In Tephanon Square [ATTN: Ovi/LLC faction in Loago]

Pelasgia · Dec 19, 2018

Propontis, Optimatoi

Tephanon Square was a quaint circular area located in the Old Market of Propontis. It largely consisted of a circular space covered in tiles, with a periphery of neatly trimmed hedges around it and a small fountain in eclectic architecture with elements of Pelasgian and Azraqi architecture. It served as a small clearing between the tight streets of the market, being connected to the largest street of the Old Market District, Palaias Agoras Street, by a side-street, unsurprisingly called Zarakas Street. Tephanon Square served as the traditional centre of Propontis' significant community of Himyari immigrants, at leas the lower class half thereof (the wealthier Himyaris in Propontis being largely clustered around the nearby wealthy merchant district known as the Vatatzeika).

The small and aged neoclassical stores that surrounded the square bore signs in Pelasgian with inscriptions in some other Himyari tongue in smaller letters below quite often. It was often said that one could find anything they wanted in the Old Market of Propontis, with it tightly packed stalls and truly various stores, as goods of all kind covered every surface; nowhere was this more true than Tephanon Square. Narcotics, weapons, fake papers and all others sorts of goods that would unattainable or even unimaginable anywhere else in the Empire were a sizeable part of the business there, for those few who were motivated enough to buy. Unsurprisingly the Propontis Metropolitan Police Service's Foreign Citizens Department and the Central State Security Service (YKAK)'s informants heard of all sorts of dealings, ranging from deals between Archipelago Criminal Clans with Mazidian Cartels to weapons transfers between Natalian Rhinos and the DKKP.

This time, around, however, the Pelasgian authorities were the ones making the contacts. Enо̄motarchīs A* Pavlos Exarchos of the YKAK had served as the ranking officer for field operations in Tephanon square of three years, and had been getting plenty of reports about the situation in Loago from his sources. When the latest directive came down from the 2nd Lieutenant above him, he knew precisely where to go. Making his way through the crowded market in plain clothes, Exarchos entered a small electronics store with an inscription that read «ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΑ ΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΟΥ ΟΜΗΡΕΙΑΣ Α.Β.Ε.Ε.»**: The building was built in the neoclassical style and must have once served as a cafe, as indicated by the decorations that still lined it. Since then, its chequered floor had decayed, as had its walls, and cheap electronics on rusty metal shelves filled its space in between its white walls. Behind a white wooden counter stood a lone figure, a dark-skinned man in a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and faded jeans. This man Exarchos knew well, but he was not then one he wanted to speak to. After a short conversation about his "order" he was directed to the back of the store, to meet one of his most prolific connections: Mbatu, the small but quick-witted and humorous electrician from eastern Loago.
*YKAK rank equivalent to a Master Sergeant
**meaning "Eastern Himyar Electronics Ltd."; pronounced ilektronika anatolikou omirias a.v.e.e.

The conversation between the two was amicable and cordial, starting the moment Exarchos approached the bench Mbatu was working at.

"Already back here, galonas*? Haven't got much for you since that last lead on the Rhinos on Monday."
*galonas (meaning "man with the stripes on his shoulders") is an epithet for members of the Pelasgian security services, especially officers; it is considered more amiable than asphalitis ("[state-]security man") or the pejorative batsos ("fist/punch")

"Nah, this time I don't want you to get me something from someone. I want you to get something to them."

Mbatu paused and turned around.

"You lot are talking to the Rhinos now? Didn't know you Donkeys* were getting that desperate."
*the donkey is one of Pelasgia's traditional national animals, alongside the dolphin and the booted eagle

"Nah, this message is for the LLC. Nobody less than Masimba himself," he said handing Mbatu the message; before he let go of the paper he spoke again; "Mbatu this one's serious and it's from high up. Very high up."

"How high up, galonas?" said Mbatu with a concerned face.

"Quarter of the Angels* high-up. I don't want any leaks, you understand? A word of this gets out to anyone, and neither one of us is coming home to our families for Christmas."
*The central government district of Propontis, including the Imperial Palace and many organs of the executive government, as well as prestigious embassies and the Propontis homes of noble and notable families

"Understood, boss. I'll get my best people on this. Not a word, as you said."

Exarchos nodded and turned around to leave. As he exited the room, he placed a small package containing money and a chocolate bar near the door.

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Mbatu. Send my regards to the family; the Lieut sends a little gift for the holidays."

"Same to you, Pavlos. I'll light a candle for you and your family when I visit the monastery with my family next weekend."

Mbatu, true to his word, made sure the note would get to Masimba. It read thus:
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CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNIQUE
Propontis | 19/12/2018

Mr. Masimba,

The Pelasgian Empire has observed the recent developments in your country with great care and concern. It is our firm belief that independence and freedom should reign across the Ebony Continent and that this end should be pursued by any and all means necessary. At the same time, we have no desire to see Loago, or any other part of Himyar, fall to the virulent ideology of Communism.

It is the Empire's understanding that you are a practical man in complicated circumstances. In our view, the LLC is the only party capable of bringing long-term peace and stability to Loago without the need for the presence of foreign troops or overlords. As such, the Empire would be willing to offer you its support in the liberation of your homeland; we do, of course, take issue with the economic policies espoused by your movement, but in terms of Nationalism, the LLC and the Nationalist Party which now rules Pelasgia are perfectly aligned.

Provided that the LLC is ready to moderate and play-down the Marxist element of its message in favour of focusing on its Nationalism, the Empire would be willing to offer considerable material, diplomatic, ideological, financial and other support, both practical and theoretical and long and short-term. We do not expect the LLC to become Engellexian-style free-market enthusiasts. Lord knows the Nationalist Party of Pelasgia is not of such views either, favouring state intervention, command of the heights of the economy and class cooperation, a safe middle path of economic policy. As long as the LLC would be more amenable to move towards that middle, in fact even if not in name, the Empire would find it to be quite positively aligned with our views for what the future of Himyar should be.

If this is of interest to you, Mr. Masimba, you will find attached information on how to contact us more readily and easily, so as to establish a more permanent and meaningful relationship. Of course, if you instead wish to betray us, you will that these sources could not be used for anything but vague and unsubstantiated accusations which will have little effect. As such, it would be in your best interest to not respond at all if cooperation is not on your mind. But your ultimate best interest, as we are sure you are aware, is to cooperate with our country for the purposes of Himyari liberation.

We eagerly await your response.

With honour,
A. Kalogeros
First General Directorate
Central State Security Service
Pelasgian Empire

@Natal

Ebria · Dec 20, 2018

Chilemba Atieno was one of Masimba's most trusted men, but he too knew that the quagmire Loago was in will only get worse with each passing day and wasn't sharing his comrade's optimism. He was there when Masimba received the message from the Pelasgians. Though he himself was sceptical to the idea of Pelasgian support, especially knowing that the LLC was allied with DKKP and Xinhai, even if they were disavowed by Kadikistan, but Masimba seemed to be very pragmatic and he observed that the main support for him movement started to shift from Marxism to Wala nationalism so he decided to respond to Propontis. Chilemba asked to be the main carrier of the message, not that be believed in Pelasgian support or he really wanted to see Masimba represented by someone he trusted, but he had his own reasons. He know that something big was brewing and he preferred to watch the shit show unfold from far away.

Through the help of Mbatu, who acted as a liaison in the square between literally everyone operating in Loago, he managed to find Pavlos Exarchos and managed to set up a meeting at a small and more private cafe.

"I've been told that the galonas is to be found here," said Chilemba in Engelisc. "I have no idea what that meant, but seeing how they acted when they pronounced that word, I think they talked about you," said Chilemba as he shook the Pelasgian's hand and seated himself on a chair in front of the officer. "Before starting, I'd say we should enjoy some beverages," he said. He wanted to buy the coffee to show the Pelasgian that he isn't an impoverished barbarian coming from a shitty war ridden country. When the waiter came, he ordered to strong black coffees and paid immediately, showing a wallet overflowing with big Pelasgian banknotes. The truth was that in Loago, the national currency, the Buinn was worthless and everyone was trading in Natalian Guldens or Azraqi Dahab in the urban regions, or in gold nuggets in the rural areas. He came with gold on him and went to the first pawn shop he found and sold the gold for Pelasgian Hyperpyron.

"I will give you the message from Masimba, but I want something to be promised for myself afterwards," he said as the coffee came and he handed the Pelasgian officer a sealed envelope, marked with a seal showing the face of a lion.

People's Liberation Army
League of Communists
Koro Toro

Mr Kalogeros,

I understand your point of view regarding the future of Loago and Himyar. Let me be clear first and foremost. I am not fighting for some Kadikistani inspired ideology, nor am I living in dust, sweat and blood in the bush together with my comrades out of our love for the philosophy of a long dead Eiffellander economist. We are fighting for the independence of Loago and for its people's freedom and emancipation from the hands of both racism and savage capitalism and we will fight as long as both the shackles that hold us back are motivated by race or economy.

I envision a Loago of tomorrow where the people flourish in liberty and equity. This is the dream that I presented to the people. I am fighting against misery, famine, tribalism and impoverishment. I am fighting for the people to have good education and healthcare. I want to see the people of this country living its life in Maseru as you live your very own life in Propontis. That is what I fight and the people share my dream and support my group, hence we have managed to secure so much of Central Loago and we will soon be moving on the Limestone Coast itself.

Do you think I can be called a marxist for believing that? I know that for people in your circles, calling someone a marxist is akin to an insult, but for us, so many people of the world, living in misery under colonial empires, be them far away colonies like how Loago is to Caledonia, or close by ones like how Retalia is to Eiffelland, the revolutionary socialist ideology is the one that brought us all together and give a name and a voice to our struggle.

Of course, I am the third Masimba. That title means that I have left my own personal identity behind to become the Head Lion. The first Masimba chose the name League of Communists to garnish support in the 1950s from Kadikistan. Since then, we have been betrayed by our old benefactors as you have signed the SQT with them and thus cut off all support from them. That happened 60 years ago. It would be extremely poor practice to keep yourself ties to events that took place such a long time ago. I am thus open to your support and ideas of compromise. I thus offer this from my part. Should I win your support, I will rename the LLC into the People's Front for the Liberation of Loago (PFLL) and when we will declare the People's Republic soon, we will call Loago a Democratic Republic. As you might also understand, I cannot simply alienate my very own supporters just to get foreign friends.

I will concentrate in the full and complete liberation of Loago from Caledonian colonists and also I will push the Muslims back into Azraq, where they belong. While as I said, I will concentrate on nationalism, I still made a promise to the people, so while it won't be marxism itself, I will strive to offer the people social and economic equity.

In exchange we need Pelasgian funds, weapons, maybe even volunteers. The most important thing we currently need is equipment. We need ammo to keep our small arms functioning and we will be needing some helicopters to set up a semblance of an air force, as we won't be able to keep control of Loago without it. We will thus also need Pelasgian pilots to first use them in battle and in time to train our men in using them.

If we are to win, Loago will remain a friend of the Pelasgian Empire and we can form together a Pan-Himyari union to be sure that the continent does not suffer through the same traumas we are going through today.

Best regards,
Masimba

"What I want to ask you," said Chilemba as the Pelasgian officer took the message, "is for some assistance... some... personal help," he said as he took out a dossier containing the birth certificates for a woman his age and three girls, aged between 15 and 10 years old. "This is my wife and they are my daughters. I want to offer them a better life, far away from any warzone. I want you help to get them Pelasgian passports, so they can come here," he said as he pushed the dossier into Exarchos' part of the table.

Pelasgia · Dec 21, 2018

"Provided you can continue to act as a liaison between the Empire and Masimba," Exarchos said, "I am sure we can come to an understanding. I do sympathise with your motivation, I have a family of my own after all. Our common friend, Mbatu, came to Pelasgia the same way, so I'll see what I can do."

The next meeting of the duo took place a day later at the same cafe. As Pelasgian custom demanded, Exarchos paid for both himself and his foreign guest as a show of 'hospitality' (philoxenia) and handed Chilemba another letter, this time sealed with a double-headed eagle holding a sword and a torch, the emblem of the Central State Security Service.

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Confidential Communique
Propontis | 21/12/2018

Central State Security Service
First General Directorate
Eastern Himyar Directorate

Masimba,

Your motivation is understandable, particularly given the harsh circumstances of both your movement and and your country as a whole. Regardless of the flag and emblem which we bear, all patriotic Himyaris want nothing but prosperity and peace, and the welfare of our peoples in our own homelands. This is not only noble, it is entirely natural and inherently good.

Your need to keep up the appearance of an at least partly Marxist front in an at least partly Marxist country is quite understandable. Our own Nationalists had to uphold the facade of a Monarchy, despite being devout Republicans, so your predicament is more than understandable to us. Your new People's Front for the Liberation of Loago (PFLL) would certainly earn Pelasgia's support and the Democratic Republic that you endeavour to build will a be our true friend once it is formed. Your desire for a Pan-Himyari union is shared by us, and we will thus work with you to bring about such a Himyar.

Let us then move to the concrete support that can be offered to allow you to throw the Caledonians back into the sea and send the Moslem Infidels to Azraq. Though the recent National Schism in Pelasgia was quite unfortunate and tragic, it had the fortunate effect of leaving us with a considerable stockpile of supposedly "lost" or "captured" arms and equipment that we could funnel to you with plausible deniability. Equally, mercenaries emerged, so we can mask any advisers we send to you as such to avoid prying foreign eyes.

Specifically, we would be willing to give you the following arms:
-10,000