Cloak of Deception

[Free Cities League]

Chapter One - What Is and Should Never Be
​

The cold winter wind hissed between the majestic dark mountain peaks of Goddhaus, breaking the silence of the barren landscape. In those wuthering peaks, one would almost think there could be no life, so barren and inhospitable they looked like. But the Bogans who lived there had always learned to resist the seemingly irresistible force of Mother Nature, or, in the so-called ‘True Faith’ of the Bogan people, Nyor, the God of wind and weather, who controlled the winds and the clouds. According to legend and religious canon, Nyor periodically unleashes his fury upon the Earth when he remembers his great love, Skanda, is eternally imprisoned in the deep sea, and that he was cursed and, consequentially, was unable to touch salt water. It seemed one of those days.

Deep within the mountains, in a valley that had a bit more of life that the other surroundings, was a place called Vodenskove. Vodenskove, meaning cove/cave of Voden (the Bogan God-King), was built before the Svartberg, a gigantic and majestic blackish mountain, 6’000 m high, encircled in clouds. There, the ancient runes and scriptures say, there was the connection to the Liktvolt (Heaven) where the Gods lived. No one has ever dared to go further up than the most prestigious and isolated temple in Boganhem, the Liktvolthëlikhaus (Temple of Heaven), 3,500 m high, where only some selected priests lived. Those who did dare to go further never returned. Was it nature? Was it the divine? No one knows, but the terrain gets really dangerous past 3,500 m. Nevertheless, the legend persists.

Down in Vodenskove everything was normal. Snow-capped as usual, and, since 1951, the residence of Rikhard, or, as it was still known in Vodenskove, His Majesty King Rikhard V, as the city was the ‘capital’ of the portion of Bogan territory where Rikhard resisted his son. And the city fared quite well, having much more movement than it used to have. But that day, that day, there was something unusual going on.

A helicopter came from behind the mountains, hovering over Vodenskove. Landing in a heliport next to the royal residence, the flying machine caught the attention of the commoners. But nothing more than a momentaneous and self-denied attention, for they knew that too many questions should not be asked.

Waiting near the helicopter was a tall man, dressed in the traditional green Bogan Army attire. Tall, thin, with slit and penetrating eyes and very well combed blond hair. Rikhard fon Malachor, or, as he was known in those territories which he ruled – King Rikhard V. He was calm and slient.

Out of the helicopter came another man, a visibly strong personality as well. Though not as tall as the King, he certainly ranked over the average height of the Bogan man. With a hair colour somewhere between auburn and red, and a very square face and an equally penetrating look, dressed in a potenzan suit, there he was. Erik Strakman.

‘What an improbable meeting’ said, calmly, the King, with a light smile

Strakman, visibly annoyed, replied:

‘I don’t even know what I am doing here, facing a sworn enemy…’

Rikhard, smiling once more: ‘do not worry Herr Strakman. Let us proceed to a more private place. You can bring your bodyguards, but you are safe. I am a man of my word’

Reluctantly, Strakman, the leader of the National-Syndicalist Brigades, a nationalist but highly anti-monarchical party, entered the residence. There, in a small, modest and austere room they sat.

‘Why are you so bothered Herr Strakman?’ asked curiously Rikhard

‘Do I need to explain myself? For years, since I’ve gained political consciousness, I have had three enemies: monarchy, capitalism and internationalism. You, you represent one of them.’

‘I note no fear in your voice, no hesitation in your tone. You are the first person never to refer to me as Your Majesty, or My Lord – I value that. The only person that has ever defied me was my son, and despite my hate, I admire him…. I am a very strong-willed person Herr Strakman, and I can do what I want. But to have someone denying me that… that person desires my total admiration.’

‘Cut the crap please – I was practically abducted because you wanted to discuss important issues, whatever you meant…’

Rikhard leaned forward:

‘I do. You see Herr Strakman, seeing these elections happening in the usurped portion of the Kingdom, my spite for all that democracy stands for grows every day. Seeing that traitor fon Aldbaten, who worked with me to implement corporatism in Boganhem fully, now preaches capitalism and free-market, denying his noble roots, noble roots incompatible with commerce. I see Bakker, who I should have killed a long time ago, with his incomprehensible and brainwashing Marxism. I see the liberal and the social-democrat promising autonomy for Norssex and total freedom of religion, so that those Christian crooks from the south can proselytize our Kingdom. And then I see you – determined to elevate Boganhem’s name once more, faithful to the Gods, wanting to implement a strong, commanding State, an all-powerful state. Despite your slight socialist influences and your virulent anti-monarchism, you are the fittest candidate to rule the country in these times…’

Strakman was intrigued with those compliments

‘However Herr Strakman, you are a man like me – strong-willed and irascible. And, most of all, you want power. Absolute power. I see it in your eyes. You have that look great leaders have. And we both know we’re no ideologues or philosophers. We are leaders. We need to lead. And you need to lead just more than a party and I just more than this piece of land.’

‘Wait a minute… I know what you are thinking. We ruling Boganhem together? That would not only be factually impossible but I would also be unwilling to do so.’

‘Calm down young Strakman. The facts are these: the Bogan people hate insecurity. And any party who proposes a strong state is, obviously, attractive to those people. The more insecure they feel, more likely will be their vote in an authoritarian policy than a permissive one. Your party defends a strong state in which public safety is a priority. So, if people felt even more insecure, they would probably choose someone who does not only offer them economic security but also physical security. You are that person, you are the one who can offer both.’

Rikhard made a pause in order to drink a cup of water

‘Now, imagine that a terrorist group started assassinating politicians, with or without success, but people started to feel so insecure they could tolerate soft-hearted democrats and liberals. Well, that terrorist group exists – it’s me. And I could make that happen. Probably the effects would not be felt these elections. But in four years. You win the elections, I surrender. But before, we kill my son. If we do so, there will be no other people to replace him than me. The priests will be forced, by law, to give me the throne. And we would rule together. I will gladly join your socialistic utopias, and abolish class distinctions and some traditional laws – I don’t care about ideology. I care about power.’

Strakman could not believe. In fact it was a good strategy, but he was surprised with the political malleability of the deposed King. But it all made sense inside his head – if he, in 4 years time, could be Chancellor, what was the problem of political compromise. After all, and Rikhard got that right, he did not care about ideology – he cared about power. Period.

‘Is that all you want?’

‘Indeed’

Strakman smiled: ‘I propose you try to kill me then… Later today I will be in Ziost. It’s nearby.’

‘I’ll arrange for that.’

‘Excellent’

‘My friend, the Gods have special plans for us, strong-willed people. Powerful people. The maid will get some beer and we will toast’

The maid was quick to get some northern Bogan wheat beer, rapidly pouring it into the cups

‘Mekt Voden giv unz besondhëd, strakt and absolut Makt!’ (May Voden give us health, strength and absolute power!)

 

[Free Cities League]

Chapter Two - Point of Rupture
​

After the successful passing of social policies in the State Budget for 1953, all of the Bogan left-wing was satisfied. The social-democrats had taken forward their ambitious social plan, the national-syndicalists were happy because they were viewed as the pragmatic saviours and enablers of such a policy, and the communists thought that, although temporary, the bourgeois revisionists of the SDP could be a useful tool. But there was a tense atmosphere between the three party leaders. Meeting periodically, Engelbert Eitenshmit, Erik Strakman and Ildephonz Bakker did not trust each other.

Meeting at the Chancellorship Building in Malachor, the three leaders were visibly annoyed with each others' quirks. Eitenshmit and Bakker viewed Strakman as reactionary in socialist clothing, and whenever they discussed 'socially progressive' measures for parliamentary cooperation, the national-syndicalist always rejected them violently. Norssexer autonomy and enfranchisement of Christians were the most pressing issues. Eitenshmit promised he would grant Norssex the status of an autonomous region and would repeal the anti-christian Anti-Proselytism Law, but Strakman refused to give his precious contribution in terms of parliamentary votes. Bakker and Strakman regarded Eitenshmit as a 'monarchical collaborator', as both leaders were extremely anti-monarchical, and demanded open critics to the monarchical regime and an eventual referendum, which Eitenshmit, trying to pass on as a moderated, rejected. Finally, despite a lot of concessions, Bakker was still the hardline communist he had always been, and was a tough nut to crack.

"Gentlemen" said Eitenshmit while combing his mustache "In the past few weeks our cooperation has been bearing fruits. Thanks to both of you, the Government was able to put into action an ambitious social plan that will improve the lives of our fellow countrymen. I know plan to propose to the King that we embark in a wave of nationalisations of some key-industries in our country."

The Chancellor gave Bakker and Strakman a stack of papers.

"Here they are - I want to revert the privatisation of the Boganishe Optenlishstremgesamshëp (Bogan Public Energy Company), the Ferënte Boganishe Watern (United Bogan Waters) and also create a big public bank out of the nationalisation of the Boganish Bank, which would include its insurance company, Troe Sikerhëdengesamshëp (Trust - Insurance Company). It would also be strategic to gain some control over all mineral extraction, namely gold, oil, platinum, uranium and coal, creating a big public conglomerate, which would be called Allmëner Bergboe Bond (General Mining Union). What are your thoughts?"

Strakman, slightly amused, responded:

"It's a good plan alright.. but do you need daddy's, I mean, the King's, permission? hehe...."

"That is a legal issue Herr Strakman. Under the Constitutional Charter, officially, the King has to agree to a nationalisation, since public patrimony is, at least legally, his patrimony."

"Bullshit. With such a progressive agenda I thought you were giving back the Bogan people what's theirs - the key industries." said the communist leader, with a firm voice that showcased many years of experience, and suffering."

"Herr Bakker, by nationalising, though the King will be formally their owner, like every piece of public property in this land, materially, the People, through the democratic process, will exercise their rights over their collective goods."

"Calm down Ildephonz " said Strakman "This is just political caution. Nothing else." As he lit a cigarette he said "No objections for me. I think you should nationalise the whole of the banking sector, but I understand the caution you must have. We don't want the Hokgamot blocking this."

"I agree here with this piece of shit revisionist. More should be done. But I think the PAB will show no objections. I just have to submit this to a secret democratic centralist process with the Party's Politburo, but it should be allright."

"Good, very good, gentlemen" said Eitenshmit visibly relieved "Now, there's another issue I have to discuss with you - Norssex, Christians and the Free Cities."

Strakman pursed his lips. He knew what Eitenshmit wanted - something he would eventually get from the communist, but not from him. The NSB's silence over the issues that put them apart - the granting of autonomous status to the Norssexer community, the relaxation of restrictions over Christians and the change in status of the Free Cities.

"I know what you want Herr Eitenshmit, and I can tell you right away: the answer is no. No autonomy for Norssex - over half of the province's population is Bogan, and I will not let some degenerate and moribund culture become the norm where our countrymen live. Norssex is Bogan. As for the Christians, you know as well as me that enfranchisment of Christians means foreign involvement in our country, means capitalism, means acculturation. Our unique religion and culture cannot be menaced by those wretched proselytists." Angry, he drank a sip of water.

"And the Free Cities, Herr Eitenshmit - a cancer! If you are a truly socialist man you will know that what I say is true - the Free Cities' League is a capitalist, jewish and christian shithole! A political community centered around money, nothing else, money and profit. Furthermore, they have systematically violated the Treaty of Seeshloss, having boundaries well across the area set in the Treaty. It disgusts me..."

"Hey, Erik, calm down" said the visibly annoyed Chancellor "The Norssexers have the same right of existence as we do. They at least deserve to be able to communicate with the State in their language, to learn it in their schools. And the Christians? Exactly the same. We will not be forced-Christianised. Our religion is strong, and that is not a matter of the State. Campaign what you will outside politics.... And the Free Cities? In those so-called 'occupied territories', which I think are based in an unorthodox interpretation of the Treaty live exclusively germans. Do you want to force families who lived there for centuries to just leave? Do you want to force a religion onto clandestinity? Do you want to destroy an ethnic group whose right to existence is the same as ours, tell me do you want !?"

"I do."

"Sorry? What did you just said?"

"What I said during the campaign - no autonomy for no one, no proselytism and an end to the FSB's exploitation. 20% of the Bogans believe what I do, and much more will follow!"

"That's rubbish. You still have 4 years to do a lot of work Erik Strakman."

"The end is closer than you think, Herr Eitenshmit."

"Fuck off. Those radical ideas will never sell..."

"Let us live in that illusion for a while. Consider this cooperation agreement undone. I will agree in the nationalisations, and that's all. From now on, I'll sabotage everything you do. I will be your worst enemy. Worse than the KP or the liberal. With more balls than Bakker over here. Be prepared."

SStrakman stormed out of the room leaving an angered Eitenshmit and a speechless Bakker. Why did he do this? Something was going on that was not quite right... roo

 

[Free Cities League]

Chapter Three - The Wild Hunt
​

Vodenskove, Goddhaus Province, Boganhem

Spring had begun to show itself in the cold valley of Vodenskove, as the last snows below 3000m began to melt. One could see some green in the trees aligned in the city's main avenue, and people left their scarves at home. Nevertheless, as usual, the sky was grey and the rain was relentless, as the geographic situation of Vodenskove favoured the forming of clouds between the high peaks.

Rikhard sat in the balcony of the Royal Palace, smoking his morning cigarette and reading various newspapers, most of them from 'democratic Boganhem', forbidden in the portion of the Kingdom still under his control. As he took his last drag, an envoy came to him with a letter.

"Once again Your Majesty, may the Gods bestow their never-ending grace upon you. Happy birthday, and may 50 more years come!"

With disdain, the King answered:

"Thank you for the fifth time, Shmit. You can go now."

Rikhard opened the letter, handwritten, containing:

"I believe phase Vildyag of Operation Goddenferamding will be on time."

What was the Vildyag? A mythic event in Bogan mythology. When the Gods were angry with the conduct of their subjects, they would gather and ignore their differences and start a 'wild hunt' (i.e., Vildyag) in the skies, which would have repercussions on Earth. And it was also the codename of the first phase terror scheme mounted by Rikhard and Erik Strakman, called Goddenferamding (twilight of the Gods). In the King's 50th birthday, after a provoked political crisis among the National-Syndicalists and the Social-Democrats, agents under Rikhard's control would unleash bombings in commercial areas of major towns, like Malachor, Seeshloss, Ziost and Kongsberg. But Norssex and the Free Cities' League would not be spared. In Norssex's capital, Warmstead (Varmstad in Bogan) and in Lübeck (capital of the FCL), deaths would occur too. The objective? Increase the intensity and drama of Rikhardist attacks in order for the NSB to gain an upper hand, demanding restrictive security policies the Government would be reluctant to accept. They would then try to gain support of the SDP's most conservative deputies and the communists, in order to form a majority in the Undergamot. Then, as agreed, Eitenshmit would be assassinated, forcing King Robert to either summon more elections (in which a broad coalition of national-syndicalists, conservative social-democrats and communists would probably win, promising concrete and severe military action against Rikhard) or nominate Strakman as Chancellor, after he does severe military action as a probable interim Chancellor. After all that, the objective would be that, Strakman, turned hero, would be elected Chancellor and democratically legitimated. Then would come the King's prize. The overthrow of Rikhard would be exposed as a conspiracy by international finance, and he would come back as a Folkskong (People's King), collaborating with Strakman in establishing a socially-oriented absolute monarchy. Naturally that some High Priests would be bribed to say publicly that Rikhard was the One (de Ën is a messiah-like figure in Bogan mythos, a mortal man that would ascend to immortality after saving the Bogan people).

A perfect plan, now at its inception. Several sectors of Boganhem's society were being lured into it. Some high-ranking Royal Army officials, eager to regain their lost influence, were glad to join in. One or two union leaders, and some High Priests loyal to democratic Boganhem too.

Rikhard ordered a telegram to be sent to several men in those cities, ready to do the King's bidding, as they awaited immortality in the antechamber of the Liktvolt (analogous to Christian heaven), the Volhala (the Bogan Valhala), where they would feast and fornicate for days.

In the following hours, all went as planned:

In Malachor, in the Kongsplats, right in front of the Royal Palace, where an open-air fair was taking place, a car stopped near a fruit joint. The young man inside had its heart beating, excited with the probability of feasting in Volhala. He was so alienated from 'democratic Boganhem' that he did not understand the youngsters playing cards right next to him. He felt they were missing out the great things in life - glory and spiritual satisfaction. He closed his eyes and detonated the bomb inside of his car, killing people within 100 meters immediately and setting fire to the fair. The screams of people burning to death echoed through the square, and though the firemen tried to put out the fire, it was already raging throughout the fair. Death toll: 127 people

In Seeshloss, another method was used. The city was a hotbed of trade union activity, and there were the head quarters of Boganhem's three major trade unions: Allmëner Ferën dez Arpëtern (General Worker Union, SDP affiliated), the Natsional Arpëter Syndikat (National Workers' Trade Union, NSB afflilated) and the Allmëner Vitbound dez Boganishe Arpëtern (General Confederation of Bogan Workers, communist affiliated). The AFA was holding their third national Congress in an auditorium in the centre of town. Over 500 delegates attended, hearing speeches and approving motions. Suddenly, when the AFA's leader, the old SDP leader Claus Fisher, was speaking, a man came running through the door, covered in fake blood. As brainwashed as the others, he ran to the centre of the auditorium, with the delegates having no time to react. Holding dynamite and nails under his jacket he detonated himself, right to Volhala. The explosion killed approximately 100 delegates and destroyed part of the building.

In Kongsberg, a car bombing was also used in the city's main shopping street, killing over 60 people.

In Warmstead/Varmstad, a personal bombing was also used. After one of Rikhard's agents dragged a Norssexer out of his car and killed him with a knife, he wrote something on the wall, with the deadman's blood - Dod d'em Anglo-Saksonishe Fertroer! (Death to the Anglo-Saxon traitors!) on the wall. After that, he shot over 20 people in the streets, walking and shooting randomly, only stopping after being shot down by the Police.

Finally, in Ziost and Lübeck, bus bombing was preferred, killing 30 in Ziost and 40 in Lübeck.

in30 iwas p
At the end of the day, over 350 people had died and more than 1000 were severely wounded. It had begun.

 

[Free Cities League]

Chapter Four - Betrayal
​

Vodenskove, Goddhaus Province, Boganhem

Another day started in Vodenskove. The pious and the devout went to the temples in order to pray to the Gods, being overlooked by the great palace where Rikhard lived and reigned his small corner in Goddhaus. Even the palace was overlooked by the Temple of Heaven, located 3000m high in the Svartberg, the highest mountain in Boganhem, with an impressive 6000m altitude, impenetrable from the temple up, and where many believed, the Gods lived.

But the calm and oppressive environment that characterized Vodenskove was about to change.

When the first reconnaissance planes appeared, many people thought of it as normal, as a display of power by the Royal Army. But that’s when the first bombs started to fall. Explosions targeted military buildings, but were leaving the whole city in an absolute mess. People ran around to get some shelter, and the morale of the untrained, undisciplined Rikhardist army was shattered when a bomb fell immeditately over the Royal Palace. As far as they knew, Rikhard was there. And so, with their God-King dead, they didn’t know what to do, especially, when hundreds of Royal Army soldiers showed up in a surprise land attack, undetected due to the confusion of the bombings, that razed the whole military infrastructure of the Rikhardists. Dazed and confused, they were easy preys for the Royal Army, surrendering or putting up almost no fight. RA soldiers brainwashed by claims of Erik Strakman and Albert Stëner that they were diabolical and bloodthirsty terrorists, killed many of them mercilessly.

But Rikhard was not dead. Hiding in the only inviolable place in Vodenskove, the King appeared too relaxed while watching his small Kingdom crumble in front of his eyes, as we was sure his arrangement with Strakman would succeed. He knew Strakman was among the soldiers and he had ordered his officials and soldiers not to kill him, with the excuse of making him prisoner and using him as bargain. A small helicopter hovered over the Temple and he knew right away - Strakman was there.

As the helicopter landed, Rikhard waited for Strakman in an improvised throne room in the Temple.

"Welcome my friend. I see the assault is going well. Where do we go now?"

Strakman answered coldly

"Nowhere"

"Sorry, we're going to stay here. It might be dangerous!"

"For you."

The Chancellor, dressed in military attire, gave a sign to his two bodyguards, who proceeded to kill Rikhard's bodyguard staff and secure the room.

"What the hell is happening your fucking fool!? How dare you kill by bodyguards here in this room, where my ancesors helped perpetuate the Krayt dynasty as the longest ruling dynasty in any country in Europe? Twelve centuries your fucking peasant!"

With a gun against the former King's head, Strakman laughed

"I hate you and everything you represent. I hate you for having killed my intellectual mentor High Priest Yurgensun. I hate you for having oppressed the workers and peasants of this country for too long. I hate you and all of you ancestors for having stolen divine power from the Gods! But I admire your iron fist, your corporatist outlook and attempts to modernize the country with little foreign aid. That's why you are so dangerous to me, and that's why you have to die. Good bye Your Majesty, King of Boganhem, Marquis of Koldland, Earl of Norssex and Protector of the Free Cities' League."

"Wait, what the.."

To avoid Rikhard's psychological games, Strakman shot him in the head twice and the King died instantly. He turned to his bodyguards, who were recruited in the Free Cities' League and did not understand Bogan:

"Meine Freunde, er ist tot. He was going to attack me and I had to defend myself. Retrieve his body and let's go down. It's impressive how one minute one is alive and dangerous and the next minute one is dead and gone."

Some hours later, when the Rikhardist militia had been either killed or imprisoned, among a ruined and destroyed Vodenskove, Strakman walked. Guarded my dozens of soldiers, some of them carrying Rikhard's body, he took a balcony in the city's main square and spoke to cameras, radio reporters, soldiers and civilians, while he smoked a cigarette.

"My friends. Today was an historic day for our Nation and our People. After two long years of oppression and obscurantism, these brave men, under the command of brave General Albert Stëner, broke these shackles of steel bounding you to this tyrant. Enjoy your freedom, enjoy the social progress you are about to experience. No longer will there be master and servant, noble and peasant. We are all Bogans, we are all brothers. And I even wanted to bring Rikhard to justice for disrespecting those values, but he was killed in action, during a shoot-out in the Temple of Heaven. Here is the traitor's body, rejoice! He is truly dead. I would love to stay here and help with the city's reconstruction, but I have to go back to Malachor to sign the papers needed to rebuild this historical, holy and extremely important city. Forever will Live Boganhem!"

The crowd cheered, looking at the monarch's body and those who could, spat in the corpse. Strakman was satisfied, as his way to power was more open than ever. One month short of the elections, his popularity soared.

 

[Free Cities League]

Chapter Five - Agents Provocateurs
​

Kongspalats, Malachor

In a room inside the Royal Palace of Malachor, Erik Strakman sat alone. The room was cold, humid, full of tapestries depicting the conquest of Norssex in 1610. He saw Aleksander I, the Bogan King of German origin who modernized the country, but ruthlessly centralized the Kingdom, eliminated his opponents, stripped many nobles of titles and expanded Boganhem to its modern borders. After all this, he declared himself Këser (Emperor) and Boganhem a Këserrëk (Empire) and commanded a long 50-year reign of prosperity, tolerance towards Christians and an absolute monarchy like Boganhem had never seen - no nobles and no priests were allowed to even challenge his bidding. The Empire eventually fell under a combination of internal plotting and external factors after the assassination of Emperor Aleksander III, his grandson. As he looked to the tapestry and remembered the history, he knew what went wrong - Aleksander's excessive tolerance towards Christians and foreigners. For Strakman, Boganhem was infiltrated by Christians with their simultaneously aggressive behaviour and weak principles and values, and that, coupled with the relaxed attitude towards minorities, resulted in a weak government, easily falling.

He was waiting for a calling. The King had appointed him and he was about to address the crowd waiting for him in the Kongsplats in the centre of Malachor. Despite wearing a military attire every once in a while, he opted for his classic Potenzan suit, immaculate and tight. Though he hated the King, he still had to show some (false) respect. Someone knocked in the door:

"Erik, can I get in?"

It was Albert Stëner. A General, 50 years old and the leader of the so-called 'conservative Social-Democrats'. It was Stëner who helped Strakman in diverting the hawkish members of the SDP to join Strakman, and, thanks to him, he now achieved an absolute majority. He also commanded, with Strakman, the troops who destroyed the Rikhardist resistance, and Strakman was eternally indebted to him.

"Albert. Everything is ready?"

"It is Erik. The King will call you in a minute or two."

"And in what concerns the other issue?"

"All set up. I've talked to some Party leaders and the agents provocateurs are within the crowd. Some have banners demanding a Republic, insulting the King, etc."

"Good. Do you have a lighter?"

"Yes, of course. Here you go."

Strakman lit a cigarette and went on.

"Today my friend, the King and those fucking nobles and bourgeois that surround him will see the true power of politics. You see, they are outdated, they base themselves in traditional authority which has fragile foundations. I, on the other hand, have attained something no Bogan politician has ever attained - be a mass politician. The masses will bow down to my rhetoric, will bow down to my magical and energizing words and will give me unlimited power. I'll give them what the average Bogan wants - economic security and physical security. Authority. Order. Change. And we will have power, will turnover these traditional elites. It's about time."

"I rejoice over your confidence. And don't worry - if things go messy down there, I trust the army won't intervene - after all it's a political issue, and soldiers do not intervene in politics" Stëner winked at Strakman "It's time now. Go and set this square afire."

He walked down the corridors of the Palace, escorted by the Royal bodyguards. As he was near the balcony, he heard the shouts - Strakman, Strakman, Strakman. King Robert IV, since 51 disconnected from national politics, and, before Strakman, a popular leader, was standing there, straight and visibly worried about the joy of the crowd. He had never seen anything like this, not even when his father was overthrown.

"People of Boganhem, my fellow citizens. I, by my divine-given powers laid down in the Constitutional Chart, I appoint Erik Strakman as Chancellor of the Kingdom of Boganhem!"

The square was packed with people. Some of them waved Bogan flags, many of them flew SNU flags. They continued to shout - Strakman, Strakman, Strakman. As the new Chancellor shook the King's hand and turned to the crowd, he felt an adrenaline he had never felt before. To imagine he had 50,000 people under his psychological command was an experience that turned him on (not sexually, though).

"Comrades, fellow-Bogans."

The shouts increased in intensity.

"This square is huge today. This square is not only the 50,000 or so who are here, but the dock workers in Seeshloss that hear this speech in the Seeveg, the farmers around Vodenskove, who, after being oppressed by a tyrannical and ilegitimate King, now rebuild their lives, it's the factory workers in Kongsberg who gather in their workplaces and the shepherds in Ziost who made a pause in their livelihood activity. It's the millions of families who listen to the radio in their houses. Today, you are not 50,000, you are millions. I've decided to accept His Majesty's nomination for the post of Chancellor of Boganhem, to bring about what most Bogans want - security to live their lives. Not only physical security against criminals, against terrorists, against Christians, no... It is most of all economic security. To live their lives without worrying how much money will they have to spend in healthcare, if they should send their kids to school, if they will be able to survive in their retirement. If their bosses can respect them in the workplace and treat them as equals, if their landowners can treat them not like serfs, but like people. The people wants no more economic oppression, no more nobles demanding ridiculous rents in the countryside, no more having the serf living in overcrowded houses in a land in which they work, but which they do not own, no more having the factory worker having to work extra hours for some extra cash, no more the intellectual who is despised for not being of noble descent. NO MORE!
Comrades, these false idols will fall. They have no legitimacy to rule us. The People is sovereign, you are sovereign. I will personally assure that, by instituting a Government of the People, by the People and for the People!!! Help me in overthrowing these false idols, help me! All together, we can do great things, great works. We can create a Boganhem where the worker cooperates with the peasant and the bourgeois in achieving the greater good, and removing this nobility from power. Because these people with 'fon' in their surnames are no more than me or you! Even after the tyrant Rikhard was overthrown many took advantage of their political power and are still in positions of power, leading enterprises, leading the Army, leading everything in our country. Let's kick them with hard work and show them we, the People, are truly sovereigns. FALSE IDOLS WILL FALL, AND THE PEOPLE IS SOVEREIGN! THE PEOPLE IS SOVEREIGN TO INSTITUTE A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE!"

He stopped as he was already sweating. It was probably his most electrifying speech ever. The King was speechless, General Stëner smiled and some of the guests in the balcony, many of them Hochgamot members of noble stock were scared. The crowd shouted:

"False idols fall, false idols fall, false idols fall!"

Many in the crowd (agents provocateurs of the SNU in disguise) showed messages: Death to the King!... We want a People's Government! ... The People is sovereign... Nobles and Kings do no good, expel them!, and the crowd shouted those messages along. As it went out of control, many people blocked the Palace's exits, writting in them - if the King leaves, he leaves for good.

The situation was tense. The King was nervous and summoned Strakman and Stëner to the inside of the Palace.

"What the hell is going on?"

"I have no idea Your Majesty. It seems the people in the crowd are demanding something..."

"It's not only these 50,000, I've been wired - these demonstrations are happening in Seeshloss, Kongsberg, Ziost, Vodenskove... Is this a fucking trap?"

"Of course it isn't Your Majesty. It's something spontaneous it seems."

"Spontaneous?? They are demanding my head out there!!"

"Why don't you try to speak with them... or are you afraid of your own people"

Nervous, King Robert replied

"Of course I am not! These are my people, I freed them from my father's tyranny!"

He ran to the balcony to try to calm the People down, but it was no use.

"My fellow citizens! Please calm yourselves down! I understand your joy and euphoria, but I can't understand what you are demanding..."

The crowd booed loudly and suddenly, the King's face was covered with something - someone had thrown a tomato or an egg. The laughter was generalized and the booing went on. The monarch, visibly angered, returned inside, humiliated and frustrated. What would follow no one knew...

 

[Free Cities League]

Chapter Six - Red Sunset
​

Kongspalats, Malachor

In the Kongsplats, before the Kongspalats in the centre of Malachor, the situation remained tense, very tense. 24 hours after Strakman's speech, the crowd had grown more violent, breaking stands and setting fire to cars, the crowd shouted more intensely, demanding the end of the Monarchy and calling for Strakman. The scene was similar in all the other major cities.

Inside the Palace, the atmosphere was heavier. The King was angered at Strakman, who standing idle, did nothing to stop the crowd. Strakman's allies were carefully silent - General Stëner was being devious towards the King's requests for the Royal Army to step in, and some other SNU members, like Broomhilda Hammershmit and Rëner Rëder, had their mouths shut. It was evident to the monarch what was happening - Strakman took advantage of the rowdy behaviour of the crowd and did not want to curb his political momentum. He decided to issue an ultimatum:

"Herr Strakman, if you do not go out there and calm the fucking crowd down, I'll use my constitutional prerrogatives and you will be dismissed and I will take temporary control of the Kingdom!"

In this last, reluctant act of dispair, the King hoped to somehow call Strakman to reason. The Chancellor, viewing this as an opportunity to further inflame the crowd, accepted.

"Alright Your Majesty, though I think you should hear the yearnings of your subjects, I will try to calm them down..."

He walked, smiling, towards the balcony of the Palace, where he was received by thunderous shouts and applause.

"Comrades... I've talked with the King, and he demanded that the Army should step in to disperse you! The Army! Such action would certainly bring many many deaths and truly shows that Robert IV is not that different from his father, Rikhard V! More, more! He threatened me, saying that, should I not yield to his unreasonable demands he would use his 'constitutional prerogatives' in order to take control of the Government? Why? Because this illegitimate Constitutional Charter, drafted by the King himself, still rests on the doctrine that the King is, ultimately, the absolute sovereign of our Nation!"

The crowd booed and shouted 'death to the King', 'Robert, out!', 'Popular government!' and whatnot

"Well, I invite every single one of you here, in this square, to prove him wrong. This square is no Kongsplats (King's square), it is a Folksplats (People's square)! And I dare every Bogan worker, every Bogan peasant, every Bogan burger, every Bogan soldier, to reject this archaic Government and take the cities! The People has certain yearnings, many of them related to the excessive power of the former nobility and its hold over the capital. You didn't want the King to resign, only to change the social structure of the Nation, and he didn't even listen! Well, the People's patience is limited - prove him wrong! Occupy the square, occupy the Palace, ask the Army to join in!! Show the world that the Bogans are not a dumb and oppressed people, but a free people, capable of deciding its own future - THE BOGAN PEOPLE IS THE ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGN IN BOGANHEM, NOT THE KING!! LET US END THIS CORRUPT MONARCHY! WE WANT A PEOPLE'S STATE NOW!"

Hearing this, the King ordered his bodyguards to pull Strakman back inside. Suddenly, the monarch had his pistol pointed at Strakman, General Stëner had his pointed at the King and both Rëder and Hammershmit had theirs pointed at the bodyguards. The Chancellor, smiled:

"Well, we've got a fucked up situation here, don't we?"

"Strakman, for the Gods' sake, put that fucking weapon down. I will swear, I'll kill you, your fucking traitor!"

The King's had was trembling

"Your Majesty, it is evident that, despite your military training, you've never killed a man before, nor you are capable of doing that. So, I suggest you put your gun down. I, on the other hand, have killed many men during my years in the Army and during the campaign against your father. And guess what, I killed him, personally. A single bullet in his head was enough. I am not afraid to die, nor am I afraid to kill. I will do so without hesitation, when you turn your back. So, put down your weapon if you want to be either spared or die painlessly."

"You are mad Strakman, you are mad! General Stëner! Please, control your friend and order the High Command to send soldiers here, right now!!"

Stëner smiled:

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. You see, since 51, you have been trying to demilitarize our Nation. And people from the military don't like demilitarization of course. They are waiting for my command, and they will intervene, on the People's side."

"You're a fucking traitor! YOU'RE ALL FUCKING TRAITORS! I only wanted to bring our Nation a balanced and free regime!"

"Well, but you see, Your Majesty" replied Stëner, while Strakman laughed "it did not work out."

Stëner made a sign to Rëder and Hammershmit and they both shot the King's bodyguards, leaving them wounded in the floor. They then approached.

"Please, don't kill them, they have nothing to do with this!"

"Tsu spet" (too late)

The bodyguards, wrenched in blood, were shot in their heads and died instantly. Strakman turned again:

"Let's review the situation - you are alone, no bodyguards, an angry mob outside waiting for you, are you sure you still want to issue ultimatums? Among the crowd are several red jackets, the protection force of our Party. They are armed, and the Army will soon join them. You can choose - be arrested and stay safe, or die right here. Either way, your Kingdom is in its last minutes."

Robert IV was almost crying... he could not believe. These people from the SNU were truly bloodthirsty and violent gangsters, for whom the ends justified the ends... He could die heroically, but no one would see or know that. The monarchy was ending, and he could do nothing... He would never have a great sector of the population willing to fight for him. He knew that, half of the Bogans were now anti-monarchical, but, from the other half, most people wouldn't take up a gun and fight for him. Losing his face and invaded with immense guilt and angst, he finally yielded:

"I want to live, for now."

"Good" smiled Strakman "Now, sign this document we had prepared. You hereby renounce to the throne of Boganhem and declare the divine right of Bogan Kings as a flawed concept."

"No Strakman, that's just too much..."

"Either sign it or die."

"I'll die then..."

Strakman shot the King twice in the belly, leaving him with enormous and immediate blood loss. He was not dead, though, neither wanted Strakman to kill him immediately.

"Take him to the infirmary and treat him well enough so he can barely live. But live, nonetheless."

Hammershmit and Rëder carried the body and called in some red jackets to the throne room and the infirimary to keep the Palace and ensure the doctor wouldn't tell anyone, even if that meant killing him. Triumphantly, he smiled and hugged Stëner - my friend, we did it. Now let's get this fucking Revolution started, we cannot let any reactionary flee or counterstrike. Have your Generals and Colonels, the faithful to you, occupy newspapers, radio stations, strategic entryways in the Nation. And of course, maximum alert to counterattacks."

Strakman took a flag he had designed and reached for the balcony, being once again received by shouts and applause. He waved triumphantly, and took the Bogan flag off the Palace's pole. He then proceeded to put on a new one. The new flag had a dark-red background and a new and modern emblem: a castle, surrounded by wheat and hammer above them - it represented the union of workers, peasants and city-dwellers (the burgers). He appeased the crowd:

"CALM DOWN COMRADES, CALM DOWN..."
...

"Robert IV, until now King of Boganhem, Marquis of Koldland, Earl of Norssex and Protector of the Free Cities, has officially renounced to his throne and recognized that, for 1000 years, the Bogan people had been wronged in thinking divine power rested on the King. Divine power rests on the people, the absolute sovereign. Hence, I hereby declare the end of the Bogan monarchy and the establishment, under this new revolutionary flag, of the People's State of Boganhem! As soon as possible, after order is established and counterrevolutionaries are suppressed, the Undergamot will decide, on its own, on the drafting of a new Constitution, not a Charter drafted by a King - a Constitution drafted by representatives of the People! Feel free to cooperate with the former Royal Army, now People's Army, in finding and arresting potential terrorists and counterrevolutionaries, so that order can be established as soon as possible and democracy truly achieved. Now, shout with me comrades: ET LIBST DE FOLKSSTAAT BOGANHEM, ET LIBST DE FOLKSSTAAT BOGANHEM! (long live the People's State of Boganhem)."

The crowd, hypnotically, continued to shout. Strakman had triumphed. The sun was setting, and the sky was red, red as the Revolution.

 

[Free Cities League]

Chapter Seven - Not So Free Cities
​

Grünebaden, Free Cities' League

The city of Grünebaden was one of the seven 'free cities' included in the autonomous enclave within Boganhem that is the Free Cities' League. Situated over a plateau, it sports wonderful and world-renowed baths, where the Bogan elite usually comes. Undercover of course. It was the last city to join the League, after the Cities-Bogan War, in 1766. It was originally a Bogan city known as Grinbaden, but it had become progressively germanized over the years. Only 12% of the population were ethnic and linguistic Bogans, though probably half is of Bogan origin, sporting Bogan surnames, like Shmit instead of Schmidt, Moeller instead of Müller or Shumaker instead of Schumacher. It had been a Bogan concession after the last war, as a sign of good will. But that was about to come to an end.

Around the city, small hills and luxurious forests create a nice and spacious atmosphere. At night, a slight fog settled around the buildings, probably result of the humidity created by the forest. And, in that fog night, the unthinkable happened.

Some 10 km north of Grünebaden lied the 'inner border', and infamous line where almost no one could pass. Controlled by Bogan soldiers who ensured no Bogan crossed the line without a special permit, many dead lied under its dirt. Only once was the inner border freely open, during the two years of constitutional monarchy. But with the Social-Nationalists, everything had changed and reverted to the time of the absolute monarchy. Soldiers of the Folksarmee never crossed it - but today would be the day.

Noise was heard. The barbed wire was being moved away and tanks and armed men started moving into FCL territory. Inside Grünebaden, some people knew. Two fringe groups associated with the Social-Nationalists had been contacted and planned to sabotage any attempt by the Civil Police, the only armed men the League had, or by partisans, to block the advancement of the Folksarmee - one of them was a group of disaffected Bogan nationalist youth living in the League, the Boganishe Belang (Bogan Interest), while the other were German-speaking Social-Nationalists, namely the Sozial-Nationalistische Boganischedeutscher Partei (Social-Nationalist Party of the Bogan-Germans).

As the Folksarmee advanced en masse towards the city, the youth of the Boganishe Belang burned the Free Cities' red and white flag and flew the Social-Nationalist flag of the People's State of Boganhem. Despite some resistence from the Civil Police, they soon realized they could not match the prowess of the professionalised Bogan Army - and so they surrendered.

General Albert Stëner, though Minister for Defence, liked being present at war theatres and so, he accompaigned his troops. When arriving at the main square of Grünebaden, Stëner put himself atop of a tank with a megaphone, speaking in Bogan and highly-accented German: "Boganishe Damen and Herre fon Grinebaden, yer Stad ist terug in sëne Faterland! Et leve Boganhem! Deutscher Damen und Herren, deine Stadt is zurück in seine Vaterland - Seien Sie kooperativ und kein Schaden für Sie oder Ihr Leben kommen. Sie können hier bleiben." (Bogan Ladies and Gentlemen, your city is back to its Fatherland. Long live Boganhem! German Landies and Gentlemen, your city is back to its Fatherland. Be cooperative and no harm will come to your lives. You can stay here). After that, Stëner announced a referendum on the future status of each city and that the Bogan Army was only there to ensure compliance with the Peace of Seeshloss.

As the few Social-Nationalist Bogan and German inhabitants rejoiced and the Bogan soldiers prayed to the God of War and Thunder, a mix of anger and fear took the rest of the population - resist or subdue? It was the beginning of the end.