NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: To skip character dialogue, scroll down to the dotted line)

"Why do these things always happen to me?" Joseph muttered to himself, glancing at the Imperial balance books. "What happened to the Arch Treasurer?"

"He was removed by Napoleon." a very tired Gerhardt Volckner stated pointedly.

The two men had been up all night scouring what financial records they could recover from before the Great Darkness fell on Reichskamphen as well as those few that could be gathered from New Geneva during the disaster.

"Look...there is the answer to our question. The planned second expansion of the Imperial fleet fell through because of the floors beneath our feet." Joseph slammed his hand on the ornate Mahogany desk that was his father's. The sprawling Imperial Palace, nearly three times the size of Versailles, that they sat in also served as the center for most of the Imperial Government with several offices being contained in the South Wing. It, along with most of the tower for the Cathedral was the only thing remaining to be constructed when the money ran out but a year before completion. So naturally, the money earmarked for the Church was redirected to the Palace and billions of Reichsmarks also earmarked for the fleet went to the same place.

"Thank God for my fathers fiscal irresponsibility." Joseph said finally.

"Indeed." echoed Volckner. They both knew that if the city hadn't been firmly established at the time of the Great Darkness, everything would have been lost...everything. "But that doesnt answer the question of how we fix our Country." The Emperor nodded sadly. Volckner continued, "The Crown's income is less than a quarter of what it was at the heigth of Napoleon's reign...and nearly 80% of that reduced sum goes toward rebuilding Reichskamphen. What's left is barely enough to keep our tanks from rusting. Your majesty, if we can't do something now...we will collapse. The first country, no matter the size, that brings enough force to bear will knock down this fillagreed house of cards. We simply dont have the resources to defend ourselves."

"What do you suggest?" the Emperor looked at Volckner appealingly.

"We are going to have to deny payment for all of our debtors and cut aid to Reichskamphen. We are going to have to cancel any outstanding contracts and essentially deny repayment to whatever internal creditors we have.

After that, we need to do what we have to to beg borrow steal or coerce more donations from those who can give them...and then spend like there is no tommorrow towards refitting the military, revamping our foreign affairs with an eye towards Mars and other non traditional areas of influence."

"We need to gain more members and that means returning to our core values and our original aims and aspirations that made this Empire great." Joseph added on. "I believe it is time to issue a decree..."

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To all Creditors of the Imperial Crown of Greater Prussia, let it be known that at this time, with the failure of the economy in Reichskamphen and the increasing drain on the Imperial treasury, we are unable to speedily repay our debts, and cannot make any guarntee as to the time when we will be able to do so.

Further, to all citizens of the Empire, and the world...the poverty and starvation in Reichskamphen continues unabated despite our efforts to rebuild and restore the economy. Over 2000 people are dieing every day from starvation in the worse off parts of this, our embattled heartland. You who have hearts that can give, please do. We need every single dollar that we can get to restore some quality of life to these people who war and anarchy have brought low. As some of you may know with the assasination of our Emperor, our King, and many members of the Royal family...Reichskamphen descended into complete anarchy for over a year before Imperial forces were able to restore order. In that time, the infrastructure was completely destroyed and millions of lives were lost. The time to help the survivors is now.

I come before you the ruler of a broken land...the Monarch of a waning power. If you can find it in your hearts to help the people of this war-torn land. In the name of God, please do.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Joseph-Napoleon
Emperor of Greater Prussia
King of Reichskamphen

The Holy Catholic Monarchy of Cherry Ridge presents a donation of Seven Billion Ridgian Bills to the Imperial Treasury of the Greater Prussian Empire. Depending on a tax poayers financial status, one bill to five bills were taken, and added to this collection. Private donations are also included in this count. May God save Prussia.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Carmel hereby presents the Imperial Treasury with four billion Bills, to be used for the reconstruction of the areas of Reichskamphen where needed.

Your donation is much appreciated, it is estimated that hundreds of billions of dollars will be needed in addition to the money already spent on restoring power, running water, cleaning radiation from areas affeted by the nuclear blast...etc. etc.

It is unfortunate that we must see one of our closest allies in such a terrible position. That is why I have agreed to suspend all Reichskamphen's debts to us indefinitely and until Reichskamphen can support them again. Furthermore, I am taking fifteen billion kokus from my nation's treasury and transferring them immediately to Reichskamphen's. This donation is not a debt, and there is absolutely no obligation to repay it at anytime.

Further, we are prepared to begin airlifting food, coal, oil, gasoline, drinking water, construction supplies, and portable housing units into Reichskamphen whenever they deem they would like it to begin. We also put on the table the opportunity to have our soldiers come in and act as extra construction personnel for infrastructure rebuilding. They would, naturally, be unarmed at all times, should the offer be accepted.

Any further help will not be denied.

Yours in Christ,

Shogun Nakamura Taiki

William von Sachstein, also known as WIlliam Carmel, the Count of Sachstein, peered out the window of his manor, at the poor county he governed- in name. He had 2000 troops at his disposal, technically, the Royal Sahcstein Regiment. The 200 military policemen of the regiment were drilling in the courtyard below. He sighed, and turned back to his paperwork. Food shortages were running low. Apparently, there were also some troublemakers calling for a new government. They wiwll have to be dealt with he decided. Only then can peace come to Sachstein.

A ragtag militia of about 50 men stood drilling on the Village Green of Sachstein proper. Armed merely with civilian rifles, and standard sidearms on the officers, they were laughable compared to the 500 infantrymen, who stood behind the Count. Behind them, was a barricade of the 200 MPs.
The count, dressed in a bright scarlet uniform, resembling a British officers uniform of the 1700s, stepped onto the collapsable stage, and waited for the crowd to become silent. The Sachstein police has taken up security at the manor, while the 2000 Regulars had taken up positions in the town.
"My fellow Prussians," he began, "I come before you today to warn you of a threat to the first semblance of peace in a year. The so called Sachstein People's Militia, a ragtag bunch of fifty, has taken up a position in the courtyard. I ask you today, whos side are you on? The side of the legitimate government, or these traters?" The crowd remained silent, and the Count barked, "Everyone, indoors!"
The fifty militiamen fidgeted nervously. "Lay down your arms!" cried William.
The apparent commander stepped forward, "We will do no such thing." A sergeant stepped forward, "This is the Count and King's green, I order you to leave." The commander again refused.
The Count finally stepped down from the podium, and the 500 infantrymen ran in front of him, and took aim. "On my order!" Three agonising minutes passed, the time the Count had given them to disperse. Only two had done so. "Center line! Fire!" The infantrymen who were in the center fired one round, which slammed into the militia. 15 militamen fell, 13 of them dead. Three fanatics charged, meeting with another volley, which also took out five more of those fleeing. The Mps cut in, and slaughtered 12 more of the "rebels".
Eight of the remaining swarmed down alleys, only to be met at the other end by the volleys of more infantry.
Two of the remaining five fired two shots into a group of infantrymen, two of whom were grazed, but nothing to keep them out of service for more than a day.
Three fell to their stomachs, and surrendered. The Mps rushed in, and chained them. The other two were tasered, and chained as well.
The 50 man rebellion was crushed. At 6 PM that night, the nine survivers, including the two who had ran off, were hanged for treason.

We are deeply saddened that Reichskamphen has not yet recovered from the horrific attacks on her. Due to the extreme difficulty that Reichskamphen faces, we are hereby donating one billion Tsar Roubles to the Reichskamphen Treasury, and donating one trillion barrels of oil from our reserves.

We hope that it is enough.

--Kynaz Elpidifor Bogachovich Andropov
CEO, Andropov Petrol and Beyond
Herzog, Herzogtum Preußen-Kiew


Five billion Tsar Roubles has been donated from the
Imperial Treasury to the Reichskamphen Treasury on order
of Veliky Kynaz Xavier Alexeitovich Andropov II.

To: His Emminence, Count William von Sachstein
From: His Honour, Marechal de l'Empire Alexandre Brune, Commander and Chief of His Majesty's Armed Forces.

Your Emminence,

I applaud you in your work of ridding your county of traitors to the crown and subversives who would undermine the government. I trust you will continue to steadfastly guard the Property of the Kingdom at all times and to Guard the lives of her soldiers and Citizens.

As you might already know, His Majesty Joseph-Napoleon, the Emperor of Greater Prussia and King of Reichskamphen has officially endorsed the New Genevan Protectorate to "manage the affairs of reconstruction and re-unification accross Reichskamphen". Rev. Graves has been appointed as the High Lord Protector, and I will retain my post at his side. Gerhardt Volckner shall be charged with political and social reconstruction on paper. In reality, there has been formed a triumvirate of Governing forces with the Imprimatur of the King, and with Rev. Graves as first Consul.

You, Count von Sachstein serve as an example of what the Protectorate seeks to do...to restore order and the life as it was. In order to do this, certain negative influences on society must be removed. Among them, most of the remaining democratic institutions in this country as the supported and still do support in one form or another the overthrow of the Monarchy. As such, your troops will be recieving orders in two weeks to close down the city councils and to arrest the public officials now serving who have been deemed threats to the Monarchy. I hope and expect these orders to be carried out with the same ruthless efficiency you have shown yourself capable of. If you can reform your county...you may be able to help us turn the rest of this country around.

May God Vindicate the Death of Our Emperor,

Marechal Alexandre Brune
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To His Imperial Highness, the Shogun
From: Rev. Peter Graves, High Lord Protector of Reichskamphen

I thank God without ceasing for your generousity. We would greatly appreciate anything you can do in the way of shipping in necessities and assisting with labour. You have saved the lives of many.

In Christ,
Peter Graves
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To: Rev. Dr. Peter Graves, Head Minister of the Imperial Cathedral, High Lord Protector of Reichskamphen

From: Rev. Stephen Elias, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the Greater Prussian Empire (PCGPE)

Rev. Graves,

I write you to make you aware of the decision just reached by the Imperial Synod in regards to donations towards the reconstruction of Reichskamphen. As the largest Christian denomination in the Empire and one of the largest in the World, we feel it is our responsibility to assist the poor and helpless here at home. In light of this, it behooves us to donate one half of the yearly income of the entire PCGPE and to ask all member Churches to do the same in regards to their own finances. We estimate this to be a 30billion dollar contribution to the Reconstruction fund.

Sola Fide,

Rev. Stephen Elias

Queen Mariah was in the Imperial Treasury control room when billions started pouring in the Imperial Treasury of the Greater Prussian Empire. She was looking the healthy balance except the only problem some black hole called Reichskamphen which was sucking everything dry.

As the money from the many donor flooded in, things were looking a little better. The Greater Prussian Treasurer was going to have a quite few long nights for the next few weeks - just to get the mess known as Reichskamphen back into fiscal balance - hopefully. She was organising for allied nations who had not donated yet to get into the act. Her son was nearby watching a DVD about super massive stars which turned into black holes - rather appropiate she thought.

The Jeruselem treasurer asked "We donating anything, Mariah?". She replied "Later ..."

She then started a phone call to the Emperor to ask where the hell all this money was supposed to go.

Official Proclamation of the United States of Allanea

The United States Department of Finance is now authorizing an initial fifty-billion dollar transfer to Reichskamphen to aid in it's reconstruction.

Captain Charles Orlean, a Captain of the Imperial Guard, from Cherry Ridge, stepped out of the miltiary jeep that he was driving. Seamus O'Rourke, Ridgian sergeant stepped out of the drivers side, and followed behind Orlean.
Orlean, unlike many of his fellow Guardsman, remained steadfastly loyal to his Emperor. A devoted monarchist, most said he was more in love with the monarchy than the monarchs himself. He was dressed in what he was most famous for wearing, white dress pants, a blue uniform top, tucked in, and a white sash around his waist. A blue cornered hat, with a white plume was worn on his head. A revolver was tucked into this sash, as was a sabre. The sergeant wore a regular Imperial guard uniform, and carried a rifle.
Captain Orlean stepped up onto the podium, before an assembly of the Count's representatives, Sachstein police and regulars, and townspeople. He began, "Yesterday, you execute many traitors against the Reichskamphen crown. Today, I come here to inform you that you have two traitors against the Imperial crown. These republicans can not be allowed to exist any longer. They shall be executed by firing squad the moment of their capture." The Captain nodded, and the Sergeant shouted an order. Out of the four transport trucks, the 200 men of the Captain's company spilled out, and surrounded the crowd.
The Sergeant moved forward, and pulled two schoolteachers from the crowd.
The Captain spoke, "Our intelligence tells us that you are traitors. What have you to say?"
The two men said nothing. However, one pulled a knife, and shouted, "Down with the empire!" He lunged, by before he could make contact, the scraping of metal against bone was heard. The Captain had slashed across the mans ribs, and he fell. "Traitor." was all the Captain said. The man struggled to his feet, but was met with a kick from the Captain's boot, sending him sprawling on his back. The Captain watched for a moment, then pulled his revolver, and took the man out of his misery.
On his order, the other man was thrown against a wall, and a firing squad was quickly assembled. A loud CRACK was heard, then a soft thud. Footsteps echoed, as the Sergeant approached and put a shot in the back of the head.
Captain Orlean stood up, "Yesterday, all resistance against the King was crushed, today, reistance against the empire. I trust that this will be the end in Sachstein. God save the Emperor!"
He stepped down, and drove off to meet with the Count.
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Your Honor, Marechal Brune,
It shall be my pleasure to crush all resistance agaist the King. I also wish to inform you of the help of a young Ridgian Imperial Guard captain. He has executed two traitors against the crown, and it is my recommendationt hat he be commended, and given a medal for his unceasing devotion to God and Empire.
Deo Vindice,
His Eminence William [Carmel] von Sachstein

The Citizens of Sachstein who had been gathered in the sqaure on that day were horrified by the second act of Brutality by government forces since they had arrived in town. Most people approved of the Count's actions in dispersing the enemy forces, but few supported the execution of two schoolteachers.

A lone man was seen riding up the hill towards the Count's disheveled manor which had yet to be fully restored from the time of the Darkness. When Royal Army officers stopped him, he informed them of his identity.

"Make way for the Lord Mayor of Sachstein!" shouted one of the guards as the man rode more quickly past several guards.

Dismounting in front of the manor, he was led in to meet the Count. "Your Emminence," he bowed deeply "I have come to inform you of a horrendous event that has just taken place and may serve as a threat to destabilize the hold that the crown has on this province. A young Imperial Guard officer oversaw the executions of two schoolteachers who seemed to be picked at random from the crowd and were given no trial. The people are enraged...but they have done nothing yet. They are afraid they too will be executed if they complain!"

"Emminence, may I suggest that you address the people and hear their complaints? Though it is much better to be feared than loved...it is much better far to be loved and feared. You are the King in this County. You must act as a King and not an executioner."

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

The Emperor, when informed of the individual donations sent letters of heartfelt thanks to all nations that had not yet recieved one from the crown.

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"Hello Your Majesty." Joseph said, answer the Queen's phone call. "We are going to need all money that is not directed towards specific reconstruction efforts, e.g. the money donated from the Arch Dioces and the PCGPE, to go towards reconstitution of the Royal Army and the reopening of armament factories. This will supply millions of jobs to stimulate the economy as well as provide the necessary safety that sometimes is found to be lacking outside of those areas which New Geneva secured before the peace was signed."

"I think we may want to begin considering the fate of the Kriegscorp." he added. "We have thousands of huge plants accross the world...some even in the depths of space. We simply dont have the money that we did to operate them any longer. We need to begin leasing them or selling them off, I believe and whittle the company down to a more manageable size. When the time comes, we can buy back what we sold."

The Eastern Airbase was the major airbase in the eastern portion of the Shogunate. It housed most of the air defenses for this sector, so its importance was astronomical. It was effectively the size of a small city, and had 8 runways, four north-south, four east-west. Recently, the alert had come in that Reichskamphen was in supply trouble, and that missions were to be run to it to deliver supplies. So, said supplies had begun coming in on smaller transports from the different regions of the country. Immediately, they were transfered to larger C-260 Gow transports and C-130 Hercules transports. The Gows were huge aircraft, with eight engines of such size that they had to be fused straight into the wings. For military purposes, they could carry up to 100 M1A3 main battle tanks. Simply put, they were one of the biggest accomplishments of transport technology. Several of these planes would carry supplies such as coal and oil on to the capitol for the government there to decide how to distribute. They would also carry the soldiers to help with rebuilding. The C-130s would carry food, water, and medical supplies to drop over other populated areas. As Gows took off, the ground of the base shook violently, the engines creating so much force. Next to these, the C-130s barely made any noise on take off. Since they were using the active east-west strips, they could just accelerate over toward Reichskamphen, on the other side of Derscon.

Dersconi Control, this is Alpha Flight, participating in supply airlifts to
Reichskamphen. Requesting permission to cross your Airspace, over.

The Count simply listened to the man ramble, and then said, "Mayor, you are not suggesting I go against an officer of the crown are you? Those men were most likely traitors. However, if you wish me to hear complaints, I will do so. However, first you will speak to this officer yourself." He paused for a second, and then said, "Captain Orlean." From a door emerged the Captain, followed by the same sergeant, and three guardsmen. The Captain grasped the man's hand, and gave a slight bow, "Your Lordship, I am Captain Charles Orlean, commander of the Vendee Company of the Imperial Guard of the Greater Prussian Empire." He withdrew his hand and said, "It is true that you are upset at my execution, correct? Those men were traitors to my emperor, and yours. They were infecting the minds of our youth. You are not suggesting we allow treason to go unpunished?" He smirked, "I suggest you be very careful of what you say, if you do not wish to end up in their position. After the Count addresses the people, I will take questions. Let it be known, that the Count had nothing to do with my executions. Also, I trust that your police are cooperating with Sachstein's army? I obviously do not expect cooperating right now with the Imperial Guard, however, it is expected with the army. Do you have any private questions before we move to the Green to address the people?" The three guardsmen, and the Sergeant, were ready to defend their Captain if need be, though it seemed that this Mayor was easily persuaded not to.

<Tag for Observation and Possible Intervention>

Alpha Flight, please divert your course to the enclosed
coordinates, and stay within the cooridor. Thank you.

When the Pschycotian flights followed ATC's orders as they entered Dersconi Airspace, four other cargo planes linked up with them. However, if you looked closely, you would notice that they were not of the Dersconi Imperial Air Force, but were instead planes belonging to GICAPFAH. An odd lack of compassion has been coming from the Kremlin, but other organizations have been helping out to make up for it.

The Lord Mayor was shocked to his core when Orleans stepped out, but did his best to hide it. "Captain, I am a supporter of the Crown in every capacity. I am a supporter of the Protectorate as well...but I know for certain that our Emperor nor Rev. Graves would have authorized such an action. You must also know that in the bylaws of His Majesty's Imperial Guard, the penalty for crimes against humanity, namely summarily executing innocent men for unsubstantiated reasons...is in the very least dismissal and at the most likely, execution by firing squad. I want this area secure as much as you both do, but senseless bloodshed will not accomplish that goal, and I suggest also"...he gave a glaring look at Orleans, "that threats will also certainly not help...especially ones that you cannot back up. Marechal Brune happens to be a person friend of mine, and if you so much as look at me in the wrong way, I have but to make a phone call and you will be freezing to death in the Dersconi Mountains. Further, my misterious death will be looked into quite seriously by the authorities. I have the support of the people. I suggest we work together for the restoration of our land."

Marechal Alexandre Brune sat at his desk in the Parliamentary Palace, the building being used for the moment as the offices for the Royal Military and Royal Treasury. It was certainly not the same kind of luxious accomidations he was used to, but he managed. He was reviewing the estimations that Branch commanders had sent him a couple days before. It seemed that a 1 trillion Reichsmark booster shot ought to revive the Military and the Military economy enough to provide millions of jobs.

Without warning an aide burst in the door without so much as knocking. Out of breath, and realizing his mistake, he instantly came to attention and saluted, "Lord Marechal, I am so sorry!"

"It's fine. At ease, and approach."

The shakey young aide hesitantly moved forward. "Lord Marechal, there has been a revolt in New Magdeburg...the Reichskamphian settlement on Nova Prussia."

Brune calmly took a paper from the sweaty palms of the aide. "So why are they revolting." he asked scanning the paper with the intensity of an eagle. "And what progress have they made?"

"Autonomy Lord Marechal, they think they should be independant. They have captured most of the Capitol of the settlement and have reasonable footholds throughout. It is estimated that within a few days time the few Royal troops that havent already defected or surrendered will be defeated by the growing rebel army. This is obviously something that has been in the works for some time."

Brune pulled a sheet out from the top drawer of his desk and dipped a quill in ink rather hurriedly. He could use a computer, but he preferred to do it this way. After a moment, he folded the letter, poured a bit of sealing wax on it and put the seal of the Protectorate on it. "Give this to The GPSN minister."

Within moments, the Commander of the Greater Prussian Stellar Navy, headquartered just a couple blocks up the street from the Parliamentary Palace held the Marechals letter in his hand. He broke the seal very carefully shaking his head at the needlessness of the seal in the first place.
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Chief Minister MacAuliffe,

In response to the rebellion in Nova Prussia, I request that the Napoleon Bonaparte be sent forthwith to intercede on behalf of the crown along with atleast two troopships fully armed with Imperial Guard Marine units.

Eliminate all resistance through any means necessary.

-Brune.
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Minutes after recieving notice from New Geneva, the HMS Napoleon Bonaparte and two troop ships departed for the Stargate that would take them to the third planet of the Nova Prussian settlement where severe revolts would soon be crushed. Gendarmes had provided the Captain of the Bonaparte with a list of targets to destroy should resistance be encountered.

Captain Virgil Thompson, the newly assigned Captain of the Bonaparte was not a stanger to cruelty for the sake of justice. Before this stint in the GPSN he had been an interrogator for the Imperial Gendarmes...a fact which made some crewmembers uneasy. As soon as the Bonaparte came out of the stargate's event Horizon and the planet was in view, Captain Thompson stood up. "Helm, put us in orbit around planet three. Comm, issue the following message on all Channels. 'This is Captain Virgil Thompson of His Majesty's Ship the Napoleon Bonaparte. In a few minutes Imperial Marines will be advancing on your positions and you will be slaughtered by a rain of fire from the skies. If you wish to survive, I say to you in the name of his Majesty, Joseph-Napoleon, to surrender now else I shall be compelled to carry out the execution sentence that has already been passed upon your heads."

In short order the Bonaparte had attained a stable orbit. "Comm..." the captain inquired, "Have we heard anything?"

"Not as yet captain." the officer replied.

"Let's make them think harder." Thompson bent over the weapons pannel, hit two buttons lightly and the slammed his fist down on one. "On Screen."

The Display screen lit up, displaying a lone torpedo speeding off towards the surface of the planet. Its hit caused a small shockwave visible from space. Half of New Magdeburg City had just been leveled.

"Lord Mayor, I believe you just thretened me. You do realise, that I have personal friends too? Though it seems that lately, many have been stabbing others in the back, wouldn't you say?" He stepped closer, and glared him straight in the eye, "Those men were traitors, and I will not hesitate to have my men arrest you as well. I am here to help restore order, and I believe i heard you say the people are afraid. That is good, it will discourage further rebellion. With all due respect, we have death squads around, and we must not allow them to remain past this year." Orlean turned around, and walked to the window, peering out at the town, "Now go ahead, you two go and do your public relations stunt, and I will give a short address afterwards. Sergeant, please retrieve the Comapny and fall them in on the courtyard, along with my horse. We will make a grand entrance." The sergeant replied with an affirmative answer, and left. The three guards followed him out, and Orlean turned back around. He approached the mayor, and pulled his long knife that was kept under his sash. He mockingly traced a line on the mayor's neck. "See you in town Eminence; Lordship." He strolled out, smirking.
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The Count led the Lord Mayor to town, and after the Mayor introduced him, he stepped forward.
"My people! I have been informed by his Lordship, the Mayor, that a Captain of the Imperial Guard executed two accused traitors. I must alert you, that, neither mysef, nor any of our own 2000 regulars endorse such an act. Captain Orlean has informed me that he will make a short address shortly, and take any questions you may have. I beg your forgiveness, and, even though I have nothing to do with this, I will compensate the families from my own pocket. God bless." The people appaulded, and the Count stepped down, warily.
Suddenly, the beating of two drums was heard, and a convoy of transport vehicles, behind about 25 men, and one on a horseback, appeared. In the front waved the Imperial flag, and flying from the lead truck were the unit flags, the white flag with the Sacred Heart of the Vendee, and a Blue version, except with fluer-de-lis around. A smaller Bavarian flag, symbolising that this was from a Bavarian country, was from a middle truck, but mainly as a unit devotion, along with a Ridgian flag.
When they approached, the flags were put away, and all 200 men spilled out, and formed in front of the podium.
Murmurs were heard throughout the crowd. The only thing changed in the Captain's appearance was that his sword and revovler were displayed more prominantly, and a small, double sided hatchet was hanging resting on the podium in front of him. The Captain stepped up, and when the murmurs didn't stop, the Captain fired a shot from his revolver into the air. The crowd silenced immediatly, and the Captain began, "I do not want to make this speech, so I will not. I just want to say that those men were traitors. I will now take any questions you may have." He waited for questions.

The townspeople guffawed in horror when they saw the troops under the Bavarian flag march into their town. In the days where political parties mattered or even existed...this was solid Protestant Traditionalist Party territory. The UVF even was rumoured to have connections in the town. When the captain fired his revolver into the air, it was the last straw. It was clear to see that Orleans was not a man who anyone would listen to. He had effectively turned the crowd off from his message.

A man stood up and walked to the microphone set up to address the Captain. "Yes, I have a question. Where do you Papist scumbags get off soiling our fair streets with your presence. Ive got a suggestion, why dont you and your f***ing Pope go molest some Children and stop shooting innocent people!"

The crowd screamed and cheered in response.

"We love our Emperor! But we ain't too hot on you, Mr. Orleans!" the man further shouted!

Orlean shouted back at the man, "These are your fellow Prussians from Bavaria. Do you dare disrespect the King of Cherry Ridge? Those who you call Papists are donating significantly to the reconstruction. If you truely love your emperor, then obey his authority." Orlean grinned over at the Count and Mayor, "I think you two have a lot of work to do."
He then addressed the crowd once more, "Any actual questions now? I have no time for childish hecklers."

The crowd grumbled a bit, maybe somewhat in reluctant agreement with Orelans' statements. But it was obviously still a powder keg waiting to go off.

The Lord Mayor then touched Orleans on the shoulder. "Let me try to calm them down."

He approached the podium. "Residents of Sachtein, Subjects of the Kingdom and Citizens of the Empire. Our differances are many, but our strengths are one. I am not sure what kind of orders Captain Orleans was sent, but I am sure that our King wouldn't authorize such an execution. Further, I am sure beyond a doubt that the Character of the Captain, though he may be blustery, is not one of a man to execute two innocent people. He was given orders by someone in the hierarchy that obviously were not correct...but as an officer of the Greater Prussian Empire...he carried them out to the letter.

Let me ask you, are you tired of being afraid? Of wondering whether or not helping the government will result in you being dragged from your houses in the middle of the night and dumped in mass graves on the outskirts of town? Are you tired of watching your children at all times lest they be scooped up? The deathsquads that prevent peace and stability have got to be put down...and in Charles Orleans is the necessary Brutality to root these murderers out of their holes and keep us safe. You may not like him...I don't...but he can get the job done.

God Save the King!"

Charles Orlean made one final comment, "Thank you Lordship, for your support. And to the Count for using his regiment to secure the town, along with the local police. And as the Lord Mayor said, I do not come to be loved."
He stood silent for a moment, then, suddenly, picked up the hatchet and swung it into the podium. The crowd jumped.
"Like this podium!" he shouted, and swung again, "Reichskamphen will be broken pieve by piece if these death squads are not found." He gave the podium three more whacks, and a huge chunk fell off. "I do not want to see this happen! Reichskamphen must survive!" He kicked the podium to the ground, and jumped onto it, cracking it in two. "No more will I let these Death Squads terrify you! Your children will be safe when my job is done!" He slid the hatchet through a slot on his sash. "Myself and my men will track these traitors down, and kill them. Those captured alive will be found guilty, and executed in the same place those two traitors from earlier were! Your streets will be cleansed with their blood. Your children cry out for vengeance. Our dead Emperor cries out for vengeance. Your very streets cry out for vengeance!. Anybody who has any information is to report to the older police offices, where we have set up a temporary headquarters. Remember, those who harbour, aide, or withhold information about a traitor, is a traitor themselves. DEO VINDICE!"
Orlean stepped back onto the stage, and shook hands with the Count and Lord Mayor. "Good luck with your own people," was all he quipped.

Ok.'til christmas (RL),and maybe afterwards,antigr will donate 120 million USD weekly.

His Majesty greatly thanks the government and people of Antigr for their support in this our time of great crisis. M ay God smile upon you all.

Rev. Dr. Peter Graves
High Lord Protector of Reichskamphen
___________________________________

The crowd was appeased to the point that they certainly wouldn't riot. It was quite clear that the Count and his government were being readily accepted, but the interference of Oreleans was being tolerated at best. And if he didnt display some results...that toleration would quickly fade.
-----------------------------------------------

50 miles north of Sachtein County Seat:

It was a moonless night...rather early morning. All had been a strangely quiet night. Not even the sound of harsh snoring disturbed the night air. Nor did the sound of three men, geared in Spec-Ops attire, slinking over the wall of the house of the Chief of Police cause any stirs. The Chief of Police for the small hamlet lived with his wife and two young daughters in stone farmhouse. No one heard the panes of glass sliding out of the windows and the doors being gently picked. No one heard the screams of the little girls as the men held their mouths closed and slit their throats from ear to ear. If someone heard the voice of the Police Chief begging for his life...it fell on deaf ears. Only the next morning when none of the family reported for their daily duties did someone think to check on them and discover a cross painted in blood on thier door with a knife sticking straight out in the centre, covered with blood.

The word spread through the County like wildfire. "The Deathsquads have struck again."

I could send some ARRF (Antigran Rapid Reaction Force) Special forces to keep the peace,and i could also send some supply convoys through (by the sound of your country,these'll have to be escorted)

Queen Mariah was asleep in the Treasury when Inquisitor Janus who was worried about her being missing located her in the Treasury. It was his job to work out where she was at all times. He woke her up and she grabbed the person who was waking her up with a hug as habit.

"Hey, I'm not husband and you're not in bed" he said as she worked out who it was. "Woah, I'm still at work. Speak about sleeping on the job ..." she said looking around.

"Come on Mariah, time to go home. Worry about Reichskamphen later." he said as he assisted her to get up and walk her to some guards. She was still half asleep. Mariah, Janus and the guards disappeared into the lift and they drove her back to the palace. Mariah would be back in the office later, for more fundraising.

As news of the killing spread, all 2000 of the Regimentals were awake and on duty. The Count ordered the police to awake the mayor, and keep half of the police force on guard at all times. The regiment of soldiers surrounded the manor, and closed down all access to the Count, except by government officials. Just as the Count was thinking of alerting Orlean, he looked out the window, and, in the distance, saw dirt rising into the air as 15 military jeeps, mounted with machine guns, with four men each, raced into town. They were followed by two huge troop transport trucks, with 91 men each inside. The other three, Captain orlean, Lieutenant Summers, and Sergeant O'Rourke, were in between with an Imperial Humvee. When they reached the stage of the previous day, where another crowd was assembled, every Guardsman hopped out, and formed double lines on each side of the crowd. The officers formed a line on the podium. There job was mainly to keep the men inline, while the Commander, Vice Commander, and Company Sergeant administered and commanded the company.
In front of the line of officers, stood the Captain, Summers, and O'Rourke.
The Captain began, "I told you yesterday that this would happen. You hated me yesterday, and disapproved of my brutality. Your own police chief, and his wife slaughtered. Not only this, but two little girls are dead. I saw the bodies. Their throats are slit, and the blood drained from their precious faces. These death squads HATE you! They WILL come for YOU! Why are you blind? ANYONE with information, come forward immediately. If you fear the Death Squads, we will send you elsewhere. If we recieve no information, we will begin door to door searches. We will kill those who commmited this sick slaughter. That is all." The Captain stepped down, and Lieutenant Summers announced, "You will all be searched for evidence related to last nights slaughter. Sergeant."
O'Rourke stepped forward, and screamed, "Surround them. Officers, to your men, and direct the searching." They complied, and the three leaders sat watching, not missing any detail. If anyone tried to slip away, they would be shot.

OOC: The shooting took place MILES away from the County seat. This isnt only one city, but a large city and all the suburbs and then the outlying countryside. This was the police Chief of a small suburb, not the police Chief of Sachtein.

Also, Antiger...the Northern Parts of Reichskamphen are pretty well safe and well on their way to being re-established. There was a government based out of the city of New Geneva which tried to reunite the country. They suceeded in getting the north under wraps, but the south continues to be problematic. All armed resistance has ceased, but there is a light insurgence, namely of death squads and not necessarily explosive devices. I am sure anything you sent would be safe, and well appreciated. You always have the option of sending it to Northern Reichskamphen and we can take it down the rest of the way.

IC: The residents in Northern Sachstein were horrified when, the morning after death squads slaughtered their police chief and his family, Imperial Guard forces decrease troop strength in the area and proceed to crack down in Sachstein proper while little productive was done where the actual attack took place.

The same could be said of the people in Sachstein proper who felt that the crackdown shouldn't be here, but in the North. Dislike for Orleans and his command of the situation was relatively high, but it seemed that Orlean's latest blunder may have accidentally helped him.

One of the guards, while interrogating and searching had come across a man in his late 50s who, when strip searched, was found to have a Pax Maria tattoo on his upper back. This could very well answer the question...why would someone want to participate in a death squad that is attempting to thwart stability and restore disorder? It had been well known among some intelligence circles that the funding for anarchist groups that created the great Darkness came from a few nobles who wished to improve their lot in life and advance farther to the top by having the first few tiers of nobility weeded out a bit, or atleast a few key figures removed. When research was done into the man's background, it was found that he was the 3rd Duke of Waltschanstein who Napoleon IV had spared from the executioner's blade and chosen instead to exhile after a failed assasination attempt.

OOC:

No offence,but your country isn't exactly safe yet.

IC:

Mobile Group 53,Just across the North-Western Reichskamphen border

"Start your engines!" Yelled Major Robert Foley,the ARRF officer in charge of the column.

"Roll!" He shouted.He banged the turret of his KT-2 Light tank.

The vehicle began to move forward,followed by another light tank,both flying an ARRF and a 'Peace' flag.
Then followed 3 APCs carrying ARRF Special forces squads,and then behind that,150 or so supply trucks with the occasional APC or light tank in between,and then that followed by some more light tanks and troop-carriers.

ooc: Antigr, did you read any word he said? Also, how can you cross Reichskamphen's border when you are not located on Greater Prussia Major? Even if you could cross the border, your forces would be destroyed within minutes of your crossing.

ic:
Captain Orlean grabbed the Pax Maria, and threw him to the ground. His men swarmed the man, and chained him.
Orlean motioned for his men to leave, and orlean was with the man alone. "Pax Maria," was all Orlean said, "Radical Catholics, besides the fact you were condemned and excommunicated." The man said nothing, and Orlean drew his revolver. He beat the man across the face with the butt, and the aimed it at him. "I am a brutal man, and I will not hesitate to use force. Why are you in Greater Prussia?"

OOC:

No offence,but your country isn't exactly safe yet.

OOC: Well, um, thanks for the support, but what you just pulled is quite impossible. Greater Prussia is an entirely seperate CONTINENT, which you are not on. Second, even if you were on, what you pulled would still be impossible, as Derscon is Reichskamphen's ONLY northern neighbour. Third, foreign armed forces entering Reichskamphen at this point in time....well, it wouldn't end up well.

Thanks for the concern, but what you pulled is impossible. I'd be greatly appreciated if you edited your post.

They came in by sea.

ooc: No they didn't. RK's whole northern border is Derscon. And if you did come in by sea, youd be met with death. Trust us, we Prussians would kill you when an armed force entered our waters.

OOC: Again, impossible. Reichskamphen does not have a northern seaboard. Reichskamphen's north is entirely encased by me. The closest seaboard you have in the north is Derscon's and Pschycotic Pschycos. Both of us are paranoid autocracies -- mine being a Divine right monarchy, his being a military dictatorship. Pschycotian waters are flooded with mines, and to get to my waters, you'd have to pass PsiPso's, so my defences are irrelevant at this point, because you wouldn't have made it.

The only seaboard Reichskamphen has is in the south. Okay, so let's assume you want to come in that way. You're sailing along in your fleets towards the Greater Prussian Continent. Now, you arrive within one thousand miles of the continent. You are now detected by GPSOSUS and our other early warning systems (we have EWS for more than just missiles). A Greater Prussian Imperial Naval Fleet would then be on standby and deploy just inside the Greater Prussian Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends two hundred miles from Greater Prussian territorial waters, which extends ten miles from Allanean, Reichskamphen, and Dersconi EXEZ, which extend about a hundred and fifty miles from their territorial waters, which extend ten miles from the coast.

Follow?

Now, Let's assume for a moment you are somehow invisible to our EWS, okay? Now, you sail right into Greater Prussian territorial waters. At this point, you are lit up by GPIN, Allanean, Reichskamphen, and Dersconi naval fleets, air forces, coastal defence forces, and any other place a missle can come and ram you up the ass. At this point, you'd be dead.

Now, I don't mean to be a dick, but what you're doing is completely impossible by any strech of the imagination. Now, if you DO want to send troops, we can work it out via telegramme, and I'll talk to Reichskamphen as well. Or, you could talk to him directly.

However, after this long-winded OOC post, I suggest we stop with the OOC in this thread. Agreed?

From the Pantocratorian newspaper, the Imperial Monitor:

REICHSKAMPHEN CORONATION: CHAMPAGNE WHILE THOUSANDS STARVE

The Emperor of Greater-Prussia has sent an appeal to the peoples of the world in which it is admitted that "the poverty and starvation in Reichskamphen continues unabated" despite the magnificence of Emperor Joseph-Napoleon's coronation festivities, at which Reichskamphen promised that "no expense would be spared", according to sources who saw the invitation sent to the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator.

The appeal for donations claimed that "over 2000 people are dieing[sic] every day from starvation in the worse off parts of this, our embattled heartland", an enormous human tragedy representing perhaps the worst famine in a Western nation since the early 20th Century. The Department of Foreign Affairs was unable to confirm the number but stressed to this newspaper that it had no reason to doubt the veracity of the Greater Prussian appeal's claims.

Cardinal Poitiers-Phocas, Archbishop of New Constantinople, called on Pantocratorians to donate to a relief fund to alleviate the famine, but stressed the importance that they donate to a trustworthy charity, rather than send donations direct to the government of Reichskamphen. "By donating to a charity like the Cardinal Duras Memorial Fund or International Red Cross, you know that your donations will be going to help the people who need your help the most." said the Cardinal.

"Giving directly to a government which so recently spent untold millions of ducats on half a dozen gala balls, feasts, parades and ceremonies as a part of the coronation of their new emperor while thousands of ordinary people starved would be pure madness - they're more likely to spend your donation on new palace furniture or new fighter aircraft than grain for the starving." said prominent Pantocratorian human rights campaigner Manuel Versadrien. "The only way to be sure that your donations reach the mouthes of the hungry is to give them to independent charities."

Neither a spokesperson for the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator nor for the Imperial Government was available for comment.

More on page 7

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PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF EMPEROR JOSEPH-NAPOLEON AND VELIKY KYNAZ XAVIER ALEXEITOVICH ANDROPOV II

Many questions have been raised concerning the article by the Imperial Monitor (Pantocratoria). However, we would like to assure you that there is no such disregard for the people occuring.

The Greater Prussian Treasury has been virtually emptied to go into the relief efforts of Reichskamphen. Billions of dollars are being spent by the Greater Prussian Imperial Treasury and by the member nations of the Empire to help get Reichskamphen back on its feet.

However, the coronation of Greater Prussian Emperor Joseph-Napoleon was not funded at all by the Greater Prussian Imperial Treasury or the REichskamphen Royal Treasury, as all of those funds have been diverted to the relief effort. However, the coronation festivities have been funded by private corporations, State-owned corporations, and the Dersconi Government.

While we acknowledge that the Imperial Monitor was simply doing its job to attempt to warn the public of possible corruption, the Monitor was mistaken in its facts.

--Count Franz von Papen
Foreign Minister to the Tsar
The Divine Prussian Empire of Derscon
The Greater Prussian Empire

CRUNN Prussian Report
"Good evening everyone, this is Sean Fitzgerald. Our top story in the news tonight: Pantocratorian's have insulted our emperor, with the battle slogan of 'Champagne while thousands starve.' Our field reporters have the story."
Cut to an attractive blonde, with hair slgihtly past the shoulder
"Thank you Sean. I am here outside the gates of Reichskamphen's embassy where Cherry Ridge's government is keeping a close eye out during these coronation festivities. Earlier today, we talked to various Prussian officials and religious leaders as they made their way to the festivities, and also some other Imperial officers who we happened to catch as they made their way to the festivities."
Cut to the Palace gates, where King John and his wife are entering. A male reporter runs up.
Reporter: Your Majesty, what is your opinion of Pantrocratoria's charges?
John: Well, I think they should check their facts, and you should as well. My lovely wife, Katrina's, father made a press release not long ago. I suggest you read it.

Quick cut to Cardinal Marco descending steps of some sort of stone Church in New Geneva
Reporter: Your Eminence, what do you think of Imperial expense while many starve?
Cardinal: The same thing I think of all royal extranvegance, and of what supposed men of the church did throughout history, as I am sure my brother Cardinal knows about. A disgrace, when it actually happens. In this case, it did not happen.

The camera cut to Kynaz-Hetman of Tarakh of Derscon [ooc: Derscon supplied quote and gave permission], who was asked the same question. He replied:
"Thanks to the Imperial Monitor not checking their facts, Reichskamphen could lose billions in aide."

The camera cut back to the reported who said, "We could not reach the Emperor for comment. However, when we were asking, we did get one Imperial Guard commanders view of the situation.
The camera cut to Imperial gates again, where a young Captain sat on horseback, in a Napoleonic era uniform. He was flanked by two men, a Lieutenant and a Sergeant, and behind them were 197 other Imperial Guardsmen.

Reporter: Captain Orlean, would it be possible to speak to the emperor?
Orlean: No.
Reporter: Why not?
Orlean: Do not question me, or the next story will be about a reporter's blood stains at the imperial gates. A press release has been made. That is the Emperor's position.
Reporter: What is your position on the matter?
Orlean: Read the press release. I do have a position about your intelligence, and it is not very high.
Reporter: Thank you Capt...
Orlean: You have one minute to get the hell out of my sight before I place you under arrest you for disturbing the peace and endangering an imperial official.

The Camera went away from the frightened male reporter, and back to the blonde.
"As you can see, Sean, this whole thing is just a misunderstanding."

The camera cut back to Sean, who said, "Thank you. We will be back after this short break."

*Press Release by His Imperial Highness, Joseph-Napoleon, Emperor of Greater Prussia and King of Reichskamphen*

The Imperial crown recognizes the concernes raised by Pantocratonia but would like to add a bit of information that may serve to clarify the subject.

The Coronation festivities, as the Tsar earlier indicated are being financed by Private Concernes and the Dersconi government. The beverages for the event, especially the often mentioned champagne, were purchases of the late Emperor Napoleon IV during the heighth of the Greater Prussian Empire and the Splendour of Reichskamphen as well as stock from the now defunct Greater Prussian Wine and Spirits Corporation. There was no further expense on these items.

It was considered that a coronation not be held, especially in light of the dire circumstances, but I ultimately decided that the Coronation needed to be held, not because it adds to legitimacy but because the festivities and guests in a fully realized coronation celebration will be a huge boostershot in the arm to the Reichskamphian Economy due to HEAVILY increased patronage of restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and other staples of the local economy. Further, the greatest problem in reichskamphen is low morale. An event like this needs to be held that can give people a reason to celebrate...for hopes of greater times to come.

For this reason, it is my intention, as it was before this even became an issue, to feed the people of New Geneva and empty the Imperial Winecellars and give the contents to the people as the Tsars did during their coronations.

I would also like it to be noted that I have emptied my own personal bank accounts and donated every cent in my posession to the reconstruction of my country. These four days are an exception to the rule.

In an Imperial court accustomed to excess...having to put up with broken appliances and Coca-Cola is becoming a much more common thing. I feel that if the people cannot have these luxuries, neither should I...and if I am going to have them...like on these days...I will share them to the best of my ability.

I would ask the Pantocratonian media in the future to more heavily consider their comments as their actions may have directly or indirectly decided the fate of millions by detering people from donating to a legitimate humanitarian cause.

-Joseph-Napoleon

Editorial the next day in the Imperial Monitor:

The truth hurts
The paper you're holding in your hands has been the subject of some anger vented from Greater Prussia in the past twenty four hours, as some readers would be aware. For those who don't, a press release was issued by the Dersconi government on behalf of the Greater Prussian Emperor and the Tsar of Derscon, which in turn provoked the usual ravings from Greater Prussian cable and broadcast television news pundits, and no doubt more than a few newspaper editorials as well. In the interests of full disclosure, we've reproduced the press release on the opposite page, and I'd encourage you to go read it before returning to this editorial.

The press release is moderate enough in its language, but naturally the propagandists masquerading as journalists working in the Greater Prussian press were not so moderate. Particularly farcical, in the opinion of this journalist, were the accusations that this paper did not check its facts before printing yesterday's story about the terrible famine in Reichskamphen going on in the midst of an extravagant coronation festival. Upon reviewing the article, the only fact which I could see was disputed by the press release was a statement by Monsieur Manuel Versadrien of Human Rights Watch Pantocratoria, a private non-profit organisation based in New Rome, to the effect that the coronation of Emperor Joseph-Napoleon had been funded by the government, and even this fact can be at best tenuously challenged, when one considers that in the official press release, the Dersconi Foreign Minister asserts that the coronation was funded: "by private corporations, State-owned corporations, and the Dersconi Government." Now the first of these may not be a Greater Prussian government source, but the latter two, government-owned businesses and the Dersconi Government itself, certainly are. Where then, is the error of fact? If there is any error, it is Monsieur Versadrien's, not this newspaper's, which was simply reporting the words of a qualified expert. Given the Dersconi press release, however, I am personally inclined that Monsieur Versadrien didn't make a mistake in his assessment either, but I shall leave that to you, readers, to decide.

It seems extraordinary to me personally that the government of Reichskamphen would solicit donations from such sources for the coronation of their latest emperor while thousands of their citizens die each day, a tragedy so enormous that it is difficult to believe that it could ever happen except in a nation whose government was indifferent to the sufferings of its own people. The urgency with which official Greater Prussian sources attempted to refute the report in yesterday's Monitor in my opinion only illustrates their desire not to be seen as inexcusably, callously indifferent to the plight of their own people.

And while I am writing an opinion column on the topic, I might add that I agree with Monsieur Versadrien and Cardinal Poitiers-Phocas when they called on our readers to donate to independent charities like the International Red Cross in order to alleviate the suffering of the people of Reichskamphen. A government which has already spent donations from "private corporations", not to mention state-owned businesses and other Greater Prussian governments, on a coronation ceremony for its own monarch when two thousand of its people are dying of starvation everyday just can't be trusted with your donations.

I know where my donations will be going.

Philippe Renault
Editor

Press Release From the Imperial Shogunate of Pschycotic Pschycos


We of the Imperial Shogunate of Pschycotic Pschycos, a nation of the Greater Prussian Empire, would like to help clarify what has been written in recent newspapers. In truth, a lavish coronation service is being held. However, it is funded by private organizations, as well as the Dersconi government. However, the recent editorial errs in saying "Now the first of these may not be a Greater Prussian government source, but the latter two, government-owned businesses and the Dersconi Government itself, certainly are.". While this is a Greater Prussian government source, there needs to be some correction here.

Each nation and its treasurey are not tied to the central Greater Prussian Crown Government. Thus, if one nation decides to fund something, that is their choosing, and has no effect on the Crown. I can attest to the fact that Derscon has already made a considerable contribution to the effort. The Shogunate has also provided funds for this coronation. As well, we have provided supplies and money, along with troops for rebuilding. I know that our nation provided funds specifically for the coronation. This means they cannot be spent elsewhere. Thus, there was no choice in this matter. I am sure several other nations did this as well. And before you attempt to distort my words, might I point out, as I already have done so, that we've already donated large amounts of money, resources, and troops to this relief effort.

I must say that I am deeply disturbed with the fact that a journalistic institution can be so engrosed in creating controversy to boost ratings that it will pervert an event that, as previously mentioned, is meant to serve as a morale boost and an economic stimulant. Having walked the streets myself, there is indeed a great leap forward in the economic progress. However, this still doesn't excuse the Imperial Monitor's portrayal. It is onesided and chooses to ignore both the good that will come of this event, and the relief efforts already underway at great expense to the Crown and its subject nations.

I'd like to take this opportunity to also ask that the Imperial Monitor first check its facts on how member governments work in this Empire, that it respects the useage of private funds and funds from nations already actively engaged in relief efforts, and that it learn to cover a story professionally, neutrally, and without regard to ratings.

~Shogun Nakamura Taiki
Imperial Shogunate of Pschycotic Pschycos
Greater Prussian Empire

OOC: Again, impossible. Reichskamphen does not have a northern seaboard. Reichskamphen's north is entirely encased by me. The closest seaboard you have in the north is Derscon's and Pschycotic Pschycos. Both of us are paranoid autocracies -- mine being a Divine right monarchy, his being a military dictatorship. Pschycotian waters are flooded with mines, and to get to my waters, you'd have to pass PsiPso's, so my defences are irrelevant at this point, because you wouldn't have made it.

The only seaboard Reichskamphen has is in the south. Okay, so let's assume you want to come in that way. You're sailing along in your fleets towards the Greater Prussian Continent. Now, you arrive within one thousand miles of the continent. You are now detected by GPSOSUS and our other early warning systems (we have EWS for more than just missiles). A Greater Prussian Imperial Naval Fleet would then be on standby and deploy just inside the Greater Prussian Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends two hundred miles from Greater Prussian territorial waters, which extends ten miles from Allanean, Reichskamphen, and Dersconi EXEZ, which extend about a hundred and fifty miles from their territorial waters, which extend ten miles from the coast.

Follow?

Now, Let's assume for a moment you are somehow invisible to our EWS, okay? Now, you sail right into Greater Prussian territorial waters. At this point, you are lit up by GPIN, Allanean, Reichskamphen, and Dersconi naval fleets, air forces, coastal defence forces, and any other place a missle can come and ram you up the ass. At this point, you'd be dead.

Now, I don't mean to be a dick, but what you're doing is completely impossible by any strech of the imagination. Now, if you DO want to send troops, we can work it out via telegramme, and I'll talk to Reichskamphen as well. Or, you could talk to him directly.

However, after this long-winded OOC post, I suggest we stop with the OOC in this thread. Agreed?

Why didn't anybody tell me?

Fine,they were air-transported.

All vehicles,including the light tanks have the capabilities.

Why didn't anybody tell me?

Fine,they were air-transported.

All vehicles,including the light tanks have the capabilities.

OOC: Because we were not expecting, nor particularly WANTING foreign military intervention.

As for your air transport, do you really think that that would go any better, that we don't have equally reduntant and strong air defences?

You're starting to wear my patience thin. If you were going to send troops, you should have TGed us and worked everything out OOCly. You didn't, and now you're pulling things out of thin air to suddenly explain away every single defence system that Greater Prussia has.

Strike three, you're out.

The cool, wet air of the Imitoran winter blew in through Northampton, warning of future snow storms. Christmas lights were already going up on buildings, and shopping for the Holiday was in full bloom. However, not all were sleeping away or taking a relaxing day off for shopping.

"Well, whats the final word?"

The voice belonged to Sarah Rydell, the Imitoran First Speaker. She looked over stacks of reports about the situation in Reichskampen. The government had been all geared up and ready to send some funds, but announcement from the Pantocratorian press had tossed a wrench into the gears, stopping the money machine. The small room in the Speakers Mansion was crowded with the First Speaker, the Finance Minister, and the Foreign Affairs Minister.

"Well, the outcry against the press has been harsh from all the GP nations. But, that of course has been expected. Its something we won't know for sure unless we can get our hands on the financial statements of the nations. And I doubt that those will just be handed over to us for our perusal." The finance minister flipped through a folder of information.

"What do you think?"

"Well, we could afford up to a few billion, not really let it hit us hard. Of course, relations with some of those nations have been, tense, at best." The accountant looked over to the FAM, who nodded. "I'm not into all this International Relations stuff, thats your field. My opinion would be to send something in the high hundred millions, maybe eight to nine."

"Then," her FAM cut in, "we say we want to go in on a fact finding mission, take a little over look of the land, and upong the approval of your self or me, whoever goes, we authorize the release of the rest of the money. I'm not sure how they would react to the secondary offer, but what I know of the situation, it doesn't seem like something they would mind. Should I draft up a response?"

Rydell nodded. "I'll go. Run it by me first so I know what I'm gonna say when I get there."

"Yes ma'am," he replied, unofficially concluding the meeting.
--
Emperor Joeseph-Napolean

It is sad to see such a great world power slowly falling in decline from its once great status. I hope that by the time this message reaches you, the situtation is at least stabilized. At the time of writting, I have authorized the release of eight hundred million, five hundred thousand Imitoran credits for the purpose of relief work and funding. I have also completed Executive Bill EO2997, in which all debt owed by your government or your people to Imitoran corporations are forgiven and erradicated.

I would like to say I am sending more, however, the tax payers of the nation would only approve of so much before wanting to know of the situation themselves. Therefore, I have been given the advice of our Finance Minister to release another one billion, two hundred million Imitoran Credits at the conclusion of a fact finding mission to your nation, in order to sooth the worries of the citizens of Imitora.

I hope that you find this acceptable, and I look forward to hearing from you.

With Respect

First Speaker Sarah Rydell

The United Star Empire of Valinon had long taken a studious interest in the affairs and imperial family of Reichskamphen. However, it was an interest the Crown and the Lords seemed largely content to keep from afar. Past emperors had schemed to join their own house with that of Reichskamphen, with the possibility of securing a throne for an heir of blood descent from House Alderman, and members of the Congress of Lords had taken to seeking to control portions of the Reichskamphen economy. But with the decline of Emperor Joseph-Napoleon's realm growing more and more apparent, newer forces began to move to do what emperors, dukes, and princes had dreamed of doing.

As businesses closed across the Greater Prussian Empire, representatives from Valinon started to arrive. They came from the banks of the secretive and officially non-existent Turin Combine, led by the United Pholus Banking Guild. They came from the vast specialized commercial interests like the Reich Entertainment Group and Axis Importers. They came from the monolithic conglomerates like the Solar Industrial Cartel and the United Syberian Industrial Conglomerate. But they all had one purpose: to acquire as much of the faltering Prussian industries and firms as possible.

With credit lines backed by reichsmarks and comm links to mercenary units secured from the Star Empire, the newly independent Ortagan states, and the Collective Protectorates of Liberated New Hope, Valinor corporate agents intended to become at least one force in the Reichskamphen economy--but would conspire to become the economic force in Joseph-Napoleon's struggling reich. These agents would not stop unless driven from the country or recalled by their respective masters in imperial territory. Until this was done they would use any means at their disposal to raid and pillage the Prussian economy and network it to the Star Empire's own market just like they are doing in the post-Hegemonic Ortagan states. It was a ruthless process, and one the imperial government seemed unlikely to stop or be concerned about as it contemplated the problems of a post-war Raumreich.

The Jacques Journée, opinion column of the Hon. Sir Jacques Antoniou KMOP IC (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Jacques_Antoniou), from the Adrienople Morning Herald

What your money buys
The fascinating thing for me personally about watching the governments of Greater Prussia scurry to refute a story printed in the Imperial Monitor which pointed out that while thousands starve in Reichskamphen, the new monarch of that country is being crowned and lauded in an undignified display of opulent, self-indulgent, and most of all expensive pomp and circumstance, has been the way in which every press release from every Greater Prussian official doesn't fail but to confirm the factual correctness of the Imperial Monitor's article whilst professing to refute it. Perhaps it comes as no surprise, but it is a classic example of why Greater Prussia gets such a bad press - and before you, gentle reader, say it is because they deserve it, consider that many places which richly deserve the scorn of newspaper editorials often go unchallenged in the media.

Reading press release after press release from Greater Prussian sources - and while we shan't waste the paper reprinting them here you may find them reproduced on the AMH website (www.amh.co.po/editorials/antoniou/2006/December) - it becomes obvious to one that they simply fail to understand what Pantocratorian readers find so objectionable about the coronation of Joseph-Napoleon and why. They go to great lengths to explain how the coronation was funded, but then make the mistake of thinking that this in any way justifies the extravagant expenditure on a superfluous ceremony when people are starving in numbers not seen in the Western world since the great flu epidemic of the early twentieth century. The fact that the money funding this stupendous folly wasn't drawn directly from the Reichskamphen treasury or from the Greater Prussian Empire's treasury is quite irrelevant - it speaks volumes that Greater Prussian governments, government-owned companies, and private companies would donate to a fund for the coronation festivities while thousands still starve. Small wonder then that now they come hat in hand to the international community - Greater Prussian generousity had already been exhausted on harpsichords, organs, choirs, regalia, and enough food and drink for hundreds of foreign diplomats (and boy, do diplomats drink!).

It has also been fascinating to me how eager some have been to donate to Reichskamphen relief funds. I don't doubt that the starving people of that nation need relief - it isn't that. It's that I am simply not convinced that Reichskamphen itself has demonstrated that it takes the problem seriously, that it has done everything it could have done. The coronation is such a demonstration - even if one overlooks the inexcusable indifference to human suffering demonstrated by those who financed the coronation and indeed its financing altogether, one is left astonished that Louis-Napoleon and his government would press forward with the celebrations despite the appalling conditions of the people of Reichskamphen. It is as if he wanted to glory in his own indifference to the misery of his people!

Perhaps, though, I can best explain my hestitations by way of metaphor. If you meet a drug addict on the street, and they ask you for some spare change to help him buy something to eat, how do you know they won't use the money to buy more drugs? That metaphor is rather too direct, however. Consider then that the drug addict asks you for some spare change to help him buy his family something to eat. How do you know that they won't use the money to buy more drugs? Or, let's stretch it even further until it far more precisely matches Reichskamphen - imagine the addict already has fifty ducats in his pocket when he asks you for change. He might spend the change on feeding his family, but that fifty is earmarked for his fix. Did you help the addict's family, or did you help the addict's addiction?

Every ducat you contribute to the relief effort to help Reichskamphen's starving people is a ducat the Reichskamphen Government won't have to spend on the famine. Instead of our addict's ∂50 fix, there's a ∂50,000,000 cruise missile or something equivalent. I strongly urge you to satisfy yourself that the government of Reichskamphen has done everything it can and doesn't have some money lying around for its "fix" before you donate a single nummi.

Opinion Column By President Alexander Kazansky in Allanea Times, also reposted on his blog

Yet again, there is whining and bitching, whining and bitching about Allanea helping Reichskamphen. Yet again, they wonder about how the Emperor's own wealth is used to maintain coronation ceremonies – his private wealth. Do I need to remind everybody that a monarchy depends on its ceremonies? That none is deprived by a private man spending his own wealth?

But that is beside the point. Allanea has a seven-trillion-per-year 'Commerce and Assorted Expenditures' budget, used, among other things, for foreign aid. Today, I am proud to report to have signed a Reichskamphen Aid Bill, clearing five hundred, thirty nine billion dollars per year for nine years for the restoration of Reichskamphen.

Yes, it's possible that Reichskamphen will use this money to build cruise missiles. This is, from the Allanean point of view, a good thing. A well-armed, powerful Reichskamphen is a very good thing for Allanea and the global community, and it is precisely such a Reichskamphen that we would like to see – and the jobs in the arms industry alone will be enough to kick-start their economy.

More importantly, Allanea's government, in conjunction with Concord University, have proposed a number of measures that will reform the institutions and economy of Reichskamphen to both promote the Christian values of which Reichskamphen is so proud, and to improve the economy.

What are those measures, you ask?

Here are some:

Land Privatisation – Reichskamphen possesses miles and miles of un-owned land, both previously un-owned and some rendered empty by the civil war. We recommend allowing investors and corporations to claim land on the homestead system as used in the 19th century. This will free up the real estate market, and encourage foreign companies to invest in Reichskamphen.

Education Privatisation – Already now, Reichskamphen has a more progressive (in the real sense of the word) education policy then Allanea, spending far less central government money on it then we do – we recommend they return to the 19th-century system of homeschooling, private, parochial, and church schools. Not only will this increase the power of Christians in Reichskamphen, but also improve education and the economy (by reducing government spending). And it'll clear 710 billion a year for tax cuts and cruise missiles!

Public Transport – Just like in Allanea, Reichskamphen needs to cut down on public transportation, or private it completely. By turning Reichksamphen into an 'automobile society', we will restart consumer capitalism in Reichkamphen, big-time.

This is just a sample – more will actually be advised and advocated as appropriate.

In the meanwhile, Allanea's armed forces remain ready to protect Reichskamphen's shores from any threat – until Reichskamphen buys up enough of those cruise missiles Mr. Antoniou is whining and moaning about.

Queen Mariah was sitting in her bed (wear not much) with a laptop sitting a portable bed table and huge TV screen opposite her. She had been reading all the controvesy stirred up by the Pantocratorian press about the Coronation and it's cost - and then the plight of the Reichskamphen nation in general. There seemed to be no end to this issue - she didn't want to take sides as she valued her Pantocratoria friends but didn't want the Pantocratorians to be in conflict with native Greater Prussians.

As the Greater Prussian treasurer she knew where all money was going and all this "hoobaboola" about the Coronation was not helping the cause at all. She had just dumped 100 billion of Jeruselem's aid into the kitty but had strings attached to it - only for nation reconstruction and helping the people on the ground, not military operations as she felt too much was being poured into this already.

She sent the following letter to the Adrienople Morning Herald in Pantocratoria.

To: Hon. Sir Jacques Antoniou KMOP IC
From: Queen Mariah of Jeruselem, Greater Prussian Treasurer

I understand your opinion in the Adrienople Morning Herald, the Greater Prussian coronation was mispent money considering the plight of the nation of Reichskamphen people. The place is an unholy mess with law and order scant, but the armies of GP are working to ensure it will be governable nation and a proper capital for the Greater Prussian empire.

I assure you the nations of GP are working to fix the problem but we don't have all solutions. As the Greater Prussian Treasurer I know how much money is being spent on Reichskamphen alone and this sum is not a small one either. It will cost trillions, maybe quadrillions if things don't get better but rest assured the GP government and GP nations are doing their best now to help the people of Reichskamphen despite the problems.

Parts of Reichskamphen are a radioactive wasteland and parts will never be inhabitable again, but I am doing my best to ensure the people of Reichskamphen get a nation worth living in. It's a mess now and it will be mess for a long while.

So I invite you as a guest of Jeruselem to my country and to see the GP treasury in action. You can then see what money is spent and where. I'm doing this as we have faith in the Reichskamphen reconstruction effort but mistakes will be made. Please come and see the real situation. We will answer your questions as frankly as possible.

Queen Mariah I of Jeruselem
Greater Prussian Treasurer

In the meanwhile, Allanea's armed forces remain ready to protect Reichskamphen's shores from any threat – until Reichskamphen buys up enough of those cruise missiles Mr. Antoniou is whining and moaning about.
OOC: That's Sir Jacques to you! :P

To: Hon. Sir Jacques Antoniou KMOP IC
From: Queen Mariah of Jeruselem, Greater Prussian Treasurer

I understand your opinion in the Adrienople Morning Herald, the Greater Prussian coronation was mispent money considering the plight of the nation of Reichskamphen people. The place is an unholy mess with law and order scant, but the armies of GP are working to ensure it will be governable nation and a proper capital for the Greater Prussian empire.

I assure you the nations of GP are working to fix the problem but we don't have all solutions. As the Greater Prussian Treasurer I know how much money is being spent on Reichskamphen alone and this sum is not a small one either. It will cost trillions, maybe quadrillions if things don't get better but rest assured the GP government and GP nations are doing their best now to help the people of Reichskamphen despite the problems.

Parts of Reichskamphen are a radioactive wasteland and parts will never be inhabitable again, but I am doing my best to ensure the people of Reichskamphen get a nation worth living in. It's a mess now and it will be mess for a long while.

So I invite you as a guest of Jeruselem to my country and to see the GP treasury in action. You can then see what money is spent and where. I'm doing this as we have faith in the Reichskamphen reconstruction effort but mistakes will be made. Please come and see the real situation. We will answer your questions as frankly as possible.

Queen Mariah I of Jeruselem
Greater Prussian Treasurer

To: Her Majesty Queen Mariah I of Jeruselem
From: The Hon. Sir Jacques Antoniou KMOP IC

Your Majesty,

I was honoured to receive your letter in regards to my recent column in the Adrienople Morning Herald entitled "What your money buys". It is not often that my column attracts comment from such a distinguished, royal and serene reader as Your Majesty.

In regards to your kind invitation to the Greater Prussian Treasury to see first hand the spending on the relief effort for the tragic circumstances in Reichskamphen, I am afraid I must decline. As a former Minister of the Crown, I am always aware that my actions as a private individual may be misconstrued as an action of the Imperial Government, or even as an action of the United Christian Front, the loyal Opposition. I cannot, therefore, accept your very kind invitation for fear of transgressing on the territory of my successor as Foreign Minister, the Hon. Demetrios Raoul MP.

I am, however, enthusiastic about Your Majesty's offer because it demonstrates a desire for transparency in dealings with the international community which, in my opinion, the majority of office bearers of the Greater Prussian Empire do not share. I humbly beseech and encourage Your Majesty to extend the same invitation to a delegation from the Imperial Parliament. Such a delegation would have departmental support which would better enable it to make assessments and judgements on the basis of what they saw in Greater Prussia, and would, as elected representatives, be able to report to the Pantocratorian people as more than journalists and opinion columnists.

I have the pleasure to be Your Majesty's humble servant,

Jacques Antoniou
Knight Master of the Order of the Pantocrator
Imperial Counsel

JGN Press Release

To: Whom it may concern
From: Queen Mariah of Jeruselem, Greater Prussian Treasurer

Many people out there are concerned about the "wastage" of funds regarding the reconstruction of the Greater Prussian nation of Reichskamphen, and it's capital. As Treasurer of the Greater Prussian Empire (and a Jew too!), I too wish to stop any sort of wastage. Those donors who are concerned about this matter raised by Hon. Sir Jacques Antoniou KMOP IC of Pantocratoria, can voice their concerns directly to the Treasurer - me.

While some may regard the opinions of Sir Jacques Antoniou as just rabble-rousing, I take the matter seriously. Greater Prussian leaders have defended the Coronation and current efforts to save the nation of Reichskamphen from collapse, because they know it's going to be hard and a long road ahead with speedbumps and landmines.

Anyone with concerns can me personally, and I will explain the things are and will be. The millions, billions and even trillions will be spend wisely because I want the money to be used in way which brings back the old glory of Reichskamphen. Yes there will be some wastage but rest assured - as Treasurer and the one ultimately who has take rap for funding the reconstruction, all effort will be made to ensure all money is spent wisely.

If donors have concerns, ask me. There are no quick fixes but the road to recovery is long and hard. We need donors to help our Emperor regain a nation where people do no fear the insecurity of current situation. I can't fix everthing, it's team effort between GP and it's allies and friendly nations. Together we can do good - for the sake of GP.

I will be available for personal meetings, so just ask. People we need to work together for God's people.

Love
Queen Mariah I of Jeruselem
Greater Prussian Treasurer