Seeds of terror. (Earth:Empire FT open)

[The Golden hoarde]

The Great Khan Ahmad Shah's court sat lavishly in Herat, capital of the Afghan Khanate. The exquisite meats and vegetable the royal family and harem feasted upon filled the air with their sweet wafting scent and to any man the only thoughts that entered their head would be ones of relaxation and indulgence. More or less modern arms were held by the weary guards who stalked to and fro outside of the lavish dining hall even as the Great Khan finished his meal and turned once more with a heavy heart to the affairs of state. The servants and women were sent away and a council of elders was assembled with the Khan at it's head.

Glancing around the packed room he saw representatives from:Vice Khan Ahmad Durrani Shah,Emire Mullah Garar Shah,Emir Mehemd Shah and finally Emir Akmed Shah the ruling body of the Khanate. Seeing his brothers,sons and cousins servants before him Ahmad cleared his throat and began in a dry raspy voice that spoke of far too many winters,

"I will waste no time. The Afghan Khanate sits between two beasts as you know, the great Russian bear to the north and the British tiger to the southwest. By displeasing one we side with the other yet this promises no protection. This only promises another period of dominance brought about by the weakness that has corrupted the hearts of Afghan men for so very long. No.

We must look up to the heavens, the stars are our only hope. When the Khanate can muster a battleship capable of bombarding troops formations from orbit with skill and devastating firepower we can call ourselves free of foreign oppression. I have looked to the south in the domain of Emire Mullah Garar, the Opium farmers shall provide us with a portion of the funds we need but the rest, that must be found elsewhere. I shall think long and hard on this but for now we must set ourselves to liberating the funds we require from those to the south.

I trust that the Second Horde can handle the entire operation?"

A quick affirmative was given and the Great Khan smiled. Producing a large opium pipe from beneath his silk robes he smiled and took a long draw. The hazy cloud that poured forth seemed to be the Khan's worries and stress as he let out a small laugh of contention and waved away his advisers. Alone he sat and thought that the ascension of the Khanate was surely near.

_Kandahar_

Emire Mullah Garar Shah was not happy. The intrusion into his affairs was not a welcome thing, not welcome at all. The scramble for money was worry enough but to know that the Khan's son's own Horde would be let loose upon his farmers and villagers was enough to almost drive the devout Mullah to the very product that held much of the country in it's grasp.

He strode through the almost spartan palace he and his family lived within and sought desperately the chambers of his top clerics and sheiks to consult the Quran and the codes of Sharia law. Finally arriving outside of the sought after chambers he adjusted his cotton robes and waved a servant to open the door. The small room was no less packed than the meeting room of the Great Khan in Herat and the Mullah swiftly got down to business.

"A thousand greetings brothers.

Now we must consult the Quran as to weather or not I can refuse to accept the men my cousin sends. Opium is what is funding our expansion of the Mosque of Kandahar as well as the expansion of the Taliban of Islam. We cannot allow either of these critical projects to fall behind as the spreading of Mohammedan thought is imperative."

The cabal of old men spoke quietly before assuring their lord that the Quran allowed for the refusal of guests if they are under arms. Swiftly an order went out to the Taliban of Islam to arm and already the grease tendrils of Chaos had descended upon the Khanate as almost unknowingly the Vice Khan's personnel horde moved towards Kandahar borne upon the back of mechanical and biologically enhanced horses.

In the fields poppies bloomed.

[The Golden hoarde]

The Khanate was a system. A fragile system that relied upon the professional soldiers staying in the cities and the various tribes and militias ruling the countryside. Only the threat of retaliation and pillaging kept the trickle of taxes and tribute flowing into Herat and even then it was rarely undamaged by the wandering bands of rouges who plied the endless hills of the land of the Pashtos.

One such rouge was Makmuhd.


He raised his automatic rifle. The large auto gun was unable to pierce the shields the more civilized countries employed but against the odd merchant or wanderer it was a deadly piece. Firing 7.62x54 R rounds at a very high rate the AFR-10 was the top of the line when it came to personal arms in Afghanistan, the particular rifle Makmuhd held even more so because of the many small customizations he had made to the weapons over the years. Holding it to his shoulder now he gazed down the sights, his deep hazel eyes peering into the small sight with a sort of predatory grin within as the small reticle was placed over the head of a caravan guard some hundred yards away.

With a soft grunt he pulled the trigger and a burst of rounds shot forth and an instant later the guard's head disappeared in a crimson mist and the force of the recoil forced him to readjust his rifle. Smiling he watched similar scenes play out as the other three men in his small gang rose up and fired high powered musket fire into the steel plated caravan skimmers and the two mechanical horses. Oil leaked out of the "beasts" and the skimmer exploded as it's surprisingly rich owner was beheaded with a non-powered scimitar.

The whinny of their own two horses made Makmuhd smile again as he rose up and mounted his light gray horse as it thundered down the goat path to the valley floor where it's brother and Makmuhd's comrades sat. Several bits of plunder were appealing but most interesting was the book the now dead merchant had carried.

Makmuhd was a rare atheist in the Buddhist-Islamic Afghan Khanate but he recognized a Quran when he saw one. He stuffed it into his pocket alongside a map that had Kandahar (which was not far off) circled in red. Mounting up again he nodded a farewell to his now former gang members and rode off as he was going to cash in with the ornate Quran and pick up a few other misfits.

With his rifle slung across his back he rode into the gilded city just as the afternoon call to prayer sounded. Feeling out of place he wandered into a greasy dive, ordered a fine glass of tea imported from British India and surveyed the occupants looking for someone who demanded his attention.

[FS_America]

America will be watching carefully

[The Golden hoarde]

The Great Khan sat in his study, the large oak shelves imported years ago from Russia herself with some old textbooks brought from Europe and Asia respectively. The flicker of a well tended fire illuminated the aged Khan's face as he sat over a large book that showed the various taxes and revenue sources the Afghan Khanate enjoyed. What was displayed was far, far from good. A massive trade deficit as well as a general lack of infrastructure and military presence outside of the Panjir and the major cities coupled of course with an ineffective and downright tiny military left the Khanate with little to no room to maneuver.

Rubbing his forehead the Great Khan damned his ancestors for the twentieth time before finally seeing a logical goal. The first task he would devote himself and the money that was to be liberated from the Opium Farmers to would be a modern system of roads and canals to link Afghanistan together. Communication would be the first step towards liberation and prosperity, of that he was certain though it remained to be seen how the foreign powers would react to the new resurgence of the Afghans.

He paused for a minute and sent a thought command to his favorite servant Yassir.

Yassir entered, the surgical scars on his temples showing the augmentative surgeries that connected him psychically to his master. The large man bowed and preceded to receive the mental instructions from the Great Khan, the words delivered in the rich accented speech that the Khan had had when he was a younger man.

Yassir was to head to the west, far to the west and rouse the Vice Khan in Kabul. From there he would travel north and northeast to rouse the other Emirs excluding Emire Mullah Garar Shah. The great host would be roused and deployed to secure the trade routes into the Hindu Kush mountains as well as the borders with Iran and Russian Central Asia the Khanate would be walking a fine line as these military actions could very likely enrage the rulers of both British India as well as the Tsar.

All hung upon the edge of a knife, but such was politics.

[Ekilion]

tag for Netherlands

[The Golden hoarde]

The movement of the Second Horde was swift and decisive, bio-enhanced horses straining to cover miles and miles of broken ground that made up much of the Afghan Khanate. With them spread the news that the Great Khan was playing his hand, news that traveled to Kandahar faster then the Afghan soldiers could hope to mobilize. Islamic militias formed and moved rapidly to interdict travel on the few modern highways the Horde traveled down. Fierce fighting broke out as the Buddhist Afghan soldiers moved through the Islamic countryside that surrounded Kandahar.

The crack of linear carbines was offset by the chatter of the obsolete small arms the militia sported. Linear rounds punching through several enemies or layers of cover the militia employed. Chest cavities exploded in massive blooms of crimson and scarlet, washing the ancient rocks of Afghanistan with a fresh coat of blood. Explosions ripped the relative peace of night apart as the light artillery the Mobile Hordes employed blew villages, homes, and mosques to bits. The modern weapons finely crafted pieces purchased from France or Russian models bought on the black market. The heavy handedness of the Afghan soldiers did them credit as the Buddhist civilians united and supported them while the local Islamic majority was ground to a fine dust beneath their boots.

Calls to prayer turned to calls for war and soon the militia was bolstered to a massive force that owned the night.

[The Golden hoarde]

Diplomat Sebastian Behroz was a curious member of the court of the Great Khan. Raised in France he spoke several European languages as well as Pashto and was quite comfortable in foreign society. As such he was a natural ambassador for the fledging Khanate which needed friends now more than ever. Dressed in a white overcoat cut in the latest French manner he was out of place in the throng of traditional Afghan elders he sat with discussing politics and the general state of the Khanate. In his right hand he clutched a worn American top hat that was to many a symbol of all that was western and all that was new. As the servants of the Khan carried to him the summons and his orders he could not help but smile as the thought of traveling entered his head.

The orders were a drastic step forward for the Khanate, relations with the French were tense following the Second Great War yet the Great Khan and the French leadership had exchanged some minor communiques and it seemed the Khanate was willing to push forward and try to gain a friend in Europe. Sebastian and for that matter the Great Khan were by no means fools, they both knew that the only way Afghanistan would ever be free of foreign domination would be to develop the infrastructure as well as unify the people. A French market for the Opium crop would be a much needed source of income for the Khanate as it cost money in large quantities to suddenly turn a war ravaged state into a unified country.


Rising he bowed to the elders and confidently strode out following the escort to a waiting carriage. Three imposing Afghan warriors marched behind him as the civilian escort melted away. The large men all carried well concealed AF-1 sidearms that were used only for protection as against a shield or really any kind of body armor they were useless. The quiet hum of the crowd that had thinned on both sides to let the detail pass was suddenly observed by Sebastian as he noticed that many of the civilians wore the tell tale sashes that marked a radical faction in Herat known as the Students of Change.

This group was dedicated towards expanding southwest into Pakistan to unite all Pashtos and then turn once again to former Afghan lands in Persia which was one of the sole Afghan allies in the region. All present were armed to the teeth and the nervous Diplomat hoped that he would soon reach the carriage the Kahn had sent for him. One stranger stood out however, a Mercenary stood alone in the street almost as if the Buddha had told him to stand there. Approaching Sebastian wordlessly handed the man several pounds of finely cut silver ingots, the mercenary smiled and fell in line with the escort. Something about the man was different and Sebastian had a feeling he would need the man before long.

Makmuhd smiled, the man had given him money just like Allah had told him through the Quran he had looted from the slain merchant. He had followed the instructions delivered to him by angels perfectly and had accompanied the man to his sky chariot. Now he waited ready to observe the ways of state craft and diplomacy as Allah had told him he must. Stowing his rifle he sat with the man ready to answer what questions he had for Makmuhd truly was a Taliban, ready to learn.

As he entered the carriage that finally was in view jets on both sides of what could only be the Khan's personal mode of transportation let out a fierce whine and soon he was off racing towards his destination, France.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

St. Petersburg, Russia
[b]The Winter Palace[/i]

"The next item of business, I believe, is the new Afghan situation. This Ahmad fellow has gotten quite active as of late." Minister Kochubey ran a finger over the panel integrated into his desk, causing a map of Afghanistan, accompanied by Ahmad's profile, to appear in the center of the Ministerial Council room, "Our merchants on the border are quite upset that he's actually enforcing taxes in that area...of course, as most of the traffic goes through space this has had virtually no economic effect for us and has, thus far, been ignored."

"However, he seems to be...and you, gentlemen, will no doubt be quite shocked at this, succeeding in gaining some measure of stability in that god-forsaken dustbin of a state." The foreign minister paused, letting that sink in, "I believe that, in accordance with the Tsar's plans, now may be a good time to step in and...assist our dear Muslim friends. In exchange for certain considerations, we believe that their domestic production of opium could prove useful to us if correctly channeled, say, to India. Regardless of that, fortifying the Afghan state would provide us with a strong and, if this Shah fellow can pull it off, stable neighbor."

"The trick, Mikhail, is ensuring that he succeeds." Milyutin , the war minister, was speaking now, "I'm sure we both know the history of that place. 90% of the time it looks like they're going to do something with that power and they either end up dead at the hands of rebels or the victim of some British-run scheme to keep things unstable. It's how the region works."

"Of course...but, I believe, if we offered them some...financial assistance, perhaps, and, if they are willing to accept it, military supply and training, the chances of establishing a more permanent regime go up significantly."

"Such aid is expensive, Viktor." This was Aleksey Kuropatkin, the finance minister, "And without a decent space elevator, there is no economical way to deliver supplies to that area except shipping them in by land, in which case half of them will end up being blown up or hijacked. Or possibly eaten, God only knows."

"That place is a deathtrap for anybody in a uniform, in any case." Milyutin nodded, "The whole place is in an uproar from what I've heard."

Kochubey sighed, adjusted his glasses, and went on, "Gentlemen, I apologize for being so direct, but as I see it, the situation is quite simple. The Tsar has laid out an order that we are to strengthen and, hopefully, establish friendly ties with minor nations when possible in order to allow us freedom of action away from Sol. Quite honestly, Admiral Anjou's description of, and I quote, "A giant bloody space spider.' is unsettling enough without the consideration of whatever else may be out there. I, for one, do not want Earth to be vulnerable to such monstrosities. "

"So, my recommendation is quite simple." Kochubey spoke at a measured pace now, "We do what we can to ensure this Ahmad stabilizes his country. If it means sending in a battleship and leveling every mountain there, we will do that. The alternative is being eaten by spiders. I will issue my recommendation to the Tsar independently if I must, but I know that there are certain of you who's signature would expedite the process somewhat. Your assistance in this matter would be appreciated."

---

It was, shortly thereafter, that a dispatch was sent to Herat bearing the seal of the Tsar. It arrived in the hands of a courier on a vanship, the Russians considering courier to be the only effective means of transmitting messages in Afghanistan, at least without the British overhearing everything, with orders that it be delivered into the hands of Khan Ahmad Shah directly.

It was fairly brief, all in all, but its contents would no doubt elicit a great deal of attention in the Afghan court.

A Dispatch from His Imperial Majesty, Tsar Nicholas IX of Russia

Greetings,

Your recent endeavors to stabilize the Afghan country have come to our attention. We feel that it would be appropriate to inform you that this action meets with our approval and that, should you so wish, the Russian Empire will assist your government in matters of expanding its authority in whatever way you deem necessary. Our minister's initial assessment is that we can provide a loan of up to 10 billion silver roubles initially, and, once the region has become somewhat more stable, upwards of 100 billion silver roubles, while further dispatching military aid in the form of modern muskets, rifles, artillery and officers to train your soldiers and expand your own officer corps.

As a gesture of friendship in this matter, I have sent with this courier a personal gift for you, Ahmad Khan. A shashka manufactured by the Don Cossack Host to the specifications of their Hetman, in order to be suitable for a great ruler such as yourself. You will find it more than adequate as a weapon and suitable for dress occasions as well.

I shall look forward to your reply on this matter.

Tsar Nicholas IX of Russia
(Signed)

[The Golden hoarde]

The Khan and his Advisers were completely unprepared to receive communication from the Tsar. Long a figure that was held in a sort of superstitious awe by the Afghan nobles because of the sheer power he could rain down from the heavens if he so chooses. Of course the message and the shashka were received in a gracious manner, the Russian courier tended to by the Khan's own servants, and the utmost politeness was observed in public view. As soon as possible however the Khan retired to his private chambers with his most trusted advisers and tried to make sense of the Russian missive.

The Russian's out of the blue had offered to aid the Khanate. The loans they spoke of would be more than enough to bring the infrastructure that was lacking in most of Afghanistan into the modern era and the military assistance would ensure that the Muslims of the south were brought into line quickly and effectively. The downside was the inevitable debt. While the Khanate could produce very large amounts of Opium and the narcotics that came from the processed poppy the Russians would be sure to charge un-godly amounts of interest and the presence of foreign soldiers within the borders of the Khanate would be sure to rile up the hardliners and the elders.

The Khan effectively had no where else to turn to however, the King of France a man he had been sure would respond promptly had of yet not held an audience with the messenger he dispatched. Without this crucial ally and market in Europe the Russians and the British quickly would be able to return to their Great Game in Central Asia. Afghanistan was fiercely independent and the Khan knew that accepting the Russian offer would both make the Khanate appear weak but also incite rebellion amongst the fledging Nationalist movements as well as the traditional clansmen.

Trapped almost literally in a corner the Khan wrote a simple message to the Tsar to more or less stall for time,

A thousand greetings my friend Tsar Nicholas IX of Russia,

I thank you and the generous Russian people for their offers of aid. The Afghan Khanate is stabilizing under my leadership and while your offer is most generous we require some time to take account of the situation in the south that is most unfortunate. It is my hope that when the Muslim Rebels are crushed we can discuss your offer at length, until then I humbly ask that you maintain an embassy of sorts within my home itself which is ever open to the friends of Afghanistan.

With Humble Regards,

Khan Ahmad Shah

[OMGeverynameistaken]

A Dispatch from His Imperial Majesty, Tsar Nicholas IX of Russia,

Greetings,

Your hesitation is perfectly understandable, given the unfortunate history of our two nations, and it is natural that you should wish for time to consider this offer. In the hopes of accelerating this process, I have dispatched an emissary as of today to establish formal ties with your government. I shall look forward to his reports of progress, both on the political front and against your Muslim rebels.

On that subject, you will no doubt be pleased at the gift Mr. Skobelev has in tow. It is a relatively small gift, as such things go, but I have high hopes that you will have a use for it.

Signed,
Tsar Nicholas IX of Russia
(Signed)

---

Mikhail Nikolaivich Skobelev had, over the course of his long military career, earned a variety of nicknames. To his troops he was known as the 'White General', for his habit of wearing white armor, likewise his Central Asian troops called him 'The White Pasha'. To the Turks he was 'Bloody Eyes', known for his cruelty and brilliance in battle. General Skobelev had, and no doubt would be for some time, the Russian Empire's 'go to' man for Asia west of China. Amongst people who's respect was difficult to earn, Skobelev had earned it, whether the admiration of a successful general or the grudging respect granted a particularly tenacious foe. Even his worst enemies acknowledged that you did not want to anger Old Bloody Eyes.

Now he stood on the prow observation deck of the somewhat aged light cruiser Almaz, stripped of its green paint, Tsarist symbology, and ornaments, it was left with bare metal, flying a huge white truce flag from its lower masts. It still, however, fitted more cannons than many land commanders would hope to see in their lifetimes and, while lacking FTL capability, did just fine in the atmosphere, which was where the Afghans were most likely going to be using it.

The cruiser was to come down some hundred miles from Herat, the Afghan capital, and make a slow advance, notifying the city ahead of time as to its peaceful intentions. The Tsar, and the vessel's crew, were blithely confident that even if the Afghans tried something they wouldn't be able to scratch the vessel, even a Great War relic such as this would no doubt be able to repel anything the local goat herders could bring to bear.

Skobelev was, however, slightly annoyed. He had been hoping, when news arrived of a new assignment, that he would be sent to subjugate some rebellious khannate or other, for the Russian Empire featured many Khans under 'protectorate' status who, now and again, needed to be reminded of just how well the Russian Empire protected them. Usually this involved a corps heading into the region and setting fire to some garrison or other, maybe killing a few locals just to set an example, at which point the local lord would surrender and things would go back to normal.

But now, he was being sent to Afghanistan...a backwater among backwaters, between Kokand, Samarkand and Khiva there was much tension, but they all agreed that the crazy Buddhists of Herat were worse than any of their myriad squabbling Muslim rivals. A nation of goat herders, thieves, and rebels without a cause. The locals would apparently take any excuse to run off into the mountains and shoot at things.

But, apparently, this new fellow wanted to change all that. Skobelev wasn't averse to that idea. He had, over the years, found a few people of quality amount the Central Asians, and if this one wanted to civilize things a bit then he couldn't be too bad. The Tsar apparently liked him somewhat, since he was parting with one of his precious retired ships which had only been sitting in orbit around Mars for twenty years doing nothing.

It was common opinion, even among Russians, that the Russian army never threw ANYTHING away. Skobelev was not alone in his speculation that they might, some day, come across a cache of 1891 Mosin-Nagant rifles buried in a storehouse in Siberia somewhere.

He had his mission to attend, though, and Herat was even now coming into view, a splotch on the horizon, little more than a blurry patch of color amidst the blurry brown mess that was the country he was to establish this embassy with.

Assuming all went well and nothing was blown up, the Almaz would land just outside of Herat, with, preferably, the Khan somewhere nearby to receive his presents. Skobelev vaguely wondered if he would get the chance to shoot anybody.

[The Golden hoarde]

The appearance of a Russian ship within Afghan airspace caused first confusion and then panic as the citizens outside of Herat took this as a signal to get back to their homes and arm up for the invasion and the officials inside Herat knew what the civilians outside of Herat were doing. Quickly the Great Khan appeared on both the radio, television and even the ancient telegraph that still ran to some of the more isolated villages. His quick reassurances that the craft was on a peaceful mission were enough to hold the Militias at bay but it was touch and go.

Rapidly a transmission was sent to the ship, requesting that it land in a large field outside of the capital that was used for the Khan's personal VTOL skimmer that was used on occasion. While the Russian light cruiser, Almaz was a great, great deal bigger it still could probably squeeze onto the landing field. A better question would be if the Militia's formed when the Great Khan went out to the meet the Russians. Already though the people were placated when agents of the Khan's Court reminded them that it was the British who had officially occupied Afghanistan in the past not the Russians.

This allowed the Khan a bit of breathing room but as he went over the implications of this obviously well armed diplomatic mission that the Tsar had written of he lost his breath all together. The Great Khan had in the past had dealings with the criminal underworld and he could recognize a shakedown when he saw one. This massive display of force just to drop off an ambassador with another sword or some such gift was a thinly veiled Russian threat,that much was obvious. What kept the Khan guessing was the lack of any real demands outside of perhaps the offer to provide financial assistance.

That must be it. The Khan rapidly assembled the various Ministers who made up his court and together they voted to accept the first Russian offer directly upon meeting with the Ambassador. The Light Cruiser was anything but light and the arms it sported could probably destroy Herat, Kabul and Kandahar, not to mention the entire Afghan military since it lacked any anti ship weapons what so ever. This really forced the Khan's hand above all else and his ministers knew it.

What was worse is that to the south the Muslim Rebels knew it as well. Their ancient Radar systems couldn't help but detect the Light Cruiser, it practically fried all of their equipment with it's mighty green dot on the display. Their eyes lit up as the local sympathizers spoke of the Khan courting the Tsar's support. It would be the perfect tool to upset the delicate peace that had returned to Kandahar and the surrounding province. Helmed Province as well was ready to explode into violence as the First and Second Horde moved to replace the troops that had previously been based there.

Even as the Khan made ready to meet with the Tsar conflict reared it's head in the South as the Muslims made yet another go at pushing the Buddhist soldiers out. With their superior arms and Genetically Modified Horses the more mobile Afghan Soldiers could put down the Muslim rebels in any fixed fight. IEDs and snipers however could harass them until they were vulnerable. As the day turned to evening and diplomacy commenced in Herat, the short conflict in the south threatened to return to a small scale civil war unless the Khan could produce a weapon that could annihilate an entire city or make an example of a doomed fortress.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

The current crew of the Almaz had been selected from among both Afghani expats, all Buddhists of course, and various paid experts. These had, of course, been bought sparingly since they were not cheap and bankrupting the Afghani government with payroll requirements would simply not do. So it was that one of the spotters called up to Skobelev that they were creating something more than a minor stir amoung the populace of Herat. Skobelev, with some annoyance, waved a hand at the man, telling him to hold their course. The Khan had directed them to some field or other.

As the ship descended, three huge, stumpy, landing struts extended from the crafts ventral surface, sinking deeply into the ground as they made landfall and the ship's massive claudia engines gradually spun down. The ship, while not large by the standards of ships, was still some fourteen meters tall and three hundred long, enough to dwarf its surroundings. The hull had a rather rugged look, marking the ship as a veteran of many wars, and its lack of paint only highlighted this. The ship had an almost wild appearance, as if it had escaped captivity and wandered around the system for a while.

It was, shortly after the humming of engines ceased to be deafening, dulling to a mere roar, that Skobelev and his entourage descended via a ramp on the ship's side. Skobelev, in his trademark white uniform, accompanied by a pair of Russian marines, representing some of the few native Russians aboard. Skobelev's only visible armament was a saber, while the two marines bore rifles, although they held them shouldered so as to appear less threatening. Behind them were a handful of the ship's actual crew, who had, rather reluctantly, given up the traditional blue and white striped undershirts and uniforms in favor of surplus uniforms of unidentifiable origin. They all, except the Russians, bore a monogrammed 'A' on the shoulder.

Skobelev adopted his 'meeting the natives' pose as soon as he had touched Afghani soil, bowing and shaking hands where necessary, exchanging greetings easily in both Pashto and Mongolian. After a moment of pleasantries, he glanced around, seeking his target, and voiced a clear request, "I bring greetings and gifts from the Tsar! If any of you could be so kind as to direct me to the Khan I would be most appreciative."

[The Golden hoarde]

(OOC: OMG, too much posting today. This one is sub-par, I apologize to you.)

The Khan heard the Russian General's calls and his first thought was that it was it, the Russians were going to shoot him and the cruiser he had allowed to land would loose it's cargo of eager Marines to sack Herat. When he heard that the General had gifts from the Tsar suddenly he understood, the Russians would bribe and THEN threaten him. Finding his courage he waved to a servant who called out,

"Sir, the Great Khan is here!"

The Khan tried to sit a bit higher and took a long draw on his hookah. Blowing the smoke out slowly he waited for the Russian to stand before his seated form before waving him down to a comfortable cushion that had been made by the Ottomans. He took another drag before saying to the man,

"Please, before you deliver any gifts from the Tsar tell him that we shall accept his proposal as long as those who come to assist us and to collect the payment on the loans are Kazak. More shall be made apparent by a dispatch to his Majesty but for now that is all I can elaborate on."

He now sat and waited, the Emissary would speak his piece, the Khan would respond and then they would be done for the day. The Muslims in the south had given him a headache so he would probably invite the Russian to dinner tomorrow night or so in the hope that he recovered tonight.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

(OOC: S'alright)

Skobelev glanced over, smiling broadly, "Ah, your majesty, I had missed you there. Please forgive me, it's been something of a long flight." The Russian general bowed deeply, listening as the Afghan spoke, looking slightly puzzled before enlightenment dawned.

"Ah, I see. You have misunderstood our intent here, your majesty." He stepped aside, waving a hand at the vessel which towered behind him, "This ship and its contents are not here to intimidate you...no, indeed, they are the Tsar's gifts. Save for myself and these marines, this ship, its crew, and everything aboard it are yours, to do with as you see fit."

Waiting for the Khan to recover from whatever emotions this revelation caused, Skobelev went on, "Please understand, my lord the Tsar is an honest and direct man. If he wished to threaten you...well, let us simply say the threat would be very clear and forthright. I hope that this will clear up any previous misunderstandings."

[The Golden hoarde]

The Khan smiled. At least he wasn't discreetly getting a Russian fist down his throat. After he paused a fraction of a second however he found that either way Afghanistan would have to work many years to pay back the debt that he had accepted. Still, an entire ship for the Khanate. Just the thought made him feel incredibly eager as now he had what he needed to truly show the Muslims that he was in control. After a brief thirty second silence after the General revealed that the ship was for the Khanate the Great Khan nodded to the man and waved forward a servant who offered him a steaming cup of tea that had been heating on a small stove behind a silken screen.

The Khan smiled again and said,

"The Tsar is most generous. I can assure him his gift will be put to use as soon as possible to stabilize the situation in the south.It is good as well that the Tsar would respond directly, honest men are needed if we are to save the world from the Islamic Animals.I invite you General to attend dinner with me and select members of the Court tomorrow evening. By then I will have the necessary papers and such written to the Tsar. Now if you will excuse me I would like to speak with the Captain of the ship."

Stepping aboard the Great Khan accompanied by several members of the court sought out the captain to give him his first operational order. The Muslims and all of Kandahar would soon learn to listen to the Khan.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

"Of course, Khan. The Tsar has instructed me to pass on his well-wishes, and hopes that you can indeed achieve a speedy conquest." Skobelev accepted the tea, nodding as he drank, "Ah, but if you must go so soon, please note that the captain will be happy to give you a tour of the vessel. If you have never been aboard a modern cruiser, you will no doubt find its workings most interesting...as well as, perhaps, the contents of its cargo holds."

---

On board, the crew was arrayed in the ship's parade deck, a long, slightly wider than normal, corridor which served as an overflow ward for the hospital in wartime. The preparation for this 'gift' had obviously been somewhat hasty, there were several toolmarks along the length of the corridor marking where some item identifying the vessel as part of the Russian navy had been stripped away, or where some item which might have offended Afghani sensibilities had been removed.

White and blue naval uniforms, crisp and pressed to perfection, arrayed the deck, the black uniforms of a few officers were situated by the door. As the Khan entered, a bosun's whistle sounded and the crew snapped to attention, speaking in unison as they saluted.

"Welcome aboard, your majesty!"

Once this reception was completed, one of the officers, distinguished by his especially large bicorn hat, stepped forward, saluting the Khan a second time, "Captain Farhad Jamalzadah, at your service, your majesty."

[Soviet Anatolia]

“…and our old friend General Skobelev has arrived in the country this week, with an old warship and a contingent of troops.”

“They’ve sent Bloody Eyes?” Sultan Mehmed XVI raised on eyebrow. “How serious in the Russian commitment?”

“Not too serious, sultan. But I believe a Turkish presence might be needed. If not soldiers, then at least we can provide our Russian brethren with interpreters, as well as medics and observers to insure no harm comes to our Muslim brothers in Afghanistan.”

“The country’s a disgusting mess anyway,” Mehmed said dismissively. “We can’t make it much worse. Make it so.”

To: Tsar Nicholas IX
From: Sultan Mehmed XVI
My friend, I have heard of your recent venture in Afghanistan. While I cannot say I understand why such a glorious empire would spend its time trying to assist a country long since abandoned by all others, allow me to offer the assistance of the Ottoman Empire in your endeavors.

I offer translators to aid in communication with the locals, as well as soldiers should you request them. I shall also send medics to aid the civilian population and observers. While the people of that land are not the most enlightened, they are fellow Muslims and I am obligated to see that no undue harm falls on those who are merely peaceful servants of Allah.

Should you require any additional aid, merely ask.

(Signed)

[The Golden hoarde]

"Of course, Khan. The Tsar has instructed me to pass on his well-wishes, and hopes that you can indeed achieve a speedy conquest." Skobelev accepted the tea, nodding as he drank, "Ah, but if you must go so soon, please note that the captain will be happy to give you a tour of the vessel. If you have never been aboard a modern cruiser, you will no doubt find its workings most interesting...as well as, perhaps, the contents of its cargo holds."

---

On board, the crew was arrayed in the ship's parade deck, a long, slightly wider than normal, corridor which served as an overflow ward for the hospital in wartime. The preparation for this 'gift' had obviously been somewhat hasty, there were several toolmarks along the length of the corridor marking where some item identifying the vessel as part of the Russian navy had been stripped away, or where some item which might have offended Afghani sensibilities had been removed.

White and blue naval uniforms, crisp and pressed to perfection, arrayed the deck, the black uniforms of a few officers were situated by the door. As the Khan entered, a bosun's whistle sounded and the crew snapped to attention, speaking in unison as they saluted.

"Welcome aboard, your majesty!"

Once this reception was completed, one of the officers, distinguished by his especially large bicorn hat, stepped forward, saluting the Khan a second time, "Captain Farhad Jamalzadah, at your service, your majesty."

The Khan smiled and said,

"Captain, I would like you to set a course for Kandahar. We are going to show the Muslim rebels and the rest of their kind what happens when you invoke the anger of the Khan. I understand the weapons of this cruiser are such that the soil surrounding the city will not be tainted? Also the General spoke something of a tour of the vessel. Please delegate a junior officer to do this as you have a critical job sir. Bring this mighty beast of war over Kandahar and end this insurrection today!

It seemed that the Khan had an insidious plan. Kandahar would be made an example of by the newest and only vessel of the Afghan fleet. The city would be bombarded from the skies until the streets ran with blood and only ash and debris remained. The Horde's on the ground would aid the attack with mobile artillery and then a brisk combing of the ruins. The Muslims would learn that to resist the Khan was one thing, to halt the flow of Opium to the world, quite another.

They would pay for their crimes and then the Opium Afghanistan produced would once again flood the markets. With this currency and the new martial power given to them by their new "friends" in Russia things would start to look up in Afghanistan. Hopefully. The Graveyard of Empires though was anything but constant or predictable.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

The captain bowed, "Of course, O Khan. Lieutenant Nevin, forward."

A somewhat younger man, whose rank insignia designated him as a captain 3rd class, materialized at the captain's elbow, "You will show the Khan around the ship, Lieutenant." Jamalzadah gestured to the captain, "Captain 3rd Class Abdul Nevin, your majesty, my second in command. He will be your escort for the duration of your stay. If you have any requests, he will do his utmost to assure that they are satisfied. Lieutenant."

"Sir." Abdul saluted the captain, then bowed to the Khan, "It is an honor, Khan. Is there anywhere particular you would wish to start our tour?"

As he spoke, the captain stepped back several paces before turning to face another officer, presumably the third in command, "Lieutenant, prepare for liftoff. Sound general quarters."

"Crew!" the officer echoed, "Prepare for liftoff! Preparations for atmospheric travel, all crew will maintain battle readiness!" Somewhere a drum sounded, beating a tune to which all of these sailors reacted instinctively, while a speaker crackled to life, repeating the order once more to ensure that everybody got the message.

Crewmen broke ranks, scattering into doors and corridors, careful to avoid jostling the Khan or senior officers, while the captain, with a final bow, stepped into a passage marked 'BRIDGE'. Somewhere in the background, a distant rumble signaled that the ship's claudia drives had begun to spool up, and was soon accompanied by the groaning of several thousand tons of metal as it gradually escaped gravity's clutches.

---

A Dispatch from Tsar Nicholas IX, Emperor and Autocrat of Russia
To the Sultan Mehmed XVI

My Dear Cousin,

As you are no doubt aware, the Russian Empire has begun venturing far and wide in space, crossing the galaxy and venturing to stars where no man has gone before. In the process we have discovered the unsettling fact that not only are there many and diverse alien species in the great Ether, but many of them are exceedingly hostile, uncivilized and barbaric. These creatures would not hesitate for a moment to raze the whole of our beloved Earth, Russia and the Ottoman Empire included, to dust on a whim.

It is for this reason that we must work to ensure the survival of our species and our cultures through means which may seem impractical at first, going so far as to assist those nations which are ailing and which have historically been considered as uncivilized backwaters, in order to ensure that humanity as a whole is prepared for an eventual invasion of our world. We must hope that should such an event occur, that the leaders of the world will have the good sense to unite and defend our planet.

Regardless, any aid you may wish to offer in this endeavor would be welcomed, I am sure the Khan of Afghanistan will be pleased to receive further aid, for while the Ottomans may be Muslim, they have over the years earned a reputation for being accepting of religions other than Islam, tolerating those of different faiths with a remarkable ease which, I must admit, mystifies myself and many of those within the Holy Orthodox Church.

It may be wise, of course, to ask the permission of the Khan prior to sending any aid, however, for it is, after all, his own country.

Signed,
Nicholas V. Romanov
(Signed)

[The Golden hoarde]

The sleek yet destructive form of the cruiser slowly drifted through the atmosphere heading south. The city of Kandahar neared, it’s citizens assembled in the streets to gaze upon the star craft. The people had no idea of the importance of this day nor of how short their lives had just become. They mistook the appearance of the ship to mean that their Muslim Emir had finally claimed victory and now had acquired help from foreign powers. As the ship slowly came to rest over the city however they swiftly began to realize their mistake.

The hum of the canons being lowered to fire directly into the clustered city streets was the last thing many heard as the guns opened fire. Monstrous explosive charges detonated across the city blowing many ancient and holy Mosques, homes and shrines to little more than rubble in seconds. People were not even that lucky as those caught outside were shredded with shrapnel or blasted into oblivion. Those that survived emerged dazed and scared. Their family, their friends, their livelihoods, their city was gone. Only hell and fire remained.

The whinny of the Second Horde’s advance into the city some thought signaled help from the Khan but these grim faced storm troopers were not here to help. Their Genetically enhanced horses slowly trotted forward while they fired round after round from their linear rifles, the projectiles blowing massive holes in the unlucky civilians who were caught. Through it all the Emir refused to rise from his bunker until finally he too was killed by his own men.

The destruction was complete with the Second Horde circling around to purge the ruins a second time. The piles of dead were then arranged atop what high ground could be found. Those still alive were crucified and others still disemboweled before their family’s eyes. The Khan had finally crushed the resistance as the rebellious tribes swiftly fell into line for at least the time being. As night fell on the Afghan Khanate The Great Khan officially decreed,

“I declare this cruiser to be christened The Fist of Heart may she serve us well for eternity.

TO: Tsar Nicholas
FROM: The Great Khan Ahmed Shah
ENCRYPTION LEVEL: 2

My dearest friend,

The gift you have provided has been employed with desirable effect for the rebellion is completely crushed. I request that the aid we have agreed upon be sent to the Kandahar area to begin producing factories and plantations to begin the modernization of the Afghan Khanate. We shall in return prepare the first payment on the generous loans given to the Khanate as well as pledge our support to any Russian action that requires us.

Humbly,

Khan Ahmed Shah

[OMGeverynameistaken]

Tsar Nicholas IX of Russia held two messages in his hand, the first was a digest of the satellite information, as well as reports from informants in the area, about the massacre of Kandahar. The second was the message from the Khan. Both of these he held in his left hand while massaging his right temple and contemplating the table.

"It happens, Nicky." Minister Milyutin was seated before the Tsar's desk. He had read the report about Kandahar as well, and his initial reaction had been much the same, "We just gave them a bit too much, too quickly...One outdated cruiser for us is hardly a significant gift...most of the European monarchs would've been insulted by something like that, but for our friend the Khan...well, I don't think he even knows what space is, Nicky."

Nicholas sighed, glancing up at his friend and adviser, "I know, Dmitry. I should have seen this coming, though. I was overeager. I moved too fast."

"We'll know better next time. Besides, better the Afghans than the Americans or some other civilized group. At least with Kandahar going up in smoke the only ones who're liable to care much are the Ottomans. Europe will shrug its shoulders at the loss of a few Muslims and move on. Maybe the liberal rags in England will say some unpleasant things about us, but they'll mostly focus on the Khan, damned fool that he is."

"I can only hope...But to think they'd turn a warship on civilians like that! And did you see what they did afterwards? God, Dmitry, they act as if they want to bring back Attila the Hun."

"Genghis Khan, Nicky. They do fancy themselves the ancestors of the Mongols." Milyutin sighed, "We may be able to redirect their...desires, however. If they want to play Mongol, we simply have to get them to do it off of Earth. Write to the Khan, Nicky. Now that they've satisfied their need to kill things for a while, he may be more liable to listen to you."

---

A Dispatch from Tsar Nicholas IX, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russias
To Ahmad Khan of Afghanistan

Greetings,

We are pleased that you have taken to our gift so readily, and, indeed, employed it in a fashion so true to its purpose. I have made arrangements on the financial fronts for the first loan to be made available to your accounts as soon as possible, and will arrange for the dispatch of military officers and equipment at the date most convenient to you.

On the subject of military action, if it pleases the Khan, I have a small tidbit of advice which you may find of some interest. If Afghanistan wishes to join the congress of Earthly nations and be recognized as a great power, it is vital that restraint be show in military conquest. It is certainly appreciable that the siege of Kandahar was a long and stressful affair, but massacring the civilian population, whatever possible result may come from leaving them alive, will engender no good will to your government and will only deepen the perception already so entrenched in the psyche of many Europeans that Afghanistan is an uncivilized, barbaric, backwater.

I urge you to consider this as your ally. Russia will defend Afghanistan, but should a large coalition form against your state there will be little even our armies can do, especially should a large Muslim uprising begin.

Signed,
Tsar Nicholas IX
(Signed)

[-Poland-Lithuania-]

Polish-Lithuania had just been granted Semi-Independence, acting as a protectorate of the Russian Empire. Polish Commander Lech Adamski entered Saint Petersburg, he wanted to show his temperment to his Russian cousins, he wanted blood. Poland couldn't ascend to the stars with much effect as of yet and couldn't properly sustain herself. In fact, Adamski arrived with one of Poland's only stellar military vessels Cruiser PCCS Lech Kacwynski, most of the small Polish Navy were decommisioned Russian naval vessels that could still put up a fight, with Polish touches.

He would request to anyone, even the Czar if he had to, for Poles to fight. He knew that those Afghan rodents could not be trusted, he knew that the only way to fight this was with the sword, not with the pen, and he held this belief unquestionably....

[Soviet Anatolia]

To: Great Khan Ahmad Shah
From: Sultan Mehmed XVI
My cousin, I grieve at the news from Kandahar. Such actions are the stuff of the past, and I must say the massacre of the local Muslim population is distressing to me personally and the majority of the Empire. While I do understand your desire for a rapid end of the siege, the method by which you gained this quick resolution are methods best left behind.

However, I still offer the aid of the Sultanate in your endeavors. I offer translators, medical professionals, and military aid should it be required in the service of uniting your country. I also offer some material aid, mainly that of building materials and the such for the development of infrastructure.

(Signed)

[The Golden hoarde]

TO: My dearest cousin Sultan Mehmed XVI
FROM: The Great Khan Ahmed Shah of the Afghan Khanate
ENCRYPTION LEVEL:2

My cousin, I hope this message finds you in good health.

I too grieve at the death of those who lived in Kandahar but their rebellion threatened to overthrow all of which I have created in Afghanistan. Order and life would be replaced with chaos and insanity as those butchers ravaged the Khanate like the Muslim rulers of old. Though I do see reasons and vow that in the future innocents shall be spared if they surrender.

In regards to aid from the Empire I would both be pleased and honored to host your men as they helped up turn the lands of the Afghans from that of a backwards state into a modern nation. The Fist of Heart was a large step forward but now we must build schools, farms, cities, factories and other things that shall bring Afghanistan forward once more.

Kathyayini has blessed us in war but you my cousin must aid us in peace.

With Kind Regards,

Ahmed Shah

[The Golden hoarde]

To the Tsar, master of heaven and earth
From: His loyal servant and friend The Great Khan Ahmed Shah
ENCRYPTION LEVEL:3

Tsar Nicholas I and the people of the Afghan Khanate express our gratitude to the Russian people and to you for your aid. The massacre of Kandahar was necessary albeit horrendous business though in the future such events shall be avoided on that you have my word as a Hindu.

The people of Afghanistan have begun to heed my word as that of their rightful sovereign now and I can attest to their eagerness to aid their newfound Russian friends in the fires of battle. As such I offer military aid if it pleases the Tsar.

-Khan Ahmed Shah

The sudden attention his state had received made the Khan more than proud. The Afghan Khanate had rather suddenly emerged from being a silent backwater into being a recognized nation. While still not powerful by any sense of the word the Khan could feel his nation growing as the days passed. As the smoke from the factories of the south began to pour forth and the creak of the new Afghan industrial capacity echoed like the roar of a lion he felt it.

Smoking a long hash pipe and sitting in his drawing room he felt linked with his prior life as Gengis Khan. For had he not already conquered this land and made the entire world tremble in days long past? He had this he was adamant about. As he took another long draw and gazed upon a map of both Sol and Terra he softly chuckled for the days of Mongol domination would one day return. Of that he was certain.