(WWEU) Post-Imperial Luz: Day 1

UNITED WORLD PRESS

Valerie Riha

Luz, Greater Luzine Provisional Authority, Talveras

(10/18/2043)

A week ago, the Commissarial barracks outside of the city of Luz stood empty except for a handful of roving guards. Now they resemble a bustling town with Commissars, Service Members, and Luz’s citizens coming and going at all hours of the day. It is from this Commissariat, and dozens of others just like it all over Talveras, that the groundwork for this world’s relief effort is being laid. Human and novum physicians exchange medical knowledge, Service Members from the Office of Emergency & Disaster Relief organize the distribution of clothes, food, blankets, and shelter for the Luzine and others still reeling from the war. Every night, lecture halls echo with the voices of Commissars representing the Office of Cultural Relations, introducing hundreds of novum a night to the history, culture, and philosophy of the NUSA. “Initially, we thought our lectures on the culture would have to endure a slow ‘growing phase’ with regard to Luzine popularity,” Mark Abeyta (Scsr/OCR), 47(Er), said “but we’ve had full theaters every night and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon.” When asked if the people seemed open to the prospect of annexation, he said “It’s too early to tell, but at least they’re willing to listen to what we have to offer. While I am confident that we can one day be countrymen; right now it’s up to us to do everything we can to show them we can at least be friends.”

            “The efforts of the Civilian Service Corps are greatly appreciated.” Provisional Minister of the GLPA The’unya Deyali, 30(Tv) said. “More and more, I see Luz and its outlying territories growing stronger and happier. Where once there were curfews, now the night is filled with lights and laughter again.” When asked if she perceived any problems with looters or war profiteers she stated “The shared horror of our treatment under the Empire has done much to foster a sense of community and social responsibility amongst the majority of the populace. While some misguided individuals have attempted to dishonestly better their circumstances, our husbands and neighbors in the Provisional Enforcement Agency patrol and investigate day and night to ensure safe communities and a healthy post-occupation Luz.” On the subject of annexation, Deyali remained cautious, but optimistic. “Continued friendship with the NUSA is a priority for all provisional governors, however uniting the whole world under a foreign flag is an area of great concern. I am constantly in communication with my counterparts regarding Talveras’ future with the NUSA, but I feel I speak for all of them when I say that I hope that future is a bright one.”

Challenges Ahead: Not all of Luz’s citizens seem as open to the concept of annexation as minister Deyali. Ajakar –a cobbler and a member of the ‘geliartik’ subclass who chose to forgo a surname- said “The NUSA’s game is obvious to everyone who has eyes. They think we have two choices: Join with their nation, or remain vulnerable to Imperial retaliation. What they don’t say is that while they appear strong, they need Talveras more than Talveras needs them. When the Imperial sword strikes to answer the loss of this world, it will strike hardest at the NUSA, not we of Talveras." Despite having taken two worlds from the Empire in recent months, and two more in contest, the NUSA still has no individual world it can fly its flag over. Compared to the North Asian Coalition’s quick annexation of Sh’rvest just months ago, the NUSA’s progress in convincing worlds to join its cause is painfully slow. “We must avoid any temptations to repeat the mistakes of Manifest Destiny and of the Empire,” President Andrew van Sheik said, “We will do all we can to convince prospective worlds to join into the American fold –with all the freedoms and privileges such entails- but at the end of the day, we must respect that the decision is their choice; not ours.”

The War Continues: Though Talveras was officially declared ‘liberated’ over a month ago, fighting still continues in the cold forested ‘North Reaches’ of the Shavitessen continent (The largest continent on Talveras, home to the major former nation-states of Luz, Shashanna, Lekenkos, Ura’en, and Golo.) In the shadow of the world’s highest mountain range, the soldiers of the 121^st Expeditionary Division clash with the remaining Hilean Imperial forces. “The deep forests and other natural barriers make it difficult to maintain reliable satellite imagery, making it all but impossible to direct an effective orbital bombardment.” General Byron Davis, Commanding Officer of the 121^st stated. “However, our ground forces, supplemented by the local expertise of many novum volunteers, are more than capable of handling what fight remains in the Imperials.” When asked if he anticipated an imminent Imperial surrender, Davis replied “We have thus far been unable to reach out to any central commander of the Imperial forces and it may be possible that they don’t even have one. Nonetheless, we do know they are protecting a large group of Imperial colonists, and may therefore be disinclined to surrender over possible concerns of their treatment.” When asked if he foresaw a prolonged fight ahead of his troops, the General remained confident. “The Hileans are fighting with more Velut Orsini [Military Support Branch] than Velut Hym’r [Combat Branch] while they may have been trained in guerrilla tactics at their respective military schools, [it] should be remembered that we have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Empire for the past thirteen years. Rest assured, we’ve got the Empire playing our game, and we’ve got [the game] rigged.” 

^[UWP]

 

 

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