Barbaria

Hedra wrote:

War and Union! The Revolution p.4

Loyalist troops are being mobilized to the Northern Region, the region where the Republicans and Confederates have the most number of supporters. Their first target is the Confederate Faction because they are significantly smaller than the Republican Faction and so it will be a victory with almost no effort put into it. As one would expect, the more technologically advanced forces from the government managed to defeat the majority of the Confederates forces who primarily uses primitive tactics. This defeat boosts the government forces morale and causes the Confederate forces to spread out, their leader Khal Bharbo of the Andahli managed to escape with what remains of his army and finds an ally in Barnabas Sarney, the leader of the Republicans.

“So Mr. Bharbo, I am honored that you came for us. I support your desire to return your lands to your people but if we plan to take down the Tyrant together I can’t allow those lands to become there own seperate nation.” Barney says.

Bharbo’s human translator translates what was said and then translates what Bharbo said.

“What do you suggest ‘fat purple creature’?”

Barney clears his throat; “Well I suggest that we turn your lands into indigenous territories which will be protected by the government. What do you say?”

Bharbo hears his translator and thinks for a moment.

“Deal...!” Bharbo says.

Barney smiles and extends his hand for a handshake but Bharbo pulls him by the arm and touches Barney’s forehead with his forehead symbolizing the closing of that deal. Both would later on make an announcement to both Confederates and Republicans stating that both would fight as one force against the Absolutists and, in ther first battle together, they crushed the government forces many attributing it to luck in numbers but not skill or power.

Back in the capital, the government is furious over this defeat and the union of the Confederates and Republicans and begins sending more troops away from the capital. The troops leaving Rikas and the news of how the government is dealing with it’s own people up north created an opportunity for an insurrection in the capital. It wasn’t long after troops left the capital that a massive protest caught the government by surprise and left them running like headless chickens while calling the troops back to the capital. Elys hears of this massive protest and the instability it has caused, this is the perfect chance for her to enact her plan of escaping the capital. As the Regent and government officials run around Elys orders the staff loyal to her to attacking the Royal Guards by surprise, this creates an opening in the palace’s security which then allows Elys, the royal family and the staff loyal to her to escape. Once they make their way to the streets they see the chaos that has taken over the city, cars burn; the people fight with the police; some policemen fight others; some buildings are evacuated etc. The Royals have never seen such a thing in their lives before and are lost on what to do. Elys leads them to the embassies and calls for every ambassador and officials in those buildings to leave the capital now, as they all run with the protection provided to them Elys grabs the Hyperborean Ambassador’s arm, which is a personal friend of hers, and says; “We need your help! Let’s get out of here and then we can talk!”

More troops arrive in the capital a day or two after the outbreak of the protests and successfully crushes it. Elys, the Royal Family, the staff and Hyperborean Ambassador however managed to flee to the north where the republican leadership is located. Elys is personally welcomed by Sarney.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you Ms. Elys.” Barnabas says.

“The same to you Sir Barn- Mr. Sarney.” Elys says “Don’t mind me saying but you are... bigger... than I imagined.”

“And you have a thicker Nemedian accent so I believe we are both surprises to one another.” Barney replies. “I believe you are aware that even after Republican and Confederate forces came together we still lack skill and force to defeat the Regent.”

“Yes I am.” Elys says and then turns to the Hyperborean Ambassador. “My friend... I need you to do me a favour. I need you to contact the IAA back in Vostag and ask them for help, we need weapons, manuals and everything we can get. It is about time for Hedra to enter the modern world, even if it means by force!”

Elys and the leaders of the revolution now wait for the ambassador’s and the IAA’s answer.

SIC: As the ambassador leaves the embassy with Elys he grabs a briefcase and handcuffs it to his wrist. Not long after they leave the embassy behind them it explodes in a ball of fire destroying it.

Once at the rebel camp with Elys and Mr. Sarney the ambassador says the first words since the crazed series of events began. "Glad to see you're alive and well Elys. I was holding off my extraction to see if you could get out. You're lucky I'm still here or things would be a lot harder for you to reach out. Well I assume we're in as secure a position as we can get so I suppose I can get to work."

The Ambassador clears off a table in the tent and sets down the briefcase, the first time the case hasn't been held tightly to his person. There are a number of papers and documents in the briefcase as well as a small device. After some short setup time with the ambassador not allowing anyone to see what he is doing in the briefcase. "Okay so let's see what the word of the day is. Alright got that. Now we translate this, encode that, and now we send the actual message. I hope they're listening. They should be."

The Message:
"GUIDELINE

The wyvern has bucked the rider. The raven nest is lost. The raven flies North with the pink tiger. The tiger cubs are in tow. The raven and pink tiger nest with the purple lizard."

The Message Translated to Khitaian:
"Zhidao fangzhen

feilong ba qíshou tuidaole. Wuya chao diushile. Wuya daizhe fenhong se de laohu xiang bei fei. Hu zai zai tuo. Wuya he fenhong se laohu yu zise xiyi zhu chao."

The Message Encoded:
"260809040115 0601140726080514
06050912151407 0201 17 19081521 2021090401151205 23212501 03080115 0409211908091205 23212501 040109260805 06051408151407 1905 0405 1201150821 2409011407 020509 060509 0821 260109 260109 202115 23212501 0805 06051408151407 1905 1201150821 2521 26091905 24092509 260821 03080115"

The Encoded Message in Morse Code:
"..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ----. ----- ....- ----- .---- .---- ..... / ----- -.... ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ..... .---- ....- / ----- -.... ----- ..... ----- ----. .---- ..--- .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... / ----- ..--- ----- .---- / .---- --... / .---- ----. ----- ---.. .---- ..... ..--- .---- / ..--- ----- ..--- .---- ----- ----. ----- ....- ----- .---- .---- ..... .---- ..--- ----- ..... / ..--- ...-- ..--- .---- ..--- ..... ----- .---- / ----- ...-- ----- ---.. ----- .---- .---- ..... / ----- ....- ----- ----. ..--- .---- .---- ----. ----- ---.. ----- ----. .---- ..--- ----- ..... / ..--- ...-- ..--- .---- ..--- ..... ----- .---- / ----- ....- ----- .---- ----- ----. ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ..... / ----- -.... ----- ..... .---- ....- ----- ---.. .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... / .---- ----. ----- ..... / ----- ....- ----- ..... / .---- ..--- ----- .---- .---- ..... ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ..--- ....- ----- ----. ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... / ----- ..--- ----- ..... ----- ----. / ----- -.... ----- ..... ----- ----. / ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ..--- -.... ----- .---- ----- ----. / ..--- -.... ----- .---- ----- ----. / ..--- ----- ..--- .---- .---- ..... / ..--- ...-- ..--- .---- ..--- ..... ----- .---- / ----- ---.. ----- ..... / ----- -.... ----- ..... .---- ....- ----- ---.. .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... / .---- ----. ----- ..... / .---- ..--- ----- .---- .---- ..... ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ..--- ..... ..--- .---- / ..--- -.... ----- ----. .---- ----. ----- ..... / ..--- ....- ----- ----. ..--- ..... ----- ----. / ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ----- ...-- ----- ---.. ----- .---- .---- ....."

"The message has been sent. Now we just have to wait. Although with the embassy gone and my having not been extracted yet they should be listening so it shouldn't take very long for a reply." Says the Hyperborean ambassador. It isn't long that they get a message.

Message:
"GUIDELINE

The raven's call is heard."

Message Translated to Khitaian:
"Zhidao fangzhen

wuya de shengyin ting daole."

Encoded Message:
"260809040115 0601140726080514
23212501 0405 1908051407250914 20091407 0401151205"

Encoded Message in Morse Code:
"..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ----. ----- ....- ----- .---- .---- ..... / ----- -.... ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ..... .---- ....- / ..--- ...-- ..--- .---- ..--- ..... ----- .---- / ----- ....- ----- ..... / .---- ----. ----- ---.. ----- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... ..--- ..... ----- ----. .---- ....- / ..--- ----- ----- ----. .---- ....- ----- --... / ----- ....- ----- .---- .---- ..... .---- ..--- ----- ....."

Is the reply.

The ambassador discusses Elys and Mr. Sarney's full request with them so as to be clear to those who will get the message as well as to make sure that Elys and Sarney understand this is a big favor they are asking and making sure they want to go down this road because there will be no turning back. Once everything is clear and understood between Elys, Sarney, and the ambassador he sends out the message.

The ambassador sends out one more message.

The message:
"GUIDELINE

The rogue wyvern must be slayed. The pink tiger and purple lizard seeks the help of the raven.

REPEAT

The pink tiger and purple lizard seeks the help of the raven."

Translated Message:
“Zhidao fangzhen

liumang feilong bixu bei sha si. Fenhong laohu he zise xiyi xunqiu wuya de bangzhu.

Chongfu

fenhong laohu he zise xiyi xunqiu wuya de bangzhu.”

Encoded Message:
“260809040115 0601140726080514
12092113011407 06050912151407 02092421 020509 190801 1909 06051408151407 1201150821 0805 26091905 24092509 242114170921 23212501 0405 02011407260821 03081514070621
06051408151407 1201150821 0805 26091905 24092509 242114170921 23212501 0405 02011407260821”

Morse Message:
“..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ----. ----- ....- ----- .---- .---- ..... / ----- -.... ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ----- ..... .---- ....- / .---- ..--- ----- ----. ..--- .---- .---- ...-- ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... / ----- -.... ----- ..... ----- ----. .---- ..--- .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... / ----- ..--- ----- ----. ..--- ....- ..--- .---- / ----- ..--- ----- ..... ----- ----. / .---- ----. ----- ---.. ----- .---- / .---- ----. ----- ----. / ----- -.... ----- ..... .---- ....- ----- ---.. .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... / .---- ..--- ----- .---- .---- ..... ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ----- ---.. ----- ..... / ..--- -.... ----- ----. .---- ----. ----- ..... / ..--- ....- ----- ----. ..--- ..... ----- ----. / ..--- ....- ..--- .---- .---- ....- .---- --... ----- ----. ..--- .---- / ..--- ...-- ..--- .---- ..--- ..... ----- .---- / ----- ....- ----- ..... / ----- ..--- ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ----- ...-- ----- ---.. .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... ----- -.... ..--- .---- / ----- -.... ----- ..... .---- ....- ----- ---.. .---- ..... .---- ....- ----- --... / .---- ..--- ----- .---- .---- ..... ----- ---.. ..--- .---- / ----- ---.. ----- ..... / ..--- -.... ----- ----. .---- ----. ----- ..... / ..--- ....- ----- ----. ..--- ..... ----- ----. / ..--- ....- ..--- .---- .---- ....- .---- --... ----- ----. ..--- .---- / ..--- ...-- ..--- .---- ..--- ..... ----- .---- / ----- ....- ----- ..... / ----- ..--- ----- .---- .---- ....- ----- --... ..--- -.... ----- ---.. ..--- .----"

After a few minutes of waiting the trio get their answer:

"RAVENWINGS ON THE WIND. 0652417309." The number being decrypted to reveal coordinates where they are to rendezvous with an IAA asset.

The ambassador packs up the briefcase and approaches Elys. "You and I are going to have to leave the others here for the rendezvous. Effective immediately Elys you are recognized by the Hyperborean government as the representative of the true Hedran government in exile." He then turns to Mr. Sarney. "Get those who came with us fed, rested up, and ready to move at a moments notice. If they don't have any valuable skills or could be a target then they may have to be smuggled out of the country for their own safety. I'm talking women and children primarily. Alright let's go." Says the Hyperborean ambassador with a handgun he had stashed in the briefcase much to the surprise of those around him. He walks off into the wilderness expecting Elys to follow him.

Hedra wrote:

Barnabas and Elys watch as the Ambassador does his job and, once he tells them what to do they respond.

“‘Representative of the Hedran government in exile’, that is something I never expected to be but if it is for a noble cause so be it. I’ll be right behind you.” Elys says following the Ambassador into the wilderness.

Before they leave Barnabas thanks them both once again and follows the orders of the Ambassador by feeding those who followed Elys out of the capital and giving them places to stay.

SIC: After traveling through the wilderness for a short while Elys and the Ambassador reach the coordinates, at least roughly, they arrive at a small clearing with a tall ash tree in the middle.

"Well I think this is the right spot. I'm afraid my skills are a bit rusty. But this looks like the place." The ambassador says to Elys.

Suddenly the two of them hear the call of a bird closeby. which both of them recognize easily "A raven" they both say almost simultaneously. They look up in the branches of the ash tree and see a large, black raven perched on a low branch looking down curiously and cawing in their direction. Elys notices as the light hits the feathers a slight iridescent shine which reflects a faint red color. Upon looking closer the slight iridescent shine of the raven's feathers reveal the Hyperborean flag but only when one is standing in just the right angle, light, and looking carefully.

The IAA Asset

by The Hyperborean Empire of Vostag

Read dispatch

"Guideline" says the ambassador.

With that pass phrase the raven lets out a caw mimicking the ambassador, ravens being one of the most intelligent birds in the world are capable of mimicking sounds even human speech however it becomes clear that this raven isn't entirely natural.

"Guideline." The Raven caws. "Ambassador Swanson. It's good to see you and Miss Elys alive and well." The raven continues this time the caw like response, while still rough, becomes more human.

"Oh thank the gods I was worried we had the wrong bird." Says Ambassador Swanson with a slight chuckle.

"Yes this should make communication easier than the whole coded messages and encryption business over radio. Less likely to get caught this way and much faster. So Miss Elys I understand the situation in Hedra has gone tits up and that you would like some... assistance?" The raven asks.

Hedra wrote:

“Yes.” Elys says “At first I misjudged the speed in which things would blow out of proportion, I thought that I would have enough time to create a strong resistance in Rikas but my presence here shows that didn’t happen. Hedra has been a centralised nation since it’s existence and further from the capital you go the less infrastructure and access to some goods you see. The Republicans and Confederates coming together raised our numbers but not our skill or power, we did weapons that can get us around until we get access to more powerful ones and we also need manuals on guerrilla warfare, the lizardfolk is already experienced in fighting in difficult terrain but not in the streets. The other lack proper training and weapons, all they have are the things they bought and what they already owned. If people of skill could come over it would give us a massive advantage against the Absolutists as they are primarily focused on keeping the Southeast Region and that would be our biggest challenge. We need weapons, manuals, skilled people and anything in realms of possibility at the moment. I know that my request is big, but that is what is needed to free Hedra once and for all.”

SIC: The raven listens silently to Elys' plea for aid before replying. "I see. That is a big ask. Hmm. Alright. We will send in weapons and supplies along with a few... advisors... to get started. In the meantime we can provide some rather discreet air support. Airstrikes, gunships, that sort of thing should the need arise. This is going to be a hard fight my dear. All hands on deck on your end. Amb. Swanson you shall accompany Miss Elys wherever she goes as our contact as Mr. Frog is currently on assignment elsewhere. If anyone close to you needs extraction Miss Elys then it can be arranged. Children, handicapped, that sort of thing."

Hedra wrote:

“Thank you very much. The people who will need be extracted will be my four youngest grandchildren and their mothers as well as the families of the palace staff that came with us, the men and women of able body and mind will stay with us we need all the help we can get. Again thank you very much.” Elys says.

She then turns to Amb. Swanson; “We have much to do my friend.”

SIC: "Very well then. We'll keep in touch. Don't call us, we'll call you. Only contact us in case of emergency. You'll be updated when and where the extraction will happen soon. Good work on the embassy Mr. Swanson and good luck to you both. Now this little birdy has to get back to work in Rikas. Nevermore, signing off." And with that the raven ceases communication and flies away.

Once back at camp with Mr. Sarney and the others Amb. Swanson and Elys fill the others in. Amb. Swanson looks at Mr. Sarney. "If you have any eyes and ears in the trees or along the coast then tell them to keep their eyes peeled as the supply drops will come by air or sea. We'll be notified when a how it's coming but it wont hurt to be looking." He then looks at Elys and saws "Doth quote the raven nevermore."

IC: Mu: Hyperborean Foreign Legion: Replacements
It has been quite a long period of fighting for the soldiers of the Hyperborean Foreign Legion. They've all taken part in their fair share of battles, have been attacked by the enemy while marching alongside convoys, and have experienced the chaos and carnage of artillery barrages. They've been in country long enough to see the first major wave of replacement recruits come in. The Hyperborean Foreign Legion has been assigned to yet another mission called Operation Queen's Garden in which they will be fighting alongside units made up of the new replacement recruits.

The Hyperborean Foreign Legion makes its way through the city of Ekahope where they are given a hero's welcome by the locals. "I expected more resistance than this." Says Lt. Krueger to one of the Staff Sergeants. Meanwhile some of the men are struggling to keep moving from the joyful celebration of the Muan people. The men watch as the locals harass and humiliate members of their community who helped the Muan forces. The Foreign Legion groups up with a tank unit and proceed to travel together.

That night about halfway between the city of Ekahope and the town of Kaonahou the men encounter a farmer and his grandson who come out of their homemade bunker to watch the soldiers march past. Red goes over to the boy and gives him a chocolate bar. The boy unwraps the candy bar and takes a bight after which he joyfully scarfs the rest of it down. "It's the first time he's ever had chocolate." Says the boys grandfather in broken Common with a heavy Muan accent. The men continue their march onward.

The next day the legion arrives at the town of Kaonahou. Just outside of town they encounter a woman who is standing still in the middle of the road holding a baby. It's an eerie sight in the early morning hours and sends chills down the spines of the men. One of the replacements is put on point and he is the first to begin to make his way into town. It's eerily quiet. Just then the sound of a single gunshot in the distance rings out and the young soldier falls back onto the ground an anti-material round having punched right through the visor slit in the helmet of his power armor. With that the men drop into the ditches along both sides of the rode just outside of town making sure to get out of the way of the tanks. The tanks begin to slowly make their way into town when suddenly a Muan APC swings around the corner firing its guns wildly before being quickly taken out by the main gun of the lead tank in a massive fireball. The men slowly make their way out of the cover of the ditches into town taking cover from the snipers by going through the various buildings. As they carefully make their way through town Pope and Blue both see a strange shimmer in the distance ahead of the tanks. They both think back to their training and remember the part of how to spot a Muan tank. Both Pope and Blue radio to the tank commanders that they've spotted a Muan Baywak tank just as a tank round knocks out the front allied tank. The hidden Muan tank fires another shot but just barely misses the second tank which uses the second shot to find where the Muan tank is hiding and fires.

As the tank battle rages on the men come under fire from Muan machine gun nests. The men are able to use grenades to take out two of the machine gun nests but not with the replacements taken losses due to lack of field experience. Just then a Muan artillery barrage begins to rain down hell and shrapnel on the men. Taking heavy casualties the men are given the order to retreat so they grab the wounded and the dead and begin moving back out of the town. The men, unhappy at having to retreat yet knowing full well why, and retreat allowing the Muans to capture the town of Koanahou. The battle is a reminder that the Muans aren't going to give up easily and that this war isn't going to be over quickly.