The Road - (Concluded!)

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
Sounio. Caria's largest port city and the birthplace of democracy. Before the Carian unification Sounio was one of the few Free States that was ruled not by a monarch but by an elected leader and a parliament, faithful to its ancient tradition. All that changed in time. Still democracy was deeply rooted in the Sounian people's hearts. They elected their own judges and almost 90% of the Free State showed up to vote on election day. Sounio was the home of almost all Democratic and Socialist movements in Caria. And it was mostly full of middle class or working class people, employed in industry, small business or maritime activities. Few of the nation's aristocracy lived there, preffering nearby Amarysia, dominated by middle class to the south and aristocrats to the north.

On a quiet Sunday of October, when the sun was still shining over the white and blue city of painted cement and schorched marble, with the temperature still well above 20 degrees Celsius, a lone child walked to a wall with a bucket of blue paint and a brash. He looked left and right. The smell of saltwater from the port could be felt in this poor but identical to all others neighborhood, but a man was not close. Not even a bird was flying overhead or a stray dog or cat moving around. He took a dip breath and put the brash into the paint. He then pulled it out. A vertical line, now three horizontals, a circle and a line in the center, a little more work and in less than three minutes his work was done.

ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ
​

The large blue letters on the wall said Eleftheria, meaning liberty or freedom. A small and insignificant protest against the Despotism of the Crown. He exhaled and closed his eyes proud of his achievement. Then he heard a man shouting.

"You! Come here!"

It was a Militiaman. The fanatically loyal to the despot Militia troops commonly patrolled Sounio and Antikyra, Nauplio's two rivaling Free States, to remind them who is in charge. The child, without hesitation started running, with no less than three Militiamen running behind him. Two turns left, one right, a little jump over a fence, all painted white and reflecting sunlight near the sundy paths of the city and the cement covered major ones and he was at the huge fish market. Running through people, under bences and finally climbing a building to get out of the square he was confident that he had escaped the Militia's Iron Fist. He threw a couple of fish down to the Militiamen from the top of the building as a little sign of defiance.

Then a tap on the back made him turn around. A militia trooper, covered in fish liquids was griping his glop. The shock made him fall off the little roof. Thankfully he hit two tents and a bench with squids on the way down, keeping him alive. But he was now surrounded, the three militia men came his way. One grabbed him by the shirt.

"You little shit!"

A merchant struck the trooper before he could hit the kid.
"Do you have a death wish old man?!" shouted the enraged officer.

The trooper struck him with the back of his pistol. An angry mob started gathering around the militiamen. The angry officer and his colleague pointed their weapons at them.
"Back! Or we will shoot!"

The man who had been struck stood up to take the child away. The officer, scared of the crowd and on edge, thought he was reaching for his glop and pulled the trigger. The old man hit the ground, lifeless and bleeding. The child, now scared started running away.

"I am sorry! I did not mean to-

A rock hit him in the head, thrown from afar, while the crowd started charging toward the officers. Six shots were fired at the crowd, but the mass of people in this poor corner of Sounio near the port did not stop. The two militia men screamed as they were cut down, while the third still on top of the building threw his uniform away and started running to the police station.

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
With the dead of the incident now being six, four civilians and two militiamen, the crowd stood around the dead bodies. They took the bodies of the civilains and rapped them in whatever linen they could find to deliver them to their families. And then they started arguing over what to do with the dead militiamen. A young law school student, a member of the Socialist party of Caria (ΣΚΚ) climed atop a bench to adress the gathered crowd.

"My brothers! Men! Women! Young and old! We argue what we shall do with two murderers who have met their own demise. What would you do with a rapist? A traitor? A murderer?"

"Hang them!" shouted the crowd.

"Then what are you waiting for? When the Despot and his dog, the Archon of Sounio, catch one of our own stealing because he has nothing to eat or trying to protest this travesty we live every day he has them hanged! Hanged high so we can see waht happens to criminals! And when he calls them traitors he hangs them and their loved ones even higher! But we are not traitors! These three brave men and that blessed woman who were shot down weren't traitors. They were free men and they died as such. Those who side with Gods and Kings instead of the people are traitors! Those who build palaces of gold while our children starve are traitors! So I say hang them! And hang all of their colleagues you see!"

"By whose law?" said a lone Priest.

"By the only true law! The people's law!"

The people roared in agreement. Within a few minutes the bodies of the two militiamen were hanged in the middle of the square. They had cards held from rope around their neck. They read "Murderers and traitors" in big, capital letters.

At that moment a contigent of police officers with rifles entered the square, with an inspector and the third militiaman at the front.
"There! It was them!" the militiaman told the inspector.

The inspector was obviously angered by the hanged bodies, but the officers were shocked if not scared.
"Who did this?!" shouted the inspector. "I will hang all of you if you do not tell me who did this!"

"We did you traitor of the people!" said a fisherman.
"What are you going to do about it scum?" said another.

The inspector was shocked seeing more and more men holding wrenches, clubs or anything they could find gather. Some even had weapons from the dead militiamen. Weapons merchants of the market had no doubt also helped arm the crowd.
"Disperse! By theauthority of the Despot I command you to disperse or we will-

A shot from a hunting rifle blew right through the inspector's right eye. At the top of the buidlings around the square people armed with all shorts of weapons stood. The police contigent was now at the centre of the square right in the wolf's mouth. Shots form all directions started taking out officers and frm all sides of the square they had formed bodies started falling. Others started running only to be shot or killed bloodily by the angry crowd with all shorts of objects. A couple managed to fire their weapons in time, but other than that they were completely routed.

When the shots stopped and the smoke cleared more than sixty officers were on the ground with blood having painted the marble and sand of the square red. A couple of people from the civilian side were also dead. A dozen of officers were running to the Police station with angry mobs behind them. Those caught suffered similar fates to their colleagues in the square while those who managed to escape fled to the police station.

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
The officers in the station barricaded the doors and opened their armoury to defend themselves, taking shifts to guard the building.
Outside the station the crowd had moved from the Fishing Market Square to Enotita Square, a major square of Sounio, second only to Megaro Square. The wires connecting the Police Station to the rest of the city had been cut.

Within a night the Socialist party had organized a Popular Assembly at the square. With the feeling of revolution now rooted in everyone's hearts all, not only socialists but all middle and lower class people of the city, men and women of all ages gathered. Within the day they had taken over the port district, industrial area with its factories and all areas up to this square, including the train station of the square. Only the police station stood defiant.

The young student who had rallied many to the cause gave the stand to another man. A university professor, philosopher and scholar known as
Nikolaos Zorbas, who was also a member of the Socialist party. While not a political leader his wide education and democratic ideas earned him fame and respect in Sounio and across the nation. He was a respected scholar even abroad. He stood in front of the hanged men.

"People of Mother Caria! For far too long have our mothers not found food to feed their children while others dine with silver spoons! For far too long have we been forced to spend a furtune to get a chance at entering otherwise public universites while the rich get a degree by giving donations! For far too long have we been forced to work for pennies so foreigners and fat cats can be fed!"

"Aye!" shouted the crowd.

"Today the bourgeois showed their true faces! Murderous bastards killing children, women and old men! And today we showed them the truth! We banded together under a common cause! And we routed them out of half the city! Now they are locked up in police stations and camps or in the mighty keeps and palaces begging their made up Gods to save them! Even the priests are part of the bourgeois! Wake up people of Sounio! Your ancestors are calling! Your descendants are calling! Rise up! Workers, farmers and sailors of the world unite! We have nothing to lose but our chains! But we have a shot at conquering a world!"

The square exploded in applause. Like a single body the crowd moved toward the Police station, breaking open the barricades.

"Men and women of the police. Our struggle is not against you. It is against a common enemy. Lay down your arms and join us! This is not a struggle of blood and murder! It is a struggle of peace for a better tomorrow!"

One by one the officers started dropping their rifles. They were allowed to go back to their famillies. Some even joined the protesters. The bodies of the dead officers were given to their families to be buried. Except for four: the bodies of the inspector and the three militiamen who had tried to murder innocents. They were hanged at Enotita square. The crowd camped at the square through the night. Tomorrow a wave of protest would rock the city leaving its mark on history.

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
The day dawned outside the Archon's Megaro and outside it Megaro square was full with hundreds of thousands of people, in the largest protest Sounio had ever seen. An endless mass of people waved Sounian flags with the Despotic symbols removed, red flags and various banners with messages asking for more rights, less taxation, class equality in all sectors and more democratic power. It was not up until his wife screamed that he saw the four hanged men and a big banner reading "We killed innocents!" next to them that he realized the gravity of the situation.

The Polcie were barely holding them back. The police chief entered the room only at the right moment to be grabbed by the neck by the Archon.
"We have the second largets polcie force in Caria! Where are the rest?!"

"We lost many stations overnight. Apparently three of the idiots hanged there tried to kill a kid and shot seven civilains, including an old man. Things went wild. An inspector sent a contigent to deal with the riot but they were shot dead before killing two more. The socialists roused a 'popular assembly' and now it is out of control! We have lost half the city! Police stations, trains, everything included!"

"Half?! What do these plebian scums even want?!"

"We are not sure. Maybe we could call a delegation?"

The Archon broke a glass on the floor.

"And legitimize these Bolsheviks?! Never! Call in the militia! Shoot them if you need! The Despot will have my head if we lose control. Show them who is in command."

"Understood sir."

Back in the square the protesters steadily marched forward. They were lead by Nikolaos Zorbas, the Socialist schollar, and Cleisthenes Agonistis, the charismatic young law student leading the youth. The people were singing the Diethnis, the Carian version of the Internationale.

"Bread! Freedom! Education!" was the slogan constantly repeated by everyone. Then, out of the blue, trucks of the Militia arrived. They armed the officers who were previously only using riot equipment and armed Militia came out as well. After firing tear gas they started shooting into the crowd. Cleisthenes was injured, though not badly. Many were killed, numbering at least 100 and even more wounded. The protesters fell back to Enotita square, their main stronghold leaving Megaro square in a rush. There their barricades were strong and guarded by armed volunteers. With the injured taken to field hospitals the square was painted red once again.

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
Nikolaos looked around at the swety, scared faces. He had hoped for the revolution to be peaceful. For the reasonable requests of the peopl to be heard by the Despot. But all the Bourgeois had done was shoot at them to silence them and calling them terrorists. Looking at his wounded comrade, Cleisthenes he understood that which he did not want to admit: the Revolution would not be peaceful. He turned to the gathered crowd.

"Comrades. Brothers. We had hoped to achieve change in a peaceful way. But the tyrants rulling us chose to murder innocents as they always have. From this we understand one thing. If we want to defend the revolution, if we want it to succeed; then it must be armed. And for any real change to come we must remove the Despot and his dogs and return power to the people."

While his feelings were shared the crowd was now less desicive. Bullets had broken their morale. A lone man raised his hand.

"But... how will it be armed?"

"The productive facilities and means of production are at the hands of the people. You all work at factories, farms, harbours, shops. They are there in front of you. It is simple: take them. Take the city. The factories both of weapons and everything. Only use food you produce to supply your fellow proletariats and not the Despot's men. Organize yourselves. From your own battalions. And then their blood shall paint our fields red after we surround the Megaro and take the city."

Applause rocked the square but a few men still were not convinced.

"How will we deal with the navy? We can blockade the Despot's forces from resupply and supply our own because we have the ships but what about the Navy? Sounio is the nation's largest port. The navy's presence is massive."

A column of navy officers escorted by troops oved into the square. A man with a white uniform spoke. His rank markings showed he was a Navarchos, Admiral, of the War Navy.

"We can help you with that. The navy is made up of sailors and simple people like all of you. I and the other admrials here are like you too. We want change. And we are on your side. I cannot speak about the other Armed Forces, but the Navy is on your side. Most of it at least."

Another officer in Marine Corps uniform also spoke.

"The Marine Corps too."

The crowd cheered the sailors and Nikolaos Zorbas asked a question.

"Any other questions? No? Good. Because now the real fight begins!"

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
Kleanthes was driving his car to his factory just like every toher day. Or to put it more accurately he was being driven there. It would seem like the city was running next to the car due to the speed. Perhaps in his endless egotism Kleanthes might have been thinking that while fixing his parting of the hair.

"Leave me outside the main gate, would you? I need to tell the workers strikes will not be tolerated. Lest they want mine and the Lord's wrath on them."

"Understood Sir." said the driver.

The car came to a halt just outside the factory's main gate. The man, dressed in an expensive suit walked out looking at the sun, as if anything else was too far below him to deserve his stare. He then looked to the factory. But instead of fidning meriads of workers as he had expected he found an emtpy, dusty road and an even emptier factory. He had heard of the strikes and how they had turned violent. While the press of the Bolsheviks and the Despot's people disagreed as always, the Naval-Merchant Trade newspaper Nautemporiki, renowned for its neutrality in all things business or not, made it clear that they were big and they were bloody. But how could they dare disobey their betters like him, was the question bugging Kleanthes.

Before it could be awnsered the limousine drove away at speed, leaving the Iraklis Group's Arms Factory behind it. Kleanthes shouted in anger.

"Where are you going?!"

That question though was awnsered. not by a voice but by the roars and chants of a thousand or more workers, getting stronger and stronger. They were not songs of every day labout approved by the boss. They were songs of revolution. Without having time to escape Kleanthes and his factory were surrounded by the workers who wanted it to arm the Revolution. The former was dragged to a holding cell in a captured police station, guarded by Astynomia officers who had joined the Democratic Rebels. The latter was taken over by its workers and put to the work of the people and the proletariat by the Popular Assembly.

Within the day almsot all of the city was within Revolutionary control. The armed intervention of the militia had stengthened the Democrats' numbers and allowed them to arm themselves, earn the allegiance of two National Guard branches and surround Megaro Square, cutting the city of. But that was about to be the least of the Archon's worries.

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Despotate
Another warm day of October came in Sounio. 30 degrees at least, high humidity and no wind. With the square boiling a group of three Militiamen stood guard near a blockade. As they spoke and laughed one turned around to check the blockade to see a large crowd moving their way.

"Rebels!" he shouted and fired with his flare gun into the air.

He was not the only one. Flares filled the air. All blockades were being advanced upon. They were surrounded. Troops started moving to fortify them. Behind the sandbag, czech hedgehogs and barbed wire they formed a line by rank, three ranks deep and took aim.

"Stop right there!" shouted the sergeant to the advancing mob. But this time they would not stop. They would not go down so easily.

"Make ready! Take aim!" a wall of fire interrupted the sergeant who fell to the ground lifeless just like a dozen men. Before the smoke cleared a construction truck hit the blockade. Men started powering through the gap and out of the truck itself. The militiamen fired but to no avail.

With fixed bayonets and full weapons the crowds slaughtered the militia and police who were desperately trying to flee. The officers and few who managed to run from the original charge were surrounded in the centre of the square. Without mercy they were cut down like dogs. The crowd now kept moving forward to the second line of defense, around the Megaro. There militiamen and guards started manning machime-guns and sandbag walls. It was clear this fight would not be an easy one.

The crowds started taking cover behind the sandbags of the outer square. They were somewhat disciplined, trained by the navy and marines and eqquipped with the same equipment the factories made for soldiers. They had however painted their helmets blue and wore a blue cloth around their left arm with the letter Δ in a circle standing for democracy. Some had spray painted it to their helmets. They also held flags with the Despotic Coat of Arms ripped out or Red Banners.

While both sides hid behind sandbags and waited a slight shhh sound started becoming louder, coming from the sky. Suddenly a large explosion errupted into the trench of the defenders.

"Artillery!" shouted a Militia major.

The navy, docked into the city's port was providing fire support. Without notice a large battalion of Marines and Sailors armed with navy variants of infantry weapons charged into the weakened flank of the defenders and the crowd also charged from the front. A hand to hand battle ensued, while the navy bombarded the defenders. Screams and bayonet slashes filled the air but half an hour later the Archon's guards and the Despotic Militia laid dead with red blood all over their trenches and the white marble of the square. The revolutionaries had also taken losses but they were ligther. The crowds cheered and charged the Megaro, breaking the doors open and navigating to the rooms of all inside.

The servants and common folk working there were allowed to leave. But the aristocrats, with the Archon first of all, were dragged out into the square. The new flag without the Coat of Arms was raised on top of the Megaro, while the old one was burned. The Popular Assembly now convened in the Megaro's grand hall to judge the fate of the Aristocrats. Because the people were too many to fit inside the building they elected 500 men and women who made up the Areios Pagos of Sounio. A university proffessor of law took the stand as Prosecutor General.

"You have been charged with treason, crimes against the people, corruption, embezzlement of public funds, mass murder and breaches of the Syntagma of the Free State of Sounio. What do you have to say?"

"I have nothing to say to mock trials of Bolsheviks and scum! The Despot will kill you all!"

A large boo rocked the room and the Prosecutor demanded silence.

"Then, since the defense refuses to participate, we will now have a verdict. Those who find these men and women guilty may raise their hands."

The entirety of the Areios Pagos raised their hands.

"Then you are found guilty. Now we shall ask the people what penalty they shall assign to you."

The nobles were taken to the square.

"These men were found guilty of crimes against the people of Sounio. What do you set as their penalty?" asked the Prosecutor.

"Death!!!" shouted the whole square, almost exploding with anger.

"Then death it is. Hang them!" said the Prosecutor.

The prisoners were taken one by one to the centre of the square and hanged. The bodies of the dead militiamen and guards were hanged next to them. The Archon, right at the centre had a plaque reading "Criminal and tyrant" hanged around his neck. Sounio was now in the hands of the Popular Assembly and the Areios Pagos.

 

[Pelasgia]

Sounio, Carian Republic
The Popular Assembly and the Areios Pagos had been debating for almost a quarter of a day. Their subject? The contents of the proclemation they woud make to the rest of Caria and the world. After almost another two hours they finally managed to agree on a draft and approved it unanimously.

FREE STATE OF SOUNIO - PROVISIONAL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΣΟΥΝΙΟΥ - ΠΡΟΣΩΡΙΝΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΗ The Provisional Democratic Government of Caria, currently stationed in the liberated Free State of Sounio hereby proclaims the following: I. The nation of Caria is now in a state of revolution. We call the people of all classes of Caria to join this honourable struggle for Democracy and Liberty against the Despot's tyranny. II. The Revolutionary Provisional Democratic Government proclaims the Carian Republic, with Sounio as its capital city. III. The Democratic Army, made up of volunteers and the National Sea Guard and Marines Corps which have joined our ranks are the sole Armed Force of the Carian Republic. IV. The sole legislative and ruiling bodies of the Carian Republic are the Popular Assembly and the Areios Pagos of each liberated Free State. V. All power is derived from the people and exercised for the people's benefit.

​

Nauplio, Carian Despotate
The proclemation was spread all over the country by the Socialists and Democrats, trhough newspapers, giving out leaflets and any other means. A state crackdown failed to stop them, while the news of the successful takeover of Sounio, and the defection of two branches of the armed forces to the Democratic government spurred feelings of excetement to the people.

The Despot was most definately not amused as he walked into the throne room of the Grand Despotic Megaro. A large war table had been set up with troops positions.

"Sir, the Rebels have taken over the area west of Amarysia. It is estimed they have also taken over the island of Elena. It is almost certain they will try to take Amarysia."

"The Army's counterattack will take care of that. We have to defend Amarysia. It is my Domos' Ancestral Homeland."

The officers exchanged looks.

"Your Majesty. The army is remaining neutral. We only have militia. It seems they have more regular troops than us, with the marines and navy. We do have loyal army troops in the Free State of Nauplio and the Free State of Amarysia. But we can't get those from Nauplio there in time and Amarysia has far too few."

"What are you trying to say?! That we should abandon my homeland?!" shouted the Despot

"Certainly not sir. But we should arm the population and police. A trench system should be in front of the city. It is probable we will be pushed back, so we must have a second line ready at the west bank of the Amarysios river and try to fight them off while they try to cross the river."

"Try to?" remarked the Despot.

"Our chances of victory are... very slim Your Majesty. We should fortify Nauplio and try to get the other Free States to support us instead of them. We will probably lose Amarysia."

The Despot slapped the officer. And spoke before leaving the room.

"If we lose Amarysia you will lose your neck! Let that be a motivation to all of you. I do not accept incompetence."

 

[Rheinbund]

Abstract from the Eiffellandian news media

Carian Socialists capture Sounio
Government takes neutral stance in Carian Civil War

The riots in Sounio have turned into a revolution against the government of the Despot of Caria. Today the Free State of Sounio was proclaimed by the so-called Popular Assembly in Sounio. With the Navy and the Marines on the side of the revolutionaries and the Army remaining neutral, the chances of the Despot are small. Currently an attack against the city of Amarysia, the Despot’s homeland, seems to be prepared by the revolutionaries.
The Eiffellandian Government announced that it will remain neutral in what it called the Carian Civil War. ‘”What is currently happening in Caria, is an internal matter of Caria. At this moment, we will not recognise the Free State of Sounio or the Provisional Democratic Government of Caria as the official government of Caria; however, we will consider it an official international entity to ease communication in cases of emergency. Furthermore, we will put the Navy on Alarm Phase 1. The safety of the Long Sea is our concern. We call upon both the Provisional Democratic Government and the Carian Despotate not to endanger merchant shipping traffic in the Long Sea. The safety of Tiburtina will be our concern as well. We call upon both the Provisional Democratic Government and the Carian Despotate to prevent this conflict from spilling over to Tiburtina,” as said by Chancellor Graf von Seydewitz personally.

 

[Pelasgia]

Kropia, Carian Despotate
ollowing the Revolution in Sounio and the city's fall the surviving members of the Militia gathered all their vehicles and equipment they could take with them and retreated to Kropia, a moderate to small sized town in relatively mountainous terrain. They were reinforced by a few locals, but most people in the region were in favour of the revolution so they had a hard time finding volunteers. The only exception was the village they had chosen to statin troops in. Half the city was made up of Loyalists and the other half made up of not just simple Democrats but Socialists. The Royalists had taken Arms while the Socialists had fortified themselves at the eastern end of the city, to which only one bridge led, as it was builton a seperate cliff than the rest of the city.

Back in the main city Captain Dokatos was in his command quarters trying to find a way to defend the city. Troops were barricading it and trying to fortify but that would just slow the Rebels down. The war table with markers, pieces and various notes did not look good for the Militia. A soldier stepped into them room to brief the Captain on troop movements. The Militiaman saluted and stood in attention.

"Sir." he said with a worried look.

"At ease Private. What are the news of troop movements on both ends?"

"Amarysia is too far away for Nauplio to send reinforcements. They have about 2,500 active Militia and 5,000 Militia Reservists there and will try to arm any locals on their side. The Sounians are coming in force. They have a lot of armed workers and irregulars. The big problem is the Marines and Armed Sailors coming our way. They may even reach 6,000. Amarysia is far from the sea but Makri, the nearby port town, has been blockaded by the Navy already."

"I see. When are we getting reinforcements?"

The Private hesitated.

"None are coming our way, Sir. Only a small contigent of 600, who chose to come on their own."

"It is not your fault for anything that others have ordered. Do not worry Private. We need all the men we can get. Have the barricades been manned?" replied the Captain.

"Ye sir. We will give them hell before we die. There is another thing."

The Captain raised an eyebrow.

"Is there now?"

"The local villages. Many have taken arms to help the Rebels. Very few, like Gendarmerie officers, from them have fled to help us."

"I see. Then let us hope the Air Force wil help."

"The Air Force, Sir?"

"They were created by the Despot. And they are loyal to him. But the navy has its own aviation wing and even among the Air Force many have defected to the Rebel cause. If Nauplio is going to use us a s a distruction to buy Amarysia time they might as well send a couple of planes to help us."

"I agree, Sir. I think it would be good if you adressed the troops. They would need encouragement." noted the Private;

The Captain, in his olive green uniform looked outside the window of the stone built traditional house. The hot sun of Caria gave the stones of the village's houses a light beige colour, like that of sand, no matter helped by dust and sand of the sand covered roads. The small but steep and rocky mountains of Caria, some covered in olive trees and bushes, others in pines and others naked went as far as the eye could see, deep into the blue sky. Though the mind always knew the sea was not very far away. The Captain struck a foot on the ground and saluted the Private.

"It was good serving with you, Private."

"Likewise, Sir." said the Private after he returned the gesture.

Both moved out of the building to meet the gathered Militiamen, policemen, gendarmeries and volunteers who were standing in attention, trying to resemble the Regular Army they had perhaps once seen in some parade.

"Soldiers! Brothers in Arms! We are besieged by the Rebels! Expect no help for none is to come! But we shall not fall without a fight! We shall take as many Bolsheviks and other Rebels as we can down to Hell with us!"

"Aye!" shouted the soldiers waving their flags and throwing their rifles in the air. The almost 4,600 men cheered like victory was in their hands for a moment smiling. A smile soon to be taken away. A shell struck a building near the square spreading shrapnel killing a dozen men and injuring more. More followed and another one exploded right at the center of the formation taking at least a hundred men with it.

"To the barricades!" shouted the Captain as he and his troops moved forward and a shell blew the temporary command building's front side to pieces which fell of the cliff. Men formed a line behind the barricade, shooting immediately at the charging enemies. Sentries also shot from the balconies. And the first line of Rebels fell down lifeless whie behind them more came. The first line of defenders knelt allowing the second one to fire. This time however the charging troops fired killing about a third of the line and wounded a few more. The rest fired killing a few charging rebels. The rebels moved closer while the the defenders rearranged and tried to form two lines again. When they got ready to fire, the first line knelt and the second stood up so they would fire together.

On the Rebel side men moved forward shouting with bayonets fixed with a Carian Flag without the Despotic coat of arms heading the charge. Before the line could fire a woman threw a pot with hot oil on the troops burning the faces of many and causing them to fire in the air or drop their rifles from the pain. A couple turned and shot her way. She had however bought the Rebels enough time to reach the first barricade line without a full volley fired at them. With bayonets both sides fought in bloody hand to hand combat. However the larger number of Rebels caused the defenders to be forced to retreat to the interior of the town, to the second line of barricades.

"Retreat!"

"Back off! Run!"

"To the second line!"

The shouts of various soldiers made that quite clear.

 

[Pelasgia]

Kropia
As the men started pulling back to the second line the Captain turned around to see how many had been left behind. What he saw shoecked him beyond his worst nightmares. Men from both sides crawling to escape death only to be bayoneted mercylessly. Troops and rebels running fleeing only to be shot in the crossfire. Hundreds laid dead and blood run like a river. Banners from both sides had hit the ground, soaked in blood and pierced by bullets. If there was hell, this was it.

And as he was thnking all of that a new barrage of bombs and large rounds started raining down upon the town. A bomb landed on a wall next to the Captain, dropping him to the floor and covering his head's left side in blood. He wasn't sure if it was his own or not. The world seemed to have slowed down. Planes from the Despotic air force flew above, and men from both sides, mostly Rebels, seemed to disappear afetr explosions or fall down after being hit by machien gun shots from the planes. A sound kept repeating itself from nearby, until it became more clear and familliar.

"Captain! Captain!"

It was a Militiaman shouting at him. He stood up and looked around.

"Captain we have to go!"

"Oh.. yes. Yes. We do."

The Captain, still trying to recover from the shock started running back to the second line of defense, at the highest point in the center of the town. The six tight roads leading to a church at the peak of the hill the village was on, were steep and easy to defend. There barriers made of sandbags, stones and furniture blocked the roads, guarded by defenders and marksemen on top of buildings or balconies. The Rebels would not attack until morning came again, as the sun had begun to set down. The air raid had cause them losses, so they needed the night to regroup too.

The Captain walked past the bodies of those about to be buried, speaking with the soldier that had saved him.

"They might take Kropia, Captain. But they will lose! The Despot's amry will step in at some point."

"It would seem to one they are however winning right now."

"We will win! All they have done is weakened their City State! After this is over Sounio will pay! After we win!"

"And who has won anything, Sergeant? Who will win anything from this madness?"

He stopped at a familiar face. It was the private, with his iconic harmonica in hand. He then looked up again, thinking that a young man mere hours ago full of life and energy, was now dead. And then he realised the awnser to his own question and though aloud.

"Nobody, Sergeant. Nobody. Everybody loses and nobody wins. That, perhaps, is the nature of war."

Nauplio
The Despot was reading the Nautemporiki's newspaper latest headline about the siege of Kropia. His airstrikes had proved ineffective, simply slowing the Rebels down. Of course he did not care about Kropia strategically. All they were doing was buying time for the defense of Amarysia. But he could not help but care for his men, wasting their lives to no end. He turned and looked to a large, ornated map of Caria in his office's wall, as if he would find a solution to this madness there. As he was desperately looking for a solution, then it hit him.

"The map." he said.

"The map. Cities! City States! How could I have not thought of it?!"

Of course he had thought of getting support from other cities. It was simply both his own pride and that of Nauplio and Amarysia that had not allowed him to ask for it. But pride was a silly inconvinience when compared to death, war and destruction. If sacrificing pride saved that and his throne he would gladly do it. The Despot got up and run otuside his office, to the main hall, where the Exterior Minister was speaking with the Generals.

"Minister!"

"Your Majesty?" asked the Minister surprised.

"Minister my good man, you are saving us! Issue a nationwide decree! I am calling a Summit of the Archons in Antikyra!"

The men and women in the hall looked at each other before saluting.

 

[Pelasgia]

Kropia
As the sun dawned the Captain stood at the square surrounding the town's Church, at the highest point of the city. He looked through his binoculars to see an endless wave of Rebel soldiers filling the streets of Kropia. Defenders started running to their barricades, rooftops and balconies to prepar for the onslaught. Just like every other time, artillery started rocking the defenders from all sides, with shells crushing into buildings, open spaces and barricades. The Captain was forced to evacuate down to the lower levels of the City Center where the barricades were.

As the Captain walked down to the barricades of the defenders he saw men laying half dead, with an empty gaze as if they had been to hell and back. Sad, muddy ghosts that once were called men in olive uniforms holding their rifles tightly, praying to whatever God the believed in. With a small hop he moved atop the barricade. The once cheering rebels were now holding their rifles tightly too, aiming them at the air, hesitating to fire.

"Get down!"

"We do not want to shoot you!"

The scared, almost crying men, seemed more afraid to kill than to be killed. They had the same dirty and gloomy faces as his own soldiers. It was then that the Captain realised neither side wanted this madness.

"We surrender!" he shouted in the air.

Men from both sides turned and looked at him and at one another, before they too started shooting "Don't shoot! We surrender!" and "Drop your weapons!" respectively. The defenders gathered at the center of the village dropping their weapons and flags at the feet of the rebels, before ligning up.

Cleisthenes moved in, leading the young volunteers of the Red Guard.

"Who is your commander?" he asked.

"I am!" said the Captain standing up.

"You have all done crimes against the people! Now you pay! Sh-

Before Cleisthenes could finish his rant Zorbas his him in the head with the back of his rifle.

"Are you out of your mind?! These men have surrendered! Men disarm the Red Volunteer Guard!"

The Reds turned with their weapons facing at the other Rebels, before seeing they were outnumbered and had weapons aimed at them from all sides. Cleisthenes tried to protest.

"They are enemies of the Revolution!"

"The only enemy of the Revolution here is you! We are all borthers, suffering because of the Depsot's tyranny. We do not murder innocents! We only kill when needed. These men understood it. That is why they surrendered, to avoid more bloodsed. Am I right, sir?"

"Of course. The name is Dokatos, I am a Captain. Was anyway." responded the Captain.

"Then we are in agreement, Captain Dokatos. All those who have surrendered their arms can leave and go back to their families. As men and not murderers. But first we shalll eat together."

Men from both sides cheered. But on Cleisthenes' mind there was only rage.

Amarysia
Having captured the only barricade to Amarysia, the rebel army now advanced to Amarysia. In an elaborate trench system outside the city troops laid ready to fight and give their lives to protect the Despot's home city. The deep lines, filled with mud from the recent heavy rains and floods extended for miles upon miles while little men and olive uniforms aimed their rifles and loaded their machine guns.

The rebels moved into an abandoned trench, which had not been completed entirely and was too far from the other trenches to defend. As was their typical tactic the Rebels started bombarding the city from ships in the sea and aritllery on land. This time however the defenders also unleashed artillery fire.

As shells from both dies threw mud and shrapnel into the air troops with light blue uniforms started a charge toward the defenders' trench. Machine guns ripped through the attackers and grenades exploded into the defenders' trench. When they were finally in range the attackers started firing at the dfenders and before long a hand in hand battle had begun. Fighter planes flew over the battle bombing the attckers while naval artillery ripped trhough the defenders' trenches.

In the midst of battle a lone priest run out holding a white flag, right at the center of fighting.

"Stop ye men of God! Stop this madness!"

Behind him women and children waved white flags. The men at the center of the battle, lowered their weapons. Many spoke trhough the phone boxes carried by some, telling command women and children had started appearing and to stop artillery attacks on both sides. They looked at each other. Smilar faces, smilar weapons and slightly different uniforms. The same empty gaze and dity faces. They were not so different after all. Soon enough the whole line had stopped. From the attckers a lone Marine walked up to the priest.

"Father, what do you want? It is dangerous out here."

"Dangerous because of this foolishness." pointed out the old Priest.

"Lower your arms and return to your camps. Or even better sleep and dine together. We are all brothers after all."

The men of both sides looked in awe.

"Why would we do that?" one asked.

"Because you fools... we will negotiate a ceasefire. Right here, right now."

The men of both sides dropped their weapons and embraced each other. There was chance that this nightmare could finally end. That night both camped together, ate together and slept together. They laughed, played and relaxed. They buried their dead together, prayed together and even mourned together. If there was one point in Carian history where Carians felt as a people and not citizens of various city states this was it. And at the same time, in Amarysia's city hall men from both sides tried to negotiate a ceasefire.

 

[Pelasgia]

Amarysia
The sun scorched the Carian land once again as the represenatives of both sides had been debating, many times in a very heated manner, for hours upon hours.

"We will not accept an armistice unless the Sounians retreat back to Kropia!" said for the tenth time the Amarysian chief representative.

"And we will not give up land which we shed blood to liberate!" replied his Sounian countepart in a similarly heated way.

"Liberated?! More like enslaved! Or conquered at the very least!"

As the room descended once again into squabbles from both sides the Military Liege of the still neutral Army placed his head of his palm and sighed. Around him shouts were still being heard.

"Bolshevik!"

"Fascist!"

"Traitor!"

"Despot's whore!"

"Sounian women are whores! You are all a bunch of treasonous sailors, whores and beggars!"

"Amarysians are fat pigs who kiss the Despot's ass!"

"Enough!" shouted the liege.
"We are not going to get anywhere like this! The same always! Carians fighting Carians over boundaries of city states and petty pride! If your pride is so important for you why have you let our motherland be stained in dark blood while you sit and watch?!"

As both sides were shocked into silence the liege took the chance to continue his speech.

"The Despot does not care about neither of you! He does not care about your families, your losses, your petty vendettas! And neither do the other Archons! They have not seen what you have seen."

"So what do you say? We make them feel the same destruction? Do you not preach that we have spilled innocents' blood?!" replied a Sounian represenative.

"Never. But I say we march to Antikyra during the summit. We do not just let our representatives talk and talk with no effect. We stop fighting here and move there to stand around the city, peacefully as a form of protest. Show these nobles, politicians and diplomats that as long as we do not wish to fight their warmongering cannot devide us or force us to. Sailors will bring their ships near too with balnk flags. Neither Democratic army nor Despotic Militia insignia. A blank Carian flag to show we are all one."

"Yes that is a great idea. And then the Army can sweep in from Nikaia and install the dictatorship it always craved. Or just open the ground to Sounio for the Archons and the Despot." noted an Amarysian spitting on the floor.

"We will not do any such thing. We will guard your homes and if the Despot and his Loyalists try to intervene we will crush them. United we are undefeatable! Who is with us?" replied the military liege.

A few Sounian volunteers raised their hands. Then Amarysian nurses raised theirs too. Slowly all the representatives raised their hands. A smile was painted on the liege's face.

 

[Pelasgia]

Amarysia
The iea to peacefully march on Antikyra was one adopted by many in both sides. Sounians, Amarysians and others in the city were jointly cheering for national unity and peace. But they could not distinguish eachother from the rest. If this movement was to survive it had to adopt a name. It had to have symbols. Hours kept passing with the representatives arguing about extravagant heraldic designs to represent their movement and even longer symbolic acronyms. They were back to zero, once again arguing over nothing.

Taking advantage of a short break given to everyone to blow off steam the military liege walked to the balcony of the Amarysian city theatre where the ceasefire negotiations were being held. He opened the balcony's doors with fresh air strking his face and looked down to the gathered crowds.

"A flag." he thought out loud.

He begun looking at the banners of theose encamped around the building.

"It has to be something simple yet symbolic. Something plain but that everyone can recognize."

"Forward banished of the earth! Forward slaves of hunger!..."

The liege turned seeing two young Sounians singing the Greek internationale and walking carelessly. Simple blue uniforms and a delta armband. Definetly democratic army soldiers. Behind them he saw a red flag, torn in some places but otherwise completely plain, waving near tents. And then he found the awnser he had been looking for.

He rushed into the room where people had begun gathering again. He grabbed a white cloth and tore two dents into it, making it have three 'teeth' sticking out. He then put it into blue paint in the shade of the Carian flag before pulling it out again.

"This! This shall be our flag!" he proclaimed.

With everyone exchanging looks he understood he had to explain.

"Simple but recognizable. A flag everyone can relate to precisly because it symbolizes something and is plain at the same time."

"So.. like the red flag of Socialism?" asked a Sounian.

"Yes. But this one is for unity and democracy!" said the liege happy.

Everyone moved their heads agreeing.

"Then Attalus, what shall our movement's name be?" asked an elderly diplomat calling the liege by name.

"National Unity Front." replied Attalus even happier.

After everyone seemed to approve Attalus took the flag outside waving and proclaiming to the gathered crowds.
"Brothers and sisters! From this day on we are the National Unity Movement! And this is our flag!"

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And crowd cheered and applauded happy to have found a symbol to gather behind at last, without needing to shed blood. The representatives soon drafted a simple manifesto to officialize their movement. The judicial represenatives of Amarysia and Sounio signed and stamped it, giving it status within these city states.

ΜΕΤΩΠΟ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΕΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ - NATIONAL UNITY FRONT A proclemation - Diplomatic Assembly in Amarysia Saturday 1st November 1954 The Carian people, based in the Ceasefire Negotiations in the Municipal Theatre of Amarysia announce the creation of the National Unity Front. This movement already consisting of almost all troops and civilians in Amarysia at the moment aims to restore Carian unity and justice while avoiding further bloodshed. All those who support us can use a flag in the blue shade of our national flag, twice dented to show their support. Anybody whishing to be a member and sharing our common ideals and goals can consider themselves already a member of this movement. ​

​

 

[Pelasgia]

Antikyra
A group of three cars moved through the road leading from Nauplio to Antikyra. Inside the second car, the Despot looked out the window thinking and trying to come up with ideas to deal with the crisis. In his hand was the proclemation of the NUF. Next to him was the Minister of the Interior.

"An uprsing we can put down and nobody will say anything." he said.

"But how do we deal with a peaceful revolt? You can not force people to stand up from a road outside your palace or stop them from waving flags. Not without half the world coming to help them." the Despot replied.

The car cotninued its course until it reached the Antikyran border. There it stopped and and a Antikyran Civil Guard soldier checked the documents of the convoy.

"Papers."

"We are the convoy of the Despot." said the security detail's chief.

"Anybody could get three fancy cars say that. I said papers."

As the guard and the security detail's chief spoke the Despot thought about his City State's relations with Antikyra. Antikyra and Nauplio were kind of opposites since ancient times. Antikyra was the richest city of the ancient world for some time and always the richest in Caria. It was focused on trade and was either ruled by benevolent tyrrants or rich oligarchs. Honour and war mattered little to them. As long as ships and merchants paid them fees and tariffs they were fine. And that continued to this day. No matter who ruled over them they always bought their way into autonomy and made sure they kept the best trade relations and costumer opinions.

Nauplio on the other hand, did have a large industry and trade sector but its main focus was and still is honour, power and military strength. It is not a militarist and expansinist city state like Nikaia but it does pack a punch and use it to protect or advance its interests. Even in the military the small but well eqquipped, trained and payed Antikyran hybrid police-gendarmerie-army came in sharp contrast with most City States' forces and even the joint Despotic Armed Forces of Caria.

That surely caused a lot of tension between the two as the little turf between the civil guard soldier guard and the security detail chief served to show. In the end the bald chief gave in to the orders of the Civil Guard and finally gave his papers in, earning the Despotic convoy free passage. Elsewhere and in less turbulent times they might be trated as the most noble and high ranking of people. But in Antikyra in a time when Nauplio's image was used to wipe the floor by Sounian rebels they were just another bunch of diplomats and businessmen.

Nothing the Antikyrans were not used to and nothing they would show special care about. Business as usual.

 

[Pelasgia]

Antikyra
The rain hit the window of the despot's car as it went through Antikyra. Normally it was one of the sunniest cities in Caria, but as the winter closed in the rain had gotten there too. While clouds covered the sky the sun did still manage to popu up behind them, lighting the Acropolis of the city on top of a rocky mountain. Each city had its own distinct Acropolis but Antikyra was more of an Acropolis with a city than a city with an Acropolis.

White buildingds, ranging from Neo-Classical four story buildings or even larger ones to Ancient and traditional Antokyran houses, all white with a blue roof, either made of marble or even rock and volcanic stone. The latter came from a volcano that had created the large Antikyran bay with a massive explosion centuries ago. Of that original volcano only its top sticked out in the bay as a lonely rocky island, surrounded on three sides by mountainous shores and on one by the Long Sea. That lonely island could be seen from Antikyra very clearly, just like the rest of the bay.

The Despot's car finally arrived in the Antikyran Archon's Megaro. Outside the Megaro, in Archontos Square, nine other cars were parked, no doubt belonging to the representatives of the other cities. The Antikyran Civil Guard had taken tight measures to protect the summit. The war was bad for the Antikyran trade so they wanted it to end and frankly nobody exactly wanted the entirety of Carian leadership to die within their city's Megaro.

A servant opened the Despot's door and he walked out, stepping onto the marble tiles of the square. Everything around them seemed to be made of marble. The Archon started walking up the stairs of the Megaro, whoose pillars and every small detail were in Corinthian style, an ancient architectural style the Antikyrans used and the Tiburans loved and adopted. The walked into the Megaro and was led trhough its library and grand hall to the throne room, were the meeting was being held. Everyone else, even the far away Nikaian and Artemisian representatives had already arrived. The Antikyran Archon, chairing the summit as a sort of 'referee' between the negotiating parties welcomed the Despot. An empty seat on the corner of the table was open for him and on the other side sat the Antikyran Archon, with everyone else in the in between side seats of the long table.

"Welcome, Your Majesty. Now that you are here we can finally begin. Please, sit."

 

[Pelasgia]

Nauplio
Nearchus climbed on top of an old, neoclassical building in Nauplio. The building was near Acronauplia, the city's Acropolis district. From there he could clearly see the city spread out, stopping at the hills behind it and the sea in front Nauplio. There the Sounian warships laid as usual. Intrestingly enough they were letting all traffic through. The Sounians had blockaded Nauplio for a while, causing hunger, inflation and bringing prices up. People could buy food if they could actually find any. All that managed to get trhough was seized and redistributed in public mess meals.

Now all that was gone. The negotiations in Amarysia and Antikyra, made sure the combat stopped. So among other things the blockade was lifted, though Sounian warships still patrolled Carian waters near Nauplio, reminding the Nauplians what the failure of negotiations would mean once more. The fewer and lighter Nauplian shios could not stand in an all out fight but kept the Sounian ships out of the Naupliot bay. That way even if the bloackde came back the Sounians could not take the city, since the Naupliot navy would fare better in the tight bay. Nearchus was not sure if that was a good thing.

Though the negotiations had taken away the blockade and the inflation, hunger and price rises that came with it they had not taken away one thing. Thieves. Not petty little beggars or kids stealing a loaf of bread or a tomato from the flea market. Big thieves. Thieves who worked with the High Comissioner the Despot had appointed in his absence. They took the supplies that were meant for public common meals and instead sold them to people, who were forced to give gold and silver, or their life's speandings to them just so they would not starve to death. Some had to give even more. And these thieves made sure to share the profits with the Regent 50-50. As long as they did that they had amnesty and even got public offices, many in the newly created Provisional Department of Public Safety & Supplies.

From that top of the building Nauplio started seeming lke a city again. But it would long before it was restored to what it was. Nearchus sighed. He climbed down and headed into a Cafe. As the lights started being lit on the streets and dusk approached, Nearchus sat down. On the other side of the street was a Grocery store with the rare housewife or working class husband walking in, with a child holding their hand, to buy something. In front of that tram rails allowed the Naupliot tram to occasionaly pass, while peopel walked on the sidewalk. All of this seemed so close and so far away, cut off by a glass partition which read 'ΚΑΦΕΝΕΙΟΝ'. He opened the latest issue of the Naupliotiki Imerisia newspaper and started reading through the headlines.

"Νέες μάχες εις την Υουζίνη. Οι απώλειες ήσαν βαρύτατες εκατέρωθεν." (New battles in Yujin. The losses were heavy on both sides.)

"Σφοδρές διαδηλώσεις εις την Ιβερνική Ημιαρική Κοινοπολιτεία επί της απόφασεως της HEEOAA να μεταφέρει το νεοεύρετο διαμάντι της Νέας Ελπίδος εις την Ιβερνία." (Heavy protests in the Ivernish Himyari Commonwealth over the AAMMCC's decision to bring the New Hope Diamond to Ivernia.)

The world seemed to be a terrible place as usual. He checked the pages were the articles continued to read more on these issues later. As the waiter moved to his table Nearchus ordered a cup of coffee. He turned back to read his newspaper again and his eye caught something more familiar near the Carian News section. He was eager to learn more about the negotiations ever since the Ceasefire had been achieved.

"Η εν Αμαρυσία Συνέλευση Παύσης Εχθροπραξιών ανακοίνωσε τη δημιουργία ενός Μετώπου Εθνικής Ενότητος." (The Ceasefire Summit in Amarysia announced the establishemnt of a Movement for National Unity.)

That caught his eye. Nearchus turned to page 12 and started reading. A lot of opinions by analysts, its important members, its manifesto. Nearchus was excited but everything seemed too lifeless, too removed to make him believe this real was change and not another revolutionary faction taking over a single city state and talking big. And then the radio sounded.

 

[Pelasgia]

Nauplio
Everyone turned around as the Radio started playing three loud beep sounds, as it usually only did so for important announcements. It was way past news time and all that was being played now was music, until the hour when it would stop braodcasting for the day. But there it was beeping loudly thrice and then again and again.

"This announcement is being transmited on request of the Carian Armed Forces' Joint General Staff of Officers. This is not a drill."

A waitress dropped the glasses she was holding. Nearchus stood up and looked out of the window to the port. The ships were not moving. Either they were planning something big or they were just as shocked to hear the Emergency Broadcast.

"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I assume my name is one that has been heard of by many and mentioned frequently in these recent months. I am Brigadier General Attalus Pelasgiotis and today I am here to represent the wish of the majority of the Armed Forces which has not aligned itself with any one faction up to this point. Recently in the Diplomatic Assembly of Amarysia you heard of a National Unity Front being created. Diplomats, civilians and soldiers from both sides joint their forces to stop further bloodshed. In our absence the Amed Forces aimed at the same thing. But we see that our absence is allowing others to commit bloodshed and not preventing it. Thus we are joining our forces with this National Unity Front, in hopes to end the suffering of our Fatherland." said the voice, stopping shortly.

Peopl started standing up in the short pause of the message, exchanging looks and checking their watches for no particular reason at all, maybe to hide their stressed expressions.

"And what of you? Are you not tired of starvation, of bloodshed, of death and destruction all because of a few old men who cannot get over their pride. Are you not tired of us being endlessly divided into tiny cities and fighting eachother like foreigners, something no other nation in Europe does? True you might say, we are united under the Carian Despotate. But that is united as a tower of cards, loose and weak. And the recent Revolution in Sounio, blew air wrecking it and showing how truly divided it is. We need a new united state. A new united identity. A new united national vision. And if you agree we ask not much of you. Just fly a blue flag like ours and walk together to end this madness. Long live national unity! Long live Caria!" the announcement concluded.

Now the men and women inside had grown more sympathetic. A look of sadness and depression had been replaced by one of decisiveness. As planes flew overhead, dropping these blue flags people went out to catch them. Like a single heart, a single hand the city started flying them and marching. Some were defaced with various messages such as Ζήτω η εθνική ενότητα (long live national unity), Ένωση θα πη δύναμη (unity means strength) and Ισχύς εν τη ενώσει (strength through unity). Others simply had Nauplio (ΝΑΥΠΛΙΟ) written on them and most were completely featureless and plain blue. But the whole city marched to the square as one and to those watching it it was truly a marvellous and intimidating sight.

Surely that it was for the men guarding the Megaro were the Regent was meeting with his lackeys. As they turned around to see an endless mass of men, going on for miles and miles marching to them. The Megaro was close to the rocky peak of the city's Acropolis and it could clearly see the dust lifted from the hundreds of thousands marching on the streets of Nauplio. If that was not enough a large line of people started appearing on the square outside the Megaro with countless people pourng into it. Many were shouting slogans demanding food, justice and peace, the things the Despot's Regent had taken away from them. The Militia turned to form a line and fire a warning shot in the air in an attempt to scare them off. The crowd seemed to hardly notice, continuing its march, if not marching faster. Many guards dropped their rifles and joined the crowd, which already contained many men and women in uniform. Sheer numbers had determined the winner before the protests had even begun.

 

[Pelasgia]

Nauplio
The Despotic Guards started shouting at the crowd to stop moving. Their hands shaking they were barely able to hold their rifles, knowing full well that even if they were to fire it would be the end of them.

"Stop! Turn back! Stay away!"

As the militia formed a line behind the sandbags in the square and some manned machineguns and hand carried mortars, with some trucks to cut used as anotehr form of cover they hoped that a quick burst into the crowd would scare them into leaving. After the men had taken their positions an officer raised a hand in the air. Soldiers started saying thier prayers, as if the heavens would somehow save them now.

Before the soldiers could fire shots were heard in the air. Both protesters and guards looked in awe as men of the Regular Ary entered the city, with some men in jeeps running ahead and shooting into the air to stun the crowds and make them aware of their presence. As troops started moving toward the Megaro the crowds opened for the cross through. A man on the front lines walked to an officer of the Despotic Guard.

"Who is in command around here?"

The Guard hesitated.

"The- the Major. Major Dimomahos."

"Can I speak to him?"

"What do you want to say to him sir?"

"Tell him that the 1st Army Corps of Brigadier General Attlus Pelasgiotis is now in charge of this city."

The Guard saluted.

"In that case you are speaking to him right now. Sir."

The Brigadier returned the salute.

"Come with me Major."

The Major moved his head to show he agreed and walked with the Brigadier. The 1st Army Corps started pacifying the crowds, while some soldiers walked into the Megaro, lead by the Brigadier and Major. After walking up the ornate staircases and hallways of the Megaro, covered in white marble with gold details the group of men reached the Throne Room where the Regent and his lackeys were meeting.

"Oh I am sorry did I interrupt something?" the Major asked ironically.

The Regent seemed angry and shocked, seeing somebody enter without his approval, to such a degree that he did not notice the uniform the man was wearing.

"Who are you?! How did you get here?! Guards! Guards!"

"Oh I am sorry they are busy. They have been relieved of their duty to guard you."

"By who? What do you want?!"

"Brigadier General Attalus Pelasgiotis of His Majesty's 1st Army Corps, at your service. I am here to arrest you for crimes against the Naupliot people and Caria as a whole."

The Regent flinched.

"I am the Despot's Regent! I shall have you hanged if you lay a finger on me-

"Perhaps I should let the crowds in then? Leave you to the people's justice?"

The Regent did not awnser.

"Take him." the Brigadier ordered the Major. Soldiers caffed the Regent and took him away, doing the same with his lackeys.

The Brigadier walked out of the building along with the other men and stood before the gathered crowed, with soldiers holding the detainees at gun point.

"People of Nauplio. You have now been freed by the shackles of slavery and servitude brought to you by these despicable men and the Despot. And we shall make sure, taht they shall face a tribunal to determine if they're are guilty and if they are they shall oay fro their crimes!"

While the crowd applauded the arrested men were moved to military trucks to be taken to the Courthouse were they would face trial.

 

[Pelasgia]

Antikyra
The summit of the Archons had been going on for weeks. Today was the tenth day, marking almost two weeks of discussion and diplomacy. As one might expect from the Carians there was almost no progress toward a consensus. For a people who have managed to stay divided into city states, despite having a unified national identity long before others even knew how to read, the word 'consensus' was as empty as space itself.

The Despot was sitting in his chair on yet another boring day, with his head resting on his palm,listening to the Nikaian delegate outline the relation he had somehow managed to think up between 'Southern maritime superiority' and the 'disenfranchisment of the Northern city states by the Despot' with the situation in Sounio and the surrounding areas. Thinking up such pointless bunkums was quite an achievement and served to show just how stale and unproductive the summit was.

"Therefore as I have pointed out a few times before, the domianance over maritime trade and the lack of concern about the Northern City States, such as my own, have lead to the unprecedented situation down in Sounio!" noted the Nikaian for the eighth time.

"Thank you mister delegate. We will now proceed to hear the Honorary Archon of the Most Serene Free State of Demetrias. Your Excellency you may-

A servant entered the room interupting the Antikyran Archon and wispering in his ear. From the shock the Archon dropped the glass of wine he was holding. The half-asleep Archons stood up, surprised, to inquire on the seemingly shocking matter that had overtaken their fellow Archon.

"Is everything alright Your Excllency?" asked the Despot.

"Yes, Your Majesty, yes. But sadly it seems some very complicated events have taken place during our absence."

"Complicated?"

The Despot raised a brow. The Antikyran Archon, swallowed his saliva before speaking.

"It seems the Capital, Naplio, has been taken over by revolutionaries of the National Unity Front, supported by the Army."

The men exhcanged looks, shocked, while the Archon called somebody on the phone, said a cuple of words and hung up.

"It would be a good idea to organize a course of action and maybe negotiate with the new Military government."

"Negotiate?! With rebels?! I had a Regent there! My own cousin! I will speak with him-

"The Regent has been seized by the Despotic Guard and is awaiting trial along with a dozen key supporters of his regime. Judging by the public outrage against him, his days are numbered as his fate is the jury's to decide. Since the Army is on their side, I have called the Naupliot Military Liege in Antikyra, Colonel Alexandros Fournaris, who is also a member of the National Unity Front, to help in the negotiations and represent the people of Nauplio." the Archon continued.

"What am i here for then?!" replied the Despot being annoyed.

"Your Majesty is still the joint Head of State of the Carian Despotate. Each city state has its own Vice Head of State and Head of Government, but we are in a personnal union with Your Majesty. You are no longer the Archon of Nauplio or Amarysia, since the NUF controls them now, but you are still our Despot."

The Antikyran used the full extent of his Maciavelist diplomatic skills to diffuse the situation, making everyone feel in power and still under the Despot, but remidning the Despot he no longer can decide and order. Suddenly the shift of balance ensured this summit would actually produce a major result. Whether that would be a positive or negative one.