A Battle Unseen

[Doc]

IBSI Listening Post 93, near Campana, Santiago State, Athosia
0345, a Thursday

"Come in Marcus.  We're ready for you now."  The listening post was similar to listening posts across more than two dozen nations in Terra:  A fairly impressive receiver with a number of switches, dials and frequencies displayed, that hop every ten seconds, a small lamp, a desk, and some nerdy looking operative sitting in a chair, writing what can only be assumed to be code onto an official form which is his hourly report.  The Low Tech approach is preferred at foreign listening posts like this:  they become very difficult to track with modern counter surveillance technology.  It's like the world forgot what analog is and gives Kalistan a distinct advantage.  Soon Kalistan will begin launching comm satellites, and getting messages back to the Empire from a place like this will be easier but for now, messages are relayed in code over the phone.

Marcus was not his real name.  That was the name he had to select as he went through training.  Officially, he was a member of Section 2, the Signals Intelligence Section, which is why he reported here to this listening station.  But in reality, Marcus was a member of Section 3, the Clandestine Service.  The Listening Post commander, Lt. Brian Ewold, knew that Marcus' mission was not to sit and listen two the radio for to six hour shifts in a 24 hour period, but to begin to develop pro-Empire Assets within Baltusia.  Nobody knew he was here except Ewold and the Director, who is also likely acting on direct orders to begin developing Baltusian assets in Athosia.

So, four people max even know Marcus exists, and two of them were sitting in this room. 

"I have been briefed on parts of what you are doing here," said Lt. Ewold.  "Its best that I don't know everything.  Our listening posts are pretty well disguised, but we do get pinched every once in a while, and so, opsec, silos and all that.  Tell me, is there anything I need to provide you?"

"I could use a gun," said Marcus.  "A pistol, maybe a .38 if you can swing it.  Just for protection.  They've kind of let me know what I am going into, but a little firepower can't hurt."

"On your way out, have the girl at the desk get you one.  But if you're caught with it, that's your ass."

"Trust me, if I need to use it, I don't intend on being caught," said Marcus.  "Hopefully, this won't be that kind of job."

"That's fine," said Ewold.  "And when you walk out that door, you need to forget this place is here.  It's not safe for you ever to come back here, for any reason.  You will put every person in this post at risk if you even walk on this block.  As soon as you start working, whatever you are going to do, the commies will be watching you.  So, you need to steer well clear of this place, do you understand?  Make it back to Lucid, head to Gaduridos, whatever you have to do.  But this place doesn't exist.  Not as a place you hide, not even as a place you drop into to get a sip of water.  I've been doing this job for years, and cover gets blown by sloppy new guys.  Don't be one."

Marcus nodded his head to say he understood.  "Don't exist, got it.  I don't know any of you."

Lt. Ewold smiled.  "You'll do great.  They say this is your first post."

Marcus nodded.  "I did Public information at home for two years.  But, yes, this is my first foreign post."

Lt. Ewold smiled.  "Hopefully the day comes when this isn't a foreign post anymore."

Marcus nodded and smiled, knowing this touched his mission but not saying anything.

Lt. Ewold finally said, after a somewhat awkward pause.  "Anything I should keep an eye out for?"

Marcus respondedL  "If I am in trouble, I will put a message in the personals. It'll read something like "Lonely Kalistani looking for love from a beautiful Baltusian. No smoking, no drugs, preferably mid 40s.' Something like that."

Lt. Ewold laughed.  "Well, that message won't stick out like a sore thumb!  No Kalistani would ever write something like that."

Marcus responded:  "It's supposed to.  Get a message back to Sulari then and say this:  'Marcus needs fifty.'  They'll know what that means.  I'll sit tight, and will find them when they get here.  Just send that message, Marcus needs fifty."

Lt. Ewold shrugged and nodded.  "They must be teaching you boys some new stuff up there these days.  But alright.  I'll do it.  If there's nothing else, I'll wish you good luck.  Next time in Kaliburg."

Marcus stood up, grabbed his hat and nodded.  "Next time in Kaliburg.  Good luck with what's his name over there, it looks like he's falling asleep."

Lt. Ewold stood up to shake Marcus' hand and send him off.  "No worries, these Baltusians never say anything worth reporting anyway..."  The two agents parted, with Marcus stopping by the cash register, picking up an unmarked pistol with the serial number scratched off, and then ducking out through the restaurant kitchen and disappearing in the streets of Campana.

[MrFacts]

Tova Kadiyot meets her loyal friend and head of her security, at the playground.
March 5575

She arrives at the playground with her kids, as she opens the enveloppe and takes the USB stick out of it and put it her pocket, she gets out of the car and takes her children by hand, while she passes people she smiles distantly and waves uncomfortable to them.

She says "Tovan, go play with you're sister"  she is joined by Ari Rabinowitz her head of security, but also a loyal familyfriend. She greets him, while taking the USB stick out of her pocket and gives a hug to Ari, she slides it in his pocket, while whispering in his ear "find everything you can of Sargis Pogosyan." 

Ari knodds, gives a small bow and leaves to his car.

[Mbites]

Saturday, 1:30AM.
Jorgen Island, Freiheit, 'Sin' Club

In what some may call a trance state, the president of the Dual Republic, Theodora Lackmann was dancing and recuperating from long days of securing her beloved country. Sometimes she just has to let it all go, pop some pills, snort whatever her 'girl-goonsquad' of preppy pseudo-powerful women had in store for her. In the end she did not care about a single one of these evenings, it was mechnical, it was simply a need to fulfill for her body. Spiritually she was among the riders in the steppes, feeling the wind on her skin which also lets her hair fly in all directions. "My.. My what freedom" she probably thought to herself. Moving her body to the beat of the excellent traditional electronic dance music of the Dual Republic she felt someone coming up behind her. Lost in the dealings of her own mind she swayed left to right with the stranger right behind her, guiding her hips. Stranger? No... No. It was not stranger, it had to be him. What? Bloodshot eyes and a only limitedly conscious Theodora turned around to not see what she wanted to see. "Who are you?" "Where has my Bunjie gone?" 




...

Karlstein returned from the toilet, the shift guarding Lackmann usually goes quite well except for-.
well yes. except for these occasions. On the floor lay a body of some random clubgoer, stabbed multiple times, one eye ball popped out. 
"Eh. God damnit. We have a code TH304 here."

The clean crew followed.

[Flip]

Fajroturo, Office of the Executive Committee Director

---

Sojknabo entered the room, looking rushed. After sitting down, still catching his breath he said "So, I've heard the news from Wiel, I've already worked out ideas on how to salvage this sit-"

"That is not why I asked you to come" Gropo interrupted the Commissar "We will in fact discuss our reaction, but it will not involve any of the honey-tongued nonsense you might already have in mind. Please, take a moment to calm down and
have a drink"

It was only now that Sojknabo realized what company he and the director were in. Kolbaso, the Commissar of Defense was sitting to Gropo's left, to his right three uniformed men sat bolt upright listening carefully to every word Gropo said
One of them he knew. A high ranking general. Sojknabo had forgotten his name but he recognized the face. He had seen the man accompaying Commissar Kolbaso during one of their very rare meetings. The other two Sojknabo had not seen before
but he noticed that they wore navy uniforms.

Gropo must have sensed Sojknabos confusion during the short moment of silence: "May I introduce? Admiral Rafalido and Admiral Aleksido, I take it you're already familiar with General Pikapaŝo"

Suddenly Sojknabo realized what this discussion was going to be about. He ignored the etiquette and confronted the Director directly "You cannot be serious. Anything but that. Didn't you consider the collective trauma that would be brought up again by
any military action in-"

"Lake Majatra?!" Gropo raised his voice, once again interrupting Zardugal's chief diplomat "Of course I know what it will remind everyone of, that's why we're going to do it. Shows of force are the only language understood by these savages!"

The military officers nodded synchronously like uniformed robots.

Sojknabo sighed and looked at the documents lying on the table. Maps of Lake Majatra depicting the route of the submarine pipeline. Some positions had already been marked.
He had to do it. It was still impossible to challenge Gropo politically. Sojknabo's only alternative was to resign and let one of the Director's bootlicker take over. He had to remain in office to be able to intervene once the time is right

Gropo pierced Sojknabo with his gaze waiting for some kind of reaction

"Alright" Sojknabo broke the tense silence "Just educate me on the exact timetable of the operation and I will prepare a diplomatic strategy to balance out neutralizing international backlash and power projection once it is done"

Gropo smiled. Seemingly placated he began to explain:"Now did you know that anchors are actually quite dangerous contraptions when it comes to the integrity of submarine infrastructure"...

[Mbites]

Tuesday, 6:33AM.
Dual Republic, Unknown Island, Private Lackmann Yacht

"God, it is way too early and cold to be out." said a obviously unnerved Theodora Lackmann.
Her aides, servants and whatever else kind of second class people were trying to comfort the President while she was looking through her bionoculars to identify what she was looking for.
A former navy-elite scout stood at attention before the president.
"President! We can confirm that it indeed is the long lost island."
Lackmann chuckled. "finally." She threw her binoculars somewhere near her servants so that they would put it somewhere, but who cares? 
"Something bothers me though. We live in an age of satellites, drones and unlimited information but we took this long to find this forsaken piece of land?"
The Scout slightly shrugged. 
"In any case. Ms. President, do you want us to send a vanguard to see if it is safe?" 
The President declined being confident that whatever made everyone forget about the island was long dead anyways.

A few hours later, Lackmann and her rather large personal presidential guard of 150 elite soldiers landed on the island.
"Mhm. Well I kind off understand, the air here is different- Wow! Look a flak tower!" 
Like a small child Lackmann took off toward the remnants of some old security installations.
The soldiers not sure if they should try stopping her followed suit.

Before reaching the tower that caught the attention of the president the group was met by the entrance into an old Bunker system.
"In we go haha!" yelled the oddly amused President.
After having a cough-attack due to dusty surroundings they just entered they continued along the still slighty illuminated path in the bunker. The walls were full of dundorfian signage in old no longer used fonts.

Two hours later they finally reach the end or at least the end of this part of the system. It was a rather decadent looking entrance for a security installation. "THIS IS IT. FINALLY."
Her military escort breached the locked door and opened the view into a Castle or fortress of some sort. Decorated with paintings of her long lost ancestors. "My... at least they had style.. a little bit too traditional for me though puh." mumbled Lackmann.
Continuing through the metaphysical 4000s the president was led to what looked like former master bedroom including a medium sized vault. The vault door was still sealed. "Well without its electronical components it cant be that tightly locked right?" The Soldiers were confused about the presidents remarks but paid them no further attention, she was always mumbling random shit. "Wait! Ah I think I remember the code, my parents always said it to me before going to bed, I think it orally tradeted through the generations, ach, how romantic." Using just mentioned code, she opened the vault to find an old crown. 



"Yes! This is it. Time to rip this shitty paper up and rule like a... Queen." The soldiers unknowningly witnessing history were surprised at what Lackmann was planning, but did not care, they received enormous paychecks after all. "Harald!" Her aide sprinted towards her and awaited furher instructions. "Please call the Thallers, I think I have to talk to my family, they'll be thrilled."

[Kubrick]

Royal Palace, Wiel, Kingdom of Wrnuke, 10 May 5584, 14:17.

As the grand wooden doors were opened by servants the Emperor walked into the library of the palace. This richly decorated room featured rows of bookcases, desks, comfortable chairs and couches and little nooks to tuck away in. The walls were adorned in expensive paintings and there was a large table in the corner with expensive liquors from across the globe. Within his inner circle this was well known to be the favourite room of Emperor Bunjamín, where he would retreat to with a good book and a fine whisky. The last few years the Emperor had become increasingly paranoid, ever since the Empire wide celebrations of his 65th birthday he had not really gone anywhere but his own royal residences. The years were also taking a physical toll on one of the most powerful men of the planet, you could tell he was moving a bit slower and with a slight delay he sat down in one of the comfortable chairs. "Please, sit." He said, indicating for the other two men in the library to join him in this corner of the lavish room. They both sat down in front of the Emperor, a chair each. The man next to him was the General, Krlmékez, the current Prefect of Wrnuke and arguably the second most powerful man in the Empire. Or well, that's probably what Krlmékez thought. The smart ones knew that he was the second most powerful man, Director-General of the RSB Bhtjar Amrun. Or 'my loyal spymaster' as the Emperor called him. The other two of the Emperor's inner circle weren't here today, thank Tanhri. Lackmann was always fawning over the Emperor like some lady of the night. And that Pontesi King, a kind man and not bad to talk to at dinner but no schemer. He had morals and ethics and Amrun despised that.

"These Augustan communists, what is the situation there?" The Emperor asked them. Krlmékez answered. "Your Majesty, the sanctions are in effect, we're actively discouraging countries to trade with them. The numbers are not very clear yet but we do think it will have a substantial effect on their economy.. but not enough to remove them as a threat." The Emperor nodded a few times, pondering his thoughts. "I see, I see.." Krlmékez added a few more of his own thoughts, "..we have also given asylum to a 'Desiderio Sepstono' a former insurance executive, we hope some more of their last anti-state actors will appear shortly. The RSB I believe is helping there?" The two men turned to look at him. "That is correct, General. Your Majesty, if I may, I do have a way to perhaps increase our chances of success." The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Go on," was all he said. He suppressed the smile that was creeping up on his face and bent down to grab two folders from his briefcase. "My specialists have prepared two plans, one the RSB can enact without help but for the other I am afraid I will have to call on our good General here, as he already did such great work with the sanctions." He noticed Krlmékez shift in his seat. Good, he needed him uncomfortable. The Emperor however looked intrigued so he placed the folders on the table in front of the monarch. "This here is Operation Krzi Heijtri, a detailed mission on how to sabotage Zardugal from the inside. Infiltrate companies, give funds and weapons to anti-state organisations, recruit the Jelbics and Jelbidos to sabotage state installations, give the RSB field teams free reign in covert operations, do everything we can to crash their economy." The Emperor nodded, he seemed to like that. "..the other plan is Operation Támnrtlashjogad. A full invasion of Zardugal with all the member states. Swift and hard, go in, topple their government, install a Zardic claimant. An operation we will prepare with local resistance, more intense sabotage, missile strikes. The analysts say that a well-prepared offensive could occupy their capital in three days." The Emperor grabbed the Támnrtlashjogad folder and started to read intensely. A proper Jelbic, the war plans are always the more interesting.

The meeting went on for another hour as both the Emperor and the Prefect required more details. At first the Prefect had tried to argue against the invasion plan, just an economic destruction would be enough he kept saying. But the Emperor was firm: the enemies of the Jelbic Peoples must be defeated. As such the Emperor gave explicit orders to make both plans happen. On their way out the General stopped him. "This may well lead to a world war, Bhtjar," he said while standing very close to him. He was not intimidated. "No one will dare intervene if we are fast and decisive. If the whole Empire joins this invasion they will hardly be able to get their diplomatic protests published before we conquer these Augustan dogs." He now leaned in closer to Krlmékez. "And that's where you come in. Do your magic in the Great Council. Lackmann will follow suit once she learns the Emperor wants this. The H'án in Jelbe is a traditionalist, he will not refuse a chance at war. Barmenistan will take some convincing and then agree. Beiteynu and Pontesi however, they will refuse. So work your magic and long live the Emperor." With that he stepped back and kept walking, leaving Krlmékez standing alone with a dark look on his brooding face.

[Flip]

Fajroturo, Office of the Executive Committee Director

Director Mario Gropo had listened to a briefing on the events in Kundrati held by Commissar Sojknabo and other high ranking diplomats for about 10 minutes now, biting his lips and digging his fingers into the armrests of his chair. His fingers had already turned white. He could no longer bear what he was hearing. This outrageous betrayal was the last straw to him.

“ENOUGH!” He screamed, unveiling a small trail of blood on his lips. Gropo cleared his throat trying to calm down “Excuse me, I think I’ve heard enough. It has become clear to me that Zardugal is getting pushed in the corner by Kundrati now as well. As if these horse lovers (he actually said something else) weren’t enough we now have to deal with the Kundrati Idiocracy as well. This is a circumstance that Zardugal cannot support for long and we must act accordingly”

A sigh of relief escaped Amabesto Sojknabo “He is finally seeing reason, he will talk to the Empire” he thought

Gropo continued his monologue “That is why we must exterminate the Jelbic threat as long as they are not prepared”

They were not there but suddenly Sojknabo was almost sure he was seeing the silhouettes of nodding military officers behind the Director

“We must hit them with everything we have-“

Tadeo Kolbaso, also present at the briefing now intervened “I’m sorry to interrupt you but when you say everything you also mean the compound?”

“Everything” the Director answered “This is what you will do immediately: Mobilize as much of the compound as possible and get it to the artillery positions near the border. Initiate partial mobilisation of all military forces and cut that damn pipeline as quickly as you can. Secrecy is no longer needed. We’re simply going to overwhelm them”

[font=UICTFontTextStyleBody]Kolbaso’s and Sojknabo’s eyes met. They did not dare say a thing but they knew what each other was thinking. This was madness. It had to stop.[/font]

[MrFacts]

Ari Rabinowitz arrives at the mansion of Tova Kadiyot. 
august 5579

A(ri Rabinowitz), man of many qualities and serves the Kadiyot family for already more then 30 years and became a loyal bodyguard of T(ova) when shebecame engaged to Aram Arevyan, the prince of the Pontesian Concord. He is more then a bodyguard, as he also handles everything they ask of him. 

Last 4 years he is been busy with searching and investigating the murders of Tigran, rafik and Sargis (the detective), he hasn't found much and hates to dissapointed Miss Tova. he ring the doorbell and the house keeper opens the door, lets him in and guides him towards the studyroom, where Tova is reading a book with a glass of wine. 

A: hello, miss Tova

T:  have you got news for me?

A: Not much, i haven't found anything usefull. It is like they are erased of Terra. 

T: its what i thought, but for every dead end, there is a new beginning.

A: how do you mean?

T: Then, You know what to do. She looks up towards Ari, decisevely

A: I will, miss. Thank you.

[Doc]

Wilson House, Kaliburg, 4:30 PM

Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Carolina I Ananto sat at her desk, going over a briefing in a manilla envelope.  There was a knock at the door, and then the door slowly opened.  Outside in the hallway stood two men, one with a dark suit and a blue tie on, the other wearing a tan linen suit.  The man in the dark suit entered the room, and standing the customary 15 feet from the Empress, bowed his head reverently.

"Please Mr. Hemple, be seated," said the Empress.

"May I ask Her Imperial Majesty where the Chancellor is?  It is normal that she be at audiences like this and her absence is curious."

"Mr Hemple, there is no time for that right now.  We need you to tell us if the situation is as dire in Kundrati as the press is making it out to be.  We find that though we are quite firm on our position with regard to the Kundrati Legion, we don't know much at all about what they are actually doing."

"May I request that Her Imp..."

"Oh Stop it, please.  Speak to me directly."

Hemple was shocked.  Until this moment, his gaze was averted, but the Empress' frankness put him back on his heels.  "I uh...  Might I, uh... have some water?"

"Help yourself, but do please stop stalling."  The Empress motioned to a pitcher of water.  Hemple rushed over filled with nervous energy, poured himself a glass of water, gulped it down and found that his mouth was still incredibly dry.  So he poured a second glass and gulped it down too.  He was about to pour a third when the Empress said, "Mr. Hemple are you quite alright?  We are worried about your kidneys."

"No...  I  uh...  Your Maj...  I...  I'm just very thirsty for some reason."

"Please sit down, Mr. Hemple.  Our time is limited and it is precious.  So kindly do us a favor and stop wasting it."

"Y..yes Your Imperial Majesty...  I just..."  Hemple slowly made his way back to his seat, placed the glass shakily on the table, and sat on the edge of the cushion, afraid to sit back, worried about how it would look to the Empress.

"Good lord, We thought you spooks were made of stronger stuff than this.  How is it you became IBSI director?"

"Your majesty?" asked Hemple.

"Never mind.  Your briefing on Kundrati please, and don't leave out any details.  The things you say will help us to determine how far we need to push this matter on our side."  The Empress looked directly at Hemple, and he couldn't be certain, but after a moment, he thought he heard the word, in the Empress' voice, but... not... that said "Talk."

"Your Majesty, there are...  some things, you probably should know...  I don't know how much I can say because classification... is...  uh..."  He realized how stupid he sounded the moment he said the word, and Her Imperial Majesty confirmed it with an unimpressed smirk.  After that point, Hemple regained his composure.  He felt a calm and presence of mind come over him as he sat up straight, and kinda felt like a new man.  He fully briefed the Empress about the progress of the ODEN plan, the reactions that Kalistan had drawn from its movement of the fleet, and some inside intelligence that very few people even knew, and even fewer understood regarding several moving parts in the ongoing Kundrati struggle.  

The briefing lasted for a half hour, as The Empress went over the meaning of several intelligence reports she had in front of her.  The IBSI director clarified and illuminated every point freely, all the while never once sitting back in his chair, never moving closer than 15 feet of the Empress, and never ever touching his glass of water.  He spoke frankly, thoroughly, and honestly, and when information was sketchy or unconfirmed, he freely admitted that, attempting to provide nuance to a fairly black and white picture.  When IBSI did not know, Director Hemple admitted it.  When IBSI was sure of something, Director Hemple also noted that.  Thinking back on his life, he did not remember a time when he had been so forthright and honest with anyone, including Her Imperial Majesty, and it actually felt good to be able to be absolutely candid for once.

When the Empress was satisfied with the information she was able to draw out, she dismissed him, asking him to take his untouched glass of water back to the table so it wouldn't leave a stain on the lacquer.  He did as he was told, and, returning, he gave a customary bow.  The Empress nodded in acknowledgement, and the Director backed out of the room.

Once he was outside of her office, the Doorman met him and said "How did it go Director?"

Hemple felt like he was waking from a gentle dream as he stepped out into the bright window-filled room that was in golden hour illumination.  "I...  I think something happened in there.  I am not quite sure what it was...  but it felt... different somehow..."  The Doorman nodded.  "Her Imperial Majesty is different indeed.  But, perhaps it was just the sun?  Could that be?"

Hemple scratched his head, looked at the door man as if he was about to ask "Who... are you?" but opted not to, looked back at the closed office door, and then took his leave, convinced that something unusual had just taken place, but he was not really quite sure what it was.

[Doc]

IBSI Report: Kalistani Assets expand in Kundrati, Probe in Sulari Detected
October 5584

In Kasaema:  IBSI Listening Post #67 dtn Kasaema, has expanded to begin deeper surveillance.  This not only includes listening for radio traffic, but also bugging some of the softer targets like meeting rooms in the Kundrati National Assembly, and gaining access to more secure conversations.  HStatKun reports that enhanced surveillance in the capital will give Kalistan more opportunities to gain actionable intelligence in the future.  LP67 will become one of Kalistan's primary surveillance posts going forward, as Kalistan moves forward with efforts to keep tabs on an increasingly hostile regime.

In addition to LP67's expansion, IBSI has opened a new Listening Station in Etxea.  The post itself is an unassuming radio reception room, in the back of a laundromat, and will be staffed 12 hours a day by two agents, who will otherwise pose as dry cleaners.  IBSI intends to only operate during normal business hours as this post will merely serve as a back up should the Kasaema station go down for some reason.  This station will also operate as a forward rendezvous point for future Kalistani operations in the country due to its proximity to various ports of international travel.

In Sulari:  A possible probe at Port Elga was foiled by Longshoremen.  Three Kundrati agents were taken into custody as they were caught offloading several suspicious looking containers from a small fishing trawler.  The containers revealed a cache of weapons of Artanian origin, as well as sophisticated radio equipment to send and receive messages.  Local police were called to take custody of the individuals, while the materials were seized as contraband.  The three individuals, who insisted that they were really from Endralon, had no identification on them.  As for the weapons, one of the team said it was a desire to sell a crate that they found at sea while fishing in the Ananto Strait.  They claimed that they knew Kalistanis buy weapons, and thought they could make extra money on this trip by selling the firearms locally.  Kalistani officials did not believe the story, but felt that the probe was expected, and handed them over to the Government to be deported.  The weapons and the radio equipment have been seized and destroyed, while the Fishing boat has "officially" been confiscated for being used in illegal fishing operations in the Ananto Strait by foreign actors.