Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God [IC|MT|Open]

[Lux Pulchrae]

Great Nortend
"Yes, Gentile is our man in Leoniza. Good call on mobilizing, I should do the same. <Your Majesty, do I have your authorization to mobilize navy assets?>" Gregorio asked

Cleone nodded proceeding to give orders "<Have Amaglione come up with a number. If you think its okay, I trust your instinct. In the meantime, I want a battalion of five-hundred men touching down at the airport by tomorrow. The afternoon a day after that at the latest! We can't have Gentile walking around with no protection, and at the moment I am highly doubtful of Posteastan's ability to keep him and Nevicca safe.> Ha capito?"

The minister nodded "<But Your Majesty, may I remind you, Amaglione has been preparing this whole time, everything is ready. Your OK was all they needed. They said they'll mobilize the ships as soon as all the relief is done being loaded. Next message they send is the confirmation that they are moving.>" Gregorio stood up to make a few calls. Several minutes went by and he was back with the rest "Good news gentlemen. We'll have the five-hundred arriving by tomorrow. About four or five planes is all it will take, and an extra plane for their rations and a portion of aid relief. The rest will come from the ships in a few days time. We have an entire frigate stocked up. Food, some medicine, clothes, and a little 'something' extra as well. Another full of men, and Lord knows how badly they want to be there. Our lack of overseas intervention makes our men kind of, giddy, at the prospect of a fight."

Leoniza
Gentile on his phone, nodded in an understanding manner and hung up. "The Grand Minister of Defense, said five-hundred troops will be touching down, bit by bit throughout the day. Justified it by saying it was for the 'protection of our foreign dignitary in Posteastan', under the credible risk to life from the airport attack earlier. We'll find a place for them by tomorrow."

Nevicca sat on a chair with his head back, seemingly taking a nap. He was sort've tired. Seeing this, Gentile asked where the lodgings Thatcher spoke of were kept "You spoke of a lodging house earlier, where would they be. The flight here, and subsequent events have left us rather tired."

[Posteastan]

DEMOCRATIC SOCIAL UNION

Official Statement of the DSU

To: The People of Posteastan
Subject: Patriotic Liberation Front
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM FROM THE CHAIRMAN

---

People of Posteastan, Comrades, Brothers,

The time has come for our people to decide, the time has come for all of you to decide. Will you be a part of the problem or will you be a part of the solution? The days of talking and making concessions are over. Posteastan has long endured injustice and oppression, but no longer! No longer will we take orders from a man appointed by foreign powers. No longer will we be second class citizens in our own land. No longer will we allow our wealth to be transferred to the greedy hands of Ninedayists and a shady globalist elite hiding in backrooms and ruling the world through violence and intimidation. No longer will we be a province.

Brothers,

The Almighty God is on our side. The Ninedayists have no God, their only God is money. They have no values and no morals. This is why we will win and this is why we need to stand together. As chariman of the Democratic Social Union I have today made a decision of historical proportions. The state that we will be together must be democratic, free, and a state for all its citizens. A one-party dictatorship is not the state our ancestors have fought and died for.

With my authority as chairman of the DSU I have ordered the ban on political parties to be postponed. From today on the Royalist Party and the Patriotic Block are declared fully legal parties in all of Posteastan. We invite you to join forces with us in the liberation of our homeland from globalist oppression. We ask you to send a delegation to Tabolov to form with us a government of national union. We ask you to join forces with us and form a Patriotic Liberation Front.

We all stand united in the fight against the traitors, bandits and Mr. Valaska. In the coming days, we will launch an offensive of unseen proportions. We have taken Leozina and we left without harming a single Royalist. This more than anything shows our determination to work for peace and unity.

Brothers,

This offer is a one-time only offer. It will not be repeated as it cannot be repeated. Join the Patriotic Liberation Front, be on the right side of history, help us form the future of Posteastan. If you stand against us that is your decision, if you stand with us that is your decision but a decision you must make.

To all others who wish to join our just cause we extend a hand of friendship. If you have not been a traitor to Posteastan and if you sincerely repent your mingling with the Valaska regime you are welcome to send a delegation to Tabolov.

This is our last warning to the members of the National Guard and the colonial regime. Leave our homeland now or face the consequences. Desert your units, go home! You don't stand a chance against the unified people of Posteastan. Don't die for the globalist elites. This war is not your war.

Long live the national solidarity!

---

Vasilescu Tavitian
Chariman of the DSU

[Karevka]

Tabolov Province

The column arrived in a small but fortified town. They saw the townsfolk were elated, kissing the red star painted on the vehicles or throwing flowers onto the dismounting soldiers. A tall man wearing a flak jacket and wearing two bandoliers approached Yurakin, describing himself as the commander of town's local defense troops. "Greetings, Colonel Yurakin. My people are delighted by your company." the man extended his hand, which Danya shook. "As are mine." Out in a clearing, not too far away, engineers and locals began preparations for their own runway. Trucks were retrofitted with dozer blades from scrapped tractors, and boxes of flares brought out.

[Kenmoria]

The bomb attack from the Black Party had caused more of a disruption than was expected, with a large section of the residential area damaged to a high degree. It caused a disruption to the work on the telephone line, which had to be completed at a slower pace while workers were moved over to start repairing the ruined areas of the ports. Despite this, rudimentary coverage had now been provided to about a quarter of Roztechko, for a low price. Of course, to the project managers of the Posteastan operations, a five percent decrease counted as a heavy reduction.

Progress going so smoothly, even taking into consideration the terrorist activities and the slight uncertainty of whether the Syndicate might turn on the corporation, perhaps made the businessmen of Construction Enterprises slightly more concerned over the smaller aspects of the situation. In particular, the recent involvement of distinctly communist-leaning nations troubled the company due to some past experiences with similar countries. As a corporation originating from Kenmoria, where it was perfectly legal for a business to employ slaves in its foreign operations and even hold WMDs, in the case of one company, the idea of labour rights and communism in particular was completely alien.

In fact, one of the only things a multinational feared was the possible impact of socialists and communists on its operations. The competition from other countries in Posteastan was bad enough, having leftists enter the deal could cause serious complications for the cash flow of the telecommunications line and the humanitarian aid program in general. No doubt they would soon be complaining of the fact that the volunteers weren’t being paid, and that the subcontracted workers were being paid far lower than the average minimum wage, which was just €0.50 in Kenmoria.

---

Subject: Communist involvement
To: President Niculai Valaska
From: Construction Enterprises
Encryption: High

---

Dear President Niculai Valaska,

It may interest you to know that the telecommunications line and network coverage has now been spread to a large area of Roztechko, with infrastructure being placed all the way around the surround area and ready to go. We hope to put some lines down all the way to Pibtsy in due time, which should extend this service to the majority of those who support the official government side.

However, that is not the purpose of this missive. We have recently hear reports, albeit unverified, that certain communist nations are supporting Posteastan in humanitarian aid. For example, we have heard news of the UASR sending your people aid, with possible involvement of other nations in the future. Whilst we of course are gladsome to hear of more countries supporting you in the conflict, it does concern us of the possible flaws of communist involvement. Propaganda contrary to that ideology has been widespread, a positive move, and we firmly believe that course of action was entirely warranted.

Thus, we advice you to have caution when dealing with them, and pay attention to whether there will be any spreading of their political message across Posteastan. Although the people are divided and weak, one thing that is true is standing firm against ideologies such as Marxism and Trotskyism, even when Royalists are gaining ground in other regions.

Sincere regards,
Construction Entprises

[Danlina]

Telinburg, The Presidential Palace
Rozen smiled to herself. She really liked the spider analogy. "Well, I find the war as an important point of interest for Danlina. You might have heard of the crisis at Chia Dal, but this time i'm not taking any chances: Danlina needs a strong ally in Posteastan, even if it comes in the expense of democracy. As I see it, the war is just another thing that proves how the people of Posteastan can't govern themselves. We need you to keep the stability in here, otherwise we can't have any way to ensure everything works in our favour".
"I understand," said Valaska, "but there's one more thing I still don't get- why didn't your prime minister contacted me himself?"
Rozen's smile got a little bit wider. "well, as you see, Samuel doesn't really like my, um, Methods of doing things. Understood?"

[Posteastan]

CONFEDERACY OF POSTEASTAN

Official Statement of the Confederacy of Posteastan

To: The Principality of Schwarzenfels
Subject: Patriotic Alliance
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM FROM THE DOMNITOR

---

Salutations,

It seems that Tavitian has finally come to his senses. He is offering us an alliance and a seat in government. I think that we should seize this opportunity and combine our forces to finally drive the Ninedayists out of Posteastan once and for all. The DUS is nothing but a storefront for the Tavatian clan. It has no genuine base in the population the need us for legitimacy and we can make good use of their firepower.

If you Don't object this alliance, we will gladly accept it. Our enemies are divided and if we act quickly we can use their discord to our advantage and march on Telinburg and destroy the outlaws in one pincer movement.
On Guard!

---

Office of the Domnitor
Orikson
Remus Balan

Tabolov Province

Silviu Tavitian grind broadly. He sucked his teeth and spit his cigarette butt in the mud before he saluted Colonel Yurakin and then shook the man's hand. "You did it man! You are the one! You won the damn war!" His handshake was like that of a hydraulic press. With an expression of admiration on his face he took a long look at the construction side "Looks good!" he said in approval. "A bit spacy though. Are you planning to hold parades in your barracks? We won't have much time for that. " Jokingly he added "Or do you want to land helicopters here?" His men meanwhile worked tirelessly to unload diesel and gas brought along by the Karevkans.

"You have no idea who much we need these supplies. But you have something much more important than fuel, the key to this war so to say." With solemn face Tavitian hands a written order to Yurakin. "These are the orders to hand the captured Allaneas over to me. I hope they are alive and relatively well."

While the fuel departs, more rebel soldiers arrive at the makeshift base queuing for food and getting acquainted with the allies. Some have brought civilian friends or family members. Silviu Tavitian turns to Colonel Yurakin once more. "You, Sir are indeed a great commander and strategic genius. Taking the airport and securing it so deep in enemy territory. Don't worry the garrison on the Leozina airport just has to hold the ground for a few more days before our allies arrive. they are already on the move. How strong is the garrison you left there and what is their situation? We are not yet ready to take Leozina, negotiations are underway but if they fail we will take that city first. Flying in our allies and attacking from south of the Telin at the same time. They will surrender in no time. The situation could hardly be any better."

CHURCH OF POSTEASTAN

Official Statement of the Republic of Posteastan

To: Grand Ambassador Peter Nizhinsky
Subject: Problems
OFFICIAL LETTER OF THE PATRIARCH

---

Your Excellency,
I fully understand what you are saying and I am indeed thankful for your counsel. As I have stated previously we are confining fallen women to nunneries for rehabilitation. The killing of these unfortunate creatures was not sanctioned by me or by the Church of Posteastan. There probably has been a mix up with the executions for adultery. You have my word that there will be no more executions of prostitutes. I will be more difficult to reach in the next few days as I travel the province to take personally care of these matters. We take your conference very serious and wish to follow your advice. If your men at the airport are in any trouble, we will gladly lend a hand to have them liberated.
God be with you.

---

Patriarch
Iancu Funar

Roztechko – Babylon by the Sea



Refugees from the Orikson Province put themselves in great danger taking the long journey through the entire nation, but the call of Roztechko could be heard in the darkest corners of the country. For a few Syndicated Yen or a couple of words of comfort they The shared the most gruesome and most disturbing of stories with the employees of Construction Enterprises. The Confederation had learned well how to control their territory. Seeking out the most effective ways to fully subdue the population, they'd gone to the undisputed masters of it. Western liberal democratic bastions of freedom and democracy who – when presented with rising nationalist movements in previously colonial powers – had decided that it was better by far for the left hand to not know what the right was doing. On paper at least. All manner of publications could be found from those fine, upstanding bastions of human rights, all manner of training manuals disseminating and detailing the most effective ways of subduing a population and crushing any resistance had been printed and disseminated by nations that would, at home, go on to make great strides in securing civil and human rights for their native populations.

They learned, for instance, that any organization that might somehow serve a counter movement must be destroyed. It was for this reason that sixteen suspected trades unionists would return to their homes to find their children murdered and dismembered. Body parts positioned in grotesque tableau, roofing nails used to fix them where the small nature of some bodies meant that propping them up would be problematic.

Food had been used since time immemorial as a means of control. The Black Brigades swiftly took over the informal network of aid distribution. Where community leaders could simply be cast aside they were, and replaced by those loyal to the Patriotic Block. Lists of known subversive elements were displayed, promising harsh punishment to those who handed over food or aid to them. Three distribution centers affiliated with church groups refused to allow Patriotic Block control. The response was brutal as it was swift. During evening allocation, Black Brigades arrived and barricaded shut the doors. It took a few seconds to throw incendiary bombs into the buildings. Those few inside that managed to escape were beaten to death by waiting soldiers.

These stories took a few more days to reach Ms. Wright via her network of informants supplied to her by Adam Nechita.

For Faramir and Erdem it was particularly interesting that all stories shared the same threat to them. It was, of course, important to control reporting inside the territories. A few journalists who reported for nations that the Patriotic Block deemed acceptable were allowed inside for swift, fleeting tours of what parts of the Confederacy were deemed acceptable to show. Journalists who attempted to sneak into the Confederacy were summarily executed as foreign agents. With promised backing from foreign powers, acquiring weapons was apparently not a concern. However acquiring loyal soldiers was. It was for this reason that a series of youth camps were started, heavy on indoctrination as well as what skills soldiers would require. It was especially the mothers who often claimed that the official age for recruitment was lowered to thirteen years old. Aside from the official training program, instructors were encouraged to utilize brutal punishment and sexual assault to break down the young recruits so that they may be rebuilt and reformed as more effective agents of the Domnitor's will.

Royalist Headquarters Leozina

Rasvan looked more than a bit puzzled. "Gentlemen, if I might sum up the situation please?" he said, waiting for a short while to let the noise calm down. "If my information is correct, some foreign force has taken the airport, taking heavy causalities. They have landed reinforcements and…left." He took a deep breath and shook his head in disbelieve. "The National Guard left the airport and is probably on the move to Telinburg, who knows? Looters have taken what remaind of any gas or aviation gas on the airport. And basically anything else that wasn't nailed to the ground. I suggest we takeover the airport ourselves. It might not be the most valuable asset in the moment but in a few months we might get it back in shape." Confident of victory he nods to his friends.

"Now let's get to issue two of today's agenda. Tabolov has proposed an alliance. Political and militarily. I suggest you inform your superiors about that and tell me their orders. Things are evolving a lot faster now that we have your backing."

REPUBLIC OF POSTEASTAN

Official Statement of the Republic of Posteastan

To: Construction Enterprises
Subject:Port of Call
OFFICIAL TELEGRAM FROM THE PRESIDENT

---

My friends,

I am delighted that your work is speedy and successful. If I can voice my wishes in this case I would like you to install a complete wireless system as well. We have severe problems with the landlines as they are frequently interrupted. It is also paramount that you connect Telinburg as fast as possible to the new cellphone network. In have secured permission from Mierbozia for your expansion there as well.

The Royalists are clowns, nothing more than a fancy dress club. Men who love men in fantastic uniforms and to call other men lord and master. Nothing to worry about. The threat of communism is more severe. We are at the moment depending on humanitarian aid but we will be careful when dealing with these groups. With your help the construction of prisons is proceeding swiftly. They will soon be filled with all kinds of scum. I would very much appreciate if your company could provide me with a weekly list of at least 50 names of know trouble makers and agitators involved with the workforce of your company.

---

Office of the President
Niculai Valaska
Telinburg

The Syndicate Coast
The men the Syndicate had send to deal with the religious whack jobs where not the sharpest tools in the shed. Outworn drug addicts and borderline psychos. It took them a while to find the small boat loaded with Syndicated Yen. They quickly unloaded the money, checked it and radioed the truck and took off with the money. A few minutes later the white cooler truck arrived. "As-salamu alaykum!!" Yelled the truck driver to alert the terrorists. "I have a truck load of AA missiles. get them on your boat and get going. What else is it you want?"

Presidential Palace Telinburg
"Err...no. What's going in in Chia Dal?" Asked Valaska. "I have been busy keeping this...nation...in shape." With a roguish smile he added. "I understand, indeed I do. Well, that is a problem. He should not stop you and your ambitions. I like your methods. They get things done."

Port Serenity – Kuronami

Mirela laught. "Hell no! You can buy Posteastanian diplomatic passports for a dime a dozen. These things are worthless and you can hardly travel anywhere with them. The Valaska government is internationally no longer recognized. No. I want proper diplomatic immunity from a proper nation. Something that is not easily bought with money alone." With a few hand gestures and voice commands she made a screen appear out of nowhere and a well-designed slide show of Port Serenity began.


Port Serenity: Population 931,444 Coastal city on the south-central Kuronami coast
Dominion: Clarines

Government Highest Order: Lord Barry Cantrell (age 45)
Hobbies: Hunting, sailing
Weaknesses: Poor vision in left eye
Lady Sasha Cantrell (wife, 33)
Hobbies: Piano
Weaknesses: None significant
Children: Barry II (son, 13)
Clara (daughter, 10)
Jacob (son 6)

Municipal: District Attorney: Suzanna Harrison (age 40)
Hobbies: Running, reading
Weaknesses: None
Husband: Lance Harrison (age 40)
Hobbies: Finance, investing
Weaknesses: Prideful
Daughter: Lacy Harrison (age 22)

Chief of Police: Andrew Stanton (age 55)
Hobbies: Model work
Weaknesses: Weak moral constitution
Wife: Satoko Stanton (teacher, age 53)
Hobbies: Writing
Children: None

"So, gentlemen, here are my problems. My friends in the Broken Knife wish to expand their operations in Serentiy but these people all put obstacles in their way for no apparent reason. That's why the Broken Knife has approached me to solve these problems. Now be aware that you can't run around slitting throats and planting car bombs. You will need to put all your skills to work here. Stanton might be the easiest Target. His wife writes pseudo-erotic vampire novels. Needless to say that she does not find a publisher. I could easily do that but even a drunken and bribed cop would see through that and frankly I am already doing your job her. Approach these people and make sure that they drop their resistance to the Broken Knife or…replace them with someone more cooperative."

The Spire
The extraction worked well, train hard – fight easy. That is what they say. It is clearly an exaggeration as you never, ever, fight easy. The suppressive fire from the unguided rockets had forced the opposition down and reaching the birds was not as dangerous as it had been with the new arrivals still firing from all barrels. It was then, just seconds after take-off that the two helicopters came under heavy fire from the village of Smayel. Small arms mostly but a few auto-cannons here and there. Something that the men would remember for the years to come.
Debriefing
The information recovered at the 'Spire' was not too difficult to decrypt, well, most of it. Some of it was simply impossible to decrypt or too damaged to be of any use. The most confusing part of the whole operation was the background of those rescued from the Syndicate's hands. These men, women and children were each and all relatives of known Renegades of various standings. Accountants, Unit Commanders, Pilots, Mechanics...the whole array of influential characters around several bases. The maps, phone numbers and various accounts captured from the Syndicate left a good impression of their work and structure around Vatgera and beyond. With Allanea's abilities in electronic warfare and disregard of international convention when it comes to the topic of counter-slaver operations it was a cake walk to locate and monitor the phones in question.

[Karevka]

"We left some demolition technicians behind to destroy the vital parts of the airport to deny it's use to the enemy. They have a few helicopters to get them back over here." Yurakin then gestured towards the civvies watching the soldiers lay down sandbags "Should we evacuate the local populace? They would become unnecessary collateral damage, and their deaths could be used as propaganda by the imperialists."

[Allanea]

Official Press Release of the Free Kingdom Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Free Kingdom Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its deepest concerns for the safety of sex workers detained for 'rehabilitation' in various religious facilities in Posteastan. We would like to believe that the conditions there are humane, and are not, at this stage, making any accusations towards the church. That said, our government hereby notes that asylum will be granted to women and men who would be seeking it in the Free Kingdom in this context.

* * *

As the message was sent out, the secretary looked out at Peter Nizhinsky across the expansive, mahogany desk. "You do realize, Sir…"

"That if it turns out they're working those women to death in the nunneries, and there are secret mass graves or some shit, the Senate will have my ass on a silver platter?" – Nizinsky said. – "Yes, I absolutely do realize. We're doing what we have with what we've got. People take risks. I take risks. What should we have done, you tell me? Should we let the Syndicate dance about the country with a bloody slaver-panzer-division, murdering people, reselling refugees like they're so many heads of cattle? If the Senate wants to hold my feet to the fire, let them."

* * *

OAS Headquarters, Office of General Alexei Kalugin

General Kalugin had in some ways found Morrison's shoes hard to fill. In this expansive office, the head of the Organization for Armed Shenanigans was overseeing the entirety of the Ministry of War's 'special' efforts abroad – reconnaissance, espionage, sabotage, and, importantly, the so-called 'PLU' – Prison Liberation Unit – missions. The responsibility lay heavy on Kalugin. So was it today – when news came in of three of his men dying in Posteastan. Not even bodies remained to bury – three sets of dog tags, to be returned to the families, and letters from their commander to the next of kin. On the other hand… yes, the other hand mattered. Somehow, Captain Lysander came back with something even more important than the dozens of innocents that he had rescued.

"Charles," – Kalugin said to his secretary, "Please prepare a medal award form for Lysander. He has earned it, and I will sign it and issue it. This is a gold mine."

He referred, of course, to the documents that had been retrieved from the Spire. There were, of course, the names of hundreds of slaver agents, and of course, importantly, their addresses. The information was still being decrypted. But it would already be clear that some of the suspicions Allanea's government had would be confirmed. The Syndicate had deep ties with the Renegade movement, if a movement it could be termed.

"Here is what we need to do," – Kalugin spoke. "Let's take this target – let's give him a codename, he's an accountant, let's call him 'Willy Loman' in our records. Have him placed under surveillance. Try and tap his phone, but even if we don't know what he's talking about – which I doubt, because normally cell phone communications are easy to listen in on – I want us to know where he is at all times."

"I will make a note of it, Sir."

"Then I want these two guys – call them, I don't know, "Rosenkrantz" and "Gildenstern" – they are involved in managing the 'sales', if you will, of the slaves. Those guys, I want them dead. Get a team on it. And finally, Charles…"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Goran Popovich. Get a team of Operatives into the country. We will send Cernat and his gang a message they'll never forget."

"Operatives? As in…"

"As in Mors in Tenebrae. I did not stutter, Charles. Get on with it."

[Danlina]

The Presidential Palace, Telinburg
"I'm happy we have reached an understanding. Now, if you may, what will be the next move? Remember, all I need is one phone call and my agents are on their way to their mission".
The Syndicate Coast
While the less serious operatives of the syndicate were busy with the ISIS soldiers, others were waiting for someone. Someone important. They themselves didn't know who exactly, but they knew that whoever they are waiting for, they'll know when they'll meet them.
Five men in identical black suits, with blue and red ties and "W" lapel pins, approached the syndicate's people. Then they knew they've met who they were waiting for.
"Wait a minute," said one of the syndicate members, "Where the fuck is Freddy?!". "Oh, yeah. The errand boy." Replied one of the men in the suits. "Don't worry about him, he'll wash up here sooner or later," he said with a grin. "Probably on the shore".
"You pieces of shit!!" shouted the man who asked about Freddy. They looked much alike, probably Freddy's brother or cousin. "Calm down, calm down," said another syndicate member as he grabbed the furious man to make sure he doesn't attack the men in the suits.
The man, who is probably the suits' leader, continued talking as if nothing happened: "We came here because you have sent us an 'invitation'. So, what do you want? And not less important, what do you know?"

[Lux Pulchrae]

Leozina
Gentile looked to Nevicca, after a short conversation in whispers, Gentile returned to Rasvan "We take it as soon as possible, now if we can. All men possible and every gun possible at that airport. It may not be much now, but at elast we don't have to waste time waiting for river clearance. Maybe we can parlay with whoever is stationed near the airport."

He was then informed on the matters of Tabolov "Who the hell is in Tabolov? Isn't that the Tavitian province? What does Sir Thatcher say about this?"

Port Serenity
"Hmm, must be a weak knife." Shades sucked his teeth "Why exactly do you want this immunity? We kill, or persuade, these targets and then what Your Majesty?" Shades questioned

Nero interrupted "Hold on, before you answer that question, can you tell us why we are dealing with a simple intimidation routine when some strung out crack addict can do it for a needle. Just so we are all on the same page here, before doing anything else." Shades went reading through the target files, these cases could get interesting. The targets were pretty high up positions in the city, at least from their usual target list.

[Great Nortend]

Gentile on his phone, nodded in an understanding manner and hung up. "The Grand Minister of Defense, said five-hundred troops will be touching down, bit by bit throughout the day. Justified it by saying it was for the 'protection of our foreign dignitary in Posteastan', under the credible risk to life from the airport attack earlier. We'll find a place for them by tomorrow."

Nevicca sat on a chair with his head back, seemingly taking a nap. He was sort've tired. Seeing this, Gentile asked where the lodgings Thatcher spoke of were kept "You spoke of a lodging house earlier, where would they be. The flight here, and subsequent events have left us rather tired."

-------

Rasvan looked more than a bit puzzled. "Gentlemen, if I might sum up the situation please?" he said, waiting for a short while to let the noise calm down. "If my information is correct, some foreign force has taken the airport, taking heavy causalities. They have landed reinforcements and…left." He took a deep breath and shook his head in disbelieve. "The National Guard left the airport and is probably on the move to Telinburg, who knows? Looters have taken what remaind of any gas or aviation gas on the airport. And basically anything else that wasn't nailed to the ground. I suggest we takeover the airport ourselves. It might not be the most valuable asset in the moment but in a few months we might get it back in shape." Confident of victory he nods to his friends.

"Now let's get to issue two of today's agenda. Tabolov has proposed an alliance. Political and militarily. I suggest you inform your superiors about that and tell me their orders. Things are evolving a lot faster now that we have your backing."

LEOZINA— “Five hundred men?! Well... perhaps they can set up camp on the small green near my lodgings. It's a drying green I think, and should be large enough for a thousand men, let along five hundred. My men, as I said before, will be arriving early tomorrow morning and will meet me at my lodgings.

“Your Excellency, my lodgings are at the Hotel Leozine, owned by our good friend Mr Dobre. It looks like a normal house, but in fact, is a hotel or lodging house. It's just off the central high street of Leozina... but I cannot for my life remember what it's called. Something like 'Plenstock'. There is plenty of room, as despite the influx of refugees, Mr Dobre had been paid handsomely to keep it unoccupied when we require its use.”

Rasvan piped up and the pair of them turned away to consult. Thatcher waited patiently.

“Well, I am flattered but I must say, I am no knight. I am but a humble esquire, with the title of only mister. In any case, I say take the airport and post some of your men Rasvan there for the night to stop any more looting and any further attacks on it. Then once your five hundred men arrive, some can be sent to guard it.

“Surely not a chance in hell, if you pardon by language! Yes, Tavitian is in Tabolov. It's is controlled by a group of effective communists. No, I say ignore their proposal and if they press, give a non-commital answer. 'We are currently exploring all options at this time' I'll telegramme my Government anyway, but I shall be very surprised if they agree to any alliance. In fact, have they sent a letter? What are the actual terms?”

He bade farewell to Rasvan Luca and his motley crew, and gestured to the two foreign dignitaries. They were a bit of a pain if Thatcher were to be frank, and clearly out of their depth being sent in the field on what appeared to be the Minister's first day. He simply hoped that Lux Pulchrae would prove to be a worthwhile ally. He quickly sent off a telegramme and had the butler send up some tea. It indeed had been a long day, and though he needed his rest, he needed to organise things for tomorrow's influx of foreigners.

---

Thatcher woke early, before six. It was exceeding cold this time in the morning and he struggled to get dressed. He called for a maid to bring his breakfast. He had thought of taking a bath but thought better of it. No, he needed to get ready quickly. Just after six, he was dressed and in the front sitting room of the hotel-cum-lodging house, waiting for the men. He had received during his breakfast a message that they had arrived at the airstrip and were slowly making their way into the city with their heavy goods.

[Schwarzenfels]

The Principality of SCHWARZENFELS I don't Care Hail Domnitor! Schwarzenfels has already recognized you as the legitimate ruler of Posteastan. I don't care has always and will always be the motto of our movement. And that is the answer I will give you. You can judge the situation on the ground better than I do. Only you can bring your people freedom and only you can know the means which lead to victory. Me ne frego! You lead Posteastan to glory the way you go. Schwarzenfels will be by your side as you march through hell and onward to victory. Sincerely Generalissimo and Guardian Guide of Schwarzenfels by the Grace of God Albrecht von Hammerstein Encryption: Low

[Caracasus]

Parsoh - Elyssium Bay

Nighttime in Parsoh. Some few miles up current from the crowded, bustling citystate lay Elyssium Bay. It looked for all the world to be an untouched jewel, a small haven on earth compared to the glass and concrete behemoth that formed the city state.

The truth was that it had taken millions to reclaim this area, and required constant repairs to flotsam nets as well as a dedicated secruity force to keep out undesirable elements. The wealthy of Parsoh wanted a retreat in reach of the city, but had no inclination to deal with the detritis it produced.

Caracasus's International Observations was an outfit dedicated to secrecy in a nation that practically worshiped openness and direct democracy in every sphere of life. Like most similar outfits its job was to spy on friends and enemies alike and to murder people overseas who might threaten Caracasus. It was not a department that was held in any particularly high regard and one that was found to engage in cross sub departmental rivalry. Even after the Committies Act some decades ago, the organisation would still on occasion conduct its own operations, far outside its remit.

Had the Council Elect been informed of its plans for the Sakala Crime Syndicate, it might have been able to intervene or at the very least keep the shadowy department up to date on foreign efforts to undermine the Syndicate.

As it was, Internal Observations sent their own woman in to deal with the target. Unlike the spy fiction and popcorn action movies, assassinating someone really isn't that hard. You can leave your fancy gadgets and poisons behind unless the objective is to also show off to the world how deviously clever you are. The real difficulty had always been finding out who to to assassinate, when and where. The how cost a couple of small bribes to a security contractor and the price of an unregistered handgun.

At approximately 3.30, the Caracasusian agent pulled up outside the right beachfront villa in a marked security car. She deactivated the alarms with the purchased code, entered the building and shot her target three times in the head. After waiting to make sure he was dead, she took his speedboat out into the bay. It was not unusual for people to enjoy a night like this, and she had to make a couple of detours to avoid coming too close to another boat.

By the time the body was discovered, she was safely in neighbouring Malsti, where a short airship ride took her home to Caracasus. Meanwhile, the man resposible for running a significant part of the Syndicate's internal communications between a dozen or so shell companies was dead. Exactly what affect this would have, positive or negative, on the secret war currently being carried out against the Syndicate it was impossible to say.

[Kenmoria]

---

Subject: Reply Port of Call
To: President Niculai Valaska
From: Construction Enterprises
Encryption: High

---

Dear President Niculai Valaska,

We will of course immediately begin work on connecting Telinburg to the network. Unfortunately, this may take a few weeks due us also focusing on repairing Roztechko to its prior state of glory and affluence.

It is very good that the threat of communists is known by your government, and that you are dealing with Royalists so well. The weekly list shall be sent via an encrypted module on any correspondences we send, or by itself if nothing needs to be communicated.

Sincere regards,
Construction Enterprises


Attachment.troublemakers.txt

With the threat of communism warded off, at least for the time being, Construction Enterprises could focus on the phone line, and then further on the wireless communications. The imports having arrived meant that everything was perfectly set up for the workers and volunteers to provide coverage to the whole of Roztechko, indeed until Pitsby, the new end goal. For all of the flaws of the local populace, and there were many, as evidenced by the list of fifth sent with the missive to Niculai Valaska, they were good at working hard. A few years of unrest and a recent, explosive conflict had hardened them to the degree where working for nothing, in the case of the volunteers, or for meagre sums, in the case of the employed, was nothing more than an irritation.

The few problems the project managers faced were easily solved. Most of the trade unionists and socialist thinkers could be threatened with a short time in the branded prisons and then return to the official, Posteastan government-sponsored way of life. Some of the more resilient ones would be dealt with via the actual reality of life within four concrete. The remainder, who had been hardened to the degree that not even the brutal treatment by the guards could scare them, were dispatched without any trouble by the branded bullets of the corporation. Some of the more creative private security staff and hired Syndicate members had made some surprisingly intricate displays with the corpses, which was slightly annoying for the cleaning crew, but an inevitability when employing people who would have given Freud a field day.

Such cruelties were not the intention of Construction Enterprises, as maliciousness was not a goal conducive with the generation of sales through the humanitarian aid program, merely a result of the apathy towards anyone whose face would not be covering a flyer back in Kenmoria. People, when given the opportunity, love to feel as though they have done a good deed, but rarely can muster up the effort to perform the benevolent action themselves; by giving a donation to the work the construction company was doing in Posteastan, one could easily obtain all the happiness that comes as a result of kindness yet still avoid actually having to do anything. Because of this, it didn’t matter whether the locals were happy with the telecommunications network, which almost all coincidentally were, but rather whether the newspapers stated feelings of joy or despair.

[Lux Pulchrae]

Leoniza
Hands in his pockets, Gentile nodded "Well, more to discuss tomorrow, maybe finally we can set foot on that damned airport. I sure don't trust these Tativians as well. Amaglione doesn't need to hear this and neither does Defense. It was 'never brought up to me'. The last thing they'd ever want to hear is cooperation with communists, they'd rather hear defeat. I'll leave that to you gentlmen." shaking the hands of their new allies, they bid them a farerwell and good night.

The two left the royalist headquarters and followed the directions given to the hotel. Checking in they acquired separate rooms. They were not too bad though, very spacious, especially for one person. Well, in actuality they each sprung for a double.

---

5:30 the next morning
A wakeup call rang in the early morning, jolting Gentile awake. Rubbing his face he sat up and looked at the time: 5:31am. Getting up he went to the window and opened the curtains, the sun was barely out. About 15-20 minutes later, he was all showered and clothed, just needing to put his shoes on. White shirt, black pants, black suspenders and black vest. Over this he wore a a grey overcoat that just passed his knees with a matching fedora. Going downstairs he went to the eating area, only grabbing himself a roll of bread and some coffee, waiting for Nevicca. The adviser finally arrived downstairs and grabbing a similar breakfast to Gentile and the two headed to the Royalist headquarters.

As they were about to leave out the front door, they spotted Thatcher sitting down, Gentile approached him "Bongiorno Signore Thatcher.” he greeted, looking around the room to see if there was anyone else. “So, in your expert opinion, how inappropriate is this meeting? I've received confirmation that our little 'shipment' will arrive around ten this morning. Four to carry men and supplies, two more coming stocked to the roof with just supplies. I pleaded for some artillery, AA obviously, because an airport needs protection from the sky. Is five-hundred men good enough or do you think we need more?"

[Great Nortend]

LEOZINA— “Good morning Signori; I do not understand. How do you mean “this meeting”? If you mean your meeting me here, then I have no qualms. If you are referring to I have received information that my three men have arrived at the airstrip and should be coming along now shortly. They have brought some goods, but not too much, since they arrived by a small aeroplane. I am very pleased to hear that I have had the chance to talk to you for I have important information. I suspect that the Karevkans do not intend to leave us in peace for very much longer. My men reported when they arrived at the airstrip that there appears to be a few helicopters still remaining at the airport and a small team of soldiers as well. If your men will be landing at the airport, I urge them to exercise caution. It may be rigged with explosives, mines or worse. I would evince to Your Excellency that it may be better to land at the airstrip which is very close by. It apparently has been deserted by the National Guard as well; no doubt in response to the Karevkan's attack on the main airport. I'm sure five hundred will be enough for now; we will be bringing in only around thirty soldiers and three or four artillery guns for now, with more available if needed. Keep them busy though; it wouldn't be good if they just stroll aimlessly through the city. There are a lot of jobs that could be done if they have spare time... filling potholes for instance and building defence infrastructure for instance. I'm sure your officers will know what to do.”

---

Three men in their late twenties and early thirties rounded the corner in their commandeered vehicle and drove up the street which they had been directed to. Their names were John East, Henry Brown and Edward Tinker, and were dressed in their shirt-sleeves and deep navy woollen bonnets. The vehicle had been quickly pasted with the words, “Posteastan Alms Society of Great Nortend”, on both sides as well as on the bonnet and rear, and they had had no trouble getting into Leozina, though the journey had been bumpy and uncomfortable over roads riddled with potholes. They would need to fix up the streets sometime.

They drew up in front of Number 22 and their leader, John East, got out. Thatcher noticed their arrival and went out to greet them and bring them inside.

“Michael Thatcher, I presume? John East, of Posteastan Alms Society. God save the Queen.”
“Ah, Sir John; Long live Her Majesty,” Thatcher replied, in accordance with his instructions. They were certainly the right people.
“This is Henry Brown and Edward Tinker is over there, carrying the case. I am their officer commanding.”
“How was the flight? I am pleased that you've arrived so quickly; I fear the main airport will soon be unusable anyway. I must introduce you to those two gentlemen; Signore Giani Gentile on the left and Mr Lorenzo Nevicca on the right. Gentile is the, er, Grand Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lux Pulchrae, and Mr Nevicca his assistant, I believe. Be careful; he's inexperienced in matters of diplomacy and prefers 'Signore'. There are five hundred men from Lux Pulchrae scheduled to arrive to-day at ten a.m. for your information, but I presume that you have things to get on with already.”
“We intend to start as soon as possible, but we are rather hungry. Is there any breakfast, Your Excellency?”
“Yes; the chef here is very good. I shall send some breakfast up to your rooms.

The vehicle was unloaded of its cases, trunks and numerous crates with some difficulty, and the men shewn up to their two adjoining rooms, East was in a smaller single room and Brown and Tinker sharing a double. They had a quick shower and cleaned themselves up, shaved and dressed in smart clean clothes—shirt, tie, jacket and trousers.

“It's a very nice room for somewhere that is receiving aid. I wouldn't mind it myself.”
“Nah Tinker; I think that hotel in Nice was better. It was warm; this room is freezing.”
“Well get the maid in to light the fire. Is there a fire?”
“I don't think so.”
“Well that's a bother. Still; it's better than that shack in our very own Thuskingthorp.”
“Oh, don't remind me of there. I never want to step in that place again.”

East knocked sharply on and stepped through the connecting door. Two two men stood up straight to attention.

“Gentlemen, after breakfast, I need you to set up our base of operations. There is a vacant building two streets down which we shall use. It's in pretty poor shape, so you'll need to paint it, fix up the windows, door, lock, and interior, as per the plans. Put up the posters on the window and on a few posts around the city; the neutral ones only for now. Clean the building and then move our goods there once it's secured. Check for any listening machines too there, and introduce yourselves to the owners of the shops next door. I believe one is a grocer and the other some sort of ironmonger. Make sure that they are friendly to the cause first; I do not want a communist as our neighbours. Remember that you are officers of the Posteastan Alms Society of Great Nortend. Be back before Vespers and make sure you are presentable for Church. It's Orthodox around here, but the Church of Nortend is friendly with them... mostly. God grant you success in your endeavours.”

“Sir,” they responded. East left, and soon after, a maid bustled in with a tray. Eggs, polenta, toast, butter and some grilled vegetables and cold meats. It was a good, hearty meal and not before long, they were ready for their day ahead.

[Balagan]

Echo of the Jackboot

posteastan in the new century

Public Executions – More common than ever.

It is difficult to begin a report about Posteastan. A lot of people will simply turn away from the plight of a nation that often served as the scapegoat in the narratives of our own media outlets but maybe that is a good start. All that you have ever heard about Posteastan is true. Believe me, I am here. On the first day of our arrival we bribed our way through the administration and ended up with enough licenses to keep a tank division afloat. Guns, fuel and travel permits. We have it all. The only thing is, that these permits are practically useless. I bought a fuel permit intended for a family with children and sick. The fuel is supposed to be handed out to me upon checking in that permit, but that is not the way it works. Once I check in my permit it is registered and booked. On paper everything looks fine but to get the gas I still have to pay. And I have to pay a lot. Gas is available but it costs almost ten times as much as it did before the conflict. Everything is expensive here and people have a very low income. Which of course makes bribes even more common as almost everybody depends on additional income.

But what about those who have no position of power? What about the masses of unemployed and the internally displaced persons? As ever so often in life that depends on luck. On our way along the scenic Telin we met people from every part of the torn nation. Conflicting news reached us from Mierbozia. In more than one occasion women who had been accused of being sex-workers were lynched by the local people without interference of the police or National Guard. Mierbozia is controlled by a gang of religious fanatics, about as open minded and philanthropic as the mullahs of the Islamic army. These gangsters are loyal to the government but only for the price of being allowed to make up their own laws and murder, torture, imprison and maim without judges, trial, persecutions, defense lawyers or the right to appeal. It is not only women suspected of having extramarital affairs that get murdered but also those believed to be members of a rival gang. Along with their families.

Contrary to that we have heard stories about Iancu Funar's gang, let's call them the Funar Cartel from now on, handing out alms for the poor and providing shelter for the homeless. There is one other thing that distinguishes the Funar Cartel from other gangs in Posteastan. It is their outspoken and rampart sexism. The Funar Cartel is a male-only gang with women confined to auxiliary roles. Their hatred for the female population shows itself in the murders but also in the desire to enforce dress codes for women in their sphere of control. It might not come as a surprise that a government that allows its citizen to be treated in that way lost all of its legitimacy and credibility. Funar 's closest ally at the moment is the Capo of the Telinburg Cartel, Niculai Valaska. To some he appears as the Capo di tutti i capi in this game. He controls the larges area and holds the best cards.

Apparently Valaska is good friends with the Sakala Crime Syndicate, one of the smaller and less brutal gangs. Gentlemen gangsters of the old school if you like. Heroin addicts who will cut your children's eyeballs out if you miss a payment of the loan for your mother's treatment, but at least have the dignity not to wrap their greed into a pseudo-political agenda. Openly carrying their guns, these men and women can often be encountered in the streets of Roztechko where they serve as auxiliary police force, side by side with national guard and the bent coppers.

The rights of men and women in Roztechko hardly exceed those in Mierbozia. It is as it always has been. If you take away trade unions, the right to strike, freedom of assembly and the right to a fair trial the worker becomes the slave of capitalist society. Needless to say that the female worker is the slave of that slave. In all the years I have watched the words and actions of the various governments of Posteastan there was always this re-occurring theme. "The Ninedayists are behind everything!" A lie so often repeated that finally the liars began to believe it, and then their competition and finally the opposition and in the end almost half the grown up population believed it. When you walk the streets of Roztechko or Telinburg, when you sit in pubs or bars or when you listen to conversation on the bus you will soon find out which part of the population is almost completely immune to the propaganda. Most of the illegal organizers, activists and militants we have met are women. Pragmatic and indifferent to ideology they have formed self-protection groups, underground daycare centers, food cooperatives and much, much more. These measures are not fueled by ideology, their strikes for equal pay and equal rights are based on the instinct of survival. They have to fight or they will die. In many cases these groups are organized in the same way as cell-based guerilla groups in other nations. They run safe-houses for women form Mierbozia and run networks that help people persecuted by the Funar Cartel to reach the relative safety of Vatgera or Deslav.

While women are largely ignored and marginalized by the Royalist movement and the remainders of the Tavitian Crime Family, the situation is even worse in Orikson. The cold north-west of Posteastan always was a harsh place. Not it is hell on earth. Fascists have violently assumed power and have formed their own fascist theme park in mockery of the murders and genocides of the past. Dressed in, naturally, black uniforms these thugs murder or threaten anybody who disagrees with their delusions. In other words, every sane person. Not a genuine fascist movement the Patriotic Block (more often simply called Balan's Bandits) lacks the support of the population. Therefor they have to resort to terror tactics and kidnappings to fill their ranks with child soldiers. Balan's Bandits oppose the Telinburg Cartel and Can't count on the same leniency as Valaska offers Funar's men for their loyalty. The fascists in Orikson are well organized and apparently have the ability to strike everywhere in the country. This makes sympathies for their movement within the National Guard and the police very likely.

In a couple of days, we will try to reach more places in Posteastan to gather more information about the current situation. In the north the nation is controlled by deserters and dissidents who stood in opposition to the war and the government. They have formed a society that completely rejects the old Posteastan. It is difficult to reach these people or even get them to talk on the phone. The Renegades as they call themselves are despised by the Tavitian Crime Family who hold them responsible for the collapse of their war but they are equally hated by the Telinburg Cartel. Currently it is not possible to obtain a travel permit for the northern regions.

[Lux Pulchrae]

Leozina
"I'm sorry? I'm being told this now? My men are on their way already. I'd have to have them circle the sky until we clear this mess up!" Gentile calmed himself down "Alright, should be pretty simple. How hard can they be? A bunch of communists. We take care of them and take their shit too. And you say they might 'Napoleon at Moscow' it? Leave nothing and scorch the earth? An interesting tactic. No offense but you think these yokels can aim from a distance to take these leftovers out? Or at all? I have not seen one of them fight."

Before Thatcher could answer these questions a car rolled up and three men got out. They introduced themselves, Gentile shook each of their hands and they went inside to eat and presumably acquire their rooms.

"They seem like a nice bunch Your Excellency. The 'Posteastan Alms Society of Great Nortend'? Great cover name. Tell me there is more than just clothes and and band-aids in those crates." he said looking into one of them. "Maybe we should scope this nearby airfield, don't want my men landing in on a fucking mine. Great now I have to tell Command."

"Nevicca!" Gentile called his aid, Nevicca's head quickly looked up "<Call Command. Tell them the airport is not as secure as we thought. We'll either take care of it before they get here, or they are landing somewhere else. Have them call thirty minutes before the ETA, if we haven't succeeded by then, to divert them.> Capito?" Nevicca nodded as Gentile handed him his sat phone.

---

Minutes passed when Gentile had the gears in his brain turning once again. "I have an idea." Grabbing a paper and pen, he began to write a letter

TO:Whoever is there(Allanea)
FROM:Grand Minister of Foreign Affairs Giani Gentile for the Kingdom of Lux Pulchrae

---

To whoever this may concern, you seem to between a rock and a hard place, so the idiom goes. We don't know your alignment, nor your morals. But what we do know is that you were besieged by communist dogs from Kraveka. They've probably now since left but seem to have left some behind to sabotage it. Sadly for the time being we are working with locals, and they are under-equipped. If you can help us clear them out, we can discuss the thanks you deserve.

Sincerely,

Grand Minister of Foreign Affairs Giani Gentile, under His Majesty Cleone d'Angeli IV

"What is your opinion Envoy? Yay or nay? Those communists were shelling the barracks near the airport, maybe they want some help. Lighten our load as they say. Should I deliver it myself or send some local boy? I should probably go myself. it'll send a better message."

[Karevka]

The assembly of soldiers of vehicles was impressive. 20,000 men and 1,500 armored vehicles supported by reams of aircraft and artillery moved through the southern border of Posteastan. The political and intelligence pukes had finally woken up and realized that the time for serious military involvement had come. The long armored columns made their way across potholed roads, destroyed villages and squatter camps while being watched over by angels that could unleash a hellstorm at a moments notice. The people of Posteastan would soon be liberated from the imperialists, who had long made this nation suffer under their illegal rule. Karevka's socialist brothers and sisters here would soon march toward a greater future under the Tavitians, who were guided by the guns of the soldiers and the hearts of the people.

[Great Nortend]

LEOZINA— “Perhaps it would be best to strike a less dysphemistic tone. Are the men at the airport the group of humanitarian almoners from Allanea? I was under the impression that the group remaining were Karevkan soldiers keeping guard over 'their' airport. You do everything that you can to retake the airport. I, meanwhile, will begin marshalling the citizen soldiers of Leozina, with the help of Lef-uh-Mr East.

“I am glad to say that there is indeed more than clothes and your curiously named sticking plasters in those crates. There ought to be four dozen or more semi-automatic rifles, carbines, pistols and other firearms, as well as ammunition and grenades. They should be in two of the crates still in the back of the van marked, er, D and E I believe. No, E has the office equipment; they must in C and D then.”

---

Brown and Tinker found the building wherein they were to set up their operations base. It looked like it had been an old shop, and still had its counters and shelves, as well as peeling signage in Posteastan. They both knew some Posteastan, however it wasn't good enough to decipher the random letters. The layout of the shop was simple; it had a large front room, obviously the main shop room, with a smaller room behind it. A staircase there led upstairs, where there were a few small rooms of indiscernable use. It was mostly empty of any furniture and clearly hadn't been used for a long time.

Waiting for the painter to arrive, who had been arranged for earlier that day, the pair decided to clean the insides. A few boys running in the street were convinced to help, with the promise of sweets, and soon all four were busy sweeping, scrubbing and cleaning. They made short work of the front rooms and soon had mostly tidied up the interior. There was a small yard behind the shop, opening out to a tiny alleyway behind the buildings. The yard was fairly secure, with high brick walls, however a new gate and lock were needed.

“It's all right, isn't it Tinker?” said Brown after they had finished cleaning. “We'd better check on our neighbours.”

The shop's neighbours were indeed a ironmonger and a small general grocer's shop. The pair introduced themselves in hesitant Posteastan and were convinced of their proprietry. Indeed, they were very complimentary of Great Nortend when it had been brought up, and so the pair were satisfied that the two shopkeepers, an elderly lady and a younger man respectively, would be not entirely unsympathetic to the Cause. The painter had meanwhile arrived, and was busy sanding the frontage. A glazier would be called sometime, to repair a pane of glass, but they could themselves install the high-security lock to the door. Wooden shutters meanwhile had to be procured for installation behind the window, to be shuttered and closed from the inside, for security purposes. Whilst Brown busied himself with this carpentry work, all the while regretting their decision to sweep the floors first, Tinker went back and fetched the old van. Some young men were found on the street and paid in cash to help unload the heavy crates into the shop via the back entranceway, and by the late afternoon, the pair's work had been done. Some furniture would be procured later for the shop, but meanwhile everything was unloaded and the shop was mostly secure.

“Excellent work I think Brown.”
“Yes, jolly good work to-day mate. We'd better get back and change for Church. I wonder what they wear to church around here?”

[Lux Pulchrae]

Leoniza
"Like I know where they're from! Barely heard of Allanea, none of the reports I gathered mentioned much of them. But if they are holed up in barracks, then it is safe to assume it is military presence, somewhere they are used to. You wouldn't house a tiger in a lion's den. Or a polar bare in the bird section. Barracks equal soldiers, no soldiers equals no barracks, simple math Minister Thatcher." Mr.East then told Gentile about the extraordinary materials brought in the van.

"Dio mio." Gentile exclaimed "You brought all this in that plane?" he got into the van, finding the C and D crates he was told. Opening one, he reached in and grabbed a semi-auto rifle. Hopping out he held it pointing up with one arm, making gunshot noises with his mouth. Aiming it down the street, some poor streetwalker sped his pace up a bit, thinking he was in the crosshairs. "Forgive my excitement, Foreign Affairs was a subdivision of Defense, and even then I never really held a rifle since the two years. I mean, I have my own pistol but, there is much more energy in a rifle. Tu capito, eh?" he smiled "I hope you don't mind me and Nevicca taking one each as we go and see who these alleged almers at the barracks are, if they are co-operable, we hit the airport. What do you call this one anyways Lef-uh-'Mr.East'?" he laughed as he jokingly mocked Thatcher and asked about the gun. "

[Great Nortend]

“It is surprising how much one can bring in a small aeroplane, when one has only four people to transport,” replied East. “We've brought a crate of tinned food in A, essential medicines in B, office equipment for our base of operations in E and some clothes in G and H. F has some other military supplies.”

“I'm sure Mr East won't mind if you take one each, won't you? I beg your pardon, Sir John. I forgot,” Thatcher said apologetically. He was a bit miffed at Gentile's poor taste in jokes. “I bid you, Your Excellency; please don not wave them around so. I do not wish for everyone to know that we have a crate full of firearms.”

“You may take one each gentlemen, if you sign them out in this book. Whilst I am sure you will be careful, I wouldn't like any to go missing so soon.” His tone was sharp and Thatcher made a mental note to make sure he did not cross the man. “Those two rifles took both like a Devenson General Use Rifle Mk. IV. They are a semi-automatic rifle that uses 5/16" cartridges. It is the standard issue rifle in the Army Royal. That other one in the crate is a Mark III bolt action. It might also be a Mark IIIA, actually, with a shorter barrel.”

“If you go to the airport to-day, please excuse us. Sir John, we perhaps ought to be going now. The citizen Royalist movement headquarters are not too far from here. Good day, gentlemen.”

---

They quickly arrived at the old tea room. The room was more filled than usual, and the Royal flag had been hung on the walls with a portrait of Sir Alexander for good measure. It appeared that many of the Royalists had heard of the newcomers and had come to see what was happening.

“Good morning Mr Luca; this is Sir John,” he said. “He is the officer in charge of the Posteastan Alms Society of Great Nortend, a charitable organisation, which, I am pleased to say, has Sir Alexander on its Court of Directours. He intends to begin operations immediately, by organising your men into an orderly and effective militia.”

Rasvan Luca and his group of close confidantes were no-where to be seen. Thatcher asked some of the men around: “Where's Rasvan Luca?”

[Kenmoria]

Work was progressing as smoothly as ever, with a wired network now covering almost the entirely of district 1, which contained Roztechko, for only rural areas were left without connection. Connections to some 2, most notable for the port of Pibtsy, were beginning with recruitment of volunteers and employees from that region. Unlike the base of operations, those in Pibtsy were slightly less used to the realities of war, having been bombed less during the 7 day period of intense bombardment, so few were able to be put into labour with just the feelings of patriotism, necessitating the spending of Euros.

However, this meant they were even more susceptible to some of the more persuasive elements the Syndicate used, and terminating merely a few homeless would have an entire community working for fear of further killings. It was the Communists, or the Black Party, who were said to have done the killings, making some of the Pitsby populace work for fear of having Posteastan fall into war again. The more educated ones realised it was the Syndicate, working for Construction Enterprises, that we’re the perpetrators, but stayed silent for fear of retribution.

In addition, all of the components for the wireless network had been imported and some had been put to good use as elements of small WANs covering a few neighbourhoods. It wasn’t necessary for it to be good-quality or even have the most basic wireless protocols, just for it to work and be able to send simple messages without the need for physical infrastructure. Already, in the first week of its commercial availability to a select few, many had been declared traitors and had their names added to the list of troublesome elements that would be sent to the government. All that was needed was some more months in which to work, and this could be a speedy successful endeavour indeed.

[Uan aa Boa]

REVOLUTIONARY WORKERS' COUNCIL WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
RE: FOREST SUMMIT ON THE CRISIS IN POSTEASTEN

To the appropriate representatives of Caracasus, Keilersmoor and Cat-herders United

Another solution is possible. It requires the restructuring of the world.

Comrades,

First and foremost we commit ourselves unequivocally to the provision of humanitarian aid for Posteastan. To this end shipments of enhanced synthetic proteins, medical supplies and portable solar generators are being immediately dispatched. They are also to be accompanied by medical personnel who will contribute to efforts to isolate the viral strain responsible for the current influenza outbreak and develop a vaccine for it. In acknowledgement of the urgency of the situation these are being deployed by aircraft - you will understand the extent to which this is a departure from our normal transport policy.

We have very great concerns about much of the current so-called humanitarian aid being delivered, especially by the Kenmorian entity known as Construction Enterprises. A foreign power motivated by profit that builds infrastructure in a warzone because it has resources the government lacks will emerge from the conflict in possession of vital national assets. What we are witnessing is essentially a corporate power grab disguised as assistance - much the same could be said of the support rendered to President Valescu by the locally based Contin and Nechita clans. Valescu is presiding over and complicit in a process of asset-stripping that benefits the forces of private capital to the long-term detriment of his own people.

As a corollary to these observation, we consider it imperative that humanitarian assistance from Forest should be demonstrably different and clearly separated from any other agenda. See already how the kind of aid that actually feeds hungry people is decried as communist infiltration! To this end we have no intention of deploying military personnel into Posteastan or recognising any of the factions currently competing for power. We consider these factions essentially a distraction from the challenge actually facing Posteastan. As is often the case, the visible spectacle of the banner and the call to arms disguise the underlying machinations of darker economic forces.

We are disappointed to note that, according to our intelligence sources, the Forest nation of Rivienland is lending its influence to the Royalist faction. This appears to severely restrict potential for a pan-Forest position of neutrality.

In solidarity.

The answer must be in the attempt!
Unity! Discipline! Progress!

FROM The Revolutionary Workers' Council with Responsibility for Foreign Affairs
TO The Union of Albandrite Socialist Republics's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ENCRYPTION Challenging

The living expression of the nation is the collective consciousness in motion of the entire people.

Comrades,

We thanks you for your words of solidarity and are likewise proud to stand at the barricades alongside the workers' vanguard of Albandrite.

We share your goal of resisting imperialist forces wherever they may be found and agree that in this regard the history of Posteastan is troubling indeed. We cannot, however, share your enthusiasm for the forces of Tavitian. Are you aware of his recent announcement to the people of Posteastan in which he declares that so-called Almighty God is on his side and confuses the forces of imperialism and global capital with what he terms "Ninedayists" - a clear reference to the influence of Caracasus, our comrades in the socialist struggle? Tavitian is an opportunist. We do not doubt that he is quick to call you comrades, but what proof do you have that he would not be as quick to call the forces of fascism his brothers if doing so will serve his interests? The UGF faction his movement had ties to did indeed resist foreign interventionism but it also seized the assets of those it considered racially impure. If such a thing happens again, and you are found to have aided it, how will this serve the global struggle?

Posteastan is a war-torn, effectively feudal nation scarcely even at a pre-Party level of development. We must therefore also question your call for "free" elections. Ignorant of their own class interests, the people would in all probability elect Remus Balan or some other populist reactionary if given the opportunity to do so. This cannot be the way forward.

Our sources suggest that there is no revolutionary movement of any kind in Posteastan. Promoting one is hard for us because of obvious ethnic and language issues, but if you wished to assist this is perhaps something you could support. We urge you also to stand up to the agents of global capital that are worming their way into the country under the guise of providing rebuilding and infrastructure. Lastly, we advise you to send humanitarian aid if you have not already done so, and let it be clear to the hungry that it is the socialist that feeds them.

We must play out hand in this situation with care comrades.

Solidarity always.

No respite from class struggle!
Ceaseless vigilance!

FROM Section 19
TO General Yves Laurent Benba, Cyberwarfare Central Command
ENCRYPTION Unyielding

Removed from concrete history, abstractions have no value.

Comrade General,

We are proud to inform you that the virus K-343-#FF, referred to as White Mask, is completed. It has been tested and simulated as far as we believe possible without actual deployment. While we do not know the full nature of the defences it would encounter we are confident that its impact would be considerable.

In solidarity.

No dam can restrain the red tide!
Let the bosses tremble!

[Karevka]

Korodvinsk, Democratic Republic of Karevka

The Prime Secretary and his Defense and Foreign ministers sat around table in a closed canteen, reserved for Party members, general grade officers and mid to high level government officials. "You need to get out of that damn office!" his wife had said "If you want to keep on with meddling with far off countries, at least do it somewhere that doesn't have a desk!" Artyom silently thanked God that his wife wasn't some candyass house wife as he took a swig of vodka. Topic of the day: friends, fellow supporters of Karevka's socialist sisters and brothers in Posteastan. Someone to build friendly relations with. They had realized that they needed someone to have their backs in that little country. His Foreign Minister, Galkin Asmikov, was running through a list of entities who supported Tavitian and his revolutionaries. The list was mostly gathered by the SPD spy rings that always accompanied embassy staff. "How about the Union Albandrite Socialist Repubics. Capital, Revolutionary City, Chief of State, Premiere Johannan Vinsky. They much like us in many ways." Defense Minister Dima Pogodin grunted, but said nothing. Komissarov looked at Dima and said "Dima, if you wish to say something say it." the minister said "Why can't we gather an army group and smash through? We don't even know if the UASR is involved militarily or not." he received a glare from Galkin "If you haven't looked at a map recently, we do not share a border with Posteastan, and marching several armies through neutral territories would cause several more wars." Pogodin wasn't happy with the reply and continued munching on black bread. "It is settled then," Artyom declared "I will draft a letter to Vinsky personally."

Tabolov Province, Posteastan

It wasn't much, but it could work. The new dirt airstrip would allow flights of troops and supplies, but not heavy equipment such as tanks or trucks. To the Posteastanians the dirt runway was a achievement, a step forward in their road to liberation and to the KNA engineers it was merely a standard exercise. Elsewhere around the sleepy town, trench lines and barbed wire were in place and townsfolk were building shelters in their fields or backyards, just in case.