Sacrifice of Angels

[Great Anglia]

"He set forth upon his mighty ships

Numerous they were!

He came upon the Dolch and burned their homes

He came upon the Gelts and stole their treasures

A mighty king he was!

Angered were the peoples he attacked, and in their rage they struck out

They destroyed his castle, his home, and the King

Seylos! Our island aflame! Our people in tears! Why did the King?"

— Lamentation of the fall of Dyffryn, 480 BCE

 

"All rise and show your respect! The King of Anglia and Lysia stands before you!"

The shout came from the front of the reception hall in the Imperial Palace. All the officers stood immediately and bowed as King Creighton emerged from the massive decorated doors that stood opposite to them all. He came in alone, as befitting his status, no King of Anglia could be seen tended to by anyone when addressing his subjects.

A podium had already been set up before his arrival, in front of which he took his place, "All of you represent the core of Anglia. Our greatest military leaders, who have fought hard to build a new wurld to live in. One in which Europa ascends once again!"

Cheers came from the officers assembled below, quickly hushed by the king raising his hand.

"It has become clear that our situation has changed. The forces of the New Wurld test our defenses in the territory of Bashan. The Dolch are faltering in their conquests in Argis, and our OCA allies continue to bleed in Aurelia. It is time for Anglia to make the decisive blow to kill the New Wurld's ability to project any sort of power and secure Europa!"

Cheers again, though this time Grand Admiral Sheridan Cartwright did not make any move, instead dreading what was coming next.

"Anglia has long been separated from her people, flung far across the sea. It is time to remind them that Anglia is their true master, and that her power far exceeds any that they pretend to put forward. For too long, the peoples of @Gallambria and @Seylos have been a thorn in our destiny. The miscreants of TRIDENT! The fools of @Tagmatium Rules that discard the true superiority of Europa. The pathetic states of Argis and Aurelia who cling to the thought that they could rival our grandeur. The Adlantic is Anglia's. Anglia rules the waves. But statements mean nothing, only our force will prove such an action. It is with this I say to all of you, my most trusted of military officers leading our effort, that I have approved the invasion of @Galahinda. A Lysian remnant that hold little value to our empire, but for this war it could destroy the enemy. The control of this island, and her hedonistic peoples, could seal control of the Adlantic for Anglia."

Cartwright's heart skipped a beat as he heard what he knew was coming. He had been ordered to gather significant forces for weeks, but had never truly known the king's target besides preparing for coastal landings and island warfare. He knew this was the worst decision the King could make. With TRIDENT at its doorstep, his fleets could hold them at bay, or even fully defeat them if they stayed concentrated near Anglia. Perhaps no sweeping victory across the New Wurld, but safety and full security for the homeland. But to dispatch his fleets, which numbered almost half the ships defending Anglia, was insanity.

"With this offensive, I of course name my most trusted of all commanders. Grand Admiral Cartwright. Come, Admiral, stand beside me."

Cartwright gave a slight bow from his position and walked amongst his peers up to the King. He could feel their hatred for him, their frustration at not being named to this "historic" offensive. All he could think about as he walked next to the king was how could they not all understand? How could they all not see this could destroy them all?

As Cartwright took his place beside the King, he could feel all eyes on him, and the King turned to him and asked, "Will you grant me what I wish?"

Cartwright stood tall, though he felt doubt in his heart, there was no doubt in his voice, "I am a servant of Anglia, and for Anglia and I shall do what is necessary."

[Seylos]

"On the Saint Elme river, steamers rule the driplets

Their paddles, archaic, with the waters have met.

If you knew how they were ruling over the waves Look at them sailing now right into their graves.

O ! Florentia, beloved, what have you become ?

The vase firmly grips it, the glory that was yours

O ! Land of liberty, defeated by the time

As the crumbling vessels, gone, almighty power."

-Florentian poem "The Steamers", 1969 CE

 

Aidan had come from yet another meeting with diplomats at the Assembled Nation's headquarters in Iwenland. It had actually turned out to be a good idea to come to Iwenland, even if his entire government was intent on keeping him as far away from the front as possible. Regardless, the presence of the Seylosian King there had helped with continued diplomatic coordination over the war, and at the very least shown that Seylos wasn't going to shy away from its commitments in Argis. As for his advisors, they knew that Aidan was far more of a hands-on King than they wanted in certain aspects, and they were happy that they could at least have him doing that work in a safe place.

He and his entourage of assistants emerged from the building only to be almost immediately greeted by Major Parker and a parked car already running, "Your Majesty, we need to head back to the embassy immediately."

Aidan stopped looking at the concern on the Major's face, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing here," Parker replied, opening the car's door, "Come on."

Aidan said his brief goodbye's to his staff and hopped in, followed by the Major. As soon as the door closed, the car took off towards the Seylosian embassy, which had now become more of a complex as they had purchased an adjacent building to expand their operations in the city.

"What the hell is going on, Parker?", Aidan asked.

"Don't know exactly, something happened about an hour ago and everyone has been in a frenzy. Admiral Forrest, General Kendrick, and the captains of the Defiant and Thunderchild are already here."

Aidan sat back slowly in the car seat, "Jesus Christ. Can't start a new day without brand new bad news any more, can we?"

---

The car had arrived at the embassy, and both Aidan and Parker made their way in as fast as they could. Another group of security had come and began to quickly usher them to the building's recently refurbished command room, which had been set up to facilitate the war effort in Iwenland. Parker gave Aidan a quick pat on the shoulder and peeled off, electing not to go in the room, taking his place outside. Aidan paused for a moment before opening the door, and his nightmares were only becoming more true as he was met with the stoic faces of his command staff, joined by a Ceriser general from NAU Defense command.

"General, Admiral, Captains." Aidan said, nervously, while greeting them, "I'm guessing you aren't here for Marks' birthday?"

The other members of the group glanced over to see a young lieutenant trying his best to hide behind his monitor.

"Uh, no, Your Majesty," Admiral Forrest said, "If you don't mind turning your attention towards the projector."

Aidan looked up to see a series of satellite images on display, which appeared to be ships. Forrest stood next to him, pointing at them, "We've been monitoring this large build-up of Anglian ships on their western coast for some time now. At first, we believed they were going through refits or repairs, but over time it became clear that these were preparations for some sort of deployment."

Forrest used a small controller in her hand to go through the images,"A few days ago activity increased significantly, in what we had assumed a direct response to TRIDENT declarations of war against Anglia. But…"

Click again. A new image, one zoomed out more, showing the ships having left their harbor.

"The ships have left their port. And are on the move into the Adlantic." She turned to face him, but Aidan's gaze was still glued to the projector screen, "Aidan, if they don't deviate from their course, this fleet will reach the east coast of Galahinda within a week."

"Jesus fucking Christ," Aidan said, "This cannot be happening."

"It is happening, Your Majesty," Forrest said, "By our counts, it appears they have launched four full carrier fleets, and with them several support amphibious assault ships. Along with enough troop and supply ships to bring a force of roughly fifty thousand soldiers. To make things worse, it appears this force is under the direct command of Grand Admiral Sheridan Cartwright."

Aidan just stood there stunned, and could only get out on question, "What makes him so special?"

"He's their only admiral I wouldn't want to take on in a head on fight," Forrest replied, her face betraying how worried she actually was.

General Kendrick a step towards the both of them, "Unfortunately to make matters worse, Anglia isn't sending their newest recruits. Intelligence from before and during the war has shown that Cartwright has been gathering a battle tested and well-trained force for some time."

"Fuck!" Aidan yelled, grabbing the nearest item he could and flinging it towards the wall the projector was facing, causing the entire room to stop what it was doing and go silent. His officers stood there next to him, unsure what to say next. Aidan wasn't prone to outbursts, but it seemed like this was just the news to cause it.

"Aidan-" Forrest started, before stopping when Aidan held up his hand. He put both his hands over his face and groaned, before pulling them back down, seemingly regaining his composure.

"General… pull all forces immediately out of Iwenland for emergency deployment to Galahinda. Inform the Iverican military command that they'll have to conduct the offensive with… I'm sorry I don't know your name."

The Ceriser general stepped forward offering his hand, which Aidan took, "General Faron Planck, Your Majesty, from Union Defense Command. I'm in charge of the Ceriser deployment in Iwenland"

The Ceriser nations of the NAU had been mobilizing for some time, but had been ready for the outbreak of war. Together the NAU detachment reached around forty thousand soldiers which had been making their way to Iwenland over time.

"I wish we could have met under better circumstances, but I'm sorry your people are going to have to tackle the Dolch without us."

"It's no problem sir, we thrashed the Sentists, and we'll do the same to those Imperial fotzen."

Aidan would have laughed if the situation wasn't so dire, but Planck's confidence did make him feel a little better. The Cerisers may be smaller in number, but nobody could deny their skill as a fighting force being tested in the Sentist War.

"Like I said, General Kendrick," Aidan continued, "Pull our forces out now. Admiral Forrest make immediate preparations for transport to Cascadia."

Both officers slightly bowed their heads in acknowledgement, and Aidan approached both the Captains, "Captain Evers, Captain Walker I hate to ask this, but it's up to your people to keep Galahinda out of Anglian hands. Captain Walker, you're in charge of this operation when you're out there. Don't let the Anglians cross the Corinian Line."

[Galahinda]

@FemmeBaht24

"Yall see those ships? They're not f*cking around this time"

 

@AshtonFliyht

"Ten things you need to do if Anglia invades a thread:"

 

@AngliaForever556

"Finally someone is going to do something about those freaks in Cascadia #AngliaForever"

 

@PatrickHolmes

"I wonder what our "fabulous leader", TS Yiu is gonna do for this. Launch a new palette?"

 

---

 

Retrieving call log 12942.221.23 from GalCloud Server 11XP0-1

Error 544: Incomplete data. Contact GalCloud support for further information.

Commencing Playback:

"Allo Lynne, to what do I owe the pleasure of such a late-night call?"

 

"Yes of course I've been watching the news, it's practically my job at this point."

 

"My job is actually to be stunning, cunty, and a style icon."

"Hey! You can call me several things. You can call me cocky, you can call me b*tchy, you can call me pretty, you can call me gorgeous. But what you're not going to call me is an ineffective leader of public opinion."

 

"So what exactly do you want me to do, my darling? Grab a gun and start shooting invaders myself?" 

 

"Well, obviously I know how to shoot a gun. Don't you?"

 

"Lynne, if I had a gun right now, I'd use it to shoot myself. I'm that f*cking busy."

 

"I'm actually quite surprised that Tagmatium is coming to our aid here. Maybe our friend Kommodos is looking for a new set of papal robes."

 

"Oh, I love Aiden. Remind me to send the entire family a gift basket. Oh, and Margaret an invitation to Club Ecdysis next time she's in town. f*ck it, send one to Kommodos too."

 

"Yeah Lynne, invite the holiest man on Eurth to a burlesque club in the middle of the most sinful city on the planet. That'll go down well."

 

"Yes, I promise I'll play nice with whoever they send, as long as they're not here to convert the populace."

 

"I'm a social leader, not a military one. There's a reason I, sorry, we founded a whole new private military corporation."

 

"Listen, I promise that if they get any closer, I'll grab a helicopter from my house to the DAUFA compound, but for the time being, I need to get this seam right, or I'll walk myself into the sea."

 

End Playback.

Connection terminated by user. 

Edited February 27 by Galahinda (see edit history)

[Seylos]

"Lysander great despaired, last and finest of his line,
First and father of the Tagarei, promised Aurelian kings,
Driven from Arome eternal, into the cruel churning brine!
Little does one think of a man cast away into the sea:
Now his children far begotten bear scepter and gilded rings,
Under his name, we have not once suffered to flee—
Perished has our fear, our flight through storm and wave.
So hear his declaration, receive it on bended knee!
All men shall love the dawn, and fear an early grave."

-Rusvalos c.1250 C.E.

 

Spencer Klynne: the current CEO of Klynne Security Group, and of course its founder, was taking his normal monthly trip to the KSG stockholder meeting, knowing full well the gravity of what was approaching Galahinda.

And frankly, he didn't care.

Of course, it wasn't like he wanted Galahindan society torn down or anything like that, profits would suffer. But it made little difference to him which country ended up being Galahinda's 'sugar daddy'. Seylos poured in the money, but if Anglia could do the same and succeed in its goals of taking over Seylos… Well, why not Anglia? What did it matter, as long as the money came in? With the news that Anglia was on its way to occupy Galahinda, a force he didn't believe Seylos could hope to ever defeat, what else was left for someone like him? Hedge his bets on the clearly losing side, or just collaborate like any reasonable Galahindan would? He had several conversations with his Anglian contact, and as long as Klynne didn't take up arms against an occupation, Anglia wouldn't interfere with his business. Sadly, he didn't one hundred percent own the company, but he had the few shareholders that he needed to maintain total control in his pocket. As confident as ever, he made his way past the guards at the entrance of the KSG building and boarded the elevator up with his small entourage.

He took his time looking through some notes he had prepared for the day's meeting before the elevator let them off at the top floor of the building, the group making their way to the boardroom. When he walked through the doors though the doors, however, he was shocked at what he saw.

Lynne Androni, the actual power behind the train wreck that was Yiu Amistacia, sitting at the head of the conference table looking directly at him when he walked in. Next to her were a few other people he didn't recognize, all dressed in Seylosian military attire. The most shocking however wasn't the strange lack of many of his board allies, but the presence of none other than the Seylosian princess herself, who had the audacity to give him a little wave.

"Androni…" Klynne said, his anger hardly masked, "My boardroom isn't a place for you to host your parties."

Androni stood up with her hands behind her back, "Unfortunately Klynne it isn't your boardroom any more."

Margaret stood up with her usual smile and pleasant demeanor, "Hi there! I'm Margaret Redmond-"

"I know who you are." Klynne growled, "Why the hell are you in my boardroom."

"Well see here's the thing, it actually isn't," Margaret replied, clutching her hands close to her chest, "It turns out my good friend Lynne here told us you were very much on board with the Anglians coming in and taking over, and neither of us wanted that. So… I was just about to evacuate the country when my brother rang me up and told me he needed to make a big purchase, and I was the only one here who could get access to those funds that quickly!"

Klynne continued to stare at her with hatred blazing in his eyes, causing Margaret to make a bit of a grimace before continuing, "Right well to make a long story short, I got to buy KSG. Well, fifty-one percent of it, but that's basically the same thing, right?"

"Of course fucking Androni put you up to this, you insane bitch." Klynne bellowed out, pointing directly Androni who stood there smirking, "This is my company, and I'll have you all shot before I get removed from it!"

"Ew, no, that's incredibly rude of you. I think I'm going to let this incredibly handsome military man take over for me." Margaret said, gesturing to one of the Seylosians in uniform next her and stepping to the side.

The man stood up and pointed at the two armed KSG guards near the boardroom door and back at Klynne. The both quickly sprung on him, grabbing him by his arms and holding him in place while the enraged man struggled. He stopped in front of the red-faced former CEO and looked him directly in the eyes. "Under Galahindan corporate law as a minority shareholder, you're entitled to learn about changes in the operating structure of the business you have placed investment in. My name is Colonel Paul Emerson of the Seylosian Royal Army, and the majority stakeholder, Princess Margaret Redmond, has appointment me to the office of Chief Executive Officer of KSG. As of nine AM Cascadia time, you were relieved of your operating responsibilities and have been terminated. Remove him from the building and revoke all access to KSG assets."

The two guards nodded and heaved back on the screaming former executive, who was trying to hurl every conceivable expletive he could as he was dragged out. Before they made it to the door, however, Androni briskly walked in front of him and leaned in, "You really thought I'd let you take Cascadia that easily? What did they promise you? The country?"

Klynne said nothing as he struggled against the two guard.

"I have a car at the loading dock, take him there," Androni said. The two guards looked over to the Colonel who nodded, and they dragged him away again.

Emerson walked up beside Androni and looked at her, "You're not going to kill him, are you?"

"Hardly. He'll be fine… physically. Klynne has more assets around the country we need to discover before the Anglians arrive. And it's not very often that you get to toss your greatest rivals in the back of one of your trunks." Androni replied.

"I can't say I've ever had to worry about such an… opportunity." Emerson replied, raising one of his eyebrows.

"And that's what makes Seylos so boring sometimes," Androni said, turning around back towards Margaret and giving her a brief hug, "A pleasure doing business with you my dear. We must get together after this whole nasty war business if finished with."

"Good luck Lynne, keep safe," Margaret replied, in an uncharacteristically serious tone. She gave a brief wave before she left with her bodyguards in tow. As fun as it may be to say the Seylosian Princess now owns a Galahindan private military company, the Seylosian government was hardly going to let her stay. Not that she needed any extra motivation.

When all the parties had cleared the room, Emerson turned to one of the officers with a bewildered look on his face, "This whole fucking continent is weird as hell. I thought the job was supposed to be dangerous, not god-damn mind-bending."

 

OOC: This was written with @Galahinda's permission. This will probably be the last time I write from a Galahindan point of view extensively.