NationStates Jolt Archive

(News from yesterday)

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Royal Palace taken by communists, King and his family kept as prisoners


(Journalist Laura McKenney, from BTV channel)
This is Laura McKenney, speaking a few blocks from the Royal Palace. We’ve just been informed that terrorists have taken the Royal Palace, keeping the King and Queen, together with their children, as prisoners. The terrorists are said to belong to the illegal Communist Party.

(Shots are heard from the palace. McKenney and her team move from where they are to find a safe place. While she runs, she still talks to the camera)

Did you hear that?? Shots from the palace! They are shooting someone or something! We’d better move. I repeat: the royal family is being kept prisoner by these terrorists.

(News from today)

ARMY CRACKS DOWN TERRORISTS

Yesterday night, after a violent day of confrontation with the army, the terrorists surrendered. One soldier died during the shooting, while five terrorists were killed, and another one shot himself.

The terrorists were, as it was said yesterday, members of the Communist Party, which is illegal in Brasland but still has some presence in the southeast area of the country. Fifty two terrorists are now kept in a secret location, probably being interrogated by the Army.

General Klaus Morleggen, Army Chief, declared: “We defeated the terrorists and the situation is now safe. However, the palace’s area will be locked for an uncertain period of time, and no person will be able to circulate, except for residents. We are also declaring state of alert in the whole nation. Brasland’s frontiers have been strengthened, and security in the city of Markund is being doubled.”

When asked about the Royal Family, General Morleggen refused to give information: “Considering the traumatic situation they have been through and their security, I cannot disclose any information.”

“Are they all right?”, asked Laura McKenney, the same journalist who broadcasted live from the royal palace yesterday.

Morleggen, however, did not answer, and left the conference room.

The royal family’s situation is not clear. A few pictures have been published of the Queen and the royal children getting out of the palace, aided by soldiers. However, no picture of the King has been taken, which has lead to speculation over His Majesty’s current condition. The palace’s employees and court officers have been forbidden to give information to the press. It is said that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Count Alan Wandorff, will give more information tomorrow. According to the Constitution, in case that the King is unable to fulfill his duties, a Regent will be appointed. The Constitution says that the Speaker of the House will rule the country until the regent is appointed.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE ROYAL HOUSE

It is with great sadness that, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and of the Royal Family, we announce the death of His Majesty King George III.

His Majesty died today earlier in the morning at the Military Hospital of Markund, where he was taken from the Royal Palace yesterday at night. The King was severely wounded as a result of the confrontation between the Army and the terrorists that kidnapped him and his family. He was taken immediately to the Military Hospital, but his state of health was already extremely serious. The hospital team that took care of him did their utmost effort to save his life, but nothing could be done.

King George III died unconscious, accompanied by his wife, the Queen, his two sisters (Princesses Laure and Marguerite), and his brother-in-law, the Count of Henslen. His children were not allowed to see him given their young age and the shock they had already suffered hours before.

Count Erasmus von Trielle
Grand Chamberlain of the Royal Court

***

Count Alan Wandorff, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has sent his condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of Parliament for the death of the King.

The Speaker also announced that Queen Charlotte will assume the Regency for her son, King Paul (3 years old). This means that she will assume all the duties that according to the Constitution correspond to the King. This situation will continue until the young King assumes the majority of age, which in Brasland is 18 years old.

Wandorff also announced that the Queen Regent will address the nation during the next days.

Official Communique
To: the Kingdom of Brasland
From: The Democratic Republic of Comorostan
We have been watching the situation in your country closely. We realize this insidious attack on your royal family may be only the beginning of a larger plot. To insure stability, we offer to send two divisions, one armored and one mechanized, to help secure your nation.
Signed,
Premier General Cyrano Jones

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The funeral of H.M. King George III will take place on Monday at St. Nicholas' Cathedral. This will be a State occassion, and thus all the Heads of State are invited to pay their last respects to the King.

Personal condolences will be given to the Queen and Royal Family later at Marsburg Castle.

Official Response of the Fascist Federation of the Grand World Order

The Federation delivers and official Declaration of War against the Communist terrorists in Brasland. No quarter will be given, and with the permission of the Brasland government, we would like to deploy the Federal Guard ((GWO National/Military Police)) as well as various SFOD special forces units to utterly destroy the filthy Communists.

With love, the Grand World Order Office of Foreign Affairs

Official Communique from the Volzgradien Government
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The Government and Royal Family of Volzgrad would like to extent their sincere condolences to the Braslandian Royal Family and the people of Brasland. This despicable turn of events is truly shocking and foul. These Communist scum must be made to pay for their crimes! If you are interested, then the Volzgradien Military is more then ready to sent a contingent of Royal Patriotic Guardsmen immediately to stabilize the situation. Wervilk Death Squads are also on standby if you believe the situation has escalated beyond the capabilities of the current forces stationed in your nation.

Sincerely,
Grand Duke Alexandr Kavinkov II

To: The Brasland Department of Foreign Affairs

From: East Congaree Executive Office

East Congaree would like to send a force to Brasland to help supress the communists within the nation.

-Reginald Deere


From: East Congaree Executive Office

To: Communist Insurgency Groups in Brasland

Nothing short of war has been declared on you.


-Reginald Deere

To: The Brasland Department of Foreign Affairs
From: Chazakain High Command

As a nation well verse in the ways of the vile communists and their support of civilian/royal targeting "freedom fighters". We find the death of your king the most shocking in these events. You have our sincerest and most heartfelt wishes and prayers, if you need any military, economic or social help just call.

Sincerely
General H.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE HIERPHILIAN GOVERNMENT

TO: The Braslandian Royal Family

We receive the news of His Majesty's death with great regret and as a token of our well meaning we would like to extend a hand to the Braslandian Royal Family. In the event that your intelligence agency reveals another possible attack, the Royal Family is welcome to take refuge in Hierphil. Hierphil whole heartedly rejects the Communist terrorists' actions and we hope for a peaceful resolve to this unfortunate conflict.

Kind regards,
Richard Way, Minister of Foreign Affairs

With permissions from
Remus York, Prime Minister

STATEMENT FROM H.M. QUEEN CHARLOTTE


Dear friends,

It is with great emotion that I have read your messages of support and offers of help. I will always remember your gestures with gratitude, and the people of Brasland will never forget the solidarity you have shown to us. However, I must clarify that Brasland’s Army is perfectly capable of keeping the country in peace and order. I have already ordered to send special military units to the southeast area of Brasland, but I cannot reveal anything else for the moment, for security reasons.

The Braslandian Royal Police and the Braslandian Intelligence Agency (BIA) are working with the prisoners to get more information. When we find more, we will make an announcement.

Charlotte R.

***
OOC: Charlotte R. stands for “Charlotte Regina”. Regina is the latin word for Queen.

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The United Socialist States of the Techno-Soviet
The Technocratic Council

To the Royal Family of Brasland,

We deplore the use of violence to solve political problems, including the use of violence by the government. Outlawing a political group simply because you fear it gaining power does not constitute an equal right and we feel that these Communists within your borders acted in the only way they could. However, we extend our dearest condolences to the Royal Family of Brasland and wish them well.

To the Government of the United Socialist States of the Techno-Soviet,


Brasland will not tolerate such intrusion on its internal affairs. You are clearly not concerned of past actions by the Communist Party in Brasland. The party used to be legal in our country, until they realized they wouldn't be able to practice their policies in Brasland (given their lack of popular support) and they decided to use a violent way to reach power. After a series of tragic terrorist attacks to national buildings and public figures, King Frederick (father of the late King George III) decided to outlaw the party and ordered the arrest of their (terrorist) leaders, many of whom are now hidden, and their locations remain unknown until today. The recent attacks towards the monarchy, which is considered the very symbol of Brasland, only shows that such decission was wise, and that we were too soft with them. The Queen Regent will not tolerate anymore of these attacks again, and we will make our best efforts to disarticulate the illegal party and find all their leaders and put them into jail, after a trial to make them pay for all their actions and victims, of which King George is the latest.

We demand a public apology from the Techno-Soviet for offending not only our Royal Family, but also the memories of all the hundreds of victims that the Communists have cowardly murdered in Brasland.

Ronald Keuffer
Braslandian Minister of Foreign Affairs

From:Union of Socialist States of Vetia
To: Kingdom of Brasland

If the Communist Party has been outlawed simply to stop it from growing to powerful then they cannot be blamed for thinking the only way to be heard is by violence. A Democracy has to allow all parties to take part even the ones which do not agree with the system.

If you were to give the party a say in Government it would avoid this more desperate form of Communism. I know it might seem hypocritical since we in fact have only recently overthrown our own monarchy but that was because we had spent years on the run and being hunted down by Royalist Spys and knew our only option was to seize control. This should make you understand that all your actions will do is create sympathy for the Communist and if anything make a takeover more likely.

Allow them to have a voice as I am sure this was simply a small bunch of Fanatics and do not represent the entire Socialist Community which is the mistake allot of Capitalist nations tend to make.

We send our condolences to the Royal Family for the attack.

Yours Sincerely,

Kirith Ballu, Minister of Foreign Affairs

TO: Brasland

To set the record straight, our government never underestimated your own nor the man power of your army. However, this nation does not tolerate violence and we completely belive in diplomacy. We reccommend scheduling a meeting with the Communist leaders to work out an agreement or at least clarify demands.
In addition, if the Royal family is underattack and your nation no longer becomes safe, our safehaven offer still stands.

Kind regards,
Richard Way, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Your Majesty,

I am truly sorry for the horrible tragedy which has taken place in Brasland - I, being someone who has lost my parents (OOC: the Queen is only fourteen) to the Communists can understand how you must be feeling at the moment with the loss of your husband. I am sure that he was a good man. The Queendom of Soryanastan was once ruled - illegally - by the Communists who killed multitudes of citizens during and after their revolution had ended. Although I was, myself, an observer of Parliament's session, I ought to tell you that the Queendom of Soryanastan condemns the Communist Party of Brasland and wishes to send its support to you and your family in light of this horrible event. I shall attend the funeral of your husband along with my nation's foreign minister - who is quite hopeful to convey his government's intentions in person.

Sincerely,
Janata,
Queen of Soryanastan, etc.

To: The Royal Family of Brasland
From: Imperial Diplomatic Ministry
Subject: Tragedy
Dear Sister,
The Imperial Family and Afrika itself condemn communism, revolution-ism and barbaric acts on all fronts. We humbly accept the invitation to visit the funeral of the honarable H.M. King George III. The entire reigning family will arrive (12 members), convey our deepest regards to the Widowed Queen. The communist brutality shall not go unpunished, rest assured such treacherous actions will not be tolerated by the international community.

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FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SUPREME EMPEROR
MR. LARRY WILLIAMS
While we do not agree with the banning of any political groups, we here in the Shazbotdom Empire will do what we can to assist in the situation. We will offer The Kingdom of Brasland the option to deport the Nationals from within their nation that fly the Communism flag to the Shazbotdom Empire or one of it's 4 Colonies. We just need the numbers on how many are a member of the Communist Party within your nation and we will send as many aircraft as we can to bring this unwanted element out of your nation and to our own, where they will be given full Citizenship within the Shazbotdom Empire.

We will give you time to get the figures together and figure out if you wish to deport them to the Shazbotdom Empire. Please note also that we will pay for all the costs of the deportation process and you will not need to pay us any monetary contribution for us taking them off of your hands.

THE DAILY STANDARD

Who is "K"?

The Army has revealed a phone conversation between Aaron Larsch, the leader of the terrorists, and a mysterious man, called “K”.


Bullets went from the palace to the streets, and vice versa. The terrorists knew that there was nothing they could do. The army would defeat them. If they continued, they would die. If they surrendered, jail for life was the most certain of their future. They decided to surrender. One of their leaders, Aaron Larsch, did not accept this decision and, desperate, shot himself.
The terrorists left the palace, hands up, and their faces covered. Among the things found at the palace, was Larsch’s cell phone. During the confrontation, the Braslandian Intelligence Agency (BIA) intercepted all the palace’s phones in order to get any valuable information. The only relevant call was one made by Larsch, two hours before committing suicide.

Here is a transcription of the phone call, courtesy of the Braslandian Royal Army:

Larsch: We will fight till the end.
K: They will crush you, but you must keep up with the plan.
Larsch: Are you sure this will work??
K: Yes, he must die.
Larsch: But the army will crush us, as you say. So what’s the point of killing him??
K: This is only the first stage.
Larsch: She will never forgive us, you know that.
K: She will be in a difficult position, there’s nothing she can do.
Larsch: I don’t know. I will fight till the end, you know that, but my men are scared. I fear they’ll ruin all this.
K: Shot anyone who wants to surrender. I will not tolerate any traitors.
Larsch: What will happen if they discover you?
K: I have my tracks well covered, don’t worry.

The Army and the BIA are now investigating about this mysterious “K”. General Morleggen, Army Chief, has refused to reveal any possible theory. “This is an issue of national security, and we have not reached to any serious result yet. We have received some offers of help from allied nations, and we are evaluating if we accept their help or continue with the investigation alone. Meanwhile, I ask all the media to be cautious about this matter and not try to alarm the population.”

An inside source from the army says that the transcription reveals worrying information: "When "K" says "He must die", he obviously refers to the King, and when Larsch says "She will never forgive us, you know that", he's referring to the Queen not forgiving them for killing the King. So the phone call reveals that the terrorists goal was not to get attention from the media so the government could give them what they want. Their goal was to murder the King."
But why they didn't kill him and surrendered instead? The source says: "They clearly wanted to left him wounded, so that everyone thought that his death was accidental. But now that we have Larsch's phone call with this mysterious K, we can safely assume that the King's death, accidental or not, was part of the plan. What is extremly worrying is that, in K's words, this is only the first stage. So this is part of a bigger plan. What are the communists pretending to do? We don't know."


***

Charlotte was exhausted. As she lay on the sofa, sad, tired and confused, she was thinking about the new information that General Morleggen had told her. Was it possible that the communists had influence even in such important levels of Braslandian society? Didn’t George tell her that Communists were not a problem for Brasland? Was he lying to her or he wasn’t aware of the situation?

If Morleggen’s revelation was true, then the monarchy was in serious risk. To think that important members of Parliament and a prince of the Royal House were involved in the attacks was too much to bear. But she couldn’t make any move before the funeral. No, she wanted everything to be perfect for her last goodbye to her husband, George III, by the Grace of God King of Brasland.

Someone knocked the door. The Queen sighed. Times of uncertainty would come.

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The United Socialist States of the Techno-Soviet
The Technocratic Council

We realize that our previous statement was rather blunt, almost cold. We, however, will not step down from our position of the matter. Murdering or imprisoning the innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the radical movement in your nation will accomplish nothing at all. These fascistic actions are deplorable, detestable even. If you feel that your nation would be safer without said political party, we're willing to accept refugees who flee from this persecution. We're also ready to accept deportees to our nation, where they shall be granted full citizenship rights and all that it entails.

Again the Techno-Soviet makes statements that reveal their ignorance on the subject. We have never stated that we will murder anyone, even less innocent civilians. The death penalty was abolished by King George III, except for exceptional cases (like high treason). However, we will chase and imprison the people who are responsible on the attacks. They will receive a fair trial according to the laws of the country, but we will use all the power that the Constitution confers to us to make them pay for what they did. We will not rest until all the murderes are in prison. This, wether the Techno-Soviet likes it or not. Brasland is a sovereign nation and does not tolerate intrusions to its internal issues, even less from totalitarian socialist regimes where respect to human rights is highly dubious.

Ronald Keuffer,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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From Her Royal Majesty, Empress Tara Whyt, Ruler of the Void and Her Colonies
To the Royal Family of Brasland
First, allow me to offer my sincerist condolences at the loss of your King, your husband, your father at the hands of the terrorists. The Void pledges it support to you in any way we can in the rooting out and punishment of these vile, cowardly monsters. Terrorism must be eliminated in all of it's forms, and we wish to help. While you have said that you do not desire military aid now, we can offer the services of the Intelligence Bureau to you. In addition, if you should ever find yourselves in too great a danger to stay in your country, the Void is willing to shelter you until you can return.

Sincerly,
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Approved by the Foreign Affairs Bureau

OOC:
Why was my post ignored?

THE DAILY STANDARD

Foreign leaders send their condolences to Queen Charlotte


After the news of King George’s death went public, foreign media has been covering closely how events develop in Brasland. Several foreign governments have send their condolences to Queen Charlotte, from nations as far as Comorostan, Hierphil, the Grand World Order, East Congaree, Chazakian, Shazbotdom or Vetia, and monarchs like Grand Duke Alexander Kavinkov II of Volzgrad, Queen Janata of Soryanastan and the Imperial family of Afrika.

However, not all messages have been completely polite to Brasland. The socialist state of the Techno-Soviet has been trying to interfere in the process of investigation and chase of the terrorists. With their uninformed statements, which reveal their complete ignorance on the history of past communist actions in Brasland, they have helped to confuse foreign public opinion, giving them a biased view of Brasland’s actions.

One message that was very expected and that received the most attention was the one from Solisbury. As it is well-known, Solisbury’s president William Statham was a close friend and confidant of King George. On a public statement sent by the president’s office, he informs that he and his pregnant wife, Karen, plan to stay for an unspecified period of time in Brasland to accompany the Queen on these difficult moments.

A young widow, covered in black, was walking through the street. She was carrying a boy with one hand, and with the other she was holding a girl’s hand. Behind them, a long line of people were following. In front of them, a carriage adorned with white flowers was carrying a coffin, covered by a flag. On each of the street sides, there were people, watching in silence as the widow and her children followed the coffin of their husband and father.
Finally, they arrive to the cathedral. A president, three princes, and two counts carried the coffin inside. Slowly, following Queen Charlotte and her two children, the guests filled the church.
Cardinal Julius Galbiotti felt emotional as he started the funeral ceremony, but he did his best to hide his feelings. King George had not only been an excellent king, but also a very religious man, and a good friend. The cardinal had been the king’s confessor since George III was 18 years old, and he came to know the monarch’s virtues – and also his weaknesses – very well. He had been a devout and faithful husband, a caring father and a loyal friend. At the young age of 31 years old, after five years of reign, George III was gone.
As Cardinal Galbiotti began the mass, the Queen couldn’t help shedding some tears. Although her marriage to George was an arranged one, both spouses truly loved each other, and Charlotte felt impotent as she saw that after four years of marriage her happiness had disappeared.

OOC: All those who want to be part of the funeral story (giving their characters perspective and participation on the ceremony), please feel free to do it!

High Councilor David Marshall and the entire Takaram Council, along with several high ranking Senators, sat amongst several other foreign leaders and dignitaries. Marshall felt horrible about not having been able to offer condolences to the Queen, though situations elsewhere had occupied him for some time. While the King and High Councilor had never spoken, Marshall had always considered Brasland a nation he could trust, and he fully intended to offer condolences after the ceremonies should the Queen Regent still be available. He snapped back into attention as the mass began.

The Queen of Soryanastan had known how it felt to lose someone you love - having lost her parents during the revolution - and the memories of her loss filled her mind as she took her seat in the church with her companions, all of them offering condolences to the late King of Brasland's loved ones, making comparisons to the Communists who once ruled Soryanastan. Janata could see the Queen with her children and she sighed, feeling distressed with her surroundings. She was attending the funeral with her aristocratic regent and the Foreign Minister who represented the Soryana government during these tragic times. There were people back in the Queendom watching the news, local magazines condemning this latest tragedy as evidence of what they deemed was the typical bloodlust inherent in Communists. Queen Janata stood stoically for the mass, as did her companions, though they may have not been members of the faith. Janata had - in her fourteen years of life - subscribed to agnosticism in a nation where Christians and pagans lived as brothers for centuries. Yet, despite this, she didn't feel it would prevent her from being there to support a fellow monarch.

The Imperial Family arrived dressed in all black. The Empress and the Emperor lead the column, looking as somber as if one of their own children had been taken from them. Wishes of better fortune were offered to members of the Braslandian Royal Family, while greetings were exchanged with foreign dignitaries in an attempt to improve the international standing of the Empire.

Tinagel Network News
The Imperial Family made a "surprise" visit to Brasland to attend the funeral of King George III, who had been brutally assassinated by communist terrorists. Many other royal families attended as did many foreign dignitaries.

Somewhere there is a building, small and blocky, slung low to the ground. It is far from the nearest city, miles away on back roads leading through expanses of bracken and swamp, and then on dirt and gravel roads where the paved roads give out. The building looks like a ranch house, flimsy and ramshackle; but it is strange that anyone would want to build a house here, so far from the nearest town, without anything particularly interesting around.

There is a thunderstorm brewing on the horizon. The man who likes to call himself "Shadow" stares at it for a moment, his gaze projecting itself over the encroaching storm clouds visible in the spaces beyond the slightly yellowing paint on the inside of the house. In its vastness the storm looms over the ranch house, reminding him of how small he truly is. Surprising, then, how something so small can, just sometimes, be so powerful....

Shadow turns away from the window and sighs. It's his one weakness: he always feels the need to come out here, well away from civilization at large, to do his terrorist-y stuff. Someday, he knows, it'll do him in. But he's never felt entirely comfortable doing it in the cities. Sure, he's fine with killing thousands of people -- he's done it, too -- but ever since he got his promotion (and, in retrospect, "Shadow" was a kind of corny codename; one totally unsuitable for one as influential as he) he's felt somewhat uncomfortable just making telephone calls, writing e-mails, transferring funds.

Because that's all he does. He drives hundreds of miles out to the middle of nowhere just to make phone calls and write e-mails and the like -- it's probably been years since he last saw any white phosphorous or Sarin, let alone deployed it in the name of pissing off law enforcement agencies majorly. He tells people that he goes out there to be alone. Nobody believes him. They think he's having an affair. Even his wife does. (And indeed, he's arranged the ranch house with a double bed and some women's clothes in the closet; it makes a good cover story. He can't go to prison for it, anyway.)

Shadow is leader of the regional branch of an organisation called Karatsai, which you probably haven't heard of. One could call it an anarchist terrorist organization, in the same way the Joker is anarchist. But mostly it seems to commit acts of terrorism because it enjoys them. It especially enjoys the purely academic pleasure of pulling off terrorist attacks against the world's most highly protected targets -- sometimes, attacks that go undiscovered or unsolved for years. And it is very good at manipulating other terrorist organisations with more concrete goals.

There is one more item of importance about Karatsai agents. They are deep cover. Sometimes deep enough to become police superintendents, military officers, .... even government ministers.

It is time for Shadow to make another phone call.

"Dogfish?" [pause] "Get in persona. We need another tidbit or two on K. Arrange for something to be discovered." [pause] "I don't know! A folder or something. It's your operation." [pause] "We're delivering it tonight. Reynolds will have the information."

hmm. how far ahead have you planned this? I wouldn't want to disrupt anything important. But if you don't mind, I can coordinate terrorist operations, within whatever limitations you desire. /OOC

Official Comunique to Brasland
President John Henry Eden sends his gravest condolences to the Braslandian Royal family on their loss, he will make it a top prority to assist the Braslandian government to stamp out these terrorists.

In the procession
The Jakran segment of the procession was small but sincere, Eden lead the group flanked by his Chief of Staff (and sister) and his primary bodyguard all wearing black. Following in his wake was half a dozen Jakran VIPs and finally the 10 man Honor Guard of Jakran Sentinels, who upon reaching the gravesite would give the king Jakra's highest honor the 30 gun salute (normally reserved for Presidents, but this was a special exception)

Kirith Ballu, the head of The Department of Foreign Affairs for Vetia was at the ceremony along with the General of the 3rd army John Leopold.

Both were in suits for the occasion and had enough political sense to not wear tradition Hammer&Sickle badges which at home would mark them as friends of the Socialist Assembly. Leopold had his Medallion of the Roman Eagle on his chest, a medal he won during his fights during his time in the Royalist Military.

John whispers to Kirith

"Ironic is it, most of us were willing to do exactly this to our own King during the revolution"

"The soldiers and workers maybe, but the Union never wanted the King dead. Our anger was at the Governments corruption and the only sin the King had was his failure to act and call for re-election"

"Still, you do realize if the citizens here knew who we were they would call for our blood?"

"Charles thought it best to use this to show we are not typical cold blooded Communist, I agree with him as well. Positive press is the key to winning allies from non-Socialist nations"

"it's always politics"

"You are learning quickly General"

Dressed in ceremonial uniform, the heads of the Three Houses and the Emperess stood silently, caps in hand and heads bowed as the hearse carriage passed by, then filed into the church. They all felt slightly unsure of themselves, as they were not used to the mass, having attended 2 between them. Each one wore a small obsidian mourning necklace and ring, as was the custom, Tara Whyt carrying an extra set of the jewelery for the widowed Queen.