The Athens Times

[Centurius]

[color="#FF0000"][size="5"][center]Change of Hands in Hellenic World Services[/center][/size][/color]

[b]Athens -[/b] At the announcement of the profit made in the last fiscal year Nikita Akhatova, now former CEO, made a surprising announcement when she confirmed rumors that she was stepping down as CEO to make place for the current COO Thomas Mundis. Thomas Mundis has been working as COO since the start of the company and was formerly CEO of Mundis Enterprises that together with several other companies formed the founding members of Hellenic World Services. While in Hellenic World Services he was personally responsible for programs such as both Future Combat Programs and the M-1 Cerberus.

Mister Mundis has stated that as CEO he will continue to take Hellenic World Services to even greater heights.

[center][img]http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110925182644/marvelmovies/images/e/ed/Tony-stark-i-am-iron-man.jpg[/img][/center]

[b]Classified[/b]

What was not on the portfolio of either Hellenic World Services or the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security was a project started almost a decade ago but never completed due to computing difficulties. These had now been corrected and as such the system could finally be completed. Known as Prometheus the project would act to both complement ISIS on the international field and completely revolutionize national security. Labeled after the deity known for forethought the network of extremely advanced computers located throughout the Athenian Federation would analyze every bit of data collected by intelligence means. From every camera in the Federation to every phone call and every use of the internet or anything really that gave a citizen access to the rest of the country. On the internal side this would serve to find and prevent threats from espionage or terrorism before they could even become viable. On the external side military intelligence was dealing with way more information than it could process. While Prometheus here would not be able to anticipate hostile intent as easily similar goals would be maintained. Satellite feeds, UAV imaging, radar systems and any other sensors really were to be used to detect patterns in foreign militaries and determining dangerous differences that could threaten Athens or one of her allies. In this field it would essentially filter information so human analysts would only deal with the information that was actually relevant

[b]Not so much classified[/b]

While development continued the Elysium project there was another one that had significant priority, over the last years the Atlantis Outpost on Mars had grown to about 5,000 semi-permanent residents of either scientific or military origin. The goal had always been to cre4ate a new civilization here and as such this would receive new priority. Over the next years construction materials were to be transported for the construction of a city on Mars that could potentially hold millions permanently. While Athens loved the Earth it did recognize there was value in keeping citizens elsewhere too.

[JEDCJT]

[b]CLASSIFIED TO ATHENS[/b]

[quote]To: Ministry of Defense of the Athenian Federation
From: Department of the Army of the Ministry of War of Greenland
Subject: M-1 Cerberus Tank

The Department of the Army would like to inquire of whether it would purchase 1,000 M-1 Cerberus Tanks from you. We are willing to work with a flexible payment plan.

Regards,
Julian Moltke,
Secretary of the Army[/quote]

[Centurius]

[b]Classified Reply[/b]

Such an arrangement is possible, the production and transfer of these vehicles is being prepared and will start soon.

[Centurius]

While at many points the country almost broke the limit it now actually happened, the Naharayim had collapsed and quick action was required. Under direct orders from Imperial Command the Second Army was mobilized and deployed to maintain law and order in the region and temporarily assume protection over the region awaiting Tianxian forces.

[quote][center][b]Imperial Decree from the Athenian Federation[/b][/center]

Today we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that the Naharayim have collapsed, as responsible neighbors the Athenian Federation has taken the responsibility of keeping the area save from both foreign and domestic threats.[/quote]

Tianxians would be sent a message to notify them on the situation and invite them to take their own actions.

[Centurius]

By now the original Rebel Army base was more of a museum than anything else, while it was preserved excellently by scientists the Atlantis Outpost command center had transformed from a single base capable of holding a few hundred to a cluster of bases in total holding 10,000 permanent residents. Most of which scientists, a few dozen military and the rest support. All these bases would be powered by fusion power and maintain significant power reserves should there be issues.

[center][img]http://cnrp.treksimming.com/albums/userpics/10001/hellascity8.jpg[/img][/center]

Each of these complexes had its own uplink to Earth and its own contained systems. Automated defenses against the unlikely event there were enemies were also operated from these complexes. However a more ambitious project was nearing completion. Ordered to provide a new home on Mars for Athenian citizens of all sorts. The first city of many named after the leader of the Titans, Cronus.

Cronus would consist of a network of self-sustained structures linked by maglevs, another major maglev link would be made between the command center and the city to allow easy traveling to and from the bases. In the end the city was a true wonder of the modern world, when all structures were completed it could probably hold two million permanent residents, by now it could already hold five hundred thousand. Based on a combination of factors from education level to job direction and a random number a list would be made of people invited to join the population of Cronus. Of course such participation was voluntary as people on the list could decline their invitation.

[center][img]http://cnrp.treksimming.com/albums/userpics/10001/ancinet_city_on_mars.jpeg[/img][/center]

[Centurius]

[center][color="#FF0000"][size="5"]Elysium Project Enters New Stage, Armadyne Formed[/size][/color]

[img]http://flash.sonypictures.com/shared/movies/elysium/fb_share_armadyne.jpg[/img][/center]

[b]Praia -[/b] Following years of classified research and development the Hellenic Space Agency has today formally confirmed the existence of the Elysium project and announced it plans to complete the first facility within the next year. The Elysium Project is intended to ensure Athenian capabilities to expand into space beyond other planets. Not many details have been released however it is confirmed Elysium 0 will mostly serve as a platform to test the design and can not hold more than 10,000 people.

To ensure cooperation between private and public corporations the Armadyne Corporation has been established and put in charge of overseeing the Elysium project. Armadyne has been introduced to the AFX however HSA maintains a majority share of 51%.

---

Elysium 0 was the first station to use the hypothetical McKendree cylinder design, using carbon nanotubes rather than steel very large and stable colonies could be made, with most components having been built the most difficult job now would be to bring them into space from Earth and Mars to be constructed at the L1 point.

With the ICU having fallen and thus no longer any real case existing against Dalian de Vicidalia the Ministry of Justice dropped the case and the release from the Federal Prison Facility in Sofia was ordered.

[Centurius]

[center][color="#FF0000"][size="5"]A Nation Mourns[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Rome, Italia-Gallia -[/b] With only a week since the death of the Empress of Rome the nation continues mourning. While business as usual has returned to most of the economy the memory remains strong. Following a petition signed by several prominent members of society the Assembly of the People has authorized the renaming of Porta Libertas, formerly Martenshaven, to Maria Magdalenaheim. The Hellenic Space Agency has also renamed the second ship in the Galactica class from HSS Archimedes to HSS Maria Magdalena. The ship only just departed for a 1-year deployment to Atlantis.

While the wound will heal the people of Rome will never forget their Austrian Empress.

---

[quote][center][u][b]HSA Status Report
Top Secret[/b][/u][/center]

With increased supply lines and higher expertise construction in space is speeding up, with the official launch of the HSS Maria Magdalena today the Hellenic Space Forces hold seven ships capable of defending Hellenic efforts to find a new home in space. With Atlantis becoming mostly self-sufficient the plans have commenced to use the surplus storage space to bring in the materials for a second Spaceyard. This one of course built in orbit of Mars. Additionally construction has begun on a launch loop to be used when the Spaceyard is completed and to completely make Atlantis independent from supply lines. For now focus is placed on constructing these fixed structures, as such construction of Andromeda Class ships has been placed on lower priority.

Research has begun on a portable MagBeam system, this system would be placed on a manned or unmanned ship to allow the use of MagBeams anywhere in the solar system and thus speed up construction of such projects as the Elysium Project. The research is funded for 50% from the HSA budget and the other 50% from the funds available to Armadyne.

So far relations with the Lunars have been relatively non-existent however those that have been there were friendly. Political officers on Atlantis recommend seeking out greater cooperation, once their civil war ends, with the one remaining spacepower where currently there is none.

[b]Extraterrestial Facilities:[/b]
Stargate 1
Stargate 2
MagBeam 1
MagBeam 2
Spaceyard 1
Spaceyard 2(Under Construction)
Atlantis
New Athens
Elysium 0(Under Construction)

[b]Fleet:[/b]

[u]Battlestars[/u]
Galactia Class: 2
-HSS Galactica(Active - Patrol route from Earth to New Athens)[Flagship]
-HSS Maria Magdalena(Active - Atlantis)

[u]Other Main Ships[/u]
Andromeda Class: 5
-HSS Andromeda(Active - Earth)
-HSS Magellanic(Active - Atlantis)
-HSS Miridian(Active - New Athens)
-HSS Crimson(Active - New Athens)
-HSS Vanguard(Active - Atlantis)

[u]Small Ships[/u]
Imperial Class Spaceplane: 90(2 reserved for Imperial use, 8 maintained by Hellenic Space Agency, 70 licensed to Astrium)
Nubian Class Interplanetary VIP Shuttle: 3 - Permanently Assigned to Stargate 1
Apollo Class Interplanetary Shuttle: 12
[i]HSS Apollo(Active - Permanently Deployed on HSS Galactica)
HSS Artemis(Active - Permanently Deployed on HSS Galactica)
HSS Zeus(Active - Permanently Deployed on HSS Maria Magdalena)
HSS Hera(Active - Permanently Deployed on HSS Maria Magdalena)
HSS Athena(Active - Stargate 1)
HSS Poseidon(Active - Stargate 1)
HSS Ares(Active - New Athens)
HSS Dionysus(Active - Atlantis)
HSS Hermes(Active - Atlantis)
HSS Aphrodite(Active - Atlantis)
HSS Hephaestus(Active - Stargate 2)
HSS Demeter(Active - Stargate 2)[/i]
[/quote]

[Centurius]

As soon as it became clear the UCNA had collapsed the HSF were quick to act. By now in the joint effort the UCNA had gathered several ships and for themselves built several clusters and stations around space. Space Marines were deployed to these space assets however most of the former UCNA officials gladly welcomed them. The Battlestar produced for the UCNA would soon be commissioned for the HSF while the Unikrakens were to be converted to those of the Andromeda class and then introduced. Everything the UCNA had built in space was now under Athenian control.

[Centurius]

The rather sudden collapse of the French monarchy forced the hand of the Athenians in dealing with that state. Many different opinions were in play on how exactly to deal with them and in upcoming days this would only increase. Hellenic soldiers currently stationed in France were ordered to a state of high alert.

[quote]The Athenian Federation hereby confirms its protection of France during the shift of government. Any outside intervention will be terminated with extreme prejudice[/quote]

[Centurius]

Over the years the people of the Union Protectorate in North Africa probably had gotten used to their lack of government, however this was soon to change. After formally informing the Union of Hellenic intent to move in the operation could begin. A rapid deployment division belonging to the Sixth Army would reinforce the regiment currently holding the protectorate. The primary focus of these forces was to secure the borders, several hours later a message would be broadcasted informing the locals that they would be integrated into the Athenian Federation to further ensure their stability.

[Centurius]

With the completion and success of Elysium 0 the Hellenic Space Agency has ordered the construction of ten space habitats following the McKendree Cylinder design.

[Centurius]

With the rebellion in Avellino reaching a higher state the Hellenic Forces officially raised the Alert Condition to Beta indicating a state of non-nuclear war. All but one division stationed in Cam Ranh Bay would be redeployed the Athenian homeland while a Corps remained in the Atlantic Free State and a division in San Bias. With this status in effect travel through the Suez Canal, Bosporus Strait and Strait of Gibraltar was restricted to civilian vessels only. Non-allied military vessels would need to request permission prior to be granted passage. The government was moved to secured facilities while preparations were made for the evacuation of parliament.

[Centurius]

Noticing a kind of chaotic collapse following the disappearance from space a division belonging to the Fourth Army was ordered to take all Lunar/Solar posessions on Earth.

[Centurius]

[center][color=#ff0000][size=5]Government Crisis Looming[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Athens -[/b] With still one and a half year to go until the next elections the Gabris Administration faces its first challenge. The confirmation of the national budget, usually a mere formality today threatens the very existence of the coalition. The Dove Party, claiming ideological objections with another increase on the military budget, has joined the Liberalist Union and Democratic Party in voting against the budget.

In response the Chief Magistrate has invited coalition leaders and the Magistrate of Finances to the Magistral Mansion to discuss a solution.

If the Assembly of the People fails to accept the budget within the next month the Megale Autokrateira is forced to dissolve parliament and set a date for new elections.


[center][color=#ff0000][size=5]Imperial Breakup?[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Athens -[/b] While in line with normal procedure the Megale Autokrateira has been moved to the Imperial War Cabinet trouble seems to be brewing between the young monarch and the Monegasque prince Alexandre. While previously the prince would join the rest of the government in the Imperial War Cabinet he has now returned to Monaco. While both press secretaries refuse to answer questions sources inside the Imperial Palace have said trouble has been brewing for the last few years.

[Centurius]

[b]Classified[/b]

Experiences in recent wars had made it clear the Athenian Intelligence network was vulnerable to attacks on the centralized structure. One strike could potentially take down the key Intelligence infrastructure. To correct this weak link the Ministry of Security was tasked with setting up a new decentralized structure.

[img]http://i48.tinypic.com/94xz.gif[/img]

Under this new system the Federal Intelligence is dissolved to be replaced by three Intelligence Agencies. Additionally a Directorate-General would be established as ultimate head of the Imperial security network.

[b]Megale Autokrateira:[/b] As the ultimate Chief Executive and Commander in Chief of the Hellenic Forces the Megale Autokrateira holds ultimate control over the Intelligence and Special Operations system.
[b]Ministry of Security/Defense:[/b] The Ministries of Security and Defense each contribute to the general system. With the Ministry of Security responsible for Intelligence and the Ministry of Defense in command of the Razors both have a direct investment in the imperial network.
[b]Assembly/Council Commitee on Intelligence: [/b]Under the constitution the parliamentary Committees are responsible for guarding the rights and freedoms established. In this role they must be briefed on all matters concerning Imperial Intelligence and Special Operations.

[b]Directorate-General of Intelligence and Special Operations:[/b] The Directorate-General consists of intelligence and military staff tasked with ensuring coordination of the different agencies and directly responsible for joint operations. The Director-General is the effective head of intelligence and special operations within the Athenian Federation as such it has strategic control on all institutions under it. The Directorate-General is located inside the Tower of the People.

Each institution has operational control within their jurisdiction, under joint operations operational control reverts to the Directorate-General.
[b]Foreign Intelligence Agency:[/b] The Foreign Intelligence Agency is tasked with collecting and processing intelligence beyond the borders of the Athenian state. To a limited extent it may also engage in operations beyond intelligence gathering. The Foreign Intelligence Agency is headquartered in the building formerly occupied by the Federal Intelligence Agency in Athens.
[b]Military Intelligence Agency:[/b] The Military Intelligence Agency has a role similar to the FIA and works closely together with it, where the Foreign Intelligence Agency has a focus on all kinds of information from other countries the Military Intelligence Agency focuses on information relevant to military operations. The Military Intelligence Agency is headquartered in the Palazzo Farnese in Piacenza.
[b]Internal Intelligence Agency:[/b] The Internal Intelligence Agency is responsible for gathering intelligence on internal threats, in this it forms key to the counterterrorism forces and law enforcement in general. It also has a counter-intelligence role. The Internal Intelligence Agency is headquartered in Alexandria.
[b]Committee for State Security:[/b] The CSS has three key roles that give it overlap with all of the previous agencies, however where those agencies work in the light and do the cleaner work the CSS does the dirty work.[list]
[*]The protection of the state against dissidents: This in practice means the CSS is authorized to use any and all required force against perceived dissident movements. To exercise their duties the CSS was given the permission to start tracking movements of all citizens, intercepting their use of communication systems and any other ability the constitution permits.
[*]The protection of the state against foreign influences: This is perhaps be the most clean of operations the CSS is tasked with, the protection against foreign influences in essence means tracking down foreign operatives, taking them down and as such preventing espionage or sabotage to affect the security of the Federation. To be able to exercise this duty the CSS has full access to all archives in the Athenian Federation and abroad where those were made available.
[*]Proactive protection of the state in foreign countries: This function in essence means everything they can do abroad. Gathering intelligence to spreading false information(in some cases the truth) and not to forget promote revolutions that help the Federation. To exercise this function they have a large secret financial reserve..
[/list]
The Committee for State Security is headquartered in the Palacio de Mateus in Vila Real

[b]High Guard Razors:[/b] The High Guard Razors are the primary special operations branch of the Hellenic Forces and tasked with ensuring the security of the Athenian Federation against all its enemies, foreign or domestic. The High Guard Razors have their command center at Special Operations Command in Bermuda. Razor Special Operations has the same function but is even better at it than 'normal' Razors.

[b]Discipline Authorities:[/b] The Discipline Authorities are a kind of police force inside the general structure, each is tasked with using intelligence to ensure the stability and continuation of the Athenian state. Like every other police force they have the ability to make arrests however much like the CSS the records of these are kept secret.
The Intelligence Discipline Authority focuses on ensuring the intelligence network at large operates in the best interests of the state.
The Internal Discipline Authority focuses on the Athenian government on all layers.
The Military Discipline Authority focuses on the Hellenic Forces and all other military forces inside the Athenian Federation.
Discipline Authorities share headquarters with the Agencies responsible for them, the Intelligence Discipline Authority is located inside the Ministry of Justice.

All institutions would keep their records inside their headquarters but also numerous external locations inside the Federation, from Athens to Antarctica to Mars.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Centurius

[Centurius]

[center][color=#ff0000][size=5]Megale Autokrateira Makes Break With Prince of Monaco Official[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Athens - [/b]Following rumors the break between the Megale Autokrateira and Prince of Monaco has been made official. In a statement her Press Secretary has stated the two have grown distant and that they can no longer maintain their marriage. An official divorce has been requested from the Court of Athens.


[center][color=#ff0000][size=5]Compromise at the Highest Levels[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Athens - [/b] After weeks of negotiating an agreement has been reached between the coalition parties, under this agreement defense expenditures will remain as proposed while the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been increased to appease the Dove Party. The modified budget is expected to enter vote by the end of the week.

[Centurius]

[b]Classified:[/b]
While the war in Colombia was ongoing the Hellenic Forces were under orders to make preparations for the next one, in line with this would be a silent increase in force projection within Egypt. River warfare had only seen limited use in recent wars but a likely war here would make it highly effective.

[quote]From: Imperial Command of the Athenian Federation
To: Joint Forces Quartermaster Command
CC: Commander-in-Chief Aegyptus, Hispanic Guard Central Command

Body:
In line with Athenian interests the construction of 500 Protector USVs with M501 NLOS-LS is ordered, to ensure confidentiality construction is to occur discretely and without attracting attention. USVs are to be placed under command of the Commander-in-Chief Aegyptus and be prepositioned throughout the Nile.

Additionally missile reserves affected by the Colombian war are to be restored to pre-war levels.[/quote]

[Centurius]

[quote][center][b]Decree from the Ministry of [color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=3]Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Industry[/size][/font][/color][/b][/center]

[center][color=#000000][font=sans-serif][size=3]Effective immediately the policy of denying non-allied military vessels access through the Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar and Bosphorus Strait without prior permission is extended to also cover civilian vessels flying under non-allied flags. As before any attempt to cross these straits without permission from the Ministry will be considered a violation of Athenian sovereignty and result in force being used.[/size][/font][/color][/quote][/center]

Edited December 9, 2012 by Centurius

[Centurius]

[center][color=#ff0000][size=5]Imperial Police Department Introduces New Armor[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Athens -[/b] Following years of development the Imperial Police Department has announced their new Advanced Law Enforcement(ALE) Armor mk. I and Advanced Law Enforcement Rifle. The two will be integrated as standard equipment for all uniformed police officers in the Imperial Police Department.
In the press statement it has been announced that ALE follows the systems that have proven effective in combat and translates them into roles which serve the implementation of justice

The Imperial Police Department and the manufacturer of the armor(Hellenic World Services) have made it available to all police forces within the Athenian Federation. The regions of Byzantium and Macedon have already announced their own programs to introduce it into the uniformed divisions of they regular police.

[center][img]http://cnrp.treksimming.com/albums/userpics/10001/future-police-4.jpg[/img][/center]

[Centurius]

With all hope having been given up that the Empire of the Isles would make a return to activity a regiment was ordered to restore law and order to the anarchic state. The Empire of the Isles were once again part of the Atlantic Free State.

[Centurius]

[center][color=#FF0000][size=5]Megale Autokrateira Extends Legislative Terms, Martial Law Declared[/size][/color][/center]

[b]Athens -[/b] Using her powers under article 52 of the Athenian constitution the Megale Autokrateira has extended parliamentary terms with 4 years on both chambers. The decision was reached after elections were suspended already due to wartime restrictions on the right of assembly. In a press release she has stated that elections at this time are too big of a risk. Under similar provisions she has also declared martial law over the Athenian mainland in addition to the state that was already declared in the Atlantic Free State following the Colombian War.

The Megale Autokrateira has urged that these measures are cautionary only and that no further rights under the consitution will be restricted for now.

[Centurius]

The Elysium 1-10 have officially been completed and transfer of civilians to these habitats has begun in a similar program to the Atlantis Expedition.

[Centurius]

Classified

The Atlantic Free State is ordered to a heightened state of alert, the Foreign Intelligence Agency, Military Intelligence Agency and Hellenic Space Forces are ordered to increase surveillance  over the Americas. Increased security measures are ordered at all international traffic hubs in the Free State. New Orleans will have its borders closed.

[Centurius]

Martial Law Revoked!

 

Athens - With the African war finally over the Megale Autokrateira has formally lifted the martial law status within the Athenian Federation, likewise all restrictions on civil rights have been lifted.

 

It was by far the longest war in Athenian history but it is finally over, with the collapse of Aeon following the earlier collapses of other AUP member states the coalition has been victorious but victory was not cheap. The tragic death of King Gloval and the thousands of injured however pale to what the Ministry of Defense had originally anticipated. 

 

The end of the war however does not mean a conclusion to military operations, the wave of collapses has left the large majority of a continent in chaos, the Megale Autokrateira has stated that it is the obligation of the Hellenic Forces to protect these people at any cost. 

[Centurius]

The HNS Athena, flagship of the Hellenic Navy and key in the anti-Aeon operation. With combat over the carrier had been brought back closer to Athenian land. Rather than going from South Africa to Athens the jet would go to Morocco before a helicopter brought her to the Athena stationed just off the coast. The announcement everyone had been waiting on for so long had come. As Ariadne stepped out of the helicopter she was immediately met by the captain of the ship and taken to a large platform on the flight deck where nearly the entire crew was lined up literally everywhere to see their sovereign speak. Backed by the Imperial Banner and with the anthem playing in the background she looked over the crew. This was one announcement to be broadcasted on all channels Athens controlled.

 

"Sailors, today marks a new age. The war is over, we won" The loud cheering made her pause for a few seconds. "For years we have been caught up in a war that should not have happened, for years you and your families lived in uncertainty. However your resolve and your strength has made us defeat our enemies and bring liberty to the African continent. As you all know I just came back from a visit to Cape Town, I am pleased to announce that our long lost brothers and sisters in Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and even the Western Sahara will be joining our great Federation. And many more peoples will be protected by us" More cheering would make her once again pause for a few seconds. "But our struggle is not yet over and it will never be. The Athenian Federation is one of the prime powers in the world and with power comes responsibility. The responsibility to fight injustice everywhere, the responsibility to fight corruption everywhere and the responsibility to protect human rights everywhere. We are for freedom for speech everywhere, we are for freedom of worship everywhere, we are for freedom to learn for everybody, we are for freedom from tyranny whether in the guise of political oppression or of economic slavery or of religious fanaticism. This fundamental idea can not be merely met by our support. It has to be met with our strength, diplomatically, economically, materially and if Pharaoh still don't free the slaves, then he gets the plagues or my cavalry, whichever gets there first." After some silence the sailors gave the greatest applause yet, at this point Ariadne turned away from the platform to return back to Athens where a lot was left to do.

 

---

 

With initial stability operations successful the enormous force could begin downsizing. An Army Group of the Fifth Army would be dedicated to the Western Protectorate zone defined as everything west of Sudan  while Corps from that same Army would be dedicated to the Eastern Protectorate zone defined as everything east of Sudan. The remaining elements of the Fifth Army would be positioned together with the entire Sixth Army to maintain order in the new regions which needed time to be fully integrated into the Athenian Federation. Remaining forces of the Hellenic Army and Hellenic Navy would return to their pre-war positions across the world. The Hellenic Air Force in general lines would do the same however air patrols would happen at an increased rate over Africa as air defenses and other defensive systems were being set up. In general reserves would be actively rotated into the armies to relieve active forces. The goal was to make sure everyone got an extended leave to compensate for the long time served at war.