Baptism of Fire 76(IC, Everything)

[Banija]

The final group stage cutoff of the Baptism of Fire. You've gotta Breakaway from group play and spread your wings in some good ol'-fashioned knockout football!

Matchday 5 Group D-F

Key
Blue- 3rd place, possible to reach the knockout stages
Green- Top 2, guaranteed to reach the knockout stages

Group D
India 2–1 Merulantis
Agresos 0–3 Pascafia
Moliza 2–2 Daehae

Group D                                 Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Pascafia                               5   4  0  1   15   4 +11   12
2 Moliza                                 5   3  2  0   12   9  +3   11 
3 India                                  5   3  0  2   12  12   0    9 
4 Daehae                                 5   1  2  2    8   9  −1    5
5 Agresos                                5   1  1  3    8  13  −5    4
6 Merulantis                             5   0  1  4    6  14  −8    1

Group E
Yasquia 0–0 Vikanias
Saterun 1–1 Democratic Kingdom of South India
West Guam 1–4 Kaldtfjell

Group E                                 Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Kaldtfjell                             5   4  1  0   14   5  +9   13
2 Yasquia                                5   3  1  1   12  11  +1   10 
3 West Guam                              5   2  0  3    8  13  −5    6 
4 Democratic Kingdom of South India      5   1  2  2    7   8  −1    5
5 Saterun                                5   1  1  3    7  10  −3    4
6 Vikanias                               5   1  1  3    4   5  −1    4

Group F
Saint Eleanor 2–0 Usanguk
Rizealand 3–1 Ostankin
Lathamford 1–1 Aix les Filles

Group F                  Pld   W   D   L    GF   GA   GD    Pts 
1 Lathamford              5    4   1   0    13    2  +11    13
2 Saint Eleanor           5    4   0   1    13    5   +8    12 
3 Aix les Filles          5    2   2   1     8    6   +2     8 
4 Rizealand               5    2   1   2     7    8   −1     7
5 Usanguk                 5    0   1   4     3    9   −6     1
6 Ostankin                5    0   1   4     2   16  −14     1

[Banija]

Round of 16 Brackets

KO Stage Table          Pld  W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts 
1 Pyazhnaya              5   5  0  0   21   2 +19   15
1 Lathamford             5   4  1  0   13   2 +11   13
1 Kaldtfjell             5   4  1  0   14   5  +9   13
1 Torisakia              5   4  1  0   16   8  +8   13
1 Pascafia               5   4  0  1   15   4 +11   12
1 Cabo Azure             5   4  0  1   17   8  +9   12
2 Milchama               5   4  0  1   15   3 +12   12
2 Ochre Islands          5   4  0  1   17   7 +10   12
2 Saint Eleanor          5   4  0  1   13   5  +8   12
2 Moliza                 5   3  2  0   12   9  +3   11
2 Yasquia                5   3  1  1   12  11  +1   10
2 Behetij                5   2  1  2    6   6   0    7
3 Nyowani Kitara         5   3  1  1   16  10  +6   10
3 India                  5   3  0  2   12  12   0    9
3 Ardelark               5   3  0  2   12  13  −1    9
3 Aix les Filles         5   2  2  1    8   6  +2    8

3 Venmere                5   2  1  2    8  10  −2    7
3 West Guam              5   2  0  3    8  13  −5    6

Round of 16 Matchups

#1 Pyazhnaya v. #16 Aix les Filles @ The Allainz Arena(cap. 63,000) in Lagos, Bollonich.
#8 Ochre Islands v. #9 Saint Eleanor @ The National Sports Stadium(cap. 55,000) in Fermont, Bollonich.

Winners of the above two matches will play in the BoF 76 Quarterfinals

#4 Torisakia v. #12 Behetij* @ The Britony SuperDome(cap. 64,000) in Akusha, Bollonich.
#5 Pascafia v. #13 Nyowani Kitara* @ The San Pablo Stadium(cap. 46,700) in San Pablo, Bollonich.

*= 12 and 13 seeds swapped to avoid immediate group stage rematch between Torisakia and Nyowani Kitara)

Winners of the above two matches will play in the BoF 76 Quarterfinals

#6 Cabo Azure v. #11 Yasquia @ Star Field(cap. 70,000) in Herzegovina City, Moravica Region, Banija
#3 Kaldtfjell v. #14 India @ BCEL Stadium(cap. 52,400) in Jinja City, Hangaza Region, Banija

Winners of the above two matches will play in a BoF 76 Quarterfinal at the Istria Olympic Stadium(cap. 80,000) in Istria, Moravica Region, Banija.

#7 Milchama v. #10 Moliza @ Hangaza Unified Stadium(cap. 55,000) in Aissa, Hangaza Region, Banija
#2 Lathamford v. #15 Ardelark @ The Bunyoro Eagle's Club(cap. 48,600) in Dodoma, Bunyoro Region, Banija

Winners of the above two matches will play in a BoF 76 Quarterfinal at Mavuto Field(cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija.

[Milchama]

Alexandria Times-Tribune-Sun-Moon-Sky-Picayune-Courier-Post-Pre-Forward-Current-Reader

Sports Section

MFA Lodge Formal Complaint Against Moliza

The MFA have lodged a formal complaint against Moliza after a close examination of their roster today. Per current MFA president Thomas Wafferty, "Their roster post posits that they have 13 starters. Since we assume that the BoF follows football rules that would mean Moliza have two extra players in their starting lineup." The MFA have said that since all starting lineups should have 11 players specifying a starting lineup of more than 11 is a clear violation of the rules and Moliza should be disqualified from the BoF.

This, of course, would move the Warriors onto the quarterfinals in the Baptism of Fire and put them in a great position to do very well. Milchama had one of the best performances of any team in the group stage, gaining 12 points, and having the second best goal differential of any team. Additionally, they became the highest ranking second seed (the first tie breaker is head to head matchups and the Warriors lost to Cabo Azure who finished first in the group) and the overall number 7 seed. While the Warriors are favored against Moliza, the MFA did not want to leave it to Margaret and so is trying everything to help the Warriors out in advancing them to the quarterfinals.

We expect a response shortly and will update you as appropriate.

Alexandria Times-Tribune-Sun-Moon-Sky-Picayune-Courier-Post-Pre-Forward-Current-Reader

Sports Section

MFA Complaint Rejected by Bollonischian Football Federation

The Bollonischian Football Federation have rejected the Milchama Football Association's complaint against Moliza. The BFF, in an unsigned press released, stated, "While Moliza may have 13 potential starters they have only been playing 11 players at one time as we have counted in every game. Just because we can't tell the difference between Bob Bradley and Kenny Dunn is not our business."

MFA President Thomas Wafferty was upset by the decision saying, "If we don't know who is playing then we can't scout and, more importantly, if they do put extra players on the field we have no way of dealing with the situation. I think the BFF got this one wrong." The Warriors have decided to play the game under protest claiming that they would be ready to play anyway. Coach Darryl Lamarein said, "We're ready to face Moliza regardless. We think we're the better side, we were unlucky against Cabo Azure but besides them have been one of the best teams here. We have the most history and some really good players. I think we can handle them."

Additionally, Lamarein claimed that the Warriors were also experimenting with 13 person lineups to counter the Moliza advantage. He said, "We were told by some good sources that if 13 is ok we should just one up them with 14. We're also preparing for that." All eyes of Milchama are going to be on this octofinal matchup to see exactly how many players come out, who will be starting for the Warriors, and whether 13 on 13 or 14 on 13 or 11 on 11 soccer is any good.

Of course, this could be a misunderstanding because Moliza didn't do a good job counting and accidentally put 13 players on as starters and forgot to double check before hitting post and has just been having 11 players out there but that's no fun and you can't RP that. So we're using the conspiracy angle because, well, that's just more fun. Let's see how Milchama does tonight.

[Ochre Islands]

Jasper's Guide to the Ochre Islands

I found the hotel in Bridgdon late last night, an unpretentious little place down the road enough from the port to not be too noisy, but still in a spot close enough to the port that only the economy hotels really wanted to set up shop there. Being close to the port and therefore having views across the strait toward Hope meant they were able to charge a bit of a premium though, compared to the hotels in the streets behind the hotel. The single room at the BudgieStay was fine, coming with a double-bed, a television, tea and coffee making facilities and a seperate bathroom with all the amenities you'd expect at this price.

The television this morning was reporting that the Ochres may need to move away from being military-free to having a small militarised force to assist the Police in times of national emergency. We've done well so far to do without, but I can't help but feel that things are starting to happen behind the scenes if we're arming our police force, especially this out of the blue. Apparently so far the plan is to name them Carabineers and have them start training in a few months, should Senate approval be forthcoming. The TV is also reporting the national side qualified for the next stage of the Baptism of Fire, despite losing a game. Takes their total record to 7 win, 1 draw and 3 losses so far, with a goal difference of +12, friendlies included. Unfortunately, the news has stopped updating total caps and goals for some reason. Perhaps it's part of the sports broadcast instead.

Anyway, away from this being a diary and more of a guide. Bridgdon is so called because there was initially a plan to build a bridge across the strait to Hope, but eventually the pressure groups in Hope put an end to that, suggesting that Hope simply didn't have the infrastructure for much more than the ferry service from Bridgdon to Hope, which still gets you across the strait in about 25-30 minutes. Having been to Hope, it is fair to say this is entirely correct, and honestly, much more traffic would change everything about the place.

Bridgdon itself is a pretty town, despite the port. Enough money has rolled in through it in the short years the Ochres have been settled that it is managing to build a nice waterfront, along which sits the football stadium, Straitview Park. Seating 17,545 people, the west stand has been built tall enough for fans near the top rows to be able to see over the stand opposite and look out toward Hope, being able to see the lights of the small villages there twinkling in the darkness during night games. Of course, it does create some light pollution in Bridgdon, which is a shame for the people who live there but at least it isn't every night. I'm told that ferry services on any midweek match nights that Bridgdon City might have are carefully scheduled around what time the game is on, so ferry drivers aren't distracted by the lights. Also played at the stadium is rugby, which other countries have to specifically refer to as "rugby league", but here it's just rugby. Bridgdon XIII struggle a bit as they don't own the stadium, but other than that they are financially well managed and are attempting to grow the game. Fishing conversions out of the strait is a favourite past-time of the locals and officials aren't about to stop letting them get the free balls, as it means there's another rugby ball in the hands of a young person.

While Bridgdon is an interesting enough city in itself if you haven't been there before it is very much a working town and caters for tourists only so far as it has to, with cheap digs, easy to reach food and decent transport links to the rest of the island. There are of course more upscale hotels, but these are largely right in the middle of town and surrounded by offices, which are surrounded by the usual soulless chain stores and coffee shops desperately trying not to look like a chain store ('Welcome to your friendly neighbourhood MEGACOFFEESHOP', grab a book, find a nook and join us for BRANDEDCOFFEETHATTASTESWORSETHANWHATYOUCOULDMAKEATHOMEFORAQUARTEROFTHEPRICEANDTHATSIFYOUBUYTHEEXPENSIVEFREEZEDRIEDSTUFFWHENTHECOFFEEFROMTHEBUDGETSUPERMARKETWOULDBEAQUARTEROFTHEPRICEOFTHATANDHONESTLYJUSTASGOODIBLINDTASTETESTEDITONCELETMEASSUREYOUOFTHAT') that you find across the Ochres. Yes, unfortunately, even here isn't a free-haven for artisan craft stores and second hand book stores ran by elderly folk carefully rearranging the same shelves over and over until they slip and can't get back up.

Tomorrow I'll be journeying to Elfsley, a village quite deep into the woods where I'll have to walk the last couple of miles into due to transport laws there. I'm told that is it full of spirits, though not quite the elemental ones, so I am a little sceptical, but excited.

[Lathamford]

S p o r t L i n k

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Group F
Lathamford 1–1 Aix les Filles
Lathamford:: Bruno Caskwoods '23
Aix les Filles:: Lucas Hiver '58
@ Keystone Stadium

1: Kick off
4: Bruno Caskwoods takes a shot. That's off-target.
7: Giles Kingsley takes a shot. That's off-target.
13: Lucas Hivers takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
14: Frederick Grantham takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
15: Giles Kingsley takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
19: Frederick Grantham takes a shot. That's off-target.
22: Ruben Foiré takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
23: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Bruno Caskwoods
27: Benjamin Samson is shown a Yellow Card.
33: Frederick Grantham takes a shot. That's off-target.
36: Skelmersdale is shown a Yellow Card.
39: Lathamford give a corner kick.
40: Lucas Hivers takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
47: Cornerkick to Aix les Filles.
53: Adolf Wyvernchaser takes a shot. That's off-target.
58: Aix Les Filles scores! The scorer was Lucas Hiver
60: Giles Kingsley is injured and down on the field.
62: Freekick to Lathamford.
63: Romain Faré is shown a Yellow Card.
65: Substitution by Lathamford player Giles Kingsley make way for Matt Falconderry.
66: Ruben Foiré takes a shot. It's on target but saved.
72: Substitution by Lathamford player Bruno Caskwoods make way for Otto Farrowsteam.
83: Thierry Papin takes a shot. That's off-target.
88: Substitution by Lathamford player Jonah Hargreave make way for Theodore Ashleigh.
90: Thierry Papin takes a shot. That's off-target.
90+4: Final Whistle

Pedro Menendez-Sutra d'Ame , or better known as Pedro Menendez, has been confirmed as Lathamford National team head coach and has been entrusted with the task of bringing Lathamford out of the football wilderness.

Pedro Menendez-Sutra d'Ame was a player-manager in one of the regional leagues before he was noticed by the Brisara FC. He took charge of the Hammers on a one-year tryout and promptly led them to the Red League, where they stayed for five seasons. His best season in the Red League was the initial year where they surprised everyone by finishing fourth; afterward, they were a consistent midtable team that didn't dip below thirteenth. In the most recent season, though, they slipped up at the last few matchdays and ended up relegated in fifteenth place.

As a Manager, he's more of a player's manager who looks to foster relationships and get everyone to play at their highest level. He prefers having active wingers and a striker who predominantly plays in front of everyone else, and his system also relies on having very active defensive backs. He also won a third-place for the Manager of the Year award while managing Brisara FC in Rainbow League System Season Two, and five in Rainbow League System Season Five. He is also known as the youngest manager in the league.

Pedro Menendez and, hopefully, enjoy newfound success,” said Lathamford Football Association (LFA) president Dr. Oscar von Cassbailey.

"After having seen numerous coaches, both local and foreign, doing their stuff, my gut instinct tells me that Pedro Menendez is the right man for the job. I may be wrong but only time will tell," added Dr. von Cassbailey.

Pedro Menendez, for his part, said: “I would like to thank Dr. von Cassbailey for getting in touch with me and then meeting me in LFA HQ recently. It will be an honor to coach the Lathamians national team. There is a lot of work to be done and I cannot wait to get started.”

Round of 16 Matchups
Lathamford v. Ardelark
@ The Bunyoro Eagle's Club

Greenash
Decker - Skelmersdale (C) - Haymoore
Wymondham - Wyvernchaser - Hargreave - Colfield
Farrowsteam - Caskwoods - Kingsley

[Nyowani Kitara]

Background Info on NYK
Part 1
Part 2

President Boaz Akongo, waiting at the rendezvous point in the VIljan National Forest, during NYK's Matchday 5 match at the Baptism of Fire

The President would meet his children at the same rendezvous where he found out about his cancer. The same setup in the Viljan National Forest. Once again, his meeting had to be delayed- the President had wanted to conduct a direct and thorough review of the Armed Forces. So instead of having this meeting during Matchday 4, like he had originally wanted to, he was going to make this happen during Matchday 5.

The President, always known to be a rash decision-maker, hadn't decided on which of his children he wanted to name his heir. He had at best just a few years to live? And for all the power that he held within Nyowani Kitara, he wasn't a King- any transition of power to his children could be both violent and unstable. And he knew the risks. His son, Malik, was the right age at least- 26 years old. Still very young in the world of politics, but not that young. Fully a grown man. Helped, of course, that he had a full beard, and was 6'2, 200 pounds. What was the problem, of course? Malik simply was not interested in politics.

Boaz had tried plenty of times to involve him- but Malik would not. Boaz had to intervene multiple times to ensure that Malik didn't get kicked out of the army during his mandatory military service. Malik was somebody who loved to party. Always drinking and travelling every weekend. Throughout the country- and sometimes, to other countries as well. Hitting up vacation spots, running up the tab, drinking and smoking his heart out- and never paid any attention to getting any real work done. Here was the real problem- if President Akongo named Malik the Vice President and therefore his successor, would Boaz have enough time to whip his son into shape? He could be signing Malik's death warrant.

And then, there was Nafuna. His daughter. She was interested, adept, and a genius. Both of the President's children had gone to secondary school in Tikariot(undercover, of course). And she had gotten excellent grades. Certified genius. She was also a people person, and a great public speaker. If she was the one who was 26, there would be no qualms about who Boaz would name as his successor. Here was her problem- she was 17. Legally, of course, there was no issue- they had been operating under martial law for over 30 years, so whatever the President says, goes. But would the army follow a 17 year old? If he was dead in two years, would the state follow her?

And there was no question that he would keep this a family affair. It was the last thing Boaz had promised to his uncle, General Zelotes, when his uncle died- that his uncle's death would not be in vain, that the Akongo family tree would remain. But circumstances had pushed Boaz into a corner. So President Boaz waited for his children to pull up in the SUV. Once Gustav drove up with both Malik and Nafuna, the two children got out of the car and walked into the makeshift tent.

As Boaz greeted his children, he smelt Malik- he was reeking. All of a sudden, President Boaz was enraged. "MALIK!" The President said, ready to scream. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU HIGH RIGHT NOW?"

Malik, of course, had no idea why he was meeting his Dad in the middle of a forest- so he was taken a back. "Dad." Malik started. "You know how I roll. I get stressed easily. I lit one up in the car-"

Just then, the President moved forward and back handed his son, with the loud smack echoing through the forest. The bodyguards quickly opened the gate, seeing if the President was the one hit, but as they saw the son reeling, they went back outside to their post. "Do you know how much your foolishness has cost you?" The President was working himself into a real rage. Just then, he had a small coughing fit. And then, continued. "You live your life as if it is a joke. As if I will live forever, and then you will take my place. Your place is not promised son. NOTHING in this world is promised. Everything must be earned. Why can't you earn it?"

"I.. Uhh....." Malik stammered.

"Never mind. Both of you are still my children. I have grave news." The President said this as his kids looked at him expectantly. "I have cancer. Lung cancer, specifically." The kids were shocked. They both asked if he was OK, and he shushed them to continue on. "It is early diagnosis. The only people who know are myself, Gustav, and the doctor- and now you two. Under no circumstances, must you let anybody know."

"Dad, are you gonna go into chemotherapy?" Malik asked. The stunning news had sobered him up real quick.

"I don't know." The President admitted. "I haven't been given a long time- the doctor said I wouldn't see the World Cup in Tikariot unless I started chemotherapy. But you all know what happens during chemotherapy. My position is too important. There's far too much risk to appear with that much weakness in front of the ambitious men of the KPWC(who are the ruling party). So much could happen. They watch me unable to work, they may see an opportunity to launch a coup of their own. There are surely rich countries around us who would help fund a coup and want a true representative of the working people gone."

"So doing chemotherapy here at home is not an option. Any one of our neighboring countries presents their own risks as well. Sanford is a good place probably- but it may not be a place from where I can influence events here at home. Græntfjall would probably have me arrested. Can't really trust Tikariot. San Ortelio is closest, of course, but it's questionable they'd be friendly enough to help me in my hour of need."

"There's only one place I can go- I must visit Ren Qiang. There are two options. Either I can go back and forth, from Dewayo to chemotherapy, under the care of my handpicked doctor, under the protection of Ren Qiang. I am safe. Close enough to influence events at home. And to protect you two."

"But Dad." Nafuna said. "To protect us? We don't need protection- as long as you're alive, we'll be fine."

"The question- how long will I be alive?" Boaz said. "I am not an idiot. I must face my mortality in the here and now. So there is a plan of action that will be taken." The President paused again, as his kids looked on. "The time has come for me to appoint a Vice President. Nafuna- that will be you." Malik slammed his fist on the table in frustration.

"Malik." The President said, turning directly to his son. "You must support your sister. But you know as well as I- you cannot be Vice President. You have never once shown interest in politics."

"She's in high school!" Malik exclaimed.

"You are literally high Right. Freaking. Now." The President. "There will be no more discussion- I am the President. My daughter will be the successor of the revolution. We are going to use this upcoming time, while i am getting healthy, to secure her power. But the important thing is- nobody can know that I have cancer. We won't tell a soul. Tomorrow morning, we're going to go to a cabinet meeting in Dewayo to tell the cabinet about my decision to make Nafuna Vice President- and not tell them anything else. Malik, you will support her in front of the cabinet. Then, we will fly to see Ren Qiang- we will tell him about the situation. The whole truth- he is one of the few men in this world that can be trusted."

"Nafuna, you will get the support of the cabinet at cabinet- but Ren Qiang's support is crucial. If anything were to happen to me- international legitimacy is crucial." The President talked about how she would need to find those loyal to her, and create an inner circle that she could trust. And then, they went to the airport to fly back to the capitol.

Politburo Meeting in Dewayo, the nation's capitol, the day after Matchday 5

"Members of the Politburo." President Akongo said. He was also, of course, General-Secretary of the Kitara Progressive Worker's Coalition, which was the nation's communist party. "I have an announcement to make, that will surprise many, but that will secure the future of this country for generations to come."

"For seven years, we have operated without a Vice President at the state level, This has worked for Nyowani Kitara- it was unnecessary to have one. But now, I have had a change of heart." The members of the Politburo, many of whom had been trying for years to get Boaz to appoint a Vice President, started listening hard. "It is better to have the line of succession secured. The future of this nation depends on it. It is a different situation than the ones our forefathers faced. We face pressure on all sides. The last revolutionary bastion of North Rushmore must remain strong in these turbulent times, or this part of the region will become completely overtaken by foreign dirty capitalists."

"So I have named a Vice President. Nafuna, my daughter, please stand." She stood up. The room started murmuring immediately- they were in shock. Most of the men in the room, who were mostly generals, were shocked over the fact that she was 17 years old. "Over 30 years ago, the Akongo Family set to save the revolution from Banijan interlopers and domestic capitalists, who wanted to restore a dictatorship of the rich. That tradition must, and shall, continue." The room was in shock. And then, just like they'd coordinated, Malik stood and said that he supported his younger sister 100%. He looked extremely unhappy doing so- but the words were said.

Then, Nafuna began to speak. "I thank my father for naming me Vice President." She told the cabinet. Her nerves were through the roof- but she stayed steady as she continued speaking. "My father has many years remaining on top- but to secure succession now, gives me many years, a few decades, to really learn the ropes and understand how the state works. Together, we will work to continue the path of greatness that Nyowani Kitara is on, to become a beacon to the working people of all of Rushmore, as our example inspires socialist revolution everywhere."

They politely clapped. President Boaz was concerned about their distinct lack of enthusiastic support, but they were in shock. He dismissed the cabinet, and then told his kids to get ready. Next stop? A flight to Xilindao, the province of Yuezhou that was controlled by Ren Qiang. Before the news went public, he had to tell his greatest- only?- foreign ally exactly what was going down in Nyowani Kitara.

[Saint Eleanor]

OOC: Inspired by Exclusive — Monica Crowley: Open Borders, Unvetted Afghan Refugees Expose America to a Terrorist Attack. (To reiterate, again, that I oppose all forms of terrorism.)

Index (links to be filled in later)... Episode I: Windmills of Your Mind —— Episode II: I Knew You Were Trouble —— Episode III: Could It Be Magic —— Episode IV: All Falls Down —— Episode V: No Surprises —— Episode VI: I Wanna Know What Love Is

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Circling The Wagon
Episode I: Windmills of Your Mind

The afternoon of Wednesday 14th October 2000

She honestly thought it was a Wednesday*, anyway... that it wasn't would not have fazed her more than any other event, surprising or not, would. All she knew was that, should the letter be correct, she was two days away from being hunted down, wrangled up, riddled with bullets and sent to the morgue. There was no way of avoiding it, no way to keep herself safe for the foreseeable future. In less than 48 hours, Saint Eleanor would have an all-military cabinet. Who could possibly have broken this decades-old covenant?

Was it inevitable? It hardly felt like it - for some time, she had unsolicited but gradually welcomed protection from a tough yet deliberately mysterious bodyguard. He had guided her throughout the city, if not almost the entire island, trying to find somewhere that looked like it might provide freedom from the predetermined. Grey, overcast, approximately ten degrees centigrade and hardly anything else apart from a few roads and a lot of metal fencing warning of supposedly ongoing construction projects: perfection.

Now inside one of Saint Eleanor's smallest and most antiquated "modern" office buildings, he pointed her towards a dark stairway, leading to a small basement which had allegedly been used to keep the cleaning equipment before it got outsourced some time around 1998. It was deep, and it was scary. But it was not scary enough to deter either from sitting down a safe distance away from each other. This continued for about thirty minutes, but for what could or should have been many hours into the future.

With speed but not haste, another armed man decided to enter the corridors; a couple of minutes and a few taps later, he was the only one there who was still alive. Now she realised - this land had been prospected for oil by North Star for about three or four years, but somehow never developed on despite the country's relatively lax planning laws. Surely this must have been a sign that the mysterious missive had been delivered for one reason and one reason only: she dared to warn her compatriots of their leadership's desperate attempt to destroy the Eleanorian countryside for prestige and profit. Surely?

"That'll be you on the Friday!" She looked, somewhat confused, at what was left of the man who had protected her from harm for the past week-and-a-bit. Then she tried to make out her surroundings a bit more, struggling to do so until he mockingly decided to stick a cigar in her colleague's mouth and light it. Stunned by the surrepticious efficiency with which the affair had ended, she observed that "the government can't even deliver its contract killers on time." This was the only weapon she could use now.

Now she was staring at the man who took him out - and panicking, silently. He'd remembered to bring his double-barrelled revolver, too.** She could do nothing to protect herself, but to close her eyes and think of more esoteric and surreal things, safer things, kinder things, things to get away to, things...

∴

6:50am - Thursday 25th January 1996

Charlotte Morgan, Vice-President for Human Rights and quite probably some other things that she sincerely couldn't remember, had bored herself so much as to have woken up ten minutes earlier than scheduled. Not that doing so was of much use - she was still a bit confused, a bit horrified that the room looked lighter than she would have remembered it from the "dream." She sat up, shook her head, got out of bed and tried her best to prepare herself for the coming hours as quickly as possible. Pantsuit? Check. Three-inch stilettos? Check. Hair? Brushed. Teeth? Didn't feel like brushing. Makeup? Unnecessary. Hate mail? By some miracle, none.

At least some coffee would make her more attentive this time. She poured some out attentively, gulped it, mowed down a couple of breakfast bars - even high-ranking bureaucrats needed to hurry sometimes - and then strolled the few minutes' distance to the Presidential Mansion, Briefing Room Alpha. Clearly, she reckoned, this was going to be yet another generic early-morning briefing with no takeaways of any substance, mental or physical.

(*: It's a Saturday.)
(**: The private purchase and ownership of firearms has always been and will likely always be legal in Saint Eleanor, ostensibly to ensure that the island can be defended by its citizens in case of invasion.)

[Pyazhnaya]

-- The Baptism of Fire 76 is covered by Kathleen Negretti --

We hope that our last installment of Pyazhnaya's "Behind the Nation" as part of our Baptism of Fire coverage has not left you with a hangover as we had covered the alcoholic drinks of the nation, but today we will be looking at the other, non-alcoholic side.

Many Pyazhnayans stick to plain water for their hydrating needs and there is a wide variety of widely highly regarded mineral water brands for both domestic use and exports. The market for still waters has consecutively shrunk by increased taxation for plastic bottles in an attempt to curb the amount of plastic waste, while carbonated water pretty much exclusively is sold in glass bottles in a deposit system. Much of the commercially sold mineral water is of volcanic origin, with popular brands Lednik (Glacier), Vulkanichesky (Volcanic), Chistota (Purity) and Yasnaya Vesna (Clear Spring) being the market leaders. Part of the government's attempt to reduce plastic waste also is subsidies for water filtration systems, which have caught on more and more.

For people that look for a bit more flavour, a lot of beverages are based on berries with one of the most popular and also most versatile being sold by the Yagodnaya Kompaniya (Berry Company) under the brand name Krasnyy (Red). It comes as juice, syrup, as carbonated beverage and also thickened, which can be drunk warm (or cold) or eaten with a spoon depending on the starch content. There are various other companies selling similar products, but Krasnyy is the originator. Several brands of other fruit juices also are prevalent across the nations, often also offered as schorle, mixed with carbonated water at a 50-50% ratio for a less sweet and refreshing taste.

Another very versatile beverage is kompot, which is sold under different brand name, as it can be served hot, cold or room temperature depending on circumstances and taste. Basically it is fruit cooked in a lot of water, in most cases with added sugar, infusing the water with the taste of the fruit and as added bonus containing the fruit themselves. In its hot form it is one of the most common warm beverages, eclipsing coffee by a lot.

Speaking of hot beverages, Pyazhnaya has some of the biggest per capita consumption of tea in Anaia, importing mostly from Quebec and Shingoryeo, with green tea varieties quickly catching up with black tea. It is mostly popular among the slightly older part of the population with kompot being a favourite among younger Pyazhnayans. Coffee can be found throughout the nation, but it is most definitely playing third fiddle to these two when it comes to the hot beverage market.

One beverage that has been very popular for centuries, but can only rarely be found outside of Pyazhnaya, is kvyas, which is a fermented beverage that uses rye bread, sometimes others, yeast andd water, but comes in many different varieties depending on what the bread is fermented with. These additives can range from different kinds of fruits, like berries, raisin over honey to different spices and herbs, catering to a lot of different tastes. It also can be used as base for some dishes.

[Torisakia]

Conquest: Torisakia Declares War On Frogs

The Torisakian Congress issued a declaration of war today against all frogs within Torisakia and its territories. The move comes after a car bombing was carried out by the Brotherhood of the Amphibians in the streets of Tokai last week where 69 people were killed and 420 were injured. The Ministry of Defense intends to mobilize all available forces to eradicate any creature within the Salientia clade, using an assortment of guns, tanks, jets, and iodized salt. Frogs are to be pulled from pet stores and anyone caught sheltering frogs will be arrested, the Ministry of Justice has stated. The only exception is the dart frog, which is poisonous so they cannot be handled in any way.

General Chuck Clifton of the Torisakia Army told The Torisakia Inquisition, "[These] damn things have had it good for too long. All that croaking and hopping stuff they do. Now they've attacked our own. They will pay dearly for this. We'll push them into full-blown extinction". Clifton gave a brief overview of the weapons the army intended to use to combat the amphibians. The main weapon was the T-203M Flamethrower, which Clifton said is to be used on large nets of frogs that are captured so they can be sure they are dead. The next weapon was the TM302 Grenade Launcher, but instead of grenades being launches they would put the frogs in there and launch the frogs into oblivion. Clifton also stated that the army's entire arsenal of motorized and mechanized vehicles would be used in the fight as well.

The announcement of the War on Frogs has brought concerns of a national military draft being enacted, a topic that has been the subject of debate for many decades in Torisakia. The military draft has not be used since the Second Great War nearly 80 years ago, when the number of infantry within the Torisakia military was low. With the rise of propaganda and high school graduates with no skills whatsoever, the number of troops within the military has increased nearly 700% since the Second Great War, rendering the need for a military draft largely useless. A spokesperson for the Torisakia Military stated that a military draft would not be enacted unless many mass casualties are seen within the armed forces. It is a possibility in this war, the spokesperson said.

Many civil rights leaders have expressed concerns over the rise of anti-Frog rhetoric as a result of the war declaration. Mazie Egerton, a college sophmore who is the president of the College Liberals Club at East Koradai State University, took to social media to voice her displeasure. "[These] little frogs have done NOTHING to anyone! This is all a plot by white people to demonize something different than them. #FrogLivesMatter", the post read. When confronted by numerous people about the hypocrisy of her blaming white people when she herself is white, Egerton called them "Nazi's" and blocked everyone, later posting about how she would need therapy to treat the PTSD and anxiety brought onto her by these "Nazi's" and asked for donations to her Benmo and DoshApp to pay for her therapy sessions. Benmo and DoshApp have both confirmed that Egerton has yet to receive even a cent.

The War on Frogs is expected to cost T$100 billion in taxpayer dollars. Therefore, the government has taken the initiative to raise all taxes by 3000%. Sales tax, rather than being at 7%, is now up to 217%. Healthcare tax, normally at 10%, is now up to 310%. These rates would likely give the government more money than needed to pay for the war, but the Ministry of Finance has stated that the extra funds would be put towards "other affairs". Some speculate it would fuel President Doug McDowell's spending habits on odd and unusual things, likely more cans of Whoop Ass. Inflation has skyrocketed, the stock market has crashed, and The Daves of Our Lives is now only airing four times a week instead of five. In brighter news, many universities will be able to put those military veteran scholarships to good use. Although it remains uncertain if those would only be for Torisakia veterans or also include the Frog veterans. An expert in university scholarships told The Torisakia Inquisition, "no".

More stories from The Torisakia Inquisition »

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[Pascafia]

Do You See?

Type: -
Time: -

---

Do you see it? Do you see our efforts?
Do you see the things we done to move away and not astray?
Do you see that we are trying to be the creator of out own way?
And do you see that we are going to try without a back down lest we get slain?

On the pitch we will fight, off the pitch we talk until we die.
Pascafia has had it's ways since the birth of sport life.
What you see what we want, what you deem is in our wrong.
Your wrong is our right, whichever way is football's light.

The scene has grown for ourselves, you and me, the stories tell.
We play with effort sung in soil, we control ourselves in turmoil.
In sports you see what you will need, what you ask and want to be,
A dream is all we want to see, let us chase it while we are free.

[Lathamford]

S p o r t L i n k

---

---

The challenge posed to the national team paid off, they managed to get past the group stage with excellence, four wins, and one draw, and did not suffer any defeat. A powerful benchmark for head coach Pedro Menendez-Sutra d’Ame. Four wins and one draw ... with over ten goals, 13 goals, and two conceded !, the best record for the Speedy Cat, which if the 8th Malay Archipelago Cup is taken as a comparison, it's too far, on 8th MAC, Lathamford is in the last place in the group with one draw and two losses and conceded seven times. Realizing the bad situation of the team, FA Lathamford planned a short-term action by hiring an outside coach as head coach and hoped their experience we could give to the national line-up.

Rome Empire is not built overnight, nor is the national team, this BoF is one step to reach for another success, however, we need to be realistic about which teams in this knockout round (Ro16) are all reliable and more experienced than our team. Round of 16 is our target for now, if we can make it to the quarterfinals it is a bonus to the national team. Our future opponent is Ardelark. The epic match where The Sand Cats will meet The Speedy Cat, which cat species is more agile, will be determined at The Bunyoro Eagle's Club arena in Dodoma, Bunyoro Region, Banija, a stadium that can accommodate 49,000 spectators will confirm it.

The analysis of the two coaches, Hakim Abdelkader for The Sand Cat and Pedro Menendez-Sutra d’Ame for The Speedy Cat will be witnessed later on its effectiveness, whoever is more skilled between the two of them. Our country expects its players to be able to face this challenge and continue to move forward to the end. Go Lathamford, go with the will of success ...

Round of 16 Matchups
Lathamford v. Ardelark
@ The Bunyoro Eagle's Club

Greenash
Decker - Skelmersdale (C) - Haymoore
Wymondham - Wyvernchaser - Hargreave - Colfield
Farrowsteam - Caskwoods - Kingsley

Team Record

MAC8-1	Greenash, Decker, Izzard-Crew [Ashleigh], Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave [du Graypelt], Colfield, Farrowsteam, Caskwoods [Falconderry]
MAC8-2	Greenash, Decker [Barrington], Ashleigh, Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Selfridge, Hargreave [du Graypelt], Colfield, Farrowsteam, Falconderry
MAC8-3	Hydradust, Ashleigh, Darrington, Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Selfridge [T. Ashleigh] , du Graypelt, Colfield, Farrowsteam [Grantham], Falconderry
Fr01	Baymartin, Skelmersdale (C), Decker [Wolfsong], Izzard-Crew, Wymondham, Colfield [Selfridges], Colfield, Wyvernchaser, Farrowsteam, Caskwoods, Falconderry [Grantham]
BoF76-1	Greenash, Decker,  Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore [Darrington], Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave [du Graypelt],  Colfield, Farrowsteam, Caskwoods, Falconderry [Kingsley]
BoF76-2 Greenash, Decker,  Skelmersdale (C) [Wolfsong], Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave, Colfield [V.Selfridges], Farrowsteam, Caskwoods [A.Caskwoods], Kingsley
BoF76-3 Greenash, Wolfsong (Barrington), Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave, V.Selfridges, Farrowsteam (Grantham), Caskwoods (Kingsley), Falconderry
BoF76-4 Greenash, Decker , Skelmersdale (C) (Darrington), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave (du Graypelt), Colfield, Farrowsteam , Caskwoods (A. Caskwoods), Kingsley
BoF76-5 Greenash, Decker , Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave (T.Ashleigh), Colfield, Grantham , Caskwoods (Farrowsteam), Kingsley (Falconderry)

[Cabo Azure]

Malta Comino Gozo 0–2 Cabo Azure

Pos. Name 
GK Carreira
LB Branco
CB Fontes
CB Macedo (off 55')
RB de Lima
LW Serra 
CM Ferreira (Matheus) (off 55')
RM Santos (goal 25')
LW Gouveia
CF Botehlo (goal 64')
RW Silveira

CM Ferreira (Marciano) (on 55')
CB Madeiro (on 55')

A solid, unassuming win by a rotated squad to seal first place in group C and set the Macaricas' trajectory in the knockout stages. Watching this, you could be forgiven for thinking that Paulinho had brought a completely different team from the one that crashed out of the Copa Rushmori. The Azurean side maintained the same high line they've been attempting since MD1, only this time the youthful fullbacks Branco and de Lima were as efficient an offside trap as any in this competition, stymying any attemps by Malta Comino Gozo to build momentum. Santos's goal early seemed inevitable, and the Azureans took few chances once they were up, though Botehlo did find the back of the net after a strong buildup in the second half. They likely could have run up the score, but as it is, 2-0 was more than enough to top the group and see them through to the knockouts.

No Confidence, pt 1

"I was the leader that brought us all together, that allowed us to set about building a greater nation free from all those that represented weakness. My people believed in me; they knew I was the one that could take us towards this glorious future."

-Natella Kalinina, former leader of Mytanija

No matter how old Joaquin Sequeira got, or what he accomplished, the Maritime University campus always seemed to bring him back to his undergraduate days as a liberal arts student with grand ambition, no plans, and no money. A scholarship delivered him from the drudgery of farming sugar cane on his home island of Dulce Muerte, but it didn’t give him any direction; the only work he was able to find after graduation was servicing telephones for the now-defunct, royally-chartered Azurean Telephone Corporation.

While it was the technical skills and knowledge of the network he gained from ATC that allowed him to build his telecom monopoly, he credited the idea to his liberal arts education. When he started at ATC in 1985, six years after the overthrow of the monarchy, the board was doubling down on protecting the status quo at all costs. They were so entrenched in their ways that they failed to see the changes that were written on the wall. In the early ‘90s, Joaquin quit that job and began gathering venture capital to install cell towers on the islands. Ten years later, he bought ATC’s remaining assets at auction after it went bankrupt.

Now he was back where he started, feeling once again like a nervous, introverted student hustling between lectures. His former advisor, Dr. Victor de la Cruz, kept the same office from the old days, at the top of a four-story brownstone building that smelled like old books. Victor had emailed him a week ago asking to meet with vague promises of explanation. For anyone else in the multiverse, calling on a tycoon like Joaquin required weeks of bouncing between assistants and constant rescheduling, but for Victor, a cryptic email would suffice.

A student, no older than twenty, was leaving Victor’s office as Joaquin approached. She nodded politely as he passed, eyes fixed forward, leaving him to wonder whether she’d recognized him. He wasn’t exactly incognito in his tailored suit and ostentatious watch, but despite his notoriety, he wasn’t instantly recognizable, either. Years ago, during his divorce, he’d had to wear various disguises when traveling for business to keep the paparazzi at bay; these days, he went unnoticed at all but the most ostentatious events.

Victor sat behind his desk, which was littered as always with stacks of books and papers. There was a woman seated against the wall to Joaquin’s right as he entered, dressed smartly in a skirt and blazer, legs crossed modestly. She held a tablet in her hands and seemed to be reading something on it, swiping constantly back and forth, back and forth. Joaquin barely got a look at her before Victor stood up and offered a crushing handshake.

“Joaquin, my boy,” he said. “It’s been too long.”

“It has,” Joaquin agreed. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“I figured as much. What is it?”

“Run for prime minister.”

Joaquin was speechless. Conversations with Victor had always been blunt, even to the point of being contentious, but they never minced words with each other, and they never spoke in jest. He wouldn’t have called his former student to another island to ask him to run for prime minister without having done exacting research and prepared a detailed proposal. At the very least, it was worth seeing where this had begun and where it would lead. “And why would I do that?” he asked incredulously.

It was the woman who answered, a voice as clear and resonant as a church organ. “Do you know the name Alexander Hawkins, Senor?” Joaquin, who had forgotten she was there in his shock at Victor’s suggestion, jumped back a step before he managed to shake his head no.

“Can’t say I do,” he managed.

“He was a football player,” she lectured, “Captain of the national team of Hasznia before that country…” She waved her hand dismissively. “In any case, he scored a couple of goals in the Baptism of Fire, and then his club sold him to Falkner United in Brenecia for the equivalent of two million NSD. Do you know what two million NSD would do for a club in Cabo Azure?”

“You could buy a club for that,” Joaquin said quietly. He should know; he’d evaluated several before deciding they were more risk than he could safely afford. In his opinion, football clubs were vanity projects which turned profit by mistake if at all.

“Exactly. But it’s a modest sum for the Brinemouths and the Jungle Strikes of the multiverse. Amilcar Branco is valued somewhere around that number, and he’s only ever played for Portelo.”

“You mean that kid who follows all my daughter’s…nevermind.” Joaquin stopped himself going down that particular rabbithole. Joaninha had inexplicably taken a shine to the young man Branco, and vice versa, the first such “entanglement” of hers he’d been aware of. What right-thinking young woman, having grown up in the shadow of the paparazzi her entire childhood, aspires to be a football player’s “WAG”? Coming back into himself, Joaquin asked: “What does football have to do with me running for prime minister, besides the obvious imposition of unseating the most popular football player in Azurean history?”

It was a fair question; in Joaquin’s mind, it was the only question. Mario Borges, besides being a personal friend of Joaquin’s and the incumbent prime minister of Cabo Azure, was its favored son on the football field. While rising through the ranks of the Azurean National Guard, Mario had found a way to feature as a right back for Cidadela, the Azurean military football club, for nearly twenty years before his retirement to take on the post of minister of culture. He’d run unopposed for the job of prime minister in the first elections following the end of O Interregno.

“Most popular so far,” Victor corrected, a wicked grin splitting his face. “When Branco and his buddies took the field in steel and gold kits, they started the clock on Mario Borges’s relevance in this country. That clock struck zero when Cabo Azure scored in the Baptism of Fire. Money is going to pour into the league, and that’s just the first crack in the dam. The multiversal economy is out there, Joaquin. Mario Borges is one man standing in the way of a flood.”

“You’re asking me to run for prime minister and end the protections.” Joaquin was dumbfounded. “You do realize that those protections made me rich, right? Zul can’t compete in an open market. If we open the door to foreign telecom firms, they’ll undercut me without a second thought. The losses they incur by lowering their prices to beat mine will be rounding errors compared to what they’ll make once the market is cornered.”

“Now you’re getting it.” Victor leaned back in his chair, the way he did in class when he’d just made a big point. He gestured at his associate.

“The writing’s on the wall, senor,” she said evenly. “Popular opinion overwhelmingly favors opening the door to foreign investment; lower consumer prices, greater choice, and all the knickknacks their relatives bring home in their suitcases from Tikariot. The only losers, as you say, are the old-school Azurean monopolies, which are suddenly going to compete where they haven’t had to ever before. Running for PM is your way out.”

“Way out of what?” Joaquin knew the answer, but he needed to hear Victor say it out loud.

“Zul,” answered the professor, dragging the word out. “You can’t divest your shares without triggering a run on the company, not unless you have a good reason. If you run for PM, you’ll need to sell your shares and invest in a blind trust. You know the index is going to skyrocket the second the foreigners show up. Bling hogs will be finding acorns all over; it’ll be impossible to lose money. The tide’s coming in, Joaquin. Decide now if you want to ride the wave or crash under it.”

Joaquin fell into an overstuffed armchair, suddenly very aware of the room he was in; the dust itching his nose, the slight rankle of pipe tobacco and must, the cool leather against his forearms. Head in hands, he tried to process what the two academics had told him, all the while aware of Victor’s beady black eyes studying him beneath thick eyebrows, and the woman’s gaze fixed in a corner of the room, as though she too were lost in thought.

Everything they said made sense; the protections placed on the Cabo Azurean were a textbook example of market inefficiency, and the people would arguably achieve a higher standard of living shopping for goods and services with the rest of Rushmore and the multiverse. The risk was economic colonialism, pure and simple; being so beholden to those same goods and services that you had to kowtow to the foreigners’ demands or risk starving. During the old days of O Interregno, the crony-cartel that ruled had been composed of people who, like Joaquin, had an interest in keeping Azurean money at home, but in this brave new world of democracy, it wasn’t hard to guess which way the people would vote.

[Bollonich]

Baptism of Fire 76 - Round of 16

#1 Pyazhnaya 4–0 #16 Aix les Fillies
@The Allainz Arena (cap. 63,000) in Lagos, Bollonich

#8 Ochre Islands 1–2 #9 Saint Eleanor
@The National Sports Stadium (cap. 55,000) in Fermont, Bollonich

#4 Torisakia 3–2 #12 Behetij
@The Britony SuperDome (cap. 64,000) in Akusha, Bollonich

#5 Pascafia 1–0 #13 Nyowani Kitara
@The San Pablo Stadium (cap. 46,700) in San Pablo, Bollonich

#6 Cabo Azure 5–1 #11 Yasquia
@Star Field (cap. 70,000) in Herzegovina City, Moravica Region, Banija

#3 Kaldtfjell 6–2 #14 India
@BCEL Stadium (cap. 52,400) in Jinja City, Hangaza Region, Banija

#7 Milchama 2–1 #10 Moliza
@Hangaza Unified Stadium (cap. 55,000) in Aissa, Hangaza Region, Banija

#2 Lathamford 3–0 #15 Ardelark
@The Bunyoro Eagle's Club (cap. 48,600) in Dodoma, Bunyoro Region, Banija

---

Quarterfinal Fixtures

#1 Pyazhnaya vs #9 Saint Eleanor
@The Britony SuperDome (cap. 64,000) in Akusha, Bollonich

#4 Torisakia vs #5 Pascafia
@The Allainz Arena (cap. 63,000) in Lagos, Bollonich

Winner of the above two matches will play in the BoF 76 Semifinals at the John Lennon Football Stadium (cap. 100,000) in Vreton, Bollonich

#3 Kaldtfjell vs #6 Cabo Azure
@Istria Olympic Stadium (cap. 80,000) in Istria, Moravica Region, Banija

#2 Lathamford vs #7 Milchama
@Mavuto Field (cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija

Winner of the above two matches will play in the BoF 76 Semifinals at the Stadium of the Restoration (cap. 91,835) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija

Here's your Round of 16 cutoff. Which teams will be able to make it across the troubled waters?

[Ochre Islands]

In an act which can only be described as "retaliatory, cold-hearted and spiteful", Emperor Boston has announced that he will be attending as many matches remaining in the Baptism of Fire as possible.

The Emperor, who up to this point has shown no interest in the Ochre Islands (other than demanding it be "coloured in the right colour" by official Anian mapmakers and buying up large quantities of orange and blue crayons to make adjustments himself) has declared that he will be inhabiting VIP boxes at as many stadiums as possible and loudly singing "my garden shed is bigger than this" whenever the crowd goes quiet.

[Lathamford]

S p o r t L i n k

---

---

Baptism of Fire 76 - Round of 16
Lathamford 3–0 Ardelark
Otto Farrowsteam '14, '50, '82
@The Bunyoro Eagle's Club (cap. 48,600) in Dodoma, Bunyoro Region, Banija
Game Report

1: Kick off
4: Otto Farrowsteam takes a shot. That's off target.
9: Ghoulam Givaoui takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
10: Penalty award to Ardelark!!! taken by Ghoulam Givaoui. It's on target, but saved.
13: Corner kick to Lathamford taken by Joe Wymondham  
14: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Otto Farrowsteam
17: Malek Larbi takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
18: Alilou Bentesnim takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
22: Malek Larbi takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
30: Otto Farrowsteam takes a shot. That's off target.
37: Ghoulam Givaoui takes a shot. That's off target.
38: Carter Colfield takes a shot. That's off target.
44: Carter Colfield is shown a Yellow Card.
49: Toufik Bensalem is shown a Yellow Card.
50: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Otto Farrowsteam
52: Ghoulam Givaoui takes a shot. That's off target.
59: Omar Tamsaoui is shown a Yellow Card
61: Otto Farrowsteam takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
65: Substitution by Lathamford player Giles Kingsley make way for Matt Falconderry
69: Freekick to Ardelark.
70: Matt Falconderry takes a shot. That's off target.
73: Bruno Caskwoods takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
75: Substitution by Lathamford player Joe Wymondham  make way for Simon Faraday
79: Bruno Caskwoods  takes a shot. That's off target.
80: Freekick to Lathamford.
81: Lathamford given a cornerkick taken by Simon Faraday.
82: Lathamford scores! The scorer was Otto Farrowsteam
86: Substitution by Lathamford player Bruno Caskwoods make way for Alan Caskwoods.
88: Clayton Decker is shown a Yellow Card.
90: Matt Falconderry takes a shot. It's on target, but saved.
91: Alan Caskwoods takes a shot. That's off target.
92: Carter Colfield takes a shot. That's off target.
90+3: Final Whistle

Farrowsteam heat map
Courtesy by MediaFooty Inc.

The Baptism of Fire 76 - Round of 16 match between Lathamford and Ardelark was known to be the result of which, the Speedy Cat managed to absolutely defeat another species of cat, the Sand Cat 3-0. The goals were scored by RW Otto Farrowsteam who scored a hat-trick that night. Against Aix les Filles he only came in as a substitute, the head coach's game of resting him in the last match of the group stage paid off, where, in the game against Ardelark, he was quite fit and his attacking momentum was solid, as a result, he scored three goals.

In the fourth minute Lathamford had attacked the opponent's fort, Otto's shot went wide, and Ardelark's counter -attack in the 9th minute almost paid off, Ghoulam Givaoui's header from a cross right into Lathamford's goal, but Greenash managed to deflect the ball. Disaster came in the 10th minute, when Sand Cat striker Malek Larbi was brought down in the penalty box, and the referee did not hesitate to award a penalty to Ardelark, but Givaoui's powerful shot was read by Greenash, and he managed to catch the ball, an unfortunate night for Givaoui .

In the 13th minute, as a result of Lathamford's quick attack, the ball was deflected by the opposing defender to the left of their goalkeeper, and Lathamford was given a corner kick taken perfectly by Joe Wymondham whose ball was easily headed in by Otto to give the Speedy Cat's first goal in the minute 14. Shocked by that, Ardelark doubled the attack and almost equalized, otherwise Larbi’s powerful shot could have been neatly caught by Greenash. This Red Star Holyrock main goalkeeper deserves to be given a major slot in the national team.

In the 18th minute, Alilou Bentesnim missed the opportunity despite only 1v1 with Greenash, his shot was a little slow and easily caught by the Lathamford goalkeeper. They also had chances in the 17th and 18th minutes, but luck was still not with them. In the second half, the opportunity was open when Otto who as usual brought the ball from the right wing and then cut-in to deceive the opposing defense and perfectly shot into the left corner of Ardelark's goal to score his second goal of the night, this happened in the 50th minute.

Veteran striker Bruno Caskwoods almost scored in the 73rd minute but his volley was parried out by Ardelark goalkeeper Mohamed Benkssar Mnaouar. Midfielder Simon Faraday, who came in to replace Wymondham, was given the task of taking a corner in the 81st minute, and again Otto's free header hit the opponent's net to give him a third goal and take Lathamford to the Baptism of Fire 76 quarterfinals. The Speedy Cat will face off. with Milchama, another strong team, and the match will take place at Mavuto Field in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija, a stadium with a capacity of 75,000. But what worries the coach, is about Bruno Caskwoods ’fitness for this crucial match as it is rumored his ankle injury has yet to fully recover.

Baptism of Fire 76 Quarterfinal
Lathamford vs Milchama
@Mavuto Field (cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija

Greenash
Decker - Skelmersdale (C) - Wolfsong
Wymondham - du Graypelt - Hargreave - Colfield
Farrowsteam - A. Caskwoods - Falconderry

[Cabo Azure]

Cabo Azure 5-1 Yasquia

Pos. Name 
GK Carreira
LB Branco (goal 57')
CB Mendes
CB Macedo 
RB Fernandez
LW Serra 
CM Alves
RM Santos
LW Dantas (goal 13')
CF Montenegro (goal 29',44') (off 45')
RW Carrico (goal 83')

CF Botelho (goal 88') (on 45')

A statement victory for the Macaricas in their first-ever knockout game. Yasquia were plainly outclassed at each turn, scoring a single goal from a corner ten minutes into the second half, but otherwise failing to possess the ball or do anything besides move the ball around until they turned it over.

Dantas opened the Macaricas' account with an impressive chipper from outside the eighteen. Montenegro managed a brace in the first half by little else but brute force, receiving crosses in the box and heading them where the keeper wasn't. He was subbed off for his protege Botelho, who managed a goal of his own at the death to add to his tally from the last group stage match. Early in the first half, Branco broke away from the Yasquia defense and managed to get one-on-one with the keeper, resulting in a goal for him in the upper ninety in response to the opponents' solitary goal.

No Confidence, pt 2

Joaquin Sequeira was rarely caught speechless, but sitting across from his daughter at the dinner table, he couldn’t find the words to tell her he was considering running for prime minister. The girl had been through the ringer; Joaquin’s divorce from her mother had been messy, and the lawyers had made sure the drama played out on every screen in Cabo Azure. There was just no way to prepare an adolescent girl for grown men rapping on her bedroom window or offering her school friends princely sums for interviews. Now almost seventeen, Joaninha was still a withdrawn, private young woman, preferring the company of screens to people.

He knew instinctively he would have to put a positive spin on it for her, help her see the benefits. The question was, what benefits? Victor’s argument might have worked on him, but it was unreasonable to expect a sixteen year-old to see the big picture when he could barely see it himself. Materially, she had everything a girl, hell, a person could want; her possessions were limited only by her appetite, not by any constraints placed upon her. He’d have to show her that his running for PM would have benefits that money and clout couldn’t buy.

“Do you remember Zora?” he asked. Zora Petrola was Victor’s Ph.D. candidate, the woman whose research had broached the possibility of Joaquin running for PM. Beautiful, well-dressed, and well-spoken, she had made a clear impression on Joaninha when she’d come by the house the week prior. It was Zora who had imparted to Joaquin the importance of bringing Joaninha on board early. Zora was brilliant, articulate, and phenomenally good at her job. What teenaged girl didn’t want to hang out with someone like that?

“Yeah,” said Joaninha. “She’s cool. You should date her.”

She dropped it casually enough, but the way she sneaked a glance at him as she tucked into her food told Joaquin that it was a calculated move. There’d been more of those from Joaninha lately, little pokes and jabs to see where his limits were. Bringing up his love life was definitely uncharted territory, however; at some point after the divorce was final, he’d resolved not to date until Joaninha was out of the house. He thought then, as he did now, that the possibility of another woman in his life would bring back too many painful memories.

“I don’t know about that,” Joaquin chided, keeping his tone even to mask his surprise. “But she’s coming again on Friday, and she’ll be around more often over the next few months.”

“Why wouldn’t you want to date her?” Joaninha insisted. “She’s smoking hot, brilliant, and she isn’t just out for your money.” He looked her in the eyes, searching for a hint of mirth, some shred of evidence that she was taking the piss or having fun at her old man’s expense. What he saw instead was a look of steely, single-minded determination, daring him to go against her. Joaquin had learned to fear that look when he’d seen it in her mother.

“I don’t think Zora is interested in me like that,” he protested lamely. “But she’s helping me with a big project, and I think you might be able to help, too.” He knew as soon as the words left his lips that they were no good: too vague, too condescending. Like her mother, Joaninha equated the withholding of information with lying. This tendency had contributed to Joaquin’s divorce, and now it would threaten his relationship with Joaninha. They don’t cover this kind of thing in parenting books, he thought, and he should know; he’d read every one he could find.

Joaninha sulked, setting her fork down on her plate and staring at it. “What’s the project?” she asked, drawing out the words with a little sideways head-bob to show that she knew that she was playing a part.

“Running for prime minister.” Joaquin tried to keep from smiling as he said it, doing his best to meet her steely gaze with his own. She stared back at him for a few seconds, then took off from the table, running pell-mell through the kitchen to the stairs up to her room. The cook poked her head out of the kitchen, a concerned look on her lined face.

“Don’t worry.” Joaquin tried to keep his voice upbeat. “She’ll come around.”

[Saint Eleanor]

OOC: Inspired by Exclusive — Monica Crowley: Open Borders, Unvetted Afghan Refugees Expose America to a Terrorist Attack. (To reiterate, again, that I oppose all forms of terrorism.)

---

Circling The Wagon
Episode II: I Knew You Were Trouble

7:34am - Thursday 25th January 1996

Morgan should not have been so much in a hurry; she wasn't even the last in the briefing room. (He didn't apologise, either.) Having assumed that there would be a few minutes' wait until the meeting actually begun, she decided to reflect on who she was really dealing with, at least for those next few minutes. The Vice-Presidents... in her mind, at least, the Leadership Committee of the National Liberation Front, never changed yet always constant. We'll meet them a lot in the coming years.

She, the Vice-President for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (now she remembered), was there. The only woman and only civilian in the cabinet, she was twenty-seven, the CEO of the Act to End Child Poverty charity - which, then as now, was silent on the NLF - and arguably nodded through at the dawn of the Grand Republic to provide a non-violent and possibly expensive counterbalance to anything her new colleagues suggested. Arguably, of course... nobody claims she does anything other than her real job now. Which was mostly symbolic.

Daniel Elton, the Vice-President for Healthcare, was there. Although technically a member of the military, his real service was in delivering emergency healthcare to "those defenders of freedom,*" for which much of the Eleanorian Military Health Service was celebrated and remembered. That he survived made him a fairly obvious choice for leading the newly-expanded, demilitarised and largely free-of-cost Eleanorian Health Service; paying for it be damned similarly, that was also somebody else's job.

Robert Pike, the Vice-President for Literacy and Numeracy, was there. Known to the average civilian and most schoolchildren as "Major Bob," he had overseen some 20 consecutive years of an increasing education budget, put to good use by concerned teachers and eager press secretaries alike. (Other achievements, as previously noted by various outlets, include literally everything else to have happened to schools over that time period.)

Harry Aberport, the Vice-President for Finance, was there. The most nondescript of those VPs who actually fought in the war,. If any of the three "softer" Vice-Presidents - or, much more rarely, any of the other three members of "cabinet" - needed funding for whatever projects they wanted to fund, he'd simply run the numbers, present them at a congress every November or so, get their approvals and suggestions, and finally reach a consensus on something vaguely resembling throwing money at things around 22nd December. All paid for by a massive tax on the North Star Oil Company and a 5% sales tax, supposedly.

John Vincent, the Vice-President for Infrastructure, was there. A man who was fairly solid, reliable, and similar things in his fighting days, his attitude to his Vice-Presidency was similar, willing to do what he could with what he had, rarely afraid to dream big but never afraid to act small. If anybody there really "needed another coffee" or wanted a comprehensive explanation of how otherwise pie-in-the-sky plans were supposed to work out in reality, it was him. Not even he was sure if any of it actually counted as "building stuff," however.

Frank Snell, the Vice-President for National Security and Defence, was there. He was effectively the Vice-President, one of the closest things the military had to an overseer. Where there was a tie to be broken, he broke it through power alone. Yet even where there was not, he still broke it whenever he wanted to, which was most of the time, simply by being apparently more persuasive than most of his "teammates." They had good reason not to compete with him: throughout independence, he remained the second most lionised of the great Eleanorian generals of the War of Independence, for deeds too numerous to recall here.

And then there was the big man, the biggest and most famous of all - President George Mitcham. Of course he was there. Everybody listened to him, because they had to. He could call up the military to do just about anything; he could call up civilians to join the military; he could call up the supposedly-impartial courts to punish or exonerate suspected criminals for their crimes; he could call up his Vice-Presidents, effectively his cabinet, for urgent meetings; perhaps most importantly, at least for now, he could call up the intelligence services to remind him of any man-made threats, big or small, threatening Saint Eleanor.

Everybody looked at him... because they had to.

"That is, quite clearly, everybody here. No need to take a register. Now..." he continued, but only after drumming his fingers on the big table for a few seconds, "...our friends at the Intelligence Unit of Saint Eleanor, the IUSE, the eye-yoose, have said that a bunch of people calling themselves Our State for the People want to bomb a major location in Bramblewood district this morning. Bunch of sometimes old, mostly wannabe-old codgers who are either Tinhamptonian or happen... ed to be sympathetic to them. When exactly they'll strike, I don't know - they don't either - but it hasn't happened yet."

"Bramblewood?" Pike wondered. "That's the most fucked-up district in the entire city, I'd guess!"

"Yes, Bobby, I get it," responded Mitcham in a flash. "They've never really liked us and, for whatever reason, John's department hasn't really liked them. It's not like our other boys have a say. They've pinned down a few details beyond "it'll happen today."" A couple of people immediately tried to ask what those details were.

"They don't really know anything about this particular attack," he continued. "OSP, however, has repeatedly focused on attempting what we might call low-fatality, high-impact damage, the kind that makes a bunch of people late for work or otherwise somehow weakens the national economy, so this isn't going to be a suicide attack or anything unless something major has happened since three weeks ago. Yes, while this is a priority, we aren't going to treat it as such unless it's really bad. Which we usually do for the ones we know about before The Reporter goes to press the next morning, anyway."

"Wait... what?" asked Morgan, out of deep confusion.

"I thought the poorer people would like us, but sometimes they don't," noted Mitcham. "The official pretext is that they want to introduce "a fairer, more efficient and more participatory mode of government in Saint Eleanor," which is about as close as you can get to wanting to get rid of us without ending up in jail. We have the National Liberation Front Clubs anyway, the state-run pubs where people can shout a lot and somebody eventually takes notice - they keep well away from those, mind. The fact that they know how to use a shredder but not a telephone or a pencil doesn't make IUSE's task any easier, either."

"So what do they do?"

"We don't know, Harry. No, don't suggest fripping away more money on trying to catch them, we've tried and mostly failed. The intelligence services managed to get this out of somebody who claims to be "a leader" of OSP - despite their repeated claims to operate with almost no hierarchy whatsoever - and have now passed this onto the two small military bases in Bramblewood. Everywhere else, including here, has been told to pay no attention. Stupid bastards... couldn't even get to the source of this shambles."

Then a few other topics were discussed. They were relatively unimportant.

(*: h/t George Mitcham himself, around the time Saint Eleanor won its independence.)

[Pascafia]

Onto The Next Stage

Type: Review
Time: -

---

FULL TIME RESULTS
Pascafia 1 - 0 Nyowani Kitara
Antony Kerta Resmawi (17') / None

A simple goal sends Pascafia into the quarter finals of the Baptism of Fire! A fantastic diving header by Antony Kerta Resmawi who decided to go forward with the attack, as the ball was shot for a corner by Welkas Marate Nenid on the right. The diving was perfect, as Antony jumped forward, with his body and head facing the New Kitaran goalkeeper, Oduor Bigombe. With the perfect game between offense and defense, it sends Pascafia to the quarters. We now will have to face Torisakia, whom as we know, had only gotten out of international sport isolation. The game many reckon is going to be a sight to see. Could we reach the semis? Possible. Could we get knocked out? Also a yes.

Enough of that lasting impression, now, what we wanted to do was review the other quarterfinal matchups. Many interesting matches to be played all round here. Let's see what this Baptism of Fire has in store, shall we?

#1 Pyazhnaya vs #9 Saint Eleanor
@The Britony SuperDome (cap. 64,000) in Akusha, Bollonich
The other quarter final match up in Bollonich is between number 1 seeds Pyazhnaya, a fellow Anaian state as i reckon, against 9th seeds Saint Eleanor whom had decided to join Anaia! Who will be victorious in this quarterfinal Anaian derby?

#3 Kaldtfjell vs #6 Cabo Azure
@Istria Olympic Stadium (cap. 80,000) in Istria, Moravica Region, Banija
We go to Banija to see the quarterfinals between 3rd seeds Kaldfjell and 6th seed Cabo Azure, who had in the past claimed that they could be the Baptism of Fire champions! Will Cabo Azure prove it or will Kaldfjell denounce it all?

#2 Lathamford vs #7 Milchama
@Mavuto Field (cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija
The other quarterfinal matchup is between 2nd seeds Lathamford against 7th seed and veteran World Cup returning state, Milchama! They were eligible for the Baptism of Fire and they joined! Can Lathamford defeat a returning veteran or will the experience prove too much?

[Lathamford]

S p o r t L i n k

---

---

Baptism of Fire 76 Quarterfinal
Lathamford vs Milchama
@Mavuto Field (cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija

Greenash
Decker - Skelmersdale (C) - Wolfsong
Wymondham - du Graypelt - Hargreave - Colfield
Farrowsteam - A. Caskwoods - Falconderry

Lathamford Top Scorer

Otto Farrowsteam	6
Bruno Caskwoods		4
Carter Colfield		2
Joe Wymondham		1
Martin Haymoore		1
Adolf Wyvernchaser	1
Giles Kingsley		1

Team Record

MAC8-1	Greenash, Decker, Izzard-Crew [Ashleigh], Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave [du Graypelt], Colfield, Farrowsteam, Caskwoods [Falconderry]
MAC8-2	Greenash, Decker [Barrington], Ashleigh, Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Selfridge, Hargreave [du Graypelt], Colfield, Farrowsteam, Falconderry
MAC8-3	Hydradust, Ashleigh, Darrington, Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Selfridge [T. Ashleigh] , du Graypelt, Colfield, Farrowsteam [Grantham], Falconderry
Fr01	Baymartin, Skelmersdale (C), Decker [Wolfsong], Izzard-Crew, Wymondham, Colfield [Selfridges], Colfield, Wyvernchaser, Farrowsteam, Caskwoods, Falconderry [Grantham]
BoF76-1	Greenash, Decker,  Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore [Darrington], Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave [du Graypelt],  Colfield, Farrowsteam, Caskwoods, Falconderry [Kingsley]
BoF76-2 Greenash, Decker,  Skelmersdale (C) [Wolfsong], Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave, Colfield [V.Selfridges], Farrowsteam, Caskwoods [A.Caskwoods], Kingsley
BoF76-3 Greenash, Wolfsong (Barrington), Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave, V.Selfridges, Farrowsteam (Grantham), Caskwoods (Kingsley), Falconderry
BoF76-4 Greenash, Decker , Skelmersdale (C) (Darrington), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave (du Graypelt), Colfield, Farrowsteam , Caskwoods (A. Caskwoods), Kingsley
BoF76-5 Greenash, Decker , Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham, Wyvernchaser, Hargreave (T.Ashleigh), Colfield, Grantham , Caskwoods (Farrowsteam), Kingsley (Falconderry)
BoF76QF	Greenash, Decker , Skelmersdale (C), Haymoore, Wymondham (Faraday), Wyvernchaser, Hargreave, Colfield, Farrowsteam , Caskwoods (A.Caskwoods), Kingsley (Falconderry)

[Torisakia]

Defeat: War on Frogs backfires; Torisakia surrenders

Torisakia has fallen to the frogs. The government today declared their surrender to the amphibians after 20 minutes of fighting in the newly declared War on Frogs. Reports indicated that the military sustained mass causalities over many battles and that morale was quickly lost. It is estimated nearly 300,000 soldiers died in the brief conflict, with millions more injured and many more missing in action. Even worse, trillions of taxpayer dollars were wasted. Literally burned right in front of everyone's eyes, with absolutely nothing to show for it. Torisakia declared its unconditional surrender this evening, and top officials are expected to hold talks with Frog leaders on the next steps. It is assumed that control of the country will be handed over to the amphibians, with our very way of life changing very soon.

Grand Polliwog Bloob, de facto leader of the Frogs, told The Torisakia Inquisition, "Ribbit. Ribbit ribbit ribbit. Ribbit. Rib-ribbit. Croak" in regards to their plans for the country moving forward. Like it or not, he is spitting straight facts right there. However, some Torisakians aren't convinced. Lee Poole, a Postmeridian resident, said "Nah he tweakin" about the Frogs plans to run the country. There have been reports of the amphibians rolling through the streets of cities in cardboard boxes on wheels, forcing residents from homes, and looting businesses. A few television and radio stations have already been taken over, as well as many newspapers and websites. Frogbook has become a popular social media site basically overnight, with nothing more than "ribbit" posted everywhere. Billboards have been erected across the country stating "Big Bloob Is Watching You". There have even been some Torisakian who have defected to the amphibians sides, hopeful that they will be accepted.

The Torisakia Inquisition will continue to run as normal. Bigwigs within the company have been in talks with the amphibian overlords to keep the site running in exchange for running pro-Frog ads. However, The Torisakia Inquisition will be required to have at least 50% of their staff be made up of frogs and/or other amphibians in accordance with new laws. The site content will largely remain the same: exaggerated stories along with blatantly false information and satirical jabs at other's misfortunes. Most of the subjects of the site's content will be focused on those slimy humans who enslave every living thing they come into contact with and how they deserve to be thrown in the trash compactor. The gentle amphibian shall no longer suffer from the noxious greed of humankind. We will dismantle oppression board by board! We'll saw the tables of humanity in half, even if it takes an eternity! With your support, we will send the hammer of the people's will crashing through the windows of humanity's house of servitude! Humankind is unfair. Doug McDowell is in there. Standing at the concession. Plotting his oppression! We need to let these oppressors know that their ugly, they're disgusting, we hate them, they lowdown, they dirty, they some snitches, we're going to kill them, and to give us $200! Riba-ri-ribbit!

More stories from The Torisakia Inquisition »

• Why Humans Don't Deserve Rights
• Top 10 Frogs To Follow On Frogbook
• Grand Polliwog Bloob's Greatest Achievements
• Humans To Be Stripped Of Voting Rights, Amphibians Say

[Milchama]

"So this is the round where we lose?"

"Correct"

"How come?"

"Well, traditionally, Milchamian soccer always lost in the quarterfinals. I don't see why the BoF would be any different"

"Didn't we make two World Cup finals? Also we won to Cups of Harmony"

"I think it's Cup of Harmonies"

"I like the first one better"

"Nah it's definitely more of an attorneys general thing"

"That's fun to say but Cup of Harmonies is more fun to say"

"Yeah but Cups of Harmony is more grammatically correct"

"It doesn't matter"

"It does, you are butchering the English language"

"Isn't this conversation technically in Hebrew but translated to English to make it easier to grade for quality purposes"

"Eh, let's just do it in Hebrew then"

"Ok"

" נו אז מה אמרת?"

"אנחנו לא נוצחים אחרי הרבע גמר"

"למה?"

"כי זה מה שקורה למלחמה"

"Wait, our nation name means war in Hebrew"

"Yes, I thought that bit was obvious"

"Not really"

"Oh ok, I mean again, we speak Hebrew so this should be easy"

"But yeah why do we always lose in quarters"

"I think it's because we're not good"

"Explain"

"Well we faced one other quarterfinalist, Cabo Azure, and sh-t the bed against them"

"It was a 1-0 loss and, per their newspaper, we outplayed them"

"Sure but we still lost. I don't like our chances"

"I mean I get that but like we shouldn't give up"

"Oh I'm not expecting the players to give up, I'm just not expecting a victory or anything"

"Cool, I am"

"And that's where we disagree"

"It's unfortunate"

"Yes because now we have to fight to the death"

"Why?"

"Well our country is named War. If we're not fighting what's the point?"

"Sure but we can have a non-violent Milchama"

"I mean, I guess but like what direct action?"

"Yeah just read Gene Sharp. He explains everything. In order to win using non-violent tactics you have to treat it like a war"

"Right ok, so even if we read Sharp, it still is supposed to be a violent thing. It's war"

"Look a 14 year old who had stupid marshall fantasies named the damn country why should we listen to him?"

"Well he's still here running the country"

"No we have several billion inhabitants per the factbook."

"I mean I guess but like we don't need to have our name determine our destiny"

"Ok we can be non-violent. That's a reasonable claim but we should still attempt to be war like"

"Oh absolutely, using military tactics, military efficiency etc but we don't need to be violent to do that. Sharp read books on military strategy because it was important to him to understand how to win non-violently"

"Really?"

"Yeah like you need to understand the tactics in order to win the larger battle. Non-violence is always a tactical decision as it should be for Milchama"

"Ok, I think we got off topic here"

"We're having a philosophical dialogue about the practical use of violence"

"I don't think this has anything to do with soccer"

"We're talking about tactics"

"Different tactics"

"Better tactics?"

"Different tactics"

"Wait, I think we missed a Ship of Theseus discussion"

"Oh that was on purpose. We're going to do enough of that in TOK. We don't need to do it here also"

"We don't even teach the Ship of Theseus in TOK"

"Well we should, I mean that can be part of the first unit"

"Maybe, and also maybe instead of RPing we could get work done for once"

"I think the Royal We is doing too much work now in this RP"

"Probably let's end it here before it gets weird"

"Get weird?"

"Whatever"

"Come on You Warriors!"

"Let's Go Milchama!"

[Pyazhnaya]

-- The Baptism of Fire 76 is covered by Kathleen Negretti --

While on the pitch Pyazhnaya still is very strongly performing in the Baptism of Fire, our series "Behind the Nation" shall focus on one sector where the country is also starting to become an economic force: Economy.

For political reasons, Pyazhnaya had been in a state of complete autarky for decades, being completely closed off from the rest of the multiverse for both imports and exports, which obviously has been good for internal infrastructure, however it also had left it trailing in terms of research and development on a global scale, since breakthroughs and other advancements were literally unknown within the country. Since the re-opening towards their neighbours far and wide, Pyazhnaya engaged in a race to catch up on decades of self=imposed exile, attempting to find their role and position in a world that most Pyazhnayans had never even known existed.

So for starters let's have a look at the foundations of Pyazhnaya's economy and what they were and are building on. First off there is agriculture. As most autark nations, being able to sustain your population is paramount and as mentioned in previous editions, here Pyazhnaya's geology comes into play with rich, black earth covering good parts of the islands, their volcanic past also playing into this, allowing them to utilize these extremely fertile lands to produce an abundance of grains, vegetables and fruit, sustain livestock. Subsequently this also is leading into the processing of these goods into other foodstuffs. By introducing new technology this supply chain now has grown a lot more efficient and has been scaled up while remaining sustainable, allowing Pyazhnaya to export large amounts of agricultural and also processed foods throughout Anaia and beyond. Also important to add that the government is not allowing any genetic modification or use of growth hormones, antibiotics or other dubious methods in the process, which has given them an excellent reputation abroad.

Tied into this is a very strong fishery market, which obviously also is aided by their insular nature and the rich fishing grounds of the Sea of Kamensk. As mentioned in our article on the nation's cuisine, Pyazhnayans actually are not as fond of fish and other seafood as many would imagine, likely also aided by the very strong agricultural sector, that actually the majority is processed and exported, be it as raw food or ready-made meal items.

A second very important sector is mining. Be it metals, coal or precious gems, Pyazhnaya is rich in most of them and is attempting to exploit them in a way that will allow them to maintain a somewhat ecological and economical balance to not destroy nature or deplete the resources at a larger rate than measures to counter negative effects could be put into effect. The mining of coal has seen a drastic decrease in recent years, not only due to the waste products of burning it, but also the invasiveness of the production. This goes hand in hand with the exploration of oil and gas off the coasts of the southern islands, the royalties of which are mostly diverted into the research and development of alternative energies, especially wind energy. The export of the wind power technology, be it ultra-efficient turbines or other conversion tech, has proven to be more lucrative than the income from oil and gas exports, having set off an interesting circle of being able to use income from fossil fuel to create more income from renewable energy and being able to reduce the production and use of fossil fuels and therefore harmful emissions.

The main exports in this sector, however, are minerals, both raw and processed. While Pyazhnaya has very efficient industrial complexes that allow the nation to process mined ores into steel, bars or whichever other medium these ores usually can be processed into, there is also a very high percentage of bulk loaded exports of raw ores. It is also one of Anaia's leading exporter's of rare earth elements and recently rich uranium deposits have been found on some of the almost uninhabited islands of the Eastern sub-archipelagos.

As already touched upon, the Chernyye Ostrova islands in the nation's northeast are home to some of the most advanced development and manufacturing complexes of the defense industry, both in terms of weaponry and purely defensive technology. Mostly located in subterranean complexes throughout the volcanic rock of the islands, security measures surrounding them against both espionage and potential attacks are some of the tightest in the multiverse. Business is solely conducted through select few centralized government agencies to ensure a maximum safety and security and exports have been one of Pyazhnaya's strongest assets in terms of international funds flowing into the country.

Ever since the reopening of the country to the multiverse, tourism has been one of the fastest growing economic sectors of Pyazhnaya, with most seasons featuring different attractions for tourists, other than beaches. Pyazhnaya does have beaches, but they are mostly of volcanic origin and the while the warm currents coming in from the Celestial Ocean, the water temperatures do generally not allow for swimming or bathing, there has been an increase in surfing activity. As part of the growing tourism there also is an increase in wellness tourism with travelers taking advantage of hot springs and other amenities such as spas, mud baths and much more, showing the very interesting economic diversity of Pyazhnaya.

[Saint Eleanor]

OOC: Inspired by Exclusive — Monica Crowley: Open Borders, Unvetted Afghan Refugees Expose America to a Terrorist Attack. (To reiterate, again, that I oppose all forms of terrorism.)

---

Circling The Wagon
Episode III: Could It Be Magic

7:38am - Thursday 25th January 1996

That Bramblewood Beta, the nearest Local Military Base - really a police station - to the scene, would likely be a few hundred yards away did not seem to bother Sergeant Peter Lawrence and Corporal Josh Trout, its two resident on-duty officers that morning.

"Sorry, Pete," said Trout, "I'd actually like mine with no sugar and proper full-fat milk. Wait, that's the only one we have here, anyway. For some reason, we only had semi-skimmed when I was deployed to Grand Beach Alpha with Laura..."

Lawrence nodded, for some reason. "Yeah, Josh, that's alright. The kettle's boiled now, I'll put your water in in a bit. You've heard of the whole OSP terror plot thing, haven't you? More notice than we've had for a while."

"It isn't rocket science, is it?" asked Trout.

"Indeed it isn't. Most Eleanorians are still nine-to-fivers, so they should strike in the next few minutes. Given that they usually target big places, it'll probably be Bramblewood metro and train station they want to damage. I'd estimate a couple of deaths and a few injuries in advance, but there will likely be a lot of disruption to the local network in the coming weeks, which is their main aim. Cut off what makes us independent, make us beg for help from the old country, the old country works with OSP to supposedly bring democracy into the country - although that's probably unlikely even in the best-case scenario - then abracadabra, a colonial dictatorship results."

"But Pete, I've heard a couple of people on the street complain that we're a dictatorship already."

"I'm glad you didn't kill them off, we don't kill civilians most of the time," noted Lawrence. "Anybody who's been to the local pub knows that's false. By the way, I don't think they'll attack the pub - or the bus station. Or the anything else. They know how good Highway Maintenance is by now."

"So why haven't they given up if they can only target so many train stations before becoming defunct?" wondered Trout.

"It's called terrorism for a reason," replied Lawrence.

"Yes, so who am I looking out for?"

"Some chap we've been told is called Nate McGregor. Born in Tinhampton, moved here as the six-year-old son of one of the defeated Tinhamptonian soldiers in the War of Independence, about five foot eleven, light skin, like almost everybody else in the country, dark hair, likes wearing similarly-dark clothes - oh, and he keeps methodically to the cited speed limit for whatever reason," asserted Lawrence.

"How do you know all this?" thought an incredulous Trout.

"Blame the IUSE. The bloke normally drives a 1S-plate red saloon with an "ATHLETIC FOR LIFE" decal, but he's probably using that as the bomb in the car park so he might jack one of the staff's cars - which you're probably familiar with by now - and drive all over the city hoping not to get caught. I'm not sure why somebody who hates us so much even claims to support one of our teams already."

"Yeah, I know those cars, I used to screw about that train station when I was almost a young teenager back in the late seventies," Trout perhaps inaccurately recalled, having recovered from a spell of mild giggling. "How much time do you think I have left to nab that bastard?"

"By my calculations..." stated Lawrence, as he thought for a few seconds, "you've got your gear ready, you've got everything else ready, you know that you have to use the car instead of the tank or any of the other thingies - so you have... about one-and-a-little-bit minutes until the wanker blows. Now GET IN THE FUCKING CAR, JOSH!" He dutifully rushed off, leaving his cup of tea to his superior - albeit by accident.

[Bollonich]

Baptism of Fire 76 - Quarterfinals

#1 Pyazhnaya 5–3 #9 Saint Eleanor
@The Britony SuperDome (cap. 64,000) in Akusha, Bollonich

#4 Torisakia 2–0 #5 Pascafia
@The Allainz Arena (cap. 63,000) in Lagos, Bollonich

#3 Kaldtfjell 1–3 #6 Cabo Azure
@Istria Olympic Stadium (cap. 80,000) in Istria, Moravica Region, Banija

#2 Lathamford 4–3 #7 Milchama
@Mavuto Field (cap. 75,000) in Hoima, Ankole Region, Banija

---

Semifinal Fixtures

#1 Pyazhnaya vs #4 Torisakia
@The John Lennon Football Stadium (cap. 100,000) in Vreton, Bollonich

#2 Lathamford vs #6 Cabo Azure
@The Stadium of the Restoration (cap. 91,835) in Busukuma, National Capitol Region, Banija

Winners of the above two matches will play in the BoF 76 Finals at the John Lennon Football Stadium (cap. 100,000) in Bollonich

Losers of the above two matches will play in the BoF 76 3PPO at the Keystone Stadium (cap. 47,000) in Sisonke, Kitara Region, Banija

Here's your quarterfinal cutoff. Which four sides will we say goodbye to after this round?

[Cabo Azure]

Kaldtfjell 1-3 Cabo Azure

Pos. Name 
GK Carreira
LB Carneiro (goal 21') (off 80')
CB Mendes
CB Macedo 
RB Fernandez
LW Serra (goal 51')
CM Alves
RM Santos
LW Dantas
CF Montenegro (goal 88')
RW Carrico

LB de Lima (on 80")

The most impressive win yet for the increasingly-confident Macaricas. A relatively equal first half gave way to a much faster-paced second in which the Azurean side's aggression and pace overwhelmed the Kaldtfjeller side.

The two sides opened rather timidly, likely a result of them both being relative newcomers to the international stage, with only a regional tourney apiece for prior experience. The first fifteen minutes saw the ball in touch almost as much as it was in play as both sides played it safe and preferred to clear the ball rather than advance it. Serra got on the end of one such clearance and managed to burn Viggosson with a cross to Montenegro, who forced the young Kaldtfjeller goalkeeper Baggisson to come off his line before laying the ball out to Carneiro.

The Esportivans answered in kind around the half-hour mark as Torkelsson managed to dribble into a corner 1v1 against Fernandez with his choice of targets in the box. Fernandez conceded the corner, which Torkelsson took quickly, placing the ball right on the forehead of Havardr Osmondsson, who buried it in the back of the net. The teams went into the locker room at halftime on even terms, with neither having a distinct advantage.

The second half came out fast and furious, with a banger of a goal by Gustavsson at 47' disallowed for offsides after VAR review. Just a few minutes later, Serra fired one across the mouth of goal with just enough English on it to curl in around the glvoe of Baggisson. Up 2-1, the Macaricas pressed the advantage, but a robust defensive effort forced them to settle for corners and throw-ins even as they campaigned for the box.

The Kaldtfjellers threatened at least as much as the Macaricas in the second half, with several precision shots either barely deflected or rattling off the crossbar. Finally, in the waning minutes, Montenegro scored a typical, brute-force Montenegro goal to create a scoreline which belies the effort by the eliminated team.

No Confidence, pt 3

Politics in Cabo Azure is rather bland compared to other places, driven as it is by familial and insular loyalties rather than deeply-held beliefs. Azureans tend to vote pragmatically and along predictable lines, making campaigning more a matter of gaining the power brokers’ approval rather than challenging from the outside. Demagoguery, or attempted demagoguery, is frowned upon, and those with government pedigrees are rarely favored over those with track records outside government.

Zora’s research documented this tendency exhaustively, drawing on decades of electoral data from before the coup of 1979. In her new day job as de facto campaign manager, Zora spent more than a few late nights in Maritime’s library with her candidate, Joaquin Sequeira, explaining the implications of the data she’d spent years collecting. For his part, Joaquin was happy to listen, lounging in the uncomfortable chairs with his tablet while Zora paced the room, her bright blue eyes darting back and forth before settling on him whenever she made a point.

Her thesis, borne out by the data she lectured him night after night, was that Mario Borges was nothing more than a caretaker prime minister. He’d been elected after the restoration of the monarchy, which Zora deemed the greatest political upheaval in Azurean history, greater even than the coup of ‘79. As a result, Borges’s administration was what the cognoscenti deemed a “camel”: a Frankenstein of ideas too distinct to be synthesized. Cabo Azure needed a unifying vision with a visionary to match, such as a globalist agenda put forward by their most successful native son. Joaquin liked the sound of it.

Though rumors were being spread in the right places, the campaign would not officially begin until King Manuel delivered the Speech from the Throne to convene the National Assembly, at which point the opposition would deliver a motion of no confidence to the floor, triggering a prime ministerial election. It was considered couth to keep one’s interest in the PM job secret until the motion was formally delivered, so as not to foment disunity. This was a pre-1979 convention with no precedent since the reinstatement of the monarchy, but Joaquin’s advisors believed the opposition would adhere to it. To do otherwise risked incurring the wrath of the Queen Mother, Abigail, a professor emeritus of political science at Maritime and a member of Zora’s Ph.D. committee.

In addition to his candidacy and his remaining duties as chairman of the board at Zul, the telecoms corporation he’d built from the ground up, Joaquin was also the single father of a teenaged girl, which carried obligations of its own. So when Joaninha announced to him and Zora at dinner one night (she was careful to do this when she had an ally in the room) that she wanted him to meet the guy she’d been “talking to”, Joaquin had no choice but to acquiesce.

Joaquin was vaguely aware of the courtship between Joaninha and Amilcar Branco, the football player, but he’d hoped it would die down when Branco moved to Tikariot to pursue his football career. No such luck; the very data infrastructure that had been Joaquin’s life’s work also made it possible for his daughter to carry on a long-distance relationship with a guy she’d met once.

They agreed to “meet” via Zuum, Zul’s proprietary video-conferencing app, one night after dinner (which happened to be another night when Zora was around the house). It was apparently early morning in Tikariot, but Branco wore a shirt with a collar and appeared well-groomed, with none of the stubble he sometimes sported on television. He smiled as he politely answered questions about Tikariot, his football career, the Baptism of Fire, and subsequent World Cup qualifiers. Joaquin had never been interested in football, but Zora was a fan and had given him a decent primer so as to not look foolish.

When the conversation hit a natural low point, Branco surprised him with a left-field question.

“Is it true you’re running for PM?”

Joaquin couldn’t keep the shock off his face; he turned to Joaninha, who shook her head emphatically. “Who told you that?”

“Nobody, sir. It’s just a rumor around here. All the expats I talk to, they say it’s you or Federico Bravo.”

Joaquin felt his brow furrow as he reached for the stock answer Zora and Victor had given him.

“I’m considering a run, yes. But what’s this about Bravo?” Federico Bravo was the mayor of Sao Simone, a new-school politician who’d risen to prominence since the reinstatement of the monarchy. He was said to be a sailing buddy of the king. It would be news to Joaquin if he were also “considering a run” for PM, and not good news, either.

“I don’t know. I heard he might be running, too. I don’t really keep up with politics.”

“It’s been good talking to you, Amilcar, but I have to run.” Joaquin fumbled to find the “end call” button on his tablet.”Good luck in your matches. We’ll be rooting for you.”