AWWA-Yesterday, Today, and Forever(IC-Closed)

[Unicario]

February 2, 1901

Empress Elizabeth quietly smiled at the King's speech. Before the funeral, she had changed into her military uniform; not one of her status as the highest commander of the Imperial Japanese armed forces, but as a pilot of the Imperial Japanese Air Force. She had given a very short speech, praising Queen Victoria, and once again reiterating that she was in a better place -- reunited with her husband, her brothers and sisters, her mother, and her nephew.

Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, the Imperial Japanese Navy rendered numerous gun-salutes to the departed Queen, in every corner of the Earth. The IJN task-forces in Asia, Africa, North America, South America and in Oceania rendered a salute, and lofted the British naval ensign along-side their own.

Empress Elizabeth gave a quiet sigh, and continued to wonder what would happen to the world now.

[Shrillland]

March 16, 1901
Great West Aerodrome
London

Today, Prince George and Princess Mary were about to embark on a tour unlike any that the royal family had taken in a long time: A tour of the British Empire. They would first travel to Dublin to enjoy St. Patrick's Day, a first for the royal family and a symbol of Britain's hopes for closer ties with the Emerald Isle. From there, they would fly to Gibraltar, and thence to Freetown, Cape Town, Colombo, a trip to Tokyo to visit Elizabeth, Melbourne, Wellington, Vancouver, Albany, and St. John's.

In Ireland though, the people were not looking forward to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York visiting them, and a new sign of trouble was starting to emerge....

[Luziyca]

March 16th, 1901
Dublin, Ireland

In the capital of the Emerald Isle, sentiment regarding independence was rising. There were loyalists, especially in the north, but Dublin was the center of the burgeoning Irish independence movement. Falangists planned to show their dissatisfaction by hurling garbage at Prince George and Princess Mary, and by burning the flag of the United Kingdom, as well as flying the Irish tricolor.

[Shrillland]

March 16, 1901
Baldonnel Aerodrome
Dublin, Ireland

The Prince and his wife had arrived in Dublin after just two hours flight from London. Earl Cadogan had come to greet them in his car, "Welcome,Your Highnesses! It has been some time since The Emerald Isle received a royal visitation."

"Indeed it has, but it's about time we started opening up to the Irish, I think." Prince George said as he and his wife climbed in. "That's why we're here for St. Patrick's Day, to show the Irish that we mean to respect them now after their great involvement back in the war. We'll be travelling the entire empire and returning home in time for father's coronation."

[Shrillland]

December 12, 1901
Signal Hill
St. John's, Newfoundland

"Has it arrived yet?" said a man waiting for a message. Guglielmo Marconi was in Newfoundland waiting for a single letter: S. This was no ordinary message, however, if successful, it would be the first wireless message transmitted from across the Atlantic in the Cornish town of Poldhu.

Suddenly, three short taps were heard on a machine. tat-tap-tap, the Morse Code for S. Another step towards progress had been achieved. Airplanes, canals being built across Central America, and now, wireless radio signals.

June 24, 1902
Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk

The Coronation had gone well the previous year, and now, King Edward VII was about to fly to Delhi for the Imperial Durbar, the council where all the Rajahs and lords of the subcontinent were to acclaim him as their Emperor. But yesterday, he had started suffering from severe pains in his abdomen followed by a terrible fever and vomiting for an hour.

His family, Queen Alexandra, Prince George and Princess Mary, Princess Royal Louise, and Princess Victoria were all there, and Queen Maud had been sent a telegram that reached her in Oslo. They thought that it was a simple problem, but the surgeon came out of Edward's bedroom with a grave look.

"His Majesty is suffering from appendicitis. We're doing all we can for his comfort." The man was shaking as he spoke since appendicitis was almost always fatal. It seemed that Britain was about to be shorn of another monarch just over a year after they lost Victoria. Unknowst to them, the surgeon was preparing for the arrival of Sir Frederick Treves, who had an idea on how to save the King's life. It was a risky plan, but it just might work.

In the meantime, Salisbury had been informed, but he was having a lot of trouble breathing as of late, and it appeared likely that a new PM would be coming soon. It was now up to Prince George to inform his cousin.

To: My dear cousin, Elizabeth, Empress of Japan

Dear Elizabeth,

I cannot believe I must write this terrible news, but it appears that we won't be meeting you in India after all...indeed, father may not see you again in the world. His doctor has said he is suffering from appendicitis, so we are making ready for his death. I have seen many die from this dread disease with no cure. I am truly sorry that we must see father die so soon after grandmother's death, and I hope you can come see him before it is too late.

With love,
Your Dear Cousin George

Across the Empire

Life went on as usual over the year, but a new policy in Australia was causing some debate in the Empire. In December, Parliament had passed the Immigration Restriction Act and the Pacific Island Labourers Act, leading to a new policy known as "White and Yellow Australia". This plan had already been implemented in South Africa-albeit in a somewhat different form-and the crux of the legislation was the requirement to pass a 50-word dictation test in a European language. Japanese and British immigrants were excluded from the requirement. On the other hand, Australia became the last dominion to give women the right to vote and hold office, only Britain itself still held out. Australia even allowed New Zealand to join, but New Zealand refused in a plebiscite.

In South Africa, great change was afoot. The giant of the continent, Cecil Rhodes, had died back in March, and South Africa had held a general election is which the Unionists, led by Theodore Hashimoto, were put in charge. Hashimoto was the first(and only) Japanese Prime Minister of the Dominion.

In Canada, Roosevelt was becoming a prominent figure in his own right. Back in September, he spoke at the Minnesota Provincial Exhibition, and he talked about what he considered the golden rule of foreign policy, "One must speak softly and carry a big stick, as they say in Africa." He had also started the Liberal Government's new campaign of busting Canada's corporate trusts by prosecuting Northern Securities, Standard Oil, and Edison's Motion Picture business. In the province of Pennsylvania, there was a large coal miners' strike in the anthracite mines. This was particularly damaging to Canada because anthracite is the coal that's used for heating homes, so the thousands of workers across the Allegheny Mountains held significant sway, and their plight was supported by many, even Roosevelt spoke out in favour of them in Parliament. There were signs that Albany might try to intervene in the coming months.

[Unicario]

(Image)

To: My dear cousin, Elizabeth, Empress of Japan

Dear Elizabeth,

I cannot believe I must write this terrible news, but it appears that we won't be meeting you in India after all...indeed, father may not see you again in the world. His doctor has said he is suffering from appendicitis, so we are making ready for his death. I have seen many die from this dread disease with no cure. I am truly sorry that we must see father die so soon after grandmother's death, and I hope you can come see him before it is too late.

With love,
Your Dear Cousin George

From the desk of Her Imperial Majesty

---

To: George
From: Elizabeth

---

George,

It is a pleasure to hear from you, even under the poor circumstances we find ourselves in. I shall take haste to find the time to come visit your father before he meets his immortal end. That being said, I still feel that you will do the job as King very well in all circumstances. I remember the summer you came to visit 20 years ago; I hope that tattoo of yours is worth it, that is why you shouldn't have joined me and my brothers in our drinking game.

At the same end, I, despite it all, still wish to see you visit Japan more often with your sons -- Bertie and Eddie would both have a delightful time at the estates left to you in Toyohara. Tatsu wishes to see you as well -- your fox hunt some years ago in England has always held to him a very fond memory.

Myself, Tatsu, and Prince Consort Nikolai shall be in England within the next week or week and a half.

With love,
Elizabeth

[Shrillland]

June 25, 1902
Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk


"Is he here?" The balding surgeon asked as a car appeared outside the King's retreat.

"I believe that is him, Sir." said a youngish butler in his 40s.

"Pray God that he can do this....he could revolutionise how this is fought in the future."

"Your Majesties, this is Dr. Sir Frederick Treves. He has come with recommendations from the Royal Society, a reference from Baron Lister himself. He thinks he might be able to cure you, Sir."

"Cure me?" Edward repeated, "there is no cure for this, I either live or I don't."

"Not true, anymore," Sir Frederick said. "Our expertise in antispetic research and surgery means that I may be able to remove the infection from your appendix, or failing that, I can remove the appendix altogether and treat you with sulfur. Sulfur works as an antibiotic if taken correctly. I truly believe that I can remove the infection, and you'll be right as rain in a fortnight. You'll have to postpone your trip to India until after the monsoon of course...."

"Nonsense! India needs an Emperor, and if this works as you say, then I'll be ready to go, monsoon or no. Do what you need to, Sir Frederick."

"I must agree with His Majesty," Queen Alexandra said, using the formal names that were customary around most others, "If he doesn't do this, he will likely die, if it is done, there is a chance of success."

The King was put under with anesthesia, and the surgery proceeded....

The royal family was waiting outside his chamber, hours passed as the world waited to see if the Emperor of the West survived. At eight P.M., Sir Frederick and his team came out of the chamber. He looked exhausted but relieved.

"I bring good news. The abscess has been drained without requiring the appendix's removal. It's a success! The King will live!"

Queen Alexandra and her children all embraced the doctor, knowing that their father and husband would cheat death, and Salisbury(who had arrived earlier in the day despite feeling far from well himself), shook the man's hand and offered him some sherry.

"Let the news be spread throughout the Empire, the King is not to die today!" Alexandra also went to Edward's office and picked up the telephone, which had a direct line to Tokyo.

"Operator, put me through to the Chrysanthemum Palace, I need to speak to Her Majesty on in important matter. Hello?...Hello, Elizabeth, I have good news..."

[Unicario]

June 26, 1902
Tokyo, Japan

Empress Elizabeth dashed some ash from her cigarette and drew a satisfied smile, "That is fantastic news, George; the fact that your father shall live for a little while yet is amazing, and we're hoping that there will at least be some reprieve from further grief for our family for the immediate. I will still be in the country next week to meet with you and him; as well, Princess Sakura has requested to come as well." She checked her clock, "She just finished her tour of Korea last week, but she wants to see her cousins before too long; I'm sure you remember her, she wasn't around when you were in Tokyo a few years ago --" Elizabeth broke off her sentence to take another drag of her cigarette.

"-- she was on safari in Africa at the time. I'm hoping that the visit will do some good for everyone. The trip won't be a state trip, so I'm leaving the Foreign Offices of both Japan and Britain out of this; this is a private visit at the expense of the Imperial Family."

[Unicario]

June 28, 1902

Finally, after delays due to the matters of Elizabeth's coronation, Victoria's demise, and Edward's coronation, the Yamato clan, through third-parties, formally published In The Court of The Great Emperor, the memoirs and personal final testament of Emperor Alexander of Japan. The book is split into many parts, and is a pretty thorough compendium of his life; of course, it is an auto-biographical memoir; all of the text was written by the Emperor explicitly for publication.

I. Foreward

The first section of the book speaks briefly; telling the world that he intends to spin the tales of his life -- while Aboard the Circumstance was a best-seller and remains a global literary classic, he wanted to explain the rest of his life with as much detail and forethought that he gave Aboard the Circumstance -- he writes that the final revisions he gave to his children to compile for him; was written seven days before he chose to leave the world; walking into the abyss of night and snow. The elderly Emperor explains his immense joy at his life, and his great hopes that "the future will be filled with bright days, unwavering in their progress and kindness."

II. As It Began

Part II, "As It Began", begins with a simple section.

"May 24, 1819 will be often acclaimed by historians in the future as one of the most auspicious days in the history of mankind; and I don't disagree. In the early hours of May 24th, the world was joined by two young children; from two different parents, but born in the same place. Alexander George Yamato was brought into the world at the Sakuramachi Hospital in Tokyo, born to Crown Prince George and his wife, Misaki.

Yet, three doors down from there, Alexandrina Victoria Sakura Yamato was brought into the world, born to Prince Consort Edward and Empress Akiko; the prophetic Meiji Empress. Our births, minutes apart, rooms apart, had little relevance that very day; though my uncle, the honorable Hirohito, did note that he felt the world get a little brighter that day. I didn't think much of it as a child, but as I got older, the personal ramifications of my closest thing to a sister I had, considering that my father only had two children, myself and James, my brother, who died in a train derailing in Oxford in the last year; along with his own family, bringing a tragic end to a branch of the family I would have loved to see bloom.

From the beginning, we were raised differently; she was raised by British tutors, taught the Anglican Bible, taught to hold and carry herself like a woman of God and Country. An Englishwoman of power and nobility -- I was raised by Japanese tutors, taught the ways of Shintoism and Buddhism, given the early grooming to be an Emperor. We were so different, and yet, a fateful Christmas changed all that..."

III. Threads of Fate

In this third section of the book, he writes about his life between August 15th, 1837 and February 11, 1838. He writes about his feelings the morning the news broke of his grandmother's demise -- "I was heartbroken; I wish I had spoken to hear more at the end of her life, she was such a wise and amazing woman." and he describes the sadness he felt at the fact that he and Victoria were now a world apart; he had appreciated the time they spent together before the death of George III or Meiji. He then expressed that at the time, he was proud of his father, waiting to see what he would do for Japan.

However, he writes with a measure of bitterness, that the Day of Christ was ruined for him -- forever, with the events of December 24th; he admitted that he had relished in the spilling of the assassin's blood, and often wondered if God or Amaterasu would punish him for that action. He doubted it, and said that he was bitter for his father, as felt that his father deserved far more than to die less than four months after becoming Emperor; it was a shame and a disgrace that such cruel irony should take place -- but it only served to confirm to him how parallel the lives of he and Victoria were.

He writes that he felt an immense welling emotion on February 11, 1838, as he was coronated as Emperor of Japan; and immediately, set into his work with dedication.

IV. The Political Rebirth

He writes in this section about his experiences with the Liberal and Conservative Riots of 1838, sparked by numerous desires to reform the Japanese system and create a new liberal age for the Empire; and the riots and political upheaval that accompanied it.

V. Sanguinism

Alexander in this section, writes about his uneasiness with the doctrine of Sanguinism, but specifies that he never gave it much attention as these people were their own people, and were always going to make their own determinations of things. He didn't fault them at all, he noted.

VI. Chuugoku

He writes about his first experiences with China in 1835 as a delegate to the Asian Trade League meeting with his father and grandmother at 16 years old; and then continues through his experiences during his reign, and the problems he faced with the Great War's horror and evil.

VII. Adile

In this section, he admits something he had never admitted in life -- He writes that he "had a sordid affair with a Turkish Sultana both before and after marrying Augusta, his wife of many years.", He admits he was never very happy with himself after that, and that his actions there, and the following chiding by Victoria and his visions of Empress Meiji compelled him on his trip to India and the world.

He writes with pride, "I shall admit here in the afterlife, that I am the father of every living Osmanli today; The children of Caliph Adile are my children, and I don't feel disgraced by saying that; Aysun has done a fantastic job, and was one of the only people who knew the truth of her upbringing, told by me and Vicky on that day in our late lives -- she was old, and didn't get to know her true honest father; and I feel sad for that, but... circumstances prevented it."

He explains that while he would have loved to make Adile an honest woman, and marry the woman of immense sexual attraction; he frankly admitted that such a thing was impossible; and Victoria said so -- the repercussions of a Japanese-Turkish political union that would emerge would totally destroy the balance of power, and would've caused an immense and unbelievable war of epic proportions -- he sadly states that Augusta was a faithful and loving wife, but Adile awoke something primal within him -- something he missed deeply.

The revelation of this, Alexander admits, will be shocking to many, and cast doubts of the Osman political legitimacy, and likely give rise to sentiments of otherwise negative nature, he chided the reader to not jump to such ideas, and to accept the facts of the world; and understand what he did was for their sake, not his own; Adile was a female ruler in a religious world that rejected such a concept, for her to be an adulterer on top of that would have destroyed the Rumite Empire and everything progress-wise it has done to the Islamic World since.

VIII. Religious Matters

Alexander speaks briefly about his own religious experiences; stating that for a period of time during his reign, he was not an adherent to Shintoism. He admits that in his youth both traveling the world, and in his reign as a sovereign, he experienced many religions -- Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity were some of the many he participated in, believing that these faiths were great to understand.

He states firmly that upon his deathbed, he shall remain a member of the Shinto faith.

IX. My Old Enemies

In this part, Alexander writes a lengthy discourse about his lifetime and how the Confederacy has evolved since their war of independence. He chides Britain for being so neglectful and negative-oriented towards their colonies -- he states that his cousin's aloofness to the matters of Indian independence, colonial insurrection and democratic principles in the Third World disheartened him -- he states that, "if every imperial monarch were to do as I did, and traverse the globe as a simple wanderer, free of earthly possessions and formality, they would see the yearning of all souls for freedom."

He states that he recalled his day in New Orleans, a very long time ago; in 1841. He recalls that morning as the IJN Circumstance docked in New Orleans; he caught sight of a slave barge heading up the Mississippi -- and noted how common it was for negroes to be sold and traded in the mercantile areas like cattle or a simple possession -- it repulsed him and made him feel this sick malaise. He recalls his circumstantial meeting of Jefferson Davis and Sam Houston, two of the founding fathers of the Confederate States.

"Davis and Houston were friendly enough. I remember seeing the splendid parts of New Orleans and being entranced by the ideas of technological progress; of futurism; of the world's redefined humanity moving forward, and I have seen that certainly. A.D. 1951 had the technological beauty that made humanity seem a little less evil sometimes. Davis and Houston expressed cautionary tale attitudes; they weren't sold. They cited The Righteous Cause as their logical argument. I was never sold on why the world had adored the von Licht family so much -- their pessimistic attitudes always struck me as so negative and unnecessary. Too many cautionary tales, not enough hope and inspiration for generations to die the cast and create a new world."

He recalls his shock and dismay when the Confederacy attacked; and how he was awoken on December 7th, 1891. He expresses that he never forgave the Confederacy for the transgressions and death they wrought upon Japan's people; and stated that he often wondered if the California Earthquake was a punishment from God for their sinful greed of territorial expansion and Manifest Destiny -- he also expressed the hope that one day, Japan would reclaim Hawaii from the Takahashi criminal, and the Confederate occupation; and he wondered if Mexicans felt the same way.

X. The Rainbow Plan

In this section, Alexander criticizes the British political leadership for their reckless abandon in exploitation of their colonies, and refusal to listen to grievances. He goes into a very lengthy number of points of talking, referring back to his time in India in the 19th century; his visits to Calcutta, to New Delhi, to Travancore, to Gujarat, to Sindh, to every corner of the Indian Subcontinent, and he expressed the sentiment that "India shall eventually demand her freedom; Britain will give it to her. The matter is that now we must work together to secure a consistent and free transition of Indian regimes to freedom -- a united singular India is not the solution to this, and I tried to warn Victoria numerous times to avoid such disasters..."

---

And the rest of that book continues, offering notable commentary and certain thoughts on the world at large; and how he felt the world would change in the next century after his death; he expressed his sentiment that "World War II is inevitable,", that "fascism is a joke; but perhaps fascism is just a segway for the people to realize their oppression and unite against their oppressors; in this case, Natsis and Fascists."

He criticizes the Russian Tsars for their incompetence and failure to "grow with the times", warning that the Russian monarchy would soon collapse into chaos if it wasn't stopped immediately.

Germany, he comments that Czechoslovakia's freedom is one of the proudest moments for European history; the victory of an ethnic minority seeking freedom over a tyrannical oppressor who keeps them down -- he writes that Across the Ehre moved him to tears, and pointedly stated he wondered what the future held for the German, particularly as they seemed content to rail against France's perceived injustice, and yet attack the Czechs for wanting freedom and democracy.

He also criticized France's insecurity and constant cycle of government, as well as their Syndicalist movement allying with the more malevolent and racist fascist movements across the globe -- Syndicalism was obviously not Fascism, it was something more... left-oriented; more trade unionist. More free.

The book concludes with a poem, and a thank you to the world, and a "I love you" to his family and all he cared for.

The book was released across the globe on June 28th.

[Bojikami]

In The Court of The Great Emperor was banned in Russia, Ruthenia, Italia, and Spain. The former for its criticism of the Tsar, and the latter three for the criticism of Fascism. However, in Venezuela the book enjoys moderate success.

---

July 1st, 1902
Warsaw, Kingdom of Poland

In recent years, dissent against the Russian Tsar has grown alongside confidence of his overthrow, and nowhere was this more apparent than in Russian controlled Poland. The Polish Independence movement, largely a peaceful, political movement in recent years, had taken a radical change when Ruthenian arms began to arrive covertly in cities such as Krakow. An armed organisation, known as Wolność Przednia (Freedom Front) has risen to prominence in Warsaw and across Poland.

Believed to have heavy ties to the Ruthenian Natsi Party, the Tsar ordered the Okhrana to seize the weapons acquired by the organisation and arrest those who are affiliated with it. However, in this attempt the Okhrana officers were ambushed by members of the WP, and within hours the armed guerillas seized control of the city, proclaiming it to be the capital of the First Polish Republic. Shortly after, messages were sent to Krakow, Lublin, and other Polish cities with large numbers of WP militamen.

In these cities, the lessened Russian presence in western and southern Poland allowed the rebels to claim these regions as part of their new nation, however within these cities there were riots as some Poles who resisted or otherwise opposed the Freedom Front for its Natsi ties were often attacked or killed by 'Killing Squads' which roamed the streets.

Within hours, Russian soldiers stationed nearby began to march south towards the occupied regions... the first War of Polish Independence was to begin. Leo Jogiches, self-proclaimed President of Poland called for all Poles across Russian-Occupied Poland to join in the struggle against the Tsarist Autocracy and to join in his righteous struggle.

[Shrillland]

The book was a wild success throughout the Empire, and the only serious controversy was concerning the passages on India, where Alexander's opposition to a single nation was met with scepticism among members of the Indian National Congress, including a certain Mohandas Gandhi, who was traveling between India and South Africa regularly to improve the rights of Indians in both lands. Muslims in the north, however, agreed with the Rainbow Plan in its entirety. The scandalous affair with Adile was also a hot sticking point among many readers.

---

July 2, 1902
Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk

As the clouds were gathering in the north of India, and it looked like a wet Durbar would be ahead, King Edward was still resting, his doctors advising him to wait at least a fortnight before any serious travelling. The news from the continent was not good as the Poles were struggling for independence from Russia, only to fall under the Ruthenian yoke. Salisbury had the government watching matters carefully, but he was no longer able to make the decisions himself due to his poor health. It was because of that that he had come up to Norfolk today.

"Ah, Robert," King Edward said sitting in his bed, "I suppose you're here to discuss Poland? If you ask me, I cannot stand behind what the Okrhana is doing. I distrust their motives and..."

"Sadly, Your Majesty, that is not why I am here." Each breath he took was laboured, his massive bulk appeared ready to collapse, yet Salisbury kept his composure up for the world to see. "I must inform you of my decision to resign from the office of Prime Minister. You know that I've not been feeling well, and it's getting worse every day, so I'm no longer able to discharge my responsibilities."

Edward sat there and listened. He had anticipated something like this happening for some time, it was hard not to notice that Salisbury was in bad shape. He had hoped, however that he could accompany the royal family to India. When Edward spoke to this effect, Salisbury gave a short laugh and said, "I am honoured, but I feel I must go home and rest for a while, a good long while."

"I understand, Robert. And who do you suggest should take the post now?"

"I've been thinking that my nephew, Arthur, would serve you well."

"Balfour? All right, he seems of excellent character."

Arthur Balfour was now prime minister.

[Unicario]

July 1st, 1902
Imperial Japanese Air Force Flight 4401; Callsign Kiku
En route to Great West Aerodrome, England, United Kingdom
Currently over Warsaw, Poland

"We're going to need to land in Germany or Poland and refuel." The Empress stated, checking her fuel gauge. "We can either land in Königsberg or Warsaw. We have just enough fuel for one of those ports of call."

Tatsu, wearing a rather casual outfit befitting his much looser interpretation of life, looked up from his grandfather's memoirs and said, "I vote Warsaw; I don't really feel like spending a few hours on the tarmac on the dreary Baltic Sea; being checked over by German customs agents."

Sakura, who was sitting beside him, writing something, looked at her mother. "I don't particularly mind either way." She was wearing a Imperial Japanese Navy uniform, which was her formal branch of service, though she was assigned to the Navy Infantry, and often toured the Empire as she rotated through deployments. "Poland's a nice place, really; and Germany is okay."

Elizabeth shrugged, "I suppose Warsaw is fine either way -- It's a pretty quiet town most of the time either way." She banked the plane in the direction of Warsaw's airstrip, and came in for landing. As the plane touched down, and came to a creeping stop, she rose from her pilot's chair and moved for the door to the plane's hull. Opening the door, they were greeted to the sounds of distant gunfire in the city proper. Elizabeth stopped and silently listened. Nicholas said, "Those sounds, those are definitely Russian machine guns."

The four and their bodyguards watched quietly as the sounds of gunfire continued for a few minutes, before they heard the sounds of people begging for mercy in Russian. The Empress, covering herself behind the armored door of the plane, peaked outside, and saw a group of men from the Freedom Front lining up a bunch of people against a wall. The people begging for their lives were mowed down indiscriminately, shocking the Empress. The soldiers then turned and began to march towards the plane. The Empress hissed to her family, "Stay calm. They're going to be paranoid, aggressive and hostile. Just play their games, and try not to cause World War II."

The soldiers halted 20 feet away from the plane, and the officer stepped out from the crowd and approached the plane. Reaching the closed door, he knocked on it firmly, leading to the Empress opening the door. The Polish officer observed her and looked surprised; he muttered something about "Kijów" and scratched his head and shouted down towards the ground. A young bald-headed Polish teenager came up to the plane and saluted the officer with a gesture Elizabeth had seen before. The officer spoke and the boy watched him before speaking in accented English, "He asks who you are."

"I am Empress Elizabeth of Japan, I'm on my way to London and I'm here to refuel before setting off again."

The officer was given the response, and spoke again, "The officer welcomes you to the Republic of Poland, and apologizes for the unsightly display. A friend of the Ruthenian state is a friend of Poland."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, "Republic of Poland? What happened to the Kingdom of Poland?"

The officer listened to the response and smiled. "It has been abolished by the will of the Polish peoples. We no longer wish to chafe beneath the rule of the sub-human Russians."

Elizabeth looked concerned and sniffed before changing the subject, "Yes, well, do you mind if we refuel?"

The officer hesitated and the boy replied, "We are under orders to detain any unauthorized people, and to search all incoming and outgoing traffic for any anti-Polish contraband, persons or doctrines. We will need to enter your aircraft, ma'am."

Elizabeth shook her head, "No. I am the Sovereign of the Empire of Japan; you may not search my craft."

"Ma'am, we insist." The boy repeated, the officer's face resting into a neutral expression again, his hand drifting down to his waist. The Empress allowed the Poles onto the plane, realizing the danger she and her family were; even if only slightly. She simply repeated to her family, "Just let them do their thing. There's no sense in causing an international incident."

The Polish soldier began to check everyone's belongings. The officer turned to everyone and spoke again. The boy spoke up, "He's asking for papers."

"You're demanding I give you my ID?" The Empress asked incredulously, before digging her passport out of her jacket pocket. Handing it over, the officer looked at it. "Cesarzowa Japonii... hmm." He checked Tatsu and Sakura and nodded, before reaching Nicholas. Nicholas's face was sweating a bit as he gave the Polish officer his passports. The first one, Japanese, was in order, as he was simply listed in it as "Nicholas, Prince-Consort." -- the second one was what sparked the problem.

The officer opened the booklet and his face contorted into a deeply-seated frown. He glared up at Nicholas, and threw his passport at him and began ranting in Polish. Drawing his pistol, he made the move to shoot Nicholas in the chest, but before he could get his pistol up, one of the IJA soldiers on the plane shot the officer dead, firing several rounds from his standard service pistol. The boy attempted to draw his, and met a similar end. The large Ainu soldier who had killed the officer grabbed one of the Japanese sub-machine guns, built off of the Ruthenian one, and said, "We need to get out of here! Your Majesty, start the plane and get us out of here!"

The other three soldiers, a Korean woman, Japanese man and Vietnamese man, threw the bodies of the officer and boy onto the tarmac. Upon seeing this, the LMG soldier opened fire on the plane, the bullets denting into the armored glass and metal of the plane. The Empress ducked her head and gunned the plane's engine, trying to get it to move. The Ainu and Vietnamese soldiers sat at the door of the plane with their SMGs and fired into the crowd of Polish partisans. As the plane finally got off of the ground, the Empress made quick corrections and made her way to Königsberg, landing just in the nick of time. As she settled down on the tarmac, she rested and lit a cigarette, her hand shaking.

The unexpected landing of the Japanese Air Force plane in Germany would likely cause some matter of rumor and suspicion, and the Empress just tried to find some zen for a brief moment.

Nicholas, sitting to the Empress' right, sighed and buried his head in his hands. "Things are just a mess."

[Unicario]

July 2, 1902
Great West Aerodrome, London

The plane touched down, and came to a stop. After a few moments, Empress Elizabeth and her party disembarked the plane. Sakura grinned at the sight of London, "Kami, how I've missed this place."

Tatsu nodded and looked around. "It's nice."

"Now, we just wait, I suppose." The Empress grinned.

[Shrillland]

With most of Edward's family estranged or otherwise busy, it was Princess Louise that came down to London to meet her relatives. Accompanying her was a somewhat flustered and serious-looking Balfour, who had just come from Downing Street to discuss Britain's response to Elizabeth's recent unpleasantness.

"Elizabeth?" Louise embraced her distant cousin closely and said, "Thank God, when we heard about what happened in Poland, we feared that they would pursue you and Nicholas. Sorry that Mother and Father couldn't be here, the doctors still won't let him leave Sandringham. And Arthur here is about to demand an apology from the Polish government, his uncle never liked the Polish Republicans."

"I suppose you've heard that Uncle Robert retired this morning," Balfour said to the Imperial Family, "It figures that this is my first order of business in office..."

"Arthur. No need to worry about the Empress's safety now." Louise said to him.

"Indeed not, I have to go back to see the King myself. Anyway, I trust your landing in Germany did not see the same drama as in Warsaw?"

They all proceeded into the cars that were prepared with a small accompaniment of security detail on the way to Norfolk.

[Unicario]

With most of Edward's family estranged or otherwise busy, it was Princess Louise that came down to London to meet her relatives. Accompanying her was a somewhat flustered and serious-looking Balfour, who had just come from Downing Street to discuss Britain's response to Elizabeth's recent unpleasantness.

"Elizabeth?" Louise embraced her distant cousin closely and said, "Thank God, when we heard about what happened in Poland, we feared that they would pursue you and Nicholas. Sorry that Mother and Father couldn't be here, the doctors still won't let him leave Sandringham. And Arthur here is about to demand an apology from the Polish government, his uncle never liked the Polish Republicans."

"I suppose you've heard that Uncle Robert retired this morning," Balfour said to the Imperial Family, "It figures that this is my first order of business in office..."

"Arthur. No need to worry about the Empress's safety now." Louise said to him.

"Indeed not, I have to go back to see the King myself. Anyway, I trust your landing in Germany did not see the same drama as in Warsaw?"

They all proceeded into the cars that were prepared with a small accompaniment of security detail on the way to Norfolk.

The Empress waved her hand dismissively, "I wouldn't worry too much about condemning Poland. While I am deeply concerned for the powderkeg of chaos that is about to emerge in Russia, the acts done by the Polish were mostly done by radical partisans with no formal ties to the Polish regime. I am more cross with Ruthenia right now than I am with Poland; Mister Bandera shall surely hear an earful from me."

The Empress nodded, "I am sorry to hear about his retirement, but I suppose he deserved some time to himself before he is called up to the immortal plane. But as I said, Arthur, no worries, really about what happened. We got to Königsberg with ease, and it was no trouble refueling. The Germans were civil."

As they got into the vehicles, Nicholas stated, "We're going to need to stop in St. Petersburg on our way home."

Elizabeth looked at him, "Why, dear?"

Nicholas sighed, "My cousin is going to get himself killed; I think at least one of his children should have a chance to live their lives. I am so deeply concerned about their safety and the last of the Romanov dynasty besides myself."

The Empress nodded, "Fair enough; they are our cousins, we should provide them some measure of safety."

[Shrillland]

Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk

As the cars approached the royal house, King Edward sat in a chair, smoking one of his cigars with his wife and son at his side.

"Ah, Elizabeth! A pleasure to see you again so soon. I was hoping to meet you in Delhi, but I fell ill. I presume that's why you're here?"

[Unicario]

Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk

As the cars approached the royal house, King Edward sat in a chair, smoking one of his cigars with his wife and son at his side.

"Ah, Elizabeth! A pleasure to see you again so soon. I was hoping to meet you in Delhi, but I fell ill. I presume that's why you're here?"

The Empress gave a bright grin, "Yes, it is. I came to make sure you were feeling better. While I'm sure the Prince of Wales would make a proper King, your time is not yet up on this planet; you've got quite a life left to live." She gave the King a hug, and turned to face George, Prince of Wales. "And here's my favorite baby cousin. Regretting your tattoos yet? You know, Kenshi hasn't told me the whole story of that night yet; apparently something about you getting into a fist-fight with a priest and us singing Auld Lang Syne in Meiji Park." She gave him a wink and spied two children nearby.

She grinned even brighter, "Well if it isn't Edward and Albert!" The two young children, aged 8 and 7 respectively, approached the Empress, having escaped from their caretakers for a brief moment. She picked them both up, her lined middle-aged face showing an infectious grin. She spoke in Japanese for a brief moment, "Children are so adorable, I miss having them around the Imperial Palace; but neither Tatsu or Sakura have bothered to have any children so far; I'm hoping they have more before I get too old to keep up!" She laughed before continuing, "But then again, that's no excuse; Father would often come see you both in his visits, Edward, Georgie."

She set the children down and palmed them little Japanese candies, and sent them on their way. "I love spoiling little kids so much."

She rounded back and got to the one royal she never addressed, "And here she is, Alexandra! It is so fantastic to see you again. I hope your spirits are far brighter now than they were last year."

She grinned and turned to her British relatives, "But I again can't tell you how relieved am I to see you out and about, Edward. You really shouldn't be smoking with your health issues, but then again, I suppose I'm a hypocrite about that." She pulled a cigarette out of her vest pocket and lit it.

[Bojikami]

July 3rd, 1902
Eastern Occupied Poland

News of the near-crisis involving the Japanese Empress caused the Tsar to declare a state of emergency in the Kingdom of Poland and in neighboring Governorates. Nearby armies were called into action, amassing at around 50,000 Russian soldiers to fight the Polish Resistance, which numbered at around 35,000.

The first of the battles took place outside of Warsaw, the nucleus of the Freedom Front's uprising and the historical capitol of the ancient Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The inexperienced Polish guerillas withdrew to the city itself after losing various skirmishes with the Russian Army. There, they set up barricades, and began to take positions within the city. The Russian forces assaulting Warsaw numbered 10,000 to the Polish 7,500. To prevent heavy losses on the Russian side, the Russians encircled the city and laid siege. Shortly after, the Polish forces began forcibly conscripting civilians within the city and began looting houses and businesses for food and supplies.

Russian artillery, mounted on nearby hills began shelling Warsaw. The shellings devastated residential areas in the city, and started a large fire.

---

Kyiv, Ruthenia

From the desk of Oleksandr Kostiuk, Tsar of Ruthenia, King of Romania

---

To: The leaders of Czecheslovakia, Yugoslavia, Free Poland

---

Dear esteemed leader,

As you may know, our people, the slavs of Europe have long found themselves under the bondage of outside empires and powers. Whether it be the Germans, the Turks, or whatever unholy horde reaches to us from the east, we have always found ourselves ruled by foreign powers. This is, until now. At this moment the brave peoples of Czechoslovakia threw off the shackles of the old German Empire, the myriad peoples of Yugoslavia fought together for a well-deserved independence, this is something we also see in Poland.

I come to you, in writing today to tell you what you already know, we are a people threatened once more. Germany seeks to reconquer its lost provinces in Bohemia, the Moslems are rearming for another push into Europe, and the Russians, while fellow slavs, are outright oppressing their slavic brothers through the barbarity of their occupation of Poland. I wish to see our continued independence from the outside empires seeking reconquest. I would like to formally invite you to a conference in Kyiv, on the 12th of July, 1902 to discuss the possibility of greater cooperation between our nations, as the free Slavs of Europe must remain in solidarity.

With warm regards,
Oleksandr Kostiuk

[Ruridova]

(OoC: Apologies for brevity, but I'm in school right now.)

Both Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia accept the invite from Ukraine-Romania.

[Shrillland]

July 4, 1902
Great West Aerodrome
London

Today, another flight was leaving from London, this time for New York. Balfour was heading to the United Nations to make a further appeal to the Security Council to stop the Ruthenian menace in its tracks, including a policy of sanctions that could potentially choke the country. His last visit to New York had resulted in no serious action, something he had often brooded about to Salisbury, and to which he was brooding now to his own foreign secretary, Lord Lansdowne.

"Always, the United Nations loves to cringe and to make august statements, Henry, but when was the last time they actually did anything? They're too caught up in morality and inertia to actually take necessary actions. All that needs to be done is to make Ruthenia disarm and stop this madness without going to war."

Lansdowne had been used to Balfour's manner for many years, even during his own days as Viceroy of India. Though he never showed it in public, he could be a bully who preferred isolation, and his governing style was already showing that in cabinet meetings.

Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk

Edward had asked to see Elizabeth today on what he considered an important manner. He was still planning to attend the Durbar when he was fully recovered, but he needed to be sure about something.
"I know that you and my last few governments have disagreed on the Indian question. I myself have doubts that any Indian governments could live in peace, even in the divisions under the Rainbow Plan. How would you ensure peace between the many states yourself? I'm hoping that I might be able to make a statement to the Congress Party, who will no doubt have some choice words for their monarch, as to why the only successful United India is one under the Raj. I support the plan myself, but it's not up to me anymore...how divergent our paths have been."

Houses of Parliament
Albany, District of Carteria

"Yet again, Mr. Speaker, we see the true rulers of our dominion prepared to condemn Southeast Canada to freeze to death rather than give the workers their due." William Jennings Bryan was speaking before Parliament with his small CCF contingent supporting him and a favourable reaction from most Liberals. Many reformers had written to the owner of the Pennsylvania mines, rail baron Sir George Baer, who in turn answered to Lord J.P. Morgan, to give at least some concessions to the United Mine Workers of America(active in both Canada and the CSA) in the Scranton mines. He had now sent his answer to them, Bryan among them.

"The Miners are deserting Pennsylvania in droves, 30,000 of them have migrated west to the more favourable climes of Southern Indiana and Illinois, others crossing the border into Kentucky, and others still going back to their old homelands of Hungary, Ruthenia, and some are even joining the fight for independence in Poland. All told, 40,000 have left for the goal of being treated like men rather than chattels, and what is Sir George's response? 'You can rest assured that the rights and interests of the labouring man will be protected and cared for—not by the labour agitators, but by the Christian men to whom God in His infinite wisdom has given the control of the property interests of the country.'

"Mr. Speaker, one need only read the scriptures to see whom God in His infinite wisdom wishes to protect and care for. And one need only have common sense to see whom the Prime Minister should be caring for. The well-being of the miners is the well-being of all Canadians, and the government that all Canadians chose should see that it is maintained!"

Bryan sat down, and Prime Minister Roosevelt rose up in response.

"Mr. Speaker, I agree with the honourable member for Akikosburg that God will look after the working men of Canada far more than Sir George could ever manage to do. God isn't sending Pinkerton Agents and Provincial Guardsmen to break them up. However, my colleague, the honourable Justice Minister has told me that he is not sure that government intervention is prudent or can be seen as impartial given our record on helping working men. I will intervene if this continues to drag on since the mineoowners actually love this strike, Mr. Speaker..." At this point, the Tories rose up in anger at the idea that management would want something like this.

"If I may explain, it is because coal prices throughout North America have been quite low, so stoppages mean dwindling supply and higher profits. This does not, however, mean that they would ever stand down because they are afraid of the price of respect. For the moment we will do nothing, but if this continues, the honourable member has my assurance that we will not let people freeze to death over Baer's insistence on gaining a few extra cents per bag."

[Unicario]

Sandringham House
Sandringham, Norfolk

Edward had asked to see Elizabeth today on what he considered an important manner. He was still planning to attend the Durbar when he was fully recovered, but he needed to be sure about something.
"I know that you and my last few governments have disagreed on the Indian question. I myself have doubts that any Indian governments could live in peace, even in the divisions under the Rainbow Plan. How would you ensure peace between the many states yourself? I'm hoping that I might be able to make a statement to the Congress Party, who will no doubt have some choice words for their monarch, as to why the only successful United India is one under the Raj. I support the plan myself, but it's not up to me anymore...how divergent our paths have been."

Elizabeth, during her visit to the Sandringham House, was dressed far more casually than usual. She rubbed her nose, "To ensure the peace and stability of the states of India, I can't say what I'd do; I can only give suggestions based on what my father used to speak about when I was a young adult."

She recalled, "Father used to speak that the way you could keep the Indian peoples from being aggressive was to remove the reasons for them to fight; ensure that the states created from the partition of India were drawn along ethnic borders and remove the justification of war involving each other's territory; and then from there, create a decentralized confederation that allows for them to collaborate, but not force many groups under one house."

She wiggled her hands, "The Indian National Congress are troublesome, at best. They're idealistic pan-Nationalists,but my father and I share not a very high opinion of them. The Indians across the Empire are posing a growing problem. For example, my diplomatic embassy to the South African dominion in Natal, they speak of the growing issue of a young civil rights activist... I believe his name is Gandhi, he advocates for Indian rights on the same equality as whites; based largely in the fact that Japanese are treated as equals -- but still seeks to force the negro to subserve themselves to all our races. I fear that if he continues to agitate, my own peoples are going to be broken down to second-class status; and if that happens... I may have no choice but to do something that could damage our two nations' relations." She left that line of inquiry open, her demeanor becoming very serious when she said it.

She sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I would still, recommend caution in creating political divisions in India. The Hindus are... wily at best, if I could be honest with you. They seek to dominate every affair of the subcontinent, more so than just the lands where they serve as a majority. If, by example, you were to split Bengal in twain; between the Muslim-majority region, and the Hindu-majority region; they would be against the idea because you'd be minimizing their domination of economic affairs there; and empowering Muslims, who, in many cases, are in dire need of assistance and empowerment; as they live in largely agrarian and sub-quality territories."

She shrugged, "India is a powderkeg on which the fuse has already been lit; and it has been lit since the Sepoy Rebellion; hell, probably before that, as my father saw the makings of hell on Earth when he visited there at least a decade before the Sepoy Rebellion. It is one of the reasons why myself, and my government, decided to abrogate the responsibilities of governing cities like Mumbai, and southern Burma; we feel to this day, that India is not a place we wish to govern in any sort of fashion, it remains too volatile for long-term peace within the Imperial System; and Britain will see the same problem in due time."

"I hate to say it like this, but no move you make will make people happy; but if you want to make anyone happy; win the loyalty of the Muslims. With the governing Sunni religious body being our mutual allies; if we can make the Islamic populations of the Raj against the INC, we can pilot Indian independence into something else; maybe. But in the end, do what is right and best. I believe I recall Victoria speaking to me once about proposals given by Lord Curzon, to divide Bengal up into a Muslim section, and a Hindu section with Orissa; which is where I got that point I spoke about a few minutes ago -- I'd say go for it, the Muslims will be delighted, the Hindus less so; and if you need Japanese peacekeepers, I shall gladly send in Enseirentai from the Lan Na, Siam, Lan Xang, Khmer, Annam, Tonkin and Cochinchina to help the situation -- A lot of those soldiers, particularly the ones from Cochinchina, Annam, Khmer and Siam are all extremely experienced and veterans of the Great War, they were the ones who bested the army of the Confederate States; an army... who took a lot of ideas from our army during the Early Meiji era; the bushido concepts, suicide charges, things like that."

---

July 4, 1902
Great West Aerodrome
London

Today, another flight was leaving from London, this time for New York. Balfour was heading to the United Nations to make a further appeal to the Security Council to stop the Ruthenian menace in its tracks, including a policy of sanctions that could potentially choke the country. His last visit to New York had resulted in no serious action, something he had often brooded about to Salisbury, and to which he was brooding now to his own foreign secretary, Lord Lansdowne.

"Always, the United Nations loves to cringe and to make august statements, Henry, but when was the last time they actually did anything? They're too caught up in morality and inertia to actually take necessary actions. All that needs to be done is to make Ruthenia disarm and stop this madness without going to war."

Lansdowne had been used to Balfour's manner for many years, even during his own days as Viceroy of India. Though he never showed it in public, he could be a bully who preferred isolation, and his governing style was already showing that in cabinet meetings.

George Washington Aeroport
Kisaki-to, Kisaki Prefecture, Japan

The news of Prime Minister Balfour attending to a session of the UN to speak about the affairs at hand, the Japanese had gone ahead and assembled a welcoming group at the landing strip. Japanese Long Island had two of the three aeroports nearest to Manhattan. George Washington Aeroport was one of those aeroports; and was partnered with Meiji Aeroport, both of whom were located in the City of Kisaki (formerly Queens). While GWA was a larger "international" aeroport, Meiji was not, and was more designed to service the Confederacy and Canada for regional flights.

The third airport in the area was the Newark Aeroport, located in the Province of New Jersey, to the south.

The Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, Saitō Makoto, was standing patiently along the airstrip waiting for the British Prime Minister's arrival.

Saitō Makoto was a veteran of the Great War, and a former naval officer. He had retired after the end of the Great War from the Navy, and had gone into the diplomatic corps. He had served as a member of parliament until 1896, and was appointed the Japanese Ambaassador to the United Nations -- a position he has held for several years since.

He intended to retire in 1904, and go into the office of governance; looking to become the Governor-General of the Meiji Islands as a political favor.

[Bojikami]

July 4th, 1902
Kyiv, Ruthenia

The city was busily readying for the approaching conference between Ruthenia and the nations of Eastern Europe. The police were placed on high alert so to prevent assassins, bombers, or other types of terrorists from interfering with the coming event.

At the same time, a letter found its way to the desk of the Tsar, written by a certain Subhas Chandra Bose, a notable figure in the Indian National Congress. Bose wrote asking for an audience before the Tsar, in regards to support for his movement in India. Bose and his supporters contrasted from Gandhi and his backers in that Bose supported more violent methods to achieve Indian independence, and that Bose held more radical views in terms of what an independent India would look like. Oleksandr accepted, replying that he and the Fascist regimes of Europe would put their full support by Bose's dream of Azad Hind.

On the very same day, Bose anonymously published his own plans for an independent India, The Doctrine of the Azad Hind. Therein, Bose states that peaceful methods will not give India it's independence, and that the peoples of India must arise in union against both the British and the encroachment of Chinese and Japanese influence.

He continues to explain that India, post-independence must be a single entity to successfully protect itself from outside imperialists. While the myriad peoples of India should be given states and districts of their own within the united Hind, and that the government should have a decentralised model of government wherein more power is given to the nations of India, and the overseeing government should remain secular as to avoid alienating Hindus, Muslims, or any more religious minorities.

He concludes by stating that while he does largely support an armed uprising, the Indian people must first meet the material conditions (Self-Sufficiency) along with the immaterial conditions (Consciousness, Nation-wide solidarity between different castes, races, and religions, and the building of a new Indian Nationalism) before a struggle for independence can ensue.

[Unicario]

...he and the Fascist regimes of Europe would put their full support by Bose's dream of Azad Hind...

On the very same day, Bose anonymously published his own plans for an independent India, The Doctrine of the Azad Hind. Therein, Bose states that peaceful methods will not give India it's independence, and that the peoples of India must arise in union against both the British and the encroachment of Chinese and Japanese influence.

He continues to explain that India, post-independence must be a single entity to successfully protect itself from outside imperialists. While the myriad peoples of India should be given states and districts of their own within the united Hind, and that the government should have a decentralised model of government wherein more power is given to the nations of India, and the overseeing government should remain secular as to avoid alienating Hindus, Muslims, or any more religious minorities.

He concludes by stating that while he does largely support an armed uprising, the Indian people must first meet the material conditions (Self-Sufficiency) along with the immaterial conditions (Consciousness, Nation-wide solidarity between different castes, races, and religions, and the building of a new Indian Nationalism) before a struggle for independence can ensue.

Paris, French Empire

The political differences between the hybrid Syndicalists and the fascists was beginning to show, Solange Glaisyer noted as she read the recent news cables, indicating the meat of the affairs brewing in Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia. Preempting her notification, the Emperor began his own public broadcast, talking extensively on his feelings about the growing spectre of Eastern European radicalism, and the Indian question which had begun to generate more controversy with the publication of the Late Emperor Alexander's memoirs.

"It is the will of all peoples to be free; the Czech to be free of the German boot-heel, the Ukrainian to be free of Muscovite dominion, the Pole to be free of imperialist influence, but we cannot allow ourselves to fall prey into becoming what we have abolished. The death of innocent people to fulfill freedom is not the creation of freedom; it is the casting of blood upon the ideals of freedom. The French Empire reiterates it's support for the independence of oppressed masses everywhere, but states that the Revolution must be propagated in a righteous manner befitting a people's capabilities."

Similarly, the French dispatched their UN ambassador to New York to discuss the Ruthenian issue. Le Syndicat, divided deeply between the Technocrats and the Communards on this matter, debated it in the halls of the Paris Soviet and the Imperial Parliament; with the Technocrats finding it harder to justify their political support of Ruthenia domestically, with the more nuanced parts of National Socialism becoming well-known to them. Instead, the Technocrats beat the drum of "pan-Francophonie", calling for the liberation of Lorraine from German occupation.

As well, both sides began to openly rebuke growing concepts of ethnosupremacism, holding to the idea that God ordained all persons be made equal before him, and that the People's Movement to strengthen and unify the masses would ensure such a thing.

---

たいよし (Sun City), Ethiopian Colony

Ferdinand Eichemann, famed author, criticized The Doctrine of the Azad Hind as, in a few words, "absolute trash"; and stated that Azad Hind movement was nothing more than a front for National Socialist incitement to violence, and should be forcibly broken up in every nation it appears. He wrote a small manifesto noting the "irony of how the wheels of time have turned India polar. There exists the Alexandrine movement, those who support the Rainbow Plan and the deceased Japanese Emperor's ambitions of a cohesive, yet separate subcontinent; and now you have Boseans, who are going to antagonize for a new order and the abolition of the old with little regard for the stability of the region and world; and you have Gandhists, peaceful, yet religiously and ethnically intolerant. It is a quagmire that nothing shall ever fix by this point."

[Shrillland]

July 4, 1902
George Washington Aeroport
Kisaki-to, Kisaki Prefecture, Japan

"Makoto-san, an honour to see you." Balfour bowed and shook the ambassador's hand, and Lansdowne did the same. My uncle sends you his regards, as always."

As they headed to their separate vehicles to their lodgings, preparing for the next day's meeting, Balfour began going over his plan.

"The answer is simple. Condemnations and angry letters to Kyiv have done nothing to placate their aggression. We must back up our statements with true force. We must enforce a policy of snactions against Ruthenia for their latest actions in Poland. It's about time that someone actually stood up and did something to halt their actions...the UN doesn't seem to be doing its job in keeping the peace, wouldn't you agree?"

[Unicario]

July 4, 1902
George Washington Aeroport
Kisaki-to, Kisaki Prefecture, Japan

"Makoto-san, an honour to see you." Balfour bowed and shook the ambassador's hand, and Lansdowne did the same. My uncle sends you his regards, as always."

As they headed to their separate vehicles to their lodgings, preparing for the next day's meeting, Balfour began going over his plan.

"The answer is simple. Condemnations and angry letters to Kyiv have done nothing to placate their aggression. We must back up our statements with true force. We must enforce a policy of sanctions against Ruthenia for their latest actions in Poland. It's about time that someone actually stood up and did something to halt their actions...the UN doesn't seem to be doing its job in keeping the peace, wouldn't you agree?"

Saito cleared his throat and nodded, "I do agree, Balfour-san. This most recent international incident involving Her Imperial Majesty and the Polish National Socialists has shown the Japanese people the inherent risks of such an undertaking by the Ruthenian administration. We are... seeking ties to groups tied to the Ruthenian resistance to expand the scope of political resistance against their state. We are planning on opening negotiations with..." He glanced through some papers in his lap, "Belinsky and Petrovsky, leaders of the Ukrainian communist resistance. The forces of democracy just don't exist in the Ukraine and Romania, and we're hoping that perhaps we can fund the next best thing."

He sighed, "We shall endorse sanctions against Ruthenia, but we'll have to see what comes of it."