The Slippery Slope (Crisis in Mersch)

[Irtref]

Chieftan Sylvia of Silverdale had been merely a teenager when the civil war in Academica had begun and she had been largely used as a puppet to try and create a cross Alba Karinyan Empire, it was a fools quest. She however had survived and had been smuggled out the tiny nation into Mersch. There she had grown into a woman who eagerly wanted to reclaim her homeland. The people of Silverdale had come so close to having a land of their own and now with many of the political refugees here in Mersch she saw no reason why the situation of that nations own civil war between the Monarchists and the Republicans ending couldn't be exploited. The so called Kingdom of Mersch still lacked a monarch and as such was relying on the Prime Minister, an inexperienced Hanna Dahl, to keep control. It had been a task that was not succeeding and in the last few months the Republicans and the refugees from Silverdale had switched from fighting an all out war to terrorist acts and today would be a key moment.

Should Mersch ever return to the point of having a stable royal family then the chances of achieving a new homeland for the people of Silverdale would be gone and so Sylvia had today planned something special.

Outside Holsbrukken a car waited in a side street. Duke Kristian Volk had been targeted before but here in Holsbrukken he felt safe. It was a small village where everyone knew everyone and he was well liked. As one of the outsiders in contention for the throne he was probably leat likely to be targeted which is why here and now was the perfect moment. The Duke had just a single security guard with him and as he walked to his favourite cafe for brunch, like he did every Tuesday the car turned onto the main street. Just as the Duke walked in and greeted the young girl behind the counter the car burst through the front window and with an ear shattering boom exploded killing both the Duke and the twelve people enjoying a quiet mid morning coffee.

Even before the news of the Duke's demise had been heard Duke Abraham Kristoffer, who had a slightly stronger but still weak claim on the throne, was attending a meeting with some investors. He'd planned to increase the size of his race horse enterprise and over the last year he'd formed a close bond with some investor from East Moreland. His team had conducted various background checks and it was clear Richard Marlon was someone in the know. He had twelve horses that had won well this past season and rumour had it he'd even trained a horse for Princess Freya. He was backed by millions from some lumber business and now the duo would team up. Marlon arrived with his team of staff and after a lovely early morning inspection of the Duke's facilities Richard was impressed. "I think I would be very happy to team up with His Lordship" Richard declared as the two men shook hands on a partnership. Richard turned to a young man, Stephen, who had been acting as his PA for the last few months. "Stephen can you grab my cheque book" Stephen placed the briefcase on the table between Richard and the Duke and took a rather odd deep breath.

"FOR SILVERDALE!" He yelled and flicked the case open. There was a large flash and boom as the briefcase, not containing paperwork but instead a block of C4 and several packets of nails. While those on the edges of what had been a cheerful moment now writhed on the ground a mass on blood, twisted bone and flesh. Stephen, the Duke and Richard had died almost instantly but by the time the situation had been dealt with by the emergency services there were two more dead and three people would require huge amounts of surgery to try and save their lives.

The final act of this bloody day came at Duchess Heidi Felds penthouse in Wahlstadt. She had perhaps the strongest claim on the throne but that mattered for little. The delivery intended for the floor below her penthouse was not the fridge that the packaging advertised, it was in fact a huge bomb. Placed in the lift and set to go to the floor below it had enough explosive force that it took out the top four floors of the building leaving a twist mess of metal and sending glass flying across the street injuring scores of people in the neighbouring office block.

By the end of the day three leading candidates for the throne were dead and along with them close to 80 Merschians.

[DaveIronside]

The underground briefing room at Northfort Palace was reserved for ongoing emergencies. It wasn't quiet like those rooms you see in films with walls of giant monitors in the dark sat around a long table at which a president comes in with his advisers already sat waiting for him. The one at Northfort was actually a rather light and airy room, the table a round light wood antique had a bowl of fruit in the centre, a tray of snacks and bottles of water. To the far end of the room was one large TV and the walls rather than having banks of monitors on had colourful art works. The entrance to the room was guarded by two members of Red Legion who clearly recognising the King opened the door and greeted him with a salute. Once inside the room was full of men and women in a variety of uniforms, Air Force, Army, Navy, Police and the people in civilian clothing. A young Air Force officer handed the King a cup of Green Tea and showed him to where on the table a folder of various items had already been set up. "That was sent over by the  National Intelligence Agency. Can I get you anything?"

"No thank you Steven" David said as he slid into the large leather chair and put his tea down and began looking through the folder. So far there was actually very little in there that it seemed he didn't know. Across the table from him was Air Commodore Edward Briggs, the head of the Air Force who just so happened to have been in the Palace already speaking with the air crew who manned the King's helicopter Rotor One. Briggs knew better than to disrupt the King as he read and so sat looking at his own copies. Over the next ten minutes the various other people entered by which time David had managed to get his head around what happened. It was time to start working and David got things moving, "Several years ago we undertook to help the people of Academica end their four....or five....multiple way civil war. This then spilled into Mersch and once more we took a role. We gave guarantees at the end of their civil war that we would help look to their security in terms of re-establishing a constitution, we thought that was well at hand but now it seems we were misguided in that. What exactly do we know."

It was Grace Yacobs, daughter of the head of the armed forces, Katie Yacobs, who answered and briefed everyone on the days events. "The scenario leaves three possible candidates, we've Jasmin Volk over in Ostlake, she's studying there for now but when the news came down we moved her to the Officers Mess in the base. That means  Rochus Kristoffer and Markus Switzer are unaccounted for. I've sent word to the Merschian Prime Minister that we can send people to get them. We're just waiting to hear back."

"And what do we do once their here?" David asked, "If we pick on candidate it means the question of their monarchy is solved, but it still doesn't stop them being a target. What do we know about the groups that's taken responsibility."

"Next to nothing" Grace replied, "This came right out of left field, there was no chatter to be picked up, none of the typical being we'd consider looking at. We need to have a bit more time on this one."

"We need to start taking action soon" David said quickly, "Brigadier Corey has already been put on notice for operations. I'll leave the evac, should it be approved to him. We'll then deal with the Reds finding The Uncrowned once everyone's safe."

With that the meeting was over and the King, draining his green tea, headed off to see what was happening in Daito.

[Irtref]

The Royal Fusiliers were the go to Regiment in Mersch. Not a single Fusilier had changed sides during the civil war and the Regiment had received a vast number of commendations during the conflict. As such following the war they'd been put in charge of the Prime Ministers protection since Hanna Dahl had been appointed. The Sergeant of the watch came into her office just moments after the attacks had taken place. "Madam you need to come with us, we're enacting a black protocol." Hanna knew what that meant and was not going to argue. The nation had gone through enough and the Fusiliers knew their business.

"Grab that bag please Sergeant" she simply said pointing to a hold all next to her desk. She slammed her lap top close and tucked it under her arm as she grabbed the backpack off her chair where it was normally stored. As she entered her lounge four men dressed not in ceremonial uniform but instead in camo and holding rifles prepared to escort her outside to where the helicopter was already spinning up. The Prime Minister was barely buckled in when the aircraft took off and headed out towards the Northern Ocean. With Wahlstadt being relatively close to the coast it was a short trip and then the Helicopter Carrier Jennersdorf came into view. Even though the crew had been carefully vetted a detachment of Fusiliers meet them and escorted them to a set of rooms put aside for such an incident. Once safely in a cabin she already had messages coming through about the situation, the scene was chaotic. The first priority was to ensure that those capable of becoming a monarch were safe. Thankfully she then got the message through from King David, it made sense to get all three of the candidates into the safe hands of East Moreland and while Jasmine Volk was already there the others were far from safe. She informed the Fusiliers that they should expect some kind of East Moreland military operation in the coming hours.

[DaveIronside]

"The Cross Alpine Ski and Social Club are going to Reinberg Pass this weekend. Snow and Cocktails for all" the Instagram post declared. Grace Yacobs sat watching the account she ran for an apparent group of Merschians and Morelanders who liked to exchange tips and advice for skiing in the Alps. The account was a boring series of pictures of hills, skiis and videos of ski runs, it had just over 700 followers, the vast majority of them not actually real. In her office in Northfort she waited until suddenly getting a ping someone had left a comment, Thomas May said "I prefer the runs at Mayselle." Grace took a note of that. A minute later a second comment, this time Peter Hartson, "The cocktails at Yarlberg are far better." She wrote that down and picked up a phone. "Hi, Alex its Grace, we have green lights. First pick up is at the estate, second the beach house."

"Roger that Grace. We'll head out". Alex Redfern confirmed before putting the phone down and heading out of the building that was serving as Red Legion's digs at Roberton FOB while the Mersch situation was on going. "We've a green light Olly. Estate pick up for young Rochus Kristoffer. Let the Taxi Service know. Meanwhile Markus Switzer needs the water taxi." They had a series of plans that had been agreed months ago for evacuating each of the candidates and now it was just a matter of putting them into play. "Olly you'll take Rochus, I'm getting my feet wet."

"OK boss." Olly put down his magazine and got out of his deck chair in the hangar. "LADS!" He yelled and instantly all the activity stopped. "We're on, Bravo you're with me, Delta with Redfern" there was a mixture of high fives and groans as those getting to go on the op celebrated a chance of some action beside the mind numbing boredom of being on base, meanwhile those not getting a chance to take part felt a pang of jealousy." The four men in each unit made their way at a brisk jog to the quartermaster who already had their gear stored in boxes. Merschian camo for Bravo and wet gear and parachutes for Delta. The commanders were last to pick up theres and get geared up. Meanwhile four members of the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing had disappeared and were readying aircraft. Bravo team had the luxury of a recently acquired Merschian Air Force Salamander helicopter while Delta had the converted Twin Otter. The two teams did their final prep and then with Delta setting off first because of the longer distance to cover they made their entry.

Bravo team would have the easier operation. The five man team dressed in their borrowed uniforms were flown through the Alps at low altitude before announcing themselves as a training flight that hadn't ever actually been running and had just been created to fulfil this operation. The pilot handled all the formalities until after about twenty minutes in Merschian air space they set down on a disused tennis court outside a little countryside estate. At the sound of the helicopter 19 year old Rochus' security detail had prepared to take him outside, they'd been told to stay indoors until the Red Legionnaires appeared and gave the correct password. Olly and Thomas Barks made the short run from the helicopter to the house while the other three took up positions to potentially defend the extraction. As they reached the house the door opened. "In!" Olly yelled pushing the security detail inside. "You should have waited for the password. Inglorius" the Red Legionnaire had his weapon half raised as his eyes searched the five figures in the corridor to identify their cargo. The Merschian's head of security gave back the challenge "Nomad" and had expected things to relax, he was sadly disappointed. Olly had identified  Rochus Kristoffer and already was grabbing him to hand him to Barks. The 19 year old noble was a little taken aback at the aggression and his complaints were ignored as Barks was already escorting him back across the lawn. The security detail made to follow and Olly raised his weapon. "You stay here!" He commanded. They're was a mole somewhere in the security details and he had no intention of taking it to East Moreland, the men complained and a few put hands on weapons but Olly simply backed away out the door and could see in his peripheral vision Legionnaire Saxby set up to give covering fire if he needed it. "You stay there." he commanded again and with the noble now being literally thrown into the helicopters rear knew they were not welcome. The Red's backed off and within three minutes of hitting the deck had extracted their candidate. "Bravo is clear stage one" Olly confirmed as he felt them make a turn away from the estate. It would be around twenty minutes later that he confirmed "Bravo is clear stage two" as they exited Merschian air space and then ten minutes later touched down at Roberton.

While Olly was landing on the lawn to retrieve Rochus. The Twin Otter, utilising the callsign connected to a medical evacuation flight had their coastal target in sight. "Right get set" Redfern instructed two of his men who now double checked parachutes. The aircraft's pilot made a few last minute navigation checks and with a raised thumb indicated it was time. "See you in ten" Alex instructed as he clipped his safety harness to to the wires and then opened the door for the two men. Awkwardly assembling at the door the two men exited into the slipstream and Alex checked he could see their chutes. Happy they were on track and in good shape the pilot began his own preparations. Alex did his best to use his spotters scope to check the beach and could just about make out the shape of the motorboat they'd parked there a few weeks ago.

"Delta Leader this Delta One. ETA target two minutes." Tristan Rowe had landed and having freed himself from his chute was now alongside Chris Shelley making their way towards the beach house. They slipped over the back wall announcing themselves as they did so. "Red Legion. Password Inglorious" Rowe yelled as he scanned the walled garden. It appeared clear. A yell from the house came back "Nomad". It seemed everything was in order.

"Delta One we are thirty seconds out" Alex and the two other Reds had now landed in the Twin Otter and with the pilot expertly getting it as close into shore as possible they splashed out. Alex moved to the top of the small sand dune to check the exit Rowe and Shelley would make while his two men gave the motor boat the once over. The Twin Otter was busying itself moving into position to take off again.

Inside the house Markus Switzer looked far from ready. He had several large bags. "They contain my journals and arts" he complained. As Rowe informed him they would not be coming and instead pushed him out the front door just behind Shelley who was scanning the way. In much the same way as Olly had covered the security detail once he was happy Redfern had them covered Rowe turned to the Security detail and informed them they'd be staying. The chief of the detail nodded his understanding and had his men retreat to the house where they could be seen in the windows clearly watching the group disappear towards the beach. Redfern waited until they'd passed him and he heard the RHIB's motor fire up. He fell back and even before he'd fully got in the boat was racing off towards where the Twin Otter float plane was just about done. The Merschian noble was helped inside still complaining before as last man in Redfern gave the thumbs up that they were ready and with no further warning the aircraft bounced across the water and headed off. Once in East Moreland's airspace they all relaxed a little and once back at Rockhampton decisions had to be made. The two potential candidates were kept separate and phase two put into operation. Markus would be flown to Silverhills where he would be put into Queen Stasya's private house. The coming and going of helicopters there was not unusual and it had a great security set up not to different to Northfort Palace itself. Meanwhile  Rochus Kristoffer was given a East Moreland military uniform and put into a convoy of vehicles. About 10km up the road was Rockhampton Royal Retreat, the Kings usual summer palace and as such also no stranger to military convoys and soldiers. The two venues would be perfect for securing the two evacuees. Meanwhile East Moreland already had young Jasmin Volk at Ostlake. For now at least the future of the Merschian crown should be safe.

[Irtref]

With their charge evacuated to East Moreland the security detail of Rochus Kristoffer saw no need to remain at the distant estate. They'd packed up as much of the young nobleman's possessions as they thought he'd need back in the capital of Wahlstadt. Once the four Range-Rovers had been sorted out the team mounted up and began what would be a three hour drive. They'd nothing much to worry about, the vehicles were skinned with bullet proof material and the glass reinforced. While the vehicles were high spec they were not up to the standard of world leaders but likely wouldn't have made much difference. About 1km away from the house they made the turn off the gravel track that lead to the house onto a main road, however they never made it that far as they made the turn a boom filled the air and soon after a tree fell across the front of the lead vehicle. Before any of them could respond a second tree fell behind them boxing them in. The teams inside rummaged to grab weapons as from the shadows of the trees a mixture of gun fire and surprisngly several rucksacks hurled towards the vehicle. The skin of the vehicle held the gunfire back but several of the backpacks exploded with two directly underneath the vehicles. With the security detail now largely incapacitated two balaclaved figures came forward and carefully checked, inside they couldn't see young Rochus and so immediately their interest. Several anti-tank mines were dragged out as the rest of the gang emerged rifles aimed at the vehicles in which most people were now wounded. Wires had been prepared from each and with a press of a button they detonated once in place throwing the vehicles and leaving everyone inside incapacitated, the cars were dragged off the road and left, it would be potentially days until anyone drove by this way.

The team sent to assassinate Markus Switzer had been more punctual yet still too late, unknown to them the tiny dot heading away was the seaplane the Morelanders had used. The five men dressed in black arrived via boat and oblivious to the foot prints in the sand left by the Morelanders headed over the dunes. They left one man as a kind of rear guard to protect the boat and tried to find an unseen route to the beach houses entrance. Even before they had crossed half way between the dunes and the house one of them took a round to the chest and over the next four minutes a fire fight between the security detail and the assassins all but two of the black masked killers were dead. The rear guard had made the decision it was time to leave and back tracked to the boat just in time to see his friend come limping over the hill. He waited, bundled him into the boat and fired the engine up heading out towards the middle of the lake. They were not going to get away however as when only a two kilometers down the coast the Steinbrunn patrol boat had them in sight. The gunmen turned towards the coast desperately trying to escape thinking perhaps getting shore might save them. While they had a head start the UAV launched from the rear of the patrol boat and the speed of their launched RHIB meant the gap was closed just before they could scramble ashore. There was a brief exchange of gunfire and the final two assassins were left bleeding on the sand, one soon to die. The survivor was bandaged up while medics did what they could to try and save the other mans life but it was a futile effort. The survivor was airlifted to a medical hospital at a military base and once stable introduced to Major Philip Muessler a member of the Military Police. He was flanked by two rather large NCO's dressed in combats as opposed to his office uniform. He was about to open his mouth to speak when from off the bed the assassin spoke.

"Major my name is Stefan Lahm, I am a sergeant in the 1st Republic of Mersch Commando unit. I am not about to answer questions but I am authorised to tell you that I am one of several strike units embedded within your nation and that you can expect further attacks if I am not in touch with my commanding officer within the next 12 hours" he said as he glanced up at the clock within the medical room. "I am however able to effect a ceasefire but only after negotiations involved Princess Freya Ironside. I will now not be answering any questions unless it relates to negotiations." Major Muessler was rather taken aback.

"I shall return shortly" He said unsure exactly what to do or say, he informed his commanding officer who in turn contacted his commander and before long their contact in the East Moreland military was being told.

[DaveIronside]

The underground "bunker" at Northfort was prepared for the King while he was still out at the Representative Council. As usual the various members of the military command and intelligence services had arrived and were already throwing ideas around as David walked in. He had already taking his jacket off as he got himself settled. His Head of Royal Household, Quinn Germaine, handed him his black leather notebook and a steaming mug of green tea. "Good afternoon everyone" David began, "I understand that there are a few reports from Mersch. So what's happening?"

It was Grace Yacobs who responded. "Well its good news, bad news, strange news." She began.

"Strange news.....that's a new one" David semi-smiled as he waited for her to continue.

"The good news is we've got Jasmine Volk, Rochus Kristoffer and Markus Switzer safe and secure dotted around East Moreland. That means we've got a chance to at least get the Merschians a monarch that the majority there are going to support to some extent. The bad news is soon after our team evacuated Markus the house came under attack, the guys there were well switched on and fought them off, two guys escaped but the navy of Mersch caught one of them. The team protecting Rochus have failed to check in so we're a little concerned. It seems like someone in Mersch has loose lips. Now the strange news, the guy the Mersch Navy have picked up went all Uppsala style in their questioning. Introduced himself as a sergeant in the 1st Republic of Mersch Commando's and that he's got...." Grace checked her notes...."about ten hours to check in with his commanding officer or further attacks take place. He spoke of a ceasefire but....and here is the even stranger part, only if your sister goes to lead negotiations."

David laughed, "Right, so we know the guys a little odd. If Prime Minister Dahl wants we'll be happy to send Freya and a team with her but we're not trusting any Mersch forces. They're is something going on there and while we want to help Mersch I'm not putting Freya out front on her own."

"I'll have the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing fly her in with a few random cross boarder flights just to keep things interesting. I'll also have eight of the boys go with her." Brigadier Corey, the commander of Red Legion spoke up. "If I can ask for the Air Force and Navy to move things towards the border quietly too just in case things get a little bit tasty then we can get a few extra assets in the region?" He looked across the table at Admiral James Thompson and Air Commodore Edward Briggs he nodded their approval.

"We'll move the King Robert up on routine manoeuvres and the Chamwick's on shake down after a software upgrade so we can count on that. That gives us a decent air ability and 800 Royal Marine Commando's if we need them." Thompson glanced down at his tablet.

"42 Squadron are based up at Roberton FOB at the moment, that puts F-5's in play if we need to strike anything, we've also Dragonlings if a lighter touch is needed." Briggs had already begun the process of moving other aircraft north, particularly cargo aircraft from Ostlake to Roberton.

"I'll break the news to Freya then. Keep me posted." David stood, drained his green tea and headed off.


As two borrowed EMAC-Wings aircraft crossed the border on Mersch it was the old Ironside One that went in low through the Alps with a JSFAW pilot throwing it round like a fighter. Freya had enjoyed many flights in it and it two other siblings before her brother had got a jumbo jet, the air force kept them around for internal flights or special occasions and now as Freya, her husband and his seven Red Legion friends entered Merschian airspace they were in very different surrounds than regular military operations. "Can we get seats like this in the transporters?" Olly Barks asked as he reclined his chair into a practical bed his kit across his lap. Soon they put down at the agreed airfield having taken a very out the way route. Barks and Saxby left the aircraft first followed by Freya and the others. Freya was keen to make it clear this was no official state visit and had her 2nd Light Scouts DPM uniform on and an assault rifle slung across her back. It was clear this was to be a business trip and no risks were being taken.

[Irtref]

Robert Gruber was told to expect a representative of the East Moreland military in ten minutes time. He was the stand in, for now, as the Minister of Defence under Prime Minister Dahl's administration and by his own assessment he had no idea what was going on in Mersch. The last few days had been chaotic and they'd been lots of reports of people leaving Mersch, coming to Mersch and disappearing in Mersch. He arrived at Martinsmühle Military Base just a few minutes before the flight that contained Princess Freya, there was just enough time for Major Philip Muessler of the Military Police to explain the situation to Robert who had just enough time to turn and see the Morelanders exit their aircraft. He was rather surprised to see Princess Freya attired with a rifle but that was likely the least confusing thing about the current situation. "Your Highness, please follow us." They were escorted by MP's across the tarmac and into a low grey concrete building attached to a hangar. Once inside it was Major Muessler who took the lead.

"Princess Freya we're not sure what we can tell you to prepare you. All the suspect says is his name and the claim that he's a sergeant in the  1st Republic of Mersch Commando unit, whatever that is. The bit that interests us is the fact he claims there are attacks planned and he can stop them. He wouldn't even answer questions telling us whether he wanted a sandwich or not. We've put him in an interregation room for now once we knew you were agreeable to coming. He's chained to the floor and we're confident he can't do anything other than perhaps lean forward slightly. On him we found just a assault rifle, three magazines, two grenades and a broken radio, it seems he destroyed it himself. We've no record of him on any of our watch lists or even ex-Merschian military. Last details we have of him are that he graduated from University five years ago with a degree in History. This is also the first we've heard of the 1st Republic of Mersch Commando's. We're currently trying to get the ID's of the other in what I suppose we could call his commando unit."

Muessler gave the Princess time to ask any questions and prepare herself and once ready escorted the Princess into the room. As soon as she entered the man sat bolt upright and seemed to try and swing an arm in a kind of salute but the shackels prevented them. His eyes cast a look up and down the Morelander as though his mind was trying to make a decision. "Your Highness I am Sergeant Stefan Lahm, I am a sergeant in the 1st Republic of Mersch Commando unit. I am authorised to tell you that I am one of several strike units embedded within this nation and that you can expect further attacks on Mersch if I am not in touch with my commanding officer within the next 6 hours, assuming that clock is accurate. I am however able to effect a ceasefire but only after negotiations begin. Therefore should you as one of the nominated arbitration parties in determining the next monarch of Mersch tell me you will publicly declare all candidates unsuitable and recommend a referendum on becoming a Republic I will reveal a phone number which can be called and upon hearing my codeword my commanding officer will halt the impending attacks for five days. During those five days we can discuss a roadmap that East Moreland will take to ensure the referendum takes place and that should the nation vote for being a Republic implement it."

[DaveIronside]

Freya had done her fair share of diplomacy in her life, most notably with Heyra many years ago. Now this had become perhaps the strangest thing she had found herself dealing with. She noticed his attempt at proper military decorum but the chains prevented him doing so. Had this been any real nation the Princess would of course have replied with her own salute or mark of respect for the initial salute but this guy was, at least to her at this moment, simply playing at soldier. She took a seat opposite as Saxby stood in the corner. She waited for Lahm to finish talking.

"Well Stefan" She purposely refused to use the man's assumed rank. "being a Commando is rather impressive normally. Our own Royal Marine Commando's take months just to go through selection, then time to train. It shows great dedication. Its not just a case of sticking a badge on and claiming you are one. A badge incidentally I don't see. That would mean that the Uppsala Convention would literally say you are not a soldier as you have no ID, no uniform and no insignia, unlike mine." She tapped to the thunderbolt riding horse that was the badge of her Regiment.  Lets perhaps then drop the pretence of being a military unit for a fictional nation. Now you have some kind of beef with Mersch that's fine. You though can't expect to derail a system that took months of work to put together simply because you and some buddies are upset. Now while you had some initial success, the element of surprise in your favour. You've now, metaphorcially speaking, shot your load. You've lost that and now Mersch is going to be ready for you. So lets be realistic, you're not derailing the process, so what else would you like that might actually be achievable?"