The Five Day Crisis

[Garindina]

"I always like to hold on to a little sliver of hope, even as the wurld collapses around me. Either I die or things end up getting better. Either way, I don't have to worry."

- Edouard Bassois, 1950

  (@Mavran)

 

DAY 1: CRISIS IN THE CAPITAL  PT.1
 

Monday, 3 June 2024 

 ~12.8km from Parsa, Parsa Administrative District, Garindinan Imperial Federation

11:11 Hours

 

Commander Igor Solovyov was finishing his morning coffee. The day had started like every other, with the steady routine and quiet hum of activity on the base. Outside his office window, soldiers moved with precision, handling equipment checks and patrols, a scene as ordinary as the sunrise. But there was something different about today, he couldn’t describe it.

The air felt heavier, as if charged with a tension that clung to his skin. Igor set down his coffee cup, the clink of porcelain breaking the surrounding silence. He leaned back in his chair, surveying the bustling activity outside. Everything appeared normal, yet an instinct deep within him warned of an impending storm.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Lieutenant Smirnov stepped in, his face pale and drawn. “Commander, we need to discuss something urgent,” he said, his voice low.

“Wait is it?” Igor said, offering the lieutenant a seat.

Smirnov shook his head, declining the offer. “During this morning’s weapon inspection, we discovered that a staggering amount of weapons has gone missing."

"Wait... how many are we talking about?” Igor’s brows knitted in concern as he leaned forward.

“Enough to arm a squad,” Smirnov replied, his tone grim. “Rifles, ammunition, even some tactical gear, vanished without a trace.”

Igor’s face hardened. “Are we certain it’s not just an error in the inventory? A miscount?”

“We double-checked. This wasn’t a mistake; someone’s been preparing for something.”

Igor opened his mouth to respond, but just then, the door burst open, and two soldiers barged in, rifles aimed directly at them.

“Hands where we can see them,” one of the soldiers barked, his voice cold and steady. “As of now, this base is under the control of The Supreme Leader, Rodion Vaslov.”

 

---

 

Monday, 3 June 2024

The Federal Assembly, Government District, Parsa, Parsa Administrative District, Garindinan Imperial Federation

11:40 Hours

 

A line of unmarked black vans rolled into the heart of Parsa’s government district, their windows tinted, engines humming low as they glided to a halt near the Federal Assembly. Inside, figures shifted, their faces hardened and eyes alert. They were members of Rodion’s “Army”. 

Across the plaza, military personnel and police patrolled their posts, unaware of the quiet threat now lurking in their midst. A handful of police officers noticed, stepping closer, radios crackling softly as they sought instructions. Some soldiers even began to make their way towards the vans. 

Suddenly, a military sergeant’s voice cut through the tense silence, barking orders to his squad. “Secure all entrances! Something’s not right.” Some of the police began to position themselves defensively, sensing the unease in the air. But the sergeant, Sergeant Lebedev, got a message on the radio that made his blood run cold.

“Attention all military personnel. Be advised, as of 1100 hours we are under lockdown protocol. Hostile forces have infiltrated the government district. All units are to hold positions and secure government buildings until further notice.”

A moment of stunned silence fell over the police and soldiers nearby. Then, before anyone could react, the van doors burst open, and armed men jumped out, rifles raised. In the back of two of the vans, RP-67 machine guns aimed at the Military personnel.

“TAKE COVER!” One of the soldiers yelled. But it was no use. The crackle of gunfire erupted, echoing off the surrounding buildings, shattering the early morning calm.

 

---

 

Meanwhile…

 

Monday, 3 June 2024

Café de Mavrois Lys, Southern Parsa, Parsa Administrative District, Garindinan Imperial Federation

11:43 Hours

 

Princess Margret of @Seylos took a slow sip of her coffee, glancing out the window of the Café. The café had been cleared just for her, its usual lively hum replaced by a tense silence. Garindinan and Seylosian guards stood watch at every corner, their eyes flicking constantly to windows, doorways, and every shadow that seemed out of place. 

As Margret stirred her coffee with a small smile, she remembered her brother Aidan’s worried warning. “Garindina’s political scene is in a downturn. Now’s not the time to visit.” His voice replayed in her head with that familiar hint of exasperation he always had whenever she went off on her “adventures”.

“Like that would stop me! I’ve seen worse things than a country’s political system falling apart.” But despite her calm, her guards’ subtle glances and stiff postures told her they weren’t as amused.

“Your Highness,” one of her Seylosian guards, a tall, gruff man named Captain Colton, cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should consider moving to a more secure location. Our Garindinan counterparts have informed me of suspicious movements around the city.” His voice was low and polite but with a clear undertone of urgency.

Margret waved her hand dismissively, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Oh, Colton, you worry too much. What’s a little political upheaval?” 

Captain Colton clenched his jaw but kept his tone controlled. “With all due respect, Your Highness, I don’t think it’s just ‘a little upheaval’ any more.” His eyes flicked to the nearest window, where another Seylosian guard had subtly adjusted his stance, tense and ready.

Margret rolled her eyes, clearly amused. “I came to Garindina to experience its charm. Not to cower in some basement or in the embassy. Besides,” she leaned on to the table with a mischievous grin. “We have quite a team here. I’d love to see someone try to get through all of you.”

As if on cue, a faint, but unmistakable series of gunshots rang out in the distance. Cutting through the tense air in the street and in the café. Captain Colton got tense, an obvious expression of urgency growing on his face. Margret’s smile wavered, her eyes darting towards the door as the gunshots only grew in frequency. 

“Your highness, this isn’t a suggestion. We need to leave. Now.” Captain Colton said, his voice firm.

Margret stood, brushing her coat with an air of forced calm, though the edge of concern was now clear in her voice. “Fine, but I’m not sprinting out like some damsel in distress,” she murmured, lifting her chin.

As the guards moved swiftly to get the princess out of the café safely. Forming a barrier between her and anything else as they all got into their vehicles. Margret’s visit had been cut short, she knew she was going to hear it from Aidan when she got home.

 

---

 

Monday, 3 June 2024

The Federal Assembly, Government District, Parsa, Parsa Administrative District, Garindinan Imperial Federation

12:00 Hours

 

The plaza was a scene of death. Bodies lay sprawled across the stone, and blood pooled beneath them. The small contingent of Rodion’s Army lay broken, their assault crushed by the military and police officers. Smoke hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid smell of gunpowder.

A squad of soldiers moved cautiously through the carnage, checking for survivors. Sergeant Lebedev stood over the remains of one of the dead assailants. An MSV-02 clenched in his cold hands. 

Straightening, Lebedev pressed a hand to his radio. His voice was low but firm. “District secure. Hostiles neutralized. Begin recovery operations. What the hell is happening?”

A moment of static crackled before a grim reply came through. “It seems we are facing a coup. Word from the top says the party is fractured. Say we’re facing a coup from the ‘absolutist’.”

“Copy that. Sergeant Lebedev out.” He said, a grim look on his face. 

One of the soldiers walked up to Lebedev. “Hey Igor, do we know what the hell we’re facing?” The soldier asked.

Igor faced the soldier. “We’re facing a coup.”

 

---

 

Monday, 3 June 2024

Yedo Royal Estate, Garindinan Imperial Federation

9:15 Hours Esonian Time

 

The soft morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of the royal chamber. Nadia sat silently in a chair beside her mother’s bed, her hands clasped tightly together. The room was oppressively quiet, save for the faint sound of her mother’s labored breathing. The news of her illness had reached Nadia and her siblings only a week before, prompting their hurried venture to Yedo. Now, they lingered in the estate, each grappling with the weight of an uncertain future. This wasn’t her mother’s first bout of cancer, either. In 2006, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, but unlike then, her mother had denied treatment. 

It was then when there was a light knock on the door, breaking the heavy silence. Nadia straightened slightly, though the weight of sadness remained in her voice. “Come in.”

The door creaked open to reveal Anya, her younger sister, standing hesitantly in the doorway. “Long time no see, sister,” she said softly, stepping inside. “How is Mother feeling?”

Nadia’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before answering. “The same,” she replied quietly, her voice strained.

It had been months since the pair had last seen each other. Due to Anya’s marriage to a non-noble Velaherian, a Starinburg nonetheless. As a result, Anya had lost her royal title. She had been living in Yuzhemore since April, the news of her mother’s illness had brought her to Yedo.

“She refused treatment. If you haven’t heard already.” Nadia continued. Despite Nadia’s past feelings about her sister’s marriage, she was relieved to see her. “How have you been?” 

“I’ve been good.” Anya replied softly. She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “I’ve been wanting to thank you for letting us stay in the Summer Palace until Ketriaz and I were able to get a place of our own.” She gave a faint smile. “So… you’re pregnant now?” 

Nadia let out a faint laugh. “Yeah, twins. One boy and one girl.” 

Anya’s eyes lit up, her smile growing wider. “That’s great news! So you have any names yet?” 

Nadia hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window. “A few, Zhakar for the boy and Prushka for the girl.” She said softly.

Anya nodded approvingly. “Those are great names. Mother would’ve been happy to hear that.”

Just then, another knock at the door came. Her sadness momentarily lifted by the warmth of her conversation with Anya. “Come in,” she said.

The door opened to reveal that it was one of Nadia’s personal guards, his face pale and his expression tense. He stepped into the room and gave a quick salute. “Your majesty, forgive me for the intrusion, but I bring urgent news from Parsa.” 

Nadia’s brow furrowed, and the sense of dread that had momentarily lifted settled back in her chest. “What’s happened?”

The guard then proceeded to speak out Nadia’s worse fears. “There’s been an attack on the Federal Assembly. We believe it’s a coup by the Absolutists.”