Nation Name: Slava Lavosk

Nation Link: Secondary nation for Rhodes

Provinces Claimed:
1: R 93
2: P 3
3: P 20

Proposed Color: Whatever Ach thinks looks nice.

I, Rhodes, have read the rules set down above, and agree to follow them.

---

---

This is Tara McLeod, Live From Halifax!

After years of waiting, significant relief efforts have begun in Seaforth. Arriving early this morning, the first units deployed into the cities were police, civil affairs and engineers. Met with warm welcome, both cities have quickly began moving thier efforts into the surrounding countryside and other communties. If this trend continues, Seaforth's recovery will not be a slow march as anticipated, but a full on sprint. Around the world, communities of Seaforth expats have apparently broke out in celebration, particularly at Seaforth Naval Station Gibraltar in Rokkenjima and the Free City of Troyes in Marseilles. Troyes was declared a Free City and Protectorate of Seaforth following the downfall of the Sorority of Materna. As such, it has remained a bastion and safe haven for approximately one million Seaforthians who fled Seaforth during The Fall.

Not all was smiles however as eventually combat units were disembarked reminding people of the precarious postion thier nation was still in. This reporter was able to gain a few minutes with the task force commander Field Marshal Ulysses Scott and inquire as to the military mission here in Seaforth.

"For the most part, those combat and service battalions will be securing and appraising Seaforth military assets in our nation. They will determine the security level, conduct a damage assessment and relieve remaining troops. We are also very concerned with the situation regarding the Utman-Lakhzovian conflict and troops will be sent to reaffirm and reinforce our border there as well well as the border with Rashidun."

We also have reports, later confirmed by the East Moreland Ministry of Defense, that the East Moreland Alpine Cadre conducted a rescue mission high in the coastal mountains. From the East Moreland Ministry of Defense, twenty Seaforthians were rescued after being trapped in an underground medical bunker for 2 years.

Joshua processed the information slowly as he descended. Reaching the bottom he chuckled at the two former Alpine Cadre.

"Never did care for heights."

Joshua led them out of the dingy foyer, past a oxy/acetalene cutting torch and various piles of twisted girder and haphazardly piled cables. At few turns and a couple hallways later, he stopped at a door. Punching in a code, the pad flashed green and they entered. On the other side of the door was a dimly lit hallway. Other than the gloom, it could have been a floor in any modern hospital. As they proceeded a woman came out of a doorway ahead of them. Drenched in sweat and still in her workout gear, she flipped a towel off her neck and popped to attention. Her curved running prosthesis from a left sided, below the knee amputation, clicked oddly against her track shoe.

"Get cleaned up Leftenant. We are getting out of here."

"Yes Sir." Replied the Leftenant.

Joshua glanced sideways at David as they continued down the hall and offered a brief comment.

"Was an enlisted Leopard Tank commander. Eugenics War. Good noncom. Got to get her a platoon."

They continued on, passing through a set of double doors leading to a nursing station.  A short, wiry man with salt and pepper hair and glasses stood up.

"Ah, General. You have returned. By your company, am I to believe we are to be delivered from durance vile?"

"Yes, Doctor. The Morelanders are here and the situation is well in hand."

The doctor grasped the implications almost immediately...

"Well, shit."

As the medical staff worked with the Morelanders, discussing patient needs and the best method of lifting them out, Joshua was able to speak with David again...

"You know David, maybe you could have invaded. Saved what you could. But its just land. Stuff. Seaforth has always been it's people. Hell, look what we call ourselves. Not East MoreLAND or BorLAND. SeaFORTH. Even old Jocelyn of Rhodes brought his people here from somewhere else. Do we know where from? No. Cause it doesn't really matter. With that historical mindset, if the High Command thought it was serious enough, they would have enacted an Exodus protocol. They would have got everyone they could out of the danger zone by any means possible. Ships, planes, walking across borders. The rest will hunker down and brace for impact. It's ok David. Seaforth still exists and we will call our people back. Be stronger for it."

"It's too bad about the CIS, though that organization may have just run it's course. We may not be allies on paper, but my country has not had a better friend. Maybe we should write something down though. Keep the pencil pushers happy, you know?"


Pausing for a moment, Joshua's thoughts turned to Beatrice and Rokkenjima and they always do....to Evanthe.

"I'm sorry to hear things have soured with Rokkenjima. Beatrice Lackblade, eh? Must have been an intense moment. I initially thought I was surprised to hear that she would pull something like that....but then I know better, eh? The Illumic Blockade wasn't just a boat show.

Joshua could tell King David had skirted around Evanthe and Josiah. He wondered why. Evanthe and his son were alive and well and that's was good enough for the moment and he decided not to push. The two men continued to help with the rescue efforts, but that was mostly left to Redfern and the Doctors. As Joshua and David watched the last patient being hoisted up the elevator shaft Joshua smiled and breathed deep.

"I'm sorry David, seeing you and Alex and all the excitement of getting out of here, I didn't ask after your family. Are they well?"

McKenna grunted as he read the message transcript. An East Moreland mission in Seaforth and the Gypsy Dancer playing around off the coast. It stuck in his craw that Seaforth was unable to see to their own borders, their own airspace. Soon, he thought to himself. Fuel once again flowed. Soldiers, sailors and airmen were once again being paid. In under a week they would make landfall and relive the beleaguered police and soldiers left behind to keep what order they could. Pacing the small command deck of the CSS Exodus, he paused and issued the command...


"Detach the Dauntless Wolf Pack from this fleet. Order them to rendezvous and make contact with the  Gypsy Dancer."


McKenna wonder what Captain McCaffery was up to...

---

---

Onboard the CSS Dauntless, several hours later...


"Come about 30 degrees north and make turns to match speed with the Dancer. Let 'em know we're here."

Smiling evilly, the captain dropped into a credible impersonation of a well known actor.

"One ping. One ping only."

The Sonarman chuckled at the old joke and dutifully pinged the Gypsy Dancer one time as the radio operator contacted the ship.

"Dancer, Dancer. This is Dauntless, over. Dancer, Dancer. This is Dauntless...."

---

---

Joshua was confused for a short moment. East Moreland? What the fuck was the East Moreland Army doing here? The Air Force using our airspace was one thing, a common practice when East Moreland needed to fly into the interior of Cotf Aranye. EMA troops conducting a rescue mission in the coastal mountains was an entirely different beast, and more than a little disconcerting. Perhaps being a little overly cautious, Joshua remained seated by the stove. A cup of coffee in his left hand, his right drew his pistol but kept it hidden behind his leg. With only his sidearm, any kind of actual squad would blow him away, almost immediately. Redfern. He recalled the name but couldn't find his face in his memory. David's friend though. If it really was Redfern, he was depending a lot on East Moreland training to not get shot in the head.

The silence in his ears was deafening. As he watched the door handle softly turn he cocked back the hammer. As "Alex Redfern" entered, Joshua finally spoke.


"A proper Morelander would have brought something to drink."

---

---

James McKenna stands stoically behind a podium. Terse and to the point he begins his address.


"Ladies and gentleman, thank you. The restoration of the Seaforth News Network marks a milestone in our efforts to restore order to Seaforth. We have faced trials and tribulations aplenty. During the so called Fall, your armed services worked tirelessly to maintain order on our military bases, to evacuate the civilian population to Somerset and various overseas territories, to safely secure and shut down services and installations that were no longer tenable in the current social climate and to preserve what it means to be Seaforthian. For the last two years we have retreated where necessary and held the line where we could. My address to you today signals the first step back towards what we were. Today we are no longer at the point where we are merely trying to keep fuel in the ships and food on the table. Today were are once again able to provide safety, security and solace to our people."

"Today, humanitarian efforts have set sail for Seaforth and will arrive at CFB Eventide and CFB Halifax within the week. We acknowledge and appreciate the many offers of aid and support we have recieved since the initial SNN broadcast. Though, as a nation, we needed to take the first step ourselves, we thank you for your kind offers. Any foreign humanitarian aid will be happily recieved at CFB Eventide or CFB Halifax."

"The first efforts of the restoration will take place in Eventide and Halifax. From Eventide we will work down the peninsula and into the ranchlands. Halifax will be the primary logistics point and efforts will be directed north up the coast and east along the Somerset and Lakhzovian borders."

"The resoration of our nation will not happen overnight. This is the first step in a very long road. I ask that our people remaining in Seaforth to please be patient. I know you have been waiting long enough and we will work as fast as possible. I also ask that evacuated Seaforthians to also remain patient. I know many will be eager to return home. We are not a people to live endlessly on the charity of others, but give us time. We will call you home."

"Thank you for your time."


Mckenna leaves amid a flurry of questions, answering none.

The work was tedious to say the least, another few weeks gone by.  Anchor in, cut away the debris, climb a little further. Several times he had to secure various bits of metal to the walls of the shaft prior to cutting. Several times he had spent an entire day on a 10 foot climb. A sense of anticipation came over Joshua as he secured himself into a Y harness in front of an elevator door. Gripping a Haligan tool, he slammed one end into the seam and began to pry the doors open. A rush of air greeted him, a little stale, but nothing compared to the recycled air he has all but gotten used to. With one last effort, Joshua heaved himself up over the lip and rolled into the lobby. Getting his bearings, he realized he was standing in a back room of an abandoned ranger station, obviously cover for the medial bunker he had lived in the last couple years.

Joshua began to search the station. Stopping first at a bank of radios, he keyed several frequencies. Static and silence were all that greeted him on the radio, which of course, was unable to access the military frequencies. Sighing aloud he wandered over to a wall map. Spending a few minutes he came to understand he was high in the coastal mountains, not too far from Lancaster. The map also showed there was a secondary station further up the mountain....hopefully with less interference.


"I guess I'm going hiking."


The thin mountain air caused Joshua to struggle a bit and he found himself panting several times. He took it at sort of a pennance however and thought back to the time he travelled through East Moreland in a similar manner. He smiled at the memory. The hike seemed to get easier as he went, as muscles cramped and strained from working in a shaft finally got the good stretch they needed and he soon arrived at the secondary station. This one appeared to be in a bit better shape than the one he left. The front door was stuck, but a good shove caused it to creak inward. The lights did not work but it was only late afternoon. He had time. Coming to a desk he saw a letter on top.


To whom it may concern,

The situation here is untenable. We have had no support is the last weeks and our supplies of food and water are running low. Not to mention fuel for heating and to run the jenny's. Joanna called up from the main station, the elevator to the bunker jammed up and when one of the maintenance guys tried to force it , it gave way and crashed to the bottom. I believe those poor devils are stuck down there. Joanna and I are the last ones here. When she gets here we are going to head into the interior, away from the cities. They are starting to sound bad. If you are reading this, I hope everything has returned to normal. If not, well, I left two bottles of water and some coffee beans in the desk drawer. The grinder and press are on the shelf next to the stove. A hot cup of coffee is all I can spare mate. Desk drawer sticks a little. Good luck to you.

God Bless the King

Senior Ranger John Hurst.


Joshua read the letter a second time as the coffee brewed and a third as he drank it. It was probably the best cup of coffee he had ever had. He though about Ranger Hurst and smiled as he poured a second cup and wondered what kind of man takes the time to write a letter and leave something like this for another, never knowing what the gesture would mean. He hoped John made it to somewhere safe. Joshua folded the letter and put it in his pocket and sat down in front of the radio. He had checked it over and inserted a charged fresh battery from his ruck. Taking a sip of coffee he toggled the switches for the Emergency Signals Channel, the Emergency Aviation Frequency and because he was close enough to the Illumic, the International Maritime Distress Frequency.


"Any receiving station, this is Carbondale Ridge Ranger Station. Any receiving station, this is Carbondale Ridge Ranger Station. We are in need of evacuation of 13, I repeat 13 stable but non-ambulatory medical patients and 7, repeat 7 others. High angle rescue will be rerquired.


Joshua waited for several minutes and then repeated his message.


"Any receiving station, this is Carbondale Ridge Ranger Station. Any receiving station, this is Carbondale Ridge Ranger Station. We are in need of evacuation of 13, I repeat 13 stable but non-ambulatory medical patients and 7, repeat 7 others. High angle rescue will be required. Carbondale will broadcast again in sixty, that's 6-0 minutes."


His message completed and to conserve battery power, Joshua drank the last of his cup before leaning over and clicking off the radio.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cult Of Helus

Coming Soon

---

Seaforth Druidism

Coming Soon

---

---

The Peerage of Seaforth consists of several levels. At the top is the Sovereign, the King or Queen of Seaforth. Below the Sovereign are the seven Dukes or Duchesses of Seaforth. These are the Sovereigns chief advisors and are also responsible for their Duchy's. Next on the list are the Margraves or the March Lords. These were traditionally some of the most trusted royal and non royal nobles, responsible for the defense of Seaforth's borders. After the Margraves come the Viscounts. This rank amalgamates the count/viscountiesand earldoms into a single rank comparable to foreign counts or earls. The for of address can be Count, Viscount or Countess. Traditionally Counts were responsible for a few major towns or counties in the interior of the kingdom. Indeed, the major difference between a Margrave and a Count is whether or not their fief held external or internal borders. The last noble rank is that of Baron. These were often conferred on the younger sons and daughters of nobles or as a reward to a commoner for exceptional services. Barons were tasked with seeing to a single town and castle and were in charge of their landed knights. Barons were also tasked with maintaining a certain strength in the citizen armies and reported to their count in a time of war.

---

Sovereign
King Andrew III

---

Prince/Princess
None

---

Dukes
Duke of Caledonia: James McKenna
Duke of Somerset: Joshua Rhodes
Duke of Seaforth: Scott Carroll
Duchess of Northumbria: Kira Fallstaff
Duke of Scotia: Thorin Crow
Duke of Strathcona: Ulysses Scott
Duke of Arc-Royal: Raynald Lachlan

---

Margrave
Margrave Inverness, Eric Fallstaff
Margrave Troy, Victor Frost

---

Viscount
Harper Rhodes, Countess Stirling
Aidan Pryde II, Count Coventry
Ansalem Frost, Count St. Catherines.

---

Barons
Josiah Rhodes, Baron of Bethesda
King David of East Moreland, Baron of Hearthstone.
Raymond Lothar Cameron, Baron of Rutherford.
Uilleam Prescott, Baron of Idylwylde.

---

---

---

SOAR
Command Master Sargeant Tamerlane Church (Tam-Tam)
Ghost
Moose
Rooster

BLACK FOX
Chief Warrant Officer William De Laurel

Blackwatch
Tanner Grayson

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

House Cameron

King Ulric, The Unifyer 1142-1187 (b. 1103 d. 1187)
King Owen, 1187-1212 (b. 1151 d. 1212)
King Lachlan, 1212-1229 (b. 1173 d. 1229)
King Owen II, 1229-1240 (b. 1191 d. 1240)
King William 1240-1242 (b. 1209 d. 1242)
King Andrew 1242-1275 (b. 1212 d. 1275)
King Alexander 1275-1310 (b. 1232 d.1310)
King Fergus, 1310-1342 (b. 1271 d. 1342)
King Lachlan II, 1342-1343 (b. 1322 d.1343) Grandson of Fergus
Regent To King William II, 1343-1348
Regent To King William II, Prince Gabriel Cameron-Rhodes, 1348-1361
King William II, 1362-1384 (b. 1341 d. 1384)
King Andrew II, 1384-1424 (b. 1361 d. 1424)
King Robert, 1424-1443 (b. 1380 d. 1443)
X
X
X
King William III, 1965-1985 (b. 1925 d. 1985)
King Christian II, 1985-2014 (b. 1955 d. 2014)


House Rhodes

King Josiah I (Joshua Rhodes), 2014
King Josiah II, 2014-2015 (b. 1955 d. 2015)

House Cameron
King Richard V, 2015 (b. 1975 d.2015)

Intereguum

House Rhodes
King Andrew III, 2018-Present

---

---

Ecomony and Industry:

Ship Building is the major manufacturing industry in the Kingdom of Seaforth. Encompassing military and civilian shipbuilding, corporate juggernauts such as Halifax Shipyards and Seaspan Incorporated make their presence felt on water ways the world over. With its immense shipbuilding capacity, Seaforth is a world leader in international shipping and Seaforthian freighters can be found in virtually every port in the world. To support the shipbuilding industry, Seaforth has a very capable steel and hull technology industry.

Banking Laws and regulation in the Kingdom of Seaforth create a strong, stable and dependable banking system. While these laws and regulations keep Seaforthian Banks out of the high-risk/high-reward aspects of the world banking market, their conservative mindset lends itself to strong and steady gains every quarter.


Offshore drilling is prevalent in the Great Northern Sea and is the driving force behind the kingdoms finished petroleum products market. Federal law prohibits drilling in the Illumic channel due to environmental and international concerns.

As a coastal nation, the bounty of the sea has long been a domestic industry. Fish, crab and lobster is abundant in the cold waters. Seaforthian King Crab is known the world over and is loved as much as the former practice of whaling is hated.

The major livestock in the kingdom is sheep and Seaforth produces a vast amount of wool, mutton and lamb.

The Eastern plains contain the only arable land in the kingdom. Utilizing advanced irrigation methods the kingdom is able to produce Rye, Canola and Wheat is sufficient amounts to create a net export.

As the birthplace of Scotch Whiskey, the finest Scotch is produced here. Bar none. Don’t even try to compare your bathtub swill to the finest distilled spirits in the world.

Recent advances in Geothermal technology, hydrogen electrolysis and Lithium Extraction continue to keep Seaforth at the pinnacle of the world energy markets.

Imports:
Due to its location and climate many desirable good cannot be produced domestically and Seaforth maintains a large balance of trade. Key import for the nation include:
Iron ore and other raw metals.
Timber and wood products.
Luxury goods
Sugar and spices
Fruit
Vegetables: Corn, tomatoes, cucumber and others that require a warmer climate to grow.
Finished domestic goods: Everything from hair dryers to toaster ovens.
Vehicles: Cars, trucks, ect.

---

Halifax Shipyards is the premier shipbuilder in Seaforth, Halifax shipyards is a major defense contractor. Also involved in civilian shipbuilding and own major shipyards in Halifax as well as Eventide. CEO Jock McCoy

---

Seaspan Inc. is the second largest shipbuilder in Seaforth. Defense contractor and major civilian shipwright. CEO Daniel Sinclair.

---

Scotian Metalworks is a metallurgic specialist company. They build advanced metal systems as well as armour plates for ships, tanks and other vehicles. Pioneered the groundbreaking "double hull" technology and the honeycomb system that gives Seaforthian ships their immense strength and endurance. This hull technology has allowed Seaforth to produce the only Polar Class 1 icebreakers on Mundus.

---

Ocean Volt and it's R&D subsidiary, Juggernaut Propulsion Systems are maritime power engineers, they build conventional and nuclear drive systems for ships and other large projects.

---

Thunder Bay Hydro is a hydro power company. Maintains a series of nuclear and hydro power generating plants.

---

Raytheon is a major defense contractor involved in several fields of defense research, particularly of note is the TALON Battle Suit.

MAJOR SHIPPING CORPORATIONS
Illumic Shipping
Seaforth Shipping Corporation
Trans Mundus Trading

Major International Economics Centers:

Technology City, East Moreland  (Halifax Shipyards, Scotian Metalworks)
Gowu, Zimalia (Seaspan Inc.)
Konigsgrad (Seaspan Inc)
ITC, Azukishima, Rokkenjima (Governmental, Various Business)

---

---

---

As a part of the Kingdom of Seaforth's cutting edge and Mundus leading maritime technology, the City of Rhodesia represents the possible in terms of Seaforthian scientific achievement. Rhodesia sits on the floor of the Illumic Channel several miles off the coast of Seaforth in close proximity to and undersea vent. Using Seaforth's advanced hull technology, Rhodesia is the world's largest (and only) permanent undersea habitation. Holding approximately 10,000 people at maximum capacity, Rhodesia serves promarily as a scientific research station with teams working to improve current hull technology, as well as other interests.

Rhodesia is also a working electrolysis plant, using electricity to separate water molecues into thier component parts, namely pure oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen is used internally as well as shipped out while the hydrogen is used as fuel in a number of industries. Rhodesia is also a contributer to a number of foreign space programs specializing in designing and testing, landers, habitation and working modules as well as providing hydrogen fuel. Indeed, Rhodesia is a perfect test bed for space technology.

Rhodesia is connected to mainland Seaforth by a "Chunnel" with trains provided by contract from Dartfordia.

---

Using offshore dilling platform technology, sitting above  Rhodesia is Lyonesse a support and service "town" for Rhodesia.

---

---

 

---

Other Towns

Village of Halstead:

Site of a major atrocity commited by the Seaforth Catholic Church, the entire village was wiped out.

Heatherington:

Town of 45,000 on the border between Strathcona and Arc-Royal. Site of humanitarian efforts by the Rafealites of Mountjoy.

The summer sun was heavy on the mans shoulders, the smell of heather and hay, thick and sweet. The water was in contrast, cool and crisp, mere inches below his dangling bare feet. The river lazed past, moving no faster than the gentle sway of the end of his rod. Two children sat upon either side, a boy and a girl, their own little rods abandoned in favour of ham and cheese sandwiches and lemonade.

The approach was felt long before he heard the gentle rustling of grass beneath foot...


"Fuck Off." Said the man

The new arrival chuckled...

"Now is that anyway to speak to me, Joshua?"

"Fine then. Fuck Off Jekar, Lord of Warriors, Bane of the Underlords."

You could cut the sarcasm with a knife...

"So this is to be your lot in life? Fishing with children?"

"Caspian and Amari are far better company than you ever were, though Amari still cheats at Candyland."

The little girl looks up at Joshua and sticks her tongue out as Joshua smiles and winks at her.

"You were not placed here to fish."

"Im tired."

Jekar sighs aloud

"I know. Rolaf has kept you hidden from me for some time."

"Everything turned to ash. I would be remembered for something other than failure."

"So you failed at something you were unsuited for. Big surprise there."

"So what would you have me do Jekar? Rule poorly until everything burns? Until I become like the SCC or the pretender Richard?"

"In all the times we have spoken, when have I ever suggested you rule? I asked that you live as a warrior and to promote the values that entails. I ask that you put yourself in front of the darkness so that others may burn brightly. I never gave you a throne nor demanded you take one."

"You want me to just walk away?"

"You would not be the first of your line to do so."

Joshua closed his eyes and let out an explosive breath, his hands falling into his lap as his rod fell into the river.

"You expect me to become Jocelyn?"

Joshua felt Amari take his hand

"No Joshua. I expect you to try."

Joshua looked first to Amari who just smiled. Then he looked to Caspian, who was holding up his own little shield for Joshua to take. Reassuring himself, Joshua nodded and ruffled the boys hair. Standing up he turned to face Jekar.

"Ok then."

Caspian then leaped up and drew his wooden sword. Holding it high above his head, he let loose the most fearsome battle cry he could muster, echoed by an equallly loud Amari. With the children screaming in his ears, Jekar's arm shot out and struck Joshua hard in the chest. Caught somewhere between surprise and pain Joshua flew backwards, striking the cold water, the icy shock ripping through him.......

---

---

"Sir! We have elevated theta waves from the patient. I think he is coming around."

"General Rhodes? Can you hear me?"

---

---

---

---

General Joshua Rhodes gazed up the elevator shaft, his Maglite playing off broken and twisted steel interwoven with knotted cables, the mangled remains of the elevator car smashed beyond recognition. He had awoken in the underground medical facility six months ago, having survived the helocopter crash...barely. The tiny medical team at the remote station had removed one other survivor, though she had died only weeks later, while he endured 18 months of a coma. Six months ago he was so weak he could have been licked to death by a kitten, however, with a medical team with nothing else to do, they had guided his recovery and rapidly returned him to a physical condition equal to that of before the crash. Maybe even a little better, he allowed. His major concern was a few fuzzy and missing memories. His last moments of perfect recolection being the aftermath of his victory against the Seaforth Catholic Church and the Ostlake Military Games. That and Evanthe and his son of course. Evanthe.....


"Fuck."

"Indeed, Sir. No one on our staff has the first idea on how to make the assent safely."

Joshua quickly recovered, gathering his thoughts to the task at hand.

"Yes, of course. I will need some manpower, and it will be slow going. Moving up one storey at a time, and cutting away the debris as I go."

"Yes Sir. Thoughts as to removing our other patients?"

Joshua was impressed the doctor's first thought was to his patients. After six months doing nothing but rehab and eating, Joshua was going stir crazy. The doc and staff were beyond two years....

"Restoring communications will be priority. I would prefer a team trained in high-angle rescue remove your patients rather than trying oursleves."

"Agreed Sir."

"All right Doc, lets see the maintenence storage rooms and see what we have to work with....

---

“Hello and good evening. After close to two years, the Seaforth News Network has finally returned to the broadcasting world. In our first airing I, Gavin Neil, will be discussing with Senior Anchor Tara McLeod what exactly happened. How did Seaforth fall so far?”

Gavin turns slightly to his left

“Welcome to the show, Tara.”

“Thank you Gavin.”

“So to get right down to it...what happened?”

“Well Gavin, it was too much too fast. The betrayal of the Seaforth Catholic Church and the subsequent Eugenics War caused millions of deaths and massive destruction to our nation. On top of that, when the depth of the betrayal was discovered, it damaged the social structure of our nation beyond repair. Our then-King Joshua Rhodes then pulled off a brilliant military campaign in putting down the Church and thier militias, with key aid from our steadfast allies East Moreland, Achkaerin and Dijel.”

“Indeed. I believe Joshua’s final armoured maneuver is still being taught in most military schools.”

“I have heard that.”

“So how did that victory turn to ashes?”

“A good shepard he was not. It was known that diplomacy was not always his strength, but he was worse at administering the nation. He needed to rebuild and reinforce our social structure and chose to do so by creating the awful clan system. Seaforth has always been traditional minded and instead of relying on that he attempted to try something totally new. The clans were already coming apart when....it happened.”

“The second wave?”

“Correct. A second outbreak of Lassa IV. Millions more dead. Even then, Joshua was still holding the nation together by force of will alone.”

“Indeed. He was conducting observation when his helicopter went missing.”

“Thats right. During the second wave Joshua was flying in a Cyclone helicopter, observing the ongoing humanitarian efforts when the Cyclone disappeared off radar in the coastal mountains.”

“And?”

“And the light just went out. Everything spiraled from there. With the loss of Joshua, people fled. It was too much. They crossed borders in droves. Somerset, East Moreland, Troyes...they went wherever they could, to whoever would take them. The list of nations accepting our refugees is as long as my arm. For those that remained, it was anarchy. Total social collapse. Then of course, the lights started going out, things stopped working, people stopped working. You have seen it before.”

“The military? Leadership?”

“Evacuated. To be fair, it was all they could do to keep it all together. They retreated to Illumic East, Somerset, Gibraltar and Troyes. To be fair, they recovered first in spite of several key officers succumbing to Lassa IV and are responsible for beginning the restoration. Its slow work, but they did get the SNN back up in our currently limited fashion. As to leadership, well, look at Somerset. Joshua may have been the soldier, but Evanthe is clearly a world class governor.”

“So what does the future hold? Are we to be Somersetan now?”

“I dont know Gavin. Somerset, which is actually an Autonomous Zone held by what was called House Rhodes has preserved the active remains of Seaforth. Today it functions as a rump state almost. Will it remain as such, I dont know. I do have it from several highly placed sources in the military that they will not abandon Seaforth and the return of the SNN is just the first step.”

“A first step that took two years.”

Tara scowls at Gavin’s comment

“I’m sure they are aware of the time frame and like it less than you.”

Gavin stammers slightly

“Uh..ah...yes, of course. Thank you Tara, for joining us on our first return broadcast.”

Tara smiles brightly, appearing pleased at the stammer

“Your welcome Gavin, any time.”