Apocalypse: 1936 (PT/IC)

[Monsone]

Kronshtadt

"For the revolution! For Lenin!" Shouted sailors as they readied themselves to take Petrograd.

The Baltic Fleet had mutinied once again. Marines and sailors had seized Kronshtadt and now they wanted to make on the second largest city of Russia and the birthplace of all revolutions in Russia, Petrograd. The only force capable of countering the sailors would be the ex-Red Army forces in the city as well as the ex-NKVD forces. But even then they had been unwilling take on the sailors in Kronshtadt. This could be an all out revolution.

The sailors and marines boarded various small vessels and headed towards Petrograd. They flew the old Soviet flag and sang the Internationale. Upon reaching Petrograd, they where met with no opposition, so the sailors marched on into the city. Soon after they reached the Winter Palace. There they entered the palace, marched up to the very top and removed the Russian flag from the flag pole and repalced it with the Soviet flag.

"Comrades! Today is a new day! We shall purge the government of traitors! We shall restore the Soviet Union!" Shouted a sailor.

"Ura!" Shouted the rest of the sailors.

"I think I can see the punny capitalists coming!" Shouted a sailor as he began to lauch at the site of two police cars.

"They think they can arrest us?! March on them and arrest them!" Ordered the head sailor as sailors that had guarded the entrance to the Winter Palace marched over to the arriving police officers and arrested them.

It would seem that Russia was soon to have problems once again. Revolution in Petrograd was a realit once more, and it scared Stalin, Kerensky, and Kolchack that their new Russia could possibly be undone so quickly. So as panic ensued in Moscow, and revolution in Petrograd, the rest of Russia was eerily silent.

[Dahyan]

The Nation of Islam

Office of the Supreme Minister
Chicago

Elijah Muhammad listened to Harry Haywood, and a twinkle appeared in his eyes. The CPUSA politician's proposals were even more advanced and closer to the mark than he had ever dared hope.

"Dear brother," the Minister said with a smile as soon as Haywood had finished his proposals.
"I cannot express in proper terms the joy I feel hearing the wisdom of your words. Indeed, the liberation of our race is of the utmost importance to the future of this continent. And while our Nation is ready to fight tooth and nail if we have to, we prefer this liberation to take place in a peaceful way.

As you know, the Nation of Islam has never meddled in electoral politics of the United States, quite simply because we consider the US to be a colonial power that holds our people in bondage. But it seems that God has granted us this historic occasion to cause a ground-breaking shift in the political system of this United States, one that God willing will result in a state for the Black people of America.

I agree with you on these upcoming elections, you know. After giving it extensive thought and spending long times in prayer, I do believe that either the Communist Party or the New Revolutionary Party could be the path to our salvation, a dam against the predations of Democrats, Republicans and fascists alike.

If such an alliance of the CPUSA and the NRP could be pulled off, it would greatly increase your chances for victory. And in such a case, the Nation of Islam is willing to specifically call on our members and the Black American population in general, to vote for said coalition. As well as to provide aid and support to the rallies and manifestations that accompany such an electoral campaign.

In fact, we have already received word from Mr. Butler that the NRP is supportive of the Nation of Islam's demands, and is willing to lend us support in our quest. So I believe that the coalition you suggest with the NRP will be absolutely possible, and will present an historic occasion for our people.

If you give us your word that the Communist Party will also put its weight in the scale to help achieve a nation for the Black race on American soil in the case of your victory, the Nation of Islam will stand behind you.

[Beutarch]

Jerusalem
Ye'ev Jabotinsky

---

The situation in Germany was a disaster. A number of state entities and NGO's had already committed resources to extracting refugees from the rapidly collapsing German polity, but Hitler's second putsch had thrown many contingency plans into chaos. Many such plans involved ferrying refugees over the Swiss border, after which a variety of options could be taken to get individuals from Europe to Israel. With Bavaria firmly under the Nazi jackboot and much of Baden-Wurttemberg rendered inhospitable by French bombs, costly detours had to be taken to deliver the refugees safely out of the country. Austria was a strong option. Considered the weakest of the Central Powers, after the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had busied itself for much of the war on the Eastern front. Since the ruinous collapse of the Soviet Union, the Austrian military became entangled with the Italian army in the Alps. Jabotinsky hoped that their focus would not change.

After Switzerland and Italy, it would become necessary to transport the immigrants via sea. The Irgun and the Haganah, prior to its integration with the IDF, were in possession of a number of civilian vessels suitable for transportation. The Israeli Navy, however, was nearly nonexistent. A handful of patrol craft formed the entirety of the IDF's presence on the water. The bulk of Israeli's maritime might is contained within the Royal Navy's squadrons at Cyprus and Egypt. Similar to their Army counterparts, they are chronically under-supplied and undermanned by the British government, prioritizing other fronts. Consequently, both units receive the lion's share of their ammunition and fuel from Israel. Unlike the army, however, the chief Admiral of the Royal Navy in the region felt no obligation toward the Israeli government.

Under any other circumstance, Jabotinsky would have tapped Orde Wingate to convince his countrymen to offer their support for the exodus of German Jews. Lacking meaningful contact with the people and land of Israel, the sailors of the Royal Navy had maintained their sneering imperialism. Wingate, who was generally held in high regard, was much derided by those offshore. A more permanent solution would have to be implemented, in regards to Israeli's maritime power, but in the mean time, Jabotinsky had arranged a meeting with the Admiral assigned to squadron in Cyprus.

The officer arrived in Jabotinsky's chambers shortly after noon.

"Welcome, Admiral Wilkes. Have you heard of Germany?"

"Prime Minister," the man nodded simultaneously in greeting and confirmation. "The news should be cause for celebration, the Democrats or Communists, or whomever the hell comes out of that mess on top won't have the stomach to continue the war. Our victory will soon be at hand," he continued.

"Perhaps. The Kaiser may soon be dead, but I doubt Hitler or Rhom or any of the other demagogues will have any intention of ending the war on the loosing side. Regardless, that is not why I wished to speak with you today. The German conflict has already proved to be a far bloodier affair than we had anticipated, for my people."

"Ah, yes. Highly unfortunate, the situation in Bavaria."

"Unfortunate is an .. incorrect way to frame the conflict. I prefer 'horrific,' or 'barbaric,' something to that effect," the Israeli replied, contemptuously.

"Barbaric, then, as you say."

"My government intends to provide safe harbor and transport for the refugees, and we require the support of your squadron."

"That would be highly irregular usage of assets of the Mediterranean fleet, I cannot in good conscious agree to such an operation without the consent of my superiors..."

"Admiral. You are permitted to sail about the Mediterranean as you see fit, in accordance with the war effort. There are no on-going campaigns involving your ships. There is hardly an enemy presence in this region. There are, however, potentially thousands or tens of thousands of individuals who require transport from the Continent to our shores. I posit that you strongly consider this operation. Israel will be quite thankful for your service."

"I will consider the potential merit of this venture. I will return my answer within short order. In the mean time, I have other pressing matters to attend to."

With that, the man exited the room. Left alone, Jabotinsky ensured that the door was firmly shut, before returning to his desk. He picked up the handset of the phone on his desk, dialling a number known by a small number of his inner circle.

"You are speaking with the Directorate of the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations"

"Ensure that the Admiral grants his support to the Aliyah."

"It will be done, Prime Minister."

The line went dead. The Mossad had grown in size since Jabotinsky's ascension to executive office. The Institute had become the scalpel with which Jabotinsky cut through dissenting members of the Knesset, disappeared Arab paramilitary commanders and, more recently, "encouraged" certain British exiles to take action on behalf of Israel. The methods that the Institute may deploy were of little concern to Jabotinsky, only that the ships and their officers fell in line when the time came.

---

Berlin
Karl Ismail Reiss

Since Hitler's power grab in the South, communication with Ibrahim had ceased. His last messages had been short, but inflexible in their meaning and demands. Reiss was to join the Strassers' Freikorps, and masquerade as a soldier. The message was accompanied with a disassembled bolt-action and a pair of fatigues and boots suitable for a member of the paramilitary organization. Besides vague allusions to other Israeli agents in the organization, Reiss was left with the memory of previous conversations to guide his course of action.

Shortly after their first meeting, Reiss met again with his contact. Dressed in full Arabic finery, he was quite the sore thumb in an otherwise normal Berlin cafe. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, Ibrahim felt no need to censor himself in the public space. He spoke to Reiss of the groups which were most likely to make a power-play during the upcoming weeks. Hitler felt most comfortable in Bavaria, while the Kaiser and other moderates drew much of their support from the West. Also in the West, however, loomed the Strasser brothers. Though not supportive of Hitler, their followers were similarly antagonistic to the state's Jewish population. They were an obstacle to be removed, such that the moderates and Leftists could consolidate their position in the West and focus their efforts on the Hiterites in the South.

Confident in his mission, Reiss left Brandenburg, following the autobahn south - to the stronghold of the free regiments of the Strassers.

[Monsone]

Moscow

"They did what?!" Kolchack shouted.

"It's called a revolution, and Petrograd has fallen. The army units in the area have surrendered to the rebels, and the Baltic Fleet is firmly under rebel control." Stalin replied.

"God, can't your people not revolt for a day?!" Kerensky shouted at Stalin.

"Can't you not cause a rebelion for a day?!" Stalin shot back at Kerensky.

"Are we going to try to solve this damn crisis or what?!" Kolchack shouted as he slammed his hand on the desk.

"Of course are going to!" Kerensky snapped.

"And who will we?! Tell me you geniuses!" Stalin shouted at Kerensky and Kolchak. "I suggest emergency powers for cripes sake! Send in the army!"

"No, we need to listen to their demands and atempt negotiations!" Kerensky shouted back.

"I actually agree with Stalin, crush the rebellion with force while you still can." Kolchack said a bit quietly.

"Then it's settled, we crush the maggots!" Stalin exclaimed.

"No! We're going to negotiate with them! That is how a democracy works you dimwits!" Kerensky shouted in frustration. "I'm the damned president, they must listen to me!"

"Not necessarily Alexander. They're rebels specifically not to listen to you." Kolchak told Kerensky.

"He's got a point." Stalin said.

"Alright, so military actionaand diplomacy aren't options. What do we do?" Kersnsky asked, a bit hopeless.

"We do the only thing we can do. Ask them to protest peacefully." Stalin grinned in amussement as Kolchak laughed.

"You're truly gullible Kerensky! If anything, we'll threaten to court marshal the poor bastards and send in some troops as to pacify the city!" Kolchak said as he laughed.

"And if that doesn't work?" Kerensky asked.

"We'll shoot the traitors then." Stalin replied with a smile.

"Sounds like a sound plan." Kolchak stated.

"Fine, put it into practice." Kerensky demanded.



Kolmona

The center of the Russian locomotive industry, Kolmona was long a Soviet stronghold thanks to the Kolmona Locomotive Works and other factories. But now with the return to Social Democracy and the end of the USSR, plans for a coup where being drawn up by a disgrunteled former member of the Soviet government who had been exiled to Kolmona.

Genrikh Yagoda had once been the head of the NKVD. But the end of the USSr and the restoration of Russia had seen Yagoda replaced with Nikolai Yezhov. Now Yagoda had been given the righ to move anywhere he wished to and he would be provided with a government penssion. But Yagoda refused because he viewed the new Russian government as illegitimate. However, it was his plan to soon made what he saw as wrong, right.

[Plzen]

The Northern Council elections of the 15th April, 1936 went about as smoothly as it could have, considering the circumstances.

There were, of course, some irregularities, the most prominent of which was the paucity of secure voting booths in the Special Military Districts. By Commonwealth electoral law it was the obligation of the Electoral Commission to set up a polling station within ten kilometres of every eligible voter in the country, but between the harsh terrain, the inefficient administration, the social instability, and the low population density of northern Scandinavia and the North Atlantic islands, this proved difficult to accomplish.

While the number of voters affected was very small, the population of the affected regions being none too high to begin with and them being accustomed to regular travel to National Guard outposts for the education and healthcare services that the Northern Council was providing in the area to stabilise the laxly governed regions, it nonetheless threw the legitimacy of the election into some doubt.

The election saw a variety of associations contesting it. Around a core of national, ideological parties and organisations - Socialdemokraterne, SAC Syndikalisterna, etc - there were also a variety of one-issue or regional-interest parties, the most prominent of which was the Finnish-Karelian National Party. On top of this were the syndicates, advocacy movements, or even sporting leagues that successfully managed to land a seat or two on the Council.

The Social-Democrats emerged the largest party in the Council - as it has in every Council election since there was such a thing as a Northern Council - but not a majority, and the process of government formation consumed the next couple of weeks almost to the end of the month. Eventually a compromise was struck between the conservative faction of the Council, lead by the Social-Democrats, and the internationalist faction of the Council, led by the Syndicalists. The conservatives agreed to a more interventionist foreign policy, defending the socialist movements of Eastern Europe against Russian or Confederate aggression, pressing for the return of the Danish-speaking territories of the German Empire, and promoting the international socialist movement, in exchange for the internationalist faction agreeing not to move to abolish the national concept, support the national government's efforts to stabilise the northern territories and the Karelian frontier, as well as award further powers of taxation to the Council.

Reformists in the Council were naturally left fairly disappointed, as were the liberal-progressives. Aksel Larsen, a prominent figure in the progressive wing of the Northern Communist Party, publicly spoke in favour of a more "pragmatic" foreign policy, driven by "necessity more than lofty ideals", than the one proposed by the conservative-internationalist coalition, raising some tensions within the Northern Council and in public discourse.

With many civil society organisations and citizens acting against the official NSRS diplomatic line, sending aid and volunteers to the decidedly non-socialist regimes in the Baltic states and in Karelia - on a myriad different justifications, from a grand national solidarity of Finnic peoples, to forming an unofficial shield against both Russia and the Confederation by establishing Northern-aligned client states in the region, to something as simple as lingering anti-Russian sentiment - concerns were raised that the Commonwealth was starting to lose control of its own foreign policy.

[Monsone]

Petrograd

The city was in anarchy. While the mutinous sailors had seized the city and many surrounding areas, other forces like Tsarists and Republicans hopped into the fray and no Petrograd as well as it's neighboring areas where in complete anarchy. The newly proclaimed Balitc Fleet Soviet had not managed to quell unrest, and it increasngly seemed like a civil war was likely in Russia.



Stalingrad

The south of Russia has also fallen apart. A mutiny by the Red Army had led to a loss of many Russian oil fields and most citically, it had led to the loss of Stalingrad, Stalin's prized city. Despite the obvious fact that this would piss Stalin off, it showed the frailty of a Russian Republic. While the south was much calmer than Petrograd, it was still run by a military junta under Blyukher's command and was as much a police state as Stalin's USSR.



Moscow

Stalin was furious. He thought a union with Kerensky and Kolchak would have been a bit more peaceful. But unfortunately it seemed Russia was falling appart at the seams again. Of course Stalin blamed himself for this, for this stupid union. Frankly he had expected better from the union, but no. Kolchack and Kerensky where excelent statesmen when it came to courting foreigners, but when it came to courting the Russian populace, it was always Stalin who seemed to excell.

As he sat there with his pipe in hand, and a bottle of vodka on the table, Stalin planned out revenge. With paper and pen in hand he began to write away furiously. His anger was palpable in the stacato writing that came out of his pen as well as in the choice of his words. Stalin wrote for hours, and his daughter Svetlana watched in horror as her father became consumed into his writings. Not since the death of her mother had her father even acted his way.

Meanwhile her brother Vassiliy was ignorant of it all as he played with an expensive Lionel train set from the USA. He was mezmorized by the zipping of the trains along the metal track, by the spining of their wheels, and by the noises they made.

"Papa, what are you doing?" Svetlana asked her father.

"Writing my dear. Papa is going to fix all the issues of Russia." Stalin told his daughet as he never lifed his eyes or hands of the page.

"Why though?" Svetlana inquired.

"Because they need fixing." Repied Stalin as he turned to look at his daughter and smiled. "Go play with Vassiliy, he seems lonely."

"Vassily always want to play with trains and to boy stuff. He says I'm not allowed to do those things." Pouted Svetlana.

"Let me tell you a secret." Stalin said to his daughter. "When you turn twelve, I'll take you shooting. With a real rifle and all. How does that sound?"

"It sounds fun!" Svetlana said a bit too loudly for Stalin's liking.

"Don't tell Vassily about it, he will get jealous." Stalin smiled as he daughter went off to play some more.



Kolmona

A black ZiS-101 limousine pulled up to Genrikh Yagoda's house. From the rear door emerged a figure who wore a black overcoat, and a balck fedora, concealing their identidy amidst the rain of that day. Soon after, there was a knock on Yagoda's door. Nervously, Yagoda walked over to the door, and waited. There was a second knock. Yagoda still did nothing, and then there was a third, much louder knock acompanied by Joseph Satlin's unmistakable voice shouting: "Open up Yagoda!"

Immediately Yagoda opened the door and say Stalin walk in by himself into the appartment.

"Do you know why I am here Genrikh?" Stalin inquired.

"No sir." Genrikh replied.

"Don't 'sir' me Genrikh. I will never get used to these capitalist titles." Stalin laughed before becoming serious once again. "I know you're plotting a coup. And I want in. Team up with me."

"How do you know?!" Genrikh asked in shock as Stalin walked over to the radio and pulled out several wires and other equiptment pieces.

"You where bugged Yagoda. But I made sure none of the information reached people who would arrest you and try your for treason. Now, cooperate with me, and you will be rewarded. What do you say Genrikh?" Stalin asked menacingly.

"Yes Comrade Stalin!" Genrikh replied excitedly.

[Wasi State]

Berlin, April 12th, 1936
Kaiser Wilhelm II

Wilhelm's heart rate slowed down significantly over the past week as his health reached the late stages, drifting ever so closely to his final moments. His son, Wilhelm III, and much of his family by extension had been ordered by Mackensen to remain in the family's home in Konigsberg as it became readily clear on where the Kaiser's health was heading and when his time of death would be exact. Accompanying by the dangers present throughout all of Germany for the Hohenzollern House made the point become more readily apparent, from the communists rising up in the west, to the Nazis in the south, and even rebellious Poles in their own backyard. While this angered Wilhelm III to no end to not be allowed to see his dying father who had since remained in a coma, Mackensen made sure that any protests the heir made would be duly noted for the time being as the country tore itself apart.

The Field Marshal was rather surprised that the Kaiser lasted as long as he did actually, if only contributed by some inhumane medical contraptions keeping him alive forcibly through sheer force of willpower and (at this point) quack science. Wilhelm barely looked recognizable to how he was prior to Black Friday, appearing more machine than man, and breathing like one too. It should've never have come to this, the Field Marshal had realized far too late by the time it had been April. It's one of the reasons why Mackensen wouldn't dare let Wilhelm III see his father in such a horrid state, it would spell the end of his career for sure, and possibly Germany's future.

Though despite Mackensen's astonished disbelief in the Wilhelm's continued survival, there's only so much their amoral medical care could do to prevent the Kaiser's inevitable death. By the time Easter morning hit, the Kaiser's weak heart had lapsed to a point of suffering heart attack, before eventually ceasing to work altogether... It was quick, and while not very sudden, the doctors knew this was it, the Kaiser has finally died, his suffering over.

The daughter of the late Kaiser, Princess Victoria Louise, then came in through Wilhelm's room, despite protests from the guards trying in vein to stop her. "Father!" She then cried out as the doctors were giving the time of death. It was clear that she had snuck in somehow at some point, and while Mackensen wasn't present in the hospital, this was surely not going to bode well for him later.

"9:41 am, doctor-" One of the nurses told him before they were then all interrupted by a wailing Victoria finally catching a glimpse of her now deceased father still hooked up to all manner of medical horror.

"You monsters what have you done to him! When were you ever going to tell any of us!" Victoria scorned them and then rushed to be at her father's side, feeling the lingering heat drift away from his broken body. Tears were rolling down her cheeks at this point, "Why couldn't you let us at least say goodbye to him, why?" Her sorrow was apparent to anyone in the room, it was sobering for many of the nurses and doctors present, what have they done?

The guards eventually escorted her out of the room, after giving her a moment of peace with her Father, the late Kaiser Wilhelm II...

---

The German Civil War

For the first time, I am ashamed to be a German.
-Kaiser Wilhelm II

The news struck Germany with the sound of thunderous artillery fire smashing hastily made earthworks and panzer treads clacking on street pavement, and not long after much of the world with screams of shock and horror. As though overnight after word of Kaiser Wilhelm's death, all of Germany fell overnight to warring factions intending to recreate the already battered country in their own image, some more twisted than others. The country was now at war with itself.

Bombers originally heading inbound for both France and Britain were quickly ordered to divert course from multiple sources to either return to base or to daringly drop their payload on newly declared enemy targets. A good chunk instead defected over to neighboring countries willing to harbor them, not willing to kill any of their fellow countrymen in the already ongoing chaos.

Heer Garrisons loyal to Mackensen were quickly overwhelmed and forced to surrender en masse all over Western Germany from the uprising of communists from the Spartacus League or KPD. Reports had even flowed in of the Zentrum Party seizing control of Hessen and having some muddled engagements against the NSDAP in the South. Reports of troop movements and cities outright being taken were streaming in from all over the place from multiple sources, often contradicting each other in a mad scramble for control, the general consensus was pure insanity as to what exactly was going on in Germany at this moment. But one thing was deadly clear in spite the madness, the German Civil War had just begun.

So it begins...

[Plzen]

29th April 1936

It had been over two weeks since the first German military pilots began landing at Copenhagen Airport, and subsequently disarmed and interned in compliance with the rights and duties of neutral powers, at least as claimed by the predecessor states of the NSRS during the botched negotiations for a Third League of Armed Neutrality. Being one of three neutral nations within fighter range of German airfields - alongside the Netherlands and the Confederation - the Commonwealth now found itself with a substantial proportion of the German Air Force sitting in camps around Kastrup.

As usual, the government found yet another double-edged sword presented to it. On one hand, they had just inherited a substantial stock of aircraft - larger than the entire aircraft stock of the NSRS army - that could be put to their own use. On the other hand... well, the influx of foreign military personnel had to be dealt with. That wasn't the only problem, either. The NSRS enjoyed as much stability and popular support as it did because it did not merely present itself as a socialist force, promoting world revolution, but also as a Northern force, protecting the interests and liberties of the Northern peoples. With the German Empire up in flames, it was argued, the Commonwealth now had a moral obligation to step in and protect the Scandinavian-speaking peoples of northern Germany. And with the Russian situation constantly in flux...

And, well, there was another headache. Kronstadt with its rebellious - and very substantial - Russian Baltic fleet was spitting distance from the NSRS' borders, and Petrograd was in chaos. The situation was useful, insofar as it kept the Russians busy fighting themselves and therefore disinclined to re-conquer the former Empire's breakaway provinces, but, again, the situation was a double-edged sword and the threat remained of the chaos potentially spilling over into the NSRS' interests. Rogue ships and pirates in the Baltic, rebels and partisans crossing over the Karelian isthmus border... as if the Commonwealth wasn't having enough trouble trying to control its own borders already!

Related to the Russian situation was the increased tensions in East Karelia. With the Russian situation looking highly in flux, the chaos was spilling over northwards into the region. It was never a particularly stable region, being divided between the Republic of East Karelia, an NSRS-friendly independent state which mainly controlled the Karelian-speaking villages of the inland countryside, the Karelian Labour Commune, a Soviet-friendly but also independent state which mainly controlled the Russian-speaking regions along the railroad, and disorganised, pro-Kerensky forces operating out of the White Sea coast. With Stalin and Kerensky now cooperating in a new Russian republic, in a compromise that was leaving exactly nobody happy, both the pro-Soviet and pro-Kerensky forces were in disarray as they tried to both continue the struggle in defiance for their own interests and ideologies while simultaneously trying to join forces in accordance with the new Republic's desires.

It was on the late hours of Wednesday the 29th of April that the Northern Council finally put together and published a coherent strategy tying together the NSRS responses to all of these separate yet intricately linked crises.

The first was the announcement of an open-border approach to refugees. With funding and skilled personnel diverted to military purposes, constructing fortifications and forward airbases in the eastern regions of the Commonwealth, refugee labour was tendered as a possible means by which to continue the suspended infrastructural and industrial projects in rural Fennoscandia. While citizenship remained restricted, and any armed personnel crossing the border would continue to be disarmed, the NSRS would accept all civil war related refugees from both Germany and Russia provided that they were willing to reside and work in the area of the Commonwealth's convenience.

Second, substantial resources from the Baltic Fleet was deployed into the Gulf of Finland and Estonian authorities were contacted in order to coordinate NSRS and Estonian maritime and coast guard patrol operations, with the objective of penning the rebellious Russian Baltic Fleet within the Gulf of Finland and prevent any breakouts into the larger central Baltic Sea. Russia's issues would remain Russian, on that much the NSRS was quite determined.

Third, border patrols along the frontier between the NSRS and the Republic of East Karelia were strengthened. A new Act was passed, prohibiting any citizen of the NSRS from entering a special border zone, covering most areas within 10km of the Northern-Russian or Northern-Karelian borders, unless they had special permission from the Customs Authority or permanently resided within the zone. Army units were deployed to this region in order to enforce the new Act and also deter any incursions coming the other way around - smugglers and raiders trying to come in from the chaos of the Russian Civil War into the NSRS.

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the NSRS army moved into Germany in order to protect the Scandinavian-speaking or Scandinavian-inclined peoples of Schleswig-Holstein. An estimated 450,000 inhabitants or so, of which maybe 30% or 40% were linguistically Scandinavian, lived in the area of operations which was constituted of the region between the Northern-German border and the Eider line, and so the Southern Army with its 48,000 personnel was deemed sufficient for the operation. The 11th Motorised would defend the southern frontier of the area of operations, the 2nd Rifle the northern frontier, and the 1st, 4th, and 9th Divisions would secure the area itself supported by the Danish Republican Cavalry Brigade.

To avoid unnecessary hostilities from the German authorities, several measures were taken a few hours in advance. First, the anti-radical coalition in Germany was informed of the nature of this operation. Although there were some protests, these were ignored - the purpose was to inform the German authorities that it would be going ahead with or without their approval, not seek their permission. Second, the units heading southwards were strictly ordered to avoid any kind of confrontation - if their presence was not acquiesced to by the population of any given village, town, or city, if the local garrison moved to defend their settlement against incursion, then the NSRS units was to simply leave the settlement alone and move on to the next on their route. Finally, the troops were ordered to avoid any semblance of open occupation, and if at all possible work together with the German Empire's forces in the area to maintain security.

After a long and peaceful slumber, the northern lion begins to wake...

[The Felan Federation]

Berlin, German Empire

As it happened, when news came of the Kaiser' death - those in the Iron Front rather quickly moved into position. Since they acknowledged the fact that if they refused to act, things would completely collapse on itself and their enemies would take advantage of their moment of weakness.

Friedrich Paulus watched how men quickly grabbed their uniforms, rifles and helmets before moving out into the streets - thus it had begun and now they would either succeed or perish. As the enemies that expected to take Berlin and the Reichstag - before proclaiming the formation of their future state, would be sadly disappointed as they'd be met by the fire of paramilitaries, militias and the Heer as well. Instead of finding the streets in confusion and their enemies weak and hapless - the Antiradikal Pakt had managed to write up something of a proper plan against any assault. As soon as the bold ones had been killed off, the rest of the Heer would be allowed to do their job and arrest the surviving radicals and throw them into the makeshift cells that had been prepared - all the while the militias quickly began to help fortify the capital against any future attacks.

It wouldn't take long, before Minister Phillip' voice was heard on the radio - and for once, he took a page from the book of the demagogues that had assaulted their government for years. "My fellow countrymen. Our nation is in chaos and danger. Radicals have taken control over our cities, our lands, our homes. They claim revolution - yet execute and arrest their fellow countrymen by force and by the barrel of a gun. Our Kaiser dead, done in by the actions of those whom see the idea of destroying everything we hold sacred. The communists claim that man should be like animals - where hard-work is criminalized and we should all be eating grass and bugs. While the 'national-socialists' claim that we should kill our fellow countrymen under the auspice that they are somehow...inferior or had sabotaging German society. This is coming from a man, whom attempt to coup Bavaria during the 1920s and now, after he was shown mercy he has done so again. I say enough is enough. We have shown these radicals too much leeway, too much understand and they have repaid this by stabbing us in the back!"

"Upon this day, I declare the creation of the Antiradikal Pakt - the SPD and our fellow countrymen in the Freikorps have seen to it, to stand by the Kaiser and Mackensen against this extremists that seek the destruction of the Empire no matter the cost. I implore all Germans citizens to resist the calls of these radicals, whom would make you shoot at your fellow countrymen for the sake of some...ideology. I implore all soldiers of the Heer to join the government in putting down these rebels, before they completely they destroy everything we have built. To our enemies, surrender now and you may be showed some mercy - resist and we shall bring the judgement of the Kaiser on you all. For Kaiser and Fatherland. God is with us!"

[Union Princes]

Earl Long, Huey's brother and right-hand man

It was nearly a full 72 hours of campaigning in San Francisco and behind the scenes, Earl Long had run some calculations on the electoral map. The results was concerning but he had to notify his brother of what is to come. This couldn't have occurred at a worse time: Huey had just come back from making another rousing speech of his "Share Our Wealth" program in front of the town hall. Given by the sweat on his brow and the smile that stretched from ear to ear on Huey's face, Earl pondered if he should wait for tomorrow to break the news for the presidential candidate. I suppose I'll have to let him down gently. Earl thought harshly to himself, He has to know.

---

It's been a long time since Huey cursed foul profanities, but as soon as his brother Earl showed him the election map and explained the probable outcome, Southern swear words forced themselves out of his throat. According to the prediction, over half of the electoral votes went straight to the NRA and the NOI thanks to their foothold in the Steel Belt and the New England regions. Even if Huey manage to win over the other states that weren't red or black, it may not even be enough to tip the scales. As Earl explained, there has been rumors of a coalition government forming among left-wing parties to win the 1936 election. The communists, socialists, anarchists, and even the Islamic separatists joining together to prevent a Long presidency.

"It's only going to ge harder, Huey." Earl spoked grimmly, "Without Utah and Alaska partipicating, we may be a few electoral votes away from securing the margin to victory."

The Kingfish frowned in frustration as he looked at his brother's prediction. Even if Earl was remotely right in who gets the lion's share of the electoral votes, his chance of saving America is already going up in smoke. He could try stealing Missouri, Kentucky, and West Virginia from the Democrat-Republican coalition once he' done stealing California. Walt Disney will have to work overtime to keep up with his vigor.

Swallowing the bile in his throat, Huey coughed to get his brother's attention.

"Earl, I hate to say this to you even privately, but I need you to do me a favor." the Kingfish growled in his frustration, "But I feel like I need to make a compromise with the devil. I need you to call the Democrat-Republicans on my behalf. We might need to make a coalition."

[Dahyan]

The Nation of Islam

Supreme Minister Elijah Muhammad endorses NPR and CPUSA

Supreme Minister of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, has officially called on the members of the Nation, as well as on the entire Black community in the United States of America, to vote for the New Revolutionary Party or the Communist Party.

Elijah Muhammad did this in a radio speech to the members of the NOI, in which he stated that he had received assurances from both parties that they are positively inclined to ensure the goals of the Nation of Islam are met in case of their victory. This marks the first time the NOI openly endorses any candidate in any US election.

The Minister called on Black America to "stand together against Republican oppression, Democrat lies and fascist demagogy," and to "vote for the movements that will make our peaceful secession from oppression a reality."

Elijah Muhammad called on the NPR and the CPUSA to form a united coalition in the 1936 elections, and expressed his sincere hope that the Nation of Islam will cooperate with them towards the achievement of its goals.

In related news, members of the Nation of Islam have been spotted joining electoral rallies and gatherings of both the Communist Party and the NRP in the Great Lakes area.

Two NOI members lynched in Alabama

In the state of Alabama, considered a deeply pro-Huey Long area, two members of the Nation of Islam have been found dead, reportedly killed by a lynch mob.

The local chapter of the NOI stated that the two brothers were active campaigners of the Nation in the Mobile area, and accused Huey Long supported and the local Ku Klux Klan of the murders. The NOI furthermore stated it "does not trust the police to achieve justice" and vowed to "punish the criminals according to God's decrees".

Fruit of Islam militia upgrades its arsenals

Members of the Fruit of Islam, the militia of the NOI, have appeared providing security and guard duty during rallies in Chicago, Detroit and New York beating military-grade rifles. The appearance of heavily-armed FOI militants has kicked up a fuss in anti-Black media, causing questions on whence the weaponry came and how it was provided.

Reports also state that some White security officers were seen offering assistance to the FOI. Officially, these are only known as "sympathizers of the cause", but some suspect NRP or CPUSA involvement.

[Spiritual Republic of Caryton]

18th of April, 1936

Battle of Agua Prieta

---

The Sonoran Superstate's claims on Sonora proper had turned into armed combat along the border between Sonora and Arizona. After a particular incident involving a border patrol convoy and a road peppered with cartel landmines, Timothy Grant had ordered a full-scale invasion of any rebel hideouts in the claimed territory. This included cartels, organized crime families, communist party cells, independence insurgencies, and catholic protesters of the state-secularism of Arizona's totalitarian government. Sure, the Arizonan soldiers had a technological and skill advantage, but controlling a universally antagonistic populace will be exceedingly difficult.

Three companies totaling about 700 soldiers amassed in the border city of Douglas with help from approximately 350 civilian volunteers. Blocks of golden yellow tunics stood high in the late spring sun of the southwest. The new flag of the nation flew high on several flagbearers and from the sides of 4 light tanks. Most of the civilian volunteers were either on horseback or in small skirmisher platoons. There was an occasional soldier with a flamethrower on his back, or a panzerfaust-type rocket launcher on his shoulders, or even a machine gun carried in tandem with a loader. A sword-bearing political commissar climbed a building and emerged from the balcony, his peaked cap contrasting with the golden helmets of the soldiers and various cowboy hats of the civilian militiamen. He raised a sun-tanned hand and the blocks of fighters fell silent.

"The Mexican part of Nogales is being shelled in preparation for invasion, and the 15th Armored Division has just left Yuma bound for Puerto Ponasco."

The crowd cheered, throwing their fists in the air as their salute.

"The road to Hermosillo is secured if we succeed. Our attack will draw the anarchists from their main highway, so that the Nogales forces have a straight road to that lawless capital!"

The crowd bellowed, throwing their fists in higher speed as a portrait of Timothy Grant, the unquestioned Supreme Leader is raised over the balcony for all to see by a lieutenant.

"Comrades, the summer will be brutal. It will be hot, and bloody, and more will die from heatstroke than actual gunfire. But, you must ask yourself. Do you want communists to gain a foothold close to our homeland? Do you want opportunity to conquer other Mexican states like Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango? They will all be yours. After you assert yourself, who next? New Mexico will once again be subject to us. The mormons and the evil Union remnants will be kicked out of Utah. Las Vegas will be ours. South California will be ours. Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, The Galapagos, North California, the whole of the Southwest-- all for you and your Almighty Leader."

The soldiers rigorously clapped as sergeants boomed orders to move out. In the 10 AM sun, men and "physically sturdy women" were armed and hurrying down the streets of Douglas with their guns clutched in their hands. Flagbearers lead the three-column blocks, portraits of Grant strapped to their rucksacks. People clung to the four light tanks as they sped past, crowded like indians on a bus or train. Soldiers rode on the back of civilian militant's horses and skirmishers began to stray from the glorious display in the desert sunbeams.

The border had been crossed at 11:19 AM, and the watchmen for the various cliques were panicking, calling their men to arms and forging uneasy truces into one lumped up defensive insurgency. Before the Arizonans even crossed the line, the anarchists entrenched in Agua Prieta's suburban areas were being hit. The 8th and 18th Navajo Mortar Platoons had been brought in to soften defenses. The native american platoons in question were regarded highly for their near mechanical mortar fire speed and almost pin point accuracy. Rather than strike anything in specific, they used broad-hitting munitions like cluster, HE, and incendiaries to decimate anybody not inside, entrenched, or in somewhat decent cover. Granted, this killed triple as many civilians than combatants, but the toll of seeing people either shredded apart, blown to nothing, or roasted alive was certainly good enough compensation.

The mortar fire continued for fourty minutes until the ammunition had completely ceased. Initial casualties were steep but as more people got to fighting positions the amount of dead stagnated. The goal wasn't to kill them off, but to suppress them for the main event. In the outermost areas where the city faded to desert, the thundering of horse hooves got closer and closer until a harsh flank from the militant cavalry and their militiamen skirmishers were engaging in a pincer motion from both sides, their assorted hunting weapons ripping apart the air as the first firefight occurred. Immediately as the enemy's machineguns attempted to aim out the side windows towards the cavalry, a full frontal advance with 3/4 of the force running across the desert scape in a battle cry while the remaining soldiers supported them from up top with machineguns and semi-automatic rifles. Bayonets and the sharpened spears of flagpoles glistened in the sun as the temperature raised.

1:24 PM, and the charging Arizonans had little resistance until the machinegunners gave up on trying to shoot down the cavalry and moved to frontal windows. The first few rows were mowed down, but the flash of their muzzles eventually made them the target of counter-MG fire and snipers until they too were suppressed. Half of the cavalry had been killed or dismounted, but the skirmishers had a hard flank and despite their less-than training and irregular weaponry, shooting at insurgents from the side gave them good results.

At 1:30 on the dot, rumbling emerged from the border regions as the four light tanks with additional support from machinegunners and tank riders began to spread out: 1 on the right side of the city, one on the left, and two dead center. Rifles and machine guns tore at the window from the back of the tank while the 30 cal. shredded alleyways. This encouraged the cavalry's survivors and militants to tighten their ring around the city, entering side-streets and beginning hellish close-quarters urban combat. The support from the frontal quarter defensive entrenchment allowed the main soldiers to follow the tanks inside the main streets. A flamethrower lined up against a bakery where various communists were transporting ammunition. With one swift motion, he sprayed inside the door and up the steep steps, incinerating the enemy guerrillas. Flamethrowers, grenades, and shotgunners brutally cleared building after building.

The gunfight was peaked when the pummeling of mortars continued. The Navajo platoons had their ammo replenished and they were moving in closer, firing their broad-hitting munitions at the insurgent's backlines, preventing them from regrouping in a tactical retreat. On top of the mortars, the tanks main guns opened up on prominent MG nests, crumbling buildings as they sped past, soldiers disembarking into cleared buildings. The militia cavalry drew their swords or the bayonets on their hunting rifles and led a full charge into the rural areas, embarking in brutal clashes with a tired and ammo-low enemy desperate to retreat. However, the insurgents also had an ace up their sleeve. Three hidden howitzers buried in basements with skeleton crews encircled by enemies were still staffed. They rolled the barrels outside of the man-made holes. One took aim at a light tank's turret and fired, decimating it, the crew, and any unlucky soldier who was on it. One fired into a converted med bay, obliterating several medics, wounded soldiers, and cowering civilians. The final one fired, slamming into the sand of the supporting group. It missed but it sure sent a message that they could shoot back.

It took the Arizonans a while to find the artillery emplacements, at the cost of another tank, several buildings, and 100 lives. The flamethrowers had a vengeful field day grilling the men before they could draw their pistols.

At 4:10 PM, and at the heat of the day, the last pockets of resistance were wholly exterminated, and the first actually controlled zone in Sonora had the Superstate's flag raised on high. Nervous citizens were sent to re-education seminars and the commissar from before stood before an elegant dark wood table polished with scorpion venom. He drummed his hands on a map before a radioman barged in.

"Sir, the tank division in Yuma has breached the border, and Mexican Nogales has been completely encircled."

As the man downed a looted shot of tequila, he smiled wickedly.

"Victory is inevitable."

[Aserais]

April 26, 1936

Gaceta de los Trabajadores

Glory to the Revolution!

As of April 24th, 1936, La República Socialista de México has launched its very first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier! The ARSM Águila was launched into the Gulf of Mexico, and joins the rest of La Armada Popular in the defense of the fatherland and his interests in the maritime realm. The vessel is the result of years of hard work and research, funded by the People's Revolution and made possible by the blood, sweat, and toil of the proletariat who continue to devote their lives to México's glorious revolution! El Secretario Rivera and Comrade Trotsky were both present at the launch, and toured the new vessel before it went underway. The massive vessel is a testament to the power of La República Socialista de México, and shall project the power of the revolution throughout the new world, no matter what capitalist and imperialist influences may stand in its way!

Secretario General del Partido Comunista Miguel Rivera folded the newspaper he was reading and looked up as he heard a knock on his door, causing him to stand and call out for the man he had called to his office to enter.

The door opened to reveal General Plutarco Elías Calles, a bear of a man with a thick moustache, accompanied by several lower-ranking officials and a courier who was carrying several maps. Miguel moved around his desk and to the large table in the center of the room, waiting patiently as his head general's staff set up the two maps that he had requested and began to position figurines on the terrain to represent the People's assets in the two regions in question--the mountainous jungle of Central America, and the border of the anarchic state of Sinola, home to one of the most vicious cartels in the north.

"General, it is good to see you," Miguel said with a warm smile, reaching out and shaking the burly man's hand as the map was being set up. "How are your wife and children?"

"They are well, El Secretario. They have been staying in El Yucatan for the spring, apparently the children love the beach," the large man said with a kindly smile, his eyes a thousand miles away as he thought of his family far from him. "Leonor complains that I am away too often, but I have assured her that it is only to secure our children's future. Still, I will be glad when these rebels are put down for good, and we can get to the business of living in the nation we've built."

"As do we all, my friend," the young leader said with a sigh, before he turned his attention to the maps that had finally been set up. Four divisions, nearly 100,000 men and women, were shown stationed just on the border of Sinola, backed up by the 5th and 7th Air Groups and several armored trains, which were armed with 14" railway guns and carried several dozen tank platoons to very near the front lines. This constituted nearly the entirety of the 2nd Army, which had been building up in Tepic for going on three months now. In Central America, another seven divisions made up the 5th Army, along with the 1st and 8th Air Groups and several more armored trains.

The military buildup over the last decade, funded in large part by the RSM's acquisition of Venezuela and Columbia, was finally showing the fruit that Rivera had been so careful to cultivate.

"So, El Secretario, the men are in position. The rebels in the south are on their last legs, and I believe General Cárdenas can crush them in one fell swoop. It will take a few months to fully consolidate the region, but the People are on our side, for the most part. Those rebels are bloodthirsty, and the locals are tired of wondering if they will wake up to rapists and thieves in the night," General Calles said derisively, pointing out the position of rebel strongholds that they had uncovered over the last few months of careful planning. "We've discovered their main base of operations in the region, and 'El Presidente' Macron is there. On your order, we can shell and bomb the place into a hole in the ground."

"Then the order is given, General. I want Macron dead before the day is out," Rivera ordered, causing the general to nod to one of his Aides, who quickly strode out of the room to deliver the order to the radio operator. "And Sinola?"

"The men are ready there, too," the General confirmed, moving his eyes over to the map of the renegade Mexican state. "Initial bombardment has already begun, and the cartels are scrambling to organize a defense. Turns out, conscripting children after you kill their parents doesn't create a very loyal or effective soldier," Calles spat, his eyes narrowing at the map. "The 5th Air Group took out what appeared to be their only armored column--looks like they appropriated a few tanks left over from before the revolution. Sinola should be ours by the end of the month, El Secretario."

"Hm. Good. And what about Sonora? The New Mexicans?" Rivera asked, looking over to his friend.

"They may pose a problem. Scouting reports indicate they have moved into Sonora with armor and artillery. They can't field even close to what we can, but from what we hear, those Fascists are tenacious fighters. We may need to deal with them before long, and that means we need the Canal," Calles responded, bringing up an issue that had long been a thorn in the side of the RSM. The American presence in Panama was a rallying cry and a point of severe tension between the two nations, but things seemed to be turning in the RSM's favor. With the launch of the Águila, the Armada Popular became the premiere naval power in the gulf, and the battleship Tenochtitlan was due to drop out of drydock and into the Pacific in the next week or so, which would further increase their hold on the region.

"If and when that time comes, we will simply take the canal. America is close to having its own revolution, if reports are to be believed, and I do not believe they can afford to hold onto Panama for much longer. Dismissed, General. I trust you to bring victory to the People," Rivera said with a smile, clasping the General's forearm and giving him a nod.

[Union Princes]

While his brother was busy making secret contacts with the Democrat-Republican Coaltion, Arizona's invasion of Mexico snapped Huey back to reality. The election be damned, if Arizona is allowed to exist, then the legacy of the Civil War would have been for moot. Waving goodbye to the Californians of San Francisco, Senator Huey Long traveled by plane from the West Coast to the East in order to bring attention to a grave situation developing in the South Midwest.

Senator Huey Long speaking to Congress, May 4th 1936

"Fellow Congressmen and Senators,

The great nation of America has experienced over a decade of crisis without competence or initiative from the Oval Office. We had all had or fair share of plights troubles, and misfortune in our states, homes, and even family. But I did not call for an audience of Congress and the House of Representatives to wallow over the Great Depression that consumed our livelihoods nor do I call for the President's attention to mock his term in office, no-sir-indeed!

I ask for my patriots and countrymen to lend me their ears once more! There is another crisis looming over us: the very dissolution of our sacred Union. The rogue state of Arizona has illegally formed a totalitarian dictator ship on American soil! A direct, defiant, and inexcusable violation of our Constitution! Through Lincoln's words and Grant's ingenuity, the United States remained a union in the eyes of the Lord.

But the decade of Depression, political infighting, and the general chaos of the Great War have left us blind to the radicals in our country. Arizona must be brought back into the Union! I call for Congress to purse the integrity of the Constitution and the legacy of our Founding Fathers above all else! The dictatorship in the state must be removed beofre it continues its policies of violating the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness on the American citizens trapped in that dystopia.

What say you, Sentators and Representatives? Do you tolerate seccession born from tyranny?!"

[Monsone]

Moscow

Tanks rolled into Moscow. Troops from the Russian Army wore their old Red Army uniforms, and some volunteers even wore Budenovkas. Following the tanks and infantry where armored cars. Now the vehicles only totaled aboyt 45 tanks and 45 armored cars, but there was nothing the Moscow Police could do to stop the force from making it's way to Red Square.

Leading these rebelious army troops was Genrikh Yagoda as well as Joseph Stalin. However Stalin made a conceded effort to be at the front, while Yagoda made the mistake of riding along in a staff car. As the troops neared the Kremlin, they where met with some light resistance from the Kremlin guards who simply threatened to fire, but backed down when they got a glimpse of the tanks riding along with Stalin.

Soon the troops had seized the Sukhov Tower, and other loyalists had seized critical buildings in Moscow. And it became clear that the Kremlin was ready to fall. So Stalin and Yagoda marched in. And suddenly gunfire ensued as troops loyal to Kerensky and Kolchak opened fire. Stalin was saved by a wall that blocked him from getting shot. But Yagoda was hit 45 times and died instantly. This angered the rebel soldiers who opened fire with light machine guns and began shooting indiscriminately. The enenmy soldiers where taken out, but cars, buildings, and everything else within the line of sight of the rebels has been pockmarked with bullets.

"Take him!" Stalin ordered with tears in his eyes as Yagoda was dragged away, leaving behind a trail of blood.

"Now what?" A soldier asked Stalin.

"We kill the bastards!" Stalin replied angrily as he pulled back the trigger on his M1895 Nagant revolver.

"Fowards!" Several soldiers shouted as they pushed into the Kremlin.

Firefights broke out here and there, but nealry every time, Stalin's forces won. Meanwhile, Stalin stormed into Kerensky's office and found him and Kolchack sitting there, cowering as the crackle of gunfire could be heard in the background.

"Alexander Kerensky, Alexander Kolchack, you are under arrest for high treason against the state and the murder of Genrikh Yagoda. Stand up and put your hands in the air." Ordered an officer as two soldieers arrested Kerensky and Kolchack.

"You!" Kolchack spat at Stalin. "You ellaborate little pr*ck! I should have known this is what you where going to do! Democracy never fitted you Joseph, burn in hell!"

"That's Comrade Stalin." Stalin smuggly spat back.

"You will pay for this Stalin. You will pay for this!" Kerensky cursed as he too was dragged out.

"Now what, sir?" A soldier asked Stalin.

"Raise the Soviet flag. And ready the radio room. I've got a declaration to make." Stalin replied.

Stalin the closed the office door and began to put on his old uniform. After putting on the uniform, he pinned the single Hero of the Soviet Union star on his chest and put on his peaked cap. And then Stalin exited Kerensky's office and into a halway of clapping soldiers. Stalin waved at them and shook their hands as he walked to the radio room.

Upon arrival at the radio room, Stalin seated himself infornt of the microphones and sighed. The countdown began, and suddenly, the on air sign flashed on. And then Stalin began to speak.

"Comrades, I have failed you. It was merely a few months ago that the USSR ceased to exist, and those last few months have been chaos. A rebellion in Leningrad has traken over the city and province, Kirov Province rebeled too, as did Marshal Blyukher and his forces in Southern Russia. But they have done so with good wisdom. For, I---Joseph Stalin---was betrayed by capitalists."

"Kerenksy and Kolchak promissed peace and prossperity to me, with the condition I ended the USSR and let them rule Russia. But all they brought was chaos, anarchy, and the corruption of society. But, it was I Joseph Stalin who along with Genrikh Yagoda, overthrew their government to restore our nation to it's true values. Today, the USSR is restored."

"But this will not be the USSR of old. Above all, the well being of the people, the advancement of the sciences, stability, and prosperity are paramount. And I will make sure that every citizen of the USSR lives well. All I will request in return is loyalty to the USSR, to the Communist Party, and to me. As I speak, anti-revolutionaries are being rounded up. Those who have wronged us will soon see swift justice and their wrongs shall be rectified!"

"And to my fellow revolutionaries in Leningrad, Kirov, and Southern Russia. I ask you to rejoin the motherland. You are the true heroes of the revolution. Because of this, I asky you all to rejoin the USSR, for you have set the course of your homeland, and it is a course she will continue down. But only if you rejoin her. Every revolutionary is elligible of receiving the Hero of the Soviet Union for their acts. But that is only possible if they rejoin their homeland."

"Comrades, from this day fowards, let us put our differences aside to rebuild our homeland. With peace, prosperity will come. All factions which wish to join the USSR in the hopes of peace and prosperity may do so. And together we shall forge a new USSR that is stronger, richer, more prosperous, more powerful, more unified, and more inclusive than the USSR of old! Workers of the world, unite! That phrase shall ring from every doorstep, from every street corner, from every village, town, and city, from every factory, oil field, farm and nation on this earth!"

Stalin stopped sepaking, and the broadcast ended. Then clapping rung out from every room of the Kremlin. After putting his hat back on, Stalin walked out of the room into the adoring crowd and marched out of the building and heard more clapping and cheering. Above the Kremlin once again flew the Soviet flag. And a crowd began to gather around Stalin as they cheered him on. Stalin replied with a huge smile and waved back to the crowd as he walked to an awaiting car.



Stalingrad

"What shall we do, sir?" A soldier asked Blyukher.

"It's obvious." Blyukher replied. "Rejoin the USSR. The legitimate Soviet government has been restored, and Comrade Stalin is back in power. We must rejoin the USSR for our own good, and the good of the revolution.

"Should I notify the Soviet government?" The soldier asked.

"Please do." Blyukher responded with a smile as he imagined of the praise Stalin would give to him for being a true revolutionary.



Leningrad

Cheering errupted on the streets when the restoration of the USSR was announced. Meanwhile the Baltic Fleet Soviet pledged alegiance to the new Soviet government. It was clear that the USSR was deeply popular in Leningrad, and since the Baltic Fleet had seemingly returned Russia and the USSr to the right course, it made sense to rejoin the USSR.

That night, the revolutionaries in Leningrad kept dreaming about the medals and awards Stalin would present to them. Some dreamed of being draped in medals while other hoped to receive an important award like the Hero of the Soviet Union, or the Order of Lenin. Nevertheless, their dreams would soon prove to be otherwise in practice.



All Across The USSR

Stalin hadn't lied when he said that anti-revolutionaries where being dealt with. The newly reformed NKVD had it's agents in every corner of the country, and their job was to round up the most dangerous anti-revolutionaries. And they where doing just that. Unsuspecting citizens where being rounded up and dragged out of their homes. Their fates where already sealed, but they didn't know that.

[New Sriker]

Revolutionary Hall, New York City, New York
May 1st, 1936
National People’s Congress

The crew checked all of the equipment, the camera, the lights, the speakers, and finally the microphone. As the crew finished setting up, the Revolutionary Hall was flooded with guests from all over, including Soviet exiles, Nation of Islam members, and enlisted Navy and Marine men, as they started to take their seats the guest were greeted by the tap of the microphone. The crowd looked towards the central stage and saw a young man sitting on a stool, the man was holding an acoustic guitar and was wearing the insignia of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, the man finished tuning his guitar and then grabbed the mic and spoke to the crowd.

“Hello my revolutionary brothers and sisters from all around our once great nation, today, on the this glorious May Day, I have a special song dedicated to a brave martyr of the revolution, to the wise and mighty John Brown, may his legacy inspire many fellow revolutionaries now and in the future.” said the young man, the crowd gave the man a short round of applause,then he began to play the song.

“Old John Brown's body lies moldering in the grave,
While weep the sons of bondage whom he ventured all to save;
But tho he lost his life while struggling for the slave,
His soul is marching on.

John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true and brave,
And Kansas knows his valor when he fought her rights to save;
Now, tho the grass grows green above his grave,
His soul is marching on.

He captured Harper's Ferry, with his nineteen men so few,
And frightened "Old Virginny" till she trembled thru and thru;
They hung him for a traitor, they themselves the traitor crew,
But his soul is marching on.

John Brown was John the Baptist of the Christ we are to see,
Christ who of the bondmen shall the Liberator be,
And soon throughout the Sunny South the slaves shall all be free,
For his soul is marching on.

The conflict that he heralded he looks from heaven to view,
On the army of the Union with its flag red, white and blue.
And heaven shall ring with anthems o'er the deed they mean to do,
For his soul is marching on.

Ye soldiers of Freedom, then strike, while strike ye may,
The death blow of oppression in a better time and way,
For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day,
And his soul is marching on.”

When he finished, the Hall was filled with applause and cheering, the young man got off the stool and walked off stage. After he exited the stage, the Chairman of the Party, Smedly Butler alongside some of the higher ups of the NRP walked on stage. Butler grabbed the mic and spoke to the audience

“Thank you, Comrade Guthrie for your excellent performance, now that the entertainment is over I would like to give a small but meaningful Speech to my Americans all across our nation.” Butler stated, he then grabbed the mic and looked at the camera crew, the crew was recording since Guthrie’s performance and was going to broadcast Butler’s Speech across America

“My fellow Workers and Toilers of America, today I wish you all a happy International Workers Day, or as some call it, May Day. This day celebrates the strength and integrity of the world’s workers, their fights for a fair pay and a fair living, and our fights to end racism and fix our once great nation. Now my fellow revolutionaries, I ask you to go help your fellow worker, if you see a picket line, don’t cross it, if you see a man being discriminated against for their skin,defend him. For this will bring a new era to America, an era that will bring our nation out of the pit of Depression that we are now stuck in and help us save the American workers. Happy May Day, and may you help your fellow man!” roared Butler. Once he finished the crowd went wild with support for the Chairman, across America, Workers on strike, those in the factories and fields, and those who were sitting at home after a hard day of labor, celebrated May Day. Across states with large NRP support, the People's Red Army marched with large red, black, and white banners and flags, the men and women of the PRA marched holding the weapons of the people and sang the people’s songs. Butler was celebrating in his office with Oliver Law, John Reed, and Elizabeth Flynn, they spoke of the parades and parties. As they celebrated, Butler received a phone call from the NRP headquarters in Los Angeles.

“Not to sound rude, why have you called me comrade?” Butler asked the man on the other side of the line.

“Sir, I needed to tell you about the celebration in LA, it’s massive sir, we can’t count everyone, but we have counted at least over Thirty thousand people celebrating all across LA, including those who went to the PRA Parade.”

Butler stood still for a few seconds, “Over thirty thousand”, that was great news for the campaign in California and abroad, for this would show the party to even more of the American public.

“Well that’s fantastic news, may your day be blessed comrade.” Butler said as he hung up on the man. Butler sat in his seat and hit his cigarette one last time before returning to the celebration.

[Plzen]

Flensborg (Flensburg), South Jutland Security Region B, German Empire

Even though the soldiers of the Centre Brigade of the 4th Rifle Division, tasked with maintaining order and security in Flensborg and environs, were on a mission abroad away from home territory, the commanders of the brigade nonetheless decided to host International Labour Day celebrations in their makeshift camp in Flensborg, the largest city within their security operation area in South Jutland.

Of course, few things ever go perfectly to plan. But in this case, the failure of the plan was very much welcome.

Soldiers being what they were, and the celebration not exactly being a matter of military secrecy, word got out of what the Centre Brigade was planning. The local branch of the SPD jumped at the news, an itinerary appeared in a prominent local newspaper, and soon what was supposed to be a quiet celebration of a national holiday in a military camp became a city-wide festival of sorts. Drinks, courtesy of the local branch of the KPD, and food, courtesy of the NSRS 4th Division, and music, courtesy of drunk and rowdy soldiers.

All of it capped off by a speech.

Against the bloody wars of imperialism, against the throne propped on the bones of millions, against the dictates of Berlin, Dane and German must stand together for a free Schleswig-Holstein!

---

Porajärvi, capital of the Republic of East Karelia

Stalin's ideological flip-flopping and secretive purges - at least, suspected purges - have had a profound influence on the diplomatic situation of Kola and Karelia. Pro-Kerensky forces along the White Sea coast have viciously turned on the Karelian Labour Commune, which itself had its confidence in Soviet support shot and internal cohesion disintegrating as populace and leadership alike doubted their current diplomatic alignment. Bolstered by nearly two brigades' worth of volunteers from Finland, the Republic has abruptly emerged in a strong negotiating position for the unification of Karelia. Talks had already been underway with the pro-Kerensky forces of the coast. With several garrisons along the railroad track - the Karelian Labour Commune's fundamental reason for existence - coming out against Stalin or in favour of the Republic, the fate of the Commune seemed to be sealed.

The NSRS government, too, finally came out of its policy of nonintervention - official nonintervention, anyways, because volunteers were still everywhere - towards Kola and Karelia. Armed in the belief that friendly governments on the other side of the frontier would help control the currently unrestricted flow of goods and people across their border and that, with the region's inhabitants both Russian and non-Russian increasingly doubtful of the Soviets' adherence to commitments, it was possible to establish such friendly governments in the first place, the Northern Council finally issued on the 7th of May, 1936 an official diplomatic recognition of the government of the Republic of East Karelia as the legitimate government of the region.

Kola... was more tenuous. The Sami inhabitants of the region had no strong political opinions to begin with, having always led a fairly marginal and rural sort of existence, and given their larger distance from the Soviet threat the region's Russian inhabitants were rather doubtful of the necessity of increased cooperation with the south and west and rather disinclined to pursue an NSRS-oriented foreign policy. While diplomats were dispatched from Copenhagen to the major Sami tribes and Murmansk warlords of the area, the NSRS didn't expect that they would be seeing substantial results for at least a few more weeks, possibly months. A proposal to simply invade and occupy the area came up - after all, the region was thinly populated and the NSRS certainly had the forces for it - but was dismissed. The Council was not ready to take such a drastic step. Not yet, anyways.

East Karelia... one of the oldest of the Kinship Wars, seemed to finally be returning to unity and peace, as the pressured Karelian Labour Commune sued for surrender against the joint forces of the Republic of East Karelia, the Northern Volunteer Corps, and the White Army allied in harassing them from both sides of their long and thin strip of territory through central Karelia. Within a week, Karelian forces marched into the streets of Äänislinna and an independent Karelian republic would stretch from the NSRS border to the White Sea, for the moment ruled by a tentative coalition of the Karelians and the White Army Russians. It was a tenuous relationship, to be sure. The two sides had divergent economic interests, different languages and cultures, opposing ideological beliefs, and separate military forces. But for the moment, the rising threat of the Soviet Union forced their reluctant cooperation.

These certainly were interesting times.

---

Terijoki, Suomen SN (SR Finland), Commonwealth of Northern Socialist Republics

Not far southeast of Terijoki lay the largest border and customs checkpoint between the NSRS and what once used to be Russia. Being located in the most populated stretch of the border, right between Viipuri and Petrograd, with a railroad as well as a road running through it, it could not help being so. But today, even this large post felt understaffed and overmanned.

Though soldiers sat around a campfire, across chatty barmaids and friendly waitresses, by all the little nooks and crannies that flow through the soul of a nation, a tale had spread. A story that said that if one sought to leave, if one was exhausted of all this war, terror, and chaos and simply wished to be somewhere else, then they merely need head westwards to find sanctuary open to them. The NSRS' standing offer of unconditional acceptance. Objectively, perhaps, it wasn't that big of an influx. Northwestern Russia had maybe fifteen million inhabitants, and less than one percent of one percent of that was gathered out here this morning, no more and no less than yesterday. But for a border checkpoint consisting of six clerks, four backroom staff, and ten armed guards, it felt very much like a horde was descending upon them.

There were perhaps 90,000 or 100,000 Finnic peoples still surviving in Petrograd and her environs after many years of persecutions and deportations, many more in other areas of northwestern Russia. There were non-socialists, kulaks, survivors of Stalin's many purges, or those simply terrified of the NKVD's arbitrariness. There were Izhorians, Estonians, Latvians who all saw other minorities quietly disappearing and feared that they might be next. Even though not everyone believed the rumours, even though not everyone that believed in the rumours believed in the NSRS' good intentions, the pressure was still very much on.

"Order, order, one at a time, please!"

Already the construction crews were at work, many of them immigrants themselves, expanding new districts in Viipuri, Joensuu, even as far away as Kiruna or Narvik. The NSRS authorities initially counted on having to absorb maybe 10,000 refugees from both the German and Russian civil wars. But with German airmen making emergency landings on NSRS airstrips, Ingrian Finns and other ethnic minorities flooding the border checkpoints or even trying to forge the Gulf of Finland on makeshift barges... the estimate rose to 15,000, then to 25,000, and now the Northern Council was contemplating that maybe they needed to order new housing and facilities fit to accommodate sixty thousand new residents.

The costs of accommodation was starting to come up as a sticky political subject in Copenhagen. Even if the refugees worked - as was the condition for their stay in the NSRS - and contributed much back to the country that was now to house and feed them, it would take many years for the investment made in their accommodations and facilities to be recuperated. And what the thousands of Russian-speaking dissidents would do to the cultural fabric of the NSRS...

The gates remained open, for now, but with the reformists feeling increasingly skeptical and even the conservatives starting to ask questions, it was still an open issue on how long that might remain the case...

[New Sriker]

While his brother was busy making secret contacts with the Democrat-Republican Coaltion, Arizona's invasion of Mexico snapped Huey back to reality. The election be damned, if Arizona is allowed to exist, then the legacy of the Civil War would have been for moot. Waving goodbye to the Californians of San Francisco, Senator Huey Long traveled by plane from the West Coast to the East in order to bring attention to a grave situation developing in the South Midwest.

(Image)

Senator Huey Long speaking to Congress, May 4th 1936

"Fellow Congressmen and Senators,

The great nation of America has experienced over a decade of crisis without competence or initiative from the Oval Office. We had all had or fair share of plights troubles, and misfortune in our states, homes, and even family. But I did not call for an audience of Congress and the House of Representatives to wallow over the Great Depression that consumed our livelihoods nor do I call for the President's attention to mock his term in office, no-sir-indeed!

I ask for my patriots and countrymen to lend me their ears once more! There is another crisis looming over us: the very dissolution of our sacred Union. The rogue state of Arizona has illegally formed a totalitarian dictator ship on American soil! A direct, defiant, and inexcusable violation of our Constitution! Through Lincoln's words and Grant's ingenuity, the United States remained a union in the eyes of the Lord.

But the decade of Depression, political infighting, and the general chaos of the Great War have left us blind to the radicals in our country. Arizona must be brought back into the Union! I call for Congress to purse the integrity of the Constitution and the legacy of our Founding Fathers above all else! The dictatorship in the state must be removed beofre it continues its policies of violating the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness on the American citizens trapped in that dystopia.

What say you, Sentators and Representatives? Do you tolerate seccession born from tyranny?!"

Most of the members of the NRP in the Congress and Senate have decided to come out in support for the Southern leader, Huey Long’s call for intervention in the Totalitarian splinter state of the Sonoran Superstate, the NRP sees the Superstate as a threat to not only the revolution but to the poor people who have to live under the eye of the dictatorship.

[Monsone]

Moscow

NKVD soldier escorted in Kolchak, Kerensky, and Blyukher. The three of them where wearing clothes that where several days old. Infront of them sat Joseph Stalin and Nikolai Yezhov. The men where promptly seated and stared at Stalin and Yezhov nervously. Yezhov smirked, and then pulled out a folder stuffed with papers and began to speak.

"Alexander Kerensky, Alexander Kolchak, the two of you are being charged with high treason and the destabilization of Russia. The typical sentence for this, is the firing squad. How do you two plead?" Yezhov read Kerensky and Kolchak's charges, and then asked them the critical question: how didthey plead?

"Not guilty." Kolchak answered directly.

"I also plead not guilty." Kerensky stated and Blyukher looked on in shock.

"Very well. Both of you are sentenced to life imprisonment in Lefortovo Prison." Yezhov said bluntly as he walked away.

"Nikolai, get back here." Stalin said angrily.

"Yes Comrade Stalin?" Nikolai asked Stalin.

"I want their sentences commuted." Stalin growled.

"Are you sure about that?" Yezhov asked curiously.

"Certain. Give Kolchak and Kerensky dachas outside Moscow, make sure these are nice dachas. They will spend the rest of their days in that dacha. I want every White Russian, Tsarit and anyother political faction to have their sentences commuted, as good will from Comrade Stalin." Stalin explained.

"Very well." Yezhov sighed as he left the room promptly.

"Spread the word that Stalin is giving everyone clemency. Let your people know. But if they revolt, that will be the end of all of them." Stalin told Kerensky and Kolchak, who just stared nervously at Stalin.

"Comrade Stalin, what about me?" Blyukher asked.

"Of course Blyukher. You're going to help me design the medal for the Defender of the Revolution award." Stalin smiled at Blyukher.

"Well, that makes sense." Blyukher chuckled.

"Now off with you two! Go have some lunch!" Stalin told Kolchak andKerensky, who promptly left.

"Comrade Stalin, how we will instil fear in the people, to control them?" Blyukher asked Stalin in a hushed tone.

"There are other ways. But for now, our job is to unify Russia." Stalin cut Blyukher off.

"Yes sir." Blyukher responded.

"Now, to the medal." Stalin said with a quick clap of his hands.



Leningrad

Now that the city was once again Soviet, calm had returned. The giant photos of Stalin and Lenin where back along with the red banners, the red stars, and the Soviet flags. Meanhwile, the streets seemed relatively jubilant. The Baltic Fleet had once again become loyal to the USSR, and Red Army troops fraternized with the locals.

Meanwhile in Kronshadt seven cargo ships from the Soviet merchant marine where being readied. The their destination was Rostok. And their job was to pick up the goods from the upcoming German shopping spree Stalin himself had ordered. The idea was to take anything of value from Germany, and to send it back to the USSR. It didn't matter if it was cars, medical equiptment, military equiptment, or anything else, as long as it could be bought, it was to be bought.

The ships left Leningrad in the evening and headed towards Rostok, towards Germany, towards chaos.



Berlin

An Aeroflot DC-2 landed at Tempelhof Airport in Berlin. It was a full flight, but not of paying passengers. Onboard where Soviet diplomats who's only job was to buy, take, and even steal everything possible from Germany that could benefit the USSR. As the diplomats got off the plane, they could already smell death in the air and here the fire of guns and other weapons. It was almost ironic that the basketcase of Europe---the USSR---had a more peaceful capital, where the sound of cars, birds, bells, and clocks took center stage instead of the sounds of war.



New Soviet Policies

Socialist Economy---Centralized planning by each individual province with the total results to be summed up by GOST and created into a central plan for economic growth. Long term plans (5 years) are for more general goals of productivity and output. Short term plans (1 year) complement the five year plan and serve to supplement the five year plan and adjust for yearly changes like droughts, sudden discoveries of new mineral resources, etc. Farming will be collectivized, but every farmer is entitled to 1km square. Similarly, all citizens are entitled to 600 square meters of land for a dacha.

Government System---The head of the state is the Premier of the USSR, the head of government is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the head of the Armed Forces is the Chief Commander of the Soviet Armed Forces. Elections for the Communist Party Congress and municipal offices are allowed. Otherwise, all other positions are appointed.

Property---One’s dacha and land given to them by the state are one’s own property and may be sold, traded, or used as however desired. However, all other land belongs to the state. State owned land may be acquired under very specific conditions and a purchase may not exceed half a kilometer square. Building on government land is illegal, and if done, it is punishable with fines and a jail sentence. Government land that is not in use and no longer needed will be given to hard working workers as compensations for their hard work.

Companies---There are to be three types of companies. State owned corporations, Soviet owned companies, and Joint-Stock companies. State owned companies are government owned and are the property of the nation. Soviet owned companies are the property of Workers Soviets. But the land, equipment, etc, all belong to the government and are just leased at no cost to the Soviet. Joint-Stock companies are 51% or more owned by the government with the rest of the shares being held by workers of the company. The workers are paid via the earnings of their shares in joint-stock companies.

Religion, the Press, and Freedoms---Religion will not be banned. However the state shall be secular and the teaching of religion in schools as well as the existence of religious schools will not be allowed. Seminaries are allowed for the education of priests. The press will be all state controlled. Newspapers are allowed in every language of the nation, and are to be subsidized by the state if necessary. All newspapers will be under the auspices of the Ministry of News and Information. The people will have the freedom to protest if the protest is authorized by the government. Similarly, the right to speak freely is allowed as long as the government isn’t slandered and government secrets aren’t divulged.

Infrastructure---The expansion of the industrial base as well as the quality of the infrastructure is paramount. All infrastructure must be capable of withstanding a tank crossing, with a focus especially on road and rail infrastructure. Air infrastructure is also critical, but the construction of airfields is less of a priority than improving ground connections. Similarly, telegram and telephone will be expanded, upgraded, and the network expanded to better cover the nation. Radio towers will be built to support signals for civilian and military radios as well as television.

Agriculture---Productivity is paramount. While all grown on the allocated 1km plot of land can be sold or consumed without government interference, all other agricultural goods are property of the state and will be distributed by the local government or sent to be processed. Food priority is equal, with a basic allotment of food given to every citizen with the basics to survive included. Further purchases may be made in shops with hard currency and not ration cards.

Rationing and Goods---All basic goods like food are provided for free by the state on a ration card. Medications are also provided by the state with a separate ration card provided by a medical professional. Alcohol, tobacco, and other food products must be purchased with hard cash. All goods not mentioned must be purchased with hard cash. The sale of privately grown food products and homemade goods is allowed only in specific locations, namely city markets.

Education---Education is free from preschool to university. The minimum amount of school one must attend is from preschool to the end of high school. Additional extracurricular things students must learn are how to use a gun, how to drive a car, basic first aid, cooking, and outdoors survival skills. Mandatory education in mathematics, Russian, the sciences, and a foreign language is mandatory for every citizen. Local languages must be learned in addition to Russian and the foriegn language.

Regional Rule---All separate ethnic regions with a distinct ethnic minority are entitled to have a Soviet Socialist Republic. Each SSR is a subject of the USSR, however, the SSR is allowed to have certain rights and privileges pertaining to it’s ethnic makeup or unique cultural status. Regional languages are allowed to be used day to day in SSRs, but the use of Russian is mandatory for government documents and Russian is still the de-facto and de-jure national language. Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics are federal subjects of SSRs and have certain very limited autonomy because of the same reasons as an SSR.

Currency---The sole legal tender of the USSR is the Soviet Ruble. The Ruble is divided into 100 Kopeks. Each Ruble is equal to 0.0000000001 ounces of gold.

[Domerstresseistan]

The Iron Phalanx

Missoula, Montana

Leonidas, a mixed-race man entering his early 40's that used to go by the name of Joshua Harrison, would march into the undefended small city located on the Old US 93 Highway. Leading an army of around 1,000 Hoplites and 2,000 slaves, his never-ending desire to end the old has brought him to many places across the North American Northwest.

Missoula happened to, unfortunately, be on the agenda for Leonidas' Conquest of Montana, which had drawn out into a stalemate as a result of the stiff resistance the residents and the local army battalions had put up in the unpredictable forest and terrain. However, today seemed to be those days where he felt generous; rather than merciless murdering only the males, he instead will force them all the residents of the small town into chattel slavery to re-plant and work recently-captured farms out east. Usually Leonidas would, as a punishment for resistance by a town or city, slaughter every eighth adult man in the city and then forcefully taking the women and children into slavery; the young male children especially would be taken from their mothers to train to become by-the-book Hoplites like their ancient predecessors and the rest undergoing slavery in various occupations.

Slaves was what Leonidas needed and so he and his army of 3,000 marched into Missoula. A publicized massacre of 300 in the nearby town of Stevensville last week was just enough to consume even the toughest Missoulan in absolute fear. Coupled with the absolute erasure of the city through wanton pillaging and razing, not only would Missoula be eager to put down their arms and unwillingly accept the rule of the Phalanx but also many other cities that may put up a resistance against the armies of Leonidas.

The Town Square would be massively crowded; Leonidas had ordered all the citizens of Missoula to stop their daily business and to gather. The scenes beforehand were quite awry; people being pulled out at gun-point by heavily armed hoplites, young boys forcefully separated from their mothers and the vandalism and looting of all of the small number of Missoula's shops, restaurants, and other places. Oh and the Local Police Department too was also targeted and looted; upon seeing the standard of the Phalanx, the local police surrendered, horrified by the stories of bloodied massacre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAZsf8mTfyk

Now with all the townspeople in the square, Leonidas gave his speech from the footsteps of the Town Hall. Speaking with a sense of charisma and jubilance, he reminded the crowds that he had "saved" them from a collapsing America through an eternal bondage with the Iron Phalanx. He would monologue about the imminent collapse of America and the "free world" and use this as justifications for the Iron Phalanx's "Way of the Spartan." The army, with all their guns pointed into the huge crowd, ensured that the townspeople clapped, whether they liked it or not.

"Now, Hoplites! Show them the Way of the Spartan!" Leonidas triumphantly said to his men. Within two days, they would depopulate the entire city of Missoula as the entire population would be deported into chattel slavery, hoplite training or whatever uses they had for the state as illegitimate, now-conquered citizens.

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

Phalanx Radio

After the triumphant victory at Missoula that had been won through sheer fear of bloodshed, Leonidas and his troops would temporarily make camp in the nearby forest, close to a radio station with a large broadcasting tower. Having been presented by his Stratigos (his bloodlust generals) three Missoula residents that worked as a radio DJ and technicians respectively, Leonidas decided to enslave them under his personal custody to work whatever radio tech they come upon. Leonidas knew the power of the radio broadcast so a large milestone would be to broadcast to the greater region a stern warning and a political thesis.

Hiking up the hill, Leonidas and a small detachment of Spartans (Leonidas' elite personal guard of Hoplites that had killed and conquered enough to be worthy of the title) shoved the three radio technicians up over two-thousand feet. Upon reaching the radio station, the three would seem exhausted from running almost the entire time, though with a whip and hard beating, they would suddenly -or willingly- have enough energy to do the tasks: open up the radio station, turn up the broadcasting power and put Leonidas on the speaker.

"Citizens of Montana, the United States Government has failed you. They have neglected to commit any manpower or support to defend you, a result of their endless bureaucratic bickering onset by the ignorance of their leaders. As the blood of your fellow citizens had been spilled throughout these months, the United States Government has done nothing to avenge or even save you. They have failed in even the most basic tasks of keeping you and your loved ones well-fed in this time of struggle and strife. I come to you, Citizens of Montana, as your savior -from the misery, depression and hopelessness that has become the United States of America. The Iron Phalanx will allow your blood to be carried onto your kin and then their kin and so on and so forth under a totalitarian homogeneous society of stability and control, unlike the society of America which has allowed the concept of "free will" to make an enemy of and destroy itself."

He then went on for over 40 minutes to ramble about the failures of the American Dream, the idea of Democracy and the motives of the Iron Phalanx before concluding with:

"Your peaceful surrender will be your salvation."

[Strala]

Shanghai

The city of Shanghai was an outlier in this war-torn country. The people inside were gay, happy, well feed, and generally disconnected from the rest of the country. Instead of being conscripted and being forced to fight for a brutal or savage warlord, the men and women of Shanghai were free to do anything they wish as long it was reasonable. The lights of Shanghai shined brightly in the night compared to the vast field of darkness that surrounded it. The cinemas catered to the party members, workers, and laborers alike, and despite the communist party's attempts to shut down clubs, some of these underground clubs continued to supply the masses with western styles of music and alcohol. The Communist Party branch within Shanghai was arguably the older and more liberal branch compared to the ones in Sichuan or Shaanxi.

Gone were the days of Shanghainese gangs running the city and streets or when the Shanghailanders stood above the common Chinese man or women. The communist party brutally suppressed any gang activity, with many former gang leaders either fleeing or executed. The International Settlement was also in decline, with only the Americans keeping their concessions. Many of those who remained were allowed to keep their homes and a percentage of their former wealth. Despite all this, drove of Europeans seeking to flee the great war continue to arrive in the city.

Due to this, especially to the native residents of Shanghai, especially to those that lived here since the communist takeover in late 1927, Shanghai has undoubtedly changed. Whether for the better or worse depended on whom you asked. If you questioned a worker in one of Shanghai's ports or many factories, they would tell you that without a doubt, life in Shanghai has improved ever since the communist party took over the city. Former elitist or Shanghailander only establishments were now open for the public, and the party's various reforms have benefited them greatly. If you questioned one of the former bourgeoisie that lived in the city, they would tell you that the party had ruined the splendid city that they grew up and lived. The party had confiscated their wealth and properties, which they used to fund further expansion, rebuild, and set up defenses in the city. The bourgeoisie, due to their lack of material wealth, either took whatever they could and attempt to flee to Nanjing or took whatever jobs they could find in Shanghai. Those who had military experience were allowed to join the Shanghai Defense Force. They were only allowed to enlist in one of the three rifle divisions, where they would serve as a rifleman.

Just 10 kilometers beyond the city proper, watchtowers, sandbags, and trenches were the most common and prevalent sight. The two CSR cruisers and seven coastal defense ships would patrol the Huangpu River. Two rifle divisions and one tank brigade of the SDF guarded the trenches at any time. They knew that any time fighting could break out between the local warlord's forces and them. The SVC, as diminished as it was, was also convinced to help guard the trenches. It wasn't hard to do, as most troops in a warlord army were bandits, who were known to loot any captured cities. The Jiangsu clique's army was no doubt had more men then the SDF, but almost every warlord army excluding the Fengtian Clique, the vast majority of their divisions and soldiers were worthless in actual combat.

"Comrade, have you heard? The rumors have stated that Chairman Mao is planning on invading Jiangsu?"

"I've heard it. The rumors say that Chairman Mao is trying to unite with the Guomindang in Southern China. It also states that the glorious chairman is planning on invading Hubei, before defeating the vile Zhili clique in Anhui and Henan."

"Why do I hear talking in the trenches? Keep your eyes forwards, and remain vigilant. If I hear another voice, I will send that man personally to the political commissar and have him deal with it. The enemy could attack at any time."

This shuts up the troops within the trenches. The CSR never executed their soldiers if they could avoid it, but harsh punishments were common to keep discipline among the troops.

The Red Star
The Liberation of Hubei and Anhui
The brave soldiers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th corp of the 1st Route Army have finally defeated the evil Zhili Clique that long have oppressed the working men and women of Hubei and Anhui. This event was met with tremendous fanfare all across the CSR and Guomindang controlled regions. Most of the readers of this newspaper would know that back in 1928, the united front was defeated at Hubei and Anhui. Tens of thousands of men from the national revolutionary army lay dead in the fields and mountains of the provinces. Those who were captured suffered a fate worse than death itself despite this, the brave soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army never broke until their commanders betrayed them and fled.

Now, the northern expedition has been partially avenged with the defeat of the Zhili Clique. Chairman Mao has congratulated and praised the brave soldiers that fought so valiantly against overwhelming odds.

Announced by Chairman Mao in January of 1936, no one thought much of it. After all, if the National Pacification Army had forced the first United Front, a force with even more manpower and soldiers than the CSR, how could we possibly defeat such a giant? With modern weapons and a modern way of warfare! The Zhili Clique similar to most of the warlord controlled China, remains underfunded, with much of the wealth being squandered away by the warlord and his close followers. The army, filled with bandits and village conscripts and armed with primarily old rifles, muskets, and cold weapons, could not go against the modern machine gun, tanks, and rifles. In three weeks, comrade Lin Bao managed to liberate almost all of Hubei province. In regards to the defeated soldiers, he spared village conscripts and sent most of the home. The bandits, however, were publically executed by firing squads. After Lin Bao, came, the various government officials of the CSR who began to redistribute the land, along with beginning to set the foundations of building up the infrastructure and road networks of the region.

Anhui proved to be far harder, with several large engagements and battles fought at Hefei, Anqing, and Ma'an Shan, which saw over 100,000 combatants on both sides. Skirmishes were also a daily occurrence, with CSR forces clashing with local militias and the Zhili Army. Despite the stiff resistance, Anhui would fall in March. The last two months, the CSR forces have been stamping out the loyal remnants of the Zhili army and local bandits

Mao Zedong pubically denounces Stalin
Last week, the chairman of the CPC, comrade Mao Zedong, has denounced Stalin for betraying the revolution and cooperating with reactionaries. He went on to further state that Stalin would betray the Chinese Communist Party if it meant Stalin would benefit from it.

"Stalin is a reactionary and no longer serves the revolution! No true revolutionary would ever agree to work with the sworn enemy of the revolutionary, bourgeoisie, and monarchists. The workers, laborers, and soldiers of the USSR had fought, bled, died, and toiled endlessly without complaint to see that Lenin's dreams would be carried out and that one day, the former Russian Empire would be reunited under the red flag. And what did Stalin do? He spat on their sacrifices when he willingly disbanded the USSR and agreed to work with the USSR's former enemies!"

"While he did eventually put an end to this madness, how did he end it? Through savagery and backstabbing! He imprisoned his opponents, forever cementing himself as a man not to be trusted. He has made revolutionaries all around the world look bad!"

Letter to the KMT
To the honored Wang Jingwei
Comrade Wang, I must admit that I, along with many of the left KMT who had served alongside me, were enraged when you announced the disbandment of the Wuhan government. We could not comprehend how someone like you, a beacon of nationalism and socialism, could ever bow to the demands of the warlords in Nanjing, and thus we broke off ties, but now, we need each other more than ever.

I remember back in the early 1920s we would meet each other daily and discuss the problems we were facing. Those times were pleasant. We were hopeful about a successful Northern Expedition, and the warlords that sucked China dry would finally be defeated. Now we know that it didn't, and the situation became worse. Therefore I propose that we once again set aside our difference and unite under the revolutionary banner. I understand that my soviet counterpart, Stalin has placed a bad reputation on us all, and why you wouldn't wish to associate or work with the CSR, but I implore you to give it a chance. We both seek to create a unified China that would benefit the workers and laborers of this country.
From,
The Chairman of the Communist Party of China,
Mao Zedong

Letter to the República Socialista de México
To comrade Miguel Rivera
Comrade, I must congratulate you and what the Mexican and South American people accomplished. You have transformed your nation into a global powerhouse that even the imperialist and capitalist powers of the world respects. I wish to transform China similarly. However, I need weapons to accomplish this. I would be most honored and grateful if you were willing to donate us some of your airplanes, tanks, small arms, logistical equipment, naval ships, and or whatever you are willing to give.
From,
The Chairman of the Communist Party of China,
Mao Zedong

Letter to the New Revolutionary Party
To comrade Chairman Smedley Butler
Comrade, I must congratulate you on your election. The American people and workers have long been oppressed by their capitalist overlords and it has been pleasant to see that they have a new ally. One that will defend them against the capitalist scum. I wish to ask if you can convince the American Senate and Congress to give up their concessions in China.
From,
The Chairman of the Communist Party of China,
Mao Zedong

[New Sriker]

Countryside of Montana, Montana-Wyoming Border
May 10th, 1936
Death to Tyrants

The men watched the road closely, they were waiting for their target to arrive. Out of the 25 men sent to attack, 5 were on watch duty while the others sat waiting for the signal to attack, as the men sat there, they only heard the wind and some small animals running round. One of the scouts let out a loud whistle to the other scouts, the target had arrived.

The target was a small military convoy, with around 40 armed personnel, About 3 military trucks, most likely full of weaponry for the Phalanx. The scouts readied their rifles, the trucks turned onto the dirt road once they got close to the middle of the road, the truck in the front hit a mine and exploded into a pile of scrap. As the front truck exploded the two trucks left tried to pull out of the dirt road, but the back truck’s driver was shot by one of the scouts. Both of the truck’s passengers exited the vehicles and began shooting into the night. The few who couldn’t reach cover in time were picked off by the scouts, one of the scouts pulled out a flare gun and fired it into the sky, once they saw this the attackers made their move, from behind their current the the forces of the Phalanx were attacked by the attacker squad.

After an intense close quarters fight the attackers won, only losing about 6 men. The ambushers grabbed as many supplies as they could before setting the two remaining trucks ablaze, alongside getting the bodies of their fallen comrades. The partisans crossed the border and entered Wyoming, upon their arrival the partisans entered their hideout, an old ranch, and began to open the boxes they captured. In the boxes were large amounts of civilian firearms and some military grade ones, with them were some boxes of rations. While most of the partisans celebrated their raid, the partisan Captain sat outside of the ranch home waiting for a guest, right before the Captain was about to doze off the guest arrived.

Why hello there Captain, what was it again, Ezekiel?” asked the guest. Ezekiel hopped out of his seat and saluted the guest
“Sorry sir, Captain Ezekiel J. Falk, leader of the Montana Revolutionary Brigade, reporting for duty sir, but may I ask, why are you here Director Commissar, sir?” asked Ezekiel. Law looked at the man with a sly look on his face.

“You’ll know in about two days my boy, two days.” Said Law as he walked into the ranch home. Ezekiel sat in shock, but as he began to go back to resting 6 soldiers came out of the old farm and went inside of the ranch home alongside Law. Ezekiel reminded himself “Two Days” but two days until what?

New York City, New York
May 10th, 1936, a few hours before the Partian’s raid
The Call

Butler looked at his phone and wondered if what he was about to do was the right thing to do, he then pulled out a cigarette and started to smoke. He then put in a number and after a few seconds greeted the man on the other side of the line

“Hello Earl, is it possible for me and Huey to have a quick chat, it’s important and involves what he said in congress a few days ago.” Said Butler

[Wasi State]

Washington DC
President Al Smith

"So you really think this Republican-Democrat coalition is the way to go to preserve the Constitutional America we've come to known since 1776?" Former Republican nominee, Frank Knox, questioned Al Smith while they met in the Oval Office. The situation was seemingly getting more and more dire with the presidency, with Montana of all places getting recently invaded by supposed "Spartanists," from Canada, it wasn't too hard to criticize the Al Smith administration as being one of the weakest presidential administrations of all time. Second only to perhaps the James Buchanan presidency... For now.

"Now listen here, if the Federal Government is to stand on its own two feet against the increasingly growing popularity of these dangerous radicals, the centrist parties have to stand in unity with one another!" Smith insisted to Knox, "I know that means uneasy concessions between our Democrat and Republican parties, but we are being left with far less choices to act with each passing day, we cannot afford to let communists like Butler or Browder win the Election!"

"But what about Huey Long?" Knox then asked, inquiring on the President's position with the American First Party.

"Let's just say I've intended to arrange something with the AFP." He motioned for Earl Long to then join the room with them after having days prior requested for him to instead join them in the White House, "Earl, this is Frank Knox, my newly acquired VP for the upcoming Election. He is also a member of the GOP as you know." He introduced the two and then got to business.

"So we got Butler in the Atlantic Northeast and the Rust Belt, and Browder to the midwest." He motioned on the current projections with the election map, "It's obvious we're going to need to campagin heavily in the swing states if we are going to have a chance to win with the Electoral College."

"And with the seceding States in the West?" Knox then asked with a bit of snark.

"Nothing we can do for them, we cannot safely get the voters back into the general Electoral pool unless we can get them back on our side. And Arizona is just going to be another venture after this year." Smith explained, obviously looking stress and in need of a drink.

"We admittedly could use the AFP on a centrist, "All-American" ticket, Earl. If we have even the slightest chance to beat back these communists and 'spartanists." Smith then honestly admitted to the Long brother for help, awaiting his response.

---

Montana National Guard
Outside of Helena
Col. O'Brien

Him and his men were quite frankly undermanned, undersupplied, and under Eisenhower. What national guard units they could have mustered were ordered to assemble around the state's capital under the pretense of 'strategic' positioning as reinforcements were expected to arrive soon afterwards to drive the invaders out, but none have come to their aid since as they were then left as sitting bystanders to the Spartanist slaughter across their state. The political machine in Washington had left them into the fray and out to dry as reports of avoidable massacres in Montana were heard throughout the news all across the country in their politically organized failure to stop the Iron Phalanx.

Despite his protests to Eisenhower that they needed to act now to avoid more American casualties, both the Colonel and even the General were helpless to do anything drastic that'll go against the President's 'sound' political maneuvering to secure his reelection at the cost of untold thousands of lives and America's dignity.

Though they weren't entirely alone in this fight however out in the untamed Northwest, reports have begun to stream in of Revolutionary Brigades making counter attacks against the ravaging Phalanx near Wyoming. The Colonel could begin to care less of what the hell Smith thought of what his next plan would be for the Montana National Guard, if there was still a fighting chance for the State, he was going to damn well take it. At least he knew Eisenhower would be reluctant to actually stop him from doing something that wasn't being pigeonholed by the administration.

"Order what tactical bombers and close air-support we got that has the range. We are sending that air support to the PRA in the south to assist in their attacks on the Phalanx bastards." The Colonel then radioed in to his Lieutenant at the Airbase.

"Sir you can't be serious?" The Lieutenant was hesitant, considering it'll be going against Al Smith's orders.

"Dammit I have a State to rescue from complete disaster! If I can make moves to defeat these yahoos now, we'll have ourselves liberated by Labor Day! That's an order Lieutenant!"

"Understood... Sir." The radio cut out and news of Federal air support patrolling the skies for Phalanx targets to aid various guerrilla fighters throughout the state begun to stream as the Helena Airbase came to life finally to defend liberty.

[Domerstresseistan]

US-89, Montana-Wyoming Border
Antiochus, Stratigos of the Eagle Phalanx

Reports from Krypteria that another shipment of weapons had been sabotaged would reach the local Stratigos responsible for operations throughout the Middle part of Southern Montana. Antiochus, that local Stratigos in command of some over 6,000 Hoplites, would not be angered by this, but have chills down his spine; these failures would only add up to his eventual execution. Being one of Leonidas' best Stratigos, Antiochus will not, and will never let any failure, whether under his supervision or not, get away nor get the best of him.

Under orders from Leonidas to destroy roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure throughout the State of Montana to make the more mobile US military immobile, he organized several hundred of his men to set up a symbolic gesture towards the Americans. Quite literally, a gesture. By most standards, it would be an inhumane display.

In the late hours of the night, the troops would stack a pile of over 600 dead, 2/3rds of them being the corpses of captured American soldiers and resistance fighters beginning the rotting phase of post-death. These were captured men from a battle out west several days ago and executed on-the-spot after their leader-in-command had refused to surrender them to slavery. As the bodies began to pile up to block off the road, hundreds of mines would also be set along the border-line over five-hundred feet in both directions assuming that mobile units would go around the display.

"Show them the heads." Antiochus ordered his men to start cutting off the exposed heads of the piled dead.

To further add ontop of this, after the road had been torn into pieces, three phalanx spears would be put into the ground, with each spear acting as a shishkebab with 10 heads each, all of them with their faces ripped off and thrown on the ground and their eyeballs gouged. As the night slowly began to end, the display and the traps in the surrounding area had already been set. Antiochus would pin a message on one of the spears that said only one word:

"EZEKIEL."

As the sun began to slowly rise, the Stratigos and his men retreated into the Wilderness once again, preparing for yet another offensive.

Leonidas' Camp, Unknown Location, Forests of Montana

"...and we will send our Krypteria throughout the continent to infiltrate every major movement and nation-state which presents a threat to the processes that we are undergoing to transform ourselves into a formal empire."

Leonidas and the Council, his most trusted men, have been in a tent planning the next moves of the Iron Phalanx: from formally establishing governance in the territories of the north to the infiltration of the US Government, Military and other political factions. Seeing a resurgence of American resistance as inevitable, Leonidas took upon himself to devise a strategy to not only fight the bastards on the battlefield, but also instigate even more tension and infighting within the United States to cause enough political chaos to practically immobilize the weak Smith administration from having a strong response.

"Leonidas, the Council will agree to allocate 500 Krypteria to be sent on the various missions which you have proposed to u-"

"No. Make it 700."

The Council, being the rubber stamp compared to Leonidas' absolute power as a bloodthirsty dictator, hesitated and nodded to Leonidas' request of using 700 Krypteria.

"So then it will be agreed. The best of our Krypteria will be sent outward to carry on these missions. To ensure our Iron Phalanx is undeterred and to send a message to the dismissive Government and Peoples of the United States." Leonidas, having so much contempt for a country that saw it's people by color and creed rather than as useful or useless tools, said.

The Council nodded and began to draw up orders for military generals and specific individuals within the Krypteria. "Dismissed."

[Spiritual Republic of Caryton]

May 7th, 1936
The Road to Hermosillo

The victory over the border regions came soon enough, and a reinforcement detail of 10,000 soldiers were sent in to establish order. In smaller towns, putting down anarchy came easily enough, but Arizona was not interested in empty desert. The minute they captured Hermosillo, the international government would be forced into recognizing the Sonoran Superstate as legitimate rather than just ambitious claims of a desert state that defected from the union. The battle of Agua Prieta had resulted in 315 Arizonan casualties and around a staggering 1,110 casualties for the insurgents. Despite the landslide victory over the town, for such a small diversion force the blow to their numbers even in the dozens would seriously hinder them in battle. Thus, the diversion force had been absorbed to guard the area around the border. However, their diversion had worked and a main insurgency force were sent to the town of Nacozari, preparing to intercept what they believed was a true offensive.

The 15th Armored Division had smashed full-force into Puerto Penasco, with the Sonoran Superstate's fresh-off-the-line patrol boats boxing their ships in with their light cannons. After multiple weeks of shelling from both sides, the city surrendered by the turn of May. Mexican Nogales was long gone, starved out by an encirclement before wholly surrendering by May 5th. This stream of admittedly lucky victories was called the "May Day Incursion", of which practically the entirety of North Sonora was secured and reinforced.

A fighting force of 7,000 had also been brought in from Tijuana, and was split evenly into three groups with undetermined amounts of aid from civilian militias. Together, they would come in through the north against three highway towns: Heroica Caborca, Imuris, and Santa Ana. Similarly, a civilian detachment of 700 militiamen cavalry under military advisors with support from the 8th and 18th Navajo mortar platoons from the previous battle were sent from nearly all sides to keep the forces of Nacozari occupied and distracted.

Knowing insurgents were loosely organized by distrusting cliques, the capture of Hermosillo, as well as Sonora's valuable coastline would demoralize most of the enemy force into total submission, save for a few radical guerrillas that would be dealt with later on. Once Pheonix had direct control over Hermosillo and other cities, not even Mexico could play its cards on Sonora's ambiguous status on the map. Only radical communists and the most well-armed drug lords could field an actual army, so the Arizonan generals were gambling on the fact that most warfare would be counter-partisan.

The Secondary Presidential Bunker
Unknown Location in SW Arizona

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Timothy Grant was in the war room with his prized military brass, from the army even to park rangers and militia command.

"The air force, we must send them in." Timothy sneered after a shot of tequila, his pale hands looking over a map of Mexico.

"Almighty Leader." The Marshal of the Air Force began. "We need our planes on standby. The moment our air superiority is lost is the moment that bastard Long and the American Government can start skirmishes against us. As long as we have bombers ready to raze everything from San Diego to Salt Lake to even Houston... the Union won't have the balls to invade us without risking serious casualties and destruction of their infrastructure."

"I see." Grant continued. "What about our Anti-Air assets?"

"They are all well, stationed from Pheonix to Flagstaff, priority on air assets and core cities-- with our factories dead set on cranking out more every day. Neither America nor Mexico can touch our airfields from above if we make the skies blazen with our rounds."

Timothy Grant sneered again, taking a pen before drawing a line across the exterior coast of Baja California.

"This. I want our most valuable ports fortified so much that Constantinople would tremble at its sight."

"And what of Pheonix, my leader?" The Army Marshall asked.

"Start the construction of bunkers as far as the small farming community of Surprise to the Northwest to Chandler in the Southeast. I will personally see to it that even the rural areas around our capital are made like unto hellfire."

"Should we arm the militia, what about the regular civilians?" Said the militia commander.

"I want every man, woman, and child to know their way around a weapon, be it a rifle or even a god damn pitchfork if we don't have the resources. Prioritize the militia for now, but when shit gets dire..." He started, drawing out his words in a sinister manner. "It will be at the expense of every able-bodied civilian in the nation."

Grant sat down in his seat, the lamp above them shining down on the papers. The darkened skies outside over the dystopian desert view intensified into a rolling thunderstorm.

"I want our economy in full wartime production. Prioritize food production to the military and militia, and smelt EVERYTHING. I don't care if we work our miners to death. If we do not ascertain glorious victory, I will again see to it that EVERY bullet in our possession is fired."

The generals went quiet, their Leader snickering with a sly smirk on his face. He folded his hands, looking towards the flag hanging over the door.

"The biggest mistake our enemies have made was warning us they were coming."