The Death of Žarko [RP Example]

[Korocia]

Headquarters of the Korocian Supreme Soviet.

March 3, 1990. 08:30 local time. Less than 21 hours since Mijo Žarko was declared dead.

The council assembled at the table where their meetings typically took place. At the head of the table, replacing Žarko, was his much younger great-nephew, Vitomir Žarko. To his right sat his great-uncle's deputy, Zoran Javor. To his left sat Marko Siniša, minister of administrative affairs. Lastly, the representatives of the states of Korocia took the other seats at the table. Konstantin Andreja of Sernovia and Nikša Zdeslav of Kovarcika. The seat for the Svisk representative stood ominously empty.

Vitomir cleared his throat and finally broke the silence in the meeting room, “I uh— I call this meeting regarding the political crisis in Sviskistan to order.”

After another moment of silence, he spoke again, “Comrade Draža, minister of defense— He is already working on a perimeter around the rebellion hotspots. The question now is, how harshly should we respond?”

Deputy Zoran raised his hand but spoke without waiting for Vitomir to call on him, “Harshly, they're all traitors, including comrade Tahir,” he said.

“Seconded,” blurted Konstantin.

“Now, comrades, we need to consider the council's public image,” Vitomir said, “I understand that there is frustration with our Svisk brothers-”

“Why not grant them independence-?” Nikša interrupted.

The other council members stared at him in disbelief as he continued, “The death of comrade Žarko may be a sign that the Korocian dream… has come to an end.”

Konstantin turned to Vitomir. “This— this is treachery!” he shouted, pointing back at Nikša. “Comrade Žarko would not tolerate such madness, not from anyone, especially a council member! He is no better than Tahir!”

Vitomir sank into his seat. He was unfit to be the new ruler of Korocia. His only qualification was being the late Mijo Žarko's great-nephew, and they only chose him because his grandfather had already passed away, and his father had been executed for treason. Konstantin stared at him, then turned to one of the guards at the back of the room.

“Take comrade Zdeslav away. Have him arrested for treason,” he said coldly.

“Woah!” Marko finally spoke, “That is outside your power as a representative, comrade Andreja!”

“Put it to a vote then!” Konstantin shouted in response, “All in favor of having comrade Zdeslav arrested for treason?” He raised his hand.

Deputy Zoran raised his hand, “Traitor!”

Vitomir opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Nikša, wide-eyed, stood from his seat. He hesitated for a moment, then quickly went to leave the room. The guard looked back and forth between the still-seated members and Nikša, his mouth agape, before quickly following after him with his hand slowly drifting to the holster at his side. There was a moment of silence before a single gunshot echoed through the Supreme Soviet's headquarters.

Vitomir jumped at the sound and stared towards the door in fear. He slowly turned to Konstantin, who seemed shaken as well. However, he quickly regained his composure.

“… Where were we?” he turned back to the other council members.

“We um— We were—We… Deciding the response to the- To the Svisk rebellion-” Vitomir responded, his voice quivering with fear.

“Ah yes,” Konstantin continued, “I propose a harsh military response to re-secure Svisk cities and the Svisk Soviet. All in favor?”

Zoran slowly raised his hand, followed by Marko. Finally, Vitomir followed suit, his hand trembling. Konstantin nodded in response.

“Carried unanimously,” He said, “Next order of business is-?” He turned to Vitomir again.

---

Headquarters of the Sviskistan Soviet.

09:45 local time.

Zejd Tahir, the representative of the former Sviskistan Social Republic, stood at a window in the Sviskistan Soviet headquarters. He stared at the defected soldiers and local militia building up defenses outside. The banners of various Svisk movements that decorated the barricades waved in the breeze, slightly damp from the drizzle that had recently started. Some Zejd sympathized with, others he didn't, but if they wanted an independent Sviskistan, they would have to unite as one.

Officer Zlatan entered the room. He was a Svisk officer in the Korocian army, or at least he had been. Now, he was the general of the United Army for Sviskistan's Independence (or UASI).

“I've heard rumors that the council isn't budging and that Draža is on his way,” he said, “It looks like it'll be a fight after all.”

Zejd lowered his head and sighed. “Very well… May god stand with Sviskistan.”

Zlatan nodded. “May god stand with Sviskistan. I'll inform the army. Hopefully we can get these defences up before they make a move.”

With that, Zlatan left, shutting the door behind him and leaving Zejd alone to ponder again. He let his mind drift to a possible future rather than focus on the bloodshed that would soon ensue. He dreamed of a non-authoritarian regime, whether it represented Sviskistan or Korocia as a whole. Little did he know, he'd live to see the latter.