Joint Forces HQ
"Free State of Caravoland"
The Canissian officers and men seemed pleased-- or rather, relieved. They'd packed their bags and did the "dufflebag drag" to the nearby landing field where a Royal Air Force heavy-lift zeppelin waited, conveniently hovering a few feet above Caravo sovereign territory.
Inside the HQ, the Canissian OIC handed his Japanistani and Shepistani colleagues a printout.
"What's this?" the Japanistani officer asked.
"Status of forces agreement," the Canissian said, "It's not mine, it comes from Parliament."
"What kind of... status of forces agreement?" the Shepistani officer asked.
"al-Akharabat will be divided into to two spheres of influence," the Canissian officer said, "South, the 'Free State of Caravoland', would be Japanistani responsibility. The north will be administered by Canissia. We're pulling out of all southern positions, you pull what you have out of northern positions."
"Preposterous," the Japanistani officer said, "We have much work to do, and much investment in the northern territory. We cannot pull out now."
"Well, not as much effort as you've expended here," the Canissian officer said, "What with the railroad and all. S'vimbi is sticking by his insistence that Canissia helps him out up north. I was told to forward this to you so there won't be any surprises."
The Shepistani and Japanistani officers looked at each other, unsure if this was a gift or not. True, the decision would be made higher up the politicial food chain; the Canissians were just letting commanders on the ground ready themselves for a possible redeployment.
The truth was, the Caravo territories were harder to manage, and a nightmare of chaos as small bands of
khat-chewing tribals engaged in reckless guerrilla warfare against Japanistani and Shepistani forces. On the other hand, this would give them a free hand to deal with the tribals-- and it was no secret that most of the mineral wealth of al-Akharabat lay in Caravo territory-- as well as the lucrative drug markets. The Katangwan resources mostly consisted of oil and natural gas deposits in the shallow waters offshore.
"Well, if the order comes, we'll be more than happy to accomodate," the Japanistani man said with a plastic smile, "I suppose you'll want us to de-mine the areas before we leave?" he asked. The Shepistani officer snickered at that. The Japanistanis and Shepistani forces had done a greta job of de-mining... in the south. The efforts in the north had been piecemeal and sporadic, and most of the rugged dirt airstrips remained unusable; the harbors bottled up.
"Nope," the Canissian said, "We've got it under control. But thanks, though."
"Of course."
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al-Kalim Port City
al-Akharabat
Norhtern Sector
The old government schoolhouse that served as Colonal S'vimbi's capitol was in the process of being refurbished. It was also being mobbed by officers and civilian relief coordinators arguing in the halls.
"Silence!" Colonel S'vimbi called out, his loud, booming voice forcing a calm over the crowd.
"I have heard that bastard's obnoxious declaration," the Colonel announced, "And I reluctantly agree to his call to seperate the two tribal areas in the name of peace. Let it be known, however, that the Katangwa people were not the ones to give up and throw in the towel-- but if this is how President Addeed wants to conduct his business, then that is how it shall be.
"I, then, decree that I wish the Canissian prescence in Katangwa lands to continue; that I invite them and their allies to help us rebuild after years of neglect and war, and that I
politely insist that any Japanistan and Shepistan forces and personnel in northern al-Akharabat territory pack their bags and leave, to join their 'good ally' in the south, Mister Addeed.
"To Mister Addeed, I say that the Katangwa people will never make war on your state, but do not mistake our peaceful intent for passivity. Any incursion into Katangwan territory will be met, in your own words, Mister President, with 'great force'!
"Now, let us get back to the business of rebuilding the great jewel of the coast... al-Akharabat!"
Results:
Colonel Johan S'vimbi answers Addeed's call for seperation into North and South enclaves of al-Akharabat; calls for Japanistani and Shepistani 'peacekeepers' to leave.
