The Alliance of DictatorsBoard

OOC

The referendum on amending the Basic Law has concluded.

8 votes were cast, with 7 in favour and 1 invalid. Therefore, the amendments meet the requirements to pass an amendment to the Basic Law. Thus, the Law to Amend the Basic Law of the Alliance of Dictators has passed.

Thank you, everybody, for your participation!

Vistulange
Vice Delegate and Registrar

IC:greetings all inferior lifeforms me are Dalek empire!!!

Hello I want to join a map and rp

East Cashinamasian wrote:

Hello I want to join a map and rp

OOC: Hello, welcome to the region! I suggest you message The Greater Antipodes (our cartographer) with where you would like to be on the map (try to be as specific as possible)

Also, it isn't required, but it's recommended that you join our Discord server for further communication with other members of the region

Somewhere on the globe, ScytheSlayer moves swiftly through the tall grasses of a savanna. A tall muscular figure, wearing only a sleeveless black duster, tactical black pants and black boots. He is equipped with an assortment of hidden and nonhidden knives and razorblades. Both for throwing and close encounters. He carries no firearm, as the edge of his blade and skill of his hand is more than enough for of his prey. What he wants, he takes. He questions nothing, as he does not know where he comes from.

Two soldiers near by search the area for an unidentified militant of classified origin. They both stop on the trail they're on to survey their surroundings. Out of the grass a some thing spinney and grey wishes by and sticks into a tree. The soldier turns to his comrade to find blood gushing out of his neck falling to the ground and dying in a matter of seconds with his eyes open in a pool of his own blood forming beneath his head in the dirt. The soldier returns his eyes from his dead comrade to the grass that the razor came from. Before he even could raise his rifle, he felt the ice cold grasp of hands around his jaw and neck from someone behind him. Completely paralyzed with fear, he is barely able to utter the question:

"W-Who are you"

The cold deep voice replies

"...My name is not important..."

The cold hands swiftly rotated his head from his neck 180 degrees with little effort. The body collapses to the ground like a wet spaghetti noodle. Dead.
ScytheSlayer moves from the scene back in the tall grass. Back into the darkness. Back into the unknown where he came. Leaving only a bloody razorblade in a tree and the bodies of those who were weaker than him.

OOC: Read this week's Newspaper to get an update on the issue of Social Liberal Union and to know why The TSP issues proscription against Black Hawks, along with many more interesting updates.

OOC: hi, i haven't forgotten about the map, it's still coming

The greater antipodes wrote:

OOC: hi, i haven't forgotten about the map, it's still coming

OOC:OK 👍🏻

Island Zero wrote:

OOC: Hello, welcome to the region! I suggest you message The Greater Antipodes (our cartographer) with where you would like to be on the map (try to be as specific as possible)

Also, it isn't required, but it's recommended that you join our Discord server for further communication with other members of the region

OOC: is this a good idea I claim on map in the middle of Rumarto?

Hello fellow Dictators

Artarumen Minister for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Matthew Herzog meets Artzharutan State President Galit Halevy in historic meeting

YERUSHALAYIM—It was a historic moment as Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, Matthew Herzog, met the new State President of Artzharut Galit Halevy in Yerushalayim. Being the first Artarumen official to visit Artzharut since the beginning of the Artarumen-Artzharutan War, which is officially still ongoing, Mr Herzog was greeted warmly by State President Halevy.

Artarum and Artzharut have been at war since 1995, when the Artzharutan government declared unilateral independence from the Artarumen Realm, while an armistice was signed under Halevy's predecessor Amnon Shelef in 1997. An official peace treaty was never signed, and the state of war continues to exist between the two countries. The Artarumen Empire has since recognised Artzharut's independence, in 2018.

State President Galit Halevy was sworn in on the 2nd of January 2021 after her predecessor, Amnon Shelef, was shot dead by an assassin the previous day. The delegation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office met the Artzharutan government, headed by Halevy and Prime Minister Yitzhak Ben-Itamar, and stated that "normalisation of relations between our two countries, as well as the signing of an official peace treaty to facilitate this normalisation, is a necessity". Mr Herzog formally recognised Artzharut as the "home of the Hebrew nation", and stated that "plans were being made to permit the Jewish population in Artarum to make aliyah [Jewish immigration to Artzharut] as they deem fit".

An Artarumen embassy in Yerushalayim is to be opened, jointly with an Artzharutan embassy in Liudan. State President Halevy stated that "this move to normalise our relations with Artarum is one step in our programme of normalisation, of stabilisation, and of entering the international community as an equal partner as opposed to a hermit state". Furthermore, Halevy stated that "the Makal party would, in the near future, experiment with the notion of liberalising the economy, albeit in small increments, as well as giving up the Makal party monopoly on political power". Mr Herzog has echoed the statements of the State President, stating that "normalisation with Artzharut is of high importance for Artarum".

Critics of State President Galit Halevy stated under the condition of anonymity that she was betraying the ideals of the 1997 Revolution by making peace with Artarum, and that the Makal party needed to be at the forefront of politics in Artzharut to keep it free of foreign influences. However, the standards of living in Artzharut have fallen drastically since the war in neighbouring Beyt since 2018, and today, much of the Artzharutan economy is in tatters and is in need of financial and economic assistance. While Halevy has not commented on joining the international frameworks of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Development, it is presumed by experts that they will need to do so in order to obtain the funds needed to restore the economy. However, these experts also claim that these institutions may request the liberalisation of the Artzharutan economy or its political sphere, or both, which may make the Artzharutan government very hestitant to approach these institutions for assistance.

Vespergale wrote:

The Vespergalian Fourth Army began gathering near the Westbeechian capital of Romania, setting up camps and requisitioning buildings to use as headquarters and to provide troops general living accommodations in locations where constructing a camp wasn't possible. Among them, the '9th Reconnaissance Group', a small battalion-sized unit. Instructed to secure a town and surrounding area northwest of Romania. Though still behind the front lines they were to keep a close eye north for any enemy breakthroughs, and were expected to advance further up when the Fourth Army had enough supplies stocked up to support frontline movements.

Vespergalian Royal Army troops rolled up into the northeast town, men turned out of MRAPS and trucks with MANPADS, followed by light anti-aircraft vehicles with built in radar. There to ensure the incoming convoy could disperse an aerial attack from the northern foe; as dubious as such an attack was. They were followed by Muldo IFVs and troops transports, forming a twisting line of dozens of vehicles.

As the Vespergalians entered the town, civilians lined the street in interest. This was the first time foreign powers had deployed in Westbeech and many of the citizens were not happy about the situation. A command vehicle awaited the Vespergalians at the town's center. The officer present was Erwie Romen, who looked happy to see their allies. However, in her head she thought that it was disappointing what they could bring, thinking that it would be better if they were equipped like Westbeechians.

Romen looked at the many roads approaching the town center and nodded at the sight of the Westbeechian armor present at the roads. The purpose of the armor was to simply greet the Vespergalians, but Romen decided she'd use the unit to stop and inspect the Vespergalian troops. As the Vespergalians drew closer, she climbed on top of the vehicle and stood at attention. As Romen got to attention, she then signaled for the armored units to also wait at attention. She put her right arm into a salute as she planted her left arm onto her hip, then waited for the approach of the Vespergalian commanding officer.

Hello!

Faronian Government wrote:

Hello!

OOC: hello there

OOC: Faronian GovernmentEast CashinamasianNew Dalek empireUdwJiquan lingdao

Greetings!

Our sole form of OOC communication transpires on the Discord. We like to keep OOC messages to a minimum here on the RMB. If you want a map spot in a much more timely manner, and if you want more streamlined conversation, joining it will save you all valuable time.

https://discord.com/invite/wXy3bEz

Hello everyone, this is me lee kuan jia the dictator of jl

"Greetings, hallucinations."

The Second Minister begun his adress to the flock of weary shades gathered beneath him. Though every day felt the same for the starving workers, this one was definitely special. It was never expected for the Eyeless One to reveal the existence of the Skies to outside forces. Nobody could decide what drove their great leader to such action, but none dared to question it. Some fools hoped that they would hear answers soon enough. They never would.

"On this eternal morning we gather for an opportunity unmatched. The Skies Blackened by the Eyes have officially opened their hands to grasp the world so much larger than our shores hold. Those who lie outside of our borders have made contact with us. And despite having unusual approaches to their problems, we have found less differences between our peoples than we initially suspected.

We were invited into a larger familiy of like minded souls. Their family goes by the simple yet honest label of The Alliance of Dictators. Many united under one - the first principle of survival and the last principle of governance. The Eyeless One has made certain that those we encountered are aware of our... unique predispositions. How fortunate for them that they accepted our decrees of isolation without discussion. From now on the City of Unspoken Spokes shall serve as the embassy for all those who may desire to further our common goals. Do not worry about the possibility of intrusion - my office has ensured that nothing from the outside shall enter our territory.

May the Eyes Above remember this morning forever. May They be wary of our new era of cooperation. May one morning come when They shall tremble before the union of unions we will form.

May The End embrace us all."

The "Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union" Celebrates 4th Anniversary, goes global

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union was founded on Thursday, January 14th of 2017 in the peak of Alta's civil war. It served not only as a bridge organization for small pre-Cary christian militias but also a civil outreach program. The JPTU was initially credited for waging a somewhat successful war against the rampant alcoholism taking hold of the distraught, oppressed, and war-exhausted Altan populace. Originally, it held a degree of non-denominationalism but after the Caryist Resistance Movement was founded, the JPTU's membership became utterly drowned in the Gospel Church of Caryton.

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union had almost transitioned entirely into the GCC's control by independence day. They had played a vital role in raising public morale in support of the Prohibition Act's implementation. The JPTU took a dejected populace addicted to numerous substances or morally indecent principles and changed them into an enthusiastic and moralistic driving force for temperance. Now, the current membership in Caryton alone has surged to 307,555 activists and thousands more subscribers or donators.

After four years-- three of which under the new regime-- the JPTU has completed a majority of its activities with the Prohibition Act's policies strictly upheld. Despite their fundamentalist roots, they were running out of objectives to complete in Caryton aside from food banks, moral decency campaigns, and sponsored counseling sessions for couples bound together by marriage.

To celebrate, a fair would be held in Georgine. The dress-and-suit population of Georgine stopped with bonnets in their hair and ties around their necks. The children would get to participate in Bible-themed carnival games. The smell of fresh-baked tangerine pie filled the open and crisp winter air, a thin layer of snow on the ground. It had been unusually docile for a January in Georgine. Collections of JPTU members solemnly sang stirring hymns in the background as visitors went from informational tent to informational tent. There would even be a small spaced reservations for foreign diplomats if they so wanted to attend.

To commemorate the anniversary, the JPTU members gathered at the center of the park that the event was being held in to make the pledge. An electronic organ began powerfully booming a militant yet emotionally stirring introduction. Three flags were being slowly raised side-by-side: the flag of Caryton, the flag of the JPTU, and the universal Christian Flag.

As missionaries of our Lord Jesus Christ, we make this uplifting strain:
To lift and enlighten, to promise and obey,
the words of Heavenly Father, our King.

To guide the sanctity of spirit and community,
To remove the wordly substances from His domain.
To abstain from straying substances in His name.
To hoist the flag of modesty and marriage forever.

To keep covenants with the king of all Creation,
Undivided in adoration and praise, for now and evermore. Amen.

After the pledge, several talks were made about the history of its group and its future. The JPTU considered opening up branches in Artarum, Westbeech, Zhongwangguo, Island Zero, and Artzharut to advance its cause throughout the world.

Spiritual Republic of Caryton wrote:

After the pledge, several talks were made about the history of its group and its future. The JPTU considered opening up branches in Artarum, Westbeech, Zhongwangguo, Island Zero, and Artzharut to advance its cause throughout the world.

From the desk of Lilie Korban:

It is with sincerest disappointment that I must decline the opening of a Westbeechian branch. It is my duty to maintain the Westbeechian way of life for the people of my country. During this time of turmoil where Westbeechian shoots Westbeechian, any change in morality or society might upset the country even greater.

Westbeech needs time to heal, but even then I cannot allow a change in the beliefs that Westbeechians have. Almost none pay attention to religion and those who do will dedicate time to it in their privacy. While I wish to pursue positive and happy relations with the Republic of Caryton, I cannot do so while risking the conversion of the Westbeechian people.

I hope your organization finds other areas to see greater growth elsewhere.

Spiritual Republic of Caryton wrote:

The "Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union" Celebrates 4th Anniversary, goes global

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union was founded on Thursday, January 14th of 2017 in the peak of Alta's civil war. It served not only as a bridge organization for small pre-Cary christian militias but also a civil outreach program. The JPTU was initially credited for waging a somewhat successful war against the rampant alcoholism taking hold of the distraught, oppressed, and war-exhausted Altan populace. Originally, it held a degree of non-denominationalism but after the Caryist Resistance Movement was founded, the JPTU's membership became utterly drowned in the Gospel Church of Caryton.

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union had almost transitioned entirely into the GCC's control by independence day. They had played a vital role in raising public morale in support of the Prohibition Act's implementation. The JPTU took a dejected populace addicted to numerous substances or morally indecent principles and changed them into an enthusiastic and moralistic driving force for temperance. Now, the current membership in Caryton alone has surged to 307,555 activists and thousands more subscribers or donators.

After four years-- three of which under the new regime-- the JPTU has completed a majority of its activities with the Prohibition Act's policies strictly upheld. Despite their fundamentalist roots, they were running out of objectives to complete in Caryton aside from food banks, moral decency campaigns, and sponsored counseling sessions for couples bound together by marriage.

To celebrate, a fair would be held in Georgine. The dress-and-suit population of Georgine stopped with bonnets in their hair and ties around their necks. The children would get to participate in Bible-themed carnival games. The smell of fresh-baked tangerine pie filled the open and crisp winter air, a thin layer of snow on the ground. It had been unusually docile for a January in Georgine. Collections of JPTU members solemnly sang stirring hymns in the background as visitors went from informational tent to informational tent. There would even be a small spaced reservations for foreign diplomats if they so wanted to attend.

To commemorate the anniversary, the JPTU members gathered at the center of the park that the event was being held in to make the pledge. An electronic organ began powerfully booming a militant yet emotionally stirring introduction. Three flags were being slowly raised side-by-side: the flag of Caryton, the flag of the JPTU, and the universal Christian Flag.

As missionaries of our Lord Jesus Christ, we make this uplifting strain:
To lift and enlighten, to promise and obey,
the words of Heavenly Father, our King.

To guide the sanctity of spirit and community,
To remove the wordly substances from His domain.
To abstain from straying substances in His name.
To hoist the flag of modesty and marriage forever.

To keep covenants with the king of all Creation,
Undivided in adoration and praise, for now and evermore. Amen.

After the pledge, several talks were made about the history of its group and its future. The JPTU considered opening up branches in Artarum, Westbeech, Zhongwangguo, Island Zero, and Artzharut to advance its cause throughout the world.

The Middle Kingdom is comprised of a society that is tolerant of all faiths and belief systems, so long as they operate within the confines of law and embrace their core responsibilities to society. With that in mind, the Imperial Government is confident that the Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union’s activities will be consistent with the above mentioned requirements, and is consequently looking forward to the organisation’s expansion into the Middle Kingdom.

Spiritual Republic of Caryton wrote:

The "Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union" Celebrates 4th Anniversary, goes global

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union was founded on Thursday, January 14th of 2017 in the peak of Alta's civil war. It served not only as a bridge organization for small pre-Cary christian militias but also a civil outreach program. The JPTU was initially credited for waging a somewhat successful war against the rampant alcoholism taking hold of the distraught, oppressed, and war-exhausted Altan populace. Originally, it held a degree of non-denominationalism but after the Caryist Resistance Movement was founded, the JPTU's membership became utterly drowned in the Gospel Church of Caryton.

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union had almost transitioned entirely into the GCC's control by independence day. They had played a vital role in raising public morale in support of the Prohibition Act's implementation. The JPTU took a dejected populace addicted to numerous substances or morally indecent principles and changed them into an enthusiastic and moralistic driving force for temperance. Now, the current membership in Caryton alone has surged to 307,555 activists and thousands more subscribers or donators.

After four years-- three of which under the new regime-- the JPTU has completed a majority of its activities with the Prohibition Act's policies strictly upheld. Despite their fundamentalist roots, they were running out of objectives to complete in Caryton aside from food banks, moral decency campaigns, and sponsored counseling sessions for couples bound together by marriage.

To celebrate, a fair would be held in Georgine. The dress-and-suit population of Georgine stopped with bonnets in their hair and ties around their necks. The children would get to participate in Bible-themed carnival games. The smell of fresh-baked tangerine pie filled the open and crisp winter air, a thin layer of snow on the ground. It had been unusually docile for a January in Georgine. Collections of JPTU members solemnly sang stirring hymns in the background as visitors went from informational tent to informational tent. There would even be a small spaced reservations for foreign diplomats if they so wanted to attend.

To commemorate the anniversary, the JPTU members gathered at the center of the park that the event was being held in to make the pledge. An electronic organ began powerfully booming a militant yet emotionally stirring introduction. Three flags were being slowly raised side-by-side: the flag of Caryton, the flag of the JPTU, and the universal Christian Flag.

As missionaries of our Lord Jesus Christ, we make this uplifting strain:
To lift and enlighten, to promise and obey,
the words of Heavenly Father, our King.

To guide the sanctity of spirit and community,
To remove the wordly substances from His domain.
To abstain from straying substances in His name.
To hoist the flag of modesty and marriage forever.

To keep covenants with the king of all Creation,
Undivided in adoration and praise, for now and evermore. Amen.

After the pledge, several talks were made about the history of its group and its future. The JPTU considered opening up branches in Artarum, Westbeech, Zhongwangguo, Island Zero, and Artzharut to advance its cause throughout the world.

The Artarumen Empire, having reviewed this organisation referred to as the Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union, has come to the conclusion that it is an organisation based upon the promulgation and prolselytisation of heretical beliefs which are not in alignment with the Imperial Church of Artarum's teachings. In order to preserve the righteous connection between the Artarumen Empire, her subjects, and God, and to prevent heretical beliefs from tainting this pure and sacred connection, the Ministry for the Church of Artarum and Ecclesiastical Affairs hereby prohibits the establishment of branches from this heretical organisation. This decision may be modified or rescinded if the Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union agrees to strict oversight by the Imperial Church of Artarum for its activities within the Artarumen Empire.

Kind regards,

Pik Krueger
Minister of State for the Church of Artarum and Ecclesiastical Affairs

Spiritual Republic of Caryton wrote:

The "Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union" Celebrates 4th Anniversary, goes global

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union was founded on Thursday, January 14th of 2017 in the peak of Alta's civil war. It served not only as a bridge organization for small pre-Cary christian militias but also a civil outreach program. The JPTU was initially credited for waging a somewhat successful war against the rampant alcoholism taking hold of the distraught, oppressed, and war-exhausted Altan populace. Originally, it held a degree of non-denominationalism but after the Caryist Resistance Movement was founded, the JPTU's membership became utterly drowned in the Gospel Church of Caryton.

The Joyful Prophecy Temperance Union had almost transitioned entirely into the GCC's control by independence day. They had played a vital role in raising public morale in support of the Prohibition Act's implementation. The JPTU took a dejected populace addicted to numerous substances or morally indecent principles and changed them into an enthusiastic and moralistic driving force for temperance. Now, the current membership in Caryton alone has surged to 307,555 activists and thousands more subscribers or donators.

After four years-- three of which under the new regime-- the JPTU has completed a majority of its activities with the Prohibition Act's policies strictly upheld. Despite their fundamentalist roots, they were running out of objectives to complete in Caryton aside from food banks, moral decency campaigns, and sponsored counseling sessions for couples bound together by marriage.

To celebrate, a fair would be held in Georgine. The dress-and-suit population of Georgine stopped with bonnets in their hair and ties around their necks. The children would get to participate in Bible-themed carnival games. The smell of fresh-baked tangerine pie filled the open and crisp winter air, a thin layer of snow on the ground. It had been unusually docile for a January in Georgine. Collections of JPTU members solemnly sang stirring hymns in the background as visitors went from informational tent to informational tent. There would even be a small spaced reservations for foreign diplomats if they so wanted to attend.

To commemorate the anniversary, the JPTU members gathered at the center of the park that the event was being held in to make the pledge. An electronic organ began powerfully booming a militant yet emotionally stirring introduction. Three flags were being slowly raised side-by-side: the flag of Caryton, the flag of the JPTU, and the universal Christian Flag.

As missionaries of our Lord Jesus Christ, we make this uplifting strain:
To lift and enlighten, to promise and obey,
the words of Heavenly Father, our King.

To guide the sanctity of spirit and community,
To remove the wordly substances from His domain.
To abstain from straying substances in His name.
To hoist the flag of modesty and marriage forever.

To keep covenants with the king of all Creation,
Undivided in adoration and praise, for now and evermore. Amen.

After the pledge, several talks were made about the history of its group and its future. The JPTU considered opening up branches in Artarum, Westbeech, Zhongwangguo, Island Zero, and Artzharut to advance its cause throughout the world.

The State of Artzharut is the Eternal Home of the Hebrew Nation, united under HaShem. Therefore, the JPTU cannot be permitted to become active in Artzharut while maintaining the holy nature of the Eternal Home. The JPTU is advised to not subvert this restriction, as violators of state restrictions will be punished to the full extent of the law should they be discovered.

Prime Minister Lambert Faulkner announces education reform

Mandatory schooling to be extended to thirteen years • Imperial Higher Education Council to be dissolved by the end of 2021 • Education opportunities for foreigners to be expanded

LIUDAN—Prime Minister Lambert Faulkner has announced the government's plan to reform the Artarumen education system, which had been promised in the 2020 election campaign conducted by his National Party. According to the plan announced by the government, mandatory schooling between the ages of five to 18 will be instituted, eliminating the choice for families to send their children to religious schools following secondary school. Religious groups have protested this announcement, stating that it will damage the religious integrity of Artarumen society. However, the Prime Minister's Office dismissed these concerns as unfounded, and reiterated that "this reform is necessary to maintain a well-educated, flexible, functional, employable, and modern workforce through the 2020's and beyond".

In addition to the pre-tertiary reforms, the Imperial Higher Education Council is slated to be dissolved by the end of 2021, though no definitive date has been given. Benjamin Lissak, the Chairman of the Imperial Higher Education Council, stated that the council is a relic of the old Conservative Party-dominated political order, instituted in order to keep a close government eye on universities and to prevent the proliferation of left-wing politics on campuses. Mr Lissak stated his belief that "this apparatus of government control over universities, which are meant to be havens of free speech, association, and research, needs to vanish into history". The proposed plan would give universities complete autonomy, allowing them to elect their own rectors and provosts according to regulations set by university senates.

Furthermore, the education immigration plan, formalised as the "Global Education Outreach Initiative (GEOI)", will be institutionalised under the Ministry of Education. Susan Mordaunt, the Minister of State for Education, explained that the GEOI would encompass all countries recognised by the Artarumen Empire without differentation while maintaining certain privileges for countries associated more closely with Artarum. More specifically, the countries of Zhongwangguo, Umbraen, and Spiritual Republic of Caryton are designated to get preferential treatment, categorised as Tier 1 Countries, with admissions quotas for prospective pupils from these countries being slightly larger than others. Citizens of the member states of the Artarumen Commonwealth will also be given preferential treatment, albeit with separate quotas from Tier 1 Countries. The GEOI is exclusive to tertiary education, but Ms Mordaunt states that additonal programmes, or the expansion of the current one, can be discussed to include secondary education.

Twilight Sparkle wrote:

The sound of the bells made Pearlescent remember the Book of the Diarchs she had been given earlier at the shrine. The book's weight in her left saddle bag felt both oppressive and oddly comforting at the same time.

It also gave her an idea.

"Maybe I could work at the Diarchal Church or better yet, at one of the smaller shrines?" she said. "I think those are among the last places Father or his cronies would think to search even if they managed to get into the city. While working there I could also continue to study your writings and maybe even hone my magic skills."

"I would prefer to stay as close to Miss Mystic Wind as possible," Shield said, "but I think I would fit in well among guards or soldiers. I've never really worked as part of a larger team but I know how to fight and I'm also used to taking orders. Do your shrines have dedicated guard forces?"

*

In the darkness under the city, the minor disturbance was getting closer. Large dirty claws dug tirelessly into the dirt or wielded crude digging tools with practiced precision. The smells of the thousands of Ponies living above were getting stronger. Suddenly the disturbance stopped its advance and began to wait. Soon it would be dark and the time to dig the final few feet before the surface...

Major Black looked at Pearlescent questioningly. “I’m not sure that is the best route to take. The Ministorum takes itself incredibly seriously and wouldn’t stand for any imitation even in the name of protecting someone from cultists. If you went to hide with them, they’d have you memorize the entirety of the Celestial and Lunar Scripture.” He pulled the thick tome from her saddlebag and held it up to her face. “This ‘abridged’ version is already ten pounds and has three million words. You would have to at least learn this book well enough to recite passages in your sleep. Do you think you could do that?”

Twilight Sparkle wrote:

"Believe me," Rainbow said after catching up with Alula, "I understand well why military and discipline are so important to you. The Imperium has been under attack many times since the Demon Invasion and we have become quite paranoid ourselves because of that. This world may not be like the war torn interstellar empire you come from but it is still full of dangers and we always have to be prepared for the worst. However, Her Immortal Ladyship has stated that is just as important to recognize potential allies, even among our former enemies."

The garden caught the General's attention.

"I see you can grow at least some of your food up here," she remarked. "That is actually quite impressive. Is New Elysium fully self-sufficient? The presence of so many Earth Ponies would certainly help in achieving that."

"There are a lot of foals in here," one of Rainbow's soldiers said. "Maybe it's just me, but it feels like half the Ponies we've seen so far have been foals. Are there really so many or are the adults occupied elsewhere?"

Alula’s eyes stared into Rainbow, hiding contempt that this alternate of an arch traitor would compare the five millennia of ceaseless war the Diarchy had survived to the two decades of intermittent combat this Imperium had experienced. She bit back what she wanted to tell the Equestrians about war and focused on the garden as well. “It’s not really a sustenance garden though the plants are edible in case of dire circumstances. More of a luxury, one of the few we Elysians allow ourselves aside from ambrosia. Most of our food is grown elsewhere and transferred here though we do have large stores of combat rations.”

She lead the Equestrians along a different canal, heading towards a grand structure made of clouds and steel that loomed ahead by nearly two leagues. “The adults of New Elysium are working, either guarding the city wall, teaching the next generation in the Schola Millitarum or otherwise… occupied.” Alula knew better than to tell foreign officials that the bulk of her regiment was in low orbit patrols over Equestrian and Diarchal territory as quick reaction forces, the resulting paranoia would dramatically hamper future cooperation. “Shall we visit the schola? Perhaps you could speak to some the instructors?” Alula suggested.