The Empire Strikes Back - Part 3

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

((Private))

Senator Donatello Favero only laughed as he read the letter in the comfy confines of his small apartment in Constantinople. Did this man not know that the Chinese were friends of the Empire? Only a fool would attack one's friends when there were enemies much closer to home The Italian traitors should die first. Wasting precious manpower on a foolish venture in the Orient was a waste of resources and time. He did not bother to respond to the proposed alliance. He had no interest in working with socialist scum. The Patrikioi worked alone, and only in the interests of the Emperor and Empire.

Newspaper "Constantinople Proletariat"
BREAKING NEWS:
Patrikioi denounces proposal of Grand Coalition?
This day was hard for proletariat of Roman Empire.Selfish greedy aristocrats of Patrikioi faction,seen oppression of Chinese as something
(CENSORED)
Newspaper "Constantinople Proletariat"
Apologize to Patrikioi for firing of international conflict with our best,non-oppressing ally of China
Dear Donatello!
Political Bureau of Koinonikistai apologizes before You and Your's party for what we have done.No longer we will fire the war between closest allies in history - Rome and China.
Instead,our Chairman Anastasios Papadopulos announces,that Koinonikistai volunteer brigades will continue it's fight for liberation of Europe,as well for stop of Radical Socialist atrocities in Ukraine and Poland.
Signed,
Anastasios Papadopulos,Chairman of Koinonikistai
Senator Alexander Shelepov,Duke of Zolochiv,Deputy Chairman of Koinionikistai
P.S. Duke Shelepov just returned home from cabaret.He was tired because he had an affair with cordeballet dancing girl because he received newspaper of Patrikioi senator,that claimed that Koinonikistai were "war hawks" and definitely not so pacifist as they claimed to be.Now,Alexander started forming a plan of how to both please other senators and explain to them his new,just born idea.He brought pen,dozen of paper sheets,and...
((What Asian or American country(aside from China) do we have for Empire to conquer and acquire resources to reclaim Europe then?))

Spoiler: Invitation(to all Senators)

"To all senators.May I invite you on dinner at my mansion in Karacakoy,so you could relax and we could debate few issues?"
- Senator Alexander Shelepov,Duke,etc.

 

[Rabbit Burgher]

((This is long overdue now but here it is, the Fascist rebellion that broke out some time ago))

January 13, 1925
The sun had set on the city on Tunis, letting the dim glow of the streetlights take dominion over the sky. The city had not been spared industrialisation, banishing the visage of the stars to the past. Once, this city had hosted the greatest enemy of Rome, the Carthaginian empire. Hannibal, who had dealt great blows against the republic was born here.

Yet, now it was simply a useful naval base for the empire, providing an acceptable income from its industry and production. The Roman Empire had come close to falling so far during the civil war. The rebels had almost torn the empire down into irrelevance. However, such a fate was not the people’s fault. The corrupt and weak governments that had plagued the empire for so long drove it so close to collapse with their foolish ideologies. This corruption had to be eliminated.

At one o’clock, the explosion was heard throughout the city, followed by sporadic gunfights erupting by the main government centres. Only when the eagle, flying over the administrative centre of the city, was greeted by the rays of a new sun was it clear what had happened.

Legatus Legionis Titus Hipinius himself had led the Romani in an assault against the capital building, mirroring similar assaults across strategic locations across the entire empire. Territory was taken in many parts of the empire, including near the centre of the corrupt government in Greece itself. In North Africa, a solid hold was established in the occupied territories, with the resistance to the Fascist “empire” being thoroughly crushed. However, the occupation of territories in Europe and Asia failed to hold as strong, with the thrust for the capital being beaten back by the Greeks before they moved to retake the rest of their empire.

Late July, 1925
The Fascist area of control was crumbling almost from the start since the initial stall, but the defeat was marked when the Greek forces marched west across Sinai, retaking Alexandria in late July. The march west to end the rebellion was poorly opposed, with the pockets of resistance being fierce but poorly equipped and organised, but took a good few months to successfully retake.

December, 1925
When Tunis itself was finally retaken, the fighting lasted days in a last-ditch attempt by the rebelling Romani vi Bonorum to push back the Greeks. Titus had begun the rebellion and he saw it end, dying in the final hours of the fighting in the city.

When the empire had restored its control over the city and the legions had moved on to restoring control of the countryside, the mayor of the city made an interesting discovery in the office that Hipinius had occupied. He’d corresponded with Senator Tiberius Aurelius, requesting support for the rebellion from the political party and the remaining RvB units that hadn’t rebelled. The requests had been declined, yet the Senator’s true opinion was demonstrated by the signing of the common motto of the RvB and PIARO: “Gens una, populo una e Vindicta!”.

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

((This is long overdue now but here it is, the Fascist rebellion that broke out some time ago))

January 13, 1925
The sun had set on the city on Tunis, letting the dim glow of the streetlights take dominion over the sky. The city had not been spared industrialisation, banishing the visage of the stars to the past. Once, this city had hosted the greatest enemy of Rome, the Carthaginian empire. Hannibal, who had dealt great blows against the republic was born here.

Yet, now it was simply a useful naval base for the empire, providing an acceptable income from its industry and production. The Roman Empire had come close to falling so far during the civil war. The rebels had almost torn the empire down into irrelevance. However, such a fate was not the people’s fault. The corrupt and weak governments that had plagued the empire for so long drove it so close to collapse with their foolish ideologies. This corruption had to be eliminated.

At one o’clock, the explosion was heard throughout the city, followed by sporadic gunfights erupting by the main government centres. Only when the eagle, flying over the administrative centre of the city, was greeted by the rays of a new sun was it clear what had happened.

Legatus Legionis Titus Hipinius himself had led the Romani in an assault against the capital building, mirroring similar assaults across strategic locations across the entire empire. Territory was taken in many parts of the empire, including near the centre of the corrupt government in Greece itself. In North Africa, a solid hold was established in the occupied territories, with the resistance to the Fascist “empire” being thoroughly crushed. However, the occupation of territories in Europe and Asia failed to hold as strong, with the thrust for the capital being beaten back by the Greeks before they moved to retake the rest of their empire.

Late July, 1925
The Fascist area of control was crumbling almost from the start since the initial stall, but the defeat was marked when the Greek forces marched west across Sinai, retaking Alexandria in late July. The march west to end the rebellion was poorly opposed, with the pockets of resistance being fierce but poorly equipped and organised, but took a good few months to successfully retake.

December, 1925
When Tunis itself was finally retaken, the fighting lasted days in a last-ditch attempt by the rebelling Romani vi Bonorum to push back the Greeks. Titus had begun the rebellion and he saw it end, dying in the final hours of the fighting in the city.

When the empire had restored its control over the city and the legions had moved on to restoring control of the countryside, the mayor of the city made an interesting discovery in the office that Hipinius had occupied. He’d corresponded with Senator Tiberius Aurelius, requesting support for the rebellion from the political party and the remaining RvB units that hadn’t rebelled. The requests had been declined, yet the Senator’s true opinion was demonstrated by the signing of the common motto of the RvB and PIARO: “Gens una, populo una e Vindicta!”.

Interesting description of rebellion from member of party,which shares ideology with it.What would be consequences of uprising for Party itself?

Also,duke Alexander Shelepov sends his invitation to all Senators for meeting at his mansion in Karacakoy,to discuss internal politics,as well as some foreign issues.

 

[Sir Dippingsauce]

((Reads letter))
"This man thinks we're going to invade China? Oh, all this time I thought he was joking! Hey, Son!"
"Yeah dad?"
"This fool thinks we should invade China!"
"BA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Apologize to Patrikioi for firing of international conflict with our best,non-oppressing ally of China

*snorts*

"To all senators.May I invite you on dinner at my mansion in Karacakoy,so you could relax and we could debate few issues?"
- Senator Alexander Shelepov,Duke,etc.

I graciously accept this invitation.
Though if you mention an invasion of China I'm leaving.

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

Though if you mention an invasion of China I'm leaving.

No.I'm not a Donatello to rant about it.Though,thanks for accepting!
- Senator Shelepov

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

Like Theodora previously,Alexander will start the "party" conversation after enough senators would accept.
((Guys,what the year is in-game actually - 1926 or 1927?))

 

[Idhrendur]

(( January 1, 1926 ))

 

[zenphoenix]

((Can you stop mentioning my characters or copying me in everything you say? It's getting really annoying.))

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

((Can you stop mentioning my characters or copying me in everything you say? It's getting really annoying.))

((OK.))
"Senator Shelepov became tired after writing so many invitation letters.Yet he highly doubted that any of them would be departed,as he knew that KRA agents and Ministry of Security spies (who were the same people) monitored everything he wrote.
"Is it a paranoia?" - he wondered,while observing man with banner "KRA is the best!",who in return have watched over Duke's mansion."

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

"On party only Julius Marco was present from over a dozen of invited.He had brought his children with him,who laughed rudely at Alexander for that "Roman China" accident . Shelepov had brought to guest everything from his vine cell,leaving non-aligned senator drunk in mansion's main hall . Shelepov was sure - someone watched for him.But who?..
- That's definitely a paranoia! - Alexander muttered to himself. - I think I need a doctor."
- Senator Shelepov,Duke of Zolochiv,slightly insane socialist.
((I'll try to make a story arc,where Shelepov will go insane be replaced with another senator.If you'll be participating - note me please.))

 

[zenphoenix]

as he knew that KRA agents and Ministry of Security spies (who were the same people) monitored everything he wrote.

((My character legally cannot and would not do that. It doesn't make sense at all.))

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

((My character legally cannot and would not do that. It doesn't make sense at all.))

((Shelepov is paranoid.I think I already have found replace for him...))

 

[Idhrendur]

Senators, thank you for your time.

 

[Idhrendur]

Franco Lazaratos had avoided speaking for the most part, carefully listening to the Emperor's address. He didn't even speak during the break, seeming uncomforted over something. Those in the know would know why that is, but those that didn't would soon find out.

Once internal affairs were discussed, Franco spoke up. "While they may not exactly be considered part of internal affairs, has anything of importance happened in the federate states of South Africa, Namibia, Angola, the Congo and... Aoteorea?" he asked, once more seeming uncomforted after mentioning the Exarchate he represents.

We are glad you asked. For the most part the federates are doing well. Certainly they have not dabbled in international affairs. However, as the newspapers reported, Aoteorea has experienced an economic crash. There is great unemployment among the urban population.

They are also experiencing wild inflation of their currency, which is hurting their ability to mitigate the problem.

We are planning to send aid on the morrow. Already plans have been drawn up for new industries that should be more sustainable. We hope that it will alleviate the suffering of the Aoteorean people.

Franco gave a weak, but sincere, smile. "I-I am sure the people of Aoteorea would appreciate it. Thank you, your Highness," he thanked, feeling relieved, "Hopefully, someday the economy of the Exarchate will be strong enough to deal with such crises by itself."

((Thinking about the Federates, I wonder if their governments have the same title as Aoteorea for simplicity's sake, or if they all have their own individual titles, such as kephale, katepan, toparch, preator, phylarch, or something like that. I would guess the former.))

Senator Donatello Favero sits in the far corner of the Senate, muttering something about Italy and giggling to himself.

Reporter from Ukrainian newspaper,who was bored by that nothing happened in capital,have seen senator muttering and photographed it.On the next day,Donatello Favero was blackmailed by Polish-Lithuanian communist organization,that claimed that senator muttered [REDACTED] , which would show him as [DATA PURGED] to everybody.

Senator Donatello Favero, so lost in his insane search for vengeance against the fools who had stolen his home and cleaved Italy from the Empire, doesn't even notice that he was being blackmailed, not that he was in any sort of state to care.

The Ministry of Security sends some operatives to Ukraine to help the local government eradicate the communist organization that attempted (and failed) to blackmail Favero. The alleged photograph of Favero was recovered and destroyed. Nothing important happened that day.

Constantinople
Blachernae palace
Young man,in his early 20's,approached gates of palace.Varangians tried to stop him,but,after verifying of passport,they have saluted to him.
He was just-elected senator.Former communist,Ukrainian,Exile.Young dandy,who already was gossiped about among young aristocratic girls,who had flirted with Princess Maria herself (who was of same age with him) and had earned a reputation of both nerd , playboy and duelist.
He was ... duke Shelepov.
When he firstly was invited on consultation to Theodora Doukas,he was just a humble èmigrè , former detective , basically penniless and with no hope of surviving in foreign society.However,after few successful co-ops with Ministry of Security in Empire's Ukrainian affairs,he become important for government,with Imperial family itself granting him membership in Varangians,little but pretty mansion in Constantinople suburbs,and right to be elected as senator.
Duke approached Council room,guards opened the doors...and our new senator just have come to just another Senate's session.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spoiler: Personal Data of Shelepov

Birth date:1897
Home city:Kharkiv
Now living:Karacakoy(Constantinople suburbs)
Party affiliation:Koinonikistai

((Suitable introduction into character's story?))

((If you're not writing something in character, put it in (()). Otherwise we will consider it in character, no matter how ridiculous it is. For example...))
"What is this Hohenzollern timeline you speak of?" said Theodora. "And expecting me to be here twenty years from now...what are you getting at? Who approved your senatorial application?"

((Make Notifications great again. This is like the third time))
Julius ws no longer the somewhat broken man from the Civil War. A healthy son was born, called Hadrian.

1926
"But dad, why can't I go?"
"Because only big adults can go. It also involves big words."
"I know big words!"
"Hadrian, your biggest word is because."
"Hmmph!"
"Gabriel, help me out here."
"I'll play chess with him."
"How the hell does Hadrian know how to play chess?"
"I taught him."
"...oh. Great!"

At the conference.
'Ah, its good to be.. Senator Donatello, you need some help."
"Italy...Italy...."
"Hey man, I miss Rome as much as you do but you need to get healthy."

Hadrian turned 10, and was beginning to come into his own as a Liberal.
"Daddy, do you think we'll stay in power?"
"Well, Hadrian, it depends now what the people so desire.."
"But Liberals want nice things for everybody!"
"The world is strange. Life is strange."
"But Life is Life."
"Touche."

((This is long overdue now but here it is, the Fascist rebellion that broke out some time ago))

January 13, 1925
The sun had set on the city on Tunis, letting the dim glow of the streetlights take dominion over the sky. The city had not been spared industrialisation, banishing the visage of the stars to the past. Once, this city had hosted the greatest enemy of Rome, the Carthaginian empire. Hannibal, who had dealt great blows against the republic was born here.

Yet, now it was simply a useful naval base for the empire, providing an acceptable income from its industry and production. The Roman Empire had come close to falling so far during the civil war. The rebels had almost torn the empire down into irrelevance. However, such a fate was not the people’s fault. The corrupt and weak governments that had plagued the empire for so long drove it so close to collapse with their foolish ideologies. This corruption had to be eliminated.

At one o’clock, the explosion was heard throughout the city, followed by sporadic gunfights erupting by the main government centres. Only when the eagle, flying over the administrative centre of the city, was greeted by the rays of a new sun was it clear what had happened.

Legatus Legionis Titus Hipinius himself had led the Romani in an assault against the capital building, mirroring similar assaults across strategic locations across the entire empire. Territory was taken in many parts of the empire, including near the centre of the corrupt government in Greece itself. In North Africa, a solid hold was established in the occupied territories, with the resistance to the Fascist “empire” being thoroughly crushed. However, the occupation of territories in Europe and Asia failed to hold as strong, with the thrust for the capital being beaten back by the Greeks before they moved to retake the rest of their empire.

Late July, 1925
The Fascist area of control was crumbling almost from the start since the initial stall, but the defeat was marked when the Greek forces marched west across Sinai, retaking Alexandria in late July. The march west to end the rebellion was poorly opposed, with the pockets of resistance being fierce but poorly equipped and organised, but took a good few months to successfully retake.

December, 1925
When Tunis itself was finally retaken, the fighting lasted days in a last-ditch attempt by the rebelling Romani vi Bonorum to push back the Greeks. Titus had begun the rebellion and he saw it end, dying in the final hours of the fighting in the city.

When the empire had restored its control over the city and the legions had moved on to restoring control of the countryside, the mayor of the city made an interesting discovery in the office that Hipinius had occupied. He’d corresponded with Senator Tiberius Aurelius, requesting support for the rebellion from the political party and the remaining RvB units that hadn’t rebelled. The requests had been declined, yet the Senator’s true opinion was demonstrated by the signing of the common motto of the RvB and PIARO: “Gens una, populo una e Vindicta!”.

Senators, thank you for your time.

 

[Idhrendur]

(( If you want to have events happening after the address, feel free. I'll fold the parts some of you have already written into a summary with any such additional writings. However, you might want to make it quick, as I've already played up to 1931 and would like to get the next update posted before long. And after that, just one more update before the end of the Vic2 stretch!

Also, as a friendly reminder, do not write for other characters. They can notice or not notice things as they choose. ))

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

Athens
1 January of 1928
Duke Shelepov,senator 'n etc.,got out of train of Constantinople-Athens route.Alexander ordered to lackey to depart his suitcases to hotel "Acropolis",while himself senator hired cab and drove to Athenian Hospital.
few hours later...
Alexander was embarrassed - that damn doctor haven't found any evidence of paranoia?Probably,he was obsessed with madness?
But how to rationalize that he believed,that someone was spying on him?How?
- Probably...I don't know... - muttered he,after falling unconscious on street of Athens.
2 January of 1928
- Sir,are you OK? - asked doctor,looking at his awakened patient.
- Where...am...I? - asked senator.
- Your Excellence,you have fallen unconscious,because you were tired and hungry. - said doctor. - Next time don't forget to order something in train,or your health would be even weaker.
- OK,were're my suitcases?
- They're locked in "Acropolis's" cell. - replied doctor,saying after:
- Few paperwork,one cup of coffee for you,and that's all - you'll be free to go.
3 January,1928
Under "cup of coffee" doctor mentioned luxurious dinner.Duke now was looking on Aegean sea from the bench on promenade,caring about nothing and doing nothing.
Suddenly,a man approached him.Alexander wondered - had doctor mistaken?Had he paranoia or not?
Man appeared to be Varangian.He came closer to Shelepov,and said:
- Mister Senator,you've missed the New Year' Eve's Senate session!Return to Constantinople!
Shelepov has no other options,than to obey.

 

[Cossack_of_Hetmanschina]

Catania
2 February of 1930
Shelepov watched back,looking on steamer that left to Constantinople.His twin brother Pavlo,family man with beautiful wife and 12-year-old twins,had recently achieved position of lawyer in Thrace's provincial administration."Lucky boy" - duke thought about his brother,while remembering,that he spent three days on zeppelin not just to watch Mount Etna,but to meet someone.If to say openly,opposition from Poland-Lithuania had contacted Chairman(Papadopulos resigned recently,leaving Alexander Shelepov on position of Chairman of Koinonikistai)about possible Roman intervention from Hungary to overthrow evil leftist regime in Warsaw.While Alexander,being just party leader,had no power to succeed,he promised to mysterious rebels that he'll wait on Sicilia.
Alexander watched over photo in medallion.It was she,his beloved Helen,secretly a wife(as no other Senator could forgive him marrying to former corps-de-ballet dancegirl),who now used his apartment in Karacakoy and waited to their children to be born."I promise I'll be back for you,Helen" - said Shelepov,closing the medallion and proceeding to parking lot to hire taxi.
few hours later
He didn't trusted this Italian man,who were de facto owner of this little castle just near the Mount Etna's hill.In fact,since Shelepov met Donatello Favero,he united with him(despite of ideological differences) in belief that traitors need to be wiped out firstly,Chinese and Indians would be conquered later.
In the meeting hall,only two men,both wearing Polish uniform,sat by table.
- Hello there,comrades! - greeted in his party's manner Alexander,while one of the rebels said:
- Look there,sir:I have the news of that Polish together with Ukrainian...oh,sorry,I mean communist Ukrainians - well,they're planning invasion of Hungary.We want you,as a senator,to ask your Emperor to intervene in this,so your empire can both liberate two suffering nations...as well as made stronger ties with Hungary.
- What is you name,by the way? - asked Duke.
- I'm Konrad "Sidious" Siedlcow,and I think that we,as a brothers-in-arms,could...
His words were cut by sudden burst of no less than ten Varangians in the room,with rifles having bayonets attached.
- Surrender were you are,communist scum! - roared their leader,in who Shelepov immediately recognized the same Varangian who tried to stop him in Senator's first session and who confiscated letter to Maria,as well who chased Alexander over entire Greece in 1928.
Duke wasn't sure where to go ... and with who unite?Before he could think about it,few bullets already flied near his head,and both Polish rebels fired on guards.
- Senator,if you'll not go away or fire at spies,we'll held trial against you!No longer foreign scum shall be Senators! - shouted chief Varangian,while cutting throat of those rebel,who don't named himself,and striking bayonet through rebel's heart.
"He's doing it because he tries to revenge,revenge for my letter." - thought Alexander,avoiding confrontation."Stubborn royalist" - he muttered,while seeing,that from ten guards seven were killed,two retreated(how stupid,they'll tell others!),while that same "avenger" stood upon Konrad,with gun ready to shoot.
- Comrade,what are you waiting!He'll shoot at me! - shouted Siedlcow.
- Stay away or I'll firstly shoot you! - roared Varangian.
Now,Shelepov finally made a choice.He brought out a sword,and sliced out both hands of guard.Rifle has fallen down.
- Senator,that's stupid. - sayed loyalist,adding: - And my name is Michael Windu by the way.
While Sidious,having found a moment,brought from his handbag some scary device,having wore it on arm,and activated it...
Sudden blizzard have hit helpless Michael,while Konrad shouted:"REVOLUTION! UNLIMITED REVOLUTIOOON!"
When device was deactivated,Alexander(still terrified)helped Siedlcow to stand up.
- It's a "Tesla fist" - told Sidious. - And I need to tell you the truth.You have saw that this guards wanted to kill not only me,but also you.Capitalism perverts human's nature in such odd way...I'm not a resistance fighter.I'm a prominent Communist Party member,a secret advisor to Chairman.Don't frown when hearing word "communism" - you see,this monarchists almost had slain you.
- Yes,comrade. - replied Alexander. - And what is your plan?
- In Poland-Lithuania,there're a lot of exiled from Germany for communism,while here,on Sicilia,there is Lithuanian anti-communist diaspora.Chairman ordered Party to proceed Law 64,by what all non-communists in Poland and Polish resistance abroad must be purged.
- But how? - asked Shelepov.
- I hear the stamping sound,like about 1000 pairs of soldier' boots. - replied Konrad. - They don't know you're on our side;say that you're deputy commander...and purge every mansion with old Polish flag over it in Sicilia.And then...we shall have...peace!
- Yes,comrade.But if they'll discover truth,I will be dead!
- Alexander Shelepov is dead.Could I name you "Lord Vaderowsky",by the way?
And so their chat was over...
((Is it possible via console to add a military leader to non-player country?Also:as soon as I will invent new character,Alexander will be R.I.P. ... or believed to be so.))

 

[Idhrendur]

Newspaper "Constantinople Proletariat"
Editor's choice:
"Chains of Feudalism in Ming"
by:Duke Alexander Shelepov
Hello,workers of Roman Empire!Today we'll discuss problem of worker's oppression in China - one of the most populous countries in our Lord's world,country,that haven't been enlightened by Greeks.The Chinese are oppressed not only because they don't follow true faith,or because they're Chinese...they're not a part of Roman Empire!
And you may ask...what progressive Basileia ton Romaion must do to help it's brothers?
Right!WE MUST CONQUER CHINA,and proclaim our Emperor the Emperor of China.
That's what our party suggests.
WORKERS OF THE ROME,UNITE!

MAKE CHINA PART OF ROME!

MICHAEL FOR CELESTIAL BASILEUS!
(opinion of article writer may not show opinion of editorial)

Spoiler: Official Letter of Shelepov to Julius Marco and Donatello Favero

"Dear Senators!
Today,our empire is broken,with significant amount of it's native lands being sized by rebel scum.It's our duty to reclaim those lands,as well as to seize new.
Donatello,you have lost your home to those crazy Italians.I understand you,because my home also was burnt to ashes by Commies.
Julius,you are non-aligned,which couldn't give you the support you need to pass the laws you want.
What could we do?To both Rome and ourselves?
WE NEED TO CONQUER CHINA,and use it's manpower and resources to reclaim Europe!
What about joint alliance between our parties and non-aligned senators?
If you'll agree,let's name it "Komma Oikoumenikos",or "Ecumenical Imperialist Party" in translation from Ancient Greek.
WILL WE UNITE TOGETHER AGAINST TRAITORS,BUREAUCRATS AND CAPITALISTS?"
- Senator Alexander Shelepov,Duke of Zolochiv,Deputy Chairman of Koinonikistai

((Private))

Senator Donatello Favero only laughed as he read the letter in the comfy confines of his small apartment in Constantinople. Did this man not know that the Chinese were friends of the Empire? Only a fool would attack one's friends when there were enemies much closer to home The Italian traitors should die first. Wasting precious manpower on a foolish venture in the Orient was a waste of resources and time. He did not bother to respond to the proposed alliance. He had no interest in working with socialist scum. The Patrikioi worked alone, and only in the interests of the Emperor and Empire.

Newspaper "Constantinople Proletariat"
BREAKING NEWS:
Patrikioi denounces proposal of Grand Coalition?
This day was hard for proletariat of Roman Empire.Selfish greedy aristocrats of Patrikioi faction,seen oppression of Chinese as something
(CENSORED)
Newspaper "Constantinople Proletariat"
Apologize to Patrikioi for firing of international conflict with our best,non-oppressing ally of China
Dear Donatello!
Political Bureau of Koinonikistai apologizes before You and Your's party for what we have done.No longer we will fire the war between closest allies in history - Rome and China.
Instead,our Chairman Anastasios Papadopulos announces,that Koinonikistai volunteer brigades will continue it's fight for liberation of Europe,as well for stop of Radical Socialist atrocities in Ukraine and Poland.
Signed,
Anastasios Papadopulos,Chairman of Koinonikistai
Senator Alexander Shelepov,Duke of Zolochiv,Deputy Chairman of Koinionikistai
P.S. Duke Shelepov just returned home from cabaret.He was tired because he had an affair with cordeballet dancing girl because he received newspaper of Patrikioi senator,that claimed that Koinonikistai were "war hawks" and definitely not so pacifist as they claimed to be.Now,Alexander started forming a plan of how to both please other senators and explain to them his new,just born idea.He brought pen,dozen of paper sheets,and...
((What Asian or American country(aside from China) do we have for Empire to conquer and acquire resources to reclaim Europe then?))

Spoiler: Invitation(to all Senators)

"To all senators.May I invite you on dinner at my mansion in Karacakoy,so you could relax and we could debate few issues?"
- Senator Alexander Shelepov,Duke,etc.

Interesting description of rebellion from member of party,which shares ideology with it.What would be consequences of uprising for Party itself?

Also,duke Alexander Shelepov sends his invitation to all Senators for meeting at his mansion in Karacakoy,to discuss internal politics,as well as some foreign issues.

((Reads letter))
"This man thinks we're going to invade China? Oh, all this time I thought he was joking! Hey, Son!"
"Yeah dad?"
"This fool thinks we should invade China!"
"BA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

*snorts*

I graciously accept this invitation.
Though if you mention an invasion of China I'm leaving.

No.I'm not a Donatello to rant about it.Though,thanks for accepting!
- Senator Shelepov

((OK.))
"Senator Shelepov became tired after writing so many invitation letters.Yet he highly doubted that any of them would be departed,as he knew that KRA agents and Ministry of Security spies (who were the same people) monitored everything he wrote.
"Is it a paranoia?" - he wondered,while observing man with banner "KRA is the best!",who in return have watched over Duke's mansion."

"On party only Julius Marco was present from over a dozen of invited.He had brought his children with him,who laughed rudely at Alexander for that "Roman China" accident . Shelepov had brought to guest everything from his vine cell,leaving non-aligned senator drunk in mansion's main hall . Shelepov was sure - someone watched for him.But who?..
- That's definitely a paranoia! - Alexander muttered to himself. - I think I need a doctor."
- Senator Shelepov,Duke of Zolochiv,slightly insane socialist.
((I'll try to make a story arc,where Shelepov will go insane be replaced with another senator.If you'll be participating - note me please.))

Athens
1 January of 1928
Duke Shelepov,senator 'n etc.,got out of train of Constantinople-Athens route.Alexander ordered to lackey to depart his suitcases to hotel "Acropolis",while himself senator hired cab and drove to Athenian Hospital.
few hours later...
Alexander was embarrassed - that damn doctor haven't found any evidence of paranoia?Probably,he was obsessed with madness?
But how to rationalize that he believed,that someone was spying on him?How?
- Probably...I don't know... - muttered he,after falling unconscious on street of Athens.
2 January of 1928
- Sir,are you OK? - asked doctor,looking at his awakened patient.
- Where...am...I? - asked senator.
- Your Excellence,you have fallen unconscious,because you were tired and hungry. - said doctor. - Next time don't forget to order something in train,or your health would be even weaker.
- OK,were're my suitcases?
- They're locked in "Acropolis's" cell. - replied doctor,saying after:
- Few paperwork,one cup of coffee for you,and that's all - you'll be free to go.
3 January,1928
Under "cup of coffee" doctor mentioned luxurious dinner.Duke now was looking on Aegean sea from the bench on promenade,caring about nothing and doing nothing.
Suddenly,a man approached him.Alexander wondered - had doctor mistaken?Had he paranoia or not?
Man appeared to be Varangian.He came closer to Shelepov,and said:
- Mister Senator,you've missed the New Year' Eve's Senate session!Return to Constantinople!
Shelepov has no other options,than to obey.

Catania
2 February of 1930
Shelepov watched back,looking on steamer that left to Constantinople.His twin brother Pavlo,family man with beautiful wife and 12-year-old twins,had recently achieved position of lawyer in Thrace's provincial administration."Lucky boy" - duke thought about his brother,while remembering,that he spent three days on zeppelin not just to watch Mount Etna,but to meet someone.If to say openly,opposition from Poland-Lithuania had contacted Chairman(Papadopulos resigned recently,leaving Alexander Shelepov on position of Chairman of Koinonikistai)about possible Roman intervention from Hungary to overthrow evil leftist regime in Warsaw.While Alexander,being just party leader,had no power to succeed,he promised to mysterious rebels that he'll wait on Sicilia.
Alexander watched over photo in medallion.It was she,his beloved Helen,secretly a wife(as no other Senator could forgive him marrying to former corps-de-ballet dancegirl),who now used his apartment in Karacakoy and waited to their children to be born."I promise I'll be back for you,Helen" - said Shelepov,closing the medallion and proceeding to parking lot to hire taxi.
few hours later
He didn't trusted this Italian man,who were de facto owner of this little castle just near the Mount Etna's hill.In fact,since Shelepov met Donatello Favero,he united with him(despite of ideological differences) in belief that traitors need to be wiped out firstly,Chinese and Indians would be conquered later.
In the meeting hall,only two men,both wearing Polish uniform,sat by table.
- Hello there,comrades! - greeted in his party's manner Alexander,while one of the rebels said:
- Look there,sir:I have the news of that Polish together with Ukrainian...oh,sorry,I mean communist Ukrainians - well,they're planning invasion of Hungary.We want you,as a senator,to ask your Emperor to intervene in this,so your empire can both liberate two suffering nations...as well as made stronger ties with Hungary.
- What is you name,by the way? - asked Duke.
- I'm Konrad "Sidious" Siedlcow,and I think that we,as a brothers-in-arms,could...
His words were cut by sudden burst of no less than ten Varangians in the room,with rifles having bayonets attached.
- Surrender were you are,communist scum! - roared their leader,in who Shelepov immediately recognized the same Varangian who tried to stop him in Senator's first session and who confiscated letter to Maria,as well who chased Alexander over entire Greece in 1928.
Duke wasn't sure where to go ... and with who unite?Before he could think about it,few bullets already flied near his head,and both Polish rebels fired on guards.
- Senator,if you'll not go away or fire at spies,we'll held trial against you!No longer foreign scum shall be Senators! - shouted chief Varangian,while cutting throat of those rebel,who don't named himself,and striking bayonet through rebel's heart.
"He's doing it because he tries to revenge,revenge for my letter." - thought Alexander,avoiding confrontation."Stubborn royalist" - he muttered,while seeing,that from ten guards seven were killed,two retreated(how stupid,they'll tell others!),while that same "avenger" stood upon Konrad,with gun ready to shoot.
- Comrade,what are you waiting!He'll shoot at me! - shouted Siedlcow.
- Stay away or I'll firstly shoot you! - roared Varangian.
Now,Shelepov finally made a choice.He brought out a sword,and sliced out both hands of guard.Rifle has fallen down.
- Senator,that's stupid. - sayed loyalist,adding: - And my name is Michael Windu by the way.
While Sidious,having found a moment,brought from his handbag some scary device,having wore it on arm,and activated it...
Sudden blizzard have hit helpless Michael,while Konrad shouted:"REVOLUTION! UNLIMITED REVOLUTIOOON!"
When device was deactivated,Alexander(still terrified)helped Siedlcow to stand up.
- It's a "Tesla fist" - told Sidious. - And I need to tell you the truth.You have saw that this guards wanted to kill not only me,but also you.Capitalism perverts human's nature in such odd way...I'm not a resistance fighter.I'm a prominent Communist Party member,a secret advisor to Chairman.Don't frown when hearing word "communism" - you see,this monarchists almost had slain you.
- Yes,comrade. - replied Alexander. - And what is your plan?
- In Poland-Lithuania,there're a lot of exiled from Germany for communism,while here,on Sicilia,there is Lithuanian anti-communist diaspora.Chairman ordered Party to proceed Law 64,by what all non-communists in Poland and Polish resistance abroad must be purged.
- But how? - asked Shelepov.
- I hear the stamping sound,like about 1000 pairs of soldier' boots. - replied Konrad. - They don't know you're on our side;say that you're deputy commander...and purge every mansion with old Polish flag over it in Sicilia.And then...we shall have...peace!
- Yes,comrade.But if they'll discover truth,I will be dead!
- Alexander Shelepov is dead.Could I name you "Lord Vaderowsky",by the way?
And so their chat was over...
((Is it possible via console to add a military leader to non-player country?Also:as soon as I will invent new character,Alexander will be R.I.P. ... or believed to be so.))

 

[Idhrendur]

Senators,

We have long neglected to give updates regarding the royal family. Prince Alvértos married Theodora of Thesaloniki in 1923. They have had two daughters: Theodora, who was born in 1926, and Margaríta, born in 1930. Princess Maria married in 1922, and has born two children: Michael, born in 1923, and Mark, born in 1924. Prince Enrikos has given up his affair, and is drinking less. The Imperial Tours We sent him on have done much good.

And the rumors of Our ill-health are entirely incorrect. Yes, Our doctors sent Us to the Bahamas for a leave, but We are perfectly healthy and fit. Indeed during these last five years, We have effectively kept the Empire from violence, even as other nations waged endless war on another.

1926 saw some fascist organizations again beginning to militarize. But after the last rising, they are no threat to the Empire.

Meanwhile, the various manufacturers of the Empire began providing improved uniforms for the legions.

We took heed of the economic difficulties in Aotearoa and tasked the University of Constantinople with understanding what could cause such difficulties.

When Scandinavia asked Us to help them in a war of conquest, We refused. Too much blood was being spilt after the ‘War to End All Wars’, and We would not be a part of it.

Of course, other powers did not agree with the view of the world. Russia did come to the defense of Poland-Lithuania.

As economists came to better understand what could cause various crisis, We tasked them with discovering how they could be prevented or alleviated.

Slowly, the bureaucracy took less extreme political views.

By 1927, aircraft manufacturers had expanded their production enough that We could support fully-supplied air wings, so We finished recruiting them.

As the economists devised economic policies for the government, they also suggested legal frameworks that could allow individuals to partake of the business wealth of the Empire.

During 1927, Aeteorea’s Labour party took power within their government, blocking direct investment by the Empire into their economy. However, by 1931 they had made vast progress in recovering.

While these years passed peacefully for the Empire, they did not do so for Germany. Hungary saw their war with Russia as an opportunity and sought to take more land from Germany.

As did Scandinavia.

Hungary and Russia succeeded in their wars against Germany.

When the legal framework for mutual funds had been created, We began crafting laws to allow and properly regulate factories employing several shifts of workers.

We continued to have difficulties from various fascists groups during this time. But truly they can be reigned in.

After the factories were able to use multiple shifts, We asked the legions to finish incorporating the lessons learned during the Time of Troubles.

After the legions had finished their work, the businessmen of the Empire pointed out that the economy could greatly benefit from allowing the market to determine exchange rates for currencies. We began creating a legal framework for an exchange that could handle this.

And there were various improvements in the instruments of industry and war during this time.

Finally, during 1930 Ukraine fought to take land from Poland-Lithuania. Russia came to Poland-Lithuania’s defense, eventually annexing Ukraine entirely.

The Senate’s world map is being updated to reflect the various changes in the world over the last five years.

 

[Idhrendur]

(( Only one more update until the end of Vic2! I'm updating the royal family info on the second post, as well. For the references to the royal family check the wiki pages on the British royal family during this time period. ))