Statement from General Aguilo, Revolutionary Commander - Western Front

Following Crysta’s dramatic exit from her office, the officers' debate had lost momentum. They no longer had any interest in voting for a new leader, but conceded to my leadership in executing Crysta’s directive. Now we waited for the protest to tire out, so we could bring their leaders here without much fuss. I stayed in my office through the night, and settled into an uneasy sleep, leaning back into my chair.

I don't know if it was late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning when a junior officer woke me up. He reported a minor scuffle between soldiers and protestors was escalating out of control. Militia members charged forward with weapons drawn to support the protestors. No shots had been fired yet, but the fighting was getting ugly. My worst fears were coming true. Dauphin’s hesitance had a certain logic to it, but it may have been wiser to bring Emilia here immediately.

I told the officer to make sure Crysta was informed, and then I set out toward the prison at once, bringing a small group of reinforcements for my own protection. When I arrived I saw chaos, as my own troops fought against our militia brothers in a brutal melee. The soldiers outside retreated inside the prison, while the protesters began to batter the door with a makeshift ram. The soldiers inside the prison must have panicked and began firing out the windows. Some in the crowd carried muskets and fired back, but soon realized they were vulnerable in the open while the soldiers inside had cover. The crowd soon backed away from the prison, many protestors carrying wounded comrades out of danger.

I stepped into the prison, furious that they had let the situation spiral out of control. They insisted the protesters started it, and they were only acting in self defense. I decided now was the time to carry out Crysta’s wish and bring Emilia to negotiate. My officers warned that we are safe for now in the prison, but walking through the streets could be dangerous. The militia might attack us in the open. Their concerns were justified. I had only one option.

I located a gathering point where the protestors were regrouping several blocks away. I approached with a white flag. I was greeted with boos, and few even brandished weapons, but Robert was on the scene and called for calm, although he certainly looked furious and blamed me for allowing the situation to spiral out of control.

I had no time to argue over blame, I stated my case simply. I was prepared to release all prisoners but the leaders of the protest must come with me to see Crysta and negotiate an immediate end to the protest. Robert reminded me that he had wanted to talk to Crysta yesterday, which I acknowledged, but I repeated my offer. He said the crowd doesn’t trust the army, and he insisted on bringing some armed militia members to the negotiations, as an escort. I agreed.

From the notes of Citizen Emilia, Voice of the People

Despite the tension in the air Wednesday night, I eventually succumbed to fatigue, and I drifted off to sleep in my cell. I was awoken by the sound of gunfire, the guards were shooting out the window. I begged them to stop but they paid me no mind. I could also hear a child crying, but in a cell too far to see. He was probably terrified

Eventually the guards ceased their fire. They seemed tense, but slightly relieved. I assume the protestors had fled. By now, I knew which guards were the most sympathetic, and I asked one what had happened. He explained that the protesters had attacked the guards outside and attempted to break down the door and storm in. He had no desire to fire on them, but he was terrified. I did feel some sympathy for his plight. I also asked about the crying child, why would a child even be in this prison. He told me it was Martin, the former prince and now an untidy loose end.

Some time later Aguilo showed up, he had clear disdain for me even as he admitted he needed my help to resolve the situation. He said the imprisoned protesters would be released at once, but I and a few other leaders had to meet with Crysta and negotiate an end to the situation. I was gravely concerned about further violence, so I accepted.

Before we left the prison, I wanted to see Martin. Aguilo was annoyed but allowed it. This poor crying child was the kid I voted to exile just a few days ago. Crysta was right to be sympathetic to him. I tried to comfort him, and he stopped crying and reached through the bars of his cell to hold my hand. Aguilo was growing impatient and said we needed to go. I told him we had to bring Martin with us. He was now growing furious, but he was also desperate to resolve the situation so he agreed, but he made everyone swear not to mention his name or identity.

When we arrived in Crysta’s office, she kindly greeted us, but asked why a child was present. Aguilo only said he was a special prisoner whose identity needed to be protected and left it at that. Crysta stared at the boy for a moment, I think she understood who he was, but she quickly moved on. She asked for demands.

I was quite clear that the corrupt bargains of the previous week were unacceptable, and the constitution had to be scrapped. We needed a new convention without military or aristocratic influences. Crysta seemed reluctant to scrap the entire convention, but suggested certain topics could be reopened, which was already allowed for in the current convention structure.

I told her that reopening topics makes no difference if the members are the same, and she agreed with me, new members were needed. However, she told me the reason the military had so much representation in the first place, they had direct control over much of the country, and had assumed responsibility for much of the administrative machinery. It was simply impossible to transition to a new government without their support.

Dauphin suggested that the current 8 members remain, but new members could be added to balance the convention with more civilian input. Aguilo hesitantly agreed but argued it should be no more than 2 or 3 new members. Oliphaunt wanted nothing to do with this compromise, but was rebuked by Martin as a stubborn man. That made him pause for a moment. 

I insisted we needed at least 6 new members, but Dauphin argued down to 4, and Crysta agreed with him. I turned to Robert and other protest leaders in the room, and most decided 4 would be acceptable. As long as they were civilians, commoners and represented diverse social groups.

Next we argued over what topics were settled and which could be reopened. I wanted to scrap the military influence on the courts, but Aguilo, Oliphaunt and even Dauphin argued that the system was very fair. The military courts had no authority over civilians so there was nothing for the public to fear from them. One military seat out of 11 on the Supreme Court was miniscule influence, they argued. Eventually I grew weary of the debate and agreed to let the courts stand if they accepted all our other demands.

We were satisfied with the general structure of the Executive and Legislative branches, but demanded to reopen the specific issue of qualifications for holding office in the Directorate or the Upper House. We demanded to reopen the matter of the noble quota in the civil service. We demanded to reopen the discussion on land returns. Finally, we wanted another chance to discuss rights. It was agreed that all rights already settled in the previous week could not be removed, but we could discuss adjusting tiers or adding new rights.

Crysta cajoled the military officers into reluctantly accepting the terms for the constitutional convention. However, they had demands for us. The strikes must end, and blocking roads and businesses must end. We must abide by the curfew. Robert’s earlier agreement for armed protesters to hang back a block away from any soldiers should be continued. Nondisruptive protests would be permitted as long as they adhered to these guidelines.

After working out the agreement, we went back to the crowd of protesters and explained the terms of the deal. It was a tough sell, but I pleaded with them to give the next week of the convention a chance. We’ve sent a clear message that we won't be pushed around, and the elites will have to accommodate the will of the people. I managed to get through to them, but their anger can only be held back for so long. If the next week of debates doesn’t go better, they will erupt again, with greater fury.

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

I returned to the capital Friday evening. My rural retreat was very productive, and my draft was flawlessly crafted. I was surprised to find Crysta occupying my office, but she had the nerve to be angry with me. I asked why she was there, and she said her door was damaged, with no further explanation. So I said I’ll just use her office, I don't mind a broken door for one day. She told me I better not set foot in her private office. I asked where I should conduct my business, and she recommended the courtyard.

She told me not to get too attached to my draft, as a number of issues are scheduled to be reopened. She also said the convention would be expanded with new members, and wanted some suggestions on civilians with expertise in law or constitutional theory. I had a few ideas. I’m not thrilled with some of my drafting being undone, but the expansion of the convention membership is not necessarily terrible. It just depends on who those new members are. I had to put my utmost effort into influencing their selection.

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

I had spent most of the week abroad, trying to sell my neutral buffer idea to the Royalist Coalition and to Rubidia. It seems I had missed out on a crisis in the capital that was narrowly resolved, but I had to bring news of another crisis. The royalists were split, but they were seriously considering the benefits of Rubidia as a buffer state. Unfortunately, Rubidia itself had no intention of being neutral. They declared their intention to fight for their revolutionary ideals, and Crysta of course agreed to back them. 

The ceasefire with Hibion would be terminated immediately, but that’s not all. Our southern neighbor, the Kingdom of Toskenza, had been cautiously neutral since the revolution started. They were concerned but still had deep trade relations with us that they didn’t want to jeopardize. However, the spread of the revolution to Rubidia has spooked them, and there are clear indications they are mustering an army to invade. The military leaders talk tough, as though we have nothing to fear from Toskenza, but I fear we will be hopelessly surrounded. I will still try my best to work toward diplomatic solutions, but I don’t believe any will be possible in the immediate future. If Valoria can hold its ground militarily, perhaps the royalists will reconsider peace some day, but not any time soon.