WintreathBoard

IC:
-N.I.S HQ, Reichen-
Director Kirn looked at the email and thought for a brief second. "Do we still have the audio recording of the calls Valenski made to his thugs who placed the bombs at Our Lady? "Ja" replied one of computer operators. "Get me that recording and get me a hold of an agent in San Salvacion" ordered Director Kirn.

-San Salvacion, Thalasus-
"What kind of beach side restaurant doesn't serve Margaritas?" Asked a man who looked like an ordinary tourist. Suddenly the man's phone begun to ring, he looked down at the screen. "Boss Man" was on the display. "Make it a beer" said the man as he walked to a table and sat down to answer the call. "Was ist es" he asked "The IAT is playing hardball, they want "actual evidence" get ones of Valinski's goons and report back." said Director Kirn on the other line. "Jawhol" replied the agent as he hung up.
-N.I.S HQ-
"What we got?" asked Director Kirn as he looked at the big screen. "Looks like a ordinary cartel delivery, although we got some interesting fellows with them, there aren't Thalasians for sure". said one of the computer operators. "Escantheans, ground team you got the green light make best efforts to take alive atleast one of them".

-San Salvacion-
"Green light" said one of the agents as he loaded his fire arm. Two white vans pulled into the warehouse where the cartel dilevery way being made. Two teams of N.I.S agents disguised as Thalasi FP moved in. After a brief Shoot out with the cartels the N.I.S managed to snatch one of the Escantheans, he was then taken to a apartment in the Favellas where he was integrated. "It's simple, you either call ur boss or I put a bullet in your skull," said an N.I.S agent as he pulled out a phone and handed it to the Escanthean. He then pressed the gun directly on his forehead. "Call" he said. The Eacanthean dialed the number on the other end was the man himself, Valenski "Что это?" he asked. The agent pulled the hammer down of his pistol. "Чего тебе чертовски? Ответь мне" said Valenski. The agent now annoyed shot the Escnsthean in the head. "Control did you get that?" asked the agent. "Got it" replied Director Kirn.

-N.I.S HQ-
Director Kirn now with the Audio recording of the call Valenski made before the bombing of Our Lady and the recent call just recorded and send both of them to the IAT

This is more then enough evidence Mr. Director

Sources from within the War and Foreign Ministries, however, had more positive outlooks. Said Ambassador to the Illyrian Republic, Dr. Elias Dufresne, "plummeting Thalasian trade in our sphere of influence is pushing other states towards us. They've had a substantial soft-power advantage over the past two or three generations, and while the Exarch has engaged in much more of a pivot towards our close neighbors, and made greater efforts towards ending our long period of effective isolationism, this would have been a very difficult lock to break without a conflict such as this. At the end of the day - this is a fairly limited war, but the gains we're making and will be making in the diplomatic and trade arenas may well mean that we come out of the war ahead, regardless of the actual military outcome - and the Trade Minister agrees with me, which is why she will personally be leading a delegation to The hiberno-scottish republic to carry out and cement a trade agreement in the very near future."
With the same positive tone, but a different note, General Grace Volker, commanding the Homeland Battle Group, reminded this reporter that 'the Thalasians have been driven from the Feminamian main island, and steady, measured offensives are seeing what remains of their FOBs dismantled across the island chain. While the Navy has yet to engage the Thalasians in a decisive battle, there is no doubt in my mind that they will certainly look to pursue one with the greatest possible haste, to demonstrate that even their greatest asset is no match for the might of the AIM.'

This reporter was additionally fortunate enough to gain an audience with the Exarch himself, who had this to say on the matter of the war. "There is no doubt in Our mind that the brave soldiers of the AIM have done heroic things in the defense of Our nation and that of Our friends in Feminamia and the Debuterres. And while We condemn the cowardly act of aggression on the brave men and women of the IAS Resolution, as well as the 46 who lost their lives in that craven attack, We are, however, fully prepared to see this come to a peaceful conclusion, particularly given that the Thalasian people have themselves suffered an equally cowardly terrorist attack on a medical center, for which We offer Our condolences. It is in light of this that I, personally, wish to make clear that there are currently hundreds of captured POWs who have expressed their greatest desire to return to their homes and families, and to do any less than to accede to their desires appears to Us to be a betrayal of the supposedly democratic principles on which Thalasus and its society is based upon."

The last thirty-three days of this conflict have, fortunately, largely spared Arbanian lives. And though it is evident to this reporter that our great nation is winning in this war, it is also evident that the Exarch, as ever, has the courage and moral fortitude to be willing to suggest peace even as his enemies falter before him. Whether this is because of his strongly held internationalist principles, or simply an open heart that cares even for his enemies, either is truly the mark of a great, even inspired leader of men.

Isaiah Henri-Drexel
Isaiah has been the Tribune's correspondent in the Imperial Palace for eight years, and his recent book on the Exarch's cabinet, Leadership in the Modern Era, was last year's eighth best-selling book.