President Barga's Reign

[Xyrael]

At least Kabrakhan knew better than to aggravate a superior, but his 'advisor' was not as discreet. He politely waited until the man would make a mistake, then he'd step in.

"I'm sorry if I offended you, I'm merely pointing out the obvious. I was never able to follow you through a democratic process and learn of your foreign policies and such. You've said that you mean no harm to the Xyraelites, but I'm curious as to your other policies. The economy, imperialism, et cetera."

[Saletsia]

"Imperialism? We are patriots and as such, we have no need for any further territories. This is the current policy of Saletsia. And to economy: we are doing everything we can to stabilize the peso and provide enough jobs for our people.

[Xyrael]

Atonal continued on with his questions, "What about civil rights? Does the government assist with the people beyond jobs, and how does it ensure the people have both civil rights as well as security?"

Captain Kabrakhan sighed, growing impatient with the man. "When you're done with the inquisition, feel free to ask me anything you want," he spoke politely to the President, disregarding Atonal.

[Saletsia]

President Barga decided not to reply to the question regarding civil rights. Instead, she turned to the Captain.

"What about your policies? What is your stance on imperialism?"

[Xyrael]

Captain Kabrakhan replied with the doctrine drilled into his mentality. "We will actively oppose imperialism in the East, and will oppose it in all other places." He frowned, however. "We have undertaken ventures in foreign lands to help safeguard people from violence and death, but many may think we mean to colonize them. This isn't our intent, so before another can tell you otherwise, I will tell you we are willing to involve ourselves in regions to help the people rebuild what is theirs."

"We also are strongly for a closed economy, which promotes socialist values. Control the commanding heights, and allow the rest to be privatized. Unemployment is unheard of in the Republic, and any man in need is provided for. The Republic does go through great efforts to ensure that no one takes advantage of the welfare, however."

[Saletsia]

"Your policy sounds to be very good. We do not take part in any international mission. At this time because our troops are needed here most and not elsewhere. Saletsia puts high value on discipline and loyalty as well as obedience for these are the fundaments of our society. Those who fulfill them are rewarded and those who rather be defiant are dealt with appropriately. The unemployment rate of Saletsia is getting lower, economy is improving, but still we have some unemployed citizens. These though still can provide for themselves. These are mostly farmers in remote villages who grow their own food and have what they need. They are technically unemployed but not hungering as may be the case in other nations. Yes our economy is also more closed, since we seek to be as autark as possible. Dependece on another nation - be it military or economic - is not an option for Saletsia."
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Meanwhile elsewhere near the Xyraeli-Saletsian border, a group of 212 people are moving slowly towards Xyrael, trying to escape the oppressive rule of General Barga. Two armed jeeps are patrolling the part of the border where the refugees try to cross over to the neighboring kingdom.
These "dissidents" have then been sighted while crossing the border.

"Move!! Move!! Move!!! Gun them down!"

The jeeps rushed to the refugees and the gunners fire their heavy machine-guns while approaching.
Of the 212 people, 23 are immediately killed, 8 lay wounded on the ground and the rest successfully made it across the frontier.

The jeeps come closer and open fire at the refugees on the other side of the border killing a dozen more.
Only after the refugees found protection behind a concrete wall, the border patrol stopped firing.

"This is Border patrol Section 7, we request reinforcement. Dissidents and rebel elements have fled to Xyrael. I repeat, we need reinforcement."

"Copy that Section 7. Reinforcement is on the way."

Right away a reinforcement of 500 soldiers was sent to the border.

[Xyrael]

"Well," continues Atonal smoothly, "would you describe yourself as a socialist state? And would you consider trading goods with the Imperial Republic? There would be no strings attached, we're not looking to take pieces of the Saletsian pie, only to buy he products and help create a higher demand for goods. As the capitalists say, where there's a demand, there's a supply. It could help you create jobs for your unemployed, and additionally both of our nations could benefit from the additional resources."

Kabrakhan listened to Atonal ramble on about economics, he believed the female President to be bored as well, but she did have a state to run. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, curious about these "unemployed farmers" and the coincidental "dissidents".
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Meanwhile, along the Xyraeli border, four rookie soldiers were routinely patrolling a partially fenced, partially walled border. Rather content with the positions they were stuck in, instead of liberating a country around the globe, they happened upon a small group of refugees.

"Hey, look at that!" said one Guardsman.

The other quickly pulled the jeep over, relaying the sighting to his command. The authorization to investigate was quickly sent back, Republican Command was never slow with responses. They drew their Radom AKM's and approached the group, numbered well over a hundred and a half. They slowly approached the refugees, considering them to be possible smugglers. Then they noted the land to their south where smoke clouds rose and several bodies littered the area. Saletsian soldiers had taken up positions, and watched the 4 armed Republican Guardsmen take cover. Several refugees ran towards the empty jeep, in full view of the Saletsians.

"Stay where you are!" the Guardsmen called to the refugees, signaling them to stop. "Damnit, don't fire on them yet," ordered the Lance Corporal.

[Saletsia]

"Well it may be hard to explain but we are socio-nationalist state. We wish not to become a capitalist, pseudo-democratic nation, but shall work for our national interest. Right now, we are in a stabilization process which may seem very authoritative to outlanders, but we are doing it for the welfare of the people and the nation as a whole."

She paused then continued:

"We would welcome any trade agreement as long as it it not meant to exploit our land."
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The Saletsian refugees halted at the sight and order of the Xyraeli patrol.

"Please do not shoot! We are unarmed...help us, please..."

After saying this, a refugee fell to the ground, blood-soaked. A sniper took him out.

[Xyrael]

Atonal looked over several documents quickly, then looked back to President Barga. "We have no reason to construct businesses in your nation. Instead, we would rather act as a consumer, not a producer. I notice you produce a wide variety of animal products, namely cow and chicken products, along with an animal which I've never heard of..." he paused, ashamed of himself. "You also have nickel and bauxite, both resources our industry needs." Atonal paused for a moment, "The Imperial Republic has fuels like oil and natural gas, which you seem to be lacking, as well as fish and lumber. It's not our policy to trade uranium with a regime we know little of, no offense ma'am, but perhaps at a later date we could discuss this."

"Do you have any suggestions on a trade agreement?"
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The refugees hit the ground, scrambling for whatever cover they could, while the Guardsmen took up defensive positions, scanning the south for any hostiles. Two armed jeeps with several men dressed in fatigues were parked a kilometer away, but none seemed to be carrying a rifle of the calibre that killed the refugee.

"Corporal! What do we do?"

"Call for back up! Pimotl, Huemac, get those people to the jungle. We'll make sure they don't follow." The Lance Corporal raised his rifle in the direction of the Saletsian troops, waiting for them to cross the border. They were out of range at the moment, but they'd be close enough if they crossed the border. The two soldiers hurried to the small group of people, signaling them with hand gestures to 'follow'. Within mere minutes the group was slowly moving north towards the vegetation of the denser Xyraeli jungles.

[Saletsia]

This is another means of earning money...

"Yes, we will sign such a contract. Such a venture wouldn't harm our market. Speaking of uranium, we have found some deposits in Saletsia but have no use for such mineral. We would be willing to also trade our uranium with you.
The animal you mean must be the carabao, it's nothing other but a water buffalo", she smiled.
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The Saletsian border patrol halted in front of the border fence. Meanwhile the reinforcement arrived.

The Saletsians started speaking telling the Xyraelis to hand them over the Saletsian dissidents.

[Xyrael]

"Oh, I think we have sufficient Uranium. Our national transport system isn't a highway like every other nation. The Imperial Republic proudly boasts the most efficient nuclear-powered train system in the world. We figured it would take too much time to clear massive swathes of jungle, so the Pan-Xyraeli Railroad was constructed." Atonal smiled, pleased with his nation. Captain Kabrakhan sighed, the man must have lived a sheltered life, for it was impossible to turn around mid journey on the rail. It was efficient, he had to admit.

"I believe that oil, natural gas, lumber and fish in exchange for your animal products, nickel and bauxite would be an adequate deal. I hope it can be up for renegotiation depending on the varying economies of our nations."

Captain Kabrakhan cleared his throat, looking at the President directly. "I also vaguely remember you saying you did not want to be strongly militarily allied with any nation. Might I ask if you can give me assurances that Saletsia would never act as a staging point for a ground attack against our nation?"
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The Xyraelites slowly rose from their cover, talking back from a distance. "These people are being fired upon from the South. I can not in good conscience allow these people to risk their lives. I'm radioing my command, so you boys sit tight!" shouted the Corporal while calling in the contact with Saletsians.

"Suspicious fires reported South of the border. Saletsians attempting to flee. Saletsian soldiers demanding the refugees back. What are our orders?"

Mere seconds passed before a reply was radio'd back. "Suspicious fires confirmed by returning diplomatic escort, suspected attack on northern villages. Inform the Saletsian soldiers that the refugees will be processed by Internal Affairs, and that they will be allowed to stay if they desire. Do not aggress against Saletsian soldiers."

The Corporal sighed, setting the receiver down and called to the Saletsians by the fence. "Your folks are on this side of the fence now, brass says they stay if they want. They're free to return, provided you still want them in Saletsia!"

[Saletsia]

"Lumber and fish are okay but we do not have much need for oil since we mostly use coconut biodiesel. What we may need is extra kerosene. I recommend the construction of a railway system from Saletsia to Xyrael, which would make the transportation of the resources more cost-effective."

General Luna stood up and approached the President after receiving a message from a butler. He whispered something into her ear and President Barga replied:
"Air-snipers."

generalö Lune saluted and went to another room of the Palace where he contacted the air-base.

"send attack helicopters to the Northern border with Xyrael and take snipers with you!"

"Yes sir!"

An hour later, two light attack helicopters were hovering on the Saletsian side of the border with snipers in them looking for the dissidents to fire upon. A man was unfortunate enough to be found and hit by a bullet in the head.
Again the refugees panicked .

[Xyrael]

Atonal ignored the soldier that entered, continuing the conversation. "The construction of a railway would be a good idea, I will note that in the future and tell you when construction is set to begin. Until then, I might suggest using ships. I could sign a document now that would allow your civilian ships to travel through Republican waters."

Captain Kabrakhan felt like inquiring whether Saletsian tanks and fighters used oil and gasoline, or if they ran off of coconuts too. He dismissed the thought, neither he nor the Imperial Republic were fond of environmentalism, so it was not his place to judge. "You aren't having any problems, are you?" he asked, thinking of the fires in the north.

Atonal looked back at him to quiet him. "Then we agree on the trade vessels. Once I return home, the first shipments can be sent through. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
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The Corporal and his comrade watched as the two helicopters held their distance, barely moving from their locations. The Corporal looked to the Private in acknowledgment ad the both agreed "Snipers". The Corporal turned to the Saletsian soldiers and shouted: "Get away from the fence now!"

Three deuce and a halfs drove down the same winding path the patrol jeep had been taking, one moving towards the Corporal, the other two moving to secure the panicking refugees who were desperately trying to hide. Twenty soldiers bustled out, signalling the refugees to get on the trucks. The other deuce and a half parked alongside the patrols jeep, and ten soldiers hurried to the Corporal and hugged the dirt. "What's going on?" demanded a sergeant.

"Refugees fleeing the border. Brass said we should let em in, but them Saletsian's don't seem to understand."

"They cross the border, open fire. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

"And radio for air support. We have to spook those helo's until the refugees are out of here."

[Saletsia]

"Problem in the North? Just some dissidents trying to escape..."

She then continued:

"Very well, I will sign such contract. Our main port, West of Bandana, shall be opened to your ships as well, civilian ships. And we want to be able to check them, to make sure there is nothing illegally taken into or out of Saletsia."
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Meanwhile 4 newly built MX8 APCs arrived on the Saletsian side of the border, each towing a howitzer.

The snipers stopped firing as the refugees boarded Xyraeli vehicles. All of the sudden mortar rounds hit a Saletsian military position. The rounds were coming from the jungle near the border. Then about 3 dozen armed men with white bands around their right arms started charging the soldiers. The new APCs gunned them down one after the other...
The Saletsian officer in charge now was puzzled.
He was thinking why the militants attacked...It was a sif they wanted to make sure the refugees were in safety, meaning a high-ranking rebel must be amongst them.

[Xyrael]

Captain Kabrakhan smiled, he knew that President Barga was telling the truth. He knew that she was trying to make it sound polite, but she was not hiding the fact that not everyone was warm and fuzzy with her regime yet. "I see no reason why you can not check our vessels. As long as you do not force the cargo from our hands, that should not be a problem," he said, still pondering about the 'dissidents'.

"I assume our business here is drawing to a close. Would it be possible for us to speak with these dissidents about their grievances?"
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"Damnit corporal, those men are selling their lives for the refugees," commented the Guardsmen assigned to the patrol. The refugees were quickly loaded into the deuce and a halfs and driven off rapidly to the west. Several refugees remained, now within the dense foliage of the jungle. Ten Guardsmen watched over them, waiting for another convoy to come pick them up.

The corporal looked at the sergeant, "what do you think the Saletsians want from the refugees?"

"Who knows, orders are orders corporal." Another mortar went off in the distance, sending several Saletsian soldiers reeling. The corporal winced at the sudden noise. "We stay here and make sure the Saletsians don't cross. We're going to have to increase patrols, make sure Saletsians aren't crossing our borders chasing after these folks. We'll let the government talk about any rebels we capture later."

Two Mirage's drifted gracefully through the sky above, making their presence known to the Saletsian helicopters.

"Do we help the Saletsians or the rebels, sir?" asked a soldier.

"Do you know why either are fighting? No. We defend unarmed people on our side of the border. If either of those parties cross the fence, I want them shot at," he spoke, turning to his men. "Got that boys? Rebels or Saletsians, make sure they don't cross the border. If they do, make sure they don't like it here!"