La Plaza de Toros

[Ebria]

Valls

The news of the explosion took General Murillo by surprise. He was the commanding officer of the Valls Garrison and under the direct and official command of the General Staff and the Junta of National Defense, even if it was officially part of the 3rd Army. That was just an administrative element and is something that Murillo and Durran clashed over in the past years, as Luis Alonso Murillo chosen to see himself as an equal of Anibal Durran, as in the command chain, both had the same superior, even if he was officially under Durran.

“Sir, we received a communique from the government. President Gallego is still in hospital and until then, Dario Rios has taken over her responsibilities as per the governmental organigram. The retired general requested the institution of the state of emergency,” reported his adjutant, but Murillo remained quiet.

“We will need to ensure that the garrison is loyal,” stated Commissioner Juan David Gaos, the representative of the Ministry of Interior.

“You are right. I will take command of the Police, the Gendarmes, the Territorial Defense and the Armed Police Corps. I want you to order them to be mobilized,” stated Murillo looking at the map of the city. Two more officers were close by, following him. “The north and the south-western coast is where they will be coming from,” he added. “Defenses can be built along the coastal barrios. Make sure that every house, every apartment, every business is set up to be a defensible position. While from the north, we will have to work to build defensible lines through the campus of the Catholic University,” said Murillo, as he drew the lines along the La Tiburana neighborhood and the Ciudad Universitaria. “Gaos, I want your guys on the minute to work in building these fortified lines,” he added, looking towards the Commissioner, as the latter just nodded before going to make some calls.

“What of the soldiers of the garrison?” the adjutant asked, a bit concerned, but Murillo waved him off. “Mobilize the Territorial Defense Force. I understand the soldiers of the garrison have been kept away from the rest of the 3rd Army and are closer to me than Durran, but I want them to understand that in case they want to do anything crazy, they will need to fight superior enemies here,” said Murillo. “Cut all local barracks off the communication grid until we fully know they stand with us,” he ordered and the adjutant saluted and left to give out the orders.

He looked a bit on the map and sighed. “This will be a bitch to defend. We only have the Autopista to Santa Cruz and La Muella and even there, we have to ferry supplies from Baetica or the San Benito Bay,” he said to the other two officers. “Sir, the navy lost their Admiral, but Gabriel Carbonero Ayerbe was popular with the men, his death will be seen as an offence by the navy and they will be against this insurrection,” one of the officers said. Murillo sighed again. “The highway is extremely vulnerable, as the rebels will try to block it. We should prepare to fully depend on seafaring supply lines,” Murillo said.

Everyone’s attention was turned to the person who entered the chamber. “Dario,” Murrillo greeted Dario Rios, the vice-president of the Government. “Luis,” Rios greeted him back. “What’s the situation?” General Murillo asked him. “We lost contact to much of southern Trastamara, so they clearly stand with Durran and his insurrection, but we have the support of the 2nd Army, Nuoria, Hamrun and units of the 1st Army,” Rios responded. “Units of the 1st Army?” Murillo asked, a bit concerned and sceptical. “Sadly yes… let’s say that the CNT and UGT have a lot of influence over Baetica, so unless the unions stand with the Avila Accords, we can’t get their support,” said Rios concerned too. “Great… so we have a chance to fight a three way war, with these fascists on one side and the communists on the other…” the general said and he sighed again.

“Gallego is okay. She is as we speaking on a helicopter towards Sahagun. She will base the government there, where the north is fully behind us,” Dario Rios added. “What about you? You might have been in the military when you were younger, but you are pretty much the face of the national unity government against any anti-constitutional axis, you should be with her,” Murillo said, turning his eyes back towards the map and absently following a path that took a detour over Baetica, then the San Benito Bay, all the way to Sahagun, clearly the route of the governmental helicopter.

“I was a general before retiring, so it will be shameful to abandon the capital, unless it becomes clear we lose it,” Rios responded. Murillo shrugged. “This is the difference between us. You will leave it when its clear it is lost. I will leave it only on a coffin,” he muttered. “What is the status of his majesty?” the general then added. “It seems that he is in a critical status and needs multiple surgeries after the bombing. I asked the medics to take him with Ana Isabel Gallego to Sahagun, but it seems its too risky,” Dario Rios said. “Too risky? And a city that will be under siege for it’s the number one target isn’t risky?” Murillo asked, annoyed. “They pretty much said, that considering his status, he will die on the way. I then decided to keep him here, at least they can provide better healthcare. If he dies, we can say he died as a martyr in the city,” Dario Rios added. Murillo raised his gaze from the map and looked at him and then slowly nodded. “Good decision,” he said.​

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Rijeka
The brightly rubin colored fluid in her glass was almost hypnotic twirling around in the glass. She had poured herself a glass of wine, but she couldn't drink it. It wouldn't solve anything. It wouldn't even take her mind off of things.

She had always known it. Not just suspected. Known.

Now she could no longer deny it. What was her husband working as? Not some lowly pencil-pusher for one of the Commissariates, as he had always weakly and vaguely insisted. He had always been surprisingly busy whenever there was a war or a crisis going on. Now he had to leave for a work trip of indeterminate length, very suddenly, the momet a war breaks out in far-off Ebria. It was too obvious, he hadn't even bothered coming up with a good lie for her sake.

What was she going to tell their son? Your father is a spy?

Amérida
The bulky CT-7 transport plane was a rough ride. Intended primairly for the transport of heavy equipment, it had little in terms of comforts for its passengers and it was noisy, the four engines massively overpowered for what little weight it was transporting on this trip. However, Marcus Rupnik thought that he was aptly rewarded for enduring this trip by the sights and smells of Ebria. Located on the same latitude as his homeland, the gentle weather of the Meridian spring was something else, nonetheless.

The plane was evacuating Commonwealth citizens stranded in Ebria on the eve of the unfolding civil war, that was the official story and to be fair, it was true. It just wasn't the whole story. Coming with Marcus, hastily appointed special envoy to the as-of-yet undeclared Republic of Ebria, was a small army of military and political advisors, army trainers and attachés, as well as intelligence officers and spies. Ebria wasn't going to fall to a Mezhist caudillo, they would make sure of it.

- - -

"This is what the Internationale advises you to do," Marcus eyes focused on the man in front of him, a Labor Union official who was visibly nervous. His homeland was engulfed in a civil war and he was looking for guidance. Marcus was here on behalf of some politicians sitting hundreds of kilometers away, offering that guidance, but without having to suffer the consequences if their choices should turn out to be the wrong ones. He pushed that thought aside and focused on maintaing and calm and confident posture for the sake of the man in front of him.

"Proclaim the Republic. Do it, before the remains of the government can. It is a foregone conclusion, there is no world in which either you or Valls can accept Alfonso, not with the rabid dogs he has unleashed upon your country. Invite the acting government into an emergency interim coalition, but make it clear to them that you are willing to defend your nation, but you are not willing to die to save their hold on power.

While they are fighting over Valls, we will help you build up an independent force. The Commonwealth is ready to provide substantial material aid to arm and train socialist militias. This will need, more than anything, time. Whether you can form a popular front against the Mezhists with the government remains is of secondary importance. What is more important is to get time to prepare to remove the Alfonsists. Our current projections say they will take Valls, but there will be a prolonged battle.

Furthermore, the situation gives you the chance to consolidate power where you have the necessary political assets. Manpower, mostly, and the will to act quickly. Detain political and economic figures not loyal to your cause. Charge them with supporting the coup. Whether the charges are true is of secondary importance, the arrested individuals can be acquitted after the Republic is won and get an apology. The confusion of the early days of the civil war and all that. What is important now is to act quick. The people of Ebria know who to fight against, they don't know what to fight for. Give them that cause."

 

[Ebria]

Amérida

Lucas Hernández y Castro was hosting the Carentanian man, which has arrived to Amérida from the Socialist Commonwealth. He was in a meeting representing the CNT, the National Confederation of Labour, the more moderate of the two big trade unions and was joined by the mayor of the city, Enrique Correa, and Juan Antonio de la Cruz, the chairman of UGT, the General Union of Labour.

"I understand the position of the International, and of the Commonwealth too, and I think my colleagues here understand it too, but there is something that me and señor Correa share, and that is the concern that a quick and rushed declaration of the republic, especially if its done solely by Baetica and the unions. We fear that it will push more people into the hands of the Alfonsists. We must do a popular front first and foremost, in our view. Eliminate the Alfonsists first, and then slowly but surely use the trade unions' influence to slowly turn to the republic to the left," said Hernández y Castro to the Carentanian.

"The idea is that the Social Liberal Party has been the moderate wing of the old Republican Union and the Neo-Chartists too can support us, as it is clear that so much effort has been put on the Ávila Accords, but it is not us, against whom the accords were directed at, but the royal house who betrayed us. Clearly señora Gallego and señor Ríos will understand this and make sure that any Manuelist faction is dead without a clear claimant and their ownly chance is to side with us and turn the resistance into the republican faction," said de la Cruz, the head of the UGT.

The local government of Amerida and the trade unions have already sent a delegation to Sahagún, where Ana Isabel Gallego and the rest of the cabinet has set up their headquarters, to discuss the aftermath of the death of Manuel III and what it means for the Avila Accords that the Duke of Calatrava, Infante Alfonso, who was the 3rd in line to the throne after Infanta Maria, which is declared illegitimate because of her conversion to Lutheranism.

"In our eyes, the royal house betrayed the people and the constitution, and there are many signs that it's not only in ours, as in trade unionists and leftists. In the end, this isn't the middle ages where all our identities gravitate around our sovereign. This is a matter of democracy and freedom, versus tyranny," continued UGT.

"It is important to understand that as much as the people are now disgusted by Alfonso, we must not alienate them by being too radical, we should present ourselves as the agents of democracy and resistance, which is more like coincidentally a republican banner too. During the war, if our militias become more and more popular, the popularity of the ideology and the movement will improve too. It is important to understand that our take on the world must be: who is not against us is with us, rather than who is not with us is against us," commented Hernández y Castro. ​

 

[Pelasgia]

Meridian Sea

Two civilian tankers under a Pelasgian merchant flag headed straight to the city of Calatrava in @Ebria. Aboard them was old Pelasgian materiel, normally consigned to storage, such as

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APCs,

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1 IFVs and

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MRLS trucks. Small arms, such as

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battle rifles and

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RPGs also figured in various crates. The most notable cargo perhaps were 6 MEA-4 "Simaioforos" (

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) and 2 batteries of AAS207 "Kymballon" (

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). The second freigther had been covertly converted for passenger use, and it carried some 2,000 men of the Pelasgian Far Southern Company's mercenary force. Once this seemingly ordinary civilian fleet reached the Rebel-controlled areas, it would provide much needed aid to Ebrian Third Army.

On the way, it had no intention of stopping, since it was transiting through international waters—until reaching Ebria, that is. There it would only enter through the areas under Alfonsist control, and it would only respond to Alfonsist authorities, even if that meant fighting. To ensure this, a small force of mercenaries of the PFSC patrolled both ships, arms at the ready. Though, concealed as they were and under a civilian flag, there would be no need for that most likely.

---

Antiochia, Aresura

Giorgos Pavlopoulos was perhaps the most generic Pelasgian man one could think of. A fisherman by trade, and a head of the local Pelasgian Orthodox Union of Fishermen and Dockworkers in Antiochia, he split his time between home, work, coffee shops, bouzoukia and ouzeries, and, on occasion church. The only remarkable activity of his was that really set him apart was his leading role in the Society of Saint Tiberius the Great, a Pelasgian nationalist society that sought the "reunification" (as they termed it) of Aresura with "Metropolitan" Pelasgia. As with other unionist groups, the Society supported some kind of special status for the region, with its membership including Pelasgian Catholics and even Muslims and Jews, who wished that Aresura would be able to retain its pluriconfessional and unique character and socio-economic system, while being officially part of the Pelasgian Nation-State.

The less wholesome aspect of Pavlopoulos' work, of course, was his contact with Pelasgian Intelligence. Unlike other Propontine assets in the ethnically Pelasgian overseas territory of @Radilo, Pavlopoulos did not answer to the Foreign Intelligence Service or any other Krypteia successor agency; no, his orders came directly from Pelasgian military intelligence, specifically the Naval Counterintelligence Directorate (DAN). On the morning of February 28, DAN forwarded him a message in its classic fashion: out at sea when passing close to a Pelasgian fishing vessel, by throwing a bottle with an encrypted message his way. The key had been provided the previous week in much the same way, and it was specific to the message. Pavlopoulos decoded, memorised and then destroyed both documents, tearing them and throwing them in the water.

The message, which he relayed to a meeting of the Society that night was simple: gather outside the local Governorate demanding the Union of Pelasgia with Aresura or "Enosis." After a few fiery speeches, the Society was ready to comply. After all, it was only a simple protest that was being asked of them...​

 

[Tarusa]

Valls

The Imperial Embassy, while many others were in the process of evacuations and trying to get their people out of the middle of the city, changed hands of whom was in charge, from the ambassador to the Okhrana. The Operations officer Boris Shvets was now the man in charge of the Embassy and the consulates of the Empire across the Kingdom of Ebria. He was ensuring the Embassy had itself in order and would continue to act in the interests of the Emperor. He was quick to call the Gallo-Germanian command in WestMark and notify them of the situation requesting that personnel be readied in the event of an emergency evacuation, but they were currently not requesting such.

As the 3rd army was approaching, and the media was carrying out an propaganda campaign against the Traditionalists, but the traditionalists were a popular party and they needed to play off of that popularity and help the 3rd army and Alfonso rally them to the cause. He pulled several staff members to the files in the basement, they began pulling the dossiers of those whom worked at the Alcazar of Valls, they were looking for a couple of susceptible targets they could use. As they worked thru the night he was brought the folders of two men who had worked there that the staff deemed as easily turncoat to their cause. Adan Villarruel and Jorge Picado, a groundskeeper and cook. These two men just did not have the luck of those they had served taking care of, one of the men did not have any family that would be left behind and the other only his wife. They were perfect.

In a city under siege two vehicles pulled off the embassy grounds, each to the apartments of these men. The doors were kicked in by the armed agents who were purposely wearing identification as officers of Valls. As they found their targets who were quickly bagged and thrown into the vehicles and taken back to the embassy and each put into a room to await Boris. He waited, read their files a little bit more before choosing the room he would enter first.

I am sorry Mr. Villarruel for how we had to extract you from your home, but we couldn't take chances. We are not the police, obviously. I know you were an orphan, you have tried to make a better life of yourself and thought working the grounds of the royal family would be a good start. Instead you find yourself doing lowly work and struggle to survive in this expensive city. You are still a young man, you have only been on this earth for 25 years, and you have a lot of life left to live. Dying in a city that is being torn in two is not a good way to die, and a new life could be yours, a life you dreamed of in the homes.

He could tell he had slightly peaked the interest of his target, so he continued on.

The Empire of Tarusa is prepared to help with this, and it only takes you agreeing. We will give you 5,000 reale right now, and will have an account in Ostmark in your name by the time your in the Embassy of Ostmark with 1 million euromarks. Ostmark is a cheap place to live, that much money can go a long ways in establishing you a significantly better life.

He saw the look of agreeance from his turncoat sitting across from him who nodded in agreement. Very good, I will be right back.

With this Boris walked into the room of Picado and fine tuned his speech to suit Jorge in the other room where he ended up with a similar result of agreement before he brought the two men together into the same room.

"Gentlemen, false evidence has been left in your apartments linking you to plans for the bombing of the Alcazar. You will be dropped off outside of the Ostmark embassy this morning where you will request asylum from the political crisis unfolding in your country and safety within the Embassy. Ostmark is known for its humanitarian stance internationally, they will accept you, this has already been arranged." He knew the very last part was just a lie, but the rest of it was true, the only thing they had not done was arranged for them to be extracted.

"You will then proceed to use social media and make it known that you killed the king and the generals, and only wish it had been all of the kings military advisors as the government and the military is corrupt and the military was a tool of the government to oppress the people and forced the accords to keep the monarchy. That the traditionalists party needs to be bled from this country so it can start new under a party of the people. I will give you each an hour to remember all of this, your co-conspirators and responsible for the greatest loss of life since the assassination of Emperor Yuri and the death of Ivan, neither of their assassins have been found. I can tell you, they have a nice life still doing what they have wanted, so will you two gentleman.

Wien

Ambassadors and other high ranked staff in foreign countries often times knew each other from mingling at state affairs as representatives of their governments. It was no surprise to the Ebrian Ambassador when he had his counter-part from Tarusa at his door this evening, after all his country was imploding and the Tarusans were very quiet over the ordeal for the most part, a stark difference from the times before.

Fyodor as he was known in the political arena, prefering to go by his first name as it was more friendly and made others always feel more comfortable as if they had some sort of a relationship already, was helped inside where small chat between the two ambassadors over a couple of Ostmarkian beers before Fyodor cut to the chase.

"Your country is falling apart, the two warring factions are currently busy killing each other and the leadership that is defending Valls is choosing to stubbornly hold out in the city which will cost thousands of innocent lives instead of choosing to withdraw and declare Valls a free city to save the populace. Your people voted on the constitution that re-established the royal family after the brief republican upheaval, your a man who has sworn himself to the values of his people and his Kingdom and King. One diplomat has already turned as they are disgusted by the Republicans and how they are painting the traditionalists with propaganda, the people who make up a very large chunk of the population.

Both sides are accusing the other of being the responsible party, when it was the duty of the 3rd army which is headquartered in Valls to move immediately following the events in the capital city to ensure security for the city and protect their supreme commander, the King. It is impossible to know who truly is responsible until someone comes forward. The constitution of your nation calls for a king, the line of succession leads to Alfonso and this is a man who's party supporting him secured over 40% of the vote in the parliament. The time to pick the winning side, to pick the rightful side that is under attack from the leftist parties that look to dismantle the institutions of the Kingdom once more. Be one of the first in the political arena to back Alfonso and perhaps keep your post here in Ostmark, or maybe even get yourself a better posting, and make your life a little bit more comfortable."

Fyodor slid a piece of paper across the desk with an account number on it.

"10 Million Euromark, its all yours if you understand the story that needs to be told and choose the allegiance to Alfonso. Once we know where you stand, it will be cleared"

Propontis

Peter Petlin was the Tarusan Ambassador to Pelasgia, the man had more than his work cut out for him as Pelasgian political circles were in a constant shuffle, it was something he and the other staff had jokes about, even with some other Ambassadors at the state events. He had been given a message from the Ministry to call forth his Ebrian counter-part, and when he arrived for dinner they began their discussion for the night. The back and forth conversation, and talking about how the Ebrians are cut from a different cloth as they were quick to the willingness to kill each other from the death of a king, and a similar agreement to that offered in Wien.

--------------------------------------------

The Okhrana and Foreign Ministry had made their first moves to begin to take the narrative. They had managed to find themselves two men who would act as if they had played a part in the attack that had killed their king and kick started the civil war, and flipped two Ebrian ambassadors to supporting Alfonso as the King of Ebria and call for the republicans to stand down and withdraw from Valls

((wrote with ovis permission and preview))

 

[Angliarique]

Carpathia City, Angliarique Empire

It was a cold night in Carpathia. Lt General Soerkz Polat had been ordered by the Crown Commander to relocate some of his men from their camp in Carpathia.

"Sir, I have informed those who needed to be informed of the relocation. Sir!" An officer informed, as he shouted at Polat. "All 8,000 of them?" Polat questioned. "Yes, sir! All 8,000 Sir!" The officer assured.

"Also, sir where are we going to anyway? You didnt say anything about that." The officer asked, curiously. "You'll be informed by the DSB soon." Polat answered. He continued, "It's top secret."

DSB Carpathian Branch, Angliarique Empire

Standing upright in front of 8,000 infantrymen of the Carpathian Regimental Forces, a DSB official began his speech, informing the men of their highly-secretive mission.

"You must know why you're all here. Probably to know a little secret? Since, we're all at the DSB?" The official quipped.

"Yes! That's right, today I'm gonna let you all in on something." He continued.

"The Crown Commander has authorised the immediate relocation of this division. Where to, you may ask? To Csengia." He announced.

"We are all going to Csengia. We will depart from Carpathia in 6 hours. So, pack everything you need. Make sure you have your rations. Make sure you have weapons. And make sure that everyone is accounted for. We will not leave here with one soul missing!" He stated.

"Sir, yes sir!" The division roared in agreement.

"If you have any further questions. Please refer them to your superiors. Thank you." The official ended, while nodding to Lt General Soerkz Polat.

En route to Csengia, International Airspace

9 civillian jumbo jets were on their way to Csengia.

A message was relayed from the DSB to the Okhrana informing them of arrival at Csengia within 3 hours. The message included brief information about the aircrafts, so that they could be correctly identified.

The planes carried much valuable men and cargo, about 2 brigades were spread across the 9 planes, that climbed to a height of 43,000 ft. They flew far apart from each other all bearing a tacky commercial brand name, that would appear to anyone as if it were just a routine flight between two areas, taking place. Nothing out of the ordinary.

About 2 hours and 30 minutes into the flight, the squadron of planes were soon to approach Halaszbastya International Airport. So, the respective pilots announced through the planes' speaker systems, "We are making our approach to Halaszbastya now. I repeat, we are making our approach to Halaszbastya now. Estimated arrival time, 05:00."
​

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Amérida

At least on the surface, the city was a sea of calm in a roiling storm. Stronghold of the unions that it was, Amérida was about the only city in the country now that hadn't seen massive protests or even riots against whichever side happened to hold it at the time. Amérida was where its people wanted it to be, firmly at the center of the Republican movement.

Perhaps, there was some wisdom in the fact that the union leaders did not let the mood in Amérida dictate their moves, that they hadn't rushed to proclaim the Republic on their own, socialist terms, as Marcus Rupnik had suggested on behalf of the Internationale and the government of the Commonwealth. For the likes of Aram Ajemian at least, it had made things significantly easier. He didn't share the worries of Marcus, who had been grinding his teeth about the risks of this constitutionalist strategy ever since. "You've put all the power into the hands of your Supreme Court now," he could be heard arguing. "If they don't agree with the legal arguments of the current government, the Republic is dead on arrival."

With the old government firmly onboard of the cause from day one, without the need for lengthy negotiations about an emergency coalition, Aram had gotten clearance from the authorities rather quickly and their recruitment and training efforts had access to all of Ebria not currently held by the Mezhists, not just the areas dominated by the Socialists. They had barely gotten started on this - and the speed with which they had managed to establish a rudimentary organizational structure and set up first recruitment offices in major cities was a point of pride for Aram - when the news of the massacre in Villareal came. With each passing hour now came more eyewitness reports and first shaky video evidence from phone-cameras and with each of these, more and more volunteers began flooding into the offices.

This was truly a civil war now. Not a war between factions in the military and the government, but a war involving the whole of the people.

However, consummate professional that he was, Aram also knew that their strategy was a long-term one. Protests like the one shot to pieces in Villareal or the uprising still hanging on in Calatrava would soon subside and frontlines would harden. The war would become one of attrition and that's when the Commonwealths support would begin to tip the balance. It would take months to train and arm the militias and that was just focusing on infantry tactics and handing out small arms, RPG's and maybe man-portable air defense systems. If the war dragged on even longer, training on artillery, tanks, maybe even planes would have to follow.

Or maybe, Aram thought, they all got lucky. Maybe this war ended sooner than everyone anticipated. The insurrection crushed by the majority of the armed forces that had sided with the Republic, their legitimacy eroded by the massacres conducted in the name of the royal pretender. Then the new Republic would find itself with a Socialist movement radicalized by the past failures of compromise and appeasement, and more importantly, with a now armed mass following.

 

[Pelasgia]

Antiochia, Aresura

Giorgos Pavlopoulos was at the protest—so were others. For all their criticisms of Radilan rule, it was a freedom that was allowed them, quite unlike Pelasgia, where trying to stage an anti-government demonstration was probably proof of suicidal intent or some mental disorder associated with an inability to appreciate risk. At any rate, he had gone in expecting a few hundred people at best, only to see several thousands, all organized overnight.

The Pelasgians really had gone out of their way to bring everyone out—but why now? Was it to intimidate Radilo? At any rate, the machinations of Propontis were as shadowy to Pavlopoulos as to anyone else. It was at this point that his friend, Markos, came within his sight. Walking over to greet his friend—a Propontine Catholic, but a supporter of Enosis nonetheless—Giorgios noticed that his friend was holding a plastic document folder, in bright red like that of his friends.

“What’s this?” he asked, curiously. “Back to school?” Markos laughed almost too loudly, as if to be noticed, before leaning in and clarifying. “It was given to me by our common friend, if you get my meaning. They told me to read it at the height of the protest.”

“I see,” Giorgos asked. Markos knew the Pelasgian spooks better than him—an Orthodox Pelasgian and someone with connections in the local underworld who could get things done, the nightclub owner was much more trustworthy and useful to the cause. Of course, at times, one wondered whether those connections were a liability. “Is it finally time?”

“It seems so,” Markos said after a moment’s hesitation. He turned around and climbed on top of a nearby water fountain. “Compatriots, lend me your ears! For eight hundred years, since the Great Himyari Crusade, we have lived under foreign rule. Yet, we remain, in race and in tongue, Pelasgians, regardless of faith. How many generations have our families spent quietly praying for Enosis, before we were openly allowed to manifest politically a few decades ago? Has this not gone on long-

A bullet whistled through the air, lodging itself in Markos’ heart. Fired from the rooftop of a nearby building, this was evidently the work of a sniper. As the crowd stood stunned, a few more rounds followed randomly through the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, the protesters dispersed in total panic, running through the streets of Antiochia as if in a bullfighting tournament in Ebria. The sniper grabbed his rifle (a Radilan standard-issue weapon bought on the black market) and rushed downstairs along a pre-planned path, disappearing somewhere in the city’s bowels. His job, at any rate was done.​

(OOC: Pre-approved with @Radilo )

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgo-Aresuran Border; Eastern Meridian Sea

(For breakdown of forces involved see

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.)

On midnight before March 1, 2024, the Pelasgian shortwave radio station at Mavri Petra, buried deep inside the White Mountains of central Himyari Pelasgia, broadcasted its first ever “Titan Four”-tier message. Instead of being followed by a long stream of letters and numbers, the message was relatively short, giving confirmation to pre-given orders. Shortly thereafter, precisely at 00:15 Propontis Time, on PERT World, the globally-broadcasted radio station that could be tuned into from every end of Europe,

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Καὶ τῶρα τὶ θὰ γένουμε χωρὶς βαρβάρους.
Οἱ ἄνθρωποι αὐτοὶ ἦσαν μία κάποια λύσις.
Now what’s going to happen to us without barbarians?
Those people were a kind of solution.

The message was clear. On the early morning hours of March 1, before dawn, strategic bombers took off and deployed anti-shipping missiles from a long distance against the naval fleet of @Radilo, the sole carrier group remaining docked at Valetta. Before the bombs had arrived, the entire strength of the West Himyari Air Command, supported by elements of the Haemus Air Command, had already taken off. Its task? Bombing Radilan military positions in Aresura and Valetta. In Aresura, the targets focused on military installations and defences, while in Valetta there was a special focus on the naval units stationed in the latter while still in port.

During this onslaught, the men of the Pelasgian Second Army, with their tanks and armoured vehicles, poured through the Aresuran border, aiming to punch as far deep into the territory as they could. The rear-echelon units of the Fourth Army would cover their advance and secure them against stay-behind Radilan units, while they focused on destroying or capturing as many of the outnumbered Radilan troops and materiel as they could. The primary focus of the Pelasgian Army was to advance rapidly, in order to reach Antiochia and Santi Apostoli and to take them by storm. If possible, the Army also intended to advance to and deny the enemy use of the critically important oil fields of Aresura (or Peraica, as the Pelasgians called that specific part of the region).

Aided in this they were by the paratrooper forces stationed in the West Himyari Military District, who would use the aircraft and helicopters available to them to attempt and capture airports and airfields in Aresura and Valetta. Once the airports of Antiochia, Santi Apostoli and Valetta were secure, more troops could be safely ferried in using transports. But for the first wave, some 10,000 paratroops were what the Pelasgians would rely on for all three locales, hoping that the advance of their ground troops and the success of their Navy would be enough to compensate for any setbacks.

The Navy in question, now assembled in its massive entirety in the Eastern Meridian had one single task: to destroy the Radilan fleet anchored in Valetta, annihilating around a third of Radilo’s primary naval force before the rest could return from Nuovo Porto and Ebria. With the pre-deployed submarine fleet securing it against such a return by delaying any Radilan naval reinforcements in the West Meridian and harassing them along the way, the Pelasgian ships had time to launch their attack. With neither mercy nor hesitation, all four Pelasgian naval fleets fell upon the single carrier group in Valetta, seeking to consign it to the depths of the sea and determined not to rest until not a single ship belonging to it remained.

Once that was complete, the elite 4,000 Marines carried by the fleet would disembark to secure a landing spot on the island, and to allow more troops to be ferried in from nearby Makri.​

 

[Ebria]

Las Mesas

The ayuntamiento of Las Mesas was transformed into a temporary headquarter for the 3rd Army, as Calatrava revolted. The move was made quickly and in secrecy by General Duran, who didn't want the world to know that he moved away to have his base a bit further from the action. We was in the mayor's office, together with Infante Alfonso, the loyal mayor and two more generals.

"If they find out we left, the town, it will be a huge PR loss," said Alfonso, clearly still freaked out by the violence of the unionist revolt in Calatrava. "They won't, calm down," said Duran seating himself on the large desk chair, with the mayor and the Infante in smaller chairs in front of him. "Even so, it's better than to lynch you on the streets," muttered the mayor, and thus earning the evil glances of both other men.

"The idea is, Calatrava is supposed to be sacred for the crown! It's the crown capital of Trastamara, it's the big one of the two Ebrian kingdoms! We need to take it back!" said Alfonso, beginning to freak out more and more. Anibal Duran lost his own patience and outright rose from the chair, lounged himself over the desk and slapped Alfonso, to the shock of everyone in the room. "Deeply sorry for that," he said after he sat himself down again and sighed, to the great shock of everyone, especially Alfonso, who was holding his still burning right chin with his hand. "I had to stop you from spinning in that vicious circle," the general explained.

At a sign, an adjutant brough forth a map of the nation. "I'll be honest, gentlemen and your highness. The people are radicalised and will make problems for us, like in Calatrava and Villareal. Even if we win, if we don't push this nation through a chemotherapy, to eliminate the tumours that are the followers of anarchism and communism, we will never ensure that the nation will be great or at peace again. Let me be real for a second. This war is a tragedy for us too. Villareal was a tragedy for us too, not only for the victims, but if we don't bring forth a nation united and a generation that is cleansed of its impure elements, we will be in a continuous vicious circle of war and lack of faith in state, nation and society, that such wars will just happen again and again regularly until there will be no Ebria left. I know it is a PR victory for the anarcho-communists when elements like the pacification of Villareal happen, but even so, we will know that forever from now on, Villareal will be cleansed," General Anibal Duran said.

"There's now the problem of my cousin, Maria," Alfonso said. "She wants to return. Reconvert again and hope she becomes legitimate to take the crown," he added. Duran smirked. "Useless. She will annoy her fellow Protestant Germanics by doing that and also the Catholics for being fickle," the general stated. "What we need is to fully make you seem like the King, not just an uncrowned heir. We need to either take Valls and make you a proper King at the Almudena Cathedral, or calm Calatrava down to build up a show like a Trastamara king from the Middle Ages at the San Fermin Abbey," he continued.

"We could calm down Calatrava like Villareal," the mayor stated too, a bit more shyly as everyone in the room looked at him. "No, I'm not releasing Mendez and the Silvershirts on them, as its too soon, I don't want to create martyrs. We will need to concentrate on Valls at the moment, and try our best to calm people in Calatrava down in more... milder ways," Duran stated. "Two brigades are there, but I want the police and territorial defence to sort it out, as they are... milder, in their responses," he added, and then turned to Alfonso. "In the meantime, I want you to become our face in public relations. Show that we are in Calatrava and we're the true legitimists," he ordered him.​

 

[Radilo]

Naval Command Center, Doge's Palace, Nouvo Porto

The White (conservative political party) Governor of Aresura Markos Terakos, was speaking via encrypted video call to the assembled war cabinet: Prime Minister Isabella Lacé, Foreign Minister August Bonapolo, Superintendent General Admiral Jane Oslo, Chancellor Xi Maria, Opposition Leader Giuseppe Piero, Commandant of the Marines Admiral Emanuele Santori, Commandant of the Air Force Admiral Luigi Meccia, Commandant of the Self Defense Forces General Elena Kallou, and M.

"Nothing about this makes a lick of sense, protests are common, and reactionary reunificationists ones are not unheard of. But a shooting, that sort of thing hasn't happened before," said the Governor, nervously.

"It was likely meant as a sort of casus belli for whatever the Pelasgians are planning," M interjected.

"I'm not delusional in thinking that such reunification ambitions are not widely held in Aresura?"

"No, Prime Minister, you are not delusional. The people here have lived under Radilan rule for 800 years, and lived under democracy for 200. Even the 20 or so percent who are Orthodox do not identify with the state of Pelasgia. They're citizens of the Republic, through and through. They see the oppression that resides on the other side of the border. The large number of queer immigrants alone attests to that."

"Thank you for your help Governor, reiterate to everyone that we are on high alert and that an attack may be imminent--the distribution of weapons to able bodied citizens will continue, you will be aided by the local Militia there," the Prime Minister said, hurriedly.

"Yes, Prime Minister," he said, saluting before the screen shut off.

"We have about half of our Self Defense forces in Aresura?"

"Yes," General Kallou said, "Fully deployed we have 30k Troops, 95 tanks, and enough arms and armor to move them around and counter an attack. We also have every 16-20 year old deployed in militia units... so if the intelligence is right and they are planning a major assult--a lot of people are going to die. Without the marines I don't know how long we can hold."

"And the Marines and their equipment are currently in Valetta," Admiral Santori injected.

"The waters around there will be swimming with submarines," Admiral Oslo said.

"I've spoken with El Presidente, we are pulling all of our naval forces from I Caribi, and the Josephinos have agreed to assume the security for the Nuovo Mundi," the Prime Minister said, "our forces there are making a dash towards Valetta."

"Our forces based in l'Oriente will have start to hunt for submarines at the fringes of the choke points around Tephaon and in the Southern Meridian. Try to draw them away from the main fight. We will also have our destroyers hunt for them in the open ocean, the Corvettes near the shores."

"We have an air advantage, but that's only as long as we can keep our aircraft carriers intact," injected Admiral Meccia, "we do have the capacity to blow up the damn subs with torpedoes, if we can get a good location on them."

"Possible, but risky," M said.

"Do we know their plans for an opening assault?" the Prime Minister asked, looking at M.

"We have a good idea, a bit of well-reasoned military analysis--and while they tend to exaggerate it in their propaganda... we do have a lot of spies lurking about their country."

We've already started preparing the DeVain Fleet, docked here, to go where they need to. The Ofrei Fleet is in Ebria. The Suleiman Fleet is station in Valetta--that will be their main target," the Prime Minister said to everyone and no one.

"We have air defenses ready. And we'xll put the fighters up as soon as they make a move, we can have more than 103 fighters out," Admiral Meccia said.

"The Aerial advantage will help us fight against their land invasion," General Kallou said.

"We will now rely on the fighting skills of Airforce pilots, and Navy captains, Marines, Guardsmen... and teenagers," Prime Minister Lacé said, somewhat distraught.

"As has every war in history, Captain General," M said, coldly.

"Before I would say that we will have democracy or we will have brutality... it seems both are possible. Fighting is all we can do now..." Isabella said, her expression hardened as she began stealing herself.

In the proceeding days the Militas had been called up and weapons distribution depots had been handing out SA32s out to all abled bodied adults. Long term provisions were distributed, bunkers were prepped, and everyone was on standby. It was just like they had been practicing for two years now, only now it was real.


OOC: sorry this post took so long--so its a bit backdated, and I apologize if I made a fool of myself with the military stuff, it is not my strong suit. Also the carrier groups are named after 20th c Radilan leaders.

@Pelasgia @Ebria @Josepania

 

[Angliarique]

Halaszbastya International Airport, Csengia

The squadron of 9 planes landed at Csengia. And the 2 brigades hastily departed from their planes, when the aircrafts came to a halt.

The 1st brigade under the command of Col Richeard Holkes, comprised 4,000 infantrymen. And, the 2nd brigade under the command of Col Heiwark Laer, comprised 4,000 infantrymen. Together, they were a combined force numbering 8,000 men. And both colonels are serving under the command of BG Edmund Poer, the son of former Crown Commander, Lredry Poer.

The brigades marched in an orderly manner to the airport's terminal, where they awaited further instructions.

For what seemed like a long 15 minute wait. The brigades sat on the floor of the airport, all eager to attend to the commands of BG Edmund Poer.
Soon, the time came. As Poer got up off the floor, and stood upright, towering over his subordinates who were already standing by his side.

Holding up a large yellow piece of what seemed like paper, or rather a set of plans. He began his brief speech.

"We are gathered here today, on the invitation of our allies. The Csengian people have welcomed us here, let us not make fools of ourselves. So, be on your best behaviour."

"Let's set some ground rules. Firstly, there will be no mingling with Csengian civilians. Second, all communication must only be between Csengian military officials and our two brigades. Do not speak to journalists!"

The crowd roared with laughter after Poer's last quip.

"Well, I guess these are what we need to take note of. Next, I'm sure most of you are very tired, so please do rest. I'll be back in an hour or two. Meanwhile, Colonel Holkes and Colonel. Laer will take care you."

Poer then left the terminal to a meeting room in the airport's control tower.
There, on an uncomfortable cold metal chair, sat a tan and rather chubby man, Csengian Colonel Horvah Vikthorr.

"Mr. Laer... Welcome!" Horvah greeted.
"It's Brigadier General Edmund Poer to you!" Poer quipped.
"Oh! Drop the formalities!" Horvah retorted.
"Horvah nice to meet you!" Poer greeted.

The two happily shook hands, and got to business.

"Right! This is the plan. I've got 10 medium transport helicopters under my command. I've been informed by the Okhrana to spare them for the transport of your men around town. Please take good care of them..." Horvah stated, with a tone of concern.

"Your helis will be in good hands. Horvah. In good hands. There's absolutely nothing to be worried about! Why are you so afraid?" Poer asked trying to be sarcastic.


"I'm just concerned, that's all. You very well know, what it feels like to be in a position of authority. At the end of the day, our decisions could cost us, or reward us. So, you know...?" Horvah asserted as Poer's sarcastic banter flew over his head.

"Yes, I do. I share your views. Anyways, how's the wife? All good?" Poer said, trying to put out the awkwardness of the situation.

"I'm not married, my commitment is to God and the Queen. Forever, and ever. And also, my work." Horvah said, in a cool tone.

"Very loyal, very loyal... let me tell you what. Come over to Angliarique, in Valeria, I'll introduce you to a damsel, I think you'd like very much." Poer said, seemingly playful.

"I appreciate your help, no doubt, thanks. But, as I've said, I've got other commitments." Horvah uttered.

"It's okay. I understand you. I think that's it then for the meeting.. thank you for your time and help, my boys are surely waiting me!" Poer stood up, reached out for a handshake with Horvah, and left.​

 

[Pelasgia]

The attack of the Pelasgian strategic bombers on the Radilan fleet, though it had been the opening salvo of the war, had turned out to be mostly ineffective. A few of the Radilan ships at port were damaged, a couple were even sunk, but the vast majority of the much-vaunted skyhawks’ payload was shot down by Radilan air defence.

The same could not be said of the Pelasgian air force, which carried out its task with significant success, even if its victory was not crushing. Grounded aircraft and air bases in both Aresura and Valetta were struck from the air, while several significant hits were made on the Radilan fleet in Valetta, including severe damage and even sinking of a good number of ships. Nevertheless, the ultimate objective of sinking their entire fleet at anchor was not achieved. At the same time, in the air battle, the Pelasgians got the upper hand, shooting down many of the Radilan planes that did manage to take off and bombing others as they tried to do so, even if they did take some losses of their own. Ultimately, Pelasgia would approach air superiority in the early days of the invasion, though the Radilan air force was not completely knocked out.

The airborne assault, conversely, only narrowly avoided being a total fiasco for the Pelasgians. By the time the Pelasgian paratroopers had arrived, the Radilans were fully alerted and on the lookout, manning anti-air weapons and taking positions around key airports, in spite of Pelasgian bombing. A few transports were shot down and the helicopter-carried crews that managed to touch the ground immediately found themselves under fire; still, the airborne assault was recalled early enough that significant losses were avoided. The helicopters, too, managed to take off and return without their ferried troops’ being captured. All in all, the airborne component of the Pelasgian attack was a dud, and it remained to be seen whether the Pelasgians would use their paratroops again.

Perhaps the most significant event of the start of the war was the massive Pelasgian ground assault, which was aided by Pelasgian air superiority. The armoured columns and mechanized units of the Pelasgian Second Army pierced deep into Aresura, reaching the major urban centres of Antiochia and Santi Apostoli, and threatening the oil fields near Porto-di-Radilo. Outnumbered and outgunned, with a fraction of the armoured units of the invaders, the Radilans were forced back with heavy losses; even heavier were the losses of the militia, which tragically included teenagers, as the Radilan policy was to arm anyone over 16. At the end of the day, the Radilan army was forced to retreat in a defence line formed by the three major cities of Aresura, leaving the open country to the Pelasgians and preparing for a siege—while hoping that the militia-trained civilians left behind would cause trouble behind enemy lines and delay the assault. The Pelasgians, conscious of this Radilan practice, had brought in the Omega and Psi Battalions (the State Security Service’s elite internal security troops) to brutally quell any partisan activity with reprisals. Recruiting of local pro-Pelasgia civilians into counter-militias would begin, while the reservists drawn up were assigned to rear-guard duty, as the active troops were primarily left to continue the attack. The Fourth Army still stood in reserve behind the border, in case the attack needed to be reinforced. The large number of prisoners of war taken would be relocated within Pelasgia itself, to be placed under the care of the Fourth Army’s activated reservists.

Still, the eyes of the world were on the crown jewel of the two combatants: their naval fleets. The Pelasgian fleet, much larger in numbers and in tonnage, should have theoretically achieved its goal of sinking the Radilan fleet, especially after its losses. However, the Radilan sailors were able to rouse themselves after the bombing of their ships at anchor and to use their slightly more modern equipment and slightly superior training to mount an effective defence, preventing the Pelasgians from achieving the knockout blow that they had expected, even dealing them some losses. At the same time, having taken further losses of their own, the Radilans were unable to push back the Pelasgians, who now surrounded and blockaded the maritime region around the islands. Though they had had a chance to escape, the Radilans, both sailors and marines, chose to stay in Valetta, realizing how crucial it was to prevent this naval stronghold from falling. Thus, the Pelasgians were unable to make a naval landing, and would have to pursue another aerial and naval attack upon the fleet.

The submarine warfare in the Western Meridian was perhaps the most illustrative engagement of how bloody the war was for everyone involved. The Radilan commanders, after having dropped their marines off on @Ebria, rushed their ships to the east. Knowing full well that the Pelasgians had likely deployed submarines throughout the sea, and especially at key chokepoints, they conducted active submarine-hunting operations, using frigates, aerial measures and active sonar. The fleet’s significant capabilities in this department allowed them to inflict significant losses on the Pelasgians and to push through the trap net. At the same time, the Pelasgian submariners were given a very clear image of the Radilan fleet due to its use of active measures, and were able to inflict heavy losses of their own on the Radilans, before being forced to withdraw. It had been a pyrrhic victory for the Radilan fleet, which would continue eastward, while the remaining Pelasgian submarines retreated to the East Meridian.

(Written in collaboration with @Radilo )​

 

[Radilo]

In front of the Doge's Palace, Nouvo Porto

Illuminated by flood lights, the Doge's Palace gleamed in all of its marble and granite glory. His Serenity, the Doge, was nervous about... well everything. but it was his moment to adress the shocked and battered Republic. He braced himself and looked into the camera lens.

"Citizens of the Most Serene Republic, today we have endured a tragedy that would have been unthinkable only days ago. The Pelasgian Empire has, without provocation, invaded our Republic. Aresura has been part of our nation for 800 years, its people are citizens of the Republic and have enjoyed the common rights guaranteed by our democratic constitution for two centuries. This region is not some off-shore colony: it is an integral part of our Republic. The people there are Radilan, despite whatever imperialist propaganda may say. This invasion is a war crime--and what we know is presently occurring in Aresura is a series of war crimes, including extra-judicial killings and mass rapes. The rape and torture of our people, the slaugher of innocents... be assured though that this is not the end. It is the begining. We will not surrender the Cities we still hold. We will not give up the Fleet in Valetta. We will push these murderous bastards out. Some have asked why we have not pulled our Marines out of Ebria to help us domestically--I will be blunt, they are already engaged in combat there and cannot be extracted safely. But also... this is not just a fight for the territorial integrity of the Radilan Republic... it is a fight against tyranny. This is a fight against fascism. We petition the democracies of the world to aid us in this fight. Because we know it will only get worse if we do not act. Long live the Most Serene Republic and long live Aresura and Valetta. We will not give up the ship!"

 

[Angliarique]

Halaszbastya International Airport, Csengia
At Night

Using a megaphone, BG Edmund Poer alerted the two brigades to awake from their rest, “Alright boys! Wake up! Wake up! Now! Colonels, help me yeah?!”

BG Edmund Poer then waited for a few minutes before the brigades rose to their feet in full alert for fresh instructions. “Sir, they’re all awake. We can begin the announcement.” Col Heiwark Laer said to BG Edmund Poer.

In his ever confident voice, Edmund Poer began, “A few hours ago, the DSB conveyed to me, the purpose of our mission here. Or rather in Avila. Yes! You all heard that! A few thousand of us will be in Ebria by sunrise, why you may ask?! That is because, we will be fighting alongside our royal brothers under the banner of His Majesty King Alfonso VII. It is the wish and will of our empire to see to it that our brother kings do not fall into the hands of anarchists! What say you?! What say all of you?!”

“Long Live the King! Long Live the Emperor! God empowers!” The brigades roared back.

“I like your attitudes! Let’s get it!” BG Edmund Poer shouted.

Avila

10 medium transport helicopters borrowed from the Csengian Colonel, arrived in Avila, (at first) with 240 soldiers under the command of LTC Fonssenshia Laer, the brother of Col Heiwark Laer. The men quickly disembarked, and went about establishing a secure perimeter, while the helicopters rushed back to Halaszbastya International Airport, in a quick succession of relays that would see a total of 2,400 soldiers in Avila by the next morning.​

 

[Ebria]

Ávila
Damián Berrocal, the general of the 3rd Division of the 1st National Republican Army, was still extremely angry by the failed attack of his forces against the town of Avila, in the aftermath of the Alfonsist rebellion there. He was prepared to make calls to Valls and Sahagun to report his failure, when his attention was caught by the alarms of nearby soldiers, which were warning through the radio of approaching helicopters.

"Sir, they seem to be coming from the Serrault Canal," an adjutant reported to him.

"Are they Tarusan and Csengian?" he asked. The 1st Army was preparing for more than a year for the invasion coming either way through the Serrault Canal, as Csengia was hostile and the civil war only had Ebria see Ivan and his clique as the worst of the two evils. Even so, that did not meant they were Cordial, so since the Tarusan civil war started, the Serrault was fortified and careful attention was put unto what was coming from the east.

"No info on them now," the adjutants were relaying as they were transmitting messages from the radars and the airforce, back to him and vice-versa. "When they approach the boundaries of the national waters hail them and make them understand that crossing it would lead to punitive measures," he ordered. A few more minutes have passed, where his staff were in comminuication with the Air Force and the nearby anti-aircraft and artillery units. "No response, sir," one of his men said, while others were still measuring their approach.

"Sir," one of the men, more agitated, gesticulated to him. "They're not just two as we first reported, but six," he said. General Berrocal was concerned. "They are planning to go beneath the radars, there are clearly more! Scramble the air force and prepare for an attack!" he ordered.

There were ten in the end. The Air force, which was patroling the area quickly responded as did the SAMs. After a few tense minutes, they reported to Berrocal the destruction of five planes, with others managing to land in the town of Avila itself. The artillery quickly responded in the area and they reported two more were destroyed, but by the time they responded, three helicopters managed to achieve their mission and land soldiers. ​

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian-occupied Aresura

"That's what she said!" cried out Lambros, causing much ruckus and laughter among the other soldiers. A rear echelon unit sent to occupy villages and secondary targets behind the advance of the main force, his unit took an almost leisurely stroll through the village of Chlamoutza, to the east of Santi Apostoli. The men had encountered no resistance since the Radilan army unit manning the area had melted away in the face of an entire armoured division of the Pelasgian Second Army, so even if the troops went through the motions of staying dispersed and keeping their weapons at the ready (as they had been drilled to), they frankly considered it unlikely that they would encounter any opposition.

Then, as Stamatis, the machinegun specialist of Lambros' squad, prepared a comeback, a bullet whizzled through the air, causing the man to drop to the floor and train their weapons all around them. Another unit followed, then a few more... until the Pelasgians realized that, whoever was shooting, might as well have been aiming at the sun. "What the fuck are they shooting at?" asked Cpt. Georgopoulos, who was at the head of the unit. "Fucking birds?" Stamatis, who had previously seen combat in the Far South made another point: "They aren't displacing, it's all coming from the same spot. Must be militia." The Captain nodded. "Shitty militia at that."

"Should I call in a drone strike?" asked Lambros, who was carrying a communications pack on his back. The Captain pondered the question for a moment, before denying the request. "It might be a good opportunity for training, but these guys are so inexperienced it's not worth the cost of the bomb. Let's flank them." Crawling besides their vehicles, the men reached the perimeter of the building where the gunshots had been coming from. Then, they went around the surrounding wall and hugged the single-story house's walls. One of the men prepared a grenade, but the Captain slapped his hand and instead pointed at the flashbang on his belt. "We want them alive for questioning," he explained. The man nodded; then, he broke the window above his head and through the flashbang in.

Rushing in screaming at the occupants to put their hands up, the soldiers abruptly stopped. "What in the Name of the Lord..." Stamatis noted, as he trained his PV-3 belt-fed machinegun on one of the three wannabe militiamen: a boy of sixteen, with a dark line starting from his crotch and extending to the bottom of his grey sweatpants, ending up in a pool of piss around his feet. The other two "guerillas" (a girl, also of sixteen, and a boy of seventeen) clutched their weapons, trembling. Without hesitation, the Captain rushed forward, grabbed the older boy's gun out of his hands and slapped him.

"What the fuck are you doing? Do you think this is a game?" The boy broke down in tears, before the girl behind him braved to answer, "We're defending our country!" Red-faced fury overtook Cpt. Georgopoulos, and not so much because he had bought the 'liberating Aresura' line from Propontis. "Are you now? In civilian fucking clothes? You know that's a war crime, right?" The girl, suddenly pale as death, did not venture an answer. "If the YKA troops see you, they'll shoot you on sight. Your male friends here, at least. As for you... you'll be begging them to shoot you, by the time they're done." The girl threw down her weapon and recoiled a few steps. Lambros stepped forth and grabbed the weapon of the boy who'd pissed himself. "Go home. Stop this madness. War is for the grown-ups," he said, fully aware of the irony of his words. "If I see you playing at soldier again, I'll shoot you myself."

He didn't mean it, of course, but the desired effect had been made. The trio rushed home and took the advice to heart. Three days' worth of war had been more than enough to last a lifetime. "Who lived in this home anyway?" Lambros wondered out loud. "Probably some communist family," Stamatis answered, as they returned to their vehicles, before adding: "If they were smart, they bolted for one of the big cities as soon as we crossed the border." Lambros frowned, before asking, "And if they weren't smart?" Stamatis left the question unanswered.

---

The Omega and Psi Battalions of the State Security Service (YKA) troops had made their way to Aresura at the very rear of the Pelasgian Army, almost as if to conceal their approach from the troops. Still, it had only taken a few hours for rumours of the two units, in their distinctive uniforms, to reach the whole front and strike terror into any who knew of them. Though commonly called "battalions," both formations were actually closer to brigades in terms of size, and their official names (Internal Security Forces Detachment "Omega" and "Psi," respectively)*, made no mention of their size.
*Τμῆμα Δυνάμεων Ἐσωτερικῆς Ἀσφαλείας «Ω» / «Ψ», Tmîma Dynameon Esôterikîs Asfaleias "Ô" / "Ps"

The Omega troops, who wore greyish-black uniforms with a white omega (Ω) on them, had gone around occupied Aresura rounding up hundreds if not thousands of people based on lists compiled by the YKA and the Military Intelligence Directorate with the help of local informants, as Aresura had been practically infested with Pelasgian spies before the war. Communist party members, trade unionists, socially liberal community activists such as LGBT or feminist leaders, secularist intellectuals and others who would complicate the Sublime Throne's domination of the region were unceremoniously rounded up. Where circumstances permitted, they were brought back across the border, to large internment camps that the YKA had put together, in order to be gradually "processed." Following interrogation, some would be transported to labour camps to be worked to death alongside domestic Pelasgian dissidents, while other, more threatening individuals would be "liquidated." Their remains would then be cremated and the ashes mixed into cement for construction projects (the YKA's favourite method of concealing its crimes).

Nonetheless, sometimes, circumstances obliged Omega Battalion to carry out its operations within Aresura and to dispose of evidence of any killings the good old-fashioned way: digging a large pit, dousing the bodies with petrol, setting them ablaze and then burying the remains. Still, the Omega Battalion, as a matter of policy, preferred to operate in its home turf and to minimize open killings. As a unit geared toward internal suppression of dissent by civilians, it was much more attuned to the issue of optics, even if inspiring terror was its primary objective. Its commanders understood well that there was a fine line between openly rounding up and massacring dissidents (which could incite a revolt) and quietly but clearly "disappearing" them (which would inspire terror).

Thus, open terror operations in occupied Aresura were left to the Omega Battalion's cousin: Psi Battalion, whose troops wore olive-drab uniforms with a black psi (Ψ) on them. Psi Battalion had been formed with the specific goal of quelling revolts and suppressing coups. Its structure was thus much more military, as was its way of thinking. Once Psi Battalion had to be brought in, a revolt had already broken out, so it was concerned with terrorising the rebels into submission, or at least destroying them in a way that scared others away from revolting. Its techniques had been honed in the Shuprian Rebellion in the early 2000s, where its anti-insurgency operations had first brought it international attention and nearly earned it sanctions by @The Federation--until then, Pelasgia had denied the unit's existence.

Psi Battalion went into the territories captured and secured by primary and rear echelon troops of the Pelasgian Army with the objective of suppressing militia and insurgent activity. It was thus that that two-company size force of Psi troops found itself headed to the village of Santanassa, where there had been reports of an ambush against a Pelasgian convoy the previous night. After having surrounded the village on all sides, the Psi troops went in and demanded that all men above eighteen be rounded up in the town centre. With no way of knowing who was responsible for the attack, if anyone, they took away every tenth man over eighteen to an empty field outside the city and unceremoniously shot them after making them dig their own mass grave. Conscious that @Radilo armed men and women over sixteen, the troops then searched through the homes of all families that included fighting age people within that bracket. Any home where a government-issued SA32 or other military-grade weapon was found saw its occupants executed and the building itself torched with the bodies inside. Anyone trying to flee the village to avoid the search was shot by the troops surrounding it, with distinction given to neither age nor gender.

One of the homes in question belonged to a certain Frankiskos Rovertos, of a well-established family of local judges. Facing the Psi troops at his threshold, the man challenged them fearlessly, as if they were appearing before him. "And what gives you the right to search my home? Have you a warrant?" he asked, with his family standing behind him. The commander of the Psi troops' detachment, one Major Alexios Mavropoulos, could not help but smirk. "Warrant?" he asked, pointing to his men's weapons. "There's my warrant." Shoving him aside, the Psi troops forced their way into the home, tearing up drawers and closets, and even the floor and walls (and requisitioning a few valuables along the way), until the found their smoking gun: quite literally, in this case, a SA32, which appeared to have been used recently. "What's this?" the Major asked angrily, "are you not aware that the Supreme Commander of the Pelasgian Forces in Aresura has issued an order that all weapons be surrendered to Pelasgian troops? Why did you not surrender yours?" Robertos defied the Psi officer, standing with his arms crossed. "The edicts of your illegal occupation authority have no power to bind me." One of the troops emerged from one of the bedrooms, dragging the judge's eldest daughter by the hair with him. "Your weapon was used recently. Did she use it? There was an ambush on our men near here." The judge, feeling his stomach suddenly grow uneasy, still maintained a confident air, covering the eyes of his youngest son, who stood behind him. "She's a nineteen-year-old girl, don't be preposterous."

The Major removed his pistol from its holster. "Answer the damn question, you Papist dog. Who used the rifle?" The judge stared him down. "Maybe it was my ten-year old boy, is that the answer you're looking for?" Without a moment's hesitation, Mavropoulos raised his pistol and shot the boy in the head, splattering blood all over the shocked judge. Then, his men turned their rifles on the rest of the family, only for the Major to interject: "Not the women! We have to make a point first." A few gunshots followed, one for each of the household's three male members. Then came the desperate screams of the women, which went on for several hours, until they too were silenced by gunshots. By nightfall, all that was left of the Rovertos family home was a burning ruin, whose flames lit the night sky. At Santanassa, Psi Battalion had left its first mark on Aresura. It would not be the last.​

 

[Radilo]

Euplokia, Aresura

Father Giorgio knew he was a dead man. But this did not bother him. He had been a faithful servant of Jesus his whole life. While he did not welcome death, he accepted it. He was not only a Catholic priest, he was a open and proud Communist and a vocal supporter of workers' rights. He knew he was the exact kind of person the invaders hated: pious, yet red. He had made his peace with God, someone who he desperately wanted to meet, yet desperately wanted to avoid.

Anna Giano was a 15 year old girl with a cell phone, she was able to capture a world defining moment... Father Giorgio was grabbed by Peleglsian soilders in the middle of his Marian Rosary Prayers.

"Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus."

The soilders dragged him out of the church, into the small public square.

Once there he started shouting, "holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen," he screamed before he was shot in the head. His body went limp, but his right hand still grasped a Rosary. The soilders had completed their task, but their faces betrayed how lost they were.

@Pelasgia @Josepania @Ebria

 

[Ebria]

Sahagún

Ana Isabel Gallego looked at General Ortega very suspiciously. "We made it clear we want Ranero and Avila back," he said. "We need the people to support us," she said. "They will," the general responded. ""I got the Territorial Defence Force attack Ranero and we got good news. We have captured the Plaza de Zocodover in the city, we're slowly moving in," he responded.

We also need to prepare for a Csengian invasion she said. I want the anglers and fishermen be limited to less than 10 kilometres from the coast and mine everything from 10 km to 12 miles, in our territorial waters in the Serrault Lake. I don't want to wake up with a Hunnic invasion," she said. The general nodded in approval. "Yes, president, we will use the same technologies, launching mines from helicopters as the Federation forces did in the Gothic Sea," he said. "Yes, I want to make sure that if Csengians attack, they do by the fortified Serrault Isthmus rather than the Lake. Mine it," she said.

"We also need to prepare for the big offensive in the south," General Gasset said. "We have the soldiers, the National Repunlican Army, the Legion, everything," he said. "True, we must put all pressure on hand on the enemies, to ensure Valls resists and the enemy doesn't manage to capture it," Presidend Ana Isabel Gallego Said.

"Have everyone in the 1st Army be ready for an attack from Csengia, while the 2nd Army, the the Legion and our Radilan allies attack from the north. I want Calatrava taken before we wake up in a world war," she said.​

 

[Josepania]

Amerida, @Ebria

His heart was pounding in nervous anticipation as he stood to attention, his makeshift military uniform still feeling a little... off, as though it weren't quite the right size, and the service rifle he had been issued still felt too heavy and cumbersome. He felt, in other words, more like a civilian than a soldier, even after the basic training he went through, even after being told both by himself and by the communist and republican officers that what he was doing separated him from other civilians, and that both the Ebrian people and Josepanian people were proud of him for his bravery.

'Why is it so much harder to actually become a revolutionary? They never tell you about the fear, the nervousness, the uncertainty. They've always skipped those parts in the book.' Francesco thought to himself, subconsciously readjusting himself as soon as one of the officers looked away to inspect another member of the volunteer forces.

Those books aren't meant to tell the truth, even you should be aware of that. They're meant to suck in the idealistic and uninitiated. Hope they can figure it out afterwards while they're in too deep to pull back.

"Attention!" the officer called out, and Francesco and the rest of the assembled dismissed their internal trepidations and snapped to. The Brigadier General Joaquín Antonio Modesto stepped onto the podium to look out over the roughly five-thousand men and women in formation, pausing for dramatic effect, and then beginning his speech.

"Soldiers of the republic, of socialism, of freedom and liberty, you are more than just militiamen and women, you are heroes. For despite the fact that this is not the country of your birth, you have chosen to put aside your national loyalties to Josepania, and pledged yourselves to the people of Ebria in its hour of need. You will forever be remembered for this, your names etched in stone, and free peoples of the world shall laud you as saviors."

"Hoo-ah!" The volunteers responded, Francesco joining his voice to theirs, even though he knew individually his was too wracked with nervousness to truly feel enthusiastic, for he knew what was coming.

"Your training, short as it was, is now over, and you are being deployed to make good on your commitment. We shall march north to Avila, where we shall provide support for the 3rd Ebrian Division in their efforts to put down the fascists and war criminals attempting to suppress the will of the people. This will be your first test as soldiers of the Free New World, unshackling the people of Ebria from the Global Exploitation Conspiracy, and bringing peace, prosperity, and partnership to all! Long Live El Presidente, long live the Ebrian Republic, death to fascists!"

"Hoo-ah! Hoo-ah! Hoo-ah!" the brigade responded in one voice, the nervousness melting away from the men and women as they drank deeply from General Modesto's encouragement.

Francesco joined his voice to them, but he couldn't shake the feelings of terror as his fear was realized: he was marching to war, this was real, and he was about to stare death in the face daily, an act that did not guarantee his well-being, let alone survival.

You cannot just talk the talk of a revolutionary, you cannot simply be an armchair freedom fighter. The time for words has passed. The time to act is now. Courage, glory awaits you.

'Glory perhaps... or dismemberment or death...' he reflected as he fell out to his appropriate subunit to make last minute preparations. The David Constantino Brigade, composed of volunteers from the Occidental Republic of Josepania, was going to war.