Dust Amidst the Plain [IC]

[Socialist Internationale of Osteuropa]

December 1st, 1989

The Berlin Wall has fallen a month earlier, and the world signs to a new hallmark of history, as the Federal Republic of Germany had decided that, after referendum and lacking international support after the division of the United States of America, to join the third party power of Osteuropa alongside its formerly separate eastern half. The Soviet Union reforms slowly, as its breakaway puppet's independence shows that it had failed in its mission of an Iron Curtain, instead having created what some regard as a "Junior Union" in the midst between them and the West, especially after it's embarrassing defeat decades ago. Across the world, various new empires like the longstanding one in Japan, the kingdoms of Europe, unions in the Pacific and Caribbean, and other nations all hold strong, as areas from the Middle East to South America return to prominence in headlines, alongside unexpected areas of interest such as the Horn of Africa and the various nations amidst the Baltic Sea. A different world has been born for the ensuing decade, and with the arise of the 21st century, a time of change is at hand.

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Amidst Berlin, celebrations are still at hand as the people of the newly unified city are rejoicing, as brothers and sisters see one another yet again, with culture booming as Trabants roll beside Beetles, polyester fashion swathes over the west side as a big trend, and televised news centralizes underneath the giant Fernsehturm, a beacon of technology shared between both sides as an icon. The news had roamed from across the way into Poland and Czechia, with it threading down south and east.

The news is celebrated with parades: floats roam down the streets of big cities, while more smaller venues dotted amidst the countrysides cheer and drink to the new age of socialism: for peace to reign over Europe amidst their more unfriendly allies, and for the benevolence of their union to ring free and proud, a union of brotherhood against their enemies. People feel as if the fighting should've been long over, as Russia's border conflicts had come to an end. Osteuropeans all around believe that their representatives in the People's Assembly do know this as well, seeing that they had lessened their border presence against Livonia, while the new border firmly assumed at the Gaulish kingdom is much more lenient then anticipated. Having been aided with Western support, even before the fall of the former United States of America, Osteuropa holds to their independent status, not vying a war between any of the more belligerent neighbors, keeping itself to be a gentle giant and a peacekeeper in the new world against tyranny, as well as lessening up its own restrictive principles.

Rather then vying to aim and destroy others like its former puppeteer, it has decided to arm and aid whomever allies with them, deciding that making enemies isn't worth the budget: however, on the other end of things, the armed forces of Osteuropa are guarding itself, keeping well armed and armored with its finest new technologies, modernization of their former Soviet equipment, as well as newer models of vehicle, ship and firearm being built to fully assure they are prepared to either aid or defend, and to make a profit to keep the budget for further projects, selling their old equipment across the world, to nations and others who need exceptional gear.

However, behind most good things, is the bad: GEHIRN, the boogeymen of the nation, still lurk and stalk the world. Much like the CIA or KGB, they observe everything they can, but unlike them, have more control over the nation then anyone would ever know. Some say they're friends and family, others are more cautious to break simple rules. But as the reforms go on, they come to be less of a secret police to the nation after the unity of the Internationale, as they form into a more proper international intelligence agency: despite their unchecked power, they still are treated as a needed asset, a far cry from all of the peace that they nation speaks of. Enemies of peace, or pariahs of justicars? Time will tell, as it will for most others amongst the world.

[Falthonia]

The Situation in Falthonia

A month after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the situation in Falthonia is reaching its maximum, after a separatist group encountered the Falthonian Army on a skirmish in the border towns in Falthonian Iran. Hundreds of thousands are also protesting the removal of their freedom of speech and the declaration of martial law across the cities in the country. A protest in Damascus turned into a violent one after protesters hurt the policeman and as revenge one policeman pulled his pistol and fired it to the protesters. Four were dead and seven were injured. The policeman is immediately sent to prison and is being prepared for execution. At January 3, 1990, Wanth Grissford, the leader of the Falthonian Commune, spoke at 15:00 Falthonian Standard Time, that military personnel and police, if threatened, can "shoot at will". It will be expected that a million people might go to the streets of their cities and protest this, while separatist groups might take this opportunity for themselves.

Two growing party, named the Falthonian Democratic Party, or the FDP, with Wels Priponsk as their leader, and the Leminitz Party, or the Monarchist Party of Falthonia, with Zack Leminitz as their leader, are said to be those that could save Falthonia. After more than 40 years of an iron fist on the Falthonian people, the growing urge for freedom leads to the growth of these two parties. As the nation is now being divided by ideology, the fate of Falthonia lies on these three.

[Badassistanian]

The Cross

Brazil, 1955

Brazil in 1955 was in a time of disorder and flux. The President João Café Filho rose to power following the night that President Getúlio Vargas had pumped his heart with multiple ounces of lead. João Café Filho, being the first protestant President of The Brazillian State, was met with vast resistance from the Catholic majority population who looked towards new ideologies and leaders as a means to bring a return to Catholic rule. One of these individuals would be Plínio Salgado who had founded a political party by the name of Brazilian Integralist Action (AIB) in 1932. Salgado began life as a reporter, operated a newspaper known as the Correio de São Bento, and engaged in local politcial action. In 1930, Salgado would make multiple trips to Italy where he would become infatuated by the work of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. The AIB, following its founding in 1932, would quickly find support within the Vargas government which had involved itself in the mass persecution of left wing political movements. This mutualistic affair between Vargas and Saldago allowed for the party to expand rapidly among the Brazilian middle class and its military elements. Brazilian Integralism would slowly be defined through these early years of growth as a fascist movement that wished to bring about a new wave of Catholic Spiritualism to the Brazilian people. The movement would also be characterized by its desire to unite all races and peoples in a revolution against the materialist and capitalistic world.

The elections of October 3rd, 1955 had been set to become one of the most controversial elections in Brazilian history. The candidates included Adhemar de Barros of The Social Progressive Party, Juscelino Kubitschek of The Social Democratic Party, Juarez Távora of The National Democratic Union, and Plínio Salgado of The Brazillian Integralist Action. The situation, however, would become even more complex with rumors that João Café Filho was suffering from rapidly advancing heart disease that the state may take action to remove him from office before the end of October. These rumors, along with the presidents protestant beliefs, would be utilized by Salgado and the already popular Integralist movement to further make his case. The military itself, especially the naval aspects of it, would become outright public supporters of Salgados run for the presidency. As the polls closed, the outcome was well known throughout Brazil. Salgado had won the Presidency with 52.4% of the vote.

Following the election on October 3rd, events moved rather rapidly. President João Café Filho would be removed from office on November 3rd, 1955 and replaced by Carlos Luz. The Luz Administration entered into extensive communication with Salgado and The AIB to expediate the transfer of power. This would culminate on November 11th when Saldago would officially assume the Presidency of Brazil. The following years would be defined by nothing but radical and extensive restructuring of The Brazillian Government into a spiritual totalitarian state. João Café Filho, recovering from his illness, would be assassinated by agents from the newly establish Office of Internal Affairs (OIA) during a series of political purges in late November to late December that would become known as "The Blue Terror" by outside historians. All legislative bodies within Brazil would be rapidly stripped of power with the popular will and support of the catholic majority. Salgado would quickly fashion himself as an eternal president with the simplistic title of "Lider". The presidency would become the sole mode and power of the state backed by expansive sub offices that would target all matters of the state. The military would gain massive levels of representation within the Salgado government which would allow for them to push expansionary claims on neighboring states such as Bolivia and Paraguay under the casus belli of "expanding the integralist revolution throughout South America.". The economy would become rapidly centralized as state and corporate power would merge in a similar fashion to Mussolini's fascist experiment in Italy. The church became the sole arbiter of morality, culture, and daily life within the state. Mass killings would quickly be extended to the protestant, muslim, and atheist minorities who the state saw as nothing more than flesh bodies who had developed a "cancer of the soul.". The state of affairs in Brazil had forever changed.

One Nation Under God

Brazil, 1989

Lider Plínio Salgado, the father of Integralism and the modern Brazilian state, passed away in the early hours of December 8th, 1975 at the age of 80. In an attempt to avoid the mistakes of other totalitarian states, Salgado had engineered a simple yet effective plan for the transferal of power following his death. Márcio de Sousa e Melo, an early integralist and member of The Brazilian Air Force Brass, would assume the position of Lider along with a predetermined reshuffling of the lower offices to the liking of Salgado. The transfer of power went smoothly with the mass support of the military and government being retained behind Melo. Marcio Melo would retain the policies and aspirations of Salgado and The AIB in what would be considered a relatively stable era of rule. The new year of 1989 would bring many unknowns to the Brazilian state. The first was that Melo, standing at the ripe age of 82, had began to experience deteriorating health. This will open the door for a power struggle to occur if Melo does not adopt a similar plan for the transfer of power in the coming years. The second question is that of the recent posturing of European powers in the Caribbean and the Guianas. The catholic masses and military elite wished to see the complete removal of these powers from the continent however Melo has remained less willing to engage in extended warfare compared to Salgado. The third concern would be in the north as the collapse of The United States had created a mass power vacuum in North America that could be exploited by the Brazilians. The dawn of the 1990s is fast approaching as many questions remain unanswered.

[New Jacobland]

Castille

1st December 1989

A sickly figure lays on the hospital bed. He is being treated at the most prestigious medical institution in Castille, the Nacional Instituto de Helaj. The 81-year old had been sick for years, but in the past months his condition had made a turn for the worse. It was October 17th when the man was admitted to hospital, and by November, the doctors said he had no hope.

Currently, he was drifting in and out of consciousness, and he had mere days to live. This man's death would rock the grand Kindom of Castille, especially in a time of great uncertainty. This man was King Mikael.

7th December 1989

King Mikael, in a hospital bed, far from the military hero he once was. As he lay dying, he thought of the future of Castille, his proud Kingdom. Naturally, the title of King would pass down to his eldest son, Ramirez. He began to have doubts. Ramirez was a fierce nationalist, very much a military man. It would be almost certain that if Ramirez got the throne, Castille would desert its past as a beacon of armed neutrality. Castille would become an imperial dictatorship, far from Mikael's vision of a benevolent monarchy. He drew his last few breaths, and croaked to Prince Hanyad, who was by his side, "Don't let Ramirez...he must never...lead...Castille."

Hanyad's father, known all around the world as the King of Castille, died soon after. Hanyad swore on his father's grave that he would not let Ramirez take power...

[Viraliz]

Former USA, New York December 10, 1989

The Inner Circle looked at the Founder. “What is our next step, my lord.” Pierre La Croix said. The fall of the Berlin Wall had been both a blessing. but also a deep worry for the entire Inner Circle as it meant that the Cold War was now over and that they needed a new way to draw their enemies’ attention.

The Founder looked at his inner circle. These were his closest allies, the ones who would help him bring about the changed world. A world of unity. He furrowed his brow thinking deeply.

“My friends. This is both an obstacle, but also an opportunity for us to expand. We need to increase our coverage in our news network in order to increase tension between the nations, I will also send some new Envoys and Death-Commandos to see if there is a possibility to create internal dissent. Finally, we can use their fragmented nature in order to transfer funds and recruits without raising their awareness. Fredrick Murphy? I want the network to release a story detailing the new trade and open border agreement between Somalia and Eritrea. Make it a small matter not worthy of any important news, but mention it a few times to make our logistical expansion seem like an increase of trade.”

The Inner Circle nodded in agreement. “Finally Pierre, I want you to expand our charity network in Ethiopia. Our spies have told me that the country will soon be ready for a full-on coup against the ruling government. In fact, our new puppet leader has taken control of a sizeable part of the military, meaning that if we strike at all target locations at once we should finish with minimal casualties.”

Pierre looked at The Founder and felt pride at the mere mention of his name. To him, there existed no greater purpose than to further the goals of the brotherhood and the Founder. “ I will do as you command, master.”

“Then we are done for now. I will contact you when we need a new meeting.” The Founder said and rose from his seat. The rest rose from the chairs and said in unison, “One Vision, One Purpose.”

Baidoa, Somalia 12 December 1989

Deacon Alexander inspected his squad, 10 men from all over the world, some from the former US, some from Eastern Europe, and the rest locals from Somalia and Eritrea. What made this squad distinct however was their origins, but that they had all been performing above what any regular trainee should and had been placed in a special training group to see if their full potential could be unlocked.

The men were armed with M16 with bayonets equipped and full combat gear ready for combat. They all looked eager and ready for the final trials.

“Brothers, here we are at the end of our journey together. I have followed your training since you arrived. Your strength and dedication to the cause have not gone unnoticed and I truly believe that you have been chosen for a higher purpose, but before you can claim your destiny you all need to succeed with the Gauntlet. You all know the rules for it at this point and I hope that you will succeed. Hirsi, you can go first.”

One of the squad members stepped forward. He made a quick inspection of his gear and then pressed a button that opened the door and activated a timer.

[Redpeake]

MEMO TO NEW INCUMBENT INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, a Transition Working Group was formed, reporting to the Federal International Office and the Federal President and involving defence, education, science, and exchequer colleagues. Its recommendations were accepted in November 1989, launching Operation RESOLUTE.

Op RESOLUTE has three core objectives.
1) To secure the interests of the United Northern Islands and her allies.
2) To promote regional peace and political stability.
3) To prevent any attempt by the capitalist powers to use this crisis to extend their reach into the region by stealth.

RESOLUTE's top priorities were acted almost immediately, under the guidance of special adviser Anna Nyborg and army officer Lt. Gen Edward Bundu. These were:

- The deployment of Long Range Naval Assault Groups A and B on permanent manouevres to protect our freedom of navigation in the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean, North Sea, Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Coast.
- The assembling of a Civil Contingencies task force to aid and if necessary evacuate our citizens from nations adversely affected by rapid transition, to stockpile resources in the event of significant disruption to supply chains, and to offer aid in the event of serious incidents outside our territories.
- An increase in listening, monitoring, and identifying new diplomatic contacts and sources of leverage in Osteuropa, Livonia, and the former Soviet Union.
- The assembling of an Exchequer task force to ensure secure and stable UNI access to payment clearing systems, telecommunications, interbank loans systems and other international systems.
- The formation of a New Technologies Catapult with broad powers and funding to ensure the UNI remains competitive in new areas such as long range unmanned space exploration, the internet, and artificial intelligence - and secures its supply of materiel for high value manufacturing.
- The assembling of town hall meetings across the UNI, to hear citizens' views on the period of transition; in order to a) identify potential reforms that would be popular and should be undertaken and b) to measure and monitor existing discontent and its manifestations.
- The offer of advice and material support on stability and security, both military and civilian, to allies vulnerable to coups, revolutions, or unplanned changes of government. In particular, the activation of a new African Command Intelligence Division for this purpose.
- The offer of an Petroleum Infrastructure Partnership to Osteuropa, that secures port and road access for UNI tankers at Istanbul and Batumi, further cultivation of Caspian Sea oil deposits, which can be combined with North Sea oil to secure the energy needs of both territories and profit overseas.

The UNI has remained peaceful and orderly throughout this global transition period. But a number of risks remain and we recommend that the International Office continue to fund RESOLUTE, under the control of the existing Working Group, for a term of no less than four years before review.

The Working Group is aware that there are elements in domestic politics who wish to use this transition period as an opportunity to either expand UNI influence and leverage significantly and extend the socialist system, or conversely to enact market reforms. We continue to take the view that UNI interests are best served by securing the existing global order, though we recognise that this requires a significant increase in overseas activity, and we will of course seek to benefit from opportunities for increase leverage where they present themselves.

[Shinea]

Sweden, 1989

After the rather sweet and violent falling of the Berlin Wall, We Sweden, an merely violent nation that has never participated in the rather in-famous World War I and II. To it’s surprise, Our Sweden Maintained it’s strong and un-usual neutrality during the Cold War with strong forces. At that time, we entered many other pacts and deals with Nordic nations, which benefited much. “ We have an opportunity here, to find ourselves among the other nation flags as an reputable nation “ - Joseph Andersson, Well Known Speaker.

In more Peaceful and Culture Terms, Sweden Hosted The 1989 Men’s European Volleyball Championships,
which enchanted our culture and pride in sports even more. “ I would like to Proudly announce that Sweden has hosted the 1989 Men’s European Volleyball Championships ! “ - Unknown Figure.



Drama

Of Course We have drama, light ones like protests that occur from time to time in every nation, regardless of statues and even if your a dictatorship that bans protests and such other drama.
One Such Example is The Ridiculous Color Protest, where a overzealous preschool teacher attacked a young 5 year old girl which later died because of suffocation simply because she loved blue and brown, usually so called “ BOY COLORS “. This bridged national attention with hundreds of marches around the scene, and social Media going wild and even famous public figures partaking protests. Casualties exchanged, with police and demonstrators dead. The ultimate result was the the teacher was sentenced with 1st degree murder, as evidence proves that she knew the girl was going to die. He faced 50 years of prison.

[Livonia and Samland]

The Bastion on the Sea

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Almost a lifetime ago, back in the year of 1918, the First World War came to a close with the defeat of the Central Powers. However, the war to end war did not live up to its grandiose moniker for even a year. The civil war in Russia continued to rage on, and more than that, the Red Menace began to clamour to seize control of all the newly independent nations in the east, to prevent them from slipping from their claws. In some places, the free nations were victorious, yet others fell before the Bolshevik hordes. The strangest outcome of all, however, was to occur there on the shores of the Baltic. Desiring to prevent the spread of the communist threat, the Entente had commanded the forces of the German Empire that remained in the region to retain their positions even into 1919. They were to protect the territory against the incoming offensives by the Red Army, and answering the call came the forces of the VI Reserve Corps, the newly formed West Russian Volunteer Army on behalf of the Whites, various Freikorps detachments, and the Baltische Landeswehr, the troops of the local nobles.

Reaching all the way back to the Northern Crusades of the middle ages, the nobles of the lands of Livonia had been German themselves. Despite this, for centuries they had loyally served their liege, the Tsar, and given many officers and leaders for their emperor time and time again. Between them, several White Army generals, the new local forces, and a veritable rogues gallery of German troops and officers, a united front was formed. Together, they were able to repulse the murderous savages from the east, and put their assault to a stop. If it had ended there, it would have gone down in history as a simple but heroic story of brotherhood between former foes in the face of adversity. However, this was not to be.

The nobles were embittered by the demands of the new republics, the requirements to give up their ancient estates and properties, and their inborn rights to rule. The German armies and militias from the west sought, in light of their humiliating defeat in the Great War and the collapse of their empire, to take new lands and properties for themselves. And, of course, the Russians among them sought to reclaim this piece of their empire. A seed born of resentment, envy, and greed was planted in their hearts. Having accomplished so much only to see the fruits of their labour torn away was simply too much to bear.

They turned on their allies, the new republics and the Entente. They struck at them as starving beasts, not as men of high ideals. There was no place for such things anymore, this was no longer a matter of protecting the weak from the unwashed bandit hordes, it was a conquest pure and simple. The watchman had become the thief, and he had come solely for plunder. Caught flat-footed at the sudden betrayal, the republics of Latvia, Estonia, and soon after, Lithuania were put on the defensive, and the forces of the Entente were called to attempt to suppress the new enemy.

However, something went awry, something happened that never should have. The German forces had progressed faster than expected. On their own, they should have been swept away by the might of the British, but unanticipated help had arrived for them. Inspired by their sudden victories, elements of the High Seas Fleet headed by SMS Bayern, which were supposed to have been scuttled at Scapa Flow soon after, instead turned about and steamed to the Baltic to relieve their comrades in arms and join in the fight. Soon after, the local forces were smashed and the German-Russian force established the new Grand Duchy of Livonia.

Caught offguard but with the Red Army preparing to strike again, and of course, sick of all the warring after years, the Entente was put in a bind. They could not leave this upstart be, as it besmirched their intended new order of peace and their reputation. Yet, with the situation in the east worsening, getting involved in a direct conflict in the Baltic as it was now may have turned their more limited scale intervention in Russia into a full scale war, an undesirable affair with the need to rebuild and the exhaustion from the last one. Worse, there were communist uprisings appearing all over, in Hungary, in Germany, no one could tell how this unstable situation would turn out. So, they came up with a plan they thought to be similarly effective but less radical: this Grand Duchy of Livonia would not be recognized, an embargo would be placed on it, and as it sat surrounded by hostile powers, it was hoped that the Germans would be forced to call it quits and return the previous administrations to power.

This did not happen. For decades, the situation in Livonia was very rough. Hit by several more conflicts with the Red Army, and cut off from most outside aid, and worse, with high dissatisfaction teetering on revolt within the country, it nearly collapsed on many occasions. It became a center for the displaced White Russian forces, as well as for staunch monarchists from Germany and several other places. Only through many years and attempts at appeasing the local majority populations, through land reform, a cultivation of a culture of noblesse oblige, and some elements of partial democratization and aspects of meritocracy, were they to be quieted to at least a degree. It was only after the Second World War that the attitude began to change, as the state became surrounded by communist states, and only then was most of the trade restriction on Livonia lifted in full.

Now, in the year 1989, the Grand Duchy is a very different place. While the nobles still retain their estates and have their own House in the government, the Königsrat, the bicameral system provides a sort of House of Commons for the majority, which represents the ordinary people. The Grand Duke is still the highest authority and wields a substantial amount of power, but delegates most decisions to the Minister-President, and attempts to primarily create for himself an image as compassionate monarch working on behalf of all Livonians. There is still some distrust and division between the classes and the ethnicities, but it has finally begun to heal to an extent and the old hatreds, while still present, are not as openly hostile and severe any longer. A trace of common brotherhood has finally started to form, not in the now-standard sort of national identity, but rather, in the older, feudal sense of connection through a sovereign monarch. Time is yet to tell whether this arrangement is but a temporary bandaid that will collapse, or if that seed of hatred and subjugation will blossom into a flower of love and unity.

[The Bio-Regional Cooperative of States]

An Old Revolution.

The Continental Board's Office, informally known as the Second Congress.

“Contrary to popular belief, the world does not run-on money. The world runs on energy and resources which generate money. Energy and resources every human consumes and uses. There is enough for every human on the continent to live an almost lavish lifestyle, but we still see poverty, inequality, and inefficiency all thanks to the power of money, of the grasp that finance has on humanity. The iron grip of an outdated system. Many will say that there is no better alternative, that the modern order continues because it is the best we have. But it is not the best we have. Far from it. We can live sustainably while maintaining the comforts and technology of the modern day, and go further, meeting the future sooner than thought possible. This is the mission of the Technocratic American Corps., to live at the peak of technology, efficiency, and sustainability, and we shall see our vision through, for all Americans, in the North American Technate.” -Chairman Gates, during the Crisis prior to his presidency of the North American Technate.

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Sustainability.

Twice in the same century did the old system fail the people. Twice did suffering sweep across North America on an unprecedented scale, the underclasses suffering and barely scraping by on meagre wages while the rich merely laughed and continued their opulent lifestyles, not even sparing a thought to the poor. Politicians promised action only to turn their back on the people, elections only being a façade to give false hope to a people whose fate was already decided. Why, many asked. Why, many cried out as they took to the streets. Why, did they shout as the masses dissolved the old apparatus, to make way for the new. Deep down, they did know. The old system was built around the concept of money. Finance, to generate wealth endlessly, to grow the economy no matter what, created endless inefficiencies and wastes that built and built upon itself. A World War did away with the waste the first time, offering the opportunity to resolve the very same issues that would plague the continent a second time three decades later. Willfully ignorant were they when the symptoms started showing again, only to turn a blind eye in favor of lining their pockets with the very same bills that became worthless in the Crisis. Rivers ran black and the air turned gray under their rule to churn out a simple profit. The problem was glaringly obvious, the problem was money. So, when the Technate rose, it did away with it entirely.

Under the rule of the knowledgeable and qualified, the North American Technate was laid upon the dreams of its predecessor. Howard Scott’s ideal was reformed and rebuilt to fit the new age, the fathership of Technocracy Inc. guiding the American Technocratic Corps. into rebuilding and reforming the continent to create a society that runs at the most efficient, and the most comfortable manner for its citizens. Cities would be linked by a high-speed monorail system alongside air travel to provide a long-neglected form of public travel, as cities would be restructured into Urbanates, cities modeled for efficiency, worker’s productivity, and ease of access, a system that would provide utility that far exceeds that of the haphazard construction of the Old Cities. The vast resources of the North American continent would provide the basis for an economy that was not centered in the concept of perpetual growth, rather it was based on sustainability. Energy Value was the theory, and North America was once more an experiment that took place on a continental basis. Resources were energy, and human workers were to forge this energy into products, creating their own energy value in the process. This created an energy credit, which would be used in place of money for goods and services, ensuring that there was a balance in consumption and creation. The environment, long suffering, would be offered respite as humanity was now had the capacity to mend Earth’s wounds. Transportation, once almost entirely based on the individual’s purchasing power, was now public, efficient, and high speed with the continent spanning Monorail system, the Car having been largely done away with outside of small scale or distant transport. New Agricultural methods were discovered, to allow once imported goods to become domestic upon the vast fertile plains of the Midwest. Life in North America was changed forever. Different, but by no means uncomfortable. A people once tethered to the rest of the world, now entirely self-sufficient. The North American Technate now no longer needed the world, but the world, in turn, may still need it.

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First Steps.

15 Years have passed since the founding of the Technate. In the past 15 years, what is East of the Rockies has been rebuilt, and life under it's banner has become a different definition of normal. The abundance of North America has allowed the Technate to remain quiet on the international stage, tending to it's own wounds and building upon the scars to repair and accelerate the nation beyond it's predecessor. Though, to leave the nation defenseless in the face of envious powers across the globe would be the opposite of wise. The Armed Forces, built upon the core that was revolutionary units that participated in combat, was rapidly expanded, repairing, refurbishing and refitting what were once previously American vessels and aircraft, building new ones, and encouraging recruitment through various methods, such as greater energy allowance, in order to maintain a large yet professional force that stands with and even exceeds the size and technical expertise of the former United States Army.

Despite this, handling itself internationally was one glaring problem in the Technate’s planned-to-be isolationist operation. Although it would have been content to wall itself off from the world and allow its machine to chug along, it was unlikely that it would be left alone for long, hence the rearmament. Threats across the globe continue to rear their heads, from world-spanning organizations to empires bent on conquest, all of which could be willing to intrude upon and attack the Technate. There was also a rather striking problem West. A byproduct of the Revolution. West of the Rockies, remnants of the Old Order remain. With a mutual disdain, both the Technate and the Pacific States have seemed to turned their backs on one another in a bitter refusal to acknowledge either state, despite the lack of action. One of the longest contiguous borders in the world has become the first layer of a continent spanning fortress. The dream of a technocratic society has only just begun to come to fruition, and those at the head of the Technate were determined to not let it be snuffed out in its cradle, and thus, Americans shall prepare themselves to step out onto the world stage once more.

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Security.

The Institute of State Security has earned a name for itself since it's inception 15 years ago. Created to investigate and eliminate crime on a national level, it's abilities have been expanded to act as a counter-terrorist force as well. Through a series of successful cases along the Rocky Mountains as well as with unrest in the American South, and policy enacted through their actions afterwards, the people of the Technate have been offered a secure, safe, and sustainable home. However, this sense of security is quickly degrading. News from the outside world of the consolidation of new powers, and the reports of internal issues continue despite successful efforts to turn them down. The ISS will be at the forefront of the Technate's most pressing issues, as they are the first line of defense against those who wish to encroach upon the Technate's sovereignty and it's citizens.

A folder, thick with papers, landed with a thud upon a desk. A call ended, and a phone handset found it's place back in it's cradle. The folder was opened, eyes darted back and forth, poring over each paper's contents. A faint red stamp was pressed across each one of these papers, marking them as CONFIDENTIAL, but for the ISS, that was normal reading. Foreign currency accounts being drained, new ones opening full to the brim...blurry photos of faces that were vaguely familiar, reports of rogue empires continents and oceans away.... the Remnants out West...New York, Denver, Sante Fe ...Political struggles the nameless common man would never even know about. For a state that was supposedly self sufficient, they were real concerned with the rest of the world...A grin spread across the man's lips, his teeth still gripping a cigarette as he leaned back in his chair. Just another day in the ISS, huh? He was as nameless and faceless as the next person you crossed on the street, and he could be anyone, even your neighbor. But what mattered was not his appearance or choice of attire, it was that he was an agent of the ISS. Just like the brand new Uncle Sam, he was devoted to protecting the New America, even if his name would become one more black splotch on a document, never to be known again. He knew his fellow agents were already busy, rising from their desks to do their thankless duty, so he might as well join them. Picking up his hat and straightening out his jacket, he'd put his cigarette out, grin still on his lips. He wondered how New York was at this time of year..

[Badassistanian]

The Men In The Castle

Warm light filtered though the thick plumes of cigar smoke that had filled the meeting room located on the second floor of the Presidential Palace in Rio De Janeiro. Lider Márcio de Sousa e Melo sits stalwart at the head of the long ornately crafted table. The dictators aging faced appeared similar to that of a zombie with skin cancer riddled throughout his incredibly pale skin. The other three sections of the table would be occupied by three of the most powerful men in Brazil next to The Lider himself. Jair Bolsonaro, the 32 year old head of The Office of Internal affairs, rose to power extremely quickly through the use of sheer terror. He joined the Integralist Movement around the time of the death of Salgado. He became an agent of the OIA at the age of 22 and proved to be extremely effective at executing internal espionage, purges, and general terror. At the age of 30, Bolsonaro had claimed his way through the OIA hierarchy and was appointed as the agencies head by Lider Márcio de Sousa e Melo. Aurélio de Lira Tavares, the 84 year old chief of the combined land forces, sat at the other end of the table. Tavares rose to power in the reshuffling that came after the death of Salgado and quickly became a close friend of Lider Márcio de Sousa e Melo. Unlike the Lider, Tavares is much healthier in his older age and generally considered fit to lead however some still look upon him as a relic of the past that should step aside for younger and more ambitous leaders like Bolsonaro. Taveras main source of support would come from the combined military forces itself which will likely become a massive asset if a forceful seizure of power becomes necessary. The last man seated at the table is Miguel Reale, the 79 year old architect of the Integralist Legal System and stern advocate for international diplomatic action. Reale came to power along with Salgado himself and was tasked with developing a legal system that would enforce the catholic norms and morality of the state. This would make him incredible popular among the clergy and the catholic majority population. The men would look at each other in silence yet everyone knew exactly why they were here. Lider Márcio de Sousa e Melo is dying and his successor must be chosen.

Operation Trident

The Brazilian Navy had gone through a period of massive reforms and ship building as Integralism took power. This would lead to the creation of more modern war ships capable of not only defending Brazil but also launching amphibious warfare abroad. The first amphibious assault fleet (designated as AAF1) would be the culmination of this effort. The fleet would be made up of one Niterói class frigate, two Rio class amphibious assault ships (similar to rl Tarawa class), two Rã class tank landers (similiar to rl Newport class), 5 Serpente class infantry landers, and a single Heli. This assault fleet would be fully outfitted in early days of 1989 and would immediatly be sent into its first baptism of fire. The islands of Sao Tome and Principe, located off the coast of the African Continent became independent in 1975 from the Iberian peninsula and had struggled to build up strong military and naval institutions since its independence. The nation holds a standing professional army of no more than 500 men, a navy of light assault and patrol ships, and completely lacks an operational air force. The Brazilian navy had for years wished to establish a forward operating base near the African continent to better provide for control over the southern Atlantic which made the pathetic island nation the perfect target for an immediate a swift conquest.

The plan to conquer the nation of Sao Tome and Principe would be christened as Operation Trident. The drafted plan was simplistic as most of the top brass believed the invasion would end at the moment of engagement. The plan was to maneuver the AAF1 near the Anna Chavez Bay under the cover of darkness at which point tanks landers carrying Engesa EE-T1 Osório Tanks and infantry landers would land along the Youth Square and Parque De ULCA. The infantry and battle tanks would then be tasked with occupying the nearby presidential palace, national assembly building, and ministry buildings. The ultimate end of this being the capture of high ranking individuals in Sao Tome and forcing a unilateral surrender. This plan would be a test of the overall effectiveness of the AAF1 in executing rapid amphibious assaults.

The AAF1 began to shadow the Anna Chavez Bay as the infantry and tank landers were loaded and launched towards there destinations. The naval patrols appeared to be extremely light allowing for the landers to advance with little interference. In a matter of hours, Brazillian infantry began to conduct its operations. The first target would be the presidential palace. The tanks would land to the south and the infantry to the north near the Parque de UCLA. The silent night would suddenly erupt into chaos as Brazillian infantry initiated conduct with Sao Tome military personnel near the presidential palace. The tanks would flank the palace from the south and begin a general barrage of heavy fire against known entrenchments and the building itself. Within an hour, Brazilian infantry had breached the palace and began the act of sweeping it. The orders were to kill all resistance and capture the president alive. A little ways to the north, another infantry lander would disembark near a small dock yard in which they would push towards the main operating building of the Sao Tome Coast Guard. This building would likewise be quickly captured after a series of short gun fights and with it a small number of patrol craft would be captured. The president would likewise soon be captured by the infantry which would utilize these small patrol boats to transfer the president to the Niteroi Class Frigate. The infantry and tanks now sought to push to the east towards the national assembly building and several other administrative buildings. Multiple series of gun fights would once more europt as civilians fled from the governmental sector of the island. It was not long until the national assembly building along with some of its members would be captured. As day break approached, the AAF1 had captured most of the islands governmental buildings in the north and had built a strong area of control. Civilians in the area would be allowed to retreat deeper into the city away from potential areas of conflict. A few hours later, the president would give a radio address to his people announcing the complete and total surrender of the islands to the Brazilian armed forces.

Following the rapid invasion of the African islands, the AAF1 would return to mainland Brazil for servicing while a small detachment of infantry and light gunships would remain to assert control over the islands. AAF1 would take as many artifacts, raw materials, and recourses that it could carry back to the mainland as war time loot and evidence of its effectiveness. The islands themselves would be a trophy however the retainment of the islands is not the most pressing matter of the naval elite. It would be likely to sell the islands or use them as a bartering chip to gain access to recourses from various African nations.

[Livonia and Samland]

Die Grenzwacht hielt im Osten

---

---

On the surface, Livonia seemed to have become, from its rather sordid and violent beginnings, something of a bastion of liberty in the east, a ray of light beaming through a breakage in the iron curtain. A light, however, must necessarily cast a shadow, and even in its more democratic and modern form, Livonia was no exception. To retain their power, the nobles had to make many concessions in order to keep the Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian majority satisfied enough not to openly revolt. The government was entirely restructured, and they gave up many of their privileges and lands. There was no alternative, as it was between that, stepping down, or facing insurrection. They worked hard to revive the idea of the noblesse oblige, to create the culture that the nobles had been given their position by the grace of god for the service of all their subjects, and to act magnanimously to try and rehabilitate their image as warmongering tyrants. This eventually started to bear some fruit, and between that and allowing relative freedom for the people, things had, after decades, began to turn around.

Yet, there was always the two great threats on the horizon, threats that gnawed at the minds of the nobles and the politicians tirelessly. The first was, of course, the threat from without. Initially, it was the Soviet Union and the Entente surrounding them, then the threat of the Third Reich replaced that of the Entente, and soon after, their mortal enemy, the Soviet Union, managed to seize control of all the immediately bordering states. Yet, even now, the situation had not improved. The USSR's iron grip may be gone, but the communists of Osteuropa stood in their place. There were more of the "Red Bastards" to the north, to the south, everywhere they turned.

Worse, and far more insidious, however, was the threat from within. The internal divisions they had worked so hard to mend had not fully healed, and it would probably take another century before they did. These were a problem on their own, but even worse, there was the constant, ever-present risk that the communists would attempt to twist these divisions for their own purposes, to subvert the population and incite a Marxist revolution. This was the worst-case scenario. Even though there were a fair few politicians from the common stock that wished to see the aristocracy entirely stripped of their power, even they largely wished to retain the capitalist order and avoid this outcome.

To combat these threats, Livonia had to become a paradox. The people had to be given enough freedom and liberty to prevent revolt, but had to be kept in a gilded cage to prevent the destruction of the nation. The border by land became one of the most heavily fortified in the world, a veritable DMZ separating the entire country from its neighbours. Miles and miles of tanktraps, dragonsteeth, bunkers, fortresses, tunnels, and artillery positions. Fallout shelters erected across the nation, and the metro lines beneath the surface were practically a second country underground. Mandatory two years military service was implemented for all subjects upon reaching adulthood.

The country had to become as fortified as possible, but not merely in walls of stone and steel, but also hardened in heart and mind. The Correspondence Bureau was established in 1920 as a means to censor all media from any possible communist subversion, and to promote that which was thought to reinforce national spirit. All criticism, all debate was explicitly permitted after the first few years, all save for those which promoted Marxian ideology. Evidence of the crimes of communist regimes would be promoted, anything at all that would be thought to dissuade the population from falling victim to the manipulations of outside powers. A special organization, the Border Security Agency, was established for the sole purpose of eliminating terrorism, and snuffing the embers of insurrection wherever they appeared.

The result is thus a strange, desperate country that simultaneously attempts to safeguard freedom of its citizenry while aggressively suppressing parts of those same freedoms. A solution born solely of survival instinct and fear, but one that has remained in place for decades. So far, it seems to have worked, yet, these defenses have yet to be seriously challenged in the past few decades. The people of Livonia can only pray that they will remain but a theoretical necessity.

[Parcia]

It’s a long way, to Kukembura way, its a long way to Drawl...


Republic of Rhodesia
Salsbury
1989

The fall of the wall and with it the Iron curtain came with a bitter sweet, almost expectant response. None the less, it happened half a world away and its ripple effects were all but naught to the young republic. The Bush War had ended in 1973 and with it, most of the tension and war the nation had felt. ZANU and ZAPU were but the names of long since banished foes, and openly mocked by the people as they went about their daily lives.

Golden wheat fields, Cotton plantations and Tobacco crops fueled an economy further boosted by Mining of gold, Diamonds, Chromium and tungsten along the great Dyke, with coal and methane being tapped to fuel the domestic energy industry.

Along the boarder the RSF patrols the nation to secure its growing Economic and Political standing as Rhodesia begins to realize the dreams of it’s founders hoped for. In the Sky planes of the RAF practice their maneuvers and in the deltas and plains the Tanks of the Rhodesian Armored Corps perform maneuvers and mock battles.

(Pt 2 soon.)

[TENNOHEIKA BANZAI NIHON]

Tokyo, Japan
Imperial General Staff Headquarters
December 1, 1989

Talking to the Prime Minister Nazaki in the conference room was Minister of the Army Keizō Hayashi and Minister of the Navy Takahide Aioi, flanked by members of their staff. Before them was a map of Imperial Japanese troop locations across Asia as commanders now sought to plan for the new year ahead. Nazaki's first priority was to crush Korean resistance fighters, however his ambitions for expansion were key to his plans to restore the power of the Empire.

General Hayashi looked towards Nazaki. "Sir first on our agenda is dealing with the Korean insurgency. While limited in the south, the northern communist aligned groups have been causing trouble... That is why General Kawashita of the Chosen Army has requested more bomber support and reinforcements."

Nazaki waved his hand dismissively. "Have it done. What do you plan on deploying?"

Hayashi pulled out a file with a detailed report of the operation. "Sir Kawashita has requested 12 Nakajima G10N Kai bombers as well as 30 Mitsubishi F-1s and 12 Mitsubishi F-104s. He has also requested the 5th Armored Division and the 45th Infantry Division for ground support. They will be ready to deploy by the 12th as they have already begun mobilization. We can have them in Korea by the 15th at the latest, and ready for combat operations at the front line by the start of the new year.

Nazaki nodded. "That is fine, however inform Kawashita to be careful around the China area. We do not want to start a war with them or the Soviets yet."

Admiral Aioi spoke up. "Speaking of such, I believe it is important that we begin to consider forming plans regarding the South. I recently spoke with General Sugita from the Southern Expeditionary Army Group about seizing the next opportunity we have. Russia is clearly in decline, we have deterrence factors in place against China, the Americans are too far away and involved in their own troubles so it leaves the South Pacific for the taking. Just as it was 50 years ago. There we face the so called Mutual Development Federation. Now is our opportunity. Together they are numerically superior, but at the end of the day it is my belief our navy can divide them, and crush them with decisive battle after decisive battle."

Deputy Prime Minister Masereba grinned towards Nazaki. "It would be a tremendous achievement if you could recreate the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."

Nazaki looked towards Aioi. "While it would require approval from the Emperor and is completely hypothetical when can you have strike plans ready by?"

Aioi sat considering. "It would take 2 months to devise a simple plan, but we would have to take more to gather our resources and train. I believe we can be ready to strike within 7-8 months. However we are capable of launching early provocations and intelligence missions almost immediately. Our plan would be centered around destroying their fleets first and then rapid amphibious invasion."

Nazaki nodded. "You have authorization to begin operational planning and allocating resources. Remember 80% of our oil travels though those waterways so we cannot afford to fail to destroy their fleets, unless we can get around them with trade from either Russia, China, or the Americas. If you cannot destroy their fleets, we would be in the same situation as the last war."

Aioi stood and bowed. "I will send word to our planners immediately. I will also get word to General Toshio Tojo of the Army Air Force to begin planning to launch intelligence missions."

[Falthonia]

January 12, 1990
The Falthonian Democratic Party

Wels Priponsk walks into the meeting room of the party. A serious atmosphere immediately appears as Wels Priponsk starts the meeting.

" So, we all have heard about the increasing skirmishes between the separatists and the military.", Wels Priponsk says in a deep tone.

"And what does it have to do with us?", Trevor Onavia responds.

"Oh, please just shut up Trevor! We have talked about this for long. We had plans to cooperate with them, but now that they are all dead, we only have the monarchists and the people to cooperate with.", Erwin Drest says.

" About the monarchists, Peter, will they cooperate with us on the operation?", Wels asks to Peter.

" They would like to cooperate, but they want to be the one to proclaim the new nation. So I declined those greedy maniacs.", Peter Rethania says.

" This is getting bad for us, but there is no turning back. Now how is the operation?, Wels speaks on a low tone.

" In 8 days, the operation will commence. We also have the manpower and equipment for it. We just have to wait for the date of operation.", Erwin reads the report of the operation preparation.

" Well then, I just hope the operation will succeed for our nation. For Freedom.". Wels Priponsk ends the meeting.

An estimated 2 million people has already gathered into the streets of their cities to protest the announcements Grissford said. Rubber bullets are being fired at citizens to counter them. The Grand Palace, where Wanth Grissford is with his officials, planning about the nation's future, was nearly stormed by nearly a thousand people but was countered by rubber bullets, tear gas and fire trucks spraying water at them. An airstrike was commenced on the border villages to eliminate the separatist rebels. 45 civilians were killed, 208 were injured. A professional said that human rights in Falthonia has hit rock-bottom once again since the 1965 Burnea Avenue Massacre. This gives the democrats, monarchists and the people another reason to topple the current regime.

[Croat-Slavonia]

In the late 70s, a socialist revolution, the worst nightmare of Freistaat, became truth as it came upon the peaceful nation. The war was provoked by the east as a way for the largest African power to sway to them, but failed completely. They had the east, but our forces fought back and won against the red menace. The losses, however, were a different story. The families that had lost soldiers during the war wanted reparation for their deaths which were not in vain. But now, the Berlin Wall has fallen, and the families had finally got what they wanted, the fall of the East. People celebrated far wand wide for this one event. Parade after parade, the people celebrated nonstop. It has now been a month, and the people of Zentralafrika are happy and more proud than before. Supreme Commandant Howard Muller has made an address to the people that the nation has made major spike in population and economic growth and is proud of this. However, he soon made a new common enemy out of this, and that was Osteuropa, as they are a leading economic power in the world. at this point in time, nothing much is happening in Zentralafrika besides the election of a new Commandant.

https://www.nationstates.net/nation=croat-slavonia
Don't Mind me

[New Jacobland]

Madrid, Castille - 10th December, 1989

The two heirs to the throne of the Kingdom of Castille stood opposite each other. They were standing at the Royal House, which had been the Monarch's traditional home for centuries. As soon as news of King Mikael's death broke, the former Prince Ramirez bolted straight to the house. He had never felt much of an attachment to his father, and he was always a little...strange.

It was 1951 when the King announced to the world he was going to have an heir. He always hoped for a boy, as he needed someone to carryon the legacy of the grand House of Oñana. It didn't take long for the young Prince Ramirez to start showing narcissistic tendencies. He never fitted in throughout his education, even though he went to one of the most prestigious schools in the nation, the Schola de Madrid Superiar. He barely scraped through school, rarely studied, and relied on his father's influence to get past exams. It was when Ramirez was around 15 he realised what having a brother meant: a rival heir to his rightful throne.

He was never nice to Hanyad, but now that went to another level. He refused to listen, or even sit in the same room as Hanyad. This created a bitter resentment between the two brothers.

Those same two brothers were now staring at each other now. Ramirez and Hanyad. Ramirez finally broke the silence, "The throne is mine. As I am the eldest son, I, and only I, will lead Castille."

"Not if I have any say in it," replied Hanyad, slowly pulling something from in his jacket.

"What! I suppose you'll tell me some tall tale about a deathbed confession now. Deal with it. I am the eldest: I get the throne. Now I am going to have to ask you to leave."

Hanyad whipped out a handgun, while simultaneously hidden guards aimed their tasers.

Pointing the gun at Ramirez, he whispered, "Not quite. The throne is mine."

The guards sprang into action, rendering Hanyad unconscious. He was taken to a military hospital, where he would be under guard 24/7. He was a threat to Ramirez's rule, and soon his usefulness would run out...

[Croat-Slavonia]

The Commandants position of power is the greatest in the nation, however, it has a term limit. The last day of the Commandant is December 31st, and this is when things heat up here in Zentralafrika. Many political parties have already chosen their person for bid of being Commandant of Zentralafrika and by January 15th, tensions will rise. Three of the largest political parties are under way for campaigning season.

Commandant Howard Muller has arrived in Windhoek for the most recent of legislations in the Federal Assembly.

"Welcome to Windhoek, Mr. Commandant."

"Thank you Mr. Garcia." Replies Commandant Muller

A long silence came over them when walking into the Federal Assembly Building.

"Did you see the numbers?"

"Yes, yes I did. Our party is losing support." Muller

"Our support numbers have dropped off by 60% after the scandal with Castille back in November."

"Castille, I've always hated them. They supported the German government during the massacre of Stanleyville."

"I know Mr. Commandant, it was the worst thing to happen to our land, and ill just say this, lets just hope for the best." Replies Garcia

They entered the chamber. The chamber was almost full as 263 of the 300 seats were taken. When the rest arrived the session began. 3 legislations had passed while 7 were not over the course of 10 hours and still had 23 more to go. At the end of the day, it was all the same process. All he knew was that it was his final days in office.

[Badassistanian]

The Kingmakers

Death is something that comes for all men but yet the powerful seem to have tamed it while the meager are dominated by it. A large part of the integralist movement focused on lifting the mass restrictions placed on medical access by capitalistic societies. It was adopted that no child of god should enter the grave before having ample opportunity to serve his god on earth. The Office of Medical Advancement (OMA) would design massive programs that sought to target the continents most brutal of disease such as typhoid, malaria, yellow fever, and Hepatitis. These programs would be tasked with developing cures, preemptive measures, clinics, and hospitals that could be accessible to every member of integralist society. These programs would see limited success in curving the constant onslaught of infectious diseases but many of the cultural and preemptive measures developed were vastly successful in reducing infection rates and improving outcomes. Integralist society is finally beginning to taste what it means to conquer death however, perhaps more importantly, it was also learning how to inflict death.

Hooded figures and shadow elements have been an aspect of the world since the dawn of man. If power existed, it would be taken through backroom deals and the running of blood. No different is Integralist Brazil. The men in the castle had been identified and the rat race to the top of a mountain of skulls had entered its opening stages. Pawns would be moved and knights would be taken as bishops watched in eager delight. The military, ever faithful to Tavares, would begin to make moves and plans that would enable a swift and bloodless coup for power should the rooks in the OIA make a play for the king. Indeed, the OIA was planning in the shadows of the great Amazonian rainforest and the powerful apartment blocks that had wiped out the favelas of old. The days went by in silence and anxiety as the great men in the castle prepared to strike. The OIA, under Director Jair Bolsonaro, would be the first to strike. Unlike Bolsonaro and Tavares, Miguel Reale was backed by the clergy itself which had ultimately failed to gain any power within the states oligopoly over violent action. He was weak and as such would appeal directly to the people, church, and god for support in gaining power over the integralist nation. It is perhaps true that Reale is the most faithful man in Brazil but faith is nothing compared to death. Papers would be exchanged, whispers spoken, and a weapon fired. Reale would be found in the morning with a crater in his head and white sheets stained red. The job was bloody, imprecise, and gruesome yet that was on purpose. Everyone, even Lider Melo, would know who killed the great magistrate of Brazil and most importantly it would strike fear into the empty chest cavity of Tavares.

[Parcia]

Republic of Rhodesia
1989.

Diplomatic talks with Mozambique had been going on for some time. Among the various topics discussed, Economic cooperation, Boarder security, aid, the big one was a possible Rhodesian Purchase of a naval installation on Mozambique’s southern coast.

This being African politics, the Mozambican representatives attempted to squeeze the Rhodesian representatives of as much economic and monetary gains as they could, while also stalling and attempting to ask for more and more.

This brought no end of frustration to the Rhodesian delegation and, since a lot of nations still refused to recognize the Republic, caused the nation to look for alternative means to obtain its rightful access to the Sea.

Around mid July of 1988, Plans were drawn up, and the RSF made a set of purchases. From South Africa, a set of 12 Dassault Mirage F-1 Fighters. While old, their avionics and airframes were in good condition and their abilities a step up over the old and aging English Electric Lightnings and Vampire fighters of the RAF.

This purchase included a training regimen in South Africa, a full set of Matra made munitions including Excoset missiles and the vaunted R.550 “Magik” air to air missile.

Near the turn of the year in 1988, the entire wing was transferred fully to RAF service and posted to the Salsbury airbase. The purchase of a pair of former USAF KC-130A tanker craft, and a single former USN E-2 Hawkeye AWACs bird was also made.

With its Airforce boosted in capacity considerably, the RSF looked to increasing it’s ability to peruse a war on the ground.

12,000 reservists and a further 3,400 BSAP territorial officers were recalled and mustered to service in February of 1989, putting Rhodesia’s standing force at nearly 20,700 regulars, and 14,400 BSAP officers. These man were pushed through an intensive war games campaign all across Rhodesia’s central plains and plateau. The Rhodesian Armored corps, its sole standing Armored regiment, saw its stock of Eldand 90 and Elands 60 Armored cars put through an intensive maintenance cycle and later joining the aforementioned war games.

This is were they made their next purchase: a set of 12 T-55-AM retrofit kits from a less then reputable arms dealer along the Black Sea. Most Ironically, these kits were smuggled aboard the RN Ian Smith and then through Mozambique it self before being sent to the main army depot in Salsbury.

It took most of the summer, but these kits were fitted to the existing company of 10 T-55 tanks, seized from a Libyan arms shipment in the 1960s. These tanks were formed in to “H-Company” and represented the Sole Heavy tank Company of the “Black Devils” the name given to the Rhodesian Armored corps.

Lastly a purchase from Angola: 8 Mi-24 attack helicopters and their attached parts and weapons. 6 of these birds were attached to the Rhodesian army, while 2 were held back and reserved to a special Air wing attached to the RSAS.

The table set, the game ready, the Rhodesian representative delivers a single, last request to Mozambique to simply purchase the port facilities at the city of Beira. This request was laughed at by the Mozambican delegation. On December 31st, 1989, the Rhodesian Delegation is recalled from Mozambique.

[Livonia and Samland]

To cross the path He trod

---

Livonia is not the world's most wealthy nation. It has a small population relative to most of the major players on the world stage, it has little in the way of serious exports, and the military absolutely devours a considerable portion of the national budget. Years and years of isolation have definitely stunted the nation's growth. There are, however, two natural resources that give the country a solid edge over many other small nations. Both of these treasures sit nestled in the region of Estonia, and as a result, that particular territory has become something of the pride of the nation.

The first of these resources is oil shale, which is refined into fuel within the country itself. The other, however, is uranium. This latter, desirable resource began to be exploited in the 1950s, extracted from mines near Sillamäe. The location of course made this a precarious process, sitting almost directly on the border with the enemy, but there was little choice in the matter. It was becoming apparent that there was a strong divide between those nations which had nuclear armaments, and those which did not. The best way, therefore, to safeguard the independence of Livonia would be to acquire these weapons for themselves. So it was on the orders of the previous Grand Duke that the program began. However, there weren't many powers that were willing to help such a country acquire these, and with the little resources and manpower they had at hand, progress was slow. It took decades simply to prepare the infrastructure. Only now, in the year of 1989, have the facilities been prepared in order to permit proper the enrichment of the locally mined uranium.

With the final preparations complete, the report on the matter has ended up on the desk of the Minister of War, Count Valko Nikolaevich Markov. With the decades of planning and back-breaking labour, they had finally made progress. A long road still lay ahead, and years more for the gathering of resources, testing, and research, but the long awaited goal was finally in sight. When it will be finally over and they have their hands on the bomb, a more effective and dissuasive safeguard will be in place. The red hordes will never so lightly cross their border again when the day finally arrives. As such, for the minister, there was little thought made as he signed his name across the papers to reaffirm the plan; all that it would need now is the Grand Duke's nod and they could proceed, and that was all but guaranteed.

Even so, the Count was not without concern. Even as he passed the documents off to his secretary, he let out a low mutter to himself
"Should the bastards make a fuss of this, matters could get rather dicey".

[Falthonia]

The Falthonian Communist Party

With its creation after the Soviet-Falthonian War in 1924, the party was a puppet to the Soviet Union. It follows only what the Soviet Union and Stalin wants for Falthonia. Its leader that time, Harold Klomer issued to the Soviet Union to let them free. Rising tensions between the two nations caused the Second Soviet-Falthonian War on 1933, where Falthonia lost Turkmenistan and Armenia, and removing its claims on it forever. The new leader, Colean Dressford was a diplomatic one, establishing relations with the Soviet Union and creating an alliance in 1938. During the Second World War, the Falthonians supplied the Soviets with ships and ships of oil, which supplied the Soviets until the end of the war. With its establishment as an Asian power, the Falthonians tried to increase its influence one last time at the invasion of Afghanistan in 1964 where it failed and lost. Because of this, protests to stop its expansion the following year caused the 1965 Burnea Avenue Massacre, which the government apologized at international TV. As one of the largest oil exporters, the economy flourished in the following decade, but everything changed when Wanth Grissford, a Stalin follower, became the leader of the Falthonian Communist Party and the Falthonian Commune at 1984. He implemented a 5-year plan that caused famine and killed 3 million people. He also implemented the absorbing of the Falthonian Police and the Secret Service into the military. He even stopped the exporting of oil to supply his 5-year plan. Because of this, the desire for democracy has risen as separatist groups increase. The removal of the freedom of speech, the "shoot at will" announcement, airstrikes at border towns and the controversial 5-year plan are now being used against the party, governmnet and Wanth Grissford, and this will lead to an unknown future that no one still knows.....

[Parcia]

January 1st, 1990.

Mutar.

The Black devils, consisting of 40 Eland 90s, 20 Eland 60s, and their 10 T-55sAM-1s join a convoy of RLI APCs, Mostly MAP-75s leading a few M113s, down the main service road to the boarder check point at Machipanda. Over them, 4 Mirage Fighters screamed low overhead, escorting 6 English Lightning fighters.

This formation, Known as Switchbale, flew like this for some time before arriving over the ZAF HQ at Maputo. Slung on the wings of the lightnings were a mix of 1,000 pound cratering bombs and a pair of HE-fragmentation bombs.

Lined up on the runway sat Mozambique’s sole fighter wing comprised of 18 MIG-21s and around the same number of MIG-17s and MIG-15s. The F-1s circled high, flying over watch for their brothers and sisters down below. The Lightnings screamed in fast and low, dropping their bombs along the lit runway and scoring several hits and putting the runway out of action. The parked migs didn’t fair any better, being blown to pieces by a combination of bombs and 30mm strafing runs.

A battery of ZSU-23s began to fire wildly in to the night, the lack of radar or night sights meaning their fire was ineffective, and they were quickly silenced by 30mm strafing rungs. Choosing to be thorough the reading party then focused on the air facilities it self, fuel tanks, tracking stations and other equipment, razing them with their remaining bombs and cannon rounds before their control bird, the E-2 Hawkeye, notified them of a radar spike coming from the Nouth.

Choosing now to leave, the entire flight turned, formed up, and made for the boarder. As they flew home, they passed the Hawkeye and its two F-1 escorts being refueled by a KC-130 while below them, a pair of Hind-Ds escorted a set of UH-1s and Alouette IIIs carrying a force of men at arms.

These were the men of the No. 1 Commando, Rhodesian Special Air Service and their mission was paramount. Their destination: Beira.

[Shinea]

May 2nd - 1989

The Berlin Wall Falling, also concerned many in Our Nation about our “ Neutral Politics “ and how it can backfire on us when war brings benefits whatsoever. As Action and Wars in 1989 were rather more peaceful, Our Neutral Stances would be forever lost, to a new fate of militarization, war, and conquest even if Sweden was not that type.
“ Everything has changed, we are officially now a constitutional monarchy, after some reckless political person changed it, but no fear monarchies are not bad at all “.

The Deadly Poisoning of Mrs.Kathryn

Of Course, the drama is probably the only thing you care about Sweden, but it still comes at a cost of human lives often. An Such example is how Mrs.Kathryn an young and attractive women was poisoned in an poisoning operation by 3 criminals which obtained the materials and tools through the Black Market, and Their Own Undercover Garden.

The Joke Proposal Pass of Moms Rule

More Drama ? More Boring Political NonSense ? There was some joke proposals that passed. Some random guy called noob173 in Text Chat recommended an proposal called Mom’s Rule, which makes mom rule just like the title in spread of Mothers Day. Fathers of Course was disgusted and went on the ManKind Equality, to get their lost rights back. Because The Joke proposal passed, Sweden is in mayhem and I cannot describe it more crazy then that.

[Parcia]

January 1st, 1990.

Mutar.

The Black devils, consisting of 40 Eland 90s, 20 Eland 60s, and their 10 T-55sAM-1s join a convoy of RLI APCs, Mostly MAP-75s leading a few M113s, down the main service road to the boarder check point at Machipanda. Over them, 4 Mirage Fighters screamed low overhead, escorting 6 English Lightning fighters.

This formation, Known as Switchbale, flew like this for some time before arriving over the ZAF HQ at Maputo. Slung on the wings of the lightnings were a mix of 1,000 pound cratering bombs and a pair of HE-fragmentation bombs.

Lined up on the runway sat Mozambique’s sole fighter wing comprised of 18 MIG-21s and around the same number of MIG-17s and MIG-15s. The F-1s circled high, flying over watch for their brothers and sisters down below. The Lightnings screamed in fast and low, dropping their bombs along the lit runway and scoring several hits and putting the runway out of action. The parked migs didn’t fair any better, being blown to pieces by a combination of bombs and 30mm strafing runs.

A battery of ZSU-23s began to fire wildly in to the night, the lack of radar or night sights meaning their fire was ineffective, and they were quickly silenced by 30mm strafing rungs. Choosing to be thorough the reading party then focused on the air facilities it self, fuel tanks, tracking stations and other equipment, razing them with their remaining bombs and cannon rounds before their control bird, the E-2 Hawkeye, notified them of a radar spike coming from the Nouth.

Choosing now to leave, the entire flight turned, formed up, and made for the boarder. As they flew home, they passed the Hawkeye and its two F-1 escorts being refueled by a KC-130 while below them, a pair of Hind-Ds escorted a set of UH-1s and Alouette IIIs carrying a force of men at arms.

These were the men of the No. 1 Commando, Rhodesian Special Air Service and their mission was paramount. Their destination: Beira.

On the way back, that radar spike turned out to be a pair of Chinese made J-7 fighter craft, having scrambled from a backwater airbase after word of the raid on the Maputo had reached them. They were fast, fast enough to attempt an intercept of the Lightnings as they dashed for the safety of Rhodesian Airspace. The escorting f-1s dove on them and a minor furball formed. The J-7s were brave, and competently flown, but rather outmatched by comparatively more capable aircraft and Rhodesian pilots of equal skill if not more so.

The first J-7 was taken own in moments as a pair of F-1s broke for each J-7, being downed by a Matra Magik IR missile and crashing with a notable fireball, the pilot did not eject.

The second did the smart thing and dove to the floor, using the speed of the mig copy to reduce the maneuverability of the perusing Mirages. It juked a Matra missiles before being critically damaged by the lead F-1s 30mm DEFA cannons. The pilot sharply pitched up, gained around a thousand feet of altitude before his bird began to break up and he activated his ejection seat, his parachute deploying. The F-1 pilots circled long enough to circle his landing sight and mark it out. Africa was a wild place, and leaving a man with naught but his suit and side arm damned him to a sure death.

A search and rescue team was sent after him.

The airborne commando force sped through Mozambique along the N6 highway, several times meeting bewildered local security troops and giving them the good word via rockets and cannon shells.

As they did so, they marked out check points, police stations and areas that looked like Security forces Garrison points, marking them out for the Black devils and their escorting 1st and 2nd RLI regiments to secure along their ride down the Highway.

As the dawn broke, the RSAS forces flew over the Horizon and found Beria in sight. Their mission begin then and their as the Hind-Ds broke off from the rest and began assaulting their prime targets. Each hind carried a squad of RSAS operators, toting modern equipment and weaponry.

An entire year of intelligence gathering by BSAP agents told them the city was chafing under the poor, inept leadership of the Mozambican government and perhaps close to some form of anticommunist revolution, with local forces clashing with Police and state forces along its slums and suburbs.

The First Hind-D made for City hall, using its nose gun to meet the few security guards outside before the 12 operators leapt the 6 feet to the ground and stormed through it’s entrance, giving the order for civilians to get on the ground and for those armed to drop their weapons. They moved like machines, well oiled and competent machines before breaching the majors office and found him hiding behind his secretary.

The second made for the Beira Police HQ and storming it in as equally a rapid measure. There was a much more intense fire fight between the RSAS and more valiant officers before the Station was taken and the Police disarmed. 4 officers were killed in returned for a single wounded RSAS operative.

A hundred miles down the N6 Highway, the Black Devils blitzed down the main lane, the soldiers on top waving the Rhodesian flag and tossing rations, bottles of water and panelists promoting the liberation of their people from the “horribly inept and corrupt government” While they were seldom met with hostility, they weren’t given the warmest of welcomes either.

An official cable was sent to the government of Mozambique. A simple, single page affair confirming the forces in their country were in fact Rhodesian, that this was in no uncertain terms an Annexation of its southern provinces south of the N6 and including the City of Beira, and that any action other then diplomatic would be met with appropriate fire power.

Zeah Koltze awaited their reply from her War room in Salsbury.

[Mutual Development]

November 9th, 1989, a date for the history books. The Berlin Wall has crumbled, along with the Iron Curtain. Thousands of miles away, families, friends and total strangers gathered in front of every available TV set to watch the celebration taking place in Europe, and they celebrated too. With the Cold War now over and the giant superpowers no longer trying to impose their dominance over the other and the world at large, the relatively peaceful Mutual Development Federation was headed for a new age of prosperity without fear of being puppeteered into a bloody civil war. Furthermore, from the clutches of the USSR, another union arose, one that promised a better life for its citizens. Among kingdoms and totalitarian regimes, perhaps another nation with a keen eye for the well-being of its people might make for a good ally, at least while the dust settles.

Jakarta - December 4th 1989

A gavel strikes the surface of a lectern, demanding the attention of all gathered in the Council Chamber, a large hall with desks positioned in a semicircular fashion, not unlike other houses of government worldwide. Each desk is decorated with a small flag and small sign indicating the name of the nation or subregion being represented by the person sitting at it. It is quite certainly a colorful display, not matched by the bored expressions of all present. Quickly, the dozen idle conversations taking place quiet down until only silence remains.

"Councilmen and women of our Mutual Development Federation, as it is evident we have exceeded our quorum today, we will begin our session as scheduled", the man at the lectern recites, presumably verbatim from some protocolar document tucked just out of sight there. This is Edward Patch, elected Chairman of the Council by a majority of South-East Asian Socialist party members the year prior. Born Thai but raised in Manila, he was originally elected to represent the interests of the Philippines before the Council. His "promotion" of sorts was almost unexpected. Whatever the circumstance, it was now his responsibility to herd these politicians to maybe achieve something of substance during the turbulent geopolitacl climate that will undoubtedly ensue.

"Before we begin with matters of production and trade, I would like to present before the Council some concerns raised by some of our colleagues here present. Being our northernmost members, the Philippines and Malay Borneo appear to be acutely aware and suspicious of the intentions of our neighbor Nippon. While they may be secure near our strongest members, it's our Micronesian and Polynesian members that may require additional attention. We've welcomed them among us on the very premise that they would be free from imperialism, and I believe it is our duty to keep that promise."

Quiet mumbling quickly becomes deafening as loud discussion among the Council members takes place. Despite the noble and lofty goal of protecting all nations in the region from those who seek to seize them, some dissent still exists, regarding certain reluctance by the members with the strongest economies and industry having to support "a useless bunch of mounds of sand in the ocean". This sentiment isn't voiced as often since the last election, as the Chairman is known to crack down on such divisive speech. Some say his sense of duty towards all members of the Federation is a bit misguided.

Honestly, the discussion and less than amicable conversations that ensue are hardly worth dwelling on. What mostly matters by the end of the day is that, with some generous prodding, the reopening and restocking of some old Pacific air bases has been authorized, along with the placement of some bases in the Northern Philippines on moderate alert. Perhaps in jest from the major members, the Polynesian residents have been encouraged to join the new garrisons, should the need to defend the region arise. Much to the surprise, Chairman Patch appeared to agree wholeheartedly, as did the Councilpersons of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. Furthermore, the Council has determined that the Ministry of Foreign Relations should begin if not intensify talks with the Republic of China to seek an alliance with the Federation.

Interesting and stressful times lie ahead, and the MDF can only hope they are prepared.