Many remained at large, though, engaging in hit-and-run wwarfare with the Deimans, though no additional fires were started--- all of the ones from that day still existed.

    Verona had no comprehensive fire brigade. All of the fires from the battles earlier were still burning strong. The Governor's Quarters, especially, were in severe danger.

Meloy: We have to get out of here.

Brideau: To where? Dukeson could escape.

Meloy: To Deimos. To the Queen. This man is responsible for the deaths of, as the report is, 144 people. I say we let the Court of Judge Levitico decide his fate.

Dukeson: L-Levitico!? I... I'll be put to death!

Meloy: Exactly.

Dukeson: You... you can't do this! I outrank you! I command our General Assembly! I craft the Foreign Policy!

Brideau: And look what it's brought us. War. Under you we've had four wars. Four. FOUR.

Dukeson: And we've expanded the empire threefold!

Meloy: At what cost, though? Thousands of innocent lives, from both sides. Not even enemies--- innocent countries.

Brideau: A... a war criminal. That's what you are. I'm comfortable calling you a term coined 300 years from now.

Dukeson: You... you two. You can't do this. I forbid it. So, you're the Queen's friend. You're still a heretic. An idealistic nitwit. If it were up to me... why, you would of been dead years ago. That shriveled up old bag of a Queen has no power left. None. She's a figure we entertain. You kill me... you kill Deimos. You kill your precious little town here.

Meloy: I'd say you've accomplished that already, sir. Look around. Just breathe it in--- oh wait. YOU CAN'T. The air is thick with the smoke of the innoce

Brideau: Now get up before we all burn.

    And, just as the three left, a gun-powder stock set fire.

    Chapter 3-ii: Homeward Bound

    The three hurried towards the sea, when a surge of Lyran guerillas almost instantaneously spawned before them. They, of course, were after Dukeson. Aided by the remaining Deiman troops, they were able to make it to an undamaged ship of the Royal Fleet.

Meloy: Daylight! I was getting sick of smoke!

    The ship set out for the motherland of Deimos, all anxious for the trial of Dukeson.

   Chapter 3-iii: Retrospect

    That night, without their Governor, the people emerged from their hiding. The Lyrans had retreated, and the Deimans had stationed themselves in the western mountains. The fires had all subsided, and the townsfolk were free to survey the damage.

    The Primary Commercial Plaza was the site of most of the battling, as evident by the level of property damage present.

    The recently established Medical Centre had been near-obliterated.

    Most of the newly-built rowhouses had been destroyed in the initial surge.

    The government offices along Elizabeth Place were mostly in ruins.

    Although its perimetre had been mostly destroyed, the grounds of the militia were mostly spared--- including the bronze statue of Queen Alexandra.

    Most shocking to the people, though, was the utter devastation the Governor's Quarters--- the finest architecture of the entire colony--- had faced.

Chapter 3-iv: The Trial of Count Dukeson pt. 1

 

    Meanwhile, as day broke in Deimos, Count Dukeson and his captors of Carter Meloy and Morticia Brideau, had arrived in port and were immediately sent to the Queen's daily assembly in the Capitol.

Man in Blue: All shall bow before the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra I.

Alexandra: Carter... it's been too long. For years, nothing but memorandums and doctrines.

Meloy: A face-to-face meeting can be refreshing, no?

Alexandra: Quite refreshing. We are glad to see you again. Now, please--- we would like to get down to business.

Meloy: Indeed. Morticia?

Brideau: Yes. Ahem. Your Majesty? Are you familiar with an "Operation Trojan," certified by Count Dukeson?

Alexandra: Yea.

Brideau: "Operation Trojan" had just recently ended with the ne'er complete annihilation of the settlement of Verona. Although most of the Lyran Navy, the operation's primary target, had been either killed or impressed, their General had escaped unharmed, aided by the Lyran Elite--- "Trojan's" secondary and teritiary targets--- to the King of Lyra, most likely revealing the existence of thec land around Verona...

Meloy: ...thus compromising our monopoly over the New Continent. As well as "Operation Trojan's" failure, the siege had caused an estimated §11,780 in damage to the colony's infrastructure---

Brideau: ---not to mention the countless claims that will be filed by the settlers with mainland insurers. Our economy simply cannot handle such a risky operation.

Meloy: 144 people were killed in all of the chaos, excluding the soldiers of Deimos. We wish to charge Count Dukeson with 144 counts of murder, 230 counts of malicious property destruction and 12 counts of Royal Insubordination.

Alexandra: And a trial you shall get. We will hand the trial over to Judge Levitico. The court-date is set for next Saturday.

Meloy: Thank you, your Majesty. Come, Morticia--- I've a townhouse not too far from here.

    Dukeson was put into holding as his captors left for Meloy's townhouse.

END CHAPTER 3

 

 

 

Chapter 4-i: The Trial of Count Dukeson pt. 2

    That night, in the townhouse, Carter and Morticia thought of the trial to come.

Meloy: I wonder...

Brideau: Wonder what?

Meloy: What they would do to him. I mean, he DOES lead the General Assembly. He's a key figure.

Brideau: ...well... nevermind.

    That weekend, the two went to Dukeson's trial at the Royal Courthouse in Amster.

    The judge, Levitico, was one known throughout the country for his stern personality and harsh sentencing. The evidence in the case against the Count was overwhelming. Many across the country figured a hanging was the bare minimum of his sentence. Others felt torture would be in order. The verdict, however, shocked even the Queen.

Levitico: Count.

Dukeson: ...

Levitico: The evidence against you is trememdous. How you could be so careless and insubordinate is astounding. Yourm plan was poorly miscalculated. By my law, because of all you are responsible for, you should be put to death.

Dukeson: ...

Levitico: H

owever.

Alexandra, Meloy, Brideau & Dukeson: !?

Levitico: You are an asset to the throne. Your policies are a necessity in our war with Lyra. To exterminate you would put the entire country's fate at risk. For this... you are to be exiled to Avery Island for 20 years, still with political power, though all doctrines are to be subjected to editing. Guards! Take him away.

    The judge banged his gavel.

Meloy: WHAT!? HE... HE... THIS...

Alexandra: But he is right.

Brideau: ...

    Dukeson was sent to the Grand Cathedral, where he was prepped for shipment to Avery Island.

Chapter 4-ii: Avery Island

    Avery Colony, informally known as Avery Island, is the name of a small island-colony near the Altair Territory of Verona. It is a rocky island with steep cliffs and dense forests, surrounded by water of a strong current. It was designated to be a penal colony, under a program instituted by Dukeson himself. It gets its name from the architect of the island's concrete-mortar prison and tower.

    As of late, it is the informal center for immigration and registration of those fleeing nations Lyra is at war with.

    The island's prison is said to be completely impregnable. With walls covered in 3 feet of limestone brick and five 2-foot-thick sheets of cast-iron-supported concrete, it is the most structurally sound building known to SimKind.

    The prison houses convicts, murderers, dissenters and exiles.

 

    The island's initial purpose was to be a place of religious gatherings. A massive cathedral was to be built, commisioned by Warren Avery. During the first part of construction, a massive mosque-like tower, Dukeson had rezoned the island for a prison. Seeing as Avery and his crew were still there, the cathedral plans were abandoned and the prison was built.

 

    Shortly after Lyra had declared war on a nation called Merle (now part of Lyra), an influx of immigrants to Deimos had occured. Avery Island was to be the center in which Merlen refugees were to be registered. The abandoned cathedral tower acts as a beacon for immigrant ships to follow.

Chapter 4-iii: The Detroit Project

   It was sunny, though Carter was depressed. He was sure Dukeson was to be put to death, or be sentenced to life in prison. He and the Queen discussed the matter along the River Thyme.

Meloy: This is horrible.

Alexandra: Come now. Any war decisions he makes will be reviewed by a council. We had suggested it.

Meloy: Yeah, but what about when he gets out? I mean...

Alexandra: We understand. You have more to worry about, though. Your city, nay, your nation, needs you! They must rebuild! They must expand! You must help them!

Meloy: Nation. Heh.

Alexandra: Yes. As of today, Verona is merley a dependent of Deimos! Feel free to govern yourselves! Just report back to us. You're a teenager now. Explore! Experiment!

Meloy: That's mighty fine of you, but... the resources and space...

Alexandra: Come. We've much to discuss. Off to the more seedier side of town.

    The two had ventured to the Rose district of apartments and townhouses.

The Queen walked up to a ne'er abandoned looking segment and knocked on the door. Upon its opening, she instructed Carter to follow.

Meloly: Is this place for secret business?

Alexandra: No. I just find palaces and the ornate to be nauseating in excess.

Meloy: Ah, yes, well...

Alexandra: Carter, your nation is quite large. I want you to know that. Just yesterday did the latest commision of explorers return with their complete map.

Meloy: Really?

Alexandra: Yes. And with your nation is great promise. So much land... fertile, rugged, flat, beautiful... many territories, named already, of course.

Meloy: And...?

Alexandra: Carter, I want you to have this nation for us. For Deimos. Lyra caught on. They've a fort, New Lyra, just over the mountains your city is sheltered by.

Meloy: You want me to make sure all of Verona goes to us.

Alexandra: Exactly. I want you to have this map. You and Morticia. You will go to Verona with a portion of our army and hundred of simoleons in building materials. With you I will send one of my most trusted aides, Jon Windsor.

Meloy: For what?

Alexandra: For a new colony. Expand, Carter. I suggest you go to the province named after Windsor. Much is to be expected of it.

    The Queen handed Meloy a rolled up scroll of pink, containing a map of all Verona.

(This region is massive. I totaled some 80 large-sized lots on this map.)

    Meloy accepted all the queen had said, and was off. He went to go find Brideau, so he may explain their new mission in their new world.

Chapter 4-iv: Detroit

    After a few days at sea and messages to Verona, Carter, Morticia and Jon had set off to the river-blessed region of Windsor to establish a colony to be named Detroit. While at sea, they noticed a blockade of ships and heavy smoke from the area of New Lyra.

    When they arrived, they surveyed the land. A broad river. Rather flat. Sparse trees and good soil. Perfect.

END CHAPTER 4