Strategus: Secret Meetings of the National Security Council at the GCHQ
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"How can we be assured that this is not some ploy to give cause to Icholasen to once again wreak absolute havoc upon my nation?"
Ursula gestured for the mic to be muted while she spoke to the defence minister. "Jürgen, take us to Scarlet." Across the country, countless aircraft took to the skies, naval vessels sounded general quarters, and shelter sirens blared throughout the countryside on the Emerald Sea. This was not a drill.
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Then Bridges spoke to them:"Mr.. Henningson, Ms. von Der Leyen, our request is to have the Vardic and Fremetian deployments in the USV to remain in a standby in case of an attack. Our latest intel shows that the highest possible target here is our Valhallan Defense Assistance Bases. And there is a 90-10 chance that the trade routes of Vayinaod and Fremet in the area would be disturbed including your deployments. And I'd like to assure you Ms. von der Leyen that this is true. Yes, Mr. Jirluchuz contacted me last time during RASE and we refused to their offer. And that is because we also know that they can't be trusted." says Simon.
"What we request is a retaliation if in case they would attack. The second possible target they have is Cansey Space Station. The CSS is currently located above Fremet and has no crew on-board. In case the CSS is hit by an ICBM or warhead from the UNSR, all the equipment there worth about 6 Billion Euros will be destroyed and land on Fremetian ground. What would be terrifying is if the Space Station crashes back to Earth, it would most probably crash on the east side of Fremet."
"Everyone knows that what the king said is what we would do, and we would not return their money. We will never recognize them and this would be our chance to restore Icholasen back."
"Ms. von der Leyen, Mr. Henningson, the safety and security of innocent people are in great danger and are the ones at the stakes in this time. We have to help each other for the sake of the European populace. And if we won't work together here, many lives would be destroyed."
"Right now, we are pleading for your help on this matter and we hope for your cooperation."
Then Simon turns to the chiefs of the armed forces branches:
"Command the Valhallan Defense Assistance bases to stay ready and standby. Give also instructions to the Valhallan government to evacuate the people from the south and eastern coast sides of the island" commands Simon.
"Copy that sir" then they salute.
"Well, we have to act now. For King and Country!" cheers Simon silently.
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Statsminister Von der Leyen spoke:
"Mr Bridges, I'm going to make this extremely simple for you. Return the cheque back to the Reds. No amount of money is worth the countless lives and resources that would be consumed in any type of military action.
The UNSR will not strike unless there is a viable threat to their nation. At the moment, any action taken by Icholasen against Fremet will be met with an equal and terrifying force from the great powers of Europe. However, should we provide reason for such an attack, there would be nothing stopping the UNSR from launching a horrifying attack against Fremet.
We have, by far, the most to lose here Mr Bridges. I will not be told what is at stake here by a man sitting in a bunker thousands of kilometers away. All of Fremet lives with this threat every single day. You made the mistake of consorting with the communists by even negotiating this agreement in the first place. We will not pay the price for Reitzmag's error.
As to your claims that the station would land on Fremet, I find it highly unlikely that large enough objects to prove sufficient threat to life and limb of Fremetians would survive reentry. Even still, you claim that it is "over Fremet" now... if that is the case, wouldn't the laws of orbital mechanics place the debris in the ocean?
Mr Bridges, we want more than anyone else in the world to restore the legal government of Icholasen. However, we are not going to sacrifice an entire nation and countless troops to do so. We have been carefully orchestrating an immense intelligence effort on the island for some time, and we will continue to practice our existing siege doctrine until an appropriate time arises.
If you want to act, so be it. But Fremet will not be privy to such a wasteful attack on a nation that wields such destructive power. So I ask you Mr Bridges, what actions, exactly, are you proposing we take?
What actions are worth risking the unsteady peace we live under today?"
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Henningson instructed that Archkonsul Nylund be awoken, the Fremetian Ambassador and 1st Vardic Fleet commander had both informed him about the heightened state of military readiness in Fremet.
"Order the 1st Fleet and 69th Strike Force to Condition Two, and for the 1st Fleet Commander to make contact with the Joint Command Terminal with their Fremetian counterparts. "
An officer from the 1st Strategic Space Wing provided Henningson with known capabilities of the communist strategic capabilities, and the expectation of the aftermath. The officer also confirmed that current reconnaissance data did not suggest a mass movement of communist assests, and more closely matched their regular drills and their threat for a single assets.
"Mr. Bridges, the Archkonsul will be joining me shortly, however I expect them to support me in what I am about to say. Vayinaod's greatest interest is that in protecting our brothers and sisters in Fremet, and we will conduct no actions to threaten the millions of people there. War is not pretty, and it is not romantic. It might be different for a nation whose insensiblities to the reality of war lets it feel comfortable thousands of kilometres from the actual front, but that reality is different for Fremet, and for Vardic forces stationed there.
I, the Archkonsul, and every single government official in Vayinaod would not dare sacrifice the lives of a single man, woman, or child for what is being threatened as a limited degree of monetary damage effectively. My suggestion is you prepare for the proportional response, as doing business in the diplomatic world is based on, or you adhere to their demands. Noting that if you adhere to those demands publicly it would set a bad precedence, and potentially open Reitzmag open for legal action.
My officers inform me, that due to the relatively low orbit of the space station, most space debris caused by its destruction would take a few months to fully decay out of orbit and most of it would burn up in the atmosphere or if large enough but easily traceable to conduct other options to handle it.
The 69th Strike Force in the North Atlantic, and the 1st Vardic Fleet in the Emerald Sea both have sufficient interception capabilities to protect themselves and interested assets as required.
Make no mistake that, if such strikes were to occur that Vayinaod would vehemently denounce them, but at this time there is no proportional response that is worth all out war.
Prime Minister von der Leyen very effectively stated the Fremetian Position, and Vayinaod will do as it has done for years and stand with them in the face of danger."
After Henningson finished, Archkonsul Nylund entered the room. After the formalities, and the debrief for what had occurred so far, Archkonsul Nylund very much agreed with Henningson's response thus far. They would await further Reitzmic response, but for the most part there would likely be no deviation.
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Simon was very keen on what he must do. He can't sacrifice his country's reputation once more by negotiating with the communists because it was illegal by law. So he tried to consult to the House of Representatives.
"Tell the speaker that we will have an emergency session today" commanded Simon.
"Yes sir!" responded the aide.
Then an emergency meeting was called which included the national security council.
While at the doughnut, Simon went back to von der Leyen and Nylund.
After 15 hours of waiting for a decision within the House of Commons.
An aide went in and reported very quickly.
"Sir, an ICBM had exploded in the Caspian about 300 km from the coast of Buckingham. Another one was also reported to almost hit CSS." said the aide.
"Send out emergency level Alpha, we need to protect the people while the representatives are still making a decision" said Simon, then he turned back to VDL and Nylund.
"Mr. Nylund, Ms. VDL, we have to response now. The UNSR is trying to threaten us and I am not going to act without a decision from the House of Representatives. And I would personally not negotiate with them and disobey European law." said Simon.
"Call van Allen and tell him to open up an emergency Council Discussion." commanded Simon to the aide.
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Ursula had been growing frustrated waiting. "Can he really not make this determination himself?" she asked. Members of cabinet came and went, and Ursula sat down with a nice pot of coffee to get some paperwork done. Finally, FIFTEEN HOURS LATER, the line once again sparked to life. Ursula listened to the Reitzmic response and gestured for the mic to be unmuted...
"Mr Bridges, have I not made the Fremetian position abundantly clear?
We will not risk the lives of Fremetian citizens. We will not risk the delicate peace that has been so difficult to obtain. We will not risk a years-long conflict that will cost countless lives and quite possibly set Europe on fire.
Mr Bridges, in situations such as these, we all have a responsibility to do our part to deescalate before one nation is led to take an action from which we cannot return.
Fremet is taking that step now. We will not assist Reitzmag in continuing to escalate what is, in reality, a trade dispute. No amount of money is worth any life, and we will not die on this particular hill with you.
Fremet will continue its current military alert status. Our navy will continue to patrol the Emerald Sea. Our intelligence services will continue to operate throughout the UNSR. We will not tolerate any threats to Fremetian sovereignty, nor will we tolerate any threat to the continued stability of Fremetian trade. However, these occurrences have little to do with our nation.
I keep saying this again and again Mr Bridges, but this isn't our fight, nor do we want to make it our fight. Yes, we support your efforts of course, but you cannot possibly expect us to take any public action beyond what we have already taken. The risk to Fremet in this endeavour is immeasurable compared to that threat against Reitzmag.
You have your allies, you have your resources. Fremet will continue its plan to end sanctions against Reitzmag. But we will not risk 8 decades of progress for a failed treaty agreement with a nation thousands of kilometers away."
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Send him the same message I've relayed multiple times to him. It had been hours since the initial call ended, but once against Prime Minister Bridges was either asking for support or under the impression Vayinaod would commit to it automatically or had done so already.
Vayinaod's stance was clear, unless Vayinaod interests or our brothers and sisters in Fremet are directly threatened, attacked, or other wised put at risk. Vayinaod will remain at an arm's length.
Archkonsul Nylund had made it clear in messages back and forth, as well as First Konsul Henningson that Reitzmag was under the threat of a proportional response and should avoid overreacting and turning the situation worse. Reitzmag could pay or take its licks of some monetary loss of assest.
The message was recent through official channels as Nylund continued communicating with their Fremetian Counterpart, as well as Vardic military assets in the area.
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Simon saw that he had no choice but to pay back and be arrested for disobeying European Law. Councilor van Allen contacted him and he received a report that the other councilor are also supportive of disobeying European Law except for the Vardic councilor. The Simon went again to report the happenings to Nylund and VDL.
"Currently, I have received the news from the European Council. A majority of the present have been supportive of me risking being sentenced by European Law. And now, they are going for a vote on which would be the final advice of the council. But now, I still have to wait for a decision in the House of Representatives." said Simon.
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"Mr Bridges, this has been, from the start, a Reitzmic issue. Frankly, you could argue that the return of said monies is not a violation of European law, but that will be for the courts to decide.
I thank you for consulting with my government Mr Bridges, but I don't think that I can be of any more help. There is a clear out for your government, and I hope, for all of our sake, you take it."
Ursula disconnected the call and ordered the AA to send a communique to the UNSR.
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Simon nodded and felt disappointed that he can't do anything. The house of representatives had reached to a decision. Inquista was missing in action and was not there in Retzmag's help despite treating Reitzmag like an ally.
"Mr. Prime Minister, the House of Representatives had decided that we return the money." reported an aide.
"Well, we have no choice. May God forgive me for what I am doing." said Simon disappointedly.
Then he wrote out a declaration to the Official Gazette.
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Sep 11 2020
1100 hours Local Time
Everyone is rushing and preparing for the mission. The government had released the message and gave a go signal for the Armed Forces to move in. However, this task would also involve the Leagioans, a fellow member-state of the ADO and a close ally of the country.
"Gentlemen, it is time we contact the Leagioans, we have to plan on this operation as soon as possible." said General Smith.
An aide contacts the Leagioans and connects the conversation to an LCD screen as a video-call.
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The feed comes up with an image of President Lifejumper at a table with various generals and cabinet members, which included the Governor-General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Defense.
"General Smith, members of the government of the Kingdom of Reitzmag. Although, it has not been made official yet to the public in the Commonwealth yet but the Commonwealth of Leagio will be intervening in the situation that is brewing within Eastern Haane. The Commonwealth at this point will be supporting the Republic of Eastern Haane in its fight. The objectives of Leagioan involvement are as follows:
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The removal of the Areai Government
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The Possible capture of Areai herself to face trial for Genocide and if she had any connection to the event that transpired earlier in Europolis with her Councilor threatening the councilors in the floor
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The establishment of a democratic government that the Republican forces want, even if it means co-operation with the Soviet Republic
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Support the Republican forces by co-operating with them in their operations against Areai
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the aid and assistance to the local populace that are being affected deeply by the Areai regime
These are the goals so far. The Commonwealth is currently flying two C-8 Frédéric's carrying about 160 troops of the regular Leagioan Army. More will be on the way, we plan to send no more than 400 troops in this operation unless conditions demand otherwise. However, i would like for this not to be announced to your media yet until after i make a national address to the people of the Commonwealth about this. The Commonwealth High Command plans for this campaign to be a 30-day mission as so far there are signs that Areai is losing control fast. One last thing, i will be planning to talk with Malborya to see if we can land our troop there to make this an easy operation for both of us."
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"Greetings Leagioan counterparts, the MI6 had informed us of such support and we have also been given a go signal by our Prime Minister to proceed and intervene in support of the Republic. We are sending all of our Airlift Squadrons to the area, these include our transport helicopters and transport aircraft. Our 1st Mission Support Group has already arrived in the area and will be followed by our 2nd Operations Group to provide air support. If anyone attacks, we will be forced to bomb them and retaliate. We will also cooperate with the Republican Forces and would be ready to help them in case of need."
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Sep 29 2020
0500 hours Local TImeThe situation in Eastern Haane is getting worse, MI6 has gathered intelligence that the Fremetians are intervening. It was time to show Europe that Reitzmag still has a heart for people. Simon ordered everything to be done nice and smoothly. Operation 'HEARTPOUNDING' was initiated.
The Air Force composed of the airlift squadrons and operations squadrons arrive very quickly into the action due to Eastern Haane's proximity to the country. The Condor and Galaxy Cargo planes carrying goods, supplies, personnel, and equipment travelled back and forth for more than 5 hours. Battalions of the Royal Army start to patrol the area and artillery units were readied upon arrival. Everything was set, it was time to ensure the peace and order. Gen. Peter Renwalt had returned from a foreign mission and he was tasked to keep the operation nice and smoothly.
"Time to kick to the action!" said Gen. Renwalt.
About an hour later, battalions march to the capital and their guns are ready to fire if someone tries to attack. Some 3-5 Government buildings were captured and inspected. 2 hours later, Contender and Challenger 2 tanks arrived and Bloodhound FA.24 fighter jets start to roam around the skies. Inside the buildings were dead bodies of Eastern Haane's politicians nailed to the walls alive, everyone inside were dead. About 3 more hours later, artillery was positioned in key areas and camps were set around the city.
On the other side, a battalion of the Army went for the Republican side to give support. They were carrying goods and supplies to support the republic. Some of the equipment were also brought with them. Some IFVs and APCs were also present in the station set near the area of the Republic of Eastern Haane. A flag of the Kingdom of Reitzmag was set up and displayed to show that the base's motive is peacekeeping and defense and not aggression and hostility.
The Air Force and the Army are ready to begin Phase 2 of the operation the next day.
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"The Doughnut"
Feb 19 2021
1208 hours Local TimeThe terrorism attacks all over Europe are threatening to the region's stability. Reitzmag, along with other Europeans like Spain and the United Duchies had been attacked by terrorists who were suspected to have come from the Union of Syndicates. Downing Street is very concerned that these attacks may result in more lives being claimed. To counter this, the National Security Council had convened again for an emergency meeting.
"Gentlemen, we have to investigate the root of all these terrorism attacks. 3 of Europe's high powers are in serious danger because of these terrorists." said Gen. Smith.
"I have an idea, we should best cooperate with other European nations so that we can track where the hell these attacks are really coming from, as well as who are behind these attacks." said Adm. Radakin.
"I agree Admiral, we might not know but maybe these attacks are connected to each other and that there is one group that is behind all of these" added Marshall Wigston.
Simon arrives with hundreds of security personnel to protect him in case of an attack. Hampton City will have to be locked down to ensure that there would be no more lives claimed by these attacks. The Chiefs of Staffs saluted the Prime Minister as he enters the room.
"Mr. Prime Minister, we were just talking a while ago about possibly cooperating with the Spanish and United Duchies Government to tackle the situation." explained Adm. Radakin.
"Yes indeed I agree, that is the only option we have if we want to trace who the hell is behind these terrorist attacks. Later, I'm placing Hampton City on lock down and full martial law. We have to raise the threat level to Critical because of that stupid damn bomb." said Simon.
"You have my support Mr. Prime Minister." said Gen. Smith.
"And so do I." added Marshall Wigston.
The group discuss thoroughly the possible actions that may be done. The King had already been evacuated and kept on a safer place. Each member of the cabinet then starts to arrive at the war room to convene regarding the threat from the Union of Syndicates.
Somewhere in the Union of Syndicates
Feb 19 2021
1300 hours Local TimeMore planes and helicopters have arrived to continue evacuating the Reitzmics stranded in the Union of Syndicates. Each helicopter arriving also includes armed soldiers to ensure that the transportation of the people will be safe and secure.
"PT031 Cleared for Takeoff" one of the transport aircraft pilot says.
The plane went to the runway and took off with the first afternoon batch of evacuees. Each transport aircraft is accompanied by escort jets who are only armed with a few missiles and bullets.
"The Doughnut"
Feb 19 2021
1400 hours Local TimeThe entire council had decided to contact the Spanish Government and the United Duchies Government to form a joint effort in tracing the roots of the attacks. The GCHQ starts to contact the two governments separately before redirecting the call to the council after confirmation.
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The offices at DISS were already overloaded following the attacks with review after review of evidence they potentially missed in order to find out who was responsible. The agency head then checked back and saw the Reitz email , she immediately responded to set up a meeting with Reitzmag and Spain. She proposed a secret meeting in Copala City which they'd reach via private jet to discuss a joint response and evidence they had. Concerningly it seemed some of the suspects had possibly been on a watchlist beforehand, but they still didn't know where they were. However more and more evidence was pointing to a Union of Syndicates link and UNSR government involvement in the attacks , though they didn't have enough evidence on the UNSR direct government involvement quite yet.
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Operación Gema Martillada (Part 1)
IC SECRET
Ministerio de Defensa de España, Madrid
19-02-2021; 17:15 CET
PB: Pedro Baños, Minister for Defence
MV: Miguel Villarroya, JEMAD
Pedro Baños was working on his office when he got a message from Jesús Aguilar, the Spanish President. An employee entered the Minister's office after being informed about the arrival of the message, with a piece of paper. After giving the paper to the minister, the employee closed Baños' office doors and the Minister, an old general of the Spanish Army and also a very requested man when it comes to his friend Iker Jiménez, started to read the President's message: Dear Pedro, I know these ways should only be used at war and you prefer me to call you in times of need. But I couldn't get to you with a call in this case. We have received bad news from Reitzmag and the Duchies, 2 terror attacks, the Duchies' one is massive. Simon Bridges is requesting a call, but I'm diverting it to you. If you don't want to talk with [REDACTED], divert it to Miguel, he will know how to deal with him. Oh, and remember about [REDACTED] and also tell Miguel not to shout [REDACTED] if possible. Thank you, Jesús.
Pedro Baños laughed after reading the whole letter and pressed a button to talk with his secretary: "Jon, call Villaroya and tell him to come to my office"; said the Minister. Minutes later, the Jefe del Estado Mayor de la Defensa entered by the door and took a seat in front of Pedro Baños. Once the door was locked, Baños started te conversation:
PB: Miguel, I have called you after receiving a letter for the President.
MV: I have also received it. While we talk, the Policía Nacional are registering the houses of the 5 people arrested at París, so tell him to stay relaxed and start a tourism campaign if he is worried about tourists. That would work.
PB: It is not about that letter, Miguel. I have only received the letter we are going to talk about. The Reitzmen are trying to make contact with us in order to talk about the terrorist attacks which took place at the Duchies and in their own country. I want you to answer them.
MV: Please Pedro, everything but that, I beg you. They are really stubborn, and I don't want to deal with stubborn people. If I answer that call and they anger me, you know what is going to happen, and would any of you like to deal with a diplomatic crisis again?
PB: I already knew you would say that, Miguel, and I think the President did too. He told me to tell you not to shout at any moment of your meeting with Simon Bridges and the other Reitzmen, to keep calm. He also told me he would pay you some pills to control yourself if you needed them, so just give him a call if you want to have free pills.
MV: Yeah, ok, I will try my best.
PB: Thank you Miguel. You can now leave the office.After that, Villaroya left the office and headed towards his, where he seated and awaited for the call to be transferred to him. After the call was ready to be picked up, a technical operator entered the office to help the Jefe del Estado Mayor de la Defensa to join the call. After everything was ready, Miguel Villaroya pressed the "Join" button, a huge disturbing blue and white button in the middle of the screen. "I hate it", thought Vilarroya while joining the call.
MV: Hello? Is anyone there? Mr. Bridges? Anyone? Said Villaroya, without realising he had his microphone muted Oh wait, I have got this muted. He unmuted the micro Good afternoon Mr. Bridges! How are you?
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The calls were received and confirmed by the GCHQ. The calls are then directed to the National Security Council convening in the War Room.
"Greetings to our Spanish and Duchian counterparts. We have called you for a very important matter. Our nations are the main targets of recent terrorist attacks, and we know that we all will not be able to know the roots of these violence happening if we won't work together. Which is why we in the National Security Council would like to ask you if we could conduct a joint investigation regarding these terrorist attacks. We'd be happy to share the intelligence we gathered so that we together would know the roots of these attacks." said Simon to welcome the Spanish and Duchians.
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Villarroya listened carefully to what the Reitzmic Prime Minister needed to say, with his microphone muted if he needed to talk about anything secret with his secretary or something like that. At the same time Villarroya was thinking about what Bridges was proposing, something, in his opinion, which was something he wanted to avoid. The Spanish Police was very cooperative when required, but having Reitzmic police around his office would risk the discovery of the Reitagate papers, something which was planned by María Dolores de Cospedal and Miguel Villarroya to attack the Kingdom of Reitzmag from Copala City onwards. These papers were made during the worst days of the International Crisis, and even if they were saved in the deep floors of the Ministry's building, he didn't want to see people messing around his country. So, after Mr. Bridges stopped talking, Villarroya opened his microphone:
"Mr. Bridges, I want to remark Spain hasn't been attacked by any terrorist, and it is something I have been hearing during all the day. I will make it clear, Spain established a Level 5 threat but that doesn't mean we have been attacked, we were just threatened. With that said, the Spanish Ministry of Defence and the Ministry for Local Government is up to share very important information for the Reitzmic Police if we find some, but apart from that, I think Spain isn't needed on this investigation, nor a police delopyment or some things like that. I think, Mr. Bridges, that you will understand the reason of such a matter: We need to accomplish our rules, and registering the Reitzmic Police is something we would like to avoid." Said the Spanish JEMAD.
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Isobel Stewart phoned in she had rose through the ranks and become known a F. She was known for her ruthlessness and dedication to security . She telelinked in and listened.
She said "As you know the Duchies has been hit damn hard. I have an update , it would appear the suspects were on our watchlist but we sadly missed how close they were/. We are investigating as we speak and looking at future solutions. A possible name and facial database is being discussed as we speak.
We would happily conduct a joint investigation as we need to destroy cells throughout europe and be alert at the border. It appears 3 came in from other nations through the border again investigations are ongoing. If you have any questions I can try my best to answer but we still have limited information in the Duchies"
The Kingdom of Spain