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★ The Armed Republic of Qasardastan ★
| Qasardastan (Qasardastan) is a small, young state in the north of Actaea, known for its unfriendly inhabitants, the highest crime rate in the region, a complete absence of laws, and the harsh suppression of all of the population's political freedoms. In form of government, Qasardastan is a dictatorship, loosely resembling a corporatocracy. To this day the sole ruler of the state has been Qazard the Great, governing the country from his palace-fortress known as the "Temple" in the republic's capital. Other characteristic features of the state are its inhospitable climate and landscape, the total absence of prisons, major highways, and airports, which makes reaching the state extremely difficult. At the same time, in the sectors owned by the large Qasardastani corporations, industry, information technology, and infrastructure are actively developing. It is for this reason that most of Qasardastan consists of utterly abandoned, waste-polluted wastelands, while only in a few zones, more or less fit for habitation, do human settlements exist, even as the wealthiest residents of the country erect luxurious palaces for themselves along the northern and northeastern coasts of the gulf. Social inequality has reached its highest level, environmental pollution is breaking every conceivable and inconceivable record, yet the population (despite a low average life expectancy) continues to grow, private industry is developing, and active trade is underway with the corporation Rex Ventorum, which occupies the eastern part of the continent.
|  The terrorist organization "Phoenix" Northern Wastes, 50 years ago |
History
The Founding of Qasardastan
Qasardastan was founded about forty-five years ago by a man who subsequently called himself nothing other than Qazard the Great, on the site of the then-sparse northern wastelands, which fell within the territory of the once-notorious terrorist religious group known as "Phoenix."
All the followers — or, better said, fanatics — of this cult had no desire to overthrow any authority that displeased them in Actaea, made no attempt to openly fight governments, and chose no opponents for themselves; they simply did whatever they pleased, wherever and whenever they wished. The "Phoenixes," as the members of this gang called themselves, seized small villages, slaughtering the entire population simply for their own pleasure, attacked even small towns, and robbed and murdered completely innocent people.
The adherents of the religion believed that every person had the right to act as he saw fit, that laws (as well as rights) were a senseless and unnecessary restriction on freedom. And, though it may seem surprising, the ranks of the organization were rapidly swelled by ever more new members.
Among the known historical events of that time involving the "Phoenixes," one may recall the Catalandos Massacre in the town of Catalandos on the southeastern shores of the continent, in which the number of victims was, by the most conservative figures, about 13,800 people. Even more remarkable is the Sarayan Operation, carried out by government troops of a now-vanished state against aggression by the militants: a base of one of the group's units was discovered and attacked, and although the militants were ultimately destroyed and the organization suffered crushing losses, their opponents lost 1,790 infantrymen in that bloodbath, not counting a large quantity of military hardware, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and even combat helicopters.
Over time the terrorist group grew so large (15–50 thousand people) that it was simply no longer possible to remain in the shadows any longer. Gathering all the forces they had at the time, the militants headed for the sparsely populated northern wastelands of Actaea, where they had numerous sympathizers who supported their ideology, and there they soon established their own rule. Further developments remain unknown right up until Qazard the Great declared the creation of Qasardastan and announced that the "Phoenixes" no longer existed.
Of course, this whole story may seem rather implausible; it is not known for certain how Qazard managed to unite and reconcile the local residents and the militants, and to come to terms with his external neighbors, but for the next four decades the young state remained in relative safety, isolated from the rest of the world.
—And from the ashes of the old phoenix a new country shall rise, and the perfect world shall blaze bright, where everyone will be able to obtain all that he desires, all that he is worthy of, and all that he can take.
Qazard the Great[/B]
In the years that followed, right up to the present day, Qasardastan developed relatively calmly, and there was no real threat of war as such. Everything turned out exactly as Qazard had foreseen: the strongest gained power, the weakest became their slaves. And if social inequality in the society did not greatly trouble the dictator, any attempt to resist his own authority was suppressed in the most brutal fashion. Qazard was the sole ruler of these lands, and no one else had the right to lay claim to his place.
Those who wished to do so appeared a little later, when industrialization came knocking even at the gloomy northern wastelands of Qasardastan. The heads of the criminal groups, locked in endless feuds with one another, decided to retrain as entrepreneurs and businessmen. To do so, they urgently needed to launch a market economy, begin issuing their own currency, and start trading with the outside world. The dictator was categorically opposed to this.
Twenty-five years ago, in what is now the abandoned suburb of Hramia, the first major armed clash took place between Qazard's troops and the leaders of the gangs who had resisted his usurping power. According to eyewitnesses, corpses covered the streets in an even layer that fateful night, and the death toll had already reached many thousands, when the dictator was finally forced to make concessions.
It is from that moment on that the large-scale exploitation of deposits, the felling of the few forests, and environmental pollution begin; Qasardastan starts trading cheap raw materials with the outside world, receiving in return the means to develop its own economy. And as soon as the state began to grow rich, it became obvious that sooner or later its neighbors would turn their gaze upon its lands.
Our Time
The majority of present-day Qasardastan's territory is hopelessly polluted and serves as a dumping ground for countless industrial wastes; the inhabited regions in the north can only be reached by air or by sea, whose waters have long since turned dark, dirty colors. At present, the lands of the state are divided into four relatively developed regions, where about 85% of the country's total population lives. Each district is controlled by a large monopoly, holding complete power over a particular industrial sector of the market. The most developed region, with the highest average standard of living, is the Hramian Region, where the capital of the state and the residence of Qazard the Great are located.
Qazard the Great
Qazard the Great (Qazard the Great) is the only ruler (dictator) in the entire existence of Qasardastan, holding limitless power over the state, as well as one of the most numerous and heavily armed personal security services on the entire continent.
Childhood and Youth
| Most information concerning Qazard's personality and, in particular, his early years has practically not been preserved, and what remains is extremely difficult to verify for authenticity. For this reason, all of the information just below will not be supported by any (irrefutable) facts and evidence, so it should be treated with skepticism. According to some sources, the dictator's real name is Konstantin; he is about sixty-eight years old and hails from a small colonial state, now evidently absorbed by others and no longer existing. The childhood and youth of the future dictator passed calmly and steadily right up to the moment when his native border town was wiped off the face of the earth by a massive bombing raid during one of the bloody armed conflicts. Most of the residents, including Kostya's parents, were buried under the rubble, but the twelve-year-old boy miraculously managed to escape their unenviable fate. In another instance, the dictator's name appears in history already as one of the commanders of the terrorist organization "Phoenix," having mastered all types of firearms and even cold weapons to perfection, an excellent marksman and a born killer. Konstantin evidently enjoyed great authority both among the rank-and-file members of the group and |  Konstantin, the Catalandos Massacre |
One of the participants in the Catalandos Massacre. The organizer of numerous terrorist acts throughout Actaea, despite his rather young age. One of the few survivors of the Sarayan Operation. The murderer of Ivan Friedsheld, owner of what was at the time the largest industrial corporation, "Colvonium inc."
The Fall of "Phoenix"
About forty-six years ago, large armed formations of "Phoenix" declare the northern territories of Actaea to be their new lands. From here they plan to conduct their operations all over the world and even expand their own borders.
—Konstantin was the only one who disagreed with this proposal. He believed... that it would be the beginning of the end for the organization... He proposed creating a country... apart from the rest of the world... he had been planning it all for a long time... terrorism has no future. He called us terrorists, do you understand?
—Of course, the leadership of "Phoenix" back then simply laughed him to scorn. I myself saw him leaving the command tent, distressed and serious... They told him... to rest and sleep it off. The next morning, all the leaders of our brotherhood failed to wake up.
Reymar Hart, former member of the terrorist organization "Phoenix," three days before his death
The decision taken by Konstantin provokes an ambiguous reaction from his subordinates. Most of the local residents and about half of the militants agree with the leader, whereas the rest are indignant and express vehement outrage, claiming that he is betraying the brotherhood's ideals. Unable to resist the larger group of the dictator's supporters, the opponents are forced to leave the lands of Qasardastan, promising brutal revenge.
A week later, the first assassination attempt is made on Qazard — one of fourteen he is destined to survive. The criminals who were expelled or voluntarily left the lands of Qasardastan continue to commit their atrocities, but far less often and on a smaller scale, until the last armed group, consisting of 213 people, is cornered in a mountain pass in the east of the continent and completely destroyed by government troops of the local state. From that point on, Konstantin's name vanishes from the pages of history forever, just as does the organization called "Phoenix."
Appearance and Character
| Since Qazard the Great is extremely rarely anywhere outside his own palace in Hramia, and even when he makes short trips he is usually surrounded by a huge number of bodyguards, the accounts of eyewitnesses who have had the honor of paying the dictator a visit differ considerably regarding his appearance. The ruler of Qasardastan is no longer young; he has a somewhat elongated, pale, wrinkled face, a small deep scar on his right cheek just below the nose, eyebrows that are almost entirely absent, an average, straight nose, cold dull-blue eyes, and thin lips. His hair is sparse, noticeably gray at the temples. He is tall, broad-shouldered, with an athletic build, though with age a noticeable stoop has appeared (he may have serious problems with his back), and he limps slightly when walking. He gives the impression of an extremely hot-tempered, harsh, haughty, and self-assured man; in reality he is rather cautious, cunning, and intelligent. With age, his behavior is often subject to frequent and sharp mood swings, which at times prove quite difficult to control. He possesses a certain charisma and an iron will, and is practically impossible to manipulate. He likely possesses some exceptional skills in psychology. |  Qazard the Great An approximate sketch (ca. two years ago) |
Government Structure
Qasardastan is an Armed Republic whose form of government is a dictatorship, at an intermediate stage toward corporatocracy. All legislative and judicial power is concentrated in the hands of one man, while in reality there exist in the country no generally accepted official laws, nor courts, prisons, or enforcement bodies. A citizen of Qasardastan is anyone residing on its territory; yet upon crossing the border, a person immediately loses all of his rights and freedoms and bears sole responsibility for his further fate and his own safety.
In the country, all types of drugs, banned substances, and preparations are permitted, and weapons are freely available for carrying and use. The gambling entertainment industry is legal and actively developing. No elections to the government are held.
As a consequence of all the above, the particularly large criminal groups that formed over the course of Qasardastan's existence have virtually unlimited power and opportunities in the country.[/FONT]
Qasardastan
Flag
Basic information: Full name: The Armed Republic of Qasardastan (The Armed Republic of Qasardastan) Continent: Actaea (Actaea) Founded: ca. 45 years ago Official language: International (Actaea), Local dialect (Qasardastanian) Type of state: Armed Republic Form of government: Dictatorship (Benevolent Dictatorship) → Corporatocracy Ruler: Qazard the Great (Qazard the Great) |
Additional information: Area: ca. 361,197 zard² (maritime border — ca. 15.4% of total) Population: 85 — 115 million Qasardastanians ↑ Capital: Hramia (residence of Qazard the Great: Temple) State religion: None Currency: Qasard [QZ] Motto: "The more anarchy, the better!" National animal: Phoenix (Phoenix)[/FONT] |
Politics: Neighboring territories: The Colony of Rex Ventorum, The Dominion of Kittypink, The Free Land of Tarpaulin Fields, The Colony of Aghar, The Free Land of Champignons (5) International relations:
Authoritarianism: very low ↑ Defensive strength: above average ↑ Government Size: average ↓ Ideological Radicality: high ↓ Influence: below average ↑ Law and order: very low ↓ Political Apathy: very high ↓ Public goods: low ↓[/FONT] |
Economy:  Gross Domestic Product: 7,569,000,000,000.00 — 9,505,000,000,000.00 QZ ↑ Average income: 73,275 — 85,090 QZ ↑ Poorest: 1,848 — 2,206 QZ ↓ Richest: 640,425 — 690,115 QZ ↑ Industry: Private (85.4 — 90.1% ↑) ; Government (14.6 — 9.9% ↓) Expenditure: 774,000,000,000.00 — 849,000,000,000.00 QZ (Defense + Industry > 60% total) Leading industry: Gambling (Gambling) Government economic efficiency: 90% (international financial rating GEE ↑) Trade Net: 7,469,516,288.00 — 10,941,418,304.00 QZ (2) Value of the national currency: 1.09 ↑ Overall economy rating: Prosperous (2) Business Subsidization: above average ↑ Corruption: high ↑ Employment: very high ↑ Income Equality: very low ↓ Overall industrial development: average ↑ (international OID rating) Most Pro-Market: very high ↑ Scientific and technological progress: below average ↑ Agriculture: low ↑ Manufacturing: average ↑ Taxation efficiency: very low ↓ Income gap: very high ↑ Social security: low ↓[/FONT] |
Inhabitants:  Mortality: high ↑ Most common causes of death: Heart Disease, Cancer, Exposure, Murder Civil rights: Excellent Compassion: very low ↓ Culture: low ↓ Godlessness: very high Happiness: average ↑ Health: very low ↓ Human Development Index: below average ↑ Intelligence: average ↓ Life expectancy: very low ↓ Niceness: low ↓ Nudity: above average ↑ Obesity: very high ↑ Pacifism: low ↓ Primitiveness: below average ↓ Recreational Drug Use: very high ↑ Rudeness: high ↓ Social Conservatism: below average ↑ Stupidity: above average ↑ Unexpected Death Rate: high ↑ Youth Rebelliousness: very high ↑ Weaponization: very high ↑[/FONT] |
Additional information:  Environmental care: low ↓ Environmental Beauty: very low ↓ Safety: very low ↓ Crime rate: very high ↑ Pollution: very high ↑ Weather: very low ↓ Internet domain: .qzd Airline: none International airports: none ISO code: QS IOC code: QSD Telephone code: +218[/FONT] |
The internal structure of Qasardastan allows the country to be provisionally divided into several sectors that differ significantly from one another.The largest region — the Outer — is the vast area stretching along the state's borders (highlighted in blue on the map). About 3–5% of the country's population lives in these waste-polluted wastelands. These places are barren and virtually uninhabited, and any full-fledged life there is impossible.
Next comes the Inner Region, highlighted in light blue on the map. These are the sites of large-scale exploitation of various deposits, rare minerals, raw material extraction, and fuel production. About 10–15% of Qasardastanians toil here day and night in inhuman conditions. This area is less polluted than the previous one, but nonetheless prolonged time spent in it brings about most unpleasant consequences for the human body.
Finally, the Central Region, stretching along the entire northern coast of Qasardastan and provisionally divided into four regions relatively independent of one another, each controlled by a separate giant corporation. About 85% of all the state's inhabitants live in the slums here, while the richest part of society amuses itself in huge palaces and mansions in the largest cities of these sectors. The ecology here does not differ much from the rest of the country's districts, but at least it is relatively fit for life. The most developed and well-protected region is the Hramian Region, where the capital of Qasardastan is located, as well as the fortress from which Qazard the Great rules the country.
Trade and contact with the outside world are, as a rule, carried out by sea, which is also quite heavily poisoned by chemicals; infrastructure is relatively developed only in the Central Region, and highways and railways exist only there and in the Inner Region; airports are found only in a few cities of the Center.
Corporations
Over the course of its short existence, Qasardastan has become firmly divided into four warring camps: three large, established gangs of criminals who have established their power in several regions, and the region under the control of Qazard the Great. The militants, however, did not dare to openly oppose the might of the latter and, for a time, preferred to feud among themselves, but about two years ago an alliance was concluded among the heads of their groups.
The Triple Alliance included the cessation of all current hostilities, a redistribution of spheres of influence, and a clear division of all sectors of the industrial market among the corporations, as well as mutual support in the event of economic difficulties and the joint resolution of any disagreements and other issues. Thus, in terms of power, the united regions nearly equaled the Hramian Region, which significantly heightened the current political situation within the country.
 Loyalty and Liberty (L&L inc.) Region: Nordarmand Region (north of the gulf) Population: ca. 10,000,000 inhabitants Capital: Nyelondo Leader: Deshen-Chen (41 years old) Specialization: information technology, insurance, retail, food trade, small business, book printing. The most ruthless and smallest of all the associations, L&L is actively developing the fields of technology and strives, come what may, to keep pace with progress. The main opponent of the Hramian Region and the initiator of the alliance with the other corporations, Deshen-Chen — whose father was killed during the Industrial Revolution — is ready to do anything to achieve his goals.[/FONT] |  the Brotherhood of the Wrath (BoW) Region: Mendatal Region (middle of the gulf) Population: ca. 25,000,000 inhabitants Capital: Dusikvar Leader: Bon Bargen (58 years old) Specialization: drugs, liquor, gambling, entertainment. The Brotherhood of Wrath, as it is called by the inhabitants of this, the largest region, live in large families and are always ready to come to each other's aid in the event of a threat from outside. It is through these lands that perhaps the largest volume of drugs in all of Actaea passes; here begins the long road from trading in liquor to the sale of slaves. The most unsafe region in Qasardastan.[/FONT] |  Mitasacker inc. Region: Sakhan Region (south shore of the gulf) Population: ca. 15,000,000 inhabitants Capital: Galeindolf Leader: Thomas Stammer (36 years old) Specialization: automotive industry, mining industry, timber extraction, furniture. The sphere of influence of the Stammer family is small in size, but it is actively engaged in the exploitation of mineral deposits and the felling of forests. The youngest region, but at the same time the fastest-developing one, Mitasacker inc. brings more than half of the qasards into Qasardastan's treasury each year.[/FONT] | Hramia (Qasardastan) Region: Hramian Region Population: ca. 35,000,000 inhabitants Capital: Hramia Leader: Qazard the Great Specialization: Military industry, arms industry. It is no surprise that the overwhelming majority of the country's population lives close to the residence of Qazard the Great in the state's capital — Hramia. The dictator acted very prudently in establishing sole control over the arms industry, while in parallel creating military hardware of various types. This guarantees him and the region's inhabitants protection from possible aggression by other corporations or from external attack. The region with the most powerful defensive system — the bulk of the anti-aircraft, missile, and naval security systems are concentrated right here.[/FONT] |
Foreign Policy
For more than thirty years, Qasardastan remained a state relatively isolated from the outside world, maintaining neutrality toward the other states. But times were changing, the situation in the country was unstable, and Qazard the Great was no longer as stubborn and insistent as before. After the Industrial Revolution it became obvious that the country would begin trading with the rest of the world, thereby making for itself both friends and enemies.
At this time, the dictator was forced to find himself an assistant, who became Richard Lazen Hedge, a native of a poor family in the Inner Region. Thanks largely to his attempts to manipulate Qazard's actions, the country managed to find itself a powerful ally and patron — the colony of Rex Ventorum, located to the east of Qasardastan. This decision proved mutually beneficial: the free-trade zone significantly boosted the state's economy, and the military alliance served as protection against aggression from neighbors such as Kittypinkia.
The weak become food for the strong — such is the law of nature and the foundation of the ideology of the Rex Ventorum corporation. Hector Pride was undoubtedly a strong man: he achieved the position of leader of RVAF at thirty-seven and has remained in that post for the last 4 years. His success is especially underscored by the fact that he was born into a poor family. Toward his parents, while they were still alive, he treated them with contempt, just as he did toward all people who lacked ambition.
"Amory Draco, a useless fat man," he said with disdain in his voice, finishing his reading of the report on the latest combat operation. He clearly disliked this man, and the problem of obesity in the country displeased him even more. "Once again I had to clean up after him. Well, at least this event made the regional community fall silent... at least for a while."
An outside listener might have thought that Hector had the bad habit of talking to himself, but that was not quite the case; a young woman in military uniform was standing behind him and massaging the commander's shoulders, silently listening to his musings. Her name was Laetitia, she was twenty-six, and what she did best was killing other people. Hector had found her eleven years ago among a group of discarded children (those whose parents were in debt to the corporation but had no way to pay it off). She would undoubtedly have had to do the very dirtiest work imaginable, had it not been for her salvation in the person of Hector. The thirty-year-old officer bought the girl and raised her as he saw fit. Now she was his right hand, his best soldier, his daughter, his bodyguard, his mistress, and even his personal masseuse.
For the next forty minutes Hector conferred remotely with the other leaders of the corporation. The talk was of the next round of negotiations, and this time the leadership decided to leave Amory Draco at home and send Hector instead, since he was the more suitable person for a conversation with the leader of the state chosen for the negotiations. "Laetitia, prepare the plane. We are flying to Qasardastan."
"Your Highness!" Richard Lazen Hedge — who for six years now has been the permanent assistant and chief advisor to Qazard the Great — flew into the comfortable, solid office like a bullet. Over that time, better than anyone else, he had learned to sense the dictator's moods and anticipate his decisions. At the same time, Richard was the mainstay of the Qasardastan corporations, the man whom their owners — among the richest people in the region — could trust. Maneuvering to his own advantage between the aging ruler and the monopolies seizing ever more power, the forty-year-old assistant knew perfectly well just how fateful the news he was about to bring to Qazard would be.
To any inexperienced observer, the dictator's quarters on the seventy-seventh floor of the high-rise structure known as the Temple might have seemed insufficiently secure. But in reality, in this place the walls were covered with multilayered cladding of ultra-strong metal, and the armored glass could withstand a hit from a rifle shell. As always, Qazard the Great sat in a comfortable leather chair, legs crossed, reading something. Unlike most of the local residents, the dictator never smoked, drank, or took drugs.
"Your Highness!" Richard feigned exhaustion on his face, as if out of breath from a long run. "I have just been informed that people from Ventorum are on their way to a business meeting with you."
"Really?" came Qazard's pensive voice as he continued to read. Evidently the dictator was in an elevated mood today, which happened to him infrequently. "We do have guests from time to time. And what do they want?"
"I cannot say for certain." The assistant hesitated, wiping drops of sweat from his forehead. "But, I think, it will become clear very shortly."
"Well, let them fly, then. See to it that the safety of their airspace is guaranteed. I am even curious what they need from me in person, heh-heh."
"It will be done." Richard breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything turned out even simpler than he had supposed, and he did not even have to persuade Qazard. All that remained was to warn everyone else, in order to avoid possible problems. Since the semi-abandoned airport on the outskirts of the city was not the best place to receive guests, as usual the landing pad right on the grounds of the Temple was planned to be used for this purpose.
After receiving approval and instructions from Qasardastan, the Rex Ventorum transport headed straight for the Temple, where it landed. Along with Laetitia, three more people arrived together with Hector — two special forces soldiers and, in fact, the pilot. This trio stayed to guard the plane, while the head of RVAF and his assistant went to the negotiations (having first surrendered their weapons, if such was the requirement). Hector was a rather tall and sturdily built man; gray was showing in his blue-black hair, his eyes were the color of a winter sky, his nose straight and long, his face level with a firm chin. The young woman accompanying him was also tall and possessed a trained body, as befits a soldier. The only thing unusual for a person of her profession was, perhaps, her beautiful, neat face and long, golden hair gathered into a ponytail (in the army of Rex Ventorum it is customary to shave all soldiers bald, both men and women). Hector awaits an audience with the ruler, following the instructions of the local representatives of power.
After a successful landing, the guests were met by Richard Lazen Hedge himself, accompanied by a squad of ten armed militants. Five of them stayed with the special forces soldiers from Ventorum, the rest followed with the group into the Temple. Hector might notice that inside the gigantic structure there were far more guards than outside. The building itself was not so remarkable for its height — fortunately, in Ventorum one could find skyscrapers far taller — as for its shape, which resembled something like a regular quadrangular pyramid.
"How was your flight, gentlemen?" Richard inquired politely, beaming a dazzling friendly smile. "Allow me to introduce myself — Richard Lazen Hedge, chief advisor to His Highness Qazard the Great."
The dictator's assistant was rather tall, thin, and stooped, which made the expensive suit look somewhat ridiculous on him. One could also note a thin, elongated oval face, short-cropped dark hair, and small brown eyes hidden behind spectacle lenses.
Meanwhile, the procession came up to the elevator.
"Please surrender your weapons, if you have any, gentlemen," Richard asked politely. "Do not think anything bad of it, but the safety of the ruler is above all else."
After passing through the inspection procedure and a ride on the high-speed elevator, the group stopped at a metal door leading to office number seventy-seven. Here the armed guards did not follow Hector and Laetitia, and soon, in Richard's company, they found themselves in Qazard's quarters. Opposite the chair occupied by the dictator stood a small sofa and a couple of comfortable chairs.
"Make yourselves comfortable and feel at home." The dictator reluctantly tore himself away from his reading. "Though I am not particularly fond of receiving guests," he added.
Of weapons, Hector had only a pistol; Laetitia had to surrender somewhat more: an automatic rifle, a similar pistol, several grenades, as well as a pair of combat knives.
Upon meeting the ruler of Qasardastan, Hector Pride slightly inclined his head in a sign of respect, after which he immediately got down to business.
— Honorable ruler of these lands, the board of directors of Rex Ventorum is concerned about the situation in the region and is therefore seeking allies to create a powerful political and military alliance capable of repelling the lunatics and socialist-fascists who surround us. — Having finished this phrase, Hector handed Qazard the Great the document he had until then been holding in his hands. On the title page one could see a large number of signatures written in various hands, and it was precisely the signatures of all the persons directing the corporation, together with the electronic seals, that attested to the authenticity of the document. The basis of the treaty consisted of clauses on non-aggression, mutual defense, open borders, visa-free travel, free trade, and the like. — I am authorized to speak on behalf of the corporation, and so I can hear counter-proposals and introduce amendments to the treaty. Upon the signing of this document, we will be able to move on to the discussion of more global or, conversely, local issues, should any arise.
Qazard the Great ran his eyes over the document, then handed it to Richard, who set about a detailed study of the treaty. Having finished with this, he nodded to the dictator.
"I understand..." Qazard began. "Difficult times have come, and Qasardastan can no longer stand aside as it did before. My strength has diminished somewhat, I have gone soft altogether. And so one inevitably begins to think about the future of one's people. In my youth I imagined Qasardastan somewhat differently, but that was an ideal..." — the dictator fell to thinking. — "An unattainable ideal. In you," — Qazard turned to Hector, — "I see a strong and strong-willed man who has achieved everything on his own. Am I right, am I not? Yes, of course I am right. Well, Hector, it is on people like us that any state rests. And I am glad to see that such people still exist. Rex Ventorum may count on the support of Qasardastan," — after a brief pause the dictator concluded with a sigh, — "but I cannot give you any guarantees that this treaty will continue to operate in the event of a more favorable situation arising in the region. What is it that needs to be signed?"
After the conclusion of the treaty, Hector nodded with satisfaction. — "Magnificent; this document will serve as a splendid foundation for the formation of our alliance. As a gesture of goodwill, our organization is prepared to offer you assistance in the supply of armaments and the improvement of your technological level: Rex Ventorum possesses the most powerful military industry and is also the regional leader in scientific and technological development. Now, regarding our further plans — do you see anyone among our neighbors who could become a potential ally?"
"Well, I am glad that we were able to come to an agreement on such favorable terms and in so short a time," the dictator remarked. "I do not like to drag out negotiations. As for your question, you had better put it to Richard." — Qazard cast a glance at his assistant.
"Yes-yes, of course." The advisor, who until then had been wiping his spectacle lenses with a handkerchief, which was promptly tucked away into the inner pocket of his jacket, grew flustered. "As for the neighbors, esteemed Hector, you should probably consider, perhaps, The Theocracy of Shaylion, as the only more or less suitable state sharing a border with Rex Ventorum. They are currently experiencing a serious economic crisis and might be interested in financial aid from outside. The only question is whether you should take such a burden upon yourself... Or, for instance, The Sultanate of Ahasan, which is beginning to rise confidently from its knees. I do not know what moods currently prevail in that country, but a large share of private industry may indicate that you could find common ground, probably. Or, on the contrary, you could not."
"And as for the countries in the immediate vicinity of Qasardastan's borders," the carried-away advisor continued, "here it is difficult for me to advise anything; the situation, to put it bluntly, is very unfavorable." — Richard sighed sadly. — "However, I think that in Ventorum they are much better informed about this sort of question, yes."
"Truth be told, we already had plans regarding that theocracy; their geographical position leaves them no options for maneuver on the political stage and at the same time offers its own benefits for both sides. We shall also try to establish contact with Ahasan. As for Qasardastan's neighbors... The Free Republic of Champignons does not inspire confidence; the leaders of that state are either devoid of reason or are utterly incompetent. Conflicts on ideological grounds may arise with the Free Lands and Aghar, and our relations with Kittypink have always been tense... Perhaps we should reconsider that point. Be that as it may, my task here is done and I must be on my way; thank you for the reception, stay in touch."
"Thank you for the honor shown!" the assistant beamed in a friendly smile.
"I hope that our cooperation with Ventorum will be fruitful and mutually beneficial. Richard, be so kind as to escort the guests to their plane and return the confiscated items," Qazard ordered his advisor.
From the Historical Archives
Internal Security
Since in Qasardastan, as such, no laws exist at all, this readily explains the off-the-charts crime rate in the country and the huge percentage of murders of the total number of deaths. However, in the state there are in fact essentially no criminals, gangsters, black markets, and the like, since all of that is absolutely normal and commonplace. It is impossible to call anything "illegal" in a country where these very laws simply do not exist.At present, Qasardastan leads the list of the most unsafe countries and of the countries with the highest number of criminals and crimes committed, far outstripping the competitors who follow it (according to the rating of the international independent analytical agency MURD). Nevertheless, the heads of the Qasardastan corporations, including the leader of the state Qazard the Great, can boast some of the most numerous security services, if they may be so called. According to unreliable sources, the very militants comprising the inner level of protection of the Temple alone may number around 800 people, and that is only by the most modest estimates.
Qasardastan essentially has no regular armed forces or army at all, but it is no secret to anyone just how devoted the inhabitants of this country really are to the ideals of the world in which they live. It is very difficult to overcome a state the greater part of which consists of a dump of radioactive waste, and whose citizens have handled weapons better than an elite special forces soldier from a young age.
Thanks to the recently concluded alliance with Rex Ventorum, Qasardastan's military might for the defense of its own borders has increased significantly. New types of weapons have been updated and purchased, and the arms industry has gone uphill. All of these measures have been undertaken for the complete protection of the state's capital and the small adjacent territories from any type and magnitude of attack, including the use of weapons of mass destruction among them. Qazard the Great spares no expense in the execution of this plan, under conditions of strained relations with unfriendly neighbors and his own internal competitors.[/FONT]
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