3
March 8th 1938 - May 1st 1938
During a week of celebrations in the liberated territory, the majority Bulgarian population who had been treated poorly by their Italian masters exchanged places. Not before groups, armed with weaponry taken from the Italian armouries that had yet to have been secured, had been wandering the streets performing on the spot trials. Often the accused would be found guilty. Most were publicly humiliated but those known to have been members of the security and secret police were quickly put up against the wall. Victor called for these groups to be quickly disarmed and arrested if they had killed anyone. Many Italians were already heading for the port and the border of Ethiopia. Nobody stopped them.
Those that had been arrested, most were found guilty but the judges, often those who had also lived during the occupation gave leniant sentences. Three were sentenced to death, one had killed a Bulgarian soldier after refusing to disarm. The other two for the brutal torture of several victims of the reprisals. Martial law stayed in effect until late April.
During this time Victor was getting constant updates of the wars over seas. The invasion northwards was not going well for the Chinese. The alliance forces outnumbered them just enough to turn it into a long and bloody conflict.
Meanwhile a another country declared war, this time Savoy on their tiny neighbor, Kosovo.
Azerbaijan refused to allow Savoy to conquer Kosovo, however early signs indicated that Savoy was much stronger than them.
A major neighbour of Communist China, Austria, was clearly worried about the belligerent actions China was taking.
Not satisfied that the Pakistani and Yugoslav forces were already pushing them back, CC declared war on Tannu Tuva. This brought Austria into the war.
Over a month on from its invasion of Kosovo, Savoy had been unable to capture the capital of Dvinskoy, meanwhile Azerbaijan had underestimated its opponent.
Tannu Tuva was split in two.
It was now May and Kosovo was still holding out. Their national anthem blaring from loud speakers placed on the, now ruined, Palace of Congress non stop since the first bombs fell on the city.
Meanwhile Tannu Tuva was becoming less of a threat every day.
Prime Minister Victor stared up at the night sky in awe. It was a clear night and despite the many lanterns in the camp, he could still see a great many of them. He wandered about the camp alone, welll almost alone. Mr. Clarke as he was simply known, followed behind about ten metres away. A Victor felt that having a bodyguard in a military camp wasn't necessary but no matter how hard he pleaded, out ran or hid from Clarke; he was always quick to find him. It had been Noirtier's idea to employ Clarke as his bodyguard, which at first he agreed to but he was beginning to miss his privacy.
He found Field Marshal Draughn outside his tent smoking. He saluted as Victor approached.
"Not long now, eh?" Victor smiled. Draughn returned a weak smile. Looking at his watch he replied.
"About thirty minutes sir."
"You don't seem keen on what is about to take place."
"We are about to invade a country we don't have any sovereign claims on. We've only just finished one war and the plan after we have defeated them may not be entirely popular." Victor lit his own cigarrette and inhaled deeply before his answer.
"Go back far enough and Wales ruled over most of the Americas. Yes it still owns a large chunk but it is a dying empire. We can be quite certain that with the approaching chaos in the world that they will try to restore some of their former glory. Even though it was two hundred years ago that they last set foot in our land doesn't mean they haven't forgotten. Give them the chance and they'll be back. Go back further still and you'll see the north of Bolivia was ours. The claims are there and this time it will be different."
"Rebuilding the old Bulgaria is one thing but it is quite another to do it in this day and age."
"Perhaps... but no one is complaining. Right lets move to a more advantagous position, I would like to see the first shots of this next phase."
They moved to a mound that broke the flat surface that the camp occupied. At the top surrounded by sandbags and camoflage netting a group of soldiers lead by a captain were communicating via the newly acquired wireless machines that had been given to every unit. At the centre was a table with a detailed map of their local area.
"Well Captain, are your men ready?" Victor asked.
"Yes sir, we're just making sure the co-ordinates are accurate."
"Excellent, I missed this the last time and I would be glad to see our new firepower." He glanced at his watch. "Two minutes gentleman. I don't think they'll expect this." The time passed in silence, a runner was sent to give the final firing solution to two dozen artillery pieces stationed in their zone The captain moved into the light of a lantern that was placed just outside the sandbags. He raised his right hand into the air and looked at his watch on the left, counting down the seconds.
"I suggest you cover your ears sir." Draughn said quietly. Victor ignored the advice as he was to busy grinning like a child.
The captain's arm shot down.