NationStates Jolt Archive

"Mein Gott in Himmel," the bodyguard cried as the Norwegian king fell to the ground. Shot two times by the Denmark nationalists. The two men, wide eyed and breathing hard, managed another shot before the crowd began to build itself into a wild frenzy.

"Kill them, and cast them to hell!" cried a older, grandfatherly man, the two nationalists turned and began to run but the crowd pounced. With a cry, and a shout, the men viciously attacked with nails, teeth, and fists. In the melee another shot caught a man in the stomach, doubling over his hands tried, valiantly so, to stop the blood seeping out of his body. A scene similar to the one occurring not more than 50 yards away,

"Get that blood stopped, he has lost so much already," a court physican moaned as he really saw the damage done to the king. A shot through the chest, arm, thigh, and as he saw another nick on his ribs. The king was lucky to be alive.

"Lucky enough to be shot you mean" a cynical bodyguard replied. Not aware that he had spoken the physician finally stood up, as the last King’s breath faded into the chilly air.


The nations slithered over the brink into the boiling cauldron of war without any trace of apprehension or dismay... The nations backed their machines over the precipice ... not one of them wanted war; certainly not on this scale.

David Lloyd George, War Memoirs (1934)

"No, no more, please, May you have mercy on me, I will relinquish my silence, just please, please... stop." Looking at his superior, the Norwegian champion of torturer relinquished his control to the captain. "Raleigh Albert, so good to see you have come around. Now tell us, did the Denmark government supply you with the training and the weapons, or as you said before, did Austria-Hungary?"

Weak, he managed to sputter "It was the Habsburg sir."

Slapping him, the inquisitor took his revolver and smashed it across the man's face. "Your lie will get you no where! You dog, you do not have the intelligence to see what a big lie that is."

Albert replied, "Which part sir, the part about the close relation between all ruling houses and their reasons to fully unite independent ones such as the man I killed. Or the part about the new king falls inside one of the major ruling houses?"

"Swine," he yelled. Yet he did hear a glimmer of truth, and as he directed his investigation, and arrested persons who the man sweared were in on the plot, it did become more apparent that maybe, just maybe, the aristocracy had something to do with that.



"No, what you want is a story, you have the facts, you have the dates, all you are looking for his how the human element comes into place."

Investigator Aksel nodded. After so long, he would find the underlying cause of this interesting adventure.

"Two weeks ago, Austrian leader Franz Joseph received a memo, detailing how easy it would be to instate a new ruler in Norway, he, knowing that there were several profitable reasons to do this. Political capital with England, divert attention away from his plan to invade Serbia, and to right a little smudge on his honor. Rather insignificant, but Franz is as heart devious, and grudge bearing. So, he ordered the killing of the king, a last laugh persay. He still expects Denmark and Norway to come to blows, maybe even dragging Britain in also. That conflict, he hopes, will divert attention away from his annexation and invasion of Serbia, enough so that he doesn't risk full French-British intervention."

Stunned, Aksel tried to remember all of it. He did, and reported almost word for word what he heard from the Hungarian parliament member.


There was no "slide" to war, no war caused by "inadvertence," but instead a world war caused by a fearful set of elite statesmen and rulers making deliberate choices.

Richard F. Hamilton and Holger H. Herwig, The Origins of World War I (2003)


OOC: I know not up to par, but I was getting desperate to start this RP officially.

Official Statement of Position from Great Britain
His Majesty the King is Shocked and Appalled at this Blatantly illegal Attack
upon one of our close Allies, and pledges Support and Aid for Norway during
these Trying Times

Even as the message was being tapped out on a telegraph machine, steps were being taken. In Bermuda and the Falklands, in Ireland and Africa, troops were preparing and being mobilized. A speech was made by First Lord of the Admirality, in which he was quoted to say 'We are standing on the edge of a precipice. Should this, and this is not yet by any means certain, but should this come to war, I am confident in our ability to prevail,'

The sun was setting on Sequoya, and the tribal fires had been put out. From one of the many forts along the Sequoya-America border, a warrior could peer into the wasteland that was Kansas. Always from the vision of thier rifle scope, they viewed the white man in his natural habitat...with utter revulsion. These were the same people who had killed so many of thier ancestors, who had nearly destroyed thier people, who had nearly killed thier very god.

The forts were always manned by younger warriors, Commanders believeing that thier anger, or rather utter hatred, for the Americans would keep them on thier guard. Americans never walked to close to the forts, the sight of men aiming rifles at them tended to shake them up a bit. This ment the forst were successful in two aspects: The border was safe, and white settlers were kept out. But, during the entire statehood of Sequoya, one simple fact had been overlooked:

What happeans when an Indian want's to get to Kansas?

Of course no tribesmen wanted to live in Kansas, but what if he wanted to do harm? That was the question of young Jon Longtooth. Like all Seqouya citizens he was armed, and had been trained at school in the use of firearms. Jon had been kicked out of the Tribal Guard for nearly beating a woman to death in a drunken rage, and he was lucky to have escaped with his life. He was but 17, and he was forced to live in exile, scavenging and living the basest of all lifes.

His mind, when not dulled with Floridian Rum, either focused on survivial or the obsession of regaining his honor. His clan had always had warriors in it, and such a disgrace was totally unkown to them. He had heard his mother had commited suicide becuase she was unable to cope with his disgrace. At night he stared across the border, thinking of how to regain his honor.

Then one night Hungry Wolf (http://www.monster-madness.com/Gallery/c_DemonKing.jpg) had appeared before him. Jon had been eating Peyote when Hungry Wolf began to speak to Jon, and what he said made sense.

"You wish to regain your honor squaw? I can help you with this. You shall kill all the white men in Kansas, destroying the great foe. You shall hold the highest level of honor for wiping out the white man, and many a virgin shall come calling for you. You must sneak across the border and skin a white man. By wearing his skin no bullet can harm you, and the more skins you collect, the more powerful you will become. Other will flock to your cause in time...and you shall begin a great battle."

Jon Longtooth often asked Hungry Wolf what his name was, and Hungry Wolf always replied the same. "I am known by many names: Abaddon, Apollyon, Beelzebub, Belial, Leviathan, the gliding serpent, enormous red dragon, the monster of the sea, the prince of this world, the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the god of this age, the lawless one...but my true name must not be known. You may call me Hungry Wolf."

So there sat Jon Longtooth, crawling across the ground, convinced it was his duty to wipe out the white man. He was full of fear, for what he was doing was a great crime. He kept his eyes closed, his knife in his hand, as he crawled against the sand. For what felt like forever he crawled, until he finally opened his eyes.

The fort lights were dim, and a small town was in front of him. He noticed a man in dire straights, such as himself, passed out with a bottle of whiskey clutched in his wrinkled hand. Jon Longtooth crept towards him and drew his knife.

Hungry Wolf's will would be done.

Austria-Hungary also supports Norway during these trying times of God's children. Franz Joseph also questions the exact reason of why Germany is not pushing Denmark harder to relinquish the perpetrators of this plot.

Olso, Norway

Prince Christian of Denmark stood infront of large crowd in front of the Norwegian Palace. He was here to tell them the bad news and some even worse news. The only good news, if you could call it that, was that he had been named Regent of the country in his brother's death. He looked over the slip of paper held in front of him. It detailed the "investigation" of the cause of the Assasination. 'Damn, Hapsburgs....' He thought to himself. He noted the crowds rowdiness and decided to get the show on the road.

"Good people of Olso and all of Norway, I have greivous news. Yesterday, September 5th, 1910 at 4:33 A.M. your beloved King died. He was killed supposedly by Danish Nationalists." Christian said. He had stopped because at the announcement of the Danish the crowd had gotten extremely loud. He feared they would rush the Palace and try to kill him. Once they had calmed down, due in large part to the Royal Guard, he continued.

"But, due to an investigation by both the Norwegian and Danish Government, we have found the true culprits behind this." He stopped to let the truth sink in for the people. They were whispering amongst each other, doubt clouded their former judgement of the Danish. With his next sentence Christian put a nail in that idea's coffin.

"The true culprits were Hapsburgs! They feared our families rise to power in Scandinavia, so they sent an assasin to kill your King, my brother, and to plunge our nations into war." He stopped again because the crowd was getting rowdy again. This time it was for an entirely different reason. The Royal Guard also calmed them down this time, but with less vigor.

"I was named Regent yesterday, by my dying brother. So as my first act as Regent of the Kingdom of Norway is to declare War on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. My father will make a similiar announcement later today." His announcement was meet with cheers from the crowd. He then backed away from the crowd and went back into the Palace.

OOC: Hope I didn't overshoot my target.

Chief Chaddawick awoke with a startle, screaming as loud as he could. His family rushed in to see what was the matter, for a man of 70 has no reason to scream as though he was being scalped. His son was the first into the room, finding his father crying on the ground.

"Father! Father...what-what is the matter?"
"DREAMS! Dreams of war, dreams of liars, Dreams of dragons fire, and of things that will bite! Such...SUCH CARNAGE!" The old man began sobbing again. Cheif Chaddawick had once been a powerful shaman, but had given up communing with the spirits under children's beds, or in the forests. He now spoke only to those in his head.

The Cheif was mumbling throughout his sobbing, and the soon could only just barely hear him. "Somethings wrong, shut the light, too many visions tonight...of the war of the whites......there is no escape...and that is for sure...thier minds are on fire with the feeling to kill...and it will not go away until His dreams are fulfilled..."

"Father, you speak nonsense. Got to sleep." The man tucked his father back into bed and walked out of the room. Something disturbed him though. In his father's time he had been known as the Greatest dreamer, foretelling the Civil War and even the Creation of Sequoya. Could his father's dreams foretell the truth?

He walked into the room again, to ask his father more about the dream. What he found was his father dead, with one eye open, gripping his pillow tight...

Hearing that a state of war existed between AHE and Norway Franz Joseph that same hour went on radio, for a special announcement to all the men and women of Austria-Hungary.

"People of this great land- Without any apparent reason, The Kingdom of Norway has declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire for actions carried out by individuals, not in any way associated with this great establishment.

Their reasons are ones that harbor only ill will and disregard for our fundamental rights, they are shadowing our eyes to which the real peoples to blame are. Denmark, for letting its people having so much free rein, and themselves. Themselves because they have been trying for some time to subjugate the free peoples of Denmark; misguided and belligerent they are, Iceland, and Greenland.

They accuse us of violence, but you know what I say to them? You are a hypocrite, spawned by your lust of free states, your heart deceives you as for who you really are! We are not swayed by your arguments that it was us, because what reasons would we devise that wild scheme?

Do not be afraid, do not fear, and do not flinch! We are united, we are strong, and we are powerful. Pathetic attempts to make us look tyrannical are nothing more than a attempt to invade countries that have stood up to England and her bunch. Well I say today, come get us, come get me, because innocence will always win over the guilty!

Austrian merchants casually approach Indians in Sequoyah on if any Austrian firearms would be to their liking, and also mentions how well the US is treating the Dakotas, even naming one o their states after that Indian tribe!

OOC: You didn't, until anything happens AHE is asking Germany for the blank cheque!

SIC: Despite being across the world, HM Government sees a possible advantage if the Western powers are diverted therein to hold conflict among themselves. PM Taro is encouraged to find a possible venue the most glorious cause to support, if any.

IC: HM Mutsuhito Tenno hears of the death of the King of Norway, and sends his most sincere condolences to the Royal Family. We are furthermore distressed to hear the whispers of war brewing in these lands as well, but as much as we can, we offer our hopes to see that whatever justice can be served is served.

OOC: **Sigh** I made a longer post but Jolt crashed on me while I was writing it so this will have to suffice. Trust me, my following posts will be better.
IC: The Kaiser looked at the paper in disbelief. Norway declaring war on Ostereich? Rediculous!
Telegram to Ostereich-Hungary
Franz Joseph, what is happening? These claims against you are false and corrupt! Germany shall send aid to you, our greatest ally, to protect what is left of true civilized Europe from destruction by the crude powers.

Reply Telegram:

War is upoun us, may God's true children arise victorious.


Austria-Hungary mobilizes and prepares for war, declaring war on Britain for its injust potrayal of AHE and to a lesser degree Norway. Austria-Hungary reminds the US that this could be a good time to settle old wrongs.

The 1st army is sent to the Serbian border, Franz Joseph still think he can get away with the invasion, with all the eyes on Germany and Norway.

Colleyville, Kansas

A bloodcurling shriek pierced the night time sky, followed by the crash of a glass pitcher slamming into the wooden porch. Illuminated eerily by the shine of a full moon was a scene of carnage, a nightmarish picture of man's true evil nature. In the doorway stood Grace Hoyer, a happily married woman of three, her jaw agape, eyes wide, and mind gasping for an explanation. Her face had lost all its color, while her eyes, already dribbling tears of revolsion, forced her to cope with the reality of the situation. In the rocking chair, which was still creaking back and forth, back and forth, was her father, Walter Hoyer. His white head was rolled to the side and the whiskey bottle he'd been servicing his thirst with earlier had rolled off the porch, leaving a trail behind itself. That wasn't so out of place; every night after dinner Walter would make his way to the porch, where he'd routinely drink himself into a stupor before he turned in. What was horrifying for Grace, what was so ghastly that she couldn't even bring herself to move, was what lay at her father's feet.

As the chair creaked back and forth, back and forth, it didn't even seem to notice the pile of bloody, purple and crimson intestines before it, leaking on the porch floor and dripping down the stairs. It didn't stop in its motion despite the fact that Walter was visibily dead; specks of blood had splattered on his wrinkled face, and the hole in is stomach was so large he actually looked deflated. It just continued back and forth, back and forth. And all Grace could do was stare in sheer horror as her back touched the edge of the doorway, and she slowly descended until her arms were wrapped around her knees. The worst part was there was more to come. Her father wouldn't be the last, oh no. For standing next to his broken body was a man, a dark-skinned man. And the look cast on his face was a look of vengeance.


* * * * *


Cursing and mumbling under his breath, Hank Palmer yanked his massive body out of bed and began pulling on a pair of pants over his long johns. Who in tarnation could be slamming on his front door this late at night? And didn't they know that sort of devil's play was dangerous? Afterall, the town of Colleyville rested on the border of enemy territory, injun land no less! Although the Indians had never been much trouble for the tiny, rustic settling, just the thought of them being right across the border was unsettling. It was no secret they didn't like white people; more specifically, Northerners. To be slamming on the sheriff's door at midnight as a practical joke could spell serious trouble for mischievous children, especially if Palmer was armed.

And indeed he was. As the heavyset man pulled on his sheriff's shirt and slapped a cowboy hat over his neatly trimmed crew cut, he grabbed his favorite shotgun and headed for the door, intent on getting to the bottom of all this infernal ruckus. Throwing his front door open and pointing his gun, he was very surprised not to see meddling children, but instead the town doctor, Melville Abbot, with his derby hat off and a very somber look on his mustached face.

"Jesus Christ, Abbot, I thought you were the Stillson kids fuckin' around again," Hank said, lowering his gun over his massive gut. At first he was relieved that it was only trusty Abbot knocking on his door. But as his eyes washed over the hive of activity in his town's streets, he suddenly became very aware that something was amiss. Dr. Abbot, who was nearing his mid-forties and had very visible touches of white in his black hair and massive mustache, shook his head as he struggled to find the words. The sheriff rested a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"What'sa matter, Doc? What's goin' on?"

Abbot's reply was wavery, as if he was trying to hold back tears. He had seen things tonight that he hadn't seen in his entire professional medical career, and he knew it would be difficult to function from here on out. Sniffling and rubbing his gray eyes of any stray tears, Abbot managed to muster only four words. "It's the Hoyer family." Than he collapsed to the ground, stricken with grief.


* * * * * *

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From within the comfy confines of the Powell House deep in Philadelphia, President James S. Sherman puffed on a fat cigar thoughtfully, staring out the window at the early rising of the sun. The events that had transpired earlier in the week had happened quickly and in an ugly manner. Europe was a mess right now, a mess that Sherman hardly wanted to touch. But the fact remained that a course of action had to be taken, and he was the man who had to make the decisions around here.

"I don't like it, Taft. I don't like it at all. And I don't think the American people will like it either."

Sherman turned from the great window of his makeshift oval office and walked back to his desk, cigar in one hand while his other hastily unbuttoned his black coat. Although he wasn't exactly a large man, Sherman wasn't very small either. His gut was prominent, no doubt, and his face was round and merry, a prototypical fat man's face. But his hands were small and delicate, and it was doubtful that he stood much higher than six feet. His black hair was starting to recede alarmingly, and his constant use of spectacles implied visual weakness. As far as image went though, he was a president, and his homely look fit the bill quite nicely.

"I don't like it much either, James. But have we got a choice? We're in an alliance for God's sake! We can't back out now. We're a strong, united people, James. We're a world power. When someone steps on our allies' toes, we rise to the occasion and defend them!"

On the other side of the spectrum was Secretary of War William Taft, who bore a more regal look than his superior. With his great white mustache and parted hair, and a mammoth of a stomach sagging over his waist, Taft had the look of the European kings of past. Rich, well-groomed, and well-fed. He watched with mild interest as the president removed his coat and took a seat at his gigantic oak desk, clearly a lot on his mind.

"You don't have to preach moral values to me. I know. I know, okay? This administration has pushed the Remembrance ideaology since I was first placed at the head of it. There's no question that we've got to enter this conflict. But how do you suppose we sell it to the public? They don't like foreigners, Taft. I know we're allies, but ever since the Second Mexican War they've been wary about foreigners, particularly Europeans. We need a better excuse than our alliance to enter this war."

Pausing to take a puff of his cigar, Sherman watched Taft thoughtfully, trying to imagine what was going on in his secretary's head. Than slowly but resolutely he spoke again, suggesting that he was finished with the topic.

"Bottom line is, we're going to wait. I want to hear what those dirty rebs have to say before I make any hasty declarations. If the Brits are in on it, chances are the Rebs will grab themselves a piece of the conflict also. That'll give us a better excuse to go to war then "Austria's our friend"."

There was a chortle of amusement out of the corner of the room, where the much older, snottier Vice President L.M. Shaw sat in a comfort chair, smoking out of a small wooden pipe.

"And what do you suppose we tell the Austrians until then?"

Despite appointing Shaw in the right hand position, Sherman had never much liked the man. He was an elitist; he put himself above the people and above his own party, and his attitude was less than appealing to those around him. However, he always had a point and he always thought things through, which made him a reliable candidate for the job. Add on top of it that he was a worthy political foe, and Sherman had decided he'd rather have Shaw in his corner than mounting support against him.

"We'll get Knox on the phone and have him call our friends with the papers. We want the papers to sell this conflict; make it look like the Norweigans are real war-hungry, maybe the Brits had something to do with it. I don't know, it'll be something clever. Than I'll have Knox send a telegraph to the Austrian royalty pledging economic support until further notice. Tell him we're waiting to committ troops until we know what the rebs are doing. I'm sure they'll understand."

With that, the three gentlemen concluded their meeting in a rather indecisive way, leaving the fate of the United States up in the air. Little did they know the trouble that was brewing to the west of Philadelphia...

Praise be to Hungry Wolf! Jon Longtooth scurried across the border, carrying to bloody skins on his back, looking like some devilish caveman fresh from a kill. The skins were getting cold, and Jon believed this was because thier power was flowing into him. Getting back was much easier, as Jon simply loped like an animal to get across. Surely the power is already coming! the guards can't even notice me!

This however was untrue, because the guards would've shot him dead quite easily. But thier eyes were on the large amount of activivty in the nearby town, as never before had the whites been so....agitated. What was going on? The warriors didn't like it, and were eyeing the town like eagles, thier rifles all pointing towards the town.

Jon had made it to his old hideout, and was suprised to find Hungry Wolf standing there. "Wonderful Jon Longtooth, you bring glory to your people. This is just the beginning. Tell me Jon...did it feel good?"

"Did what, Hungry Wolf?"

"When you killed the old man and the woman....did it feel good? How they twitched, how she begged for mercy, how she offered you things no girl in Sequoya would do to you...you like the feeling of power, didn't you?" Jon set his skins down, and peered into thier empty eye holes. Yes, he did like it. "Tommorow night you will go back, and you will continue to go back. For your service, you can ask me any question you like." Jon paused, and asked him the usual question.

"What is your real name?"

Hungry Wolf laughed and and began to sing in an eeire demonic voice.

"I was around when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain.
And I made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands...and sealed his fate!"

Jon's eyes widened as he slowly realised just who Hungry Wolf really was.

"Pleased to meet you,
Hope you guessed my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game."

Jon tried to run, to get away, to escape the realization he had not redeemed himself, but had damned himself. Hungry Wolf picked him up, and held him by his neck, forcing him to look into his eyes.

"I stuck around St. Petersberg
When I saw it was a time for a change,
Tried to kill the Czar and his ministers,
Anastasia screamed in vain.

I'll ride a tank
Hold a general's rank...
When the blitzkrieg raged
And the bodies stank!

I watched with glee
While white man's kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made."

Jon saw all the things Hungry Wolf described in the beings eyes. Blood, war, death...it was all there. And it would be coming for him.

"Let me please introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadors
Who get killed before they reached Bombay!

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game!

Just as every sheriff is a criminal,
And all the sinners are saints,
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'cause I'm in need of some restraint!

So if you speak to me
Have some courtesy,
Have some sympathy, and some taste.
Do everything I tell you....
Or I'll lay your soul to waste!"

Jon was damned, that much was clear. He could not cry for his fate, because he was once again thinking only of survival. The more white men he skinned the more time he would have on this earth before...before he entered HIS domian. Hungry Wold dissappeared, and left Jon alone with his trophies. Jon hid them away and went to sleep shortly after, knowing the next night he would kill again, wearing the skins of his victims.

Berlin, Germany
"A Great Kampf is upon us, and it is our duty to act in the interests of the alliance. The Norwegiens have declared war on our allies, and it is in our best interests to take the fight to them. I am enacting a new law, the Kaiser Enlistment Act, hereby giving me the power to enlist all men ages 17-45 to fight for us. Do not worry, my people. We shall be victorious and the need to fight will be short. All military personell report to their bases and get prepared for war. All Naval men, report to your ships. Let our glorious Dreadnoughts rain death upon our enemies! For Der Deutschland Kaiserreich!"
-Kaiser Wilhelm II, speech to the German People.
The Armies are mobilizing to the harbors in the north for an invasion of Norway while defence forces are moving into Alsache-Lorreign Imperial Territory to set up a defensive perimeter should france decide to invade.

Olso, Norway
SIC:

Regent Christian was troubled. Germany was preparing for invasion and assistance from the British and French was late. His reign as Regent might end sooner then people thought. But there was hope yet. He didn't stand alone. His father, the King of Denmark, had declared war on Austria-Hungary as well. It would also seem that his Commanders of the Norwegian Army had an ingenius idea.

"Our plan is a daring one." Admiral Jan Kjærstad said. "With this plan, we will strike at the heart of Germany." He stopped talking for a while to let the room quiet down. The Regent and his other non-military advisors were having bad thoughts about this.

"Now. In conjunction with units from Denmark, we will enter the ports of Emden and Wilhemlshaven. Both are important ports for the Kaiserliche Marine." The Admiral said. "Once in the ports, we will proceed to plant charges on the ships in the Harbors. All the charges are to be set to go off at nearly the same time. After the charges are set, we will move out." After he had finished talking there was more talking, mostly amongst the advisors. The Regent was quiet.

"Admiral, is this best plan you can think up?" He asked. The Admiral nodded his head at Christian. Christian then sighed and stood up. He walked over to Admiral. He then put his hand on the Admiral's shoulder.

"Make it happen". The Regent said. After that he left.

OOC: Still in it's planning stages.

President Woodrow Wilson was enjoying a breakfast of eggs, ham, and hash browns in the Gray House with his Vice President, Gabriel Semmes, and his Secretary of War, Jeb Stuart Jr. Actually, he wasn't enjoying it. It was turning to ashes in his mouth as he though about the conflict brewing in Europe. Norway's king was dead, Austria-Hungary and Germany were going to war with the aforementioned country, and Britain was shaking its fist at them.
Wilson sighed. He really did not want to get drawn into another war. Sure, they had kicked the USA's sorry ass twice, but that was then. This was now, with machineguns, airplanes, and submarines. Why should he go and get good Southern boys killed over a dead king in a frozen wasteland three thousand miles away?

Later that day

The Stars and Bars hung behind the President as he stood in front of Congress. Sixty-four Senators were there, four from every state, waiting to hear his speech regarding the conflict in Europe. A Negro stood next to Wilson, fanning him with a large palm leaf. "Ahem," Wilson cleared this throat, calling the Senators to attention.

"It has recently come to my attention the assassination of King (OOC: I forgot his name) *NAME* of Norway. The slaying is believed to be the work of Danish nationalists. Both Austria-Hungary and Germany have declared war of Norway, and their troops are moving there as we speak. Our loyal ally, Great Britain, is the only country that stands between Norway and the twin scourges of Germany and Austria Hungary. I have not heard from either France or Russia on the matter, but I expect to learn of them shortly.
"The situation is this. I, myself, would rather not go to war over this disagreement in Europe. I would rather not send our boys thousands of miles away to fight for a abstract cause. I would rather not get into a scuffle with the United States over this. However, if the United States does side with Germany and Austria-Hungary, I shall be forced to join Great Britain and Norway.
"Hear this, citizens of both the Confederate States and the United States: If you act, we shall act as well. If you start the fight, we shall most certainly end it. Thank you for your time."

"You must be kidding me!" yelled the Kaiser as he kiiked at the news of Denmark declaring war on them. "Well gentlemen, what should we do."
"I believe our best option would be a preemptive strike on Denmark." said General Lugendorf. "Denmark is the knife in our back and it must be taken out of the picture."
"I am sending my ships to strike merchant and military ships of Danish and Norwegien origin." said Admiral Spee.
"Good. I expect a victory in under a month, gentlemen. Get it done." With that, the Kaiser adorned his spiked helmet and left the building.

The main German Army amassed on the border of Denmark and Deutschland, awaiting the order to strike. The main naval ships set sail for the open sea, hunting the Danish shipping.
OOC: only the largest dreadnaughts and destroyers were sent. The majority of the navy sat in port or patroled the waters.

Official Statement of Position from Great Britain
His Majesty the King is Shocked and Appalled at this Blatantly illegal Attack
upon one of our close Allies, and pledges Support and Aid for Norway during
these Trying Times

Even as the message was being tapped out on a telegraph machine, steps were being taken. In Bermuda and the Falklands, in Ireland and Africa, troops were preparing and being mobilized. A speech was made by First Lord of the Admirality, in which he was quoted to say 'We are standing on the edge of a precipice. Should this, and this is not yet by any means certain, but should this come to war, I am confident in our ability to prevail,'

SIC to British Admiralty:

The Empire of Japan is currently watching this conflict from the sidelines, and if need be, we will lend our assistance to your cause. The Imperial Kaigun is set to patrol Shandong, although we have given strict orders not to commence any attack until confirmation from your government has been settled.

SIC general troop movements and mobilization:

3rd Division [Keijo] has been partially mobilized to make preparations for action in Shandong [Qingdao]; lead elements amounting to about 15000 have boarded onto transport vessels accompanying the Yellow Sea Fleet, which comprises of the following assortment - 1 battleship, 2 cruisers, 6 destroyers, and 15 torpedo boats.

10th Disivion [Manila] has been ordered to commence mobilization, for possible actions in German South Pacific territories, accompanied by the South China Sea Fleet, comprised of the following vessels - 3 battleships, 2 armored cruisers, 4 cruisers, 14 destroyers, and 15 torpedo boats.

All other units have been put on alert, for the advent of a possible declaration of war by Great Britain in support of Norway. In addition, diplomatic envoys to China have been pressuring them to support Japan and Great Britain if war does materialize - efforts have stalled somewhat.

[ooc: troops are ready, but they don't attack until GB does, and even then, there will likely be a delay in the attack, just to be certain...]