Apolyton Empire: Story Part II

[Mellian]

OOC: Okay, here is the new story thread for Apolyton Empire.

for new readers, click here for the first part of the story.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Is it absolutely necessary for you to clutter up this forum with so many threads about the same thing!

[unscratchedfoot]

Maybe they're trying to make cloth out of it.

[civman2000]

OOC: I don't think the sections should be based on posts. I think they should be based on time. COincidentally, 700 was reached at the same time as 1403 started. Thus I think from now on new threads should start every three years.

January 9th, 1403
In the Iroquois capital:
The assassin, under interrogation, has broke and said he was from Apolyton...he has said that the Consuls are plotting to destabilize the Iroquois government and invade. (OOC Mellian you decide what the Iroquois government does now). Further evidence: the knives the assassins used were from the Apolyton army.

OOC: I want to make it clear that no one but the Iroquois government and civman's organization knows about this. Thus the APolyton government has no reason to deny involvement. Also, if you can't tell, civman framed teh Apolytonians, so don't say i'm claiming things that didn't happen.

[Lord Zalzabad]

To all, recent time restrants means that I am unable to continue in the game. It has really been fun, and I might return at a later date. Kill off my charicter if need be.

Sincerely
Lord Zalzabad

[Mellian]

OOC: civman, i create this new thread way early in the morning...so was 1403. So still 3 three years per thread

Zalzabad, sorry to hear... but do come back when you have the time again

January 1403

Iroquois Government is pretty surprised by the recent assassination attempt, by Apolyton at that! Hiawatha (sorry for spelling) was Furious, but he can't simply declare war on Apolyton out right. He will discuss it with the Tribal leaders about the matter, to decide on what to do... If they go to war with Apolyton, then America, who seem to be interested in taking them over for decade or so now, would join as part of the Alliance agreement... He will try to discuss it with the other Allies, except America, over the matter...

Mongolia, with the help of Apolyton troops, as finally stoped the Russian offensive, but the front lines became a stalemate at the moment.

Russia ignores Apolyton's threat, as they know that they can't do much to them...the richest and biggest nation in the world. (they have the most gold mines )

[mmtt]

Winter 1403: January/February

So, Apolyton was once again flowded by the shadow of civil war. Thunderfire couldn't believe it. He had tried to build a strong country.
Defeated nations were rising meanwhile Apolyton was staying slowly falling faster and faster.

That was now exactly one year he has been in power. During some months, he ruled the states then came riots and some rebellions. Yet, Consuls held firmly.

A couple of months ago, Thunderfire had disappeared. He was ill, tired and felt that he didn't have the skills of a ruler. He tried his best but to fall.

Troops, his troops, were roaming the countryside looking for rebels and even murdering innocents whereas he thought they would help people.

He had run away. He had secretly left Apolyton to see his son, Giovanni Vodka.
He did a short trip in England, and there he was horrified. He thought England was badly defeated but there were rising once again. Troops were being trained, factories were built and cannons were funded by hundreds.

England wasn't anymore under the foolish rules of Elizabeth, a new ruler (ooc: i let you Mellian give him/her a name).

He quickly sailed away to America. There, he saw a promising country, the economy was rising. People were rich and happy. They seemed to eat enough and could discuss matters freely. They were also educated.
He thought to Apolyton where he tried to build schools but his project wasn't take in account by much and along fundations of universities had been laid.

He saw also many ships, many warships. But, there were also ships with an English flag.

He learnt that a delegation of England had gone to America to discuss things with America.

Thunderfire was sure of something, something which would seal the doom of Apolyton was coming.
He got in the first boat and sailed to Apolyton.
-----------------

In Apolyton, he saw once again the same fights, useless ones. Mark looked tired. In facts,f Thunderfire had changed, he nolonger was the strong warrior he used to be. He was feeling old and weak. To hide himself, he was now wearing dark clothes and hide his head in a black hood. Illness had weakened him. Yet, he needed protection

With him, was riding a small group of loyal knights. They were wearing black armours and dark weapons throught the countryside. They were his silent advisors.


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

He finally came back to Sanhopi. He didn't go to Easthaven residence. He went in a small inn, took a room and wrote.

To Consuls Easthaven, Jack_www
"My friends, my brother in arms, you seemed to have forgotten something. I did a long trip. I saw many things. Among it, I saw two countries stronger than ever: England, our long enemy and America.
One has the army, the other the economy. I'm now nearly sure they are going to ally together. Against what? Against us.

I warn you, act now, regroup our armies, unite our troops once again, our people, let them be free. Put our flags high! Let's fight! I know you can, you are young, you can defeat them."

[foolish_icarus]

february 1403

“What? You too? Have you collected nothing but a pittance as well?” “Sir, it was all I could get. That entire part of town—they all claim they haven’t done much business at all, I could hardly collect much from them. They all has the same story, they say they only sell to other Republicans and don’t charge anything for each others’ services—” “I know, I know the story. It’s the third time I’ve heard it tonight.” The local tax administrator interrupted with a sigh. “The poor damn Republicans can’t pay taxes because they haven’t made any money because they refuse to interact with us lesser mortals, right?” The tax collector nodded. Then the tax administrator harumphed vehemently and cast a suspicious gaze on the collector. “Well, it doesn’t seem right. Those Republicans seem to be doing pretty well for themselves to be paying so little. Something has got to give.” The administrator paused and seemed to remember what his job was. “But that’s not our concern. The consuls will figure out what to do. In the meantime, get as many taxes as you can from cooperative people. If the district you’re working seems like this last one, note that and go on to the next one. Someone’s got to pay for things.”

Only after Latentus had left the office of the tax administrators did he permit himself to smile. He was pleased with the turnout to the tax reduction activities, and more pleased with himself than he should have been for having come up with the idea and organizing its application a little less than a year before. He was somewhat rueful that anyone who wanted a reorganization of government was automatically called a Republican and rather concerned about what the consuls’ reaction to this would be. He knew the number of participants wasn’t anywhere near large enough to be able to bring the consuls down, but as near as he could tell, the revenue shortfall would be enough to make things tight for the consuls, though they would probably squeeze by. Would they decide to cut programs? Whatever they did, the participants of what Latentus liked to think of as the ‘New Society’, who ranged from OJDP members to Republicans to peasants to aristocrats, would be reasonably secure in their cooperatives, where the standard of living had gone down slightly for some due to isolation but overall remained reasonably high. Hopefully they would be more powerful next year. Latentus realized he had stopped and was staring idly at the stars. Well, if that’s to be the case, he thought as he started to walk again, I’ve got work to do.

The Head Historian looked out the window at the ranks of people drilling at arms practice. They were members of the cooperative the Great University had silently attached itself to that had opted to join a program teaching in combat. These practices were being kept very secret, and even inside cooperative were passed of as merely “youngsters’ games.” Yet these people were clearly not playing. The energy and determination present in them were frightening even to one who had seen as much as the Head Historian had. The most terrifying aspect of it all to the Head Historian’s thinking was the silence. Everything was done quietly. From the construction around the cooperative that was stealthily being turned into fortifications to the battle drills themselves, everything was done with barely a sound, save an abnormal quasi-whistling they all communicated in. What had began as a necessity of not attracting attention had quickly evolved into not just a form of communication, but an identity, a unifying aspect for these spirited people. Suddenly a loud trilling sounded across the grounds, breaking the Head Historian from his reverie. That was the signal for the people to stop their evening after-dinner work or training and disperse to their homes or the dormitories in preparation for sleep. The grounds quickly emptied. For a time, all would be quiet.

[Easthaven I]

Consul Easthaven just finished reading the letter from Thunderfire. He had just gotten back from Vikan and placed Apep II back in a cell. This cell was unknown to everybody. It was nearly invincible as a cell can be. Constantly being gaurded by the most professional soldiers, each soldier individually knows the time they must relieve the other soldiers. The times change, only the specific gaurd soldiers know the changes. The cell is also being gaurded by multiple gaurdsmen, in and out. Any attempt whatsoever of possible escape APep II will be shot. Nobody enters or leaves the perimeters but the gaurds and Easthaven. Impossible for any escape whatsoever.

Anyways, Easthaven held Thunderfire's letter in his hand.

Where was the old man? Where had he been? And why is he so sure America and England will go to war with us? He thought.

Maybe I should mobilize our armies, but what if he's wrong? Either way, can't hurt to pray for peace but prepare for war.

"Sergeant!" He called from his tent.

A veteran, battle hardened man entered.

"Its time we stepped up training...

============

The Armies of Easthaven began more intense training. Easthaven himself toured around the nation checking up on each military outpost and giving speeches to them all. Inspiration filled the ranks as each man's morale seemed to uplift immensely. The end to the idleness did much for the soldiers. They began training in new methods of fighting every day, from sun up to sun down. Easthaven also began sending men to Mongolia to replace the soldiers already there and bring them back home. He planned to do this often to give his troops more combat experience so they don't get rusty, also to test his new methods and bring the tired combatants home to rest and replenish. Apolyton's military was the strongest and the most fierce in the world... They would never break or falter under pressure...

EDIT: Also, a tag was placed on Roxy and the Loyalie family to be monitored and observed, An undetectable most professional soldier is on it. The most subtle man ever, nobody will have a clue he is even there.

[Easthaven I]

Letter posted throughout Apolyton.

From Easthaven.

It has come to my attention that some Apolytonians have refused to pay taxes. This is not right. Everybody is equal therefore everybody should pay taxes. It is not fair to those who work hard and pay taxes for the upkeep of the nation while others simply don't pay and get paid for by the honest folk. The taxes aren't even that high anymore since the last tax cut. Therefore refusing to pay taxes is one who is refusing to be an Apolytonian citizen. If you do not pay taxes which every citizen has to in every country then you will be jailed, time to be determined. So, to the minority who take advantage of the cooperative honest tax payers, you must pay taxes like everyone else or face enjailment for breaking the law. It is only fair and just.

[Sheep]

occ: The Archbishop really doesn;t know a thing about the republican movement, his only contact through his servant.

The Archbishop saw another year slipped by, as his birthday rolled on. The oldest man in the church, Power was also getting tired of these games. He wished that the endless strife would end and that there would be peace to apolyton.

He sat down thinking of the fragile nature of apolyton. Indeed there would be a war if events continued, a war that would end Apolyton preeminece on world afairs. He vowed that this war shall not pass. Picking up pen, and dipping it into the ink, he wrote in his best Apolytoner to the Counsuls, one each expalining the postioning of the Republican movement and its aims. He also wrote of the plan to break melian out of gaol, and her current whereabouts.

Now he waited, to see what the Counuls would do. He did wish to see his flock have a say in their government, but could not se apolyton fall into civil war once more. If he was taken to Sanhopi gaol, he knew he would not last long, but then again a man of faith and of the cloth, would not be treated as such.

As a final percaution he sent his servant home, giving him orders to be passed along, if he was indeed imprisoned.

[Mellian]

OOC: Hey! don't you dare take the credit for rescuing Mellian or take credit for whatever she does.

[foolish_icarus]

The Cooperatives continue to expand numerically and in size as a stream of people continue to leave the Apolytonian economy for that of the New Society. They have their own farms, schools, smithies, etc., though they still rely on external mines for raw materials, but they are working towards purchasing one of their own. The solidarity and progress of the Cooperatives continues both in Apolyton and abroad.
OOC: I think it would take more than two years for England to rearm and America to turn on us.

[Jack_www]

occ:
How can you controll what millitary does Foolish_icarus?
Oh yes one more question, would we know that it is you trying to get people not to pay their taxes?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To Consul Easthaven(secret):
I would like to know what your feeling would be about chaning our current system of government once more. I am sick of always having to fight rebels off and it tries me.

TO all of Apolyton:
Latentus, fromer domestic advisor is also wanted for high treason. We are also putting out drawings of what he looks like and would like any with information to step foward. They is a 100 gold reward for any information leading to the capture of this man and also Mellian, even if you think they look somewhat like the person, report it aways. Even if you think that the person you see is not them, these people are good at tricking people and making them think that they are someone else then who they truely are.

[foolish_icarus]

The letter read:

To the Consuls
From Latentus

Why am I being charged with treason? I have not perpetrated anything against you or the present government, even though it is questionable whether you are legitimate. i haven't even claimed my old position. I am merely a private citizen, exercising the powers of speech that you claim everyone possesses. This letter has been distributed attached to a copy of my wanted poster. We look forward to hearing your response.

OOC: I'll change my last post if you want, but it seemed reasonable. These people share the same ideals and are used to each other and have practiced drilling together (though they try their best not to let that be known). If they work and fight better when they are together than when they are seperated, the military would almost certainly choose the course of action that gets the best results, but it's your call.
You might very well suspect Latentus of the tax reduction scheme, but it is very unlikely you would have concrete evidence, since the organization of the process was pretty much limited to word of mouth. But your character probably wouldn't have any problem fabricating evidence.
As to the tax reduction scheme, those people were obeying the letter if not the spirit of the law. They did pay their taxes, but they were pittances because they had mostly stopped using Apolytonian currency and had gone back to bartering amongst themselves. So they didn't pay much in taxes because they hadn't made much money. That's the mechanics of the scheme anyway, so there's not really anything that's technically illegal, they found a loophole.