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| A military procession | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 29 2006, 08:48 AM (214 Views) | |
| Catholic Europe | Mar 29 2006, 08:48 AM Post #1 |
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Spammer
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The sun shone brilliantly today. The Pax Avenue, which was the main avenue in Genesis City and which went past the Urban IX Palace, the palatial residence of the Holy Father, had been cleared of people, except at the sides which had barriers running down them. From the first light on this day, the crowds had packed the side of the Avenue in anticipation of what was to come - the first military procession in living Catholic European memory. Today would be a great day for Catholic Europe for today would show the world that this once great nation, the greatest of any, was back on her feet. The near-collapse that had only been averted by Norightsian intervenion was now a distant memory in only the oldest of Catholic Europeans. The effects of that collapse, almost as a result of the huge pressue put on the Catholic European state after the War of Dawnsian Succession and the Patruan Peace Treaty, which crippled Catholic Europe, are still felt on this sunny day but the chains which Catholic Europe was placed are nearly all off. Today would show the world this. By midday, the Avenue was packed on either side. Estimates placed around 600,000 people as having lined the Avenue, put some placed it higher at around 900,000 people. They waited in excitement and anticipation at what would amount to a show of Catholic European might and glory. Just before the procession began, the huge stand in the Urban IX Square, which was in front of the Urban IX Palace, was filled with senior clergy, foreign Catholic ambassadors and members of various Royal Families, all of whom had attended the recent Royal weddings. Then, over the speakers which were dotted along the Avenue, the Holy Father was announced, to rapturous applause, screams and shouts of reverence from the hundreds of thousands who had come on this day. The Holy Father proceeded to his seat in the centre of the stand, surrounded by his family and the senior Cardinals. Once he had been seated, a fly-over began. They released plumes of yellow and white smoke, the colours of the Catholic European flag. Then the military procession began. First came around 10,000 troops, led by Leo Cardinal Pepa, defacto Commander-in-Chief of the Catholic European Army. The soldiers all amrhced with procession, their guns resting on their shoulders. As they passed the Holy Father, they all bowed their heads. Following this, tank after tank proceeded, and so did missiles. The procession continued in this fashion for some 2 hours. Catholic Europe was showing her might to the world, sending a message that she had returned and would no longer remain locked up in the chains of which she had found herself bound up for so long. |
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| The CNNP | Mar 29 2006, 11:04 AM Post #2 |
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Enforcer
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OOC: Cheers and gunfire rein aloud in honor of the restored Catholic Europe... |
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| Catholic Europe | Mar 29 2006, 11:08 AM Post #3 |
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Spammer
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Hooray lol! :lol: |
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| The CNNP | Mar 29 2006, 11:10 AM Post #4 |
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Enforcer
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OOC: I thought you might like that :D |
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| Catholic Europe | Mar 29 2006, 11:19 AM Post #5 |
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Spammer
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Yes, very nice. |
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| New Harumf | Mar 29 2006, 03:50 PM Post #6 |
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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Crown Prince Donaldo was standing next to his brother watching the parade of men in shiny uniforms, funny hats, and precise marching. He was quiet and respectful. Then, a contingent of Swiss Guard came by. Donaldo finally bent close to his brother's ear, and whispered, "They are all very pretty; but can they fight?" |
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| Tristan da Cunha | Mar 29 2006, 04:16 PM Post #7 |
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Science and Industry
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The Papal Review Stand on the side of the parade route contained VIPs witnessing the militaristic display. The Pope's family and dozens of highly ranking Cardinals and foreign Catholic princes, diplomats, and knights sat in chairs in the box, with the Pope himself elevated in the middle on a large throne. A white, gold trimmed cannopy hung over the stand to shield the people from the sun; the Papal Coat of Arms decorated the roof of this canopy. Everyone sitting in the review stand was wearing elaborate vestments or uniforms or dresses signifying their power and prestige. The Pope wore a traditional triple-crowned tiara, the cardinals were all enrobed in ermine-lined magna cappas, the Catholic princes donned full military dress uniforms, and their ladies wore enormous extravagant dresses and veils. One person stood out in this crowd of elaborately dressed clerics and warriors. Sebastian Coruna sat amongst the VIPs, but he sat in the 4th row back, 22 chairs to the left of Emmanuel III. Coruna wore a black suit and black tie with tinted sunglasses. The only thing on him signifying a degree of piety was a small gold crucifix chain he wore around his shirt and which hung over his tie. His face was expressionless and he rarely spoke to any of the people sitting around him, who were all chit chatting in Italian or Portuguese. ****** The two guardsmen, dressed in Catholic European ceremonial uniform, opened the mahogany double doors and Sebastian Corouna entered. He purposefully strode up to the ornate French-carved table where Cardinal Gregory Pole, Catholic European chancellor, sat with several piles of paper in front of him. All around Coruna was a three story high room with baroque paintings and carvings on the wall panels, and a enormous pewter chanedelier hanging far up in the air. The back side of the room had window panes from the floor to the ceiling, letting in the full moon hanging over the Bosporus. Coruna went up to the Cardinal and got on one knee to kiss the Cardinal's ruby ring. "Your Eminence," he said. Gregory Pole acknowledged him by nodded his head slightly, with a tinge of disdain in his jaw and neck. The Cardinal was surrounded by priests and nuns, who were his assistants. Coruna stood up and continued, "I believe your Eminence has reviewed the papers, and I hope it is satisfactory." Coruna was a envoy from the Trilateral Commission. For the past few years he visited Genesis City frequently, secretly negotiating with Catholic European bureaucrats and officials on a Concordat between the two countries. Coruna himself was baptized in a Catholic church a lifetime ago in the Algarve, but he long since ceased believing in religion. However, on this mission to Genesis City, he was well advised to prominently wear a crucifix and show outwardly pious behavior such as attending Mass and going to a confessor. Cardinal Pole did not answer, but got up and turned his back to Coruna, and looked out the window into the moonlight. The Concordat bwetween the TC and CE had been worked out long ago by statisticians, economists, technocrats of all sorts. Tonight was just a brief formal signing ritual. The Concordat was designed with one thing in mind - the containment of the Baghdad Pact. Catholic Europe, recovering from its turmoil, would be aided with nearly $100 trillion of TC aid over the course of several years, in the form of direct investment, loans, outright grants, and military assistance. The TC would rebuild the CE army, providing thousands of tanks, vehicles, planes, and ships. In exchange the TC would be able to do business in Catholic Europe. But the precarious profit that the TC would eke out in face of Catholic Europe's stringent anti-usury laws were not worth mentioning. This was far less a meare trade deal and far more a strategic geopolitical maneuver. The Trilateral Commission hoped to rebuild Catholic Europe as a counterweight to the Baghdad Pact. Cardinal Pole spoke up, looking out the window, his hands grasped behind his back, running through a chain of wooden rosary beads. "Sebastian, why shoudl I trust your masters? Am I not a fool to believe that the Trilateral Commission's words are worth more than the Thirty gold coins that betrayed Christ? Is this not a Concordat with the devil?" Coruna replied, "My masters have no allies and have no enemies. They have only interests. The interests of my masters and the interests of the Church coincide today. As long as the Baghdad Pact exists, we fight together." The Cardinal sneered, "Hollow words of the deceiver. The Holy Father believes the Baghdad Pact to be such a threat that he supports this Concordat. I can only submit to his will." The Cardinal turned his face to COruna and said, "Very well, this matter has been settled by the geometers and the calculators. I have affixed my seal to the correct documents. Fetch them back to your masters." WIth that the Cardinal waved his hand to get Coruna out of his sight. Coruna bowed deeply and walked backwards, stopping to bow at every few steps, finally exiting the doorway. ****** Columns of soldiers marched passt the Papal review stand, each saluting the Pope and recieving a Papal blessing. The soldiers were armed with the rocket launchers, machine guns, and bayonets. Each column was led by standard bearrers who carried the CE flag, regimental flags, icons of saints, and relics. In the sky, waves and waves of modern Israeli-made fighters crossed the skies in formation. Trucks, tanks, and armored vehicles full of rocket launchers and ballistic missiles did not cease conveying down the streets in an endless line of destructive machinerey. The eyes of these Catholic European conscripts flared with bloodthirsty piety as they shouted slogans in unison, their souls and their voices animated by some unnatural force. LONG LIVE THE HOLY FATHER! LONG LIVE CATHOLIC EUROPE! DEATH TO THE HERETICS! LONG LIVE SAXE-COBURG! Coruna looked around nonchalantly, crossed his arms, and leaned back on his chair, feeling his eyelids heavy behind his sunglasses. He yawned and thought Not a bad parade. Not bad at all. I've done my job, I better be going on a vacation soon.... |
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| Rhadamanthus | Mar 29 2006, 04:21 PM Post #8 |
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Legitimist
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OOC: Great posts, both CE and TC. I suppose things are heating up, aren't they? Are we at a point where we are actually planning a war, or are we still simplying preparing for a potential one? |
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| Tristan da Cunha | Mar 29 2006, 04:31 PM Post #9 |
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Science and Industry
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OOC These are basically defensive measures and defensive militarization. I'm open fighting a proxy war in Norightsia with the BP-supported faction fighting against a faction supported by enemies of the BP. I think that may provide an interesting setting. Otherwise than that the TC isn't going on the offensive any time soon. In fact I plan to scale back my internet-surfing activities for the next few weeks. :D |
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| Rhadamanthus | Mar 29 2006, 04:40 PM Post #10 |
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Legitimist
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OOC: Ok, then you and I are of almost exactly the same mindset. :) I was also planning to scale back my internet activities, especially NS, and so, wasn't planning on anything offensive. The idea of the proxy war is one I've thought about, and I am pretty sure Norightsia is going for something like that, so that should work out. The only major plans that I have right now are things that I have already discussed with you: North Africa after Camizu dies, and Sicily whenever you're ready, if you're still up for it. Also, I am seriously considering your land swap proposal. Is there any chance that a successful deal would produce a slight thaw in the current cold war? By the way, I'd love to see one of you guys do an Iron Curtain speech about the BP! |
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| Nag Ehgoeg | Mar 29 2006, 04:49 PM Post #11 |
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The Devil's Advocate
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"A military procession. Where do the Catholic Europeans get their ideas?" The Regent mused out loud, feeling undeniably smug while watching the event unfold on television. The Catholic factions of Nag Ehgoeg had advanced well beyond a scion of elitists and the odd collections of crazies, but Catholic Europe never ceased to amuse the ruler of Nag Ehgoeg. He knew Graffin and Horrigan would be having the time of their lives, and would probably have to change their underwear after watching that parade. They would see leadership. They would see strength. They would see peace. All he saw was pieces on a chess board. Yes it was good to know that the world could see Catholic Europe on the way to recovery, and it wouldn't be long before they reclaimed their formor glory. And when that happened... well they'd be a much bigger piece. |
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| Catholic Europe | Mar 30 2006, 04:50 AM Post #12 |
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Spammer
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OOC: Ooo, I like all your posts guys! Very good! And, RD, I'm not planning on a war right now. Catholic Europe is still not allowed to be back to her former strength until Easter so I have to wait until then. This was just to give the impression that she is re-building and re-arming fast and like never before. |
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| Tristan da Cunha | Mar 30 2006, 11:08 AM Post #13 |
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Science and Industry
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Yeah getting rid of Sicily will be my next priority. I will make a posting very very soon about the end of Sicily. I do not think the land swap will not lead to any thaw of the Cold War but don't let that prevent you from going through with the land swap. :lol: And I might not go through with the land swap as of now, because USOI first wants to fine tune the borders with me so hopefully everything can be worked out in the "OOC Ideas" thread. |
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| Rhadamanthus | Mar 30 2006, 11:10 AM Post #14 |
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Legitimist
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OOC: Sounds good with Sicily :) As for the land swap, shall I postpone the decision until you and USOI have finished finetuning borders? Should I include the proposal you made to me in the OOC Ideas thread? |
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| Tristan da Cunha | Mar 30 2006, 01:05 PM Post #15 |
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Science and Industry
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Yeah you can post it if you want. USOI might have some comments to add to the deals also. Later on we can all hammer out the final product in the OOC Ideas thread. |
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| The CNNP | Mar 30 2006, 08:21 PM Post #16 |
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Enforcer
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OOC: I was thinking about a possible "iron curtain" speech against the BP after I sucessful detonate my first atomic weapon. |
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| Rhadamanthus | Mar 30 2006, 08:30 PM Post #17 |
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Legitimist
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OOC: Well, I'm looking forward to it. If I recall correctly, the name "Baghdad Pact" was actually modeled after "Warsaw Pact" so the speech would resonate. |
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| NRE | Mar 30 2006, 10:01 PM Post #18 |
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
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OOC: Though I'm about to speak of a different prophecy, I can already think of another one which the TC has just acted out with the CE government lol. IC: Sister Maria sat in a beautifully embroidered gown with her veil slightly waving as the cool Catholic European breeze followed across her. She had been in Catholic Europe since the ordeal with the South African girl and by the grace of the Holy Father, she was allowed to sit in the Papal Review Stand. She felt a since of pride and greatness as she watched the soldiers go by line after line. It was one of the greatest wonders she had ever witness. She was but a mere child when Catholic Europe was great and by the time she came of age to remember, the dark age of the church had begun. However, she truly felt that if anyone ever harbored thoughts of faultier against the church, this one event would surely sweep them away. Though as the procession marched on with all the soldiers in their best uniforms, a single thought began to cross Maria's mind. She was, of course one of many in Neo-Macedonia chosen to study the prophecies left my their former Sacred Queen and one such prophecy seemed to stick out in her mind: From the land of old man’s Titans will rise and bring about the Great War. Many of his children will die in the service of their masters and by the hands of their enemies. Only by the fire of man shall one Titan bring about the war’s end. Should the fire be cast from the hand of the righteous Titan, an era of peace shall be born. Should the fire be cast from the hand of the devilish Titan an era of despair will rise She now began to worry, what if Catholic Europe were one of the Titans mentioned, and if so, who were the others? Though she couldn't seem to stop thinking about it, she dare not allow her emotions to be seen by anyone. To mask her thoughts she made sure to keep waving at the soldiers who passed by. |
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| Catholic Europe | Mar 31 2006, 05:08 AM Post #19 |
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Spammer
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OOC: Well, don't worry! I am the righteous Titan and I shall win :P |
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9:12 AM Jul 11