The History of the World V . . . .

[deity]

And just for good measure...

[KunojiLym]

A Catalogue of the Great Wonders of the World
edited by Leon Chomsky

(OOC: Send the location and description/history/alternate name of your wonders to me via PM, and I'll modify this post as needed.)

Wonders built Before Christ

Stonehenge
Delhi, India
Built 2020 BC

A field of stones established during the reign of the legendary King Janaka by the equally legendary astronomer Sarva Dishanaam, which enabled him to determine the size and shape of Terra to a remarkably accurate degree. Until the invention of the calender, no other civilisation had access to such knowledge.

See the article on the great India astronomer Sarva Dishanaam (link

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The Oracle
Delhi, India
Built 1420 BC

The Oracle is a great Hindu temple that was constructed in honor of Vishnu. It is said that the closer connection to the gods that it provided gave King Janaka fair warning to the uprisings of barbaric people in the northwest, and that subsequently saved Mumbai (then Bombay) from destruction. Its head priest, Confucious, later left the temple and headed to Madras, where he worked on condensing all the moral teaching and ideas for how one should govern their lives from the Vedas, and added some of his own ideas. The religion that resulted, if it can be called that, is like a secular Hinduism. Confuciuism has since become one of the four major religions of the world; currently, it ranks second to Christianity as the most dominant.

See the last article of the Foreign Report in the 1420 BC copy of the Madrid Monitor (link)

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The Flame of Russia (Also known as Shiva's Light; was Flame of the People in the Soviet era) [The Great Lighthouse]
St. Petersburg, Russia
Built 240 BC

A great Lighthouse was erected in St Petersburg in the year 240 BC. Its purported purpose was to guide the merchant ships of the known world safely into her harbors, but it was an open secret that the real purpose was to keep an eye upon the remmants of the Zionists rebels. That duty didn't last long, and for a time, what was then known as Shiva's Light was the tallest structure in the known world. It was surpassed by the Hanging Gardens more than three centuries later. Along with the Colossus and the Hermitage, Shiva's Light dominates the famous Bund of St. Petersburg.

See the article on the Third Zionist Troubles (link)

[KunojiLym]

Wonders from the first millenium AD

The Heavenly Sita Gardens (The Gardens of Sita is an unofficial moniker) [The Hanging Gardens]
Moscow, Russia
Built 90 AD

In the twilight years of Alexander III, the great project in honor of the late Nicholas I, the Hanging Gardens, was finally completed. Poets afterwards compared the Gardens to the legendary beauty of Nicholas's wife Sita, such was the wonder of its construction; hence the name that was often given it, the Gardens of Sita. Later, the official name was changed to the Heavenly Gardens, which, with one minor modification, has remained so up to the present day, even during the Soviet era. For 50 years, until the completion of the Pyramids, it was the tallest structure in the world.

See the article on the end of the reign of Tsar Alexander III (link)

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The Great Library
Delhi, India
Built 130 AD

King Bimbisara was a great lover of books, and this was to prove his undoing. The collection of the great works of the world was initiated by him, and then he found himself in competition with the Germans. His pride, coupled with the proding of the great statesman Chanakya, compelled him to sacrifice many tens of thousands of slaves in order to beat his competition. The Great Library was the result. Its completion was the final legacy of Bimbisara, and the herald of his doom. But for many centuries afterwards, the Library proved its worth as a centre of research and as an amassing of the greatest collection of written works known to mankind. Even today many priceless books and parchments are in the Library's possession. Currently, an electronic archive is being constructed to make the famed collection of books more accessible to the public, as only researchers at present are allowed to directly handle the precious documents.

See the 3rd part of the story of Chanakya (link)

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The Pyramids (Also known as the Ancestral Tombs of Qin Shi Huang)
Beijing, China
Built 140 AD

Qin Shi Huang is famous for many things, not least being his unification of all China. His greatest material legacy, however, is the system of tombs that he erected for himself and his many cocubines, servants and slaves. The Pyramids, for the longest time, stood as the tallest structures in the world, and 1400 years were to pass before they were finally surpassed.

See the musings of Qin Shi Huang (link)

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The Colossus
St. Petersburg, Russia
Built 230 AD

The Colossus was the principal mounment built in honor of Nicholas the Great. Until the Statue of Liberty was constructed 1200 years later, this bronze statue of the legendary ruler stood as the tallest statue in the world. Even today, it serves as a focal point for Hindu pilgrimages (though such activities were forbidden during the Soviet era).

See the depiction of events on The Bund in what was then known as Sri Nikolaevsky during the First Great War (link)

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The Temple of Solomon
Washington, America
Built 490 AD

An unknown priest established this, the first of the holy shrines, in the birthplace of Judaism. It gained notoriety when Fascist Germany disputed America's ability to protect that most holy of the Jewish sites. This led directly to the swift American retaliation upon Germany.

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The Parthenon
Berlin, Germany
Built 556 AD

Not much is known about the construction of this building, nor of its function. What is known is that a similar structure was being built in Rostov at the time of the announcement; subsequently, the materials were sold as scrap and the funds used to upgrade the Russian army. At the present time it serves as a tourist attraction.

See first article of the Foreign Report in the 580 AD copy of the Madrid Monitor (link)
(Rostov converted the money to upgrade funds)

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Chichen Itza
Novgorod, Russia
Built 940 AD

In the aftermath of the First Great War, the people of Novgorod began to display that independant spirit for which they have since become famous. So they began construction of a great fort, which they dubbed the Chichen Itza. Stepan Prokofyevich Timoshenko, the famed St Petersburg engineer, was attracted by the development, and assisted in the construction of the mighty fort. Upon completion, the ingenious fortifications that Timoshenko had devised were incorporated into every major city in Russia, and until the invention of rifling, it was to prove to be an astoundingly resilient defense. The fort itself became the staging point for many a civil war within Russia; indeed, it has become a source of civic pride to the average Novgorite. Today, the fort is open to the public as a museum.

See the article on the reign of Feodor I (link

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Angkor Wat
Ollantaytambo, Inca
Built 955 AD

This mounment to the Confucisist faith was constructed by a talented Incan engineer, whose name has unfortunatedly been lost to history. It serves as one of the few holy sites of the religion.

[KunojiLym]

Wonders built from 1000 AD to 1500 AD

The Tirupati Venkateswara [The Sistine Chapel]
Mumbai, India
Built 1070 AD

This elegent Hindu temple, known for its impressive architecture and great frescos, stands as a testament to the tolerance of the pacific and tolerant tendancies of the last King of India, Asoka. Ironically enough, it subsequently served as a focal point for nationalistic and fundamentalist emotions during the Reign of Terror that followed the disposal of Asoka. At the present time, it serves as a hub for pligrimages of both Hindu and Confuciusist faiths.

See the article on the twilight of the reign of Asoka (link)

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The Temple of Heaven [Norte Dame]
Beijing, China
Built 1085 AD

The Temple of Heaven was built in order to provide a place for the Chinese Emperor's yearly sacrifice. Like so many of China's religious buildings, it incorporated elements from Buddhism, Hinduism and China's own tradition of ancestral worship. At the present, it is regarded as a Buddhist temple. Each winter solstice the Emperor and all his retinue would move through the city to encamp within the complex, wearing special robes and abstaining from eating meat; there the Emperor would personally pray to Heaven for good harvests. The ceremony had to be perfectly completed; it was widely held that the smallest of mistakes would constitute a bad omen for the whole nation in the coming year.

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The Hagia Sophia
Moscow, Russia
Built 1120 AD

The Hagia Sophia was initially intended to be a holy shrine to the Hindu gods, but when Peter II became the sole ruler of Russia, he handed over control of its construction to the Catholic Church. As a result, the cathedral boasts some of the most astounding feats of engineering in history. The massive dome that is the signature characteristic of the Hagia Sophia was for a long time, the larges dome in the world, until modern construction techniques came with the Industrial Revolution. Until the Church of the Nativity was established, the Hagia Sophia also served as the administrative seat of the Catholic Church. Even today, it remains one of the holiest places of Christiandom.

See one of the anedotes of Peter II's reign (link)

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The Taj Mahal
Mumbai, India
Built 1280 AD

In addition to theater and art, great works of architecture developed during the age of Rajaraja Chola. The most magnificent of them all was the Taj Mahal of Bombay. Commissioned by the great Mumbai (then Bombay) patron of the artis, Shah Jahan, the towering palace was built as a mausoleum for his favorite wife. Bringing in elements of Hindu, Confucianist, and Taoist styles, the Taj Mahal now rises prominently in the Mumbai skyline, a testament to the timelessness of love.

See the second part of the article on the age of Rajaraja Chola (link)

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Versailles
Toledo, Spain
Built 1360 AD

The grand palace of Versailles, which was comissioned by Emperor Carlos V and finished by Emperor Felipe II, was finished in 1360 and was intended to serve as a center of government for the duchy of Toledo, an area comprised of all eastern territories of the Spanish Empire. Up till the present day, the palace still serves that function.

See the first article of the Domestic Report in the 1424 AD copy of the Madrid Monitor (link)

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The Kashi Vishwanath
Delhi, India
Built 1386 AD

The great holy man Adi Shankara had been renewing the people's faith in Hinduism for years. This culuminated in the construction of a great shrine in Delhi. Named after Lord Kashi Vishwanath, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the holy shrine quickly became a destination for pilgramages from all over the Hindu world. Religious devotees have come from as far away as Germany, China & England seeking to worship at the shrine and bathe in Lake Ganges.

See the second article in the Domestic Affairs section of the 1424 copyu of the Delhi Post (link)

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The Spiral Minaret
Novgorod, Russia
Built 1392 AD

One of the few notable events during Alexei I's reign was the completion of the Spiral Minaret, a project started by Feodar I. This was another private initiative by the citizens of Novgorod; this time, it was to honor those who had fallen in the defense of Russia and Novgorod. This magnificent structure towered over the other buildings in the city, even surpassing the Chichen Itza in height; it was, however, rather shorter than the Heavenly Sita Gardens of Moscow. That did not stop it from being compared with the biblical Tower of Babel. Even today, its status as a controversial religious site, variously claimed and demonised by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, remains. Currently it is in the possession of the city government of Novgorod, who allow access to the memorial to all people - subject to an intense screening.

See the article on the rule of Alexei I (link

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The Statue of Liberty
Berlin, Germany
Built 1425 AD

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The Kong Miao
Madras, India
Built 1478 AD

Apocatequil was a noted Incan Confuciuist who eventually migrated to India. He eventually established a shrine in honor of Confucius, and stocked it with numerous books and teachings on the faith. Since then, the Kong Miao has become the holiest site for the teachings of Confucius.

See the last article in the International Section of the Aug 30, 1476 copy of the Madrid Monitor (link)

[KunojiLym]

Wonders from 1500 AD onwards

The Dai Miao
Madras, India
Built 1512 AD

The Indian philosopher Gotama was the spiritual sucessor of Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism. Like Confuciusm, Taosim shared many similarities with the Hindu faith; Gotama expanded upon that, most notably in his Nyaya Sutras. Eventually, he established a shrine in Madras, following a similar layout to the earlier Kong Miao.

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The Pentagon
Delhi, India
Built 1524 AD

The Pentagon is the largest office complex in the world. It serves as the headquarters of the Armed Forces of India, one of the most elite armies in the world. From this complex, commands can quickly be given to each and every individual company; such is the power of centralization.

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The Kremlin
Barcelona, Spain
Built 1540 AD

Built in the traditional Russian style, this building was a gift from the Russian imperial family to the Spanish imperial family, as a sign of friendship. Since then, the Kremlin has served as the seat of government to sucessive Spanish administrations.

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Broadway
Madras, India
Established 1561 AD

Always a mainstay in society, Indian theater exploded due to the booming economy. Madras became the focal point for this new age of stage. Exciting new plays like 'Bombay Dreams' and 'Oh, Calcutta!' first opened in Madras before going on tour throughout India and around the world. New, more liberal attitudes allowed performers to push the envelope creatively, with 'Oh, Calcutta!' challenging the nation's sexual taboos in this period. Because the vast majority of the theatres were clustered along a long and wide avenue, the term Broadway came to be used for this hub of Indian culture. In the present day, hits like 'Miss Orleans', 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'Rent' continue to be churned out on a regular basis.

See the article on the cultural explosion in India (link)

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The Church of the Nativity
Yaroslavl', Russia
Built 1577 AD

This shrine in honor of Jesus Christ was built upon the site where he was said to be born in the holy city of Yaroslavl', by the first ever non-Russian Pope, John X, originally Ali Mustafa of India. The boost of prestige to the Catholic Church was immeadiate, as millions of pilgrims flocked to visit the new church. It has replaced the Hagia Sophia as the headquarters of the Catholic faith.

See the article on the early years of the RSSR (link)

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The Gupta Tower [The Eiffel Tower]
Delhi, India
Built 1585 AD

The most spectacular feature of the World Fair of 1585 was the great Gupta Tower built in Delhi. This giant tower of steel rose above the great city, becoming the tallest building in the world - beating out the Pyramids of China. A monument to the power of the industrial age, all who came gazed in awe at the magnificent structure. Many local Delhi residents however complained it was a big ugly eye-sore that dominated the Delhi sky-line. Ironically, in the present day, flats and apartments that command an unobstructed view of the Tower now fetch sky-high prices. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder!

See the article on the World Fair of 1585 (link)

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Rock and Roll
Karachi, India
Established 1589 AD

Once upon a time, music was a fine art enjoyed only by the rich and elite in Indian society. The advent of radio brought music into the homes of millions of Indians, and thus, music started to be made for the masses. Technical innovation contributed to the music as well. When the American Les Paul first electrified a solid-body Sitar for the Gibjon Sitar Corporation of Bangalore, a new artform was created.

Combining traditional Indian hooks with a steady beat borrowed from the American minority in Karachi, a new genre was born. The music first caught on among the ethnic American population in Karachi, but soon it caught on amongst the Indian youth of Karachi. One of those young Indians would take Rock & Roll to the mainstream. His name was Ravi Shankar, with his Gibjon Les Paul in tow, he quickly rose to be crowned the Raja of Rock & Roll. Sadly, many years later Shankar died in the toilet.

Other groups, such as the Beatles enjoyed considerable success in India & America, and internationally. Karachi, however, remains the capital of such music. Shankar's estate of Graceland in Karachi is even now a hugely popular destination for many Rock & Roll devotees.

See the article on the cultural explosion in India (link)

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The United Nations
Madras, India
Established 1593 AD

The idea of a United Nations was first seriously mooted by a young lawyer by the name of Mohandas Gandhi. For years, he pushed for its establishment. Eventually, President Kamran Mirza relented, and sponsered the construction of a structure to hold the proposed world body. At the same time, Gandhi sent out missives to all the nations of the world explaining the purpose of a United Nations. Initially, not many of the nations were receptive to the idea, even after the building's completion in 1593. It was to be some time before enough nations finally subscribed to the idea of a world body. Since then, the United Nations has presided over two major crisis; one between the RSSR and China, and the current one evolving around the aftermath of the explosion in Lahore. Many resolutions have also been passed; one led directly to the fall of the RSSR, so in that sense, the United Nation might be said to be sucessful. But how sucessful remains to be seen.

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Bollywood [Hollywood]
Mumbai, India
Established 1601 AD

Cinema came to India (and the world) on 7 July, 1591 with a screening of the Lhapore Brothers' Cinematograph films in Mumbai. Yet the first full length Indian made film, Raja Harischandra, (produced and directed by DG Phalke) was released in 1593. Phalke was inspired to make a film about Indian mythology. His style of film drew on emerging modern "Indian" art forms, chromolithography and photography, religious processions and performances, folk and urban theatre. This new hybrid created by Phalke became the norm immediately in three of Indian cinema's popular genres: the mythological, the devotional (films about the lives of saints) and the historical. Other genres, grouped loosely as "social films", set in contemporary India, were also established during the silent period. By 1601 the Bollywood neighborhood of Mumbai became the hub of Indian filmmaking. Today, blockbuster hits from Bollywood have become a staple of popular culture both in India and abroard.

See the article on the cultural explosion in India (link)

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The Three Gorges Dam
Madrid, Spain
Built 1692 AD

The Three Gorges Dam was built in 1691 for the purposes of vaulting Spain's lagging economy into a new era. Spain was sorely lacking in industry, jobs, and energy policies under the ultra-ideological Falange regime, and under Aznar great strides were made in production capabilities. His government established state-run factories in nearly every city in Spain, and those that don't have them yet are comissioned to build them. The crowning achievement of Aznar's energy policy was the Three Gorges Dam spans the Ebro River at Spain's capital of Madrid. Construction began in the mid-1600s following Aznar's appointment to Prime Minister. It is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Structural work was finished on May 20, 1691, nine months ahead of schedule. However, several generators still had to be installed; the dam became fully operational in 1698. As with many dams, there is controversy over the costs and benefits of this project. Proponents point to the economic benefits from flood control and hydroelectric power. Opposition is mainly due to concerns about the future of over the effect of the dam on the environment.

[The Capo]

Official United Nations Document



The United Nations of Terra

TO: All Member States of the UN
FROM: Secretary General Javier Solana

The Bombing in Lahore

As many of you are well aware, the United Nations publicly asked that the English offer photographic evidence of the location of their spies. Thankfully, they provided said information with little to no complaint. Unfortunately, however, they have given us falsified information which further proves their unwillingness to cooperate fairly, and implicates them even more than before in this terrible action.

Just as a follow up I will show you two images provided by the English THEMSELVES, the fact is that these images show that England attempted to fool the international community as well as the UN;

1) In this image an English spy is shown INSIDE of the city of Madras, please note the "yellow" color, indicating that the unit is in the middle of its movement;


2) In this next image that spy has clearly been moved, as has another spy as indicated by the "yellow" color of the spy's movement circle, further a NEW spy appears on the hills to the west after comparing both photos.


Finally the UN provides a satellite image gained with the help of the Indian government as well as the government of Russia, certain units have been masked in order to protect the national security of these states, this image clearly shows an English spy north of Lahore, "escaping" towards England itself;


It is with this information, combined with the intelligence gathered regarding Incan spies, and an English mobilization of forces along the Incan-Russian border that the UN DEMANDS the English accept their role in this horrible deed, and admits and apologizes to the international community that they were behind this attack. The UN is prepared to make the following demands on the English as well;

1) England will end ALL DEALS, including trades, financial support, defensive/military alliances and all technological pacts with all nations on Terra, failure to comply on the part of the English or other nations will result in a response from the United Nations. This will include the 5 GPT they are receiving from Russia.

2) England will disband her entire air force, and is no longer permitted to conduct flight missions in any capacity even in their own territory.

3) England will turn over her territory in North Concordia to the Indians, and will further turn over their city with the highest production (unless it is the capital, then it will be their second highest producing city) in order to help the Indians rebuild their lost space part.

As I have said before, the fact that the English lied to the global community is an atrocity, and I hope that they can accept these punishments as they are more than fitting.

Thank you, and may peace reign supreme,

Javier Solana
Secretary General of the United Nations

[OzzyKP]

TO: Harold Wilson, Prime Minister of England
CC: All nations and the UN
FROM: President Jawaharlal Nehru

It is with shock and regret that we receive your most recent claims of innocence in this matter. Together with your clearly doctored documents, it becomes even more apparent that England was behind the costly bombing in Lahore. Based on our investigation, many elements within our government were prepared to give your administration the benefit of the doubt and assume that it was rogue elements in your intelligence community that carried out the bombing. Yet with your attempts at a cover up it becomes more clear that this was an officially sanctioned act of war.

India is more than ready to defend our people and our interests against an aggressive foreign power. I urge you to not underestimate our resolve. If war is declared we will win, and England, and if need be your allies, will be driven from this continent. There can be no doubt. You have stirred up a hornets nest and will be stung.

India is prepared however to accept the independent arbitration of the United Nations in this matter. We have reviewed the terms put forward by Secretary General Javier Solana and support them. We are prepared to negotiate and compromise with England and the United Nations further to find a punishment that will be acceptable to all.

We are not prepared however to continue listening to England's lies and falsified documents claiming innocense when that now seems impossible. If England does not admit fault in this and come to the negotiating table India will bring a world of hurt upon your nation.

If you refuse to negotiate India calls upon level headed factions among the English people and within the English government to sieze control and negotiate. Otherwise start learning Hindi, as it will soon be your national language.

This is your final warning. Negotiate a UN backed penalty for your transgression or reap the whirlwind. Do not ignore this letter for OUR WORDS ARE BACKED WITH NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

- President Jawaharlal Nehru

[Frank Johnson]

Peacekeeping Offer

Mao Ze Dong was a general built in the great line of men like Lao Wai Mo. As leader of the Beijing security zone, he had command over thousands of armored vechicals, which to his great distress sat idle in parade grounds and fallow fields throughout the heart of China.

He had little to do except pander to the National Council to pass the funding to upgrade his aging equipment, and that was work for politicians, not a proud warrior like himself. Now the latests crisis had arose, and the greatest war that ever was or may be, was going to be fought between India and England and her proxies.

Mao continued to lament. The council had eyes only for the space program. Despite all their efforts, China's space program had managed little in terms of international presitege when compared to India and England's programs.

The general's staff officer walked in carrying a message. "A message? Why didn't they just use the...", but he didn't finish the sentance when he saw the red markings of the orders and the seal of the council of foreign affairs seal. He grabbed the package neverously from the officer and quickly dismissed him from the room. Once alone, Mao tore into the orders like a child opens his red envelope on New Years.

"General Mao Ze Dong, Commander Beijing Area Armored Security Force: You are hearby ordered and authorized to mobilize forces in preparation of a United Nations peacekeeping operation. We request that you respond to this request immediately with any funding needs in order to carry out this operation, should it be activated, in all due haste. Your forces will be coordinating with Generals of the Eastern Command and the Imperial Air Force. There will be a meeting at 1400 in the Joint Operations HQ. Destroy this message after reading it.

Mao was filled with excitement...but then he thought, peacekeeping? Nothing had even been discussed so far. In the end, China might end up saving Russians and Incans from the onslaught of their patrons.

[deity]

Latest submission by England

To: Secretary General Javier Solana
From: Harold Wilson, PM of England

Please find attached the most transparent evidence yet of our innocence in the matter. We have no knowledge whatsoever about the bombings in Lahore. We are being threatened with punishmentas for something we have not done, nor had any involvement in. We can not admit to anything. If the world allows this outrageous and deceitful exercise of coverup to lead to war I feel very sad for the people on Terra. We wish for a fair and peaceful race to space. Nothing more, and the goodwill of England goes with all nations seeking scientific endeavours.

I challenge the UN to ask ALL nations to reveal the same information that we have revealed here. And if any spies have been shown to be used then each nation must explain how each spy mission was accomplished. Our hands are totally clean in this matter. Nor have we gifted or orchestrated any missions by other nations. ANY nation that has committed this act in Lahore must be condemned, even if it was our allies OOC - I doubt it but Nico wasn't playing last week so not sure whether Nolan would have done this?

In any event England does not and will not seek war. If we are attacked we will pacifistically defend, no more.

I am deeply saddened by this day and seek help from all fair minded nations of Terra.

Peace. Space. Together. A diplomatic and scientific triumph for all people of Terra.

---------------------------

Note that in our previous pictures of spy positions we admitted to moving them for ease of photography and transparency.

[KunojiLym]

The Republic of Russia

We find ourselves astounded by the revelation of the sheer size of the English spy network. This is no common national spy network; it almost comprises the brigades of two nations. And the fact that England has chosen only to reveal *4* of the spies that she has raises much suspicion. What of the other three?

The Republic of Russia strongly urges England to come clean, once and for all, and reveal the location of all 7 spies WITHOUT moving them.

Anastasia Romanov
Prime Minister of the Republic of Russia

[deity]

STOP PRESS!

Latest intelligence reveals that the Spy attack at Lahore or anywhere else was not at the hands of the Inca (or the English)

[deity]

Originally posted by KunojiLym

The Republic of Russia

We find ourselves astounded by the revelation of the sheer size of the English spy network. This is no common national spy network; it almost comprises the brigades of two nations. And the fact that England has chosen only to reveal *4* of the spies that she has raises much suspicion. What of the other three?

The Republic of Russia strongly urges England to come clean, once and for all, and reveal the location of all 7 spies WITHOUT moving them.

Anastasia Romanov
Prime Minister of the Republic of Russia

England will immediately comply Anastasia. Wilson wishes for total transparency and seeks the confidence of Terra.

[deity]

Latest series of reports to the UN

Supplied by the English Government and PM Harold Wilson.

[note that none have moved but have been clicked on only]

[deity]

Report 2

[KunojiLym]

National Wonders of Russia
edited by Leon Chomsky

The Bylina of the Great War [Heroic Epic]
Moscow
Published 1220 AD

The bylina is a traditional epic, heroic narrative poetry of early Russia. The most famous of these works is that detailing the First Great War, though the one on the life of Nicholas the Great comes a close second. This epic has inspired many a Russian to fight for the motherland, against whoever dares to step onto the soil of Mother Russia.

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Hermitage
St. Petersburg
Built 1474 AD

The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia is one of the largest and oldest art galleries and museums of human history and culture in the world. The vast Hermitage collections are displayed in six buildings.

Catherine I started things off in 1460, when she purchased more than 250 paintings from all over Terra. Russian ambassadors in foreign capitals were commissioned to acquire the best collections offered for sale: Brühl's collection in Saxony, Crozat's in France and the Walpole gallery in England. Catherine called her art gallery my hermitage, as very few people were allowed within to see its riches. In one of her letters she lamented that "only the mice and I can admire all this." She also gave the name of the Hermitage to her private theatre, built nearby in 1468. Despite her protestations, however, it was an open secret that the Hermitage was a mounment to Catherine's own greatness. The public gallery branch of the Hermitage was opened in 1474.

After the Marxist Revolution, the Hermitage was fully opened to the public. The ravages of civil war has damaged this collection of prized artwork, but it remains one of the most impressive collections in the world.

See article on the early period of Catherine's rule (link)

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Taganka Theatre [Globe Theatre]
Rostov
Built 1534 AD

Taganka Theatre is a theater located in the Art Nouveau building on Taganka Square in Rostov. The theatre was founded in 1534 by Yuri Lyubimov and continued the traditions of his alma mater, the Vakhtangov Theatre, while also exploring the possibilities of Bertold Brecht's "epic theatre". Under Lyubimov, the theatre rose to become the most popular in Rostov, with Vladimir Vysotsky and Alla Demidova as the leading actors. Other notable members of Lyubimov's troupe have been Valery Zolotukhin, Veniamin Smekhov, and Leonid Filatov. During the Soviet era, Taganka Theatre generated mostly socialist plays in order to not run afoul of the Soviet authorities.

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Lubyanka [Scotland Yard]
Rostov
Built 1593 AD

The Lubyanka was originally built in 1423 as the Neo-Baroque headquarters of the All-Russia Insurance Company, noted for its beautiful parquet floors and pale green walls. Denying its massiveness, the edifice avoids an impression of heroic scale: isolated Palladian and Baroque details, such as the minute pediments over the corner bays and the central loggia, are lost in an endlessly-repeating classicizing palace facade, where three bands of cornices emphasize the horizontal lines. A clock is centered in the uppermost band of the facade.

Following the Marxist Revolution, the structure was seized by the government for the headquarters of the secret police, then called the Cheka, and later known as the KGB. During the Great Purge, the offices became increasingly cramped due to staff numbers. In 1584, the most famous Soviet architect, Shchusev, was commissioned to double its size by adding another storey and engulfing backstreet buildings. Schusev's design accenuated Neo-Renaissance detailing; the upgrade was completed in 1593.

Currently, the Lubyanka serves as the headquarters for the SVR, the foreign intelligence branch of the Republic of Russia.

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Mausoleum of the People (also known as Lenin's Tomb) [Mt. Rushmore]
Moscow
Built 1629 AD

On the day that Lenin died, the Soviet government received more than 10,000 telegrams from all over Russia, which asked to preserve his body somehow for future generations. Two days later, Professor Alexei Ivanovich Abrikosov, a prominent Russian pathologist and anatomist (not to be confused with physicist Alexei Alexeyevich Abrikosov), embalmed Lenin's body to keep it intact until the burial. The next night, architect Aleksey Shchusev was given a task to complete within three days: design and build a tomb to accommodate all those who wanted to say their goodbyes to Lenin. The decision was made to place the tomb at the Red Square. In two days, Shchusev built a tomb out of wood and at 4 p.m. that day they placed Lenin's coffin in it. More than 100,000 people visited the tomb within a month and a half. By August, Shchusev upgraded the tomb to a bigger version. An architect Konstantin Melnikov designed Lenin's sarcophagus.

In 1620, it was established that it would be possible to preserve Lenin’s body for a much longer period of time. Therefore, it was decided to exchange the wooden mausoleum with the one made of stone (architects Aleksey Shchusev, I.A. Frantsuz, and G.K. Yakovlev). They used marble, porphyry, granite, labradorite, and other construction materials. In October 1629, the construction of the stone tomb was finished. In 1673, sculptor Nikolai Tomsky designed a new sarcophagus.

For a period of time, Stalin's body was interred next to Lenin's own body, until Khruschev firmly assumed power. The dictator was then buried in the grounds of the Hagia Sophia.

Currently, there are plans to likewise bury the body of Lenin, and convert the Mausoleum to a museum.