The History of the World V . . . .

[Rasputin]

Originally posted by KunojiLym
Feodorgrad, Russia


"Dead? Rasputin is... dead?"

.

rumours of my death are gretly exagerated...


Sorrry , had to say that...


Great stories guys , you have upheld a g great tradition.

Hopefully after i move to new house next week i will have internet conenction. Then who knows maybe a game !!!!

[OzzyKP]

Perfect timing

It'd be excellent to get you into another game Raz.

[Rasputin]

I always read the history of world threads....

[KunojiLym]

Yaroslavl', Russia

Pius VII sighed, as he watched the 1st Novgorod Battalion march out of the holy city. The Apocalypse was at hand. He could feel it in his bones.

---

St Petersburg, Russia

"Your Highness."

Olga sighed, and turned to look at the speaker. "Report, Yuri."

"Yes, you Highness. The 2nd Novgorod Battalion, or the Novgorod Liberals as they call themselves, show no signs of halting their advance on Moscow. The 1st Novgorod Battalion is marching out from Yaroslavl', but it will not be in time. We will have to marshall our forces in Rostov and here in St Petersburg to the defense of Moscow."

"Are they still loyal to us?" The Duchess asked, a bitter smile on her face. "God knows that father and mother have done enough to drive them away."

"The leader of the Cossacks, Alexander Dutov, has alreadly pledged the support of his forces to your Highness."

"That's a start, at least." Olga smiled faintly. "But it isn't quite enough. Tell me, Yuri. What do you think of us?"

"Your Highness?"

"Be frank. Do you believe that the Romanov dynasty should step aside?"

The general hesistated for several moments. "I... I am sworn to protect Mother Russia at all cost, your Highness."

"You didn't answer the question." Olga let out a soft breath, and sat down. "It's only the two of us in this room, you know. Please, be honest."

It was several moments more before Yuri responded. "I am a soldier, your Highness. It is unfair of you to ask such political questions of me. You are, or rather your brother is, the symbol of the Russia Empire. It is the sworn duty of an Imperial officer to defend that symbol, and her people.

"But what if the people no longer want that symbol?"

"Just what is it are you suggesting, your Highness?" the general asked tiredly. "Are you going to bow to the demands of the Novgorod Liberals?"

"I don't know, Yuri. I just don't know. All I can say is that I can see where they are coming from. You might even say that I sympathise with them."

Yuri was silent for several moments, as he regarded Olga. Eventually he spoke again, quietly.

"The decision is yours to make, your Highness. Whatever the decision, I shall abide by it."

---

Rostov, Russia

"Do they suspect anything, Comrade?"

"No, they are as blind to the march of history as ever."

"Heh. The Liberals and Romanovs wouldn't know what hit them. All is as planned."

[deity]

Originally posted by The Capo


Republic of Spain

TO: King Charles I of England
FROM: Foreign Minister Francisco Serrano y Dominguez

We would like to open up relations with England on a positive note. I am sure it has come to your attention that the government of Spain has changed hands, and the people have taken control of the Empire from the tyrannical line of Diaz. We hope we can prove to England our commitment to peace and cooperation.

In light of this, we would like to arrange for the safe return of Captain William Manning to England. Manning has taken ill and we fear if we send him to Russia, along with the rest of the imperial family who was serving as his care-taker, he may be killed by Russian still harboring resentment over the English sacking of Novogrod. So with your cooperation we should see Manning home to London.

Further, your allies the Germans seem to have illegally settled the colony of Bremen within both Indian and Spanish land grants in Concordia. The city is far too close to our territory and threatens to steal vital resources from the Spanish people. Further Germany has accused Spain, incorrectly, of attacking one of their naval vessels. You will find that not only is this a fabrication, but it is also physically impossible for the ironclad they accused of assaulting them to have done so. We are, however, prepared to offer coal to Germany, which seems to be their primary reason for these hostilities, but must demand that the colony be removed, turned over, or destroyed.

We await your response,

Foreign Minister Francisco Serrano y Dominguez

TO: Foreign Minister Francisco Serrano y Dominguez
FROM: King Charles I of England

I appreciate your positive attitude and move towards democratic freedoms. Tyranny is a thing of past eons and I'm afraid that this is where Manning belongs. A great man in his time but we must not be too hasty in judging the past with current insights.

May I remind you that the Russians of old held Manning in high esteem. In fact it was the Spanish, with Mendoza, along with Russian soldiers that England did acquire the barbian territory of Turfan. Such Camaraderie with the Russians was legendary.

I think it is Alfred to whom you may be referring? He was very loyal to our long ago Queen Elizabeth and led the brilliant attack on Novgorad. Manning was in Berlin at the time and renounced the decisions of the Queen. At the time he wished to forge strong relations with Russia but Alfred ruined this; the Queen disappeared with her exiled lover from America; and the rest is histrory.

Forgive me, but I needed to set the record straight there.

A post in Astrology at Oxford University has been set aside for Captain Manning. If you can see to his safe return I would be indebted to you. I assure you he will be safe in England.

---

As for our dear German allies I draw your attention to our previous public statement on the matter. Namely, that we believe the Germans must have access to coal. However a promise of trading coal to Germany I fear may not be sufficient as such resource trading may be terminated at any time. I believe their small city may be the best solution for Germany to feel secure in it's supply of coal.

But, as I previously stated I urged my allies to tread the path of peace in securing such coal security.

I'm sure a peaceful settlement can be achieved.

Were these matters to be discussed in Moscow?

---

As the constitutional monarch of England I'm well pleasedwith out frank dialogs and wish to pursue a rigorous relationship with Spain.

Your faithfully,

King Charles I of England

[OzzyKP]

In light of the recent distrubances in Moscow and throughout Russia, I suggest a summit in Delhi to discuss a peaceful resolution to this situation. India is a nation committed to peace and thus anything we can do to avoid hostility we shall try.

President Kamran Mirza

[Frank Johnson]

Offical Annoucement from the Emperor of China Lao Wai Mo
Supported and authorized by the Council of the 108 Stars:

It is with great pleasure that I do annouce publicly for the first time the results of the long term talks between the Republic of Spain and our own diplomats.

For years the many nations of Terra looked upon China with fear and indifference, jealously looking upon her successes as a threat to their own shortcomings. Finally after centuries of political strife, nations are emmerging willing to deal with China as friends and equals.

The purpose of this declaration is to annouce the signing of the Treaty of Cooperation and Non-Aggression between the Republic of Spain and the Chinese Empire. China had long desired a formal treaty of understanding with our ancient allies, the Spanish. With the added strength and commitment of the Republic of Spain, together we will continue to persue the goal of "ping", confronting savage type 1 aggression and thoughtless type 2 expansionism with the ultimate truth of balance.

The points of the treaty between Spain and China are as follows:
-Mutual Non-Aggression
-Open Borders
-Mutual Technology Exchange
-Common Reistance Against Foreign Blackmail
-Common Defense of Spanish and Chinese Lands


China would like to thank Spain, as well as our friends and business parteners of America for your foresight and understanding of the Chinese People. Together, let us persue a world of balance.

[The Capo]

Republic of Spain

TO: Charles I of England
FROM: Prime Minister Baldomero Espartero

I write you directly because this is a matter of great importance. We can not accept the German colony of Bremen, it is in our territory and threatens to steal our people's natural resources. The Germans have used lies, they have used propoganda, and they have broken treaties respected by Spain, England, America, China, India, and the Inca. For you to accept their actions is ludicrous and disheartening.

You have further ignored our second missive; we don't appreciate this as well.

We offer coal to Germany, if that is the only reason they have done what they have done then that should sufficiently resolve this issue. If Germany wishes to continue its agitation of the Spanish people we can see the forest for the trees; Spain will have none of this.

The choice is Germany's, but they continue to ignore our messages so we have come to you, their great allies, in hopes that we can resolve this issue peacefully. It is quite simple and I will again lay it out;

-We will give Germany extra coal for an extended period of time (at least three to four sessions).

-Germany will ALLOW Spanish forces to destroy the colony of Bremen after this occurs, following its destruction we will re-sign our former treaties (peace, open borders etc.)

That is what Spain demands, we are prepared to discuss this with you, but I must admit it is unlikely we will budge. Please, in the sake of peace, understand that Germany is in the wrong here, and there are PEACEFUL and democratic ways to solve these problems.

Thank you,

Prime Minister Espartero

[Frank Johnson]

China Schedules Summit to Arrange a "Coalition of the Willing" to Confront Terrorist

"Good Evening and welcome to the CBS Evening News. I'm WaTi ConKai. Here's tonights news."

"Our top story is the latest in a series of attacks on resource infastructure in mainland China. Gold mining operations in the western desert region were targeted by Russian foreign agents. In past years and months China has suffered a series of over 10 organized attacks targeting oil, coal, and gold production centers. Even remote desert harvesters of plants used for the making of insence have been targeted by various groups supporting radical-communist ideals and the execution of the exiled Russian Royal Family."

"The Chinese people remain strongly behind the Emperor and the Council, despite the torrent of foreign based attacks. Our latest poll suggests a large spike in approval ratings for the government after additional sources of oil were brought online to replace those repeatedly targeted by terrorists."

"Here is part of our interview with our Military Strategty Expert in the Octagon."

It's clear that the Russian plan is one borne out of despriation. They've seen their economy, military, and production drop to low levels compared to that of other nations. They've been unable to stop the production of oil and the continuation of key military production to assure the safety of China against irrational communist activities.

"The Emperor has called for a coalition of the willing to deal with the growing problem of international terrorism due to the impotent United Nations organization's slow pace to address the issue." A majority of nations support the ideal of a coalition against terrorist activities.

Toni Blair, a minister foreign affairs for the Spainish Republic was quoted as saying "...this is war."

Top officals from the English Government made a statement after the latest attack saying "...we are in." and alluded to allied involvment saying "Germany will want in as well."

Russian officals deny all involvement, despite repeated demands issued by their government.

If the Russians aren't responcible for the repeated attacks, why do they continue to make irrational demands to the Chinese Government?

A trail of funding and materials lead directly back to the Russians, and groups of unemployed Russian engineers.

A lack of inspiration and basic opportunity within Russia has led to the creation of an elaborate terror network within the dying frame of a super power.

"The Chinese army approached its highest level of alert on the Russian border today as the deadline closes for the UN to negoiate an end to the repeated terrorist attacks and support a plan to root out and destroy terrorist strongholds. The coalition of the willing will be meeting shortly to discuss their strategy for the conflict, which seems unlikely to be adverted at this point, given India's apparent sympathy to its Russian and American allies."

[Robert]

Letter to the Chinese administration and the Russian Tsar.
Public to all leaders of the sane nations on Terra.

Greetings from Robingthon, capital of the free american people!

From a distance I've witnessed the growing tension between Russia and China. It is impossible for me to judge wether Russia is behind the terrorist attacks in China. As far as I can see Russia and China, despite being not known to be good friends, are officially having peacefully relations.

America wishes to remain true to it's peacefull image on Terra. Wisdom should prevail. So far all I have seen from both sides of the conflicts are words. Not backed up by evidence.

Therefor America wishes to stay neutral, though I invite both China and Russia to come to Robingthon and backup your case with evidence. I think we've reached a moment in history where war is not appropiate anymore. We're not living in the stone age, as far as I can remember. Rumors in America have spread that both Russia and China just seek reasons to start a war. I do not believe these rumors, but that's what the people think.

I call upon Germany and England to not join any agressor on either side. We can't let a 3rd World War start. (ooc: for sure not since it's a tradition that America starts to world wars )

Support your claims with evidence and let's solve this issue on the negotiation table.

I wish you wisdom.

Andrew Jackson
Prime Minister of America

[OzzyKP]

FIFTEENTH SESSION 1611 AD

India(Gandhi) - OzzyKP
America(Washington) - CyberShy
Germany(Bismark) - OmniTrout
China(Qin Shi Huang) - Frank Johnson
Russia(Catherine) - KunojiLym
Spain(Isabella) - Toni
England(Elizabeth) - Deity
Inca(Huayna Capac) - NicodaMax


Session 15 Number of Cities (since session 14):

England - 14
China - 14 (+2)
Germany - 12 (-1)
Spain - 12
Inca - 11
Russia - 11
India - 11 (+1)
America - 8

[KunojiLym]

The Russian Revolution

Vladivostok, Russia

Jevgenij Karlovich, Commander of the White Army of the Liberals, frowned, as he surveyed the battlefield through a pair of binoculars.

"Damn the communists," he muttered. He turned to the aide by his side. "Send word to Novgorod; we need reinforcements. We haven't got nearly enough machineguns."

As the aide left, the general sighed. "This is increasingly looking like a lost cause."

---

St Petersburg, Russia, a few days later

Yuri burst into the royal chambers of the Hermitage. "Your Highness, you must flee at once! The Communists have breached our defences!"

Olga closed her eyes, and let out a sigh. "It has come to this... we have no choice but to evacuate to Feodorgrad. General, will our defences hold there?"

The look on Yuri's face was answer enough for the young duchess.

"Let's make haste. I'll send out an appeal to all the nations of the world." She smiled mirthlessly. "These Communists seem intent on shedding our blood, no matter what."

---

Feodorgrad, Russia, two years later

Fernardo stumbled through the long grasses, as he carried an unconscious Anastasia over his shoulder. Behind them, the Summer Retreat of the Romanovs glowed red from the flames that engulfed it.

"Save yourself," Nicholas had said, an hour earlier, with a sad smile. "I will meet my end with dignity."

"Go, uncle!" Olga had exclaimed, several minutes later. "You have to save Annie! I'm going after Alex!"

"We must split here," Tatiana had intoned, some time later. "Maria and I will leave by the woods. I leave Annie in your care."

And now here he was, struggling away from the Red Army, leaving the uncertain fates of his kin behind. Ironic that having left Spain for Russia, he was now fleeing Russia for Spain. He was more than certain that he was unwelcome in his homeland. He could only hope that he, and the child with him, could escape to China safe and sound.

---

Novgorod, Russia, a month later

Mikhail Tukhachevsky watched, as the white flags finally went up above the battlements of the Chichen Itzca. He smiled grimly.

"Well, comrades, the revolution is a success. Now all we need to do is to welcome the Central Committee back from exile."

---

Moscow, Russia, another month later

Lenin gazed across Red Square, a slight smile on his face. Then he turned to face his comrades.

"This is but the beginning. Comrades, soon the proletriat of Terra will follow our example, and throw off the yoke of the capitalistic oppressors. A new day has dawned!"

[KunojiLym]

By all accounts, the Communists took both the Imperial and the Liberal forces by surprise. Dutov turned out to be an agent of the Communists, as he led the bulk of the 1st Novgorod Battalion into battle against the Novgorod Liberals, as the Red Army. The remaining Imperial forces retreated to nothern Russia, while the Liberals pulled back to Vladivostok, and fortified eastern Russia. Dutov split the Red Army into two halves at Moscow. Mikhail Tukhachevsky led the push east against Novgorod, while Dutov himself took charge of the operation against St Petersburg and Feodorgrad.

In half a decade, the Russian Revolution was over. Novgorod fell one month after Feodorgrad; most of the imperial families of Spain and Russia were executed on the spot. The Russian Soviet Socialist Republic was declared, and the Supreme Soviet was formed to oversee the 'transitionary' period prior to a worker's paradise. Lenin, as General Secratary, was the de facto leader.

[KunojiLym]

The reactions of the nations of Terra to the new Communist state were mixed at best. America was the first to recognize the RSSR; indeed, it was not long before Soviet advisors were in America, implementing many of the Marxist ideals that had first been set in motion in Russia. Spain, too, turned more socialistic in outlook, though the Supreme Soviet was wary of her. After all, Esperato had been the one who had purged the Marxists from Spain. India recognized the RSSR after a great deal of reluctance, while Germany, England and Inca seemed to tactically acknowledge the RSSR's legitimancy.

China, as the only nation to offer aslyum to the Russian and Spanish royalty, was also the only nation that refused to recognize the Soviet government. She had closed her borders as soon as the civil war began, and once the Communists came to power, China seemed less than eager to change her mind. Lenin saw China as the ultimate embodiment of all that was wrong with capitalism; this, coupled with the injured Russian pride that was the legacy of the twilight years of the Romanov dynasty, ensured that the RSSR would adopt a hostile tone against China.

Sometime during all this, the first ever non-Russian Pope, John X, established a shrine in honor of Jesus Christ in the holy city of Yaroslavl'. The boost of prestige to the Catholic Church was immeadiate, as millions of pilgrims flocked to visit the new Church of the Nativity. The position of the Church in Soviet Russia, however, was tenuous at best, as the authorities had two wholly differing attitutes towards the faith. On the one hand, they looked down on Christianity, indeed, all religions, as a throwback to a barbaric time in history, and a dangerous 'opiate' of the masses, as Lenin had famously put it. On the other hand, a significant number of the Supreme Soviet were not above promoting its spread as a useful tool to fight back against the capitalists. Chief among those proponents was Stalin; his primary antagonist was Trotsky. This was a rivalry that was to have far-reaching consequences in later years.

[KunojiLym]

Beijing, China

A young man in sunglasses and a cap hurried down the street, glancing behind him.

No good. They were still after him. He ducked into a side alley, and slipped into an abandoned flat. There, he lay flat against the wall, his heart beating rapidly.

After several minutes, he tentatively peered out- and ducked back in again, as an older man, similarly attired, burst into the flat.

The two barely exchanged looks, much less words, as they scrambled up the stairwell. Muffled footsteps and the cocking of a gun could be heard behind them.

Upstairs, an bare room greeted the fugitives. With a dismayed look, the older man shoved his younger companion towards a cupboard, the only piece of furniture in the room. He himself drew a revolver.

"Hide."

Before the young man could respond, gunshots echoed below the pair. The older man crouched down, levelling his revolver at the top of the stairwell, while his companion wordlessly drew his own weapon, and took point on the other side of the room.

After several moments, the gunshots died down. There was the indistinct sound of murmered discussion down below, before a voice cried out in Chinese.

"[Police! Drop your weapons and come down with your hands on your heads!]"

"I'm not falling for that again," the young man mumbled almost inaudiably to himself. The other man glanced at his companion briefly, but otherwise said nothing.

"[Inspector Wang, I'll take over this.]" Another voice drifted up the stairwell. Then the voice switched to thickly accented Russian. "We are the Chinese Police. Identify yourselves."

The two men shared a look, before the older of the two answered carefully, in slightly accented Russian.

"Fyodor Yeltsin."

"And your companion."

"[Xian Shenlong,]" the younger man answered. "[What do you want?]"

"[Ah, so one of you can speak Chinese. This will make things easier. Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, please place yourself and your uncle Fernando under our protection.]"

The young man's eyes widened. "How?" he managed- or she, as her true voice emerged.

"[There is no need for panic. Come down peacefully, and we will take you to a safe house as soon as possible. Please hurry.]"

"What did they say?" the older man whispered.

Sighing, the young person stood up, and pocked the revolver, then pulled off the hat. Long, unbounded, golden hair flowed out. Then the young woman (she was clearly a woman now) removed her shades, revealing startling blue eyes.

"That they will take us to a safe house, uncle." She glanced about the room. "They seem to be the real deal. And even if they aren't... I'm tired of running."