Official Communique from Ambassador Charles, Envoy to the United Kingdom of Hibion

I arrived at Crsyta’s office early Monday morning to deliver bad news about the diplomatic situation. On the way, I saw Pepe passing through the halls on the way to his own office. He was in a good mood. It was draft week, as he insisted on telling me. I politely reminded him that the entire world doesn’t revolve around his draft. I don’t think he even heard me.

When I entered Crysta’s office, her military and civilian advisors were there with her. I barely registered their presence, I was too focused on my grave task. I informed Crysta that Hibion had issued an ultimatum. They demanded that all Valorian forces immediately leave Rubidia, and that we formally promise that there will be no military assistance of any kind to the self declared Republic of Rubidia. If we fail to leave the country in a week, the ceasefire will be torn up. If we do cooperate, they are willing to extend the ceasefire by 4 months. I also learned that the new republican government in Rubidia received a similar ultimatum, and Hibion ordered it to disband itself and allow the restoration of the monarchy. 

I recommended that we accept this ultimatum as a show of good faith to the Royalist Coalition. They would see we are not intent on spreading revolutionary ideology beyond our borders. The generals did not agree with my suggestion. Aguilo and Oliphaunt wanted to fight to keep Rubidia out of the hands of the Royalist Coalition.

Crysta finally spoke up, she said the people of Rubida can decide their own fate. If they accept the ultimatum we will withdraw. If they decide to fight for their new republic, we will assist them. It was not the answer I was hoping for, and I had a hunch about how they would respond to the ultimatum. The ceasefire would surely end soon, and the Royalist Coalition would grow even more concerned about the spread of revolutionary ideology, and not without good reason.

I was told to do my best to try and maintain the ceasefire, but I was very doubtful I could do anything at this time. My last idea was to turn Rubidia into some kind of neutral buffer state, perhaps with a ceremonial monarchy, but unaligned with either Valoria or the Royalist Coalition. It would not be possible unless all parties agreed to it, but Crysta gave me permission to mention the idea to Rubidia and Hibion.

Statement from General Aguilo, Revolutionary Commander - Western Front

We all knew there would be diplomatic repercussions when the monarchy was toppled in Rubidia. We didn’t need Charles to tell us that. Frankly, we didn't need him to tell us to roll over and hand it back to the Royalists after the Northern Army fought so hard to win it. It was obvious that the Royalists intended to isolate Rubidia, crush its revolution, and then turn back to us. It would be strategically smarter to work together with this new republic and stand shoulder to shoulder against the reactionary forces that sought to destroy us both.

Crysta decided we would let Rubidia decide if they were willing to fight for their republic. If they were, we would assist, otherwise we would leave. It sounded reasonable enough. If they aren’t willing to stand and fight, we would have little hope of holding the land ourselves. Based on the report Oliphaunt has been receiving from the Northern Army, I expect they will fight.

Charles came up with one last desperate diplomatic gambit, to turn Rubidia into a neutral buffer state. A foolhardy plan that will never work. Both royalists and revolutionaries within the country and in neighboring countries will not tolerate neutrality. Charles was given permission to present his doomed plan to all parties.

Once he had left we could discuss other matters. Crysta directed us to implement, as soon as possible, the agreement from the afternoon of day 5 of the constitutional debate. We would proclaim all royal family members to be equal citizens free from persecution. The constitution would officially entrench this equal status when it was finally complete, but we were to act on that agreement immediately. We were also to make arrangements for Martin to be released from prison but carefully guarded and monitored.

Our discussion of Martin's security arrangements were interrupted by a growing noise outside. It seems there were protestors complaining about the corrupt and elitist deals made during the convention. We all know exactly who is behind this. Oliphaunt insisted that we must crush the protestors immediately, using whatever force is necessary. I chided his sensitivity. As long as they are not violent and do not disrupt business they are free to protest, as Crysta has allowed. The curfew remains in effect, we will clear them away at nightfall if they haven’t gotten bored and gone home by then.

As it turns out, most of them did eventually disperse on their own, but a small rabble continued chanting through the night. I sent my troops in with clubs to disperse them, and they quickly scattered, but they came back the next day in even greater numbers. 

On Tuesday morning, local business owners complained to Crysta that the protests were blocking the streets, and that workers were going on strike. We could have complete economic collapse in the city if we don’t deal with these protestors. Oliphaunt insisted that we more brutally crack down the protestors. I reminded him that his command was over the Northern Army, which currently occupied a foreign capital, not our own. I was in command here. Of course he sheepishly apologized for a misunderstanding and left it to me.

I would not bring back the brutal tyranny of Valerius, but I had to maintain order. I sent my soldiers to grab and arrest the most prominent protestors. The rest of the mob would soon lose its cohesion without their leaders. I was unsurprised to learn that the agitator was among those arrested. The protests gradually dispersed after the leaders were arrested. I expected things to be back to normal on Wednesday.

From the notes of Citizen Emilia, Voice of the People

After day 5 of the convention, I knew exactly what I had to do. My daily notes were helpful in bringing attention to the corrupt bargains of the convention, but it was a bit much for some people to read. I worked through the weekend to create a streamlined summary that covered the most important points, and printed them out on pamphlets. My friends at a print shop were happy to help. We spread the word and we got the masses organized, just as we had done on the first day of the convention. We came up with slogans to chant, and demands to make. We kept things clear and simple to maintain a unified message.

As we gathered on Monday morning, I informed the crowd that protests might not be enough. If they ignored us today, we would have to organize large scale strikes to bring business to a halt. We had to block streets and entrances. We had to totally disrupt everyday life in the city. Despite our numbers, we were mostly ignored on Monday, until the soldiers came at us with clubs and violently dispersed us at sundown. 

Word had spread of our protest and our numbers grew on Tuesday. Dock workers, factory workers, even bakers and butchers went on strike throughout the city. Even if they weren't selling, many workers offered gifts to each other. Bakers handed out bread to the protestors and received gifts in return. We showed solidarity by supporting each other. The strikes had made somebody nervous, and the crackdown started before lunch. Soldiers started arresting anyone who seemed like a leader. I was grabbed and thrown into a prison cell. 

As I now sit in jail, sympathetic guards smuggle notes in and out. I am aware that the protest is beginning to lose steam after so many of us have been arrested, but you can't give up yet. The rural farmers will arrive soon to join in our cause. You must maintain pressure if you want change. I know we can still succeed.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

I was excited for draft week. It was an opportunity to take a collection of vague points and weave it into a coherent framework. It would be elegant and efficient, a true masterpiece. But Emilia had other plans. I should have known she was going to organize protests. Monday was tolerable, the walls were thick and I could mostly ignore the noise. But by Tuesday, the chanting had grown louder, I could barely hear myself think.

I decided I would have to leave the city to get any work done on this draft. The civil service could function for a few days without my presence. I would head out into the quiet countryside. There, in peace, I could continue working on my magnificent draft.

I got up early Wednesday morning and headed out of the city. I saw a huge line of wagons, stretching out to the horizon. They were coming into the capital from the northern road. I had a feeling I knew who they were and why they were here. I wished Aguilo the best of luck in dealing with this. It was certainly not my problem.