[Roleplays] :: World Cup 92

[Squornshelan Remnant States]

Home Stretch
Salwan Mynhier

Unbeaten now in sixteen matches, and having taken four points from their two meetings with group leaders, Kandorith, the Black-and-Reds have finally climbed into playoff position, holding a one-point lead over Yuezhou by virtue of the single point earned against Kandorith on matchday 18.

Both the narrow win against the Licentians and the draw against Kandorith came as a result of goals scored by late substitutes. InMontfort, the two teams had fought to a standstill all match, and if the visiting Black-and-Reds had the better of possession, the hosts made the most of the ball when they had it, generating as many shots on goal as the Squornshelans. Groothuis had yet to make any changes with nearly an hour and a quarter gone when Gerstlauer went down in a heap at a challenge from van As. The referee called it fair play, and in fairness to the defender she did get a lot of the ball. The Squornshelans were more concerned with how much she'd gotten of their striker's ankles though, and with Gerstlauer unable to continue, Groothuis sent Ness in, perhaps banking on the Northandryun standout's physicality to make an impression on the defense. Less than ten minutes later, Ness rose above none other than van As for a towering header that bounced once, and eluded Orr on the way back up and into the net.

A week later in Vogsphere, the Black-and-Reds were found chasing the game, with Kandorith having gotten a pair of second-half goals from Hayazawa Vissel teammates Oshita and Hamasaki, erasing Zazagan's early tally. This time, Groothuis threw caution to the winds, sending crafty attacker Damnagoras on for the much more defensive Tabur, and former Galactico Petrov alongside him with ten minutes left before stoppage time. With the Mekahi looking content to sit back and defend their slim lead, the Black-and-Reds probed and tested the defensive lines. With barely more than a minute to go, both substitutes justified Groothuis's faith in them. Petrov received a ball forward from Hashemi and laid it off to an onrushing Damnagoras, who had gotten lost between the lines for a crucial moment and fired off a blistering shot to tie the match before anyone could close him down.

Even with these two results, the Black-and-Reds will need a strong finish plus a fair amount of good luck if they are to catch Ranoria for second place, as the Snow Bears not only hold a two-point lead heading into the final four matchday's but also a game in hand. It was Ranoria's win over Yuezhou, however, that allowed the Black-and-Reds to move into sole possession of third, at least for the moment. All things considered, with Yuezhou also yet to have their second bye, that result was probably ideal for the Black-and-Reds going forward, as they now control their own destiny with regard to holding on to third. They'll have their second bye next matchday to rest, recuperate, and prepare for the final stretch, which starts off away to Bongo Johnson. Yuezhou will face South Covello next before heading to their own off day, while Ranoria have Pyazhnaya and Boring Paradise. All three teams will be considered favorites to win these matchups and of the three playoff contenders, it will likely be the one who makes a misstep against a lower seed that finishes fourth. For the Black-and-Reds, the mission is very simple. They have three matches remaining, all against lower-ranked opposition. Win those three, and they'll make the playoff. Lose or draw, and risk a massive letdown.

The Licentian Isles - 0
Squornshelan Remnant States - 1

Goals:
SRS: Ness 81'

Lineup:
SRS: Shimski; V. Harkhan, W. Harkhan, Titov, Halfariani; Tabur, Hashemi, Bondarov (Koshelev 89'), Damnagoras (Hedberg 85'), Yonte, Gerstlauer (Ness 72')

Squornshelan Remnant States - 2
Kandorith - 2

Goals:
SRS: Zazagan 20', Damnagoras 88'
KAN: Oshita 54', Hamasaki 67'


Lineup:
SRS: Shimski; Nyberg, W. Harkhan, Titov, Halfariani; Tabur (Damnagoras 80'), Hashemi (Nisarizo 71'); Bondarov, Zazagan, Yonte; Fridtjofs (Petrov 80')

Schedule and Results

FRND: SRS 0-0 DRK @ Ripper Stadium (cap. 40,000), Constantinople, New Gesem
FRND: SRS 1-2 CBP @ Ripper Stadium (cap. 40,000), Constantinople, New Gesem

MD01: RAN 2-1 SRS @ Smith Field (cap. 19,050), Richardson, RAN
MD02: SRS 3-2 SCO @ Radlov Arena (cap. 76,800), Brantisvogan, Megabrantis, SRS
MD03: YZH 3-3 SRS @ TBA
MD04: SRS 0-0 PYA @ Black Raven Field (cap. TBA), Yassaca, Sivolvia, SRS
MD05: BRP 3-3 SRS @ TBA
MD06: SRS 4-3 TLI @ Castle Street (cap. 57,300), Jaglan, Algolia, SRS
MD07: KAN 0-1 SRS @ Empress Masumi Stadium (cap. 90,000), Tenkyo, KAN
MD08:     BYE
MD09: SRS 1-0 BGJ @ Synesoft Arena (cap. 46,950), Syneca, Sivolvia, SRS
MD10: NSV 3-5 SRS @ Tiên Sơn Stadium, Đà Nẵng, NSV
MD11: SRS 2-2 SRG @ Chernov Stadium (cap. 57,600), Viltvodle Megabrantis, SRS
MD12: SRS 0-0 RAN @ Raftel Park (cap. 59,870), Chalesm, Megabrantis, SRS
MD13: SCO 3-3 SRS @ SuperNerd Wants To Fight Video Game And Computer Store Stadium, (cap. 42,000), Riverview, SCO
MD14: SRS 3-3 YZH @ Slavnareczpospolitastadion (cap. 61,230), Lublova, Molvania, SRS
MD15: PYA 1-5 SRS @ TBA
MD16: SRS 4-1 BRP @ New Rudlit Arena (cap. 31,200), Rudlit, West Flania, SRS
MD17: TLI 0-1 SRS @ LTI Stadium (cap. 75,000), Montfort, TLI
MD18: SRS 2-2 KAN @ Vogsphere Arena (cap. 90,000), Vogsphere, Isle of Squornshelous, SRS
MD19:     BYE
MD20: BGJ  v  SRS @ TBA
MD21: SRS  v  NSV @ Ralph Wilson Memorial Stadium (cap. 48,700), Han Dold City, Han Dold, SRS
MD22: SRG  v  SRS @ Estadio Generalissimo Joaqín Delgado (cap. 108,879), Soluca, SRG

World Come Undone, Part 13
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Recap, Part 11, Part 12

The Spring Offensive.

In Squornshelous, it isn't necessary to specify which spring you are referring to.

In official Imperial records it is referred to as the Konchevsky Offensive after its chief architect, marine Lieutenant General Arsen Konchevsky. There had been previous attempts by both sides to make aggressive moves early after the spring thaw, but this was by far the largest. Twice postponed due to adverse weather conditions, the marine attacks into the country side of Algolia and Megabrantis were some of the most meticulously planned operations of the entire war. Supported throughout the winter by reconnaissance and strike missions by carrier aircraft, the Marine planners had excellent intelligence on insurgent activity in the operational area.

Over the winter, they had built up their forces and stockpiled supplies. The main axis of the attack was to be in Algolia, where planners believed the greatest concentration of revolutionary forces were currently located. The 5th and 7th marine divisions joined the 3rd in Damogran, while the 1st division joined the 4th in Syneca, bringing overall marine strength in Algolia to over 110,000 men. Reinforcements also arrived in Megabrantis; the 6th and 10th prepared to set out upriver from Brantisvogan, while the 2nd and 10th held Arkintoofle. This left the marine corps with only two reserve divisions, the 9th and 12th, but overwhelming force was the order of the day, and both General Konchevsky and Marine Commandant Torleif Kazlou expected a quick resolution to the war now that their boys have finally been called for.

The overall plan called for four main thrusts, each intended to destroy and isolate revolutionary forces which could then be mopped up. Two full divisions would push out from Damogran, not east toward the rest of Algolia, but north. Traveling cross-country, they would seize the mountain passes, making retreat from Algolia into Molvania impossible. Once the forces in Algolia were thus hemmed in, the third division at Damogran would make a rapid push down the coastal highway, driving the rebels before them as the hounds to the hunters.

Further East, the force at Vassilian would also begin by pushing north, taking control of the river as far as Jaglan to split the south of West Squornshelous in two. They would establish garrison forces there, supplemented by army units, and then push west in force to crush the retreating rebels between Damogran and Jaglan, somewhere in the vicinity of Hunian it was expected.

At Brantisvogan, the army would continue to garrison the city while both marine divisions pushed upriver, one on each bank, to clear the Brantid heartland of rebel activity. They would eventually link up with the garrison forces at Jaglan, making an unbroken line of marine controlled territory from north to south across the country’s midsection.

At Arkintoofle, one division would remain to respond to any rebel developments in eastern Megabrantis, while the other pushed south along the coast toward Sivolvia. Their progress would be slow as the terrain would be increasingly rugged the further south they went. However, retreat into the most difficult terrain would be impossible for rebel force in that area, as the 8th division would, from its base at Syneca, take control of the base of the Sivolvian peninsula. Their mission would be to cut off the rebels retreating from the 10th division’s drive south, and also to stop any forces attempting to escape Sivolvia and the navy’s continuing air campaign there.

The insurgents, without any centralized command or intelligence gathering, have some awareness of some points of the plan, but many of their fighters and commanders have almost no idea of what’s about to hit them. Making predictions about future operations is a perilous business in wartime, but to an observer with all the facts, it really does look like the revolutionaries are in trouble this time. With a quarter million fresh elite troops about to be thrown into the fight, and with anywhere within a few dozen miles of the sea a no-go zone, there aren’t many places left where they’ll be able to flee. Most of the army’s best units are still in Molvania, so heading there won’t be much better, and while heading for the far north in Flania and Han Dold might see them safely away from the greatest concentrations of Imperial forces, getting there across hundreds of miles of enemy-held territory is much easier said than done. Even for those who might reach Flania, if retreat is indeed what the rebels opt for, that will only be a refuge for a few months. Bitterly cold winters and howling polar blizzards could prove to be even more dangerous than marine rifles and naval guns. The battle is still to be fought, of course, but this spring promises to be a very grim one indeed for the revolution.

[Kelssek]

FOOTBALL | WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Maçon-Petrault double ignites Kelssek’s hopes

A stunning start and a stunning finish. Tasha Sauber had Farnham Arena roaring just 49 seconds into the match as Kelssek’s sloppy attempt to play out from the back went disatrously wrong. And the stadium went deathly silent 100 seconds short of regulation time when Matts Bogdanor stole the ball from the feet of August Kovac and Loïc Maçon-Petrault applied the finish to give Kelssek a late victory.

Coming soon after the defensive debacle in Mertagne, conceding in this manner could have been a fatal blow to the side’s confidence, or catalyzed a repeat of that match’s collapse of structure and organization. Manager Jorge Guardia was elated, as one might expect after a match like that.

“It’s a great credit to this team that we didn’t do all that again. We learned from it. There was great resilience and our response was superb.”

The win over Nephara came after a 1-1 draw against Cassadaigua. Kelssek went ahead early and then desperately fought a rearguard action as Cassadaigua equalized and then launched the kitchen sink at them.

Reflecting on an international break that saw Kelssek face the two top-ranked teams in its group and come away with four points, Guardia allowed that optimism is “warranted”. After missing out on the finals last cycle, Guardia knows a lot of expectation and pride is at stake.

“We have to finish the job, of course, but I feel very good about coming out of that tough pair of matches with the results we got.”

The result gives Kelssek an important advantage in the race for second place, and every chance of seizing first place and automatic qualification having played one match less than leaders Cassadaigua. With four matches to go and the matches against its main rivals to advance to the finals now past them, Kelssek just needs to hold its nerve.

KELSSEK 1 – dí Völará (9’)
Gallagher, Buené, Brewer, Lozic, Holman, dí Völará, Lapierre (Breault 78’), Ó Tuathail (Dumont 78’), Mann, Maçon-Petrault (Taleb 69’), Maradrogba (Bogdanor 74’).
CASSADAIGUA 1 – Rutland (70’)
Venue: Exhibition Place, Kirkenes (attn. 37,993)

NEPHARA 1 – Sauber (1’)
KELSSEK 2 – Maçon-Petrault (48’, 89’)
Gallagher, Buené, Lozic, Auiloquet, Holman, dí Völará, Lapierre (Bogdanor 68’), Ó Tuathail (Lafrenière 72’), Hartpoach (Mann 83’), Maçon-Petrault, Ahmad (Maradrogba 83’)
Venue: Farnham Arena, Sabrefell

[Delaclava]

DELACLAVA 0–0 República Guanacasteca
James; Meñica, Zhusupov, Gouin, Torres; Bartoš, Romeijn (Demirjian 46'), Tudor (Gretler 73'), Martin, Anagnakis (Kovalev 46'); Meyer.

In sharp contrast to the wild ten-goal bonanza in Esteli, both teams were much more tactically cautious in Arana, fully aware of the weapons and strategies their opponents could bring to the table. Despite sitting outside of realistic playoff contention, the Pigs showed their value in again preventing the Phoenixes from walking away with a win. That would later become even more clear, as Delaclava rested and Guanacasteca went back home to take a stunning victory over second seed Jeruselem. With the Princesses just two points clear and the Phoenixes having a game in hand, the Phoenixes can almost taste a last-gasp playoff berth; all they have to do now is execute in the four games in front of them.

Waringpost

Bisexuals a majority for the first time, census finds

Bisexuality has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Delaclava over the past decade - and it's reached a new milestone.

In one of the more riveting conclusions from the latest national census, 57% of Delaclavs identify as bisexual, reaching a majority for the first time - while conversely, monosexuality has plummeted to 39%, becoming a minority for the first time. (The remaining 4% either were unsure or refused to answer the question.)

Janine Malek, a sexual psychologist at the Cleopatrana Libido Institute and Therapies, explained, "We have seen a fascinating increase in prevalence of more open attitudes towards sexuality, largely as a result of local communities networking more with other locales nationwide and internationally. People have the desire to explore themselves more freely and more intimately. The primary manifestations of this have been the separate phenomenons of greater promiscuity and greater willingness to engage in sexual activity with men and women."

The numbers tilt even more in the 18-29 demographic, with a whopping 91% of respondents identifying as bisexual. On the opposite end of the age spectrum, bisexuality remained lowest above the age of 65 but saw a marked increase in the 45-54 demographic (from 21% to 43%).

Malek praised the visibility of numerous "bicons" who have provided representation and acceptance for this new concept of sexuality and sensuality. "From athletes like Robbie Hahn and Przemyslaw Derda, to musicians like Katie Knight and Libor Spacek, even to the President herself, Ms. Anna Voss - there has been a radical acceptance and embrace of an approach that was in the vast minority, and accepted but certainly not adopted into the mainstream the way it is now."

Major cities lead the charge in the demographic, with Cleopatrana topping the list at 100%, followed by Athens at 92%. However, rural areas have managed to keep apace too, with some observing that there's nothing better than getting your hands on whatever cute hoodie-wearing boy or girl can keep you warm, and just plowing in a cornfield.

[Eastfield Lodge]

A Tale of Qualifying - Eastfield Lodge's WC92 Qualifying campaign as expressed by Lodger Online headlines

MD1: Acastanha 0–1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding (<> Sky-Afzal 69’), Soriano, Ehsan - Black (<> Toure 83’), Lie (<> Witman 76’), Begum - Brewer (<> Ashby 69’), Bob, Armitage - Paree (<> Pryor-Sandoval 76’)
Goals (Assists): Paree (34’ - Lie)
Headline: Controlled win sees Eastfield Lodge off to strong start

MD3: Eastfield Lodge 2–0 Pasarga
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding (<> Farina 63’), Soriano, Ehsan - Black, Lie, Begum (<> Karson 75’) - Brewer, Bob (<> Dialogue 63’), Armitage - Paree (<> Pryor-Sandoval 75’)
Goals (Assists): Harding (49’ - Soriano), Armitage (79’)
Headline: Shock win for hosts in New Lodger City

MD4: Huayramarca 2–1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding, Soriano, Ehsan (<> Sky-Afzal 70’) - Black (<> Toure 70’), Lie, Begum - Brewer (<> Ashby 78’), Bob, Armitage (<> Strand 70’) - Paree (Pryor-Sandoval 45’)
Goals (Assists): Pryor-Sandoval (82’ - Bob)
Headline: Eastfield Lodge continue strong start despite loss

MD5: Eastfield Lodge 1–0 Euran Oceania Territories
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Sky-Afzal (<> Farina 68’), Soriano, Ehsan - Black, Witman, Begum (<> Karson 78’) - Brewer, Bob, Armitage - Pryor-Sandoval
Goals (Assists): Brewer (44’ - Pryor-Sandoval)
Headline: Controversial red card provides hosts’ third win of campaign

MD6: Montaña Verde 2–1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Sky-Afzal, Bernard, Ehsan (<> Farina 68’) - Black, Witman (<> Lie 53’), Begum - Brewer, Bob (<> Dialogue 53’), Armitage - Pryor-Sandoval
Goals (Assists): Armitage (8’)
Headline: Touching tributes for victims of natural disaster as Imperial Commonwealth lose

MD7: Eastfield Lodge 3–1 The Republic of Covelandia
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Sky-Afzal (<> Harding 75’), Soriano, Ehsan - Toure, Witman (<> Lie 83’), Begum (<> Karson 75’) - Brewer (<> Messa 83’), Ashby, Armitage - Paree
Goals (Assists): Paree (30’ - Ehsan; 47’ [p] - Ashby), Ashby (74’)
Headline: Ashby proves star of show in first start

MD8: Coconut Isle 3–4 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Cammers - Harding, Sky-Afzal (<> Soriano 62’), Ehsan - Toure, Witman, Karson (<> Begum 62’) - Brewer, Ashby (<> Bob 73’), Armitage - Paree (<> Pryor-Sandoval 73’)
Goals (Assists): Paree (11’ - Brewer), Toure (59’ - Witman), Pryor-Sandoval (76’, 85’)
Headline: Super sub ZPS snatches victory from Coconut Isle

MD9: Eastfield Lodge 1–1 Trolleborg
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding, Soriano, Ehsan (<> Farina 56’) - Black, Witman, Begum - Brewer, Bob, Armitage (<> Ashby 56’) - Pryor-Sandoval (<> Messa 79’)
Goals (Assists): Bob (72’)
Headline: Eastfield Lodge draw, remain firmly in qualifying contention

MD10: Ganes Ame 0–2 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding (<> Bernard 82’), Soriano, Ehsan - Black (<> Toure 45’), Witman, Begum - Brewer (<> Strand 45’), Bob (<> Dialogue 76’), Armitage - Pryor-Sandoval (<> Paree 76’)
Goals (Assists): Strand (52’ - Pryor-Sandoval), Ehsan (59’ - Soriano)
Headline: Fans beginning to believe after comfortable win

MD11: Eastfield Lodge 0–2 Soldera
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding, Soriano, Ehsan - Black, Witman, Begum - Brewer (<> Strand 58’), Bob (<> Dialogue 74’), Armitage (<> Messa 82’) - Pryor-Sandoval (<> Paree 58’)
Goals (Assists): N/A
Headline: Tired display from hosts gives Soldera victory

MD12: Eastfield Lodge 3–7 Acastanha
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding, Soriano, Farina (<> Ehsan 66’) - Black (<> Toure 66’), Lie, Karson (<> Begum 45’) - Strand, Bob, Ashby (<> Armitage 73’) - Paree
Goals (Assists): Paree (29’ - Ashby), Strand (39’), Lie (68’ - Toure)
Headline: Abject defending costs hosts in ten goal thriller

MD14: Pasarga 1–1 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding, Soriano (<> Farina 75’), Ehsan - Black, Lie (<> Witman 63’), Begum - Strand (<> Brewer 75’), Bob, Armitage - Paree (<> Messa 63’)
Goals (Assists): Messa (73’ - Witman)
Headline: Messa saves point for Eastfield Lodge with scrappy goal

MD15: Eastfield Lodge 3–4 Huayramarca
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Harding (<> Farina 62’), Soriano, Ehsan - Black (<> Toure 62’), Witman, Begum - Strand, Bob (<> Dialogue 79’), Armitage (<> Pryor-Sandoval 79’) - Messa
Goals (Assists): Ehsan (23’ - Soriano), Begum (26’), Messa (76’ - Strand)
Headline: Promising display shows Imperial Commonwealth not out yet

MD16: Euran Oceania Territories 5–0 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Gaber - Soriano, Sky-Afzal (<> Bernard 74’), Ehsan - Toure, Witman, Begum (<> Karson 74’) - Strand (<> Brewer 45’), Bob, Armitage (<> Ashby 82’) - Messa (<> Pryor-Sandoval 45’)
Goals (Assists): N/A
Headline: Eastfield Lodge’s qualification hopes hang in the balance after painful defeat

MD17: Eastfield Lodge 1–1 Montaña Verde
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Cammers - Bernard, Soriano, Farina (<> Ehsan 77’) - Toure (<> Black 77’), Lie, Karson (<> Begum 81’) - Brewer, Dialogue (<> Bob 70’), Armitage - Pryor-Sandoval
Goals (Assists): Pryor-Sandoval (45+2’ - Karson)
Headline: Spectacular ZPS overhead secures hosts vital point

MD18: The Republic of Covelandia 3–6 Eastfield Lodge
Line-up (3-3-3-1): Cammers - Bernard, Soriano (<> Harding 58’), Farina - Toure, Lie (<> Witman 75’), Karson (<> Begum 75’) - Brewer (<> Ashby 75’), Dialogue, Armitage - Pryor-Sandoval
Goals (Assists): Pryor-Sandoval (2’, 21’ - Brewer, 47’), Soriano (44’ - Armitage), Own Goal (61’ - Dialogue), Armitage (88’ - Ashby)
Headline: ZPS hat-trick underlines dominant Eastfield Lodge display

---

Likely line-up to play Coconut Isle/Trolleborg (3-3-3-1)
Cammers - Bernard, Soriano, Farina - Toure, Lie, Karson - Brewer, Dialogue, Armitage - Pryor-Sandoval
Suspended: Ehsan (1 game)
Injured: N/A

[Cabo Azure]

“Rex Ex Machina”, pt 9
“Do you ever wonder what could have been?”

It was late evening, and the setting sun painted the cidade antigua in rich reds and oranges as the last few stragglers headed home from their workdays. What had started for Princess Veronica as a perfunctory visit between sisters had extended first to half a bottle of wine, then the full bottle, and was continuing with mineral water as they sat on the balcony of Alex and Francois’ apartment. Alex never had the sensibility for Villa Silva, but her place was well-appointed, in a trendy up-and-coming district of the city where the throb of nightlife never quite died.

“What, if Mom kept her secret to the grave?” Alex asked. “Not really. I don’t see how it could happen. The truth would have come out, one way or another. It isn’t like she wanted to tell us when she did.”

“She didn’t tell us,” Ronnie reminded her, “She told Manuel. He told me, and you figured it out on your own. Fucking ridiculous.” The wine had loosened her tongue, and tonight she sounded more like a sailor than a princess.

“True that. I imagine Manuel would have married Anisa–no reason not to, if he wasn’t the king. I obviously wouldn’t have met Franck, but you’d probably still be with Marisa.”

“We’d be a normal family,” Ronnie reflected. “A loser older brother, a doctor middle sibling, and a younger sister in the Coast Guard. Mom and Dad divorced. No cameras, no crowns, no circus.”

“I don’t know if ‘normal’ is the word I’d use,” said Alex, taking a sip of wine, “Is it normal for a family to keep secrets like that from each other? Is it normal for two people who disagree as fundamentally as Mom and Dad to have kids?”

“So no matter what, you’d rather know?”

“Absolutely,” Alex asserted. “Anything that can be destroyed by the truth deserves to be.”

Ronnie was silent a long time, the start of a question in her eyes, but not reaching her lips yet. Finally she took a big sip of wine and asked:

“What if there are others?”

Alex studied her sister. It was a question she’d considered before; what if there were someone else, better suited to rule than her and her siblings? Most of the monarchs in Rushmore were born into their jobs, with decades of intensive training before they even thought about taking the throne. Manuel, for his part, had been a booze-soaked twentysomething when Abby had finally broken the news to him that he would be king. The question, once hypothetical, had been thrown into sharp relief by recent events in Cassadaigua, where Queen Cassie had made a kingdom from whole cloth for her niece to rule. “What do you mean?”

“Cadet branches, or whatever. We know that Reinaldo I’s only legitimate children were Mom and Reinaldo II, but what if he fathered a bastard in exile? What about cousins?”


“Distant cousins,” Alex mused.

"Reinaldo II had two sisters. One of them married a Graintfjaller prince. Those children would have a legitimate claim to the throne.”

Alex looked at her sister sidelong. "You've researched this."

"Only what's on the Internet."

"So what if we have a Graintfjaller cousin? They'd be minimum two generations removed from having anything to do with Cabo Azure. If they were going to make a claim, don't you think they would have by now?" Alex set her wineglass down and leaned forward as she spoke, her voice gaining volume and clarity.

Ronnie stared dumbly at the horizon, her go-to move when she spoke without thinking. Emboldened by the wine, Alex went for the throat.

“Ronnie, I love you, but this is such typical behavior,” she lectured. “Whenever you might have to do something you don’t want to, you look for a loophole, somewhere you can hide until someone else makes it go away. You’ve been doing it your entire life, and now-”

As the youngest of the Fonseca children, Ronnie had mastered the art of disappearing when the going got toughest. She’d hide in her room when Mom and Dad fought, or find an excuse to stay late at school. She always went along with her siblings’ choices about visitation and where they would spend holidays. And when they found out they were royalty, Ronnie doubled down on her decision to join the Coast Guard.

“How am I hiding, Alex?” Ronnie asked, her voice thick with emotion. “I sleep in a rack at night. I work on a ship with three hundred other people. I’m more exposed than anyone. Every mistake I make is evidence I don’t belong, that I’m taking a slot away from someone who needs it more.”

“Because you are!” Alex retorted. “Your job isn’t to be on a fucking boat, Ronnie! It’s to be a princess of Cabo Azure. You didn’t ask for it, but neither did Manuel nor I. As soon as we found out, you found the one thing you could do that would keep you away from the palace, and you worked so hard to get into Maritime and get a commission. Imagine if you put that much effort into your duties as a princess! But instead you fantasize that some handsome Graintfjaller prince is going to ride up and lead the country, because you’d rather not do it.”

“Fuck. You.” There was rage in Ronnie’s eyes, the kind Alex hadn’t seen since Abby had sat them down all those years ago. “You hid in Quebec when it got bad. You met a boy, got good grades, and became a doctor, all while I was stuck here in a goddamn fishbowl. You have no idea what I went through. I was a teenager, Alex! When Mom sat us down, I thought she found out I was gay. I should have been allowed to come out. I should have been allowed to date girls in college. You can’t imagine how hard it is to conceal your real self from the whole fucking country when you’re only just figuring it out for yourself.”

“We all knew you were gay,” Alex said quietly. “You chose to hide it from us. And for the record, Mom sent me to Quebec, and I made the most of the situation. Being a doctor makes me a better leader for this country. What does being a fucking engineer do for you?”

“I was sixteen!” Ronnie screamed, her voice breaking. “I couldn’t do anything right! For all I knew, being gay would be the last straw. Or worse, you would all think I did it for attention. I came out to Manuel two years before anyone else. Did you know that? Probably not, because he actually fucking cares about me and kept my secret!”

A tear welled in Alex’s left eye, wending its way down her face, past her sharp cheekbone and pursed lips to drip off her chin. It wasn’t surprising that Manuel had known Ronnie’s secret before she had; Manuel had always been closer to Ronnie, and he was out of the house, a safe repository for such knowledge. Yet it still stung to know that her own sister hadn’t trusted her, at a time when they ought to have been thrust together by the events of their parents’ divorce. And for Ronnie had kept that piece of information hidden, saving it for a moment like now, when it could do the most damage.

To her surprise, Ronnie stood from her chair and took a seat on the loveseat next to her. Tears were freely flowing now, and Alex dipped her head so her heavy black curls would shield her face. Ronnie’s hands were tough and calloused from barbells and shipboard work, but her touch was tender as she lay her hand on top of Alex’s. Her older sister turned her head to rest her forehead on Ronnie’s shoulder.

“You’re right,” Alex sobbed. “I don’t want to be queen, and I don’t want you to be queen.”

In another context, the words might have been an insult, but Ronnie understood.

[Brenecia]

Brenecia 2 - 0 95X
(4-4-2) 12 - Corder; 2 - Sidle, 22 - Fitz, 6 - Staplewood, 3 - Culpepper (25 - Reed 84'); 15 - Wake (7 - Carpenter 78'), 4 - Briggs, 11 - Covolan, 16 - Marusak; 21 - Lofthouse (24 - Korsak 78'), 9 - Baker
Goals: Covolan 29', Marusak 66'

United Adaikes 0 - 2 Brenecia
(4-4-2) 12 - Corder; 17 - Hadley (2 - Sidle 72'), 18 - Killen, 5 - Shrine, 25 - Reed; 15 - Wake, 19 - Seager (4 - Briggs 81'), 23 - Sitko, 10 - Byrne (16 - Marusak 81'); 14 - Tristram, 13 - Stokes (24 - Korsak 72')
Goals: Wake 33', Tristram 58'

Of course it was raining.
State dignitaries. Every ambassador - save the Nephar Medina Klose, who sat aloof in her office, having offered nothing more than a terse personal condolence to the Princ-- the Queen - every prime minister Brenecia could get ahold of, a handful of foreign friends. All in their black suits, soaking in the rain under grey skies.
It was, in truth, not the best royal funeral the world had to offer. A state funeral with a few more flags, whistles and ragged 21-gun salutes from the ill-trained ceremonial guard. Queen-in-waiting Etain eyed them dubiously as they shouldered their aging rifles. Aging men, too, generally retired from the slimmed-down Federal Army. They would be among the first to go.
It had been a shame that her last words to her mother were an argument (were losing an argument, even!). The doctors had given her such a curious look when she asked if it was 'a stroke, or, stress, or something'; they couldn't say for sure. A heart attack was the eventual cause discovered by forensics. Fatal on its own? Maybe. But in conjunction with the head wound, slammed against the railing... 'exsanguination'. Such a charming word. The details rattled around her restless mind.
It would have been easier to be Muirne. Not much easier. This had been a rude intrusion into what was otherwise the best month of her life - and she still had her wedding to come (thank Christ Banija would foot the bill for it). Still, Muirne didn't have to plot. She could just be sad; her open weeping had been the soundtrack to the whole funeral.
Still. It wasn't bad. It wasn't the bombast she would have wanted, but the budget stretched far enough for dignity. And then...
And then it was over. And Etain's work began.
There was a coronation to get over with first. They skimped on the cash there, but that was fine enough, and they were making most of it up on the spot anyway, using old moth-eaten robes and fragments of half-remembered Brenecian Celtic as ancient traditions. The reactionaries loved it anyway. It may have been a crap fake monarchy, but it was undoubtedly Brenecia's.
Etain was widely seen to have conducted herself with quiet dignity throughout. Those detached from the monarchy - realistically, most people - read up on her quickly and were impressed by her credentials, her public appearances, her clipped manner of speech and even her curious quasi-Euran, trans-Terranean accent. She would need that respect in the weeks to come.

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Queen Etain I quietly but quickly moves to restructure inherited monarchy
Corwen Rourke

Just a fortnight after her coronation, the office of newly-crowned Queen Etain I has released a revealing statement concerning the monarchy's role in the nation going forward. Its strong language was openly critical of the 'vestigial' role the monarchy played in the past, and aims to build a 'proud, stable and unapologetically Brenecian approach to constitutional monarchy'.

Suspicions that Etain would seek a more presidential role are seemingly confirmed, framed within the statement as a 'concern that the office of Prime Minister was being stretched thin'. And prominent in the restructuring was the 'need' for the Queen to pursue a more forthright ambassadorial role, 'representing Brenecia as it is now, not merely representing the crown itself'.

The Queen has nominally been Head of State since federation, but rarely been allowed to do more than ceremonial functions. This is understood to have by and large been in accordance with the late Mairin's wishes, though she was occasionally known to have sought more real power. Those who knew her late in her life understood her deep frustrations with the governance of the nation of late.

Etain has, however, been regarded as a far more technocratic, modern figure, and has a deep and genuine interest in politics and history. She is believed to be close with Prime Minister Smetona and have ingratiated herself with a number of ambassadors since returning from her degree in Eura, steadily building her connections.

Of course, she cannot have expected that she would, so soon, be thrust to the throne. But it appears that her period of mourning is at an end, though she still wears black publically. The Prime Minister's office has quietly welcomed the statement, and Smetona personally has stated that she has 'great confidence in the Queen's ability as a spokeswoman for Brenecia', though if this goodwill should remain were Etain to pursue a more direct path to power is unclear.

Of course, events in other monarchies must be extremely present in Etain's mind. The monarchs of Pasarga are on the run from mercenaries, while those of Cassadaigua - whose Princess Brianna Etain publically spoke in favour of, a year ago, a source of public friction between Princess and Queen - are under scrutiny due to expansion efforts toward the Cooper River. And of course, the Nepharan government - who did not offer so much as a Twii of condolence at Mairin's death, triggering much outrage - will not welcome Etain's increased role in the public.

But it is not all bad news, for Etain's younger sister, Princess Muirne, is soon to be wedded into the Banijan royal family. Etain will be happy for her sister, of course, but it would be deeply uncharacteristic if she did not have an eye to what it could mean to have a powerful nation - a peer competitor to Nephara, in fact - on-side, with a vested interest in Brenecian stability.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 10
Goalkeepers: 1 - Cessair Meade (Rammsissil, VIL), 12 - Phoebe Corder (Ituraitz FC, ASG), 20 - Casper Harder (Sparta Zijweg, AUD)
Defenders: 2 - Esther Sidle (SC Montfort, TLI), 3 - Nimue Culpepper (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH), 5 - Athelney Shrine (Falourr, EUR), 6 - Cerys Staplewood (Suttonville, EUR), 17 - Caoimhin Hadley (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH), 18 - Iucharba Killen (North Laithland, NPH), 22 - Patrick Fitz (Royal Rumiatzi, ASG), 25 - Shana Reed (Creed United, NPH)
Midfielders: 4 - Skaidrina Briggs (Southern Star), 7 - Kendra Carpenter (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 8 - Iseult Conway (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 10 - Katua Byrne (KT Itzalovalle, AUD), 11 - Lienke Covolan (Vermillion Rage, NPH), 15 - Maerhen Wake (1830 Cathair, AUD), 16 - Sylvia Marusak (Juavi FC, VAL), 19 - Tamara Seager (FK Arsika, MYT), 23 - Rajmund Sitko (West Cuono United, TMB), 26 - Vaida Meskela (Makosile, VIL)
Forwards: 9 - Siobhan Baker (Anomalies, CMT), 13 - Mor-Rioghain Stokes (Mountainside, EUR), 14 - Danand Tristram (Sabrefell Athletic, NPH), 21 - Jadwiga Lofthouse (Yassaca, SRS), 24 - Cyprian Korsak (Kingsgrove)

Sharktail 1 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Captina Island
Savojarna 2 - 1 Brenecia
BYE
Brenecia 0 - 0 Karodin Tetrarchy
95X 0 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 United Adaikes
Garbelia 0 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 3 - 0 Huelavia
Adab 0 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 1 - 0 Polkopia
Brenecia 0 - 0 Sharktail
Captina Island 0 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 0 - 1 Savojarna
BYE
Karodin Tetrarchy 3 - 5 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 95X
United Adaikes 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Garbelia
Huelavia vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Adab
Polkopia vs. Brenecia

[Tikariot]

Once more the familiar piano notes open up to the sliding images of different areas of Tikariot, of restaurants, dishes, and more, before the logo superimposes itself over a collage of the various images.

This time around the collage morphs into an image of a beer garden with bright sunshine, big, towering chestnut trees giving shade, and rows upon rows of tables and benches stretching over a whole square. As the camera zooms in a bit more, Susanna Wheymore, host of Culinaria Tikariot, has taken up a spot under a particularly impressive tree, a gentle breeze moving the leaves above.

Susanna Wheymore: Good afternoon Tikariot, welcome back to Culinaria Tikariot and despite me having announced that we'd be meeting at the Emerald Coast this week, there has been a slight change of plans as Carathyr, where we had originally planned to feature this week's episode, has been stuck in rain mode, so we just had to improvise and are now coming to you from beautiful Avanaroch, capital of Paladon. As you can see, the weather is fantastic and we are in one of the many beer gardens the city is known for. Now as opposed to patios that a lot of restaurants offer, beer gardens are a completely different thing in Paladon as many of them are communal spaces that are open to everyone, even to minors. I should probably mention that this does not give them the legal authority to actually drink alcohol, just in case that someone might think that and leave an outraged comment.

The beer garden culture has a long, long history here and is, as the name implies, closely related to breweries, which in the past had opened these establishments to sell their, well, beer, but they have evolved into something quite different, quite larger. While in any beer garden attached to a brewery only the respective brewery's beer may be sold, some also offer food from different vendors, or patrons are allowed to bring their own, which makes for a quite unique and informal atmosphere that also carries into the tables here being shared. So if you are seated, or looking for a seat, if there's a space there is the question "is this seat taken" and one might be spending some time shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers and nobody has a problem with it.

But even though we will be focusing on the beer garden and its fare, let's have a look first at the province we are visiting this week.

The picture cuts away from Susanna and into a feature video about Paladon.

Susanna Wheymore: Paladon is one of the central provinces of eastern Tikariot. It has always been one of the main marketplaces of the nation, with its capital Avanaroch as one of the biggest ports of the country. Nowadays Paladon still plays a big role in international trade, especially with ores and lumber being hauled south from the Viljamark and Xark to either be processed or transited to the sea vessels in bulk. It is also known for its technology, which is centered in the triangle of Parakleion, Miruan, and Vantanoch in the east of the province.

Paladon is known for its temperate climate, which even towards the coast is less susceptible to the moods of Mother Nature compared to most lands bordering the Xandrian Sea. Tourism plays a big role as well, with the low, rolling hills and plains dotted with picturesque castles and cities.

The picture cuts back to the beer garden in Avanaroch.

Susanna Wheymore: So as I had said before, we will be exploring the beer garden culture of Paladon and it is a quite unique thing, as a lot of conventions that one is used to from most other places are not seen as a big deal, so if your privacy is extremely important to you, this is likely not the best place for you to be. The beer garden we are in today originally was founded by one of the city's oldest breweries, Paladonia, which still exists to this day and is the sole provider of any of the liquid fare you can find within the garden. Now there are two ways of getting your beer, which is to either flag down one of the ladies that usually scurry around, taking the orders and delivering them, or you can go to one of the central stalls and get your glasses, flagons, and steins, depending on the size you are going for. And I am just waiting on--good Lord, are you trying to get me drunk?

In this moment a man comes into view with a large glass tankard full of beer, placing it down in front of Susanna.

Anthony Coleman: No, this is the classic, traditional liter of beer.

Susanna Wheymore: This is Anthony Coleman, local to Avanaroch who has offered us to be our guide to the beer garden and I still don't quite trust that you're not just pulling my leg with this.

AC (laughs): Look around, you're by far not the only one with one of these.

Susanna Wheymore: Well, I see a lot of ladies with half the size of this.

Anthony Coleman: I guess I could have gotten one of those, but I want you to have a fully authentic experience, so here you go!

Susanna Wheymore: Touche, I did say that. OK, so tell me, Anthony, what is the big thing about beer gardens?

Anthony Coleman: Well, as you had said before, this tradition started with the breweries and then stuck around and somehow became part of Paladonian culture. It's a place you go to during spring, summer, and fall and you can get together with friends, meet new ones or just do your own thing in a great and comfortable outdoor setting.

Susanna Wheymore: There also is a whole bunch of dishes that are connected to this, right?

Anthony Coleman: Oh, absolutely! And I hope that you came hungry because I ordered one of each!

SW (muttering under her breath): They're going to have to carry me out of this place, I can see it coming.

As if on cue, an assistant comes by and puts two plates in front of them, with two white sausages, a soft pretzel, and some sort of mustard.

Anthony Coleman: Now this is as classic as it gets. Two veal sausages with pretzel and sweet, grainy mustard. Now there are several different ways to eat these, I'll spare you the very, very traditional way, but you cut the sausage along the long side and then gently roll out the inside. Add a generous amount of mustard and eat.

Susanna Wheymore: The sausage doesn't have a particularly strong flavour, but it's herby and that mustard really is sweet, but with the grains, it's a really interesting and unique thing. And this pretzel is so fresh! This is a really good start!

Anthony Coleman: Very happy you like it! In the past, when there were no real means to keep fresh food cold and stored safely, they said that the sausage was not allowed to hear the noon bell, nowadays things have eased up a bit, but people might still frown at you if you ask for them after noon.

Susanna Wheymore: Curious.

Anthony Coleman: Well, it was all in the name of food safety, even back then! Are you ready for the next dish?

Susanna Wheymore: Yes, but just one question--how many dishes are we getting?

Anthony Coleman: Well, I could get you up to five of the really traditional ones, but that might push it, so I have two more.

Susanna Wheymore: OK, let's bring it on!

Again as if on cue, the same assistant brings a plate with a grilled fish impaled on a thick, wooden skewer.

Susanna Wheymore: This looks rather, uh, rustic.

Anthony Coleman: It is, it is. This is a mackerel grilled over charcoal, another classic. The fish is gutted, then marinated in a mix of spices, garlic, and oil before skewering it. Then it's placed at an angle over charcoal embers and brushed with the marinade a few times while grilling, giving it a nice and crispy skin.

Susanna Wheymore: It definitely has a crunch! Oh my, this is good, really tender, the herbs and the garlic really are in there, but they're not overpowering. When I first saw this, I was expecting something way heavier, but it actually tastes nice and light.

Anthony Coleman: That's the plan. I could have brought you half a rotisserie chicken, which is also a classic with the special rub they use, which tastes quite different from your usual grilled chicken, but I figured to give you something lighter before, well, this.

He points towards the next plate coming their way and this one contains a monstrous-looking ham hock with a side of potato dumplings and red cabbage.

Susanna Wheymore: Whoa! This thing is huge!

Anthony Coleman: Nah, standard size. This is a pork knuckle. Originally it was a cheap cut of meat, more on the tough side, but these are marinated for several days and then slow-roasted until the skin is nice and crisp. As you can see, I only ordered one of those, so we can share, as I kind of guessed that you wouldn't quite feel up to having a whole one after the sausages and the fish.

Susanna Wheymore: Thank you, how thoughtful, haha.

Anthony Coleman: So go ahead and try it!

Susanna Wheymore: Ooh, this is really tender and not that fat!

Anthony Coleman: That's because it's roasted for a long time at a low temperature. It gives the fat a chance to loosen up and drip off.

Susanna Wheymore: Whoever had that idea, thank you! This is extremely flavourful and like I said tender, you barely need your knife, it just comes right apart.

Anthony Coleman: Try the skin.

Susanna Wheymore: Super crispy, you really taste the marinade in this, it's a great complement actually to the tenderness of the meat.

Anthony Coleman: Now make sure to get some of the juices with the dumplings, that's an experience of its own!

Susanna Wheymore: Mmh, I can't even describe the taste. All of this is so, so down-home, I don't want to say simple because people might misunderstand that.

Anthony Coleman: I know what you mean. The dishes are not complex, but they are hearty and filling and just feel right in a setting like this, especially if you can wash it all down with some good, local beer.

Susanna Wheymore: Anthony, you might have a problem.

Anthony Coleman: I do?

Susanna Wheymore: Yes, if you're still hungry, you might have to get one of these of your own, because I might actually finish this!

Anthony Coleman: Wow, you did bring some healthy appetite! You'd fit right into Paladon then!

Susanna Wheymore: A few people across the nation so far told me that.

Anthony Coleman: That you would fit well into Paladon?

Susanna Wheymore: No, silly, that I'd fit right into their province.

Anthony Coleman: Well, you are a true Tikariotian then. But then again, we do have some of the best food around, so I can wholeheartedly believe it.

Susanna Wheymore: So, while I finish this off, I bid you, our viewers, a good week, and I hope that we will be able to catch up on the Emerald Coast next week, I can only urge you, though, that if or when you come to Avanaroch to come here and try one of more of these dishes, they are totally worth it! Have a safe week!

[Independent Athletes from Quebec]

Northern Calania Morning Post

Prime Minister Arsene Kim to Resign by May 1, PJLQ Leadership Contest to Begin Immediately

Seo Ji-Seung

SONGAK, SONGAK - Quebecois Prime Minister Arsene Pineau Kim announced yesterday evening that he will resign after fourteen years in Office, handing over power to a yet-to-be-elected successor on May 1.

Kim said his words of farewell in front of an emotional, packed meeting in front of his supporters, his constituency of Wangsan-Saint Alban’s in Songak, where he had held parliamentary office since 2036.

‘On May 1st, I will tender my resignation from the Prime Ministership of our nation,’ Kim announced to his fellow Justice and Liberal Party (PJLQ) in front of his constituency, an upper-middle-class neighbourhood just north of Farrer University. He had lived in the area for thirty-five years, first beginning as a postgraduate student at the university before moving onto an illustrated career in politics, most notably as the youngest Mayor of Greater Songak, which would be followed by the past twenty years in federal politics. ‘The last fourteen years as the Prime Minister of this country, and the last twenty years as your representative of Wangsan-Saint Alban’s, have been remarkable, and I believe that progress has been made in areas that our country has long needed.’

‘That said, I believe that knowing when to walk off on a high is a virtue, and it is something that I have absolute faith in you, dear people, to decide.’ Kim said.

Kim was no short of laudatory remarks when it comes to progress made over the so-called Kim Era, a term that future historians, journalists and political scientists will mark his prime ministership. In particular, he had pointed out the first year of his 14 years in the office: ‘While all the years in this position have been challenging in every direction imaginable, there was no doubt that 2044 was the most challenging year.’

Being elected, with about three months to go before the Coronation of Christine II, had meant that 2044 ‘was going to be a year of changes, where we would be transitioning from the Jacquian Era, the now-bygone era with its own charms and shortcomings, to synchronous Christinian Era. Thus entering this position of power, one that required greater responsibility and accountability, was no doubt a challenge of its own.

‘Twelve years later, all of us are standing here at the very same spot where we celebrated the victory before marching forward to the streets of Songak.’ He said at St. Alban’s Club, where he first announced his candidacy for the PJLQ leadership as a second-term Member of Parliament in 2041. ‘We cannot deny that challenges continue to persist and that the Shingoryeoite nation still has ways to go, but that’s part of the progress. And there is no way to emphasise that better than here in St. Alban’s Club.‘

Kim was also quick to defend his record in office, pointing out the ‘necessities of his measures’ at various courses over the past dozen years. In particular, he was adamant about his foreign affairs policies, where there have been dramatic turns from the usual stances with the the Foxchester Accords and subsequent AOxit, as well as his diplomatic u-turn in years thereafter and the decision to build Camp Canarinho in Cabo Azure.

Announcement marks end of a populist era, signals possible earthquake in Quebecois Diplomacy

Despite his three-term Premiership that is marked by a strong legacy of social reforms and strong cultural and sporting profile of the nation, Kim’s time in office will be best remembered for his charismatic, populist approach that has seen Quebec and Shingoryeo take active and yet inconsistent presence on international affairs. Many believe that his ability to foster and retain dynamic relationships with all the interested parties in Quebec have benefitted the Quebecois nation on many of the Kim Ministry’s successes, most notably including stronger ties with its neighbouring nations of Huayramarca, Chromatika, Ko-oren and Gyatso-Kai, as well as strengthening its ties to Rushmori powerhouses of Cassadaigua, Graintfjall and Sargossa.

Kim Ministry’s openness towards flexibility in its cultural and economically-led dialogues, as have seen by the successful hostings of the 2050 Prescott-Twin Cities Summer Olympics and many international competitions of prestige, also suggests that the Kim Ministry, while still falling short of the international leaders in Neutrality and Pacifism in Electrum and New Gelderland, is making visible progress in adding a ‘human face’ to the Quebecois model of realpolitik. Successful counterpoints can be made, however, in the shortcomings of Kim Ministry’s dynamism, however, for while it has successfully prioritised the interests of the Quebecois people, have further complicated the future path of the dual-region nation, whose official location is based in Anaia but who surrounds both Anaia and Atlantian Oceania by geographic access.

Consequently, the Quebecois inaction on more recent international conflicts, most notably in Rushmore where civil wars in Nyowani Kitara and Pasarga have brought significant urge by the public to act, but also including the ongoing atrocities committed by the Emu-driven regime in StrayaRoos Barrier Islands (SBI), has left a particularly troubling sign on public approval of his time as Prime Minister. While no public word has been spilt about said discontentment or the Kim Ministry's contradictory approach in its military and intelligence cooperation with Tumbra over the Northlands situation, it has been known for several months that PJLQ insiders have been recommending Kim, who has insisted the Quebecois limit direct military engagement in favour of growing alliances with Sargossa and Graintfjall while also undergoing Tumbran efforts to stabilise a now-contentious territory, to step down while on a high point of his career.

His announcement immediately triggered a six-week process for the Leadership election, where a successor, most likely foreign secretary and his confidante Jacques Lee Ellington.

58-year old Lee Ellington, a PJLQ hardliner who has represented Agawa Central since 2029, has long been favoured to succeed Kim as Prime Minister. While he had never stated his interest in the position, the general sentiment of ‘Elingtonians’, who consider themselves more among social conservatives of the centre-left party, have started to emerge.

There have been some murmurs of Kim, whose twelve-year tenure marks him as the longest Prime Minister since the late Sir. Marian Lecavalier of the 1990s and early-2000s, seeking retirement. None had come up as serious in nature, however, until the past couple of weeks.

As swift as his arrival of power had come up, Kim chose to act quickly and without much anticipation or time to be surprised about. Last Friday, Kim told the Cabinet in Joongyeong of his plans to step down at the earliest time possible. At the meeting Lee Ellington is said to thank Kim for ‘his era of achievements, which in the decades to come we will remember as transformation.’

What’s Next? Leadership campaign comes up

The preparations for the PJLQ leadership election, considering the sudden nature of his decision to depart office, are expected to happen immediately, with no margin for error or hesitation by the running parties.

Under the ‘National Electoral Parties Act’ of 1924, each Quebecois party’s electoral process had to begin in the 48-hour period after the party leader’s resignation announcement, with a clear, non-adjustable timetable for the electoral campaign.

Prospective candidates require at least one-tenth of signatures from the Members of the Parliament, or one-third of the previously-registered active members of the Party, to be registered as a candidate for the leadership election. This is then followed by six to ten weeks of campaigning across Quebec and Shingoryeo, which would culminate in the National Convention where the winners will be announced.

Currently, Foreign Secretary Jacques Lee Ellington, widely considered the right hand and rival to the Prime Minister, is the clear favourite. He is then followed by the Culture Secretary Mylene Graham (36), Chancellor of the Exchequer Linor Filan (47) and Infrastructure and National Development Secretary Kim Gwang-Rim (58). While Kim has yet to make his decision on who he is going to back for the upcoming leadership election, it is very likely that Kim stay on course to his longstanding alliance with Lee Ellington and is expected to endorse him on the coming days.

All official members of the PJLQ or its affiliated organisations, who have registered up to the day of the campaign announcement, will be eligible for a vote. Voting for the Leadership Election, filed with an order of preference, generally occurs in voting booths on the final week of the election campaign, though recent years have seen a rise in mail-in votes from across all Quebecois parties that have allowed for clearer patterns to emerge from leadership contests over time.

The winner must secure at least two-thirds of the votes within the first two rounds, or secure the most number of votes on the third and final round of the leadership election. In the previous PJLQ election, for example, Arsene Kim had secured his victory in the second round of the leadership election after coming short on the first round with 54% of the votes. He would subsequently go on to win the first of his three elections, each time on strong minority or coalition governments with left-wing Nouveau Parti Democratique (NPD) or Indigenous Alliance of Quebec (IAQ).

Read this article in:

Korean | Français | NCMP Calania

[Chromatika]

ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
ALICE
EIGHT

MD18: (46) Sendhang 5-4 (31) Chromatika
Goals: Delaya 18', 25', 69', Xuen-Zhukov 29'
Starting XI (3-4-1-2): Fillar, J. (C); Coulibaly - de Aea - Aimée; Kruetzberg - Larriet-Cortes - Fillar, B. - Fillar, E.; Kuznetsov; Delaya - Xuen-Zhukov.
Substitutes: Womack -> Fillar, E. (51'), Oveni -> Xuen-Zhukov (51'), Si -> Larriet-Cortes (77'), Mixon -> Aimée (77'), Laurette -> Fillar, B. (81')

MD189 vs. (101) Cardenao @ Chromatik City Field, Chormia, Capital District, Chromatika (Cap. 100,000, 32,200 Seats) and MD20 @ (108) Xanneria
Predicted Starting XI (3-4-1-2): Fillar, J. (C); Ansov - de Aea - Anbient; Fillar, G.- Zuniga - Hauser - Fillar, E.; Kuznetsov; Killian - Xuen-Zhukov.
Reserves: GK Kathie Begley, GK Lorée Bautista, DCR Ami Coulibaly, DC Klavida Régine, DC Cylie Nodis, DCL Ipati Aimée, DCL Twilight Mixon, WBR Emilie Kruetzberg, WBR Martha Baum, WBL Ha'nei Ighv, BWM Kaia Larriet-Cortes, AP Baillaire Fillar, AM Alissar Phoen, SS Kara Oveni, CF Candice Delaya

---

The Red League All-Decade Team
09: Forwards - Second Team

By: Jordan Lawless, Chief Correspondent

The Red League All-Decade Second Team Forward: Nigel Erskine, Omnio/Anomalies

The definition of the one striker that can really do it all for the club, Nigel Erskine single-handedly kept Omnio in the top flight in the seventh season of the Red League before moving on to Anomalies. Unfortunately, his shift to Anomalies came at a time where Lainey Wadsworth was already established with the club, and as the club shifted to be more defensive in nature, his numbers went down. Ever the team player, he took his new role as a team leader to heart. Also moonlighting for the Tumbran national team as a leader and a capable player, Erskine has shown time and time again to be an asset to have on the squad - a reminder that it takes all kinds to have a successful squad in football.

The Red League All-Decade Second Team Forward: Joel Haodao, Tihon

Perhaps the most steadfast player to never get recognized for his brilliance, Joel Haodao was the Poafmersian striker who tried to lift Tihon to the heights of the Chromatik League days in the early days of the Red League. Unfortunately, he never had the squad to help him reach those heights, but he was still one of the best strikers in the Red League for the initial seasons while also being a mainstay on the Poafmersian squad. Unceremoniously let go in the team's turnover to its current version, Haodao was perhaps never fully appreciated for who he was - a great striker who tried to lift his team to a level that they simply could not reach.

The Red League All-Decade Second Team Forward: Kendra Carpenter, Wirr Tsi

The arrival of Kendra Carpenter, after the acquisition of Wirr Tsi by Quebecois company Calania Motors, sent a message to the rest of the league: The Shock weren't content with just playing solid defense any longer - they would also start pressing forward and scoring goals. Always paired with a supportive striker and a winger that doesn't mind sharing the limelight, Sara Kristoffersdóttir was always keyed into Carpenter's location for the generation of offensive chances for the Shock, and the two built a partnership that solved the goalscoring issues for Wirr Tsi. Having a defense that could hold one-goal leads also helped, as the Brenecian cemented herself as one of the most creative wingers to ever play the sport in Chromatika and a talisman for the success that Wirr Tsi has achieved in the last few seasons.

Next: First-Team Forwards

---

The Third Chromatik Premier Election

Meet the Candidates #8 Hagiwara Chisuzu - The Blunt Academic

Let it be known that the days of a unified Chromatik government post-Rainbow Revolution is over. In the dissolving of the Traditionalist Party, they fired one parting shot that could have far-reaching circumstances: They removed a common enemy from the board, one that everyone could lay down their differences and focus upon. Since then, the New Light Party has concentrated most of its power toward its main candidate, Hélène Embroise, but it's not possible to see what the impact of the shattering has been, as there may be dissidents who are just not coming out into the limelight. So, let us talk about the blunt hammer on the New Light Party's side - Hagiwara Chisuzu.

The reputation of Hagiwara Chisuzu in Chromatika is a complicated one, as he is a complicated being. As a tenured professor of Ethnic Studies at Chromia Central College University, Chisuzu commands the respect of the Chromatik academic sphere as well as experts in his field. During the days of the Chromatik Party, he was forced to resign at then-Chromatik City College University because he refused to teach the doctrine of the ruling party; instead of putting him in jail, they confined him to house arrest and forbade him from spreading his "false teachings". He, with his wife Sui, a botanist, would spend the days leading up to the Rainbow Revolution writing down his thoughts meticulously in essays that would become the background of the Chromatik ideology going forward.

At the onset of the Rainbow Revolution, Chisuzu and his wife were able to escape the Chromatik Party in a daring escape attempt. Their son, Jin, was supposed to meet them in Rebel territory; however, an errant explosion caused by a malfunctioning power grid in the battle zone of Eyrods (it had been battered by bombings during the Revolution) resulted in a tragic accident that cost Chisuzu the light of his life. With his newfound freedom, Chisuzu penned many documents and essays that became the bedrock of the new ways of Chromatik thinking, including the ideologies of most of what both the Rainbow Party and the New Light Party believe in.

Since then, he's devoted himself to being a professor at Chromia Central College University, treating every student that takes his classes as his own children. Sui is now the chief botanist in the gardens on CCCU's campus, a garden that wins multiple awards per year. He is the most popular professor on campus, as well as one of the most respected amongst his peers; his reputation as a soft-spoken yet honest person who isn't shy about giving his opinions has made him a firm critic as well.

As the Rainbow Party formed and the Traditionalists fell, Chisuzu started to speak out against the Chromatik government becoming too political, while also stating that the New Light Party was correct in the things that it stood for. Ideally, Chisuzu has argued, the NLP would be able to stay true to the very fundamentals that Chromatika was founded on - equality, justice, and a government that would help elevate its citizens without subjugating them to brutal rule - while also making sure to not become the very iron fist that it wished to stand against. According to Chisuzu, the Rainbow Party has compromised too much in the name of progress, while some elements of the New Light Party only wish to sow chaos to see what will happen in a country that remains fertile for radical ideas to sprout.

He's also been one of the most vocal opponents of the Spade Party, warning that in the midst of the chaos and destruction that is caused between the New Light Party and the Rainbow Party fighting each other, the Spades would take advantage and start to utilize their influence. This has mostly fallen on deaf ears, but that may change once this current election cycle is over.

Once he learned the characters that will be running for the Primary on both sides of the aisle, Chisuzu declared his own candidacy; his role in both the political and academic spheres in the country gave him immediate legitimacy, as well as enough supporters to form a solid base to build upon. The majority of his base is of college age students and younger who believe in the idealistic nature of his speeches; his opposition are those who have lived enough to see that ideals will not be enough to make a society run.

It could've predicted from the very beginning that Chisuzu would be in the midst of it all this election - and he hasn't disappointed. To what end his involvement will bring remains to be seen.

There is one thing everyone can count on - he will have the last word.

Next: Independents

---

World Cup 92 Qualifying, Part 9: The Stretch

(31) Chromatika - 34
v. (101) Cardenao
@ (108) Xanneria
v. (290) Atetancillo
@ (77) Brookstation

The Chromatiks arguably have one of the easiest schedules left on paper, though Cardenao did hold them to a draw in the away leg. The matchup against Brookstation in the final day looms large, with them doing so well overall - but the Anomalies should be able to handle them, if the first leg is to suggest anything. The biggest drawback for Chromatika is themselves - they've had the worst luck in closing out cycles, and they'll hope this will be the time that the luck ends.

(46) Sendhang - 34
BYE
@ (101) Cardenao
v. (108) Xanneria
@ (290) Atetancillo

Sendhang is the serious threat to break through, as the third seed in the group. They've done well to take down Chromatika in the return leg. It's the bye that will really set them back, as they face most of the same opposition as the Chromatiks. Don't count them out - this schedule is very doable, and they'll be chasing down at least a Playoff berth. If they can beat Chromatika, they can beat anybody.

(13) Ko-oren - 34
v. (53) Juvencus
BYE
@ (198) Lisander
v. (236) Yakk

Juvencus is the hardest opponent left in the Dragonflies' schedule, and it's also the bye for them that looms large. The Dragonflies still have one of the best defenses in all of Qualification, and they have a champions' pedigree. Don't count them out.

(77) Brookstation - 33
@ (198) Lisander
v. (236) Yakk
@ (125) Gnejs
v. (31) Chromatika

The only other team to have four matches remaining, Brookstation has to deal with none of the top four until they face Chromatika. That match could be everything.

Ko-oren is the only team to face a top three seed in the last four games, while none of the teams will face another top four team until Chromatika takes on Brookstation. That means one thing - it'll be about whoever slips up, while Chromatika and Brookstation have to win the games they have on hand in order to remain on top. One of these teams will get the auto-qualification berth, while one of them won't make the playoffs at all.

Who will survive, and who will choke under pressure?

[Graintfjall]

New Eestiball – 0 (0)

Græntfjall – 3 (2)
Mikkel; Tom (62’ Sigurbergur ), Grímúlfur (59’), Asbjørn (70’ Sveinbjörg ), Jasmijn; Vanessa, Tinni (75’ Valtter ), Kaeja (62’ Danny (75’)), Sara (c); Jason, Mímir (6’, 42’, 65’) (75’ Joel )

---

Græntfjall – 5 (3)
Emmely; Alyssia (67’ Michelle ), Grímúlfur (90+1’ Sveinbjörg ), Asbjørn (16’), Jasmijn; Danny (54’ Ari ), Tinni (67’ Johanna ), Kaeja, Sara (c) (68’); Mímir, Röskvi (18’, 45+1’, 58’) (67’ Emilia )

Ingont – 1 (0)
(49’)

KG rested Björnólfur Ernestisson for the international window and ended up compounding the criticisms of their lax approach to concussion protocols by seeming to prove that he had been hastily cleared for the higher profile game against Audioslavia. Mikkel Rúnarsson and Emmely Aaronsdóttir kept ably in his absence in any event; the controversy was probably heightened by the Snow Wolves facing two relatively soft games, and in the case of the second, that the Græntfjaller tabloid press had already exhausted all their “knobhead” jokes.

On the field, at least, the team acquitted themselves as well as they could, with two thumping wins. Thor’s faith in Jason Þórhallursson has certainly revived the ageing striker’s career, but has also raised questions about how much playing time his replacements are getting. Given starts here, both Mímir Waltheofsson and Röskvi Tyrfingsson cashed in, with a hat-trick apiece, while Asbjørn Vilbjörnsson continues to impress. For all that, six points from six isn’t enough at this stage and the Snow Wolves now face the unpleasant prospect of having to hope runaway leaders the Snowy Owls trip up, or otherwise heading to a potentially stacked playoff round.

---

There was a week to go before the elections. The first snowflakes of winter had begun falling, but the street sweepers were out clearing the roads and casting rock salt over the sidewalks. As they worked through the early morning hours, they saw that pink Progressive Liberal posters and signs outnumbered those of all the other parties combined 2 to 1. A margin that seemed to be reflected in just about every poll. Ever since ND, the right-wing gutter rag that printed scorching denunciations of Delaclav “degeneracy” on Page 2 and bare-breasted teenage girls on Page 3, and which outsold every other newspaper in the country, had broken for its first ever endorsement of the Progressive Liberals, the fight was essentially over. There were talks of pick-ups as far west as Altendalur and far south as Mühlrich. Hofvinger would doubtless remain an icy Blue-Green holdout, and across the west Left-slate would win more than they lost, but a pink landslide beckoned across the rest of the country. The Progressive Liberals were going to win an outright majority, the first since the very earliest days of Restoration. After being the minor partner in successive coalitions, then selling their souls to go into government as the majority with the Liberal-Conservative Alliance for the price of enacting their junior partners’ gun rights platform (which consisted of five simple words) they were finally going to have the chance of pure unfettered political power. They were going to win, and win big.

Absolutely nothing could go wrong now.

---

Brynjúlfur Brynjarsson, Foreign Minister of the White Winter Queendom, read the ansible printout, which transcribed the messaged transmitted from Sonnel by the Queen.

“fIsH tAsTe gOoD yUm”

“Her Majesty is enjoying her trip?”

He looked up to find Kimberley, Kaija’s Chief of Staff, loitering in his door.Control of the ansible was one of the prerogatives of the Foreign Ministry. Which meant he wasn’t unused to hangers-on from the Prime Minister’s Office dithering about his office hoping to snipe incoming intelligence. But Kimberley was a professional and he enjoyed a pretty good relationship with her, so the huge bearded man stretched out a bearlike paw and passed her the note to read.

She scanned the note quickly. “Are you heading to the Elliptical Office?”

“She asked me to sit in on the intel briefing.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

Brynjúlfur gathered up his scarf and coat and as he dressed in them, he studied Kimberley. They had a good working relationship. They did not customarily go for idle strolls. Nor did he need handholding direction to the Elliptical Office, which he visited an average of five times a day.

“OK…” he said guardedly.

They began to walk and, as he suspected was more the point, talk. The Queen had enjoyed the trip to Juvencus, visiting many of the sites of famous battles that the history books spoke of, and now she was in sUlSuLaNd and seemed to be spending a lot of time with someone called Daves mom, who evidently held some kind of high priestess role. Oh, and he heard the news from Brenecia?

“We sent our condolences,” he said, though he knew she knew they had. In fact he thought she’d been in the room when they composed the messages. Best wishes to the family, hopes for an orderly transition, if anyone’s looking to shore up their position and buy some weapon systems enter this discount code for a free coffee with every death-dealing missile ordered, the usual stuff.

On they strode. The offices were quiet: so many political appointees were out on the campaign trail in the last week, trying to squeeze every last vote out. The Progressive Liberals had slightly benefited from Græntfjall’s “mixed” voting system in the past, but now they were on the other side and stood to see their majority checked from its true size if they didn’t wring out the voters in the constituency seats as well as the proportional total.

“Kim is resigning,” said Kimberley (who hated being called Kim).

“Yes, that broke overnight,” he said. “End of an era. A great statesman.”

They crossed the Court of the Forty Martyrs, Kimberley falling back to shelter from the biting early morning wind in the hefty shade of Brynjúlfur’s bulky form.

“Great numbers coming out of Molding. Might take every seat.”

“I haven’t had a chance to review the polling. I’m guessing Korsbach not so much?”

“It’s not a wipeout, and in Korsbach that itself is practically a landslide for us!”

Safely into the warm again, they stamped the snow from their feet and flexed the cold from their fingertips before proceeding.

“So.”

“Mmm.”

“Yeah.”

“Hmmm.”

They paused in the lobby as a group of tourists filed in, a mix of Tumbrans and Huayramarcans to judge from the admirably bilingual tour guide.

“So there’s a thing,” whispered Kimberley.

“Can this wait until we’re in the meeting?” asked Brynjúlfur.

“Not really.”

He rolled his eyes. “Kimberley, you are an intelligent woman, but you worry too much. When we win this thing, you need to take a long vacation and relax.”

“I wish you wouldn’t say that.”

“Win this thing?” He laughed, a loud barking laugh that drew the attention of the tourists. He did his best to look solemn and statesmanlike. “I never took you for superstitious,” he whispered between gritted teeth.

“I’m not.”

He looked down at her, picking up how serious her tone was.

“So, there’s a thing,” she repeated. “And I wanted to tell you out here so you wouldn’t… overreact.”

Brynjúlfur eyed the tourists, waved again. “A good thing or a bad thing?”

Kimberley consulted her notes. “I think this would be classed as a bad thing.”

[Oberour Ar Moro]

Mathurin-Nicolas de Guichen knew enough to keep his direct fingerprints off of something like this. You always use a cut out. But organization requires someone you can trust and conditions you control. So, his assistant Albin and some trusted muscle was dispatched to the meeting place.

So Prouvost and Sacerdos, two burly men holding machine guns stood on the perimeter of the old bean factory while Albin met with the assassin de Guichen wanted to kill Visant Bauldry.

"So, what's the assassins deal?" asked Prouvost, as the two watched the assassin and Albin have an animated conversation.

"Koira Huhta is the name she goes by. A sniper for hire who never misses a shot. Apparently will kill anyone just for the challenge. She's paid handsomely, but she makes even more money by livestreaming her jobs to freaks on the internet," responded Sacerdos.

Prouvost quietly swore. That was messed up.

The two stood in silence before Prouvost spoke up again. "And what's with the dog ears and tail?"

"I dunno," Sacerdos replied.

"You don't? You knew so much about her M.O." Prouvost said with some attitude.

"You walk up to the trained killer and ask her about her dog tail if you want. I'm not gonna." Sacerdos chastised Prouvost, but then was surprised when Koira merrily strolled over to the two of them, Albin in tow.

"Uhm...these are my colleagues Prouvost and Sacerdos," Albin said in introduction, as the young dog-girl shook their hands in turn. In broken, but charming, Azertienne, she started chattering at them.

"Hello! It's nice sniper here, I am justice! This is a masterpiece, aren't you glad? Leave it to me, just need to murder him, yeah?" She said, apparently continuing a conversation she had with Albin. She then turned sharply around and said something to Albin in what might have been Sumani. Albin said something in response. Sacerdos and Prouvost could only just stare as the other two turned to leave.

"Uhm, wait! Ms...Huhta?" Prouvost piped up. Albin and Sacerdos turned and stared daggers at him. The young woman turned and bounded back over to him.

"Hello?" she responed.

"Uhm..." Prouvost suddenly realized this was a bad idea. But we're here, so... "Why do you have dog ears and a tail?"

"HA HA HA HA!" Koira laughed boisterously. "Koira is perfect being, okay?" She grabbed Prouvost, kissed him on the cheek with a "Mwah!" and turned and bounded off.

[Valanora]

The intensity and pressure of the end of the qualifying campaign was making itself known, not only for the Marauders but also those who were trying to chase them down as the campaign began to enter the end of the cycle. The Marauders have lead the group from the get go but they finally were undone by a side in Baggieland that simply refused to go away in their home stadium while trying to keep alive their hopes of securing one of the two playoff spots from the group. The Marauders defense that had been a bend but do not break defense for the entirety of the qualifying campaign finally was made to break as they uncharacteristically conceded four goals in the trip away from the Eternal Empire. The gap with Mercedini had been reduced to just three points and with the chasing club having a game in hand and the match between the two sides at the top of the table on the penultimate matchday still to come, a match that Mercedini was starting to believe they could come away with a victory and steal the top spot away from the Vanorians.

Yet the next matchday saw the very hard to beat Elmyia traveled to Mercedini and hold the second placed side to a nil all draw, taking away the advantage that had been given to Mercedini just a few days before with the Marauders being able to return back to the Empire and starting a new winning streak. Oberour Ar Moro would get a late consolation goal to make the scoreboard look more favorable for the traveling contingent, but the Marauders were in complete control in the three to one victory and Ludwig bagged a neat brace on either side of the halftime whistle, while Laborious Hawk had opened the scoring with a long range effort just a few minutes into the match. It was exactly the sort of effort that you want to see from your team following a disappointing result that they likely would have thought they should have come away with a result from but were unfortunate to be on the losing side of the match. It is the sign of a team who has found some steel in themselves to not let one defeat end up beating them twice, which might have been the case a few cycles before.

The task remains the same for the Marauders though heading into these final few international windows, maintain their game and play the right way to get the results. Do that and maintain the lead that they have built for themselves at the head of the table with their magnificent first three quarters of the qualifying campaign. Focus and hard work need to be at the forefront of the team, they can ill afford anymore sort of defensive slips and points being given away like they suffered in Baggieland. They scored three goals in that trip and it should have been plenty enough to secure at the very least a point from the away day, more likely the entire three points and yet that poor defensive evening cost them all the spoils and made the last few games have the intensity dialed up to eleven. The Marauders though should be used to such high intensity situations, those stars on their badges were not earned through teams that wilted at the first sign of adversity. It is game on between the Marauders and the chasing pack but the advantage definitely is in the Vanorian court.

[Saint Eleanor]

World Cup ([7!/{7.7*7.7}]+7), accurate to the first ([77/7]-7) digits --- ([77/7.7]+7)th matchday of qualification
Sevendia 7-7
Saint Eleanor 7-5 (Steve Pilchard goal 7+[77/7]', Naresmet taFrexala goal [7777/77]-[7*7]')

World Cup 92 - eighteenth matchday of qualification
Saint Eleanor 4 (Katie O'Donnell goal 23', David Newcastle goals 40' and 77', Sylvia Hollenberg goal 66')
Abanhfleft 1 (Mae Wilbanks goal 64')

---

Richard Gill: "I'd bite your hand off for a twenty-hour week. Also known as being a footballer"
Chief Football Correspondent Jamie Rodgers has a little chat with a much-ignored man about a handful of things
Originally published on Saturday 19th January 2002

Richard Gill is a man with little to say about himself: he just seems like an ordinary, working-class man in an ordinary, working-class family doing ordinary, working-class things. "Working-class? Definitely. Ordinary, on the other hand? I'd say everybody was a bit different back in my hometown."

Eastern Fell, where Gill grew up, is perhaps the most isolated of all the districts in Saint Eleanor: geographically, it sits on the base of one of several hills which reach up almost to the coast, one of which gave the nearby town of Mount Dennis its name - although with the highest point no more than around 200m and the rest of the country typically 10-20m above sea level, it would be a stretch to call them impressive. Politically, it was recategorised from a town to a district in 1982, seemingly for little to no reason other than for improved government funding and an easy Metro link to the rest of the city. "We're one of those places you read about for a bit and then forget about completely. I'd say that carries over to most of us as people. When was the last time you read about some celebrity from Eastern Fell? We have no Premium Coffee, no Willis, one supermarket that has no reason to be open outside 6am to 9pm, and hardly anything to do. And our Metro station looks like a bus shelter with a big platform and a couple of people in nice uniforms. It's a boring place and most people see no reason to really like it. Ourselves included!"

While some of my other interviewees had little - if any - desire to play in goal during their youth, Gill lapped up the opportunity. "Most of the time, I'm told that whoever goes in goal... isn't normally that good at it, to be fair. That was me in the old times, but I ended up being rather good at it given enough time, practice, and maybe a bit of rebuffing teammates. That it carried on for so long was a bit of a shock, but I dealt with it and, of course, I tried my best to improve." It thus came as no surprise in 1985 when Gill was called up to his school's Charles Trump Shield team, even to his classmates. Despite the Hikers' traditional reputation for suffering first-round exits in the competition, they went one step further that year after they won their opening tie 3-1 against Jacobville. "I will grant you I made a couple of mistakes, but the fact that they couldn't score more than one despite that should tell you a lot about the quality of the opposition we were facing. I thought we should have been fairly even but that's just how it works sometimes."

As would have been expected, Eastern Fell came up well short of Brightway in the second round, losing 4-2. "As my then girlfriend, now wife, Lisa [Fields] said at the time, being drawn against an SEL-backed club with more money than the poorest half of the district was 'just sheer fucky luck.' She'd have called it Margaret if we were playing twenty years into the future. I'd actually say I was better in that game than I was against Jacobville: they were getting a lot more past me, of course, but I was taking notes, looking at body language and trying to think what they were thinking, and generally just diving where I thought was sensible. It obviously didn't work all of the time - their first effort was past my reach, third was something I regret not trying to snatch at and all that."

There was still hope for the Fell, however scant: their first goal came about ten minutes after half time, when they were already three goals down. "Everybody knows how to press these days; I've devoured The Overlap, a football blog out of Elmyia, over the last few months and it feels like every other blogpost I've read talks about how good their national team is at pressing. It's their first World Cup qualifiers, by the way. But I was nowhere near the World Cup... where was I? More like sixty yards out. It felt like we were exposed going so high up the pitch, but Brightway reckoned they could get away with sitting back and waiting for breaks. This works well until they overegg a pass or two and the ball ends up in my possession by good fortune more than anything. My thinking at the time was that I could get a ball into the box, wait for a striker or overlapping winger to rush the box and try their luck. But I'd gone direct for some reason? I still think that is really strange."

Despite continued success in informal Eastern Fell games, Gill decided he was no longer interested in playing professionally. And so after graduating from Eastern Fell, Richard and Lisa relocated to the New Lizard, where he rides delivery trucks for Intershop (Saint Eleanor's second-biggest supermarket chain) from their New Lizard depot to stores in coastal and dockside Saint Eleanor; she enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Grand Beach Beta military base. "It sounds like a while away but the two districts - everything in that part of the world, really - are so close you couldn't believe it. I was two-and-a-bit miles from Broadlands; I certainly didn't. When you're at the military base, you mostly get to deal with local crimes that happen maybe a few hundred yards from your office at worst; walkable, if not cause for the four-by-four. And Intershop - how do you get all the stuff to the relevant shops? Roads. They are very good. No air quality or Twenty's Plenty nonsense here. Although I'd bite your hand off for a twenty-hour week. Also known as being a footballer."

He still comes back to his home district from time to time to visit his parents, both of them in their early sixties. "And her dad; breast cancer took out mum in '99. I met her a lot of times and she was a sincerely nice lady who remembers just about everything; her dad's getting on a little bit but he's good for a chat, probably better with sorting out dodgy tech." Would he at least say Eastern Fell has improved since it was granted district status? "If you take away the obvious advantages of being a district compared to a town, including being better connected with everywhere, I'd say yes. I'd argue there's very little to do in terms of goods and services, but the nature... Saint Eleanor feels sprawl-y but there's really a lot of green space that nobody wants or needs to develop. We have a lot of that over here and geography means there's little chance of all of it being ruined. Even if we're talking about businesses, they're mostly small and local but they're also vibrant, care a lot about the people who come in and give you damn fine service at a decent price. Which, adjusting for this thing called purchasing power parity or whatever I learned from James at work, is really as much as everywhere else."

Richard Gill does not seem like a former goalkeeper. He does not even seem like one who took part for a relatively successful local schools' team, and had what almost seemed like an iota of fun doing it. But he very much was - and although he was pioneering in few respects, he was and remains solid and reliable in many.

[Zwangzug]

The Arlington Moon-Tribune

As Martin Scallop once said and we never tire of repeating, it's hard to evaluate defenders' performances--there aren't very many goals or assists to count, and so it comes down to a more subjective, nuanced view from people who actually understand football. Luckily, our publication totally has Wise and Discerning Football Guys on hand, and after two shutouts, we thought it'd be a fine time to give them the opportunity to evaluate Zwangzug's back line during the qualifiers so far.

Starters:
Meghna Imomenba: physically imposing and more than willing to play deep, she brings some of Namiri Forest's stifling relentlessness to the national team. As the red card against Flavovespia shows, however, she tended to be at her best when supporting Kausalya Vizirani and hasn't seemed to entirely click with her new teammates.

Freda Tery-Wilf: somewhat of a surprising call-up from Kate DiMarini, as Eintracht Trink have historically emphasized offense and it's been hard for defenders to distinguish themselves, but their runner-up performance in Season 39 was impossible to overlook. Her speed going forward means she's been a major part of the adaptations when Zwangzug take on more attacking-minded sides.

Cynthia Fairfax-Hazy: she's not very intimidating at the back, and her teammates seem unlikely to let her live down the "reply all" fiasco from two cycles ago. But despite this, she's quietly forged herself into a key component of a new-look Arlington side which [redacted] in season 40. So while she gets relatively few touches, she's been a key part of stopping attacks before they start. Trust us--we're Football Guys.

Kirsten Jackson: unafraid to try off-kilter tactics for throw-ins, carefully aiming to set up teammates a bounce or two away. If she can overcome a lack of charisma, she might be an insightful manager or broadcaster once her playing career winds down.

Backups:
Meredith Ryland: you might have seen a couple of her "highlights" in the Efnakia match. Unfortunately, those just tend to be long, cool-looking high passes, there wasn't a lot to write home about in that game. We like her potential, but she needs more playing time to see if she's for real or just a fluke wunderkind.

Nina Irving: Canbix earned a Champions' League spot in season 39, and Irving was heralded as the successor to Simon Gannett on the national team. Unfortunately, she hasn't seemed to find her footing so far--while she might not have seen a straight red this cycle, she tends to get dinged for minor fouls, and despite DiMarini giving her plenty of opportunities, things haven't clicked.

Nilkanth Mibang: the good news is that alongside Imomenba he can be great at killing the clock. The bad news is he doesn't really know how to hold his temper when opponents call him out on killing the clock. Also, is he the only male player in the current defensive cohort? Whatever.

Ashley Fillmore-Gaul: somewhat of a surprise, both in that we had no idea she was a Ketrian and we had no idea that her teammates appreciate her hustle even though she appears to be sulking all the time. "When we're running laps and Nilkanth is swearing in Junba, she'll be the one nagging him like 'come on, share with the class, we can all be miserable together,'" Ryland reports. Who knew?

Reserve:
Pia Leykauf: has basically not seen any playing time, apparently DiMarini thinks that numbers greater than 23 really are for emergencies only. Despite this, is upbeat and a mentor to younger players, and much less touchy than Fillmore-Gaul was during the Eagles' Cup about wearing the big number.

(Suzuki 25, Tery-Wilf 60, Helsen-Roan 84)

[Euran Oceania Territories]

OOC: This RP is set a couple of years in the past, and its events should not be referred to as immediately contemporary.

Bringing you daily sensational headlines and terrible graphic design

ELECTION E.O.T - VOTE OF THIRTY MILLION EXPATS LEADS TO PRO-EURAN, PRO-ANAIAN COALITION
From MAXIM POULTER, our chief political correspondent

Falcon Party firebrand Russell Phillips-Webb, a right wing Euran nationalist seen by many as the key figure in the movement to realign the Euran Oceania Territories with Anaia, is due to become our first elected Primary Governor after striking an eclectic coalition agreement with four other parties. The coalition includes the apparently centre-left Federal Party, a shock outcome to negotiations that were expected to lead to a more pragmatic New Liberal Party led coalition.

The final polls ahead of voting suggested a tight race that would see the centre-left, pro-Euran Federal Party likely to play kingmaker in third place, with either the Falcon Party or centrist New Liberal Party to top the polls. These polls proved accurate as the NLP won the proportional representation ballot for the House of Territories with 9.2 million votes – nearly a third of the national tally – but were slightly outperformed in the first-past-the-post vote for the House of Counties.

This left the NLP with 48 seats, the most of any party, with the Falcons on 42 seats and Federals on 35. The NLP were therefore best placed to build a working majority of 90 Administrators out of 179 across both houses, combining with the Federals and a smaller party such as the Meritocratic League or Atlantian Party. Many expected the NLP and Federals to seal a deal that would see them enter power together, for good reasons; both parties are relatively moderate on the left-right spectrum, and neither were militant about the Anaia/Atlantian Oceania question.

But it is understood from sources within both parties that negotiations broke down in acrimony as they disagreed on how closely to align with Eura, and NLP sources complain that the Federals committee-led, murky governance system made it impossible to divvy up government positions. For their part, the Federals were understood to be concerned that a coalition agreement might require too strong a presence of pro-AO minor parties.

A merciless briefing campaign of finger pointing has already begun from NLP sources, who have called the Federals deal with the Falcons a betrayal that puts the right in power in a completely avoidable way. One senior figure in the NLP said this of the Federals; “We had the numbers across the houses to build a coalition of us, the Federals, the Meritocratic League and the Greens. A truly moderate coalition on both the regional issue and economics. And what did those selfish bastards do? Blow it all up because their nobody committee members wouldn’t accept junior cabinet jobs.”

Regardless of who is to blame, the failure of these negotiations opened the door for the Falcon Party to make their case as the only party who could form a government, avoiding a constitutional crisis at the first hurdle for Expat democracy. Phillips-Webb and a few close allies met the co-ordinating body of the Federals and then engaged in tough negotiations overnight, where the new Primary Governor is thought to have reassured the Federals about their concerns over his economic and social ideology.

It is understood that the Federals have been clear that this is “not a romance”, according to a senior Falcon Party source, but rather a transactional deal to ensure EOT can form its first government. Once the two main parties of the new coalition had agreed they could work together, they invited in three smaller parties to join them – all three of which are explicitly pro-Anaian. The two Mertagne-centric ethnic parties of native Calanians, the firmly pro-Anaian Native Front and more ambivalent Legacy, bring 19 seats to the coalition that takes it over the 90 needed for a majority.

With the addition of 2 seats of the Audioslavian diaspora Bull Party, a new governing coalition of 98 seats was agreed, with a decent majority in the House of Counties and a wafer thin one in the House of Territories. The NLP will now form the official opposition, with strong support likely from the similarly centrist Meritocratic League. The Greens, Socialists and Sameban nationalist Stella Viola parties are likely to be isolated with their small numbers, but the strongly pro-AO Atlantian Party and Exile Party may be able to form a pro-AO pressure grouping with their 19 seats.

The causes of the election results are still being deciphered by analysts, but it appears that the NLP are comfortably the most popular party across the nation as a whole, with the highest vote in the nationwide PR ballot and the highest average vote in individual seats. But NLP were unable to convince more pro-Anaian voters, instead appealing to pro-AO voters more easily, with the Falcon Party cornering much of the pro-Anaian vote in a way that was very efficient in the FPTP ballot. The Federals finished second with both sides of the referendum vote and had a concentrated core in areas with a heavy Euran ethnic majority, reinforcing the fact that they were always likely to be the decisive factor in any coalition negotiations.

Meanwhile, the most strongly minded pro-Anaian and pro-AO voters split between the Native Front and Legacy on the Anaian side, and the Atlantian and Exile parties on the AO side; these mini coalitions won almost equal numbers of seats and enjoyed high turnout from different diaspora groupings, reflecting the divisive question opened up by the referendum. In some parts of the Territories they totally dominated, such as some of the heavily ethnic-Mertagne populated seats that swung drastically to Anaia during the referendum, which now went heavily to the Native Front.

While these parties will likely remain key to forming future government’s, at least in the short to medium term, more conventionally ideological parties may have a harder time exerting influence. The Meritocratic League seem to have struggled to distinguish themselves from the NLP, while the Socialists and Greens seem to have struggled in an election where regional and ethnic identity politics have played a crucial role. Despite some academic curiosity about the idea of a Euran Oceania independence movement no party representing that cause got more than a four figure vote tally nationally.

Phillips-Webb will head the new government after being invited to form an administration by the Euran-appointed Governor General, the de facto (and arguably de jure) head of state. He will control a wide range of devolved powers released by Bastion such as taxation, border control and public services. But the Euran government will retain control over issues of national security, defence and foreign relations, and the new administration in Fligsive wants to retain the Euran Pound for the foreseeable future. In the coming days Phillips-Webb is expected to appoint a cabinet, though the balance of roles given out to his own party and his coalition partners remains to be seen.

[Vilita]

FOOTSPORT ASSOCIATIONS OF VILITA & ELECTRUM - WC92 ✓

@FAVE92

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#CUTOFF :: #GRP_8-15

[Nephara]

Recuecn 0 - 1 Nephara
(4-4-2) 12 - Strand; 2 - Kovac, 5 - Clevinger, 6 - Scales, 25 - Xu; 13 - Brewer (7 - Anharbour 77'), 4 - Southsea, 15 - Sauber, 11 - Loeher (16 - Reader 60'); 9 - Kurtishi, 21 - Vetiver (10 - Harper 77')
Goal: Vetiver 29'

Nephara 1 - 2 Kelssek
(4-4-2) 12 - Strand; 2 - Kovac, 5 - Clevinger, 6 - Scales, 3 - Lind (25 - Xu 85'); 13 - Brewer, 4 - Southsea, 15 - Sauber (8 - March 61'), 11 - Loeher (26 - Kvasina 67'); 24 - Reisinger (9 - Kurtishi 67'), 21 - Vetiver
Goal: Sauber 1'

Igrene Cantor had maintained throughout that she was testing a system out, but it would need the entirety of qualification to see whether or not it would work.
Well, she'd spent qualification. It hadn't worked. And she was left holding her hands behind her head as Nephara's golden ticket to the top of the group instead turned into a real risk of slipping out of the playoff places, Kelssek snatching the three points at the death.
But the problem wasn't just one late winner. It was endemic. Neither Reisinger nor Harper had been effective alongside Vetiver up front; in turn, the lack of a creative outlet in the centre of the park made them too predictable. Too much U-shaped possession was going on, and the burden was in too obvious places. Kvasina on the wing hadn't worked; she needed to be deployed down the centre, if at all. Brewer was too good to drop, at this point, but too close to the flank; so, too, Anharbour, completely nullified by her withdrawn position. It worked for her at club level, but with less chemistry at international level, she was doing a lot of game, aimless shuttling up and down the wing. Speaking of working at club level: the Crisisbless rightback, Kovac, was not the solution to her problems there, culpable for the dropped points against Kelssek and offering nothing going forward. At club level, he sat back very defensively and let Anharbour not need to cover her defensive duties, but that just didn't work with Nephara's structure.
And then... the midfield. Cantor had many very good options and no great ones, all seeming somehow fundamentally flawed.
Defensive midfield? Demeter Constantine played for Crisisbless, and apparently that meant she couldn't be trusted. Southsea was strong and technical but slow. Rosziter was young, raw-boned and, well, raw in general. Belltower could lapse in concentration and wasn't really a destroyer. It was Southsea, but for continuity as much as anything.
Alongside him? Tasha Sauber had not been the secret ingredient; she had, in fact, continued to be weirdly underwhelming in the green and black. Kurtis Swainsona was a similar mould of player, but more attack-minded, not really a creator or a sitter... and without the same mental block, perhaps? He'd performed well for Cantor. But only in cameos. March didn't run... fast. She hustled, all game, but didn't have pace on her side. That could be left exposed in a 4-4-2, her reasoning had been... but some of her craft and intelligence on the ball? That would improve this team. And then the others? Kvasina ... could be put to work somewhere, somehow. But how best? Would Brewer do better in the centre? But then, did that expose the lack of depth on the right wing? But could she simply--
That night, she took all the pieces off the board. Then, almost sheepishly, returned the few truly indispensable ones.
Medusa Strand in goal. Cantor's analysis had been correct; Provost was still a better shot-stopper, but Strand came quicker off her line and was more assertive in the box, which the team needed more. Because, in part: Scales and Clevinger remained the best central defensive partnership. And up front, of course, was Felixe Vetiver. Eight goals in qualifying. A sheaf of assists, too. The team's attack had to be built around Vetiver and at this stage anything less was a disservice.
But... where? As a withdrawn second striker, almost a takilante, worked for Vetiver... but not really for anyone else. When the attack had worked, it had ripped teams apart, but too often it simply hadn't. The guns had been silent against Koronavia, Kelssek, even almost costing them against East Murbley and Recuecn.
Radeka Lind was name 5. She'd just turned 29, and was the team's captain. She had not disappointed throughout, dutifully performing her role. Tanith Xu was good, but not 'dropping Radeka Lind' good.
That left: rightback and the entire midfield.
Cassander Southsea was probably still the best holding midfielder. She liked his strength and surety on the ball. Sauber hadn't worked too well alongside him, and in the past hadn't worked out too well in a withdrawn double pivot for Nephara. But that role did bring the best out of Renate March, who could hustle around and make use of her incredible passing range, and in the process have her lack of pace made up for by others around her.
Madita Brewer had to make the list somehow. And ultimately, Cantor did put her on the right wing; Loeher on the left. The two had made mistakes, occasionally gone quiet, yes. But they were still so young. And Brewer, especially, could go so far. Who between them? Kvasina? No. Swainsona. This mixture needed someone to hustle and bustle and press, and she had nobody who exemplified that more... along with late runs into the box. Having someone ahead of Vetiver hadn't worked, so perhaps having someone behind, bombing in and overlapping? And then the creative burden was shared; Brewer and March the advanced and deep playmakers, Loeher whipping in crosses, Southsea and Scales playing out from the back, Strand offering beautiful long diagonal balls, Lind and... whatever rightback stepping up into midfield, Vetiver doing whatever the fuck she wanted.
So... ten names down on the teamsheet against Mertagne. Rightbacks? Meadows wasn't a good enough defender. Kovac just couldn't make the step up. Schrader was the safe option. Schrader was the correct option. But somehow, Cantor knew that making this the team of short-term correct options was a disservice. Somehow, she knew she had to make a dynasty of this.
Pahali Kama ended up on the teamsheet. She'd made her debut in the disastrous Eagles Cup run... which meant that, for her, she'd had a baptism of fire against some of the multiverse's finest and she would be more than ready for this, now. And, hey. A Kitari immigrant to pair with her second-generation Yue on the left, and indeed a second-generation Schottic in front, which said something about a changing country.
But there was something else missing; this demanded a changeup in the full squad. Isolde Reader hadn't impressed her, in admittedly very limited opportunities, and Loeher was a better conventional winger; the anxious Crowcombe, in even more limited opportunities, had earned a shot back at the squad. Chandra Rosziter shored up the desperate lack of pace in the middle of the park, and Dimitra Conder was probably the conventional right winger Cantor liked second-most, as things stood. In a squad of 26, that was the kind of player you had to look at, beyond just stocking two in each position. Two strikers had to go - Reisinger and Kurtishi got the axe, the former for the time being, the latter probably for good.
... But then, she didn't have anywhere to put player 26, anyway.
What niche was there to fill? And then she thought back to the dying embers of Kelssek.
She remembered looking at her bench and wishing for just one hard bastard who knew nothing but lashing in goal after goal at this level. Even just five minutes of a player like that. Someone with no room for doubt.
She picked up her phone, and texted her receptionist. One sentence.
'Get me the number for Latona Basilisk.'

NEPHARAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 8
Goalkeepers: 1 - Aranea Provost (Spartangrad, EUR), 12 - Medusa Strand (Chromatik, CMT), 20 - Toxothea Sebring (Crisisbless)
Defenders: 2 - Ophelia Schrader (AFC Treason), 3 - Radeka Lind (Jinja City FC, BNJ), 5 - Reniira Clevinger (Herzegovina City FC, BNJ), 6 - Anaximander Scales (Brinemouth), 17 - Tosca Meadows (Brinemouth), 18 - Sven Copperhead (Crisisbless), 22 - Ettard Mitteager (AFC Treason), 25 - Tanith Xu (Myana, CMT)
Midfielders: 4 - Cassander Southsea (Brinemouth), 7 - Kestrel Anharbour (Crisisbless), 8 - Renate March (Herzegovina City FC, BNJ), 11 - Arachne Loeher (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 13 - Madita Brewer (Northern Union, BRE), 15 - Tasha Sauber (Spartangrad, EUR), 16 - Ana Crowcombe (Rülândéá Kôstä, FFD), 19 - Chandra Rosziter (Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, SVJ), 23 - Kurtis Swainsona (Revolutionaries, EUR), 24 - Dimitra Conder (Cuono Rangers, TMB), 26 - Lindse Kvasina (Istria City FC, BNJ)
Forwards: 9 - Vasya Reisinger (West Cuono United, TMB), 10 - Bravura Harper (Ulsa, EUR), 14 - Latona Basilisk (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD), 21 - Felixe Vetiver (1830 Cathair, AUD)

BYE
Nephara 2 - 0 Tjorl @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
East Murbley 0 - 4 Nephara
Nephara 5 - 1 Koronavia @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Xitizian States 0 - 0 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 0 Reçueçn @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Kelssek 0 - 0 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 2 Mertagne @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Saterun 0 - 5 Nephara
Nephara 3 - 3 Pluvia SI @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Cassadaigua 1 - 2 Nephara
BYE
Tjorl 0 - 2 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 0 East Murbley @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Koronavia 0 - 0 Nephara
Nephara 6 - 1 Xitizian States @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Reçueçn 0 - 1 Nephara
Nephara 1 - 2 Kelssek @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Mertagne vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Saterun @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Plusiva SI vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Cassadaigua @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)

[Pemecutan]

MD 17
Southern Palm Islands   2 – 3   Pemecutan

Goal scorers:
Wisnu Pramana (21')
Agus Kusumawijaya (47')
Komang Trisna Mahayana (69')

Substitutes:
Samsul Hermawan <—> Kadek Rai Partha (73')
Pandu Oka Jaya <—> Arya Tungga Wijaya (79')
MD 18
Pemecutan   4 – 1   Kethsi

Goal scorers:
Pandu Oka Jaya (14', 76')
Agus Setiahadi (38')
Wisnu Pramana (51')
Agus Kusumawijaya (68')

Substitutes:
Alvino Bastian <—> Oscar Tri Atmaja (41')
Agus Setiahadi <—> Ngakan Putu Suweca (69')
Komang Trisna Mahayana <—> Arya Tungga Wijaya (76')

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Anggara Paing Wuku Watugunung, Pawukon 1783

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Harsh Weather Warning Extended

Pemecutan Puri - Just yesterday Head of National Bureau of Meteorology and Climatology, Farida Pasha announced the extension of bad weather warning for another week in Pemecutan. In the past three weeks, Pemecutan have experience severe weather conditions including heavy rain and thunderstorm. These situations has lead to flash floods and landslides in some places. 27 deaths are confirmed with more than 50,000 people affected by the disasters.

Landslide at Alas Magalak

Head of National Disaster Management Agency, Pande Putu Wida Arsandi said there are 12 disaster spots across the country. Alas Magalak National Reserve is affected by a landslide which cutting the access through the reserve. Some of the villages located around the reserve are inaccessible both from Kesiman and Penatih, the two large city nearby, because of it. In the city of Satria, authority issued a warning for restaurants and villas in the riverbed to closed their property for a moment. This is because of the flash floods that affected the city. The rafting activities are also affected by the flood. The city is crossed by Melinggih River, one of the source of Pacung River, the longest river in the country. Flash floods in Satria also alerted warning for cities in the downstream. These including Pemecutan capital, Pemecutan Puri and the country's second largest port, Jematang.

Floods at a street in Pemedilan district, Pemecutan Puri

Landslide also happened in Kanginan island. This happened in 2 locations, Tangeb and Alas Kedaton. The landslide affected monkey sanctuary forest located in Alas Kedaton. The monkey runaway from the forest and entered people's houses in nearby villages. A bridge in Tegalcangkring municipality collapsed after a flashflood run through the area. This flood also affected Sibang Gede city which located downstream. While in Petang Islands, people from 3 municipalities are cut out from water access because of the flooding. The water resources used by the water facility is contaminated with mud and debris of falling trees. The head of regional water facility agency give an official apology towards the affected citizen. They promise that the water will be flowing in 3 days. While the affected citizens turned to their old well for water resource.

Collapsed bridge at Tegalcangkring

Farida Pasha aknowledge that there is a weather anomaly happened in Pemecutan archipelago. Despite the changing season period from dry to wet, but the amount of precipitation is higher than usual. The anomaly have been going on for around 3 weeks with a slight of intense heat in the past couple of days. But the rain will be pouring again for another 7 to 10 days ahead. This situation will affected the new years celebration which will be happening this saturday.

"We haven't issued any warning yet for the new years celebration because of the fast changing weather from one day to another. We are currently experiencing a high humidity with normal temperature but the rain won't stop.

Farida Pasha
Head of National Bureau of Meteorology and Climatology

A villa near the riverbed
affected by flashflood in Satria

Pemecutan Puri authority also still indifferent with the new year celebration which usually held in the Palace Garden. While from health authority, warning of increase common cold is expected with the changing weather. Their concern would be dengue fever outbreak. Although there have been no endemic status again for the disease in the past 3 decades. But with the special weather condition happening today, the health workers are demanded to stay alerted for any possibilities.

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MD 19
Legalese v Pemecutan
MD 20
Pemecutan v Kuraita
@ Tegeh Kori National Stadium, Tegeh Kori, Pemecutan Puri
Starters: 
Benches:

1  GK Herman Putrawan 
Aksabala Jandisuga GK 12

2  LB Yuhabani Nehusandak 
Gede Arya Wisesa LB 24

3  CB Sorabala Aksapadan 
Surya Brata Wijaya CB 13

4  CB Satya Putra Laksamana (C) 
Dwi Rangga Putra RB 36

26 RB Oscar Tri Atmaja 
Ngakan Putu Suweca CM 29

6  LM Agus Kusumawijaya 
Kadek Rai Partha RM 30

19 CM Agus Setiahadi 
Arya Tungga Wijaya AT 22

8  RM Samsul Hermawan 
Reserve benches:

20 ST Wisnu Pramana 
Gery Afilianto GK 33

32 ST Pandu Oka Jaya 
Putra Eka Laksana CB 18

11 AT Komang Trisna Mahayana 
Basuyuha Padurjana LM 15

Eka Yuliawan CM 39

Bayu Narmada AT 42
Injuries:
ST Leo Olivando
RB Alvino Bastian

[Baggieland]

The Lodge

Apprentice Alswitch: "All rise for the Grand Master."

Grand Master Lei Siulung: "What is the first order of business?"

Journeyman Fletcher: "Thar be a report from… "

Grand Master Lei Siulung: "You may dispense with the pirate accent."

Journeyman Fletcher: "Ahem… Firstly, there is a report from Wayne Simon Carnegie-Brown, Chairman of Lloyd's of Baggieland."

Journeyman Carnegie-Brown: "I have very satisfactory news for us; since the recent pirate attacks on Electrum and Quebec and Shingoryeo shipping, maritime insurance premiums have tripled. Our profits have increased not only from shipping companies in those two nations, but also from other nations who send their maritime trade through this part of the multiverse."

Grand Master Lei Siulung: "Good news indeed."

Journeyman Fletcher: "Now we will hear from Michael Bamford, construction magnate."

Apprentice Bamford: "After the plunder of pebbles, shingles, rocks, stone, gravel and grit from the Electrum ship, their companies are no longer exporting these items in large quantities from their own shores. This has resulted in major construction projects from other nations ordering their materials from Baggieland and Gnejs. More good news for us."

Grand Master Lei Siulung: "Excellent. Our activities are proceeding according to plan. I therefore table the motion to maintain the financing of HMS Onslaught for another year. Are there any dissenting voices?"

Journeyman Fletcher: "No objections raised Grand Master."

Grand Master Lei Siulung: "Very well."

Journeyman Fletcher: "There is, however, another matter I think we are already aware of. Our newest recruit, Landsman Øye, seems to be getting a bit suspicious of our operation and he has started snooping around. How best should he be dealt with?"

Apprentice Alswitch: "Give him that promotion he's always wanted. Happy people tend to be blissfully unaware and are more inclined not to question the things they see."

Journeyman Fletcher: "Please, he is a Gnejsian pen-pusher… a sailor he is not. He doesn't even know the difference between a sheepshank and a reef-knot, let alone how to tie them."

Grand Master Lei Siulung: "Just keep an eye on him for now and make sure he doesn't become too suspicious. I will contact the Lodge in Gnejs to see if they have any suggestions on how to deal with… the more troublesome elements of society."

[Darmen]

"These Next Matches Will Decide My Legacy," Declares Duchamp

LIVERPOOL - That Darmen's next four matches in the World Cup Qualifiers are of vital importance is questioned by no one, but All Greens manager Salvador Duchamp is going one step further and placing his managerial legacy on the line.

"These next matches will decide my legacy," said Duchamp when he spoke to the media yesterday following the All Green's training session in preparation for the match against Sajnur. "Anything other than a top three finish and I'll have failed to do my job as manager of the national team."

Darmen sit in sixth place in Group 7, with 24 points from the first 16 matches. But that leaves them only nine points behind second placed Delte and five points behind third placed New Gelderland, the two teams currently occupying the playoff positions.

"Listen, winning the group is out of our reach. But to say that we don't have a chance to push for a spot in the playoffs and potentially qualify for the World Cup for the first time in eight cycles is just defeatist. And I won't be letting anyone on this team have a defeatist attitude when we're still in with a shot," continued Duchamp. "If we follow the old maxim of winning at home and drawing away, we're looking at eight points in these last four games, which would put us at 32 and leave us only a shot at finishing third. Realistically, I believe we absolutely need to win at least one of the road matches to have a shot at a top three finish and winning both would be even more preferable."

Winning all four remaining matches would give Darmen 36 points and depending on the results of the other matches in Group 7 would realistically give Darmen a shot at finishing third and qualifying to the playoffs. Duchamp admits that the prospect of Darmen advancing to the next stage of the qualifying process is a tall ask. "Listen, I know the odds aren't in our favor. But we've got to think positively, go after every chance we have. Too many All Greens squads in previous cycles have fallen victim to pessimism in the closing stages and ended up in failure. This current squad has got to be the squad that breaks that cycle."

When asked whether he thinks the Darmeni Football Association should sack him if Darmen fails to advance to the playoffs, Duchamp responded, "That's up to them. I know I said my legacy is on the line and that's true, we've gone to long without a World Cup appearance and I'm desperate for that to change. But if we fall short and don't advance and the DFA still think I'm the best man for the job, then I'll continue to put in my best effort going forward."

[Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom]

RekanSport
Capital Cove FC Moving Forward
By Šojka Tomičić

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Next season, the lower leagues in Zeta Reka will be getting a new player for the mix. The side has been building itself for a year securing capital from sources transparent and opaque. Capital Cove FC will enter Rekadom Division 2 in the fourth tier of Zeta Reka's league system. CCFC's most recent unveiling was full of news for the future, and some huge questions.

Pageantry in Porto Nowi
The Metropol Convention Center in Porto Nowi was red and white yesterday on a rainy Tuesday. A public showcase of a new high budget Rekan football team. Tucked away in the main hall was a press corps and a few VIPs at a table.

A banner affixed to the table read Capital Cove FC in red and white letters emboldened by sitting ahead a black background. The press conference for the for the club's second unveiling was attended by a mix of journalists from both Zeta Reka and Capital Cove too. "We're glad to see the big seats filled," eclectic Capital Cove chemical investor, former oil bureaucrat, and former legislator Josef-Jakobs Kirchhoff told the press.

Of the four parties investing in the club, three had representatives present. To Kirchhoff's left was CPC Stars CEO Franz Golka. CPC Stars are a sports organ with ties to Cover and Rekan sports. CPC Stars' were dubbed by Kirchhoff the "club's brain" due to their sports experience. To the right of Kirchhoff was former Baptism of Fire silver medalist and former Capital Cove assistant coach and CCFC boss Stajkwon Hokwok. The tall and slender investor was given a ceremonial jersey by his peers.

Capital Cove FC Personal

Role               Name                    Nation
Chairman           Josef-Jakobs Kirchhoff  CPC
President          Franz Golka             CPC
Sport Director     Jurgen Djowić           ZRH
Head Coach         Stajkwon Hokwok         ZRH
Assistant Coach    Sredoje Radowić         ZRH
U-21 Co-ordinator  Jakob Linde             CPC
Owners bolded

A Burgeoning Lineup
With time to spare, the side has a total of seventeen players ready for the upcoming season. The side was composed of various short term loanees and out of contract players in friendlies. The complex legal situation with the contracts had lead to calls for some regulations in player movement, such as the imposition of a domestic transfer window, and a ban on these singing commitments, though the clubs reportedly each approved of the bids.

Capital Cove FC Players

No.  Pos.  Player               Age  Last Club              Last League   Country  Note
01   GK    Walter Othmarsen     33   FKP Matov-Uri          ZRH           CPC      CPC NT, Loaned
03   DF    Elmar Muller         27   Klub 20                ZRH-3         ZRH
04   DF    Gerwine Rothtals     24   ŽFK NUzPA              ZRH Fem       ZRH      Loaned
06   MF    Vesna Gudilub        23   FKP Ottowić Okrug      ZRH           ZRH
07   MF    Antonio Milović      27   Spartanac              ZRH-4         ZRH      Loaned
08   MF    Gustav Weis          23   Brodenbach United      CPC           CPC      CPC Youth NT
09   FW    Jimmothi Engelbrekt  31   Brodenbach United      CPC           ZRH
10   FW    Rašad Al-Hijazi      26   SPEKtro Sportlich      ZRH-2         ZRH      Loaned
11   MF    Mlakar Mirkowić      24   AK Stanimir 2          ZRH-4         ZRH
12   GK    Julihannah Kulker    21   VZRH Matov-Uri Jrs     ZRH U21       CPC
13   DF    Jan Meyer            27   Unattached             N/A           ZRH      Former ZRH NT
17   MF    Djordje Yermolinsky  21   Kamenarekawac FK       ZRH-4         ZRH      Loaned
19   FW    Hans Halein          31   Univerzitet Aleiusia   ZRH-2         ZRH      Loaned
21   MF    Gregor Honth         22   Cove Petrol FC 2       CPC-3         CPC      Loaned
26   DF    Gor Anderssen        24   ACK Hovedstad          CPC           CPC
50   DF    Milaš Ansgarić       20   FKP Ottowić Okrug Jrs  ZRH U21       ZRH      Loaned
65   FW    Vuk Ivić             22   Ribar PRD 2            ZRH-5         ZRH      Loaned
Info accurate as of the season 84-85 offseason

The most notable player on the side is Jan Mayer, a former Rekan NT player who was in the Sanford system. Jimmothi Engelbrekt from the Cove League was the third highest scorer in that league last season. Walter Othmarsen was involved in the top flight of Zeta Reka last year, as was Vesna Gudilub. In addition, two young players from bigger clubs were confirmed to be on loan, with Ivić on call for the debut friendly.

Mystery In The Cove
One more investment source was reported in past articles. The fourth investor is a matter of speculation. Rumors of a Anaian crypto investor or a world leader were debunked. The fourth owner was confirmed to be real by the parties present, and was described as a "Rushmori hedge fund." While the company's officials was not present, Kirchhoff presented documents. A "letter of credit" related to the investor was Kirchhoff chief proof of the investor. The document went unread, but Kirchhoff's face was gleaming as he held the paper.

The lack of information given to the public on some forty percent or more of the new venture's investment was concerning. However, Kirchhoff noted that the Federal League and the Rekadom Football Association each approved the bid to purchase Koža FK's license. Franz Golka attempted to quell concerns, "The consensus from our team was that all investments in this club were valid," Golka continued giving some details, "Capital Stars are strict with business partners, we found these investors, investigated them, and chose to break bread with them."

"These documents are not worth gold, but they're worth money."
~Chairman Josef-Jakobs Kirchhoff, waving a loosely packed bider to the press

In the press conference, the question of logistics was asked again to club owners. Capital Cove is too far away from Rekadom for smaller sides to travel. Capital Cove FC announced a ground share with former national champions Beginn-Davn was in the works. Ownership insisted their main residency was the new Cover Park in Capital Cove. Some matches would take place in the club's home country, including the side's inaugural friendly game against Platinastigrade's reserve team on Friday.

Retired forward Tedorow Noske and ZRH NT midfilder Eliza Meinward each were rumored to be on the team. An interview with head coach Stajkwon Hokwok had the co-owner/coach say he'd "talked" with Noske. Today in front of the press Hokwok denied the claim and interview. Meinward's name was mined from data on the Capital Cove FC's webpage, and when asked both her club and CCFC had no comment. A Rekan League insider tipped off RekanSport that documents were faxed to officials and then retracted a few hours later.


With the known and unknown around the new club, experts are split on what to think. Columnist Djoko Weljkowić, a key supporter of Sanford's PREMIER side, is skeptical, "The funding" Weljkowić wrote, "Is mysterious, the consistent answers are poor, and overall I feel like this project may be smoke." The telivized press however, seems to not make much of the perceived faults of CCFC, with negative coverage only coming from public broadcaster Reka TV, who market share is large, but who's criticisms are lukewarm at best.

In any event, the side will have its first two game over the next four days, each at home in the new 7,000 seat stadium built for Capital Cove's National Team.

---

RekanSport Top 6:

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• World Cup 92; Zeta Reka Desperate After Aleirave Special Free Article
• Capital Cove FC Moving Forward
• Proud Tigers crush Ribar PRD In Kožalopta Clinic
• RekaSport Will Defend Freedom Special Free Article
• Bergsteiger FK Accountants; "Cash Payments, Never Crypto!"
• Proud Tigers To Make New Football Investment

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[Ceni]

City Centre | Ceni | Rushmore | World | Opinion | Politics | Sport | Business | Arts & Lifestyle | Travel

Can Iain Cyn-Penzag fill Andrew Arrowsword's striking boots?

Andrew Arrowsword is perhaps the only Cenian footballer to be a household name outside Ceni (with the possible exception of Jaime del Olmo).

And for so long, the Cenian national team's strategy was focused around Arrowsword, Arrowsword, Arrowsword: Ceni's deep bench in the attacking midfield would work their magic and find Arrowsword right there at the goal, ready to capitalize on their work and find a way to tap the ball into the goal.

But Arrowsword's dominance had obscured perhaps an undesired kink in the Cenian national team's plan: It really doesn't have an effective bench of strikers. And his retirement has exacerbated that problem somewhat. Sure, Sebastian Ellex-Mar is coming up the pipeline, but as a 16-year-old, he really can't be expected to do heavy duty for his country.

And despite a rotating cast of strikers being used throughout Ceni's qualifying matches, one player has emerged as a key striker amid the general "lazy Susan" or even "musical chairs" of strikers: Iain Cyn-Penzag. Indeed, the 25-year-old has played a starring role in Ceni's efforts against both higher-pot teams and lower-pot teams this cycle, and he has played an instrumental role in allowing Ceni to punch above its weight in these qualifiers.

The City Centre Eagle caught up with Cyn-Penzag ahead of Ceni's crucial home match against Savigliane, a must-win if the team has any hope of qualifying for the World Cup directly or indirectly.

Cyn-Penzag shows up wearing the relatively standard training kit that football teams dispatch their players to interview with, but with one exception: Greenacre boots instead of the normal Lontra or Meski sneakers. I ask him about it, and he shrugs: "Who says that footballers have to wear sneakers all the time?" It soon emerges that this is part of his brand, his persona: fitting in while also not fitting in at the same time.

Of course, that all started with his family situation. Although Ceni may not have as many bisexuals as Delaclava, it is certainly one of the countries with the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals in the SAREIMA regions. And Cyn-Penzag was born to two mothers, hence his double-barreled surname. "I love my moms, and it never occurred to me that it's an unusual family situation," he said. "But of course, this is Ceni, and it's not unusual at all here."

The striker spent his formative years in New Gelderland, not necessarily known for being a footballing hotbed in the current atmosphere. But back in those times, UICA regarded it as one of the best leagues in the world. "And even playing for a minnow in that league, it made more sense than playing in Ceni," Cyn-Penzag did. Interestingly, he followed in the same path as Ceni's wunderkind Arrowsword, who played for Electrum's Club 24 initially.

He eventually landed at Pelethas United at Cosumar by way of Zoloroni City in Mercedini, following in Arrowsword's footsteps again by joining a Cosumarite team. Along the way, he reached a Di Bradini Cup final, and his star looked to be rising. "You keep pointing out all the things that I did similarly to Andrew Arrowsword, but I never thought of it like that," he said. "I always thought of what was best for me and my circumstances. Andrew was never a reference point for me."

Then, of course, came the Portal Incident. After playing a friendly in Drawkland, Cyn-Penzag and his team got thrown forward into the present-day. How did the Portal Incident affect him? I ask. "We all had to adjust to a world where technology had gone forward by 20 years, the finer points of life had gone forward by 20 years," he said. "And in the football world, it felt like we had to start all over again."

The conversation turned away from his life story and towards manager Luke Longstar's plans for the team, especially with Arrowsword's unexpected retirement.

"I can see where this article's going based on all the questions you ask about Arrowsword this, Arrowsword that," Cyn-Penzag says exasperatedly after the interview was gone on for half an hour. "I don't want to be defined under Andrew's shadow for the rest of my career. It may happen like that, but it's always something I'll fight against."

Indeed, it may just be a dose of unluckiness that he'll always be compared against Arrowsword, and an Arrowsword at the peak of his career. But Cyn-Penzag still has several years left to grow and develop before hitting his physical peak, and that's working in his favor.

We turned to more explicit matters: his club situation and the national team situation. "For some reason, Cenian players seem to be really underrated on the transfer market these days," he said. "I'd like to move somewhere other than Cenial Halcyon -- I miss playing abroad, and that's something that I want to do again." And on the national team, he wonders if coach Longstar could switch to a one-striker model. "But I don't want to fuck over Sascha [Falkenrath] or Ben [Lorennion], and so I'll leave that open to him."

And in World Cup Qualifying? Cyn-Penzag has led the team in goals, although it has scored fewer than it might have liked overall. But on the whole, Cyn-Penzag has seemed to take his position as Ceni's new lead striker in stride, even though he might not ever achieve Arrowsword's technical heights.

I ask him for his final thoughts. "We're really going to need to work hard against Savigliane," he says. "But the result is in Margaret's hands. We need the three points, of course, but we'll pray for those points heavily, so help us Margaret."

As if to illustrate the point, he pulls out a rubber chicken from his tracksuit and cuts its head off. "Morbid," I say. He shrugs again. "We have to sacrifice our rubber chickens somewhere. Might as well be here."

[Farfadillis]

Slightly relevant
Very relevant; only really need to read the headline of the news article

Farfadillis dressing room, matchday nine, right before the game against Baker Park

There was a somber atmosphere in some corners of the Farf side of Rülândéá Çölíséá's locker room. The news had hit just fifteen minutes before. Faragó hadn't been buddy-buddies with everyone, but he was one of those larger-than-life figures not just for the National Team, but for all of Farfadillis. A player that could sway non-Szoirsians to his side, while also being Szoirsia's biggest pride. The one person every kid in Szoirsia wanted to be growing up. He still was. He wasn't out yet. Things looked grim, but he was fighting for his life, and he never was one to give up without a fight.

Lêyêló Jáánsêlà arrived fifteen minutes later than the usual fifteen-minute delay. His face was pale. His eyes were red. Faragó had crossed borders on and off the pitch, and the young Rulandese takilante had been one of those most touched by him. A rabid fan. He'd watch his every game. Buy old tapes. Study his style. Imitate him as much as possible. The rest of the players needed only one glance his way to, perhaps bemusedly, realize he wasn't taking it well.

Degaray and Defigueroa, Faroleran and pretty removed from Faragó, chuckled at the young player's transparent misery.

"Fuck was that?" Boissonade, one of the Szoirsians present, got in Degaray's face. "Fuck you laughing at?"

Degaray stood no chance of winning a fistfight against his Szoirsian teammate, but he was distinctly Farf and, as such, had a shaky sense of danger, or lack thereof. "Kid never met the man in his entire life and he's crying and slobbering like he's five. It's ridiculous." Degaray defiantly looked away from Boissonade and stared Lêyêló in the face. The Rulandese looked down in shame. Degaray looked Boissonade in the eye again. "Punch me if you want Manguele to bench you for being thick as a brick. You think a Ferdullaelan's gonna take your side?"

Boissonade hesitated for a second. His expression could not be clearer: he wanted to knock Degaray out. Cold. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, Boissonade stood paralyzed, not knowing what to do. Some players are more decisive than others, however, so before Degaray even knew what happened, Lêyêló's studs hit his nape. Defigueroa, right next to him, was too surprised to react to Boissonade kicking him in the nuts. The keeper arched over in pain. Lêyêló kicked him while he was down, then spat on him. Degaray laid cold on the floor, in worse condition than rue Cazade for all anyone knew.

Lêyêló turned around and looked at the non-Szoirsians—all of them could have the racism in them to tick him off. His ripe seventeen years of age made him look a little ridiculous trying to intimidate men in their late twenties, some even in their thirties. But with his height, and the potential death of a teammate by his hand just seconds prior, his eyes were threatening. Çí Xòrí and the Çídhs, the three oldest players in the squad, nodded approvingly. Çí Xôrí even smirked, then gestured for him to come closer.

He put his arm around the young takilante. A bit of a frightening presence, that Çí Xòrí: Rulandese like him, and a star that has shone almost as bright as rue Cazade. "That was fucking brilliant, Lê. Let me take care of the rest." He said as he casually walked to the center of the dressing room.

Edmün and Röémün, usually the bickering brothers, also quietly showered him with praise... which completely confused Lêyêló. The Rulandese hate the Szoirsians. He thought he was being a weird black sheep.

"Listen up, idiots. I'm carrying a gun." He said as he pointed towards the bag next to where Lêyêló was sitting. "If any of you disrespect Faragó fucking rue Cazade in the slightest, I'll see to it that you die before he does. I don't care if you're Rulandese, Szoirsian or Banijan. Today we grieve. If you don't grieve, shut the fuck up or be shot. Simple as." He paused to spit on Degaray. "Yona, these two are ruining the floor. Take Degaray elsewhere and check if he's dead. Rogerio, you get off scot-free only because you're my club teammate. Put some ice on your balls."

As Çí Xòrí finished his "pep talk" and walked back, Lêyêló took out a rue Cazade shirt. Old-school. A René Skaé shirt. Faragó's boyhood club. Çí Xôrí perked up, as did all the Szoirsian players. "Where'd you get that, chief?"

Lêyêló looked up, back to looking as timid and muted as ever. "Away game. Had to run across the city to get to the René Skaé store. Not pleasant."

The veteran Rulandese looked him up and down. "You gonna wear it as tribute?"

Lêyêló looked down at the shirt. "I was planning to. I wanted to pay homage to my idol. This is how." The Szoirsians smiled. Most of the rest did not emit a sound. They knew when Çí Xôrí meant business.

"Good. Your idol was a fucking hero." The Çídhs nodded. Boissonade, Tisza, Rigozsoldos and Robineau looked down at their Szoirsian flags. Their homage felt a bit overshadows by comparison. It was Rigozsoldos who first spoke up. "You got any spare ones?"

Lêyêló still not in his element, took a few seconds to answer. "Loads, actually. I have them back home."

"How far away is that?" Edmün Çídh asked enthusiastically.

"Uhhh it's about a twenty-minute run."

Çí Xôrí raised his hand to stop him. "Let me make a call." He left the room briefly, "match has been postponed for a couple of hours. Ref will get mugged. Lê, run home and bring us your shirts. We're wearing them for today's game."

Lêyêló awkwardly saluted the team captain, then took off in a blitz.

"Shoot me if you want, but I'm not wearing a fucking René Skaé shirt." der Efer's voice reverberated, deep as ever. Çí Xôrí only smiled. "The shirts are red. Feel free to wear the usual. I'll convince the ref it's fine. I'm sure he will be especially receptive."

Thirty minutes passed by, with Lêyêló clearly breaking his personal best retrieving the shirts. In between, the Rulandese and the Szoirsians were mostly chatty, while the rest of the squad sat in mortified silence. Degaray came back to his senses... sort of. He was still definitely out for the game.

Lêyêló started enthusiastically handing out the shirts. First to Çí Xôrí, then to all the Szoirsians, then he started offering them to whoever would grab one. Of the Farolerans, only de la Garza, too stupid to be racist, picked one up. Of the non-Rulandese, all passed. The Çídhs cheerily accepted Lê's offer, as did Ànáxímane. They'd all forged a bond as teammates. The Rulandese who hadn't shared a dressing room with the Szoirsian legend were far more hesitant. Çí Xôrí gave each an unmistakeable stare, however. "You wear the shirt or you wear the shirt." It read.

"So seven of us are going to take to the pitch with a different shirt?" Marajis asked confused.

"Your girlfriend's fucked all of Gortz, fuck off." Ànáxímane quickly retorted. Marajis' eyes welled up, but he shut up.

"Any questions?" Çí Xôrí looked around.

"Yes." Lele Manguele said, arriving just in time to infer a small part of the clusterfuck that had gone on. Ah, impunctuality, the bane of his existence. "Why the fuck are half of you wearing René Skaé shirts?"

"It's an homage to Faragó," Lêyêló spoke up, to Çí Xôrí's surprise.

Lele scratched his head. "Good player, sure, whatever. I couldn't care less. If this confuses the Bees then all the better. You ran it past the ref?"

"In a way." Çí Xôrí smirked.

Lele shrugged. "Fine by me, then."

Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ

As the players were preparing for the match to start, Lele finally paid attention to his phone. "Good cagafuegos, who the fuck calls five times in a row. Surely if it's urgent you'd just meet me in person." He shook his head, then stared at his phone.

Five missed calls, Alex Terán

"Oh."

There was another notification on his phone. As a well-read man, he let the tabloids fill his phone with notifications. "Faragó rue Cazade's condition worsens."

"Oh."

He called Alex, fully knowing what was about to happen.

"Lele, what the actual fuck is going on? A tear-jerking, historical Szoirsian-Rulandese show of solidarity? You let them do this?! You have clear instructions. Full ethnic strife. No less than that."

He sighed. "You don't pay me enough for this. I arrived late and I didn't even know what was up. The players seemed to want to wear those ugly René Skaé shirts so I let them. Figured it would distract our opponents"

"And you didn't stop to think it's all Rulandese and Szoirsians wearing it? And de la Garza, who I imagine can't count to six cause it requires a second hand. What the actual fuck, Lele?"

"I, uh, will try to make them switch back to the home kit at halftime."

"You will."

Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ Ӿ

"No." Çí Xôrí responded to the request. "Anything else, gaffer?"

"I'm the gaffer. It's an order."

"I have a gun. Do you?"

Manguele facepalmed. Of course, he'd lost his gun a week ago. What fucking timing. He sighed. "Long live Faragó rue Cazade, I guess." He left the room to make a call.

"Ok, so, Alex, there's good news and bad news."

"Tell me the bad news."

"No can do on your request."

"Fuck off, Lele. You know this is the one thing keeping you on this job, right? If you can't play your cards right you're out the door."

"Yes, sir."

Alex audibly, exasperatedly sighed at the other end of the line. "The good news?"

"We're playing better than ever. Surely you've been watching? We could be heading for a heavy thrashing here."

Alex hung up the phone.

[Sajnur]

Javoser, Sajnur

Isuvari, list MP for the Green Party, sat in the General Assembly. The day was the usual claptrap of spending bills and committee assignments, but coming up on the agenda was the Cassadagan occupation of the Cooper River. Sajnur had long ago condemned Cassadaigua over the Gastineau massacre, but so did dozens of other countries, and rightfully so. Thus Sajnur’s words were lost in the chorus. However, in the wake of the motorway bombing that the River Republic achieved against the occupiers, the flurry of memes that Sajnuran Twii created seemed to have won the attention of some Cassadagans. Discussion on resolutions further condemning Cassadaigua or supporting the River Republic, and sanctions on the Cassadagan monarchy, was hot. Eventually it was Isuvari’s turn to speak.

“The Cassadagan monarchy has trampled over the basic rights of hundreds of thousands of innocent people in their brutal occupation of the Cooper River lands and continues to do so even today. They have been condemned rightfully by many, many countries, and to this they respond by calling their opponents terrorists. Unfortunately, this autocratic thinking has filtered down to some of their celebrities. A stock car driver by the name of Chelsea Taylor has branded the Sajnuran people terrorists simply for exercising our treasured free speech in defence of the indigenous people of the Cooper River, and has thus demonstrated the poison of reactionary nationalism that permeates Cassadagan society. Now I cannot imagine the average Cassadagan is actually in support of such barbarism, even when they give platitudes in support of it, for autocracies tend to do harsh things to those who so much as hesitate to toe the line. However, Chelsea is no average Cassadagan. No, she has taken the bait hook, line, and sinker. She has not merely tried to defend her country against the perceived slights from Twii.tur’s memes, but she has come out to attack one of our own personally, our own former NSSCRA driver Laura Mackenzie, just for being Sajnuran. To quote Chelsea’s words:

“Laura McKenzie should be glad that she is no longer in the series, because I would love to go all Taylor Henderson on her and spin her out. But she sucked anyway, just like the people from her nation who are choosing to support the terrorists.”

With these words, she has instead demonstrated the thuggery of the Cassadagan regime in wishing harm on her opponents. Laura made no memes relating to the conflict, yet just for being one of us Chelsea wishes to target her. I am aware that the NSSCRA is a racing where drivers are given liberty to crash into each other when provoked, but for memes? And not even memes Laura had anything to do with? How pathetic.”

Isuvari spoke further, eventually speaking in support of sanctions on the matriarchy. Her speech roused applause from the chamber, and eventually the first steps in sanctioning the Cassadagan court were taken. Of course, their military had been sanctioned long ago after those events in Gastineau, but now Sajnur was to sanction a little bit more of the regime.

---

Sarzonia 2-1 Sajnur

Sajnur

Goals
Ciuru: 79' (Siafik)

Lineup
GK: Kirai
CB: Raglan
CB: Verjez
CB: Murje 36'
RM: Jorse
CM: Hasan [Merelu 65']
CM: Siafik (c)
LM: Isarghie [Karaji 74']
CF:Taylor [Parjazu 79']
ST: Ciuru
ST: Naulo

Sarzonia

Goals
Campos: 36' (p), 65' (Dos Santos)

Lineup
GK: Sandt
RB: King
CB: Benignati
CB: M Taylor
LB: J Taylor
RM: Dos Santos [Taunton 79']
CM: Wilson
CM: Hennepin [Swann 70']
LM: Mabree
ST: Campos
ST: Cambrio [Wilcox 65']

Sajnur 2–0 Damukuni

Sajnur

Goals
Ciuru: 19'
Merelu: 74'

Lineup
GK: Khadur
CB: Baziru
CB: Pracia
CB: Raglan
CDM: Merelu
CDM: Hasan [Hojaiev 62']
RM: Jorse
LM: Karaji
CAM: Levici [Parci HT]
ST: Valera
ST: Ciuru (c)

Baker Park 2–1 Sajnur

Sajnur

Goals
Naulo: 89' (Jorse)

Lineup
GK: Kirai
CB: Raglan
CB: Verjez
CB: Murje
CDM: Latvala [Taylor 80']
RM: Jorse
CM: Hasan [Pavlov 75']
CM: Siafik (c)
LM: Karaji [Ciuru 68']
ST: Maktar
ST: Naulo

Baker Park

Goals
West: 15' (Eichorn)
Mack: 40' (Altman)

Lineup
GK: Johnston
CB: Brooks
CB: Finnegan
CB: Freeman
RM: Altman
CM: Vuckovic
CM: Nolan [Milton 77']
LM: Eichorn
CAM: Price [Logan 80']
ST: West (c) [Harris 70']
ST: McDavid

Sajnur 3–2 StrayaRoos

Sajnur

Goals
Jorse: 54' (Siafik), 67' (Taylor)
Maktar: 90+2' (Parci)

Lineup
GK: Avordyn
CB: Raglan
CB: Verjez
CB: Murje (c)
CDM: Hojaiev [Latvala 67']
RM: Jorse
CM: Siafik (c)
CM: Parci
LM: Shinwar
ST: Maktar
ST: Taylor [Samiryan 81']

Strayaroos

Goals
Kewell: 10' (Cahill)
Juric: 26' (Keane)

Lineup
GK: Yesak
RB: Okuna
CB: Kuyta
CB: Jedinak
LB: Poalian
CM: Keane
CM: Fitzsimmons [Laoala 74']
CM: Lopai
RW: Cahill (c)
ST: Kewell [L Kaiplo 78']
LW: Juric [C Kaiplo 60']

Farfadillis 2–3 Sajnur

Sajnur

Goals
Samiryan: 2' (Merelu)
Murje: 60' (Samiryan)
Naulo: 87' (Merelu)

Lineup
GK: Kirai
CB: Raglan
CB: Verjez
CB: Murje
CDM: Hojaiev [Levici 76']
RM: Jorse
CM: Merelu
CM: Siafik (c)
LM: Isarghie [Ciuru 63']
ST: Naulo
ST: Samiryan [Valera 72']

Farfadillis

Goals
Cewe: 15' (Boissonade), 20' (Ci Xori)

Lineup
GK: Defigueroa
RB: Marajis
CB: Der Efer
LB: Izotzubia
CM: Ci Xori
CM: Jaansela
CAM: Rigozsoldos [E Cidh 70']
RW: Boissonade
ST: R Cidh [Surreo 64']
ST: Cewe
LW: De La Garza [Degaray 78']

Sajnur 1–3 New Gelderland

Sajnur

Goals
Raglan: 77' (Ciuru)

Lineup
GK: Avordyn
CB: Raglan [Hasan 82']
CB: Verjez 10'
CB: Murje
RM: Jorse
CM: Merelu
CM: Siafik (c) 82'
LM: Isarghie [Shinwar HT]
CF: Taylor [Latvala 64']
CF: Ciuru
ST: Maktar [Naulo 73']

New Gelderland

Goals
Swan-Weiss: 30' (Longreach), 55' (Nesheim), 82' (p)

Lineup
GK: Birdwhistle
RB: Apollo
CB: Calder
CB: Villin-Sallow
LB: Z Engstrom
RM: C Engstrom [Fensby 82']
CM: Hume-Nelson [Proulx 78']
CM: McKenna (c)
LM: Nesheim
ST: Longreach [Aphelion 69']
ST: Swan-Weiss

[Commonwealth of Baker Park]

© Sporting Times Daily 2022
NT looks for final push to playoff
by Mindy Cartwright, National Soccer Editor

The penultimate international break will be the most important pair of matches that the Commonwealth National Team will play since the qualifying for World Cup 87, as BP will need to take maximum points against StrayRoos and Farfadillis if they want to make the final matches against New Gelderland and Darmen have significance.

Excluding the Farves, the three opponents are directly in competition for one of the two spots in the playoff from Group 7; New Gelderland have 29 points, three ahead of Baker Park and five in front of the other two while four behind Delte who sit second in the table.

StrayaRoos have not had their bye in the second half, therefore have only 9 points to play for while the others can earn a max of 12 more; the Bees will face the Emus at New Nelson Road, formerly Richmond Arena, where the hosts won in the debut match of the venue against the Commonwealth in a friendly.

Farfadillis have already clinched at least a spot in the playoffs and barring a complete collapse will likely qualify for Electrum & Vilita directly. Their visit to the BBP Stadium will be the first time that the NT have played there in this qualification tournament, and the Darmen match on the final day will also take place in Belle Haven.

Judging by the races for second & third in other groups, the eventual survivor is likely to be one of the lowest seeded teams in the 30 team home and home playoff series, which make the task of reaching the Finals even more difficult.

lineup vs StrayaRoos:

McCormack; S. Knight, Onikambe, Bauer; C. Logan, D'Amico (C), Milton, Altman; McDavid; Price, Harris
bench--Johnston, Brooks, Edmonds, Eichorn, Buxton, Vuckovic, Nolan, Garvey, Craig

lineup vs Farfadillis

Johnston; Brooks, Edmonds, Freeman; Eichorn, Nolan (C), Buxton, Reynolds; Vuckovic; Garvey, Craig
bench--McCormack, Bauer, S Knight, C Logan, D'Amico, Altman, Milton, McDavid, Harris

_________________________________________________________________________________________

LTA, Conservatives locked in close fight for opposition
by Gary Volmer
The Guardian

As the campaign season marches closer to General Election Day, preference polling shows that the Federalist Party is expected to retain control of the House of Assembly, as they are favored in 94 constituencies, with the Liberal & Trade Alliance favored in 36 and the Conservatives 35 districts. The Progressives, Social Democrats and Greens combined lead in 23 races with the remaining 43 not showing any clear leader.

Many of those uncalled constituencies are new districts created from the previous electoral map in the 175 seat Assembly where the candidates are largely unknown to the voters; nearly one third are in Baker Park State where several strong Federalist districts went through "3 from 2" realignments, creating a third seat from two adjacent ones. The long time majority party would have to capture half of the toss up races to have an outright majority (116)--a not so far-fetched idea--but the possibility that the Commonwealth could see it's first multi-party government since 1965 is still open at the moment.

The Guardian view:
Ten races that could shape the Assembly landscape
These toss-up constituencies are rated by us as the most important in determining the final governing margin and control of the opposition.
1. East Orange (EZ)--LTA 35%; CON 33%; FED 17%; UND 9%; OTHER 5%
This would be a bad beat for the Cons if LTA can take this new seat.
2. Sevenoaks Borough (OS)--LTA 31%; CON 30%; FED 23%; OTHER 8%; UND 7%
A solid Con state legislative district, but had some of that support shifted away.
3. Carmarthen East (OS)--CON 32%; LTA 24%; FED 23%; OTHER 12%; UND 8%
If they lose Sevenoaks, they could regain that back with taking this LTA state district
4. Ridgedale & Mooreville (BP)--FED 31%; CON 26%; LTA 18%; OTH 14%; UND 10%
A Fed seat that got split, they might still hold because of the lack of clear alternative
5. Aurora (MD)--SD 29%; FED 25%; LTA 21%; UND 11%; OTHER 14%
They split the SD's only Assembly seat in Midalia, the party thinks it can win both halves.
6. Far Meadow South (EN)--PRG 25%; FED 23%; LTA 21%; OTHER 18%; UND 11%
Nobody knows how this one is going to shake out
7. Fairport Harbor (MD) PRG 30%; FED 29%; LTA 21% OTHER 11%; UND 8%
A Progressive seat that saw a lot Fed voters moved in from St Warren
8. Broadmoor West (BP)--LTA 34%; FED 32%; PRG 21%; OTHER 8%; UND 4%
The Feds would love to pick off this LTA stronghold which was thrown open by a 3 from 2 split
9. Newport Northwest (EZ)--LTA 27%; CON 26%; FED 24%; OTHER 14%; UND 8%
Another potential egg on face redistricting move in the Con Leader's back yard.
10. Hannover (BP)--FED 38%; CON 35%; PRG 12%; OTHER 10%; UND 4%
The Feds may end of holding on here, a seat they've had since 1946, but it's too for comfort now.