Acciaroli, Campania, 1st of November, 1639, 11:37 AM
In the sleepy hamlet of Acciaroli situated on the coast and hill, there was an old house on the slope. With an old truck that hasn't been used in a while, the inside was more lively in contrast to the yard.
Inside the one story bungalow, an elderly woman was in the kitchen as she cooked lunch for her and her husband. Giana Greco was setting two servings of pasta carbonara onto the table as soon she looked out the window. Not back yet. With that she decided to sit down on her couch as there, the TV was on. It showed the Italian Parliament being rowdy as ever while the prime minister tried to make amends with them.
"... this military intervention is not a war in the traditional sense. It is a pacification and rescue operation to not only ensure that refugees would no longer drown by Italy's coast, but to also end this war quickly to allow them to head home! We are talking about a warmongering nation here that has taken the lives of innocent people!" The prime minister said.
An opposition member spoke up and talked in an annoyed tone, "Italy can barely keep up with the crisis as is and now you want to send our men to die unnecessarily due to two nations' wars that we have just met? If I hadn't mistaken myself, I would have thought that the prime minister didn't have common sense!"
The parliament got rowdy again and Giana shook her head in dismay. Some things never changed, she thought.
Soon the door opened and an elderly man placed his hat onto the coatrack as he called out. "I got the wine, but not our usual brand. They've run out," Remo said as soon he eyed the TV. "What are you watching?" He asked while he shut the door beside him as he sets the bottle of wine down.
Giana stood up and went to the small dining room with her husband as she spoke, "Just a live coverage of parliament. Have you heard about it?"
"Oh god, yes," Remo said in annoyance as he grabbed two glasses for he and his wife, "something about the prime minister wanting to go to war. We have enough problems as is." He said as he sets the glasses down.
As Remo then started to open the bottle of wine, Giana spoke, "I think that it's not exactly a full war. But a rescue operation as the prime minister said. Remember the videos our son sent? So many lost families in Sicily right now."
Remo sat down in his seat as he scoffed, "Italy is already filled with migrants. I don't think we need more," he said as he took a bite of his pasta.
Before Giana did the same, she spoke more in a sympathetic tone, "It's not like it was their choice, they did not have a schedule on their calendars that Italy would get here... besides these people are escaping a war," she said before she took a bite.
"Oh come on Giana, you know that Italy shouldn't get itself caught in such a mess. Besides, war is war. There are bound to be some lost lives, that's just how it is," the old man said with a shrug.
"That just sounds heartless, darling. This is a medieval war we're talking about. Oh those poor people... have you seen the interviews they had? They were survivors of a massacre in their town," Giana said with a sigh.
"Like I said," Remo then took a sip of his wine. "I don't think Italy should get involved. We have problems here as is. It is tragic but do we really have to butt in this problem?"
"It's not like that we chose it anyway, the refugees came here for a safer life away from war. Besides, do you not think that if we did end this war quickly, we could send them home as soon as possible?"
"And spread the word about our country? They'll only want to stay more," Remo said as he shook his head. "Home is hard to leave but if there was a better place I'd go too. Just ask my cousin, bless his heart."
Giana rolled her eyes. She looked to the TV along with Remo. It was a mess right now. Really when was it not a mess?
"The prime minister is only indulging in his nationalist tendencies by taking advantage of other nations' conflicts and trying to place his government on a pedestal when the housing program of the current crisis is not even complete yet!" One politician spoke out.
"I reiterate that Italy is not here to show superiority but to simply use our power for the greater good! The sooner we intervene and rescue these people, the sooner the tragedy ends and the sooner we can send home the people down south!" Giovanni said in frustration before another stood up to speak.
"I'd never thought I'd agree with this but I concur that the prime minister is only taking advantage of Italy's resources for his own benefit. The economy is still in shambles and he has already spent millions of Euros in helping these immigrants in Italy! Oh yeah, when did he promise again that he'd bring the Lira back to stabilise Italy? I'm still waiting on that promise!"
The parliament then rose in a mess again. Soon Giana looked to Remo as she couldn't help but smile, "You know, whenever we argue, I just tend to turn on the TV and watch them and realise that our marriage is much better."
"Heh, is that right? Fifty years later and we're still together. I suppose I just love you that much," Remo said before he eyed the TV. "I guess you're right, maybe intervening could end this mess faster."
"Oh so now you suddenly agree? I was just thinking that maybe we should focus on our own problems first," Giana said with a surprised laugh.
"Ahh... I suppose we can agree to disagree," Remo said as he gently grabbed Giana's hand and kissed the top of it. With that Giana simply giggled.
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Conference Room, Palazzo Quirinale, 9th of November, 1639, 11:55 AM
The sounds of cameras shuttering and clicking were prominent in the grandeur conference room of the Quirinal Palace. As aides of both the prime minister and president stood to the side, they awaited their superiors to enter the room to sign a historic bill into law. The bill that would allow Italy to intervene into the Rodenius War.
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The doors opened and immediately the sounds of cameras intensified as Roberto was the first to enter followed by Giovanni. In the centre focus of the room was a desk with a pen and chair and to the side was a podium that the two politicians would use.
Robert then huffed. He then approached the table and sat down as Giovanni looked down to him who had a relieved look. The president simply smiled to him. The cameras focused on the two deeply. Giovanni sets the file in front of Roberto as the president eyed it.
He grabbed his pen, scanned the contents, and with a stroke of his hand, he signed his name onto it. He capped the pen and with that he revealed the page to the media. There it was, clear and simple, the president's signature.
Italy was now at war.
Roberto then handed the document aside to a nearby aide and with that two others approached to take away the chair and desk. Once Roberto stood up, he did just that before two others brought in the podium.
Giovanni then stepped up into the podium and as he cleared his throat, he faced the cameras.
"Good afternoon to all of you. On this day, the 9th of November, Italy has once more found its path in its crossroads. We have went through many hurdles and bumps during our transfer, but today, Italy will step up in its image and responsibilities. South of our nation, an authoritarian kingdom with dark fascist doctrines have launched a war against the peaceful country of Qua-Toyne."
He then took a deep breath, "As you may have seen online and on the television, refugees have started to reach Italy by the hundreds. Italy, despite its crisis, has stepped up to assist these people, people that left their homes and livelihoods to escape the barbaric practices of the aggressive Lourian Kingdom. Today, with approval of the two Houses of Parliament and our President, the Republic of Italy is hereby granted the power to intervene in this terrible war through a rescue and pacification operation. "
Giovanni then adjusted his hold on the podium, "My message to the refugees, soon you will see your homes and greet the loved ones you painfully left behind. And my message to the people of Italy, please go on with your usual business. My government will make sure that life in Italy will not be disrupted due to this operation and we will ensure that any and all deployed soldiers will come home safely. That is my promise to you all. Thank you."
Suddenly the room interrupted into a million questions. Giovanni took a deep breath as he closed his eyes and started to answer them the best he can.
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Ministry of Defence, Rome
Deep in the Ministry of Defence in Italy, Silvio Moretti walked down the halls with Giovanni as the ministry was the busiest it's ever been. After Italy's careful observation of the Lourian Kingdom, there was no doubt they were the cause and aggressor of the Rodenius War. And with that, to ensure Italy's own stability and relations with the breadbasket nation of Qua-Toyne, they officially declared a pacification operation against Louria.
They reached a conference room filled to the brim with generals and high ranking officials. Silvio directed Giovanni onto a chair as the room quieted down. On the screen was Italy's war plan against Louria.
With that Silvio stood in front by a laptop, "Good morning to you all. As you know today is a historic day for not just the Italian Armed Forces but for Italy as whole. Today, Italy will be the sole nation to be in this war. Even with the remaining NATO assets in our country, we will be alone in this. With that, we have devised a war plan against Louria with the assistance of Qua-Toynian generals."
Silvio then pressed on the laptop, "We designate it as War Plan Sicilia, and it will be separated into five operations against Louria," he said as he then looked to the projected image on screen. "We want casualties in the minimal. Right now parliament and the people of Italy only see it as a simple military operation and not a full on war. With that, we must keep collateral damage small yet have our attacks be efficient."
He then pressed the keyboard again, "Prime minister, it is in my understanding that as quickly as possible, we push the Lourians out, and nothing more. Aside from that, we must arrest the leader of the kingdom. King Hark Louria the 34th as I understand, lives in the capital of Jin-Hark. With this in mind, we have a number of five operations for this military intervention."
Giovanni simply nodded. With that, Silvio spoke further, "I will explain briefly and simply for you, prime minister. First we have Operation Aosta. This involves air strikes against military targets in Louria as well as taking down their wyvern corps which is their equivalent of an air force. This is to cut off back up and resources from the current soldiers stationed in west Qua-Toyne."
He then continued, "Next is Operation Bologna. With the refugees in mind, the Italian Navy will strike first against the Lourian Navy to make sure they cannot attack any more refugee ships leaving for Italy."
"Next is Operation Catanzaro. With resources cut off due to the air strike, a joint coalition of Italian and Qua-Toynian forces will commence a push out of troops out of the capital and the recapture of the major town of Gim. With that, Lourian soldiers would be forced out of Qua-Toyne territory."
He tapped the keyboard again, "Next is Operation Donori. With Lourian's armed forces defanged and severely damaged, an army will then march to the capital of Jin-Hark to encircle the city while the Italian Navy will make sure no ships can leave its docks. This is to contain and capture our number one target, King Hark. No king, no leader, and as such, Louria would sue for peace."
"And then finally, Operation Enego. We do not want a repeat of the Libyan intervention and as such we must make sure to learn from our mistakes. We stabilise Louria, rebuild Qua-Toyne and from there, we give them the infrastructure needed to export their crops to Italy. I was also made aware that a nation south called Quila could have oil so with that we will assist the companies necessarily to build oil wells there."
The room murmured amongst themselves but Silvio quieted them down, "Today is a historic day, gentlemen. Italy is at war. Let's not let the people down."
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Third Foreign Affairs Building, Esthirant, 8:47 AM
The quiet morning was music to Kaios's ears. Mostly because Remille wasn't there to belittle him. But still as he sat in his office, the man was enjoying the luxuries given to him by Italy. Classical music played on the radio as his laptop displayed the necessary documents he was slowly typing. A cup of coffee was on his desk as Kaios sat back and relaxed in his seat. Truly the height of luxury right now.
Suddenly Raita barged in. Kaios nearly dropped his cup as he looked up now in annoyance, "Raita by the gods you nearly scared me to death!" He said as he wiped a coffee stain that dropped onto his coat.
"I-I'm sorry director! But you have to read this!" Raita said in a panic. She then showed off an Italian newspaper specially translated to the common tongue. She then placed it down onto the desk as Kaios took it.
Kaios scanned the headline and then its contents. His eyebrows furrowed at first before it rose up the more he read the article. Suddenly he dropped the newspaper, "Italy at war with Louria? How could this be!?"
Raita fumbled with her hands as she gulped, "I-I heard that they intervened on the behalf of Qua-Toyne. And apparently there was a speech from the prime minister that denounced Louria's expansionist ideals..." she looked up nervously. "What does that mean for us?"
Kaios rubbed his cheek as he leaned against his seat and sighed, dismayed, "We supplied Louria with all those weapons, wyverns, and ships. Oh gods... that was expensive too," he said before he looked up to Raita. "Maybe I should talk to Catalano? I mean... we don't even consider Louria as an ally, more of a chicken we're fattening up for our own serving."
Raita fumbled with her hands again, "Did you even tell them about Louria before?"
"No, I didn't. I told mister Catalano when they first got here not to bother with Rodenius for being barbaric... I'll have a discussion with him this afternoon," Kaios said as he tossed the newspaper to the side.
"Very well, director," Raita said before she bowed and walked off.
Once the woman left the office, Kaios rubbed his mouth at the newspaper. This was worrisome. It seemed like this could be the first point of disagreement between Italy and Parpaldia.