The Empire Strikes Back - Part 3

[Beaverman1]

"Greetings fellow senators, I am here for two reasons this day. First to give my condolences to both the Royal and the Palaiologos family, Both of your families have truly lost someone of great importance to not only the people they knew, but to the Empire itself. Secondly, I am announcing my retirement from both my governorship and my role as minister of armaments. I sincerely hope these offices are filled by good, hard-working Romans. And lastly, as requested by many members of my house, me and my kin are no longer Kvensson's, but as members of house Varangios. God bless the Empire and the new Emperor."

((I might be returning to this AAR, but I might not at the same time. I just wanted to let you guys know that if I do make a new senator, it'll be under Varangios.))

 

[Idhrendur]

These Anarcho-Liberals look like trouble, but they can be managed like the militant socialists and the Jacobins, and if they are willing to work with us I would gladly do so. I send my deepest condolences to the people of Napoli, who have suffered greatly from the volcanic eruption.
First to the North Pole! A triumph for the Empire! Now to the South Pole!
I am looking forward to the coronation. Long live the Emperor!

~Michael Doukas

((Private))

"Ha, I have won!" said Konstantinos, standing in front of him.
If you ignore him he'll go away, thought Michael.
"Do you really think I would go away that easily?" said Konstantinos. "Wrong! And now the Emperor is adopting my name..."
Michael slammed his fist down on the table. When he looked up again, Konstantinos was gone.
"My apologies," he said to the other senators.

Damn how much "economic freedom" do these capitalists need!

- Senator Gray

"Greetings fellow senators, I am here for two reasons this day. First to give my condolences to both the Royal and the Palaiologos family, Both of your families have truly lost someone of great importance to not only the people they knew, but to the Empire itself. Secondly, I am announcing my retirement from both my governorship and my role as minister of armaments. I sincerely hope these offices are filled by good, hard-working Romans. And lastly, as requested by many members of my house, me and my kin are no longer Kvensson's, but as members of house Varangios. God bless the Empire and the new Emperor."

((I might be returning to this AAR, but I might not at the same time. I just wanted to let you guys know that if I do make a new senator, it'll be under Varangios.))

 

[Idhrendur]

Thank you, Senators. We plan to keep the current appointments for the next five years. They would be thus:

Ministers:
Foreign minister - Senator Favero
Armament minister -
Minister of security - Senator Doukas
Chief of Staff - Senator Στήβεν
Chief of the Army - Senator Theodosio
Chief of the Navy - Senator Smithereens

Governors:
(North) Africa - Senator Damaskinos
Britannia - Senator Palaiologos
Dalmatia - Heraclius Komnenos
Macedonia - Senator Angelos
Naples - Senator Septiadis
Palestine - Senator Doukas
Raetia - Senator Comminus
Sicily - Senator Smithereens
Thracia - Prince Alvértos

Brittany - Senator Γκρέυ
Italy - Senator Favero
Philippines - Senator Nguyen-Climaco
Spain - Senator Theodosio

And remember that Australia includes New Zealand, the eastern half of New Guinea, and the smaller islands eastwards of there. The Philippines include Java, the western half of New Guinea, and the islands between those three points.

The following provinces will be placed in the control of non-Senator governors:
Armenia
Asia
Australia
Egypt
Georgia
Guayana
Mauretania
Syria
Aquitaine
Azerbaijan
Burgundy
Catalonia
France
Belgium
Java
New Zealand
South Africa
Wales

Are there any desired changes? And would any Senators volunteer to be the new Armaments Minister?

 

[austrianemporer]

We have selected a new head of the Palaiologoi Family, I, Christophoros Palaiologos, has been selected. I vow to make the Eastern Roman Empire great and strong! We will conquer our way to victory with our Greek citizens! ((basically a proto- fascist from seeing so many of his family killed)).

-Senator Christophoros Palaiologos, duke of Nicaea

 

[zenphoenix]

We have selected a new head of the Palaiologoi Family, I, Christophoros Palaiologos, has been selected. I vow to make the Eastern Roman Empire great and strong! We will conquer our way to victory with our Greek citizens! ((basically a proto- fascist from seeing so many of his family killed)).

-Senator Christophoros Palaiologos, duke of Nicaea

I urge you to choose your words carefully, sir, lest you be called a traitor and supporter of the Konstantinians and Markos Angelos. For those very words you said echo those that my brother proclaimed during his rebellion. Don't go down the path he did. It will not end well for you. I am saying this for your own good.

~Doukas

 

[Arakhor]

Alexios Angelos asks, "Isn't our empire already great and strong? Suggesting otherwise seems foolish."

 

[austrianemporer]

I urge you to choose your words carefully, sir, lest you be called a traitor and supporter of the Konstantinians and Markos Angelos. For those very words you said echo those that my brother proclaimed during his rebellion. Don't go down the path he did. It will not end well for you. I am saying this for your own good.

~Doukas

Alexios Angelos asks, "Isn't our empire already great and strong? Suggesting otherwise seems foolish."

Bah! Fools, every single one of you! Konstantinos did not know what was great for the country, just what was great for him! Do you see the Russians amassing armies at our borders? Do you see the minorities attempting to commit acts of treason against the government? We must arm and prepare for the eventual betrayal!

Senator Christophoros Palaiologos

 

[Idhrendur]

We have selected a new head of the Palaiologoi Family, I, Christophoros Palaiologos, has been selected. I vow to make the Eastern Roman Empire great and strong! We will conquer our way to victory with our Greek citizens! ((basically a proto- fascist from seeing so many of his family killed)).

-Senator Christophoros Palaiologos, duke of Nicaea

I urge you to choose your words carefully, sir, lest you be called a traitor and supporter of the Konstantinians and Markos Angelos. For those very words you said echo those that my brother proclaimed during his rebellion. Don't go down the path he did. It will not end well for you. I am saying this for your own good.

~Doukas

Alexios Angelos asks, "Isn't our empire already great and strong? Suggesting otherwise seems foolish."

Bah! Fools, every single one of you! Konstantinos did not know what was great for the country, just what was great for him! Do you see the Russians amassing armies at our borders? Do you see the minorities attempting to commit acts of treason against the government? We must arm and prepare for the eventual betrayal!

Senator Christophoros Palaiologos

 

[Idhrendur]

Again, thank you, Senators. Senator Palaiologos, though your rhetoric is more inflamed than We would use, your passion is good. Therefore We are assigning you as armaments minister. Therefore the final appointments are:

Ministers:
Foreign minister - Senator Favero
Armament minister - Senator Palaiologos
Minister of security - Senator Doukas
Chief of Staff - Senator Στήβεν
Chief of the Army - Senator Theodosio
Chief of the Navy - Senator Smithereens

Governors:
(North) Africa - Senator Damaskinos
Britannia - Senator Palaiologos
Dalmatia - Heraclius Komnenos
Macedonia - Senator Angelos
Naples - Senator Septiadis
Palestine - Senator Doukas
Raetia - Senator Comminus
Sicily - Senator Smithereens
Thracia - Prince Alvértos

Brittany - Senator Γκρέυ
Italy - Senator Favero
Philippines - Senator Nguyen-Climaco
Spain - Senator Theodosio

And remember that Australia includes New Zealand, the eastern half of New Guinea, and the smaller islands eastwards of there. The Philippines include Java, the western half of New Guinea, and the islands between those three points.

The following provinces will be placed in the control of non-Senator governors:
Armenia
Asia
Australia
Egypt
Georgia
Guayana
Mauretania
Syria
Aquitaine
Azerbaijan
Burgundy
Catalonia
France
Belgium
Java
New Zealand
South Africa
Wales

As always, Senators, thank you for your time.

 

[Idhrendur]

(( Time for me to play again!

The following Senators will be older by the time of the next update (January 1, 1906):
Leonardo Favero (64) - @Michaelangelo
Alexandros Damaskinos (70) - @oskar-kar
Heraclius Komnenos (64) - @Username1453
Nicodemo Theodosio (66) - @NiccoTesla
Columba Comminus (60) - @righ na-Alba
Αιδεν Γκρέυ (unspecified birth date but I'd guess in his sixties or early seventies) - @BBBD316

Any characters who will be over 70 by that update (so Damaskinos) will be assumed to have retired if you don't retire them yourself.

Also, I've been remiss on a few useful bits for you. The list of parties has been updated. As well, this is the latest download for the General Staff interactivity, if anyone wishes to take advantage. ))

 

[austrianemporer]

Very good, armaments minister! I will be sure to preside over the glorious expansion of our military as armaments minister! I promise this! The military will grow strong under my direction! My rhetoric is designed to tell the Greek people the truth and only the truth. We must have a square deal for the worker for each worker's capability! We must destroy the forces of reactionism, socialism, communism, and liberalism that bring this country down.

I claim the mantle of leadership of the Kyriarchia! (( I am joining them as their leader as I see there are no current existing members of the Kyriarchia. I will switch to fascist as soon as fascism is unlocked. )) Together, the Greeks and the Eastern Roman Empire will stand strong against the world!

 

[Arakhor]

"Eastern Roman, senator? Most of Europe bows to our new Basileus, so let us not reuse titles that have been obsolete for many centuries."

 

[austrianemporer]

"Eastern Roman, senator? Most of Europe bows to our new Basileus, so let us not reuse titles that have been obsolete for many centuries."

Yes, I dare say Eastern Roman because this country is not yet at the peak of its power! We need war to truly become the new Roman Empire! Rome only became Rome because of their martial prowess! We are not truly Rome until we show our martial prowess!

 

[Michaelangelo]

Leonardo Favero, long-time senator and foreign minister, was found dead in his estate outside Venice, having received several stabs to the torso. There are clear signs that someone rifled through the files in his office. As the former minister of intelligence and current foreign minister, it is possible that the senator possessed sensitive documents, some worth killing for. Local authorities suspect the culprit may be working for either the Russians, communists, socialists, anarchists, reactionaries, cultists, or some unknown party. In short, they have no idea who did it. The family will be holding a small funeral for relatives only. His son, Raphael, will be taking his place in the senate.

* * *

Introducing Raphael Favero, born 16 March 1870 to the rich upper class Favero family in Venezia. He is a member of the Patrikioi and is a strong advocate of expansive imperialism and a powerful military. As with his father and grandfather, he is entirely loyal to the imperial family and fears the dangers of the radical left, although he is not as opposed to liberal policies as his predecessors were. He served under his father while he was foreign minister, serving as ambassador to Hungary and garnering him much experience in regards to foreign policy. While new to the senate, he aspires to take his father's position as foreign minister.

 

[austrianemporer]

Leonardo Favero, long-time senator and foreign minister, was found dead in his estate outside Venice, having received several stabs to the torso. There are clear signs that someone rifled through the files in his office. As the former minister of intelligence and current foreign minister, it is possible that the senator possessed sensitive documents, some worth killing for. Local authorities suspect the culprit may be working for either the Russians, communists, socialists, anarchists, reactionaries, cultists, or some unknown party. In short, they have no idea who did it. The family will be holding a small funeral for relatives only. His son, Raphael, will be taking his place in the senate.

* * *

Introducing Raphael Favero, born 16 March 1870 to the rich upper class Favero family in Venezia. He is a member of the Patrikioi and is a strong advocate of expansive imperialism and a powerful military. As with his father and grandfather, he is entirely loyal to the imperial family and fears the dangers of the radical left, although he is not as opposed to liberal policies as his predecessors were. He served under his father while he was foreign minister, serving as ambassador to Hungary and garnering him much experience in regards to foreign policy. While new to the senate, he aspires to take his father's position as foreign minister.

I have told the Senate, Rome is beset on all sides my enemies! We must capture those responsible for a senator's death and torture them for information! Then we will hang them! We need a stronger military and better security forces to make sure this never happens again!

 

[zenphoenix]

Leonardo Favero, long-time senator and foreign minister, was found dead in his estate outside Venice, having received several stabs to the torso. There are clear signs that someone rifled through the files in his office. As the former minister of intelligence and current foreign minister, it is possible that the senator possessed sensitive documents, some worth killing for. Local authorities suspect the culprit may be working for either the Russians, communists, socialists, anarchists, reactionaries, cultists, or some unknown party. In short, they have no idea who did it. The family will be holding a small funeral for relatives only. His son, Raphael, will be taking his place in the senate.

* * *

Introducing Raphael Favero, born 16 March 1870 to the rich upper class Favero family in Venezia. He is a member of the Patrikioi and is a strong advocate of expansive imperialism and a powerful military. As with his father and grandfather, he is entirely loyal to the imperial family and fears the dangers of the radical left, although he is not as opposed to liberal policies as his predecessors were. He served under his father while he was foreign minister, serving as ambassador to Hungary and garnering him much experience in regards to foreign policy. While new to the senate, he aspires to take his father's position as foreign minister.

I have told the Senate, Rome is beset on all sides my enemies! We must capture those responsible for a senator's death and torture them for information! Then we will hang them! We need a stronger military and better security forces to make sure this never happens again!

No, please stay out of this. This is the job of the Ministry of Security. I personally knew Leonardo, and I know of subversive elements (NOT minorities but Greeks, mind you) who would very much like him dead. Therefore, as Minister of Security I strongly urge you to keep to yourself and not try to interfere in our investigation. And it is not our way to torture and kill people for information; that would play into the hands of the communists.

 

[austrianemporer]

No, please stay out of this. This is the job of the Ministry of Security. I personally knew Leonardo, and I know of subversive elements (NOT minorities but Greeks, mind you) who would very much like him dead. Therefore, as Minister of Security I strongly urge you to keep to yourself and not try to interfere in our investigation. And it is not our way to torture and kill people for information; that would play into the hands of the communists.

A job you are not doing! If someone commits crime, we will punish them. However, I know that minorities are a far greater threat to the stability of the Empire than the Greeks.

We must do what is right and best for the country, not what is not against your morals. The decadence and aristocratic, useless morals of the upper class is unbearable!

 

[zenphoenix]

A job you are not doing! If someone commits crime, we will punish them. However, I know that minorities are a far greater threat to the stability of the Empire than the Greeks.

We must do what is right and best for the country, not what is not against your morals. The decadence and aristocratic, useless morals of the upper class is unbearable!

I assure you, I am doing my job to the best of my ability! Who are you to question my performance? Only the Emperor can do that! And if somebody commits a crime, we punish them, of course, but we do not torture people and we certainly do not kill people without reason!

 

[austrianemporer]

I assure you, I am doing my job to the best of my ability! Who are you to question my performance? Only the Emperor can do that! And if somebody commits a crime, we punish them, of course, but we do not torture people and we certainly do not kill people without reason!

I dare to question the performance of anyone not performing up to expectations which include you! This is the problem with the nobility! They have no skill yet demand all the power! We need a meritocratic, Greek administration for this great Empire!

We will torture people for the greater good of the country, your morals cannot get in the way of security! I will not kill people without reason, some criminals should be killed but others should not.

 

[zenphoenix]

I dare to question the performance of anyone not performing up to expectations which include you! This is the problem with the nobility! They have no skill yet demand all the power! We need a meritocratic, Greek administration for this great Empire!

We will torture people for the greater good of the country, your morals cannot get in the way of security! I will not kill people without reason, some criminals should be killed but others should not.

I have my credentials. I have served a number of years with the imperial legions. When Konstantinos rebelled all those years ago, I was the one who defeated him. I was the one who put down Markos Angelos's many rebellions and have been hunting him down for the last several years. I organized the secret police and made it into an instrument of justice, placing safeguards on it to prevent its abuse and corruption into a weapon of tyranny. Torture would be used as a propaganda tool by our enemies whom you say are all barbarians. They would claim that "why does the Armaments Minister claim that Rome is the center of civilization when it treats its own people in barbaric ways?" How would you respond to that? And our current interrogation methods are effective enough. Every single suspect we have interrogated, including servants of Markos Angelos, have cooperated with us and have been providing valuable information on rebel activities.

Do you have anything to say to our non-Greek senators in attendance, to remind them of what happened when Konstantinos stormed into this palace during his rebellion and shot the Hispanian senator Theodosio in cold blood? When he ordered the purging of all non-Greeks to "make Rome great again?" What say you to them, whose families were gunned down by Konstantinos's mobs and soldiers ruthlessly? What say you to the non-Greek but Roman citizens who through Romanitas have been loyal citizens of the Empire and have never harbored thoughts of treason? Answer me!