Lightbound

Ostrovskiy wrote:

-snip-

The message from the Ostrovskian Sultan was a welcome surprise to Etarria's military leadership. The security and development of Etarrian oil reserves, largely located in the Islander Regions, was of utmost importance to the regime. It was black gold that was the lifeblood of the Etarrian economy and a tool the junta could use to deflect any international criticism of its suppression of political freedom and its human rights violations. Thus, an offer from the other major oil exporting country to form a coordinating bloc excited the junta chiefs. President and junta leader Lurenzu Mattei drafted a reply:

Sultan Pirvo II,

On behalf of the Etarrian Democratic Republic, I am pleased to accept your offer to negotiate the formation of an international body for oil producing nations. It is important in these troubled times that nations work together to ensure the continuation of international commerce and the security of petroleum industries.

A top priority of the Etarrian Democratic Republic is the security of petroleum facilities and the continued development of petroleum production. As you know, the scourge of terrorism has plagued Etarria for a long time now and a significant portion of that violence has been directed towards the oil industry. There is no telling when or where terrorists will strike at the global oil supply, but we must at least be prepared. And as the world runs on petroleum, it is important that we continue to strive for the industry's growth.

We look forward to the development of this new organization and further cooperation with the Ostrovskian Sultanate. We are also pleased to hear of the outreach to Bjornifjordaland. 

Lurenzu Mattei
President, Etarrian Democratic Republic

Ostrovskiy wrote:

-snip-

With the dissolution of the international Fergani (Ferganistan) coalition with Etarria, Bjornifjordaland was left without a clear future for the security of its relatively new oil reserves. The message from Pirvo II stuck in High Jorl Jenssonr's mind. The oil reserves around Tátmafel were due to last for another 57 years and protecting that enormous economic and national defense interest was paramount. Jenssonr had a meeting with BJ Gjeðu CEO Eiðor Bráðmatssonr who assured the High Jorl that the company was prepared to accommodate any changes made by the organization. With that assent and collaboration, HJ Jenssonr made a formal address before the Elþing and issued a Prime Order (Tvensægi Eiða):

Statement by High Jorl Engi Jenssonr Before the Elþinginn Council:

Esteemed Council Guests and Honored Jorlur,

I come before you today with an opportunity. After the recent discovery of vast oil reserves off the coast of Tátmafel, we came to the agreement that the defense and insurance of such resources were of the utmost priority. I come today to address the statements by Sultan Pirvo II of Ostrovskiy and Lurenzu Mattei of Etarria; that we ally with other oil-producing nations to secure and insure the resources of our fortunate nations and facilitate global trade and prosperity. After consultation with our federation's top producers and ensuring their capabilities to accommodate such an arrangement, I am confident of the benefits this will have for us and our subjects. I am pleased to issue my monthly declaration of Tvensægi Eiða in favor of joining this organization. Thus, as High Jorl of Bjornifjordaland, I declare: Ek gja, þeð sá era (I say it is so).

- HJ Engi Jenssonr

"A Hunger Strike, Part 1"
_{Tír Ceilte, Irean Islands, Etarria}

In the late evening one weekend, a group of men and women gathered in the upper room of a pub in the outskirts of Tír Ceilte, Devlin province. Buried deep in the working class Irean neighborhood of Trá Ghearr, the Costa Bar was frequented by Irean nationalists. Its owner, a former Ennisti National Liberation Front member and ex-prisoner made sure that the pub was a place where the stifled demand for an Irean state could be loudly proclaimed. He also made sure that it was a space where the gunmen and bombers of the FSNE Devlin Brigade could meet and discuss strategy. But tonight it would be used for one of the most important meetings of the last decade for Etarria's paramilitary groups.

If Etarrian intelligence had been aware of the meeting, an arrest operation surely would have considerably damaged the militant separatist movement. But, even amidst the fall in paramilitary violence, Irean nationalist areas remained difficult to police. Thus the security forces were unaware that all three of Etarria's separatist groups were holding a meeting in the second-largest city of the Irean Islands. Representatives from the FSNE, the National Liberation Army, and the Rhydrian People's Liberation Organization made small talk over pints of Pietra and Apietto, waiting for the real discussion to begin. Ironically, those involved in an armed campaign against Etarria still enjoyed Etarrian beer.

Two people were standing towards the front of the private room facing each other in a pool match. They were Séamas Ó Críodáin, the FSNE Publicity Officer, and Rebeka Lamiano, the ANA Director of Prisoner Support. The two had actually been friends before involving themselves in the war for independence, having met during their studies at Cathair Mór University in Adros City. After graduation, they had gradually drifted into the ranks of the FSNE and ANA. It was personal bonds like theirs that allowed the two paramilitary organizations to continue their close relationship.

Seated around a table were other FSNE and ANA representatives: Marieta Motrico, the ANA Director of Fraternal Relations; FSNE Intelligence Officer Conán Ó Céirín; the acting Vice President of Ár Saoirse, Máire Rossini; and Paskoal Elgue, who edited Independentzia's newspaper Zutik. Also present at the table was SRPR Politburo member Saith Lewis. The presence of the SRPR was a big deal. While the FSNE and ANA have always been close, ties with the Rhydrians have been limited, partially due to ideological disagreements. However, with Etarria under military rule for ten years, the circumstances had brought the Rhydrian communists into partnership. The guest of honor of the evening stood in the corner talking to two other men, a cigarette hanging from his mouth. That was Pasquali Ó Corra, the president of the newly-formed Nationalist Prisoners’ Welfare Association. The men he was standing with were Rhydrian and Eskan leaders of the organization. The meeting was about the prisoners.

As Ó Críodáin and Lamiano finished up their pool game, the others standing took their seats at the table. Ó Céirín was to preside over the meeting. He finished his beer, took a second, and then spoke:

“It has been five years since the dictatorship stripped our prisoners of war of their rights,” he said calmly. “Our imprisoned comrades have engaged in protest since then, yet nothing has changed. This is why we are here today. We may have a way out of this.”

Ó Críodáin leaned forward.

“This Etarrian Liberation Army fiasco has mobilized some popular support against the regime from within the empire,” he explained. “The plight of the young students angered many and turned them against the dictatorship. If we can grab the attention of our people and the Etarrian nation, we may be able to score a victory.”

“Right,” replied Ó Céirín. “We propose escalating the prison protest. To do this we can employ an old tactic: the hunger strike.”

“Our jailed comrades have used this tactic in the past to limited success, but that was pre-coup,” interjected Motrico. “What’s the use in bringing it back?”

“Those hunger strikes were unorganized or only involved one comrade,” replied Ó Críodáin. “This one will be different. Dozens of prisoners from three organizations, all organized together to strike at once. The scale will capture international attention and unite our peoples against the regime.”

“I like what I am hearing,” said Lamiano. “We can communicate to our volunteers on the inside and gauge opinion. I suggest you do the same.”

“So it is done then,” said Ó Céirín. “I will personally begin the process on our end. We will need the full cooperation of our aboveground comrades and we must campaign under the Welfare Association.”

Pasquali Ó Corra nodded as Ó Céirín looked in his direction. The Ár Saoirse and Independentzia representatives gave the Intelligence Officer words of affirmation. The attention then turned to the sole SRPR member at the table, Saith Lewis, who had not said a word the entire discussion. He lit a cigarette, took a drag, and said:

“We’re in.”

All-Islands Post | Top Stories | Category: Security

ACC Feud Spreads to Bastia

The vicious feud in a continent-based paramilitary group is spreading, according to a statement from police in the continental city of Bastia. Last night, a 30 year-old man was shot and wounded when gunmen burst into his home in North Bastia. A faction of the Clandestine Communist Army (ACC), which is currently at war with itself, is claiming credit for the murder bid.

The so-called General Headquarters (GHQ) faction of the ACC said it was responsible for shooting the man, who they accuse of providing weapons to members of the rival Military Council (MC) faction. This shooting marks the first incident in the feud to occur in Bastia. For the most part, the conflict has been limited to the ACC's strongholds in Zonza and Centuri.

Seven people have died so far in the feud and there are no signs of it stopping. The most recent death came three weeks ago, when the Military Council faction shot dead 21 year-old Agnellu Bartoli in Centuri. It has been reported that dozens of families have left working-class neighborhoods in the two cities out of fear of the violence reaching them.

Police Station Destroyed by Bomb in Ennisti

A rural police station was raked with gunfire and destroyed by a large bomb in Stradtor province, Ennisti/Irean Islands. The Ennisti National Liberation Front (FSNE) Stradtor Brigade said it was responsible. The attack targeted a small police outpost in the village of Cappagh. One policeman was killed in the attack and a further four were wounded.

According to police statements, a 5-7 man FSNE team opened fire on the station around 7 PM, striking police officer Renatu Costi several times killing him instantly. The guerrillas then lobbed a suitcase inside the station's front entrance and fled the scene. Minutes later, a bomb inside exploded, entirely destroying the station and wounding the other officers.

Efforts are underway to organize the station's repair, but the FSNE has threatened to shoot anyone who works on it, calling them "collaborators". The attack has been described as one of the most daring carried out in Stradtor in recent times. FSNE operations in the province have largely been confined to Portu Vasco for the past five years.

Atxondo Gunbattles Wound Several

A series of shootouts between the Army and suspected National Liberation Army (ANA) guerrillas in Atxondo, Eskarteak/Eskan Islands have wounded at least eight individuals, according to a statement from a military spokesman. The shooting is said to have started during an Army search operation in the Eskan-majority Moriskot neighborhood early in the morning yesterday.

Army personnel were fired on from several windows and rooftops as they made their way up the Gari Road. The Army returned fire and a gunbattle erupted lasting about 20 minutes. Two civilians and a soldier were injured in the initial exchange of fire. Reinforcements were sent in with armored vehicles as the Army changed its focus to capturing those responsible. However, about an hour later they were fired on again, leading to a fifteen-minute engagement where grenades were also thrown. The Army withdrew from the neighborhood after this gunbattle.

A final shootout occurred in the late afternoon, as the Army made another attempt to enter the area. The soldiers exchanged gunfire with the militants for thirty minutes. Four soldiers and a civilian were injured in this clash. Army sources also estimate that some of the militants were injured as well, but did not comment on the number.

Eastern Saginia, Tenduk State – Pirate Radio Broadcast

Under a wall-mounted sigil, on an overburdened table, in a small house of red brick, beneath a cold, clear-blue sky, an ancient radio crackles to life. An elderly man, rubbing his hand where he had smacked it, grins smugly at his triumph.

*Zzshhhtt–*
Faint music, something with strings, perhaps, weakly worms its way through the speakers, before slowly being drowned out as the dial is turned. What replaces it is a voice, passionate, loud and clear. It grows in strength as the frequency is found, rolling through the worn speakers like booming thunder–

–ers! Brothers and Sisters, keepers of the faith, I say to you, that these are dark times indeed. Our nation, founded under the idea that we may yet preserve our traditions, our faith, is under assault! Yes, a vicious assault indeed; each and every day, more stray from the faith of our fathers, the faith of our people! And where do they turn? To burglary, to the idea that a man is not entitled to the work of his hands and sweat of his brow. To treason, to the idea that our foundations, our values should be thrown out, and our heritage destroyed in the name of so-called “progress.” And to sloth! These apostates have fled the industry of our towns and cities, encouraged by traitors and leftists in our government, to lead lives of sloth and debauchery in their so-called “communes,” in our nation's western half.

He pauses, taking a deep breath. When he returns, his voice is softer, yet more intense.

But take heart, brothers and sisters, for all is not lost. Indeed, a mere four days ago, on the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Gerelt, founder of the nation and bringer of Atorian light to our windswept plains, a resistance grows. Sponsored by our Patriarchs and led by our most devout priests, the pilgrimage to Tsajee, his final resting place, has seen a new birth! It has been estimated that hundreds of thousands of faithful were in attendance, as was yours truly, and it was a sight most inspiring! Faithful from across our nation came, waving banners of our saints, holding symbols of our church, chanting in our glorious ancient tongue! And when the hour came that we reached that most holy of sights, the Patriarch, his Holiness Oyuun the 7th, greeted us! And it is what he said, brothers and sisters, that I now relate to you today. His Holiness spoke to us, and with a clarity that I know can come only from the divine, told us that now is the time to bolster our faith, and our loyalty. Now is the time to embrace the values that make us of the long and ancient line of the Sagii, to resist the corruption that comes from without and within, and to return to the church. To remember the holy struggle of Saint Gerelt, and to follow in his footsteps. It is with this at heart, that I hope to see each and every one of you, and indeed, any whom you may yet save, in the temple of our king tomorrow; and further, out on the streets! In the cities and towns! For now is the time of righteous resistance in the name of our King and our Nation. Stay true to that which has given us life and prosperity, my friends, and we shall overcome. Good night, and may Artorius smile upon you.

The elderly man, who had been nodding along, his attention raptly focused on the small radio, gives one final, authoritative nod, before turning off the aging machine with a heavy blow. He gets up, and walks into his garden, facing the setting sun.