[Lauchenoiria]

"... looking more and more like a war by the hour. Meanwhile, Leanna Walker is nowhere to be seen and President Kieran McKenzie is signing Chaher's bills into law without question. People are asking when this crisis will be over, or if this is the end of democracy in Lauchenoiria."

Leanna Walker sat up in bed, startling the nurse who had been filling out paperwork nearby. As if nothing had happened, Walker stood up, and pulling off the monitors, grabbed her clothes from out the drawer, and ignoring the protestations of the nurse, walked into the bathroom and changed into a trouser suit.

When she exited, her entire security team, her former chief of staff Daniel Garza, and three nurses were staring at her.

"Leanna, I really think you should stay in bed, just until we find out..."

"No," she interrupted Daniel, This has gone on long enough. Our democracy is dying, and I need to do something. At any cost."

Ignoring the various mingling protests of the gathered crowd, she pushed past them and walked towards where the thinning mob of media were gathered. As they saw her approach, they scrambled to pick up the cameras, recorders and microphones they had left scattered around the waiting room.

"Suleman Chaher is a dictator, and Kieran McKenzie is his puppet. They are not, and never will be, part of the legitimate government of Lauchenoiria. Their time in office is limited, I make that assurance to the people of Lauchenoiria. And I promise that I will no longer sit on the sidelines and let our democracy be destroyed. To Chaher and his allies, I say this: your time is limited, and you will face justice for your crimes."

Walker turned away from the cameras and walked towards the elevators. Daniel and the security scrambled to keep up. Once safely inside away from the media, Walker turned to Garza.

"We are going home. And you can tell me how dangerous it all is, but I'm doing it anyway. This must end."

Disconcerted, Daniel tried to object, but Leanna held her hand up to silence him.

"Find me a way into Lauchenoiria that won't attract the attention of Chaher. And do not let anyone know when I've left Laeral."

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"I strongly condemn the attack upon a Laeralian diplomat carried out by a member of the Lauchenoirian police. This action was not condoned by my government, and I'd like to assure Laeral that an incident such as this will never happen again. To this end, we are dispatching extra security personnel to watch the area around the Laeralian embassy 24/7, so that embassy personnel can feel safe and secure as our highly trained personnel keep watch on all activity that could be detrimental to relations between our two countries."

Chaher stepped out from behind the camera. He was quite sure that Laeral would get his meaning. No member of staff at that embassy would be able to set foot outside the door without his forces recording their every move. Now, he only had to deal with the traitor, Rowan Martin.

"Good afternoon, Mr Martin," he greeted the traitor as he met him in the corridor. Martin was still blissfully unaware that Chaher knew where his true allegiance lay.

"And to you, Prime Minister. Now, what did you want to speak to me about?"

"I need you to do something for me. It is highly important, and very sensitive. We better wait until we're back in my office."

Martin nodded, and they walked in silence back to his office. When safely inside, Chaher began:

"I'm sure you've heard about the Skodenian invasion. Well, I'm going to make them regret it."

"Um... may I ask how?"

Chaher smiled and leaned forward on his desk, making pointed eye contact with Rowan.

"The Kerlians have offered to provide us with the means of destroying much of Skohlm. And I assure you, nobody will ever track it back to us."

Rowan froze and for a split second his facial expression gave him away. "You don't mean...?"

"I will need you to condemn the attack and offer Skoden assistance after the attack. We must avoid suspicion at all costs. The Skodenian forces will withdraw, and we will defeat the rebels. Now, it's late, go home to your family."

"But..., I mean, yes, sir."

Still visibly shocked, Martin exited the room.

"Have him followed, and when you find who he meets, kill them both." Chaher ordered the Lauchenoirian Intelligence Service agent standing in the corner of the room. He nodded in response, then exited.

Chaher wasn't surprised Moore had kicked Martin out of her Cabinet. The man was clearly incompetent. Like the Kerlians would ever just give someone a nuke. Skohlm was safe. But whoever Martin tried to warn about the nonexistent threat, well, that was another story. He would find the resistance, he would frame them for Martin's murder, and all would be well.

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Colonel Chloe Conde of the Kerlian Army sat on the plane to Lauchenoiria. She could hear the nervous mutterings among the young conscripts huddled together at the back of the plane. Conde went over the plan in her head.

They would land in the eastern side of Ecanta province, almost at the boundary with Ulinaria. From there, they would make their way to Annatown, and with the Lauchenoirian and Gonhogian militaries, they would destroy the resistance. Conde felt the adrenaline rush of the coming battle and smiled. This is what she lived for.

She was somewhat concerned, it had to be said, about Chaher's capabilities as a leader, but she trusted in President Greenwood. She was sure Greenwood would not allow an incompetent man to be in power for long. And regardless, this was the opportunity they had all waited for to track down Sonja Viratnen. The Lauchenoirians were clueless if they believed she was a peaceful democrat. Conde knew the truth.

She pushed these thoughts out of her head. Only one thing was for it now: she would have Sonja Viratnen's head. And she would present it to President Joanna Greenwood and be the hero who ended the threat of the greatest traitor to the Matriarchy of Kerlile ever known.