The Prize

[Jydsken-Østveg]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES: TRIPARTITE TALKS, GÖTARIKE, FRESCANIA, ENGELLEX

Nilla nodded, "I have no problem." She collected some things from her purse and pulled out a notepad. The Queen sat there in silence. What many did not know was how shy she was. She didn't really make public announcements and only when she felt the people really needed her support did she make her presence felt. As of late, she'd shied away from the limelight preferring to stay at some of the small castles scattered around Götarike, a pointed move to stay out of the tabloids and work more behind the scenes. Of course she didn't waver on her responsibilities, such as today, accepting foreign dignitaries.

There was a brief silence that might've felt unnerving. Nilla didn't notice at first but now was actually purposely not speaking and pretending to look at her notes. She knew that more Southern Europeans tended to be a bit more noisy and talkative and she was curious if this would make her company a little unnerved. As far as she could tell it wasn't doing anything to the mood of the room. No one seemed any extra edgy, but the thought did produce a smile from her. Looking up from her notepad she decided to more formally respond to the President's words before they were interrupted by the entrance of his aides or rather his colleagues. "Götarike of course understand the burden carried by the Frescanian people. In all honesty, I will do my utmost to make sure your nation is justly rewarded for its sacrifice. That said, a swift conclusion is also the goal of my Government since I've recently taken office after the tragic death of our last Prime Minister. Unfortunately the two of you never met, due to your new status with in your own Government as well, so this puts us in a similar situation. Personally, anyhow..."

She paused thinking about how to answer his other concern. The Karlskrona Accord was a difficult thing to manage in her opinion. Mostly because other democracies wanted no part of it and yet it was the only real alliance that could represent democracy. It didn't help that other strange alliances of convenience such as the European Defense Federation were so to speak on their last legs and nobody really trusted anyone in this new geopolitical climate. An end to nearly seventy years of near continuous peace. Hell, an end to nearly two hundred years of peace for Götarike.

She wondered when the Engellexic delegates would arrive.

Brushing her fingers through her hair, her mouth tilted to the side a bit before she spoke, "I'll be honest with you. I have no idea how to address the problems Karlskrona has in regards to publicity. We're in a jam. Götarike is not known for playing nice. We never have been, and we've never had to. The world is a dangerous place and we've always spoken with others having that in mind. With the degradation of Aren forces since the 19th century, and coupled with our relatively newly acquired independence and forceful ascent to the top of power in the Skandinavisk region throughout the 20th century we've been to be quite frank... arrogant. I don't think we can change that. The fact we've been spit in the face of from these Celts, and the fact we're winning this war, well... I don't foresee us being less arrogant. If the damned Cantigny would accept their invitation to join us, an invitation they applied for nonetheless, I doubt we'd look any better on the world stage. If anything, perhaps more arrogant with how the Engellexic conduct themselves. Not that I've met the Oceanic peoples, but like father like son? I am right? So... how to address our image? I don't know, but I do think we can change it. How, is the hard problem."

She paused again, realizing that she was perhaps narrating her thoughts. Her own thoughts providing another spark to continue speaking, "Oh! About our economy, I do believe the sale of our colonies has and will continue to stabilize our bankroll so to speak. We can meet our debts easily. This is a concern that the bankers like the speculate on, and that of course doesn't make it easier, but our debts can be paid. The hard part is moving our economy forward after this war. It is without a doubt that our economy can no longer afford to try to move forward on its own industrial power. Our environmental regulations won't allow it, our international competitiveness just isn't what it used to be before this war. What we can do better than everyone else is computers. I'm quite sure you are familiar with Päron Datorn, and their infamous iPhone and Pearbook computer lines. We need to continue to move this forward and that is the future of our country. The problem is we have a lot of industry that needs to be moved out of the country. The failure of these companies will do us no good. So, we're currently working with some nations out in East Cathay or Touyou, that might start to accept some of this manufacturing. Additionally, moving this manufacturing to our remaining colonies such as Nya Skåne might provide some help. If the damned Cantigny joined Karlskrona I'm sure they'd like to take some on themselves. I'm not sure how Frescania can help us with transitioning our economy, but if Fortaleza Real can help us, we'll take anything we can get..."

She wondered again when the Engellexic would arrive.

 

[Great Engellex]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES
BARON MEREDITH IN SUIONIA

Royal Palace, Drottninggården, Kingdom of Suionia

Baron Meredith, at present a cog within the Engellexic bureaucratic machine was once a leading figure on Celtic relations within the former Northern Department, he had served as an attaché to the ambassador to Bangleann but fled the Bantyric Republic at the outbreak of the Saamiskavian War, believing in his fears that the war will be neither short nor minor. Despite the accuracy, somewhat, of his prediction, Baron Meredith gave no outward sign of pleasure on the matter of proving Dulwich wrong with Northern Affairs. Tall and elegant, Tiburan Catholic and certainly conservative, he had thinning black and grey hair, neatly maintained moustache and sideburns, and was a well experienced diplomat and tough bargainer with expert knowledge of Saamiskavia, and in particular, Bantyr. He boasted strong imperialist ambition and aristocratic breeding. Baron Meredith was the obvious choice to defend Engellex’ Saamiskavian interests and ambitions in discussions with the Karlskrona Accord.

Meanwhile the war had forced Dulwich to modify their designs on Bantyric territory. Before the war the Engellexic Cabinet had favoured maintaining the isolated Bantyric Republic, which Great Engellex would hold within its sphere of influence. Dulwich would have had the scope to advance its interests in the region without the bother of governing or administering any part of it. With the advent of the Saamiskavian War, however, Engellexic imperialists shifted position. Now it was favoured to turn Bantyric rule on its head. There was now wide support for direct Engellexic control of Southern Bantyr, including the introduction of several institutions within the capital Bangleann, that would mean indirect control of what would remain unoccupied Bantyr. These were Baron Meredith’s goals when he arrived in Suionia on Wednesday. He had taken part in an urgent session with representatives, and senior civil servants, of the new European & Imperial Office, the War Office, the Trade Board, and the Cabinet Office, before his departure to the north. The long inter-departmental meeting acquainted him, and the diplomat sent to Frescania, with the particulars of the correspondence from the Cabinet, and with the Second Lord’s planned intervention in Bangleann for Friday. Originally Baron Meredith ridiculed the willingness of the Cabinet to accept a compromise in the north – to the Accord, he did not believe in sharing imperial ambition. Moreover, although he was conditioned to prepare to concede in areas, he refused to open the first discussion with a concession, warning the Dulwich meeting that no Crown Subject would stand for a moment any effort to surrender imperial interest in the north!

Baron Meredith and the other represenatives could not agree on anything initially. However, the baron returned to Dulwich prior to his flight for last minute consultations. The Duke of Nonsuch remarked relieved that Meredith seemed quite changed and willing to work with the Cabinet’s program. At that point, when Nonsuch was making those comments, Meredith was walking through the corridors of the Royal Palace for the meeting.

The peer walked in without a fuss, though he observed royal protocol to the standard only Engellex was known to keep, a very high standard at that. Your Majesty, he said bowing at the neck to the Suionian Queen, allow me to extend the condolences of her Imperial and Royal Majesty the Queen-Empress, it is truly a trying time for Europe.

Sitting down, with other minor personages of his diplomatic entourage, he opened rather bluntly, we will need a map of both Saamiskavia and Bantyr, I assure you.

 

[Frescania]

The Tripartite Meeting – Drottninggården, Götarike

After had been exchanged, the stage was set for negotiations. The suggestions by the Baron was precisely what the President was about to demand, and he smiled at the initiative.

He had promised to end the war and bring victory to the Republic. While he had not approved of the conflict, the loss of Frescanian blood had made it impossible to get out of the war without acquiring some sort of price. Frescania’s primary concern was the security of Suionia and through it, of the Republic.

The best way to do that was through the establishment of a territory zones where Frescania could monitor the actions of Bantyr. Rodriguez had discussed it with the Joint Chiefs, the Chancellor and the cabinet, and it became the only way to promote stability and security.

“Frescania wants peace and stability in Suionia and the North. This conflict has disrupted both these elements and our three countries must help in restoring them. We believe that the best way is to check Bantyr’s capacity to disrupt these elements.

Frescania’s view is that of the creation of occupied zones in Bantyr. Within these areas, our nations will have complete control and the reintegration of said territories with Bantyr will occur after a tripartite agreement like the one we have today. Under these circumstances, Bantyr’s military capacity will be limited and our three countries can maintain peace and stability, while providing the Bantyric people in our regions with zones where they can live in peace.”

The President stopped, allowing Admiral Garcia to speak. “I can confirm to both your governments that if we agree on this, the Republican Armed Forces are ready to shoulder this responsibility. We understand the difficulties that will be ahead of us, but we will overcome them for regional peace and stability”.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES: TRIPARTITE TALKS, GÖTARIKE, FRESCANIA, ENGELLEX

Nilla nodded, "I agree to the idea of occupation zones. This will be important in resolving the Bantyric Republic's future. That said, Götarike does not believe we ought to be forgetting the past obligations that were agreed upon. We fully expect that a certain region be ceded to Götarike for our national self-defense to prevent any such Bantryic attack in the future. As far as I am concerned, this will be the northern islands with some mainland possessions."

Queen Caroline II, stood up and walked over to a bookshelf on the other side of the room. The discussions were commencing on a far side of the room. The room itself was blue in color. Some dubbed it the blue room, but Caroline thought it was silly to call it that. She simply referred to it as the Eastern Library. Everyone understood what that meant when she spoke it anyhow. Caroline pushed on a book and an old mechanism seemed to start, where the bookcase slowly swung open. It unveiled a closet full of more books and a few file cabinets. She opened a cabinet and pulled out a stack of papers which were maps of the region. She hit a button and the bookshelf slowly moved back into position. As she sat down back at her seat she smiled, "Curiosity of Gustav the Fourth." Putting the papers in the middle of the table she continued, "Well, not the maps, but rather the old bookcase mechanism. He was a King who was very much into murder mysteries. He'd then went ahead and installed silly secret mechanisms throughout the Palace. Rumors have it that some are only known by myself and the dead. Some rumors say that even I don't know some of the them." She smiled again and looked back at Nilla. Nilla herself showed the Queen the empty palm of her extended hand as if to let her speak further. Caroline smiled again as if an excited little girl again.

The Queen then addressed the table, "I've spoken with Prime Minister Udén Johansson about this idea, that being Götarike shall not take on the territory entirely, that the territory be self-governing. Our nation shall of course guide it, especially in her infancy, but that it would form the second part of our monarchy. Once upon a time, many of these lands professed loyalty to a Suionian King. I believe it should return to that. In return for not accepting it as part of Götarike proper, we would also hope to be granted an occupation zone." There was a slight pause and then she finished, "Nilla you can finish our proposal."

Nilla took a map and drew bubbles to represent current locations and in red and other bubble to represent future zones and the expanded Kingdom in blue. Yet the expanded Kingdom she drew rather more precisely with shading. "As you can see we have our possible zones, a neutral zone and then future Bantyr. We feel a neutral zone is important here because of the importance of this region. This small region holds what our geologists believe is high in the metals that help create steel and war building materials. As a neutral zone, the region can be jointly administered to be utilized properly for constructive means rather than warlike ambitions."

She paused, as she overlooked her bubble map. He contained a Frescanian zone to the far west, an Engellexic zone to the south, the new Kingdom to the North, and a smaller Suionian zone in between it all. A smaller bubble showed the neutral zone between the Suionian zone and the Engellexic zone. The Bantyric Republic itself was to the far east.

THE LAST SONG OF WINTER: DEFEATING TANKS AND DEMONS
(PART 3 of 10, MAINTAINING NEWLY ACQUIRED FRONTS)

Lovisa studied the map. Several tanks were moving in from the eastern forests. Aircraft wouldn't be there for another thirty minutes to help take out the armor, so it was their job to slow them down. Equipped with only two m86's (OOC: AT4 US Army Des.) the best they could hope for against the armor was taking out exactly two of the incoming armor. Additionally they'd take a chainsaw and attempt to cut down as many trees as possible to interfere with their progress. This immediate counter attack wasn't expected, and with such a large amount of armor either. It had the potential to force them back to the beaches and then slowly shove them back to the sea where they'd come from. It was apparent that the Bantyric planned to put their money on this counter attack. Perhaps much like they had put their money on the their initial attack. Make this a failure and perhaps it was a free ride to their capital. Or at least that is what the optimist still left inside her soul wanted to say.

She walked out of the tent temporarily blinded by the light and was amazed at the spectacle before her. Smoke was everywhere, the rubble of several buildings and blocks of an entire city were on fire. The sound of fire engines could be heard. There was an immense feeling of heat on her chest as she could feel the suffocation of the smoke on her lungs. She couldn't see her house. It wasn't in sight anymore. Just a fire coupled with the rubble of multiple buildings. Smashed cars were littered across the road, a few were set ablaze. She spun around seeing the dark skies above her, coupled with a crying infant somewhere off in the distance. The crying put her on edge. A hand reached in front of her face it was pale and she felt as if it were crying for help. The hand then quickly snapped its fingers. A voice asked, "Are you okay Lovisa? You look pale."

She was back in Bantyr. About ten or twenty miles away from the beachhead and she felt sweaty. Shaking her head moving her ponytail back and forth rapidly, she replied, "Yes, yes everything is okay."

The man was Helgesson. She smiled at him. "Sorry, I was just feeling a little dizzy. I cannot remember the last time I ate." Helgesson reached into his uniform pocket and pulled out a granola bar. He tossed it to her. She extended her hands surprised and dropped it. Helgesson laughed, "You catch like a girl." She stuck out her tongue at him and picked up the bar. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

He nodded, tipped his helmet and walked back towards the group that was readying some chainsaws. She smiled at the granola bar in her hand. She had food on her already. Helgesson was a good guy. Opening the wrapper and beginning to eat her newly acquired snack, she walked over to the chainsaw brigade. She felt like they should all be short furry little bears trying to assault tanks with fallen trees.

The rest of the day was a blur. Armor and gun shots. Trees falling. One magically onto the barrel of a tank, rendering it useless. The m86s, not being used well as one hit a tree. Having to run out of the forest as Gripen's dropped their payloads into the trees creating a mixture of wooden and metallic hell in the forest. She couldn't sleep that night. The outside looked too much like home. The counterattack wasn't as large as expected. They had safely gained a food hold and spirits were high as news came in that several troops had made it forward to the nearest city.

She fell slept near the beach. It was nearly six in the morning. The waves finally helped her get to sleep. Woken nearly two hours later she picked up her gear and began to hike towards the nearest city through the woods. Her platoon was to scout the woods and then move into the city.

 

[Great Engellex]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES & PREPARATIONS : THE BANTYRIC REPUBLIC AND THE KINGDOM OF SUIONIA

Saamiskavia, April 2012

The Second Lord of the Admiralty, Vice-Admiral Sir Somerset Gough-Calthorpe, reported the outcome of his meeting with Bangleann in a lengthy dispatch on 13 April to the Duke of Nonsuch. The outcome of the meeting was an obvious rot in Engello-Bantyric relations, with the President of Bantyr demanding more time to consider the present and post-war political situation for the republic. In a subsequent dispatch to the War Secretary he raised the argument he put in the earlier dispatch to Nonsuch that the Bantyric government was using the consideration of peace as a smokescreen for their true intention and that was to extend time enough to attempt better preparations of defence and restore their position over the Bantyric islands and mainland; but also, and more importantly, the Second Lord made recommendations on the need and timing of a second deployment and operation of the present forces in southern Bantyr.

[...] If Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge is to command the escort of an infantry convoy across the Cambrian Strait and Gothic Sea, it will be necessary to prepare his orders immediately, as the window of opportunity is fast approaching and as there are no other warships available for the convoy, the sooner Troubridge returns a flotilla to Engellex (from Bantyr) the better, provided the Imperial and Royal Household is ready to relinquish command of two royal yachts for naval service immediately.

In the case of the convoy, as frigates are scarce and the Army have explicitly asked for an armed convoy for the infantry to Bantyr, I would advise for the detachment of

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to Hammersmith with the frigates Restless and Tormentor.

I can have minutes prepared to this purpose for your lordship if you so desire.

It would certainly have been very desirable to give two separate convoys to the two deployments (from Weybourne and Hammersmith), but the naval demand at this time is so great for warships that, with all the forethought and contrivance in my power, I can scarcely make those under the immediate orders of the Admiralty equal to the services required of them. I therefore advise that your lordship make preferential one deployment before the other.

It is this system of unlimited warfare that now cripples the Admiralty everywhere, and diverts our fleet from its natural use. [...]
The Second Lord of the Admiralty to the War Secretary​

​

The Second Lord also argued that Bangleann was not naïve and could see Engellexic intentions :- that by concentrating on President Gordon and demanding his replacement we could intimidate them into submitting to the demands of Dulwich and the Karlskrona Accord. The president was alarmed, and expressed this rather urgently to the Second Lord, by reports from Bantyric personnel near the Engello-Bantyric Naval Base of the Engellexic military troop concentrations and Bangleann began to fear that, if the Second Lord were rebuffed again, there was the strong possibility of an Engellexic coup de main. On 14 April President Gordon sent a worried dispatch to Dulwich demanding the extent of the Engellexic determination to use the warships, troops, armour and fighters now at the naval base in southern Bantyr for the defence of the republic. The president argued that, despite the sacrifice and support made to Great Engellex, Dulwich maintained a threat was accompanied to any support it has or will offer to Bantyr, and that the activity of the Engello-Bantyric Naval Base proved how varied the real objects of Engellexic missions in Saamiskavia really were.

In a move that Meredith didn’t quite understand, he had been ordered to convey these developments to his opposite number within Suionia, in the meetings between the three powers, and he would later.

The baron nodded to the designs on the map. They were quite pleasing actually. Dulwich had feared Frescania would use its influence to prevent its partner from establishing monarchist rule over the Suionian lot, a fear that was reasoned from the political happenings within the Himyari republic’s parliament. Meredith knew Dulwich would be relieved on that account anyhow, and could be confident in assuming Suionian support for the establishment of a monarchy over the territory he will detail more appropriately, from Dulwich, which shall be called the Kingdom of Buccleuch. But these discussions did not tranquilise the mind of Meredith; he thought that the moment of opportunity in Bantyr could be lost if the three powers did not form a solid pact of military co-operation for operations inside the northern republic. To add to the calm that saturated the blue room, he may need a bit of gloom. Baron Meredith drew their attention to the formation of these zones that their militaries were to establish, it is quite essential that we swiftly find agreement on these zones, and, from what I can see and, if I may – the Baron placed upon the map a more detailed sketch of Engellexic territorial intentions – it would appear there is a general consensus on this matter, at least, he paused to look up and refer to Rodriguez, from Engellex’ part. He then handed out a document that explained the intentions of Dulwich for this new kingdom, which basically included the fact that it would not be annexed but independent, though, Great Engellex would oversee the reconstruction of national and democratic institutions. Strangely, Dulwich intended the kingdom to be a constitutional monarchy in the traditional sense, not elected and wielding executive powers like in Engellex.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES: TRIPARTITE TALKS, GÖTARIKE, FRESCANIA, ENGELLEX

Nilla was a little surprised. Already talks of transforming the occupation zones into separate entities. This was no longer about responsibly governing former Bantyr, it was a discussion on dividing it responsibly. The Queen excused herself and after a few minutes a detailed map was given to the all of the members of the meeting. The map reflected Engellexic designs and gave a design which was appropriate to the Geatish politicians who had studied various demographic charts. Götarike wasn't interested in trying to cooperate with areas which reflected the greatest possible resistance. The zone reflected an area which was Scandian in design and likely to cooperate and accept the Geatish monarchy.

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The Queen no longer interested in the discussions now that it appeared that at least the designs of her own expanded monarchy were finished exited the room, politely inviting others to coffee with her later if they wished to chat before their departure after the meeting.

Nilla decided it would be a good idea to discuss the future of the Engellexic territory. She didn't really have an objections with the Engellexic position though. Expanded monarchy, and it seemed that this monarchy might be a bit more firm in placement. She decided it would be best to ask the opinion of the Frescanians first. They were trusted allies. It was interesting though. Both nations have had changes in government since the war began. Both seemed keen on ending it. This was perhaps the closest they'd ever been to an ending. "Mr. Rodriguez... how do you feel about what is being distributed and described? To that end what are the exact intentions of your occupation zone? If you are okay with what you see, I see no reason not to immediately approve of these intentions and begin the ending to this conflict that we've all been entangled in for far too long."

 

[Frescania]

The Tripartite Meeting – Drottninggården, Götarike

The blue sectors in the map would be the Frescanian zone. It was along the lines the Ministry of Defense had thought of, albeit their prelimary versions moved it south. It did not matter to Rodriguez, he wanted an end to the conflict.

“We are approve of the drawn zones. Our only concern is that Bantyric reaction to the movement of our troops as they are in the southern part of the country. This however, will not hinder our movement.” Rodriguez did not expand much on it, he would allow Garcia deal with the military details.

If one thing bothered him, it was the post-war situation. Frescania was committed to the stability and peace of the region and Bantyr. However, he surely knew that members of the Assembly would bash on him due to his failure to push for republican governments throughout the zones. All politicians in the country believe we can push Republicanism upon everyone as if we were Gods. If ideology was the only force behind our foreign policy we would be dead by now.

Almand knew exactly what the President was thinking as he looked at the map. “We can assure your two governments that any treaty signed here will be approved by our National Assembly. We can muster the necessary votes. Plus, the way things are developing back home, this will be their last chance to check our foreign policy treaties.’’ Smiling, he checked again at the news, knowing that the Senate would soon get that power.

Admiral Garcia intervened. “I strongly believe that our armed forces should coordinate in all capacities we can. As the President stated, our troops are in the south and must move. As Engellexian troops move to our current location, we will help them as much as possible.”

 

[Great Engellex]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES & PREPARATIONS : THE BANTYRIC REPUBLIC AND THE KINGDOM OF SUIONIA

Saamiskavia, April 2012

To add to the feeling of alarm President Gordon would have confirmed to him intelligence about Engellexic troop movements in around Hammersmith and the Engello-Bantyric Naval Base. The intelligence received in Bangleann pointed out to the Bantyric Government that HEMY Engelleux had already departed Weybourne with an infantry brigade from the II Corps – 4th Division of the First Engellexic Army accompanied by Castor, Constance and Restless, with Caradoc and Tormentor departing Southern Bantyr to rendezvous with the small convoy in the Gothic Sea before continuing to Hammersmith for the second convoy. Bantyric intelligence would place the first convoy to disembark by the evening of 2 May. Unknown to the Bantyric Government, though, was the requisitioning of two commercial liners and five merchant ships to ferry armour, weaponry and more aircraft to the south for what was a preparation to assume control – in concert with Accord powers – of an Engellexic zone being negotiated in Suionia. However, the intelligence gave the impression that Dulwich would assume overall command for a concerted military, naval and airstrike against Bantyr should the demands made against President Gordon not be met, which of course was an exaggeration of the reality of what was in the works. Naturally this intelligence was being fed through the Bantyric channels in Dulwich by the Bletchley Intelligence Bureau, as the Imperial Cabinet did not want a violent struggle against Bangleann and would rather have them come willingly to the table, which they have somewhat indicated they would.

The evidence filtered through to Bantyric agents would hopefully concentrate the president’s mind and push him to determine a diplomatic plan of action, but this could not be guaranteed. The Queen-Empress, who was presiding over a Council of State, discussed the intelligence letters from the Royal Engellexic Navy of the immediate assistance to the Saamiskavian theatre by the dispatching of the majority of the navy to Southern Bantyric waters. In a similar letter, but from the Royal Engellexic Air Force, she was informed that with the ferrying of an additional squadron of F-16s to leave Hammersmith and to proceed to Bantyr, the strength of air power in the north will be secured by fifty attack aircraft. This will be a relatively straightforward deployment and exercise, it was explained to her by the three professional military heads. Charlotte was still of the opinion that is was a high risk game being played.

In the meeting Baron Meredith assured the Suionian queen that he would certainly take up the offer of tea later that day, the Imperial Cabinet had asked him to discuss the possibilities of a state visit in the near future to Dulwich.

On the matter of concerted military efforts Meredith put forward a dossier produced by the Imperial General Staff that largely focused Engellexic air power capabilities for any and all campaign effort over Bantyr; it was the strength of the armed forces and Dulwich was interested in achieving guarantees that the two Accord Powers would secure the freedom of the Gothic Sea to Engellexic vessels – against all potential combatants – in return to keeping the skies free. The parlours of power in the imperial metropolis were keen to bring relief to the navy, especially for other operations, and with Suionian naval traditions saw the opportunity.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

MEETINGS IN HIGH PLACES: TRIPARTITE TALKS, GÖTARIKE, FRESCANIA, ENGELLEX

Over the discussion of tea and coffee, Queen Caroline agreed to a state visit to Engellex as soon as the war finished. She felt eager to travel there and hadn't done so since she was a young girl when her father was still King. That was nearly 15 years ago. She was nine years old then. She really didn't remember it well.

The day had gone well. Everyone had come to an agreement that day on Post-Bantyric settlements and everyone went home with what they wanted. Prime Minister Nilla Udén Johansson was now on a trip southbound to accept her award in Frescania. Afterwards, she'd take a trip to Nya Västergötland to confirm their new found status and to Cantignia to make a dramatic speech on the future of our world. Or so that is what she slightly confided to in Caroline. It was vague, but apparently supposed to be important.

THE LAST SONG OF WINTER: TO CREATE A NEW SCANDIAN REALM
(PART 4 of TBD, MOVING TO NEW POSITIONS)

Marching through the woods with a rifle in her hand all day was not her idea of fun. Arriving at the nearby city, named Wall, she fell asleep relatively well for the first time in months upon arriving at an inn which the army had seized from a poor old Bantyric family. Transmissions from higher up had indicated they were in future Frescanian territory and that they needed to continue to march eastward to contain and control agreed upon Geatish territories. The news was interesting because it only meant that the future was an end to the war. She hadn't killed any Celts yet either. Nor had she been killed in action. Two goals she'd had failed at.

Lovisa woke up to the sound of armor driving down the road. It was four in the morning but that didn't stop her from walking outside and seeing what all the commotion was about. It appeared that they were moving towards the East. Quickly.

Walking back into the room, she fell back asleep for a couple of hours only to be woken again by Helgesson. He told her all of the details. That the Navy was now departing their coast to maintain the islands and the Gothic. That the air force was raining Christmas upon the Celts and that the armor from hours ago had already secured the next town and was moving forward with impeccable speed. The Frescanians were quickly coming and that they'd maintain the Bantyric POW camp at Wall until the Frescanian troops arrived to take it over. This last fact depressed her. She'd not be able to kill any Celts. She surely wouldn't be able to die either.

Furthermore, Helgesson continued, that the military insisted that Engellexic troops were on the way, or at least their jets surely were. It was apparently estimated that with the three nations combined hitting the Bantyric, not only were their days numbered, but those days might number less than two weeks. There was no way the Bantyric could fight back with all of those allied fighters in the sky. Geatish air supremacy had given them the beaches and the countryside towns. Frescanian air supremacy gave them their beaches and countryside towns. Engellexic air supremacy in combination with the other two could probably topple all of Bantyr with the stroke of a pen. It was likely that the Bantyric were coming to the table soon. Geatish armor rolling up the country roads unopposed surely spelled this. The lone fact that the Gripens could bomb any armored resistance to holy hell gave the Geatish armor a free pass. Although it was said that the armor would stop at the drawn line in the sand and wait for further orders. The troops were supposed to secure the rest of the country behind them.

None of this made her happy. She sat down on the bottom stair of the staircase to the upper rooms of the inn and began to cry. Helgesson sat next to her and put his arm on her shoulder. He told her that everything would be alright and she could go home and start a new life soon. It's not what she wanted.

The news from Helgesson wasn't just being told to Lovisa. It was making itself known around the town of Wall too. Many Bantyric Celts packed their bags and began to move east themselves. They were hoping to find the Bantyric Republic, or future Bantyric Republic territory. Granted, not all of them were. A fight broke out in the inn. Not a physical one, but rather a verbal spat. All that could be seen was a young girl yelling at her parents and what seemed to be her boyfriend. Who spat at her feet. Lovisa couldn't understand what was being said. What appeared to be her parents walked out, and then the male grabbed her arm to force her out the door. The episode was quickly becoming a struggle.

Lovisa stood up and held her gun up at the man. "Stop!" she yelled.

The young man stopped struggling with the girl and spat again at her feet. He walked out the door never to be seen again. The young girl turned to Lovisa and said "Thank you" in English. Lovisa was a bit stunned to hear it and asked the girl, what just happened? It was then everything began to come together. Her parents were leaving town and wanted her to come. The girl didn't want to leave. She was old enough to make her own choices at seventeen and somebody needed to run the inn. Her boyfriend was supposed force her out. The girl was a little saddened that her parents didn't come back for her, or stay for her.

This was largely due to the story her boyfriend had told her parents, unbeknownst to Lovisa and the girl. Lovisa hugged the girl and told her that she'd help her with the inn as much as she could. Helgesson watching the entire thing unfold was just happy that perhaps Lovisa had made a friend. The girl's name was Ingrid.

Lovisa eventually went outside. She had grabbed a cigar that was once Ingrid's father and decided she'd smoke it. The sun was high above the sky as it was nearly noon. She was supposed to report to the POW camp in an hour and then she'd come back to the inn at 9 to help Ingrid with dishes from the dinner. None of this was what she had expected when enlisting, but it was nice to have some regularity in her day as she'd repeat this process everyday until the Frescanians arrived.

 

[Frescania]

The March West – Southern Bantyr

The orders had come directly from Suionia – all troops were to begin moving towards the designed Frescanian zone. A number of troops had been surprised, but not Colonel Antonio Justancia. The Colonel understood the situation, and it was now time to successfully shift towards the new design of the Republic’s zone.

However, the situation would not be as easy. The Navy and Air Force had begun establishing air superiority to safeguard their passage. The Task Force would cooperate with both Engellexic troops moving from the east and Suionian troops in currently in the territories. Only a small number of Frescanian troops would not move. What a lucky few.

The camps began to become a live around him. Tents after tents were folded and packaged for the journey west. Justancia never enjoyed marching in the battleground. It went slow, everyone’s nerves are at their peaks, and the smallest error could create chaos.

Overhead, a squadron from the Republican Air Force flew into the distance, a normal sight. Then a flash took over the sky.
Justancia took cover as debris felt in top of the soldiers. In the sky, they saw a parachute drop and pieces of a Frescanian FAF-18 Eagle in pieces.

Far away, Justancia heard his fellow soldiers “Over there!” “Shoot at him!” “Moving in!” Fire began as Republican soldiers moved towards the Bantyric troops running after shooting the Eagle.

Justancia took out his rifle and stood in alert. A peace treaty might have been signed, but this was not the end of the conflict.