Clarion Call: Come What May

[Khemia]

General Zhu, commander of the Western Military Region based out of Xizhou, walked briskly alongside Brigadier General Li, a new face in Yi'an, a man who had only recently become commander of the Revolutionary Guards Pioneers following the disappearance of General Riu. They were flanked by a swarm of men in drab olive suits bedazzled in scarlet, the procession swiftly moving towards the neglected structure that housed the Rurikgrad Unified Command.

The Xinhese attache greeted them with a stiff salute. "General!"

General Zhu snapped a salute in return and stormed past the small man. "General, we were not expecting your arrival."

"Of course not. The call to mobilize was issued only hours ago. The President is still considering the position, but the Kadikistanis would not issue such a call lightly. I am here to assume command of Xinhese forces deployed in Kadikistan, which are to be subsumed into the Unified Command," the General replied briskly as they moved through the swinging doors and across the white marble floor of the spartan building. The attaches face paled.

It was almost unthinkable that another nation would willingly surrender their military decision making capabilities and hand-over entire units, and it had heretofore never been done by the People's Republic, always the most autonomous member of the Pact.

"If a war is coming, the People's Republic will not be found lacking. The Gunnish demanded our withdrawal beyond the 80th Meridian. We warned them that any call to arms by the Pact and subsequent relinquishment of forces to Unified Command control would invalidate that agreement." The Generals eyes burned holes into the attache as they walked and he continued, grumbling now more than anything. "Trier has gone too far. They've given Trivodnia far too much slack on the leash, and now they accept membership of a state without the courtesy of a memo? They think the Pact is weak." Several of the companions pushed the doors to the meeting room open and the party traded salutes with Kadikistani soldiers lined up throughout the room. The General almost thought to fire a sardonic grin at his Kadikistani counterpart but knew better. If this war were to happen, Trier would find out just how wrong they were, and that wages of that sin were surely to be death.

@Kadikistan

 

[Serenierre]

"Well, this is quite something," Premier Martinique looked at the memo from Ivar, "I'm sure they will be shitting bricks in Trier when they realise what they have unleashed," she took off her spectacles and placed them on the desk. "I don't think they realized that the blowback would be this harsh." She read another file, "Can anyone believe it, Occitania would cause all this," she laughed deeply, "Occitania of all places!"

Generals Mazarin and Bertrand sat opposite the Premier. As the senior most military commanders in the military, it was to them the full charge of the responsibility of fighting the war went.

"Madame Premier," General Mazarin said, "As we have seen, if we allow Trier and Altburg to continue acting as they are, the risk to this nation is so severe that I dare not think what could happen to us."

"Don't I know it," Elisabeth Martinique looked at the general, "They legitimately have gone far too far and now they are being punished for their sins. I know my responsibility and duty and I am sure that you both do as well." She glanced at the piece of paper sitting before her, "The moment I sign that, we will make history, whether it will raise our nation to glory or send it to the depths of ruin remains to be seen but gentlemen, I say in these last few moments, breathe easy, and enjoy these precious last few moments of peace."

"Madame Premier," the Commissar for War said, "You sound unsure, you know..."

"Unsure? Me? Absolutely not. I am just taking all of this in. The sense of history of it all." She leaned forward. "To think that I will give effect to something that none of the previous leaders of the country would ever even have dreamt of. Fully grown men shook with fear at the possibility of what is about to happen with the stroke of a pen... MY PEN! So do forgive me, General, for recognizing the gravitas of the hour."

Silence. She sat still for a moment. The moments ticked by. Looking down at the fountain pen, she unscrewed the cap and smoothly placed her signature in bold black ink on the authorization letter for DIRECTIVE 20.

***
The General Headquarters of the Military was a busy place that day. Calls and messages came streaming through from across the country and from further afield as well. Though practiced a thousand times over, so much so that each man and woman knew fully well what to do, there was an eerie stillness in the air, despite all the activity. Directive 20 was now a reality. It was, as the rather cliche saying went, not a drill.

Serenierre, a country that had been on the edge of war for decades, would now in stages over the coming week find itself fully mobilized and ready to unleash the full force of its military for the first time since its inception as a revolutionary nation-state. The radars and the satellites were zoomed into the key areas that needed to be monitored. The missiles were primed and ready. The jets were fueled and loaded - at least the forward line was. The Revolutionary Guards, too, were digging in to protect and preserve the homeland and to take the fight abroad if the need be. The clock counting down to Judgment Day had begun.

 

[Rheinbund]

The 75 year old Chancellor Röpke had become Chancellor as a sort of temporary king so that a good successor of former Chancellor Von Seydewitz could emerge. But what he faced now, was something more than handling day-to-day business. He saw the reports of the military intelligence services, and of the satellites. He saw them together with the King and the ministers.

"Ladies, gentlemen, what are your thoughts?" he asked.
"I'm afraid that we can prevent this war in only one way: Ending Occitania's membership of the Trier Concord. But when we do so, we will hand the sovereignty of the world over to the Rurikgrad pact. At least the sovereignty of this part of the world. Do we want to do so? I think the only answer we can give is to mobilise as well," Minister of Defence Ferdinand Jung said.
Minister Zimmermann looked around the room. "Do we really want to start a war?" he asked. "Aren't we closing doors to diplomacy when we mobilise?"
"Minister Zimmermann, most of the CDV-Ministers, as well as the Chancelor, were also part of the previous government. We heard enough about dealing with the Kadikistani and Serenierre from former Minister Kögler and former Chancellor Von Seydewitz. Their end goal is world domination. Today they demand Occitania, tomorrow Trivodnia, the day after tomorrow Elben and Ruthenia-Galicia. I don't know if there is still room for diplomacy and negotiations, but we will only be able to stand strong in such negotiations if we make clear to the Serenien and the Rurikgrad Pact that they will suffer from a war as well. I think we have to mobilise as well, but in the same time give them something to gain so that they can back down while upholding their pride. For now, I advice to mobilise," Minister for Transport and Public Works Roland Rheinfeld said.

It took a quarter of an hour to debate, but the result was unanimous. Especially after a stress call from Retalia came in. Eiffelland mobilised its Navy and Air Force.

"Ladies, gentlemen, normally the Chancellor is the commander in chief during times of war. I myself cannot take up that role, however. I want to propose that Minister Jung, who is the commander in chief during peace time in his role as Minister of Defence, remains commander in chief when we indeed get at war with Serenierre and the Rurikgrad Pact. He will be better suited for that task, also given the fact that he is from the Navy," Chancellor Röpke said. Also that proposal was accepted.

Soon after the government meeting ended, the Navy and Air Force immediately went from Alarmstufe 1 to Alarmstufe 4. RRF Flugzeugwerke got the order to set up emergency facilities so that the production of new planes could be boosted. A mobilisation of the 1st army was prepared as well to facilitate a quick landing of troops in Occitania should Serenierre decide to invade that country.

A message went to the Retalian government: "We can dispatch several squadrons of the Air Force to Retalia if needed."

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Headquarter Unified Command of Pact Armed Forces
Rurikgrad Special District
Kadikistan

A period of relative thaw had passed, the nations of the world torn from their slumber and faced with a global conflict the likes of which had not been seen since the August Catastrophe. Of all the times Kadikistan had partially mobilized in recent history, last time being the Second Crotobaltislavonian Crisis, known in the West as the 'Christmas Coup', and the time predating that one being in the late 1950s, the Union was never bluffing. Under militarized Socialism, as the Marxist-Leninovist ideology was sometimes referred to, the Kadikistani Union had always thrown its military weight behind its words. Even those within the Kadikistani nomenclature most convinced of the weakness of Trier knew that eventually the latter would have no choice but to respond in kind. Nonetheless, even for the dominant Reformist faction within the All-Union Kadikistani Communist Workers' Party, this was a welcomed relief, taking away the possible attention for the internal conflict brewing and expanding within the Union. Nothing could unite all corners of the massive nation like war could.

The Headquarters of the Unified Command of Pact Armed Forces was placed in the centre of Rurikgrad itself, along with the headquarters of the Political Consultative Committee. Rurikgrad was chosen not only because it was the place were the Treaty for Mutual friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance was founded back in June 1957, but more so because of its central location connecting Serenierre and East-Gouw Marken in the West with Kadikistan, Calidia, Milesia and Xinhai in the East. Despite the Free Canton of Crotobaltislavonia not being a full member of the socialist alliance they were also invited to general part of the meeting due to affiliation. The headquarters itself was a large grey brutalist building with only the giant banner of the Pact on the front and some red flags on the roof giving it some colour. While somewhat decayed on the outside the inside was kept up-to-date with a modern interior, the various uniforms of the Pact delegations and Slavonian affiliates providing most of the boring colouring, not to mention the numerous shiny medals decorating their vests.

The Kadikistani host received the guests as they gradually walked into the central meeting room. The welcoming was warm, as if they were seeing long-time friends for the first time in years. It helped calm down the nervousness that many were undoubtedly feeling, being on the verge of global war shaking up even the most hardened politicians and commanders. At the head of the table was the General Secretary of the Political Consultative Committee Artur Käbinn, a Calidian leader who would have an advisory role in this meeting as per agreement with Serenierre during the

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, and doing most of the talking was Marshall Radovan Molarjevica Supreme Commander and Chief of Combined Staff of the Unified Pact Armed Forces. After a short word of welcome to his esteemed guests and a 10 minute speech on the necessity of their actions Marshall Molarjevica came to the core of everyone's business here.

"Esteemed Comrades, as you have been informed the Western Direction of the Kadikistani Revolutionary Armed Forces is in the process of mobilizing. From this moment forward we are to work as if we were already in a state of war with the nations of the Trier Concordat. We intent on striking the periphery which Eiffelland has created around itself, surprise, speed and efficiency being the main words of order. To ensure the enduring freedom of the Slavonian people the first phase of the Germanian theatre will be to punch a corridor through Trivodnian Krasnislavia. On the ground our tank divisions will take the lead, protected from above by our combined air forces. Achieving aerial superiority over Trivodnia and Ruthenia-Galicia will be critical in the initial phase. In the seas and the oceans it is the opinion of the multilateral Combined Command that we are to hold a defensive stance given the capabilities of our enemies. Faced with a far more powerful Trier fleet Kadikistan became a submarine-based navy and will use its abilities and resources to intercept carrier task forces and potentially target trade routes should the situation require it." Molarjevica gazed across the room as he saw the various delegation listen to his every word with great attention. "The Kadikistani Revolutionary Armed Forces have assured us that they intent on keeping us informed on every troop movement, detailed reports on positions and OOBs once they have been established. Ivar desires this to be a Rurikgrad Pact operation, a sign not only to the capitalist elites but also the international proletariat that we stand united as one."

 

[Serenierre]

It seemed that fate had smiled on Maj. General de Roche, the commander of the Corps that would be the most important in the coming few days, it was to his desk that the freshly signed Directive 20 had landed first, after all, his unit would now be the main act, so to say. He had been quick to authorise all the local reinforcements and re-deployments that the Directive required to fulfill the plan. Obviously, what was Directive 20 to the political leadership of the country, was known to him by the plan's code name Operation Zephyr.

In fact, his entire corps was in movement, assuming their positions for what lay ahead. So far, it was not known how exactly the Premier would authorise the military to strike, but in Maj. General de Roche's mind the direction seemed clear if the list of deployments was anything to go by. Only a few moments earlier had he ended a phone conversation with the commanders of the aerial and strategic defence forces of the regional military command and he had been assured that AA systems, radar, satellites, and all the other litany of technological marvels in the Serenien arsenal had been placed on the highest possible level of alert.

He picked up the phone and spoke next with the commanders of the five regiments of the Revolutionary Guards that, according to the Directive, had also been assigned to the Operation. After that call, Maj. General de Roche was presented with reports of military activity in the region. He took note and made a few notes in the margins and was back at his desk, organizing and coordinating. On the television, the news reported the disruptions in Ardeche, which elicited a smile on his face. Pure pettiness from Villesen. Anything to aggravate Altburg. The coming days would be interesting indeed.

 

[Khemia]

General Zhu trembled as the magnitude of his Kadikistani counterparts speech bore down heavily upon the spirit of the room. The Kadikistani Union had often mobilized their forces, but the Rurikgrad Pact had rarely been called upon - much less responded to - to the extent which had occurred. It was obvious - Trier aimed to destabilize the status quo and tip the balance of power in favor of the Concordat. Rurikgrad needed to move to stop this. The formal ascension of Occitania to the alliance was coupled with the de facto membership of Trivodnia - the level of military collaboration between the Yids and Trier was without a doubt to a scale unheard of outside of an alliance. Worse, Rurikgrad's vanguard in Gallo-Germania was pressured on all sides by ravenous dogs thirsting for their pound of flesh.

"I have been authorized by the President of the People's Republic command over all PRAGF, PRAN and PRAAF forces operating within Kadikistan under direct command of the Unified Command. To that end, the People's Republic has begun mobilizing the South, West and Central military regions, all Air Theater commands, and the Navy. We anticipate the capability to deploy a combat brigade a week to Western Kadikistan throughout July, and a full division a week following that. There are limitations imposed by the distance necessary to transport heavy equipment like tanks. This deployment speed could be greatly sped up if a strategic airlift operation is deemed necessary."

Brigadier General Li following upon Zhu's words immediately. "The People's Revolutionary Guards have begun sending volunteer units to Serenierre, courtesy of a new direct flight operating twice every hour. We anticipate being capable of deploying a battalion a day to support any defensive action there. Additionally, Pioneers and Shemed are being sent to Bernovsk to supplement the Red Army."

General Zhu's face twisted bitterly. He had not anticipated the Guards to be so prepared for a deployment, but he had to remind himself that the entire Guards were a volunteer force ready to be activated within 24 hours, operating almost completely outside the perview of the Army and required significantly less heavy equipment. Still, it was comforting to know that the lackluster deployment of the Red Army would be augmented by the capable, if fanatical, Guards.

 

[Crotobaltislavonia]

Headquarter Unified Command of Pact Armed Forces
Rurikgrad Special District

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A colonel, young and loyal to the Cause, had been quickly drafted to attend this meeting while his superiors back home rallied the troops and the country. The Colonel was quite in awe of the decorated uniforms surrounding him. But his instructions were clear and the course of action his country was taking was one he was proud of.

"Sir, regretfully, Crotobaltislavonia cannot participate in the attack in the south. Our strategic mobility is quite limited. Our main effort will be an attack to the east to meet up with Kadikistan in the Free State. We hope to make good on Dear Leader Farrago's promise of partition. We will succeed or die in the attempt.

"Mobilization continues. Right now, we can throw at least five militia divisions, supported by independent brigades and battatlions of regulars, into the fight. Our high command has given up on defending our western flank; we hope the war will be over quickly and any lost territory will be restored to us in the post-war settlement."

The Colonel looks at his colleagues with a hard expression and says grimly, "we are counting on victory."

 

[Rheinbund]

The philosophy behind the structure of the Eiffellandian air force was having many small airbases instead of a few big ones. That strategy would pay off now. Serenierre had a lot to bomb in order to cripple the Eiffellandian air force. But that was not Eiffelland's biggest concern for now. The Retalian air force was definitely a match to the Serenien air force. The big problem was Kadikistan and Xinhai. The military equipment of those countries was old, but in the masses that those countries had it still effective even against the advanced Eiffellandian armed forces.

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, the Eiffellandian Navy moved away from the large ports and spread to avoid a first strike. Their task would be to keep the Long Sea closed for Xinhaiese and Kadikistani naval vessels, under the protection of the Air Force and the fighter planes of the Navy.

Meanwhile, Rathenau Militärausrüstung had set up additional facilities to manufacture missiles. Especially the production of the

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and the

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was sped up. But of course the other missiles were not forgotten; also their production was sped up.

RRF Flugzeugwerke had an emergency plan in place for the case that a sudden increase in the production of fighter planes was needed. This emergency plan foresaw in an increased production of

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planes. Such a plan was also under development for the

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, but those plans had not become operational yet; therefore the Luftgeist. The first phase of this emergency plan was activated to prepare additional facilities for the production of Luftgeist planes. When this emergency plan would become fully operational, about 100 planes per day could be produced. Apart from that, the complete regular production of planes was redirected to the production of the Fallwind.

Magirus-Deutz had the same kind of emergency plan in place, but then for

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and infantry fighting vehicles.

The sociodemocratic SPE would never have thought that it would land in this situation. Now they were in the government again, and the situation was there. Decades ago, it pushed through a reduction of the armed forces. Now it was considering to increase the armed forces again. At least the Air Force.
At the same time, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zimmermann was considering to propose a compromise: Occitania remains part of the Trier Concord, but during peacetime only Occitanian troops were allowed in Occitania; at the same time, Serenierre and the Rurikgrad Pact would be offered an easier access to the inner market of the Trier Concord.

OOC: Post changed on 1 July 2018 20:35ish CET: The Wirbelsturm (Panavia Tornado) has become the Luftgeist 2 (F-18). Please also see the "OOC: Occitania and Eiffelland" thread, in one of the posts between 40 and 50.

 

[Rheinbund]

Streng geheim — Top secret

TO: Minister-President Vasil Kišgeci, Head of the Government of Ruthenia-Galicia

Your Excellency,

As you are aware of, the Rurikgrad Pact is currently mobilising and preparing for a war against the Trier Concord. There is a risk that the neutrality of your country will be violated by the Rurikgrad Pact. We think that stationing Eiffellandian troops in Ruthenia-Galicia will provoke the Rurikgrad Pact at this moment, so that option is not on the table at this moment. However, I would like to request right of passage for my armed forces in the case of a Rurikgrad Pact invasion of your country.

Best regards,

«signature illegible»

Dr. Stephan Röpke, Chancellor of Eiffelland

@Ruthenia-Galicia

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Headquarter Unified Command of Pact Armed Forces
Rurikgrad Special District

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Marshall Molarjevica looked at General Zhu with great respected and spoke to him as a friend. "I'm happy you were assigned to this glorious task, my friend. I'm sure you are the best man for the job.", the Marshall said before taking a more formal tone, "We agree with your assessment that a strategic airlift is required in order to drastically increase your mobility. The 9th Transport Aviation Division from the Central Military District and the 54th Transport Aviation Division from the Eastern Direction have been relieved of their current duties in order to assist you in transporting the heavy equipment along with your troops. The 9th and the 54th have been fixed with a combined transport capability of 20

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, giving you 60 tonnes of heavy equipment in each transport and 12

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with a capacity to carry 290 soldiers each.These planes were selected to serve both your purposes and because they have the same range of 5,000 km, able of making the flight from western Xinhai to Sbrevica and then Belgarsk.", Molarjevica started looking around the room before recognizing the man he was after. The Marshall calmly grabbed general Zhu's shoulder and directed him towards a man in a decorated grey Kadikistani Air Force uniform standing across the room. "That man is Colonel General Samir Turbayev, he will fill you in on the details of the operation from our end. I'm sure that with the two of you co-operating the XInhaiese will be at the front in no time."

Molarjevica then went on to speak personally to the young Colonel from Crotobaltislavonia. The latter was clearly somewhat uneasy between all these legends. "Colonel, I wanted to thank you personally for your presence here, representing your country with such pride that it is an inspiration to us all.", the Chief of the Combined Staff said as he approached the Slavonian Colonel while ordering the waiter to bring over two drinks. "You can reassure your leaders that the freedom of Crotobaltislavonia lies closer to our hearts than anything else. Three of our best tank divisions will spearhead an assault over Trivodnian-occupied Krasnislavia and meet up with your eastern offensive within days. The corridor shall provide your nation with a lifeline and greatly increase our joint striking capabilities within the region. Looks like you'll get your revenge against the Yids after all.", Molarjevica smirked after that last sentence before being interrupted by the waiter bringing over refreshing drinks and cigarettes. Molarjevica talked with the Colonel for several more minutes, sometimes switching from small talk to more official matters, until he was interupted by one of many briefings considering the combined mobilization of the Rurikgrad Pact.

 

[Khemia]

General Zhu was pleased. He took a moment to step away from the crowd and dial to a secure line within Kadikistan, which would reroute the call by ground line to an office in Xinhai. "Madame President," the General spoke soft, stern words, "I am to reluctantly inform you that the Kadikistani Union is organizing a large operation. Yes, ma'am, this is what you were anticipating. Yes, mm. No. That is not an issue, the Kadikistanis have authorized a full airlift operation, including two entire airlift units. I recommend that we augment these with our own-- Yes. Yes. Ma'am, with these capabilities, we can deploy a full armored division before the end of the month, and an infantry division by rail; the Guards will...," the next question, however, gave him pause.

President Zhao had always been a resilient, strong woman. Despite her elegance and deceptive looks, she was not one to be easily evaded or lied to. She was stern and unforgiving, and truly the wartime leader Xinhai would need. Or so Zhu genuinely believed. His response to her question was filled with a resolute confidence instilled by the very inquirer who sought answers from him. "Madame President, we are faced with what could potentially be the largest war in decades. This may seem sudden, but this has been coming for months, as you are aware. The intelligence community has been warning us of continued Trier expansion and aggression against the Pact; the expansion into Occitania is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Ma'am, to answer your question, yes. I do believe that the Congress may need to seriously consider General Mobilization. At the very least, we should begin activating half of our reserves, our current forces are not capable of defending the country against Touzen while supporting operations in Germania."

General Mobilization meant more than the words implied. It was a state of nationwide readiness beyond the simple mobilization of armed forces. The entire nation was mustered to arms; factories repurposed en masse for the production of war materials and supplies. The implementation of rationing; suspension of exports of critical products; the closure of railroads, airports and even highways; in the worst case scenario, General Mobilization could even result in conscription, collectivization, and the suspension of upper level schooling.

Of course, General Zhu was a radical. President Zhao knew this as well. Her response, after many tired seconds, was cautious. "I will consider this deeply before putting it before the Congress. But you are correct, I will begin mobilizing our reserves."

 

[Ruthenia-Galicia]

Top Secret Message

To: Chancellor Matthias Graf von Seydewitz, Head of the government of Eiffelland
From: Minister-President Vasil Kišgeci, Head of the government of Ruthenia-Galicia

Your Excellency,

the council of ministers has been aware of the situation right next to our borders. Our nation is not sufficiently prepared to an attack from any country, thus we hope no spillover into our territory will happen. For this moment, we are afraid that a passage of Eiffelland's troups on the galico-ruthenian soil is impossible. Nevertheless, if, by any reason, an invasion of the Kadikistani Union comes to reality, your request may be accepted.

Sincerely yours,


Vasil Kišgeci, Minister-President of Ruthenia-Galicia

_____________________________​

The unrest spreading all accross the country was visible. On the 5th of July, election results will be revealed to the population, whose waiting impatiently to see their favorite candidates at the head of Ruthenia-Galicia - while a sort of agitation about external troubles was born. Rumours were running through the newspapers, as well as in the restaurants, public places and universities. More and more people were talking, discussing, even debating, about what was happening in the neighbouring lands. Even if there was not any certainty of invading, even if there was not any statement that could be made about a war, the fear was increasing between a large amount of people.

The government was fading, turning into dull colors. In fact, the central power has lost many of its supports, as the popularity is lowering and as new movements are rising. The youth joins new political parties, with new ideas, new ambitions. There was, during a long time until the last decades, this ideology of "ruthenian centralism", which was gathering and maintaining people together. It seems that those ideas are falling off their throne. The journals are such a good example, as plenty of them have on their frontcover a cartoon depicting a galico-ruthenian flag being torn into two parts: the blue one by a hand on the right, the red one by another hand on the left. There's even one which shows a bear and a crow fighting against each other, bleeding at many parts of their bodies. And these drawings are all accompanied by an alarming title in capital letters: "IS THE COUNTRY GOING TO BREAK UP?"

In some mouths, there is this frightening word, that none of them dare to say: "separation". Just a few days ago, Černívcí has been the place of an important demonstration, where on the banners there was written various slogans, that the medias reported at the television. Therefore, the inhabitants of L'viv were watching their eastern comrades bringing signs with strong messages, as "If the west don't want to, we will welcome the kadikistani soldiers", or "It is time to create a country of our own".

If another word could describes the country at this moment, right now, it would be "indecision". No government, nor institutions, know what to think or what to do. It looks like the ruling party is surpassed by the events, as the world is hurrying up around this little island stuck in its misunderstanding. This tornado, this speedy and hellish spiral will probably swallow a whole culture if nothing progress.

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for People's Deputies
Villesen - Republique Populaire de Serenierre

In the committee room, the members of the Sub-commissariat for Defence & War sat at their seats on the semicircular table that was arched across the room. With the Premier and the Commissar for Defence & War sitting in front of them. The meeting was important for the Sub-commissariat was the body which would grant the Premier the authority to conduct the war, should it arise.

"In many senses," a female member of the Sub-commissariat said, "we find ourselves in agreement with the plans outlined before us and I believe my colleagues would agree that the Politburo has done well in coordinating between us and the Military." She paused as there was a quiet rumble of 'hear, hear' and smiled at the Premier. "However, Madame Premier," she said, "I am specifically interested to know how the military is readying up for full mobilisation?"

"Thank you," Premier Martinique said, "In five hours, we shall reach the completion point in Phase 2 of our military's readiness state. As we have already informed you, that under routine peacetime situations, we have 33% of army personnel battle ready, followed by the next 33% undergoing training, and then the last 33% recuperating in a cyclical pattern for all units."

"In numerical terms, what does that mean?"

The Commissar for War & Defence spoke: "As per our doctrine, we have 180,000 army personnel on the ready at any given point in time, with the remainder personnel amounting to around 365,000 army personnel. When fully activated, our ground forces amount to 545,000, as is a matter of record."

"Indeed. And reserves?"

"For the Army?" the Commissar asked and when the Sub-commissariat member nodded, he responded, "355,000 in reserve. The reserve corps is activated when Phase 3 is reached, however it remains on hold."

Another member of the committee checked his watch, "So at this time, how many troops are ready?"

"At this current moment, we are at 180,000 with a further 100,000 added to the active personnel."

"So about 50%?" The member made note of that. "But what of the strategic defense?"

"Our mobile SAM, AA, and other systems have been deployed to key points and are separated. As you know, technologies require us to be creative with our deployment of strategic assets to prevent any neutralization by the enemy. And our radar sites too have been based on these principles."

The Premier spoke, "In fact, most of our mobilisation and redeployment plans have been facilitated by the training schemes we have in place, and of-course, Directive 20 has been one of our military actions for which we have been planning for quite some time."

The discussion continued as the Sub-commissariat was informed in further detail about the army's deployments to carry out Directive 20. The brief moved on to what the air force and navy were doing to comply with Directive 20, as they too had their own particular plans.

 

[Rheinbund]

Streng geheim — Top secret

TO: Minister-President Vasil Kišgeci, Head of the Government of Ruthenia-Galicia

Your Excellency,

We fully understand your point of view. Should the Rurikgrad Pact violate your sovereignty, we are ready to defend you.

Best regards,

«signature illegible»

Dr. Stephan Röpke, Chancellor of Eiffelland

 

[Rheinbund]

Streng geheim — Top secret

TO: Chancellor Stefan Furst, Head of the Government of Carinthia-Harkány

Your Excellency,

As you are aware, the Rurikgrad Pact is preparing itself for a war against Gallo-Germania. Trivodnia is seriously at risk at this moment. I call upon your commitment to the Gallo-Germanian values that we share, despite our differences in the past. I request right of passage for the armed forces of the Trier Concord in the case of an attack against Trivodnia. I also ask you to militarily help the Trier Concord defending the values of Gallo-Germania. We are facing a crucial moment in history. Your help in this is essential.

Best regards,

«signature illegible»

Dr. Stephan Röpke, Chancellor of Eiffelland

@Carinthia-Harkány

 

[Rheinbund]

Minister of Defence Ferdinand Jung walked up and down in his office. He realised that the Trier Concord faced a big problem. This war would be extremely difficult to win, and the costs of winning would be very high. In any case, it had one advantage: This was a very strong wake-up call for the SPE. The political party that ordered the budget cuts for the armed forces during the Cabinets Jörgens in the 2000s. OK, the second Cabinet von Seydewitz was responsible for reducing the conscription period to two years, but the big damage was conducted by the SPE. Now the Sociodemocrats were in the government again, and Jung feared some more cuts in the defence budget. But to Jung's relief, the SPE had radically changed its position in the defence budget discussion. Increases in the defence budget were possible again. The Government issued a decree to raise the defence budget. More fighter planes, more tanks, more transport helicopters, more missiles and more attack helicopters. RRF Flugzeugwerke was already producing four Fallwinds, four Wirbelsturms (in the interceptor version), four

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, four

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and six

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a day. Magirus-Deutz was also actively building tanks.

But would it all be on time? Or was it too late? The Chancellor was sending out invitations to the leaders of the Rurikgrad Pact countries and Serenierre for a conference. That was something Jung favoured as well. War should always be the last option.

Jung looked at the map of Gallo-Germania. He suddenly got a grin on his face. The Trier Concord was not completely without options. First he would contact Occitania to request sending a large amount of their land army to Eiffelland. Retalia and Eiffelland together didn't have that many soldiers in the land army, but Occitania could mobilise millions of soldiers. That would be the match with Kadikistan and Xinhai. He also developed another plan...

 

[Occitania]

Director General Arlegui receives the request from Jung and contacts the Dux of Pejo, Flonice e Lions, Caeso Aroma. He informs him that partial ducal mobilization of Pejo, Flonice e Lions begins immediately. A division from Lions, Pejo and Flonice men totaling 30,000 men is mobilized and prepared to cross the Retalian sea.

CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET

TO: Minister of Defence Ferdinand Jung of Eiffelland

I have received your request, ducal mobilization in Pejo, Flonice and Lions has been ordered. The Divisions of Pejo, Flonice and Lions under the command of General Celso Petralia, General Teognis Zornoza and General Josep Picas respectively. Each of the divisions shall be transported to Retalia and Eiffelland as soon as they're ready by your request.

With haste,

Director General Konstante Arlegui of Occitania

 

[Serenierre]

Commissariat for External Relations - Top Secret

To: Chancellor Furst, @Carinthia-Harkány
From: Premier Martinique, SRN

I write to you with respect to the recent turn of events in our region. In recent times, the Governments of Eiffelland and Retalia have moved in an aggressive manner designed to isolate independent sovereign nations, such as Carinthia-Harkány and Serenierre from the trade routes of the Long Sea by claiming large and illegal tracts of maritime claims that should be international waters under a reasonable construction of the matter. However, the recent posturing by the Trier Concord has grown intolerable and quite frankly dangerous for those nations which find themselves on the inner portions of the Retalian Sea.

The Governments of the Trier Concord shall attempt to convince your good self that Serenierre is a hostile force opposed to the prosperity and glory of Gallo-Germania, however the opposite is in fact the truth. Serenierre stands committed to keeping our region free of hardline Marxist Leninovism and believes in a peaceful and stable Gallia - and stands ready to preserve the status quo with respect to the Empire. At this juncture, realising the strategic importance of your country, we would request that the Empire retain its neutrality in the dispute between the Trier Concord and Serenierre. In return, Serenierre would clearly be willing to ensure that it fights for a Gallia where the rights of all nations are respected and the maritime monopoly being established the rogue Trier Concord states against neutral independent states such as ours be quashed.

Furthermore, it is my sincere promise that should your country adopt a policy of non-alignment, we would not be averse to pursuing a peace settlement with Retalia upon the completion of hostilities wherein the Empire would be allowed to incorporate strategic positions close to the Retalian Gate as part of its own territorial possession to ensure that the future shall be a bastion of hope and economic security for the nations at the interior end of the Retalian Sea. Historically, our two nations have always stood side by side when the issue of Germanic bullying has arisen and we remain committed to ensuring that our bilateral ties remain solid through even the most arduous ravages of war - should it come to that most unfortunate end.

Yours truly,
Elisabeth Martinique

Commissariat for External Relations - Top Secret

To: Government of @Gallega
From: Premier Martinique, SRN

I write to you today with a view to the turbulent times in our region. Through the irresponsible conduct of the Trier Concord, Gallia has been pushed to the edge of war. The recent aggression displayed by the Governments of Retalia and Eiffelland in expanding the scope of their alliance has ensured that the delicate balance of regional peace has been tipped from its equilibrium and we find ourselves staring into the abyss. At this stage, I remind you that Serenierre has a treaty with Gallega, one of mutual trust and respect, one which Villesen believes is in the best interests of all the citizens of our two nations but also for Gallia as a whole.

We admit that there are some ideological differences between our two countries, but we reassure you that through Villesen, the rabid forces of Marxist Leninovism are held at bay from the shores of Gallia. And that the differences between Villesen and Dinasanu are trivial compared to the serious threat to the national security of our two nations the Trier Concord poses. As the Premier, I am well aware of the nature of the strategic treaty between our two nations, however, I call on you to evaluate the strategic danger of a strident and overpowering Trier based alliance which would be diametrically opposed to the strategic interests of not just Villesen but also Dinasanu. And we call on you to evaluate your response to the matter in the appropriate manner.

In my parting words, let me reiterate that Villesen offers its unconditional and wholehearted friendship and alliance in difficult times and believes that Gallega and Serenierre shall continue to play the constructive role in regional diplomacy that they have played for decades.

Yours truly,
Elisabeth Martinique