NationStates Jolt Archive

Imperial News Network Official Broadcast

Our dear Emperor, the beloved Constaninius I, Emperor of Kreynoria and Defender of the Faith, Eternal Lord of the Pacific and August Ruler of Men, Rightful Successor of Romanos Cerularius and God's True Earthly Representative, decided last night that his life has extended far enough at age 54 and it will be better for the Empire and the world for a younger soul to assume the responsibilites of his title. He then ate a cyanide pill. His funeral shall take place on Thursday at 11:00 AM, Hawaiian-Aleutian time at the Imperial Necropolis, burial place of the imperial families of the ancient empire.

His son, Leon, has been accorded the late and beloved Constantinius' throne and estate. He is expected to make a speech in the Forum of Angels in Kreynoriapolis this afternoon at 2:00, Hawaiian-Aleutian time. The speech will be televised by your Imperial News Network. Long live Emperor Leon II and the Divine Empire!

The newly crowned Emperor Leon stepped up to the podium, flanked by his Grand Council and two dozen Imperial Guards. Below him, a crowd of more than three million Kreynorians had gathered, along with hundreds of television crews eager to get a film of the new Emperor's first speech. It was really quite a daunting site.

The Emperor straightened his cape, took a quick sip of water, cleared his throat, and smiled at his advisors. It was showtime.

"My beloved and mighty people, I warmly greet you and...what!" said the Emperor. Below him, several thousand men dressed in black masks and wielding swords, rifles, and machine-guns had pushed their way to the front of the vast crowd.

The next instant seemed to last half a lifetime. The leader of the black-masked men raised a sniper rifle and fired. One of Leon's guards lept to shield him, but was too late. Five shots pierced the young Emperor's chest and neck, which exploded with blood and gristle.

His body was quickly surrounded by a circle of Imperial Guards, followed by a highly-trained group of paramedics. Meanwhile, the 300 Imperial Guards waiting below rushed the terrorists.

The Imperial Guards were taken from infancy for training based on both DNA and physical examination. They underwent years of genetic engineering, intense training, and unorthodox conditioning to ensure complete loyalty and committment to the Emperor. They were armed with 10-foot tall, double-bladed electrified polearms, with which they'd trained since an early age. They wore carbon-silicon nano-mesh and elaborate bronzed steel plates as armour, along with swirling, royal blue capes bearing bronze crosses.

There was no way these people could withstand 300 Imperial Guards, but they didn't seem to know that. They charged with swords, knives, and other assorted melee weapons ranging from billy clubs to chainsaws. The Imperial Guards spun and dodged, twirling their electro-pikes, each strike finding its way into the flesh of the assassins.

In the midst of all this, the massive crowd completely panicked and total chaos ensued. The Kreynoriapolis police force, reinforced by the Imperial Kreynoria Army, tried to maintain order and safely direct the mob away from the bloody scene, while at the same time attacking the black-masked assassins.

About ten minutes later, the battle had ended. The Blackmasks had all fled or been killed. No prisoners were taken, although the Blackmasks were witnessed taking several dozen civilians as hostages.

The broadcast had been live and witnessed by the whole of the viewing Empire. Meanwhile, an interim government under Patriarch Romanus Michelosis had taken over. A total of twenty-nine Imperial Guards, six hundred and ninety-six of the Blackmasks, seventy-one Kreynoria Army regulars and Kreynoriapolis policemen, and one hundred twenty-one civilians had been killed.

After the official casualty reports had been published and funerals arranged for the hundreds of deceased, the interim government next began to search for the terrorists who had killed the new Emperor. But little did they know, the terrorists were about to make a second public appearance...

On Wednesday morning at 8:31 Hawaiian-Aleutian time, the Imperial News Network show started to fade out. It was soon replaced by the scene of a bleak, concrete-walled room. Inside sat half a dozen civilians, blindfolded and bound to chairs. One of the men in black masks came into the picture.

"This is the Kreynoria Republic Organization. We have begun operations to bring political freedom and democracy to Kreynoria. We vow we shall not stop till Kreynoria is a democracy. However, given your reluctance to bring on the rightful government, we shall have to punish you, unless our demands are met. Firstly, the intermin government must be dissolved and its members tried for treason. Secondly, a conference must be held in order to begin formation of the new government tomorrow at 11:00. Yes, the time of the wicked Constantinius' funeral. Thirdly, our organization is to be accepted as a legitimate, legal group, and our members must have exemption from past crimes."

"Should you fail to meet these three demands by 11:00 tomorrow, not only will these six and many other hostages be executed by decapitation, but we will set off twenty-five bombs in random locations across the nation. Make your choice."

And with that, the normal INN show came back.

In a rather cold and dark portion of the headquaters of the Celtayoshi State Intelligence Service the Kreynorian Department was based. Due to funding desicions the Kreynorian Monitoring Department was rather short on funds for creature comforts. Needless to say the CYSIS was watching the INN feed when the terrorists came on. Such a broadcast would normally be tagged an placed in the tray for the higher powers, however, today the duty officer took it straight to his department head. He agreed that this would have to be taken to the policy makers at once, and was forwarded to Celtayoshi House.
In Celtayoshi House, Celtayoshi's own interim government voted by 3 to 1 to support the Imperial Government, a letter was dispatched at once to the head of the Kreynorian government. It arrived a during the night, about six or so hours before the 11 o'clock deadline.

From: The Allied States of Celtayoshi
To: The Interim Government, Kreynoria

Message: It has come to the attention of the Allied States that Kreynoria may be experiencing certain unpleasantries, in the form of violent political movements. We wish to show our support for the Imperial Government, th true government of Kreynoria, and would be willing to assist militarily in upholding this government through our Peacekeepers should the situation come to that. In the meantime would it benefit Kreynoria for Celtayoshi to make a statement condeming the terrorists, and supporting your government?

Patriarch Michelosis took a wavy-bladed dagger and tore open the seal to the letter. Reading it quickly, he thought the situtation over. It did not take long. He picked up his favorite pen and started writing a letter of his own.

From: Patriarch Michelosis of the Interim Government, Kreynoria
To: The Allied States of Celtayoshi

We appreciate your offer and would welcome a statement by the Celtayoshi government. However, the new government might appear stronger if can quell the rebellion on its own. However, should the situation deteriorate, I will personally request your aid.

A horde of nearly seventeen million people had journeyed to the capital and flooded into the Imperial Necropolis and Grand Funeral House. There, the late Constantinius, Leon, and the twenty-nine fallen Imperial Guards were having their funeral ceremonies. Constantinius' would be first. Patriarch Michelosis himself would preside over the funerals.

A few minutes before 11:00, the Patriarch spoke over Kreynoriapolis' loudspeaker system, requesting silence. At precisely 11:00, the ceremonies began with the Patriarch greeting the mourners and starting to say the blessings. About thirty seconds later, two huge explosions ripped through the necropolis.

The Patriarch had known that the deadline for the KRO's demands to be met was the time of the funeral, and had thus mobilized five divisions of the Imperial Kreynoria Army, the entire 10,000-strong Imperial Guard, and the Kreynoriapolis police force to keep guard over the ceremonies, as well as several units from the Army Corps of Medicine.

But with the sheer mass of the mob, it was impossible to maintain absolute security, and two suicide bombers had gotten through. This time, however, the Army and trained paramedics were already at the scene and ready to respond. Nonetheless, a seventeen-million person crowd is difficult to keep in order, and chaos and panic ensued.

Ten hours later, the last of the people had left the cemetary. But what remained was a horrible sight. The force of the explosions had collapsed most of the morgue and funeral house. It had also destroyed or damaged gravestones and desecrated and disturbed the rest of the past emperors. In addition, there were nearly 5,000 civilian casualties. A more heinous deed could hardly be imagined.

And yet, twenty-three other locations within the empire had been attacked by suicide bombers, and that evening, the INN was again replaced, this time by a scene of a concrete room where black-masked members of the KRO beheading the hostages they'd taken yesterday.

Fortunately, the site of the broadcast was tracked down, and two elite commando outfits, along with an intelligence unit, were dispatched to the location...

Celtayoshi State News

"Good afternoon, your watching CYSN. In the past few moments the government, under Patrick Nikea's leadership has forwarded a video message to the head of INN, the main news network in Kreynoria. This is a statement both to the terrorists, and to the government of Kreynoria, confirming their support for the rightful Imperial Government."

The Allied States of Celtayoshi utterly condems the illegal, violent, and selfish actions of the murderous terrorist group in Kreynoria. Celtayoshi wishes to public affirm its support for the true and legitimate Imperial Government of Kreynoria.
We would further request that the terrorists give up there arms, and talk in a reasonable manner about their grievences. It is important to remember that in this situation violence does not have to be the answer.

"However, in the last few moments it has come ot our attention that a series of expolsions have disrupted the funeral proceedings of the deceased leader and Imperial Guards..."

The commando teams and intelligence group had tracked the TV broadcasts to an old, dilapidated stone house. It was mostly traditional in design, with one exception: both on and around the house were numerous antennae and dishes.

One of the commando teams quietly surrounded the house, training their weapons on all the windows. Three commandoes from the secod team came forward. Two carried automatic weapons, and the third a pistol and a small demolition charge. The charge was planted on the front door, and the three men retreated. Twenty-four seconds later, the demolitions expert pressed a button on his remote, and the door instantly disentegrated.


The men of the second commando team and the intelligence team walked through the blown-out doorframe. Inside was a tangle of fiber optic cables and advanced communications equipment. Room by room they searched, but the house was deserted. Finally, they went down the basement stairs, where most of the cables led.

The whole basement was crammed with high technology. But one corner was devoid of equipment, and the men instantly recognized it as the place the KRO had filmed from. The headless corpses, some two dozen of them, lay in a bloody heap.

The intel team started collecting samples to send back to a forensics lab. The commando leader radioed in the house's GPS coordinates and a general description of the house.

Secret Message to KRO

Having recently gained our independence, we desire to help you in your fight against the corrupt Kreynorian government. However, due to our current situation, we cannot offer you direct support. We can give you a "donation" of $10 million dollars USD equivalent, and offer you refuge in the Hotel Grand Palau, should you ever need it, though.

(ooc:If Marimaia and I get the Palauan army trained in time, direct support may become possible)

Bryan Veronski laughed as he watched the Celtayoshi broadcast. Did they really think that the KRO would sit down at the negotiating table just yet? No, the campaign was only beginning.

Between the public assassination of Emperor Leon, the two television broadcasts, and the nationwide suicide bombings, the whole of Kreynoria, especially the foolish and weak interim government, had been thorougly terrified.

Unfortunately, there was the minor detail that their second broadcast had been tracked and the valuable equipment had fallen into enemy hands. But it was all replaceable, and Free Palau had "donated" ten million dollars.

Veronski's KRO still had problems, though. It had little equipment, and most of it was outdated and vastly inferior to that in use by the Imperial Kreynoria Armed Forces. It also suffered from poor organization, and the freedom fighters who fought for it had little training.

Manpower was not a problem, over the last two years, Veronski had quietly built up the organization, and it now had almost 40,000 members across the nation. But even this amounted to little more than two division of the Kreynorian army, and not all of the members were fit for combat.

What the KRO really needed was a training ground where it could be molded into at least a semi-professional fighting force. It also needed modern equipment. Perhaps Palau could supply both...

Veronski penned a letter. The KRO had agents in the postal service that could easily deliver this.


To the honorable government of Palau,

While we truly appreciate the money and offer of refuge, what our organization really needs is training and modern equipment. I am curious as to whether you can supply us with either. Be careful in contacting me.

From,
Bryan Veronski of the KRO

Beijing

"The Premier is currently busy with those imperialist thugs from Layarteb, but he has been suggesting that we might want to help out."

Security Minister Jamil bin Hasan had received his post not long after Malaysia's accession to the United Eastasian Republic; he was renowned as a just man who stuck by his principles; in this situation, his principles told him one thing.....

"The 'KRO' needs our support, we both know that. You're a Vice-Premier, you can authorise me to act. The Eastasian External Security Force can contact the KRO and establish a working relationship in the blink of an eye. How about it?"

Dinh Xuan Lanh furrowed his brow. "Alright....but you're taking the blame if this goes wrong."

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

Secret Communique to the KRO

Revolutionary brothers, we can stand by no longer. The United Eastasian Republic supports your call for true democracy in Kreynoria; we can provide you with training and hardware to allow you to liberate your people. The Eastasian External Security Force will do whatever they can to bring about your victory. If you agree, we shall send a liaison officer to you in order to better facilitate our partnership.

Secret Message to the KRO


Sparta may be able to help, but not very much. We can send in some hundred Abram tanks to assist. We just have two problems. Transportation, and the fact that Abrams are considered by Kreynorian Imperial forces, Outdated.

Response to Sparta Dominion by KRO


As of now we do not possess any armoured units and would appreciate the tanks. As for transportation, we don't have any apparent solution as of yet.

Response to United East Asian Republic by KRO


Training and equipment are sorely needed. Send a liason officer, please.

Secret message to KRO

We can also send 200 armoured cars then.

Response to Sparta Dominion by KRO


Any support is appreciated, but again, there is the issue of transporting the heavy equipment. We will let you know if we find a solution.

(ooc: Free Palau is currently recieving hardware and training from the UER. After this is finished, we may be able to send some troops, but it is a tiny nation, but air and naval support would probably be most needed by your troops.)

I think I've got it figured out I telegrammed and am waiting for a response from Cotland if we can use the recently-dug Caspean-Black Sea Canal. If he says yes, we will send them down to Elephantum in his Middle-East territories. From there, Elephantum can take them to Palau. The numbers have also been confirmed by the two kings and the high council: 150 Abrams and 200 Armoured cars for transporting soldiers.

Oh, thats what you meant. You see, the problem is, Elephantum and Palau don't really like each other. The Palauans drove the Elephantis off Koror, and killed 400 soldiers. Relations are frosty at best, and sending them military support isnt something we're likely to do.

EDIT-If the KRO can seize a suitable airstrip, one of the 5 Palau State Airlines 747s may be able to deliver some troops/supplies from other countries.

Secret Message to the Imperial Kreynorian Government

The Vice Premier of Celtayoshi wishes to express her desire for a state visit to Kreynoria in the very near future. She is particularly eager to discuss possible foreign involvement in supporting rebel Kreynorian factions. We have pinpointed Sparta as a particularly likely suspect, given the previous hsitory between your nations. We would also like to bring over our top anti-terror experts who have had experience in dealing with commited Russian fanatical groups and the Vice Premier would like to pave the way for a bi-lateral agreement between our nations.

Office of the Premier,
The Allied States of Celtayoshi

Secret Response to Celtayoshi

We believe that such a visit would be beneficial to both our nations and the Vice Premier is welcome for a state visit. The experts are also welcome and we acknowledge your suspicions of Sparta, a nation which practices slavery on a massive scale and has employed radioactive weaponry against our forces. However, we have a very sizeable portion of our armed forces engaged in Sparta and have a blockade of nearly 300 ships in the eastern Mediterranean. We will greatly be increasing security measures in preparation of your visit and will not inform the populace until the last minute, to avoid any advanced planning by the murderers who call themselves the KRO.

Hong Kong

"I'm going to Kreynoria?"

"Indeed you are. You've read the brief, I take it."

William Tsang nodded at the screen which displayed Jamil bin Hasan. "Yes sir, I have. I'm to be intermediary between us and the KRO; I'm still a little surprised that I was chosen."

"I know that you haven't had much field experience, but you're exactly what the KRO needs to become an organised force. I'll be sending Agent ZQ9 with you as your protection. Your cover will be 'cultural expedition'; you are a sociologist and Agent ZQ9 is your personal assistant. Understood?"

"Yes, Comrade Minister."

"Excellent. Your plane leaves in five hours; ZQ9 will meet you at the airport. Good luck."

(Krey, if you want to skip to his arrival, feel free)

OOC: Yep, subscription busted.

OOC: Yeah, that's been pretty annoying, coupled with the fact that the search tool no longer works, either.


IC: Bryan Veronski had dispatched eight men to the Guadalcanal International Airport to greet the East Asian agents. He had been intending to have the Eastasians land at Constantinius International in Kreynoriapolis, but security there was far too tight given recent events.

Of course, security had been increased around the nation, but the KRO managed to infiltrate agents into several airports, notably Guadalcanal International and Niue International.

The KRO's contacts at Guadalcanal International were mostly in airport security. Nevertheless, the "welcome committee" all came with false names and identities, complete with stolen ID cards. They were all of different ethnic backgrounds, spoke different foreign languages, wore different clothes, and came at different times via different transportation.

Thanks to their security contacts, they were able to smuggle through dozens of concealed knives and handguns with ease, for their main purpose was really the protection and escort of the Eastasian agents, who were vital to the future of the KRO as an organization. Their contacts had also ensured that the airport's automatic security system had accidentally been left off and that the X-ray machine was strangely unnecessary for certain people...

Upon meeting the Eastasian men, the leader of the group, KRO enforcer Mike Rotcher, slipped one of them a small circular badge, with 'KRO' written on it. "I presume you would be the agents the honorable East Asian Republic has dispatched. The KRO welcomes you and bids you follow us to the hideout we've prepared for you."

Reply to Kreynoria

Excellent, our Vice Premier shall make preparations for departure in the next few days?
As for Sparta, we will station extra troops on our Russian border with them, discreetly so, however, so as to prevent any undue tensions.

William Tsang nodded at Rotcher.

"The Eastasians are proud to assist you. Please take us to the hideout immediately; my superiors will desire an update so that they know which resources will be required here. I will require a meeting with your leadership as soon as possible to evaluate your organisation's needs; if you could set that up, we would be grateful."

Sparta Dominion is not exactly happy about Military build-up.:confused:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=458389

Sparta Dominion-Celtayoshi peace treaty (Earth II)

OOC: Sparta, you are more confusing then a typical "I nukzorz teh wurld!111" No offense, but you aren't even at war with Celtayoshi. Your sending an emissary without his authorization might be considered an act of war, if Celtayoshi is like Cotland or North Germania.


IC: "Come along, then. Look calm and casual, our moles in airport security have ensured us an easy escape," said Rotcher.

The Eastasian men did as he said and ten minutes later they drove back to the old, run-down apartment that served as their local headquarters. The building's deteriorated exterior served as no indication of the building's interior. Its windows were made of bullet-proof glass and all the doors were reinforced and code-locked. The basement was crammed with computers which kept this base in constant communication with the rest of the KRO. The building also had multiple secret escape routes, which the Eastasian men were quickly aquainted with. There were also hidden compartments in the walls where money, weapons, and emergency supplies were hidden. An automated security system and several armed guards protected the base.

After the brief tour was over, Rotcher led the Eastasians to the basement and walked up to a video and audio recorder that allowed direct communication with Veronski's headquarters.

Of course, it was an intermediary rather than Veronski himself who was on the other end. "Welcome back, enforcer," the other man said in a cold, emotionless voice, "I see you have brought us the agents. Well done. In due time, you shall be rewarded. In the meantime let me speak with the foreigners. I hope you enjoy the accomodations the KRO has provided you with. Because there really is no alternative. Good; now to business. I trust you wish to meet with our leader soon. Arrangements have already been made. You are to meet him at the cafe on 1231 Sun Street, in Djibouti City. The entire cafe has been reserved from 3:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon, and the owner and employees are all in fact KRO agents. There is a back room that has been specially secured. Be there at 3:00 precisely. Do you have any questions?"

Actually read a post instead of skimming it, Kreynoria. We telegrammed asking permission to send in an emmissary. And please, DON'T LET THIS THREAD WASTE AWAY TO OOC BICKERRING TOO

Forward, Itinerary, State Visit Celtayoshi/Kreynoria

DAY ONE

Arrive early morning, on board Air Celtayoshi Flight AC0002. Taken immediately to accomodation.

Afternoon visit to various famous / beautiful landmarks, attend any specials cermonies if necessary (eg, opening of a statue)

DAY TWO

Early morning meeting with government officials. Special advisiors meet with Kreynorian Intelligence Service.

State Lunch, then departure for Celtayoshi, Flight AC0002

OOC: Sparta, just quit posting here, unless it is related to my civil war.


IC: Response to Celtayoshi

Accomadations at the Royal Diamondhead Hotel will be made for your delegation, with maximum security. Possible desirable landmarks would be the statue and triumphal arch of Romanos Cerularius in the historic district of Kreynoriapolis (both nearly 1000 years old), St. Basil's Cathedral, and the medieval Kreynoriapolis' acropolis, which is home to a number of historic churches and forts. There are not any scheduled special events that day. The meetings and state lunch will take place in the Imperial Palace. May God guarantee a safe and productive visit.

The Patriarch sighed. The burden of being the head of state at this time was crushing. KRO terrorism, the Spartan campaign, the Celtayoshi state visit, and holding Mass at St. Basil's Cathedral, he couldn't see how other national leaders could manage it.

The fact was, the Kreynorian military was overcomitted. Nearly a million men were involved in the invasion of Sparta, and the rest was thinly streched over the empire, leaving it vulnerable to both foreign attack and KRO terrorism.

Although the Patriarch truly wanted to help the poor helots of Sparta and topple the unjust regime, the Patriarch saw no real reason to continue the campaign. Neither party was getting any benefit, and the troops over there were sorely needed on the home front. Plus, it would be a booster to morale, since the troops would be back at home and get to see their families.

The Patriarch sent a heavily encrypted communique to generals Lascaris and Bryennius:

Maximum Encrypted Communique
To: General Bryennius and General Lascaris
From: Patriarch Michelosis of the Interim Government
Due to unpleasant events back at home, I order you to disengage and return home with all due haste. However, please feel free to leave a 'parting gift' to the Spartans.




Upon reading the communique, the generals, who were both operating from HQ Beta-Wolf, had a quick discussion. At the end of it, they decided that the satellites would be very happy to give the Spartans their "parting gift."

An order was soon confirmed, and each of the three Constantinius Mk. VI defense satellites began firing tungsten rods. Each rod could decimate an area a quarter of a square mile in area, shattering up to 180 feet of concrete. The satellites fired a total of 30 rods, leaving New Sparta in a state of total ruin.

After settling in and making contact with the Eastasian embassy, Tsang and Agent ZQ9 prepared themselves for the meeting with the KRO's leader. Jamil bin Hasan had given Tsang authorisation to requisition just about anything short of nuclear weapons, and Tsang also had authorisation to change the terms of any agreement that the UER reached with the KRO.

At 3:00pm precisely, the two of them entered the cafe on 1231 Sun Street in Djibouti City. If agreements could be reached, then the United Eastasian Republic would become a significant patron of a revolutionary group in one of their former allies; any possible sympathy for the Imperial Kreynorian government had been thrown out of this operation however, as the UER stood to install a more agreeable regime in a nation whose capabilities would be useful in the 'Great Revolutionary War'.

The waiter at the cafe was actually a KRO agent, as were all of the other employees. The waiter and chef both carried handguns, and the manager a double-barreled shotgun.

The waiter silently ushered in Rotcher, Tsang, Agent ZQ9, and three guards, and led them to a door at the back of the cafe reading 'Employees Only - Wash Hands Before Entering.' Rotcher and the three guards, along with the three restaurant staff members, took up defensive positions inside the cafe. Hsang and ZQ9 were told to go to the next door. It was a long flight of concrete steps, and the walls were unfinished. Obviously it was a recent construction.

Outside the final door were two guards. Upon seeing the Eastasian agents, one rapped his knuckles on the door.

"Enter," said a cold, ruthless voice...

very hungry orcas had decided to side with the empire during the succession
(the orcas cheer)

William Tsang entered the room with ZQ9 close behind; this was a new experience for Tsang, he'd always been behind a desk at the Hong Kong Bureau, but now he was out in the field. He looked at the man whom he assumed was the KRO leader, and offered a smile.

"Greetings. My name is William Tsang, I believe we have some matters to discuss."

Don't mind me. Subscription sucks...

Inside the room were Veronski, the intermediary from the video feed, and four guards wielding folding-stock submachine guns. Tsang had assumed correctly.

"Yes, my name is Bryan Veronski, and I am the leader of this noble organization. You are correct, we do have matters to discuss. Very important matters." He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "I believe that Niue should be our next target for several reasons. First of all, Niue is defended only by the 2nd infantry division. Kreynorian infantry divisions have little mechanization, therefore they are deployed defensively in most circumstances. The 2nd Infantry has never seen combat before, and is made up mainly of lesser-quality troops. It is considered to be the poorest division in the Imperial Kreynoria Army. Secondly, we have infiltrated a large number of agents into Niue International Airport and other important public facilities. Niue's population is also known to be somewhat secessionist and anti-Imperial. As a matter of fact, one-fifth of our organizations members originally lived in Niue. As of now, nearly 9,200 KRO members are stationed in Niue, approximately one-quarter of our total numerical strength. We have excellent intelligence on the division, and know the island much better than the infantry division, which was rotated in about a month ago. However, our numerical strength is roughly equal to half the number of soldiers in the 2nd Infantry, excluding vehicle crews and logistics. Also, our equipment is markedly inferior to the 2nd Infantry's. What I want from the Eastasian Republic is small arms, as for the most part, our infantry arms are vastly out of date. Our mechanization currently consists of civilian vehicles which have been augmented with bulletproof armor and mounted machine guns. However, they are not enough for even the 2nd Infantry's mechanized and armoured units. Can you supply either, and if so, how much?"

Tsang listened intently to Veronski, nodding occasionally before replying.

"We can provide you with both. As far as small arms are concerned, we can provide you with enough to equip your forces for the Niue campaign, with more being made available as and when you need them. When it comes to mechanization, we can provide you APCs, Fast Attack Vehicles and tanks if you should require them. We will of course require a secure site where we can deliver them, but by the sounds of things Niue International Airport would be perfect for the small arms.

When it comes to delivering mechanized units, we will require a port of some kind, preferably one which normally caters to oil tankers. We have a number of converted tankers which act as troop transports; the modifications are primarily internal, so it is not obvious what their true nature is. We can use one to deliver vehicles to you; it may take longer to reach you than aircraft, but you would receive more units in a single shipment this way."

"Most excellent," replied Veronski, "But what type of weaponry have you to offer?"

Kreynoria']"Most excellent," replied Veronski, "But what type of weaponry have you to offer?"

Tsang unfolded his laptop and tapped a few buttons.

"We have recently begun exporting arms to....selected clients, so we can always declare that you bought them from our established customers. We can offer you Type 95 Assault Rifles, Type 85 Submachine Guns, infantry anti-aircraft weaponry, self-propelled artillery, MBTs, amphibious tanks, the list goes on for quite a while, see for yourself."

Tsang placed the laptop before Veronski and smirked. "The UER is dedicated to the success of the KRO in your revolution; if it comes to it, I have authorisation to requisition anything short of nuclear weapons. Any items you receive from us will be free of charge, as we have a vested interest in seeing this former ally of ours take the right course in history."

Veronski skimmed the list of equipment. Most of it looked to be at least competitive with Kreynorian equipment.

"Well, we definitely need those rifles, machine-guns, and shoulder-mounted SAMs. Couldn't hurt to have some nonlethal weaponry, too. Maybe some Tasers and tranquilizers, and tear gas. And RPGs. We should start smuggling it through Niue International ASAP."

Tsang nodded at Veronski's suggestion.

"Absolutely. We will contact our embassy, who will then relay our information to my superiors in Beijing. Shipment will begin before the week is out, I am sure of it; we Eastasians are a most efficient populace.

Now, regarding training. We can offer you the best of our military and special operations training, and we will provide you with facilities within the UER's borders for your training needs. If necessary we could even assist you to build your own training camps. In the event that you decide to receive training within the UER, we have excellent facilities located in the Marianas Islands and Taiwan which would provide what you wish while still being quite close to Kreynorian territories."

"Excellent. Finally, we can wreak our true vengeance on the corrupt Imperials. I believe that constructing training camps of our own would draw unnecessary attention to us. But we will accept the training facilities in the Marianas and Taiwan. And...shit!"

At that moment, an explosion shook the building, causing dust to fall from the ceiling. The four guards raised their submachine guns and overturned the conference table as a shield. Veronski wrenched open a secret door in the wall.

"Quickly, get in!"

The sounds of struggle from upstairs suddenly ended. The man started to scramble through the secret door, when the main door suddenly buckled and collapsed. The guards poured fire into the doorway, but the dark figure had already rolled to the side, leaping over the overturned table...

There was a flash of steel, and suddenly three of the guards were on the ground, blood gushing from many wounds. The anonymous intermediary was down, too. The fouth guard tried to draw a bead, but the mysterious figure was too fast, his movements seeming to make him a blur. Then the fourth guards head went flying, and Veronski, Tsang, and ZQ9 caught a glimpse of him. He wore a full-length hooded black cloak and a fearsome mask made from an animal skull. In his hand, he wielded a flashing scimitar. The other hand was drawing some sort of firearm.

But then the door slammed shut, and Veronski closed six different locks and bolts, then flicked on a flashlight. "That will hold him for a short time. This tunnel leads to the main storm drain network. I apologize for the lack of style. We have a stolen Hummer waiting for us off Junction 19."

"I think that was a Wraith Knight. Secret government project, they initiated it ages ago, got news from a contact in the palace. Follow me, and hurry!"

OOC: Marimia need any help with this Kreonya thing?

OOC: Marimia need any help with this Kreonya thing?

OOC: Nah, this is one of those things that the Eastasians want kept among 'revolutionaries'. Thanks for the offer though, mate.

IC:

Tsang's heart was pounding like a jackhammer! His first assignment in the field, and he'd been caught up in an attack by a secret Kreynorian soldier; he shot a look at ZQ9 as they followed Veronski. ZQ9 smiled reassuringly, but all he could think about was the Wraith Knight; he hoped that the UER had something similar in the depths of the Science Ministry's facilities.

Tsang turned to Veronski as they made their way through the storm drains.

"What exactly is a 'Wraith Knight'?"

"Don't know exactly. Genetic engineering, cyborg stuff, and training from infancy. Our contact only heard rumours. Apparently, they are really elite, since those were the best guards I have. I suspect we'll be learning more about them soon. There's Junction 19."


Veronski climbed up the ladder and lifted off the grate. A few people stared, but they already had enough to worry about. After Tsang and ZQ9 climbed through, he slammed the grate back into its place. "Over there!" he said, pointing to a Hummer that they had stolen from a base that had previously been used to train and equip Polish freedom fighters.

General Patoklos made a phone call to Veronski.

The Imperial Kreynorians have left our lands. They are sailing home from the Mediteranian Sea. How do you suggest we send our shipment over now that they are out of our way?

OOC: Kind of a bump.

IC: The best way was decided. Spartan ships would sail through the Caspean-Black Sea Canal, down past into the Mediteranian Sea. From their, they would sail down into the Red Sea, through the gulf of Aden, across the Indian Ocean, past the Philipines, and on to Free Palau where KRO agents could take them.

Veronski and Co. started walking down the street towards the Humvee, trying to look casual. "Watch out behind you!" cried out a KRO footsoldier from the vehicle. All three men spun around, to see a swarm of soldiers, police officers, and MPs chasing after them.

Veronski pulled a handgun and fired two shots into the group of soldiers, while several KRO soldier hopped out of the Humvee, laying down cover fire with automatic weapons and grenades.

But then came the Wraith Knight from before, at the head of three squads of Black Commandoes, some of the Army's most elite and brutal Special Forces.

Veronski shouted for the men to target the cloaked figure. He then motioned to Agent ZQ9, "Give me your weapons. I can pretend you're a hostage if we're captured. The Eastasian agent did as told, handing over a proliferation of concealed weaponry.

Down the street, the Wraith Knight pulled out a pair of submachine guns. Wielding them with extreme precision, he quickly gunned down all the KRO soldiers, while the Black Commandoes and soldiers moved to surround the Humvee. Snipers lined the rooftops, and a pair of police helicopters circled overhead. The trap was virtually flawless.

Veronski dropped the weapons and slowly raised his hands in surrender, motioning for the Asians to do the same. The Black Commandoes quickly picked up the discarded weaponry. "You're coming with me," said the Wraith Knight.

Veronski, Tsang, and ZQ9 were cuffed and blindfolded. Each one also had a miniature remote bomb strapped to their back that could be detonated if they tried to escape. The Wraith Knight conducted a body check on all three that would shame a customs official.

"Get them to the airport!" barked the Wraith Knight. The Black Commandoes prodded the men with assorted weapons into a military truck. About a half hour later, the truck reached Djibouti City Airport, where they boarded a specially reserved flight to Kreynoriapolis.

Veronski was wrapped up in his thoughts. He thought about his wife and young children, and his friends, his hometown, and everything else that mattered to him. Of course, he knew heading a terrorist organization was a high-risk enterprise, and had been subconciously expecting this all along. Now what was going to happen to him?

After a tedious flight and another short drive and walk, Veronski, Hsang, and ZQ9 had their blindfolds removed, revealing a small conference room. A quick look around revealed four Wraith Knights and a full squad of Black Commandoes. There would be no escape from here.

After about 10 minutes, the door on the far wall opened. Eight Imperial Guards strode in, escorting Patriarch Michelosis, the interim leader of Kreynoria.

The patriarch got to the point quickly. "Who are the Orientals?" One of the Wraith Knights, presumably the one that captured them, began to speak, "Their passports and identification have been checked. They are citizens of the United Eastasian Republic, tourists. They are authentic." (Indeed, they were, as a KRO mole in the Kreynorian embassy in Eastasia had run them off).

"That is true," said Veronski, who was a masterful actor. "They were hostages I was taking."

"I am very sorry for your poor accomodations here in Kreynoria. I will see to it that you are returned to Eastasia with all due haste. So who is this one?" asked the patriarch.

"Bryan Veronski," said the Wraith Knight, "Thirty-eight years of age, served 18 months in the Army before being court-martialled on grounds of insubordination. A citizen of Kreynoria since birth, and currently a resident of Djibouti City."

"Thank you," said the patriarch, "So...according to certain reliable sources, you are indeed the leader of the Kreynoria Republic Organization. Are my sources correct?"

"Yes," said Veronski with a resigned look.

"Your organization has commited murder, kidnapping, terrorism, arson, assassination of high officials, treason, breach of the peace, theft, forgery, and disruption of a funeral procession. Are you aware of this?"

"Yes," said Veronski again.

"I have a deal for you. I have appointed a committee of eighty-six representatives from across Kreynoria; they will be responsible for the writing of a new constitution, which shall divide power between an Emperor and an elected Senate. If the KRO is to surrender, I will grant all of its members amnesty for their crimes, except one: you. Your fate will be decided by the new government. Is this acceptable?"

Veronski thought for a moment, and realized what he had to do. "Yes, I agree to this," he said firmly, shaking the patriarch's hand.