[Capital of Brezil, Brasília — Alvorada Palace]
News of the Legion’s attack immediately reached the president. President Borges called on the National Security Council to consider his options. Although the Brezilian army’s equipment was outdated, they still had the strongest land, naval, and air forces in South Gamerica. If the Gamerican army joined them, they’d be able to repel Joker easily.
Borges went through the Gamerican ambassador to request that troops be sent. He also sent word to Argentine, the southernmost South Gamerican country, asking for help. He then had to plan delaying tactics. The Gamericans weren’t currently thinking of anything but the presidential election. In the event they did not dispatch troops, Brezil had to find a way to stop Joker’s offense and create an opportunity to retaliate.
“Joker’s Legion is already closing in on Boa Vista. Assuming they’ll keep moving down the BR-174... We should set up the defensive line here,” the Chief of the General Staff said, pointing at a map.
Everyone agreed. Brezil was blessed with natural defenses. If someone tried to attack from the north, the go-to strategy was to make use of these natural defenses to set up a line of defense.
“We’ll set up the defense line around Manaus, in the State of Amazonas. The whole state will act as a defensive zone. Have land, air, and naval forces collaborate. Make sure to stop Joker there, no matter what.”
The enormous Amazon jungle lay in the west, and the vast State of Amazonas was in the south. The State of Amazonas was so ridiculously large that not only land and air forces but also the navy could be deployed in that single state. However, Manaus was an economically influential city in which foreign businesses were continually investing. Evacuating the population as fast as possible was crucial.
“One month,” the president continued. “In one month, Manaus will enter the rainy season. We don’t know how much of an impact the rain will have on the monsters, but Joker himself is still human. The heavy rains of the Amazon should have some impact on him.”
“Mr. President, what should we tell the citizens?”
In spite of their current issues, Brezil was still part of BRICS. The country was also home to plenty of journalists. President Borges would have liked to control the information flow and limit coverage, but this method was likely to have an adverse effect since anyone was able to run their mouth on social media.
“Contact every TV channel and media company immediately. We’ll be calling an emergency press conference.”
If there was no way to hide the news, it was better to act fast and announce everything as early as possible in order to limit the chaos. He also had to devise countermeasures to avoid riots, panic buying, and price gouging. The wealthy would most likely flee when they heard a war was starting, going abroad in their private jets, but regular citizens did not have this option. If the country wasn’t able to protect them, many would end up losing their lives.
“We’ll declare a state of emergency and put martial law into effect in major cities, like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. We also need to make sure there are minimal logistic issues. I won’t forgive anyone who tries to use the situation for their own ends.”
The president uttered orders in quick succession as his aides went to isolate themselves in another room to draft speeches. Most ministers reached for their cellphones in the last few minutes of calm they had, contacting their families and urging them to leave the country.
“O Lord, please bless our country’s future...” President Borges prayed, cross in hand.
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[State of Roraima — State Capital, Boa Vista]
Many sounds filled the city—crying children, gunshots, soldiers screaming in Portuguese. They would not bow down to the oppressor, they said.
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Name: Translation Jelly
Rarity: Rare
Description: After eating this jelly, the user will be able to understand any language for 72 hours. The Translation Jelly is not konjac-based.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You guys eat it too. First, we need to secure gas and food supplies. Pay with Gamerican dollars, but make sure to exchange some for Brazilian reals, just to be safe. Oh, and feel free to kill armed soldiers, but don’t you dare touch schools or hospitals,” said Joker.
“Boss,” one of his underlings reported. “We’re going to need some more time to fully disarm their army up north. I also need to notify you that the first group in charge of surplus goods transportation departed.”
The Venisuelan economy was on the path to recovery, but the country still suffered from a shortage of goods. The lack of toilet paper, for instance, was especially severe. Joker’s men had bought the piles of toilet paper that were lined up in Boa Vista’s supermarkets and shipped them out to Venisuela immediately.
The Legion’s ultimate goal was to put half of the planet under its direct control. They had no intention to forcefully requisition goods in a place like Boa Vista. After all, the citizens of Boa Vista would eventually become part of the Legion’s empire as well.
“Word of our attack must have reached the central government by now. The president will likely call a press conference and use the mass media to blame us. Our side needs to upload a video as well. Show the state of the city. As for the title, it shall be...”
A name that will ring a bell not only in Brezil but also in the whole of South Gamerica...
Joker thought about what words could represent the Legion’s true nature and suddenly brightened, dancing happily where he stood.
“Let’s pay our respects to the great Simón Bolívar and go with ‘Libertadores!’ Hya ha ha!!!” He burst out laughing at the name he had come up with.
South Gamerica had managed to gain independence from European rule thanks to a group of revolutionists called the Libertadores, or Liberators. A man who had nothing in common with the revolutionaries of old was proclaiming himself the successor of these great men everyone in South Gamerica knew about. This time, his enemies weren’t only European nations but the whole world.
There was only one reason Joker hadn’t been attacked from all sides yet. No one knew how many monsters he had under his control and how strong they were.
“We’ll make Brezil fall as fast as possible.”