A Battle Unseen

[Doc]

Spencer Space and Test Center. Spencer Suldanor
Report: Year 1 evaluation of Platform KMD-LDSS 3a
564011051135Z EOS
Not for public dissemination

Summary
This report covers the results of our field test of the Launch Detection Satellite System (referred to as "Platform"), created by partnership with KMD, KMI, IBSI and SSTC. The platform has been deployed on five geostatic satellites in Geosynchronous Terran Orbit, and was in place nearly 8 months before it was publicly announced in June of this year. The year long field test includes data from Egelion, Northern Seleya, Artania (for counterfactuals) and Dovani, and involved five separate satellites. The results of the test are robust across different weapons platforms, and the technology has received a B+ from graders.

History
The Platform was developed in the aftermath of the white phosphorus attacks on several Kalistani Cities in 5612. Planners were caught off guard by the surprise attacks and were dismayed when it was discovered that nobody in a position to warn Kalistan had any indication that there were intermediate range missiles incoming: Lodamun, who had previously been working on anti-missile technology, had not detected the launches, nor had they deployed counter measures to prevent the missiles which flew over their territory to strike Kalistan as it slept. It took the missiles launched from Likatonia between 27 and 32 minutes to strike Kalistan. Had Kalistan had even 20 of those minutes as a warning, many thousands might have been saved.

The result was that a cooperation between the Military Intel Section of IBSI, KMD, and KalMilInCo partnered with Spencer Space and Test Center to begin developing new satellite based launch detection that can at least give Kalistan and her partners a heads up when missiles were launched, as well as work out trajectories of those missiles to give an idea of possible targets. The idea behind the development of the platform was that it would provide early detection, as well as intelligence as to the location of capabilities, silo locations and intent, with the aim of saving lives within Kalistan and providing intel to our security partners.

In 5614, planners began working out how to deploy this platform onto Kalistan's existing satellite network and to augment it with specialized satellites designed for just this purpose. The initial outlay for the program was ₭7.5 Billion Imperial Rubles over the first ten years. The technology took about 19 years to work out and ended up costing more than ₭20 Billion. The first prototype platform was ready to build in 5633, but another two years of engineering issues delayed construction of a deployable version for two years, before the a working platform-exclusive satellite was launched. That satellite platform had a number of immediately evident flaws, mostly relating to false positives (it would pick up camp fires, nuclear reactors, and jet exhaust) leading to a failure to discern.

In 5636, it was decided to attempt to use current weather thermal imagine satellites which contain high definition digital cameras to scan the surface visually, thermally, and digitally, and while the module was produced and tested, new machine learning algorithms were developed to tell the difference between benign heat sources, and ones which should be of concern to security planners. The new platform was deployed in 5637 on board a standard geo-static thermal imaging satellite. Test results in Northern Seleya were positive, and benign sources which might have set off a false positive in the previous system were eradicated.

In 5639, the most recent Platform was launched which further refined the discernment algorithms, utilizing repurposed weather tracking and forecasting satellites. All false Positives were eliminated during the test, and the system only missed a scheduled test launch about 3% of the time, while picking up several actual launches which were not planned.

The program was not publicly announced until there was robust and reliable data from the 3a test, at which point the intention to build a global early warning network was announced below the fold in the Kalistani Paper.

We are confident that we are going down the correct path with this system and are ready once more to begin attempting to build a platform specific satellite which is dedicated specifically to this system and based on its parameters, which will add an important part to our national defense program.

Summary Test Results of the Platform v 3a
Test results from 56390605 til PD**

N1 (Actual Launches): 63
N2 (Negative Launch Drills): 45
Positive Detection of N1: 61 (96.825%)
Negative Detection of N1: 2
False detection of Launch (N1 or 2) (Discernment): 0
Negative Detection of N2: 45 scenarios (100%)

**Please see annex A for full spec test results of all 108 scenarios tested in the 3A test, per five satellites.

Areas for Improvement
Spencer test staff, working with IBSI have included areas that need improvement.

1. Higher definition cameras need to be included on Platform-Exclusive satellites. IBSI would ideally prefer 7-10 cm resolution, but Spencer believes that no less than 15cm resolution is essential. This includes both visual and thermal imaging.
   
2. More human training of the machine learning algorithm is absolutely necessary and should be constant.
   
3. Highly recommend more solid state HDD and memory capacity, as well as doubling core processing power and speed would be essential for more reliability. 97% was relatively easy, the last three percent will be exponentially more difficult.
   
4. The biggest flaw in the system is the human operator element. Currently the system is not integrated between those in the analysis center in Spencer and the different posts throughout the country which are the key link to provide warning to both military countermeasures and civilian authority who would be responsible for getting civilians to shelter. Relying on humans relays dramatically increases time of response. KMI, IBSI and the Regular Forces will be required to more deeply integrate the early warning signals we receive from the satellite, which are transmitted at light speed, to the various stakeholders who need to enact the policy for the system to be effective. This involves human training, and clock like response, above and beyond overcoming the technological hurdles.
   

Recommendations

• Continue testing 3a for another year with upgrades
  
• Continue building system 4 for launch sometime in 5641-42
  
• Begin developing integration of early warning systems throughout Kalistan and Ananto
  
• Continue working on developing effective and integrated countermeasures to neutralize the advantages that other nations clearly have at the moment with regard to missile technology, perhaps based on Lodamese technology, if they are willing to share it, otherwise, begin developing it here at home on their theory.
  
• Suggest integration with Terran based seismic detection, and land based long range radar facilities to enhance confidence in satellite data.
  
• While integration is coming on board, begin rigorous training for human operators on the early warning systems, so that they themselves become locked on with the developing EWS Platform and performed assigned tasks robustly.
  

Submitted, and Approved
Ingrid Frio
Director, KMD-LDSS 3a Program
Spencer STC

[XanderOne]

Drugs, gems and... future investments

Office of the Emperor, Quattregni Palace, Romula, Istalia.
11.40 am.

It was almost noon at Quattroregni Palace, and the southern summer sun of November beat high on the large windows of the western wing, flooding the Emperor's vast study with light. The air was made bearable by a portable air conditioner, one of those column models with wheels, placed discreetly near the unlit fireplace, which hummed softly as it diffused an artificial coolness against the growing heat. The heart of the room, furnished in Baroque style with evident Rococo influences, was occupied by a small sitting room with sofas upholstered in light brocade; on one of the side tables, a tray with three porcelain cups, now empty, testified to a coffee already consumed. In the background, the Emperor's large desk was placed in front of a large historical painting in vivid colors, while the long council table, capable of seating at least twelve people, extended in front of the windows on the opposite side of the fireplace.

The Emperor, looking out one of the Windows of the large hall, turned to the two interlocutors sitting on the sofas and said, approaching:
«The tour is fast approaching and the stop in South Dovani remains the most... uncertain. Director, what is the overall assessment of security? The reports I have read are not encouraging»

The newly appointed Director of DISIN, Arturo Malvezzi, a plump, fair-haired man with a gentle expression, cleared his throat before speaking, a warm and calm voice, different from the cold and cutting tongue of his predecessor:
«Your Majesty, understandable caution... but the situation is manageable. The Unified People's Militia has intensified its activities in the east of the country, yes, but the capital and the main cities of the central corridor are well secured by the government. Our contacts on the ground, both official and... unofficial, assure us that the South-Dovan authorities will provide adequate protection during your visit»

Minister Secretary of State Saragat intervened with his arms crossed and a firm tone:
«"Adequate Protection" is not enough, Director. There are very strong suspicions that Kimlien is arming and financing the Militia... what are the real chances of an armed provocation during our presence?»

«Very low, Madam Minister Secretary: it is not in the interest of either the Militia or Kimlien to draw a direct international reaction. In fact, your visit could consolidate the authority of the South-Dovan government and temporarily reduce the audacity of the insurrectionary groups and... of course, it is a topic that could be discussed once you'll be in Kimlien with its government»

«And what do our contacts tell us about Kimlien?» asked the Emperor who remained standing with his hands on the back of one of the sofas «to what extent are they involved? Better to know it before to adress the topic with the Kimlien authorities»

«The evidence is indirect but numerous. Training, funding, and logistical supplies. The intercepts we shared with the South Dovani services indicate a Kimlienian will to keep the region unstable enough to hinder the full affirmation of the democratic government, but not to the point of causing a collapse. They are moving with subtlety... for now, but what is certain is that their major interests is in the eastern and southern regions of South Dovani, the most rich in natural resources»

«And in the midst of all this» intervened the Minister Secretary angrily «our companies, a part hunting for mining concessions, are even considering the relocation of production segments. But we cannot sell the skin of Istalian workers for two tons of rare earths or a few handfuls of emeralds, perhaps extracted in desperate humanitarian conditions. The Socialist Democratic Party will not allow it. My position will also be clear in South Dovani and Kimlien: cooperation yes, but with conditions!»

«I understand your concerns, Minister Secretary, but... in foreign policy you also have to be able to accept strategic compromises. Offshoring a portion of the work does not mean betraying our workers, but strengthening the overall competitiveness of the Istalian economy. Furthermore, the advantages in terms of privileged access to critical raw materials are... inestimable»

Saragat remained silent for a few seconds, mulling over the fact that, despite appearances, Malvezzi reasoned exactly like "the old one".
«It is not acceptable! Not if our trade unions start to lose faith in the government's intentions. And not if it means fueling exploitation in South Dovani just to balance the books of some board of directors here at home. I hope you understand the political delicacy of the issue»

The Emperor, raising an eyebrow, thoughtfully intervened:
«And precisely in this regard, I have read in your latest reports, Director, a growing reference to the activity of the Ndranghetìa in the region. Is it really that deep-rooted?»

«Yes, Your Majesty. We are witnessing a silent but methodical expansion. The Ndranghetìa has insinuated itself into the supply chain of gems, especially emeralds and rough diamonds, is very active in the production and sale of narcotics, and is increasingly approaching the rare earth sector, all taking advantage of the lack of controls, forced labor in the mines, and widespread corruption in the areas affected by the activities of anti-government militias»

«This is unacceptable!» Saragat exclaimed once again with even more emphasis «we are talking about child exploitation, work in inhumane conditions and there is the risk that Istalian companies, even unknowingly, end up entangled in these dynamics. I will formally request an in-depth investigation by the DISIN and the Anti-Mafia. I want names, bank traces, flows of gems. Everything!»

«Of course, but... if you allow me an operational note, Madam Minister Secretary, strategic interest cannot always coincide with absolute ethics. The Ndranghetìa, in the Dovani context, operates no differently from other informal entities, it is often one of the few structures capable of guaranteeing "security" on certain flows. I'm not saying we should ignore it, but...»

«But we cannot tolerate it! Otherwise, what distinguishes us from a criminal association and from the predators we are offering to fight alongside South Dovani?»

The Emperor, calm and conciliatory, intervened again between the two:
«Director, Madam, I believe that you are both right, in part. The balance is delicate. Our task, after all, is precisely this: to maintain moral firmness without compromising the projection of national interests. Director, ensure that all useful information on criminal activities is made available to the Minister Secretary. Madam Minister, I will fully support you in ensuring that the economic agreement is also socially sustainable»

Saragat nodded satisfied, but then immediately began to look for more in the dossier that until a short while before had been kept next to her on the sofa:
«There is a passage that struck me in one of the latest reports on the South Dovanian economy. Director, explain to me better: it is presented to us as a strategic frontier, but from the data it seems to be a mosaic of fragilities»

«It is, Madame. But that is precisely why it is an opportunity! South Dovani emerged from a socialist regime a few years ago and the transition was abrupt: dismantling of state cooperatives, improvised privatizations, poorly regulated foreign capital. The mining sector, despite being the heart of the country's economic potential, is largely underdeveloped. There is little mechanization, a lack of transportation infrastructure, and qualified technical personnel is almost nonexistent»

«They have the resources but not the tools to exploit them» commented the Emperor.

«Exactly, Your Majesty. Emeralds, rubies, diamonds, rare earths, gold in some central provinces. The problem is that the regions richest in deposits coincide with the most unstable areas. And that's where the militias come in»

"And the Ndranghetìa, I imagine» added Saragat darkly «they exploit the confusion to get their hands on what escapes state control!»

«Exactly! They use "parallel" routes that bypass official customs controls. They smuggle raw gems through villages under the control of the Unified People’s Militia and other factions, then pass through Dalibor where they can manufacture fraudulent quality and origin certificates. In some cases, we have evidence of joint operations: the Istalian criminals provide capital and logistics, the local militias provide manpower and territory. As for narcotics, the modus operandi is similar: the Militias receive money and the Ndranghetìa takes the drugs out of the country to take them to international markets»

«It is a network, not simple field sales!»

«That’s right, Your Majesty, a real structure. And I talk about synthetic substances, opiate cultivations in the mountainous territories, mobile laboratories. The Ndranghetìa provides international connections, and it seems that criminal groups from other regions of the world are establishing operational contacts in the region»

«All this while the central government is trying to maintain a minimum of order» said Saragat «but let's talk about the armed groups: beyond the UPM, who is on the ground?»

«There are several actors, Madam Minister: it is a fragmented theater! The Government of the Republic of South Dovani is supported by liberal-democratic, pro-Western and, economically, market-oriented forces. And it is on them that we are aiming our official and diplomatic support; then there are the left-wing militias: the Unified People's Militia (UPM), ruarist, radical, violent, and as we have seen it is the most active group militarily. Then there is the People's Liberation Front, which harks back to libertarian-socialist ideals, more autonomist than revolutionary. They have effective control of some mountainous regions still in the east, but they are content with self-management and do not seek direct confrontation with the government. They are less dangerous, if kept on the sidelines.
Then we have the ethnic autonomist militias, such as the Sumanese Liberation Front, they seek greater autonomy, if not independence, for their province with a Sumanese majority. So far they have not declared secession, but they receive moral support, and perhaps more, from foreign actors, we suspect Kimlien.
Finally the right-wing militias: the Hanzai Rangers, ultra-nationalist monarchists, nostalgic for the old Kingdom of Hanzen. Well armed and often collaborate with police forces and the army against the UPM; then the National Defense Corps, rural traditionalists, more than anything local self-defense groups that protect villages from left-wing incursions and from the activity of criminal groups»

«so, tell me» asked Saragat «our contacts? Do we maintain them only with the government?»

«Officially yes. But… we are also establishing informal channels with right-wing militias: from an anti-communist perspective they can be useful»

«I should have guessed» sighed the woman, taking off her reading glasses.

«We are Following guidelines that you too approved Madame Minister, since your first time you entered Antinori Palace!»

«yes, thank you Mr Director» responded freezing him with her gaze.

«so… the Hanzai Rangers» Director Malvezzi continued «for example, hate the UPM more than they hate the current government. And the National Defense Corps seems to be even more pragmatic: they protect their communities but I don't think they would disdain temporary cooperation»

«A fragile network» exclaimed the Emperor «a balance that can go out the window at any moment»

«And we are walking on a tightrope over a minefield» added the Minister Secretary of State «our state visit will have to clearly demonstrate which side we are on, but I will also be very clear: it will be conditional support, because we will not sign agreements with a government that turns a blind eye to drug trafficking and dirty gems»

«With all due respect, Minister Secretary... to have a say, we need to be in the game. We cannot demand cleanliness without getting at least a finger dirty. Istalian companies need priority access. This tour also serves that purpose»

Saragat looked at the Director with extreme coldness.
«I can assure you, Director, that I will make sure that no one uses our economic interest to cover up crimes or violations of human rights, I will not allow my Government to be remembered for having made the country make money on the skin of some poor South Dovanian!»

«Madam Minister» Malvezzi replied with his usual mellifluous tone «I assure you that will not happen! Instead, it will be remembered as the Government that helped a democratic state defend itself from the threat of chaos and violence!»

Saragat did not answer, to her seemed that the Director was making fun of her, but she had absolutely no desire to continue in that endless bickering, and fortunately the Emperor was the one who intervened:

«It is decided then. We will go to South Dovani and do our part to strengthen the republican government, but without illusions. Director, I want reports as frequently as possible from our cell in the field, and any developments regarding these "informal" contacts will be communicated to me personally, as well as to the Minister Secretary of State, obviously»

«It will be done, Your Majesty»

«And upon my return...» the Head of Government resumed speaking «I will demand a full investigation into the links between the Ndranghetìa and the companies operating in the region. If there are Istalian implications, I want names and proof!»

«You were more than crystal clear, Madam Minister» responded Director Malvezzi with a big sly smile.

[Doc]

Ananto Estate, Eveari, August 30, 5640

Mary sat her own table in the back of the ball room. She had secretly returned to the reception to celebrate her sister's wedding, having taken off her formal wear. She had done the full celebration of her sister's marriage and spent time with the family, but now she wanted to watch her sister celebrating her happiness. Sort of a vicarious happiness for herself. Margaret and her new husband did look happy as they danced with the nearly one hundred party guests on the dancefloor.

Mary watched in the shadows, knowing that if she went out, everyone would simply defer to her, and the protocol would take precedence over being casual and at ease and it would be like throwing ice water on the party. Mary wasn't exactly known as the "life of the party" at any rate. She was known for being humorless (a critique she herself disagreed with, but it was more or less the general consensus among almost everyone who knew her), and generally only found joy in solitude, far away from her official life in the capital.

As she sat, far out of the view or attention of anyone, wearing dark glasses to cover her eyes and a hooded sweater to cover her head and body, she looked like she could be one of the many townspeople that were usually invited to the parties at Ananto Estate after the royal family retires. She was deep in thought about almost nothing--she relished these times when nobody needed anything from her. A voice interrupted her contemplation of the vastness of the universe.

"Excuse me, are you ok, miss?" asked the voice. "Miss?" Are you alive in there?"

Mary snapped back to the reception. "Oh, uh. Yeah I'm fine. Just watching here..."

"Then can I join you?" the voice asked. It belonged to a man, likely in his early thirties. He wore a suit, but his tie was loose and the top button along his collar was undone. He looked kind of sloppy. Probably some local.

"No offense sir, but there are plenty of other tables around here." Mary said, trying to be polite.

"Well, to be honest, I'm kind of hiding, and you seem to have a pretty good spot here for just that purpose, and it would really help me out if I could just sit down here for a few minutes..."

Mary looked at him. Hiding, huh? "From what?" she asked.

"Sorry?" he asked.

"What are you hiding from?" she repeated.

"Oh, you know, you get invited to these things, and you kind of don't want to be here, and so, you gotta make your appearance, because you don't want to be rude and everything. So I figure, if I hide out, I can come out later, and pretend like I was here the whole time, and then nobody is the wiser." Mary totally knew what the man was talking about--how often had she felt like that herself. She looked at the man. He seemed pretty safe, and he looked more than a little drunk, so maybe he wouldn't recognize her in the dark. "It looks like you're hiding too, so maybe we just hide out together."

At length, Mary acquiesced. "Fine, you can stay here for a few minutes. But please don't be obnoxious, or I'll out you in a heartbeat." The man smiled, pulled up a seat and presently presented Mary a glass of red wine. "I bought gifts."

Mary took the glass from him: She had wanted to go to the bar, but also not at the risk of outting her own self, so she had been abstaining since she returned to the reception. The man held up his glass, and offered a quiet toast. "To incognition..." Mary thought for a moment: Incognition? Is that what that word means-- Being incognito? She clinked her glass to his and they both took a sip. Ananto Estate has the best wine of course. She knew because it was her wine.

"So what do you do, Mr...." she said as she trailed her voice off, in a round about way of asking his name.

"Oh, a little of this and a little of that. I am a free lance journalist by trade. I just got a new gig actually working for some big wig. I don't know how I feel about it, to be honest. The nobility in this country can be kind of boring."

"Boring?!" Mary said. "Well, the Princess seems to be having a great time!"

"Yeah, but she's really supposed to, isn't she? This is her thing..."

"Yeah, I suppose it is," Mary said. The man was more correct than he knew. This WAS Margaret's "thing". She was so excited to marry Mr. Westmoreland and start her family with him. This party was ALL about her. Mary didn't mind, she just didn't want to ruin it for her sister. The day had been incredibly long: They started with the wedding in Kaliburg at the Yearly Meeting House, then everyone got on the train and came all the way back to Eveari for the reception. To Mary, it was just ridiculous, actually, the whole thing.

"How about you? What do you do?"

"Same: a little of this, a little of that. I work with the Government, actually," Mary said, cagily.

"Oh, a G and a reporter... I suddenly feel like I should be hiding from you."

"Why?" Mary said.

"Oh, the Government is the enemy."

"The enemy?" Mary asked incredulously.

"Yeah, there's a saying around the established papers: 'When you censor yourself, the Empress doesn't have to.' As a journalist, I totally have to do whatever I can to not internalize the urge to write stuff to please the Government, but instead to write the truth. It's a constant struggle."

"Well, Mr. Reporter, if that is your real name. The Empress doesn't censor the papers, for your information."

"Now, Miss Government, keep your voice down or you will draw the attention over here that neither of us wants." Mary, who was not used to being given orders was half inclined to stand up and make more of it, but this was the first normal conversation she'd had in a long time, and on second thought decided not to blow it up. Instead she decided to change the subject.

"You'll excuse me if I prefer to not have a political discussion, but you're wrong."

"Ok," he said, with a smile.

At length she asked, "Do you only write as a freelancer, or do you do anything else with your time?"

"Oh yeah. I actually freelance so I can do other things with my time. I write for fun-- I spend my free time racing cars."

"You race cars? Where?" she asked.

"Down at Reynoldia. I'm only on the amateur circuit now, but I love racing cars. How about you? You know so much about me, and I know almost nothing about you. What do you do in your free time when you aren't doing government stuff?"

Mary smiled, grateful for the offramp. "I spend my time outside. I like being in the woods. But I have so little free time that I don't get out as much as I used to."

"Well, see this is one of the things about racing: I also like to spend time outside. I don't really go to the woods much at all: They don't have woods in Suldanor really."

"Well, then you really should spend more time in Ananto," said Mary. "We have great groves of redwoods here. Beautiful. And if you come back in about two hundred years, you'll see the whole north slope of the Mountains out here just absolutely covered in forest."

"Oh, is that the... uh... the replanting thing?"

"Yeah," Mary said. "I was part of that you know?"

The man smiled. "I believe it." He paused. "So, what kind of music do you like?"

Mary smiled, and thought for a moment. "You know, I really liked loud music for a while, but I also kind of like this stuff..." She was referring to the pop dance music that Margaret had playing at her reception that she was having a great time still dancing to.

The man smiled as he shook his head. "Well, I suppose to each their own..."

Mary, who was feeling the wine a little said, "You don't like this?"

The man said "No, I'm kind of a purist. Alternative for me. Give me two guitars, a bass, a set of drums, and maybe a weird Moog synth and I'm in heaven."

The conversation carried on for another twenty minutes. Both Mary and the still unnamed man chatted about everything except politics and current affairs. Sometimes they agreed, sometimes they didn't, but they chatted as if they had known each other for a very long time. Eventually, Mary drained the last drops of wine from her glass. The man, who had finished his minutes ago, saw it and said "I think you've been more than gracious to let me sit here with you for as long as you did. I suppose I should call it a night." Suddenly Mary realized she was having a pretty good time speaking so informally around this guy. She hadn't even caught his name.

"Oh... would you be a gentleman and get a refill for me?"

"But that will mean I won't be able to duck out..."

Mary decided to take a chance. "No, but you could stay with me for a little while. I like talking to you." Mary said.

"So I wasn't too obnoxious?" he said with a smile.

"Well, at first maybe a little," she said with a smile. "But we got along alright I think. I'm only going to stay a little longer myself, but I enjoyed talking with you."

The man at length agreed to refill both glasses and then return. When he came back and gave Mary her glass, she swirled it around and then clinked glasses with the man again.

As she sipped her wine, the man asked, "Your libations, Your Majesty."

Mary stopped short. Did she hear him correctly? "What did you say your name was again?" she asked.

"My name is Martin Collins..." he answered. Why did that name sound so familiar? Then it hit her like a wall.

"And who is the 'big wig" you're working for now?"

"I'm working for Her Highness, Princess Margaret Ananto. I believe you knew that." Of course, she thought. Margaret's new spokesperson... He wasn't a journalist; He was her sister's flak. And this was a set up.

Suddenly she sat up and was about to bolt to the exit. "Look, uh... I gotta go... It's been a blast. But..."

"Mary," Martin said as he put his hand on her arm. She paused and looked down at his hand.

"You are breaking several laws right now, Mr. Collins," she said, and, realizing that she was right, he quickly pulled his hand back and set it on the table.

"Listen... you don't have to leave. I'm the only one who knows you're here, ok? We're having a good time..."

"I don't like my sister setting me up on these blind dates. I told her..."

"Just breathe, ok, and please sit back down? She didn't set you up. Ok? She doesn't know I am talking to you now, and when she finds out, I just know she's going to fire me. But it will be worth it. I have wanted to meet you since the first time I saw you, and this was the only way where you weren't surrounded by all these stupid rules and saying yes your majesty and all that... I didn't mean to scare you... Just... just talk with me for 5 more minutes, ok? I really like you, and would like to know you better."

Mary's heart was beating a million miles a minute... She took a big swig of her wine, not sure what else to do.

"Whoa... slow down with that," he said. "Don't panic, ok? I just want to talk with you for a little while longer. We were having such a good time... Just, breathe."

Mary shot a look at him. She slowly sat back down. "So you've known all this time?" Martin nodded. "And you didn't say anything?"

"Well," he stammered. "I was guessing you were sitting over here because you didn't want to be recognized. But your disguise is pretty thin, if you ask me. Who wouldn't recognize one of the most recognizable faces in the world? A blind man could have spotted you. Even with your... sunglasses... and the hoodie you're wearing... It says "Ananto" for crying out loud. I mean, if you weren't lurking over here in the shadows, you may as well put a spotlight on yourself." Mary realized how unbelievably obvious she was after all. She wanted to shrink and disappear.

Just then, Princess Margaret and her new husband appeared at their table. "Hey Martin! When did you get here?" she said.

"I've been here for a while, Your Highness." he answered.

Margaret smiled, "Why aren't you dancing. Come on, bring your... eh..." She looked at Mary, and even though she was pretty inebriated, she immediately recognized her own sister who was sitting shrunken in a little ball in her seat, an image that caught the jovial Margaret as funny in that moment. "Bring Mary with you..."

"The Empress? Here?! What do you mean?" he said, pretending to look around. "No Empress here, your Highness."

"Of course, man, she's right there..." Margaret stopped short, as her new Husband squeezed her hand tightly. Margaret realized why her big sister was in a hooded sweatshirt and sun glasses, hiding in the dark. She understood what was happening here, and a huge smile appeared on her face. "My mistake. Welcome, Miss, to the Party," and then back to Martin, "And you're fired, just so you know. Keep making good choices, but I told you, Anantos do not fraternize with the help," she smiled and pulled her husband by the hand back to the dance floor.

Mary felt low, and a little drunk. "Oh man, I am sorry," she said. "She didn't need to say that right after firing you. I can talk to her for you if you want."

"Eh, don't worry about it. I only took the job to meet you anyway..."

Mary took off her glasses. "That might be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," she said with a smile.

"So now that I'm no longer 'the help', will you drink with me some more, if I promise to keep your secret?"

Mary smiled. "I will."

[GreekIdiot]

OOC: Please disregard, this is a test post.

[Doc]

Cliff House, Kaliburg, June 5641 6:30pm

Martin sat back, legs propped up on the foot stool. He was focusing particularly intently on the logic puzzle he had been working on over the past couple hours. Finally, he realized where he had gone wrong. How can the Mr. Smith's car be green when clue 3 says it is some color but not green... Oh for goodness sakes, then that means that Smith didn't deliver the birthday cake to the school at 2:45... he must have did it at 3:15, so that means... ah god damn it, now he'll have to erase this whole thing all over again and start. He let out an audible sigh, and closed his book...

"What are you fighting with over there?" asked Mary, looking up from her work.

"Nothing, just these logic problems get quite complex sometimes and I've already started this one over again like twice..."

"I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time figuring that one out," Mary said, trying to be consoling.

At length, Martin smiled and asked, "Do you want to go get dinner with me?"

Mary thought for a moment, "No, I still have a couple hours of work here. If you like you can go home."

Martin smiled. The offer was abrupt, but he felt that he knew his fiancé well enough by not to know she didn't mean anything bad by it. It was a good faith offer, she just was a little abrupt sometimes. "Can I help you with anything, Majesty?" he asked with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Please, don't call me that," she answered. "It's weird, especially from you..."

"Does that make me a weirdo?" he asked again.

"No, it... I'm sorry. I really need to finish this or I am never going to get it done..."

Martin got up and walked over to the desk. "Sure I can't help you?"

Mary put down her pencil. "I'm just... well, I'm worried about the National Assembly's spending," she said. "They're spending too much money. I need them to slow it down. All of these expenditures are eating into our reserves, and they're on track to spend more next month too. By these projections we'll have spent half of the surplus by the end of the year. It's stressing me out. And its all on stupid foreign stuff, which doesn't benefit us at all, which doesn't benefit the people of this country in any way. It just benefits everyone else, all these foreigners who are happy to take our money and our blood, and then turn around and run us down for being too stupid to not for it."

"Well, its what happens when you are on top," said Martin.

"It sucks, it was never supposed to be this way. We're competing with Egelion? For what? We gain nothing from the competition. It just hurts us, and meanwhile they are just adding whole fleets just out of thin air, and missiles and all this other garbage. For what?"

"Probably to upset you, my dear," said Martin in an understanding tone.

"And us keeping up with them is getting incredibly expensive. But we gain nothing from it, like at all."

"That's probably true, and I think everyone knows that except you." Martin responded.

"What if I just stopped?" she said after a minute.

"Stopped what?" Martin asked.

"Well, Margaret was telling me the other day about international relations theory. She said that the world is chaotic. Order is a facade. The international, structure thing, is governed by anarchists."

"Anarchy, my sweet," Martin said. "It's anarchic, not anarchistic."

Mary looked up at him, and smiled. He was more educated than she was, for sure, but he had a way of explaining things without making her feel dumb. "Yes, anarchic. Margaret said that realists are people who see that and try to figure out how to exist in that system. They build weapons, they fight wars. The only way to get people to do what you want them to is to attack them, or put fear in them so they do what you want."

"Yes, that tends to be what realists say."

"She said that realists believe that the strong can do what they want and the weak have to suffer what they must."

"Something tells me you don't like that, though," answered Martin.

"No, I really don't. Because its not really true. The System is set up so if one country gets too strong, it really doesn't matter how many ships they have, even how many nuclear weapons they have, if they get too strong, a lot of the time, other countries will gang up against them for no other reason than that they sense blood and want to gain by someone else's loss. She called it balancing."

"And this is what is happening to Kalistan?" asked Martin.

"It completely is. And if you think about it like a lever, on the one side, it feels like several countries are sitting there weighing their whole side down, and there is only Kalistan, maybe Hutori, maybe Dolgava, maybe Lodamun still on our side. I don't know how many of those countries would come to our aid if we were attacked, though we will always come to theirs if they are attacked. Because that's what we are expected to do."

"Because we're an empire," added Martin.

But Mary just continued. "At any rate, we'd be on our own for a while, and we would likely lose, because we don't have defenses in place anymore: what we do have is too spread out, and there's too much of the wrong stuff. And what we need, we can't get because the people we are relying on to help us haven't come through with any of it yet. If we were attacked tomorrow, there's not a lot we could do about it except what we've always done, which is defend the Strait and make sure it will hurt them severely by the time they get there. That's the traditional Kalistani defensive model from after the Indralan invasion. And it works. There were no five fleets... We didn't need five fleets back in the old days."

Martin considered the words for a moment. "So then the solution would be to fast track more building, right?"

"See, at first I thought so," said the Empress. "But I am learning now that no matter what Kalistan does, others will automatically be able to outdo us, just like automatically. We build submarines, at the same time as others spam aircraft carriers. At sea, we have no aircover. The next battle is already lost. And it really doesn't matter how many resources we wasted doing it, the other side will ALWAYS be somehow able to spend more to beat us. And there are likely several countries arrayed against Kalistan that we don't even know about, let alone the few that we do."

"It does seem to be a quandary," said Martin. "You're sorta damned if you do and damned if you don't."

The Empress thought for a moment. "More damned if we do..." She sat silently, pondering. After a minute of silence, she said "What if the Brethrenists were right?"

Martin was surprised by the question. "In what way?"

"Well, Meg also said something about anarchy being a construction. I'm not quite sure what that really means, but she said that it exists, but only because we allow it to exist."

"But it exists, though," said Martin.

"Well, yes and no. It exists but it doesn't NEED to exist. I mean... well, I mean... we don't need to let it control what we do."

Martin thought for a second. "What does that have to do with the Brethrenists?"

"Well, they don't play. That is the choice they make. When we say let's go to war, they don't engage in the debate about whether or not it is ethical. That question is resolved already for them. They just don't do it. Many of them don't sign up at all: It's one of the reasons we still have NSP, so they can serve without picking up a gun."

"Well, unfortunately, my dear, you are an Empire. I don't think you have that option."

"I have all the options I want," said Mary. "Not because I am an empire, but because I don't care to allow some half frozen nation to determine my foreign policy for me, or some ratty desert dystopia trick me into spending myself into oblivious. I don't have to do that if I don't want to. I don't have to invest our nation's birthright into developing countries that will turn around and someday decide that they want to compete with me. When Egelion was coming out of its dark ages basically, my family supported that government enthusiastically. They were there from day one to offer to help that country. Dana Ananto dumped hundreds of millions of my family's money into their economy to help them kickstart their projects, because we thought it would be a good thing to have a friendly country to our north. And then they used that investment to become our rivals and edge us out? Why should we have invested in them in the first place?"

"Mary, I do enjoy watching you be animated, but I don't know what you are really talking about..."

"I mean, the rule book says 'An empire invests in other countries as an effort to tie others to itself. An Empire invades others who don't do what they tell it to. An Empire holds on to its possessions with an iron grip and can accept no rivals.' But why? Why invest in a developing nation when there is no return on that investment, except resentment and eventual animosity? Why did we lose tens of thousands of people fighting fascism in Kundrati just so the rest of the world could bitch and whine about how we are doing what they should be doing but were too cynical to do so? Why do I have to listen to liberals lecture me about international institutions and international norms when none of them showed up on any level to help us punish the defection in Kundrati, but instead went around and profitted from it? Why should we try to keep up with Egelion, when Egelion obviously has access to the weapons and technology of a former superpower, and we can't even get a god damned thermal imaging camera right? No matter what we do, we lose. So why should we even play the game? We don't have to. We can choose to do something completely different with our time, our energy and our money, and tell these pinche putas to go pound sand."

"Well, good luck telling that to KalMilInCo," said Martin with a smile. "I kind of want to see you call Director Jacobson a 'pinche puto'."

"KalMilInCo doesn't run this nation, Martin. I do." Martin realized his little joke stepped over the line. "That's it. We know Beiteynu is advising Luthori, and I personally believe they are behind Egelion's moves as well. Why should I let them dictate what I do? I'm not a puppet like they are. And I am not going to spend this nation into debt to keep up with a nation who is intent on building ICBMs for no reason whatsoever."

Martin sensed that Mary had resolved herself to some course of action. "My love... what are you thinking?"

Mary had already picked up the phone. "Koenig, I want you, Waltrip and Bonaventure in here tonight... We're becoming Constructivists.... No, I don't know what that means, so get my sister in here too, she will need to explain it to all of us. No... IBSI will already be here... Yes, in 20 minutes. Alright good bye." As she hung up, she looked at her fiancé. "Martin, I will need you to order us some pad hanzai. No egg for me, extra peanuts extra tofu, extra sprouts and extra lime, and I will need it Number 5 hot. for the Ministers, get them the works, but make it zero hot. Koenig is a bit of a baby when it comes to spicy food."

Martin had to admit to himself: Mary was usually a very decisive woman, but he had never admired her more than he did at this moment, and he didn't quite know why.

[Dredd]

[Political Committee on Electoral Justice & Honor, June 5641]

Radek and his fellow 5 judges looked up from their desks at the applying political candidate, a young woman no less who was requesting permission to run on the APPA's docket for the Kundrati Politburo. Radek looked down at the docket; College graduate, honor roll student, life long civil rights advocate and welfare champion. Radek could feel the bile gathering at the back of his throat as he resisted the urge to grit his teeth. Once he had been a Lieutenant of the Commissariat hunting down scum like this and putting a bullet in the back of their heads, or better yet on the brink of death from 8 months of hard labor. Now he had to sit through this drivel, pent up house wives thinking they know how to lead a country, his fatherland that he bled for in Lirnak and Jildrath, thanks to god that the president had more sense than these dregs.

Radek looked to his left, there sat 2 men. One a former Legionary party member, another a former soldier in the armed forces during the siege of Legionaria, and he would damn well call it that until his dying breath. To his right a former factory manager of a KDC tank plant, the other a former school teacher. They all knew already what the answer would be, but they thought of the nicest and most blameless way to actually say it out loud without calling her a communist split tail. Radek finally spoke up,

"Comr- Ehem, Miss Antonie Pánková is it? "

"Yes! Have you finished looking over my resume sir? I assure you I am ready and eager to make this country great!"

Radek clenched his jaw, muttering under his breath (As if it wasn't already before)

"I'm afraid Miss Pánková that we're going to have to deny your application for a political career moving forward in the Politburo."

A look of shock and indignation came over her immediately,

"What do you mean, I have all the qualifications necessary, on what grounds could you possibly deny me!?"

Radek leaned back doing his best to repress a grin, "With all due respect Miss Pánková your background investigation showed some disturbing trends; public protesting, trying to distribute unsanctioned papers through Etxea to the mainland (and being from Etxea he didn't mention), organizing labor strikes, need I go further?"

Aghast she folded her arms, "As if any of those behaviors are illegal, I have every educational and preliminary requirement necessary to apply for this, all of that is anecdotal and biased!"

"Miss Pánková perhaps it may have occurred to you outside of your embroidery classes that this committee was formed to ensure stability and unity, the last thing this country needs is some firebrand like you with a history of illicit behaviors and rabble rousing in the Politburo stirring up rebellion and discontent, now unless you have anything further to add this conversation is over, and don't stand here and berate us like all the others that got denied, the bailiffs getting quite good at removing them."

Radek and his cohort awaited the tirade they new was coming,

"T-this is an outrage, how dare you condescend me with your backwards antiquated, LEGIONARY rhetoric! I have every right to be in that politburo arguing for a new democratic future, and you dinosaurs are holding us back, I'm going to report this to the news, I swear they'll play this- Hey get your fucking hands off of me you goose stepping asshole, let me go now!!"

The two bailiffs promptly drug her from the room, barely in time for the doors to close before the 6 men began chuckling and lighting cigarettes.

Boris the former teacher piped up, "Now I can tell you she wouldn't have learned that in my class!" earning him some hearty laughs

Radek puffing his cigarette felt no worry despite her threats to go to the press, their committee for stopping radical publications was no different than their own, stacked with NPR loyalists, even some FF members, and ex legionaries. Radek secretly prayed at night hoping the president would bring back the glory of the old country, and if doing this brought him any closer to that goal, Radek would happily deny a thousand applicants.

And he had plenty of cigarettes and coffee for the next 15 coming today.

[Dredd]

[Kundrati Office for Press Integrity & Public Communication,  July 5641]

The waiting room was quieter this time. No ticking clock, no coughing bureaucrat to break the tension. Just the sterile hum of the ceiling light above her head and the smell of disinfectant and paper. Antonie sat straight-backed, her coat folded neatly on her lap, a worn leather folder clutched tight to her chest. Inside: a full written statement, two witness affidavits, and a printed appeal citing her unjust rejection from the Politburo candidacy docket.

The receptionist—a pale, thin man with the permanent expression of someone half-listening—called her name without even lifting his eyes from the file stack. “Miss Pánková, Room C.”

She walked in with her head held high. But she didn't expect much different. A long wooden table, six committee members in dull dark grey uniforms, a flag pinned to the wall behind them. The man in the center leaned forward and gave the usual false smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Miss Pánková,” he said. “You've come to file a formal press release request, correct?”

“Yes,” she said, steady. “I intend to publish a record of my rejection from the Electoral Committee. I believe the public has a right to know—”

The man raised a hand.

“We’ve reviewed your materials. There is... concern.”

“Concern?”

“Yes,” another member chimed in, an older man with a stiff jaw and the pin of the National Rejuvenation Party gleaming on his collar. “Your report includes direct accusations against state-appointed officials. We consider that inflammatory. Possibly libelous.”

“It’s a true account,” Antonie snapped. “Verifiable. I was denied not for qualifications, but because I come from Etxea, because I advocated for welfare reform, because I was labeled a ‘rabble rouser.’ I have the transcript-”

“Which we’ve read,” the chairman cut in. “And while we appreciate your... passion, we must decline your request to circulate this document through official press channels.”

“And why is that?” she demanded, the folder now tight in her white-knuckled grip.

“Miss Pánková, this committee exists to safeguard national cohesion. Not to become a megaphone for political bitterness. The press in this nation must be responsible, constructive. Not a theater for sore losers and incendiary rhetoric.”

“Sore loser?” she hissed. “Is that what you call someone standing up to an illegitimate gatekeeping body of bitter ex-soldiers and party loyalists choking this country of its future?”

A long silence fell over the room. One of the older men smirked.

“Miss Pánková, if you continue on this path, you’ll find doors closing much faster than they open.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No,” he said smoothly. “I’m advising you. Let this go. It’s a dangerous time to be shouting in the streets. This isn’t the your old republic in Etxea.”

Antonie stood up.

“I know exactly what this is,” she said quietly. “And the world will too. If not through you, then through someone else. I’ll find another way.”

“Bailiff,” the chairman called.

The door opened almost instantly. A large man in a dark uniform stepped in, looming just behind her.

Antonie turned without flinching.

She had hoped, for a moment, this committee might be different. That somewhere in this twisted maze of loyalty oaths and "public responsibility" there might be one crack of truth left. But it was nothing but polished concrete and locked gates.

As she stepped out into the bright sun, her folder still intact, Antonie smiled bitterly.

They had just confirmed every word of her article.

[Augustus]

Sundinhuset, Kivonia, Davostag – 16 August 5641

The halls were clean, a minimalism with a clear elegance to it. A blend between authoritative and classicist. The lighting had been installed with a conscious understanding of presentation, as it was not lighting up the hallways, or any of the rooms, rather providing just enough light to give everything an ominous presence. In the hallway, in front of two dark wood doors, 23-year old Greta Greger sat. Clear blonde hair worn in a tight bun, adorned with a field-grey cap, paired with a military uniform of the same colour, neatly pressed on her. Her shoulder marks indicated a rank of an army sergeant.

She looked up on a painting beside the door, lit up from below to showcase the content. It was a portrait of the late rikspresident Gustav Dahler. Greta tightened her lips, gazing at the man with her unclear blue-green eyes who, not so long ago, had caused thousands of deaths not many blocks away from where she was right now. Not a single thought reached her mind at that moment, though she knew she was never going to forgive him.

The door opened, with a man coming out. He wore a light-grey uniform in the form of a suit, white shirt and black tie; the standard of the State Security Bureau. Greta rose from her seat, swiftly clicking her tall black military boots and saluting the man.

"At ease Sergeant, please come in and take a seat", the man said as his ice-blue eyes pierced through Greta.

"Yes, Sir", she responded promptly. She walked into the room, and as she suspected, the same style as the rest of the building, dimly lit, with a few meter long plants placed in the corners of the room. She took a seat in front of the main desk, built with elegant dark brown wood. Behind the desk was a portrait, similar to the one outside in the hall, but larger and portraying the current rikspresident Karl Manner.

The man took his seat, ran his fingers through his brownish blonde hair while picking up the file laid on the desk. He briefly opened it and then closed it, putting it on the desk again. "As you probably already know, I am Colonel Roger Hansson, I manage one of the main departments here at HQ. The reason for you being here is due to a... let's say report, from one of our agents." He stopped, observing her.

Greta had already heard a great deal of SSB behavior during her time in the army, she had been mentally prepared for this moment. Pulling through all her strength she refused to give any sign of nervousness, despite an ominous feeling creeping up on her. "I see. And what may this report say if I may ask?"

He kept observing her for a few more seconds. He glanced down to the table and then up again. "It's about your military service."

Greta had never felt such great relief before, not as she could remember. She knew very well that her military service was completely spotless, at least in Davostager standards. She then noticed something, in his eyes, she realized that he had seen both her dread and relief come and go. She understood that he knew exactly what she was thinking, despite her not making a single move. Was it my breathing? How fast did I blink? Or maybe I did it too slowly? She tried to calm herself as she came to the realization that he probably noticed her flood of doubts as well. "What about it Sir?" she asked.

He looked at her and continued. "I have the understanding you served in the 2nd Armoured Infantry Division on the Northern front."

"Yes, Sir. The 26th Armoured Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armoured Infantry Division, 5th Army Corps, 2nd Field Army."

He looked down at the table again. Seemingly in thought. "I read a report, Sergeant. That in the absence of the SSB agent attached to your unit, who had been killed in action, you utilized certain techniques during interrogations with a few captured Legionary commissars." He paused, looking at her. "Is this true?"

"Yes, Sir" she responded without hesitation. As soon as he had mentioned that this meeting was concerning her service, she had known this would be it. Her torture of the captured prisoners to extract vital information for the war effort.

"How do you feel about that?" He asked, closely observing her.

She knew he was testing her mental resilience, at least partially. "I did not take joy in it if that's what you want to know. But I can't say it bothers me either. It was war and someone had to do the SSB's job." She met his eyes, determined to not be undermined.

Staring at each other for a moment, he continued. "I understand. I'm not gonna take up much more of your time Sergeant, I think I've got everything I've needed." Making another one of his pauses for a few seconds, he then continued. "We've evaluated your information on the battlefield, your physical, psychological, academic and other strengths... and this department, the recruitment department..."

The recruitment department? She thought to herself.

"...seeks to have you onboard as an officer of the State Security Bureau. What do you say, Sergeant Greger?"

In the bafflement she noticed something about the way he said her last name. She grit her teeth. She glanced down, pretending to think about it. Looking up to him she responded, "I suppose I have to make my decision now?"

"Yes."

"In that case I will accept."

"Perfect. I will begin making the arrangements." He stood up.

She followed his lead, putting her arms behind her back. "What about my current station?"

"You'll continue your service in the army part-time. In the meantime, you'll enter the SSB training program. Afterwards we'll arrange for an assignment at one of the provincial HQs, where you'll begin your work.

She thought for a second. "Understood." He nodded in approval, gesturing for the door. She clicked her boots, saluting, and went to the exit. Her head was full of thoughts on what would happen next.

As she was about to exit he continued. "Sergeant."

She turned around and looked at him. "Yes, Sir?"

He stared at her for a few seconds in silence. "Family relations?"

There it was. The actual test. "None, Sir. Only an injured uncle in the countryside."

He continued to stare. This time a bit longer. "...report here on Tuesday in two weeks." He then turned around heading for his desk.

"Yes, Sir." She closed the door behind her, gritting her teeth. I'll show them. I'll show them all.

[Elena1012]

Operation: Guilty Masquerade
----------------------------------
FOR AUTHORIZED EYES ONLY
----------------------------------
Date: [REDACTED], 5642
----------------------------------
Subject: The Gem 
----------------------------------
An immense opportunity has presented itself. The architect of the Bargas Chenpo, [REDACTED] (read, Maria Kadiyot), is currently entering the Vascanian Sea, and is headed for Gaduridos. Once she is in Gaduridos, we lose this opportunity forever. We cannot let her leave the Vascanian Sea. We have a timeframe of approximately 72 hours. Operation: Guilty Masquerade will ensure the subject doesn't escape.

Special Operations from the Xsampan Democratic Army Navy (XDAN) will be under direct CSS jurisdiction for the duration of this operation. The goal is simple. Seize the ship.

The main components of this operation are as follows:
- Heavy RoE. Civilian casualties are undesirable, and preventable. Keep it prevented.
- Authorize the seizure team to only speak in Canrillaise. We don't want loose ends pointing towards Xsampan involvement.
- Seize [REDACTED]. This includes her gem (The Meleh's Gem).
- Sedate the crew. They will be dealt with separately. 
- Scuttle the ship. No traces of Xsampan presence must be allowed.

This is a one time opportunity. We would be fools to waste it. Operation: Guilty Masquerade can bring proper justice to many Xsampans. More than just a peace treaty could. Possession of the gem will ensure that Xsampa is never again harmed by Yeudis.
----------------------------------
END REPORT
----------------------------------
Operation Guilty Masquerade is a go. Signed off by Premier Ngawang Delacroix.

[Louis]

From Sea to Sea
Casa Montalivet | Montecerat, Amateria | 22:09 Hrs

---

"I hate how cold it gets up here. Stepping on marble... with snow? You're asking for an accident."
"Tell me about it"
"I just wish they would tell us why we had to come all the way up here for a meeting"
"Well you know how the king is... up and down, here and there... he's a busy man. I'm not surprised we made it here."
"Why couldn't this meeting be at Sorsuela? Or even at Armonte? It's so much closer... its way too remote out here, not even the nearby village is exciting enough...
"Well, if we're lucky, we'll be here for the afternoon... if not... we leave tomorrow."
"ughhhh!"

---

"Majestad, all of our system are online successfully. It's taken weeks but... we finally have all of our equipment here. Luckily, our systems here have the same capabilities as the one's in Cartablanca and Altea."

"So, in the event of disaster or otherwise... the estate will be able to connect to the system?"

"Si, Majestad. Our access to high altitudes here make it easy to connect to our satellites. While Altea is at an advantage also thanks to its altitude, our frequencies here are far superior."

"Commander, about our radar, how confident are we that they can track hypersonic speed projectiles?"

"Majestad, we understand that our system is heavily capable of stopping most projectiles, even ballistics as was seen with the Beiteynuese, but I'm afraid we cannot counter hypersonic weaponry. We are already at our end of the technological spectrum. We would need years of research and studies to even think of the possibilities."

"General, I do understand, according to our intelligence, that there are no nations that are currently researching or development such weaponry. In an effort to secure our nation, should we become the trial?"

"Majestad, with all due respect, researching this weaponry will be expensive. According to the Royal Councilor Cascabel, we will need to make several cuts elsewhere to begin this multi-year project. We must consider the following: we have no adversaries."

"It is only a matter of time, General. We must not make enemies of course, but we must also be prepared for one......"

-- silence --

"I will talk to Ibarra and Cascabel for options. I recognize this may not be the moment for full development, but I want research started in Altea, Cartablanca, and Norterra. All of our minds together for the common good. As far as our current systems, we simply need to upkeep, not update. I will not spend anymore Crowns on this system. 

Continue with the systems check, General."

"Si, Majestad".