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Imperial Council
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Autarch Zander Cerebella
Chancellor Laurentus
Culture Aragonn
Development BraveSirRobin
Propaganda Taulover
Lord Inquisitor Colberius X
A New Order Shall Rise
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Aura Hyperia was originally created from the merging of the regions Bloemfontein and A Second Try, and then arose from The United States of Europe. Its former residents have rebranded themselves as the Hyperion Order, and currently reside within New Hyperion.

Founded: 29th October 2014

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The regional roleplay has now started! Talk to Lord Aragonn about joining!
What is New Hyperion?
New Hyperion (NH) is a region of NationStates. It is an empire built on the principles of Hyperionism, our guiding philosophy.

Great! How do I sign up?
Hold on there, buddy, you haven't even registered yet! You'll have to scroll up (or just click here) and take care of that first.

After that, take a look at those four forums at the top of the list. The Low Orbit Welcome Wagon is where you can apply for Plebeianship and introduce yourself. You can undergo Patricianship if you're interested in leadership. For everything else, go to Imperial Service.

What if I'm a diplomat?
Go to the Immigration Desk instead, and we'll get you masked.

What's the government situation look like?
Our region has three main levels of command: the Imperial Council, the Inquisition, and the Hyperion Senate.

The Imperial Council (IC) consists of the Autarch, Chancellor, Lord Inquisitor, High Lords, and military command. It assembles when sensitive or secret decisions need to be made. Its members otherwise act separately as department heads and administrators.

The Inquisition is the law enforcement of the region. Inquisitors ensure that all members are complying with any requirements currently set in place, and, along with the Lord of Development, also controls admission into the Patrician caste. The Judiciary, our courts system, also exists as part of the Inquisition.

The Hyperion Senate consists of all our Patricians, and is the primary body of law and policy. The Senate operates somewhere between a democracy and a mob, and doesn't necessarily need hard votes to get things done. While the IC is technically superior to the Senate, it is more common for the Councillors to participate as Senators. As such, the Hyperion Senate tends to be the most important part of the entire government.

Is that it?
Of course not, that would be dry and boring. Granted, the Hyperion Senate is about as boring as a discussion on abortion, but you probably don't want to deal with its squabbles and silliness 24/7. That's why we have the Imperial Service and the military.

The Imperial Service consists of the various departments, such as Foreign Affairs and Recruitment. All departments are volunteer-only, though enlistment and training in the Hyperian Guard is highly recommended for all members. In general, however, you will be encouraged to join under-staffed departments.

Oh yeah, didn't your recruitment telegram mention an RP?
Why yes it did! While we allow other RPs, of course, our main RP is the one that sets the standard of our theme and culture. It's kind of complex and involved, but once you get the ball rolling it's about as smooth sailing as any other RP.

What if I need help?
Pop us a question. Our patience is legendary. ;) You may also check the Great Library of Trantor for answers to some of the more common questions.

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Penguins vs. Cookies; The war to end all wars...
Topic Started: Nov 16 2014, 04:29 PM (2,611 Views)
Lord Aragonn
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Jarl of The Aesir Empire
The Jarl waited at the train station, eagerly waiting for the first shipment of cookies from his new allies. These weren't any ordinary cookies. These were soft chocolate chip cookies. These cookies could reduce crime by a huge amount. If only the cookies would arrive faster...
Edited by Aragonn, Nov 17 2014, 12:45 AM.
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Lord Inquisitor Colberius X
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Primary Conference Chamber
Subitarium Complex, Beneath Executorium Complex


Chaos reigned in the conference chamber. The expansive room was filled nearly to capacity, with more people present than there were chairs. The Decurionatis and five of the six Councillors were present, as were eight of the ten Secretaries. Five senior military officers were in attendance, and over a dozen staffers and aides stood against the rear wall. Hushed conversation filled the room.

Nathan Minro surveyed the room from his position at the front. Technicians were finishing up establishing live video links with the absent Secretaries and Councillors. He saw Decurionatis Kal Drayne talking animatedly with Proconsul Owen Vale, Governor of the Valkryt District. Several chairs down, Councillors Elec Zuss and Seth Dan'eyla were listening intently to Secretary of Finance Adrian Ripula as he told them about the mysterious dealings between Miricano and Science. Many other conversations were occurring, but the room went silent when the Regent entered.

Accompanied by Joc and Administrator Grahamsy, Colberius X swept into the room. All present stood, but the Regent gestured for them to be seated. A wave of whispers accompanied Joc's presence as those not in the know realized who he must be. Joc ignored them and took up a position next to the Administrator. Colberius cleared his throat and began to speak.

"As many of you are aware, less than one hour ago we launched two Venator missiles to intercept several Miricanian missiles that were on a a course to shoot down a flight of planes from Laurentus States. Those aircraft were over international waters and were turning around. Despite our intervention, one Laurentian transport was shot down.

I immediately attempted to contact Prime Minister Ramos to demand an explanation for his unjustified actions, which sent missiles dangerously close to Colbentiellian airspace. I had hoped to prevent the escalation of hostilities between Laurentus and Miricano, but it seems that Ramos is not interested in peace. Instead of discussing matters with me, he sent an aide to inform me that Colbentielle was now an enemy of Miricano.

But this isn't even the beginning of this story."

For the next hour, the Regent did not say a word. First, Joc and Deimos Randar informed the others of the information gathered by Blackwatch in Miricano and Laurentus. Murmurs of outrage accompanied the disclosure of Roen's kidnapping, but the news of an uprising in Laurentus soon overshadowed that. Second, Adrian Ripula showed evidence of the dealings between Miricano and Rationalist Science. Muri Em'Lei added to the story, via video link, by telling everyone about Science's offer of a nonaggression pact.

Then Muri took center stage as she explained the status of negotiations with Frostmark. When she mentioned their proposal for ceding Caesus to Frostmark, the outraged Councillor for Caesus leapt to his feet. The room erupted into shouts, arguments, and surprise. The Secretary of State had no chance at quieting the room, but the Administrator stepped forward. At his shout for silence, the room fell silent. "Proceed, Secretary," was all he said as he faded into the background again. She finished detailing the negotiations and turned the room over to Nathan Minro.

The Praetor gave a more detailed version of the missile encounter, and then revealed that a representative from Laurentus, a General Markus, would be arriving in just a few hours. A squadron of fighters had been dispatched to escort him in. They would touch down and immediately take a special monorail right to Maglium. He also reminded the assembled group that all Colbentiellian embassy personnel were still stuck in Port Alexandria. Finally, Secretary of Security Barra Dorsidhion passed on a report that she had received while the meeting was in session. "Miricano is pulling all troops back from our border, and they have fighters in the air on their side of the line. No idea what they're up to."

As s the Regent returned to the front of the room, the silence in the room was oppressive. "Now we are all on the same page. Something must be done at once, and I would like the liberty to do it."

As arranged beforehand, Councillor Elec Zuss of Cessatus stood. "I move to grant emergency powers to the Regent." Councillor Dan'eyla seconded the motion, and all five other Councillors approved it without hesitation. Councillor Dani Uelle of Candoris turned to Kal Drayne. "Does the Decurionatis wish to contest this motion?" As soon as Drayne shook his head, Colberius X's hands were no longer tied by bureaucracy.


Within an hour, all of Colbentielle was lumbering into motion. Yet another message was sent to Prime Minister Ramos, once again offering humanitarian aid and requesting that the embassy staff in Port Alexandria be allowed to return home. Also included was a request to discuss the missile incident with Ramos.

A decision was reached over Rationalist Science's nonaggression proposal as well. A State Department delegation would be sent immediately to Science in order to open negotiations. The delegation was to stall until the situation with Miricano took a turn one way or the other. From that point, they'd either negotiate peace or deliver a declaration of war.

Accompanying the delegation, in the guise of support staff, aides, and security, would be an entire Blackwatch Covert Operations Team. The addition of another eight operators would double the Blackwatch presence in Vivaldi, and would hopefully halve the time it took to find the information demanded by the Regent. He still wanted to know what the deal between Miricano and Science was.

When Miricano unleashed a second barrage of missiles after the inbound Laurentian craft, who were now being escorted into Colbentiellian airspace by a full wing of Occisus fighters, AEGIS responded immediately. Nearly three dozen Venator Interceptor Missiles rose to meet the Miricanian spread, which, having entered Colbentiellian airspace, could be considered an act of war. The Regent chose to overlook it as the act of a man driven mad by the kidnapping of his son. For what seemed like the thousandth time, Colberius X had his computer put him through to Prime Minister Ramos' office.


Travel Office
Port Alexandria, Miricano


Gamma and Maximus were shocked at how quickly the world was destabilizing. The reports that Omicron received from Maglium were growing darker by the hour. Gamma was conflicted about their next course of action. Maximus needed to return to Laurentus to help regain order, but there was no way to get him out of Miricano at the moment. Their chance to escape with the embassy personnel, if they would even get a chance, was dwindling by the minute. Even if they could escape, was it in their best interests to? Having operators already in the capital would be invaluable if war broke out.

Gamma stared out the front window of the office as rain poured down on Port Alexandria. His thoughts were furiously bouncing around inside his mind. Our chances of escaping are slim at best, he thought. They'd improve if there were less of us trying to get out. He glanced over his shoulder at Maximus, napping on a couch in the corner. The only one of us who NEEDS to escape is Maximus, he mused. Then, for those of us left here, it would just be a waiting game.

Either the situation is defused and we go home peacefully... Gamma looked out the window at the top of the Candicilar, visible in the distance. Or a war begins, and we try to see how much havoc we can cause before being discovered.


Nondescript Warehouse
Vivaldi Capital District, Rationalist Science


Shipping crates cluttered the main floor of the darkened warehouse. Out of one of them came a faint glow, that of a bank of computer monitors. Inside the container, a man and a woman were working furiously at separate computer terminals. They had started an hour ago, and had no way to know when they'd be done.

They were computer specialists. Not hackers, those would be arriving with the State Department team. Full-time hackers would be required to breach more important systems, like the Office of the First Consul. But these two were quite capable of blinding the security systems at the Darwin Extremely Large Collider for a few minutes.

The day before, four members of the Vivaldi team had traveled to Darwin City. Military activity at the collider had marked it as a prime target for some snooping. Now they were in place and waiting for a go ahead from back home. With one final keystroke, the security feeds and communications at the collider were theirs. The woman gave the team the green light.

Two men and two women began to move silently through the night. They were dressed in all black, and the material of their clothes seemed to fade into the night. All four had weapons drawn, flechette pistols that anyone could buy off the black market in Genesis. The pistols fired small darts that would administer a rapid-onset sedative, leaving the target unconscious for anywhere from ten to thirty minutes, depending on their weight. A side effect of the drug was memory loss of the minutes leading up to being shot, so no one would be able to talk about the intrusion, either. The team was under orders not to kill anyone, but any resistance they encountered would be unconscious in seconds. They were here for information, and no one was going to stand in their way.


Transitus Border Crossing
Miricano-Colbentielle Border, Captionis, Colbentielle


Everyone was nervous. For the past hour, the guards and soldiers on Miricano's side of the border had been pulling out. Now there was no one left, and there was only a spooky emptiness and silence left at the Miricanian checkpoint. Guards peered uneasily through windows and the Intelligence men sat in their vehicle with the air conditioning on. The whole checkpoint seemed to be in danger of bolting into the forest at the slightest noise. Their calls for answers from the Executorium received requests to be patient in reply. It seemed that no one knew what Miricano was up to.
Edited by Aragonn, Feb 19 2015, 02:14 PM.
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Chancellor Laurentus
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Dreadlord of New Hyperion
Maximus was once more in the aircraft flying over Luminera. In the distance, he could see the royal palace crumbling under the weight of a black mass, a giant creature that had lined up everyone in the city, and was preparing to consume all their souls.

Far below him, Sarilla was running to safety and marshalling a resistance force to storm it, while Laurentus was fearlessly charging towards it, laughing all the while.

Suddenly Maximus looked down at his hands, and the aircraft and the city ceased to exist. It was replaced by a dank and cold basement, and at his feet young Roen was sitting with an expression of purest gratitude for the food that Maximus had brought him, but it was tinged with terror as well.

"Please, sir, I don't know what I ever did to you, but I promise I'll be better if you could just let me go!" He immediately began wailing , all thought of food evidently gone from his young mind.

Maximus was torn between pity and disgust as the old familiar voices sounded through the room. First came his uncle's bellowing voice. "Stop crying, lad! Do you think terrorists will be moved by your tears?! All you're likely to get is a boot to the head!" His father's reassuring and measured voice replied. "Is this necessary, Marinia? The lad is only 6 years old." Maximus could still see the grim expression on his uncle's face. "Would that it were otherwise, Maxxie. This is the exact same training I went through at his age. Diplomacy is the first-in-line's area, not the second-in-line's."

The room began shaking as the roof was blown off. Rain filled the room in a matter of seconds, and the ocean itself seemed to be flowing through the streets. Suddenly both he and Roen were being carried away by waves as red as blood to the mouth of the black creature. While Maximus recoiled in fear, Roen looked directly into the creature's eyes and enthusiastically began chanting. "Father! It's me, father! I knew you'd save me!"

Maximus came awake with a start, and amid the howling of the ever rising wind, he began gasping the words. "We... We need to release Roen to his father immediately!"

General Markus could hear some of the nervous chatter over the radioes as he heard the news of the second Miricanian missile strike. "Cease your chatter immediately! We are well within Colbentiellian airspace, and these missiles will never reach us before they are shot down."

They sped off, and eventually the the Colbentiellian missiles came flying past them to intercept the Miricanian missiles. They never saw what became of the situation. General Markus enquired about the recent happenings, and the news sent chills down his spine. He immediately sent the info on to Laurentus.

"What is the man planning?"

I have no answers, my liege. The man is beyond reason.

Laurentus liked this not at all. Why were these troops pulling away from the border between Miricano and Colbentielle? He decided to leave nothing to chance. "Markus, tell them to evacuate their troops from the area, as there is a high possibility that they are about to be bombed. I'll see what I can do from my end." Laurentus closed the line of communication before Markus could answer, but he knew the man would follow his orders.

Next he sent an encrypted voice message to Henrik, Voldric's son.


Henrik could barely contain his excitement over the voice message he had received. Of course he would comply with the emperor's wishes. The deal was just too good to refuse. He replayed the message again, thinking once more that Maximus Senior could hardly have picked a better time to kill his father, Voldric. Henrik set the plans in motion by calling General Von Böseswicht and giving him the orders. "General! I have no time for pleasantries! You are to fire two warning shots to the Aesir Empire, and send a clear message that if anything should happen to the Colbentiellians, Ramos can say goodbye to his favourite allies! Is that clear, General?"

"It vill be done, your highness."


Message from Emperor Laurentus to Henrik, Crown Prince of New Hatfield.

Henrik, an opportunity has presented itself that you simply won't be able to resist. You are to order the launch of two warning shots at Aesir, along with a clear message to both Ramos and Jarl Aragonn that if any Colbentiellians suffer anything so much as a sunburn from any attack by the Miricanians, all hell will be loosed upon Aesir by our famous missile programmes!

Furthermore, you are to end your little rebellion and begin preparing your troops for all out war, which is inevitable at this stage anyway.

In exchange, I grant you permission to take my daughter's hand in marriage. Why risk fighting a war, when you can get the same things through holy matrimony?

Sarilla knew something like this might happen, and also knew that Falkenwalde was being positively generous with his terms. "Reichskanzler Falkenwalde, I accept these generous terms, and I will gladly offer up my hand in marriage to save my empire." It was done.

Laurentus began recording his second message of the day, and this one he would upload to every video-sharing site and media institution in the world.

"My dear Prime Minister of Miricano, Jose Ramos.

You will notice that two warning shots have been fired to the city of Trondjen, in the Aesir Empire.

You may be wondering why this is. So let me put it in no uncertain terms. If anything so much as a Colbentiellian insect is killed by any military action, I will see to it that the Aesir Empire gets turned into radioactive rubble before a single Colbentiellian tree even has time to catch fire! The only indication that there even was something remotely resembling an empire North of New Hatfield will be a shining hole in the ground!

To the people of Aesir, let us hope and pray that your Jarl decides to cut all ties with the madman known as Ramos, and that Ramos in turn decides to put all your lives above petty vendettas.

That is all."
Edited by Laurentus, Feb 21 2015, 03:22 AM.
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Lord Aragonn
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Jarl of The Aesir Empire
Trondjen, Midgard Province, Aesir Empire

The civilians in the greatest city of the Midgard Province, Trondjen, were going about their business for the day. They knew of the tension between the different nations, but only really cared about whether their cookie supply from Miricano would keep coming or not. With people going in and out of stores and office buildings, the streets were a bit crowded.

A group of friends stood outside a Sveigdir Armory store. One got out their cell phone to take a selfie in front of the store and claim to have bought a .50 cal railrifle, a weapon that most could not afford, when two streaks appeared in the sky. The woman with her cell phone out immediately activated the camera app and started taking a video of the streaks as they soared closer and closer until they exploded into a beautiful light show. The woman immediately put the video up on every social media site as the people around her were excited and frightened. The video went viral almost immediately.



Valhalla, Asgard, Aesir Empire

Kommander Brunhilde had read the reports and seen the video. Only one thing was going through her mind. War.

She opened a secure channel to Jarl Aragonn.

"Sir, Laurentus fired two missiles at the city of Trondjen. These were warning shots, and no damage was done. He sent a message to go along with the missiles.

"'You may be wondering why this is. So let me put it in no uncertain terms. If anything so much as a Colbentiellian insect is killed by any military action, I will see to it that the Aesir Empire gets turned into radioactive rubble before a single Colbentiellian tree even has time to catch fire! The only indication that there even was something remotely resembling an empire North of New Hatfield will be a shining hole in the ground!

"'To the people of Aesir, let us hope and pray that your Jarl decides to cut all ties with the madman known as Ramos, and that Ramos in turn decides to put all your lives above petty vendettas.'

"What are our orders?"

"Put the Guard on war status, get fighters patrolling our southern airspace, have our nukes ready for launch, and get the missile defense grid running as well as possible. Relay to Herr Sveigdir to work with the Miricanians to upgrade our missile defense network. I have a feeling we're gonna need it."

"Yes, sir. Hail Aragonn."

She ended the call then proceeded to send messages.



To: Akaz Sveigdir
From: Kommander Brunhilde


Jarl Aragonn has requested that you place your projects on hold in order to create a missile defense network capable of deterring any Laurentian missile attacks. This is top priority and even takes precedence over Project Aesir.

Hail Aragonn.



To: Chieftain Borghildr
Cc: Chieftain Asger, Chieftain Alfhild, Chieftain Dagfinn, Chieftain Adelrik, Chieftain Eindride, Chieftain Haldor, Chieftain Ingolf, Chieftain Gundir
From: Kommander Brunhilde


All chieftains are to meet with me in the Great Hall in Drekiheimr in two hours in order to discuss the defense of our nation from the Laurentians.

Hail Aragonn.



Department of External Affairs, Port Alexandria, Miricano

Aragonn was distressed by this news. Nobody had ever decided to strike at the Aesir Empire for hundreds of years. The fact that Laurentus was so willing to fire missiles at his nation had him too distracted to concentrate on finding Roen.

"Heimdall, I'm going back to Drekiheimr. You stay here and keep up the search for Roen."

"Yes, sir."

Aragonn then leaned in towards Heimdall and whispered, "Do what you can to steal the Miricanian cookie recipe and factory specs."

"Yes, sir. Hail Aragonn."

The Jarl waved to his bodyguards and a few soldiers to come with him. As they exited the building, the wind and rain hit them like an ocean wave. They quickly entered into one of the boars and began to drive towards the airport. Visibility was down to about six meters, and the Boars were having difficulty on the swamped streets.

Upon arrival at the airport, Aragonn and the other pilots quickly got into the cockpits before the Fafniren were brought out onto the airstrip. The wind and rain made takeoff tricky, but they all managed it. The soldiers took the Boar back to the Department of External Affairs building while the Jarl took his pilots back to the Aesir Empire.



Midgard Serpent Fleet, Atlantic Ocean, North of Frostmark Waters

Kommander Gunnar read the message and frowned. He had never surrendered any ship to anyone before. But now he is not in a battle. Now he is on a mission of peace. And if this is how peace will be achieved, the Kommander will surrender the fleet to Frostmark.

"Tell Frostmark that we will surrender the fleet for their inspection."

"Message sent, sir," the comms officer said.
Edited by Aragonn, Mar 9 2015, 11:16 PM.
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Miricano
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Defender upon the Wall
The Capital Region of Port Alexandria, Miricano
The Quadrant Military Headquarters -- 2010 PATS



Prime Minister Ramos was left alone in the conference room alone with his thoughts until General Talbott entered

Prime Minister. It's time to wipe Colbentielle off the map.
Are the mortars ready and the fighters in the air?
Yes sir. Everything is prepared

Prime Minister Ramos walked to the podium front of the Command Center.

Today, you all will be participating in the single largest operation in Miricanian history. All four branches of our Federal Armed Forces are represented here. You all should be proud of the service you will be giving to your country today. Within several moments, in coordination with General Johnson of Fort Dustigan and Admiral Hanson of Hathor Naval Base in Geraldenton, we will be striking at the Transitius Border Crossing between Miricano and Colbentielle. Our intelligence tells us that the Colbentiellians have not pulled back their troops as of yet. We will strike at that border crossing and let their troops become our kindling for the napalm.

After the first napalm mortar strike, we will wait until first responders are on the scene, then we will strike again. When their firefighters come on the scene to put out the fires, we will strike. When Good Samaritans come to help the fallen, and given Colbentielle's known niceness, they will come, we will strike again. We will strike and strike and strike until there are no more to light aflame.


General Talbott stood up in a sudden huff

Ramos, what are you doing! We never discussed this.This is maddness! We can't double strike and it was actively banned in the Security Council Resolution #34--
You will sit down Talbott and do as I say. You follow my orders.
No. I won't do it. I don't care what you say, I will not kill innocent first aid workers and civilians. This is a war and it doesn't mean we have to kill innocents
You will follow my orders to be charged with treason
THEN SO BE IT. I quit.


Talbott took off his badge and slammed it on the podium. As Talbott took his leave, Prime Minister Ramos looked over to Commander Royce and nodded once. A single gunshot and thud were heard afterwards as General Talbott fell to the floor, painting the tile red along with it.

This is what happens when you defy me. This is what happens when you try to become honorable all of a sudden. If any of you want to be honorable men and women, then you leave out of the same door Talbott just left. Just remember, those people out there, won't show you any honor. They won't show you won't show you any mercy. The only language they speak is violence and we will provide them with a perfect translator.

The room fell quiet as the only noises heard were the dragging of Talbott's lifeless body being dragged out of the room with a red train closely following by.

As I was saying, we will destroy the first responders and then will ignite his forests. Since General Talbott left us, Commander Royce will become the new General of the Miricano Federal Forces.

Prime Minister Ramos looked toward Commander Royce.

Insure that the napalm burns hot, fast and bright. I want to see the flames from Port Alexandria. Kill every last standing citizen of Capitonis. Finally, do not fail me.
I will carry out your orders.


Ok then people, we have a war to fight. Get to your stations. Contact Admiral Hanson to get those naval bombardments on Capitonis ready. We fire on my command.



Dustigan City, The Southern State of Marcanza -- ~200 miles from the Miricano-Colbentielle Border
Fort Dustigan Command Center -- 2030 PATS


General Johnson sat in the Command Center along with 15 other specialists. The signal for the mortar strike was to be given at any second now and with live feeds of the Transitus Border Crossing, they would insure there would be no one left standing

General Johnson sipped his coffee when the alarm began to flash. They were just given the go to fire upon the Colbentiellians.

Alright boys. Light em up.

General Johnson heard the mortars fire off in the distance. They would rain down on the border within 3 minutes. With mortar strikes ordered every 35 minutes for the next 8 hours, they would be up all night.



Geraldenton, The Southern State of Marcanza -- ~ 800 miles from Port Alexandria
Hathor Naval Base -- 1930 GST


Admiral Hanson sat on the MNS Caroline, the flagship of the Western Miricanian fleet. The beautiful nuclear and alternative energy powered aircraft carrier was the best of the best. Capable of storing 40 Foxhound fighters and 20 Nightfury bombers.
30 miles into Colbentiellian waters, the 34th Destroyer, 50th Cruiser and 11th and 12th Advanced Battleship fleets were, along with the MNS Caroline, heading south to Capitonis.

Hanson sat in bridge when the alarm sounded, giving him the go to launch on Colbentielle. Hanson walked down to the runway to address the pilots.

Men, we are here today to send our enemies to their early graves. I will be honest with you, some of you will not make it back home to your families, to your friends or to your loved ones. But your sacrifices here will protect all those back home. What you do here and now will insure they still have the freedoms they love and cherish. Men, I have one thing to tell you. May you fly straight and your missiles even straighter.

The bombers began their vertical takeoff maneuvers as the fighter squadrons begun to take off. Close by, the battleships began their offshore bombardment.



The Capital Region of Port Alexandria, Miricano
The Quadrant Military Headquarters -- 2110 PATS


General Royce, how is the attack going.
Very well sir. We are 30 minutes into the bombardment and we have been able to achieve naval superiority. Bombers and Fighters are en route to begin the campaign on Capitonian cities.
Excellent. Do we have any retaliation at the moment?
No, but we can expect some within the hour.
Good. I want to send a message to Colberius. Get the Press Conference Room ready.
Yes sir


Press Conference Room -- 2145 PATS

Hello Colberius. I am going to get straight to the point. By the time you see this, you will have noticed the Transitus border is on fire and my navy has begun offshore bombardments on coastal Capitonian settlements. Hell, you might want to even thank me for livening up those pieces of rubble you call towns. In any case, every time you send in a squadron or first responders to help the survivors of the attacks, they end up becoming causalities. It seems your niceness is becoming your downfall. The situation might look hopeless now, but you do have a choice. Yes, you and your pathetic government have the power to stop all of this.

Currently there are large yield missiles aimed at the Aesir Empire placed there by Laurentus States. Since you and Laurentus are best buddies at the moment, you will have this once in a lifetime opportunity to tell him to pull back those missiles and put them in whatever shithole he calls a silo. Then you will tell him to pull back his deformed soldiers to a distance that would be considered safe for Aesir and for that matter, me.

If you agree to these terms, only then will I pull out of Colbentielle. I won't put out the fires or anything, that is the job for your people but I will not come after you anymore. Now, if you don't agree to these terms, you and the pile of mud huts and stick houses you try and call a civilization will become kindling for my lovely napalm strikes. Now, during this message, if I see any military movement or you so much as make a phone call to Laurentus or so much as look at a Laurentian citizen then you will be automatically counted as a permanent enemy and will then die. You won't think I can't see you, but I can.

So your choice is to either live with a severely burned northern state, but essentially live or die a horrifically painful death by being set onfire by yours truly.

You have 20 minutes to decide, which started when this video started. Tick-tock my friend.

Oh and I took the liberty to releasing this video to every major Colbentiellian news outlet, in order to help you make your decision easier. Good luck.
Edited by Miricano, Apr 25 2015, 05:21 PM.
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Lord Inquisitor Colberius X
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Transitus Border Crossing
Miricano-Colbentielle Border, Captionis, Colbentielle


The first shell landed squarely on the roof of the Intelligence agents' vehicle. The guards had all been getting into trucks to pull out when the dull thump of mortars firing had been heard. At the sound, they all stopped moving and looked at the forest in bewilderment. Only two seconds later, their questions were answered as a fireball replaced where the Intelligence men had been idling in their vehicle. Markus's warning had been too late.

Several more impacts followed in the seconds after that. The main building took a hit through the roof, and one of the trucks had a round just barely miss. Once they recovered from their initial shock, the guards instantly jumped off the trucks as the captain yelled for them to disperse. The soldiers of Colbentielle were trained in this rainforest, it would pose no problem for them to disappear into it. But they had to reach it first, and only three did. The seven guards who had pieces of them blown into the tree line really don't count.



Office of the Regent
Executorium Complex, Maglium, Colbentielle


"We will be at full readiness in four hours." The Regent nodded his approval. "Very good, Praetor." Three images filled his screen. First, Nathan Minro, communicating from the Praetorium, only a few miles away. Second was Admiral Samwar, onboard the Eradicator, almost one hundred miles off of Colbentielle's western coast. Finally, the Legatus Primus, Krani Nebla, was patched in from Cessatus. They had all reported near-readiness, and had received their orders.

Colberius was ready to close the link, but suddenly aides simultaneously appeared next to Minro and Nebla, and whispered something to them. Nebla visibly paled while Minro turned red. Once his aide had disappeared, Nathan Minro managed to get out, "Those bastards..." Colberius, waiting for an explanation, noticed that an officer had now come up to Samwar as well. "Gentlemen? Is there something I need to hear?" Before any of the three pulled himself together enough to explain, the Regent's console signaled that he was receiving a call from Secretaries Randar and Dorsidhion, and he added them to the video conference. They looked as shaken as the military men. "Will someone please tell me what's going on???"

It was Joc who spoke first, having just entered the office accompanied by Administrator Grahamsy. "Miricano has just bombed the Transitus border crossing, and naval bombardment of the Captionis coast has commenced." Now it was Colberius's turn to go pale. Nathan Minro said, "We are now at war."



In the next ten minutes, several key messages were sent. On the Regent's orders, they had been prepared earlier that day as contingencies, ready to be filled out with specifics. It had made sense to have them ready, but he had hoped to never resort to them. Now here he was, giving the order to send them only three hours after drafting their templates. Each message had a very different purpose, and each message had a very different destination, although all of them were heavily encrypted. One message was bound for Miricano, and one for Laurentus. One for Rationalist Science, and another for Frostmark. Three received replies in less than a minute. Simple, one-word replies.

Affirmative.



Encrypted Message
TO: Secretary of State Muri Em'Lei
FROM: The Office of the Regent


Secretary Em'Lei:
Deliver the following message, word for word, to Reichskanzler Falkenwalde at once. You must give it to him personally. Tell his office that it's an emergency, with international repercussions. Time is of the essence.

MESSAGE
 
Esteemed Chancellor,
We have been attacked. After intercepting missiles fired into our airspace, the madman Ramos has seen fit to commence an unprovoked bombardment of our coast and simultaneously burn our forest to the ground. We cannot stand up to him, nor do we plan to. We can only hope to slow him long enough for support from Laurentus to arrive.

Therefore, instead of wasting our resources on an attempt to defend ourselves, we will instead direct the major part of our armed forces at Science, whose military is nearly nonexistent. In anticipation of blockading Science, the bulk of our naval forces were already en route to the region when the bombardment began. Now their orders have been amended, and, if it refuses to surrender, the invasion of Science will commence within 48 hours.

If you will aid us by saving us from Miricano, all of Science will be turned over to you at the conclusion of hostilities. If Colbentielle is saved, we will have no reason to hold on to it. As long as our home is in danger, however, we need someplace to run to. We are confident that will not be necessary. Against the combined might of Laurentus and Frostmark, Miricano stands not a chance.

I don't doubt that you realize the importance of time here, Chancellor, and I also understand how much consideration will need to go into your decision. But I implore that you make your choice as soon as possible. Our very lives depend on it.

Sincerely,
Colberius X
Regent of Colbentielle




Central Command Center
Subitarium Complex, Beneath Executorium Complex


Colberius watched from the raised platform in the center of the room as people worked to stop the end of the world. He was still waiting for a reply from Laurentus, to whom he'd sent a detailed summary of the attacks, but other pieces were clicking into place. The other three messages had already prompted "Affirmative" responses. An evacuation of the northern half of the continent had begun. Slowly but steadily, people were making their way south by any means they could. Fighters were being scrambled to hinder the bombing and would be airborne in two minutes.

The only thing that was still rending his soul was their inability to help anyone at the targeted sites. Emergency workers would wait until the bombardment seemed over before rushing in. As soon as they were all in, the shells would rain down once more. It had gotten so bad that the Proconsul of Captionis had ordered emergency responders to stop trying. Colberius didn't think that he could hate Ramos any more than he did already, but then the unstable Prime Minister had to deliver his message.

As Ramos' voice echoed through the Command Center, Colberius was seething. If he really thinks that we'll give in to the likes of him... Well, he is insane. As soon as the message was over, he ordered the scrambled fighters to stand down. "Someone keep track of that time limit. And call me when we're at fifteen minutes." Having said that, he nearly ran out of the Command Center.



Darwin Extremely Large Collider
Darwin City, Rationalist Science


Their mission parameters had changed, but that meant nothing to the Blackwatch operators. They knew that Miricano had attacked Colbentielle, and that meant that war was already here. It was time for Science to join in. The operators had just made it into the collider facility when their new orders came through. Now, after they had gathered what information they could, they were to damage the collider in as spectacular a fashion as possible.

It was decided that a major magnet quench would do nicely. First, their friends back in Vivaldi set about remotely disabling the collider's failsafes. Meanwhile, the four operators in the facility paired off to strategically place what little plastic explosive they had brought with them. The whole time, they caught everything they saw on video for later review. They also ensured that no unconscious guards or scientists would be near enough to the explosions for injury. After ten minutes, they were ready to leave. With information gathered and charges set to go off in fifteen minutes, the four slipped back into the night.



Central Command Center
Subitarium Complex, Beneath Executorium Complex


Colberius X straightened and smoothed his jacket. He had cut it quite close, and almost had to proceed without his main point of persuasion. But Joc's man came through, and just in the nick of time. With two minutes to spare before the deadline, Colberius transmitted his reply to Ramos.

[Onscreen: The Regent, in formal military attire, sits at a desk.]

Greetings, Prime Minister. I have considered your offer very carefully. Now I ask that you consider my words just as carefully.

[Colberius smiles, but his eyes are cold.]

Right about...now, someone is probably letting you know that a call has gone out from this complex to Laurentus. I know that you can tell when I make such calls, but I don't believe you can listen in to what's being said. So let me tell you.

As you are watching this message, I'm relaying your demands to him. I am currently informing him that, in order for Colbentielle to avoid further napalm and sustained bombardment, he must withdraw his missiles from their position towards Aesir. Now I'm telling him that Colbentielle will not be kept hostage, and that he had better keep his missiles right where they are, or launch them. His call.

You yourself said that Colbentielle burns either way. If we burn, Ramos, we will
not burn alone.

[The Regent pauses for a moment, and then smiles coldly.]

By the way, I'm sure you've been wondering how Roen's doing. Would you like to see?

[The Regent picks up a handheld screen off of the desk and faces it towards the camera. On it can be seen a boy, clearly Roen, huddled in a corner. He's shivering, and tears can be seen on his face. The video's timestamp identifies it as being taken ten minutes ago. An electronically modified voice is heard saying, "Say hello to your father, Roen. He's too busy to come find you himself, but he wanted to hear from you." Roen looks up at the camera, tears in his eyes, but the video loops from the beginning before any response is given. The Regent places the screen facedown on his desk.]

I personally guarantee that the given timestamp for this video is accurate. You must be relieved that your boy is alright. That he hasn't been blown to smithereens by a mortar or had the skin burned off his bones by napalm. It's unfortunate that you don't know what all too many Colbentiellian fathers are going through today.

[The Regent's gaze hardens, and his voice takes on a razor-like quality.]

Don't worry, though. There's still time for that to change.

[End transmission.]
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Alexander
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Mind Voyager
The Hall of the Old Gods, The Sacred Grove, New Prussia

The enormous crowd fidgeted eagerly as it gathered along the grand road leading towards the great hall. Curving gently out of the ground, it was an unusually warm and conspicuous change from the typically sharp and imposing Gothic-inspired Markaic architecture. The massive circular courtyard surrounding the hall had been cordoned off with barriers, as the police worked tirelessly with the Imperial Guard to maintain order, marching silently along the respectful crowd.
Almost everything in sight, from the paving on the road to the bricks and pillars of the hall, glittered like beautiful ivory. The scene was framed by the Sacred Grove itself, the endangered Markaic oaks standing proudly, almost shoulder to shoulder like warriors awaiting orders in formation.

Of course, true belief in religion itself was almost entirely dead within the Kaiserreich, but for some reason the Frostmarkers as a collective clung onto a fascination for the Old Gods of their ancestors, and could never quite let go completely. This glittering white pearl amidst a soothing sea of green was almost dreamlike, the strange geometry of the hall itself, the hundred-metre-tall trees, and the striking cleanliness still managed to conjure ancient images of nature's power and mystique in the cold hearts of the populace. As far as outsiders went, it was surely enough to knock any unwary foreigner off of his feet.
Either that or have them complain that the priests had somehow spiked them with LSD. Unfortunately, this was actually an unusually common practice for some reason.

Most of the arrangements surrounding the event had been made in secret, the truth of an Imperial Family member's wedding eventually being released to the public a matter of days ago. Due to the hushed and subdued nature of the arrangement most media outlets had assumed some minor member was to be wed, a cousin or nephew to the main line at least.
When the Imperial Household revealed it was no less than the marriage of the heir to the throne himself, questions ran amok, a media frenzy ensued, and speculation ran rife, only to be met by complete and utter silence by the establishment regarding the matter.

Needless to say, the turnout was in the tens of thousands, even on such short notice. Nobody knew what to expect, and when the imperial procession descended beyond the curtain wall of the hall no new insight was gleaned, no bride would be seen leaving her hover-carriage. They had entered half an hour ago, and few if any knew what to make of the situation.
Under the protection of the biodome it had proven particularly easy for the police to limit media exposure, and only a few select camera drones were permitted as the captain of the guard signalled the OK for their release.

Suddenly, the massive oaken doors stretching almost to the roof of the great hall creaked as they swung open with a deep rumble, the statues of Donar and Saxnot leaning over the almost unnecessarily large marble steps in anticipation. As a contingent of formally-dressed Imperial Guardsmen marched out and descended the stairway, Prince Gustav strode out of the building with his veiled bride on his arm, and simply came to a stop atop the grand staircase.
An eyebrow arched, he surveyed the audience and clenched his jaw. With an undeniable air of assuredness he drew back his new wife's veil to a stunned crowd. The herald appeared behind a gigantic cage on the rooftop, overlooked by a stern likeness of Wotan. Aided by a voice modulator, he cried out to the crowd:

"Announcing His Imperial Highness Prince Gustav of Scandza, and his newlywed bride, Her Imperial Highness Princess Sarilla of Scandza, Laurenta of the Laurentus States and Rightful Ruler of the Laurentian Empire!"


The great cage atop the roof swung open and the herald dove for his life as an enormous ghost eagle stepped forth from the darkness, effortlessly leaping onto the rim of the roof. Amidst gasps from the crowd the creature spread its magnificent white wings, spanning ten feet at the very least, catching itself in front of the artificial sun of the dome, a colossal eagle-shaped shadow flowing over the entire courtyard.
The raptor cried out and launched itself into the air, instinctively aiming for a hexagonal opening in the high arch of the biodome before stopping suddenly in the air.
The crowd began to roar and cheer out as it turned and stared into the Sacred Grove, fixated on something in the distance, before diving and disappearing below the outlying treeline. Somewhere, a deer was doomed.



Overwatch Complex [location not publicly disclosed]

Sir Charles Flagstad nodded at the ghostly visage as it saluted and retreated back into the holo-projector. It is done.
Leaning back in his leather chair, he waved his hand at the waiting sensor on the contraption. The machine lit up again to reveal the scene of a naval officer surrounded by men bustling around him in pressure suits.
"Move ahead," the officer stood upright and raised his hand in signal to someone outside of view.
"And the message from Colbentielle?"
"Soon. We can't yet afford to compromise the plan." The officer breathed out, visibly relieved.
"How will we proceed with Aragonn's delegation?"
"Inform them that we cannot offer any formal alliance or military support while they remain in bondage with a belligerent nation. For now, we will only be able to offer refuge for their government in anticipation of the international threats becoming a reality. I just hope their addiction to glorious baked goodness doesn't overcome their senses."
"By your order sir."



Jörmungandr Jump Station, in orbit over Frostmark

It wouldn't take too much to make the journey, just a slight change in trajectory to account for the planet's orbit, the dropcrafts' auto-targeting would take care of the rest. Terrifying multi-limbed droids joined hulking men encased in monstrous mechanised suits, and stood motionless within the landing ships, locked into place until the crucial moment. In about five minutes, a thousand Drachentöter armour-clad Fallschirmjäger would make landfall in Laurentian territory. They were targeted to quickly infiltrate the sites Sarilla had provided with her intel, and would neutralise the supporters of her father that she had deemed most important towards him retaining control of the empire. As she had noted, his grip was already weakened significantly, and this manoeuvre would certainly prove surprising.
They had something special planned for Laurentus himself. HKN-7 stood standing in an open air-lock, jump-pack affixed.
The Laurentian Empire in his sights, he threw himself from the station.

Edited by Alexander, Apr 27 2015, 09:34 AM.
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Lord Aragonn
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Jarl of The Aesir Empire
Midgard Serpent Fleet, North of Frostmark Waters, Atlantic Ocean

Kommander Gunnar took a deep breath to calm his frustration. "Play that message again." The comms officer worked his station again.

"I must inform you that, given your nation's alliance, we cannot currently discuss any matters with you."

He closed his eyes after hearing it again. "Relay this information to the Jarl. He needs to know this."

"Right away, sir." The comms officer continued to work his station.



Great Hall, Drekiheimr, Asgard Povince, Aesir Empire

Kommander Brunhilde stood tall in front of the Jarl's throne, railrifle in hand and double spear magnetically glued to her back, and watched as the nine Chieftains arrived one by one. They each took their seat at the grand table and engaged in idle conversation. Once they had all arrived, Brunhilde stepped forward.

"You have all been called upon to discuss the threat from the Laurentian Empire and agree upon a solution. I suggest you get on it. Time is of the essence."

"And on who's authority do you call us here?" Chieftain Dagfinn questioned.

"Mine," stated Jarl Aragonn as he walked in. Dagfinn went silent. "Does anyone else have any questions?" Not a word was said. "Good. Let us get started."

The Kommander moved to the side, and Aragonn took his seat on the throne.

Chieftain Haldor spoke up first. "The way I see it, we have two options; lay down and die or take the fight to the Laurentians."

"You're missing another option; casting the Aesir-Miricano Treaty null and void," stated Chieftain Asger.

"And who asked you, woman?"

Chieftain Asger jumped up, violently sending her chair sliding backwards. "You dare challenge me now of all times?!"

"I still don't understand how a woman got elected as Chieftain."

"That's because your brain is too small to understand anything except violence," stated Chieftain Borghildr. "You govern a province solely dedicated to military might. That's why you got the position of Chieftain there."

"I don't need a woman to tell me anything."

Kommander Brunnhilde walked up behind Chieftain Dagfinn and grabbed him by the hair. "There are three women sitting at this table and one standing behind you of higher rank. Be respectful."

"Save your strength for the enemy!" commanded Aragonn. "If we fight amongst ourselves, we won't stand a fighting chance against the Laurentians!" All the Chieftains calmed, Asger taking a seat again, and Brunhilde released Dagfinn's hair. "Good. Now, we discuss what is to be done about our situation. Three options have been brought up; die, fight, or betray Miricano and lose our cookie supply. And before you start making your decisions, I have received word from Kommander Gunnar that Frostmark will not provide aid of any kind while we are still allied with Miricano."

"Word from the Alfheim Province is that Miricano is killing innocents in their war against Colbentielle," stated Chieftain Alfhild. "My citizens are outraged by this."

"I have been getting the same response from my own people," said Chieftain Adelrik.

"Likewise," said Chieftain Eindride.

"I believe we're all getting these reports and responses," stated Chieftain Gundir. "As an elected official, I must vote how my people want, and my people want the Aesir-Miricano Treaty dissolved."

"I vote to dissolve the treaty as well," stated Chieftain Haldor. "Not only is this what the public wants, but this will also open up the possibility for diplomatic relations with Frostmark."

"Chieftain Ingolf," said Aragonn, "you have been quiet this whole time. What are your thoughts?" All eyes turned to Chieftain Ingolf.

Ingolf just stared back for a minute. "What if we had Heimdall kill Ramos and his cabinet? He's already in Port Alexandria with twenty five of some of our finest men. If anyone could pull it off, it would be Heimdall."

"What you're speaking of is suicidal. None of those men would make it out of there alive."

"If we sit here and do nothing, we die. If we attack the Laurentian Empire, we die. Even if we dissolve our treaty with Miricano, those Laurentians may destroy us anyway as a show of power. If we kill off the leadership in Miricano, the Laurentians may see that as a reason to not destroy us."

Aragonn stroked his stubble a few times, contemplating it for a moment. "I like this idea. But how do you propose we solve the upcoming cookie crisis?"

"Heimdall will need to have men infiltrate the cookie factory and steal the recipe and factory schematics as he kills Ramos, hitting two places at once. As Heimdall makes his sacrifice for the Aesir Empire, we will be receiving a transmission with the data files needed to sustain ourselves."

"This could work. All in favor of Chieftain Ingolf's plan?"

"Aye."

"Aye."

"Aye!"

"Aye!"

"Aye."

"Aye."

"Aye!"

"I still think we should fight the Laurentians," stated Dagfinn.

"Majority votes for the plan. I will try to contact the Laurentians any way I can to stop the bombardment. Kommander, inform Heimdall of his new tasks."

"Yes, sir. Hail Aragonn!"

Kommander Brunhilde moved to a side chamber to contact Heimdall, and the Chieftains all got up and left.
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Chancellor Laurentus
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Dreadlord of New Hyperion
Laurentus had just crossed into New Hatfield airspace when he received the news from Markus that Colbentielle had indeed been bombed. He was furious, and right now he couldn't contain his anger.

"Jesus Fucking Christ, Markus! If we lose Colbentiellian support, I'm never getting my nephew out of that gods-forsaken country!"

"My liege, Colbentielle hasn't given up support. In fact, they're going to begin torturing Ramos's son, Roen. You said we had nothing to do with his disappearance, and yet here we see Maximus's hand at work in every frame of that video! Kidnapping children, torturing them? This isn't us! That's exactly what Laurentian rule is supposed to fight!"

"Grow up, Markus! Do you think we maintained order in New Hatfield and Kuncache with kind words and strongly worded video messages of condemnation? I've ordered and executed acts far more despicable than anything they're doing to Roen, and I'll do it again in a heartbeat, because that's the only way to keep order, you great buffoon! How easily you forget what would have happened to you 20 years ago if I hadn't gunned down a child terrorist near your own shit stain of a village!"

Laurentus could hear a sharp intake of breath, and he could sense that he had hit home with his last remark. Even so, Markus's next words sobered him. Markus sounded ill and old when he responded: "That may be so, Laurentus. Between the two of us, many atrocious acts have been committed. But they were always committed to keep the realm safe. That's not what's happening here. You caused this situation by kidnapping Roen You have become truly lost."

Laurentus experienced a sense of pain and loss that he had never known he could feel. To be condemned by Markus -- one of his oldest and most loyal friends -- in this way was absolutely devastating. But he pressed on mercilessly. "Tell that to the many millions of Colbentiellian lives that could be saved as a consequence of my despicable actions!" Laurentus cut the communication feed quickly and continued on his flight path, with a single tear starting to run over his right cheek. He had forgotten what it was like to cry.

His thoughts were interrupted as a steaming Henrik suddenly called him. "Laurentus, you traitorous bastard! You promised me Sarilla's hand, and then I have to find out through international video feeds that she's already married to Frostmark's Prince Imperial! You'll pay for this! You all will!"

Laurentus had to process fast and react even faster. Sarilla married to the Prince Imperial? How the hell was he supposed to know?

"Prince Henrik, please calm down. Can't you see what's going on here? She doesn't have any choice in the matter. The Frostmarkers are using her to take Laurentus States while we're at a weakened state. They're jumping to take advantage of a situation that we've both allowed to progress too far, and for too long. I know of a way to get her back. Along with the Aesir, we'll invade Frostmark and win her back." Laurentus lied effortlessly, hoping that he didn't have too much of a lack of intel on the situation that was developing.

His heart sank in his stomach when Henrik replied: "And just how are we supposed to do that with a Frostmarker invasion on our hands?"

Too fast. All of this was happening too damnably fast. He had clearly underestimated Henrik. He was nowhere close to being the fool his father was. The fact that he was able to make the logical progression from Sarilla's wedding to an invasion that would almost certainly swiftly follow it, amazed Laurentus to no end. Laurentus had to regain control quickly. "If what you say is true, we'll need to convene an emergency meeting right now. Make sure all the generals and government officials that are in reach are in attendance."

Henrik's voice was icy as he responded: "I've already done it, although that's the only sensible thing you've said since the start of the call. Henrik out. Just get here!"

One thing was now certain: Henrik was far too dangerous to allow to live.

It was time to make a call of his own, this time to General Jenz von Böseswicht. "Dein Befehl, mein Kaiser?" Von Böseswicht's icy voice immediately responded.

"Es ist Zeit, Jenz."

There was no hesitation before Jenz's reply. This was good. "Natürlich, mein Kaiser."



Sarilla had no words to describe the thoughts and emotions raging through her. She was married to possibly the most powerful man in the world, in the most powerful country in the world, in front of every single citizen of New Hyperion.

And yet the emotion that was the most present was dread. She was about to be instrumental in a war against her own father, and later possibly even Maximus. She never wanted to believe it, but Maximus's work was unmistakable in the video of Roen.

Her husband was with her in the craft headed to Falkenwalde's conference room. He was far older than even her father was, but she knew that with medical technology as advanced as Frostmark's undoubtedly were, age literally was only a number. Laurentus States was now even more advanced, but this was only a recent development, which meant that the Laurentians had only recently perfected the technology that the Frostmarkers had enjoyed for so long.

He was a handsome man. She knew that she was getting a far better deal than she would have gotten were she a foreign princess in her father's court, asking for help in a similar way with similar circumstances. Her father would simply have taken the girl hostage, and while treating her delicately, would never make her forget that she was thus. There was no doubt in Sarilla's mind that her father was viewing her situation through his twisted secret-service glasses, and thus viewed Sarilla as a hostage of the Markaic Empire.

Sarilla stole glances at her husband every once in awhile, and had no idea what to say to him. She decided to ask him a pointed question. "What do you think the best strategy would be to wrest control from my father?"


Maximus was uncomfortable with their current strategy, had only recently gained the time that was necessary to tell the Colbentiellians of his plan.

Young Roen was in the room right next to his, wailing because of the wind that had reached its maximum speed. The hurricane had landed, and landed hard. They had a great amount of trouble to get to Roen's location, but luckily the hurricane provided great cover.

He looked at the mixture of Laurentian and Colbentiellian faces around him one more time, and then began.

"Our strategy must have worked to halt Ramos a bit, but it simply won't be enough. We need to secure the Miricano-Colbentielle border, and after that, we need to begin evacuating Colbentiellian citizens to Laurentus States, where Frostmark forces are bound to land soon enough. They can't make claims like Sarilla being the rightful empress if they aren't about to try and secure her throne."

One of the Laurentians spoke up. "No offence, Maximus, but how the hell are we supposed to do this? If we take off here, we'll simply get shot down."

Maximus was annoyed. "No, we won't. Not if we announce that we're about to go to the border, and that Roen is on the craft with us. If Ramos orders us to be shot down, he will see his own son succumb to the fire too. I've thought about this non-stop, and this is our only way out of the country. Now who's with me?"

All the Laurentians immediately raised their hands, but the Colbentiellians were more hesitant. He hoped Gamma would see sense.


[Listen to Lacrimosa while reading this. Put it on a loop if you can]

Laurentus arrived at the Grand New Hatfieldian Obelisk just minutes later, and was met with an armed escort inside. It didn't matter. None of it mattered.

His escort led him to the elevator that would take them to the upper-most floor, a staggering 500 metres into the air. The entire building was made out of incredibly thick sheets of glass, making the outside world perfectly visible as he ascended to the top floor. Dropzone was always beautiful at this time of day, where the dark began to settle in, but the sun still coloured the sky in majestic shades of orange and red.

Dropzone was not built with the same purpose in mind as Luminera. This city was built to withstand a siege. Every structure was designed with brutal precision, and form followed function to create buildings where commanders and soldiers alike could always maintain a perfect view of the battlefield and communicate with each other without any interference. It was stark and beautiful in equal measures, but above all it was efficient.

Laurentus entered the conference chamber now fully aware that Henrik was a completely different beast than his father was. It was a shame that Henrik could not be controlled, and better yet, unleashed upon his enemies. The young man was sitting at the farthest point of the colourless, glass conference table, dressed in a simple military suit, and looking fully competent while in it. His brow was furrowed, and he was in deep discussion with General von Böseswicht and High Lord Valendrion. He noticed as Laurentus entered, but barely gave any sign of it. Laurentus had at least been afforded the highest seat at the opposite end of the table from where Henrik was sitting.

Henrik cleared his throat at once and gestured for all those who had gathered to take their seats. No one questioned him.

Henrik began to speak. "I am sorry that I had to call you all away from your posts in these dark times, but there are events transpiring that required our combined attention. I'm sure you've noticed that even our gracious Emperor Laurentus has elected to bless us with his most benign presence." The tone in Henrik's voice was subtle, but unmistakable, and there was only the slightest gleam of malice in his cold, blue eyes.

"You see, my lords and ladies, our gracious emperor made me an offer that once more would unite the ruling houses of Laurentus States and New Hatfield. He promised me his fair daughter's hand in marriage."

The silence in the room was deafening. At this point, Henrik stood up and slowly paced up and down close to his chair. He moved with an elegance that never diminished his military attire, but instead enhanced it. "Surely our Emperor, being as wise and honourable as he is, must have been stricken with terrible grief for his beloved brother's untimely demise at the hands of my father, to have overlooked the fact that our First-in-Line Sarilla was not in the Laurentian Empire, but taking residence in the Kaiserreich of Frostmark. And then followed the tragic lapse in his most serene memory that our lovely First-in-Line was already affianced to their Prince Imperial. Such a series of oversights from our emperor, he must have been stressed overmuch these last few hours. I take pity on you, my honourable liege, that the stresses of ruling have scattered your great mind in such a terrible manner."

All attempts at subtlety were long gone. It was now absolutely clear that Henrik was mocking Laurentus. Half of the faces in the room were set in grim lines, bordering on anger and disgust, while the other half were positively savage in their enjoyment of the situation.

"Perhaps then, my lords and ladies, our emperor deserves a long rest. You have but to say the word, my honourable liege, and we would momentarily take the burdens of ruling off your shoulders." By now Henrik was positively snarling at Laurentus. "What say you, my liege? Will you lay down your burdens, and allow us to help you?"

Laurentus had never once broken eye contact with Henrik, but he was keenly aware of the concealed plasma pistol the man to his left, lord Connobar, had in his possession. Laurentus merely smiled as he stood up. Now it was his turn to speak. "As you say, Prince Henrik, I have been weighed down by these burdens for too long. But I must confess that I won't be able to rest easy while my gracious host is burdens himself with my troubles. I do believe General von Böseswicht has a solution though. NOW!"

At these words, all hell broke loose in the conference chamber. Laurentus immediately disarmed lord Connobar as he was standing up, skillfully pushing his arm behind his back and applying an amount of force just short of breaking it. Lord Connobar screamed, and Laurentus used his pistol to shoot Prince Henrick in the stomach.

At the other side of the table, Jenz brutally decapitated High Lord Valendrion before he could reach for his own weapon, then shouted for his guards subdue all enemies in the room.

Laurentus quickly despatched 5 more of Henrik's cronies with head-shots before Lord Connobar's pistol broke. He disdainfully broke Connobar's neck and charged towards three guards with the knife he had stolen off of Connobar's corpse. One of the guards belonged to Jenz's personal entourage, and he was barely holding off the other two. Laurentus's knife in the throat of one of them evened the playing field, and Jenz's gaurd quickly eliminated the other one by first breaking his arm, and then splitting him in half with a savage sword swing at his mid-section.

Laurentus was grateful beyond belief that Jenz had demanded that no guns be present during the meeting, as per their age-old arrangement. Henrik had had no reason to be suspicious of Jenz, as Jenz had saved his family from terrorist attacks and assassination attempts beyond counting.

But Jenz had always been a faithful friend of the emperor. Theirs was a friendship born out of their days in the military, and they had saved each other's lives from terrorists more times than they had cared to remember.

The chaos in the room ceased just as swiftly as it had begun, as the lords and ladies present realised it was pointless to stand against the guards who had been assigned to protect them. While some of the guards had not been let in on the plan and owed no allegiance to the emperor, most of them were Jenz's elite, and the few guards who had stood against them were now lying in gigantic pools of their own blood.

Laurentus surveyed the scene carefully. The room that was made entirely of colourless glass now gleamed red. Jenz had been injured during the fight, and had a sizable gash down the left side of his back to prove it, but it was only skin deep. He would be fine. Next he scanned the room for Henrik, and found him sitting against one of the walls, holding his stomach. Tough lad, Laurentus thought, but it's over. He will die without medical attention. And he's definitely not getting medical attention.

Laurentus slowly walked towards him, watching with approval as Jenz knocked out the lords and ladies on by one to take them to the dungeons, where those who betrayed Laurentus would be executed.

Laurentus looked down at Henrik, and all Henrik was able to grunt out was: "Je-enz. The son of a bitch betrayed me. Why?"

Laurentus had known the answer since he was 16. "Because he, Markus and I were saving your hides from terrorists from the moment we turned 16. There's nothing like the constant fear of death to unite people and cultivate strong friendships for life. And because he knows that you and your family would burn everything around you to the ground if you couldn't hold the throne for yourself."

Laurentus watched the same thing happen to Henrik that he had seen happen to countless others. The fight and bitterness went out of Henrik's eyes, and were replaced by fear for his fast approaching death. Laurentus ended it with one single downward thrust into Henrik's head. Laurentus had never been bothered by killing, but he had never enjoyed cruelty either.

He called Jenz over, and as the burly man came over, he told him of his plan. "Jenz. Don't stand against the Frostmarkers. When their invasion starts, surrender immediately. There is no point in wasting lives against a foe that can't be beaten. I will also cede my throne to Sarilla the moment the invasion starts, but I won't be here. I go now to the Aesir Empire to negotiate a peace treaty with Jarl Aragonn. You are to send out the message that I will be meeting him, along with very clear terms that if anything should happen to my aircraft, his entire empire will be blown to smithereens. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my liege. Just be careful. Henrik vasn't your only enemy. Kuncache has slipped completely from our control."

"Sarilla and the Frostmarkers will get them under control fairly quickly. I can't put this off, however."

"Understood."

Laurentus felt as if he was in a dream as he made his way to his aircraft, and took a good long look at the city around him. He was convinced that this would be the last time he was in Laurentian territory. His life was swiftly coming to an end. One way or another.

He just had a bit of unfinished business to conclude: to kill Jose Ramos and topple Miricano.
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Lord taulover
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Lord of Propaganda
Greetings, Consul Xavier.

Evidence has come to light which indicates that Science has chosen to ally itself with Miricano, a nation which Colbentielle is currently at war with. Following an unprovoked attack on our coast, and by an adversary far beyond our abilities to counter, the Colbentiellian government has had to take necessary steps to ensure the preservation of Colbentielle. Regrettably, in order to deprive Miricano of the resources available in Science, it has become necessary that Science submit to Colbentiellian occupation, for as long as hostilities persist.

The following are terms for immediate surrender:

Terms of Surrender

If no response is received within eight hours from the transmission of this message, it will be assumed that our generous offer has been rejected. At that point, the warships which are now moving into blockade positions will commence bombardment of your military installations. Following bombardment, Marines will make landing and be airlifted in to put down any resistance. Aircraft will enforce a no-fly zone, and occupational forces will be tasked with keeping order. Your executive government will be dissolved, and all will be placed under the direct control of the Rector.

Don't forget what happened at the Collider. Next time, someone could get hurt. We don't want it to come to that, either. Please give your response on this channel. You have eight hours.

Primus Legatus Krani Nebla
Operational Commander



Your Excellency,

You have already betrayed the Democratic Empire. The greatest Scientists of the Empire (and crowdsourcing, of course; our government is quite transparent) have already pointed out that it is extremely obvious that Colbentielle is the most likely attacker of the University of Science, Darwin, especially since you have now admitted to this terrible betrayal and atrocity yourself. Even if this deceitful act were not committed by your nation, you have already used your supposed delegation of peace to deliver a threat of war. Instead of bringing about a new age of peace, as I and—I thought, at least—you had hoped, you have decided to broaden the conflict even further, costing even more priceless human lives.

How can I, with good conscience, surrender without a fight to a nation that has already demonstrated its faithless and betraying nature? For all I and my Citizens know, our surrender could doom my people—and perhaps all of science—to a lifetime of oppression, even if you say that our Citizens will be granted full respect and rights.

I will also point out that your surrender terms have been made public, as befits Science's transparent nature. Our Citizens have expressed shock at your insinuations of an alliance with Miricano, especially since all we have done is a mutual scientific research project, which should transcend all boundaries of nationalities and politics.

Best regards,

William Xavier
First Consul of the Democratic Empire of Rationalist Science, Lord Steward and Regent of Science

Signed and approved by 65,754,247 fellow Scientists



Transcript of Address by the First Consul Xavier to the people of Science:

Good morning, fellow Rationalists, Scientists, Philosophers, Seekers of Knowledge, whoever you are, wherever you are, both here in the Democratic Empire and abroad.

I speak to you today of a terrible tragedy which has befallen the world at large, and the intellectual community in particular. Colbentielle has launched an unprovoked attack on the peaceful Universities and people of Science. I will not insult your intelligence, fellow Scientists, so I will keep this explanation short.

Scientists from the Democratic Empire have recently been involved in collaborative research projects with fellow Scientists in Miricano, with both governments acting to together advance the progress of humanity. In particular, we have been working on advancing Modern physics and chemistry, expanding research on non-Newtonian fluids, and exploring fascinating new fields in optics. Not only do these advances allow progress in the scientific realm, but they reveal countless practical benefits as well. Dilatants can be used in countless different forms of engineering projects, such as construction, geotechnical engineering, and traction control. Our increasingly more powerful parabolic reflectors can find numerous uses, in communications, astronomy, lighting, and other fields. The potential that these research projects offer the world is immense.

And yet, these research projects are the exact reason why Colbentielle has chosen to attack us. They have looked at our desire to advance science together with the rest of humanity, and used it as an excuse for associating us with their enemy. They have looked at our peaceful and pacifist stances, and instead have seen weakness. They choose to attack us, not because we have done any wrongdoing, but rather because we appear a convenient scapegoat, an easy hostage, a simple invasion.

Not only is this invasion unjust, it is also useless to Colbentielle's aims. Invading the Democratic Empire does not achieve anything. Miricano is not our ally, no matter what Colbentielle claims; this attack will not draw their attention nor deprive them of any resources. All it achieves is an increase in the carnage and death that all Rationalists know is a net utilitarian negative. Thus, Colbentielle is invading not for any useful purpose, but merely for the sake of invading.

But that is not all. The opening shots of this completely unjustified and useless invasion were at the University of Science in Darwin, in the destruction of one of the best works of Science.

By attacking a University of Science, Colbentielle has demonstrated its true intentions. By attacking a University, they have shown that they seek to destroy the very values that make up our great nation. By attacking a University, Colbentielle has chosen the route of suppression. They seek to destroy the Truth, oppress Knowledge, conquer and eradicate All that makes Science great.

Thus, I urge all Scientists around the world to stand strong against these oppressors, these people who seek to destroy human Scientific principles. We will not fall victim to the Bystander Effect. We will continue in spite of these hardships, so that the advancements of Science and allow Humanity to prosper for eternity.

Thank you, and I bid you all a good day. As usual, all related documents are publicly available online or at your nearest School of Science.


FROM: First Consul Xavier
TO: Director of the Science Defense Research Agency


Sir:

Prepare the Spheniscinae soldiers and ready them for deployment. I know they're not exactly ready, but we'll probably need them. Be ready for new orders regarding the Spheniscinae.


William Xavier stared out at the ocean from his home in Vivaldi, watching the setting sun. The plans were already in motion to counter this terrible betrayal by the Colbentiellians.

Attacking a neutral nation! For collaborating with another nation in the advancement of science! Attacking another nation for trying to better Humanity in a peaceful, unaggressive manner!

But Science would continue, even if they lost (which, as a Rationalist, Xavier knew was the most likely course). The Democratic Empire, particularly Clausius, contained tens of thousands of islands, and the interior of Darwin and Dalton was remote and largely unpopulated. Already, top Scientists were setting up governments-in-exile. By the time Science was conquered, if it were conquered, the underground government would permeate the entire nation.

Indeed, even at this dark hour, Science was not defeated. The ideals of Truth and Knowledge would continue, and, perhaps, would one day be returned to All.
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Lord Aragonn
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Jarl of The Aesir Empire
Command Center, Folkvang, Midgard Province, Aesir Empire

The radar console lit up as a new craft came into range. The radar officer sat up in his seat and looked at his console screen to see what it was.

"Sir, we have a Laurentian craft heading towards us," the radar officer shouted.

"Do we have any squadrons in the area?" the general asked.

"We have a fafnir squadron eleven kilometers from the craft."

"Comm, order that squadron to intercept."

"Sir, we just received a message from Kommander Brunnhilde," said the comms officer. "Do not engage the Laurentian craft. We have a high value target on board. The craft is to be escorted to the Valhalla airbase."

The general scowled. He hated the Laurentians for the threat they made against his nation, but the Kommander wasn't to be questioned. "Order the squadron to intercept the craft and escort it to the Valhalla airbase."

"Yes, sir," acknowledged the comms officer. "Squadron Fehu 3-2, you are to intercept the Laurentian craft in sector 7-4-9 and escort it to the Valhalla airbase. Target is heading north, northeast at Mach 1.2."



Squadron Fehu 3-2, Airspace over Midgard Province, Aesir Empire

"We're approaching the target," stated the squadron Leader. "Keep your weapons hot, but do not fire unless fired upon."

The Laurentian vehicle soon came into visual range.

"Is that...a car?" asked a wingman.

"Laurentian cars fly," the squadron leader told him then switched to a Laurentian frequency. "Laurentian craft, we'll be your escorts. Follow us in."

The squadron then proceeded to get in formation around the Laurentian car.



Valhalla Airbase, Asgard Province, Aesir Empire

Jarl Aragonn stood by the runway beside Kommander Brunnhilde, both wearing Sveigdir's power armor prototypes and patiently waiting for the Emperor. He was determined to give that man a piece of his mind. Maybe a good punch in the gut too.
Edited by Aragonn, May 13 2015, 12:52 PM.
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