NationStates Jolt Archive

Announcement from the Dersconi Foreign Ministry and the Church

The Czar, God Bless and Preserve Him, hereby invites all Christian nations to come to The Greater Rekjyavich Andropov Military City Area and celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

If you wish to attend, you may contact the Dersconi Church Office, your local Dersconi Consulate, or the State Department.

A basic itinerary will be announced later on.

God Bless all of you on this Glourious Day!


Charles Grafton, Archbishop of Derscon
Count Franz von Papen, Foreign Minister to the Czar
Prince John Rekjyavich, Crown Prince of the Empire

Tag

Christmas Itinerary

Note: No times, just a basic outline

Arrive at Rekjyavich Andropov Military City Airport, be taken by Honor Guard to the Kremlin

Get shown your rooms, downtime to visit nearby capitalist Berlin or Orthodox Moscow

Come back before midnight, as that is when the gates close and it is a shoot-on-sight basis for the guards.
==========
Morning continental breakfast in the Kremlin dining room

Morning services with Prince John at Kremlin Cathedral

Downtime, then Buffet Lunch in Kremlin Dining Hall

Afternoon services; choice of:
Catholic (mass/prayer service) with Cardinal DeVito
Presbyterian Service with Ian Paisley
Angelican Service with Charles Grafton
Non-denominational with Prince John

Lots and Lots and Lots of downtime to tour.

State Dinner in Kremlin Palace Grande Hall

Candlelight Service by all preachers until midnight

Gates Close, do whatever in RAMC
======
Continental breakfast in Kremlin Dining Hall

From here, you can:

Leave

Stay for informal Diplomatic Christian Conference in the Lounge area

Downtime, downtime, and more downtime

BUMP!

This is also the IC thread. Just post arriving at RAMC early, should you want to come.

The Cardinal boarded Carabinieri flight 1. With him was an eight member squad of Carabinieri, as guards. He talked with them, and explained how he would do the prayer service.
1. Procession (opening song)
2. Blessing (opening)
3. 2 readings from scripture
4. Hymn
5. Alelluia/Gospel
6. Sermon
7. Blessing
8. process Out

IT IS NOT A FULL MASS, Just a prayer service.

He touched down, and with his squad of Carabinieri stepped off the plane, and waited for the honor guards.

We wish to attend... but you made it unclear who was invited. Anyone? Or just leaders and/or diplomats? We assume it is the latter, and we wish to send a delegation to attend.

http://www.bateshome.com/jordan/rsig5.jpg (http://www.bateshome.com/jordan/factbook.htm)

Invitation Statement Made for General Knowledge

Everyone is allowed to attend. Foreign leaders and diplomats get their own special seating at the State Dinner, the opening and closing services, and may attend the Christian Conference, but anyone may attend. Non-leaders/diplomats must go through the quick-trip procedures, though. They may arrive at Moscow International Airport.

He touched down, and with his squad of Carabinieri stepped off the plane, and waited for the honor guards.
ooc- Waiting for the Honor Guards

An aid walked in to the Shogun's office to find him playing put-put on his mini hole thingy while an unread report sat scattered on his desk.

"AHH! what are you doin here?!" he screamed in shock. "Don't you know how to knock?"

"Sorry sir, but you have an invatation to christmas in Derscon."

"Hmm. That has a nice ring to it. Tell him that we accept, and that Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto III will be joining me, he works too hard."

"Yes sir."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
An hour later, a small C-17 took off, destined for the P.P.S. Arkhangle, a true symbol of the nation's power, that would take them the rest of the way to Derscon.

RAMC International Airport

An electromagnetic open-roof vehicle approached the Cardinal and the Carabinieri. Eleven Honour Guards were on the platform. The Honour Guard in the pure white armour stepped forward.

"Greetings, Cardinal. I am Knight Commander of the Diplomatic Defence Team. Please, step on." The Cardinal and his Carabinieri stepped on the platform. An energy shield came around it, and light benches suddenly emerged.

"It is okay, sit." The Cardinal sat down, weary of the saftey of it, but when nothing happened, he relaxed. The Honour Guards all sat down, but the Cardinal's guards did not.

When the platform took off on the track, the Carabinieri were knocked off their feet and rolled around on the ground. A faint chuckle could be heard from the Honour Guards.

"I told you to sit down," the KNight Commmander said to the Carabinieri. The platform was clearly on a track, the cardinal could see.

The futuristic tram went into a tunnel and five minutes later, wound up in a subterranian docking port. The energy shields went off, and the Honour Guards lifted the Cardinal off the bench before it dissipated.

"Do not worry, many make that mistake." The Honour Guards led them all above ground, and they emerged from the face of a cliff. In front of them was the Kremlin Palace. It was quite an impressive structure, fortified beyond the visible spectrum.

The party walked up to the doors of the Palace. They were two stories high, and pure gold. What you didn't see was the three-inch-think reinforced concrete in between the one and a half inch layers of gold on both sides. THe Doorway was cut into the face of the building, about fifteen feet in, as to not let rain dampen the shine of the magnificent doors. Strange things were carved into it, clearly pagan ritual drawings. On the right door, though, four dragons encircled around an All-seeing Eye with some sort of sword with the blade pointed down in the center. All of that seemed like it was on fire. The Cardinal was a bit unnerved.

The Honour Guards saluted the Knight Commander and the doors opened. Inside, the Grande Hall could be seen, and when everyone was in, the massive doors slammed shut.

The Grande Hall was a complete sphere. They were currently standing in the middle of the ten-story-diameter ball of a Grande Hall. The platforms seemed to magcally levitate. There were platforms coming out of the "walls" of the sphere, leading to more gold doors. The center of the Hall could not be reached. In the center, though, was a sword, just hovering there. The Cardinal could recognize the fact it was the one on the door. The sword was around three and a half meters long, and at maximum a half a meter wide.

At the bottom of the circle was the same inscription that was on the door, only in colour. It was even more unnerving than the first. A giant oblisk came up from the seal and stopped about ten feet from the sword.

At the top of the sphere, massive chandeliers lined the ceiling of the sphere. In the center was a painting of the Ressurection, but incased in a circle. The Knight smiled.

"Odd place for a dinner, eh?" The Knight Commander asked the Cardinal rhetorically. "Don't worry. You'll be amazed. ELEVATOR!" When he shouted, it did not seem to echo, which was odd. A floating platform came from the top and mounted itself to the platform they were standing on. The Honour Guards led the Cardinal and his guards on to the platform.

"GUEST LEVEL!" THe platform detached itself and meandered up to the fifth balcony platform up, and attached itself. When they were all off, the platform dissipated, in which the Cardinal was startled, but the Knight didn't seem to notice. The gold doors opened and the party walked into the foyer of the Guest Level.

Upon enterance to the foyer, the Cardinal turned around to see absolutely no doors there at all -- it was a wall. THe Knight smiled.

"This way, please." He opened the oak doors and they entered the Guest Hall. A chandelier hung from the ceiling of the octagonal prisim room. Dersconi flags were hung on the doorway, the wall opposite of the doorway, and the sides perpendicular to the doorway. The room was made of marble, with the floor shining glouriously friendly, beconing all people. Suits of armour were placed around the room, all armed with lances. Shields and swords lined the walls, with the shields having the Royal Crest of all the royal families of Derscon, Reichskamphen, Greater Prussia, and all the other GP members. There was a double-door area directly opposite them, with a brass plaque reading "Lounge/Dining Hall." On the sides, there were steps leading up to a balcony that overlooked the room.

"Do follow." The Knight led the party to the one set of stairs lined with red carpet. When they reached the balcony, the Knight turned to the maple doors opposite the balcony with the stained glass windows with crosses on them. He opened the doors and led them down a hallway with red carpet and white walls.

"Your room is number one hundred five. The guards have the ajoining room, one hundred seven. Should you need anything, a royal servant will be there. Have a wonderful day, sir!" With that, the honor guards walked off.
=============================
OOC: Think of the room as a Presidential Suite in the Hilton.

OOC: Put-put? We have a seven-hole course in the Royal Lounge. ;)
=====================

Star Office, Kremlin Palace

"Sir!" Count Franz von Papen, the Foreign Minister, said to the Czar. "The Sho--"

"Yes, yes. The Shogun is coming, and the Cardinal just came. I know. Thank you for informing me. Now, respond to all people as you shall."

"Yessir."

Six Carabinieri went into their room,and posted two guards at the Cardinal's door as he went in. The Cardinal unpacked, and went out into the hall. All eight Carabinieri then formed a semi-circle around him.
he called the servant,
"Servant" he yelled as he handed him 20 Bills (RIdgian Currency) ,
"There are rumors that Leipzig was just killed in this very palace by the Czar. Is that true? Will I have an oppurtunity to see the Czar?" he asked him

The President and his family would love to attend the festivities.

Secretary Sheridan
Corneliuan State Department

The Royal servant handed the money back.

"No need. I know nothing of the rumours, but I can see if a consel with the Czar can be set up."

The servant then ran off.
========================
Star Office

"Sir," the secretary said over the intercom. "A servant says that the Cardinal requests a counsel with you." The czar pressed the talk button.

"Okay. Tell him I'll let him in. Have the cardinal wait in the Guest Hall."

"Yessir."
=========================
Outside the Cardinal's Room

"Sir," the servant said to Cardinal DeVito. "The Czar instructs you wait for a guide to come at the Guest Hall."
==========================
OOC: By the way, CR, there's a little green button by the nightstand that says "Royal Helper." That's the servant button.

"I am not one for walking into walls" the Cardinal said to the servant,
"Can you show me how to get past that wall" he said

The servant nodded.

"Easy, just walk right through them." He then left. The Knight Commander came five minutes later and met the Cardinal in the Guest Hall.

"Greetings again, Cardinal. Follow me." The Knight commander walked through the oak doors, with the Cardinal and his guards following. When they approached the wall, the Knight Commander nodded.

"Don't worry, this happens with all first-timers. Just walk! Nothing to it."

The Cardinal and his Carabinieri followed the Knight commander, walking through the oak doors, not knowing what to expect.

On the other side of the wall, the party was back in the Grande Hall. THe Knight Commander walked to the edge.

"ELEVATOR!" The elevator formed itslef attached to the platform.

"Get on." When they were all on, it detached and hovered there.

"STAR OFFICE!" The platform went to the center of the room, and proceeded to go straight up. When they passed the last platform and they kept going up, the Cardinal got nervous.

"We are going to squish!" Ten feet below the ceiling, the encircled picture of the Ressurection moved out of place, exposing a hole in the ceiling. When they ascended above the whole, it closed up again, blanketing them in total darkness.

When the lights suddenly flickered on, the platform dissipated, and they touched the white marble.

They were in a giant hallway, lined with marble columns, each inscribed with a Czar of Derscon. Two Honour Guards stood between each column. Up ahead, two gold doors with Honour Guards flanking them stood majestically.

When they reached the doors, the Honour Guards crossed their staffs in front of the door.

"No guards." The Knight Commander nodded and turned to the Cardinal.

"Your men will have to stay here."

A voice broke over the radio at an Air Traffic control station at RAMC. "This is The Escort for the Delegation from Raysia, including 2 Forzando VTOLs and 1 Chariot VTOL. Request direction to open landing pad. Over."

"This is RAMC, you are clear to land in Landing Zones 37, 38, and 39. Your Ground Escorts will be waiting for you nearby. Over."

"Roger RAMC, Beginning landing operations. Over and out."

The two Fighters land a few seconds ahead of the VIP plane, touching down quickly and perfectly, and allowing enough time for the pilots to open their canopies and stand in their seats, saluting as the Chariot lands between them and quickly cuts its engines.

Upon a quick glance, the two pilots of the fighters are surprisingly clean-cut and dressed in black and white suits. Instead of the standard folding ladders that would drop from the cockpit, a couple of Honor Guardsmen bring up ladders to allow the pilots to walk down comfortably. The two thank and greet the guards as they turn to the VIP plane that just opened up a door.

Out of the plane step a total of 9 delegates, 3 men and 6 women who remain unintroduced. The pilots lock up their planes and turn over responsibility to the Airport Security, then join the party. The honor Guard escorts them to the tram station, and they ride the futuristic train until they reach the docking bay at the Kremlin, where they all step out.

When the delegation approaches the Kremlin, they finally introduce themselves. Accompanied by their wives, there are the three Pilots, a Deputy ambassador, and two other delegates, all of whom were of no real fame or high position, but were all both martial and religious representatives of Raysia.

If asked, they will meet with the Czar or whomever else, but they are primarily present simply to attend the event as representatives of their nation.

"I know, I know" the Cardinal said.

The Carabinieri saluted the Cardinal, and then the Honor Guards.
The Cardinal entered and then bowed low,
"Your Highness" he said as he then stood up straight.

Corenliuan 1 was on final approach to RAMC!

"I'm glad that the Czar invited all of us here." President Server's wife said as she looked out the window.

"Not just us but all christian nations." James replied as he buckled up. "This should be very interesting to see how this party goes."

"Agreed father. I think its high time that this was done. Besides, the Czar took what I was going to ask you. Not that I mind anyway."

"Good that you don't because then I would have to hit you." Erica stated with a sly grin.

Up in the cockpit, Colonel Jones was preparing to land. "This is Corneliuan 1 with 6 Fighter escorts. By authority, I am hereby requesting landing clearence."

You are cleared to land Corneliuan 1. Your fighters are also cleared to land. Enjoy your stay here.

"That is the plan" The colonel stated as he shuts off the mic. "Boy they sure can underestimate here can't they?"

"Sure can."

Within a few moments, the fighter escort broke formation and landed followed by the plane.

As soon as the plane stopped, President Server and his son where the first ones to walk down the ladder.

Rev. Dr. Ian R.K. Paisley, Rev. Dr. Alan Cairns, and Arch Duke Dietrich von Oberhausen sat in their black, armoured limousine as they approached the Kremlin. "It's been a long time, but it's good to be back." Paisley signed.

"Not for me," Oberhausen smiled knowingly. "I had some business to take care of here a few days ago."

Dr Paisely shuffled a stack of papers, his sermon notes, into some semblance of order as the limousine pulled up at the Kremlin and the occupants of the car exited.

Ambassador John Wilkins pulled up in his limousine to the front of the building and stepped out, and towards the door, invitation in hand.

I'm sorry Derscon, I'm editing my first post. I'll be taking a chopper to Arkhangle, and I'll come by sea. You can describe the arrival since you know the arkhangle class as well as I do.

Kremlin Gates

The Thirty Honour Guards stood in two lines, forming a walkway to the steps, as the Reichskamphen Delegation -- including the Preussischer übermäßigkaiser, Doctor Paisley -- approached the Kremlin Doors. A "Heil!" was shouted simotaniously as the Honour Guards raised their staffs in salute.

At the top was Kinght Commander of the Honour Guards in white armour, and Knight Commander of RAMC Defence, who was Praesillei Dei, also with white armour, instead of the normal PD Black. Both saluted Paisley and the Honour Guard Knight stepped forward.

"Greetings, Emperor, your soldiers salute you." He turned to Oberhausen and gave him an empty service revolver bullet casing.

"I found this on the floor of the Throne Room. I figured you wanted it as a souvenier of sorts." He smiled and turned back to Paisley.

"The Czar is currently in a meeting with cardinal DeVito of Cherry Ridge. Due to security concerns, Ivan doesn't want you two in the same room," he said with a chuckle.

"Anyways, I shall show you your rooms. For foreshadowing purposes, all of you will be in the back of the Guestroom Hall. There is a passage that I shall show you later taking you to the Imperial Level, where the Star Office and such is.

"Now, if you'll be so kind as to follow me, I shall take you to your rooms."

The Knight Commander and the thirty Honour Guards took them through the same process as they did the Cardinal and his delegation. Finally, they were at the rooms. There was an inlet with a soda machine. The Honour Guard motioned them to come to the machine.

"As you see, this is out of order." He put the key in and turned the handle to open the soda machine. When it opened, a spiral staircase was exposed. The Knight Commander gave each one of them a key.

"Please be kind enough to return them before you leave. Otherwise, you are all free to use this passage as long as no one else is looking. Sig Heil, and God Save the Emperor!

"Now, there are other guests to attend to. I shall be seeing you all later, I suppose."

With that, the Knight Commander saluted and walked off.
==============================
Meanwhile

Kremlin Gates

Presedent Server and his family, John Wilkins, and the delegation from Rysia were greeted by the Knight Commander of RAMC Defence. He saluted them all and nodded to the Honour Guards.

"Hello, all. I shall be showing you all to your rooms." He then looked at Server and smiled, but you couldn't see it through the helmet.

"President Server! The Czar is expecting you. Unfortunately, he's tied up a bit with Cardinal DeVito. Hectic times, Christmas is. Anyways, I'm sure he will notify you or meet you himself when he's free from the Cardinal."

The same process with the previous delegations was given to the other three nations, except they were not shown the magic soda machine.

Kremlin Gates

Presedent Server and his family, John Wilkins, and the delegation from Rysia were greeted by the Knight Commander of RAMC Defence. He saluted them all and nodded to the Honour Guards.

"Hello, all. I shall be showing you all to your rooms." He then looked at Server and smiled, but you couldn't see it through the helmet.

"President Server! The Czar is expecting you. Unfortunately, he's tied up a bit with Cardinal DeVito. Hectic times, Christmas is. Anyways, I'm sure he will notify you or meet you himself when he's free from the Cardinal."

The same process with the previous delegations was given to the other three nations, except they were not shown the magic soda machine.

"Its no problem sir. I do look foward to meeting him. I know how hectic Christmas can be. It is a day of celebration in our nation as well. Even Christmas Eve, everyone has off." Server replied.

When they entered their rooms, they looked around. "This is almost as nice as the Palace." John stated.

"True. Ok I say we freshen up. Its been a long flight and I'm sure we all could freshen up because of it."

It was carried without desent.

Dersconi Naval Defence Headquarters, ATLANTIS Control Center

"Sir!" An officer said to Supereme Admiral Marko Herkjyavich. "PP Archangel on approach!"

"An Archangel?" Marko replied, smiling. "Showoffs. in that case, have them greeted with all seven of our Archangel class uebercarriers, our current six Pisces battleships, and ten of our DDX Destroyers." The officer shook his head and chuckled.

"Yessir."
======================
Dersconi Territorial Waters

HMS Michael

Fleet Admiral Pytor Ilyich Narminov, commander of the Superfleet, was on board the largest of the Archangels, HMS Michael. When the PP carrier came into view, the Pisces Battleships surfaced and the DD(X) battleships circled around it.

Welcome to Derscon, Admiral and Honourable Shogun! I am
Fleet Admiral Pytor Ilyich Narminov, commander of the Dersconi Superfleet,
and I will be your guide today!

The Romanov, Herrlich Menjaro de Scodson boards his craft, along with his gaurds.
"Ahh, Derson. How long has it been since we have spent a Christmas there along with the Czar..." and with that, Pelican 419, and it's 6 Banshee escorts took off.

"Admiral Praisley, be sure to inform the Czar of our departure. I'm sure he will be pleased to know that we have decided to join in the fesitities. I think I speak for the whole of Scodson, Christianity is becoming our national religion."

After standing up straight, the Cardinal said,
"Merry Christmas, shall we talk?"

OOC: Oops, CR. I forgot about you, sorry.
===========================
Star Office

The Czar nodded.

"Merry Christmas, and sit. Now, what is it you need?"
===========================
RAMC Airport

Scodsoni Pelican 419, you are clear to land. Repeat, you are clear to land. Over.

The military flight landed without fuss. Relations with this region werent so good and command didnt believe 'up scaled' showyness was the way to go.
General Robards, Functional head of the Ministry of social order, stepped from the plane in his dress uniform. A meduim built man with a growing paunch in his early 50's, he was one of the inner circle of the Iesus command structure.
Iesus this time of year was heading into summer...so the weather here was new and not totally a pleasant welcome.
He mumbled to a aid.
"snowing....get my coat..."

"Geez, talk about show offs. I decide to take a cruise to get here, and they come with their whole uberships." remarked the Shogun as they passed the breakwaters.

"Doubting wether they should have them, sir?" questioned the Admiral.

"Obviously Shogun Yamato trusted them."

"You wouldn't have?"

"Admiral, I do my own laundry."

"Good point...," the Admiral's voice trailed off as he looked off toward the deck, which had it's armour cover retracted. "WHAT!!!???" he picked up the mike for the flightdeck..." IF I SEE ONE MORE SNOWMAN ON THAT DECK, THE MAKER WILL CLEAR THE DECK OF ALL SNOW.....WITH A SHOVEL!!!!!"

"Hey, give them credit for creativity," said the Shogun, pointing to a "snow-F14 on the catapult."

"But the ship's image..."

"Let them have their fun, it's Christmas after all."

An ensign butted in, "Sir, er, your, um, undergarments are done."

"Ah! Right. Thank you. Excuse me, Admiral, I have business to attend to."

Thank you for the warm reception, Admiral. You boys have done justice to
our ship design. Keep them in good shape Sir.

Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto III
-EAFPPN Grand Admiral-
-8th Fleet Commander-
-------------------------------------------
Derscon, how many times do I have to tell you, it's spelled
A-R-K-H-A-N-G-L-E

"Thanks. First, There are rumors that you 'executed' Leipzig. Are they true? If so, I congradulate you. Second, I also compliment you on your Honor Guards. They are very professional"


ooc- no problem, Derscon

OOC: PP,

A) That is the first you ever told me, and

B) If you are trying to spell the word as in the Seven Archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, etc), then I am correct. As the seven ARCHANGEL class ships of Derscon modeled after your design were named for the Seven Archangels of Heaven, I'm spelling it the correct way. If it is something off of Gundam, my bad, but it is how it is in Derscon now.
====================================
Thank you. We wouldn't have them would it not have been for you.
I believe the "special" launch device plans are to be presented to you when
everything starts, but you didn't hear this from me, if you catch my 'drift'.
=====================
Throne Room

The Czar shook his head and eyed the Cardinal with suspision.

"Not one month ago, you were openly supporting him with all your heart. Now you turn against him? What is going on here?"
======================
RAMC Airport

"Sir," the Lieutenant in the Control Tower said to the Major. "Iesus Christi plane has arrived."

The Major nodded. "Alert the tram. Get them to the palace, and fast."

"Yessir."



On the ground, when General Robards got off, ten Honour Guards approached him.

"Welcome to Derscon, sir. I hope you enjoy your stay, and Merry Christmas. Please follow me."

All the same procedures that CR followed were taken into account up until the Kremlin Gates. There, the two Honour Guards in the Platinum Armour, signifying the Praetorian division of the Honour Guards, crossed their staffs on the doors and their shields as a wall.

"Halt! Who is this?" The Honour Guard looked up at the Praetorians.

"General Robards of Iesus Christi. He is come to the Christmas celebration." The Praetorian Guards' eyes glew red, but quickly silenced themselves.

"Proceed." They removed the staves from the doors and they opened.

Upon entering the Grande Hall, the Honour Guard looked at the General.

"Do you wish for a tour or be taken straight to your room?"

Oberhausen smiled at the man, pocketing the empty casing.

They all followed the men to their room.

Paisley sat down on the bed, quite tired from the travel. "Dietrich." he called his man over. "Dietrich, I heard tell that Iesus Christi sent a delegation here."

Von Oberhausen nodded, a bit worried.

"I think perhaps you should speak to them. I'm not sure they'd be too interested in seeing me." Paisley told him.

Oberhausen nodded again, then looked at his valets who began unpacking his suitcase. Paisley stood up and unpacked his own. "I'll never be used to all that Royal mess." he said, removing his shirts.

"Ian, give that to me and I'll send it out to be pressed. Honestly, you can take them in garment bags, you won't have to carry them. You're the Emperor of UberPreusse."

"No. I take what I can carry. I find it keeps me humble. If you forget your place in the grander scheme of things, then you are sooner or later damned to rediscover it in a much more unhappy fashion."

Paisley sat down in his chair, now exhausted. "Allright, what you can do, is have someone get me a spot of tea. I need to be a bit more refreshed when I meet the Czar."

Throne Room

The Czar shook his head and eyed the Cardinal with suspision.

"Not one month ago, you were openly supporting him with all your heart. Now you turn against him? What is going on here?"

"When I saw him shoot Oberhausen, I couldn't support him anymore. He didn't do anything wrong, just suggest that he surrender. That is why." he said

Lady Mary Deis left the Jeruselem embassy in Derscon. As the senior embassador in Derscon, she was Jeruselem's representative and as expected a Catholic. She was looking forward to Cardinal DeVito's Catholic mass. She hired a luxury taxi to get to the venue as the embassy car was being repaired.

She was fond of wearing black and her fiery red hair warned anyone about her nasty temper should they tempt fate. Many a Protestant, unaware of her background as senior Administrator in the Jeruselem Catholic Church, had found out her fanatic side when pressed too far. She was very fond of the Regent and the only thing stopping her from pursuing him, was he was married to the Head of State. One day she would work in the Foreign Relations Head Office.

Star Office

The Czar nodded. "Understood. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to meet with Paisley." The Czar stood up and saw to it that the Honour Guards escorted the Cardinal back to his room. Ivan stretched and took the passage to the Guest Hall.

Ivan knocked on Paisley's door, hoping he'd answer sometime soon.
================================
Kremlin Gates

Two Praetorian Guards stood watch at the doors of the Kremlin. THe Praetorian Guard's sole responsibiliy was of the saftey of the Czar. They were technically Honour Guards, which was diplomatic security, but the Praetorians couldn't give a shit about anyone but the Czar.

Five Honour Guards greeted Lady Deis on the Kremlin Steps and showed her her room.

The Arch Duke answered the door. "Your Highness." he gave a slight bow. "The Emperor is asleep. I will wake him."

Oberhausen took the Czar into the room where he could see Ian Paisley hunched over in a chair, cup of tea still in his lap, unfinished.

"Ian." Oberhausen shook his shoulder. "The Czar is here to speak with you."

Paisley groggily opened his eyes but when he saw the Czar they shot open and he sprang to life. "Ivan!" he sat his tea cup down and rose from his chair making his way over to shake the Czar's hand. "How have you been? Heard you had a meeting with that blasted DeVito. What's that sneakthief up to?"

The Czar couldn't help but laugh as he embraced Paisley.

"What do you know! The old man does have life in him!" He led Paisley back to the chair and then sat down himself.

"Life is almost good, but Jesus didn't come back yet, so it isn't yet," Ivan said with a smile.

"DeVito? Lieing out of his teeth, probably. He says he's happy that I killed Andre. Which reminds me." The Czar pulled out a box wrapped in paper and topped with a bow.

"Merry Christmas."

===================
OOC: The present is the two pieces of Andre's broken sword.

General Robards inspected the honour guard with a keen eye for detail, all the time humming regina caeli
In the Grande Hall Robards thought over his options momentaraly
"straight to my room, and then down to the 'show'..."

Star Office
Kremlin Gates

Two Praetorian Guards stood watch at the doors of the Kremlin. THe Praetorian Guard's sole responsibiliy was of the saftey of the Czar. They were technically Honour Guards, which was diplomatic security, but the Praetorians couldn't give a shit about anyone but the Czar.

Five Honour Guards greeted Lady Deis on the Kremlin Steps and showed her her room.

Lady Deis looked about her room after being escorted to her room by the Praetorian Guards. This would be her last Christmas in Derscon. Next year, it was rumoured she would move to the critical posting in Reichskamphen to replace the retiring embassador there. She was the leading candidate because she was a tough diplomat who was impossible to bully into a corner. She had no idea why some Protestants tried to woo her into their Church still.

ooc- reminder for myself, their are 8 Carabinieri

IC- The Cardinal, with his guards following, stood outside their rooms.

"My GOd, I am tired. I was awake the whole plane flight." said the Cardinal.

"I understand" said a Captain of the Carabinieri.

The Cardinal went into his room, followed my four Carabinieri. Two stood facing the door, two at the windows. Two more were posted outside the door. The other two went into their room. One would rest, and one stand guard over their room. They would switch duties.

The Cardinal went into the athroom and got changed into a regular clerical suit, instead of his formal wear (which he wore to meet the Czar). He then went into a lounge chair. He had one of his guards push the button, and requested a cup of coffee. The guard at the door said when it came,
"Ill take it". He then nodded, "Thanks"

The door opened and one of the inside door guards retrieved the coffee, and gave it to the Cardinal.
"Thanks" he said as he sipped it. He had a small table moved next to him. He put the cup on the table, reclined, Yawned, and said,
"If anything happens, let me know, and if I must attend soemthing formal, get my formal wear out, and place it on my bed, then wake me up"

"Yes, Your Eminence"

The Cardinal didn't hear. He was sound asleep.

ooc- pretend that 4 altarboys are there as well. They will split the room with the guards. They will only do the service with the Cardinal alone, not the evening service.


The Cardinal woke up.
"Better get my vestments and hymns ready early." he said

He went into his suitcase and got them out.He had 2 pairs of vestments, different from one another. One for each service. He would wear full vestments even though it wasn't a mass, just a prayer service.
He would have 4 hymns sung. The processional, after a scripture reading 1, after scripture reading 2, and the closing hymn (while they process out). Before the gospel, there would be the Alleluia. It was everything a full mass had, just without communion. A simple prayer service.

He then had the guards make sure the altarboys were ready for tomorrow.

Ian undid the ribbon on the box and saw in it two pieces of metal. He could tell upon closer examination they were part of a sword. He looked up at the Czar with an expression of befuddlement. The Czar urged him to look again. As he looked closer he examined the engraving. It was broken, but he could see part a word. On the first piece he could see "Empere..." the last "ur" was cut off; and on the other one he saw an engraved crucifix, complete with a graven image. He immediately knew it was Andre's sword.

He was unsure how to respond, but finally decided with a nice thankyou.

"Yes. Devito is likely lieing, but no way to tell." he then leaned over to the Czar and whispered, "When my son was killed at the Coronation...Alan Cairns met the Vice head of Cherry Ridge secretly on the grounds that he had information on Kyle's killer. Well...we found Kyle's killer and the man lied to us. He lied blatantly and with full knowledge of his lie. He was trying to cover up for that Catholic who cut his brake line. And then he broke my guard's arm...but that was in the news enough."

He rose from his chair and said definitively, "Time for the service."

The Czar stood up, and towered over the rest of the people in the room, but no one seemed to mind.

"Ian, the Cardinal ordered the death of your son, I assume. If this is true...." His voice trailed off as Paisley stood up, clearly not wanting to talk about it.

"Time for the service." The Czar eyed him.

"Technically, they aren't till tommorow, but I guess I can speed the process ahead a bit. Now, I must see John and tell him to get himself moving!"

ooc- Here are the people from CR -Cardinal DeVito,4 altar boys, 8 guards

ic- The Cardinal walked next door. Ke knocked, and the lead altar boy let him in. There robes were hanging on hangers, already to go.

"Thank you For choosing us to go, Your Eminence" send one of them.

"No, problem, no problem" he chuckled.

"It is everything that a mass has, except no communion. A Prayer Service. There is no crucifix, so make sure you put the one we process in with in a prominent place."

"Ok" said one of them.

"I want two candle bearers on either side of the crucifix bearer, and the last on behind the crucifix bearer. He will hold the book."

With that he went back into his room, and rested with a cup of coffee.

OOC: Reminder, CR, you will not be using the main chapel. You'll be using the Catholic Chapel over in the Left Wing of the Cathedral. It hasn't been used in over a hundred years, though. Just opened to keep clean.


Also, i'll be out until Sunday. Reichskamphen, just as a reminder, you have control of my characters.

OOC: And Iesus, you have been shown your room.

OOC: Reminder, CR, you will not be using the main chapel. You'll be using the Catholic Chapel over in the Left Wing of the Cathedral. It hasn't been used in over a hundred years, though. Just opened to keep clean.

ooc-Ok then. I will have communion. It will be a full mass, since it is in a Catholic chapel

ic- The Cardinal walked over to the next room.
"We get to use the old Catholic chapel! It hasn't been used in hundreds of years. We will do a full mass. It will be the Vatican II mass, because I do have all the things or people required. But it will be a full mass now. At the evening one, you will not participate.You will sit in the pews though. It will be in the main Cathedral." he said to the Altar Boys."
The Altar Boys got there robes on.

The Cardinal and the altar boys called a servant, who took them to the Catholic Chapel. They walked in. The Cardinal walked over to the tabernacle. He touched it. He then blew the dust off. He opened it. Empty. Later, he would bring the hosts (communion wafers) down.he had brought some just in case. He walked around, looking around. He was happy they could use it. They then walked back up to their room.

OOC: Yes, Derscon, we are going to speed it ahead a bit.

IC: Dr. Paisley looked around the Main Chapel. "Nice." he commented.

The Czar walked over to the altar piece. "Used to be Catholic too for a while. We cleaned out the graven images and all, so its fine now."

"Indeed." Paisley wasn't used to preaching in such a grandiose setting. He didn't particularly prefer them, but any Pulpit would do.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Cardinal." a Dersconi official approached the Cardinal. "The service will begin in two hours. Is there anything you need, or that we can help you with?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prince John was set to make the main sermon tonight, Ian would merely say a few words. He would preach the following night and John say a few words.

The Prince sat in his chair reviewing the scriptures. His servant walked in, sitting down a cup of coffee infront of him. "Thankyou." he smiled. The servant began to walk away when John called after him.

"Yes, your Highness?"

John looked at him intently, "I am having some trouble with a piece of doctrine. I'm just unsure...and I was wondering if you could help me."

"Highness, I am uninformed in the ways of the Lord."

"Just as well. You can still help with your opinion." John then asked. "If Christ is the eternal King, then how can anyone else claim to be a King without usurping Christ's office?"

"How can anyone claim to be a President either? King and President are just leaders by another name." the Servant bowed deeply. "I am being paged, Highness, I must away to the Czar."

John looked down at his text again. "King of Kings..." taking a sip of the coffee, he mumbled, "I suppose it's possible."

"Cardinal." a Dersconi official approached the Cardinal. "The service will begin in two hours. Is there anything you need, or that we can help you with?"

"Yes, please make a list of all the Catholics who are attending, besides my altar boys and my guards. Alert the Iesus officials to my mass."

==========================================
The Cardinal was thinking to himself. He though,
That service with all preachers. I hope the prince keeps Paisley and I seperate, like he said. I will only wear an alb, cincture (cord, the rope arounf the waist), and stole to that one. Of course, to mass I will wear full vestments

General Robard went down to the 'catholic chapel'...he wasnt exactly sure what made it a 'catholic' chapel but we went anyhow to pray before mass.
He didnt bother genuflecting, because he knew the tabernacle would be empty...this place could not canonially be a residence of the Lord.
The general knelt in the pew and prepared himself for the mass...he assumed it would meet all norms of the magisterium of the catholic church...anything else would be illicit or perhaps even invalid.
Robards pulled out his Rosary beads and prayed. The other Iesus officals joined in.
"Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum......"

Soon, the attendees of the Mass began pouring in. It was nearing time to speak, so the discretion was left to the Cardinal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cardinal was ready in his white chasuble.
http://re2.mm-a.yimg.com/image/391112711

Then, from the back you could hear this hymn being sung, and a guard played the organ. Slowly, to whole chapel joined in-
http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/andreessen/1920/harktheherald/

A gold crucifix processed in, held by the altar boy. On either side were candle bearers, with an empty handed one behind. Then, Cardinal DeVito was coming in, croiser in hand, mitre on head. As the hymn ended he said,
"Good Moring"

"GOod Morning Your Eminence"

"In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit"

"Amen"
The mass continued to the first reading, when the Cardinal read it. A psalm was sung, and then the allelluia, the gospel. The Cardinal then gave his homily.

The offertory hymn was sung.
http://www.catholic.net/RCC/music/midi/christmas/godresty.mid

The mass continued. The bread and wine became body and blood.

The Eucharistic prayer was chanted,
"Through Him, With Him, in Him, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, all Glory and honor is yors, almighty Father, forever and ever"

The mass continued, the body of Christ was given to the Catholics as the communion hymn was sung.
http://www.catholic.net/RCC/music/midi/christmas/angels.mid

The mass finished up, and they processed out during the recessional hymn as the Cardinal annonced,
"This isn't exactly a Christmas song, but let's show those protestants our faith". The song broke out.
http://www.homestead.com/midicatholic/grace.html
(first one on the page, plays by default.)
===================================
The Cardinal got a Dersconi servant and said,
"Alert me when the evening service starts"

ooc- Didn't want to type in every single part of the mass.

OOC: At least do a homily. I am going to type a sermon as soon as I can.

ooc- wrote this myself, so its not going to be a great piece

ic- The Cardinals Homily-
"What do we celebrate today? Jesus' birth. What is the meaning of this? It means that the king is born. The Son of God, the Son of man. Jesus is not half-God, Half man, but Fully God and Fully man. But how did this come to be? Quite simply, the angel Gabriel came to a young Jewish girl, named Mary. Mary accepted. She accepted to take Gods only begotton son without losing her virginity. Jesus was born into this world to save us. From the moment he was born, he was bearing the cross. Think about it. St. Mathew wanted us to think he was bearing the cross his whole life. He was born. Herod is furious at the Wise Men's betrayal. He must flee to Egypt. A jew going to egypt. What does this bring to mind for a Jew? Slavery. The very though of going back there killed Joseph. But he obeyed the angel of the lord. Jesus was bearing the cross for us his entire life. Think about it. We get the better half of the deal, don't you think?"

OOC: I've heard worwse homilys. isnt so bad:P

IC:The Iesus group sung with vigour and Naturally they all went up to communion to recieve the real Presence....God's love for us, poured out in the sacrament of the Eucharist, where Christ is truly present for us, giving us life and healing......

OOC: Iesus, you just love rubbing it in don't you. Immolation Schmimmolation :P

I will do my service in short order.

"Today," Prince John began his sermon, "millions world wide are celebrating the Birth of Christ. Yet, many Protestants do not celebrate this holiday.

Many of you are aware that during the interregnum (Cromell) in England, that Christmas and Easter were outlawed. Sounds a bit extreme? Maybe. But, it really depends on your take. There will be plenty of interpretations on the Bible in Christianity. It is our responsibility to use the clearest most plain meaning, the literal meaning, but even then some people will come up with differences in doctrine.

Christmas was instituted by the Anti-Christ, that is it was instituted by a Pope of Rome. It was put on the day of Saturnalia, the largest Pagan holiday in order to stamp it out. It is exceedingly likely that Jesus was not infact born on Christmas day as this was just a Roman attempt to squelch Paganism. Mind you, it's never a bad thing to squelch paganism, but always a bad thing to corrupt your own religion while doing it.

The concept of the so-called "Saint Nicholas", the gift giver is based on Paganism on one hand and on the other on the myths about a cannonized Romanist Saint. We all know that this cannonization process has no root in the Bible and the whole concept of Sainthood bestowed selectively upon people at the whim of the Pope is incorrect, yet why do we let this Romanist element creep into the holiday?

Futhermore, look at the title itself, Chistmas....Christ mass. This was a blasphemous mass in the honour of the very man/God that they were defiling by committing it. The mass is the greatest farce and blaspehmy known to God or man, and to have a holiday which did revolve around it...highly questionable.

It is quite obvious, just by scratching the surface that this holiday wreaks of Popery. Why then do we Protestants celebrate it?

Good Question. The answer is not an easy one. One way of looking at it is that the Protestant Christmas tradition really knocks out alot of the Romanism (It doesn't entirely, though some claim so). Another way that I have heard is that Martin Luther celebrated it so it must have been fine. Well, Martin Luther, upon his death said that there was but one piece of work, that being his last one, that he didn't wish to edit to correct the philosophy to be more Protestant. I acknowledged the finished Protestant doctrine to be represented in Luther's late works and in the works of John Calvin.

The way that I look at it is, first, I don't believe in Santa Clause. Saves me a heap of trouble right there. That Santa character is a deadly mix of Romanism and Paganism. I look forward to the day I am called into school because some parent is upset that my child mentioned that there isn't a santa. Santa is un-Christian.

Outside of that, you can call it Christmas or Duck Day or whatever, as long as there is no mass in it, there is no blasphemy. Also, as long as one acknowledges that this is a celebration of Christs birth and meant to commemorate it and is not dogmatic about it being commemorated on the exact day, I see no problem with celebrating the holiday.

Merry Christmas, may your days be merry and bright, and may your Chistmas be Protestant and Right.

OOC: *rolls eyes* Why join a Xmas thread at all then...
IC: With Mass ended, The Iesus officals left and went straight to the airport...seeing no point in lounging around with people who honestly thought cromwell was a good guy and that Christmas was a satanic holiday...
"nice holiday, pitty about the people"

OOC: This is an issue I've been boiling around for a while. I've done a bit of working and researching and soul searching...I've decided to firmly plant my foot down and edited my post accordingly. I was having a bit of a lapse in my position. This is an article I wrote a few days ago and can be seen in it's original form on the GP site. Check out the edit.

The Cardinal called and his guards and altar boys walked to the main chapel. They sat down in the front pew, and waited for Paisley's service.

OOC: Oops. Sorry, Will, this misunderstanding was my fault.

Prince John is preaching the all-Christian services and the non-denominational services for a reason. He's a United Methodist, not a strong calvanist. He's fairly liberal compared to the other people.