[X] Ally with the Friendly Nations
-[X] Privately approach Cupid with the prospect of a technology transfer to bolster the Independent Front.
-[X] Task an ESS think-tank with producing strategies to counter a "Christmas in July" scenario giving Christmas access to Independence Day's improved firework artillery.
Negotiations with the Friendly Nations take nearly no time at all. Your signature is the first to adorn the Easter Declaration, the document which will guide you, and every Holiday to join you in this struggle, through the coming war. It is short and sweet, but in your opinion, it is enough.
"The Holidays signatory hereto,
Having subscribed to a common program of purposes and principles embodied in the Joint Declaration of the Easter Bunny (Peter Cottontail) and the Representatives of the Allied Holidays, known forevermore as the Easter Declaration,
Being convinced that complete victory over their enemies is essential to defend life, liberty, and independence, and to preserve Holiday rights and justice in their own lands as well as in other lands, and that they are now engaged in a common struggle against savage and brutal forces seeking to subjugate the calendar,
Declare:
(1) Each Holiday pledges itself to employ its full resources, military or economic, against those Empire of the North Pole and its allies with which such Holiday is at war.
(2) Each Holiday pledges itself to cooperate with the Holidays signatory hereto and not to make a separate armistice or peace with the enemies.
The foregoing declaration may be adhered to by other nations which are, or which may be, rendering material assistance and contributions in the struggle for victory over Kringlism."
You and several minor Holidays, including Memorial Day, International Workers' Day, and the Spring Equinox have formed an official alliance. Their armies are added to yours, as you are seen as the leader of this group. They have joined your training programs, but the added numbers have slowed progress.
Your army has increased from Small to Medium in size.
Your army is still Green in quality.
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The ink is still fresh on the paper of the Easter Declaration when you arrive outside the gates of Valentine's Day. The rising spires of clean, white marble shine in the morning sun. Rose bushes and freshly cut grass fill the air with a pleasant perfume as you catch your breath and stretch. It's been ages since you used the old Easter routes through the world, but they are still the best way to move around if you need to be stealthy. Even Santa never learned the secrets of those ancient tunnels.
St. Valentine's Castle is a relic of bygone age. Once upon a time the great archers of Valentine's Day were considered the most elite fighting force in the Calendar. The Castle was their impenetrable bastion, a gleaming symbol of Strength and Love for all Holidays. Now, castles and archers are a thing of the past, and the world has moved on. Still, Cupid keeps everything clean and well-maintained. The Castle shows no signs of age. Even the ancient motto of the Valentine Knights "Amor in Campo Proelii" is still clearly readable above the iron gates.
You delve back into the tunnels, reemerging deep inside the castle. You shake off the ache in your bones as you step in the warm, statue-lined hallway outside of Cupid's office. You cannot remember the last time you were in here, hiding eggs behind columns and beneath silk-pillows. You hope the office is still in the same place.
You knock, and a voice responds "Enter."
Cupid's office is a large, heart-shaped room (of course) constructed of more white marble. Frankly, you wonder where they get it all. As you enter, Cupid looks up from a desk covered in rose-colored paperwork.
"Oh. Mr. Cottontail." He stands in his chair, tiny wings flapping leisurely. "I wasn't expecting you so quickly. Please, have a seat."
When the ESS contacted Cupid, he made it very clear that he would only listen to the proposal if it came directly from you. The Angel of Love has become a tad suspicious, not that you can blame him. Times are changing, and a healthy dose of paranoia may be necessary to stay alive. You, for example, have an ESS Strike Team waiting for your call, just in case the little cherub tries something funny.
"Well." He says as you sit down, "Your agents made it clear that this was important, but I must say I wasn't really expecting you to show up yourself. It's been what? Half a century since we last saw each other?"
"About." You reply, "Probably would have been a lot longer if Santa hadn't lost his milk and cookies." Cupid is silent at this. His wings settle down as he leans back in his chair.
"True. Very true." he finally says, "Perhaps that is one of the causes of this nightmare. We grew too isolated, too comfortable. We allowed ourselves to fall into an endless repetition of old traditions, and walled ourselves off from our fellow holidays. We let the Love die out. Our... my fault I suppose." He shakes his head, and reaches for something strong-smelling. His pudgy baby-hands clasp the cup and you wait as he drains the lat drop. "Still, you didn't come here to listen to an old cherub moan about the old days. What is this proposal, and why should I care?"
"It's about your Independent Front."
"I thought it might be. We aren't interested in serving under you, Cottontail. We're fighting to avoid servitude, and we've no plans to march right into it!"
You hold up a paw to placate him, before continuing, "No servitude involved, Cupid. Just common sense. You can't survive by yourselves. The moment Christmas turns its attention towards Spring, you'll have less of chance of survival than a Peep in the summer sun. But, you also won't let Easter hop through your territories to help. That's fine. All we offer is this: A transfer of technology. We have better guns than anything you can produce locally, and we'll show you and your Front how to make them. This war is about survival, and if we don't at least try to work together, we'll all be listening to Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé year round"
You lean forward. "Work with me here Cupid. Or Kringle and his army of Jingle-Booted thugs will be down our chimneys faster than you can say 'Here Comes Santa Claus'."
Cupid rests his hands on his desk, thinking. The moments pass in tense silence.
Finally, he looks you in the eye.
"Fine. Give me the details, sweetheart."
Cupid has agreed to the Technology transfer, but it's up to you just how much you share with them. This will affect what you receive from them.
[] Everything. All must be shared in the struggle against Kringle.
[] Weaponry and Military Technology.
[] Industrial and Manufacturing Technology.
[] Training methods and Battlefield Tactics.
[] Write in?
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The ESS report isn't optimistic. If Halloween falls, there aren't many Holidays between October and July that could offer much resistance to Kringle's forces. Even Independence Day, with their march towards militarization and the heavy artillery batteries surrounding their territory, wouldn't hold long against a full invasion. Santa's armies lack heavy artillery, and if they get their hands on the great firework works of the 4th, they could batter down every fortification across the calendar. The immediate risk of this happening is low, as Christmas must still deal with Halloween, but some ESS officers aren't worried about an invasion.
Instead, they fear a manufactured uprising. Christmas has always been the most popular Holiday across the Calender, and it's possible that Kringle Sympathizers may become a problem for everyone if the war drags on. Should the government of Independance Day be overthrown, and a Christmas-Friendly regime installed, the North Pole could suddenly have an ally right next to your borders.
As such, the ESS think tank has begun preparing counter strategies for the code-named "Christmas in July" scenario. The initial proposals arrive at your desk quickly, and you begin to look them over.
The first option is the most popular. Task a large group of ESS agents to monitor and disrupt Kringlist-friendly groups. This will put a large strain on the ESS, and limit further operations while this plan is in effect, but may stop any Christmas groups before they begin to cause trouble.
The second option is the most drastic. A preemptive invasion of July 4th, to set a friendly government in place. There will be resistance, and it will cost you lives. But it will also secure your border, and ensure your own access to heavy artillery as you seize their production. International reaction will not be good.
Finally, a middle ground. Diplomatically approach Independence Day and try to work with them to foil any Kringlist activity. They are notoriously... well, Independent and Uncle Sam can be gruff, but surely they will see the benefits of cooperation.
Alternativley, you could do nothing. You have other matters that could use resources, and the 4th is not threatened at the moment. Your attention is needed elsewhere. Don't choose a plan yet, but let the Think Tank continue its work.
The decision ultimately falls to you...
How do you deal with the 4th of July?
[] Operation Bunny Hop: ESS infiltration and monitoring.
[] Operation Easter Joy: Full Scale Invasion.
[] Operation Pet the Rabbit: Diplomacy and Cooperation.
[] Don't decide yet.
[] Other?
