Order had been restored in the streets of Galbadia.

As Lord General Naraka surveyed the crowd that had gathered below the gates of the Presidential Residence, he could not help but be impressed with the efficiency the military had shown in ending so quickly the turmoil caused by Dollet's invasion and Caraway's death. Of course, there was still a great deal of unrest, but the streets were safe to walk on. The crowd had gathered peacefully, and so far the ever-present soldiers had not been needed.

Even so, he could sense the tension in the crowd. A mob, he knew, was dangerous enough when it had nothing to fear. Now, with a government in turmoil and enemies perceived to be around every corner, all they needed was an excuse to become a mass of angry rioters beyond even the military's control. Even his own actions in the destruction of Timber had given fuel to the anti-government branch. What was required now was a calming influence, to convince the masses that their universe is not about to collapse around them, or at least that someone else is going to shoulder the burden.

He took a breath. First, he had to solidify his own position. Galbadia needed a strong leader, one who could demonstrate that the country was not about to descend into political chaos. He would also have to unify the people behind him, so that he would have the political clout to make that image truth. He already had broad powers under the Galbadian constitution, but politicians were always at their most cooperative when their own careers would be at risk should they refuse.

Finally, he had to send a message to the rest of the world, that Galbadia was not to be reckoned with. If foreign leaders would recognize this, then the people would see the might of Galbadia through the foreigners' eyes, and they would believe it.

My fellow Galbadians, he began, looking out across the crowd as the microphone picked up on his voice and amplified it all through the otherwise silent square. This has been without doubt a time of great controversy. The damage wrought by the dictatorship of Sorceress Edea followed by the disastrous policies of Lord Marshall Caraway have led to unprecedented results. Invasion. War. Destruction. The streets of this great city have been stained with blood. My friends, this is not acceptable.

He paused. He did not enjoy painting Caraway as the man who had ruined Galbadia, however it was necessary to overcome public resistance to the burning of Timber, as well as the perceived failure to protect Galbadia from Dollet's attack. Caraway's memory, therefore, must suffer for the good of Galbadia. For all his faults, Caraway had been a patriot, and Naraka was sure he would understand.

Galbadia is still a young nation, and it seems we must still prove to the world that we are a strong nation, one that will be made to be no one's fool. We must prove not only our unity as a nation, but our prowess as a force in this world.

Towards that end, troops have already been sent to Dollet, to ensure that such a shameful act of terrorism as we have recently witnessed will never again come to pass. I intend to show that any attempt to destroy the Galbadian way of life will be met with the deadliest force.

Yet our authority is not a tyrannical one, nor is it an exercise of dictatorship. The assault on Timber, in response to only an isolated band of terrorists, was completely unacceptable. Therefore, we shall without hesitation, dispatch supplies and equipment to aid in the immediate reconstruction of this territory. This administration will treat all its citizens, no matter where they be, with equal respect and dignity.

He allowed an edge to slip into his voice, which gradually raised until he was nearly shouting into the microphone. My friends, it is my vision that we may see, in the very near future, a Galbadia that has truly realized its potential as a great nation, one that need not exercise control through fear, nor be subject to the whims of whatever foreign force seeks enjoyment in toying with the lives of our people. As lifelong president of Galbadia, this is my pledge to you: that I will ensure not only the survival of this Republic, but its prosperity, and its dignity. I will not only see that Galbadian member provinces continue to stretch across the continent, but that it is so through the will of our citizens. We will be a union founded not in fear, but in pride. This is my goal. And I promise you, that Galbadia will persevere! He lowered his voice, looking with grim determination across the crowd. No matter the cost.