Coup in Arkatahten : A New Corruption

[Rasputin]

should make for an interesting RP thread here at poly !!!

[Squeblish Nef?]

I stand by my previous statement.

[Rasputin]

time ofr the casanova armies to infiltrate their next region ...

[arkatahten]

The Free Government of Arkatahten
"All are free who do not question the government."

UN Category: Father Knows Best State
Civil Rights: Some
Economy: All-Consuming
Political Freedoms: Outlawed

Location: Apolyton

The Free Government of Arkatahten is a huge, economically powerful nation, notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 661 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Commerce. The average income tax rate is 52%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Uranium Mining industry, followed by Arms Manufacturing and Beef-Based Agriculture.

The nation is ravaged by daily union strikes, the nation has recently been attributed to the funding of terrorist organisations, citizens must pay to enjoy Arkatahten's pristine beaches, and door-to-door salesmen are frequently beaten up by 'vigilantes'. Crime is crippling. Arkatahten's national animal is the red dragon, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Holy Silver Arka.

[Uncle Sparky]

The United Good

Anti-pope Konrad's converted DC-9 touches down in the Arkatahten capitol's airport.

Konrad and a small party of acolytes and mid level bureaucrats quickly descend the debarkation stairs, enter the awaiting limousines and are whisked to meet Arkatahten Grand Commander Panahk-Wosreht.

When they reach their destination the Arkatahten functionary sent to greet them exits the limousine feeling somewhat nauseous with a pounding ringing in his ears from the thrash metal music Konrad had playing at a truly deafening volume. He is completely unable to hear the conversation between Konrad and the Arkatahten protocol officer as they enter the massive building complex containing Grand Commander Panahk-Wosreht office.

[arkatahten]

Protocol officer Tashmasasha Shresh bows slightly to Anti-pope Konrad.

"Welcome to Eztat El'zahna and the Holy Walkway of Arkatahten. The Grand Commander Panahk-Wosreht has set up office in the palace of the former Holy Emperor. I am Tashmasasha Shresh, but you may call me Sasha if you wish. I have brought you a CD by Sadistic Government, a popular thrash metal group from Naza'rabul. Hopefully you will enjoy it."

She hands him the CD. The Holy Walkway is more of a streetway, though the only cars Konrad ever sees past the gates to the complex are one big white limo and a small black sedan. These are parked in front of the main palace building, an age-old and glorious edifice stretching high into the sky.

While the outside of the palace evokes a sense of old-world grandeur, the inside has been remodeled to be completely modern. Riding the elevator to the 125th floor, Konrad watches a newscast on the elevator's flat screen. The reporter is saying something about a war hero, Ka-Babel, who had not arrived at Peraht when his transport docked there the night before. The ship had been met by a contingent of Free Government soldiers, but whether they were there to escort Ka-Babel or detain him was not known. In either case, Ka-Babel was no longer on board the ship when it landed, if he had ever been aboard at all.

"Interesting," Protocol Officer Sasha Shresh says. Before Konrad can comment, the bell dings and they step out into an expansive waiting room on the 125th floor. Sasha leads Konrad through a door.

Grand Commander Panahk-Wosret forces a smile and says, "Greetings." He is a short but powerful man in a green military uniform decorated with medals and ranks.

[Uncle Sparky]

"Good day, Panahk-Wosret. Congratulations on your successful ascension to power," said Anti - Pope Konrad with a smile. "Your victory is our victory."

Konrad, a tall angular man whose speed and agility belied his age, strode across the room quickly and embraced the Grand Commander.

"Do all of these people have sufficient clearance ? The fewer that know of our business together, the better for us." whispered Konrad.

[arkatahten]

Panahk-Wosreht grimaced. He didn't like being hugged. He quickly turned the embrace into a handshake.

"Have a seat, Mr. Konrad. Ms. Shresh, that will be all. And, please, Ms. Shresh, show the rest of the Anti-Pope's entourage to the guest rooms. Thank you."

The Grand Commander took a seat behind his desk thoughtfully. "Mr. Konrad," Panahk began, "it is alright to call you Mr. Konrad, isn't it, or do I need to call you Anti-Pope? Before you speak, you must understand that my empire is currently in the midst of a purge of religious thought. The Holy Emperor Arkatahten's legacy must be systematically dismantled. There are some who question my meeting with you. Their distrust of the old state religion translates to a distrust of you. I, however, am open to any conversation that could lead to a benefit to my nation. Would you care for a cigar?"

[Uncle Sparky]

Konrad took the proffered cigar, bit off the end, took a packet of wooden matches from his coat pocket, lit the cigar and sucked slowly obviously relishing the aroma.

"You, my friend may call me Uncle. The United Good has always been famed for our pragmatism," said Konrad slowly between puffs. "We have found instilling a sense of religious freedom amongst a people beneficial. If the populace believes they have absolute freedom of conscience, to choose, they are much more compliant and palpable. Of course, we carefully assure they know what the good choices are.

"The Brethren have run our nation successfully for over two thousand years by internalizing thus eliminating any meaningful opposition. I am after all the official Leader of our nations Opposition, and I can quite comfortably meet with you safe in the knowledge that our government shall support any conclusions we may reach here.

"Sir; we would be happy to assist you in indoctrinating your people and would insure that the name Panahk-Wosreht stands forever as the greatest leader of Arkatahten."

[arkatahten]

"Uncle, huh? Hmmm...that's...interesting. The irony is that for Arkatahten, religious freedom means the freedom to NOT practice the old state religion. This is my tool of indoctrination, to fuel the people's own disgust with the previous government and funnel that energy into fascism under my rule. I'll tell you a little secret. We are called the Free Government of Arkatahten, but freedom for us is only propoganda and illusion. It seems to be working so far."

A red light on the Grand Commander's phone started blinking and beeping softly. "One moment, please," Panahk-Wosreht said.

"Yes," he said, "they've found him, you say. Excellent. Well, detain him and...oh, I see...well, why not? He what!?!? Where?!? How many?! Damn!"

Wosreht slammed down the phone. "I'm sorry, Uncle Konrad," he said, "but if you have anything substantial to say, you'd better be quick. I have urgent matters of state to attend to."

Wosreht was visibly shaken but trying to maintain control.

[Uncle Sparky]

"It appears you have other issues to deal with at this time," Konrad smiled and let a long cigar ash fall into the ashtray on the desk.

"We will proceed with diplomatic and trade talks with your minor functionaries." Konrad stood, made a slight bow. "Our prophets have ordained that a great leader shall appear at this time in Arkatahten; a man who will accept our humble assistance and whose name will be revered throughout Apolyton. We shall speak later. I wish you the best of luck, Panahk-Wosreht."

And with that, Anti-pope Konrad exited and was not surprised at all to find Protocol Officer Sasha Shresh waiting at the elevator.

[arkatahten]

As Sasha escorted him into the elevator, Konrad noticed a surly looking contingent of advisors moving quickly down the hall and into the room where the Grand Commander had esconced himself.

"Well," said Sasha, pressing the button for the 75th floor, "I apologize for the brevity of your meeting with the Grand Commander. For your comfort, your group has been given the entire 75th floor. You..."

Sasha's attention was diverted by what appeared to be a parade on the flatscreen in the elevator. "Just a moment," she said, "I'd like to watch this."

Looking closer, Konrad saw that the parade included no pretty colors or floats. On second thought, it didn't look like a parade at all. He wondered out loud, "Is that some sort of protest?"

Sasha laughed. "Of course not. Protests are strictly forbidden. Do you think all those people want to die?"

The people in the crowd seemed to be from all walks of life, though a great number of them wore military uniforms.

"Hmmm," Sasha said, "maybe it is a protest. Or..." and she pressed her mouth up against his ear and whispered as quietly as possible, "...or a revolt."

The image was not on the screen long. Beneath the image was a headline reading "War hero visits Tropsa'aten."

[Uncle Sparky]

Konrad exited the elevator at the 75th floor, smiled at Sasha and after maing a small bow said, "The brevity of the meeting did not surprise me. Thank you for your hospitality... and keep me posted."

With that the door closed.

[arkatahten]

All of Arkatahten was abuzz about the situation on the little island of Tropsa'aten. The official word of the government controlled media was that Ka-Babel, a decorated veteran of noble blood, a prince of the realm, had visited Tropsa'aten where a parade had been staged in his honor. Communications between the populace on the Arkatahten mainland and Tropsa'aten were cut off soon after the announcement and a conflicting report was issued branding Ka-Babel a traitor and criminal to be shot on sight.

There were murmurings beneath the surface. The rumor was that Ka-Babel had made contact with supporters on Tropsa'aten and denounced the new regime. Rumor was that Babel was able to quickly gather a force of ex-military, current military, disenfrancished priesthood, and general citizenry to stage a protest, not a parade, in the city of Tropsa'aten on the island of the same name. The rumors went on to say that when government officials ordered the police and military to open fire on the protesters, they found that the guns were turned on them instead.

Following the conflicting media reports in country, an international communique in the form of an .mpeg file was issued from Tahmtep Base on Tahmtep Island. Though most of Arkatahten did not see the file, it spurred more rumors nonethless.

The communique from Tahmtep Base was as follows:

"Nations of Apolyton, I am Ka-Babel, a prince of Arkatahten, and I am broadcasting to you from the military base on Tahmtep Island in the Kilahl'ahua Isles of Arkatahten. A recent coup by Panahk-Wosreht has put Arkatahten into the hands of an incompetent madman whose only claim to power is the blood on his hands. In response to his slaughter of ninety-nine percent of the priesthood and the murder of countless other soldiers, citizens, and members of the nobility, I have returned from a diplomatic mission to gather my forces in opposition. With minor bloodshed and great popular support, we quickly took the islands of Tropsa'aten and Tahmtep. Additionally, the island of Jalisbahd, which includes the workcamp where political prisoners process uranium ore and build components for weapons, has been liberated and is now under our control. On the mainland, Ahnet, my home city, has also wrested control from the Free Government. We ask for no assistance, but wish to inform you that ultimately we shall represent the military and citizenry of Arkatahten. You are encouraged to discontinue any relations with Panahk-Wosreht in anticipation of the new day soon to dawn. I look forward to the continued cooperation between the nations of Apolyton and Arkatahten once this internal conflict is settled. Thank you and good day."

[arkatahten]