The Empire Comes

Roleplay Library
1

Hikaru sat at his desk, it was a lovely day, but paperwork had stacked up, and he had to finish it, sunshine be damned, Tokimi the intern ducked in,
“Sir I am going for coffee, you want any?” she asked
“sure, Black with just a little sugar.” he said as she nodded and scampered off,
back to work he thought, but he noticed something, outside
“Hmm” he said “why is the flag being taken down?”
but he was not to be amused as he saw a new one rising,
quickly Hikaru hit the intercom, “Nuriko, what is happening why is the flag being taken down?”
all he heard was a scream.
He Grabbed his sidearm and rushed the door, an explosion knocked him back, through the smoke a man entered, clad in black, leather and piecemail armor,
the invader raised his arms,
and bellowed "I hereby announce the rise of The Empire and the cleansing of The East Pacific.

We have freed The East Pacific from her chains of inequity. No more shall that gem of the Seas rot in the isolation which took her before. The East Pacific has been purified; it is now the seat of power for The Empress and the Empire. Under the command of the Empress, the Lady Phedre, our Legions shall stalk victoriously into the world and remove the filth that covers it - The Empire shall bring order to all! "

Hikaru raised his Gun but the report of another rang out, and his Makarov flew into the air.
a figure emerged from beside him,
“M.O.D.S.” intoned Hikaru, as he held his hand,
the invader raised his hands
“Let in begin, so commands Lord Rahl!”
outside Hikaru heard the sounds, terrifying sounds, sounds generated by small things, and the white flashes, even in the day visible in Cupertino,

“This region is being Cleansed of your filth with Atomic Fire Rejoice in being able to witness the work of Rahl.” he said.

"rejoice , , How you slay thi inocent for your pleasure, , " asked Hikaru but a seather glove interupted him

"bring the prisoner, let him see the wasteland, , "

a black suiten stormtrooper grabbed Hikaru and drug him out, as he entered the foyer of his office, he saw blood, in the hall more blood and signs of dragging, but outside a horro not seen since the times of Vlad Tepesch, invader soldiers hoisting crosses on them his friends and comrades, Nuriko, little Tokemi, they appeared dead thankfully, at least they wonnt suffer rape,

a stormtrooper trotts up
“Lord Rahl, reports ore coming in of starships fleeing, we believe the Infinite Loop Empress was aboard with the Prince,”

Rahl turns to Hikaru, “your woman escapes, but we will find her”
he turns,
“Banish this one, He is unfit to serve the Empire.”

and with that Hikaru is drug to an awaiting shuttle, , , ,

2

Tlant sits in his chair.

"Sir, Hikaruton has been destroyed..."

“I know. I am on the same link as everyone else. DAMN IT. Did we get that complacent in our defenses?”

"Counter measures are being considered.  It appears our neighbors are fighting the same fight.  Should we destroy the EP sir...  This might be unwinable..."

“Never. If nothing else, we can assimilate this Empire into our own as we have with all others. Contact Matt and Hikaru. We need to put aside some differences for this one…”

3

“Huh.”

“Huh, my Lord?”

“Well that was unexpected, wasn’t it.”

The old man stood to the Emperor’s left simply nodded in reply.

“I trust you did what you knew I’d ask you to, before you came to see me.” Asked the Emperor calmly.

“I did, every province is at arms. I dare them to attack Terasu.”

Jushiro sighed and stood up. “As do I.”

The large screen infront of them flickered with various images depicting the apparent atrocities occuring within Loop.

“Hm.”

“Hm?” answered the old man, Emperor Jushiro’s great uncle Fumio, with a sigh. Fumio had seen war far too many times already, but never anything like what he was seeing now.

Jushiro paused and turned towards the door of his ridiculously large office. “Do you think this is all real?” His voice was emotionless and his eyes had fixed on something in the distance.

“It would seem so.”

4

(OOC: Deffly putting my other RP on hold, this is much more interesting.)

Imperial Palace
Eastrovia, East Malaysia

“Glendale! The region is under attack!” Yelled June running down the hallway to Glendale.

“What do you mean the region is under attack? Christie Island?” Glendale said as she was walking down the hallway to her office but stopped as June got closer.

“They are attacked not just the regional territory but nations also. Infinite Loop is one of them.” June spoke handing a PADD to Glendale.

“What about our representatives on Christie Island?” Glendale asked looking down at the PADD.

“We are assuming that they have been detained; we lost contact with our ambassador, assembly representative, and even a few civilian aircrafts,” June said as she moved to a wall panel and pressed a few keys, which opened it to reveal weapons. She grabbed them and handed some to Glendale.

Meanwhile as Glendale was taking the weapons, she went to the intercom system that was connected to all government facilities, “This is Empress Jung at the Imperial Palace, we have a situation on our hands that is effecting the whole region. At this time we are in an official state of war. All hands to their battle stations. Our priority is our citizens and to find out more information on this enemy. This is not a drill; we have work to do!” Glendale said and instantly the atmosphere changed in the Palace. Glendale was soon flanked by a unit of guards.

5

Imperia City, Throne roo… I mean, Presidential Office

Heinrich von Drakken sits alone on his thron… err, very expensive chair, taking decisions that affect the lives of the billions of souls under his rule when a female voice echoes in the room:

“Large scale attacks detected in several countries of our region.”
“Confirm identity of the attackers, Sim-one.” said an alarmed Heinrich.
“Confirmation impossible, heavy ECM detected on the areas under attack.”
“Then its not only an unknown enemy, but one that has enough tech to be stealthy and attack anyone in the region by surprise”
“Emergency report received from Christie Island. An massive army cloaked with the same stealth tech employed on the previous attacks is attacking that place now.”
“Damn, how´s the status of our troops in the area”
“Overwhelmed. Communications are near impossible with the area. But what we could listen indicates that casualties and prisioners are still only a few but the remaining forces won´t be able to defend themselves for long.”
“Order a fighting retreat to the shore, we´ll send the I-1000 to rescue them since they´re a part of the EAF anyway. Meanwhile, i want all military in red alert. Send every unit avaiable guard our borders and airspace. We won´t have the same thing happening here! And prepare the Wyvern, i shall participate personaly of the rescue operation.”
“You shouldn´t risk yourself, sir.”
“Thanks for your concern, Sim. But i wouldn´t be worthy of leading my people if i stayed here. Although i wish i could do something for the other countries too…”
“Incoming transmission from your father, sir.”
“I knew you´d say that, son! Don´t worry, i´ll go to the countries under attack with humanitary aid for the victims.”
“You were eavesdropping my orders…”
“Yes”
“You´ll go to places held by the enemy…”
“Yes”
“You know i can´t spare troops to guard you…”
“Yes”
“And you bloody want me not to worry!” screamed Heinrich
“Son, trust you old father. I know what i´m doing. And i have privately funded guards who are better armed and trained than our regular army to escort me.”
“Take care, father.” said Heinrich with a sigh
“You too, son.”

And Heinrich left the room… to the war.

6

Pluto

“My Empress, The Imperial Consort is not to be found” states the young man in NKVD Dress,
“Could it have been damaged during the EMP burst?” asks Hitomi her eyes on the verge of tears, “There is not that we can do is there?” she asks
“No milady, Pacifica and Bismark are too damaged to even attempt to return to the planet, and Prometheus is crippled, The civilian ships did make it away and we shall have to set out soon to join up with them.”
Hitome turned her head, to look out the viewport, Pluto was a lovely little iceball, she thought,
“Prepare the ship and Please call Kagato Sama I need te see him.”
she said
“Milady”
the officer slinks out sensing his Mistress’ pain.

Sapporo

Hikaru stood by the carnival tent, “Luthor the Metal Man” it said, “wonder of the Civilized world”, if only they knew, , , He heard the first hit moments ago, He saw the others, couldnt miss them, Damnit he thought, and stomped to the office,
"Comrade, " he said “have you news on the Atomic explosions to the south?”
“explosions, Huh?”
Nishino san turned on his Newton, “Hmm, the news is off, something is up,”
“mind if I take the day off?”
“go for it, if something is going on I doubt people will come to the carnival.”

Hikaru went to his trailer, , he opened a small box and took out a fuse, ,
"Ten years since I took this out, , , " he removed his shirt and a panel opened,
he insertid the fuse

– – *5$#@@09 > >
. . .
. . .
A flood of data fell upon Hikaru, sort of a family he had not seen in years

//Hikaru// { “Tlant, are you there, it is me, , Hikaru” }

Cupertino
dee dee de de dee deedle doo dooo*
, , ,
dee dee de de dee deedle doo dooo
, , , ,
dee dee de de dee deedle doo dooo
, , , , ,

“What is that incessant Caturwahling!” shauted Rahl
“my Leige?” asked one of the Imperial accountants looking up from his books
dee dee de de dee deedle doo dooo
“That sound, do you not hear it?”
the man lookes about
dee dee de de dee deedle doo dooo
“there it is.” he says “Aah this is what the locals use as a telehone.”
“amazing hov do you use it”
dee dee de de dee deedle doo dooo
“Just touch that”
click

“Hello, , hikaru are you there?” asked the voice.
“Hikaru is not here, nor should you expect to hear from him, , Ever” said Rahl
“Who is this?” Tlant Demands as skill he honed in his early days
“I am Rahl, Lord Rahl, and I expect I shall be seeing you very soon Mr. Tlant”
“In Hell, we will dine together Rahl. In Hell.”
with a Click he hangs up
“Dear me I seem to have angered Mr Tlant.” chides Rahl, the accountant Laughs with him, then moves to a bookshelf to count, his ankle chains jingle on the floor.

*Steel Samurai theme from Phoenix Wright

7

*[split the ooc to the ooc thread]

8

Offices of the Colonial Administration
Characoi, Occupied Xiopothos

“As you can see here, most of the Imperial forces are concentrated in Rilannon, but there are small contingents fanning out throughout the ocean, as well as as-yet uncommitted forces to the East. Concealment technology is at work, but it’s not foolproof. We believe that we have detected all major fronts of attack.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sartorio.” The voice belonged to a man who appeared to be in his late thirties, wearing the black uniform of a high-ranking colonial administrator. He was one of only five people in the dimly-lit conference room. “Of course, all interests expect our immediate response. I have on my desk a request for aid from the Confederacy, and another a rather strongly-worded request to join the Empire. The geographic situation should speak for itself.”

As he finished speaking, a real-time holographic map of the region flickered into the air above the table. No one made observations as to the events displayed therein; the image spoke for itself. The invaders had literally sailed through the waters of Occupied Xiopothos. The colony itself stood directly in the path of any expansion through the archipelagoes of the southeast. A few troop movements played out quickly, estimates of possible Imperial movements prepared by a team of Dark Ops techs. An alarming number led directly through Xiopothos.

Finally, someone cut in. “Ship for ship, 13th Fleet is equivalent or superior to any Imperial space formation.” The speaker was an elf wearing the polished uniform of an admiral in the same. “A holding action would be able to repel the enemy from the southern half of the colony until more substantial support arrived.” She pointed to the map. “Of course, the resources the enemy has to draw on are far greater in the short term.”

“By the time we are to be reinforced, enemy land forces would be in the north of the colony in bulk.” Sartorio interrupted. “A major land invasion would certainly not cling to the coast, but would travel overland, through the central plains. Which means…” His eyes migrated to the chair to his left, which was occupied by a small girl of perhaps thirteen, who wore a simple blood-red dress with no insignia. “Perhaps, Miss Alexander, you could tell us what it means.”

“If they are directly attacked on such a scale, the ramahnai will not stand down. They will believe that their survival is threatened, that the outside world will do anything to stamp them out. They will behave accordingly. Nothing will be safe. I cannot stop them. Nor can you. To make this land a battleground would guarantee the extinction of both any invaders and yourselves.” Sartorio noted that she did not, in fact, say ourselves.

“So you believe that our involvement in this war would not profit anyone?” The Administrator asked.

“I do.”

“I concur. We will have to remain on the sidelines. The Confederacy does not need to be mollified. The Empire does. Unfortunately, any sort of sane agreement will involve going over Rahl’s head to his superiors. Fortunately, these are easily identified. The Foreign Minstry has prepared a strategy…”

9

Defense Command
War Room

“Our main priority is to ensure the safety of the islands and the mainland. I have ordered all ships with aquatic abilities to blockade our own territory. Our fleet is pretty spread out right now with other worries in interest. I have ordered fleets eight and eleven to Earth Sector since they should be able to distract the invading fleet or possibly push them back. It will only be a matter of time before they come after us directly. The propaganda that this government has been relaying to all nations of The East Pacific is threating as they have said on their own broadcasts. I need not remind you that Eastrovia faces northeast almost on the coast; city shields cannot hold forever.” Admiral Juneburg said as she pointed out places on a huge map of East Malaysia.

"I see that we have defense forces deployed in all major areas, but clearly we cannot protect the whole nation with our ground troops. Where are we most least protected? Glendale asked looking over the map.

“Honestly…from the sky and to the east by Kir’Shara and Vaytan. They boarder land we do not control,” Juneburg said pointed to the land.

“I authorize the use of starship fire on the ground if needed in those areas,” Glendale said as she moved away from the map. “I need Amanda Bishop here in the War Room in the next hour; she can gives us a better feel reconstruction zones.”

[hr]

Maxia Zeta Sector
E.A.N. Greg T. Harris - Bridge

“Sir, we are getting a communication from Defense Command, it is secured with fleet command authorization only,” spoke Ensign Sparks.

Captain Barron stood, “That means it isn’t a live message, how weird…lets have…”

“Aye sir,” Ensign Sparks said as he opened up the communication.

“Command authorization required.” spoke the Computer.

“Command authorization: Barron-Omega-Thirty-Four Alpha,” Captain Barron said.

“Authorization confirmed.” The Computer said.

Admiral Juneburg appeared on the screen, “Captain Barron, I am sorry that this could not be live, but I am ordering the eleventh fleet to meet up with the eight fleet, commanded by Admiral Doris Mackenzie, at Malay Prime. From there you will proceed to Earth Sector and aim at a diplomatic proceeds but be prepared to combat the invaders if they attack the fleet or East Malaysia is attacked. Battle readiness is going to be required. Juneburg out.” The screen deactivated leaving silence on the bridge.

“Send encoded signals the the fleet and have them join us en route to Malay Prime. All hands to battle stations and Ensign Wells set us on a course to Malay Prime.”

“Aye sir,” Ensign Wells said as the Senior Staff started to enter the bridge.

10

“Over the link old friend? Times must be hard indeed… What has happened to our homeland?”

Tlant long ago learned to split his consciousness into multiple parts. As he spoke with Hikaru, he began to delve into his memories to find the face of the ones who destroyed so many of his bretheren.

"They destroyed Hikaruton… So many dead. Even the Hive is having rouble holding all the minds in limbo. I am truly perplexed as to where you are though. "

11

Geribaldi University Observatory, 25 miles south of Geribaldi.

“We’ve got quite a light-show going on up there,” said Professor Cloche, taking his eye from the lens. “What a beastly display.”

“If you say so, sir,” said his dutiful assisstant, Paul ‘Nasal’ Browne.

Cloche sighed and looked through the telescope again. “I suppose we’ll have to inform the military about this… No doubt they’ll confiscate the Akubra launchers. We’ll have to postpone firing a man into a black hole for another time.”

War-Room, The Hatstand, Tricorne.

“It has come to my attention, gentlemen…” started the Minister of Defence, “That these invaders are attacking from space.”

“… Well, buggery.”

“Indeed. As it is, the other nations of the East Pacific have their own fighting ships in orbit, but I really, really want us to be able to defend ourselves should the time comes. To that end, I have employed the inf- famous scientist, Mister Nicholas Mesor…”

“Hello!”

“Tell us what you’ve done so far, Mister Masor.”

“I have designed a propellent-less drive, three kinds of energy weapons, air recyclers and I’ve drawn the blue-prints of fighting vessels that use this technology!”

“Wow. When did you do that?”

“In the car on the way here!”

“Wow. When will this ships be ready?”

“The first prototype will be ready in eight to twelve months!”

“… Ah.”

“In the mean time, I’ve devised these orbital mines with which to defend our airspace!”

“Holy- put that down!”

“Oh, relax - it’s only a 1/30th scale prototype!”

“Well… thank you, Nicholas.”

“Please, call me Doctor Mesor!”

“[Did he make that in the car too?!]”

“[Must’ve done! Barmy.]”

12

Executive Bunker #5
Somewhere in Altea, Dovakhan

Ânâtöl Êfösêbâd, Khagan-Chancellor of the Republic-Khanates of Dovakhan, was at a dinner party in his Tschmuschaboumtopolis apartment as the region fell about him. The word of Packilvania and Infinite Loop’s fate came at midnight when Republican Guard in suits burst in with a writ of extraordinary protection an took the Khagan-Chancellor in custody. He was covertly escorted by car to Grand Republic Station in the centre of the city where a convoy was waiting at Platform 21 at an hour when the trains should have stopped running. At that moment, a bullet train in standard livery pulled up. The engineer exited the locomotive and took off his hat to the chief executive.

«Khagan-Chancellor, we need you to get on the train. We’ll explain the situation to you when we get to the bunker» the Republican Guard said.

Êfösêbâd complied and entered into the indicated carriage. It wasn’t at all like the executive carriages, but the train had been fitted with basic amenities and a communications link. It was clear this was a getaway train.

It was an interminable three hours that the train sped across the varied landscape of Dovakhan with its lights turned off and whistle silenced. The few grade crossing they met were patrolled by local police officers who probably had no idea what was going on. Finally, the train stopped off in the Altean Mountains about fifty kilometres from the northern city of Hâplâtö. The convoy was joined by 4x4s that escorted them off-road about a half-hour out into Hâplâtö’s outer greenbelt where they entered an underground bunker.

From there, the Khagan-Chancellor was fully briefed as to the gravity of the situation. With this information, he made the decision to invoke emergency powers before the Cama could be convened to ratify a state of emergency.

Döfêhâbêt National Television Studio
Tschmuschaboumtopolis

Within hours, a covert link-up from the bunker was made to all major television and radio stations as well as major Dovakhanese ISPs. The Khagan-Chancellor came on over the airwaves himself to deliver the following message:

«Tdövâkhânkân, Tdövâkhânkânâêöb,*

Today is a day of peril, a day of anguish, but also a day of hope. Our neighbors fall about us, but our resolve will soon strike terror in the hearts of our enemies. The tragedies of the past have prepared us for this ordeal. Now, equipped with a first-class military and civilian militia, we will fight these fiends in the battlefield, we will fight them in the streets, we will fight them in the plains, and we will fight in our hearts against the psychological warfare they might wage on our time-tested national pride.

We will defend our treasured home against all who try to rob us of our inherent right to this land. Generations before ours whose blood, sweat, and tears sowed the seeds of this bountiful land will look upon us as proud defenders of all they had wrought. Generations after ours will look upon the renewed promise that was made for this nation and this people and declare that this was, indeed, our finest hour.

(…pause…)

With that begins the work ahead. I hope to, with the cooperation of the Cama, construct an effective government of national unity to bring us together in the formation of a wartime government. In the meantime, I use the powers granted to me in the Emergency Act to declare an interim state of emergency and begin the remilitarization of our borders and the implementation of measures conducive to wartime security and success. With your help, citizens, we can loudly declare to our would-be opressors, ‹We are the Dovakhanese people and this is OUR land!›»

  • Dovakhanese Men and Women
13

Soaring through the skies in his AC, thanks to the invisible power of the dragon roads, Heinrich was quickly aproaching Christie Island when a surprising message from the Deep Space Research Branch came to him
“Sir, i´m deeply sorry to disturb your rescue mission, but you had ordered us to inform any finding as soon as possible”
“Wha… cough, cough…” Heinrich stop for a moment to clean a trickle of blood from his mouth
“Any problem, sir”
“None at all, please continue.”
Then a female artifical voice interrupted
“Actually you physical integrity is suffering from the simultaneous usage of the OPs MO-1 and MO-2. You should deactivate M…”
“Enough Sim-one! But thanks for the concern… I´m only doing because its needed. Now, professor, please tell me of your finding.”
“Yes Sir. We are proud to report that we found a planet capable of supporting human life on quadrant NS2W7. Preparations for the launching of our colonizing ship Arkbird will start as soon as you approve.”
“Something like this happening now… It´s like a message from god. You do have my approval. Screen both our civilian and military assets and take whatever is needed. Now, even we lose everything, Drakkengard will live on.”

14

Aristea War Room, Shergina-M
A bunker below the government citadel, Shergina, Evanuro City

Marquis Jack Tylerton of Reighgateram looked scathingly down on the report, which had been compiled for him. Saying nothing he turned and studied the map. Suddenly, he span around: “So who the devil are these buggers?”

The two men looked at each other, one, a younger man the deputy of the Foreign Office offered: “At the moment, we are honestly not sure. Intelligence reports are sketchy, telling only of a mysterious but well organized group, led by one Lady Phedre. My advice would be…”

The Marquis silenced him with a wave; “Your advice is immaterial, the Emperor himself has ordered me to act. We will support these invaders until such a time that the Emperor changes His mind, or the Senate acts. Roberts?”

The diplomat hesitated, then nodded.

“I want you to instruct Senator Gereus to open direct communication with their leaders. Find out all you can, and report back.”

Roberts took the invitation to leave, and exited the dimly lit bunker quietly.

Tylerton said nothing for a few moments as he thought things through. The general stood dead straight, keeping his eyes fixed on Jack. “Stand down Andrew, you look a fool”, came the cutting remark. The general reddening relaxed slightly.

“Look here” he gestured to the map. "Due to our somewhat risky position, the Consuls fear attack from these new invaders, and the Confederate Empire. Therefore they have ordered that the Empire be put at Level 1. All reservists must be called up within 48 hours, the army, navy, and air force are to be mobilized for imminent deployment in the borderlands whilst the reservists are to take up strategic defensive positions inland, and so on; all as set-out in Operation Pip. The Consul is busy at the moment, but around 04:15 he will call to put the plan officially in motion.

Questions?"

The general spoke in muted tones: “No Sir.”

The Marquis smiled in his superior way, and blew air through his teeth. “Confident general?”

The general looked at him coldly. “I see no reason not to be.”

Tylerton turned his back, and muttered: “Let us pray you are right.”

15

Somewhere is the wastelands above Kandarin

The Imperial shuttle hovered over the ground then settled, with no pomp no circumstance the door opened and Hikaru was shoved out, along with a small backpack, “With Lord Rahl’s Blessing so that you may live to suffer a while longer, Dwell now within these Rejected Lands and remember your peaples Fate,”
shouted one, as the door closed they could be heard arguing,
“Rejected Lands?”
“Well yeah they are lands and he is pejected to them”
"But Realm sounds more menacing, , "

Hikaru picked up his bag and looked in it, simple survival supplies, and a Knife, at leaset that blade would be of comfort, He picked up a sturdy looking stick, things grom strong in these Lands of Rejection, he thought as he walked toward a shaded place by a rocky outcrop and began to whittle the stick into a proper staff, he had a hard time seeing his work though as his eyes wept for those left behind.

Sapporo, Hokkaido
NKVD SITCOM

Isoroku studied the Maps the damage was mostly contained on the main island, of Honshu, with Hokkaido and Kyushu mostly untouched, Shikoku suffering from drifting Radiation,
“Ikazuchi overlay the attack hits with the radiation may and known Empire troops”
as the overlays assembled Isoroku watched, the population ceters were hit in strange patterns, the industrial centers were hit in patterns, most of the govnernmental facilities were un touched but this went along with existing intel, they were cataloging the valuables, no need irradiating your accountants, ,
“I dont understand their patterning” murmured Isoruku
“Well sir” added Mamiya a cpyptologist on the floor,
“if you dont mind that is”
“No please continue”
“Well look here the Industrial centers, valuable things, or at least to them were untouched however things that may be af assistance to Us or baubles to them were nuked like this Fish processing plant, and here, the hospitals and nursing homes, as well an the intelectual areas, gone but the schools are seft alone, The elderly and infirmed make bad slaves,”
Isoroku slapped his forehead, “Mamiya kun, you get a promation.”

16

Somewhere in Kandarin

“So…should we tell him?”

Two elves, a boy and a girl, peered at the dejected-looking man over the rocky outcrop that separated the lush and green surface lands from the blasted, charred wasteland that had been formed when one of the Malev Air Hub’s outlying power stations had gone critical last year.

“Nah. He’ll figure it out, and we had to get back like three minutes ago.” And with that they hurried off, arm in arm, to the nearest elevator station.

17

Outside Complex-POP, 45th Elite Reservist Cohort,
Palagino Pass, mountainous borderlands in the central-northern region

Private 2nd Class Thomson threw down his spade and sunk to the muddy ground. “Screw this! If I have to dig another bloody trench, I swear I’m gonna’ go shove this spade right up the Sergeant’s…”

He was cut off by a tough, burly man next to him. “Look I don’t like it any more than you, but if I’m with you and you get caught saying that; I swear to God I will mess you up.” Thomson looked at him uneasily, before hastily looking away and rubbing his hands. The wind whistled through the pass below the ridge, making an unerring sound that echoed throughout the mountains.

He lit a poorly-rolled cigarette: “I heard from someone, who heard it from a mate who has a radio that the invaders have poured into The East Pacific. Apparently they’ve swept aside a number of nations already. And, also they’ve got whole armies of…”

The tough man looked scornfully at him, "Uhuh, as if they could do that. You shouldn’t listen to this crap. Maybe if you spent more time digging trenches, and less time listening to rumours; the Sergeant wouldn’t punish you all the time.

Thomson managed a smile, “Perhaps you’ve got me there…but it’s crap, just a few days ago I was swanning on a beach with my girlfriend. Then the soldiers come, give us ten minutes to get our gear, and then we’re put on a truck, and now…”

“Hey fellas’! Seen anyone yet?” The two men jumped as a tall, handsome twenty year old with a boyish face came swaggering up to them. He pointed his gun at the direction of the pass, made a shooting noise, and then laughed loudly. “I’m just kidding, but seriously if anything kicks off just gimme’ a shout, and I’ll come running. I can’t wait to shoot me some invaders.” His grin faded as he saw the cold looks both men were giving him. “Well, take it easy…” He took one last hopeful glance at the pass before strolling away through the long grass.

COSSO Bunker, Empress Rosina Staff Command Hub,
Petreaus Court, Evanuro City,

The Marquis opened his arms in welcome to the silent chamber; his lilac toga billowed as he moved. “Gentlemen, this meeting has been called to discuss the urgent invasion of our region, but more importantly our response to it. Now…” Tylerton walked slowly across the polished granite floor to a huge map on the stone wall. “All regular troops have been mobilized, and deployed to the borders. All reservists have been called up, and positioned on strategic positions further inland, although the elite 4th Reservist Legion has been deployed to the north, central region. A full detailed report of military manoeuvres is in front of you…Any questions so far?"

“Prime Minister?” Consul Robert Collaeus studied the map carefully before speaking again. “I, along with my fellow Consul have followed the Emperor’s instruction to support these invaders. I believe that contact has been made.” He paused momentarily for effect. “However, the Holy Empire is a member of EPTO. By supporting these invaders, we are placing ourselves in a very perilous position.”

Senator Aurelius cleared his throat loudly. “I would have to agree. As Chairman of the National Defence Council, it is the general agreement that neutrality is the best policy…until we see who will win of course.” He chuckled briefly at his joke before continuing: “The Senate has not even had the chance to vote, nor even the House. Perhaps, if we were allowed to just have a debate in the chamber…”

The Marquis slammed his palms down on the table, and shouted: “No!” Checking himself he took a few breaths before speaking in a measured tone: “The Emperor has made his position clear, there will be no deviating from that. As his representative I will make sure of it.”

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Nicholls aware of the others waiting for him to speak took the floor. A young man, only in his thirties he had shiny black hair and a confident expression. “The Emperor has instructed me to keep our support for the invaders a secret. As such, very few people know, and on pain of death will we keep it that way. Now, I intend to officially support the Confederate Empire and the EPTO, whilst secretly continue talks with these invaders. We will fog everyone off with promises of troops, support etc for as long as possible.”

After he stopped, the room fell into a surprised silence. The men were taken-aback by the unusual bluntness of the Secretary’s plans. Centurion Aristemedes inquired: “Who is our man at the EPTO?”

Nicholls replied instantly: “George Simpson. Smart guy. I’ve given him detailed instructions and will keep in close contact.”

Aristemedes pondered this for a few seconds: “I’ve hope you’ve got this one right.”

18

Airspace over Honshu

A large gunship(think AC-130, but with 2010s tech) approachs the city of Nagasaki, as its AC escorts keeps the invaders forces at bay with heavy fire.

“Closing in on the northeast center as requested. Away teams, check your gear. We going to land on a contamined site.” said Ludwig, with the sad eyes of one who too much destruction in his lifetime.

After finding a patch of land large enough to land, the away teams started moving across the city remains looking for survivors while the plane crew mounted the field hospital and ACs kept the landing site secure.

“Found a survivor, sir. But she´s in bad shape.” says the pointmen
“Doc, go help her. I´ll cover.” commands the team leader

As the young doctor approaches the woman, she starts to moan and stretches her arms as if trying to hold him

“Sir, the woman is acting really weird here…”
“Probably shellshocked, continue the mission.”

The moment lost talking is enough as the woman, in a surprisingly fast move, manage to grab the poor man and bites him with supernatural strenght that leaves a dent on his NBC suit.

“Help me!”
“Release him or we´ll open fire.”

Another moment lost in hesitation, and the doctor, although strugling to get free, ends up receiving another bite, this one strong enough to rupture his suit.

“Shoot her, damn it!”
“[Fark]…”

And a burst of autofire from the pointman catches the woman in the torso, pulling her away from the doctor

“You´re ok, son?”
“Yes… I think, but i´ll need detox asap. My suit was breached.”
“Fine, seal it and return… What the [Fark] is that?!”

Both men stared in shock as the woman rose once more moving in their direction, and worse, more moans could be heard… getting nearer.

“What the hell is happening, doc? She should be dead!” asks the pointman
“Don´t know, but looks like we´re surrounded”
“The other units are reporting the same problem, Master Ludwig oredered us to retreat and regroup at landing site.” says the leader
“She´s close again, how we´ll kill it” asks the pointman

A single shot goes through her brain, and she falls to the ground.

“Like this” answers a local teenager holding a revolver
“How did you knew that” asks the trio at the same time
“Movies, of course. And they´re zombies. From what planet did you came from?”
“You brat!” starts the doc.
“Stop it, she saved us. But how you know we´re not with the invaders.”
She suddenly looked really sad and answered with tears in her eyes
“You hesitated before shooting…”

The team leader tries to reassure her by patting her on the head, but she huggs him and start to cry
"Thats ok, you´re safe now… Doc, give her some medicine. We´ll retreat now.

19

— Begin quote from ____

“Over the link old friend? Times must be hard indeed… What has happened to our homeland?”

Tlant long ago learned to split his consciousness into multiple parts. As he spoke with Hikaru, he began to delve into his memories to find the face of the ones who destroyed so many of his bretheren.

"They destroyed Hikaruton… So many dead. Even the Hive is having rouble holding all the minds in limbo. I am truly perplexed as to where you are though. "

— End quote

“I greet you Tlant, it has been a while, I am in Hokkaido, is seems it was spared, but the mainland is undel attack I have detected many ships settling there do you have a way to contact Lucifer, or any of the organized lcals?”

Pyongyang Territory

Kitsurabami stood by the dock, outside her Valkyrie sat on the tarmak, but she was watching a shuttle rising, onboard were Nei and Little Alex, AL-10, she wiped a tear away as it climbed,
behind her a throat was cleared she wiped her eyes again atd turned.
“What!?” she growled
“Ma’am we need to get the Beaglen in the air, they are too visible on teh ground”
stated the man, Beagle 3,
“Yes I know, am I not allowed te be upset, my best friend and my , , Son, , Hmm feels funny to say that, are on their way to godsknows where,” she grabbs his collar, “I only got to be with him for a month!” she begits sobbing uncontrolably,
"they , , Took him from me and made him, , , and . . "
Masami patted her back, and led her to a lounge,
“we can wait a bit Commander”

20

EXECUTIVE NOTICE
Office of the Khagan-Chancellor

Effective immediately, wartime measures approved by the Cama and signed by the Khagan-Chancellor dictate a full-scale evacuation of the border regions of Dovakhan. These areas will be converted into fully militarized exclusion zones where the Dovakhanese Armies of the Air and Land can operate to protect the population core of Dovakhan and its strategic natural resources. Evacuation in affected cities will be orchestrated by the Civilian Corps of the Dovakhanese Department of Defence.


Those evacuated will be conveyed in an orderly manner to host towns in the centre-south of the country. This Resettlement Zone will also be the site of the wartime legislative and judicial capitals at Vîn. The executive will remain in Tkânâtdövâkhîastâât along with most executive departments. The urban core of Dovakhan located along the coast will be the site of major industrial production by temporarily-nationalized wartime industries. Also, a census of reservists and current conscripts in the Dovakhanese Militia will be taken pending the implementation of a full-scale conscription by the Cama.

This is the hour of reckoning for our Dovakhanese motherland. The speedy and efficient implementation of these measures is essential for the preservation thereof.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support,

Ânâtöl Êfösêbâd
Khagan-Chancellor

Jölîêt Drâpö
Speaker of the Cama
Leader, Dovakhanese Republican Alliance

Strâs Âlmât 221, Bêzîrk 2, Âmnäptê
Zhov Khanate, Dovakhan

The largest city in the exclusion zone was Âmnäptê, a large mining town on the border with Packilvania. The mass evacuation there began the day following the Khagan-Chancellor’s address. the plan was to relocate the families there to the safer interior and use the city as a military outpost in the remilitarized border zone.

One of the thousands of families participating in one of the largest internal migrations in Dovakhanese history was the family of Ênrîk Sôlhâm. Ênrîk was a miner and his wife, Ânâ Gêlmât, a schoolteacher. They had two children, Âlvâs Gêlmât and Lârâ Sôldhâm and lived in a modest but well-appointed rowhouse in the city’s Second Ward.

The call for evacuation came suddenly, but not necessarily as a surprise, for Ênrîk and Ânâ were one the first to complete their training in the Dovakhanese Militia following its creation after the Third Continental War. Indeed, the notice of evacuation immediately . Over the next two days, the family packed their most precious belongings to the exact per capita weight allowed on the special evacuation trains. Then, on Evacuation Day, the family proceeded to the Second Ward Community Center for the muster. As they left, Ênrîk spray-painted an “X” on the door with the date, the ward, the number of adults, and the number of children:

23.08.18
2 X 2
2

Sêfûnîûm Bêzîrk 2
Âmnäptê, Zhöv, Dövâkhân

The Second Ward Community Center was packed with similar families reporting for the muster. Tables of Civilian Corps volunteers used a various government directories to record families that had come for the muster and check for possible draftees. The Gêlmât-Sôldhâm family approached one of the tables.

«Is this everyone from Strâs Âlmât 221?» asked a young woman at the table.

«Yes, thank you.» said Ênrîk as he handed over the family’s health cards to be checked against the several books that lay on the table.

«Ânâ Gêlmât (38 years old) and Ênrîk Sôldhâm (36), you as well as your children, Âlvâs Gêlmât (13) and Lârâ Sôldhâm (10), are recorded» the woman said before she continued with, «Also, both of you owe 100 days of service each in the Dovakhanese Militia. That means that one of you is required to sign up for the conscription currently in place for reservists»

This was also not a surprise, since neither was old enough to exempt out of reserve duty nor had either served any time after their mandatory six months. To that effect, the couple had decided that Ênrîk would go, as Ânâ was to be drafted into civilian service as a wartime teacher.

«Record my name, please replied Ênrîk as he presented his conscription card.

The young women quietly took Ênrîk’s number down in the reservist list and made marks in their family page in the directory. After everything was in order, she handed by Ênrîk’s card and three green tickets she pulled out of a metal box.

«The three of you that are evacuating are to gather your vital records and personal documents, report to Central Train Station by 18:00, and board the colour-coded train indicated on the ticket. This train will take you to a small town in rural Bövîâ called Tûrzît where host families have volunteered to take refugees. This is your designated place of relocation, but you may make alternate arrangements from there.

As for you, Sôldhâm, you are asked to remain in town, in your home if you wish. Military occupation of this city will begin at 8:00 tomorrow, at which time you are to present yourself here to be registered as a draftee. They will give you further instruction. Good luck and thank you for your service» the young woman said, finally giving Ênrîk a sympathetic smile.

The family left the community center at noon. The sun shone high in the sky on the last day for a very long time that everyone would be together. Their house emptied, the Gêlmât-Sôldhâm Family checked their bags at the station and had a picnic lunch, followed by a film and ice cream. Had one not known any better, one would see this as nothing more than a special Sunday with the family.

However, the feelings of separation began to sink in quickly, culminating in the sombre good-bye at the station. Ênrîk Sôldhâm lectured his two children about proper hygiene and good behavior as tears came to his eyes. He embraced them and his beloved wife in an unbreakable bind of passion. Finally, the whistle blew and they had to part, for how long no one knew.