In times of peace there are turbulent winds

08:00, Ministry of the Navy HQ, Chaiama

The Grand Prince took a long drag from his cigar as he watched the screen in the dimly lit situation center, the only available light being from the screens and monitors alongside what little light could creep out from underneath the locked doors.

“Your royal highness, would you be so kind to spare the pious among us from the scourge of second hand smoking?” A Naval Intelligence Officer kindly asked as he took a seat next to the Prince, an ashtray in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He placed the ashtray right in front of the Prince, creating an audible thud as he made himself comfortable in her chair, taking a sip of his coffee before taking a deep breath.

“You fucking cultists are rather hypocritical are you not? Smoking is a no go yet wine is a staple of every dinner and you drown yourselves in it at every festival.” The Prince said with a smug as he took another drag from his cigar, contemplating on relenting this one time.

“I do not see what enjoying fermented grape juice has to do with killing your lungs. . .” The Officer says with genuine confusion on what point the royal was attempting to make.

A small chuckle came from the Prince as he revealed “You know the Aspect is a smoker right, Præfecti?” as he leaned back further into his seat as his eyes were drawn to a electronic chart that showed a plane on its way to Galvaria, the text above it reading Objective ‘Fæd’.

The Officer would sigh “She is still young, she will grow out of it once she gets over her crush on that Galvarian Prince.” He said with confidence as he kindly looked over at the Prince. “Please, your highness?”

A near manicule laugh echoed out from the Prince as he extinguishes his cigar in the ashtray, “Ask and you shall receive, Præfecti. . .” He paused as he exhaled quietly as he watched the plan slowly tick over the map to Galvaria. “Ask and you shall receive. . .” He repeated, a more important matter clearly on his mind. “I know she is terrified just by the possibility of them being hurt but is this really necessary? They could have just stayed here until she wraps it up.”

“Plans never survive contact with the enemy, your majesty. There is no such thing as being too careful, especially in these strange times.” He says, attempting to reassure the royal as a figure seated near the front stood up and made its way towards them, sitting down on the table they sat behind.

“Hello, Is, fancy seeing you awake at this hour? Don’t tell me you stayed up past your bedtime putting on the finishing pieces did you?” The Prince asked in a teasing manner towards his half sister “You pick out a cute dress for your reveal?”

A blush overtook the girl’s face as she flicked the Prince’s nose, embarrassed by her words “Oh fuck you, Uriel!” She exclaims as both of the half siblings share a genuine smile as the elder one feigns pain, falling back from his seat onto the floor.  

“Your words are scornful and I seek no more, woe has befallen me as I have become the subject of your ire.” He said as he kept himself on the ground for a couple more seconds before bringing himself back up as the girl’s very amused eyes fell on him.

A genuine smile overtook her as her legs dangled off the table, lightly swinging. “I’m glad you could make it. It means a lot to me to have you here for this.”

The Prince’s face was overcome with skepticism before mellowing out into an understanding. “I would not miss it for the world.”

14:00, Federal Palace, Chaiama
The assembly was in absolute chaos as the deputies from the provinces rolled in, some taking their seats, some standing about talking to their companions while others argued with this rivals, however some were missing entirely for this very important process.

“Everyone please take your seats!” Deputy Yyphaw exclaims through a megaphone as she stands near a central podium, a binder sitting in front of him as he is flanked by two elder deputies, both representatives from opposition parties. Everyone stood in silence at the young deputy’s request but the memory of his great grandfather brought them to their designated seats. Yyphaw made a visual sweep of the room, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet were supposed to be here for the voting but as far as he could tell they were absent. He let out a defeated sigh before he started the roll call to see if they had enough deputies to have a vote today.

Despite the peace that was just made earlier in the day in Michu the hardliners of the coalition for Serene Governance were planning their next move.  Nearly fifty hardliners from the Ministry of Peace and the Prime Minister were assembled downstairs, slipping into bullet proof vests and helmets. They checked and counted their ammunition, loading it bullet by bullet into their magazines before slamming them into the ambi-rifles and pulling back on the charging handle, letting it fall back into place before hitting the bolt release, readying their weapons as they turned off the safeties.

Not a word was exchanged by the conspirators in the basement, everyone knew what they had to do in order to save the KPPR and the revolution that had brought their nation from a barely relevant power sandwiched between two abusive neighbors into a nation that rivaled Kanadorika through cooperation with the New World.

“Deputy Altkhaw?”

“Here!”

“That is nearly everyone. . .” Yyphaw mumbled to himself as he began to realize they had enough people to begin voting, chucking to himself lightly. He looked to his fellow party members and at every other deputy, nodding to himself as he began. “First item on our agenda. . . A proposal to reorganize the Khoslol Princely People’s Realm and all her territories into a new state, Khoslol, and to begin work on a new constitution if this were to pass.” He said solemnly as he looked up at the ceiling. “May the vote begin-.”

Suddenly the door was swung open with significant force as the conspirators entered with guns drawn. “I will NOT allow this mockery of our great state go on any further!” The Prime Minister yelled, lost in emotion, as he fired his rifle into the roof, causing a fragment of concrete to fall onto the floor.

“DAVSKHAW WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?” Yyphaw exclaimed as he wheeled and turned in anger, unable to believe such extreme measures being taken to stop the vote. He took a single step forward in righteous anger before a rifle was leveled against him, forcing him to raise his hands in a surrender gesture.

“Silence, you spineless defector!” The Prime Minister spat back at the Deputy two decades younger than himself “I am saving our nation!”

“You fool, you condemn us all! The entire world is watching!”

“The entire world will see we are not to be dictated to! Now, you are going to call off this vote and submit to judgment for your treason.”

The Deputy took a step back as it was clear the Prime Minister was not able to be reasoned with. “You will hang from a tree in the Royal Orchard for this. . .”

20:00, Administrative District, Chaiama

“Sir, can I get an official statement about the happenings in the Federal Palace?!” A Kanadorikan reporter broke through the crowd with her microphone held out towards the officer in charge of the Territorials blocking the way to the Federal Palace.

The Officer stepped forward so he could clearly recorded. “Prime Minister Davskhaw is currently restoring order to the National Assembly and removing certain traitorous tumors from the organ.” The officer said calmly as he kept his hand on his holster, clearly concerned about how rowdy the crowd was becoming.

Overheard the unmistakable sound of a rotor wing aircraft would cut through the sky overhead before descending at an accelerated pace right behind the line of territorials, disembarking a eleven man squad of unmarked Special Forces Officers. The Territorial Officer turned and went to greet what assumed were his relief force before he found the guns of the new arrivals were turned on him and his unit. The youngest of the unit immediately threw his rifle to the ground and held his hands in the hair as far as they could go, prompting the rest of the unit to follow in his footsteps, leaving the officer as the only defiant one.

“What the hell is this?”

The Officer’s query was met with a shot to the groin from a bean bag shotgun as two of the new arrivals tackled the officer and relieved him from his duty as they zip tied him and threw him in the helicopter. As all but one Special Warfare Officer loaded back into the helicopter, the Officer that stayed on the ground looked to the disarmed unit and ordered “Pick your weapons back up, Territorials. I am commandeering your unit. We are gonna maintain this checkpoint until we are relieved. Do you understand?” A series of affirmative answers ringed up from the platoon as they picked back up their weapons and hesitantly got back into position.

21:00, Federal Palace, Chaiama

Overall the Assembly hall was as quiet as can be given the situation. The conspirators were getting nervous due to losing contact with the blocking element outside. “Damn conscripts, can’t do anything right. .” The Minister of Peace mumbled to himself as he paced back and forth, sweating feverishly as he cursed the unreliability of the units they were able to get onboard to carry out the coup.

Unknown to them the door slowly cracked open as a handful of infiltrators snuck into the room, then dozens more, tossing in dozens of flash grenades each. Blinding nearly everyone in the room and even disrupting the live video feed that had been running ever since the roll call began, at least for a moment. Nearly a hundred of the infiltrators poured into the room, violently disarming the conspirators, subduing them with batons, tasers, and the butt of their rifles. In one swift and decisive engagement the coup attempt had been subdued.

Ten more special warfare officers entered the room, escorting Grand Prince Uriel and a young woman who seemed to be no older than nineteen or so. She wore a simple white dress that drapes down to her knees and long sleeves stopping right before her fingers in a veil-like pattern over her pale skin. On her fingers was an engagement ring of white gold and a signet ring bearing the Galvarian lion. As the two entered the now captured conspirators were ushered out by the Officers.

The nature of the girl’s personality was clear as the Counter Præfecti practically had to drag the girl over to the podium as she seemed to attempt to cover his face in embarrassment. The Prince would pry her hands from her face and plant her right behind the podium, directing her to speak.

Initially she would be unable to accomplish such a task, her mouth opening but nothing coming out from it until she could muster her courage “Hel- hello. I am Lowly Princess Auriel of the House of Khaw Si Khaw, child of the late Grand Princess Ariel and first in line to the throne. . .”

She took a deep breath as it was clear she was nervous to say the next part “Their Royal Majesties, High Princess/Keisar Kariel and Cariel were ushered out of the country to a secure location once news of the coup could be confirmed. Thanks to the actions of the Royal Guard their royal majesties are safe. . , although it is unknown when they will return. . .”

Her voice grew slightly more confident as she continued past the news that clearly disheartened her “That is why in order to ensure continuity of government and to safeguard our country’s democratic apparatus I will temporarily be taking the reigns as head of state as of this very moment with a official coronation ceremony on the twenty seventh of this month. I will be abdicating the position of Keisar and High Princess when their Royal Majesties deem it is time for them to return.”

She then brings her eyes back to the assembly and her confidence fades away immediately. “You may- umm. . . You may continue with your vote.” She stumbled awkwardly before being escorted away by the Officers and the Grand Prince. In a quick and hurried vote the measure to reorganize the KPPR into Khoslol passed with nearly eighty percent of the deputies agreeing to it.

Inside the castle, sometime after the coup is broadcast worldwide

The two Brandt Brothers were glued to the TV screen in their living room. On it, videos played on repeat of the coup in the KPPR and Auriel revealing herself to the world. A news anchor from a local station prattled on about the significance of the event and its political ramifications while the two princes argued.

“We gotta go, it’s only right for what they did for us.”

Jorge says

“I don’t disagree with you brother, I disagree with you going. Your judgment’s clouded on this.”

His brother responds. This elicited a strong reaction from Jorge, who jumps up and begins shouting.

“Clouded? Clouded?! No shit my judgment’s clouded. All of our judgment is clouded, that's family out there!”

Sighing, the older brother gets up, and rests a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.

“Jorge, I know. She’s been around us for years and is basically family, but we have to be pragmatic about this. You can’t go blustering about while the nation is in the throes of political upheaval. You can’t lead this mission.”

Shoving his brother's hand off of him, he says angrily.

“I’m not some oaf that can’t control himself, I lead diplomacy efforts at home and abroad more than you do Mickey. Let’s not kid ourselves, you’d be hopeless without me there.”

Grabbing the bridge of his nose, Michael exhales sharply, before saying

“You're right. I am good with matters of state, but when it comes to delicate matters such as this, I am out of my depth. Fine. If you feel so strongly about it, you can accompany me on the trip.”

Getting serious, and closes the already minimal gap between the two, he says in a menacing tone

“But I warn you brother, if you cause a ruckus, you're out. One phone call to father sends you home.”

Rather than be furious at the threat, the mood breaks, and a wide smile comes over Jorge’s face. It is full of mischief and evil, while giving the veneer of innocence.

“I’ll be on my best behavior, dear brother”

He says, patting his brother on the cheek. Just then, an aide to Jorge comes bursting into the room, panting as if he had been sprinting.

“My god man calm yourself, what’s the issue?”

Jorge says, seemingly unphased by the man's state.

“1000 apologies for the interruption of your majesty’s conversation. However, we had an unknown aircraft land on the reserved airstrip at Varbook international airport.”

Raising an eyebrow, Jorge says skeptically

“And this relates to us, how?”

Catching his breath, the man wordlessly hands a piece of paper to the prince, who reads it aloud.

keep these safe for me

Aloud, both men say simultaneously

“Goddamnit”

Later, at the airfield.

“You’ve gotta be shitting me.”

Jorge says as he bemoans the cargo inside the now empty aircraft. Whoever flew it was either a master at evading the authorities, or simply had an in to get him off scott free. Inside the plane lie two heads of state from the KPPR, unconscious, and presumably drugged. A familiar face in the form of Prince Duanxi, of Michu, also lies with the pair in the same state.

“So that's what she meant by favor, huh”

Michael said with a chuckle. Looking at his brother with his mouth agape, Jorge says

“Look, I get the humor in the situation, really I do. But now is not the time for laughter.”

Getting angry, and pointing to the two KPPR representatives, he says

“We should leave these two to rot in the old dungeon.”

Mumbling under his breath, he utters one word

“Bastards”

Giving his brother a sad smile, Michael says

“You see why I don’t want you leading the trip now?”

His brother doesn’t respond, and flips the bird while he walks over to one of the guards around the plane.

“The Michese man, give him my room. I don’t care what happens to the other two.”

Butting in to the conversation, and pointing to the two Khoslol bodies, Michael adds

“They can have the guest room.”

Giving his brother a scowl, Jorge wanders off. Michael continues

“They are to be treated with the utmost respect. Ignore any commands to mistreat them in any way unless they come from myself, or the king. Is that clear?”

The guard gives a smart salute, and hurries off to accomplish the task of moving three unconscious royals with some semblance of dignity and secrecy. Walking over to his brother, he says.

“Maybe it'll do you good to get out of the house. C’mon, let's go and pick who we want to come with us.”

Much later, on the flight to the KPPR

Eight men sat on the small passenger plane on its way to the KPPR. Rather than take a high profile team and aircraft, the brothers opted for something more modest, and hopefully something that would keep prying eyes off the pair until at least landing in the KPPR. In the plane Crown Prince Michael, who wears a new ring on his hand, and a bright smile despite appearing to be jet lagged, sits in a seat idly fiddling with the ring. Prince Jorge sits back in his seat, with a bottle of whiskey in one hand, half empty. A man with brown hair cut into a military style high and tight sits several rows away from them, idly touching a fresh looking scar. It stretches from his cheek to the bridge of his nose. In the row across from him, sits a pair of men wearing clothes to complement the Prince’s outfits, and who also are idly cleaning a pair of pistols in the aisle. The man with a scar also carries a pistol, but his hostler is hung up on the seat in front of him. Also present in the plane is a Translator that is fluent in multiple Hezranian languages, along with a pair of representatives from the Office of Foreign Affairs. Obsessively there as clerks and assistants to the two princes, they also had the mission of ensuring that whatever government came to power after the coup would be friendly to Galavaria. The same mission as the prince’s to be sure, but coming from a purely pragmatic direction, as many on the council of lords feared that the prince’s may not be too emotionally invested.

Meanwhile, in a conference room at the castle

The council of lords, along with the King, sit at a table, with a TV screen playing videos of the coup taking up the head of the table opposite the sandy haired King. Stroking his beard, he starts off the meeting by saying

“Instability in the KPPR isn’t something we can tolerate. Not at a time like this.”

The Archduke of Foreign affairs was next to speak up, saying

“I concur with your majesty, which is why I am perplexed you choose to send your sons on this trip rather than the team I assembled.”

There is a murmur of agreement from the other members of the council. Putting a hand up, The King responds

“I have faith in my sons, they have personal connection with people high up in the KPPR government, it is the best way in ensuring our interests are represented in whatever new government takes shape.”

Nodding his head, the Archduke of Domestic affairs adds

“This is true, and there has been no formal request from the KPPR to send such a mission, so this gives it an air of legitimacy.”

There are more murmurs between the members of the council, before the Archduke of Economics says

“We can’t afford the economic hit that abnormal conditions in the KPPR will create, stability must be enforced at all costs.”

More murmurs of affirmation. Giving an open palm gesture, the King says

“I take it there is no further objection to my sons leading the mission?”

The room is silent, and the king adds.

“Good. Now, I’d like to discuss contingency plans, before we move onto other business…”

Coming in for a landing at Chaiama International Airport

"This is Chariot 3-7, Civilian transport carrying diplomatic team from Galavaria. Authentication: Marigold Street"

“What is the exact nature of your cargo, Chariot 3-7?” The tower responds.

"Tower, 3-7. VIPs. Royals + support staff on a diplomatic mission"

There is audible shuffling on the other side as the mic is presumably handed off to someone else. “3-7, be advised, this is Præfecti Loikhaw of the Royal Guard, immediately identify all passengers on board.”

There is an equally long pause.
"Tower, 3-7. Prince's Michael and Jorge Brandt. Three royal guards, two members of the Office of Foreign affairs"

An audible pause is held before the voice on the other end continues. “Be advised, 3-7, you are clear for landing. Proceed to runway 35 and proceed to just outside gate 11. What is the purpose of such a visit?”

"3-7 copies all. making final approach on runway 35 then proceeding to gate 11. Ask the cargo for details, I'm just the pilot. Out."

“Your defiance is duly noted, 3-7.”

As the plane approaches gate 11 no other planes are on site, the area seeming to have been cleared. Outside are six suburban's with the window completely blacked out. Between them is a single limousine with the windows in the same state. Standing outside the vehicles are nearly thirty men dressed in black suits and ties, wearing tinted out black sunglasses, however wearing half masks of a digital white pattern, matching some of their pale skin. Out of the twenty eight of them two stand out with importance, being unarmed unlike their comrades who are armed with a variety of small arms. They stand at the same height with the same haircut, standing in parallel, hands behind their back in front of the limo, presumably the lead officers. The plane comes to a stop, and the two guards that were sitting together take the front and back of the group, with the scarred face man standing near the two Foreign Affairs agents. The man wears a hat over his plainclothes attire, along with a neck gaiter. He looks ill dressed when compared to the agents, or even the other guards. Said agents are behind the two princes, who follow closely behind the lead guard. Leaning into his brother and motioning to the ensemble, Michael whispers.

“I get the feeling they aren't here to roll out the red carpet.”

Whispering back, Jorge says

“Schneehase will pull through for us. Don’t worry”

The two lead officers would push forward to greet the royals, the one with a noticeable puncture scar on his right hand speaks up in a friendly voice that would be familiar to Michael.

"Greetings your majesties. I am Præfecti Loikhaw of the Royal Guard and this is my brother of the same rank and name. Would you be so kind as to enlighten us on the reason for your visit and hopefully not last visit to Chaiama?”

As he talks it would be apparent that his voice was one of the same as ambushes him in the church during the war. Getting a wry smile on his face, Jorge pushes past his older brother and says

“What, we can’t visit out of the kindness of our hearts?”

Ignoring his brother giving him a stare that could kill, he continues

“Here to visit family”

He is clearly intoxicated, and his brother shoves him aside, saying

“We have been sent by King Brandt of Galavaria to provide mediation and any aid your country could require to resolve the current political unrest. Consider it a good deed in kind for the KPPR’s aid during the war."

Michael addresses the ice cream man specifically

“I must say, young masters, I do not believe you will find any of your kin here, last I checked we did not have any exiles running around our realm.”

The Officer said with a gleeful tone as he turned slightly to look at the Second Prince, a smirk hidden behind his half mask. He would slowly turn back to the eldest Prince as he would state.

“The current political situation was and has always been under control, young master.”

Jorge opens his mouth to say something, but is stopped when the mysterious figure with a scar lays his hand on his shoulder and shakes his head. Michael answers the ice cream man

“Good. Then you should have no issue arranging for a meeting with Princess Auriel then.”

Turning to his brother, who matches the mischievous smile that Michael has on his face, causes him to turn around and address the ice cream man once more

“As long as it takes to gain an audience. Although I would humbly request haste, as we do have duties that need to be attended to elsewhere.”

He absentmindedly touched his ring with his thumb.

The Officer is just about to speak before the door to the limousine is swung open as a Khoslol girl in her mid to late teens teens walks out, a umbrella popping above as she holds it above herself to protect her skin that is as pale as snow, her eyes a light blue and a dirty blond, wearing a simple white dress with floral patterns on it. He quickly turns around as worry overtakes him as the other officer remains staring at the foreigners.

“Your highness, I thought I told you to stay in the car?”

He inquires with audible frustration and worry in his voice as the girl stops as she looks at the Eporans. Without responding to the Officer she says towards the Royals

“Are you Is’ friends?”

She asks in a very polite dialect of Khoslol.

Stepping forward again, Jorge looks like he will say a lot of things, but in the end, settles on

“Yes”

Michael is struggling to understand the conversation, and motions for the translator, who starts to talk into his ear

“Then why not stay at the Palace?” She questions in an excited glee as she joyously looks up at the Prince.

“Your highness. . .” The Officer mumbles as he looks down at the young girl.

Near immediately she looks up at the begrudging Officer “The palace is always so lonely!” She pleads as the Officers clenches his forehead as he tries to subdue the small headache that the small headache of a girl is causing.

Giving a wide smile, Jorge says

“Why, that is most gracious of you, we would be honored.”

He gives a half bow. For someone that polished off half a bottle of whiskey by himself he seems to be holding up well. For his part, Michael nods his head in agreement.The girl would excitedly look back to the Galvarians as she would run over to them, grabbing Jorge by the hand as she would attempt to pull him and the rest to the limousine as the Officer sighs in defeat. The diplomatic team follows behind the excited girl, with the two brothers watching the exchange with bemusement. The security detail would open the doors to the limousine and politely close it once the entire mission was secure in the vehicle. Once that had been achieved they would pack into the suburbans as their convoy would speed off into the city with sirens blaring.

On the ride over, as the Sirens start going off, Michael grips his pant leg rather hard and stares out the window, seeing something that isn’t there, it quickly passes. The mysterious man seems very uncomfortable in the limo, constantly fidgeting and looking around at the city as it goes by with nervous eyes. Attempting to take his mind off of whatever was bothering him, Michael speaks up.

“We are grateful for the escort, and the hospitality, I don’t believe we’ve met before. forgive my rudeness, but you are?”

“I am Lowly Princess Naomi of the House of Khaw Si Khaw!” The girl said with an extreme amount of pride in her voice.

The two princes look between each other, and Jorge shrugs his shoulders. The mysterious guard shakes his head ever so slightly, as if he’s remembering something annoying. Opening his mouth much to his brother’s silent protest, Jorge says

“So your majesty, I take it you're related to Is?”

“Yupperino! She is my cousin!” The Girl explained further, not using her inside voice in her pure and unadulterated excitement about having guests over.

“Well it's good to meet you, Princess Naomi. I am Michael Brandt, First-”

He stops a moment and touches his ring with his thumb

“Prince of Galavaria, and this is my brother, Jorge.”

“It’s nice to meet you two!” She said before her eyes fell specifically on the ring that say on the Prince’s finger. “What does that ring mean, mister?”

Once again sharing a glance between the two brothers, Jorge scowls, and Michael smiles knowingly, before speaking again. He holds the ring up and says

“It means I’m getting married. I asked the Czarina of Trecko for her hand in marriage, and she accepted. Just not used to wearing it yet.”

“Wow, I’ve seen here on the television! She is really pretty!”

She seemed to ponder on something for a second before asking in a more curious tone.

“Is wears a ring like that on the same area. Is she getting married too?”

Jorge’s scowl deepens, and he looks out the window, at the behest of his brother’s pleading look. Slowly, Michael says.

“I think that's not a question I can answer.”

A silence grips the car for a moment, before he says

“Ahem, well. Anyways how much further until we reach the palace?”

The car would suddenly come to a very sudden stop before the doors were brought open by more men in suits and ties, before them lay an expansive palace complex made of marble. Standing near the entrance, surrounded by guards was a girl of similar age to Auriel, wearing an identical dress to Naomi and having the same hair and eye color as the youngest royal. Immediately Naomi would sprint out and hug onto the older girl who held an umbrella to cover the both of them. Naomi whispered something into her sister’s ear before, bringing her eyes to the Galvarians. She cautiously approached them with a light smile on her face, holding her younger sister close in a side hug to both protect her from the sun and to insure she did not lose her.

Looking at the representatives from the OFA, Michael would sigh when they began frantically checking notes, seemingly having no answer. Looking hopefully to his brother, who shrugs, and says

“She never talked about extended family much. You know how she is”

Grabbing the bridge of his nose in frustration, Michael gets out of the car first, and says

“Good day to you, I am Prince Michael, of Galavaria, and this is my brother, Jorge. Apologies if this is too presumptuous, but am I to presume you are also of noble blood?”

“You would be correct your highness. I am lowly Princess Rachel. It is a pleasure to meet you two. Auriel always speaks highly of your family.”

The woman responds.

Smiling, Michael replies

“It's an honor that she thinks so highly of us”

At this point, Jorge and the rest of the team exit the vehicle. The mysterious man keeps a keen watch on the area surrounding the group, and looks very uneasy. His eyes say it all, considering that's basically the only defining feature of his face visible. Putting on a happy face, Jorge says

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of seeing the royal palace in all its splendor, would you care to give us a tour while we wait for Princess Auriel’s schedule to open up?”

His Khoslol is exceptional, although slightly mired by a slur creeping into his voice. He hides it well, and barely seems like he’s been drinking

“Of course, I’ll also show you your rooms. Now, any particular requests for your visits here?”

She says as she clasps her hands together in satisfaction, and begins to walk into the palace itself, egging on the Galvarians to follow.

Moving in step behind her, Michael leads the part, with the mysterious man sandwiched between him and Jorge. Michael waves his hand dismissively, saying
“You’ve already been so generous, we couldn’t possibly ask for more '

Jorge begins to form the words ‘booze’ on his lips in Khoslol, before Michael elbows him in the ribs, hard. A slight gasp escapes Jorge as he struggles to not double over. It seems to have sober him up some.

“Please, led the way” Michael finishes

A giggle would come from the elder sister as she ruffles her sister’s hair as the youngest looks back at the two of them.

“Mind if I ask what you all would like to have for dinner?”

She says, keeping her eyes straight forward as they enter the palace, just the front lobby is enormous and filled with great jewels and gold.

An audible ‘wow’ would come from behind the mysterious man’s neck gaiter, as his eyes drank in the splendor. Quickly, they would refocus on keeping an eye around the group. Jorge gives a low whistle, with Michael being the one to comment for them

“I think we’d all be very interested to try one of Khoslol’s famous spiced chicken dish.”

Jorge adds absentmindedly, still taking in the surroundings

“We’ve had it before, but nothing our chefs come up with could compare to the source, I’m sure”

“How perfect, I’ll let the chef know shortly.”

She leads the group further into the palace, revealing that it was big and greatly decorated, however it was eerily devoid of people, not another single soul was in sight, not a visible or audible sign that people actually live here. Minutes and minutes go by and it’s clear it would take a few hours to just make the round trip.

“Mind if I ask how you two knows, Auriel?”

The two men pause, and the mysterious man appears to chuckle a bit. Michael starts to say something but only gets out

“Um...”

Jorge cuts him off and says

“We met through a royal function. You should ask her about it sometime, it was a wild party”

He smiles softly, internally reminiscing on the time they first met.

A light hearted smile overtakes her as she continues walking.

“I’ve tried.”

She said in a serious tone as she placed her hands over her sister’s ears.

“She’s a bit anti-social if I may be honest.”

Looking at the two with a concerned look.

“Wait, can we talkabout that?”

Jorge excitedly says before Michael gives him an exasperated look.

“Hrm. Some other time then”

He says defeated. Giving the girl a reassuring smile, Michael says

“Part of the reason for our visit. We wanted to catch up with her, along with a discussion of some things. Can’t have a visit be all pleasure and no business I’m afraid”

“That is very sweet of you two.”

She says with a smile before returning to looking straight forward, the walk still not coming to a halt.

“I’ve always said if there is anything she needs she could always talk to me. . . between me and you guys, I don’t think it’s good for her to be marrying at such a young age. Can’t help but worry she is trying to rush through life.”

Jorge looks like he wants to throw his hands up and shout ‘Thank you!’ But refrains. Nodding his head in agreement, Michael says

“Believe me I have experience in family rushing too quickly to adulthood. It’s good to know she has people looking out for her.”

The mysterious man gives Michael a side glance at this comment, but quickly returns to scanning the room

She suddenly stops before releasing the youngest from her ear clamp as they stand in a hallway with multiple rooms to each side. “Here might be your rooms. Twelve in total so you guys can divide up wherever you please and please don’t make too much of a mess, we only have a limited number of second gens to help us clean.”

“Thank you. You won’t have to worry about us, I assure you.”

He thinks to question what a ‘second gen’ is, but thinks better of it. They split up into pairs for rooms, with Michael, Jorge and the masked man taking a room, and the OFA agents taking another room, with the royal guards getting their own room, next to the prince’s room.

Some Time Later

A knock would come from the door before the small head of Naomi would pop out, exclaiming. “Dinner is ready!”

“Ah, excellent, c'mon Mick, I’m hungry” Jorge says making his way out of the room, his brother follows. The mystery man remains in the room. Still wearing his hat and neck gator

The girl would rush in to try to take the mystery man by the hand as she sweetly looked up at him. “Dinner is ready, mister!”

waving dismissively, he wordlessly shakes his head Michael stops to watch the situation unfold

The girl would seem to literally tear up at the outright disrespect of her culture. “Please. . . .” She stares up at him with puppy dog eyes.

He looks at the girl, then Michael several times. Pleading in his eyes. Michael shakes his head, and the man relents, allowing himself to be dragged by the girl. The girl would cheer up as she sniffled, rushing him out of the room to see if the rest of the Galvarian diplomatic missions had assembled for dinner. The OFA agents, having an understanding of the culture, ensure that the two guards are present with them as they fall in step behind the group

The girl would then immediately lead them for nearly ten minutes to a modestly sized dinner hall, all set up with food and drink already on the table with golden utensils and silk napkin like clothes. Already inside is Rachel talking to Grand Prince Uriel, who is noticeably less pale than the rest of the royals. His eyes dart to the Galvarians before he simply shrugs to Rachel and exits the room from the opposite entrance.

Leaning into his older brother, Jorge whispers, now much more sober

"Do we smell that bad?"

Shaking his head and suppressing a laugh his brother whisper's back

"I'm sure he has his reasons, behave yourself damn you."

Jorge chuckles as he moves to sit down in his seat. There is a collective 'ooo' and 'ahhhh' as the group examines the lavish methods they will be eating in. The two royal guards, along with the mysterious man take up standing positions near the table, but don't sit down. The two royal guards clasp their hands over the front of their suits while the mysterious man stands there, looking awkward. The two sisters then proceed to take their seats once the foreigners have sat down, Rachel speaking.

“Would you care to bless our table?”

She asks as she claps her hands together and maintains it with her elbows on the table, looking towards Jorge and Michael. Michael freezes up, and opens his mouth to say something but Jorge is faster.

“Yes dear brother, why don’t you lead us in prayer”

He has a shit eating grin on his face that stretches from ear to ear. Michael stammers out a response, after giving his brother a shot of daggers

“W-Well, you see. I am a catholic man by birth so I feel it would be wrong of me to lead a prayer in such a setting.”

“Nonsense your highness, treat this home as if it were your own. Now, come on, it’s best to eat while it’s still hot.” She says, attempting to dispel the Prince’s worry.

Leaning back in his chair, Jorge gives his brother a ‘well, we’re waiting’ look. Bowing his head, Michael prays

“Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen”

“Amen.” would echo from the two Lowly Princesses as they open their eyes and Naomi immediately reached for her utensils, grabbing a breaded chicken ball and dunking it in her garlic sauce instead of her fish sauce. Rachel looks at her sister sweetly as she looks at the guests.

The group at the table goes to dig in, with Michael eats several spoonful's, and says

“This is truly amazing, thank you.”

His face then goes very, very pale as the spice hits him and he starts to chug his water Seeing his brothers reaction, Jorge dunks his in the sauces provided, laughing at his expense. Jorge's face also goes pale, and he begins to chug the glass of wine that sits at his spot, finishing it in record time. One of the OFA agents also dips her food, and seems to enjoy it very much with no issue. Her companion, a man, has his eyes water and as he eats in silence. The mysterious man can be seen laughing silently behind his neck gaiter, while the two guards remain stoic.

“Ar- are you okay, your majesties?”

Rachel asks as she looks up her food after swallowing, seeming to be genuinely concerned as their tall and thin glass of water was already gone.

“N-Never better.”

Jorge says, blinking away some tears.

“Just a bit more than our pallets were ready for is all.”

Michael coughs a bit, and nods his head vigorously in agreement. Jorge continues to eat, and is pleasantly surprised to find it's not as bad as the first bite. Although he worries to himself for a moment that it may be because he burnt his taste buds off. He quickly dismisses the thought as preposterous, for sanity's sake.

“Sorry about that, your highness, I would have assumed that Auriel would have introduced such dishes into your pallets.”

Michael recovers enough to respond.

“Well, no, she never got the chance. Usually she wanted to try out different dishes from our homeland.”

“And she’s probably sitting somewhere, laughing at us”

Jorge mumbles under his breath.

Just as Jorge mumbles that a figures lean on the door, a young man either nineteen or twenty, as pale as the rest and wearing a white and red two piece suit, he looks at the foreigner with a sigh before his eyes ends up on Rachel, speaking out in Khoslol. “We’ve found her by the way. .” Rachel immediately stands up from her seat as Naomi continues eating, placing her hands over her little sister’s ears. “No shit, where is she?”

“Passed out on a couch like usual.”

“Mary’s sake, she is gonna catch a cold like she did in the Shaozi Palace.” Rachel releases her protection on her sister’s ears, running over to the man, stopping in the door way as she looked back at them.

“Sorry about that, feel free to take your food back to your rooms if need be, there are kitchen utilities in them. If you forgot the way back Naomi can show you.”

She politely bows towards the Galvarians before finishing.

“I need to see Auriel. .”

“Is.”

The man corrects her. Without the time or patience to argue, both of them run off further into the palace.

On hearing Auriel’s name, Jorge quite literally jumps out of his seat, but Michael is quicker. Despite his stature, his brother Jorge being noticeably bulkier than him, he grabs his younger brother with one arm and yanks on him, bringing him down to hiss into his ear

“Now is Not the time. I’m worried about her too. Patience.”

Not saying anything, Jorge walks off back towards the room. The Mysterious man shifts uncomfortably, before following close behind him. Motioning to a waiter, Michael says

“Please, give our compliments to the chef. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’d appreciate 3 small portions for my companions that didn’t sit down to eat.”

With that, the rest of the party makes their way back to the rooms.

Later on, in the middile of the night

Night takes the group, with the members of the diplomatic parties peacefully sleeping in their rooms. All but one find peace in the comfortable beds provided by their hosts. The mysterious man, now finally decloaked and under the covers of his bed, is thrashing violently in his sleep. It starts off slowly, and is accompanied by unintelligible murmurs. After a while, the motions get more erratic, and violent. Then, as his head thrashes from side to side, words begin to become audible.

“Wait. Stop.”

His thrashing has woken up one of the princes in the room with him, Michael, who looks on at the figure sadly.

“Horn”

Michael nudges Jorge, whos eyes shoot awake when the figure screams

“Look out. NO!”

Jumping forward, Jorge grabs the man out of bed, who starts kicking and punching wildly.

“Karl! Karl, it's me! It was just a dream! You're ok. You're ok.”

Karl wipes some tears from his eyes, before more comes, and his brother says nothing, only holding him closer.

“I’ll get water”

Michael says, moving towards the door.

Approximately half a minute after the screaming would begin a knock on the door would come from the concerned voice of Naomi. “ARE YOU OKAY?!?”

Opening the door, being sure to obscure his still emotional younger brother, Michael says softly

“Yes, we are okay. Do you think there's some way we could get some water?

He is trying very hard not to cry, and his eyes are watery for it.

“Of course, I’ll grab a jug!” Naomi says as she attempts to hide the panic in her voice, running off for a minute and a half before returning with a glass water pitcher that was a quarter of her own size. “I- I- I am back!”

“Thank you, child. You honor your people with your kind heart.”

He says, taking the jug from her. He hurries back into the room, leaving the door ajar. Pouring a glass for his brother, he commands

“Breathe. It’s water. Drink.”

Inside the room, Jorge cradles his brother in his arms, while Michael stands off to one side, feeding him the water. Karl isn’t wearing his shirt, exposing his scarred chest to the onlooking girl, along with the full extent of his scarred face. On his chest, one very deep scar runs from under his shoulder to his pec. Several scars from stitches pocket mark the remaining area of his exposed upper body. On his face, the scar looks to start around his cheek, near his jawline. It extends diagonally from there and comes to a stop on the bridge of his nose. Karl has a look of pure fear on his eyes, and is hyperventilating. Tears also line his cheeks.

“Do- do you need a doctor?” Naomi asks as fear overtakes her voice as she looks inside the room, horrified.

Glancing over to the girl, Jorge attempts to shift his brother, to give him some modesty. It doesn't work. He doesn’t say anything, and is whispering something to Karl. Michael sighs, and comes over to the girl.

“His injuries are not one a doctor can fix, I am sorry we disturbed you.”

Karl is staring through the girl, seemingly seeing something no one else is seeing. His breath is rapidly coming under control however.

“Ma- may I go?”
Naomi asks nervously

“Yes child, again I am truly sorry we disturbed you. And I’m sorry you had to see this”

Michael says, turning back to tend to his brother.

The small girl would immediately dart out the room and into the hall, disappearing down into the darkness.

(ON A TRAIN HEADING FOR CHAIAMA,KHAW SI KHAW)

A the train approached it's final destination on the platform many in the halls of the train coming from Michu, on the train in the two by two seats near each other on one spot sat four men who stood out from the rest of the mostly Hezranian crowd, beside from there tan skin and Mediatean completion two of the men wore black three suits while the other two blocking them into there seats from the outside where dressed in a dark uniform and red strip along there pants and cuffs of there tunic they also had an odd collar symbol not usually seen in Hezrana.
   The strange men both where wide awake and alert as there eyes shifted from the windows to coordinating down the hall of the train car for a potential threat, they where both young and very alert and emotionless at the same time, one of the men sat with a notebook writing stuff down and looking dead, while the other one across from him with an eye patch was looking out the window and translating to himself from his native tongue to Khoslol and reading a translation book.

As the train approached the stop and everyone began to grab their belongings, the two men picked up some suitcases and where guarded from the front and back by both the guards who waited for everyone to pass before escorting the both of them off of the train. When they entered the station they immediately went towards a nearby bench where a man of simalier completion approached them in and straightened his tie and began to have a conversation with the man with the eye patch in a foreign tongue.
  " Your excellency welcome to the KPPR, I am Antonio Ramboni from the embassy we have stationed here, I will escort you to your quarters sir, my apologies it is not the best we only got notification of your arrival Yesterday." Said the man who then shook his hand as the man with the eye patch standing between the two guards and other man in black then spoke.
       " No need to apologize ambassador, I did not plan heading this way until I received word on the coup attempt and government change yesterday, is there room for me and my men to stay at the embassy?  

   "Yes your excellency we shall take you there right now, we have a car waiting for you this way."

  The man then led them towards a waiting black embassy car, a they approached and the man opened the door for the Il Duce and one of the guards got in with the Il Duce in the middle. The other man in a suit then spoke.

"I shall go enact my orders now your excellency, they shall not take to long, if anything does however occur I have left you a copy of the details for the inauguration inside of your suit case."

"Yes thank you, when you return I would like to know the end result of your operation."

"Yes your excellency I will inform you upon my return."

With that the man in the suit then nodded and motionlessly walked off into the direction the opposite way the embassy car was heading, as Antonio then piled into the car and they drove off towards the embassy in the opposite direction the man was going.


(Half an hour later.)

A mid 30's aged Khoslol man is walking down the street, he is dressed nicely and has a white handkerchief on his pocket on his unbuttoned black suit with a white dress shirt and a red, white, and yellow stripped tie. The man adjusted his glasses and then fiddling with his hair nervously pushing it back, he then looked down the street corner and began walking down to an alleyway, as he approached the corner of a building he hit the arm on accident of a man in a black suit wearing a matching fedora and carrying a black suitcase with a green tag on it and kicked it towards the alleyway where it opened up.

 "My apologies sir please let me help you."  The man said in Khoslol and went into the alleyway with the man and then dropped his own suitcase with a black ribbon on the handle which also opened up in the alleyway. The both of them had gotten close and began to talk quietly as they went through there cases ehind a dumpster from public eyes, speaking in a foreign language from the Mediatean Sea area.

"Do you come here often sir?"

"Only when I come to meet my friend from the south to exchange cigarettes."

"Do you have one for me?"

"Yes I do I have one right here for you." The kholsol man then handed the tan man from the Mediatean Sea a set of papers that where hidden inside of an add that appeared to be blank.

The man then put it inside of his suitcase with the green tag and slide some documents in a file towards the Kholsol man. He opened it and inside was the information collected on key members in office in the KPPR, military officials, and government officials, as well as other people on blank paper with photos of them as the words where hidden.

"These are potential friends we believe you would need for you and your friends to take power, what is your status so far?"

"Yes my friends are ready and currently we are working on gaining more, we have many local friends and the other counter to the change has failed as predicted, after the change is complete we shall recruit more friends into our circle who are unhappy with the change and will sink the nation, once they are on board then soon we would begin to enforce our change and save the nation as a comrade."

The man then nodded in approval and handed him a final file with a picture of Princess Auriel on top of a folder, inside the file the man saw images of a woman from the Peace conference in Michu days ago.

"My final question is comrade is does this match with those as the same paper I cannot tell."

The man then responded by putting the paper into the file and handing it back to him. and they both got up and closed there suit cases.

Thank you friend for helping me with my troubles, this answers many questions, do not forget that once you share those with your friends to dispose of them I prefer to use my cigarettes until the whole thing is but a pile of ashes.

The two men then shook hands and left in opposite directions as if they had never met before.


At the Nova Roman embassy

The man in black had entered the building after identifying himself to the embassy guard in the doorway, he then approached a young man in his Magistratus uniform standing in a stairway that had led to the upper floor of the embassy. The man was a young recruit requested by the Il Duce himself as one of his guards to accompany him overseas. The man stood perfectly still looking still but alive in his eyes with both hands in front of him. The man dressed in black walked to the left where the staircase was and passed the desk where a young Nova Roman woman sat at a computer typing away an email and to the right of the room led to a hallway for offices in the embassy. The man in black then spoke to the guard by name with a blank expression.

"Good evening Roberto, his excellency is up stairs I do take it, I have a report I must deliver to him."

"Yes sir he is present up stairs, I will not let anyone enter as long as you are present until you give me permission to allow people up.

The man then thanked the guard and shaked his hand before continuing up the stairs as the guard blocked it with his body again behind him and turned to the narrow hallway in the upper floor, where storage and spare rooms where along with a spare bathroom and the office Antonio Ramboni operated in where he was at work filing papers. In the room at the end all the way to the left was where at the end of the building stood the second guard who nodded as the an entered the room as he knew the man was a Nova Roman agent. In the room was a small coffee table with two chairs and two small spare beds that folded out, they where spares for in case any reason someone needed to stay late. The Il Duce with his jacket hanging in the small closet looked out the small window it had into the dark into the city he could partly see. He then began to speak.

"How did your assignment go Mr Anonimo"

"It went as planned your excellency, all of our allies are still accounted for and they are preparing for Khaw to degrade once the KPPR falls act, we also have received information that should interest us your excellency"

He then pulled out the papers he had then pulled out a secret flashlight he had hidden in his suitcase that when it went over the paper revealed the secret message that he had shared with the Il Duce as he wrote it down for his official report, he had then once he had recorded it and given the Il Duce his copy of the information and packed the other away for the agency, he opened the files and began to go through the file with the photo of Princess Auriel as he connected her to not only the naval officer but as many other fake id's and the file he had labeled Objective Mos and descriptions with the photos mentioning the name White Snow The two reviewed the separate documents much into the night preparing for the next day.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Palace of Treko, the Czarina was having tea in the Tea Room. As usual, during her morning routines, she usually have tea first and foremost before continuing with her breakfast, while she is sipping on the cup, she then stopped to admire her ring, Annika had been recently engaged to Michael, Crown Prince Michael of Galavaria. Her butler comes in the chamber and delivers her a refill, but she declines it, instead Annika asked for the remote to the television.

"Ivan, be a doll would you, and pass me the remote to the television? I wonder how the news to our engagement is going?"

The Butler acknowledges the command, and goes for the remote, to pass it toward Annika, but before she can press the on switch, the Butler says;

"Congratulations on your recent engagement, Your Majesty, I sincerely hope that your new chapter in life could be one of excitement, and happiness as well as-

Before he could say any further, Annika pressed the television on switch anyway, and a news broadcaster who had just finished announcing the recent Czarina engagement, then tuned in viewers of an impending military coup attempt in the Khoslol, the KPPR.

"In a breaking news, we bring you to the KPPR, where news of an impending attempt to overthrow the Khoslol government has been put to action, several military figures and leadership have moved against the central government, putting political affairs in the country to a grinding halt. While the Ministry of External Affairs, Radko Orlov have not yet given a comment, the Premier's office have given us a statement that the Trekkish government will look to the matter, and that the government is concerned about the situation, urging calm for all parties."

Annika showed concern, the Butler who noticed a change of expression to Annika's face goes to question her with a caring tone that is, while approaching her further, putting his hand on the chair. Normally that would be considered a misconduct in the Imperial Household, but Annika didn't seem to pay too much attention, instead she was fixated on the news.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so polite to inquire, you seem to be very distraught by the news, is there something the matter?"

Annika answered to the question;

"I don't know Ivan, I seem to recall Michael's recent adventures, he has relatives which relate to the Khoslol, I know that at this very moment that he's worried about it, and I want to help him somehow."

The Butler simply replied to the answer;

"Your Majesty, I must apologize for this, and punish me if you must, but you're the Czarina, the head of state of this country. You could inquire personally to the Premier on what is being done about the Khoslol situation, and perhaps provide an insight in your role as Head of State."

Annika simply chuckled, Ivan was stunned, but he also is happy that Annika was cheered, but Annika was reminded that she could do something to support her allies in the Khoslol situation. So she answered;

"You're right Ivan. Invite the Premier to discuss with me at the earliest convenience. I wish to speak to him about the engagement and the current Khoslol situation."

The Butler acknowledges, and leaves.

The next day, the gates of the Imperial Palace Compound opened, and a state car flying the flag of Treko on both sides of the front end waves through the Compound, stopping in front of the Palace. The Premier is escorted out of the vehicle, and in front of an Imperial Guardsman.

"Your Excellence, Her Majesty is already waiting for you in the Aleksandr Hall. Please follow me."

The Premier acknowledged; "Righto."

The Palace were of wonder to behold, even if you had been invited to speak to the Czarina multiple times, or even if you lived there, the sights would still catch you offguard. Yet Orlov didn't seem to bother, they walked to the Aleksandr Hall, where the Czarina was waiting.

The Imperial Guardsman walked in first to announce the Premier's arrival; "Your Majesty, the Premier, ma'am." The Premier soon entered, and bowed in respect.

"Your Majesty."

Annika replied;

"Premier Orlov."

The two shortly after sat down on the couch, and began to discuss the engagement and the Khoslol situation. The Premier started first;

"I gather you invited me here to discuss about your engagement correct?"

Annika answered;

"Yes, and regarding the Khoslol situation, I want to discuss about the Khoslol situation first. What is our government's position on the Military Coup, and why have we yet to deliver a response?"

The Premier shrugged it off, answering to the Czarina;

"Well, ma'am, this government is still waiting for further events, ever since the military staged their coup attempt, it is hard to gather information from reliable sources. Preventing us from making a coordinated and diplomatic response to the situation."

Annika acknowledged

"I understand, but shouldn't we already make a response by now? Besides, we should make it clear that we in no way tolerate such military takeover of government, especially in one of our long standing allies in the Khoslol."

Premier Orlov replied;

"I understand that point of view, Your Majesty, but we cannot act without further information, yet. Nevertheless, I will pass it on to the government to make a response soon on your behalf."