1912-1990 Era War IC (Semi-Closed)

[Shahinay]

Sea, east from Sirvanska

Eastern Sea from Sirvanska

---

Captain Andre Bobkov was one of the first ones to see them. On the horizon several ships appeared, heading in their direction. Military ships from the look of it. The Veselko and other Arenginian transport ships transporting all those tanks and equipment requested by the Nihonese, had no military escort. He hoped those ships will just pass them, but it didn't seem to be a case. They sailed straight towards them. Soon, Arenginians saw Sirvanskan flags and colours painted of those ship's sterns.

Not long after, someone shouted. A few gun short were heard.

THE ARE BOARDING OUR SHIPS! - someone shouted

Bobkov quickly turned to rush for the nearest gun, only to see one of those military men sent from Arenginian ministry. Smiling.

The Military Officer's sudden presence at the deck puzzled Bobkov, the smile which gave an eerie vibe that the man knew more than Bobjov even would. Even more confusing was the sight of the sailors of the Veselko and the other transport ship simply standing idle as the pirates of the nation in shambles boarded them. The so believed Sirvanskans entered the Veselko and the other ships facing no resistance, those first shots had amounted to nothing but initial fright which had then been taken care of by the Military Officer's Okrana henchmen.

"Captain, please lower the weapon. I can assure you these men mean you no harm!" the Officer then said as he was flanked by two masked Sirvanskan pirates. The two men spoke in a strange dialect to the Officer and he nodded then turned to the Captain and walked towards him.

"These men shall commandeer the Uvenko and the Nikolai. The Veselko and the Varvitzin shall be left unscathed through the remaining journey." The Officer then took a hold of the Captains free hand and set a flock of Arenginian rubles on it. Giving a friendly smile the Officer then made a "Shhh" gesture as the Sivanskan pirates then made sure the crews of the Uvenko and Nikolai were brought onto the Veselko and Varvitizin. The Okrana Agents made sure no sailor ever aimed their weapons at the pirates as then the two Sirvanskans and the Arenginian officer were seen talking together for a few seconds before finally parting ways. The Arenginian and Sirvanskan ships were soon away from each other and though completely perplexed, the Captain checked the flock of bills he'd been handed.

Stepping up a ladder back to the bridge, the officer then looked over to Bobkov. "Shall we continue the voyage captain? I must say these storms do bring tragic accidents. It is a good thing we managed to save the other crews in time..."

Bobkov finally understood the message, setting the flock of bills into his jacket he nodded, "Yes they do..." as he then set the ship towards Nihon. The shipment of tanks, weapons, and ammunition now cut in half.

When the exchange was finished, ships under Sirvanskan flags calmly bid farewell to the Arenginians. With two more ships in their fleet, they formed a defensive formation, a convoy to protect the two "borrowed" vessels. When the convoy was at some distance from the Arenginians, some one started shouting. It turned out a new party appreared on the horizon. Nihonese ships. It seemed like they were following Sirvanskan ships from some time now, but only now managed to catch up and once again reach the distance of sight. It was a strange situation, with Arenginians still visible on the sea. 3 different fleets forming a triangle of sorts.

Aydinir
December 25, 1926

Informations of the illness of the Nihonese Emperor were a known thing. Pneumonia. It was a situation similar to the state of Aydinirian Divine Emperor, still ill and residing in the sanatorium and gardens of the city of Bhaťipur. By the direct order of the Princess-Regent, a surprice was to be prepared in case of Nihonese Emperor's death. Then, it happened, 25th December, with a funeral the next day. The timing couldn't be better - from the 22nd December Aydinirians celebrated Cir̄as Ťaomāz, Jarist holyday of winter solstice. While normally, the festivities should be about to end, this year they were extended. When the Nihonese mourned death of their holy ruler and marched in funaral processions, streets of Aydinirian cities were filled by cheering and chanting crowds. Normal religious festivities were paired with military parades that were seen in most major cities.

Chants filled the air, in Ezhid, in Assurhan and in many other cities, expressing not only glory of the Divines but also rejoicing in the news. The Imposter was dead.

Also around that time new Manticoran delegation reached Assurhan. Their official purpose was not yet revealed, but their arrival sparked many rumors.

Torsan, Sirvanska
January 1926

Since September Aydinirian forces have fought in Torsan with the communists, that took controll over the region after the collapse of Sirvanskan centrall government. This campaign proved to be a very difficult one, not because of communist prowess at arms, but because of the harsh conditions of Torsan's jungles. Malaria. Dangerous wildlife. Treacherous terrain, well suited for guerilla. But Aydinirians knew what to expect, they knew how to fight in rainforsets, so abundant in northern Aydinir. Elite troops from Assurhan and Ḱivarā Provinces, used to such climate and challenges it poses, managed to break communist ressistance within 4 months of hard fighting. With the beginning of January, Aydinirians were dangerously close to their Parsi alles, threatening to break north, towards Samarkand, where Parsi rebels were at the brink of victory. Talks with Hoosier were already taking place. Aydinir was promicing to acknowledge sovereignty over Aryshtakova and support in case of Nihonese aggression, in exchange for a military access through the province, small border corrections and the construction of the exterritorial highway through Aryshtakova, from Aydinir to Parsa. With controll over Torsan, Aydinirians splitted also IA sorces in two, separating all those lelt withing Sirvanska, Pansk especially, from Rachana and the bulk of Nihonese forces in Opus, preventing the remnants of Sirvanskan forces from seeking Nihonese support.

Leersog, Sirvanska

With Aydinirian forces controlling the southern half of Leersog and Norcourtian-Confederate troops in the north, it was inevitable for the two of them to finally meet on Sirvanskan soil. And when they finally met, a joined military parade was conducted, where 3 victors marched togather. Now, Aydinirians gazed north, towards Carribean. After all, it were the Carribeans who unprovoked declared war on the Empire.

Kingdom of Parsa
February 1927

The Second Parsi Uprising, that started in September last year, has achieved what seemed to be a great victory for the freshly independent nation. In the 5 months of fighting, Parsi insurgents have taken controll over IA-occupied predominantly Parsi territories (or those the Parsi claimed as theirs). With their hands tied in Sirvanska and their eyes focused on the escalating tensions with Aydinir, Manticore and the Imperial Bloc, Nihonese did relatively little to compat Parsi rebels. Despite quite serious fighting in Merv and surrounding areas, not much was seen also from the Racharan side. The only foreign force still standing was Carribean "peacekeepers", trapped and constantly harassed around the village of Dormitar. With the start of February 1927, Parsi flags were waving high above the cities of Samarquand and Merv. Ceremonial plebiscite was conducted, asking the population if they want to join Parsa. With overwhealming majority, the answer was yes. Kingdom of Parsa publicly announced annexation of the rebel-controlled provinces. That of course sparked outrage of the IA, with many critisizing and undermining the results of the plebiscite. Those voices were combated and challenged by the Parsi, backed and supported by Aydinirian propaganda apparatus.

With capture of Samarkand and Merv, the Parsi gained access to Nihonese and Rachanan supplies of food and arms stocked there. Many of them were emptied when Nihonese forces marched south, towards Sirvanska and Aydinir, but some were still in use by Nihonese and rachanan occupation forces, left behind to hold the region.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Southern Aryshtakova

As the Hoosier reinforcements were nearing the city, the crack of rifles were heard and artillery began to head the forward unit. Orders were given to retake the town and to silence the hostile artillery. The enemy had taken position in town, meaning the Hoosiers would have to assault it to retake it. The forward unit took cover as close to the town as they dared, ducking behind sand dunes and rocks. They began to return fire as more men from the main body of the reinforcements moved up to support them. The majority of the one thousand Aryshtakovans were sent to lead a the second regiment to the back of the town in order to surround it and attack from the rear. As the Hoosier forces began to engage, machine guns and M2 mortars were set up and used on the foreign aggressors, particularly trying to find the source of their artillery. Additionally, the remaining Aryshtakovans lead the second half of one of the regiments to secure the rear of the assaulting Hoosiers to prevent possible surprises, considering the origin of the attackers was unknown, so every precaution was taken. Artillery was being set up as well, however it wouldn't be used against the town unless necessary.

The battle had begun.


Indianapolis

The Hoosier government agreed to allow Aydinirian forces access into the state of Aryshtakova to reach their holdings farther north as well as granted access to Aydinirians to build a highway connecting them to Samarakand. Iron Guard Hoosier is glad to hear of the offer of support in the face of possible Nihonese aggression.

[The Manticoran Empire]

To: Aydinir Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Breyburg Department of State, Northern Confederation Ministry of State, Hoosier Department of State, Vulkata Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norcourt Ministry of State
From: Manticoran Ministry of State
Classification: Compartmented

The Empire has grown concerned by the aggression of the Nihonese and wishes to invite you to send delegations to Vicuna to discuss the creation of a defensive alliance, focused on containing Nihonese expansion and reaffirming trade and economic cooperation.

[Breyburg]

March 7th, 1927
Pansk, Post-Sirvanskan Kingdom

Hunting a Tyrant

12,000 soldiers from the Shakyoko Division of the SASB Military have been given orders to chase the Sirvanskan Resistance Army (SRA) into Pansk, where Breyburgian Intelligence believes they have retreated to. The SRA is lead by General Sergei Bazanov and has been accused of performing acts of violence across the Post-Sirvanskan Kingdom; burning of villages, rapings, lootings…

One of the few units within the SRA.

These 12,000 soldiers will be joined by 10,000 Iron Guard Hoosier forces from Aryshtakova. This will be the first joint operation undergone by the newly formed Indianum Front.

The current state of the advance into Pansk.

“It is my duty as the President of the Socialist Allied States of Breyburg, and as the once-ally of the Sirvanskan Kingdom, I must chase this tyrant, Sergei Bazanov who claims that his Sirvanskan Resistance Army is the true predecessor to the Kingdom, who has performed numerous war crimes, and brought further destabilization to the Post-SK.” President Martin Harvey said on the National Radio.

_________________________________________________________________________________________


March 3rd, 1927
Presidential Offices, Stegas, Breyburg

“Today the Socialist Allied States of Breyburg and Iron Guard Hoosier form the Indianum Front. This is the new Indianum Alliance, one that stands for peace and stablization. One that does not stand for unprovoked declarations of war, of unprovoked troop mobilizations. This is the new age of Indianum.” President Martin Harvey announced on the National Radio.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

FOUR Florida-class BATTLESHIPS HAVE BEEN FINISHED, ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUT INTO SERVICE BY MID APRIL - FOUR Pisa-class BATTLESHIPS HAVE BEEN FINISHED, ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUT INTO SERVICE BY LATE MARCH - FOUR F-class SUBMARINES ARE AROUND 80% OF THE WAY DONE, ARE EXCPECTED TO BE FINISHED EARLY APRIL - EIGHT Moltke-class BATTLESHIPS ARE 65% OF THE WAY DONE, ARE EXPECTED TO
BE FINISHED BY MID MAY

_________________________________________________________________________________________

To the Manticoran Empire

We shall send our delegate, Matthew Quinn to Vicuna to discuss this creation of an alliance. I hope this alliance can come to fruition.

President Martin Harvey of the Socialist Allied States of Breyburg

[Newne Carriebean7]

Das Kapital Region
Presidential Palace
March 1st, 1927

President Rachlet Partenbré slammed the rum down on the ground, his eyes burning with a red look in them, aimed at the poor staff and aides he had surrounded himself with.
“What do you mean General Ver Doorman’s relief force is delayed?”
“Sir, we never said it was delayed, Ver Doorman himself has communicated in messages that his forces are unable to break through to the capital. His forces are starving, with reports of mutinies being all the more common in his most recent communications.”
“Cowards. Afraid of the smell of gunpowder on their lips? What a bunch of fucking traitors to the banner of Carriebean! I’ll bet they vote Pirate! I must organize a purge of Pirate party members, the old guard, they’re that hated fifth column within the Carriebeanian Military Hierarchy! Order all prisons to be cleaned out, with orders to either fight for the President or be shot.”
“Sir, the guards will not have enough ammunition for the eight thousand political prisoners in such facilities-“
“Then hang them, we’ve got plenty of rope lying about!”
His staff looked mortified at the orders given yet relented with their horrific looks with faces of loyalty towards their commander in chief.
“Sir, many units have suffered over 80 to 90% casualties. The areas of the city we control are the Congressional Building, the Presidential Palace, two of the surrounding former nobleman estates, a few streets still with makeshift barricades and their surrounding shelled out buildings and the main port.”
“The port is still under our control, wonderful. Instruct any stragglers to fortify the Dockyard and Capital Buildings. We shall make our last stands here, here and here. I want the Fourteenth Infantry Tensun to accompany myself to the frontlines, I shall fight with my men. With my squad we shall lead a spearhead that shall break the backs of the enemy defenders! How goes the tanks?” The President said, pointing to various locations on a laid-out map of the capital.
“Sir, first off the five armored vehicles you’ve requested have been reduced to four with mechanical setbacks in the relatively old steam engines we’ve put in place.”
“Four is plenty, I shall mount up in one of them personally and lead the charge immediately, you maintain defensive positions around the Presidential Palace.”
“Sir.”

One Hour Later
Outside the Presidential Palace
The overall preparations for such a brazen military maneuver were forced to be rushed, with several accompanying covered wagons rushing out in order to both support and lure enemy ammunition from their hiding spots. The Carriebeanian Tanks were fairly bulky in their size, being a copied design from the Carriebeanian-Breyberg War. Armed with two 90mm De Bange Cannons on either side in long side turrets, the lumbering beast could only beat a tired running man at 5 miles per hour.
On top of the roof sat a man in an exposed position with a Gatling gun, spinning bullets as quickly as replacement for the easily shot at gunner was thrown off. With an insane smile blessing down the battlefield from his perch, the sword was waved forwards as the Carriebeanian beasts rumbled into action.

Near Blood of the Martyrs of the Revolution Avenue

Elsewhere, another detachment of older Carriebean Tanks (Slave Propelled Tank CAT mark Five) were having a hard time of it. Tank Tensun Officer Louis Holt grabbed his side arm and shot through the head of an advancing Rusklandr soldier while the slaves desperately threw the tank in reverse to avoid a cliff caused by a blown out bridge.
“The fucking enemy’s everywhere!”
“Just keep firing and reversing, that’s all we’ll need to do, just fire and reverse. Fucking old tanks, do you know how many we bothered to build?”
“I think just fifty total.”
“Fifty- oh for the love of Carriebeanian Production Efficiency, that’s propaganda, I’ll bet these seven are the only ones left with three hiding in some collector’s attic somewhere! Five times the number, what propaganda.”
In truth, while Holt was inaccurate in the overall number, his estimate was fairly close. Thanks to the unfortunate death of Professor Frederich Von Mittermyer during the ensuing Carriebeanian-Breybergian War, many of his design plans (all in his head) were lost with him. Based on the surviving tanks, only three were produced to replace the losses incurred, with a hard hatred for almost anything armored being a state of being for the Carriebeanian Imperial Army.
The Horse enjoyed domination in political discussions, with the armored “toys” being dismissed out of hand, despite the evidence from the Breybergian War. As such, the thunderous sound of thousands of hooves were heard as Carriebeanian Calvary men charged forwards with either their Colt Revolving Carbines or leftover Nihonese bolt action Arisaka rifles due to a lack of guns.

With a curt nod, more whipping sounds were heard from the Amanzo slaves as the tank pushed negative four miles per hour in reverse. Simultaneously taking in the raging battle surrounding the beloved capital city, Holt banged on the armor and ordered it to stop. The beast would shudder to a halt before the “engine” cranked back on, propelling it forwards as the driver cranked hard on the tiller to maneuver the unwieldy riveted beast. The shudder from the 90mm De Bange was encouraging to him.
“Good, watch out on you’re left, signal the Punisher to turn to port.”
“Sir, we are tanks not boats.”
“Then turn to the left. Got it? We must attack the enemy tank’s flanks, open fire when sighted!” Another loud explosion from the De Bange almost made him comically leap out of the tank from shock.
“I said when sighted you fucking cotton picking shitheads. Reload and target enemy armored cars!”
With a thorough slap to the face, the gunner collected his thoughts before the projectile fit snugly through the breech, shuddering shut with a mechanical clink clank before lowering the trajectory of it and letting loose by pulling hard on the string. The projectile screamed down range towards their targets, it blasting through a wooden wall towards a seen enemy armored car, it slamming hard into the engine, setting it ablaze as the gun was fixed for a second shot.
“Fire!”
The second round slammed into the roof of the armored car, blowing it sky high in a cloud of flaming debris.
“Excellent, now get us moving!”

Parsi Village of Domitar

Tensun Commander Jullian Theodore Willkie struck a match and fiddiled with his trusty corncob pipe with mild cursing before blowing a cloud of smoke into the air of one of the remaining stone structures. The traditional Parsi fixtures and adorations were ripped out and used for firewood for the freezing soldiers during the night, always kept unsettled by even the movement of shadows in the distance. A chilly breeze flew into the air, shuddering Willkie, who grasped his coat tighter while musing over paperwork.
The paperwork involved an idea they had been toying around with. While the local forces were being slowly repulsed, fear of enemy counterattacks had prohibited the Carriebeanian forces from advancing on retreating enemies or to take such a tactical advantage on the battlefield when winning.
This cautious approach, while saving lives, also had a damaging effect on morale. The total military force, once a proud 5,000 strong, was reduced to just above 2200. The amount of Calvary had been horrible in the reductions, from near two hundred to barely forty horses and remaining draft animals. Carriebeanian Logistics with such a hostile enemy was laughable, with little to nothing in the terms of supplies funneling in across the desert.
It seemed there were two temperatures out here, blood boiling day and bone chilling night. The best time men hoped for was when the sun was barely peaking above the horizon, often being considered the golden hours of a shitty campaign. Running water consisted of two small wells dug up by Carriebeanian military personnel themselves, one for reliving themselves and another for farming what little could grow. A few soldiers graced with green thumbs had managed to grow a stock of corn from the piles of shit everyone was making. It was a small morale boost, if a necessary one.
The idea that he had was to declare a puppet regime backed by some “willing” village elders that had survived the brutal occupation of it or captured from the hill countries. Though if one was to do a demographic check of the town, 97% of it would be Carriebeanian. That 3% remaining was to have some sway in the political discourse of the land. Penning a letter to the surrounding areas, he opted to declare itself a protectorate of Carriebean.

Declaration of the State and Well Being of the First Carriebeanian Administrative Republic of Domitar.

1. Affirmed: The overall willingness of the military personnel of such a society to declare themselves loyal citizens of Carriebean, and to begin immediate enslavement proceedings. Should food supplies renege, cannibalism shall be ordered to ensure a happy populace of military officials, all fed by the willing participants of the Parsi people.
2. Affirmed: The First Carriebeanian Administrative Republic of Domitar’s political system shall be as follows: An Executive Council made up of 22 Disun Commanders that all elect a president. A Soldier’s Congress will be established with 50 Soldier-Senators all elected in an organization of twenty five regions throughout the town.
3. Affirmed: Suffrage shall be granted for any and all military personnel currently serving within the Carriebeanian Parsi Expeditionary Force. This designation shall extend to any and all carriebeanian miners or politicians currently engaged with duties of officials.

[TENNOHEIKA BANZAI NIHON]

Gokyo, Nihon
Imperial Palace
March 1, 1927

So far only good news had come from this new era to Emperor Hirohito. 2 Furukata Class Heavy Cruisers, 2 Aoba Class Heavy Cruisers, 4 Number 13 Class Battleships, and the Aircraft Carrier Akagi had been completed, marking new levels of capability for Nihon. The heavy cruisers had been the first domestically produced, the London Class having come from Aclus. It was quite unfortunate Aclus was not able to support Nihon more so. Yet next on the agenda was to address Ruskland and the remains of the true Indianium Alliance. Hirohito truly wanted all these issues to be resolved quickly. He was not as into the military as some of his brothers were, and with peace, Nihon would be able to finally build up the economy.

Yet secretly, there had been dealings with Ruskland, which while an enemy of Nihon, they were mostly reasonable and not bad people.

MESSAGE TO RUSKLAND FROM NIHON
Top Secret

Nihon proposes as according to dealings, the division of the Carriebean mainland, giving Ruskland control over the land in Landstreicher and the coast of Brasberge, exempting the Ranchana territory, the rest going to Nihon. This offer is a one time offer and is void should Aydinir attack Brasberge.

MESSAGE TO CARRIEBEAN FROM NIHON
Top Secret

Nihon will soon be making an offer to Ruskland, and can only protect so much of Carriebean territory. The territory, Brasberge and Hallfurt will be returned to Carriebean but as protectorates of Nihon. We apologize for our inability to fight the entire Imperial Bloc and Manticore. Your government will remain in place and your armies still allowed to operate. This arrangement can last until Carriebean is ready to be fully independent or regain its lost territory.

MESSAGE TO RANCHANA, CARRIEBEAN, AND CRIMETOPOLIS FROM NIHON
Top Secret

Nihon would like to hold a discussion to solidify the Indianium Alliance and to better secure our nations against the threat poised by the Imperial Bloc and Manticore.

Nihonese Occupied Opus
March 7, 1927

With the government being supported, and some Nihonese friendly Srivanskans taking office, this was only good news. The border with Aydinir and Hoosier had become more and more fortified in key places in order to defend from attack. In Ranchana, Nihonese military officials and troops were helping to establish defenses along the border of Aydinir.

Waters off Srivanska

Sea, east from Sirvanska

Eastern Sea from Sirvanska

---

The Military Officer's sudden presence at the deck puzzled Bobkov, the smile which gave an eerie vibe that the man knew more than Bobjov even would. Even more confusing was the sight of the sailors of the Veselko and the other transport ship simply standing idle as the pirates of the nation in shambles boarded them. The so believed Sirvanskans entered the Veselko and the other ships facing no resistance, those first shots had amounted to nothing but initial fright which had then been taken care of by the Military Officer's Okrana henchmen.

"Captain, please lower the weapon. I can assure you these men mean you no harm!" the Officer then said as he was flanked by two masked Sirvanskan pirates. The two men spoke in a strange dialect to the Officer and he nodded then turned to the Captain and walked towards him.

"These men shall commandeer the Uvenko and the Nikolai. The Veselko and the Varvitzin shall be left unscathed through the remaining journey." The Officer then took a hold of the Captains free hand and set a flock of Arenginian rubles on it. Giving a friendly smile the Officer then made a "Shhh" gesture as the Sivanskan pirates then made sure the crews of the Uvenko and Nikolai were brought onto the Veselko and Varvitizin. The Okrana Agents made sure no sailor ever aimed their weapons at the pirates as then the two Sirvanskans and the Arenginian officer were seen talking together for a few seconds before finally parting ways. The Arenginian and Sirvanskan ships were soon away from each other and though completely perplexed, the Captain checked the flock of bills he'd been handed.

Stepping up a ladder back to the bridge, the officer then looked over to Bobkov. "Shall we continue the voyage captain? I must say these storms do bring tragic accidents. It is a good thing we managed to save the other crews in time..."

Bobkov finally understood the message, setting the flock of bills into his jacket he nodded, "Yes they do..." as he then set the ship towards Nihon. The shipment of tanks, weapons, and ammunition now cut in half.

When the exchange was finished, ships under Sirvanskan flags calmly bid farewell to the Arenginians. With two more ships in their fleet, they formed a defensive formation, a convoy to protect the two "borrowed" vessels. When the convoy was at some distance from the Arenginians, some one started shouting. It turned out a new party appreared on the horizon. Nihonese ships. It seemed like they were following Sirvanskan ships from some time now, but only now managed to catch up and once again reach the distance of sight. It was a strange situation, with Arenginians still visible on the sea. 3 different fleets forming a triangle of sorts.

Rear Admiral Musashi was a bit confused at the situation, and ordered his ships to make a slow approach. A message was sent out asking the Srivanskan Ships "Are you in need of assistance? You are near dangerous Aydinir waters. We offer escort back to Srivanskan port, in recognition of the treaty of the Indianium Alliance." The situation did make some sense though. It could be Srivanskan ships escorting Arengin shipping though enemy waters, but surely they would want Nihonese escort.

[Arengin Union]

Royal Palace.
St. Osloverg, Arengin.

---

The early morning was bright, it was a warm day as the people of Arengin went about their day. Workers commuted from their homes over to their jobs all throughout the industrial zones, farmers worked on their crops all through the vast fertile country, miners and oil workers went about to help enshrine Arengin into vaster wealth. Meanwhile within the cities there was the intellectuals, the business owners, service workers and politicians who made up the much more intricate cogs of the massive systemic congregation that was the Union. To say Arengin had been in its busiest state since back in early century was an understatement as the economy kept steadily upwards and the new vibes of peace and prosperity would make anyone believe the country was down right perfect.

Indeed Arengin thriving, though unbeknownst to many within the deeper coging of this massive machine of a country there was also strife brewing, conspiracies taking place, and other schemes that few were aware about. Regardless the country kept itself working in order as the world moved forward as well. And within this bastion of a country, the gleaming and glorious diamond of the west was St. Osloverg stood right on its middle and within the city was King Nikolai Oswyn the Fourth who led the country with commitment to peace and the or so eternal thriving of her people and the people of the entire world. Leading one of the largest countries in the world had been no easy task, for many years Nikolai had had to study hard and become an expert in a variety of fields and yet he still felt largely inexperienced despite living through almost 25 years of rule, and even a global war, despite that he wanted to guide Arengin to glory and he hoped everything he was working for would lead it to it, an era of peace and prosperity.

The King sat on his studio, silently inspecting several documents as he usually did in his morning routine. This was usually where you'd find Nikolai, in his studio reading and signing a jumble of documents, listening to a variety of reports from different ministers, councilors, and department heads, and from time to time the King also had to travel through the country for either military matters, economic tours, or some other business that dealt with international matters. Despite the largely monotone setting of such a routine, Nikolai loved this part of it the most, sitting in his studio and calmly reading everything at his desk without anyone to disturb him.

But not all was being a king, Nikolai also longed every day for the time with his wife, his nephews, his sons and daughters, as he inspected one of the many papers in his desk his glanced moved to the various pictures of his family. Nikolai took a hold of the photo of him, Melinka and their son Dimitri, quite a beautiful photo that echoed alot of his father's own pictures, the man's presence was felt all through the palace by the massive portraits of himself. Alexander had always been a man who wanted everything big, all noticeable, if it dealt with him it had to be just as large. All things that his father once had done Nikolai did them every day and all days but he wanted to do them just as right and better than his father, he would do so for all sake.

A sudden knock at door interrupted Nikolai from his admiring of the photo and dazzling off into thought, "Your majesty?" A man in a dark suit said as he peeked his head into the studio.

"Ah yes, Deputy..." Nikolai struggled to find the name of the young man.

The young man entered the studio, standing a bit awkwardly as he awaited for the king to remember his last name, the man then said "Belinsky you-"

"Yes, yes, Belinsky!" Nikolai said with a snap of his fingers and a smile, "Have the ministers arrived Deputy Belinsky?" Nikolai asked as he set the photo aside and crossing his fingers he set his hands on the desk.

Belinsky looked back through the door, then nodding he said "Yes your majesty, they are all here. Shall I see them through?"

"Certainly young man, please." Nikolai answered as his words were immediately obeyed, Belinsky slightly bowing his head and then exiting the room. The Studio was shortly filled with the ministers of the Arenginian royal government all entering the setting and standing in line in front the King's desk across the room. Nikolai remained quiet and quite cheery as he awaited for everyone to be ready. Soon everyone was present, from the minister of war to the one of agriculture.

Raising himself from his desk, King Nikolai spoke "Well gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that I will soon be setting Concordance of the International Council of States forward to all nations of the earth. I hope that all of them shall akin to it and soon we shall see its first assembly very soon." The words from the King drew a short round of applause, some of the ministers more enthusiastic then others, the king continued "It is for that that I have assembled you all here, I believe there are certain preparations that must be made. And there are also several proposals all of you wanted to submit to me directly so take this as an opportunity for direct communication with me over the matters at hand..." The ministers looked at each other with varying faces as the King simply smiled and let out a sigh.

"Well, first order at hand," Nikolai said as he then looked at the Minister of the Interior, Kostomarov Larion.

"Mr. Larion, I trust you the most with this task... In preparation for the Council, a place of assembly within the city of Arengin must be constructed for it to meet. I would much rather the council not have to rely on old buildings once used by the national Arenginian bureaucracy since I wish for it to be a neutral place of international gathering."

"I understand your majesty..." Larion said as the King took a short pause.

"Yes, so I wish for you and Mr. Nikolayevich and Garan to work on such place of gathering at once. Make it a place that is of International etiquette to accommodate all representatives of this world!" Nikolai's orders were not as specific as one would wish but Larion and his colleagues all knew he counted on them.

"It shall be done your majesty," Larion answered, Nikolai nodded with relief.

"And now, Mr. Dotskoy, I wish for you and Mr. Spiridon to work on an international relief fund for the people of Sirvanka. If this council will work we must lead by example that we want to help people with food, not war!" Nikolai's words were firm as Dotskoy and Spiridon both nodded.

"Good, and now... with all of that out of the way. Mr. Gennadiyevich and Mr. Milkensenovich both of you had several issues to discuss?" Nikolai turned to see the two uniformed men, the older and much more battered looked Gennadiyevich contrasting the younger but intimidating Milkensenovich.

"Yes, your majesty." Milkenesenovich began, "The Arenginian military requires an overhaul in its mechanized equipment. I require authorization in the research of new battle tanks as well as aircraft... The Aclusian company Vickers and a so called Mr. Walter Christie are both very recommended designers and engineering platforms that I am sure will work wonder with home grown companies like Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. I have also established a Department of Mechanized Research and Development..." Genndiyevich then handed several folded documents to the king who inspected them though only skimming through them.

"Uhmmm... Yes very interesting..." Nikolai said with a bit of monotonousness, "Well General if you believe it to be necessary for the betterment of our military you have my official seal of approval." Nikolai said as he signed on the document and then pressed the royal seal and handed them back to the minister who seemed rather pleased.

Then it was Milkensenovich, Nikolai didn't get much of a chance to ask what the matter was as the young man then spoke "Your Majesty, I request the expansion of the weapon shipments to the nations of Nihon as well as the Indianum continent as whole..."

Nikolai seemed a bit apprehensive as he stroked his beard, "Well... Director I am not sure if those would be the best courses of action... especially given the recent agreements with the Manticorans, as well as the Coun-"

"Think of it this way your majesty," Milkensenovich suddenly interjected, much to everyone's shock, but Nikolai was unfazed by such action as he listened to the director of intelligence, "We must keep certain allies in check as well as expand our influence in the Indianum as a means to deter provocative actors like Manticore. Mr. Dotskoy may have believed the ramblings of that so called McDonald but my sources tell me otherwise and I believe that it is for the best that we continue our links and operations in an effort to expand our grasps in the continent... We are not causing any conflicts, we are simply... checking the powers that be and making sure they align in our favor..."

Nikolai was in a bit of a loss as he didn't know exactly what to answer, the Director was certainly a man of intelligence and a somewhat mischeavous disposition but he was dependable and that was all Nikolai wanted. Despite his own uncertainties, Nikolai simply nodded as then the director passed him a single piece of paper which Nikolai signed and handed back, Milkensenovich's cold and still face remained but from within his mind he was celebrating.

Nikolai for his part had dealt all of what he needed to deal with for the day, after some few hours of further reporting everything that needed to be set coursed by the king was ready, "Well gentlemen... It has been a productive morning indeed. I beg you all a good afternoon," Sitting himself back at his desk, Nikolai saw as the ministers then began to see themselves out the door, each of them bowing in respect to the king as he was soon left alone again and now free to finally enjoy the day.

Somewhere unknown.
Arengin.

---

"15 million rubles initial payment," Lee had replied, they were the ones propping them up, and they were the ones giving them the deal, ignoring the glares of the other members in their abode, the Battlemaster continued, "We will pay you 5 million over a period of five months, a million rubles per month.". He had raised his hand to pause any dissenting statement from Vitomir. Pouring into a shot glass and consuming the alcohol in one gulp, the leader of the 2nd Tubuska Army resumed speaking, "See sir, the Confederacy isn't known for its economy," he spoke as if it was a matter of fact, and to be frank, it really was, "What we are known for however, is our resilient industry and leaping innovation.".

Though it was not apparent to the eye for the men, Vitomir was squirming within his mind at the response. It was all going smoother than he had thought, his fellow patriots seemed to be rather skeptical of the words coming from the Rusklanders but he knew that they had just hit the jackpot so to speak. For years he had been dealing in the shadows, planning and collecting as many allies within the country as he could and working as a lowly representative of the phony Duma but it was all beginning to fall in motion finally.

"Uhmmm, yes... Yes I believe that would suffice, it surely is an understandable ordeal gentlemen" was all Vitomir said as he took in the words of the Rusklander. He kept listening closely to the following words.

"Our PPD-26s are some of the most advanced if not the most advanced submachine gun ever made on the entire planet," he said with a bit of pride in his voice, "And what makes it even better, is the fact its made cheaply and quickly with quality in mind.". He poured and drank another shot of vodka, "We are willing to send you as much as you need in terms of weaponry, be it from the PPD-26s all the way to our largest guns, not only that, we'll also be sending resources such as fuel over for your cause," he then placed a hand on his chin, "Not to mention, if you do have any naval assets during your conflict, we could also supply you with coal."

This was all a bonus for him now, though weaponry and resources like coal were a lesser priority it was relieving for Vitomir to have an assurance of a quick supply's worth for a vast number of his conspirators. Indeed the workers and opprssed of the country would need weapons if they were to follow through with this plan, and with the Rusklander's commitment it would be a piece of cake to overwhelm the forces loyal to the wretched king.

Vitomir still remained calm and collected through the whole thing while his fellow Arenginians and rebels seemed to not be a lot more pleased with these allies. "We will appreciate all in terms of weapon supply's... And we do indeed have some naval assets in our grasps... surplus supply of coal shall help in keeping the people's revolution flowing gentlemen. It shall also not be forgotten I assure you all!"

Then the Rusklanders spoke directly to several of the rebels within this room. Many of them Sheepish, Carriebean and Morverians who hated the King, they hated living under the Arengian foothold and Vitomir knew that for them to succeed they needed the loyal war machine distracted and these gullible people would suffice for it. The words from the Rusklanders provided Vitomor with much needed backing which only made his scheme all that more possible now.

"To all Sheepish in this room, are you tired? Are you tired of other people breathing down your neck?" He inquired, "Come on! Do not be afraid, that is exactly what they want!" He had worded his sentences carefully to ensure that "other people" and "they" were used instead of specific peoples. His first declaration got some impassioned ayes and a few half-hearted ones, and when he continued, there were substantially less Sheepish folk who stayed silent, all those who had yelled "aye" yelled it with passion. "Good to hear, I shall tell you now that this man, Isaack Vitomir, intends to free you all." he declared once more, reaffirming the Duma member's authority, Lee nodded in his direction, "And not just the Sheepish, to those Morvernians of the south, we bled for you once, and let it be known, that once more shall we bleed for your people's sake.". He noticed a few Carriebeans, those who had been turned sane by years of foreign rule, and even then, resented it. "And you folk of Carriebean, your homeland falls due to the actions of madmen holding an outdated mode of thinking," he declared to them, "It is a lost cause, aye, but for your people, independence can still be achieved. Follow Isaack, he who will break the chains the Arenginian monarchy and their allies have been placed upon all of ye."

The words of the man caused a sudden uproar in chanting and cheering, some directed at the Rusklanders and the pride of the afromentioned rebels but also reverence at the Arenginian who they saw as their only hope for freedom. Drinks began to be tossed around as chants and words of praise in different languages were thrown at the Duma representative. Vitomir remained as calm and composed as always though smiling through the whole thing and taking in the admiration from the many rebels now willing to follow him without question.

The Rusklanders then continued, bringing something much to the surprise of Vitomir. They also brought something that though it made Vitomir's thoughts rambled, he already knew what to answer.

"Current leaders of the Sheepish group, step forward, for I bear a gift, a symbol of liberation," and a few men went forward, and he took out something from his bag, a folded square of cloth, "Let us unfold this symbol." And they did so, and out came a white flag with black outer edges and a red star in the middle, and was surrounded by a green field. "To the man behind all of this, Vitomir we pledge our support with a few conditions, and we ask for you to accede to them," he urged, "You will break the monarchy, and we will help you, but accept our conditions, and the monarchy will not only be broken, it will be ground into dust, never to return."

Standing up from his seat, grabbing the first filled up shot glass of vodka on the table, Vitomir raised it as high as he could. "I not only accept those conditions, I embrace them all. For the truth, justice, and liberation for all the oppressed of this land we together shall see the final days of the Monarchy at all, the death of the King, and the end of an era and beginning of an endless one that will see riches and new beginning for us all!" he then claimed loudly as echoing celebratory chants were made.

Quieting down the chanting and the celebrting and laughing, Vitomir then looked at the Rusklanders with a smile and somewhat nefarious eyes "And I thank you, my Rusklands comrades... For it will be you that lay the foundation for a new world. A world free of this wretched and broken monarchy and the start of a new rule by the people, for the people! For the Rusklanders, for Arenginians, Morverians, Carriebeans, Rannorians, everyone that shall be our brothers in the struggle. OUR BROTHERS IN ARMS!" He raised his glass and everyone did as well as drinks were chugged down and drank fast, but Vitomir took his time as he drank his glass slowly and methodically. Finally sitting back down to the table, Vitmor spoke through the celebration and chanting.

"Gentlemen... I believe we have a deal. Expect daily reports through our mutual contacts..." He then handed them a card with a number in it, the number of his officer in St. Osloverg. Soon the Rusklanders would be shown out and taken back to their country.

Meanwhile, Vitomir remained sitting on the table, looking out into the balcony at the darkened forest and villages while the others were getting drunk. "D" appeared from behind, keeping silent as he stood behind his master, his leader, the man he followed without question.

"I tell you 'D'... I thought the Sheepians and the Morverians were gullible... but the Rusklanders are even more..." He let out a small laugh, "D" for his part only smiled as he thought back on the documents that the Rusklanders were cherishing like children in a birthday party. Indeed parts of the document were real, information was legitimate, but within all that "vital" info there was also its fair share of purposeful misinformation, ommitance of certain details, and even straight up basks that held no truth at all, regardless it had served its purpose and Vitomir was glad for it. Those words the Duman representative had just spout, the "Liberator" or the oppressed and everyone celebrating him as a new messiah. All so largely exaggerated and grandiose and yet the idiots seemed to have swallowed it all. Indeed the monarchy would die, the Monarchy of the Oswyn family, and now a new dynasty would arise and it would be led by a leader of action, by the Vitomir name.

"This is the time for me... My legacy..." VItomir whispered.

[Crimetopolis]

DELETED

[Aclus]

A Blank check
Early 1927

Everyday ships came into the harbors all around the Empire, full of joyous men returning to the homes they left in 1912-1921, a world much different than they once lived in. Following the days of the wars end, the people of Aclus grew ever more weary of their leadership, of their capability of supporting itself from within, their causes of fighting and struggling at home. However this seemed to pass as the men came home to their wives, daughters, mothers, fathers and brothers. The pain just seemed to heal for a moments end as family reunions spanned the empires citizens, oh what a day to celebrate, to drink and to cherish. But with this moment came the changes of the Aclusian Empire, the Imperial policy newly enacted by parliament and the king, to ensure that Aclus would not go into any conflict for a time soon, or if the Aclusian bulldog was dragged to war once more, it would have his trousers up.

As the streets emptied out, and as the city workers cleaned up thousands of bottles of alcohol and confetti, the celebrations had finally come to a close. Men returned to the workforce and farms they tended to before they left, though not many had seemed to become lucky. The economy was not at it's best, millions of Aclusian pounds went down the drain during the years of conflict, thus affecting the Empires coffers greatly, however nonetheless staying a major superpower to rival that of Manticore and Arengin.

However to combat the unemployment rate, the Army was never entirely demobilized, as this would lead to thousands of men without homes, programs were set up to find these men work, to make them useful. Jobs like mining, construction and even merchant escorts were needed, as the world was still a broken shell of what it was once was. However many men would be kept in the army to form the "New Model Army", a smaller yet effective, entirely modernized expeditionary force to protect the Empire, a simpler alternative to establishing massive standing armies as the last war was fought with.

Innovations in armoured and aerial warfare had changed the battlefield forever and the Aclusian army needed to take advantage on it as it still could. The game of playing catch up in the future could lead to a defeat that the Empire may never come back from. Through time though, the funding for the Armed forces had even increased, with more money going to the Navy above all else, yet the Army was still satisfactory, as revolutionary breakthroughs were being made in the modernization being conducted. Examples could be seen everywhere as the Army practiced throughout the countryside of Zeeland and the home isles. Vickers Dragons took the places of horses, pulling artillery pieces. The Carden-Lloyd transported infantry while also being armed with a machine gun. But these were nowhere near the revolutionary design of the most modern Aclusian tank to date, The Vickers 6-ton Medium tank.

Mass 7.3 tonnes (7.2 long tons; 8.0 short tons)
Length 4.88 m (16 ft 0 in)
Width 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in)
Height 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in)
Crew 3
Armour 25 mm (1.0in)
Main
armament
Type B 3-pdr (47 mm) gun (with 50 rounds)
Secondary
armament
Type B 1 Vickers machine gun
Engine Armstrong Siddeley Puma petrol
80–98 hp (60–73 kW)
Power/weight 11–13 hp/t (8.2–9.7 kW/t)
Suspension leaf spring bogie
Operational
range
160 km (99 mi)
Speed 22 mph (35 km/h)

The most reliable tank ever tested on the Aclusian army's research grounds. For the first time a tank combined speed with armour and a heavy armament, it sounded too good to be true. With trials lasting from 1926-1927, the tank had performed perfectly, following pace with the infantry and being able to exploit breakthroughs of the enemy line. It was a no brainer that this was what the army needed, so with one look by the King himself, the word was done. The Vickers company was given a blank check for whatever funding it needed from the government, as the 6 ton had become the sole tank Aclus needed, thus production on any other tank was initially cancelled.

And alongside the 6 ton, other notable modernization programs that followed suite were the mass Reformation of the uniforms equipped by the Armed forces, as Service dress fell out of use, Battledress was now the dominant garment of the armies. Waist high trousers tied in with a shorter tunic, made for a cheaper uniform, but all around much more effective.

[Azenyanistan]

The dust coming from the north east was not supposed to enter the northern cores of the nation. And as the dust from the horses of the Parsi Uprising approached Rachana’s upper lands, the government recognized the threat as soon as word came down to them by desperate men and officers on horses or motorcycles. It took a few days, however, to meet the threat. Those on the frontiers had to accomplish their duties on their own —— for now. They had to wait until their reinforcements arrived from the rest of Rachana —— all as the world around them became hostile to them and to their state.

An embargo recently was put to effect against them. It has struck their economy harshly and the government was initially distracted by this. Facing this, plus the Parsi uprising which just took a city in the province of Alarisas —— as the Rachanans called it —— was taxing. Too taxing for them to even notice the slow development of ill feelings towards the government of the military dictator within Masaza. A northern uprising, rumors said, was going to come out of its womb sooner or later as time passes and the forces of the mostly Katolik state struggled to face two threats at the same time —— one from the Parsi and another from the nations led by the Empire of Manticore.

But the threat from the Parsi was taken care of. Slowly. The generals there made sure that the lines where shortened and a stiff defense was maintained there. The Parsi would have to wait, but they won’t be allowed to go any further into Rachanan territory.

So now, the threat from the dust clouds of the north was dealt with.

That was replaced by the threat of the Nihonese Empire. To their west and to their east — in the form of Opus — the Nihonese posed a security concern to the state as tensions rose between Rachana and the leaders of the embargo as well as between Rachana and Nihon — for they were responsible for bringing Rachana into the scope of the embargo.

Out of concern for the people, and worry for their own power, as well as concerns about the Syndicalists and so on, Sarah Ramirez gave instructions to her government to prepare for two things: A defensive war with Nihon as the aggressor, for Ramirez guessed that Nihon would demand that Rachana give her access to her troops and resources trapped in Opus. The other thing was to prepare for a long and tiring load of work. Not just in terms of the military but in terms of keeping the country fed, warm, and so on.

The world around them, after all, was either going to put an end to her regime or to weaken it. Both cannot be allowed to happen. So Ramirez chose to put her nation first, to reach out, day after day, secretly, to the Manticoran Empire and the rest of her allies, both new and old.

It was, as Rachanans said, a mess. Lio in their language.

———————————————————————————————

Zarina and Rolando Coronil sat together, along with several aides who listened impassively to one of Sarah Ramirez’s deputies, General Abada Rivera, as she spoke to them and to a body of generals and colonels. They had gathered at the capital, Rachel, at the dictator’s orders.

“The situation around us deteriorates,” the young officer told them, “as quickly as the crow flies from the shores of Adrilas to the mountains of Masaza.” She gestured to the map behind her. There were illustrations; they showed a plan that the Army HQ developed over the days, ever since the beginning of the embargo — and of the Parsi rebellion — as Rachanan officials and diplomats continued to talk to their Nihonese counterparts and to other allied counterparts.

Zarina, the older sister of the two, prayed privately. She prayed, with great hope in her thoughts, that the Nihonese would not be so offended by the Rachanans, as they cancel their deliveries of goods to Nihon and as they cancel all Nihonese movements through the country, especially military ones, that they might inflict against the state a great deal of pain with their armed forces. The navy of Rachana was slowly moving to her war stations for the sake of protecting the coastal west and the army was moving to the eastern frontiers with Opus or towards the coasts, should the navy fail.

“Here,” she said sharply, drawing all eyes, “are our forces, as Caudilla Ramirez wishes us to have them. General Abarana should take 1st Adrilas, the 2nd Narasians, and the 1st Coldstreams as your divisions; you will defend the west. General Abigail will take command of the militias and volunteers currently forming in the coastal provinces; you will act as a reserve commander of forces behind Abarana. As usual, Sebastián Lacasa shall be the commander in chief of the Western forces. On one hand,” she nodded to a tall general standing by the doorway close to the map, “General Bernard shall finally be our first commander in chief of the Southern Forces; you are in command of the 1st Narasians.”

She paused. Her eyes studied the faces of the generals and the colonels seated around her. A lot of them could not help but smoke. A lot. The room was ventilated properly, at least, and that allowed her to deal easily with her own asthmatic tendencies. That, and the presence of the Caudilla weight on her heavily, imploring her to stand strong despite the complaints of her lungs. She now said, “Now, with concerns and respects to Opus, General Serana shall be in command of forces allocated to dealing with that colony; Commander in chief of the Expeditions, Rolando Amengual, has been replaced by General Serana. General Mauricio Morillo and General María Camila Arboleda shall take command of the rest of the divisions and they shall, first, act defensively. They must hold the line against any Nihonese attack in the first 12 hours once hostilities commence. If no Nihonese movements against the line is observed, then it is important for the forces of Serana to advance into Opus as far as they can, without overextending themselves, within the day or the next.”

Nobody reacted to the sacking of Rolando; he was a good commander, but he was too distracted by the needs of his family and community — they were suffering from the embargo inflicted on the state. But everyone did react, at least subtly if not openly, to the words coming out of the asthmatic staff officer’s mouth.

War was coming. And it was going to be a serious one. To go to war with an ally was something that tasted like rust-filled water to the officers, but they had no choice. Nihon was going to be dangerous to the state and to their loved ones so long as they kept them under the embargo or forced them to consider Nihonese troop movements out of and into Opus. There were rumors the Nihonese wanted to buy Narasia off the hands of the state and that caused a horrible riot in Rachel and Narasia.

The meeting broke up without too many questions; everyone was anxious to return to their divisions and armies. The Caudilla gave little time to speaking to her closest friends and officers. Everyone studied the staff officer who briefed them, hoping to find some kind of strength in that woman.

As for the siblings, they were only happy that they fought together and worked together. They were inseparable, their commander, General Serana noted, but they were good. Too good to let go. And they followed after their general, studying her silently as she listened to the whispers of her lieutenants and to the concerns that her Chief of Staff was sharing to her by her side. But both could see that their general was, at least, keeping herself calm about it all.

———————————————————————————————————————

All this happened days ago.

Now, as forces of the state stood at the frontiers with Opus or along the coastal parts of the provinces, it was up to the government of Rachana to stand too. A short telegram was dispatched to Nihon as their embassy was secretly ordered to burn all secret documents and to make preparations for returning to Rachana; what was left of the staff there was trusted to the first task, but not one of them really expected the Nihonese to allow them back home. Should that telegram be received by the Nihonese, they would surely notice the signature of the Caudilla at the end. And they would read:

As recommended by my diplomats and my officials, and as thought out by my staff, I have arrived at the conclusion that dealing with you any further, as this embargo goes on, is not in the best interests of the state and the people of that state. I therefore personally send this message to you, to inform you that I must cancel my deliveries of goods to your country, that your own trade with my state be frozen, and that I place an embargo upon you at the same time that I must, with regret, inform you that your troops are no longer allowed to move through the state’s territory. If you cannot respect this, and if you cannot allow me to proceed with the wishes of my people, then I must inform you, hoping that you do not make any future decision that drives me to execute such a thing, that Rachana might have to declare a war of protection of her own frontiers and sovereignty upon your state. We seek not to attack you, but if you attack us for what I have instructed my government to do, then I am afraid that I must denounce you and your state.

Ramirez.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Indianapolis
Early 1927

Marshal Brandon Jones stood beside a large table in the war room of the Hoosier capitol building. He was joined by his generals and they gathered around the map of the world that was spread out on said table. Markings covered the map, showing troop placements, movements, etc., all over Hoosier. The men were there to discuss the likely coming war with Nihon.

"I believe," Jones said, "we should station these five divisions here, on the border with Opus, along with these two armored divisions. General Larmos has about three and a half divisions in Aryshtakova as well, so we can call upon them to join our forces there. The Nihonese troops in Opus are many, but they will have no access to supplies and will run out of bullets very quickly. Our men will begin constructing defensive positions at once. Then of course there's the problem of Nihon's Caribbean holdings. We can also station five infantry divisions and one armored division there. I also believe that a single infantry division should be built up near Almaty, ready to assist the Manticoreans with their colony. It would also be beneficial to build up troops along the border with Newe Caribbean. They're a Nihon ally of sorts and are very unpredictable. Three infantry divisions should be built up around Newe Caribbean. This will mean we will have to call in one armored division from the reserves, and we should bring in 10 more infantry divisions from our reserves, to ensure enough men are ready to fight and defend our nation. Any objections?"

There were none. The men agreed with the plan, so within a few hours the orders were given and divisions were staring to move to their new deployments and were called from the reserves.

To the Manticorean Empire

Our delegate, Shaun Richard, will be delighted to attend this meeting. We thank you for your cooperation and support.

[The Traansval]

Pretoria, Gauteng
January, 1927

The church bells chimed in the distance, echoing across the quiet streets of the normally bustling city of Pretoria, now turned quiet due to the destruction of the Aclusian bombs driving many away, and the general mourning that the city’s citizens were enduring. The President had been on his way to officiate ceremonies in Kaapstad, talk to the troops, and see the Aclusian troops off. When he didn’t arrive as scheduled, General Dienskneg sent Feldgendarmes to patrol the road, they were the ones who found the smoldering wreck of President Botha's motorcade. His body had to be identified through his dental records.

Quinten van Rosevelt led the funeral procession, the President's body kept in a closed casket within a black hearse. The Presidents death had caused division within the government, as it was unsure who would succeed him, as the charter for the Provisional Government had not made provisions for the death of the President. Vice President Martiz claimed that, as Vice President, he was naturally next in line, however Rosevelt had asserted that since the Charter had made the Vice President effectively an Advisory role, and had given actual power to the offices of President and President of the Kongres, that he should succeed Botha as President.

The feud would have turned violent had it not been for the ever pressing fact that the Warglorian Reich still had troops in the Traansval, and was doggedly refusing any attempt at peace which did not include the transfer of territory. With the Warglorians still in the country, both Rosevelt and Martiz knew that any internal fighting would just result in the Warglorians overrunning the country, so instead of solving the issue, it was decided that both Martiz and Rosevelt would retain their current positions while also jointly taking on the powers of the Presidency, officially until a new election could be held.

This arraignment avoided civil war, for now, but it brought anything but stability. Rosevelt and Martiz now were working behind each others back, attempting to court favor with the public and supporters within the government. The Democratic-Republican Party, the majority in Kongres mostly due to them being the party of Botha and Botha being the one who convened the Kongres, had always been a fragile party of differing sides, uniting Liberals, Progressives, Conservatives, and Moderates under the banner of Botha and Independence. Botha had been the glue holding the party together, a glue now gone. The party was splitting down ideological lines, with those socially or economically left pledging to support a Rosevelt Presidency as an alternative to the right wing Martiz, who was picking up traction with the pool of Boer Conservatives and Upper Class who saw Rosevelt as the harbinger of Communism.

Of course, the scheming wasn’t all grand, take the funeral procession for instance. Rosevelt had made sure his office gave the wrong hour for the Funeral to Martiz, allowing Rosevelt to lead the procession at its head, alone, while Martiz was somewhere further down the line, trying to catch up after having heard about Rosevelt in lead on the radio.

The procession moved through the designated path, passing through Pretoria’s streets lined with citizens and mourners, held back by soldiers and policemen. They came to a halt in front of the Kongres Building, a wooden platform having been constructed. Rosevelt climbed the steps and took his place at the podium, followed by several Secretaries, Kongresmen, and the Vice President himself.

Rosevelt cleared his throat and lightly tapped the microphone on the podium in front of him. He shuffled the cards with his speech on them, and spoke, “Today, we mourn a great man…”

---

Kaapstad, Nord Kaap
March, 1927

The sound of a fog horn could be heard blaring in the distance, shaking the windows of General Smedly Diensknegs office. Curious at the intrusion to his deep thoughts, the General stood up and walked to the window. The building that he had selected as his Headquarters was one of the few buildings untouched by war, formerly it was a bank, now it served as the center of government for a city attempting to build itself back up.

Looking through the window, Dienskneg could see the city fanning out towards the water, ending at the famous Kaapstad Port. He could see the streets, rubble free thanks to the work of his troops along with civilian volunteers who had been and still are working to clean up the city, still marked with potholes but also crowded with people, carts, and vehicles. He could see the buildings, some reduced to rubble, others simply damaged, all touched by war.

Finally, he could see the port, its ships docked, one ship in specific leaving. It had been the source of the Horn, and Dienskneg could clearly see the fluttering Aclusian Flag hanging from its aft pole. It was amazing to think that it will soon be three months since the signing of the Loxdon Treaty, and in a couple weeks the ninety day period would be over. The ship leaving port now carried some of the last Aclusian troops left in Kaapstad, their number probably only could be counted in the hundreds by now, and all reports indicated that the southern Army Group B was just as gone as its northern counterpart.

Dienskneg turned away from the window, away from this Pyrrhic Victory gained not through force of arms but through negotiation and diplomacy, although even then the only definition of “victory” which could apply to the treaty and this peace was in the sense that the Boers managed to finally get Aclusian troops out, although Aclusian influence still weighed down the Boer people through the bitterly contested and widely hated “Reparations Payments”. Dienskneg hated them just like everyone else, but he knew that if they hadn’t have agreed to them, then the Aclusians would have marched on Pretoria.

Returning to his seat, Dienskneg looked over the splayed map of the Traansval covering his desk, obscured at the corners by open field reports and files. With the Aclusians and Arengins gone, all attention was being paid to the Warglorian front, with the entire BRA being ordered to move there. With this diversion, Dienskneg and the Central Committee realized that now was the best opportunity to cement Federation control over the West, and so BRA requests for Federation troops to join on the Front were frequently circumvented, the most common of which was the assignment of RSK units to defend ports, cities, and supply depots like those set up to take in the arms of the demobilized Bosrangers, although Demobilized was a bit of a misnomer as any Bosranger units which wished to remain in service were just made into BRA Divisions. Still, token units were demobilized and all arms were collected and stored in Depots. With the war nearing an end and the supply of arms not being so urged, the Department of the Army had ordered a re-evaluation of arms in an effort to standardize on the 7.65mm cartridge, so most of the arms confiscated were still in those depots being sorted, with any not chambered in the standard cartridge being put into storage.

And all these depots, were guarded by RSK soldiers. And all the towns, had RSK Garrisions.

---

R'lyeh, Palas Fomalhaut
March, 1927

Jan Tulis, Party Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the Federation, now found himself within the halls of the palace of the Rusklandian Sovereign. It was a place not foreign to him, the days of his time with the Boer Embassy prior to the Nine Years War came to him. Then he had simply been one of the members of the Embassy, working with the Ambassador. Now he was the Ambassador, and it felt great.

He’d been sent for a very important reason; the reclamation of territory. The Deruhn Islands and Sylba were very important to the Traansval, as both had been hubs for the importation of smuggled arms during the beginning of the war. Control of the Deruhns would give the controller control over the Boer coast, as the Islands act as the perfect base for naval ships. The Islands had also been apart of the Federal Republic, but had been seized by the Rannorians following the collapse of the Federal Republic. Now with the Rannorian Civil War in full swing, the Rusklanders had seized the islands, and their allies the Solomanians had occupied the southern coast of Sylba. Military action was out of the question, so instead it would turn to diplomacy once more to secure the territory.

Tulis looked at his watch, the fifth time he’d done it in the past twenty minutes. He tapped his foot and shifted in his chair, wondering what was taking so long for the Rusklanders to have an audience with him. It was down right rude he thought…

---

Capital of the Imperial Republic, Norcourt
March, 1927

Francis Reitz, newly promoted after his stint in the Arengin Kingdom, stepped off the steamship with his luggage in hand. He smiled, looking at the city which housed the Nourcourtian government, the government of his new assignment.

Reitz threw out a hand and hailed down a taxi cab, climbing in and telling him to make for the Norcourtian Foreign Ministry. As the cab took off, he sat back into the cushions and undid the locks on his briefcase to review his papers. The most important of which was the Treatise draft written by him and his associates, the Treatise to be presented as the terms for the handover of the Norcourtian Protectorate of the Southern Cape.

The treatise contained a lot of flowery language, praising the Nourcourtians for protecting Boer citizens from foreign rule and for being a true ally to the Boer people, even when the war came to an end, and the Boer nation with it. The paper simply outlined the steps for the peaceful transition from the Nourcourtian Administration to an Administration of the Provisional Republic and the gradual withdrawal of Nourcourtian troops over a couple months to be replaced with Boer troops. The agreement also allowed for the docking of Nourcourtian ships in Boer ports on the Southern Cape as an incentive for the Norcourtians to agree, after all, Reitz knew that these agreements never go through unless you throw the otherside a bone.

The cab came to a halt, and Reitz stepped out, handing the driver a fistful of Boer notes and a thanks. The driver hit the gas the scurried off, and Reitz looked up at the building in front of him, and climbed the steps, hope in his heart.

---

To: The Foreign Ministry of the Empire of Nihon
From: Secretary of the Army Henry Parker

Dear Sirs,

We are so glad to have gotten your offer for the sale of airplanes to the Provisional Republic. We have decided to accept your offer at the price of 15,000 Boer Rand, Approximately 3,000 Boer Dollars, per Airplane, with an initial order of one hundred vehicles. Once more, Nihon proves its commitment to friendly relations and good honest commerce entered into with the Tokyo Treaty.

[Crimetopolis]

DELETED

[Norcourt]

For The Glory of Norcourt

Tallinningrad, Leersog
March, 1927

Dear Z,

Things have been swell, and this whole occupation like thing ain't been too bad at all the last couple months. As you may know, their Primy committed suicide, and the Burgs now control Hettausa, so we're stopping here in Leersog to settle down with the local populace. Think about it for once, eh Z? We could be living in the great Norcourtian Commonwealth of Sirvanska! Settle down some place in a farm, a couple kids, horses and everything. I've placed a ring in that I had saved up to buy in the box that this letter was in, I'm sure you've found it. And now I ask you, what I have wanted to ask you, for the longest time, Will you marry me, Zarina?

Yours and yours only, Dak Hesley.

200,000 Commonwealth Goldrushian and Dralesian Soldiers from across the Elixosphere, had finally arrived in the Salaconan Port of Leersog, after their departure from Harker's Landing, several months earlier. 11 Infantry Divisions, including the 96th, 24th, 2nd, 5th, 79th, 51st. 42nd, 35th, 160th, 67th, and 11th Infantry Divisions, alongside 2 Armoured Divisions, the 100th, and the 402nd, Armoured Division, both with 250 Sicalia M.II Light tanks, and 50 Sicalia M.I Light tanks, each.

The 3rd GADNAC Army, as it was called, were to reinforce the city of Salacona, and Tallinningrad, whilst the Lucky 7th, were to remain up north and secure northern Leersog, and the city of Syrissa. The Fleet of Maranossos, remained docked at the port of Tallinningrad, consisting of 2 Command Ships, 30 Anti-Submarine Ships, 17 Corvettes, 6 Battleships, 2 Monitors, 2 Cruisers, 95 Destroyers, 13 Frigates, 4 Sloops, 80 Minesweepers, and 20 Patrol Boats, ready to reinforce the small fleet of the 13th Elixian Legion, and the rest of the 7th Army.



New and Improved uniforms had fully replaced that of the old Caneius Era, featuring improved webbing, the changing of the standard Feldgrau, and the adoption of the M28 Revised Helmet, based on the previous Stahlhelm. The adoption of the Turri Automatic Rifle, 1926 (TAR-26), gave the Norcourtian squad a more compact base of fire, allowing the average soldier to use it without crew. Adoption of a semi-automatic service rifle was to be postponed until after the engagements had been fully settled in Sirvanska, however a promising prototype designed by Wilhelm Redmond, was thought to be the developmental piece that the army would continue on to field test and experiment with.

House Caneius, Harbrook Norcourt

Maranossos sat upon the very balcony that Caneius had, overlooking the countryside and rivers of Harbrook, just as Caneius had done, less than a year ago. He remembered his dear friend, though his mind was a blur, for he had not seen him in decades. He had recently administered the deadministration of the Norcourtian Protectorate of Sud Kaep, handing it back to it's Boer leaders. He had no use of the southern boer lands, and the troops garrisoning the protectorate were shipped swiftly to Salacona, in the operation that was to come. As for now, he sat quietly, his servant Tidus had poured him some green tea, to ease the stress. "Thank you Tidus" he spoke. He relaxed, and looked into the dark blue Norcoutian night sky, praying to the Elix.

[TENNOHEIKA BANZAI NIHON]

Gokyo, Nihon
Imperial Palace
March 15, 1927

As soon was word came of the Rachana's betrayal, the 2nd Fleet was immediately ordered to deploy to Nihon's eastern coast to prepare for a defensive, or a strike possibly in the event that was what would be needed. The 3rd Fleet was moving to protect Gokyo Bay while the 1st and 6th Fleets were now moving away from the Polyponesian Island area near Aydinir's islands back up towards Kyushu so that they were between the 2nd and 3rd Fleets so they could assist and defend whichever fleet the quickest. And High Command was reluctant to split up the 6th and the 1st because of the idea that the carriers and planes will simply damage the enemy battleships and slow them down so the battleships could finish them off. Next, Nihonese troops in Opus were ordered to seize what they needed from the locals in Opus and they were ordered to ready a full defense. There was some supplies that had been sent into Opus before the Rachana betrayal, and it was looking like Nihonese troops, if they stayed hunkered down in the position, would be able to last for four months on rice, ume boshi, some dried beef, dried fish, and edamame. From the locals they would be able to get water, maybe even get fed by some. Otherwise they could hunt, fish, or seize what they needed in order to hold out until relief arrived. The embargo while having a horrible effect, was not hurting the military as much as western military officials believed, as the military controlled the government for the most part, and unfortunately, other ministries deemed 'not important' had been cut funding and resources and those given to the Army and Naval ministries. Of the Indianium Expeditionary Forces, 10 divisions would hold down the Rachana border while 10 divisions would secure the Hoosier border. Of the Kwangtung Army, by pure luck, 3 of the divisions had left for Aclus Raj before the betrayal, and where now readying to ship back to Nihon. For now, they were resting up and resupplying. The other 10 divisions would prepare on the Rachana border for whatever was to come. Otherwise, a secret talks had begun with Manticore to come to an agreement, yet the April talks was looming. Army and Navy officials had been discussing plans, as the embargo was really having an effect, although there had been outside support from the glorious Arengin Union and the great Empire of Aclus. Emperor Hirohito, while being young and wanting to show Nihon was not a weak empire, also was an advocate for peace although this was beginning to highly annoy some of the Army and Navy leaders who were supportive of war against all of Nihon's enemies. Baron Kijūrō Shidehara, though was more reasonable, and while he loved Nihon, his ideas were other than that of the military. He was supportive of maintaining relations with Aclus and Manticore, nations in which he strongly admired. He also was against expansionism into Indianium, and it was even rumored he was a Quaker, as his wife was one too. He promoted peace, and at the current moment, was hoping to make peace, and then keep it that way for years to come.

Elsewhere at the Imperial Nihonese Army Headquarters and at the Imperial Nihonese Navy Headquarters, plans were being created for multiple operations. Operation Gaijin Tora (Operation Barbarian Tiger), a plan to strike naval, air, and army facilities in Manticore followed by a invasion of Ostland. Operation Uragirimono (Operation Traitor), was also in the works of a 2nd Fleet strike on Rachana at the same time the 1st and 6th Fleets striking Breyburg, followed by attacks through Opus, Aclus Raj, and Manchuko. Yet unfortunately for the Army advocates, it seemed they would not get to test out their plans, for they had been ordered to cease mobilization of any invasion force directly from Emperor Hirohito himself, after being told of the plan by Shidehara.

MESSAGE TO ACLUSIAN MILITARY COMMAND FROM IMPERIAL NIHONESE ARMY
Top Secret

Nihon would like to offer to buy 200 Vickers Vimy Heavy Bombers and 200 Handley Page V/1500s for a grand total of 5 million Aclusian Pounds. We thank Aclus for its continued support for Nihon in its time of need and promise, this great assistance will not be forgotten by the Nihonese people.

MESSAGE TO TRAANSVAL ARMY MINISTRY FROM IMPERIAL NIHONESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
Top Secret

Nihon is glad the offer has been accepted and will send the shipment over escorted as soon as possible. We are happy to honor the Tokyo Treaty and are more than happy to have more sales to Traansval.

MESSAGE TO CRIMETOPOLIS FROM IMPERIAL NIHONESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
Top Secret

Nihon would be happy to join Pro-Force.

The shipment to Traansval, being top secret, would see the 3 merchant ships bringing the planes escorted by 2 Torpedo Boat Destroyers from the 3rd Fleet along with 6 other gunboats. Several men of the Nihonese Special Naval Landing Forces (Nihonese Marines) would be aboard the lightly armed merchant ships. The planes had been disarmed in order for them to not present a military threat to Wargloria, a nation still involved in conflict with Traansval. Yet it would not be hard for the Traansval to place machine guns aboard the planes. And possibly they could find a way to add bombs.

Carriebean
March 18, 1927

Nihonese troops of the Carriebean Army Group had begun moving through the border to Brasberge in order to secure it from the advancing Imperial Bloc forces, and support the agreement with Ruskland.

[Skarten]

"Reckoning"
Jasníeg
Szarów
29th February, 1927

It was no ordinary day in the city of Szarów. Many of the central streets, which nearly always found themselves bustling with activity, were now devoid of life, only a few souls here and there, as well as the occasional police officer. Instead, the people who in usual times would be found there located themselves on their homes or local bars or other establishments, for there was about to be an event which no respectable skartenian would lose. In but a few minutes, an direct, highly important broadcast from the government himself would be aired, an act which would not be seen everyday.

The history behind why such was happening was long yet rather straightforward, being an result of the discoveries made in the defeat of the Consolidationist rebellion. Following the Siege of Łutszva, Intelligence agents of the crown were able to find among the documents of the short-lived "Republic" direct messages from an neighbouring state of the colony in Indianum, the Iron Guard Hoosier, in which said state offered the rebels weaponry as well as thousands of soldiers as volunteers. These papers, now popularly named "The Jarńaw Dossier", were upon approval published by the government, being made popular to the international eye. And with that, the stampede begun.

Public outcry was nigh instant, the story of the event published in the first pages of every newspaper in the nation. Radio shows, one of the most popular activities of the modern skartenian, took no time in announcing in every way possible the actions which had transpired in the eastern continent. Some would go about it on a more professional way, telling facts as they had been directly published, while others would yell out their beliefs to their viewers, using from the age-old technique of sensationalism to gain more traction. Yes, the accounts of the Hoosier interference had traveled through all the corners of the globe and back to Skarten.

People across the country were shushed, as at last, the broadcast begun.

Following next is an statement by the Chancellor
"Greetings, people of Skarten. I am currently speaking from the Palace of Jazt, in the city of Szarów. As it is well known to all in the public, shortly after the defeat of the Consolidationist rebellion, it was discovered by military intelligence that the nation of Iron Guard Hoosier had been offering direct support to the insurgent forces, providing them with weaponry and supplies, as well as sending them an number estimated in around twenty thousand volunteers to be used in their war effort. This unprovoked action denotes the highly warmongering nature of the Iron Guard against our nation, who has been, until now, completely neutral in policies of Continental Indianum. This attack shall not be, under any circumstances, looked over. This very day, an ultimatum shall be sent to the government of Hoosier, stating strong but reasonable terms that they must accept if they wish to redeem their actions. My goal- the goal of the State and the Crown, is not to cause war. But if we were to just overlook something like that, our great nation would not have gotten this far. For now, this is all that i can say. Thank you for your patience, and good day.

ULTIMATUM


In response to the discovery of support by the Iron Guard Hoosier state to the Consolidationist Rebellion through armament, as well as the participation of approximately (insert number) militarily-trained volunteers pertaining to the Hoosier armed forces, consisting of what is by definition an unprovoked, unjustified act of aggression against the sovereignty of the nation of Skarten. This violation of the peace on clearly ill-intentioned terms has without a shadow of doubt shown the Warmongering, Jingoistic nature of the Iron Guard regime, whose actions against stability and prosperity of the Skartenian people proved their rule to be not only damaging to it's own people, oppressed by their authoritarian government, which has various times proved to show to tolerance or mercy against any sorts of dissidents who attempt to fight against the status quo, but they have also shown to be an undisputed threat to those around it, as shown by their attempt at creation of an puppet state through a proxy war. This should not, under any circumstances, be tolerated by those of the International community who seek to further the prospect of peace and stability in not only Indianum but the world. Thereby, the Kingdom of Skarten officially sends an Ultimatum to the government of Hoosier. The terms are as follows.


I. It is demanded the extradition of Consolidationist rebels harbored by the Iron Guard state for immediate trial under Skartenian law.

II. It is demanded the imprisonment and extradition of the Hoosier Statesmen responsible for the support of the Consolidationist rebellion, as to be judged fairly in an public trial.

III. It is demanded that the Kingdom of Skarten be given immediate reparations for the loss of life and property caused by the Hoosier actions in the Consolidationist revolts, totaling in the sum value of $12,004,284,593.88 ($2,464,960,985.63 in Aclusian Pounds, as per international use of currency.) Such reparataions shall be páid at a rate of $704,570,341.46 per year, over the course of seventeen years. Defaulting of payment will be responded with the occupation of the provinces of Gary, Muncie, and New Albany.

IV. It is demanded that the state of the Iron Guard Hoosier write an formal apology for their unprovoked actions in the Consolidationist revolt

Should they not comply within an period of 72 hours, the Skartenian crown reserves the right to take direct action, which may include the declaration of an state of war.

As the ultimatum was sent to the Iron Guard Hoosier, the authorities of Skarten began to immediately take action, in the case that such demands were rejected and denied. Under order of the state, recruitment of new soldiers had begun, as they were to undergo the training necessary to be able to be sent to the field of battle if conflict was to occur. While that, the already-present forces of Skarten in it's Indianum colony began to take their positions alongside the border with Hoosier, waiting for the possible outcome of war. The order was that, upon availability, Every day, supplies were to arrive on ships, as to not only cover the daily usage necessary by the army, but to stock up on supplies that could be used for an longer amount of time. This would in particular be useful due to the cold nature of New Skarten, whose ports would freeze during the time of winter. The clocks began to tick down...

[The Traansval]

Gerhardstad, Eastern Gauteng
March, 1927

Luitenant-Generaal Beaunard Badenhorst, commander of Army Group West, entered the room. On its walls were maps, charts, and a few posters showing Boer soldiers, usually with messages asking for volunteers or donations. In its center was a table with a map on it, and surrounding it were various generals and officers, the men of the General Staff of the BRA, assembled to coordinate the final offensive to end the war, once and for all.

The men assembled saluted the General, and Badenhorst quickly returned their salutes. “I apologize for my lateness gentlemen, matters at the front required my attention…” Badenhorst said.

A man at the back of the room chuckled, “Too bad you made it, we were planning your court martial” said General Dienskneg, recently arrived along with a hundred thousand men of the RSK’s First Red Army.

Badenhorst smiled, “Well, you know how I love to disappoint…” he replied, earning a smile from Dienskneg.

Kolonel Degrasse cleared his throat and motioned with his hand towards the map, “Sir?”

Badenhorst nodded, acknowledging his aide de camp. “Yes, yes, let us get on with business, shall we?” The Generaal picked up a rod on the side of the table and began to use it to point on the map.

“The southern mountains effectively block any Warglorian troop movement south into Sunghai, meaning that we do not need to dedicate any troops here. Although, unfortunately that means we also can’t push north, but that’s life, isn't it?” Badenhorst said, earning chuckles around the room.

“That leaves us with two areas from which we can push, three technically but the desert blocks any land movement into the Oos-Staat and the Warglorians will sink any ships that attempt to carry our troops over. So, instead, troops will move East along the coastal regions from Eastern Gauteng into the Orange Vry Staat, while troops in the south will move along the Aegyptine river and railroad towards Kairo. Our forces in the south, under Generaal Frosts 7th Army, number 400,000 men, most of which consist of cavalry or mounted infantry formed out of former Bosranger Squadrons with around 120,000 Infantry. Kairo is the key to victory, as it will allow for free travel north up the Aegyptine and control of Aegyptus. Reports indicate that the Warglorians are employing Molverians suited to the desert as raiders, this is an annoyance but as long as we leave garrisons along the Aegyptine River all strategic assets will be safe. The Raiders can romp around in the desert as much as they please.” Badenhorst finished, picking up a glass of lemonade put out and drinking from it.

“What will we be expecting in terms of defenses at Kairo?” Asked General Frost as he observed the map intently.

“The KvKI reports that the Warglorian garrison is relatively large and up to par with standard Warglorian soldiers in terms of training and equipment, however our force will have them outnumbered and we’re hoping that the Kairo front won’t be of great importance to them, as they’ll mostly be focusing on the main brunt of Army Group forces.” Badenhorst replied.

“Yes, tell us about this main offensive.” General Dienskneg asked, rubbing his unshaven face.

Badenhorst smirked and picked the rod back up, “With the combined forces of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Armies, along with the First Red Army, we have combined around 800,000 men. As all of you know for the past few years we’ve instituted divisional rotation to allow both for rest and also to institute new training outlined in the manual my staff published. Combat reports have shown the training to be very effective with soldiers holding their own against Warglorian offensives against our defensive positions. Frankly, we’ve turned Militiamen into proper Soldiers, and I’m confident in their ability. Now, as outlined, the offensive will begin with an initial bombardment. With fighting in the West and South over, we’ve been able to mass our equipment and are projected to have a combined 879 Howitzers and several hundred other field guns ready by the beginning of the offensive. Batteries will be ordered to fire constantly for seven days and seven nights, and then the men will strike. Northern Force, comprising the 1st and 3rd Armies along with the First Red Army, shall push along the coast with the initial target of Kreugerstad and the eventual target of Bloemfontein. Center Force, comprising the 2nd and 4th Army, shall push through the center of the Warglorian lines and then move north with the objective of reaching Mossel Bay with Northern Force. Southern Force, comprising the 5th Army, shall move along the south and protect the flank of Center Force, along with liberating towns and villages along the way. Any questions?”

The room was silent as the men looked at the map and digested the information. No one spoke, for all understood what had been said, and what was to be done. “Good, meeting adjourned then, and Godspeed to you all” Badenhorst said. The assembled members snapped their heels and saluted, with Badenhorst responding in kind. The Generals and Officers filed out of the room towards their assignments or just to go out and paint the town red while they were still away from the southern front.

When the room cleared, all that was left was Badenhorst, and Dienskneg, seated across the table from him. Dienskneg smirked, “God, you are a sight for sore eyes…” He said.

Badenhorst couldn’t disagree, even now he felt sleep tug at his eyes and at his mind. “Well, thats what happens when your enemy doesn’t agree to peace terms and just keeps up fighting with zeal…” Badenhorst said as he moved towards the couches on the side of the room and collapsing into one.

“Hey, I had days just like you do right now. Don’t overwork yourself.” Dienskneg said.

Badenhorst snorted, “You sound just like the Captain.” Both he and Dienskneg chuckled, with Dienskneg raising his glass of scotch in the air, “May he rest in peace.”

Their laughter subsided and memories came back, sparked by the mention of their old Captain, memories of the days as junior officers together in the 19th Division on the Eastern Front. Badenhorst shook his head, clearing his thoughts, “I don’t have the luxury to rest Smedley, my men are counting on me. One wrong move and thousands will die for nothing. Besides, not like I get much help anyway…” Badenhorst finished a little bitterly.

Dienskneg shrugged his shoulders, “Thats the BRA for you, more of a bureaucracy than an army. You know, my offer still valid, the RSK is always looking for skilled officers…” He said, his voice light at the end.

Badenhorst snorted, “You bring this up everytime we meet, no wonder I wanted to get assigned across the country from you.”

Dienskneg shook his head, “I’m serious Beaunard. There will be a reckoning soon, it would be good to make sure your on the right side of it.”

“And what does that mean exactly?” Badenhorst asked.

“It means that the Provisional Government won't last a day without a common enemy binding it’s members together. There will be blood Beaunard, make no mistake about it. It would be better for you to lead men fighting for the People, rather than for the Elites.” Dienskneg said.

Badenhorst shook his head, and stood up. “My alliegence is to the Republic, to Democracy. You and I both swore an oath when we were young, to uphold the Federal Constitution, to Uphold the Republic. We both swore oaths to fight for the Provisional Republic, so that once we were free of foreign powers the Constitution could be restored. You seem to have forgotten that oath, blinded by your Socialist friends. But I remember it, and I will follow it until the day I die…”

Beaunard Badenhorst stood up and stormed out of the room, the door softly closing behind him, as Smedley Dienskneg stared into the bottom of his glass of scotch.

---

To: Crimetopolis Foreign Minister
From: Secretary of War Henry Parker

Dear Sirs,

The Boer Army would be more than happy to welcome the aide of Crimetopolis in these days following peace with the Western League to help rebuild our armed forces and re-establish peace and security. Your help is greatly appreciated and will be met warmly in the ports of our cities by our representatives. Thank you.

[Crimetopolis]

DELETED

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Indianapolis, Iron Guard Hoosier
1927

"These terms are outrageous!"

"We can't bend to these monarchist bastards!"

"We'll fight them tooth an nail. Every mile will cost them a thousand men!"

These, among others, were the protests of the generals and advisers that made up Marshal Brandon Jones's cabinet. Jones, however, was looking out the window, taking in the sight of the bustling city of Indianapolis. When Jones had seized power, the city was poor, filthy, and filled to the brim with closed shops, stores, and the homeless. Years after he took control from the incompetent King Hamilton, Hoosier was a country with a growing middle class, booming industry, and an emerging world power. The reason? Jones wanted to see Hoosier grow, prosper, and leave the mistakes of monarchism behind them. He did it not for power, but for love for his fellow Hoosiers. That is what separated himself from the monarchs. From King Hamilton. From the king of Skarten, who sent this ultimatum in the hopes it would be rejected and he could kill thousands of his own men for more land.

"Gentlemen," Jones said, slowly turning around to face the group of men gathered in front of his desk, "We will be accepting the terms offered by Skarten."

The men gasped, began shouting, pleading, and demanding answers. "Brothers, brothers," Jones said, trying to calm them down, "I love this nation. I will NOT see it fall to war just to protect me. How many men would die, how many children orphaned, how many wives widowed, just so I can stay in power for a few more years? The perhaps twenty years I might rule should we win, or even lose but get a better deal, would have cost countless men twenty years with their families. I love this land, and would only see war come to it so long as there was nothing I could do. However, thank God Almighty, there is something I can do. Please, you know what you must do. Choose amongst yourselves and elect the most fitting person to lead. Just like we all did, years ago, before the September Revolt. I will go and prepare a speech for the people. I must let them know of what is happening. I will talk to you all later."

With that, Jones left the room, leaving his most trusted advisers, generals, and...friends to process everything that had just been said. Within a few minutes, they left the room as well, to begin their debating and voting. The time to choose a new Marshal was coming.

Several hours later...

After several hours of debating, the Hoosier generals finally came to an agreement. There were several choices, of course, considering the cabinet was formed of the best military minds and administrators in the country. However, after some convincing, the majority of the cabinet backed one man. He was general and had a good track record as a soldier, having served faithfully and well in the Great War. The man selected to replace Brandon Jones as Marshal of Iron Guard Hoosier was Eric Stewart.

When the deliberations were over, the men left the war room and returned to the office of Brandon Jones, hoping to find him there. Luckily, they did. He was siting behind his desk, his chair turned around so he could look out on the city from where he sat. Jones heard the men enter and said, without turning around, "So gentlemen, who did you select?"

The men were silent for a moment before on of them finally said, "Uh...uh...We chose General Stewart, sir."

Jones smiled to himself for a moment before he turned in his chair to look at the gathered cabinet. He continued his smile as he came from behind his desk and took his place right in front of his men. "That's an amazing choice. A brilliant man, truly. Eric, come here son."

Eric Stewart, almost twenty years younger than Jones, stepped forward. "Sir," he said simply, tears welling up in his eyes. Jones smiled as he placed a hand on his shoulder, "You have always been an amazing soldier, adviser, Hoosier, and friend. I'm glad you're the one taking power after me."

Stewart straightened his back, trying to look more confident and get rid of the tears in his eyes, "Sir, with all due respect, I don't think we should be giving in to Skarten. We should fight, prove to them-"

Jones stopped him with the wave of his hand. "Son, listen to me. The reason I'm giving myself up is because I have the most to gain or lose depending on what we do. If I stay in power, it's war. Thousands die, maybe more, and for what? So I can rule over this land? Best case scenario we beat back the Skartens after years of fighting and countless dead. Worst case, we lose and the Skartens annex our land. Either way, it's selfish reasons I would have to remain here. Now, if the Skartens demanded something too much as well as me handing myself over, then we would fight. There is glory in a war with a cause, but no glory in a war without one. I love this land and I will not see it pillaged and raped for my sake, and that will happen regardless if we win or lose."

Stewart had, at this point, more or less succeeded at holding back his emotions. When Jones had finished Stewart held out his hand at first, but after looking down at his own hand and considered things for a moment, he pulled Jones in for a hug. "You have done so much for this country. You'll even give you life for it, when you don't have to."

Jones was surprised for a moment, but he accepted the embrace and hugged back. "Every single ruler on this planet must be willing to do the same. If you aren't willing to die for your people, then you aren't willing to live for them either." With that, the embrace ended and Jones turned his attention to the rest of his cabinet. "Gentlemen, I must be alone now. I have a speech to write. Will one of you please draft a response to the Skartens telling them we accept their terms?" Without waiting for a response Jones showed them out of the room. With them gone he returned to his desk, but this time he was busy writing a speech he was to give to the people, both gathered in front of the Capitol building and over radio.

Two days later...

Gathered in front of the Hoosier Capitol was a large crowd of thousands upon thousands of Hoosiers. They choked the streets, their bodies being the only visible thing on the street. They had gathered to see the speech given by their Marshal, Brandon Jones. Some were their due to their patriotism, or their belief in fascism, others because it meant some time off work, or because they were afraid of being labeled as traitors by their neighbors or, God forbid, the feared Iron Shirts. Regardless of their reasoning, there were many waiting for the Marshal's speech, and, after all their waiting, Jones appeared on the stage constructed just in front of the Capitol. There was much applause, but nothing deafening or over the top.

Jones came to the microphone and waited for relative silence before he began to speak.

"My fellow Hoosiers. Hello. As you all know, the Skarten Monarchy," at the word "monarchy" there was a series of boos and shouts, "has sent our government an ultimatum. Should we fail to respond, they will likely declare war. Now, before I get to that, I'd like to speak about what lead up to this situation. The Skartens claim it is because we are power hungry, that we fought a proxy war with them in order to increase our power and national prestige. They, however, are wrong."

"We armed the rebels of New Skarten for a simple reason; They. Are. Us. Most of you are old enough to remember the days of the Hoosier Monarchy, how our so called king lead us to ruin in the Nine Years War. We overthrew him and now we are an emerging power, to be feared and respected. I only wished to give that same chance to the people of New Skarten, a chance to throw off their chains and take their independence from an overseas monarchy that cared for them not."

There was a short break in his speech as some applauded, shouted their agreement, whistled, and whatnot.

"The terms are rather reasonable. Only one term stands out. In fact, I have been advised not to accept the term at all, and instead allow war to come. They are demanding I hand myself over to be judged in a public trial. Ladies and gentlemen, my Hoosier brothers and sisters, I will NOT allow war to come to Hoosier for my sake."

The crowd, some of which meant to cheer for the coming war, and others planning on being horrified at the coming war, all looked on in shock. They couldn't believe their leader was willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the people.

"I will be handing myself over, for the good of you all. Please, do not mourn for me. I do this for you, the people of Hoosier. I, as the leader of a nation, must be willing to do what is necessary to safeguard the wellbeing of my people, no matter what. Any ruler not willing to do the same is not fit to rule over anyone. How many kings would do this? None. The kings of this world are selfish, having been handed their throne based on their birth, not skill or accomplishment. Their semi-democratic governments elect selfish, cowardly, leaders who focus not on the good of their nation, but rather on their reelection and continuation of political power. I am here to serve you, my good Hoosiers. If I am to die or spend the rest of my life in prison, I did so for you. I love this nation, it's people, and everything it stands for. It will NOT be put at risk for my sake. God bless Hoosier, God bless you all."

With that, Jones turned to leave the stage. Once he did, he was greeted by thunderous applause, deafening cheers and shouts, and the love of the crowd. The people were shouting their support for him, shouting their demand he stay, and some were shouting incoherently as they cried. Jones wiped away a single tear as he exited the stage. All he could was wonder how the rest of the country took the news as they listened over radio.

Across the nation...

All throughout the country, people were taking to the streets. They were blocking roads, marching to their city government headquarters, and moving throughout their cities. They chanted, raised signs, shouted, and cried. They all demanded the same thing, the safety of Jones. Some called for war with Skarten, but most were more concerned with keeping their leader. People flew the Hoosier flag, burned the Skarten one, beat, beheaded, and burned effigies of the Skarten king, and even beat (and in a few cases killed) some of the Skarten immigrants who were unlucky enough to not find a good enough hiding spot. In a few cities, men who were part of the Hoosier reserves and hadn't been activated yet took it upon themselves to organize and activate their own units for federal service. They marched with their rifles, their colors, and all in perfect lock step. A few also held signs demanding war with Skarten and for the government to bring them into active service.

All across the country, people cried out for Jones and his selfless sacrifice.

The next day, last day of the ultimatum

The last day that they had to respond to the Skartens, the Hoosier government (members of the Marshal's council) wrote a response informing the Skartens they accepted their demands. They did highlight, however, that while it was believed that the leader of the New Skarten revolt was in Hoosier, his whereabouts were unknown, but that a search was going to be conducted by the Hoosier Internal Service, the secret police more commonly referred to as "the Iron Shirts".

With the ultimatum responded to, the Hoosier government began the peaceful transfer of power from Jones to Stewart. It was an easy process, as both parties were consenting, and soon Stewart held the power of the Hoosier government, allowing Jones to get his affairs in order and to spend the remaining time with his family.

Across the nation, thousands upon thousands of men clamored to join the military. So many tried to join at once, many had to be turned away until a later date just to properly process everyone. With the new spike in volunteers, Stewarts first action as Marshal was to increase the size of the military, calling for the addition of eight more infantry divisions, three more armored divisions, the construction of twenty-five new destroyers and six cruisers. An order for the construction of thirty submarines and eight battleships would be placed with Manticorean companies, considering they have the workforce and places to build them. Lastly, one Marine division was to be trained, the first the nation would have in years.

[Crimetopolis]

DELETED:

[The Manticoran Empire]

The Manticoran Empire
March 1927

The Mobilization Preparation Act was in full swing. The Royal Manticoran Army had swelled from its peacetime strength of 20 divisions to an initial wartime strength of 72 Infantry and 18 Armored divisions, supported by 30 Artillery Divisions and organized into twenty four Infantry Corps and six Armored Corps. I Infantry Corps was sent to Almaty via Breyburg and Rachana. II and III Infantry Corps were sent to Breyburg, with II Corps established in Garduva and III Corps in Brumundstadt. The remaining Corps were being raised in Tamir, Manticore, and Nuwe Afrikaa. If war came, and many anticipated it would before the end of the year, the Empire would be prepared.
To that end, hundreds of RMN cargo ships hauled millions of tons of fuel, weapons, ammunition, rations, and other supplies to the Continent, organized into convoys. These convoys were typically 200 ships strong, with 160 cargo ships and 40 destroyers. Scouting Fleet was deployed to Leersog while First, Second, and Third Fleet massed in the Solland Channel. There were few places along the coast that would be conducive to an amphibious assault and those areas that were were well within range of the Army Air Force and the military was ready to begin minelaying operations. The Empire was dusting off reaction plans that had been drawn up during the Great War, when invasion by Arengin, Skarten, and Aclus had been feared. But these plans would have to be revised. The Nihonese had far fewer warships than the Western League had and they had only the barest capacity to ship personnel overseas. The various Intelligence Services disagreed on the exact number of troops that could be shipped by the Nihonese, but the estimates ranged from 50,000 to 75,000 men with 903,628 tons of fuel oil and 32,480 tons of supplies in a single, massive push. That force could also bring up to 200 tanks, based on ONI's estimates. With seven Infantry Corps, two Armored Corps, and the First Marine Division in Manticore itself and similar sized forces in Tamir and Nuwe Afrikaa, the High Command was confident that the Empire would be able to force any Nihonese invasion back into the sea with ease.
But the High Command was determined NOT to be invaded. As such, plans were drawn up for attacks on Nihonese colonies and Allies, including the invasion of the Ryukyu Islands and the destruction of the Nihonese Battle Fleet. To reduce the ability of the Nihonese and their allies to resupply their forces, plans were also prepared for restricted submarine warfare while the State Department prepared statements to the international press, urging citizens to avoid the continent of Indianum and the Eastern Ocean, to avoid unfortunate incidents. The High Command would be reaching out to the rest of the Central Alliance, formed only a few weeks prior, to ensure a coordinated offensive when the war began.

[Azenyanistan]

Sarah Ramirez and her deputy looked down on the situation map - Rachana, Opus, the Nihonese Islands, Aydinir, Breyburg, and Aclus. It was an ugly situation. Threats from Nihon were becoming more obvious. Already, a naval skirmish between Aydinir and Nihon has come and gone. The Nihonese were moving their ships to their war stations. The diplomats in the islands were on their way home or have already come back.

Most of all, however, Rachana was close to ready. Almost all of her forces were at the frontiers. The government was keeping steady and the civilians close to the borders were already warned to evacuate; some have already begun to evacuate.

But could Rachana start a war? Could they declare first and strike first? They had a good plan: Strike the trapped troops in Opus and defend the coastal provinces.

But what if the defenses were too weak? What if the Nihonese come crashing through the west? What if their trapped troops break through or pin their forces in Opus? What if they surrounded them and cut them off?

The two women, in charge of the entire armed forces of the country, thought over this. A great gloom came over them and the map. Staff officers were walking by them. Typewriters filled the air with the fingers of their users passing over every key. Telephones rang. War was imminent; the offices and the headquarters were already preparing for it.

Sarah now leaned on the map, moving her hand from the tip of Adrillas up to the end of Narasia; then she moved it from there up to the border with Brumundstadt.

She did not sweat. She did not tremble. She had expected war for so long. She had commanded troops ever since she was a simple lieutenant. But this was going to be a great war. War is on the horizon; the question was about who would strike first. Nihon? Rachana? Who would the world support? Who would they blame for the war?

Would Rachana win? Could they win?

Ramirez prayed to her own god and to the god of her Moro troops - she hoped, strongly, very strongly, that the war would be won not by the Nihonese but by them and their allies, the nations of the Central Alliance.

Damn them if they are going to march on Rachel.

She turned to her deputy and gave her an order: "Give the order to the troops around Opus to begin rehearsing for probing attacks. If they come first or not, let it be said around the world that we refuse to be idle. And when the time comes, and if they attack, the troops have my permission to begin their probing attacks into Opus."

"Very well, Caudilla."

"And," she stated, "I want you to inform the troops at the coastal areas to stand tall; go immediately to high alert. We are not going to take chances."

"Yes."

"Now go." She turned to the map and looked at the wooden figures that represented her forces. They were positioned all around the isolated Nihonese colony of Opus and at the coastal borders of the west. She said to herself as her deputy walked out of the headquarters to make it to the telegraph room, "I'll take care of this. The sooner the civilians are moved, the sooner my men are ready, the sooner the war can begin and end. And I pray, with all my own power, that we survive."

---

Hour after hour passed. Time went on until day finally became a witness to the setting of the sun. At the borders of Rachana with Opus, the troops - Moros and Rachanans - waited, tension rising by the hour as they observed their counterparts on the other side, while their comrades rehearsed probing attacks behind them, and while their reconnaissance men went closer and closer to the frontiers, gathering new information, renewing maps and plans.

Things like this went on until, eventually, orders came by telephone, telegram, and mounted messengers.

Two hours later, the men and women under General Serana placed themselves at their front line positions around the Nihonese colony, waiting, as did their artillery, tanks, cavalry, and planes. The only thing that should happen now is one more order...or an attack by the enemy.

Waiting in the dark had never been so terrifying.

[TENNOHEIKA BANZAI NIHON]

Gokyo, Nihon
Imperial Nihonese Army Headquarters
March 23, 1927

The office was on high alert after word got out of the Nihonese rejection of a Manticorian list of demands, ones in which were absolutely outrageous. It was decided this would be publicly released to rally the Nihonese fighting spirit and show the clear gaijin aggression after trying to take the Nihonese Ryukyu Islands, which had been the home of the Nihonese people for over a thousand years. Surely even Europa countries would find these demands a bit much, as Nihon had not yet fought or lost any war with Manticore! This had really rallied the Nihonese men and had sent many to the recruitment stations so they could begin training. As Nihon was not at war, these men could be afford more time to train for months.

Otherwise, the commanders and planners had begun creating plans for the invasion of Manticore through Ostland, with another attack on Ostermark at the same time. The plan would call for the 1st and 6th Fleets to escort all of Nihon's transports to launch the strike. An estimated 90,000 men could be sent through the transports in one big push, with a couple hundred tanks, estimates ranging from around 200 to 350 depending on how many troops were deployed. Meanwhile the plan called for the 4th Fleet to begin limited submarine warfare against Manticore's convoys and ships from any other hostile nations. While this plan would only be put in effect if Nihon felt attack was imminent or Nihon was attacked, Nihon must be ready. Plans were also being furthered for the invasion of Rachana, after the Breyburg invasion plan was scrapped due to the distance and how far Nihonese troops would be spread out. Majority of plans being considered for immediate usage is plans to block any Rachanan, Breyburgian, Hoosier, Manticorian, Rusklandr, or Aydinirian shipping through the Nihon Exclusive Economic Zone. Another plan called for the usage of agents not officially affiliated with Nihon to strike deep behind enemy lines. Other plans were mainly defensive, although some also planned for bacterial bomb or chemical weapons strikes on enemies such as Manticore, Rachana, or Aydinir, only if Nihon was losing the war. Yet Unit 731 leaders were the main advocates for these plans as there was no effective cure for the plague implemented on high levels, meaning enemies would have a hard time giving cures to all infected quick enough to prevent death. Estimates showed hundreds of thousands would die in Aydinir and Rachana, although the estimated death toll was much lower in Manticore after the projected first month or two of war.

List of Manticorian Demands to Nihon and the Indianium Alliance
STATUS: REJECTED BY NIHON
Public

The immediate release of all Central Alliance citizens, property, and financial assets held by the Empire of Nihon, the Republic of Crimetopolis, and the Empire of Newne Carriebean. This point is non-negotiable and future negotiation is contingent on its acceptance and completion.
The immediate withdrawal of all Nihonese forces from the Continent, with the exception of the five divisions in Manchuko and 5 divisions in Hallfurt.
The ceding of the Island of Shishiri to the Confederacy of Northern States.
The immediate reduction of the Nihonese Armed Forces to no more than 1,441,190 men and an end to conscription in Nihon.
The disarmament and abolition of the Carriebean Armed Forces, to be overseen by the Central Alliance.
The reduction of the Crimetopolisian Armed Forces to no more than 540,229 men.
The ceding of the Ryukyu Islands to the Central Alliance.
The ceding of Opus to the Central Alliance.
The payment of three billion Aclusian Pounds to the Kingdom of Parsa as reparations for the suffering wrongfully inflicted upon them.
The allowance of Central Alliance observers at all military maneuvers.
The allowance of Central Alliance observation aircraft to overfly military installations to insure compliance.
The promise of non aggression between Rachana and the demilitarization of Opus.
Nihon will not block any Rachanan shipping near Indianum.

MESSAGE TO WARGLORIA FROM IMPERIAL NIHONESE FOREIGN MINISTRY
Top Secret

Sirs,

Nihon is happy to offer Wargloria a new military base in Nihon. This entire project will come at no cost to you and will help you to secure a better trading post in Nihon, and a great base to extend your great nation's influence into Indianium. We also offer free open trade with zero tariffs, joint-tech development between our two nations, other military bases, and many of big embassies in all the major cities. We thank you for being such a loyal and honorable ally.

The bases would be the remodeled bases Breyburg had left, already in great condition, and having been services due to planned usage by Unit 731, now changed to be used by Wargloria.

[Azenyanistan]

It was obviously sorrowful, but it must be done; as the diplomats of Rachana began to abandon their embassy in Nihon for ships going back to their homeland, before any war could happen, one of them was allowed to stay in order to deliver a note personally to the diplomatic office of the Nihonese government. It was fortunate that a telegram reached that diplomat.

Once he arrived in the diplomatic office, he delivered a note that simply stated:

The State of Rachana wishes to inform you that it no longer wishes to be a part of the Indianum Alliance. It now seeks friendship in the Central Alliance, and concerning your recent hostile actions with Aydinir and the movement of your ships to their war stations, Rachana warns you that if you pursue any hostile action against Rachana or threaten us with force, we will respond in the name of defending our people and our honor.

[Guuj Xaat Kil]

9th Regiment, 6th Infantry Division
Caoirigh go Brách!
Southeastern Aryshtakova, March 2, 0632

Morning had arrived, and Sheridan seemed to be in luck, the sun rose behind them and would hamper enemy sighting for a while, buying them some time. Of course, they were most likely dead anyway, being 70 or so regular men fighting against two whole regiments. He still hoped that his bluff would work and the enemy would think that there was at least a whole regiment garrisoned there. Then word came from the rear, "Sir, the enemy is attempting to surround us.". Cripes, what a bad morning this was. "Tell half of the artillery crews to turn their artillery pieces towards the rear," he ordered, "We need to deter their rear action to buy time for the rest of the 9th to arrive. Go, hurry!". The soldier ran off to do what was needed, and the First Lieutenant was going to take care of things at the front.

Then the morale started dropping, then word came of ammunition coming dangerously low, and then the rear delivered news that it was about to break. No hope in here town it seemed. Then reinforcements came, "Thank Cthulhu! They're here everyone!" he announced to his men, he would help them out in the only form they could, "Everyone to the rear! Let's hammer and anvil these rebels shall we?". He raised a ragged standard of the 9th Regiment, "Caoirigh go Brách!". And so they retreated from the front, the enemy could take care of that for the time being, right now however, they had the rest of their regiment to assist.

Artillery was aimed and fired, and soon the hammer hit the anvil, the force of a whole regiment hit the rear of the enemy's rear action, and in front of them, battle hardened men fought them. This town would hold, no matter what.

---

Month of March

If the world was in an oven in earlier years, then the current state of affairs would place the world in hell. Ever escalating tensions in the continent of Indianum has forced the army to mobilize the armored corps of the 1st and 2nd Armies of the Tubuska, which meant two whole field armies had now been fully mobilized. This was the maximum amount that they could raise putting economic growth in mind, any more and that growth would halt. As for the deployments of these two Corps, the 1st Armored Corps was to be sent to Shishiri, to assist their comrades in the 1st Corps, as well as putting a dampener on worrisome Nihonese saber rattling, which intensified following their recent rejection of Central Alliance demands made by the Manticorans. As for the 2nd Armored Corps, those would be sent to Rannoria, in order to break the increasingly difficult resistance from the Rannorian Communists.

As for what's happening on those respective fronts, on the Shishiri front, it was almost won. The capital was almost taken, and enemy forces were being routed left and right. The port however, still stood even in the face of continuous bombardment. Something that could not continue. Advancing forces were rerouted towards the port, with the objective of making the place unusable for the enemy, preventing their escape. Three regiments were to advance on the harbor and eliminate all forces within, as well as to destroy ships and equipment, as many as possible. The enemy was to be denied escape from this city/kill zone, and in the unlikely event that they did, a group of ten submarines were on the alert for any enemy ships that could potentially manage to escape and evade their surface fleet. As for enemy armor, artillery bombardments were simply doubled in frequency. Either way, the Carriebeanian war effort was, for all intents and purposes, doomed.

In Rannoria, the Battle of Rannkradle was about to begin, and it would take a lot of men for both sides to win. The city was spread across scattered hills, and a deep river ran in the north of it, forming its natural boundary. This river, as well as the rough terrain, was going to be an issue, already were the bridges towards the city destroyed, and nearby bridges as well. It was a good thing that the enemy had limited artillery, or else the city would take ages to capture. But in spite of limited enemy artillery, the reds had a good supply of ammunition for both their artillery pieces and smaller guns. The one half of the 11th and 17th Divisions had already lost 20% of their troops to Syndicalist resistance, and for the R.S.F forces in the north, around 45% casualties. This city would more than likely add another twenty percent to all of the listed parties.

Grandmaster Peter MacArthwys and Division-Masters Kurt Askance and Gidkun/Gideon Gwawst'ay were drawing up plans on how to take the city, and involved the rest of the 11th on garrison duty in the neighboring isles. They had been able to pacify the three offshore Rannorian islands with the help of the R.S.F, and now it seemed that they could commit troops on the mainland. And so Operation Riverboat came to be. It was simple, the other half of the 11th Division would make a landing on the southern side of the river close to its estuary, where they would most likely face little to no resistance as most communist troops had been concentrated in Rannkradle. While that happened, the 11th currently on the mainland would cross the mountainous areas to the east with assistance from R.S.F troops and supporters, bypassing the river, and before all of this, the 17th will procure barges to cross the river. After these two actions by the halves of the 11th were done, they will march upon Rannkradle, and when they arrive, an assault from them from the back and an an amphibious one from the 17th at the front would occur.

Encirclement actions of the 11th Division

The 13th Division in the former Rannorian colonies in the Deruhn Isles had completed their objectives, and were currently on garrison duty for now. After annexation, a small detachment would be left behind there in order to keep the garrison running.

---

R'lyeh, Palas Fomalhaut

There were many letters on his table, some relating to a few disputes over in some town blowing up, and sometimes quite literally, and other letters were about the military's operations overseas. But there were three foreign letters that were of highest importance, well, technically just foreign one. The letter from the Nihonese was already burning somewhere, and there was no letter from the Transvaal, but rather, an ambassador, a Mr. Jan Tulis. That left the letter from the Manticoran Ministry of State, and Lothar was currently writing down a response for that, as well as surrender terms for the Rannorian Syndicalists. The response letter to the Manticorans simplified, went along these lines: Yes this alliance was a great idea, thanks for sending this letter, and yes the Nihonese are a problem, and yes we shall be sending a diplomat, a Mr. Masset Hiellan. As for the simplified surrender terms: Unconditional surrender or die.

"Ah, good," he nodded as he placed his pens in a cabinet, "Final draft done, now to deal with that Boer diplomat.". He called his guard and told him to bring the man in. It took a few moments, but soon Jan Tulis was in the room. "So your president, or rather, presidents, want the Deruhn Isles," he stated as his hand gestured for the man to sit, the guard would then be told to get some wine from the cellar, "Short answer, maybe- leaning towards no. Long answer, real maybe.".

---

Somewhere behind the wall

Fools thought of others as fools, and made further fools out of themselves.

The possibility of war with Arengin was, and always will be, a constant. As long as the Arenginian lived, there could be no lasting peace on this godforsaken planet. The three knew that. They also knew of the falsifications in the documents, and the falsifications they were currently making with their faces. "Glaringly large error here, false troop movements here, and a few omitted facts that we already know, HERE." Laurent noted with immense internal amusement as he reread the documents over and over, they thought they could lie to their faces when they had already faced that damnable wall for decades, learning as much of it as possible, every nook and cranny of it, every time Rusklandr and Arenginian clashed. The weakest link in the wall discovered back in the Morvern War was a godsend for them, as it allowed for some of their men to scurry about in an entire section and study it. As advanced and hard Boer reinforced concrete was, it could not last forever, especially with its current state of disrepair and former mass bombardments from previous wars, especially the mass bombardment around the end of the Counterstrike.

Vitomir then rose up from his seat, a shot glass of vodka in hand, "I not only accept those conditions, I embrace them all." He announced, "For the truth, justice, and liberation for all the oppressed of this land we together shall see the final days of the Monarchy at all, the death of the King, and the end of an era and beginning of an endless one that will see riches and new beginning for us all!".

"Large promises, I wonder if you'll fulfill any of them." Mused Lee loudly while louder echoing celebratory chants were being yelled. Oh well, it was inevitable if some promises were broken, but large ones would be retaliated against with broken promises as well. "We're gonna have a few issues wiring such a big sum of money and supplies..." His bored statement was buried under a massive chant, which he flinched internally at.

Then quiet came, a dampener on the chanting and the celebrting and laughing was placed. The revolutionary then gave them a smile and somewhat nefarious eyes, which Lee gave a look of barely masked contempt in response. "And I thank you, my Rusklandr comrades..." The man nodded at them, the smile still plastered, "For it will be you that lay the foundation for a new world. A world free of this wretched and broken monarchy and the start of a new rule by the people, for the people! For the Rusklanders, for Arenginians, Morverians, Carriebeans, Rannorians, everyone that shall be our brothers in the struggle. OUR BROTHERS IN ARMS!" Vitomir raised his shot glass and downed it slowly, all (including the Rusklandr) with a glass of alcohol raised theirs, on the drinking part however, everyone sans the Rusklandr did the opposite, drinking- no, chugging down their vodka rapidly, getting some drunk in the process.

When all that was said and done, Vitomir sat back down to the table, then spoke through the celebration and chanting, "Gentlemen..." he announced with a flourish of his right hand, "I believe we have a deal. Expect daily reports through our mutual contacts..." Radberght was then handed a card with a number in it, the number of his officer in St. Osloverg. And soon, they would be shown out and taken back to their country. The Battlemaster raised his hat towards Vitomir, and in doing so, dropped... A fresh carrot?

"Mr. Vitomir, catch." He threw it at the man, a genuine smile on his face. The revolutionary caught it with ease, and had a puzzled look on his face. By the time he could ask anything about it, the three had already said their goodbyes and were out of the door. When Vitomir looked outside of a window, the car was already moving out.

---

It took hours to get them to the port city in which they would be sent to R'lyeh, where the K'uhlda K'íits'ad 'La'áaygaa (KKL) would await them. And so they boarded a ship crewed by men loyal to Vitomir "the "Liberator"". Somewhat choppy seas on their voyage, and an atmosphere caked with tension about to break any moment. But they arrived safely at R'lyeh's ports, around eight in the morning. The three Battlemasters disembarked as fast as they could, as if the ship was going to blow up at any minute, they were then spoken to by a few guards who simply asked them this one question: "The carrot?". To which they replied: "Taken". The signal.

The ship was held in place, to be searched thoroughly of "any possible contraband" as the harbormaster had said. While miles away from the city, a prototype gun was being readied. "We'll be seeing the pinnacle of Confederate artillery development shortly," Almos said, breaking his long period of silence. The gun had finished aiming "Years and years of toiling against the wall, resulting in this monstrosity of a gun.". The Battlemaster of the Eastern Army then left his two fellow Battlemasters for a communications room. "It's ready sir, we'll fire on your command." A lanky officer said, and Almos nodded, while a predatory smile grew on his face. "Fire Prosperity.".

A few trepidatious moments passed, in which the two other Battlemasters came to the communications room, along with others. Then the ship simply disappeared into the depths in a massive explosion after getting hit by something large. "Prosperity comes, K'usdas Gudgwáa tl'áas xaat'áay!".

PROSPERITY'S FIRST SHOT