NationStates Jolt Archive

Grand Master Wolf von Wilmerding of the Teutonic Knights, with the Grand Council of the Knights, and with Patriarch Barnabas of the Orthodox Protestant Church of Waffen-SS Ostland, witrh the Supreme Synod,
to the rulers and people of Feazanthia, greetings,

It is our wish to put behind us whatever hostility may remain from your attempt to interfere in the Christianization of our province of New Brandenburg. formerly Tribes of Zion. We wish to offer you the benefits of the Gospel of Christ and of superior Aryan civilization.
We are sending missionaries to you to teach you the true ways of Our Lord,
and to build churches and schools for the uplifting of your minds and souls. If there should be any danger to their persons, our air force at Rittershafen (formerly Dreads Fort) is standing by to act for the protection of our citizens.
We look forward to many years of peaceful cooperation between our peoples.

Gvien at Kreuzhaven, this eleventh day of May, year of Our Lord two thousand five,
The Grand Council of the Teutonic Knights of Waffen-SS Ostland
The Supreme Synod of the Orthodiox Protestant Church

((Oh, why not? I'll go back into the forray of MT))

Torroth Halcyon, the Grand Commander of Feazanthia, was deep in meditation within his chamber when the communique arrived. A uniformed officer handed him the manilla folder. Well, rather put it in his lap. A half-an-hour later, when the Commander came out of his trance, he tore open the folder and read its contents. He rose to his feet and had his robe put around him by a pair of aides.
"...you've got to be kidding me," was all that he could say.

Later that day, the 16th naval battlegroup out of New Charleston rendevoused with Admiral Dowarty and his flagship Trafalgar. The mighty Feazanthia-class dreadnought was the largest ship class in the fleet. It's giant 30" Thermo-Electric Deck Cannons were shined and loaded. Along with the 16th's pair of Nimitz carriers and its flotilla of destroyers and frigates, it presented a massive deterrant to anyone who wanted to come to Feazanthia.

From Luftkapitan Egon Vogel, 4th Air Transport Groiup
To : Luftwaffe Command, Rittershafen
URGENT--SECRET

Feazanthian naval craft are gathering near the coast and appear to be heavily armed. Our aircraft cannot withstand a concentrated assault. The missionary landing is in grave peril and I request permission to abort and return to base immediately.


From: Luftwaffe Command, Rittershafen
To: Luftkapitan Egon Vogel, 4th Air Transport Group

Withdraw from Feazanthian territorial waters but remain airborne and await further orders.

(Luftwaffe Command was going to scramble the 1st and 2nd Tactical Bomber Groups to deal with the Feazanthian fleet, but it was realized that the result could be all out war. The Ministry of Defense was notified and an urgent meeting of the Grand Council was called.)

FN Trafalgar
28 kilometers off the northern Feazanthia coast

Admiral Dowarty pulled his thick fur coat around him tighter. It was cold, even for the antarctic. He'd been raised in one of the underground, artificially-heated tunnels. He'd worked his way up to Admiral by spending a lot of time in the study of the old Feazanthian generals who had survived. When the navy was rebuilt, he had scored highest on the tactical aptitude tests.

"Admiral, sir. Enemy aircraft appear to be withdrawing from the area."

"Good. Maybe we can go home soon, then."

Patriarcb Barnabas, formerly Abbot Jakob of Ostendorf, expressed himself forcefully to the Grand Council. Since he had secured episcopal consecration, with valid apostolic succession, from Archbishop Theophorus of the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Europe (a tiny schismatic sect with about 15 members),
Barnabas had set about rebuilding the church in Ostland and had hoped to energize the faithful by enlisting their support for missions abroad. He had been assured--wrongly as it turned out--that Feazanthia would welcome Christian missionaries and the only danger was from a few well-armed pagan zealots. He was furious at being so grieviously deceived by Knights intelligence.
The council, too, felt themselves badly served. Air Transport Group 4 was ordered to return to Rittershafen, the missionary landing was cancelled, and a major shakeup was planned for the intelligence services.
*****
The conflict was not yet ended, however. Captain Otto Burckmacher of the nuclear submarine "Friedrich Barbarossa" remembered with bitterness the impotence of the Knights naval forces in the last conflict. Unknown to the Grand Council, and in direct defiance of their orders, he had taken upon himself to avenge past humiliation. He and his crew had made it their task to seek and destroy the "Trafalgar".

"We question how the Orthodox "Protestant" Church can maintain a valid claim to being Protestant and opposition to the Pope of Rome while imposing a pseudo-Pope in the guise of a Patriarch on its congregants.

While the Synod of Greater Prussia welcomes all voices raised against Rome, it also questions the validity of this denomination's claim to Protestantism just as it questions the validity of the claim to Protestantism of the Modern Anglican (almost Catholic) Church.

The Protestant Reformers were clear in their teachings and expositions of Scripture: Apostolic Succession is and was a tool of Rome to foist her evil upon the world. It should not be in a Protestant Church.

We also condemn the association of any civilization with true Christian doctrine. Christianity transcends culture...Christianity should CREATE the Culture of this world and not be influenced by it. Nazi-ized Christianity is a blight upon the Church.

However, if these missionaries are carrying the message of Christ to a foreign land where it is unheard, even if the form they carry with them is perverted, as long as it holds to the Five Solas...we are in support of the missionaries and ask that they be recieved peacefully."

-Rev. Dr. Alan Cairns
Pastor of Reichsburg Free Presbyterian Church
Religious Advisor to His Majesty, Emperor Napoleon IV of Greater Prussia
Moderator of the Greater Prussian Synod

URGENT
From: Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg
To: All Ships of Knights Fleet and Coastal Patrol
1633 UTC

We have received no communication, including any distress signals in the last 24 hours from the submarine UB-67, "Friedrich Barbarossa" and there has been no response to our attempts to contact her. The last known location
was an area 58 km from entering Feazanthian territorial waters on a bearing headed toward the location of the 16th Feazanthian Battle Group. As there has been no communication between UB-67 and the Feazanthian navy, we
have reason to believe that an unauthorized attack is intended.
An immediate search is to begin for UB-67 and if located intact it is to be intercepted. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary to protect your vessels and crews. Do not under any circumstances engage Feazanthian vessels.
***********************
URGENT
From: Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg
To: Grand Commander Torroth Halcyon of Feazanthia
1646 UTC

Your Excellency,
One of our submarines, the nuclear submarine UB-67 "Friedrich Barbarossa" is missing near your territorial waters. We have reason to believe she is on course to attack the 16th Naval Battlegroup. This action, if taken, is in direct violation of orders from the Grand Council. We are sending a search party to the area with intent to find and intercept. Our vessels are under strict orders not to engage Feazanthian vessels. Should it become necessary to defend your fleet against this attack, be assured that there will be no retaliation by Knights naval forces.

Marinemarschall Alfried Zeller
Supreme Naval Commander, Waffen-SS Ostland

FN Diedre
28 kilometers of the Feazanthian coast

"Conn, sonar. Possible contact bearing three-one-five."

"Gimme it, Jonesey."

"Submarine, by the sound of it, Cap. Big nuke. Never heard one'a them afore."

"Probably a Fascist. Load torpedo tubes one and two, bring up GASP for me. Inform the Trafalgar, but let them know we want first crack at 'em."




TO: Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg
FROM: Grand Commander Torroth Halcyon, Feazanthia

"Can't keep control of your own ships, eh? Your ships will stay in international waters. If there is a rogue vessel in our seas, consider it dust. Any vessels that enter Feazanthian territory without permission will be fired upon and sunk."

To: Grand Commander Torroth Halcyon of Feazanthia
From: Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg

We will confine our search to international waters. Since the captain and crew of the "Barbarossa" are violating their orders, if found in your territorial
waters you may do what is necessary to defend your fleet. I do ask however that should you take them alive, that they be turned over to Knights naval authorities for disciplinary action, which I can assure you will be swift and severe.

Marinemarschall Alfried Zeller
Supreme Naval Commander, Waffen-SS Ostland
****
The "Friedrich Barbarossa" was in Feazanthian waters and within range of the 16th Naval Battlegroup.
"Herr Kapitan, enemy craft approaching, bearing zero-four-five".
"Take evasive action and hold your fire. I want the 'Trafalgar'".

((You do realise that, even if the sub gets past the destroyer, it has no chance against a Feazanthia-class Dreadnought?))

"Conn, sonar. Enemy's changing course. Looks like he's on to us."

"Oh well. Sonar, verify range to target. Two pings, please."

Ping! Pong! Ping! Pong!

Everything in the area now knew the exact location of the intruder sub.

"That aughta spook 'em. Flood tubes one and two, get me a firing solution."

"Herr Kapitan, we have a Feazanthian dreadnought, bearing zero-one-zero."
"That has to be the Trafalgar. Prepare tubes and and two to fire".
"Herr Kapitan, we are surrounded, enemy craft preparing to fire and we cannot escape...We cannot survive even if we sink the Trafalgar."
"What are you saying, Herr Kohler?"
First mate Karl Kohler knew what the entire crew now knew, that Captain Burckmacher was chasing the Trafalgar the way the mad captain in the American novel had chased a great white whale. Nothing would be accomplsihed but his death and the death of the whole crew. "Hail the Trafalgar and surrender. That is our only chance."
"Surrender? SURRENDER? {String of German curses} "
"Herr Kapitan, if you do not do this I must relieve you of command".
"NO, DAMN YOU! Prepare to fire!"
"Herr Kapitan, you have disregarded the orders of Naval Command and are needlessly endangering the ship. You are relieved of command. Leutnant Heinz, escort the captain to the brig. Radioman Meyer, hail the Feazanthian
fleet. We are surrendering the vessel."
Burckmacher drew his sidearm, but Kohler shot first. The captain fell dead with no last words.
************************************
To: Admiral Dowarty, 16th Feazanthian Naval Battlegroup
From: UB-67 "Friedrich Barbarossa"
Karl Kohler, First Mate
1633 UTC

We are surrendering our vessel to your fleet. We know that our situation is
impossible. Captain Burckmacher is dead. We will stand by for further instructions from you.

******************************
To: Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg
From: UB-67 "Friedrich Barbarossa"
Karl Kohler, First Mate

I attempted to relieve Captain Burckmacher of command; he was shot resisting arrest. Our situation is impossible and I have given the order to surrender the vessel to the Feazanthian fleet. Other than the captain, all crewmen are alive and well.

Dowarty, aboard the command deck of the Trafalgar, allowed himself a chuckle. He'd have to give Captain Amadeus a promotion for that little manuever. He'd managed to spook the bastards into surrendering!


**********************************************************
From: Admiral Dowarty, 16th Feazanthian Naval Battlegroup
To: UB-67 "Friedrich Barbarossa"

Surface immediately and prepare to be boarded. Submerge or engage your primary drives and you will be fired upon. You and your crew shall be treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention and, if found to be innocent of the attempted attack on Feazanthian property, be returned to your native homeland.
**********************************************************

**********************************************************
From: Admiral Dowarty, 16th Feazanthian Naval Battlegroup
To: Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg

Your vessel (UB-67 Friedrich Barbarossa) has been captured by the Feazanthian Navy and is being detained until all possible risk is dealt with. The crew of UB-67 will be treated within the confines of the Geneva Convention.
Expect further communiques.
**********************************************************

The message from the "Barbarossa" put Marinemarschall Zeller in a momentary quandary. In time of war, or in dealing with a hostile nation, he would normally have ordered Commander Kohler to resist and not surrender; to surrender without orders from naval command would brand the crew as deserters. Also if the situation became impossible, he would have ordered the crew to abandon ship and scuttle the vessel so as to deny its technology to the enemy. Feazanthia, however, was not at war with Waffen-SS Ostland, nor officially considered a hostile nation. The only real deserter here was the late Captain Burckmacher, whose disobedience had caused the whole mess in the first place. There was only one thing to do.
*********************************
From: Marinemarschall Zeller, Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg
To: Commander Karl Kohler, UB-67 "Friedrich Barbarossa"
1504 UTC

Message received--do what you must. Comply with Feazanthian instructions.

******************************
From: Marinemarschall Zeller, Knights Naval Command, New Wittenberg
To: Admiral Dowarty, 16th Feazanthian Naval Battlegroup

The commander of UB-67 has informed us of the situation. The crew will comply with your instructions. Our only request at this time is that the body of Captain Burckmacher be returned for a proper burial.
*********************************

The "Friedrich Barbarossa" surfaced and stood by for boarding. Other than the normal sounds of electronics and machinery, all on board was silence.
Most of the crew were thinking some variation of "How the devil did we get into this?"

Three naval helicopters launched from the FN Cedric, loaded full of Feazanthian marines. The cannons and torpedo tubes were kept aimed at the submarine as the first chopper deployed lines to the deck of the sub and the twenty-odd marines slid down. They forcibly opened the hatch of the sub, sliding down the ladder and into the belly of the vessel.

"Everybody out now! Move, damnit! Get outside, go!"

The marines waved their AR-290 assault rifles at the uneasy crew, motioning towards the hatch.

"MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT!"

The crew filed out onto the deck, quietly and as though in shock. Two of the men carried out the body of Captain Burckmacher. Commander Kohler gathered his wits about him and signaled to one of the Feazanthian officers.
"I am Commander Karl Kohler, acting captain of this ship. Our captain is dead and I wish to arrange his burial at sea. Who is your commanding officer?"
(He was unaware of Naval Command's request for the captain's body.)

"You're the guy who sent the message?" asked one of the olive-drab marines, keeping his assault rifle leveled. "Come with me. You there!" he gestured to the sailors holding the body. "Load that thing onto a chopper!"

He said something in Tibettan into his radio, and the lead chopper dropped a motorized raft into the water. The marine led Kohler aboard the raft, and headed off to the Flagship. The other choppers lowered rope ladders, and the marines gestured for the crew to climb them. More motorized rafts were being launched from the surrounding vessels, these obviously manned by the naval officers and crewmembers who were going to commandeer the sub.

As the crew of the "Friedrich Barbarossa" prepared to leave the ship, trouble was brewing at home.
************************************
Foreign visitors to Waffen-SS Ostland reported seeing the following message on signs and flyers in all the larger cities and towns. Police and soldiers removed them wherever found, and the state-controlled media completely
ignored the event. The sponsoring organizations listed, including the religious groups, were all illegal:

WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE 2005: DAY OF ACTION AND PRAYER
GENERAL STRIKE FOR DEMOCRACY, PEACE AND JUSTICE
You can change our nation! On Wednesday 1 June:
WORKERS do not report to work!
SOLDIERS do not report to your posts!
STUDENTS do not report to class!

At noon in every city in Ostland, gather for PRAYER and TEACHING on the Christian response to what is wrong with our society!

LET YOUR YES BE YES AND YOUR NO BE NO!

YES to voluntary military service and an armed forces command that answers
to the elected representatives of the PEOPLE!
NO to military dictatorship and compulsory military service!
NO to constant warfare and threats against our neighbors!

YES to trial by jury and the due process of law!
NO to arbitrary arrests, military tribunals, and summary executions!

YES to the right of workers to organize and better their conditions!
NO to government controlled "unions" which dictate to the workers!

YES to freedom to worship God according to conscience!
NO to compulsory membership in, and tax support of, a state-controlled church!

YES to self-determination for the indigenous Zionese!
NO to genocide against the Zionese in the occupied territory of Tribes of Zion (illegally annexed as "New Brandenburg")!

ENOUGH OF FORCE AND VIOLENCE!
Make your voice heard in a PEACEFUL action for change!

Organized by the National Unity Committee for Democratic Ostland
including the following organizations:

General Labor Confederation
Students for Democracy in the 21st Century
Alliance of Christians for Peace (Mennonites, Brethren, and Society of Friends)
Democratic Socialist League
Religious Freedom Fellowship (Mennonites, Brethren, Society of Friends, Unitarians, Baptists, Rastafarians, Agnostics and Atheists)

The helicopter with Kohler landed on the flight deck of the Trafalgar, and three heavily armed marines led Kohler to the admiral's quarters.

The quarters were about the size of a luxurious hotel room, and various Buddhist and Tibetan art was mixed with nautical parephenalia and war trophies. Dowarty was sitting behind his desk, which was placed in the middle.

"Marines, leave us."

The marines left the room, standing right outside just in case.

"First mate...Kohler, is it? Cha?"
He held up a pot of tea, still steaming from the fire.

"Thank you, that is a rare treat. Tea in Ostland these days is expensive and hard to find." Kohler paused to savor the delicate beverage.
"Admiral, I believe that you were told that I wished to see you about burying Captain Bruckmacher at sea. Actually, as acting captain I could have taken care of that easily enough before surrendering the vessel. My real intention
is something quite different.
"Our nation is about to explode. There is a faction within the Grand Council who cannot abide peace, who want constant warfare and threats of war to hold and increase their power. The sensible ones may not be able to restrain the war party much longer. Others would like to bring back the Reichsprotektorat or something very like the Nazi era. Yet our people are tired of war and tired of dictatorship and will not endure much more. They have no outlet for their frustration, and the dictators have the guns. I fear an uprising, followed by repression such as has not been seen since the Nazis ruled--perhaps even a return of the Reichsprotektorat. I and several members of my crew wish to request political asylum in Feazanthia".
***************************
The "Friedrich Barbarossa" incident was the last straw for those in Ostland who were tired of being in a constant state of imminent war, and served as a catalyst for those who had wearied of many other aspects of
the Knights' rule. Already the security forces were hunting down the leaders
of the planned general strike (still being ignored by the state-run media), but many members were doing so with less than usual zeal, and some were informing the dissidents of secret-police plans and allowing them to keep one step ahead of arrest. Some of the military were favorable to the dissidents as well, especially the recent conscripts who felt themselves mistreated and
despised by the career officers of the Teutonic Knights.

Dowarty sighed and sipped his cha.
"On the subject of burying your captain at sea, I'm afraid that is not possible. Your government has requested that his remains be returned to your home country. They will, of course, be cremated before sundown. It's only the civilized thing to do. As for you asylum..."

He trailed off, seemingly lost in thought for a few seconds.

"Though I am not in a position to grant you such a request, I am sure that the Ministry of Foreigners will grant it without delay. However...I doubt you would be happy in Feazanthia."

He stood up, gazing around the room. Gold glinted at him from the statues.

"Christianity is nearly nonexistent in Feazanthia. Even before the Doujin War, there were hardly any churches in our nation. Unless you would be willing to convert and listen to the teachings of our dear Buddha, you and your crew would have to hold private ceremonies. We simply do not have any churches for you. Also, and I am not at all pleased to admit this, but our people have become increasingly xenophobic of late. Fifty years underground will do that. Though my government will do what we can, we cannot guarantee your safety if your identity is revealed."

He turned and looked out the massive window at the raging sea. A lone iceberg floated past harmlessly, having been tagged and avoided by the great fleet.

"There are those in my government who believe war is coming. The last time something like this happened, the Doujin Empire invaded us. We have known about the political dissent in your nation for some weeks now. In our experience, political upheaval always leads to war of some sort, and Feazanthia seems like a prime target should the Teutonic Knights come out on top. Should war come to our shores, you may be taken and interrogated. Even as an Admiral and commanding officer of the Trafalgar, I cannot protect you."

Kohler finished his cup and paused for a long look out to sea. To return to Ostland would mean being caught up in the impending crisis. He had always been a loyal follower of orders, but his sympathies were with those who sought change. In the coming crisis he would likely have to fight the current regime, and probably lose his life. Every man on the "Barbarossa" would face similar choices in the coming days. The times were dangerous, yet clearly Feazanthia was no safer.
"Very well then...you do what you must, and we will return to Ostland and do what we must. I thank you for your hospitality, and I trust that nothing said here will be repeated."
****
It was difficult for anyone outside Ostland to know what was happening on the day of the general strike. Many communications workers had joined the strike; as a result, international telephone calls were taking several hours to be placed, telegraphic comunications were functioning only minimally. Internet communications, tightly controlled by the state, had broken down almost completely. With most of the broadcasting staff gone, state radio was
playing continuous classical music, including more Wagner than usual. All the televsion channels, including those cable and satellite channels which were not dark, were running the longest movies the remaining staff could find. Most foreign journalists had been escorted out of the country in the previous 72 hours, but those who remained, and were able to use their cell phones to call overseas (most were not) reported rioting in several cities as stikers resisted attempts by soliders and police to quash the prayer rallies.
Some military units in fact refused orders to put down the rallies, and joined the protesters.