NationStates Jolt Archive

Sithin, People’s Republic of Spyr

The People’s Revolutionary Tower overlooked the city of Sithin like some dark sentry, black glass reflecting the surrounding streets and towers, a window onto a reflected world tinted with shadow. The tower stood, to those of an idealist viewpoint, as a monument to Strainist technical achievement, its four hundred and forty five meters having once made it the tallest of Asia’s buildings, before the Federal Republic’s Petronas Towers had risen still higher to claim the record. To the more cynical, it was a memorial to humanity’s strange obsession with phallic decor upon its urban landscapes.

To officials of the Strainist Party, seeking to underline their own power and importance in the eyes of foreign representatives, there had seemed no better place than here to hold the meeting that might shape the future of the ‘Progressive’ world. In the halls and conference rooms of the tower, Strainist bureaucrats now mingled with representatives from the Choson People’s Republic of Dra-pol, recently led out of isolation under the guidance of Hotan, and the Unified Combine of Armandian Cheese, which had begun to make its presence known upon the international stage. These three powers were vastly different in ideology, in culture, and in goals, but all shared an increasing concern over a shift in focus within the world’s leftist movements... a shift which left the reigns increasingly in the hands of the Indian Soviet Commonwealth. An alliance to curtail this trend, and to expand the interests of its member states independent of the sub-continent, seemed increasingly necessary.

Just what this would entail, however, was unclear even to its staunchest proponents...

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[OOC: A bit of groundwork for this has taken place via telegrams and OOC on the invision forums, and the fact that arrangements are being made has been hinted at in a few IC posts, but it really ought be out in the open. This thread is for IC discussion of the proposed alliance, so that details can be worked out and matters come closer to an ‘official’ arrangement... as well as giving an opportunity for the clashes of interest and ideology that are bound to come up with this sort of thing].

There was an unusual air about the Drapoel delegation, the CPRD's officials no longer sure of their place in the world and not knowing how to act in the shadow of Director Hotan's open assessment of the nation as, "poor".

Consul Pak Seung-Il replaced the attaché to the original SSRCp, Sho Sulu, who had been dismissed for being suspected of aiding the Neo-Suloist coup, and he was joined by a General Kumlan, quite unknown outside of Da'Khiem.

Hotan had Directed that Dra-sul -liberated South Korea- should become ten-percent of Spyr, and if Seoul were to have 10% of the People's Revolutionary Tower, thought Pak, it'd probably look almost like we hadn't bothered to liberate it in the first place. Buildings weren't like this in Dra-pol.

Kumlan hoped that his silence would appear just Drapoel rather than the result of his discomfort with the near crippling of his nation. He was glad to be a relative unknown, feeling that this may lend something to the way he hoped to be received.

((I'm half asleep, so I'll just give-up at an extended tag.))

[OOC: A bit disjointed, topic-to-topic jumping and occasional point-form I'm afraid]

On the status of Dra-pol in the modern World

Hotan's words had been a relief to the Strainists, in a way... acknowledgement being the first step towards finding a solution. However, there were concerns that the Drapoel might become shaken by their admission of poverty, and the stability of the Hotanite regime was important to Spyr.

It is thus said that Dra-pol is a poor nation economically because she has been denied the opportunity to advance to the heights of which she is capable. Look around upon the Korean peninsula... the CPRD sits next to imperial forces in the South, home to the most fertile fields of the peninsula, and next to Hamhung, the breadbasket of the north transformed into a prison of concrete by the Quinntonians. Without the industry of the peasants working at proper capacity, Dra-pol's ability to increase its other productive forces was curtailed... and, to make matters worse, it was a small state forced to fight alone against a union of imperial powers bent on its destruction, and the resources required for the Choson to defend against even just Quinntonia, a hundred times their size and with a dozen people for every Drapoel. The Neo-Suloists blamed the problems of the CPRD upon its own people, but this is a grave untruth... these disadvantages were imposed by outside forces with selfish and immoral aims.

But, despite these difficulties, did the CPRD crumble? Did the Choson falter in their efforts? No they did not! They dedicated themselves to their tasks and managed to move forward despite the forces massed against them, and no only did they survive but they achieved great things. Did not the Choson people send out emissaries and soldiers to Africa, to India, to Southeast Asia, fighting to liberate others despite their own struggles? Does not an aircraft carrier built by the CPRD now serve with the Soviet Commonwealth that considers itself a mighty power? Does not even Spyr, which claims justified pride in its technical achievements, turn to the CPRD for aid when it wishes to send its satellites into the cosmos? The Drapoel are a great and indefatigable Revolutionary people, and they should take great pride that they who have struggled most of all have been able to achieve so much.

Now, a new era is dawning. Re-unification of Korea is a laudable goal which ought be pursued, in hopes of ending artificial divisions and restoring to the CPRD its rightful resources, but while efforts proceed towards this goal the Choson shall not be left to struggle alone. The Strainists (and the Combine) stand ready to join the struggle to surpass the restrictions imposed upon Dra-pol by the outside world, to ensure that this artificial poverty is brought to an end.

On the launch of Strainist satellites by the CPRD, and orbital assets in general

Whatever the cost, Spyr is eager to resume its ambitious schedule of gun-launched satellite deployments. Additionally, inquiries begin about assistance in funding the launch of global positioning satellites, for a system independent from that used by the Quinntonians, and about acceptability of including other powers such as China or the Indias in such a project.

On Russia

Spyr is of the mind that the Tsar must be kept in line... even Stalin, who ought to have been a friendly voice from Moscow, proved morally bankrupt, and all three Sphere powers have felt the slimy touch of imperialism from Tsaris Russia during their history. Offense may not be neccessary, but certainly the Tsar ought be made to rest uneasy in his bed for fear that he will fall should he attempt to extend himself as did his predecessors.

The Strainists have already been recruiting demobilized Drapoel soldiers to serve along the Russo-Lyong border... more cost-effective than recruiting equal numbers of militia (let alone professional Spyran soldiers), and useful as well in eliminating large numbers of young men who might otherwise be unsatisfied with unemployment in Dra-pol. Spyr continues to thirst for such volunteers as long as they continue to be available.

On a joint heavy fighter

The Strainists and the Combine share in common the Sukhoi Su-27 airframe, albeit with numerous divergences introduced as Spyr modernized the airframe and brought electronics up to heights which the former USSR could not manage. Current efforts towards a shared heavy fighter aircraft continue to employ Sukhoi designs as a base, attempting to marry Spyr's work with a thrust-vectoring system built by the Combine from a Drapoel-provided (Igovian-built) design, as well as additional features sought by the Armandians. Work has proceeded well towards a production model, with lines in Spyr already adapting to the new advances and upgrade programs in both Lyong and Persia introducing changes to existing craft. Several trainers are put at the disposal of the CPRD as well, should they have plans for the airframe.

On a joint light fighter

Work on a light fighter aircraft, cheaper than the heavy Sukhoi models, has run into more difficulties than its sister-program... across the Sphere, there are a number of production lines and active airframes of varied designs (Viggens in Sujava, Miggens in Dra-pol, MiGs in the Combine (?), and Golkondas in Lyong) from which a new joint craft could be derived. Proposals on the subject have ranged from a reverse-engineering of the latest MAL-upgraded Golkonda aircraft (a plausible idea) to plans for a short single-engine craft built mostly from Su-27 components (a Strainist pipe-dream), with actual progress achieved on the matter still unclear.

On shared intelligence

Intelligence-sharing is seen as a key part of future planning for the Sphere... Spyr in the east and the Combine in central Asia have seperate spheres of influence, but they increasingly overlap due to Russian presence and the rise of fundamentalist Islam. For the CPRD, Spyr might offer compensation for Choson efforts in other areas by sharing intelligence it gathers via over-the-horizon radar or hydrographic surveys in the Revolutionary/East Sea (where the PRS has been working to identify USQ shipping by sound, particularly odd squadrons of midget submarines).

On war in Bihar

The Strainists are not happy with events in Bihar... neither Soviet movements nor Combine response. Revolutionary states ought be treated with respect, and if no one else will do so then Spyr will shelter Bihar's Maoist leadership until they determine the best course of action.

On war in Afghanistan

Spyr is a supporter of this conflict, and believes that the Sphere ought assist as it is able to secure a socialist regime there. They are, however, unhappy with the imagery currently emerging from the war, for though it is little more than deception by external forces it still raises anti-Combine and anti-Sphere sentiment amongst the Party's Muslim membership... if possible, further efforts must be taken to create a more positive impression.

On war in Indonesia

Obviously, the Strainists wish for Sphere support, particularly the voice and economic influence of the Combine to deter entry by the imperial powers. Support from the CPRD, it is worried, might aggravate the USQ unneccessarily, expanding a conflict which would be better resolved quickly.

On nuclear weapons

All three states of the Sphere are nuclear-capable, but only the CPRD stands ready with known warheads. With a changing world making a nuclear deterrent all-the-more neccessary, there is some interest in developments within this area.
Quietly, PRS officials begin to enquire amongst their CPRD counterparts, about the possibility of using Drapoel facilities to conduct tests of Spyr-designed weapons. Dra-pol is already known as a nuclear state, while the PRS is not, and so such a covert effort would preserve the status-quo of international opinion... and, such a test seems merited to remind the nearby Japanese of the CPRD's arsenal, given their recent acquisition of nuclear missiles from the USQ, so they can better understand the current choice offered to them of forking over cash to lessen Hotan's stockpiles.

As time goes by, then...

Da'Khiem's repopulation scheme compete, the Korean peninsula languishes in division and obscurity. The old north holds once again 23 million communists, give or take, along with the crowded enclave of Hamhung & Hungnam with its six million Christians.

Six million more Koreans persist in Dra-sul, the northern part of the old South, Seoul a pale shadow of its former self after Kurosite siege, Neo-Suloist purge, and Hotanite rehousing. But, in the standing parts of the old metropolis a city lives on, slowly reshaped as ruins are gradually -very gradually- pulled down. Even so depleted Seoul still boasts a million-plus population, and Hotan's administration has partially lifted restrictions that previously had prevented the ingress of Strainist commerce, allowing the market-socialists to invest in Dra-sul.

In the RoK only about as many people remain as in the communist state, and northern air strikes, sabotage, missiles, and artillery have left little but ruin. Huge foreign aid programmes have helped to rebuild, but wills are broken like the ROKA's strength and the national economy, and confidence in South Korea may be too much shaken for natural investment to return soon. The Republic is simply not secure, not stable, and certainly not growning or populated by people who're living and spending freely.

Towards his end Kurosian I spent most of his time vacationing abroad. Today comrade Director Hotan spends more and more time in Sithin. A wounded fighter and middle-aged leader of men now lamenting his stoic singlehood and the fall of his wards from world-renown as warriors and workers.

Hotan would sit and watch troops of Spyrian students singing as they march to class and then look up at the sun as reflected in Sithin's skyscrapers, given cause to think that the bullets still lodged within him perhaps worked their way a little closer to his core each time he returned to the black monolith of little Da'Khiem's Central Directorature.

Walking around the ancient walls there, which trapped once a western parachute brigade to be attacked and captured by a division under the then-Secretary's personal command, Hotan imagines scorn in the unbreaking stream of ants that cross his path, heedless of his approach.

Hotan finds a hand upon the hilt of his traditional short sword. It is his own.

Armand moves to seal the ties of the Sphere even more closely; while the world descends into madness and conflict, firmer bonds amongst socialist brothers are needed. The Combine proposes that a formal Co-Prosperity Sphere be formed post-haste, and then the actual functions of such a Sphere can be determined. The first priority is simply to establish formal ties.

Dra-pol

For the first time in years, a diplomatic team from Beijing has requested an audience with the reclusive state.

No further details are given in the initial communication, but the diplomatic team was heavily weighted with those from the Minister of Foreign affairs and from the Minister of Finance. It would not take a genius to guess that perhaps the main coalition party, the Chinese Nationalists was reacting negatively to Japan's recent election.

The Central Directorature, Da'Khiem, Choson People's Republic

The Korean Communist Party was in session, dozens seated in a cavern of a room never seen by a single foreigner, even a Strainist or an invading Quinntonian. In fact it was something of a secret that the KCP even met at the Central Directorature.

Comrade Kim Hyun-Ki had just been elected by Party members to serve as Secretary. Hotan had stepped-down, bringing to an end his historic period as both lhead of government and chief of state. Nobody appeared to know where Hotan was, or whether he would serve on as Director, and one of the Party members had actually raised the issue to no avail.

Secretary Kim has made his first speech one full of thanks to his comrades and praise for the Wisest Director. He has promised to conduct further military reforms to modernise the CPRD's defences, and indicated a possible reduction in assault forces. Kim speaks of a period of, 'settling' which he says is much required in an exhausted nation that has not paused for breath since the 1970s.

Council elections in Dra-sul will once again be attempted, and Hotan's market-socialist reform experiment there will be pursued with enthusiasm by Kim Hyun-Ki's government.

The new Secretary says that this generation can only hope to lay the ground work for peacefull reunification and that wounds are probably too deep to be healed in the lifespan of his administration.

Hamhung and Hungnam, though, the Secretary calls an even more difficult issue and one that he wishes to begin work towards resolving before he leaves office. The Kurosite and Neo-Suloist periods are over, and Mr.Kim now leads a distinctly Hotanite society that will be fit for the return of several million comrades who opposed previous governments, so he says.

Dra-pol under Kim Hyun-Ki recognises Spyr as its greatest ally, and wishes to pursue the Sphere organisation in order to become closer to the Indonesian Strainists and the Armandian Combine. But Comrade Kim apparently believes that the Indian National Union and Soviet Commonwealth should be engaged as estranged comrades and brought home to the worldwide revolutionary struggle.

It hardly needs to be said that Quinntonia, Japan, and Russia remain high on Dra-pol's list of do-not-trusts, though Kim's early moves do seem to suggest a slight softening of the CPRD's usual unilaterally confrontational policy.

Information on the Party conference and election would surface in Spyr two or three days after the fact.

One week after his election Secretary Kim agrees to meet with Chinese leaders.

OOC: Since I've only just found this thread, there's something that you might find interesting.

Japan doesn't have nuclear weapons. There were behind-closed-doors talks, and there was an agreement to transfer three warheads to Japan, but not until there was a public announcement of it. Then BG did his thing in Libya and it dropped off the table due to Japanese public outcry over the use of nukes, as the JRP didn't want to do anything that unpopular.

Secretary Kim's busy week...

Even today nobody outside of the CPRD seems to know who preceeded Hotan as Secretary of the Korean Communist Party -even Christians in the enclave won't discuss it- so Kim is only the second internationally-known leader of the Party.

Today Comrade Secretary Kim Hyun-Ki presented the KCP a General Report for the last Luna year. US$72.5 billion in total economic activity in Choson Korea. $14.5bln. of it related directly to national and revolutionary security. In Dra-pol that represents a fall in defence spending from a high of more than 30% during the 1990s to 20% today.

The UPA is down quarter of a million recruits, though at three-quarters of a million still amongst the largest armies on earth. Actually there are 800 thousand Drapoel soldiers, but at any given time some fifty-thosaund may be found in Lyong drawing payment from Sithin. Hardcore Drapoel soldiers rotate service to the Strainists, bringing back valuable currency to spend on luxuries, which may be acquired in Dra-sul's market-socialist experiment. Seoul is for shopping. Seoul is for soldiers.

The goods there come mostly from Spyr, though the Party, as Kim will tell you, has now authorised trade with Sujava, Armand, the Indian and South West African Soviet Commonwealths, Vietnam, Nepal, Laos, Bangladesh, the United African Republics, Libya, Syria and Ghawdex, and Yugoslavia. The INU and Neo-Anarchos remain off-limits until Kim feels confident that he will not receive an embarrassing snub.

((And I have to go, which is annoying!))

The Chinese were liking the CPRD's experiment with market socialism it seemed as the Minister of Finance makes an approach to Dra-pol to discuss trade and such.

Beijing has lifted a decade old embargo imposed by Zhang and offered a resumption of trade with the hermit kingdom "as an incentive for peaceful economic development."

Hotan's movements and activities since shortly before the election of Secretary Kim remain unapparent. Nothing has been heard from the Director since he last visited Sithin late in the previous Luna year.

Party Secretary Kim Hyun-Ki meanwhile continues his reforms, and persists in calling them Hotanite, which he describes as an evolution of Kurosite Thinking and development of Strainist ideology. In truth Mr.Kim has not obviously demonstrated any significant grasp of Strainism in theory or practice.

He has none the less secured great popularity, announcing just hours after his budget assessment the securing of, "substantial credit" from Raipur.

Drapoel factories at Kanggye are apparently being refurbished with Indian machine jibs to allow the rest of the UPAAF's tactical fighter fleet to be upgraded to Golkonda standard even after some infrastructure was evacuated to Lyong. The force is also slated to receive L'Angelot Maudit AMRAAM, making it potentially able to stand up to Japanese, South Korean, and even most Quinntonian threats.

The Unified People's Army has established the Spyrian Tour as an object for ambitious recruits, awarding fifty thousand places every six months and rotating large parts of the army through Spyrian service every year. Some of the best 1st year conscripts are offered the chance to go on the tour, where they stand to receive enough pay to secure luxuries when they return to plan rare family holidays to Seoul. Conscript soldiers have six months in the UPA to prove themselves amongst the 50,000 best of more than a third of a million newcomers, and can, if successful, then expect six months in Spyr, a short vacation, and one full year back in the UPA with the benefit of a tour in Spyr behind them. At any given time at least 100,000 UPA soldiers will typically have the tour behind them as the programme developes.

It is also hoped that Sithin's watch may enable the soldiers sent to the Russo-Lyong border to engage in several months of live-fire training: UPA soldiers are famously disciplined, drilled on the parade ground better than any on earth, fanatically indoctrinated, physically and mentally tough, courageous, and fierce, but in practice the army can ill afford to have thousands of cartridges wasted on firing ranges or tonnes of fuel burned in combined-arms exercises.

Kim finishes his exhausting week by declaring the Party's intention to allow the import of a limited quantity of Chinese consumer goods for sale in Seoul this Luna year. It appears that the step is a limited one upon which Da'Khiem intends to expand next year. At the present time only a tiny portion of the Drapoel population has even a little disposable income, but, clearly, change is afoot.

The Combine continues its unabashed support of Dra-Pol, funneling billions of dollars worth of oil at extremely low prices into the Hermit Kingdom. In exchange, the Armandians study Korean nuclear technology; while the Armandians already get most of their energy supply from nuclear power, some of the shabbier North Korean power plants offer valuable insight on potential safety hazards. Dra-Pol scientists, in the meantime, work closely with Armandians and Spyrians to advance the state of Sphere airpower, noting one success already in the form of an advanced Su-27 (CS-1, "Lucy") Additionally, Armand invites Dra-Pol to dispatch its troops to aid in the struggle against the Holy League, offering to pay and arm its soldiers in exchange for their service. More clandestinely, Secretary Kim is contacted about potential cooperation in the area of genetic research, acknowledging the Choson People's relative lack of respect for so called "human rights".

On the issue of Dra-pol, Unioners have, for the most part, modified their opinions somewhat since the Unification War. Indeed, with Parliament's blessing the air commando Vasily Podgordin led a contingent of Hindustani volunteers to help restore Hotan, the very man whose armies INA paratroopers and marines fought to a standstill at Andong, to power. As the distance between Hindustan and Quinntonia grows, Unioners can only see Dra-pol in a more positive light.

A resolution approving the expansion of relations with Dra-pol and its new head of state is passed in Parliament by a significant majority, therefore. An economic aid package is included also, but its scope is limited, domestic concerns taking up a very significant portion of Parliament's resources. Though quite puny next to the support given by other major powers, their domestic economies more robust and civil order more established, it is hoped that Secretary Kim and the political authorities will see fit to act likewise, and establish proper trade and diplomatic relations with the Indian National Union. Likely some of the IAF's Golkondas will be transferred to the UPAAF as well, when they are no longer needed by the UDF. Already seeing precious little time in the air, Parliament is regretting its decision to produce 250 Golkonda airframes in the first place, so unless India is invaded they will probably arrive without many miles on the clock.

The restoration of Korea continues at a hectic pace under the revitalised KCP as Kim Hyun-Ki fills another day with a series of party-approved edicts.

-Democratic Kampuchea has received Da'Khiem's official recognition as the legitimate successor state in the part of former Marimaia known generally as Cambodia.

-Democratic Kampuchea, the Indian National Union, and The African Commonwealth have been added to the list of approved-for-trade nations.

-The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Eritrea, and Costa Paz have been bumped to the top of a list of nations under investigation for trade viability.

-A team of scientists is to be assembled by comrade Doctor Taka Oamarii-Il for the purpose of pan-sphere genetics research in concert with Armandian researchers. Taka is thought unlikely to take further part in the project as the renowned Doctor now finds satisfying work in Spyr. It is evident that the Drapoel contribution will be extremely limited, but the gesture is made with all the usual pomp and ceremony.

-The UPA has secretly offered to sell boosted-fission warheads to the Armandian Combine, the Party deciding that there is a growing urgency when it comes to disposing of weapons that can no longer be properly cared for in light of a reduced military budget. Related production and testing technology is also offered, along with more advanced research material that seems unlikely ever to yield hard results in Korea.

-Da'Khiem clarifies a plan to reduce its nuclear weapons capability if the United States and others will agree to pay financial compensation for the draw-down of the important programme, and claims that, in the event of such a deal, independent -probably Hindustani- staff will once more be allowed to inspect nuclear facilities related to weaponisation.

-The UPA has issued a requirement for four squadrons -up to 56 machines in total, plus 8 conversion trainers- of air superiority fighters and hopes to acquire an Su-27 derivative from either Spyr or Armand, with Soviet help to make them L'Angelot Maudit capable. These four squadrons will be deployed to protect Da'Khiem, Seoul, Pyongyang, and Kanggye.

-Da'Khiem declares that all of the Dragon's Talons are once more in operational condition, as too is the Dragon's Throat, and Dra-pol hopes to orbit more satellites for customers on the list of approved trade partners.

-Da'Khiem threatens to shoot-down any non-approved foreign satellites found directly above the Republic, and establishes a new requirement for fees to be paid by anyone wishing to pry into Choson affairs by such unearthly means.

-Finally, Choson diplomats are discussing the possibility of a contribution to communist forces fighting the reactionaries but consider transport and logistical support the main areas requiring of foreign attention, all the while hinting that the KCP would rather send its troops to battle with basic Drapoel kit and weapons and receive a little cash thank-you instead of new arms.

All in all Kim's Dra-pol is beginning efforts to acquire currency at a fairly low level. Drapoel soldiers serving in Spyr return perhaps a couple of million dollars a year to the Party's coffers; space-launches, it is hoped, will generate a further few million yearly dollars; the possibility of receiving cash for de-nuclearisation remains appealing; and Da'Khiem very much hopes to sell nuclear technology to Armand.

Dra-pol is now seeking export markets for vast stockpiles of armaments no longer required by a reduced military.

Still, all of this seems likely to generate hardly more than a few tens of millions of dollars, and Secretary Kim seems to imply that much of the revenue will be invested in reshaping Seoul and the rest of Dra-sul.

The Combine, too, has a busy day in its capital of Constance, and manages to get quite a flurry of diplomatic notices dispatched.

On the agenda:

1. Armand pressures Dra-Pol to accept Western Sahara as a trade partner, since it has force of over half a million men racing to liberate it.

2. The Combine admits it is less interested in Dra-Pol minds and more interested in Dra-Pol bodies. Very, very, very quietly it requests a batch of prisoners to serve as guinea pigs...

3. With the recent threat of nuclear annihilation, the Combine leaps on Dra-Pol's offer. It offers to pay a premium for speedier delivery, and contacts the Bedgellens and the Spyrians in regards to long range delivery capacity.

4. In regards to troops, the Combine agrees fully to the proposal, and asks how many troops could be provided, at maximum.

Considering Combine victory in Africa likely and knowing of both Hindustani and Soviet prior support for the Polisario, the KCP assumes that the Saharawi administration is likely to move back towards its socialist roots and, in light of Combine pressure, votes to grant approved trade status. It is hoped that a SADR with Combine cash behind it will be able to buy cheap, reliable Drapoel weapons, possibly giving the CPRD the means to purchase material for fertiliser production, important given the loss of so much agricultural land to Quinntonian imperialism.

Countless prisons and dungeons have been closed since the Hotanite restoration, but Dra-pol still maintains a prison population of several tens of thousands inclusive of many thousands of political prisoners detained in re-education facilities and others deemed terminally unfit to live in society. While mindless Suloist torture and unregulated abuse has continued to decline under Kim's watch, systematic and essentially legal cruelty does continue in a minority of special facilities, with some prisoners being harshly interrogated while the most reviled Party-enemies are in some cases still subjected to medical and military experimentation. Few are used as bayonet dummies any more, and crucifixion seems to have vanished once more, but hundreds are still shot, hanged, and beheaded each year in the judicial system.

The Party is prepared to deport a minority of its political prisoners to Armand under certain conditions, the authorities needing to be absolutely sure that such counter-revolutionaries will not end-up free or in any way able to mount a threat to the Korean Communist Party after being sent to the Combine. Numbers are unclear, but at most will be three-figures yearly.

A handful of aging white prisoners remain in detention, though many died of neglect during the rule of the Neo-Suloist junta. A couple of Quinntonians and several foreign residents of Seoul, and reputedly a number of Russian mercenaries, these represent a potential embarrasment to Kim and stain on Hotan's reputation, and the KCP has little desire to continue their confinement in Korea.

Da'Khiem is delighted to secure the export of several nuclear warheads, and sets immediately to the preparation. Most of Dra-pol's nuclear warheads are small by modern standards. The majority of the UPA's "big" warheads approximate Nagasaki's Fat Man in yield, being around two-dozen kilotons, while some of the very cheap weapons are more like 12-15kt... still capable of creating another Hiroshima. The UPA has carried-out extensive fission-boosting research and conducted two or three (some controversy remains over one of the reported tests) tests of weapons thusly enhanced. It is believed, at this time, that 50kt weapons exist in Drapoel arsenals, and the CPRD claims, in talks with Constance, to have built a 100kt+ weapon. Still, Drapoel research and infrastructure makes it quite possible that weapons with greater than 500kt (0.5mt) yield could be built quite quickly if the will and funding were available... while still just an enhanced fission weapon, that would be greater than the USSR's first fusion bomb. The KCP is prepared to transport to Armand the means to produce such weapons, and the UPA suggests that Yugoslavia and the African Commonwealth also be consulted as sources of uranium.

In terms of delivery technology the UPA has 150mm and 170mm artillery shells, depth-bombs, landmines, air-droppable bombs, and a range of ballistic missiles.

Hwasong-6 Short-Range Ballistic Missile was widely deployed opposite the RoK and China during the administration of Kurosian I and the first term of Hotan's two-part rule. Under initial Hotanite administration, the CPRD retained the reduced capacity to produce five to eight Hwasong-6 per month under normal conditions, and had deployed three-hundred missiles around its territory. Its components were built at numerous state factories in Pyongyang, Kanggye, and elsewhere.

Hwasong-6 is mobile aboard an eight-wheeled launch vehicle. It is claimed to have a 50 metre CEP and a 500km range, and could carry a small nuclear warhead. This would be effective in striking parts of southern Russia and quite likely much of the Crimean peninsula if it were forward-deployed in Georgia. It would also threaten large parts of the Caliphate and Mesopotamia. It was sold in limited numbers to other nations, such as the United African Republics.

1,300km-range No-dong 1 has been modified to accept small nuclear payloads and has a somewhat poor CEP possibly beyond 2km.

2,000km-range Yong-Set has a 1.2km CEP and a better nuclear capability. It is generally regarded as the most reliable Drapoel ballistic missile. It could from Combine soil reach Samarkand and much of Ukraine, but still holds little menace for France.

3,000km-range two-stage Kurosian I has a possible 2km CEP and the best reach of any series-produced Drapoel missile, but Taepodong-2 would be able to reach 4,000km in two-stage form, 4,500km in three-stage, and possibly above 8,000km in a designed form that has never been successfully mass-produced.

Existing missiles are available for immediate transfer to the Combine, while the CPRD is willing to exchange missile technology in hopes of producing a Taepodong-3 with at least an 8,000km range and CEP at an absolute maximum of 2,500m (and hopefully five or more times less than that).

No word of this has yet been released to the world, but Da'Khiem is considering announcements which it may hope will convince Washington to cough-up cash to reduce Drapoel nuclear stockpiles rather than seeing the UPA acquire 500kt+ warheads on 8,000km+ range missiles.

Da'Khiem also hopes that the Soviets won't decide to sell their now dormant Agni missiles to the Combine, being well aware that those precision-accurate 8,000km-range weapons exist by the dozen and now have no warheads to make them threatening.

When considering possible force-levels for deployment abroad, the UPA feels that there are still significant security risks at home: the United States can not be trusted, Da'Khiem would feel obliged to intervene should Russia make hostile moves against Lyong, though relations with China are improving it was not so many years ago that 50,000 Chinese soldiers crossed the Yalu, and several riots in Dra-sul have required military attention.

The UPA and KCP refuse to leave the CPRD with less than 600,000 regular soldiers on guard, meaning that a theoretical maximum commitment would see 150,000 UPA troops out of the country at any given time. In practice perhaps 50,000 or even 25,000 would be a huge issue, although the Unified People's Army is certainly prepared to assemble a special expeditionary Assault Division, at any rate.

Indeed, Parliament will readily send inspectors to Drapoel nuclear facilities in order to confirm their civilian character, though most are convinced that they'll only serve to satisfy Indians, given the present global state of affairs. Mumbai has not, after all, done much to counteract the impression that it has thrown in its lot with the Igovians.

Most Unioners are glad to see Dra-pol showing a willingness to give-up its nuclear weaponry, and Parliament offers to send, besides inspectors, Hindustani nuclear technicians in order to help with the establishment of good, reliable civilian reactors. There is still some concern as to just where the weapons are apt to end up, since the Drapoel do not appear set on destroying their nuclear arsenal so much as they appear ready to transfer it. Still, as usual, the famously incapable Hindustani intelligence services are not aware of anything specific, much less Armand's likely acquisition of Drapoel warheads.

Da'Khiem might be surprised to find Hindustanis interested in buying UPA surplus conventional arms, and several long communiques are sent dealing with that subject. Union diplomats mention that perhaps some kind of exchange might be worked-out, since cash is actually quite short in Mumbai.

If Dra-pol is to accept anything in lieu of cash for its surplus arms -including anything from 6.5mm AK-clone assault rifles through 40mm knee-mortars to locally-built downsized MiG-21 fighters and radically upgraded T-62 tanks- it will surely have to be of economic significance in Kim's regeneration plans. Hindustani tractors are already known to many Drapoel agricultural co-operatives and might retain some appeal, and any food items that in the CPRD could be considered luxuries are certainly of value to the KCP. Most families -and this is in the showcase cities such as Seoul- are extremely lucky if they can get a small chicken every month on their ration card to provide much needed protein.

Even with a reduced population and extensive Hotanite progress in waterisation, mechanisation, and chemicalisation of agriculture, Dra-pol without the low-lying south and the former breadbasket around Hamhung and Hungnam still struggles to feed itself, even with staples, let alone on a varied diet. Drapoel remain the shortest national group on earth.

Mahindra tractors are certainly available, along with technical support, to Drapoel farmers. From factories in the Punjab these vehicles have been sold and donated widely, renowned for their very Hindustani simplicity and reliability. Older models still active in Dra-pol might easily be exchanged for newer models as well, on top of those that would be provided free of charge as economic aid. Hindustan Ambassadors, popular and robust vehicles in production since 1958 might be of some use to a rehabilitating Dra-pol, perhaps in need of automobiles. Up to several thousand of these vehicles, plus machine jibs and plans, might easily become part of Mumbai's economic assistance package as well.

In exchange, the UDF is eager to get its hands on large quantities of 6.5mm assault rifles and other small arms, as well as a fair few upgraded T-62s. The demands of the present world war do, after all, somewhat outstrip domestic Hindustani production. Djibouti and Eritrea, for instance, both could use an expanded armored corps in order to counter Abassamaran interests in the region, and insurrectionists the world over need to be armed and equipped for the fight against the Holy League. Hindustani arsenals simply cannot produce enough FAL-clones to keep up with demand.

Food, too, is very much available, and Union farmers usually produce a considerable surplus. In addition to staple foods, such as rice and cereal grains, a wide variety of fruits are grown by Hindustanis, all available as food aid. But for this Parliament does not ask anything, on account of its long-standing policy with regards to what is deemed essential humanitarian aid.

Sithin continues to show great interest in Drapoel progress and resources, envisioning itself as the 'elder brother' helping set the CPRD upon a proper course. However, while some might find evidence that such a vision is true, events elswhere push Strainist self-interest to the fore.

Having been informed by Beijing of what it already suspected, that the Tsar harboured plans for nuclear armageddon in Lyong should hostilities break out, Sithin becomes more eager to employ Drapoel troops and tunnelling expertise as it makes preparations, as well as preparing an ambitious launch schedule for deployment of satellites through Drapoel facilities, in hope of supplementing its existing OTHR and orbital reconnaisance with more specialized equipment and satellite-guidance capabilities. Additional fuel is stockpiled from sources in Armand, and additional supplies are expended along with ammunition to ensure that both SRA and UPA troops on the Russian border are well trained in use of both their armaments and combined-arms maneuvers.

Hoping to keep its cash reserves stable as world markets suffer the uncertainties of war, Sithin offers to build the CPRD a number of Su-27aircraft, or its own upgraded variant, whose cost could be paid off over time via use of the Dragon's Talons and other services. Adaptation to field Soviet L'Angelot Maudit is of interest to the Strainists as well, who are less than satisfied with some of their own USSR-derived missiles.

Around whispers of biological experimentation within the Sphere, several Lyongese scientists express interest, though little of it useful. Strainist policy on biological weapons bars their use, their tendency to spread and mutate a concern, though more likely the restriction owes roots to the evil reputation of disease spirits in Lyongese animism. The Lyongese are less interested in weapons applications, however, than in use of engineered viruses and bacteria in medical treatments... a recently-proposed concept which they are unable to explore in Party laboratories, but which might provide additional cures into the already-reputable Spyran catalogue.

Medical experts of a different sort are on hand to offer the CPRD options to increase the efficiency of its agricultural and industrial production, particularly in northern areas where the polulace will be less resistant to some of the harsher measures available. Most innocent amongst the proposals are offers of chemical fertilizers and processes for fortifying foodstuffs with vitamins and nutrients that might be lacking in the Drapoel diet. Perhaps more extreme is the offer of chlorine for use in water purification and production of powerful pesticides... associated cancer risks are dismissed as a long term problem that does not outweigh short-term benefits to agricultural production and labour pool, and which will likely to be solved soon anyhow. A final suggestion is the use of caffeine injections in underperforming factories, increasing labour hours each worker is able to provide. While it may seem a cruel measure to some, to the Lyongese (who went through the process themselves in the 1960s) it is merely a step on the road to eventual prosperity.

Stadium of Unity, Seoul, CPRD

Of 145,000 onlookers in this great cauldron raised by public works only 60,000 are members of the Korean Communist Party, 85,000 tickets having been awarded in lieu of bonuses to ordinary workers and their families. Secretary Kim Hyun-ki is whole-hearted in his embrace of Strainist assessments of modern Dra-pol as heroic and a state engaged in progress, and most keen to see that the public should agree.

This year's Mass Games, then, are to be the largest in history, even though they follow a year of recession in the weary Choson People's Republic. The Ponchonbo Electronic Ensemble had just concluded their set -opening with a tribute to the 1937 Battle of Pochonbo, fought by Sulo'sguerrillas against the Imperial Japanese Army- with a spirited and infuriatingly catchy rendition of their song Reunification Rainbow, accompanied by the Unified People's Army 125th Seoul Regiment's dance troupe, and the arena was full of applause. Most of the Party members stood at-ease and clapped evenlywith their hands raised to chest height. Many of them were uncomfortable with the chaotic nature of therapture brewing behind them as southerners whistled, hooted, and stamped their feet, ecstatic just to hearsomething approaching pop music for the first time since Reunification.

Dra-pol, according to the Party, had won the war, but now it seems true that perhaps the south is changing the CPRD as much as the CPRD is changing the south. Kim is even officially dedicated to peaceful pursuit of the final stage of the reunification process, embracing market-socialist reforms, limited local democracy, and the down-sizing and redeployment ofUPA forces.

In the stadium thousands of southerners make use of hours of obligatory practice to create, 'the world's largestmoving images' by holding up and turning the pages of big books of coloured card, but, after the show, many will visit bars to celebrate with a 'soft drink' as they call 6.5% proof Pyongyang Ale (it's not soju, so it's not reallyalcoholic!). Their diminutive northern cousins are almost sure to be flawed by one or two bottles of these weird ales, having previously perhaps taken at most one small measure of soju with a meal back in the Period of Mourning for The Greatest Director (Kurosian I). Still, their gymnasts at least maintain a clear superiority of syncronicity overthe southern teams!

Inch'on, CPRD

Three horns sound in lieu of a fusilade as Liopleurodon, newly surfaced in Drapoel waters, drifts into port.

Before long the huge submarine, launched as the Commonwealth's first ballistic missile submarine and left out of work with the de-nuclearisation of the Guard, is at anchor and unloading work is underway.

A dozen Agni ballistic missiles are soon making their way from ship to shore as the Indians await Drapoel trucks and share salutes with the Choson for the first time in some years.

A second Liopleurodon ferox Class boat becomes evident not much later, this one fully transformed into its new transport role and bringing new CS-400 Red Sky missiles to the UPA's depleted stockpiles.

Raipur has to admit that, today, the Commonwealth needs all the trade partners she can get.

Inch'on

Comrade Major An June-Il returns Indian salutes in a regimented fashion, but the veteran of Inch'on's liberation is strained in controlling his delight at the resumption of Soviet military assistance. Already downsizing and Armandian fuel aid revitalise the once wearied UPA, and workplace reforms influenced by Strainist advice and experience enhance industrial productivity to a measurable degree. But to see that Secretary Kim is not really abandoning the nation's most advanced and powerful weapons, despite recent gestures to the international community, really restores An's faith.

He thinks of his relief to see that his leaders have not really given up, but, being Drapoel, of course says nothing of the sort.

Hotanang

East of Da'Khiem, west of Hamhung, a new city rising. Briefly a southern town was renamed for the conquering Director, but now Hotan's qualities are attached to this project, the Cholima City, a place with the embodiment of hopes carried on a winged horse. "Seoul of the North" jokes one British magazine.

Hotan still has not been seen, though months roll by. Kim raises the city using his name, between his tiny capital and the great enemy.

Here the UPAAF stations fighters protecting the Central Directorature and bombers facing the Quinntonians. But now more is being made of the site in the eastern foothills of Korea's central mountains. Thousands are ferried in via ever-expanding subways, Hotanang made a stand-in capital, for Da'Khiem is not a place of the masses.

And the tunnels are heading east, subway works seemingly making for the Peace Line around Hamhung and Hungnam almost as quickly as UPA Assault Divisions relocate from the southern border to the HARTS facing said fortifications...