The Covenant Can wilted flowers bloom once more?
Today marks a historic day. A crucial step to the defeat of zones have been made. We have joined hands with the Seraphs of above. Together we will reclaim our birthrights and no longer will we be harmed by sins of distant kins! – Academian Bashtarle
The Cold League will open certain areas to Seraphs. These areas are overseen by the Many-Eyed Ministry and considered embassies.
The Eden-511 Seraphs will, approved by the committee, act as guides during zone explorations and assist in risk rating assessments.
The Cold League and The Eden 511 Fortress will mutually allow movement of goods.
For the defense of Order and Peace on Earth, the monarchs of the Empire of Siberia, the Divine Monarchy of CanMexico, the Margraviate of Jaburo, the New Ethiopian Empire, and the Principality of Bolivia (hereafter the Signatory Monarchs), alongside the Pater Patrum Extraordinarii of the Cult of Apollo-Mithras (hereafter the League Patriarch), do hereby swear in the name of the Most Holy God a Holy League of mutual aid and defense.
I. The Signatory Monarchs of the Holy League swear a pact of mutual military defense. If one state is injured, all other Signatory Monarchs will support that state in military self-defense, in proportion to need. The League Patriarch bears no military obligation, but will likewise be defended under the same terms, and is expected to bless such defensive military endeavors as are invoked by this article.
II. Likewise, all Signatory Monarchs are strictly forbidden from militarily attacking another, and are understood to be brother monarchs that will resolve their differences through peaceful arbitration. In the event of irreconcilable differences between Signatory Monarchs, all agree to accept binding arbitration by the League Patriarch.
III. Likewise, in the event of signatories engaging in war against a common foe, through the invocation of Article I or otherwise, Signatory Monarchs are forbidden from negotiating separately a peace treaty with said common foe. The Holy League will negotiate any such treaty by mutual assent of the Signatory Monarchs, with blessing from the League Patriarch.
IV. Members of the Holy League swear to act in the mutual interest of all signatories in matters of diplomacy and trade with non-signatories, and to advance the interests of Stability and Order within the sphere of Earth.
V. The president authority of this League (the League Patriarch) will be vested in the Pater Patrum Extraordinarii, otherwise known as the Pontifex Maximus, of the Cult of Apollo-Mithras, and all matters concerning the full organization will be determined by mutual assent of the Signatory Monarchs, that is, the persons of Emperor of Siberia, the King of CanMexico, the Margravine-Princess of Jaburo, the Ethiopian Emperor, and the Prince of Bolivia, with the League Patriarch voicing final approval and blessing.
VI. In addition to the obligations of Article I, the Divine Monarchy of CanMexico pledges the creation of a Patriarchal Guard permanently garrisoned on Vancouver Island, consisting of no less than 10 Brigades at any given time.
VII. This treaty is effective for five years, commencing January 1, 1001 AC and terminating December 31, 1005 AC, after which point it may be extended by unanimous consent of all signatories or, if applicable, their legal successors.
[X] King James Lyons de Tronto-Mexia, Divine Monarch of CanMexico
[ ] Pater Patrum Extraordinarii of the Cult of Apollo-Mithras @Fancy Face
[ ] Emperor of Siberia @DanBaque
[ ] Margravine-Princess of Jaburo @ArvisPresley
[ ] Emperor of Ethiopia
[ ] Prince of Bolivia @BiopunkOtrera
For the defense of Order and Peace on Earth, the monarchs of the Empire of Siberia, the Divine Monarchy of CanMexico, the Margraviate of Jaburo, the New Ethiopian Empire, and the Principality of Bolivia (hereafter the Signatory Monarchs), alongside the Pater Patrum Extraordinarii of the Cult of Apollo-Mithras (hereafter the League Patriarch), do hereby swear in the name of the Most Holy God a Holy League of mutual aid and defense.
I. The Signatory Monarchs of the Holy League swear a pact of mutual military defense. If one state is injured, all other Signatory Monarchs will support that state in military self-defense, in proportion to need. The League Patriarch bears no military obligation, but will likewise be defended under the same terms, and is expected to bless such defensive military endeavors as are invoked by this article.
II. Likewise, all Signatory Monarchs are strictly forbidden from militarily attacking another, and are understood to be brother monarchs that will resolve their differences through peaceful arbitration. In the event of irreconcilable differences between Signatory Monarchs, all agree to accept binding arbitration by the League Patriarch.
III. Likewise, in the event of signatories engaging in war against a common foe, through the invocation of Article I or otherwise, Signatory Monarchs are forbidden from negotiating separately a peace treaty with said common foe. The Holy League will negotiate any such treaty by mutual assent of the Signatory Monarchs, with blessing from the League Patriarch.
IV. Members of the Holy League swear to act in the mutual interest of all signatories in matters of diplomacy and trade with non-signatories, and to advance the interests of Stability and Order within the sphere of Earth.
V. The president authority of this League (the League Patriarch) will be vested in the Pater Patrum Extraordinarii, otherwise known as the Pontifex Maximus, of the Cult of Apollo-Mithras, and all matters concerning the full organization will be determined by mutual assent of the Signatory Monarchs, that is, the persons of Emperor of Siberia, the King of CanMexico, the Margravine-Princess of Jaburo, the Ethiopian Emperor, and the Prince of Bolivia, with the League Patriarch voicing final approval and blessing.
VI. In addition to the obligations of Article I, the Divine Monarchy of CanMexico pledges the creation of a Patriarchal Guard permanently garrisoned on Vancouver Island, consisting of no less than 10 Brigades at any given time.
VII. This treaty is effective for five years, commencing January 1, 1001 AC and terminating December 31, 1005 AC, after which point it may be extended by unanimous consent of all signatories or, if applicable, their legal successors.
[X] King James Lyons de Tronto-Mexia, Divine Monarch of CanMexico
[ ] Pater Patrum Extraordinarii of the Cult of Apollo-Mithras @Fancy Face
[ ] Emperor of Siberia @DanBaque
[ ] Margravine-Princess of Jaburo @ArvisPresley
[ ] Emperor of Ethiopia
[ ] Prince of Bolivia @BiopunkOtrera
Just as the Universe is brought into Order around the Sun, whose name is Apollo, and whose Dominion is Creation; so too must the Earth Sphere be brought into Harmony in accordance with such Universal Principles. The Creation of the Earthly Paradise is the Work of Generations and thus begins now.
[X] Ratified by the personal signature of Her Highness, Margravine-Princess Evangelista Qasvah Jaburo, First of Her Name.
[X] Georgi-IV, Tsar and Autokrat of the Great Host of Siberia, Kasr' of Wyrmania, Protector of the Monde, Vasilee of the Patriarchs, First among the Princes, Blood-borne from Heaven, Kniatz of Yakutks, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, Sibirsk, Guoryo, and the Dragon; Rumin Rege, Rege of Adlar, of the Rivers, of the Chingghis; Alducs of Ianadu, of Lefan, of the Eastern Tower, High Commizzar of the State, Iorl of Earth, Grand Steward, Herald of Dawn, Child of Starlight's Sight, Son of the Bushy-Bearded, Guide of the People, Director of the Noble Energies, Eternal Heart of Love and Passion, Chosen by Divine, Unmatched Father, Iron-Willed Defender of Jian-Vilisk, Commander-in-Full of the Mightiest Host, son of the Most-Beloved LORD IMPERIAL.
1. The contracting parties are the Federation of Pacific Islands, the Caspian Sea Republic, the Free Republic of Egypt, the Amazon Territories, and the states of Kenya, Thailand, Chile, Arabia, and Sudan, henceforth referred to as the signatory powers.
2. The signatory powers freely and of their own volition enter into a political alignment, military alliance, and economic bloc, to be known as the Oceans, Seas, and Rivers Alliance, or OSRA.
3. The signatory powers pledge themselves to the establishment of justice, the promotion of fair and free societies, and the defense of the rights of the human and the citizen.
4. The signatory powers commit themselves to the common defense of all signatories; an attack upon one signatory is considered an attack on all.
5. The signatory powers shall endeavor to advance the common defense and mutual prosperity through further agreements, meetings, and treaties.
6. After the initial signing of this agreement, additional members may be admitted to the Alliance by the unanimous consent of the signatory powers.
[X] Federation of Pacific Islands
[X] Caspian Sea Republic
[X] Free Republic of Egypt
[X] Amazon Territories
[X] Kenya
[X] Thailand
[X] Chile
[X] Arabia
[X] Sudan
The Alpine Imperate guarantees the independence of the Caspian Sea Republic and the Free Republic of Egypt, and it's full military support in the event of it being invaded.
In the event of The Caspian Sea Republic embarking on an offensive war, then the Alpine Imperate may consider permitting the formation of an officially sanctioned volunteer force to assist.
The Alpine Imperate will not directly initiate a war against the Algerian Socialist Republic.
The Caspian Sea Republic will not provide direct or indirect support to the repressive state currently known as the Cold League
The Caspian Sea Republic and the Free Republic of Egypt will not permit the movement of military traffic through their territory or waters towards Europe, nor will they allow the utilisation of their territory and holdings for a strike against Europe.
To encourage trade through the Suez Canal and as recognition for the Free Republic of Egypt admirable stance on not allowing such a crucial waterway be turned into a tool of war, the Alpine Imperate will make an industrial development grant available to it to further its development.
Upon the maturation of the Alpine Imperates own factories, the Alpine Imperate will provide technical assistance to the Free Republic of Egypt to establish their own Type B factories.
The Alpine Imperate shall facilitate the sale of Type 1 Mechs to the Caspian Sea Republic as soon as its own stockpiles are established.
[X] Queen Maria Lisa, Alpine Imperate
[X] Foreign Minister Arzin Karlal, Caspian Sea Republic
[ ] Free Republic of Egypt
1. The contracting parties are the Federation of Pacific Islands, the Caspian Sea Republic, the Free Republic of Egypt, the Amazon Territories, and the states of Kenya, Thailand, Chile, Arabia, and Sudan, henceforth referred to as the signatory powers.
2. The signatory powers freely and of their own volition enter into a political alignment, military alliance, and economic bloc, to be known as the Oceans, Seas, and Rivers Alliance, or OSRA.
3. The signatory powers pledge themselves to the establishment of justice, the promotion of fair and free societies, and the defense of the rights of the human and the citizen.
4. The signatory powers commit themselves to the common defense of all signatories; an attack upon one signatory is considered an attack on all.
5. The signatory powers shall endeavor to advance the common defense and mutual prosperity through further agreements, meetings, and treaties.
6. After the initial signing of this agreement, additional members may be admitted to the Alliance by the unanimous consent of the signatory powers.
[X] Federation of Pacific Islands
[X] Caspian Sea Republic
[] Free Republic of Egypt
[] Amazon Territories
[] Kenya
[] Thailand
[] Chile
[] Arabia
[] Sudan
On behalf of the people of Algeria, the Algerian Socialist Republic has created an accord between them and the Seraphim. This pact will ensure mutual security, as well as a lasting friendship between our people.
The Algerian Socialist Republic and the Seraphim agree to a treaty of mutual defence, and will come to each other's aid should they be attacked without provocation.
The Seraphim will provide additional training and support in the use of the Type 1 Mobile Suit.
Land will be set aside for the construction of a "Seraph Casbah" near the city of Mostagnem. The land will be near, but not have direct access to, the ocean. This enclave will be governed under Seraph civilian and military law, though any Algerian citizens residing within may request to transfer their cases back to Algerian courts for cases of civil and customary law outside of the remit of the SADE and this treaty.
The Seraphim will be given the right to join and request scavenging expeditions of ancient ruins within the territory of the Algerian Socialist Republic. A credit system will be used so that the Seraphim may expect to acquire roughly 50% of the technology and artifacts recovered in a year.
In addition, an agreement has been made with the noble Seraphim aboard the Eden 511 Fortress, who concern themselves greatly with the responsible and careful exploration of the ruins of the old world. The Seraphim are to be bound to this agreement on any scavenging expedition they embark on within the territory of the Algerian Socialist Republic.
Observers from the Seraphim of Eden 511 are to be present for every scavenging expedition made within the territory of the Algerian Socialist Republic. They will have full authority to direct and assist with those operations. Should they identify a recovered artifact or potential scavenging location as dangerous, they may at any time demand that it be properly sealed, and no other party may access the artifact or site for any reason.
It is our sincerest hope that this treaty sets a path forward for lasting peace and good relations between the people of earth and space. Our partners in the Seraphim have been welcoming and understanding in all of our talks, leading to the agreement signed here today. May we both benefit and grow, together.
[X] Thuraya Seghir, Algerian Secretary of Orbital Affairs
[X] Seraphim @Exhack
[X] Axis Seraphim @FantasticMsFox
It is with great hopes that the Amazon Territories co-sign the treaty between the republican powers and the Applegate Teamsters. A group of nations joined in their desire to see the light of freedom shine over the globe and our newfound friends and partners in space, who may bring with them the means to banish hunger and poverty in our times. A joint future based on treaties and trade may not sound like much, but we are ready for this grand new journey into a new time.
The world is divided between those heading for a golden future of freedom, quality and fraternity – a struggle that carries even into the expanse of space – and those who try to hold back the human race in the darkness of customs and societies past. Across the globe the cry for freedom is rising and the forces of reaction are trying to strangle it before it can resound. Seeing the bloodthirsty massacres of the mondist to their north, the Amazon territories enter OSRA with high hopes and the readiness to defend the rights we have struggled to gain.
On behalf of the people of Algeria, the Algerian Socialist Republic has created an accord between them and the Seraphim. This pact will ensure mutual security, as well as a lasting friendship between our people.
The Algerian Socialist Republic and the Seraphim agree to a treaty of mutual defence, and will come to each other's aid should they be attacked without provocation.
The Seraphim will provide additional training and support in the use of the Type 1 Mobile Suit.
Land will be set aside for the construction of a "Seraph Casbah" near the city of Mostagnem. The land will be near, but not have direct access to, the ocean. This enclave will be governed under Seraph civilian and military law, though any Algerian citizens residing within may request to transfer their cases back to Algerian courts for cases of civil and customary law outside of the remit of the SADE and this treaty.
The Seraphim will be given the right to join and request scavenging expeditions of ancient ruins within the territory of the Algerian Socialist Republic. A credit system will be used so that the Seraphim may expect to acquire roughly 50% of the technology and artifacts recovered in a year.
In addition, an agreement has been made with the noble Seraphim aboard the Eden 511 Fortress, who concern themselves greatly with the responsible and careful exploration of the ruins of the old world. The Seraphim are to be bound to this agreement on any scavenging expedition they embark on within the territory of the Algerian Socialist Republic.
Observers from the Seraphim of Eden 511 are to be present for every scavenging expedition made within the territory of the Algerian Socialist Republic. They will have full authority to direct and assist with those operations. Should they identify a recovered artifact or potential scavenging location as dangerous, they may at any time demand that it be properly sealed, and no other party may access the artifact or site for any reason.
It is our sincerest hope that this treaty sets a path forward for lasting peace and good relations between the people of earth and space. Our partners in the Seraphim have been welcoming and understanding in all of our talks, leading to the agreement signed here today. May we both benefit and grow, together.
[X] Thuraya Seghir, Algerian Secretary of Orbital Affairs
[ ] Seraphim @Exhack
[ ] Axis Seraphim @FantasticMsFox
National Flag of CanMexico by @Easter, thank you so much
"People say of Mondism, that it is the politics of reaction, of conservatism, of clinging to the past by denying the future. These people are wrong. The politics of faith and royalty, those which are called Mondism, are about the preservation of the world. For a thousand years since the Great Collapse, the elect of the Sun God, those whom we call royalty, have been elevated to guide humanity and preserve it, averting the disasters that consumed our forebears, while preserving the eternal reminders of what once was. Mondists do not deny the future by any means! The true purpose of royalty is to preserve the future, to hold mankind back from reckless self-destruction! Radicals and Communists cast away the order of society for selfish material gain, promising wealth to all and granting only scraps. It is only through the guidance of Apollo-Mithras, delivered through his divinely appointed kings, that humanity can be saved from its own folly, and the destruction that befell its forebears a millennium ago. This I promise to you, my people: you shall be saved, and you shall be prosperous, and you shall be free from want and worry, so long as I live!"
-King James XII of CanMexico, addressing the nation by radio, 996 AC. Wired repeaters allowed, for the first time, simultaneous radio broadcasts nationwide from his podium at the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexia
"Men," declaimed Major Horatio, "it has been an honor to serve with you. Fix bayonets, now, and over the top on my mark. We'll make these blobby pustules pay for every inch of holy ground!"
-T. Fallgrave, Their Cannons Shook the Earth: A Novel of Invasion. Newaven Press, 998 AC.
From the royal family's lavish feast of the sacrificial bull down to the humble peasant menudo, everyone has their own family recipe for beef on Tauroctony. Thanks to the booming business of grocery and butchery, though, everyone can enjoy a nice steak on the holy day now, and here's a little recipe from my grandmother that's guaranteed to make a mouthwateringly tender meal for the whole family.
-Lady's Fine Home magazine, December 999 AC.
Looking out now across the misty lake waters, I can just barely make out the blurry shore of the Land of the Eagle. It's rare these days - you can't see it from Lake City even during the day between the smog and the lights, but out here on the islands, the air is just clear enough that the thin green line that marks the northern reach of the endless prairie is just visible to the naken eye. I contemplate it solemnly, day by day. The vastest and holiest of Fallow Zones spreading itself ceaselessly only barely across the water from the largest, most modern city in the hemisphere. Nothing describes the duality of this nation as much as the smog-belching factories behind me, and the traceless wilderness in front. Sitting on this lonely rock, I contemplate: which is the path forward? The endlessly preserved past, or the all-consuming future?
The breakdown of the Diana Counter Covenant caused waves of surprise across earth, but little of the panic which had been expected in some quarters. The fact that the aliens overhead were fellow survivors of the Cataclysm was reassuring to most Earthian populations, as was the seemingly boundless energy of the Spacians in matters of trade.
Of all of the powers seeking contact with Earth, The Lunari were the most energetic. Practically every major power on Earth was visited by some representative of the Lunari trade missions seeking to open up currency exchanges, and sell them electric razors, sterile medical units, machine tools and technical assistance. Assistance which the states of earth were happy to accept. Quickly, a vast flow of raw materials rose up the space elevators, to be replaced by a great deal of advanced goods from the busy factories of Lunar above. Even those states such as China who were more cautious of the Spacians accepted some amount of Lunari assistance. In orbit, Lunar began to clone more and more population to keep up with new demands for labour, and troops.
So also came the Seraphim, and the Astarti. The Seraphim presence was obvious. Teams of Seraphim mobile weapons escorted vast bulk shuttles full of material to set up enclaves in India, Algeria and Amazonia. This was not simply to be the trade and technical assistance, but the construction of an entire industrial zone on earth, using local personnel trained by the Seraphim, and paid with Seraphim tradescript.
While less broad than the Lunari offer, the Seraphim was both deep and popular where it occurred. The lives of skilled machinists, of young college graduates, and of the manifold others recruited by the Seraphim factory program were transformed by the generous wages of the Seraphim plants. More than that, the injection of Seraphim currency provided a far more tangible boost to the local economy: purchasing power against orbital goods. The deal, for all the great amounts of natural resources it gave the Seraphim was perhaps less positive for their economy than that of the Lunari, but it was far better for those powers who partook of it.
The Astarti were more mysterious. Teams were seen to have landed in the CSR, and orbital spy eyes saw a steady number of their ships coming and going to various powers, but they kept their enclaves more private than the Seraphim. Rumours and intelligence reports among the great powers suggested that their purpose was similar however: to allow the production of Spacian mobile weapons on earth.
It was not quite the return to the blue skies and liquid seas of earth that many on the Lunari's more radical wing had hoped for, but it was a change. The Spacian diet was altered forever, as was Spacian fashion. Industrialists on Lunar saw vast returns, even as some industries, such as krill biscuits, crashed, going from a staple food to a relative novelty item, deployed only for nostalgia.
Other orbital powers made their own deals, causing a broad based economic boom in orbit and on the Earth. Of Earth's great powers, only a few did not participate at all in the Spacian trade. The liberal monarchies of Europe and the Royal Republic demurred to deal with the Spacians directly, preferring their trade flow to them through the safe cut out of the Freehold, and seeking to bind themselves together by new trade links between one another. Europe was in any case embroiled in settling political rather than economic questions. The links between European monarchies were worked out, as were the rights of the citizens, with the Alpine Imperiat's monarch granting a raft of concessions to the public, including universal suffrage, social security, the rights of workers against unfair treatment and the right of commoners to create credit unions.
This was to be expected, as many regarded the Royal Republic as a sleepy backwater. However the second was not. Concerned with its own internal industry, the Federation of Isles signed only a modest deal with Applegate. Many in space saw the Federation as a remaining prize on earth, whichever Spacian power could first gain access to its huge economy was likely to "win" the race for earth.
In the shadows of this contact, other forces were on the move. In the intelligence cells of the Seraphim and the buried office buildings of Lunari and Pallas intelligence, spies saw the shadows of the movement of agents of Juno. This did not always go the rogue Astarti way. The corpse of one was found stuffed into a locker in Algers, and there was a mysterious firefight in Mumbai which left several people known to have been associated with Juno dead, but still, it was enough to give many in space worries.They seemed to be everywhere at once. Agents were seen as far afield as Siberia and Europe, scheming everywhere.
Less observed but perhaps as significant was the ZOFIA agreement between the Yammacin Freehold and ZOLON. Another narrow, deep trade agreement, ZOFIA saw ZOLON deliver enormous amounts of solar energy to customers within the Freehold through specialist receiving stations, and the steady build up of ZOLON industrial resources within that greatest of the liberal states. The economic effects of this deal, and other orbital trade that the Freehold had gained were enough to boost its economy almost to the level of the Federation of Isles.
While the European monarchies economies did not see the growth of the Freehold, the Alpine Imperiate pull off a singular salvage coup: Possibly with the help of agents of Juno, the Imperiate's archeological service discovered a forgotten vault beneath the mountains, Within, they' found a second mobile suit factory. This one was capable of producing E-flat mobile suits. The system was not entirely functional, but Imperiate engineers were confident in their ability to get it up and running before the end of the year.
This was not the only major salvage claim in the first quarter. In the Amazon, a flight of four advanced model T-Type mobile weapons, dubbed the T+ were located by Amazonian archeologists and provided to the military. In East Asia, the Federation discovered another large hall of T-types, as well as documentation which they believed might lead them to the material to fix their long damaged Alpha. An expedition into the North American Fallow Zone by the blessed Church of Apollo-Mithras located an ancient siege device, a massive four legged walking weapon with a giant energy cannon mounted in the middle.
Several other fallow zone missions were mounted. The Divine Monarchy set up a naval base in greenland and began to check around, finding the land apparently unpoisoned, though losing several patrols who simply vanished, one within a hundred years of the fence of the new base.
The most significant of these was perhaps the Siberian expedition, and the various expeditions to england.
Earth was not alone in significant salvage finds. In orbit, Pallas located an ancient in-system liner ship, the Aphrodite, which had once plied the routes between Venus and Earth. The ship's powerful drives, if they could be repaired or reverse engineered, opened the possibility of reaching many of the ancient, forbidden parts of the solar system more quickly than had been previously possible. This was of immediate interest to Anlscar, planning their own deep range expedition to Mars.
Monitor stations also reported significant activity by the Seraphim around the edges of their domain, with a considerable amount of Seraphim military force being called in to lay claim to an ancient mobile armour found drifting.
For all the warlike nature of these buried secrets and the occasional violence of the espionage conducted between the powers of Space. The first month of 1001 AC was decidedly peaceful.
But that peace was not to last.
Tensions rose first in orbit. Despite the success of its economic policies, or perhaps because of them, Lunar's government felt itself secure to break from old alliances and attempt to establish new ones. Once again, agents of Juno were involved, over the first two months of the year, various policy watchers on Lunar noted an odd pattern of firings, snubs, and even arrests across those associated with Lunar's government and industry. It was not initially clear why certain cooperatives were losing business, or certain officials being passed over for promotion.
Things became clearer with the Groundhog Day Leaks. A series of files were emailed to media groups across Lunar and beyond showing that the government had made a secret deal with agents of Juno in order to root out Seraphim influence on the moon. There were several attempts at denial from within the Lunari's civil service and top councils, and as those failed to discredit it as Seraphim espionage, but this did not prove particularly effective in putting down the public firestorms that resulted.
More tension erupted shortly after this incident as both Lunari and Applegate moved to secure the top of the African and Singaporian elevators with military force. While fairly close links between Applegate and the Lunari meant an actual exchange of fire was unlikely, both sides released M-particles and moved into combat position, forming a stand off which was not solved by the end of the quarter, and which lead to many orbital policy analysts to proclaim the end of the Pax Lunar, the implicit alliance between the Seraphim and Lunari which had maintained peace in orbit and allowed the Diana Counter Covenant to be signed in the first place.
The tension in orbit was nothing though compared to what happened on Earth.
Before the coming of the Spacians, most people on Earth had expected that 1001 would be the year when Siberia finally disposed of the Caspian Sea Republic and reimposed liberal government upon it. It was assumed that the Communists in India would either sit it out, or grab some Caspain territory for themselves.
This rapidly proved in error, as the CSR pulled off a series of brilliant diplomatic manoeuvres which brought India to their defence, and made a series of deals with the Astarti and several other spaceborne powers.
Still, war came close, and there were several major border skirmishes along both sides of the Republic, as well as a campaign of terrorist bombings that rocked both the Governorate and the CSR.
The first of these was triggered by the penetration of the CSR's borders by a group of church sanctioned relic hunters, who made a successful mobile suit find in ruins that the Republic insisted to be on its own side of the border, though only by a few hundred metres. border guards fired over the heads of the fleeing churchmen, who escaped with only some of their prize, and set off an intense, though fortunately casualty free series of artillery duels along the border.
More deadly were the series of terrorist attacks launched by both sides. A governorate police post was destroyed with dynamite. A few days later, a bomb detonated in an army post in a town on the Republican side of the border. From there it was all in, with insurgents on both sides engaging in an escalating series of outrages across the border region.
The violence of these attacks caused much consternation in Europe, where ministers of the church of Apollo-Mithras decried the weak policy of the governments of the Liberal Queens of the Alpine Imperiate and Kingdom of Lilies, and of the League of City's various princes. This did little to damage either monarch's popularity. The Queen of Lilies was much beloved by her subjects, and the Imperiat's granting of full rights to its subject had caused great public support but many decried the 'evil advisors' surrounding and misleading both monarchs. Some blamed secret Catholics within the royal courts, while others said that the Queen's advisors were themselves Republicans, Socialists, or Spacians. Whatever the case, the populations of European liberal powers demanded that the Governorate be defended.
Despite this tension, the war around the Caspian did not fully break into flame for now. Far worse was the situation in South America.
The Amazonian Territories were not caught by surprise by the attack from the North. Supplied with photo-reconnaissance information from friendly orbital powers, they saw the troop mobilisation coming and began their own defensive preparations. They had in any case already been looking to their defence, purchasing huge quantities of foreign arms from Algeria and the Alpine Imperiate, and looking to secure orbital aid.
What follows is in dispute. According to Jaburian sources, one of its outposts was attacked and foully slaughtered, with members of the foreign press later taken on a tour of the blood stained fort. According to Amazonia, none of its units were even in the area. Whatever the case, a well oiled plan rolled into motion. The Jaburians began a total mobilisation, and initial assault brigades stormed across the border, supported by Siberian units which had been in the country on military exercises, and by considerable naval support from the Divine Monarchy, which began a blockade of the country and launched a rapid naval invasion of the capital of Belém with over sixty brigades making an amphibious landing supported by the same number of mobile suits.
The Amazonian navy sallied to meet this incursion, despite being outnumbered and facing superior mobile suits, including several E-Types and E-flats, but despite inflicting notable losses on the attackers were unable to force their way through to the troop ships and the landing began against fanatical resistance from dug in army and Republican guard units. The government had already evacuated, but much of the civil service, state records and other functions remained, including the still building hulls of the Amazonians new battleships.
The Divine Monarchy used its E-type and E-flat suits to great effect, first silencing the shore batteries and the great guns at Forte do Presépio with energy weapon fire, and then supported their own B-types in neutralising most of the defenders Bs. Despite heavy losses among the assault troops, coordinated naval and mobile suit fire knocked out one Amazonian strong point after another, and the attackers began to win through, occupying most of the port. The last few Republican mobile suits withdrew to defend the parliament building, their pilots determined to die as heroes to democracy and buy as much time as possible.
Relief from the defenders came from an unexpected source. The first sign of support came with the detonation of the battleship Toronto, brought in to support the landing with gunnery. Powerful beams ripped the great ship apart, even as strange, globular mobile suits emerged from the water.
The K-type mobile suits were Algerian mercenaries, hired by the Amazonians as part of their bilateral ties with the socialist state. Encountering the blockade further out, their cargo ship had faked turning back and secretly dropped the amphibious mobile suits in the ocean, from where they had snuck in, destroying a few Mondist submarines that tried to oppose them and now struck from ambush, throwing the mondist assault into momentary disarray.
Despite the bravery of the K-types pilots however, they were still outnumbered and heavily outgunned. With most of the defending mobile suits and heavy guns already destroyed, the K-types quickly began to lose ground as the E-Types and their escorts vectored back to deal with them.
But there were other forces on their way to the Republic.
Above the battlefield, stars were falling.
Thirty Spacian mobile suits. Each with the gleaming red and white angel patch of the Seraphim.
The Mondist forces had carefully avoided targeting those facilities designated as Seraphim factories, but this was not enough for the commander of the Seraphim drop force, one Domina Gunn, to resist engagement. Seeing the city she was meant to aid in flames, the maverick Seraph ordered her mobile suits to switch their AIs to gravity mode and attack.
The result demonstrated the savage power of Spacian, and in particular Seraphim technology. The Type-P and Type-S suits leading the Seraphim strike proved superior even to the E-types deployed by the Divine Monarchy, and they were fifteen compared to two.
The E-type's pilots, both aces with more combat experience than their Seraphim adversaries did their best to counter attack, but faced with the uncanny psychic skill, automated reflexes and swarms of offensive and defensive bits deployed by the Seraphim mobile suits, all they could do was survive.
The Seraphim left one flight of their lettered suits to duel the two type-Es while the rest of the squadron moved to destroy the E-flats supporting them, which were no match for the Seraphim machines. The Type-2s moved to support the defenders and engaged the remaining B-type and naval vessels supporting the attack, both of which were highly vulnerable to the advanced beam weapons and missiles mounted on the Seraphim suits.
Faced with massive casualties among their mobile suits and the possible loss of the entire naval task force, the CanMexican forces signalled to retreat. The infantry components fell back north to join up with the Jaburoian army group advancing down the coast, while the mobile suits covered the naval ships as they pulled out to sea.
Despite the failure at Belem, and the momentary terror of Seraphim deployment on a large scale, the attack on Amazonia was largely going well for the Mondists. The Seraphim were a fairly small unit, who's commander had in many ways exceeded her formal authority. Though the Amazonian military is not that much smaller than that of the Margraviate, the need to deploy all mobile suits to defend the capital left much of the Amazonian army struggling against Jaburoian forces supported by mobile suits and Siberian armour. The Amazonians military was forced into a phased retreat to second and then third defensive lines, with only a few border fortresses still holding out near Jaburo. With the vast forces of the Divine Monarchy only a train journey away, things looked bleak for South American Republicanism, however all was not lost, a large convoy of cargo ships escorted by Alpine and Freehold naval units approached the blockade carrying no less than one hundred B-type mobile suits which the Amazon had purchased.
However there was the matter of that blockade. With the losses around Belem, and elements of the Republican fleet still in play, the Mondist combined admiralty was disinclined to engage ten combined naval groups deployed by liberal powers.
However the admirals in charge of the combined Federation and Imperate Fleet, good Monarchists and faithful to Apollo-Mithras were equally unwilling to engage their fellows, even if they might deplore what many believed to be a blatant war of aggression. A standoff developed, with both sides manoeuvring closer and closer without shooting, negotiating with one another with tense lamp signals.
Eventually, it was the Liberal fleet that blinked. Or, perhaps not. In fact they simply moved South, and made their delivery in Argentina, a fellow liberal power but one willing to make the delivery. From there, it would be relatively easy to bring the suits overland to the aid of Amazonia.
Other Business
The Federation of Isles embraces Applegate-style worker democracy.
Amazonian sends archeologists to Applegate to help investigate the deep past
Egypt offers a diplomatic agreement with Sudan, guaranteeing its independence
Many powers engaged in massive programs of investment, road building and the like
The Royal Republic conducts naval exercises in the med
The League of Cities engages in internal action against unpopular political groups
The Empire of Greater Siberia launches a huge charity drive
China continues to operate a new industrial policy and spread stuff out into different settings
The Cold League begins to fortify its borders and build many more work camps for the counter revolutionary.
The Seraphim engage in a public campaign against Seraph supremacism.
The Seraphim surveyed Madagascar and Antarctica, finding the former to be inhabited by its own series of city states who welcome trade, and the latter a vast boreal forest kept stable by strange and ancient climate engineering systems.
Grey snow blew across the step, light and ashy. Sky and ground were almost one colour, relieved only by an occasional twisted tree or ancient building sticking from the earth. Much of the fallow zone which ancient chronicles listed as the land of the Russ was dense forests full of wild animals. But there were areas like this, dead zones filled where nothing grew.
Through the blasted landscape came a column of troops and horses.
Aldynay, sixth princess of the great imperial house of Siberia, stood carefully on her saddle to look out. She'd always loved horses, and usually found standing on a horse an easy trick, but now both she and her mount were swathed in gas masks and protective clothing. The radiograph on the front of her saddle clicked steadily. The scientists with the experdition had assured her that the dose wasn't dangerous, but it was much higher than it was beyond the fallow zone. Aldynay privately thought she'd have preferred if the radiation count had been higher. At least that would give some reason why there were no trees, no birds.
Her horse wickered slightly in its mask, the long willow wood probe attached to its head flexing out ahead, searching for any anomaly before the horse would strick it. She leaned down to pat it through the gas mask. "Easy. Easy. It's not far now."
Aldynay was not bad at being a princess, but she was rather surplus to requirements. She could have stayed home easily, continued to enjoy a life of Equestrianism and court politics she found increasingly meaningless. When the strange man had appeared at court, she'd listened to him and his tales of what lay inside the fallow zone. Her money and contacts had brought them here.
"Do you see anything ma'am?" Viera, the head of her guards rode up next to her. The soldier was a little shorter than the princess, the daughter of a minor country noble family who's inclination for horsemanship and strong military record made her a natural fit for a Princess' guard. Aldynay found her guard unbendingly stiff at court but she seemed to have loosened up a little out here. Perhaps she was just worried about being rude.
"I think I can see hills in the snow as the old man said." Aldynay seated herself on her saddle and looked up at the sky. At least the weather meant they wouldn't need to worry about a Republican spy plane. They were only a few tens of miles from the borders of the Caspian Sea Republic. "We're almost there."
"We'll need to withdraw soon if we're to exit the zone before nightfall." Viera warned, some of her old stiffness returning.
"We're so close now. We're not going back." Aldynay spurred her horse forward, ending the discussion. The animal, who's name she had carefully not learned so she wouldn't feel its death so intensely. Horses died in great numbers in fallow zones. That was a fact of life. The Hills approached ahead. Aldynay guided her horse up it and realised it was not so much a hill but a cratter.
And in its bottom slept giants. More than thirty huge humanoid machines, each many times taller even than the tallest mobile suits she'd seen. Hulking and bearlike, studied with guns, they slumped in death but were without visible damage, strangely well preserved the way that old machines sometimes were. Aldynay was no technician, but she recognised there were several different designs present. All dead, slumped in attitudes of death.
Her eyes travelled across the macabre tangle of metal bodies to the centre. Their antagonist, smaller and far more damaged than those around it. The suit was black and slim, like an ancient king, its fearful face recognisable atop a damaged pilots compartment. Across the top of its torso Aldynay could make out words in ancient script: Her mouth moved inside her gasmask as she translated.
THE KING OF KNIVES.
****
The Siberian experdition to the Moscow Fallow Zone locates the Grave of Bears, where more than thirty collosal mobile suits died to take down an ancient Alpha type. The colossi appear in good condition. Their crew were killed by unknown means through their armour. Meantime, the ancient Alpha type, marked as King of Knives is massively damaged, perhaps even more than the one possessed by the Federation of Isles, but might be fixable with spacian technology or salvaged parts.
Unfortunately, CSR intelligence has also learned of the existence of the site and their interest in it, and the Alpha bears a sinister mien which is likely to attract the attention of those who remember lost things. . .
****
The Battle of Robinson Islands
The Federation of Isle's navy began the war in South America somewhat out of position. While the Federations formidble intelligence service had intelligence indications of a strike, assembling a fleet to deal with the situation was another matter. At the start of the war, there were only a few squadrons present in Amazonia proper, who joined up with the Amazonian fleet and fort with much distinction in the naval battles off the capital.
The main force of the Federation Navy however was based in Chile, the smaller of the two Republican powers of South America. While reinforced and on alert and assisted by local Chilean naval assets, the American-Pacific Squadron never the less found itself in an initially bad situation, outnumbered and with ten battleships of the Divine Monarchy headed down to blockade and intercept fleets of the Federation. The decision was made that both the Chilean and Federation groups should break out of the trap, which would otherwise see them blockaded in port, and link up with the main Federation fleet.
While particle ECM made interception difficult, and the new, oil powered ships of the Federation Navy had great range and power, cleverly positioned pickets and light ships allowed the CanMexican fleet to find the Federation Squadrons, and the wars first major naval engagement in the Pacific swfitly developed around the isolated Robinson Islands. The battle developed as a pure big gun duel between the Chilean superdreadnought battleship 13th of May, the Federation fast battleships Liberty and Federation, and the CanMexican Battleships Montreal, Tampico, Veracruz and Salina Cruz.
Despite being outnumbered, the Federation ships scored first blood, pushing aggressively through the Mondist screen to heavily damage the Veracruz with concentrated gunfire. A moment later however, the other three CanMexican battleships were able to close astern. Only frantic maneuevering, and the intervention of Republican torpedo craft was able to save the force from disaster, and the battle disolved into a pounding gun duel, with the CanMexican forces repeated running torpedo volleys to close with the Republican craft. It was only by enduring heavy damage and loss of escorts that the Republican forces were finally able to win clear, and the three battleships and their attrited groups won out into open sea. All three would likely need yard time and escort replacement before they could be put back into service. Meantime, the Mondists had seen one of their own groups severely damaged, with the Veracruz having absorbed no less than a dozen 16 inch shells from the Republican fast battleships.
With the squadron saved, though blooded and in need of repair, the Federation fleet fell back from South American waters and began to assemble its huge naval strength at its base in Hawaii, ready for the oceanic war it had always contemplated. They had learned that the CanMexican navy, which they had previously disregarded had teeth and aggression they had not expected.
The Russians were not the only ones to perform fallow zone explorations in the first quarter. In the wake of the breakdown of the Diana Counter Convention, the Axis Seraphim saw an opportunity to move in and try to make safe much of what had been left over from the cataclysm.
Other experditions
To this end, they allied with both the Lunarians and Cold League to escort expeditions into the North American and English fallow zones. The expedition to North America was relatively simple, with the Axis Seraphim escorting a Lunarian team looking for places to settle, and encountered few real anomalies, staking out an area in former pennsylvania as a possible colony site, though the Axis team warned their fellow Spacians from any attempt to investigate the nearby mountains or ruins of New York City. Both teams found a number of salvageable mobile suits, but nothing that was strange or superior to Spacian technology.
The expedition to England however proved more eventful. The Kingdom of Lilies launched an expedition at the same time, with both sides moving to check the area around Stonehenge, which was so popular with Apollo Mithras worshippers before moving more generally.
The temple complex at Stonehenge greeted its strange visitors more or less warmly, though with surprise, and some concern at the possibility of secular powers attempting to claim the most holy site of Apollo-Mithras church. However the area around it had been all but picked clean of anything interesting and both sides moved on, now aware of one another and more or less shadowing one another, something which the Axis Seraphim's advanced sensors and psychic powers gave them a strong advantage in.
The British fallow zone was not fully uninhabited, and the Lilian expedition was able to gain an advantage by its easier manner with the nobles, some of whom had heard of the cruelty of the Cold League and were suspicious of their Axis allies. They were able to gain a tip about an ancient found sunk in a swamp at the edge of the moors in Devonshire. Both expeditions closed on it, intent on being the first there.
Despite this rivalry, when danger threatened, it came for both groups, as they were attacked by hordes of wild, apparently insane hill folk, painted red and emerging from numerous old mine shafts and caves around the edge of the valley leading to the march. The assault got so bad that the Axis forces were forced to call down several mobile suits, which the madmen responded too by bringing up their own mobile suits of unusual design. Still, they proved no mach for the Seraphim, and the expeditions, now more or less working together for protection, moved to the mash itself.
Below the water was a great white ship, perfectly preserved. The expeditions drained the march and brought it to the air for the first time in a thousand years.
The find appeared to be an ancient assault carrier, large than the current Lunarian designs and in surprisingly good condition.
Territory: Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malyasia, Hawaii, New Zealand
Capital: Manilla
Ideology: Republican
Advantages: The world's most advanced navy and most powerful economy. Gain 1 additional domestic action
Disadvantages: Riotous, constantly complaining population
Economy: Massive+
Military: Huge
Ruins: Few
Labs: 2:
Armies:
141 T-Type mobile suits +21
90 Armoured Brigades
90 Normal Brigades
60 Naval Groups +2 Q3 +2 Q4 +1 Q1 1002 2 damaged.
1 Chilean naval group (damaged)
5 Strategic Air groups +5 Q3
1 Type-A mobile suit (damaged and nonfunctional)
18 components
The Caspian Sea Republic
Territory: Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey
Capital: Tehran
Ideology: Republican
Advantages: Tons of labs
Disadvantages: Surrounded by enemies
Economy: Huge++++
Military: Huge
Ruins: Few
Labs: 4
Armies:
100 B-Type mobile suits
50 T-Type Mobile suits
5 E-flats
145 Armoured brigades +25 (+25 Q3 +25 Q4 +25 Q1)
215 normal brigades -25
20 Naval Groups
50 strategic air groups
49 components
Astarti Factory: Complete Q4
The Amazon Territories
Territory: Brazil
Capital: Belem
Ideology: Republican
Advantages: Lots of ruins
Disadvantages: Near Canmexico, could go socialist at any moment.
Economy: Medium++++
Military: Medium
Ruins Lots
Labs: 3
Armies
190 Brigades -50 50 damaged
9 B-Type mobile suits -31
100 B-Type Mobile Suits (in Argentina)
10 T-Type Mobile Suits - 10
3 Type T-Plus +4 -1 to the Seraphim
25 Type 2 Mobile Suits +25 from the Seraphim
17 K-Type (with Algerian Crews) +25 -8
1 Naval Groups -4 +5 Q4 1001
Seraphim Factories Q3
15 components
Free Republic of Egypt
Territory: Egypt
Capital: Cario
Ideology: Republican
Advantages: Near the CSR, potential to unite with Arabia
Disadvantages: Near major centres of liberalism and Ethiopia
Economy: Medium
Military: Medium
Ruins: Some
Labs: 2
Armies
120 normal brigades
30 armoured brigades
60 B-Type mobile suits
5 Naval Groups
34 components
Liberals
The Yammacin Freeholds
Territory: South West Africa from Senegal to the equator
Capital: Bamako
Ideology: Aristocratic Liberal
Advantages: A centre of finance capital and financier to the world. Able to deal with all powers equally.
Disadvantages: Overtech ruins concentrated along the equator. Easy access for spacers
Economy: Huge+++++
Military: Huge
Ruins: Few
Labs: 2
Armies
80 armoured brigades
350 normal brigades
120 B-Type mobile suits
20 E-Type mobile suits
40 Naval Groups
87 Troop Lifts
25 components
ZOLON Factory Q4
ZOLON City Q2 1002
The Alpine Imperate
Territory: The Alps, Italy, and Austria
Capital: Milan
Ideology: Liberal
Advantages: Great Bunker Fortresses. Still has an active MS factory, local allies.
Disadvantages: Kind of a small and backward economy for a great power. Oversized military consuming public finances.
Economy: Large+
Military: Massive
Ruins: Lots
Labs: 2
Armies
250 Brigades
450 B-Type mobile suits +80 -130
100 E-Flat type mobile suits
20 E-Type mobile suits
10 Naval Groups
B-Type factory
E-Flat type factory
60 components (may be sold)
The Royal Republic of Zimbabwe and the Cape
Territory: Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa
Capital: Harare
Ideology: Liberal
Advantages: Plentiful natural resources. No single power centre that can be decapitated.
Disadvantages: Population unambitous towards great power politics.
Economy: Medium
Military: Medium
Ruins: Few
Labs: 2
Armies:
240 Brigades
40 T-Type mobile suits
5 Naval Groups
5 Strategic Air Groups, +5 Q3
28 components
The League of Free Cities
Territory: Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Central Europe
Capital: Warsaw
Ideology: Liberalism
Advantages: Close relations with the Alpine Imperate
Disadvantages: growing social decent.
Economy: Medium++
Military: Large
Ruins: Few
Labs: 1
Armies
240 Brigades
60 B-Type mobile suits
7 Naval Groups
50 components
The Kingdom of Lilies
Territory: France and Belgium
Capital: Paris
Ideology: Liberalism
Advantages: Close relations with the Alpine Imperate
Disadvantages: Strong parliament makes it republican vulnerable
Economy: Medium++
Military: Medium
Ruins: Few
Labs: 1
Armies
100 Brigades
60 Armoured Brigades
40 E-Type Flat mobile suits
10 Naval Groups
The Two-Seas Governorate
Territory: Greece, Romania, Turkey, Syria, the Balkans
Capital: Damascus
Ideology: Liberalism
Advantages: Lot of friendly neighbours
Disadvantages: Break away region of the Caspian Sea Republic
Economy: Medium+
Military: Medium
Ruins: Few
Labs: 1
Armies
140 Brigades
70 Armoured Brigades +20 (+20 Q3, +20 Q4)
60 B-Type mobile suits
22 E-flat mobile suits
5 Naval Groups
Mondist Powers
The Empire of Greater Siberia
Territory: Siberia, Mongolia, Korea
Capital: Yakutsk
Ideology: Mondist
Advantages: Other Mondist States will listen to you
Disadvantages: Constantly on the edge of uprising
Economy: Huge+++
Military: Massive++
Ruins: Few
Labs 2
Armies
500 Brigades
123 armoured brigades -3
240 B-Type mobile suits -10
10 E-Type mobile suits
50 E-Type Flat mobile suits
20 Naval Groups
??? Complete Q4
??? Complete Q4
17 Components
The Divine Monarchy of CanMexico
Territory: Canada and Mexico, not including what is now America
Capital: Toronto (Lake City)
Ideology: Mondist
Advantages: Fanatical religionist population
Disadvantages: Territory split by the North American Fallow Zone, Fanatical religionist population
Economy: Huge++
Military: Massive
Ruins: Few
Labs 2
Armies
381 Brigades (10 assigned to guard Vancouver) -19
50 Armoured Brigades
85 B-Type mobile suits +25 -40
34 E-Type flats mobile suits -6
4 E-Types mobile suits 2 damaged
17 Naval Groups +5 Q3, +3 Q4 -3 3 damaged
23 components
Margraviate of Jaburo (Gran Columbia)
Territory: Northern South America
Capital: Bogotá
Ideology: Mondism
Advantages: Allied with Can-Mexico
Disadvantages: On a space elevator
Economy: Medium++ (Mobilised)
Military: Medium
Ruins: few
Labs: 1
Armies
180 Brigades +100 brigades Q3 +100 Brigades Q4 -60
91 B-Type mobile suits +38 (Salvaged) -7 combat losses
12 E-flats salvaged
5 Naval Groups
The New Ethiopian Empire
Territory: Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, etc.
Capital: Addis Ababa
Ideology: Mondist
Advantages: No real enemies
Disadvantages: No real avenues for expansion that won't piss off a major liberal power
Economy: Large++
Military: Medium
Ruins: Few
Labs: 2
Armies
240 Brigades
60 B-Type mobile suits
5 Naval Groups +3 Q3, +4 Q4
50 mobile suit components
The Cult of Apollo-Mithras
Territories: Many enclaves and churches throughout the liberal and Mondist world
Capital: Vancouver
Ideology: Apollo-Mithras Cult/Mondist
Advantage: Broad popular support among the population
Disadvantage: reliant on temporal monarchies for its survival
Economy: Large:
Military: Small
Ruins: None
Labs 4
Armies
30 E-Type mobile suits
30 B-type mobile suits (+30
80 Brigades +50
1 mobile siege armour
Socialist Powers
People's Communes of China
Territory: China
Capital: Shanghai
Ideology: Thousand Brotherhood Path (Socialist)
Advantages: Dynamic: Receive 1 additional domestic and 1 additional foreign action every turn
Disadvantages: "The old government had too many taxes. Now we have too many meetings." - Keep your population happy or they will have meetings about you
Economy: Large+++
Military: Huge
Ruins: Many
Labs: 3
Armies
300 Brigades
70 Armoured Brigades +20 Q3, +20 Q4, +10 Q1 1002
105 T-Type mobile suits +5
110 B-Type mobile suit +10
20 Naval Groups
63 components
India Councilist Republics
Territory: Indian Subcontinent excluding Pakistan
Capital: Mumbai
Ideology: Agrarian Communism
Advantages: Revolution just happened and feels unstoppable.
Disadvantages: Not really industrialised
Economy: Medium++++
Military: Huge
Ruins: Few
Labs: 1
Armies:
700 Brigades
10 Armoured Brigades +20 Q3, +20 Q4, +10 Q1 1002
60 T-Type mobile suits
5 Naval Groups
Seraphim Factory Q3
25 components
The Cold League
Territory: Scotland, Denmark, the Nordic Countries
Capital: Helsinki
Ideology: Vangism
Advantages: Defensible terrain with lots of resources
Disadvantages: Has to occasionally send the tanks and secret police
Economy: Medium++++
Military: Large
Ruins: Lots
Labs: 3
Armies:
200 brigades
10 Armoured Brigades +20 Q3, +20 Q4, +10 Q1 1002
60 armoured brigades
90 B-Type mobile suits -10
73 K-Type mobile suits +23
10 Naval Groups
34 components
Algerian Socialist Republic
Territory: Algeria and Tunis
Capital: Biskra
Ideology: In Development Socialism
Advantages: Mineral Wealth and strategic position
Disadvantages: Surrounded by liberal powers, no nearby allies.
Economy: Large
Military: Medium
Ruins: Few
Labs: 2
Production:
Armies:
240 Brigades
10 B-type
112 K-Type mobile suits (17 on loan to Amazonia -8)
5 Naval Groups
3 Collosi Gen-2
Seraphim Casba complete Q3
Seraphim Factories complete Q3
Neutral Powers
Spain
Territory: Spain
Capital: Madrid
Ideology: Neutral
Advantages: Neutral and fancy free, large mobilisation strength
Disadvantages: Not aligned with anyone.
Economy: Medium
Military: Small
Ruins: Many
Labs: 2
Army
120 Brigades
30 B-Type mobile suits
2 Naval Groups
Spacer Powers
The Seraphim
Territory: L5
Capital: Therymscri
Ideology: Seraphism
Advantages: Psychic Research and knowledge, well connected
Disadvantages: Extremely untrustworthy
Economy: Large+++++
Military: Medium
Ruins: Few
Labs: 4
Starting Technology: AI systems, Psychics, Cloning 2, Type-S mobile suits.
Mobile Suits
220 Type-2 Mobile Suits +20
100 Type-S Mobile Suits
50 Type-P Mobile suits
1 Type T+
60 Battlegroups
Space Fleet:
2 Battleships
24 Cruisers
80 Frigates
Inorganic Angel Uriel
Eden-511 Fortress (Axis Seraphim)
Territory: Asteroid Eden-511
Capital: Eden-511
Ideology: Seraphimism (schismatic)
Advantages: super well fortified base
Disadvantages: Also very untrustworthy
Economy: Small++++
Military: Medium
Ruins: None
Labs: 3
Starting Technology: Cloning 2, AI, Psychics, Type-S mobile suits
Armies:
150 Type-S mobile suits
100 Type-2 Mobile Suits
50 Type-P mobile suits
60 Battlegroups
Space Fleet:
2 Battleships
20 Cruisers
80 Frigates
The Astarti
Territory: Nomadic Fleet
Capital: None
Ideology: Astartism
Advantages: Elite Military
Disadvantages: Space populations dislike them
Economy: Medium++++
Military: Large
Ruins: None
Labs: 4
Technology: Cloning 2, AI, Psychics, Type-R mobile suits, Type-R-Command
Armies:
340 Type-R mobile suits +40
120 Type-R-Command Mobile Suits +20
30 Type-P mobile suits
80 Battlegroups
Spacey
4 Battleships
30 cruisers
100 frigates
Juno
Territory: The fleet ship Juno
Capital: None
Ideology: Astartism (Charismatic)
Advantages: A free agent, entirely mobile and hard to pin down
Disadvantages: Very small.
Economy: Small+++++
Military: Small
Ruins: None
Labs: 2
Starting Technology: Cloning 2, AI, Psychics, Type-R mobile suits. Type-R Command suits.
Armies:
The Juno
104 Type-R command types +4
12 Type-P mobile suits +2
10 Battlegroups
??? x3 (Q4)
??? x1 (Q4)
Anlscar Orbital
Territory: L1
Capital: Zolpher-1 Colony
Ideology: Revolutionary Melindism
Advantages: Fanatical population
Disadvantages: Under developed military
Economy: Large+++
Military: Small
Ruins: Some
Labs: 4
Technology: Cloning 1, High Energy reactors
Armies:
125 Type-1 mobile suits +25 Q3 +25 Q4 +24 Q1 1002
25 Type-2 Mobile Suits
30 battlegroups
Space Navy:
1 Battleship
10 Cruisers
40 frigates
The Lunari
Territory: The moon
Capital: Lunar Cradle
Ideology: Returnism
Advantages: Close to earth, plentiful room to expand. Easy source of fuel from regolith extraction
Disadvantages: Population overly Seraphim sympathetic
Economy: Huge
Military: Large
Ruins: Many
Labs: 3
Starting Technology: Cloning 1, Assault Carrier, Orbital Descent Suits.
Armies:
300 Type-1 Mobile Suits
50 Type-2 Mobile Suits
80 Orbital Descent Suits
80 Battlegroups
Territory: Pallas and the surrounding shoal zone
Capital: Pallas City
Ideology: Cosmism
Advantages: Very well positioned to get space resources
Disadvantages: Badly positioned to get earth resources
Economy: Medium+++
Military: Medium
Ruins: Lots
Labs: 3
Technology: Cloning 1, Space Type Mobile Suits, Advanced Frigates
Armies:
150 Space Type mobile suits
150 Type-1 Mobile Suits
60 Battlegroups
Spacey
2 Battleships, +5 Q3
20 cruisers
80 Advanced frigates
ZOLON Orbital Platform
Territory: ZOLON orbital platforms (L1)
Capital: ZOLON-DARK station
Ideology: Neo-Mechanism
Advantages: Unique Technologies Locus of anti-Seraphim/Astarti activity.
Disadvantages: Lack of Cloning means population is small. Locus of anti-Serphim/Astarti activity
Economy: Medium++++
Military: Medium
Ruins: Many
Labs: 2
Starting Technology: Cybernetics, enhanced MMI, beam power.
Armies:
200 Type-1 Mobile suits
50 Type-2 Mobile Suits
60 Battlegroups
50 Type-S suits, +50 Q3
1 Heavy mobile armour (damaged)
Territory: Applegate Orbital Platform
Capital: Applegate
Ideology: Returnism
Advantages: At the top of an orbital elevator
Disadvantages: Population overly Seraphim sympathetic
Economy: Medium+++++:
Military: Small
Ruins: Few
Labs: 2
Starting Technology: Cloning 1, Frame Runners.
Armies:
225 Frame Runners +25 Q3, +25 Q4 +25 Q1
100 Type-1 Mobile Suits
50 Battlegroups
50 Frigates
Baron Julio David and his counterpart from the Yucatán Squadron, the Knight-Banneret Dame Elisa Maria, took the time to review the situation as they and their wingmen in E-Type Flats rained destruction down on the coastal defenses ringing the Amazonian capital. Little in the way of anti-air defenses were left, which just left the high-caliber guns that were threatening the troop ships. Honestly, Julio had expected better of such a technologically advanced nation, maybe even finding as much glory (and, admittedly, death) as his grandfather had against the Type A, but numbers simply weren't on the side of the revolutionaries this time.
"Come now, you don't expect a trap, do you, Elisa?" the Baron asked.
"I expect a pain in the ass. Radicals fight to the death far more often than makes sense - if they didn't have a plan, or some stupid martyr complex, they'd have faded back into the jungle already."
Julio considered this as he lead his wing on another strafing run. "I'm of the opinion that we simply caught them off-guard. No one expects this level of retaliation for a random terror attack, no?"
"Tch, enough theorizing. Twelve o'clock high, looks like we got someone's attention!" Elisa responds, forming up her own squadron between the new interlopers and the ships.
The Baron sees them. Spacians. "Hm hm. We're nowhere near their treaty obligations. Are the guardian angels going to pick a fight?"
Brunswick, Inglessa
Thousands of kilometers from the front lines, a princess overlooks the other side of the war. Standing at the large bay windows of the conference room, she can see the skeletons of great warships gradually taking shape in the shipyards, while at the same time listening to the reports being relayed to the admirals behind her about the kerfuffle unfolding in the Amazon delta. The chaos of it all sounded...
Princess Catarina, fourth child of His Divine Majesty, was not precisely what one would expect of the Minister of the Navy, having never abandoned high society dress for anything more business- or war-like, but aside from her divinely-ordained bloodline, she had two important traits that served her father and her nation well. The first was a genius strategic mind, and the second was a cold bloodlust that let her employ that mind unfettered, backed by a habitual mirthless grin that, in combination, had her Admiralty thoroughly convinced that she was a shark in human form. The officers present in the room went silent when she turned away from the window and fixed that predatory smirk on the charts on the table.
"If my ears don't deceive me," the Princess began, "our half of the intervention is not going so well, hm?"
One particularly brave admiral only takes a second or so to cough and admit, "The situation in Belém has developed in a manner less positive than projected, Your Highness."
Catarina nodded at this, and fixed her undersea-predator gaze on another member of her little board, a heavyset man in a rumpled uniform who was managing to work up quite a sweat despite it being March on the coldest part of the eastern seaboard. "Ah, I believe it was your recommendation to mount a direct assault on their capital, Admiral Severn? 'Shock and awe', was it?"
The older man blustered for a moment before collecting himself. "It would have worked fine if it wasn't for those Spacians intervening--"
"--which is something we expected and planned contingencies for," the Princess concluded matter-of-factly, "except you, because you are a blithering moron. The Seraphim aren't even the problem, it was your insistence of attacking a fortified location that tied up our mobile suits for too long, to say nothing of the troop losses I'm going to hear about from my whiny boot-charging brother. Get out of my sight and send in someone with a brain."
With that, the princess turned her attention back to the window, and the sea, while Admiral Severn awkwardly extricated himself from the map table and shuffled out of the room. While Belém had been a tactical embarrassment, the overall strategic situation was turning out acceptably. Doubtless the geopolitical situation was on a timer, with her poor, precious fleet inevitably heading for a confrontation with the swarming masses of the rebellious islanders, but the ruling princess in Jaburo was making a fine effort in taking control of the jungles and rivers while the far larger CanMexican forces pinned down the enemy around their capital. The Alpinians had shown their true colors as well, going out of their way to supply the enemies of order with enough mobile suits that they could have invaded Jaburo openly if the incident hadn't pre-empted them...but foreign relations were Javier's department. What really had Catarina excited was the intervention of the Spacians. Looking south over the sea, she imagined the gleaming sight of the mysterious, ultra-advanced machines that had embarrassed dear Julio and Elisa, and forced two squadrons of E-types to turn tail and detonated she-didn't-yet-know how many B-types. The thrill she felt was fear, to be sure...but also joy.
"Show me what you can do, Miss Domina Gunn."
Official Announcement of Demands from the joint diplomatic corps of CanMexico and Jaburo
The regrettable state of war that exists between the nations of Jaburo and Amazonia, supported by allies and adventurers on each side, has come about as the result of a conflict between the Jaburan princely armed forces and Amazonian radicals, the latter having engaged in a pitched battle killing many Jaburan soldiers and civilians. In accordance with the Treaty of Anchorage, the Divine Monarchy of CanMexicao has supported her ally in retaliating for this unprovoked attack, and jointly with the Margraviate of Jaburo demands the following:
1. The disavowal and extradition of radical elements in Amazonia that were involved in the initial attack to Jaburo to face justice from the Margraviate's government.
2. Demilitarization of the districts of Amazonas, Mato Grosso, and Pará [or the geographic equivalent in 1001 AC]
3. War reparations payable in cash or salvage commensurate with the damage done to the Jaburan and CanMexican states
4. International censure of the Algerian and Seraphim mercenaries who intervened in a war between states in contravention of the rules and customs of war.
5. As per Article III of the Treaty of Anchorage, the results of any peace negotiations will be agreed upon by and binding to all co-belligerent signatories of said treaty.
The Seraphim Council is pleased to report the completion of the S-Vaccine, an omnibus vaccine containing antigens for all major endemic communicable diseases on Earth, from the Common Flu, Smallpox and Tuberculosis to the modern terrors of Airborne Leprosy, Neo-Black Death and Scavenger's Lung. The vaccine is one step towards the elimination of these evils, both as curses on the life of the common man on Earth and a risk to Spacian populations who have long been removed from exposure to these diseases and have no defenses against them.
In keeping with our humanitarian commitments, the vaccine will be produced and given to our immediate Earth-side partners in SADE for free during an initial one-year period.
The specifications of the S-Vaccine and stabilized samples of all involved antigens will also be shared with all interested states free of cost.
The first Algerian K-type to splash onto the beach was in bad shape. Few of the following were much better off, with battle damage on nearly every hull. The pilots were all too happy to disembark now that the fighting had stopped, at least a couple ended up falling asleep in the sand slumped against the feet of their mobile suit.
There was considerable discussion happening among those with the energy for it. In a cruel twist of fate, the officers had died, leaving the highest rank member of the expedition a four way tie. Someone had to contact Amazonian authorities, and they needed to find out who while the others tried to regain some semblance of order.
The woman who ended up venturing up the beach was striking. She looked soft, too soft for a mobile suit pilot, and walked with a distinctly unmilitary grace. Her blonde hair reached just below the shoulder, making it the most immediate and noticeable feature that set her apart from her comrades, whose hairs tended to be much darker. Her suit was green and white, accenting her green eyes and dark skin.
Wringing her hands, she stood, looking for someone to talk to.
—
Smoke darkening the sky above the Algerian pilots, the city of Belém was burning - but it hadn't fallen. Above the bay Forte do Presépio was a smoking burned out husk, its concrete walls shattered and its mighty naval guns having fallen silent in face of the attackers energy weapons. But only because it was shattered, this didn't mean it had been utterly extinguished. Even as tens of thousands of mondist soldiers had rushed onto the beaches and into the city, its lesser guns had kept firing and the sirens echoing over the bay from its towers were still continuing in mournful cries that seemed to express the city's shock at 50 years of peace going up in flames. But, as the mondist forces were retreating, their ships disappearing behind the horizon and their forthers pushing north to combine with the main push of the invasion, the blue of the rivers, the green of the forests and the gold of the future was once again fluttering above the cracked bunkers, the tricolore shining above the bay as the survivors raised the battleflag high above the bay with its wrecked ships and destroyed mobile suits.
Even the beach the Algerians had landed on showed signs of the struggle: burned out vehicles bearing the signs of the Divine Monarchy were still smoldering, while the unmoving bodies of their crew were flung into the dunes, leaving a gruesome picture for the onlooker. And onlookers there were many, glancing upwards towards the beach promenade would show onlookers glancing from ruined houses and destroyed cafes, the population of a city barely able to bring itself into safety before fire and death rained down on their homes.
They kept their distance, wary and unsure what to make of these strange globular mobile suits that had emerged from the water. Things did grow tense when a single assault gun perched on a mobile gun-carriage trundled out of one of the streets, its unarmoured chassis showing signs of burns and small fire impact. Thankfully the barrel of the gun never lowered towards the beach, instead the figures on top of it were waving and shouting: "Msa-el-cher!", with a horrible pronunciation but undoubtful with emotion behind it.
—
The woman waved back, thankful to no longer be subjected to nothing but the wary gaze of a shell shocked populace. Her brows knitted in thought: first in deciphering what they said, and then second while composing a reply.
"Olah!" she ventured, voice hesitant but hopeful. When she continued she sounded much more confident, trying to convey a sense of friendliness. With the assault gun there and everyone watching, she was glad she had left her pistol behind. "Algerian! May I come up?"
—
There was some confusion, before something shouted back a loud "Ih! Yes! Eu não falo Argelino!", the words coming rapid and rushed, but the a few more shouts deeper into the street were enough to bring a full gaggle of lightly armed infantryman out of hiding, their colorful sashes and pieces of uniforms slung over hastily a clear sign that they had been completely surprised by the mondist attack and were now coming out….well either out of hiding or from wherever they had dug down. They were covered in sooth and dust and more than a few of them were limping something fierce, but in streets covered in the signs of fighting they merely fit in perfectly.
A small group of them headed towards one of the ruined buildings at the promenade, hastily engaging in a few talks with the local civilians, before disappearing into the gaping maw the front door had turned into after an explosion and returning a few moments later with some beverage crates between them. With the sounds of fighting having died down, the Algerian pilots got to hear the approaching lemonades before they were set into the sand before them, the young soldiers before them smiling a little unsure and gesturing for the drinks while happily repeating: "MaA rih feht Heer! Muito prazer!", the language barrier seemingly more than a little embarrassing to them even after all this fighting.
Thankfully this moment of awkwardness was soon broken by a woman arriving via bicycle, the uniform jacket thrown over a sweater vest and a different sort of sash wrapped around her waist, while a helmet was pressed onto the remnants of neatly curly hair and a rifle was slung over her shoulder. Stepping off the bicycle and heading towards the blonde pilot with a smile that broke through the tiredness on her face, she quickly grasp the algerians hand and shook it with great enthusiasm:
"Welcome to Belém. I am Sílvia Guedes Passos, of the student association combat group for professional languages and literature.", gesturing towards the others she hurried added: "These are volunteers of the guard and the tarimbeiros of the science department."
—
The Algerian pilots were too relieved by the change in atmosphere to allow the language barrier to stop them. Many immediately began to engage in the time honoured tradition of soldiers meeting new friends: digging into their rations to share the best parts. Those with the energy to do so raised a toast to their benefactors, and soon enough barriers came tumbling down.
"Hala Rustumid, Algerian Expedition" was Sílvia's reply. Hala's intonation was perfect, though accented with a hint of French. "It's an honour, you and your people showed incredible bravery. We're sorry we couldn't make it in time."
She had been caught off guard by Sílvia's rapid advance, but if anything seemed relieved by the approachable and friendly presence. Hala looked back at where her companions were already starting to get songs going. "And thanks for the drinks."
—
"You are welcome! You need to try the cacao soda.", the cyclist said good naturedly, her eyes flashing towards the smoking ruins of the cities coastal defenses, before gripping Hala's hand a little tighter, something desperate flashing through the students eyes as she firmly added "Don't even joke about that: without you and the Spacers they would have marched right through us. The armed student combat groups were placed around the train station to defend the evacuation and without the pilots digging in at the parliament building the mondists would have overrun us … half of my group didn't even make it out of the lecture hall when…", the words tumbled and she shook her head, trying to banish these thoughts as she swiftly added:
"We are honored to have you here and it's our joint bravery that saw them running back home to Siberia!", the last words carried easily and a few cheers were heard before she smiled tightly and added: "The mondist destroyed the telegraph lines to the forts, command is sending us out with bicycles to get into contact with everyone. Someone else is trying to find out if the barrack set aside for your unit have survived the shelling. They also told me to ask - politely - on the state of your unit to integrate you into what remains of our coastal defense at this moment…well, what isn't part of those sleek space suits kicking mondists around that is."
—
Hala laid her other hand atop Sílvia's, keeping gentle eye contact. "Thank you, you are kind. It is a privilege to come to the defence of the noble souls of the Amazon."
She took a deep breath to recentre herself. Everyone was rattled by the attack, now wasn't the time to allow doubt and anxieties rule. It was a very learned response, and when she was done she was finally composed and proud. Regal, even.
"Our unit was mauled quite badly, including our surface ships. We don't have exact condition yet, several of us got scattered as we tried to pull back and we have yet to hear back from them. Our command structure was destroyed though, I have been nominated as our representative until we can find a replacement." A shadow passed across her face when speaking of the nomination, but she quickly pushed through it. "Thankfully, we were told to put ourselves under your command, so that shouldn't be a problem."
That left the mobile suits from the sky, the thought of whom made Hala's gaze turn skywards. "That was a sight, wasn't it? Seraphim, I think. They aren't with us, but I wish they were. Here's hoping they stick around."
—
"Well….", Silvia smiled a little, her eyes following Hala's gaze skywards "...they are against the Mondist and talk is that they have done it to protect the city and they were here since they put down the new factories so…", with a little mean smile flicking over her lips she added, "...it's likely that they will be here and not wait for long should the mondist think about kicking us again."
Tilting her head lightly as if in thought she added: "And I did hear that they have a weakness for the chocolatiers around the new bridge where they put down their quarters. It's interesting - what they find interesting I mean. But you are not here for gossip."
Slowly pulling back her hands, she saluted with more enthusiasm than proper form: "I will inform the HQ that you are provisionary leader and ask them to scramble the coastguard. They can look around and see if they can find some more of your people….", glancing towards the sea and the smoke belching ships sinking there "...and maybe pull some of those stupid misguided fools that let themselves be thrown against other people by their crowns out of the water."
—
"If I could," Hala said quickly, taking a half step forward as if she was worried Sílvia might disappear. "Could I come with you, back to your headquarters? It might be better to be in person, and I might be able to get any news of what's going on."
—
Silvia blinked for a moment, before glancing back at the wreck strewn beach and the sea that held only wreckage and smoke "Sure? We can swing by your barracks first too…", she replied before grasping Hala's hand again and tugging her sideways towards the promenade, leaving the rest of the armed students behind to secure the beach as she pulled the blonde upwards towards the street, past the milling onlookers and past the craters left behind by the mondist bombings. When they reached the street proper, the brunette lifted her bicycle from the rubble she had rested it on, glancing at Hala…and then glancing down before glancing back at the sea of her bike: "Think you can hold on if I lean forward?"
—
Hala had only just managed to catch up after being caught off guard by the tug. She was just in time to once again be forced to pause. "Yes, of course," she said.
—
Pushing the bike upwards again and swinging herself onto it with the light flutter of her wide civilian slacks, Silvia leaned forward, the student giving the pilot a smile as she shifted to get Hala some space behind her: "Hop on and hold on tight then. Just to warn you: I got bronze at the last city rally!", which was of course all the warning the Algerian pilot got as she found herself clinging to the waist of the messenger, her deceptively strong legs kicking off the bike with a small whistle.
Within moments they were beginning to roll down a side alley, the smoking remnants of a B-Type blocking the main street as Silvia kicked the pedals, sending the bike shooting down the small hill, evading rubble and holes in the street as well as she could. Which of course still meant that Hala felt the butt of her contacts rifle pressed into her belly with every turn they took, the brunette keeping up a swift but not overly fast speed as she laughed "Trying to keep things slow! Wouldn't want you to get injured after battle because we slipped on some debris!"
—
Despite piloting a mobile suit fully capable of operating at speeds far beyond this, Hala found herself clinging tight against Sílvia, especially after the near encounter with the B-Type. "If this is slow for bronze I can't imagine what is fast for gold!" she quipped back. "Is every woman of the Amazon so proficient? Languages, soldiering, and now cycling. You're going to give me impossible expectations, Sílvia."
—
A little strangled laugh and gasp tore itself from the cyclists throat as she heard those words, moving a little faster as they thundered down another avenue, evading a broken siberian assault carriage and waving to a small checkpoint of even more students who were seemingly pushing out of the center of the city into quartiers the mondists had overrun.
"I did get silver on the off-road challenge but Marie from Geographical Studies is faster when it comes to outright racing over the streets.", with a light laugh she quipped back: "We are a free and proud society, when you have the mondists breathing down your neck, you try to keep up with all the things the republic offers to teach you~!"
—
"I can see that!" Hala said, having dared to wave at the checkpoint as well. "It wasn't so long ago that the women of Algeria didn't have such opportunities. It feels nice to live in a brighter world, where they... We can learn whatever we want."
"You'll have to visit some time, when this is all over." Hala ducked down, avoiding a pole that had been knocked askew. It also put her face tucked tightly near Sílvia's neck so her next words felt much closer. "I hope you will love it as much as I think I will come to love the Amazon."
—
With the hairs at the back of her neck beginning to stand up, Silvia gave a small flustering smile, before they reached a bridge, the old stone and mortar undamaged by the fighting, the timeless faces of past professors and decans glancing down at them as the messenger slowed down a little "I would…. I would love to…", she gasped out, only to stop, the bike coming to a halt on top of the bridge, her gaze sweeping over the streets on either side, where molten and half exploded mobile suits were lying like discarded dolls, with armored vehicles and unmoving forms between them. Slowly both military and civilian services were picking through them, looking for wounded or those whom they wouldn't be able to help.
Shaking her head lightly the brunette added "I don't think I will be able to visit for a while thou…I heard on the radio that they are invading the north and that the mobilization has been ordered for all reservists and every other adult…", shaking her head lightly once more as if to banish these thoughts she added: "...well, we are supposed to be ready for civil defense and services. Can't have them attack us like this again or at least not without being ready to keep everyone as safe as they can be..."
—
The destruction wrought upon the city hadn't been pleasant before, but the sheer devastation around here was enough to sober Hala's mood. "We'll send more," she said with a firm voice that shook only a little. "I know it. We won't let you stand alone against people who would do this. If I have to go back to Algeria and bring them here myself, we'll send more."
—
"We might hold you to that.", Silvia replied with some humor, looking across the fresh signs of battle, she added "The Profs have been telling us that we are at the frontline of the battle between freedom and tyranny but to imagine they would try to smash us like this - all of them together?", her lips formed a thin line as she gave Hala a somber look: "I think whatever happens next - as long as we continue fighting none of your unit will have to buy any drinks in the city.", with a light smirk forming she added "...still, maybe be careful when you visit the Red Flora and Fauna in the old botanical garden. When the news came that you were coming the reds were already celebrating loud enough for the whole uni to hear - don't want to imagine their reaction to you coming and bursting through the mondists' fleets like that."
Letting out a sharp laugh, she shook her head and kicked off again, the duo now picking up speed again as they moved downhill again, making good on all the altitude they had gained to make their way towards what must be the industrial shipyards of the city, the grand armored bulks of unfinished battleships and destroyers standing completely detached from the battle that had taken place before. A little past them, close to a large scale aquarium, was a little ornamental building with columns and a small garden - the plaque read that it had been the surgical theater before, but now a small algerian flag was hanging over the entrance and a small group of people - a mix of algerian embassy staff and Amazonian officers - were climbed around the entrance, turning when they saw the two of them approaching.
Clicking her tongue Silvia hummed "Seems like HQ sent someone to meet you here.", coming to a stop and holding the bike upright to allow Hala a chance to dismount, she added lightly "I think they were repairing the lines towards the fort - if you spent long enough talking here you should be able to phone your people later."
—
"Looks like it, good to see the embassy's alright." Hala dismounted, managing it with minimal awkwardness. "I'm going to see if I can't get them to allow residents whose homes have been destroyed to shelter with us. We're soldiers, sleeping in rough conditions is part of the job. A family needs shelter."
Part of her seemed far away as she took her first few steps towards what would be her new base. "It's going to be a long night." She turned sharply, dropping into a bow in Sílvia's direction. "It's been a pleasure, Sílvia Guedes Passos. I look forward to seeing you again. Stay safe so that I can, alright?"
—
A smile played over Silvias lips again as Hala bowed, her own departure accompanied by another jaunty salute as she swung herself back onto the bike: "I am sure the people in the harbor district will appreciate it." gesturing towards the barrack she added "I know where you are quartered - maybe I can get to show you the city in a better light in the future. Stay safe and give the mondists hell if they return!", she called out and kicked off again, waving even as she disappeared down the road again, heading for another checkpoint, another message, another task at hand.
The Armed Forces on the Ground, the Sea and the Air are hereby mobilized by order of Parliament!
The savage forces of reaction, the crowned bandits and murderers of the world have attempted to destroy the beating heart of Republicanism in the Americas by launching an perfidious attack on our Capital of Belém! The murderers of the bloody Princess are marching through the jungles of our north! The Arch-Despot of CanMexico has sent his fleets to shell our shores and the pawns of the Siberians have been sent to bleed and die on our shores to smother the flame of liberty in their blood.
The Amazon Territories are in a state of open war with the Monarchy of CanMexico and the Margraviate of Jaburo, which has been supported by the Transiberian Empire in their invasion of our borders and capital. As such all able citizens are to hold themselves ready for mobilization: be it for the armed forces, civil defense or the stabilization of vital industries.
All reservists are to report to their brigades divisions. All aviators are to stand ready for conscription. All adults are to report with their local national guard or civil defense units. All student associations are to join the same in accordance with their charter.
Military transportation will be given priority on all infrastructure. Food reserves and raw material depots are to be secured by local national guard units. All Radios and Newspapers are to inform the citizens of the state of war and their duties.
Citizens! The Amazon Territories stand ready to defend your lives and your freedoms! Our allies are sending aid from across the globe and the heights of orbit! Our allies in the OSRA, our allies in spirit and our allies in orbit stand ready! The mondist might have planned to destroy us in one treacherous attack, but a people united and fighting for their freedom will never be bested by the tyrannies of old!
The Republic that guarantees your freedom and equality is in Danger!
The Kings of the Mondists are trying to stamp out the eternal danger to their tyranny!
Death to the Enemies of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity!
=]+[= =] Victory at Belém! [=
=]+[=
The telegraph lines were running hot and the radio waves were getting blasted across half of the globe, it was enough for her to nearly believe it herself: Victory at Belém! If her pennon hadn't molten down from twelve mobile suits - a number that ought to have sounded utterly imposing before this day as it was more than a quarter of all their B-Types - before her very eyes she might have believed it self. As it was Captain Francesca Alatriste merely felt as if she could sleep for the next decade at this point, her whole body feeling as if it was covered in bruises or burns from the fire of the mondists, her mobile suit having gotten half of its left arm slagged, before she was thrown around by the light field artillery the CanMexicans had pushed forward and into the streets. Her mighty machine looked like a battered can of soda, its armor indented - but still intact - from hostile machine gun fire and the ceremonial paint of the Parliamentary Guard deformed and half molten from the glancing hit of an enemy E-Type. Still, it had gotten her through the battle and now it was cooling in the shade of the republican park, the greenery interrupted by the trenches the guards and 1st brigade had dug into the flower fields and beneath the hedges, with the stern marbles of past presidents looking down at the machine gun positions worked behind their base.
Fishing in her jacket for the small silver cigarette etui her fool of a brother had gifted her before getting himself stationed at a both remote and secretive excavation site, she barely got the smoke between her lips before someone was already approaching her. Patting over her pants pockets with a growing frown her mood only lightened a little when she was presented with a lighter and fire - at least till she looked at the face offering it, the youthful features and the colorful sash of the student combat groups making her mood sour again as she took the offered fire and stalked off without more than a thankful nod, the dark clouds over her features enough to keep everyone else from approaching her.
Running a hand through her graying hair, they captain couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as she plopped into one of the chairs placed in a small dugout infront of what must have been a botanical experiment: a tree bearing multiple different fruits and blossoms. Enjoying a moment to stretch out, she glanced at the snoring form of the slip of a girl that had been assigned to her unit just two months prior - the last person she would have expected to make it through a day like this. Letting her succumb to the exhaustion was both prudent and the right thing to do and as she dragged on her smoke, she became aware of movement to her right, the shuffling form of her second dropping into the seat opposite of her, trying to be silent as he handed her an actual porcelain bowl filled with a spicy smelling stew.
Dropping her smoke to the ground she took the offered meal and accompanying silver spoon. Her raised eyebrow only got a little laugh as he gestured toward parliament - or more precise: its canteen. With a shake of her head she dug in, suppressing the small wince and tears that threatened to slip as she shoveled the hot food into her mouth, only the heavy emptiness of her stomach keeping her going as she gulped it down eagerly and desperately. The canteen on her side still held some water and it washed down the stew as she glanced at their sleeping comrade and gestured to the side, her Lt. following silently as they headed a little further, nodding to the infantryman of the parliament guard that had sunk a cannon into the garden grounds and aimed it at the bridge still. Making a little way through the shallow trench system they finally found some peace and quiet and she reached for another smoke, the dark haired Lt. offering her light right away.
"Wouldn't have expected that she would pull through.", she said with another drag, throwing a glance at the tired and worn smile that appeared on the younger mans face: "She did good, got at least one of the mondist suits at the avenue and helped me throw another into the river - saved Pablos life once…"
She didn't need to ask more: Pablo hadn't made it to the rally point at Parliament, despite having been part of the defensive line before it. Their whole Pennon had been thrown against the invaders with barely any warning: one moment they were running the new pilots through their training regimes - preparations for more mobile suits she had been told - and the next minute the base staff had been put to alarm and all veteran pilots sent out to protect the city…
…looking at the blacked out ruins on the other side of the river she could only remember glimpses of what came after: ships, artillery, energy weapons - her pennon trying to break through to Forte do Presépio only to lose Guiseppe to enemy gunnery and pull back into the streets as their E-Types silenced the coastal defenses. What came after was a desperate push and pull throughout the streets of the city as her pennon had gone from twelve mobile suits in the beginning to just six that had pulled back to parliament, where the guards and the students had been digging in, buying time for the government to escape via train - to organize the resistance and let the republic life on.
She hadn't expected them to see another day, had expected to go down in the fire of those energy weapons or knee deep in mondist infantry - had expected to see these fresh faced students who had left their classes behind to haul machine guns into the parliament building go up in flames and now… with a small laugh she shook her head:
"Martin, what do you think your father would have said to …", she circled the smoke above her head with one hand, the other gesturing towards the flight of Seraphim Suits that was still patrolling the cities airspace. "...this?"
The smile that greeted her question was still tired, but her adopted son was coming alive with memories of better times, his hands relaxing as he looked skywards as well: "Most likely something that mom wouldn't have approved off?", he ventured, her own laugh filling the silence comfortably as they looked upwards, watching their new best friends and allies keeping the mondists from getting any smart ideas.
Reaching over and giving his shoulder a light squeeze, she could only wonder how she ended up in command of what had turned into a glorified lance with pilots that were young enough to be her children - and in one case kinda were. Martin was a good kid, proper military brat like she had been; the girl - Soraia - was as green as they came but had made it through the grinder and pilot Renan? He was only slightly younger than Martin but had struggled far more to get into the position he was in: a little bit too tensely wound up but a great pilot.
Maybe she was just getting old - or maybe just too old to get calls from the government on the rails to take her lance and meet up with her brother at his excavation site. She had expected that they would be thrown north now, to push back against the landbound invasion - but who was she to question? As long as she could escape before she would get that honorary professorship of war, only because she was ready to die with the flag in hand, didn't mean she wanted everyone to see that while she was still alive.
Wherever Martins parents were right now - Francesca was sure they were laughing at her in the best of ways.
Alexis_Flowers:: Are you sure this is how negotiations work? FloopyDustbun:: Absativly fren my SO wrks in trade @ teh port, they now all abutt it FloopyDustbun:: Start w/ a big ask n then teyu talk u down to earth (lmao m so fnny) BigLugLarry70:: Really, it's not such a big ask anyhow. They have so much space down there, giving us some extra room so that we don't feel like they're going to pounce the moment we turn our backs is a nice way for them to show they're dealing in good faith. Railhead_Vacuum:: Plus, they gotta grease our wheels for leaving us hanging like this. Up and leaving us on read for days right after objecting ain't on.
~<🍎🚧>~
It all started off so well. Alexis sat down across the table from the handful of minor officials who had been dragging things along for the past few days and set up her tablet and cameras. She paused to straighten her collar and tie (as well as open the vents on her jumpsuit even wider in the sweltering heat of the conference room) before delivering the opening salvo.
"Given the militaristic nature of some Earthian nations that has become apparent over the course of renewed relations between the nations of Earth and of Space, the Teamsters wish to mirror the Marcher-Princess's dissatisfaction with the preliminary agreement."
The officials sat up straighter and got much more alert at this. Alexis smiled, and cut to the quick.
~<🍎🚧>~
Alexis_Flowers:: That got away from us very quickly. I feel somewhat misled. The big ask followed by being worked down a bit did NOT work out how you said it would FD. FloopyDustbun:: Yeahh. Sorry about that… was talking it over and I mighta missed some of the finer points FloopyDustbun:: Like making sure it's a request vs a demand. FloopyDustbun:: Sorry, that's my bad everyone SereneVisage:: Live and learn, FD, no use snatching at vented gas. BigLugLarry70:: Folks, have a look at this new treaty that just came in. It's… interesting, to say the least. Alexis_Flowers:: What, exactly does 6.3 mean? Do they… not let women assemble or vote? SereneVisage:: Well, some Earthians mustn't, otherwise it wouldn't be something that the Seraphs were pushing. Alexis_Flowers:: We need to clear this up. Alexis_Flowers:: I won't stand for this. BigLugLarry70:: A bit of a gentler lead in this time, if you could, Alexis. Alexis_Flowers:: No promises
~<🍎🚧>~
"No, women can't vote in the Divine Monarchy," Count Floyd said as he leaned forward, the ice in his glass of rum tinkling in the oppressive heat as it came to rest on the coaster, "but neither can men. No one does."
It took a minute for that to make sense in Alexis's head as more than nonsense. A feeling of dawning horror settled in between her shoulder blades and began to twist and burrow into her spine. A beam of sunlight cut through the sunlight and refracted off the Count's glass and into her eye.
"How do you decide what to do?" She asked, a bead of chill sweat percolating on her temple, "If no one votes, how do you know what people want?"
Akht-Count Mede Pridoni cut in, "His grace, the Tsar, has a divine connection to his subjects"
"The King listens to the petitions of his people and the wisdom of his advisors and oracles, the King decides, and the nation acts on the King's decision," Count Floyd continued, nodding along.
The tension between Alexis's shoulder blades eased.
"That's… interesting. What is the term of a king, and how is a new one selected?"
"Life and normally absolute primogeniture. Is this relevant? Is there anything else that needs to be covered before we sign?"
Alexis shuddered. The people in front of her seemed suddenly very alien.
In this time of troubles, of thunder worldwide and the threat of brimstone, the Great Host feels obligated to restate its traditional and customary protocol. Rather than an oration, we will now line up the salient points of Siberia's policy abroad.
1. The protection of the Faith. The Cult of Apollo- will always be defended, in its institutions, rights, and believers. Any action against them will be met with reaction in appropiate terms with the blessing of the Patriarch.
2. The bulwark of rightful governance. Monarchy, divine right, and the obligation of the common folk to obey their rulers' wisdom. Any monarch worldwide may ask Siberia for support against threats internal or external whatever their prior actions and will meet with eager aid from us.
3. The upholding of the sacred interests of Siberia. Removing any threats from our borders, maintaining order, and giving peace and plenty in power to our subjects. We will never forget that a monarch's rights are only as great as his duties.
THE GREAT EMPIRE OF SIBERIA IS GUARANTEEING THE MONARCHIES OF THE WORLD, ALL-INCLUSIVE
The nature of Seraphim politics has been inscrutable to most Earthian and Spacian politics since contact (called here 'the Seraphim' rather than the 'Axis Seraphim' of the Inner System or the Seraphim of the Outer System, known more commonly as the Astarti), with little known that it appears to be dynamic, contentious and animated in some fashion by their well-known mental capabilities. Seraphim governance can be described as a direct democracy by other means, with psychic communication and shared insights establishing rapidly consensus in action.
As with conventional democracy, the most ambitious, politically engaged and connected often shape policy in excess of their remit. The failure of certain political projects and exposure to the Earthian autocracies seems to have informed the formation of a few pseudo-kin groups, so-called 'Genelines' or 'Clone Families' which have narrowed their focus to specific fields of study, encouraging younger Seraph within these affiliations to pursue excellence in accordance with the optimizations that have already been made to their lineage.
The Seraph military is perhaps the most visible element of its presence in Space and on Earth, second only to its professional diplomats, spies and merchants (the latter three often all embodied in one person). As an elite but small force with superlative pilots, the Seraph emphasize small mixed-unit forces acting with strong personal initiative, and a flat ranking system with a general command structure based on need and purpose.
What heirarchies are present appear to be based on seniority, acheivement and experience in the particular field.
The Chiral-Rakshasa System
Most Seraph forces on Earth use the Chiral-Rakshasa System, which uses 6-machine elements, typically assigned to a Cruiser for support. The name derives from both the structure of the units and the conditionning techniques that the pilots use to communicate simple but critical information like status, location and identity verification to one another. In the Chiral System, pilots participate in parapsychological bonding exercises with their units, identifying themselves as the component digits of a single hand and creating a shared psychic image-- a tulpa-- of the object to maintain a shared kinesathetic reference point.
This 'ghost hand' serves mutliple purposes: first, fundamental aspects of communication in warfare, like IFF, maneuver and sitreps can be made wordless and instinctive.
Second, it provides a level of protection from psychic weapons such as the Machines of the Apocalypse, who initiated mental assaults on pilots with the query 'Who are you?' Abstract identification with a non-human object during combat prevented such weapons from accessing the Seraph's vulnerable inner thoughts, creating compulsions or emotions that could compromise their mission-capability, cause psychological distress, irrational acts, breakdowns or death. At the same time, a coherent, pseudo-human element prevented various workarounds from inducing sociopathy, disassociation or fugue states, which were equally hazardous to the execution of their missions.
Finally, the nature of the 'ghost hand' limits psychic backlash between pilots in case of sudden death or grievous injury. Pre-Cataclysm psychic research experimented with mass inductions of baseline humans, which produced early examples of parapsychological gestalts. While useful in combat and for communication when particle ECM was more easily deployed by combatants, these groups were vulnerable to instability when members were lost. The Seraphim tell apocryphal (and most likely distorted) tales of the One Thousand Immortals, who were said to be unkillable in battle as the souls of their lost comrades would ride to their aid. In reality, such forces often succumbed to madness as their numbers decreased and their survivors were increasingly haunted by the psychic death-throes of each fallen member, and ultimately killed to a man.
The Body
Each Hand, though their commander, connect to a number of other units in an overarching command structure known as a 'Body', with the number of 'Hands' determining what the working group is called. Two-Hand taskforces are called 'Manu', while larger forces may be called 'Asura' or 'Rakshasa' depending on the number of limbs and general purpose of the mission. Seraphim taskforces in space approximately use a similar naming schema but refer to a schema of 'Ishim', 'Cherudim' and 'Malakim', finding the kinesthetics of a winged being make orbital and deep space operations easier to conceptualize.
Unit Structure
Under the Chiral-Rakshasa System, nearly all units at full strength operate in 6s, with a mix of Numbered (Type-2s) and Lettered (Type-P or Type-S) units in various roles.
Commander "Palm-6"
The commanding officer is usually the most experienced pilot, skilled tactician and disciplined psychic of the group. A commander will typically pilot a Type-P, but the Type-S is not uncommon owing to the flexibility of its larger number of bits and protective field. Commander capabilities vary greatly, the only two consistent requirements are the charisma to lead five strong-willed Seraphs into combat and mental discipline to also connect to the Body.
Commanders are referred to as Palm-6, as the last call in a force and the fulcrum around which the other units orientate themselves.
Adjutant "Thumb-5"
The adjutant of a unit is chosen to fill difficiencies in the commander's abilities, provide feedback on plans while under fire and be prepared to take charge in case the commander is killed or rendered mission-ineffective. Less experienced pilots may have a seasoned ace as their second, while a more worldly and materialist officer may opt for a talented psychic to support them. Unit selection for an adjutant is often the opposite letter-choice of their commander, a Type-P for a commander who pilots a Type-S, and vice-versa.
The Adjutant has the title of Thumb-5 in calls, providing strength and support to the rest of the hand.
Unit Specialist "Index-4"
The unit specialist is typically assigned a non-standard unit and made responsible for mission-critical tasks like pathfinding, marking targets for artillery strikes, transporting VIPs or special equipment, etc. In most units the specialist is also the best pilot without a command responsibility, and most likely to be given far-ranging tasks that may seperate them from the rest of their force.
The Unit Specialist has the call of Index-4, as the most dextrous finger of the hand.
Wingmates "Finger-1", "Finger-2" and "Finger-3"
Less experienced pilots are paired with the command and specialist roles within the unit. The most-senior wingmate is assigned to support the Unit Specialist, while the two least experienced are each assigned to the commander and adjutant. As part of the training and bonding process, particularly green Seraph pilots learn to first interpret psychic messages and other information from their wingmate before being introduced to the 'Ghost Hand' construct, a process of mentorship that habituates them the lack of privacy and differences of mindset inherent in military life among the Seraphim.
Wingmates have the signation of Finger as the necessary digits of a hand. Finger-1 is the designation of the most-experienced wingmate, who is partnered with the Index, while Finger-2 works with the Adjutant and Finger-3 escorts the unit Commander. Traditionally, these partnerships change as members are lost, rotate out and are introduced, though peacetime tends to result in fairly long wingmate assignments outside of the training units.
Unit Names
Seraphim often refer to themselves prosaically after their commanding officer, so a team lead by Solona Cosmos will call itself 'the Cosmos Team' in press releases and records. During campaigns, units will take a working group title related to their position in the taskforce. In a 'Manu' a unit may simply call itself 'Right' or 'Left', 'Red' or 'Blue' while larger forces with more specialized tasks may assign weapon or animal-related names. A logistics force might be called 'Yak', a siege unit might be called 'Bull', while a headhunting force might be titled 'Wolf', 'Eagle', 'Arrow' or 'Spear'.
In inter-unit communications, Seraph add these to their calls. The Specialist of a headhunting squadron might be called 'Spear-4' when pressed for time, while a logistics defense unit's Adjutant may take a more relaxed call of 'Yak Thumb-5' when confirming the approach of a friendly element in need of resupply.
The ships units are assigned to are typically called 'Arm' (for Cruisers and Frigates) and 'Longarm' (for Battleships), along with their formal name. If the SVS Penthesilea, a Seraph Cruiser were the mothership of the Cosmos Team, currently working under the call of 'Spearhead', it may be referred to as 'Arm', 'Spearhead Arm', 'Cosmos Arm' or 'Penthesilea' depending on the circumstances.
"Four years at this point. Where does the time go?"
"Why do you want to be a mobile suit pilot?"
"Because giant robots are cool?"
"Please take this seriously. This is official."
Sigh "Mobile suits are the future of warfare. Plus they're a lot more personal you know? It's got a lot of the same skills as flying a plane, you need to be adaptable and quick on your feet to handle technical problems. But instead of doming someone from miles away you're facing them head on with whatever weapon you've got. There's something kind of honest about that."
"...Right. Why are you the best person to pilot a mobile suit?"
"Because I'd be really good at it. The Kingdom can't afford to waste these skills when it still outgunned and outnumbered by the Republicans."
"Your commanders noted a tendency of rebellious behavior. Is that really fitting for a-"
"My commanders need to lighten up a little and stop issuing dumb orders. Besides, you need people with a bit of creative thinking to pilot mobile suits."
" ... Thank you Miss Petrakis. We'll be in touch with the next steps of the application process if you are selected."
