The Invisible Border

[Comrade Kermit]

DUCAL PALACE OF HERRENBUCHT 9:47am

Duke Philipp is seated in a big chair in his office, in front of him Hermann von Secru, Minister of State

"I know we are taking a risk, but the sake of our nation is beyond these matters. It is the perfect way to revive the national enthusiasm of our nation. It worked hundreds of years ago why shouldn't it now? Also, the socialists are defeated and wouldn't dare to start new revolts. We punished the criminals extremely hard and their example terrorized the remaining ones into resignation. Now it's time to strike against our other enemy. We have left them alone for too long, if we don't act now they might expect our move and prepare themselves. Don't underestimate them, like my ancestors did"

"But your majesty...the treaty, this would be political suicide. Disrespecting the Treaty of Ucklack this way could be seen as very problematic by foreign states"

"Political suicide? If everything goes as planned you won't have any opposition to worry about soon enough. Furthermore the world wouldn't dare meddling in our affairs. The Nalachians don't have any protector. So what are you waiting for? I gave the order, now execute it!

"Yes your majesty. But what are we supposed to do if we face resistance?"

"You should consult your most honorable colleague, the Minister of War then. You may leave now, Lord Minister"



2 HOURS LATER: ETSCHNU, A NALACHIAN VILLAGE IN THE GREMDON RESERVATE

Hikda had almost arrived. The traffic was worse than normal and she saw more trucks than usually on the street, even some military vehicles. She thought they would be on their way to a military exercise, or a wargame or anything like those thing Duke Philipp had ordered to show of his boys. She was a Nalachian, working outside the reservate, but still lived in her parent's village. Her day in the city had been a really stressfull one. Herrenbuchtian's in the west could be a really annoying sort of people. While Nalachians that had assimilated were a common view in Herrenbuchtian cities and racism against them was, if even, a minor problem, Nalachians living in the reservates were treated with little respect and distrust. Hikda herself experienced this when people saw her tribal tattoos. Disrespectful commons and awkward looks had become normal for her, but she was not irritated by this and kept being proud about her heritage. She took the exit to her village and as she came closer she saw that the police was in her village. But not regular tribal police. Herrenbuchtian police had entered their village. Normally they would only drive through the reservate if they use the highway, so this was new. When Hikda came closer she even saw soldiers standing a bit away from the police, but still near the village. What was this all about? The policemen were fighting with the village elder. Hikda parked her car right in front of the village in the middle of the street and went to the police officers.

"What is this all about? What is happening"

Instead of the officers the elder answered: "They want us to move, they want to urbanize this region. They say it was ordered by the Duke"

"But this is our land! Your Duke's ancestor signed a treaty which guarantees our autonomy, why are you here? Why are these soldiers here, you have no right to-"

"Calm down lady, okay?" Now the officer answered "We are just executing orders, and these soldiers are only here to ensure that there will be no violence. Our work is done here. You understood, old man? You have time to pack up until this evening. Then we will return to bring you into a temporary camp. After that you will be free to apply for full citizenship in Herrenbucht or to leave.

The Officers left together with the soldiers. The village elder just stood there staring at the ground. Hikda felt the tears running up her eyes. Her world collapsed

[Comrade Kermit]

ETSCHNU, GREMDON RESERVATE


The police officers entered the village. They were awaited by a big group of civilian carrying all the things they were able to pack since noon. They did not talk much. Some of them cried some of them remained silent but the overall atmosphere was depressing. The policemen left their cars to lead the population into the transports.

While Jochen gave orders to the villagers he realized that the villagers were not only sad. When patrolling past the queues he felt looks that expressed pure hatred. While trying to calm down a woman that had dropped a vase and was desperately trying to recollect the pieces of the family heirloom, he realized noise from the front of the left queue. A man was trying to carry too much luggage on the transport but refused to give up on his commodities. The verbal fight became more and more agressive and now other villagers also complained. The policemen were getting nervous now. Jochen had hoped that this would become a calm work day. He was proven wrong. As more and more villagers pushed into the direction of the policemen at the front of the queue one of the officers drew his gun and pointed it at the mass. Only a few villagers moved backwards seeing the gun. Most became only more agressive. Now all of them drew their guns: No reaction. At the moment they were almost encircled by villagers a shot was fired. For a moment there was silence. Followed by great noise and screaming. The villagers moved forward trying to disarm the policemen. Several shots were fired. Motors were started. Jochen ran away from the citizens, grabbing his walkie talkie. He searched for the right frequence and screamed into the radio "Where are you? You heard the shots! Get over here!" The answer came quickly "We're on our way. I told you this would go wrong"

A few moments later military vehicles rushed into the scenery. Machine gun fire started. Jochen expected it to be warning shots into the air, but was shocked to see the villagers fall as they were butchered by the unit. Jochen screamed at them and ordered them to stop, but the infantrymen leaving the vehicles ignored him and pushed the police officer away. They proceeded shooting at the mass arbitrarily. Jochen could not see any system in their procedure. They suddenly stopped and the people that had tried to hide or yielded and had not been shot were dragged into the middle of the bloody street, cuffed and pushed into the transports. Jochen now realized that there was just enough space for them. This was no accident.