1937: Kaiserreich (IC)

[Garwall]

City of Rome
Kingdom of Italy
Mid-morning
February 5th, 1937

"Four more arrests this morning; all on capital offence charges," the Lieutenant reported as he filed away a stack of folders--all stamped confidential. The Colonel lounged at his desk, a cigarette hung limply from his fingers. "On what charges?"
"Treason--what else?" The Lieutenant shook his head, removing a cigarette and a small matchbox from his pocket. "Dissenters", he muttered, sparking the cigarette alight.

For the past four years, the level of discontent had slowly risen in the streets of Italy. Socialist peasants and rabble-rousers, during the Conflicts of 1930 nearly plunged the Kingdom in to anarchy--if it was not for the end of hostilities in Ethiopia, some say Rome would have fallen to the Socialist rabble by the end of December. While strict economic control measures were able to slowly nurse the Italian economy to an even keel, particularly by heavy demand from the Italian military to produce enough munitions to keep the Greeks, Africans and Socialists in check. But the cracks were beginning to show. As grain prices steadily risen throughout the last four years, wages have fallen. The people were losing faith in their mighty King, Victor Emmanuel III.

The thunder of a telephone ring flooded the room, at which point the Colonel immediately picked up. "Hello," he barked brusquely in to the line.
"Hail Colonel. Your report for his Majesty is ready." The officer, without another word, ended the phone call and stood from his desk. Ashing the cigarette, he called to his attending Lieutenant. "Come, it is ready."

----------------------------------

The King was poorly dressed for his position. He sat in his high office chair, a hastily-buttoned military uniform with no medals or ranking insignia. Hearing a brief rap at the door, he turns to the front of the spacious office. The door swung open, to reveal the Colonel flanked by his associate Lieutenant. Two pairs of finely-polished boots clicked together, as both officers snap their hands to attention, forming the basic Roman salute to their King. "Your majesty, if I may--the report on our current status of combat readiness for the Royal Army is ready."

The years had taken their toll on the aging Monarch. With reports of firebombs in Naples, kidnappings in Milan and open resistance in some areas of the isle of Sicily--the Italian throne had never faced such a threat. He nodded, "Go on, then."
The colonel nodded to his subordinate, who moved forward and deposited a booklet on to the desk of Emmanuel III. As he was flipping through the pages, the Colonel provided his own summation.

"We believe that our recent... Re-organization of the military's command structure will help us be ready for any future unrest that can threaten the stability of the Monarchy. Divisions are in the process of reassignment, and will begin transferring to new bases and positions closer to population centers, to ensure a rapid response time in the event of mass... Unrest."

The King nodded, a grave look on his face. "I hope it does not come to pass that such actions are necessary." The colonel nodded in agreement. "I must warn you, your Majesty--I have taken a look at some of the finance reports--they are not quite finish yet, but from what I have seen, coal production is down... Once again. Without a steady flow of resources, our state factories will not be able to keep the Army supplied. We are already rationing the supply to the public--without a new resource stream, we will not be able to sustain a declining economy and maintain order."

"So then we turn our barrels on ourselves, or out to the world," Victor said wistfully, eyeing a map carefully inserted in to the handbook. He paused for a moment, appearing sullen, before shaking his head. "We cannot go back to the Germans for more bonds... But something must be done soon." He turned his gaze to a nearby calendar. The 20th festival of the Great victory was soon at hand. Perhaps there was still time to speak with the Germans--for the alternatives bode no benefit for anyone involved.

[The Rimworld Remnant]

USSR, Moscow, Moscow Kremlin|Early Morning, Medium Snow, February 5th, 1937

Josef Stalin was sitting on a chair near his trusty old desk, he was reading the latest newspaper. "Caucasus at Risk, Ottomans the Reason." the General Secretary droned in his mind. Then he read another headline, "Swedes, Dangerous!" he droned mentally. His thoughts were interrupted when a man came in. "Some papers for you Mr.General Secretary Josef Stalin." said the man. "What kind of papers?" Stalin said absentmindedly, "And please don't call me that, call me Sir Josef Stalin only.", "Fine fine Sir Josef Stalin." said the man, "Anyway, we got some arrests, six of them, all on capital charges Sir, all occurred on the Swedish and Ottoman borders.", "What kind of capital charges?" Josef said, raising his eyes towards the man. "Treason, as usual of capital charges." replied the man, "Such is the dissent on our borders, don't you agree sir?", "Yes, pretty much..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that day...

Josef Stalin was now reading and studying a map, a strategic map to be exact. It was all about the invasion of the Ottomans. First, they would capture Crimea and the areas nearby, then they would cross the Caucasus mountain range, then do a speedy siege run that would take all of Anatolia, then after that, a large amphibious invasion to Istanbul, then siege, and lastly, the treaty. Ottomans would cede the areas of Ukraine, Crimea, and the Caucasus. And this war would only cost a mediocre amount of human resources! And the rest will be used to protect against any allies of the Ottomans.

[Narintia]

London, 1937

''Sire, we have completed the printed copies of War Plan C for tommorows House of Syndicalists meeting.'' ''Good.'' Oswald replied. ''Make sure to go over every single copy for mistakes.'' ''Yes sire.''

The next day...

''So, you have completed the plans of war?'' a Syndicalist asked. ''Please show them to us.'' ''Very well.'' Oswald said. He made a single with his hand. A few seconds letter, 30 butlers came in. ''Hand the booklets to all of them.''

Thud. A purple book landed on each table. Thud. A black one. Thud. A green one. Finally, with a large thud, a red book fell.

Each one contained a war plan.
War Plan Purple- the invasion of Canada.
War Plan Green- the invasion of India.
War Plan Black- the invasion of the Ottoman Empire.
War Plan Red- the invasion of Germany.

'' We've had word about the USSR launching a invasion of the Ottomans, so War Plan Black can contiune swiftly on.'' ''We should establish a formal alliance with the USSR. The Socialist Bloc, agasint those damn imperialists.''
The votes were recieved.
90% for each.

[Mangjukoia]

大日本帝國
昭和時代
皇紀二五九七
昭和六
二月 / 如月
春
七日
Greater Japanese Empire | Shiyouka Period | Imperial Year 2597 | Shiyouka 6 | Second Month / Changing Clothes| Spring | 7th Day

Tokyo, Japan, Greater Japanese Empire
Kantei Building
Prime Minister Monmaro Kinei stared out the window of his office, the sound of nothingness in the leader's workplace. So far, all his thoughts were being focused on the current situations at hand. Only one situation stood tall on his desk, territorial expansion. So far, the use of proxy armies were successful, especially with the use of the Mongols, taking Chahar and establishing the state of Mengjiang, another puppet of Japanese expansionism, with much more activity on their side of the border. While open war with China in regards to this was an option, it was not the best, with Japanese interests in Southeast Asia grew with every passing moment. Recently, the Japanese ally, Siam, and a region of interest, Indochina and the Philippines, had been overtaken by China. While at the moment, it was not the most favorable position, it gave Japan a new approach.

Around the capital, everything was going along peacefully. Men and women went to work, children went to school, and the Japanese Empire stood firm. Included to all this was military society. Children at schools were taught how to wield bayonets and rifles, men and women were persuaded to perform routine exercise at home and the work place. Most of the industrial workers worked in military factories, building aircraft, tanks, and rifles. The Japanese worked impressively, under the slogan of '富国強兵', or 'Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Armed Forces', which led its emergence as a large power possible.

Under all the peace however, was the struggle of the Army and Navy. The Army, which had undermined civilian authority, was not one to be stopped by the influence of the civilian government. The people in the government, especially Monmaro Kinei, counted on the Navy to restrain the Army from its aggressive designs, as the Navy had the many influential individuals, who they even had influence in the army. So far, the army had been restrained from rash actions, however, the damage was done, and Japan continues onwards.

Army | Navy Technical Bureau
At the Technical Bureaus, the newly designed monoplane fighters of the navy and army, the A5M and Ki-27, went into the air months ago, the With these newly crafted fighters, another was already being prepared to take their place. The designer of the A5M would be present in their design, of a fighter, by designated specifications; calling for a speed of 600 km/h and a climb to 3,000 m in 3.5 minutes. With drop tanks, an endurance of two hours at normal power, or six to eight hours at cruising speed. Armament consisting of two 20 mm cannons, two 7.7 mm machine guns and two 30 kg or 60 kg bombs. A complete radio set was to be mounted in all aircraft, along with a radio direction finder for long-range navigation. The maneuverability was to be at least equal to that of the current A5M, while the wingspan had to be less than 12 m for use on an aircraft carrier. All this was to be achieved with available engines.
Elsewhere, the army saw need for an up-gunned tank with better armor, already finding inadequacies and short comings with their current tank, the Type 2597 Chi-Ha with its low-velocity gun, compared to their contemporaries. A new tank was being designed to conquer these short comings. This was to be dubbed, the Chi-He. Essentially, the tank was just the new high velocity 47mm gun on a new chassis based on the Chi-Ha. Able to penetrate the armor of the BT series, their Soviet contemporary.
The navy was also putting something out, however was of secrecy to the public eye, especially to those of watchful nations, where only engineers and high level naval officers could know. The large behemoth of a ship, being designed under the strictest of secrecy, with papers misinforming the planned specifications, with even the punishment of death to those who reveal what went on there. By official documents, it was something along the size of the average battleships, but truth, known only to the top engineers and top naval officers, had it larger than anything ever devised.

[New Los Angelos]

March 1937, Serbia

A new uprising has been declared in Serbia: this time it is socialist. Despite the obvious choices, it is clearly not being funded. Otherwise we would have fallen. But despite this, the Serb nationalists have to be handled with utmost care. Previous uprisings killed are Tsar, and started the Great War. If we want to get anywhere, we will need allies. The Ottomans and us have had an alliance stretching back to the Great War, but they are spread thin throughout the empire and it's client states. We will need to rebuild our alliance.

(Image)
To China, Gran Colombia, and the Irish Free State
With this dangerous world, i propose an alliance. Dangerous groups are growing. From the nazis in Sweden and America, to the Socialists in Britain and Russia, we are trying to remain. So I propose an alliance between are states, to keep these radicals in check. I believe we should prevent the independence movements in Ireland and Serbia, and prevent expansion of the socialist states. Otherwise, we may become the Irish SSR, or the Chinese SSRs, or the Bulgarian SSR. This calls for military treaty.

[Verbond]

Batavia, 1937


Joel sat in his office, thinking. He was thinking about Germany. Would they accept his alliance proposal? He opened one of the draws of his desk and pulled a box of matches and a box of Verbondese Cigars. He lit the cigar and went back to thinking. Several minutes later he heard a knock on the door. He shouted "come in". It was his secretary, Sijbrand Olberink. Sijbrand said "Sir, General Verbeeten is here".
"Let him in" Joel replied.
General Verbeeten walked into the room
"President!" (Said like nazis would say sieg heil) General Verbeeten saluted (an army salute, not a nazi salute).
"General" Joel said impatiently.
"I have a list of potential invasion plans sir!" General Verbeeten hands Joel a selection of files.
"Sit General" Joel ordered. The general sat on one of the 4 leather chairs that were in Joel's office. Joel looked at files. They read: The Philipines, Malaysia, Australia, Ceylon (Shri Lanka).
Joel picked out Malaysia and handed the rest of the files back to General Verbeeten. "Slowly begin mobilising the army, it must be a surprise".

[The Rimworld Remnant]

The Bulgarian foreign ministry scrambled, with what appears to be a scrambling of the Russian armed forces near Crimea. They are sending a message to the Ottomans, in an effort to prevent socialism from spreading to our borders

For the Bulgarian Empire:

The Tsardom of Bulgaria
Great Ottoman Empire, we have discovered a dangerous plot. We have sighted what appears to be Socialist troops on their way to Crimea. I will prepare my troops, if you agree. I can also attempt to call in the Verbond, although they will not be very helpful. We also believe it is in our best interest to ally with an Asian and American power. Perhaps the Japanese and Americans would be interested.
From,

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister Alexsandr Kovach

Despite our bravado, we are not extremely powerful. The militarily is busy fighting Serbian rebels, and the Italians are a constant pain. The army is to be expanded immediately, lest we fall to the Soviet menace.

OOC: Dude, that plan is secret...

[Arvenia]

Stockholm, Sweden, GSR

Swedish soldiers parading on railway in Stockholm

The GSR was a great power, both militarily and territorially. It was founded after the NSSWP won an election in 1930 and made it into an authoritarian state. Many parties such as the Social Democrats were banned and many minority groups from ethnic groups to social groups were totally persecuted by the GSR. The GSR maintains a secret police known as Hemlighetspoliset (HEPO) or Greater Swedish Secret Agency. The Sami people, Slavs, homosexual people, Jews, communists and feminists were the most oppressed of all the "undesirables". Stockholm is the capital of the GSR. The GSR is hostile towards resistance groups and Russia, while trying to form relations with the German Empire, the victor of the Great War.

Northern GSR
There is an ongoing purge of Slavic people in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Murmansk and Finland. The purge was made to get rid of Slavs in the Greater Swedish Realm. They were supporting communism, which is, according to NSSWP, a threat to the GSR. The purge may result in killings of many Slavs who do resistance against it.

[New Granadeseret]

Islambol, Capital of the Ottoman Caliphate

"Presenting to his Sacred and Imperial Majesty, Sultan of Sultans and Khan of Khans, Al-Raham II Emir of Greater Darfur, Isa Khan of the Crimea, Osman Ali Nizam of Hyderabad, Naxal Nizam of the Bengal Sultanate, and Sadiq Muhammed; Nawab of Bahawalpur and Sacred Salat-Elect of the Mug̱ẖliyah Union." The herald called out over the docks, as the five men from the different corners of Ottoman dominion walked down the gangplanks of their ships, approaching the high, draped podium on which Abdülmecid II sat: holding up an arm in welcome. Only a few decades prior, all these men would have hardly been allowed to do such a thing: being subjects of the Briton and Muscovite Empires, and if they had they would have entered a city called Constantinople, which while thriving would have looked like an absolute antique compared to the London, Paris, or St. Petersburg. Yet now, only twenty years after the end of The Great War (Or The Great Jihad, as it was known fondly throughout much of the Muslim world), had seen a great golden age settle upon his family's ancient empire... the city blossoming once again in a second tulip age. Where their hand once been mere artisans shops, the high smokestacks of industrial progress towered among the city beside the palaces and minarets, streetcar lines laced the city where once men had to depend on foot or horse-drawn cart, and the Dersaadet Securities Exchange buzzed with a life a life only surpassed by the Berlin Stock Exchange and Wall Street... the electrical ticker visable from all over the city showing the stock price of the Ottoman Petroleum Exploration Corporation having risen another 2% today. Over 4 million people graced its streets, making it the 5th largest city on the planet after the devastation visited on London, Paris, and St.Petersburg: a large number of whom made up the crowds surrounding the procession of the Caliph's client rulers, providing them and their honor guards with a path of red, green, and white to their destination: one at a time ceremonially bowing to their sovereign to re-affirm their loyalty.

Only a shadow to the people behind his Egyptian cotton curtains, Abdülmecid II reached down to take a long sip of the Yemani coffee that sat at his side, and placated his hunger with Azeri grapes. Indeed, this entire structure was a dedication to the reach and wealth of the Ottoman Empire... or, as many of the more pious in the Conservative parts of the Empire were frequently starting to call it, merely the Dar-al Islam. Oh, the Orthodox Georgians and what remnants of the Armenians had survived the dark ethnic nationalism of the CUP might complain... but the ideals of Islamic Unity were truly what had transformed the Empire from the weak, near-collapsed state it had been in during the first years of the 20th century and transformed it into the stable, thriving state of today. Other nations might follow the Western notions of ethnic or linguistic states... but before him stood proof that such ways were not the only route to success. For, at the procession ended and the client rulers and their men stood in line, the crowed rouse up in a celebratory cry: whether in Urdu, Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, Dakhini, Bengali, Tartar, Chechen, or any number of the minor languages of the Empire, all saying the same thing: There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah, the Sultan is the Successor of the Prophet! The phrase warmed his heart as he stood up, waving the happy and loyal crowds: everybody looking up to the podium enlaced with both Arabic and Indian design motifs.

Of course, his immediate subordinates were arriving in the City as his guest to the Bi-Centennial of the end of the Great War in Berlin; recognizing them for their roles in rebellion against their colonial oppressors and the final destruction of the British Empire and Russian monarchy. Despite no longer being allied, the Sultan still kept warm relations with the Kaiser, and could hardly thank him for the aid he'd provided to his brother's troops during The Great War and his decisive role in shattering the Frankish-Briton Crusaders. And that was in addition to the great pressure by both the German and Ottoman corporate communities; the driving engine of any healthy capitalist economy, who continued to work to tighten the two's business connections. After all, had it not been German capital that had helped propel the Ottomans onto the fast track of industrialization, and Ottoman raw materials that provided the fuel for the factories on the Rhine and the fertilizers that helped giver Germany self-sufficiency? He could hardly turn down such an invitation... the Berlin-Basra express already being supplied and prepared for their trip to the German capital; through their ally in Bulgaria and friends in Austria-Hungary, avoiding the potentially dangerous waters of the Western Mediterranean or the need to pass through the English Channel... where the risk of Franco-British attacks was a possibility

Closer to home though, the British; shorn of an Empire in Africa and thus having nowhere suitable for supplying an extended campaign from, were hardly deemed a threat... but the Soviets, looming in the cold lands to the north, were an entirely different beast entirely. The Muscovites remained a threat under what was an Empire by another named, the "Socialist Republics" ruled by the dictatorship of Ioseb Jughashvili (Though the man insisted on acting tough by renaming himself "Stalin", no self-respecting Georgian and by extension Ottoman subject would use such a Russian name for one of their territory's sons). There was a bitter irony to it... that a man who had once studied to be an Orthodox priest and would have lived under one of the few Theocracies of the world had he indeed remained in the nation was now the most powerful purveyor of atheism on earth. And the fact that he continued to be one of the not on good terms with the Caliphate holding Muslim peoples in bondage made a showdown almost inevitable. It was only a question of WHEN the communists decided to strike... but the long-standing hatred had given the Ottomans time to make it their most important front. Not to mention, the value of the Caspian oil wells made protecting such a region important regardless. Naturally protected by the Caucuses mountain ranges and defended by Ottoman fortifications... distinctly similar to the network developed by German troops during the First World War, the bravery of the local North Caucausians who'd long resisted Russian tyranny, and bolstered by the Ottoman 2nd Army headquartered in Grozney... the Empire was fairly confident in its ability to hold out against initial attacks and force the Communists into a meatgrinder.

Of course, they were not the only issues... the anarchy and warfare between micro-states that had embraced Sub-Saharan Africa since the fall of colonial empires and continued Dutch oppression of their co-religionists in the East Indies being only a handful of political worries they needed to handle. But now was not a time for fretting and fear... now was a time for feasting and celebration, and hope for continued prosperity and success to come, as the Caliph began down from the podium... stepping into his car for the ride back to Dolmabahçe Palace and the festivities that awaited him there.

To: The Civilized and Dignified Governments of the World Of Sufficient Means and Stability (Being The German Reich, Kingdom of Italy, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kingdom of Bulgaria, Iberian Union, Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Empire of Japan, and Empire of the Qing)

From: His Sacred and Imperial Majesty, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor to the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Sanctuaries, Suzerain of The Khanate of Crimea, The Emirate of Greater Darfur also known as The Sudan, The Bengal Sultanate, Hyderabad, and those Princely States united under the banner of the Mug̱ẖliyah Union, Abdülmecid II of the House of Osman

Peace be upon you all in this most notable of seasons, in celebration of the end of The Great War and two long decades of peace between powers in Europe and Asia since then . However, we are sad to see that this blessing has not spread over the face of the earth as the those same years have see the dissolution of those laws and structures established under the terms of the Berlin Conference, which has brought anarchy and war between the tribalistic micro-states and warlords of the region. As a civilized nation we do not see it fit, nor should you, that such disorder, death, and slide back from civilization and into barbarism be allowed to continue to the determent of the African peoples. In this, we applaude the efforts of the Kingdom of Italy, Iberian Union, and at the risk of our own successes in Greater Darfur/Sudan... but recognize the fact that their is much work still be done.

Therefore, in recognition of the changes in the world since the Berlin Conference, both in terms of International Law, the powers-that-be, and the state of Africa, we propose the drafting of a new set of rules for the legitimate establishment of order and authority on the continent, and would be honored to host such an effort in Suez: as a symbol of the possibility of elevation in Africa to the standards of industrial Civilization and as the gate between the European and Asiatic Words.

[Vichtander]

Seomra Faisnéisiú, Baile Átha Cliath Thuaidh (Dublin)

Poblacht na hÉireann

The days were only growing colder in Ireland, where the 1st Dublin Corp had been stationed in North Dublin in preparation for another drill in the case of an attack by the Free State forces. The roads to South Dublin have been barracaded around just about every corner, and men were rotated in shifts to keep watch on the other side of the roads. The commandant of the Corp, Eoin MacNeill, grew nervous of the situation, due to the fact that there had been high tension ever since the armistice was signed.

It was still early in the morning, around 07:00 AM GMT -0, so General Eoin wasn't expecting a letter to arrive for another hour. Contrary to his inference, a man of average height and stature quickly walked into the briefing room where Eoin was preparing the plans for the day. "Sir, I bring word from General Niell. He has requested that I inform you that the drill will begin today at 12:00 PM GMT -0. He has already dispatched the 2nd CE Division to keep the border secure to the west. In addition, he has dispatched twelve reconnaissance balloons to observe the area. The information package is due to be dropped here at 10:00 GMT -0. I wish you well, Slán leat." Before he had time to respond, the messenger had already left the room. Immediately after hearing the news, the general had already began writing down plans for the drill that lies ahead. Before he knew it, it was 08:00 AM GMT -0 and the bugle call, Múscail, began. The camp became alive, with men dressing and officers inspecting in only eleven minutes. Four minutes later, the bugler made another call to address the officers to the briefing room.

It was now 10:45 GMT -0; it was now time to begin the preparations for the drill. The information package had revealed that there would be little to worry about a suprise attack from the Free State. The total time that would be estimated for the drill to initiate was only fourteen minutes. The general was sure that the fuel would last throughout the entire drill. It was now 11:00 AM GMT -0 and the 2nd CE have completed their assignment on time. It was time to set out. At the sound of several bugles, the Corp of around 12,000 men of the 1st Dublin Corp were now stirring and scrambling, but in an organised manner, to defensive placements all along the border around and in Dublin.


Teach an Uachtaráin, Baile Átha Cliath Thuaidh (Dublin)

Poblacht na hÉireann

09:00 GMT -0
Prime Minister Ardan Carney sits in his office as he writes letters to several nations and their respective leaders

To: Kaiser Wilhelm III of The German Empire
From: Prime Minister Ardan Carney of The Republic of Ireland

Greetings, from the land of Eire old friend. As you may have heard, we wish to unite the Irish people and oust the English puppets from the island of Ireland. As a nation, and as a close friend, I ask of your assistance in this ordeal that we are going through. In return, should a war be incepted between you and an adversary, we can assure that you will recieve support, perhaps both militarily and humanitarian. However, I do wish to develop a scientific partnership with you so that we may share our advances in maritime and aviation development as well as our advancements in agriculture. So long as the men of Europe are true to their faith and word, prosperity will come to our people. Slán chara d'aois, agus Dia bheith in éineacht leat.

Ardan Carney

To: Tsar Boris III of The Kingdom of Bulgaria
From: Prime Minister Ardan Carney of The Republic of Ireland

Greetings, from the land of Eire old friend. As you may have heard, we wish to unite the Irish people and oust the English puppets from the island of Ireland. As a nation, and as a close friend, I ask of your assistance in this ordeal that we are going through. In return, should a war be incepted between you and an adversary, we can assure that you will recieve support, perhaps both militarily and humanitarian. However, I do wish to develop a scientific partnership with you so that we may share our advances in maritime and aviation development as well as our advancements in agriculture. So long as the men of Europe are true to their faith and word, prosperity will come to our people. Slán chara d'aois, agus Dia bheith in éineacht leat.

Ardan Carney

[New Los Angelos]

To: The Civilized and Dignified Governments of the World Of Sufficient Means and Stability (Being The German Reich, Kingdom of Italy, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kingdom of Bulgaria, Iberian Union, Kingdom of Scandinavia, the Empire of Japan, and Empire of the Qing)

From: His Sacred and Imperial Majesty, Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, Commander of the Faithful and Successor to the Prophet of the Lord of the Universe, Custodian of the Holy Sanctuaries, Suzerain of The Khanate of Crimea, The Emirate of Greater Darfur also known as The Sudan, The Bengal Sultanate, Hyderabad, and those Princely States united under the banner of the Mug̱ẖliyah Union, Abdülmecid II of the House of Osman

Peace be upon you all in this most notable of seasons, in celebration of the end of The Great War and two long decades of peace between powers in Europe and Asia since then . However, we are sad to see that this blessing has not spread over the face of the earth as the those same years have see the dissolution of those laws and structures established under the terms of the Berlin Conference, which has brought anarchy and war between the tribalistic micro-states and warlords of the region. As a civilized nation we do not see it fit, nor should you, that such disorder, death, and slide back from civilization and into barbarism be allowed to continue to the determent of the African peoples. In this, we applaude the efforts of the Kingdom of Italy, Iberian Union, and at the risk of our own successes in Greater Darfur/Sudan... but recognize the fact that their is much work still be done.

Therefore, in recognition of the changes in the world since the Berlin Conference, both in terms of International Law, the powers-that-be, and the state of Africa, we propose the drafting of a new set of rules for the legitimate establishment of order and authority on the continent, and would be honored to host such an effort in Suez: as a symbol of the possibility of elevation in Africa to the standards of industrial Civilization and as the gate between the European and Asiatic Words.

To Abulmecid II of the House of Osman
Of course we will, Sultan. I am willing to send soldiers immediately to the new states of Chad, Gabon, Congo, and the rest of French Equatorial Africa, if you believe it will help. However, I have other ideas. The small duchy of Poland will inevitably be conquered by the USSR. I will be willing to send forces to either.
From, the Foreign Ministry of the Bulgarian Empire

[Garwall]

Somewhere in Italian-governed Macedonia
Slightly after midnight
February 9th, 1937

The darkness was punctured by the tiny blaze of light of a match just outside of a small cottage, set among rural Macedonia. "W-why are you doing this!?"
"I thought I told you to shut them the hell up," called the man with the match. Raising the fire to his lips, he lit the cigarette in his grasp and stepped through the doorway of the cottage. Such a shame, the man with the fire thought as he entered the building. Brand-new construction--just in 1936 as a part of settlers from Sicily received a government bond to relocate. He stopped and pondered for a moment, before shrugging.

On the floor were three men, and two women with one of each gender markedly older than the others--a family, he thought. The older man--the father--continued to shout in Italian at the men. Nearby a man aimed a rifle at the family. The man with the fire tutted, before drawing a pistol from his belt and firing a single shot in to the man's chest. "Just do it, already," he said in Bulgarian to his accomplice. He exited the building once more, and traded the pistol for a whistle. He blew it three times, and turned back to the building behind him, frowning. "I don't hear gunshots, you useless fucking--"

The report of a rifle cut him off, followed by another--and another, and another. He went back in to the building, satisfied. "About time." The man holding the rifle looking shaken, but turned to the man with the fire. "What was that whistle?" The man with the fire again switched his whistle for the weapon in his pocket. "Don't worry, it's nothing." Before the man with the rifle could reply, he was shot three times in the chest, slinking back towards the wall. The man with the fire approached him, "I hope you had your fun shooting Italians, but soon we'll be returning you barbarians to the fold."

The man with the fire stepped out of the building, and reached in to his opposite pocket taking out a bundle of flyers, inscribed "A Free Macedonia" in Bulgarian. He finished his cigarette as he watched a black cargo-style canvassed truck approach. As the vehicle comes to a stop, a slew of armed men exit the vehicle. Over the hill was a small hamlet of cottages, where which many residents were stirring from the gunfire. As the approached, The man with the fire stepped gracefully on to the vehicle, as it lurched forward, returning to the road. He raised the flyers to his eye momentarily, smirking, and released them over the village. He watched for a moment as the men creeped towards the buildings, opening fire unannounced on the men and women exiting their homes, in a sleepy daze. He shuddered, turning to make his way to the driver. "Get us out of here. I want to be back in Rome before they run out of papers."

---

Royal News Agency of Italy

Italian Settlers slaughtered in Macedonia, body of Bulgarian nationalist found among dead!

Attention, citizens of Italy and the world! It has been discovered that early this morning, in the Balkan lands of Italy's recent resettlement programs to allow Italian citizens to acquire lands in Greece and Slavic lands--a massacre had occurred. A small village of Italian pioneers have been killed, their houses burned, with the only signs of a perpetrator being a slain man that was not of the village's inhabitants--a known Bulgarian nationalist, Peter Antonov was found dead in a house with a family of innocents, who managed to fight back in some capacity before being corralled and executed.

This morning, the Office of the Prime Minister announced it intended to look in to this with the fullest extent of its powers. Meanwhile, the desk of the Italian Social Fascist Party denounced the lack of actions on behalf of the government and called upon the monarchy and the people to act to ensure the safety of Italians.

Overseas, military units being stationed in the area were put on alert, and Italians are advised to arm themselves if possible.

In Rome, crowds were sighted gathering throughout the city, with many supporters of the Social Fascist Party in the streets protesting the actions of the government, some even breaking off and were sighted attacking those walking in known non-Italian neighborhoods in the city.

[The Rimworld Remnant]

Stockholm, Sweden, GSR
(Image)

Swedish soldiers parading on railway in Stockholm

The GSR was a great power, both militarily and territorially. It was founded after the NSSWP won an election in 1930 and made it into an authoritarian state. Many parties such as the Social Democrats were banned and many minority groups from ethnic groups to social groups were totally persecuted by the GSR. The GSR maintains a secret police known as Hemlighetspoliset (HEPO) or Greater Swedish Secret Agency. The Sami people, Slavs, homosexual people, Jews, communists and feminists were the most oppressed of all the "undesirables". Stockholm is the capital of the GSR. The GSR is hostile towards resistance groups and Russia, while trying to form relations with the German Empire, the victor of the Great War.

Northern GSR
There is an ongoing purge of Slavic people in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Murmansk and Finland. The purge was made to get rid of Slavs in the Greater Swedish Realm. They were supporting communism, which is, according to NSSWP, a threat to the GSR. The purge may result in killings of many Slavs who do resistance against it.

USSR, Moscow, Red Square|Midday, Medium Snow, 1937

General Secretary Josef Stalin was preparing for a declaration about the recent purge of the Slavs due to the GSR. Their brothers, purged due to the belief of a ideology. He was now on a podium, "My people! Have you known, that our brothers in our old lands have been killed! Purged! And the reason behind this is they just believed in our ideology! This insolence I do very much hate!" said Stalin, to the great rage of the people listening to him. "But do not worry! This will stop soon, due to us! And us alone! For we are Slavs." said Stalin, with a grin. "And thus, I declare this, a condemnation to that pitiful nation, and sanctions against them!" said the General Secretary, to the joy of the people listening him. "Not only that, the purges of the Slavs that is, but there are also the purges of many innocent people of another cultural group! The Sami peoples!" said the Russian ruler, to the rage of more people, especially Sami people who were listening to his at that time. "And I, I truly promise to you my people, that I, shall stop this insolence..." concluded Josef Stalin, with a smile, a sadistic smile, as he thought of purging the GSR.

[New Los Angelos]

---

Royal News Agency of Italy

Italian Settlers slaughtered in Macedonia, body of Bulgarian nationalist found among dead!

Attention, citizens of Italy and the world! It has been discovered that early this morning, in the Balkan lands of Italy's recent resettlement programs to allow Italian citizens to acquire lands in Greece and Slavic lands--a massacre had occurred. A small village of Italian pioneers have been killed, their houses burned, with the only signs of a perpetrator being a slain man that was not of the village's inhabitants--a known Bulgarian nationalist, Peter Antonov was found dead in a house with a family of innocents, who managed to fight back in some capacity before being corralled and executed.

This morning, the Office of the Prime Minister announced it intended to look in to this with the fullest extent of its powers. Meanwhile, the desk of the Italian Social Fascist Party denounced the lack of actions on behalf of the government and called upon the monarchy and the people to act to ensure the safety of Italians.

Overseas, military units being stationed in the area were put on alert, and Italians are advised to arm themselves if possible.

In Rome, crowds were sighted gathering throughout the city, with many supporters of the Social Fascist Party in the streets protesting the actions of the government, some even breaking off and were sighted attacking those walking in known non-Italian neighborhoods in the city.

We find it horrible the actions the Macedonian-Bulgariab committed, and we fear there is a worse plot. A socialist rebellion in Serbia (which borders Macedonia) is occurring, and we believe the two are linked. We will send troops into Macedonia and Serbia to investigate and defeat the socialist menace.

We are overjoyed to work with you, Ireland, and will send troops by the end of this year. May your land be cleansed of the British puppets

[Garwall]

Official Communique of the Royal Ministry of International Relations of the Kingdom of Italy



To the esteemed nations of the World;

In light of recent attacks on Italian settlers in Balkan lands such as Macedonia, the dangers that Italians face beyond the peninsula and predominantly Italian lands has been showcased to the world and all its inhabitants. To ensure the protection of all Italians and all peoples underneath the rule of the glorious Kingdom of Italy, His Royal Majesty King Victor Emmanuel III has decreed that all current re-settlement programs are to be FROZEN until further notice; I.e. it is once again deemed safe for Italian re-settlement.

In the meantime, the regional governments in Greece and Albania have reached an agreement with the Grand Parliament of Italy and military governors to further integrate both populations with the Italian populace. New worker programs will be implemented to allow unemployed and under-employed minority ethnicities to seek housing and employment in mainland Italy in crucial industries such as steel production, coal mining and manufacturing.

Due to the known complicity of Bulgarian nationalists in the recent attacks, all Bulgarian nationals in Italian territories are to have their travel rights temporarily REVOKED and are advised to report to authorities to seek housing and further instructions. Ethnic Bulgarian citizens are to refrain from traveling and to stay within their homes for the time being. A curfew in all Ethnic Bulgarian neighborhoods and regions of 9PM is to be strictly enforced until further notice. Additionally, any interference of foreign governments (including that of the state of Bulgaria) in the affairs of Macedonia or Serbia are to be restricted until an official investigation may be completed by the Italian military stationed in the Balkans.

TO: The dignified government body of the esteemed Ottoman Empire
FROM: The Office of the Royal Ministry of International Relations of the Kingdom of Italy
ENCRYPTION: Moderate

Dear esteemed counterparts of the glorious state of the Ottoman Empire,

Due to recent circumstances in the Balkan territories of the Kingdom of Italy, the Italian government will be unable to contribute resources at this time towards the reorganization of African states for the goodwill of their people--as our own people are under fire from extremists within our own borders. However, we are pleased to support such actions and will provide advisers and diplomats to participate in such an event.

As a member of the European body of states that possesses African possessions, we feel that the Italian interests on the continent must be viewed with respect and dignity. Despite our long-standing friendship, the interests of others states and those of the Ottomans must not be pushed above those of our own, or else steps must (and will) be taken to ensure the proper defense of Italian colonial interests.

[Venachuwenshi]

Occupied Lithuania

Many non-violent protests had been occurring through the Baltic States, Poland and Konigsberg, and in particular these protests were centralized around Lithuania. More than 2,000 people marched through the city of Vilnius, waving the banner of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, not paying attention to police who told them to stop. Some more people were joining in as well, chanting the phrase "The Baltic identity will not perish! The Baltics will return, the Baltics are our surest lands! Lithuania is great!" They spoke either in Lithuanian, Latvian or German.

The same kind of event was taking place in Krakau in Poland, and several other major cities in the occupied German Baltics. The people were not happy about German rule, many of them could not understand their German administration's language, nor did they particularly adore their new leader.

[Arvenia]

Helsinki, Sweden, GSR
A wonderful day in Helsinki. The former capital of Finland was really rebuilt three years after Finland was annexed violently by the GSR. However, Finns were considered to be undesirable due to their non-Germanic heritage. Their flag and culture is overshadowed to promote Swedish nationalism in Finland. So there, Swedish-owned shops in the city were vandalized and looted. They were even set on fire. The Swedish military can't figure it out who did it, but the government urges people to blame it on Finnish nationalists because the police discovered a Finnish flag waving outside one of the vandalized shops. The Swedish government stripped Finns of their rights and wealth, forcing them to live in poverty and curfew. Finnish-owned shops were shut down and the Finnish language was banned from being spoken in public. Finns were forced to speak Swedish and pay amount of money for the damages to the shops.

Stockholm, Sweden, GSR
A big book burning occurs in Stockholm, hosted by the Swedish government. Many books written by feminists, pacifists, communists, Catholics, Finns and Jews were burned. They even threw the Finnish flags into the fire.

Murmansk Peninsula, GSR
Russian-born families in the Murmansk Peninsula had to be deported to the USSR by Swedish authorities due to GSR's anti-Russian agenda. Those who resisted deportation were gunned down and either buried, thrown into sea or sent to USSR in boxes. Many Russians fled to the woods to stay in the peninsula.

Åland, GSR
A military base was set up in Åland to train Swedish citizens, both male and female, to join the Greater Swedish Army and the Greater Swedish Navy.

[Venachuwenshi]

Balkan Resistance Movement

Reports of a mass immigration attempt by Finns trying to flee occupied Finland into the Baltics have been increasingly growing ever since they were annexed by Sweden. It is believed many of them have become supporters of the BRM, whom of which is beginning to operate in Finland and parts of occupied Russia such as Karelia and Murmansk. The amount of immigrants to the Baltics numbers about 30,000 so far, who have attempted to leave Swedish Finland.

They take as many possessions as they could with them - some even violently assaulting the Swedish border security who attempted to stop them, some packing bolt action rifles, pistols and survival backpacks. Some just went with food and spare clothes - it was shown that all Finnish walks of life wanted to leave or rebel against Swedish rule.

[Arvenia]

Stockholm, Sweden, GSR
While the book burning was ongoing, Storledaren (Great Leader) Eric Degerman was in the podium and spoke to the public. His speech was also broadcast on television and radio.

"Dear Swedes, we have today gathered to burn books that offends our culture and religion. We have today accomplished a goal, to unite what's left of Scandinavia. Iceland is left, but we will handle it peacefully. Many Slavs, mostly Russians, are still settled in our realm, despite we don't want those red pigs who had tried to destroy our country for many years. We must from this moment on fight on to defeat communism, pacifism, feminism, Judaism, Catholicism and homosexuality. We see that we are the biggest and superior of all people in the Aryan race. We shall kill those who disagree with us and offend our way of living. Purify yourselves and defend yourselves until the days you die. Long live Sweden! Long live Sweden! All hail the Griffin!"

People cheered and applauded. Eric then left in his car. King Gustaf V looked down on the speech in television at the palace, calling it a "lie".

Eastland, Sweden, GSR
In Eastland (formerly Finland), many Finns who tried to immigrate were shot down and arrested by Swedish authorities. Many arrested were tortured, since their travel rights, including the right to immigration, were revoked by the government among other rights.

Karelia, GSR
Many Swedes began settling in Karelia to Swedenize (make something Swedish) the place. However, in Kalevala, 30 Swedish settlers were killed by what was presumed to be Karelian nationalists. With rise of Karelian nationalism in the region, the government took all rights and wealth from Karelians and forced them into poverty and curfew.

Iceland
Two GSN fleets, each led by a battleship, moved towards Iceland with an ultimatum, either join the GSR or face violent consequences. The Swedish government had pressured Iceland into joining the GSR since 1936.

[Arvenia]

Stockholm, Sweden, GSR

Storledaren Erik Degerman

Great Leader Eric Degerman met with three officers from the Lightning Detachment (BA for "Blixtavdelningen"), the paramilitary wing of NSSAP. They discussed about communism, deportation of Slavs in northern GSR, killings of Swedish colonists in Karelia and relations between Sweden and Germany. They all agree to send messages to both German Empire regarding the relations and USSR regarding the deportation of Slavs.

To: German Empire
From: Greater Swedish Realm
Dear Kaiser Wilhelm III, we were friends in the Great War against Russians and Britishmen. We felt we are "Aryans", masters of all pure white Germanic people. But we Swedes are the superior Aryans. Anyway, we should have a meeting to discuss about the USSR and the future of our relations due to our different ideologies and way of living. We are threatened by communists and nationalists like those in the Batlic region. We must stay strong, together and alone. We must survive until the final days. We must fight against those scum to every price and every cause. Say what you like, Kaiser, when shall we met?

Hälsning, Storledaren Erik Degerman

To: USSR
From: Greater Swedish Realm
Dear Joseph Stalin, we are not killing your people, we want to deport them back to your state. They are not pure "Aryans", but dirty "undesirables". We shall not fight each others unless it is due to your defeat in the Great War and a "false treaty" two years. We say it is because you and they are Slavic, not Germanic like me and my people. Please, recieve these deported Slavs, so we can get over this and stay away from the "Sami Question".

Hälsning, Storledaren Erik Degerman

Iceland
Armed vessels from the two fleets began moving to circle Iceland. A military officer on one of the leading battleships, Vice-General Henrik Stenmark, came up with the idea of invading Iceland instead of bombard it with cannons. He sends a request to the Swedish government. The ships began arming their cannons and aimed at Iceland. Many Icelandic fishing boats were either forced back into Iceland or ultimately be bombarded by the cannons. No Icelander can ever leave Iceland due to the GSN surrounding the lone nation.

Russo-Swedish Border

Swedish soldiers deporting Russians back to USSR

Over 100,000 Russians in Murmansk were deported back to USSR despite resistance to it. Many Russians hated communism and were afraid that their anti-communist behavior would be exposed to the Soviet government. Many Swedish troops deporting the Russians didn't care at all. They just told the Russians to shut up when the Russians whined. Many Russians were slapped or shot if they whined too much. Swedish troops also carried boxes containing flesh from Russians who were killed for resisting deportation and put them on horses. They quickly left before Soviet troops could arrive.

Ådalen, Sweden, GSR

Protesters marching on a road

In Ådalen, a large protest broke out in a weapons factory owned by Bofors AB, a weapon manufacturer of Swedish origin. The workers protested against low salary and mistreatment in the factory by their superiors. They waved red flags. They were supported by Finnish immigrants who came to Sweden during the Finnish Civil War, Russian immigrants who came to Sweden during the Russian Civil War and the Communist Party of Sweden alongside the Communist Youth, the youth wing of CPS, the Communist Women, the women's branch of CPS, and the Red Front, the paramilitary wing of CPS. The owners of the factory were supported by Bofors AB and loyal workers known as "strike breakers". They also gained support from the Swedish government, the Swedish military, the Lightning Detachment, HEPO, Svenska Ungdomen, the youth wing of NSSAP, and foreign volunteers from the German Empire. The protest lasted for about 6 hours before something happened. Captain Nils Mesterton of the GSA ordered the troops to blockade the path of the protesters, since the Swedish government ordered anyone on the strike breakers' side to not kill any protester to cause less outrage in USSR and communist communities. However, the Lightning Detachment didn't care and when the GSA blockade was broken through, so another blockade must be done, the BA officers hid in grasses with pistols. They waited for the protesters to come by, so they can shot the protesters to death, effectively ending the protest for good. Nils Mesterton ordered GSA troops to search for the disobeying BA officers. However, 20 minutes later, the protesters arrived and the BA officers fired their pistols, killing 12 people and wounding 4. The protesters really began to split up, while some began fighting with the strike breakers and the Swedish soldiers. A riot between the protesters and the strike breakers ensued, while Swedish soldiers tries to break it up. Nils Mesterton got into a quarrel with a BA officer behind the shooting.

Captain Nils Mesterton: "Why the fuck did you shot the protesters?! I said no bloodshed on behalf of the government!"

BA Officer: "Because the blockade was useless and the protesters were communists!"

Captain Nils Mesterton: "I don't give a fuck, you and your colleagues broke the rules!"

BA Officer: "Fuck off, pacifist swine."

The BA officer left, much to Nils' disappointment. The protesters were arrested and sentenced to hanging for the protests, while the BA officers were tried for causing bloodshed, despite orders from the government. The Swedish government, Swedish military and HEPO loses trust in the Lightning Detachment. Arne Ljung, the leader of BA, is accused of planning the shooting and having connections to communism, since he was once a Social Democrat prior to 1930. The Swedish government announces to cut off ties with BA later on.

[Venachuwenshi]

Baltic Resistance Movement, Vilnius

Dominykas Fetingis appeared in Vilnius today - the proclaimed capital of occupied Lithuania - and began giving a speech, to the people of Vilnius.

"Lithuanians, Estonians and Latvians - Polish and even Germans, too! It has been an incredibly long time that the people of the Baltics have had their identity shredded by the German Second Reich, who took away our identity. The Russians who took away our identity!"

He began with, the crowd of several thousand cheering for him across Vilnius.

"A long is twenty years! We have children who have grown up under occupation from the Germans now! This is UNACCEPTABLE!"

He shouted angrily, smashing his fist against a wooden desk which had part of his script written on it.

"A cloud of embarassment has reigned over our nation for such a long time now. Ever since the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth fell, Lithuania has been a constant subject to abuse by our previous Russian rulers - and now we are owned by the Germans. We will be ethnically cleansed in time, if we do not declare Lithuania an independent state - no matter how small!!"

The crowd started cheering and applauding.

"The state of the Lithuanian Commonwealth will start here, in this city of Vilnius! We will be the ones to liberate what we deserve from the people who have abused our ethnicity for so long - the Russians and Germans!"

Resistance fighters in Vilnius begin fighting the German police forces violently, many Lithuanian resistance fighters having possession of a handgun or hunting rifle. Much of the population of 600,000 in Vilnius was also in uproar and motivated by Commander Dominykas Fetingis's speech, throwing rocks, soil and dirt at German police. Even the children of Lithuania in Vilnius were shouting abuse and disrespect at German police with their mothers and fathers.

To: Emperor Kasier Wilhelm lll, Germany/2nd Reich. Written by and From: Dominykas Fetingis, Lithuania. You may have heard of the riots in Vilnius today. I am the instigator of these assaults on your policemen, the one to light the match on the gunpowder you left sprinkled over our land. I have a request - all Lithuanians have a request. Throughout living history, Lithuania has been abused by the Russians, and now you. We want independence, and to be restored to our former glory. Nobody in the Baltics will be working at their hardest for the Germans unless we have our own state declared. Specifically - we want the entire Baltics back under our control - and then we will be happy. It is incredibly unethical that you had decided to keep Lithuania under your rule, despite the people's protests always going on. We want a free Lithuania - the lands we want include Estonia, Latvia, and the lands the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had owned in 1569, before we were enslaved by Russia. I cannot promise it, but hatred in Lithuania to all Germans will be ceased immediately if you decide to give us these lands. The people want to be free. They want their ethnicity to have a place of their own. We are enslaved, yet we are smart. We are not animals. Freedom. Is mandatory. Nemokama Lietuva!

[Arvenia]

Iceland
The Swedish government gave the GSN permission to invade Iceland. However, they can't bombard within 8 hours. They must wait until the Icelandic government knows what is actually going on. Also, they have to wait until Swedish foot soldiers arrives in boats. No soldier is in the fleet yet, just admirals and non-armed sailors. It could take days or the GSN should leave Iceland. The pressure is useless, according to some GSN personnel.

Stockholm, Sweden, GSR
Eric Degerman was prepared for the visit to the German Empire. But he has one thing to do, purge the BA with a replacement. He and a group of BA defectors secretly forms a replacement for the BA called the Protection Squad (SS for "Skyddsskvadet"). They plan an operation against the BA and followers of the left-leaning Colonel Gregor Strimmer called Operation Hummingbird. They had the meeting for hours before being done planning the operation and the diplomatic visit. They plan to dissolve the BA and execute it's members through the operation, giving BA two days to be active before it's violent dissolution.

[The Rimworld Remnant]

USSR accepts refugees with open arms!

Ever since the GSR's purges started, many refugees of Finnish, Sami, and Russian descent fled to the USSR's border towns and villages, with some being communist and some are not. No matter what, the Socialist States will still accept them. However, people who cause rioting, will be sent to the Gulags.

OOC: Josef Stalin is more friendly in this timeline.

[Alsheb]

Republic of Azad Hind

Berlin, Deutsches Reich

Subhas Chandra Bose walked into the Imperial Palace at a brisk pace, making his way to the reception room where the Kaiser of Germany was awaiting his guests. The celebration of the twenty year victory of the Central Powers. The allies of India.
And he, President of Azad Hind and Respected Leader of India, was personally in attendance to celebrate this occasion with the son Kaiser Wilhelm II, India's most valuable ally during the war.

Twenty years had passed since the end of the Great War, the conflict that had claimed so many lives and had shaken the very foundations of the world, swiping away the old order in favour of the new. A new order, in which the sunset had finally arrived over the "Empire where the Sun never sets", as the British were so fond of calling their colonial feats.

Bose had only been a young man when India had finally shaken off the shackles of British rule, but he had been an active member on the foreground of the struggle. At the young age of seventeen, Bose had joined the Indian National Army back in 1914, and had been baptised by fire in the streets of Calcutta, where the tricolour had been flown for the first time. Orange, white and green, the colours of Free India. Or Azad Hind, as was called in Hindi.

There too, Subhas Chandra Bose had first encountered the agents of the German Reich, who on behalf of the Kaiser came to assist in the Indian independence struggle in order to cripple the colonial order of the British imperialists. Sure, the Germans had their own colonial empire in Africa in which the population also suffered under a European bootheel, but for India itself, the German support had been invaluable.

With logistical, material and even direct military support of the Reich, the Indian National Legion had succeeded in driving the British out of nearly all of the Indian subcontinent by the end of the Great War. With exceptions being made for the Islamic parts of the British Raj, which agreed to become part of the Ottoman Empire, all of India was finally unified in 1919 under the Republic of Azad Hind.
The young Subhas Chandra Bose, having achieved the rank of Captain in the army by this time, went on to a political career in the All India Forward Bloc, the Socialist wing of the Indian National Congress. And ultimately, in 1933, he had ascended to the helm of his proud independent nation, leading India into the future.

Now entering the room in which the Kaiser and the other foreign delegations made their attendance, President Bose officially greeted the leader of Germany with the German military salute.

"Greetings, Your Highness. May blessings be always upon thee.

On behalf of the Republic of Azad Hind, allow me to express that it is an honour to attend this joyous occasion in the capital of India's friend and ally."

[Garwall]

Berlin, Deutsches Reich

Prince Umberto of Italy listened intently to the words of the representatives of Azad Hind, keenly eyeing their delegation. He always had an interest in the story of India--a massive subcontinent, ravaged by its own diversity and plundered for its exotic goods over its countless years as a subjugated state. But with the Central powers bringing liberty and empowerment to the down-trodden peoples of the world, they had nothing to fear--at least so it seemed.

When the Indian delegation took their seats, Umberto rose gracefully, inclining for a slight bow to the German leader. "Greetings, your grace--My father, His Royal Majesty King Emmanuel III of Italy--sends his regards to the glorious German state. With dangers at home, he has sent me in his stead to attend such a wonderful event. May the German and Italian people continue to prosper with the friendship of one another, for all time," he raised his hand in salute, and gave a bright smile to the crowd around him.