NationStates Jolt Archive

Empress Sonya Volsung looked over the Senate. It was full, with both Senators and reporters. It was highly unorthodox for the Empress to request to speak to the Senate in person and she had made the request publicly, which had snagged the interest of the people, who were watching in record numbers after she promised the most momentous announcement in recent Crimm history.

After a few seconds, she began. For thirty five minutes, she spoke. She did not pause, waver or let her voice reveal any hidden emotions. She did not raise her voice and did not repeat herself even once. No one had the chance (nor the courage) to interrupt. When she was through, she looked over the Senate again. After a full seven seconds of silence, the entire chambers began shouting abuse at her, frantically conferring with each other and generally acting as if the world itself was ending. Only the Senate Leader, Larea dinAthos, remained silent as she stepped down from her seat and up to the Empress. She spoke softly, so that the pickups would not throw her words to the world. “Highness… I do not agree with your actions on this day. I will not fight your decision, but do not think I approve of it.” And then turned away and left the chambers.

The media was in chaos as well that night, frantically analyzing and reanalyzing the speech and finding no different answer.

Sonya Volsung had just chopped the Imperial government off at the knees. The Senate was dissolved and would return as a quarter sized version (with the people choosing the Senators directly), all government run industries (save for military contractors) were being turned back over to the private sectors, the Imperial Court system would become a system of justice instead of being corrupt and ruthless and finally, the Brotherhood of Nod was permanently abolished. All of this would take place in the span of one year.

Never before had so many fundamental changes been made all at once, unless there had just been a coup. No sitting ruler had ever decided to tip the boat so far.

The people had taken to the streets of the capitol, swarming the fences of the Palace... and held a massive celebration in the surrounding streets. Out of all of Crimmond, the only ones happy about her plan were the people. The leaders wanted her dead. Or at the very least committed.

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Looking out at the crowds around Wilanów and smiled as she sipped her evening tea. Turning at the sound of a knock, she looked to the door, then straightened her robe to ensure she was in fact presentable. "Enter." Two men entered, both with stars on their shoulders. "General Skorzeny... General Hilts... an unexpected surprise." She smiled, setting her tea down.

"Yes... as was your announcement earlier today." Hilts provided, his two stars barely recognition enough for all he had done for her and the Empire.

"Ah... I figured this was about my little announcement. No doubt you are wondering why I did not mention the military at all, other than military contractors?" She asked as she sat, getting a nod. "The military will remain as it has. All Nod personnel still in Crimmond must be found and killed. The fleet rebuild will continue, while the Marines will expand five percent and the Commando program will be increased in scope."

Skorzeny, the general in charge of the Commandos, arched an eyebrow. "Increased? How much?"

"Until it is one quarter the size of the Marine Corps. You will take command of this new military branch. A branch that will become the best of the best... technically a part of the Marines, but separate enough that this new force will have a seat on the War Council. I will announce details in the coming days. Trust me gentlemen... I am far from done shaking things up."

Both men stared at the Empress for a second, but since her plans would grant both an increase in power and work in the interest of the Empire at the same time, neither dared to question her. They simply saluted and left her to her own thoughts.

As she looked out towards the festival being held in the streets by her people, she wondered what (if any) response would come from abroad. Probably little at first... but when her re-organization of the military became public, it would likely cause great waves. "Waves..." She whispered, realizing that she was about to allow the Marines to outnumber the Navy on the War Council. She would have to correct that flaw in her plans. A balance had to be struck, or she could very well find herself facing a violent death like too many leaders of the Crimm.

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Empress Sonya Volsung

some journalists in the Bulgislavian state news agency had an entire weeks itinery set out for them of what was permitted and allowed and what was going to be printed this week

ON loop on the TV was to be footage of Humar and Mehmet and documentaries on thier upbringing and showing them as great patriots and great communists. As for the news papers only one small article was ever dedicated to the outside world. It was in the best interest of the party to keep the people as isolated as possable when it came to external affairs

One brave journalist using her secret contacts managed to smuggle in foriegn recordings it was illegal to view foriegn recordings or even listen to foriegn broadcasts

"Look at this comrade Rianu! Liberal reforms in the Crimm I think thats pretty news worthy" said a young women in her eary 20's

"Valentina are you mad!? Dont you know how this system works, Dont even think about printing that article, Instead the government has a list of what we can print, Here look at this" The women journalist handed a paper to Valentina

"Its just an article on the failings of the Provisional government in August, I think we have heard enough of them"

"We I think you should stick to that story unless you want Cigouriva arresting you"

Valentina still went ahead but she wrote the story in a way which compared the Provisional government of August to the Reformed government of the Crimm. Just as the August Provisional government failed the article predicted the Crimm's failure. Valentina knew as long as she painted the outside in a bad light her article would be accpeted. To top it off she took some old photographs of shaty towns and homeless people and posted at the top of her article. her Article leaded with. Why the Outside doesnt work and painted the Crimm as the nation of oppressive government, exploitation and a filthy collection of cities inhabited by the homeless and unemployed.

Privatly Valentina respetced the Empress and her reforms from what she had heard from the banned foriegn broadcasts.

Her article was printed but only a small percent of the population would notice it infact when the paper was released it was the only mention of the outside in all of the BUlgislavian media. All other articles were praising Mehmet and Humar and the BPL. The Bulgislavian Government didnt even mention it or felt no need to make any public statement to the nation but it did send a small message

To The Crimm

We hope the recent radical changes in your country will not hurt relations to much and we hope that we can still be cordial to each other and have respect for one another. Thankyou

From the Bulgislavian Foriegn Ministry

These... 'radical' changes are not to be taken as a reverse on Imperial Foriegn policy. Namely that Socialist and Communist nations are considered a threat to the world at large simply by trying to prove their flawed socioeconomic theories on grand scales.

That the Empire is not on a quest to destroy all socialist and communist regimes at this moment should be a time of great rejoicing for you... for those that bring themselves to our attention during those times rarely survive the coming months.

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Fleet Admiral John Chapman
Admiral of the Fleets