NationStates Jolt Archive

The border between Imitoran held Hodgania and the Fultonian held city of Aubania was quiet. The giant concrete wall helped that. Gaurds on the Imitoran side, however, were obviously tense. There weapons were held at the ready, not low and at ease. Anyone watching would be rather concerned.

Over the small city, several satalites seemed to move into position, and soon formed a small pack of electronic warfare units. Within seconds, a microwave beam was sent down, in low concentrations, frying electronics. The beam kept on for a few moments, then stopped so Imitoran forces could move in.

Less than fifteen minutes after the frying of electronics, several black helicopters swept over the wall. Each was armed with either 2 .30cal rail accelerated miniguns or 4 70in rocket pods. Five in all came in, flying low, weapons armed, and moving fast.

They banked, and moved fast towards their targets. Auabnian churches were first, and the helicopters came in low, and opened fire on the buildings, spraying them with rockets and rail accelerated .30cal rounds. When the buildings exploded in flames, they banked away. Their flight plan moved them towards any form of public building, which too quickly came under fire. Soon, they were on their way back to Imitoran held Hodgania. On the way, they used every chance they had to expend their left over munitions, including homesteads and farms.

The cammeraman stedied his tool, and looked through the viewfinder. In the distance, one could barely make out two men, both carrying AK-47s or some variant, watching for targets. After a few seconds, there was a loud *boom*, and one of the figures, more of a siloete in the distance than anything, went down. Another *boom*, this time accompanied with a puff of smoke, and the second dropped. A man stands up, and a woman, not on cammera, begans to speak.

"This is Lance Corpral Mike Henderson, of the ICMCs 15th Armored Infantry, stationed in Imitoran held Hodgania." The woman steps on cammera, and now you can see a young, full figured, and good looking brunette, wearing a green shirt and black pants with a flack jacket. The combination is all but alluring, and she radiates beauty, even though she is coverd up. "I'm Maria Collins, and this is World News Nightly."

The logo plays, along with theme music, and the other anchors are introduced. Maria is back on screen, and this time, the Lance Corpral is standing next to her, with a menacing looking sniper rifle, an AI .338 Lapua, slung across his chest. "The men and women of the ICMC's Colonial Units are some of the most disciplened and loyal Marines in the ICMC, and today, teh 15th Armored Infantry is in its 14th hour of push across the Aubanian planes. With credible information that terrorists are indeed opperating out of Aubania, a dangerous situation for Imitora. However, under the leadership of a new First Speaker, today, the Colonial Marines charge forward, looking to make Imitora, and the world, a safer place."

The sceen cuts away, and now we see Maria in what looks like a city, torn apart by war and violence."We're here at Firebass Bravo, with the Marines of the 15th. Bravo is still a hot target, and we need to watch ourselves. However, areas like this are safer with the arrival of the Marines. The sounds of fire you here in the backround are the Marines clearing out a known terrorist compound. Using methodic tactics that have been prooven time and time agian, I'm sure we can expect succes in the..."

Her speech is cut off by the sound of rounds firing in hte distance, and impacting the dirt around them. One Marine falls to fire, but the rest move into action. The cammera falls, but the sounds of gunfire from teh marines CAR-40s can still be heard. Suddenly, the body of another Marine drops, blood pouring from a wound on his leg. However, the firefight comes to an abrupt halt after a loud explosion rips through the air, and the building begans to fall. Parts of the heavy concrete are seen slamming into the ground. The cammera man grabs teh cammera, and focuses in on a Imitoran M1A5 , its large cannon still smoking from teh round it fired.

The marines were moving steadily toward the Nuclear power plant as several peopel inside began to scramble. Bombs had been placed systematically throughout the building and were wired to explode. The detonation woudl be nothing like the movies as nuclear power plant explosions don't cause mushroom clouds, but the damage would be mind boggling.

The ticker counted down and 20 terrorists perish in a blinding white light that showers toxicity across the Aubanian landscape.

ooc: I crunched the numbers Imitora and .oooo1% of your population equals 30,000 so technically a large group of terrorists could be stationed within your borders. so just think about alittle more chaos

News Flash scrolls across screens all over Fultonia

"This is Anne Richards of Republican Broadcast Services and we ahve shocking news to report tonight. Imitoran forces have moved into Aubania to restore order and combat terrorists that have taken hold of the region. fultonia forces have withdrawn to positions in Coastal City as Bureau Agents have begun rounding up hundred of citizens involved with the group known as PAPS, protesters for Aubanian Power Structures. wait we ahve startling news coming out of Coastal City. Here we go to our field correspondant Brett"

"This is Brett and we have horribel news, a nuclear power station spontaneously collapsed on itself spreading nuclear waste all over Aubania. Reports say that Imitoran forces took a casualties but the greatest effect will be on the population of Aubania itself."

People all over Fultonia were horrified and immediately began calling their local leaders to protest the terrorist activity.

The Imitorans, not stupid, qucikly fell back. It took them just under an hour to get outside the farthest reach of the fallout, and stayed their. They would let the nuclear radiation kill the Aubanians. That was no biggy.

However, the biggy WAS the super conductor under construction in Southern Hodgania, cloise to the border of Aubania. The troops quickly surounded it, and formed a protective barrier. With the fallout, the excursion into Aubania was over. However, things were just getting started at home.

In Imitora, there were three superconductors, as well ad four plasma based power plants, and in all the same actions were being taken. A home video outside the largest of the plasma power plants captured all teh action. It was night, and the only visual of the people were outlines, but it was known to be happening, and the actions were played out like a perfect ballet, with assault rifles and helicopters.

A black MH-60I baring the white letters EDSF came in low, flanked by two AH-6I Little Birds armed with .30cal mini guns. The Nighthawk came to a hover, and ropes were kicked out, flopping to the ground, and soon, from all six ropes, men dressed in black, with black combat vests and all black blacked out motorcycle helmets descended to the ground. They moved quickly into the building, and thats when the cammera's recording ended.

Inside, the men, armed with weapons similar top the Tavor TAR-21 with Aimpoints and flashlights. They moved quickly through the building, securing all control rooms and power control areas. Security was quickly taken over, and soon, all power plants across Imitora were locked down.

After that, the actions were simple. All POWs from Aubania were imidietly executed, as well as all men and women in every intermient camp, except those believed to not have any connections with the terrorist groups.

Governor Strong saw the reports of Aubanians moving toward the Coastal City border. He was the appointed head of the government and as such was going to protect his people from "terrorist sympathizers" and illegal aliens. The order was signed to shoot all those attempting to escape Aubania on sight.

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The Special Services had been ordered to post along the border and Fultonian Soldiers were stationed directly behind them. A mob of roughly 500 Aubanians ran toward the fence of Quandrent 31 and began to crawl over and under.

A broadcast on all security frequencies, "this is Major Goodfellow and all Special Services Personal are ordered to shoot Aubanians on sight."

The Special Services Police Officers didn't hesitate one moment as they leveled their modified m-16's and began shooting the Aubanians in short controlled bursts. The Aubanians screamed in panic and fled the scene of the massacre. At the end of ten minutes teh bodies of 100 dead Aubanians lay on the wall and Lt. Colonol West of the Fultonian Army was in shock. Atrocities like these would never be condoned, he immediately called his supervisor and began to ask questions.

Lt. Colonol West was waiting on the phone as fultonian Army Medics tended to the wounded and cordoned off the area. West had been listening to sporadic reports coming from all along the fence that Aubanians were being slaughtered. The phone was answered

"This is the office of Foriegn Affairs for the Republic office of Minister Wheatly how may I help?"

West thought a moment, "this is Lt. Colonol West of the Army's 13th Division and I'd like to be forwarded to the office of Governor Strong of Coastal City."

"Yes Sir"

West waited several moments before his phone call was picked up, "Governor Strong speaking"

"You son of a bitch you ordered innocent civilians murdered by police personal what in hell were you thinking?"

"listen West, ever since the Acadamy you've been clusterfuck, i represent the people of Coastal City and thier customs and interests. I did what what my advisors suggested."

"If it takes every breath in my body I'm bringing you down Strong, I'm bringing you down." West slammed the phone down and ordered all units in the area to set up refugee zones in Aubanian territory and nuclear tents to handle fall out."

Fire Control Station Alpha over looked a large, open plane. There was nothing really special about it, save for the fact that it was the closest firestation to the wall seperating Aubania and Imitoran held Hodgania. The station's pupose was to direct artillery barrages into Aubania, which after the removal of Imitoran troops, it was not needed. The base was nowbeing held by a group of Marines from the22nd SOTF. In that group was Rachelle Amstocker.

Rachelle had done something very few females in Imitora did. Instead of going into college after highschool, she, like every ale in the nation, joined the Marines. After a rather exemplery peace time service record, she was accepted into a pilot program by the 22nd. She was one of the few to pass the tests, and soon was stationed with the 3rd Batallion, 4th Regiment, in Imitoran held Hodgania. She now was standing on teh southwest corner of the base, CAR-46 slung across her chest, and hat pulled low to keep the sun out of her eyes. The 3rd/4th had yet to recieve its shipment of CAR-48s, but it didn't bother them.

The first man to go down was a new private, operating the .50cal covering the front gate. A round from an AK47 cought him in the neck, blood splatering everywhere. He dropped to the ground, his hand comming to his neck. A man ran over to him, but a burst caught him as well. Teh call went out for a medic, and Rachelle dropped to a knee, bringing up the CAR-46. She saw, just off in the distance, four men running forward. The butterflies filled her stomach, it was her combat expierience. She pulled the rifle to her shoulder, flipped off the safty to three round burst, and squeezed, sending 5.56mms of winged lead death to her enemies. The three rounds slammed into one man's chest, and he dropped.By then, more rounds from CAR-46s and SAWs ripped into the air.

Rachelle, now in combat mode, ran down a stair case, and to the front gate. She continued squeezing off rounds into the targets, seemingly rising from teh ground. They had all snuck up, in the tall grass, and waited for just the right time. She fired, all her shots aimed, every bullet striking skin. Rounds snapped all around her, and more of her comrades went down, but she stood strong. She pulled out the empty magazine, and reopend fire, sending ammo towards her enemies.

A round slammed into her leg, and she dropped. She forced herself up to one knee, and continued firing. She eventually gathered enough strength to stand up, and she hobbled over to one of her fallen commerades. He was rolling on the ground in pain, and she lifte dhim up, pulling him away from combat, and taking his M249 SAW. She began walking towards teh command center. As she appraoched, more rounds came in screaming. She turned, and blasted another Aubanian rebel.

As she entered the room, she looked around. The room had been hit bad, glass everywhere, and a few bodies strewn on the ground. She looked, and saw her commander, down on the ground, firing his CAR-48 randomly over the wall, hoping to hit anyone. "Com. Jackson, we need back up. What can we do?"

"We've called in support, but it'll be a while till it gets here. Before the radar went out, ground sensors were showing a few incomming APCs. See if you can take care of the..." he was cut off by a bullet hitting his arm, throwing him back. She ran over, and began applying pressure to his arm. "Get back, I'm fine. Go get the AA rockets, and hit the APCs if they come!" She nodded and left.

The APCs were comming and were suprisingly close, thier .50 rounds spraying into the group of Marines. They moved left to right, letting the rounds rip anyone in their path to shreds. She grabbed one of the AA80s, lifted it to her shoulder, squeezed the trigger, and let the rocket fly. Then she saw sky, then felt the impact of the ground slamming into her back. The training rockets had no where near the recoil of the real ones. She looked up to see the rocket slam into the side of the APC, and rip a hole the size of a basket ball on the side, smoke pouring out from the hole. She braced herself, and fired the next, taking out the other.

The next sound she heard was teh sound of the five bladded rotor of an AH-6I, then more. She looked up, and saw four, all armed with rail accelerated .30cal miniguns, and sprayed the fields down. The incomming fire from the Aubanians ended. She looked down at the wound from the AK, and winced from the now oncomming pain. The blood loss was a little much, and the adrenaline was wearing off. She passed out.

The Vice Presidential Jet was almost as posh and comfortable as the Presidential Jet. The only real difference was that it held only half as many seats for the press and the conference room was only half as big. Bottom looked out the window at the two jets escorting him to Imitoran Air Space.

"This is Captain Frances of the Executive Office of the Republic flying on Republic Two. We are requesting permission to enter Imitoran Space and to land at predesignated site."

"This is tower one, hold position."

The plane began to circle in the air although the wide swaths prevented anyone from really noticing. Bottom saw as four Republican Jets streaked away as state of the art Imitoran Vehicles took over escort duties.

"Republic Two this is tower one, you are free to land."

"Roger, we are moving in to land."

Bottom buckled up as did the two secret service officers across from him. It was interesting, his report said that this woman was the first to be in her outfit. It was so curious that a nation so far advanced would hold practices so far behind the times.

The VP Exec Jet landed at Northampton Int'l under teh gaurd of several F-82C Angels. Each one flew with weapons bay opened and missles in the air, as if to ward of evil spirits. They hugged the ExecJet like a second skin, and when it landed, they banked away.

As bottom exited, a small group of Marines formed a secure barrier around the aircraft. They wore OD flight suits as opposed to BDUs, and their faces with coverd with balcavas, goggles over thier eyes. They wore tactical CQB assault helmets, and wore tactical vests from UMAC. They carried heavily modified CAR-48s known as CAR-888s, and in thigh holsters carried customized Kimber Tactical .45s. They had no identifing marks, and didn't speak. Just watched.

An aide directed Bottom to a modified stretched 760iL, and drove him to the award cerimony. It took place in Northampton's Veritas Park, and on teh stage were several seats. Bottom was ushered to a seat, and others took thier places. Sitting next to the podium on the right was First Speaker Frateli, and on the left was Spc. Rachelle Amstoker, in full dress. When everyone took their seat, Frateli stood, and took the podium, flanked by ISS Agents.

"Ladies and gentlemen, its not everyday a ceremony like this occurs. But then again, its not everyday we get to thank a hero. Not everyone is capable of completing the ICMCs 22nd SOTF, but even fewer females ave even been accepted into the program. Specialist Rachelle Amstoker is one of these people."

"I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing the Specialist for several years. We were friends in high school, and attended the same university. In school, she always did well, but she knew she was destined for more. She was accepted after joining the ICMC into a pilot program, where she began training for the 22nd. She managed to be one of five to pass the program, and was accepted into an operational unit."

"Just five days ago, her unit came under fire. In this situation, she exemplified the values and courage of an Imitoran Marine. She pulled a commerade out of fire, and, under extreme fire, while wounded herself, managed to disable two enemy APCs, as well as defend her base until air support arrived."

"Specialist Amstoker, while under fire, exemplified courage, honor, valour, and all other values belonging to an Imitoran Marine. Her actions saved the lives of 48 men, and ensured that the 8 that died were not killed in vain. That is why I have the distinct honor to award her Imitora's Medal of Valour for service above and beyond that what she was called to do."

Rachelle stood up, and Anna placed the medal around her neck. The crowd applaused and soon every one had taken to one of the several snack tables. Anna escorted Rachelle around, comming to Bottom. "Vice President Bottom," she started, "I would like to introduce you to Spc. Rachelle Amstoker."

Bottom looked at the two beautiful women through his dark sunglasses so as to not draw attention to the fact both were delectable, "Spc. Amstoker it is always a pleasure to meet a fellow soldier, especially one who performed as well as you. Why don't we head to the bar ladies, I'd like a stiff drink about now."

As the small group walked towards the bar, an aide intercepted them, and whispered something in Anna's ear. She nodded, and looked at the two. "I'm afraid I have to go, but I'll return shortly. You two enjoy yourselves." She excused herself, disapearing into the crowd.

Rachelle looked at Bottom, and smiled. "So, what service did you serve with?" she asked as they reached the bar. She ordered a Red Bull and Stoli, and leaned back against the bar.

Bottom smiled as he slid off his glasses and placed them in his inside pocket. "I'd like whisky, cheap whisky. Well, I started off in the Fultonian Marine Corp where I served three tours. I was reassigned to Special Operations, they draw from all four branches of our armed services, where I served another three tours. I took some time off before reenlisting and serving in the Civil War. From there I joined the Diplomatic Corp, although I have to say on all my journey's I never met a lady quite like yourself." He took a gulp of his cheap whisky.

Rachelle nodded. "Sounds like fun, and I see flatery is taught to diplomats. I just hope winning this award doenst automatically draft me into the diplomatic corp."

Bottom quickly downed another shot of the extremely tasty cheap whisky, "Well Ms. Amstoker" Bottom placing special emphasis on the Ms., "the diplomatic world can be ten times more dangerous than the battlefield, and my experience is that the diplomatic corp can be more devious than the most ruthless battle." He gave a slight chuckle, "no flattery was not taught at diplomacy school, I tried to teach myself when the girls at school turned me down, but you wouldn't do that now would you." Bottom winked and smiled, "Care to dance?"

The Specialist blushed slightly. "Well, thank you," she siad placing down her drink. "And yes, I'd love a dance." Teh band, noticing that someone was moving towards the dance floor, and that they were finally able to do what they got paid to do, struck up. They played what was probablly the most famous dance song in Imitora, Pour un Cabezza, the tango made famous from the movie True Lies.

Bottom was masterful at this particular dance and as they made thier way to the dance floor he nonchalantly picked a flower of the chest of a randome waiter and placed it in Amstoker's hair as they began to dance. "A beautiful rose for the lady of the day." Bottom smiled as the intensity of the music picked up and the two danced around the wooden floor.

The specialist blushed some more as Bottom dipped her. She smiled back. "Moving a little fast?" she asked coyly, spinnging away, then back to him.

He hugged her tight against his ridgged muscular frame before spinning around, "Who said I was moving at all, I jsut ahven't had this much fun since before teh Hodgeanian War. It's nto often I get to meet lovely yougn ladies who can btoh dance and fire an assault weapon." He laughed and continued dancing.

Rachelle smiled. "Well, I can multitask well. You should see me shoot a rifle and dance at the same time. Its rather intresting."

"I'm sure there are lots of interesting things about you I'd liek to find out." they danced almost in unison without effort it seemed. "well, have you ever hung form a chandelier while balancing fine china. It takes a little effort." Bottom was ahving a great time for the first tiem in ages. "So, ever visited Fultonia?" The music weas enaring its end and Bottom was a little dissapointed.

"Hmm, sounds fun," she said, dipping. When they came back, she answered his second question. "Can't really say that I have, though, to sound cliche, I'm sure its beautiful this time of year?"

The two trucks, one a Chevy Z72, the other a Toyota Tundra, sped across the open Aubanian plains. On the Chevy, a stereo blasted Hendrix. Things were similar on the Tudra, where a radio was blaring bon Jovi. However, the two 'technicals' wouldn't be in this peaceful situation for long.

The song 'Purple Haze" was interupted as a Armor Piercing, Fin Stabalized, Discarding Sabot round slammed into the engine. The round, moving so fast that it turned into a molten jet of copper on impact, ignited the fuel in the engine, blowing a hole in it the size of a bowling ball, and the ensuing explosion blew the Z71 a good ten feet into the air. When it hit the ground, it was a chared caracass of what used to be a truck. The driver of the Toyota slammed on his brakes.

On the back of the Toyota, a young man, oerpating a .50cal Machine gun, spun to see where the shot had come from. He saw it in the distance, a hulking mass of metal and power. An Imitoran M1A5 Super Abrams. He cocked the machine gun, but it wasn't enough. His chest exploded from the impact of the Abrams own .50, operated by the tank commander.
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The 5th Imitoran Cavalry Unit sped across towards Aubania's capital city. In the lead tank, Ramstien's Du Hast blasted on a stereo. It was one of 25 tanks speeding towards the city at jsut over 75mph. The heavy vehicles bounced over the land, yet thier 130mm ETC cannons held steady.

Behind them were several APCs, and behind those were more HMMWVs, armed with a mix of .50cals and ATGMs. This was the second push. This time, it wasn't a small force of Marines to test the boundries. No, this time, when finished near 8000 Marines, 100 tanks, and plenty of air suport would be in Aubania.

High above the Earth, on a ninety-degree angle to prevent an incursion into Imitoran controlled or claimed space, an ICEL MISAT satelite silently watches Hodgania below, recording every troop movement, every method of the Imitoran forces.

It bleats its reports back to ICEL via the MISAT network, the flashes of communication far too rapid to follow as the information surges around the globe and back to ICEL Space, and then down to Nenya.

Eyes watch thoughtfully at IDF High Command...

"Oh it depends where you go I suppose. I'd have to say the Northern Mounts or the Western Deserts are good this time of year, and Anora is always beautiful." The song was just about over as Bottom went off step grabbing Amstoker by the waist and spinning around her grabbing her from teh side and dipping her as the music stopped.

Amstoker grinned as Bottom dipped her, then stood up. "I haven't danced like that in a long time," she said, walking off the floor and towards the bar. She ordered an ice water with extra lemon, and turned to lean agaisnt it. "So, any big plans, or are you happy being veep?"

Bottom walked over and leaned against the bar grabbing another glass of cheap whisky and downing it, "I'm not really sure what I want to do yet. Jefferson's running for his third term and it looks like he'll win. Unprecedented in Fultonia politics and I'll be there to help the man out. I suppose after the election I'll take a short vacation and figure things out from there. What about yourself, where do you see yourself in five years?"

"Hmm, well, probably in some front base, or a front line post with a rifle. Considering that I'm the first female to win this award, I wouldn't be suprised if every Special Forces unit in Imitora is gunning for me. I dunno, maybe in some sprt of sniper program, I did pretty well on the ranges." She looked around the slowly emptying park.

Bottom looked at her and wondered where such a gorgeous lady came from. "I suppose it's getting late but perhaps you can come visit me some time in Fultonia." He gives her his card with his personal signature. "Here you go, give me a call sometime. It's been fun."

Racehelle smiled. She took a pen out of her pocket, and jotted her phone number on a napkin. She pressed it into Bottom's hand. "Call me," she said.

Bottom delicately took her hand and gave it the smallest peck. "It's been fun, have a great night."

Little did the Imitorans know how effective their little volley of shells would be. The shells ripped through the thin wood frames and bulwarks of the building. The building began to shift on its weak foundation the final blow coming as a shell slammed into a large ante room filled with ammunition and artillary rounds. The First speaker lay on the ground crawling his way toward the exit as shrapnell and wood chips ripped through his torso sticking in his tender flesh. Fires began to form and blow up in the lower levels of the Parliament building as wounded soldiers grabbed the First Speaker and began to drag his bleeding body toward safety.

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Scarlet watched as her beloved building was ripped apart from Imitoran shells.

LtCol. MacLemera smiled as he heard the explosions. Get on that private line with Scarlet, tell her to get all her troops inside, wearing white hats or helmets. Get the birds up and running, were gonna have ourselves a turkey shoot.

In the background, six AH-6I Warbirds spooled up their engines. Based on the MH-6I Littlebirds, these were armed with .30cal miniguns and 7in rocket pods, firing HE rockets. Anything in the streets would have a hard time surviving the onsalught of power comming in.

Scarlet recieved the message through a hand radio and ordered all units to get inside with white arm bands and to hoist a flag on that freakin tank.

The whupping noise of the turbofan engined AH-6Is filled the air as they swooped down over the city. Everyone outside came under the onslaught of .30cal miniguns or 7in rockets. They sprayed intersections with ammo, making runs down city streets. The small helicopters were actually able to fit inbetween buildings, flying no more than 40 feet above the ground. After 8minutes, the lead chimed in.

"Homeland this Birdy Six we're running dry, and comming home." The helicopters lifted, turned, and headed back to the camp set up by the ICMU forces.

carnage reigned in the streets. pieces of people and black security outfits filled the streets and lined the brick walls of the capital. As the birds left a few random RPG's flew toward them, one last desperate attempt to fight back.

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Scarlet lay in her office meditating hoping beyond hope that once the war ended freedom would be granted to her people.

One of the RPGs cliped a Little Bird, but it managed to limp home to a landing pad. By now, the full mobile assault unit was locked and loaded, armed, and ready to go. They began their move. Fifteen minutes away was Au. In the lead M1A5, Powerman 5000s "Bombshell" was blaring over a radio.

Several FAVs moved out infront of the group, gunners working their .50cal maching guns and 40mm grenade launchers, and reached Au first. Anyone not wearing a white shirt was shot. Grenades slammed into buildings as the FAVs moved through the city, covered by air by Little Birds and DAP MH-60Is. The tanks would arive in three minutes.

The Supreme Speaker lay in a basement bleeding internally barely able to speak. The doctors around him were among the best in Aubania but the rolling blackouts and combat going on all around didn't contribute to thier success.

Combat Troops were dead or dying all over the western portions of the city. The black clad combat troops left alive inside of buildings and burnt out bullet riddled hotels were laying down their arms and donning white shirts. A few mutinies were put down by executions committed by commanding officers but the war was basically over.

Scarlet and her bunch of rebels and police officers were waiting out the mayham hoping to have a favorable outcome.

A young child no older than three years wearing blue overalls with white sneakers and a white shirt comes running outside after a small red bouncing ball and dives in the middles of the street bursting into tears. A large humvee turns the corner and the driver crushes the bodies of the toddlar under his driver side wheels just as his mother comes running out hysterically. The Humvee continues on its way as a several troop following close behind rip the mother in half with excessive fire. In teh background a young soldier screams, "Humvee One, Infant 0!"

The driver of the HMMWV looked back as he saw a supporter of the Supreme Speaker get gunned down. He shrugged, and kept going.

In all, the violence was, to say the least, horible. The Marines were under orders to secure the city at all means. Marines fired on just about anyone, and moved building to building clearing out hostiles. Anyone wearing a white shirt was cuffed and taken prisoner. Tanks fired on buildings where snipers hid, and APCs held prisioners. DAP Blackhaws and AH-6Is over flew the city, firing into groups of Supreme Speaker followers.

It took a good four hours, but as the sun kissed the horizon, dipping into the night, the gunfire stopped. Every now and then, sporatic gun fire broke out, but it was quckily put down. A large camp was built just outside Au, and people who had been taken prisoner were locked up, given medical attention, and food. Au was now under the Imitoran's Control.

Scarlet and Police Chief Davis walked up to one of the NCO's guarding the prisoners. Police Chief Davis spoke in a manner becoming an officer "Sergeant, I am Chief of Police for the Au People and as a commisioned Captain request a meeting with your commanding officer to discuss treatment of prisoners and treaty discussions." Scarlet stood by and admired the gusto of Davis.

In the background a clear division had occured among the prisoners. Those who were police officers were sticking among themselves whiel the rebels loitered about with blank defeated stares. then thier was a small group which didn't venture near the other two. These obviously did not belong with the general population.

The Noncom looked at the Police officer. He was a logistics manager, not a gaurd, and wondered why the officer had approached him as opposed to one of the gaurds. He shrugged it off, and listend to him. "Wait here, I'll go see if I can get McLemara," he said. He signaled over to a Seargent, and walked off.

Scarlet laid her hand on Davis shoulder and wispered into his ear, "I think that was pretty damn brave, you can lead me any day of the week."

Minutes later, a man wearing fatigues, but looking less like a grunt and more like the officer that he was, approached. His nametag read MacLemera. He walked up to Davis. "You asked for me?"

Police Chief Davis nodded, "yes, we would like to have a conference concerning the state of the refugee camp and the process by which people are going to be released and the new government that is going to be setup."

MacLemara hadn't gotten his rank by fooling around and bullshiting, so he decided that the confrence was here. "Go ahead and talk," he said, as if adressing a subordinate who requested permision to speak.

Scarlet stepped forward, "Police Chief Davis and I were the temporary leaders of the Aubanian Government and would like to set up a refugee government if we are to be here any long length of time. Secondly once a new government is set up we are to be informed and involved in the process. Lastly, we want to be involved in any interrogations even if only as silent observants."

MacLemara looked off into the distance, contemplating the demands. He ran his tounge over his teeth, and signaled over to a young private. "Watch these two, I'll be right back," he said. He walked off towards a hut like tent, and twenty minutes later reapeared. He approached the two, this time with two seargents. "This is Seargent Davis and Seargent Rians. They'll be your guides to the camp, I want you to point out everyone who is on 'your side'. When the proper authorities arrive, they'll discuss the governmental issues."

The sound of a roaring engine could be heard in the distance. He looked up towards the direction it was comming from. He sighed. He had gone into the tent to talk to the ICI field office in Imitoran Hodgania. And that was them. "You'll need to talk to the gentlemen who'll be ariving soon about the interogations." With that, he left Scarlett and the police chief with the two Seargents.

The pair took the seargents and split the camp into two parts. One part about 22% of the refugees. They were unknowns or confirmed fascists. Davis looked at his two escorts, "We'd like to speak to the man in charge of interrogations."

While deviding up the group, a Pelican dropship landed on the other side of came. Three people descended the ship, and made there way across the camp. By the time Davis asked to meet the man in charge, the group had arived.

A feminen voice chimed in behind Davis. "That would be me." As Scarlet and Davis turned, they would see the young lady standing behind them. She was short by Imitoran standards, 5'7, with medium length dirty brown hair with dirty blonde streaks done up. She wore a tight fitting black blouse that accented her petite frame, and a pair of tight fitting kahki cargo pants. The casualness of the outfit stopped, as one looked down to see her pants were worn out over a pair of black combat boots.

She was flanked by two soldiers, both wearing the armor of the ICMC, but instead of green with a gold faceplate, it was black with a silvered miror faceplate. Both held M90 shotguns. They were members of the Specialized Operations devision of the Imitora Central Intelliegence Agency, or ICI.

"Holly Lutz, Imitora Central Intelligence," she replied, hand extended. She had a slight accent, English. Her first posting had been in Iansisle, where she had picked up the accent. "How can I help you two." MacLemara could be seen standing back, almost like a wolf who had once lead the pack, but had now been told where his real place was. With INSA dying off, ICI was becoming the new big kid on the block, and they had no problem flexing their musscles.

The two flanking operatives stood quietly, their M90 shotguns almost speaking volumes for them.

Scarlet was immediately impressed with the woman, "We would like to be present at any interrogations and want to be involved in any restorations of the Aubanian government." Davis remained silent.

AS she opened her mouth to speak, two large dropships moved into the area, shillouted by the setting sun. Their engines roared as they sat down, and more ICI agents disembarked, moving to set up an interegations center. "Speak of the Devil and the Devil shall arive," she shouted. "Follow me, we'll talk where its quieter.

She elad them to the camp's mess hall. Hundreds of Imitoran Marines sat eating, and, as if by order, as soon as Lutz and Scarlett entered, they quieted and stood, dropping their food on their plates. Its hard to forget what to do when near two weeks of boot camp is dedicated to how to act in the conduct becoming of a Marine. Lutz nodded, and the men sat, going back to their food.

She lead Scarlett and Davis to an empty table, and waved over to a Privatye carrying pots of coffee. The man made his way over, and placed three cups down, and poured each a cup of genuine, sluge like military issue coffee. Holly took a few sips, then looked at Davis and Scarlett. "So, may I ask why you want to be involved in the interogations?"

Scarlet took a sip of the coffee and grimaced, "we wish to make sure that we recieve the information garnered from the fascists and see the techniques used to do so."

Police Chief Davis gulped the cup down, he hadn't eaten in several days. "We are the only leaders left of the Aubanian government and we wish to reestablish proper forms of government."

Holly nodded. "I understand your position. However, I'm not sure if I can allow you in on the questioning. You'll have to understand, our interogation techniques are highly classified as of yet, and I'm not sure we can just go around telling everyone how they work. Now then, any informaiton we deem appropriate to release, we will of course give to you. I'm sure that you understand."

Meanwhile, outside, the facists were being rounded up. Those in the 'confirmed or questioned' camps were being moved into one of several cordened off areas, directed so by ICI operatives, dressed casually in polos and kahkis. Some resisted, but they were quickly 'coerced' by force.

Davis nodded, "We understand your position. However, the most important thing for us is that we begin to set up government operations."

Scarlet gulped down another mouthful of scum, "We have a proposal ready to be submitted when the provisional government is ready."

"I'm glad we see eye to eye. This is excellent. At the moment, we are clearing out the city of debris and obstacles, so if you'd like, I'm willing to look at the proposal right now. As soon as the city is cleared, those whom you identified as 'on our side' will be allowed back in, with ICMU forces acting as peace keepers till the infastructure is rebuilt."

Scarlet pulled a disk out of her back pocket and laid it in front of Holly. "This is out entire outline for the next government that Chief Davis and I have agreed upon."

Davis set his cup down, "Yes, it seems that this is the best arrangement we could come up with."

Holly took the disk and pocketed it. "I'll look this over, and get back to you on it. Right now, we are questioning those whom you pointed out as facists, and we'll get back to with the info."

With that, Holly stood, and left the mess hall.

Looking over the info Holly would find a general outline for the constitution of the new government.

The Executive shall be elected to three year terms serving no more than twice consecutively.

The legislature would be made up of one house with members elected every four years.

The Supreme Judiciary would be elected to lifetime terms.

The house members would be put into office by using national party ID with a party having to reach at least 3% to be given seats in the legislature.

An interem three person councel would run the government until a census could be taken. Once this has occured Aubania would become a soveriegn dual commenwealth with ties to Coastal City, Fultonia, and Imitora.

The man was roughly brought into a dark room, and placed down on a chair. His hands were bound behind his back with quickcuffs and a set of metal cuffs for safety. As soon as he sat, an ICI interagator approached, and cuffed his ankles together. He stood off to the side in the dark room. A single, uncoverd bulb hung from the ceiling of the room, as if by cliché.

A voice came from one side of the room. "So, Mr. Jameson, you deemed it in your best intrest to fight for the wrong side in this war. Part of me wants to ask why, but I think I'll save it for later." Holly stepped out of a shadow. She was dressed in a snug fitting black tshirt, and black pants, comming down to her small black combat boots. She held a cup of nonmilitary coffee, in her hand, her other arm crossed across her body. She smirked.

The man, one of the random prisoners whom had been delcared part of the facist camp by Scarllet scowled back at her. She looked at the info sheet of the man. An impressive record. But a little to unimpressive to be enough to sway Holly that he had any important information.

She brushed a ban out of her face, and he spit at her, the ball of saliva falling far short. "You think I'm gonna tell you anything bitch?"

"No. I don't." She snapped her fingers, and one of the ICI operatives emerged from the darkness. She pressed a button, and Korn's Falling Away From Me began to play loudly. People outside the interogation room could hear it clearly. It was loud enough to muffle the man's scream, as the ICI agent went from man to meet tendorizer. A serries of blows, the first knocking the man out of the chair, left him beaten badly, bleeding all over.

He could hardly breath, one of the kicks had broken several ribs, and brusied a few others. Blood pooled around face as he lay on the ground, his breathing sounding well stressed. The ICI operative removed a knife, and then knelt by the man. He looked at him, stared him straight in the eyes. He looked up, and another man came out of the shaddows, grabbing the head of the facist. He forced him to look into the eyes of the interogater, and he stared right back at the prisoner. Their eyes were locked as the ICI operative cut off all ten of his fingers.

As the final drum hit in the song, it was accented by the sound of Holly's own Sig P226 sending a .40S&W bullet right through the man's head. Blood, bone, and brain matter sprayed out onto the floor. At the close range, the hollow point round had ripped nearly half of his skull off. The body was left there, and the interogation chari turned so it would face the body.

The body would be left there, laying dead in the light of the room, for every prisoner who was to be interogated to see. If it started to smell, it would be removed, the room refreshened, and another body would come into play. Holly looked at the list of registered prisoners, scanning the names. The highest ranking official was a 2ndLt. Grham.

She looked over to one of the armored gaurds. "This one," she said, pointing the name out. She pulled up his file on an in room computer, and printed it out, looking it over. She heard the door open, and not even turning, spoke just loud enough to be heard from across the room. "Have a seat, liuetenant," she said. It wasn't as if he had much of a choice. He was forced into the seat by the gaurd.

She turned, and looked at the man. He was clean, well, as clean as one could be in one of these camps, still wearing his uniform. She looked him over, and placed her file down. She leaned against a wall, and nodded to one of the interogators.

Grahm was quickly bound to the chair by a thick length of rubber tubing. A piece of balled chain, like that used to hold dog tags, was wrapped under his jaw, and over both ears, then run down his back. It cane out just above the top seam of his pants. He didn't see the chain connected to a battery operated device.

The Sig was visable, Holly had moved the Mossad holster from under her shirt at the samll of her back to just to the lleft of her right hip. "Lieutenant, I'm going to ask you a few questions. I'm sure you understand how this works?"

Lt. Graham had been through Coastal City Evasion and Rescue Operations. "2nd Lt. Graham ID 4652 of the Restored Aubanian Government."

Holly looked Grahm in the eye. "So someone thinks they understand how this is done?" She nodded.

Before Grahm could say anything else, a 90volt current was sent straight through his body via the chain. It was held for ten seconds, then let off. Holly looked at him. "A simple yes or no. Do you understand?"

She waved over to one of the ICI armored operatives. She leaned over and whispered to him. "Get Scarlet. I dont trust her, and this is common for us. I wante her to see this." He nodded and left.

Graham had sweat dripping down his face. "2nd Lt. Graham ID 4652 of the Restored Aubanian Government." He looked her in the eye.

Holly just nodded. One of the things they taught you in ICI interogation training was human biology. And she knew how far to take this. Grahm was once again shocked, this time, the shock lasting a little less, but cranked up to 95 volts. When done, she looked at him. "If your going to be difficult, then I'll be difficult."

He was shocked again. "Seeing as you dont want to answer my first question, I'll move on to another. Tell me, Lieutenant, why you choose to side with the facists in this little conflict?"

She handed a sheet to another agent with four names circled in red. She pointed to the door, and he understood, walking out. Just then, the door opened, and an armored gaurd stepped in. "Miss Lutz, Scarlet," he said, leading her through the door.

"Ah yes, Scarlet, how nice of you to accept. Please, have a seat," Holly said, waving to an open, unused chair. The boddy was still on the floor, blood pooling out from what used to be his head. "Would you like some coffee? Its not the military issue brand."

As Scarlet entered she shivered as she saw the dead body. She then politely took her seat. "Why no thank you, but I appreciate the offer." Scarlet smiled toward her and looked at the poor man in the chair. He was completely soaked with sweat and his skin was a shade of red.

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Graham noticed the woman walked in and under less severe circumstances would have made a pass. He cleared his throat, and noticed the immense sweat that had made every part of his body completely soaked. His feet and fingers were still trembling from the shock. "Yes, I understand how this works. I chose to fight for the Supreme Commander because he was paying me lots of money to do so. Plus, I got to screw lots of ladies." He forced his head straight and winked at her.

Holly smiled. "I'm glad you decided to come around." A door opened, and four people were brought in, but not revealed to Grahm. "Now then, I respect the fact that your government may buy people with sex, but I think you had other reasons."

She walked across the room. "However, we'll save them for later. I think we can start off by some nice group therapy." She grabbed a young girl from behind Grahm, and lead her to stand infront of him. She was 18 or so (Hope you dont mind me callin ages, Fult). "Lieutenant, why dont you tell your sister who the leading cadre of the facist movement were. Supreme speaker and all his comand authority."

Holly let her hand rest on the grip of her pistol. A microphone was recording the entire conversation. "And please, speak slowly and clearly." Two more gaurds moved in, and disconected the electricution system. "If you cooperate, this will move very quickly, liueteneant."

The young man looked at Amanda and back toward Holly, "I'm sorry sis, I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'm glad you're alive. My command structure was completely wiped out by artillary rounds from your forces. The only people of higher rank who weren't hit by your forces were Major Dennison and 1st Lt. Howard. If they survived the attack Dennison has light red hair with a scar on his left cheek, and Howard is missing his left pinky. Would you mind letting my sister go?"

He looked at Scarlet and scowled.

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Scarlet was startled when the group of four women were brought in. They were all young and rather beautiful, in fact one was a resistance fighter she had met briefly the week before.

When Graham said that one was his sis, Scarlet teared up. Family members fighting on opposite sides of the war.

"Not quite yet. I'd also like you to tell your sister where we could find this Dennison and Howard, and if any military units were with them. I'd like to remind you, I'm not an eaasily swayed woman, so if you don't know, you'll need to do a rather good job of convincing me." She let her thumb pressed the brake on her holster, which would allow her pistol to be removed if needed.

"Then I'd like you to tell her where the Aubanias received their funding and supply. I know Imitora may have supplied a small amount, but considering a good percentage of your weapons are of non Imitoran build, they had to come from somewhere. Was it Coastal City or Fultonia?"

Graham looked pissed. "Dennison headed north toward the Coastal City Border, he wanted to get to the Fultonia Refugee Camps. Howard should be inside this camp somewhere, although I can't be for sure." He cleared his throat as Amanda began sobbing. "Sis, don't cry. We gotta be brave." He looked away from Holly toward his sister and back again. "Our weapons came from neither, we run a mercenary outfit. We've worked inside Fultonia, Coastal City, and Aubania ever since the occupation began. We work for the highest bidder. We were only 5,000 strong. Although last reports indicated we were down to several hundred. As for military units, I'm sure their might be some but for the most part the Legionarres had begun to melt back into society, I just didn't have enough time to change clothes and meet with my family." He spit beside Holly's boot.

Holly nodded. She ignored the spit, she had had worst things done to her during ICI SEAR training, which had gotten cut short after things got to real, when an instructer attempted to rape her, she fired a 9mm round from a Glock 22 into his right testical.

"I'm glad you decided to cooaperate, Mr. Grahm. Now then, please tell your sister where in Fultonia and Coastal City your mercanary team operates out of. Also, we'd like to know other contractor names."

As she said this, she jotted down a quick note, and handed it to a guard, who left quickly. Moments later, five AH-6I Attack Birds were in the air, shooting towards the Coastal City border. Further, a flight of six F-82C Angels were diverted towards the border. Any vehicles not flying Imitoran or Fultonian colors were to be shot. Even those that were would be stopped and searched. Those that didn't would be destroyed.

His face grew darker and his voice was full of sarcasm, "Amanda, I've operated out of Coastal City Proper as a border guard during the training of the Coastal City STAR Squad. I've fought on the Isle of Anora against gangs, and against mobsters in the city of Nev. My former squad combatted the KKK in Alko, and The Islamic Revolutionary Corp in Calco. I've been involved in intelligence missions in Iansisle and other two bit nations. I work for payment and I don't discriminate when it comes to hard earned money. I also fought in the Fultonian Civil War. Now Amanda, why don't you leave and let these two fine young ladies spend some time alone with me." He looked at Scarlet.

Scarlet had seen enough, "Holly, why don't you let me escort these young women from the room?"

Holly held up her hand to Scarlet. "No." She then looked at Grahm, and the now named Amanda.

"Mr. Grahm, please, answer my second question. Where do your teams operate out of? I can work with city names, but I would prefere actual buildings or locations."

Graham spit on Holly's boot and smiled, "We don't operate out of any specific place. We get paid out of a nondiscript Nevian account and we get our orders through coded blackberry devices. We meet at rally points and kill people. I don't know who's at the top and I doubt you'll find out either."

Amanda began sobbing and Scarlet came over and hugged her from the side, "It'll be alright darlin, I'm here. You'll be OK."

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Police Chief Davis was sitting on a cot in a waiting room wandering what they were doing with Scarlet.

Holly looked at the spit on her boot, and shook her head. "Like I said, you'll need to do a damn good job of convinceing me." She rose her hand, and someone grabbed Scarlet, and pulled her away. She removed her Sig from the holster, and fired a round into Amanda's back, right between the second and third cervical vertabreas. She holstered the pistol, and waved back at the gaurd. Another of the young girls was brought forward.

"Would you like to try again with that answer?"

Scarlet screamed at the top of her lungs,"You stupid b**** I'm gonna tear your eyes out. How could you do that." She was squirming as the guard muffled her mouth and began to drag her out of the room.

Amanda lay bleeding on the floor wimpering before she stopped doing anything. A giant piss puddle formed under her dead body. Graham's eyes welled up with tears and they began to stream down his reddened face. He screamed with all the energy he had, "I'll kill you b****!" as he lurched forward and his chair fell to the side. He lay on his left side struggling to get untied making his wrists bleed.

"That was the truth, I told you the whole operation you dumb ****, you f****** whore! I'll slit your throat wench!"

Holly waved her hand, and one of the armored ICIA operatives tossed Scarlet down into a corner. As she got up, he restrained her. "What you want me to do with her?" he asked, his voice mettalic from the speaker.

She stood in thought, ignoring Grahm's speaking. "Let her stay. She wanted to see our interogations, then she gets to see them." She holstered her pistol, hearing the satisfying clack of the wepon locking in place. She waved for one of the interogators to stand up Grahm's chair, with him still in it. She waved again, and Grahm was roughly picked up, and tossed outside the interogation room. Two Marines dragged him back to his camp, and un cuffed him before tossing him in, and locking the entrance gate.

Back in the interogation facility, Holly walked over to a wall, and flipped a switch. Lights hidden in the room turned on, and it was suddenly bathed in white light. Things that Scarlet hand't seen before were now visable. A concrete bathtub full of ice and water, two barrels that looked like they held oil, the electracution system, and a tabe of ugly looking torture tools. Holly didn't speak, but simply walked over to a table with a computer, and hit a button, stopping the recording.

She then nodded, and all the operatives, save for the one restraining Scarlet. She looked at her, and paused. "You said you wanted to see interogations, well, here. You can see them. But, if you ever have another outburst like that, I will personally see that not only you are in line to be interogated as a rebel that attempted to overthrow a freindly government, but treated as one as well. I'm in control of this situation, and my word is better than God's in this little shithole you call a country. Do you understand me?" Holly asked, completely calm and composed. There was no outburst, no shouting match, no sceraming, but a simple statement.

Scarlet bagan sobbing and shaking, "I understand but this is wrong, it's too hard. Just let me go back. I'm sorry I can't handle this. I'm so sorry." At this point Graham's sisters and mother begin to cry and shake.


Graham is severely pissed and completely depressed. "You c*** suckers!" He pound the ground and begins to cry.

Holly looked at the women. Their crying and shakes fell on deaf ears and blind eyes. "Get them out of here." She would let them go back, and tell everyone what they had seen. Same for Grahm. And hopefully, Scarlet would too. "Get her outa here, too," she said, pulling a disk out of the computer. "Clean this place up, we'll start again tommorow." The agents nodded, and went to work.

Davis was reading a Coastal City Police Manual. They had agressive tactics. Suddenly a guard burst in and threw Scarlett down and she was in shambles. Davis jumped off the cot and scooped her up in his arms, "What's the matter Scarlett?"

She was sobbing all over, "Their inhumane beasts, I mean I was fighting for freedom and democracy. They just kill for no reason, I want to go home."

Davis gave her a kiss on the cheek and laid her on the cot stroking her long red hair. "It's alright, I'm here for you. I'll get you home."

Scarlet turned on her back and looked straight into his eyes. She grabbed the back of his neck and brought him close as she gave him a deep passionate kiss. He resisted at first but quickly gave in and scooped her up in his arms. Scarlet leaned abck in his arms and smiled, "I feel like a young woman again."

Davis grinned, "I feel like a young man again."

Davis shut the door to the tent and tied it shut. Neighbors could hear occasional sounds for about an half hour.

The sound of the dropships massive engines almost defend Holly. She had never been on the outside of one of these things when they were running, and wasn't sure of what to expect. The deep, loud roar shook even the farther off tents. She braced herself against a roaring wind that had sprung up, and walked towards the rear of the craft, where a gate had open.

A man strode off, wearing a very smart suit, and walking with an air of confidence. Almost cocky. His eyes were covered by a pair of Oakly sunglasses, and he held a hand over his face to keep the dust out of his eyes. Holly approached him, and shouted over the engines, slowly shutting down. "Its been to long. I'm glad you came."

The man, the almost infamous Robert Fortier, Imitora's most well known citizen, did away with the usual diplomatic handshake, and hugged Holly. "Four years, and I'm glad you asked." She returned the hug, and was suprised to only feel one holster.

"No more Watts?" she asked.

Fortier nodded. "Lost them, and when Watts went under, I couldn't get another set. I'm taking my hints from the ICIA, picked up one of the new custom Sig Sauer P226s. She nodded.

"Its a good gun. The tent is over there," she said, pointing to a reinforced quanset hut. "I'll get Davis and Scarlet."
____

As if on que, the second that Davis and Scarlet finished their session, a knife cut through the tent flap, and quickly cut down the side. The straight, silver blade hissed as it slit the fabric easily, and a Marine stepped into the tent. He wasn't wearing combat armor like ICMC regulars, or ICIA field operatives, but rather the simple fatigues and load bearing gear of the ICMU. He pulled off his boonie cap, and looked at the two.

"Get dressed and follow me," he said, sliding the knife back into its sheath. He let his hand rest on the UMAC/Kimber .45 on his hip, and stood infront of the two. "And hurry," he finished, not leaving.
____

Fortier sat in the empty tent, drinking a scotch on the rocks from a crystal clear glass. The ice cubes clinked around as he swirled the glass around, looking at the 'door' to the 'tent'. Holly sat enxt to him. She was no longer wearing the black on black ensamble she was earlier, but a tastefull white blouse and kahki pants that hugged her frame.

The 'door' opened, and a Marine stepped in. "Mr. Fortier, Ms. Lutz, Captain Davis and Scarlet," he said, extending his arm into the tent. Fortier stood, as did Holly.

"Thank you Seargent," he said to the man, dismissing him. He offered his hand towards two seats across from his own for Davis and Scarlet. Fortier pulled a briefcase from under the table, still standing, and pulled out a folder. He skipped intorductions, and pulled a peice of paper out. He placed it on the table, and slid it over to the two Aubanians.

"I've looked over your terms of a new government," he started, "and I along with the military leaders of Imitora, First Speaker Fratelli, and Agent Lutz, have agreed it isn't really the best set up for a fledgling group after the recent situation. So, I worked with Agent Lutz and teh First Speaker, and have been authorized to deliver these terms and conditions for the new government. Basic outline, with general ideas on how to handle things."

The piece of paper outlined the plan for Aubania. It called for some rather heavy demands, but none that were really different from any other 'demands' from Imitora. It stated that the police and military forces of the new Aubania would be trained by private security organizations in Imitora. Further, they would also be armed by Imitoran companies. What it didn't state, but implied through obtuse legal terminology, was that the Aubanians would pay for the weapons and equipment, as well as the training.

It further stated that the parliment system described would not be instituted. However, a 20 seat representative house would be set up. Of course, the demand was that of those 20 seats, 11 would be held by Imitorans. Further, the seat of the provincial govenor would be held by an Imitoran appointed person. Those 11 seats, plus the govenorship, would be open for free elections after a 10 year rebuilding period, lead by Imitoran contractors.

Fortier pulled out a pen, and sat down, taking a sip of his drink. "Terms are negotiable, of course," Holly stated. This was Imitoran for We'll let you think your getting what you want, when you really aren't.

Scarlet looked sorta stunned, she had expected the Imitorans to give them nothing. The lip service was kinda nice.

Davis on the other hand was annoyed, they could ahve won the war without Imitoran involvement. It would have been far longer and much more devestating, but they would have prevailed.

Scarlett spoke first, "Well Sir, I can honestly say that I appreciate all your help in setting up a free and fair Aubania but I would like to speak to my colleague alone for a minute."

After Fortier acquiesed the two went outside and began to talk.

Davis was purturbed, "First, do we really think they'll give up control after ten years?"

Scarlett sounded nervous, "We don't know nor can we. If they decide to keep Aubania it's theirs. All we can do is hope and trust."

Davis pulled out a cigarette and bagan to smoke, "Ok, so taking that to be the case let's look at his outline and see waht we want. I don't want an Imitoran Legislative Council. Nor Do I want to foot the bill for his troops in our lands."

Scarlet grabbed Davis free hand, "So, we want a Legislative Assembly of 40 people with 10 Imitoran appointees and 10 Fultonian appointees the rest being elected by Aubanians. We also want a Governor elected by the people of Aubania, and if we can't have that than in ten years instead of Independence we become a Fultonian Territory, or at least the option just as Coastal City will be voting on in a short while."

Davis finished his cigarette, "Ok, Scarlett dish it to him."

They walked back into the room and took thier seats, "We don't like the deal as is. We want a Governor elected by the people of Aubania, and a legislative Council made up of 40 members 10 seats being appointed by your government and 10 appointed by the Fultonians. In ten years we want the option to vote on whether to become free or to become a Fultonian Territory on its way to statehood."

Holly looked at Fortier, and gave him the 'your the diplomat, not me,' look. Fortier tossed the ideas around in his head for a few seconds before speaking again.

"The govonor will be voted in by Aubanians, but we'll decide the candidates. We'll take the ten year vote, but the house is a nix. I'll accept a 30 member house, with 16 Imitoran votes."

Holly nodded. When Fortier finished, she spoke. "Further, the ICIA wants to establish a field desk in Aubania, to suplement the Hodganian desk."

Davis looked a little agitated, "Ok, We'll accept if you get 15 of the Legislative Council Seats. I'd also like to be appointed Ambassador to Fultonia from Aubania if you two don't mind?"

Fortier thought for a moment. He took another sip of his drink, and nodded. "That works. I'll have our people type it up, and we'll get some signatures going."

Davis smiled as a new document was brought in by a guard and laid on the table. Davis signed the document then Scarlett and they laid the pen in front of Fortier.

Fortier nodded, and slid the paper into his briefcase. "I'll get this signed and verrified by First Speaker Fratelli when I get back. Thank you for your cooperation," he said, stepping out of the tent.