Into an Unveiled Land

[Free Cities League]

Airspace Over Forbyss, Fikteveld, Boganhem

“We’re going to start our descent now Your Majesty”

“Thank you Robert…”

As the small jet plane appeared from the dark clouds covering the Sun, a beautiful yet shadowy scenery was visible – a great forest of oaks and pine trees bordered a big lake, which was almost black. It was the Svart See – Black Lake. The dark colour of the Northeastern part of Boganhem, namely the provinces of Koldland, Goddhaus and a portion of Fikteveld, had a geological explanation – the large amount of basalt in the ground, that gave the area a shadowy and dark feel. In the background, the high snow-covered peaks of Goddhaus were barely visible, but made anyone understand why the Bogans thought the Gods lived there.

The jet plane approached an island lost in the fog and darkness of the Svart See, that island being Byss. Byss meant nothing in Bogan, although it is known that it came from the Urgic word for rock. And so it was, Byss was a dark rock, somewhat medium-sized, in the middle of the lake. It also was the chosen vacation palace of Bogan Kings since times immemorial, with the Palace suffering its last renewal five years ago, equipping it with materials that blocked radioactivity. In one of the island’s peninsula, there was an industrial complex, an unsuspecting one, and an abandoned shipyard.

The plane landed in the small airstrip in Byss and Rikhard V prepared to get out. The Bogan King was an imposing figure – tall, thin, elegant, dressed in a green military suit he had penetrating eyes, eyes one can found in cunning people. His blond and thin hair gave him even more the look of a gentleman. Certainly many people outside Boganhem thought he was some kind of barbaric and bearded King, which was not the case.

As he entered the Palace, his maids and butlers greeted him, and ordering to take his things to his room, he entered directly in his office – Rikhard took very seriously his job as a King and was known to be a workaholic. He was also very weary of attempts to curtail his power, but he did so because he took it really seriously. His office was full of riches – with his coat of arms in the wall, the coat of arms of the Krayt family, the black eagle on a green background, full of golden artifacts, military uniforms and memorabilia, and his desk made of pure Bogan oak, with a brand-new computer – a mix of old-fashioned decoration with modernity.

He picked up the telephone – “Your Majesty” his secretary said “The technicians are outside wanting to urgently speak to you.”

“Send them in Yohanna”

As three men in white robes entered, they bowed before the King and kissed his ring. People were very afraid of Rikhard – not because he was particularly prone to anger outbreaks but because he was so cold-blooded and calm. One could not see if he was furious or not. And with the bad news the scientists had to give him, their hands were sweaty and their knees were weak with fear.

“What is it Doctor Robertsun?”

“Your Majesty, we have really bad news for you…”

The King’s expression kept still, while Robertsun’s fear was more evident.

“Yesterday, Dr. Gerhard Kofman went earlier to sleep. We were surprised, but he wasn’t feeling too good that day. However, he didn’t show up for today’s morning meeting and neither did he all morning. Usually he would say he was sick or something, but that was not the case. And we went to his room and he wasn’t there, and had taken his belongings. We believe he managed to escape the plant, since he knows it very well.”

Another scientist, Dr. Wëtt, interrupted:

“But Your Majesty, we were contacted by the security forces and a vessel sank down a small boat in the lake today and the boat was heading towards Bantyr. So, we must assume he is dead…”

After quietly listening to them, Rikhard calmly spoke:

“I’ll say this only once, and you will do as I say. If you don’t, you know your fate will be to feed the fishes in the bottom of the lake. You will order searches to the facility, from tip to toe. I will order the search of the island and the villages around the lake. Understood? If I know you were not diligent – you know what happens…”

“Of course Your Majesty, right away…” said the scientists fearfully and trembling. They clumsily got out and the King was left alone. He picked up his phone.

“Hello, General fon Ziost? It’s me.”

“Greetings Your Majesty, how can I serve you?”

“We have an escapee from the Byss facility, you understand the urgency of this case, right?”

“Of course, what’s his name, description, etc.?”

“His name is Dr. Gerhard Kofman, I’ll e-mail you his file. You must send your agents rapidly to the villages around the lake and, most importantly, reinforce presence in the border posts, especially next to the Free Cities. If he gets the information he has out of the Kingdom, the consequences will be dire – the whole world will discover we were lying, and Voden knows that sick intervention they’ll try.”

“I understand the importance. My best agents will be dispatched Your Majesty…”

“Good. Catch him before it’s too late. You can send your men to the Free Cities too, maybe it’s better. I’ll convince Larenz.”

“All right Your Majesty, you can always count on the KSP”

“Thank you so much General. I’ll hope for the results…”

After the phone call, Rikhard sat back and sent a little memo to Karl Larenz, the Bürgermesternratpräsident of the Free Cities:

“Mr. Larenz – I warn you beforehand that the Kongshuts Politsei will be heavily present in the Free Cities for the next days. Reason: a dangerous man, Gerhard Kofman, is trying to betray secrets of State Defence and Diplomacy that will harm us both – and as you know, the Free Cities is not autonomous in Defence and Diplomacy. So, I ask you to comply. Regards. HM Rikhard V”

Lübeck, Free Cities League

“Ich möchte eine Erdinger bitte”

“Gute Wahl.”

In the Free Cities’ League, everything seemed better to Gerhard Kofman. The dark fields and forests of Boganhem seemed so far away, as did its cloudy weather. In Lübeck, everything seemed lighter, clearer and happier. It was cold, but the sky was blue and clear, and Kofman sat in the Café Schwarz, a famous coffee and beerhouse in Lübeck. It was the place his Bantyric contact told him to be. As the waiter brought him his Erdinger, a fine wheat beer made in Erding, a city 20 km north of Lübeck, his heartbeat began to accelerate. He looked everywhere and saw people looking at him, discretely, from corners, from cars, from windows. He was paranoid, he was paranoid because he knew, he knew what everyone wanted to know – that the Bogan Government was secretly developing nuclear weapons. And with that knowledge, he was sure the infamous Kongsshuts Politsei was looking for him, and he knew they had access to the Free Cities. He hoped they wouldn’t find him, as he put on a fake beard and dyed his hair in that morning, black. He would appear as a southern European tourist or something, not a Bogan.

As he gave a painful sip in his beer, he watched someone pull off the chair besides him.

 

[The Federation]

Jim Anderson entered the Cafe, the myriad of smells from the street flowing in past him as the wind lightly blew into the building. Anderson had been assigned to the Free Cities for a few years now but had never really done much other than listen in on irrelevant phone conversations. Nothing much relevant to intelligence interests came out of Boganhem the country itself was more of a void than anything else thanks to Rikhard V. However this new nuclear power program was like a slap to the face, the only news to come about from Boganhem themselves, he knew the intelligence business was a game of hit or miss, but something this big should have been seen before the public announcement. The fury of President Murdoch's anger was said to have been heard throughout all of Bangleann that day.

Jim could see his contact now, to the casual observer his fake beard along with the do-it-yourself dye job on his hair wouldn't have been noticed but Jim knew straight away it was him, he would need a better disguise but at the moment what he had would suffice. Anderson had also dyed his hair to a more brownish color to hide his natural red hair from letting everyone know he was from one of the Celtic nations that populated the north. He quietly walked across the room and pulled a chair up to sit across from the obviously nervous scientist. The waitress came to take his order and in perfect German he ordered his coffee black.

"I hope she didn't tell you to put on that fake beard." Anderson whispered, referring to the contact the scientist had arranged the meeting with.

Kofman nodded no.

"All right then." Anderson replied. The coffee was brought to him and he stopped talking as the waitress set it on the table. He thanked her and took a sip. Coffee wasn't popular in Bantyr by any means but as he had lived here he got used to it and began drinking it everyday. The hot liquid was just what he needed on this brisk, clear sky day.

"We can't stay here for long, rumor has it they are out in force looking for you. I got a house a block from here, we will walk there. You need to calm down as well, your nervousness can give us away pretty easy.

Anderson paid for both the drinks and left standard tip for the waitress. The walk to the safe-house was uneventful and they entered into a dimly lit, sparsely furnished apartment, a computer and a few mainframes sat in the corner.

"I need to know everything you know before we can do anything about this nuclear weapons plant. So sit down, relax and get ready to talk." Anderson sat Kofman down on the couch and brought a tape recorder and a glass of water. "Talk into this."

 

[Free Cities League]

As Anderson took him to the small safe-house in the Handlerstraße, just a block away from the Schwarz Café, Kofman couldn’t help but think in what he had seen. As they nervously got out of the café, Kofman was sure he saw two men in black overcoats, attentively looking.

“Mr. Anderson, I saw some men with long overcoats in the corner – they were looking at us…”

“Calm down, calm down. It’s alright, even if they were some kind of danger they couldn’t have followed us.” said Anderson, hopelessly trying to comfort Kofman. Kofman was visibly paranoid and nervous.

As he drank a glass of water, with trembling and fearful hands, he tried to tranquilize himself.

“As you know, I work as a senior nuclear technician in the Royal Nuclear Agency. Two years ago, I was recruited to oversee the construction of a nuclear facility in the island of Byss, in the south of the Svart See, near the border with Bantyr.”

Kofman was speaking too fast, being nervous as he was. As he noticed it himself, he slowed down, as did his breath.

“I thought the Agency only worked in the Grinveld Facility, which is effectively used for energetic purposes. But this one is not – I was informed that I would be participating in a highly-secret project. The consequences were not good – severed contact from friends and family, no travelling without permission and surveillance, etc. But the wage – by the Grace of the Gods, it was huge. You understand why I took this option. But two years in that loneliness and after hearing the fuss made by the international community, I contacted with a Bantyric woman that lived near the border, during my fishing trips. And she led me to you – I was convinced that denouncing this project I would serve my country better than by serving Rikhard… But now, I don’t know what to do! The King has certainly sent KSP officers everywhere – if someone knows, if someone knows – the suspicion arises. And the CoN will want to visit Byss. But it won’t work just by talking to a recorder! We need evidence. And I couldn’t bring it…”

Kofman could hardly breathe.

“Oh, I can’t believe I just said all of this”

 

[The Federation]

Anderson sighed, deep down he knew that either he or someone else would have to go to Byss and document the program but he tried to keep up the lie to himself that he'd be able to go home and just give this information to his superiors.

"Don't worry about that right now," Anderson said, the recorder still running, "this is just a preliminary thing I am doing right now, like you said we need evidence and this is part of that process Dr. Kofman. Don't worry we will obtain that evidence, you've done the right thing by coming to me today, you could be potentially saving people's lives now and at the least saving them from having to live in fear of the nuclear specter."

Anderson switched off the recorder. "Just relax and sit here for a bit, I'll get you some more water." Anderson left into the small kitchen and refilled Kofman's glass. "Here," Anderson said, handing the glass back to Kofman. He stood there and watched him drink it. "Right, now I've have to make my report, it should only take a few moments.

Anderson booted the computer up, the words on the screen were written in an old ancient Bantyric language from the place of their people's mythical origin, Dál Riata, it was only spoken now by enthusiasts and spies, the latter because no one outside of Bantyr and maybe Warre spoke or wrote it anymore. The log in sequence took only a few seconds before a man's face appeared on the screen. He greeted Anderson in the dead language,

"Morning Mr. Anderson. What findings do you have for us today?" The unnamed man asked.

"I've made contact sir and my preliminary interview confirms the findings of the woman he made contact with prior. I have documented the interview and shall be sending it via encrypted message after the end of this meeting. Further orders?"

"Anderson if there really is a weapons lab in Loch Innis MoCholmaig then we are going to need evidence to show to the Council of Nations. President Murdoch wants this done by the book, he has taken full oversight of this operation."

"Sir! If I may, the Council of Nations will only stagnate on this issue no matter what evidence we give them, if we send an infiltration team we can destr..."

"That's enough agent, this channel may be encrypted several times over but the last thing we need is things like that said over it. Prepare the scientist to be transported to Port Fiona immediately, we shall talk about gaining evidence of the supposed Loch Innis MoCholmaig facility upon your arrival. The Lady is back in Lubeck, she has met Kofman before and will acquire transport for you both to Port Fiona. Meet her there tonight after the second shift ends and be discreet!"

The connection was cut by the other side and Anderson went about sending the interview over to command. After it was sent he went back to Kofman who was still on the couch.

"We will be meeting a friend tonight, you should know her from before. She will get us out of Lubeck and over to Bantyr barring any unforeseen resistance. If we are lucky we will be able to avoid the KSP and leave port without a problem."


ooc:Loch Innis MoCholmaig: Bantyric name for Svart See

 

[Free Cities League]

As Kofman prepared to leave with Anderson, someone knocked at the door. They both stood still, fearful and cautious.

"Yes?"

"Bürgerpolizei, open the door please."

Oh, it was the Büpo, the civilian police force of the Free Cities. Maybe, they weren't in such trouble... Anderson knew the Büpo, as a rule, were not dangerous. And so did Kofman. And so, they opened the door, and the two policemen, dressed in the typical Bürger uniforms – black and red and with pickelhubel (helmets with a spike) seemed like they’d just come back from the set of an old-time movie.

“Gute Morgen, Herren. I understand that this man here, Gerhard Kofman, is wanted for crimes against the State. We know not and neither we ought to, what crime in particular you have committed. These are orders from the highest of levels. I would ask you to comply.”

Undecided, both Anderson and Kofman could see, from a mirror in the building’s corridor that two men in black overcoats waited. What would they do? Kofman’s heart was beating restlessly, since he was sure they were the exact same men they’d seen in the way to the building.

 

[The Federation]

Anderson stepped back from the door, "I believe there must be some sort of misunderstanding but you may come in so that we may resolve this." The terrified Kofman's jaw only dropped at the nonchalantness of Anderson's move toward a desk in the room as the two officers made their way in, the black figures moving as if to come in as well.

Anderson opened a drawer on the desk and quickly swung around, a loaded gun in his hand. He fired several shots, the first directly into the closest officers face, the second drilling the other civilian policeman in the shoulder knocking him back. The figures nearing the door dived back in fear of being hit by any stray bullets. Anderson took the moment to run and slam the door shut, locking it before the men in overcoats could counter-attack.

Anderson turned back, and walked over to the officer he only wounded, finishing him off. He move to Kofman who by now had seized up in fear as he just watched two men be mercilessly killed. "We must leave now or else we have no chance," he said opening the window on the other side. "Quickly, down the fire escape!" He pushed Kofman out the window onto the fire escape, only turning back to type in a quick command on the computer which sent out an emergency notice and started a countdown of only fifteen seconds.

Kofman was halfway down the fire escape when Anderson came barreling out the window above him yelling loudly for him to run faster. A few seconds later a small explosion rocked the building, setting fire to it. Anderson fell down onto the steel grating, quickly scurrying back to his feet. As they reached ground level, the once calm street was now a flurry of scared people running around or pointing fingers at the explosion. Anderson grabbed on to Kofman who stood helplessly confused as to what to do next. "Quickly!" he said pulling on Kofman's jacket. He looked back catching sight of one of the overcoat men now slightly burnt, the other he figured must have died. Anderson turned to face the KSP man charging after them and fired a few shots in his direction before pushing Kofman again into an alleyway that connected to another street. He didn't a plan for this, he didn't even expect he would be meeting Kofman twenty four hours ago, so now they ran hoping his pursuer hadn't called for backup and that they could find a place to hide until nightfall.

 

[Free Cities League]

Handlerstraße was not the same. The explosion in the building where Anderson’s safe house was located had created a great mess and dazzled and confused civilians screamed and talked loudly. Many had heard Anderson’s shots to the KSP agents, but, among the confusion, it was impossible to discern what happened. In a small alley that led to the famous Kommerzallee, Kofman and Anderson tried to hide behind some trash containers, at least until the confusion could wither away. They sat down, in the shadow of an old building, and breathed deeply – Kofman was terrified and only wished all of this would end. As Anderson comforted Kofman, telling him to keep calm, they heard steps. Anderson, with a quick wit typical of a man of his profession, started to pull the gun off his belt.

“There is no need to do that Mr. Anderson.”

As he heard that, he could feel the cool and metallic feel of the gun, right in his left temple, dropping his gun in the process. As he turned his eyes to the right, he saw a tall and thin man, with a long overcoat and a dark-green tie. He looked like a regular man, suited up for his job, but that green tie and that specific type of overcoat – they were KSP trademark. Both Anderson and Kofman were speechless, cautious and fearful, respectively.

“My name is Bernhard Dunker, Agent nº 66 of the Kongsshuts Politsei. And I won my day – I found a dangerous man inclined to commit crimes against King and Country and a man, a spy pig, helping him. You are in deep trouble my friends… Besides my three ‘friends’ here, Agent Svart, Agent Kosmen and Agent Shumakker, I have mounted a gigantic operation in Lübeck – an anonymous source informed us that you had been seen here, four hours ago. I took a shot, and it paid off. Now, Agents, search the suspects and bring them…”

Under the attentive look of Agent Dunker, the other ones, while searching Anderson, found another gun. Even when Anderson tried to resist: “Be careful Mr. Anderson. I have a gun pointed to your head – if you do something not of my linking, you die. And be sure your capture is of no great value for me, and neither is your life…”

As Kofman and Anderson were immobilized by handcuffs and rope by Dunker’s agents. Dunker, extremely happy, took his prisoners, as they slowly walked towards what was, apparently an ice- cream truck – they would start their trip into an unveiled land…

 

[The Federation]

Presidential Offices,
Bangleann

The sound of a news paper could be heard being slapped down onto a desk in the office of the President. "Have you seen this?" President Murdoch said jabbing his finger into the paper. Before him sat the Director of Strategic Services and several other higher ups in the Bantyric intelligence community. How am I suppose to create an image of power when shit like this happens. I took your advice because you convinced me a devastating war would follow if we openly attacked this newly found facility, but now, because I waited and decided to take the more hidden route, this happens.

The Director picked up the paper which detailed the Kyivian ultimatum to Boganhem. "Sir we did not think they would be so brash as to issue something like this."

"You didn't think is the operative phrase here Director. THE OPERATIVE PHRASE! Not to mention your idiotic agent has been captured. Explain to me why Strategic Services is given a large percentage of the black budget. Not only did you fail to uncover the Svart See facility without a defector having to come forward first, but how you managed to let your agent get captured. It's like there wasn't even a plan."

The Director gave a small uncomfortable cough before speaking to protest. "Sir we do not believe that Kyiv knows about the Svart See facility, as far as we know we are the only ones. The day can still be saved if you allow us to send a team to destroy it. We can fix this."

"No, there will be no fixing for Strategic Services, you screwed your chance. This now requires an open effort if we are to enlarge our sphere of influence and prestige in this situation. We tried it your way and you failed to gather the evidence needed to prove that nuclear weapons are being created for the Council of Nations. This recording will not convince the CoN.

The President snapped his fingers and an aide moved to open the door. A Bantyric Air Force General entered. The General saluted. "General Patrick, I am ordering the destruction of the Svart See facility immediately. Strategic Services will hand over all information regarding the Svart See to the Air Force, you are all dismissed.

Three Hours Later
Ten miles west of Boganhem's Svart See
Innis MoCholmaig Air Force Base

... In the southern portion of the Svart See lies a castle on an island, Strategic Services has pinpointed this as the location of an actual nuclear weapons lab."

"Colonel! What about the Grinveld Facility that we heard about in the news?"

"As far as we know the Grinveld Facility is just an energy lab, the main weapons producing is going on at the Svart See Facility, we will leave it for later, we aren't aiming to start a full scale war by bombing that far inside Boganhem's borders."

"Blue Shield Squadron will fly in first to ferret out any SAM sites, you will be equipped with Anti-radiation missiles to home in on SAM site RADAR and neutralize them. Whiplash Squadron will be the main attack force and will level the castle hopefully neutralizing the lab. We all have our orders, get some good sleep and I will see you in the early morning. Dismissed."

 

[Free Cities League]

Skies Over Byss


King Rikhard V sat, worried and clearly upset, in his jet plane. From the small window he could barely see Byss and the Svart See – his usually cool and calculating character was notably absent. As he drank a cup of whiskey and bit his fingernails, a young man, dressed in green military uniform, sat down, bringing him a box of ice.


“Thank you son, but you know I drink scotch plain.”


“I am truly sorry father…”


It was Crown-Prince Robert, Rikhard V’s heir and, of course, favourite son. He saw in Robert a really personal heir – he inherited his father’s cunning and political eye, already serving in various political positions. However, Robert lacked that essential coolness that

characterized Rikhard and could, if the circumstances allowed, have violent outbursts.


“Tell me what’s going on father.”


Rikhard, clearly worried, answered:


“It all failed son – this openness story, it failed… I knew it. Once we open up to the outside, outcasts as we are, we are right away ostracized and now, Kyiv, a State I thought would at least be tolerant towards us, issues that ultimatum… I don’t know what to do! And furthermore, the KSP has found out that the Bantyric government knows about the Byss facility – of course, I have already evacuated the castle, and they’re planting bombs near the future reactors. Now, once someone bombards that, it will all blow up.”


“How did they know?”


“One of the facility’s scientists, a Gerhard Kofman, ran away and contacted a Bantyric agent. And the KSP was too late – when they arrested them in Lübeck, the information had already reached Murdoch…”


“We must pray to Voden to have mercy on us father.”


“Yes we do son, yes we do…”

Meanwhile, in Byss, dozens of boats with all the main heads of the project and carrying all the essential blueprints, escorted by KSP agents and soldiers of the Royal Army, already left the island. The island was now practically empty, and the Army had planted bombs, in hope the Bantyric bombers would destroy everything...

 

[Free Cities League]

Aldzigen Strets 66, Seeshloss

Upon turning 24 years old, Crown-Prince Robert was given a private residence by his father, King Rikhard, as it was tradition. Rikhard gave three options to his son: an old temple in Vodenskove, in the deep valleys of Goddhaus, a small palace in Malachor or an old and recuperated apartment in Seeshloss. Robert, as a much more liberal and cosmopolitan person than his father, chose the luxuous apartment in Aldzigen Strets, 66, in the second biggest city of Boganhem proper. The reason? Historically, Seeshloss was the source and the origin of popular uprisings and its population, used to see the prosperity of the neighbouring Free Cities, did not grow very fond of either the Malachorian aristocracy or the priests from Goddhaus – Seeshloss was, and every day more, a sprawling city, full of commerce and industry. Its industrial area was one of the most important industrial areas of the Kingdom, and was vital for its economy.

Robert was not a liberal in the usual sense of the word, he was liberal within the tolerated thought of the regime, making him, in the general political spectrum, a conservative with democratic leanings. Some would say he was so by conviction, but he knew it was all about political opportunism – he was thirsty of power, and he, as any Crown-Prince, desires his father’s place. Although he knows very powerful sectors of Bogan society are supportive of Rikhard, namely the aristocracy and the clergy, he knows that there are emerging groups within Boganhem that would support a more open and liberal alternative, namely many corporate bosses, guild representatives, the middle class and even the working class. But there is a crucial group that had an essential role – the military. The Royal Army’s generals and top officials were all undoubtedly pro-Rikhard, but during his military service, the Prince knew the middle-ranking officials – sargeants, majors and colonels, desired some change, for they were the first generation of officials coming from the ranks of the lower classes. After Rikhard V abolished official class distinctions in 1980, people who were not from the ranks of the nobility had the possibility to ascent to higher ranks of the Army. And Robert knew some of them, with great influence over lower-ranking soldiers, who would gladly overthrow his father, just to ascend to the rank of General.

In the occasion of his 28th birthday, Robert invited some friends to his apartment, as he knew his father would probably give no importance to such an informal gathering – Rikhard trusted Robert, maybe too much…
As the night went on, many invitees left, only remaining a few men of Robert’s inner circle – Albert Villsun, a gifted law professor, 45 years old, and Robert’s intellectual mentor. Though conservative, he did not like the totalitarian leanings of Rikhard. Furthermore, he was a respected member of the Undergamot, representing the Lawyer’s Guild. Then, in the corner of the room, mysterious and quiet, was Colonel Kratz, a brilliant officer whose disrespect for upper officials had killed his opportunities to ascend to higher ranks – however, he was respected and admired by younger soldiers; Fabian Volvgangsun was the CEO of Boganhem’s biggest private bank, the Noe Natsional Bank, and an extremely wealthy man, with impeccable manners and posture. However, he felt frustrated within Bogan traditional society, growing weary of aristocrats much poorer than him, but who disrespected him out of his commoner origin. He was also a member of the Undergamot; there was a lady too, Mrs. Helga Fisher, wife of the head of the Industrial Workers’ Guild, a kind of ‘official’ trade union, representing the workers of all of the country, Han Fisher. Mrs. Fisher took her husband’s place due to the surveillance the KSP put over Mr. Fisher.

“Well, it was a nice party. Nice beer, excellent wine from Frescania brought by Mr. Villsun…”

“Oh, thank you Your Majesty…”

Robert gave a last sip in his beer glass.

“Well, today’s issue – the ultimatum and the Kingdom’s future…”

Colonel Kratz came out of his usual silence, visibly irritated

“Your Majesty, your father has gone too far. He will drag us into utter destruction if anyone finds out about the ‘other’ facility, if everyone knows what I am talking about…”

Mrs. Fisher nodded

“My husband informed me…”

“Good. Now, lady and gentlemen, any proposals for future action?”

Villsun, calm but slightly drunk, started to talk:

“Gentlemen – this is the time to act. You must be aware of what happened in Malachor – over 30 dead in peaceful demonstrations, including ultra-conservatives thinking Rikhard is too soft.. ah ah”

The beer made him laugh loudly with the thought of the simple existence of ultra-conservative groups thinking Rikhard was too soft.

“But, out of jokes… Even in Malachor people are protesting. We know that our own Seeshlossers would gladly revolt against Rikhard – but we must do this in a legal path. It is a moment of fragility to Rikhard – the people know he will probably yield before Kyiv…”

Volvgangsun interrupted Villsun

“I am sorry Professor Villsun, but you were speaking in a ‘legal path’… I think I’ve got an idea. What if a High Priest would put the possibility Rikhard’s Mandate of Heaven is revoked…”

“I’m sorry?” said Robert, surprised

“Ah, Mr. Volvgangsun, I know what you are talking about. There is a not-well known subtility of our constitutional tradition that we could exploit: any of us would be arrested should we criticize the King. However, and yes, I’ve read about it, any of the priests of the Temple of Vodenskove, that is, any of the High Priests, independently of rank, have total freedom of speech… Both the King and the High Priests are the earthly representatives of the Gods, and in the Hollesbuk dez Kong Krayts, one of our holy texts, Krayt writes about the possibility of a High Priest to question the King’s Mandate from Heaven… The High Priests are in such a position that just one of them saying that would require certain holy mechanisms to start to function, and a Grots Natsional Rad would have to be summoned – that would be a start… to question Rikhard’s legitimacy in public…”

Robert continued surprised

“Professor, are you sure such a mechanism is possible?”

“It is in the texts, it has to be obeyed. It was established as a mechanism to control the great power the King has. I must remind that Germanic monarchies were traditionally much more limited than their Latin or Eastern counterparts. It is the only means of controlling the King’s power… Of course, it was used only twice – in the end of the Empire and in 1232, when King Gerhard I was deposed after catastrophic raids by Ugric tribes… Most of the times the Great National Council is summoned is when the King is mentally ill – that’s how Rikhard ascended so young to the throne…”

The other guests were visibly impressioned and excited

“My son-in-law’s brother is friends with High Priest Gutlikt – he is the most ‘liberal’ and the younger of the High Priests – everybody knows that Rikhard is not very fond of him…” said Volvgangsun “As to in what grounds he would claim the loss of the Mandate from Heaven? The Kyivan ultimatum would be a good start, but he would have to work more. I’ll give him a little ‘incentive’…”

“That is great. I’ll communicate that to my husband – he will be very happy” said Mrs. Fisher

“Gentlemen, if my father’s legitimacy is questioned in public, and by a High Priest, our way will be much more facilitated. Let’s see how it turns out…”

Somewhere Else in Seeshloss

Gerhard Kofman woke up – he was dizzy, he was starving. He was immersed in complete darkness. As he moved, Anderson noticed he was awake and spoke lightly

“Gerhard, you woke up. I’ve been awake for more than three hours. I have no idea where we are, we have handcuffs and are tied up.”

Drops could be heard, echoing through what seemed to be a prison cell. As they heard steps, they stood still, holding their breath…

“Dë haven beofwaken Colonel…” (They have woke up Colonel)

“Dank dir Shiller…” (Thank you Shiller)

The door opened. As the corridor outside was not very lighted, they could only see a shadow, which was of Agent Durker.

“Velkom in di Durkerhëd herren…” (Welcome to darkness gentlemen)

He laughted a little bit, and turned on the light. Both Kofman and Anderson were visibly hurt, with bruises in their faces and dirt in their bodies. Durker was holding a taser.

“Now, we’ll first do this softly. Tell me more about you Mr. Anderson, I’m a very curious man…”

 

[The Federation]

Anderson looked up at his would be torturer and smirked, he had been been beat up and left to sit in the dirt for hours now but his training was coming in handy for this moment.

"Wow, for a closed up secretive country I was expecting something a little worse than a taser. Ask your questions I won't tell you anything. "


Innis MoCholmaig Air Force Base

The group of fighter jets taxied down the taxiway lining up to take off.

"MoCholmaig Tower, Whiplash Leader, we are ready for departure off runway one zero."

"Whiplash Leader, MoCholmaig Tower, formation departure approved, wind at one three zero at one two knots, runway one zero cleared for takeoff.

"Formation departure approved, clear for take off on runway one zero, Whiplash leader out."

The same was given to Blue Shield Squadron after Whiplash had taken off and climbed to cruising altitude. A total of ten planes cruised at mach speeds toward the Boganhem border. As they reached Blue Shield Squadron took position in front of Whiplash Squadron waiting for any SAM sites to begin bouncing radar signals off them.

"SAM radar detected, they are tracking us!" Blue Shield 1 yelled over the radio.

Several missiles were fired after locking onto the radar transmitters that began scanning them, the missiles moving off to their target sites.

"I am not showing anymore emitters going off we are in the clear to continue on toward the castle. Blue Shield Squadron shall continue scanning for more Radar sites." Blue Shield Leader radioed. Whiplash Squadron descended and slowed as they came closer to the castle. "There she is boys, we got a lock on her, awaiting clearance."

"Command has given the go ahead, fire missiles." Whiplash leader radioed.

The missiles left the planes and slammed into the castle producing massive secondary explosions.

"Holy shit! They must have had some serious equipment in there," said Whiplash 2.

They turned and passed over the castle launching another series of missiles into the hangars of the airbase that sat next to it.

"Huh, sure is quiet down there, I would have at least expected some fire coming off that island when we got close enough. You sure this is it?" Whiplash 3 queried.

"Uh, Roger, this is the castle in the briefing," Replied Whiplash Leader

"Whiplash leader, I can see a large amount of boats off in the distance sailing toward the shore of the lake. Should we give em a pass and see what it is?" Whiplash 2 asked.

"Affirmative," Whiplash Leader replied, "Give em a pass and see what it is."

Two jets broke formation and passed over the few remaining boats in the lake. A burst of machine gun fire came off the boats their tracers visible against the blue background of the lake.

"Oh shit, these guys just fired on us," Whiplash 2 called out.

"Whiplash 2, Command has cleared to engage those boats," Whiplash Leader said relaying the order.

The jets turned and fired their missiles, utterly destroying the few boats that were still left in the water.

"We got a hit, boats are out of commission."

"Roger, Whiplash 2, I am showing low on fuel anymore contacts out there?" Whiplash Leader asked.

"No sir, the coast is literally clear of anyone, just a bunch of boats up against the shoreline here. I think we missed the bulk of the evacuation."

"Fuck, alright, return to base, this is gonna be one hell of a debrief."

 

[Free Cities League]

Vodenskove, Goddhaus

Vodenskove was the religious capital of Boganhem. Lost among the mountains of Goddhaus, it was, literally, a cove, located in a valley and between high mountains. Right besides Vodenskove there was the Vodensberg, the highest mountain in Boganhem, 5400 mt high, that Bogans believe to be the stairway to heaven. For that reason, Vodenskove was full of temples and was probably the most pious city in Boganhem. It was not very big, it probably was short of having 10,000 inhabitants. Among those 10,000, almost a third were certainly priests.

In one of its streets a small car tried to park in a narrow spot. It eventually made it, and out of it came a man in a suit. He knocked on the door and a man in a long dark robe with green stripes on the sleeves and on the chest, appeared.

“Come in Fabian“

The door was closed quickly.

“Thank you so much for seeing my Your Honour, High Priest Kunn.”

“Fabian, cut the crap. We go a long way back, you are my friend and you can treat me
as such… Just because I have a special connection with the Gods… That means nothing.”

“Alright Gunnar…”

“So, I’ve thought about all you said… It puts me in a delicate situation, as you may of course understand…”

“And I do Gunnar”

Fabian Volgangsun had brought a suitcase with him. As the largest private banker of Boganhem, he was trusted and privileged by the Government, despite his non-noble origins. He opened the suit case. As he opened it, a green glow came out of it.

“It’s 1 million tallers. It’s a lot of money. If things get ugly, there is a way to get away to the Free Cities…”

High Priest Gunnar Kunn was somewhat nervous

“It’s a difficult situation… You know it.”

“Yes, but I also know what you and your fellow 6 High Priests are the only people in this country with impunity. You can say what I want you to say and never get arrested. If it doesn’t work out, you’ve misinterpreted the Gods…”

“You know I don’t believe that… I mean, I believe in the Gods, otherwise I wouldn’t be High Priest. But my experience tells me that this traditional way of understanding our religion is outdated and stupidifying – but I can’t reveal my position, otherwise I’d be killed. Not even being High Priest would spare me that one…”

“Follow your heart. You know that, if this works out, you’ll be at the top of everything when the change comes…”

“I’ll follow my heart, my friendship with you, my love for my country and my hatred of Rikhard and High Priest Grin.”
“Excellent. In what grounds will you say it?”

“Well, let’s just say that Voden convened with all of the good Gods in the Light World, and he revoked Rikhard’s mandate from heaven. To make all this clear, he sent those terrible snowstorms one month ago, the Kyivan ultimatum, the International Community’s hostility and so on. Of course, as a diligent priest I am, I did all those holy rituals: seen the guts of two eagles, went for a walk in the woods, etc.”

As he talked, excited, he filled two glasses of mead.

“Thank you so much Gunnar.”

“Fabian, my friend… You have to run as fast as you can. Position yourself in a way you can easily get to Lübeck. From the moment I pronounce that declaration, all of my friends will have background checks, all of my recent contacts will be scrutinized, and you’ll be no exception. I advise you not to stay. Return to Seeshloss tonight.”
Worried, Volfgangsun had to agree

“I thank you for your advice…”

“It’s the work of Donner we’re doing here. Voden is merely a referee, as you know. The true battle between good and evil isn’t fought by our Father, but between the other Gods – this will be a match between Donner and the forces of evil. Believe me Fabian, that King must have Locki and Durker inside him – he’s evil. But his son is not. I see Donner has some positive influence on him. If I die, I know that Donner will not forget my actions trying…”

Saying that, the High Priest was almost in a state of mystical ecstasy.

“I know Donner is on our side..”

“He is…”

Volfgangsun left the house discretely, turned on his car and ran as fast as he cold to Seeshloss…

Svart See

The boats with the evacuees were being severely hit by Bantyric fire after they’d fired. They were mostly boats from the navy, improvised to take the last soldiers out of the island. However, the Bantyric jet planes managed to sink two boats with civilian evacuees, mainly maintenance staff, though two high ranking researchers were there. After the first engagement, in which several patrol boats went down, the order was to disregard fire and try to reach the shore. Those who made it, survived, the others died in the cold waters of the Svart See, with the huge explosions in Byss seen in the background…

Konglishes Palats, Malachor

Rikhard V’s throne room was majestic and spectacular, with a gold and silver throne,
decorated with expansive tapestries documenting episodes of Boganhem’s history, several military memorabilia and, behind the throne, a huge coat of arms of Boganhem, a black eagle on a green background. Rikhard was sitting on the throne, visibly nervous and anxious. However, he knew he had to keep his cold and calm image to his subjects. So, when the doors opened, his majestic and elegant figure, dressed in full military uniform, got up.

In the throne room entered Chancellor Yurgen Toefel, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Army General fon Klinkerhove, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Frank fon Krakkenveld and Ditrik fon Ziost, the head of the KSP. Toefel was wearing his usual suit, and a dark green tie he always used when meeting with the King, both Klinkerhove and Ziost were wearing full military uniform, with the latter having a black patch saying KSP and a skull and bones emblem on his hat. Fon Krakkenveld was elegantly dressed with an expansive Franconian suit.

“Gentlemen. We are facing dangerous times… This is an emergency meeting that will determine our course of action for the next days...”

The King, trying the hide the fact he was nervous, continued.

“I’ve got information that Bantyric aircraft has engaged Bogan vessels. This probably means war, and so, I ask you Krakkenveld, to contact the Bantyric government, innocently asking if these were mistakes during some military exercise.”

“It’s a good idea Your Majesty. Should they fail to explain, should I threaten them with the possibility of a full-scale war?”

“Discretely”

“Of course…”

“Excellent. Meanwhile, General fon Klinkerhove, you will start mobilizing our troops, and transferring some units to Fiktemark and Goddhaus – we never know if Bantyr decides to invade us… Reinforce defence around the Grinveld facility too.”

“Your Majesty, but the odds…”

“Yes, I am perfectly conscious that the odds of us getting the better hand if we engage Bantyr are not very big – our Army, despite the excellent discipline, training and equipment, is absolutely unexperienced. I am a good leader general, you can constructively criticize what I say… I won’t kill you…”

“Yes Your Majesty”

“Good… As to the demonstrations. I count on you both, Toefel and Ziost, to suppress any attempt to undermine my person and my regime. I am Voden’s son and I rule with that right – anyone trying to take that away is certainly linked to Durker… You are licensed to order the summary execution should some famous dissenter appear, and of course, of those violent demonstrators should that be the case…”

The meeting was conducted very quickly, and Toefel, who knew the King like no one did, could see that. Worried, he asked the King, in private, after the others left.

“Your Majesty, you look so nervous and so tense…”

“Indeed Yurgen. I am. I see all of my regime crumbling – I am put in question externally, with verbal attacks, physical attacks and ultimatums. Even internally, where I thought I was respected, people start to put my rule in question! I cannot admit this, and I’ll do anything necessary, ANYTHING, to maintain my rightful rule. May Voden and Donner hear me! I’ll do anything…”

The King once again came out of his infamous calm and cool character. Toefel thought he was going insane by the unusual pressure and the handling of so many dangerous situations at once…

 

[Free Cities League]

Stats Sekretariat für Auttländer Ankelhëder

SECRET - to Bantyric Government

The Kingdom of Boganhem is intrigued by certain events in the Svart See, regarding the shelving of a Bogan island and the sinking down of Bogan patrol boats by Bantyric aircraft. We would like to know if that was a mistake within some military exercise, or something else.

Frank fon Krakkenveld, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs

 

[The Federation]

International Affairs
Poblachd na Bantyr

The Republic would like to express its deepest apologiesat this terrible tragedy that has befallen the both of us. Unfortunately the navigation equipment on the fighters involved in this incident had malfunctioned during a live fire training exercise at a nearby Air Force base proving grounds Our commanders and pilots did not realize the mistake until it was too late. We would have contacted you earlier on this subject but the internal fallout from this gross display of negligence has seized up some branches of our small government. If you would allow, I will personally fly to Malachor to apologize and discuss reparations for this monumental mistake. I await your response.

Signed,
Thomas Ferguson
Director of International Affairs
Republic of Bantyr

 

[The Federation]

Bangleann
Presidential Offices

"Sir this is not a total loss, we have struck deep into their nuke weapons producing facilities, this will set them back for a good while, while we plan our next move." Said General of the Army David Gillies.

The General stood before the desk of Malcolm Murdoch who had over the last few weeks become increasingly stressed out at the threat of the Bogan nuclear weapons program.

"I thank you for your confidence General Gillies, however I am convinced that we have royally screwed up. This calls for more action."

"A direct invasion sir?" Gillies asked nervously.

"Perhaps. However I am not keen to throw thousands if not hundreds of thousands of lives away in a war. We must pacify the Bogans another way. Hopefully faking a terrible navigation accident over the bombing of the Svart See facility will confuse them long enough to get a team in to make contact with the men who wish to subvert the reign of Rikhard. If we can remove him and get a regime change that is much more friendly to being open with us and abandoning their weapons program that we will have ourselves a bloodless victory over our fascist neighbor."

"Indeed sir, I can send a team with our representative to parachute out the back of the plane and make contact while the Foreign Affairs Director has their attention." The General said.

"That is if, General Gillies, they allow him to come and meet with their officials. If not than we must get them in a different way."

"Mr. President I think it would be wise to activate our *Guardrail Planes as soon as possible. If we can listen into their communications than we may be able to know their next move."

"Indeed that would be wise, do what you think will allow us to gain an upper-hand in this quiet conflict. Dismissed."

The General saluted and left the office to wait and hope the Bogans would allow Ferguson to meet with them.

*OOC: Guardrail planes fly near the borders and attempt to listen into enemy radio communications.

 

[The Federation]

Classified
WARNING!
This message will self delete and corrupt all memory devices it is stored on within three minutes.

To: Crown-Prince Robert
From: Bantyr

Don't ask how we acquired your contact information, suffice it to say, it took some digging. We have heard of the news that your father has been removed from Malachor and wish to make a deal. Since you are next in the line of succession we will supply you with support in the order of several spec ops teams and money to defeat your father if you, upon taking the throne, stop all nuclear research and hand it over. If you do not do this we will capitalize on the confusion in your nation and use it to our advantage to... let us put it this way, neutralize your nation as an effective fighting force.

Should you comply with our demands we will do everything in our power to make sure you get to the throne and hold on to it for the rest of your natural lives. Choose the option of peace, your majesty, for if you do, the future between our nations shall be prosperous and profitable, I guarantee it. Choose to defy us and your people will suffer pain unimaginable. An agent of ours has been captured by your father, if you know you father like we hope you do, then you will know where he is. Find him and release him, he will know a way to contact us. If you fail than I hope our gods have mercy on all of us.

 

[Free Cities League]

To: President Murdoch
From: Robert IV of Boganhem

TOP SECRET

Due to the current situation and the negative consequences the Grinveld programme had for Boganhem's good name, I ordered the programme to be suspended, having in sight the cautious dismantlement such a programme requires. As to your agent, we will try to find him, but it will not be easy until the administrative chaos settles down. We look forward to inaugurate a new chapter of good relations between our nations.

 

[The Federation]

To: Robert IV of Boganhem
From: President Murdoch

CLASSIFIED

We are glad to hear you have decided to suspend your program, however we would be like to have inspectors present at the dismantling of your nuclear materials if you would be so gracious as to allow them to come. Doing this would seal the future good relations between our two nations.

 

[Free Cities League]

From: Robert IV of Boganhem
To: President Murdoch

CLASSIFIED

We see no problem in it - when we start the dismantling, we shall notify you, so that your observers can watch the process in a timely manner.