NationStates Jolt Archive

“All are welcome to watch one of the worlds greatest powers burn it alive in a four long year civil war in which 10.8 million are killed and afterwards see the Imperium of the Dune is left in ruins, its people force to pay 40 dinars for a loaf of bread because they burn all their fields in the civil war.”

Two years after the civil war aka Typhoon wars..

The Khailfah al Muslimeen that everyone knew was long gone, the four year civil war wipe it out. In its place a new order rose out of the ashes, the Black Banner Khailfah, it was not like the KLM it was more cynical and scar from the horrors of the civil war.A war that wasted the once industrial heartlands of the Imperium, and wipe out the breadbaskets of the Imperium. The economy of the Black Banner was 30 percent of GDP of the GDP pre civil war; this was left a profound mark on the people of the Imperium. No care for who start the civil war as far as they cared both sides was equally guilty for the suffering they were now facing.
Gone were the days, where person can a food for a cheap price and quickly. Nowsday there long lines of waiting to get food at a high price, since the Imperial Government under Sultan Illyas bin Hajji al Uthman was force to import food from outside to insure the famine wouldn’t break out in over half of the Imperium. Yet the cost of importing such large amount of food was slowly but surely draining the Imperium financial assets and weakening the economy overall. It was going to take time for the Imperium rebuild its farmlands, as for its industrial heartlands with the help of its dominions of Nova Atlantis and Syriana which were not effected by the civil war. But even with their capital it still wasn’t enough to help in recovery.
Even with peace, there were still the signs of the civil war were still apparent in the Imperium ranging from bullet fill buildings to the arm forces occupying nearly half of the Imperium under the reconstruction act to rebuild the regions and restore the civil governments. The civil war force the High Seas Fleet to disband its once mighty battleship fleet to reduce upkeep cost and use the scrap metal from the warships to aid in reconstruction efforts. Now the fleet has shift to carrier battlegroup and sub fleet set up in order to better defend the home waters of the Imperium. As for the standing army, it was cut by half in order to reduce upkeep cost and those ex standing army units were shift to the reserve army. As for the Air force, it was saved from the cuts, because the needs of strong air force to defend the Imperium.
For now the people of the Imperium, are bitter, tired, and sick of the fighting all they wanted to do is rebuild and have peace, no more fighting..just peace..

And admist the sorrow, confusion and downright ugliness of the new Black Banner Imperium, entered a news crew from Xenizen News Network. Exiting from a Xenizen National Airways flight that landed in New Delhi's mostly intact airport, the crew brought everything a news team would be expected to bring.

One ambitious news anchor, a certain Leonidas Chandrasekharan (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Senor_Nb3/Roshanseth.jpg) here to make a documentary and maybe hook up with some relatives. Check. One cameraman who was a veteran of the Xenizen Intervention in the conflict that tore apart this land, and carried more than just the camera and spare digital storage material with him. Check. One sound guy who didn't say much. Check. Multiple assistants and translators. Check. And a very career-obsessed liasion with XNN Headquarters in Hong Kong. Check, check and done.

The jet lag wasn't massive; New Delhi wasn't too far off Xenizen time. The transition however, would take some getting used to. Already, the crew was taking in the scenery, and although the airport was nice enough, the city and countryide on the flyover didn't look so hot. Leonidas wondered what the future would foretell, and so far, his cameraman's mumblings of, "Damn....this takes me back" with shivers of fear didn't help him much either.

Leonidas then began speaking into a tape recorder, choosing to commit his thoughts to tape and potentially form a soundtrack. After some looks from his sound guy, he decided to commit his voice to the boom mike. Either way, he spoke wistfully and with concern.

"Dateline: New Delhi. As I exit the comforts of my plane--first class, Xenizen National Airways, very nice--I walk into what should be familiar environs. I had been to India as a youth, my cousins and Aunt Padma providing much in the way of good memories. Now, they seem like another world."

As if on cue, the cameraman turned on the camera, and began moving about him, getting him from several angles as he spoke wistfully and uneasily still.

"War has certainly changed this city I should be recognizing as familiar, but am not. The Airport looks nice enough. They fixed it up after the events that seared themselves forever into the hearts of many people here. But my Cameraman certainly recognizes the environment outside the airport. He's sweating, memories of pitched combat--though in distant lands and not in India per se--coming back as he looks uneasily at the ramshackle environs outside."

He then finishes with a look at the crowd in front of him.

"And as I look at the Indians in front of me--people whom I share some blood kinship with, though I am a Xenizen--I ponder--what has happened? What are they going through now? And what must be done to get life back to some semblance of normal?"

Then, he proceeded to security, instructing the men to turn off their equipment and show ID. A quick pass through security later, and he then walked to some local persons. Leonidas had the crew stay to the side, and he then asked them in fluent Hindi, "Sir, ma'am, I am Leonidas Chandrasekharan with Xenizen News Network. I am doing a documentary for our network about the state of life in the postwar era. With your permission, I would like to ask you a few questions and film the interview for broadcast. If you object, I will leave."

A men of Indian background step forward from the group of people, his arms had burn scars, his face was cover with scars. His haur was white and he was only in his early 40s.. He looked at the reporter and said

“Sir, if your sole goal here is to make an awarding winning documentary in order to win the highest honor of your press..then I say to you leave now…we don’t want your kind here..But if you are here to find the truth and show it, thought a truly human perspective then I say to you stay and we the people will tell you the truth. My name is Omar, I was veteran of the civil war, I partaken in the fighting at Trotsky deep and made it out alive, I partaken in Black Banner mutiny..I am one of those people who can you point to the truth..as long you are true to yourself.”


The others nodded in agreement and awaited the reporter replied.

A men of Indian background step forward from the group of people, his arms had burn scars, his face was cover with scars. His haur was white and he was only in his early 40s.. He looked at the reporter and said

“Sir, if your sole goal here is to make an awarding winning documentary in order to win the highest honor of your press..then I say to you leave now…we don’t want your kind here..But if you are here to find the truth and show it, thought a truly human perspective then I say to you stay and we the people will tell you the truth. My name is Omar, I was veteran of the civil war, I partaken in the fighting at Trotsky deep and made it out alive, I partaken in Black Banner mutiny..I am one of those people who can you point to the truth..as long you are true to yourself.”


The others nodded in agreement and awaited the reporter replied.

Leonidas then nodded, and understood that these were people who did not wish to have their sufferings turned into someone else's amusement. He sympathized with their concerns, for his documentary was motivated by the truth as well. He felt something well up inside him and looked to his crew--especially the cameraman, who had picked up on Omar's challenge and nodded.

He nodded and spoke in a respectful tone, "I am no glory-hunter and circus ringmaster, believe you me. I'm just here to get the facts and present them through a human angle, so people may understand what has occurred. Any accolades I may get--well, that's really besides the point."

The cameraman walked over, his camera off and slung low. He then said, muttering with some sympathy and understanding of Omar's experience, "Look, Omar--I can vouch for this guy. He's no thrill-seeker. After all, he wouldn't have me, a veteran of the battles of Central Asia who's still going through therapy, along with him." He then lifted up his left sleeve, exposing a spartan tattoo of his regiment's insignia, held by a lonely soldier in front of a grave bearing the words "Central Asian Veteran--Never Forget."

Leonidas nodded and said, turning from his cameraman to Omar, "Indeed."

Omar nodded to the cameraman and said “ Its good to see another veteran of that front..there so few of us around nowadays that are still able to maintain some kind of normal lives…I seen so many friends go mad with depression and take their lives or just waste away..” Then he turn to the reporter “ If that is the case, then you are welcome to conduct your investigations…but be ready what we seen and went thought as veterans of this war is not for the light hearted..”

Omar nodded to the cameraman and said “ Its good to see another veteran of that front..there so few of us around nowadays that are still able to maintain some kind of normal lives…I seen so many friends go mad with depression and take their lives or just waste away..” Then he turn to the reporter “ If that is the case, then you are welcome to conduct your investigations…but be ready what we seen and went thought as veterans of this war is not for the light hearted..”

"Indeed, sir. I too was at Trotsky Deep. Still gives me nightmares."

The cameraman interjected with this, as Leonidas got the crew over there. He then began asking Omar a question, starting off easy for the beginning. Well, as easily as one could with this subject matter.

"You mentioned being a war veteran. How has life been for you since the end of the war? I had heard the transition back to civilian life can be difficult, and I can especially imagine the troubles after this conflict."

Omar look around and answer “Its not really the transition, its looking back and trying to figure what was it worth..after all the damage that been done to our nation…with that in mind…we can’t bring ourselves to justify to even why we partake in this action..we merciless killed our own brethren in mass for what…to this day..I am trouble by that question. It plagues me as human being, I killed my own brethren for what..I manger to get by day to day..but that fact still plagues me in the back of mind…when I sleep…I relive what I done and I still can’t believe what I done.”

Omar look around and answer “Its not really the transition, its looking back and trying to figure what was it worth..after all the damage that been done to our nation…with that in mind…we can’t bring ourselves to justify to even why we partake in this action..we merciless killed our own brethren in mass for what…to this day..I am trouble by that question. It plagues me as human being, I killed my own brethren for what..I manger to get by day to day..but that fact still plagues me in the back of mind…when I sleep…I relive what I done and I still can’t believe what I done.”

The man's words troubled Leonidas, who was definetly moved by the words of Omar. His cameraman hadn't spoken of his experiences of the war much, which seemed to cause him to become agitated and considerably irritated for hours afterward after every session. It was lucky the cameraman didn't act up now. Perhaps it was because he was in the presence of another man who suffered what he suffered--though in a considerably worse way.

Leonidas only reply was, "So it's not so much returning back to civilian life that is the problem, it is the problem of wrestling with the cost and aftermath and the experience of it all." A pause, then "Two questions then. Would you say that is the truth of the matter, and if so, do you know others who are also trying to come to grips with what happened, so to speak?"

Omar looked around and said “The true can’t be explain by mere words by one person…you have look around far and between to see the true..go to Trotsky Deep…where the grave yards go on for miles in all directions..go to Khyber pass where if you look at the land at a angle during the right time of day..you see red hue in the dirt..go to Baghdad and walk pass the bullet ridden buildings..once you see that..then come back to me and ask that question. As are there any others that feel the pain that I am feeling..just look around you…you don’t have to go far…just look for those who no longer have legs or hands..we’re everywhere and anywhere..”

Newcastle-upon-Swan, Royal Crown Colony of New Albion

Located along the northern banks of the River Swan, the city of Newcastle-upon-Swan was named for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in England after the coal seams found in the hills just west of the city. Despite its name the city remained a centre for the imported Indian labour forces to work in the mines and steel mills. Shortly after the British left, however, the demographics shifted and the city became a bastion for Anglo-Indians who owned most of the city's industries and businesses.

Clive Anderson was the descendant of one such family. Within the confines of his family estate in an upper-class district, he could look out the large two-story windows, across the numerous rows of low-rise apartment buildings towards the decades-old steel mills undergoing renovation to re-open. For the first time in years, Anderson Steel would be producing that for which it had been known in the late 19th century.

As the middle-aged man sipped some late-afternoon Scotch, he turned his head down to his small sitting desk, on the table the day's edition of the Newcastle Times. It was open to the business section, where one of the smaller articles commented upon the need for steel across the Black Banner. Prior to the Treaty of Georgetown, which had officially ended the hostilities between the United Kingdom and the former Khailfah al Muslimeen, he had run a small empire of shoppes that provided basic necessities to both Anglo-Indians and Indians. The authorities though had prevented him from running his steel business—more because of a lack of sufficient funding of the local political machine. Despite this, he now stood a chance of profiting. And while the profit was sufficient motivation, he could only help but smile at the reversal of fortunes.

Foreign Office
Georgetown, United Kingdom

From the confines of his office, the Foreign Secretary Gavin Astley could view the palms and subtropical evergreens of the building's courtyard. He and the Prime Minister had seen it fit to negotiate the Treaty of Georgetown with Istanbul—quite simply, stationing thousand of soldiers, airpersons, and sailors in the area of New Albion was a waste. That the Khailfah had soon after fallen into the depths of civil conflict did not wholly surprise Astley, nor had it the Government. Regardless, given the sensitive nature of UK-KLM relations, the Government had officially taken the position of neutrality. Once it became clear that the government would change, it became imperative to start with fresh relations as untainted by history as possible.

Now that all had largely settled, Astley took a pen from his fine collection and began to write out the first draft of a communique to be sent to the new Khailfah government.

Secure Communique

His Majesty's Government, having refrained from involving itself in the tragedy of the Black Banner civil conflict, wishes to establish ties with the new government of the Black Banner in the hopes of restoring ties between our great peoples. Potentially this includes bilateral agreements cementing heretofore unofficial non-aggression pacts along with a new free trade agreement to replace that disrupted by the conflict between ourselves and the former government of the Khailfah.

I eagerly await the response of the Government.

Sincerely,

Gavin Astley
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

Omar looked around and said “The true can’t be explain by mere words by one person…you have look around far and between to see the true..go to Trotsky Deep…where the grave yards go on for miles in all directions..go to Khyber pass where if you look at the land at a angle during the right time of day..you see red hue in the dirt..go to Baghdad and walk pass the bullet ridden buildings..once you see that..then come back to me and ask that question. As are there any others that feel the pain that I am feeling..just look around you…you don’t have to go far…just look for those who no longer have legs or hands..we’re everywhere and anywhere..”

Leonidas nodded and said, "Thank you for your responses." He then left, getting the feeling that this guy didn't really want to say anything more. He then entered more recordings into his tape recorder, speaking earnestly as, true to Omar's words, he began to see men and women maimed from the conflict.

"Omar spoke true. Around me I see human wreckage. The aftereffects of the rather nasty business of epic civil wars. Men and women missing limbs. They should be walking and holding vital tools or goods, but cannot. It is a rather overwhelming sight.

Omar also spoke of the need to visit the war's battlefields, to truly get a good answer to my question. Trotsky Deep. Baghdad. Something tells me that I may have to heed his words.

This is becoming more than a simple search for relatives."

He then left the airport, and then took some appropriate transport. He had an appointment with the current Sultan, Uthman, and none too soon....

Many in the Black Banner Government felt the prospect of free trade with Oceania was good idea, the Imperium badly need capital to flow into the Imperium rather then to flowing out. Most of the old guard that had hated Oceania because of the New Albion incident was out of power or dead; the new guard had one interest in mind stable and strong trade relations with Oceania in order to rebuild the economy. With the go ahead given by Sultan Uthman, the Government sends the following replied.


To: The United Kingdom of Oceania
From: The Black Banner Khailfah
Topic: Relations

The Black Banner Government is most willing to open formal relations. Furthermore the Black Banner Government is very interested in cementing existing agreements(i.e. the non aggression pact) and we are must eager to set up a new free trade agreement between our two respected nations. Lastly, we request to send a special envoy to conduct these talks in your nation.

The Sultan Palace, New Delhi, India, Black Banner Khailfah

Leonidas and the camera crew were personal welcome by Sultan Uthman at the gates, he given a brief tour of the palace and then led them to the palace gardens, where they were served mint tea, the Sultan remarked “ I wish we could have able to offer you more..but the current situation makes it hard for people of our fair Imperium to get their hands on some products…So ask away your questions.”

The Sultan Palace, New Delhi, India, Black Banner Khailfah

Leonidas and the camera crew were personal welcome by Sultan Uthman at the gates, he given a brief tour of the palace and then led them to the palace gardens, where they were served mint tea, the Sultan remarked “ I wish we could have able to offer you more..but the current situation makes it hard for people of our fair Imperium to get their hands on some products…So ask away your questions.”

Leonidas smiled and said, "Not a problem. Any tea is good tea, and I'm glad to be having a change of pace from the usual tea I get. I mean that sincerely." His tone was one of respect, and it certainly seemed inquisitive as well.

Replying to the Sultan's last comment, Leonidas seemed thoughtful, trying to ease out the words which would no doubt have to be carefully chosen. He asked, "You just mentioned that its hard to get some things in the Imperium due to the current situation. Judging from what I have seen so far, the situation is pretty dire. I passed through the airport, but even there, there's people who've suffered through a lot--and that's an understatement. I mean, when the Sultan can't even have access to certain items, the situation must be pretty dire."

He then finished with, "So, I guess my first question is, just how bad is the situation in the Black Banner Imperium?"

The Sultan took off his black fez and his hair was completely grey, then he remarked “Before this war happen…I had a color in my hair…but because of four years of total war and dealing with two years its of aftereffects….because of the stress, I have only grey hair. Over half of the Imperium is on the blink of famine..and only offset by buying food form other nations…at a high price…we use every penny we get from the oil exports to pay for it…yet its still not enough..we are force to use what’s left of our reserves to pay for food…and we still have to pay on top of that other normal government expenses and upkeep..while trying to rebuild our Imperium…some say lets raise taxes to pay for rebuilding efforts…but to whom to tax…everything can barely get by on what they make…to tax them is inhuman and not worthwhile…We went from a first world nation that could spare a few billion dinars to the poor of the world…now we are a nation of ashes, a nation where the people go for months without eating or even seeing a loaf of bread..that is the situation we face daily.”

Leonidas shook his head, saying, "My dear God.....it's...wow. That's horrible." The sober reality he had encountered so far now was officially given a big picture and a grim reality to emerge from, and it was especially grim. He remained stunned for a few minutes, unable to find the words to try and express himself.

"Such a fall indeed," was all he could muster. "Such a fall indeed. And I thought the Xenizen Civil War was bad."

The Sultan remarked “As American Civil War general once said…” War is hell”..let me show you something.” The Sultan led them outside to the main street, and look around “Here is where the KLM ended and the Black Banner took its place…here a massive clash occurred between the supporters of the Black Banner mutiny and the supporters of the government, it was all out melee between the two sides.. the mutineers were marching to free me from house arrest after I spoke out against the government forces actions in Trotsky deep ..and the fact I spoke in support of the mutiny didn’t help matter…the mutineers were marching peaceful into the city after crushing the government forces at Lahore…but the remaining supporters organize one last stand and use machine guns to gun down the marchers as they march down the streets…there was blood everywhere..it wasn’t until they manger to overpower the government internal police forces, that guns stop firing..here my friend is where the war ended…in blood… in rivers of blood..”

The Sultan remarked “As American Civil War general once said…” War is hell”..let me show you something.” The Sultan led them outside to the main street, and look around “Here is where the KLM ended and the Black Banner took its place…here a massive clash occurred between the supporters of the Black Banner mutiny and the supporters of the government, it was all out melee between the two sides.. the mutineers were marching to free me from house arrest after I spoke out against the government forces actions in Trotsky deep ..and the fact I spoke in support of the mutiny didn’t help matter…the mutineers were marching peaceful into the city after crushing the government forces at Lahore…but the remaining supporters organize one last stand and use machine guns to gun down the marchers as they march down the streets…there was blood everywhere..it wasn’t until they manger to overpower the government internal police forces, that guns stop firing..here my friend is where the war ended…in blood… in rivers of blood..”

Leonidas shook his head, and seemed visibly eager to move on. The cameraman turned from the interview area to the place where the Sultan pointed out the massacre. The others became visibly distressed, the liasion almost about to tear up from the gloom of it all. Leonidas managed to get everybody calm, gesturing to them and saying, "Stay calm" in a terse voice.

He then turned back to the Sultan and said, "It becomes clear that something must be done to get this country back to normal. Have you spoken with any aid groups, friendly governments, anybody who could help?"

“So far some aid groups and our dominions that manger to make it out of the war undamaged have been sending us aid….we have asked for aids from groups and nations…but so far we’re waiting for their replied.”said the Sultan, then his attention was shift to a group of men who were just looking the road for a long period time. If one would look at them, one would know that were veterans and partaken in the march. As soon they were notice by the Sultan, they just walk away, some with canes supporting them or their comrades helping them walk away

Secure Communique to the Black Banner Khailfah

His Majesty's Government is most pleased that the Black Banner Government has accepted HM offer for renewed diplomatic contacts between our two states. Accordingly, the United Kingdom would be willing to host bilateral talks in the capital Georgetown at the convenience of the Black Banner Government.

I look forward to the proposed talks.

Gavin Astley
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

The Sultan Palace, New Delhi, India, Black Banner Khailfah

Ex Grand Vizier, retried Foreign Minister Mehmed Pasa Sokollu was summoned by the current Grand Vizier Rashīd ibn Fadlan for a special mission. The Ex Grand Vizier , made his way quickly to the Grand Vizier office which was once his office some time ago. He enter the room and the found the Grand Vizier reviewing some reports, the Grand Vizier remarked

“20 years to restore the economy to prewar levels…” He look up” Ah Sokollu…its good to see you again old friend..how are you doing?” asked the Grand Vizier

Sokollu remarked “ Relatively well given the situation...”

The Grand Vizier nodded and remark “ Indeed, I assume you been brief on the nature of your mission and what is at stake?”

Sokollu nodded “ Yes I have, I am to be the special envoy to Oceania to conduct talks with their government to set up a new free trade agreement and non aggression pact..is that all?”

“Yes that is all…we can’t fail…we need the trade badly as you heard it…without it will take 20 years to recover, but with the free trade pact maybe we can down the time by 5 years at best..but its worth a shoot no?” asked the Grand Vizier

“ Yes, indeed…but why me?” asked Sokollu

“Your only the one that we known of ..that is willing to come out of retirement and who has dealt with the Oceanians before.” Replied the Grand Vizier

“ I see.” Remarked Sokollu

“With that, you are here by dismiss your plane leaves in 2 hours, good luck my friend.” Said the Grand Vizier

With that Special Envoy Sokollu left the palace and shortly later left New Delhi to Georgetown

OOC: feel free to rp the landing and greetings if you want.

“So far some aid groups and our dominions that manger to make it out of the war undamaged have been sending us aid….we have asked for aids from groups and nations…but so far we’re waiting for their replied.”said the Sultan, then his attention was shift to a group of men who were just looking the road for a long period time. If one would look at them, one would know that were veterans and partaken in the march. As soon they were notice by the Sultan, they just walk away, some with canes supporting them or their comrades helping them walk away

Hearing of this, Leonidas looked at the parade of broken men, and his cameraman shook his head as the camera caught a brief glimpse of them. The cameraman's attention was obviously shifting from the interview to the outside and back.

Leonidas mused simply, "I am sure when they see what life is truly like now in the Black Banner Imperium, people will stop sitting about while broken men struggle to survive. I'm sure of it. I know my people won't just sit there once they see this...."

The Sultan looked blankly down the street and remarked “ You would think that….but how many times we seen victims of famines or droughts on the TV screen during dinnertime, and just felt pity for them..but continue on with our meals not given the matter much thought…how sure are you, that they will act or just sit around and keep eating their meal…forgive my cynicism…it’s the mainstay of the Imperium nowadays.”

The Sultan looked blankly down the street and remarked “ You would think that….but how many times we seen victims of famines or droughts on the TV screen during dinnertime, and just felt pity for them..but continue on with our meals not given the matter much thought…how sure are you, that they will act or just sit around and keep eating their meal…forgive my cynicism…it’s the mainstay of the Imperium nowadays.”

"I dunno. Call me a offensively optimistic individual but I've spoken to a few politicians that are more the former than the latter, more willing to act than to shrug and go on. Gordon Lew being one of them. I've never known him to not be generous...."

He then shook his head and said, "But you have a point." He then shook Uthman's hand and said, "Thank you for your time, your Excellency." Leonidas wanted to talk some more, but his cameraman seemed ready to break. Thus, he then bowed and said, "It was quite enlightening indeed. If not that, then certainly an eye-opener."

Trotsky Deep, Southern Turkistan

If one was to look at the region before the Typhoon wars…it would have been just another valley with an odd name, but if one looked at the region after the battle of Trotsky Deep. All that one would see would be rivers of blood, broken bodies, burn out tanks, and other armored vehicles that were wipe out. 1 million people died in the battle of Trotsky Deep, and 1 million graves were made for them on site. They fought and died there, hence they were buried there. For miles upon miles, there was nothing but graves of those who fought in the bloodiest battle in entire typhoon war.

2 years later

Present, one could still see the burn out wrecks of tanks, other armored vehicles and of course the endless miles of graves in all directions. One would think such a valley with such steppe ridges wouldn’t be able to contain such massive armies as it did during that battle...

“Blood blood blood, everywhere….here my friends is where everything change for the Typhoon wars..for us veterans…if we close our eyes for one moment…we can see the images of men running out of their tanks on fire or cries of dieing men during the night and we can never find where the cries came from..when daybreak happens…we find nothing but dead bodies…..its too much at times...when we do visit this place…of death..” remarked Bashir as he looked cross the endless field of graves.

Trotsky Deep, Southern Turkistan

If one was to look at the region before the Typhoon wars…it would have been just another valley with an odd name, but if one looked at the region after the battle of Trotsky Deep. All that one would see would be rivers of blood, broken bodies, burn out tanks, and other armored vehicles that were wipe out. 1 million people died in the battle of Trotsky Deep, and 1 million graves were made for them on site. They fought and died there, hence they were buried there. For miles upon miles, there was nothing but graves of those who fought in the bloodiest battle in entire typhoon war.

2 years later

Present, one could still see the burn out wrecks of tanks, other armored vehicles and of course the endless miles of graves in all directions. One would think such a valley with such steppe ridges wouldn’t be able to contain such massive armies as it did during that battle...

“Blood blood blood, everywhere….here my friends is where everything change for the Typhoon wars..for us veterans…if we close our eyes for one moment…we can see the images of men running out of their tanks on fire or cries of dieing men during the night and we can never find where the cries came from..when daybreak happens…we find nothing but dead bodies…..its too much at times...when we do visit this place…of death..” remarked Bashir as he looked cross the endless field of graves.

Leonidas and his crew looked over the whole scene, and they stood there in stone silence. Well, except for his Cameraman, who seemed to confirm Bashir's adage. He began to shudder, and the sounds of him stifling a vomit attack and panting could be heard as he tossed the camera to Leonidas, who caught it deftly and commandered it. Clearly, it was indeed too much for the Cameraman to bear, especially since it brought back the carnage, the machine gun nests.....his whole squad dying....and his best friend dying, too.

"It's....well, I can't really say much, at the risk of saying something inappropriate." Leonidas shook his head as he said this, trying to take in the overwhelming environment. The graves were sobering, certainly. The wrecks even more so. And it all gave those at the site from the news team pause.

Then Bashir point out to the graves“ You see all these graves ...we made them…for 10 long days…we buried the dead…10 long days..rebel and loyalist soldiers work side by side to buried the dead… you may ask why didn’t we fight each other at this point.. Simple we too damn tired and just didn’t care anymore…for the most we had a unofficial crease fire effect..during that time…the impact of what happen really hit most of the soldiers.. I saw a lot of good officers commit suicide by shooting themselves in head or committing seppuku because they realize they lead their men to their deaths for nothing and couldn’t forgive themselves for what they had done. While at the same time, this all occurring… one could not sleep without hearing the cries of med tents…the cries of the men getting their legs or arms cut or in some cases begging to be killed, since they couldn’t take the pain anymore..its time like those that changed a man forever…” Then Bashir walk over to some trees that manger to avoid getting destroyed in the battle and it had a sign on the tree written in Arabic saying

“Death to the traitors of the true path!”

Bashir begun to speak and said “ And here…is where the Black Banner mutiny first begun….after we finish burying the dead…now excuse my language…but it must be said in this context….the fucking political commissars told us to finish off the rebel pows and continue the march north to crush the rebels..but when we looked the rebels…we didn’t see our rivals…but our kinsmen..we couldn’t take up the sword against them no more…no more…once again they the kommissars now commanded us to kill them…that’s where we realize the cause we were fighting for war..had be corrupted and twisted…we realize it was the stop the madness and restore order to the Imperium of Dune….so we killed the Kommissars.. and hang them from these trees as sign we no longer took orders from a corrupt regime…note we still our loyal to Khaif Uthman..but his government has lost his way..and must take now….from that moment on the mutiny has begun……once news hit the other army groups they join in…both rebel and loyalist march side by side to end the painful civil war in blood..”

Then Bashir point out to the graves“ You see all these graves ...we made them…for 10 long days…we buried the dead…10 long days..rebel and loyalist soldiers work side by side to buried the dead… you may ask why didn’t we fight each other at this point.. Simple we too damn tired and just didn’t care anymore…for the most we had a unofficial crease fire effect..during that time…the impact of what happen really hit most of the soldiers.. I saw a lot of good officers commit suicide by shooting themselves in head or committing seppuku because they realize they lead their men to their deaths for nothing and couldn’t forgive themselves for what they had done. While at the same time, this all occurring… one could not sleep without hearing the cries of med tents…the cries of the men getting their legs or arms cut or in some cases begging to be killed, since they couldn’t take the pain anymore..its time like those that changed a man forever…” Then Bashir walk over to some trees that manger to avoid getting destroyed in the battle and it had a sign on the tree written in Arabic saying

“Death to the traitors of the true path!”

Bashir begun to speak and said “ And here…is where the Black Banner mutiny first begun….after we finish burying the dead…now excuse my language…but it must be said in this context….the fucking political commissars told us to finish off the rebel pows and continue the march north to crush the rebels..but when we looked the rebels…we didn’t see our rivals…but our kinsmen..we couldn’t take up the sword against them no more…no more…once again they the kommissars now commanded us to kill them…that’s where we realize the cause we were fighting for war..had be corrupted and twisted…we realize it was the stop the madness and restore order to the Imperium of Dune….so we killed the Kommissars.. and hang them from these trees as sign we no longer took orders from a corrupt regime…note we still our loyal to Khaif Uthman..but his government has lost his way..and must take now….from that moment on the mutiny has begun……once news hit the other army groups they join in…both rebel and loyalist march side by side to end the painful civil war in blood..”

Leonidas was recording all this, holding the camera as he made some decent footage of the area, and got some good shots of Bashir as he made his monologue. Bashir's speech struck the crew as most decidedly despairing and negative in tone, but then again--that was the experience he had to go through, and though tinged with wistfulness, it seemed to lay bare and encapsulate the awful spectacle in front of them. No one could blame him for that, any more than they could blame concentration camp survivors telling their stories similarly.

The Cameraman still out of the picture and trying to contain his restless emotions, it was up to the sound guy to react now. He simply muttered, "My God....my God....." in stark disbelief. His face and words echoed Leonidas's, for he was dumbstruck, and decidedly moved by Bashir's description of events. Leonidas shot him a glare, to keep his mouth shut. The last thing they needed was provocation.

Bashir took at the Cameraman, he understood what he was going thought..But Bashir wanted people to truly understand the human cost of this battle..” This war took a great toll on many of us…as for me..this isn’t my hand..” He pull off his glove and show his prosthetics right hand. He remarked “ Granted I lost my right hand sometime ago before the civil war, but nowadays you seen more of them around the nation because of this war…also my face…I can’t feel more then half of it…at times..its goes numb..why because during pass wars…I had more then half my face burn off…and repair to the point it was back to normal so speak..but they could never repair the nerve damage…same with my legs to badly damage..I have to use to cane to walk..this would be unusual if were just a few people with my condition..but its now usual..why because there are millions of us…walking the world…with this scar have to live with until they died.” Then Bashir using his cane as support walk to a man who came with him, the man was wearing a ski mask…Bashir muttered a phase in Berber and the Man removed his mask.

To the horror of news crew, the man face was half burned so badly..it was barely even human. Bashir look at the camera dead on and said “ Oh people don’t turn away THIS IS THE HORROR AND MADNESS OF WAR….THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU IN WAR..its something that your war movies or action flicks don’t show…all they show is just the good guys fighting and winning the day…THIS IS HUMAN COST PEOPLE…WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME…” Then Bashir took a deep breath and said” Its going to take a long time but we will help his man recover in time…but he never be able to feel…his face…this is the price of war. LOOK AT IT.”

Leonidas tried not to recoil in horror at the man whom Bashir revealed to the camera, for fear of angering of either of them. The others were too stunned by the sudden turn of events to even reply, thinking only of Bashir's words as he finished his speech with his warning. As for the Cameraman, he did nothing but walk up to the Damaged Man. He knew a fellow soldier who ended up like that, and required weeks of plastic surgery. That guy was lucky. He could only look into the Man's eyes, as if to say, "I know. I may not be scarred on the outside man, but I'm just as fucked up on the inside." Weither those eyes were sympathetic or not was up for debate from the stunned crew, but they certainly projected empathy and understanding. The Cameraman nodded, and then said to both Bashir and the Damaged Man, "Thank you," before walking to face the Deep, staring blankly.

Baghdad,the city was barely recovering from the horrors of the civil war, still there were buildings full of bullet holes. Also new building were springing up out of the ashes of the ruins of other buildings..Slowly but surely the city was rebuilding itself to its pre war status one of the crown jewels of the Imperium.

Emi simply looked the streets and she could remember the brutal street to street fighting that occurred in that area…She was 19 year old college, when the fighting occurred…Now she was 25 years and a grad student. So has occurred in those four years she could never forget now it was time to share her experience with the world. She entered the coffee shop to the meet the news crew to conduct the interview. Everyone would notice she walked with cane and her hands were covered with gloves. Because her hands were badly burned during the fighting for Baghdad, and her right leg was damage from a artillery shell landing very near to her.

Royal Airport at Emperor's Field
Outside Georgetown, United Kingdom

The Black Banner aircraft appeared first as a mere speck in the subtropical skies, occupied with large, moisture-laden cumulus clouds but otherwise blue. Gavin Astley watched through nearly one-way sunglasses as the escorting RAF flight of Nimbostratus fighters roared unceremoniously overhead per RAF tradition. Astley always smiled, the tradition had started some time back in the 1950s as a sign of disgust with the sitting government. If he recalled, it had something to do with slashing the RAF budget, but today it signified nothing but a semi-humourous inside joke between HM Government and the RAF. After all, Emperor's Field was the private estate of the Crown and inaccessible to members of the public. Consequently, guests of the Crown arrived to greet ministers and dignitaries without the glare of the camera light.

Indeed, it had been just under such circumstances when Astley had last met with Sokollu to negotiate the Treaty of Georgetown, which had effectively ended the cold war between the two countries over New Albion. Even talking to the other party had been less-than-politically safe in both Georgetown and New Delhi. Meetings in the underground bunkers had allowed for treaty talks without the prying press.

As the Black Banner aircraft landed, the rubber screeched and left a signature mark upon the runway. A few moments later, it had taxied up to the appropriate tarmac space where a small stairway had been prepared and idling limousines waited. Sokollu descended the stairs and Astley met his old colleague and took his hand with a firm shake. "Good to see you, I hope your flight was pleasant enough."

"Indeed, old friend, and you are well?"

"Very much so, please, this time we shall be meeting at the Foreign Office." The two entered their limousine, with doors held open by non-descript men and women wearing black suits. Diplomatic security personnel were readily identifiable.

It took a mere fifteen minutes for the motorcade to reach the Foreign Office in central Georgetown, a city that had managed to keep some of the more impressive elements of its colonial-Victorian architecture as it grew into a modern power. The gates opened quickly without needing the vehicles to stop and so they pulled into the well-landscaped courtyard, where palms and evergreens kept the stone walkways shaded.

The conference room was directly accessible from the courtyard, the attempt to create an idyllic setting for discussions. Astley showed Sokollu the room, subtly decorated with a framed portrait of King George at one end and at the other an impressionistic watercolour of Kingston Harbour. Ordinarily the place would be occupied by a portrait of the queen, but with a single monarch the place was traditionally occupied by a master work of an Oceanian artist, here Thomas Kent's painting of the harbour in 1888—decades before the same setting became the site of the islands' independence from Europe. Along the back wall were photographic portraits of the current and former foreign secretaries, Astley included.

Upon the table were a sampling of various pastries from traditional Oceanian scones and tea cookies to danishes, doughnuts, and bagels. Ornately painted pots of water sat upon electric boilers heating freshly drawn water for loose Sarnian tea. There were also tisanes, primarily mint and chamomile with lavender varieties. A smaller portion of the table was occupied by a pot of coffee. "And if you care to wait, I can have the kitchen staff prepare some Turkish coffee if you wish—I did not want to have it get cold waiting for you. But you are of course more than welcome to anything."

Astley gestured for Sokollu along with his aides to sit. The Oceanians did the same and Astley poured himself a cup of tea. "So, with the war over, are you and your family well? We read the reports here, but being so far removed the scale is simply unimaginable to most of us."

Sokollu smiled and remarked “ Tea would do fine...I drop the habit of drinking Turkish coffee a few years ago…”Then pour himself a cup of tea and took a sip. He remarked “ Good tea…now as for the family..they are doing well relatively speaking..all of us manger to make it unharmed ..but the war took a mental toll on us all..” Then Sokollu changed the subject “ So how goes Oceania?”

Baghdad,the city was barely recovering from the horrors of the civil war, still there were buildings full of bullet holes. Also new building were springing up out of the ashes of the ruins of other buildings..Slowly but surely the city was rebuilding itself to its pre war status one of the crown jewels of the Imperium.

Emi simply looked the streets and she could remember the brutal street to street fighting that occurred in that area…She was 19 year old college, when the fighting occurred…Now she was 25 years and a grad student. So has occurred in those four years she could never forget now it was time to share her experience with the world. She entered the coffee shop to the meet the news crew to conduct the interview. Everyone would notice she walked with cane and her hands were covered with gloves. Because her hands were badly burned during the fighting for Baghdad, and her right leg was damage from a artillery shell landing very near to her.

The Parks, her old classmates, were there too. Sitting next to Emi, Richard looked at Emi and his sister awkwardly. His glare reminded them both how much he did not want to be here. His face bore a scar from the fighting, and if one cared to look, he would have numerous scars, a steel plate in his head, and a head full of bad memories. Not that his coat, nondescript t-shirt and messy hair showed them.

His sister had gotten off light compared to the two of them; only a single scar remained of her experiences, on her chest due to an emergency operation needed to save her life thanks to some shrapnel. Besides that, she seemed the most well-adjusted.

It was upon this scene that Leonidas and his crew found the motley band, and said into his tape recorder as he came within range, "Dateline: Baghdad. Once a jewel of the Middle East, it is now a shadow of its former glory. A victim of an unwanted bruderkrieg. In this case, said bruderkrieg caught some people in the middle who didn't want to be there. One Richard Park, his sister Rhiannon, and their colleague Emi, daughter of the current Sultan.

We managed to have Emi and Rhiannon agree to speak with us; Richard proved tougher. A virtual hermit who now lives as a schoolteacher in Manchuria, he has normally refused to give interviews and even shot at media persons who have attempted contact. Only by his sister's persuasion did he come."

He then walked up to the assembled and extended his hands, saying, "Good day, I'm Leonidas Chandrasehkaran. I believe we spoke earlier about an interview?"

Rhiannon smiled and said, "I think we did--at least I was asked."

Richard sighed, and said, "Let's get this over with, you bloody ringmaster. I'm not a trick monkey."

Emi forced a smiled and said “Yea, I remember…ask away.” Then she remove her gloves and show her burn hands, the right hand was semi burned and the left hand only a few of the fingers were semi burn..thanks to on going surgery ..her hands were gradually returning to normal…just a few more surgery. Emi was wearing black jeans, with a bottom up dark blue shirt and a black hajib.

Emi forced a smiled and said “Yea, I remember…ask away.” Then she remove her gloves and show her burn hands, the right hand was semi burned and the left hand only a few of the fingers were semi burn..thanks to on going surgery ..her hands were gradually returning to normal…just a few more surgery. Emi was wearing black jeans, with a bottom up dark blue shirt and a black hajib.

"Ah yes." He then sat down, and folded his hands. Richard then let out a harumph, and refocused his glare to Leonidas as he prepared his questions. Then, Leonidas spoke, ordering some coffee for all invovled.

"Now, I would like to ask you all--what were you doing here in Baghdad when the fighting started?" Leonidas asked this gently, and with care, knowing that Richard's glare was a harbinger of a tough interview ahead. Richard's reply was a terse, curt, and unfriendly "Studying Arabic." He then sipped the coffee he already had, and a pallor of doom fell on the room. Leonidas felt it, and so did Rhiannon, who interjected with, "Yes, I was studying Arabic too. As it happened, we were on study break....playing video games...when the call up came."

Richard seemed to seize up. The Cameraman's eyes met his, and for a moment Richard seemed to calm down, now that someone who was also just as disturbed at human folly and violence was in his presence. He then nodded and said, returing to his defensive and terse self, "Yes. We were."

"On the whole," Astley replied with a broad but sympathetic smile, "the United Kingdom is doing well. A short spike in inflation largely owing to interruptions in the supply of Khailfah petroleum supplies—though I could be wrong, but I do seem to recall the Chancellor referencing that as a reason during one such meeting. Regardless, we are enjoying a quiet peace for the moment."

Not wanting to bring up personal aspect of the topic, having noted Sokollu's quick change of subject, Astley nonetheless needed to address the glaringly obvious matter before the two parties. "But such peace is, as always, fragile." He took a long pause and enjoyed a mouthful of tea before continuing. "With your civil war over, His Majesty's Government is interested in the position of the new Black Banner government specifically towards the areas of New Albion, broader bilateral relations, and economic policy."

Emi thought for moment and replied “ I was busy finishing up a few term papers..when the call came out..” Then she took a long sip of her coffee and didn’t want to say anymore more for the moment.

Sokollu took another sip of his tea and said” The Government stance on New Albion is keep things as is…for the most part the government doesn’t have the same level of interest as the old Imperial Government had in the region..as for , broader bilateral relations and economic policy. The Government is very open minded on those matters.

Emi thought for moment and replied “ I was busy finishing up a few term papers..when the call came out..” Then she took a long sip of her coffee and didn’t want to say anymore more for the moment.

Rhiannon then said, "Then, we came outside and asked what happened. I remember Richard worrying about what was to come. We were both in the Civil War in Upper Xen. We had both served, and rather didn't want to do that again."

Richard nodded, not saying anything.

"And then what?" Leonidas was curious, but clearly, these people didn't talk much, except for Rhiannon. Not surprising, given their experiences.

"Well, Richard decided to answer. I can't quite remember why."

Richard tensed up again......

“We were all caught in the moment as one would say..besides, its was better to fight then to let the rebels walk into the city…well that was what we thought at that time…yet it we were proven other wise…” Then she pointed outside “ If we only declare a open city…none of this damaged would have occur…and all those people would had not died in vain…during the siege..” Then she sighed.

“We were all caught in the moment as one would say..besides, its was better to fight then to let the rebels walk into the city…well that was what we thought at that time…yet it we were proven other wise…” Then she pointed outside “ If we only declare a open city…none of this damaged would have occur…and all those people would had not died in vain…during the siege..” Then she sighed.

"Yes." Richard then tensed up even further, and Leonidas knew it was probably time for someone to go. After a tense, awkward silence, Richard tried to get up, but Rhiannon put her hand on his shoulder, saying, "Wait."

Richard tried to resist, but Rhiannon's look persuaded him to sit down. the exchange was but for a few seconds, but it spoke volumes about what Richard felt.

Richard then began to speak, and rather haltingly and slowly, like someone trying to put a delicate object down on a table. He was straining to remain calm; Rhiannon and the Cameraman's looks kept him going.

"All that damage...yes, I picked up a gun and it was as Emi said. I opened fire on incoming rebels, using my Wolverine training in the Free Xenizen Forces. The sounds of explosions were going off everywhere. Chunks of debris. It was violent.....not like those video games I was playing a bit ago."

"Yes. I fought some too, though I found myself doing a lot of running and messenger work. It was rough though. Rations were metered strictly, water too. Ammo too. The siege was just that, a seige. You hear about them, but....." Rhiannon threw this bit in, to confirm her part.

"...they never seem to be like in the books." Richard said.

Leonidas nodded. The interview was not going well.

Emi remarked “ There is no glory in war..after fighting for one month..the only supplies we saw, were those that were infrequently airdrop into our city…which was unpredictable at best.. I remember one day..the supplies landed in the wrong part of town…a area where the rebels have just took over..my unit was order to retake the area and the supplies…it was brutal street to street fighting.. A mortar shell landed near me ,I barely made out alive..but I can’t say the same for more then half my unit..just college students…just killed right there and then..I still bear the scars of that shell..” She pointed to her right leg and remarked” I can’t stand for long periods of time..because of it..its a daily reminder for me..”

Sultan Palace, New Delhi

Sultan Uthman was busy reviewing latest reports for the Imperium, all the reports were painting a bleak picture, because of the following reasons, and the economic recovery was barely progressing at all. The Dominions who have shown their loyalty during the typhoon wars were beginning to shown the signs of an ever increasing stain relationship with the government in New Delhi. They were now bitterly complaining they could no longer spare supplies to support the rebuilding efforts, they pointed out they barely had enough to support the massive influx of refugees that were coming from war torn regions. Furthermore, new union treaty talks to bring back the ex rebel regions into the Imperium had failed for the second time, because the Majiles were deadlock on how to restructure the former dominions of the EU and Eurasia, since over half the regions in those dominions stay loyal and half rebelled. Just the Majiles were unable to come a majority on how to reform the ex dominions in order to restore stability and prevent future uprisings. This was the least of the on going problems for the Imperium.

Then the Sultan heard a knock on the door, a guard enter the room and said “ My Sultan, Dr.Bashir is here as you requested.”

The Sultan nodded and said “ Don’t keep him waiting send him in.”

Dr.Bashir entered the office and said “ You have summoned me and I am here..now why have you summoned me?”

The Sultan cracked a smiled “ Ah classical Bashirian greeting…frank but distance and cold at the same time…your brothers Field Marshal Aziz and Speaker of the Majiles Uthman have similar mannerism like you Suleiman ..” He pause for moment, Bashir still remain stoic and unchanging. The Sultan begun speaking again “ The reason I summoned you…is that I asked you to return to government help me restore our homeland, I ask you out of your free will to return to help your home in these trying times.”

Stoic Bashir blinked and said “ No, I will not return to the government out of my free will….I done my duty for the Imperium, I served as loyal soldier, then as the Khaif, then once again as loyal soldier.. no more..I say…I done my public service and its has scar to the point of no return…if you were to order to me to return to the government then I shall do so it..because I shall never disobey the orders of you the Khaif nor ever take the sword against you the Khaif..” He pause for moment and said “ Its not to say I am not committed to rebuild our Imperium…but I can’t in good faith return to government after what I have seen in the typhoon wars .I will help rebuild the Imperium my own way..I use my wealth to help in reinvesting in our economy; I use my intelligence to teach the next generations to learn from this tragic page in our history and how to prevent it from recurring. I use my voice to speak out for the veterans to make sure they aren’t forgotten or swept under the rug once things start to better. That is how I am helping to rebuild our Imperium, my Sultan.”

The Sultan said “Very well…I will order you to rejoin the Government; we both know it will be counter productive in the long run. I do wish you the best of luck in your efforts to help in rebuilding the Imperium…god knows how much help we need in these trying times..but advise do you give for these times, oh Bashir?”

Bashir remarked “ Patience, give it time…there is always way and we will find one to restore our Imperium to its rightfully place in the place of thing..just have patience..Now if there isn’t anymore ….I must get going..I have many meeting to attend to.”

The Sultan nodded and said “Patience indeed…very well you are dismissed.”

Bashir bowed out of respect and left the room

The Sultan looked out the window and remarked “ Patience is currency of our people…and we must bitterly accept it for our own sanity sakes…” and then he went back to reviewing more reports.

"If the proper conditions can be met, it is very likely that Oceanian business will invest in the Black Banner," Astley replied. For a brief while, the two states had enjoyed a small but healthy economic relationship. However, after New Albion the feeling of cooperation had quickly soured—replaced by a culture of jingoism.

"The first step might well be the removal of any barriers to trade through the implementation of a bilateral free trade agreement. This would allow Oceanian goods needed if not desired by the Black Banner civilian population to reach the appropriate markets. It would also allow Oceanian firms to buy up assets and introduce cost-saving measures along with other improvements to increase labour productivity and general efficiency."

"Much of that, however, would be predicated upon the removal of the possibility of a resumption in hostilities. To assuage any such fears lingering in the market, His Majesty's Government would be interested in offering the Khailfah a treaty of non-aggression whereby both parties agree to resolve any and all remaining and future disputes through diplomatic processes rather than armed conflict."

Sokollu took a sip of his tea and replied “A bilateral free trade agreement can be done, with the terms you presented as for the non aggression treaty..it also can be. we no longer want to fight a war over some matter that can be fixed with easy via diplomatic means.” He sipped his tea again and said the following ” I can see this might be the dawn of a new era of relations, don’t you agree?” Then Sokollu smiled at the thought of it.

Emi remarked “ There is no glory in war..after fighting for one month..the only supplies we saw, were those that were infrequently airdrop into our city…which was unpredictable at best.. I remember one day..the supplies landed in the wrong part of town…a area where the rebels have just took over..my unit was order to retake the area and the supplies…it was brutal street to street fighting.. A mortar shell landed near me ,I barely made out alive..but I can’t say the same for more then half my unit..just college students…just killed right there and then..I still bear the scars of that shell..” She pointed to her right leg and remarked” I can’t stand for long periods of time..because of it..its a daily reminder for me..”

Richard nodded and said, "It was the same for me." With a monotone and a clear pain, it was becoming clear he really, really, REALLY did not want to talk much. The Cameraman looked at him, and nodded, waving at him to keep going. When Richard got up and said, "I am NOT A MONKEY!" to the Cameraman and stormed off, the Cameraman promptly walked up to him, stopped filming and grabbed him by the collar, slamming him into the table.

He then said, staring into Richard's eyes with the fury of endless torment, "You think you're the only one who's seen the shit, cocksucker? I've wanted to not speak, but I've spoken about it." Shaking Richard, the Cameraman said, "It's not pleasant, pretty boy. Get over it."

Richard stopped at that point, for the Cameraman had a way of getting the point across with that stare. Richard muttered with some contempt, "Fine."

Lightening up somewhat, he then facepalmed and sighed as he spoke.

"I was shot in the head, and amazingly lived. This was as the enemy launched a mortar attack and an assault, whereupon I opened fire with my own gun and covered for others as they left. Not that it helped much. A lot of them didn't make it out. Even then, shrapnel cut my face; the scar is a product. I'm not as regretful about my involvement, I did what I had to do. But somehow...I just want to leave it behind and go on. Can I have that much, Mr. Chandrasekharan?"

"Yes, Mr. Park," was Leonidas's reply.

Emi watch the scene with impassiveness, then she asked Leonidas “Is that all Mister Chandrasekharan? Or do you have more questions to ask us?”

KNN Online Edition

In today’s new, the Majiles have finally passed new union treaty for the Imperium, its official name is Reorganization Act. The detail goes as the following

1. The Dominions of European Union and Eurasia here by formally dissolve.
2. The following regions are here by granted full independence from the Black Banner Khailfah.
a. France
b. Germany(plus Austria)
c. Poland
d. Lowland counties
e. Czechoslovakia
f. Baltic States
g. Russia(plus Belarus minus Caucasus region) as shown in this map
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Ottoman01/untitled.jpg
h. Ukraine( Minus the Crimea) plus Moldova
3.The following regions of the ex dominions of EU and Eurasia are here by made as provinces of the Imperium
a. Transcauasia(Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan plus the North Caucasus region)
b. Italy
c.Al-Andalus (Spain and Portugal)
d.Romania
e.Hungary
f.Yugoslavia (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia)
g. Bulgaria
h.Greece (Including Crete and Cyprus)
i. Crimea

Note:Kazakhstan is joined with the province of Turkistan(compose of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgzstan and now Kazakhstan)


Sultan Uthman has formally signed the act into effect.

New Delhi, India, The Black Banner Khailfah


Shortly after his meeting with the Sultan, Dr.Bashir made a stop at local café to drink some Chai and read the newspaper. As soon he was settled in with his chai and newspaper. He heard someone pull out a chair next to him, Bashir didn’t brother to look up from his newspaper. He just remarked

“It’s been a while.”

The person replied “ Too long..didn’t expect to see you back in town after what we been though…”

Bashir still reading the newspaper remarked “ I been summoned by the Sultan..therefore here I am…why are you still here oh Faruq…I would have assume by now you would out of town..and in another country..by now.”

Faruq replied “ I am just a simple tailor nothing more nothing less.. besides I been summoned back by the head of black banner intelligence ..to help reorganize some assets..besides I miss the work…so what you been up besides being a business man, speaker at colleges and spokesperson for the veterans..”

Bashir remarked “Same as you…busy helping reorganize assets..in my case the arm forces..rather indirectly though…I do want to maintain a low profile..besides I am just a adviser..I don’t want to be back in government period.”

Faruq smiled and replied “Oh I just know you’ll back in government somehow…one of these days….our Imperium does need people like you and Sokollu to help run things and insure the Imperium doesn’t fall back into civil war…time will tell my old student…Now I must leave have run a business after all.”


With that Faruq walked away, Bashir remarked himself as he read the paper “ Faruq…always one to assume..”

Emi watch the scene with impassiveness, then she asked Leonidas “Is that all Mister Chandrasekharan? Or do you have more questions to ask us?”

Leonidas knew when to quit, and then simply nodded. He got up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your time" to all of them, and then the Cameraman nodded and did likewise. As they all left, Leonidas wondered what he had gotten himself into exactly. But it probably was something worth telling to the media.

As he spoke of the experience into the camera, he decided to focus on his familial search. Heading to India, he began asking around various military and civilian hospitals to figure out which of his relatives were left. Sadly, he could only find two, both in a civilian hospital undergoing treatment. His beloved Aunt, and his cousin Samir. The Aunt spoke of how the family became seperated; Samir quickly corroborated similar tales and his service too.

After all was said, done and filmed, Leonidas left them, with gifts of money, well wishes and some food he had purchased nearby to ease things a bit. He then went to his hotel room and began editing it all, backing it up onto no less than three backup drives before putting it all together. He found himself narrating extra sounds, speaking of what happened...and occasionally venturing to record more scenes with commentary. He then completed it all, simply, efficently, and on time, and left the Black Banner Imperium.

Several Weeks Later, the film itself was produced and ready for showing on Xenizen TV.....as this occurred, the participants in the film were invited for a screening in Hong Kong.

At the Post Screening Party in Hong Kong

Dr.Bashir being one of the few that partaken in the movie was sitting alone at the tables watching the people goes about their business as the party progressed.

“Doctor Bashir I presume? May take this seat?” asked Emi

Bashir looked up and said “Go ahead…so how is your father doing?”

“He is well, things are somewhat improving..so any thoughts to the movie?” she asked

“ I must say it’s well done…hats off to Leonidas and crew for their effort…hopefully people will act then to sitting around after watching the film.” Bashir remarked

“I hope so too..” replied Emi

“ I must say it’s well done…hats off to Leonidas and crew for their effort…hopefully people will act then to sitting around after watching the film.” Bashir remarked

“I hope so too..” replied Emi

"Oh, I'll help you guys."

Gordon Lew then stepped up to Bashir and Emi, and extended his hand. He then bowed and greeted Bashir with the warmth of an old friend. A smile accompanied the words, "I saw the film too...I must say, Mr. Bashir, the war really changed you. I'm also a bit concerned to see it changed your country in an unwanted fashion. Our government can be of assistance."

Bashir smiled and said” Well my friend…war is hell and I seen too much of it…I just a tired solider..” Bashir pause and asked” what kind of aid your taking about my friend?”

Black Banner Intel HQ formerly known as the AMI HQ, New Delhi, India, The Black Banner Khailfah

One of the few areas in New Delhi that wasn’t harmed in the fighting during the civil war was the Intel section for whatever reason it remains untouched. Today was just another day at the Intel section; employees were going about their daily business. But something out of the norm, a man with a brown leather coat, while wearing a black button up shirt and black pants walked the up the steps of the HQ building and entered. He quickly walked up the guards and remarked

“I have meeting with the head of Intel, here is my I.D.” He presented the I.D to the guard, who place it in a scanner to confirm his identity, and then the Guard remarked “ He is waiting for you..the other guards will take you to him.”

Then two guards dress in black uniforms took him down a series of hallways until they reached the elevator which takes them four stories underground. Then he went thought another series of I.D checks, then he was finally led to the “vault” or the Head of Intel office. The guards open the door and allow him in.

He came to find the Head of Intel reading the New Dehli Times with the headlines” New Oil deal to supply Quester, 20% of their oil needs finalized.”

The Head remarked “Adnan Sidran, Colonel, former commander of the 56th Bosnian Sniper Battalion, reward the order of the Black Banner for a confirm 200 kills in the Typhoon wars, and rumors goes you manger do 50 more unconfirmed kills, yet “died” in auto accident one year after the war ended as the public record states, now a agent for the Black Banner Intellegence Agency…oh yes goes under the name of hunt..” Then the Intel head put down his newspaper and looked at Agent Hunt

Agent Hunt (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Ottoman01/53c279da.jpg) simply smiled and remarked “ I wasn’t aware a mere tailor was now running the agency?”

Faruq al Mafee bin Hāni give a Chester cat grin and replied “ People in general aren’t aware of many things around them..besides I am after all just a simple tailor, who happens to have a hobby in intelligence gathing..so no hello sir how you doing for your former commander eh soldier?”

Agent Hunt replied” I don’t know what is the truth or what is the falsehood when I talk you at times sir..”

Faruq smiled and said “Good…its best to keep it this way.. now to cut to the chase..I reason summon you here is ..I have a special assignment for you..its fits your training and the fact your legally dead is a plus too..you are a ghost hence this job is perfectly made for you.”

“ That job is..” Agent Hunt asked with some interest

Faruq noted his interested and said “ Sure our nation is still shell shocked from the brutality of the civil war, yet our economy will recover within a few years..because of amount of aid we shall getting soon..from old friends…for now the Sultan wants to keep the Imperium at low profile until we are fully recovered …that doesn’t mean we don’t do business as usually in our line of business..because of the civil war, a numbers of our agents become retired or just went awol..for the most part we took care of the ones that went awol and keep a close watch on those who are retired.. yet there are a few loose cannons from the Assassins corps that must be taken care of at all cost..and some other rouge agents and formally contacts of ours. That must be taken care of…”

“So what’s this have to do with me?” asked Agent Hunt

Faruq smiled and said “You are to become our angel of death, you will hunt down these loose cannons of agents and contacts and get rid of them. Your face shall be the last face they look upon before they died or in some cases your weapons of choice. Do you accept this assignment?”

Agent Hunt replied “ Indeed…I am getting tired of all the paperwork I have to do at my field office..”

“Good…you start your job right away..your first series of assignments is in Upper Xen….remember you don’t exist in our files, furthermore as insurance policy. you did had to go those operations to change your eye color, some aspects of your face and of course finger prints. Just if you do get caught which is highly unlikely they won’t able to figure out you were..also don’t worry about how you get your targets info..it will be given to you…we will know where you are..so don’t about it…as for contacts… there is number of ex ami agents in Upper Xen..that owe me a favor or two..they give you a place of shelter and etc…since you are unknown to anyone in the Intel circles not even them would know of you.. Which is a good thing..but to insure you get their help..just said “The Tailor is around, don’t turn around..” They will understood what that means and help you out.. Any questions?” asked Faruq

Agent Hunt smiled and said” Not about the mission, its about how you became the head of this fair Intel agency while having the occupation tailor?”

Faruq just smiled and said “ Like you I don’t exist officially on the public record…I am really just a ghost..and how I got this job..there is always a reason to the madness…don’t try to use logic to get your answers..because you won’t get the answers YOU want..” Faruq then pull out something from desk and said “Here is your ticket to Hong Kong it leaves within the hour…oh yes tell Crazy Eyes I said hello.”

Agent Hunt just nodded and took the tickets, then left the office.

Bashir smiled and said” Well my friend…war is hell and I seen too much of it…I just a tired solider..” Bashir pause and asked” what kind of aid your taking about my friend?”

"Well let's just say I got plenty of resources left over after reorganizing. You'd be surprised how much money was leftover after we gave the Tongjing States back to the USA and saved a lot....not to mention the fact we've got plenty of food to spare."

Gordon coughed and said, "So I was thinking hard currency like precious metals, food, medical supplies, building supplies, and industrial and agricultural equipment could be made available to fix things up. A lot either for free or rockbottom price. Emphasis on the free, since I know a lot of people in Congress who'd be interested in putting the Black Banner Imperium back together and who can be persuaded to do something pro-bono."

Bashir smiled and remarked “ We shall always remember this my friend..thank you…whos know we might a school after you for your help in our time of need.” After saying that Bashir just kept smiling,in reality he was a state of dismay, Bashir knew without a strong will of an High Chancellor and Board of Review, corruption would run rampart in the Imperium with Governors or Ministers trying to take a share for themselves, just further undermined the Imperium stability. He thought to himself” Bloody Faruq..you were right this time..”

Shortly after the post screening party, Bashir went back to New Delhi to visit the Sultan and to tell him he reassess, his stance on returning to the government and was willing to come back. Shortly that meeting, Bashir was appointed the New High Chancellor of the Imperium, just was now the head of the board of review..

Flash forward two months

With the massive influx of Upper Xen aid, the Imperium recovery efforts got a much need boost. The signs of recovery were shown all over the place in the Imperium reconstruction projects were in high gear with additional supplies flowing in from Upper Xen. Another much needed boost that was given to the Imperium was food aid that was coming in from Upper Xen, which help drop food prices in the market by half. For once in long time, people were able to buy bread and no more just eating legumes for dinner. Many analyst expect the Black Banner Imperium will be back on its feet economically within 8 years in part of the aid from Upper Xen.
With the situation finally stabilizing, the Government finally begun to enact some longed delayed acts , which the government decide to hold off until the situation improved for the Imperium overall, which it has happen over the past few months. The first act of the Government was to end the military rule of the ex rebel regions and restore the civilian governments for those regions. The next series of reforms were mostly related to cutting red tape and other civic reforms.
Meanwhile the Navy, Army and Air Force all enact their own kind of reforms to insure they were able to defend the homeland and to rebuild their ability to project their power outside of the Imperium. The navy continue its on going plans to build a carrier led battle group with a strong sub, whereas the army enact its four year long reforms to downsize the army and make it fast mobile strike force, as for the air force it was now time to build up in assets and organize a strong force capability of striking targets all over in the world.
While this was all happening, High Chancellor Bashir and board of review begun carrying a brutal anti corruption campaign to root out corruption in the Imperium. Within two months into the job, Bashir and Board of review give over 60 blinding opinions to Sultan to dismiss 10 governors and 50 ministers for conduct unbecoming of public officials. Shortly after being dismissed these officials were bought up on formal charges by the JAG courts and were standing trial for corruption and if found guilty they were given the death sentence by hanging for breaking Islamic Cannon law. The government wanted to get the message, try to be corrupt and you will be hanged. Another note of interested after returning from his mission in Oceania, Mehmed Pasa Sokollu was made the new Foreign Minister of the Imperium.

Things were finally looking up for the Imperim of the Black Banner after four years of brutal civil war and two years of post war hardship.