INES III: Storm Tapestry
- Thread starter Imago
- Start date
Circuit
Writing Letters
The Roman Republic
Italy was on the losing side of conflicts for most of the history of the twentieth century. In World War I, Italy sided with the Bonapartes in France, the losing side of the war. In World War II, the Italian government, now under the power of the fascist Benito Mussolini, switched sides and fought with the Germans and British, and again, lost the war. After the wars, a reactionary Communist government came to power, forming strong ties with the Soviet Union. That government collapsed right along with the Soviet Union. An incompetent and corrupt Italian Republic followed, which ended with the formation of the European Union. The Italian people, tired of the history of failure after failure, were very supportive of the European Union and, for once, stability. When the seams began to split in the European Union, the Italian delegates spoke and debated long and hard to keep the Union in tact, but Italy, having little political influence, simply failed to convince the other nations to stay. First Germany seceded, then France, and the system fell apart.
In the course of the EU experiment, Italy managed to build up an adequate economy, receiving foreign investment missing from the days of the Italian People's Soviet Socialist Republic and the sorry Second Italian Republic. While having little clout amongst the major power, Greece and former Balkan states became economically tied with Italy. Thus when the European Union collapsed, Southern Europe stuck together, with the Roman government at the head of the new union. The Italian people, who had long ago checked out from the present and reminisced to the glorious history of the Roman Empire, opted to call this new republic the Roman Republic. The name was one all in the new Republic could agree upon.
The power of the name was not to be underestimated. The government was structured with the old Roman history in mind. The government consists of a two-chambered Senate, which then elected the head of state, the Consul of the Roman Republic. The flag of the Roman Republic is very Romantic, consisting of a wreath and a golden eagle. The very large capitol complex in Rome is very classical, lined with Roman pines and red banners with the wreath and eagle, and arches and columns elegently lead up to the great dome of the Roman Senate and Consular Palace. The military adopted dress uniforms that are very classical, ordained with decorations and the characteristic large red crest, the rest of the uniform being black with red and gold trim. The fealing of old glory is nearly imposing in the capitol.
Soon, the Roman government began to find that they were not destined to be just another abortive Italian government. In the years of the EU, the economy had built itself up. Many EU military equipment had been left in the region for Roman taking. Many were supportive, even enthusiastic, about the Roman government. But the honeymoon ended with signs of corruption coming from the Senate. After a series of "protective" reforms, the Roman public lost much sufferage, though many political freedoms still remain. A political elite came to the fore in the government, and the people of the Balkans became disenchanted with the Roman vision.
Liberal, Socialist, and Communist factions in the government found themselves without office as the political machines throughout the nation formed a new government in their own image. For two decades, the Partito Repubblicano di Roma (PRR), the foremost conservative faction of the Roman Republic, ruled uncontested. Complaints from poor or rural regions in the Republic found themselves ignored. Bribes, kickbacks, biased legislation and other sorts of corruption began to emerge. Public discontent began to foment, and the PRR ignored it.
The PRR, while currently in power, suddenly finds itself confronted with a political issue that they may not be able to stop. While the political machines have been able to curb the influence of leftists, the challenge that the machines may not be able to stop in time comes from the right, a triple-pronged attack from both the angry public and the military, even within the PRR's own party. The death of a Senator lead to the leadership of the PRR nominating (thus electing) a general known as Nico Romano, who the party leadership thought to be politically incompetent and easy to control. They found themselves gravely mistaken. Not only had Romano's political incompetence proved to be a ruse, he began to challenge the leadership from within, bringing with him the support of the military. His charisma wooed the public at large, discontent with the current Roman government. Senators have defected from PRR leadership to align with Romano's so-called National Progressive Faction (Nazionale Fazione Progressista, or NFP). The faction has called for many economic reforms and a greater strengthening of the military, portraying the Iranian imams and the German Communists as dire threats to the Romans. Many have warned that Nico Romano's reforms would bring back fascism in Europe, which was the protest of the PRR leadership. But few listen, instead entranced by Nico Romano's promises of economic prosperity and increased security throughout the whole Republic, along with less centralization, both politically, militarily, and economically.
With the PRR's past history, many wonder if Nico Romano could even survive in time to be elected in the 2050 "elections". Odds are, he will, considering that the PRR leadership knows that should he not win, there would undoubtedly be a backlash that they themselves would not survive. But many look to the Roman Republic with great anxiety, and few know how the rest of the year will play out.
Diplo:
To: The Grand Empire of France, The United Kingdom
From: Roman Republic
We both are proud people. Perhaps an alliance of some sort could be arranged between our nations?
OOC:
What tech level are we at?
Hopefully, story soon to come
Kozmos
Jew Detective
To the Grand Empire of France and the Roman Republic
From United Kingdom and its reigning Lord Protector Gabriel Blacktyde
We agree to an alliance and wish to invite your respective executive decision makers for closed-door talks to formalize it and negotiate the small tid-bits as they would say.
OOC: Andro, Circ, I'd like to have a small chit-chat with the both of you. Any ideas on making it happen besides a social group? Though it just might as well be one since I'm in Europe and you are Yanks. Time zone differences would make instant communication a bit unwieldy. Just think up a spiffy name and make it private
From United Kingdom and its reigning Lord Protector Gabriel Blacktyde
We agree to an alliance and wish to invite your respective executive decision makers for closed-door talks to formalize it and negotiate the small tid-bits as they would say.
OOC: Andro, Circ, I'd like to have a small chit-chat with the both of you. Any ideas on making it happen besides a social group? Though it just might as well be one since I'm in Europe and you are Yanks. Time zone differences would make instant communication a bit unwieldy. Just think up a spiffy name and make it private
To the public, essentially OTL modern, but scientists around the world have made a lot of not-very-well disseminated discoveries that should allow for interesting things in the coming decade.
***
A bit more than 25 hours to the deadline. 2/20 ordersets in.
TheLizardKing
Let's talk Michelle.
To: The Glorious, Free Nation of Japan
From: The USACS
CC: All Like Minded Free People, Communist Or Not
Wonderful! This is good news Comrade. Welcome to LIARS.
OOC: Another story/information tid bit to come tonight. Imago, I hate to be a pain, but can you change my description a bit?
Religion isn't exactly suppressed.. you're allowed to practice it.. I was just thinking not many people do. Sort of like.. the Soviet Union, I'd guess? I dunno. It's up to you, I suppose.
From: The USACS
CC: All Like Minded Free People, Communist Or Not
Wonderful! This is good news Comrade. Welcome to LIARS.
OOC: Another story/information tid bit to come tonight. Imago, I hate to be a pain, but can you change my description a bit?
Religion isn't exactly suppressed.. you're allowed to practice it.. I was just thinking not many people do. Sort of like.. the Soviet Union, I'd guess? I dunno. It's up to you, I suppose.
An Emergency Broadcast From the Royal Palace of Washington
The Royal Guard with King George IV's coffin
Early this Morning, His Royal Majesty, King George IV, passed away. As you are well aware, His Majesty was long suffering from sickness, and by the grace of God, he was able to pass away peacefully.
Our new Queen
However, our young princess is ready to take the reins of our beloved Kingdom. By Royal Decree, our beloved princess has become By the Grace of God, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Victoria I of the Atlantic Kingdom. She has received the oath of loyalty from the Armed Forces, and from the Parliament. We remind every subject of our beloved Kingdom that it is our sworn duty and honor to obey our monarch.
Her Majesty’s coronation is set to be coming soon, and it is expected that Her Majesty will call for elections at the beginning of next year to form a new government.
All Hail Queen Victoria!
Glory to Her Majesty!
Glory to the Atlantic Kingdom!
Capt_Lightning
Chieftain
To Canada:
From Quebec:
Considering our past, you may be angry at us, but let us not be blinded by the past. Let us look towards a peaceful future. To that end, we believe a non-agression pact is in order, what say you?
From Quebec:
Considering our past, you may be angry at us, but let us not be blinded by the past. Let us look towards a peaceful future. To that end, we believe a non-agression pact is in order, what say you?
bestrfcplayer
Steppin' up!
To Quebec
From Canada
We accept your non-aggression pact.
From Canada
We accept your non-aggression pact.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
Treaty of the United Americas said:
signed Caribbean Republic
we invite Texas, Canada, Quebec, the Union of Patagonia, and the CWOH Commonwealth to add their signatures.
TheLizardKing
Let's talk Michelle.
Thanks Imago. I hate to be nit-picky like that, but I could forsee a wildly oppressed religious minority being an issue in the future.
germanicus12
First Citizen of Rome
Signed Texas Republic
To Canada
From Texas
I have discussed your entrance at length with the founding member. Due to your government, a dictatorship, I did not feel you were a right fit, but I sincerely hope you will do well here, and that in the near future you will allow democratic elections, in either case you will have Texas' full support through this alliance.
bestrfcplayer
Steppin' up!
Circuit
Writing Letters
To the Grand Empire of France and the Roman Republic
From United Kingdom and its reigning Lord Protector Gabriel Blacktyde
We agree to an alliance and wish to invite your respective executive decision makers for closed-door talks to formalize it and negotiate the small tid-bits as they would say.
OOC: Andro, Circ, I'd like to have a small chit-chat with the both of you. Any ideas on making it happen besides a social group? Though it just might as well be one since I'm in Europe and you are Yanks. Time zone differences would make instant communication a bit unwieldy. Just think up a spiffy name and make it private
I agree. A social group would be most appropriate. We could call it the Pact of Enterprising Europe, if you'd like.
TheLizardKing
Let's talk Michelle.
To: The Roman Republic and the Grand Empire of France
From: The USACS
While we have different ideologies, I feel like we can agree that peace is a much better alternative then war. You have talked to Germany about wishing that peace reign supreme on the Rhine, well, we would like to talk to you about peace reigning supreme in the Mediterranean also. What say you?
From: The USACS
While we have different ideologies, I feel like we can agree that peace is a much better alternative then war. You have talked to Germany about wishing that peace reign supreme on the Rhine, well, we would like to talk to you about peace reigning supreme in the Mediterranean also. What say you?
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Or pehraps Pact of National European Sovereignty or P-NES for short.
EDIT: Biggus Dicchus could be the chairman. Or Magnus Maximus.
Circuit
Writing Letters
Underneath an unbrella that shielded the table from the bright sun, Nico Romano sipped lightly from a glass of red wine. Across from him sat Alecia Giannopoulos, the head hancho in Greece, businesswoman and boss of the many political machines in the region. A very beautiful woman as well, without a doubt. She took a sip from her glass of white wine as she reclined in her chair, her arms folded across her chest save for the arm holding the wine glass.
"I have no doubt that you have the ability to run the nation, Nico," she said, her voice cooing teasingly yet shadowed with intelligence. "And the fact that you've gotten this far to actually threaten Consul Costa's office speaks volumes about how shrewed you truly are. But what has me...shall we say, skeptical...is just the sheer amount of risk involved in supporting you."
"Risk?" Nico Romano set the wine glass on the table, then leaned in, looking straight into Giannopoulos's eyes. "I think you overestimate the ability of the PRR establishment."
"I think you underestimate it, Generale Romano."
"I have the backing of the military, massive popular support, and support within the PRR," Romano said, low and terse. "In fact, many speculate that if I'm not elected, there could be revolts throughout the nation."
"How could I not know?" Giannopoulos said, the corners of her lips rising slightly. "You certainly made your mark in Greece, when you last visited. Your promise of greater militarization certainly impressed them."
"And yourself?"
Giannopoulos chuckled. "Perhaps I myself have been impressed, both by your promises and by yourself."
Nico Romano saw that glint in Alecia Giannopoulos eye; she was toying with him in more ways than one. Granted, she was a power player, and was likely simply using another tactic in her playbook. But he wasn't one to pass up an opportunity. He grinned rakishly. "Oh? Do tell."
She chuckled. "Well...I myself fear Iranian invasion. The good mother only knows what goes through those crazy imams' heads. Plus I'm a major stock holder in many Roman arms manufacturers. No doubt that would increase the value of my portfolio."
"Indeed it would. So what has you shying away from supporting me in my bid?"
She shrugged. "Should you fail, for whatever reason, I could find myself broke and bleeding in some Athenian alleyway, a fate that I'd like to avoid."
Romano nodded. "Indeed you could. But the odds against that are high, I can assure you."
"I'm sure you can."
A man from the other table beside Romano and Giannopoulos's leaned over and whispered into Romano's ear. "Generale Romano, I think you've been here too long. There are many windows around here, and an assassin could be staking out in any one of them. I think it's time we go."
"Yes, yes, Gianni," Romano whispered back, with a bit of annoyance. "Well, Alecia, my security personel tell me it's time we leave. Perhaps we should meet another time? Perhaps with finer dining?"
She smiled. "Perhaps. You have my hotel phone number. Give me a call."
"I'll pay," Romano said. He reached into his pocket to get his checkbook, which fell to the ground after he fished around. He chuckled and blushed. "Excuse me." He bent over to the ground to get it.
A shot rang out. Nico Romano felt the air above him disturbed. Instinctively, he dropped to the pavement. "Alecia, get down!" he yelled. He looked over to see her chair fall backwards, her face frozen in shock as blood pooled from a hole in her neck. Screams rang out as people dropped, except for the four people in the adjacent tables, who leaped out of their chairs and whipped out submachine guns. They immediately began shooting, shouting orders to each other. "Second floor, third one in!" shouted a female voice above the din. "Let's go!" Their feet began pounding across the street. "Hold your fire! We might hit civilians!"
Romano stayed on the ground for about a minute. He suddenly heard in the building across the street shouting, pistol shots, submachine-gun fire, then more silence. At that point, he figured it was safe to get up and find out what was going on. Pushing himself off the ground, nearly leaping to his feet, he darted across the street, into the building, up the stairwell, and down the hallway to the open door. He saw inside the room his security detail pouring over ever crack and cranny, and on the floor a crumpled and bloody body of a man with a pistol by his hand, a rifle leaning against the open window. "Is it safe for me to come in?" he called.
"We believe the danger is gone," the female voice said. "You may come in, Generale."
He stepped in cautiously, approaching the body slowly, as if at any moment it might twitch its arms and strangle him. The man's eyes were dark and large, and looked off into nothing stoicly. His chest was torn with bulletholes. He likely didn't live ten seconds.
Romano touched the body, moving it to the side to get a look. He noticed on his arm, underneath one of the short sleaves of his shirt, a red shape. He lifted the sleave to see a red tatoo of the hammer and sickle, surrounded by a Roman wreath.
"Carmela!" Romano called out. "Have a look at this!" Carmela, a dark-haired, olive skinned Sicilian came from the bathroom in the room to Romano's side, bending over to look at the tatoo. "What do you think of this? Looks like he's with the PCR [Partito Comunista di Roma, Roman Communist Party]."
Carmela squinted her eyes at the tatoo. "I don't think so," she said. She walked back to the bathroom, wet a towel in the sink, then returned. She rubbed the tatoo vigorously with the towel, and when she lifted it, most of the tatoo was gone. "Whoever is responsible is trying to frame the PCR. Whatsmore, how could the PCR know where you were going to be? It's not like you were at a public event. No, this assassin likely stored his supplies here before you arrived."
"Should we ask the owner?"
"That would likely be uninformative. But who would know that you would be here?"
Romano pondered it for a second. Then it hit him. "Alecia Giannopoulos was staying in a hotel, likely paid for by the PRR. She had no other business with them. That must mean that..."
"I'd be willing to wager you anything," Carmela said, "the PRR is behind this."
Romano looked into Carmela's eyes, then chuckled. "Let's watch Consul Leonardo Costa squirm when we call him out. He just handed me victory."
To: The USACS
From: The Roman Republic
We too hope for peace on the Mediterranean. We're glad you share this goal.
OOC: I'm not really looking for acronyms like that. Perhaps just the European Pact would work.
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