Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 9 - June 2011]

[France (DoE)]

The Beach at Valencia

Danielle had been going to this beach for years. Many said it was the nicest in France. And today was beautiful - sunny and warm - and the Mediterranean Sea calm.

Yes, it was wonderful day to be here. She slipped off her sandals and dropped her cape and strode across the beach towards her favorite spot, near the sand dunes with the tall grasses.

A shout made her look over her shoulder. A uniformed man was running towards her. As he approached, he tried to look her in the eyes. It took every ounce of his will power to do so. He started to blush.

"Mademoiselle, excusez moi. But, it is not possible, er, it is not permitted, er.." He stammered on. He was now sweating profusely, only partially a result of wearing a dark uniform on a hot, sunny day. His gaze fell again. He blinked and looked Danielle in the eyes. "Excusez moi. But it is now forbidden to not wear, um, to, er , to reveal your, um, bosom."

Danielle laughed. "Seriously? Since when? I have always ... well, dressed like this at the beach." She spread her arms wide.

The officer turned even redder, if that was possible. He ran a finger around his collar, trying to cool off. "Well, you see, it is here. In this notice from the Royal Department of Comportment and Morality. Minister Ozzy. See?" He handed Danielle the notice.

"Minister Oz ....zie??? I have never heard of him." She started to read the notice.

"Um, a new department. Just set up with the new peace." said the young officer. As Danielle was now reading the notice he could let his gaze drift. He could not help but think that Minister Ozzy would not have his job long.

Danielle handed the notice back to the officer. "Fine! So be it! But it is a stupid law!" And crossing her arms over her chest she added ... "And this Minister Oz..zie, he will never know what he missed."

[Japan (DoE)]

Japanese generals and advisers meet with Emperor Meiji.


Yoshio Minister of Defense: My lord the Indians no longer have any holding in the Pacific. Last night our forces took the last Indian colony in the Pacific. The fight was short, two musket units and one archer unit fell to our three rifle units. Near the Indian homeland our war ships are continuing to blockade there cities and more ships are moving to the other coastal cities. Reports show the Indian cities are suffering and many lives are being lost due to starvation.


Noshiro Minister of foreign Affairs: Many nations have shown support for our expansions and though the Indian tongues are golden there words fall on death ears. There have even resorted to try and give away a city to England for there help which is exactly what the did to us prior to declaring war on England. Luckily the English were not as weak minded and easy to manipulate as we once were. We have also given them to opportunity to end this war now that we have accomplished our goals but they have refused.

Emperor Meiji: Hmm I see. Boost our defenses in all of our cities and begin building more ships to defend our waters. Keep the our ships blockading the Indian coastal cities let no ship in or out until peace is restored. Just because we have taken there colonies with ease does not mean they will stay down forever.

Yoshio Minister of Defense: What if they refuse peace and build up a huge force and eventually break through the blockade? Are we to eliminate there entire nation to prevent this from happening?

Emperor Meiji: We will just have to wait and see.

[France (DoE)]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris



Louis' attention wandered. He gazed up at the intricate mantlepiece above the fireplace. The undersecretary of foreign affairs, Charles Montpetit realized that he had 'lost' his student.

"Interesting carving, isn't it Sire?" he said.

"Yes. Very. Is it recent?"

"No, not really. It dates back to the early days of your aunt's rule. It depicts military figures, but it also has numerous coats of arms of the various provinces and cities of France, as well as the cherubs holding up the wreath. It might be a symbol of peace, but to be honest, I really have no idea. Art history is not my forte."

Louis smiled at that. "So, are we finished for the day, Undersecretary."

"Well, yes and no. We did not get through all the history, nor all our briefings on the current state of affairs of foreign nations, but we did cover a lot of ground. If you say we are finished, then we are finished."

That brought a laugh from Louis. "Ah, the man who would be king, and the power he holds." He raised a clench fist.

And that had the Undersecretary laughing.

Louis continued.."To be honest, I would like to change the format. Can we just talk about certain things. I do have many questions." He gave Montpetit a wry smile.

"Certainly. A grand idea. Fire away, Sire." The undersecretary immediately realized that his last remark may seem strangely ironic to a man who only last week was in command of regiment of musketeers.

"Well. Let's start with this public statement by the DA a few weeks back." He pushed a document across the table to Montpetit.

Letter to India

Russia involved itself in the Great War out of honor. A trait precious few nations seem to retain these days.... (it went on at length)

"Ah yes. This masterpiece. What about it, Sire."

"Let's see. Russia comes to the DA's aid when they are attacked, and it is called 'honor'. India comes to Neandor's aid when they are attacked by Russia, and it is 'meddling' and 'opportunistic'. Do they really believe this, or is it just "diplomacy" as they call it."

"Well, sire, we call them the damnanglais for a reason." That brought a chuckle from Louis. "But do they really believe it. No, I can't imagine so. Their logic is so flawed, and obviously so. I wouldn't trust a damnanglais as far as I could throw one, but I never saw them as lacking intelligence. Therefore, when they do publicly state something such as this, we simply see it for what it is: their attempt at public relations and to try to sway the opinion of the non-aligned nations. There may also be an element of trying to pull the wool over the eyes of their own population. It is a common practice."

Louis sighed. "That is good to know. I was worried that I was missing something. Now, the Russians. I have read much of what they have released publicly. Again, am I missing something here or is there an element of self-delusion in what they write?"

The Undersecretary sat back and ran his hand through his hair. He thought to himself- "That's it! That's it exactly! We have had analysts reviewing material and trying to assess the Russian mind-set, and this young man comes in and hits the nail on the head." He was impressed.

"Prince Louis. You graduate. With honors. And thank-you. You have solved something we have been trying to figure out for years. The Russians are a complex people. The strongest nation on earth. And the diplomatic core of the alliance that faced France and its allies. They have long-reaching tentacles, and friends and supporters we can only suspect. But their diplomatic stance was, and is, an enigma to us. On the one hand, we figure it was strictly a case of the strong saying what they wanted to, because they could."

He rose from his chair and walked along the row of books, finally pulling down a well-weathered volume. "Peter Berresford Ellis. English historian. One of their better ones. He was writing about an ancient civilization and penned this..

As is always the way of conquerors, the people they seek to conquer are denigrated and painted in the worst possible light.

I had always thought this explained the Russians, but it missed the mark in many aspects. Then one analyst thought it was a matter of governmental schizophrenia, with the various queens of Russia vying with government officials for international recognition. The current princess, she is a piece of work."

"Ah" Louis cut in "The fork tongue tramp of the arctic forests!"

"Ha ha. Exactly! But back to your point. It would appear that the Russians DO believe everything they state publicly. Much is true mind you, much is irrelevant, but much is as you say, self-delusion." Montpetit clapped his hands. "We must make an appointment with Marc Renaud. He will be interested to hear this. Well my young foreign affairs specialist, that only leaves Turkey. What say ye?"

"Undersecretary, I cannot figure them out at all. Their emperor or whatever seems completely disconnected. The press seems to have more sway than the government. The military seems very loyal to the self-deluded Russians. Yet all in all, they seem like a decent people. Why did we end up fighting them anyway?"

"The Viking and French invasion of the British Isles. We call it the original sin here in foreign affairs, because the DA hang onto it like a religion. They conveniently overlook the Turkish razing of the Israeli Holy City, but then again, that did not happen to the DA, did it. At any rate, Russia came to the DA's support, followed by the Turks. They invaded French North Africa, and the rest you probably know from your studies of General Jugan's campaigns."

Louis stretched his arms out and stifled a yawn. "It is getting late Undersecretary. But I have two more questions. First, the Turkish prisoners of war - what is happening to them? And secondly, the war against India, I am confused as to what is going on - not militarily, that is clear, but diplomatically."

"Ah, good questions. The prisoners will be returned shortly to Turkey. We will be issuing a communique on that tomorrow. As to India, well, that is a much longer discussion, Prince Louis, and one that does need our attention. Why don't we schedule a meeting with Marc for first thing in the morning. I'll see you then."

"Very good. Tomorrow then. And thank you for today, Undersecretary Montpetit."

"Thank you, Prince Louis. A most enlightening discussion!"

[Inca (DoE)]

The Inca have moved their previous embassy from Venetii to Asgard. Now Asgard will be the seat of the Western Affairs division of the foreign service of Incacona.

[India (DoE)]

The blockade of Calicut continued


Little Raman scrambled across the streets near the docks keeping low at all times. He knew how the Japanese soldiers loved to take pot-shots with their Rifles from the ship when they saw movement on land. Not once had the Indians fired at them, but they still kept up their murderous blockade and their indiscriminate firing. The dockmaster would be displeased with his tardiness, but even more displeased if he never arrived, so Raman took his time hiding behind a barrel until the soldiers aboard stopped firing. His older brothers had all been drafted to serve the city's defences, but he was only a boy of 11 and told to stay with his job at the trade-ports of carrying messages. The fat merchant would not be happy to hear the most recent tale from the capital. The Congress had demanded that the merchants of Calicut pay an extra property tax, a war levy, to pay the Russian debts. As if they were not losing money hand over fist as it was with this damned blockade. Thousands had starved and many had left for the inlands to seek refuge in the stinking pile that was Delhi. How could anyone live in a city that smelled so bad he could never understand. But here in Calicut a fresh wind blew in from the ocean every day. As it was now.

The Japanese ship outside the docks seemed to swerve in the wind, turning slightly as its anchor held it fast below water. Now, he thought and leaped from his hiding place skipping across a few boxes of trade goods, running as fast as his barefoot feet could on the stone. The dockmaster's warehouse was very near, stretching from the water's edge far up inland. He wished he could enter from the other side, but there was too much chaos in the city. The rumours of surrender had caused great uproar and as a man with a brother in Congress the locals were hammering on the dockmaster's door demanding answers. How could things have become so bad? Calicut had been the pearl on the Ganghez Sea, India's largest port. Now it was struggling to survive. Another two boxes jumped, the goods had lain here for months, no ships came to pick them up, and Raman was at the door. He was safe here, the dockmaster had put up a barricade to hide the door from view and metal that were going to be sent overseas had instead been leaned against the debris to field a bulletproof wall. If only India had ships of metal as well thought Raman, then the war would not go so badly, a silly thought, how could metal ever float. The thought lingered despite its idiocy, but was lost as the door creaked open and Raman was let in with the letter. He had already read it, broken the seal of the Congress, but in these times it could never be put on him and the dockmaster had once been a smuggler and carer little for such formalities. Raman knew everything it said about the tax and the discussion of surrender.

[Russia (DoE)]

Back in Villa Cheburashka, usual gray working day for the Catherine's office

"My Lady!"

"Yes, Natasha?"

"My lady, I bring bad news - our agent Kuzmov who was acting near Paris has been captured and executed by the French few days ago"

"Yes, those are bad news Natasha, but I guess thats part of the spying trade - along with all the thrill, the traveling, the girls and so on?"

"It is indeed, My Lady. But it seems Kuzmov did not died in vain. Along with all the crucial war-time information he gave us, it seems he managed to recruit few of the French maidservants who fell under his fatal charm. One of those girls happened to be working for the French undersecretary and while she was cleaning around, she was able to hear and inform us for an interesting conversation between the undersecretary and Prince Louis."

"And?"

"I can bet you are not going to like this, but they made some comments about the international politics and particularly Russia."

"Let me hear them!" Catherine said already prepared for the next portion of unpleasant claims for Russia, which was so often repeated lately.

"They discussed the English letter to India, which says

Letter to India

Russia involved itself in the Great War out of honor. A trait precious few nations seem to retain these days.... (it went on at length)

"

"Hey! but thats good - we are not made black as the devil himself here?!?"

"Yes, MY Lady, but then they commented on it that

"Let's see. Russia comes to the DA's aid when they are attacked, and it is called 'honor'. India comes to Neandor's aid when they are attacked by Russia, and it is 'meddling' and 'opportunistic'. Do they really believe this, or is it just "diplomacy" as they call it."

"

"But Natasha, there may be just misunderstanding - Maybe the French did not know Russia had a NAP with India long long ago and this makes them opportunistic treaty breakers - once they saw benefit and they deserted us and go with their new friend the Neandors?"

"No, My Lady - there is no doubt the French knew about this. But I guess this is their understanding of the idea of Non-Agression pact and how it works. We have information that they had NAP with Mali and at first opportunity broke it with threats about attacking Mali?."

"Then maybe there is problem - the French don understand how those things works. let me some few minutes to prepare myself and then we discuss the rest of the French claims."

"Very well, Catherine"

[France (DoE)]

North Africa, East of Agadir



The sight never ceased to amaze General Jugan. A small city in the middle of nowhere - mostly tents, with some larger buildings for infrastructure. This was Colevi. (literally - a Turkish translation - Desert City) It was on the edge of the desert and backed on to the foot hills of the Atlas Mountains of Africa. It had been built by the French and the Turkish prisoners after the Battle of Ekron Hills. For some 9,000 Turkish soldiers this had been home for the last seven years.

It was a large and well kept camp. There was no perimeter fencing. And there was only a small guard detachment. There also had been no escape attempts. To the east and south was miles of endless desert. To the north and west were the French cities of North Africa with their large garrisons. It was either certain death in the desert or probable recapture

Conditions inside the camp were quite good, and the prisoners of war had created their own farms, and herds of animals for food. There were social, recreation, and religious centers as well.

And soon it would be gone.

General Jugan saw Colonel Mustafa riding out to meet him at the edge of the camp. Colonel Mustafa did have a last name, but everyone knew him as Colonel Mustafa. He was affable, popular with the prisoners, and effective at both governing the POW's and liaising with the French.

"Colonel Mustafa! Good to see you again." Jugan reached out his hand.

"General Jugan. Always a pleasure." Replied Mustafa. "So, is it true what we hear? We are going home?"

"It gives me great joy to tell you, yes, you are going home."

Mustafa raised his arms over his head. "Praise the Lord and the Great Sultan! This is most excellent news!"

Jugan cautioned the Colonel. "This is going to take some time, and some logistics. Galleons are waiting to sail you back to Turkey. I will leave it to you to inform your people and begin organizing the march. It will not take long to get to the coast."

"General Jugan, thank you. The men will be very happy. It has been a long time coming. But we also need to be prepared for another eventuality."

"And what would that be?" asked Jugan.

"Some of the men may want to stay. The shepherds are very established. And as you know, many have, well, met local girls. Several of the farmers as well. And the supply crew who went to Agadir every week, many of them have met women and may like to stay. This will complicate matters."

"Not all, my good friend. Peace has been declared. Borders have been opened. If Turkish soldiers wish to settle here, or in Agadir, they would be most welcome. We have gotten along just fine these last seven years - my goodness, has it been that long - there is no reason why we should have problems now. Any idea how many may want to stay?"

"Maybe 500. Possibly more. I will let you know by tomorrow evening."

"Excellent Colonel. We will start the march the day after tomorrow then. And Colonel Mustafa, I wish you only the best. I am glad that you will be returning to your wife and children." He reached out to shake the Turks hand again.

"As am I, General. As am I." He shook General Jugan's hand warmly.