events subtle and great

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Well I assure you that I'm not scared of these criminals. But yes, I had to decide if I could trust you as a friend General. Forgive me, but you are new to the political world, at least on the international scale so considering your 'youth' per se, it was extremely important that I discover that you're on my side." Sarah couldn't help but lean back a bit when he had talked about the dangers that these thugs possessed. She had been through a lot and she would do anything to protect her friend, but it still scared her. However Davies wouldn't know that, she kept her glassy stare on him while he talked and while she returned the conversation. She trusted Davies, but he was still outside the loop and he would remain outside the loop, at least until she knew that he wasn't a pursuer.

"Don't apologize though, I've been through more than you can imagine. But this there any way that I could get in contact with members of the ousted government so that I could begin getting to the bottom of who wants Subtleknifewielder dead. That's what I need from you, a lead, an edge on these people." Sarah reached over and took his hands as she stared into his eyes with her own sapphire eyes sparkling in the torchlight. "Please, I need any help I can get to save him from harm and in the process perhaps all of us."

[Subtleknifewielder]

Davies had a small laugh when she referred to his 'youth' as a politician, but he didn't interrupt, and the rest of her speech he took into serious consideration.

"You should be afraid of them. If they've managed to oust Subtleknifewielder, they are undoubtedly criminals with connections. Hell, I'll admit it. The idea that someone who was able to target him coming after me scares me half to death. For a man that's faced death on the battlefield before, it's an unusual feeling. At least there, I can see or otherwise sense most of the dangers. but this--" he ran a hand through his hair, messing it up (something his aide would no doubt scold him for later), as he sighed again.

He was mildly startled when she leaned forward and took his hands in hers. Slightly widened steel grey eyes met her brilliant blue in the dim lighting, unable to help but listen to every impassioned word. So, it was true what they said about this woman. He felt the charisma that inspired millions around the globe, that persuaded hardened hearts to sit back and listen to what she had to say. An almost imperceptible shiver went up his spine. He was certainly glad he'd never have to oppose her in any way. He had a feeling that if he did, he would come out second best.

Finally, he nodded, smiling reassuringly as he replied. "I'll do my best. As I told you in one of our communiques, there aren't many of them left, but if you think talking to them will help us find any clues that might have been missed, I think I can arrange something."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

She smiled and let go, as his palms dropped to the table. "Thank you general, I look forward to the meeting. You know general, I talk about world stability and world peace, but how can we accomplish anything of the sort when our own Australia is riddled with corruption, criminal action, and death. If we can stop this now we will be making great strides for the future of an Australia which is much, much more unified than ever before." She refilled her glass of Zinfandel and offered the general the same before standing up out of her seat. "Please general come with me."

They walked out from the small grove where they had eaten their dinner out to the gardens proper and under the dim light of the moon, the fading lights of the garden torches and the chandeliers inside the Hall it made for a truly majestic atmosphere. The sounds of violins could still be gently heard in the warm night breeze that was blowing through the city and near the center fountain they she stopped and sighed. "I am a young leader, General Davies, an extremely young leader and I have spent my life crafting what people now know today as the Hanseatic Commonwealth. My country was ripped from my hands once by the Germans in the Gebiv War, but I defended my friends, and I would defend them again if I had the chance, even if it meant my destruction." She looked at him and took another sip from the glass. "I told him that, I told him that he would be safe with me and that before harm comes to him, that I would let total destruction come to my own body. If the criminals reveal themselves ever to your government, tell them I said that. Tell them that they are preventing us from a peaceful Australia and that they are messing with forces far beyond themselves to make such threats."

"I have faith in you General Davies." It almost was like a daughter was telling her father this, as Davies nearly flanked Sarah in height and her youth was in great contrast to his own. Though perhaps not in years, at least in looks. "I have faith that we will have a stable Australia and I can tell you that Subtleknifewielder is safe and will remain safe." She grabbed his hand again. "So is there anything else you need to talk with me about or shall we call it a night?"

[Subtleknifewielder]

He declined the offer of wine--his glass was still half-full. To be honest, he'd opened his mouth to respond, but her words had a ring of truth. If they wanted a truly stable region, things like these would have to be dealt with. He nodded in agreement, following when she got up and asked him to come.

The environment they passed through was beutiful, majestic. Almost surreal. Certainly a change from day-to-day existence. As they stopped by the fountain, he simply listend for a moment to the sound of the droplets hitting the surface of the water below. In truth, he though as he took another sip of the wine, that was more soothing even than the violin music.

"You may be young, but you have already proven to the world that you are not lacking in courage or honor. Your participation in the Gebiv war demonstrated that, and you only continue to prove it with your dedication to a friend in need, a dedication that puts your own well-being at risk."

Making sure to look her directly in the eye, he continued. "If they ever reveal themselves, you can be sure I will tell the people who are responsible that they are messing with more than a leader, but a force of nature. That is what you are. People sit up and take notice, hardened people, not just because of what you say or how you say it...but because it is YOU that says it. You have an undeniable charisma that almost forces people to listen despite themselves."

"I have faith in you, General Davies," she had said. That phrase brought back memories, memories of soldiers under his command. Many had said the same thing to him. All too often that faith didn't bring them back home.

Of his better memories, though, he remembered hearing it from his children as well, though they had called him father rather than General. He was proud of what each had become. They might not have been soldiers, or politicians, or possess any other job that made them well-known to the public, but what they did had meaning, and brought hope to the next generation.

"From what I've seen, I'm sure Subtleknifewielder is safe with you. Probably safer than he'd be back home. To be honest, there were one or two things I needed to discuss with you, but they can wait for in the morning." He set the glass of wine down on the edge of the fountain, then reached up and stifled a yawn. "It would probably be better if we did discuss them after a good night's sleep. I'm almost falling asleep on my feet, here." He offered an apologetic grin.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Understood. Then please come to my office tomorrow morning and we can hammer the rest of our plans off. Until then have a wonderful evening General." Sarah lifted her dress as she walked away from General Davies, as Lillian Guards escorted him through the hall and back to the limousine that would take him to, really, anywhere he needed to go at that moment. In the meantime Sarah was taken to her own vehicle and prompted escorted back to Solidor Manor where Anthony had been hiding the past three days.

After returning, getting undressed, especially getting the bloody corset off of her body, she changed into a night gown and robe and went off through the darkened Manor to find where Anthony had been spending most of his time while in her care. The library. She prided herself on probably owning the largest collection of private literature in the entire Commonwealth. It was her passion after all and Sarah traveled far and wide to collect books written about every topic under the sun. Adventure was her favorite, but in the shelves sat romances, dramas, plays, poetry, and philosophy, along with her own manuscripts that had been published recently. She opened the door quietly as not to startle him too much.

"Anthony?" She said coming to view the man sitting in the posh leather chair. "I just got back from meeting with General Davies. I think its worse than we thought. Even he doesn't know who to trust back in your country, though he might be able to hook me up with a few people from the inside that may give us some leads. After we have that, we'll be in a much better position to get you back in Promised Land government where you belong." She ran her hand across his forehead. "How have you been holding up over here?"

[Subtleknifewielder]

Davies nodded, but didn't speak, as he had to stifle another yawn. He'd rented a room in a hotel for at least the one night, giving the manager of the hotel a little extra to keep it open in case he had to stay a little longer.

When he got there, he mindlessly undressed and collapsed on the bed asleep by the time he'd slipped the covers up over his body.

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

Anthony had been browsing the titles available in the library when she'd left for the meeting, finally selecting a piece of historical fiction set in Feudal Japan. He was engrossed in it by the time Sarah arrived home, and only set it down when he heard her call his name.

His appearance was much better. The dark circles under his eyes from the fatigue had disappeared, the cuts and bruses were already healing, and he was actually relaxed most of the time, particularly when he was in the library. His face took on a thoughtful mien as she gave him a brief synopsis of the information she'd managed to glean at the meeting, but that appearance vanished when she ran a hand across his forehead, to be replaced by a smile. He seemed to do that a lot more when he was around her.

"I've actually been enjoying myself," he said, indcating the book that was now resting on the little table next to the chair. "It's been a while since I've just been able to kick back and relax. I always enjoyed reading, particularly fiction set in times of historic importance."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Good. I'm glad that you're feeling better, things are looking up." Sarah yawned and stretched as she moved away from the arm of the chair that she had been sitting on. "Its been a long day, so I'm going to rest up I'm meeting Davies tomorrow to talk about a few things that we didn't get to at the dinner." She walked towards the door and turned for a moment back to where Anthony was seated. "Good night and sweet dreams." Sarah said as she turned and walked silently down the darkened hallway in front of her towards her bedroom.

Sleep did not come easy and for much of the night she tossed this way and that trying to get comfortable and trying to take her mind off of what Davies had told her over dinner. These men were dangerous and apparently would not stop at anything to get their hunted prize, she believed that she could trust Davies, but could he trust himself? Could he be possibly part of a larger conspiracy and not even know it? She didn't want to be so cynical, but politics had changed her and she was suspicious of everyone nowadays. Friends were few and fair in between and therefore imperative that they be kept close and safe. She finally closed her eyes and drifted off into an uncomfortable sleep with Anthony's pursuers still on her mind.

---

".........................................Ladyship?..............................Lady Sarah?......................................Sarah?" Jess Arthestides, the Chamberlain of the Hansa, looked down at the sleeping body. The head that was buried in a stack of papers and the gentle hands swaying under the force of gravity at her side. He grimaced at the thought of waking her, but if had been anyone but him and possibly Lord De Luit a giant fuss would have been made. "Lady Sarah?" He said gently shaking her from side to side under a soft groan emerged from the papers and the eye-lids fluttered open for a second and she saw Jess staring down at her.

"AAAUUUGGHHH!" Sarah screamed and jumped out of her seat in surprise. Holding her heart she breathed heavily looking at the fearful aide that had jumped even further back. "Jess, don't scare me like that, for the love of God."

"You were asleep Ladyship, if one of the Senators would have..."

"I know. I know." She said rubbing her eyes. "I'd never hear the end of it. I had a rough night."

"General Davies?"

"Yeah, some of the things we talked about sort of put me on edge."

"I understand, though your schedule says you're expecting him so I wanted to make sure you were ready."

"Is he here now?"

"No but shortly Ladyship. I'll make sure to send him in when he is though." Jess said bowing before Sarah sent him from the room. Alone once again, she stared down at the clutter that had become her makeshift pillow. Sleep was always give and take, though she hoped that she didn't look like a total wreck for the general. Though her eye lids were still extremely heavy.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Anthony replied in kind, wishing her a good night's sleep.

Once she was gone, he looked at the book, and was reaching for it when he himself yawned. He could finish it later, he supposed. But he supposed he really should at least put it back for the time being. If only he could summon the energy.

He was relaxed as began drifting off to sleep in the very chair he'd been sitting in, but his last thought before completely falling to slumber was worry. Worry for the safety of those he held dear...

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

Davies, on the other hand, had a good night's sleep. There were occasional uncomfortable dreams about a few of the men he'd commanded in the past, but for the most part, he dreamed of happier times.

He actually woke refreshed. Though when he considered the serious nature of at least one of the things he had to discuss with Sarah, it put a damper on his cheerfulness. It was never pleasant discussing traitors and what had to be done with them should they be found. Thinking of traitors, or as his fellow Generals put it, 'Enemies of the State,' was the last thing he wished to do. But think on them he must, even if it was being put off 'till last.

His mood was decidedly mixed by the time he got into the limo, and was even more so by the time he arrived at his destination.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

The limousine arrived promptly as Hanseatic marine guards fluttered around as the general was escorted out of the car and into the Diet itself. They took him through the hallways of the building, across polished marble floors and finely crafted mahogany walls towards Sarah's quarters at the top of the Hall. He would be stopped directly out of the doorway into her quarters, where the young Chamberlain rose from his seat and bowed slightly at the general.

"General Davies, we've been expecting you. Lady Sarah is right inside." Jess said opening the door, but stopped Davies before he entered. "She had a rough night so she might be a little tired or irritable. Its hard to tell sometimes." He said with a light chuckle. "But right inside."

In the time between Jess waking her up and Davies' arrival, Sarah tried to straighten herself up as much as possible. Though her hair was still in a messy pony tail and the sapphire blue of her eyes were much duller. But nevertheless she wore a smile across her face when he walked in. "Good morning General, please sit." After he was seated she opened the curtains of her office letting in the sun. "Now what were the two things you needed to talk to me about?"

[Subtleknifewielder]

He was in his dress uinform once again, with the sash still there but minus all the medals this time, and he didn't give a hoot about what his aides said, he left the top button undone. In a choice of looking fancy and being able to breathe, rather prefer to be able to breathe.

He spared a few admiring glances for the Diet--he hadn't been inside the building before, and like the gardens, he could tell the artisans and builders had constructed it with loving care.

When Jess held out a hand to stop him, he listened to what the man had to say, and nodded knowingly.

The smile on her face as he walked in, however, more than made up for her slightly worn appearance. He could see for himself exactly what others saw in her, and he himself smiled in return as he took the offered seat and she opened the curtains. It was abeautiful day outside, which he hadn;t really been paying attention to when he'd arrived, and he took a moment to appreciate what he could see now, before meeting her gaze with his own and getting down to business.

"The first thing I wanted to discuss with you was a possible way to demonstrate goodwill, to improve good relations between our respective nations. Considering my background, I was thinking the best way to do this would be a join military exercise, in the form of wargames. I know you're a Lady of Peace, but there's no harm in preparations and training, and if our soldiers can have a little fun in the process, well, that's an added bonus, wouldn't you say?" His eyes seemed to twinkle merrily at the thought as he awaited her reply.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"War games?" Sarah frowned as she turned to the window to take in the sunlight before turning back to the general. "Well I mean I can't say I'm exactly upbeat about the idea. Though I would imagine my commanders would be." She chuckled for a moment. "Military drilling is kind of, well, lax in the Hanseatic military. Though I mean we have the ability to defend ourselves effectively, perhaps they could use the experience and since its all in good fun." She tapped her fingers across the desk and nodded. "Sure, why not, I think it would be an interesting experience for all of us. I will say I've never really been in a military exercise or seen one done, so it hopefully will be fun."

"Now. What was the second thing on our agenda?"

[Subtleknifewielder]

The smile that had been in place during her consideration of his proposal faded. "You'll recall that I told you last night, how the military intends to remain in place until we're absolutely certain we've found everyone involved in the attack on Parliament, and the related incidents? I must, unfortunately, inform you of one such individual." He reached into a pocket on his uniform, withdrawing a small, white piece of paper. "This man is wanted for the attempted assassination of the president. He was last seen heading east, away from our borders, after blasting through a checkpoint. The guards, though unable to stop him, managed to get a good enough look at him, and described enough details about his appearance, that we were able determine his identity."

He laid the paper on the desk in front of her, revealing it was a photograph. The sun shining in the window reflected off its surface, obscuring the details. If she picked it up and moved it away from the reflecting light, however, she would see all too clearly a face that she knew quite well.

Anthony stared up at her from the picture...

[Sarah Tintagyl]

A little bit of Sarah died inside when she took up the picture, however her fears had been affirmed, there was a greater conspiracy at foot and now friend or foe she didn't know who to trust. "Anthony Harlem." She nodded, trying her best to keep her composure. "I know him well, but I'm afraid I haven't seen him for sometime. Last I heard he was still in Promised Land, but if he crossed the borders only recently I'm sure he is heading for the coast and with New Cymru's borders closed the only option he has is the Commonwealth. Unless he would be stupid enough to try and escape the continent from New Taiwan." She looked back up at Davies and nodded. "If he is in Brisbane or anywhere in the Hansa, I will find him and bring him to justice myself."

She needed to get back to Anthony, she needed to tell him what she had discovered and of how much danger he was in and if he knew anything about the assassination attempt of President Jackson, this much was imperative, even worse that their were others involved. But she needed to get Davies to leave and give her sometime to sort this out.

Taking a deep breath Sarah got up from her seat putting the picture inside her coat and it was now to begin her act. As soon as she reached her feet she keeled over in pain holding her stomach, slamming her hand on the desk to keep her balance and in the process knocking over a vase on her desk, shattering the glass into hundreds of pieces. Jess immediately ran into the room at the noise, running to her side. "Lady Tintagyl are you alright?"

Sarah held her stomach and wheezed. "I'm fine, just a virus I picked up last night, it must have been from the food."

"We have some medicine if you want to take..."

"No. Aaaauuggh!" She moaned again. "I think I'm going to throw up." She looked over at Davies and sighed. "General, I'm sorry, but I'm not feeling quite well right now. I'm sorry, but I may have to call our meeting closed I hope we got to everything you planned."

[Subtleknifewielder]

He wasn't quite sure to make of her reaction. She made a great effort to control it, and he would have missed it if he hadn;t been watching her carefully, but there was a slight tension in her posture when she saw the picture clearly, a tension that wasn't there before. However, perhaps he misread her, as she apparently didn't react in any other way.

Perhaps it had to do with the shock of finding out a friend of hers was suspected of attempted murder? he hadn't known she'd been friends with the man, but that would explain what visual cues he was picking up.

Like her, he agreed that the idea of the man attempting escape through new Taiwan was probably stupid. He was about to open his mouth and thank her for any help she could provide...but just as she stood, she nearly collapsed from some kind of pain. He jumped to his feat, startled, as the vase shattered on the floor.

He stood aside as Jess rushed in to see what was wrong. he himself was rather concerned, and again was on the verge of opening his mouth to speak, this time to ask if there was anything he could do to help, when she looked at him and spoke herself.

"General, I'm sorry, but I'm not feeling quite well right now. I'm sorry, but I may have to call our meeting closed. I hope we got to everything you planned."

He shut his mouth, nodded, and walked toward the door of her office. He turned back only once, when he was in the very doorway, a thoughful frown on his face as his mind raced overtime, but did not speak as he turned and left, leaving Sarah clueless as to whatever he might have been thinking.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah made sure to moan and groan the entire time from the point that General Davies had left her office, to as the Lillian guards escorted her slowly down the corvette on the outside streets and laid her gracefully down in the backseat hoping that she would be able to get some rest while she was driven home. Truthfully, Sarah felt a little cruel to have to tell Davies to leave so suddenly, he seemed to be truly enjoying himself and he was someone that really had made great strides to earn Sarah's trust in only two days time. But there was a problem of who was right, who was wrong and who was possibly being mislead. Anthony hadn't given a full explanation of why he had fled Promised Land, just that he was obviously being hunted. Assassination was one surefire way to make that happen, but she couldn't believe that he was part of an assassination plot against Jackson, someone who she knew had been one of this best friends. She sighed as the blue Australian sky rolled above her as she stared up from the back seat of the car. She was in deep now and she didn't know which way to turn.

Arriving back at the Manor, the Lillian's escorted Sarah up to her bedroom and helped her change into more comfortable clothes, sweatshirt, sweatpants and tried to get her into bed. But first it was necessary to talk to Anthony and she knew that sleeping, when she was wide awake and really felt fine, was the furthest thing away from her mind.

When the Lillian guards went to find Anthony they told him that the Lady Protector wished to have a word with him, but that she was extremely ill because of last nights food. However when we would arrive in her bedroom, this was anything but the case. Sarah stood in the middle of the room glaring at Anthony, her aquatic eyes piercing his own as she held the picture aloft. "I just came back from a meeting with General Davies, of which I had to play sick to get out of to talk to you privately. Anthony, you have to tell me what's going on. They're hunting you for the assassination attempt of President Jackson...what am I supposed to believe anymore?"

[Subtleknifewielder]

Anthony had just managed to get his mind off of what was happening in Promised Land for a few minutes, managing to engross himself in the book once again, when he was informed of Sarah's arrival and current condition. Without a though he simply dropped the book, not caring if one of the pages got bent or folded, and strode quickly toward her bedroom. He began speaking just before he entered, not wanting to startle her unnecessarily or catch her in any awkward situation.

"Sarah? I heard you weren't feeling well. I..." He trailed off at her almost hostile expression as he entered. The fact that she was standing and did not appear in the least ill at ease also surprised him--the guards had seemed pretty convinced of her condition.

"Sarah...?" Hesitant now, he let her speak uninterrupted, and stared at the picture uncomprehendingly. Until she had finished her explanation, that is.

He stood straight, folded his arms across his chest and glared right back. "So, do you think I did it? What do you want me to say?" He was on the edge of shouting, but restrained himself by clenching his jaw. "What can I tell you that I haven't already to make you believe me? I told you someone was hunting me, and I gave you my best guess as to why. I did tell you, however, that it was a guess, that I wasn't sure. Pretty clever of them to pin that on me, actually. I should have suspected something like that. I was one of the last people to visit him, that they know of, before the cyanide was found in his coffee."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

She bit her lip and looked down at the ground and let the picture drop to the floor. "I'm telling you what they told me, nothing more. I'm saying because I have to look at all the different sides of this, because yes Anthony you are being hunted and you are my friend and I want to know that you weren't involved." Sarah wanted to yell, she wanted to scream and both Anthony and Davies if he were able to be here. She turned away from him and looked out the window down at the gardens below the Manor. "How am I supposed to know what's right and what's wrong? You came to me beaten and hurt and then I hear about all these problems in Promised Land." She turned and glared. "Its hard for me to do all this, its hard for me to see you exiled from your country, but these people are dangerous and I can't be too careful. I'm trying to clear your name! It keeps me awake at night for God sakes! But when you hear information like that, what am I supposed to do, throw it out the window...Christ!"

She turned her head back to the window and rubbed her eyes. "We're conducting a military exercise training with Promised Land and hopefully while that is going on, I'll be able to get closer to the source of these problems. Davies said you had accomplices, or at least people that might be aware at what truthfully happened. Do you know about the accomplices or should I wait for General Davies?"

...Sarah turned back to him before he answered. "I don't want to yell at you Anthony." She walked over to him and clasped his hands. "I just want to make it so that you can go back home, but I need to know everything that is going on."

[Subtleknifewielder]

To be honest, he couldn't blame her for yelling. They were both scared, worried, and that set them both on edge. Such conditions were not very conducive to sepaking calmly, but they had to make the effort. He ignored the picture as it dropped to the floor. The only thing in the room that was imortant to him right now was her.

He sighed, the anger draining right out of him. "Like it or not, I, and by extension you now, am involved in this giant mess, though obviously not in the way they think I am."

"No, you aren't supposed to just throw it out the window, but..." he clenched his hand to help bite off what he'd been about to say, to keep from shouting, from saying something he knew he'd only regret later, as her accusatory stare burned into him.

His eyes grew thoughtful when she mentioned the wargames exercise, but he kept silent on that issue. "I don't want to yell at you either, Sarah. Look," he said, withdrawing one hand from her grip and placing it on her shoulder, to make sure she looked into his eyes as he spoke. "This whole thing is about trust. I trust Anderson and you to keep my secret. Anderson trusts that I will do what I can to find and rescue him, if he remains alive. I trust you when you say you will do whatever is in your power to help me. You must trust me when I tell you I have given you all the relevent information I possess. The only other thing I can tell you is deductions based on the information you provide. From what you've told me, it's likely that someone high in either my organization or Davies' is the mastermind behind this whole affair. Someone close to the top."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Sarah looked up and ran her hands over his hair and gently kissed him on the cheek. "We're dealing with a lot more than we ever have before and I want more than anything to get you back home where you belong. I trust you, its just hard when we don't have all the puzzle pieces in front of us. Maybe with the military exercise we'll find a few more things out to get your innocence assured, but right now I think its best we keep low. There's only so much they know, they know you're in the Hansa cause that's the only place you could be. But you're safe with me, you'll always be safe here."

She sighed as she looked up at him again. "If Davies is the mastermind then we may be in much more trouble than I thought and not only us, but the entire country perhaps. This is much more than you and I Anthony, this is the future of the Hansa as well. So I have a lot to fight for. But if we could locate the 'accomplices' then we could have a lead to what's going on."

Sarah pulled him tight against her body and rested her head against his chest. Now all they had was the wait for Davies' military exercise to begin and see just what card he was planning on playing. Especially against her bluff.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Yes, it was hard not having all the puzzle pieces. especially for a man like him. He was used to knowing, if not everything, most of the important things going on in his nation. To be cut off like this was not only frustrating, but actually frightening. But at least he knew he had a few people he could count on.

"Davies himself? It's unlikely that he's the mastermind; it's more likely he's an unwitting pawn. But I suppose we have to consider all possibilities. I just hope these military exercises aren't used as a cover for something else." Whoever was behind this might use the opportunity afforded by such a massive distraction to slip in a black-ops team. He had to consider a way to draw them out if that happened. He could think of something if he had just a little time to himself.

She was right, though, that more than one nation's future hinged on the outcome of this situation. Not just the Hansa and Promised Land, but their closest allies too. They all had a stake in this.

He did not resist her close embrace, wrapping his own arms around her smaller frame, as much for his comfort as hers...

-----------

Elsewhere...

"Who the f*** are you?" the girl snarled again, at the man who she'd seen come through the now-splintered front door.

"Does it matter? I'm not on their side," he answered, indicating the man crumpled over the shards of what used to be the living room window, and the man still on his knees from being hit in a highly sensetive area. She gave that one another kick, this time in the stomach, and hit him in the jaw, to knock him completely out.

The man in the doorway casually stepped aside as yet another masked assailant tried to rush him, only to be tripped on his outstretched leg and knocked out with a blow to the neck.

In the lull, she shrugged. "I guess not. Old habit my father drilled into me. Don;t trust an absolute stranger." It wasn't just that he had helped her, it was the fact that he was the only one that wasn't wearing a mask here.

"Your father is a wise man," he said. "But I'm sure he also told you, sometimes you have to take a risk." This time she took the outstretched hand, and together they fled...

[Sarah Tintagyl]

**One Week Later**

Considering that Brisbane had never been invaded before, Sarah didn't really know how to prepare for a military exercise on the scale that Davies wanted to achieve. Not that the Hansa couldn't fight in a war, the entire reason they were in Australia was because of war. But she didn't feel any drive to fight, any push to be a part of a military drill. Sure war games were fun, but they were fun for the soldiers, who got to have the time off to sort of do what they loved to do, but not die from it. Nevertheless, that morning, the Hanseatic army that was stationed in the Australian Province, over thirty thousand troops were equipped with paintball rifles and paint grenades.

So in the morning she got dressed in a pair of old jeans and an old t-shirt, figuring that if the goal of the Promised Land team was to capture her or kill her, which was normally an objective in modern warfare, she atleast wouldn't ruin her good office clothes. Real war was something else, bleeding on a good blouse and fearing for your life, was much different than a splattering of blue paint.

Arriving at the Diet a little after the sun rise, Sarah sat down in her office to begin going over the reports from the previous days. Anthony was still at the Manor and would remain there, under the watch of the Lillian guards. Solidor manor was actually sealed off from the exercise so she believed him to be quite safe there. However if anything did happen, as he had been assuming, she was connected to her guards and Sarah deep down, was ready for the worst.

[Subtleknifewielder]

The 'invading' troops checked their 'weapons' as the sun began to rise, ensuring everything was in place, including any battle armor they would normally wear. Goggles were standard issue, as no one wanted to go blind from an unlucky shot to the head.

The majority of the 50,000 troops were on the troop transports in the sea, though approximately 500 troops were going to be dropped in by plane to 'neutralize' certain strategic targets for when the main attack was pressed forward. Bombers would also do mock runs on whatever anti-aircraft defenses were in place, no matter how small the threat seemed from them. All these aircraft would be escorted by fighters.

General Davies himself would be leading the second wave to land on the shore.

Back at the Manor, Anthony waited until she had left before attempting anything. He'd made a single, discrete call earlier in the week to the person most able to help in his plans to 'pull the dragon's teeth,' as he liked to call it. And in all reality, he shouldn't stay at the manor anyway, as that was most likely one of the first places a covert team would look for him.

He finished his preparations in the room he'd been using, where the guards couldn't see him, not knowing how much time he had to get out...

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

The planes arrived about then, first the bombers making their runs while the fighters kept a wary eye out, then the troop planes unloaded their cargo of special special forces troops, who began tumbling toward the ground below. They wouldn't open their chutes until the last moment possible...

[Sarah Tintagyl]

General Johann Kolm had been a captain in the Hanseatic Army when the Gebiv had began, he had watched his entire family swept away by German bombs and he had never forgiven Europe for that transgression. From that point on, he vowed a policy to his soldiers of 'not one step back' and while the Hansa had not been in a real war since Gebiv he had no intention of treating this like a practice. He wanted to show Promised Land that if it came down to it, that the Hansa could capture all of Australia if they really wanted to and it was strength of the military and the good graces of the Lady Protector that held the Continent and all of Asia together.

He walked along the batteries stationed along the beach head guarding the entrance to Brisbane proper. Finely polished black boots clicked against the stone. "You gentlemen hear me, this may be an exercise, but I guarantee you that those Promised Land dogs think we're weak, they think they can just run us over, but I don't want to see retreat. Remember, you can't die so I don't expect to see you run!" He glared at them all. "Is that understood?!"

"Yes sir!" They shouted in unison.

"Good, then remember. You fight for peace, you fight for your freedom, you fight for the Hansa, you fight for Lady Sarah!"

"Sir!"

He smiled, they would stay strong. During the night he had turned Brisbane into a fortress and while he didn't like playing the defensive, it was the best move for now. They would attack after the invasion had been repelled, Davies would have to get past his barriers to reach the city and he expected to be able to inflict heavy causalities all around.

---

Sarah moved over towards the window in the early morning to look out from the Diet over the city, gray clouds were coming in from the Ocean and it was probably going to rain soon. There was a foam rising from the sea and she sighed as she gently laid her head against the glass as the first rain drops fell against it. Something didn't feel right, something was amiss, but she could find the right words to describe it. Just something wasn't as it should be.

---

Alexandra De Lune had been on duty in the Manor since about three in the morning and as much as she hated to admit it, she was getting tired. She slumped against the hallways in the upstairs rooms. Mr. Harlem's room was the last to check before she was able to call off her shift. He had been silent most of the night, which was a bit strange for him. Normally one would find him roaming the halls of the mansion, in the library or at least in the kitchen. Anthony had made himself home in the past few weeks since he had arrived and the guards enjoyed his company. It had been a long time since Sarah had had another man in the house and they had watched her mood improve greatly. She had a bounce in her step and Anthony, even though they hated to admit it, was much more vocal than Larsa had ever been. When he ever left, they would miss him greatly.

Shutting her eyes for a moment she came to the door and paused. "Mr. Harlem. Is everything all right? I haven't seen you most of the night." She knocked and waited for an answer.

[Subtleknifewielder]

The first attack was not a wave from the beach, but the paratroopers from the sky.

Personally led by Colonel Clancy, who had spent a near lifetime in the elite corps, they were among the best the best troops the nation had. Trained in every style of combat, in tactics, in every terrain imaginable, they were truly the elite of the elite.

None landed exactly on top of their assigned targets--that would be stupid. No, they landed in mostly undefended areas around defensive installations--parks, homes,, and many, many of them on top of nuildings. The group of about 50 crack troops that was to target the Diet chose this latter method, landing on the roofs of the buildings surrounding it.

Every soldier, even as their chutes deployed to slow their descent, scanned the area below them for targets, opening fire on those below with deadly accuracy honed by years of practice, and they continued firing at any exposed enemy even as they hit the ground and rolled away from their now disconnected chutes.

Out to sea, the troop transports were making ready, but they were not yet deployed forward, rather remaining behind their escorts until the 'bombardment' ceased. The rounds were blanks, of course, but technology developed long ago, for the express purpose of wargaming, would tell their targets what defenses were hit. They especially concentrated on any anti-ship defenses to allow the amphibious craft a better chance to get to shore unscathed. Secondary targets were machine gun nests and other anti-personel traps and defenses.

From the air, some of the bombers would also attempt to 'soften up' the shore defenses.

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

Among the paratroopers, however, one group of about twenty had a different mission altogether. Their purpose was not to participate in the wargames. They had a more sinister objective. They came to ground near the manor, just outside the zone marked out-of-bounds.

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

At first, she recieved no answer, but right about the poiunt she would probably start worrying, the door swung open a couple inches, enough to show Anthony's face but little else, not even the room behind him.

"Yeah, I'm all right. Couldn't sleep well last night for the worry. I can't help thinking somehting bad's gonna happen today. It's probably nothing though. When today is all over I'll be back to my cheerful, bouncy self."

He had never considered himself to be a jovial man, and he wasn't exatcly the life of any party, but it didn't mattter to him a whole lot, hence the jab at his own personality.

"I'm just trying to catch some more sleep right now. you can check my room later if you need to, but you look like you could use some sleep too," he added with a small, sympathetic smile. If she had nothing more to say, he would be closing the door right about then, and then he would set his plan in motion...

Edited June 3, 2009 by Subtleknifewielder

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Alexandra sighed and nodded her head. "All right, I just wanted to make sure. I'm sorry that you've been feeling a little blue, hopefully a good rest can clear that up for you." She looked at the window as the light morning rain fell softly onto the ground below. "I think its going to be a relaxing day, though you and Lady Sarah both seemed a bit on edge recently. I'm sure after these military exercises are done and life can return to normal for a bit, you'll both cheer up." She bowed. "Take care Mr. Harlem." Alexandra said as she walked away and heard the door shut behind her. She smiled, now it was finally time for her shift to end and she could catch up on some much needed sleep.

---

It had been a surprise, as most of the Hanseatic army was stationed outside the city, most didn't expect air attacks. However, Brisbane, especially around the Diet was garrisoned by Lillian guards and Hanseatic marines. These were the elites of the Hanseatic military and while the Promised Land soldiers met success at the beginning and perhaps they would meet more success in other parts of the city. The fighting would not be easy, if it could even be done at all.

As the paratroopers came down, Lillians and Marines made a perimeter around the parks and other civilian areas where the fighting was going on. Containment was key, and the best part was that most of the Hanseatic parks were fenced in to begin with. So as long as they made sure they watched the walls and a light guard around the gates, Promised Land troops were have hell to pay if they tried to march through the front.

The men on the rooftops would be harder, but defense was first, the Promised Landers had the high ground for now, but if their goal was the Diet, then they would have to give that up and move towards the city center and every street, every block, every cement stone, would be paid for...deeply.

---

Sarah watched in the distance as the fighting went on near the city center and she walked to her desk and clicked her paint pistol. At least she could defend herself if the fight turned wrong. Walking back to the window she took aim at a nearby tree, missing it only by an inch. She sighed and looked up to the sky letting the rain hit her face. Sarah chuckled for a moment, thinking just charging out there and shooting anyone she could find for fun, but that would ruin the game. "Wargames...who would have thought."