The Age of Steam

Hidden Bezjan and Fedrian cultist cells perform rituals in intricate underground networks of tunnels beneath the Artesjan cities of Karelja and Swedenhatius. They open dimensional rifts through which unspeakable horrors pour through and out unto the rush-hour streets of Pannalia. Local Police (F.G.D.P and Milicija Provenza) put up a brave fight, but the sheer numbers of the invaders proved too great for their firepower.   The Vehr is called in, with the 228th Artillery regiment, Knights' Guard 1st detachment, 1st armored division, and 78th Artic warfare battalion responding to the unfolding crisis, in addition, air assets from the 11th Fighter/bomber, 17th Interceptor, and 76th strategic bomber squadrons are brought in.   Artemis III and his cabinet were evacuated from the grand Synagogue by the 1st Armored just in time as a class-9 demon made its way down the street leading to the building, it was only through the ingenuity of Colonel Nonna Yugashvili, who aimed her tank cannon at one of the spires of the Synagogue and fired, causing it topple down, and impale the demon, killing it.   A more unknown element of the battle was the involvement of the Ordo Strelki (Starchasers), it has been ascertained that they played a part, particularly in aiding the 228th in clearing the Marborg suburb, though from that point, the group of twenty Starchasers went MIA, and returned several hours later with various precious artifacts such as the Royal Scimitar and Holy Crown.   The fighting concluded a few days later with the metro system being cleared by flame-thrower units of the 78th. this incident marks the beginning of the Great War after Fedrian and Bezjan insignia were discovered on the bodies of the ones responsible for the rifts.