"The King has declared that the Syndicalist terrorists have declared war on the Italian state and has promise to protect the citizens in the region that have been threatened by these bandits."

Chairman Togliatti could only gape at the actions by the inbred man to the south, had he lost his mind? He was attempting to declare the war that had been in détente for so long to now be reignited? Well, let no man say he would back down from a Reactionary. He reached over to grab the telephone on his desk, and spoke into it,

"Yes, this is Chairman Togliatti, get Marshal Pacciardi and Prime Minister Bombacci to my office immediately, damn whatever they are doing at the time."

A half hour later the two stood in front of Togliatti's desk, twenty minutes too long for the Chairman, who paced behind his desk, gesturing at the missive on the desk.

"It would seem the fool of the South has chosen now for the guillotine to come upon his neck, restarting this damnable war between us. Pacciardi, give it to me straight, what are our options?"

The Marshal closed his eyes for a moment, holding his breath and becoming as still as a statue. Togliatti could feel his heart beating in his veins as he watched the stoic man, as if every second that ticked by was a man killed by the butcher of the south. Finally, Pacciardi opened his eyes, his steely gaze meeting Togliatti's own and he said "Sir, we would be fighting against two fronts, assuming we are able to station troops in the disputed region we would be constantly pacifying the Reactionaries. And that's assuming the other deposed Reactionaries remain on the sidelines like they did years ago. Even in a best case scenario.....I don't like our odds Sir. But, if you give the order, I'll make sure they are carried out."

Unable to hold himself back, Togliatti felt a jolt of pain shoot up his arm from slamming his fist against his desk, and cursed under his breath for a few moments. The lack of any caustic remarks from Bombacci only served to remind him of the seriousness of the situation. Keeping his head bowed, he slowly shook it and in a low tone only said "No, no we can't risk things too early then. But I refuse to allow ourselves to be caught on the backheel. We'll begin partial mobilization orders centered around the border with the Monarchists in the south, and tell the men near the Brotherhood held areas of Lombardia and Venezia to be on alert." For a moment, Togliatti felt the small weight that now rested under his clothes, the Crucifix sent by the Papacy, he had taken to wearing it as of late, a reminder that not all bridges need be burned. Now, now it only reminded him of the lives he was signing away, good Italian men who would be slaughtered by Reactionaries for only wishing to see prosperity arrive in Italia. It may be the best choice available, but Togliatti could feel their souls bearing down on his shoulders.

He was broken out of his reprieve by a deep voice, it's normal teasing hint seemingly washed away by the seriousness of the situation, "Well, I can tell you at least Mussolini won't be happy with this." Upon looking up Togliatti managed to just catch Bombacci shrugging his shoulders and saying "But whether that's because of how much of a hawk he is, or because it's some of his followers living it up in Milano right now is up in the air."

And just like that, Togliatti felt something hit him, later he would never know if he should have realized it sooner, or if he just didn't want to admit that his initial plan wouldn't work, but for now, he was thankful it had hit him. With a grin on his face that would look more at home with Bombacci himself, Togliatti replied "Wait, Compagno you may be onto something. Marshal, the Army knows who among their ranks follow Compagno Mussolini's line correct?"

The Marshal, for the first time in the conversation, averted his eyes from the Chairman and said "Officially sir, the Army only checks to ensure someone is not a reactionary, not their particular political belief. Unofficially...men will always talk Sir."

"Excellent. Marshal, while the mobilization is going, I want the men, particularly men who follow Mussolini's line to begin hearing that their support would be much appreciated in Lombardia and Venetia, and if they were to request and "Indefinite Administrative Leave" it would be approved no matter the reason, so long as they went to support their Compagno's, and of course they could take their equipment with them." Turning his eyes to Bombacci he continued "Prime Minister, I want a full bill approved providing Humanitarian aid to the Lombardia and Venetia regions, food, blankets, everything but weapons will be officially provided to the areas. Of course, if only the PSI and FAR regions accept our goodwill, well we can't do anything about that. And unofficially, any surplus we have is to be provided to our Compagnos, they must win this conflict. For the good of us all. Oh, and Marshal? Tell Compagno Maugeri that I want our Eastern Fleet to be deployed immediately, we are halting all incoming sea traffic going to the Lombardia Venetia region barr those who are carrying only humanitarian goods. The killing must stop, and if we are the only ones with the insight to do so, then so be it. His ships are to stop any ships for a search to ensure they are carrying only humanitarian goods, but are to not fire the first shot. Let the world see how much the reactionaries wish to bathe in the blood of the proletariat"

The next day papers and radio announcers would be flush with new content, from the King declaring war upon the Syndicalists, to the Humanitarian Efforts organized by Prime Minister Bombacci, to the troops moving around in the south, to the blockade of all war goods being brought in to Lombardia and Venetia by sea. It would seem Italia is now on a precipice, though who knows how much it will take to push it over the edge.