Growing Embers

[Zabuza825]

Dosa 13, 1600
Quvak, South Kolhar

It seemed like another normal day in the supermarket in Quvak. And for shoppers, that's no doubt what they thought it would be. Just another day living in the south, under a government they loathed but didn't know how to stop, but at least their daily lives were relatively livable. Food was a reasonable price and not scarce, water was clean, and things generally seemed okay in spite of the dictatorship that reigned over them.

But today was not in fact another day. For in fact it had been years since the companies granted a monopoly over the food market saw the sorts of profits that they used to see back when the country was unified. All of their assets in the north had been confiscated and redistributed to entrepreneurial northern Kolhari citizens. In the north, a healthy capitalistic free market had developed in the industry, with competition and a small amount of regulation from laws brought about from compromise between the Party of Honor and KPFP allowing for the development of many companies in the north. The south, however, simply had many private monopolies that were not happy at all. They lost their profits and wanted to recover it.

When rush-hour came to the supermarkets, people were shocked to see that prices of food had doubled and in some cases even tripled. The store employees were just as shocked, and the managers couldn't offer any explanations. Many assumed it was corporate greed, which was true but only partly. The other part of the story being that the fascist government recently ended subsidies to the industry, while maintaining the monopoly's. Without those subsidies, some of the company's would go under, unless they raised prices that is. Not that many people in the supermarkets realized this, they assumed it was another move by monopolies aimed at squeezing the populace for money, all in the name of profits (and patriotism of course).

They were not happy. It didn't take long for shouting matches between store managers and shoppers became a regular sight on that day. They continued well into the night, and would happen regularly.

Dosa 14, 1600

It was another day and crowds gathered at the supermarkets. More shouting matches between shoppers and managers, though it was only the second day it was already a regular sight. Some smaller managers again tried to explain that it was beyond their own control, that they had been told to do it by people in ranks higher than them. By now several groups had begun organizing themselves to collectively go to stores to try and pressure managers into lowering prices, but this got them nowhere. Finally, defeated by the end of the day, some of these groups met together and conferred.

It was around this time that news that the government ended subsidies to the food industries spread, and the people decided to make their opinion of the move known. The next day, they would gather in Quvak.

Dosa 15, 1600

It was a group of roughly 400. All of them a particular type of person. They were mothers and fathers, people who had families to take care if. Though the mothers far outnumbered the fathers, as women in Kolhar were traditionally in charge of protecting the house (a job that in Kolhar was considered equally important if not more important than the man's traditional role of leaving the house for jobs). They saw themselves as doing their motherly duty to protect their households from a threat, in this case the threat of not being able to afford food.

The government quickly took note of this and tried to contain the protests with police. Though they were successful in ending the demonstrations early, they did not realize this was simply the first domino to fall.

[Zabuza825]

Dosa 20, 1600

Five days since the last protest, but that was all that people needed. Again they poured into the streets, this time much more organized than before. The number of people started at about 200, but quickly swelled as time went on. Random strangers joined in, and eventually the crowd numbered around 1,000. At that point nobody else joined, but they cheered when the crowd came by. The support was obvious.

The police again gathered to contain the protest, and this time they blocked the road. They blocked all sides, they weren't about to let the protesters move any further. Then, the order was given to disperse. The protesters ignored the order, and the police repeated it. This cycle repeated itself several times before police gave one final warning: disperse, or be dispersed with force.

Of course, the protesters refused.

So police closed in on the protesters, dragging one after another out of the protests. Horrified demonstrators tried to flee, only to be blocked by the police. Anyone who resisted was beaten, harshly. Blood spattered on the streets, but the police were careful not to kill anyone. Some got away, but most were arrested, even with injuries. Some tried to record the sight with their smartphones, but only a handful actually succeeded.

One of these protesters immediately ran for the border. His name was J'Rel Kobek, a young man aged 25 who looked up to Krell as a hero. But he knew better than to think that he could lead a rebellion like Krell could, especially now that he had a target on his back. So he ran, he ran into the first house he knew of where he was safe. When he was inside, he told them what happened.

A couple days later he was sent to another home, and then another. While the protest movement in Quvak reorganized, J'Rel was being smuggled towards the border with the North.

Dosa 30, 1600

J'Rel finally reached the border. But he wasn't out of the clear yet, the border fence was heavily patrolled and he needed to make sure he could get through it without being caught or zapped by electricity. He inched closer as the border guards left the area, he had 5-10 minutes before the next patrol. In that time he began digging under the fence as fast as he could. It would be a short while before he finally dug deep enough to where he could go under it, but when he did he slid under it as fast as he could.

He was spotted by the next patrol, but only after he entered the Northern side of the border. From there he ran away, deeper into the north, and surrendered himself to the first patrol that found him. He shared all the info he had about what happened, and was quickly allowed into a temporary housing facility for those that ran from the south.

Little did he know back in Quvak, an even larger protest was brewing.

[Zabuza825]

Quartyr 1st, 1600

The threats from Goldecia and Teaunas didn't go over well with the fascist government, especially the insinuation from the Goldecians that they may take action to stop the fascist attempts to put down the protests. The fascists feared regime change from Goldecia, especially considering how they had supplied the rebellion that led to the current situation in Kolhar. That wasn't something that they wanted to allow.

So they tasked their diplomat with asking Adwest, should Goldecia try to use force to bring regime change, would Adwest protect them from Goldecian aggression?

Meanwhile, the government made an official response to the situation. They were concerned about it, after all. Especially Kurn Mogh, who wasn't about to let it go unanswered. Had he ordered the police to suppress the protests with the force that they did? No, at no point did he ever order them to do that. That decision was made by the chief of police, hand-picked to ensure that all situations such as that were taken care of swiftly. But he also didn't stop them when he learned of the situation, after all it wasn't the first time the chief of police had done something like that and it had worked in most other situation. He had simply ordered them to ensure that nobody died as a direct result of any action.

So Kurn went onto make a statement, aired through their propaganda networks not available within the south, to air his side of the story.

He looked straight at the camera as he spoke.

"We have recently been receiving unwarranted threats from other countries, particularly Goldecia, regarding a situation that happened a little under 1 month ago that was internal and none of their concern. Allow us to set the record straight.

On the 20th of Dosa, there was an unlawful gathering in Quvak. This gathering was staged by a small number of criminal individuals who disobeyed police attempts to diffuse the situation. Police repeatedly and peacefully attempted to end the situation and disperse the gathering. The criminal individuals were given 10 chances by police to resolve the situation peacefully. Every time the criminal individuals refused. As such the police was left with no choice but to use force to end the gathering. This is not a new thing, I'd imagine that even in a country like Goldecia if a bunch of criminals gathered on the streets, blocked traffic, and refused to disperse when ordered to do so by police 10 times, the Goldecian police would use force to end the gathering.

Furthermore, we had no choice but to use more force than was normal due to the actions of the criminal individuals. Many of them resisted arrest, which left officers with no other options than to use more force in order to gain the compliance of these criminals with police action. All of this was necessary to maintain public order and prevent a potential riot by criminal thugs. Goldecia and all other countries are wrong to condemn what was necessary police action.

Unless they have an ulterior motive, they have no reason to interfere in what is the internal affairs of our country. Goldecia is the country that must learn restraint, otherwise we will be forced to act to defend ourselves. But so long as they do not interfere in our own domestic affairs, we will not cross paths."

Quartyr 3rd

Again, people gathered on the streets of Quvak. This time there were more. The initial group, consisting of 1000 individuals (400 from the previous protest and 600 new protesters) was joined by countless other individuals. Though it was hard to get a head count, at least 5000 indviduals were in the protest but likely more. Many bystanders joined, many of them people who had heard of what happened in the previous protest. What started as a protest demanding policy change to lower food prices was morphing into an anti-government protest.

Police responded quickly, this time attempting the same tactic. But quickly police realized that the protesters were too numerous for the previous tactic to work. The police tried to corner the protesters, but they pushed against the police line. With that many people all moving at once, police couldn't stop them from forcing the line.

The police chief realized this, and authorized the use of water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray, tools that he had previously prevented the police from using fearing the escalation of protests from accidental injuries, including potentially unintentionally deadly incidents, brought about by this, a policy that likely directly resulted in the violence that the police inflicted on the protesters during the last protest.

The ordered weapons were rapidly provided to the police. Protesters were ordered to disperse, but they did not. The order was repeated 3 more times, but the protesters didn't listen. The order was given one more time, this time with a warning that use of force to disperse the protesters was authorized. When the warning was given, protesters lunged at police.

Water cannons and pepper spray were immediately deployed. Protesters that fell on the ground were immediately dragged away by police and loaded onto vans. Though the protesters were now further away from police, they didn't disperse. Tear gas followed, being shot directly at the crowd. Finally, with this action, the protesters scattered. Police grabbed whoever they could and arrested them, but a few individuals were injured after being hit by tear gas canisters. One of them, D'Tan Kobek, who had joined the protests after his brother J'Rell didn't come home from the last protest, was critically injured after being accidentally hit in the head by a tear gas canister. The injured were immediately taken to a police hospital and treated for their injuries. D'Tan, knocked out by the incident, was placed in the ICU until he regained consciousness. Doctors were concerned about potential brain injuries following the incident. His skull was cracked and he bled inside his skull, but doctors managed to treat him. He was then released to police custody.

Quartyr 9th

D'Tan found himself lucky, as he was immediately released. They thought him to be low-risk after the injuries he sustained, and the prison closest to the protest site was nearing capacity from all the mass arrests. It was either send protesters to other prisons, or release a small number of low-risk protesters to prevent overcrowding.

He went home to be find a letter in his mailbox, informing him that his medical coverage from the only health insurance company present in Kolhar was suspended and he would be expected to foot his entire medical bill himself. It was an expensive bill, and if that was the case the government had likely placed him on a blacklist of for higher-paying jobs. He had no prospects of ever paying off the bill.

He spoke with some people he met during the protests, and where they confirmed that the same thing had happened to the others released from the hospital. But the fact that some were released gave them hope. But they wanted to get word out of what was happening. The news and pictures were given to a friend, one who had not participated in the protests but sympathized with them.

Her name was B'Elana Tolka. There was a reason she didn't take part in the protests. She hated the government just as much as anyone else, but she already was acting against them.

Her family was a family of fisherman, and she had access to a boat. A boat that she regularly used, but not simply for fishing.

Quartyr 12th

When B'Elana left for international waters, it was little noticed. She always went fishing in the direction, and would sneak off in situations like this. It made making the catch for the day difficult, but there was a far more lucrative item she gained. She regularly met with a team of Goldecians, average people who were acting on their own, and received foreign media through flash drives. But this time, she had something to give them.

When she saw the Goldecian ship she signalled to them. When she saw the reply, she turned off all the lights to attract less attention. When the Goldecians, whom she had been working with for years but only knew by codename as it was safer that way, finally came she spoke.

"Hey, I know that you're here to give me the flash drives, but this time I have something for you." she said as she ran into the ships.

She left with three SD cards. These contained the video and some photos of the protest. But she also had a letter, which contained some more photographs.

"There was another protest in Quvak, it was put down with force again. This time police used water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas. Some people were hurt. The police released some people, but those who were injured and went home found that they lost their health insurance. Their medical bills will probably bankrupt them."

[BrumBrum]

GBC News
Thursday 26 Fein 1600 CE
South Kolhar Protests intesify

Protests have intensified in South Kolhar according to our undercover sources within South Kolhar. Protests had grown into the 100's however protests have now ballooned into the thousands with 5,000 now reguarly protesting according the our sources on the ground. The protests began over the rising price of food though have now expanded to democracy and demands for representation of the people following the government crackdown on previous protests. The latest round of protests have also faced brutal violence from the South Kolhar fascist government with water cannons and pepper spray being deployed. The protesters were acting peacefully before the unjustified assault on them by the police and local authorities. The action has been condemned by democratic actitivists. Multiple protesters are currently in hospital with critical life threatening injuries.

There are also reports of torture of individuals who have been involved in the protests with increasing reports of use of torture on individuals by security services according to other sources within South Kolhar. The government of South Kolhar have also breached the right to healthcare in South Kolhar cancelling policies at the only healthcare insurance company to those even suspected of taking part in protests. This move is seen as a way to create fear in the population. There are reports of injuries to children , women and disabled people as a result of police brutality.

The government of Goldecia has today issued a second warning to South Kolhar. The foreign minister said in a statement "There is increasing evidence of the South Kolhar regime abusing their power and authority to undermine the civil rights of South Kolhari citizens who simply are peacefully protesting in the streets as is their right. WE call on the government to respect the right to protest and give a safe space to protest and cover the basic healthcare rights of all South Kolhari citizens and to stop attacking innocent protesters. This is not acceptable in this day and age and we will be looking in a cabinet meeting at all options to deal with the situation. No options will be taken of the table and we urge South Kolhar to start necessary reforms and respect civil rights before we are forced to act. We do not want to have to intervene but if the situation continues as is or escalates we will seriously have to consider intervention in the South Kolhar crises.We also call for the release of all political prisoners in South Kolhar."The statement confirms that government are looking at all options to deal with the growing crises of human rights in South Kolhar.

[Zabuza825]

Fein 26, 1600

For the South Kolhar government, the statements from the Goldecian government were very threatening. They feared a military intervention from Goldecia should the protests continue, so the decision was made to continue trying to suppress them. Since the last major protest smaller protests had sprung up almost daily, but none were of the same scale. The government believed that all they needed to do was wait it out and protesters would eventually stop.

Kurn also wanted to send a stern message to Goldecia, so he went on to make another statement through their propaganda networks, again not available to domestic channels.

"The Goldecian government has made yet another statement supporting criminal elements within Kolhar. They demand that we 'respect the right to protest', when what is happening is not protests at all. They are criminals that ignore the orders of police and deliberately disrupt the average citizen. In the unlawful gathering that they are referring to, the criminals again ignored police orders. Police exercised the utmost restraint possible. However, the criminals not only ignored police attempts to maintain order, but made moves to attack police. The police were left with no choice but to use force to restore order. Make no mistake - if the police had NOT used force, the criminal elements would no doubt be rioting on the streets. We can not, and will not, allow criminals to take control of the streets. To do so would be to allow anarchy.

"Goldecia continues to imply that they will use force to support these elements. Well, to the Goldecian government, if you do that you will be in direct violation of the ceasefire that ended the conflict in Kolhar. If they use military force to end our rightful and generous rule over our own country, we will act to defend ourselves. This includes military action. Goldecia has been warned."

---

Protesters had no idea that GBC would report on anything, but at the same time they prepared their next major move. This time they again took to the streets, and gathered. This time it was organized on a wide scale, as Tikist temples across the country were now taking part in organizing things. Protesters gathered in front of the legislature, and set up tents and signs. This time they weren't going to march - they were going to occupy. They would occupy until their demands were met.

Protesters gathered from across the city. Within 2 hours, there was at least 10,000 people gathered. At first the police didn't think much, but when it became clear what was going on it was too late to force the people in front of the legislature to move.

So the police got authorization to set up roadblocks and surrounded the legislature. They would not let the protests grow any larger. When people tried to gather , the police didn't let them in. Some tried to force their way in, and were promptly arrested and taken away. When they realized they couldn't get in, protesters simply sat outside of the police barricades. So the police moved the barricades. This continued until roughly 20,000 protesters were gathered.

Police had to do something, so the demand was made for protesters to leave, and they refused. The same sight from a few days ago repeated, with protesters again refusing to move out. It wasn't something they wanted to do.

Finally, after roughly 20 demands made over the course of 3 hours, police threatened to use force. Protesters refused. Police stood behind barricades and gave one "final warning".

A frustrated protester at the front grabbed the barricade and threw it at the police. The response was immediate, tear gas and pepper spray went through the crowd like a wave. The protesters, while they moved back, didn't leave the area around the legislature. Some tried to run and were promptly arrested, but many stayed in spite of the risk. It was a brutal 1 hour long crackdown, but the number of protesters that left was only around 5,000. Of that only around 2,000 were arrested.

Some of those snuck photos and videos out again, but through various means. GBC would get the photos and video at around the same time that KNE would.

But for now, the area around the legislature remained occupied by protesters.

[Zabuza825]

Fein 30, 1600

There had been a relative peace between protesters and police, something that wasn't something that happened because the police wanted it. Nay, the police were simply stumped as to what to do about the entire situation. It wasn't unheard of in the south for people to try and occupy someplace as a protest, but this was the first time that it had happened on such a large scale. The police didn't want to antagonize people to the point of potential rebellion by using deadly force, but didn't want to let protesters get away with it.

So for now it had turned into a battle of attrition. Anyone who strayed too far from the main occupation area was immediately arrested, and the same happened to anyone who tried to get in. The protesters did have water, which they were illegally siphoning from a fire hydrant they broke when they realized what was happening. Lucky for them they had some new recruits into the fire department among their ranks. But in terms of food, the situation wasn't good.

Four days without a steady supply of food was starting to weigh on the protesters, but police didn't budge. They did, however, offer to feed any protester that surrendered themselves. A few did take up the offer, but the vast majority remained. And it had continued this way for the past 3 days.

This day, however, the fascists had a trick up their sleeves. An organized protest, one sanctioned by the fascist party and led by members of the Kolhari Advancement Party. It was something that they had planned to take place right in the same area as the anti-government protesters. A blatant attempt to give the impression that not everyone wanted to bring about the end of fascism in Kolhar.

Roughly 1,000 people, only half of them from the city of Quvak with the remainder brought in from all across the south, converged and marched towards the legislature. They carried banners hailing the Davyl Jaw and his accomplishments, while at the same time condemning the "traitorous north" and "dishonorable Goldecians". They sang the national anthem of South Kolhar as they marched, and the anthem of the Kolhari Advancement Party. These were not just any supporters, but these were some of the most hardcore protesters.

When these pro-government demonstrators approached the square, they met the police and demanded to be let into the square to confront the anti-government protester. Police refused. The pro-government demonstrators then started singing the fascist national anthem, something that angered the anti-government protesters. The fascist anthem was soon drowned out by jeers, completely unintelligible. Some anti-government protesters started singing the national anthem of the North. But what set things into motion today was one simple word.

"Mataq

a Kolhari insult meaning "puny dog", considered very offensive
Close

!"

That one insult set the fascists out into a rage, responding by hurling insults at the anti-government protesters once more. Police attempted to separate the protesters, but one pro-government demonstrator threw a rock at the anti-government protesters. From there, it descended again into chaos. Each side started lobbing chunks of whatever they could find on the ground at each other, without regard for the safety of any individuals. Police pushed the fascist demonstrators aside, ending the situation before it could descend into further violence.

But no arrests were made.

The anti-government protesters were enraged and demanded that the police arrest the fascist protesters. They got up into the faces of police. That was when police again took action.

Person after person was pulled out of the crowd and arrested. Those that resisted were beaten, those that didn't resist were spared any violent treatment. The crowd, enraged, tried to intervene once more, only to be met with more tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons. By the end of the day another 500 were arrested, but many remained in front of the legislature.

But the remaining 14,000 stayed strong. They believed it was only a matter of time before the fascists caved in, so they waited again.

Meanwhile, the select few protesters who managed to get away from the chaos with photos and video would surely spread the news. It would only be a matter of time before word of this spread outside of the south.

[BrumBrum]

The government of Goldecia kept a close eye on the situation in South Kolhar. The government met up in secret with the military to establish the final operations plan if they did have to deal with the situation militarily in South Kolhar along with plans for defense of the border with Adwest. The government however announced in public their support for democracy with calls for reforms in South Kolhar emphasising the need for a diplomatic solution. They were willing to work with Kolhari Imperium to make this happen. As the protests grew more news came out the country with GBC reporting further on the protests as time went on.

The Kolhari community started protesting in Goldecia outside the Adwest embassy. At first the protests were a few hundred strong though this soon grew to over 1,000. The protests grew fast with the protesters demanding action to protect the South Kolhar protesters. The government released a statement condemning the fascist parties organisation of a counter protest and its tolerance of their beating of innocent protesters. They said in the statement that is was nearly state terrorism against its own citizens. The government once again called for respect of civil liberties.

[Adwest]

Balfonheim, Adwest (2 Zechyr 1600)

"Must they always be a bane on my existence? Bah!"

Charles Windamier, the thirteenth of his name, complained loudly outside the expansive home office of the Adwestene Foreign Ministry. As the chilly spring breeze caught up to him, he brought to his drying lips a fat cigar and took a puff. His exhale was longer, as his gaunt and seemingly sleep-deprived eyes gazed absentmindedly at the topiary gardens surrounding the area. The ashes from his imported stick of tobacco fell to the pavement, barely missing his unbuttoned dinner jacket. The top Adwestene diplomat had just left early from a reception hosted by the Tieguoese embassy in the Outer City, much to his vexation. His early departure had already been planned well-ahead, although not for the same reason he initially imagined; instead of heading to his residence in the Inner City to retire for tonight, he found himself back at work to address developments across the sea.

"They have been so for Callaghan and Belfar. For Ashford and Neil as well, your grace."

A nonchalant pitch echoed from behind the corpulent figure of the Foreign Minister after his outrage. Fifteen minutes before the clock struck nine in the evening, Windamier's deputy joined him outside. Grashielle Blancbaston, unlike her direct superior, was a career diplomat in Adwestene service. With years as both a consular officer and as head of mission from Brigidna and then to Kvaenna, as well as extensive experience in the academe as a university-level lecturer, she was as good as any to serve as second-in-command in the ministry.

Windamier spoke again. "And of Halnish?"

"I am afraid I do not know." came Blancbaston's response.

Lancelot Halnish, the Count of Reinick and the Lord Protector of Adwest since 1597, had failed to deliver a definitive course of action to Windamier regarding the Kolhari situation, as early as the first month of this year. The high noble turned top diplomat found further dissatisfaction with this state of affairs, as his was a political appointment in the first place. He had neither the background nor the willingness to drive Adwestene foreign policy as vigorously as his predecessors appeared to do so, and would have been content acting as a national spokesperson instead of policy crafter. Right then and there, he found himself to be in that exact scenario.

The ensuing pause was picked up by the Deputy Foreign Minister, as she said, "I have received reports that our embassy in Goudadam is being rattled with protests, no doubt for the aegis of protection we provide to Kolhar. Goldecian leaders have also continued their call for Kolhar to give in to protesters' demands."

A loud cough, then a cigar thrown to the pavement a moment later. "They dare risk the ire of Her Majesty with their refusal to cease."

"Goldecia is emboldened due to the failure of the Mestarka peace conference and the knowledge that we had a hand in the murder of Arz Briannan several years back. They and their allies feel that we do not possess the will to strike at all, especially now that they have an array of our neighbors lined up against us ready to go to war. This has always been the approach of our enemies. And they feel that this reality mirrors that of the past."

The Foreign Minister held the glance of his deputy for a second, taking in her analysis. That was and is the prevailing thinking in the Royal Court, although there had been no open display for regret at the course of action pursued during the close of Kolhar's civil war - to do so served no purpose after all. Although that course did not prove to be the dying breath of hawks calling for the commencement of military conflict against Adwest's adversaries, it did lay down the path for succeeding Adwestene decisions.

"Have the ambassador of Goldecia summoned here tomorrow at the afternoon, Mrs. Blancbaston. You will meet with them, see if you can mollify them. In the evening, I will depart for Kolhar to meet with our friends."

The months-long turmoil in Quvak was growing increasingly concerning.. The return of the spotlight to the Kolhari flashpoint, due to Goldecian escalation, now warranted more than a direct guarantee of protection for South Kolhar's government Even the strong statement Windamier released in Marth proved futile, dashing the Foreign Ministry's tiny hopes for at least a partial resolution. That statement, after all, was a break from previous policy of nearly total silence since the partition of Kolhar.

[BrumBrum]

3rd Zechyr 1600
By the 9th Zechyr the protests outside the Adwest embassy had swelled to over 7,000 overnight with more and more Goldecians attending. The chants started intensifying "Fascist bastards go away" and other chants suchW "What do we want? Freedom for South Kolhar . When do we want it? Now" among the many chants. The chanting would be broken up by political speeches. The cabinet were ordered not to attend the protests with the CDP advising against any statements or attending of the protest. However this didn't stop 80 MP's attending with 40 Liberal MP's 25 PSD MP's and 15 CDP MP's attending. The PSD and Liberal leaders Sasha Atkinson and Qing Wu attended each giving speeches. The first up was PSD leader who said in her speech "Today we are here for freedom for all in Kvaenna. Many of our Kvaennan brothers and our family of the Kolhari commmunity are suffering. South Kolhar and Adwest have for too long got away with their reign of terror and its time the KTO, KEC and the international community stop looking away. How many more deaths will it take? How many more innocent kids tortured? How many more mothers and fathers beaten to a pulp? We cannot just sit back and watch this happen enough is enough. We need to fight the terroristic governments of Adwest and Kolhar and a PSD government would do that , we call on the CDP government to man up and fight, lets stop being cowards."

The Liberal leader the most promising to get into power according to the polls was next up. He said "I see today 15 CDP members have bravely defied their leader and this ineffective government. We have had 10 years of nothing in response to terror and a terrorist state in South Kolhar. A state that has continued to use fear and torture as a weapon against its own citizens. A state that has continued a disgusting caste system while the north has democratised. This affairs only exists because of our governments failure to do anything about the situation and the support of the other terroristic regime Adwest. We can no longer let this be. We must act . We must bring further sanctions , we must prepare for action if more innocents are killed. We cannot let this stand and continue any longer, the longer we do the more blood we have on our hands. I have word from my mp's and lords that more will attend over the next few days. Let this movement grow and let this countries people say "we believe in liberty for all" thank you and good afternoon."

Meanwhile secretly the Goldecian government started speaking secretly with the Teanuas government to finalise plans for a KTO intervention should it be necessary. They would deal with this issue either by diplomacy or through righteous force if it became absolutely necessary.The Goldecian ambassador Hugh Owen reported to the government of Adwest. He could not understand what it was about apart from possibly South Kolhar but as far as he knew there had been no official military preparations or any significant updates since the last update.

[Zabuza825]

3rd Zechyr 1600

The sudden visit of the Adwestene foreign minister shocked the government. They weren't expecting a visit from Adwest, so they wondered what was happening. In any case, Kurn set up a direct meeting with him on this day.

The place of the meeting was to be far from the protest site, but still a government building. The meeting itself was not disclosed to the South Kolhari public for the Foreign Ministers own safety.

As the Foreign Minister arrived, Kurn greeted him.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you today?"

Meanwhile, in the party headquarters there was a fierce debate about what to do about the protesters. There was a wide consensus that things had gotten out of hand, but there was a large split as to what to do about it.

On one side, some more moderate members of the party wanted to talk to the protesters and perhaps reach a compromise. Kurn himself leaned towards this option, but all sides knew that any decision needed to be thoroughly debated and thought through. The hardliners, however, saw this as the potential first step towards the destruction of the fascist regime.

The other side wanted one simple thing: a declaration of martial law, and then the use of the military to clear the protesters from the legislature. Pushed by the hardliners, they were of the opinion that if even an inch of ground was given to the protesters they would take a hundred miles. In their view this was the only option to stop the protesters without risking the fascist position. However, the moderates viewed it as a drastic and unnecessary escalation when not all peaceful options had been exhausted.

As the debate raged on, the protesters remained in front of the legislature, occupying the area outside of the building and preventing lawmakers from entering it, effectively grinding the legal legislative process to a halt and revealing the truth to anyone who payed attention about how the Davyl Jaw effectively ruled by decree.