Guerilla War in Vesvai (SUNALAYA ONLY) (IC, COMPLETE)

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

OOC

Short History of the Dominion of Vesvai (Since Independence and prior to the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai)

The nation of Vesvai first achieved its independence in the 1800’s from the Rhodeve Empire. That struggle was known as the Vesvaian National Revolution or just Vesvaian Revolution. That was when the Dominion of Vesvai became an independent nation for the first time in history. That day of independence was being celebrated annually ever since. And yet Vesvai never cut ties with its former colonial center. The Dominion still had a Governor-General which was a post created during the colonial period. Even as an independent nation Vesvai retained it. The Rhodeve monarch was still recognized as the monarch of Vesvai too and had their portrait on the bills of Vesvai’s currency the Obliv. The Vesvaian society always had a mixed opinion of this preservation of colonial history and even a half-colonial state with these remaining ties to the Rhodeve Crown even if symbolic.

In 2010 the Dominion of Vesvai joined the Rhodeve Commonwealth which is an organization of nations either once colonized by Rhodevus or with historical, cultural or other ties with Rhodevus and among each other. Around 2016-2017 was when the Dominion of Vesvai joined ROAA. At the time this abbreviation was known as the Rhodevus–Oblaren–Aznazia Alliance. With Vesvai’s accession it became known as the Rhodevus–Oblaren–Vesvai–Aznazia Alliance or ROVAA.

The island of Vesvai saw turbulence several years back when the smaller portion of the island in the South-West formed an entity known as New Vesvai. It positioned itself as a more nationalist Vesvaian state with hostility towards Vesvai’s colonial period, ties to former colonial centers and supported a greater commitment to the preservation of Vesvaian culture and uniqueness than the Dominion did. The part that became New Vesvai was also more indigenous than the rest of the island. The final trigger to the formation of New Vesvai was a political crisis that developed after a disputed general election which saw mass nationwide protests that ended in failure. Vesvai’s central government was accused by opponents of tightening the grip on power and leaning more towards authoritarianism. Those New Vesvai declared a commitment to democracy. Even Vesvai’s armed forces were split. Dissidents from Vesvai’s national military the Royal Vesvaian Security Forces separated and formed the Vesvaian Revolutionary Army. Its numbers were boosted by volunteer militia that also merged into VRA. It became the military of the newly formed New Vesvai. The territory was a de facto self-governing autonomy but it was not recognized by the Dominion of Vesvai which was a unitary state. All conditions were set for a civil war. But to avoid it the sides came to the table and agreed on a One Nation, Two Systems model. It helped avoid a civil war and retained a single nation of Vesvai but with two systems within its borders. Things were still tense and uncomfortable. Eventually because of rising tensions New Vesvai held its independent general election with higher democratic standards than any elections in the Dominion of Vesvai. Obviously the central government was not asked for permission in advance. After New Vesvai elected its own government the new elected officials suggested an independence referendum to be held in New Vesvai. The central government was not asked for permission for that either. But New Vesvai was not concerned because the Vesvaian Revolutionary Army stood ready to fight back in case of anything and New Vesvai had already managed to create some foreign ties by that point that would’ve given it support. Namely the Sunrisian-led MDAA alliance. The referendum passed and New Vesvai soon declared itself an independent nation. The Dominion of Vesvai did not like that but had to swallow it like a disgusting pill. Relations between the Dominion of Vesvai and New Vesvai as separate nations remained non-existent diplomatically and overall hostile ever since.

Ever since its accession to ROVAA and the Rhodeve Commonwealth the Dominion of Vesvai became pro-active in those organizations and individually looked for ways how to deepen its integration with other nations in those blocs. The Oblaren Republic has always been a natural aim for deeper integration because historic and cultural ties between the two. At first Vesvai and Oblaren agreed on creating a joint military force in a form of joint brigade or joint corps. Afterwards came talks of creating a dual politico-economic union. Finally Vesvai proposed to merge both nations into one. After a period of long negotiations the Union Treaty was signed in Fortwel, Oblaren. After it was ratified by Vesvai’s and Oblaren’s parliaments the world’s newest nation was proclaimed: the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai.

Early days of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

Since proclaiming a single nation the Union had to go through a transitional period of merging its institutions or creating new overreaching ones. The capital of independent Oblaren Fortwel now became the capital of the Union because it was the city where the Union Treaty was signed. An Oblarenite Russel Kelpir became President of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. A Vesvaian Jonathan Mollisal became Prime Minister of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. Up to that point Jonathan Mollisal was Prime Minister of the Dominion of Vesvai prior to the merger with Oblaren and was First Minister of Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai while a single Union government was still being formed. An agreement was reached on a single currency in the Union that would eventually go into circulation. Up until that Oblaren’s currency the Blaz and Vesvai’s currency the Obliv would both be used and be legitimate Union-wide. The future single currency did not have a name yet. There was also an agreement reached on forming a single court system with the inclusion of the Constitutional Court and a caretaker parliament was appointed before a full-fledged single parliament would be elected or appointed. The caretaker parliament was made up of random MPs from Vesvai and from Oblaren.

Vesvaian guerillas appear in the Union’s south

The Union had to face its first military struggle for the first time one day ago. The Armed Forces of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai that were stationed on the island of Vesvai and made up of former troops of the Royal Vesvaian Security Forces encountered armed guerilla formations in southernmost regions. Coincidentally these guerillas became active in the regions close to the border with New Vesvai. What stood out about them was the flag they had with them. It was the national flag of Vesvai but without the Golden Eagle at the top left corner. This variant of the national flag of Vesvai never formally existed. The flag of Vesvai had a Golden Eagle on it when Vesvai was still a Rhodeve colony and the flag with the Golden Eagle remained Vesvai’s flag since independence and all the way up to the merger with Oblaren. The flag without the Golden Eagle on it was only ever used by the nationalists in Vesvai and by those with animosity towards Vesvai’s colonial past. Today this flag is used by several umbrella organizations and political or social movements created by Vesvaian expat communities abroad. Several of them notoriously and openly based in New Vesvai. And now these guerillas had them. The Union troops did not struggle to put the two and two together and suggest that the guerillas were associated with those foreign-based Vesvaian organizations and movements. During the first encounter the guerillas retreated south and disappeared. The Union troops did not have orders to follow them. But they concluded that those guerillas probably moved in the direction of New Vesvai where they probably operate from and attacked from in the first place. Given that these were guerillas there’s no guarantee some of them weren’t still on the Union’s territory in hiding. Infiltration may have already happened.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Activities of Vesvaian expats abroad

Since the Dominion of Vesvai and the Oblaren Republic formed the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai the community of Vesvaian expats living in New Vesvai have formed the National Liberation Movement. It started out as a social movement which inescapably became a political movement too because concerned the status of Vesvai. Members of this movement wanted to see Vesvai’s independence from the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. The National Liberation Movement helped lead to the formation of its political wing: the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai. It was based in New Vesvai’s capital city Perloveu and its chairman was Acido Soran. The National Liberation Committee was an umbrella organization of Vesvaian political parties and social movements that were formed and active outside of Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. But their entire existence was focused on that land as they were united by the goal of achieving Vesvai’s independence. The National Liberation Committee even went as far as to declare itself a government-in-exile and an alternative government of the territory which today is Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. It rejects the Union’s rule there. The National Liberation Committee in opposition to the Union claims authority over the island of Vesvai with the exception of New Vesvai which today is its own separate nation.

But the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai is not the only one of its kind. There is also the National Council of Vesvai formed and based in Acenu, New Vesvai in the west and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai formed and based in Deramia, New Vesvai in the south. Each separately these political bodies also claim to be the government-in-exile or the alternative government of an independent Vesvaian state in opposition to the Union. So there is some rivalry and struggle for central power even among those that should be united by the common goal of Vesvaian independence. But the National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai have eventually reached out to each other and started meeting and cooperating. This already happened a couple of time. They met in each other’s headquarters in Acenu and Deramia in separate parts of New Vesvai. They have been discussing dual partnership even with a possible idea of merging into a larger political body together. The more well-known National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai based in Perloveu has been left out of these talks between the National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai. So there’s either jealously, animosity, rivalry, a wish to outweigh the National Liberation Committee or just a matter of geographic convenience. It’s much more convenient for the National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai to meet each other and regularly instead of going all the way to Perloveu to meet up with National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai. This lack of coordination or contact will stand in the way of the common struggle. The National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai are also not known to be associated with the National Liberation Movement like the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai is. That is also why the National Liberation Committee is more well-known and more widely supported. It’s because of this social movement that so many Vesvaians are part of.

Expat connection to guerillas

But when it comes to the effectiveness and who’s leading the fight that’s where the interesting things to consider come in. Coincidentally after the most recent meeting of the National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai the guerillas in the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai first appeared. It’s unconfirmed yet but the National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai may have surpassed and are already way ahead of the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai in taking the independence fight straight to the field. Of course there’s also an option that these guerillas could very well not be led by any of these political bodies in New Vesvai. The guerillas could be their own centralized or decentralized force in this fight.

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

South-Western regions, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

The Armed Forces of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai were now on the lookout for guerillas after fighting armed formations in the south-western regions two days ago. They had not received new orders from the government or the top command. They just knew their objective was to make sure that in case of guerilla activity they had to act in support of public order. Commanders on the spot told their troops that many of the guerillas had pulled back but that could have easily been a trick to make the Union troops lower their guard. As guerillas they could have easily already infiltrated Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. The infiltration could be happening every second as they were speaking. So it was impossible to tell how many undercover guerillas could be in the rural areas or even in towns or cities now. The military did not have orders to take over border watch so all they could do was reach out to the border guard and ask them to keep a closer watch on suspicious characters coming in from New Vesvai’s territory.

Obviously New Vesvai was still suspected to be the area where these guerillas came from at this point. But what also put that theory into question was how could have a battalion of armed guerillas get past the border guard in large enough numbers to wage a battle against the military of the Union? And where did they go after retreating? Did they move back into New Vesvai or split up and are now dispersed all across the south-west like earlier proposed? As paradoxical as it might sound what crossed the mind of the military was that fighting a more open battle was much easier than being on the hunt for guerillas. They could be anywhere and pop up at any moment. Unless they appear in battalions with flags like this first wave it will be difficult for the Union troops to find them.

The commanders told the men and women in uniform under their command that Prime Minister of Oblaren and Vesvai Jonathan Mollisal already voiced this problem among the Union’s government officials. The head of government proposed getting the Interior Ministry and the Union’s intelligence agencies involved. He also said that if the military wouldn’t hunt guerillas then guerillas would instead hunt the troops because it’s in the nature of guerillas. It was definitely important and inspiring for the troops to hear the nation’s second in command after the President to say something like that. At the same time there was no grudge or skepticism towards President of Oblaren and Vesvai Russel Kelpir. Prime Minister Jonathan Mollisal spoke first because he’s native to the island of Vesvai so it would’ve been weird if he hadn’t said anything or didn’t speak first.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

South-Western regions, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

Two Days Ago

Over a period of time the rebels had managed to infiltrate the south-western regions of Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. Some of them came in as tourists after obtaining a visa and before the local government on the other side of the island restricted travel over virus-related reasons. Others came in illegally after finding loopholes through the tightly controlled border. It was difficult to travel by land so most had to go by boats. Not a lot of them attempted the lengthy air travel. The man power came in one way or the other. The tough part was to smuggle in arms but the rebels found their channels too. Once on the Union’s soil they managed to form a battalion which managed to put up a fight to the Union troops in rural areas. But the rebels did not manage to take over any land or claim strategic objects in their fight with the better armed, trained and equipped Union troops with larger numbers of man power. It was almost naïve to think that the rebels would manage to achieve something like that. Even if the rebels did miraculously manage to take something over then the Union’s military would definitely declare an open large military operation and launch a counter-offensive to restore control over whatever they might’ve lost.

After putting up a fight the rebel battalion started moving back. Once further away from the Union’s troops they decided to split in half. Some would return to New Vesvai where they came from while some would stay behind and blend in. The infiltration would go on. Once part of the local communities the rebels could continue the independence battle against the unsuspecting Union troops struggling to find them. Maybe even some of the local Vesvaians would agree to join their ranks in the field or at least serve as informants or asylum providers.

[New Vesvai]

Perloveu, New Vesvai

New Vesvai’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikau Pasvecal had just gotten off the phone with Prime Minister Adi Letago. The latter still had eleven to twelve days of self-isolation and quarantine left. So the former remained a substitute head of government for him. But this was a period of making important decisions and it just so happens that the actual head of government was stuck at home. Normally all substitutes expect that nothing extra ordinary would happen during their temporary assumption of the position. But it just so happens that a lot of things were now happening internationally and some even directly affecting New Vesvai. So decisions needed to be made. That’s why the substitute head of government made sure to contact the actual head of government prior to making any moves.

After finishing the phone call Deputy PM Nikau Pasvecal reached out to New Vesvai’s Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi. Pasvecal told Aitebi that he had just gotten off the phone with PM Letago and he gave approval for this meeting to happen without his personal attendance. The Prime Minister would still be informed of anything before decisions are made.

At the discrete meeting Intelligence Directorate Head Kaleo Aitebi proposed that New Vesvai’s government officials get in contact with the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai, National Council of Vesvai and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai. He suggested that all three governing bodies should be asked if the guerillas that appeared in Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai are associated with any of them. Aitebi said no more about what should be done next. He emphasized that’s all that should be done for now. Pasvecal reluctantly asked him if the guerillas were provided a safe entry and exit in and out of New Vesvai because he said the other day that New Vesvai didn’t have anything to do with helping the guerillas. This question was meant to indirectly hint at the possibility if the Intelligence Directorate had played any role in somehow already helping the guerillas without a government-sanctioned operation. Aitebi responded by telling the Deputy PM to ask that question of the Ministry of the Interior in his own government and of the Border Patrol if the guerillas had crossed any of the borders between New Vesvai and the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai.

The meeting ended at that point. New Vesvai’s government has now been advised by the Intelligence Directorate to get in contact with the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai, National Council of Vesvai and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai to ask if any of them have anything to do with the guerillas. But prior to authorizing this action Deputy PM Nikau Pasvecal wanted to call PM Adi Letago again. He was more reluctant about addressing the Parliament on this prior to taking any action because this objective advised by the New Vesvai’s Intelligence needed to have minimal transparency in it.

[Smoya]

Dronden, Smoya
The Smoyan

Stability.

Peace.

Erik Bergmann prided himself in leading the nation through a period of peace unseen in Smoyan history. Corentia, for all its violent struggles, was not a priority of the Bergmann Administration. Smoya had been too involved in other nations' affairs; the cost had been too high. Bergmann preferred the economic route: prosperity in an age of peace. Economists and businesses have praised Bergmann as one of the grand figures of the modern Smoyan economy and putting it on a route that would prepare itself for the future. Despite the praises of prosperity, Bergmann had recently come under fire for being too isolationist. Smoya has a duty to protect the rest of the world from chaos, some say. In declining approval ratings nearing the end of his presidency, Bergmann had no choice but to work preserve his legacy. His eight years of office would not be disregarded by history because of his lack of interaction with the rest of the world.

So then, it appeared in his Foreign Affairs Department meeting, there was New Vesvai. No history of hostilities made it a prime interest for Bergmann. If he could avenge his legacy anywhere in the world, it could be here.

Bergmann's daydreaming came to a halt as the topic of recent developments in New Vesvai came up. In their struggles, Bergmann saw opportunity: peace among nations, economic prospects, and personal fame. There was no need for violence; something had to be done. The President spoke up as the meeting came to a close.

"Let's get in touch with the Vesvaian government. We can discuss the issue of guerrillas and how we can resolve issues in that region. Additionally, I would like to see our diplomatic forces in those two countries mobilized. We must put ourselves at the forefront of negotiations and brokering peace among nations."

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Headquarters of the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai, Perloveu, New Vesvai

The National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai got a pleasant surprise when they were contacted by the representatives of New Vesvai’s government. The Committee was not given a specific reason on why New Vesvai’s government but they were informed that this had something to do with guerilla activities on the other side of the border.

Committee Chairman Acido Soran felt both concern and excitement as conflicting emotions. The concern came from the possibility that New Vesvai’s government might interpret guerilla activities in the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai as terrorism. And if that was a stance chosen and the National Liberation Committee were perceived as having a link to guerillas then it could be wrongfully labeled as a terrorist political wing. The excitement came from the option that New Vesvai’s officials could sympathize with guerillas as pro-independence rebels and by seeing the possible connection between them the National Liberation Committee then New Vesvai’s government could offer support.

The truth was that the National Liberation Committee had no direct relation to the guerillas on the other side of the border. But the Committee was ready to accept the possibility of being seen as the political wing of those guerillas if it meant that it could get official support from New Vesvai’s government for the Committee’s cause.

Obviously these thoughts going through the minds of chairperson Acido Soran and Committee members were just speculation. Until the actual meeting happens nothing will be clear. That’s why the Committee was preparing to accept government representatives coming to their headquarters for a discrete conversation.

Headquarters of the National Council of Vesvai, Acenu, New Vesvai

Over in Acenu the National Council of Vesvai felt more anxious about meeting the representatives of New Vesvai’s who had reached out to them too. The National Council did not know if it was going to get confronted over the question of guerillas or offered support. The National Council definitely hoped for the first option because it knew that it actually had a connection to guerillas. In a quiet round-table discussion among Council members there were bold statements made that New Vesvai’s government would be the traitor of the Vesvaian people as a nationality if it didn’t side with the Council or the guerillas. There was a temptation to call colleagues in the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai over in Deramia. But there was a concern that the phones might be tapped. That’s why the Council members decided not to go through with it until the meeting with New Vesvai’s government officials happens.

Headquarters of the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai, Deramia, New Vesvai

Members of the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai were just as conflicted as those in the National Council and the National Liberation Committee. But their level of anxiety was probably more comparable to that of the similarly named National Council in Acenu that they’ve been cooperating with rather than with the concern of the National Liberation Committee. The National Council of Rebellion knew that it had links to the guerillas and depending on what stance New Vesvai’s government takes they will either be screwed or blessed. All they could do for now is sit and wait until the government officials arrive to speak with them at the National Council of Rebellion headquarters in Deramia.

[New Vesvai]

Perloveu, Acenu, Deramia, New Vesvai

Representatives from New Vesvai’s government are visiting the headquarters of the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai in Perloveu, National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia. To make it more efficient the three dissident-formed political bodies are being visited by officials from the central Perloveu-based government and local governments in those cities. New Vesvai’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikau Pasvecal is not directly visiting those headquarters or participating in the talks. He’s leading the dialogue from behind the scenes. The other major initiator curator of these talks together with Deputy PM Pasvecal is New Vesvai’s Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi. Arguably he was the first major initiator while the Deputy PM had a secondary role. Actual head of government New Vesvai’s Prime Minister Adi Letago is being kept updated during the entire process.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Perloveu, Acenu, Deramia, New Vesvai

The three expat-founded governing bodies were notoriously anxious about meeting New Vesvai’s government representatives. The National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai in Perloveu, National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia were unaware what New Vesvai’s stance on guerillas was. If the government were tried to link them to the dissident governing bodies it could’ve gone very well or very bad.

The National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai knew that it indeed had nothing to do with guerillas. But in case New Vesvai’s government was sympathetic towards guerillas the National Liberation Committee was willing to pretend like it was associated with those armed formations if that would get New Vesvai to offer some diplomatic or other type of help for the cause. But if New Vesvai’s government was not in favor of guerillas then the National Liberation Committee did not want to become a suspect and be linked to armed formations that it’s unrelated to be and be blamed for their action. The case was different for the National Council of Vesvai and the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai. Those two knew their links to the guerillas active in Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. The case was the same here. If New Vesvai’s government was sympathetic towards guerillas then the National Council and the National Council of Rebellion were awaiting for sympathy and maybe even support. But if New Vesvai’s government was against guerillas then both political bodies expected trouble and to be exposed. The National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai had a more strict position and insisted that if New Vesvai’s government were anti-rebel then the body was willing to ask for asylum of one of MDAA members and move out of New Vesvai to continue the cause.

But all three had it in the back of their minds and still hoped that New Vesvai’s government would be sympathetic towards any rebellion in the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai given the hostile relations with the former Dominion of Vesvai and now the Union as the successor of that nation. Lucky for them the meetings between New Vesvai’s government officials with the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai in Perloveu, National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia all went well. The dissidents got the signal that they and New Vesvai’s government were still on the same side but now it was official and reassured by official Perloveu.

[New Vesvai]

Perloveu, New Vesvai

New Vesvai’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikau Pasvecal has just returned from a speech and discussion at the Parliament on the border security which was a discussion originally initiated by the Interior Ministry. After the Parliament meeting he was invited into a briefing on how the meeting between New Vesvai’s government officials and members of the dissident governing bodies went. He was informed of the outcome of the meetings between the government officials and members of the National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai in Perloveu, National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia. The head of government was informed of every specific detail almost as if he was there. It was now classified and confidential information known only New Vesvai’s cabinet and the government officials that were tasked with meeting those dissidents.

Before going to meet with New Vesvai’s Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi Deputy PM Nikau Pasvecal called New Vesvai’s Prime Minister Adi Letago to tell him everything he knew. The conversation happened over the usual secure line. After the call ended Deputy PM Nikau Pasvecal went to a meeting with Intelligence Directorate Head Kaleo Aitebi. Deputy PM Pasvecal told everything that he knew while Intelligence Directorate Head Kaleo Aitebi jokingly but also not really jokingly hinted that he would find out anyway if there were any details missing.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Border regions between New Vesvai and the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

Guerillas were hiding in plain sight from those that they might think could go after them. They were not stuck in some bunkers anywhere. They were among citizens. But the guerillas were cautious. Those that have infiltrated border regions in the south of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai were naturally cautious of local police and the military. But even those in New Vesvai’s north-eastern border regions were also cautious of the local police and the military. Although they felt more at ease than brethren on the other side of the border because they felt that they were on allied soil. The guerillas in New Vesvai did know the official stance on them yet so they were still cautious of the local law enforcement and the armed forces. But they were still more at ease by comparison. Those on the territory of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai knew that they were on enemy territory. For guerillas on both sides it was easy to hide in plain sight because they were ethnic Vesvaians and both sides of the border were inhabited by ethnic Vesvaians.

Later some of the guerillas on New Vesvai’s side started receiving messages from members of the National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia. The guerillas were informed of the meetings that these political bodies had with representatives of New Vesvai’s government. It was too early to conclude anything and that’s what members of both Councils had told the guerillas out in the field. But the guerillas were made aware that New Vesvai’s government was trying to reach them through the pro-independence political bodies and umbrella organizations created by Vesvaian dissident expats in New Vesvai. That knowledge alone already created some hope for the guerillas that Vesvaian dissidents might not be alone after all.

[New Vesvai]

Perloveu, New Vesvai

New Vesvai’s Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi has proposed to begin supplying the guerillas in the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai with weapons, tech and give them military training on New Vesvai’s territory. This support would be coordinated between New Vesvai’s government, the National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia. The National Council and the National Council of Rebellion admitted to having links with the guerillas so New Vesvai’s coordination with guerillas would go through them. But New Vesvai would also be ready to coordinate with guerillas directly in the field. The National Liberation Committee of Independent Vesvai which is more popular than the National Council and the National Council of Rebellion has not so far admitted to having any direct link to the guerillas. So this plan would not advance through contact with them at this moment.

New Vesvai’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikau Pasvecal heard this plan out in a direct meeting with Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi. Pasvecal obviously said he can’t say anything until New Vesvai’s actual Prime Minister Adi Letago hears about this. The meeting ended with the Deputy Prime Minister heading out to call his superior through a secure line. PM Adi Letago voiced his support for the plan when he heard it, advised to get the Parliament to back it and also said that New Vesvai’s government should get the Sunrisians to help out.

Deputy Prime Minister Nikau Pasvecal returned to the second meeting with news for the Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi that the Prime Minister supports the plan and that Pasvecal would now attempt to get the Parliament’s backing which was an idea that had Aitebi’s skepticism since the plan was sought to be discrete. PM Adi Letago himself was getting ready to call President Addél Dîlectên to ask for help in supporting the guerilla war for Vesvai’s independence from the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Border regions between New Vesvai and the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

The guerillas that had infiltrated the territory of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai were advised by brethren on New Vesvai’s territory to get back there. Since New Vesvai’s government was now considering support for the guerillas it made New Vesvai’s territory allied ground and a likely base of operations. The Union of Oblaren and Vesvai on the other hand was enemy territory. Guerillas in there were advised by guerillas staying in New Vesvai to return there and get weapons, tech and training. But the guerillas that infiltrated the Union were cautious about doing so. They were unsure if they could get back across the border safely to New Vesvai and could get back to the Union effectively after getting the gear and the training. Because of their successful infiltration the guerillas preferred to stay over where they and told other guerillas that they would consider return if New Vesvai’s government confirmed support for the guerilla struggle. No such confirmed information existed and the National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia had nothing to confirm it with. As far as everyone knew the guerillas were still on their own.

[New Vesvai]

Perloveu, New Vesvai

New Vesvai’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikau Pasvecal was trying his luck with getting the Parliament on the side of support strategy for the Vesvaian pro-independence guerillas. Pasvecal could’ve actually waited several more days because the actual head of government New Vesvai’s Prime Minister Adi Letago was about to reassume duties after finishing his self-isolation period from the virus. In that case Letago would have the responsibility to fight with the Parliament for the support of Vesvaian pro-independence guerillas. And that would be a passionate fight that Pasvecal thought that Letago could achieve better than him as a better leader and also because Letago supported and believed in the cause personally. It wasn’t all just strategic but actual solidarity with fellow Vesvaians. But Pasvecal decided not to dump all decisions solely on Letago and decided to use up his time of substituting the head of government to finally achieve objectives. The sooner MPs are convinced to back a legislation of military support to guerillas the sooner New Vesvai could start helping the struggle. And that was most important right now. New Vesvai’s Head of the Intelligence Directorate Kaleo Aitebi was still skeptical if the approach wasn’t too naïve and dangerous because it risked to expose the support for the guerillas which was authored as a covert operation. But Deputy PM Nikau Pasvecal thought that it would only be worse and more risqué not to inform the MPs ahead and instead give ways to conspiracy theories and opposition investigations to the government’s covert operations. But the Deputy PM acknowledged that this openness did bring the risk of throwing a bone to the opposition of how to attack the government for intended secret operations hidden from New Vesvai’s public knowledge. This was really a moment of gamble.

Deputy PM Pasvecal was confident that the National Renewal (NR) party was going to support the operation. He wasn’t as confident about coalition partner Break Out Alliance (BOA) party but both parties are ideological allies and that’s what helped them to form the effective coalition and keep it going in the first place. BOA was expected to stand with NR on this historic decision in support of Vesvaian people’s struggle. Pasvecal’s expectations proved not to be in vain because BOA said it would support the legislation together with NR. It was now more risqué to get neutral parties and opposition parties to support it. With some effort the neutral parties were attracted over quick enough. The opposition parties proved to be a bigger challenge. At one point it seemed that the whole thing was going to fall apart if the opposition refuses to back the legislation. There was now even a risk that the opposition was going to do what Pasvecal feared they would: refuse to back the government’s covert plans and also expose them to the public to discredit the government. The Deputy PM was regretting his decision of choosing to be so transparent with MPs against the advice of Intelligence Directorate Head Kaleo Aitebi. Pasvecal also thought he probably should’ve left this decision up to Letago after all who would’ve done the mobilization of MPs better than him. But in the end the anxieties proved in vain.

The Deputy PM succeeded in gathering support from everyone and opposition included. His success probably had something to do with the fact that this wasn’t a question of internal policy which causes the appropriate rift between the government and the opposition like a democracy should. This was a foreign policy decision which also was linked to allegiance to all Vesvaian people on both sides of the border and to Vesvaian patriotism overall. And that is what united all parties in today’s New Vesvai Parliament. MPs back an NR legislation of military support to Vesvaian pro-independence guerillas. The Intelligence Directorate and the Vesvaian Revolutionary Army could now proceed with providing that while the New Vesvaian state would have the responsibility of giving asylum.

[Sunrisia]

Orentan, Nationalist Republic of Sunrisia

President Addél Dîlectên and National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên were walking through the halls of the Presidential Palace and conversing about international affairs that currently had Sunrisia entangled in them, including conflicts. For starters, they were both discussing the shoot-down of a Sunrisian drone over the Lutentian Ocean and the next responsive step after that, which was the planned deployment of an additional fleet that had not been authorized yet.

President Addél Dîlectên: “So you think we should send the fleet for the northwest, Mr. Aûctórên?”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “That is something I would support, Mr. President. Of course, it would not be a solution to the problem, but some kind of responsive action needs to be taken, until we can come up with a strategy. Probably, if you call up a National Defense Council meeting, you could hear more options.”

President Addél Dîlectên: “We had a lot of these National Defense Council meetings recently. Do you really think it should be called over every single military move that we consider, even if it does not directly affected the security of our borders or of allies?”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “Well, this situation could be considered as falling into a national security category, because it could very quickly expand its’ geography into the Southwestern Hemisphere, if we do not deter it. The capture of our naval crew by the Rezuans near the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai was close enough geographically to this part of the world.”

The mentioning of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai by National Defense Consultant Aûctórên made President Dîlectên switch topics. On another topic, President Dîlectên brought up the conversation that he recently had with Prime Minister Adi Letago of New Vesvai, who called him asking for help in supporting the Vesvaian rebels in the struggle for independence of Vesvai from the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. The rest of the administration was aware of this phone conversation and its’ contents. National Defense Consultant Aûctórên said that the problem of Vesvai was not a national security issue, therefore, it might not be entirely his field, but he

President Addél Dîlectên: “We will get back to that topic. However, since you brought up the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, what should I tell Prime Minister Adi Letago of New Vesvai? He called me and asked for Sunrisian aid in supporting Vesvaian rebels in the Union. What should we do with that?”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “Well, the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai is a ROVAA member, a de facto but not de jure associate of the Commonwealth of Rhodevus, an ally of the Engleans and other members in the Strategic Ventismar Defence Council. From a geopolitical point of view, not only should we not abandon an opportunity to undermine the influence of our enemies over there, but it would be necessary for us to see that the new Union does not get to achieve the second-rate power status, which it could. It is not only a question of strategic benefit, but importance, because they just lie dangerously close to Corentia and the Southwestern Hemisphere, Mr. President.”

President Addél Dîlectên: “Mr. Aûctórên, with all due respect, do you hear yourself? You sound like one of them with your cold calculations. We are talking about the human part of this whole crisis. We are talking about a nation of people struggling for independence and hopefully democracy as well. If we have to accept the fact that the Baggnagians will probably have to deal with a military government until they stabilize after reunification, then maybe Vesvai has a potential for something better. Go ahead, call me a white knight, but we are not just playing chess here.”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “Okay, I am sorry. But no matter which side you choose to look at this from, the action we could take would still probably end up being the same in any case. That is what the New Vesvaians are asking from us.”

President Addél Dîlectên: “Well then, I am going to need a little bit more information on these rebels, before this administration does anything or before I go to the Convet to talk about it.”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “Sounds like a call for intelligence gathering.”

President Addél Dîlectên: “Since that was an obvious hint towards the Prime Intelligence Division, do I need to remind you that they have been on my, you know what, since I got off the phone with the New Vesvaian Prime Minister.”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “And you still have not talked to them.”

President Addél Dîlectên: “I told them to reach out to me later, because I needed to think about this.”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “And?”

President Addél Dîlectên: “Well, let’s just say it looks like that “later” has come. As for the drone response, I suggest that should be handled at a smaller briefing instead of endless National Defense Council meetings.”

National Defense Consultant Líbêll Aûctórên: “Okay, sir.”

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Border regions between New Vesvai and the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

Vesvaian guerillas were now aware that they were supported by the New Vesvaian state. This made them less worried about the authorities in New Vesvai which meant they could focus their caution on forces on the other side of the border. Being aware of support from New Vesvai also meant the guerillas no longer had to speak with the National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia through available communication lines only rarely out of fear of being listened to. They could now communicate openly.

The strategy that the guerillas were discussing among themselves and with the National Council along with the National Council of Rebellion was reinforcing guerillas on enemy territory. Those that would get resources and training on New Vesvai’s land would be at a better advantage than those who went into enemy land with virtually nothing. Those on enemy land were contacted and asked by fellow guerillas to come back and load up with resources and training but guerillas on enemy territory said they had already infiltrated enemy land well enough. Leaving now could expose them and possibly make it harder to come back if the Union forces get a tighter control of their side of the border.

Guerillas that returned to New Vesvai did not want to see their self-sacrificing brethren actually sacrifice themselves and said they would go and reinforce the others once they are better equipped. As tempting as it would be to ask for tanks and warplanes those were simply not the tools for quieter format of guerilla warfare. The insurgents could only go in with arms and casual forms of transportation at best.

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

South-Western regions, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

The central government of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai in Fortwel did not take on the guerilla issue yet. Even Union’s Prime Minister Jonathan Mollisal who is the native to Vesvai island did not become the voice pushing for a national government response. So the authority of looking after and taking care of the situation fell on the local government on the island and municipal and administrative authorities. The police in south-western regions were on the lookout for guerilla activity. They knew that it wouldn’t be easy or basically impossible to find guerillas among civilians because they were ethnic Vesvaians like the locals. For now their only orders were to combat crime and that was the most effective way the police could ever find guerillas because combating public order is how the guerillas can basically operate. Otherwise their whole mission would be pointless.

Behind the local authorities in a form of police were the local forces from the military of the Union. They had higher objectives of being on the lookout for possible acts of public terrorism on the island from the guerillas. Mass shootings and dirty bombs were suspected methods that the guerillas will probably use. But so far there were no such happenings. Apart from the armed battle a while back the hunt for the guerillas has been a complicated slow burn. But it was clear that the guerillas were here somewhere and they needed to be found.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Border regions between New Vesvai and the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

Vesvaian guerillas and their associates in the National Council of Vesvai in Acenu and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai in Deramia had a real dilemma. The border between New Vesvai and the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai has always been closed. The virus of pandemic of RETRIT-20 and PVAX-20 only made the borders locked tighter on both sides. This is making it difficult for the guerillas to travel between New Vesvai and the Union. New Vesvai is a sanctuary, a training location, the place to get military supplies and a headquarters. The Union is the actual ground of operations in the independence fight. Not being able to travel between the two is making it difficult. Right now guerillas are geographically split. Those that made it back to New Vesvai can supply themselves, train and plan the next move. Those remaining on the Union’s territory are left with whatever supplies they brought with themselves during the original infiltration. The question now, is how to create a corridor across the border which the Union forces couldn’t sabotage and which wouldn’t serve as an unplanned tunnel for spreading the virus between both nations.

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

Near the border with New Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

The Armed Forces of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai were naturally more active near the border with New Vesvai now. That’s where the last and so far only big encounter with guerillas happened. The geographic proximity to New Vesvai and hostile relations with the neighbor obviously caused suspicion that the New Vesvaians had something to do with it. But it was impossible to prove for now. The military remains on standby at the border and the border guard are keeping their eyes peeled. The sealed land border has not had crossings of suspicious armed individuals that could be guerillas. All-together the land border is seeing less crossing through it not only because of worsening relations between two states on the Vesvai island but also the virus pandemic. So guerillas could be coming in from New Vesvai through other borders. Or the reality is that many of the guerillas could indeed be local terrorists and paramilitaries.

As the military truck was riding down a dirty road in a remote forest border zone bullets started hitting the truck. The fire came from the trees. The Union soldiers were always on the lookout and expecting trouble but they were still caught off guard. Coincidentally just as they decided to relax for a moment the guerillas got them. The troops felt almost like they were being attacked by something invisible. The bullets were just covering their semi-armored truck. They had no time to fight back or look for whoever is firing at them. They were trapped and needed to get out of there before the bullets started piercing through the armor and smashing through the window. Speeding out of there the troops eventually made it out of the forest area into a more open area. They stopped the truck on the side of the road. The troops came out and checked themselves and each other for injuries. They were charged on adrenaline so it is possible that some may not have even felt severe injuries. But that didn’t seem to be the case because nobody was bleeding. They held to their rifles tight. It was unlikely the guerillas would just come out in the open and fight them. That wasn’t their style because they relied on attacking unexpectedly. But in case there was an enemy paramilitary army ready to come out of that forest and fight them the troops were ready.

They decided not to go and pursue whoever was firing at them or investigate. They remained on standby and radioed in nearby military units to explain what happened. They were expecting reinforcements or new order from their superiors in the military. But it didn’t take long for the troops to come under fire again and this time it came from an open field. It’s like they were facing professionals in camouflage because the Union troops felt like they were fighting invisible enemies. All they could do was take cover and fire in the direction of enemy fire. It escalated into a prolonged shootout. Eventually it ceased and the troops started seeing some movement in the field. They tried firing at those figures but they fled quick and the aim was not too effective at such a distance. The Union troops started contemplating that they need to wait for an evacuation or get out of there themselves before they actually get killed. To avoid trouble with not remaining on standby or waiting for new orders they agreed to “adjust” certain parts of the story for their commanders and for the news media to justify their own actions.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Vesvai's part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

A handful of new Vesvaian guerillas had managed to reach the other side of the border and get past border security. Some had to get a visa to get in because they now had a New Vesvaian passport. Others had strategically retained citizenship of the Dominion of Vesvai and then got the passport of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai for easier travel but still lived in New Vesvai. That way they could get into the Union’s territory easier but had to renew their visa to live further in New Vesvai. But even with bureaucracy aside it was complicated to travel between the two states because of hostile relations and now the pandemic which has affected travel. The guerillas that did manage to get in were obviously unable to bring their military supplies with them. So they had to rely on getting resources on the black market in the Union’s territory, reconnect with fellow guerillas already in the territory who had more than enough weapons and tech, or hope that New Vesvai’s military aid could somehow make it across the border. But pretty much it was impossible for the guerillas to get in more man-power and more supplies because the casual crossing of the border was a struggle not to mention getting military supplies. So the majority of manpower relied on the first wave of guerillas that managed to get through a while back before the Union was aware that they would now be facing a guerilla insurrection. There was now a need for a strategy how to keep the operation going.

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

Sotana, Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, May 23rd

A police vehicle was driving down the street during a quiet evening when suddenly it got hit by rifle bullets. The officer behind the wheel stopped the car to avoid crashing it and also to get out of it to hide from the shooter’s bullets. The masked shooter with an M16 rifle approached the officer with the weapon aimed at him. The police officer had put his hands up and slowly stood up trying to talk down the shooter from violence. The officer couldn’t even attempt to reach his gun because the shooter would gun him down there and then. The police officer talked to the shooter in English but the shooter answered in one of the languages native to the island of Vesvai. The officer immediately switched to that other language to establish a connection. At that moment he realized he was dealing with a nationalist. The gunman came up to the officer and knocked him out with his rifle. The shooter then sat inside the car where the keys were inside. He high-jacked the police car and sped away across the street.

The speeding police vehicle did not cause suspicions for local Sotanan residents. They saw a speeding police car with sirens on and did the required thinking of making way for it. Nobody had the time to carefully watch and see that there were bullet marks on the car that made it more suspicious than other police vehicles. Even if somebody would’ve noticed bullet marks it could’ve meant that the car came under criminal attack and was chasing after that possible attacker. Little did anybody know that the bullet marks were caused by the high-jacker who was speeding in that police car and not by anybody else. It wasn’t an officer behind the wheel.

As soon as the officer whose car was stolen reported the high-jacking all available units were called in to chase after the high-jacked police car. A chase soon erupted in the city streets with many citizens at first confused why there were police cars chasing another police car. It dawned on some that they were chasing a stolen police car. It only became clear to the witnesses on the street that the car was stolen by a criminal when that high-jacker pulled out and M16 from the opened left front window of the car near the driver’s seat and started shooting at police cars pursuing him. He hit their windshields with bullets and two officers in different vehicles ended up injured. The cars with injured officers had to pull out of the chase because the injured cops needed to be taken to a hospital. The high-jacker clearly wanted to escape the town with that police car which the pursuing units couldn’t allow to happen. Because the high-jacker was shooting at them it gave the pursuing officers a legitimate reason to fire back. The gunman eventually lost control of the vehicle and managed to crash in a strategic position that didn’t harm him. He immediately fled the police vehicle into the woods outside the city. He yelled: “Free Vesvai!”

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Vesvai's part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

In the rural areas and villages of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai the guerillas surprisingly received a warm welcome from villagers, farmers and folk from smaller towns. Guerillas were invited into the homes of these locals and were offered food, fresh clothes, supplies they could need and a place to rest. Sometimes the guerillas feared that they may have to steal from the crops or steal drying clothes or anything out of a garage or a shed from the locals while passing by. If they got caught they even feared that they might have to point a gun at the owners of the stuff they were stealing. But that came into conflict with the guerilla ideology. Because the guerillas were here to fight for an independent Vesvai. Hurting locals whose freedom they were fighting for made no sense to the guerillas so they avoided it. Especially since these were their flesh and blood and their own Vesvaian people.

If the guerillas did try to steal and got caught by the owners then the guerillas did not try to rob the locals. They just ran away. But in most cases people were hospitable to them. The guerillas were invited into the people’s homes to recharge and to rest. The locals in the rural areas were supportive of the guerilla cause for an independent Vesvai. Older locals compared this struggle to the Vesvaian National Revolution when Vesvai first won the status of an independent nation and stopped being a Rhodeve colony. To them history was repeating itself all over again. They were hopeful. If the police came around and knocked on the doors of locals to ask if they saw any guerillas the locals would lie to the authorities while telling guerillas to hide for those moments.

After recharging guerillas would thank their hosts and continue their travels while being wished luck and having gifts given to them on the way. After the incident in Sotana with a high-jacker the guerillas feared that they would be labeled terrorists. Most had disassociated themselves with that high-jacker even if his ideology was supposedly the same. They didn’t justify his methods. The guerillas said that the whole struggle was a decentralized effort. Many locals expressed understanding and did not mesh the visiting guerillas with that Sotana high-jacker. But there were even those locals who embraced the Sotana high-jacker out of their disdain for the local police. Opinions were varying. Some people wanted to see a more intense fight against the local leadership from the guerilla side. Others thought the guerillas were doing the right think because it would only play into the hands of the Union army to have the guerillas engage in terrorism and paramilitary activity. It would allow the local unites of the Union army to unleash a much bigger fight.

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

Marble City, Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, May 25th

As the most unpopular day of the week Monday for the residents of Marble City would begin with an unpleasant surprise. Something that has awoken a lot of people that night and kept them from going back to sleep effectively because of the stress of what happened. Residents living nearby the city square were impacted the most and were first-hand witnesses. The monument statue of General David Olbastal was blown up. It was done when the streets were empty so nobody was hurt but this still immediately fell into the category of a terrorist attack. Authorities and curious citizens rushed to see what happened.

The destroyed statue was found with a smaller Vesvaian national flag without the Golden Eagle in the upper left corner was planted in-between two broken pieces of the statue. One of the statue pieces had the phrase: “Free Vesvai!” spray-painted on it with three different colors: yellow, red and black. The flag planted was the same one used by the guerillas that attacked Union troops in the south-western regions when guerillas first appeared. The phrase: “Free Vesvai!” was shouted by the armed high-jacker of a police car in Sotana who escaped. Both those cases were linked to guerillas and this one pretty much contained all the guerilla-linked elements. So the writing was on the wall or in this case a piece of a destroyed monument. The city government immediately ordered for the police to clear the area and immediately get rid of the Vesvaian national flag and the piece of the monument that had the phrase: “Free Vesvai!” on it. The city officials justified this by considering these to be symbols of separatism and threats to the territorial integrity of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai. But now these symbols and slogans will get to be associated with terrorism too.

The monument statue destroyed was of General David Olbastal who was a loyalist military commander during the Vesvaian National Revolution. He opposed Vesvaian independence from Rhodevus and supported the retaining of colonial authority and Vesvai being part of a Greater Empire. He was not a popular figure among nationalists. This demonstrative destruction of the General’s statue only further proclaimed the true agenda of the guerillas and what they were fighting for in their view. But in the end they were nothing but terrorists and not freedom fighters like they wanted to demonstrate themselves as. Otherwise they wouldn’t do things the way they’re doing them now.

[Vesvaian Rebels]

Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

The news of the statue explosion in Marble City reached Vesvaian guerillas soon. Guerillas were happy that a monument to a loyalist general revered by Vesvaian patriots was finally destroyed. But there was still a mixed reaction to the method chosen. Even though nobody was hurt this action still could be categorized as terrorism and paint guerillas as terrorists by the Union propaganda and not as freedom fighters they were. Guerillas associated with the National Council of Vesvai based in Acenu, New Vesvai and National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai based in Deramia, New Vesvai coordinated with each other. They knew that guerillas associated with them weren’t involved in the Sotana police car high-jacking and in blowing up the statue in Marble City. So these might have been local copycats or supporters of the guerilla cause. This meant that it was no longer just a dissident-led and expat-led effort to reclaim their home. The locals are joining in too with their own unconventional tactics. The guerilla war for independence of Vesvai was already a decentralized effort but now it was becoming even more decentralized. You have your guerillas associated with the National Council of Vesvai based in Acenu, New Vesvai, guerillas associated with the National Council of Rebellion of Vesvai based in Deramia, New Vesvai, and now you have apparent locals joining the guerilla war as local insurgents. Guerillas associated with the National Council and the National Council of Rebellion still preferred to go by this without terrorism but they were partially inspired that the uprising was now internal too. But some were also open to the idea that this may have been a false flag attack by the Union army or Union intelligence to blackmail the guerillas as terrorists and justify harsher military action against them. Anything was possible in this quagmire.

[Oblaren and Vesvai]

Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai, Island of Vesvai, Union of Oblaren and Vesvai

Local authorities in the south-western regions where guerillas were active were not eager to knock on Fortwel’s door. They enjoyed taking the wheel into their own hands and leading the guerilla crackdown. Local police of all levels and local law enforcement could handle a lot. Obviously out of national institutions the Union armed forces and Union intelligence agencies would have to get involved but under the jurisdiction of local authorities. For now the situation was of low-intensity and did not need engagement from the central government in Fortwell. It didn’t even need the full engagement of the local government in Vesvai’s part of the Union of Oblaren and Vesvai in Aurisi. Obviously time would probably come when the Interior Ministry gets involved first and then the Union central government from Fortwel takes the lead fully. But until that happens local municipal authorities were ready to handle their own administrative territories.