NationStates Jolt Archive

The man stole silently into the girl's room, shocked at how easy it was. After all, the girl had been kidnapped not long before. But yet there was no sign of increased security.

The man uttered a silent prayer of thanks to Tyr, who watched over soldiers, and Hermes, who watched over mischief makers, both of which described him. To be able to kidnap the girl once was astonishing. To do so twice, and do so twice himself, was proof that the gods were with him in this endeavor.

He placed the chlorofoam soaked rag over the girl's mouth and nose, as before, and as before he lifted her up and spirited her out of the room.

This time, instead of framing his own nation, he left a note. The note read

A servant of the True Gods has your daughter. If you wish your daughter to survive and be reunited with you, you will surrender control of the government to The True Aesonics. If not, you will be reunited with your daughter in Hel.

Demetrios knelt before an icon of Christ, he was praying. He had had a spritual drive to him now. When he was about to make the sign of the cross, a offical came in and brought him the note found in Svetlana's room. Demetrios' face turned into a weird look and he said ''It has happened again. We will get her back.'' He then prayed that his daughter would be returned safely.

In a meeting with several officals, Demetrios had said ''This cannot happen. Why is it that my daughter is missing?'' The officals said ''These True Aesonics seek the government's surrender to them. If we do this, we can say bye to our Byzantine heritage and the Orthodox Church. As well as the...'' ''I think Consul Askiates is aware of that!'' Another man cut him off. ''We will send a letter to Empress Chandra.'' Demetrios said.

''Dear Empress Chandra,
My daughter has been kidnapped by True Aesonics and I fear she is in your nation. The kidnappers want us to surrender our government. As you have done before, please help us. May the Holy Trinity be with you.

Signed,
Consul Askiates''

Demetrios then went to pray again, hoping God the Father could help him.

OOC-Let's do as we had before. I would like to post as Svetlana and you as the kidnappers too.

From: Empress Chandra
To: Demetrios

We are currently experiencing turbulence in the Homeland. We will spare what resources we can to search for your daughter.
***
Svetlana was blindfolded and bound. This must truly be a nightmare for her. As must the voice she heard- the voice of the same man that had previously held her prisoner.

"I understand that this is difficult. But for the sake of your immortal soul, I am going to ask you to embrace the True Gods. If your father continues his current course of action, I regret to inform you that you will not leave this room alive."

OOC-I thought security was increased. That's ok with me though, let's go on.

From: Demetrios Askiates
To: Empress Chandra

Thank you for helping to find my daughter. Your nation is in our prayers.

Svetlana listened to what the man had said. ''I won't make it out alive, if my father continues what he is doing? What is he doing that would cause that?'' Then she pondered the words on embracing the True Gods. ''If I don't join the ''True Gods'', will they have mercy on me? I mean, surely they won't damn a child or anything.'' Svetlana said. She had said this all nervously, she was scared, especially after hearing that she could be killed. Svetlana hoped that she would go back to a normal life and not have to be in the situation she was in.

Demetrios put the military on alert and boosted security around the palace, he thought he had done that the first time. He and his ministers kept meeting, discussing the situation.

"Your father has made no sign of aceeding to our demands. It is only fair that I inform you that the stakes here are much higher than they were the last time you were kidnapped. Then the mere kidnapping sufficed. Now? It may prove necessary to prove that we are serious.

"As for your second question? Once, I too took that for granted. But now? I am no longer certain. I confess that I do not know what the gods will do if you die here."

''I am sure my father is trying his best. I mean, he has a difficult decision to make. And please, don't kill me. I don't want to go to the Heavens early.'' Svetlana said.

''I hope that if the ''True Gods'' are in the Heavens, I hope that they have mercy on me.'' Svetlana stated.

''How can my father give in to your demands? He can't contact you, can he?'' Svetlana asked.

"Considering our demands are that he surrenders the government, a public announcement would be more than sufficent."

''If he surrenders the government, what will happen to my nation? To me and to my father? Will you destroy our nation, and the Orthodox Church?'' Svetlana asked.

OOC-If Demetrios surrenders, how about an insurgency or government in exile?

"Your nation will be preserved. But the Orthodox church would be dissolved."

OOC: Sounds good.

''You would dissolve our church?'' Svetlana said. She then said ''At least you would perserve our nation.'' Svetlana then said ''Can I get this blindfold off? I'll accept being tied up but let me see at least.''

Demetrios met with the Orthodox Church and prayed to God and then said in a public announcment: ''People of Roman Greek Arterus, I have this news to give to you. The True Aesonics have kidnapped my daughter and say if I don't give them the government, she would be killed. I have regret in my statement that I will be surrendering the government. To the Orthodox Church, I say, they will probably ban you and send you underground. Forgive me for this. To the RGA people, I am sorry I will be giving you over. Forgive me for this. I, Demetrios Askiates, Consul of Roman Greek Arterus, surrender the government to the True Aesonics. May the Lord protect us all.'' Demetrios then muttered some words and went off.

The Orthodox Church held its last services and then the clergy went to prayer, schools were closed in the day, families locked up, RGA was to be handed over to the True Aesonics.

OOC-Demetrios has surrendered the government, however, experiencing an insurgency from groups like the RGA Military is likely.

The blindfold was not removed, but the man said, "Congratulations, your father truly cares for you." Then another chlorofoam rag was pressed over her mouth and nose. She would awake with her father.
***
"People of Roman Greek Arterus, I have this to say, do not expect any major changes, except that the False God worshipped in the Orthodox Church shall be replaced with the True Gods!"

''Damn those bastards! Eliminating our Orthodox Church! Taking over our land!'' some said. ''At least we are living.'' some said. The Orthodox Church's parishes were locked and their icons and other valuables tooken out by the faithful. The Palace of Demetrios Askiates was given up to the Aesonics, the valuables saved. The RGA Military watched their land, seized by the True Aesonics. The Orthodox Church's clergy went underground, trying to hold services secretly. Some kept their Christian faith while pretending to be Aesonics of the True form as was propagated.

The ministers of Demetrios fled and went into private life. There was one man known as Constantine Phocas (may change). He created the RGA Liberation Army and began an insurgency. ''I will not rest until RGA is free again!'' he declared.

People feared Demetrios Askiates, their old Consul, was arrested and in custody of the True Aesonics, along with his daughter.


OOC-What happens to Demetrios and Svetlana? Also, don't you mean True Gods?

OOC: They're let go, to join the government-in-exile or otherwise.

IC: No particular effort was made to root out the Orthodoxs. Due to the fact that the True Aesonics were only at the top of the ladder, most of the RGA Libertation Army attacks would have to be on RGA citizens.

Ehzko himself appeared to call upon the people of RGA to stop the violence, before it started, because, after all, it would be mainly harming them.

OOC-I do think the True Aesonics would put Demetrios on surveillance. Also, the RGALA does not attack RGA citizens. They have not really done anything yet.

Demetrios lived in a mansion, with his daughter Svetlana. Security was from those who still supported him, his family and others. Svetlana was home-schooled, fears overwhelmed any chance of public or private schooling.

Constantine Phocas was planning things with other RGALA officals, etc.

OOC: Edited. Heh.

IC: "They're going to kill us, you know," said one of the top officials of the True Aesonics.

"We will be martyrs," replied another, "The gods will welcome us."

Demetrios was sleeping when Svetlana came into his room. ''Svetlana, what is the matter?'' Demetrios asked nicely. ''I can't sleep. I think it is my fault that this has happened.'' Svetlana stated, a little worried that the Aesonics would kidnap her again. Demetrios held Svetlana and saw that she was crying. ''It is not your fault, Svetlana. You were just an innocent victim.'' Demetrios said. Demetrios thought to himself ''I will make my daughter's childhood better. I will.''

The Orthodox Church still held services, relieved the Aesonics did not try to uproot them from underground.

The RGALA began its attacks by attacking Aesonic buildings.

OOC-Feel free to terrorize the citizens and that if you want. Feel free to terrorize Demetrios and Svetlana if you want too.

OOC: At the moment, the only buildings directly under True Aesonic control are the millitary base, which had been siezed from The Holy Empire of The Aeson, the Palace, and the Police Headquarters. Which are you attacking?

OOC: At the moment, the only buildings directly under True Aesonic control are the millitary base, which had been siezed from The Holy Empire of The Aeson, the Palace, and the Police Headquarters. Which are you attacking?

The police HQ, I guess.

The attackers were met with tear gas.

"Stand down! I repeat, stand down! This is your only warning! Further attacks will result in lethal methods being used!"

Svetlana was reading through her father's things, when she found the address of Empress Chandra. Thinking it would work, she wrote to her.

''Dear Empress Chandra

I am Svetlana Askiates, Demetrios' daughter. Our nation has been seized by the True Aesonics. Please consider helping us and our nation.

Sincerely,
Svetlana Askiates''

The letter was sent, going through the mail easily.

The attackers pressed on the police station, attacking the Aesonics. The RGALA was ready to fight for freedom.

All mail was censored in an attempt to weed out members of the RGALA. Svetlana's letter was burnt.
***
Machine guns opened up on the attackers without further warning. Several helicopters from the millitary base sprayed tear gas.

Svetlana decided to go into the city, Demetrios reluctantly let her go. She walked through the city, noticing the Aesonic policemen and others. Svetlana did not know if her letter made it to the Empress but she doubted it did. Svetlana continued to walk through the city, hoping things would be better.

The attackers opened fire with their own weapons. A gun fight had begun.

Kevlar body armor, top of the line millitary weapons. The helicopters now opening up from above. The only thing the attackers had going for them was numbers, and those were expected to dwindle soon. But to further conserve their own meager numbers, the True Aesonics retreated inside the police headquarters, while the helicopters continued to attack the RGALA. The True Aesonics were in a position to bottleneck and slaughter anyone who tried to force their way into the station.

The RGA Military had come in and began attacking the helicopters, the attackers used bazookas and rocket launchers. Some began throwing Molotov Cocktails into the police HQ.

Svetlana continued to walk until she bumped into a Aesonic policeman. She got up from the ground and began to walk away, hoping she did not annoy the officer.

OOC- Demetrios and Svetlana are trying to live their lives and the RGALA and others are fighting. This is what I am posting on.

Two police officers appeared at Demetrios's door.

"We need you to make a declaration urging these millitants to stand down," said one, placing a massive hand on his shoulder.

Demetrios was escorted to a television studio.

Demetrios looked at the men and nodded. ''To the fighters of the RGALA, I ask you to stand down. I know you will hate me for this, but I ask you to stand down. The Aesonics have asked me to do this.'' Demetrios said on the TV. Svetlana saw her father's address from a TV store. Svetlana kept walking, before going to a candy store and resting on the steps of a building.

OOC-As I said, your Aesonics can be terrorizing the people.

Demetrios looked at the men and nodded. ''To the fighters of the RGALA, I ask you to stand down. I know you will hate me for this, but I ask you to stand down. The Aesonics have asked me to do this.'' Demetrios said on the TV. Svetlana saw her father's address from a TV store. Svetlana kept walking, before going to a candy store and resting on the steps of a building.

OOC-As I said, your Aesonics can be terrorizing the people.

OOC: I know they can, but it'd be rather stupid considering the circumstances, no?

IC: Now the wait was on to see if the RGALA would listen to the man who had been their leader. No shots were fired by the True Aesonics, as they didn't want to ruin this oppurtunity.

OOC-I understand. Also, perhaps they could terrorize Demetrios and Svetlana to keep them in line.

The RGALA fighters began withdrawing, some cursed the Aesonics. The Aesonics were saved but the RGALA was not finished yet.

Svetlana knew her father's address and thought ''Why is this all happening to me? Why can't things be like they were before I was first kidnapped?'' She contemplated this as she rested.

bump

OOC-Does the RP end with Demetrios Askiates returning to power? Making sure. Also, bump.

OOC: I suppose it can if you want it to. Although, considering he cooperated with the True Aesonics, his people might not be too thrilled with him.

IC: Tanks were brought in, and clustered around the palace, and Police Headquarters.

"I imagine they think they were doing us a favor, pulling back like that," said one of the tank commanders.

"In a way they were, sir," replied the seargent, "They gave us time to get these babies into position."

OOC-I'll consider getting rid of him but I may keep him in.

A clergyman, Bishop Constantine Tzannetakis dressed in his vestments and arranged groups of people. Carrying icons of the Theotokos, Christ and others, they marched down the streets, the anniversary of Orthodoxy in RGA was coming up. All they wanted was peace for this celebration.

Demetrios stayed in his mansion, contemplating things. In fact, he was writing on it all.

Aesonic police could see the people led by Bishop Tzannetakis, with their icons and other things.

"I am going to have to ask you to disperse," anounced one of the police officers, "We've shown enough patience with not tracking you down. Public displays of the Christian Orthodox faith are banned. Go home!"

''All we want is to celebrate our faith!'' a man said, starting to get into a mood before Bishop Tzannetakis calmed him down. Tzannetakis and the people continued their celebration. Tzannetakis read Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You and has believed the words of Christ ''"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)'' and ''"But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,"
"Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (Luke 6:28-31. King James Version)''. Hence, Tzannetakis would, if attacked, not strike back. He continued on, knowing the risks including death.

OOC-Sorry for the quotes, just wanted to explain why Tzannetakis would not use force.

'

"Take it up with Demetrios," replied the officer calmly, "He's the one that surenderred this country. Now I'm going to ask you again, disperse. As of yet, I haven't taken any names. Go home now. If you have to celebrate your false god, do so in your own homes."

The crowds talked until Bishop Tzannetakis calmed them. Tzannetakis continued the march, Tzannetakis saying the 23rd Psalm to himself, others said many things like St. John Chrysostom's last words ''Glory to God for all things!''.

The groups of people continued, Bishop Tzannetakis leading them for the celebration of Orthodoxy in Roman Greek Arterus. Tzannetakis was non-violent, he knew the risks of what he was doing. He had read on many martyrs like St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer, knowning they died if necessary for their faith.

If the Aesonics would shoot them down, they would be shooting people with non-violence in their hearts.

The police officer sighed.

"Godsdamned stubborn bastards," he muttered under his breath, "Arrest the bishop. Don't hurt him. Don't kill anyone. The last thing we need to do is make martyrs."

Two huge police officers siezed the bishop and placed him in handcuffs, although not too roughly.

"I'm going to ask you all to disperse, once more," said the police officer, as the bishop was escorted away.

The bishop accepted what happened. He let them take him away, no dissent or anything from him. The people however, continued the march. They would continue on, even without Bishop Tzannetakis. Soon, they were singing hymns and doing other things.

It seemed the groups of people were still wanting to press on.

OOC-Basically, the post here is that even know the Bishop has been arrested, the people continue on.

The result? Not unecessarily rough, but firm, arrests. The marchers were loaded into large wagons and taken away to jails.

"Idiots," said the police officer, "What did they expect to happen?"

The icons and the such were collected by sympathetic people, including Svetlana who took some to bring home. It seemed it would not be like Father Gapon's Bloody Sunday.

OOC-I'll be editing my post. I made a mistake.

A man would cause perhaps religious violence, when he, an Atheist, spat on Aesonic texts and began burning and stepping on them. He was an Atheist, not Orthodox.

"What would we want his dead body for?" Wondered one True Aesonic. "I mean, hasn't he figured out by now, we're not interested in bloody opression? All we've done is substiute the True Gods for their False God."

You can delete this, I edited my post.

The man was dragged away, a bit more roughly than the Orthodox Christians had been. On the other hand, as he did not worship false gods, he was let of with a fine of one hundred Mjolins, and a strict warning.

"At least with Atheists," explained one of the True Aesonics to another, "It's not that they believe lies, it's just that they don't believe the truth. I suppose that makes them somewhat better than the Christians."

It was not only Christians who were in the lands of RGA. Muslims and Jews made their homes here, with mosques and synagogues. The Atheist who was arrested, however, continued doing what he did, ripping apart texts and calling Ezhno an ''Aesonic Bin Laden'' and other things.

It was not only Christians who were in the lands of RGA. Muslims and Jews made their homes here, with mosques and synagogues. The Atheist who was arrested, however, continued doing what he did, ripping apart texts and calling Ezhno an ''Aesonic Bin Laden'' and other things.

OOC: Yeah, but Orthodox Christians were the only ones banned from practicing their faith.

"Bin laden? Did we crash a plane into a civilian building? Have we actually even killed any civilians?" Asked Ehzno on national radio. "No! The only casualties were from a mob storming the police building."

The man was arrested again and placed in a relatively comfortable holding cell.

Early in the morning, if two A.M. could really be called morning, shooting started at the police headquarters. No mob of Roman Greek Arterusians this time. The bullets came from two combat helicopters, with the raven of The Holy Empire of The Aeson emblazoned on their side.

"Shit!" Shouted one of the officers as bullets tore apart his buddy. He grabbed the AK-47 from his dead friend's hands and dove beneath his desk. The heavy oak shielded him from the bullets, and when the stream of bullets moved away from him, he rolled out from under it and began firing at the helicopter.

As much by dumb luck as anything else, one of the bullets hit the fuel tank, and the helicopter went up in a fireball, casting illumination on the entire area, and giving off a sound that ensured any nearby citizens who had managed to sleep through the firefight were now thouroughly roused from their slumber.

Early in the morning, if two A.M. could really be called morning, shooting started at the police headquarters. No mob of Roman Greek Arterusians this time. The bullets came from two combat helicopters, with the raven of The Holy Empire of The Aeson emblazoned on their side.

"Shit!" Shouted one of the officers as bullets tore apart his buddy. He grabbed the AK-47 from his dead friend's hands and dove beneath his desk. The heavy oak shielded him from the bullets, and when the stream of bullets moved away from him, he rolled out from under it and began firing at the helicopter.

As much by dumb luck as anything else, one of the bullets hit the fuel tank, and the helicopter went up in a fireball, casting illumination on the entire area, and giving off a sound that ensured any nearby citizens who had managed to sleep through the firefight were now thouroughly roused from their slumber.

Citizens listened as the RGA citizen mobs attacked with Aesonic help. The RGALA and RGA Military also appeared, tanks and artillery fighting as well. ''For Freedom! For Independence!'' some shouted as they charged against the True Aesonics. Demetrios Askiates then decided to get himself and his daughter secure in his home, he would not do anything to stop these mobs, etc.

The RGALA wanted the True Aesonics out and hence the two fought.

OOC-Sorry for my lateness, etc. I would like RGA to get its own government again, the True Aesonics would probably be beaten back soon.

OOC: Yeah. Ehznoism just collapsed in The Homeland, so it's more or less on the way out everywhere else too. But not without a fight...

IC: Again, machine guns were turned on the crowd, as a helicopter discreetly left the palace.

"This is it, then," said the True Aesonic Police Chief, rallying his men. "The last stand."

One of the other men started reciting, "To Valhalla. For the True Gods!"

The recital became a chant, and then a battle cry as the police prepared to meet their fight. With a final bloodchilling yell, they charged out the door towards the crowd, weapons blazing.

OOC-It is? Then this will be a good fight.

Christian sayings were heard as well, as well as the Jewish Shema and Islam's Allahu Akbar!, the Monotheists were uniting as one against the Aesonics. The RGA forces charged, machine guns blaring and bayonets stabbing. Finally, the True Aesonic police station was seized and Demetrios Askiates heard of the fall of Ezhnoism in RGA. The palace was stormed and the RGALA, etc took over power.

The palace was found empty of Ehznoists, with all valuable things either stolen or destroyed.

As a final parting gift to the monotheists that had ousted them, large amount of smallpox and anthrax were scattered about the palace. With any luck (or lack of it on the Roman Greek Arterusian's part) an epidemic would soon break out.

The Monotheists secured the palace and celebrations went out through RGA. Demetrios Askiates made a speech in the capital.

''People of Roman Greek Arterus, I, Demetrios Askiates, congratulate you for securing our freedom and independence from the True Aesonics. However, I state this, I will not be the Consul. I will retire from politics and live with my daughter as a private citizen of RGA. I hope the blessings of God are with the next leader of Roman Greek Arterus and that RGA will stand firm and strong.''

The anthrax and smallpox were contained after being checked up on, so no epidemic came about.

The RGA goverment met to discuss the future of RGA and its new leader.

The RGALA was merged into the RGA Military and the new leader was chosen. The new leader was Constantine Orphanotrophus of the Christian Left (Christian Socialism, etc) of RGA. The Republic was dismantled and the Social Gospel was advocated as the Christian left came into power. Constantine then declared that the constitution would be reformed and that the Christian left, etc would rule RGA.

Constantine gave Demetrios Askiates and his daughter respect and said he would respect them.

Constantine was now the ruler of RGA, a Christian left RGA.