Scandal in Natharctica
Protest Quelled in a Labyrinth of Diplomatic Intrigue

On March 1, 2001, after being informed that reparations payments in the form of A90,000K were to be taken from the Natharctican treasury as a result of the War of 2K1, the head of state of Natharctica renounced El-Hussaqi protectorship in protest. Later that very day, the Confederate conference in El-Hussaq wrapped up with the issuance of a press release.

Within the document were plans to send troops into Natharctica in order to secure El-Hussaqi dominance in the power. However, before action was taken, Marcusburg urged that a diplomatic course of action be taken before force be used. President Aladdin of El-Hussaq agreed and began drafting an incentive plan in order to lure Natharctica back into being his protectorate.

In the meantime, the Nexus took note of the situation and sent the Gorditan ambassador to Natharctica in order to speak with its head of state. In the Riksholm Treaty, by which the War of 2K1 was settled, the Nexus had wanted war reparations from the Confederacy in order to rectify their aggression. However, Natharctica did not directly partake in the war and many within the Nexus felt it incorrect to receive reparations from that nation.

When news of the meeting became public, the Ethnarch of Rattanjeetland saw it as Nexus meddling in Confederate affairs. The President of Samchorage, wary of growing Nexus influence, fully supported the El-Hussaqi invasion of Natharctica. An emergency Marcusburg envoy met with the President at the Samokritzg on March 2nd.

In El-Hussaq, President Aladdin decided to take swift action. Along with the Ethnarch, both supported an immediate Confederate invasion of Natharctica. On March 5, the Ethnarch also instructed the Rattanjeetland ambassador to convey a message to the Prime Chancellor of Marcusburg. Rattanjeetland demanded that Marcusburg refrain from intervention or suffer consequences.

The Prime Chancellor agreed but as a gesture of support for Natharctica and its cause, the Marcusburg ambassador was recalled from Rattanjeetland and the Rattanjeetland ambassador was sent home on a first-class flight. In addition, Marcusburg refused to trade with Rattanjeetland by imposing an economic embargo. Lindsholm, Pauldelphia, and Gorditas quickly followed suit to support their ally.

When the Ethnarch consulted the President of Samchorage concerning joint Confederate action supporting El-Hussaq, the President refused the request and voted against the motion. The Ethnarch joined the Samchoragean decision and the motion was defeated.

At 7:30 PM on March 5, 2001, without support from the outside world, the unilateral El-Hussaqi invasion of Natharctica began. With the Ring of Fire still burning and no air capability, El-Hussaqi conscripts simply drove through the flames and suffered numerous casualties. However, once across to the other side, they met a hastily prepared but larger Natharctican conscript force.

The battle-hardened El-Hussaqi conscripts met a surprisingly intense group of defenders whose sheer size overwhelmed the El-Hussaqi conscripts, some of whom suffered from third-degree burns. El-Hussaq continued to pour in conscripts but suffered severe casualties from the Ring of Fire, which stubbornly would not go out despite best efforts. It continues to burn currently. Eventually sheer numbers overwhelmed Natharctican conscripts and Natharctica was defeated.