Jack of Harts

When Pineland’s military left Attica, they left billions in dons worth of military equipment behind for the Attican defenders to use. The Islamic Congress of Attica captured all of those weapons, making them the best-armed terrorist organization on the planet overnight. And they were in control of a nation filled with foreign aid workers, contractors, and other citizens of Pineland or their allies. Not to mention the Atticans who had worked with Pineland for twenty years. The Islamic Congress immediately began going door-to-door, looking for foreigners or those who worked with them. Stories of beatings and executions filtered out through contacts on the outside even before they conquered the capital. Centralia and other nations were quick to condemn Pineland’s administration for leaving their people in such a dangerous situation.

The Islamic Congress of Attica quickly began conquering Attican territory and releasing terrorists from prison after Pineland troops withdrew. This was a violation of the withdrawal terms, but the new administration took no notice. The defending Atticans lacked air support and pay, so one garrison after another surrendered or retreated rather than face the advancing terrorists. The Islamic Congress offered to allow Pineland to continue holding the capital until the new deadline, but the Pineland administration declined the offer. The administration instead called up the Attican government and told them to lie about how well they were holding the line against the terrorists. They then took the opportunity to go on vacation, set their away messages to next week, and enjoyed the weekend away from the public. The Islamic Congress did not miss the opportunity to roll in and take over.

The new administration had different ideas on how to conduct foreign policies. They brought in the far more professional class of diplomats who had overseen the Ellisian overthrow and the Kalarian withdrawal in the past. They rescinded the Ariana sanctions and helped that economy recover. They pursued more friendly relations with neighboring Atlantica by opening the border to free travel again. They helped Krasnovia build a new oil pipeline, and allowed Acadia full access to Pineland markets again. They changed domestic and foreign policies across the board, and allies and foes alike celebrated the return of a less bombastic Pineland. The world had changed again, and they were certain it was for the better.