Dark Zion

Dark Zion was a regency and eventual empire that existed in 00000 Land of Nod. It was heavily departmentalized and moderated by a vast network of Ministers, all of whom reported directly to the Emperor. The nation's collapse marked both the end of the Nodic Wars and the end of 00000 Land of Nod's political relevance.

History

The history of Dark Zion was comparatively brief compared to those of its contemporaries, having formed and ascended to power in less than a decade. Originally a regency that formed in the absence of a weaker government (whose name is now lost to time), its head of state, Regent Metatron, quickly gained popularity and influence due to his sweeping social reforms: welfare, healthcare, social security, and education flourished under his regime. Foreign relations began anew with the new government, and Dark Zion soon gained favor in the international arena.

Rather soon after the government's reformation, Dark Zion began to mobilize its armed forces on its neighboring countries. Due to the relative poverty of the surrounding nations, Dark Zion was able to rather easily and smoothly expand; the masses accepted their Zionist 'liberators' and, save for the officials of the annexed governments, all sang the praises of Regent Metatron.

Soon enough, however, tensions would begin to arise between AG333 and Dark Zion due to territory disputes. Although the dispute was solved upon the surface, the two nations would begin a short rivalry that Zionist officials intended to solve with force. However, they decided to wait for an opportune moment to strike, letting the international community believe things had been resolved completely.

Dark Zion participated in the attack on Elgarve, deploying several new technologies that would establish the regency in the region as a political superpower. Although Zionist involvement was relatively minimal (due to the coronation of Metatron as Emperor), it made huge gains in territory following Elgarve's collapse.

When Blackledge and its allies began their formal assault on Allech-Atreus, Dark Zion sided with the besieged empire; its support was mostly in a spiritual sense as Metatron saw his chance to attack AG while its back was turned. Zionist forces made incredible headway into AG's territory, but upon Allech-Atreus's collapse, military operations were suspended. Having made several enemies due to its support of Allech-Atreus and attack on AG, Dark Zion opted to destroy itself before it could suffer a counterattack. The Armageddon Contingency was put into effect, effectively obliterating the nation.

Technology

Dark Zion was at the fore of technological development during the heyday of 00000 Land of Nod, having quickly established its position early in its history. Many of its trades with other nations consisted almost exclusively of technology, and of military hardware in particular; although it was smaller than Blackledge and Allech-Atreus, it was formidable due to its collaborations with those nations.

For more information, please see Technology of Dark Zion.

Government Formation

The government of Dark Zion was mainly broken up amongst the various Ministers into a number of segments, including the Economic Sector, the Justice Sector, the Welfare Sector, and the Military Sector; these various sectors were largely arbitrary due to Metatron's incredible power (both before and after his coronation). The known sectors are as following:

• Economic Sector: This particular sector, headed by Minister Jophiel, was responsible for monitoring the economy, regulating industry, and collecting and issuing taxes. It was closely related to the Welfare and Justice Sectors.

• Justice Sector: Headed by Minister Zadkiel, this sector dealt with lawmaking and law enforcement; it was essentially considered an extension of the Military Sector due to Dark Zion's perpetual state of martial law.

• Welfare Sector: Minister Sachiel oversaw this sector, which dealt with the common needs of the citizens. Welfare, insurance, healthcare, and the preservation of civil rights were under the sector's jurisdiction; it shared many employees with the Economic and Justice Sectors.

• Military Sector: This particular sector was considered separate from the other three, which mainly existed to fuel this sector. The Military Sector was composed of the Science/Research Segment and the Forces Segment, both of which were further divided. Minister Ramiel headed the Science/Research Segment while Generals Ariel, Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel led the Forces Segment (respectively leading the Air Forces, Combat Armor Forces, Naval Forces, and Ground Personnel Forces).

• Foreign Relations: While not considered a true Sector, Foreign Relations was filled with many Ministers; each served as an ambassador to other countries (and in the case of weaker countries, served to manipulate the government to Zionist ends). Foreign Relations eventually fell into disuse as Dark Zion fell, although each ambassador was reappropriated to rule as a governor of a Zionist region.

Important Figures

Dark Zion was effectively ruled a mere handful of men, all of whom manipulated the citizenry of the nation to fulfill an unknown objective. They are as follows:

• Regent/Emperor Metatron: Metatron was the figurehead of Dark Zion and had the ultimate say in all matters of importance; he effectively controlled the nation from the start in order to fulfill some objective (of which Project Ophanim was a part). He was known to have eccentric tastes and an attitude befitting eighteenth century British aristocract, something which tired his brother, Minister Sandalphon, to no end. He committed suicide during the Armageddon Contingency when he self-destructed his personal Combat Armor, the Lilith.

• Minister Sandalphon: Very little is known about Sandalphon, besides that he was Metatron's brother and second-in-command. He, along with Minister Kezef, relegated duties to all lower Ministers in order to assist Metatron in running the state. His major duty was to oversee the citizenry.

• Minister Kezef: Much like Sandalphon, Minister Kezef was an enigmatic person; he appeared very little to the populace, unlike Sandalphon. Considered third-in-command, he also assigned duties to lower Ministers, usually regarding military matters. Minister Ramiel reported directly to him.

The Armageddon Contingency

It is unknown why the Armageddon Contingency was devised, but considering Metatron's eccentricity, it is not entirely unusual. The Contingency was designed to take place in the event that Dark Zion could no longer continue to pursue Metatron's objective; it would effectively destroy the entire country through the usage of the DEUS, DEUS MP Types, VX and GB gas, and the entire Zionist nuclear stockpile. When Allech-Atreus, Dark Zion's only ally at the end of the Nodic Wars, fell to Blackledge's allied forces, Metatron initiated the Contingency. Dark Zion was effectively obliterated, bringing an end to the Nodic Wars.

Resurrection

It has recently come to light that Dark Zion has somehow survived the 'complete' annihilation brought about by the Armageddon Contingency, rising once more as a small renegade faction within True Canaan. The group's numbers are unknown, although they pose a significant threat to Solomon's rule.

These new Zionists are apparently connected to the string of pirate attacks perpetrated along the border of True Canaan and Allech-Atreus, although the exact connection is unclear at this point in time. Their forces have proven capable of defeating one of the Canaanite Vice units.

Union of Independent Nations

Dark Zion is considered part of the Union of Independent Nations.