Patriotic Bretonians!

[Dieter Schprokets]

The bar was rowdy. Most Bretonian bars were like that.

A large screen in the corner showed a football match. The Arsenal was winning.

The screen faded to black. The Bretonian flag was then shown flying in the wind, the ancient Union Jack, unchanged for centuries, and light years.

"We interrupt this program to bring you a public service announcement from the Minister of Defense."

The room went quiet. Public Service Announcements in times of peace were annoyances, interrupting the football.

In times of war, such announcements were greeted solemnly. They often meant a battle had happened, and win or lose, friends, family or neighbours could be dead.

The portly sight of James Ralston showed on the screen, and he began in earnest.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Bretonia, I have wonderful news!"

The room was still solemn. "Wonderful news" often meant a battle won, which was only a bit better than one lost, usually. The Kusari were not pushovers.

"Our War Bond program has exceeded expectations! More than one hundred million credits have been raised in a few short days."

"This is enough to equip a squadron of Templars! Some money will also be used to research new, better weapons, to help our gallant men and women in the field."

Some nodded in the bar. Rumours abounded about new, deadly, greatly anticipated upgrades to the old mainstay, the Advanced Splitter.

"Also, the Bowex Corporation has shown their patriotism by offering to donate a percentage of their revenues to the War Effort."

"These are great strides, citizens and fellow subjects of Carina. Bretonia Prevails!"

The screen played a portion of the national anthem "God Save the Crown", and the visage of the tired, hard-working Bretonian woman, shown amongst the flak shells that presumably, she was responsible for making in a dingy factory; they really needed a more uplifting picture for that.

If You Can't Enlist, Invest!

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