The End of an Era, and the Start of another (Private RP)

[Britanania]

Metropolis Orbis, 1 September, 2130

Erno, Fabian, and Alexandre were met at the airport by Smith and Maximilian, where they were swiftly taken into a car, driving towards Palace Tarkin. Maximilian filled them in.

"Ostensibly, we're going to his Palace to discuss a possible war with the Soviets. I've made sure his usual guards aren't there, but the Praetorian. We'll spring the trap once he realises the Privy Council isn't there."

[Vergenskia]

Metropolis Orbis, 1 September, 2130

"Max, you're going to need to hold me back not to kill him, if he's guilty. I'm not going to be able to control myself." Erno says, grinding his teeth

[Britanania]

Metropolis Orbis, 1 September, 2130

The Emperor smiled.

"Don't worry, Erno. If he is guilty, I'll let you kill him."

Soon they had arrived outside the Palace's walls. Palace Tarkin truly was a sight to behold: a sprawling Baroque palace surrounded by gardens, guards, and walls. Two Praetorian opened the iron gate and the group sauntered towards the great door. James Tarkin, the 60 year old Minister of War greeted them.

"My friends, I'm glad you've arrived. The study is ready for the meeting."

[Vergenskia]

Metropolis Orbis, 1 September, 2130

Fabian looks around and mutters under his breath, "Someone has too much money and time on their hands..."

"We're glad we could meet you so quickly, Minister. I hope we can get this atrocity settled quickly." Erno says to the Lord of this hold.

[Britanania]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

The group went straight to the study, where a map was strewn over the table. A few Praetorian Guards were around. As soon as the door was closed, Maximilian sprung the traps by removing his pistol and pointing it at Tarkin.

"Not a move, James. We know it was you."

[Vergenskia]

Metropolis Orbis, 1 September, 2130

Fabian steps behind Tarkin and grabs him by the arm and wrenches it behind his back.

"You're under arrest for the attempted murder of Maximilian de Britannia and Prince Erno of Hungary. On top of the numerous murders on the streets of the Imperial Capital and of the Hungarian Naval Minister." And proceeds to read him his rights of the international court.

[Britanania]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

The Minister begins to laugh hysterically. Alexandre approaches.

"What's so funny, Tarkin?"

"You are, my dear Alexandre. I wasn't trying to kill Max, I was trying to force him to take emergency powers--to take full power as an absolute Monarch as he should be. I have a dream of an Empire ruled by by Parliament or the Privy Council, but by Maximilian alone."

Maximilian shook his head.

"And yet you try to take matters into your own hands, James. Because I respect your Family, and because I don't want your son growing up knowing what a monster you are, I'm going to have Erno shot you right now."

[Vergenskia]

Metropolis Orbis, 1 September, 2130

"Its a shame Tarkin. That a Butcher has to butcher you." Fabian says, throwing James toward his brother.

Erno pulls a large pistol from his jacket and aims it at the Minister. "Kneel, dog." He commands.

[Britanania]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

As the former Minister keeled, the Emperor left the room. As he did, he called his son Augustus.

"Augustus, it's official. You're the new Minister of War. Yes, we'll discuss the formalities at the next Council meeting. See you at dinner."

[Vergenskia]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

"May Satan have mercy on you." Erno growls and pulls the trigger. Tarkin's brain splatters all over the floor and table. The lifeless corpse flops to the ground and Erno kicks it.

Fabian walks over to to Maximilian and says, "What's next, Max? We have a lot to take care of."

[Britanania]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

He put the phone away.

"Roger will clean up things here. Tarkin's widow and son are out of the country at the moment--we'll tell them he was assassinated during the attacks. However, Tarkin probably had accomplices in Hungary. You'll have to deal with that eventually--he wouldn't have left that around here. Anyway, Tarkin's allies in Parliament will probably disintegrate and be at each other's throats, so that should be interesting."

He paused.

"And the Russians will probably be pissed we blamed this on them" He smiled. "Expect a proxy war soon."

[Vergenskia]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

"The Russian dogs? I expect a full fledged total war from them, at a moment's notice." Fabian says bluntly. "But we need to keep an eye on the Russians. We need to stop whatever they plan on doing."

[Britanania]

Palace Tarkin, 1 September, 2130

Maximilian put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I wouldn't worry too much, old friend. The Russians are more bark than bite, especially after a few shots. Anyway, you should probably get back to Buda, and let us manage our own house. God knows someone has to, with all these thieves and murderers around."

Cathedral of Saint Glacies the Victorious, Metropolis Orbis. 15 August 2132

Over 10,000 guests were packed into the Imperial Republic's largest church for perhaps the most important day in Emperor Maximilian's reign. It was the marriage of his eldest son and heir Augustus Maximilian Alexandre de Britannia to Madeline Victoria Elizabeth de Bourbon. His Holiness, Pope Pius XIII--Maximilian's nephew and Augustus' cousin--was nearly completed with the Mass.

" Oremus. -- Propitiare Domine supplicationibus nostris: et institutis tuis, quibus propagationem humani generis ordinasti, benignus assiste; ut, quod te auctore iungitur, te auxiliante servetur. Per Dominum nostrum, Iesum Christum, filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Oremus. -- Deus, qui potestate virtutis tuae de nihilo cuncta fecisti: qui, dispositis universitatis exordiis, homini ad imaginem Dei facto, ideo inseparabili mulieris adiutorium condidisti, ut femineo corpori de virili dares carne principium, docens quod ex uno placuisset institui, numquam licere disiungi: Deus, qui tam excellenti mysterio coniugalem copulam consecrasti, ut Christi et Ecclesiae sacramentum praesignares in foedere nuptiarum: Deus, per quem mulier iungitur viro, et societas principaliter ordinata, ea benedictione donatur, quae sola nec per originalis peccati poenam, nec per diluvii est ablata sententiam: respice propitius super hanc famulam tuam, quae maritali iungenda consortio, tua se expetit protectione muniri: sit in ea iugum dilectionis et pacis: fidelis et casta nubat in Christo, imitatrixque sanctarum permaneat feminarum: sit amabilis viro suo, ut Rachael: sapiens, ut Rebecca: longeava et fidelis, ut Sara: nihil in ea ex actibus suis ille auctor praevaricationis usurpet: nexa fidei, mandatisque permaneat: uni thoro iuncta, contactus illicitos fugiat: muniat infirmitatem suam robore disciplinae: sit verecundia gravis, pudore venerabilis, doctrinis caelestibus erudita: sit foecunda in sobole, sit probata et innocens: et ad beatorum requiem atque ad caelestia regna perveniat: et videant ambo filios filiorum suorum usque in tertiam et quartam generationem, et ad optatam perveniant senectutem. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum, Iesum Christum, filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen."

(Translation:
Let us pray. -- Be gracious, O Lord, to our humble supplications: and graciously assist this Thine institution, which Thou hast established for the increase of mankind: that what is joined together by Thine authority, may be preserved by Thine aid. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray. -- O God, who by Thine own mighty power, didst make all things out of nothing: who, having set in order the beginnings of the world, didst appoint Woman to be an inseparable helpmeet to Man, made like unto God, so that Thou didst give to woman's body its beginnings in man's flesh, thereby teaching that what it pleased Thee to form from one substance, might never be lawfully separated: O God, who, by so excellent a mystery hast consecrated the union of man and wife, as to foreshadow in this nuptial bond the union of Christ with His Church: O God, by whom Woman is joined to Man, and the partnership, ordained from the beginning, is endowed with such blessing that it alone was not withdrawn either by the punishment of original sin, nor by the sentence of the flood: graciously look upon this Thy handmaid, who, about to be joined in wedlock, seeks Thy defense and protection. May it be to her a yoke of love and peace: faithful and chaste, may she be wedded in Christ, and let her ever be the imitator of holy women: let her be dear to her husband, like Rachel: wise, like Rebecca: long-lived and faithful like Sara. Let not the author of deceit work any of his evil deeds in her. May she continue, clinging to the faith and to the commandments. Bound in one union, let her shun all unlawful contact. Let her protect her weakness by the strength of discipline; let her be grave in behavior, respected for modesty, well-instructed in heavenly doctrine. Let her be fruitful in offspring; be approved and innocent; and come to the repose of the blessed and the kingdom of heaven. May they both see their children's children to the third and fourth generation, and may they reach the old age which they desire. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.)

The service completed, and the choirs singing in joy as the crowd clapped and cheered for the new couple. Maximilian smiled, and quietly retreated back to the Palace for the reception. The Emperor was pleased. In three years all of his children were married to important allies and friends. First was Richard to the Shah's daughter. The Shah's unfortunate death meant the Imperials now held sway over Persia, a serious blow to Soviet influence in the area. And of course Anastasia had married Prince Mihaly of the Magyars. Now Augustus solidified Imperial control over France and Spain. Perhaps he would be the one to end the personal union and merge France and America. That made Maximilian smile.

But he was distracted as the guests began to arrive.

[Vergenskia]

King Ernő Memorial Hospital, Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary. 15 August 2132

Erno, Fabian and even their sister, the Princess Ilona had rushed to the hospital early that morning, and had been there for hours. The family and the whole country were holding their breath. The aged Queen Mother, Felicia I had had a stroke. At the age of 101, the doctors were not very optimistic on her possibilities of recovery. She was in a comatose state and was breathing through a respirator. What the 3 siblings saw of their once proud and powerful mother, was nothing like how the world had saw her. Ilona and Erno openly wept in her room, but Fabian couldn't so much as step into it.

He was in grief of not being around his mother much, his entire life, because he believed that his older brother was the favorite of her. And he was praying... Praying to god to forgive him for everything he did, instead of protecting and loving his mother. Nor was he ready to be an orphan...

[Britanania]

Imperial Palace, Metropolis Orbis. 15 August 2132

At the end of the evening, after most of the guests had retired and the new couple off for a 2 week honeymoon, the Emperor sat alone in his study brooding.

The joy of the day was overshadowed by the news his godmother, the Queen Mother of Hungary, had suffered a debilitating stroke. It was for that reason Princess Anastasia was not able to attend her brother's wedding, as she was at her husband's grandmother's side, and why Fabian and Erno, godfathers to Princes Augustus and Richard respectively, were also absent.

Yet more troubling was what the reaction in Russia would be. Even if Hungary tried to maintain strength, Maximilian knew full well the country was--if only temporarily--weak. And if Maximilian knew anything, it was that Moscow would exploit any weakness.

[Vergenskia]

King Ernő Memorial Hospital, Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary. 15 August 2132

Fabian walks into the room after waiting hours outside of his mother's room... Its silent. Only the sound of the heart monitor broke the debilitating quiet. He sits next to his mother, opposite of his brother and sister. He doesn't make eye contact with either of them, but just looks at his aged mother.

Fabian reaches out and grabs Felicia's hand as she lays in the hospital bed. "Mom... I'm sorry for being a terrible son... Please don't leave us... We still need you."

[Britanania]

Polish-Soviet Border. 16 August 2132

On the early hours of the 16th, Soviet tanks, troops, and planes flew into Polish territory, from the Kalingrad Oblast to the Belorussian SSR border. The Soviets were met by no resistance by the Polish Army--indeed, it appeared that the Armies were marching together towards Warsaw.

Warsaw, Poland

As the Soviet forces moved in a record speed, violence erupted over Poland. The Polish government, whilst nominally allied with Moscow, was growing closer in recent years to Russia's rivals Germany and Hungary. That changed rapidly as the Polish Minister of Defence Gerald Kijek--working with Moscow--organised a coup to overthrow the democratically elected Socialist Party to place his Polish Worker's Party in control. Local police loyal to the regime fought with Kijek's army forces all over the city.

Soviet-Nordic Border and Soviet-Romanian Border

Soviet forces similarly mobilised along the borders of Norway, Sweden, and Romania, in seeming anticipation of an invasion.

[Vergenskia]

Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary. 16 August 2132

Erno stands in front of God and country and speaks incredibly angrily to the crowd below and the audience watching around the world.

"We know what happened in Poland, today. And it is unacceptable what has happened! Our brothers and sisters in the north are being killed for no reason! And the Russian dogs are poised at our doorstep, waiting for the moment of weakness they expect from the us Magyars with our Queen Mother being hospitalized! But little do they know, that it will NOT be coming! We demand the Russians pull out of Poland and Belarus, before we show the force and rage of an entire nation, an entire people and a furious butcher united!"

[Britanania]

Imperial Palace, Metropolis Orbis. 16 August 2132

The Emperor called an emergency session of the His Majesty's Privy Council to address the matter in Eastern Europe. All were assembled except for the Minister of War--Prince Augustus--but Deputy Minister Prince Antonius (Prince Alexandre's son and heir presumptive) filled in for his cousin. After several hours of debate, His Lordship Colton Tremblay, 2nd Marquis Tremblay, President of the Council, finished.

"His Imperial Majesty has heard much today. This body has given its advice. What shall be our course of action?"

The Emperor sat silent for a moment, looking at each of his Ministers and each of the twelve councillors before looking back at Trembaly.

"It is our will to find peace in our time; however, of the Soviet Union continues this aggressive behaviour war may be forced upon us."

Maximilian rose quickly for one of his age.

"The United Nations will do little to stop the Soviets this time; we must go to Hungary and counsel with our allies--His Highness will be expecting us"

[Vergenskia]

Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary. 16 August 2132

The King barks out orders to the councilors around him.

"Hear me now. Order full mobilization and spread them across the Polish and Romanian borders with Russia, in the south. And in the north, bolster the defenses on Åland and against the Finnish border. Set ships out into the Baltic and Black Seas. Be prepared for any invasion. And if any Russian crosses our borders, make sure he's dead and burn the body!"

[Britanania]

Warsaw, Poland. 16 August 2132

In the late evening, the Soviet forces arrived outside Warsaw. After shelling Pro-Republican positions for about a half hour, Kijek opened the gates for the Russians to come in, beginning their occupation. Hours later, Kijek declared the creation of the Socialist Republic of Poland, with executive, legislative, and judicial power residing in the People, represented by the Polish Worker's Party.

Budapest, Hungary. 17 August 2132

The next day Maximilian's airship arrived at Buda. He was accompanied by his his eight Ministers, twelve Privy Councillors, Grand Chancellor Alexandre, Council President Tremblay, and about two dozen Praetorian. He greeted the soldiers sent to meet him with a smile.

"Please inform His Highness that the cavalry has arrived."

[Vergenskia]

Budapest, Hungary. 17 August 2132

A solider waves over the party to a caravan of luxury armored vehicles and loads them in, sending them off to Buda Castle.


Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary. 17 August 2132

King Erno paces in fury, waiting for his allies to arrive. He is constantly updated of the status of the mobilization of the Magyar and Swedish Troops.

[Britanania]

Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary. 17 August 2132

The Imperial Household swiftly moves into the Castle. Maximilian bows before Erno.

"Your Highness, I apologise for any lateness, but we should refrain from the formalities for now. We'll talk in the war room."

[Vergenskia]

Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary. 17 August 2132

"Come, we don't have time. I am but moments from launching a counter-invasion if the Russians continue to refuse to speak."

The party rushes off to the War Room, deep under the Castle.

War Room

Spread across the walls are numerous monitors, showing maps over Warsaw, Minsk and Moscow.

"Here we are, boys. We have mobilized 2 million troops and counting. The Apollos are out of the hangers and ships are patrolling the seas. The Russians are mobilizing as well, but they are under equipped and under trained, mostly being uneducated factory workers. If they don't back down, I will destroy every single person who holds a gun to Magyar troops. And I think with the silence between Hungary and Russia, it will have to be Imperial intervention to get lines open."

[Britanania]

War Room, Buda Castle. 17 August 2132

Maximilian looked over the maps. He turned to Prince Antonius.

"How quickly can our French allies mobilise?"

"Within 48 hours, Uncle. The Germans have recovered a bit from losing the Rhine, but we expect Germany to fall in less than two weeks if we need to invade. Our forces in America would arrive just as they reach the Oder."

Maximilian nodded before turning back to Erno.

"The Council will remain here in Buda--I'm going to Moscow."

The Council was utterly shocked. Even Alexandre looked concerned.