The Meeting of the Council

[Moshel-Generał]

"We are looking at a potential for a severe shortage of raw materials," Commissar Khrush said tapping the table. "If our production falters for just a week the industry could grind to a halt. I am currently working with Commissaire Perón to ensure that we have a plan just in case something goes wrong." Perón would nod her head in agreement. "As it stands we have enough just enough to provide what we need for our citizens current standard of living."

Commissar Kiryu spoke up. "How do our supplies look for expansion of Red Army forces?"

"We are looking good there. Having seen your plans the Armored Cavalry I believe we have the resources to produce them."

"Keep an eye on it," Consul Atio said, shuffling the paper in front of him. "Supplies are tight right now and we cannot afford any hiccups. Next on the docket..."

[Moshel-Generał]

Satsu Kiryu was one of the foreigners who had joined the revolution and been swept up by it. She never intended to head the Union's military, but here she was. She casually looked at the papers spread in front of her. It was a full mess. The Red Army was restructuring and expanding. She tapped the table in front of her. There was a lot of stupid things she had to sort out.

"Commissar?"

She would look up at the aide who was speaking to her. "Yes?"

"The Army would like to know what is the plan going forward."

The Commissar sighed and looked out the window. It was snowing. It reminded her of the Revolution. Turning the serfs into a fighting force was difficult, though some of the Imperial Army defecting to aid the Revolution did help. She took a sip from her cup. "The plan is to continue as we are. Expansion of the Red Army will continue as planned." She'd place the cup down and look back at the aide. "We will show the globe that the Red Army is not to be trifled with."

The aide would nod and leave, leaving the Commissar to her work. The Commissar would be lost a little in her thoughts. Her goal was to make the Red Army the most feared military force on the planet. To protect the citizens she would create the most powerful military possible.

She would take a ship of her tea, smiling. They would learn to respect the Union, or else.

[Moshel-Generał]

The Troïka was meeting once again. While the CPC was the collective executive, the Troïka was the collective-collective executive. It mattered little what the Commissars wanted if the Troïka disagreed. The most important task facing them was preparing for the far future of the Union. While the Commissars ran the day to day goings on in the Union it was the Troïka who had to plan for the future.

“We are in a dangerous position,” Napoléon said with a frustrated sigh. He rubbed his temples as he tried to think. “As it stands, we have a large majority of support from the people. The initiatives rollout is going great and we’re connecting more and more of the nation. Hopefully by the end of the year we have news station in every town.” He’d then sigh. “But, people are still worried about the rest of the globe. Our polling shows that nearly half of our citizens expect the rest of the globe to attack us.”

Atia would sip her tea throughout Napoléon’s spiel, setting it down when he finished. “That has in part been a boon. We’ve been able to justify the massive expansion of the Red Army due to that fear. Though that’s not all that we’ve been doing.” She’d pause to take another drink. “As you are aware Aestem has been sent to Amali. If he can get us on friendly relations with them our position suddenly becomes more secure.”

Atio would grimace slightly. “I hate the idea of having diplomatic ties to those imperialists in the south though.” Napoléon would nod in agreement while Atia sighed. None of them felt good about the prospective allies throughout the globe. However it was generally agreed that those with more Republican institutions should be prioritized, though that list was scarily small, and one of those was recently in an active state of war against them.

“We all do, but we are currently threatened by Imperialists closer to home,” Atia said finally. “There are too many empires in this world.”

Napoléon would snort in agreement. “Well we’ve done our duty and ensured that there is one less.”

[Moshel-Generał]

It was around midday when the call came in for the Council to meet. It took only an hour for each member to hand off their current task and meet up in the capital building, each taking their seats and giving their attention to the member who had called the meeting, Angel. She stood at the head of the table with stack of papers that were quickly passed out. After they had each given the paper the glance over she began to speak. "We have an issue in Marizieu. If things follow the current trend we will overstretch our capacity of the region."

"It can't be that big of an issue," Commissar Kiryu said waving her hand dismissively. "We see rises of cases all the time. It ebbs and flows."

"Never this steadily," Angel responded. "This is a trend up. I have already told our doctors to report back throughout the rest of Nesivelt, however I think we need to prepare for harsher  measures."

Consul Bonaparte nodded in agreement. "With our healthcare system we really cannot afford for this to get out of hand. I recommend transferring doctors from Eonivelt and Acrevelt to Nesivelt. Also we should begin health screenings for all travel."

Eva would roll her eyes. "Just what we needed, more red tape. Not that you are wrong mind you. We need to look after the weakest among us after all. I'll have the order put out that the elderly, disabled, and sickly are to remain home whenever possible."

"Since we are taking this seriously I suppose I'll move the Red Army into the area," Kiryu said shaking her head. "If it comes down to it we'll be able to declare martial law in Nesivelt."

"Well I am glad we are all on the same page," Angel said clapping her hands together. "Now I know we all have to get back to work, so that is all."

The chairs scrapped the floor as all Council members left, each setting out to do their job. Thankfully due to the set up of the Union's government the orders would go out quick, and no one could say no. Doctors would pack their bags and begin their move and the news would begin suggesting that staying at home was a good idea for the weakest in society. While there were some resistance to the idea people in general followed the simple advice, especially when the Red Army presence in Nesivelt grew more noticeable.

[Moshel-Generał]

The meeting room was grim. Not a single person in the room was happy with the reason they were all sitting here today. There was an additional person standing at the head of the table, someone they had hoped they would never have to have at one of these meetings, Maréchal Tukha. The commander of the Red Army she had brought bitter news to the CPC.

"We cannot sit by and let this happen. Ever moment we delay, we are potentially open to attack!" She pointed to the pictures taken by the recon flights on the border. "We have a massive build up on the border. I need to be allowed to respond in kind. If we just sit back and let them do this, who knows what will happen!"

Atio and Atia looked at each other, crestfallen. As Atio began to speak, Napoléon raised a hand to cut him off. "Before anyone here makes rash decisions, we need to show a unified front. As it stands we aren't sure if we are about to go to war, but we need to prepare for the worst."

"Comrades, we need to move to Amber immediately," Satsu said, her face cold. "And we need to warn our citizens. We are not in a position where we can take time. The enemies are at the gates, we need to either scare them off or prepare to defend our homes."

Atia nodded and stood up. "As of this moment I am declaring DÉCARTE Level Amber. Vérité is to begin broadcasting warnings to all citizens. We need to prepare for the worst. I will have our diplomatic corps begin speaking with whoever they can. I hope it isn't us against the world. Maréchal Tukha, you are dismissed. Go ready your forces."

The Maréchal would salute and leave the room. The atmosphere was heavy and there was a few moments of silence before Atio spoke. "So my sister and I are in agreement, if Rombarda is to start a war with us, we will resign from our positions as Consuls."

Atia nodded, confirming his words. "I will be stepping down to take command of the Red Army, and my brother will be taking back his role as supply manger of the Red Army. We apologize for our failure to maintain peace."

"There is no need to apologize," Napoléon said shaking his head. "I would prefer if you two maintained your positions as Consuls, but I respect your decision to step down. This is not your failure, this is a failure of the world to understand."

[Moshel-Generał]

Napoléon would slam the table in front of him, pointing at the sheet of paper. "This is confirmation of our worst fears. We cannot let this stand." He was visibly angry. "They lied to our face." Lucina shared her adopted father's anger, though she was a little more calm about it, preferring to just play with her knife. Napoléon turned to the twins, who for the first time also had a look of anger on their faces. "I know what you promised last meeting, but with this, I think it is better if you stayed on board. We need to rally the nation more than ever."

The twins looked at each other and nodded. "We are in agreement," Atia said. "Due to the blatant disregard of peace, it is time to begin operations to defend the Union. Napoléon, will you please inform the public of what has happened during tonight's news broadcast?" Napoléon nodded in response. "Satsu, you are to mobilize the entire Red Army in preparation. Everyone else, prepare your respective sectors for a total war. The Union is threatened, and we cannot let them get away with this."

All members of the CPC nodded and began rushing to begin doing their respective tasks.

---

Maréchal Tukha quickly rushed out of her office, putting her hat on as she ran to the vehicle depot barking orders the entire way. As she jumped in the car heading to the front she saw Général Zhu and Lieutenant général Konsta jumping onto their vehicles as well. The cars speed off towards various locations. Maréchal Tukha's destination was the Rombardan front.

She arrived to see the soldiers donning equipment and readying for conflict. The artillery and AA were being prepared as the soldiers readied their equipment for what appeared to be the inevitable. Tukha headed into the command tent where Général Pétain was planning out positioning. He looked up and saw her enter the tent, and gave a quick salute. "Maréchal! I was not expecting you so quick. Situation is currently stable, I am about to order a general advance towards to border to shore up positions, as well as bring their fortifications within artillery range."

"Good good, and you remember the plan correct?"

"Yes Maréchal, we have radio stations set up to ensure clear communication between all three army groups, as well as the Mobile Reserve."

---

While the Maréchal went to the front, Général Zhu was in charge of the rear. Her task was to mobilize and command the soldiers who would be tasked with repulsing the expected naval invasions, as well as coordinating with the front. Her task was simpler as it was entirely reactionary. There would be no need for her to ever launch an offensive, however she was tasked with preventing one. She barked her orders sharply, and the soldiers responded quickly. Not a single member of the Red Army was to be unready for conflict.

---

Lieutenant général Konsta met with the Mobile Reserve, also known as the Armored Cavalry. The forces were the most important part of the front line defense. If there was a breakthrough it was on them to defeat it. And if an offensive was required they would be the ones punching through. It was time to be ready for conflict.

---

The response to Napoléon's address was strong, if divided. There were some who didn't believe it, who couldn't understand why someone would be threatening war so shortly after the last one. There were others who said that they had seen it coming, that there was no way the Imperialist powers would have left them alone. However no matter which camp, everyone agreed that if the situation was as the government said, support for the government was needed now more than ever. Donations of spare goods were made to Red Army centers, including such things as spare warm clothing. Many young citizens also signed up to join the Armed Forces if war was indeed declared, with many practicing their gun skills at local ranges.The address had had the intended affect, the populace was preparing for the worst.