Menzan Massacre of the Naltin

The Menzan Massacre of the Naltin refers to the culminating triumph of the Menzan People's Party. Prior to that party's takeover the state of Menza, the Naltin served as Menza's unicameral legislature.

Events Prior to the Massacre

Although initially a small party of demagogues, the People's Party gained a foothold in the Naltin following the weakening of the Menzan currency in the mid-1940s SD. By 1946 it ranked as the third largest party with 24% of all seats in the assembly. Accordingly, it had the ability to leverage its support - necessary to create the 65% super-majority needed for a successful coalition government - to gain power over key government ministries. Most crucial as the 1950s began was its growing hold over the Pontak, the country's internal defense ministry.

The "Outsider" Crisis and Election of 1950

At the beginning of 1950, it seemed that, with relative prosperity returning to Menza, the influence of the People's Party was destined to wane. However, the attack on the Supreme Judicial Body of Menza in the early spring swung events in the other direction. Akosh Smed, People's Party Leader and Pontak Minister in the coalition government, claimed that his ministry had discovered a vast terrorist network of "Outsiders hostile to our Nation" behind the attack. He further claimed that certain members of the non-coalition parties in the Naltin (possessing some 34% of the seats) were perhaps involved. This raised a furor in the Naltin, as minority parties undid each other to deny their involvement and - to prove their bona fides - insist on harsh punishments for the guilty.

In this environment, Smed guided his party through the elections of that summer, all but stating that future attacks were certain unless the People's Party platform was followed. As the Naltin had been prorogued for the election season, a caretaker government remained in power. Smed urged the government to take specific measures to protect against attacks during the election season, such as the curtailing of non-authorized assembling and the curtailing of speech rights for those perceived "hostile" to "the dignity of Menza." Naturally, no caretaker government would make such drastic legal changes during its tenure.

A day before the election, Smed made a dramatic claim: his Pontak intelligence stated a "Outsider-contrived" attack was imminent. To be sure, the Menza Games were attacked by remote-activated explosives during the final event later that day, killing 300 spectators and athletes. Chaos reigned in the following day's balloting, but the final tally was clear: the People's Party and its former coalition partners had combined for 75% of the seats in the Naltin, with the People's Party itself holding 46%.

The Speech

Now the head of Government, Smed addressed the Naltin on the Fourth Day of Trimes, 1950 (the following text represents the consensus translation from the Menzanu):

"It has occurred to me, O venerable Naltin, that these terror attacks increased their fury as it became clear that our coalition government was not going to be defeated in this election. What's more, these terrorists attacked the very symbol of Menza, our Sacred Games, a day before the election in attempt to prevent the true will of Menza from displaying itself. But it did! That will did display itself. That will, friendly our nation and our coalition, is hostile undo death to any act of terror. But is it not true that some in this assembly sought to defeat our coalition in the election? Is it not true that they, when caretakers of the government, refused to take the actions to protect the people of Menza? What other conclusion can be drawn from these facts but this: some members of the minority parties in this very assembly are working with Outsiders! Oh, it is true they made loud noises about stern punishments for the guilty, but this reflects only their own guilty conscience and a desire to focus blame away from themselves! Yes, yes, Pontak intelligence confirms these suspicions. I shall now read the list of names of those in this body - be it blessedly small, my friends! - who are traitors to the nation..."

At this point, certain members of the minority parties began to leave their seats, causing a stir among the remaining parliamentarians. However, the outside of the building had been garrisoned with elite units from the Quantak division of the Pontak, and soon screams and shots were heard. The din quieted, minority party members remained in their seats as Smed resumed his speech:

"... Ah, so treason mixed with cowardice compels our former - and I say it, former - countrymen to flee! Doubtless they are contemplating similar attempts throughout the nation, in whatever government body that they have corrupted and from which they will soon be expelled. Oh, it will come to naught for them! But no one who is a true patriot will be harmed, my friends. With the knowledge that escape is impossible, I shall now read the list in earnest..."

Before a shocked Naltin, Smed read a name of a traitor and condemned them to death, at which sentence a member of the Quantak would execute the MP before his fellow parliamentarians. After each execution, Smed repeated "None of you have been harmed, only traitors." At the conclusion of his remarks, 50 members of the minority had been executed.

"Aftershocks"

This process repeated itself around the nation at so-called "patriotic gatherings." The procedure at these gatherings - compulsory in each district - was a bit less managed. All citizens present were required to swear their allegiance to the Nation, after which Quantak members announced "None of you will be harmed, only traitors!" prior to selecting individual members of assembled throng, seemingly at random, for execution. The patriotic fervor of the crowds only grew after such an execution, and often the Quantak only needed to signify who was a traitor before the crowds themselves tore him or her to pieces.

In the midst of all this, there came a serious terrorist attack on the headquarters of the second major party in the People's Party coalition government, killing all the major leadership. Smed swore he would not allow this attack to go unpunished, and further vowed that he would hold another election immediately to give him the mandate he needed to "expunge the stench of treason" from the state. Oddly, he recommended voters for the People's Party alone. They responded, giving the party a mandate of 80% of all seats. Smed was able to press through all legal changes he had previously sought, and all terrorist attacks ceased.

Category:Drowlto VI Category:Menza Category:Menzan People's Party