The Revolutionary - Prologue

“Events in the provincial nation of Arydania took a surprising and unexpected turn on Thursday, when the left wing revolutionary army attacked a number of urban centres, before moving on to attack the capital itself, Sarkhozi, yesterday.”

The correspondent stood beside the ruins of a collapsed building, holding a microphone up to her face. Behind her, a group of soldiers lounged outside a gaudily decorated café, watching the correspondent and cameraman with lazy interest.

“In a synchronised assault, a small force of revolutionaries was dropped by helicopter on the King’s palace and the television broadcasting house, whilst the main revolutionary army attacked from the east, all but destroying the combined Police and Royal Arydanian Army defence forces. Those who remained loyal to the King surrendered after his execution was broadcast on national television.

“During the attack on the capital, the joint leader of the revolutionary army, General Pavel, and his staff were killed in an airstrike on their base of command. The leader of the helicopter assault and General Pavel’s joint commander, Andro Plenkaric, is due to make an announcement later this evening.

“Meanwhile, the cost of the war on the younger generation is already starting to tell. The main contingent of the revolutionary army was made up of recently recruited young men and women, products of the baby boom following Arydania’s independence nineteen years ago.”

The reporter paused in her diatribe, and the camera moved to focus on a pair of young revolutionaries beside the café, staring back at the camera with tired and vacant eyes.

“Now, back to the studio.”