A Battle Unseen

[Mbites]

Februar 5622
Triad Republics of Narikaton, Darnussia and Himmelshtern
Bannerhafen, SASa Offices

The Chairman sat down with his confidant and political contacts.
"Where is the Deltarian?" asked the Chairman
The confidant looked anxious to see this meeting finalized.
Finally a political contact started to speak.
"I just got a call, they're not coming in personally, I am supposed to tell you what the plan is."
The contact slides over a folder.
The Chairman subsequently took the folder, skimming through its contents.
He stopped and put the folder down with a heavy sigh.
"They're serious?"
The others nodded.
Shooting someone in broad daylight...
"Alright." the chairman jumped from his seat.
"Shredder all the intel connected to this, I have got to make some calls, the police president is waiting."

[Dredd]

[January, 5614, Kundrati Presidential Office]

It had been a terrible struggle, and despite all the fanatical resistance of Kundrati's best men, Extea had fallen. The nation was in a terrible state, wracked with hunger and economic decline, the war had used all the efforts of the regime and now it needed years to heal from the damages, and now a rogue liberal government had been installed and financed by Luthori in extea. It stood in defiance of the true legionary state. They were an affront to the true fatherland in every way. Elections, free speech, mentally ill communism veiled in "democratic" measures, and on top of it all; A base of operations against them. Sladek's head was pounding thinking of it all, the enemy spies who could come in, the black markets, and of course the many traitors that would no doubt attempt to abscond to the small island republic. Above it all, he had chosen a successor.

It had been a long and difficult decision, and Sladek hardly regretted most of what he had done, all the camps, the weapons programs, the brutal labor efforts had only been boons. But as he gazed out the window in the dark night, he knew half the city of the bright lights beneath him were hungry, cold, and mourning lost ones. The war, all the sanctions, the embargos and scandals, what had it brought the people but misery? Had he been a failure, gods chosen, had he not done everything he could? His eyes for the first time in decades became glazed, and he began having another coughing fit into his handkerchief, blood staining it. Balancing himself on his desk after gasping for breath he read the paper again, and again. His life had been one of brutal repression, totalitarian control, but he would make the right decision before he died, for the sake of the people he fought to save nearly 40 years ago in his party office.

Ruslan Prokovic. One of the most liberal activists in the Legion, he advocated for loosening free speech, closure of many labor camps, lessened sentences, and even removing the personality cult surrounding Sladek. It irked him to think his legacy would be somewhat removed, but these changes would open a new path for the nation. Sladek moved his tremor addled hand to the bottom of the page and began scribbling his name with his gold tipped fountain pen, slowly the barely legible signature was dotted. He'd done it.

Sladek sat back satisfied. He knew millions hated him and would celebrate his passing, he was the one of the safest men in the world with the army and state fully backing him, but he knew no amount of guards, doctors, or commissars could stop death from coming. He motioned for the phone, to make the call, let the legion know of his decision, and thoughts of happy families with full bellies and beautiful homes danced in his mind, of sunny evenings where labor camps didn't dot the horizons, and suddenly he felt a pain unlike any other. His panicked eyes widened, bloodshot, and he grasped his chest while it felt as though a dagger had been shoved in it, failing to take a breath. He tried to press the emergency button under his desk but found himself unable to move as his vision began blurring, and he felt nothing as his head lurched forward and smashed the table. His trembling hands stopped moving, and a dribble of blood flowed down his cheek, as his eyes that had once commanded the obedience of millions slowly came halfway closed, and he gave his final breath in the dark, lonely office.

[Dredd]

[January, 5614, 8am Kundrati Presidential Office]


Supreme Commissar of Internal Security Lazar Saburov walked before Sladeks front door, the two guards standing parallel remained motionless and at attention. No word had come out of the Supreme leaders office for hours, and nobody had seen hide nor hair of him, very unusual. Entering his quarters without invitation was likely to give you a death sentence, but he and Sladek had had doings for some time and could be considered on cordial terms, perhaps he would be merciful if he intruded? Saburov toyed with the ideas, and finally decided to enter the room, both the guards dared not question him but watched in nervous contemplation. "Step aside" He commanded, and they made way, and he swung the door open closing it behind him.

His eyes immediately widened as audibly gasped, his body frozen. There he was, body splayed upon his desk with a crimson pool beside his head. Lazar looked around him, checking that the door was closed. He stood for perhaps 30 seconds before daring a step forward, heart pounding and sweating bullets. He leered over the corpse, "C-Comrade? are you alright?" Met only with silence, he dared to see what paper had been on the desk, shocked to read the ramifications. Ruslan!? Lazar thought to himself, feeling slightly betrayed, he had made known his intentions of taking office for some time, and to think Sladek would even dare put this closeted communist in power made him feel physically ill. Perhaps Sladek had had a momentary mental lapse or his illness made him insane in his last hours, he stared at the paper woefully thinking of what would come, and suddenly he stopped. Holding his breath he raised the paper before him and studied it, having an epiphany. He was the only one who knew Sladek had perished, and the only one who knew of this paper, we he to simply, have a new one made under the commissariats best forgers....

Lazars eyes lit up as he imagined himself sitting in Sladeks seat and goosebumps covered him. It was the only way, the only way to ensure the legion remains triumphant, Lazar dashed over to the safe behind the giant portrait of the leader and entered in the combination, seizing any incriminating documents as fast as he could, before anyone arrived, and promptly chucking them into a metal bin lit them ablaze. Lazars shaking hands folded the document into his coat and he stormed out the door yelling for a doctor, trying as hard as possible to conceal his child like excitement and smug grin as he sprinted down the red carpeted hallways.

[Alaskancrabpuffs21]

The Prime Minister's Special A400M Atlas Flying over the Karzon Straight to attend the Conference of Altéa

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Dolgava sat between his Foreign Minister and his bitter rival but at the same time a friend of his, Toivo Meri. The flight from Aikums had only been an hour long so far, but the conversation had been cordial, and the alcohol had been readily consumed.

Prime Minister Jaanus Jogi: puts down his glass of Whiskey, "So, what do you think we are all going to talk about at this conference eh?"

The foreign minister was the first to speak,

Foreign Minister Karl Tamm: "I think it is obvious, we need to ensure that the ongoing chaos in Trigunia, or whatever the hell that place is calling itself now, doesn't spread across Keris and the region. They can't even keep their population safe from a horrible eye bleeding virus".

Jaanus Jogi: "Indeed, yes. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that originally came from a secret biological weapon that Trigunia had meant to unleash on some unsuspecting state. Well those bastards deserved it for all I know. Too long has their shadow been over our country, now they can vanish to obscurity".

Leader of the Opposition Toivo Meri: "I can't trust them frankly, you know If the Conservatives get in power, we will just simply cut ties with them, act like they do not even exist. They have gone loony, the whole country".

Jaanus Jogi: lights a cigar, before offering the other two some

[i]Toivo Meri: [/i]"I can't, I told my wife, I would stop smoking"

Jaanus Jogi: "Fair enough, however Toivo, it is bold of you to assume, that the people of Trigunia were even sane to begin with?"

[With this the entire room got a god laugh, with even the bodyguards and soldiers present having a good snicker]

Jaanus Jogi: "As I said, they are nuts, they think that women need to be in complete control, and that there is no equality for anybody. They should look at Dolgava, our highest leading authority is a women (technically), is a women, and if she wanted to, she could just take power for herself. However right now she is too busy preparing to be a mother. She'll be a good one at that".

he stopped, looking out the window of the plane, before taking another drag on his cigar

[i]Jaanus Jogi: [/i]"Toivo, have you met her before? I know you haven't been opposition leader that long but?"

[i]Toivo Meri:[/i] "Yes, I met her once, but it was only in pas..."

Jaanus Jogi: talking and smoking his cigar at the same time, "Ok, Toivo, as a measure of goodwill, I will arrange to have you have and audience with the Queen. I can read the polls just as well as anyone else, and there is a damn good shot that you will at some point replace me. It is only fair that you have a good relationship with Jaanika, before IF you become Prime Minister".

Toivo Meri: "Why....... Thank You???
He was extremely puzzled by this measure of goodwill

[i]Jaanus Jogi: [/i]"She is very easy to speak with, and extremely smart, she can do trigonometry and calculus, better than most people I know, she has a math brain you see? If she wasn't the Queen, she would probably be one of Dolgava's top mathematicians. She is also extremely good at seeing through people. Don't bullshit with her, because she will see right through it. Tell the truth, and stay truthful, she will say what she wants, whether you like it or not".

Toivo Meri: "I understand, by the way, isn't Prince Verner supposed to be with us at this meeting?"

Jaanus Jogi: "Yes, I offered him a seat with us, I told him we won't bite or anything, but he insisted on using one of the private jets used by the Royal Family. I honestly have no idea, the guy is very secretive, I have only met him twice. He is apart of the Banchlov family though, his brother is the CEO of Banchlov Petrochemicals you see?"

Toivo Meri: "Ah yes, I visited their big facility in Noversk for a campaign rally".

Jaanus Jogi: "He seems like a nice guy, but his family are sons of bitches, horrible people. They are so stuck up and snobbish. It is honestly revolting. How anyone like Jaanika saw that family and got the idea of "husband material" is beyond me...."

he put his arms up in the air in an exasperated expression, as he always did, larger than life movements when speaking with people

[i]Karl Tamm:[/i] "What do you think about the ongoing situation in Kundrati?"

Jaanus Jogi: "Oh those guys, well, they are getting divine justice for their backstab they did to Beiteynu many decades ago, that is for sure, but I'd say both of those places are collapsing. Honestly, it is for the good of Terra, having Luthori and Dorvik as the adults in the room in Artania is the best thing we can hope for honestly..."

Toivo Meri: "I know that Kalistan and Luthori are not in the best of terms, would you risk Kalistan's friendship, then to court Luthori?"

Jaanus Jogi: "Remember, nothing leaves this plane, but honestly. Dolgava can be friends with both at the same time. If Kalistan complains, all we have to do is start pushing for Luthori to get closer to us, or vice versa. We can leverage either of them due to our position. If they want access through the Karzon strait, they need us. It is as simple as that.

All of a sudden gasps could be heard on the right side of the plane, and aides and staffers crammed looking through the small windows of the specially modified plane

The next thing he knew, the Prime Minister's pager began to buzz in a rhythmic pattern

[i]Toivo Meri: [/i]"You still use a pager!?!?"

[i]Jaanus Jogi: [/i]"Yes, it is much more secure and harder to hack into, now hush"

Looking down Jaanus saw a alert cross his pager, from the head of his security detail, it read "Vanags lejā" or (Hawk Down). The code that one of the escorting aircraft had ran into some kind of technical failure.

[i]Jaanus Jogi: (yelling at this point) [/i]"Status Report if you please! Immediately"

The room went silent, as staffers stopped talking and looked at the Prime Minister, before frantic whispering broke out, Jaanus could only make out a few sentences from those that had witnessed the incident "it went right to the ocean?", or "no, it can't be, that's who was in it!!!!"

In an instant, the head of the Prime Minister's security detail, shuffled his way to the door. He paused at the table, the three men had been sitting at before Jogi, offered him a seat next to him

[i]Jaanus Jogi: [/i]"This is Leo Schöpfer, the head of my security detail. Now, Leo, what exactly just happened?"

Leo Schöpfer: "Well, we were flying in a formation, and Plane C, I saw it with my own eyes had an engine having problems, before it blew up, and crashed, presumably to the ocean below!


Jaanus Jogi: "Which plane is Plane C, was it one of our escorting fighters, or the equipment plane or what are we talking about here?"

Leo Schöpfer: "It was the Royal Excursion Plane, Mr. Prime Minister, it was the backup one that Prince Verner was using to fly to the conference in!"

Jaanus Jogi: "Shit!!!" causing the whole room to look at him, before talking amongst themselves once again

[i]Leo Schöpfer:[/i] "A rescue operation is now underway, we are having military helicopters getting anyone that survived that crash".

Jaanus Jogi: "Who was on that plane?"

Leo Schöpfer: "Other than Prince Verner, and the Royal Guards, I do not know".

Jaanus Jogi: puffs on his cigar more "What do you mean you don't know?"

Leo Schöpfer: "The Royal Family's business is something we are not privy to"

Jaanus Jogi: puffing on his cigar more aggressively, his face turning slightly red with anger "I am the goddamned elected leader of a free country, and I cannot know who is coming with us on a diplomatic meeting"

Leo Schöpfer: "I... I am sorry I cannot help you further"

Jaanus Jogi: now collecting his cool "I am sorry too, but seriously, we need a law to change some of these bullshit rules... Thank You Leo, if you could could you get everyone out of here, besides the Foreign Minister the Mr. Meri and my bodyguards please?"

Leo Schöpfer: "Yes, I will do that now"

Jaanus Jogi: "Come back in 15 minutes or so, and sit back down with us, I have a cigar with your name on it"

Leo nodded before shuffling everyone out of the room, reminding them that everything here was secret and under penalty of imprisonment, would leaking be tolerated...

At this Jaanus looked at his bodyguard before saying "I want to know what is going on, bring him in!"

Half a minute later, a burly man with a long beard, and wearing a clearly readable "Press" military vest, walked in. He was scruffy, with a long beard, and looked more in place as a vagrant on the streets of Aikums, rather than the Prime Minister's plane

Jaanus motioned for him to sit down, however he retorted by saying "I'll stand"

Jaanus Jogi: "Very well, let me remind you two gentlemen (now looking at the two men across from him), that anything said here is top secret, and you will have to sign security clearances with him before you exit this plane, understood?"

They both nodded

[i]Jaanus Jogi: [/i]"Good, we have an accord. Now this is...

Mr. Biscuit: "Thank You Prime Minister, my name is Mr. Biscuit, but I prefer to be called, just Biscuit. I have met you both from time to time, but you did not know who I am, well now you know".

Biscuit waved his Dolgavan Department of Intelligence Badge to the three men before continuing

Mr. Biscuit: "Due to the nature of this mission, I could not trust any of my agents to get this job done, and as the saying goes, if you want anything done, you need to do it yourself. The Royal Guards always prove to be worthy in hiding occupants on planes, but we infiltrated them years ago. As for the plane, I would say it suffered mechanical error, and the likelihood of anything surviving is next to nothing".

He continued his eyes cold, and calculated

Mr. Biscuit: "There were approximately 7 passengers on that plane, the Prince, his personal secretary 3 Royal guards, and two... mistresses..."

Jaanus Jogi: "Wait what?????"

Karl Tamm: "Damn"....

Toivo Meri: "So the legends are real, there is someone called Mr......"

Mr. Biscuit: "And if anything about this conversation becomes legends, all three of you will be thrown behind bars?"

Toivo Meri: "The Prime Minister too? Oh please"

Mr. Biscuit now stood up, looming over the table

Mr. Biscuit: "My loyalty does not stand with any "prime minister" nor does it stand with any administration, but to the Dolgavan people! If state secrets get leaked out, you all WILL not be able to weasel out of it. Don't test me!

Jaanus Jogi: "Are you sure he had mistresses?"

Mr. Biscuit: "Positive, he has been cheating on the Queen for months at this point"

Jaanus Jogi: "That son of a bitch, I swear to you, how could you cheat on a Queen for goodness sakes? He will get a piece of my mind..... Just you watch"

Mr. Biscuit: "No need to, he's dead"...

Jaanus Jogi: "What, how can you know that?"

Mr. Biscuit: "This time it isn't privileged information, read your pager, I have the same one you do"

Jogi looked and sure enough, it had stated that the search efforts were unsuccessful

Jaanus Jogi: "Oh my god... Poor Jaanika, did she know?"

Mr. Biscuit: "No, thankfully, and she will never know. Again if any of you say anything to her, and I find out. I will do it!"

The flight to Egelion continued without further incident, and slowly the news would break about the death of the Prince, with the information about his affair, never reaching the Queen or the press

[Dredd]

[January, 5614, Kundrati Politburo]

The Politburo was in upheaval as Lazar entered inside with his entourage, hundreds of murmurs crowded the room as he took his seat at head of the assembly. The Politburo was of course for all intensive purposes a farce, their only true purpose was to make the inner party feel important, aside from the small power in voting upon governmental directives, and they could never dethrone the Supreme leader directly, one of the many proposals made by the liberal leaning Ruslan who was slamming a shoe onto his desk along with dozens of other liberal leaning legionaries. Sladek in his last years of office had not given much oversight into the inner party, focusing more on the war and his desperate struggle to achieve nuclear weaponry, the gap resulted in many with views sprouting within the party that would have been tantamount direct defiance of the legions tenets; Free speech, elections, and many other treasonous views.

Lazar Saburov motioned his hand for silence and stood as he began reading from a sheet;

"My fellow countrymen and legionary comrades...I having taken this station during a time of great upheaval am both honored and humbled to carry on the torch of our beloved comrade Sladek, who doubtlessly will remain within our hearts for all time, his heroic sacrifices and efforts to safeguard our nation from foreign interference and communism cannot be overstated, and upon receiving this office in the short time I have been in power, I have had at my disposal new resources and information known only to a close few. Despite how it may seem on the outside, the legionary party always the bulwark of strength and unity, has within it malefactors who would seek to do it harm, and it is with great regret that the first measures put in front of me as I took office were the offers of dismantling our nation and very party..

The assembly began to yell in uproar as the presiding overseer slammed the gavel

"As much as it is difficult to believe, I have in my possession transcripts of clandestine conversations between men who are in this very assembly as I speak. Subjects of which included; Disbanding the legionary party, opening negotiations for an unconditional surrender to Luthori, reperations to Kalistan, and even the planned assassination of our eternal comrade Sladek."

By this point the assembly was almost in complete anarchy, people began screaming until their veins bulged from their necks, accusational looks and fingers being pointed at one and other, Ruslan did his best to scream with his fellow liberals words such as "Tripe, this is all a farce! Baseless accusations!" But they all began quieting down as the gavel slammed a dozen times, and Commissariat officers began marching into the assembly blocking all exits, brandishing assault rifles.

"Comrades, despite these attempts to undermine our glorious Legionary state, it is without doubt the Internal security of the Commissariat, comrade Sladeks own creation, that remains and always will remain the greatest defender against subversion and treason. Within these documents, I have a list of names of the guilty parties, and they will be given sentences just for the offense...

The entire assembly was dead silent, then the first name rang out, "Julovic Progovin." Shocked onlookers watched as two commissariat guards dragged him from his seat, his face was one of profound disbelief and shock as he screamed pleading his innocence and loyalty to Kundrati, as he was dragged out the double doors and taken outside. Then the first gunshot was heard, the assembly was paralyzed. Then a second name was read out, a third, suddenly a member stood and began shouting support for Lazar, "Death to the traitors, long live Saburov!, then multiple other men joined in. Soon the the entire assembly was clapping and cheering as every name was listed, dumping insults and libel upon the traitors being dragged out from the assembly, many so frightened they urinated themselves upon the carpeted floor. "Hail Saburov, Hail the Legion!" the assembly echoed. By the end of the ordeal, over 60 names had been called, and 60 gunshots had been heard. Saburov smoking a cigar did his best to hide his absolute delight at the whole scenario, every potential political enemy that once defied him openly or privately was dead against a wall, and now nothing stood in the way of him shaping the nation to his will.

[Dredd]

[April, 5624, Lirnak Mountains]

Supreme Leader Saburov dismounted the luxury train car flanked by an entourage of elite commissariat bodyguards and walked down the red carpet. He shook hands with a multitude of scientists including many Yeudish expats who still yet lived in Kundrati in excellent conditions. Without further delay they loaded into a motorcade of black Limousines adorned with Legion flags on every one, and drove for 45 minutes until finally reaching the discreet hidden scientific fortress.

The test would not involve mounting them on rockets of course, but this was soon on the way, but today would be a hallmark in Kundrati history, a message to the world and at home that we may now be considered one of the true superpowers of Artania. The defeat in Extea was only a setback, something that drove Saburov even harder to achieve the impossible just as his predecessor had. With a bit of skip in his step he quickly paced down the stairs into the observation bunker and fiddled with his pen, dozens of scientists flipped switches, closed observation ports, and began recording with high speed cameras. There was no room for error, beads of sweat began to form on Saburovs brow, was the ambition of over two decades finally about to become a reality?

The countdown neared its end;
Five
Four
Three
Two
One...

For a split second a flash of blinding light slipped through the view ports and shutters briefly lighting up the room, a low rumbling roar was heard as the whole room shook, dust cascading from the ceiling, until it suddenly ceased. The viewports were slowly opened as Saburov rushed to the windows, there framed between two mountains was the unmistakable silhouette of a mushroom cloud. Saburov felt a tugging at the edge of his lips as he began smiling harder than he might have his entire life.

[Dredd]

[June, 5624, Presidents Office]

Lazar hadn't seen much need to change much of the décor of Sladeks old office in years past, he had good taste after all, but he did change a few things here and there as not to appear a drone of the old leaders legacy. There were some suits of armor from centuries past, some golden assault rifles (his personal favorites) and old oil paintings of the heroes of the Legionary revolution. But this was all aside the point, Lazar shifting his attention to the numerous documents on his mahogany table began reading.

The main goal was to address the chronic issues Kundrati was now facing in the shadow of the war; Widespread poverty, lack of economic volume, lack of sufficient foodstuffs, the list went on. He considered what could possibly be done to begin repairing the damages. Trade volume with Utari Mosir remained stable, and some ships from Rutania and other countries which valued profit over morality continued to flow, but new partners were needed. Lazar began scanning the map for potential trade negotiations, but who possibly would consider trading with the rogue state. Istalia perhaps, Valruzia? Before anything could even be considered, Lazar remembered one central tenet to Accelerationist Legionarism, that to defy the world powers and bring about absolute strategic autarky, all manners of science and morality must be set aside for the greater crusade, god would understand.

Proposals he sent out to varying departments did not hesitate in expressing their absolute total freedom of proposal no matter how  esoteric or unthinkable other nations might consider them. One of the proposals made by the Legionary Institute of Science & Health made a proposal that offered a chance to alleviate the growing issue of hunger; Starch Bars. Comprised of organic matter of any type that renders nutrition including pulped produce, animal carcasses, bone meal, tree bark, edible insects, and the last even Lazar had to read twice, human corpses. Lazar sat back and contemplated it, had Kundrati truly fallen from grace so much that their own citizens would become meals for the living? He shook his head, there were many accounts in antiquity of glorious heroes surviving and winning sieges, pioneers travelling vast uninhabitable wastes, and cities that withstood horrible famine all by cannibalism. Was it such a terror after all, certainly the bodies had more use to be recycled into the good of the masses than rotting in a crypt or being cremated, in a way even environmentalists could see the logic behind the measure. Of course the public would never be told the true origin of the meals, they would be branded ingredients with items of normal qualities, and produced solely in the most secure government labor camps where no inmate ever left alive, ironic they too would inevitably be added to the same bars they'll be tasked to make. The departments involved predicted a major increase in available caloric intake should the option be signed off, significant enough to begin feeding millions, what mattered long term health concerns when one was starving?

Lazar signed the top secret initiative with his approval. Other acts signed included more nationalization of state assets, the establishment of a new governmental IOU, "Legionarrs", a 6 month promissary note alongside the kuno that could be traded for kuno (but would of course be indefinitely extended to avoid inflation) and would be usable for purchasing in government stores as a bartering item, giving the government a huge influx of ghost funding that would in essence operate the same until the economic conditions allowed them to be paid off (or cancelled). Finally, in order to relieve unemployment massive public work projects would be undertaken to bring back wealth to the people; A new system of roadworks nation wide, statues of Lazar and Sladek in every town square, new naval facilities in the northern coast given Exteas risk in strategic vulnerability, new airfields and coastal defenses, and a massive network of walls and guard posts along the entire Jildrath coast to deny illegal emigration.

Lazar satisfied with the measures ordered them to be implemented immediately, though none of them were permanent solutions, the true task ahead lay in honest free market trade abroad and bringing wealth back to the war wearied nation, of course alongside a huge wave of propaganda efforts for his new personality cult, his own portrait being hung equally next to Sladeks in every school, household, and governmental building. Kundrati would survive, no matter the cost.

[Dredd]

[October, 5624, Presidents Office]

Office of the Legionary Institute of Scientific Advancement
Director of Eugenic and Biological Excellence, Miskovic Kirokov
--------
Proposal for the Advancement of Legionary Genetics and the "New Kundrati Man"

Eternal Comrade,

In unwavering service to the eternal glory of Kundrati and the doctrine of Accelerationist Legionarism, I present to you the blueprint for Project Prometheus, a comprehensive initiative to forge a new generation of biologically superior citizens, warriors, and laborers. This project will ensure the longevity of the state by accelerating human evolution beyond natural constraints, discarding backwards and archaic moral limitations for our inevitable scientific triumph.

Phase I: Selective Breeding & Embryonic Enhancement
-----------
The first measure of our proposal is beginning construction of new facilities titled "Legionary Reproduction Centers (LRCs)", these facilities will allow us to establish controlled breeding for optimal genetics that prioritize loyalty, physical conditioning, and longevity.

Second, our facilities with the best and brightest will begin to test new methods of genetic Pre-Screening and embryo selection, allowing us to use CRISPR-based genomic analysis to single out the desired genetic traits

Phase II: Direct Genetic Modification & Biotechnological Augmentation
-----------
After the established measures in Phase 1 are achieved we seek to continue this by editing targeted genes for increased muscle mass (MSTN suppression), accelerated healing (FOXO3 activation), and cognitive superiority (BDNF enhancement). This will be utilized via drug injections and testing, and given the generous genetic material authorized by your office we believe we can find successful focus groups after approximately 250,000 subjects, many of which will be taken from labor camps, street dregs, and orphans.

Specifically for young targets, we have authorized experimental treatments via neural augmentation via Chemical and Electrical Stimulation, in other words; early-age neuroplasticity manipulation through direct current brain stimulation (tDCS) and psychoactive neuro-enhancers.

Phase III: Bio-Industrial Application & Military Integration
-----------

These measures will require massive amounts of organs and organic material, to supplement this we will strive to enhance existing organ stockpiles with genetically enhanced models and through trial and error find ones compatible with surgical installation.

To establish absolute loyalty from a young age, plans for behavioral engineering and phramaceutical dependence via drug injections at youth will seek to ensure lifelong allegiance by creating a biochemical reliance on state-issued drugs.
-----------

This proposal marks the beginning of the Legions ascension beyond human limitation. Our regime has the unquestionable will to act where lesser states falter. The people will not question what they do not know, and what they do not know will secure their future.

I await your approval for immediate execution.

In Service to the Eternal Comrade,
Dr. Miskovic Kirokov
Director of the Legionary Institute of Scientific Advancement

[hyraemous]

Sometime in December 5624

A couple was driving down the road in northern Etxea. They were listening to some Kazulian pop as they were singing along. The streets were a bit bumpy, but at least the rubble that characterized this road was being removed. At least this stretch was clean enough for the couple to ignore the remaining rubble and look at the lovely trees. It was a quiet night; they were headed home to a soothing campfire near a small one-story home. The windows were closed, the doors locked, though the car was loud.

Suddenly, a man ran onto the road. The car was going too fast. Of course, the couple pressed the brakes as hard as they could.

But the man was too slow and the car too fast.

A carnage of a scene. The couple turned off the music and got out. They called 000, and an ambulance arrived soon after. The trio would be in the back of the ambulance as they arrived at an area clinic. But it was clear the man was dying.

The couple couldn't hurt, however, to stare at the man's bloodied body. Yes, it was a lot of blood and guts, but there were some papers and a gun. It was not surprising that he had a weapon; you could find a gun-wielding person in northern Etxea, but the papers were unusual. They were in a folder. The couple managed to open the folder.

It was a flag of the Kundrati Union. An actual mini flag. The papers contained locations in Jildrati City with a title called "FAMIY MEMBURS" and some Xs in the city's center.

The man also had a phone. It was on, but of course, they didn't know the password. The phone background was of Kasaema, though, which was strange given that nobody the couple knew had been to Kasaema in a long time, and the background photo looked awfully different from what their parents remembered.

The couple called the police soon after, before they put the stuff where they had found them. Or almost.

The ambulance, of course, arrived at the local clinic. The doctors took in the man, but he had been long gone. God had taken him.

Some police officers arrived soon after and took the phone and the contents of the body. They also requested the body itself, and the clinic allowed it soon after a discussion with the supervisor of these cops.

A few days later, they began to work on the phone's contents. The time between that night and this day was contacting the appropriate authorities in the police and the military, especially the Etxean Garrison Command, to get the warrants and those permissions. In the meantime, those areas marked by those papers were staked out, and everyone who entered and exited were monitored alongside airports and known ports.

The phone's contents were worked on over the next few days. Suddenly, after finding some of the phone's contents that showed more locations, the EGC seized the phone and its contents. The police were then forbidden to touch the body or its contents. The EGC was concerned that this was now a national security matter and that they had to deal with it. The couple was told that the man was an adventurist roaming around the woods and that his death was an accident. Nothing more.

These locations were staked out over the next few days, and all communications were tapped or monitored in those areas. Suddenly, they managed to crack a few very concerning communications. The EGC found that some of these locations were safehouses.

Safehouses for the Legion.

The Legion was attempting to infiltrate Etxea.

Some agents had gone through, although they weren't careful, admittedly, and they spoke in unusual accents. This was not to mention that their communications were tapped, which implicated their friends and colleagues. Some work later, and those were identified. Those communications also showed plans to bring in equipment at the start of the new year, equipment for secure communications, weapons, and various other materials that would be required for potential future operations.

This is a call to the military and National Police on 25 December, an ordinarily festive day full of gifts and cheers...

...twenty-eight suspected agents were arrested. Another 30 were arrested, suspected of assisting those alleged agents. Soldiers and police seized those locations.

Now, it will be up to justice to determine the fate of those 58 people.

[Doc]

Cliff House Offices, Office of his Imperial Majesty, Fredrick III Ananto, 3:45 PM

Allison Stuart turned on the monitor and hit the button to connect to the VOIP call.  In one box on her screen was Lady Michelle Ananto-Sandoval calling from Egelion.

"Hello Your Highness.  Please hold for His Imperial Majesty."

"Thank you, Ms. Stuart," said Lady Michelle.  The two women sat in silence.  Lady Michelle never really got along with Ms. Stuart too well. Stuart was very business minded, very oriented, while Michelle was more of a free thinker, a lover of nature, and a much warmer individual.  Michelle always thought that Stuart was perfect, however to represent her brother in public:  Fredrick had a way about him where he couldn't help but laugh in inappropriate moments, and was even known to joke at serious events, because something always struck him as funny about any situation.  But affairs of state required a calm, level headed voice at all times, and though the two personalities did not match one another, Michelle was glad that Fredrick had selected Stuart for the job of his interpretter and spokeswoman, precisely because of her demeanor.

Still:  would it hurt if she was a little more joyful?

Within two minutes, Stuart was signing "You're late again, Your Majesty," quietly into her screen.  The interpreter paused, and then nodded silently, and returned her gaze to the screen.  Within a minute, another box popped up on the screen, and it was the face of her brother, who appears to have just come back from some outdoor activity.  He sat at the computer, and signed a welcome to his sister, who smiled as she always has, and responded "Thank you for meeting with me."  

Fredrick rarely used his voice any longer to speak.  He had retained his ability to be understood well into his adult years, but had gone without hearing for so long, that he no longer could even hear the sound of his own voice, and it certainly affected his ability to form words.  He had agreed to speak only through signs about five years ago, and Stuart has been his voice consistently since then.  Michelle did no know sign language well enough anymore to fully communicate everything to him, but in the home, both Monica and the girls spoke fluently in sign language with their father and even used it when communicating with one another as auxiliaries to their own voices.

Fredrick signed that he would like Michelle to make her report.  Through Stuart's sign language, Lady Michelle said "There are some very promising proposals made by the South Dovani representative, one that creates a relief fund for crisis situations and one that pledges the world to work together to address extremism in the world."  Fredrick responded, through Ms. Stuart, that these sound interesting, and he trusts Lady Michelle to sign for the Empire if she feels they will be something that Kalistan could agree to, but he would still like to read the proposals for himself to perhaps provide a bit more guidance and insight on the proposals.

"There is one thing," said Lady Michelle.  "Several of the delegations here, as you know, have grouped Kalistan in as an extreme form of government.  We've received private assurances from some that this was not intended, but nobody has come out publicly and stated it before the conference.  So there is a possibility that some members may sign on thinking they are going to use those proposals to check the Empire too, like this is their purpose."

Fredrick nodded as he watched Stuart interpret what Michelle said to him.  When she finished interpreting Michelle's comment, he signed to Stuart, who said "Kalistan has rarely cared about the opinions of other nations.  Some we care more for.  But His Imperial Majesty is inclined to say that you should sign on to these proposals anyway, regardless of what some think, if you feel they are good proposals, and let them think what they want.  It is His Imperial Majesty's desire that Kalistan should do what it can to rejoin the international community:  this might involve leaving some things open to interpretation, and then dealing with the misinterpretation of others when the occasion arises."

Michelle nodded.  "There is one more thing, Fredrick," said Michelle.  "The one proposal contains a commitment to support democratic institutions in other nations."

Fredrick said clearly enough, "So?"

Michelle furrowed her brow, in confusion.  "So..." she answered through Stuart, "so Kalistan will be on record as supporting democratization."

Fredrick shook his head and then signed a fairly long response.  Stuart interpreted, "Kalistan has no room for democracy within Kalistan, this is true.  We will never have a democratically elected government as long as our House continues to rule in this Empire.  But:  two of the three constituent nations in our Empire are democratic nations.  We feel our way is correct for us, and their way is correct for them.  We also happen to know that when democracy collapses, it tends to bring fascism in its wake, because sedentary and apathetic people who have given up hope in the system are more likely to fall under the sway of dictators and tyrants.  Shouldn't we want to promote democracy in other nations, then, as a means to prevent that?  Nobody says democracy has to be liberal in form, but if, say I don't know, Ikradon, or whatever, wants to be democratic, we should try to help them be, specifically as a counter to fascism.  I am fine with that."

"Fredrick, it's just that..."

"Haha, I do believe you are more of an Ananto than I am.  I am not afraid of the people having their say in some foreign country.  Kalistan won't be affected by that, and we can support that program to give people what they want.  Its a good thing."

"But what happens if the people in Kalistan see Kalistan supporting democracies internationally, but not at home?"  

The Emperor smiled and signed "The people in Kalistan are engulfed in images from the world of democracy, and the vast majority of those pictures are of democracies failing, either by electing psychopaths who have so much money that they have clearly bought the election, or by electing ineffectual morons who are not capable of defending themselves against totalitarians, let alone feeding their own people.  Every time they show a clip from some democracy, its of things falling apart, and it confirms that Kalistan is correct in avoiding that.  And our people see that too.  It's not a contradiction to promote democracy for thee, not so much for me.   Democracy is its own worst enemy, and regularly fails, just because its democracy, and is destined to fail--its what happens when you give a bunch of people who don't know good policy from a hole in the wall the right to vote on anything.  But while it remains healthy, totalitarians have less control over things, so it is in our interest then to do what we can to support efforts to strengthen democracies, to prevent them, as much as possible from collapsing and turning into fascism.  "

Michelle nodded and stated she understand the instructions.

"Thank you for updating me today, Michelle.  I do hope you are getting out.  Altea is a very pretty town, once you get to know it."

"I would rather be home in Kalistan," said Michelle.  "There is a lot of dislike for Kalistan in the international community, and because I am here, we get to be the punching bag for the conference."

"That's fine," said Fredrick with a smile, "You're a tough old broad, just like our mother.  I had Ms. Stuart send you a care package last week.  Something to take the edge off while you finish up."

"That will be welcomed," said Michelle with a smile.  "They have literally nothing up here except alcohol.  It will help me tune out the hateration in this conference."

"How's Anya doing?"  

"She's doing fine," said Lady Michelle.  "She wants to keep jumping up and calling some of these folks out.  Her heart is in the right place, but she needs to relax a bit."

"Ok," said Fredrick.  "Send me drafts of those proposals, and if they ever get around to discussing the refugee thing, tell them that Kalistan offers to take some of them, a number to be determined."

Michelle nodded her assent, and the Emperor flashed the peace sign into the camera, and logged off the call.  He signed to Stuart, "Stick around when you're done there.  I want to go over this proposal for the Terran League and need you to make some calls for me.  She nodded, and then turned back to the camera, "His Imperial Majesty requires my assistance on something to do with some sort of Terran League.  So I'll be logging off now."

"Ms. Stuart, before you go...  Do you think my brother is becoming a liberal?  He seems awfully interested in doing what he can to work with other countries, even overlooking things like democracy..."

"Your Highness, I think he is governing like an Emperor who cares about his nation."

Michelle thought about these words, and then smiled.  "I am proud of him," she said thoughtfully.

"The whole nation is," answered Stuart, and then bid the Princess good bye and ended the call.