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Post by RWU on Aug 6, 2015 18:13:45 GMT -6
Of all the possible twists her state visit could take, this was not one Union Councilor Jaira Devikar had anticipated. She took a moment to smooth the fur around her face and straighten the collar of her rough grey greatcoat with her clawlike hands as she tried to process the situation.
"We..." she hesitated for a moment. Marshal Galiani's disease-ridden form only made the situation all the more tense. "We have one destroyer-class vessel and one army available to reinforce. I am certain they will make their course for Astera as soon as possible after a distress message arrives. No longer than two days. Within the next cycle I would estimate we can mobilize another army from our reserves and another destroyer as well. With this second wave, the Union Council itself could send one of its members with military experience to bolster your Command, either Marshal Kazamar Qoma or Admiral Alagh Walayad. Does your army or navy require such support?"
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Post by killer spork on Aug 6, 2015 18:54:34 GMT -6
'' It does. '' Galiani said as the monitor flickered through the latest streams of data.
'' Sir, the Indomitable has engaged. '' The vox operator piped.
'' Two cycles? " General Kayani fumed. '' How are we supposed to hold against that for two bloody cycles? '' He said, pointing towards the monitor. The outburst drew Galiani's attention but before he could speak, it was General Kruger whom had interposed himself.
'' I have issued an order from High Command that deserters are to be shot alongside defeatists. This includes officers. '' The threat was clear and Kayani went silent.
'' Councilor Jaira, we will hold, at a heavy price. But we will hold. '' Marshal Galiani said, steel entering his voice.
'' Colonel Abdulya will serve as official liaison between our armed forces. General Kruger will be in operational command on the ground. I trust our comrades and brothers in our arms to be at our side soon. '' The Chairman said.
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Post by RWU on Aug 6, 2015 19:09:18 GMT -6
"Absolutely, comrade Marshal," Councilor Devikar replied with determination. "We will not abandon our sister Union."
Of course, there was a pressing question..."Comrade Marshal Galiani," she began after a few moments, "Who exactly is attacking?"
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Post by killer spork on Aug 7, 2015 7:57:24 GMT -6
'' We appreciate your support and will be forever in your debt. '' Galiani replied, curling his gnarled fist as he handed the Councilor a blurry photo of one of the alien vessels.
There was something distinctly '' alive '' about the ship, as if it was composed of organic matter. But such a thing was impossible that Galiani had dismissed it.
'' We do not know, they attacked without provocation, and as far as we know there have been no intrusions within our system. It appears they blindly attacked, without even bothering to scout our defenses. Like a dog following the scent of food. I will keep you appraised of all intelligence that we uncover. ''
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Post by killer spork on Aug 20, 2015 15:09:43 GMT -6
Asteran / RWU Joint Command Post
The war was over - at least on Asteron. The holonews was a constant blast of propaganda, showcasing the bravery of Asteran and Ayar soldiers as they cleansed the Ezrian sector of hostile forces and the last desperate Hive ships blasting off from Torgau while being harassed by an airwing of Asteran fighters. More prominent was the image of a group of Allied soldiers hoisting the Asteran flag over the Ezrian College of Science; one of the most renowned buildings on the planet. It had been heavily damaged in the fighting to retake the sector but it was still recognizable, despite its crumbling facade. The priority now for General Gustavus Kruger was to pursue the Hive menace and ensure that they were no longer a threat to Asteron....and more importantly, there were millions of foreign troops on Asteran soil, High Command was eager to see them gone.
'' A toast comrade. '' Kruger said diplomatically to his Ayar counterpart, General Andrasa Vilodor, rasing a glass of Devil's Brew. '' To the Revolution! '' Kruger said, joined it by several of his officers. It burned the chest and made the General a tad lightheaded before he set his glass down. The command post was a friendly atmosphere, staff officers mixing and chatting in the aftermath of the celebration. The entire country was celebrating the victory and it extended to even here. Though aides quietly continued to work in corners, relaying orders, reports, and fire missions on bug positions. There was still small enemy pockets that existed that would need to be isolated in mop up operations but for the moment, the immediate threat had been defeated.
'' Tell me... '' He said waving the General over to a quieter corner. '' Have you heard from Victory City on what your next course of action is? '' Kruger said with a raised eyebrow. '' Has the Council approved an expedition to the Hive homeworld? ''
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Post by RWU on Aug 20, 2015 17:37:51 GMT -6
General Vilodor raised her own glass emphatically to return the toast. "To the Revolution!" she proclaimed heartily along with General Kruger, bringing her clawed fist to bump with the human's as their glasses collided ever-so-softly. Although an Ayar, her long experience with Asteran humans allowed her to sense the hint of apprehension in General Kruger's questions. No doubt, he was hoping to see the Revolutionary Workers' Army off of Astera as soon as possible.
"Orders on our course of action are pending," she replied flatly. "The Union Council is waiting for the report from the RWN Free Peasant and the Indomitable. Depending on what they say, we may prepare to stage a counter-invasion of the insectoids, or we may stay here and help mop up. It also depends on the Viscarri Legion...we wouldn't dare abandon our true allies to the whims of monarchist reactionaries."
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Post by killer spork on Aug 20, 2015 17:50:02 GMT -6
The General made a tsk, tsk sound as he eyed the Ayar over the rim of his glass. '' The Second Army has been reformed, the First Army has been reinforced, and the Third Army is prepared for combat as well. While I appreciate the Workers aid in our time of need, the time where foreign troops are needed on Asteron is coming to a close. We are capable of defending ourselves now that the back of the Hive's horde has been broken. '' The General said as amicably as possible, though he knew the words were bound to come off as an insult if he were not careful. '' I would propose we call a Council of War to coordinate with the Viscarri. If the Imperialists wish to continue their conquest, then I have no objections. '' As long as it got at least one foreign faction off of his beloved planet. '' In the interim, if the Revolutionary Workers wish to aid their Asteran brothers in mopping up the Ezrian sector, then I have no objections. '' As long as it kept the RWU out of the major population centers.
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Post by killer spork on Sept 1, 2015 13:10:38 GMT -6
The room was tense and more than one soldier had their hands on their weapons as the two parties awaited for their respective commanders. The troops here were from the Third Army and had thus far proved immune to the RWU's infiltration attempts.
'' Treachery is not the act of a friend General Vilodor . '' Kruger said, standing opposite his own number as he stepped into the small cabin, it was a neutral point between both their armies. '' If you think I or the army will stand by as you attempt to turn our country into a puppet state of politicians in Victory City, you are sorely mistaken. ''
'' What are the terms of your withdrawal? '' The General said, stripping off his gloves. The first snows were beginning to fall and it was getting cold.
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Post by RWU on Sept 1, 2015 13:18:00 GMT -6
General Vilodor was a little shaken at first by her counterpart's harsh demands, but soon she was calm again. Eerily calm.
"Comrade Kruger, your accusations against me are serious," she pointed out sternly but softly. "Have I done anything to harm you or your soldiers? Have I been anything less than your ally and comrade-in-arms this whole time? What makes you think I have ulterior motives here?"
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Post by killer spork on Sept 1, 2015 13:52:21 GMT -6
'' General, the next meeting I will be taking is with the Legate of the Second Legion. If you continue to feign ignorance to the fact that your government is attempting to stage a coup by turning the hearts and minds of its own soldiers against the Chairman, then we have nothing further to discuss. '' Kruger said, turning to leave.
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Post by RWU on Sept 1, 2015 17:54:43 GMT -6
The Ayar stood up as the human began to leave. "General Kruger. I know of the unionization efforts among Asteran soldiers, but I have heard no reports of any incitement against Comrade Galiani. If you have evidence to suggest that this is the case, or that RWU citizen-members have been conducting illegal activity in Asteran territory, please present it to me now. I am more than willing to cooperate on putting down criminal elements whether from New Sovereignty or Asteron." Her tone and expression, if the General had any idea how to read Ayar body language, were fully serious.
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Post by killer spork on Sept 1, 2015 21:04:49 GMT -6
'' No incitement against the Chairman? General, you call the men of his administration corrupt and accuse Asteran patriots of keeping their own citizens enslaved. What exactly is your definition of incitement? You would have our country thrown into the chaos with the Hive at our doorstep to further your countries own domestic agenda? You blatantly violate Asteran laws in a bold attempt to put your own creature in power. Yet you claim to be our allies? We're done here. '' The General obviously had little in the way of useful information. She was either playing dumb or had been genuinely left out of the loop over the complete actions of her government. With that, Kruger and his staff left. If the RWU did not intend to negotiate, then Kruger would find another way to free his planet from these new occupiers.
But first he would have to extend an invitation to these agitators...
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Post by RWU on Sept 2, 2015 13:56:10 GMT -6
Comrade Jensen was an unassuming and indeterminate figure. Through the human's thick grey greatcoat, gloves, and archaic wide-brimmed hat, the only thing visible was a tan, hairless face with a small mouth and two dark brown eyes. Some might wonder how old, what gender, or of what ethnic group Jensen was, but this person had a way of making those questions seem unimportant.
"Comrade Kruger," Jensen greeted with feigned friendliness. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your invitation?"
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Post by killer spork on Sept 2, 2015 16:05:18 GMT -6
'' You can drop the act. '' Kruger said, his tone anything but friendly as the General eyed the wretch infront of him whom had spent the last few weeks turning Kruger's name into a pariah. Why Kruger had been chosen as the emissary of the General Staff, he had no idea. He was a blunt man that had little tolerance for games or politicking. The two were alone and Kruger was free of any restraints. '' The Chairman is dead. A provisional government is being organized that within a year will oversee elections. I have been instructed by General Kayani, Acting Chief of the Armed Forces to seek firm assurances that there will be no further attempts of incitement or unauthorized attempts to unionize its workers by the RWU and that its agents following the election will leave Asteron permanently. ''
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Post by RWU on Sept 2, 2015 18:38:57 GMT -6
"Good, now we can be open and blunt," replied Jensen, nodding in approval at the General's suggestion to drop all pretenses. The union organizer waited patiently while Kruger relayed his instructions.
The response was short and to the point. "We leave, the union stays. No unauthorized activism from us, no state repression from you. Fair?" Jensen looked like he was about to finish, but then rose a finger in consideration. "Also, we're willing to make a trade. We're a workers' union with soldiers, not a soldiers' union. We convince the First and Second Army Group to fold into the Asteran Workers' Party now that you've made concessions, and you let the Torgau dockworkers and the Vorcian factory workers into the Asteran branch of the RWU. Deal?" It was no secret to anyone that, despite their valid grievances, soldiers were something of a privileged class in the Union of Asteron. The cause of Worker's Democracy -- and the image of the RWU -- would be much better served by incorporating Asteron's most oppressed class: the proletariat.
And, of course, this would be something of a conciliatory gesture. This way, Asteron could rest assured its own soldiers wouldn't be deployed against it, though in return it would have to accept a more highly disciplined and tightly organized labor movement.
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RWU Proposes the following -- Union Agents will leave Asteran space and only return if permitted by the Asteran government -- Asteron will not attempt to repress RWU-aligned unions already in Asteron -- RWU de-unionizes the Asteran Military Sectors -- RWU unionizes Torgau Sector (Spaceport) and Vorcia Sector (Industrial)
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