In the months since, Capt. Marcus Brayfield’s dwindling force of Albatanians, Placeodermsians, and Green Loyalists had mostly concerned themselves with processing refugees from both the rebel groups and FASC. The new pro-Arcadian colonial government in Altaguay had no shortage of enemies, many of whom had originally found themselves in Altaguay in an attempt to avoid persecution by one of the major powers. When Arcadia had invaded, these people were essentially left with two choices; escape to Sevevill, or hand themselves over to the KP. As it turns out, people on the run from FASC and Sevevill often have something those governments want. And more than a few are willing to sell it to Kamooko in exchange for safety.
By now, though, the globs of refugees within Altara International have dried up. The terminals, once full of asylum seekers, are now all but empty, with the stragglers being only those few difficult ones, those wretched nationalists and petty criminals who could not bring themselves to leave their homeland, and who are worth nothing to Kamooko. These put up a fuss at the news that their KP protectors were leaving and they would be turned over to the colonial authorities, but at the end of the day they would just have to live with the reality that their home was part of the Federation now, and neither tears nor anger will save them from the imperial noose.
Kamooko never did officially accept Arcadia’s dominion over Altaguay, but eventually stopped protesting the takeover once it was clear no help from the international community was forthcoming. Still, the garrison had left in them one last gesture of defiance. In the hasty change of command ceremony, KP troops handed control of the airport to civilian security officials, not the pro-FASC regime’s soldiers.
Republic of Altos and Stratis wrote:Over the September Strait
Lt. Gen. Arthur Stone looked around at the other soldiers in his helicopter, for the last few weeks everyone had been restricted to one meal a day. And it showed, morale was pretty low. But in preparation for the mission high command had authorized full rations. And for once everyone stomachs were full. He moved toward the front of the helicopter, ahead he could see their gunship escorts. In the distance, he could see the outline of September island slowly growing larger. “God help us” he said quietly.
Within less than an hour of receiving Altos and Stratis’ declaration, the Kamooko Pact garrison on September Island has already released copies of the document and protested vigorously to the international community. Arguing on the behalf of the government of the small state, who’s neutrality they are charged with protecting, they have stated strongly that they do not in any way consent to this action and accused the Republic of Altos and Stratis of flagrantly violating international convention on the laws of war. This action does nothing to further Altos and Stratis’ military goals, and strains the solidarity of the pro-UCSO coalition through needless controversial action.
Maj. Liso Glace, Near the North Coast of September Island:
The staff jeep screeched to up to the gathering, Liso leaping out before it had fully stopped. They were atop a ridge overlooking the entire North coast of their small ocean rock, a small group of perhaps a dozen SIDF and local police staring intently out towards the distant smidge which was Oceania.
“Have we got a visual on them?” The Loyalist major inquired.
“That should be them, Ma’am,” One of the defence force officers said, gesturing at a distant patch of sky, “approaching fairly low over the sea.”
Major Glace grabbed a pair of binoculars from one of the soldiers and started scanning the sky. Sure enough, there they were. A flight of helicopters was approaching.
They watched as the tiny distant dots turned into tiny distant smudges, before taking on the form of tiny distant insects with jutting legs. The Altosians and Stratisians had attack helicopters with them.
Glace turned to the troops, “Tell everyone you can get a hold of to go to the nearest weapons collection point and arm up. As of right now, the arms disposal project is on hold.”
There was a murmur of affirmation, until one policeman raised a concern. “But what about the helicopters? They could have control of the island before we get equipped.”
Glace looked up, considering the vicious, looming shapes. Then she reached a hand out to one of the officers.
“Give me that AK.”
