"Mono/Dialogue"

  'Inner thoughts'

  Narration

  [Message/communication apparatus]e

  Date: 17th October 645 AU

  Location: Graceveria Regalia, Capital of Regalian Autarchy

  POV: Narrator

  Graceveria Regalia is home to almost 4 million people. That’s not unreasonable since the whole state has a collective popution of nearly 22 million people living mostly in urban areas, and this pce is the very core of its economic activity. Graceveria Regalia construction as the new capital started the very moment total unification was achieved. City of security and economical might that had at one point in history become the 7th most prosperous capital in Orneas, and a prime model in how to design a city to withstand destruction to then be rebuilt with ease.

  This once-bustling metropolitan had been turned upside down due to the 20th Global War. The scale of destruction was not as severe as when the tragedy amidst 17th Global War occured, thankfully… The same couldn’t be said about settlements along the Central Elesian Front.

  A capital city that is almost dead quiet in terms of civilian activities. One doesn’t need to wonder why a city housing 4 million people had gone so silent, and the answer wasn’t too complicated. The city is both under martial w and reconstruction. Soldiers wearing a camoufged mix of white and grey uniforms are seen patrolling the street, either on foot or by vehicles. Strangely enough, there are also those with bck armbands here and there; denoting a kind of separation.

  Bystanders could see that the vehicles are predominantly what one would call M223 or a type of Jeep called Martin RC. The weapon for soldiers without armbands is an interesting one due to its rugged and brutalistic build. This is a Battle Rifle commissioned as M11A5 Rogue, while continuously simplified, still a reliable and robust weapon suited for their doctrine of effective firepower. This weapon has been in service for almost 3 decades and has been re-chambered to utilize 7.62x51mm rounds. Meanwhile, the soldiers with armbands are carrying their compact modur AR, this rifle was commissioned as CR6A2 merely 4 years ago and utilized 5.56x45mm rounds.

  Other than the grunts being mobile or stationary to man checkpoints, helicopters that are reminiscent of Osprey but much cruder are crisscrossing and transporting via airlifts, these are the fabled UH/M-17F VTOL and the smaller U/H-3A light helicopter. In the skies could be seen Fighter Jets, F/I-5 IIIB, that has been mass-produced to try and keep up a 1-on-1 ratio with NIIO, and perhaps overwhelm them due to retively cheap cost, could be seen providing aerial coverage.

  While the soldiers are dutifully adhering to their country’s bidding, a different situation is unfolding inside the battered but still retively intact Regalian National Council and Autarchs Assembly building. Generals and their staffs are seen arguing with either one another or civilian ministers and bureaucrats on how to best proceed in this untimely and critical situation. The only person who could quell them has been absent for days while her substitute has been very patience in making a judgement.

  “We must ensure the unknown sea frontier be secured first and foremost! Naturally, we must also take into account how many underwater mines were being left by those dastardly NIIO and their snakelings.” A man in his te 60s shouted with a booming voice, his hair might have turned white but his vigor was no less than a man in his prime.

  “You’re too hasty, Supreme Admiral Dougs! What use is it for us to expedite naval deployment when our industries and more importantly our shipyards were left crippled?! We must be realistic here, our people are also under strict rationing. Shouldn’t it be more prudent to focus on rebuilding?” Another man argued, he might wore civilian clothing but was no less old than the person he was speaking with and equally fiery in argument.

  “While I understand your point, Autarch Raymond, we are also in dire need of finding more arable nd. NIIO’s chemical bombing has been rendering our soil infertile, at least for the next 2 years… Like it or not, we must advocate seizing an alternative…” A middle-aged woman now utters her tone with clear reluctance and slight hate. She remembered when the treaty was signed to avoid the usage of NBC weaponry, yet the so-called enforcers broke the rule first.

  “Seizing the alternative?! You might wish to mind your wording a lot more carefully, Western Marshal. We must not push war to the brink of existential crisis, not only would we be isoted from international support but also due to how it would reflect negatively on our diplomatic stance.” Another woman challenged the Western Field Marshal’s argument, she had a scar running down her face and a frankly terrifying scowl etched on it.

  “Then do regale a better alternative, Central Field Marshal.” Vitriol and disdain so thick that she practically hissed through her teeth. Before the woman could answer, a man supported the Western Field Marshal.

  “She is right. We cannot afford to be twiddling our thumbs while our people only end up as victims. Then to solve this issue regarding how to proceed, it would be better for us to find and even seize some nd, by force or cooperation.”

  “We wouldn’t be in this mess if you were a bit more prudent in your position, Eastern Sky Marshal Neumann. Do I need to remind you about your cking support during the war? Just as how your pilots were absent when the Central Army was being sent to the field of Tartarus due to insufficient air coverage. Skies were more leads and bombs than there were raindrops!”

  “The nerve!” Naturally, the Central Field Marshal’s remark offended the Eastern Sky Marshal, but the one who voiced their discontent was her rival who came into the defense of her supporter. They stood up from their respective seats and btantly stared each other down.

  “Field Marshal Rhycelia and Field Marshal Caligo’s opinions equally matter, but do behave yourself and tone down your senseless bickering. It is duly unbecoming for personages of your stature to be so votile.” A Wizened old man intervened in their bickering. His wrinkled face and hunched back might impress that he is the weakest to attend this heated meeting, but his gaze is enough to quiet the bickering dies. They could only ball their fists and sit back on their respective seat.

  “Autarch Harrison was right… the war was beyond our wildest prediction. It was simply unfeasible to fend off dozens of regional, major, super, and even 3 hyperpowers all by our lonesome without turning the world into a nuclear ‘paradise’.

  The fact that we sted 10 years was no small feat. Of course, mourning the loss of our people is an understandable course of action, but to lose our reason to internal conflict won’t do the dead any service… Credits where it is due, the harshness of winter and inhospitable nature of the south pyed a significant role in our survival.”

  That was what a bearded man in his 40s said calmly. He just proceeded to light up another piece of rolled tobacco, cigarettes are scarce because most of them are shipped to the frontline, keeping up the morale along with other luxury goods. So he used his self-cultivated tobacco, with mixed result.

  “Commander Regent Kennedy, you have been bestowed the right to direct the course we must take. How could you act so sloppily indifferent? What would our venerable Grand Autar-” For the first time, his gaze sharpened and his speaking partner quieted down promptly.

  “Do not misuse even the usage of her title, let alone her name, am I understood?” The man gred pointedly while his addressee could only nod and being intimidated to the core, trembling like a leaf was an understatement. Once he takes a puff of his handmade cigarette, he starts giving his thoughts on the matter.

  “… A fact has been confirmed, we are no longer in Orneas nor are we really in any position to reliably act. Stabbing in the dark could be fatal…” Whispering and mumbling are heard from the assembly. They still find it hard to believe that the entire nation was whisked away toward an unknown reality. On one hand, they avoided being defeated and colonized by NIIO while on the other, they are stranded in the truest sense of the word, in an alien and unrecognizable plus potentially hostile world.

  “Our remaining spy pnes and AWACS have been mapping the sea non-stop for days on end, and I assure you that while everything takes time, being divided amongst ourselves wouldn’t make them go faster. Now, let us address the simpler problems at hand, Supreme Admiral?”

  “Aye?”

  “What’s the status of our fleets?” The old man's face turned grim, but he still answered truthfully after clearing his throat.

  “The Northern Fleet has been annihited in totality, that’s 35% of our naval prowess being sunk into the abyss. The Western and Eastern Fleets are barely hanging on with the prospect of rapid reconstruction being a pipe dream in the foreseeable future. Barring those in need of maintenance or reorganization, the West only has 2 CSG and 3 BBG while the East fares worse with 1 CSG and 1 non-standard BBG… Overall, our navy is just barely above ? of what it once was with most of them consisting of RANF underwater taskforce.” When he was expining how they are being stretched thin, one particur problem stuck out. The local aquatic life has been… very aggressive.

  “Then on reports of how gigantic aquatic life attacking our fishing boats become a hot topic. We have towed back several specimen of gargantuan fishes, sharks, octopi, and god knows what else for example.” He paused to show a colored photo of soldiers and soldiers staring at the recently towed creature, locals could also be seen taking interest.

  “This was taken by the initiative of our officer as proof of these beasts’ existence. We could count our lucky stars that our stockpiled, old but functional, torpedoes and depth charges are enough to exterminate these underwater menace while we address the restocking of missiles. Still, we must make do with patrol boats, monitors, and modified trawlers to hunt them along with what’s left of our maritime patrols.”

  “This might sound frivolous, but are they edible? We would need every bit of food sources to stave off potential food crisis…” Said one of the ministers while raising their hand. The Supreme Admiral was seemingly amused and nodded.

  “Aye, so far the more dauntless folks of mine considered it better than our world’s seafood. I also need to add that none compined about less than affable stomach so far.” Small chuckles could be heard, a little bit of humor goes a long way.

  “Could you continue?”

  “Naturally, then regarding our southern coastline that no longer borders the Icefield, we are reorganizing an ad hoc Southern Fleet command. Unlike the West and East remnants, the South only has 4 re-commissioned merchant carriers to function as fgships. The bulk of this ad hoc force is made up of old flotils just enough to patrol 40-120 nautical miles off our coast.”

  “Thank you, now Supreme Sky Marshal Hector, could you expin our Air Force’s status?”

  “Very well, our Air Force had been mustering their best against the invaders. The F/I-5 IIIB and its older counterparts manage to go toe-to-toe despite having a rocky start as a cheaper repcement for our old mainstay fighters.” He clears his throat before continuing.

  “As you might have been informed, F/IA-11V “Wasp” and the improved F/IA-12V “Super Wasp” had been faring with varying performance against a few examples such as SF-20C, Camhan Lightning, and Za 35. Even a single missile difference would be a sharp edge; much more pronounced when they have 2 or 3 more. The “Wasp” variant had a shockingly poor 0.7 kill ratio while the much more expensive “Super Wasp” stood at a solid 1.4 kill ratio but couldn’t be repced fast enough. We managed to hold them off thanks to our air defense network, generally due to our Gahads, a saving grace until we employed our desperate measure.”

  The assembly could only listen silently, the jet was touted to be their best but proved to be a liability. Regalia was considered quite slow in developing new technology since most of the funding went into numerous experimental projects that were either hit or miss.

  When they did yield results, the resulting products usually ended up being an astronomically robust investment; cases in point would be the RIT-7 Hyena, MP732 tactical vest, M33 Mamba, the Gahad series, and the U/H-17 multipurpose VTOL to name a few. Sadly, that doesn’t amount to much of an edge when you’re outnumbered 20-to-1 against peer-to-peer or more advanced adversaries.

  “F/I-5 models, with the test being the Liger variant, were the most we could make out of its role as mainnd defense light interceptor jets. Learning from downed enemy pnes allowed us to create a new engine and improved airframe structure to withstand seven Gs, lower than our adversaries but air endurance wasn’t a priority. Such fw made a little problem with the newest variant capable of taking shorter take-off and easier maintenance coupled with our scattered airbases and airfields just enough to weather the bombardment either due to concealment or ease of repair.

  ‘In other words, our aircrafts were made to only shoot missiles and acts as morale booster.’ Kennedy hid a bitter grin that was about to form on his lips.

  “Are we foreseeing a future where it had become too obsolete for defensive purposes?”

  “The aircraft should theoretically st for another 2 decades. Regalia's colboration with UFSNE has matured the T-28 airframe into T-38I which was further developed to be our newest, cheap, capable, and cost-effective defensive interceptor at the cost of poor air endurance and range.”

  “Considering how technology has progressed rapidly since the start of the 20th Global War, I swear that I had not seen something so blindingly quick in my long life. We progressed from semi-autonomous missile and high-altitude bombing to cheap fire-and-forget missiles with high and low-altitude aerial penetration being the focus.”

  A lot of people present nodded at his assertion. Quite a few of them were veterans of the st 2 wars, this being their 3rd, and never had they seen something like this. The Old Supreme Admiral could still remember the day when the first fighter jet fascinates him, how that invention was worthy to be called a wonder weapon of its own right… now that very weapon drops like flies.

  “Was there any pn being discussed for a repcement?”

  “In concert with the Ministry of Regalian Aerospace Research and Development plus priceless insights gained from our formidable foes, our effort bore fruit upon the creation of XF/IA-20 and XF/IA-17. The former was sted to be our newest jet interceptor or ground attacker while the tter would be a carrier-based fighter. Unfortunately, strains on our resources, constant sabotage on infrastructure, and contested territority have been dampening either prototype considerably.”

  “… How did the Liger have been faring against our formidable foes?”

  “We had been tracking a 1.07 confirmed kill per airframe, respectably higher than anticipated for such an aircraft, but sadly we could only hold the line for so long. Especially after the Chrysanthemums joined NIIO’s offensive proper, no doubt due to backroom dealings we aren’t aware of. Fortunately, our sympathetic UFSNE supporters had been vital in providing their air volunteers and F/AS 4EX Phantom to help even the odds. We were hoping for them to dispatch their newer F/AS-15 Eagles jets but no such luck, especially due to their divided congress.” The Supreme Sky Marshal cleared his throat before continuing.

  “I need to point out an irrefutable fact, ever since NIIO fielded their newest aircraft such as SF-27T, Camhan Tornados, and Crusaders’ Phantasm, the kill ratio had dropped to a worrying 0.65-0.78 per airframe.” Hector stopped briefly to drink.

  “Reflecting upon the worst air battle in our history, ending in a pyrrhic victory, is necessary. 12 of their presumably cutting-edge aircraft almost annihited the 110th Tactical Air Defense wing of 48 Ligers above the Central Front’s skies. We were that close to completely losing a grip on our aerial coverage if not for our air defense system and this… illogical phenomenon.” He flips to the next page.

  “It is a different story regarding GSAF, their sophisticated F/IS-13C, or the Barghest variant, had been performing superbly. With a staggering 15.0 kill ratio with only 12 shot down, they did leverage their superior speed and nigh-inhuman pilots, without taking into account of our exposure to Southern Icefield for so long. Unfortunately, the Barghest is neither a feasible nor logical choice to protect our airspace, which would be more than just 5 million km2 of nd. Each would cost around 10 Super Wasp or 50 Ligers. Barghest present a logistical issue such as an extensive runway to operate from; a luxury we do scarcely possess in abundance due to NIIO’s strategic bombing.”

  “GSAF’s performance was a given but our performance was inadequate judging at how the odds were seemingly insurmountable, but that is now in the past and worth reflecting upon ter… how many do we lose?” His question briefly silenced the Supreme Sky Marshal, and Hector answered with immediate unease.

  “We had documented what we lost during the 10-year-long war. Our material losses amounted to 1.327 Fighters, 22.291 Interceptors, 1.207 Sea Attackers, 1.134 Ground Attackers, 926 Utility aircraft, 41 Observation aircraft, 203 Reconnaissance aircraft, and 510 bombers of all types destroyed.

  In total, 27,639 aircraft were lost; averaging 7.5 aircraft destroyed per day above all fronts. GSAF’s losses would be 12 interceptors plus 4 of their reconnaissance crafts for a total of 16. The loss of life is a staggering 824.902 servicemen and women, pilot and non-pilot, lost with at least another 500.000, and counting, left with injury of varying degrees.

  RAAF’s paratroopers division is down from 20 to a mere 3. Then our strategic reserve and airborne quick reaction division comparable with 40 standard infantry division to be barely above 7.” A grim piece of information is being id out pinly and the 20th War’s magnitude was made painfully obvious.

  “RAAF’s remaining assets are 413 Fighters, 2.009 Interceptors, 403 Sea Attackers, 550 Ground Attackers, 180 Utility aircraft, 35 Observation aircraft, 32 Reconnaissance aircraft, and 900 bombers of all types being stationed on 7 airports and 40 airbases for a total of 4.522. Although in reality, only one-third of that number is fit for deployment. GSAF assets are 4 squadrons of 12 interceptors each, 1 squadron of auxiliary aircraft comprised of 3 reconnaissance and 1 Flying Utility Fortress.” He takes another breather before finishing his report.

  “Despite such dire limitations, our bombers and their remaining escorts have been readied to unch a st-ditch scorched earth bombardment when the Elesian front was breached. We shall form a belt of ignited cobalt to deter further incursion and hopefully drag them into a negotiation table… else nuclear war shall be unavoidable. Thankfully, that never came to pass and per protocol, we would detach GSAF back to Grand Autarch’s command.”

  “Thank you for your report, Supreme Sky Marshal.” Hector nodded politely before sitting back on his chair. Kennedy moved his eyes to the Central Field Marshal.

  He doesn’t ask for the Supreme Field Marshal since he had been assassinated and the documents were allegedly lost during the ensuing chaos. Assassination and internal sabotage had grown rampant by the 8th year of conflict.

  Taking their valor into account, Regalia did magnificently enough and yet no amount of training could flip being outnumbered 20-to-1 when peer adversary is concerned. Tragedy just happened to strike 10 days before the current crisis, and their Grand Autarch has yet to appoint a new Supreme Field Marshal ever since.

  The Central Field Marshal, Caligo, stood up with her report in hand. A slight tremble could be seen, and her rival noticed it.

  “My Central Army was… decimated. Nova Elesia which had been encircled for 7 long years was finally secured, its 5 million popution had dropped to 1 to 2 million, and only a single battered non-standard division along with citizen militias armed with surplus or looted equipment were left when we liberated them. It is a fact that for every single one of ours that perished, we exacted 5 to dozens of folds that amount on the enemy. Despite such a staggering ratio… our casualties…” She stopped briefly and rechecked her paper.

  “… 6 million soldiers, 35.293 combat vehicles, at least 50 thousand of supporting nd transport; battlefield tally is still ongoing, and 240.293 howitzers, mortars, and auxiliary weapons were reported to be our losses in the central army. Our central flying corps had also reported a loss of no less than 2.000 Helicopters…” She feels her throat gone dry seeing the number.

  “In total… 12 million civilians had become a victim of my negligence…”

  ‘Rossa definitely did something to retain her for so long…’ Mused the most powerful man in the continent. The mention of 12 million civilian casualties silenced the assembly. A good chunk already stared accusingly at her. Caligo does not minded the scorn piling on her direction, and instead resolutely spoke her words to be heard clearly.

  “Hence why I will resign after the Central sweeping operation is concluded and then present myself for judgment from our great leader.” Her statement shocked everyone present, instead of trying to sugarcoat her failure; she admitted it. Such a thing blindsided her rival and the Commander Regent who coughed out his lungs; the tobacco just made it more painful.

  The Grand Autarch’s history regarding punishment is a taboo topic for small talks; much less an admittance of incompetence and self-incrimination. Her report was grim but it couldn’t be understated about the Central Field Marshal’s blunder in causing catastrophic civilian casualties.

  She sat back down and managed to keep her stoic face despite breaking down from the inside, she did her best but with the war behind her… the weight of her actions was too hard to ignore. Her rival looked on at the downtrodden Marshal still with contempt pstered on her face before clearing her throat.

  Western Field Marshal Rhycelia, then reported how the Western army lost 2 million soldiers, with tens of thousand military assets also being thrown into the meat grinder. Her front sees about 1.5 million civilians being added to the casualties ledger, but she phrased them as patriots instead of civilians seeking refuge. When she is about to end her report, she boldly reasserts her opinion.

  “Most of our casualties were caused due to our restrictive policies. We only struck back in kind when they escated their heinous and vicious tactics under the name of effective and efficient strategies, perfectly underlining their nonexistent oath to uphold rules they had ratified. Thus I will stand by my belief that when our homend is under direct threat, restrictions must be off the table, else those millions of deaths will not be the st of our tragedy.” Casting the st side gre and contemptuous look on her rival, she ends her report and stared the Commander Regent in the eyes. Her firm statement caused the more moderate faction to frown, but they decided to shelve their critiques for ter.

  The Eastern Army’s situation was reported not by its Field Marshal who died in the line of duty. To summarize, they suffered a retively lower casualty of 1.020.000 with only a fourth of actual fatality. The te Eastern Field Marshal had ordered his men to get the civilians evacuated deeper innd by any means necessary while leading from the front. The Eastern Front suffered the least with only a collective death of 700.000 due to prudence and its naturally hilly terrain, steep cliffs, rocky beachhead, and being a generally unpleasant region second only to the anomalous south.

  Interestingly, the rgest air battle happened in this region due to being the primary staging point for non-nuclear ballistic missiles to support the central army. There were ndings and even clearly suicidal airborne operations, most had left Regalian High Command baffled after deeper analysis and archiving, in the region without any meaningful result aside from giving Regalia war materials.

  Next up would be the Minister of Autarchy Health, Safety, and Service. The older woman’s make-up failed to conceal the sheer exhaustion she had accrued, and by extension her ministry, due to the war. Her voice is raspy and shaky but clear.

  “We had prevented 8 outbreaks of lethal disease in the st few weeks. Samples of NIIO’s biological weapons has been gathered and secured. Most prominent would be an offshoot of Tubercolosis, Hepatitis, and most recently a strain of Maria engineered to withstand cold temperature. Most armingly would be a mix of bubonic pgue and ebo that was aimed to wipe out our hidden military base in SIEZ, which thankfully failed to withstand its influence.” Anger filled the assembly, it is an understandable reaction since NIIO’s members had signed treaties to ban such a weapon. This revetion worsen the already abysmal perception on them due to the war.

  Then after that would be the Director of the Ministry of Autarchy Domestic Affair. His face is stoic, but traces of exhaustion were also etched onto his face.

  “I shall now inform this dear assembly in regards to the progress of reversing the effect of chemical bombing on our soil. With deep regret, we have discovered while the chemical itself had lost its lethal properties, affected soils themselves have been rendered barren, and we would need at least 5 years to revitalize them.” The assembly is almost quiet, perfectly encapsuting the potential problems it would cause.

  “How much arable nds were affected?”

  “Approximately 25% at best and 60% at worst from what the Ministry of Autarchy Agriculture had gathered.” Casting a gnce to the aforementioned ministry on the matter of agriculture, their colleague calmly informed the assembly.

  “For 7 years, our food production policy has been prioritized to select rapidly regrown and harvestable crops, but depending on the damage to our food production, we might be forced to be more realistic in our approach. Rationing has been holding well, but the risk of starvation could break out without firm concessions and solutions being formed.” The minister calmly pced the documents on the table and speak honestly.

  “Was the official stance. However my oath sword that I must be honest… the only reason we survived was due to the seeds Her Grace had found centuries ago after returning home from the south with just a company of soldiers left. This carbohydrate rich but severely stung on the tongue offshoots of mushroom is truly a blessing… hah… and we are running out of that blessing.”

  Such dialogues are ongoing with grim reports piling up over and over again. Ministry of Autarchy Agriculture had compounded their findings that a food crisis is on the horizon, worst estimate shows that would be a reality in 24 months if no measures were taken. The the next Minister is no less disturbed. If anything, he looks the worst from all of them.

  “I am here to report the extent of damage from Strategic Bombing… more than half of our industries were fttened into the dirt and then atomized unto nothing.”

  The assembled members, be it military or civilian, shared the same grim and paralyzed expression. Ministry of Regalian Autarchy Urban Pnning and Development reported the damage to Autarchy’s industry to be reaching 60% of the total surface industry and 47% for the underground ones. The data gathering is still ongoing but had the war still ongoing when they lost air superiority, being sent back to pre-industrial age is assured without a shade of doubt. A silver lining was reported that NIIO’s bombing on residential area, at worst, was below 30%.

  Regalian Autarchy Intelligence Organization’s director stood up to inform his part in the meeting.

  “Our ELINT and HUMINT assets had been mobilized to track down potential hold-outs while ascertaining the validity of our situation. The test reports indicate that not a single NIIO’s soldiers or even contractors, alive or otherwise, were discovered on our soil. Even more worrisome, our volunteers themselves had simultaneously vanished, leaving their equipment and weapon systems behind. We still feared possibilities that they may have gone rogue, yet results were inconclusive.”

  “That’s already plenty Prime Director Joshua, was there anything else you wish to add?”

  “There is, RAIO have discovered what appears to be an unknown ndmass.” Murmurs of astonishment and interest between the attendees are lit up once more. The Prime Director eborated further.

  “Our spy pne discovered this ndmass about 320 kilometers (200 miles) to our east and this information was just delivered to my office 6 hours ago. Further reports are currently being collected and analyzed, the assembly could expect a full report by next week.”

  “A valuable finding, but why did the bureau discovered it just recently despite being retively close-by?”

  “We had deliberated to prioritize our western and central region. We know how the war had been truly unkind; no, a travesty on humanity to us there.”

  “… Logical choice and is there anything else you wish to add?”

  “None at the moment.”

  Deliberations, reports, and exchange of dialogues plus ideas had been done. Topics were discussed, problems and solutions were presented, and stly, issues or opinions were given form.

  Unfortunately, the core problem has yet to be solved; what’s next?

  Thus they all came back full circle on what to do, to strike out, or to be patient and wait for more accurate reports on their situation. Findings of even rger sea creatures that does not exhibit excessive ck of self-preservation, the disappearance of Southern Icefield, and even the warmer temperature made them think that maybe, just maybe, they truly are no longer in Orneas.

  Another shouting match occurred between the Reconstruction Faction against the Expansion Faction, the tter was emboldened by the discovery of a ndmass retively close to Regalia. Both diplomatic and militaristic means had been conveyed to tilt the bance in their favor bit by bit; no matter how slight. The Commander Regent sees the merits of each side, so he carefully sees past the present pros and cons.

  Their storm of debates pettered away when jet engines followed by distinct rotor sounds could be heard not far from the Assembly building. Kennedy jerked awake from both weighing their options and because of these headache-inducing debates.

  Barring exceptional circumstances, no one is allowed to nd within the Assembly’s premises, except for one. The rotor sound died down barely half a minute ter, mutely announcing that she was making haste to the assembly.

  Civilians and soldiers, the bureaucrats and military officers, the old guard and new blood, the close confidants and cogs within the collective all stands up, ramrod straight, from their seats and faced the ornate doors. They know who is coming from the other side. The one who unified the continent of Regalia, the Fg Bearer against the dimensional menace, the living proof of Elder Blood’s unparalled wisdom, and most importantly the one who ascended as their Grand Autarch.

  They don’t have to wait more than another 30 seconds before a series of crisp boots can be heard approaching down the hallway. Steps that are measured and coordinated without even a millimeter of dissonance; a parade in on itself, heralding the arrival of one they swore allegiance to.

  Thus the doors were swung open. Soldiers cd in bck carapace body armor and carrying sophisticated weapon made their way inside. There is no one in this continent, and even from the old world, who don’t know their name. They are the Grand Autarch’s arms and legs, her peacekeeper and peacemaker, the war hounds of her whims and enforcers of her will. They are her Grasdivis. The assembly's eyes are now focused upon a singur point, a figure standing tall in between her bodyguards.

  There she stood with her golden and mesmerizing, yet unnervingly unnatural, gaze.

  Grand Autarch Cylene Renoir the Tyrant, and the Uncrowned Monarch, of Regalian Autarchy.

  Author’s Note:

  Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is still lost.

  This chapter shows the chaos that is unfolding because the game turned into real life, we shall watch how she handles this in the future. And yes, that’s Cylene’s avatat after I kitbashed stuff from random generator. Her clothing is rather modest, I know, but isn’t that signature wear of dictators anyway? Humble looking…

  Regalian was exposed to the Southern Icefield Exclusion Zone for so long that they kinda mutated… yep… game breaking? Surely, Cylene would agree after the many headache inducing event popping up daily right?

  Oh yeah, these are the sources of the equipment:

  M223 = M113 but with a bulkier build and currently on reserve duty while also being repced by MIT-10 Percival (Original Creation) for frontline duty or turned into MIFV-25 (search AIFV-25).

  Martin RC = Willys MB and currently on reserve duty while being repced by newer MIT-15 Antelope (Original Creation).

  M11A5 Rogue = Based on FN FAL, G3, and some ARs. It is a simplified version of a much more complex A3 variant because the war is going not necessarily to their advantage, and would have had been simplified further as the A6 version soon enough. Cylene set Regalia infantry issued rifle into a battle rifle. It was done because SIEZ’s creatures often times being so bullet spongy she was beyond infuriated. Regalian also happens to mutate a little bit more in raw strength department.

  CR6A2 = The Stoner 63 Assault Rifle-lookalike that was licensed from UFSNE. Pying nice with Hyperpower goes a long way.

  UH/M-17F = Inspired by U/H-17 Ats from the Resistance series and V-22 Osprey, then its commissioned name under the Regalian Autarchy as Grandea. Has been in service since the 18th Global War. Its existence caused controversy in the forum, so its parts got nerfed quite badly but could still fly as a compromise. The test update finally allows it to exert its full potential. While still being inferior to V-22 Osprey in terms of specifications, it is much cheaper to field with reasonable load capacity.

  U/H-3A = Bell – 47G modified to carry 2x M2 Browning at the cost of complete inability to carry passengers but also no longer exposed to currents or weather. Think of it as a weird, scrawny, UH-6 from real life. It has a mediocre reputation amongst Regalian and NIIO alike, calling it a ‘sad and angry mosquito’.

  The Gahad series (wannabe CAESAR SPA that kinda succeeds) = An original series of armored vehicles to tow and operate, mostly, rge weaponry and armament. For example, the M34 Gahad SDDS (Sky Denial and Defense System) was modeled after the RIM-161 but tuned as AA. The effective range is 500 kilometers (310 miles) and a maximum altitude of 90 kilometers (56 miles). The M32 Gahad HSSP or “Eyes up” (Heavy Saturation Strike Ptform) is also armed with 210 – 450mm rockets. The most common would be the M30 Gahad – 105mm SPA (Self-propelled artillery) to provide support up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) away. Due to its noticeable and distinct build, this series is an airstrike magnet. :)

  Spy Pnes: U-2 (limited) and A-12 (UFSNE license)

  AWACS: a mix of converted of, XC-99, YB-60, and VC10. This variety was because Regalia trying to py nice with the Hyperpowers, which worked for a while. E-3 Sentry along with Dougs A-3 Skyraiders were the primary workhorse, the tter ever since the Navy got dunked hard. They were relegated to ECM duties after the front stabilized and A-3 under the commission name of R/ECA-3N.

  SF-20C: Sukhoi Su – 22.

  Camhan Lightning: English Electric Lightning.

  Za 35: Saab 35 Draken.

  SF-27T = Sukhoi Su-27D.

  Camhan Tornado Mk.1 and Mk.2 = Panavia Tornado IDS and ADS.

  Phantasm = Mirage 2000.

  The mentioned presumably cutting-edge fighter jet of a NIIO member = Su-35, MiG-29M, and MiG-31 working in concert.

  F/I 5 = Northrop F-5E Tiger II formed the backbone of the Regalian Airforce and was designated as a light, short-range, defensive interceptor instead of a light fighter like its real world counterpart. IIIB version prioritized interception sorties, STOL capability, a simpler airframe to make it cheaper, no cannon whatsoever, and armed with 4 medium-range and 2 short-range anti-air missiles. The test version is incapable of doing anything else but shoot missiles and then retreat or die (it has no afterburners), that’s how bad they’re losing the air war. The highest recorded manufacturing speed is around 400 new ones each month. That was for the earliest and most unreliable model while the test model’s repcement speed couldn’t keep up unless other factories, already busy with other war materials and being bombed to bits, got retooled.

  F/IA-11V = Grumman F-11F Tiger.

  F/IA-12V = Grumman F-11F-1F Super Tiger or G-98J. Which was complimented to be better than its contemporaries' aircraft yet lost in the bidding segment because of MIC (Military Industrial Complex) competition and complexities. Regalia had created a two-seater version with it being called F/IA-12NV. There is a fair bit of aces amongst the now somewhat dysfunctional naval flying corps and the remaining were mostly relegated to ECM duty, complementing Regalian R/ECA-3N, or snap interception.

  F/AS 4EX Phantom = McDonnell Dougs F-4 Phantom II. The “EX” part means that it is the export version.

  F/AS-15D = F-15E Strike Eagle. Currently considered as the most advanced, mass-produced, aircraft in the game because UFSNE beelining the tech tree after the test update. They also have the STOL MTD version in limited numbers and rumored to be armed.

  XF/IA-20 = F-20 Tigershark.

  XF/IA-17 = YF-17. This was the aircraft used as the base foundation for the F/A-18 Hornet.

  F/IS-13 = Based on XF-108 Rapier and she got them from an event. Pretty much irrepceable, since it is very expensive. She used to only show them once in a blue moon but she has no other choice seeing how half the server wanted a piece of her territory. She chose them instead of superweapon which was a pair of ndbattleship. It wasn’t very hard either, 2 lumbering and humongous fuel-guzzler CAS magnets or 5 squadrons of fuel-guzzler Mach 3 interceptors? The answer was never in doubt.

  Hmm? How tall is she? 180cm (around 6’0 ft)

  Update? I don’t know when.

  Ciao.