The Balochian Crisis

[Flo]

The Border of Balochia Proper, North of Rvon
10 Septum, 1584
Afternoon


The bombing in Rvon had spurred the Balochian government to act even harsher towards to Saamojedics. The summer had been brutal, as the border between Balochian Balochia and Saami Balochia was even more strictly enforced. Any Saamojedics found within the borders of Balochia proper were imprisoned and, depending on the nature of their activities, turned loose at the border, imprisoned indefinitely, or, for the very worst offenders, quietly taken care of.

Removing the Saamojedics was most difficult in Asa Mabov, where there were a large minority presence. It happened in a single day. The houses of Saamojedics were ransacked, the people living inside dragged through the streets to the city center, where they were put on trucks or trains headed north. Any who resisted were beaten, and some killings took place. The act was unprecedented. There were nearly 80,000 Saamojedics living south of the border before the round-up, according to reports. some 47,000 were moved in the first few days, with another twenty-five thousand moved in the following weeks after they were found.

The result of the round-up was a much quieter Balochia. The terrorist activities south of the fence dwindled to nearly none. The streets were safe again, and people went about their daily lives. Homes and businesses that were owned by Saamojedics were auctioned off by the state, with the proceeds funding a border wall that was to be constructed immediately.

North of the border, things went from bad to worse. Already destitute, the increased population of refugees brought the region to its knees. The increased Balochian military presence didn't improve things. The Saami "cities" were effectively state mandated ghetto's, and martial law was in effect.

By Autumn, winter's approach made the situation all the more dire. Faced with starvation and disease, which were already rampant, the Saami rose up in armed resistance. It was a trickle at first, but in time it grew to a fever pitch and the Balochian military was forced to retreat to the hastily erected wall. Within a few short months, the Saamojedic resistance had grown strong enough to all but push them out of the north. The Balochians were shocked at the tenacity of the Saami and fortified the wall, rather than move back into hostile space. The Balochian government was at a loss as to what they should do. Days turned to weeks turned to months.

Now, nearly a year and a half after the Rvon bombings, there was a tentative and uneasy peace between the two groups. The Balochians did not move north, and the Saami did not move south. The crossings were especially tense, as both sides eyed each other suspiciously. While the Balochians had been brutal in their treatment of the Saamojedic people, the retaliation had been vicious and many a Balochian had died a terrible death in the north during the early days of the resistance.

The peace was almost painful, and as the time dragged on the air became all the more charged. Neither side knew when the other would make the first move, and spent their efforts preparing themselves for the conflict they both knew was coming.

In the north, the resistance, which called itself the Free Saamojedic State of Lappa. It's headquarters was in Arl Lappa, where the leadership resided. From the resistance rose a leader, Biede Brekke. Brekke had been involved in the early resistance efforts, including the Rvon bombing, which he called his greatest achievement. Brekke was an ambitious but cunning man, with a ruthless ferociousness for the enemy. He was an inspired leader, and was a key leader in the early conflicts. Lappa had no official government at the time, and was more anarchy than anything, but the Saami looked to Brekke to lead them in their efforts.

While Brekke hated the Balochians, he was not interested in eradicating them. He aimed his focus on independence for his peoples, with the ultimate goal of uniting all Sammojedics under one banner. Others wanted to storm Balochia proper, to murder, rape, and pillage those who had oppressed them for so long, but Brekke managed to maintain patience among the leadership. It was not easy, and there were those who disagreed, but for the time being, he was respected enough to maintain control. In Autumn, Brekke was planning to send a delegation to the border, to request a meeting with the Balochian government. The Saami outnumbered the Balochians, and while the southerners had technological advantages, the Saami had captured plenty of Balochian equipment during the early conflicts and victory was not assured for the Balochian government. He intended to demand independence and fight should they refuse.

History, however, had other plans.