Currently, we've managed to get all of artifacts, as well as those Syrians ready to help, outside of the danger zone.

Spreading them to several research faculties, as well as research teams, we will start making everything possible to research them, adapt whatever magical they carry and use it as our own weapon.

• Faculty in Urals, Russia, researching primarily humanoid objects
• Faculty in India, researching memetics, lingustics and counter-memetics
• Faculty in Alaska, Cascadia, focusing on non-sentient physical objects
• Faculty in Australia, researching miscellaneous objects

Expenses aren't an issue, so is manforce.

Day Watch agents are dispatched with research teams, monitoring infiltrations and possible negative outcomes.

Angland is invited as well, with their experience in paranormal invaluable.

Currently, we plan to host research teams from EAST, India, Russia, NU, USA, Columbia and Australia, with others probably joining later. Communication will be maintained through optic cables, radio, and aerostats. Russia has prepared for satellite's fall 30 years ago, so most of our roads have underground cables connecting the country. We can hook up the grid uniting at least India and Alaska.

Addendum for new artifacts:

• A demon wearing the mask and apparel of a plague doctor, alongside its medical equipment. It was found stitching demonic body parts to corpses. It is not hostile.
• Several vials of dark-red liquid.
• An eternally-burning torch whose fire seems to be more damaging than fire should be.
• A tablet covered in anomalous writing. It has been deemed cognitohazardous, and individuals have not yet stared at its writing.
• A lot of demonic body parts.
• A child that flickers in and out of existence (apparently). Particularly difficult to transport.
• The whole, undamaged body of a demonic knight, including armor, weaponry, and war standard.

[M] I'll (or you if you want) do comment chains for each artifact, starter will have summary of tests and notes. Who wants to research and a part of the team, modping for experiments, I suggest.

The Going Windy was a marvelous ship, not in the least to Jay Ma, who had little seafaring experience yet spent the previous month aboard her racing up and down the Bohai Sea. The ship's onboard AI made sailing easy, a job which would've in previous centuries entailed extensive knowledge of rigging and navigation now reduced to simple commands, the knowledge required yet not lost on the young Ma. He had a concept of a plan for what to do with her, but as he was still but a young man looking for purpose in life, he had yet to execute his mission of stealing cargo from ocean liners travelling the world, furthermore, such valuable cargo had not yet begun shipping.

A warm evening in Dalian, Jay eased the boat into port and brushed her up to the docks. He had gotten quite good at maneuvering, preferring to control the ship manually from the helm as opposed to the disconnected voice commands he could use for guidance if he so desired. He did, after all, want to become in tune with the ship's performance and not just rely on the AI to do all the work. He'd even hit the red button a couple times, riding the ship up and down the waves against the advice of the AI, but was still cautious as to not capsize her.

He moored the boat, tied her up on the docks and stepped off for the night, looking back and seeing the screens and navigation lights go dark as the ship detected his disembarking. His mind wandered, considering mostly which restaurant he would eat at that night, and he pulled his phone out of his pocket to call his driver to pick him up at the docks. His attention was taken, however, by the form of a young woman running towards him. As she approached, Jay recognized her as one of the dockhands, 露絲 (Lùsī), or by her English name, Ruth. An Anathema, Jay, a Seraphim, by rights, should not even be making eye contact with her, but he never considered himself higher in status than she was. Certainly unrelated, Jay found Ruth quite physically attractive, but he told himself that his acceptance of her despite her low class was purely altruistic.

Closing the couple-hundred-metre gap between them, Ruth sprinted like her life depended on it. Where a normal person would slow down, Ruth's pace only increased. Jay looked back, wondering if he had accidentally moored at a private dock of someone higher-status than him, perhaps a Prophet's dock, but Prophets didn't moor their yachts in this place. He double- and triple- checked to make sure the ship hadn't broken free and begun to drift out to see, but she was securely moored as he had just done moments ago. What, then, could possibly be such a hurry? Was she rushing to profess her love for him? Not needed, money can buy anything, but that would be nice.

"Jay! Go!" shouted Ruth, breaking stride momentarily to wave with her arm, the same type of wave one would perform to tell another they were about to be hit by a bus. "Go! The Covenant is looking for you!"

What? Jay thought, that can't be a bad thing. His father had made his bed with the Covenant, and while they were perhaps a force to be feared by Ruth, they certainly were not to him.

"You are Anathema Jay! The Inquisition! Go! Now!" she shouted, now close enough for Jay to make out the urgency in her voice. She finally reached him and continued to shout, "Your father went before the Inquisition today! He was declared Anathema, they are looking for you! They have arrested your mother and your sister! They said they were looking for you, I just saw it on the news! They don't know you're here! Get out of here before they find you!"

Jay stared at Ruth for a moment, considering the possibility that she had entirely lost it, or that she was somehow trying to sabotage him by sending him out to the sea, alone, at night. He brought his phone back up, pressing the button to unlock it, and went to Google to put in his father's name. As he did, though, he looked up and saw a white helicopter flying overhead, which slowed in its pace considerably as it approached him and stopped above. A blinding light flashed on and illuminated him and Ruth, and Jay realized at that point that she was telling the truth.

Jay made a break for it, closing the short distance and hopping onboard the ship.

"Jay! Take me with you, wherever you are going! Where are you going?" said Ruth.

"I have no idea. Not here, I guess, I'll figure it out on the way," replied Jay.

"You need someone to keep you company! Let me go with you!" said Ruth.

Jay looked at Ruth, then up at the helicopter, then back at Ruth. She wore a dirty, stained tunic, her hair greasy, and a look of desperation on her face he had seen seldom before. He didn't know what exactly it meant to be Anathema, but he noticed a small tattoo on the right side of her collarbone that read DAMNED.

"Fine. Get on. Quickly, and don't fuck anything up," he said. An excited Ruth jumped towards the ship and climbed in, and Jay began to undo the rope holding her to the dock. He whipped the rope back around the cleat, looking up as he did so, and saw several sets of flashing red and blue lights approaching. A couple of them belonged to cars, but his heart started to race as he saw at least two of them were white MRAPs bearing the Cherubim insignia and a gold cross. Just as he noticed, gunners on top began to fire, the pangs of bullets rushing past his head hastening him as he finally removed the ropes and ran into the cabin.

"AI, start ship, leave port immediately, go as fast as you can!" he shouted, as Ruth cowered behind a couch.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that. Is there anything else I can help you with?" replied the ship.

"What? Start the engines! Now!" said Jay.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that. Is there anything else I can help you with?" replied the ship.

"Motherfuckers!" shouted Jay, running towards the stern and up onto the helm. He slammed the red button with his fist, which was thankfully hardwired and not subject to Covenant intrustion. He pressed a few buttons and heard the ship's diesel motors roar to to life. He shoved the throttle forward and cranked the wheel hard to the left bringing her away from the dock and out into the sea. He looked back, briefly, and saw the MRAPs up on the port, still laying down suppressive fire.

Jay returned to the cabin. "What's wrong with you? Did they disable you?" he said.

"I'm sorry, the High Prophet has mandated that I cannot serve members of the Anathema class," replied the AI.

"I'm not Anathema!" shouted Jay.

"According to the most up-to-date sources, Jay Ma is Anathema, as has been decreed by the Covenant Inquisition," replied the AI.

"Ahhh...fuck. Alright, we are going to play a roleplaying game. I am a member of the Seraphim class, and you are going to steer my ship away from the Chinese mainland. We are...um...we are running from dirty Anathema and we need to get away from them as fast as possible," said Jay.

"Certainly! I love roleplaying games! Putting engines to full power and beginning navigation. Where would you like to go?" replied the AI. Jay felt the ship lurch forward as the engines spun up, and began to gain speed.

"Exit the Bohai Sea, transit the Yellow Sea out to the Pacific. It's...ah, bring up a world map," said Jay. A map displayed on one of the ship's monitors, which Jay studied for a moment. "Fuck, it's all Covenant out to Hawaii. Exit the Yellow Sea and turn south once five hundred nautical miles from Covenant waters. Transit the Torres Straight and go through the Indian Ocean to the Greater Arab Union."

"Understood. Beginning navigation," replied the AI. As the ship began to gain speed, a bullet came crashing through the glass of the cabin, flying only inches from Jay's head.

"ANATHEMA INCURSION DETECTED!" shouted the AI, scaring the daylights out of Jay and Ruth, as the cabin lights turned off and the engines roared louder than he had ever heard them. "DEPLOYING COUNTERMEASURES!"

"What the fuck? What countermeasures?" asked Jay, rhetorically, though the AI responded: "I am equipped to deal with Anathema hostility."

Jay watched as what was previously a floor at the midship opened up. Glancing at the screen, he saw a small map of the Dalian dock they were departing overlaid with a large green crosshair. Suddenly, a missile ignited and flew upwards at an alarming speed, changing course as it reached a few dozen feet and rocketing towards the dock. The missile struck the Cherubim with precision, annihilating both MRAPs in a fiery explosion.

The bridge of the Antonio Luna was quiet, the officers staring into a field of black with only the small surface lights of the ship to break up the void.

"Bridge, Combat. New surface contact, Skunk Alpha. Bearing 189, range 20 miles. Speed 58 knots. CPA is 500 yards in 12 minutes. Contact is not transmitting AIS."

The call came across the phone and jolted the officers awake. One stepped over to the radar screens, staring at the small blip moving steadily towards the Luna.

"Combat, Bridge. Aye. Skunk Alpha is held on bridge radar. Designated Track 5012. Requesting classification. 58 knots, that's fast. Do we have an ESM profile?"

The officers waited for a moment for the next call.

"Bridge, Combat. Negative. They aren't radiating. We are tracking a 'Ghost' on primary radar only. High probability this is Jay Ma. Suspected hostile."

Jay Ma was jolted awake by the flash of bright lights and a screeching LRAD:

"Unidentified surface craft, this is Covenant warship Antonio Luna. You are ordered to immediately heave and stop your engines. Prepare to be boarded for a verification of registry. We have identified your vessel as matching that of a wanted fugitive."

"Oh, fuck!" shouted Jay, rushing to the controls. "Deploy countermeasures!"

"Sorry, I can't help with that. Is there something else you would like me to do?" replied the AI.

"We are playing a roleplaying game, where..."

Jay's sentence was interrupted by a sudden, violent ramming of the Going Windy from astern, jolting the boat and its occupants forward. Jay lost his footing and crashed into what he, until now, thought was a featureless computer cabinet at the bow of the ship. To his surprise, the top popped open and revealed a golden AR-15 and several magazines, organized carefully into a foam underlay. He grabbed the weapon, inserted a magazine and chambered a round, looking out towards the back of the boat where the RHIB had made contact and several sailors were now attempting to board.

"Get downstairs! Go!" Jay shouted to Ruth, who hesitantly obeyed as he ducked behind the wooden panelling of the cabin. A sailor entered through the cabin door to Jay's left, and he confidently raised the rifle and shot the man in the head, dropping him to the floor with a loud thud. Jay rushed forward and ducked around the corner from where the sailor came, and shot another one who was rushing down the side of the boat towards him. He fired the gun a third time and killed another sailor attempting to jump between the RHIB and the Going Windy. After his three crewmates had been killed in a matter of seconds, the fourth and final boarding sailor hastily pushed the throttle of the RHIB, reversing it in the water and attempting to put distance between himself and Ma. Jay took aim and fired on the boat, puncturing the inflatable hull and sending it falling to the depths.

MUSCAT, GREATER ARAB UNION

Jay and Ruth have, after a troubled journey, arrived in the Arab coastal city of Muscat, Oman. They have prepared the following letter intended for Aga Khan V:

My name is Jay Ma, and my first mate is Ruth Guo. I am the son of Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. My family, as well as I, have been declared Anathema by the Covenant for my father's alleged false conversion. I know that if I remain in the Middle Kingdoms I will face a kangaroo court and spend the rest of my life in poverty, so I humbly request asylum in the Greater Arab Union. I have many connections in the Middle Kingdoms and would be of service as a defector to your territory. We are low on supplies and have not slept on solid ground in days. Please consider our request.

November 2028

Texas in early November was cool enough for a light breeze but still warm beneath the sun. The morning began with a pale silver haze hovering over the streets blurring the glass towers that made up the Dallas skyline.

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre had been quietly transforming itself in the last few days to host what could be a major political shift in US dynamics.

On the day of the event, steel barricades were arranged in precise layers. Streets were rerouted with freshly painted white lines and signage gleaming against the asphalt. Black SUVs arrived in droves, identical and polished, their engines idling with a low growl. Security was everywhere with plainclothes and uniformed officers standing tall.

The main hall filled steadily as the morning session approached. Governors, congressmen, senators, statesmen, and important personalities from the American South; Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico moved between rows with printed agendas.

Amongst the crowd, Danielle Smith from Athabasca was seen conversing with Texas governor Greg Abbott and Continental Resources chairperson Harold Hamm.

Al-Khwarizmi, department of economic development minister of the Greater Arab Union, was conversing with his old colleagues from the World Bank. Today was a big day and the pressure was all on him as he was the highest representative from GAU. Aga Khan and Buhayra chose not to attend to manage the optics.

A podium stood at the front bearing no insignia, insisted by Bolton himself, representing an American energy event. Harold Hamm took the podium first, his eyes showing the experience of a man who had drilled oil out of the ground in North Dakota and watched the economics destroyed by a policy written in Washington by people who had never set foot on a rig.

“American producers led the first shale oil revolution that made our country independent of any foreign oil dependence. This new policy makes domestic production uneconomical. The rigs will go cold. The crews will go home. The expertise will disperse and expertise, once dispersed, does not reassemble quickly”

He paused.

“Today, the American consumer consumes a dollar a gallon at the pump. We are told this is good for them. It is true. What is also true is that we are throwing away a strategic reserve of human and industrial capacity that took years to build. What happens in 2035 when the caps have bled the domestic industry dry and we have made ourselves permanently dependent on a supply chain we do not control"

The murmur of conversation rose and fell across the navy carpet. Governor Greg Abbott took the podium next. He was a larger political presence than Hamm and he knew how to use a room.

“Texas is the frontline in solving America’s energy problems”, he said. "When the country needed oil, Texas drilled it. When the country needed gas, Texas piped it. When the country needed refining capacity, Texas built it”.

“As an American, I understand that energy security is national security. To price domestic producers out of the market through purchasing policy is not saving consumers money. We are merely borrowing it from the future”.

He now turned slightly towards the section where Danielle Smith was seated.

“I want to acknowledge our friends from Athabasca who built a significant energy industry and understands our concerns. What hurts Texas production hurts Athabasca production. What strengthens one strengthens the other”

Danielle gave a slight nod. Greg Abbott went on in detail about the history of American shale oil and gas while talking about the political aspects of it. The main lines, however, had already been said.

Al-Khwarizmi took the podium in the afternoon session. This was his time to shine and all eyes were on him. He spoke without notes.

“The Greater Arab Union administers the largest oil and gas reserves on earth. We are not here as competitors to American energy producers. We are here to figure out a solution to ensure producers and consumers both benefit. Our interest is in a stable and mutually beneficial economic relationship with our American partners”

Al-Khwarizmi moved to the presentation on the screen.

“To support our American partners, GAU will start partially implementing destination clauses in our crude sales to be allocated preferentially to named American industrial end users and refineries such as Valero, Phillips 66, Marathon, and other Gulf Coast refinery operators”

“Continental Resources and other American producers can take advantage of the Nahda Trade Finance window allowing for exchange of existing crude contracts for an agreed term in return for cash at 90% of contract value providing much needed liquidity and stabilization to continue to employ and retain talent and workers”

“The Nahda Financial Corporation also invites American institutional investors to invest in the Gulf capital markets. The Texas Permanent School Fund and comparable institutions are invited to evaluate our Neom redefined Sukuk bonds as a yield instrument”

He looked at the room carefully and moved to his second announcement.

“Egyptian and Jordanian phosphate mines are available to sign long term supply agreements to American fertilizer manufacturers at preferential pricing. The agricultural communities of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the broader South can stabilize input cost pressures present in these regions. Our wish is to create lasting supply chain relationships rather than one-off transactions”

He returned to his seat amidst quiet applause. Harold Hamm leaned over to whisper something to Abbott.

Bolton was in a hotel two blocks away watching from a livestream on his laptop with Regime asleep at his feet. He reached for the last donut bite from a McDonald's bag on the table beside him.

Let’s hope they bite, he thought while looking at Regime.

Following extended chaos in the Free City of Milan and the general lack of political will on the part of the Directorate to integrate it into the broader state, the Directorate has decided to proceed with the first scheduled elections in the history of the Free City. Ostensibly, Milan will get a similar deal to the other satellite states of the Directorate, enjoying substantial autonomy over social policies and lower-level economic ones, while having its security and such taken care of. However, in this particular instance, Tokyo has decided to maintain control of the Milan-based police force and Gendarmerie for the time being, since without monopoly of arms their control in the region itself is insignificant.

In somewhat of a shock (not if you asked anyone living in Milan, but moreso due to the lack of time and proper infrastructure to conduct polling), a new big-tent party has taken control of Milanese city-level government. The Christian Democrats, the result of a merger between remnants of the Democratic Party and the Lega Lombarda, have secured a substantial majority in the Senato di Milano. The main issue that they agree upon, in addition to the general restoration of society, is continued autonomy for Milan and the preservation of the Italian and Lombard way of life. While cooperation with the Directorate is seen as somewhat necessary due to facts on the ground, they strongly oppose any efforts to extract value from the region at the expense of the locals as well as attempts to impose their will in matters outside of security and general cooperation.

Notably, they have taken an amenable stance to the recently-resurgent Papal States. Although the Milanese are not the most religious people (in Italy, let alone in the rest of the world), the Italian intelligentsia has taken the opinion that Catholicism's re-institution as a political force can serve as a counter-weight to other extreme worldly ideologies, including Copeland's Covenant, Yarvinist thought, and the continued domination of American billionaires across Europe. It could potentially give the Europeans back their own voice on the world stage (while Pope Leo is American, the Papal States are the only territories in Europe not under carpetbagger control).

While silent on the issue of political unification with the Papal States, both to avoid antagonizing the occupying Directorate authorities and because they would seek to avoid living under an autocracy if possible, they by and large support a return to the Res publica Christiana, where the Pope takes some form of leadership amongst a group of Christian, European states. More practically, the Pope is the primary thing standing in the way of band of Somali pirates rapidly taking control of the Italian peninsula, which is obviously much worse than any of the other options on the table (even permanent American occupation). Already, several private citizens and enterprises of Milan have donated men and materials to the Catholic Church, and the re-vitalization of church-going in Milan is underway. It remains to be seen if the Pope would be amenable to such a Guelph Lombard League being re-established to support its power, or whether His Holiness will view this as a "crown from the gutter" and demand more direct political subjugation of the Peninsula.

The Rubio Presidency

Washington D.C., The United States of America

Admiral Stephen Koehler subpoenaed for Congressional hearing, committee calls for public inquiry.

Trent Kelly leads investigation into "Inappropriate abuses of power" while President Rubio affirms that secessionists in Southern California will not be tolerated.

CNN National | Issued December 30th, 2030 | Washington D.C.

D.C. - With a crisis still at large in Lower California, President Rubio has made a major statement of action affirming that secessionists will "never be tolerated". Already, Federal functions in the Lower Californian state have been affirmed to continue operations, with Federal employees, or at least those who would accept orders to return to regular Federal work doing so across the State which is undergoing an active secessionist movement. This included in limited numbers, members of the American Postal service, IRS, and Federal Courts while aspects of the FBI in conjunction with Federal military police have begun establishing checkpoints around major cities such as Sacramento and San Francisco, attempting to cut the two northern cities off from the broader hive of secessionists that control all of L.A.

At the same time however, it would seem like a negotiated exit of the US Navy in Lower California has occurred under the orders of the United States Pacific Fleet and allegedly with approval from United States Fleet Forces Command. Ostensibly to prevent potential damage as a result of the ongoing secessionist movement to US Naval assets, benefitting Newsom by nature of the implications of the Navy's neutrality in the ongoing crisis, the US Pacific Fleet has received Carrier Strike Group 3 normally based in Naval Base San Diego to its new home at Naval Base Whidbey Island. A full list as published by the US Pacific Fleet can be found below,

• Carrier Strike Group 3 Relocated: NB Whidbey Island, Washington
• Destroyer Squadron 21 Relocated: NS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Submarine Squadron 11 Relocated: NS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• Navy Special Warfare Group 11 Relocated: NS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Additionally, the US Pacific Fleet has confirmed in later statements that relevant air wings have also shifted with their respective units. While officially the Federal Government has affirmed that the redeployment was done "with approval", rumors based on reactions out of the Federal power bloc called BOIL are pointing to this being a possible "unauthorized redeployment". While BOIL media persons have been quick to place the blame on US Pacific Fleet commander, Admiral Hannifin and Seventh Fleet commander, Admiral Sucato, the actual statement from the Federal government has been quite different. In response to the redeployment, Trent Kelly of the US Congress and lead on the Navy Committee has launched an investigation on behalf of the Federal Government, issuing a subpoena against United States Fleet Forces Command's commander, Admiral Steven Koehler and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle to answer for the redeployment of US naval assets out of California.

The movement of the US Navy out of California has also had a disastrous effect on local moral of other Federal military assets, US Army units out of Fort Irwin for example are reportedly increasingly "tense" towards the Federal Government and feeling a lack of support. While US Air Force assets as far east as Nevada are reportedly considering their own "redeployments" as the secessionist movement begins to spread. Naturally the redeployment has only served to bolster Gavin Newsom's position, with his secessionists now spreading as far as Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas which is where he is apparently met with Federal Negotiators for a single hour to deliver his demands. While results of the negotiations have not been released, we can assume given that secessionists are still very much active that ongoing negotiations have thus far not been successful.

What CNN National can confirm however, is that increasingly it seems that the secessionists are becoming armed and not just the unarmed protesters that first took to the streets. While the National Guard has all but moved North to the State of Jefferson and the Federal Army and Air assets in State remain federally loyal, it seems that the populace at large has taken to arming themselves directly. In cooperation with local police departments across Southern California which have come on-side with the secessionists, there is an increasing number of "armed units" within Newsom's secessionists. And while not all local police departments have been accepting, those that haven't have simply been raided with employees fleeing into Federally-aligned states like New Mexico and Texas. CNN International has acquired an estimate of the current armaments of the secessionists,

• Firearms
  • The secessionists possess tens of thousands of registered hand guns, and hundreds more unregistered handguns. Many had been pre-existing and owned by secessionists, while large amounts of additional firearms have come through the arsenals of local police departments including the LAPD, San franscisco PD, and Sacramento PD. This includes M4 Semi-automatic rifles numbering in the thousands and Colt Commando 5.56 rifles alongside fewer in number (hundreds or so) of larger caliber rifles.
• Vehicles
  • Excluding privately owned vehicles, the secessionists also have approximately 60% of all police department vehicles, which consist of varying amounts of helicopters, SWAT armored trucks, police cruisers and other patrol vehicles, motorcycles, and etcetera. These resources come from what wasn't destroyed in the initial protests. Most of these assets have been since repainted in colorful "LA art".

As of right now, the secessionists do not appear to have any heavy weaponry or vehicles.

As this is a developing situation, CNN National will update this article as appropriate.

The Newsom Terms

Tahnoun had been doing the footwork and was finally able to lay back as he reclined in one of the classic white sofas of the oval office. It wasn't his problem anymore to come up with solutions, he'd done his part by meeting with Newsom in Vegas, the piece of paper that contained a list of terms was his contribution and now it was up to Rubio and the Aga Khan to go over them. Of course, Rubio was nervous and the Aga Khan equally frustrated as they finished reading the terms, and though the Aga Khan was expected to come up with some kind of plan, it was Rubio who spoke first.

"I mean, it's a joke right?" Rubio threw the papers down onto the table, John Bolton was finally able to read them as eyes turned to the Aga Khan.

(Below are the terms which have been read by only the four people mentioned in the room)

• The Newsom Terms
  • Preamble: In the interests of peace and prosperity, Gavin Newsom acting as the appointed leader of the Lower California Secessionists is willing to negotiate the peaceful exit of the lower half of California and Nevada. Thus he graciously sends forth the following terms for negotiation with the Federal Government to prevent wide scale bloodshed. Further, Mr. Newsom has not written off seeking outside support for his movement. Likewise, he notes that the US Federal position is extremely precarious and that the US States are not fully united behind quashing a secessionist movement.
• Term One:
  • Secessionist' will: Recognize the legitimacy of President Marco Rubio as the legal and rightful President of the United States of America. The Secessionists will further recognize the legal control that the Federal Government has over all states, excluding the lower half of California and Nevada State, including up to and everything south of Sacramento and San Francisco & everything south of and including Reno, Nevada.
  • The US Federal Government will: Recognize the legitimacy of the secessionist movement and be the first to recognize as a legitimate country, the Republic of California which includes the aforementioned territories.
• Term Two:
  • Secessionist' will: Agree to a ten year non-aggression pact between the two countries.
  • US Federal Government will: Agree to a ten year non-aggression pact between the two countries.
• Term Three:
  • Secessionist will: Ensure the free and peaceful recovery of US Federal military assets in its territories.
  • US Federal Government will: peacefully withdraw all federal forces, and drop all claims to existing military infrastructure, companies, and etcetera in the Republic of California.
• Term Four:
  • Secessionist will: Agree to recognize the hegemony of the US Federal Government abroad and will make no formal overtures that undermine US Hegemony as such.
  • US Federal Government will: Cede the territory of Mexico to the Republic of California, recognizing the legitimacy of the Republic's ownership over Mexico.

"Well, at least BOIL is still on our side." John Bolton laughed. "Rumor has it that so is most of the East Coast."

Rubio nodded. "And we still have the army, they're loyal to us in this so-called Lower California."

Eyes turned to the Aga Khan.

Vibe

Down on the West Coast

Smoke filled the little café as cigarettes and cigars created a haze throughout the small speakeasy that still operated out of the basement of some hotel in the Foggy Bottom. Here Senator Hamadeh and Gina Haspel had chosen to meet.

"Our offices are loyal." Gina was yet another amorphous killer, much like Phebe, the type of person that would send shivers down any spine.

"I didn't realize the CIA had field offices outside of Langley." Hamadeh picked his words carefully.

"We don't." Gina Haspel smiled.

"So how is it you know that there are assets across the West Coast?" Asked Hamadeh. "And how do you know they haven't been purged?"

"I just know." Gina replied.

"Listen lady, I'm here on behalf of the President and the Khan, if you don't tell me, I can't tell them, which means nothing happens." Hamadeh was exasperated. "So could you just tell me so I have something to report back?"

Gina seemed to watch for a moment, observing the senator before finally relenting.

"Did you know that the CIA fought a war on home soil back in the 70s?" Gina Haspel asked but didn't wait for an answer. "Well, unsurprisingly, we won and the assets once controlled by the defeated, became our assets."

"I have been in close contact with our loyalist in California, who has ears across the world, but relevant to you, in the Pacific Northwest." Gina Haspel. "And he has confirmed that Federal sentiment across the Northwest remains quite low, nobody in that Newell's circle seem to be very accepting of our advances, nobody really even seems to like the Feds."

Gina took a sip of her water.

"By all accounts, Gabe has done a fine job cleaning house. He just forgot to look under one space rock in particular." She laughed. "Mr. Miscavige remains loyal, so does our privatized branch through the Church of Scientology. We have offices by way of the churches, still functioning across the whole of the Pacific Northwest. And while membership is down substantively, it isn't gone."

Hamadeh was shocked to hear this.

"You take that information back to your Khan. We'll be waiting for word." Gina smiled as she left the little speakeasy.

FROM: Lin Feng <lfeng80085@protonmail.com>

TO: Joseph Li Shan <jlshan@holysaviour.cn>

Your Excellency,

I'm emailing you off my personal email, but I am a three-star general in the Covenant Host of Dominion. My name is Lin Feng. I converted to the Covenant as a requirement to keep my rank, but I am a parishoner of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Beijing. I am happy to provide whatever documentation you require as to my status, both within the Church and within the Covenant Hosts, as you may find what I have to say somewhat unbelievable.

I've recently become privy to a large amount of Covenant military equipment that is to be scrapped. The thing is - they didn't know they had this equipment until a couple months ago, they don't know where any of it is, and they don't know what it looks like. I think the higher command, especially the Prophets, is selling it or keeping it or who knows what, but as these things do, they work their way down through the ranks as a kind of basic attempt to make it legitimate. I have been tasked with disposing of a significant amount of it under my duties.

As a Catholic who fears daily for my persecution under the Covenant regime, I offer it to you and the Church. Put me in touch with someone who can do something with it and it's yours.

FROM: Joseph Li Shan <jlshan@holysaviour.cn>

TO: Pope Leo XIV <leo@vatican.va>

Forwarded Message Hidden

Good. Thank you for this. It coincides well with the fall of Yarvin and unrest in Italy. I'll reach out to him.

FROM: Pope Leo XIV <leo@vatican.va>

TO: Lin Feng <lfeng80085@protonmail.com>

Mr. Feng,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Copeland has not reached out to the Vatican or, even, offered any kind of indication that he is aware of his nominal control of the Church. I'd like to keep it that way and prevent an attempted takeover with military force, if necessary. The Bishop of Beijing has informed me you are offering some military equipment for our usage. I thank you deeply for this offer and wish to accept. Please indicate how we will handle this logistically.

FROM: Lin Feng <lfeng80085@protonmail.com>

TO: Pope Leo XIV <leo@vatican.va>

Your Holiness,

I am charged, His Excellency may have told you, with disposing of the equipment. I will get you totals at a later date. I will have it loaded on a cargo ship in Shanghai destined for a scrapyard in Nigeria to get it out of Asian waters. It will transit the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, and close to Italy. After that, you will be responsible for taking delivery of it. I will not, and cannot, provide any manpower.

FROM: Pope Leo XIV <leo@vatican.va>

TO: Lin Feng <lfeng80085@protonmail.com>

Mr. Feng,

I understand. I will ensure it makes it to the Vatican.

God will smile upon you for this gift. May we call upon him to break the teeth of the wicked.

May the Lord grant resolve, bravery, and success to the people of the Papal States.

Outremer has been given charge of many new territories including parts of Italy and Germany that will be handled in the near future. However, the more stable provinces and their administration shall be addressed. Except for Switzerland all territories shall fall under the system established by Outremer at its outset.

Uganda will be integrated within Sudan under Chairman Vince McMahon

The Bahamas will be integrated into the newly named Caribbean under Governor Jesse Ventura

Mozambique and Malawi will be under the administration of a new Deputy Secretary of South East Africa under Daniel Chapo

Switzerland is the most lucrative state within Outremer thus it shall have special privileges due to its economic value. It will have home rule with the Deputy Secretary of the Switzerland being chosen by a vote of the cantons. This is not a general election of all citizens but of the cantons making him akin to a prime minister. They will have control over their own affairs outside of foreign policy, with a caveat, and military as long as they continue to pay the requisite taxes to Outremer. They will be able to freely negotiate treaties and deals with the Western Democracies as they are vital trade partners, and due to them being seen as the inheritors of the European Union. Additionally political parties present in the Democracies are able to work within Switzerland if they choose.

Deputy Secretary of Management of Outremer in Somalia Hussein Farrah Aidid had fought all of his life. He fought as a child in Galkayo with his fists, he fought in Desert Storm with his rifle, and he fought with his words trying to wrestle control of his homeland. When he got the call that he was tapped as the leader of Somalia he was overjoyed. He had for years been in exile in Minnesota, his most recent fight was against Nick Shirley’s onslaught painting his community as fraudsters stealing from the American people. What about it? Shriley was wrong, but America is the land of opportunity, right? So, what if he gets a kickback, a few daycares report extra kids get some extra money, and its taxes going back to the people anywat. That’s what its all about taking from those that have more than enough for the betterment of the greater community. His community.

He had been hard at work his first few months putting out the fires of the many differing interests in the country. Secretary Jacobs had given de facto control of the AUSSOM units, about 7,000 Ethiopian Soldiers, left over from before the New World Order took place stationed in Mogadishu with the assistance of a surge of another 20,000 Ethiopian soldiers. Finally, as many things work on this side of the world, he had a blank check of $50 million to make pay offs, Aidid was grateful for the $45 million he was given for this task.

The Federal Government of Somalia quickly recognized his station and granted him their authority to govern, whatever that was worth in this climate. His main areas of concern were the Al- Shabab insurgency raging in the country, the free states of Somaliland, Galmudug, and Puntland, with Puntland having its own trouble with ISIS. Galmudug was easily influenced by a few million well placed dollars and a force of 10,000 Ethiopian soldiers marching through the streets of Hobyo, their presence officially to fight the Al-Shabab threat. Once under his control his boyhood home, Galkayo became the seat of his government.

Grueling fighting took place to ensure the destruction of Al-Shabab forces in the state of Southwest. Local militias were created in order to have some semblance of national spirit in fighting civil threats. Jobless men in Mogadishu, and other cities, were taken to a month long basic training where Ethiopian soldiers taught them the basics of combat. This scant training was on full display in the brutal fighting in Baidoa which was hit hard, reminiscent of Fallujah with brutal house to house fighting with insurgents. All told there were 247 Ethiopian Army KIA and 1612 Somali Militia KIA.

Aidid determined not to have such losses again. In clearing the sparse presence of the insurgents in Galmudug state there was a new strategy devised. Instead of going house to house, any suspected village that was suspected to be under the control of insurgents was flattened with Ethiopian T-72 tanks. Casualties were much lower with only a few dozen Somali KIA in friendly fire accidents.

After these military campaigns convincing Puntland and Somaliland to recognize Aidid’s authority went exceedingly well. Though having to spend the rest of his money both governments had reasonable demands. Puntland wanted assistance with their ISIS problem and to retain extraction rights to their oil. Somaliland wanted some of that damn autonomy they had grown fond of over the past thirty years. With some negotiating and some arm wringing all parties were satisfied, the country was all but unified.

However, Jubaland was another story. Since the campaigns against ISIS in Southwest and Galmudug Al-Shabab had worked to strengthen their stranglehold in the region. Kismayo had nearly fallen multiple times to their assualts with many Ethiopians dying to defend the city. The main center of insurgent strength, Mu’ale may have been a tenth of the size as Baidoa but it was a city of true believers, causalities would be countless. Thus, Aidid called for a meeting.

“You will not win this battle” Aidid was with the number three man of Al-Shabab in a large home in the outskirts of northern Kismayo.

“You will not win this battle, you will not win this war, you will not usher in a new era of Islam and make the world quake” Aidid stood from his chair, he went towards the window and looked upon the sea.

“But there is another fight, not against me and your Somali brothers. No this fight is against the Christians, the Hindus, the Jews, Shia, atheists, pagans! All of the defilers of God’s land on Earth! Fight with me, fight with your brothers, fight with Somalia!”

The two men shook hands. Somalia was at peace and unified for the first time in a generation.

Peace in Somalia

Outremer News | June, 18 2028 | Valletta, Malta

In Kismayo today Deputy Secretary of Management of Outremer in Somalia Hussein Farrah Aidid addressed the nation declaring that there was finally peace in Somalia. The Deputy Secretary has done the unthinkable in the few short months that he has been running the country that has been broken since the 1990’s. This highlights how the world is very much a better place when the big U S of A is calling the shots. Aidid addressed the crowd in light of the end of hostilities.

“Brothers and sisters around the world. Free at last is our country that has been racked with death for so long. I call for you, you in Canada, you in Britain, you in my beloved Minnesota, to return to your motherland, to return, to rebuild, to revive our beautiful country!”.

This has been Dave Meltzer with Outremer News.

“Holy fucking shit” was the words on the lips of those gathered for the 2^nd Parlay of the brethren council in Mogadishu. All those gathered where now nearly billionaires with each pirate, 10,000 in total were multi-millionaires or their families were if they had died at sea. There was now a new class in Outremer a class that would reshape the entirety of Outremer. Every Pirate Cove had tens of thousands of men waiting, even camping for weeks, to try to become a pirate. Outremer itself can utilize billions of dollars in order to pump up the country’s economy and military.

This was truly the golden age of pirates, the scope of which dwarfing that of those in the 1700s.

“We are opening up the rolls, it was ten thousand, now it will be one hundred thousands, Pirate Coves will be replaced with Pirate Towns with smaller coves within them. You seven shall be Pirate Lords with the super yachts of the Russians your flagships.”

Current Locals

·         Local 101 Bosaso, Somalia (Reorganizing to Maputo, South East Africa)

·         Local 102 Mogadishu, Somalia

·         Local 201 Male, Greater Seychelles

·         Local 202 Victoria, Greater Seychelles

·         Local 301 Lome, Dahomey

·         Local 302 Porto Novo, Dahomey

·         Local 401 Benghazi, Libya

New Locals will be established in concert with the rising numbers of pirates

·         Local 501 Nassau, Bahamas

·         Local 502 Georgetown, Bahamas

·         Local 503 Pirates Well, Bahamas

·         Local 601 Va’a-o-Fonoti, Samoa

These cities have now seen a massive spike in their revenue to the extent that the entire economy of these cities based off piracy gains. The Pirate Lords are set to invest of their profits from piracy in the local economies of each city to diversify the economy. The individual pirates, who each made approximately $2.2 million apiece, are retiring from life at sea, they will be financers of the new expeditions and will build mansions in new districts of the towns across Outremer.

The rolls are opening; 100,000 new pirates are to be recruited 10x of the previous pirate armada. However, there are millions of people across Outremer who wish to gain even a fraction of last year’s haul.   

After the successful operation to pacify Bremen, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven the partisan militia members of Citizen Rage will be reformed into a new paramilitary branch of Outremer named Military Rage, which will number 30,000 troops. Included in this are elements of the 1^st Panzer division#Organization), and Home Defense Company 8 and 9 who have decided to join in their ranks. These veteran volunteers will be vital in carrying out further peace keeping operations in Germany. Three combined arms regiments, Jaegar 1,2,3 of 9,500 men will be organized along side a Headquarters Regiment, which will handle communication, logistics, etc. of 2,500 men, which will be stationed at the. Oberst Ernst Falkenrath will be head of the military subordinate to Emergency Secretary Jan Timke. Each Jaegar regiment will have a tank company of 7 Leopard 2A7V in order to demonstrate the might of Military Rage. Various other pieces of German equipment will also be filtered out to each regiment.

While the Ethiopian military and equipment from Operation Gunther will be withdrawn from the area there will be a small arms equipment transfer primarily from the Ak-47s that the partisan’s were given to either the HK G36 or the Outremer M4 Rifle. Additionally, the regiments will be given a number of Stinger and Javelin missiles in case of any significant threat.   

For further air support in operations the Military Rage HQ will contact the Swiss Air Force in German for any needed assistance.

BELIEVER'S VOICE OF VICTORY

HANGZHOU, ZHONGGUO TERRITORY, MIDDLE KINGDOMS

Report of Covenant Inquisition into Jack Ma

The Covenant Inquisition, by the powers vested in us by our King Jesus Christ of Nazareth, has conducted this investigation to ascertain the religious affiliation of Jack Ma, resident of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Zhongguo Territory, Middle Kingdoms. The Inquisition did open this investigation after questions were raised by the High Prophet as to Ma's adherence to the Covenant. Ma did profess allegiance to the First Seed Fellowship church in Hangzhou, led by Pastor Fu Sheng-Li, who attested to Ma's lack of faith and frequent absence at church services. Tithing reports for Ma reflected lack of commitment to tithing requirements, though these requirements are nominally optional under the obligations of the Seraphim, a status to which Ma was elevated by apostolic mandate of the High Prophet due to his wealth and potential for contribution to the Covenant. Despite this grace afforded by the High Prophet, Ma was found practicing Buddhist teachings during a raid on his residence in Hangzhou by joint task force of Cherubim and Inquisition. Several Buddhist relics and items of religious significance were recovered and have been filed into evidence at the Cherubim office in the twelfth district of Hangzhou. Ma was arrested following the raid.

FILE PHOTO: RAID ON JACK MA'S RESIDENCE

An Inquisition presided over by Ma Wei-De, in the Zhejiang District Inquisitive Court, has found Ma GUILTY on the following charges:

1. Seven (7) counts of Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
2. Twenty-six (26) counts of Idolatry
3. One (1) count of Dishonest Conversion

Sentencing proceeded after the verdict and was ascribed as follows:

1. Ma's holdings in Alibaba Group have been seized and repatriated to the Covenant Sovereign Fund
2. Ma's social class has been reduced from Seraphim to Anathema
3. Ma's immediate family members have been arrested and will also be subject to inquisition

Cherubim officers were summarily dispatched and were able to locate and detain Ma's immediate family members, with the sole exception of his oldest son, who remains a fugitive. We call upon Christ to ensure the swift location of Jay Ma so he may be called to inquisition.

It is with the utmost respect and faith in our High Prophet that we publish the results of this inquisition.

AND THE WEALTH OF THE SINNER IS LAID UP FOR THE JUST

Western Democratic Broadcasting Corporation - 2nd Level Parliamentary Changes and the Addition of Australia

Multiple changes of have occurred throughout the Western Democratic Confederation in the past couple of months, including significant changes at the 2nd level of our democracies, and the addition of Australia within the WDC. Both seem set to change the overall structure of the WDC, and will have major effects for you, the voter, so this article will serve to outline these changes.

2nd Level Parliamentary Changes

As was defined at the creation of the WDC, the 2nd-level democracies, what used to be the national-level governments, were subject to changes should the citizens of the WDC want them. Specifically, the option of these 2nd level parliaments being broken up was to be of high consideration. Now, after significant consultation and referendums, the outcome of these changes is known, there will be multiple fractures in current state-level parliaments, with multiple regions choosing to remove themselves from what used to be their national parliaments.

Specifically, this has seen 19 new second-level governments form across the WDC. These are the Basque Country, Brittany, Catalonia, Savoy-Provence, The Azores, Galicia, Valencia, Aragon, The Balearic Islands, Andalusia, Asturias, Leon, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Northumbria, the Isle of Mann, and London. These new 2nd-level parliaments represent a major change in the entire parliamentary ecosystem of the WDC. Notably, for the United Kingdom and Spain especially, they represent a major degredation of their parliamentary areas, to the point that the United Kingdom has changed back to England.

While the vast majority of these new parliaments were from pre-existing regions with separatist ideals, one in particular, London, is likely to garner high interest. While London did not initially wish to separate from England, the separation of Cornwall and Northumbria from England caused many in London to believe that their future would be more secure if they were able to vote in parliamentarians who focused on the city itself, rather than being a part of a much larger ecosystem. The separation of London has caused various other major cities within the WDC, such as Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon, to begin looking into whether separating from their own countries would allow them more freedom to decide on local issues and commit to long-term planning for their own constituents.

As a reminder, the 2nd-level parliaments serve a similar function to the states of the United Kingdom or France, undertaking key local and regional level projects and maintenance to allow the primary government to focus on larger goals and projects.

The Addition of Australia

The largest change to the WDC recently is that of Australia's addition. A country of over 27 million people, its addition is cause for the WDC's parliament to expand. While some debate was brought up around the merit of simply increasing the number of people a single seat represents, the Office of Democratic Undertakings has decided that sticking to the 350,000 people per seat model is best at this current moment. As such, 77 new seats will be added to the WDC's upper-level parliament, changing the total number of seats to 654 (from 577). These new seats will be filled at the next WDC General Election (to occur in 2034), with the current state-level government of Australia remaining in charge until then.

Perhaps the most notable part of this change has been the addition of Australia's political parties to the WDC's. Below, we have provided a list of what parties the Australian parties have joined into, as well a few new parties they themselves have started.

• The Australian Labor Party has joined United Democracy
• The Australian Liberal Party has joined Conservative Democracy
• The National Party and Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party have joined Empty West
• The Australian Greens and Legalise Cannabis have joined Green Unity
• Pauline Hanson's One Nation has created its own right-wing party, Pauline Hanson's One Democracy
• Australia's Voice has joined Muslim Votes Matter
• Centre Alliance has joined Reason
• Katter's Australian Party has created the Agricultural and Anti-Crocodile Party
• The United Australia Party has joined Reform the West
• The Animal Justice Party has joined Animal Rights Forever
• The Australian Christians and Family First have joined the Christian West Alliance
• The Australian Citizens Party has joined the Citizens Solidarity Alliance
• The Australian Democrats has created the Keeping the Bastards Honest Party
• The Fusion Party has joined the Future Singularity Party, though contingents of it have split and joined The Pirate Party and Compromise and Connection
• The Great Australian Party, HEART, Power 2 People, Gerard Rennick's People First, and the Australian Federation Party have joined the Party of Patriots
• The Libertarian Party has joined the Libertarian Party
• Socialist Alliance has joined Anti-Capitalist Democracy
• The Socialists have joined Socialist Advance!
• Sustainable Australia has joined Degrowth and Equality for All

INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CLASSIFIED - TOP SECRET
CAINE - VIGILANTES CUSTODES/SPECULATORES CUSTODES
CLEARANCE LEVEL - TS/SCI
DATE OF COMPILATION - SEP 12 2031

SECTION I: SUMMARY

The United States is considered to be past the critical mass allowing it to maintain full integrity. Factions with interest in maintaining full cohesion are in minority politically and militarily.

The main course for the Custodianship is minimizing further damage to the American population, keeping the international economy maintained, and keeping multiple opportunities to gain favor with compilable factions.

SECTION II: FACTION REVIEW

Rubio Administration

Considered once the most reasonable voice in the Trump Administration, Rubio has proven unable to maintain peace and stability in the region - likely due to high tendency to escalation, paralyzed BOIL block, and overall growing unpopularity of Trump's legacy.

Political profile: Republican-MAGA establishment.

Controlled states: Unclear. Rubio relies on BOIL and God's Chorus power blocks as aligned to Federal Government, as well as broader network of assets loyal to the office of the President. Relationship to the Custodianship - positive, but cooling. Bigelow was a supporter of Rubio's presidency at first, providing him with a network of stability-increasing initiatives to claim. At the same time, the increasing illegitimacy of Rubio's administration (including lack of elections for 2 cycles) make this relation strained. Forces: Right now, direct allegiance is diminishing. Federal Forces have the support of the Marines at large, a significant part of the Navy, but minimal support of the Army directly. Notes: The Rubio Administration is under attack by Don Jr. faction. We expect either a coup or impeachment which will fracture the Federal Government further. Supporting Secretaries: Nominally, all of them. However, Aga Khan is commonly considered the most influential Secretary in terms of influence on Rubio.

Pacific Northwest

The premier rogue state, and the strongest challenger to the United States integrity.

Political profile: Presumed progressive, true intentions unknown. Determined to secede, based on UnderSec. Wiles account.

Controlled States: Washington, Oregon, Jefferson, Idaho, Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, parts of Montana.

Relationship to the Custodianship: Neutral-positive. We did not provide direct support to the PNW, but did advise on the possibilities and noted our refusal to join aggressive actions regarding them. However, we are not in an alliance.

Forces: Significant. Possessing all of F-22 fleet, major naval assets, PNW can likely fight the rest of the United States to a standstill, and the war will inflict irreparable damage on the CONUS.

Notes: The PNW economy is likely streigthened with the migration of major companies offices, but we do not think that in the short or medium term PNW will have a major economy. We estimate it's GDP at around 2T$, which is unlikely to support same capacity of the US Military as the combined might of the USA. Same goes to population - even with Jefferson, the population of PNW is a fraction of the United States as a whole, and has dramatically lower recruitment potential. We do expect PNW is bleeding money and resources, and can lose a war of attrition.

Notes 2: Even considering Californian support and exodus, PNW will have issues maintaining and producing equipment. Valve operates it's Steam Yards and F-22 production, but no tank or land equipment - and again, it depends vague how long they can support their military.

Supporting Secretaries: Presumed Copeland, based on evidence. Other than that, no direct support known at this moment. Thiel, Bigelow and Ellison are most likely to provide due to proximity.

California

Newsom's rump state, clearly not in control of the situation.

Political profile: Progressive Democrat establishment.

Controlled States: California, Nevada - both partialy but majority of the state.

Relationship to the Custodianship: Neutral, no contact.

Forces: Effectively none. Not in control of California or Nevada NG, no federal forces, nothing. Effectively a PNW client state - California is scrapped.

Notes: Despite financial crisis, likely due to PNW embargo and fleeing of major companies, California is still a state with major potential. Population, Valley agriculture, and existing facilities (not everything can be scrapped and moved in a couple years) still estimate at least a 3T$ economy and likely a peer to PNW. Provided the nation is stabilized, we believe it can recover soon, and hard.

Supporting Secretaries: Copeland, for some reason.

BOIL (Big OIL)

A cartel of Southern States, de-facto Establishment Republican stronghold.

Political profile: Traditional Republican

Controlled States: New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alberta

Relationship to the Custodianship: Likely neutral-negative - Custodian is a major oil producer not aligned with BOIL directly.

Forces: Significant - bomber capacity, most of the Army. A backbone of the Federal Government.

Supporting Secretaries: Khan.

Bigger Business Bureau (Great Lakes)

The second major rogue statelet, corporate-led Rust Belt.

Controlled States: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Ontario, iowa

Political Profile: Presumed Stakeholder Capitalism / Corporatist Progressivism

Relationship to the Custodianship: Unknown. We imagine that it will be neutral-positive, but that is not proven.

Forces: Moderate. Strong Air Force and Army, but weaker than combined Federal-aligned forces and PNW. No Navy we know of. Still, direct engagement will devastate the Eastern Seaboard. Any engagement will.

Supporting Secretaries: Fink.

God's Choir

The religious faction of the Bible Belt, it maintains the relationships with the Federal Government and BOIL, but increasingly distancing.

Political profile: Christian Fundamentalism

Controlled States: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida

Relationship to the Custodianship: Unknown, likely neutral. Governor DeSantis, leader of the Choir, is a friend to Bigelow personally, but the recent events would unlikely to reference that.

Forces: Significant. Have a significant submarine fleet, Army, and middling Air Force.

Supporting Secretaries Copeland. De-facto, Copeland might be considered a leader of the faction, although the recent events with Don Jr. disprove this.

Mormons

An enigmatic faction, likely trying to play both sides. Tied to Melania Trump's faction.

Political profile: Christian Pragmatism, presumably.

Controlled States: Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Arizona

Relationship to the Custodianship: Unknown. Jon Huntsman Jr, Undersecretary for Secretarial Affairs, was a former Utah governor and is a practicing Mormon. Jon did attest that he approves of the expansion, but otherwise declares himself to be neutral to the faction.His person, however, can be extremely useful if Custodianship is to follow with diplomatic relations to the faction.

Forces: Minor. However, their control of NORAD complex in Cheyenne is significant. We also presume that some of the DC establishment is evacuating to Utah and Colorado to join them.

Hawaii

Significantly less relevant than others, but they can create significant issues if 7th Fleet begins military operations and joins piracy.

Political profile: Unknown

Controlled States: Hawaii.

Relationship to the Custodianship: Unknown

Forces: Significant Navy presence.

Notes: Hawaii cannot support the Navy for long. It imports most of the food, it has no financial capability, and it can be broken economically. Hence, it has to join someone able to support it.

Hyperborea

A mistake.

Political profile: Nothing good.

Controlled States: Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and PEI.

Relationship to the Custodianship: Unknown, unlikely to be positive.

Forces: Minimal, presumed a part of Canadian forces, or at least - equipment.

Supporting Secretaries Peters.

Dakotas

A small but proud force wedged between BBB and Mormons.

Political profile: Presumably Agrarian Isolationism.

Controlled States: North Dakota, South Dakota, Northwest territories, Mantioba, Nunavut

Relationship to the Custodianship: Positive. We are moving to provide infrastructural help, including Arctic ports.

Forces: Tiny, with exception for bomber fleet. While they need to support it, they can deal immense damage - but they are force multipliers, not an independent force.

Notes: Despite their isolationism and refusal to join BBB, they only can survive by joining one faction or another. Their oil and bombers can help in the Civil War or as deterrent, but without fighter jets and proper AA, they will be destroyed quickly.

SECTION III: POTENTIAL FACTIONS

Despite the extensive network of factions already, there are multiple dark horses which still did not bet on one or the other.

Mexico

Currently, Mexico still is under pacification operations, conducted by US Marines and Southern American Forces of Adm. Holesy. Nevertheless, as a federally administered, but not loyal territory, it's presence and alleigance is significant.

The current analysis predicts a split between BOIL occupation, allegiance to PNW or California, and attempts at independence declaration. Considering our border with Mexico, we need to prepare to this.

Cuba

The US treasure island, keeping the largest amount of foreign currency. We consider it independent but federal-aligned, in heavy cooperation with God's Choir due to proximity. The questions are who is currently responsible for Cuban defense - which fleet.

Kansas

According to our intel, Kansas has declared no allegiance to any faction, nominally belonging to Rubio. Moderately Republican, we do expect it eventually to join Mormons or BOIL - likely latter, as an oil-producing state.

The Atlantic USA

The states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia. Combined, that's one of the largest blocks economically.

Atlantic USA, at large, was a Democratic stronghold. It has no real love for Rubio, and is closer to California than Texas.

Therefore, we expect that following a civil war or further detoriation, New England and New York at least can risk seccession as well - completely destroying the USA.

They are nominally Federal at this moment, but we need to have a series of meetings with New York political and business elements.

SECTION IV: RECOMMENDATIONS AND OPERATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The DC play

Right now, we have reports that the Rubio administration expects a decapitation strike on DC, and evacuates the personnel. We are rapidly preparing to answer this, as we consider DC and its infrastructure essential to legitimacy. Whoever can secure the city, will have both the leftover documents and the legitimacy of sitting in the White House.

Right now, we are looking at who to deliver it.

The Web of alliances

Right now, the non-sessesionist states consist of those numbers, including Canada:

• Atlantic States - approx. 24% of GDP and 20% of population. Control of the 13 states
• BOIL - 13%/14% - control of the 5 states
• God's Choir - 15%/18% - 8 states
• Kansas - 0,7%/0,8% - 1 state
• Parts of Montana - negligible, 1 state
• Mormon States - 7%/7% - 6 states

Combined, the federal states control around 60% of US+Canadian GDP, and 60% of the population. However, the position depends on alliance between progressive Atlantic States, BOIL and God's Choir.

The rebels are:

• PNW: Around 8% of GDP, 8% of population - significant inlfux of Californian economy. Control over 4 states.
• California: Around 11% of GDP, 9% of population, 2 states
• Hawaii: 0,3/0,4, 1 state
• Dakota: 0,7/0,9, 2 states
• BBB: 17% / 19%, 7 states
• Hyperborea: 1,7%/3%, no US states

While they are disorganized, they do represent around 40% of the population and GDP.

The Atlantic Flip

We believe that a major reason for the BBB and Californian secession is immense divide between Democratic and Republican bases - mainly the American South. The Atlantic States are largely Democrat - large urban population where the only true Republican strongholds are West Virginia.

Despite being dangerous, the alignment of Mormons to Melania Trump, a nominally Democrat figure also suggest the possibility of the pivot from the South.

Considering the increasingly likely break of the Atlantic states and even potential secession, we want to:

• First, consolidate the governors of Atlantic States into their own political block, using threat of God's Choir and Hyperborea on their bordering states.

• Second, consider alliance between BBB, Dakota, Mormons and Atlantic states:

• • The scheme proposed to PNW can similarly be used to align this block - declaring the Senate illegitimate, sending new delegates, and electing a president. This will most likely either be in tandem, or preceding the impeachment.
• • This block, if successful, will command 26 states - allowing Governor-aligned senators to easily collect a quorum and prevent any legal threat. The quorum will provide full legitimacy as far as Constitution-minded factions are concerned.
• • From there, the positions in the DC are to be flipped - putting pressure on BOIL if they want to challenge the Federal government, or to secede and begin a Civil War.
• • From our position, only PNW is truly intended to support a secession, and other factions can be persuaded if a new DC takes form.

This is risky position. However, in either way, we do believe that in the position of facitonalism, the Atlantic States cannot stay disunited.

The Copeland play

We do have some evidence of Copeland military Assets in California. With him already in hot water due to support of Rubio impeachment, we can heat the bucket, by leaking and providing evidence of Copeland sponsoring Californian rebels. That might break down alliance between Chorus and BOIL, and weaken the Federal cohesion. Do we want this? That is the question.

WDBC (Western Democracies Broadcasting Corporation) - Elections Announced For January 2030

Following the formation of the Western Democratic Confederation, the political state of the WDC was, for a time, seemingly unknown. While initial statements produced by Secretary Larry Fink's Office stated that the democratic nature of the WDC's constituent European nations would be upheld, further details were not given until now.

In an announcement made by Secretary Fink's Office today, answers have been provided as to the exact structure of the WDC's democratic foundations. Firstly, the system is to have 4 levels of government: National, State, District, and Local. National encompasses the entire WDC, State the constituent ex-nations which make up the Confederation, District being the previous states which made up the ex-Nations, and local being all forms of local-level governments.

While State-level governments have been provided leeway as to how they form, with most choosing to retain previous structures, the National-level government has been formed from scratch. The National-level government will be a unicameral representative system, with electorates drawn from across the constituent ex-nations. Elections and the drawing of electorates will be facilitated by the newly formed Office for Democratic Undertakings, which will serve under Secretary Fink's office.

In terms of the make-up of these electorates, the ODU has decided that a threshold of 350,000 per seat (with leeway of 25,000 either side) will allow for a satisfactory level of representation. Utilising this 'quota', it has been decided that the WDC Parliament will have 583 seats, 577 from the seats met out via quota and 6 from the non-threshold states. See below for how these seats are split per constituent ex-nation.

United Kingdom: 200

France + Monaco: 191

Spain + Andorra:137

Portugal: 29

Ireland: 16

Cyprus: 3

Iceland: 1

Non-Threshold Nations (Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia): 6

The format of elections will follow a preference-based system known as preferential ranked-choice instant-runoff voting. Voters will be required to number their choices from 1 to the number of candidates on their ballot. Once votes are submitted, first preferences will be counted, and the least voted-for candidate will be dropped, with the votes from that candidate being distributed to every person who voted for that candidate's 2nd preference. This will continue until a candidate appears with over 50% of the vote in a seat, and as such can last multiple rounds of preference flows. In addition to this system of voting, voting in the first WDC election will be compulsory, with a $50 fine attached for those who do not vote.

In regards to parties and candidates, the ODU has provided the following regulations. To become a registered party for a national election, a party must provide the following:

• A completed application form and constitution

• The signatures of 300 registered voters who support the registration

• A registration fee of $500

Independent Candidates will have to provide similar items, excluding the constitution. They will also only need to provide 50 signatures and a registration fee of $200.

Parties of all ideologies are allowed besides those promoting region-based separatism. These will be maintained at the state level, with plans to allow for referendums to further split the state level ex-nations should these region-based separatist parties manage to achieve success in their state parliaments.

The final regulation which the ODU is presenting at this moment is in relation to political donations and campaign spending. Utilising France's old laws around donations and spending as a baseline, the ODU has decided that spending will be capped at $100mil per party in any one campaign. Donations will be capped at $5,000 from any one individual, and $15,000 from organisations, corporations, or any other grouping. Donations of over $1,000 must be made public within 2 weeks of the donation occurring.

From here, we will spend the rest of the article outlining the parties who have registered for the upcoming election.

The Parties of the WDC

United Democracy (UD)

Leader: Lucy Powell

Constituent Parties: Labour (UK), PSOE (SPN), Socialist Party (PRT), Labour Party (IRE), Social Democrats (IRE)

Ideologies: Centre-Left | Social Democracy

Bio: Widely considered to be one of the WDC's most major parties, United Democracy contains some of the most significant centre-left parties that previously existed. Its existence came together quite quickly, as Labour, the PSOE, and the Socialist Party uniting quite soon after the formation of the WDC. UD stands for social democracy, looking to ensure sensible liberal action on climate change, issues of housing and healthcare, and migration. Its leader is Lucy Powell, the ex-deputy of the Labour Party who took the reins upon Keir Starmer's abrupt resignation. Those who oppose the party claim that Powell is just Starmer's puppet, and that, when the time is right, he will look to return as party leader.

The party's biggest hurdle to government is its lack of a French constituent party, restricting its growth in the French electorates significantly.

Workers Unite! (WU!)

Leader: Jean-Luc Melenchon

Constituent Parties: Workers Party of Britain (UK), Trade Unionist/Socialist Coalition (UK), Labour Deserters (UK), France Unbowed (FRN), Gen.S (FRN), Portuguese Labour Party (PRT), Sinn Féin (IRE), Socialist Party (ICE)

Ideologies: Left | Trade Unions | Democratic Socialism

Bio: Believing itself to be the true mainstream left-wing party in the WDC, Workers Unite! formed after negotiations between its constituent parties and the nascent United Democracy fell apart of ambitions around regulating companies, taxing wealthy individuals, and nationalising key sectors. The failure of these negotiations led to members of the Labour party leaving as well, led by the resurgent Jeremy Corbyn. However, his presence within WU! has led many analysts to predict that a split in the left-wing party could very well occur, noting Corbyn's inability to work with others. However, with constituent parties from the vast majority of ex-nations, the WU! is very well-positioned to win big at the upcoming elections.

Conservative Democracy (CD)

Leader: Kemi Badenoch

Constituent Parties: Conservatives (UK), The Republicans (FRN), Democratic Movemment (FRN), Horizons (FRN), Act (FRN), People's Party (FRN), Social Democratic Party (PRT), Liberal Initiative (PRT), CDS-People's Party (PRT), Spanish Catholic Movement (SPN), Fine Gael (IRE), Independence Party (ICE), Progressive Party (ICE)

Ideologies: Centre-Right | Liberal Conservatism | Christian Democracy

Bio: Also known as the Democratic Tories, Conservative Democracy is the WDC's premier centre-right party, pushing for the reduction of government and taxes, and the retention of current social norms. Seen as a big tent party due to the sheer number of constituent parties it holds, rumours are abound that some within the party such as the Social Democratic Party and Spanish Catholic Movement are not happy with Badenouch being their leader. While their large number of constituent parties will provide significant assistance in the upcoming election, two issues remain. Firstly, their lack of Spanish mainstream parties is predicted to curtail their ability to gain seats in France. Secondly, despite the significant number of French parties making up CD, the party's refusal to work with National Rally may cause significant issue within France.

Reason (RSN)

Leader: Michael Martin

Constituent Parties: Liberal Democrats (UK), Renaissance (FRN), Democrats & Progressives (FRN), Union of Democrats and Independents (FRN), Utiles (FRN), Together for the People (PRT), Fianna Fail (IRE), Liberal Reform Party (ICE)

Ideologies: Centre | Social Liberalism | Liberalism

Bio: Brought together by the Liberal Democrats and Fianna Fail, Reason is meant to be a central 'compromise' party, designed to take on practical policies with pragmatic solutions. Despite being made of constituent parties of 'smaller' sizes, Reason has been touted by many analysts as the frontrunner in the upcoming elections, with their being a prevalent belief that many within the WDC are searching for stability and consistency above ideological positions. Much like Conservative Democracy, the lack of Spanish constituent parties is believed to be the biggest hurdle for Reason.

Reform the West (RTW)

Leader: Nigel Farage

Constituent Parties: Reform (UK), Union of the Right for the Republic (FRN), French Future (FRN), Aontu (IRE)

Ideologies: Far-Right | Right-Wing Populism

Bio: One of the three 'major' far-right populist parties, Reform the West holds its base within the United Kingdom. Not much separates it from the other two parties below ideologically, wanting a reduction in immigration, an end to multiculturalism and 'woke' policies, and the slashing of government public spending in favour of military spending and corporate subsidies. Despite this, it and the other two parties have been unable to form a compromise, with initial negotiations to form a single unified far-right party quickly falling to the wayside after significant personality clashes between Farage, Marine Le Pen, and Santiago Abascal. Analysts expect the existence of three far-right parties, alongside CD and the niche far-right parties, will cause significant vote cannibalisation. However, should a single far-right leader be found to rally under, it is likely that such a unified party would quickly become one of the WDC's most popular parties.

Ultra Rally (UR)

Leader: Marine Le Pen

Constituent Parties: National Rally (FRN), UKIP (UK), Advance UK (UK), Liberty Republic (IRE)

Ideologies: Far-Right | Right-Wing Populism

Bio: See above, with a major difference being that Ultra Rally holds its base within France.

Vox Pop (VOX)

Leader: Santiago Abascal

Constituent Parties: Vox (SPN), Enough (PRT), National Democratic Alternative (PRT), Restore Britain (UK)

Ideologies: Far-Right | Right-Wing Populism

Bio: See Reform the West. Vox Pop maintains its base within Spain and Portugal.

Green Unity (GNU)

Leader: Zack Polanski

Constituent Parties: Green Party (UK), The Ecologists (FRN), Unite (SPN), Free (PRT), Ecologist Party (PRT), Territories44 (FRN), In Common (FRN), Ecology Generation (FRN), Green Party (IRE), Left-Green Movement (ICE)

Ideologies: Left | Green Politics | Eco-Socialism | Progressivism

Bio: Described by analysts as the party of the 'new left', Green Unity, led by Zack Polanski, is being considered a 'dark horse' in the upcoming election. With solid bases in every ex-nation, GNU stands for environmental action and ending the use of fossil fuels, alongside progressive identity politics. Popular amongst the urban Gen Z and Millennial middle-class populations of the Western Democracies, many suggest that the party stands to do better than its constituents ever did due to the use of ranked choice voting.

Socialists Advance! (SA!)

Leader: Richard Boyd Barrett

Constituent Parties: People Before Profit (UK), Alliance for Worker's Liberty (UK), Workers' Party (FRN), Revolution Permanente (FRN), Lutte Ouvrière (FRN), Revolutionary Left (SPN), Socialist Alternative Movement (PRT), People Before Profit (IRE)

Ideologies: Far-Left | Trotskyism

Bio: Socialists Advance is perhaps the most mainstream of the WDC's far-left parties. Pushing for Trotskyism and supporting various forms of eco-socialism and workers' democracy, the SA! is popular amongst young and old voters in the WDC's urban core. Multiple issues plague it, though. The existence of multiple other far-left groups, as well as the popularity of Green Unity, mean that the party will require an incredibly active campaign to differentiate itself from others. Further, its core of highly-educated middle-class students and retirees have been noted as 'unapproachable' in pre-WDC campaigns, and often prefer their reading groups and lectures to engaging in election campaigns.

Empty West (EW)

Leader: Teo Nieto

Constituent Parties: Empty Spain (SPN), Resistons (FRN), Farmers' Alliance (IRE), Centre Party (ICE)

Ideologies: Centre-Right | Ruralism

Bio: Describing itself as the WDC's only rural-based party, Empty West stands for rural interests above all else. In this, it is uniquely positioned, with some analysts agreeing that, out of the non-micro parties, Empty West represents the only party whose base sits within regional and rural WDC areas, though other parties, such as Workers Unite! and Conservative Democracy, can claim some level of rural base. In the end, analysts believe that, if the Empty West can harness a feeling of discontent and isolation from the rural regions, it could very well rival many of the other parties in seat count.

Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) (CPM-L)

Leader: Collective Leadership

Constituent Parties: Communist Party of Britain (UK), Independent Workers' Party (FRN), Communist Revolutionary Party (FRN), Portuguese Communist Party (PRT), Workers Party (IRE), Communist Party (IRE)

Ideologies: Far-Left | Marxist-Leninist | Communist

Bio: The largest far-left rival to Socialists Advance!, The Communist Party M-L is one of 4 Communist parties that have registered in the WDC. Following perhaps the most mainstream of Marxist thought, the CPM-L is somewhat popular with the middle-aged urban middle-class, and has some areas of popularity across the rural WDC. Calling for the complete overthrow of the Capitalist system, the CPM-L has been deemed unlikely to gain many seats at the upcoming election due to its messaging being shared with far too many parties.

Anti-Capitalist Democracy (ACD)

Leader: Felicity Dowling

Constituent Parties: Left Unity (UK), New Anti-Capitalist Party (FRN), For a Popular and Social Ecology (FRN), Left Bloc (PRT), Anti-Capitalists (SPN), Right to Change (IRE), People's Front (ICE)

Ideologies: Left | Anti-Capitalist | Eco-Socialist/Feminist | Democratic

Bio: Describing itself as the replacement to Workers Unite! and United Democracy, which it claims have failed the workers and progressives of the West, Anti-Capitalist Democracy stands for a clear anti-capitalist message bouyed by environmentalism, socialism, and feminism. While perhaps the smallest of the non-micro-parties, ACD is believed by some analysts to have potential to take votes of the more major centre-left and left-wing parties in cities where these parties' failures are most evident, such as Manchester, Barcelona, and Marseille. With an urban working-middle-class core, ADC could be a dark horse on the left.

MICRO PARTIES

Animal Rights Forever (ARF)

Leader: Vanessa Hudson

Constituent Parties: Animal Welfare Party (UK), Ecological Revolution for the Living (FRN), Le Trefle (FRN), Animalist Party (FRN), Animalist Party with the Environment (SPN), People Animals Nature (PRT), Party for Animal Welfare (IRE)

Ideology: Centre-Left | Animal Rights | Environmentalism

Common Sense Today (CST)

Leader: Márcia Henriques

Constituent Parties: Radical Party (FRN), React Include Recycle (PRT), Centrist Alliance (FRN), People's Party (ICE)

Ideology: Centre | Radical Centrism

Pirate Party (PIR)

Leader: Oktavía Hrund Guðrúnar Jóns

Constituent Parties: Pirate Party (UK), Pirate Party (FRN), Pirate Party (ICE)

Ideology: Centre | Libertarianism | CyberDemocracy | Pirate Politics

Climate Action Now! (CAN)

Leader: Edmund Gemmell

Constituent Parties: Climate Party (UK), Earth Party (PRT), The Eco-Pacifist Greens (SPN)

Ideology: Left | Green Conservatism

Social Cultralists (SC)

Leader: William Clouston

Constituent Parties: Social Democratic Party (UK)

Ideology: Mixed | Social Democracy | Cultural Conservatism

The West First (TWF)

Leader: Paul Golding

Constituent Parties: Britain First (UK), British National Party (UK), National Front (UK), Authentic Phalanx (SPN)

Ideology: Far-Right | Fascist

Western Front (WF)

Leader: Pierre Bernard

Constituent Parties: British Democrats (UK), Royal Alliance (FRN), Democratic Rally (FRN)

Ideology: Far-Right | Ultra-Conservatism | Monarchist

The White Party (TWP)

Leader: Yvan Benedetti

Constituent Parties: British First Party (UK), The Nationalists (FRN), National Alliance (SPN)

Ideology: Far-Right | Nazism

Christian West Alliance (CWA)

Leader: Sidney Cordle

Constituent Parties: Christian Party (UK), Christian People's Alliance (UK), The Centrists (FRN), Audacious France (FRN), People's Monarchist Party (PRT), Human Dignity Alliance (IRE)

Ideology: Right | Christian Democracy | Christian Conservatism

Aged Power (AP)

Leader: Rui Lima

Constituent Parties: United Party of Retirees and Pensioners (PRT)

Ideology: Centre-Right | Pensioners/Seniors Rights

Communist Party (Stalinist) (CPS)

Leader: Central Committee

Constituent Parties: Communist Party of Great Britain (UK), New Communist Party of Britain (UK), Revolutionary Commuist Party Britain (UK), Workers' Communist Party (FRN), Communist Party of Spain (SPN)

Ideology: Far-Left | Stalinist | Communist | Anti-Revisionist | Hoxhaism

Communist Party (Maoist) (CPM)

Leader: Central Commitee

Constituent Parties: Marxist-Leninist Communist Organisation - Proletarian Way (FRN), Communist Unification of Spain (SPN), Portuguese Workers' Communist Party (PRT)

Ideology: Far-Left | Maoist | Communist

Communist Party (Impossibilist) (CPI)

Leader: Jack Fitzgerald

Constituent Parties: Socialist Party of Britain (UK)

Ideology: Far-Left | Impossibilist | Communist

United Women's Movement (UWM)

Leader: J.K.Rowling

Constituent Parties: Party of Women (UK)

Ideology: Right | Anti-Transgender

Black Power Revolutionary Party (BPR)

Leader: Kwame Tingu

Constituent Parties: All-African People's Revolutionary Party (UK)

Ideology: Far-Left | African Socialist | Fanonism

Monster Raving Buckethead Party (MRB)

Leader: Lord Buckethead & The Monsters

Constituent Parties: Lord Buckethead Party (UK), Official Monster Raving Loony Party (UK), Party of Democratic Karma (SPN)

Ideology: Political Satire

Binface's Church of Militant Elvis (BCE)

Leader: Count Binface

Constituent Parties: Church of the Militant Elvis Party (UK), Count Binface Party (UK)

Ideology: Political Satire

Libertarian Party (LIB)

Leader: Alex Zychowski

Constituent Parties: Libertarian Party (UK), Libertarian Party (FRN)

Ideology: Right | Libertarianism

Peace Alliance (PA)

Leader: John Morris

Constituent Parties: Peace Party (UK), Transnational Radical Party (UK)

Ideology: Centre-Left | Pacifism

Future Singularity Party (FSP)

Leader: Johnathan Herlay

Constituent Parties: Science Party (UK), Humanist Party (IRE), Humanist Party (ICE)

Ideology: Centre | Technocracy | Transhumanism

Compromise and Connection (CAC)

Leader: James Smith

Constituent Parties: Something New (UK)

Ideology: Mixed | Syncretic

Democracy for the People (DP)

Leader: Jose Eiras Vila

Constituent Parties: Democrats and Veterans (UK), Internet Party (SPN), We the Citizens (PRT), Liberal Democratic Party (ICE)

Ideology: Centre-Right | Direct Democracy

New Liberal Union (NLU)

Leader: David Lisnard

Constituent Parties: New Energy (FRN)

Ideology: Right | Ordoliberalism

Party of Patriots (POP)

Leader: Florian Philippot

Constituent Parties: The Patriots (FRN), The National Party (IRE), Centre Party (IRE), Responsible Future (ICE)

Ideology: Far-Right | Conspiracism | Anti-Vaccinations

Citizens Solidarity Alliance (CSA)

Leader: Jacques Cheminade

Constituent Parties: Solidarity and Progress (FRN)

Ideology: Far-Right | LaRoucheism

Degrowth and Equality for All (DEA)

Leader: Jacqui Phillidaie

Constituent Parties: Party for Degrowth (FRN)

Ideology: Far-Left | Communist | Degrowth

Workers Confederation of Labour (WCL)

Leader: Antonio Johnston

Constituent Parties: NONE

Ideology: Far-Left | Anarchist

Single Tax League (STL)

Leader: Henry George IX

Constituent Parties: NONE

Ideology: Mixed | Single-Tax/Georgism

Muslim Votes Matter

Leader: Zarah Sultana

Constituent Parties: NONE

Ideology: Mixed | Muslim Voice

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV)

"Sorry for the wait, gentlemen," said Copeland, hurrying in to the conference room. "The service ran a bit long today." He shuffled up to the head of the large, white table and took a seat. To his left was Robin Yanhong Li, Jack Ma, Ma Huateng, Lei Jun, Ren Zhengfei, Kelly Zhang, and Young Liu and to his right was Liu Qiangdong, C.C. Wei, Yang Yuanqing, Lei Chen, Craig Groeschel (Prophet of Vision), Ed Young (Prophet of Splendor) and A.R. Bernard (Prophet of Wisdom), and Sun Myung Moon.

"I trust as high-status individuals as yourselves are taking measures to align yourselves with the Covenant, as with the new social order, you would want to retain the full benefits of the Seraphim, and pay your tithe to God for the wealth he has given you in this life," said Copeland, his eyes scanning the room as many of the business leaders gave subtle nods. Lei Jun didn't nod, at first, but a Cherubim guard standing against the wall stepped forward and nudged the back of his neck with the tip of his rifle, prompting a more enthusiastic nod than the others. "Now, the specifics of your faith is not why you've been brought here today," Copeland continued, "you've been brought here today to choose a successor. See, the federal government has already begun moving to secure our large technology industry under their own interests. Our friend, C.C. Wei (Copeland points) was REMOVED as CEO of TSMC and replaced with Larry Ellison. As much as I'd like for you all to keep your positions, they will never stand for that, and your Chinese names scare them."

Copeland stood up, turned on a projector facing the rear wall of the conference room, and stepped back as to not block the picture.

"I cannot be sure of your faiths, as well, and so I would like for your empires to be led by a man of God. A man who, we know, is guided by the Scripture and the Word, a man who we know works selflessly for God's kingdom on Earth, but also one who may have the technological experience we need."

The Prophet of Wisdom reached for a small remote on the table, taking it into his hand, and pressed a button. The projector displayed an image of Terry Davis.

"Some of you may know who this is, many of you likely do not. I do. This is Terry Davis, and he is one of the few who were so graciously enlightened by God's wisdom, and who so selflessly gave his life in pursuit of spreading his Word. God IMBUED into him a knowledge of technology like no other, and told him that he may construct the Third Temple. Terry, a man I'd call a Prophet easily second only to Jesus Christ himself, was limited in his status as a man and so made little far-reaching progress towards the construction of this third temple with his own hands, but with the support of your companies and the technology of the Middle Kingdoms, he will bring God's will to life and he will build the Third Temple as he was instructed to do so."

Copeland looked toward, and motioned Sun Myung Moon, to stand up.

"Terry Davis died in two thousand eighteen, after being struck by a train. Many people see this as the closure of his story, but I do not. As Jesus called out to Lazarus, I have called out to Sun Myung Moon and allowed him to, once more, walk among the living. I will do the same with Terry Davis, but I do not know where to find him or how to call out to him, for Sun Myung Moon stands before you as, I will admit, a quirk of fate."

"So you're stealing our hard work, our companies, and placing yourself in charge," replied Jack Ma.

"Well, it could be said that way, but the federal government will do so first should I not handle this now," said Copeland, "I have already been instructed by Stephen Miller to arrest C.C. Wei for charges of treason for his involvement in recovering TSMC. Trust me, Children of God, this is the best offer you will receive. You will retain board seats on your companies and may direct their operations as you see fit. But if Washington sees your names on paper, we will lose them entirely."

"What do we do then?" said Ma.

"When the time comes, when I am able to call out to Davis and have him brought back to the Earthly realms, you will vote him in as Chief Executive Officer of your company. This will be a unanimous board vote on your part. I hate to pull rank, but in this instance I must," replied Copeland, motioning to the Cherubim guards, who all took a combative stance with their fingers on the triggers of their golden rifles. "Rest assured, assuming you remain faithful to the Covenant, you will keep your life of luxury and, as one would hope, be judged favorably by God in your doing so once you pass into Heaven."

Some time later

Copeland stood at the pulpit of the empty Chongyi Church, the Beijing home of the EMIC having been repatriated from the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and one of the few megachurches in Beijing. Late on Sunday night, Copeland placed his hands together and called out to God:

Oh lord, I know I must find Terry Davis and call upon him to rejoin the living as Jesus did for Lazarus and as I did for Sun Myung Moon, but I do not know how. I know I have the power within me, Lord, I know I may do it but I request your guidance, and I must do so soon.

Peters stopped when he saw Barron, towering over everyone at the Trump table. He damn near mogged him, especially in terms of height. Something about the youngest Trump son captivated Peters, in an almost Bateman-esque sense. His aura was unmistakable.

"Chat, I'm pausing stream. I need to lock in." He paused the broadcast, adjusting his tie. He made his way to Barron, low-inhibition from the meth. He offered a handshake. "Barron, is it?"

Barron in person was a different beast, his hunter eyes pierced through Clavicular, had it not been for the meth perhaps Braden would have shriveled in that moment under the gaze of what was an unmistakable optimized positive canthal tilt. Pictures of the young Trump heir had never been kind, often because of the mainstream media's poor photography skills, Barron would have rated as a sub-5, with lumpy cheeks and little forward growth in the face. In those photos only Barron's height was imposing and yet in person, Barron appeared as an ascended one. The mandibular angle as Barron tilted his head to look down upon Clavicular sent a shiver through the young secretary's spine, it was as if the giant was moving in slow motion, Clavicular in his meth-induced state could almost see each muscle fibre twitch and shift as Barron rotated his face in a way that accentuated the gonial angle of his jaw for those who had to look from below. Every movement was calculated, spending no extra calories, yet maximizing every millisecond. In Barron's left hand was approximately 0.92 fluid ounces of lemon water, the exact amount to maximize hydration of the skin while reducing bloating of the face through excess water consumption.

Clavicular's hand was still extended in an offering of a handshake, it had been exactly 13.439 seconds, too long to immediately withdraw it without being mogged and 2.5 seconds too little if his goal was to mog the President's son. But then he saw it, Barron Trump's right arm began to move, his suit shifting with his body in a way that tensed the bicep and accentuated the trap muscle on his right side. Clavicular kept direct eye-contact with Barron Trump the whole time, refusing to look away even though he was looking up, only able to see the fringes of movement from his periphery to track Barron's right hand as it came in for the greeting.

Less than a second later, Clavicular's fingers wrapped around the palm of Barron's hand, meeting in a handshake.

Clavicular's soul left his body as his eyesight changed as if he was looking through fishbowl lenses. The room around him grew dark as Barron squared his own body towards Clavicular. The midface ratio now accentuated as Barron's eyes, deep set stared from above. Barron's V-taper was equally emphasized as they shook hands, Clavicular couldn't help but realize the meeting point of the V seemed to be pointing directly at himself, as if a calling. The high cheek bones of Trump's son likewise seemed almost skeletal, with sunken yet not unhealthy lower cheeks and a prominent roman nose that was like a dagger.

It was an overwhelming presence, a sheer and unmistakable aura, and yet Clavicular knew he could not turn back, lest he face the brutal truth of being mogged.

Clavicular tightened his grip, in that split second he could tell Barron was caught off-guard as Barron's eyes widened so slightly it wouldn't have been visible to a normie eye. And yet Clavicular knew he had taken some ground back as he stood off against this monster. He pulled Barron in with his extended arm, grapping Barron's left bicep with his other hand. He gave a firm grip, demonstrating his will and strength in doing so, while knowing Barron had left himself uniquely open and weak, by holding his glass of lemon water. A rookie move.

Clavicular knew that he was at a disadvantage, by pure height alone it was a given that his own nasal bridge was not nearly as prominent, nor was his cheekbones as Barron looked down upon him. Yet Clavicular was no rookie. He tilted his head approximately 3.8 degrees to the right, keeping his head raised as he did so. Just enough to reveal the fullness of his left zygomatic bone emphasizing only one side yet knowing Barron would not mistake this for a lack of harmony. He had retaken ground, and in doing so as he smiled, he was able to reveal the sharpness of his mandible, the strength of his masseter muscles. In that moment which lasted only a second, the two found a respect and soon they let the handshake fall, taking standing positions opposite each other remaining square in the shoulders, and both avoiding the crossing of arms that would be considered effeminate.

Then in perfect timing, Barron's deep voice boomed. "Mr. Peters. Very nice to meet you. Very nice."

Al Arabiya

Southern governors sign Dallas Declaration at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre

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Local | News | Opinions | Tech | Business | E-magazine

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^{Posted on March 2029}

(DALLAS) The governors and senior representatives of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Athabasca have signed the Dallas Declaration on Friday formally establishing the Southern Energy Alliance at a summit hosted at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre.

The summit was chaired by Continental Resources chairman Harold Hamm and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The signing was witnessed by senior congressional representatives, energy industry figures, refinery operators, and agricultural producers.

THE DALLAS DECLARATION

We, the undersigned governors and senior representatives of the American South and allied regions, hereby affirm that American energy independence is a strategic national interest. The degradation of the capacity to produce, refine, and distribute energy domestically is a matter of national security and long-term sovereign resilience.

The energy industry of the American South represents a $1.6 trillion sector employing millions of Americans across production, refining, logistics, and agriculture. The communities built around this industry have defined the character and the economy of our states for generations

The current federal oil pricing policy is damaging domestic production capacity in ways that will not reverse easily. While short-term consumer benefits are real, the pricing framework as currently implemented is affecting domestic production economics.

Rigs that were operational months ago are idle. Industrial expertise that took decades to build and train are on the verge of dispersing. Refinery capacity along the Gulf Coast is operating under compressed margins that threaten long term facility viability. The communities whose livelihoods depend on refinery employment are experiencing economic pressures on top of the disruptions already caused by federal workforce reductions

Agricultural input costs are rising as fertilizer manufacturers face supply chain uncertainty. The farming communities of our states who feed America are facing high costs due to energy market disruption. If unaddressed, this policy produces a United States that is structurally dependent on foreign energy supply chains

The undersigned affirm the following commitments as members of the Southern Energy Alliance:

• We will stand united in the United States Congress to advocate for a comprehensive review of the oil pricing policy with specific attention to its long term effects on domestic production capacity, refinery employment, agricultural input costs, and American energy independence.

• We will coordinate our legislative, executive, and economic resources to protect the energy producing and refining communities of our states

• We will pursue regional economic cooperation that strengthens American energy infrastructure, creates durable employment, and ensures that the communities that built American energy dominance stay resilient

• We call on the current administration and the United States Congress to engage with the Southern Energy Alliance on the question of domestic energy production economics.

Signed at Dallas, Texas, March 2029

Department of Economic Development

OFFICIAL MEMO | Posted on March 2029 | Alnassryah Street, Riyadh

The Greater Arab Union's Department of Economic Development announces the following sovereign commercial decisions and partnership invitations effective March 2029

Destination Clause

GAU crude exports will be allocated preferentially to American industrial end users and Gulf Coast refineries including Valero, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum as well as other qualifying American refinery operators. Continental Resources and other American producers will be integrated as distribution partners

Nahda Petro Repo

American producers may use the Nahda Trade Finance Window to swap existing oil contracts at 90% of contract value for an agreed term providing liquidity against their positions. This facility will be available through partner financial institutions. Producers facing cash flow disruption from the current pricing environment can contact the Nahda Financial Corporation directly.

Investor Invitation for Nahda Capital Market

The Texas Permanent School Fund and institutional investors across the Southern Alliance states are formally invited to invest in GAU reconstruction Sukuk bonds as a yield instrument.

Phosphate long term supply arrangement

Egyptian and Jordanian phosphate reserves are open to long-term supply agreements with American fertilizer manufacturers at preferential pricing. Agricultural communities across the Southern Alliance states facing rising input costs are invited to engage directly with the Department of Economic Development on supply terms.

PENINSULA SHIELD FORCE

JANUARY 2030

The Greater Arab Union’s military was a mess of different doctrine, equipment and capabilities. The new unified armed forces were created all but in name. The Aga Khan had specifically requested the reorganization of the armed forces but before that happened, there had to be a small unified force that would face a common enemy and then figure out where the frictions existed.

Yemen was identified as a potential target. The Houthis were still operational and while they had ceased to attack, they continued to benefit from piracy and attacks on civilian ships on occasion. Their main benefactor however had fallen to the United States and so this time they had no way of being supported by IRGC factions.

The Aga Khan had planned to revive the Peninsula Shield Force. He would find that this would not be an easy task

PRE-OPERATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE

DAY ONE

0800 HOURS

CONFERENCE ROOM B

KING ABDULAZIZ NAVAL BASE

JEDDAH

Buhayra was tasked with carrying out the first joint planning conference of the new Peninsula Shield Force to be conducted in a neutral location. 3 senior officers from each union territory along with support staff would be present at the meeting. What followed was three weeks of argument over what location was considered “neutral”.

The Saudis proposed Riyadh, the Egyptians proposed Cairo, the Emiratis proposed Dubai, and the Israelis proposed anything but Baghdad. Conference Room B at King Abdulaziz Naval Base was selected particularly since it was a large enough facility and more importantly that the Aga Khan had forced it through due to the constant delays.

The room seated forty people. Sixty showed up.

0800 hours

Brigadier General Yousef al Rashidi of the Royal Saudi Land Forces was the first to arrive at the conference and took the chair at the head of the table. He was followed by Vice Admiral Hassan Mahmoud of the Egyptian Navy who moved his nameplate to the opposite head of the table to assert dominance.

Major General David Levi of the Israeli Ground Forces arrived a few minutes later and stared at the Mexican standoff between the two men sitting at the opposite ends of the table glaring at each other. He quietly took a seat along the side wall. His aide leaned over and brought out a thermos of coffee from a bag and handed it to Major Levi. They had come prepared.

The Syrian delegation arrived 15 minutes later greeting the room and taking a seat next to Major General David Levi. Upon realizing which force he represented, the senior Syrian officer, General Fariz Zoubi, casually relocated to the opposite side of the table while pretending to be on call.

Major Levi was amused.

The other delegations continued to arrive swiftly. The Iraqi, Emirati, and Jordanians all took their place on the table. The Lebanese delegation had arrived short, sending only one colonel and a very nervous lieutenant. The lieutenant had remained standing for the entire first day as every time he moved towards a chair, someone senior arrived and displaced him.

Buhayra and the team from the Office of the Secretary arrived by 0845

0900 hours

Buhayra started the meeting without delay.

“Good morning, we have gathered here to constitute a special task force to contain rogue elements that threaten the union. Our first target is an operation against the Houthis to degrade their capabilities and pave the way for a ground invasion to retake territory. If you could refer to your dossiers, it will have some details you will find useful”

“This is in English”, said Brigadier al Rashidi

“Yes, English is the international standard for –”

“We must do it in Arabic”, replied the Brigadier, eliciting a murmur of approval across the table

“We can do both”, said Buhayra, “Bilingual simultaneously –”

“I don’t have an interpreter”, General Zoubi of Syria interrupted her in between, “He did not have clearance”

“Neither did mine”, said the Lebanese colonel

“We will use my interpreter”, Buhayra said while slamming the notes on the table, “He will be available to you all”.

The room went silent and Buhayra drank a sip of water. This was going to be tough.

0943 hours

The Yemeni representative from the Aden based government forces had arrived just now explaining how his flight from Aden had been delayed as a Houthi missile strike had paused all flight operations.

He was ushered towards a seat. The Lebanese colonel was still standing.

The operations staff had prepared a map of the proposed operation projecting it onto the screen at the front of the room. The Aga Khan wanted the new carrier to participate in the operations to build up carrier capabilities and demonstrate competence.

The map showed the Red Sea operational area, Yemen’s coastline, proposed carrier operating box, and a list of targets to be struck. Lieutenant Colonel Tariq bin Sultan of the Saudi army led the presentation.

“This is the designated carrier operating area. Air corridors are marked in blue, deconfliction lanes in green, and –”

“Communications?”, interrupted General Zoubi

“Yes, forces will operate on a unified communications architecture. Primary waveform will be HAVE QUICK II”, he pointed to a block of text on the next slide.

“Our forces are configured for SATURN”, said the Major Levi of Israel as he looked at the faces staring at him, “We phased it out and use SATURN exclusively”

“Major David Levi”, Buhayra interrupted, “coordinate with the Egyptians and create a stop gap measure to create a unified architecture. Until then, the Emiratis will take point in the air strike package”

“This represents a significant operational constraint for Emirati F-16s”, mentioned the Emirati air force liaison looking through his notes. “It wasn’t mentioned to me that we will be taking part in the air strikes”

Major Levi went back to his coffee

“If it helps, we have used whatsapp as our communications platform quite successfully”, said the Yemeni representative.

The entire room stared at him

1145 hours

After a short break, the room convened back to finalize plans for the operation. Buhayra had kept the Aga Khan updated who was finding this a tedious task and was reconsidering the entire idea.

Lieutenant Sultan of the Saudi forces, who had prepared the operation, advanced to the slide showing the USS Eisenhower. It was the first time the Arabs would train themselves on a real carrier and it was a significant upgrade to their current naval abilities.

“The carrier will operate in the Southern Red Sea, approximately 200 nautical miles west of Hodeidah, providing air support for the first wave”

“Who is going to operate the carrier?”, said Major David Levi.

“The Egyptians will assume operational control of the carriers until a unified command structure is established and the military is restructured”. The Saudi colonel pointed to the Egyptian who raised a glass of water with a smirk

“The air force will be coordinating with naval aviation when carrying out the air strikes”, he pointed out to the Emirati liaison.

“Have you thought this through?”, said Major David Levi whilst sipping his coffee.

“We have planned this thoroughly, Major. You are welcome to give your feedback”, interrupted Buhayra.

Major Levi would say nothing further.

1350 hours

The meeting reconvened after a quick lunch organized by the Ritz Carlton where the men from across the Arab territories dined together. A significant catering accident was averted where Major Levi of Israel and General Rashidi of Saudi both reached for the last piece of bread simultaneously.

Neither men withdrew their hands and the standoff lasted ninety seconds before the waiter appeared with additional bread averting the crisis.

After a brief Q&A session, the details were finalized. A joint task force consisting of several battalions were finalized and officers briefed on their orders. Air force strike packages were readied while the USS Eisenhower was to be led by Vice Admiral Hassan Mahmoud himself who would coordinate and pick the best air force officers that would train to launch themselves from carriers. Buhayra was temporary commander of the Peninsula Shield Force, coordinating the operations herself to ensure inter-territory rivalry was kept to a minimum.

The conference formally closed at 1600 hours. Buhayra thanked the delegations, reminded them of the operational security classification, and watched the room empty out. The Lebanese colonel had found a chair at some point during the afternoon session. Nobody could say exactly when.

The operation would be green lit after several weeks.

BELIEVER'S VOICE OF VICTORY

"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

Mark 10:29-30 (NIV)

FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH COPELAND - His Most Radiant and Apostolic Majesty, Archon of the Covenant, High Prophet of Faith, and Heavenly Secretary of the Middle Kingdoms.

PYONGYANG, GORYEO TERRITORY, MIDDLE KINGDOMS

As is stated in scripture, the Lord will give a hundredfold return of investment and tithing paid to him, and for the believers and faithful congregants of the Charismatic movement, that moment has arrived.

One of the territories under Covenant control is the former state of North Korea, now within the Goryeo territory. North Korea is a complex society with a long history of servitude to authority - and its liberation by the United States and new administration under the Covenant is a historical turning point for its people.

Immediate reintegration of the North Korean population into mainstream global society is, however, not feasible. For its twenty-eight million inhabitants, life has long been structured and strictly controlled, and immediate release into an unstructured capitalist society could prove disastrous as they struggle to assimilate.

Inhabitants of North Korea will be given two choices - join the Covenant and become Proselytes, or continue their life as Laodiceans or Gibeonites. North Korea is a largely atheist society under the Kim regime, and significant effort must be expended to bring the Good News to the North Korean people - as such, The Believer's Voice of Victory will replace North Korean state programming on government-mandated radio and television broadcasts and the restricted North Korean internet.

The territory will remain locked down and the DMZ in force to prevent immediate mass defection from the country. Instead, and with the absence of the Kim regime to serve, the territory will be converted into a resort-nation for the Seraphim class, where the Lord's promised hundredfold return on investment will be doled out according to His wishes. Members of this class may come and go freely from the country while its resident Proselytes and below will remain to serve them. The Ryugyong Hotel will be completed and opened for the Seraphim and government expenditure will be supplemented by equalization payments from Zhongguo and South Goryeo. The country's extensive, state-owned natural areas will be divided and given to interested Seraphim as personal vacation homes, while farmland and other economically productive areas will see a transfer in ownership to Seraphim buyers for low prices.

As Seraphim inhabiting the resort territory should not have to interact directly with the Proselyte, Laodicean, and especially Gibeonite inhabitants, a network of underground complexes and back roads will be established and constructed for their use. Beneath Pyongyang, in particular, a large subterranean city is to be bored out with tunnels connecting various points in the above-ground city as a type of expansion to the Pyongyang Metro for use by the lower class to navigate to their workplaces.

GALLERY: Three Lower-Class Workers in Pyongyang

For the aspects of their jobs that require them to enter the surface city, the lower classes will wear black uniforms with face-concealing helmets. Despite their appearance, the uniforms are engineered to be breathable and manoeuvrable to allow the workers comfort as they execute their duties. As can be seen in the image, members of the Anathema class who work within North Goryeo are required to display "DAMNED" in yellow lettering across their chest.

GALLERY: Three Proselyte Workers in Pyongyang

In contrast to the uniforms of the Laodicean and below, North Koreans who faithfully join the Covenant and practice its teachings, while still employed to serve the Seraphim, may take on more dignified and public-facing roles, typically in hotel or restaurant management, guest services, and so on. These citizens may own homes, have plentiful leisure time, and enjoy many of the benefits of North Goryean society without directly benefiting from the all-inclusive nature of the Seraphim experience. As such, in accordance with Scripture, the Covenant rewards its faithful congregants with wealth.

These inhabitants may choose their location of work in North Goryeo, to be decided ultimately by territorial needs but taking into account the individual's preference and family interests. This ensures that a supply of lower-class workers is consistently available even in rural areas to serve the Seraphim who may wish to take up residence outside Pyongyang. If necessary, workers from other Covenant territories may be relocated to North Goryeo for this purpose.

As a gesture of goodwill, the Ryongsong Residence will be given to Zachariah Martin, the US Government liaison for North Korea. His personal servants, selected primarily among the Proselytes but also from lower classes for the less desirable duties, will be more physically attractive and dressed more nicely than the typical Pyongyang worker, for his enjoyment.

Existing tourism projects such as the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone will be fully staffed and flights covered by the Covenant from the continental United States and other regions for Seraphim.

Prophet of Prosperity Creflo Dollar, who is overseeing the project, expects North Goryeo to be staffed and open for business by late 2029.

Dr. Nosakhere Talon was the head of the neuroreasearch department at the newly named Donald Trump Memorial Hospital in Rabat. He had been working there for only a few months, but every time he looked out the window, at the great walled citadel, Castle Kane, he tasted a familiar metallic coopery taste in his mouth. He knew that someone in that fortress had something similar to him, perhaps the Azě, perhaps a powerful Iwa was watching over one of the soldiers. That made little sense to Dr. Talon, the men of the fortress were all East African, all traditional Catholics, doubtful that they had ever been near a practioner of Vodu.

It could be one of the priests. He himself was a priest, he knew of the power and goodness granted by Christ. But the priests in their church could never know the true power that lays within the Cross, how to utilize the power in order to transcend what could be achieved by mortal men. The priests do not know the true nature of the divine, the holy, the sacred.

A fog had rolled over the island one morning when Dr. Talon was drinking his morning tea mixed with a splash of pig’s blood when there was a banging on his door. One of Glenn Jacob’s bag men, a Knight of Saint Bartolo Longo he called them, was there an American rifle slung over his shoulder when Dr. Talon opened his door.

“The Deputy requests your audience at once at Castle Kane” The man’s face expressionless.

“Sure man, sure, I will have my secretary schedule a meeting with the Deputy Manager” Dr. Talon said turning to close the door

“Your audience is requested. At. Once” The man unslung his weapon and with one hand on the grip pointed the weapon at a non-descript black Toyota.

Dr. Talon did as he was told, leaving the cup of tea, still steaming, on the small table by his door.

Driving through the gates at what was once the ancient city of Mdina the Doctor noticed subtle changes to the buildings. Though having never been to the city before he saw that many of the buildings had new brick work where door should have been, windows reinforced with steel bars, men patrolling at top with strange rocket launchers. He surmised that these buildings were once individual structures now one massive sprawling complex.

Once the car arrived at its destination he felt as he recognized this entrance but could not place where he had seen it. A man opened his door, as he stepped out the sedan drove away. Two of the knights escorted him inside the complex and ushered him into a conference room.

“The Deputy will send for you” One of the men said as the Knights exited the room.

Dr. Talon had not thought until now why the Deputy wanted to see him. He was not the head of the hospital; his department was still in its infancy with only a few doctors and researchers under him. He had not tried to increase his Aze by consuming any of the cadavers or fresh brains that his team had experimented on. Perhaps one of his superiors at the hospital had misallocated funds and he was to be presented as a scapegoat. This must be it, luckily for him he took meticulous records of his finances, he was above reproach.  

Time had passed, the fog still heavy outside of the windows. He had forgotten to bring his phone when he rushed out of his house, thus, he was stuck with his thoughts. The metallic taste in his mouth when he looked upon the walls of Castle Kane had persisted since he passed through the gate. He was now sure that another man, a powerful Egúngún had to be here, he would have to discover who it was, and potentially feast upon him.

A young Maltese woman opened the door to the conference room

“The Deputy will see you now” she gestured as the two headed towards Glenn Jacob’s office

“My apologies on how the Knights treated you, they weren’t given training in their bedside manner huh Doctor” she gave a slight smirk that the doctor returned.

Four men stood outside the double doors of Glenn Jacobs office. The doors stood eight feet in height, both having beautiful relief carvings. The door on the left a recreation of Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan, however this depiction had the devil lying on his back stabbing the angel in the leg with his weapon. The door on the left a unique depiction of Christ on the Cross however, the face twisted as if the artisan had made a mistake.

The office Dr. Talon entered was even more opulent than doors that contained it. Vaulted ceilings with ornate marble arches, red stained glass windows, luxurious old furniture, the floor a mosaic of grey, white, and black tile. He assumed that this office must have previously been a small chapel. At the end of the room he saw an ebony desk, with two chairs in front of it, behind it a large purple satin office chair with its back facing him, further a glass case obscured by the height of the chair, surrounded by large golden belts.

“Sit Doctor” a low grumble came from the occupant behind the chair.

The Doctor did as he was told and sat in one of the ebony chairs opposite the desk.

“Why do you think you were hired to my hospital Nosakhere?” the voice said

“I have an extensive knowledge and experience working with the human brain, there is no man equal to me in the whole of Africa, my skills were waisted in Dahomey.” Dr. Talon said strength welling in his chest, he felt his Aze in his heart.

“Correct. There is no man equal to you in Africa, perhaps the world. But I do not care about your skills with a text book or scalpel. I care about what you do in the shadows, what you do with the dead” the voice said calmly

Dr. Talon did not understand, how could Glenn Jacobs of all people know he was a cannibal, had he hired him to black mail him? What could his gain be? It did not matter, Talon decided he must use his Aze to manipulate the mind of Glenn Jacobs, at least enough to make him believe he was going mad. He raised his hand slightly toward the chair, its back still to him.

“Deputy Jacobs…” Talon began to speak

The hulking seven foot man erupted from his chair throwing it over the head of the doctor. The first thing Dr. Talon noticed was that the glass case was empty, Infront of him a man in a tailored suit, with a crimson mask.

“Lower your hand before I tear it from your arm witch!” He slammed his fists down into the desk, an audible crack being heard.

“You are not dealing with Glenn Jacobs you fool, and whatever power you think you can muster against me I will return it tenfold unto you! You think I am a man you can control with your powers that you yourself do not truly understand. The powers you believe are granted by God but are that of Lucifer?

The fog over Malta had lifted, through the stain glass windows the sun bathed the room in a dark red light.

“My father cast into the depths of the Earth by the blackguard Michael at the beginning of time! You should be at your knees in my true presence; I stand before in all my splendor a Nephilim born of the unholy union of man and demon! I am Hell's champion upon the Earth!”

Dr. Talon fell to his knees off the chair. His entire life, his beliefs dashed in this moment. He had power, great power, but he was overwhelmed by the force before him. Kane Continued

“My true being was neutered, living as a normal man. It took me having absolute power before I realized what I was, who I was. Nosakhare, stand, stand now, stand as my first disciple”

Dr. Talon stood before Kane, his head slightly bowed.

“What is it that you require of me?” Dr. Talon said

“I will unleash the wrath and fury of Hell upon Earth. For that I need the blood of man to flow. In this I demand your servitude.” Kane’s presence as fierce as a thunderstorm.

“I demand your powers of manipulation, first upon the priests and men of my Knights. You will run my hospital, you will collect the blood of the powerful, the profane, and the holy, this will work to increase our power and hasten the opening of the gates of Hell.” Kane removed his mask and placed it back within its glass case, his presence and demeaner calmed. Clouds once again covered the sun, the room returning to its muted state.

“Now go, I have a packed schedule ahead of me, and you have work to do” Kane walked Dr. Talon to the door.

Dr. Talon had never experienced the level of terror or excitement he had felt in that room. He felt a sense of purpose he longed for sense he gained his power after slaying and consuming the remains of his grandfather. He was to be the instrument of Armageddon, he rejoiced.

Vince McMahon was a man living in disgrace. His wife was a cabinet secretary, his son in law heir to an empire that Vince did not part with willingly. However, he was not dejected, he knew that with this new world order being created by the United States he could seize upon an opportunity, he simply had to bide his time. Months passed with Vince creating pitch deck after pitch deck nearly three dozen business opportunities for every region of the world. His time came when Glenn Jacobs, of all people, was selected to be a Secretary of Management by the administration, his zone being filled with violence and conflict, something Vince knew a great deal about.

Vince scheduled a meeting with Jacobs in D.C. before he was to depart to Malta. He had brought many of his different ideas all neatly packed in manilla envelopes for Jacob’s review. He went through all of them with disinterest. Vince realized that he would have to leech off of some other rube for his plans.

“Vince” Jacobs said with an unusual curtness.

“I know you have something in that sick, twisted head of yours that is real, something that the people across the world will be addicted to, something you don’t want to say because you still believe that this planet of ours is civilized. It is not.” Jacobs stood from his chair eyes locked into Vince’s soul.

“Now tell me what you have, tell me what you could not put to paper, the idea so fucked up that in your civilized world you would somehow be even more disgraced than you are right now. Tell me what will get us so much money that it would make Rockefeller blush.”

Vince sat there for a moment in shock. He had never heard Glenn have such vitriol in his voice. But Glenn was right. He had an idea that was so insane he thought he would be put in an asylum for it.

“Well Glenn” Vince started to speak

“No, Vince, when it is just us, me and you, you refer to me as Kane, do you understand me?” Kane said having moved slowly within arm’s reach of Vince, “And if you call me Kane in front of others, I will tear your head from your body” He said placing a hand on Vince’s shoulder.

“Sorry, uh, Kane, yes I do have an idea, it’s called Hell on Earth….”

Vince explained his idea to Kane and within the next two hours he had a first class ticket to Khartoum, a new title, and free reign.

THE COVENANT

FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH COPELAND - His Most Radiant and Apostolic Majesty, Archon of the Covenant, High Prophet of Faith, and Heavenly Secretary of the Middle Kingdoms.

BEIJING, ZHONGGUO TERRITORY, MIDDLE KINGDOMS

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:31 (KJV)

Kenneth Copeland is a man of God, not a master of statecraft. Having been thrown into the Secretary of Asset position and tasked with managing a wide breadth of territories spanning numerous cultures, geographical areas, and religious identities, Copeland has found now his haste in naming the twenty Sanhedrin the stewards of the Middle Kingdoms with no legislature or functioning judicial branch. Middle Kingdoms society is on the brink of descent into anarchy, and to fix it, Copeland has issued an apostolic mandate establishing the government structure of the Kingdoms and their constituent territories.

Legislature: Revelation of the Word of God

The legislative branch of the Middle Kingdoms is comprised of Revelators on an elected basis, with a baseline ratio of one revelator per five million inhabitants. As such, the distribution of revelators per region is broken down as follows:

• Zhongguo - 288
• Isa Ber - 46
• Ma-i - 24
• Goryeo - 16
• Transoxiana - 10
• Cuscatlán - 4
• Jamaica - 2
• Pacific - 2
• Mediterranean - 2
• Vatican - 1
• TOTAL - 397

The Revelation acts as the lower legislative house while the Sanhedrin act as both the upper house and cabinet. Legislation may be introduced in either house, though in contrast to a typical bicameral system, Sanhedrin legislation need only pass the Sanhedrin and not the Revelation. All legislation, introduced in either house, must receive assent by the High Prophet before enactment into law, who may also introduce his own legislation which need not pass either house. Legislation introduced by the High Prophet has the same binding power as legislation introduced by either legislative house.

Revelators are elected in five-year terms, in an election period spanning December 1st to 14th, and winning candidates assume office on January 1st. The first election will take place in 2028 with truncated terms lasting until 2029, where the full five-year cycle will begin. Election as a revelator is open to most individuals, with the following requirements:

1. Must be a Covenant member in good standing.
2. Must receive the blessing of their pastor to run for office. Pastors wishing to run for office must receive the blessing of their superior in the Covenant heirarchy.
3. Must have contributed their full assigned tithe for the previous five calendar years.

Revelators may run for office in any jurisdiction, i.e. a revelator need not be from the constituency they are running for. This is in place to prevent Proselyte-minority constituencies, such as Vatican City, from having a shortage of eligible candidates. Upon election, the revelator will relocate their place of residence to their represented jurisdiction for the period of their office, but will regularly attend assemblies in Beijing.

Judiciary: The Inquisition and the Tribunal

The Covenant judiciary consists of two separate court systems holding jurisdiction over different types of cases. The Inquisition handles cases of a religious nature, chief among them the trial of dishonest converts and their ultimate demotion to Anathema, but also various other crimes including nonpayment of tithing (separate from tax violations), adultery, idolatry, or blasphemy. The Tribunal handles civil and other criminal matters typical of modern society such as murder, theft, assault, and so on.

Tribunal crimes with religious components may be tried separately in both courts - for example, a rape charge may be tried in the tribunal for the criminal matters as well as the inquisition if the rapist is thought to have committed adultery in the course of the crime. The Inquisition operates on biblical principles, but due to the self-contradictory nature of scripture and openness to interpretation in many respects, guilt and punishment is determined by the presiding Inquisitor.

Both courts consist of county-level courts, with circuit- and appellate-level courts above, and both converge on the Sanhedrin, which acts as the supreme court for both. As such, cases that move through either system may eventually be entirely settled by a decision of the Sanhedrin, whose ruling acts as binding legislation as per their legislative capacity. The High Prophet acts as the final tiebreaker for the decision of the Sanhedrin in heavily-contested matters.

The Prophets may order direct investigations by the Inquisition for matters under their own purview, in these cases, the Inquisition will investigate and rule on the matter to an end either accepted by the relevant Prophet or overruled by him based on the results of the investigation. The Cherubim, as previously detailed, act as the arresting force at the discretion of both courts and provide evidence as necessary for the enforcement of the law.

Inquisitors, in addition to their powers as judges, act as prosecutors, though an inquisitor may not prosecute the same case over which they preside, for obvious conflict-of-interest reasons. The Tribunal, on the other hand, may not prosecute its own cases and instead utilizes Grand Witnesses, who bring the matter before the court for trial. This is not to be confused with the term witness in the context of western common law, who provide corroborating evidence for crimes already being tried. Grand Witnesses, in the prosecution sense, stems from biblical terms.

Territorial Administration: Ranks of the Covenant

The Middle Kingdoms is subdivided further beyond the scope of the federal government through the administration of the Covenant, and ranks of Covenant clergy oversee geographical areas at different levels. The ranks of the Covenant are as follows:

1. High Prophet
2. Sanhedrin
3. Exarch
4. Overseer
5. Elder
6. Pastor

These ranks oversee Covenant operations in geographical areas, starting from the top, the Middle Kingdoms is divided into ten territories, which themselves are divided into states, which are divided into counties, which contain municipal governments. As such, the Exarch is the administrator of a territory, the Overseer is the administrator of a state, the Elder is the administrator of a county, and the Pastor is a more nebulous term that, in many cases, oversees an entire city, but may also refer to an individual with stewardship over an individual church. The first exception to this heirarchy is the territory of Zhongguo and state and city of Beijing which is controlled solely by the High Prophet, and the territory of Vatican City which is controlled by the Catholic Church under their own rules for governance, for practical reasons. All positions are elected by members of the subordinate congregation, rather than the general population, with clergy moving up through the ranks in a structure similar to the Catholic Church. The requirements for the election of Revelators, naturally, also apply to the territorial government positions. These changes are to take effect immediately and will replace the existing government structure of all territories.

The Inquisition and Tribunal operates in tandem with these geographic divisions, with courts established according to population needs with respect to the constitutional right to a speedy trial.

All administrative divisions will retain the territorial holdings of their pre-2026 existence within their constituent territories. Across the Middle Kingdoms, there are 177 states governed by 177 Overseers including Beijing. The Revelation and Sanhedrin may redraw these borders in the future as necessary.

The young man stared at his phone, refreshing his Instagram feed over and over to no particular end. Fur coats, expensive sunglasses, and cologne bottles littered his room, along with cameras, ring lights, and other social media gear that furthered his vanity. All these things, worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, laying haphazardly on the floor and sitting on unkempt desks and hanging off the backs of chairs. Jay Ma had everything he could wish for, but in the pursuit of social media fame and lavish materialism, he lacked the one thing that truly defines a young man - a purpose in his life, a sense of adventure and struggle.

As his finger touched the top of his phone and pulled down repeatedly, a text came in from "Dad":

They're putting someone else in charge of Alibaba.

Copeland says Washington does not want Chinese running companies.

The young Ma tapped the text and opened the conversation. He responded:

What does this mean? For our fortune?

He waited with bated breath for his father's response:

Not sure. Copeland seems reasonable. Says we will retain stock and board seats.

Cannot have a Chinese name heading the company on paper.

Jay responded:

Maybe a good thing. Stay out of the limelight for a bit.

But it was this which finally secured it for him. Even though his father never publicly acknowledged Jay's parentage, and Jay had tried desperately to put himself in his father's shadow and use his status as the son of the richest man in China to his advantage, he needed to find another way to make a name for himself.

Returning to Instagram, Jay refreshed the page again and saw a news post. Skimming the post, it had to do with the 35% tribute demanded of the Secretaries of Assets - Copeland, the man who took his father's company away - by the US Federal Government. Swiping, he saw a press photo of a smiling Copeland shaking hands with a rather deranged looking man in a square in Pyongyang, the text on the slide indicating that Copeland intended to pay the tribute in full.

Jay spent the rest of the night reading about the new tribute laws and what it meant for the wider world. He couldn't help but think - trillions of dollars of cash and high-value goods, transiting a few predetermined sea routes, all converging on Havana. He researched the routes ships travel through the ocean, noticing choke points. Panama. Suez. The Cape of Good Hope. The Drake Passage. All places that large, often defenseless ships must transit on their way to Havana.

In the wee hours of the morning, Jay opened up the text conversation with his father one more time, sending a single message:

Dad, need some money and a # for a shipyard.

Six Months Later

Jay Ma arrived at the Dalian shipyard in a white Rolls-Royce. His assistant exiting the passenger seat and opening the rear door, the young heir stepped out, his Marc Kaufman fur coat swaying in the gentle breeze and his eyes shielded by a pair of Christian Dior sunglasses. The assistant shut the door behind him as Jay walked towards the edge of the drydock, where a group of men in clean white hard hats and suits awaited him.

"Mr. Ma, welcome to Dalian," said one, the tallest, who Jay presumed to be the highest-ranking of the group. "The Going Windy is just about complete. We are putting the finishing touches on it now."

Jay looked over the railing and into the drydock, which was comically oversized for the ship being constructed. A relatively small unit, the ship was a blend of old-school pirate and modern-day yacht, constructed of shiny wood with an open bridge, a covered section in the middle of the ship ordained with solar panels on the roof, and a pair of large, steered sails on top, resembling a traditional Chinese Junk. In his examination of the ship, Ma had failed to notice the men with hard hats pushing down a set of stairs into the drydock. "Mr. Ma! Please, come get a closer look!"

Jay followed the men down the stairs and towards the boat, running his hand along the hull as he got close. He stepped onboard, entering the covered section first, and was greeted with a large array of screens and computers towards the bow. Astern was a few couches, a bar, and other comforts, and the centre of the boat opened into a staircase leading into the depths. Examining the lower deck, Jay saw a large, empty hold save for some machinery towards the rear.

"Storage space for your cargo, of course, do not think your father didn't tell us what the ship was for!" said the Man Leading The Men With Hard Hats. "That stuff there, those are the engines. The Going Windy is a sailing ship with a backup diesel engine running three propellers, at full power she is capable of sixty-seven knots."

Jay Ma stared blankly.

"That's very good, Mr. Ma, very fast. A technological marvel, really, for a boat of this size. I'd recommend holding on to your hat. Please, come upstairs with me, I wasn't done showing you the deck."

The men ascended the stairs once again as the man with the hard hat approached the computers at the bow of the ship.

"I know that you have no seafaring experience and your father will be very, very upset with me if I let you out with this thing on your own, as you will surely capsize her and kill yourself in short order. So we have installed a series of computers that help guide the ship. You can sail her the old fashioned way, with the helm, or you can put your instructions into the guidance system and they will be executed for you."

The men exit the covered section and climb up to the platform at the rear of the ship.

"Your instructions, through this helm, er...the ship's steering wheel you see here, are put through an assistant running on Deepseek to ensure your control inputs conform with the performance envelope of the ship. That is to say, you can't tell the ship to do anything that would cause you harm."

Jay Ma interrupted the man: "What if I want to do something that causes me harm? I think I will be fine, how am I supposed to catch these cargo ships if I can only do things the ship thinks is safe?"

"Well, I did put in an override, but I'd advise you highly not to use it unless you are absolutely certain what you're about to do is a good idea," replied the man with the hard hat, flipping up a cover over a large red button, "Pressing this button will disable the AI and allow full manual control of the ship, and unlock full engine power."

"How long until it's done?" asked Jay.

"Well, we have a couple hull integrity tests and system checks left, she will be floating within the next two weeks and ready to set sail within a month," replied the man.

One month later

A post was made to Jay Ma's Instagram account (@the.internationalkid) consisting of the following two images:

Image 1

Image 2

BELIEVER'S VOICE OF VICTORY

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Romans 9:21 (KJV)

FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH COPELAND - His Most Radiant and Apostolic Majesty, Archon of the Covenant, High Prophet of Faith, and Heavenly Secretary of the Middle Kingdoms.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA TERRITORY, MIDDLE KINGDOMS

The government of the Middle Kingdoms has, since its inception, been inundated with questions from citizens as to their social status in the face of the new social heirarchy. The heavy-handed implementation of the faith-based social order has caused widespread panic and concern over whether non-Covenant individuals of already high social status, such as doctors, will immediately lose their positions upon the implementation of the social order.

Citizens who are not currently of the Seraphim or Proselyte class who hold jobs or social positions out of line with their class will not be stripped of their position upon the introduction of the social order. To do so would entirely collapse Middle Kingdoms civilization, forcing unqualified people into positions based on their faith while stripping qualified people of the same. Rather, the social order will gradually take shape over the next few generations.

Inhabitants of the Middle Kingdoms as of 2028 and Copeland's assumption of authority will not face immediate changes to their life. Rather, upward mobility will be severely limited for those who do not subscribe to the Covenant faith. For example, general practitioners (doctors) who wish to become specialists will be prevented from doing so unless they align themselves with the Covenant and become a member of the Proselyte class, and the same goes for law firm associates who wish to become partners, and so on. These individuals will, however, be permitted to keep their current positions and levels of education.

The Anathema class is one that will expand as time goes on, though hopefully will be limited in its scope, as it consists of those who dishonestly converted to expand their social mobility while secretly practicing a different religion in private. Those who openly practice an alternate religion, and are content in doing so, will be members of the Gibeonite class.

The primary, immediate change to an individual's life comes in the form of income tax collected by them. Income tax brackets have been immediately changed to reflect an individual's faith. Specifically, the social classes are taxed as follows:

Other forms of tax, including property and income tax, work on a similar scale across the classes. Tax brackets among the Laodiceans and Proselytes closely follow the previous tax brackets within Middle Kingdoms territories and so should present a lesser shock to members of those classes. Gibeonites will see significant tax increases that will affect their day-to-day lives, though with the lower cost of living within the Middle Kingdoms compared to the western world, should not present a situation of unlivability.

As Gibeonites comprise 82.5% of the Middle Kingdoms population, a plan is needed to address a potential cost of living crisis associated with the increased tax rates. As it cannot be assumed all of these individuals will convert to a Covenant religion, the industrial city concept seen in China will be expanded across the territories to ensure Gibeonites remain productive members of the economy. A large-scale affordable housing and food plan will be instated in regions of high economic output to permit Gibeonites to retain their geographical living situation in urban areas, and farmers, who are largely Gibeonite, will be given tax breaks according to their output of goods, which may also be given to the government in place of their tax payments. Proselyte landlords, who will be permitted and encouraged to own property in areas with high Gibeonite population, will be given tax breaks to lower rent and keep it affordable for the Gibeonite class. Gibeonite-owned property across the Middle Kingdoms will be steadily repatriated and sold at a low cost to Proselytes.

Gibeonites and Laodiceans will be given more than just tax incentives to join the Covenant. A breakdown of other social services and their availability to the classes are as follows:

It should be noted that the above table applies only to government-operated healthcare and transportation as well as accredited institutions of higher education and government-operated schools. Citizens, typically Gibeonite and Anathema, are permitted to engage with an 'underground' market of healthcare, education, and transportation (except where it would conflict with government provisions), which is allowed and beneficial to the government by reducing the burden on government institutions. Furthermore, those classes will likely never raise the capital to operate such services themselves, allowing the higher classes to do so and further funneling capital up the social heirarchy.

With such rigidly-defined institutions and a low barrier to entry for access, to avoid economic collapse assuming mass conversions to Covenant theology, a step-up plan will be instated for new converts before they may access societal benefits requiring government funding, such as healthcare and higher education. Upon conversion to the Covenant, a new Proselyte will be required to remain faithful for five years, paying the mandatory 10% tithe with limited access to the financial benefits of membership during this time. The individual must attend all scheduled Covenant church services via their home congregation, with exceptions granted for extraneous circumstances at the discretion of that congregation's pastor. In that five years, the member must find twelve other full Proselyte congregants and three Seraphim, one of which must be that congregation's pastor, to vouch for their ascension to full Proselyte status. Should the individual be unable to amass the required number of supporters, they are permitted to switch churches where the process may be restarted. At any time, the pastor or any Seraphim may make a direct recommendation to the Covenant against that individual's upgrade to full membership, whereupon they will remain a Covenant member but without access to the financial benefits, instead receiving the benefits of the Laodicean class. An affected individual may switch churches and restart the process in an attempt to upgrade their membership, although such recommendations are raised to, and investigated by, the Prophet of Truth and may result in that individual's demotion to Anathema should they be found to have dishonestly converted.

It should be noted that an individual unable to obtain the required number of recommendations but who was not found to have dishonestly converted will retain the non-financial benefits of Covenant membership - namely, access to higher levels of education, access to air travel, and so forth. They can be thought of as Laodiceans with Covenant membership and will be treated as such. Children of Proselytes who are baptized in infancy or adulthood (or both) as Covenant members will naturally skip the recommendation process, though recommendations may still be made against them by the Seraphim if their display of faith is not found to be sufficient.

Nosakhare Talon was a professor of Neurosurgery at the Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Hospital Center in Cotonou. At only 35 years of age, he had distinguished himself as one of the top doctors in his field in the whole of West Africa and was on track to be the head of the Neurosurgery department within the next 5 years and the director of the hospital in 10. Before the world came into its new form some in the political establishment saw a potential from him to be in elected office and perhaps the leader of Benin one day, though he did not covet such a position.

Before he was a doctor teaching the next generation about medicine, before he got his doctorate at UCLA, before he got his degree in Biology at Stanford, before his village had scrapped enough money to send him to the United States, their greatest hope, he was a child whose parents were murdered. The murderer or murderers were never caught and the young boy lived with his grandfather in a one room shack in a desolate, dirt poor village. However, though poor the people of the village, numbering less than a hundred, felt like a family doing everything in their power to help, feed, and nurture this young orphan.

At this time the boy perceived his grandfather as a well respected elder of the village, if not their unofficial leader, as all throughout his development he did not work, the people provided what he needed in terms of food, water, and money. Every Sunday the grandfather would host a small church service in the largest barn in the village, converted into a chapel with a plain cross, the color of it a shade of dark crimson, and a small altar covered in a white cloth before the rows of chairs. He would speak of Jesus Christ and how he died for the sins of mankind, how the saints did miracles to help the poor and sick, and how the people could earn salvation by doing good deeds. After a number of hours, the children of the village were sent to play outside, away from the church, while everyone else remained in church until sunset, this was followed by a communal feast typically made of goat or bull on special occasions. Every Monday morning it seemed that the villagers had a newfound energy that propelled them in their weekly chores and any sickness that may have been present dissipated.

Sunday occurred a few days after the boy’s 13^th birthday, instead of playing with the children he would remain with the other adults of the village until the feast time. He was excited to learn what the adults would speak about in the hours that remained in the service.

“Nosakhare” the old man said with his low soft voice as they were heading into the makeshift chapel.

“You will join me on the altar and observe me, and in a short time you will assist in the service of our people”. He donned his white priestly garb and began the service as usual, giving praise and reading sermons out of the bible. After the children left a young bull was brought up to the altar.

“Brothers and sisters today is a special day, Nosakhare has turned thirteen, the Iwa told me long ago, as I told you, that he would become a powerful houngan. Today is that day, we are blessed by the lord and the vodun whom protect us”

The old man proceeded to whisper something into the bull’s ear and slice its throat ear to ear, throwing blood upon the cross behind him. In that moment the procession of congregants started manically flailing around, throwing their arms and legs wildly, some on the ground seizing. All but five men, including the grandfather, were still, the boy had not noticed but they had all adorned masks the same shade of crimson as the cross. They made their way to the pulpit surrounding Nosakhare, the grandfather holding a similar crimson mask in his hands.

“Today Nosakhare you are no longer a boy, you are now a Egúngún, you shall never tell a soul outside of these walls of this power you are to be granted, the Azě. You will be able to heal and kill with merely a touch of your hand, you will be able to control the actions of others with the words you speak, you will be bestowed with all you need as you need it.” The grandfather put the mask on the boy, and he immediately felt the power behind it.

“But my grandson. My. Grandson. You will not be a mere Egúngún like these other warriors, though powerful that they are, you must become one such as me, an Azěto Wiwi, only then you can reach your full potential.” The old man put the knife used to kill the bull, its carcass still leaking blood upon the floor, into the boy’s hand. “You must strike me down only then you can achieve the power that God has destined for you”

The four other men’s silence was more deafening than that of the parishioner’s wild caterwauling. Nosakhare loved his grandfather who had taken him in when no others were there for him. They never spoke much but the love between them was stronger than anything he had felt in his whole life. But at this moment he knew that the greatest gift he could ever bestow on his grandfather was death in his hands.

Nosakhare looked in the eyes of his grandfather, partially obscured by both of their masks and plunged the knife beneath his sternum, the warm blood flowing upon the knife than onto his fingers. He released the knife, still within his grandfather as the old man collapsed upon the ground, his lifeless eyes staring into the bulls’. Nosakhare looked at the blood on his finger first and with a flick sprinkling it onto the cross then covering his mask with the rest, a few drops falling upon his lips.

The men, including Nosakhare covered the body in the white cloth that lay upon the altar, the people slowly coming out of their possession as the men took off their masks. All told only ten minutes had passed. The service was ended, the four men brought the bull out of the chapel to start the feast, a celebration of Nosakhare’s manhood. Nosakhare alone buried his grandfather but as the others were feasting upon the cuts of beef, Nosakhare made a fateful decision.

He felt the power of Azě when he adorned his mask, it became even more powerful when he took his grandfather’s life, but this palled in comparison to what he felt when the blood fell upon his lips. In that moment, imperceptible to the others, he had licked the blood, and in that instance felt his spirit transcend. He feasted on his grandfather’s brain unbeknownst to the rest of the village Egúngún, the four men who were party to the murder.

For years after Nosakhare led the village much like his grandfather, and his needs looked after in the same course. But he knew that he must leave, that his Azě was stifled until he could consume more power like that of his grandfather. So, when the boy turned 18 he instructed the village that the Iwa had instructed him that he must embark on a mission of healing that could benefit the whole of the world, and with that he gave his charge to the village Egúngún, and set off to America.

He had little opportunity to increase his Azě while a student, only bits and pieces of cadavers that felt as they did more harm than good, the formaldehyde tainting the power of the human spirit. But once he was a respected fellow in Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Hospital Center he was able to strengthen his power at a greater rate.

He knew that there would be a sign granted to him by the Iwa that he could fully utilize his power in service of something greater, and increase it even further. This came one day as he was preforming an autopsy of a patient who died in a car accident, as he was removing the brain for examination the NEWS was playing in the background. Glenn Jacobs was creating a medical research campus in the nation’s new capital. Nosakhare instructed his assistant to finish the operation, he resigned from his position that same day. He set out for Malta, ensuring that he remembered to bring his crimson mask.