NationStates Jolt Archive

The room is brightly lit, but most of the occupants stay toward the corners and edges where shadows lie, as if doing so will provide them some measure of anonymity. Most everyone in the room is present of their own free will, but all of them shuffle about nervously, anxiously awaiting news that they've been betrayed. There is very little conversation among them.

The eighty-seven men and women in this room comprise almost the whole of the Drona People's Liberation Front, a collection of individuals dedicated to ending the Empire of the Usurper Devon Treznor and the restoration of the Republic of Drona. Only a handful remember the days of Drona, but all of them yearn to throw off the yoke of the oppressive dictatorship currently ruling over them.

The main door of the hall bangs open, and several people shout in alarm. Fortunately, it's only Athene, the leader of the revolutionaries along with her chief aide, Hector. "Sorry, folks. Just making sure the coast was clear."

"You're late," says a small, red-haired man with an accusing tone. "We thought you were caught by the Imperial Guard."

"I'm sorry," Athene replies without sounding very contrite. "Hector thought we might have been followed, so we had to take a few detours to make sure. Plus, we had to pick up a new friend."

There are several mutters as Athene makes her announcement. Strangers are not welcome here. Everyone trusts Athene or they wouldn't be here, but there were stories of other groups who had tried to resist. Whole families and communities had quietly disappeared. Everyone claimed to know someone who knew someone who had disappeared. It was their greatest fear.

"Gary, would you join us?" Athene stretches out her hand to welcome the newcomer. Gary turns out to be a middle-aged man with an athlete's body, but it had clearly been a long time since he'd seen much action. His skin is loose and flabby, and the belly hanging over his belt is testament to too many beers. But his hands look powerful and his eyes are bright.

"Hello," he says quietly, aware of their scrutiny. He turns to whisper something to Hector, revealing a small bald spot at the back of his head. Hector shakes his head in response.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Athene continues. "This is Gary. Gary is a friend of Peter Jonas, husband of the Ambassador Jonas who died returning from Angbad. Gary heard of us on the underground networks, and has a lot to tell us about the Jonas family. He thinks, and I agree, that Peter Jonas might be approached to join us and lend the weight of his word to our cause."

The murmering turns to approval, and hope lights up the faces of all present.

"Plus, I bring confirmation of yesterday's newscast. The Emperor was hurt in attack by terrorists. I don't know if those were truly the last of the terrorist cells in the country, but they came very close to succeeding in their mission. The Usurper was taken to a secure wing in his palace, and then shuttled up to an alien craft by the machine called 'Shodan.' The Usurper is down, and the time for us to make our move is at hand."

"What can we do?" demands an elderly woman, shaking with age. "We're no commandos or terrorists. We can't fight armed Guardsmen with our walking sticks!"

"Patience, Dorothy," Athene says soothingly. "I wouldn't say this if I didn't have a plan. My company now has foreign investors, and as such I have access to international communications that you don't. I've been keeping a low profile, because you know how the Usurper keeps an eye on international correspondence. I think I've behaved myself long enough that they're not expecting any insurrection from me now. All I need to do is put out the word and I anticipate planeloads of funds, weapons and support from friendly nations."

"So what do we do?" asks the red-haired man. "Take up knitting while we wait for someone else to take over our nation?"

"Of course not," Athene snaps. "We start recruiting in earnest. Spread the word through your co-workers, on the nets, on the streets. Be smart about it. We've spent the last year discussing how to do this. Now is the time to put what we've learned to the test. Everyone here is only known by our first names, and I'm sure many of us haven't been entirely truthful about it. That's good: it increases our security. Even if some of us are caught, there's little we can tell about each other.

"Go out and gather the people. Let them know that the Drona People's Liberation Front is alive and well, and if we stand together we can throw down the Usurper and restore freedom to our proud nation. If we can show enough support, we can demonstrate to the United Nations that we are a legitimate representation of the populus, and they'll have no choice to recognise us after we topple the authoritarian regime. Our time is at hand! Freedom!"

"Freedom!" The cry is taken up by everyone in the room, ninety voices strong shouting in unison. The hall echoes with the strength of their call. Their blood is up and their spirits are high.

"Freedom!"

OOC: I don't like doing this, but I'll give this a bump for attention.

I suppose I wasn't blatant enough about it, but this is an open invitation for people looking to support a rebellion in my empire. It seemed to me a logical consequence of having my nation's leader out of action (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76603) for a while.

I accept the consequences of my actions. Please role-play responsibly, though.

Bump.

Nanny Drake of the Fluttergork Intelligence Agency enters the room, dressed in a hand tailored 3-peice suit made of the finest Italian Silk. He had received his orders from King Roland the night before, to aid the Treznorian Revolution in any way possible. He began to melt intot he crowd, looking for whoever was in charge.

OOC:Okay, since my last post(recently deleted) was not accepted by the ruler of this thread, here's another try. Hope this one's acceptable.

IC: One of the rebels thought about what Athene had said about spreading the word, and about getting UN support. His name was Onago, and he had a very good idea. His brother had long since fled the country, and had gone to the Republic of Vyse, the King of Rouges. There, he had enlisted in the army. In a letter to Onago, the refugee brother said he had told his superiors about the situation here, but they weren't willing to do anything. At the time, there had been no rebellion, so the Republicans weren't going to risk it. Now, however, with a rebellion firmly in place, they might be willing to help. Plus, they were an active member of the UN.
Time to go write a letter.

OOC: Sorry, I never intended for anyone's posts to be deleted, I just sent telegrams to request editing.

For the record, I recognise the need to clarify the situation. What's happened is that the Empire of Treznor just suffered a series of horrific terrorist actions (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=60766) that resulted in martial law and all foreigners sent back to their embassies or deported to their home countries. The terrorists were eventually neutralised, many of them captured, and martial law was lifted. However, someone sent a couple of shoulder-launched missiles into the Emperor's car, and the Emperor is currently undergoing some rather drastic medical reconstruction (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76603).

Some folk who were never very happy with the authoritarian rule of the Emperor are now seeing this as an opportunity to foment a rebellion. The primary point of contact is a lady who calls herself Athene. Role-playing other members of the resistance (such as Onago) is also acceptable, but right now foreign intelligence agents are going to find operating on Treznor soil damned near impossible. Without Athene's invitation, you would not have known this meeting was going to take place, and you'd likely start a panic by bursting in. So for those of you wishing to take part (for which I am honestly grateful), please begin by sending messages detailing your interest and support of the Drona People's Liberation Front. Athene is using her company as a cover for her insurrection.

Thank you.

IC:

Athene looks over the carefully constructed letter from Vyse and smiles. It begins. Then she crafts a reply, pausing to make sure the wording is just so.

My organisation thanks you for your offer, and are pleased to inform you that we accept. We suggest a meeting in neutral territory where we can discuss our options for delivery and compensation.

Athene

A young handsome man slips in and out of crowds.

"Damn I lost them....ok plan B. I got a good look at a few of them...."

He looks around and then spots one person he remembers talking secretly with Athene. He walks up casually.

"Hey there! Could you happen to give me slight tour of the place?"

He holds out some money.

"Err...sure, could always use a some more of that."

The fairly old man begins on a tour half-way through the newcommer pulls him aside and and begins to talk in a low voice.

"I am Alex, prince of Telliria. I have ran away here with 12 of my elite gaurd. We have weapons and other supplies, and we need to get into your organization, here take this leter. And to trust me...take this."

He pulls out a small leter and gives it to him. On it is the Imperial Seal of Telliria. He then pulls out his sword, slowly as not to frighten the man.

"You must understand this is a sign of great trust and honor in Telliria. Please accept, but I must warn you that I will act in order to gain Telliria power, this might mean that we might want some land holding or set up bases. I have followed your country and have soaked up its past, present, and possible future. Now go and diliver the message to Athene, I will not follow, on my honor."

The man is somewhat bewilldered and does not know what to do, finally he move slowly and runs down the streets. Alex turns his back on the man, as he said he would.

*letter*

Dear Athene,

You do not know me, but I know alot about you. I have been following you and trying to know when would be the best time to approach you. Each time you dissapear right when the oppurtunity to disscover your hideout comes. But don't fear, for I am a friend. My name is Alex Winfield...2nd son of Emperor Teros II. I give you my sword and my honor. I will not betray you. Allow me and my 12 Elite Gaurd to come and help you. Surly we can make some arrangement that would benefit us both. If you will, meet me at this location as soon as you can, if possible today. You go 2 miles on the Old Forest Trail. Then turn left on the 2 mile sign into the bushes. After 20 or so feet you will find a trail leading to our camp. Please come, you must trust me!

Your Servant,
Alex Winfield

OOC: Heh. You finally made an open RP... j/k... (IC post will come shortly later...)

Athene sits quietly on a bench, calmly smoothing the ruffles in her skirt. She looks up irritably at her more excitable companion who is currently pacing back and forth, searching the shadows for Guardsmen. "Sit down, Hector."

"You've got to be joking! We're way outside our routine, and the surveillance cameras have to be reporting us to the authorities as we speak! You're not going to get out of this with a few bribes, Angela!"

Athene stiffens and bristles. "Never call me that in public, Hector. Never. I have my reasons, you know that. And don't worry, we're perfectly safe. We're just waiting for confirmation of that."

Hector throws up his hands in disgust. "All right, Athene. I trust you, or I wouldn't be here. But this is highly irregular! This has to be sending up red flags over us!"

"Not if the person monitoring the cameras doesn't send them," replies a new voice. Hector spins around to find a short, petite woman standing a few hundred feet away.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Athene. The Lieutenant held me up with a lecture about duty and diligence. I think he was trying to suggest I needed to warm his bed, the bastard."

Athene stands up and walks serenely to the new woman. "Persephone, I'm glad you could make it." She gives the other woman a kiss that goes on too long to be labeled as "chaste."

"I wouldn't miss it. I've got Hades covering for us. We're good for another few hours." The woman called Persephone gives Athene a close hug, then nods her head at Hector. "Who is this fellow?"

"Persephone, meet Hector. He volunteered to be my bodyguard." Athene favours the man with a bright smile. "Hector, meet Persephone. She and another fellow we call Hades cover our tracks when we have meetings like this. She's directly responsible for the success of our operation to date."

"Pleased to meet you," Persephone says without much enthusiasm, extending her hand.

Hector shakes it automatically, his face twisted with confusion and hurt. "You never told me about this, Athene."

"No," Athene replies airily. "I didn't." She walks over to the park bench and picks up a long, hollow tube. "Shall we continue? Prince Winfield is waiting for us."

"Good block there!"

"Thank you sir!"

Alex and one of his gaurds are practicing swordplay, the other gaurds are watching for the newcommers or for any signs of danger.

Alex shoots into a spectacular display that knocks the sword out of the hand of the guard, hits him hard on his leg with the blunt side of the sword, then puts his sword to the throat of the gaurd.

"Good try, but you'll never beat me...."

"I know sir, my specialty is with heavy weapons not with archiac."

"I know...I know."

If they're commin, they'll be here soon, all we have do is sit back and wait. He sheaths his sword and then leans against a tree opposite to the hidden path.

"Sit....and...wait...."

Another letter, forwarded through Onago, reaches Athene.

Athene.
We shall meet with you soon. You shall recieve another message describing time and place, soon. Good luck until then, and be careful.

High Commander Gregorio

Ambassador Fyar smiled as he read the notice on his desk. "Join the Revolution? Depose the coward? What on earth is this?"

"Some organization is planning to depose the dictator, sir. Just thought you might want to know." His secretary collected some more paperwork and made to leave the Ambassador's office.

"Hold on a moment. This could be useful. Try and contact the revolutionaries and pledge some support will you? And contact my regiments back in Slutbum Wallah."

"You're not honestly thinking of helping these people?"

"Me? Help the hillbilly residents of some useless backwater like this place? Give me some respect. No. The sucession back in Slutbum Wallah is all I'm interested in. I help these people and they will have to help me."

Hector leads the way to the clearing where the Prince and his retainer practice their dueling. Athene wears a mild smirk on her face as she observes them.

"Good afternoon, Prince Alex. If I may be so bold, you're taking an awful risk out in the open like this. Just because there aren't any cameras out this far doesn't mean the Imperial Guardsmen aren't watching you anyway."

Her smirk disappears when Persephone nudges her and gestures toward two of the sentries that have come up silently behind them.

"All right, not so reckless as I thought. I apologise. Still, Treznor agents have many resources. Why this place?"

"Because my father has yet to find me, so my logic is that if he can't find me, neither can they. Besides I think we can take a small group of em. If they dare to attack my here and now my father will be on them like a beggar on dropped hot dog."

He smirking now. He pushes himself up off the tree and walks forward.

"I've been following you for the past few days. Each time I get so close to your base's location, each time you dissapear. Finally I decided it was time for me to do this. I want to join you, I got 12 Elite Royal Gaurd and supplies."

He turns and nodding. The gaurds begin to show themselves, several carrying creates.

"I could only get some M-16's and RPG's, but considering what your working with they should help out fine. We managed to get 5 suites of Kevlar out to, top grade Tellirian. We also have a some Tellirian spy info. on some top goverment officials and their locations. Although we didn't get the very top, this should help. Should you find this to your liking my men will find ways to get this secretly to your HQ, once we know the location. Oh ya, I'll be needing my good sword back if you accept. So what do say, agreement?"

He sticks out his hand.

OOC: Please do some research before claiming things. Treznor just underwent an intelligence (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71062) audit (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1534945#1534945) to discover who was snooping around just before this event. Making broad assumptions about another person's nation is not a wise choice.

I know I'm being picky about an open RP, but this isn't a cocktail party we're talking about.

IC:

Athene smiles brightly, but inside her mind several things begin to click into place. Oh dear, the spoiled little rich boy is playing royal rebel. Well, that's none of my concern. He's offering to help, so we'll take it.

"Hector, please return the sword to the Prince." She gestures to him gracefully, and frowns when Hector hesitates. "Please. He's been generous enough to come all this way to help us. The least we can do is return his sword."

When Hector finally acquiesces, she turns her smile back on and continues. "However, there are certain...operational considerations you should learn. One is that to my knowledge there have been thirty-one attempted coups in Treznor since the Usurper came to power. This may surprise you; it certainly shocked me. No one has ever heard of them. To my knowledge, I'm the first to actually get so far as to contact the outside world for help. Do not underestimate Treznor counter-intelligence. I'm scared to death of them, and if I didn't have friends in the right places, I wouldn't even attempt this. Another is that we will not be fighting Guardsmen until we're ready to overthrow the Usurper. The nation has been shocked by terrorism and violence in recent weeks, and all the Usurper needs is another excuse to invoke another purge. Your father would probably never learn of your fate.

"Last but not least, we have a deal." She reaches out and shakes Alex's hand. "Call me Athene. The lady is Persephone and you've already met Hector. We'll arrange some drop points so we can remain in communication while we build up support and resources. I'll give you an address of one of our safe houses in case you need it, and we can use it for a meeting place, unless you find somewhere else that's a little less in the open." She looks around the clearing with a smirk.

Another letter arrives at Athene's HQ, waiting for her return.
It reads:

Athene,
One of our agents will arrive soon, to guide you to our meeting point.

OOC: srry, won't happen again.

IC:
He takes his sword and sheaths it. On his other side is the sword that you saw earlier.

He shakes her hand and the hands of the others with her.

He gets down on one knee. His gaurds quickly do the same and say the same thing that he says.

"I will do whatever you need me to. On my Tellirian blood and honor I will protect you and your cause. You will not fail."

He gets up.

"Now lets get to work, you first order m'lady?"

Athene smiles gently, trying not to step on any toes over cultural differences. "First, let's get you out of the open and into the safe house. Then we can discuss how we'll funnel these supplies to our people without getting caught. I have a few ideas on that, but I'm open to suggestions. Then I'd like to use your ability to speak freely with the outside world to drum up more support. We needn't alert your father, but if you're outside the system then you can make a more direct appeal than I can. You'll be worth your weight in platinum just for that."

She pauses and takes a deep breath. "Then...battle plans. None of us have any military experience. We'll need help when the time comes to actually stage the coup. If you're willing, I'd like you to be our general. It involves nothing but risk and danger, but I can't think of anyone more qualified."

Hector gives off an angry hiss, but quells it with a sharp look from Athene.

He looks stunned for a moment.

"Yes of course I will take this position of honor!"

He turns to his men and then turns back.

"They can train your people, their some some of the best Telliria has to offer. I could get in touch with my sister, shes the sneaky one in the family, she likes that stuff. She's also my best friend out of all of my sibilings, she might be able to send some more supplies, because I dobt she herself will be able to come."

He turns and nods to one of his men, who move forward with a fairly thick envelope.

"This has information on some fairly important people, people who might be able to help us without getting to crossed up in loyalties with the leader, although its risky. I could befriend one of them and find their weakness, a few drinks should loosen their tounges enough for some info. to spill out. Although this is risky...But it might be worth it."

He hands her the file containing 20 diffrent people, their locations, their positions, and a brief bio on them.

"I believe that recruiting some people won't be nearly as hard with this...."

Once again he turns and another envelope is handed to him.

"These are people who were in past rebellion/coups that failed and have escaped detection as of now. There are only a few, but their knowledge could be of great help. These people probably won't stay a secret for soon so we should hurry."

"I'll also be trying to map out some important places. With these we should be able to keep a fairly good map of locations and how they might be important."

"I will move to were you wish to move me."

He bows again and hold its until she speaks again.

Athene accepts the envelope formally and gestures to the trail. "Let's go. We should split up, and leave at separate times. You should probably be seen moving first, and we'll follow a bit later. Meet us tomorrow at 17 Baker Street, apartment 94b. It's between Grendel and Bruce Avenues, one of the new housing projects. We'll get you installed and start working on rounding up the rest.

"And thank you, Prince Alex. The People of Drona won't forget you, and we won't let you down."

"Yes, Ma'am!'

He points to the gaurd he was dueling earlier. He nods to them and then begins to jog down the path. The other soilders begin to stack the crates on top of each other. After they finish they finish several go on gaurd duty.

"We'll leave after you, Ma'am!"
**************************

Alex continues and his gaurd continue to jog down the trail, its only around 15 minutes when they exit the forest and head back into the city. After a while they reach they area they had been staying, an alley. Just some boards set up with a small fire going on.

"Looks like we get a house tommarow, something proper to sleep in."

"Amen sir!"

"Hahahaha!"

They sit down and start talking about things back home and eating some standard issue military food from Telliria.

They said it would be a nice, quiet trip out of Imnsvale. He just had to get out. He missed his family, his seven siblings, and his mother and her famous manicotti. His entry visa was like winning the lottery. He hadn't seen his brothers or sisters in ages. He hadn't even talked to them. Letters were all he had. Their voices would be like music.

He sat in Seat 18C and lucky for him, there was nobody in 18B so he could stretch out. Not that he needed to. His wiry frame, and knack for packing light left him with a single carry-on, and plenty of leg room left over. But Señor 18A Certainly needed it. He spilled over the armrests, almost as if he was a pastry cream.

And so the flight progressed. Departing from the aircraft, he found himself in the airport.

I'm home.

"General!" Hector snarled as he drove the car through Devonton downtown traffic. "You made that...boy a general? Have you gone insane, Athene? You know nothing about him, but you're risk an important part of this movement on him! Why?"

Athene sat calmly in the passenger seat, her hands folded calmly in her lap. "Hector, calm down. You're going to have an accident if you keep this up."

"Calm down? Look, do you know anything about Telliria? They're almost as bad as the Usurper with more taxes! If they launched a surprise attack -- unlikely after the terrorists got through with us -- they might win a war in Treznor. Mostly by shelling the country into the ground, meaning we'd lose anyway. This kid's father isn't going to be able to do anything if he gets in trouble."

"Yes, Hector," Athene replied patiently. "I know that. But Prince Alex is a member of the Telliria Royal Family, which means he's ostensibly part of the government. Either Emperor Teros will have to back him up or disown him, and I suspect he won't disown him. The Usurper can't just make him disappear, because that would be an act of war against Telliria."

"I thought the Prince said his father didn't know where he was."

"He may not. He will by tomorrow."

"And if he demands his son back?"

"We'll just have to take that risk. Prince Alex is here of his own free will. He's young and impetuous, but he's no good to us if he's dead. This way the Usurper can't make him disappear, and if he's allowed to stay he'll provide us with an additional measure of legitimacy. It'll have consequences for Telliria, but we'll make them up to them when we come to power."

Hector falls silent, his arguments losing in the face of Athene's cold logic. "All right, so what next?"

"Drop me off here. I need you to go to the airport to pick up a package. It's already been cleared through customs. I'd have someone else do it, but the quicker it gets back to me the happier I'll be. Just present your company badge at the pickup desk and they'll deliver it to you."

Hector pulls over as ordered and lets her out. His expression must give him away, for Athene bends back down to the window and pokes her head in. "Buck up, Hector. I know what I'm doing. And the less you know, the less you can confess under torture. I trust you, but I'm not going to make the mistakes that others made before me."

And therein lies the problem, Hector mused grumpily as he pulled back into traffic to make his way to the airport. If I knew more, I could do my job better.

"Do you have everything sir?"

"Yes, make sure that everything stays together while i'm gone."

"Of course..sir."

Alex looks around one more time. Its not much of a scene. The whole place looks dim, afraid. He shakes his head slightly. He approached an embassy that he knew was somewhat friendly to Tellira. As he approached he saw the gaurds. He knew they would want papers, and he had them. As a member of the Royal Family of Telliria, he was entitled to some privillage, he hoped that this embassy would keep things hush-hush about what he was doing.

"Halt!"

"I have papers..."

He shows several papers, the information was mostly true, but a little was forged. He had chosen the older of the two gaurds to do this task. By the look of his age he would be tired of his job and wouldn't want to cause much trouble.

"A diplomat from Telliria?"

"Not exactly, I need to talk to the leader of the embassy."

He pauses for a moment. The other gaurd just minded his own buisness.

"You have any weapons that you want to show me before I search you?"

Alex slowly pulls out the 2 swords. He hands them to him, trying to be discreet as possible, although knowing that if they were around, it was possible that the enemy might get suspicious.

"Don't show anyone outside the Embassy!"

The gaurd nods casually. He presses a button and the soon the gate starts opening. They walk in while another gaurd takes his place. The enter the embassy and begin to walk to what appears to be the man if charge office.

"Alright I'm gonna search you know."

"Why here and not outside."

He points to the rail above. On it are several men with weapons all eying him suspiciously. He begins to get searched and before he knows it, its done.

"Ok your clear, your lucky that there is no buisness today, not that there ever is much here....."

He walks off. Alex shrugs and nods to the attendent holding his swords. He pulls the door open that has Charlie inside, or so the tag beside the door says.

"Ah welcome in."

"Good to meet you...Charlie?"

"HA no, that was the last guy, I'm Phil."

"Hello Phil. I'm Alex."

"Yes Alex welcome."

"This room isn't bugged correct."

"Only by our own men."

He smiles.

"Very well, Telliria has had good relations with you and your countrymen for a while now. I need some help."

He passes something covered by a folder to him. He opens it and his eyes grow wide.

"You're....."

"Yes, now please listen. I need you to get me in and out of here. What would you recomend."

"Hmmm....We have a helicopter that should be comming in tonight. It brings in food and such, we could get you aboard with no problem."

"Would anyone know?"

He looks suddenly worried.

"Why?"

"Are you going to help me or not?"

"Ok, ok! No, no one will see you."

"Great that will do. Now, how is General Randor?"

The talking goes on for a while. 25 minutes before the arrival of the helicopter, a gaurds uniform and some papers are given to him.

"We always send one gaurd along to help, 2 won't be seen as much of a diffrence."

"Thank you my friend, this will not be forgotten."

He soon finds himslef flying back to General Randor's lands, a place bordering Telliria. He hoped to god that no one saw him, cause if they did, the embassy would be in trouble and he would too. Luckily though, none of the resistance members.....

OOC: Is this fine?

He clutched his visa, and letter showing his family's address as if it was a buried treasure map. In a way, it was. He wandered through the airport, trying to orient himself.

The Imnsvale airports make sense, but these, noooo... Logical airport design? Never!

And so he wandered.

Republican agents have arrived, and are making their way to the rebel HQ.