The Red Flags Rise (Revised: Please Sign up OOC )

by **New Edom** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:34 pm

OOC Thread
(WARNING: Mature Elements in Thread)
Betharan Palace, New Edom

Mara, in a white tennis dress, her chestnut hair in a ponytail, flew along the tennis court, smacking the yellow ball across the net, and laughed watching her tennis partner, Olivia Lalery, rushing to get it, not mean spiritedly but simply in the enjoyment of the game. In the game she moved around excitedly, skipping her feet, moving with agility and swiftness over the court, the sound of smacking ball and skittering feet echoing.

From an upper gallery of the palace Lieutenant Thomas Lalery, the Countess' youngest brother, felt his stomach full of tension, and he took out a scope from his pocket, to take off a little of it--he carefully checked his watch first, probably for the fifth time that hour, before checking out the two pretty woman playing tennis. He had a mild thing for his older sister, though he had never revealed this to anyone it couldn't be denied that the buxom redhead was a delight to behold. But even more so he desired Mara, with her little skirt now and then giving a flash that hinted that she was either wearing a thong or nothing under it, a glimpse of smooth curving flesh as a breeze or her movements revealed the delicious hint.

Overhead, the sound of a pair of helicopters approaching was heard. They moved in towards the landing field at the palace; Lalery heard a buzz at his radio collar piece and spoke into it. "This is Heron-2." he said quietly. The voice said, "This is Heron-6. Move the fruit basket to the tailgate." That was the code; he was pleased to see that the two ladies were laughing with disappointment at the end of their game; his sister's dark red hair wild around her face, Mara, running up sweetly to the steps, greeting her pretty maid Tegan. In short order the two ladies and other members of the household were being bustled onto the big carrier helicopters with luggage and pets; Mara hadn't bothered to change yet as there hadn't been time, but she had her black Pommeranian, Precious, panting in her lap. "Tommy, Is all this security necessary?" she shouted at Lalery.

"Yes, it is!" he shouted, climbing on with the rest of the escort.

"Just to go to Quality Bay? I've gone there myself a dozen times this last year!" she insisted.

"Security!" he said, dry mouthed just looking into her eyes. She smiled at him and he felt his pants becoming uncomfortable. "Alright, buckle up, let's go!" he shouted to the pilot. The pilot ignored him; he flushed angrily. He hated it when Warrant Officers treated him that way. That would all change, damn it--he wasn't just some green officer, he was a Lalery. The TH-400 took off and began to move out of the city, leaving Betharan Palace behind.

Near Ysbaddenfach Hunting Lodge, Northern Bara

Someone had been trying to reach the President for almost half an hour, but he had turned off all communications that could make any noise and had been concentrating carefully. The forest in the area was maples, oaks and pines and it gave good cover to the hunter--and to the prey. Hunting a Griffon in the wild was dangerous; the large flightless carnivorous birds could be very vicious and they would not pass up human as prey. He could hear the faint call of other birds--harmless ones--and he knew that there were Griffons using the area as a pathway. He had spent a couple of days exploring the area with one of the gamekeepers before setting up this ambush site. He had set himself up in the low crook of a large oak tree's branch, with his back to the trunk, and had his father's old rifle, which he knew almost better than he knew his closest members of cabinet, in his arm. It was peaceful and tense at the same time.

However there were no Griffons today; they were a no show. And checking his watch, he realized that he had to be heading back for an important meeting. He sighed. Not today. He climbed down from the tree, cautiously, and then made his way back to the lodge.

When he got there, there were already SUVs and land rovers parked in good numbers, and officers and officials arriving; it was a meeting on the matter on the general strategic situation, and he chuckled inwardly; everyone was wearing Class A dress uniforms or three piece suits, and here he was in his old hunting sweater and pants and boots, but in a way that suited him. They all had dressed up, he was casual, but he was the focus. Nevertheless he greeted everyone courteously, with a special word for those in favour.

The Lodge was a famous secret--it was one of the most secure areas, all approaches carefully controlled, and yet it had the appearance of being totally wild. There were few such places in the world, he felt. It also had a bunker and a full briefing room in the basement, and it was here that he and his generals, admirals and ministers gathered. Sif Finnhald was still in Rome, but the Vice-President, the Minister of Defense, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, the Chiefs of the General Staff, and various of their staffs were present.

General Abiathar cleared his throat. "Mr. President, the general situation in Gloria Regis--"

it seemed that the world went white, and then black.

The Palace of Justice, Fineberg, New Edom

Sarah Carmel almost dropped the phone when she picked it up. The call was from Colonel Freed, an officer attached to the President's security detail. She managed to get her breath back. "Confirm what casualties there are."she said. She looked up at the aide who was with her. She pointed at him, her eyes narrowing coldly. "An explosion at Ysbaddenfach--you tell NO ONE, do you understand, or I'm going to make a strong gravy out of your balls." she pushed a button. "The Minister of Police, now."

There was a click, and she heard a voice. "Kohath." he said.

"Listen, John, there's been some kind of attack at Ysbaddenfach. I need you to find out who it might have been from; we'll need to control--"

"I hate to interrupt you," he said drily, "But I'm afraid that at this very moment there are two of my officers pointing pistols at me."

Sarah felt her bladder clench, but she ruthlessly pushed that away, and poured a cup of martini out of her thermos and sipped it. "I see. You realize...I can't..."

"I know." he said briskly. "I think one of them wants to talk to you. Good bye, Sarah."

She listened grimly, as a voice said, "Greetings, Madame Attorney-General. You are to be advised that in the name of the people of New Edom, we have seized control of the Council Police headquarters, the Military District of Fineberg, and the Ethnarch's Palace. The President is dead. You are to surrender to our people at once, who are on their way."

Sarah sighed. She'd thought this shit was over. She knew all along they'd been too damned soft. "Who the hell is this?" she demanded.

"This is Brigadier-General Asher, Ma'am."

"General Asher, if you were riding up to my door this moment on the back of a battle tank with ten thousand idiots just like you behind you, I'd still stick my finger in my ass and tell you to lick it clean." she said coolly, so calmly and courteously in tone that she could tell he had done a double take. She hung up and said to her now pale aide, "Call the Military District of Fineberg and the Ethnarch's Palace, and find out if they've been taken..."

There was a sound of small arms fire rattling outside. She grimaced. "Damn it. And find out where the other ministers are, and where the royal family is, all of them, do you hear me? And make sure my husband and my children are safe." She reached into her purse and pulled out an automatic pistol, checked to make sure it had ammunition in it and walked to her safe.

by **New Edom** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:35 pm

Military District of Fineberg GHQ
Joyful music in the mind of Admiral Charles Rand as he stepped out of his land rover to greet the jubilant Monarchist officers who had seized control of the Military District. The Compulsory Nudity act had been the last straw, he felt--demonstrating the contempt the Free Congress held the rest of the nation in. Promising that they would give fair hearing to the ideas of the Wisdom and Communist Parties had, he felt, been a stroke of genius. But the biggest one really had been his establishing secret control over the New Edomite satellite intelligence system. He was almost sorry that a bomb had blown up Touchstone, according to the report; he had wanted to see the look on the smug bastard's face.

"Welcome back, Sir," said General Adams, beaming as he offered his hand. "Congratulations."

"I think congratulations are in order for you, and the others here. Now..." he clattered into the building, tossing his hat to an aide, shrugging off his coat. "What's the situation? What do we control?"

"Sir, we control Military District entirely--Naval Air Station Fineberg, the Marine Division, 1st ABMS Battalion, Engineers, Skyguard, Cavalry Guards Regiment, elements of the Special Forces, Cavalry Guards Brigade, First Air Force HQ. We control the bridges and the airport, and we control the main highway approaches." the officer hesitated a moment. "Unfortunately, we are still establishing control outside the city, and we're not really that far from Sterry."

Admiral glanced at him sharply. "Sterry, eh? Where's the Governor, anyone know?"

"No one knows," said General Adams, as though it was a mystery on the level of a ghost ship of times of yore.

Admiral Rand snorted. "Who knows indeed. That's the problem with that man, he has no known vices, no known habits apart from sitting out in the desert praying. But he was a problem last time. Find him.. What about the Governor of Bara?"

"With us, Admiral," said Prince Philip Tubal-Cain's assistant secretary, who was present.

"Excellent. Now: what about the Palace of Justice and Betharan Palace?" he asked.

"Betharan Palace has been evacuated except for a skeleton staff. We were unable to suborn the staff at the Palace of Justice..." General Adams hesitated. He was a balding man with a round face and a deep chest, he at the moment looked to Rand like a butler trying to explain missing silverware. "The thing is, Admiral, I was about to come to Stonehaven. Stonehaven has generally been taken, but unfortunately some of the officers refused to rise against the others and are trying to retake it. The commander there lost his head and forgot to say that there was an attempted coup against Touchstone and instead mentioned simply that Touchstone was dead and that in the name of the people they were taking over."

"Idiots," growled Rand. "Well, we still control the military in the area. I want absolute control, I want the Palace of Justice taken and Stonehaven as well, do you understand General?" Rand snapped at him.

"You are quite clear, Admiral." said Adams, stiffening. "In the meantime...we have people contacting all government officials to get them to realize that during this time of emergency we are taking over the government until we are able to restore order."

Victory Park
Three blocks from the Palace of Justice, a battalion of the First Marine Division had been sent to take over the Palace of Justice; they were informed that dissidents had tried to stage a coup d'etat and that they were part of a task force intended to secure all government buildings. Anyone who resisted was likely a dissident and would be arrested. As they moved along the road around the park (whose broad boulevards were of good size for parades) their vehicles were fired upon from buildings around the park before they even got near the palace. Someone had hauled galvanised metal road barriers onto the streets--the kind with big teeth that lay flat on the roads, and they had had to come to a halt or their treads and wheels would have become jammed; at the same time they were being fired on by not only small arms but by rocket launchers and grenade launchers; they quickly fell back as the vehicles to the rear gave some covering fire, though their commander quickly ordered, "No heavy weapons damn it, wait for orders!" into his radio. Under covering fire which was nevertheless shattering the crap out of some of the windows of the archives and postal services buildings which flanked the park two platoons deployed, scampering out, hunching low like men running against a rainstorm and ran to the shelter of the Museum of Music on the one side and the Baptist Seminary on the other side. Civilians had flattened, then mostly scattered, fleeing out of the area. Those who were still standing stunned (probably tourists--anyone who had lived in New Edom for at least 3 years knew better) were shouted at: "Get out of here, you damned fools!" by a hand waving sergeant as he moved his troops out of the line of fire against the building.

Up in the Palace of Justice, Sarah Carmel was doing her best to undermine the propaganda efforts of whoever was doing this--she decided it didn't matter; she wanted them all hung on meathooks naked by their ankles. She was crouching behind a granite wall, with a bunch of her staff who were constantly on phones. They had gone dead for a few agonizing minutes, but there was a backup emergency system that few had the clearance to know about; that was why she had gone for the safe, anticipating that they'd cut satellite bandwidth except to military channels.

She had managed to contact Colleen Fish--Undersecretary Otterneck had been at Ysbaddenfach with the President--and found that she had not yet been contacted by whoever was taking things over--that the lines had been dead until she found an emergency landline in the basement. "I'm in an older bunker down here. It smells, by the way."

"Never mind that," said Sarah. "Call Sif immediately, tell her to contact every nation we have embassies with and get them to start demanding inquiries. Got that?" She winced as there was another burst of automatic rifle fire that probably was destroying her office, her beautiful lamps, desk and chairs. "Sorry, what was that?"

"I said, "Good luck"" said Colleen. "I'll call her." she hung up.

"We should move to our bunker too..." her aide said.

"They've cut the power, and we're on the fifteenth floor," Sarah pointed out drily. "If they start using artillery it will just trap us down there. No, we have to make these phone calls, undermine their efforts to pretend that they're doing this for the good of the country. Why are you talking to me? Listen, rightfully if the President, Vice-President, Defense Minister, Foreign Minister are dead, I'm next in the chain of succession...why aren't they asking me politely what to do? Get calling!"

There was a sound of rockets howling out of the building not far away; the air seemed to shake.

"Ma'am," one of her secretaries said, her face pale but determined, crawling across the floor, "I've got the Commander of the Military District of Brightwater on the phone."

Sarah looked up at her and took the phone, and said in a calm voice, quickly, "General, good to hear from you. Apparently some idiots have heard that the President is dead and are trying to stage a coup or something."

He spoke in a voice that privately she felt a sense of deep relief to hear, "I've tried to get through to Ysbaddenfach but haven't been able to. I shouldn't talk long here, but I'm on my way, I'm leaving what I have to here, and I'll be there in a couple of hours. You'll need to hold out that long. If not, I'll avenge you."

"Thank you." said Sarah warmly. "That's worth a drink at my expense."

"Several, I'd say." he said, before hanging up.

"Two hours." she glanced around. "If Brigadier-General Perrin Pahath-Moab says two hours, it's two hours, barring act of God. We need to hold out that long. One of you dash to where the Inspector-General has made his Command Post and let him know."

by **New Edom** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:36 pm

Quality Bay, Bara Province, New Edom

Mara missed Anneli; she had not really seen her since her giving birth and the lying-in, which had been about a week, and she had not long after arriving at the Quality Bay estate walked out onto one of the beautiful decks, gazing out over the semi-tropical garden there, and went to text her cousin and friend (and lover) immediately. No signal though. She frowned, turned her phone off, started it again. No signal. She sighed and went into the house and said, "Tegan," to her maid, "Find out if you can why there's no signal here, will you?"

"How?" asked the Elwe girl, lifting her elegant eyebrows.

"I don't know--" Mara sat down and flipped open her laptop. "just find out, willya? Geeze, and no signal for this either...I don't get it. Where's my Dad or Mom? I mean like she'd know, but I'm just wondering, you know?"

Tegan spread her hands. "If I knew, Highness..."

Mara waved a hand. "Right..." she was startled as she went down the hall to find that some of the soldiers were still here. "Um...hi?" she said. To her astonishment they stiffened to attention like grenadiers, the officer saluting and calling her "Your Highness." Mara frowned, nodded to them, and went past, not aware that the moment she couldn't see them they were all (though still at attention) checking out her ass in her short skirt.

Mara found her father by the pool, wearing a tropical suit in the warmth and sipping an iced drink as he read a magazine.

"Daddy, do you know why the internet's off?" she asked him. She caught a scent of coconut oil and body lotion in the air, and noticed wet delicate footprints on the paving stones near the pool.

"It's been turned off, my dear, because we are restoring proper order to this country at last. That Compulsory Nudity thing was the last straw for many of us--I'm aware that it could barely be enforced, but it was simply a way of Touchstone flexing his power. He has too much of it. We're removing him and his people." he said simply, smiling at her.

Mara stared at him. "What!"

"Don't look so surprised." said her father tartly. Prince James Obed sipped his margharita and smiled. "Soon, my dear, your cousin will be King, and we will rule again, without this mockery of having a President be the one who truly rules."

"What, again? You're plunging the country into civil war again? Now? Are you out of your fucking mind?" she suddenly yelled. "Daddy, this is insane it's crazy!" she paused, and said, 'That's why I was brought here under military escort, and why you invited me here."

"Yes, we're not risking hostages this time," James explained, "So you're safer here."

Mara thought rapidly. "I want to go t to Carmina and be with Anneli."

James considered. "We'll see. We'll see what the Riemaians have to say. We will contact their embassy immediately."

The Embassies
Each embassy in Fineberg was being contacted--by two parties. One party in effect stated this through radio transmission.

Ambassador:
Be advised that tragedy has struck the nation: terrorists have attacked the President's lodge at Ysbaddenfach, and he and senior members of the cabinet are dead. In order to preserve human life and avoid chaos the New Edomite military are declaring a state of emergency. Dissidents are in the capital attempting to resist this, and we are forced to defend our people against them. We ask that there be no interference and that you cooperate in putting out a temporary travel advisory for your people.
- Admiral Charles Rand, acting Minister of Defense.

But they also received another message.

Ambassador:
By this time you have doubtless received messages from military officers claiming to be responding to a devastating attack on the President and his senior cabinet and military officers at his hunting lodge at Ysbaddenfach. I am contacting you to warn you that there is no evidence whatsoever that the President is dead, and that there are still ministers of government capable of carrying on the government until the President is contacted. Please do not recognize their actions as legal; Attorney-General Sarah Carmel is able to govern the country until Foreign Minister Finnhald returns or the President does.
- Undersecretary Colleen Fish, Foreign Affairs

by **Hittanryan** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:02 pm

Not too long after President DeGroot finally fell asleep, Deol having sent his final message off to New Edom for the day, he was awoken abruptly by a phone call. The caller ID said it was the AIS head, probably the worst person you want to have calling you with an emergency. "What is it, Vasquez?"

"Chatter. Something big is brewing in New Edom. From what we've intercepted, major divisions have solidified within the government. The military, the state security apparatus, the intelligence service have been compromised. They're about to do something drastic."

Immediately, DeGroot thought the worst. "No...they couldn't have. First East Klamath and now New Edom?"

"All signs point to civil war tensions reigniting. That doesn't mean the Imperium wouldn't have capitalized on it in light of recent events."

"Get people into New Edom, now. Find out everything you can. Figure out what's happened, the status of the New Edom government, and the extent of Imperial involvement, if any. If the Inquisition was anywhere near this, we need to start mobilizing the reserves. Does Li already know about this?"

"The military has already been alerted. They recommend quietly moving to a higher state of readiness."

"I'm calling Li right after I hang up. Keep all of us posted, and see if you can't get some contacts in New Edom before our people get there."

As he sent Vasquez back to work, he got the Secretary of War on the line. "Li, what do you make of this?"

"Timing was way too good. Imperium seizes island, New Edom condemns Imperium and offers us base rights, New Edom has coup d'etat of its own?"

"We don't know that's what's happened yet."

"Sure, but it could be even worse. Their civil war didn't end with a decisive victory or Balkanization, like ours did. The underlying causes haven't gone away."

"So now you're guessing civil war?"

"Look, all I know is there's a large, massively destabilized nation with the entire Imperial Navy looking directly at it from across the ocean."

"...deploy the Eastern Special Tasks Group to NAS Eos."

"It's the best option. In this state, New Edom can't fight back against the Imperium. We can, and they know it. From Eos a fleet can be in Edomite waters within two days."

"We just have to avoid getting entangled in this whole mess if it descends into civil war."

by **Arbites** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:05 pm

26 Hours before the coup, immediately following Edomite condemnation of the Imperium, Fineberg

An otherwise-inconspicuous vehicle wound its way through the streets of Fineberg. The windows were bulletproof, the hood, trunk, and side panel were armored. The trunk contained assault rifles, grenades, ammunition, body armor, first aid kits, anything in case of surprises.

The vehicle was transporting Inquisitors Dalgaard and Ericsson to their contact in the city. They had managed to mask their distaste for their surroundings whenever in public. Now, in the company only of each other, the acolyte driver, and their Templar bodyguards, they let a few grievances be known.

“Did you know they have a law that strips people?” Ericsson asked.

Dalgaard waited for him, as though he didn’t finish his sentence. “Strips them of what?”

“It just strips them. Compulsory nudity.”

Dalgaard blinked, then furrowed his brow. “Of all the absurd, savage concepts…what does anyone gain from such a policy aside from frostbite, sunburn, temptation, and a few hundred eyefuls of indecency?”

“It is difficult to say whether it is decadence or simply another of those maddening popular trends that inspired the legislation.”

The car pulled up to the General Headquarters of the Fineberg Military District. The pair strode confidently up to the gates, giving the impression they had nothing to hide and were there on regular business. After being admitted under false identities, they went to meet with their contact, a member of the country's decadent royalty. Though disgusted by the family's moral bankruptcy and blasphemous dedication to the Ruinous Powers, the Inquisitors each wore smiles as they entered a secure room.

"Ah, Prince Philip, I hope we find you in good health?"

by **Hittanryan** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:14 pm

The new communication from Finnhald confirmed the AIS' suspicions of the previous night. Unfortunately, the AIS had already gleaned several grisly details regarding New Edom now that violence had broken out: President Touchstone and much of the government was MIA, the military and police were compromised, and multiple areas throughout the country were now fully out of government hands. As far as the AIS could tell, the conspirators were reactionary monarchists, taking advantage of the nobility's influence over the military in the hopes of restoring absolutism to the country.

As things stood, if Adiron got involved it would get what it wanted, provided their side won. If they lost, well, they likely wouldn't be able to deal with the monarchists after they blew a number of them up. It might drive them straight into Imperial hands. Or it could be worst case scenario, the opening phase of an Imperial invasion of New Edom. It didn't matter. They would simply have to make absolutely sure that their side won, or at the very least that the Imperium lost.

Deol sent a cable to Finnhald immediately, acting through Friedman at the WA who determined the letter's point of origin.

Acting President Finnhald,

We apologize for the brevity and tone of this communication but time is of the essence. Adiron will support the legitimate government of New Edom through this crisis in the interests of our developing relationship and regional stability. In order to establish what has transpired, it is vital that the Republic be put in contact with any sympathetic contacts within New Edom, the embassies in Fineberg, potential allies, and any government military forces or intelligence personnel available.

In the event of a worst-case scenario, the Eastern Special Tasks Group is awaiting orders to deploy to New Edom where it may provide ground, air, and logistical support to government forces. Additional forces pending change in situation on the ground. Specters requesting coordination with loyalist ground forces. Adiran Navy and Adiron Republic Air Force requesting the use of Edomite bases for repair, refueling, and resupply. AIS requesting full access to the country for intelligence work.

Given the timing and nature of this coup, the AIS is refusing to dismiss suspicions of Imperial involvement. Adiron encourages New Edom to disregard any offers of Imperial support, as this may be a pretense for further manipulation of the situation. The AIS wishes to investigate these conspirators thoroughly to determine if there is any connection.

Needless to say, under the current circumstances we would be willing to reschedule the base agreement talks. The Republic of Adiron is also willing to offer asylum to you personally until the crisis in New Edom abates. The Republic also offers its most heartfelt condolences for the national tragedy that has befallen New Edom today.

Deepest sympathies,
Secretary of State Deol, Republic of Adiron

by **Late Roman Empire** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:27 pm

Continued from the "Summit" thread...

At this key juncture, an Imperial state secretary entered the dining hall and slipped the Emperor a telegram. It was crisp and rather nervous in its tone....it came from the Roman Ambassador in Fineberg, New Edom.

"COUP IN NEW EDOM. STOP. PRESIDENT FEARED DEAD. STOP. ROGUE MILITARY UNITS INVOLVED. STOP. CHURCH POSITION UNCLEAR. STOP. ROYALS SUSPECTED AS MASTERMINDS. STOP. SEEKING GUIDANCE AS TO HOW TO ACT. STOP. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR DIVINE WISDOM. STOP."

The Emperor coughed suddenly, and looked ashen as he turned to Sif again.

"Milady, I don't know if you've heard it yet, but I have some grave news for you. If you don't mind, I'd like to excuse ourselves from the main dining hall early. I think that you'll want to talk about this in private."

by **New Edom** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:48 pm

Sif blinked and smiled, though inside she was wondering what in the world it could be--had the President's wound acted up again? Something explosive? She rose nodding, and said, "Of course, Dominus," and nodding to her compatriots (Princess Mara had had to leave even before the dinner started) she made her way out of the dining hall with him, and when they were alone, turned to hear what he had to say.

"Milady, I just received a telegram, telling me this," the Augustus handed the telegram to Sif to see with her own eyes.

"My heartfelt condolences and sympathy to you. Having survived a coup myself, I know how awful it can be," he added with a frown.

Sif's eyes widened, filled with moisture, but she controlled herself. She looked at him and said gravely, "Thank you for your compassion." Sif took a deep breath. "I am acting head of the government at the moment, Dominus. I must have more information, and contact with my government. And I suppose I must ask if you will support me, and my government. If you cannot, I quite understand, and I will apologize then for cutting my part in the summit short, though I would like to have Dr. Andersen continue the economic side of it." she said with a confidence even she found strange.

A short time later, regardless of the Emperor's response, she was able to send a message to Secretary Deol, and then receiving a response, send a message back. She found it odd--she wondered if she would become one of those sad government in exile people--reduced to books and talk shows. And she had felt so triumphant a short time ago..

To Secretary of State Deol,

Thank you very much for your kind response. I cannot refuse any of your requests as your offer of help. I would suggest seeking one of the following places for a landing zone--Sterry in the Province of Haran, or Harbourtown in the Province of Bara. Either of those are within reach of Fineberg and if we have any loyal military personnel near enough that it would not take days to reach Fineberg it would be there.

It does concern me, the possibility of Imperium of Arbites support, and I will advise my people to investigate the matter.

The following persons, if anyone is loyal, are likely to be alive and worth contacting:
Governor Augrim of Haran
Archbishop William Laudner (who is likely to be neutral in this but may at least be able to broker a peace or cease fires to help civilians)
General Adam Nicanor, our commander in Etruria Majora
Admiral John Galt, currently stationed in Pravenia
Brigadier-General Perrin Pahath-Moab (a military district commander in Raith Immel Province, I have been told that he has begun bringing his force to Fineberg)
Colleen Fish (my undersecretary)
Lieutenant-General Sidney Harcourt (Council Police)
Attorney-General Sarah Carmel (who is to all intents and purposes my deputy in Fineberg but is currently besieged)
Jethro Jarmith (the Ethnarch of the city of Harbourtown)

sincerely,
Sif Finnhald, Acting President.

Military District of Fineberg
From the base, a long column of tanks were emerging out into the broad streets, and overhead a squadron of helicopters thundered their rotors. Near this area the streets were now deserted of civilians, though in other parts people were going about their business curiously enough. Military noises--engines, rotors, small arms and heavy weapons fire echoed in the city.

Prince Philip Tubal-Cain was sitting in a pleasantly decorated room with military artwork on the wall--eighteenth, seventeenth, nineteenth. He was speaking on the phone; he was a slim, slight man with grey hair receding from his forehead, a neat moustache and a manner of quiet authority. "You do," he said, "Especially today." He rang a little bell, and a uniformed aide came in. "Please accept some mint tea or carbonated water, the fruit juice to accompany it is fresh, and very refreshing. Now, what can I do for you gentlemen today?" he asked.

by **New Edom** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:01 pm

Military District of Fineberg GHQ

General Adams was seriously regretting the meal he had had that morning. It was a delicious Etrurian concoction of spicy sausages, red and green peppers, chopped shallots, drizzled with an aromatic cheese and served on a crisp piece of flatbread that had been brushed with olive oil. He had felt he and his officers deserved a good breakfast. Now it was torturing him; his guts felt like a professional body builder had reached in and was cheerfully twisting them. He was about to head to the latrine when he was informed that there was a message from Admiral Rand. He stiffened, and made himself stand ramrod stiff in front of his CIC staff even though it was nearly agony. He felt his gut clench and trying to prevent the flatulence from escaping just made it sound like a trumpet's first long note. The staff pretended not to notice, but even he found the stench of it appalling; he couldn't imagine what everyone else thought! Well, if a General couldn't fart and make others suck it up, then who could? He waited for the Ambassador's response as though nothing at all had happened. An intelligence officer with the air of a martyr approached him and offered him a report; Palace of Justice not yet taken, Stonehaven not fully in the hands of Asher yet.

Adams wrote a quick note beside the Palace of Justice: "helicopters, Special Ops and Armor".
Beside Stonehaven: "tell Asher his life depends on full control of the building."

by **Late Roman Empire** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:06 pm

"Milady, I do not know this royal family at all, aside from Princess Mara. I trust that she had no role in this, especially as she was here and not there. A partnership between heads of state, which you now effectively are, must depend upon trust and respect, not to mention at least some mutual admiration. In politics, personality and one's estimation of the others' character matter a great deal.

"I also know that this constitutional arrangement was essentially a truce between rival factions. They broke that truce, which is to me a grave breach of trust. I could not work with any regime that would violate their own sworn and solemn word. The fact that avowedly devout Christians would do so, to other Christians no less, is especially disturbing. Assassination is a vicious act in itself, too. They have blood on their hands, like it or not. Whatever President Touchstone's virtues and vices, he didn't deserve to be slain in such a callous and cowardly fashion.

"In short, these are not princes and soldiers, anymore. They are bandits, criminals, outlaws, and terrorists. I will not condone piracy at the helm of state, anywhere. I will not recognize this new regime in Fineberg, milady. You continue to have my support, and should you require asylum here, you will be treated with all of the proper respect due to your constitutional position as a head of state.

"Besides, you have proven a reasonable woman, at least as far as I can tell. How do I know that the head of this junta is a reasonable man? I have only his word, which he has already violated once. I believe that you are also more honorable than your self-appointed successor. If our treaties are to have any validity at law, then the legitimate constitutional authorities need to be i place to both ratify and implement them. I don't trust this junta to keep any deals that we might make, not least when they are capable of breaking faith with their oaths of allegiance.

"One last thing. It is true that I normally incline toward monarchy. This, however, is not what I see as a lawful monarchy. This is naked despotism, if you'll pardon the adjective in this...context. It is overt tyranny, not the rule of a constitutional prince nor the rule of law. They had no more claim to power than you did, and have even less now, since they are murderers and you at least have an electoral mandate. I prefer constitutional monarchies to republics, but republics to absolute despotism. They are despots and usurpers, not rightful princes. They lost that status when they broke an honest peace and forcibly reclaimed their old prerogatives after voluntarily yielding to them to the discretion of the people.

"Be assured that I will soon make a public statement of support for your cause and opposition to the treachery of these relics of arbitrary despotism. I believe in the rule of law, not the rule of ambition. We've have enough of that here in the Empire and we're tired of it. I hope to see this be the last straw for your country, too. I hope to see your people to stand up to these agents of royal tyranny," the Augustus spoke, then did something unprecedented for a Roman Emperor.

He reached out to shake Sif's hand. Emperors were semi-divine. They didn't touch most mortals at all, and generally touched only those mortals who served them in some physical capacity. They certainly didn't shake hands with the female foreign minister of a triumviral state now in the midst of a civil war.

"Do what you must, milady President. And let's see what can be done here as well. If you wish to delegate more of it to Dr. Andersen, I understand, though I will miss this kind of rapport between us. Whatever you choose, you have my full support to take the necessary measures to bring these pirates to heel.

"Who knows, if necessary, we could even talk of active and material Roman assistance to your cause."

The Augustus smiled without any real happiness. It was the smile of a man barely concealing his rage. He had survived this kind of lawlessness and public violence himself in Constantinople and hated this sort of coup with every fiber of his being. It was a matter of principle and personal revulsion for this kind of ruthlessness.

by **The Shrailleeni Empire** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:23 am

Shrailleeni Embassy,
Fineberg, New Edom

Katara blinked, looking down at the pen in her hand inquisitively. It was only the afternoon, but she had been working almost constantly since the sun had risen. Zattem, though she liked him personally, was a demanding boss. Every Shrailleeni activity in Raith Immel had to be meticulously recorded and passed on, along with any observations about the New Edomites that she or any other member of staff had gained that day. The paperwork was enormous, and without any official business to attend to it was expected that she complete it personally. Such was the hazard of high rank in the Empire.

But her weariness was apparently having adverse effects. For a second, she could have sworn that the tired scratch of her pen upon paper had sounded like the soft chatter of far-off weapons fire. Shaking her head she continued writing, but then stopped again and listened carefully. A knot began forming in her stomach as she strained against the hum of her office's electronics. Listen...

And there it was again. Unmistakable. Gunfire, somewhere in the city. She placed her pen carefully on the table, and rose gracefully to walk toward the window. With a calm that hid entirely her rising dread, she pulled aside the blind.

As she did so, the noise increased to a clamor. The faint sound of small arms fire was amplified by the thunder of heavy weapons. She saw the distant shapes of helicopters hovering over the streets. The knot became the quiet ache of acceptance. Something was going terribly wrong in Fineberg, possibly in New Edom. The tactics and location ruled out a foreign invasion, and the only groups that she knew capable of fielding such equipment in the country were...the New Edomites themselves.

She turned about and walked briskly toward her desk, pressing the button on her intercom.

"Sityarra," she said calmly, "put me on a line to the New Edomite government."

"Yes Ambassador," was the swift response, and Katara calmly settled into her seat. She was wondering how long the transmission would take when, mere seconds later, her secretary called on the com. She looked at the device suspiciously; it was far too soon to have a response.

"Sityarra?" she answered questioningly. "Ambassador Katara, we have received messages from the New Edomites...they seem urgent."

Katara's head lightened. There was a hint of plurality in Sityarra's voice that she found ominous.

"Send them to me at once."

Katara pondered these dual messages for some time, the noise still leaking in from outside instilling her with a sense of urgency. What did this mean? Was Touchstone truly dead? And who were these 'dissidents?' In her experience, the New Edomite definition of dissidents applied to anyone who they did not like at the time, it was a diplomatic term that simply meant 'our targets.' No, something more was going on here than what either of these messages said. As Ambassador, she was trusted to enact policies on behalf of the entire Empire. She needed to act now, but she needed more information.

But first things were first. She quickly formulated an official notice to Imperial City, accompanied by a travel advisory. No new Shrailleeni nationals were to enter the Allied States, indefinitely. Next, she contacted the head of the Shrailleeni social workforce in Raith Immel, and advised her to locate and regroup all volunteer workers in the province. Only after this was done did she take a breath, and send two messages in response.

Katara wasn't certain how the procedure of succession worked in New Edom, but she was not certain enough to follow Colleen Fish's advice just yet. Asking the Shrailleeni to condemn the actions as illegal was a big step, and until she could sort out the truth she needed to at least pacify this Charles Rand. A little purposeful naiveté should at least bring his intentions more into the open.

The second message was more frank that she would have liked, but it was Undersecretary Fish who was asking the Empire to take action against what could very well be the legitimate New Edomite government. For she had a suspicion that these two messages represented two separate and opposing factions, although only hints of that appeared in their wording. If that was so, than she would have a monumental decision to make in the near future. Until then, she could not simply rely on the Edomites to supply her with accurate information. She needed eyes on the ground.

"Sityarra," she said calmly with her finger on the com button, "send a message to the staff: I need Silence."

There was a moment's pause, and then the inevitable reply.

"Yes, Ambassador."

by **Hittanryan** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 8:08 am

Deol made his way back to DeGroot's office to relay the latest. He had wondered if the nations he'd contacted had ever been much for multilateralism. Evidence, in the form of the first rejection, pointed to 'no.' That wasn't good. A confused, uncoordinated general invasion by multiple competing powers is exactly the scenario that can reduce a state to nothingness; it was the same scenario with Ceti those long decades ago.

He entered the President's office and held up the letter. "Riemaia's a no-go on the coalition. They basically cited lack of previous contact, which doesn't bode well for the others."

"Hmm, we might have to do this bilaterally then. Otherwise the international response is going to end up tripping over its own feet."

As Deol sifted through some notes, thinking things over, the tripping over your own feet remark combined with talk of Riemaia reminded DeGroot of the gala several weeks previous. Friedman and his aide got roped into dancing with a pair of Riemaian princesses. The gala, what a phony exercise that was. All those royals and nobles playing at civility, decency, and sophistication, then when they don't get their way they tear their own country apart. Yeah, that's much more 'civilized' then our way of doing things.'

"Sir?" Deol snapped him out of his musing. "What exactly are our stated objectives here? You know, aside from 'stop rebels from rebelling'?"

'Smartass,' DeGroot thought. "Well, with the communication blackout in New Edom combined with Finnhald's letter, I'd say it is a priority that we secure any loyalist government officials. Either evacuate them or help fortify their positions. In particular, there's apparently at least one still in Fineberg under siege." It just struck DeGroot, the name Carmel. It was the Attorney General, the first woman who he and Friedman talked to at the reception those weeks ago. He'd thought she was a bit of a nutter, but stubborn enough to likely hold a fortified position if need be.

"That's right...it's the Attorney General, she's not too far in the line of succession now. Contact the...what fancy title do they use for their justice department? Palace of justice? See if anything gets through. They might be trying to keep things open." First, Deol sent off the draft of the Riemaian cable.

To: Empire of Riemaia
From: Republic of Adiron

Prime Minister Seppanen,

Thank you for your prompt reply. In the interest of maintaining transparency, it is subsequently my duty to inform you that Adiron intends to call for a full investigation of the New Edom crisis. Circumstances are suspicious, and any aid a regional partner would be willing to provide would be most welcome. We hope you will stay in contact during these troubled times.

Regards,
Secretary Deol

The next thing Deol did, essentially taking a complete shot in the dark, was dial the Palace of Justice. While he waited for the international call to go through, he had one of his staffers, Rhea, call Governor Augrim of Haran. They were wary of any of Sif's contacts in the military or police, since both establishments appeared to be severely compromised overall. DeGroot, meanwhile, attempted to reach Colleen Fish as well.

by **Arbites** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 8:13 am

Apparently, Ortega had been unable to help himself, and had done some digging around in New Edom. His men had uncovered a conspiracy by the nobility that was on the precipice, it just needed a little more support and it would make its first move. Naturally, with the East Klamath issue and the threat of an Adiran base, his men promised that support, spurring the conspirators to action.

Unfortunately, it had been left to the higher ups to negotiate the specifics. The prince that Ortega's men had contacted was not one of the operational masterminds behind the coup, that role fell to one Admiral Rand. Ambassador Drogan ended up being the Imperial official who had to deal with him. He was...inflexible at first.

The jist of his reservations the previous day could be summed up as thus, though they were in less-polite terms: "Give me one reason I should trust a bunch of Christian-murdering psychos who clearly just want to block a rival in the area."

Initially offended at the notion that servants of the Emperor were doing anything aside from combating evil in the world, Drogan was able to deflect his accusations. "You and your nation worship the Ruinous Powers at peril to your own souls. However, as we are a Magi nation, yours is Christian. Though we have faith that all shall see the Light eventually, we are not considering converting your people.” At this time, he added mentally.

"Now that ideological concerns have been resolved, let us speak of material ones. The Imperium is prepared to offer you extensive logistical and intelligence support throughout the operation. The Imperial Navy shall "lose" entire ships carrying any supplies from abroad you require. The Inquisition will keep tabs on...non-compliant government officials and infiltrate loyalist groups." He paused, taking a drink of water. "Understand, however, that unless you are able to seize complete control of outgoing communications quickly, any support the Imperium provides must be entirely covert in nature in order to be effective. Further understand that the Imperium must publicly support the current administration in order to be in a position to aid you. The Inquisition needs access, and the Navy needs to not be monitored. Do we have an arrangement?"

Rand had been somewhat non-committal, and had not been willing to share the operational details of the coup with the Inquisition. Nevertheless, Rand gave the Imperium the means to contact him after the coup d'etat had been carried out. Drogan massaged his temples in anticipation of his next exchange with Rand. News had filtered in of an attack. After sending the usual condolences and inquiries on the usual channels, despite knowing full well there would be no one to receive them, Drogan sent out his next cable. He sent his heavily-encrypted, largely coded message to the Fineberg Military District HQ using the channels Rand himself had given the Imperium.

Encryption: Highest
To: [REDACTED]
From: [REDACTED]

Received reports of combat. November standing by. Eyes requesting full status update.

That was all, for now. "November" referred to the fleet that would be funneling resources to the Monarchists. Eyes referred to the Inquisition.

by **New Edom** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:38 am

Fineberg, New Edom

It was a warm sunny day, and sunscreen, hat and flip flop sales had gone through the roof. Among some of the new items sold in shops and boutiques were attractive mantles (the towel like draperies New Edomites carried everywhere in order to have something to sit on for reasons of public hygiene and as well to have something for modesty--for courtesy to foreigners and also to wear during the religious services that everyone regularly attended. It was common even at workplace to attend a chapel once a day). You could tell the police and other officials by at least a little body paint they wore, and in fact body paint or sunscreens that looked like body paint were also common. Hardly anyone was undecorated 'purist'; you could tell those people by their utter bareness. Most people had begun wearing a little paint; those who were extravagant had their servants paint them from head to toe in elaborate constructions like Elwe commandos.

Hygiene stations were also common; in fact they were a new business. It was all the more obvious if you were dirty and so people liked to be very clean; at least once a block there was a public shower quite out in the open at a little park like area, and it was not uncommon to see a mother with children rinsing with her kiddies under the warm water or to see a couple of city workers with their gear nearby scrubbing up before strolling naked, hirsute and stocky or lean towards lunch.

The Inquisitors had a contact now: a Council Police officer called Ruthan Demetrios, an attractive dark haired woman with two well healed bullet scars on her belly; she was unusually well developed in the hips giving her a sensual swaying walk that displayed her plump but shapely and firm derriere to advantage; she wore horn rimmed glasses and a light body paint arrangement that was white and pink almost like a sun dress; her cover was being a small business consultant. Secretly, unbeknownst to all but them, she was a devotee of Magism, having converted during her time in hospital, and had said that if New Edom descended into chaos they would need strong rulers. A sign of her respect for this was donning her mantle during meetings with agents. She had shifted from the diplomatic service of the CP to Internal Security. While the Military District contact, Admiral Rand, informed them that he would see them in good time, Demetrios had sent a message stating that she would be at their regular meeting place; she had been 'consulting' for them at a private room in a cafe that she in fact managed as head of her internal security espionage team. She was waiting there now, sipping mint tea and looking over a coded folder that looked like it was an explanation of tax advantages for the aspiring New Edomite entrepreneur.

by **Riemaia** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:45 am

Foreign Affairs Ministry Building, Carmina, Riemaia
Inside of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dozens of men and women assigned to the various Embassies that Riemaia had were monitoring all the reports that came through, from requisitions, medical, and news from their host countries. Assigned to the Riemaian Embassy in New Edom was Harald Eranhal, a middle aged man who had been working for the ministry since he was twenty. All was normal in the reports for him, save for one key information, the sounds of gunshots being reported in Fineberg. The only reason this had alerted him was that Fineberg was the Edomite capital city, and had been determined to be one of the safest cities in that country. "Shootings... haven't seen those in awhile, best to inform the boss." He said as he picked up his phone and called Minister Tuulikki. "Ma'am, Viotto in New Edom and the security personnel have reported the sounds of plenty of gunshots in Fineberg. I know it's out of the ordinary for that place, maybe we should send a telegram?"

Palace of Carmina, Carmina, Riemaia
Forty-five minutes later in the Palace, Anneli was sitting in her small private room watching television, wearing her pajamas and holding her baby, rocking her back and forth. She was quite happy having a newborn child in her arms, something she never imagined herself ever having. She was at the time ignorant of the shootings in Fineberg, but wouldn't be for quite long, as there was a knock on her door, "Come in," she said as she looked over.

The door slowly creeped open, the person at the door was one of her assistants, Count Jerald Gi Noyela, technically one of Anneli's distant cousins. "Your Majesty, theres some important bits of information that I think you should be aware of."He said as she extended some papers to her, which were not too informative. "Lot's of reports on unshot noises in Fineberg, seems the men at the embassy there are quite attentive, unlike some in other embassies."

"Gunshots?" Anneli curiously asked as she got up and put her baby into her crib, and looked at the papers. "Wow... I don't know what to say... I always considered that place to be quite safe actually, just give me a moment." She went over to her desk and pulled out her phone, and started sending a mass of texts to people who cound undertsand her dyslexic writing, one of which was her best friend Mara.

Mara, I herd htere was shoting going on, you okay?

"Is there anything else going on?" Anneli curiously asked again as she looked at her distant cousin, wondering what else was going to go on.

Riemaian Embassy in Fineberg
As the captain of the embassy guard, Captain Henrietta Leranthe had the duty of sending every report to the Ministry every hour, which was a dreary task. "Wonderful, nothing this eventful has gone on since that one time those nudists camped in the lobby during those protests... well this is certainly great... Keep the doors open, and make sure your guns are loaded." She said to the small number of military personnel she actually had on hand to defend the small unfenced embassy.

Upstairs the Ambassador was cleaning his shotgun, which he had no intention of using but just decided to keep clean and loaded in case anyone decided to mess with him when he was insanely drunk, or in case of a highly unlikely break-in. "Another day, another drink!" He exclaimed as he took a swig of his whiskey, slowly oiling his weapon as he peered onto his computer, where his friend in Rue Rom was beating him in a game of checkers. "well played... well played indeed."

by **New Edom** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:08 am

Betharan Palace
Up on the roof, Admiral Rand could see the Palace of Justice; sandbags and reinforcements had been placed up there, and he was wearing a camouflage jacket over his uniform as he crouched peering at the place with a scope. Puffs and plumes of smoke, flares and flashes, dashing figures, moving treaded or wheeled vehicles. The fight was in full swing for the surrounding buildings. No idea what had happened to the Special Ops landing on the roof. His latest report from Adams was that Pahath-Moab had attempted to move by air from Raith Immel and that there had been a Skyguard duel as he had done so, electronic warfare raging over that wilderness province. Then the unit had simply vanished. Rand ordered Adams to make sure that an armoured unit covered the main highway down, though he suspected that Pahath-Moab would have scouts out and move into the forests and the smaller roads there. Time the boy general got humbled, he felt.

Receiving news of a communique from the Cornellians, he went back down again. "Phone call for your wife, Admiral," said one of his aides.
"I'm busy," he snapped, and went to look at the message. He hesitated. Part of him was outraged, and would respond in kind, but in a sense--good. He didn't trust some of the naval officers of the patrol squadrons; the ones he wasn't sure of he would send to defend against the possibility of Nordkrusen expansionism. Starting with Admiral Hambly, a friend of Crowl's and not to be trusted in his opinion. He sent a message to Admiral Hambly stating his great confidence in him, advising him that only he was in place and had the courage to defend New Edomite territory against the Nord incursion should it come. There.

Ambassador Katara Telta fe Vangarra

I thank you for your condolences. Alas, we are facing anti-government forces in the capital. Do not acknowledge anyone claiming to be the Attorney-General, anyone from Foreign Affairs or the Council Police at this time; they have been compromised by what I believe are ETC militia forces attempting to take over the city. The End Times Church is one of the menaces we face that disrupts our peace. I am sad to say that their political strength was what forced feminism out of our country. While I regret having to take military action against any of my own people, necessity requires it. All foreign property and diplomacy will of course be held sacred at this time.

- Admiral Charles Rand, Acting Minister of Defense.

Fineberg, New Edom
Elder Joachim Paris walked down the aisle of the Fineberg Temple of the End Times, wearing a black suit, black shirt, black tie, black pants. He turned and faced them, and bowed his head. "Our Prophet is away, but we know what our orders are. We are to defend the righteousness of this land. We know that the Monarchists have longed to suppress our faith, to bury the truth. It was they who betrayed us during the Manifesto of Liberty, they who killed our leaders and persecuted us during the civil war. President Touchstone was a good man, but too soft on them, he believed that God is love, only love. But it is truly written that He is a jealous God, capable of hate, capable of judgement and vengeance. Brothers: take up your arms, and come with me to liberate the Palace of Justice and Stonehaven Prison. Our hour has come at last. We have seen a sign. Do not show mercy, remember that those we fight are not truly human but are demons in human form. The other Churches are deceived and weak; we are not. Join with me now in the hymn that reminds us of what we truly fear, and that it is ONLY that we have to fear."

His wife, at the piano, led them in singing the truths known to the worshippers of the ETC. He was proud of his wife, she was a truly human woman, a worshipper of the hidden name of the true God, to which they never referred among the other four Churches. When the hymn had ended, with peace in their hearts and violence in their minds, they had gone to their storehouses before the meeting, and the five hundred members of the congregation that had been chosen for this task, armed with shotguns, rifles, grenade launchers, pistols, automatic rifles moved out into their civilian vehicles (secretly reinforced) to their goals. They pretended to be about ordinary tasks--delivering goods, driving to work, walking in private groups.

by **New Edom** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:41 am

The Foreign Ministry

PANG!SHATTER! POWWWWW! Went the noises outside the Foreign Ministry above. They were heard faintly by Colleen Fish but loudly by the personnel and guards and police fighting back against a platoon of Marines who held the museum and were firing from it's colonnades and windows at them.

Down in the bunker, Colleen Fish glumly sat, hugging her bony knees to her small bosom, chewing her lip. The aide that came in could count the vertebrae in her spine. He handed her the messages she had recently received. She thanked him, pushed her glasses up on her nose and began to read.

To: Ambassador Katara Telta fe Vangarra

I have been made Permanent Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs by Acting President Sif Finnhald, and while I cannot make policy at this time I am fully empowered to carry it out. As such I must reluctantly inform you that the Foreign Ministry is under attack by National Marines in the service of Admiral Rand. Currently we are holding our position. I ask that you recognize President Finnhald's government.

- Undersecretary Colleen Fish.

Palace of Justice

"This is Sarah Carmel," she said. There were noises of battle that could be heard over the receiver; Sarah and her people were still trapped on an upper floor, though some of the heat had been taken off by the arrival of a group of ETC snipers and mortarmen; the thump of the mortars could be heard faintly over the phone. "You know what, I'm a trifle busy so let me sum up the situation: shit sandwich. I'm trapped in the Palace of Justice. There's a coup d'etat. Stonehaven is still disputed territory, with a group of loyalists trying to recapture it. Hang on a second!" she paused; one of her aides was dragging up a bunch of kevlar vests and police uniforms; they began to dress in them; hers was a bit too big but she cinched the belt and ordered someone to cut the sleeves and cuffs of the pants so she could tuck them into the boots. "Sorry, I had to put something on, don't want my skin cut by fragments and shit like that. Alright..." her voice became unintelligible as a shattering of the opposite wall took place; they all cowered. There was a faint shouting outside and the heavy machinegun fire stopped. Unbeknownst to them an officer had shouted, "Don't use the KPV on the upper floors you morons! We're supposed to take the AG alive! Just suppressing fire, you idiots!"

"I'm going to try to break out, but I can't compromise our security on how, gotta go, I'll call you later...(unintelligible)". Sarah grimly motioned to the others. "Follow me." she hefted the assault rifle she'd been given and crawled across the ruined floor, debris of papers and furniture everywhere, and they aimed through a broken window and blazed away at a squad of Marines trying to dash across the park. "Yeah! Yeah, that hurt?" she shouted as one of the Marines collapsed.

by **New Edom** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:49 am

Quality Bay
A patio on part of the estate of a white sprawling palatial building like a cream cake on a green tablecloth; it was after lunch, it was a bright sunny day with scattered clouds in the sky. . Lieutenant Lalery paced the patio, his ear attuned to the security radio. He was now wearing tropical barracks dress and had a rifle slung; he was smoking a cigarette. There was a faint noise in the the sky, and trails of smoke if you knew where to look.

"What's that roaring noise?"

Lieutenant Lalery turned; it was his sister, her red hair like a cloud around her delicate face and her bare shoulders, wearing a thin dress that was lacy enough in the right places to barely conceal her voluptuous fair nudity. Her tan showed through--a light rose colour. She never seemed to register mentally that he was psychically stripping her and doing things to her all the time, especially in night clothes or a bathing suit. She thought of him as a kid. He smirked in his mind. "That's the battle in Fineberg."

Olivia shuddered. "Who is it, do you know?"

"It could be anyone, but according to Horvath it's that bitch Carmel and that ugly whore Fish. The natural state of man--"

"--Oh not that natural state of man shit again," she said. It made blood rush to his groin when his sister swore. She shuddered, rubbing her bare arms. "it's summer, but I'm cold...it must be fear. Why are we still here then? Shouldn't we be somewhere safer?"

"We have the fleet to protect us. This is one of the safest parts of the country." Lieutenant Lalery in a sense resented this idea, but he kept it to himself. "You should enjoy yourself. It might be a long day tomorrow."

"What does that mean?" she demanded, glaring at him.

"I have no idea." he said with a grin, staring at her soft lightly freckled cleavage directly. Olivia suddenly shivered, as though it had finally hit her, and her mouth opened but she didn't seem to know what to say. She suddenly turned away. He admired the swish of her hips, the deliciousness of her heart shaped bottom sweetly round against the thin material of her dress.

He had a strange thought. Things were going to be up in the air. His sister had a lot of money as a successful author--but a lot of it was tied up in the movie productions, and what would become of those now? She had no sense of how to save or be thrifty or invest wisely, and had refused to let Prince James or Prince Philip handle things. That was why she was hanging around with the Obed family again. So she was a bit helpless again, his sister. And why not take advantage of it today, when the two princes were busy on the phone or on the computer, when Princess Rebecca was spending time on the beach with Horvath, and while the other three were away? He was so thickened with arousal it was almost uncomfortable to move. He grinned and flicked away his cigarette and watched the spark descend into the pool, then hefted his rifle and headed into the house.

He saw Mara there at her laptop, wearing that short little dress. Mara tended to go natural; she and Ava stood out for that; he loved it. He wished the table wasn't int he way so he could get a glance up her skirt. Tempting. Ogle Mara or finally have sex with his sister.

"Watcha doin babe?" he asked Mara casually. She smiled at him. He throbbed and shifted uncomfortably but pleasurably.

"I'm texting Annelli." she replied. Im fine, just at Quality Bay. B.S goin on in Fineberg--can i come see U????

"You two are dykes, aren'tcha?" he asked, leering at her.

Mara laughed. "Don't you wish you could be a fly on the wall, Tommy? Go guard something and leave me the fuck alone," she said, suddenly staring at him with glittery eyes. "Like a good little soldier."

He felt a white rage at this, but Mara met his eyes unflinchingly. Precious, nearby, growled at him. He couldn't believe this shit--they'd both pay, her and her little dog too. He went off in search of his sister.

by **Riemaia** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:53 am

Imperial Carmina Airport

Anneli was afraid for her family in New Edom, for everyone in fact. She couldn't imagine what was going on over in New Edom with she reports of shootings, but did know she wanted to see her entire family. Besides being afraid of the light reports of the shooting, the was also nervous her little baby Annette would catch some ridiculous Edomite disease, one that would just have the strangest of all strange effects on her baby and herself, but she just shook her head at the thought and dismissed it as a load of crap.

Coming along with her was a few members of her family. Princess Elisa, a blonde haired woman in her early thirties. Elisa was a Guard Captain, the Guard Captain of Her Majesties Own 4th Guards Division, and also Anneli's 7th cousin. She was quite skinny, as most Riemaians were, and wore something not quite uniform but was acceptable for her position. She was wearing a blue-gray overcoat with a gilded and encrusted half-cuirass resting on top pf it, with leather straps and buckles on the back to keep it in place, a matching skirt that went down to her knees, and lastly a pair of copper plated boots and thigh high white stocking that kept tight to her skin.

Secondly was Princess Elise, the light brown haired faux-lesbian sister of Anneli, who was wearing a lack wrap-dress and matching black high heels with once more black stockings that went a few inches into the lowest part of the dress, which was mid-thigh. She was of course holding Anneli's baby, cuddling her while Anneli was walking up the steps of the plane.

Lastly coming along was one of Anneli's distant cousins, a 29 year old man by the name of Harald Gi Noyela. He was one of the provincial leaders, the Grand Duke of Aquaria. Like many Riemaian men, he was only 5'5" tall, and had black hair like his aunt Camille, which made him generally one of Anneli's closer cousins by friendship. He was wearing a brown leisure suit, which he had got at one of the local clothing stores just hours before, not expecting what to encounter in New Edom in the lines of fashion.

The plane itself was the most common form of transportation the Riemaian monarchy used, a Concorde. They knew it would take them a few hours to reach Fineberg, and even with the general travel advisory out they thought it was a necessity to go there.

As they were all on the plane, Anneli looked down at her phone and saw she had a text from Mara. Actually I'm geetin on a plane to com see u rigt nao, B there n a few hours!

by **New Edom** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:10 am

Late Roman Empire
Sif smiled hearing what he said, it was heartening to hear. "My thanks to you, Dominus, for your kind words." she felt such grief over the thought of her friend's death, of other friends--and she remembered Carmel and Kohath urging harsh measures, especially after the attempted seizure of power during the time of the Manifesto of Liberty affair, stating that they were too soft. She wondered if they were right, but did not voice these thoughts at the moment. Certainly they would not be soft now. "I must make use if I can of any strong communications equipment you have, to establish contact. And..." she took a deep breath. "I will ultimately want to return to my country. But I don't want to foolishly throw my life away. I want to have some idea of what support I still have, and lead my country from there. But I cannot convey to you," she said, meeting his eyes with her blue ones, "How much this means to me, and I will never forget this act of friendship." she took his hand; hers were strong.

"You are very welcome, milady. I am more than willing to lend you the use of our communications devices, from telephone to video to telegraph to Internet.

"Here is one of my state secrets," the Emperor pointed to a hidden door behind a bookshelf.

"Follow me, milady," the Augustus led her to the secret telegraph room where emergency messages were sent to the Sacred Palace. While lower-tech than expected, it was just so for a reason....it enabled the State to avoid detection from methods designed to monitor more advanced modes of communication.

"There it is.....the location of the 'Crypt', as we call it," he declared.

"I am trusting you with something few if any foreigners have ever seen....for that matter, few if any Romans have ever seen. I'm doing this because I truly believe we can be allies...that you will not betray me and force me to move its location. You will not violate my trust, the kind of trust essential to a firm alliance of nations. This is a new beginning for our countries, as strategic partners.

"Now, contact your friends back home. This is your moment to reciprocate the trust I reposed in you....by communicating in my presence. This is, after all, my palace," Decentius added.

Later
She had used the telecommunications equipment privately, but then had gone to have a conference with her own people. Burden was determined to return home; Andersen suggested that someone should remain abroad so that there would be a guarantee--at least somewhat--of government. Sif had not heard from the President and decided it was time to determine who would govern the country, refusing to accept the 'interim' government of the Monarchists and pronouncing them guilty of treason in absentia unless evidence proved otherwise.

When she spoke to the Emperor at last she said quietly, "Dominus, I cannot express my gratitude..." she looked at him with shining eyes. "Ah, you have won my eternal friendship. What a fine ruler you are--I know I speak more familiarly than you are accustomed to but I hope you will accept it. I would like to share the situation with you. Apparently our capital is compromised, most of the cabinet either in hiding or arrested, our state security organ, the Council Police, compromised as well, with some senior officers loyal, others not. Most of our officials are standing on the sidelines not sure what to do, believing Rand's lies. Three of our governors hold true, but two of them face attacks along our borders. That leaves one: Governor Augrim, one of the best and truest men in our country. Dear Emperor, I ask you to arrange for safe transport for me to Haran. I ask that if possible you lend us a surface fleet with submarines to convey me there, and that you help me retake my capital and regain my country. I will forever be in your debt, as will New Edom, if you are willing to do this."

Hittanryan wrote:Rhea Mandana was a bit surprised, first that someone had picked up at all, second by the tone of the voice on the receiver. She quickly composed herself, careful to use the language dictated to her by her superiors. "Governor Augrim, in light of the current crisis currently facing New Edom, the Republic of Adiron will be deploying peacekeeping forces to help secure government officials and bring to justice those responsible for the current violence. Acting President Sif Finnhald has put us in contact with you."

She caught sight of Deol, who had no luck contacting the Attorney General, and quickly waved him over, putting Augrim on speaker in the meantime. "What can you tell us about the current situation on the ground in New Edom, in Fineberg in particular? Is there any evidence as to who is behind these attacks?" She couldn't give away that Adiron was already essentially committed to the Free Congress, or that they were aware of the monarchist plot from Finnhald. They weren't exactly sure what Augrim's stance was, after all.

"Greetings, Dear Lady." said Augrim. Augrim had what was called the Haranese accent and manner of speech, an antiquated way of talking common to country people in that part of New Edom. "And I speak the blessings and peace of God over thy people, that there be plenty and goodwill throughout thy land. This of the peacekeepers is good--for is it not written, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Children of God.? So therefore, be thou blessed!" he paused and sipped some mint tea. "Now the tale I shall tell thee is one of woe. For it is said that the man President Touchstone is dead, slain with Vice-President Cruonis and Defense Minister Crowl One-Arm, and General Abiathar, Admiral Antaxerxes, General De Boer and others of rank and magnificence, and that in the lodge of Ysbaddenfach they were killed with an explosive. It is not known of what kind. Yet no body is produced, and no evidence given, but the commander of the security detail there says it was a bomb. Attempts at forcing him to open the way by forces sent from Fineberg result in him defending the area. This Admiral Rand calls partisan forces, apparently. And in Fineberg the Ministers of government are silent, but it is known from a contact I have there that attacks took place at Stonehaven, the Palace of Justice and the surrounding area and at the Foreign Ministry. I have been in contact with acting President Finnhald, and am sworn to love her as the shieldman loves his swordsman. If thou speakst truly as a friend, I shall love thee too. My city of Sterry is girt with power and loyalty, for I am as a river to my people."

Head ministers assassinated by bomb blast, investigators repelled with force, fighting throughout Fineberg. All straight from the horse's mouth. Most importantly, however, they had a name connected with "partisan forces": Admiral Rand. The AIS was about to do a thorough investigation on the man's background, but as long as they had an Edomite on the phone it couldn't hurt to ask.

"Governor Augrim, this is Secretary of State Deol," he said over speaker as Rhea took frantic notes. "What can you tell us of this Admiral Rand? What are his political dispositions? Did he fight in the Civil War, and if so, on what side? Can you tell us anything about the forces he commands?"

He waited for the governor's answers, quickly jotting all of them down. "Thank you, governor. Our intelligence service is looking to put people on the ground in New Edom, it would be greatly appreciated if you would allow them entry onto Edomite soil through your territory. In addition, if you would grant us permission to deploy Specters to Haran and the surrounding areas, they would bolster your forces and perform covert operations. Adiran military forces will also require a base of operations, do we have your permission for the Eastern Special Tasks Group to make port in Haran if need be? Finally, we are in direct contact with acting President Finnhald, is there anything you would like us to relay to her?"

"I have been in communication with Sif Finnhald, and I am to be acting Minister of Defense." he quirked his mouth. Another one. "And so I authorize your plan, dear lady, and agree with it. The whole of Sterry is thy welcome mat, but I advise coming to Sterry, where my forces are strong. I intend to launch an attack to retake Fineberg once they are fully gathered and prepared. I have...well I shall speak no more of my particular plans on the phone, of course, but I thank thee for thy kindness. Let it be as you have said, and we will deal with the foul foe together." If there was nothing further, he hung up and sat in prayer a while. God was good, and His mercy endured forever. Like many rural folk of Haran, he was a patient man, not given to outbursts save under greatest stress or provocation, but was inclined to long silences, slow speech and a clear mind. He had grown up without running water or a toilet, or even shoes. He and his followers were called the Sons of the Dragon, and his nickname was "The Necromancer" among his people.

by **Gehenna Tartarus** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:19 pm

Quality Bay
Bara Province, New Edom

It had been far too long, at least in her opinion, since Tia had last been in New Edom, but all those thoughts disappeared as she lay on a lounger around the pool, listening to her mp3 player and sunned herself, while she waited Perrin to arrive. Not that she minded just sitting by herself near a pool, with a tall glass of something cool and sparkling. She had arrived a couple of days earlier so that she could work on her tan before the Brigadier-General arrived. She had on a gold coloured bikini, with very tiny spaghetti straps, that she moved around to stop tan lines from showing, while lying on the bottom of the lounger was a matching sarong, that she kept playfully kicking with her feet as she sang along to the music playing in her ears.

On the table beside her glass lay the latest bestseller by Olivia Lalary, with a bookmark poking out about halfway through. She had picked up one of her books during the first visit to New Edom and was now quite a fan of the woman’s writings.

She had seen Mara briefly to say hello to, but her friend seemed a little overwhelmed about something and she had not had time to talk to her about it. And she had not seen anything more of her since then.

* * * * *

Tartarian Embassy
Fineberg, New Edom

Jared McQuaid sat at his large mahogany desk and cast his eyes over the two pieces of paper in his hand. One was a transcript of a radio message and the other was a formal message from the official government of New Edom, or at least the part that Tartarus actually looked upon as the official one. The man was in his late forties and had been an ambassador for many years, but that did not mean that he was not surprised when such things as described in the two pages happened. And it did not take a genius to know that what was likely to follow was not going to be a walk in the park.

The first thing he did was contact Emma Sarie, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and apprised her of the situation that had broken out in New Edom. She in turn would meet with the Empress and they would formulate a plan of action, whether that would merely be planning an evacuation of Tartarian nationals or actually offering some form of military assistance to the government. He was not at that meeting and he would not be told of the outcome unless he needed to act on it, although he would be kept in the loop so that he could assist in any way necessary.

But he had been given leave to reply to both communiques with the following information, which he promptly did. He had been told to keep the information supplied to the insurgents to a minimum while offering a show of support to the official government.

Ambassador:
To: Admiral Charles Rand, acting Minister of Defence.
From: Jared McQuaid, Tartarian Ambassador to New Edom

I would like to thank you for the prompt warning about the situation that has broken out in New Edom. I have already followed your instructions and have had a travel advisory ordered. I would like to ascertain that should the situation worsen that there would be an opportunity to evacuate as many Tartarian nationals as possible without fear of reprisals for our actions.

To: Undersecretary Colleen Fish, Foreign Affairs
From: Jared McQuaid, Tartarian Ambassador to New Edom

I have been given leave to inform you that the Empire of Tartarus will not support any action that has been or will be carried out by any individual or group that is not a part of the legitimate government of New Edom.

At this point in time, we are unable to ascertain the full level of the situation, but we would like to offer our assistance in bringing about an end to these troubles. In the meantime, we will do nothing until we hear from you.

by **Bratoslovoukia** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:41 pm

Imperial Star Palace, Grodzky Prospekt, Afgalastat District, Bratvit, Bratvit Province, Bratvia, Bratoslovoukia
"Your imperial majesty, we just got a wire of a five day old advent in New Edom. Sire, it doesn't look. In fact, I'm not sure you'll want to hear the news." The foreign minister, Etan Nazarbayev, burst into the Emperor's breakfast suite before promptly bowing to the revered Emperor.

"What trouble's Will in now?" The Emperor asked cautiously while wiping his mouth with his handkerchief.

"Will's dead. They're all missing or dead except Finnhald." Etan handed a dossier to the Emperor, his pale hands shaking.

"May god damn those bastards. Give me a situation representation. Now!" The Emperor thumbed through the thick dossier.

"We have the Jagermarines alerted and 15,000 en route to Nevsky and Prelshikov Air Bases. What do you wish to do about Fineberg and Rand?" Etan asked pacing about the room as he was not allowed to sit as in Bratoslovoukian tradition, unexpected guests cannot sit.

"Nothing," The Emperor replied calmly.

"What?!" Etan exclaimed unaccustomed this display of peacefulness that was unusual for anyone even the Emperor. The Emperor was notorious for being impetuous.

"I have to meet with people. Maric, Makarov, Van Der Berg, and even the rat bastard Lubevesky of the Interior Ministry." The Emperor responded. "It was impetuousness that killed ten million of our men in that stupid Great War of Liberation." The Emperor subsequently cursed out 'those Sjourmarian cowards' under his breath.

"What should I tell Bratvit Today and the Pravda? The Journal will have themselves a ball with slander against you." Etan impatiently responded.

"Tell the Journal that if they do so much to include my name in the next issue, there won't be an issue after that." The Emperor smirking responded before putting a forkful of beef stroganoff in his mouth.

"Yes your eminence." Etan walked out from the room.

"I must see how this plays out." The Emperor said to himself while shifting his view out the window on the far side of the room. He soon began maniacally cackling.

by **Riemaia** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:29 pm

Fineberg, New Edom

Anneli and the gang had finally arrived in New Edom after a few hours of lying in their Concorde, which had used it's afterburners as long as it could to make the trip shorter. Anneli had dressed in something appropriate for the weather that she knew New Edom experienced, a nice white short sleeve blouse with small pinstripes on it, a gray-blue (like the blue on the Riemaian flag) dress skirt, a matching blue cotton waistcoat, and uncomfortable high heels. She had her fiery red hair up in a pony tail to finish the look, the look that made her look quite smart and important.

She got off the plane with the others, expected to be met by some officials that would take her directly to Quality bay, expecting it to be a group of military members with how there was some shootings going on earlier, shootings at which she was still slightly afraid of. "Well welcome to New Edom everyone!" She said as she looked over her shoulder at the others.

Harald was quite happy to be out of the cold lands of Riemaia and into the more temperate lands of New Edom, and also having the chance to meet some of his distant family that Anneli neglected to introduce him to. "A little warm for me, but I do thank you for allowing me to come with you. Anneli, might I ask about our Edomite family, like what are they like?"

"Oh you will love them!" Elise said as she wanted to go ahead and jump into the conversation.

"Yea, Iv'e heard so many good things about them from Anneli, like they are quite rich, but obviously not as rich as we are... but then again that's not the point, they are our blood kin and thats all that matters." Elisa said as she too wanted to hop into the conversation.

"Well theres James, all of you should like that stick on a log... hes like the head monarchist in the country afterall. Then theres Olivia, she writes those books my mom likes to read. Uhh... theres Ava, well... thats all there is to say about her, shes just herself!" Anneli said as she looked at them all some more, slowly working her way to Mara. "Theres Adam, he likes to read books... and lastly theres Mara.... well, most of you know about her already! Thats the main bunch of them that should be there, obviously there will be more but I would be guessing if I said anything." She then looked down at her phone and sent a quick text to Mara. We finaly landed, b there soon babe!

Elise still had Anneli's baby in her arms, making sure she was safe from clumsy Anneli, who was only like that because of the shoes she was wearing. "I think it's almost time for Annette to be fed!"

by **Arbites** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:38 pm

Having made official contact with the monarchists, Inquisitor Ericsson then traveled to one of their contacts' meeting places. A Christian who had undertaken penance and saw the Light, Demetrios had made herself most useful during the East Klamath coup, though she had kept them up-to-date on certain affairs that never came to any significance before that. The potential military base deal with Adiron prompted the Inquisition to look for means of undermining New Edom, and it was she who alerted Inquisitor Ortega to the simmering tensions in the country. Ortega, in turn, redirected Dalgaard and Ericsson's efforts towards giving the impending coup d'etat that little push it needed to get started.

Ericsson, in the garb of a foreign tourist, was doing his best to ignore the shameful displays all around him. 'The same cult which claims to discourage temptation and lust...is used by this nation to justify stripping its people bare in public. This Abrahamic deceiver must thrive off of the sin his dogma produces. Emperor, guide me.'

Making his way through the cafe, he met with Demetrios in the usual private room in the back. He would have given a customary Magi greeting praising the Emperor followed by a demand to put a few more clothes on, but it would be prudent not to blow his agent's cover by outing her as a Magite. "Well met, Demetrios. What do you have for us?"

by **Premislyd** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:44 pm

-Retconned-

The Red Flags Rise (Revised: Please Sign up OOC )

The Red Flags Rise (Revised: Please Sign up OOC )

Imperator Caesar Decentius Augustus

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