[Democratic Republic Of Eiria]

Eirian Senate Building, Geminus
Sunday, March 27th

The Press Box overlooking the Eirian Senate chamber was…crowded, to say the least. Every seat was packed with various journalists and camera operators, intently watching the official proceedings below. Every large, unwieldy TV camera was live, streaming the important Senate proceedings straight to thousands of Eirian citizens."

Surprisingly, the Minister of Justice, Deniss Krievinš, had control of the Senate floor, taking over his ceremonial duty as Speaker of the Senate, instead of appointing a proxy. He clearly and concisely called out surnames from the list of Senators, pausing to hear and mark down their response before advancing to the next name.

"Senator Yacine?"

"Ja."

"Senator Zarina?"

"Ja."

"Senator Zhang?"

"Ja"

"Senator Zvaigzne?"

"Nen."

"Senator Zvirbulis?"

"Ja."

Krievinš looked down at the console embedded in the Speaker's lectern, and over to one of his aides, who nodded her approval. Good. The tally is correct. Thank God. He cleared his throat. "The motion is passed. The vote totals are…" He took another glance down to confirm the numbers in his head. "Four hundred and six votes Yes, thirty-two votes No, and twelve Abstentions. Are there any objections on the floor to a recorded vote?" The room was silent as the senators all checked their own embedded consoles to confirm their vote. After twenty seconds of solid silence, Krievinš spoke up. "The motion is passed. The Speaker now cedes the floor to Chancellor Leah Stendē for a Chancellorial Address."

Mild whispers and discussion broke out as Chancellor Stendē walked from the Chancellor's box on the side of the Chamber to the Speaker's platform, the noise dying down as she adjusted the microphone. "My esteemed colleagues, I am incredibly grateful for your strong tide of support for this motion. We have stood by and watched the Aurian conflict for far too long, and now that we have the opportunity to fight with democratic resistance forces in Auria, I'm glad we have not lost this opportunity to political conflict."

"I would like to emphasize how remarkable of a vote this has been. Despite our political division, a majority of Senators from every party voted in support for this motion. Around ninety percent of you, regardless of party affiliation, decided to support this motion, in solidarity with the Aurian people. I cannot express how thankful I am that this critical motion was passed, and that our troops will be able to fight alongside our Aurian allies to reclaim their country"

"However, some of you have had objections to this motion, claiming that I'm sending troops into an active war zone too quickly, wantonly risking their lives. And to that, I have one thing to say: This motion has been a long time coming." Stendē looked around the room, almost as if to look at the dissenting Senators. "Numerous intelligence reports have been sent to my desk every day, detailing events and the status of Aurian troops. I've consulted with specialists and military leaders from all branches of the Eirian Armed Forces, Generals, Admirals, and Special Operatives. So many factors have aligned so our troops and our allies can be as safe and effective as possible, given the circumstances. To say that this deployment is rash or rushed is to neglect the months of work done to ensure our brave soldiers are secure in their dangerous work."

"Now, I am more than aware that yesterday, Empress Calhualyana made a fiery speech to the Xiomeran Parliament, decrying Lauchenoiria's involvement in Auria and Prime Minister Alvarez's part in exposing Xiomeran-sponsored terrorist activity." The chamber broke out into angry discussion as Stendē paused until the outburst had died down. "This speech was filled with what we've come to expect from Calhualyana: Bold, deceptive claims of Xiomeran superiority, direct threats on democratic nations, and desperate attempts to justify her actions to the international community."

"However, despite Calhualyana's plentiful spread of ironic and deceitful claims, there is one bit that I personally find the most hilarious. In reference to the Golden Blade terrorist revolt that has been plaguing Huenya, 'Our government is not supporting their rebellion. But even if it was, to be clear, we would have every right to help defend those who are our kin.'" The Chancellor paused, to let the message sink in. "It's almost as if she couldn't decide whether to accept responsibility as a prideful gesture, or to deny it for self-preservation, so she just threw both in her speech, as if her actions and intentions aren't clear as day to anyone who even tries to examine the situation."

"But the sad truth is, many major Xiomerans are content not to look deeper at the situation. They are content to let Calhualyana control the narrative, bending to her will as she bends the truth likewise. And even though some Xiomerans bravely have stood up against the Empress, what difference could they make, if those in power stifle their voices and abilities to preserve their rule? For a regime that promotes Xiomeran bravery and strength, prominent Xiomerans are content to blindly submit to Calhualyana's machinations."

Stendē's tone took on a more intense edge as she spoke, making her rhetoric stronger and more impactful. "Major Xiomeran leaders have become willing members of Calhualyana's puppet choir. The Xiomeran Parliament is full of sycophants, complicit in Calhualyana's crimes against Auria, Huenya, and the Xiomeran people. And while we have not committed these crimes ourselves, we also become complicit if we refuse to stand against totalitarian attacks on democracy, freedom, and truth."

Stendē began gesturing even more while she spoke, emphasizing her words with swift hand motions. "So, I stand before you today, to send an open message to those who threaten us and our allies. We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken. We stand, undeterred, as an example of the liberty, freedom, and democracy that autocrats cannot take away from us. We stand with Auria. We stand with Huenya. We stand for a free future, and that free future begins today!"

The Senate Chamber erupted in raucous applause, echoing throughout the domed ceiling. A number of Senators began to yell over and over "Mous Stavam!". We stand. And as many miles away, Eirian soldiers began to prepare for deployment, their national leaders stood in unison to make one thing abundantly clear.

Eiria shall never be counted out.