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LodgedFromMessages
The Raveners of Gravelton

Beaufort Prefecture, District Eight, United Prefectural Directorate

The days of the UPD expanding freely in a vacuum are coming to an end, with nascent nation states who could ably contest the Commissariat in combat rendering the old avenues of expansion too cost-ineffective for the Presidium to consider without a great deal of thought. In this new period, the Emissariat's duties have come into their own and the once-secondary Emissaries have made themselves true equals to the Commissariat in terms of their influence on government policy. It is the will of the Director and the Presidium that ties be made with these new polities, hands opened in friendship rather than be clenched in enmity, and already the boons of which have been made clear, in more ways than one. To the west, lay the New Confederacy, who despite their barbaric practice of slavery and contempt for the wastelanders, have proven to be agreeable enough to bargain with. To the north, the rising Virginian Trade Union took the first step in making contact with the Directorate, an admirable move that did much to inform the Emissariat of what to expect from them. Yet, to the south a unknown power resides, content to watch the Directorate while it is busy elsewhere. This state of affairs, as emphatically stated by the Executive of the Emissariat, must end. To that end and with the aid of the Informational Bureau, a looping radio transmission was sent across the border to the unknowns, in the hope that they possess the technology to receive and reciprocate the sentiments.

"Greetings from the United Prefectural Directorate, which extends a hand in fellowship and brotherhood. If amenable, please respond in kind. If not, kindly withdraw all thoughts of hostility lest they be met in kind to our mutual detriment."

The Raveners of Gravelton

Expansion 41/Operation Baptism

While contact is still yet to be established with the southern power, it is the view of the United Prefectural Directorate's Director and Presidium, specifically the Strategic Command, that steps should be taken so that in the event of war the strategic balance is firmly in favor of the Commissariat. To that, Operation Baptism has been authorized, a series of campaign to ensure the northern provinces of the state of Georgia are ushered into the ranks of the Prefectures and become launching points for a potential war against the southern power if it proves to be disagreeable to coexistence. Commissar Leonidas Xiphos of the 2nd Unit and Commissar Joseph Whitmore of the 3rd Unit have been called upon to ensure the completion of the Operation, set to push westward into the provinces of Clayton and Hartwell. Initial reports by vanguard elements estimate the level of resistance to be effectively minimal given the size of present raider gangs and local settlements, with the attached Emissaries hopeful that the local settlements can be brought into the UPD peacefully while the raider gangs can be persuaded into surrendering without a fight. Commissar Xiphos has nonetheless ordered the 2nd Unit to be prepared for the same sort of battle as encountered over the course of the War of Agitation and Commissar Whitmore has similarly agreed that to not expect some sort of engagement would be folly. Hope is but the first step on the road to disappoint and all that.

Hartwell Province, Georgia

Hope is also the first step on the road to happiness, it seems, for the local settlements of the province were surprisingly agreeable to the terms presented by the Emissaries. The presence of the overly twitchy and heavily armed Protectors may have had a hand in the negotiations, since the Emissaries were fond of regaling the gathered settlement representatives with stories of the War of Agitation and the part the 2nd Unit played in it. The thousand yard stares, twitchy fingers and roaming eyes of the Protectors did much to convince the assembly of, at least, the Protectors' predilection for violence and paranoia and to persuade them that taking the Emissaries' offer would be better than trying to press for their independence against well trained and distinctly murderous soldiers. In exchange for near-instantly submitting without a fight, the new Prefecture would be given ample boons and privileges the more stubborn Prefectures would have to go without. The Presidium and Director would still issue edicts that the new Municipalities would have to fulfill lest they be judged as traitors, but they in turn receive a great deal more of spending and aid so that they may become a more civilized Prefecture and be rid of the constant depredations of raiders and the like. Speaking of raiders, they were being introduced to wastelanders who did not cower behind walls, run away at the sight of them or shakily hand over their valuables.

The local raiders were a single entity, one large tribe who had roosted in some derelict factory and had taken to raiding local settlements if they did not hand over tribute, in the form of caps, booze and chemicals to make narcotics. So long had they reigned uncontested that they did not bother to have particularly vigilant guards or, in some cases, guards at all. That made things much easier for the vanguard elements to silence their outer perimeter defense and pave the way for center cadres to plant charges and brace for the breaching. One moment they were laying around, high on Jet and the like, the next they were being blown across the room by blasting charges and gunned down by the soldiers who came after. Within seconds, the upper floors of the factory had been taken and the Protectors used their height to rain fire down on the raiders below who were being slaughtered like pigs in a pen by Protectors coming in from all sides. It was over in minutes, punctuated by their boss, on his knees due to a well placed stock to the head, coming eye to eye with a M11 pistol and having his picture taken.

[Losses: 5 Protectors]
[Gains: 505 Pop]

The Raveners of Gravelton

Expansion 42/Operation Baptism

Occurring simultaneously with the 2nd Unit's march into the province of Hartwell, the 3rd Unit under Commissar Joseph Whitmore marched into the province of Clayton, wherein resided a number of settlements that purportedly professed a measure of amenability to joining with the United Prefectural Directorate. Verification of these sentiments required the direct insertion of Emissariat assets into the local settlements while disguised as trade caravans, with confirmation soon following of the settlers being agreeable to submitting to any power that would aid them against the local raiders. Local raider elements, united into a single entity known as the Junkers, had been assembling and organizing in an ever-escalating manner for some time, forming the core of what could potentially become a genuine raider empire beneath a single despot. Having encountered such raider empires before, the 3rd Unit moved swiftly to crush their nascent imperial ambitions, with their Emissariat attaches being assigned to move the local settlements into line. This task was made easier by the belief that the 3rd Unit was doing it for their benefit, rather than merely removing a certain threat in preparation for handling a potential threat and overall securing a new Prefecture, and their gratitude ushered them swiftly into the hands of the United Prefectural Directorate. All that remained then was removing the Junkers from the field, be it by force or by words, as given their nature, it was near-certain they were led by a raider of unusual charisma and intelligence and thus far more dangerous than the average raider gang.

Clayton, Georgia

In the course of its history, the Commissariat has often met with raider bosses to resolve the issues between them diplomatically, always after having crushed them in the field and near always after taking the bosses into custody. In every single engagement, the Emissariat had broadcasted a request for these sort of talks to take place before the inevitable bloodshed, a desperate plea or a chance to ensure the Directorate would come across as morally upright even to the worst scum of the wasteland. Imagine the surprise on their faces when the leader of the Junkers, a woman known simply as Mother, responded within minutes and agreed to talk. This would be the first time that a Commissar would meet with a raider boss beneath a banner of truce without first contesting them in the field and for all of that, Commissar Whitmore questioned why it had to be him of all people. When they arrived, Whitmore changed his mind and thanked God that he did not have to fight the Junkers, as unlike nearly every raider he had ever met, these ones clearly took care with their equipment and expressed an industry that was near-universal in its absence in all prior specimens. That is to say, they were clearly not the average raider looking to get high on Jet while wearing scraps and rags, clad as they were in crude yet functional armor and moving with a sense of purpose, which made them all the more worrying.

Mother was not at all what he was expecting, a small woman of slight frame and wearing a blindfold of all things, who sat almost primly in her chair like she was sitting down for tea and a friendly conversation. Naturally, she confused him even more when she calmly asked, "Terms?", to which he pulled out a file only to pause awkwardly and long enough for her to chuckle and say, "Summarize them then.". When he did so, her lips had lost their earlier humor and had become a thin line, pressed in contemplation of something unpleasant. He swallowed and moved to speak before she held up a hand and stated, "How do I know that your people hold to that scrap of paper?". Whitmore decided to go out on a limb and state the obvious, "You do not seem like the type to have come to this meeting unless you realized that fighting would see your people destroyed. That we are even meeting should tell you enough to take us at our word.". Even without eyes her stare made him feel uncomfortable, just barely keeping himself from fidgeting in his chair, and she eventually said, with a tired voice, "Oh, what could have been had I started earlier.", and held out a hand for the treaty.

[Losses: None]
[Gains: 800 Pop, 200 Junkers]

The Raveners of Gravelton

Religious Affairs 3

In an unsurprising move, the Azturist High Council and the Shrine Priests of the Idolaters have met to discuss their respective faiths and how the two can move forward as a single, united faith. For most of the Directorate, this is only to be expected as the two faiths are, in many ways, very similar and it is believed that the Idolaters only held out as long as they did so that their faith's aspects are more thoroughly expressed in the resulting syncretic faith rather than being totally absorbed. The addition of the Idolaters has brought new life to the Azturists who hold that the spiritual and material worlds do overlap and may even be one and the same, though for the moment it is the new orthodoxy that holds that the spirits of the Idolaters are not, in fact, human spirits and are distinct and individual entities who hold allegiance to the various gods of the pantheon and act as their agents in the world. While no official statement has been made by either of the Christian sects, rumor has it that the merging of the two greatest non-Christian faiths into a stronger whole has enflamed the ongoing tensions between the orthodox and heterodox sects. With the assimilation of the Idolaters, the Church of Atom is now the third largest religion of the UPD and is considered unlikely to pursue or be pursued in similar fashion as their identity is far too distinct for the Azturists and the Christians.



The Raveners of Gravelton

Monetariat Report to the Director and the Presidium of the United Prefectural Directorate

With the aid of the Legislative Bureau and the data derived from the efforts of the Comissioner of Conway Prefecture, it is the view of the Monetariat that steps be taken to increase the depth of the Directorate's overall involvement in the economy. Simply loaning individuals resources in the hope that they begin constructing a civilian industry and market economy from scratch is not only not well conceived, but downright ludicrous. In order to rectify this, it is advised that the government itself should first establish a civilian industrial base by utilizing the connections of its personnel and government control of resources to ensure that not only is civilian industry is well established before a market economy is fully implemented, but overall control of this new economy is still within the hands of government officials. It is the hope of the Monetariat that government products will be improved by this new economic plan and the overall quality of life within the United Prefectural Directorate will rise exponentially. While the factories of Morehead City and Williamston do not produce military equipment, it is planned for them to produce consumer goods and products for consumption by the general population. With the eventual expansion of factories throughout the Directorate, these goods can become more and more ubiquitous and available to the common citizenry. To manage this civilian industry, the formation of a Committee of Industrial Combines is recommended.

The Thestral Union of FreeAmericanStates

FreeAmericanStates wrote:Keeping a Promise: Part Two Lesser of Two Evils
With this renewed sense of imperial authority to support the Commonwealth Rights to land claims even when it does not directly border its currently controlled territories of the Commonwealth but also of more pressing manner was the issue of Greenville a settlement directly south of the rumored slave state in the more anti civilization and anti law parts of old America in the Upper South and the firmly anti Confederate original Unionist lands in the Appalachian lands at least historically as rumors proposed that perhaps the entire upper South or at least Appalachia could be under an oppressive goverment meant that the New American Republic had leverage it can justly make the case it really is the lesser of two evils as while Greenville is a mostly Ghoul city its threatened by either segregation by the Commonwealth of Alabama or slavery by the northerners. While Greenville had attempted to hold out to maintain its own independence a specific statement had been used by the Republic specifically the President "Separate But Equal will be enforced and the Equality Part Comes First" a new law was introduced in the New American Republic's Congress sponsored specifically by the president in a case of the first major party schism occurring. This new law known as the Union Preservation Act stating the Republican Government has the right to revoke the legal charter of any Commonwealth temporary and be under the control of the military until a new Commonwealth Government can be established should it be determined that a Commonwealth found to be actively violating the equal rights of any Humans or Ghouls living in the New American Republic due to the reasoning that the Republic has a duty to preserve freedom for all its citizens first as allowing such tyranny would threaten the unity of the Republic and that while segregation of having both live separately is not in of itself a violation and is allowed under the act having goverment services being given separate levels of quality will be considered a violation. This legislation having just narrowly passed despite the still single party rule occurring in the Republic has begun to worry some members that populism on its own cant last. Regardless however, this legislation promise has put at ease many Ghoul communities within the claimed territories of both the Commonwealth of Dixie but more notably in the Commonwealth of Alabama.Subsequently following this legislation the New American Republic sent a diplomat to the Greenville City State to propose its annexation into the Republic because while their worry were put to the rest ion the Commonwealth the manner of goverment was more pressing should the city state accept the offer. The Republic promised the City State's Administration will remain the same but converted to that of a city goverment for Greenville furthermore the Republic shall protect it from any and all slavers from the north this led to a reluctant acceptance of the agreement and the annexation of Greenville into the New American Republic and into the Commonwealth of Alabama.
Following this rather peaceful annexation the New American Republic gained 1900 people.

Keeping a Promise: Part Three It's a Long Way to Butler
Following the peaceful annexation of Greenville the new American Republic sent spies into the township of Butler to gather Intel it disturbed the Republic so greatly not even a formal declaration of war or an attempt at a negotiation with a clearly self running town. New American Army forces have been planing on the invasion of Butler a slaver stronghold right on the border that was led by one Alex Pinkerton Moore a Ghoul who has acquired a decent amount of wealth by working with slavers before becoming one himself. This Ghoul however had a more egalitarian view on slavery with it being a mater of strong vs weak rather then the more racial based slavery the New American Republic was familiar with from their own stands on Super Mutants and the cases of Ghouls or Humans enslaving exclusively each other for racial hatred. As do to this egalitarian attitude on the institutionalized system of slavery adopted Butler turned into a slaver town that was sufficient if not a bit Spartan like as the reason is was so disturbing was it can last for a long time without much internal challenge that can be easily exploited to create a level of chaos in the slaver bases which had been the main protocol on dealing with Slaver bases to minimize losses for the military first. Subsequently plans had been drawn up to find any military exploitable weaknesses as the weakness was not in the slavery system itself. Therefor the New American Army has opted to snipe out spotters at towers with silenced rifles so its not clear to the slavers that they are under attack. After witch, the New American Army had sent in a recon team with silenced assault rifles and silently took out local patrols in the town after witch it was a breach and clear of the building of the town freeing the slaves and arming them with small arms while the New American Army rooms room to room and house to house until all that was left was a goverment building which after getting to that point the New American Army began breaching the building from both front and back doors and moving room to room taking out hostiles until they found Alex Pinkerton Moore and cuffed him. The current leader of the slaves was informed they have two options either join the New American Republic for a proper imputation of law and freedom from slavery permanently or set up a goverment to deal with the current administration of the town and then join the Republic. As it was made clear that the New American Republic has invested significant treasure and risked blood for removing the tyrant who was running the town. The slaves opted to form their own goverment as a anarcho syndicalist commune where one of them takes turn being in charge but the first in charge would be the current leader of the slaves Jane Brown. She had sentenced Alex Pinkerton Moore to death for the treason against the commune and for the implication of slavery and had him hung by a lamppost with a piece of rope. This Commune's administration lasted a total of three hours before they surrendered their sovereignty to the New American Republic a land that is in their words 'free of kings and despots and slavery'.
Following this almost monty python like annexation the New American Republic gained 1600 people.

Ardentus and The virginian trade union

The Constellation Society of Retralik

One step back and six steps forward
In a thorough reexamination of their current expansion strategy, Herminio Salvador concluded that the Golden Constellation campaign has gone irreversibly downhill. Best not to fight on Loyalist turf until a ‘decisive advantage’ has been achieved that will allow for swift conquers. Until then, they will box the opponent in, denying them further land, especially along the coast. In the place of the Metropolis Chain, he proposed various ‘snaking’ operations, each biting a long, thin stretch of territory.

First, the remaining Pacific Seaboard of Mexico. Then, the thin neck in the Southwest and the Yucatán.
After that, Central America. All the way to Panama. After that, march north to the Colorado and Rio Grande, a new Central American Union.

A shocking and bold plan. But might be doable. Might. His fantasies will have to be shelved for now though.

Ardentus and The virginian trade union

The Constellation Society of Retralik

Illicit Substances, pt. 1
Remember those drug lords in Puerto Vallarta? Well, they mostly came from the Southern Highlands, were opium and marijuana is grown, processed, then sold across Central America. There’s even rumors that the age-old drug trade to the US of A still exists in some places. South of the South of the Border, the nuclear hand does not reach, and old world substances such as cocaine and weed thrive while wasteland drugs like Jet are non-existent.

Guerrero is top dog, then and now, when it comes to poppy production. Sharing the throne with some... Asian country, with Lázaro Cárdenas under Republican control, they’ve caught several trafficking barges going down the Rio Balsas. During Loyalist occupation, the operators paid a good fee for the local commander, and he turned a blind eye in return. From the L.C port, North to Sinaloa and South to Panama. Recently, the traders have gotten more... militant with their operations. Guards now travel in escort boats, armed with guns and a bad attitude. Half a dozen soldiers lost their lives in ensuing firefights when squads travel upstream and stumble upon the convoy.

With Lázaro taken, the head has been cut off, but like the Hydra in ancient myth, more would just sprout if the source was not torched. Their Old international gateway blocked, they turned to furthering domestic consumption and finding a replacement. And they found one. Acapulco, a large Pacific Mexican port and also in the Guerrero state.

The socialist man cannot be seduced by these bourgeois vices, down a horrible path of addiction. They need to stop the locals from growing poppy. But Herminio is careful. He has served in the “pin” forts of Southern Durango. He knows what happens when the locals of where you control do not support you. A bullet to the head, and three more will sprout. Reform and Rebirth, and they would never threaten you again. This isn’t Santoist Expansionism. This is liberation!

Ivan Industries, Ardentus, and The virginian trade union

The Raveners of Gravelton

Gravelton wrote:Beaufort Prefecture, District Eight, United Prefectural Directorate

The days of the UPD expanding freely in a vacuum are coming to an end, with nascent nation states who could ably contest the Commissariat in combat rendering the old avenues of expansion too cost-ineffective for the Presidium to consider without a great deal of thought. In this new period, the Emissariat's duties have come into their own and the once-secondary Emissaries have made themselves true equals to the Commissariat in terms of their influence on government policy. It is the will of the Director and the Presidium that ties be made with these new polities, hands opened in friendship rather than be clenched in enmity, and already the boons of which have been made clear, in more ways than one. To the west, lay the New Confederacy, who despite their barbaric practice of slavery and contempt for the wastelanders, have proven to be agreeable enough to bargain with. To the north, the rising Virginian Trade Union took the first step in making contact with the Directorate, an admirable move that did much to inform the Emissariat of what to expect from them. Yet, to the south a unknown power resides, content to watch the Directorate while it is busy elsewhere. This state of affairs, as emphatically stated by the Executive of the Emissariat, must end. To that end and with the aid of the Informational Bureau, a looping radio transmission was sent across the border to the unknowns, in the hope that they possess the technology to receive and reciprocate the sentiments.

"Greetings from the United Prefectural Directorate, which extends a hand in fellowship and brotherhood. If amenable, please respond in kind. If not, kindly withdraw all thoughts of hostility lest they be met in kind to our mutual detriment."

(FreeAmericanStates)

The Thestral Union of FreeAmericanStates

Gravelton wrote:Beaufort Prefecture, District Eight, United Prefectural Directorate

The days of the UPD expanding freely in a vacuum are coming to an end, with nascent nation states who could ably contest the Commissariat in combat rendering the old avenues of expansion too cost-ineffective for the Presidium to consider without a great deal of thought. In this new period, the Emissariat's duties have come into their own and the once-secondary Emissaries have made themselves true equals to the Commissariat in terms of their influence on government policy. It is the will of the Director and the Presidium that ties be made with these new polities, hands opened in friendship rather than be clenched in enmity, and already the boons of which have been made clear, in more ways than one. To the west, lay the New Confederacy, who despite their barbaric practice of slavery and contempt for the wastelanders, have proven to be agreeable enough to bargain with. To the north, the rising Virginian Trade Union took the first step in making contact with the Directorate, an admirable move that did much to inform the Emissariat of what to expect from them. Yet, to the south a unknown power resides, content to watch the Directorate while it is busy elsewhere. This state of affairs, as emphatically stated by the Executive of the Emissariat, must end. To that end and with the aid of the Informational Bureau, a looping radio transmission was sent across the border to the unknowns, in the hope that they possess the technology to receive and reciprocate the sentiments.

"Greetings from the United Prefectural Directorate, which extends a hand in fellowship and brotherhood. If amenable, please respond in kind. If not, kindly withdraw all thoughts of hostility lest they be met in kind to our mutual detriment."

Following the radio broadcast the radio operator of the Commonwealth of Dixie in the New American Republic who was making standard calls to mayors for relevant information for the next census in order to prepare for Dixie's House of Representatives being elected as that is the only thing in the way of the Legislative Election of the newest of the Commonwealth's first senate election in the Republic in order to gain proper representation, had to make a sudden call to the President Kaitie Frost that we believe we have been contacted by a foreign power by radio quickly the President had the Dixion radio operator to transfer the radio signal to Jacksonville for the Republic to make a response with their own operators and allow the census to continue. After roughly an hour a response had came through after getting all singles transferred for foreign communications "Greetings this is the New American Republic we accept your hand in friendship and brotherhood."

The Raveners of Gravelton

FreeAmericanStates wrote:Following the radio broadcast the radio operator of the Commonwealth of Dixie in the New American Republic who was making standard calls to mayors for relevant information for the next census in order to prepare for Dixie's House of Representatives being elected as that is the only thing in the way of the Legislative Election of the newest of the Commonwealth's first senate election in the Republic in order to gain proper representation, had to make a sudden call to the President Kaitie Frost that we believe we have been contacted by a foreign power by radio quickly the President had the Dixion radio operator to transfer the radio signal to Jacksonville for the Republic to make a response with their own operators and allow the census to continue. After roughly an hour a response had came through after getting all singles transferred for foreign communications "Greetings this is the New American Republic we accept your hand in friendship and brotherhood."

With contact finally made and the acceptance of the Directorate's offer of friendship, the Emissariat thusly moved to engage in further communication with the nation now known as the New American Republic. While this was occurring, the Presidium moved to discuss the implications of the newly discovered name and what it could mean for relationships going forward. Nonetheless, the Emissariat made no mention of those ongoing discussions and responded in amical fashion. "As you have accepted our friendship, might we move to more substantial talks regarding our nations and their mutual future in person? If agreeable to this, we are willing to meet on your chosen ground and under your given rules as long as our sovereignty and dignity as a nation remains untouched."

The virginian trade union

Oh Happy Days!

The Council has decided to hold a celebration in the President's honor, under his administration the Trade Union has grown larger than ever thought imaginable, even taking Norfolk and Richmond under the Virginian flag. Harrison couldn't be more pleased with himself, he has basically secured his place as President for as long as he wanted, he has become the great liberator that will unite Virginia under their flag as it should be. However hearing word about this Directorate has worried the President, their occupation of Virginian territory worries him even more, so before he could truly enjoy the luxuries that surround him he has to secure a clear border between the Trade Union and these Directorate fellows. So, Harrison decided to give his son another chance to prove himself and sent him with a division of 100 soldiers to secure the territory directly west of Ashton, once that is done then perhaps the Trade Union could rest. For the time being Harrison simply sat in his office as his Council celebrates around him, seemingly without a care in this entire apocalyptic world.

------------------------------------------------------------

Marshall, once dressed in a suit of reinforced leather armor rather than his usual ensemble, walked forward next to the small force of Trade Union soldiers. His father wanted him to secure the settlement of Hillsville, an old world town that has been occupied by settlers for nearly a hundred or so years now, stating that it's the only major settlement in the area. Marshall prayed, honest to God prayed, that he wouldn't have to lead these soldiers against any big raider gangs or anything like that, just attend talks and convince the town's ruling body to join the Trade Union peacefully. Apparently the lands around Hillsville were used extensively to breed and raise brahmin, the Trade Union actually bought most of the caravan brahmin from Hillsville so his father must have thought it was time to acquire the territory to lower the costs of brahmin for the government as well as securing a border with the Directorate. Marshall and his men ran across a few small communities, either farming what little they could actually get to grow, ranching brahmin as well as mutated hogs, or scavenging supplies from the various ruins that dot the territory. It didn't take too long for Marshall and the Trade Union soldiers to reach Hillsville, the outskirts of the town being used as farmland and brahmin ranges.

Luckily it seemed they were already aware of their arrival and allowed Marshall into the settlement with little fuss, however the soldiers had to set up camp outside of town due to their not being enough room to accommodate that many people within Hillsville. Marshall was immediately escorted to the town's main hall, where the ruling body meets every other week if the information he received was correct, and taken to the office of the town's leader. Behind a desk, typing away on a terminal was an averaged sized woman that wore a formal black dress that had a few rips and tears, she had light brown hair that was done up in a bun as well as a pair of glasses sitting atop the bridge of her nose. The terminal seemed to flicker every now and then, causing the middle aged woman to scrunch her face up in mild anger and smack the side of the terminal in frustration. "Come on ya damn thing, work gol darn it-" The woman muttered to herself before looking up and noticing Marshall, causing her to widen her eyes a bit before letting out a small nervous chuckle, "Oh my, apologies sir… I uhh… Thought they would tell me when you'd come up…" The woman then rubbed the back of her head sheepishly while a smile graced her lips, standing and approaching Marshall.

Marshall watched the woman for a moment, he seemed to be enraptured by her for some odd reason, he hasn't expressed any interest in the women his father tried to have him marry. His father was obsessed with having a grandchild sooner rather than later to ensure the Gray family's continued presidency, so he wasn't entirely sure why he started feeling like this with this woman in particular. After a moment he pushed those thoughts out of his head before extending his arm forward for a handshake, which the woman readily accepted, "It's-" Marshall paused to cough into his hand, it felt like the room suddenly just got hotter, "It's a pleasure to meet you… Ma'am, I am Marshall Gray. I am representing the Trade Union and hoping that you and your community would consider joining our grand union-" Marshall spouted out, saying exactly what his father told him to, causing the woman to let out a short chuckle after ending the handshake. The woman nodded before responding, "I am Maria Hayes and please, the pleasure is all mine Mr. Gray-" She began before stopping and doing a small courtsy, a sign of respect for the man in front of her, "I have heard many stories of the Trade Union, it has enraptured this community if I'm honest. A town rising to engulf almost half of the Virginian wastes, it's just unheard of. Me and the town's ruling body met and agreed to join the Trade Union when the time came, it was just a matter of waiting for you folks to come out here." The woman said, the soft smile never leaving her face as she looked at Marshall.

Marshall tugged at his armor's collar, a bead of sweat trailing down his forehead as he saw Maria's courtsy, he was feeling truly odd for some reason. The Vice-President forced a cough out, forcing his worries out of his head, must just be coming down with something he guessed, "Very well Mrs. Hayes-" Marshall started before being interrupted by Maria, "Just Maria please, I ain't married or nothin'." She explained before letting Marshall continue, "Ah, yes of course. My apologies-" Marshall started before getting back on track, "Well, if you agree to joining the Trade Union then I shall leave fifty soldiers here in Hillsville-" Marshall took another glance at Maria before deciding something on the spot, "As well I shall also be staying here, to keep an eye on the territory's integration to our Union. The other soldiers will set up various outposts to further secure the territory… Is that acceptable for you... Maria?" Marshall asked, hesitating a bit before saying her name. Maria merely chuckled, she didn't expect these Trade Union folks to be so hospitable, she heard stories that they usually just steamroll right over the smaller folks but this fella seems alright in her books, "That's more than alright, let me show you to a room you can use-" She paused as she took Marshall's hand and led him down the hall, not noticing the man's growing blush at the contact, "Don't worry 'bout your soldiers, i'll send a few guards to inform 'em about everything-" She said. Marshall let out a sigh as he allowed a smile to grace his face, he'd probably have to deal with his father disapproving his decision but somehow Marshall knew he made the right choice. He'd draft up a letter for his father soon, the annexation of the territory should placate him enough to allow him to remain in Hillsville…

------------------------------------------------------------

Trade Union Casualties -0

Population Gain +622

The virginian trade union

Jeremiah knew that Harrison didn't enjoy having the Directorate in Virginia, he tolerated it but the man was paranoid on the best of days so it was to be expected, however Jeremiah devised a plan to win over the President's favor even more than he already has acting as the primary diplomat between the Trade Union and the Directorate. If he would be able to negotiate the Directorate to cede their territory in Virginia to the Trade Union then the President would no doubt be more inclined to listen to his suggestions, so Jeremiah decided to approach one of the Directorate's Emissaries to begin the needed talks.

Gravelton

The Raveners of Gravelton

The virginian trade union wrote:Jeremiah knew that Harrison didn't enjoy having the Directorate in Virginia, he tolerated it but the man was paranoid on the best of days so it was to be expected, however Jeremiah devised a plan to win over the President's favor even more than he already has acting as the primary diplomat between the Trade Union and the Directorate. If he would be able to negotiate the Directorate to cede their territory in Virginia to the Trade Union then the President would no doubt be more inclined to listen to his suggestions, so Jeremiah decided to approach one of the Directorate's Emissaries to begin the needed talks.

Gravelton

As before like with Emissary Davidson, Emissary Jefferson would be on hand to receive Jeremiah due to his success in their previous talk, although "success" is pushing the definition of what was clearly a mutually agreed upon series of terms both sides wanted. Nonetheless, Emissary Jefferson was able to inform Jeremiah that the Directorate was entirely willing to cede the province of Lebanon and all that lay within its boundaries, given that the Virginian Trade Union has ably shown itself to be more capable of defending itself than once thought. Of course, in doing this, it is the expectation and suggestion of the Emissary that the two nations agree to a mutual defense pact in order to further cement the ties between their nations, a step above the previous guarantee of protection given to the Virginians.

The virginian trade union

Gravelton wrote:As before like with Emissary Davidson, Emissary Jefferson would be on hand to receive Jeremiah due to his success in their previous talk, although "success" is pushing the definition of what was clearly a mutually agreed upon series of terms both sides wanted. Nonetheless, Emissary Jefferson was able to inform Jeremiah that the Directorate was entirely willing to cede the province of Lebanon and all that lay within its boundaries, given that the Virginian Trade Union has ably shown itself to be more capable of defending itself than once thought. Of course, in doing this, it is the expectation and suggestion of the Emissary that the two nations agree to a mutual defense pact in order to further cement the ties between their nations, a step above the previous guarantee of protection given to the Virginians.

Jeremiah readily agrees to the Emissary's suggestion of a mutual defense pact, informing the man that President Harrison has already prepared to shore up nearly 1,000 or so more soldiers into the military to better defend their newly acquired territories. He also informs Jefferson about the President's plan to repair the railroad network across Virginia, showing that the Trade Union is is advancing both militarily and industrially.

The Raveners of Gravelton

The virginian trade union wrote:Jeremiah readily agrees to the Emissary's suggestion of a mutual defense pact, informing the man that President Harrison has already prepared to shore up nearly 1,000 or so more soldiers into the military to better defend their newly acquired territories. He also informs Jefferson about the President's plan to repair the railroad network across Virginia, showing that the Trade Union is is advancing both militarily and industrially.

Emissary Jefferson, thusly pleased, accepts the Trade Union's proposition and sends word to the Presidium so that the 1st Unit within the province of Lebanon may be prepared to be relieved and withdraw. As for the Virginian's railroad project, the Emissary expresses interest and wonders if the Directorate were to construct its own railroad network, that the two may be linked for commerce and transportation.



The virginian trade union

Gravelton wrote:Emissary Jefferson, thusly pleased, accepts the Trade Union's proposition and sends word to the Presidium so that the 1st Unit within the province of Lebanon may be prepared to be relieved and withdraw. As for the Virginian's railroad project, the Emissary expresses interest and wonders if the Directorate were to construct its own railroad network, that the two may be linked for commerce and transportation.

Jeremiah promptly thanks the Emissary and quickly agrees to his proposal of linking the railroad networks of both the Trade Union and the Directorate, quickly pulling out his small notebook and writing up a letter detailing their newly gained territory of Lebanon that is to be sent to President Harrison posthaste.

The Thestral Union of FreeAmericanStates

Gravelton wrote:With contact finally made and the acceptance of the Directorate's offer of friendship, the Emissariat thusly moved to engage in further communication with the nation now known as the New American Republic. While this was occurring, the Presidium moved to discuss the implications of the newly discovered name and what it could mean for relationships going forward. Nonetheless, the Emissariat made no mention of those ongoing discussions and responded in amical fashion. "As you have accepted our friendship, might we move to more substantial talks regarding our nations and their mutual future in person? If agreeable to this, we are willing to meet on your chosen ground and under your given rules as long as our sovereignty and dignity as a nation remains untouched."

The radio operator responds "Yep that would be acceptable. However, it will be the president herself who would attend such a meeting. This is most definitely agreeable however, as for insuring dignity remains intact that is most defiantly doable the only issue is if your delegation would consist of a Ghoul or not as do to some laws in some of our various Commonwealths particularly in the north as some of them have implicated a policy of Segregation regarding Ghouls."

The Raveners of Gravelton

FreeAmericanStates wrote:The radio operator responds "Yep that would be acceptable. However, it will be the president herself who would attend such a meeting. This is most definitely agreeable however, as for insuring dignity remains intact that is most defiantly doable the only issue is if your delegation would consist of a Ghoul or not as do to some laws in some of our various Commonwealths particularly in the north as some of them have implicated a policy of Segregation regarding Ghouls."

The Presidium is bemused by the discrimination against ghouls and shocked that the President of the NAR would be attending personally, with the Emissariat responding with, "Very well. The Emissariat Section will not contain any members of that nature. If the President of your nation is to attend this meeting, then by all means, the Director shall do so as well."

Revolutionary middleland

Border Brawl (Part 1 of the Handcuff Campaign)
Expansion 1 of 5

The merciless and brutally efficient machine of Revolutionary Middleland had gotten everything it had wanted in Oklahoma- and now it would suffice that the regime would put itself in a position to get everything it wants in Texas, as well. The secretive Lop Bop of the secretive Middle organization would have sat over a map of Texas with deep scrutiny in his obscured and shadow-hidden eyes. His decision would be the fate of Middle's long-established objective of the division of the former nation right down the great plains. He had known for a short while that there was a new "Republic of Texas" down south, and by means of interrogating those former border dwellers, they had realized that San Antonio was not occupied by this sovereign state.

Lop Bop knew that Middle could easily obliterate this faction, but he would be a far-sighted and subtly intelligent person. The man was a battle-hardened military leader, so it did not occur to him to instantly cross the tense border to crush the Texas Republic. Middle would play the long game- all while getting it in a position that while not initially destroying the Republic, it would guarantee that the whole state would fall to Middle's authority in some form of another.

One piece of land would be the gateway- a launchpad- for Middle's complete control over the whole of Texas. One piece of land would let Middle call all the shots. The Handcuff campaign was drafted in order to lock Texas in a position where Middle would have the perpetual advantage. Since the area was relatively rural, a fighting force of around 1,240 soldiers would be devoted and marched down to the Oklahoma-Texas border. Unlike other battles where the primary targets would be inland, most of the control centers would be concentrated on the borderlands.

Middle would not hesitate in its angsty desire to strangle the broad and rowdy state, sending the concourses of men, women, and children straight into the flames of battle. Around fourty technicals were mobilized, supported by the cavalry regiments. Blocks of Middle's soldiers jogged with high knees under the red banners towards the conflict at hand. The border city of Burkburnett fell to the iron grip of the veteran all-female 14th Revolutionary Rifle Guards Company supported by the 33rd Artillery-Mortar Platoon- the former was extremely battle-hardened from the Kansan Civil War. From there, the mighty forces of Middle would split up and break through. As soon as the important town of Wichita Falls was in range, the shelling began. Simultaneously, a two-front battle would occur up in Vernon with younger infantry platoons surrounding the hamlet, guns blazing.

Once Middle had seized Wichita Falls and Vernon, they had a foothold in the borderlands, supporting a multi-front advance. Several companies marched westward, taking Quanah and Childress with an ambition not seen since the Osage and Cherokee had been defeated. Middle's morale was unusually high, with motorized infantry taking the crown for rural affairs. Once the southern city of Seymour had collapsed, the first finger of the grip on Texas was laid down.

A medium factory with only minimal damage was found- and resources were dedicated to repair. Technical documents were scoured. Middle would gain a hefty 2,497 people.

The Knights of Polaris of Ardentus

Knights of Capitalism Part 1: Introductions

"They call themselves the Pinkers." Gideon West, former Templar of the Black Guard said. He spoke not before just the President, but the entire Enclave Senate. "From what the scouts reported, they are a mercenary organization that controls New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Beyond that we are not sure." The Senate erupted with shouting, calling for contact to be made, while Charles Blackstone banged the gavel of Senate President, calling for order. Next to the podium that Gideon stood at, were President Winters, Commander Lebannault, and General Beckett. After the third call for order, the Senate calmed down, and Gideon was excused.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Blackstone said, "It goes without saying that we need to make contact as soon as possible and assess the situation with these people. Since this is a matter of foreign relations and not entirely military, the Senate must authorize any and all actions regarding the Pinkers unless or until we enter a start of war with them. Now, it was brought to my attention shortly before this session that Commander Lebannault has already created plan to initiate contact with them." Lebannault stepped up to the dais and spoke,
"My plan for contact is simple, dispatch General Beckett in one of our Vertibirds with several Sentinels as a show of force. Since they are mercenaries, they will hopefully decide that a protracted war is not in their best interest monetarily and agree to integration. At the very least, we'll have a sense of powerful they are."
"Wait! Within a few minutes, the plan was voted through, and General Beckett was dispatched Philadelphia, the de facto capital of the Pinkers.

Philideplia

The Vertibird landed right outside of Philideplia, right as several caravans were getting ready to pull in, each guarded by men and women in three-piece suits made of kevlar and carrying combat rifles and shotguns. Beckett stepped off with her protection detail of four Sentinels in X-02 PA and they proceeded to the city walls as six others fanned out around the Vertibird. The gates of the city stood open, but more men and women in suits and bowler hats guarded the way, checking what appeared to be passports of some kind before letting them pass. When Beckett and her guards reached the gate, one of them moved to stop her and said,
"Hold up. If you're a trader, you can't enter without a passport."
"Well," Beckett responded, "I'm not. I'm here as an official representative of the New England Enclave." The guard, a man with a black mustache that seemed to be a relic of a previous time, motioned for one of his colleagues to watch them while he went inside a nearby guard station. A few minutes later, he returned and said,
"Alright, I got word from on high that you're to follow me, but you can only bring one of your guards with you." Beckett sighed and motioned for one of her guards to step forward while the others headed back to the Vertibird. The pair followed the man, who seemed more than a little nervous, to the old Independence Hall. Once inside, she was lead to a room that clearly once held massive assemblies, but now was empty except for one man. He was tall, and with an old style mustache that curled at the end. Behind him was a banner that showed a single great eye emblazoned on a badge. He looked up and smiled as the guard who had escorted her there left.
"Ah! You must be the diplomat from the Enclave." He motioned for Alice to approach as he stepped down the from the raised pulpit. He shook her hand and said,
"Joseph Pinker the third, head of the Pinker National Security Agency, at your service."
"General Alice Beckett, Enclave Armed forces." They sat down at one of the tables scattered throughout the room.
"A little backstory in case you're confused at the mustaches and outfits," Joseph said, "My family claims ancestry of Allen Pinkerton, the founder of the original Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Now, my grandfather established the new Agency around fifty years ago, and for the most part we stayed small scale, just guarding caravans to and from Phili, and earning a reputation for being a bit eccentric with our outfits and procedures, but they kept the Raiders away and the caps were good. My father, oh, he had vision. He expanded our operations from just protecting caravans to protecting settlements. He bought out rivals and eventually made us the most profitable, and only, security company in the east. Coffee?" Alice shook her head as Joseph offered her a cup. He shrugged and set it down.
"I am somewhat familiar with the Enclave, especially your most recent deeds. So why on Earth would the remains of the US government send a General to talk to me?"
"Simple," Alice said, "You and your hold the road to DC and are a powerful force on the east coast. The Enclave would appreciate you submitting to the rightful American government."
"Ah. Well, I'm afraid I can't do that."
"Why?"
"I have a responsibly to my men and shareholders. To simply turn over everything that my grandfather and father built would be a betrayal of their legacy and the legacy of Allen Pinkerton himself!" He stood and turned to face one of the many windows in the hall. "In the settlements under Pinker protection, there is no slavery, no worry of Raiders or ghouls or anything. Every single caravan and scavenger organization knows we can be trusted, every settlement pays us because we have never failed to stamp out Raiders. As my father once told me, we are like knights, protecting the peasants and driving off the bandits that lurk in the shadows."
"And what happens if they can't pay?" Alice said, walking next to him. He sighed and said,
"Then they don't get food or water from the caravans or our protection. But it's nothing personal, just good business." Alice looked at him in horror.
"Where I'm from," she said, "we help people no matter what, good or bad business. That is what being a knight means."
"That's nice," he said, his voice developing an edge, "But here we don't have that luxury. So go tell whatever authority you answer to back in Boston to forget about integration." Alice glared and walked out, her final words being;
"Then I'll see you on the battlefield Mr. Pinker," before heading back to the Vertibird.

Enclave Senate, the next day

The senate was in an uproar as General Beckett recounted what had occurred, finally being silenced after the strikes of Blackstone's gavel.
"Ladies and gentlemen," President Winters spoke, "As General Beckett has made clear, the Pinkers and their associates have no interest in submitting to us, and are little more than the gangsters they claim to fight. So I ask of you, as the President of the Enclave, grant me a declaration of war against these thugs!" The Senate erupted in cheers, the President would have his war.

Camp Autumn, Near Newark

The forces gathered in Camp Autumn, the former headquarters of the Black Guard, preparing for an attack on the city of Newark that served as one of the northernmost reaches of the Pinker's sphere of influence. In the prison holds, one man waited, exercising in his cell, his black and grey beard hanging down onto his chest. There was a knock at the bars, the guard in combat armor who brought him his meals stood outside, a rifle in one hand and a tray of food in the other.
"C'mon Richard," the guard said. "You know the drill." The man stopped his exercise and turned with his back facing the wall. The guard opened the cell door and walked in, keeping the rifle pointed at the man. Normally, the guard would place the food tray on the bed and back out, locking the door behind him, but things didn't proceed normally. Rather than waiting, Richard grabbed the guard's rifle and twisted it up, turning to face the guard as he did.
"Not anymore," He said before striking the guard down with his other fist. Then, he took the uniform rifle and keys of the guard before locking him in the cell as he made his escape. There were thousands of troops swarming the camp, what would one more be? He reached the western edge of the camp and kept going that way. He knew he would have to scavenge to survive, but he would have his revenge on that treacherous son of his, Gideon West. Richard would forge an empire and take his revenge on those who wronged him, on the Enclave, but not now.

New-confederate states and The virginian trade union

The Thestral Union of FreeAmericanStates

Gravelton wrote:The Presidium is bemused by the discrimination against ghouls and shocked that the President of the NAR would be attending personally, with the Emissariat responding with, "Very well. The Emissariat Section will not contain any members of that nature. If the President of your nation is to attend this meeting, then by all means, the Director shall do so as well."

The radio operator nods and then says "Yep that would be best on both accounts. As for where on our territory for this meeting our goverment would like to propose Jacksonville our capital for the meeting."

The Raveners of Gravelton

FreeAmericanStates wrote:The radio operator nods and then says "Yep that would be best on both accounts. As for where on our territory for this meeting our goverment would like to propose Jacksonville our capital for the meeting."

"Very well. We shall set out immediately."

Baton rouge union

Ardentus wrote:A few hours later, the President touched down escorted by guards and greeted Kenway.

Standign up to the man in the suit, Kenway introduced herself....

"Hello Sir, im Captain Kelly Kenway. Form the Baton Rouge Union."

Baton rouge union

River hideaway 1/2

While the dominance of the Mississippi river was a major feather in the hat of the Baton Rouge Union. There were always individuals trying to get past the city’s of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The main point was the Atchafalaya river and bayou had been a major thorn in the Union merchant monopoly. With numerous small rivers leading into the larger Mississippi, it was a common route for smugglers looking to get past Union checkpoints along the river in the major cities. With The marshland having overthrown most of the roads and small communities. It was only until recently a patrol near Simmesport captured one who was willing to squeal. As it turned out the original belief of most of the area benign overgrown was wrong.

The small port of Morgan City had remained above water and clear of most of the mutated wildlife, turning the port into a smugglers den aligned with the Atchafalaya river. With guides moving through the bayou at night and fake papers. They had the ability to bypass all of the checkpoints that aligned the southern mississippi. Though the lack of any proper roads into the city leads the army to be reliant on the navy to take the port. With 3 of the city class ironclads and 2 gunboats to be deployed and enter the river in the early morning.

5 ships deployed to Morgan City

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