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May 4, 1420 6:32 AM Over Time National Zoranian Banking Clan Tower; Yemiduga City, Fisheros, Zoran Kunagadoga was looking over some data collected on the average expenditure of the war effort to see where he could potentially cut costs when his secretary buzzed in through the intercom, “Sir, your Director of PR wishes to speak with you.” Kunagadoga sighed, “Send them in.” The doors open as a very frantic woman rushes into the room holding a stack of papers. They put it on his desk before they spoke, “Mr. Kunagadoga have you seen the news?” “Not particularly, why do you ask?” “Fujai and Giovanniland have changed their support!” Kunagadoga clapped his hands together with glee, “Excellent! I knew putting that idea into the mind of that stupid general would pay off! Now they will be ba-” “Before you get too excited sir, they have not declared that they would be supporting us. In fact, many politicians in those countries have shown open disdain towards us. Both Giovanniland and Fujai have voted to side with the Monarchists. On top of this, Fujai passed a vote to hold those accountable for those responsible for the bombing of Zoradia,” Kunagadoga sat still and remained ominously silent as they continued, “which if they question General Lagodo they might link it back to you…” Kunagadoga slammed his fist on the table, causing the stack of papers that the director of PR brought in to fall all over the ground. “Damn it! Grrr I don’t know why I thought those dirty hippy socialists would align with us but I thought the idea of economic growth in Zoran and a valuable trade partner would motivate them!” he sighs before downing a cup of gin he had on his desk, “Has there been any word from the GDC on this at all?” The director shook her head in response, “Well let me know when they do, I am not letting this ruin my plans. I am going to have to turn to Plan D.” “Plan D sir? What happened to plans B and C? “Those plans are too cliche and over rated, Plan D can’t possibly fail! Plus it will deal a blow to not just the Monarchists but to Atsil personally. It will also demoralize the working class and poor of the country while removing a thorn from our side that has existed for years. Send an order to our Chief Business officer to get me in touch with a Cambrian official ASAP!” The director nodded, cleaned up the papers that were knocked onto the floor, and rushed out of the room to fulfill the order. Kunagadoga swiveled in his chair to look out the window behind him and he recalled the meeting he had with CGZ two days ago. You always come knocking for trouble CGZ, you and your ancestors have always managed to escape it but this time your luck is going to run out. May 4, 1420 7:50 AM Over Time Temporary Grand Defense Council Building in Southern Zoran The meeting chamber is active with discussion on recent events. The GDC has not agreed on a plan of attack or defense and has essentially been paralyzed while conflict still rages in the country they have lost control over. The people of Zoran are furious over the bombing of Zoradia and the benefits of the move have been called into question. Speaker Quadelo called the room to order with a slam of their gavel and everyone took their seats. General Lagodo, still confident in his ability to be the hero of Zoran, stands up and requests permission to speak and the speaker accepts his request, “Representatives, I know what we did was hard but think about it! Now no side in this madness can claim the capital and support their claim to be the rightful Zoranian government. We still have international ba-” Representative Tsolaquo then interrupted him, “False! Don’t even finish that statement! Have you not forgotten what happened yesterday! Both Fujai and Giovanniland, the only countries that have publicly recognized us, have announced that they are supporting the Monarchists! To add insult to injury, all of us here would be brought to court in Fujai over the planning and execution of the bombing of Zoradia! We are now without international support and recognition thanks to the plan you put forth!” General Lagodo, as well as the rest of the room, was caught off guard by this abrupt interruption. He wiped his brow nervously, “We didn’t need them, they uh...they didn’t even provide us with funds or arms, only recognition and humanitaria-” “Yes but we wouldn’t have needed arms or funds if it wasn’t for the bombing which wasted not just jet fuel but also missiles and fighter rounds! This is not some video game where you don’t have to worry about supplies but this is real life Lagodo! This is real life war! You can’t win by doing brash actions like this! Every action has consequences!” Speaker Quadelo slammed his gavel, “Representative Tsolaquo please stop interrupting General Lagodo, I did not give you permission to interrupt or to speak for that matter.” Representative Tsolaquo grumbled as he leaned back into his seat as General Lagodo continued, “Thank you Speaker, now my plan is simple, we gather our troops here in the area we control and fight off any attacks that the other factions send at us.” More experienced representatives groaned at the sound of this plan as the session went on without any actual plan to be voted on. May 4, 1420 10:25 AM Over Time Unknown location A young recruit came into General Waholi’s office and stood at attention until he was recognized, “What is it, recruit?” said Waholi as he looked over the plans for the upcoming Uweyv Nunnehi Campaign, “I was ordered to tell you that Fujai and Giovanniland have both changed their support in the war to supporting our cause. Giovanniland has stated that, for now, they are only recognizing us as the true Zoranian government. Fujai on the other hand continues to provide humanitarian aid but they also intend on giving us funds and supplies as well as legitimacy. There is a possibility we can be given more support from Giovanniland if we can convince them.” Waholi smiled slightly and turned to face the recruit, “Thank you for that message, it was much needed good news! You are dismissed.” The recruit salutes before running on back to training. Waholi was relieved by that news as he looks at the plans for the campaign with renewed confidence in their ability to win this war.

Jamie Marshall ran frantically through the halls of Windlar Castle to the King's office with a map of Zoran in hand. He had called beforehand to tell the King to stay in the office. He knocked on the door and entered the office to find King Maddy IV sitting on the couch by the fireplace. "Sir the Corporates have pushed into Gagotigakanvsgi and have managed to defeat the GDC and the Monarchist forces in the province," he said as he pointed to the province on the map. King Maddy IV replied," That is a matter of concern. This one right? That looks like an important province, considering it's proximity to the Southern island of Zoran, and the huge chunks of contested areas." "Yes sir. It was a big loss in Gagotigakanvsgi for the monarchists. We need to do something." "Yes that we do. Send Prince Sergio to Saint Mark to talk with Prince Marcarius about this situation. Talk about this situation with them and come to a mutual agreement on how we can help. Establish contact with Prince Dominic. Make sure that only Dominic hears what you talk about." "Yes sir." "Tell him to talk with the General and ask him how he feels about Larxian secret agents in Zoran." "But sir, why do you need to ask. You can just send them there. Who would find out?" "Marshall it's not about who would find out. We are supporting the Monarchists because we respect their sovereignty. And right now we need them to trust us. We don't need their distrust, especially when we want to help them." "Yes Sir. Right away." "Just contact [-redacted-] and ask him to ready the agents. If the general doesn't mind, tell him to deploy them instantly to the different provinces. I want four agents per province to be ready and awaiting orders." "Yes sir, your Highness. I'll talk to him immediately. Will that be all?" "Yes, now hurry. I want a verbal report soon. Just talk to the President and give him the memo. Tell him to be alert about the Zoranian situation." "Yes Sir." "God speed Marshall"

July 18, 1420 5:00 AM Over Time Unknown location Where You Wish To Go, I Cannot Follow Adsila sits at the table where she has been spending a lot of her time for the past two months. She has been taking her time to read and learn the skills taught in the SIC training manual, everything from being forgettable, pulling quick changes, how to use certain gadgets, how to resist torture, etc. She has also been practicing how to use the techniques she learned with CGZ, she was surprised how willing he was to help her and how hospitable he has been towards her. He has been willing to teach her some basic martial arts and how to use a firearm. He explained to her that he never uses guns or lethal force like his ancestors before him, but he learned how to know how they work, how to best avoid getting shot, and so he knows what they are capable of. While Adsila did not like the idea of killing, she knew that in her situation it is going to be unavoidable. After two long months of learning and basic training she is almost ready to leave the thief’s sanctum and join the war. She turns the page of the training manual and read the title of the new chapter she was on and she heard a voice behind her say, “‘Sexpionage - The Art of Seduction,’ that sounds like a fun chapter. I wonder which one of your ancestors developed this one?” Atils yelped in surprise when she heard CGZ and quickly slammed the book shut. Adsila’s face was a bright red out of embarrassment and CGZ began laughing at her reaction. She growled in annoyance before getting back to her reading. CGZ’s laughter stopped and he sat at the opposite side of the table from her, still wearing a ski mask and sunglasses to conceal his identity. “So, do you think you’re ready to go out there yet?” asked CGZ, “Almost, I just have to read this slightly controversial chapter and I should be ready to...to go out there.” she answered without looking up from the book. CGZ nodded before saying, “Have you thought about what you’re going to do once you go out there and join the monarchists?” “I have a bit, based on some of the news I have been reading things seem to be going in their favor as they are receiving a lot of international support. If they manage to focus on pushing the corporates out the northern island they will be able to have more resources freed up to focus on attacking the south. It’s simple, I know, but it’s a start.” CGZ chuckled, “Understandable, I have to ask, do you even know who is leading the Corporates?” Adsila shakes her head as she turns a page in the manual. “Do you remember a certain Kunagadoga Quasena from your years in secondary school?” Adsila paused at that name and looked up from the manual to look at the lenses of CGZ’s sunglasses, “I do...are you saying tha-” “Yes, Kunagadoga is the leader of the Corporates.” Adsila stops for a second and recalls a dream she had two weeks ago. One where a lady spoke to her and said that the son of the basket weaver sought to kill the heir to Ani’-Wah’. She conveys this to CGZ who shrugs in response, “I am not one to put stock in dreams but I would be lying if I said he didn’t want to kill you.” There was silence between them for a while before she broke it, “I can read this chapter later when I have time, I need to go there now.” CGZ seemed to have blinked a few times behind his sunglasses before nodding with understanding. “Ok, I will take you to the monarchists today. Gather up what you need and we will depart.” CGZ got up and made his way to leave the room when Adsila stopped him by asking, “Why have you really been helping me? I know you said that it was because you felt bad for my situation in all of this but I don’t think that’s your true motive.” CGZ stopped at the open door leading to his library before looking back at her. He let out a sigh, “Because Kuna should never be allowed to take power, it is no secret that he is a cruel cold hearted bastard but I have a personal vendetta against him for what he did to my sister. Not too long ago, before the mess I made in Saint Jocelyn during the Olympics, my sister met Kunagadonga and for a few months they were friends. However, I knew better and tried to warn her but she didn’t believe me when I said he was a scumbag. Then one day she went to see him and she didn’t come home. That’s when I knew something was wrong and I went out to find Kunagadoga and confront him about my sister. When I found him we got into a fist fight where I ended up coming out on top and demanded to know where my sister was. All he said was that she was ‘anywhere but here.’ I pressed him to tell me what he meant by that only to find out he sold her to human traffickers…” CGZ’s head hung low with defeat, “She’s only a year older than me, nineteen. I have been trying to find her since but to no avail, and when I saw that you became a potential threat to Kuna I didn’t even hesitate to find you. So my actions weren’t entirely selfless, they were primarily driven by a selfish desire for revenge.” Adsila didn’t know what to say, she empathized with him and felt his pain, sorrow, and hate. Her voice was only a whisper when she spoke, “The room I’m staying in...that was her room wasn’t it?” CGZ nodded, “Adsila...when you leave here you will not get any aid from me...for where you wish to go I cannot follow. After the stunt I pulled in Cambria they are probably planning on a way of killing me and I don’t think I will be able to survive that when it comes. So I ask this of you, unify the country, avenge its people, and let nothing stand in your way. Build a better Zoran, a better place for the torchbearers of tomorrow.” CGZ’s voice began to crack as he spoke and when he finished he walked through the doorway and left Adsila alone with the weight of the conversation weighing down upon her thoughts. I didn’t think CGZ was about my age, I guess part of his persona is to appear older than he is. But the pain he must have experienced makes me think of the pain of the Zoranian people. Many are probably seeing me of some sort of savior...but I am just one woman. She held her head in her hands as she realized the weight of her role she plays in all this. But the words of CGZ echo in her head, Unify the country, avenge its people, and let nothing stand in your way. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try.” She said to herself before getting up to gather her things as she prepares to leave.