01-23-2024, 03:26 AM
January 22nd
Presidium of the Central Committee of the Taragaian People's Revolutionary Party (TPRP)
"We must smash their skulls! We must lay them flat!"
The angry shout brought cheers echoing through the Presidium chamber. Jirghogadai Tömörbataar, the Chairman, slammed his fist down on the podium to demonstrate his intent even further. "These so-called protesters are nothing more than malcontents spurred on by foreign interests, who seek to engage in a counter-revolutionary coup in our country. We must not allow it. I am calling on the Presidium to agree to the immediate mobilization of the People's Army and Internal Security to disperse these treasonous displays on our streets once and for all! Let us show our people and the world that Taragai is united behind the revolution!"
More cheers echoed around the room. One person, however, was not cheering, but observing silently. Tua Rehipeti, special advisor from the Milintican Communist Party, smiled quietly as, one by one, the members of the Presidium stood up after Tömörbataar to reiterate their determination to maintain the People's Republic. I wish we had this determination among more people back home. But this will be a beginning. Taragai will shine as a beacon of red power, and it will inspire Milinticans to rediscover their own.
While Rehipeti watched the debate in the Presidium, he mentally made notes. So far, one hundred fellow Milinticans had arrived in Taragai to help bolster the Taragaian security response. If the MCP had their way, many more would follow.
---
Not everyone, however, was as enthusiastic as Tömörbataar about the idea of smashing the skulls of fellow Taragaians.
"What would Tömörbataar have me do? Shoot everyone in the square?" An exasperated sigh followed that statement, as Otgonbayar Khoriubechi slammed his whiskey glass down onto the table. Khoriubechi was the General in command of the People's Army, and the one who would be expected to carry out whatever orders the Chairman and the Presidium gave.
His aide, Col. Chanai Ganzorig, sighed as he refilled the glass before pouring his own. "Orders are orders. What are we to do?"
Khoriubechi took another swig of whiskey. "We are supposed to fight the enemies of the state, not our own people."
"Careful, you don't want a political officer to hear that," Ganzorig cautioned. "Besides, aren't these protesters enemies of the state?"
"They are Taragaians, the same as you or me." Khoriubechi bitterly stubbed out his cigarette with a bit more force than needed. "They may disagree with the government, but they are not invaders. I don't know, Chanai. Whacking the heads of unarmed people just sitting there doesn't seem right. I am also displeased that Internal Security has begun arresting soldiers and policemen who refuse to arrest protesters. Who are they to put us in the cells?" At Ganzorig's now thoroughly alarmed expression, Khoriubechi smiled. "Don't worry, Chanai. I won't get myself arrested with my big mouth. I know when to keep quiet. But still....I am displeased."
Ganzorig shook his head in agreement, while pondering just what the top General in the Army could do if he grew too displeased with the situation.
---
Khongkhortai, Gerelma Province
"I am...intrigued by your offer." The young woman sitting on the golden chair leaned towards the man sitting across from her. "But your track record so far has been mixed, to be frank. You failed to keep your foothold in Auria, and your efforts in Huenya have been partially successful at best. Why should I stick my neck out to stand with you as my backers?" Ebegei Qoriqacha kept her face bland as she waited for a response. She was the last of the Qoriqacha line, the khatun-in-hiding of the ancient rulers of Taragai. Like all of her ancestors, she had kept the hope of returning that line to power burning in hiding, avoiding the persecution of the TPRP regime. She was not about to put everything at risk unless the man in front of her could make a very convincing offer.
"That is a fair question, my lady," the man replied. Mecaqui, special agent with Xiomeran Imperial Intelligence, grinned. "But let me be equally frank. Who else, if not the Empire I represent, will help you? You have a chance, with the winds of change blowing in Taragai, to finally restore the birthright that the Communists stole from you. But do you think any of your neighbors will help you? Or any of the so-called democracies? No, my lady, only one person understands the unique position you are in. And that is a fellow woman of power, my Empress. She wishes to ensure that Taragai throws off the Reds' yoke, but that it doesn't just fall victim to the mob rule that democracy brings. It is good that you mentioned Huenya - just look to them as an example. Chaotic, unstable and violent. That is Taragai's future without a strong hand to rule it after the Communists inevitably fall. You can, and should, be that hand."
"Oh, I quite agree." Qoriqacha took a sip from her wine glass before looking at Mecaqui again. "But you still have to convince me that Xiomera is the ally to get me there. You are right, most of our neighbors will have no love for me. They will want some simpleminded fool like Daldurkhan in power. But if I agree to work with you, will Xiomera do whatever it takes to ensure I come out on top? Or will you abandon me like you did the Aurians? Or, worse, attempt to manipulate me and use me as a puppet? None of those things appeal to me, sir."
Mecaqui found himself impressed with the Taragaian noble. She has strength and doesn't just take things at face value. She could indeed be a worthy ally to our Empress, if we can convince her and actually make it happen. "I will not make promises that we may not be able to keep," he said finally. "We have learned that lesson, at least, from Auria. But I can promise this - we will give you access to money and resources that you can only dream of having now, should you ally with us. What you do with those resources, is up to you and your own skill and resourcefulness. But isn't that a great place to start?"
Qoriqacha finally smiled more broadly, putting her glass down. "Perhaps you are right. Very well. Let's see if I can restore a Khanate with the backing of an Empire."
Presidium of the Central Committee of the Taragaian People's Revolutionary Party (TPRP)
"We must smash their skulls! We must lay them flat!"
The angry shout brought cheers echoing through the Presidium chamber. Jirghogadai Tömörbataar, the Chairman, slammed his fist down on the podium to demonstrate his intent even further. "These so-called protesters are nothing more than malcontents spurred on by foreign interests, who seek to engage in a counter-revolutionary coup in our country. We must not allow it. I am calling on the Presidium to agree to the immediate mobilization of the People's Army and Internal Security to disperse these treasonous displays on our streets once and for all! Let us show our people and the world that Taragai is united behind the revolution!"
More cheers echoed around the room. One person, however, was not cheering, but observing silently. Tua Rehipeti, special advisor from the Milintican Communist Party, smiled quietly as, one by one, the members of the Presidium stood up after Tömörbataar to reiterate their determination to maintain the People's Republic. I wish we had this determination among more people back home. But this will be a beginning. Taragai will shine as a beacon of red power, and it will inspire Milinticans to rediscover their own.
While Rehipeti watched the debate in the Presidium, he mentally made notes. So far, one hundred fellow Milinticans had arrived in Taragai to help bolster the Taragaian security response. If the MCP had their way, many more would follow.
---
Not everyone, however, was as enthusiastic as Tömörbataar about the idea of smashing the skulls of fellow Taragaians.
"What would Tömörbataar have me do? Shoot everyone in the square?" An exasperated sigh followed that statement, as Otgonbayar Khoriubechi slammed his whiskey glass down onto the table. Khoriubechi was the General in command of the People's Army, and the one who would be expected to carry out whatever orders the Chairman and the Presidium gave.
His aide, Col. Chanai Ganzorig, sighed as he refilled the glass before pouring his own. "Orders are orders. What are we to do?"
Khoriubechi took another swig of whiskey. "We are supposed to fight the enemies of the state, not our own people."
"Careful, you don't want a political officer to hear that," Ganzorig cautioned. "Besides, aren't these protesters enemies of the state?"
"They are Taragaians, the same as you or me." Khoriubechi bitterly stubbed out his cigarette with a bit more force than needed. "They may disagree with the government, but they are not invaders. I don't know, Chanai. Whacking the heads of unarmed people just sitting there doesn't seem right. I am also displeased that Internal Security has begun arresting soldiers and policemen who refuse to arrest protesters. Who are they to put us in the cells?" At Ganzorig's now thoroughly alarmed expression, Khoriubechi smiled. "Don't worry, Chanai. I won't get myself arrested with my big mouth. I know when to keep quiet. But still....I am displeased."
Ganzorig shook his head in agreement, while pondering just what the top General in the Army could do if he grew too displeased with the situation.
---
Khongkhortai, Gerelma Province
"I am...intrigued by your offer." The young woman sitting on the golden chair leaned towards the man sitting across from her. "But your track record so far has been mixed, to be frank. You failed to keep your foothold in Auria, and your efforts in Huenya have been partially successful at best. Why should I stick my neck out to stand with you as my backers?" Ebegei Qoriqacha kept her face bland as she waited for a response. She was the last of the Qoriqacha line, the khatun-in-hiding of the ancient rulers of Taragai. Like all of her ancestors, she had kept the hope of returning that line to power burning in hiding, avoiding the persecution of the TPRP regime. She was not about to put everything at risk unless the man in front of her could make a very convincing offer.
"That is a fair question, my lady," the man replied. Mecaqui, special agent with Xiomeran Imperial Intelligence, grinned. "But let me be equally frank. Who else, if not the Empire I represent, will help you? You have a chance, with the winds of change blowing in Taragai, to finally restore the birthright that the Communists stole from you. But do you think any of your neighbors will help you? Or any of the so-called democracies? No, my lady, only one person understands the unique position you are in. And that is a fellow woman of power, my Empress. She wishes to ensure that Taragai throws off the Reds' yoke, but that it doesn't just fall victim to the mob rule that democracy brings. It is good that you mentioned Huenya - just look to them as an example. Chaotic, unstable and violent. That is Taragai's future without a strong hand to rule it after the Communists inevitably fall. You can, and should, be that hand."
"Oh, I quite agree." Qoriqacha took a sip from her wine glass before looking at Mecaqui again. "But you still have to convince me that Xiomera is the ally to get me there. You are right, most of our neighbors will have no love for me. They will want some simpleminded fool like Daldurkhan in power. But if I agree to work with you, will Xiomera do whatever it takes to ensure I come out on top? Or will you abandon me like you did the Aurians? Or, worse, attempt to manipulate me and use me as a puppet? None of those things appeal to me, sir."
Mecaqui found himself impressed with the Taragaian noble. She has strength and doesn't just take things at face value. She could indeed be a worthy ally to our Empress, if we can convince her and actually make it happen. "I will not make promises that we may not be able to keep," he said finally. "We have learned that lesson, at least, from Auria. But I can promise this - we will give you access to money and resources that you can only dream of having now, should you ally with us. What you do with those resources, is up to you and your own skill and resourcefulness. But isn't that a great place to start?"
Qoriqacha finally smiled more broadly, putting her glass down. "Perhaps you are right. Very well. Let's see if I can restore a Khanate with the backing of an Empire."
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