Stories from Slokais - Printable Version

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Stories from Slokais - Slokais - 06-21-2023

June 25th 1959
New Liverpool, Slokais Islands 

Juan Costa looked over the massive crowd, 75,000 people, chanting his slogans holding the red and black banners of the National Reform Party. He waved to the crowd, this crowd was ready to hear what he had to say. He approached the microphone.
“Citizens of the Reformed State,” he said his voice booming, the crowd cheered
“As I open the National Reformist Committee, I have a message for all of you”
“As the Slokasian state continues to thrive under the policy of National Reform, you must stand against the reactionary movement that tries to undermine our society”.
The crowd booed at the mention of reactionaries
“Take that energy into the streets, destroy the counter-reformist elements!”
Juan Costa waved his hand to a choir of children, all dressed in the same red jackets.
“Farmers and workers united, for the salvation of the state”
“A thousand voices speak as one, A thousand flags wave in the sky, A thousand workers stand tall, A thousand hands raise you red standard high, A thousand proud citizens willing to die”
The crowd cheered as Juan Costa retreated inside.

A few hours later, President Juan Costa was at his desk, smoking a cigar. The door knocked
“Yes, citizen.”
“Mr. President, you have a call from a message from Commander Arroyo,” said his secretary
“...Send it through”
“President, Costa we have captured a number of socialist traitors”
“Good, send the younger ones to be re-educated, the others should be purged, that should be obvious commander?”
“I regret, I have to tell you this Mr. President we have learned that foreign elements are funding reactionary elements"
“And that is, Citizen?”
“This group called the Socialist Revolutionary Army is being backed by the Laeralian”
“Commander, the reactionaries wish for our reformed state to be destroyed, this is obvious. Double your efforts to purge these elements”
"What about the Laeralians?" 
"A war is coming, A world war, until then we build"

In the rural village of Libertad, in San Fernando Province several dozen members of the National Reformist Union of Agricultural Workers: Local 929 gathered. Libertad was a small farming community focused on sugarcane production. It was illegal for any person or company not to be a part of a National Reformist Affiliated Trade Union, so even rural areas have many chapters. Mostly the Trade Unions were used as a political tool, tax had to be paid to the national organization, in theory, this money was supposed to be used towards social programs, though in reality much went to a few wealthy party members. The small wood building was made of hand-cut planks, with bamboo planks acting as the floor. 
"I call this meeting to order, citizens," said the General Secretary
He paused before continuing 
"This is not going to be a regular gathering, citizens" 
A small crowd of farm workers, many still in straw hats stood watching
"I have received some very concerning documents, the membership fees are being transferred to United Sugar Co"
The crowd shifted uneasily, one woman blurted out "What next U.S not giving us wages, this is a known fact"
"Yes, but the NRU is doing this themselves"
The whole crowd looked around, informers were everywhere.
"We don't have to live like this"
"This is life, citizen" a man blurted out
"No, it's not, if we all stand up, everybody in Libertad"
"What about money?"
"They're paying us $75 Marks a week, for bare nothing, we got nothing to lose"
From outside, a young kid ran inside "The Fed's are here"

Outside, a car was parked outside. 4 Reformist Guard officers stepped out, armed with batons.
"Nobody leaves until we find the reactionary, everybody step out one by one" 
As ordered, the hall emptied out. 
"Who is Huberto Peter Villareno"
The crowd stood silent
"Hubert Villareno, chair of Local 929 wanted for treason"
The crowd shifted, not showing any signs of giving him up
"Alright, I guess we will go one by one" 
The guard approached an old man smoking a cigarette
"I could you some real Smithson smokes, you know," he said
"Young bucky's like you got no honor"
"You want a case of treason, old man"
The old man slapped the officer hard enough to knock him off his feet
The crowd reacted by rushing the remaining officers, kicking them, and tipping over their patrol car. One old man's simple act trigged a month-long
conflict in Libertad and throughout the San Fernando sugar country.

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RE: Stories from Slokais - Slokais - 08-08-2023

Martino walked through the iron gates of the San Miguel de Las Colinas Catholic School. The main buildings were separated by a courtyard with a chapel and sanctuary directly across from the gate. The new year brought a sense of near accomplishment for all students, especially those in Year 12. In a big city high school, most students would be hard at work studying for the Collegiate Exam yet at Las Colinas, the only future was either to be a farmer or work in one of the many state-run factories. Martino however was different, he wanted to see the world and study its wonder. He had talked to every teacher at Las Colinas who had done mission trips abroad, hoping their stories would take him there. He didn't hate where he lived, but seeing the same sights and sounds daily was boring. Last year, Martino and several other Young Reformist Trade Union students got money to attend the National Trade Union Conference in New Liverpool.

“Martino!” said one of his friends from across the hall, leaning against his locker
“You look well, Robert” he responded
“We have an assembly on the school pitch just for Year 12s,” Robert said
“Brillante Robert, You think the girl’s section will be there?”
“Hope so”
The school pitch was a simple wood stand, lined along a football field. A group of around 100 or so boys in matching red uniforms, eagerly wondered what the point of the assembly was.
“Does this have something to do with what is going on in the Dual Monarchy?” Robert asked Martino. Martino was a well-known expert on current affairs, even some of his teachers had quizzed him on what was becoming known as the Global Anti-Imperialist War. He had heard of reactionaries brutalizing civilians in East Xiang and elsewhere. In fact, their last assembly was a class on identifying possible violent elements within their community.

Down on the field, a large screen and projector were being hauled in. “This must be another informational picture film” Martino observed. As soon as the projectionist turned on the film, everyone in attendance was shocked by a familiar face. Before them, Juan Costa in full military regalia, sitting at a desk of sorts.
“As the Global Anti-Imperialist War continues, something has become undeniable. As a matter of the security of our great society, I have begun the process, dear citizens, of creating a modern defense force. All of you watching this are eligible to join in the higher pursuit by joining our army or the newly created, Reform Party Brigade. The Reform Party Brigade is an alternative, created to respect the efforts and labor you have as citizens. Instead of serving full-time, those with good standing shall have the ability to pursue their studies at any trade school or public university, free of charge. This is being done, to make sure their own great progress and labor are not slowed down by the admirable pursuit of fighting imperialism and defending our nation. After this film, please talk to any of our honorable recruiters to join in this glorious pursuit. Long live the people, long live the workers, and long live our great Slokais”

As soon as the film concluded, Martino knew this was his ticket to see the world. Not only would he be able to see the world, but also serve a higher purpose. However, most importantly, being able to pursue a degree concurrently.
“I’m going to the recruiter,” he told Robert
“Good luck, I don’t think I have the grades to do so,” Robert said wistfully.

Martino stood in line for what seemed like hours behind several dozen students. It seemed like every male student still bothering to show up this late in the year was desperate. When he finally got to the front, he got a good look at the man. He was a middle-aged man who looked far too happy about his job. He then read the name “Sergeant Primus”
“Hello, young man you interested in joining the Brigade”
“Yes, sir my name is Martino Tejada”
“Oh, yes your teachers spoke of you”
“Really?”
“You would be the perfect person, we strive the Brigades around”
“We can actually get you into service, and start receiving benefits for a program we have in the Northern Isles”
“What is going on in Northern Isles?”
“Something great, I can’t say but you will be a part of something big, In fact, your school will take care of everything”
“Really, when do I start?”
“Come here on Wednesday at 0800”
“Thank you, sir”

That day, Sergeant Richard Primus signed up almost a platoon’s worth of high school students. Of the 58 Brigade Soldiers who attended San Miguel de Las Colinas Catholic School in 1962-1963, only 19 would return uninjured or killed. It’s estimated that the initial drive among high schoolers for the Reform Party Brigade would recruit over 25,000.

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