftist international.

Eleni and Lartæ headed for the public transport part of the airport, and took a bus to the city. They had to get to the ISC building and meet up with the rest of the Gylian delegation in time for the first congressional session. The city's skyline passed them by at the window of the bus as it made its way into the city. Lartæ was getting used to it; it was rather different from what he was used to in Gylias. The functional architecture with futurist touches seemed more Futurist-régime Megelan than demopolis, that was for sure. Still, the buildings were at least well-maintained. Concrete had a nasty habit of cracking under pressure in cold, humid climates, and was generally a ridiculously high-maintenance material to build from. (Build cheap now, and pay through the nose later in constant renovation?)

Having a few more adventures with public transport and maps, they made it to the ISC's building. Pausing for a second to gaze at it, Eleni remarked, "I can't tell if it's too big for the congress, or too small." Being a Gylian had a way of warping one's ideas of size sometimes.

Lartæ chuckled, and responded, "It does look a bit like someone injected steroids into the Parliament building..."

Eleni cocked her head, and raised an eyebrow. "Depends which angle you're looking from."

They confirmed their identity with the guards, went into the building without attracting much notice, and made their way towards their office. (Eleni asked for a shared office; it's how the couple had worked in Maveás too.) She turned on her computer, and checked her ISC email and found one from the Chairman, Trevor Obelanka:

Dearest Friend Eleni,

I have been told you arrived safely here in Bratislava. On behalf of my family, I welcome you and yours. Once you get settled in to your new domicile and offices, get in touch with me. I'd like to go over some budgetary concerns before the first session.

I look forward to talking with you soon.

Chairman Trevor Obelanka.

[Libertasnia]

Bratislava Airway

Mikhail Pavlovsky sat in his seat on the small light jet provided to him for his trip to Bratislava. With the insurrection in Libertasnia, news of his departure was not released to the public until the jet made lift-off. The jet held few other passengers. His secretaries, Daryl and Ilyina, sat in their seats on the port side of the plane, reading and passing the time with conversation. One guard, whose name Mikhail hadn't yet discovered, was dispatched along with them.

Pavlovsky never had much of a family, a couple of distant cousins and a great-uncle. No one that needed to come with him. The temperature in the cabin was decidedly low, a preference for Pavlovsky, always found in his Stresemann suit and Stetson hat. He reached into his attaché case and reviewed the report on Aressna and Bratislava in particular. Much of the report on culture and cuisine. Pavlovsky knew he wouldn't be leaving his office much, he never was one for crowds or public spaces. In fact, he worried much about touching down and getting to his office space. He wanted nothing to do with diplomatic niceties or processions.

But he decided not to dwell on his social anxieties, an odd trait for a seasoned diplomat to have for sure. He returned the report to the case and answered an email from the Central Executive Committee. He decided to bury himself in his copy of Hegel's The Phenomenology of Spirit, a notebook for analysis on hand, and await touchdown. As his usual luck would have it, he had read no more than a paragraph before the Captain announced their arrival and landing.

Mikhail sighed in his usual tired way, put away his book in his case, took his attaché case and suitcase in hand and hurriedly exited the aircraft.

[Kowani]

Nodding, Geréx stored the information deep within his memory banks for future recall, in case it was ever needed once more.No, sir, do not apologize. I should have familiarized myself more with the customs of those who I could expect to meet at this gathering of nations. The fault is mine. Turning towards the second man, he emitted a small, mechanical whirr as his eyes connected the face he saw with the one in his databanks. Valthor Ormussen. Ressian. Further information unknown, chirped a small voice in his head. I am afraid I do not have the pleasure of knowing you either, sir. I am aware that you are Ressian, but naught more. I myself am Geréx Kekel, ambassador of the Kowani peoples, recently opened up to the world stage.

[The Cardwith Islands]

Chairman Obelanka had enjoyed spending time with his family in their new home, Bratislava, for a few days. They had caught some theater, a hockey game where the Central Eagles had taken on one of their provincial rivals, and gotten their apartment unpacked and looking a lot more like a home.

He had continued to prepare for the upcoming Congressional session with his staff and fellow Central Committee members, but as far as he knew, the first session was still three days out. That was about to change.

He was walking towards his family residence after a day of going over numbers with the Finance Commissar.
The phone buzzed. Trevor swiped to answer it.
"This is Chairman Obelanka."

"Chairman, this is Sajala Yotesenga."

"Yes, Ms. Yotesenga. What is it? Did I forget something at the office?"

"Chairman, about the upcoming session of Congress..."

"Yes, I still want to meet with Party Secretary Xuegang one last time to get a good overview of some of the topics we will discuss. Did you get that meeting lined up?"

"Chairman, I don't think we have time. The Session has to be moved up to tomorrow."

"Why is that?"

"There is a crisis developing and it would best be handled by the Congress. Commissar Akession and General Tozimbga wanted to get approval for upcoming operations."

"I think I know what this is about. I understand and I'm turning around back to the office. I'll be there in a few minutes. We have a lot to prepare for to have our notes ready for the session tomorrow."

"I will meet you there, Chairman."

"Great. I will see you there."

[Gylias]

Eleni and Lartæ settled into their new office, picking out the desks and arranging a few things. Eleni took a moment to reply to the Chairman's email:

Chairman Trevor Obelanka,

Thank you for the kind welcome. I trust you and your family have arrived safely and are settling in well, epísis.

We'll come over and schedule a meeting to go over the budgetary concerns as soon as we can.

I look forward to talking with you as well.

Eleni Oikonomou

She was used to just using her name as a signature — hadn't occurred to her she could list her occupation too.

After they were done arranging the office, Eleni called Trevor on her mobile phone to discuss when would be the best time to have a meeting. They talked about it while she and her husband went to their allocated residence and settled in.

They managed to schedule for one of the following days, and it took Eleni and Lartæ nearly a day of going over budgetary matters — contributions, how to allocate them, what upcoming activities were expected — to address everything. It left the couple rather tired, and they afterwards had dinner and retired for their residence, where they relaxed watching a movie on Proton before going to bed.

As far as they knew, there was still a few days left before the first actual session.

[The Frozen Forest]

Commissar of Revolutionary Action

---

The Path of Struggle

Kopsov Akession, accompanied thirteen other officials left Icaromd, The Frozen Forest aboard the Revolutionary, one of a dozen private jets held in reserve for official diplomatic visits. As they departed the airport they were accompanied by a six military jets, who only broke off as the plane crossed over foreign airspace. Aboard the aircraft the Commissar and the other officials were busy preparing for the congressional meeting in Bratislava. The shuffling of papers and reports ensured that the trip was filled with a particular lack of sleep for everyone. Budget concerns, morale issues and a lack of funding for units coming from defunct states were all matters of importance, though the congress would doubtlessly include proposals from the other Commissars, which meant that Akession would need background information for their proposals as well.

Kopsov took a seat across from Deputy Representative Jaccobson. Jaccobson was a mess, his tie was slack and he smelled of sweat and alcohol. It was disgraceful and Kopsov, who himself had managed to at least set aside time to shower during the trip scrunched his nose at the smell of his compatriot. Jaccobson shot into his presentation regarding the lack of pay for one of the ISVC's Units, whose state had become defunct and had not been able to pay for its volunteer forces. The unit would have to be disbanded if funds weren't acquired to pay for its supplies and wages. After thirty minutes of discussion it was decided that the cost could be covered by The Frozen Forestrian Communist Party until he could draw up a proposal for an increase to ISVC funds.

Kopsov made himself a cup of coffee as he read through the reports that were relevant to the congress. He felt faintly aware of how long the trip would be. He was honored to be in his position as their representative to the Congress, as well as a member of The Central Committee. Sipping at the coffee he pondered his place in the grand scheme of things, what would his achievements have been after day came that he had to leave the congress. He would have to make something of his tenure and ensure that he would be remembered.

The plane touched down in Bratislava and Kopsov left the plane accompanied by his entourage. Hastily they made their way to the Congress Headquarters, entering unceremoniously into a small pre-session meeting room for last minute discussions and reports.

[Union of Albandrite Socialist Republics]

Kristina Smith was a dutiful party member, her career started when she entered the Pioneers in middle school. Despite joining the Pioneers at an age later than most she was quick to rise among the ranks of the Pioneers for her attempts to outdo anything. When she graduated High School, she was soon accepted to Eisenhower University in Revolutionary City. There she became a prominent student and an activist for world affairs. Often she would wrote long opinion pieces on world affairs for the college newspaper. This knowledge and dedication to giving information about international class struggle landed her a job offer from the Communist Party to work for state media. An offer she accepted as she became an international journalist for ACTV news. At this point, she joined the party and became a loyal member. Entering the realm of politics after a successful two decade career with ACTV. At this point, she was a well respected and well known party member with a firm grasp on international incidents. She was the prime candidate for representing the UASR's interests in the ISC. And when she got that email, she accepted faster than anyone has ever accepted anything in the party before... It was like a job made in heaven.




Revolutionary City Airport, UASR



A small crowd gathered around Kristina Smith, a mixture of men and women in their best attire bearing bright red party pins, bearing an image of Jacob Eisenhower and a golden Hammer and sickle. They all shook hands eagerly "Mrs Smith, the UASR's interest in participation in the International Socialist Congress is more than just solidarity." Spoke one of the gentlemen "We need to secure broader international support for our nuclear weapons program.". He looked back at the small crowd of party members who all nodded in agreement, a woman in the crowd added "The Imperialists have tried hard to condemn our attempts at self defense. We cannot allow international bourgeois organizations the ability to subdue our right to self defense. We need backing!"

"Of course, comrades." Smith said, looking over to her contemporaries with a cheerful, but firm and assertive smile "I will work hard to establish a network between our revolution and other revolutions elsewhere." She held her hands together at the front, her dark blue blazer. "Don't trust the Social Democrats!" An older gentleman in the crowd said "They will rob us!". The statement caused some murmuring in the crowd, but Smith wasn't having it. "I understand your concerns, and I share them. However we must work with who we can to secure our own revolution at home! Trust me comrades, I will work my hardest to secure our interests and the interests of Socialism equally." And with that, she nodded. Walking away from the small crowd and down the corridors of the airport that led her to her plane. It was a 747, bearing the words "ALB-AIR" on both sides, under these words a gold line ran across under the windows and a bright hammer and sickle was painted in crimson red on its back wing. As she boarded, a high ranking military commander greeted her. Along with two armed guards, wearing the distinctive red camouflage of the APA, sunglasses, and a scarlet armband bearing a single gold star. The commander saluted Smith quickly before saying "Good morning, Mrs. Smith. My troops have checked the plane and all seems well. They will be accompanying you" Smith looked up at the commander and smiled "Thank you." Before taking her seat. The guards taking their seats as the Commander left.

It wasn't long before the plane pulled out and taxi'd off to the runway, lifting off with ease. The civilian plane flying for some hours before landing at the Bratislava airport. They were greeted with little fanfare, and the entourage of vehicles quickly made way to the Congress grounds to establish the UASR office. Smith entered the Office with the two guards. She rubbed her head frustratingly "Alright, that flight gave me a headache so we should get this done with as soon as possible". The guards nodded, and immediately set the boxes down. Bending over and pulling out a portraits of Marx, Lenin and Jacob Eisenhower to hang on the wall directly opposite to the door. A small UASR flag was put on the desk, and posters bearing Anti-Imperialist imagery and red banners were adorned on each wall minus the one where the door was. "There we go!" Mrs. Smith said, dropping down into her office chair and kicking her feet legs up and resting them on the table. As she leaned back in her plastic chair, it made a loud an audible creak. The woman looked as one of the guards planting a hanging UASR flag right outside the entrance way to the office, and the other was setting up a small flat screen TV on a desk to portray UASR state television from the last few days, burned onto a DVD.
"This should be interesting" Kristina said, smiling.

[Kowani]

A small alert appeared in the corner of Geréx’s eye. Tuning out the outside world, he opened up a map, finding the fastest route to the Congress building. After all, they were called into session, and showing off too much technology at the beginning might be discomforting. So, he turned to both his companions and spoke. “Terribly sorry, Gentlemen, but I have just been informed that the Congress is being convocated as we speak. If you will excuse me, I would like to arrive early.”
This said, he turned on his heel and walked off, rehearsing his prepared speech in his head.

[The Cardwith Islands]

Chairman Obelanka headed to the Congressional building as fast as he was able. The rest of his staff from the Cardwithian delegation would just have to meet him there. Events had sped up faster than any of the representatives or Central Committee members could have predicted. His smart phone continued to chirp as new alerts from other Central Committee members continued to pour in. He would try to answer them best he could after he arrived, but priority for him was getting inside the building and directing the ISC staff towards preparing for the session.

He was glad for a couple things. One, he'd had a chance to briefly meet with Party Secretary Xuegang. They had their differences, as did their two nations, but overall, they would work towards the same goals, and at least for now, those goals were very similar and were in line with the greater goals of the ISC. The Pan Asiatic States had the military manpower, as well as the technological prowess, to overwhelm several of their enemies. The Cardwiths were rather inferior in both regards as to military size and technological capability, but they were very good at projecting political influence and monopolizing on a vast information network. When you added all the other nations within the ISC that spanned that whole spectrum, it was incredible the feats they could all accomplish as long as they worked together in a cohesive alliance.
Ultimately, that didn't change anything in the fact that Obelanka was certain that Xuegang would lead the proceedings in the Congressional chambers to satisfaction.

One of those other nations was Gylias. The Chairman had had the opportunity to meet with the Commissar of Industry & Finance, Eleni Oikonomou, of the Gylian Socialist Party. She had given him a more concrete idea of the budget they had to work with, how that budget would be effected by planned operations and how the addition of new members might also effect that budget. It was crucial, especially if the upcoming, to-be-proposed operation was approved for funding. She seemed very competent at her job and he looked forward to working with her more.

Trevor strode into the lobby, that was adorned with the busts of famous socialists from history, such as Mao, Lenin and Trotsky. Somewhere down that hall the bust of Charles Nellis, the President of the Cardwiths, also had a spot. Obelanka hoped that one day his bust might have some real estate in this hall. He pushed open the double doors closest to where he had entered the lobby, revealing the large chamber that would be their home for a good portion of their time in Bratislava. Obelanka waved to some of the early arrivals that were situating themselves at their desks as he walked down the red carpeted aisle towards the dais. He would have a prominent spot to the immediate right of the Party Secretary's desk. Xuegang would call the session to order, but Obelanka had a say in censuring representatives that spoke out of line, should Xuegang not be fast enough with the gavel. He had no desire to exercise that power, however. He was sure that all would act rationally in the face of the crisis that faced them and make the appropriate points and best decisions.

The Cardwithian climbed the last small flight of stairs up unto the dais. He ran his hands over the polished, stained wood of his desk. His aide, Ms. Yotesenga, had beat him here. She offered to take his satchel, but he declined, tucking his bag inside the podium cavity instead. He nodded to her, as she took her place back at a side bench. It was not his desk and podium, but only the space he would occupy, before giving up that space to the next Chairman someday. That was the thought a true socialist should have towards leadership he knew, as he nodded. No one could pin him on authoritarian designs. He looked for the rest of the Central Committee members to arrive at their positions as the hour drew closer.

[Aressna]

A rather overdone procession to mark Wiesław Prawda's first entrance to the Congress was not an uncommon sight for the Bratislavan locals - it was viewed as a chance to show Aressna off to the diplomatic world, a rather untouched socialist nation that only kept regular outside contact to countries it trusted - and many cheered as the procession passed, trucks and motorcycles and the noise of engines, draped in Ressian colours and a waving Congressman. Two guards, in a sort of unneeded overtly military fashion, accompanied Mr. Prawda to the gate, who after checking ID and relevant documents with the guards at the gate, walked briskly across the plaza to the steps of the Congress building, admiring the architecture, before stepping inside and continuing his admiration for the images displayed on the walls of the building. He had been to the building before, in its days as the Museum of the Revolution, and he felt a strong connection to the building, being a former partisan and guerilla fighter, now an aging veteran in a nation he helped to build. He tried as best he could to shield his tears as he came to the door of his office, his name already embossed on the front of the door, and another on his desk.

He touched up the place to his liking, a record player set up and a few of his personal favourite albums placed beside them, as well as a Ressian flag hung from the walls, above a portrait of the founder the Ressian Republic, Jaromir Bucharin. Portraits of Marx, Engels, and, rather controversially, Lenin, were placed on Prawda's desk, and a portrait of Ressian leader Sophia Dimitrova placed next to a photo of his wife (she had passed recently, something Prawda had become very sensitive about. Prawda sat down, unfolding a copy of Pravda, thinking of two things; one, that the newspaper he so often read bore a Czech spelling of his name, (meaning 'Truth') something he was constantly reminded about, and two, how excited he was to begin his time as Commissar for Socialist Unity.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

ISC Congressional Chamber

---

Chamber Theme

Jiang Xuegang's pleasure was rampant in meeting his fellow delegates. Chairman Oblenka had been very warm to him, and Xuegang saw Cardwidth to be rife with innovation in the youthful politics their nation had produced. While Xuegang carried his Asian dignity up high wherever he went, he felt comfortable conversing with his fellow organizers in the International Socialist cause; for in comparison to life at home, the men and women of this congregation did not seem hindered by mere ambition or careers. They were not afraid to speak the truth, courageous to correct what they thought wrong. And soon an alliance that many, as he understood it to be, felt would be susceptible to an undesirable quasi-legislative conflict between nations of the common cause; felt, to him, something to look forward to. It was very Maoist to contradict, for voices to be heard equitably and without question.

Amused by many of the Bratislavan ornaments on the way to the main chamber itself, Xuegang couldn't help but resist taking frequent stops to admire some of these works. He knew a lot of university students that would do anything to gain the opportunity to study such an eccentric culture, filled with passion and dedication for their ideals. Xuegang was quite surprised to see the bust of Mao, for he had not met any Maoists too open about Maoism yet. He expected the Congress to have some, though yet unmet.

The external formalities eventually dispersed when the time had come for the proceedings to begin. The lively outsiders poured in to view a hall that was magnificent, large, and astounding. Every whisper resounded, every step reverberated. Every ray of sunlight projected into the congregation, early morning tidings, seemed to venerate the Socialist cause. And as the sun rose on a new day, a new world too seemed to be dawning. A world of progress. Xuegang felt the radical spirit of the delegates in every conversation he had kept, in the smallest of talks he had made. The politics was radical. The politics was real.

Coating his garb with a black cape signifying his formality, Jiang Xuegang withdrew his breath, slowly and rather dramatically making his way to a central podium overlooking all the delegates present. Specifically eyeing the people he'd met earlier with excited intent, he took a good glance at everyone. Who knew what lay in store for all of them today?

Clearing his throat and mind in preparation for his first speech, he nodded at a companion to his distant right side. A loud Cambodian gong was struck with fervor, and a silence immediately fell upon the room.

"Members of the Congress," spoke he, in a deep, Marx-like voice.

"We gather before the soil of Bratislava today under a common sun; under common ideals, as workers of the world united. Unbound by neither tongue nor race, wealth nor reserve let us all, no matter what adversary may approach, remain brothers and sisters enlightened by a single, Marxist hearth. May today and forevermore be steps in the long, winding march to a Socialist World Republic."

Xuegang, reading from pencil-writings scribbled unto a one-eighth index card, then began to announce the presiding officers of the Congress, to introduce and remind the Congress of their positions for the benefit of everyone.

"May I introduce to the members of this Congress, the presiding body. Please rise for the masses when your name is called.

The Chairman of the proceedings; Trevor Obelanka, Representative of the UFF Party

Myself, the Party Secretary; Jiang Xuegang, Representative of the Asian Communist Party

Commissar of Socialist Unity, Wiesław Prawda, Representative of The Revolutionary Worker's Party of Aressna

Commissar of Industry & Finance, Eleni Oikonomou, Representative of the Socialist Party of Gylias

Commissar of Justice, Elisa Navarre Moreno, Representative of the Socialist Popular Front of The North American Socialist Commonwealth (Post War America)

Commissar of Revolutionary Action, Kopsov Akession, Representative of the Frozen Forestrian Communist Party of The Frozen Forest

And Commander of Revolutionary Forces, Commander Comrade General Joffard Tozimbga."

Xuegang, after repeating this, coughed in his old age. He continued,

"At this point, may I request the Chairman and the rest of the present delegates to indulge me as I continue to lead the proceedings.

Once again, welcome, everyone; to the International Socialist Congress."

[The Cardwith Islands]

Chairman Obelanka had nodded and waved to the other Central Committee members and representatives as they had entered, including Party Secretary Xuegang. They had had some preliminary talks before the start of the session, but one thing they hadn't discussed had been how to officially start the proceedings, not just with a preamble, but some percussive instrument. A gavel had been discussed, but he smiled wryly as the gong had been wheeled in. It was most appropriate and distinctive for their Congress.

It was glorious to be in this Chamber and both feel and hear the excitement.
He clapped vigorously along with the other representatives, observers and spectators as Xuegang wound up.
"At this point, may I request the Chairman and the rest of the present delegates to indulge me as I continue to lead the proceedings.
Once again, welcome, everyone; to the International Socialist Congress."

The Chairman nodded back.
"Well said, Party Secretary. Speak the rest of your peace, comrade! You have the floor."

[Pan-Asiatic States]

ISC Congressional Chamber

---

Jiang Xuegang continued by presenting his case. The first engagement of the International Socialist Congress. He didn't expect to meet much resistance for his resolution. It was a call-to-arms for the constituents of the revolution. But he was well-aware that for such quasilegislative matters, there needed to be an air of pity first. Taking a narrative-based approach, the background and context were carefully expressed by the Pan-Asiatic delegate.

Not long ago, a worker had fled from the Kingdom of Jaragupta, seeking shelter in the Pan-Asiatic States. That man had been brought to Bratislava today to share his sentiments on the brutal corporatist regime. He was a simple man, tan, short in stature; and had rugged facial features. He was rather old, but efforts had been made to make him look more vibrant and youthful. Efforts were also made to make him look presentable; a tieless suit and navy-blue long-sleeves shrouded his torso, whilst black pants adorned his lower body. To most of the Congress, he was yet unknown, except for the few who had followed a rogue article that had appeared in the Pan-Asiatic internationally-acclaimed newspaper service Bagumbayan, or a lesser-known local Melanesian newspaper which first reported on the incident, The Dili.

Copies of a well-prepared dossier by Delegate Jiang reported on the overview, history of workers' rights violations in the nation, and personal notes on both were distributed as the Jaraguptan miner prepared his speaking material. The dossier was gruesome but precise in its illustration of the situation; detailing the factions who surmount the island, the various civil wars that had plagued it, the industrialist mob that supports the backward autocratic 'democracy' on the island, and the many dissenting voices who would, both peacefully and violently, demand change for the better.

The booming voice of the Indian-accented man would soon replace Xuegang's calculated tone.

(To be continued...)

[Pan-Asiatic States]

ISC Congressional Chamber

---

"Leaders of the Marxist world," begun the whistleblower. His speech had been constructed with guidance from the Pan-Asiatic States' Asian Diplomats Cadre, some of whom observed from the very back of the room near the observer's assembly. It was verbose, to him, to say the least. To some extent, it was a fait accompli. But he tried to hide his doubt, as he wanted this too anyway. He had a certain development of hatred for his own government. But then again, why wouldn't he harbor such distraught?

"Today, I address you, as I have addressed the Pan-Asiatic Federal Congress of Soviets, not as a Marxist per se, but as a humble worker of a destitute nation. As a mere citizen doing his rightful national duty to protect one's people. However, I am nobody in the grander scheme of things; I bear no credentials, nor brag a high education.

Friends, my name is Esharveer Mahil of the Kingdom of Jaragupta. Whilst the incident itself is already included in the report handed-around by my good accomplice, Jiang Xuegang, it is not too hard to understand. In light of the Congressional advocacy that this chamber stands for, I bring to you a tyrannical regime which hides behind monarchic riches to conceal its violations against its people.

I personally testify to such atrocities. Thus, I present to you a case for intervention on two accounts. First, on account of the Kingdom continuously committing crimes against the proletariat, and secondly, on account of the Kingdom failing to maintain local political stability.

Mr. Mahil flipped the first page of his case. Xuegang shot a glance at him. He instructed everyone to go to the 34th page of the dossier.

"I present to you the first article. I and my fellow workers have been slandered by the loose corporal operations legislation for centuries. Many workers of the provincial areas are distraught by a feudal system of compensation. 41% of our shrunken wages are deducted for social services compensation-- compensation which never arrives. Compensation which manifests as long hospital lines and pension denial. We are treated like the scum of the earth by Jaraguptan society.

I have experienced the horrors of such economic corruption beforehand, as it was a miracle for me to even land a job scraping bat guano. I testify to the deaths of my co-workers under the brutal famines caused by the lack of capital, primitive distribution methods, and underdeveloped industry; the forced seclusion of companies for their workers to be transferred to remote islands off-the-coast of the mainland to do unregulated and unregistered labor; among many other forms of persecution by the Imperial regime.

We have prepared several anecdotes and proven cases to be brought up in support of this charge against Jaragupta. I will that the Congress review these with us accordingly. After which we will hold a 45-minute recess before going-over the second account."

To this, Xuegang began to smile.