---

The Electorate addressed the state of Clysperis today, saying that "exactly no action will be taken towards or against the Clysperis Confederation and Kingdom until a complete and thorough understanding of the social and political climate is achieved. Therefore, it has been decided to be in the SICR's best interests that observers be dispatched to examine the situation while resources are directed towards other needs." No comment has been made on what actions would be taken if the SICR were to intervene, although many are doubtful towards both sides, a historian of the Imperial Libraries saying, "This feels far too much like our civil war. The only difference is that they are willing to have foreigners aid them in their bloodbath, but that only adds more bodies to the grave." The Imperial Throne has yet to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, the public has remained fairly divided on the topic, though most agree that if either side is to win, reforms must be instituted. Some have joked about the Royal Clysperis forces, saying, "All of their soldiers will shame the other side on social media and win the war because a good leader must be a role model for their troops!" The Confederation forces were not spared either, with rather 'daring' dragonaii posting memes such as one with a picture of the infamous Civil War Imperial general Yuan Houxing frowning at the captions "Killing innocent religion-goers because down with the religion" and smiling at the captions "Killing everyone in the city because why not". The Imperial Cyber Department has requested the posters responsible to post less gruesome-representing memes in the future.

This has been DBS.

Bureau of Internal Security Central Headquarters, Upper Nanjing, Central Command Complex

---

The building itself was generously large from the outside, ten stories tall, its exterior covered in balconies and colorful decorations. One might even have considered it to be a five-star hotel from a glance. Trees surrounded the pagoda-like structure, hiding the security buildings that scattered the complex, quartered by limestone roads and decorative gardens watched over by stone lions. Upon the first floor's entry was a great seal, the BIS insignia engraved and colored in full upon the wall, a reception desk before it.

With each floor however, every layer of the SICR was revealed, from Tourism and Foreign Assistance at the tenth floor, and from the second-level basement downwards - Chemical Warfare, Territorial Denial, Censorship, Domestic Special Forces, and the infamous Imperial Sword.

Every level was guarded by soldiers in black uniforms, the obsidian star enblazoned upon the badges pinned to their helmets, gloved hands firmly gripping bullpup rifles as they motionlessly stood sentry at every door.

No corner had less than two cameras, and every ten paces was another blast door. The stark glare of LED bulbs and screened monitors filled each command center, personnel manning the blinking consoles to keep the eyes and ears of the Imperial Republic funtioning.

---

Within the Action Room of Domestic Special Forces, two men in starkly different uniforms discoursed in low voices, the massive table before them covered in files and tablets.

"But are we sure? Could it have been a Rokkenjiman agent?"

The one dressed in the coal-black military gear shook his head.

"Impossible. Rokkenjimans do not speak ten years worth of traditional dragonaii poetry when we have emerged in hardly one. I would say a cultist or another one of those lunatic reporters who keep trying to 'find out the truth'. In any case, we questioned him a good bit and sent him on his way. By today's news, I take it a note was forwarded to the media?"

His suited counterpart sighed in relief.

"Indeed. So he knows nothing then? You interrogated him thorougly?"

"Nothing. At best, probably just test rockets for the space program."

The suiter's fingers found a thick file in the mountain of papers, carefully annotated by the Examination Center.

"Good, good. Well, how about the individuals who tried to defect to Rokkenjima?"

"Oh, taken care of. We incinerated them and their information the spot. Bloody fools, thinking that they could travel to Rokkenjima by civilian plane. Agents had them directed to the Special Action area of the airport and shot them in the head before they could run."

The agent took the file from his counterpart, flipping hurriedly until suddenly stopping at an attached thumb drive, plugging it into one of the computer tablets.

"They wrote a manifesto that they were going to present to the public. Talks about how the Imperial Throne is oppressive and all other forms of treason. Even called for foreign armed intervention to throw the Emperor-Admiral out. It's a pity, really. Fresh out of university and the first thing they try to do is go stir up trouble. Rokkenjima's not the only country they wanted an audience with. They wanted one with EM, Lodja, SANE, you name it."

The suiter did not look up from examining the manifesto.

"Never mind that. Do they have any other accomplices?"

"Being dealt with now, I believe. We tracked them to an apartment in Blut-Himmel Stadt. An operation is currently underway."

---

New Sun Residential Apartments, Lower Blut-Himmel Stadt

---

The agent carefully made his way to the apartment, his baggy clothes covering the tactical vest. He glanced quickly at the mailboxes to ensure he was at the right place, then punched in the code on the keypad, a sharp click echoing through the interior as the door swung inwards. A pair of plainclothes Domestic Special Forces police officers followed closely behind.

Making his way up the stairs, he reached number 674, Huishanlu. He discarded the parka, and pulled the pistol from his vest. The two plainclothes policemen behind him pulled out silenced submachineguns.

The sounds of safeties being switched off resounded through the staircase, but the agent and policemen alike knew the walls and doors were too thick for anyone to hear. A Halligan bar was fixed to the door and within a moment, the door was bashed open.

There was no "Police, open up!" or "Put your hands up!", only the sharp clicks of suppressed guns and the short exhales of the suppressors as the officers shot every person inside dead, regardless of whether or not they put up a fight.

As one of the bedrooms was forced open, a young woman on the other end reached for the nightstand drawer, her hand reaching short by just a few millimeters as the agent shot her legs.

She forced herself to turn over, tears streaming down in pain as she confronted the agent as he searched the drawer, finding an empty gun.

"Why are you shooting us? We only wanted a democracy!"

The officer's blank face turned towards her, dropping the empty gun on the floor.

"I'm sorry ma'am. It's treason."

A brass casing, still smoking, fell to the floor, a body resting beside it.

---

The motto of the BIS is not "To Serve and Protect". It is "Protect By Any Means".

---

The SICR's public internet, or the National Server Network(NSN), is now connected with the rest of Mundus' internet, allowing dragonaii access to such platforms such as Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, etc without having to leave the country to use computers in ND or Quintelia. Even so, the Electorate has explicitly made clear that NSN will still be separate from the rest of Mundus in order to "protect personal information and preserve the integrity of national cybersecurity."

The newly-formed Imperial Cyber Department has additionally stated that "Though the NSN is still serving, dragonaii are reminded to always use incognito mode and secure browsers regardless of the situation. A secure network is advised. Please remember that your activity is monitored only if you are detected to be involved with suspicious activity, in which your access to the NSN and internet, as well as your ability to leave the country, will be suspended until further notice by the BIS and/or NSN."

Though the Starry Earth Party has questioned the need for such practices, the bill has seen positive feedback from dragonaii tired of having to leave the country to simply send messages to friends or family abroad. In the words of a user posting on reddit, "Sure, traveling to ND is basically free with the National Transit Network, but it's inconvenient to have to wait about an hour and a half just to step four meters into ND soil just so I can text my ND friends. Now I can just sit in my house and do all I want on the internet with basically no problems."

This has been DBS.

---

The much-anticipated War of Black Blood Military Museum had its blast doors groan open for the first time today in Heisen-Draumer as thousands flocked to view its massive exhibits of Civil War military hardware, actors dressed and reenacting up as Longwang-tu-bing and Longguo-huo-bing, along with many other types of military personnel and civilians throughout the era. Veterans, assisted by volunteers, have also made the trip to the museum, sponsored by the Silver Wings and Cobalt Scales Parties. Around five hundred staff and volunteers, in addition to several dozen active-duty military personnel in dress uniform, ensured the smooth opening of the museum and the quality of its exhibits from being damaged or tampered with.

Upon entry to the museum, guests will encounter a mural depicting the flag of the First Imperial Chinese Republic(FICR) and the Oriental Commune of the Dragonaii Peoples(OCDP) crossed against one another. Two entrances will be offered: the path of the FICR, the pathway illustrated with cobalt blue and gold, or the OCDP, painted in crimson and metallic gray.
Going the path of either will still lead to the same central rooms, but occasionally branch off into side rooms as the museum brings visitors from one decade of warfare to the next, depicting major battles from both sides, starting from the Battle of Stahlrecht to the eventual Blacklight Campaign. Every hallway leading to the next time period shows off new uniforms, weapons, munitions, and even small field artillery. With a total of twelve sections describing the main parts of the war, the museum branches to the land vehicle section, aircraft section, and artillery section. Each of these massive display sections shows off articles too large to display alongside the primary historical sections, including the "Glory Huopao" siege gun (FICR), the Geigenhaus-156 heavy bomber (FICR), Xinmei-7764 heavy bomber (OCDP), and the Liberator-D3 heavy tank (OCDP). Doors at the end of the aviation display section lead through a replication of a FICR  leads outside to a large airstrip, where functioning aircraft of their respective eras preform flybys and armored vehicles make their way across the asphalt, with working artillery pieces firing salutes in the order of daybreak, midday, and nightfall.
The rest of the museum leads to recreations of various terrains of battle, from the trenches of 1876 to the bombed-out city landscapes of 1938. Multiple

The entire project was proposed in 1968, but due to constant delays, the project was not atarted until 1974 and finished until early this year, with more delays emanting from the need of spare parts for the operating demonstartion and reenactment vehicles. The total cost was around IM142,600,000‬ total, though most of it came from public and private donations. There are plans to expand the museum, however they have been delayed in favor of various [REDACTED] programs.

Recieving an overall incredibly positive reception by the public, the museum is to remain open on the weekend, with staff alternating as to allow weekend leave. Hours will be from 9 AM - 4 PM, with the museum closing on all holidays. Gift shops built in the form of military storehouses and and a cafeteria area resembling FICR and OCDP bunker mess halls are provided. Admission is free, as all museums are. Parking consists of a few dozen scooter parking spaces, otherwise, a 3-minute walk from the local light rail station is the only way of traveling to the museum.

This has been DBS.

Vessel Name	Wolf Class Attack Submarine
Class & Characteristics	Displacement:    1,524 tonnes (1,500 long tons) surfaced 1,830 tonnes (1,800 long tons) submerged Length: 57.20 metres (187 ft 8 in) (2nd batch) Beam: 6.80 metres (22 ft 4 in) Draught: 6.40 metres (21 ft 0 in) Decks: 2 Power: 1 x MTU-396 16V (2,150 kW); 1 x Hauffenberg Motors electric motor Mk. 27WCSM (2,850 kW) Propulsion:    1x MTU 16V 396 marine diesel engine 9x Mk. 6 PEM fuel cells each with 120 kW ( 1x Siemens Permasyn electric motor 1700 kW, driving a single seven-bladed skewback propeller Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged Range: 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) Endurance: 3 weeks without snorkeling, 12 weeks overall Test depth: 250 metres (820 ft) Crush depth: over 700 m (2,296 ft) Personnell complement: 5 officers, 22 men Sensors and processing systems: CSU 90 (DBQS-40FTC), Sonar: NSS Mk. 349, Radar: Mk. 219 I-band nav.
Service Intention	Coastal guard and anti-ship/air, high-stealth missions
Cost	$617.9 million
Armament	6 x 533 millimetres (21 in) torpedo tubes 13 DM2A4 Black Shark torpedo IDAS missiles 24 external naval mines (optional)
History	Making up the backbone of the SICRDN, the Wolf Class submarines were designed in 1997, with the SICRDN ordering five in 2006 and six more in 2007 to bolter the fleet and replace the outdated Lynx Class Made with the purpose of harassing enemy armed vessels and destroying naval supply lines.
Other Information	The Wolf Class Attack Submarine is capable of military diver operations and possesses stealth designs that render it virtually undectable, making it ideal for special operations.
Availability	Available to SANE members
Source	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_212_submarine

Vessel Name	Sea Serpent Strategic Nuclear Attack Submarine
Class & Characteristics	Class: Nuclear Attack Submarine Displacement: Surfaced: 6,082 tonnes (5,986 long tons) Submerged: 6,927 tonnes (6,818 long tons) Length: 362 ft (110 m) Beam: 33 ft (10 m) Draft: 31 ft (9.4 m) Propulsion: 1 Mk. 10 NSR nuclear reactor, 2 turbines 35,000 hp (26,000 kW), 1 auxiliary motor 325 hp (242 kW), 1 shaft Speed: Surfaced: 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h) Submerged: 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h) (official), 33+ knots (reported) Range: Refueling required after 30 years Endurance: 90 days Test depth: 800 ft (240 m) Personnel Complement: 129 Sensors and processing systems: BQQ-5 Suite which includes Active and Passive systems sonar, BQS-15 detecting and ranging sonar, WLR-8V(2) ESM receiver, WLR-9 acoustic receiver for detection of active search sonar and acoustic homing torpedoes, BRD-7 radio direction finder, BPS-15 radar
Service Intention	The Sea Serpent is designed to destroy other nuclear submarines and sink advanced surface combat vessels, with the capability to lay mines and perform missile bombardments. It can operate underneath the ice.
Cost	$1.56 billion
Armament	4x 533mm torpedo tubes, firing Naval Munition Mk. XLVIII 12x VLS missile tubes, firing Advanced Cruise Missile Mk. 31(also launchable from torpedo tubes) Advanced Anti-Ship Missile Mk. 12 Dual-Purpose Naval Mine Mk. 3 Anti-Submarine Naval Mine Mk. 2 37x munitions carriable total
History	Development of the Sea Serpent extends back to 1968 after the 1967 Fleet State Assessment determined that a large attack submarine force would serve the SICR better than its preexisting battleship strategy. To resolve the need for a powerful, long-distance attack submarine, the CASC was formed to create a design. The result of several decades of trial and error ended in the successful birth of IDNAS Sea Serpent in 1983, the first and longest-serving of its class. It was quickly followed by its six sister vessels, named Steadfast, Valiant, Faithful, Honorable, Watchful, and Dutiful, in respective order of completion and commission. While expensive, the submarines' ability to effectively counter enemy nuclear submarines and advanced surface vessels has been considered to have paid it off.
Other Information	N/A
Availability	Currently limited to the SICR alone, although exceptions may be made to SANE members' requests.
Source	https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles-class_submarine

Vessel Name	Hanyue Mk. II - R/O
Class & Characteristics	Class: Replenishment Oiler Displacement:   20,240 tonnes Length: 173.7 m (569 ft 11 in) Beam: 24 m (78 ft 9 in) Height: 17.5 m (57 ft 5 in) Draft: 7.6 m (24 ft 11 in) Propulsion: 2 × Hauffenberg Motors 12V 32/40 diesel engines, 5,340 kW each 2 × reduction gears, 2x controllable pitch four-bladed propellers 1 × bow thruster 4 × 1200 kW diesel generators Speed: 20 kn (37 km/h) Range: 16,000 km (9,900 mi)+ Endurance: 45 days Personnel Complement: 139 (+ 94) Capacity: 9330 tonnes of fuel oil, aviation fuel and fresh water Cargo space: 550 tonnes mixed cargo
Service Intention	Designed to support and supply naval vessels away from their home ports on long-distance missions, carrying supplies, equipment, munitions, and fuel, along with the ability to act as a hospital ship for up to 45 general-care patients and 4 intensive-care. Includes a clinical and microbiological laboratory, sterilizers and workshops.
Cost	$237.5 billion
Armament	4x Yue-Xiang Defence Mk. III 27mm Autokanone, Needle Mk. I man-portable SAM
History	Developed for the Sea Serpent Project in 2001 when the now-defunct SDP called for regional naval dominance before the 2018 Open Gate Policy ultimately decided on isolation-focused doctrines and local coast defense instead. Despite the rejection, the vessel remains in the available inventory of CASC in case the doctrine is altered or another party is interested in its purchase.
Other Information	Carries space for two naval helicopters of customer's choice plus room for supplemental aircraft. Includes hangar and flight deck.
Availability	Available to all customers, only restricted are those at war with, embargoed by, or have a relationship level more severe than the normal "suspicious" designation with the SICR.
Source	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin-class_replenishment_ship

---

Following the successful completion of test trials, this morning Department of Energy announced the expansion of the Altreich National Nuclear Center, the SICR's largest nuclear research and energy center, to be complete. In addition to three reactors at the site, the facility now has a total of eight sodium-cooled fast reactors, all installed several dozen meters underground for safety precaustions. The successful development and implementation of the reactors in 1987 allowed for Heisen-Dumingjia and nearby settlements to enjoy cheap and clean energy, with extremely little environmental side effects.

A total of ten reactors throughout the Nestland now generate massive amounts of electricity to tens of millions, operated by Drakon Energy, a subsidiary of Drakon Imperial GLC, the Imperial Administration's government-controlled conglomerate formed for foreign trade. Public opinion of the nuclear plants have soared for the last few decades, causing many to call the current fusion research "a complete waste of time when we already possess clean and reliable energy."

There are rumors that the National Nuclear Center is building reactors for the SICRDN, in preparation for the 2019 Naval Modernization Act that is pending within the Electorate, potentially for (REDACTED BY BIS ORDER). The SICRDN has stated they "can neither confirm nor deny these judgements." Meanwhile, the Atomic Naval Center (responsible for the maintenance and storage of the Strategic Naval Force while not in commissioned service) along the coast has recieved increased rail traffic from the plant, in addition to several heavily-shielded railcars that many have surmised to contain nuclear fuel at the very least.

This has been DBS.

---

To Weinuan Defensive Fabrication,

We are hereby ordering ten units of the Broken Star Mark I Adv. for the testing and express usage of equipping the Imperial Armed Forces newer weapons to solve the current lack of a vehicle-mobile, advanced SAM capable of destroying high-altitude strategic weapons and/or aircraft. The purchase will be made the usual way, with all paid in full by the middle of the next year.

Dragons' Bless,

Major General Hetzer Beintaut, Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces

---

The silence of the Electorate and sudden halt of all military and National Guard activity across the Nestland have shocked our nation to standstill, protestor leaders calling for a cease in activities as the unsettling lack of government activity became apparent. Only today have the gates of the Electorate creaked open again today, revealing a complete transformation of the parties: which is to say, all gone. In their places were declared three new parties, naming themselves after the various monikers of the Civil War.
The Successor Parties, as they have labeled themselves, consist of the Cobalt Scales Party, Silver Wings Party, and the Starry Earth Party.

The Cobalt Scales, largely made up of former LLP and SDP members, have pledged to "restore and protect the honor, integrity, and dignity of the Imperial Republic by all means necessary from external influences." Already new propositions and bills for the armed forces have been prepared, reiterating concerns by General Beintaut that military doctrine is incredibly behind, save the recent new SAM system developed by WDF (of which several dozen units are planned to be purchased). Declaring the extradition of Imperial dragonaii military personnel to Ackaerin "outrageous and a downright violation of our sovereignty as a nation", multiple congressmen and women have suggested that the personnel involved, (13 officers in total) commit suicide in order to avoid the "unfair treatment they will no doubt receive abroad" and that "no country's jurisdiction or law should be forced upon those who do not understand international law, nor deserve such a mockery in a kangaroo court."

The Silver Wings meanwhile are composed of most ex-LEP and LAP members, assuring the nation that public policies such as the Swift Mass Rail Network, National Server Network, and National Health System will be expanded upon, "for while the others shall debate foreign policy, we will debate and ensure the quality of life at home. Let the fit wage war, we will see to the Nestland." The Curatoria Assembly have declared, as part of religious law, that "the land of Sinsu, save for an officially blessed shrine or temple, is no longer part of the Nestland, though we support their independence and bid them good fortune, that their prosperity has only begun." When asked for comment on the Resolutions and ultimatum by the Quintelian government, The High Curator only shook his head sadly and said nothing, tapping his lips.

The Starry Earth Party is constructed of those willing to build a future alongside SANE and the rest of Mundus. Though strongly supporting the independence and sovereignty of Sinsu, many elements, especially those from the defunct SDP have called for a withdrawal from the Uppsala Convention entirely and forming an entirely separate document that abides by dragonaii doctrine. Regardless, they call for the continuation of the ongoing Southern Line, emergency stockpiles, and [REDACTED] transfers to [REDACTED] by rail. "We are behind on technology and the world. If we are to not become another pawn in the grand international game of politics, we must gather allies to face greater foes." As with the other parties, they too had strong objections towards the Ardian Assembly, noting how a nation such as Ackarein could be allowed to dabble in Ardian affairs this south.

This alteration in government does not change the capitulation of the Emperor-Admiral to the ultimatum made at the Ardian Assembly; however many political commentators are worried that these new parties are simply "marking spite and betrayal in a book for later use." That being said, the question of Sinsu can now be agreed upon. The Republic of Sinsu will be recognized and supported by the SICR and the Bakkarmayan observation forces will police the demilitarized zone. Furthermore, those suspected of being involved will still be extradited.
 
A joint statement was released by the reformed Electorate, saying, "The SICR accepts all fault and damage to reputation caused by this incident. No qulam should be held against any member of SANE, for it was the action the SICR alone that such a response accured in the first place. We hope that the international community understands and that over time we hope that we can atone for such follies."

This has been DBS.

"Oh fuck, Faneris has it in for us now."

Wyvern Captain Mie-Xinglong slid the last fuel rod into his Wyvern's reactor and securing its hatch before climbing to the navigator's canopy. Turning to the forecast projected on the hangar wall that his navigator was staring at beside him, the hangar swayed as turbulence shook the massive aircraft.

He chuckled darkly, replying, "We've had it coming for a long time, Erich. I'd be surprised if he didn't. Just hope that the tome he's burning isn't ours. Now strap yourself in, it's almost time to go. The Heavenark is hungry for parts and I'd hate to disappoint."

He made his way to the bridge, greeting his copilot, Yu-Shanyun. The younger man grinned, handing him his flight helmet. He took his seat beside him, securing himself to the cushions and sliding forward to his console.

"Weather isn't very happy, huh?"

"I hope you prayed to Klaniau for stealing my bun at breakfast because if we die for your crimes against humanity, I will beat your rear red."

"Ha-ha, you'll have to take your pain medication for your back first old man!"

Xinglong gently slapped him on the helmet, smiling as he slipped on the flight mask and pulled down the lead-glass visor, locking it to the mask. He glanced at his console, the diagnostics reporting all systems functional and ready.

"Right, is everyone ready? Erich?"

"Ready, sir."

"Shanyun?"

The copilot snapped his visor on, nodding in Xinglong's direction.

"Ready, Captain."

"Greta?"

The scavenger specialist answered over the intercom from her seat by the cargo bay.

"Ready, Captain. Let's get the parts and go home."

"Agreed, Lieutenant. "Eckerman? Huayun?"

The two Imperial Marines were both seated at their alcoves along the fuselage of the aircraft, responding uniformly.

"Ready, Sir."

"All good, then. Diagnostics are green across the console, and while conditions are less than ideal, let us hope that our prior misfortunes give us luck. Dragons bless us all!"

He was met by cheering from at least someone as he contacted the control room.

"Heavenark Nest, this is W-Fourteen on scavenging duty. Requesting permission to drop and conduct mission?"

The cool voice of the control room replied immediately.

"Granted, Captain. Bay opened, and good hunting. May the wind flow at your back."

"Danke, Dragons bless!"

The large bay doors beneath the Wyvern IIIC slowly rolled open, exposing the dark void of the sky beyond, the wind and rain violently blasting by underneath, the runway pointing diagonally downwards. The arms holding the aircraft lowered them towards the gaping mouth of the deep void, the roar of the engine and reactor drowned out by the scream of the weather, puddles forming on the heavily-armored cockpit.
The entire ship shuddered violently as the arms released them, the hangar slipping behind as the ship was launched out, eventually disappearing back within the hulk of the Heavenark, the runway door lifting, shutting, the glow of the last dragoni refuge sealed behind them until they came back.

That is if they came back at all.

The ship continued to shudder as it zipped down through the heavens, the storm throwing them around as if the Dragons were beating their great wings themselves. Xinglong gritted his teeth and held onto the arms of the steering wheel as it threatened to slip out of his hands. He flicked the stabilizers to life, the sharp hissing of the thrusters countering the turbulence of the storm, eventually turning the rollercoaster into a near-smooth cruise.

Xinglong carefully guided the Wyvern out of the clouds into what Erich's maps had decreed to be the location of Metria Central University in what had been New Derusmia. The campus, in addition to the rest of the city, looked more or less abandoned, but the small trails of smoke and infrared scans told otherwise.

He chose to drop off the away team near its engineering buildings, Erich performing a full scan of the surroundings and directing fire from the support turret at anything that seemed suspicious. The bay doors swung open, and the rappelling cable was extended, a low thunk confirming its descent.

The two Imperial Marines and Greta took their places at the rope, sliding down one by one, their Geiger counters crackling in their headphones. Drawing her carbine, she turned on her night-vision goggles and began scanning the surroundings, the two soldiers following her closely behind. She verified that her intercom was enabled, talking to her fellow dragonaii with a low voice.

"Alright, let's get the equipment and get the hell home."

"Good winds, Greta. We'll be monitoring from above, as usual."

"Wilco. Good winds."

With that, she signaled to the soldiers to follow her as the cable was retracted, the Wyvern flying off above them. Only the rain and wind accompanied them now, the ruins of a once-great institution towering above them.  She carefully made her way towards the main building, weapon raised.

Perhaps the endless void of the sky was ominous to some, but to the dragonaii, the forsaken earth was their new enemy.

Eckerman kicked the door in, and in they marched, strangers to the dead mind of a dead friend.

The SICR ambassador to Tamora, Ma-Xingdu was more than aware of the rapidly devolving situation back home. In fact, she'd already received word that her sister had run off to join the pro-Sinsic militia near their village while her brother, a sergeant in the National Guard, had been mobilized and sent to help quell the riots in Er-Mingtua. She wanted to go home and slap the sense into her two younger siblings, but duty came first.

She'd personally found the Great Temple fascinating and a great difference from the far more industrial and drab-colored buildings of the SICR, though it did remind her a bit of the Grand Summer Palace located in what was now the Republic of Sinsu. Wearing a dark qipao with gold bordering and emblazoned with a seal of the Imperial Republic pinned to her lapel, she bowed politely in return.

"Well met, Your Excellency. I am Ambassador Ma-Xingdu, Representative of the SICR in Djerb. Thank you for the offer, but I am satisfied."

After hearing Aya's explanation and proposal, she furrowed her brows in surprise and considered for a moment before responding.

"Well, I hardly disagree with your opinion that Rokkenjima has increased its military activity. All things considered, I would normally give an unconditional 'no' and be on my way, although with Rokkenjiman submarines conducting surveillance operations along the coast, I think we can work something out. If the SICR were to agree to this exchange of intel, though, let us keep it between Tamora and the SICR alone and only last until Rokkenjima is no longer in a position to threaten the SICR."

---

In a momentous show of political debate and deliberation today, the Imperial Electorate has voted by just one vote to give up the claims on The Republic of Sinsu, better known as the ROS. The full bulk of the LLP and LEP banded together to vote against the LAP and MIP, leaving only the SDP to decide the final vote. While most members of the SDP were fully convinced to see the bill thrown out, a few members, [REDACTED FOR PERSONAL SAFETY] amazingly tipped the scale by voting in Sinsu's favor.

The bill proposed, Final Political Resolution Bill of Sinsu, 2019, proposes the demilitarization of the active war zone located there, as well as several government policy changes towards the Republic of Sinsu, including full government recognition and the support of its membership into SANE. This also means establishing formal relations and trade, constructing infrastructure to connect the two nations, and a limited open border treaty.

In regards to the resolution and demilitarization of the border proposed by the Ardian Assembly, however, President Herminstaat has announced that the Bakkarmayan observation forces will be refused in place of New Derusimian observation forces, a move that was applauded by the SDP, even despite many voting against recognition of Sinsu. Despite the violent riots and protests that have followed the vote, dragonaii can still agree that "A situation such as this should not have been proposed by a nation such as Rokkenjima, and they would've done well to suggest to Quintelia or New Derusmia to submit an appeal in regards to the tensions between the SICR and Sinsu. If anything, it only serves to anger more of Rokkenjima's expansionism, as many consider Sinsu too vulnerable to outside influence." (Congresswoman Adalie Schmitte, MIP) President Herminstaat has instead stated that negotiations will be held in New Derusmia, and hopefully President Feish as a neutral mediator. This has not stopped fears that Sinsu's national agenda includes closer relations with Rokkenjima, sparking calls for mobilization and to seize and cripple strategiclly important targets across the Republic of Sinsu, before "the Rokkenjiman invaders arrive." the arrival of the Rokkenjiman Navy has only worsened this situation, and protestors are turning to more radical means, pro-Sinsu and anti-Sinsu alike.

Pro-Sinsu dragonaii have made clear that while they support the independence of Sinsu, they "abhor the idea of Rokkenjiman forces so close to home again" and that a preliminary strike is necessary to control the situation and prevent Sinsu from becoming a satellite of Rokkenjima.

Anti-Sinsu dragonaii, on the other hand, have demanded a full "campaign of national safety" to reclaim Sinsic lands and fend off the foreign elements of Rokkenjiman imperialism.

In light of the forementioned civil disobedience that has followed the bill's passing, Nanjing, Blut-Himmel Stadt, and Er-Mingtua have exploded into violence, pro-Sinsu and anti-Sinsu protestors clashing with each other and the police with homemade firebombs, prompting the advancement of the National Conflict Threat Designation to NCTD-2, with the National Guard being deployed to keep order. Protesters have responded by building fortifications along streets, and many moderates in the Electorate fear a full civil war, as several thousand anti-Sinsu dragonaii gathered around the Eltenbacht National Arsenal attempting to acquire firearms and ammunition. Pro-Sinsu forces have been equally busy, with homemade firearms and ammunition being smuggled out of Blut-Himmel Stadt to "insurgency bunkers" in the countryside.

The Admiral-Emperor and President have yet to make a statement on the escalating situation, but with increased military traffic across the National Infrastructure Network, analysts predict an escalation up to potentially NCTD-3 and nationwide martial law, others picturing a far more bleak picture: a second, final civil war.

This has been DBS, and may the Dragons help us all.

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I understand your concerns about the safety of the Sinsic Muslim community, which is perfectly justified - therefore I am pleased to assure you that the SICR has absolutely no intention of harming any Muslim, whether they be Sinsic or otherwise, and peace talks are more than on the way. Sinsic media has draped our nation in a dark curtain, and I wish to explain clearly the difference between what is the curtain and what is the reality. The SICR's forces, as mentioned in the press statement, only lasted three hours and was targeted only on areas of military importance.

Now, in the case of Rokkenjima, you are entirely correct in Rokkenjima being a threat to the SICR. With the advent of SANE, though, I am hoping that the situation will contain itself. Nevertheless, I will request that a meeting be arranged with the SICR embassy in Djerb, if able.
Additionally, I think that any cooperation between the SICR and Tamora be done in secret, involving military forces and slaves as little as possible.

With thanks, and Dragons' Bless,

Emperor-Admiral Jin-Duming von Nanjing of the Ming-Brandenburg Throne.