So lows helped with hope spots yet remaining. Wilhelmina must be awfully confused by her uncle right now. Love Mina's little sabotage too, even if it almost certainly won't last too long.
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I wonder what the Von Schwienfurts are thinking of this whole thing, especially since their inheritance was basically from a woman, not just any woman, a bloody saint at that! I know they probably no longer hold any significant power but I'd be down if they are protesting too, even if it's in small quantities.
A Woman's Purpose
Constantinople - July 6
Jenna smoothed the creases on the tablecloth and carefully set down the plate and utensils, making sure to put the fork and knife as straight as she could. Nobody was perfect, though. This was the best she could do today. She hoped it would be enough to change him. Josh came to the dining room a few minutes later and sat down. Jenna set down some pasta in front of him.
“I made your favorite for dinner,” she said.
Josh simply stared at his food. Then he glared at Jenna, who recoiled.
“The hell is wrong with you?” Josh said.
“I…I…” Jenna stammered. “I did my best.”
“You did your worst, more like it,” Josh said, “More like you want to kill me! I can’t eat like this! This meal is ruined. The utensils aren’t lined up, and the food I know will be terrible. You’re useless even in the kitchen!”
“Josh, please!” Jenna said.
“Don’t say that!” Josh smacked her across the face.
“Hey!” Jenna said.
Josh hit her again, and Jenna felt her nose break. “Don’t talk back to me! I am the man here!”
Jenna stayed silent, hoping Josh could at least calm down and eat.
“You’re not setting a good example for the kids,” Josh said, “How will the boys learn to be men with someone as weak as you?”
“What happened to you, Josh?” Jenna said. “Why are you like this?”
“I had to be strong, for my family,” Josh said, “I have to be a man. BUT YOU RUIN EVERYTHING BECAUSE YOU ARE USELESS! I should’ve just thrown you out and let the Shepherds of the Future handle you.”
Jenna took out her phone and quickly dialed 119.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Josh said.
“Hello, this is the emergency hotline, how can I help you?” an operator said.
“Please, someone help me!” Jenna said. “My husband is being abusive!”
There was silence on the other end. Then a cautious chuckle.
“Are you sure about that?” the operator said.
“Yes!” Jenna said. “He hit me twice!”
“Give me that phone!” Josh said.
Jenna backed away from him, keeping her phone to her ear.
“Sounds like a private matter to me,” the operator said, “I mean, you can still talk to me.”
“Are you crazy?!” Jenna said. “You’re not taking this seriously!”
“I think you’re overreacting,” the operator said, “If he hits you, that means he loves you. Call me back when he kills you.”
Josh ran over and grabbed Jenna, easily immobilizing her and covering her mouth. He grabbed the phone out of her hand.
“Sorry, sir, my wife’s just being hysterical,” Josh said, “We’re fine here. Just a little dispute. Women, am I right?”
The operator laughed in a friendly way. “Yeah, definitely. Glad to hear it, sir. Hope you work things out. And please tell her to stop abusing the emergency hotline for this stuff.”
“Will do,” Josh said, “Take care.”
“You have a good day, sir,” the operator said.
He hung up. As soon as he did so, his friendly demeanor evaporated, and his eyes filled with coldness again. He smashed the phone against the floor and stomped on what remained of it.
“We’re going to have a long talk about this,” he said, cracking his knuckles.
The committee, Berlin
Gertrude high heels clicked against the granite tiles and echoed up and down the hallway as she approached the committee conference room. She carried a large stack of papers, some new environmental legislation she hoped to get passed as early as next week. But when she reached the conference room, the door was closed, and the Argus men refused to get out of the way.
“Sorry,” one of them said, “Authorized personnel only.”
“There must be a mistake,” Gertrude said, “It’s me, Gertrude.”
“You heard me,” the guard said, “Authorized personnel only.”
“I am a committee member!” Gertrude said. “You can’t treat me like this! Who is your superior? I’m going to have a chat with him.”
“Hold on a moment!” Elias said, exiting the room.
“Elias, thank goodness you’re here,” Gertrude said, “This stupid kid refuses to let me in. I spent all of last night drafting this plan for adapting to the sea level rise after that dramatic West Antarctic ice shelf collapse…”
“I know, I know, I was up all night listening to you,” Elias said, “Hey, could you let her in?”
“Sorry, sir,” the guard said, “I wish I could, but the new law forbids it.”
“What new law?” Gertrude said.
“Don’t you know?” the guard said. “The law you passed in that very room.”
“I…no…I never passed any law doing this!” Gertrude said.
“I was actually talking about that law with Josiah and Theodor just now,” Elias said.
“And what did you get?” Gertrude said.
“The Kaiser’s decree is clear,” Elias said, “You aren’t allowed in there anymore.”
“What?!” Gertrude said. “Don’t tell me you’re taking their side!”
“No, I’m not,” Elias said, “I’m sorry, but it is what it is. I’m still talking with them, trying to make an exception for you.”
“I won’t give up trying either,” Gertrude said, “I should be a part of this discussion, and I’m going to keep telling them that.”
“No, please don’t,” Elias said.
“What?” Gertrude said.
“In such a delicate environment as this, it’s best not to rock the boat,” Elias said, “If you make a fool of yourself in there, they’ll definitely deny your request, and I won’t be able to help you. What we need to do is work together, not argue or be hysterical like this.”
“It’s okay,” Gertrude said, “I know you’re trying your best.”
“I won’t give up trying,” Elias said.
“Thank you, Elias,” Gertrude said, “Oh, and if I can’t join this meeting, at least present these plans to them for me.”
Elias took the plans. “Will do. I'm going to see you at home.”
“Okay, see you there.” Gertrude turned and left.
Elias went back inside and immediately tossed the plans in the recycle bin, over copies of Living a Moral and Green Life and The Fundamentals.
“Was she upset?” Josiah asked.
Elias chuckled. “No. Just frustrated. She's been involved in this from the very beginning.”
“Well, this is our fault,” Josiah said, “We gave the females far more than they could handle. They put so much focus on academic pursuits and professional ambition that they forgot their real purpose. We know they inflate their abilities and think they belong in places they biologically and factually don’t.”
“We won't let that happen again,” Elias said.
“As long as I keep my company in my hands,” Theodor said.
“Don’t worry, you’ll keep your company,” Elias said.
“Thank you,” Theodor said, “I never thought you’d actually go through with all this.”
“Well, when you have the Kaiser’s ear, you can do anything,” Elias said.
“And now we are in a position to achieve our true goals,” Josiah said, “With these Nullification Acts in place, the complete reorganization of the economy and society at large is within reach.”
“We are doing God’s work, gentlemen,” Elias said.
Jacob, sitting in the corner, said nothing.
Jenna's deserved better for a long time now, and this isn't helping things.
As for Gertrude... yeah, can't say I feel much sympathy in that half of the chapter.
As for Gertrude... yeah, can't say I feel much sympathy in that half of the chapter.
I have reached “Chapter 452: The Long War” and am now only 138 pages away from being caught up with the story as of posting this. Hopefully I will be able to read the Stellaris part of the story along with everyone else.
Thank you for introducing me to the Cigarette Smoking Man. If he acts that evil in the actual show as he douse here then I might have found a fictional villain that I hate more than Voldemort. I am really interested to see where you take the story arcs from here now that the X-files are essentially over.
Also I agree with the other readers of this aar in that I do not like Wilhelm Karl already and I fear that it will get worse before it gets better. After taking a sneak peek at the latest update "A Woman's Purpose” I think I was right. However it will be interesting to see how you transition to this almost early version of Gilead to a space faring nation.
Thank you for introducing me to the Cigarette Smoking Man. If he acts that evil in the actual show as he douse here then I might have found a fictional villain that I hate more than Voldemort. I am really interested to see where you take the story arcs from here now that the X-files are essentially over.
Also I agree with the other readers of this aar in that I do not like Wilhelm Karl already and I fear that it will get worse before it gets better. After taking a sneak peek at the latest update "A Woman's Purpose” I think I was right. However it will be interesting to see how you transition to this almost early version of Gilead to a space faring nation.
Unfortunately, we can’t always have nice things.
The leopards ate her face.
138 pages? Wow, that sure was a lot of content.
He does act like this in the original, and in the show’s prime he was very intimidating and scary.
For the next arc, I based it on Fringe, which is very similar to X-Files and is frequently called a spiritual successor. The one after that is loosely based on X-Files Seasons 10-11, but I changed a lot of things because the alien conspiracy episodes did not fit, both for my story and for the actual show.
Space Gilead, anyone?
And here we see how the new law affects every woman in the Reich, whether it's civilians like Jenna or an influential one like Gertrude. Really now, it's all going further downhill that at this rate that we're basically neighbors with Satan now IAssuming he's still around after that debacle way back during EU4).
Shepherds of the Future
Taurica - July 7
Khulan woke up to the sound of keys jingling. She sat up and opened her eyes. Agent Muller approached the migrant pens.
“You’re in luck,” he said, “You kids will have families to go back to again.”
The other kids shot up, their faces full of hope. Muller held up his hands as if to hold back their new enthusiasm.
“Now hold on a moment,” he said, “You misunderstand me.”
A group of old women in long dark dresses entered the room. They looked intimidating, and Khulan could identify nothing about them other than the Christian cross sewn on their dresses.
“Meet the Shepherds of the Future,” Muller said, “Affiliate of the Shepherds’ Brotherhood, and the committee’s pick to replace the now privatized Child Protective Services. They will be introducing you to your new parents and your new futures. Don’t be afraid.”
Khulan and the other children recoiled, but there was nowhere to go. Muller unlocked the doors, and the women walked in, escorted by more Heimat Security agents.
Embassy of the Chinese Empire, Aojing, Chinese Republic of Penglai
Zhao casually strolled into Tsai’s office and sat down before she could say anything.
“Morning, Ambassador Tsai,” he said in a mocking tone.
“Hello, President Zhao,” Tsai said in a defiant tone, “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d drop by to see my favorite former chancellor of China,” Zhao said, “And how she’s adjusting to life in my new republic.”
“Your new republic?” Tsai said. “Is this what you’ve been doing, Zhao? Tearing down everything we worked to build fifty years ago?”
“Delusional as you’ve always been, Tsai,” Zhao said, “I realized the truth long ago. We weren’t building anything. We were destroying our civilization, with the help of corrupt emperors and spineless generals. I should've seen it sooner. We organized the Tangwai to liberate ourselves from tyrants, only to rush into the arms of new tyrants.”
“The Mingzhong Emperor, may he rest in peace, saw how the junta oppressed his citizens and took a stand against it,” Tsai said.
“What he did was lead the Middle Kingdom to ruin,” Zhao said, “Because of shameless people like him and you, nobody in the mainland respects their parents or knows who Confucius is. They think The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra and all those other Daqin propaganda shows are accurate representations of Chinese culture.”
“Seriously, why are you so worked up over a children’s TV show?” Tsai said.
“Because they brainwash our children with Daqin propaganda and self-hatred!” Zhao said. “Bad shows at that too! Korra is such a horribly written flawless Mary Sue who always loses and is designed to advance the gay feminist anti-China agenda. And while they plunder our culture, Daqin companies plunder our lands for profit!”
“That’s a peaceful world I spent my career protecting,” Tsai said, “Because of such efforts, China and the Reich have left behind centuries of hostilities!”
“We were once the most powerful empire the world had ever known, and in your stupid pursuit of peace, you made us a laughingstock,” Zhao said, “You might as well have surrendered the country to Daqin.”
“I think you’ve overstayed your welcome,” Tsai said.
“See how your liberalism tries to censor me!” Zhao said. “Like you’ve done to real Chinese patriots like Han Xianyu these last twenty years. You can’t do that to me, because I’m free of your sick liberalism. This nation will not stand for your weakness or cowardice. And I think you don’t know what position you’re in, Ambassador. You are a guest in my nation. You have no right to make orders of me.”
“And I am still a citizen of China, chosen to be ambassador to this nation,” Tsai said, “We may not like each other, and I may not have wanted this job, but I will still do it. I don’t care what you say or how often you visit, but I will do my job. So why don’t you just step out and let me do that?”
Zhao stared at her for a moment. Then he got up and left.
Constantinople - July 8
Josh stormed into the kitchen.
“Josh?” Jenna said. “What are you doing?”
Josh held up a recording device and pressed play.
“Thank you for your help, Professor Bledel,” Jenna’s voice said, “No, I can’t afford to go. What do you mean I have no choice? Either I can weather the storm here and try to change him, and I know I can change him, or I put myself at the mercy of the Shepherds of the Future. No way am I going with those crazies. I’m staying. I know Josh is a good person at heart. He can change.”
“Explain,” Josh said.
“I was talking to my friend!” Jenna said.
“What’s this Professor Bledel like?” Josh said. “How tall is he? How muscular is he? What’s his military record? How big is his…”
“Bledel is a woman!” Jenna said.
“You mean to say you’ve been a gender traitor this whole time?” Josh said.
“No!” Jenna said. “She’s just my professor! You remember Bledel from Ancyra!”
“There are thousands of people with the name Bledel, could be any professor,” Josh said.
“Why are you even like this?” Jenna said. “Always trying to tear me down?”
“So I can build you back up as a better woman,” Josh said, “As the woman I fell in love with.”
“No,” Jenna said, “That’s all a lie. You just want power. You want control.”
“I want you to be the best person you can be,” Josh said.
“BULLSCHEIßE!” Jenna said.
Josh looked at her with disappointment and anger. Then he kicked her in the crotch. Jenna doubled over in pain.
“There’s no saving you, I see,” Josh said, “You’re just like the other leftists in this country. Immoral, shameless, self-hating, anti-national, and traitorous. Which is why I’m turning you in to Heimat Security.”
“What?!” Jenna said. “Heimat Security?”
Josh continued playing the recording.
“So there’s this joke of an Angeloi soldier fatally wounded in the Battle of Vienna, who for his last request asked to see people for whom he was laying down his life,” Jenna’s voice said, “So the nurse put pictures of Angelos and Gandhi on either side of him. The soldier said, ‘Now I can die like Jesus Christ, between two criminals’. Ha!”
Josh stopped the recording. “I accuse you of blasphemy and heresy against the Church and treason against the Reich.”
“TREASON?!” Jenna said. “That was just a joke!”
“That’s what the Adamshaven shooter said when he said all those hateful things,” Josh said.
“You can’t do this!” Jenna said. “To your own wife?!”
“I have a duty to serve my nation and my Kaiser above all else,” Josh said, “I can’t let anything get in the way of that duty. I must be able to make difficult choices if it benefits the nation...even at the expense of my family. I must be in control.”
There was a knock on the door.
“HEIMAT SECURITY!” someone shouted.
“I’ll be right there,” Josh answered.
“Please!” Jenna said, grabbing Josh’s arm. “Please don’t do this!”
Josh shook off Jenna and slapped her again once more. “Shut up.”
He walked away and opened the front door. A team of Heimat Security agents armed with assault rifles walked in.
“Where is the heretic?” one asked.
Josh pointed at Jenna. The agents immediately handcuffed her and led her out the door.
“How could you, Josh?!” Jenna said. “I thought you could change! Where’s the real you?!”
“This has always been the real me,” Josh said, closing the door in her face.
Three days later, he received an urn of Jenna’s ashes along with a small bill he quickly paid.
The Shepherds of the Future are genuinely terrifying for what they represent. As for Jenna... I'm sadly not surprised.
Oh boy, oh boy, things are looking way worse now. I wonder how long before they start rounding up non-Christians and putting em in 'camps'. If any of the veterans from the Second Weltkrieg would still be alive at this stage, or hell maybe even the resistance too they'll start to see very similar things. History may not repeat itself, but it can certainly rhyme. And judging by what's going on now? Well, I'd hate to be a non Christian at this turbulent time.
"Chin up, kiddo. You may find your new life to be strange and unpleasant because you've been exposed to the sinful Roman society, but your children, born and raised in the new Roman society, will be happy with their lives. Rejoice, for you are the last generation to live in sin!" - Shepherd of the Future