[Slokais]

John Woods walked out of the supreme court building, his lawyers beside him as exited the building, in front of the building New Right supporters faced off against Socialist Party supporters. There were being held back by Capitol District Police, as soon as they saw John Woods the crowd erupted in part cheering, part booing.
John Woods turned to his supporters giving them a thumbs up and a look of approval
"Never stop fighting, we shall make this a trial by combat" he yelled

In the crowd Conner Smith yelled back "he said trial be combat, we shall do it"
He was in the front of line supporters exchanged in a shouting match with women holding the flag of the Anti-Fascist League
"You dirty communist idiot, freedom is not free"
"What do you mean fascist, that's what freedom means"
"You want me to put you on trial by combat"
"You may try" she yelled back
"Okay then," he said as he brick and smashed against her head sending her to the ground her head bloody. Her friends pulled her back as they grabbed their various weapons. At that key moment, police ran in to split the groups apart, however they got there too late. As the groups exchanged rocks. However, by the time, the police separated the groups, both groups moved back.
"If we can stop challenge them, we shall challenge the Communist nations of this world" he yelled
"Trial by combat" they yelled as many ran down the street towards the embassy district.
Panicked onlookers moved back as many ran down 2nd Ave, followed by police who were slowly pushing them away.

At the moment, reporters at Kolda National News from Kolda were reporting the moment live. However, they did not back up quick enough as police pushed them back on live TV
"Move"
"We are Press," said Ayominde Achebe the reporter for KNN
"You need to leave, this is a restricted area," said an officer
"We are press with KNN News, we have a right to be here," she said
"Get the fu**ing camera out of my face"
"Sir, we are on Live TV," she said
At the moment the officer pushed the news anchor to the ground as his fellow officers grabbed the cameraman and handcuffed him.

A block away the Koldan Embassay was in panic mode as they quickly ran to leave grabbing important things, seeing the live feed from a few blocks away Olujimi Absio called President Johnathan Adebayo of Kolda.
"Are you seeing this" he yelled
"Yes, get out there," he said
"What about the rare books and artifacts," he said panicked
"We have to hope they do not steal from it"
"But, their artifacts go back to the Early Tribal Period"
"You do not have time for that," the President said
"Alright, heading out," he said as he looked around to make sure everyone was out, he then a thud from upstairs.
He ran upstairs and saw that his son was trapped by a bookcase that fell in the scramble to grab things.
"Help," he said
"Dont worry," his father said
"But I am stuck," he said
Olujimi slowly lifted up the bookcase as saw this his son's ankle was bleeding
"Can you walk?" he said as he heard glass breaking from downstairs
"No, I can't walk" he yelled
Olumjimi grabbed his son and ran as he heard rioters come up the stairs.
"I can hear you, come to your master," he said as he made the sound of a whip with his mouth
Olumjimi carried his son onto the back balcony
He then lowered his son into the alleyway as he heard banging from inside the building, he then jumped down. He felt a pain in his knees as he hit the ground, he followed his son to their car. He hooped in the driver's seat just as the backdoor burst open as a man starred at them in his hands a nightstick. There car speed off down the back alley and into the street

[Slokais]

2nd St was a mess on the day after the riots, glass was broken graffiti was everywhere. It seemed like the United Front had come after every building they saw as socialist in any way. For example, the Embassay of Libertas Ominus Maxiums was untouched however the Embassay of Kolda and the Union of Rail Workers building were hit the most.
cleaning crews were inside the Koldan Embassay clearing away the broken glass and graffiti. The cultural exhibit had been smashed and various items were gone. However, some of the most important items behind the heavy glass had made it, as well as a lot of the locked rare books library. Every computer was gone and would likely be sold, however, the rioters were dumb enough to be caught on camera and since they had entered the embassy it was their job to investigate.
"See him," said Olujimi Absio
"Yeah, he appears on camera a lot," said Udoka Azchibe the head of security for the building
"We should go after him first"
"Agreed, you can see him getting in a car in front of the building down the street"
"Alright, who owns that building," he asked
"The Liberty Foundation"
"Oh, God I will go ask them"

The Liberty Foundation building was an office building with an older outer frame. The Liberty Foundation was an anti-abortion, nationalist think tank that would take kindly to someone from a nation where abortion was fully allowed and was from a country called the United Socialist States.
He knocked on the door 3 times before a man in a grey suit came to the door
"Sorry, no visitors"
"I am with the Koldan Embassay down the street we are following some of our criminal leads, can we look at your security footage"
"No, you come from a nation where babies are killed daily, go back to your country Commie"
"Excuse me, I was born in Slokais and lived here for almost all of my life"
"Do I care, no I don't?" he said as he slammed the door

Within the Highlands of Kaijan Island in a cave, the Kaijan League leader sat around planning. The room had a table with a large map along the cave wall.
"So what's the plan," a man in camo and hat said
"We should feed a movement so deep that we can liberate Kaijan," said a man laying back in his chair
"I say we fight for it right now," said a man his gun by his side, he pounded his hand on the table
"Be quiet" said a man at the head of the table
He was coming through a computer screen, only his voice came through, almost none within the organization knew he this man was, however, he was the like the leader of the operation from top to bottom.
The room quieted to wait for what he said next
"That a man is coming from Serriel, yes," he said
"Yes, he is," said the guy leaning back in his chair
"Then we use his visit to build support, he is supportive of our movement"
"Great idea, but how"
"We can tell him to say something for example "Free Kaijan"
"That could work well"
"Indeed, we can use the chaos to recruit fighters and distract key military forces, then after that we can strike Kaijan City itself"

[Slokais]

Joseph Chavez signed the bill that would increase security within New Liverpool. First, The Army would come in to make sure no more riots happened as well as maintain order if a conflict arose again. The bill would also launch a full-scale investigation of the United Front and begin to find and arrest anyone who was connected with them as well making it a crime to be involved with the United Front. The bill passed by House 312-80-10 with no much opposition just some who thought the bill put to much power in the hands of the government.

As the pen of Joseph Chavez hit paper, he made some short remarks on it.
"I hope this new legislation can help improve our security and safety as well going after the United Front"
"What about Koldan Envolvmeant' a reporter asked
"I can see why there would get involved in a matter like this, as their citizens were attacked, many no longer feel safe here, I appreciate the help they can give"
"What about the Kaijan League," another reporter said
"We shall continue our various efforts against them, this in no way ends our involvement there"
"What do you say to the people who think this is an overreach"
"It is not an overreach why and just making sure that this kind of violence does not happen again, we will not impend on your rights in favor on security, thank you," he said

[Slokais]

The Streets of New Liverpool were quiet as military transports moved soldiers into the city, by dawn every major street was watched by a squad of troops each armed, most just waiting around a few conducted arrests as many with the United Front has warrants out for them.
"Watch it, this is not your city," said one man when troops knocked on his door
"Well, your suspected of treason," said the squad Captain
"You won't take me" he yelled
"Were asking nicely could you come with us"
"Never," he said as he tried to move back inside
"Hold it" his partner as he held him as he put handcuffs on him
They handed him over to a waiting police officer and he was put in the back of the car

Private Emanuel Lopez was once again in a warzone, however, this time this was within his own country. In his heart, he knew this kind of control would lead to unlawful actions by his fellow comrades, he hoped that soon that their presence would decrease and they would guard important areas of the city, not patrolling the streets. Emanuel Lopez after being sent home from Kaijan worked as a janitor as push meant, however when Captain Cho was charged with treason he was allowed back into service. He had just signed up for some work within the Intro-Xiomerian Canal when they had called him here.

Personally, he did not want to work within Slokais Islands as he felt his work was better done elsewhere helping people of other nations, and yet he had been sent to New Liverpool. The same squad from Mallacaland was here Officer Robinette Zhang sat in the transport radioing into HQ while Private Amanda Howard stood by a lamp post talking with an older lady. The morning had been busy as many traveled to work. Though a good amount had stayed home for fears of more acts of Violence. Some had come up to him and thanked him for his service some had made jokes. For some jokes is how people dealt with all the stress.

At about 10 am the traffic began to slow down as either people got to work or just stayed home for the day. From what he had seen working-class people were forced to go in as many companies kept their offices open. While the government offices had been remote for the day. Then a man in a black scarf covering his face came up to him, and his hand was a sign that said "Hands of my rights". He knew either the Libertarians or the Anarchists would probably make their opinions known.
"Get out of my city"
"That's all your going to say," he said
"Did you not hear what I said"
"Loud and clear, look I am just doing my job, I am sure you have yours as well," he said calmly
"This is not your city, this is our city"
At that moment Officer Zhang came over and then asked
"Why do you hate us were just doing our job, where keeping your city safe"
"Stupid Commie"
He did something surprising he hugged him and said "why do you hate me"
"Because..I don't know" he said
"Exactly, Now get our on with your day," he said
The man then walked away down the street

In the Capitol District part of town, the area was heavily guarded and behind all that, Joseph Chavez was getting called by many within. This would not a good luck as many saw it as an overreach despite his words. Sean Khan had condemned the action once he saw the now-viral video of military officers dragging a man from his home. In the video, a squad of troops burst down the door of a man they said had committed a minor drug offense a week before. The squad had their bodycams off and so did local police and had their guns drawn, their video had been recorded by the son of the man being arrested.
Joseph Chavez know had a choice to make, risk attacks from the right or listen to those on the left and risk being attacked from within his own party. He wanted to make the choice to move the troops back into just the government parts of the city, however, he would be called for not caring for the safety of his citizens, however, if he did not move he would be called out and lose support with his allies and passing laws would become difficult until they were moved back.

He decided he should move the troops to around the capital and within train stations as the real threat of attacks could come against things like that. Know he would just have to give the order. However, he got ready for the blowback he would get from those who said he did not care about the security of some of his citizens.

[Lauchenoiria]

Slokasian Embassy, Buttercity, Lauchenoiria

They gathered in the middle of the afternoon, when the images from Slokais had hit the news. Troops marching through New Liverpool, people being dragged from their homes by soldiers… the sight of all this had angered the section of the Lauchenoirian population who loved nothing more than attending a protest. A full train from Usera had arrived in the capital too, crammed with students holding cardboard signs. They all made their way to the Slokasian Embassy as the Buttercity Police Department collectively groaned.

In light of the milkshake incident of 2019, the BCPD had changed their protocols for embassy protests and this time stood in a line separating the protesters from the building. There was also a pair of officers standing outside the milkshake café, insisting that customers drank their beverages inside rather than taking them away. A few arguments had ensued as people became angry that their right to take milkshakes home was being infringed because of one incident almost two years ago.

The activists stood in a rabble in front of the embassy, holding up their hastily constructed signs, waving banners about freedom and democracy, and chanting about the wrongness of setting the military on civilians. Most of those in attendance were hardly fans of the United Front, in fact most of them hated the group, but that didn’t matter. What mattered in Lauchenoiria was that in 2018 they’d seen soldiers in their own streets, and the collective national trauma angered them when they saw it happening to someone else.

“Thank you all for coming,” yelled a Lauchenoirian of indeterminate gender with spiky green-dyed hair and a little too many piercings as they climbed on top of a wall with a megaphone. “We’re here today to ask the Slokasian government to stop their attacks on civil liberties and their oppression of their people. This is NOT the way to deal with terrorism! You cannot solve a problem through oppression!”

The crowd shouted in agreement as the speaker took a breath before continuing. “Chavez will tell you that this is about safety and security, but how safe can anyone feel when armed men are marching past their windows, when their neighbours are being dragged away by soldiers for the crime of their political opinions? I don’t agree with the right-wing, but they have a right to express their views without being imprisoned for it! Once we start locking up ONE group that disagrees with the government, more will follow!”

Shouts followed, alongside boos directed at the embassy. Someone threw an egg from the middle of the crowd that sailed over the police line and cracked against the wall of the embassy. In response, the officers nervously looked at each other, not wanting to leave it but also afraid of the escalation that charging the crowd would bring. No further projectiles followed so they stood their ground, allowing the egg-thrower to get away with it. More speeches followed, in which people railed against militarism, police and authoritarian policies.

The final speaker turned to the Embassy and addressed his speech to the building. “We have seen the true horrors of policies like this in our country. Do not act like Suleman Chaher, show compassion to your people if you want to change their minds. If you act with force, people will respond with force, and things will merely escalate. We in Lauchenoiria will not stand for this, and we will be here every day until you remove your troops from your own cities. We will not stand idly by while you go down a dark road to autocracy. We are watching you.”

Then the protesters began to disperse, chanting and singing as they made their way through the embassy district back to the nearest subway station and to the parliament where some of them would stand and urge the Lauchenoirian government to formally condemn, or even sanction, Slokais for their actions. Lauchenoirians were not happy, and they were going to make their opinions known.

[Slokais]

The backlash from the troop movement into the city center, was not as Joseph Chavez has worried. Of course, his enemies used it as more fuel for their attacks. However many in his party were happy with him changing his ideas. Sean Khan called it a good decision that he noticed what was going wrong and revoked his choices. However, his main concern for this whole situation was how the Left Party was calling his quick change and failure and that he should think about his ideas and all this was for partisan support and he did not care for the people. If the Left Party left the coalition they would be done with 3 seats and running a minority government, and if they joined the other coalition they would be forced to hold elections during the summer. The good news a few on the other side of the aisle looked to start their own party that would with luck fill the gap if the Left Party left the coalition.

Back down on the streets, Emanuel Lopez know was in a different part of town, this time the government center just south of the Southland River not far from the southern borders of the district. The building was Raymond De Leon Miltary Hospital a small military hospital that was the main hospital for the nearby Airforce Base in Silverado Province. They were stationed at a makeshift checkpoint to help check IDs and direct traffic. The building was at the top of a hill overlooking the river. Along the river was a Parkway, not far down the river the New Liverpool Tram ran alongside a high-speed train heading South. It was quieter than yesterday and he felt like his job was more important than just standing around. They were helping people get where they were trying to go. It felt much more rewarding helping someone get to the hospital than standing around on a street.

In Buttercity, at the Slokaisan Embassy Luna Aragon was glad they did not have a repeat of the Milkshake Incident of 2019, Instead, it was a more peaceful protest and one that was filled with peace. She could understand why it happened the same kinda thing had happened only 3 years in this same country of course the people would protest. However, there would be protests soon in the Embassy once again. Luna was one of the highest-position career foreign service officers as this was an important position because of the countries shared heritage and how similar they were in many ways. From there language ones to the ones based on ancestry. 3 years over 100 Slokasian Soldiers had been killed while fighting for the freedom of Laucheroria so the two nations had been major diplomatic partners with each other. In fact, soon she would have to travel to Annatown to watch the Slokasian Soldiers Memorial at the cemetery outside the city were many had died.

[Slokais]

The Provincetown Hotel had been a place of death in November 2020 yet soon it would reopen with a new look. The inside had been taken out had been replaced with modern rooms. There was also a memorial that was built outside to honor those who died in the attack. It was made up of black stone and had the names of those who died, and a bunch of black wires, that were cut to represent the lives cut short by the attack. It had been opened in a ceremony last week, where survivors shared the stories and many mourned the loss of the victims. The whole town had taken a big hit after the attacks. The square was less alive as many tourists had not returned due to worries of violence. Many in the tourist industry had lost their jobs as well as many merchants. The town however turned back to the sea that had long fueled the town.

Many boats could be on the sea, fishing or harvesting oysters, or raising seaweed beds. It was as if the locals had rediscovered the sea that was right there all along. Many people have steeped and that was a movement where local art was being shipped elsewhere instead of being sold in the shops. The highway that had once been a highway speed car chase, was now emptier as most tourist traffic had left. Still, Provincetown was strong, many had given money with the hashtag #ProvinctownStrong. Thanks to the Kaijan Recovery Act, many had gotten checks of $2,000 in the mail, as well as tax breaks to small business in the area.

[Slokais]

The Campus of Princeton City University was somewhat quiet, as another day of the class ended. Many were in their dorms somewhere on the Campus Green the stretched over the S-8 Highway into Downtown. From there you could see the mountains behind you as well as the Slokais sea. It was getting close to summer and soon classes would be out, it was the end of a nice day and finals had just ended. Under the city, the United Front sat in the tunnels, laying down something. Nobody on the surface suspected a thing except those in the tunnels
"Almost, down were close to restoring the nation," said a man in a grey mask and mask in a hardhat.
He turned back to those who were with him "Could you hand me the explosives".
"Sure," A man said who looked new he had handed him another charge, then he walked away
"Stay here man, we're not down" he yelled toward him
However he did not turn back, he instead walked out of the tunnel and closed the door behind him.
He then pulled out his phone and called his boss
"They should all be in the tunnels," he said
Across town, police and others were amassing near an entrance, they had begun to move students out of the building when out of one of the tunnels, a man stepped out, the nearest police ran towards him, but he held up a detonator in his hands.
"Arrest me and I blow the whole system," he said his hands on a small trigger in his hand.
The police backed off, as the head of police walked up to him
"Drop the trigger," he said
"You really think I would do that," he said
"Fine, what do you want"
"Lots of things," he said smiling like a pshyco
"For one, release the patriots that have been jailed by this false govermeant, second drop all charges against John Woods and give us $10 Million Sanctarian Dollars, if you that I will let the students leave, if anyone leaves a building above our tunnels, I will detonate the whole system"
"A real story, huh chief" he laughed
"Your crazy, if you think we will give you any of that"
"Oh, really you would not act so brave, lets if I knew where your family was"
"You will not hurt anyone" he yelled
"Oh, really," he said
"Call your wife," he said with a smile
The Police chief got his phone from his pocket and called his wife.

Across town, a phone rang and someone picked it up who was not a policeman wife
"Hello, cop"
"Where is my wife"
"She is right here," he said giving the phone women on the ground tied to a table post
"Help," she said
"See, your wife is fine," he said

[Slokais]

The Students of Princeton City U were in their dorms, as armed United Front members stood outside the building, ready to shoot anyone who crossed the line outside. Inside Pablo Smith Hall, students had come together to plan something, over the last few hours planning to get out, had begun. Running out would mean death, however, the plan was that if they found the tunnels under the building, they could get out and figure out how to disarm the explosives. A team had gathered in the basement, it was made up of students, some armed with whatever weapons they could find, from fire extinguishers to a 17th Century sword to a bunch of kitchen knives, they were all armed and ready. The basement was mostly boxes of books, diaster supplies even some old equipment
"Grab, anything we can use and look for an entrance," someone said
Upstairs, history students were looking through online documents looking for maps that showed the tunnels
"Here it is," someone said
The crowd moved over as a hatch was opened with a ladder leading down
Once, the students reached the bottom of the ladder, they noticed it was pitch black inside, with explosives stacked along that wall as far as they could.
"Wire cutters does any have any" one student said as examined the explosives
"Sure"
He cut the wires and then moved onto the next one
"I think we can just cut all of these, everyone grabs something to cut with," he said
Slowly they began to cut through the wires, across campus in the Locke Building, others were talking the violent approach.
Students condonated taking some of the guard's weapons and planning an escape. Their plan was to lure them inside by saying they had found some people trying to escape, and then knock him out and use his resources to cause confusion down in the tunnels.
"That's him"
"Yep"
A young woman in a sweatshirt said "hey found a socialist for you"
"Are you a patriot?" the commander said to her
"Yes, I am part of the movement," she said
He walked through one of the doors, she and her fellow students ran to meet him
"He is right around the corner," She said
Once he turned the corner they jumped on him, they then knocked him out and took his gun, and his phone.
"where did you learn that," another student asked
"The Auroras of Kerille, have some of the best tactics," she said
Back in the tunnels, they got a text from above
"It's safe to come up at the Locke Building," said a text from one of their commanders, most who did not what was going on the surface went along with it, but one suspicious United Front member texted his boss
"Can we come up"
Their boss, was on the surface sitting on the grass making himself comfy, the trigger beside him
"Oh, I got a text," he said
He looked at and said to the police officers
"Nice, trick you're trying to pull" he smiled
"What do you mean" the officer said looking at his fellow officers
"Your trying to trick us, however, you will be the one with blood on your hands" he smiled
"No" one officer jumped toward him
"Too, late," he said laughing as he pulled the trigger.
Nothing happened.
"What," he said he pushed it again
"Too late," the officer said as he cuffed him
From the tunnel below, him a student came out wire cutters in hand
"Why you little devils," he said as he was dragged away by Police.
The Hostage situation was over less than 24 hours after it started thanks to the quick work of the Students of PCU, the whole country took a deep breath, yet there were other issues. The country has seen so much conflict and issues, in the last few months it was going to effects the upcoming special elections especially with an upcoming big announcement that not many knew was going to happen. Thanks to the work of students almost the entire United Front has been captured, it looked to be their last stunt for a while, yet the Kaijan League has something planned, something big.

[Slokais]

John Woods sat in his new cell, he had been at Ward Creek Prison for 1 week, however today he had a visitor. His cell opened and walked down the hall, flanked by an officer, he had been confronted by a few of his fellow prisoners, often going after him as a member of the United Front, he had begun to hang out with other United Front members. He had been sentenced to 15 Years in jail, however, his lawyers had applied in the lower courts. He entered the phone booth and spoke with a man on the other side, it was a man in a black suit, with a tie and a small Slokasaian Red Bear pin, the symbol of Slokasian Consertivtism.
"Are, you Luke Delray?" John Woods said
"Yes, I am here to ask for your support in the race to replace you"
"I see, you must however make sure you dont lose, its part of the plan"
"Of, course our party is rising, I heard that soon the Conservatives could fold under our pressure"
"Alright, how is Micheal"
"Good, everything is going well, they dont know"
"Good, I think I can get behind you as the candidate"
John Woods won his seat in 2018 yet he only managed to edge out other conservatives with National Alliance being a close third. His seat was not the strongest seat, but he had done okay, holding it. So far Delray was leading with 4 other candidates behind him.
George Oliver had been party leader for many years, yet today he would break away from his own party, he had already filed with the elections committee and soon he would make his announcement, he has named his new party the New Conservatives. The rest of the party leadership had been giving him trouble for his Yes vote in the case of John Woods, some had thrown around Jospeh Zhang becoming party leader and combining with the Centrists. However, he knew that the other coalition was having some issues of their own. Many within National Alliance disliked his increasing movements toward being a Social Democrat and his actions in regards to the United Front and the Kaijan League.
"Are you ready, Mr. Chen?" he said to his fellow colleague from Pont Lee Province
"Yes, I am ready"
"Today, I have decided that enough is enough, our party is going away from what is best, what is good for us, that is why I have decided to create a new party, The New Conservative Party, I have already registered the party, and I am looking for your help, if you think our party is going away then join me in creating something new, my full statement is below and our website is up where you can donate to make this part a reality".

[Slokais]

Kareem Galendez and Mohammed Marwan signed their respective referendums passed by their respective legislatures at about the same time. Galendez on June 15th and Marwan on June 17th. Both were elected in 2021, Galendez as a Center-backed independent and Marwan as a Muslim Union stalwart. Although not working together in supporting the Referendum, both have begun public voter turnout drives in their respective provinces.

Just as a series of TV, radio, and internet ads and even street ads were blasted across South Kaijan, Mohamed Marwan was outside in the town of Baguio in Kubanglya Township. In an area of distrust of the government among the Kaijanese people, being a populist and being seen was extremely important. Additionally, Mohamed had seen the writing on the wall, the referendum was going to pass. It was rather what happened after that was of interest to him. The independence movement largely lacked a central political figure, at least an elected one. Street preachers and social media celebrities had become de-facto leaders, though it was time for Kaijanese independence to become something more serious.

At the center of Baguio like many towns in Kaijan, a produce market was currently being flooded by worshipers leaving the nearby mosque. Approaching a produce stall, Mohamed introduced himself
“Hello, are you registered to vote”
The cashier nodded, she turned around to the butcher calling for him “Hey, Manuel”
“Yeah, don't know how to register”
Mohamed seized the moment and launched into his informative message that would hopefully be picked up by the TV crew following him. “It’s simple go to www.votesk.si, everything is there, voter registration, polling location all of that good man”
“Didn't know politicians talked” he responded, shaking his hand still in his work gloves.
“Peace be upon you” the governor responded

The longer Mohamed Marwan stayed at the market more and more people came just to say hello. Security stayed close, the longer he stayed the higher the chance Kaijan League or even FJK militants would come by. The FJK were particularly active in South Kaijan and especially in the deep mountains, the fear would be that the FJK would intimidate voters to not participate, as they viewed all government services on all levels as corrupt. The Kaijan League could be reasoned with and all, although being tied to radical Islamic values largely ignored non-Muslims. Yet the FJK was brutal, recently they had attacked Christian and Minjian worshipers and wished to start a caliphate in Kaijan. He had been getting calls from government officials to contain the violence, ironic considering most of the force on the ground was not controlled by him, but rather the Ministry of Defense and President Weasley herself. If the street preachers were right about one thing it was that she was “the right hand of Shaitan ''.

[Slokais]

Nina Daouad woke up her grandmother from her deep slumber "Come on Granmami" she said shaking her awake
"Please, Nina a woman needs her beauty sleep"
"Grandma, you're 74"
"Maybe that's why you don't have a husband yet"
"It's too early for marriage talk," Nina's brother said entering the shared bedroom where three generations of Daouad's slept.
"Voting day, Granmami come on," Nina said grabbing bottles of water from under her bed.

The Daouds lived in a small concrete house along a dirt road in the foothills of South Kaijan. They had gotten up early to catch the 8 am bus to the nearby town of Jelango. Due to an expanded schedule, people in remote areas could travel to poll locations courtesy of the South Kaijan Govermeant. The entire trip would normally take 5 hours on foot and an hour by motorbike, and the entire extended family would squeeze on. As the family walked up the dirt road to the bus stop, Nina asked her mother
"When was the last time you went to vote"
"For Zavala, what a handsome young man"
"Which Zavala?"
"Oh my, he had a son?"
"Ma, Zavala died 30 years ago, his grandson is now a politician"

A crowd of people had gathered around the village market that had become the temporary bus stop, people of all ages wearing a variety of dress from old men in sweatshirts to young men in barongs and fancy shoes. A cheer went as a bus approached the station, already the bus was already filled with many people, some of them peeking out the windows. Soon the bus was on there way and it became a party-like atmosphere with old women sitting in the back gossiping or making marriage arrangements, young men playing music from speakers while people of all ages discussed politics. No one on the bus publically said they would vote against the resolution. However, Nina could see a family of Minjians sitting close together towards the back looking nervously at each other.

In Kaijan, especially South Kaijan where life was centered around Islam and times of prayer it was hard for Minjians to exist. When Nina was younger she had a friend who was Minjian, Nina was confused at the time why didn't cover up her head like the other girls, was she from the Mainland? She asked her once, and her friend explained she was Minjian and they believed in spirits and didn't have to cover up. Besides her middle school trip to Kaijan City, Nina had never seen a mainlander face outside of TV. That was until 2008 when a soldier entered her school, and one of the boys was then taken away. The boy had allegedly been helping out the rebels that were active in some parts of the island.

The basketball arena in Jelango had been converted into a polling station, Nina joined the long line of people, and accompanying her was her younger brother, Jerome. Soldiers were stationed along the opposite watching each person closely, a mix of South Kaijan Guard and National Army troops. A tall Costeno man in a high-visibility vest went down the line asking if they were registered, turning some away.
"Hello," Jerome asked the man in English
The man ignored him and asked Nina if she was registered in Kaijanese.
"Yes, I am" she responded
He then pointed to a nearby tent. "Go there," he said
"I am registered" she protested
"Random screening" he responded blankly

At the tent, a group of mostly young men waited many of them pulling out their IDs. A group of soldiers was now checking everyone asking each person to wipe their hands with "bomb detection spray". The soldiers then pulled Jerome away, wiping his hands forcefully
"He's only 10" Nina protested
"Just a random screening," the soldier said.
The minutes ticked by and Nina wondered if she would even be allowed to vote. She could see her grandmother enter a polling booth guided by Nina's older brother. Of course, the Mainlander's fear would be the reason why she wouldn't be allowed to exercise her basic rights, she thought back to all of the times over the past year when she would see young men being stopped on trains and buses. The soldiers walking through night markets, blankly looking over the crowd. This is why Kaijan needed to be independent, every time something went wrong the mainlanders were there.

John Acura Jr had been to every corner of the world from Lauchenoria to Xiomera to Roguecourt, yet for the past year he had been overseeing the fairly disorganized mission in Kaijan. He was constantly writing up reports on soldiers' behavior, only after seeing videos of social media his troops acting disorderly. The hate for the Kaijan League had affected the behavior, a mixture of poor understanding of Kaijanese people and fatigue was the root cause. General Acura has been called to Jelango over a suspected terrorist being captured by election workers. The young man was being held outside surrounded by a mix of election workers and soldiers keeping back an interested crowd. After assessing the situation, Acura asked to see the polling station.
"Sir, we have everything under control," the Colonel said
"No, we are living in a complex time, nothing is," Accura said walking toward the entrance, he was stopped by two soldiers at the door. He then realized what was going on.
"I am a veteran of multiple wars, I was there at Annatown when men and women like you died for something good, please let me in"
"Sir, we are under direct orders from a higher"
"I am the higher-up," he said trying to push his way inside.
"Trust me, it goes beyond you," the Colonel said again easily being allowed to enter the polling location.

[Slokais]

Benjamin Ocampo stood outside the Jelango Arena, yesterday there had been an explosion. The media story was that a terrorist tried to disrupt voting, the story made sense and the media and general public could easily go along with their day. Nobody cared, about Slokais's poorest province from governments to the media to the general public. North Kaijan at least had beach resorts such as Provincetown, or at least before the 2020 Attacks scared everyone away. Jelango was a small industrial city in the sparse East Coast region only popular with hardcore surfers and extreme outdoor types.

Ben had always been the details guy, from his days at Vasquez making sure their headmaster did not spot his friend's antics against wide-eyed Squires to getting beers for soldiers despite Jelango being a dry-ward. He joined the NIB less than a decade ago and was already the head of the Department of Internal Intelligence. Very few people outside the DII, knew what they did. To be honest, Ben didn't know himself, however, the DII did anything the Slokasian govermeant wasn't proud of. Ben had been in South Kaijan since Febuary when an explosion killed 14 South Kaijanese police, Ben had to clean everything up around the cave where the explosion occurred. Those Sansongian contractor guys were not good in their set-up, they hadn't met him but he knew damn well who they were. A few props linking back to a bunch of Mallacan shell companies, that would keep any rouge yellow hated patriots chasing nothing.

Ben walked through what used to be coaches' offices, which looked a hell of a lot like Coach L's back at Thomas IX. Anger issues, off the team. Funny thing those words brought him here. This time around, these were his leftovers from his breed, Katie from Las Pinas instead of Kagami from Lao Sansong. Sitting on the floor, a technical guy was messing with his tools.
"Try not to use our equipment for jobs," Ben said
"Coast Guard patrols have been picking guys up bossman," the tech said in a thick San Sablan accent.
"I don't make the rules here, next time please be cleaner with it," Ben said leaning against the coach's desk.
Ben's walkie-talkie buzzed to life "Weser here, Acura is back he ain't taken no for an answer"
"Thanks," Ben said before turning to the tech
"Drop the damn equipment in the ocean if you have, get it far away from here"
Ben could maybe stop Acura and presumably other military higher-ups by force, although he didn't feel like it. The techie hopefully was fast or at least sneaky. Everybody at Vasquez had to run multiple miles daily to stay in the program, hopefully, the techie went to AVS.

Commander Elena Min of the SICGS Casguian Bay had been running patrols along the maritime border between Slokais and Aredoa for the past year as part of Coast Guard operations. Although the role was a placebo, smugglers rarely entered directly between the two countries. Most of the illegal ship traffic had been boats full of Mallacan migrants, who the Casguain Bay would pick up and send to Dolphin Isle Naval Base to be processed and most likely deported. Unlike the pictures of women and children who frequented the crossing in 2021 and 2022, most of the year had been young guys hired by smugglers. Mallacan gangs would recruit young guys from their local area and then ship them up to Slokais to sell product in major cities. Thankfully, authorities had become the wiser and Elena was able to turn them own directly if there was suspicion of gang activity.

This time, however, the boat they caught on early Sunday morning just before sunrise was different from the rest.
"This is the SICGS Casguian Bay, you have violated Executive Order 1346 as you have entered Slokasian waters without identifying yourself," the midshipmen asked, repeating the same tired lines he had said dozens of times before over the ship's speakers. The vessel now coming into view was much bigger than the rickety fishing boats, Elena was used to seeing.
"It's a trawler of some kind, probably manufactured by Kanjshima Lines," Lieutenant Suarez, the ship's Chaplin said stepping onto the bridge.
"I thought your service wasn't til 0900 in the social room"
"Thought I would catch some of the action"
"This is the SICGS Casguian Bay, you have violated Executive Order 1346 please identify yourself" the midshipmen repeated
After a minute, Elena asked the helmswomen "Bring us closer, there going to have to identify themselves in person"

The ship, which was named the Komanimaru was twice as long as the Casugian Bay and stood several stories, shielding the Coast Guard ship from the sunrise. Several small hooks were then launched into the deck of the Komanimaru, as a team of seamen boarded the ship. Soon a radio and video channel was opened, showing the bridge the perspectives of each midshipman. The deck was empty except for several stacks of containers, in the distance an armed man approached the group his hands up.
"Identify yourself," one of the midshipmen asked.
Meanwhile, on another screen, another midshipman was opening the door to a lower compartment.
The armed man who looked more Kaijanese than Sansongian, spoke to the midshipman in heavily accented English.
"We are a peaceful ship, transporting relief aid"
"Sir, your ship does not match any ship verified under such distinction"
"I can handle this" another man said this time in a very formal English
"Hands up, sir"
The man stepped into the light clad in samurai armor, a sword laid out across the ground.
"That's Tlacelel Shiciro!" Lieutenant Suarez said alarmed more than surprised.
"Private Holman to Bridge, there seems to be a bunch of weapons down here" a midshipman interrupted, his display showing an open crate of explosives in the bowels of the ship.
"Who is Shiciro, a weapons dealer?" Elena asked to the Lieutenant
"Seems to be active in....Huenya?" he said searching away on a personal phone.
Back, on the Komanimaru negotiations were ongoing, suddenly gunfire rang out, each display showing a scrambling seaman.
"They have opened fire...pulling back.."
"Get back, damn it" Elena said noticing Shiciro grabbing his sword.
The last view, anyone on the Casguian Bay or any of the investigators would soon discover was the samurai lunging at the screen.

[Slokais]

Benjamin Ocampo carefully diffused the situation with his superiors by saying the investigation was approved by the President. It was partially true, if they called her office the receptionist who picked up was with them, they were doing their work on the President herself. She was old anyway, and the work they were doing was for the betterment of Slokais, she already delivered on the first step by endorsing the idea of Kaijan leaving Slokais. He knew many people in New Liverpool who looked at Kaijan as a headache, an island whose only real value to them was beaches and the sale of illicit goods. Ben wasn't stupid he and others had been investing in weapons in Kaijan for years, it was almost like a gambling group all playing the same game, he had been invited to dinners by businessmen to thank him for introducing him to his associates. His Bailey's GPS full of addresses across Northrock, a car financed by his investment. As soon as Ben was clear of the military folk milling the site, he pulled out his phone. He expected to possibly see a call from an investor on a client, but no it was from one of his bosses.
"Fed's just left, already removed anything of note from the site," he said after reaching his boss
"Good, is there anything on the news about a ship?"
"Not that I am aware of, is something up with our suppliers?"
"Yes, one of our ships was spotted by the Coast Guard, Casugian Bay, had to have the Sansongians kill a few and take some hostage"
"Jeez, well the news cycle hasn't picked it up yet"
"It will soon, we have some people at the SIBC keeping it off-air but only for so long. I want you to look into the ship's Captain Elena Min, and get some dirt on her"
"Indeed, although the Coast Guard must surely know right?"
"Our influence has grown, the Komanimaru has communications tampering technology that had disabled cell and internet services on the Casguian Bay"

Captain Min had been in the simulator room at the Academy in Northern Isles, she had spent a week at sea on the SIS Liberty, the last tall mast ship in the entire Coast Guard Fleet. While there she led a fire team in the infamous "McIver Crisis" a simulated hostage situation aboard a fictional cargo ship, the exercise gained infamy for its level of detail as an actual retired fully decorated ship was used and rubber bullets were used. In her run at command, she failed to rescue the hostages and ended up "killing" 4 of the hostages in the process leading to her receiving a score of 73. It wasn't until later she learned almost everyone received under an 80 in the exercise, it still bothered her, especially as Elena herself was a perfectionist. She had been a reckless kid, she spent her teen years in the world of drugs and pay-for-entry parties throughout her hometown of Pindai. When she was 16, she was arrested for the distribution of substances, her father saved her from conviction, and Elena spent the next 2 years at St Helena's Boarding School. She went to the top of her class and was accepted into the Coast Guard Academy, although every step of the way she couldn't live past those teenage mistakes.

Radio and Cell had been down for the past hour as Captain Min scrambled for ways to communicate with fellow Coast Guard ships. She was left helpless as the Komanimaru slowly assembled it's own forces on their deck. The ship had also been taking on water after a precision torpedo strike hit the engine forcing the Casguian Bay to stay in place. It was obvious they wanted to take the Casguian Bay by force, to the casual observer this idea may seem odd, although Elena knew why. This was a false flag attack, the Komanimaru flew the flag of the Kaijan League, and it was obvious they had hired Kaijanese mercenaries of some kind. The idea of going down with one's ship had also seemed antiquated to Elena, why do something so reckless? But now, as the midshipmen armed themselves and as Elena put on built-proof armor and a helmet and the Komanimaru constantly broadcasted a live feed of her crew being held hostage, she understood.

[Slokais]

Jeremy Chu had been posted at Coast Guard Station Carolina Bay for the last six months, straight out of the Academy, Jeremy hadn't developed the sense of pure boredom that affected the other controllers motioning the port. Every day, Jeremy came from his temporary home in a low-rise condo along the touristy Bay Road with a smile. Currently, he was partly motioning a ship called the Casguian Bay, the ship had barely moved in over 4 hours from its last known position. The ship had taken the 12 am to 12 pm shift and was technically late in its arrival. Jermey had gotten the short straw in posting selection, yet he carried himself always endeavoring to remember every face.
"Captain, the Casguian Bay has still not arrived"
"What?" his captain responded. He was an old-timer who constantly complained about new regulations and having to rescue migrant boats.
"The SIS Casguian Bay hasn't arrived and they have barely moved on the tracker"
"Maybe, they picked up some migrant freeloaders again"
"They haven't changed position usually they either turn ships around or head to Dolphin Isle"
"It's probably just an issue with the tracker, I'l contact them right now"
He then switched on the display and placed a call to the Casguian Bay
"Casguian Bay this is Carolina Bay Station, please respond," he said looking at Jeremy
"Casguian Bay this is Carolina Bay Station, please respond" he repeated.
On the other end, a male voice responded "This is Casguian Bay, we are having a transponder issue, apologies"
"Thank you for responding, Casguian Bay"
The Captain looked at Jeremy as seeming to say "see"

Something seemed wrong though, he had talked to the helmsman last week in the mess. The accent didn't seem to match up with his voice to today. Jeremy got up and grabbed the intercom broadcasting to the ship.
"What's your identification, sir?"
"Uh, Juarez 3459"
"Alright, how many floors are at Lyman Hall"
"Sir...This question seems ridiculous"
"Just checking to make sure you are truly who you say you are"
"Ah, well 3 floors sir"
"Thank you, have a good day"

"See, there is nothing wrong," his Captain said
"They're called decks, not floors"
"Not every seaman, knows dumb facts like you Chu"
"Yes, they do it at Basic they ask you every time you enter Mess"
"Well I'm saying case closed"

Josh Areland had directed a lot of weird movies and TV shows over the years. He filmed an avant-garde piece where a man locked himself in a glass room for 5 days, he wrote academic papers on the meaning of a toilet in films. Yet today's shoot was very different. He had originally been hired to film a music video on Kaijan Island itself however he boarded the Komanimaru just to get some dramatic shots of b-roll. The situation had changed and his bosses thought a dramatic scene of Kaijanese mercenaries boarding a ship would be more interesting than in a jungle somewhere. Josh and his team had already attached head-mounted cameras to multiple people while the camera operator, Miguel would board with the mercenaries wearing a bulletproof vest.
"Ready, Shiciro?" he asked the captain of the ship
"Let me talk with the boss and confirm where are good to go"

Captain Elena Min knew what had to be done, all the evidence, all the documents had been loaded into multiple flashlights given to various midshipmen. Once they were boarded, the midshipmen would scatter and attempt to escape, possibly one of them escape. There was definitely a conspiracy or at least something going on the public and the Coast Guard had to know because there would hopefully be no evidence left. The Casguian Bay was rigged to blow with the press of a button, hopefully with the conspirators on board and all the evidence safely away.

The assault began with soldiers laying down covering fire on the ship, as squads of carefully wardrobed mercenaries boarded the Casguian Bay, most of the crew had either taken defensive positions around the ship or were carefully hidden on the deck waiting for the signal to flee. As soon as the covering fire stopped and boots hit the deck, multiple midshipmen each carrying a replicate hardrive launched a lifeboat. Meanwhile, Elena began to barricade herself in the small port house and the very top of the ship's central tower. As the first boats began to leave the Casguian Bay, Miguel the cameraman came aboard the ship with the last of the mercenaries including its "commander" who was an actor and had no military or mercenary connections. Josh was happy as they got lots of amazing shots, the ship had been soon cleared as the crew of Casguian Bay was outnumbered two to one. From her perch, Elena watched as a camera crew followed the commander around the ship signing or maybe rapping to a song that she couldn't make out from her.
"Okay, we got the final shot," Miguel said to the actor
"Nice, I wonder if this ship got any liquor," one of the mercenaries asked
"Kaijanese people can't drink alcohol, idiot" another said
"Camera's ain't on let's celebrate our victory," the actor said. He approached a door leading below decks.
"I bet the Captain has a good supply," he said heading inside.
Elena knew it would take 20 seconds for the commander to run into the mess hall and see the stacks of explosives and wiring. She didn't expect her career to end like this, she imagined herself maybe getting a nice car or buying a house in the San Fernando suburbs. Yet she knew this was the duty of every captain and every loyal Slokasian, she knew the risks of going into service. Captain Elena Min pressed the trigger detonating massive amounts of explosives in the ship's rear and hull.

From a police boat a few miles away, Jermey Chu heard a massive explosion shaking the Bay Township PD boat he was riding in. Jermey had asked some police buddies of his if they wanted to check up on the Casguian Bay. They had been having a working lunch of seafood sandwiches when Jeremy brought it up. The Bay Township PD didn't get much action outside of high season so everybody there jumped at the opportunity so soon much of the small department of less than two dozen officers was on a speedboat headed for the ship. The explosion destroyed the Casguian Bay, and from Jermey's angle ruptured the nearby vessel, the officer driving the speedboat then slammed on the brakes, nearly tossing Jermey over the front of the ship. In the water nearby, was a small life raft occupied by several tired and cold-looking Coast Guard midshipmen.

[Slokais]

The Office of Kareem Galendez was situated on the third floor of the North Kaijan Capitol Complex. While the governor lived in and held press conferences in the classical Federation Hall, which was more of a museum than a place of business his staff spent their days in a drab '70s office not built for the semi-tropical Kaijanese weather. Ever since the election in December, both the governor himself and his staff had been waiting for someone in the central government to contact them about holding talks concerning Kaijan. North Kaijan, although smaller in population had been more influential and more civilized in the opinion of some than their neighbors to the South. If Galendez could be the one to lead negotiations, it could help his future political aspirations.

Galendez's secretary, Jelina Hsu was an old no-nonsense Centrist insider. She had worked in New Liverpool during the 80s and 90s and kept up to date with those connections, she could often be spotted on her lunch break talking on P2P, a popular messaging app. She also kept dozens of political artifacts from dozens of campaigns. On one wall, pictures of J-Hsu as she liked to be called, with various Prime Ministers and Presidents. One with a young Joseph Chavez was labeled as "little Chav" a term used by supporters of Joseph Zhang in the 2016 Center Party Primary.
"Ms J-Hsu?"
"What, Jenny" J-Hsu asked between bites of pomegranate salad
The door to J-Hsu's office opened, and Jenny, the intern let a middle-aged party official in.
"Who's this" J-Hsu said, looking surprised
"It's Paul Kahoury, from the Centrist Party"
"Ah, so Liang sent us a little gift"
"I'm here to talk about Kareem Galendez's availability and schedule"
"So the people up at Federation Street, want to regulate his every step now too?"
Paul sat down in a peeling red recliner and brought out a binder of papers from his pocket
"The Governor is going to get a call from the Presidential House later today, proposing a conference in mid-June. The Centrist Party is offering something different" Kahoury said pulling out a stapled document.
"Look, take your little presentation to the Governor himself"
"Ms Hsu, just take a look at these documents" Kahoury said opening a muti-page documeant
"Deatiled inside are all of the details, from who's invited to security, all of this paid by the Centrist Party"
"Did you get your intern's to do this?"
"It's a priority of the Centrist Party to see the Kaijan status refredum is respected"
"That's not the Liang, I remember from back in the day" J-Hsu said pointing to a portrait from the 90s with Jiang and J-Hsu.
"I was so unhappy on the inside, when that picture was taken"
"The Conservative's won't give you this, Chavez and Khan will try to create Kaijan in there image"
"I will pass this on to Kareem, go back to your hole"
"Thank you" Kahoury said standing, and grabbing a mint from the table.
"Ay, you cant take those"
Kahoury was already out of the office and on his way out of the building
"Nevermind" J-Hsu said to herself

[Slokais]

Manuel Shu dropped his soccer bag along with his bookbag under his desk. 5th Period, the last of the day, Honors World History. It wasn't Manuel's favorite class, but he didn't hate it. Manuel had always been good at history, he had a NAP grade of 8 last year and enjoyed learning about different parts of the world. For better and for worse, Mr Andrew's 5th Period also featured his twin sister, Zoe. The two of them were born less than 5 minutes apart, yet looked so different. If it weren't for their shared last name, many people wouldn't have guessed twins.

"Hey Manuel," Zoe said as she passed him to sit in the front of the class.
"Oh, hey" Manuel was half-watching a soccer match on his phone. His team Acadia Oaks United was playing an Association Cup tie.
Slowly the classroom was filling, some students coming in on their own quietly, some coming in loudly with their cliques. Manuel had moved to San Castillo, a liberally-minded suburb of San Fernando from his hometown of Newton in West Acadia. The two places were worlds away, with Newton being a small town where things didn't change, yet San Castillo was dominated by the newest trend both political and social.
"Why are you an Acadia fan, bruh" Daniel, one of Manuel's few friends sat down beside him in the back of class.
"I'm from there, you're a Northrock fan right"
"Yeah, man Raise the Pines"
"Northrock just poaches every other team's you can't talk bro"
Before, he could continue Mr. Andrews closed the door loudly signaling the start of class.
"We're gonna win the treble, Elite Championships, Association, and the League, you will be lucky if Acadia doesn't get relegated," Daniel said quieter.
The class had started, and on the board was a map of Laucheoria. Their unit was on Civil War's, with their final paper comparing and contrasting 2 or more conflicts. Manuel was only half listening.
On the next slide, a close-up image "Today, we will focus on Aleuria, a small and culturally different island within Lauchernoia" Mr Andrews said standing in front of an image of a beach. Meanwhile, Acadia Oaks was narrowly leading 1-0 against Ciudad Victoria, although in the second tier was currently dominating their league and was almost certainly to be promoted. Manuel was so engaged in the game on his phone he didn't hear any of the lessons of Alueria's history and the battles that took place there during the civil war. In fact the first time, he noticed what was going on around him was when his sister spoke.
"I believe Auria made the right choice, choosing to remain part of Lauchenoria," Zoe said with passion in her voice. Zoe was much more engaged and knowledgeable than Manuel, even though they got similar grades. She also strongly identified with their Kaijanese Minjian ancestry. Zoe and Manuel's grandparents had fled due to violence in the aftermath of the Great War, with both being told stories at a young age of an angry mob storming their village. Kaijanese Minjian as a whole were opposed to independence, as without the oversight of the central government, attacks against the Minjian people would only increase. The twins had been born in North Kaijan, and they spent summers with cousins in the mountains, finding swimming holes, getting into trouble, and all that.
"The Aleurians are just like the Kaijanese, victims of government oppression," said Grace, She and Zoe had an academic/personal beef, that Manuel didn't understand fully but Zoe had constantly talked about.
"I really don't think you can judge either group from an outside perspective" Zoe responded quickly
"That's an interesting point, Zoe would anyone else like to speak" added Mr Andrews, attempting to prevent the coming debate
"The Kaijanese people are an oppressed people, do you not know the history?" Grace said almost as if testing her social awareness.
"Yes, actually I do because I am Kaijanese, I was born there, and not everyone supports independence"
"Damn, bro could you give me your sister's number I'm trying to get a piece of that," Daniel whispered almost sarcastically to Manuel
"Nahhh, your weird bro"
"Just because you were born there doesn't mean, you are really Kaijanese-" Grace stated
"It does," Manuel said from the back of the class
"Taking a little break from your little soccer game," Grace said sarcastically
"Our family goes back a thousand years in North Kaijan, our family left because of political violence because Kaijan was under the control of the government. Wasn't this discussion about Aleuria anyway?"
"You right Manuel, although I'm afraid we're out of time. Everybody just use these last few minutes to this week's reading" Mr Andrews said.
The whole class took that as a signal that the class had ended. Manuel looked back at the Acadian Oaks game, and the Oaks had managed to close it out with a narrow win, although enough to take them to the next round. Zoe came up to her brother.
"I should be mad at you for preventing me from getting my word in against Grace, but I'm glad to see someone else cares"
"I guess, Grace is just so annoying and stuck-up, had to give you the assist against her" Manuel said grabbing his bags
"This school just fosters a bunch of out-of-touch liberals, who have this idea of being a savior to oppressed people's," Zoe said
"Cool, well just send me a picture of the notes, I missed most of the class today" Manuel responded standing up in the aisle.
As the bell rang, Manuel passed Grace on the way out, she was loudly complaining to a friend about "male favoritism" and Manuel couldn't help but smile to himself. Like those Kaijan summers, the fun wouldn't last, if Zoe was right Grace would have her get back. But for now, Manuel was just glad the day was over.

[Slokais]

Travis Zhou had been a postal worker before the war, it was a thankless job but Travis considered himself lucky to wake up with a means of making money. Many men in his same position, in his village even had joined the insurgency. Luckily, Travis had paid some attention in school landing him at a local technical college, where he learned to operate vehicles and eventually landed a job with the Slokais Islands Postal Service (SIPS). Much of his route, covered the same roads he had driven with his friends when he was younger. The crossroads with the convenience store, the turnoff to a waterfall.

He heard the ATVs running down the mountains before he saw them. He was delivering packages in the small village of Khur Altabib, or "doctor's creek", named as such during the 70s and 80s. A dozen or so young men all dressed in military gear with matching black face covering obscuring their identities. They passed by Travis's van, as if not noticing the existence of such a prominent symbol of government authority. At the next intersection, some of the men parked their vehicles and got out with their weapons drawn. Travis watched as the old man he had just delivered to, quickly hurried inside his home. At that moment, Travis made a choice, he could have escaped in the same blue and white postal van he had been driving around the countryside, instead Travis ran. As the sound of gunfire burst through the fogy mourning, Travis scrambled through alleys and backlots, his key's now jingling as he ran. He finally reached the edge of the vast fields that covered much of the Kascan Valley, as he maneuvered the banks of namesake Doctor's Creek he heard voices. Travis quickly hid under a thick thicket of branches that held the bank together.
"I swear, I saw a postal worker on the road," said one man
"Deal with it, Mazur," another said, his voice suggesting he held some authority
"He may have disappeared into the fields, sir" Mazur said
"You would have heard splashing, the creek is too wide to leap across"
"Sir, is this really worth it"
"Brother, we must strike without any outside knowledge, if we are to free the Kaijanese people, we must rid them of outsider's"
"The postal worker, looked Kaijanese sir" Mazur responded
"Any Kaijanese, who work's with the federal's may as well have forsaken his right"
"It will be done sir, god willing" Mazur responded, realizing he would have to
"I hope for your sake, you do"

The miltant identified as Manzur, walked along the bank of the creek. Meanwhile, Travis struggled to stay along the narrow ledge of the bank, his work boots slipping against the bank. Manzu walked along the river bank, occasionally lifting up crates and peaking over boxes. He only seemed half interested, and Travis was just waiting for him to give up and turn around. Manzu then stopped, just a few meters from the bramble Travis was hiding in. After a few seconds, Travis heard the click of a lighter and the smell of tobacco smoke, at that moment as Travis tried to shift himself down the bank slowly, he lost his footing and slid into the water. Immediately, after he hit the water he began to swim towards the other side. Meanwhile, Manzur noticed the sound and scrambled for his gun which he had left sitting on a crate. Those few seconds of delay, allowed Travis to reach the other side and jump into the fields of sorgum, disappearing from view.

Deep within the caves of South Kaijan, the leadership of the Kaijan League gathered. They came from all parts of society, some were scholars and academics who had taken a radical view of Kaijanese Nationalism, and others were just young Kaijanese men frustrated from years of economic and political struggle. The federal government had done very little by arresting Akbar Querbun Liang in early 2021. Although his capture had weakened the movement, the Kaijan League remained strong. After many of their members were either killed or arrested in a federal offensive just a few weeks later much of the leadership went deep into hiding. It was in the darkness of the caves, that the movement was saved by an unlikely source. The business of war had always been profitable and a collection of mainland businessmen and politicians had come in with a proposition. Keep the war up and keep up the fight for Kaijanese Independence, and in return, they would receive all the arms and weapons they needed to do so. In exchange, the Kaijan League would have a specific list of targets and attacks to execute. These attacks in some way or another benefited there organized benefactors. In addition, govermeant officials would do as much to stall investigations and the movement of federal forces.

The Casguian Bay Incident had been concerning as Captain Min had come very close to cracking into the truth, now her only memory were data and tapes denounced and painted as pure conspiracy by the correct sources. To the Kaijan League, some of their affiliated partners were more well-known than others. Element of the criminal underground in New Liverpool had been using tactics against unwilling parties in exchange for the Kaijan League processing drugs and illicit goods. Many of the leadership had been opposed to this venture for religious reasons, although their resident Islamic scholar had promised that God would overlook this action as they were doing for the greater good of the struggle.

The real reason, they had gathered was to finally confront the mastermind behind this collective of affiliated figures. Finally, when the central screen lit up with the full uncovered face of their true "boss", many were not happy.
"The servant of the devil"
"You killed our brothers, how dare you!"
"So the conspiracies were true?"
Every man in that room had a different reaction to this information except for Kali bin Sassi, he just smiled. The Kaijan League was a young man's organization, yet whenever Sassi was in the room, he increased the average age by 20 years. Although he was too old to fight on the front Sassi provided the wisdom and knowledge of warfare that very few had. He had been friends with Mohamed Zavala during the 60s and 70s, although the two had split apart as Zavala relinquished Kaijanese control to local forces. It constantly frustrated, Zavala's name to be praised by even those with the League's leadership. Zavala was well-liked by nationalists and non-Kaijanese alike and his image even graced the backside of the 1,000 Mark's bill. Sassi also held Zavala's deepest secret, a daughter born out of an affair. He had raised the girl for her first few years and soon transferred her to a new family on the mainland. He never knew what the new family had named their child, although yet she was facing before him. For now, he would say nothing, although his knowledge could be very, very useful in the right hands.

[Slokais]

The beautiful countryside of Santamarina Township spread out from Sean Khan's front porch. It had been under the same sky in which a young Simiran Jopuri Khan had arrived 50 years ago. He wasn't even with his biological family, having lost them in the chaos of a refugee camp when he was 8 years old. He had taken on the name Sean as his birth records had been destroyed, and as he began life in a new country, he longed to reach beyond those mountains and simply fly home. Now Sean Khan couldn't dream of leaving.

He wasn't alone on this hot summer's day. Like many people, Joshua Lesmondo had gone on a summer excursion to the mountains. Although unlike Khan, he couldn't stay away for long. Lesmondo was the Internal Affairs minister, a catch-all job which oversaw criminal investigations, judicial affairs, tax processing, and business licenses. Not exciting work at all, but an unofficial advisory to the Prime Minister. Depending on how you looked at it, Lesmondo was the 4th or 3rd most important politician in Slokais. Lesmondo had succeeded Khan more than a year prior, upon Khan's unexpected retirement. Publicly, Khan has stated that he needed a break and time to reflect and had stated that he would be returning to his homestead. In reality, a fact that both Lesmondo and the 3rd person with them on the porch knew was that Sean Khan was slowly dying. Sean had been a healthy man, had eaten well, and had exercised regularly. However, a heart condition which caught in childhood could have been stopped had caught up with him. Lesmondo had held his position well, although he was becoming increasingly worried. The political field was in chaos, and the New Right was now leading slightly in the polls as every other major had been thrown into some sort of dispute.
"You've been blessed with a great piece of land out here," Lesmondo said
Sean smiled as he drank his herbal tea, iced in a tall glass."I don't believe in blessings, Lesmondo. But yes"

The third person sitting on the porch was Kareem Galendez, Governor of North Kaijan. Sean had befriended him in 2021, during Khan's term as Vice-President. A mostly ceremonial position, it had allowed for a less forward-facing seat in government. The two often discussed Kaijan, where both seemed to be on the same page. Kaijan needed Slokais and vice versa. Yet it didn't mean independence; rather, greater autonomy. Sean had hoped the 2023 Referendum would set things in motion. However, frustrations had grown further. Now, Galendez would face a tough re-election in March of 2026 from those who were claiming he wasn't doing enough. All 3 men feared for the future in some way.
"This land could be profitable. Sell off some of the excess fruit, perhaps?" Galendez said
"My children tell me to do so. I see no point."
"It's their generation that will change this country, for better or for worse. Back home, it's the youth building the bombs and putting up the posters." Galendez said
"I feel it may be for the worse. Have you seen the latest number, Sean?"
"I haven't checked that email chain in months, but yes, I get a sense of them."
"The New Right is at 20% in the polls, it's even higher among young people."
"Oh, jeez."
"The youth have been so screwed over by the major political factions, they turn to alternative ones. I bet Revolt! did well in that poll as well?" Governor Galendez said
"They did," Lesmondo said
"It's finally caught up to us," Sean Khan said
"We didn't screw things over. We were all outsiders at one point."
"No, we were fresh cogs in the machine. When I was President, I had so many offers, so many deals. Once they were released, I couldn't be used; they started supporting people like Joseph Zhang and George Oliver."
"We need to unify," Galdendez said
"Ironic, coming from a Kaijanese politician, but yes, it's true," Lesmondo said
"I love this country as much as you do, I also love Kaijan as well," Governor Galendez said, getting defensive
"Gentlemen," Sean Khan said, taking another sip from his tall glass.
"I believe in the power of the Federation, as two unique identities, provincial and national. Denying one is the destruction of the other."
"True, although it's different nowadays up there on the Federation Hill. Parties aren't talking anymore like they used to," Lesmondo said
"No, I've talked with Joseph about this, there is a fear from both the left, center, and even right that the rise of the New Right and regional extremism will be the downfall of Slokais." Sean Khan said, standing up to lean against the porch railing
"Chavez, I persume? Zhang had gone off the deep end a little," Governor Galdendez said
"Yes, Chavez. Although he isn't immune to his vices or his moments. Stick around in politics and one will stick"
"Respectfully, Mr Khan, you don't have one," Governor Galendez
"Ease up a little, Mohamed. My vice is that I live in fear, fear of engagement, fear of being bold. And now I sit in its consequences."
"Awfully religious for someone who doesn't believe," Lesmondo said
"I suppose so," Sean Khan said as the former President retreated back inside

[Slokais]

Manny Semerjarong Bosok, walked through the tunnels of OVE Arena. The Ambonar Province Minister of Public Safety, as well as a preacher, inspirational speaker, wrestler, and youth advocate. Born in a rural farming community with 8 siblings, Manny Bosok built his natural strength through lifting farm equipment and helping keep the family business running. Spiritually, Manny declared he had received the “blessings of God” and, throughout his life, had kept his Revivalist faith at the forefront. He had worn many hats in his career, and tonight they would come together in this professional wrestling event. The main event tonight was an All-Sloakais Wrestling Event, and he was a special guest.
“Hold for you, queue,” an Production assistant said to him. Bosok was not wearing his usual costume of a purple and white suit with Book of Divine Communications quotes all over it. Instead, he was wearing a suit.

In the center of OVE Arena, Paul “Snake” Williams was gloating over his opponent.
“No, one can stop me” he said, as boo’s poured out from the crowd. Williams was the heel and had just beaten Mr. Federation, Gabriel Marquez, a fan favorite decked out in a Slokasian-flag costume.
Suddenly, “The Lawman”, the well-known theme of Bosok, began playing through the speakers. The crowd began to erupt.
“It can’t be..” Snake said
Bosok ran out of the tunnel as the whole crowd stood to its feet to welcome the wrestler listed out of “Farmville, Ambonar”. Bosok ducked the bottom rope and pulled Mr. Federation to his feet.
“No, way” Snake said
“Yes, way” Bosok doing a backflip and kicking Snake to the floor. He then stood triumphant as the crowd went crazy. As the referee called the match, he was handed a microphone.
“It’s so good to be home” he said
The crowd continued to cheer.
“But I have an important message for everyone tonight.”
Mr Federation, looked up at the taller Bosok with his intent captured perfectly by the camera’s.
“This country has been wronged for too long”
The crowd of mostly Ambonari Revivalists cheered even louder in approval. With some even chanting “Helayan Weasley”, a popular political chant.
“I have decided to run for President in 2026”
“No way,” Mr. Federation said, taking the flag off his back and handing it to Bosok.
“My promises to you are three things: freedom, liberty, and a lasting peace”

After the event had ended, Bosok reunited with his wife, Eve Semerjarong. The third daughter of King Sri Hanni Semerjarong II.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said, hugging him. Bosok had been planning his run for over a year until now. Yet now it has become public. He had already worked with MSL of the New Right Party to join his campaign team. He had already filmed ads which would air nationwide very soon. In fact the second person to greet him was his Advisor, Ishiak Denurajaki. Ishiak was a small-man with glasses who looked unassuming yet was known to New Right insiders as one of the most calculating and cruel men. He helped organize the complete Rivivalist takeover of the party in 2023. He had the ear of the elite, as a financial and personal advisor. And to Bosok, one of his good friends.
“The crowd loved it, Bosokjoko” he said with his cunning little smile.
“Yes, even got them in arms about President Weasley,” Bosok said as he took a big drink from his energy drink bottle, unbranded as none had sponsored him yet.
“I hope you understand, this election will mean a retirement from the ring”
“Maybe, so” Bosok said, not convinced as he took off his suit costume.
“I see..I’ve already scheduled your first true rally” Ishiak said, retreating as Bosok put on his signature branded t-shirt with a cartoon-version of The Lawman character smiling. Outside of the locker room, was his brother-in-law, Keith Semerajarong, a major investor in Diah Grah Energy the largest energy provider in Ambonar the largest not part of the UNES.
“I’m glad to see my favorite in-law entering the world of Presidential politics,” Keith said
“Thank you” Bosok said
“Great show tonight. You can expect my company's endorsement. With a couple of policy suggestions, dependent of course.”
“Of course,” Bosok said, smiling.
Keith was not his favorite in-law. He was the most spoiled child of all the King’s children. He had custom 1 of 1 sports cars filling his garage,and fresh fruit and juice seemed to always follow him. Keith, like many modern Revivalists, had turned fruity juices and mocktails with all sorts of accessories to get the feeling of class which came with alcohol without actually consuming. After Keith, it was Rachel, his wife’s older sister and the second oldest of the King’s children.
“Oh, my goodness,” she said, hugging him.
“I’m so glad you're running for President,” she said, Bosok could see she was steaming to an audience on her social media.
Bosok smiled for the camera. “The Lawman is here” he said, flexing.

[Slokais]

Communications 1, 1-30: “You will return to the land of creation and harmonious being once your flock has chosen to live a life free of sin, in orderly and harmonious being.”

Kareem Galendez was 17 years old when the first explosion rocked his cramped childhood home in the Al-Kanhur district of Kaijan City. It wouldn't be the last. Kareem was a high school student, studying for his college entrance exams, when the room he shared with his two younger sisters shook.
“Yasina,” he yelled at his sister
“Get under the table,” Kareem said as he crawled under his desk.
“Where is Rosalina?” Yasina said from under the bed as the shaking stopped
Kareem realized it wasn’t an earthquake. He remembered the stories of his parents and grandparents. At his high school, a large public Islamic boys school known as Al-Muealim Boys School (AMBS), there had been mumblings of something happening. There was a group of boys who were troublemakers, they yelled at random girls and women in public wearing hijabs and were unserious about education. And why should they? Their classes barely covered any of the material required on the NCE Exam. Kareem had dreams of being a doctor, one widely supported by his parents and family. A doctor’s salary in a city like San Jose, New Liverpool or even Victoria City could get his family out of poverty. An acceptance to any university wouldn’t cut it either, the five-year program at Henry Lam College could get him working sooner and help support his sister's education.
“Kareem, you okay, nintoy”
“Yes, mother. Where is Rosalina?”
“She was in the bathroom, she is scared Kareem” his mother said as she opened the kitchen window.
“You seem surprisingly, calm”
“I didn’t want you to grow up like this, tifili” his mother said as she returned to chopping up veggies
“You grew in the Great War, you're not scared. Is it happening again?”
“Nintoy, I don't want you to waste your mind. How is your studying?”

A few moments later, Kareem’s father Hamadi opened the door to their apartment
“Salamat Jalang, Kareem” Hamadi said, carrying his toolbox
“Did you see the explosion?”
“No, although a few guys at the shop talked about an explosion at Al-Koura Market.”
“I don’t want you or your sisters going near there, nintoy” Kareem’s mother yelled from the kitchen over the sound of chicken cooking.
“We have to remain strong, Kareem. These days will be hard” Hamadi said as he half-hugged his wife
“I want you to walk your sisters to school on Monday” Hamadi
“Did you already talk with Mom?”
“No, but we have done this before. From 63’ to 67’”

The attack at Al-Koura wasn’t just a random explosion but one with a dozen organized by the Kaijanese Islamic Liberation Front (KILF). Now, politicians were talking about war. At AMBS, the next day it was all anyone could talk about. Some talked about war, some talked about how most of the victims were non-Kaijanese, and some even quietly praised the attack. For a young man growing up in Kaijan, you could forget about the national government. Corruption prevented governmental aid from being truly effective, hospitals provided the bare minimum, and even the modern Kaijan City Metro was constantly crowded. As the day turned into weeks, the situation became more volatile. More young men leaving to take up arms, more federal offices and federal workers being attacked, more police, and more military. It was a cycle of aggression that eventually turned to violence.

For Kareem, the call never appeared to him. He was on a different path. Initially, hoping to attend the University of Kaijan, the institution had become a battleground as the university fell into disrepair. On an admissions tour, just a few days before the first federal troops deployed and the first bombs dropped, Kareem saw a broken dream, initially founded in the 1830s, for a short-lived Republic of Kaijan, the institution was built to be a proud symbol of the region’s excellence. To keep the talented Kaijanese youth within the region and be a part of the common success. Yet it was in desperate need of repairs and functioned more as an engine pumping out degrees in drab brutalist towers and sweaty classrooms than a place of progress. As they walked across campus, Kareem passed by at least two political demonstrations, which the tour guide simply waved away as “examples of student involvement on campus”. Yet the messages were dangerous, a return to Islamic law, revisions to when Kaijan was for Kaijanese people only. The Minjian elites, who were responsible for everything wrong and were plotting the island’s downfall. Kareem couldn’t stay.

Yet many years later after living in New Liverpool for several years he returned to what he believed was a different Kaijan. Peace was achieved, there were promising infrastructure developments, there was even a Minister of Kaijanese Affairs who reported directly to both the President and the Prime Minister. Surely, change was bound to occur in Slokais’s most turbulent dominion.

“Governor Galendez, good to see you”
Governor Kareem Galendez sat in his office, a comfortable yet secure office on the top floor of the Kaijan Executive Building, a mid-sized grey building in the center of the lush surroundings of the Garden District of Kaijan City. Today, the governor had been called to a meeting of Joint Force Kaijan (JFK), a military and political umbrella which had dictated affairs in the regions of Kaijan which were considered turbulent. The video call consisted of Governor Galendez, Governor Mohamed Quinzon of South Kaijan, Carolina Morales, press secretary for President Weasley, and the new commander of Security Force Kaijan-6 (SFK-6), John Paul Galvez. Galvez’s tactics were bold, essentially taking risks and figuring everything out later. Something he had shown in his prior service as a regional commander in prior SFK’s, which were all essentially the same military presence just under different responsibilities. The newest SFK-6, was a final stab by the Weasley Administration to try and clean up the conflict, or at least enough for President Weasley to dig herself out of an approval rating’s grave before next year’s election.

Kareem was extremely skeptical of its success, even less than others. It was structured around greater deployments in urban areas as opposed to crushing what was essentially a weakening Kaijan League in rural areas and instead daring the many sympathetic groups which had emerged in the last 5 years to try and do something.
“Good to see all of you as well, good to meet you for the first time Commander Galvez” he said as he grabbed the prepared documents his staff had collected.
“Thank you, Governor. Let us begin the meeting” Press Secretary Morales said. She was acting as a liaison for the aging and often ill Weasely, although she insisted the President was extremely busy.
“First of all, I would like all of you to review the new SFK directive” Commander Galvez said
Each of the persons on the call grabbed their own copy of the thin binder.
“It outlines my vision and the President's vision for security and development. Unless there are any questions we can move on”
“Hold, on” Governor Quinzon stated
“Yes, Governor?” Morales said
“There are at least a dozen things here which are incorrect or inaccurate. Your team still has work to do”
“We don’t have time for pleasantries, when there are terrorists walking around” Commander Galvez said, his large frame filling the screen.
“There isn’t violence for no reason, Commander. And this plan essentially punishes all Kaijanese people”
“Governor, didn’t 65% of people in your province support the Kaijan League’s efforts?” Morales said
“You are wrong, Madame. 65% supported independence. Independence doesn’t mean violence even if it’s sometimes acted upon through it” Kareem said
“There isn’t a discussion here. ” Galvez said, his tone changing.
“Commander, this organization is meant to be joint not simply your dictation to us” Governor Quinzon said
“Disscussion has cost many lives, delay and concerns of future problems or issues is not my concern. I’ve seen it on the ground” Commander Galvez said sternly.
“Maybe, you should open your eyes, speak to your troops. Countless operation’s violations of judicial and civil law are the reason for Kaijanese people’s aggression towards anything federal” Governor Quinzon responded
“How dare you say, I lack sight. I’ve seen the devil right in his eyes. And I’ve spit back. What have you even done!” Bosok responds angrily
“Gentlemen, we are losing the point here”, Kareem chimed in
“You are a tyrant serving a tyrant.” Governor Quinzon responded
“May you and your family soon find out what it's like to live without the brave men and women who serve this operation,” Commander Galvez said.
“Threatening my family, how dare you claim to represent public safety?”
“This is all pointless. The new directives were already filled, Kortotan tui!” Galvez said, uttering the common Slokasian insult before leaving.
“Kortotan tui, to you to”
“Expect a follow-up email from our office. If you fail to follow the new directives, the President has little choice but to take legal action. Goodbye!” Press Secretary Morales said, her signature smile still filling her face. As if the last couple of moments of the argument hadn’t just happened.
“May god help us,” Quinzon said
“Indeed, we should talk soon, my friend,” Kareem said
“Indeed, independence must come soon.”

[Slokais]

Abraham Wallace’s office in Presidential House was far from glamorous, just a few years earlier he had a corner office in the Queensway Tower in San Fernando. He used to be able to see the ocean on a clear day, and now all he got was a half peak of an inner courtyard. Yet, the power in this office was greater than anything he had before. President Weasley had been an old family friend of his, so when the time came Abraham quietly slipped his name into conversations. In 2023, he had been named as "Advisor for Judicial Affairs”, an alternative to the much more important Minister of Interior Affairs which was appointed by the Prime Minister. Yet it had granted him access to a select club which had knowledge of all that had gone on. Free thinkers, those who realized the current established state wouldn’t last. A friend had invited him to an event shortly after his appointment. Held in the hills of Northrock Ward, much had been discussed. He saw the vision, this country was never supposed to even stay together in the first place.

“Mr Wallace,” his secretary said holding papers in her hand
“Yes” Abraham said
“Here are the documents,” she said, handing over a stack of papers.
“Which paper?”
“Between 3rd and 4th” she said
“Thank you, give me 5 minutes”
“Yes, Mr Wallace” she said, closing the door behind her.

After a minute or so, Abraham grabbed the flash drive between the papers and put it into his computer. Inside was a collection of files. First was a blank pdf document, titled “Do_What_You_Must”. The second file was an image of a DNA collection website, on it was the family tree and background for one “Luis Islador Estvez”. Most of the other names were unknown except for one “Joseph H.R Chavez”. The third file was a Department of Corrections file for Luis Estevez who was currently being held in Santa Fe Provincial Penitentiary. The last file was a rap song, which Abrahm didn’t even bother listening to. He knew what we needed, he pulled out the flash drive and placed it under the stack, making sure to place papers in the exact spot it had been just a few minutes prior. Abraham nodded, the signal for the cameras to be turned back on. He then flipped through the papers he had been given which were the same dull reports of various judicial affairs.

As his driver pulled into the parking garage of Evergreen Manor, a luxury apartment in the Midtown ward of New Liverpool, Abraham got a phone call.
“This is Abraham,” he said
“Sir, I have a few questions about your financial choices,” his financial advisor asked
“Go ahead”
“Unless you know something I don’t. There is no point in buying an obscure music label that hasn’t had a top hit in almost a decade. Have you been hacked?”
“I have done some talent scouting; they're about to have a massive single on their hands.” Abraham said with confidence
“I didn’t think you would have interest in that kind of music, sir.” his advisor said.
“I have kids, Manuel,” Abraham said as he stepped into the elevator of his building.



Luis Islador Salavdor Estevez, also known as “Lil ISJ” was a prolific name within the S-rap scene in San Jose. Specifically, the “Jalancalle” sub-genre known for its heavy bass and associations with criminal organizations. Yet at the height of his popularity, ISJ was caught in a murder-for-hire plot against a local politician. The resulting SIB and San Jose Police investigation found Estevez was involved with the Generación Baru, a multi-national drug empire. As a result, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2010, yet due to a personal connection with Pablo Salsantes, a prominent Conservative MSL, his sentence was commuted by President Weasley. A shift from the hardline “lock’em all up” attitude that had been given out in the past, yet it still went ahead. In their release, the Presidential House declared that “Estevez is one of a few prisoners who have been rehabilitated the right way through the power of faith.” Most likely a reference to a 2023 song where he declared, “ISJ, I’m a genius, it stands for In-service of Jesus.” Either way, Luis was now walking out of prison a free man. For most people, the story would end here, yet for Luis, his unknown family connections would bring him right into the spotlight.

Luis had been locked away in what had been nicknamed “The Pit”, a modern prison built inside thick colonial-era walls. Conditions had been horrid, although Luis had used his fame to get by. Sometimes he would sing a few songs, write a few bars in exchange for a couple extra packets of Bihun noodles. Regardless, Luis had been an unknown on the outside. His manager had taken all of the profits and run, his girlfriend had another child without him, and Lil ISJ had been forgotten. Yet, there was somehow a fancy limo parked out front for him. Luis opened the back door. Inside, Pablo Salsantes and another older-looking man were already helping themselves to a bottle of rice wine.
“Free as a bird,” Salsantes said
“Thank you. Sir” Luis said, bowing as he held out his hand
Luis then turned to the other man
“Who’s this, orang?”
“Abraham Wallace, businessman, friend to the President herself”
“Damn, Señorita Presidenta?”
“I’m not sure I would call her that, but yes,” Abrahim said, his voice hinting at his high-society background
“Mr. Wallace paid for this car and has some news to share with you,” Salsantes said as he knocked on the window to signal the driver.

As the car moved along the San Fernando River, Mr Wallace began his pitch.
“As you may be aware, your manager took your money and brought your masters.”
“Yeah, the stupid anjian,” Luis mused
“Well, I don’t know what way to put this, but your dad’s cousin is Joseph Chavez.”
“El Presidente, damn. Would have voted if I could”
Salsantes looked disappointed at that statement.
“Well, would it be cool if he knew about your relationship and let you rot?”
“Well…No..but”
“I have purchased your masters, Mr Estevez”
“You don’t look like a Jalancalle orang?”
“I don’t understand those last two words, but yes. What matters is that it could be yours again if you just sign this contact here” Wallace said as he pulled a paper from his briefcase.
“You’re not the devil right?” Luis laughing
“No, I’m a man of God”
“Good, what do you need me to do?”
“Make a new song, we already have a whole team lined up”
“That’s it, you should have led with that orang” Luis said laughing as he poured himself some of Valleres Vintage which was in a mini-fridge in the backseat.
“We are happy to have you out. We are going to a hotel now. Anything you want, call me” Salsantes said as they turned onto a highway.