HUNGER

The people are starving. There is not enough food to go around. The hunters have all been drafted. The Regin greenhouses don't produce enough — Despite the expansion, they don't produce enough. The people around me—around all of us—are thinning.

A friend of mine's family is dead. Their child, well-meaning and hungry, foraged for them a mushroom. The mother, well-meaning and hungry, inspected it and found no sign of poison. My friend chose to let them eat it in their stead, a seemingly noble sacrifice.

The mother, well-meaning and hungry, was wrong.

I think this friend of mine is starving themself, now. I don't blame them.

AFTER

The Society tells me this: The Nomad says that things will not return to the way they were. The Nomad says that a turn will come, and everything will change. The Crows advise everybody to learn their values. Learn yourselves well.

DRAFT

A draft has finally been organized. Not surprising. I am safe, because the steel industry is still needed. But it's dangerous. The State Union is still on our coasts, and the recent attack... We will lose people. The coast is burning.

STRIKE ON DONAT

I hate to write it, but I almost support the bombing. The Society gave me a full, uncensored transcript of the recent summit, and some of the things Vilenka said... foul. Donat is not a friend to Nordgis.

Almost. I won't side with Hirasin.

MILITARY STATUS

The navy took a big hit, and we've been regrouping since then. If there's anybody from outside, don't take that as an "all clear," though. The army is still on high alert, especially since then, and we are legitimately regrouping. The navy is still tens of thousands strong, concerning crew, and we had at least 54 ships in our own reserve. Shipbuilders are still working hard. We are not a soft target.

I hear rumors of something happening in Begroun. Apparently there were some tensions, and Hirasin was prepared to send troops. Never happened, as far as I know. Maybe someone else covered it.

We don't hear much, the workers. What little I hear is from a few contacts in the military, and their telling me this is very dangerous for them. They could be put to death, as far as I know. I thank them.

HIRASIN'S STATUS

The propaganda machine is running hot. Newsreels on the television, newspapers on the streets. One has a very motivational speech from Darhav regarding the naval hit: "The government is real, by the way. I've been part of both of them, and we are GOVERNING. Much harder than we were before. Also, Sibir Koran has a little dick, and he can kiss my ass." I'm unsure what this is about, since we don't get any media from the State Union, but it's probably something they said. Who knows. Whatever.

Considering everything: It's... not as bad now. At least the murders have slowed down. At least there's some consistency. People fight less, now. I guess it all helped reframe our perspectives on everything.

It's still wrong. This isn't peace. This is fear.

If anybody inside is left reading this, don't let the stories be taken from us. Keep the stories alive. They are our heart.

They're sent to die. I watch as they are loaded onto ships, and everyone knows they will die.

Hirasin doesn't care. She watches from her ivory tower and smiles.

There's rumors that she and Darhav are fucking. The talkers don't die, so maybe it's true. Who gives a shit*.

*Note: Interpreted idiom, lit. "Someone's selling slag".

ENFORCER DARHAV AND SECURITY REINFORCEMENT

The president has put Darhav in charge of enforcement of her regime, somehow. Even though Darhav was previously a Sigantrovosir. I don’t know. Nothing makes sense anymore.

The army trusts Darhav, though, and will follow them into the frozen sea wearing boots if they ask. Darhav is cracking down on Gisganesirn, and Hirasin is cracking down on her opposers. We don’t know where they go. Sometimes I hear gunshots.

Safety in the steel mills has gone to shit. Hirasin doesn’t care about it, or us. There’s a "survival of the fittest" attitude here, and I’ve watched a lot of people die for it. Really, I’m just lucky.

I’m afraid. We all are. This is getting dangerous for me. Hirasin has had other publications like this one burned, and the writers...

She’s made her own publications, now, actually. Taken over NSF [Nordgis News Network] for herself. It’s all lies and distractions. All of it. Don’t trust it for a moment.

I’m not using my own PC anymore. It was confiscated for "research". I reset it first. If you’re reading this abroad, thank the Crow Society. I hope to the stars that they remain safe.

INTERNAL EVENTS

The old government’s going on a trip to Willsbourg. I don’t think they’re coming back.

This won’t be a proper newspaper anymore. Half because the news is dead, half because I can’t write like that. The Silver Times is gone. Headquarters is shut down, the press is dead. I’m using a vintage, mechanical press now for in-country readers. The rest of you... If Hirasin cuts the internet, I don’t know.

Speaking of the internet, Rais’s public computers have been removed. Probably other cities’, too. The movers claimed that Hirasin needed them for something. I don’t believe it.

Hirasin wants to keep us in the dark. Don’t let her. We are people of stories. Telling them is deep in our tradition. Don’t let her take that away.

A WORD to VAU’SENA

On March 26, thousands died in a coordinated terrorist attack in Vau’sena.

I don’t need to make this announcement. We all saw the television and heard the radio.

It just feels wrong not to mention it.

I wish Vau’senaan readers peace as they recover. May they come to justice.

The Situation

The editors are gone. Left for a better job, probably, since this doesn't pay well enough anymore. It's basically only me left.

Hirasin is manipulating the economy, overtaxing things like news and books to reduce demand. Those taxes go to the military. They're happy to serve her, apparently.

I put these out in small amounts now, for free with some donations from individuals and some organizations. The press is still functional, and if anything bad really happens, there are some vintage ones left.

For foreigners, the internet. I, unusually, have a PC, and it seems Hirasin has overlooked them.

She handles risk carefully. Military presence in big cities has increased. She seems to be strongarming the rest of the government somehow... The Council has yet to overturn anything.

My name is Kiri Engsangesir. Peace and safety be with you all in this cold time.

BREAKING NEWS

This article skips the editors. This needs to get out NOW. Nothing like this has happened in 200 years, probably.

President Sadiv is stepping down.

Hirasin is now the president. Her... Her first order of business... She abolishes wealth redistribution.

I'm going to need a new job.

HIRASIN'S BROADCASTS

Councilwoman Hirasin, representative of Gadburg, has begun making television broadcasts, shown in many public spaces. These broadcasts are not on any particular subject, so it is unclear why she is doing this; some speculate that it is to strengthen her platform for reelection. However, the next election is in two years, so this would be strange. Regardless, many people enjoy these broadcasts. Sotar Sirvdogsir of Mejasi remarks, "I like hearing her. We don't often hear from the government, so this is good." Viewers have described these broadcasts as strange, but somehow pleasant.

POLITICS IN THE NEW YEAR

The year 2053 is here, and as always it is time to inspect the political status of the country at large! Opposition of the Gisganesirn is still the status quo, and they remain a constant threat to our well-being. Some of our international readers have asked us what the stance on gay rights is here, and we don't know how to answer that question. It's the same as it's been for the last 3000 years. The President has received backlash for an apparent apathy regarding the Gisganesirn. Remarkably, the continuation of Korlanic alliance has received very little pushback despite recent statements by President Ikaroa Storinka.

CELEBRATING QUSO IMAMA

Footballer Quso Imama, from Nordne Karnumgisn, plays football very, very well. He’s currently Ulina’s current number one footballer. Quso plays for the islands, saying, “I hope my football can improve Karnumgisn. The islands have been neglected for a long time. Football strengthens me, so I hope it can strengthen Karnugisn.”

Quso’s training is apparently better than the other players’. The islands are warm, and Quso practices in Ogar. This may explain Quso’s superior training.

FIRE AT FOOTBALL PARTY

A fire was set at a football party in Voritas. A cry of “Islanders are false Nordsirn” was made, and the fire was set. The arsonist has not yet been found. There may have been Gisganesir involvement.

IN MEMORY OF NGATA

In memory of former President of Korlan, Kauri Ngata, President Sadiv has made a brief speech.

"Kauri Ngata was a great man, and his loss is a tragedy for all of Ulina. Korlan has been a good ally and a good friend to our nation, and we intend to remember that friendship. Ngata's love for his country will be kept in our memory. We will keep Korlan close in these trying times, and continue offering their citizens any aid that they need."

The current Korlan administration is disapproved of by most Nordne citizens. However, they do still appear supportive of Sadiv's announcement, as it was well-recieved publicly. Many citizens are flying Korlan's communist-era flag in Ngata's memory.

GISGANESIR RESURGENCE

The Gisganesirn, who were briefly more quiet than usual, have been making a resurgence in recent times. The Gisganesir emblem has been found in several locations. Especially significant is their apparent targeting of native Nordsirn who are harboring immigrants whose homes were previously burned by the Gisganesirn.