Nacido de nuevo (IC, Open to GD ONLY)

[Solisian Union]

This is a story thread made for the purpose of playing the expansion of the Solisian Union into Ashia, its smaller and weaker nation who has been harassing Solisia for years in their shared history. This is related to what has happened in the Greater Dienstad News, most especially with Solisia.



04/10/2018: This thread is now open to other GD nations to influence the coming invasion and to interact with Solisia and the NPC, Ashia! Again, this is limited to GD only!

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Favor con favor se paga

ACT ONE

The Calm

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Nazarena Ros
General of the 3rd and 6th Divisions



The sun took her throne in the middle of the sky. The heat was greater now as the troops started to slow down, to take cover from the effects of the "Queen" of the world. While the moon would be the "King", the "Queen" for them was always greater than the "King." Fortunately for those in their vehicles or in the shade, they would still fight well.

The General took a sip of warmed water from her canteen as she took her binoculars and began to watch this one unfold. This time, the field belonged to the tanks. The pride of the Union. Armor from the 3rd and 6th Divisions joined with those from the 4th and 8th Divisions. They gathered at the flanks and behind the enemy dummies, who were in the middle of the field, defending a tiny ring of earthworks. Combined with artillery support currently bombarding the enemy with smoke and incendiaries, the armor led the way for their mechanized infantry.

The General watched on, witnessing a string of tank platoons charge the enemy ring, overcoming tank traps and poorly made walls of sandbags along the way, shooting on the move as the mechanized infantry transports followed the tanks closely like they were children attempting to hold on to their mothers. Quickly, this changed as the tanks were halfway to the ring. The mechanized infantry stopped and the vehicles unloaded a few troops before following the tanks again. Those who were unloaded hurried to dig in while their comrades covered them and the vehicles supported the tanks in clearing paths towards the ring.

Artillery carried on and on as The General saw two pairs of Estala-Espigaras gracefully take the skies, diving towards the ring to shower positions with 20mm cannon fire and 227 kg laser guided bombs. The two pairs then broke from each other, circled the ring and then dove again, this time, strafing the positions only before flying away, flares being triggered to test countermeasures. At the same time as these planes of glory did their part, the tanks reached the ring and successfully breached the enemy positions, capturing the center of the field.

The General was pleased at this as she lowered the binoculars and nodded to her fellow general, saying "¡Estoy impresionado! Tienen una gran coordinación y pudieron ganar tiempo y apoyo para la armadura."

Her fellow nodded too to her comrade and told her "En efecto. Pero esto es solo el principio, mi hermana. Dime, ¿estás seguro de que puedes preparar a tus hombres para lo que vendrá la próxima vez?"

The General nodded to that and stood up and said "Yes. I do." Her comrade did the same and she continued as they started to walk away from their places, their aides giving them the salute as they passed them by "I am certain that we will join you in battle as soon as the battle itself begins. You are not suggesting that the starting objectives have changed, have they?"

The other shook her head and stopped herself and her comrade. She spoke to Nazarena "No, they have not. I am simply looking out for you, my friend. And I just want to make sure that when that time comes, my friend is with me. We would fight side by side."

The General could smile at that but she simply nodded and said to her "Huh. I see. That's great, I guess." Feeling dejected, the other told her as she placed an arm around her back, attempting to lighten up the mood

"Hey, come on, Nazarena, this war won't be a blink in the eye of the Sun. I promise you, we can do this. Even though you rapidly rose through the ranks and found yourself here with me, trust me, this...uh, Primera prueba de fuego y agua? It will all be over without too much trouble. The only thing I want you to do for yourself is to relax, okay? Besides...Guarde esa preocupación por los Field Marshalls cuando hablemos con ellos después del ejercicio..."

Nazarena thought about it. She has been going over this future war with Ashia for days and nights now. And most of all, she remembered her only daughter, Magdalena, has not been getting much attention. She was coming home tomorrow and the end of this week was going to be the day that the war would come, that it would finally come. As desired by her state, the government she loved to fight for. Nazarena nodded to herself about it and looked at her fellow general and told her

"You are right, amiga. Perdóname por estar demasiado inmerso en esto."

"No se Sucede. Ahora, terminemos con este ejercicio. ¡Tendremos que empezar a poner nuestras fuerzas sobre el río Dama Maria!"

[United Vallerian Republic]

To the government of the Solisian Union,

The United Vallerian Republic offers military assistance in the expansion of your nation into Ashian territory. We request your permission to deploy the 8th Heavy Armour Battalion, the 158th Infantry Battalion, and the 778th Fighter Squadron. This totals 40 S.40UMP/A20 tanks, 760 infantry, 22 VF-76 multirole fighters, 3 VT-72 cargo aircraft, and various other logistics equipment. If you were to accept our assistance, they would be fighting alongside your troops. We await your answer, and look forward to further cooperation between our two nations.

Sincerely,
Erlend Salvesen, Prime Minister of the United Vallerian Republic

[Solisian Union]

ACT ONE

The Invasion Day

El sol no perdona y la luna no olvida y las estrellas no retienen sus castigos. (The sun does not forgive and the moon does not forget and the stars do not hold their punishments back.)

---

To the Prime Minister of the United Vallerian Republic,

We are pleased to hear your desire to assist us. We will gladly accept this and in return, we will allow you to, should you gain anything from this, keep whatever territory your forces may capture from the enemy. We will expect you very soon. Today is invasion day.

Sincerely,

The Three Presidents of the Solisian Union

---

Nazarena Ros
General of the 3rd and 6th Divisions

"War is coming home"

- World in Conflict

Music to listen to while reading this post:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHeAzjtQH2w

Polyushke Polye



The king of the night gave up his seat of power to the queen of the day. As her heat and light came to touch the faces of men and women who rallied together as soon as possible, the Solisian woman noticed herself walking over to a collection of some of her troops and their vehicles from the 3rd Division. Her other division was busy several kilometers away to the north. Her friend would take care of the southern part of this invasion.

Once she was closer to her troops, she stopped to greet one of them, a simple sergeant named Alma Varela. She smiled at her as she realized she came back from training some new troops. She told her "Ah, welcome back Sergeant Alma! How was recruit training?" To which the sergeant just smiled as some of her comrades chuckled before she told her superior "Boring, sir."

It made the General laugh as she said "Ah, but necessary, dear Sergeant. Those recruits will soon be needed!" The sergeant just nodded to that as she watched her General walk on, saluting her as the rest did when they all heard her bark "¡Oh, camaradas! Comrades!"

It impressed her too to see them stomp once before saluting her. Others even slammed the butts of their weapons on the ground once at the same time they stomped before the salute. The General was pleased enough to continue "It's good to see you all here today! And it will be even better...to see you soon..." She then faced the border wall that separated Solisia from Ashia. It was a pretty good distance away. The Ashian border guards weren't even a concern. The Solisians, as far as the General knew, bribed many of them or at least eliminated them quietly using special forces. She concluded her sentence with a louder voice and with her arms pointed at the wall

"BREAKING THROUGH THAT WALL!" And to that, all of her troops cried out and raised their weapons into the air, smiles on their faces as they realized that they would be going to war. They watched her now with great affection as she spoke "That will teach those Ashian hijos de puta how to fight!" Some laughed at that but the rest simply continued to cry out in joy. When they quieted down, they witnessed her climbing up a Correa. When she was on the top, just near the main cannon, she told them "They thought they could harass us! They thought that they could simply live after we forgave them of their sins! They thought we'd give way and fall!"

She then raised a hand, turning it into a fist of fury as she told them "But today, we'll show them that the Fuerzas Armadas de la Unión del Sol bows to no one! Not to them and not to the world!" She then looked to the sky, lifting her arms up in praise as she cried out loud "The sun and the moon and their glorious stars shall witness us today as we...bring...the wrath of the Solisian Union upon these bastards!"

One last cry. She then gave all her troops a salute as everyone heard the roar of three Morterero-Montenegros over their heads. It was the beginning. Everyone was in place and for the General, she would have the glory of leading these troops first into battle. She entered the Correa as soon as she saw those Morterero-Montenegros hammer the wall with their rockets and cannons before flying away, circling then returning to strafe the area before returning to base.

Her troops cried aloud as many rushed to their vehicles while others who were close to mortars and some 105mm towed field guns got to them and started doing what they did best.

The bigger picture was like this: Everywhere along the border, Solisian planes and artillery destroyed the wall while Solisian troops and their armor and vehicles overwhelmed the border crossings and opened up the gates into Ashia. Divisions were unleashing their might on the crippled Ashian border defenses while Solisian bombers started to shower nearby Ashian population centers and Ashian military bases with bombs and missiles. Airborne units took to the skies, troops exiting their helicopters as fast as they could when they landed close to their objectives. In the waters around Ashia, Solisian warships let their missiles fly out towards their targets while naval infantry hit the beaches together with their vehicles while carriers ordered their planes to strike deeply into Ashia.

Protecting the divisions from Ashian planes were the newly bought and tested assets from Haishan. As Ashian planes attempted to address the invasion of the Solisians, they were shot down without mercy by Vetyr-E combined gun and missile systems that were attached to various Solisian units, helping out the Solisians as they used their own MANPADs and anti aircraft gun systems. It was all a great sight for many of the Solisians, bolstering their morale as they invaded their neighbor.

It helped a lot too to see the Grazyas rain death upon the Ashians from several hundred kilometers. It made many Solisian troops at the front rejoice at seeing those rockets come down on the heads of the Ashian defenders. Everything that they bought from Haishan had made the first steps of their invasion so much easier.

For the General, her part was enjoyable. She was able to pierce the Ashian defenses and entered her first objective of the day without losing too many men. She arrived at the small city of Ayoriram. There, she saw Ashian soldiers rush out to drop their weapons and surrender. They were all frightened and roughened up because of the artillery that bombarded them, the rockets that rained on them and the bombs that were dropped by the first bombers. She sighed with relief as she reported this over the radio to her superiors while her subordinate officers took care of the rest, the Solisian flag being rushed to the tallest building of the city so that all the world could see....that the invasion day went well.

[United Vallerian Republic]

As the sun peeked over horizon, along with it came the sound of rumbling engines as the 8th Heavy Armour Battalion warmed up their S40 tanks. The troops of the 158th Infantry Battalion drove by, and the smell of gasoline and motor oil filled the air. The radio crackled, and Sergeant Nilsson ducked back inside his tank. Over the radio, came the voice of the Prime Minister, Erlend Salvesen:

"We come to aid our fellow nation, the Solisian Union, in their time of need. We come to assist them in their in liberation of Ashia, a country that has harassed them time and time again. Ashia has raided our borders as well, and they've killed many innocent Solisians and Vallerians. We liberate Ashia for the good of their people..."

As the Prime Minister talked, Sergeant Nilsson heard rumbling in the distance. Poking his head out of the hatch once more, he grabbed his binoculars. He saw, far, far off in the distance, explosions, along the Solisian-Ashian border.

"...Remember, you represent Valleria. Go forth, and make your nation proud, and brand your names in the pages of history forever."

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A flight of VF-76s passed overhead, roaring by in a low pass. They then pulled up, soaring high, and waggled their wings. Cheers and shouts rang through the air, and a cloud of dust flew in the air. Tanks lurched forwards, and Vallerian flags fluttered in the morning breeze. The invasion had begun.

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The 8th Heavy Armour Battalion, the 158th Infantry Battalion, and the 778th Fighter Squadron have begun a central thrust, deep into foreign territory. The 8th Heavy Armour Battalion has raced forwards at the tip of the spear, supported by the motorized infantry, with the 778th Fighter Squadron providing air cover, reconnaissance, and close-air support.

[Mokastana]

Solisian-Ashian border
Invasion Day

Although technically not at war, at least one Battalion of “Military Advisors” from the People's Unified Federation was in theatre to aid the Solisians in their invasion. Officially it was in regards to a recent government to government weapons sale, but mostly it was to field test the new weapons the PUF had acquired from the Haize government. Most would be operating behind the front, either in a logistical or advisory role. The closest any would be getting to the front was the rocket artillery and air defense weapons being tested. As with all combat deployments, the Federal soldiers wore no identifying marks on their uniforms, and even the traditional Military Logo of a Red Star on Black Shield had yet to be painted on the experimental weapons.

Lieutenant Emmanuel Delgado knew this well. For he was in command of the Artillery Company issued the new Gracia Guided Multiple Rocket Launch System. A name that was both a tribute to the original Haize name of Grazya, and a reminder to the grace artillery must have in providing close support to their comrades on the front. Today however, the graceful strike made by this rocket artillery would be as beautiful to the operators, as it would be devastating to the target.

At his command, six Gracias on the original Haize chassis. This was chosen for their lower overall weight compared to the Lyran LY7 chassis typically used by Federal rocket artillery. After all, weight was always a factor for the largely amphibious army. Four Gracias were armed with 220mm rocket pods, and two with the larger 300mm. Their targets were straightforward: a concrete defensive position some 20 kilometers inside the Ashian border, and a local command bunker 60 kilometers behind the border.

For the defensive position, two Gracias would fire their 30 rocket payloads, a mixture of thermobaric and Semi-Armour Piercing Explosives. The mixture was using Haize style rockets to wreck the target. Men, vehicles and light structures would be destroyed by thermobarics, with semi armor piercing rockets to destroy concrete bunkers and possibly heavier vehicles at the target site. Live Intel wasn't available for what was at the target zone, so a general devastation load out was selected.

For the command bunker further inside enemy territory, the 300mm rockets would be used, a total of 24 semi armor piercing rockets between the two launchers would be fired. In space, Damocles satellites watched the targets with a keen interest. This footage would not be sent to the Haize for study, as Command didn't want to give the Haize to much information on the capabilities of Damocles, but it would give the Federation a summary of initial devastation. When the targets were captured by Solisian troops, then the Federation would move in to get direct evidence of the strike to give the Haize real combat knowledge of their weapons.


“Command, Gracia 3 target coordinates locked on.”

“Gracia 4, Locked on.”

“Gracia 6, Locked on.”

“Gracia 5, Locked on.”

Lieutenant Emmanuel Delgado heard the reports in his helmet radio. Sitting in the back of his supply truck that acted as a fire command for the Battery, he reviewed the map in front of him once again. Opening his radio to the entire battery.

“Battery, prepare to fire and move to Charlie. ”

He counted down from six, giving anyone in blast zones enough warning to run as fast as they could. Then gave the final order.

“Battery, fire away.”

From outside his vehicle, he heard the roar of rockets. Massive explosive spears thrusting into the sky, with only the single purpose of destruction their end goal. For a solid 20 seconds, the continued as the sequences of each pod fired. Outside, the field they were in filled with smoke, and as the roars died down the Lieutenant felt the truck engine start up, they were moving. Emanuel spoke into his headset again. “Go! Go! Go!”

With the practiced precision of a professional army. The still smoking launchers dismounted from the ground and their drivers began rushing in all directions. It was a common tactic known as “shoot and scoot”, moving location after firing to avoid counter battery fire. Emanuel wouldn't care to know the effects of his artillery hit, that was something he'd find out later from Battalion command. For the moment, his only concern was moving to the new launch site, reloading his launchers and preparing for another launch.

[Eitoan]

Embassy of the Republic of Eitoan, Ashia


As the day wore on, news of the invasion seeped into the sleepy streets of the capital, and panic slowly took hold. First in the poorer districts, then spreading steadily through the downtown and industrial suburbs. Crowds formed in front of the major government buildings, and around 2:00 PM the first of a steady stream of refuge seekers clamored onto the boulevards that comprised embassy row. Initially the grand structures of the world powers drew ever increasing crowds, but within a short while the spillover spread to the side street housing the legations of many of the northern continental republics. By this time all Eitoans that could be contacted in the capital were safe in the chancery, 21 of the 35 known citizens in Ashia at the time. Shortly after lunch, Ambassador Ralph Baumrucker announced the closure of the embassy's visa office on instruction of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and had the Diplomatic Protection Service guards fitted out for riot duty. Six of the guards remained inside the building, near the main entranceway, escorting nervous non-citizen visitors out. Officers David Becker and Solomon Brydia ventured out on sentry duty, as barricades were set up in front of the embassy.


"Nice day for a riot, huh Dave?' chirped Brydia.


Becker looked down at the shorter, stubbier Brydia, scowling. Briefly opening the visor on his helmet, he turned his head and spat on the sidewalk in front of the gates. "Yuh, lotsa fun, kid. Just keeep your head up. These bastards are unstable - fly into a rage under any pressure. And from what I've heard, the thunder's rolling in". Dave Becker scratched his crotch a couple of times, recovering from his latest bout of the Ashian Clap, a particularly virluent strain of ghonnorhea raging through the captial's cheap hookers. Dave faced south, Brydia facing north, both stifling under the heavy body armor for the day's duty.


Both suddenly drew their attention to the north end of the street: A crowd of young men of military age had just broken through and stormed the Aurensian Embassy. Within minutes that building was aflame.


Brydia was approached by a young Ashian woman holding a newborn infant, two sniffling toddlers in tow. She approached the young man, plaintively.


"Mister - please - my oldest missing - I not see my husband - gone to army, I think. I go Eitoan - please, please..."


Sol regarded her kindly, but pushing her aside firmly told her in slow, halting Ashian "No go into Embassy - not possible - no visa - no visa now", and he gently nudged her aside.

A small group of young men dressed in dirty jeans and torn t-shrits came up to Becker. After a few harsh words were exchanged, Becker stepped forward and curtly bashed the apparent leader of the mob on the forehead. Blood gushed out, and the youth crumbled to the pavement. "Back - back, dammit!" barked Becker. "No Ashain - Eitoan only! You have no business here! Move along".

The small knot of boys collected their compatriot, and moved down to the next embassy.

"Goddam draft dodgers" grumbled Becker. "Huh - Those Solisans will be here soon enough, and about time. Clean up this place".

Advancing down the street was a disorganized mob of visa seekers, some better dressed, likely officials of the Ashian regime, some workmen and beggars and drug addicts, hoping to get while the getting was good. Nobody knew what countries were open to refugees and which were not. Few even could recognize the Coat of Arms for each embassy. Ahead of them a small contingent of ill-armed police attempted in vain to keep order, pushed back every step of the way. The hapless police captain in charge turned to Becker and shrugged helplessly as the crowd surged toward the embassy gates.

Becker had had enough. Stepping forward, he barked at the crowd, brandishing his rifle "Get back - no entry! Territory of The Republic of Eitoan! No Admittance!"

A half-empty beer bottle whizzed periously close to Brydia's head.

"Dammit" cursed Becker. He raised his rifle and let forth a volley in the air as a warning shot.

The crowd scattered.

"There, that's how you handle 'em" Becker told Brydia. "Didn't they teach you anything on border duty in the Militia?"

[The Macabees]

— Oraja, Indras

In the distance beat the rotors of helicopters against the sky.

Thoom, thoom, thoom.

A HIM-TAC stopped harshly along the narrow dirt road that meandered through a broad barley field that flowed in the wind as far as the eye could see. There sat a small country home just aside of the road. There was a quaint, peaceful silence in the air, despite the noise of the military vehicle and the sound of boots hitting the ground as its passengers disembarked.

One of the soldiers had grey hair and looked to be of an age close to retirement. He wore the emblems of a strategos. His eyes were hidden behind the thick frames of a pair of aviator glasses. The men around him were younger, all of them strong and capable of moving with deadly grace. They followed him closely, rifle in hand, as he walked up a rugged path to the front door of the country home. His knock was rasping. They waited some time, but when no one answered he knocked again. When still no one answered, he motioned for one to around the back.

When all were in position, he looked to one of the men still by him, and ordered, "Kick down the door."

The soldier did as told, using his great leg to rip the door off of its hinges. The wood split in half, sending splinters flying into the house. Two soldiers rushed in quickly, the third staying with the general. They heard another commotion in the back, which must have been the fourth one bursting in through the back door. There was another sudden sound of clashing that came from within, but it was quickly over. One of the soldiers called out, "We got him, sir!"

"Okay, okay!" heard the strategos as he walked in. He went to the kitchen, were he heard all the noise coming from, and as soon as he turned the corner he saw his target with his arms restrained behind his back. There was a rifle on the table in front of him. The target was squirming around, yelling, "Let go of me! I haven't done anything wrong! I thought I had amnesty?"

"You do," said the general, cooly. "That is what I come to talk to you, in fact."

"Talk to me?" asked the man. "Is that why you kick down my door?"

"You did not answer," the strategos replied. "Anyway, let us not fight over what is already history. Tell me, Antonin, how is peace treating you?"

The man scoffed. "Terribly boring. I cannot go anywhere or do anything without you and your dogs breathing down my neck. It is as if I were a criminal, the way I am treated. I thought I had amnesty? If I had known that this was the life of amnesty I would have never turned myself over."

"Don't be a fool," reprimanded the general. "You turned yourself over because you knew your war with the empire was futile, and because your cause is not compelling. But, I can empathize with your feelings, Antonin. I truly can. But you must understand that you are a criminal to the empire, you fought against it and continue to be a threat as long as you remain in Indras because there is no guarantee that you will not switch back. Do you think we are fools? That we do not take our own precautions? That our conduct does not have reason to it? You would be sadly mistaken on all three accounts. But, I have come to you with an opportunity, an opportunity to return to the life you yearn for."

"And what life is that?" spat the man.

The strategos smiled. "The life of a warrior, Antonin. I am like you, I live for the same things. I know that this is what you want."

"A warrior?" asked the man, who had stopped resisting, although the soldiers still held his arms back. "And whom would I be fighting for? Surely, not the Indrans. And most definitely not the empire. I will not die for your emperor in Palenque, New Empire, or Gholgoth, I will not."

"What if it were in return for your retirement, with command, in the west?" The general was still smiling.

Antonin weighed the option visibly. "The west?"

"Bring him with us," ordered the general. To Antonin, he said, "Welcome to the Ejermacht, although you will not be a soldier. Come, I will explain it all to you on the way. We are travelling by air."

By the time they were back outside, a helicopter was landing in the field just across the dirt-road they had come from.



...two months later.
— Kríerstatón Vos Díelaht

Its naval base in Valleria represented the empire's westernmost physical seaborne presence. Here, the Golden Throne was slowly strengthening its limited naval forces which were involved mostly with the escorting of supply convoys to the Potthani port of Bokán and keeping an eye on ships that entered and left the great river that traveled northwest to Ralkovia. Whereas only three eskuadróns was dedicated to Kríerstatón Vos Díelaht at its inception, this had been by now tripled, which included the addition of a single marine eskúadrón equipped with five amphibious support vessels that served as light carriers. All in all, aside from the marine eskúadrón, there were five of its raid counterpart. This placed the empire's most local naval forces at 131 warships, their logistical support, and independent submarine eskuadróns whose exact composition were unknown to all but the highest levels of command.

Vos Díelaht was never meant to house ships destined for active combat. Although there was some doubt on how faithfully the empire would stick to its overt intentions, fleet commanders on base were under orders to screen and survey the enemy, but to avoid engaging them unless attacked first. Even if the enemy was Ralkovian — at least, officially. But, with active combat operations in Barjaanistan and high tensions in the northeastern waters, patrol and training maneuvers were common. Imperial ships had therefore been roving through these local waters, between southern Potthan and the southern coasts of Quirina, many times before.

No surprise, then, when three raid eskuadróns and the marine eskuadrón deployed in the waters just southeast of Auclal [sic?]. Putatively on a coordination and training exercise, two of the raid squadrons sailed on well ahead and the two group split in two, occupying a wide space controlled through a disjointed front of three-layered picketts that guarded the space between Zigdem and Valleria in the rear, Essalieyan and Quirina to the north, and Quirina and Solisia to the east. These screens were kept thin enough to not impede the normal flow of mercantile traffic, but with sufficient reserves to close ranks in case of combat.

Of course, the question of why the four squadrons had bifurcated in the fashion they did was a valid one.



...one week prior to the exercises.
— Imperial Palace, Fedala

Fedor sat in his favorite chair, surrounded by shelves full with cloth- and leatherbound books. He was reading one. Down its worn, red spine in bold, gold lettering read Gamma'heral's March. The emperor looked absolutely enthralled with it, his eyes never lifting from the pages until a knock gave at the door.

He looked up for a second, then back down, and placed the thin golden ribbon inside the book's crest to mark his place before closing it. "You may enter."

It was Kríerlord Ambrot Jokasta, reporting from his western domain. The high commissar was in proper attire, wearing the imperial uniform befitting of an advisor to His Imperial Majesty. A wall of medals and ribbons decorated the kríerlord's left breast, all earned during his twenty years of military service under both Fedor and his grandfather. Jokasta stepped into the center of the room and bowed, saying when again upright, "I thank you for this honor, Your Imperial Majesty. I hope that I have arrived soon enough, my staff acquired the earliest possible travel accommodations upon receiving your summons."

"Of course," said the emperor. He gestured toward another chair, across from him. "Take a seat, Ambrot."

The kríerlord did so without allocating a second thought toward it. "Pardons Your Majesty, but my staff did not brief me on the topic of our discussion today, so I must embarrassingly admit to being unprepared. However, I am happy enough as it is to report that all is as normal in Barjaanistan."

"That is not what I summoned you here to speak about," replied Fedor, cooly. Jokasta returned a confused look, but the emperor seemed to not notice. He placed the book he had been reading on a coffee table beside him. "Gamma'heral. You have heard of him, I am certain. You are a military man, after all. Tell me, have you read Ejohernal's history? The March?"

"I have heard of the man, but have not enjoyed the opportunity of studying the book," Jokasta admitted, shaking his head.

"Ah, well you should. It is simply amazing. You know his story, at least. Gamma'heral was a general from the city of Yebranoja, leading a small army of five thousand fellow citizens to fight as mercenaries alongside the larger armies of King Berocha of Merosos. The king needed well-trained veterans to reinforce a feeble army in the face of a usurper who controlled the more experienced northern forces of the kingdom. Gamma'heral provided him these and they marched toward the enemy, but when the two opponents finally agreed to give battle the king was assassinated in the night previous to it. His army disintegrated and Gamma'heral quickly marched west with his men, seeking to outrun the usurper's forces since he knew full well that the penalty for his service to Berocha would surely be death. It would turn into a harrowing two thousand kilometer pursuit." The emperor stopped, abruptly. Then said, "How rude of me. Would you like something to drink?"

"Sure, Your Majesty." Fedor rose and walked to an elegant mobile bar that sat by a wall, in a gap between two tall bookcases. He revealed two glasses and poured from a bottle into them. A light, golden liquid came from within. He returned, handing the kríerlord one of the two glasses.

"Whiskey. Now where was I?" said the emperor. He looked at the book, then, remembering what he had been talking about before. "Ah, yes. There was a moment when the usurper, now King Wallahi IV, was upon Gamma'heral and his forces. They had marched into the territory of the Soquinal, a conquered tribe that nevertheless harbored a deep resentment against their brutal overlords in Merosos. Gamma'heral, ever the fox, approached the elders of the tribe and persuaded them to tell their people to harbor his men and give them supplies as long as they remained to defend the area from the approaching Merosoan army."

Fedor stopped to take a sip from his glass. When he placed it back down, he continued, "But the enemy had over one hundred thousand men and Gamma'heral only five thousand? Even with new local recruits, he could only hope to muster at most ten thousand. Knowing that he could not defeat the enemy in a single, great battle, he determined to spread his forces and instead harass King Wallahi IV's army in a guerilla-style war. Although groups of his men were cornered and destroyed here and there, as a whole the Yebranojan general could never be pinned down and decisively defeated. His forces evaded every attempt to hold them in place. After two years of this, Wallahi gave up and offered Gamma'heral safe passage to the Yebranojans and a hefty treasure of gold and silver."

"A fascinating story, Your Majesty" said Jokasta. "I will be sure to read the book."

"Anyway," said Fedor, "I did not bring you here to talk about the book. But this event, in conjunction with the news coming from Ashia, has given me an idea. That country is likely to fall, and most probably swiftly. The coalition against it is too great. It looks like it will be partitioned, no less, between the Vallerians and the Solisians. Both are friendly countries, but non-aligned. This makes them potentially pivotal political battlegrounds where we have no especially strong influence to use in our favor. And, in fact, where use of our influence may even look more like tyranny than persuasion. That is a perception of the empire that I would like to avoid at all costs."

Jokasta seemed to follow. "You seek a more subtle form of influence. But, Your Majesty, what does the story of Gamma'heral have to do with Ashia?"

"What would a decisive achievement of leverage look like?" asked Fedor. "How would it be secured? What goal would it accomplish? And would I be seen a tyrant even if we did obtain the results? These questions making it unreasonable to even consider an intervention in Ashia. And what would I be intervening for? We have swallowed nations too, or are we hypocrites? And, should we support them in an effort to build goodwill, how is this different to what all other governments of the region are doing? How does this give us a unique advantage?"

The kríerlord took a sip from his own glass. "A fine whiskey," he said, holding the glass in his hand and taking a second drink. "Those are all good questions, Your Majesty. And, you are right, what good would it do to involve ourselves in this Ashia business? Although, of course, they are basically communists." Those last words he said with utter disgust.

"And communism must be contained." Fedor's cold, blue-eyed gaze fell upon the kríerlord. "But the empire's role must be subversive and inconspicuous, completely hidden in fact. And Gamma'heral has given us the key to accomplishing this. An anti-communist insurgency, one that may not able to win a decisive battle, but one that can continue to harass and undermine Solisian military and political forces in occupied Ashia."

"And how will we build, arm, and train this insurgency, Your Majesty?" asked Jokasta, his skepticism barely contained.

"We won't be," said the emperor. "I have ordered for the best soldiers from Indran and Zarbian tracker detachments to be recruited and organized into ten special purpose tabors, with the intention of eventually constructing another twenty of these battalions. Our best trackers are always the ex-guerillas who defect to us, and they will be the prime candidates for the program. Posing as insurgents fleeing from their homelands to fight in Ashia, they will be responsible for distributing anti-communist propaganda among the Ashian locals, as well as recruiting and building the insurgency. They will also facilitate the distribution of arms. You, of course, will see this project to its success."

Jokasta nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. I will execute your Will with vigor and your word shall become Truth. But, if I may ask, how will we fund this project without it revealing our involvement in the coming guerilla war? It will surely alienate the Solisians and the Vallerians. It would be a shame to lose basing rights there, especially with operations in Barjaanistan ongoing."

Fedor waved the concerns away. "They will not know the money is coming from us. I dispatched orders to Ras d'Jarún to organize a series of shell corporations that will give the appearance of separate and competing monetary exchange intermediaries facilitating the flow of remittances from Ashian expatriates in the empire to Ashia. The sudden and dramatic increase in this flow, the financial capital the empire will invest in your new project, will simply be the product of a resurgence of Ashian patriotism within descendants in wealthy imperial communities. And, surely, an Ashian may support Ashia anyway they please."

When they finished their drinks, the kríerlord remarked again on its splendid taste, then said, "Your Majesty, as always, your Will shall be made Truth through me. You honor me with continued trust. I know my Purpose in Your empire is significant and I thank you for the confidence you have in me."

"Of course," said the emperor, who stood. Jokasta rose only after. Fedor placed his hands on the kríerlord's shoulders. "I have complete faith in you. In fact, before you go, here is the story of Gemma'heral. I suggest you get to know it." The emperor handed the kríerlord the book and then turned to sit back down.

Jokasta bowed again, turned, and walked out without saying another word.



...two weeks after the audience with Ambrot Jokasta.
— Unknown Coastal Village, Ashia

Five rubber dingies hit the smooth, pebbled shoreline just eight hundred meters from the nearest home belonging to a small Ashian village that few outside of its own population even knew of. There were perhaps three hundred families here in all, if that many. A mix of farmers and fisherman, its inhabitants paid little mind to everything happening around it. When the dingies came, it was dark and everyone was inside, sleeping. Only the scant window remained illuminated at this hour of the full-mooned night. Thirty-five men stepped ashore in all.

They all wore garb that covered almost every inch of their skin, except that around their eyes, mouths, and ears. In the lead, the Indran Antonin Iorasçeu was hardly recognizable behind his own attire.

He waved all his men ashore, signaling for them to break into their independent teams and dispersing into the nearby brush. He was told that a welcoming party from the Ashian resistance could rendezvous with them here and take them to their leader. The first of the foreign guerilla had arrived and soon hundreds, thousands, more would arrive. These Indrans and Zarbians had come to share their expertise, their experience that they had earned fighting the imperial forces of the Golden Throne in the brutal, never-ending 'Long Wars' that continued to consume the empire.

And they came well armed and well funded.

Suddenly, Antonin heard a noise come from a nearby bush. He gave the call he was instructed to give, the one that the welcoming party would supposedly understand. From out the bush emerged a man who at first seemed a black shadow, but whose identity slowly unveiled itself as he walked into the floodlike moonlight.

[Solisian Union]

Lieutenant Génesis Juderías
Tank Commander

"My beloved son, how are you today? Have you started attending your classes for the second semester? I really hope that I could come back later to see you, embrace you and cherish you as you are almost out of college! You make me so proud...."

"Dear mother, I am all right. Yes, I have started attending my classes for this semester. It was great to see Abigail and Matías again. It was a shame though that I couldn't see Raquel again. I think she..."

"Oh my dear son, you don't have to worry so much. Believe me, you and Raquel will be fine again. You two are peas in a pod. Why would you ever..."

"Yeah, I guess you are right, mother. I'll try to focus first on my studies and on being happy myself. Thank you, mother. Even as we are so far away from each other, your letters will always bring me back to..."

"That's the spirit, my son. Anyway, do not worry if my letters come much later. Tomorrow, we will be carrying out something great for our country. I just hope that I will live to see you again, my son. Fear not for me. Your mother will fight so well for you. Take care of grandmother and listen to Aunt Luna.

Your beloved mother,

Génesis
"

Corporal Ah-Uaynih
Exilei Infantryman

"Uncle, things are starting to become quiet here. I'm still in the city of Ayoriram. In this city, things are not really so different from the city I grew up in. While of course there is no rubble and war-suffering in Maldara, it's as small as it. On the other hand..."

"Ah-Uaynih, that is good. I expect that you will be soon on your next mission. How is your unit? Are they treating you well? I sincerely hope your commanding officer is not one of those idealistic glory seekers. I am counting on...."

I will take care, Uncle. Don't be so affected by these things. Yes, I am going on my next mission. Our superiors told us that we will be engaging a significant Ashian force in the fields of Van Sang. They said that it would be a tough fight. I will write to you whenever we are done, Uncle.

Your dear nephew,

Ah-Uaynih."

Nazarena Ros
General of the 3rd and 6th Divisions
The fields of Van Sang

---

Things were going well but not as quickly as the Solisians wanted. For now, they are starting to face resistance. Both from the civilians who have taken arms and from the military forces who were more competent and brave than their countrymen who gave up the borders. At the fields of Van Sang, close to the cities of Itotia and Sacnite which were still under Ashian control, Solisian recce reports confirmed the presence of several Ashian troops along with artillery and armor. After this was sent to High Command and to the General Staff, the order came down to Nazarena:

Establish a forward base that will allow you to anchor you and your troops safely. After doing that, move out and locate the Ashians and destroy them before moving on to capture Itotia before 9 PM. If you encounter any difficulties or delays accomplishing the objective, then you must attempt to capture Sacnite instead. However, if that too could not be accomplished, then you are to secure the fields and wait for further instructions and reinforcements.

The General met with her subordinates and told them about the orders. After that, she began assigning them tasks as she knew it was time to rest and let the rest do the work. When all was settled, questions were asked and all other things were taken care of. Then they headed into battle...

Darrion Alano
liaison officer of the Ashian Armed Forces


He couldn't believe it and he couldn't get over it still! His country was being invaded...punished by the syndicalist scum! And right now, he was feeling a sense of joy overtaking the shock and anger of being attacked by their neighbor. He emerged out of the bush together with his party, which was composed of volunteers, militia and soldiers. Some were armed with Vityaz-SN sub machine guns while others carried Kalashnikovs or simple Mosin Nagants.

He raised his hand to the foreigners and told them as best as he could

"Uh...hello! Come in peace. I'm Darrion, the liaison. This is my people. Welcome to Ashia. I'm so sorry we may be late. You must be Indran Antonin Iorasçeu? You will help us?"

[The Macabees]

— Unknown Coastal Village, Ashia

Apart from the voice of the man who called himself Darrion, the only other sounds were those of the night. A toad croaked from a nearby stream that made splashing noises against the rocks. Only in the far distance, this peace was disturbed by a man-made thunder, interrupted by lightning from the bombardment of Ashian military positions along the front.

"I am that man, Antonin Iorasçeu," he said, in response. He hadn't been instructed on anything specific after contact. The Indran gazed at Darrion's troops, a ragtag bunch carrying mass market assault rifles and old bolt-action rifles. "Tell me, Darrion. Is there a local leader of the resistance? A headquarters? This war isn't going to be getting any easier anytime soon, so the faster we get to planning the better."

Antonin whistled. His men emerged from the surrounding brush. They brandished assault rifles similar to the Ashian's, DNR-13 rocket launchers, and an assortment of machine guns. Their jackets bulged around what looked to be plate armor, of high quality — the kind the insurgents often stole from the local imperial-armed security forces. Their boots looked military grade as well, although no two soldiers seemed to wear the same kind. The Indran looked around him, then back at Darrion, "There are many thousands more like us coming to help you, my friend. The next wave will be arriving in the next days, we must prepare now."

He followed Darrion and the Ashian's guard, his men following them and on alert. To the east, the war churned on.



— Macabéan Embassy, Capital of Ashia

The crowd outside the embassy was clamoring to enter, but a combination between the compound's high walls and the gun-armed security kept them at bay. Near the entrance, the thrown turned more into a line as it was cajoled into shape by anxious imperial guardsmen who nervously looked at the sheer number of people. They had all heard about what had happened at the Eitoan embassy. Along the walls, guardsmen armed with rifles and shotguns patrolled above. A light armored vehicle with a mounted heavy caliber machine gun sat in the courtyard, its crew waiting inside.

Thousands flocked here every day, more and more in fact with each passing day of the war. At the front of the line, a squad of armed guardsmen let in a small group of five or six Ashians as others exited. Inside, they would wait again in another long line until seen by an embassy staff member who could then issue what the Golden Throne called a 'Cultural Resettlement Visa.' These were typical these days, with the region-wide crises having triggered a surge in immigration to the empire from the war-torn countries. The Ashians, they were looking forward to a new life in western Theohuanacu, a land imperial officials portrayed as one of opportunity. Leaving with a subsidized flight out of the country, expatriate networks already placed in the receiving cities and towns were ready to help them find a place to live and some kind of job.

"They say a peasant can become rich in the empire," said one of the Ashians in his native tongue, a language very similar to Zarbian or Mokan. "My brother sold everything he had to purchase a ticket aboard an aircraft to take him to Inxuahtl. He says that there is work there for all."

He was speaking to a young man who held his daughter near to him. The man nodded. "Yes, I am thinking of joining the military service there. They say that the military will take care of your family and set you up for retirement. Ten years of service, that's all you need for citizenship...and a settlement."

"To die in Gholgoth, amigo?" asked the first one, incredulously. "There's plenty of other kinds of work fitting for a man."

The young father looked down. "I am not a worker, you see. I a man of the office and I fear that I am no good for the sort of work that foreigners like us are likely to get. I've heard of the stories coming from the Solisian factories and the Vallerian mines. How much better is it going to be in the empire? At the very least I can learn how to fight."

A series of explosions went off toward the east. The war was getting closer. There was a sudden tension, and then the crowd pushed forward as one. An imperial guardsman standing in front of the main compound entrance was shouting, while others held the mob of people back. One could hear yelling and screaming coming from all over. One Ashian attempted to scale the wall but was clipped off by a non-lethal shotgun round that struck the man in the ribs. He fell onto the concrete below, surely breaking another bone along with whatever ribs had cracked beneath the pressure of a ruinous rubber slug.

Artillery continued to blast in the background. Fighter jets sped overhead, darting through the clouds. Missiles screamed from below. More people began panicking in the streets.

From out the embassy ran out a family, the father of which turned to the line still waiting to get into the embassy and yelled, "They've closed down the airport! There are no more flights leaving out of the city. They're telling us to take a ship, they're telling us to head north or south."

"What!?!" exclaimed a number of people there.

"What about my baby?" A woman's baby son began to cry.

"Citizens of Ashia," was saying one guardsman through a megaphone, "return to your homes, return to your homes. It is dangerous to remain in the streets, we repeat it is dangerous to remain in the streets. Please return to your homes. Citizens of Ashia, return to your homes..." They were closing the gates to the embassy.

"Let us in!" clamoured another woman.

A man fell to his knees. "Please!"

One of the guardsmen saw him and said, "Go north. There are ships leaving for the empire every day." The Macabéan soldier looked up at the sky, which was changing color with every explosion's flash across the horizon. "Hurry," he added, "and stay safe. Find your way to Theohuanacu. Somewhere will be there to help you find your way."

Another jet shrieked overheard. The guard turned to disappear into the compound, the thick steel staff door closing behind him. Other guards still stood in the towers and walls above, looking down at the desperate people who would most likely simply stay there and sleep the night until the embassy opened again. Not too far away, a rifle cracked to life.

[Solisian Union]

Nazarena Ros
General of the 3rd and 6th Divisions
The fields of Van Sang

Unsere Panzerdivision

The battle to destroy enemy forces on the fields of Van Sang was going...strangely. Nazarena was no stranger to defeats or to stalemates but the constantly changing hands of this battle worried her. She has been fighting for the entire day now and she, her subordinates and their men were exhausted but not out.

Under the dying sun and the living moon, Nazarena watched her subordinates lead their tanks and the infantry through the smoke that she put in front of them like a wall so that the Ashians would be unable to see them clearly and so that their weapons would miss. The General prayed that this shall work this time.

Before her eyes, the tanks and the infantry punched through the cover of the smoke, the tanks firing their cannons at the marked enemy positions while infantry already left their transports and started charging the enemy lines. Missiles and rockets flew as much as grenades were thrown and bullets were shot out of barrels of rifles and machine guns. Nazarena paid attention, seeing her units in the center making great progress. The Ashian lines were hit hard. Despite the loss of...two...four....six tanks, she saw them punch more and more. To the flanks, the situation for them was under control but it wasn't advancing any further.

At this time, Nazarena now unleashed her next play. Despite Ashian bombardment of her positions and her assaulting units, nothing would beat counter artillery the way Solisians did. Once again, the purchased MLRS and the Solisians own artillery did well to punish the Ashian warriors. The rain of fire was incomprehensible and damning for all those beneath it. Guided rockets and missiles and shells would do that. It was worse for them as the Solisians used a mix of high explosives and armor piercing as well as cluster rounds. It was even more effective when Solisian Exilei scouts took their time to laze the targets, most especially Ashian T-72s, and then suddenly the guided missiles and rockets found their targets.

The battle now for Nazarena was becoming a victory. Once again, even on the fields of Van Sang, even as they faced each other as militaries on proper ground, the Ashians were to be beaten. Soon enough, a lieutenant arrived at her command post to report that the Ashians are routing.

The Bigger Situation

With the inevitable defeat at the fields of Van Sang, Ashian military forces were demoralized but not out yet. They retaliated by shelling the cities and positions that the Solisians overran or made as they went through Ashia more and more. Even more so, ambushes were regularly conducted by the Ashians, be they military or civilians, often causing casualties to Solisian motorized and armored columns. The actions of the Ashians attracted Solisian special forces and troops such as the Solisian Exilei Scouts and the Solisian Raiders and most notably, the Solisian Foreign Security and Observation Agency.

To make things worse and worse for the Ashians, with Solisian air superiority, the Union was free to send out airborne and helicopter troops. Although Ashian air defense was a concern, it was easily dealt with by special forces or by simple artillery strikes. When the sun finally gave up her throne for her sibling, the moon, the 10th, 15th and 20th Solisian Airborne Legions were given permission to conduct their missions. When darkness came over Ashia, great planes released paratroopers from the skies and helicopters infiltrated the capital just close enough to the embassies.

Darrion Alano
liaison officer of the Ashian Armed Forces

The officer nodded to what the man said and just told them as his companions were starting to feel better about this and about their guests

"There is. Our headquarters is just three kilometers from here. We have some trucks. We can take you there."

But before he could say more, he turned around and looked up, hearing the sound of helicopters and planes from afar. Darrion cursed himself as he turned to the guests and told them "Hurry! We have to get out of here before they see us! That's not ours. That's Solisian!"

[Mokastana]

Somewhere near the front,
2nd Air Defense Company
PUF Advisory Battalion

Lieutenant Li Miguel sat in his command vehicle, a Doomani D1M87 heavily modified by both the Haize designers and Mokan modifications to help it fit into the Federal Army. Officially, he was here testing the combat abilities of the Voyze air Defense systems used by the Haize, but it wasn't hard to see what that could mean long term. Juventud was always on the lookout for better technology to equip their troops with, and the Voyze was promising more radar range, longer ranged missiles, and lighter vehicles than the King Shepherd currently in service. His report would make a significant difference in the future of Federal Air defenses.

His orders were to test the validity of the R-50 missile, and the combat effectiveness of the Voyze TELAR system. Of course, as a combat testing unit, his Company was quite, mixed. One Command Post vehicle on Doonami/Haize treads, two Haize style TELAR, two Haize TELARs set up on LY7 chassis, two Haize Style TLLs, a Haize support Radar, support vehicles. It was the Haize TELAR on a Lyran chassis that highlighted both: the unique position of the PUF to negotiate arms deals with most anyone, and the problems of negotiating arms deals with most anyone. It was the hope of High Command that putting a Voyze on existing chassis would ease the adding of this weapon system to existing military doctrine, but so far the reality was opposite.

The Voyze LY7s were the heaviest AA platform ever used by the Federation, coming in at 66 tonnes. That was 26 tonnes heavier than the Doonami chassis and 8 tonnes more than the King Shepherd. It required 90 seconds to park and prepare, while King Shepherds were, at least with a highly skilled crew, shoot and scoot capable AA. It had the advantage of more range, in radar and interception than the shepherd, but so did the lighter Voyze on Doonami chassis. In short, this variant seemed to have all of the disadvantages of both the King Shepherd and the Voyze, with no significant advantages over either.

While the Lieutenant struggled to find a positive quality for the Voyze LY7s, he had another issue. Being a soldier of the Federal Army, it seemed that this weapon system was built with a different doctrine in mind. Firing a 585 kg missile to shoot down an incoming helicopter had felt like a waste compared to the 70 kg SALY28 or even the 355 kg LY4031. They were heavy and big, meaning his units carried less missiles, and required more trucks. However, the R-50 had speed, he had to give it that. It could reach up to 1.5 km/s, compared to the 1km/s average of Federal Air defenses. It had worked wonders against an Ashian cruise missile attack, and the Command Post gave the lieutenant a perfect way to observe the event. Still, the enemy had no real aircraft present, making Lieutenant Li Miguel’s job rather boring.

Just as he learned back, the warning beep went off. 110 kilometers out, two aircraft, possibly MiGs, had failed the IFF check and were inbound from the Ashian side. R-50’s range was only around 30 Km, but for the moment it was the only weapon in theatre. Luckily he had spread his vehicles out across the front, with the TLLs slaved to the support Radar and Command Post, the other four TELARs were among the front, with 2 having Radar offline, instead waiting for word from Command Post or the active TELAR to activate.

Watching the screens of his command vehicle, the lieutenant watched as the aircraft turned away from his radar, trying to fly over the lines into a hole between two Active TELARs. They were certainly acting hostile.

“Rebecca, if they cross into 3’s range, contact and demand identification.”

“Contact when in range of TELAR 3, copy that.”

Rebecca O'Mally was the Post's Radio operator, and knew exactly what Miguel was doing. TELAR 3 was positioned between the two active TELARS, and with them off, it looked like a hole for bombers, if they flew into the opening, they would be right in TELAR 3's sights. 90 kilometers out, the aircraft continued forward, lowering their altitude, no doubt expecting enemy aircraft soon. It soon became clear the target of the enemy aircraft was the support radar, as they crossed into TELAR 3’s combat range 70 kilometers out. Rebecca issued a warning to the aircraft, demanding ID or be fired upon. They didn't respond verbally, but radar showed two missiles released heading their way.

The lieutenant perked up: “Contact TELAR 3, inform them two bogeys in range. Activate radar and fire.” Rebecca did as commanded. “Order TLL two to lock on those inbound missiles and wipe them out.”

On screen, TELAR 3 came to life, the two MIGs, suddenly lit up like Christmas, realized the trap, they tried to break away, but within seconds R-50s were in the air chasing them. It took four missiles, two each to ensure a kill, but both were hit and down just 16 seconds later. Four more R-50s were launched at the incoming anti-radiation missiles.

“Order support radar to turn off and abandoned vehicle. Use TELAR 3 to track incoming missiles.”

Using the closest radar, Miguel watched as the R-50s, with their ridiculously sized warheads meant to take out ballistic missiles went after two small cruise missiles. The first one was hit with no problem. The second witness an R-50 detonate nearby with no noticeable effect, the second one detonated soon after after for a second, it wasn't clear if the missile was defeated.

“Fire next wave.” Miguel was about to shout when the missile broke apart on radar. The enemy attack had been defeated. Luckily, that would probably be the only action they saw for some time.

[Solisian Union]

Legionary Lady Alexa Arrabal
Airborne Legions
Capital City of Ashia
Near Embassy Row

I am brave and loyal legionary
I am a soldier of a brave legion;
I serve always until my death
My nation, my superiors, my family
I do not see fear with my eyes
Nor do I recognize suffering as it is
My destiny is to fight
Yes, I will fight
Until all my body is gone

Legionary, legionary
that you surrender to fight
and randomly you leave your luck,
because your life is a chance.
Legionary, legionary
of unparalleled bravery,
if in the war you find death,
you will always have a shroud,
Legionary
The national flag.

Legionnaires to fight,
legionaries to die !!

We are all incognito heroes,
nobody aspires to know who I am;
a thousand tragedies, in different ways,
that the Lady of life formed.

Each one will be what he wants,
so nothing from his past matters,
but together we form a Bandera,
that gives to the Legion
the highest honor.

Legionary, legionary
that you surrender to fight
and randomly you leave your luck,
because your life is a chance.
Legionary, legionary
of unparalleled bravery,
if in the war you find death,
you will always have a shroud,
Legionary
The national flag.

Legionnaires to fight,
legionaries to die !!.

Queen of the Blue Sky
Lady of Light
You who are named The Sun
Please grant your light and warmth
Upon the Legionnaire

Accept this request
O Queen of Decency
Queen of All Men
And Queen of Uprightness

Watch over the Legionnaire
They who wear your symbol on their chest pocketes
They who run into battle
They who wield rifle and bayonet
They who proclaim
To me the Legion!
And they who exclaim
I am the Suns Soldier!

Give your light
And all your blessings
To the Legionnaire
They who fight for your name
They who wield the weapons of war
To protect your throne
And to save the people
Those under your goodness

After leaving her helicopter, she looked to her fellow Legionnaires, to those who were in her squad and she told them all in a loud clear voice just as the other Legionnaire officers and squad leaders did once they reached the landing zone (which was a large open park in the city that was already captured by the first Airborne Legions)

"Legionnaires! Remember your objectives and stay tight! This is for the Sun, the Moon and the Stars that are under them! To arms! Follow me!"

And they did so. Through the caterwauling of enemy and friendly soldiers as well as the din of gunfire, explosions and screaming engines of Solisian planes and helicopters striking the capital and any enemy air defense or threat on the ground. Civilians were hugging the ground or walls, hiding in buildings or holes as Ashian troops and armed fighters attempted to contest the answers of the Solisian Legionnaires.

The Legionary Lady was leading her squad out of the park, leaving eastward and halting at the market, immediately meeting Ashian troops who were desperately attempting to barricade the way out of the market. She cursed them like a slaughterhouse master and fired upon them without cover with her battle rifle. She managed to destroy the head of one Ashian and wound the face of another before one of her men tackled her to the ground, getting her and himself into cover before the other Ashians could fire a rocket propelled grenade at them.

Fortunately, the explosion occurred far enough to give them little injury. The Lady thanked her Legionnaire. Together, they stood up, picking up their weapons and firing from the cover of a thick stone wall while the Ashians used their improvised barrier to protect themselves. Unfortunately for them she and her legionnaires could penetrate it easily with the ammunition that the Airborne Legions used. Core Urban Ammunition as it was termed was used for the first time and it seemed to work well as screams from the Ashians told the Solisians that they were dying. Very, very quickly, they were dying.

They gave this ten seconds then the Lady gave the order to charge. Her Legionnaires did so, the Lady leading the way with her bayonet hungry for blood. Her words were Holy Writ as she proclaimed that no mercy, no stopping should happen. And it did.

When they crashed upon the Ashian lines that blocked the street, there were still eleven able Ashian soldiers with arms, five wounded and two who were dressed in civilian attires. The defenders were caught off guard as the Solisians engaged them in very close combat, stabbing them in the stomachs and turning the blades to cause severe bodily damage before shooting a burst then pulling away. Ashians who were lucky enough to shoot at the Solisians were in turn shot. The Legionnaires never stopped shooting until their targets were down on the ground. It was fugacious.

Soon enough, the Lady counted her losses. She lost Ariadna and Alex. It was a shame but all Legionnaires knew that death was the one they all would marry in the end of all days. She had her radio man, Julio, call for a helicopter to pick up the dead. Although she wanted herself to be the one to bring her fallen comrades back, she still had a squad to lead and a mission to carry out...

[Eitoan]

Department of Foreign Affairs
Second Floor
Vladarsik, Eitoan
8:01 AM

As the analysts and functionaries settled into their morning routines, the doors to the middle of the three elevators in the bank opened wide, and the Secretary bound out onto the floor, unusually animated for this time of the morning, when most employees were chatting and enjoying their coffee. Heads turned, and junior policy analysts prarie-dogged across the floor as he proceeded down the main corridor. The Continental Desk on his left was the busiest, many of the members busied with ironing out the details of the likely accession of the Timocratic Republic to the Northwest Mutual Assistance Agreement. To his right the Eastern Desk, concerned mostly with big power intrigues took a more relaxed approach, although his glare caused most lead country analysts to look more attentive. Randall Field snorted as he viewed the malingering, but he had much more important business to take care of as he charged toward the back of the floor, the section containing the Southern Desk, usually a sleepy outpost, at least since the latest Bay of Chains crisis. Field headed directly to the office of Southern Desk's Chief, entirely glass walled, and closed the door, standing diretly in front of Chief Eilona Kinzinger, towering over the slender, middle aged diplomat. The Secretary had a few things on his mind.


"Eilona - I must apologize for bursting in like this, but I need to understand the situation on the ground in Ashia. We've heard reports, of course, about the riots in the capital, and know generally that the country is collapsing. Is security holding up at the embassy? Have all Eitoans been accounted for? What can you tell me?", he demanded.


Kinzinger spoke slowly, softly at first. She reviewed her reports from the embassy, and from intelligence sources. "Mr. Secretary - I can say that there hasn't been a repeat of the situation we faced at the embassy recently. I think word is out that refugees fare better petitioning The Golden Throne, and the guards are informing visa seekers of that. There's a little confusion between us and Eolmann."


"Of course. There always is." interjected Field.


Kinzinger, continuing, said "Yes, well, in any event we have confirmed with Solisian forces that eight of the fourteen citizens not at the embassy, a delegation of Round Lake Fire and Casualty are safe after the fall of Ayoirim, and that the insurance people are homeward bound, from the Solisian Union currently. Now, the remaining six, a gas well digging crew from Bond Drilling have been in contact sporadically, near the capital. The embassy is making every effort to stay in touch with them, but the situation is deteriorating there. They have advised the drillers to stay indoors, and keep their passports nearby at all times. Conditions are fluid. Resistance is stiffening, but from what we can tell it is uncoordinated and the Solisian and Vallerian advances have barely been slowed."


"I see. And the ambassador?"


Eilona gulped. She hated bad mouthing the department's field operation, but there was no hiding the problems. "Yes, well, you know, Ambassador Baumrucker..."


Field cut her off mid-sentence. "Oh, I know Bumwrecker. Guy's been a screw-up since our first day's in the Department together. I don't know how he survived this long, but he's been deadwood ever since I've known him. Good thing he's only in Ashia. Maybe this invasion's the big chance to give him a sendoff into retirement. Who else we have in Ashia?"


"Charge d'affaires Tom Prior. Seems solid. Knows Ashia, at least the capital. Of course, Baumrucker's been a total wreck, holed up in bed with a bottle since the riot at the embassy."


"Right, right. Keep Prior in charge day to day. We'll have Baumrucker available for window dressing. With this Solisian advance, we may not have much more to worry about him."


"What do you mean?"


"Look, I had a brief discussion with President Shrdlu last night. He's coming along on foreign affairs, but still needs coaching. Anyway, all analysis says Ashia won't be around soon. And there are signs that some of the big powers may be sitcking their fingers in that pie, but that's not our pie. We're gonna contain this, keep it out of the news. As soon as the capital falls, we'll put out a statement. You can start drafting it. Something something something, call on responsible parties to restore law and order, semblance of normal life, etc. The usual boiler plate. Keep it clean and vague. Give a heads up to the embassies in the UVR and Solisian Union. I'll be in touch with legal and personnel, flunk the old fat drunk to General Counsel. Maybe that'll clean him out of our hair. We can deal with any post-war settlement later."


Eilona smiled warmly at her boss. "Very well, Mr. Secretary"


Randall Field wheeled around and left her office. This time, on the way out, all personnel on the floor were busy. Or at least looked busy.

Embassy of the Republic of Eitoan, Ashia
Tom Prior was frazzled. Up all night locating the missing 14 Eitoans loose in the countryside, taking up the slack for the inebriated ambassador, the guards had just let in the still dazed staff and security detail from the Aurensian Embassy.

Outside was quiet. Too quied. The rattle of gunfire died down. David Becker, on guard at the door of the embassy surveyed the scene. A small detail of Solisian Legionnaires threaded carefully down the street. Their uniforms bloodied, but the soldiers apparently unharmed, they surveyed at every cross street for any potential ambush before proceeding onward.

Becker texted Prior "We have a greeting party sir, apparently a Solisian patrol of some sort, as far as I can see"


Prior responded: "Verify identification of Embassy grounds is intact, then approach. I want to talk to Commanding Officer".


Becker contacted the monitoring officer. "Coat of Arms still on gate, blue banner still flying high" was the confirming voice.


Becker peered out cautiously as the point man on the patrol approached the embassy grounds. He opened the door slowly, and stepped outside, without his rifle, hands well clear of his sidearm. The point moved on, motioning a following member of the patrol to approach the gate. Becker and the Solisian slowly approached each other. At the gate, Becker told the advancing man "This is the Embassy of Eitoan". He pointed up at the flag. "One of us wishes to speak to your commanding officer."


The Solisian looked puzzled, but not hostile. He stammered "Eolmann?"


Becker corrected him: "Eitoan - Eitoan, not Eolmann".


The soldier considered his answer, then smilled "Oh, Eitoan! Okay. I will bring the squad leader."


Becker texted the embassy security desk. "We have contact. The squad leader will meet Prior".


The soldier shouted back to the following Legionnaires. A woman Legionnaire, apparently in command strode up to embassy gate, guarded by two privates.


Becker motioned Prior to approach the soldiers. Inside the embassy, much to everyone's surprise, Ambassador Baumrucker, shaven, bathed, and dressed in a crisp gray pinstripe with white shirt and green and black striped tie walked down the stairs past Prior, and appropriated the list of missing Eitoans. Making sure the courtyard was clear, Baumrucker moved rapidly to the gate, greeting the woman in Solisian.


"Madame, I am Ambassador Ralph Baumrucker, Republic of Eitoan. I have instructions from my government to cooperate with the responsible parties here"


The commanding officer looked puzzled.


"That would be you", he explained. "If I may, we believe that all Eitoan citizens in Ashia are accounted for, except for a drilling crew near the capital. If you are in a position to recieve the list, I would like to present it to you, and to arrange safe passage for them out of the country, of course, at a time when conditions have stabilized. If you cannot receive the list, please communicate this information to your officer in charge."

[Solisian Union]

Legionary Lady Alexa Arrabal
Airborne Legions
Capital City of Ashia
Near Embassy Row

She nodded to the Ambassador as she said "Surely. I have been informed myself that I may have to deal with you and the other foreigners. You are safe so long as you do not act against the interests or the operations of the Solisian Union as we fight Ashia. I have to ask you some questions before I can even bother myself to consider your own request. Will that be all right?"

She then started without waiting "All right so first things first:

Although you are an embassy of another nation, I have been instructed to ask you if you are harboring any Ashian soldiers.

I also have been instructed to ask you for your documentation and for the official registration of your embassy.

I also need you to have your men stand down and I want to have some of my men stationed close to your embassy to provide security and to watch you."

She then nodded to one of her Legionaires who approached the ambassador to receive his request. The lady then said "Unfortunately we cannot give them safe passage as you request until this situation is firmly under our control. Good day, sir."

But just as she was about to return to her men, gunfire erupted from an apartment building several hundred meters away from them. Some of the rounds reached the ground and even wounded one of her men. She shouted in Solisian at her men to get to cover as she herself replied to the fire with her rifle before switching to her radio to report an ambush close to the embassy.

---

Legionary Knight Amurra Chafik
Assault Legions
Approaching the Capital
Crossing the Summayyah River

Bandierra Rosa - Song for the Solisian Bersaglieri

Unsere Panzerdivision - Song of the Assault Legions

Unser Rommel - Song of the Solisian Armor

It was Phase 3 of the assault. The Solisian Assault Legions and the Armored Legions have punched through the last Ashian lines of defense for the city and the river. Together, Legionary Knight Amurra joined her comrades as they jumped out of their rubber assault boats and ran up hill, screaming bloody murder with one hand holding a Kukri while the other held her carbine. In the heat of battle and enemy artillery and airstrikes (which were being countered by Solisian forward air defense, heavy MANPAD presence and counter batteries) and in the face of Ashian machine gun fire and mortars, she and her fellow Exilei charged and charged. Together with the Solisian shock troops who wore on motorbikes or ran, they suffered losses even as smoke was being tossed and launched and dropped to conceal them. Behind them followed the amphibious fighting vehicles and the tanks that made it over the bridges that the Solisians made or captured.

It was a glorious sight as hundreds of vehicles and thousands of men were closing the distance of only a hundred meters and so. Once they were close enough to the Ashian positions, Legionary Knight Amurra let out her native war cry as she jumped on a machine gun team and started hacking them into pieces starting from their heads

"Arala Ali Amaza Akari! (Never Again Shall I Be Exiled!)"

Soon enough, she was finished with them. Leaving behind their corpses, she growled on her way out of their position and ran and ran until she found a squad of fleeing Ashian troops. She was joined by another Exilei, a man this time. Together, they tackled at least three of them and made short work of them, turning them into meat for the earth. When one of the Ashians who wasn't tackled tried to save his comrades by shooting at them, Amurra prevented that by literally howling at the bastard, rising up from her fresh kill with her carbine, slamming that bayonet back to kill and then rushing him, striking him between the legs. As that Ashian cried out, she wasted no time with him, shooting him twice before pulling that bayonet out and shooting the rest without any show of mercy. Then she moved on.

As the Ashians lost this battle in the face of superior Solisian river crossing tactics and the tenacity of their Assault Legions and other infantry, the advance became uncontrollable. In the face of such terror, the Ashians could only retreat and as they did, get hounded by the Exilei.

To, however, make this difficult for both forces, civilians were in the mix. Due to the confusion of battle and the fact that the Solisians came just when a large convoy of civilian vehicles were trying to get into the city together with a mob of people who had lost or had no vehicles. So many screams and running people made it noisy and terrifying as Ashian troops tried to cross through them only to be mauled by Exilei and shock troops who were too frenzied to care that they were hitting civvies.

It also made it incredibly demoralizing but also enraging for the Ashians to see dozens of tanks just going full speed ahead towards eight Ashian tanks who were standing their ground to protect a horde of civilians who were abandoning their vehicles in the middle of the road because those Solisian tanks were about to overrun them. And they did. The Ashian tanks and some troops who stopped running and stood their ground opened fire as civilians ran past them. It was enough to slow down the tanks of the Solisians but it did not stop them. Cars and trucks were crushed, trapped civilians being silenced underneath them. The battle between those tanks and troops on that particular road ended after an hour and with significant loss of life for both forces and civilians.

The river crossing was slowed down now as the Ashians retaliated by blowing the bridges with their artillery and remaining air support in the area. New bridges were ordered as the Solisians on the city side of the river were forced to continue on their own for now. At the same time, electronic warfare planes worked with ground teams to jam GPS, radio and other transmissions and communications in the city as well as stop or mess with communications that would go into the city or out of it.

Officers debated with one another whether or not to continue the advance or to temporarily halt it. Some proposed to halt it as it would give their men time to rest and to regroup and to also allow the dealing of civilians to go properly. But others prevailed. The advance would not be stopped and it would continue, helicopters providing supplies and reinforcements while civilians were simply showed which way was the nearest refugee camp or were simply shouted at to leave the area. Those who caused problems, especially those who were angry enough to toss rocks or even pick up fallen weapons against them, were shot or were scared off with gunfire into the sky.

Roads were left as they were with civilian and Ashian and Solisian corpses, burning tanks and vehicles filling the sky with pollution. Those that were vital to the Solisians were cleared and secured by infantry.

The entire river crossing and the battle to get Solisian forces to the city side of it took almost half of the day. Right now, the sun was directly above them all. Casualties were being sustained as some of the tired troops were rapidly evacuated to medical posts due to the heat or simple exhaustion.

The worse came for the Solisians when they finally entered the city though. Amurra was one of those who were first to enter it and they were greeted with bullets, rocks and grenades and whatever objects that men and women could throw. The roads were full of barricades and burning hulks. The Solisian invaders were forced to trust in their infantry first, not wanting to risk their vehicles as they lost a platoon of tanks and several transports with men to Ashian troops and civilians firing or throwing from the windows of buildings.

To Amurra and her Exilei comrades, the task was given.

Their first mission was the National Hospital, the largest so far in the capital. There, Amurra saw the worst and the best of the Ashians. Due to the war, the hospital was filled with wounded and dead. And now that it has gotten to them, troops and armed civvies, especially those who wanted to protect their wounded, were in the way. They needed that hospital for their own wounded and to prevent the Ashians from using dirty tactics as they demonstrated in their fallen cities.

The battle for the hospital resulted in extremely heavy Solisian casualties as they had no artillery support and they did not call for vehicles to support them on the ground as they didn't want to cause too many civvie deaths. Infantry were forced to literally fight on their own, door by door, room by door until the hospital was forced to surrender. It took too much time and delayed the advance of the legions to help out the airborne troops. At the same time, despite their best efforts, many of the civilians in the hospital died. In retaliation too, although the rumors are not confirmed, Solisian troops who participated in the battle allegedly executed wounded Ashian troops and the civilians and medical personnel who tried to shield them.

Elsewhere in the capital, Solisian troops were stopped by suicidal or even compelled men of the Ashian Capital Guards. These men and women were joined by Ashian resistance fighters and civilians who just wanted to protect their city. Because of them, this war would not end. No, not yet.


The Big Picture

The battle for the Ashian capital was under way. Capital Guards, resistance fighters and desperate civilians continue to fight off the Solisians. The war too was prolonged by resistance fighters or simply angry civilians who got tired of a war that didn't end and the initially poor treatment of civilians by the Solisians popping up in the cities taken already by the Solisians. Ashian refugees race to the sea and to the wilderness while those who wished to fight remained in the Ashian mountains and forests.

With the true entry of the UVR, Solisia did not stand alone in their justified war against Ashia. However, from this point on, things would just get worse for Solisia. Only time will tell then.

[United Vallerian Republic]

...Three weeks prior.
-Rir, United Vallerian Republic

It was a dark, cool, spring night in the suburbs of the sleepy Vallerian bordertown of Rir. Children were being tucked into bed, and all was still. The breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, and in the distance came the sound of truck engines.

A few hundred yards away from town, three trucks came to a stop at a dirt sideroad. Boots crunched on gravel, as dozens of men dismounted. They walked down the road, whispering to one another, right into the northern part of town. A taller man raised his hand and shouted.

“Men, you know what you must do. Let us burn these reprobate scum. Take whatever is of value, and bring it to me. Rewards shall be distributed accordingly. Đột kích!”

The night lit up, with the raiders running to and from houses, breaking into the houses, shooting the sleeping residents, taking what they wanted, and burning the small wooden houses after they left. Screams, cries, the sound of crashing timbers, and the crackling of fire filled the air, and the air was filled with the smell of gasoline and burning flesh.

...A week after the attack.
-New Valleria, United Vallerian Republic

Hours after the attack, social media was filled with amateur footage, taken on phones of survivors. It was evident that it was an act by Valleria’s neighbouring country, Ashia. After all, similar attacks had occured in the nearby Solisian Union. These suspicions were only confirmed after the Ashian military claimed responsibility.

Ripples of not fear, but solidarity, spread throughout the capital and across Valleria. A vigil on Frihet Street was held, with thousands upon thousands of Vallerians standing in the streets, bearing candles. Some wept, while others stood in resolute silence...

...The following day.
-Riksdag (Parliament) Hill, New Valleria, United Vallerian Republic

Erlend Salvesen stepped up to the podium at the Riksdag, weary and heart heavy with sorrow. Dozens of television cameras were clustered on the balcony, and the full Riksdag was in session. Heaving a sigh, he spoke.

“This morning, the Vallerian ambassador in Ashia handed the Ashian Government a final note stating that a state of war would exist between us.

It saddens me that my long struggle to win peace has failed, for there is nothing more or anything different that I could have done and that would have had greater success.

Up to the very last it would have been quite possible to have arranged a peaceful and honourable settlement between us, but the Ashians, with their horrific acts eight days prior for which their military claims full responsibility, have sealed their fate.

The Ashians have evidently made up their mind to attack us whatever happened, killing 137 innocent Vallerians, mostly women and children, and wounding hundreds more. Many Vallerians have been left homeless, and I thank you all for your outpouring of kindness, for taking these people in.

They attacked without warning, with unprovoked lethal force. We have not wronged them in any way whatsoever, and they have unjustly struck out against us.

Their actions against us Vallerians and our neighbouring Solisian Union show that there is no chance of expecting that they will ever give up their practice of using force to wreak havoc uon peaceful nations. They can only be stopped by force, and we and the Solisian Union are to liberate the nation of Ashia. We have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace.

Rest no blame and feel no spite towards the citizens of Ashia, for it is not their wrongdoing. We must hold ourselves to a high moral standard, respecting the laws of war, to not lower ourselves down to the level of the Ashians.

Let this war not end what we stand for, let it not further ruin the lives of everyday Vallerians. Especially if you are a part of our proud Armed Forces or work to defend our nation, and if your duties are essential to the war effort, or maintaining the life of the people,

We shall defend what is right and just. It is the evil things that we shall be fighting against – brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution – and against them I am certain that the right will prevail.”

[Eitoan]

Legionary Lady Alexa Arrabal
Airborne Legions
Capital City of Ashia
Near Embassy Row

She nodded to the Ambassador as she said "Surely. I have been informed myself that I may have to deal with you and the other foreigners. You are safe so long as you do not act against the interests or the operations of the Solisian Union as we fight Ashia. I have to ask you some questions before I can even bother myself to consider your own request. Will that be all right?"

She then started without waiting "All right so first things first:

Although you are an embassy of another nation, I have been instructed to ask you if you are harboring any Ashian soldiers.

I also have been instructed to ask you for your documentation and for the official registration of your embassy.

I also need you to have your men stand down and I want to have some of my men stationed close to your embassy to provide security and to watch you."

She then nodded to one of her Legionaires who approached the ambassador to receive his request. The lady then said "Unfortunately we cannot give them safe passage as you request until this situation is firmly under our control. Good day, sir."

But just as she was about to return to her men, gunfire erupted from an apartment building several hundred meters away from them. Some of the rounds reached the ground and even wounded one of her men. She shouted in Solisian at her men to get to cover as she herself replied to the fire with her rifle before switching to her radio to report an ambush close to the embassy.

As the fighting erupted, Becker and Baumrucker scurried back into the embassy building. Baumrucker ran up to his private quarters, fortifying himself mightily with distilled spirits. Tom Prior calmly assessed the situation, and assumed command.


"Sergeant Ualas - Code Red/A1!" he barked. At Prior's command, the security detail broke out their M16A4's, and donned full riot gear, two men covering the main entrance, one each at the side entrance, and one at the sally port. One man covered the entranceway to the basement housing most of the staff and the evacuees, one covering the communications center. The four Aurensian guards stationed themselves close to their evacuated diplomats and staff. The sounds of fierce fighting, shouting in Ashian and Solisian filled the street outside.


As the noise of battle abated, Prior made his rounds, calming the huddled staff, inspecting all floors for damage, and gathering information from security. After the fighting appeared to move away from the busy street, Prior gingerly walked upstairs and knocked on Ambassador Baumrucker's door. There was no answer. He knocked again. This time, Baumrucker gave out a long, low moan, and cracked open the door, peering out at Prior.


"Sir - Mr. Ambassador, I have the building secured, though at this moment the courtyard may still be in contention. Please, sir, I need to make a report to Vladarsik about conditions here. If you could, please..."

A dazed Baumrucker opened the door wider, still wary. His eyes darted from side to side, and he was flushed and stooped. Stammering, he replied "Yes, well - firing started, soon. Met with a female officer, maybe a platoon leader. Didn't seem to have control of the situation, at least the street. I, uh, don't have any instructions from Foreign Affairs about these things. It's all happened so fast...".


"OK Mr. Ambassador, just sit tight. I'll discuss the meeting with the guard that accompanied you. You rest now.", Prior reassured. "And have another pint of vodka", he thought, as he went downstairs to find Becker.

At the front door, Ualas indicated that Becker was covering the sally port. Prior approached Becker.


"Well, what did the Solisian say?", asked Prior.


Becker stepped in closer. "She was pretty demanding. Wants us to stand down - says she'll provide security, keep us under surveillance. And wants our official registration".


Prior was troubled. "We can come to terms with reasonable security demands, for the safety of our people, but presentation of credentials, even at the Chargé-level, this has to be at the correct protocol. Given the fluid situation, I can understand caution on their part. But with this invasion moving so fast, they're going to have to appoint some officer an agent, or Plenipotentiary. You tell Ualas to keep the guards on alert, at their posts. This calls for direction from Foreign Affairs. I'll be in touch with them."

Department of External Affairs,
Vladarsik

Transmission from Embassy of Eitoan, Ashian
re: Situation at Embassy

Fighting on street underway between Solisian and Ashian forces. At this time control of the capital is uncertain. The Ambassador and one guard met with Solisian advance patrol, but interrupted by Ashian ambush. All embassy personnel, evacuees including Aurensian staff and guards secured on embassy grounds. No breach of building at this time.

Ambassador Baumrucker currently incapacitated. Not expected to resume duties soon.

Initial contact with Solisian party met with unsatisfactory demand for presentation of credentials. Please advise. Plans call for continued lockdown until order and control of vicinity of embassy can be ascertained. Six drillers working on gas well project for Bond Drilling still unaccounted for near capital. Local authorities cannot be contacted, Solisian forces apparently unaware of their presence.

Thomas Prior, Chargé d'affaires

Field, Kinzinger, and three country specialists, one each for the principals in this war gathered around the conference table, papers littering the scene, dispatches from intelligence and the Navy topmost in front of the Secretary. He and the desk chief reviewed the dispatch again.

Randall Field stood up, paced toward the window, pondered the situation briefly, and spoke up. "Well, this is ugly."

"Nobody saw such a fast advance on the capital." interjected Kinzinger.

"What assets do we have nearby, again?" Field asked.

Kinzinger reviewed the Naval Disposition Notice. "Not much, Randy. We have Carrier Group Venegance at south point of the Deep Zone, west of the Red Line. Fastest dispatch to the area of conflict would be destroyer ES Madison Hadley. Also submarine ES Marvin Cooper near the carrier group. Do you think it's wise?"

Quickly rethinking the options, Field cut her off. "No, you're right. Let's make an effort again. Detaching ships is overkill. I think it's premature, but UVR and Solisian Union hold the high cards. We still haven't had contact with the Ashians. OK. I'll send out a request.

From: The Republic of Eitoan
Department of Foreign Affairs
Randall Field, Secretary

To: Embassy of Ashia
Embassy of The Solisian Union
Embassy of The United Vallerian Republic
Vladarsik, Eitoan

Subject: Situation at Eitoan Embassy, Ashia

I make this request that all authorities on the ground in the Ashian capital recognize and extend to the duly sworn representatives of the Republic of Eitoan, namely it's accredited ambassador, Ralph Baumrucker, and all Eitoan citizens serving as staff on embassy grounds, the rights and privileges accorded to the territorial grounds of the Embassy of the Republic of Eitoan. At this time there should be no need for reaccreditation, or presentation of credentials. I request that such information be transmitted to all belligerents in the vicinity of the embassy, so that proper and legal diplomatic protocol may be maintained.

Of course, in as much as in our power, we offer our services to mediate between the parties in this conflict. Our diplomatic staff in your countries, and at Foreign Affairs will be receptive to any reasonable request.

Please be advised, and convey to forces on the ground that there remains six Eitoan citizens with whom we have had no contact in the vicinity of the capital since the conflict began. Their names are attached. They are employed as a drilling crew on a gas field, and are not in the service of the military. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

Randall Field
Secretary of External Affairs
Republic of Eitoan

[The Macabees]

— Ashian Guerilla Headquarters
"These energies must be directed toward the goal of protracted war
so that should the [the enemy] occupy much of our territory or even most of it,
we shall still gain final victory."

— Mao Zedong, On Guerilla Warfare



They marched hard to the impromptu headquarters established by Ashian underground forces. Solisian air assets were all over the place and travel was dangerous, so they moved through difficult terrain quickly and undercover. Even when they were tired, they continued on, fearful of the swift death that negligence would bring.

Antonin Iorasçeu followed Darrion as the took the narrow, muddy path through thick foliage. A narrow river followed them on their right flank and as soon as they reached its mouth, the Indran saw how it split the rebel camp in half. The camp itself was in a sorry state. He seemed able to count those in it on his fingers, and given the men that the insurgency would need neither was this exaggeration unwarranted. There were hardly more than a hundred and fifty men lounging about, only a handful doing anything that seemed useful. The men were undoubtedly demoralized, especially with the conventional war going so poorly.

The Indran turned to Darrion before they entered, and said, "Our movement will need more bodies."

Behind him, Iorasçeu's men walked in as well. Their faces showed a similar judgment of their new allies. One even went as far as to sniff and overhearing Iorasçeu's comment to Darrion, said, "And more. If this lot is what we have to fight the insurgency, we might as well return to our homes, boys." Others laughed.

"Silence," barked Antonin, looking back with a glare as they entered. The Ashians looked at them with equal concern, obviously ignorant of what these foreign men would bring with them. How would they fight if they did not feel the Ashian cause? How much would they resist if the fight was not their own? Little did they know that the ad hoc group of foreign fighters coming to train and lead their ranks had little to look back to, their homelands now under the rule and law of the Golden Throne. Little did they know that these men hoped to find redemption, a new life, here in Ashia now — or somewhere here in the west, at least. If that, even. Many of the men were seeking death on the battlefield, where it would be quick and easy. These things would be taught to the Ashians, sooner or later. For now, those in the camp kept a wary eye on the newcomers.

They continued along a path that bent with the river 'til they reached the largest tent of them all. Its flap was open on one side, revealing a group of men standing around a thin, metal table with a single man at its head. "That is Jaxon Sera. Come, let me take you to him. He has been waiting for you," said Darrion.

"Yes...the situation is urgent," answered Iorasçeu.

To Jaxon Sera, they walked.



— Open Seas Northwest of Ashia

"How much longer do we have?" asked Brastvel Yandis, his soaked hair plastered against his head. They had been sailing for days now.

These waters were of varying danger. Today, the Golden Throne's navy was at sea. But whereas before that may have been a cause for alarm, today it was a good thing indeed. It was the Vallerian and Solisian navies that they were most concerned about. The Golden Throne had staged another exercise to make it more difficult for the area to be patrolled, but this could not do away with the risk of smuggling weapons into Ashia completely. But that was why the smugglers earned good coin, to compensate for the danger. A wave slapped against the steel hull of the ship, washing over the naked deck. Holding the rope that kept David Joshua connected to the ship as he struggled in the ferocious waters below, Brastvel cursed under his breath.

The man in front of him, Lieutenant Jakov Jelani — a Theohuanacan pirate who had fled his homeland and the war there — struggled to respond as he too pulled on the rope with gritted teeth. The seas were strong. The storm had come as a surprise and poor David Joshua had fallen overboard. Luckily, someone had spotted him as soon as he fell and a rescue team was quickly assembled from those who were closest. "Perhaps...another day...or two," said the lieutenant, with hard breaths.

"Then what?" asked Brastvel. "What if they have closed the ports by then?"

He was referring to Ashian ports, which prime targets for the Solisian and Vallerian navies. These had undoubtedly sought to secure naval dominance in the opening days of the war. "Focus man," grunted Kajov. "Let us get Joshua out of the water and to the doctor, before he drowns or freezes."

They struggled for some time. The rope strained as its edges frayed against the ship's railings. Finally, after much effort, they pulled the overboard sailor back onto the deck. They all panted, hands on their knees, for a few seconds, before they saw David still sprawled motionlessly. One of the men went to him and began to frantically push down on his chest. "He ain't breathing!" the man, sailor Lloyd Bregant cried out. "He ain't breathing! Give me a hand here fellas'." The others rushed to him and helped to drag David to an open hatch and through it. The boat rocked violently from one side to another as they gradually dragged and pulled through the nauseating thrashing of the storm-raised waves. Finally, they pulled him through and inside a small cabin within the superstructure, with a ladder that took them below and into the hull.

The drowning man, David, came to, then, choking and heaving. He turned to his side to throw up water. When he was done, he waited a second until he had to again. Then again. Finally, he came to, felt his head with his hand, and asked faintly, "What the hell happened to me?"

"You almost drowned, boy!" said one of the men around him.

Another nodded. "We saved you. Pulled you back on deck and to here. Storm came suddenly, it did. Took you right with it."

"Geez," answered David, holding his sides. He look hurt. His face was strained. Of course, he had just been thrashing for his life in stormy seas. He rested his head against the metal floor and let out a long, heavy breath. "Those guns better be worth a lot of money to us. I hope this was worth it in the end."

"Didn't you just have a daughter?" asked one. It was Brastvel.

David Joshua nodded, slowly. He hardly moved, otherwise. He said, "That's right, friend. And I'll be lucky to ever see her again."

"Oh, quit your complaining," came a deep, gruff voice from below. It was the captain. "Bring him down here, quickly, before the man dies of hypothermia."

They brought David Joshua down, slowly and carefully. When they reached the lower deck, one turned to the captain and said, "He's right, capt'n. They say the ports in Ashia have been occupied or blocked. And the crew ain't even sure how much money this is going to bring in. Why couldn't we have just taken a contract ferrying slaves up the river to the Ralkovians?"

"Don't be a fool," lashed the captain. "They tell us the money comes from the Ashians, expatriats in the empire they say, but this money reeks with an imperial smell. And you, as well as I, know the abundance of the empire. It will make us wealthy men if we serve it...and although they prize loyalty, and we are not loyal men," — he grinned — "we can be loyal as long as it suits us. We will receive payment upon delivery in Ashia, let us judge then whether this voyage was worth or whether I truly lead you all into a fruitless endeavor. But when have I done so in the past? I ask you to give me the benefit of the doubt today and conclude only when the evidence is laid bare."

Tensions calmed then, but only on the surface. That night, all the sailors went to their bunks angry, or afraid, or unsure. The storm was shortlived and the seas were peaceful again the next day. Out on the surface deck, there was not another ship in sight if one looked from any point, even though they all knew there were imperial, Vallerian, and Ashian ships out there. They turned south around then, heading toward Ashia, although stopping well away from it to send in the supplies by means of smaller craft that could dart in and out with a lesser chance of detection. They carried thousands of guns, along with mortars, anti-tank rockets and missiles, as well as man-portable surface-to-air missile launchers. Their were plenty of munitions too. They carried the weapons of the Ashian resistance and this was just the beginning.

[Solisian Union]

Derrota | Defeat

---

There was no victory yet. But there was no stalemate. Only war exists now. Even as the air of the capital became quiet once more, even as the Solisians and their allies could walk the streets of the cities easily again and even as the country fell into the hands of another, there still was resistance. There still was a force that could not, would not and should not accept defeat. Not yet at least.

---

Legionary Lady Alexa Arrabal

Promoted to Lieutenant

Awarded The Bright Star, Cross and Moon of Lady Dakarai

The highest honor a Legionary Lady can attain

"I see the bad moon rising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes ablowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin."

Morning turned into noon as the Sun once more displayed her light and heat at the same time down on the faces of the Lady and her squad. On patrol on the dirty road from the capital to a nearby village, the only things that she could hear were from the stepping boots of her unit, the song playing over the radio that Corporal Dylan Fraga played and most of all, the voices of nature as she chose to manifest them.

The Lady sighed as she looked down on the rosary that she wore around her neck and with her dusty fingers, she lifted it up to her lips and kissed the woman who was impaled there. She then let go of it as she looked forward, her legs taking her over the same path that her troops were taking. They were coming back to the capital city. There was not so much to look around here. This meant that their mission was more or less a success. No threats so far and most of all there were no worries.

But that bothered her. As much as the weather made her uncomfortable with herself, the Lady was looking around every now and then. She also started to make it a habit for herself to stop and scan at new objects she saw along the path or simply in the brush.

Was this war, even as it ended conventionally, going to extend itself? She hoped it would not as she started walking again, the radio man playing a rock song that started with jungle sound effects and the shaggy voice of a man

"Whoa, thought it was a nightmare
Lord, it's all so true.
They told me, "Don't go walkin' slow
'Cause Devil's on the loose."

Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Better run through the jungle
Whoa, don't look back to see....."

---

Jaxon Sera

Head of the Ashian Liberty Army

The tall Ashian looked up from the pile of maps and papers that lay on his folding table to see Darrion and a few strangers. They had different skin but at least they were not like the Solisians. They really looked like they did not belong to this continent. Perhaps they were the ones who were actually sent here as an answer to the problems of his cause and his people.

Immediately, he turned to one of his soldiers and asked her to take care of the things on the table. Then he left her alone to make his way to the strangers, greeting them with an outstretched right hand and a smile that didn't really reveal his dirty teeth. He told them

"Ah! Welcome. Forgive me for not giving you my hospitality sooner. I am Jaxon Sera. I am the leader of..." He gestures to the Ashians around him as they entered the tent or simply hung around the entrance "What is left of our country. What can I do for you?"

---

Atalaya Rivas

President of the Union of the Sun

Commander in Chief of all Solisian Forces

The lady that controlled the war was following the corridor out of her office with Desert Vipers in the hands of the guards trying to catch up to her. One of them quietly complained about how fast their Western President was walking on those heels while she had boots that were meant for speed. Nevertheless, they followed as she followed until finally reaching the conference room with number 14 on the door. She opened it and greeted everyone inside the room

"Good noon, everyone. I hope I am not late for the back brief. Can you please help me catch up to the news?"

Everyone that noticed the president enter with her guards stood up. Close to the door were the other presidents of the Union, Harvine Smythe and Osako Noriko. At the far side of the table was the Secretary of the Government, Chiku Hidetoshi, as well as Agustín Muñoz Grandes, the Secretary of War for the Union. The rest were new faces to President considering the situation:

The first one that she noticed was the long haired Head of Public Transportation. The second was the red eyed Head of Industry.

The first one to speak for the President was the Secretary of War

"So far, we were about to talk about the war. We already took care of the issues with our roads and railways from our country to Ashia and the Head of Industry has spoken already about the future estimates of production. On the war, we're gonna have to tell you that it isn't over yet."

The President sat down with a sigh as she looked at her Secretary of War straightly, as if she wasn't surprised, just irritated with the frank statement.

"Really? The war is going to be long and muddy as you imply? Perhaps a guerrilla war?"

"More than that, I suppose, Ms. President. We're starting to suspect some countries are going to support the Ashians once they resurface as an insurgency. We are already eyeing the neighbors but our lady from the FSOA stated that it's better to look at what the Laussatians and Eitoans are doing. Perhaps it would be wise, she said, to suspect the Golden Throne and the other great powers of this world."

All heads turned to the presence of the secretary of the government.

"Really? Well then, talk to me."

---

[The Macabees]

— Ashian Guerilla Headquarters
"[W]e attack an enemy who is invisible, fluid, uncatchable."

— Roger Tringquier, Modern Warfare: A French View of Counterinsurgency



What can he do for me? thought Antonin, bewildered. This man had little clue about what he was doing. Ashia was already done for, the central government was in its final moments. It had little country left to govern already and its presence in the capital was all but eliminated by the invaders. The insurgency should have already been organizing, planning its course of action. Instead, it was rudderless.

The Indran sighed and answered, "I would say it is a pleasure to meet you, Jaxon, but I can see we have a lot of work ahead of us and now is not the time to exchange pleasantries. Your country is about to fall and there is no hope for a military defeat over your enemy. You and your guerrillas are what the Ashians have left to defend them and, even if we manage to turn this rag-tag bunch of good-for-nothing peasants into a well-oiled insurgency, it will be a long, tough road ahead of us. What can do you for me, you ask. Well, let's start with an accounting of how many men you have under your command. Then, where are the major rural population centers around us? In fact, do you have a map? We should know exactly where our propaganda efforts should focus on, as we will need as many of the people on our side as possible and..." he looked around... "we do not have the resources to waste. Put your men to work, Jaxon, the basics need to be completed soon, we do not have much time to get your fighters into fighting shape."

"Also," he added, "tell your men to avoid engaging the enemy's conventional units. They will die if they try. We need to conserve our strength. Your men out on the field, tell them to disperse. The more decentralized the resistance, the more difficult it will be to find and destroy. We will reach out to them when they are needed. In the meantime, have them return to their homes, blend in with their neighbors, and have them recruit willing warriors to our cause. Those that are literate can produce pamphlets and other materials through which we can spread our message of Ashian independence and sovereignty against imperialist tyranny."

"Get your twenty best men," he finished. "You and I will go hunting soon. The resistance needs a spark, a moral victory to give those who sympathize hope, and to shatter the enemy's façade of invincibility."

Jaxon nodded, "Some of those things are already underway. The invaders will kill many innocents, even if they do not go out of their way. I plan to exploit that to the fullest and it has already helped me earn a few more recruits. You will have all the information you need on my armies and I will do as you say and order them to scatter, so that if they are found only a few of them will be caught. I must attend to my men, we will speak more tomorrow I trust."

"Of course," replied Antonin. "Tomorrow we will discuss our first operation together. By the end of this, you will be a hero, Jaxon. They will call you the Liberator of Ashia."

While the two leaders parted ways, each going to their own tent, Indrans and Ashian fighters spoke and drank throughout the night. They did so without fires, lest they giveaway their position to the enemy. The Indrans did their duty with sentry duty as well, maintaining a perimeter-wide watch throughout the knife.



— Attack on a Solisian Supply Convoy, 7 Days Later
"All the mines were skillfully camouflaged to blend with the surrounding background.
For example, after planting an explosive charge in the road, the Mujahideen would roll
a truck tire over the area several times to give the appearance of vehicle traffic. As a rule,
the Mujahideen covered all obstacles with machine gun and rifle fire."

— Col. V.K. Puzel, The Soviet-Afghan War



The invasion was advancing quickly and by now it would have been disingenuous to call Ashia free. Solisia and Valleria were, for all intents and purposes, tying up loose ends. For its part, the insurgency was still in its embryonic stage, but it needed an early symbolic victory to start making a name for itself. Any propaganda they could get would help recruit more Ashians into the liberation army and it would give the guerrilla force a morale boost it desperately needed.

As the invaders occupied more territory they needed to establish bases to control the local population and these bases had to be supplied. That meant the roads had to be secured by routinely patrolling them and escorting logistics convoys with combat vehicles, as was standard practice for all armies around the world. This supply network and its efficiency was vital for any fighting force, a source of strength and power. But like all things, it also had its vulnerabilities. Destruction of supplies could mean a unit left with inadequate ammunition or food, creating opportunities of attack for the fledgling insurgency and making the occupying forces seem weak, or at least defeatable.

On the day after their introduction, Antonin and Jaxon planned their first ambush together. The Ashian sent four men in advance to scout and gather intelligence on patrol and resupply patterns in the area. After four days, they chose a minor highway that connected a forward operation base belonging to the Ashians. It was used to provide the Solisian army units there with food, ammunition, and other supplies needed for their day-to-day operations, so both leaders felt that it would make a statement if they could briefly interrupt that logistical safety line. Antonin, three of his men, Jaxon, and twenty other Ashian fighters, moved in four autonomous groups.

"First," said Antonin, when they were planning the attack, "we will place a bomb along the road. My team will plant it, but yours will detonate it with a configured phone."

Antonin's group consisted of the three Indrans who came with him and two Ashians, for a total of six men. These two Ashians spoke Common, which all of the Indrans had a basic knowledge of. They arrived at the highway two nights prior to the attack, breaking through the gravel and digging a shallow hole to fit enough dynamite to destroy forty-tonne armored vehicle. They covered it up with dirt again, replacing the gravel as best they could. To obscure the site, they covered the area with brush and did the same elsewhere so that it would not look out of place or stand out. With tires and wooden wheels they made it seem as if the area had been trafficked plenty of times before, and the next day the two Ashians even paid a local farmer to move his cows over the area to the pastures on the other side. By the time the targeted Solisian convoy came through, it would be very hard indeed to notice the IED.

"Second," continued Antonin, standing before Jaxon and a small cadre of would-be officers. "The IED will be detonated wirelessly under the convoy's fourth vehicle, separating the snake's body from its head. This will be done by you Jaxon, who will join with the four men you choose to gather intelligence on ahead of us."

Jaxon traveled with Antonin and the Indrans at first. They chatted often, sometimes on tactics and strategy, other times on history, and often with other subjects interspersed. Both learned much from one another, and plans on the future of the insurgency were discussed in length. But soon Jaxon broke off on his own, to join the four men he had sent in advanced.

The five men of this fourth and last group took up a position directly to the south of the road, directly opposite of the two teams ambushing from the north. Jaxon lay in the grass, well hidden from the view of others and with a perfect view of the two-lane highway in front of him. He smiled as he held the cell phone in his hand. As Antonin had said while planning, "Third, your team will wait on the other side, to the south. You will detonate the bomb but not attack right away, allowing the main ambushing forces to draw most of the enemy's fire. Then you will move in to attack from the rear, killing and destroying everything you can."

It would be a more difficult ambush than the plan made it seemed, as they all were. But most felt reassured with the Indran's last words. "But do not linger there for too long. They will send reinforcements and if you allow them to trap you, they will kill you. We do not have the lives to risk. As soon as the enemy has its wits about it, break off and retreat. Your withdrawals ought to be orderly, of course. Use your knowledge of the terrain to fool your pursuers and move in different directions, retaining cohesion only at the level of your groups. Remember that. Do not risk your lives and those of your compatriots foolishly. Aspiring to more than what is within your immediate grasp is a certain road to ruin, indeed."

In these positions, the twenty-five freedom fighters waited as the Solisian convoy snaked its way toward them on the prescribed day of the attack. Without moving a muscle, they did everything according to plan. And when the fourth vehicle, a truck, was passing over the location of the IED, Jaxon hit the right buttons to activate it.

The bomb did not go off.

"What the hell?" muttered the Ashian. The others with him looked at him with confused faces. He struggled with the mobile device for a few seconds, and the fourth vehicle passed on harmlessly. He tried entering the code again, but again nothing happened. The fifth and sixth vehicles passed on unharmed. Jaxon tried punching in the code one last time, and he let out a long exasperated sigh as he did so.

This time, it went off. A towering explosion claimed the seventh vehicle in the convoy, also a truck. It was lifted into the air and turned over on its side, as its cabins went up in flames that viciously danced through broken windows and windshield. Almost just as quickly a rocket emanated from the northern side of the highway, aiming at the lead armored vehicle. Machinegun fire opened as well as the whole area screamed to life. The Ashians with Jaxon itched to join the fight, which looked a spectacle, but with a harsh glare, their leader forced into them the necessary restraint.

Finally, when it came time and the enemy deployed to meet the distraction, Jaxon ordered his men forward. They stayed low as they moved, attempting to hide from the grass to emerge at the last minute to pounce upon their foes like lions against unknowing prey. As they ran forward they were joined by Antonin and the five other men with him, so that together they could strike the enemy's rear as a hammer does against the anvil.

It was like this how the Ashian Liberation Army began its first attack against the invader.

[Eitoan]

Executive Residence, Vladarsik, Eitoan
Cabinet Conference Room

The late afternoon session of the weekly cabinet meeting turned, as traditional, to the review of foreign affairs. Arrayed closest to President Ephraim Shrdlu were the major players in overseas matters: - Vice President Paula Koubek, Attorney General Dan Venkempen, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Randall Field, Treasurer Jonathan Shore, and Secretary of Defense and External Security General Eugene Maska. Koubek had just wrapped up the status of the Naval Planning Review, a subject that had been taking up more of the oxygen in the room since the midterm election. Much of the time was spent with Shore and Maska arguing the costs of alternatives under consideration for the planned fleet expansion, while many of the cabinet were distracted, Venkempen doodling furiously on a legal pad. After a short break, the cabinet, recaffienated, moved on the the last subject for discussion, and looked forward to getting back to their respective offices.

Shrdlu started off “Randy, your team’s synopsis of the Ashia situation, along with all news reports lately show that the Vallerians and Solisians are pretty much in control down there. I want feedback on your proposal to close the embassy. Isn’t that giving de-facto acknowledgement of the partition? What’s the downside? I don’t want to act rashly.”

Field scratched his head, and pushed back from the table. Looking down contemplatively, then directly at Shrdlu, he offered “That is the case in a nutshell Mr. President. The Solisians are in control of the capital. Their justification for the invasion was wobbly, the Vallerian justification more solid, but those are the facts on the ground. I don’t think any of us is willing to poke our noses further south of the Bay of Chains – we’ve never had a critical interest in the far south, and the Dashez would raise hackles if we were to engage in any major activity there. And there have been rumors of big power interests backing a fledgling Ashaian resistance. From every perspective, there isn’t much to do but pull our embassy out of the capital.”

“You won’t have any argument from me” boomed General Maska. “We need our attention and resources at home, and in the Northern Vanguat at the most. Any involvement would be an exposure, and a waste of resources.”

Venkempen and Shore nodded approval.

Shrdlu responded “Very well. Go ahead on the embassy closure. Keep the announcement low key. It’s a mess, but it’s not our mess. Oh, do we have to do anything about the Ashian embassy here?”

Field reassured Shrdlu “We’ll keep this low key. No need to do anything with the Ashaians here. They can keep their embassy, but I doubt they have any money to keep it open. We’ll put out a dispatch stating that our embassy in Ashia can no longer function as such, but we’ll take no action to extend de-jure recognition of the partition. This will keep it clean, and keep our nose out of it”.

The Republic of Eitoan
Department of Foreign Affairs
Randall Field, Secretary

Notice of Closure
Embassy of The Republic of Eitoan to Ashia


The Embassy of the Republic of Eitoan in Ashia shall be closed and evacuated until further notice, in light of the fact that the government of Ashia has ceased to function, and that a successor government is not possible to receive diplomatic credentials. Embassy staff will retain diplomatic rights until evacuation from the territory. All business and legal contacts for Eitoan concerns in the territory of Ashia shall be conducted through the Eitoan embassy in The Solisian Union or The United Vallerian Republic respective to jurisdiction of these states on that territory.

The closure reflects current conditions in Ashia.

The diplomatic staff of the Embassy of Ashia in Vladarsik remains accredited to the Department of Foreign Affairs until such time as a final resolution of issues regarding Ashia and it’s neighbors can be reached.

Randall Field
Secretary of External Affairs
Republic of Eitoan

Eitoan Embassy, Ashia

Ambassador Baumrucker remained locked in his private quarters, still in shock from the closure notice. The rest of the staff, rallied by Thomas Prior, Chargé d'affaires, was arrayed in the courtyard, awaiting the ambassador to join the convoy. All necessary hard copy had been shipped to Vladarsik for review, sensitive material burned, and most of the building locked up. Sergeant Ualas gently coaxed the aging diplomat.

“Mr. Ambassador, please, it’s time to go. All protocols have been completed, and your staff is waiting”

The raw faced ambassador looked up at Ualas mournfully.

“Please, Mr. Ambassador, there’s nothing here to do. Tom’s taken care of everything. Please, the limo is waiting.”

Baumrucker looked up at the Sergeant, and let out a moan, followed by a deep sigh. He sheepishly nodded, and composed himself as best he could. A shattered man, his career was over.

Following the Sergeant, Baumrucker shuffled down the stairs. Walls had been stripped of paintings. Bookshelves were emptied. It was a sad sight. Heaving one last sigh, he took a deep breath and stepped out onto to the portico to join his departing staff.

Ualas nodded to Prior. At Prior’s command, a junior analyst removed the Eitoan Coat of Arms from the gate. A sentry slowly lowered the blue banner, and the assembled staff softly, spontaneously sang Song of Eitoan one last time.

Where is our home, where is our home?
Where the sun shines on the meadows,
Cattle graze upon the plain,
The people rejoice in our freedom,
Paradise on earth it is to see.
And this is that beautiful land,
It’s Eitoan, my home.



Prior and Ualas gently nudged Baumrucker into the limo. The convoy headed out the drive and on to the airport, on back to Vladarsik.

[Solisian Union]

"The point of taking over Ashia is not to fight a conventional war but also to fight an uncoventional war. Basically speaking, this is our chance to, in this current century, to show our strength to the rest of the world and to, inevitably, begin carrying out our agenda."

- President Atalaya Rivas of the Solisian Union



"While every...war may not necessarily involve counterinsurgency operations, every counterinsurgency operation occurs in the context of a...war."

- US ARMY COUNTERINSURGENCY MANUAL



-----------------------

Bogged Down

---

Convoy Attacked!
Lieutenant Valery Curbelo

It did not impress the Lieutenant and her men when they found out that they would not join the troops stationed at the very front of the fighting with the very last remnants of actual Ashian soldiers. There were still those stubborn few, the very stubborn only, who kept fighting conventionally. They were not as smart as the ones who ran for the trees and the caves and lived to fight another day.

Yet, the Lieutenant believed, that does not mean they are not a dangerous thing to think about. They are and if they continued to exist, they will threaten Solisian operations in this countr---no! It is a province! A part of the Union now. If they continued like this, then those surviving, stubborn soldiers would join those hidden in the rainforests against her comrades.

And that was something she could not tolerate even right now that she was shoved to the sidelines of the war, charged with the protection of a simple supply convoy.

Unfortunately for her, this would not just be a routine supply mission.

---

Adoración Prats drove the lead truck for this convoy. She was used to this duty. But what she was not used to was the terrain of this part of the Union. Even though Ashia felt familiar to her thanks to it's proximity to the town she hailed from, the roads of Ashia were not the roads of Solisia. They were not as great and they certainly were not as professionally maintained.

Adoración cursed the road one more time, her hands tightening around the wheel again as she struggled to keep her truck on the road and keep going. Luckily for her, she never thought that what was beneath her wheels for just a few seconds was an explosive trap.

That is until she heard the explosion go off, striking the truck that either her friend, Monserrat Hurtado, or Julia Muñoz, one of her own men, was driving. She kept going, not looking back out of fear.

Sweat started to pour down her face more as she pushed the pedal to the metal, her truck racing away from the convoy as gunfire erupted from everywhere and a rocket started to charge after her vehicle.

Swiftly, like those rich bastards who race, she turned the wheel, avoiding the rocket barely. The force of the resulting explosion after it struck a large rock by the road caused the truck to turn over to its side, forcing Adoración to slam her right side of her body against the door and the window, glass breaking as she screamed and finally lost consciousness.

---

"Puta! ¡Emboscada! ¡Emboscada! Ambush!" Cried out the Lieutenant as she jumped off the back of one of the trucks with her battle rifle, joining her men who were already taking cover behind some rocks or lying on the road, shooting at the trees or whatever was out there.

It was chaos. It was madness. It was just...senseless! Just senseless! The Lieutenant had left her helmet in the truck in hurry and she had no time to grab the rest of her ammunition. All she had right now on her person were three magazines for the rifle and four magazines for the pistol in her belt.

She jabbed her finger at the direction that she saw gunfire coming from and told her men close to her "Over there! Concentrate your fire there!"

Obediently, her men engaged the enemy while the trucks all stopped. The convoy was immobilized. The lead and the back. Shit! The Lieutenant realized they were trapped! She had to take care of this.

But she could not. Badly for everyone in the convoy, screams and shouts mixed in the air with gunfire from the rear. The Lieutenant witnessed two of her men, Corporal Teresa Capmany and Private Aaron Abellán, being shot and killed. Their corpses crumpled against the road as she appropriately applied her rage against the ones attacking them from behind.

Her battle rifle's sights allowed her to zero in on the chest of one of the enemy and she squeezed the trigger, unleashing a controlled burst of rounds. Then she quickly went down on one knee, shooting at another target, not caring to see if she hit her first one.

Meanwhile, the rest of her men were either cut off or already engaging the enemy. They were everywhere but they couldn't see where they were coming from or where they were firing from. The trees here were too thick. The road was surrounded. They were doomed!

But, to their aid, the presence of a few adventurous Legionnaires (who accompanied the convoy to join their comrades at the front) raised morale. At least for now, they could fight bravely until the very end!