Southern Crescent Moon Convention, 1,028 (1)

  “Mrs. president,” Esmeralda opened her mouth at this very moment. Both presidents turned their eyes to her, more than receptive compared to Fox, whom they still held respect for regardless. Esmeralda said, bluntly, “Lymoca isn't only hoping you can aid us. We want to fight with you. Maybe not militarily, but we've spoken about that.”

  “You still haven’t spoken to us what Merula wants. They need more equipment for self-defense and to ascertain your interests, I’m sure of it. But it isn’t the same to what your nation longs for.” Esmeralda gestured, walking a few steps to stand beside Fox.

  “There must be something Merula wants. I can only guess, too, but I believe that is recognition. Merula is already a well-respected nation. If it wasn’t for ‘the giant in the north’, the ‘fallen Ziaca’ in the center would’ve been squished.” Esmeralda sounded a little compassionate.

  “If you let me elaborate, I’d say Merula wishes to be seen, become, and stand beside the major powers of the globe. For hundreds of years, it has always been an open question to wonder if the space era would arrive at last or not.”

  “Lately, some of the countries, major powers or not, had shown signs of walking into that path. Before Preut’s civil war, there was only a slow process towards that end. It was a bit too slow, especially considering the eternal peace still breathing then, was it not?” Esmeralda’s eyebrows delicately arched in a small frown.

  “Lymoca hasn’t been afflicted by it. Haven’t we shown what technology we have? And you haven’t seen all of it. Even now, there should be projects too few know about in Lymoca.” Esmeralda said. President Valenie looked at Fox, but Esmeralda inclined her head in between and added, “Not even Fox, Mrs. president.”

  “…” Both presidents fell silent and returned their full attention to her. Esmeralda carried on, “You can already imagine what Lymoca will have if we don’t now. We have the first Pugor engines.”

  “Nuclear empowered engines are proven to be sufficient— since centuries ago.” The Merulean president commented. Esmeralda didn’t react, simply answering with, “An unmanned, entire space station can be built and brought to space with no problem, yes. Even if it was to be built for people, it wouldn’t be different, as it was before, once. But Pugor engines provides an entire system. This, you will understand when we send you our vehicles.”

  “Pugor isn’t a better and less wastage compared to nuclear, nor is it just ‘the future’. Pugor can’t be used like Mintip, but the stress any computer, engine, motor, circuit, and even conduct and support could have is ghostly with it. Anything that can be built with and in it can be strengthened.” Esmeralda now sounded visionary, like her father. Fox looked from the side. He hadn’t yet gotten into Pugor or even Mintip intricacies.

  “Imagine a spaceship, with a rocket design still, as it has been predicted, or an advanced infrastructure meant to remain in space until its final days. All the gravity issues one would face, the issue with air, and the dilemma of weaker bodies being born with affliction to gravity conditions— all of these would be dealt with just by integrating Pugor.”

  “It will save countless resources and bright minds from failure. By the time we don’t need to use Pugor as much as it will be needed anymore, we might have built things nobody in even our future generation can imagine. This is only for space engineering.”

  “For the immediate term, Lymoca has already begun seeing for the livelihood on Resilient. Not much has been focused on, since self-defense has been of utmost importance and magnitude as of late. But as soon as ‘those’ projects are confirmed… We will see what ‘futuristic’ can compare to our new reality.”

  Esmeralda wasn’t finished, but she paused and looked at the presidents’ eyes, pleased with the effect her words had on them. “The current situation with south Moonblue is only an unexpected occurrence, ever since the 26th. They aren’t a bonus or an extra because it will bring these novelties to many more parts of the world than we ever expected at once.”

  “To places we can put our imagination to the peak, even monstrosities of spaceships capable of entering and leaving atmospheres would be common. First with Pugor, then without any. This is one of the roads of humanity for the following thousands of years. If you don’t believe in it yet, Mrs. president, you will with Lymoca.”

  Esmeralda lowered her chin a bit but kept staring ahead. Her profound black eyes were a lot more serious now, “When the Radical Wars are over, KAA and Zyckevele would be stronger than ever.”

  President Valenie opened her mouth, but Esmeralda quickly continued, knowing what she would say. “It is more than certain. Unless all K Tribe nations attack KAA for no reason, as they both detest ANS and Kunkek, which Zyckevele would intervene by then, and ANS as well if they don’t want to lose their chance. Then, KAA won’t lose. Zyckevele might take as long as it is needed, but they won’t be bested by either coalition.”

  “ANS’s machinations won’t even force them to use ? more than the third they are using of their forces now.” Esmeralda confidently said and kept her shoulders up. The presidents before her parted their lips a few times to something, but they said nothing.

  “I need an answer soon, Zyckevele won’t wait, so this is a unique chance.” Fox interjected, slightly sinking his eyebrows and gesturing with another waving motion of his wrist.

  “How long would you have to stay here, then? It’s not like you haven’t already intruded into my country with all those vehicles and dangerous people. You are lucky the Marcos president hasn’t contacted me himself.” President Valenie crossed her arms and looked up at Fox.

  She was more decisive now, and her eyes felt sharper to be stared at. Fox looked down at her before replying with slow words, “A couple of days later, we’ll move out.”

  “Then I might decide in a couple of days.” The president said so before turning, walking back into her special agents and leaving them and Iztos’s president behind. The latter looked at Fox and Esmeralda and cocked his head before following Valenie’s group.

  Fox glanced at Esme before motioning with his right hand. She smirked a bit and intertwined fingers with him before returning to Nala. They then went back into the public, open space, and… back to shopping, to Esmeralda’s tender heart’s joy. She looked for baby boy clothing the most.

  That was quite telling. On the other hand, Nala only looked at those from girls. While she was only looking, only feeling the fabric of a couple out of dozens she saw per store, she was clearly engrossed. At some point, Fox couldn’t tell if she was humoring him or watching them for herself for another motive he didn’t know yet.

  … While Fox and his convoy waited in Iztos, trapped in the beautiful, historically rich monument of a nation and capital city. The world erupted with confirmation from the invited parties to the Southern Crescent Moon Convention.

  Many countries were invited. Everyone except Gexi, Kunkek, Wonders, Orxa, Pexa, Fresna, and Orcesta. These 7 countries, which boldly initiated the eastern Radical Wars, were left outside the most important meeting in decades, perhaps the century.

  South Moonblue supercontinent was experiencing a change after hundreds of years of the same modus operandi. Its most significant change in history, and that wasn’t an exaggeration. Nothing like this was ever seen, at least peacefully, and in the west of all places.

  Moonblue used to be the supercontinent with the largest number of tribes, small tongues, cultures, and peoples. Each of them either varied or were similar to each other. It was even possible to find quite similar tribes in the south and north, too far away from each other to ever be contacted or migrated from one place to another.

  It was a bit of a magical place, where every bit of breathing life came with the people themselves along nature.

  During the AO itself, these became increasingly unified, with the north becoming the most strict and isolating, yet also sharing a common culture and each vying for a stronger position. Almost like the initiation of a grand nation, empire, or any political entity.

  In the center, the tribes there weren’t as active, but they developed fast, their birth rate numbering across a rumored quantity of tens of thousands per year once a leading tribe took control over many others. Moreover, these were the most warring tribes in the supercontinents.

  The north might be at the desire for power and unification as they became larger and more experienced, but the center was the land of warriors, diversity, quick learning, creation, and countless curiosities.

  The south, on the other hand, mostly migrated from the center and north, is incredibly rich in natural resources. At first, the most paradisaical place to live, with the largest forest-jungle in the world since yore, and the beginning of civilization built everywhere.

  As time went on, the south discovered more and more natural resources, from metals to unique materials, like Mintip in recent history.

  Now, even if not the majority or even half of the supercontinent’s territory, the western nations over there were changing as a whole. All coming into Lymoca, under Lymoca, with matters still to be clarified and secured for the populace and the governments.

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  Everyone was watching, even with the fearsome eastern Radical Wars spreading fear in the easterners, and worrying the west. This convention was a great distraction but only for the west, it was at least distracting to the east, who would be busier with their side of the world.

  Yet, despite all of these things happening, ANS took their time to answer the invitation until the last day. Everyone else accepted immediately, with those taking a day after the invitations were sent making it official due to their busy schedule.

  Even then, ANS was the last nation to confirm they were going. Furthermore, from the war-free parties, they were the only ones not sending their president or at least their vice president. Only sending their so-called spokesperson and another senator.

  … Those things didn’t matter to Fox, be it because he wasn’t in Lymoca, or because he simply wouldn’t. On the second day after meeting, Fox once again met with president Valenie, alone this time. They met at the very early morning, even before 4 AM, at a small plaza.

  “Mrs. president,” Fox greeted with a relaxed expression. Valenie nodded, “Did that girl glue her methods into you? Well met, Fox.”

  “I have decided,” she wasted no time. Fox figured the convention might have something to do with it. She was confirmed to attend with Iztos and Xeoxia’s presidents, after all. “You have that support you were asking for. Adem asked me to tell you he’ll be sending the best he has. Mine will go, too. However, not one agent of ours. They will protect the data safety of our peoples.”

  “I never intended to take them away, PSD and PR’s elite are enough.” Fox was satisfied. Valenie nodded a little, “I think I am aware now. We are dragging our life and nation. It all better be the worth Lymoca claims it to be.”

  “Rest assured.” Fox blinked understandingly and cocked his head in a gesture. The president nodded and looked to the side before wordlessly turning around. Fox didn’t waste another second there, blurring into the shadows from the lights to reunite with his convoy.

  Not even 10 minutes later, a large convoy made it out of Iztos capital city, slowly but steadily moving through western Merula with Marcoplix’s funding. They didn’t waste too many credits, only a bit more than necessary for all the people in the convoy to move and supply themselves.

  This was even better than what those companies thought Fox’s convoy would’ve used, so it gained him favorable points from them. Like this, days went by, and a week after Fox arrived at Iztos, he was finally at the rear of Marcoplix’s southeast.

  … In just a couple of days, the convention would start. The presidents had already planned their trip to SHC, with their nation becoming prepared. It wouldn’t be just a single day which they’d be missing. While the population was curious to what this or that would result in, only having information from press conferences, there was only more worry in the eastern Radical Wars.

  It was a setback that the east was new to, many folds more than the western Radical Wars were to them. Back then, almost all of south Moonblue became unavailable for what little trading occurred in between. But the unaffected eastern countries were starting to get the hang of it.

  If Lymoca could… at least they didn’t take the same route Cerka and Torka, which was enough when taking after Lymoca. Furthermore, since Lymoca stood stable through those wars, and the President would bring 7 cabinet members with them, they could ask for some guidance.

  These days, after Xeoxia’s terrible incident, where the people and companies were still protesting, the situation grew increasingly peaceful to the current day.

  On the north, Zyckevele gained even more territory, but they were helplessly stopped twice during this week, currently in the second tough enemy frontline. They had taken over 30% of Orcesta, with their navy already moving to choke Orcesta and Fresna.

  They didn’t have as many considerable numbers in their navy as they did in their army, their land forces always more triumphant and considerable throughout world history. In the south, they had once again started fighting, meeting the bridge nations’ forces head-on.

  Meanwhile, Zyckevele’s navies were busy with blockading and patrolling the surroundings waters to affect the anti-Zyck coalitions and in case of a stronger, scarier enemy.

  KAA wasn’t in the same situation. For starters, their navy was fiercely focused on defending their only entry to the sea. Wondurs had the most navy, with Gexi a small force, and Kunkek none. At least the Kunkek nation had top-notch land vehicles, but neither navy nor air forces.

  The Ziaca people had lost a chunk that started from Kunkek’s northernmost region to Korkan in a diagonal line. Their distant, sisterly nation didn’t move to aid any side. The entire anti-KAA coalition remained the same, but their morale was rising.

  They had taken hundreds of kilometers from the Ziacas, even if not too many. The overall territory they’ve made this ‘felled’ giant from hundreds of years ago lose made them feel euphoric. It was so simple, happening like it was fitting!

  Meanwhile, in south Moonblue, Lymoca was busy. While Luis and another 7 cabinets would leave, the newly integrated nations also brought their people with them, forming part of the ‘lower cabinets’, no longer as governments.

  The SHC’s convention might be the official requirements in the eyes of the world, but Lymoca began treating these regions, expanded borders of their nation, like theirs already. Terka was the only good example, and only talks were exchanged with Mount Veneta and Collan.

  However, matters were already being decided, with these regions’ governments swiftly transitioning into the lower cabinets, and the presidents to senior ministers. There wasn’t a need to replace all the cabinet members, but there were changes still.

  Luis prepared to go, with the newly integrated territories already ‘studying’ under Luis’s cabinet and getting to know Terka’s relationship with Lymoca. As expected, it was subservient, no doubt. But it was much better than they feared, incomparable.

  On the other hand, Lesly would stay, with Roam also staying behind. After all, every bit of this world had to be done well, and someone had to see first-hand every people Lymoca was integrating. Luis could do it later, but timing is essential.

  It was too important a job, with only Lesly being qualified to see other peoples and talk to them. Her fame preceded her, backing her to be accepted. Lymoca would be very busy in the coming days. It couldn’t be allowed to commit faults or ruin it.

  … Thus, with only 2 days left before the convention began, and hours before Fox’s convoy made it to Marcoplix’s southeastern border, Marcoplix sent an overwhelming message. It was also offensive, to add.

  In the morning of the 4th month’s 3rd week and 6th day, the Marcos president emitted a live transmission, barely attracting attention. It was like a clown appearing in a boring, elegant theater. The president gained some eyefuls and a raised eyebrow from each.

  But the contents quickly spread through every existent media, “Anastasiv Morozov! For centuries, you’ve been bullying Orcesta, Fresna, and more so, the smallish nations of Orxa and Pexa! We Dawn never bothered to tell you how to conduct yourselves, but lately, you’ve made it difficult for Zyckevele yourself!”

  “You have not only not given those impoverished nations any support or offered them talks, you even dared to fight them into war! Acquiescing territory is one of the most known methods towards peace, but you failed that, too.”

  “Lastly, but not least…” The Marcos president showed he was in a ship as the camera zoomed out. It seemed to move, although it was in open daylight, where the sun fell on the sea the most striking and beautiful. “You’ve violated HLS again when you destroyed Xeoxia’s train, countless lives, and their dignity!”

  “In the name of Dawn, I, the decisive president from Dawn, directly from Marcoplix, declare war on your traitorous, treacherous, and malign nation! Your people will know the name of justice and payback!!” As the Marcos president shouted, the camera further zoomed out, and a large fleet was revealed to the camera.

  It was still black skies in the east, but these images were a bit too engrossing, bringing an immersion that made anyone watching it forget about these facts. Regardless, Marcoplix had joined the Radical Wars, and as they’ve put it, heroically so.

  Left baffled and slightly incredulous, the east watched as, an hour later, sightings of hundreds of vessels, all belonging to Marcoplix’s navy, moved unto Zyckevele!

  Being far too close to Orxa, it wasn’t everything Marcoplix did. Their numerical land forces, well over 500,000 soldiers, marched to the south of Orxa. Their intention was no secret, and it was nothing but to aid the Veils in that region fight back against Zyckevele like never before.

  This happened just as Zyckevele began entering Orxa and Pexa’s territory, having launched just 1 hypersonic missile to each of the enemy’s temporary HQ in their territory. Every built defense they established so far proved useless, with Zyck tanks obliterating the rest with each shot.

  Moreover, it wasn’t a simple mobilization that had just started. Marcoplix hid their movements well, only letting PR and PSD elites know just a few minutes before enormous columns moved out to Orxa. As for Pexa, that one was pretty much alone.

  Marcoplix had direct connection and borders with Orxa, while Pexa was in Merula’s territory. Moreover, they shared a most crucial entryway to Orxa and a wide, shared golf that has always been a large source of income to multiple nations directly, and more so indirectly

  Their northernmost border with Vevuesta, where both profited from incoming commercial ships, and their closeness to Orxa opened marvelous opportunities for Marcoplix in the northeastern Radical Wars. They only needed to wait until Zyckevele had suffered enough to reap their benefits.

  But Zyckevele wasn’t getting beaten without beating back. Those 12 hypersonic missiles in the north and the last 2 in the south nearby were the limit Marcoplix didn’t wish to lose a chance to. Supporting Orxa, their navy immediately moved to Zyckevele’s southwester lump of land.

  It was mere hundreds of kilometers from Marcoplix, and with the latter’s main naval base in their national mini golf within the international wide golf, they immediately assaulted Zyckevele’s blockade. The Zyck ships at the sea, situated where Marcoplix and Vevuesta shared borders inland, were forced to retreat, at least for those which weren’t destroyed.

  Within hours, Marcoplix’s amphibious troops disembarked after Zyckevele’s army retreated and the Marcos soldiers rushed inland, taking whichever settlement was near. In any war room from the northeastern Radical Wars’ participants, now including Marcoplix, they could see as droplets of liquid fell on Zyckevele’s territory and smoothly spread outwards.

  Zyckevele was bombarded before the Marcos amphibious invasion began. They couldn’t respond equally with strength, falling back time and again as the Marcos occupied territory. Before long, a couple of divisions set their sights on the first Zyck city they would conquer.

  By then, having passed through Marcoplix’s southeastern rear borders, Fox was led towards the capital through some rural routes by the 2 companies of the country he’d have to befriend. It was part of the deal, after all. The main roads were taken prohibited by the government since days ago.

  In other words, this meant Fox and thousands of elite special agents of the strongest hoog in the world and thousands more of elite special forces from 3 different countries had made it inside Marcoplix.

  In response to this successful invasion, Marcoplix actually became Dawn’s hero and Twilight’s savior. It hadn’t even been half a day, but they had already acted for Dawn from Xeoxia’s ‘tragedy’, and for the anti-Zyck coalitions’ sake after centuries of oppression.

  …