Merlion Rising (CANCELLED)

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

It's a small break for us, the Chevaliers, from the recent mission with the Imperial National Gendarmerie – cleaning up the hacienda of 'Father' Lorenzo, one of the late executed corrupt priests, where we found books that spoke of bribes and embezzlement of funds when the jokester was alive with another letter we sent to the Vatican about the matter again.

The preparations of New Year Festival and our mission we took was that much not tiring because of our shifts.

I could still remember helping out in setting up stall without much troubles.

At the pseudo-meeting session sort of thing, occurring at the IOMS Lounge of IOMS Alpine Regional HQ, I watched my fellow Chevaliers and our guys chattering.

We're at the 'fictional original' Northern Luzon part of one of the Summer Capitals in the Covenant, the Alpine Region, a thing that doesn't exist from the original world we came from.

Outside was cold and snowing. The good thing was our Order had a parka uniform or we would have brought one of the 'goodies'.

We're currently having an afternoon snack of hot beverages.

As a 'Filipino', I had to admit hot cocoa was good for this weather despite that this 'Philippines' was very different including Baguio where it was 450.35 times bigger than the Baguio we knew of, and this unfamiliar Earth.

"So, with this world's British under this world's Iron Duke on our side, and our country having a lead with measures and safeguard in case things went 'funny' in the future especially this world's Fernando VII of Spain and the corrupt Spanish friars and absolutist peninsular in the 'Mother Spain' with a fact we had a skirmish against some remnants of the Spanish Absolutists at one of the forests," started Kiko, one of my kinsmen. "Is there a new report so far about the progress of the New Year Festival in those areas besides putting our 'houses'?"

"Well, my guys are still working on those but it should be done around 2 hours from now." answered Alexis. "Speaking of one of my guys, they came across from one of the immigrants who had a tale. The immigrant's ancestor who was with Villalobos."

"Alexis, tell us it." Requested Ali.

Alexis nodded. "Sure. This is some tale related Euresia back when the Spanish Colonial Government haven't established 'Pilipinas'. It was around the time of this world's Ruy Lopez de Villalobos when he was alive. One of the missing ships lost in the expedition with one of them frozen wreck. There's frozen ships, boats, a bit gruesome, 'thanks' to Nordica, and the Chevalaria continent. This is a matter for everyone and us because we have European-esque countries in Asia and elsewhere."

At that, like everyone here, I took attention closely.

Kingdom of Euresia, were one of the targeted countries in Asia, we've been keeping an eye on for our Asian Union Project. Pictures showed it's one of the 'fictional original' Eureopean-esque countries in Chevalaria.

As Kyle's one of kinsmen, I agreed with him in those matters and subject of how to have our Covenant an edge through a [Maphilindo Dream Program] and coming up with ways including our proposal earlier back in those days of our first appearance in last 1822 before we started to move and won independence in Operation Independence, that's for a good part and our agenda in building our country's trained Reserves, the trained citizen-soldiers, members of the Imperial Order of the Majestic Sharpshooters, the Chevaliers of the Majestic Sharpshooters who could do experience through by becoming part-paramilitary, "trained citizen-soldiers", as one of our policies including dealing with countries from the Chevalerian continent, a continent located right of Japan and south of Yelizovo.

'That's some matter to keep an eye of. Roger told us it's one of the Eureopean-esque countries in Asia that also has snow. One of those were Latin speaking and has that chivalry and things. I swear, Baguio here was bigger than we expected.' I thought to myself, remembering the previous meetings that came up with various surprises, that we would have to come up with strategies and double check the information, back then.

"Ehem, this is what we know - the Spanish ships, La Estrella del Mar (The Star of the Sea), El Gran Cruzado (The Great Crusader), and El Vencedor (The Victor), many more ships, they don't exist from the 'world' we came from and were never built by the Spanish." started Alexis, having us nod in agreement, knowing this world was a different world. "In here, the information told us those Spanish ships were one of those missing ships lost during the voyage. They were majestic during those days when Villalobos was alive. According to the account by that immigrant named Diego, his ancestor was one of those sailors who watched those ships disappeared and heard it sunk there right when those ships got lost in what we would have known as Euresian Ocean, if not our country's Nordica."

"That makes me wonder the day when our 'benefactor' gave us the 'goodies' from one of those ships then during our first day of isekai'd." I commented in understanding, putting down my tea cup, earning nods. "Kyle, Alex, everyone leading our group, Sons of Nation, we've been getting accounts from our sources, and checking those accounts and information through our networks and the built-up connections for forming a clearer picture of this world and this bigger different 'Philippines'. And speaking of accounts, have you guys thought about owning a custom weapon suited to our needs? A custom commission that is for a custom variant suited to our needs?"

One of my kinsmen, Kiko, raised an eyebrow. "Did I hear that, right? A custom commission?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Aren't we our country's CMS, the Chevaliers of the Majestic Sharpshooters? The glorified trained reserves who can act as a bunch of paramilitary guys legally like we are a trained citizen-soldiers taking that kind of job? I myself have thought of having my rifled musket have custom parts on it suited to my needs. It makes sense, am I right?"

At this, we remembered we finally made a final decision about the "entity" three weeks ago. The good thing was money wasn't much spent in transition without troubles. That lesson of deciding a name was almost a waste of time and a poke in our resources. Never almost go overengineering in picking a name and setting things up when we could have done this merging with the Imperial Hound Legion of the Covenant from the start earlier. The only best thing was the constitution itself didn't wrote "Imperial Hound Legion of the Covenant". Our order's constitution finally got amended with that name, the [Imperial Order of Majestic Sharpshooters], with some functions of the absorbed-Imperial Hound Legion of the Covenant (IHL) – we're still called as the Chevaliers, well one of the Chevaliers since we also have [Imperial Humanitarian Order of the Covenantian Realm] led by one of our own guys from our group, William Grey, the Order's first Grand Chevalier of the Humanitarian, who with our approval and what we planned behind the scenes, put up with that Order that might be considered as the Covenantian version of Red Cross, and the Covenantian version of Sovereign Military Order of Malta, but with a sort of modifications with a ceremonial figurehead, the House of the Covenant, a planned House for the place of Andres' descendants, which as of this situation, was Andres Novales himself.

"Indeed, we all are CMS, the Chevaliers of the Majestic Sharpshooters." answered Hector, one of the former Americans and Texan. "Our Order's IOMS Constitution allows us as what the Covenantian Constitution said so which leaves us to our devices, a part of commissioning custom weapons for our use, a custom variant suited to each according to the individual needs, and have it registered, obviously. I seem to have forgotten me, Kyle, Greg, Manuel, and our firearms enthusiasts and marksmen in our group owned those 'modern' and kept it in our storage at Camp Valral."

Javier, chimed in. "So, is there a good place? We wouldn't have to cross our way of that Nordica located North of Luzon. Thing's got a size of Greenland, and located north of Luzon. Good firearms and stuff, very vital asset for our country, the Imperial Federal Covenant, because of you know what."

"Actually, Javier, I heard there's one workshop here in Alpine that can do custom commissions, a place I know from Kyle, Chris, Alex, and Roger." I replied, taking a sip of my tea. "It's run by a 'old timer' guy named Don Esteban. He's been doing it for years and has a reputation for quality work before we got our independence in 1823. He's like a John Browning or something. We can just visit his place."

"Don Esteban, huh?" said James, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I've heard of him. He's supposed to be one of the best gunsmiths in this cold-ass region. Pretty good for an 'old timer' after taking the opportunity in learning new modern techniques and methods. He's even in his early 20s. He inherited it from his father and his ancestors."

"Exactly." I nodded, feeling pleased with myself for having done my research and asking Kyle about which 'old timer' we could get a service. "I think we should pay him a visit and see what he can do for us. He's good friends with Fernal, Kyle, and others. Guy's like in his early 20s, young and humble, willing to learn new techniques and makes his own, he's good for this job."

There was a murmur of agreement from the group, and we all finished our tea and began making plans to visit Don Esteban's shop in the Covenant. We knew that commissioning custom weapons wouldn't come cheap, but we were willing to pay for the quality and craftsmanship that we knew Don Esteban could provide. He's just that good as what Fernal said so during the last I talked to Fernal himself via our group's app. The picture of the craftsman's work and comments from examinations and tests were a sign of improvement from his previous works, a passing standard to us.

"That we should." Said in agreement by Rafael. "Whether Don Esteban is an 1823 version of Covenantian John Browning or not, we, the Chevaliers, have to take a fill of being a sharpened blade. Jude, let's go there so we can start."

I smiled. "Sure. Don Esteban is one of the guys were very thankful to our placing guilds and orders system in our country. Believe me, Don Esteban also contributed in our cause and building up our country's Arsenals. He is not called Vice Grand Master of [Order of Covenantian Imperial Arsenal] for nothing."

[Order of Covenantian Imperial Arsenal] (OCIA), that Order is the one that was the top pyramid of the one of the guilds like [Imperial Firearms Engineers]. The purpose of that Order was to produce and develop weapons and ships for our country's Imperial Arsenal and reserves. In this era, they might be considered as the Covenantian version of DARPA, the [Imperial National Security], also known as [Covenantian Advanced Research and Development Agency] (CARDAs) where the CARDA itself having many divisions within, they're part of it.

"Alright, alright, Jude." said Javier, one of my fellow CMS. "Let's see what Don Esteban and his services can offer. Let's give him a visit."

All smiles, we knew the special perks and honor of knowing the 'secret' and a glimpse of the 'goodies'. Those were the sign of our trust. It's a privilege and knew the responsibility that came with it. We were there to develop the Covenantian Realm, they knew it's a serious business and serious matter.

'The place should be here near the Alpine HQ of the [Imperial Humanitarian Order of the Covenantian Realm]. I am so gonna put with this different atmosphere and weather.' Putting the gloves on, we left [The IOMS Lodge], to go to Don Esteban's workshop, a workshop called [Silver Mountain Firearms], not before giving a written note to Miguel Gastronomes, a fellow CMS stationed here in Alpine, to pass the message, a suggestion our fellow Chevaliers, that was to say "It's okay to have a custom variant suited to your needs as long as it helps you as a Chevalier."

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

"Legit. That's the way as it should be, simple, practical, efficient, and future-proofing as what Anders Magnusson, Alexander Sinclaire, and his group taught to us, the principles of Covenantian Engineering. Our country's armed forces and our fellow countrymen are counting on our Order and our guilds, be it on war or on peace. I expect everyone here to be at their game because we like our fellow firearms engineers in the Covenantian Realm have a role to play."

"Thank you, Section Manager. The teachings bestowed to us and from the new firearms engineering schools and this guilds and order by our government expanded our knowledge and helped our dignity as the engineers."

"No problem, it's not only us but our fellow engineers and everyone in and outside our Order. Look at our Vice Grand Master, our boss's future successor, he's coming up with new design after he entered at one of the schools. It's been a while."

"Yeah, this would mean we aren't at the mercy of the previous regime anymore. I can still remember how those late bastards were pretty much hypocrites when they run this and forced us to go through the polo y servicio when they blocked knowledge and learning while there's that shitty tax system back in those days. Don't count me out the ridiculous amount to 'avoid' the shitshow. They're…."

"I know. At least our way of life was better than the previous regime. Everyone's getting new knowledge and coming up newer things we haven't thought of due to the blockade and the fucking unjust caste system. I might be considered as a Spanish peninsular but I am not – I'm a proud Covenantian like our comrades and friends who joined the world of new Era of the Covenantian Realm - an independent country free from the outdated ideals of absolutism, tyranny, and slavery."

"Hey now, Section Supervisor, you are becoming like what would Sir Kyle say in his speech before he went to Nordica for the Nordica Expedition last July after the independence. You know the day he had to ask Alex, Sigmund, well those guys from Sons of Nation helped lifting us with dignity."

"Pfft, at least we don't have to worry about those if we are sticking monogamous marriage ourselves. I must say, I still remember how Kyle Hernandez had no comment about our country's Imperial Marriage Council. Ironically, to think he scored beautiful girls from Nordica's Orlači tribe during the Expedition to Nordica during those days, that had the tribe and the territory under his command and introduced his ideals there while being part of his new family. What is it for his case? Harem?"

"Harem it is. I can at least respect him for that and taking it responsibly while himself being the Grand Chevalier of the IOMS, the very first one in Covenantian history." remarked one of the firearms engineers, grinning ear to ear, from a fact and news he heard from the cold expedition with some that day of successful expedition, a bit unsure what to do with one of the heroes who gave their countrymen an independence, and the new life they were all enjoying. "Anyway, no matter what I read about the fictional story having a polygamy in that story's world, I see myself as a monogamous guy in the end in real life though."

"Same – hey you're still young and unmarried!" half-joked the Section Manager. "Tell that when you get yourself a wife! Kyle's like know how to deal with them, he's young and like he dealt with it those situations for his younger age. He already himself unexpected gain of territory for himself."

"Sure, Nordica it is. I can still remember you heard of stories about Nordica that cold from one of our customers. Cold and snow but tolerable cold, having a bigger with the former regime having many failed attempts there with their ships almost frozen and it's an island region for the Covenantian Realm. They also said Nordica's also one of the good spots for testing the firearms and place for firearms. I don't know why and I understood what they mean by that but we got ourselves friendly rivals from our Covenantian Nordicans."

"I know. The Council told us in a form of notice to have a friendly competition and innovation for the betterment of the Covenantian Realm and our fellow Covenantians including working together and united against the enemies who dare to mess with the Covenant."

"At least we got newer jacket designs for keeping our bodies warm besides here in Alpine. This jacket we're all wearing are the proof of moving with the times, and thinking ahead of the future and the next era."

"Yeah, I don't feel sorry to the Absolutists and those Padre Damaso though. If only they see this, well, they, the late Governor-General Martinez, and Fernando VII would remain assholes, a Homo insipiens type of people."

From that, they laughed and resumed working their projects.

Inside the [Silver Mountain Firearms] establishment while the workers resumed with the vigor and applying the principles of Covenantian Engineering, inside the room that has the words "Office of the Vice President" written in Latin with Spanish translation beneath, Don Esteban was seen talking with a group of the Chevaliers of the Majestic Sharpshooters who were wearing the cold uniform suited to the weather of the Alpine Region. The side of the jacket, on the upper right sleeve area (deltoid muscle), had the flag patch of the IOMS.

The flag itself was a dark blue background, that represented loyalty, trust, and strength. In the center of the flag was the symbol of the organization, a majestic white-feathered eagle with violet eyes wearing a beret, holding a rifle in its talons, and perched on a crossed rifle and staff emblem. The eagle represented the organization's military roots, and its commitment to both the sport of marksmanship and the broader cultural and vocational pursuits that it supports. The crossed rifle and staff emblem symbolize the organization's dedication to both civilian and military service.

Above the symbol was a yellow banner featuring the organization's name, the Imperial Order of Majestic Sharpshooters (IOMS), written in bold, capitalized letters. The color yellow represented honor, loyalty, and wisdom, and was also associated with the country's royal family and the organization's commitment to serving the state.

Below the symbol was another yellow banner featuring the organization's motto, "Discipline, Professionalism, Respect." The motto embodied the organization's core values and beliefs, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law and others.

When put together, that was the flag of IOMS, one of the Orders in the Covenantian Realm who had a seat in the Imperial Guilds and Orders Council of the Covenantian Realm.

One of the chevaliers talking to Don Esteban, sported a dark brown hair but has different shade of green color for his eyes. The Chevalier looked young, very young for his age; 16 years old but had experience beneath the playful glint who had seen actions and skirmishes.

The brown-haired Chevalier presented his breech-loading Type 1 Rifled Musket to the brown-haired Vice Grand Master.

The shape of the rifled musket itself was a modified Sharps rifle as what would expect for one of the service weapons used by the Covenantian Imperial Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, and one of the popular items used by the Covenantian firearms owner community for their range day and marksmanship training.

The day when the rifled musket came out and was given a demonstration on how it worked, many firearms engineers, and on-lookers joined the line of buying it and started saving it including applying membership for the IOMS and joining the growing community of responsible firearms owners and sports shooters. Performance-wise, it outmatched the existing firearms and changed the tactics with the remnants of the former previous regime, bandits and pirates sniped and outranged, making them victims to the Type 1 Rifled Musket and its bullet, the Type 1 Imperial Eagle Eye, used by the marksmen and sharpshooters of the Covenantian Realm.

This breech-loading rifled musket, a service weapon used by the Imperial Federal Covenant's Imperial Armed Forces and the Covenantian Realm, was what made them different from the muzzle-loading muskets in this era.

"Don," said the Chevalier of the Majestic Sharpshooters, Jude Wallcroft-Salvador, the Chevalier who presented his Type 1 Rifled Musket. "We are here to seek out your help and service. My rifled musket and our weapons as the Chevaliers are almost perfect but we decided there's a need for modifications to adjust to our style and needs."

"I see…what do you want for the modifications on your weapons?" asked Don Esteban, smiling. "The last I checked, one of your kinsmen, Kyle, requested same thing to his revolvers before he prepared the Expedition to Nordica. Some of your fellow Chevaliers who went to the expedition did the same too before CARDA recently started working on Type 1 Revolver Mk. 2."

Type 1 Revolver Mk. 2, it's an upgraded and improved variant of the Type 1 Revolver Mk.1, currently being worked by CARDA. The concept of it was it had the swing-out chamber similar to the Smith & Wesson 10 with "one push to eject all shells", 13 shots, and faster firing than its predecessor, the Mk. 1.

"Don, I want the trigger of my rifled musket adjusted including the buttstock and barrel length if you have a gun chassis for that." Answered Jude as he started out giving out his specifications. "It should be…"

"Ah, I understand. I got your specifications done including the custom chassis you want for your rifled musket, Jude." Said Don Esteban, in understanding. "What about you guys?"

"I'm almost good but I need adjustment on my revolver's trigger. A small tweak."

"Same. Adjust the trigger of my revolvers, change action into 'that', and have the thing for chamber…you know what we would expect from the Revolver Mk.2."

"I need you to put it into chassis. The trigger setting of my rifled musket adjust it. Make the barrel length…"

The Vice Grand Master nodded. "Got it. My friends, consider it done within days before the New Year Festival. You guys call me a John Browning of the Covenantian Realm but me and my men will do our best for the Covenantian Realm and our independence. Speaking of behalf of my men and my ancestors, we thank you for you for giving us the changes including guilds and orders system here in our country."

-

'Heh, we're truly blessed, we have a different Maphilindo in this world. Truly a suited name, the Imperial Federal Covenant with the resources we don't know from our former world. Don't worry we'll make sure the Covenant will stand on the top.' I fondly thought because of the information we had from our 'benefactor' that gave us a new information we used with gusto for developing the Covenantian Realm back then after the independence from Spain, before I smiled and gave him the bag that contained the payment as I said the words in Spanish. "(Spanish: Thank you for your support, Don. This payment includes the advance payments, bonus, and add-ons for the purchase of the materials you might need to buy including those ores and materials.)"

Don smiled. "No problem, Jude! This chassis idea…I couldn't believe it was made possible thanks to the discovery of those ores for this era in the Covenantian Realm. It was at first sounded off when we first met back then until Kyle returned with good news."

"I know, Don." I replied, smiling back. "To think Kyle mistook one of it for a fucking silver ore, that's very a close call if not for what we 'have' and doing tests for comparison. Isn't that right, fellas?"

Shifting my head to my fellow Chevaliers, they all grinned and nodded with Kiko almost laughing.

That episode happened back at Camp Brotherhood after Kyle and others returned from the Expedition to Nordica with new things before the reports of targets tagged as "Venomous Plagues" KIA. From our tests at the lab, there's new discoveries, matching the information provided by the 'benefactor' with one of the 'silver ore' itself turned out to be a material ideal for alloys surprisingly. What's more the structure composition of this '100% not really silver ore who is an imposter amongst the silver ore' got such unique structure that it was possibly one of the best ones for alloy in a sense that it's one of the cards for our country's innovation besides discovering new species of new things including Crimson Crown Mango itself, an emperor of the mangos, from one of the regions, not Nordica, one of the expedition and exploration teams explored. The stories there, much to our amusement, would be put into for good use and its discovery because of Kyle and the Nordica Expedition Team…. well Kyle, accidentally found it.

"Yeah, we all did." Answered Hector, grinning. "Good thing we got back up plans for unexpected episodes like that. It's another day of surprises for us."

Smiling back, I turned my attention back to Don who had a knowing smirk. "Well, then, Don, I look forward to what you and your men come up with the commissions."

"Thank you, Jude. I must say that thing for statutory board especially that Constitutional Review Board, was perhaps one of 'the most radical' items yet in this era. Myself, being the 'old timer', young, and one of 'us', I'm seeing changes and new ideas and reforms my family enjoyed including those hotsprings. Bernado would have none of it and will use the Covenantian Engineering principle."

I chuckled. "Of course it is. It's what we are trying to achieve when we recruited you and the likeminded individuals whom we could trust for our mission of a better society of our home, the Covenantian Realm. Pardon us, Don, we have to visit our fellow chevaliers from IHOCR stationed at Alpine HQ."

The Imperial Humanitarian Order of the Covenantian Realm, also known as IHCOR, it had been every once in a while, we encountered our fellow chevaliers, the Chevaliers of the Humanitarian Order, like them helping out our fellow Covenantians including those newcomers, ala, immigrants, who weren't used to the cold, for example, one of those who haven't tasted snow that needed a cold jacket, in each patrol routine and mission. If not for what we placed for the matters of this cold weather and measures that helped and benefitted everyone, we might have seen another sight of frostbite victims.

"Sure, I'll tell you through it. It's a big pleasure to work with everyone from IOMS. See you."

Smiling like him, we left the establishment for ICHOR – Alpine for the one purpose – to see if our fellow chevaliers already got preparations for the future event – a future expedition to Euresia and the Chevaleria continent.

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

(???? – Days after World War 2, Previous Timeline)

"Kyle, listen to me and us, we have to stop Cory Aquino, the Roman Catholic Church, NPA, and them before they come up with 'EDSA Revolution' in the future years' time. We need your help for our cause."

"And why do you need my help, Christopher? You know I've seen nasty shit after shit caused by the fascists and Nazis to the Jews and the 'inferiors' when I fought my ass and gritted my teeth from what had President Franklin Roosevelt done to the Japanese-Americans and other nationalities suspected of an Axis agent. You're even telling me this dark timeline you spoke of were caused by this Cory Cojuanco, them and this NPA whose leader Joma Sison and its leaders whom you guys assassinated? And this Ferdinand Marcos guy…. well he's a casualty in Bataan Death March, and that George and his family dead from the doings of the Nazis, he attempted to industrialize the Philippines but got sabotaged or shit knows what with this Cory Aquino, whom is now known as Cory Cojuanco in this time, cancelling the projects and programs of Marcos in that dark timeline you mentioned? Right?"

"It's because you're one of the people we can trust. My actions earlier are butterfly effects of taking out Joma Sison and the leaders and lieutenants earlier before they started having 'idea' out from the picture that resulted having a different president and vice president of the Philippines. Kyle, listen to me. Joma Sison and his 'harem' of New People's Army have a place in Hell like Hitler and the Nazis alongside Pol-Pot. In the future from we came from, they fucking infiltrated the whole sector including schools. They recruited minors to join the 'revolution' as one of the 'fighters' through the brainwashing by one of their infiltrators in schools disguised as one of the teachers who'll be indoctrinating them along the way."

"CRAZY FUCKING BASTARDS!" I shouted, angry, with disgust, remembering what Hitler and the Nazis did including the infamous gas chambers. "How dare they brainwash and ruin the life and future of a youth and make the parents cry!? What is there Christopher! Tell me how much!? That shit of New People's Army needs a taste of real medicine – the unconventional methods to end their existence! Jose Rizal and those who fought for the revolution will be horrified of it! That was more than beyond the line!"

"They, the New People's Army, have created what we call a 'legal font', their trump card to take over the country starting with the 1987 Constitution. They fooled the world itself through their lies and deception combined with crying families, lives of a youth ruined, rapes committed by the NPA towards the female members, and deception. They're worse than trash, Kyle. Those radicalized students and persons were brainwashed to the core with propaganda and yellow journalism including some American people coming from their own American government. Also, the so-called future International Criminal Court in the dark timeline was nothing but a stupid useless shitshow in name only with a fact those unqualified Filipino citizens, seeing the word "International" in the International Criminal Court would mean they are for everything when in fact the ICC was riddled with corruption and hypocrisy, and not doing a jackshit including what the Americans and the West did in their own turf and to other sovereign states. We don't need the Philippines we'll be making, signing that document and getting involved in their antics this time."

"Alright, I'll join the coup." I said in agreement, knowing the circumstances and consequences. "But first we'll need to take care of this yellow journalism used by the Americans for that 'war' including the would-be expected Vietnam War you talked about including that disgusting piece of Khmer Rouge shit, Pol Pot. To make the Philippines be prepared, we can take a page from that future Singapore and Vietnam you talked of, for preparing our reserves including using my connections from the Commandos to put up commando training for the units. Whatever happens, we'll avoid siding with the American side and make sure the foreign policy is for the Philippines and the Filipinos only, not the foreign powers and organizations dictating us."

"Thank you, Kyle. These are what we call a "Janitorial Handbook". It contains the names we are to arrest or 'disappear'. We are to use them for the better good."

I looked at the notebook and noticed the names and the highlighted notes in a form of underlined names. "I'll be fucking damned, Christopher. They really have gone too far for my taste and really the term FDI, the Foreign Direct Investments, was bastardized into Foreign Direct Invasion by the NPA and its legal fonts while those jokes of the Filipinos being proud of a Filipino being first place or something for the stroke of ego, a Pinoy Pride thing you mentioned, while those jokesters ignoring best practices applied and hoping Philippines needs to gets an act together but against changing the 1987 Constitution or economic liberalization or removing the economic protectionism clause in the constitution? They really don't fit a bill for a Filipino citizen and what we fought for was all for nothing because of that. I mean who the fuck vote a person based on the looks, not the political ideology or what the voter believes in for the ideals, not an opinion towards the 'gods' they 'worshipped' or because of election campaign video, social media account, and stories of the politician combined with a backing a famous celebrity endorsing them? I'll rather have those poor examples be revoked of their Philippine citizenship or attend military service as a requirement first as a requirement to get themselves, a right to vote, no butts and ifs."

"It is, Kyle. We have a lot of shit to clean up in the Philippines starting with the National Economic Protectionism Association started with late President Manuel Quezon and his stupidity, whom I and my men already dealt with on those founders and members if you heard the news of disappearances. We only need to be careful with 'Uncle Sam' because they created troubles through their interventions and regime changes, close doors or not. We wouldn't want the Philippines be sticking with them. We have to stand up on our own for the Philippines and for the Filipino people only, not decided by the foreign state and organization."

"They're already that dangerous with nuclear weaponry, Christopher. We'll have to make one for ourselves just in case secretly including for the peaceful uses." I warned in understanding, remembering Hiroshima and the bombings done to Japan in the newspaper I read. "Did those future Amerikanos probably have an involvement secretly?"

Christopher nodded in agreement. "Yes, that was by funding groups and organizations. The Filipinos who were under its payrolls, were all poor excuses including the so-called Facebook not doing jackshit on the Facebook profiles and social media accounts of NPAs and those infiltrators. They also have agents and divisions for destabilizations and misinformation with one of them called the Special Activities Division. That is why we have CoRRECT Movement in supporting us and creating a constitution with our group once we launch a coup. They teamed up with us except they didn't regress back in time but got in here suddenly."

"I understand. What is this CoRRECT Movement you mentioned? Explain it to me first before this Facebook and the definition of social media. It's sounds unknown to a guy like myself but I know the word newspapers, televisions, and radios. Himmler's pretty much gave me an idea how to use a propaganda."

Watching Christopher gave way to one of the guys, I could see them with papers and presented it.

"Sir, CoRRECT Movement means Constitutional Reforms and Rectification for Economic Competitiveness and Transformation Movement. The purpose is to transform the Philippines through the Philippine Constitution that meets the criteria of what we call 3PA." Explained a young man. "For our part, we've been spreading them around to educate the Filipinos about them and why the 1987 Constitution must be changed very bad after we realized we got bamboozled by the so-called 'EDSA Revolution', PR machinery, misinformation, and propaganda. From the time we came from, we have plenty of work to do but we have enemies and obstacles - the protectionists, the defenders of 1987 Constitution, the 1987 Constitution apologists, corrupt Philippine politicians who had business interests, blind fanatics, Facebook Philippines, communists, the New People's Army (NPA), the disguised NPA cadres from its legal fonts, propagandists, yellow journalists, and those fake fraudsters who we suspectedly had honorary degree or fabricated besides flashing out their honorary degrees for bragging while being a pack of intellectual dishonest rabid dogs."

I whistled. "That's some nice acronym for your group and a noble cause for our country and fighting against those rotten corrupt imbeciles and personality-based politics in the Philippines, young man. What is this 3PA your group talked of and advocated?"

"Sir, it's federalism, parliamentary, and economic liberalization. They're all proven including the future Singapore, the Singapore we knew from our time. Lee Kuan Yew happened because of parliamentary system. Singapore got developed because of it due to the investments, statutory boards and polices came from the Singaporean Constitution. China as much we dislike their one-party state system, became prosperous because of Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms. They both have no anti-foreign direct investments in the constitution. That's also our goal and a criterion for a prosperous country."

"Interesting. Tell me more about those 3PA and them. I'm a pro-gun guy but I'm leaning more in responsible firearms ownership and marksmanship goes hand in hand, an independent judiciary, and an ugly factual truth. The Facebook thing you mentioned, explain to me after you explain that 3PA."

One of them smiled. "With pleasure, sir. We can help you with that and put it in the new Philippine constitution in-line with the reserves program. If you desire responsible firearms ownership, look at the future Czech and Finland. Their future constitution, firearms ownership, and firearms law, they have…."

-

(Present – Year 1823 – 4 Months Before December – Weeks After Operation Independence)

Looking over the files regarding the number of skirmishes involving the former Spanish Absolutist remnants, already sorted by my staff, I sipped a cup of coffee before looking over at the windows where the newly independent Filipino youth taught in firearms and shooting by one of our guys.

Seeing this sight as the guild master, it reminded me what Christopher said to me that day when he was alive – make the Philippines great and cockblock the communists and wokes because they ruined the USA, the Netherlands, and some countries with their so-called 'ideals' that damaged the society itself from the time Christopher came from, and the time we originally came from.

In the dark timeline, the NPA did those despicable things to the brainwashed missing Filipino students mixed up with slow and steady indoctrination of their outdated foolishly 'best' doctrine ala North Korea, called Jomaism, a terminology we call for the ideology of its leader, Joma Sison, who had a lavish life in the fucking dark timeline Netherlands itself in the name of 'political assylum' that had gone woke with introduction of transgenderism and going naked in videos, televisions and medias to the Dutch children and minors even from the time we originally came from with plenty of drugs, contrabands, and underground criminal activities. It was nightmare. The Philippine Bureau of Customs and agencies were fucking corrupt to the core in a way I was glad Christopher and thode guys told me about it. I had no regrets joining the coup to clean everything up.

In this different world, the unknown world we got isekai'd to, what we put up after the Operation Independence were for the steps of our National Reserves Program based on what we agreed on. We already planted it after winning independence from Spain.

As a person who believed in having "citizen-soldiers" for the sake of Reserves and taking a page from Czech and the Finns in firearms ownership similar to what I had done before to the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands, I agreed with everyone because that's the card I also used for crafting the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands besides borrowing the playbook of creating statutory boards introduced by Lee Kuan Yew himself in the dark timeline with ourselves from the previous timeline, the original world we came from, started implementing and introducing it after the successful coup.

But what the NPA and Joma Sison did in the dark timeline? They'll never be forgotten for they were to be 'erased' as a payment to the crimes they did. They were to be gone for good in this world, all of it, to be paid with their own blood and ending the lineage of those red spawns altogether to be sure. The operations we had for them were all being prepared. The 'benefactor' gave us the names and their lineage whom we to target – using 'cruelty' to improve the lives and eliminate the parties responsible for the mess behind the scenes.

Recently, we got skirmishes and whining after we set up the government and the reforms. They were in fact absolutists with that one Padre Damaso and his now-former hacienda property having an 'unpleasant' findings for a man who bore the undesired stature that had us to send a report to the Vatican about it while we secretly do our own warfare – the information warfare against rotten individuals through ugly factual truth reporting.

The information warfare we launched started crippling the influence of the Roman Catholic Church and its institutions in the country. It's not our fault for that but we had to clean up our backyard. There were corrupt priests, the Padre Damaso species here, including from the dark timeline, were bunch of poor excuses who raped children and deeds that basically spoke of ungodliness, in this era, even if we go to the era of the Jose Rizal, the La Liga Filipina, the Filipino reformists, and the Philippine revolutionary group, the Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, aka the KKK, not the racist American shitfaces, the Katipunan itself, spoke tones, including the unjustices towards the GomBurZa, the three executed Catholic Filipino priests named Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, all because of equality, more reason and why I became a secularist guy the first place through my great grandfather, and grandfather who were former revolutionaries back in their day. We did get a bunch of Katipuneros here in our ranks, unexpectedly when we first met, they're good assets for convincing some of the 'old timers' whom we entrusted about the situation should the Philippines stay at the mercy of the 'Mother Spain' and another fucking years with Padre Damaso species like what the history spoke of itself including the dark timeline Philippines.

After the Operation Independence, we had talks about putting a variety of some sort of church with the noncorrupt priests and those guys who we entrusted to avoid another such another episode and give an option to have marriage. For that, we took a page from University Solidarity Movement in setting it up. I am not a religious guy but we already had them put the cores of learning through those methods and what we put for the sake of our programs besides lessening some crazy zealots or those buggers using religion to escape from accountability and responsible just like those corrupt staff members of the former Governor-General Martinez or that poor joke of a Filipina nurse and a poor excuse of a Philippine citizen, a blind fanatic, from the dark timeline Philippines, after violating the Nightingale Oath, which we'll be introducing in this different world and knowing Florence Nightingale was around and currently 3 years old at this point, avoiding taking responsibility and falsely claiming her social media accounts were hacked by a hacker, an act of cowardice that made me glad the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands me, Christopher, and the plotters, have a competent version of Professional Regulatory Commission in a form of taking a page from Singapore's statutory boards such as Philippine Nursing Board, Philippine Medical Council, Philippine Pharmacy Council, Philippine Dental Council, Philippine National Arts Council, Economic Development Board, Philippine Labor Foundation, National Library Board, Council for Estate Agencies, etc. doing its job properly, and giving those cowards a taste of accountability and taking responsibility.

Smiling at the sight in the work we're getting started days after the Operation Independence, I watched one of the 'old timer' Filipino youth able to hit a target in the center with the recently introduced service weapon, the breech-loading Type 1 Rifled Musket, and the Type 1 Revolver.

The Type 1 Rifled Musket was the brainchild of our work. It was created because we confirmed this world was a different world thanks to the 'benefactor' and the Napoleonic War veterans. This world's Iron Duke had an idea of a concept that we sure as heck, the introduction of Minie Ball itself with that Ezekiel Baker and Wellesley's own company he founded way back, proving the matter it's time to step up the game by introducing breech-loading rifled musket technology, revolvers, improved steam engine, steel technology, and more items which our DARPA recently started working on it including something close to grenade.

The Type 1 Revolver, on the other hand, was a modified Colt Single Action Army. The difference was it doesn't require the "Cowboy Loading". It still has a lot of work for that. For time-being, it'll be in production while our DARPA work ways to come up with a better version of what we put in a note, and drawing of the next upgrade of the Mark 1, the next upgrade called the Mark 2.

'A new era of independent Philippines winning earlier without American intervention and interference is a starting point for all and the [Maphilindo Dream Project]. As long as the New Society is around with recruitment missions, the Maphilindo will stand on top with every Maphilindo man having a good life with results of our [Maphilindo Dream Program].'

Stuck at those thoughts, one of my staff and friends, Roland Kavanagh, entered the room with news.

Roland was my representative for the meeting. Like everyone who became guild master or so, we decided to go have representatives. He kept me updated. The physical meetings would only happen once we got things for communication and setting up the New Society houses in the Philippines done but that's a lot of work as usual with a tandem of our recruited Arthurist and liberal backers riding with "The Independent Philippine Bus"

"Kyle, we have reports and directives from our meeting besides the tracking of recruitment missions."

I raised my eyebrow. "What is it, Roland?"

"Besides the discovery of new species in the Philippines from our teams, there's a directive related to yourself that require your approval and consent because this is for the long-run."

'Long run?' I thought, before asking him to proceed. "(German: Go on, Roland.)"

Roland nodded and resumed. "Besides our development of 'it' for our use and future times, firstly, do you remember Nordica?"

I nodded my head in affirmation and raised a question. "Yeah, what about it? We got a strange shit here than we expected since the day we got Camp Brotherhood and those islands for ourselves and our operations. The world we got into was almost different world with additional countries and new things including the add-ons in this kind of the Philippines we freed from the clutches from Spain. Pray, what's the directive, my old friend?"

"Well, Kyle, we'll be planning an expedition to Nordica and its surrounding islands. Because of your abilities and what you can do, the Council picked you to lead the expedition as The Nordica Expedition Grand Commander. Andres, Louis, and our recruited old timers agreed with that idea."

"I understand…You know very well I am 100% supportive with our goals of better Philippines like everyone in our group. There's so much work if not for the statutory boards we set up or with our guys from our group, I might have landed a position, probably a Ministry of Defense or one of the generals. The question is - what is this approval and why does it sound urgent?"

"Kyle, you'll be getting Nordica and those surrounding islands for you and your family to administer and develop it further in-line for our agenda and goal."

I sighed. Nordica had the same area as Greenland. It's an island itself located North of Luzon. Images showed it's cold there and has snow. It's obvious it'll need federalization because of the size including the surrounding islands. I did yearn for owning a land myself back in a day but my principles were for the benefit and well-being of the people first while having a mindset of "responsible firearms ownership and marksmanship goes hand in hand". I had enough information from what Christopher told me about the Conjuancos and their doings, and those hacienderos in the dark timeline. If I were really to score such a bigger property, a bigger land, than those hacienderos, I'll put them in good use for the development including leasing of lands with a leasing contract , a card used by Hong Kong, but with added touch of protecting the vital areas. My late wife, Rosa, if she were to be alive, would be happy for that, us having a land to own and develop it for the country through the system of administration and governance that was to create a constitution and setting things up for running things in a matter as what would a programmers work on the codes in the applications and operating system.

"(German: And that makes me what, Roland? Get ennobled like what we had done to Mariano whom we made the 1st Duke of Cebu?) Come on, that thing's size is big like literally having Greenland with a bonus of surrounding islands."

"Yes, ennobled. You are called the Iron Paladin of the Philippines for good reason. You led men in battles including the coup, you had laid out the logistics strategies, you laid out a different Philippine DARPA, you introduced new training for the military and law enforcement to use, and introducing this Suggestions and Feedback Board in the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands which brought the ability to send suggestions and feedback to the government through online portal which we created this statutory board in this new world. The Filipinos in our group suggested to give you honor. It's their own way of saying thanks for making the Philippines we knew of from the time we came well-off and one of the best models."

"Roland, you know I still miss my other half of my life, my late wife, Rosaline." I said with longing, as I looked at the clouds floating in the sky outside the window. "Even though you're a former German soldier, one of the former ones who disregarded Hitler and the Nazis back in the days, you know negotiations may include marrying one of those girls from those tribes, that I have to take part of and making sure they aren't 'unqualified' including the people around her and must at least know the secret and us, the highest state secret to the damned fucking world to the point SSS+ rank in fictional works, and real life like what's happening here in our situation, the reality itself. How will I face Rosa or Lawrence or any of my kinsmen and younger kinsmen, about this? Being young again is a good perk but you know our real ages and this new chance. For my part, you know well I missed her very much and that I don't drown myself with alcohol."

"Kyle…Me, Gabriel, Lawrence and your kinsmen knows how you feel and missing her everyday since the day she passed. Our friends know that. They and our group want you to be happy and will back you up in screening. I'm pretty sure Rosa will think the same and understand if she were to be with us. Think about it. You can put our ideals and yours as the core values and traditions. All of us from [New Society] will help you."

"Maybe so and thank you for the support." I said, thanking him and our group's support, as I looked him in the eyes. "Listen, we will think about the system, the constitution itself, for later while knowing it will get a federal structure but I will accept those roles, Roland. Not only because I have a promise to keep, but because of our shared goal of creating a better home for ourselves. In fact, I am very honored to be nominated to be ennobled."

"Thank you very much, Kyle. We'll never forget it in our life and contribution to our cause. The Filipinos will be delighted to hear of your acceptance."

"You're welcome, Roland. Like I said, us, have a role to play in making our country great and work on the [Asian Union Project] and more projects while giving them the life they deserved and the true message of the Revolution™. Come, let's see who we can find to help us."

"(German: Sure.)" Said Roland in agreement. "Let's ask the Imperial Guilds and Orders Council or one of our guys if they know firearms engineers who might be able to help us including preparing the supplies needed besides for the secret 'goodies' we'll be using secretly for the expedition."

"Right. We better introduce the modern techniques for making cold clothing like what Fernal had suggested earlier during those previous meetings. We're gonna need a cold uniform for the expedition because Baguio here got snow. I won't like it if the guys under my command get an episode of freezing to death or frostbite during our expedition."

"Same. Let's also bring along Rodrigo Sanchez the Katipunero for the expedition."

'Rodrigo, huh? His sharpshooting skill is also a good asset. He hasn't lost his touch in adopting the Type 1 Rifled Musket in place of his Kar98k sniper rifle for this charade. We can assemble more men like him for the Nordica Expedition.' "That'll be nice for our roster, Roland. Let's look for him. He should be at the training grounds, training one of the first batches in the art of marksmanship and responsible firearms ownership as per our program. I also believe Fernal should be there."

The former German joked. "So much for that lavender-haired good looking former British friend of ours. Not only he's the first Grand Chef of our new established Imperial Order of Cooking and Culinary Arts who has a passion of cooking and culinary, he's also a good shot himself besides being an advocate of independent judiciary and the values you and majority from our group have in common."

"Indeed. That's how we are building our home here. Our former ones were the results of devastations and mismanagement including that America of the original world we came from and the dark timeline. The good thing was we created [New Society] to craft a better home here in Luzvismin, and those Asian countries we targeted for the [Asian Union Project]. As members of the New Society itself, we are to create a better home for ourselves and the future would-be Filipinos. Our motto, "Pro Nostro Meliori Domum", spoke the serious message itself."

Roland nodded in agreement, determined, as we both left the office after deactivating a well-hidden portable hidden device.

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

"Good work, everyone. This is only one of the beginnings. Keep it up with that mindset and your training, you might a land a spot in one of the special units. Whatever that is, me and Rodrigo here will leave it to your imagination because this is not only for your own good, but to motivate you guys here not only as the Filipinos but as the first generation of guild members and being part of our country's Armed Forces. You all improved since the day you joined. For now, like yesterday, you are allowed given a 25-minute break to recover from the drills and gather your thoughts. I have my guild members here to prepare a specialized meal for you to recover and replenish the needed calories and nutrients– it's my own creation, my recipe I came up with."

At our arrival of the training grounds, wearing the jacket, the sounds of weapons being fired stopped when we heard Fernal's voice called for the break of training drills.

With Fernal Graham, the lavender-haired good-looking guy who has light blue-eyes, were the very first generation of the old timers we recruited and participated in the battles. I recognized all of them and knew their names. They'll be good assets for our expedition.

One of the guys beside Fernal were one of the Katipuneros, Rodrigo Sanchez, himself, like the rest in our group, young and in his teens, sporting black hair and black eyes. He's pretty much unknown from the time we came from but the stories I heard from the Katipuneros, all of them in our ranks save for the assholes who were in cahoots with Emilio Aguinaldo or those undisciplined unfits who thankfully didn't get isekai'd, shared a story who was one of the best shots in their day and one of those Luna Sharpshooters, like what my father and my relatives had.

What we were doing to them, the old timers, was forming our own [Luna Sharpshooters] but with our own touch and modern tactics. That mentioned unit was that. We already established the [Imperial Guild of National Firearms Marksmanship] with that kind of purpose except we have plans for it until we got a restructuring done since we got ourselves guild and ordering system placed in the constitution itself alongside the list of proposed official country names and the country itself with the temporary names, Malaya, and Philippines, used for time being.

Fernal, noticing our presence, greeted us. "Ah, Kyle, Roland, didn't you expect you to be here for checking out the training."

"Ditto."

I smiled. "Something like that, Fernal, Rodrigo. Being a National Director and a guild master at the same time, pretty much thanked myself for putting up the staff system. I have plans to reorganize them with a proposal I'll be submitting."

"The Iron Paladin strikes again." Half-joked Fernal that had Roland chuckle. "It's about the Nordica Expedition, right? That's what you are here for?"

"It is, Fernal." I said in confirmation. "What I am looking for is to assemble fine men for the expedition including setting up the logistics."

"Ah, I know the message and the Ministry of Defense is coming up with ways thanks to our guys in his staff and my Order's representative besides what we came up with the introduction of MRE ration concept via our own version of DARPA." commented Fernal with his confidence, a bit of reminder what I've seen from one of his relatives and his sisters with that kind of confidence that came with a success and desired results. "So with this Nordica Expedition, you're also looking for firearms engineers?"

I nodded. "Yes. You know us marksmen and firearms owners always have our custom builds for our guns modified to our needs and situation. We're looking for someone reliable and can create a firearm that can withstand the possible cold such as the one in Nordica. I have something to do much more for my Type 1 Revolver. The expedition itself will start and end before December hopefully."

"Someone reliable and it ends before December, huh? I have this guy keeping an eye on and with tabs through my guild members. Kyle, do you recall one of those ores?"

I nodded. "I did. (Latin: That thing found in Alpine Region, is one of the ideals for firearms and various applications.) This Philippines was very different you know. We've so much to explore. The samples we got for that still surprised me that day after our tests."

Fernal smiled. "Same. You know here and that. The previous Spanish regime didn't know its existence. A bit exploring through here and there."

"We got that and put that for our use." I said, understanding what he meant and history of this world's Spain, that had Fernal and Rodrigo nodded in agreement, as I then made a follow up question for that matter. "How good is this guy you've been keeping an eye on, Fernal?"

"He's pretty good." replied Fernal. "Besides being groomed as the successor of his family's firearms workshop and Vice Grand Master of a newly-established order, I say he's been soaking up knowledge of the techniques and terminologies we introduced here through one of the firearms engineering vocational schools we established and himself applying it including our country's engineering concept we came up with."

'That's another plus. We won't now worry about getting a fucking Tiger, Maus, Ratte, Monster, Gustav, or crazy shit including the ISU-152. I swear who the fuck thinks putting a 152mm cannon on the poor sod? Sorry gamers, you'll have no Filipino Troll Cannon to come except for our improved Gatling Gun used in our ships and more. This world we came from, starting today, in this new world we'll be building, there'll be no troll cannon or crazy shit of overengineering.'

-

Meanwhile in the other dimension where the world was a better place with no wars and living the true meaning of world peace after the end of their World War 2, a group of teens were talking about tanks while one of them uses a Unity Dollar, a cryptocurrency back with each country's Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), for buying a digital copy of a tech magazine in one of the shops of their school.

"Say, Galahad, what do you think if the Philippines has a Philippine version of the Soviet ISU-152 tank destroyer?" asked one of the tank otakus, named Reiji.

"It'll be unlikely, Reiji. The concept of the Southeast Asian Engineering is what made the United Union and its products from it different. Should that ISU-152 version happen, I can see the assembly lines and logistics should the government that time think about that meme tank, croaking hard. The Lancelot tanks of World War 2 era are famous for good reason and the modern day upgraded variants still in-service and can be upgraded further with ease of maintenance. It's an essence of the United Union's Engineering."

"Hmm, I had forgotten about it. That World War 2-era Lancelot Hunter armed with 135mm Royal Santa Mesa Ordnance cannon equipped with the autoloader packs a punch. Maybe it fits the bill of the Union's troll cannon but near-impenetrable like the rest of the Lancelot tank family?"

Galahad shrugged his shoulder. "I don't know. I don't play that kind of games except for the upcoming game. It's a good day to put my swordsmanship skills and what I learned from National Reserves program for that. No classes or skill books, just some creating your own skills and build if you know the anime called Fruit of Evolution or any isekai anime or should I say, living in an isekai world?"

"Jeez! You are so lucky, Galahad! I can't believe you are beta tester yourself, the Sword Emperor of the United Union and a youngest Emperor and constitutional monarch of your country. I swear if not for my phone's battery dead and charger that time..."

Galahad sweatdropped at his friend's rumblings. "Maybe you should buy a new cellphone or tablet? It's a wireless foldable one and can also be recharged with solar power with the principles of the United Union's Engineering applied. I don't really brag about it to be honest but it's time for you to change your cellphone with a newer model since the test concluded and confirmed the charging port of your cellphone was badly damaged."

-

"Alright, give us the address."

"Gladly. It should be near the construction site of the Alpine HQ of IHOC. The name of the establishment is called Silver Mountain Firearms. What you need to look for is Don Esteban, the current vice president of the Silver Mountain Firearms."

"Don Esteban?"

Fernal nodded. "That's right, Don Esteban. He's the heir of Silver Mountain Firearms. He's the eldest sibling and came from the line of firearms engineers."

"Thank you, Fernal. By the way, can you and Rodrigo assist in preparing the expedition?

"No problem. Our group at this point are already starting the preparations since the conclusion of the meeting."

"Right…" I said, sweatdropping, at the things we placed including the old timers we recruited for our cause. "Still, we need fine men for the expedition. The one I put for the Imperial Judge Advocate General's Corps and those the first place should still be remembered should the day come, the next days, and the future after our era with future proofing and flexibility element applied."

"I know. The last it happened was…"

I nodded, knowing what he meant.

Unduly behavior committed by the soldiers – war crimes and crimes against humanity.

War Crimes, I haven't done anything yet back in my day but I fucking remember what the Americans did in Vietnam War. It was one of the infamous massacres besides the Philippine-American War in the previous timeline and dark timeline.

Each side had those dirty secrets, their skeletons in the closet.

It had us and [New Society] not to have undisciplined pricks go that line or the NPA scumbags themselves abusing the "human rights", "activists", or any lying bullshit to get away it including the crimes against humanity.

The good thing was we're in year 1823, a different Earth that came with a package of new opportunity, new chances, and new things to discover besides having the guide book given to us by the 'divine benefactor'. It's our mission, to give fair trials and not to let the likes of those cowards including the plague like the New People's Army, getting away with their crimes they committed, using misinformation, avoid taking accountability, facing the music and reality, and consequences they committed including this one intellectual dishonest asshole, the so-called self-proclaimed sweet-talking strategist from the dark timeline Philippines who we learned was a fraudster and scammer whom I had the Philippine Constabulary arrest that man, who was a college student that time, during the end of junta years of the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands, with an unexpected American group formed as one of the 'side effects' that had the USA, in a nutshell, ruined because of it starting with the American education and indoctrination within, a zealot militant activists listed in our [Janitorial Handbook], [The True Believers of Rights Brigade], who had links with The Montgomerries, with one of their crimes of their own members, a joke of an American erring doctor, lying to the girl's parents and telling them the only way to save the girl's life was double mastectomy and gender reassignment surgery, that became a trending thing in the previous world's Twitter and a critical damage to the American PR and the American market and services under the Montogomerry Administration.

'Yeah. With our own Judge Advocate General's Corps created, it would ensure things for our Armed Forces, fairness, and safeguards against necropolitics. The training simulation we planted will make them put to jail, once and for all if not by 'accident' besides our planned version of Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau doing the job of catching the crooks, and our version of Danish Court Administration with features from German courts, for the fairer trials. Doctors who are erring doctors and medical professionals who are erring professionals, you'll have no place here in the Maphilindo medical world including the Asian Union medical world because we have a technology for that to reverse the effects caused by your malpractices. Mess with us, we'll see you off.' I thought, determined and serious, recalling the measures, our group set up including the statutory boards, and schematics given by the 'benefactor', while I watched Fernal became a bit serious for a moment.

"It still makes me glad we got a new chance. (Latin: The dark timeline was almost worst as described by Christopher and others if not from the original world we came from including the confirmed Nazi battalions through our 'benefactor'.)"

"Indeed, Fernal." interjected Roland with weariness, that had us nod in agreement because of it and the attempts of hiding them through yellow journalism, amounts of money and resources, and propaganda, as he switched topic. "Join us for the Nordica Expedition. This'll help our nation and our plans and what we agreed on including helping Kyle and give those 'old timers' who don't know 'it' welcome him becoming that."

"(Latin: We sure will and back the plan.)" agreed Fernal, smiling, with Rodrigo nodding. "(Latin: Besides, I'm not only looking for ingredients to be found in Nordica for my cooking hobby but also for inspirations for my recipe. A story told by us and the reports will make those old timers understand the lesson of knowing the location and culture in setting up businesses and facilities. We'll also show them and the world that we're not like those Spanish Absolutists and the previous regime. We could have gotten this world's Stephen Girard in our ranks but the results of this world's War of 1812 were different.)"

Stephen Girard, no one probably from our time knew him or so except our resident historians. He's basically one of the America's forgotten multimillionaires, the fucking first one. What he contributed was he saved the USA from War of 1812's financial collapse through financing it personally. In this world, since this world's War of 1812 had different results with the American side lost, we concluded he got losses from financing such losing war. The financial situation of his, not our problem but it'll come once one of our guys from the expedition to have our independence from Spain recognized, returned, or one of our submarines who came with them send a message to one of our New Society houses about it in relation to the [Maphilindo Dream Program] and one of our operations there.

I nodded. "(Latin: Yeah, I personally don't know that American. I am not sure whether to be happy or not since the last thing we need was a troublemaker who had that 'size', using the unproven presidential system, and that. We can, however, consider ourselves lucky because should that War of 1812 be different, America might be a hindrance to our plans.)"

"I'm with you there, Kyle." Agreed Rodrigo, finally speaking up. "The stories shared by Rizal spoke before they came, spoke the amount of injustice and issue including racism. I couldn't believe they caused troubles back then. Talk about hypocrisy and double-standards that harmed the society and the world itself."

"It sure is, Rodrigo." said Fernal. "That is why we must take advantage of this opportunity now. We're all getting started."

"It is. We got an early independence in 1823 than that year. We got chances."

'You are right, Rodrigo. We scored a bigger fish than we expected including those corrupt hacienderos and robber barons. Good thing we got our personal war against them. We have many things to keep an eye on though.' I thought as I smiled and nodded my head in agreement. "With that said, Fernal, kindly lead us to Silver Mountain Firearms."

"Sure. Let's get our ride first."

Looking at where Fernal pointing at, there's a horse stable.

That's right, a horse stable. What do you expect from a horse stable? Horses, feeds, and more things for horses. It's already evident this 'Philippines' was a different one. The 'add-ons' of new designs for horse stirrups and harnesses we introduced had our craftsmen took gusto in making them with our findings and discovery of the ores and resources, all of it, the "Resources List", tagged as "Work in Progress", in our database, because of the 'consequences', made it better for our schemes.

"Alright, let's go. (Spanish: Frederico, you and others take it from here.)"

"Understood."

Following Fernal and Rodrigo to the stables, for what felt like minutes, we entered the stable, greeting us with a sight group of red horses being taken care of the guys whom we gave a position of stable master and any positions related to it with staff system applied.

Those red horses, don't get me even started at the ridiculousness of getting what would think, "Oh we're in the past this is- damn, we're in a different world". It's a real fucking deal because what those horse species could do after we had rounds like what had the description about the Red Hare backed with an information given by the 'benefactor' and a historical fact of this world's late Lu Fengxian, Lu Bu, got his hands on it through some merchant in that era, was it lived up to its reputation in a matter we, from [New Society], stamped it with a "Protected Species" and "National Treasures" to ensure the next generation will have something to take pride on. Whatever the name ended up with these 'Philippine' Red Hares end up with, that was the common name in line with the official country name, not counting the "Merlion Crown" for the official currency of this independent 'Philippine Empire', we'll call them as the Red Hares for a nickname.

"Ramon," called out Fernal. "We'll be using 5 Red Hares as our ride to Alpine Region. Kindly prepare them."

"Understood, Fernal. We take that one is for a visit to Silver Mountain Firearms?"

"Yes." answered Fernal. "You must have bought a gun there, right?"

"I did. It's different after the revolution. I believe Mr. Hernandez and his kinsmen will like it."

"That's something we have yet to check and experience myself, Ramon." I commented, remembering my experiences including the newer Post-World War 2 guns I tried including the newer ones. "I fired plenty of guns in my life than you guys can count."

Ramon the Stable Master grinned from my joke. "I know, Mr. Hernandez. Pardon me for a moment, I'll have the staff set the Red Hares for your departure in no time."

Given a nod, I watched Ramon and the staff putting on the harnesses, stirrups and things on the Red Hare as they work diligently that had me internally relieved. They were different. They did the job with properly.

With one of the stable hands, they presented this Red Hare who was curious at first. The gaze really spoke of curiosity.

The behavior only changed when I placed my right gloved hand on this Red Hare – it welcomed me with its friendly gesture.

'Big guy, the country we'll be making will be more than a Czech of Asia because of our schemes and programs. We won't have you be extinct like what those irresponsible imbeciles did to their own including those assholes from the dark timeline; we promise you that…because everything will be here.' Smiling slightly with those thoughts, using the stirrup, I climbed up to ride the horse, and gently grabbed the reigns.

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

"You meant to tell me this Nordica and its surrounding islands is more than that what we expected?"

"Yes, Kyle. We finally got accurate measurements now of those regions thanks to our installed systems online. Message from them."

'Yeah, Philippines is not probably Philippines but a different world's Philippines. I'll come back at you guys in the future, just you wait.' I thought, as I nodded. "Understood. Besides us setting things up in Diwalwal, is there any news or developments?"

Diwalwal, also known Mount Diwata, was one of places where gold was at, a damn volcanic mountain that was one of the largest sources of gold at Mindanao, Philippines.

Ignoring this different world's 'Philippines' which we're maximizing the potential of it with responsible mining we introduced, it had two histories – the dark timeline one, and the previous world we came from, the world me and the coup plotters who created a prosperous Philippines called the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands.

In the dark timeline, thing was wasted because it was mismanaged and the 'agents'. So when I learned it from Christopher when he and others sort of regressed, that's where the better version of Diwata managed by the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands, came to play thanks to the knowledge.

In the world of Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands, the previous world we came from, during the military junta period, we shaped things there up and 'discovered' it early when me and some of our men, personally go there for the purpose of achieving its true potential with practices of responsible mining applied and forming a regulatory mining body. The would-be 'future' red menaces, they were also given a 'treatment'.

In this different world, thanks to the presence of [New Society], after the Operation Independence, the mining spots were 'found' earlier and that we used some for funding the projects, even though we had many in our resources, and some storing them in the secured gold vaults. Like what I had done before, we created a [Royal Mining Authority] and its orders and its guilds under its umbrella that'll play a role in the long-run.

"Yep. The Council came up with suggestions and adjustments for the Covenant."

The Council referring to wasn't the [New Society Federal Council]. It was the [Constitutional Affairs Council], one of the departments of the [Ministry of Constitutional Affairs], a glorified autonomous ministry that keeps the constitution, the Covenant, up to date. We got our guys there to make sure the constitution was up to date in the changing times and emergences of new technology like what we were doing behind the scenes through one of our secret bases.

"Covenant" for the name of the legal document, the constitution? Fine by me. We, in a nutshell, made a vow for our better home here, through by establishing [New Society], since the day New Society was formed, and coming up with programs and schemes in-line with the objectives and purpose.

"Thanks, Roland." I said, smiling, thanking his answer. "That'll be one of my gifts to our countrymen and the future generations."

"Hey now, Kyle, you are doing way too good for coming up with suggestions."

"It sure is, Fernal. I've been thinking of many plans including those."

Fernal had a small smug smile as he joked. "Heh, we're so looking forward to hear them, Kyle. Maybe you might come up with newer ideas again once we got Nordica and it surrounding islands."

"Besides us, that is also something I will also have to keep an eye on, Fernal."

Who came riding with us were the 'veterans', the old timers who joined the 'Revolutionary Army' who were trained in this equestrian art, the mission-type tactics, and modern warfare, equipped with our 'homemade' breech-loading rifled musket variant I jokingly called as the [New Society Rifled Musket Carbine] in reference to the 'unofficial' creation of our 'OG' DARPA stationed in one of our island bases as New Society.

These guys whom we put in a Commando Course, them, [The Silent Covert Ops Regiment] aka the 'Philippine' Shinobi Regiment, and our special forces units of the 'Revolutionary Army', who were trained in that, gave a critical blow to the Spanish Absolutist regime during those days of war combined with the presence of our 'homemade' grenades, mines, and traps.

For their life story, aftermath of the Operation Independence, some settled down in one of the orders we established after the revolution while some remained part of the Imperial Armed Forces, some became part of the Reserves, and the rest, joined up the Order I led.

This situation of these folks, the first generation [Majestic Strikers], joining the ride to Alpine Region, you were wondering why they were here? It all happened due to their curiosity and eagerness after I rode the Red Hare for a trial run and Roland told them the Nordica Expedition. In response, they signed up for it with a name I called for them for the proposed reorganization and restructuring of the Hounds, [The Majestic Strike Force], a guild led by a guild master, I'll be putting for my proposal under the umbrella of a new Covenantian Order I'll be personally leading, a paramilitary Order that was in-line with our policy and the National Reserves Program, which Roland and them smiled.

Some adjustments and tweaks for the org chart but with the [Imperial Guild of National Firearms Marksmanship] together with the Hounds, it would be under the umbrella of the new Order I'll be introducing under a name including other Orders.

"Yeah, the constitution of it." agreed Roland to my comment. "Good thing you're with us."

"Yeah." agreed Fernal, smiling.

I smiled back. "Thank you, Roland, Fernal. Let's put aside brainstorming the name of this horse species. We can't just call it Red Hare all day but it's still a Red Hare."

"Okay then. One of the official names or a nickname is still Red Hare." Said Fernal as he smiled. "Though, there's that other red hare, a white one, located in Nordica."

"I know, Fernal. We're gonna have to make things accounted and up-to-date for our central database."

"Excuse me, Mr. Hernandez," said one of the [Majestic Strikers], Alphonse.

"Yes, Alphonse?"

"Mr. Hernandez, we got ---"

'Situations like these is what reinforces my advocacy of marksmanship and responsible firearms ownership goes hand in hand, and our agenda. Silly previous timeline Democrats, you guys are all that silly and don't know what you and the like-minded schmucks talking about including introducing transitions for minors. If you all warmongering provoking jackasses are here in our shoes in this different world, dark timeline or not, you'll be singing different tune.' Knowing the direction what Alphonse talked about and recalling the USA of the previous original world we came from that was unfortunately "borderline shitstorm mixed with woke agendas and stupidity meets pseudo-anarchy" in parts of America under the 'best management' of the Montgomery Presidential Administration with 'perks' of crappy titles proclaimed by the propagandists and the machineries, I nonchalantly quickly pointed my revolver to the right direction, not before picturing a mental image of prosperous society of the country we shaped.

'Pro Nostrom Meliori Domum.'

BANG!

THUD!

A hidden body, probably a bandit or a Spanish Absolutist, whatever the fuck was, fell dead.

Ignoring the sound, I went back with a joking tone. "You were saying, Alphonse?"

"Nothing, Mr. Hernandez. Us, the 'old timers', were surprised with your skills and tales you shared including your marksmanship skills. We'll do our best to live up to your expectations and the honor of being the first generation of [Majestic Striker]."

"I look forward to those days of improvements, Alphonse. By the way, let's put that corpse for proper burial later after we talk with Don Esteban. Whatever this corpse has, it'll be completely intact with clothes and things sealed in a body bag."

"Understood."

"Good. Let's rush tiny bit. We got so many plans for the expedition. I won't allow every second of it, the times of preparations, to be wasted. In this independent country, we won't tolerate 'Filipino Time' and bad habits anytime soon, understood, [Majestic Strikers]?"

"Yes sir!"

After 3 minutes, the sights of the familiar construction outpost for the Alpine Regional HQ of the IHOC itself.

The construction of the IHOC's Regional HQ, was going smoothly after the adjustments of the plans and discovery of the materials. It had small elements of castle, and a touch of the modern design of architecture combined with the elements of principles of the ['Philippine' Engineering] principles applied by our resident architects and engineers just like what those old timers of construction workers and the project manager doing on it with the usual safety equipment and the not 'unexpected unusual every sight' of construction equipment powered by improved steam engine technology, helped the construction team's situation like everyone else due to the vocational schools and the guilds and orders system we introduced after Operation Independence including the principles of the ['Philippine' Engineering].

Nodding from this nice approving sight and the construction workers doing their jobs properly, going to the right avenue, we saw one firearms workshop that had the signboard sporting the words, [Silver Mountain Firearms].

The workshop itself was suited to the cold climate of Alpine Region considering there's fictional trees and resources such as that Frostpine tree, one of the trees known for adaptability to the cold temperature. The shape of that building establishment, it's a wider rectangle if I only counted the ground floor.

Finding a vacant slot, we dismounted from our horses and tied the reigns to a sturdy wooden post.

The Red Hare that I rode, I gave it a headpat first as I watched it with a smile welcoming the gesture under this fairly cold temperature.

"Kyle, this is the place." Said Fernal. "Looks nice, eh?"

Turning my head, I nodded. "Yeah, Fernal. Let's go inside."

Pulling the door, we went inside [Silver Mountain Firearms].

What greeted us was a hall of firearms displayed behind the counters where there's what appear to be employees and customers talking while I could hear some sort of sound of metals being worked on probably behind one of the doors.

There were also customers wearing a cold jackets and clothing, an unusual sight for this 'Philippine' region, another feature of this world's 'Philippines'.

"This rifled musket," said one of the employees, talking to a customer, presenting a breechloading rifled musket. "Is different from what those Absolutist scums and foreign nations used. The new changes introduced by the [Sons of Nation] after what happened to the old regime is too good for our business and our lifestyle. With this gun, you can load faster than the old muzzleloaders. It's also more accurate than the muzzleloaders."

"Can you reserve me a stock?"

"Sure, Franco! We have that kind of service. The President welcomes using that new idea for our business. What you need to do is to sign these two papers. One is for us to record and `our keeping, the other one is for your copy as a proof. Don't lose it."

"Thank you. I'll return once I get my pay next week."

"You're welcome. Remember these things are high in demand right now together with the Type 1 Imperial Eagle rounds."

'Yeah, but we have crap ton of it in our personal storage than you guys can think.' I thought, to myself, joking about the 'goodies' we had.

One of the employees, noticing our presence, received us. "Gentlemen, welcome to the [Silver Mountain Firearms]. What brings you to our humble workshop?"

The employee was in no doubt an insulares, a 'Filipino'. He wore a cold clothing, a jacket made with fur or something. He had gloves for cold on. Cleanshaven, the expression he held was professional that had myself thought he's one of the old timers who attended one of the vocational schools and seminars we established with cards called "self-sufficiency first" running throughout the 'Philippine Realm'.

I poured in my inquiry. "We're looking for Don Esteban."

"The Vice President?" asked the employee. "What's your business?"

"It's about Nordica." I replied. "I'll be personally leading an expedition to Nordica itself. His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Andres, approved it."

"Ah, Nordica. It's been last I heard about the previous regime had those failed attempts through the stories I heard in the bar and markets. Cold, snow, plenty of strange things I heard from the rumors. The Absolutist treated us very bad so we didn't say anything about what we have in Alpine until they were recently kicked out by [Sons of Nation]."

"It sure is." I agreed with him as I proceeded to introduced myself. "Name's Kyle, Kyle Hernandez."

"Wait, you're that Kyle Hernandez from [Sons of Nation]? The one who personally captured the former Gobernador-Heneral, his lackeys, and executed the rotten priests?"

At that, I held back my inner smile.

The day we entered the bastard's Governor's Palace aka Palacio del Gobernador, the official residence of every fucking Governor-General of the Philippines until 1823, was one of the greatest days I had.

The reaction of that schmuck when I found him after I shot the so-called Absolutist dog with my revolver and used my knives when me and the 'Hounds' made way to his room, it was priceless when I pointed the barrel of my revolver at the 'older man'.

We, of course, put Governor-General Martinez and the likeminded captured poor excuses of a human beings go through the saner version of walk of shame with papers containing the dealings spread around throughout the place while we had him marched on the way to the dungeons.

Unlike others like what had those bastards had gone through such as the Filipino 'firing squad', the 'executioners' of Jose Rizal who had a squadron of the Spanish assholes behind them ready to shoot the squad if they didn't comply or shoot, there would be fairer trial for the day to come than the farse bullshit with those rotten jokesters of men, whom we captured, calling themselves priests, and telling us "Mother Mary is with us!", "God is with us!", "God will not forgive you!", had me and those took part of the coup from the original came from, shook our heads in remembrance of the what the so-called perverted persons after the Post-Junta Days, use religion for their perverted gains, or come up with fake fabricated history, just like what those poor excuses of American politicians and those 'disappointments' back in those days.

For these types of captured Absolutist swines who were using these 'just excuses', it was already signed they were guilty and sentenced to death thanks to the information we had found including the missing persons found in those bastards' haciendas and properties and assets, all of which we confiscated and put it to good use.

"The one and only." I answered. "I only did what I had to be done. They're the enemies of the Filipino people, and against the spirit of the reforms we had for the new government and [Sons of Nation]. A personal account from the Filipino Count himself showed how much Fernando VII was very unfit and his signs of being an absolutist jackass he was together with those Absolutists in the 'mainland' Spain."

"Ah! We heard about that tale and the Duke of Wellington's disproval towards the Criminal King. The mentioning of Nordica and to seek out the Vice President, sounds very important."

I nodded. "Yes. We're here to commission because I'll be personally leading an expedition to Nordica itself. All we need is to adjust our firearms suited to our needs for what things we might encounter in Nordica."

"That reinforces more of my personal support to this expedition to Nordica and the independent Pilipinas, Mr. Hernandez." commented the employee, as he smiled. "I'll lead you to his office. Name's Manuel, Manuel Gonzales."

"Nice to meet you, Manuel."

Following him, seconds later, while ignoring the stares of other employees, Manuel opened the door itself before saying a word with a smile, "Mr. Hernandez, you won't regret coming here."

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

You know what they said about a different world that has almost same history with add-ons of 'original' resources and continents including within the 'Philippines'? This was happening here after I told them about the recent establishment of [The Indigenous Peoples' Council], a statutory board for the indigenous people here in the Philippines like what I had previously done in the previous timeline Philippines, the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands.

"This [Alpinitic ore] together with [Carbolite]," said Don, showing us a piece of grayish-white crystalline mineral, and a dark gray 'rock' to us. "Will do the trick in handling the climate in Nordica."

[Alipinitic Ore] and [Carbolite] these two resources were one of the items ideal for various applications including firearms due to the properties and compositions it has. According to Fernal, Don's father, Elias, were one of the guys whom I learned recently recruited for our goals while I was busy setting things up for the independent 'Philippine Empire'. Our group through Elias learned the existence of these also were kept secret from the previous regimes until we kicked those Absolutists out from the 'Philippines' which I would say a good call for their part because if it was discovered by those Kastila, shit knows 'Mother Spain' would recover through benefitting it. Again, there's so many things to discover in this different 'Philippines' including the hints written by the 'divine benefactor'. That alone was a good find because it's in our hands including the means of how to extract it, the locations, and applications.

"We do our tests in Alpine, Mr. Hernandez." added Manuel. "It's way different from those from the South. In our workshop, we take account of factors such as cold and snow in Alpine."

"Good to know." I commented in understanding, knowing that there's such procedure used in this period like what the Kalashnikov Group from the previous original world I came from, did for their tests, as I smiled. "Our visit to this establishment is worth it. I've been checking around for a good service that is reliable and can help the plans for Nordica. I heard it through one of my men."

Pausing slightly, I pulled out a tightly sealed envelope containing the specifications of the commission. "Don, Manuel, what we'll be giving you here are the blueprints, the specifications and custom orders for us. Besides the guilds and orders received a directive including the Armed Forces, Don, you received the message from your father or one of the members of the [Imperial Guilds and Orders Council], right?"

Don nodded. "I did, Mr. Hernandez. It's the biggest honor in my lifetime. As the Vice President, I promise our workshop will deliver the commissioned firearms that'll help the expedition and things you and your men will and may encounter in Nordica."

"Then, here's the payment in the pouch. This includes the additional payment for the materials you might need, and bonuses. Treat it as my personal investment."

"Thank you. Mr. Hernandez, when will expedition start?"

I smiled. "It'll be soon once things are ready. A key lesson in logistics like what had the Duke of Wellington done back in his days before fighting that Corsican including today of his prime ministership in Britain, spoke the importance of logistics, technologies, and "moving with the times", one of the factors why Britain won against the USA in War of 1812. In other words, for this new chapter of our independent country, logistics would be one of the key points for everything including for non-military use and such technology and communications goes hand in hand. So take your time in coming up what the Silver Mountain Firearms can offer to our commission besides helping out our country."

"We sure will, Mr. Hernandez. As the Vice President, on behalf of the [Silver Mountain Firearms], thank you for choosing Silver Mountain Firearms."

"You're welcome. Excuse us, we have other things to do. Also, apply the kaizen, kanban, 3R, and new concepts we introduced."

Kaizen, that's a Japanese term that means "continuous improvement". For one of our secret agendas, this was one of the terminologies we'll be introducing in the independent 'Philippines' alongside the things in this era including 3Rs also known as [Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce]. It's also one of the 'radical ideas and concepts' we ever introduced as the so-called [Sons of Nation].

"Sure, Mr. Hernadez. I will let my father know you passed by."

'Yep, you guys can have that all day to work for our goals of better home. However, the country name will no longer be Philippines, Pilipinas, Luzvizmin, Malaya, or Maphilindo. It'll be something else including the official country name. The [New Society], on the other hand as the puppeteers, will make sure our home will have everything.' I thought, as I remembered one of the files presented that had me joined the coup the first place from the previous original world I came from, and the embarrassments of the dark timeline Philippines, that had me proposed the concept of "the answer to the scums like the NPA", the first place in this different world and why we had [Internal Security Act of 1823], one of the first laws in this independent 'Philippine Realm' created, before smiling back. "Thank you. Good luck in working on the commission."

With pleasantries and smiles, we left for one of the construction sites where everything for the planned Grand Nordica Expedition would begin – an infrastructure called [The Grand Expedition Base Camp], which at this moment was a work in progress.

While this world's Baguio we left earlier had an area of 25,894.04 square kilometers if we didn't count [Mount Sawayan Region] and Mountaintop, two parts of this different Baguio, Alpine Region itself would be 124,500 square kilometers that sounded a bit fine for our planning and another day of surprises in this different Philippines.

On our way, there's one of the trees locals called Silveriron tree, on the view and parts of the forest.

Having our horses galloped for 15 minutes with Roland and Fernal leading the way because they knew where it was, this strange feeling, it's coming back.

This feeling within, it's been a while after the days of my service in World War 2 and what followed.

It never failed me.

I eliminated filthy fascist scums.

I saved lives.

One thing for sure, however, the dark timeline version of myself about Christopher told me when I joined the coup.

My self, the world of dark timeline Philippines, the shitty cesspool that was infested with red fuckfaces, rotten bastards who created the '1987 Constitution', and presence of the unqualified scoundrels being brainwashed losers, lived in Switzerland and died there as a Swiss citizen with ideas he helped in setting up which I used for making the Philippines, not that OFW diaspora meets brain drain and personality-based politics, but the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands, my previous original world's country, great and standing proud from the results of the Philippine Junta Years.

Rosa was my other half. She was there to support for doing a job in shaping up the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands during the Junta Years including the 'cleaning' up the names of assholes listed in the [Janitorial Handbook], and dealing with the unwanted pigs from the 'that agency not to be named' intruding in the name of 'democracy', one of the overused words I heard a lot from the previous world version of the USA.

Rosa, in my life, was a good shot. She learned things from myself while I learned things from her in return. I loved her that very much.

Her death, I missed her a lot after the results of the Junta Years and Post-Junta Years bore fruit with a transition at the Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands, a fucking proud and independent one, well-off prosperous country that'll make the likes of Dr. Jose Rizal be proud of at the work me and those from Philippine Junta created for the Federal Republic.

The days after the Operation Independence in this different alternate word, made myself to think about my recent role related to the Grand Nordica Expedition, and a secret recent nomination for ennoblement after freeing this world's 'Philippines' from this world's 'Mother Spain' - the way to secure the deal with those persons living there, for us to secure Nordica and its surrounding islands and maintain those knowledges and whatever things there except some that may harm the nature and families, and interests and security of the 'Philippine Empire'.

For that to be believable, and to support the ennoblement nomination in the eyes of history, historians, and 'Filipino' people, I was given a position called [Nordica Grand Expedition Commander] to do ta show in the stage for the upcoming event.

As one of the Founding Fathers, I already did the role I played for the Philippine Revolution and putting the ideas for the governance in the 'Philippine Realm'.

For the sake of the country and agenda, I had to do more.

This feeling what I am experiencing, it never was brought up unless it's very important and urgent that may give changing impact.

'It's been a while I got this other sense since the days. That alone also reminded me how I met Rosaline. I better prepare myself for those upcoming days for the steps in improving lives of every Luzvismin people once I get my hands on Nordica.'

"Hey, Kyle, how about we call our country as [The Imperial Federal Covenant] like what you had come with the former name of the Hounds?" suggested Fernal. "You know that is to match the military designations for the equipment used by the [Imperial Engineering Support Service], and the IHOC established by Willie, the name of the Order's constitution, was called the Covenant of IHOC? We can connect that terminology."

"Okay, Fernal." I said as I then added my thoughts and smiled. "But we need to add something for the official country name on the words on The Imperial Federal Covenant. We can use the word the Covenantian Realm for that in reference to our country."

"Yep." stated in agreement, Roland. "Also, we're so gonna need a word that also suited our purpose and objectives, a word that is part of the official country name. The improved steam technology terminology we came up and introduced, let's call that terminology for that as [Imperial Covenantian Steam Propulsion]."

"[German: Legit.] Roland, if you may."

"No problem. [Latin: I'll send the Council a message about what we talked.]"

"[Latin: Thank you, Roland.]

"[Latin: You're welcome, Kyle.]"

"Right, lead the way to the location of that construction site, Fernal."

"With pleasure, Kyle."

-

"Odin, reporting. All vitals of marked target and witnesses fully confirmed KIA."

"Thank you for the confirmation, Odin. Watch over us from the skies to get back for the EPO."

"Copy that, Ripper-01."

Ignoring the dead bodies of a burning house burnt to crisps, faraway, the disguised operative, Ripper-01, leading the group, putting back the binoculars, turned his back as the sounds of horses, footsteps, and hurried shouts in languages they understood, Old Prussian, appearing.

The disguised operatives, Team Ripper, under the cover, left the area of operations, City of Trier, undetected.

-

Within 2 minutes, the sight of the base for the grand expedition which New Society called it as [The Grand Expedition Base Camp], finally came to our view.

The on-going construction of the base, it's being constructed by teams from the [Imperial Engineering Support Service], the IEES, one of the branches of the 'Armed Forces of the Philippine Empire'.

Like others we passed by including the construction outpost of the IHOC a while ago that was made up of engineers and construction workers alike that included 'old timers', this also has the construction equipment, the 'goodies' we created for and gifted to this hardworking branch of Armed Forces were pretty much useful including the newly construction helmet, that had an official designation of ICH-1 which stand for Imperial Construction Helmet, with the "F" applied for the variant with a flashlight or light source.

Them, using the ICM-1, the acronym for the [Imperial Covenantian Machinery], which for this case, the Imperial Covenantian Forklift Mk.1 as an object, and the likes that were ICM, it's very unusual. We took it to ourselves and liberty to "teach the men how to fish" here and there with the 'official' establishment of the 'Philippine' DARPA.

These 'radical items' when it was first introduced alongside the sets of first reforms including the restructuring, we got ourselves a high morale and sign-ups for the newly established guilds and orders, and various schools including the vocational ones we created after the independence. These same machineries, they're also backed with [Imperial Covenantian Steam Propulsion Propulsion] technology. It improved the logistics and works of the projects and such but we won't allow shit called "car dependent economy" to be born here in the country we're building.

Dismounting first, I went over to check one of the structures constructed by one of the engineers - the docks part of the [The Grand Expedition Base Camp].

The appearance of those docks, it reminded myself back in those days before and after the wars from the previous world. Unlike others, this was reinforced with various materials including the 'original' ores and natural resources found in the Covenantian Realm. They were really constructed with the knowledge we gifted to these deserving IESS and those old timers who were happy to work with us and enjoying the benefits and reforms we introduced. The flooring that had the mixture of the Roman Concrete and [Silveriron tree] with supporting beneath and reinforced, it's way different but the presence of lumbers of Silveriron lumber used, it's a too good, way too good for my taste in a matter that I haven't forgotten one Covenantian order we recently established.

'If only aircrafts are allowed, we would have more tactics. Still with our presence, it'll be different as it is with new ideas and tactics towards the expected battle to score that so-called bigger region - a classic playbook of using naval bombardments and artilleries with combined arms warfare.' Smiling slightly at those devious thoughts, I noticed those things, the members of IESS making, were up to standards.

I knew someday this so-called "[Grand Expedition Base Camp]" would be a historical infrastructure in the future that'll share the tales of the upcoming grand expedition event.

As the Grand Expedition Commander, I look forward to it and the discover the untamed land the Spanish bastards failed to occupy – a region located north of Luzon, Nordica.

While at those thoughts, sounds of horses galloping came behind.

"Mr. Hernandez! Very urgent!"

Turning forward to the voice of origin, I recognized the riders who dismounted as they both saluted me first that had me to salute back.

Receiving the item, I started unfolding the letter and started reading it.

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

BANG

'Damn, this bullet never surprises me.'

"W-why? I thought you're gonna employ us with a better pay?"

I shook my head at the question directed to my masked self.

Back in my day, I don't play fair ever since.

It's all unfair to them but I have very good reasons, reasons only.

It's a work of being part-time work of being so-called "[Ministry of Public Security]" and "[Ministry of State Security]", based on the 'West Taiwan' one except with our own take due to this era and the use of spies and spy rings like what had 'West Taiwan', the USA, and other countries had done before us and their crap ton of propaganda spread around in the world itself for the sake of 'democracy', cough, color revolutions.

Armed with knowledge, combined with the former 'Chinese mainlanders' and others in our ranks, we created a [Ministry of Domestic Security], and [Ministry of Overseas Security].

This situation was an agenda and policy of state security, political security, and independence, the independent federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy sovereign state with Andres Novales as our designated head of state, the Emperor of the Covenant. The two ministries were one of the layers of shields tasked with thwarting color revolutions happening in the 'Philippine' soil planted by any organizations including foreign powers.

These prisoners, they've been unknowingly injected an unknown medicine earlier – a literal truth serum made of plants and herbs found in the Covenantian Realm.

What these [Domestic Security Service] agents captured, with one of these prisoners I executed with my revolver, were the remaining spymasters and spies abandoned by the previous Spanish regime and those so-called Catholic orders we recently dismantled as part of the cleaning up the Covenantian Realm.

Two months, two months of continuous defense and improvements after the independence and the message I received.

Including the "system of bureaus" and such I took page from CCP-'occupied' 'West Taiwan', and other countries, with collaboration, on putting it as one of the "Cores of the Covenantian Realm", we also laid out the org chart for the Grand Expedition.

Nordica and its surrounding islands made up of 5 islands, we got continuous scouting on-going through the deployment to get the "view" of the thing itself. Those whom we trusted knew such prestige to have a glimpse of such 'black technology' with a signing of the NDA. We won't risk it but it's better to be safe and such we're proven on one of the parts of Nordica and its surrounding islands – cold weather that require the kind of clothing and uniform, and a modification to our new ships and equipment, a strong message of improving the technology and introducing concepts to the 'boomers'.

The situations I got myself into lately in this world, it's different from what I had done in my Philippine Junta Days including for dealing those who were a threat to the Philippine cause and interests especially some of the previous world version of countries that had me glad the Philippines I worked on, the [Federal Republic of the Philippine Islands], had everything needed including the Philippine semiconductor manufacturing companies which we'll be doing setting them up once again in this different world.

Rotten corrupt priests, Absolutists, bandits, pirates, remnants of the former regime, the DSS also took care of them as part of its mandate like it's another day of a job.

What turn these Absolutist swine bunch into a double spy? It's a waste of time to reuse an 'old tool' who confessed they 'took care' of the saner former Spanish colonials and citizens back before we liberated this country. If circumstances were different, it might be but not today because we already have the renamed Philippine Shinobi Regiment, the [Silent Blades of the Covenant], and other classified Covenantian orders and ministries had that kind of job.

"(Spanish: No, it's all to give you false hope.)" I said, sarcastically, my explanation to the prisoners in Spanish language, as I showed my distaste in my voice. "(Spanish: Fernando VII's the epitome of the values and ideals this nation against. Teaming up with the Spanish Absolutist Political Party, and ruining the Cadiz constitution, the Duke of Juneda aka the Iron Duke aka the 1st Duke of Wellington himself, and others created after releasing the absolutist jackass of a royal from prison cells after kicking out the other Bonapartes from France and Spain, he's more unfit to rule from what the former detected Spanish nobles and merchants said, who settled here in the 'Philippines'.)"

What I said was a fact. We started our own "recruiting" program outside the Covenantian Realm. They were properly screened and some of them were names found in our [Recruitment Book]. The folks we recruited starting from 'Mother Spain', it reinforced our agenda and trolling the crap of Ferdinand VII, those Absolutist assholes, and the corrupt priest in this era through the Covenantian brand of journalism, and the newly-set modified '[Overseas Police Station]' we discreetly put up there in those parts after Britain and other countries recognized our country's independence through a treaty.

The stories and accounts we published anonymously, thanks to one of the 'other warfare' we launched, 'Mother Spain' under the kingship of 'King jackass', had a critical start of the Spanish brain drain, a problem of Fernando VII, his personality, and connected to the [Partida Absolutista Español], the Spanish Absolutist Party, whom we also vilified with facts anonymously and spread the papers around, and taking some pages and playbooks from the previous world CCP to fan the flames called "consequences of having a bad political system" discreetly through our so-called modified 'Overseas Police Station', also known as the CRISN, the [Covenantian Realm's International Support Network].

Brain drain from countries such as The Spanish Empire or going here in the Covenantian Realm for new opportunity via migration? Not our problem, it's a welcome development to our plans and growth. Including those from abroad, the CRINS we established in the 'Philippine Empire' would gladly assist those immigrants to get them started except of course putting 'accidents' to people like one guy listed in our [Janitorial Handbook] named British General Gregor MacGregor, a member of Clan MacGregory, who had an 'accident' now by us, historically known as the asshole contributor and fraudster who would start the Panic of 1825 through a fake Central American territory country that doesn't exist in this different world, Poyais, which we spread around and of course to shame the 'House' of MacGregory because of that self-proclaimed "Cazique of Poyais" asshole and the number of deeds he committed that costed lives.

"(Spanish: YOU, YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF WHO YOU ARE MISSING WITH! YOU'RE A MONSTER FOR SIDING WITH THE TRAITORS WHO LEFT MOTHER SPAIN!)"

Savoring the angry looks of one of the captured prisoners, I 'cocked' my specialized automatic revolver I commissioned at the Silver Mountain Firearms. Don and others wouldn't believe what I gave them for their commission when I showed them the "show" of this toy. It was made for a bullet called "[Covenantian Excalibur]", a bullet born in the 'Philippines' that had a performance of .454 Casull, and a range of 9mm Para, a 'scary' shit due to the existence of resources here but it's better to be safe than sorry for Nordica and things we heard such as giant crabs and strange crap in this world.

"And what? Hang those 'inferior filths' for insulting your absolutist ass employer, The Spanish Empire?" I mockingly 'jested', not giving a care to a threat, as I smiled smugly behind my balaclava. "(Spanish: In actuality, I eat death threats for breakfast and enjoy the tears of Absolutist losers like you. Those whom you threatened, they are under our protection as citizens as stated of this independent country's constitution, the Covenant. So, let me tell you straight about Spain's current situation through a book called The Prince written by Machiavelli.)"

Like a name drop, their reactions, I didn't expect some of them knew that particular book considering this era saw it as "unholy" and the records of the Catholic Church of banning it through on the [Index of Forbidden Books]. It's not surprising the book was a banned book if not restricted in places.

"Yes, that same book Vatican banned for having the so-called un-Christian morals. Chapter 22 of The Prince, a chapter about Nobles and staff, which for this case can be said to the current 'happy' state of Spain under His Royal Absolutist Man-child, about leadership and traits. I'll summarize point out what Machiavelli pointed out in this chapter – (Spanish: The kind that understands things for itself, the kind that understands what others understand, and the kind that doesn't understood for itself, nor through others.) Which one is he?"

"The kind that understands things for itself?"

"Wrong! He's the third kind - the kind that doesn't understood for itself, nor through others! The situation in Spain as a result of his shitty personality spoke results! Poor Spanish Empire all because of its faulty operating system, the Cadiz Constitution, bastardized and ruined by an unfit Criminal King and dooming the current Spanish Royal House with his stupidity! Farewell 'gentlemen', I'll be sending you all to the afterlife to be judged. The late self-proclaimed Cazique of Polais will be very 'delighted' to have new roommates!"

"Wait! You mean that same former Scottish general who fought in the Spanish American Wars of Independence?"

This world's Spanish American Wars of Independence, everything almost just went the same route added with the 'original' countries except the former 'Philippines', The Imperial Federal Covenant, won the independence earlier in 1823, that made the country we're currently building, effectively, the world's first federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy state.

"Why, of course! We assassinated him now to save lives and reduce the number of victims from his schemes! My country, The Imperial Federal Covenant is doing the world a favor through by using facts and have the world know how much the asshole from his House, the Clan MacGregor, toyed lives unpunished. We're also the ones behind in turning the tides against Spain and the Spanish Colonial Government during and after the war."

"(Spanish: No wonder the previous regime lost in the war. You're all really monsters.)"

"(Spanish: Call us what you may, we're only 'sending' assholes like you to be judged in the afterlife. In the Imperial Federal Covenant, we don't tolerate any forms of criminalities, corruption, slavery, and illegal trading, be they from religious organizations or not, whatever that is.) We are only laying out the foundations for the Covenantian brethren whose faces we don't know. Farewell, gentlemen, you'll be meeting your comrades and the late self-proclaimed Cazique of Polais shortly."

When I finished saying that, I unholster my left revolver, and fired both my custom revolvers to the remaining two captives.

BANG BANG

Watching the gruesome effect of what the [Covenantian Excalibur] bullets did to these now-corpses, I looked at the DSS agents who remained silent at the work of my revolvers.

"Mr. Hernandez, that's everything we had for our efforts in maintaining the domestic security in the Covenantian Realm. It's a big pleasure to have us learn from you and 'them'. I can't believe such criminal existed and left be unpunished for the crimes."

"You're welcome, Python." I said, smiling, to the agent codenamed Python. "Remember what the DSS President-General taught you when you all first joined the Ministry. Like the OSS, being part of the DSS, is an honor and prestige of defending our fellow countrymen, independence, and the Covenantian Ream as one of the layers of shields of the Covenantian Realm. We have a good reason why we established [Order of Truth and Journalism] and put it as part of the Covenant."

Not counting the tales from my time I told them, the story I shared was related to what happened earlier. The fuckface absolutists remnants that got disciplined and gagged by the [Imperial Marshals Service] for showing a disorderly behavior in the court was almost like what happened to the previous trials - full of discrimination and surprises of having our own country's judges, the first female judges in the world, who were in our group, surprised those 'old school' Absolutist gangsters.

Me going in one of the houses of the DSS after I reorganized things in [Imperial Guild of National Firearms Marksmanship Guild - Mountaintop] after leaving the court, never got myself to be rusty in getting some action of work and sharpening my senses and an exercise because this was all for preparations of Nordica and New Society missions and objectives.

At least we put up shooting ranges, and shooting range cafes businesses for one of our ploys that I took a liberty of saying, "firearms marksmanship and responsible firearms ownership goes hand in hand together" in front of the gathered 'Filipino' people back then.

"Understood, Mr. Hernandez. We, the DSS, serve at the pleasure of the Covenantian Realm and our fellow Covenantians. We strive our best to protect our country including against the likes of the Nazis, CPP-NDF-NPA, and those parties you and 'them' mentioned."

Smiling in approval at the reference of the DSS motto, I removed my balaclava and left the place via one of the secret doors and detours, for another location, not before replacing the used bullets with newer replacements, and changing clothes into something else - the clothes I'll be going as the Grand Expedition Commander.

Escorted with the [Majestic Strikers], who served as my guards and escorts, the location we're going at this time would be a building related to the Grand Expedition which was one of the bases for the ships related to the expedition today.

25 minutes later, we arrived at the [Naval Station Del Mar], located in Bahuran Bay Region, located left of La Union, overseeing the coast.

The infrastructure of the naval station was future-proofed and made with Covenantian Concrete, the name of the Roman Concrete we recreated. The appearance was well-expected to be for a naval base with a touch of a fortress. Due to its location, this was also where we would put the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Coastguard, and the future Imperial Airforce.

Entering, I was greeted with a sight of assembled personnel of the Imperial Armed Forces of the Covenant, trained first generation of 'Filipino' journalists who were members of the [Order of Truth and Journalism], assembled government-affiliated paramilitary personnel, and comrades from [New Society], who'll be joining the Grand Expedition.

Of all persons, I spotted the color of lavender haired with light blue eyes, an indication they're Fernal's family with Fernal present, smiling. It had been like yesterday last I chatted them and Fernal's cousins during the birthday party of two of Fernal's cousins, Evelyn and Lucille.

'With Batanes Island, Spratlys and others in our hands, except for Nordica and its surrounding islands located North of it, I understand why the first batch of the fleet are here besides the Grand Expedition Base, to land in one of those islands first and set up the logistics and supply lines. Kyle, whatever happens, hold on to this feeling and follow where it leads.' With those thoughts about the matter and circumstances, I went to the stage and give a speech not before I noticed the cameras, and papers and pens held by the 'Filipino' journalists, one of them from the newly established Merlion Solidarity Times, The Covenantian Daily, Cebu Star, The Sovereign Observer, and various Covenantian newspaper outlets certificated by the [Order of Truth and Journalism], here to cover this event.

I started my speech, "My fellow Covenantians, today, September 13, 1823, marks the beginning of journey for the Covenantian Realm. A journey, an expedition to explore and discover Nordica and make it part of the Covenantian Realm. In the past before we freed the Covenantian Realm from the tyranny of House of Bourbon, the Spanish Empire, and the spirit of Spanish Absolutism on last July, there were attempts to go to Nordica, all of it ended with failure if not missing ships accidentally going there and never been seen again because of its climate, governance, and the technology those times."

Pausing slightly, I could see some 'old timers', including our backers to the cause, nodding their heads.

The cause of the Spanish failure was the following: logistics, food, supply, technology which for the case of the previous regime was "not moving with the times", racism, manpower, and logistics.

Logistics, as I always point out, goes hand in hand with technology and communications like what I had said about firearm marksmanship and ownership.

Resuming, I smiled. "Now, for the Grand Expedition itself, it won't be a failure because we took liberty in studying Nordica and understanding its features. The reforms and inventions, the new government introduced, showed proof and progress that benefitted us, the Covenantians, after kicking out the Spanish Colonial Government. In this day we're waiting for, I, Kyle Hernandez, personally, am very honored to be chosen by His Imperial Majesty, [Sons of Nation], and our government, to be placed as The Grand Expedition Commander, as a sign of confidence and trust in my talents and abilities. Under my watch as The Grand Expedition Commander, I promise the New Era of the independent Covenantian Realm in this day will be remembered as one of the defining moments and defying the failures of the previous Spanish regime. My fellow Covenantians, let us be one and support the New Society of our country, the Covenantian Realm, for the success and road to the Covenantian glory – Long live the Covenant!"

"Long live the Covenant!"

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

Armed with my trusty custom commissioned revolvers, I'm on a board of a Covenantian ship, the INS Thronebreaker.

The INS Thronebreaker and the INS Thronebreaker-class, one of the "main characters" in this Grand Expedition event, like the INS Sovereignty-class, were one of the Covenantian answers to the USS Constitution.

While this world's USA lost this world's War of 1812 and that American frigate got captured by the Brits, the Thronebreaker-class, for example, was one of our 'modern takes' of the USS Constitution with Covenantian materials and natural resources found here, and newer technologies introduced.

Designed to be near-impenetrable, artic-proofed, and has future upgrades options, this class of Covenantian ships were armed with the Type 1 Imperial Gun also known as the Gatling Gun, improved Paixhans guns also known as "Covenantian Thunder Cannon", and plenty of armaments. One of the features for this ship were it has communication devices that could double radar called as the Etheric Observance Network (EON), alarm systems, warmer rooms, communications room, improved version of the [Imperial Covenantian Steam Propulsion], having elements of an icebreaker ship, etc.

For this today's on-going event, we'll be rendezvousing with Covenantian ships from the Grand Expedition Base once we 'settle down' and start building the 'supply and logistics line' on one of the 6 islands, Silāvat Island, our destination, first stop, which according to the Orlačindic, an indigenous 'original' language found in these parts of Nordica and spoken by the Orlači, meant "silver shores", a name for the place itself.

'Some irregularity in this different world, I better check once again.' Watching the cold fog still there while I'm inside the observation deck, I went back to the Private Lounge Hall to do a quick review.

A couple of walks later, I found a sight of that hall's doors closed and guarded by two [Majestic Strikers], Matias and Tomas, at this time of their shift, who saluted me.

"(Chavacano: At ease, lads.)" I said, that had them drop their salutes. "(Latin: Remember your training and maintain your senses like I do. Our Order will have more role to play in the future.)"

"(Latin: Yes, Grand Chevalier!)"

Nodding in approval, I entered the hall itself.

As part of the ship when we first designed the blueprints of this unique ship, the purpose of this [Private Study Hall] was for the designated officers and those who knew the secret, on-board the ship, to chat, review, and discuss the plans for the events which for this case Nordica, its surrounding islands, and the Orlači.

The Orlači had been the subject of interest for us, and the [New Society] since the day we started researching and analyzing about them. These people were found in Nordica and its islands that were part of it.

For this specific part, the study hall, it was silenced with the devices and got a hidden speaker system, storage in case of emergencies, chairs, tables, couches, air humidifier + purifier, a heating system, and a cooling system.

Sitting down on a vacant chair, I pressed the hidden mechanism of the table, located beneath.

'All for the good of the Covenantian Realm while also fucking being literate in Orlačindic and many languages as part of the side effects of joining the [New Society]. No question, my senses will be sharp as ever in peeps using Orlačindic for writing and speaking.' Watching it slide quietly to reveal a touchscreen computer, I shook my head for a moment at the ridiculousness of what we had done behind the scenes and our created classified operating system fondly called as "[Seed of World Tree]", before I started inputting my [New Society] account information, that served as one of the layers of shield for protection and confidentiality, on it.

Access granted with a fading "welcome back" message, I started a review browsing related to today's would-be historical event – the Nordica Grand Expedition, the Orlačindic persons to keep an eye on.

The persons to keep an eye on, we divided it into two categories – one for recruitment which was for the [Recruitment Book], and the other, the 'undesirables', which was for the [Janitorial Book].

From the beginning since those days, we did too much to sort those names.

For the Orlači, like the usual things, we wasted no time. My personal impression remained the same on reviewing and reading about them.

"Everlina Orlači, designated heiress of the Orlači, known by her nickname, Eve." I muttered the name, looking at the [Recruitment Entry] displayed on the screen.

This particular showed a picture of a white-haired girl having blue eyes, and her list of achievements that reminded myself when I first read it before we started planning, was impressed.

At a young age, her childhood, she introduced reforms and items to the Orlači that benefitted them and their governance of Nordica which was around 10 years later for them, Orlači.

Even though there's still on-going projects, the ideas, improved, started and continued by this Everlina Orlači, the problem of the Orlači, some of the technologies, which at this moment for their part, was their way of coming up with close and powerful as [Imperial Covenantian Steam Propulsion] and products equipped with this type of Covenantian technology.

That specific problem of theirs would be easily solved if we get them to cooperate and join as part of The Covenantian Realm to enjoy the benefits.

'It is still interesting. She'll be in a big world for our plans and preview of the technologies we'll be recreating and introducing.'

-

"(Orlačindic: One of the teams will be returning as usual.)"

"(Orlačindic: That's some another day of activities for our community and development. I - ) ACHOO!"

"(Orlačindic: Eve, are you okay?)" asked in worry, a white-haired girl, her cousin.

Everlina smiled slightly. "(Orlačindic: I am fine, Ayesha. Please go on with the news.)"

Her cousin nodded. "(Orlačindic: Yes. The firearms project, the Firearms Development Team, working on, it's doing well. I, personally never thought items our ancestors found during those years and persevered by the climate of our lands, would be further developed by you. I never imagined…these...what's the word again?)"

"(Orlačindic: Arquebuses and muskets? Don't forget the revolvers and things we found including from the old British ship wrecks. It's not an ordinary day we were able to recreate and improve them after examination.)"

"(Orlačindic: Thank you. The arquebuses and muskets, I never thought its potential could be done with that way besides that method. Our community is proud to have you. As much I am personally happy there's no foreigner nation coming thanks to the natural defenses, and what we found through the wreckages the teams found, I'm very wanting to meet those from the South of our lands. My eyes can tell Nordica and our lands have higher potential.)"

Dåŕína, in English translation, was Nordica. It was no doubt it had cold snowy weather on the parts including the mountainous terrains, forests, and lakes.

Their community also were very lucky they could still fish, cook, swim, pruning, farm, and mine in their lands.

If not for the current state of technology started by their forefathers and ancestors, the potential, should they create an icebreaker to break the frozen waters, it's very high.

"(Orlačindic: And those from the South, they're recently independent from the Spanish Empire.)" said Everlina, in agreement, that had her and Ayesha smiled. "(Orlačindic: Also, did you know today's the day? I've been waiting for it once they see) Čalášná Ikari (Orlačindic: with their ships. This is an opportunity for a trade and development.)"

"(Orlačindic: Same. Auri's been preparing like you, Eve. This day will be the start for us.)"

"(Orlačindic: I know. The world is changing. Like what Auri and the elders said, this world…our world will be way different in the future.)"

As she said that, Everlina looked at one of the bookshelves and smiled.

The bookshelves, at first glance, it really was a bookshelf containing books.

But behind it, contained guarded secrets only her fellow Orlači knew and why they were able to progress with it.

The weather and climate of Dåŕína and its surrounding islands, did its part of preserving the wreckages and things found here besides the world behind the doors.

For the Orlači heiress, she considered those as a blessing to herself, her innovation and ideas, her existence, and the Orlači community since the time of her ancestors and forefathers had it. Her presence being here, only refined her life who she was.

'I look forward meeting you again soon.' Hanging with those thoughts, Everlina cancelled her illusion she applied, uncovering her elven ears that was once hidden by an illusion of human ears.

 

[Layif Al-Hawarit]

'Ah, that Čalášná Ikari we passed by 25 minutes ago is so lovely. Good thing I took a picture of it.'


"Admiral! We got 2 figures of pirate boats ahead! 8 o'clock!"


"Tell the fleet to load the Wendekanone – ehem, Covenantian Thunder Cannons starting this moment for safety measures."


"Yes, Admiral!"


'The world is so gonna get fucked with us and our navy, starting with pirates and bandits in the seas. Our plans and our presence will secure the top spot.'


[Covenantian Thunder Cannons], these modified Covenantian-born derived Paixhans guns were one of its kind for a working concept that uses [Imperial Covenantian Steam Propulsion System]. It's a breechloader with a revolving mechanism. During the day when the Operation Independence ended, we weren't able to use the prototype that would replace the Paixhans we retrofitted to our 'Philippine Revolutionary Fleet'. This toy's predecessors went through a lot of rigorous testing and improvements behind the scenes. With green light, this armament and its variants were produced for our arsenal, studied and continued being improved as per our agenda. The possibilities and the presence of the resources in this different world combined with our group, made this naval armament possible. As of to this date, the current ships were all using 6-shot version of this toy.


"Enemy vessels confirmed! They're indeed pirates! Chinese pirates!"


'A Chinese one, eh? The last one was a Chinese armed naval militia from one of the two troublemaker countries back in those modern days.' Looking at the picture with spotting scope, all I could see was unshaven shivering oldies, confirmed through their clothing-style, and saw their terrified faces and words spoken by these criminals in Chinese.


'Poor bastards. They really don't know where the actual place they went.'


In the history of the Philippines, there was a Chinese pirate and warlord named Limahong who invaded the Philippines in 1574 and failed.


In this different 'Philippines', I won't be surprised to see some criminals like them here, these Chinese pirates, whoever the fuck was, unexpectedly getting stuck in the cold parts of Nordica if not them accidentally entering these parts.


In the end, these 'boomer' criminals in this situation, they'll be a good practice and a material for our combat data to improve the Covenantian technologies used.


"We will end their lives in these Orlačindic waters and climate." commented Ethan, as I then heard this fellow former World War 2 veteran gave an order. "Fire the Thunder Cannons."


"FIRE!"


BOOM!


BOOM!


BOOM!


BOOM!


BOOM!


BOOM!


Hearing the six-shooters fired, I watched the shells landed on –


POW! SPLASH!


'Well shit…that's a lot of damage and an overkill.'


-

Today was another day of maintaining order and public in the waters of Silāvat Island with my squad.

Our organization, was considered as paramilitary coastguard. Our forefathers established it for such purposes and what to come in the future. It had battles in its own tally.

"Keep your eyes peeled. We've been sent to track down the last sighted 3 pirate boats from our brethren a while ago."

"Right. And we are to blast them to oblivion to come and capture and salvage their items, Artavic?"

"Yes, we are to use Recreāntiam Ūtilitātem as usual." I replied. "But remember, today's the day of meeting them. The princess and the Council won't like it if we accidentally offended or attacked those from the South."

"Same. We prepared a lot including our own side for this day. Artavic, do you recall what happened in the past?"

I nodded. "We all did. It's all for the well-being of our community and our future. Remember we have to keep our actual real appearance a secret in public and abilities for now until we meet those persons from what the oracle described. They are our link to our prosperity and bound by fate."

"Understood. We'll be careful."

"Good, we got a work to do. All teams, check the tracks and angles."

"Copy."

For 15 minutes, we checked the area with our Thermolux Vision Scope, finding the trails of where they went. The signature of the traces of their boats, showed where they went.

"Go to that direction. Maintain the formation."

Another 5 minutes, I waited until I smell something close to smoke and burning ahead as I watched a sight of things I didn't expect to discover.

It's a group of black ships, a massive one, towering the destroyed pieces of fragments of the targets we're looking for.

The raised flag, it matched the description.

'This…this is them?'