[i]War is the continuation of policy...[/i]

The Air Marshal shifted papers over his desk without a word, barely glancing at the reports. Income statements, army audits, intelligence profiles, all crossed his wide steel desk daily. The tall rectangular window behind him reached from floor to ceiling. The tiny lead square panes criss-crossed tiny black lines over his hands as he worked. A knock at the reinforced double doors opposite his desk. 

"Come," the Lord Air Marshal beckoned. 

A man in starched Air Force greys entered carrying a brown folio under his arm. The Marshal saluted without enthusiasm. "My thanks Tek, you may leave it and go." The secretary turned quickly on his heels without a word and left. The Marshal shoved papers to the side and emptied the pouch's contents onto the desk. A few dozen cream colored letters fell onto the desk. A medium-sized leather bound journal landed with a [i]clunk[/i]. 

The Marshal sighed and unclasped the lock on the journal. On the inside cover a name and date had been written in felt tip pen, long since bleeding into the paper. 

[i]Field Journal of Marcos Vendikos, January-1708, northern Gurska[/i]

Marcos turned the page of his old journal, and traced the first few lines with his finger.

[i]Weather-dreary. Rain incessant. The damned air force is grounded for the day. All glory to the artillery. I wonder how Jol is faring in Idvas? Never a desk job for me I swear it.[/i]

The old warrior smirked and turned a few more pages. Another line: [i]War is the continuation of policy....by other means.[/i]

Vendikos snapped the journal shut and turned to look out the window. The Air Force had begun the daily fanfare, a fly-by of the top forces stationed around Idvas, the capital of The Iron Federation of Gurska. Fixed-balloon airships in groups of three and four, with the clawed-wing of Gurska emblazoned on the side drifted over the city. Uncountable numbers of much faster bi-wing aircraft buzzed the larger blimps, turning circles and emitting colored streams of smoke, black and yellow, and red for the nations colors. 

The fanfare would begin until noon, when the Infantry would begin their own display of colors, a march from the out-city barracks, around the city and through the southern gate, (the most heavily defended); a reenactment of what had occurred some ten years ago, when Vendikos' forces blasted through the last holdout of the Confederacy. The morale boost for the population would, at least get them up for work in the morning. 

[center][b]State News[/b][/center]

[i]Workers in Palomas have increased the quarterly output of Iron 300%. The raw material will be shipped to the Gesk Industrial Yards. Minister Gesk has awarded several mining contractors the medal of Valiant Labor[/i]

[i]The Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Zerki has reported completion of it's training for the season. The Regiment, commanded by Captain Tol Brek reports efficiency ratings of 98%. "Our soldiers are the finest in the world and their aim is impeccable," said the Captain. The Anti-Aircraft detachment protects important agricultural investments in and around the city.[/i]