A staolpiracy (FCA)

[Greywall]

The sounds of bullets being loaded and chambered among soft chirping and whispered wing flaps filled the box car as it slowed to its destination.

“Each rifle takes a target, lay down fire behind the machine gun and once their initial response is quelled we storm the facility.” Speaking was a FCA military officer preparing his platoon for a raid, for months now a gang had been smuggling manufactured faux stoal and using it to launder money for their criminal fronts. Scouts reported the location of their main base of operations, an abandoned emptied out staol mine near the Koian border.

The faux staol itself was just coal purchased or stolen by the gang and then dusted in staol dust and remnants they took from rust catchers in anything they grabbed. The product was sold to smaller companies looking for cheap fuel materials and it raked in millions of jewels. This directly caused issues with the local economy and embolden the gang to expand. They were making enough money to bribe entire officials and this train was part of their operation. But Colonel Zax was determined to shut it all down, crush the gang and end the operation. He forced the train to take them to the mine filled with armed FCA troops for the raid.

The train pulled into the station as armed individuals began to approach it, Zax flapped his wings in Koian communicating them to get ready, the machine gun facing the door racked and chambered a round via its operator.
“Hey what are you doing? We didn’t order a shipment!” The conductors simply leaped off the locomotive facing away from the compound. “What the fuck!?” the gang members shouted as the doors to the box cars opened and bullets flew out striking and killing them instantly.

It wasn’t even fair. The gang members that rushed out into the open from the compound storming the train were butchered. “Move in! Kill everyone!” Zax ordered and rifle men surged forward rapidly firing their lever action rifles and putting down gangsters.

After half an hour of gunfire the FCA seized the compound, captured survivors were placed on their knees with both sets of hands behind their head and back. Zax ordered all the faux staol to be located and for anything else of use. Troops grabbed rifles, revolvers and assorted ammunition and began loading it all up on the train. “Sir, come see this!” Zax answered the soldier and found a large concrete room filled to capacity with jewel notes, “according to this it was due to drop off Z. On the western border, look.” The soldier handed over a crudely made manifest to Zax. It was over 2.3 million jewels and a good portion was even counterfeit. Who ever was at drop off Z either didn’t care or know but the money was being laundered selling the fake staol and being dropped off somewhere.

“Take it, we’re bringing it back to station” Zax instructed as soldiers began loading the money on the train. Nearby gangsters eyed the bundled cash and one spoke up “you’re making a mistake! Do you know whose money that is?!” The soldiers ignored them, “you’ll be sorry, just like we were when we screwed with that money. Now we work for them, and you’ll be the same!” The sound of a rifle stock hitting them silenced their rant “shut up scum.”

After several hours Zax and his men cleaned the room out. “What’s next sir?” Zax looked over the train as his men boarded, a few injured but otherwise not a single lost soldier. He was proud, the raid definitely would mean accommodations and possible a raise. “Set that crap on fire” as he pointed to where the faux staol was at, “seal the compound and let everything inside burn.” A few soldiers moved to follow orders as one asked, “what about the survivors?” Zax turned and said, “there were no survivors”.

In a few minutes the fire started and the doors to the compound closed leaving the gangsters trapped inside screaming. Zax boarded the train and is began to pull away, the large pillar of smoke rose burning everything inside as Zax and his platoon returned back to base.

[Greywall]

It had been a week since the raid on the old Staol compound, Colonel Zax and his unit had been given extended leave and raises for a job well done. But something didn't set well with him, the FCA military was finding these compounds all over but weren't reporting the money seizures like his unit found. He felt it should be obvious, they were taking the money, but if his raid indicated anything that was a massive amount to sneak under the table and to do so regularly.

Zax filed his report, the money, everything and was given time off so quickly and told his paperwork would be done for him that it didn't occur how odd it all was. For all his years of service in the FCA military, he never once had paperwork bypassed off to someone else. He tried to ignore it, but it was eating at him, something else was going on here. But for now he couldn't do anything about it, he was now at home in his rural town near the Northern mountain range, he spared no expense to make sure he didn't live in one of the large cities. City life in the FCA was chaotic and rather wild compared to other cities in Ouhiri, the military police were there to stop violent crimes and out of control mobs. If there was one thing anyone could enjoy it was the lack of law and regulation in the country.

It was as if with the Republic of Koi becoming a tight and rigid totalitarian state, the FCA became the opposite following the schism during the Staol Wars. Prostitution, drugs, gambling, firearm trade, anything short of sentient trafficking and abusing children was nearly open. And the FCA took a bit off the top of it all. The city states made hulking masses of cash every year from foreigners entering the country to spend their money in what was essentially a lawless land compared to what surrounded the FCA. Next to keeping their independence the moths of the FCA cared mostly about money.

Then there was Koi like Zax, living quiet lives when they could and accepting the FCA for its flaws over living in the tyranny of Valgus and the Staol trade that in the words of many in the FCA would be called, "International slavery". The Staol had long ago been mined out of the FCA, the country was at most a major buyer of all things as the population became more and more centered around its special 'service industry'.

Zax planned to do nothing the first day back, making himself a small platter of fruit and some sugared orange flavored water. He stretched across his couch staring at his ceiling which was a spiral collection of colors painted for a more appeasing visual to Koi. His home was a small warm little house nestled into the rocky hills of Kitse Org, a small village in the North that spread over a mountain valley. Koi had lived here for centuries raising goats, sheep and looking for somewhere in the world to avoid the troubles that came. Foot traffic to the village was very little, sometimes a truck or two would come for the livestock but otherwise the locals kept to themselves. It had one general store at the base of the valley, a small wooden plank built building that sold everything from groceries to tools. Every now and then a truck would come out to the store and be emptied out into it once a month.

Zax grew bored and decided to walk to the store for a book to read, he began to realize how long this 'break' was going to be. He left his small home into the cool air outside and could hear the distinct sounds of goats bleating in the distance, he followed a small rock laid trail that winded itself down the mountain and into the open valley passing several small homes, "Hello Zax! you've come back from the Linna Koi?", Zax turned to see an older Koian sitting up on a small ridge within his front porch of a small house built into the mountain itself, "Yea Lorix, they gave me some time off." The old moth nodded, his overgrown antennae filled with fuzz waving like reeds in a pond, "Then you ought to consider retirement. I heard Ferrinder is thinking of selling his flock, good jewel to be made with goats these days. Those outlanders love meat I swear, that they don't care what its from." Zax smiled and nodded, but the last thing he wanted to do was retire, at least right now.
"Those Grinvel have been upping orders lately, wanting goat cheese and meat, good jewel good jewel. Just hope we can maintain flock." Zax saw the old man was now going in circles and began to walk away, "I gotta get to the store, see you later Lorix!" as Zax waved goodbye the old man waved back but showed a bit of sadness near the end, Zax felt sorry for him. His mate had passed away last year and old man Lorix was getting lonely, his son and daughter lived in the city and the unfortunate reality of living in the FCA was, if you didn't own a car traveling on foot was nearly impossible. The country was full of mountains, the few roads were dominated with aggressive drivers who bought cars in mass from Grinvel flooding the already struggling network of roads with traffic. The cities were worse off, stalled traffic congested them in a fog of orange smoke where the cars idled all day.

A few more minutes and Zax was entering the store, it was dark and the only light coming in was the natural light from outside, the village had no power and was low on the priority list for the neighboring city state that saw jurisdiction over it. In the FCA the individual city states ran large territories that included villages and towns, while a wealthy arrangement for the city and gave it political power it was rather shit for the rural country folk. Zax bought a couple of books, a jar of honey and sugar cane cigarettes. As he went back up the mountain, he noticed herds of goats spread across the valley moving in large herds with horse mounted herders and their dogs moving the large swath of animals across to the other side. He ascended the mountain seeing Lorix was now inside his home, he felt a guilty amount of relief that the old man wasn't present and continued onto his home. As he entered the small house and placed his things he saw a small motorcycle straddling itself up the path, large canvas bags strapped to both sides of it, a private mail delivery service. The motorcycle loudly prattled itself to Zax's home and dropped off a few letters and then puffed off down the path to the next house.

The first letter Zax saw as he retrieved it from his wooden mailbox was a bill for said mail service. 3.34 jewels due, he rolled his eyes, "So damn expensive." But it was pay this or go all the way into the city for mail. As he shifted through the letters one caught his eye, no name, no address, a blank envelope. He opened it and inside was a letter written in fine handwriting.

"To the soldier, the honest soldier.

You made a mistake, not your fault, but a mistake nonetheless, meet me at Galuda Plaza in three days in the city of Kõrge Konts. Come alone, do not trust your superiors.

Yours,
A friend."

It sent a chill down his spine, what could this even mean, then his thoughts went back to the raid. It was no random mistake. This was connected. He began to pack some items up and mentally prepare to travel to the city. It would take a day to get there so he decided to leave tomorrow morning. As he took some items into a back pack he bent down to his bed and reached underneath grabbing a small iron lock box. Inside was a Gelmr 9mm handgun, a spare he took from the armory at his base. He checked the magazine and saw the row of brass 9mm bullets all lined up before sliding it in the handgun and grabbing another magazine he had wrapped in a piece of cloth. He also grabbed a cardboard box of bullets, shaking it and hearing them rattle inside. "Just in case."

[Greywall]

A Koian city is something everyone in Ouhiri should see at least once, massive sprawls of water colored buildings spanning for miles that contrast the concrete jungles being erected elsewhere. But even in the FCA that was cranked up to a degree, wealth brought in from seedy activity flushed many major cities in the FCA with electricity and turned them into neon beacons of depravity and consumerism.

The streets would be filled with vendors trying to make a Jewel, everything from food, jewelry, pets and weapons would be bartered and shouted at passing people. For every large section of street, stood members of the FCA military police holding rifles and observing the crowds. It wasn't total lawlessness or anarchy, there was a system in place to make money and as much of it as possible. The FCA military kept the loosely ran nation together and reminded even the most wild traveler that they indeed were a stranger here. 

Zax passed through the mass of crowds in the streets, people ignoring him as they did to each other going to their own vices with their money in hand. To reach Galuda Plaza, Zax had to pass through a section of town he didn't care for, the glow of red and dancing women clearly implied what was being sold here. He ignored the tempting calls of the women flanking him as he walked down the alley as foreigners entered at a constant pace, many of them wealthy and rather unpleasant individuals that likely couldn't strike up with the women in their homelands. So they came here, money in hand for a night to have something they couldn't get back home. 

Zax rubbed his forehead, right between his antennae, the neon lights and thick smell of Staol pollution was clear here and rocking his head with pain. The mountains trapped all the industrial pollution to hang overhead, acid rain would damage anything below and force the people inside when it occurred. The FCA cities were overrun, there was no real way to expand further but the governments didn't want to face that fact. Suitable land was shrinking with major cities choking under their restrictions and starved for resources as the FCA banking institutions flooded money into the International market to buy what it lacked. A smart knew what it was, the writing on the wall, the FCA was not sustainable in its current form. A smarter man kept the himself. 

Zax reached Galuda Plaza, a tacky shopping center full of random little shops, kiosks, food carts and of course police. He looked around before seeing a figure slowly waving him over to a dark area, near an alley. "Oh you have to be kidding me." His lower arms grazed his hip where his handgun was, hidden behind his coat and his shifted his backpack in case he needed to grab it in a hurry. He walked over and saw a cherry red glow floating in the air, the individual was smoking a sugar cane cigarette and waved for Zax to go further into the alley. Zax felt uneasy, if he was going to be ambushed it would be foolish with a squad of soldiers nearby, he tried to calm himself down and entered the alley seeing the individual facing where he would enter and raising his hand to stop him. 

"That's close enough cop." Zax stopped noticing their voice was raspy, harsh for a Koian. An awkward silence stood until Zax spoke, "What is this about?", the individual flicked the cigarette away. "Colonel Zax Karu, 64th rifle company, 4th Army. Assigned to anti crime task force. Age 34, one of the youngest commanding officers in the FCA military. Clean record, long paper reports....means you do your job right." Zax was breathing rapidly, it felt like the floor was becoming undone beneath his feet, the person standing before him raised three hands open palm. "Calm down, my name is Kokku Tismoth. I'm a member of the Saar State bank, or I was. I'm a friend, please calm down."

Zax tried to control his breathing as Kokku continued. "I've been looking for someone like you, someone who could be trusted. Someone whose been consistent. You did a raid 4 days ago and turned in a large sum of Jewels. And they did what?" Zax was starting to lower his guard, "They gave me rest, for a week." Kokku shook his head, "Why?" Zax verbally confused answered in a manner Koi do when asking a question in old Koian. "They needed to get their golden goose away while they shifted their money, you did what you were supposed to, but you found something that should have remained. That money, isn't going to evidence." Zax was slightly alarmed, he didn't feel that Kokku was making anything up, he knew a lot about him so this was just... "Where did the money go?" Zax asked.

Kokku looked around, Zax could tell despite his composure, Kokku was showing signs of paranoia and that's when he saw it. He was missing an arm. "Let's make this quick, the banks, the military, everything is involved in the faux staol trade. It goes all the way to the top tiers of the FCA government and they've been doing this for several years." Kokku seized up and turned around in a panic, Zax didn't hear anything but now he knew, this man was a wreck. "They're fucking our nation over, there's a whole lot of them selling us out and consolidating cash from the illegal rackets, faux staol and cleaning it to send it to some benefactor. There's some fat cat named Oja Ivanova making moves to consolidate power from the other city states, in a few months he'll control the entire FCA via buying off all the other state debts with this money. There's billions Zax, billions of Jewels. Stolen, laundered, counterfeited, it doesn't matter this group is pushing to buy off as many people as possible and they don't care dammit." 
Zax was a bit overwhelmed, the level of corruption was there in the FCA, but this directly messed with an international currency and crossed several lines. "What does this have to do with me? What do you want?" Zax finally said, Kokku straightened himself as if that was what he was trying to get to, "I need someone who wants to clean this filth, someone honest, someone I can trust to get into the military records and help expose all of this." Zax's wings fluttered in anxiety, "You want me to commit treason!?" a harsh tone came from Kokku, "Stop being a child Zax! You're not going to be allowed to hide in those goat hills forever! Look around you! The nation is sick, its drowning in treason, dripping in red and broken bought out fools who go spend their tainted money on whores and drugs. Ivanova is a damn gangster, a monster who has killed to become Governor of Posden. That man will not stop to seize absolute power and once he does with the military as a tool we lose our chance to stop it." Zax had heard of Ivanova, a ruthless governor in the West that had suddenly found themselves full of wealth for their city state. But information was little, too little, controlled even.

"Zax, if we don't do something. The FCA will be worse than the Republic, Ivanova will make Valgus look like a liberalist. We have to do something Zax, our window is shrinking, in a few days he's buying the debt to Kõrge Konts, right here. Once he has enough governors in his palms he'll just finish off what he started. I need those records Zax, We gotta get them to a press while a free press still exists." Zax felt like he was being cornered, heat welled up from within as he felt utterly small at what he was being told. He was just a soldier, a Koi trying to make his way through life, and now this planet shattering news. "What do you need?" Zax asked in a quiet low tone, Kokku replied, "All the Faux Staol hits, they had money drops, all the raids recovered the cash but didn't report. Those officers got paid off and the majority of the money went West. When you go back into work, they'll offer you a 'bonus'. To keep quiet about the cash, and to amend your report. Just like the rest. You need to accept, doing otherwise...well you'll end up dead." 

Zax felt the grisly air swirl around him in the alley, refusal is exactly what he would do. "Accept the deal, then get into the archives and get me as many reports you can get me. All of them if you can, then we have to go through them and condense this information to give to the media. Don't wait too long. We're running out of time." 

[Greywall]

"So you understand our concerns", Zax had returned to active duty and no less than a few moments was now in the office of his commanding officer and a few other high ranking officials. "Zax, we need you to amend your report, you didn't find any money at the location." Zax felt harsh hot blood entering his chest, it was just as he was told in the alley, he knew if he made the honest choice...it would mean.

"Of course, i'll do whatever is needed." Zax said, barely keeping his tone in line as adrenaline pumped through him, he was an experienced soldier and could feel every eye on him in that room. "Good man, go change the report now, let's not dawdle on such small things." the commanding officer waived him out and as soon as Zax stepped out the door slammed behind him, gushing his now heated body with some cool air which gave little relief. 

Zax pretended to head to his station at the central military base, but he slowly floated over to a nearby hallway and began making his way toward records. Whatever Kokku was looking for would be down there, he went down a flight of stairs into the lower basement which was barely lit. An older Koian passed him pushing a bucket and mop, aside from the old one Zax should be the only one down here. He began pilfering through the files in various cabinets, shelves, books whatever he could find. His mind was racing, he still felt the got rush in his chest. He felt like he couldn't keep any air in his lungs and his mouth was drying out. He was having a small panic attack, everything he believed in was utterly betrayed in a moment, his superiors did exactly what Kokku predicted, they wanted the report gone. 

He kept looking and looking finally finding some raid details, but they were all scrubbed, "Dammit, these are the edited versions." he huffed. 

In his frustrations he shoved the files up harshly, but then remembered, "the red codex, that would have the originals." The Red codex was a filing system used by the FCA to prevent corruption and tampering of files sent in, exactly why Zax's superiors wanted him to alter the report and likely didn't send his in. If just one or two of those raid reports made it to the codex then it was all the evidence needed to show the FCA military was clearly moving the money. 

The codex was on the other side of the base, he would need to get pass alot of his fellow soldiers. As he returned to the main floor he noticed the commanding officers still in the office with the door closed, "Got some time left" he quickly made his way across the base saluting and nodding to any soldiers he passed to keep a casual look. The Codex was being guarded by a lone Koian rifleman, Zax approached and said "Take a break, i'm on point." the soldier looked at him lazily and handed him his rifle before walking off, "I'm getting me a drink, might be a while." the soldier said as Zax nodded hearing exactly what he wanted to hear. 

He entered the room, Red Codex, it was red alright. The entire room glowed in a red hue from electric bulbs overhead, Zax began going over the files and books and found four raids, four money deposits. Sgt. Yalun. 
Whoever Sgt. Yalun was they kept reporting the money and making sure these reports got to the Codex, then Zax found their last file. Sgt. Yalun, killed in action. Zax felt it was no coincidence. He piled the files into his satchel and anything else he could find before walking out. He left the rifle at the door and paced quickly to his desk to find his commanding officer standing over it.

"Zax...where have you been?" the officer chimed, although in a friendly tone it was clear the officer's eyes and facial expression were of suspicion and annoyance. "Sorry sir, was using the restroom." The officer just kept staring at Zax. "Oh really? Have you started your report yet?" Zax shook his head, "Get it done today. Do not leave this desk until then." The officer walked off their eyes trailing all over Zax, looking for something. 'Dammit, does he know?' Zax thought, he tried to slow his breathing but his lungs starved themselves in stress. Luckily the officer entered his office by the time a full on panic attack hit Zax. 

"You okay Zax?" a nearby co-worker asked, Zax nodded. He began work on the false report, his fingers trembling. He needed to survive the shift, get to his commissary and then somehow get these reports to Kokku. But he already knew, he was going to be watched, they didn't trust him. Every single thing Kokku told him was being validated in how the military was making sure he remained silent. Whatever the FCA was, it was now rotten and committing illegal acts. 

[Greywall]

Zax and Kokku had spent days, hell over a week going over everything recovered from the station. Millions of Jewels taken in faux staol sales to smaller nations who thought they found a killer deal for the valuable space rock, only to be buying painted coal. Then there's the counterfeiting, millions more jewels being printed and sent into accounts across the FCA and being washed into the market.

Someone was moving a ton of cash to fund something, but what? Kokku finally narrowed it down to this. "Oja Ivanova is sending a near billion jewels to this one account, G1RWY, whatever that is. That's where most of its going, the rest are going into these accounts, military firms, weapon manufacturers here in the FCA massive industrial plants. He's planning something big, bigger than what I thought." Zax looked up from his pile of papers, his neck stiff and head rocking from a headache, "Could he be moving to seize control of the FCA?" Kokku shook his head, slowly because his own neck was stiff. "He already controls the FCA, no, this is to prepare for something else." Zax replied, "Prepare for what?"

Kokku simply said, "War. The last war."

Zax took a long look at Kokku, "With who?". Kokku chuckled, "Always behind soldier, who is our enemy? The Republic of Koi. All of this is to war them." Zax thought that was impossible, the international Staol treaty practically gave Koi global protections from anyone attacking it. If the FCA launched their assault, even with all this build up and money, they would lose. Kokku was firm in their belief though, "I have what I need, i'll pass this onto my friends in the media. I need you to go see a friend of mine toward Bog town, a Captain Mok, he's leading some interesting people. We're going to need to make sure this message gets out and Mok has my contingency if it goes to shit, I want you with him." Zax saw Kokku putting several files into a bag and then loading his pistol and three spare magazines, "Why what's going to happen?" Kokku kept at getting his things together as he responded, "It's about to come to shit Zax, once this hits no one will be safe. Your home here won't be safe, they'll know you leaked this. They'll come for me, my media friends, everyone. We can't afford to not have a backup plan...or the truth dies with us."

Kokku stood up as Zax raised his hands up, "You should rest Kokku, take the night off." Kokku shook his head, "No. This needs to be done as soon as possible. You'll have a day to rest here for one more night Zax...then...get your ass to Bog town." With that Kokku left, Zax tried to sleep but struggled with the anxiety of what was to come. He would leave at 5am heading East to the location given, he would never see Kokku again.

[Greywall]

It had been weeks since Zax left his home and arrived in the cold wet hell that was Bog town, near the Koian border. Sharp rocks laid near the mountains as grey skies continually poured rain down. The only thing this damn town ever had was a small Staol mine, dried up over forty years ago and the people who remained were now poor and forgotten.

That and the growing number of Koi who fled here from either the Republic government South or people like Zax and Mok. Mok was an interesting Koian, a former member of the FCA military he led a platoon of rogue armed soldiers that trained near the town and remained hidden. Mok told Zax it was to wait for the right moment, whatever that meant. But Zax hadn't heard from Kokku in some time, surely, he had made it to his contacts by now.

His days were spent watching these various Koi live their lives in the town or watch Mok's platoon train, Mok was a hard leader in his own right but he truly and deeply believed the way of life that was currently being enjoyed was coming to an end. He told Zax that the life of freedom and lawlessness of the FCA was being taken over by wealthy oligarchs and would destroy any chance the Koi had of escaping the cruel fate of tyranny pressed upon them from the Staol Wars.

"Staol is a curse, we're slaves because of it." Mok would say.

To a degree Zax was starting to agree, everything in the last few months to a year showed how volatile the entire process had become. It seemed for now, all Zax could do was listen to Mok drone on his soldiers and on his pessimistic view on the fate of the Koian race.


----

WHAP!

"Wake up Kokku."

Kokku open his eyes, blood dripped from his left eye and mouth. He felt the throbbing warmth of the welps on his face before the dull harsh pain reminded him of what was happening, he dropped his intel only to be betrayed by the people he informed. "Well well, Kokku Valzguth, my favorite little rebel without a cause." Another harsh whack slapped Kokku in the face, followed by shallow laughter. "Tell me Kokku, did you really think this was going to work? Going against Ivanova? Did you think anyone would give a fuck?" Another whack sent blood flying across the room and Kokku coughing on the mix of blood and spit that went down his throat.

"Stupid little Kokku, fighting the fight no one wants to fight. Everyone outside this building is out there getting high, fucking some whore, drinking or playing games. They won't change that for some little twerp wanting to expose what coming." Kokku spat on the cold concrete floor, "And what's coming?" he said in a harsh voice fighting back the pain. "Heh, well you're gonna die. Suppose it doesn't matter, We're-" he was interrupted by someone in the back of the room where Kokku couldn't see, "Don't. He doesn't need to know. Just kill him." The Koian interrogator shrugged and walked over to a table grabbing a knife and proceeding to go to Kokku's neck, "You didn't stop me." Kokku said.

The Interrogator paused, the knife just over the young Koian's throat. "What?" said the voice from the dark corner, "A bluff" the interrogator said as he slid the knife across Kokku's throat releasing the blood in an uncontrollable flow. Kokku forced a laugh from the gargle and smiled, and then he faded as he heard through the last moments of consciousness. "What did he mean by this!?"


----

A few days ago


"Palentia is going to betray you Kokku, the entire network is compromised." The female Koian known as Velga had met with Kokku before he went to the drop off location, a precaution the Koian rebel took before meeting with Palentia and their group. He always felt he would be betrayed at some point especially when the FCA military began raiding them. It was too late, Ivanova had taken complete control of the FCA, but there was still a chance to somehow instill the populace against him. Kokku knew what he had to do, "I'm going to meet Palentia then." Velga flapped her wings in a sudden motion showing her displeasure at the thought of it all, "they'll kill you Kokku, they've been hunting you down this entire time and will not hesitate to kill you." Kokku nodded, he saw the worried look on what was likely his last friend in the network he helped build up all those years ago.

"Three years ago, they caught me, poured acid down my throat. If I didn't happen to have a shard of glass near me I would have died then, I killed three of them then. I decided to do everything I could to fight this fight, but I made a mistake, I trusted the wrong people and I got the right ones killed. They've bought out everyone Velga, and if I don't go down there and have this done to me they'll hunt what's left of us and kill the light that our people have left. Our people are drowning in debauch sin, their souls sold for pleasure and comfort while they prepare for the worst thing to happen to our world since the Staol Wars."

He handed Velga a small wooden box, "This is my final act, take this to Bog town and march up the tower. If this is how it ends, then light the fire that'll keep the light burning Velga. Don't let them smote it out." Velga's hands trembled as she took it, Kokku's drifted across her face wiping her tears away, "I won't forgive them for what they did to your mother. I won't, I can't." Velga began sobbing as Kokku hugged her, "Forgive me Tütar, but it has to be this way." He left after a few moments to face his final fate.

[Greywall]

Mog, Velga and Zax sat around an old wooden round table with the box given to Velga at its center. A single lit oil lantern illuminated the room ever so slightly but the feeling of dread between Velga and Mog held heavy. Zax was still catching up, he didn't know who Velga was, what she meant by the 'tower' or why Mog seemed so broken all of a sudden. The Koian warrior had completely lost his mood, his will it seemed. Kokku's death was still something they couldn't comprehend, and the fact was. Ivanova had swiftly made his moves, the FCA military was grabbing power across the entire nation. Massive recruitment drives pushed young Koians into their ranks, factories, rail lines everything. 

The sudden take over stunned citizens who just minded their own business. Casinos and brothels were quickly placed under Ivanova's control and the chief military heads of the FCA military replaced the city mayors and councils that made up the broken union nation. It was now entirely under one man, Ivanova, and the people were being deprived of any information of what was going on. 

"We have 2 days Mog, in 2 days Ivanova will shut down radio traffic and we lose our chance, his military forces are terrifying now. They have weapons I don't even recognized and machine like beasts that patrol the streets. Someone is bank rolling him, and he's bank rolling them back. Whoever this is, they want the FCA." Velga said, trying desperately to reach the old warrior. "Well they got it, we have no chance in hell of winning Velga. Our best chance to flee South like we talked." Mog was beaten, he had a small fighting force under him, but it was clear, whatever uprising Kokku had planned was over. "We can't do that, there's millions in the FCA, we could find those willing to stand with us still." Mog shook his head at the young Koian, "They won't risk their lives, they didn't when the nation became a sin bin of indulgence, they won't if it becomes a fascist state." Velga now furious slammed all four of her arms on the table, "Vozhoz damn you Mog! Are you not the man my father entrusted his will to? Are you not a warrior? You intend to flee South and try Valgus? Leave your home to rot as these barbarians take everything away?". Mog still sat there, staring at the box, Zax finally spoke up "What's inside it?". Velga placed her hand softly on it, the last act of her father, "The last message of the last free Koian. Our people, in the Republic...here...are now all slaves. When will the day come brothers? When we remove the shackles placed on us by the world? Are we to go and hide like our ancestors after the Staol Wars? Or shall we do what Koi do best...light a fire." 

Mog finally looked up, those eyes, finally had some light in them. "Once we storm the tower, they'll come, and we will die." Velga nodded, accepting that, "then let it be." Mog stood up, "I'll assemble the troops" he turned to Zax, "You don't have to come, there's a pack full of food and supplies waiting for you. Head South." Mog left before Zax could say anything, Velga cleared the air, "you have done so much for us Zax, but this isn't your fight, you got caught up in this. You can't go home, once we do this if the movement my father wants begins it'll be a never ending fight. Go South and be safe." Zax felt the rush of hot blood fill his face, anger and frustration. "I'm a soldier, I fought for the FCA, I believed in it, the free Koian state. Then this son of a bitch took it from me. I'm going to take it back." Velga just slowly nodded, she grabbed the box and placed it in her satchel. "We leave tonight, its a 14 hour march to the tower. We need to broadcast ASAP and keep it going." Zax and Vegla began getting ready when Zax asked, "What did Mog mean by they'll come?" Velga responded, "It's easier to take out the broadcast then take every radio out of the FCA. And the tower is a long range transmitter. But they'll know where we are, there's only three in the FCA. And this one is perched on a mountain." 


Several hours later, Mog had assembled his troops and the group left the small village of Bog town. Zax noticed several civilians packing up, tearing down their homes into carts and began going South to the Republic of Koi. There was no going back. 


They marched all night, the early morning and arrived midday. The cool air of the mountain range stinging them, Mog and his scouts observed the radio station, its massive iron tower reaching to the sky. "They have a few guards below, the big threat of course is down the slope" Mog pointed to a rail station at the slope. The moment they moved it would be near impossible to stop communication to the nearby FCA base. Especially if they began the broadcast. Mog's troops began loading their rifles, pistols and shotguns. "here take this" Mog handed Zax a Brezh rifle, a newer semi-automatic weapon the FCA were trying out. He slid the .45-70 rounds with ease and pressed the pump handle at the front chambering a round. "Lolka" Mog called out, a young female Koian stepped up holding a Kaja rifle, Mog pulled out two bundle of dynamite. "Take these, line them at the station. When they come, you shall draw first blood." The young Koian nodded and rushed down the slope with her two bundles of explosive death. "die well young warrior" Mog softly said, Zax now knowing, this was a suicide mission. 

The group descended down the mountain overlooking the station, two armed guards were placed outside as the station broadcasted the new FCA military recruitment message mixed with the usual range of music and advertising. Everything was happening fast in the FCA, Ivanova swiftly took over control of even this remote station. Mog motioned his troops and they rushed the front barking orders to the armed guards, "DROP YOUR WEAPONS NOW!".

The guards complied, placing their Kaja rifles down and being put on their knees as some of Mog's troops tied them up. "Move in now!" with military precision, the unit swiftly entered the facility and arrested the staff and any guards they found. Not a shot fired. "Velga, we got it." Mog reported, Vegla quickly entered the main control room and opened the box. Inside was a round black tube, a phonograph recorded message. She got to work when one of the station workers spoke up, "You're all gonna die. You have no idea what's happening." Velga turned and said, "We do and that's why this is happening now. Take them and lock up the rest in the basement." Some of Mog's men removed the staff and guards tying them up and leaving them in the basement. The entire unit began taking defensive positions around the station. Zax entered the control room as Velga finished. "Boost the power, over ride broadcast on all stations." Velga ordered and then, she hit play.

Kokku's voice began, "Hello, my name is Kokku Valzguth of the Orange Plains. I speak these words knowing full well that I am now dead, I have worked long and hard as a reporter, trying to inform you my brothers and sisters of the ongoings on our country. I did this for many years without issue. And then Ivanova came, in ten short years I saw the rise of his power, he corrupted tendrils buying off entire city governments and eventually our military. And if my predications are accurate, they're in the streets aren't they? Telling and ordering you about, shutting down what was the dream, the free Koian state....heh...the Koian state. I....don't think we ever had that, just because our masters were sin and indulgence over foreigners doesn't mean we were free. And now, more than ever before. That free dream is tested. We are now in the dark, more than ever. But dammit, if I could do it again, if I could take back time and not be such a coward then. I was worried, just like you were. I was scared of what would come to my family and dammit I left my child my love to live in this darkness. I did a worst crime! I stood by! While evil sank its disgusting venom into our home and now stripped us of all we had well dammit if I could do it again, i'd fight the fucking powers that be! I'd gladly embrace the burning light and i'd follow you all either to ruin or the world's ending! Don't let them take the light from us! Don't let them corner us anymore! We are Koi! The sons and daughters of the eternal light that burns and gives us hope! Rise up and seize the day! The day of free Koi must come! And it must come from us! Not our children! Not years later but Now! Don't let them take it away anymore! Don't let the world enslave us! Because Ivanova bows to masters in Galra! That's where the money he's stealing is going that's why Galra has such a massive army! He's condemning us all! Do not waiver! Burn it all down and light a fire for all to see! VABA KOI VABA KOI VABA KOI!"

----

As the broadcast reached across the entire FCA, the people listening began to feel something in them burning, the soldiers began ordering early curfew but across the FCA restless people began forming. In just mere minutes, chaos broke out across the entire FCA as soldiers tried to shut down radio broadcasts across the nation. As Ivanova began forcing President Reim to concede his presidency and massive outbreaks of discord rampantly spread through the main capital, Reim decided to refuse. President Reim was 'arrested' for treason as Ivanova declared himself Supreme leader of the FCA and ordered a full military lockdown of the country. The discord turned to full riots, soldiers fired into crowds massacring their own people, fires spread across the FCA as Ivanova tried to regain control with the two other long range broadcast stations. 

"People of the FCA, all is well, return home. The Criminal element will be put down. Return to your homes now!" It didn't work. Riots tore through the FCA as soldiers began flat out shooting at people in the streets.

----

The station continued broadcasting Kokku's message on repeat, "How long do we broadcast?" Zax asked, Velga responded, "As long as we can." Then a sound rang that send cold chills down everyone, the sound of a train whistle coming. "They're coming" Mog said. 

[Greywall]

Finale

Act 1

It started with a train, it ends with a train.



The train whistle was an ominous sound to the Koians preparing their rifles down the hill path toward the rail station, all of them taking cover around the radio station facility. Lolka had her eager and nervous hands on a charging handle that was wired to some dynamite near the rails of the station, derailing the train would buy some time and maybe take out some soldiers but it was all but the end for these Koi.



Velga remained in the control room with Zax, making sure the broadcast carried on, hearing her father over and over again was breaking her down. Her hands rattled as she clasped them together, and she did something she had never done before. She prayed.



Mog chambered a round into his old rifle as the thunderous explosion of Lolka's explosives violently lashed across the mountain valley followed by the horrid sounds of a train and all its cars and coaches crashing. "Do you think Lolka will make it back up?" asked one of the Koians, Mog shook his head, the dynamite wire was short. Anything other than a miracle of the train not striking her or the explosion taking her out meant her living through that, and Mog didn't believe in miracles. "We got a few minutes before they recover from that."



Zax stepped away from the control room building and saw the riding cloud from down below, and the all too familiar distant shouts of FCA military officers. "Zax!" he turned to see Mog thundering toward him with purpose, "Listen boy, listen good, we won't last long but you need to keep Velga safe. You do not let her die, you wanna mean something in this life?...you keep her alive boy. Honor our people today." Zax understood, he nodded raising his rifle, "I'm ready." Mog smiled patting the Koian, "Good...because they are coming." Zax returned to the control room building. After several minutes the first FCA soldiers began appearing, wildly rushing toward the building, and like lighting striking them down swiftly the ring of gunfire sent them to hell. "Conserve shots if you can! Send them to the void!" Mog shouted, within seconds dozens if not hundreds of FCA soldiers began rushing forward taking cover from nearby rocks. An intense firefight now broke out, Zax fired from the cover of the front door of the control building. Firing with ease in his semi automatic rifle, it felt like he was letting bullets loose as if a hot knife through butter compared to an older lever action.



"Fall back!" Mog called out, his forward troops were being cut down quickly. The FCA simply outnumbered, but Mog had trained these Koians hard, "Hold this line here! Do not waiver!" In the interior of the facility they had better cover and forced the FCA troopers to be bottle necked at the entrance. "Sustain fire! Don't let them through! Reload and fire!" Zax was beginning to understand, Mog was indeed an old Koian warrior, overtime enemy gunfire was simply shredding everything around them and taking several of Mog's Koi to the ground, but that old Moth just kept firing and calling out orders.



"Dammit! Fall back, fall ba-" Mog was struck in the back by a fair bullet but kept moving to the control building, only a few of his soldiers left. And they fell quickly, Mog stumbled into the dry dirt behind cover, his adrenaline was keeping the pain at bay but he could tell the wind was knocked out of him. He began reloading his rifle, Zax admired from a distance the old Koian, he refused to give up. "Sir they're bringing up something!" Mog grimaced as he pulled himself up to look, the FCA brought what looked like a black box with a pipe at the end of it. "What is that thing?" Mog shook his head, "keep firing" he felt it then, the harsh pain, the bullet now telling him it was there now. The warm pool of blood gathering around his chest.



Zax kept firing rounds rapidly taking out several of his former comrades, despite Mog's condition they were now holding up. But the revelation of what the FCA had brought soon came to light, it was a Galran M1919A3 Browning Machine Gun. It rained hellfire onto their position forcing Zax inside where Velga snapped from her prayer, "Zax!" she leapt to him trying to avoid the rounds of the machine gun puncturing into the wall of the building. "I'm fine! Check the equipment Velga!" Zax reloaded his rifle, Velga was stunned to see this outsider now committed in the darkest hour, she checked the radio equipment and saw it was still broadcasting. "We're good!" she shouted.



Outside Mog and his remaining Koians were being cut down, they stood no chance against this monster of technology. Mog watched in silent depression as his warriors, the people he trained were cut down swiftly. He knew this was it. "In this road, I stand alone, I stand alone before all to see. My light one last time." Zax popped around firing off rounds at the FCA troops, sending them back briefly. "Zax." Zax looked down and saw the carnage, the horror, everyone but Mog was dead and the old Koian had a solemn calm look on his face. "Get out of here boy. Fly." Mog stood up and rapidly fired his rifle empty walking out into the open killing several FCA soldiers, he then pulled revolvers out one in each of his hands. Sending FCA soldiers to the void, "Mog!" Zax cried out, he fired at the FCA but the old Koian kept walking toward them, killing them. Pulling out revolver after revolver from his bandolier before several enemy bullets began tearing him down, but even as he fell to his knees he kept taking FCA soldiers out. It was the machine gun that finally took out the warrior Koi, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Zax cried out in anguish. Mog fell dead as FCA soldiers rushed toward Zax and the control building firing all around him forcing him to close the door, he rushed to Velga "They're all gone" he said in a broken tone. Velga nodded, bullets tore into the building sending them to the floor as FCA soldiers began to break down the door. "Are you ready Zax?" Zax had three bullets left, loading them into his rifle. "Lets go then" Velga said.

Act 2

The quiet. The city was quiet but it still felt wrong to Ivanova. As if he was caught at the last minute, he stared over the capital of the FCA, his FCA all belonged to him now. But he felt as if it wasn't, if that made sense. Something was wrong, as if kind of demon prowled out for his soul in that very city before him, that he forgot something. The doors to the room he stood in opened, "Sir, the army detachment has reached the radio tower. They've engaged what looks like armed insurgents." The Koian servant spoke with coldness and formality, Ivanova turned nodding at him in response. Ivanova was an ambitious Koian, overweight for his species, his grey complexion popped against the dark clothing he chose to wear which was also uncharacteristic of his people.



The streets were littered with blood, bodies and destruction. All of them, it seemed that the FCA in a single day had been rocked by the broadcast made by Kokku and now martial law was the only thing keeping the nation from being torn apart. Torn away from Ivanova after all his hard work to take it over, the city mayors, regional governors all gone now. The President was now a prisoner, the military heads that refused to follow him were in hiding or killed on the spot. "What a disaster you caused Kokku, I bet you're just laughing your little ass off" he muttered to himself.



The servant once again entered the room, "Sir, urgent news. It's them, they want to talk to you." Ivanova took a deep breath, he knew what awaited him, the devil itself. The devil he struck the deal with, he walked down the hall and into the room they waited in. "Ah there he is, our fuzzy little insect friend." Two Galran men sat at the end of a long wooden table, one jeering smugly at Ivanova and the other making no expression at all. "Carlson, Gambit. I didn't think you'd be here." Ivanova said almost disappointingly. "Oh shucks now, don't be like that! We're all friends now aren't we? Amigos, comrades hell goddamn brothers in arms far as I can tell. Why we'll be announcing the FCA into the SU tomorrow. Can you imagine the look on Valgus' face when they hear about it? A change is coming a change is-" Gambit was cut off by the more serious man in Carlson, "Enough talk, where are the assets Ivanova?" silence filled the room. Ivanova nodded, "112 are ready to be shipped as we speak."



Carlson huffed, anger bubbling to the surface of his cold demeanor, "112? The deal was 200. What is this charlatan?" Carlson bellowed to his comrade as he pointed at Ivanova, the more laid back Galran waived off Carlson's concerns. "What my dubious but very on point friend is saying, hon you promised us 200 units. What. Happened." Those last words made Ivanova's heart race, Gambit was now using venom in his words, "My buggy little friend, its not your fault, an inferior disgusting race as your own can only do so much. But what am I hearing...this rebel broadcast? Riots in the streets? Voshoz above. You people are a show. Utterly pathetic. You know, our Autarch in all the lord's wisdom has determined the time table be moved forward and...you know what. Fine, 112 will be fine. Have the assets loaded on the plane as soon as possible." Ivanova just stood there, powerless, the two men stood up to leave. Carlson huffing still at Ivanova, Gambit stopped in front of the Koian "Have your armies ready for the crossing. We're about to help you stupid animals with what you could never do. Finish the Staol wars." Gambit finally left and as the two exited the room, Ivanova collapsed, his mouth dry and there wasn't enough air to draw in. He had been insulted, racially mocked and was beginning to understand the reality of the deal he made. But it was too late. The devil never accepts half done deals. He had to honor his end, or pay in another way. And Ivanova wasn't willing to pay that.





Act 3



The wood of the door buckled and splinted as the FCA soldiers bashed against it and finally shot it to pieces, storming in, "Find them! Kill them! Shut that damn thing off!" the soldiers took the stock of their rifles smashing the broadcasting booth to bits. "Found this sir!" one soldier turned in the tube that had Kokku's message on it, the FCA officers threw it to the ground smashing it to bits. "Where are the rest!? I saw a gunman in here!" the soldiers tore the building apart. They couldn't find Zax or Velga, "Sir!" a soldier shouted, the officer ran over and "Son of a bitch go out and find them!" there had been a door in the basement where they found the staff tied up and another exit within the basement itself built into the mountain likely built as an escape for fires or was built during the Staol wars for shelter.



Zax and Velga were now running along the mountain pass far from the radio tower, Velga had at the last minute pulled Zax into the basement and through the exit. They had a slim chance, but she was going to try and get them into a shelter Kokku had near the Grinvel border that was off the grid. She only had her revolver and Zax was on his last three rounds in his rifle. "STOP!" Zax turned and saw FCA soldiers rushing down toward them, "Go!" he shouted toward Velga as he lined up his rifle and fired killing one soldier sending their body into the steeps below.



Velga ran ahead as Zax tried to make his last shot count striking a FCA soldier in the leg and sending him falling to the deep below screaming.











Zax ran to catch up to Velga only to find her on her knees with several FCA soldiers pointing their guns at her and now him, "Drop it!" shouted one of the soldiers, "Put the rifle down and get on your knees!" Zax look at Velga whose eyes were full of fear, there was no way out of this. They took her gun, and more soldiers were coming, Zax placed the rifle down as three FCA soldiers violently grabbed him and forced him to his knees near Velga. Zax had his eyes darting around for options, anything only to be struck by a rifle stock, "Stop that!". Velga shuddered feeling this was it, the end, their death. "z...za...zax..." she quietly muttered before being hit herself. "Don't hit her!" Zax shouted only to be hit himself. "Enough of this bullshit, let's say they fired back, they killed Toi and Kepa." one of the soldiers chambered his rifle and the others didn't argue, he pressed the gun into Zax's head "go to hell rebel scum" the violent sound of the rifle echoed through the valley.





It wasn't the soldier's rifle, "Where in the fuck!?" several bullets ripped into the FCA soldiers killing them as they fired wildly, one of them grabbed Velga as a shield but was stuck in the head quickly. Zax looked around to see all the FCA soldiers dead, how? This wasn't possible he thought, he must of died and this is was his mind made up to cope with death. He heard the pattering of feet coming down a nearby rocky slope, "Lolka?!" Zax and Velga shouted, the young girl nodded and waived them to follow her. Shortly after several voices could be heard from the area of the tower. The three Koians raced down the mountain and Velga finally saw what Lolka was leading them toward, a pillar of orange smoke far over the horizon. "Run as fast as you can!", the three Koians bolted running as hard as they could as FCA soldiers emerged from the mountain range and began taking shots at them, Zax could tell they were just out of range. The train was closing in, a Republic of Koi Staol train, it was risky but they had no choice. "Run vertically at it, we can avoid them" Zax yelled, he knew what was on this train, highly trained Koian riflemen. 

They got within a few yards when bullets began striking from behind again, Lolka was the first to reach the train her youthful legs found a space between two Staol cars then Velga, th- "AGHHHH" Zax had been struck in his shoulder the pain sent him to the ground as his legs gave out. "ZAX!" Velga yelled, Zax forced himself "Dammit, make your legs move!" he yelled and more bullets continued to be fired at him. He was running out of train and he could tell the FCA soldiers were getting more and more accurate, he wasn't going to make it. 

He grabbed onto the climbing ladder onto a Staol car as bullets fired around him, one hitting him in the leg "AHHHH!" his grip loosened as the pain was striking him harshly. It seemed hopeless as more FCA bullets kept zeroing around him till fire was returned, "Lolka?" Zax grunted, a strong grip yoinked him onto the train and standing next to him was a Koian railway rifleman, he temporarily looked at Zax before returning fire. Zax noticed other armed railmen fire at the FCA sending them retreating as almost every shot hit. 

Once the train cleared the Koian looked at him and his wounds, "We're taking you to the caboose, grab those other two!" Zax, Velga and Lolka were taken to the end of the train to an orange caboose. Zax had his wounds treated as the head conductor entered the caboose to question what just happened. Velga explained what she could but the conductor just shook her head, "We'll sort this in the Republic. Get rest, Lieutenant get them some food and drinks". After what seemed like the longest day in their lives, Velga and her group finally found safety. Lolka passed out in one of the beds after she ate a meal of fruit and oatmeal, Zax winced in pain still as Velga kept him company in the setting sunset. "We'll be in the Republic in another hour, and I guess we go from there" Velga said, Zax was still processing everything staring out the window at the orange sky of the setting sun. Velga rested her head on Zax and began to sleep finally, Zax said to himself "Doesn't feel like we won". Not expecting a response Velga sleepily said, "we didn't". 

Epilogue 

The Galran aircraft took off from the FCA and began heading due West back to the Imperial State, Gambit and Carlson had what they were sent to retrieve. "They stink something horrid" complained Carlson. Gambit poured himself some sparkling cranberry juice laughing, "No one said our lord god or the prophet was sending us to get something...worth much. But this is the entire reason we even allowed these creatures in the SU" Gambit drank his glass waiving Carlson to follow him to the cargo bay of the plane. "Do we really need these...things?" Carlson said, Gambit opened the door as they entered the cargo bay "Why dear Carlson, don't you know? We still have a door to open for the new world, and these" Gambit turned on the interior lights to the dark room revealing several Koi "are the key". 

Galra would send these Koians who had been lobotomized and programmed to respond to a radio frequency to sabotage the Koian railway network and various infrastructure across the Republic of Koi. They would be the first invaders of the Republic.