Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 6 (January 2009)

[Pitboss Russia]

Emperor Augustus,

We have immediately renounced our Piercian vassalage.
The war is, as we speak, continuing.
Your army that invaded our territory near the south has been destroyed by our troops.
More troops are marching as we speak to these southern borders.

It has been said in the past: Russia is willing to sacrifice a lot to fight the Romans, who invaded our territory against all pacts and deals, made in the past.
Russia has not invaded Roman territory since we signed our peace deal. Rome did though. That makes you not different then the oathbreakers.

We did never declare war upon Rome after our oath.
Piercia declared war in our name, we never supported this, and we never effectively did anything to wage war against Rome. We have been true to our oath.
Rome has not been true, it has captured Russian cities against their oath.

What is the value of the Roman promises?
You ask us to sign a cease fire, and talk about lasting peace and terms after that.

But right now Russian armies are busy defeating Roman troops.
Yes, at a price. Russian cities are being slaved, and we lose much troops, but in the end we prevail. More (slaved) soldiers are marching to your borders as we speak, ready to invade Rome after we destroyed your armies.

Yes, we will bleed.
Yes, we will lose much of our troops in battle.
But we have more troops then you. And we will be able to raze some of you cities.

Just me be clear: Russia is tired of this ongoing war!
We desire peace. We wish that this all will be over. The sooner the better.

But we will not AGAIN get a cease fire forced upon us when we are ready to get the upperhand in the war.
We've had peace forced upon us in the past when we were ready to sacrifice ourselves to fight you.
And what did it bring to us? Nothing. You took, against your oath, everything back, while we never hurted Rome in any way since our oaths

Augustus, we will sign peace with you, but first we want to discuss the terms.
First the terms, then the cease fire.
And as long as the terms are unacceptable, we will continue to slave our people and kill your soldiers, and perhaps raze your cities.

But as soon as you send acceptable terms, we will sign peace.
And yes, we will once again live up to the terms of the peace.
But we expect from you something that guarantees us that you will not once again invade our territory and take our cities.

Therefore I suggest the following terms:
- Rome returns our cities
- Rome gives 2 tech vouchers to Russia
- after 50 periods we will return the 1st tech voucher
- after 100 periods we will return the 2nd tech voucher
- If Rome invades Russia again during these 50 our 100 turns, Russia is allowed to keep the(se) voucher(s).
- Russia will settle all issues it has against Rome because of Roman aggression in the past.
- Russia will not do anything that harms Rome ever. This includes plotting secretly with enemies of Rome, or providing them information.
- Rome admits that it has broken it's oath by invading Russian territory despite the peace treaty signed not long ago
- Russia will forgive Rome for breaking their oath, and forge it. We will never mention it again, and deny this has happened if other nations on earth talk about it.

These are our terms.
Are they acceptable?

[Pitboss Rome]

The Emperor Weaps

King Chernomyrdin,

I laugh at your recent rant, but weap that you seem to wish to condemn the Rus to destruction.

Do not try to call us oath-breakers. We were at peace with all, until you along with three other nations declared war on us, unprovoked out of the blue. If you did not wish for that war, at any time you could have rencounced Piercian lordship. But you did not. You willingly declared war on us. Do not try to re-write history just because you and your allies have lost.

Let me point out the facts:

We have just destroyed an army of 16 different modern battalions of Piercians defending one of the greatest cities of the world, behind the strongest castles and walls known to man. But 2 Roman battalions were lost.

If you continue this war, you will be annihilated. The troops you murdered near your southern city were not an army, in Roman terms they were a small scouting party - and even then your losses were as great as ours. If you want war, a real army will come. The idea that you think you have more troops than Rome or that you will raise Roman cities is laughable.

We are offering you peace. The whole world can see that we are offering you peace. We even promised that we would be generous in negotiations. And the whole world knows Rome has never broken a treaty it has signed. If you choose to refuse peace, the world will know you have only yourself to blame for the extermination of the Rus.

Despite our different strengths and sizes we are offering to negotiate fairly and equally with you. Choose peace. Once we dispatch an army to destroy you it will be too late to talk.

Emperor Augustus

[LzPrst]

Your honor, I rest my case.

[Pitboss Khmer]

This is letter is for Khmer.

Khmer you have already conquered countless cities from the Stinca people. You have even burned and razed cities. You started this war of distraction clearly stating that you seek nothing for yourself but to help others on our continent.

Now you have changed your plans and say that you will hold for yourself the biggest and greatest full of wonders and riches Sushi city. How strange!

Now you have led an army of knights to Spanish borders. Are we next on your imperialistic goals? Is Madrid the next trophy on your list?

You yourself drew the borders between Khmer and Spain, now you want to give our northern territory which was stolen from the Stinca to the Celts? Why so easily break what you personally offered? Look at your border map and see, the spot you plan to give to the Celts was left for us to settle.

Now finally that we launch our attack on the Stinca you come threatening us with your armies, and that is happening while you are razing and conquering so many cities plundering tons of Stinca gold. Silver Lode is Spanish period. I will advance north and scout the region. Cornocopia will not be attacked, but in exchange I will settle where the Stinca city stood.

The war against the Stinca was planned long time ago and if evidence is required we will provide it.

You have misused our good will. Scouting spanish territory with your explorer looking for a place to strike. I guess the concept of open borders in Khmer is very different to ours. We seek trade and free flow of people, while you spy for possible targets.

I seek peace and coexistence with your Empire! Who I am I to stop Khmer from destroying my dear Spain. My people await your judgment, I hope you are merciful.

Penelope

We do not plan to attack Spain.

Do you not read our communiqes?

To Isabella/Penelope of Spain

The Khmer have noticed your declaration of war on the Stinca and your large force ready to attack Silver Lode.

I for one am prepared to accept that Spain may acquire Silver Lode provided that the parties of the Hastings Agreement all agree.

BUT you must not move further North. If you agree no harm will come to Spain from Khmer forces in the area.

Please confirm as soon as you may.

Surayavarman 2

We simply required you to confirm this. We know you planned war on the Stinca but since you are not a member of the Hastings Agreement the Khmer were not going to see Spain take out all of the good Stinca cities.

Our troop movements to your North are simply pressure on Spain to stop at Silver Lode. This ploy seems to have worked as we see your troops scurrying back to protect Spain.

Cornocopia has been taken by the Khmer and will be gifted to the HRE to take charge.

Copper Cove has already been handed over to the Celts and Cuzco is available to a Hastings participant.

And don't try to re-write history on the border agreements between Spain and the Khmer. That Size 1 city of Pony Point that we attacked (therefore destroyed but not by Khmer decision) was in agreed Khmer territory and was NEVER part of a Spanish claim - look at the map you sent us. Khmer is rebuilding the city and handing control over to the Celts.

Please send a more conciliatory response and acknowledge our agreements before beckoning disaster for Spain.

I re-iterate: The Khmer do NOT plan to attack Spain as long as you adhere to our ancient agreements and recent request regarding Cornocopia.

Surayavarman 2

[Pitboss Russia]

Emperor Augustus,

Not Russia but Piercia has declared war upon Rome.
During this war declaration Russia had no leader. We were lead by Piercia.
Nobody was administrating Russia during the great war.

Tell me:
- Which Russian leader did exactly declare war upon you?
- Did any Russian soldier or citizen invade Roman territory during this war?
- Did Russia harm or attempt to harm Rome in any way during this war?
- Did any Russian send any communication towards Rome during this war?
- Did any Russian commit any action that could be explained as an act of war in even the slightest way during the great war?

The answer is: No!
Rome marched into Russian territory while Russia was not ruled by anybody but Piercia. But Piercia never had the intention to defend or rule Russia. They tricked us into a false peace first, and then the tricked us in a false war.

But Russia has never, and give me the evidence if I'm lying, never done anything that could even by the biggest hawk in Rome be explained as an act of war.

There is only one thing that happened.
Rome has acted opportunistic, and invaded Russia when nobody was looking after Russia. Rome invaded Russia when the Russian people were deserted by their own leaders and their Piercian leaders.

When Russia was in the deepest of any crises imaginable, the Big Rome broke it's oath and took two Russian cities, that weren't even defended in any proper way by any leader or general.
That's what happened.

And that's a breaking of the oath of peace.
Why invade a neighbour with whom you had just signed peace, only because it's evil master in the far east (of whom it was well known that it was hated by all Russians!) declared war upon you.

And yes, as soon as the Russians became aware of this horror, they have renounced the Piercian governament as it's truthful leaders!

And you speak about losing 2 units against Piercia, while Piercia lost 15 units.
So far you have lost 4 units against Russia while Russia lost only 2 units.

Russia has nothing left, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves.
We will slave ourselves till all cities are deserted.
We will send spies into your lands, destroying your improvements.
We will send our children into your lands, we'll call them the HAMAS brigade, and they will murder your children.

If that is what you want, then you will get what you want.
You will win, in the end. But we will hurt you that bad that other great nations, like the Mayans and the Portuguese and the Spartans will be far much more advanced like you. When you slave and build soldiers, they build banks and universities. When you have to withdraw your workers, they will improve their lands.

You can continue your path of war and destruction, and we will all die.
But we will hurt you as much as possible.

Be a wise and smart leader, return to Russia what belongs to Russia. These cities are deep into Russian territory.
Focus your war on Piercia, and save your cities in the east from the horrors of our revenge.

Yes, we will accept peace.
But only if you give back what you have stolen from us!

Oath breaker.

King Chernomyrdin

[Pitboss Russia]

Viktor Chernomyrdin was born in a small village, Gori, in the Georgian parts of Russia.
He was inspired by Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov.
The power belonged to the people, in Chernomyrdin's philosophy.
When they people would rise against the aggressor, they would overtrow the aggressor.

Some people said that Chernomyrdin would be able to stop huge invading armies by sacrificing millions and millions of his own soldiers.
His tactics where known for burning the lands around the cities he was about to give up. Sacrifice the citizen. And when the enemy would take the city, there would be nothing for the enemy. All food would be destroyed and the houses be burn.

The winters in Russia were cold.
While the enemies would advance deep into Russia, there would be nothing for them to hide against the winds, noting to ease their hunger, only barren waste lands.

Chernomyrdin was known for being able to win by giving up everything.

Viktor Chernomyrdin, also known as Joseph Stalin.

[Pitboss Russia]

To: Xristo of Portugal,

Greetings great king of the North!
I salute your wisdom and your achievements.

I come to you in the hour of darkness.
When Russia was undefended and lead by nobody, only ruled by Piercians, far away, the Romans invaded our cities, took them, and ignored all peace threaties we had signed with them.

While no Russian soldier had done any harm to Russia, they took our cities by surprise.
Our masters, Piercia, were not willing to protect us.
They trowed doom over us, and Rome fulfilled this doom by taking two of our most important cities.

I come to you for aid and help.
Please help us against these Romans.
These Romans are barbaric, they cannot be trusted. They continue to expand their territory at the cost of all their neighbours.
Did they not take ground from Portugal? Did they not take land from Piercia? Did they not take cities from Russia?

Please, sleeping giant, stand up and help us in this battle.
Help us to fight this evil.

Joseph Stalin

[Pitboss Spain]

Please send a more conciliatory response and acknowledge our agreements before beckoning disaster for Spain.

Surayavarman 2 master of Meduian I have no choice but to agree with you, the disaster with which you threaten us is a much darker path for us and I do not wish you bringing the same genocide as you have shown the Stinca people. I will honor the border agreements as well as having HRE take over Cornocopia.

I hope that you will refrain from spying with your explorer Spanish territories. If you continue I will have to close borders with your Empire. I am giving you a fair warning to please withdraw your spy from Spain. I beg you as a slave to master do not use this opportunity to destroy Spain.

I will never break the agreements you have put forward, but Spain will not have Khmer have a scout reporting constantly back home.

I wish only peace.

Penelope.

[Pitboss Russia]

To all Nations on our Continent except the treacherous Piercians,

Russia is being threatened to be destroyed by Rome.
Rome has ignored and broken the peace pact we had with them and stolen 2 of our greatest cities.

Russia will reward all nations that declare war on Rome and invade Roman territory with more then 15 units with 2 tech vouchers.
We have 9 tech vouchers to spend.

Please act quickly for Russia cannot give you your price if it does not exist anymore.

Joseph Stalin

[Pitboss Persia]

The Loss of Mee'Ting


It was a sad day indeed. Roman forces, mainly composed by musketmen and cuirassiers defeated the remaining garrison of Mee'Ting. The attack was unexpected and the ennemy outnumbered the defenders by more than two to one. All the bravery of the Shas was vain, and the city fell.


The Aun'O and the Aun'El had to flee the city. They had done all they could, but now that they were facing Rome alone, their best was not enough. Fortunately, a carvel was awaiting them at the harbour, so that they could avoid capture by the ennemy.

On the carvel, Asiz thought about the future of his Empire. What could he do now that his military allies had left him alone ? How is he supposed to react to those speeches about how weak and unreliable Piercians are ? Russia at first, then Greece and even the Mayan. Was there even a single reliable nation out there ?

Just when his thoughts began to wander as far as suicide, Sa'Ly spoke to him. She reminded him about their Korean friends and about the other ennemy who was still waiting back home. "Esther!"he thought, "just wait for me to catch you...".

And she was waiting indeed...

[Pitboss Korea]

The Attempted Murder of Emperor Sejong...

The assailant in the attempted assassination of Emperor Sejong was quickly killed by Imperial Guards following Sejong's stabbing. This was seen by many as a coverup, as many factions within the nobility quickly blamed one-another for the attack against the Emperor. Imperial Prime Minister Bojong of Wonsan quickly seized the reigns of power, as Prime Minister he said he would perform the Imperial duties while the Emperor was incapacitated. Obviously this upset Prince Gojong, who was extremely suspicious of anyone in court. Many in Korea believed that the Prince himself was behind the attack. The Emperor himself was in a bad way though; he was bed-ridden and unable to communicate, he was near comotose and lost a lot of blood. They didn't realize it at the time, but he suffered severe spinal injuries which prevented his movement as well as his mental capacity. Korea was in a state of disarray, as the nobility waited for their Emperor to revive. This would never occur.

The meeting that was supposed to occur in Pyongyang was put on hold until the Imperial functions could be restored. Bojong released an edict putting all Imperial duties upon his shoulders, in a very real sense he was the acting Emperor. Quickly Imperial Commander Jumong returned to the Imperial Palace to challenge Bojong's position. It wasn't long ago that then Imperial Commander, Bae Hyeongyeong, was named steward of Korea until Sejong came of age and Jumong felt that this tradition should continue in the current disaster. A great argument occured in the palace that day...


Imperial Palace, Seoul...

"LET US IN FAT MAN!" a Korean noble yelled at Pong, General Jumong's assistant, "We demand to see the Emperor, it is our right as the nobility!"

Pong was not prepared for this, he had already dealt with an angry Jumong (angrier than normal), and had spent the past few days getting yelled and and demeaned, today he decided he would not take it; "Shut up! If you do not disperse I will call the guards upon you!"

"You do that, and the armies of Nam'po shall march upon the city!" another noble yelled from the back of the crowd, times were tense and despite Sejong's reforms it seemed Korea was quickly slipping back into its old fractured status.

"LISTEN TO ME!" Pong yelled, "The Emperor is not dead, he is bed-ridden, but he has survived the attack, he needs rest and can not be bothered with your petty squabbling!"

"The Imperial Commander is there! Why? We demand answers!"

"You will have your answers, the Prime Minister has prepared a statement and he wants me to hand it out to all of you-" Pong was again interrupted by the unruly mob.

"DAMN THE PRIME MINISTER! He is probably behind this!"


Meanwhile, Inside...

"And you don't find it odd, or at least suspicious that you have taken this opportunity to simply assume power?" General Jumong said to Bojong, "For all we know it was you who did it!" we being Prince Gojong and himself.

"I won't even dignify that accusation with a response General, you know damned well the Imperial duties were mine to begin with, this is a natural progression. Besides the Emperor wanted to limit the authority of you soldiers, you have done enough damage to Korea as it stands." Bojong replied.

"Need I remind you Bojong, it was the army that ended the Aztec scourge that sacked your precious Wonsan, it was the Korean army that put down the peasant uprising, and if not for the army you would never have been Prime Minister-" the General was interrupted midsentence.

"SILENCE!" Prince Gojong yelled, "You two sound like women, clearly it is nobody in this room, we were all with the Emperor, prior to the attack that is, we know it wasn't us. We don't know where Hae Mosu is, and we know for a fact that Colonel Kim Jong-seo is with General Han Gong, who mysteriously just happened to return from Oldonia right when this occured."

"You think it was General Han Gong?" Jumong asked, he hated Han Gong, "Well that would make sense, but do you think the little rat has it in him to stage something like this? Besides, he hasn't 'ASSUMED' power like some people in this room have."

"General!" Gojong said, "This is no time for that, there is the possibility there is foreign involvement. Korea made it clear we would be neutral in the northern conflict, perhaps somebody took offense. Even an ally, we should be wary of what we say publicly."

"I don't think this is the doing of foreigners, who would or COULD do such a thing?" Bojong said. "Certainly it would mean war!"

"Well for one those stinking Greeks had Hieronymus killed, what makes you think they wouldn't do Sejong in? He never really liked the Greeks to begin with, and I believe that sentiment was mutual." Genral Jumong replied, "Besides they just got whipped in Rome, and you know how they are, with their f*cking honor and all that."

"General, that doesn't even begin to make sense, we must be reasonable here. Who would have a purpose to kill my father?" Gojong asked.

"You sound pretty calm about this boy" the General replied, "A little too calm."

"Don't be ridiculous General" Bojong said, "It is best if I maintain my privleges as Prime Minister, if the military comes to power the people, especially the nobility, will assume you had something to do with it. Do you not understand this? It will seem to be a coup if we allow you the stewardship, besides, Sejong will come to again soon. If he hasn't died yet he won't die soon."

"I didn't realize you were a medicine man, Prime Minister." Jumong said.

"Okay, enough of this. We must summon Colonel Kim Jong-seo and General Han Gong to Seoul at once, I demand to know why he came back. And when I was a child I heard my father speaking to my mother, he said there was a secret, and if this is true this must have something to do with this." The Prince said, "Bojong is right, if either of us assume power the people will grow suspicious, he is the Emperor's Prime Minister, it is only proper that he run the day to day business of the Empire. Besides, you have a lot of work to do, Alemanni must be recaptured..."

[Pitboss Khmer]

Surayavarman 2 master of Meduian I have no choice but to agree with you, the disaster with which you threaten us is a much darker path for us and I do not wish you bringing the same genocide as you have shown the Stinca people. I will honor the border agreements as well as having HRE take over Cornocopia.

I hope that you will refrain from spying with your explorer Spanish territories. If you continue I will have to close borders with your Empire. I am giving you a fair warning to please withdraw your spy from Spain. I beg you as a slave to master do not use this opportunity to destroy Spain.

I will never break the agreements you have put forward, but Spain will not have Khmer have a scout reporting constantly back home.

I wish only peace.

Penelope.

It is agreed then.

Our explorer and caravel will leave Spanish territory in the next period.

All other troops will withdraw as should yours.

tidings Xristo, I mean Penelope...

[Pitboss Rome]

Deep in the temple in Rome

At midnight the Emperor approached the great seat at the heart of temple in Rome. The building was empty, the doors guarded. In the flickering light, there was only visible a shrouded figure sitting on the seat at the heart of the temple.

The Emperor bowed and sat, as according to custom, at the feet of the seat.

"I come for guidance, Lesser One"

(Lesser One being the great title of honour given to the chief priest of the Romans, in deference to the Priest of the great shine of the one true God of which the Portuguese were the honourable guardians.)

The figure did not speak, the minutes ticked by, then the Lesser One's eyes flicked open and he began to speak.

"When two soliders wrestle, who bangs the ground indicating they wish the fighting to stop"

"The weaker one", says the Emperor

Silence drew out again.

The Emperor finally spoke: "So what you mean is that when I offer peace to those I have defeated in war, they interpret it as a sign of weakness, that for some reason I need peace. So if I offer peace, they think 'ah Rome must now be weak, lets continue fighting' and if I don't offer peace, we continue fighting. But Lesser One, you know Rome could conquer more territory, we could capture more cities, but we simply don't want to. What can we do?"

Silence

"If four cats tease a sleeping dog, and it awakens, and two escape. What does that prove?"

The Emperor shakes his head thinking, wishing the Lesser One woudl speak more openly. Finally he suggests "Well if two can get away, maybe the dog is chained, but if two can get to safety surely the other two can as well?"

The Lesser One nodded "if they wanted to".

"So, Lesser One" the Emperor attempted "if two of my enemies have easily negotated fair peace treaties, it proves that nations which want peace have it, and that if others wish for war, that is their choice?"

The Lesser One nodded. "Only the one true God can control everything. You offer peace. Some will accept it; some will not. Some leaders of other nations wish for peace; some may not. Some care for their people; some live in their own dreams. That is their choice"

"But Lesser One, you know the command of the God when I was hailed Emperor, that I should bring the Pax Romana, peace and security. Do I fail if enemies wish to fight on for ever, to their own destruction?"

Silence. The Lesser One remained motionless, unseeing, the Emperor wonder if all was at an end then the Lesser One spoke a final time; "You were called in Rome's darkest hour when this very temple was threatened. You were called as a warrior to bring peace. You have fought well. Two nations have accepted peace. Continue to fight until the others accept it. If that is tomorrow, or in two centuries time, is in the hands of others. The God holds you blameless."

The Emperor left, as soon as he was out of the temple summoning his secretary for another attempt at peace, and his generals to plan the next stage of war.

[Pitboss Russia]

"So, Augustus has consulted a priest for answers..." Stalin whispered.

"Only weak leaders base their decisions on the words of priests" Lenin said.

"What do you think, Vladimir, did Augustus tell the priest about the Roman oath breaking?" Stalin asked.

"He most probably did not. Aggressive leaders tend to think lightly about their own betrayal. Mostly they bury the truth with lame excuses, but they do not dare to consult others about how to deal with their mistakes." Lenin answered.

"What would the priest answer if Augustus would've told him about the oath-breaking?" Stalin asked.

"If it's a priest of a real and fair God, which I doubt, then he'll say that good and honourable leaders will always correct their mistakes.
If it's a false priest, then he'll say that 'giving in will make him look weak'.
Bad leaders are always fearing to look weak. Good leaders don't care about their image, they do what needs to be done.
And leaders who dare to look weak end up looking strong and admirable."

Then Lenin paused for a few seconds.

"What would you do, Joseph, if Rome would offer you a peace that would be acceptable, but would also look like you had to give in on the negotiation table"

"You mean that it would make me look weak to the world, but serve my people?"

"Yes, my pupil" Vladimir Lenin answered....

"Stalin chuckled... looking weak... *sigh* I don't know...."

"You should do what needs to be done to serve your people!" Lenin said with a loud voice. Otherwise you'll be no different then the oath breaking Augustus.

Only strong leaders dare to make decisions that make themselves look weak! Weak leaders only care about their image! I am sure that that's what Augustus asked to his false priest. 'Would it make me look weak?' You should be a better leader, Joseph! Please be a better leader!"

[The Capo]

THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A WAY TO LOG-OUT AS THE CAPO, SO I AM JUST GOING TO CONTINUE POSTING AS THE CAPO FROM NOW ON, IF YOU HAVE PM'ED PITBOSS KOREA PLEASE PM THE CAPO NOW, THANK YOU...

Wonsan, Northern Korea...

Bak Moon was heading back to his home when the soldiers approached him, there was no secret to what they were doing, they were fully armed, and had spears at the ready, "Sir, you are going to have to come with us." One soldier said reluctantly.

Bak Moon looked around, he was confused, sure he knew that times were tense and word of the Emperor's attempted murder had reached Wonsan; but why him? His cousin was the Empress, the Prime Minister was a relative and friend of his. Surely this could have nothing to do with the attack on the Emperor, "Soldier, what is the meaning of this? I have done nothing wrong!"

"These are Imperial orders sir, by decree of Prime Minister Bojong of Wonsan, and I am under direct orders of Commander Jumong, I am sorry sir, you are going to have to leave your things here."

"This had better not be about Sejong!"

"I only have my order sir, I know nothing, there is no time to waste." the soldier said, as a few more slowly approached Bak Moon.

"May I at least say goodbye to my family?" Bak Moon asked, he didn't see any way this could end other than his death.

The soldier simiilarly realized this, and while it was against his orders he nodded, "Hurry up, we can't linger..."


Pyong'yang...

General Jumong approached the home of Kim Jong-seo, Kim had already learned that the General was in town and was waiting outside of his house for him. Word of the failed attempt on the Emperor's life had also reached Pyong'yang, quite quickly actually, as the city was awaiting a visit from the Emperor. A visit that would now never occur. "Colonel Kim Jong-seo, such a pleasure to see you!" General Jumong said sarcastically, with his loyal servant Pong in tow.

"Commander" Kim said, bowing respectfully, "Welcome to my home."

"What a quaint little estate you have established for yourself Kim" Jumong said, condescendingly, Kim's home was hardly worthy of being called an estate, "Well, let's not let bullsh*t get in the way of this, where the devil is that Han Gong?"

"He is inside, with Minister Hae Mosu, they both await your presence." Kim said.

"Ahh, the Minister is here, finally he turns up. Why are they waiting inside? Why aren't they outside, with their brave and LOYAL host Colonel Kim?" Jumong asked, there was no tact in his delivery, and Colonel Kim realized they were all suspects. Not that this came as a surprise.

"I'm here Jumong!" Han Gong said, as he exited the premises, "I want you to know I had nothing to do with this, you know where my loyalties lie, and you know I am a man of honor."

Jumong smiled, "Of course, I wouldn't think of accusing you of any hand in this, you were far away in Oldonia, or so I was told. No way to tell of course. There was no word from King Harald, and you know I keep contact with my old friend.... REGULARLY."

"I have letters, signed and sealed, and sent to the Foreign Minister's office. That is why Hae is here, he came to greet me, he is an old man. He has done nothing wrong!" Han Gong said, a little too enthusiastically.

"Nobody spoke ill of that sniveling twit! There is no need to defend him, besides, everything is under control and we are apprehending suspects as we speak," he said, as he walked towards Han Gong, "You smell nice, Han."

"What the hell is this about Jumong?"

"You will call me Commander, GENERAL!" Jumong replied.

"Very well, Commander, what the hell is this about?"

"Its about Alemanni, it seems our little Prince has a penchant for you, he sees you as his Bae Hyeongyeong, so to speak. Its quite cute actually, its like an infatuated little school girl. Isn't that right Pong?" Jumong asked, staring dead into Han Gong's eyes the entire time.

"That's right sir, just like a school-girl" Pong said.

"See, even a fat-little twit like Pong sees that the Prince is infatuated with his Hero, his Hero of Alemanni. And once more Korea calls upon your services, nay, the IMPERIAL COMMANDER himself calls upon your services. Get your things together, and tell that fool Hae Mosu to collect his things and get his ass back to Seoul!"


Meanwhile, outside of Alemanni...

The Korean army lined up in array against the Aztec stronghold. Once again they were joined by their allies the Mayans. It was a common view in the Koeran court that the Mayan Empire had failed in the past to properly police their western territory. In fact many Koreans felt that the Mayans and Aztecs shared enough cultural similarities to lead to rumors that they were, in fact, of the same tribe. In fact it wasn't long ago that the Mayan Empire had an Aztec King. The new King of the Mayans was Pacal Voltan, who was related to the Korean imperial family, and perhaps his time in Korea may have lead him to believe that the Mayans should do more against the Aztecs. Either way, a much larger (and more advanced) Mayan army was also arrayed against the Aztec stronghold. Prince Gojong was the commander in charge of the Korean forces. Knowing this, King Pacal of the Mayans also arrived at the scene, to speak with his cousin...

"I am sorry about what has happened to uncle Sejong" Pacal said, "It is disheartening to know that despite all of the protection, even a simple thing as a knife can bring an Empire to the brink."

"Yes, extremely disheartening, we are doing all we can to find out who has done this, General Jumong seems to suspect foreign interlopers."

Pacal saw this statement for what it truly was; a warning, a question, an insinuation - "You have my word that the Mayan Empire is doing all it can to get to the bottom of this, Sejong was as an older brother to me, if there are any elements responsible in my lands they will regret being born."

"I thank you cousin," Gojong said, "And again, your army is quite impressive, perhaps I should send our Imperial Commander up to Tikal to learn a thing or two."

"I'd rather you didn't, no offense but Jumong is quite barbaric. And he doesn't represent Korea very well, I have heard many ill-words directed at him, by many diplomats in my court." Pacal explained, "I of course understand him, he is rough around the edges, and a bit too arrogant, but he means well."

"Indeed."