Germany does not care where the delegations take place, but we would like them to be held in Canada or in London. Canada since they are one of the major super powers or London because if a meeting is held there it will show the people the world will not let this attack go unoticed.
ICNES I: Troubling Future
- Thread starter Icmancin
- Start date
Chapter Two- A Lead at Last
"So, how's the kid doing?" asked Colin, as Alex left the hospital room.
"He'll live, though he won't be walking for a while, at least until he gets half of his legs replaced. Those celts bloody-near blasted the poor kid's knees out with a shotgun. Point blank range, at that. He's almost lucky that his father gave in, or, well, I shudder to think what they could have done to him."
"Barbarians." muttered Juan.
"Amen. But at least he's alive. By the way Colin, is there any word about the location that the Celts fled to?"
"Not yet, but they suspect a private air carrier, possibly hijacked, got them off the continent. Damn private business, it-"
"Enough." said the others simultaneously.
"I'm perfectly aware of your political opinions *cough* party member *cough*" added Lee.
"No need to 'enough' me. I just happen to have political ambitions."
"I submit myself to the will of the overmind Lucien Ménard." mocked Lee, imitating Colin's voice.
The rest of the group laughed. Colin rolled his eyes and chuckled a little too.
"Ahh, you'll see someday. I'll be the politician, you can be the janitor Lee."
"Already am, did you see the mess he left in the-"
"Enough Lee, if it wasn't you talking here..."
Lee laughed, "Whatever man, it's so easy to get you worked up."
A faint buzzing sound interrupted the conversation. Colin tapped his earphone. The room went silent. After a few moments, Colin tapped the earphone again.
"We've got a lead. Follow me."
"So, how's the kid doing?" asked Colin, as Alex left the hospital room.
"He'll live, though he won't be walking for a while, at least until he gets half of his legs replaced. Those celts bloody-near blasted the poor kid's knees out with a shotgun. Point blank range, at that. He's almost lucky that his father gave in, or, well, I shudder to think what they could have done to him."
"Barbarians." muttered Juan.
"Amen. But at least he's alive. By the way Colin, is there any word about the location that the Celts fled to?"
"Not yet, but they suspect a private air carrier, possibly hijacked, got them off the continent. Damn private business, it-"
"Enough." said the others simultaneously.
"I'm perfectly aware of your political opinions *cough* party member *cough*" added Lee.
"No need to 'enough' me. I just happen to have political ambitions."
"I submit myself to the will of the overmind Lucien Ménard." mocked Lee, imitating Colin's voice.
The rest of the group laughed. Colin rolled his eyes and chuckled a little too.
"Ahh, you'll see someday. I'll be the politician, you can be the janitor Lee."
"Already am, did you see the mess he left in the-"
"Enough Lee, if it wasn't you talking here..."
Lee laughed, "Whatever man, it's so easy to get you worked up."
A faint buzzing sound interrupted the conversation. Colin tapped his earphone. The room went silent. After a few moments, Colin tapped the earphone again.
"We've got a lead. Follow me."
das
Regeneration In Process
OOC:
This is a separate new story ark. It is of much importance for the coming update, so I decided to write it first and then see if I have the time or the inspiration for the story ark about Levitsky's nephew.
IC:
At last, General Idi ibn-Sina found what he longed for - silence. Yet soon, he grew as tired of it as of the sounds of battle that ceaselessly surrounded him for the last few days - the rumble of exploding shells, the rattling of the automatic firearms, the yells of the wounded and the simply excited soldiers, the adrenaline pumping and the giving of orders: "hold the position!", "not a step backwards!", "send them reinforcements!", "launch a barrage!" He sighed. Yes, now that it was over, he knew that it was a glorious experience, a great battle, and deep in heart doubts remained. Perhaps he was wrong, perhaps they did have a chance for victory - after all, the Israeli forces weren't all that numerous, and he, the last Ummist general in Egypt, still managed to rally his troops, eliminate column after column of the invaders, and - oh, that was surely his finest hour and one of the best things that happened to the Umma' during the war! - rout an Israeli division attempting to outflank him. But on the other hand...
---
Shells falling closer and closer, soldiers muttering curses as they took cover from the ever-present Israeli bombers, the bunker blowing up, and ibn-Sina's good comrade and most trusted adjutant, Khalid, lying dead on the ground, marks from a Sayeret dastard's knife on his throat...
---
Idi ibn-Sina shook his head. It was too late to turn back now... well, not completely too late, but now that the cease-fire was declared he knew that he hadn't the willpower to throw his soldiers to the frontlines again. Not without listening to the Israeli demands, anyway.
The cavern's entrance was guarded by two olive-uniformed Ummist soldiers. Ibn-Sina shrugged, he was no longer surprised by the Israeli agent's bravery - yes, the general still thought it to be bravery.
---
"I must admit," - said Ibn-Sina, still tense but more calm - "that I am impressed?"
"By what?" - asked the young Mossad agent, smiling.
"By your bravery. Coming here to this cavern, behind the enemy lines, inviting me in full knowledge that I might have a hrode of troops with me that could kill or capture you..."
"Ah, that." - Asef Katzmann grinned again - "A bit surprised by that myself, but who dares wins."
"SAS?" - inquired Ibn-Sina.
"SAS and Sayeret Matkal, its a nice motto." - explained Asef - "But there is no bravery in following orders. The one who dared was the director, everybody else obeyed. It would've taken a much braver man than I to disobey."
"Still, you seem calm. What if I kill you now?"
"Well, I certainly will try to fight back, but I hope that it doesn't come to that." - replied Asef Katzmann, and this time, Idi ibn-Sina allowed himself to smile ever-so-slightly as well.
"So do I." - the general said - "So do I." "Strangely enough", he added in his mind.
---
Inside the cavern it was dark, but the general knew both that Asef Katzmann was here and that nobody else was. Good. So they really did want to negotiate... Why? That question tortured him ever since he got the request for a cease-fire. Though his mind did not yet fully accept it, in his heart he knew that the Israelis could crush him like a bug, now or later. Why negotiate with him? Why bend over backwards to maintain some semblance of legality in this day and age? He considered many answers, but they were all unrealistic in one way or another. He had no way to find out but to come here for the preliminary negotiations, before the formal, meaningless ones could take place. If they take place at all... But that last thought ibn-Sina cast aside as well. Abandon all hope for that, Caeser - it is too late to retreat back across the Rubicon. Ibn-Sina smirked - Caeser crossed his Rubicon going towards victory. Ibn-Sina crossed his aware that at best he could turn this into a honourable capitulation, as opposed to a simple humiliating defeat.
He did not use a flashlight - his eyes, as usual, quickly adapted to the darkness, and he knew just where to move, his training as a commando during the Unification Wars still showed. How long ago it was... and all for nothing! Damn, but it was unfair. Life is unfair, history is unfair, and with that thought Idi ibn-Sina approached the light of the candle and sat down on the bench carved out in the stones by some hermit - not necessarily a religious one - long ago. Opposite him was Asef Katzmann, a young, sun-tanned Israeli soldier, with the usual ironic glimpse in his eyes. He reminded Idi ibn-Sina of Khalid.
"So we meet again." - said Asef.
---
The first time they met was five days ago, in this same cavern, only back then there was nobody guarding it, and it was in the middle of the night (so things were almost quiet apart from some faraway shooting on the edge of the Qattara Depression). Ibn-Sina, obviously enough, had his doubts about this, but his usual fatalism enhanced by the increasingly-desperate situation (the recent Israeli tank raid through the Depression took the Ummist forces by surprise, and this time ibn-Sina's battle lines were being broken for good), and so he answered the enigmatic invitation.
Everything was the same as now, only at night and without guards, plus, ofcourse, ibn-Sina didn't know Katzmann yet.
After the initial exchange of pleasantries, during which ibn-Sina discovered a certain sympathy for the humourous, and at the same time similarily-fatalistic Asef Katzmann, they got down to business, sort of. Katzmann hinted that that it might not be too late to surrender, and when ibn-Sina rejected the offer Katzmann explained, mock-surprisedly, that he hadn't made any offer. Indeed, he only said that he might make one in the future. Perhaps ibn-Sina should take that into consideration...
It was a strange conversation - the offer of an offer itself, and what followed as both men spoke about the war, the Arab-Israeli relations, the soldiers on both sides and so forth. It was long-winded and ambigous, not to mention that it was between an unnaturally-calm Israeli agent and a shellshocked (proverbially so) Ummist general... while Israelis and Ummists were still killing each other not far away. That thought brought ibn-Sina back to reality; he reminded Katzmann that he hadn't exactly the time for all this. Unable to answer Katzmann's question: "What will you do instead of that?", ibn-Sina grudgingly agreed to consider surrender and walked away to his headquarters. Five days of hell followed.
---
"So we do." - said Idi - "Your director is a very brave man indeed."
"It doesn't take bravery to follow orders - this time, the order came from even higher up."
"Allah?" - smiled ibn-Sina (now that he surrendered in his mind as well, everything seemed much easier than before, so despite all he already was in good humour, plus Katzmann's natural influence showed).
"In Israel, Levitsky is his only Prophet."
"I do hope that you do not spread this to the conquered territories." - ibn-Sina said, obviously joking.
"Who knows?" - smiled Asef - "But anyway, I believe that you should feel proud. Ha-nasi himself is interested in you."
"He is? Well, I am flattered ofcourse, but also confused. How did my humble personna interest the great and almighty Levitsky?" - Idi genuinely was confused.
---
"No." - said ha-nasi (as Idi ibn-Sina had learned much later) to Matvey Brudenstein, director of the Mossad - "None of them would do. We need a different candidate... Perhaps someone from the military?"
---
"No." - said general Idi ibn-Sina, politely, but firmly - "As far as surrender goes... there is no need to argue. As long as you grant me and my men amnesty, I will give up. But I will not become a Quisling."
Things clearly became more tense. Katzmann's face suddenly changed - he no longer radiated irony, he sighed and looked Idi ibn-Sina with regret.
"I knew you wouldn't agree."
"Well then, we just all capitulate and go home. I am sure that you will find someone else for that role."
Another sigh.
"Things are not as simple as they seem to you, my good general." - said Katzmann - "Or me, for that matter. You cannot just go home, even if I did trust you to sit quietly and write your memoirs."
Idi ibn-Sina stood up, shook his head again, said "I will wait for the official delegation. Have a good day" and walked away. Katzmann sighed once more and said: "Do give this a thought."
To be continued
This is a separate new story ark. It is of much importance for the coming update, so I decided to write it first and then see if I have the time or the inspiration for the story ark about Levitsky's nephew.
IC:
At last, General Idi ibn-Sina found what he longed for - silence. Yet soon, he grew as tired of it as of the sounds of battle that ceaselessly surrounded him for the last few days - the rumble of exploding shells, the rattling of the automatic firearms, the yells of the wounded and the simply excited soldiers, the adrenaline pumping and the giving of orders: "hold the position!", "not a step backwards!", "send them reinforcements!", "launch a barrage!" He sighed. Yes, now that it was over, he knew that it was a glorious experience, a great battle, and deep in heart doubts remained. Perhaps he was wrong, perhaps they did have a chance for victory - after all, the Israeli forces weren't all that numerous, and he, the last Ummist general in Egypt, still managed to rally his troops, eliminate column after column of the invaders, and - oh, that was surely his finest hour and one of the best things that happened to the Umma' during the war! - rout an Israeli division attempting to outflank him. But on the other hand...
---
Shells falling closer and closer, soldiers muttering curses as they took cover from the ever-present Israeli bombers, the bunker blowing up, and ibn-Sina's good comrade and most trusted adjutant, Khalid, lying dead on the ground, marks from a Sayeret dastard's knife on his throat...
---
Idi ibn-Sina shook his head. It was too late to turn back now... well, not completely too late, but now that the cease-fire was declared he knew that he hadn't the willpower to throw his soldiers to the frontlines again. Not without listening to the Israeli demands, anyway.
The cavern's entrance was guarded by two olive-uniformed Ummist soldiers. Ibn-Sina shrugged, he was no longer surprised by the Israeli agent's bravery - yes, the general still thought it to be bravery.
---
"I must admit," - said Ibn-Sina, still tense but more calm - "that I am impressed?"
"By what?" - asked the young Mossad agent, smiling.
"By your bravery. Coming here to this cavern, behind the enemy lines, inviting me in full knowledge that I might have a hrode of troops with me that could kill or capture you..."
"Ah, that." - Asef Katzmann grinned again - "A bit surprised by that myself, but who dares wins."
"SAS?" - inquired Ibn-Sina.
"SAS and Sayeret Matkal, its a nice motto." - explained Asef - "But there is no bravery in following orders. The one who dared was the director, everybody else obeyed. It would've taken a much braver man than I to disobey."
"Still, you seem calm. What if I kill you now?"
"Well, I certainly will try to fight back, but I hope that it doesn't come to that." - replied Asef Katzmann, and this time, Idi ibn-Sina allowed himself to smile ever-so-slightly as well.
"So do I." - the general said - "So do I." "Strangely enough", he added in his mind.
---
Inside the cavern it was dark, but the general knew both that Asef Katzmann was here and that nobody else was. Good. So they really did want to negotiate... Why? That question tortured him ever since he got the request for a cease-fire. Though his mind did not yet fully accept it, in his heart he knew that the Israelis could crush him like a bug, now or later. Why negotiate with him? Why bend over backwards to maintain some semblance of legality in this day and age? He considered many answers, but they were all unrealistic in one way or another. He had no way to find out but to come here for the preliminary negotiations, before the formal, meaningless ones could take place. If they take place at all... But that last thought ibn-Sina cast aside as well. Abandon all hope for that, Caeser - it is too late to retreat back across the Rubicon. Ibn-Sina smirked - Caeser crossed his Rubicon going towards victory. Ibn-Sina crossed his aware that at best he could turn this into a honourable capitulation, as opposed to a simple humiliating defeat.
He did not use a flashlight - his eyes, as usual, quickly adapted to the darkness, and he knew just where to move, his training as a commando during the Unification Wars still showed. How long ago it was... and all for nothing! Damn, but it was unfair. Life is unfair, history is unfair, and with that thought Idi ibn-Sina approached the light of the candle and sat down on the bench carved out in the stones by some hermit - not necessarily a religious one - long ago. Opposite him was Asef Katzmann, a young, sun-tanned Israeli soldier, with the usual ironic glimpse in his eyes. He reminded Idi ibn-Sina of Khalid.
"So we meet again." - said Asef.
---
The first time they met was five days ago, in this same cavern, only back then there was nobody guarding it, and it was in the middle of the night (so things were almost quiet apart from some faraway shooting on the edge of the Qattara Depression). Ibn-Sina, obviously enough, had his doubts about this, but his usual fatalism enhanced by the increasingly-desperate situation (the recent Israeli tank raid through the Depression took the Ummist forces by surprise, and this time ibn-Sina's battle lines were being broken for good), and so he answered the enigmatic invitation.
Everything was the same as now, only at night and without guards, plus, ofcourse, ibn-Sina didn't know Katzmann yet.
After the initial exchange of pleasantries, during which ibn-Sina discovered a certain sympathy for the humourous, and at the same time similarily-fatalistic Asef Katzmann, they got down to business, sort of. Katzmann hinted that that it might not be too late to surrender, and when ibn-Sina rejected the offer Katzmann explained, mock-surprisedly, that he hadn't made any offer. Indeed, he only said that he might make one in the future. Perhaps ibn-Sina should take that into consideration...
It was a strange conversation - the offer of an offer itself, and what followed as both men spoke about the war, the Arab-Israeli relations, the soldiers on both sides and so forth. It was long-winded and ambigous, not to mention that it was between an unnaturally-calm Israeli agent and a shellshocked (proverbially so) Ummist general... while Israelis and Ummists were still killing each other not far away. That thought brought ibn-Sina back to reality; he reminded Katzmann that he hadn't exactly the time for all this. Unable to answer Katzmann's question: "What will you do instead of that?", ibn-Sina grudgingly agreed to consider surrender and walked away to his headquarters. Five days of hell followed.
---
"So we do." - said Idi - "Your director is a very brave man indeed."
"It doesn't take bravery to follow orders - this time, the order came from even higher up."
"Allah?" - smiled ibn-Sina (now that he surrendered in his mind as well, everything seemed much easier than before, so despite all he already was in good humour, plus Katzmann's natural influence showed).
"In Israel, Levitsky is his only Prophet."
"I do hope that you do not spread this to the conquered territories." - ibn-Sina said, obviously joking.
"Who knows?" - smiled Asef - "But anyway, I believe that you should feel proud. Ha-nasi himself is interested in you."
"He is? Well, I am flattered ofcourse, but also confused. How did my humble personna interest the great and almighty Levitsky?" - Idi genuinely was confused.
---
"No." - said ha-nasi (as Idi ibn-Sina had learned much later) to Matvey Brudenstein, director of the Mossad - "None of them would do. We need a different candidate... Perhaps someone from the military?"
---
"No." - said general Idi ibn-Sina, politely, but firmly - "As far as surrender goes... there is no need to argue. As long as you grant me and my men amnesty, I will give up. But I will not become a Quisling."
Things clearly became more tense. Katzmann's face suddenly changed - he no longer radiated irony, he sighed and looked Idi ibn-Sina with regret.
"I knew you wouldn't agree."
"Well then, we just all capitulate and go home. I am sure that you will find someone else for that role."
Another sigh.
"Things are not as simple as they seem to you, my good general." - said Katzmann - "Or me, for that matter. You cannot just go home, even if I did trust you to sit quietly and write your memoirs."
Idi ibn-Sina stood up, shook his head again, said "I will wait for the official delegation. Have a good day" and walked away. Katzmann sighed once more and said: "Do give this a thought."
To be continued
Icmancin
WSNR Pte
The Farow, yeah, you have.
das, can I have a name for this story?
Iggy, name for the story in General? I've got the chapter names, thanks, but I need to have a name for the story itself.
das, can I have a name for this story?
Iggy, name for the story in General? I've got the chapter names, thanks, but I need to have a name for the story itself.
das
Regeneration In Process
Still pondering on that one, hopefully I'll make up my mind soon.
Icmancin
WSNR Pte
I need ken's orders and KrimzonStriker's orders. I need dread's orders too as well as Concona, but they haven't been doing much... Concona hasn't sent orders at all.. I've been running the war. If he doesn't send orders I'll boot him.. 
I'll warn dread after this update.
So ken, Krimzon: orders soon and I'll get the update up.
I'll warn dread after this update.So ken, Krimzon: orders soon and I'll get the update up.
KrimzonStriker
Master of the Dawn
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,933
Orders sent, sorry if they were a bit rushed, I've been hit hard with end of the year stuff...
Swissempire
Poet Jester
I'm already in the NEs... King Alibhe!!!!!
das
Regeneration In Process
All was quiet on the southern slopes of the Libyan Plateau in Egypt; really quiet, as this deserted area was lifeless but for a few cactuses, birds and small animals, and for two resting armies, resting but vigilant; the battle was paused, but might resume at any moment, all felt that even if they didn't understand it, and thus all remained quiet, waiting for something. It was the third day of the local cease-fire.
All was quiet. The soldiers didn't even gossip or argue, as they usually did between battles. And yet, there is a difference between simple quiteness and even simpler total silence. Over the course of three days, certain rumours spread. The negotiations were taking way too long... but what was there to negotiate? Something was wrong, clearly wrong! And in both armies, a myriad of opinions existed. Were the enemies giving some really unacceptable terms? Or maybe, they deliberately were trying to win time for some underhanded trick... Yes, that would be just like them... Bah! They're too stupid for that!.. They surely wouldn't dare!.. Or will they?.. No-no, its definitely because of their terms, they want us to... The nerve of them! They haven't won the war yet!... Hush, I'm trying to rest... Remember how we blasted them at Siwah?.. Aye. We could do that again if they don't just sign the treaty...
So by the third day, the soldiers on both sides were obviously tense and impatient. They wanted the wait to end - they wanted war or peace, it doesn't matter what, all that matters is that it better come soon! And general Idi ibn-Sina felt inquisitive, impatient stares from those soldiers near him every time he left his headquarters (where the negotiations were taking place) in one of the larger caverns, to rest and think things over or for some other reason.
"Well?" - the general said as, at noon on the third day of the cease-fire, he once more left the headquarters and headed out for a distant cavern at the opposite end of the camp - "Well?" - he repeated, more loudly.
The soldier to whom the questions were addressed finally realized this and stood up at attention, suppressing a surprised gasp. He was surprised and scared, as the general sounded and indeed was quite irritated.
"'Well' what, sir?" - asked the soldier, recovering his wits.
"You seem fairly curious. Ever since the negotiations commenced, you keep sitting here and looking intently at everybody who enters or leaves the headquarters. Why aren't you at the position?"
"The cease-fire, sir. We don't have to be there right now."
"I suppose so..." - said the general, remembering that he indeed allowed, albeit grudgingly, the soldiers to retire from their positions for now - "Still... Yusuf, is it?"
"Yes, sir, I am." - said the soldier, somewhat surprised by Idi's recognition of him.
"Yusuf, if I didn't know better I would've thought that you were a spy. Anyway, why are you here?"
"Bored." - Yusuf admitted - "And curious, yes."
By then more of the curious soldiers walked closer, and those who didn't listened alertly.
"What are you curious about?" - asked Idi, finally abandoning the intention to just go away. He felt that he did owe some answers to his troops.
"About the negotiations, ofcourse... what's taking it so long, sir?" - Yusuf asked, with some sort of tiredness in his voice.
"This alas I could not yet answer. There are some problems."
Yusuf nodded, understandingly.
"But will we go home, in the end?"
"Yes, you... we will." - said Idi ibn-Sina - "We're almost done. After all," - he added somewhat apologetically, realizing that Yusuf might not share the defeatist opinions the general himself dispised even now - "the new Caliph is unlikely to continue the war, and if it does continue the Israelis have even less of a reason to keep fighting with us. We've only got some formalities left."
---
"Sorry." - said Idi ibn-Sina as he sat down at his table - "But I still cannot understand this. Are there no better candidates?"
"We already explained this." - said Tsahal segen (lieutenant) Yosef Nasher exasporatedly - "Why must you continue refusing?"
"Well can you at least accept the surrender first?"
"Why? General, you know that one doesn't really need so much time to make a decision - a few hours is more than enough. Yes, in theory we could accept the surrender separately, but that is such a bother, why must you make things so difficult for us?"
There was silence in the general's office where the negotiations took place, as the general pondered on his situation.
"And if I refuse..." - he finally started a question.
"...then we will arrest you until you agree or until ha-nasi changes his mind." - said segen Moshe Trompelberg, who until then seemed to ignore the whole thing, with the usual bored expression on his face.
"But what about the soldiers?"
"We'll let them go." - said Nasher - "Under guard we will even let you say goodbye to them."
"And after that..."
"And after that you will be trnasported to someplace where you will be safe from anyone trying to free you."
"My son..." - ibn-Sina suddenly remembered about him... and then remembered why he forgot about him - "Never mind."
The segens exchanged glances.
"We will find him and watch his activities in case..." - Trompelberg said, still clearly bored.
"Don't worry. He wouldn't bother freeing me." - ibn-Sina smirked and shook his head.
"I am sorry to hear that." - said Nasher - "Still, I hope you do realize that you are only making things difficult for everybody. General, you do not seem to be the sort of a man who would rather sit in some prison than act even against his better judgement. Neither are you a one to sit quietly and write memoirs. Do realize that we will not just let go of you, and that sooner or later, you will simply become too annoyed of us and too bored of the peaceful life, and will agree to our proposal anyway."
"There is always suicide." - pointed out ibn-Sina meekly.
"Had you been planning it, you would not have reminded us." - said Nasher.
"Suppose so... Give me a few more hours to think."
"Very well." - submitted Nasher, though obviously irritated by this.
---
And indeed, general Idi ibn-Sina was thinking, not trying to escape although that thought immediately crossed his mind. He knew that he was being watched. The Israelis were stubborn and thorough. Yet again, he tried to understand why. Surely by now ha-nasi, despite personal preferences, would've tried to find a less reluctant candidate? Why him? Perhaps because they want to trap and discredit me with this, the general thought grimly. Katzmann doesn't trust me to sit at home and write memoirs, neither does Nasher, and probably neither do Brudenstein and Levitsky, thought Idi. Are they expecting him to lead a rebel movement? But that's ridicilous...
Idi slapped himself for automatically - as in battle - beginning to plan rebel strategems. Yes, they were right to expect something like that. In the post that they had offered him, he would be far easier to look after, as in a prison. They only offered him an opportunity to serve them... and Egypt. Idi ibn-Sina only now remembered his old, university-era political ambitions. He can't help the resistance, the Israelis would be watching him closely... but he could help Egypt recover and prosper, especially if, as hinted by Nasher, it would later gain considerable autonomy. That's not too bad a thing to preoccupy the rest of his life, with the alternative of arrest.
Suicide wasn't an alternative, ofcourse. Not only did he already warn the Israelis, the general also couldn't go against his convictions. He wasn't a fervent Muslim, but both from the viewpoints of religion and philosophy he always considered suicide the worst sin. He couldn't bring himself to do it.
And yes, he fully realized now that he was only making things more difficult for everyone. For his own soldiers, amongst others. Evidently, there was no use resisting - not now, anyway. Perhaps he could arrange a meeting with Aleksandr Levitsky and persuade ha-nasi himself to find some other candidate. But already, Idi's fatalism was activated. Inshallah. What will be, will be.
What will be is him entering the same cavern where talked with Katzmann before, finding Katzmann that still was there (which was strange, yesterday he wasn't there, but now, evidently, he was waiting for him again while consuming a pita) and announced his decision.
"Good!" - beamead Katzmann, looking up from his pita - "See, that didn't hurt at all. You shouldn't have tried to delay this, mon general."
---
The war was dying down, though the last battles were still taking place and some of those who made it through the entire war so far died just before seeing the end. On the Libyan Plateau in northwestern Egypt, the Ummist Army of Libya, commanded by Idi ibn-Sina, surrendered. Ummist soldiers, defeated, but stil alive and in some cases not even injured went back to the fields and the cities, to their families, to their old life - to discover it all gone and relaced by a new one, which to some seemed disgusting and to others - promising.
Idi ibn-Sina, after giving one final adress to his soldiers, the first words of which ("It is over!") they will either remember or, as most often happened, will later claim to have remembered for the rest of their lives, did not go home. He went to Cairo, to start setting up the civil government of the Israeli military protectorate - the government that he grudgingly agreed to lead. The dark and bright Era of Collaboration had started.
To be continued eventually.
All was quiet. The soldiers didn't even gossip or argue, as they usually did between battles. And yet, there is a difference between simple quiteness and even simpler total silence. Over the course of three days, certain rumours spread. The negotiations were taking way too long... but what was there to negotiate? Something was wrong, clearly wrong! And in both armies, a myriad of opinions existed. Were the enemies giving some really unacceptable terms? Or maybe, they deliberately were trying to win time for some underhanded trick... Yes, that would be just like them... Bah! They're too stupid for that!.. They surely wouldn't dare!.. Or will they?.. No-no, its definitely because of their terms, they want us to... The nerve of them! They haven't won the war yet!... Hush, I'm trying to rest... Remember how we blasted them at Siwah?.. Aye. We could do that again if they don't just sign the treaty...
So by the third day, the soldiers on both sides were obviously tense and impatient. They wanted the wait to end - they wanted war or peace, it doesn't matter what, all that matters is that it better come soon! And general Idi ibn-Sina felt inquisitive, impatient stares from those soldiers near him every time he left his headquarters (where the negotiations were taking place) in one of the larger caverns, to rest and think things over or for some other reason.
"Well?" - the general said as, at noon on the third day of the cease-fire, he once more left the headquarters and headed out for a distant cavern at the opposite end of the camp - "Well?" - he repeated, more loudly.
The soldier to whom the questions were addressed finally realized this and stood up at attention, suppressing a surprised gasp. He was surprised and scared, as the general sounded and indeed was quite irritated.
"'Well' what, sir?" - asked the soldier, recovering his wits.
"You seem fairly curious. Ever since the negotiations commenced, you keep sitting here and looking intently at everybody who enters or leaves the headquarters. Why aren't you at the position?"
"The cease-fire, sir. We don't have to be there right now."
"I suppose so..." - said the general, remembering that he indeed allowed, albeit grudgingly, the soldiers to retire from their positions for now - "Still... Yusuf, is it?"
"Yes, sir, I am." - said the soldier, somewhat surprised by Idi's recognition of him.
"Yusuf, if I didn't know better I would've thought that you were a spy. Anyway, why are you here?"
"Bored." - Yusuf admitted - "And curious, yes."
By then more of the curious soldiers walked closer, and those who didn't listened alertly.
"What are you curious about?" - asked Idi, finally abandoning the intention to just go away. He felt that he did owe some answers to his troops.
"About the negotiations, ofcourse... what's taking it so long, sir?" - Yusuf asked, with some sort of tiredness in his voice.
"This alas I could not yet answer. There are some problems."
Yusuf nodded, understandingly.
"But will we go home, in the end?"
"Yes, you... we will." - said Idi ibn-Sina - "We're almost done. After all," - he added somewhat apologetically, realizing that Yusuf might not share the defeatist opinions the general himself dispised even now - "the new Caliph is unlikely to continue the war, and if it does continue the Israelis have even less of a reason to keep fighting with us. We've only got some formalities left."
---
"Sorry." - said Idi ibn-Sina as he sat down at his table - "But I still cannot understand this. Are there no better candidates?"
"We already explained this." - said Tsahal segen (lieutenant) Yosef Nasher exasporatedly - "Why must you continue refusing?"
"Well can you at least accept the surrender first?"
"Why? General, you know that one doesn't really need so much time to make a decision - a few hours is more than enough. Yes, in theory we could accept the surrender separately, but that is such a bother, why must you make things so difficult for us?"
There was silence in the general's office where the negotiations took place, as the general pondered on his situation.
"And if I refuse..." - he finally started a question.
"...then we will arrest you until you agree or until ha-nasi changes his mind." - said segen Moshe Trompelberg, who until then seemed to ignore the whole thing, with the usual bored expression on his face.
"But what about the soldiers?"
"We'll let them go." - said Nasher - "Under guard we will even let you say goodbye to them."
"And after that..."
"And after that you will be trnasported to someplace where you will be safe from anyone trying to free you."
"My son..." - ibn-Sina suddenly remembered about him... and then remembered why he forgot about him - "Never mind."
The segens exchanged glances.
"We will find him and watch his activities in case..." - Trompelberg said, still clearly bored.
"Don't worry. He wouldn't bother freeing me." - ibn-Sina smirked and shook his head.
"I am sorry to hear that." - said Nasher - "Still, I hope you do realize that you are only making things difficult for everybody. General, you do not seem to be the sort of a man who would rather sit in some prison than act even against his better judgement. Neither are you a one to sit quietly and write memoirs. Do realize that we will not just let go of you, and that sooner or later, you will simply become too annoyed of us and too bored of the peaceful life, and will agree to our proposal anyway."
"There is always suicide." - pointed out ibn-Sina meekly.
"Had you been planning it, you would not have reminded us." - said Nasher.
"Suppose so... Give me a few more hours to think."
"Very well." - submitted Nasher, though obviously irritated by this.
---
And indeed, general Idi ibn-Sina was thinking, not trying to escape although that thought immediately crossed his mind. He knew that he was being watched. The Israelis were stubborn and thorough. Yet again, he tried to understand why. Surely by now ha-nasi, despite personal preferences, would've tried to find a less reluctant candidate? Why him? Perhaps because they want to trap and discredit me with this, the general thought grimly. Katzmann doesn't trust me to sit at home and write memoirs, neither does Nasher, and probably neither do Brudenstein and Levitsky, thought Idi. Are they expecting him to lead a rebel movement? But that's ridicilous...
Idi slapped himself for automatically - as in battle - beginning to plan rebel strategems. Yes, they were right to expect something like that. In the post that they had offered him, he would be far easier to look after, as in a prison. They only offered him an opportunity to serve them... and Egypt. Idi ibn-Sina only now remembered his old, university-era political ambitions. He can't help the resistance, the Israelis would be watching him closely... but he could help Egypt recover and prosper, especially if, as hinted by Nasher, it would later gain considerable autonomy. That's not too bad a thing to preoccupy the rest of his life, with the alternative of arrest.
Suicide wasn't an alternative, ofcourse. Not only did he already warn the Israelis, the general also couldn't go against his convictions. He wasn't a fervent Muslim, but both from the viewpoints of religion and philosophy he always considered suicide the worst sin. He couldn't bring himself to do it.
And yes, he fully realized now that he was only making things more difficult for everyone. For his own soldiers, amongst others. Evidently, there was no use resisting - not now, anyway. Perhaps he could arrange a meeting with Aleksandr Levitsky and persuade ha-nasi himself to find some other candidate. But already, Idi's fatalism was activated. Inshallah. What will be, will be.
What will be is him entering the same cavern where talked with Katzmann before, finding Katzmann that still was there (which was strange, yesterday he wasn't there, but now, evidently, he was waiting for him again while consuming a pita) and announced his decision.
"Good!" - beamead Katzmann, looking up from his pita - "See, that didn't hurt at all. You shouldn't have tried to delay this, mon general."
---
The war was dying down, though the last battles were still taking place and some of those who made it through the entire war so far died just before seeing the end. On the Libyan Plateau in northwestern Egypt, the Ummist Army of Libya, commanded by Idi ibn-Sina, surrendered. Ummist soldiers, defeated, but stil alive and in some cases not even injured went back to the fields and the cities, to their families, to their old life - to discover it all gone and relaced by a new one, which to some seemed disgusting and to others - promising.
Idi ibn-Sina, after giving one final adress to his soldiers, the first words of which ("It is over!") they will either remember or, as most often happened, will later claim to have remembered for the rest of their lives, did not go home. He went to Cairo, to start setting up the civil government of the Israeli military protectorate - the government that he grudgingly agreed to lead. The dark and bright Era of Collaboration had started.
To be continued eventually.
Icmancin
WSNR Pte
Update 3 - 2058
Non-Military Events
The German government begins a clean-up of London and terror defense plans are issued to many public buildings and offices country-wide. Local autonomy is given to Scotland and Wales and the Republic of Ireland is created. German regulars are rebuilding the war-torn regions making the German Chancellor Diefendorf more popular with the former Celtic populace. (+1 Confidence, +Republic of Ireland as an independant faction)
In Canada, new fuel systems are continueing to be perfected and the Canadian industry receives quite a bit of funding from the Department of Internal Affairs (+2/5 Industry Progress, +1 Project Progress)
The conscripts in Israel go home (-5 Conscript Divisions)
A referendum in Malaysia and Hainen Dao is held. Malaysia (in fact, the entire peninsula) opted for union with SEA-CO while Hainen Dao stayed with China. This was the final act of the Third Sino-Japanese war, which has come to an end due to the voting in the two conquered areas.
The African Union commences a new Project which will help the impowerment of the dark continent. The project is fairly popular with the African citizens. Also, the African capitol shows itself as a potential economic center for the continent, but a little more time is needed for this to flourish.
The Treaty of Jerusalem took affect this year, also it was somewhat slowed by a failed terrorist attack (see military events). The new Israeli protectorates have been incorporated with little (well, no) resistance and the Israeli settlements begin to expand into Jordan, Syria and the Sinai The consolidation of these new terrritories drastically increases the Israeli GDP. The African Union takes all Africa, save North Africa and Egypt and the new Caliphate holds itself stable. In Slavia, the President's popularity drops with the Kazakh people who were annexed even though the Kazakh rebels fought hard against the Muslims (+1 Israeli Confidence, Culture, +2 Israeli Economy, -1 Slavic Confidence, +Republic of Turkey, Republic of Kurdistan, Shiite Iran and Islamic Caliphate as independant faction, -Islamic Uma as an independant faction)
SEA-CO's trade suffers somewhat due to Australasian security tightening, however this is replaced by a surplus of trade from India and government reforms (+1 Economy)
Military Events
During the final stages of the Treaty of Jerusalem, the Israeli Mossad and Sayeret Matkal evacuated the leaders moment before gas hit the buildings are ducts. The Mossad was tipped off by a GSG-9 operative who somehow learned of two Celtic terrorist attacks, one which would take place during these discussions. The leaders were evacuated with no damage done to them except for the Caliph Abdurahman who died the next day. This was a shattering blow to the negotiations which had to be postponed for a few weeks until the new Caliph, Suleiyman, could be crowned and flown to the meetings. The Sayeret Makal hunted and killed the two Celtic agents involved in the attack. The new Caliphate has stood strong but not as strong as if Abdurahman was at the helm (-1 Calipahte Confidence)
In Germany, Celtic terrorists hi-jacked a school bus with over thirty children on board. The bus was used as a moving bomb which exploded in the German port of Kiel, sinking a cargo ship. This only improved German national unity, so when the Celts attempted another attack at Essen to hinder the project, the Germans were somewhat prepared. Seventeen workers were killed and project progress was slowed due to the death of these workers as well as destruction of some project plans and parts. Three of the terrorists were killed by jack hammers and shovels in rage by fellow workers while the rest were exterminated by Canadian and German counter-terror forces (-1 Project Progress, +1 German Culture)
Despite being alotted to the Slavs in the Treaty of Jerusalem, some Kazakhs continued to fight. A small island in the Aral Sea was a scene of fierce fighting between Kazakh fanatics and Slavic Regulars. The Kazakhs lost, but not after inflicting damage on the Slavs (-Kazakh Rebels as an independant faction, -1 Slavic Division)
Latin America erupts in all out war (see spotlight)(-Incan Empire as an independant faction, -7 Brazilian Divisions, -1 Brazilian Tank Division, -4 Paraguan Divisions, -5 Argentinian Divisions, -2 Chilean Divisions, -9 Mexican Divisions, -2 Mexican tank divisions, -3 Mexican Naval Squadrons, -1 Mexican Air Squadrons, -4 Venezuelan-Colombian Naval Squadrons, -6 Venezuelan-Colombian Air Squadrons, -13 Venezuelan-Colombian Divisions, -Guyana as an independant faction)
The new Shiite government in Iran scuffles with hostile Afghan tribesmen (-1 Iranian Division)
Random Events
German reconstruction efforts make some headway (+1 Infrastructure, +1 Living Standards)
Due to her power recently waning, Argentina introduces mass conscription (+15 Conscript Divisions, -2 Confidence)
Uruguan Army Training suffers due to lack of use (-1 Army Training)
Canadian counter-terror operations are applauded throughout the country (+1 Culture)
The new Republic of Ireland denounces the terrorists and manages to uproot some ten operatives (+1 Irish Confidence)
Feeling uneeded, some Israeli officers leave the military (-1 Military Leadership)
Italic intelligence agents capture a terrorist of anarchist ideology and of unknown group membership. However, the terrorist is rescued en-route to the police station by armed men which leaves the Italic government in complete confusion as to continue investigation or to dissmiss this case as non-sense.
Spotlight
'Anarchy in the Rain-Forest.'
The month of May began routinely as it had for over six years. This was the time of the annual Paraguan-Argentine offensive against the realm of the Sun God. But this time it was not just them. They had a new friend... or contender.
The tri-Army push of Chileans, Argentines and Paraguans pushed Northwards into the Incan positions, they were aided by fighter-bomber aircraft of unknown origin. These planes bombed the hell out of the Incan positions while allwong the tri-Army forces to advance. In Buenos Aires the Brazilian Embassy called the President down with an urgent message: They were fighting the same enemy.
Further behind the Argentine-Incan front lines, Brazilian shock Armies drove through the mountains, jungles and rainforests into the heart of the Sun God's empire. However, the Sun God himself was already killed as Brazilian para-troopers parajumped into the city of Lima. Many of the conscripts surrendered but there were those who did not and kept fighting, until the death. By the end of May, the Empire had fallen and a convention was happening in Sao Paulo. In the past six years of fighting over 2 million men on both sides have died in the fighting. However, as this war ends, another begins.
Mexico, looking for expansion, decided to invade the impoverished state of Guyana. The nation is quickly overrun save for a small part of the country in the South where pro-Guyanan rebels took hold. But Mexico was not done. She commenced a massive three-front invasion of Venezuela-Colombia, quickly capturing much of the country and encircling the capitol. Now that one war is finished, the second Latin war begins.
There we go. I didn't get Dachs orders so I just did his stats anyway.. Wow, that's a short spolight...
Non-Military Events
The German government begins a clean-up of London and terror defense plans are issued to many public buildings and offices country-wide. Local autonomy is given to Scotland and Wales and the Republic of Ireland is created. German regulars are rebuilding the war-torn regions making the German Chancellor Diefendorf more popular with the former Celtic populace. (+1 Confidence, +Republic of Ireland as an independant faction)
In Canada, new fuel systems are continueing to be perfected and the Canadian industry receives quite a bit of funding from the Department of Internal Affairs (+2/5 Industry Progress, +1 Project Progress)
The conscripts in Israel go home (-5 Conscript Divisions)
A referendum in Malaysia and Hainen Dao is held. Malaysia (in fact, the entire peninsula) opted for union with SEA-CO while Hainen Dao stayed with China. This was the final act of the Third Sino-Japanese war, which has come to an end due to the voting in the two conquered areas.
The African Union commences a new Project which will help the impowerment of the dark continent. The project is fairly popular with the African citizens. Also, the African capitol shows itself as a potential economic center for the continent, but a little more time is needed for this to flourish.
The Treaty of Jerusalem took affect this year, also it was somewhat slowed by a failed terrorist attack (see military events). The new Israeli protectorates have been incorporated with little (well, no) resistance and the Israeli settlements begin to expand into Jordan, Syria and the Sinai The consolidation of these new terrritories drastically increases the Israeli GDP. The African Union takes all Africa, save North Africa and Egypt and the new Caliphate holds itself stable. In Slavia, the President's popularity drops with the Kazakh people who were annexed even though the Kazakh rebels fought hard against the Muslims (+1 Israeli Confidence, Culture, +2 Israeli Economy, -1 Slavic Confidence, +Republic of Turkey, Republic of Kurdistan, Shiite Iran and Islamic Caliphate as independant faction, -Islamic Uma as an independant faction)
SEA-CO's trade suffers somewhat due to Australasian security tightening, however this is replaced by a surplus of trade from India and government reforms (+1 Economy)
Military Events
During the final stages of the Treaty of Jerusalem, the Israeli Mossad and Sayeret Matkal evacuated the leaders moment before gas hit the buildings are ducts. The Mossad was tipped off by a GSG-9 operative who somehow learned of two Celtic terrorist attacks, one which would take place during these discussions. The leaders were evacuated with no damage done to them except for the Caliph Abdurahman who died the next day. This was a shattering blow to the negotiations which had to be postponed for a few weeks until the new Caliph, Suleiyman, could be crowned and flown to the meetings. The Sayeret Makal hunted and killed the two Celtic agents involved in the attack. The new Caliphate has stood strong but not as strong as if Abdurahman was at the helm (-1 Calipahte Confidence)
In Germany, Celtic terrorists hi-jacked a school bus with over thirty children on board. The bus was used as a moving bomb which exploded in the German port of Kiel, sinking a cargo ship. This only improved German national unity, so when the Celts attempted another attack at Essen to hinder the project, the Germans were somewhat prepared. Seventeen workers were killed and project progress was slowed due to the death of these workers as well as destruction of some project plans and parts. Three of the terrorists were killed by jack hammers and shovels in rage by fellow workers while the rest were exterminated by Canadian and German counter-terror forces (-1 Project Progress, +1 German Culture)
Despite being alotted to the Slavs in the Treaty of Jerusalem, some Kazakhs continued to fight. A small island in the Aral Sea was a scene of fierce fighting between Kazakh fanatics and Slavic Regulars. The Kazakhs lost, but not after inflicting damage on the Slavs (-Kazakh Rebels as an independant faction, -1 Slavic Division)
Latin America erupts in all out war (see spotlight)(-Incan Empire as an independant faction, -7 Brazilian Divisions, -1 Brazilian Tank Division, -4 Paraguan Divisions, -5 Argentinian Divisions, -2 Chilean Divisions, -9 Mexican Divisions, -2 Mexican tank divisions, -3 Mexican Naval Squadrons, -1 Mexican Air Squadrons, -4 Venezuelan-Colombian Naval Squadrons, -6 Venezuelan-Colombian Air Squadrons, -13 Venezuelan-Colombian Divisions, -Guyana as an independant faction)
The new Shiite government in Iran scuffles with hostile Afghan tribesmen (-1 Iranian Division)
Random Events
German reconstruction efforts make some headway (+1 Infrastructure, +1 Living Standards)
Due to her power recently waning, Argentina introduces mass conscription (+15 Conscript Divisions, -2 Confidence)
Uruguan Army Training suffers due to lack of use (-1 Army Training)
Canadian counter-terror operations are applauded throughout the country (+1 Culture)
The new Republic of Ireland denounces the terrorists and manages to uproot some ten operatives (+1 Irish Confidence)
Feeling uneeded, some Israeli officers leave the military (-1 Military Leadership)
Italic intelligence agents capture a terrorist of anarchist ideology and of unknown group membership. However, the terrorist is rescued en-route to the police station by armed men which leaves the Italic government in complete confusion as to continue investigation or to dissmiss this case as non-sense.
Spotlight
'Anarchy in the Rain-Forest.'
The month of May began routinely as it had for over six years. This was the time of the annual Paraguan-Argentine offensive against the realm of the Sun God. But this time it was not just them. They had a new friend... or contender.
The tri-Army push of Chileans, Argentines and Paraguans pushed Northwards into the Incan positions, they were aided by fighter-bomber aircraft of unknown origin. These planes bombed the hell out of the Incan positions while allwong the tri-Army forces to advance. In Buenos Aires the Brazilian Embassy called the President down with an urgent message: They were fighting the same enemy.
Further behind the Argentine-Incan front lines, Brazilian shock Armies drove through the mountains, jungles and rainforests into the heart of the Sun God's empire. However, the Sun God himself was already killed as Brazilian para-troopers parajumped into the city of Lima. Many of the conscripts surrendered but there were those who did not and kept fighting, until the death. By the end of May, the Empire had fallen and a convention was happening in Sao Paulo. In the past six years of fighting over 2 million men on both sides have died in the fighting. However, as this war ends, another begins.
Mexico, looking for expansion, decided to invade the impoverished state of Guyana. The nation is quickly overrun save for a small part of the country in the South where pro-Guyanan rebels took hold. But Mexico was not done. She commenced a massive three-front invasion of Venezuela-Colombia, quickly capturing much of the country and encircling the capitol. Now that one war is finished, the second Latin war begins.
There we go. I didn't get Dachs orders so I just did his stats anyway.. Wow, that's a short spolight...
Icmancin
WSNR Pte
Mapmapmapmapmapmapmapmapmapmapmapmapmap
Kentharu
Zebra Commander
good good good good good... good *humps the update* oooooh!!!
Icmancin
WSNR Pte
Oh.. dear... lord... 
KrimzonStriker
Master of the Dawn
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,933
To Canada
From Australasia
Delegates of Canada, we would like to discuss and arrange a mutually benificial relationship, given that we both share a common background we feel that it would only be natural if worked together more closely. We would like to hear your thoughts and if you would agree?
From Australasia
Delegates of Canada, we would like to discuss and arrange a mutually benificial relationship, given that we both share a common background we feel that it would only be natural if worked together more closely. We would like to hear your thoughts and if you would agree?
Wubba360
Emperor
To: Austalia
From: SEA-Co
We wish to open up trade amongst our nations. Perhaps a defense pact could be put in order.
From: SEA-Co
We wish to open up trade amongst our nations. Perhaps a defense pact could be put in order.
