January 4, S.1204
Kadar Square, Jurai City, Jurai Special Economic Zone, Empire of Erebonia…
As Actzehn tanks of the Sixth Armored Division rolled through the capital, the citizenry cheering ecstatically, while the Imperial Army soldiers waved back enthusiastically. After the Liberation of Heimdallr, the Imperial Army, having already seized a large swath of eastern Lamare, was able to open a land corridor to Jurai and relieve the Siege of Jurai.
Despite the activities of the Imperial Liberation Front's infamous Azure Chevalier, the majority of the Jurai's population remained supportive of the Imperial Government during the Imperial Civil War. Thus, for the past two months, Jurai had been besieged by both Jaegers and the armies of the Noble Alliance, which had effectively cut off all land routes into the city. Thankfully, the city remained resupplied by sea (due to the Imperial Government's naval superiority), and occasionally by air, while the Eleventh Armored Division, along with contingents from the Imperial Navy and Imperial Marine Corps, defended the city from enemy attacks. However, even this had not been entirely untouched by war- a number of Jurai and Erebonian transports to the beleaguered territory had been lost to harassment attacks by Alliance privateers or airship attacks.
Granted, this position was not shared by a small minority of Jurai citizens. Inspired by the Azure Chevalier, a small group of Jurai nationalists calling themselves the Sons of Jurai did emerge during this time, mostly committing acts of sabotage, rare ambushes on Imperial forces, and painting anti-Imperial graffiti. There was an attempt, sponsored by the Noble Alliance, to declare a "Jurai National Government" in exile in Lamare, but which garnered little support. Morale among the Sons of Jurai had further dried up after Crow's apparent death during the Battle of Heimdallr several days ago, and the group virtually disbanded.
Perched on a rooftop overlooking Kadar Square was just one disgruntled nationalist, a young man by the name of Jon Karys. "Damn it…!" He clenched his teeth as he watched the hated Imperial Army be showered in praise. By comparison, for all their effort and struggles, the "Sons of Jurai" had been labeled as "terrorists", "bandits", and "criminals" in city news and bulletins. "First Crow dying… and now Rakas is calling quits…"
He watched as General Fischer formally greeted Jurai's Lord Mayor Rita Harris, and the two of them made their way toward the City Hall, and briefly considered attacking them. But he knew, he wouldn't be able to so much as touch a hair on their heads before he was shot down, killed or captured.
The Imperials had one, like it or not, and a futile last act of defiance wasn't going to do anything. He thought back to an old friend of his, who hadn't seen eye-to-eye with him or Crow, and who had been on a trip to Heimdallr when the war suddenly broke out.
"Huh," He grunted. "Maybe I should take a page from their book, go on a trip of self-discovery, like Crow, or Stark. Maybe I'll get stronger and even find some way to strike back."