NationStates Jolt Archive

Eras come and go. It is the way of things. The era of Poland. The era of Saratov. The era of blood. The era of peace. The era of darkness. And now... the sixth era of Crimmond begins.

The nation stopped functioning as ever TV station in the nation was interuppted by Imperial International Newslink feed. That meant that an announcement was going to happen.

Riok Oran stood in front of the cameras is his gleaming armor, which caught the light and threw it into a dark rainbow. Right eye was harder than usual, as was his tone. "At five-thirty this monring, Lady Lara Tian, Heir to the Throne of Crimmond, was found dead in her sleep." He paused for a moment. "She died of drug overdose, from several different narcotics. An investigation is underway to see how long she has been under their influence.

"As leader of the Imperial Party, I must make the decision of who will run the nation in her stead. Normally, this would fall to me... but these are not normal times. With enemies on our borders and the weakening of our military, we need the most qualified man to take the seat of the Empire."

http://home.earthlink.net/~alpha_zero_usm/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/overlord.jpg
Riok Oran
Leader of the Imperial Party
Former Overlord of Baggera

As he finished speaking, the camera moved to look at the doorway to the Senate chambers, where a black clad figure stood.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/Varchak2.jpg

"I am Davion Varchak, former Overlord of Baggera. I have spent the last decade in stasis, in several facilities, the last of which was Inferno. You have been led to believe that I was dead until now, because now I can assume the position that was rightfully mine, years ago. Reil Tian took power from the High Commander, who had named me as successor. But that will be rectified now. For Overlord Varchak has returned." He smirked cruelly and stepped down to stand beside Riok. "This is not a coup. This is the returning of a rightful ruler to his throne. And to whoever opposes me... what Delta did to the Black Staff is nothing comaperd to what I will do to you."

More people filed into the room. "I am appointing new leaders to each position of power in the nation...."

"The position of Defense Minister is no longer General Meridius's concern, though he will still be head advosr of the Marine Corps. The Minister's position will be filled by General Benjamin Marco."

http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/Marco.jpg
General Benjamin Marco
Minister of Defense

"Head of the Intelligence Division, which has been replaced with the Black Staff and now teh Imperial Inquisition will fall to the shoulders of Master Inquisitor Kamara."

http://home.earthlink.net/~alpha_zero_usm/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/assassin.jpg
Master Inquisitor Kamara
Head of Intelligence
Overseer of Imperial Inquisition

"Head of Internal Security, a new office overseeing the police forces of the nation, will be headed by retired Colonel Byron Fisk."

http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/ByronA.jpg
Byron Fisk
Head of Internal Security

"And finally... Chief Advisor to myself and Foriegn Minister is Riok Oran."

http://home.earthlink.net/~alpha_zero_usm/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/overlord.jpg
Riok Oran
Chief Advisor to the Overlord
Foriegn Minister

Each person bowed their heads to the Overlord as they were named. The nation at large was in shock. To suddenly have a leader that was considered a traitor by many agencies... it was unprecedented in Crimmond. Rumors spread fast that it was Varchak that had Lara Tian killed, but no one could prove it. Kamara was heading the investigation personally...

The broadcast was sent around the globe, to most major news services. Varchak wanted the world to know that he was back.

"Cap'n!"
"What is it? I be busy."
"Arr, we be monitorin' the Imperial transmissions, like ye ordered us tae."
"And? Out with it laddy!"
"Arr, they say a new leader has seized power in Crimmond."
"Crimmond?"
"Yarr, it be some nation that was allied, and then not, and then again tae the Empire. They 'ave some ships, I thought ye might be int'rest'd."
"Nay, outta my sight 'afore I have yer throat cut, fer wakin' the Cap'n!"
"Arrg, this be what I get for tryin' tae be helpful..."

Bump

*Tagged*

[OOC: I'm sorta looking for international response here. <_<]

Over the next few hours, voices dissented across the nation, but soon, when the Imperial Inquisition showed up in every major city, in their distinctive black cloaks, the people started to keep it to low grumbles.

Soon, they begin to examine the cirumstances of the High Commander's removal from power. So sudden and one day he simply vanished from the face of the Earth. Suddenly they understood why Tian wanted Varchak dead. All this cemented Varchak quickly.

------------

Sitting in the Imperial Palace with Oran and Kamara, the two that had worked hardest to bring about his reemergence to pass. Varchak and Oran were regailing Kamara with tales of the constant feud with Roania, which even Varchack found entertaining at times.

"There was this one time... I purchased a set of rings from Roania, but I couldn't get the damned things off. It was like they shrank after I put them on. I had to have them cut off. That was back when I had Rasputin II working for me. Oran... is he still around?"

"No, sir. He was killed in the nuclear explosion in Minsk."

"Shame. Good man. He cured my paper cut."

Kamara smirked and Oran chuckled. Varchak blinked. "What? He did!"

Oran stood, changing the subject, "I have a gift for you, Davion. Something I saved from the palace is Minsk." He walked to a case that was on a shelf and took out a flag. Unfurling it, he held it up. Davion stood and grinned as Riok spoke. "I think it would be fitting to unite Crimmond and Baggera under the Banner of Might?"

Varchak just looked upon the flag that had served as Baggera's for so many months and grinned.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/crimmond.jpg

-------

Imperial International Newslink reported about an hour later that Crimmond's banner had changed once again. Images of it made people across the nation shudder. Within days, the old flags would be removed and teh Banner of Might would be raised above. The people could only wonder how far Varchak would go into turning the nation into a new Baggera.

[[OOC: BUMP. Come one people... SOMEONE here must remember Varchak. Or at least have an IC opinion on him.

Here, I'll help you, if you don't remember him:

1: He ran Baggera like a police state bussiness. Slaves of all species and sexes worked the mines.
2: The government was the ultimate nanny state, not allowing the people to invest or what have you. Everything was provided to for them, including a small allowance for buying stuff they want.
3: He was pschopathic in his hatred of other species. Only one non-human, Oran, had his respect. He slaughtered thousands of elves and enslaved scores more, along with the 'cat-people' and so on
4: He was a signatory of the Nuclear/Bio/Chem Weapon Proliferation Treaty, which stated members MUST distribute these weapons to nations that have the money.
5: Regularly tested these weapons, except nuclear, on his people.]]

OOC: Am I still first to respond? Sheesh!
IC:
"Your Ineffableness, it would seem the Tian family has been overthrown."
"Tian? The Crimmond Imperial line?"
"Indeed. A man by the name of Varchak has seized power, supported by an accomplice by the name of Oran."
"I never did like Riel Tian. He was awfully aloof at some gathering we met at a few centuries ago. Then again, I can't say I wasn't the same. Don't think I ever met his daughter. Delta was so much better a leader, pity about his demise. Varchak you say? Interesting. I seem to recall someone by that name. Something to do with Baggera was he?"
"Indeed sir."
"Hmm. Send a muffin basket over, with my congratulations."
"Right away sir."

Within the hour, a basket of Ineffable Friendly Muffin Corporations finest selection of muffins was delivered to Overlord Varchak, with a small note, upon which was inscribed:
Congratulations on your return to power.

Warmest Regards,
His Imperial Majesty, The Great Ineffable Bob

The basket was accepted, checked for about fifteen different types of bugs, explosives and other devices. Finally, it was delivered, towards the end of a meeting on the status of the military.

"Send the standard 'thank you for your gift' message. Now, General... what can we do about the surface navy?" he asks of the man sitting across the desk from him.

General Marco leaned forward a bit. "Well, sir... I don't know if there is a problem. We have the largest submarine force in Europe. We could decimate an enemy and only lose a few ships. The supremacy class submarine is an impressive ship, even if Bob has deemed it outdated."

A nod. "Very well. I just am not used to only having one carrier group as a surface ship navy." Varchak pauses as Kamara walks in and retrieves one of the muffins, biting into it. "General, take a muffin before you go."

Kamara stepped up and waited until the man left before sitting. "All is ready for the cleansing."

"Good."

---------

The Hand

Such was the name of the most upscale club in the capital, Skye. Employing both male and female dancers, always thumping out salsa beats inside and owned by two that were among the richest in Crimmond. The bald headed Ranar din'Athos and his equally bald wife, Larea din'Athos(who was also retired from the position of Foriegn Minister under Reil Tian). They were one of the last of their kind. A geneticly altered breed of human that were able to interface directly with computer systems. Their bodies were nearly without flaw and they were quite the sight on the streets.

A gray haired man wandered through the club, before coming up behind a bouncer and grabbing him. He was dead before he hit the floor and by the time he did, the man was allready busy decking the next bouncer he ran into. The third jumped him and took both down to the floor. That bouncer got his nose driven into his brain. The crowd was think and hid teh bodies and there was so much drug and alcohol n this place, they could be mistaken as just passed out and... well, no one was screaming, so he guessed that he wasn't noticed by them either. Then he saw a problem... the crowd ended at the end of the dancefloor. Thirty feet away from that were the private booths. And in between were more bouncers.

Taking out his 10mm Baretta, he stepped to a few feet of the edge and fired twice. A bouncer dropped. He twisted and fired again. Another dropped. A dancer was grabbed and used as a shield as he fired three more times, taking two more down. Bullets whizzed past him, but not many. The crowd was panicking. He took out the last two gaurds and ejected teh spent mag and slapped in another, aiming at the center booth. Ranar and Larea were gone though. He ran for the stairs when he saw them trying to get to the penthouse and aimed up at them as Ranar fumbled with the door.

He fired six times, two shots to the chest and one to the forehead each. He then turned and walked into the mob and exited to the street.

A half hour later, he placed a phonecall to the palace from a payphone. "Deathblow."

http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/vincent5.JPG
The Gray Haired Man

-----

Kamara smiled across the desk at Varchak.

OOC: Oh I remember Varchak quite well. I was just a little busy when I made that last post.

IC: "A very interesting turn of events," Overlord Bradley Steelblood mused, more to himself than to Lord Arman Grimwald, who stood before him.

"Indeed, my lord," the Lord of Foreign Relations replied. Crimmond was allied to the Eternal Dominion through Metus and the Arda Alliance, and therefore some sort of response to this turn of events was certainly appropriate.

"I never met the man, but he always seemed like a decent enough fellow," the Wretchan Overlord continued. He hunched forward on his throne and stroked his beard, thinking to himself.

"A gift, as a sign of our good faith," the Overlord said. "And if Varchak is anything like I've heard he is, he'll like what I have in mind."

* * *

Later that week, a package was sent from the Overlord of Wretchengard to Overlord Varchak in Crimmond. A short message was attached, which read:

Overlord Varchak,

Congratulations on your return to power, and may you reign long in Crimmond.

Enclosed are two items, a saber and a headsman's axe. I had heard that you were a swordsman, and I'm sure you can find some use for the axe as you consolidate your power. Please take them as a token of my esteem.

Sincerely,
Bradley Steelblood
Overlord of the Eternal Dominion of Wretchengard

The package did indeed contain an axe and a saber, both of which were equisitely crafted by the finest smiths in Wretchengard.

Saber:
http://members.aol.com/swordclub/russiandiamond2.jpg
http://members.aol.com/swordclub/russiandiamond3.jpg
http://members.aol.com/swordclub/russiandiamond3.jpg

Axe:
http://images.google.ca/images?q=tbn:m2cvCTmoGv0J:www.5stardeal.com/website/

heh...tag

News of the shootings spread across the city, recieving calls for the shooter to be hung when found. An hour after the news of that shooting broke, three more shootings reached the media. All were prominate elves and all had the same shot patterns. The Gray Haired Man, as he'd become known, was identified as teh shooter in each.

Travelling out of the city on an unarmed civilian model of the Archangel Mono-Bike (http://home.earthlink.net/~alpha_zero_usm/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/monobike1.jpg), wearing full leathers, he went unnoticed and was considered another punk out to get killed on the Deathways.

In fact, he did interuppt a race out on the long stretches of rarely used highways. Flying past checkpoints and into a pack of racers, he edged his way through the field. He won handily, but seeing as he wasn't a regitered racer and he didn't stop for celebration, he didn't get anything for it, except the respect of a couple maniacal racers.

He rode non-stop, except for food and fuel. He had an appointment in Myer.

---------------

Varchak sat across from Byron Fisk. Fisk was an immense man, being 480 lbs of fat and muscle. "Varchak, we have a situation. The Gray Haired Man is killing people and we don't know where he is. He just appears, kills and then vanishes. That means he's a hitman. One of yours perhaps?"

"I don't employ assassins. Unless you count the Inquisition. Maybe it's one of them, cleaning house of people he doesn't like."

"No. I've seen them work. They don't just kill. They kill with flair. This man is all bussiness."

Varchak smiled at him. "Then it looks like you have work to do, Fisk." he looks up as two aides come in with the gifts. Fisk leaves as they present them, seeming livid. "Who are these from?" "Wretchengard, sir." "Wretchengard? Been many years since I've heard from them... that will be all."

He took the two weapons and looks over the sword. Good weight and balence... a little too showy for his liking, but a gift was a gift and he placed it on a shelf, intending to put it in his collection later. The axe though... he picked that up and swung it down andtwisted his hand to bring it full circle. Then he grinned.

To the Overlord of Wretchengard...

I thank you for your gifts. The sword will be a valued item in my collection and the axe... I see to it that I make good use of it. You are a valued ally. May your might conquer all others.... Except me, of course.

The remainder of the senate, only about one-quarter of what it was under Delta, was in attendence, represenatives from the Science Council and the three major military suppliers as well.

Standing at the center of teh room is General Marco, the Secretary of Defence. "As you can see, we are quite capable of deterring attack with our current forces, despite the war. But we are at a turning point. The military is now made up of normal volunteers and geneticly grown soldiers. The former is teh old standby, but is unable to defend effectively. The latter is much more effective, but they are still human. Despite the unnerving success of the Sentinels, which our Assault Marines were patterned after, these sooldiers are not killing machines. They are armored soldiers that can take a lot of punishment and deal out the hurt on grand scales. But, according to the terms of the orders set out for the Assault Marine Project, they are a failure."

This got him an interupption by several senators and the science council. He waited for a second and then continued, drowning them out. "I am now holding a proposal for a new breed of soldier. You all know of the Brute... a race that we interghrated and used as Bounty Killers. There was a project undertaken a year into their service. The Civils." He gestures to the doors of the Senate and they open, allowing a six and a half foot tall wall of muscle to walk in, wearing Marine fatigues and carrying an OICW-series weapon. The nearly demonic looking creature stepped up to the General and saluted, before turning to face the Senate.

"There are five hundred Civils allready being trained. Two hundred are ready for deployment. You know of the power that these Civils hold. They were the most brutal creatures we made." He's interuppted by a senator. "They were also the most insane..." The General just smiles. "Yes they were. But this is the new strain. This is the success. The ferocity and bloodlust of the animals we created before, with the intellect that we were initailly shooting for, plus an endurance factor and hunting abilities that no human can ever hope to match. In additon to the role of soldier, they will be bodygaurds for teh Overlord and his Ministers, myself included."

-----------------

A message was played at all the Crimmond bases recieving the new Civils.

All commanders are to recieve the Civils and place them in combat drills immediatly. Including swordplay, live fire, paintball, unarmed and heavy weapons. This will allow them to demonstrate their effectivness to all the other soldiers.

http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/Marco.jpg
General Benjamin Marco
Minister of Defense

[ooc: Pissed off Civil in loincloth (http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/Picture008.jpg) and Portrait of one in a better mood (http://usera.imagecave.com/Alpha-Zero/Picture010.jpg)]