Coup Sabah
On October 10th, 2024, Gu Sabah, son of the Bezuv Agamashuya I (Agma Schwa), commanded the main fleet of the Xarslasja Port Authority to surround Arcosanti Island and blockade the entirety of Pima County, thus preventing his father from conducting his official duties. His intention was presented to Agamashuya with a book left in a chest at the front door of the palace: for the immediate surrender of the palace, and for the Xarslasja Legislative Authority to unanimously approve the ascent of the new Bezuv and his preferred candidate for Akuv, Najva Gun.
Context
After the Scramble for Murbetia, Gu Sabah was put in charge of the Xarslasja Port Authority and sent to manage the purchases of Far Harbor, Xar Harbor, and Bar Harbor, all under the banner of La Paz County. La Paz had previously been the least important county in the nation, with no permanent villager population at the time. Suddenly, after filling certain islands with Xarslasjunk personnel under full management of the XPA, La Paz County was suddenly one of the most important regions in the nation. What was once essentially a punishment turned out to behoove Gu Sabah’s power greatly.
Blissfully unaware of his son’s ambition, Agamashuya allowed the construction of the Shea Island Naval Complex, notably located in Gila County and geographically just south of the Core Xarslasja Region. This complex allowed for the XPA to militarize heavily and train sailors in the art of anti-piracy operations, including siege warfare. Gila County, also a jurisdiction with a very small population, was soon also under the control of Gu Sabah directly.
During the Fiduciary Sessions, Gu Sabah was instrumental in the faction in support of West Pua’s interests, as the oceanic territories under his controls had significant ties to the nation. Eventually the factions in support of the South Thasusan Common Market Agreement won out, leaving East Pua and the eastern regions of Xarslasja much advantaged.
In early October 2024, the Amujxplosion led to yet another shift in the geopolitical landscape, with the Kingdom of Kyaw Cen and East Pua benefiting greatly while West Pua largely suffered. The economy of the Islands was now greatly at risk, with West Pua’s currency from the former Transpunese Economic Union being nearly useless.
In response, Gu Sabah decided to take matters into his own hands. By sequestering power in two counties, with the military strength and jurisdiction of the XPA in several other locations, he decided personally to follow the interests of his people and express explicit support for West Pua, going against Agamashuya’s strict neutrality policy toward the issue of the Puas. Gu Sabah denounced the Xarslasja Legislative Authority and prevented their entry into his counties, thus essentially making the XPA the highest authority in those lands.
The Seige of Arcosanti
On October 10th, 2024, Gu Sabah used the XPA to begin a complete siege of Pima County, demanding his own father to step down as Bezuv, with the additional demand that the current Akuv, Cheryl, step down and be replaced in the XLA by Najva Gun. Agamashuya refused to step down. The Gila River Bridge was partially destroyed, and the Nogales-Arcosanti Line was blocked.
By October 17th, East Pua had sent out a fleet of naval vessels to lay a seige of their own on the Shea Island Naval Complex, leaving much of the XPA's resources and personnel blocked from supplying their forces around Arcosanti. Meanwhile, the XLA and XPA both set up several hastily-constructed TNT cannons facing targets in and around Pima and Gila Counties. One TNT cannon launched from Tonopah Island that created a large crater at the base of the Gila River Bridge. With resources running out on Arcosanti, Agamashuya welcomed the support from East Pua and noted suspicious activity on the seas from several other nations.
Tensions built up and international relations simmered for a week. Finally, on October 24th, bombs went off in Arcosanti. The rooftop garden of the Copper Palace had been set on fire, destroying a portion of the roof. Moments later, a house in lower Arcosanti was hit by a TNT cannon from an XPA ship, barely avoiding a direct hit on an East Puan ship. Another bomb struck and destroyed part of the staircase to the palace, fully trapping Agamashuya inside. After this, the XLA struck back, destroying a large TNT cannon in Gila Bend and creating a large crater. One bomb went off course and destroyed part of a ranch house, killing two villagers.
A seemingly unrelated bomb went off in the Blythe Port Authority Tower, destroying it and some of the "Old Port Yuma" building. The Master Gridmaker of Core Xarslasja, The Griddy, was killed instantly in the explosion. With no food remaining in Arcosanti or the Shea Island Naval Complex, time was up for both sides to make their decisions.
The tension boiled over on October 25th, as news of The Emergency Sessions spread and Coconino County announced its intentions to allows safe harbor for Gu Sabah. This spilled over into more TNT Cannons firing. Eventually, the starved Shea Island Naval Complex gave into the temptation and one of their officers opened fire on an East Puan ship.
The Battle of Flagstaff and Aftermath
What started as a conflict between the XPA and the XLA instantly turned into a battle between two multinational coalitions with the first shot of that TNT Cannon. The Battle of Shea Island lasted about an hour and ended with the deaths of about 10 naval officers, the sinking of two East Puan ships, and the destruction of a large portion of the Shea Island Complex. The Navy surrendered and XLA and East Puan banners were hung atop the main tower.
Meanwhile, the Realm of Madness, in support of Gu Sabah, constructed an enormous death laser pointed directly at the Copper Palace in Arcosanti. Before it could be utilized, fires were lit that burned down the royal garden of the palace and caused severe damage. Soon after, the main course of the conflict on Shea Island had been concluded, Gu Sabah and his cadre moved to Arcosanti to take on the trapped Bezuv directly. In the ensuing Battle of Arcosanti, the palace was severely damaged, but the XLA and the allies of Agamashuya managed to successfully push out the XPA.
From there, Gu Sabah and the XPA made way to Flagstaff, where they were welcomed with open arms by the swamp section of the city. The bloodiest events of the day ensued, called the Battle of Flagstaff. By this point, 11 nations were participating, either directly or indirectly. Bombs put craters into the landscape, and the XPA building at the port of Flagstaff was burned down. In the end, Gu Sabah retreated to Xar Harbor and maintained control over most of La Paz County, and Coconino County had essentially decided to side-step the authority of the central government and refused to turn in the traitor.
An hour later, Bezuv Agamashuya I successfully left Arcosanti and visited the frantic Legislature in Yuma. There he announced that we would work with the Legislature and allied nations to restore order in the nation. He also disowned his own son, calling him a traitor to the country.
Hours later, delegates from several allied nations delivered a convoy of humanitarian aid to help rebuild Xarslasja's damaged portions. As thanks for this kindness, the participating nations were given free plots of land in northern Yuma, and thus a path for their leaders to gain legal passports and citizenship in Xarslasja.
This was something that Gu Sabah had offered to Suqi of the Realm of Madness, who was still working on preparing the death laser while the Bezuv was away and Arcosanti was left unattended.
International reactions
Coldba has officially declared its support for the coup, as has the Realm of Madness.
Kyaw Cen and Oberia are considering sending humanitarian aid to the populace.
East Pua sent the 3st Puna Peere Fleet of the East Pua Navy from Puna Nui through the Agua Fria Strait and into the Djobom Sea with orders to blockade the Shea Island Naval Complex hoping to counter-siege the XPA forces. East Puan troops moved by sea landing in the eastern portion of Xarslasja in order to support the navy in the counter-siege and attempt a direct siege break by engaging XPA forces directly.
Shudrow has officially declared its opposition to the coup, and, as of 20 October 2024, sent its 1st Amujan Sea Fleet to defend Arcosanti specifically and Pima County as a whole from the clutches of the XPA.