A Shift in Priorities

[rast]

The policy of Russia is changeless. Its methods, its tactics, its manoeuvres may change, but the polar star of its policy, world domination, is a fixed star.
(Karl Marx)

The imminent engagement of Tsarvich Vladimir Kirillovich of Russia with Princess Cecilie Viktoria Anastasia Zita Thyra Adelheid of Prussia, the youngest sister of Emperor Wilhelm IV, was an event that made the yellow press all over Europe rave. – The prospective betrothed, however, was far from exulting. After he had overcome the deep trauma caused by the unhappy love affair with Lera Bobkova, Valotka, as he was called in the family, had indulged in unrestrained promiscuity and easy-going. School and studies were out; girls, gambling, car racing and flying planes – spiced with generous doses of cocaine – were in.

To be chained to the plain Cecilie, who was studying medicine in order to become a paediatrist, was nothing that Valotka, who at present had four lovers simultaneously, could be after. But the family, and foremost his mother, were adamant: it was his duty to engage and marry that plump Prussian girl and to produce issue with her. He could keep as many paramours as he liked, if he only exercised due discretion, but imperial offspring could only come from the official consort, and as Tsarevich his foremost task – before succeeding his father – was to secure the continuity of the Romanovs.

Cecilie was of almost the same age as Valotka, just a mere month his junior. She was a tall and beefy young woman, not quite as towering as her mother but definitely taller than Valotka. The Tsarevich, however, preferred short and voluptuous women; he didn’t want to be married to a Teutonic valkyrie. – To protest against the liaison he showed up completely sloshed at the train station when Cecilie and her mother arrived in Moscow. There was a short moment of embarrassment, but Dowager Empress Cecilie Auguste Marie knew how to deal with such a situation. While Valotka’s mother, Viktoria Feodorovna, was still lamenting and his father, Tsar Kyril I, looked just peeved, both Cecilies linked arms with the swaying Valotka and dragged him from the platform into the privacy of a waiting motor car.

Left to some attendants and banned to his rooms in the Kremlin until sober again, Valotka was raging and rioting – but to no avail... Still suffering from a terrible hangover, he was forced to go through all stages of becoming acquainted with Cecilie the next day. Her Russian was flawless, perhaps only a little bit too formal. Goaded by the political parties, the Russian court had switched to the Russian language and completely discarded French after the restoration.

“Look, I would well have preferred another husband, a docile Wasa or a placid Habsburg, but that’s not the way it’s gonna be.” Cecilie explained to him when to two were out of ear-shot in the wintery snowy Kremlin gardens. “We’ll just have to get along. I don’t mind if you keep screwing your little bimbos, I’m not a romantic and certainly not in love with you. – We’ll do our duty – and have fun with somebody else. The only thing that interests me about you is your flying. I want to learn flying as well.”

Okay, perhaps one could get along with such a detached attitude. – But Cecilie had more surprises in store: when the two were left alone in Valotka’s suite she rudely ripped open his fly and administered him a blowjob without peer. Moaning with pleasure, Valotka had to admit that nobody else – ever since Lera – had been able to climax him so completely.
“Well,” mumbled Cecilie, “since the Great War, they say only the Prussians know how to fuck the Russians... – But that doesn’t always have to be negative only, does it?”

Prime Minister Boris V. Savinkov was very satisfied with the impending Imperial wedding. Of course, neither the Tsar nor the Kaiser had any influence on politics. But such a liaison was convenient for keeping the relations between Germany and Russia friendly and intimate. When Russia was on good terms with Germany, she was on good terms with Europe. That was important for the East Asian adventure he had in mind, and could be very convenient for keeping the Germans neutral when he started tweaking the Turks in Central Asia.

He doubted that his lifespan would enable him to see the western borders of the Russian Empire readjusted. Thus, he was aiming at maintaining good ties with Germany. One of his successors could then step ahead and restore Russia’s glory in its fullness...

[rast]

No more tears now; I will think about revenge.
(Mary Queen of Scots)

His backside had healed now, but he never would forget the pain and the humiliation. Almost a hundred tiny lead pellets had to be removed from his rear in several surgical operations. – Nevertheless, he knew he had been lucky, and he had to be thankful to John Crawford who undoubtedly had saved his life. – When the biker broad, who had been tasked to serve their meals, had forgotten to re-lock their shack, drunk and drugged as she was, he and Crawford had scooted as fast as they could.

The grunt on guard first had fired with his submachine gun, but missed them in the darkness. Then he had resorted to his scattergun – and multiply punctured George S. Patton’s backside. Luckily, the distance had already been too large for a lethal hit, but nevertheless Patton had immediately lost consciousness – and Crawford somehow had managed to get him away from the hunting grunts.

“Well, it’s quite convenient that riding a bike does not fit with keeping hounds.” Crawford had later explained. “If they had had dogs, we wouldn’t have come far. – But it was a narrow thing anyway. You almost bled to death...”
Patton didn’t remember this phase at all. Blood loss and fever had almost killed him. For weeks, he had been weaker than a little kitten.

But now he was fit again. The media had marvelled about his wonderous escape – and, in passing, had tried to make a holy helper out of Crawford. But Crawford had disappeared again into the secret world of the FCFA, leaving Patton in the limelight. – The man who had withstood the Disgruntled Grunts. – Well, there were some who called him the Iron Ass...

Hell, he had a mission now. A message to tell America.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my deepmost conviction that Mr. Omar Bradley and his despicable gang of hooligans, popularly called the Disgruntled Grunts, must be destroyed!”

[Archangel]

I think the Disgruntled Grunts are going to regret not controlling the actions of their members.

[Bmao]

Big time... I'm rather surprised that Bradley would do something so stupid as to go after Patton, or if it happened and learned of it that he immediately wouldn't try to make amends. Better move for him would have been to try and reach out to him first to help legitimize his movement. It shows, however, that they've become short-sighted and undisciplined, and also turns public opinion against them as they've now earned the reputation of being hooligans.

Here you have a high profile General who has genuine popularity with the people and more importantly has the pull to siphon off a few Mexican War veterans who would otherwise be grunts. Also, it could cause a number of grunts to question their loyalty to Bradley, and it could be the start of inter-grunt conflict.

[Adler17]

Ceterum censeo Disgruntled Grunts esse delendam.

Quote after Cato the elder.

Adler

[rast]

A certain grasp of military affairs is vital for those in charge of general policy.
(Carl von Clausewitz)

In his closet, Feldwebel der Landwehr Hermann Schultz was preparing his military records for the handover of his duties as company sergeant major to his successor, Vizefeldwebel der Landwehr Otto Pflüger. On March 31st, in less than eight weeks, his service obligation with the Landwehr were about to end – and he would be transferred to the Landsturm. This final phase of his military career was than going to last for another five years, until he was forty-five. – Not that serving in the Landwehr-Regiment No. 21 had been terribly thrilling, at least when compared to his wartime service with the 7th Kanobils.

The Landwehr today had the status of a territorial force. In the Great War, the Landwehr had fought in the frontline trenches, nowadays, the were responsible for guarding roads, bridges and other stuff at home. Nobody in the military establishment still believed that the Landwehr daddies were capable of participating in modern mechanised, motorised or air mobile operations. – Well, and the Landsturm, consisting of either of those folks above forty years of age – or the completely untrained – had been given no other tasks than just guarding prisoners of war and internees.

But at least, one was at home and only had to prepare for service in the home district. Schultz, a carpenter by profession, today owned two saw mills and a chain of carpenters’ workshops. He was a member of the Thorn town council for the PDS and active in the regional chamber of trade. His Landwehr activities had been restricted to one weekend per month, but nevertheless had been extremely useful. The NCOs of the regiment either were small business people, low ranking civil servants or primary school teachers – and the officers were high school teachers, lawyers and high-level public officials. Thus, service with the regiment was quite pivotal for doings and dealings in Thorn.

Well, also the Landsturm had their connections, and there still remained the war veterans’ association and the rifle club – and the business round table, the Masonic lodge and the church. Therefore, Schultz was confident to remain comfortably in business. – Looking at his uniform, which was dangling from a coathanger, he smiled with satisfaction. Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class, ‘Kaiserschlacht’ medal and ‘Arras’ cuff title, Kanobil badge and member cross of the Hohenzollern House Order. That was quite something, and many in Thorn begrudged him for his decorations.

Agnieszka, his wife, interrupted his meditation. The pretty Polish girl from the neighbourhood had turned into a beautiful woman; she was the mother of his five children – and Schultz’ much-valued business partner. The lumber his saw mills processed came down the Vistula from Poland, and Agnieszka, born to Polish parents and grown up bi-lingually, was his continual contact to the Polish log drivers and timber merchants. – This was no easy task. The Dmowski dictature in Poland was highly neurotic and mistrustful. They routinely were detaining and interrogating the raftsmen and the traders. Maintaining continuity in this trade was chiefly Agnieszka’s merit.

“Come quick!” Agnieszka addressed him. “Max has had an accident with the bicycle! – He’s bleeding like crazy!”
Max, the four year old nestling, was not only bleeding from a large wound at his knee, he was also screaming like a lamb about to be slaughtered. Nothing serious, decided Schultz, some iodine tincture and a patch should suffice. – When he applied the iodine, Max’ lamento escalated to a crescendo – and then suddenly stopped, when the lad fainted, which, in turn, caused Agnieszka to start shrieking. One finally decided to put Max to bed, a move that led to fierce protests from his siblings and friends, who had enjoyed the spectacle.

At least the bicycle had taken no serious damage. – Now, Max would outgrow the gadget soon anyway. Then, it would go to Schutz’ nephews, the children of Agnieska’s younger brother. Bolek was a policeman, a stout Prussian country gendarme; those chaps didn’t earn much. Most toys and old clothes went that way. Being a poor gendarme and begetting seven kids somehow didn’t make sense. But that was what family was for, wasn’t it?

[Monty Burns]

Seems that integration of the Poles in Germany works rather well - but what should you expect in a booming, more and more liberal Germany.

What strikes me are the plans of the Russians. To think that in 20 or thirty years the nations of Eastern Europe, which enjoyed independence for over a generation by then, would be happy subjects of the Russian Empire is just stupid. Not to mention the fact that if the Russians really succeed in their plans against the Chinese and the Ottomans those nations will stay ready for a new round once the Russians attack Europe.

I guess the Russians try something against China, and either fail or pay a horrible price for worthless real estate. That should cure them from those stupid expansionist ideas without Europe being affected too much. With time passing by, everybody will get used to the frontiers as they are.

[Peabody-Martini]

What this reminds me of is the US National Guard and Army Reserves. Same basic idea of State and Federal units.

[Expat]

Glad to see our old kanobiler is having a good life.

It's entirely likely that the Russians can sweep into Central Asia and occupy pretty much all the territory they want. They don't have the supply line insanity that the Chinese had to deal with and they aren't a fragile state freshly sewn back together, either.

Occupation will be brutal for all sides of course.

It's possible the constituents of the Peasant's Party will cause a fuss and force the adventure to an end. But there are many tests of democracy that Russia simply hasn't undergone, most notably the peaceful transfer of power. Who's to say the PM will actually vacate the position?

If Anatolia were somehow threatened I feel like Europe might intervene, but perhaps not before then.

Two wars in Central Asia in less time than it takes the Germans to elect a new government might convince them of the need for some sort of international forum for preventing this sort of thing.

[Kooluk Swordsman]

Maybe Russia will acknowledge that they have a good thing going and, you know, not try and conquer Asia and Eastern Europe?

My wish seems to be rendered unobtainable by Rast's chosen quote.

[Mentos]

I have a couple of questions about this excellent TL:
- Could anybody please explain what territories in the USA are under control of the government of McAdoo?
- Who are the members of COMECON (a list).
- What are the prospects of a Russia - China war? I remember a certain Japanese conspiracy under Yamashita a couple pages back trying to push Chiang to war with some faked photos. What has come of that?
We haven't heard anything from the Aryans for a while. I don't think that India is just standing and doing nothing.

Mentos

[rast]

Originally Posted by Mentos

- Could anybody please explain what territories in the USA are under control of the government of McAdoo?

Please see post #8885.

Originally Posted by Mentos

- Who are the members of COMECON (a list).

Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, the Heymshtot, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania.

Originally Posted by Mentos

- What are the prospects of a Russia - China war? I remember a certain Japanese conspiracy under Yamashita a couple pages back trying to push Chiang to war with some faked photos. What has come of that?

One shall see.

Originally Posted by Mentos

We haven't heard anything from the Aryans for a while. I don't think that India is just standing and doing nothing.

They are certainly doing quite a lot, but there's not much of general interest going on. Like IOTL, India is rather self-centred - and has no intimate enemy like Pakistan.

[Monty Burns]

Originally Posted by Expat

It's entirely likely that the Russians can sweep into Central Asia and occupy pretty much all the territory they want. They don't have the supply line insanity that the Chinese had to deal with and they aren't a fragile state freshly sewn back together, either.

Could a Russian-Turan war being restricted only on Inner Asia and not being waged on the Caucasus as well? The Caucasus borders Ukraine and hence COMECON. That will definitely bring in the Germans in some way. Not to speak of the fact that any war on the Turans will harm EVEG.

In any case, a war against the Pan-Turans has the higest probabilities of succeeding. Although success means harsh occupation, guerilla war and China allying with the COMECON - anybody knows then what the Russians are up to. The problem they have is that all their neighbours stand in the way of reestablishing the Empire. They might succeed against one, but once they start the second war everybody knows what they are up to and the former looser will team up with the next victim and probably the Germans as well.

Originally Posted by rast

Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, the Heymshtot, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria.

Romania and Albania?

[Mentos]

Originally Posted by rast

Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, the Heymshtot, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria.

Are there any prospects for a Swiss entry? It would be nice seeing the situation there, especially with the EVEG pulling stuff in.
Secondly, how is Hungary ruled? Is there universal suffrage? What about Bulgaria?
With the USA in anarchy, could Ireland contemplate joining? Poland and Greece are possibilities too.

I hope my questions aren't annoying, this timeline is just so full of possibilities and ideas that it makes my head explode

[Expat]

The Caucasus front is completely blocked by the four EVEG countries (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Caucasus Republic.) The Russians (or the Turks) would have to pretty much directly confront Germany if they attacked in this theater.

On the other hand, one wonders if Europe will need to be attacked before confronting Russia. Letting China have a swipe at the Ottomans is one thing, but a Russian attack on the Porte awakens long-standing continent-wide fears.

There is also a chance that the Chinese would ally (at least temporarily) with Russia to gain control of their lost territory.

Actually if I were the Russians, I'd go for the one bit of their former empire that no one's defending right now. A territory that won't frighten the Europeans, the Chinese, or the Turks. Anyone want to guess where I mean?

[Ferngolly]

Alaska? but they could probably buy that with the current situation the States are in.

[Expat]

I doubt the US will sell. They don't exactly need money right now (nothing to buy with it) and they'd certainly sell to Canada first, anyway.

Also, it hasn't been mentioned, but I bet the Last Frontier has had something of a population boom recently, given all the trouble in the lower 48. And unlike other safe parts of the country, there are no militias to keep people out. The only problem is getting there.

[Bmao]

Originally Posted by Expat

Actually if I were the Russians, I'd go for the one bit of their former empire that no one's defending right now. A territory that won't frighten the Europeans, the Chinese, or the Turks. Anyone want to guess where I mean?

Agreed that while the Russians probably could occupy Alaska given the troubles in the lower 48, all they would be doing really is needlessly antagonizing the US. They already have enough enemies to chew on between the Chinese, the Turks and the states of Eastern Europe, not to mention possibly the Germans. However, I could envision the US selling Alaska as a means of getting out of their debt hole.

I also very much doubt that Alaska would be experiencing a population boom, given its isolation, the harsh conditions and most importantly the lack of available jobs. More likely, these people would be trying to move to Canada first before even thinking about Alaska.

[Decrian]

Originally Posted by Expat

I doubt the US will sell. They don't exactly need money right now (nothing to buy with it) and they'd certainly sell to Canada first, anyway.

Also, it hasn't been mentioned, but I bet the Last Frontier has had something of a population boom recently, given all the trouble in the lower 48. And unlike other safe parts of the country, there are no militias to keep people out. The only problem is getting there.

You could always go straight through Canada. Another question would be if there are any refugees moving into Canada and if yes how much and how are the Canadians are dealing with it.

[rast]

Sunshine all the time makes a desert.
(Arab proverb)

Grinning broadly, Carl Doherty was counting the greenbacks lying in his lap. Now, this truly was inflationary adjustment. Prices could go up to the ceiling and beyond – as long as the gang was earning like that. Carl chuckled; one had to be thankful to Omar Bradley. His attack on the federal spooks had also hit and pretty much destroyed the McAdoo Fence in the Gila Desert. Thus, the overabundant drug supplies of Mexico suddenly had become accessible again to Carl’s gang.

Unlike many other biker outfits, Carl’s little band never had turned the corner to producing homegrown dope. The end of the Mexican Intervention and the erection of the McAdoo Fence had played them a nasty prank. Subsequently, Carl had been forced to send his mob on errants for Bradley, not quite the kind of job the boys and girls were really suited for. They were too silly and too hooked for any structured tasks, Carl had to admit, well sensing that he himself might not be the brightest candle below the sky. But since Harry Olsen had disappeared in 1932, Carl somehow had managed to keep the gang together rough-and-ready.

And now, they had tapped into a bonanza! They had a terrible hyperproduction down there in Sonora – and were only too happy to sell some cheap sacks of stuff to Carl’s outfit. Before Uncle Sugar was ever able to repair the broken fence and bring a bunch of new FBN pigs into this ‘dangerous’ biker country, they would be rich – rich enough to turn their back on the States... – Carl had no clear idea how life outside the US of A might be. He only had been ‘visiting’ Mexico during the Great Southern Conquest and the various purchasing forays; well, that shitty land certainly was not the right place for a care-free life in cosy abundance...

Where to go to? Carl had no idea. – But with so many bucks, one surely would be able to find a nice spot. Carl was slipping rubber bands on the bundles. Yeah, that was a nice basis for future prosperity. – When Bobby and Ethel were sober again, he would sent them for another tour to Hermosillo. Ben and Martha would make a trip to Cuauhtémoc in Chihuahua, perhaps they sold even cheaper there. He would tour Phoenix, Flagstaff and Albuquerque – looking for more buyers. Ginger, the old toper, better waited here at the ranch...

Carl rose from the rocking chair he had been sitting in, holding the dollar bundles with his left arm. Time for a neat drink. The others were already celebrating inside... – When he suddenly heard engine noise approaching, he quickly hid the money below a blanket. Two grunts on bikes, an Indian Four and a Harley Flathead, so, no great threat, brothers in arm, so to say...

“You’re Doherty?” asked the Indian grunt, wiping dust from his face.
“Yeah, that’s me...”
“Awl right. – This’s a message from Yours Truly Omar Bradley. – No drug dealing with the friggin’ Wetbacks. Do not go to Mexico for buying dope. – You copy?”
“Yeah. – What the heck...”
“No hot air, dude! – Just do it. – ¡Hasta la vista, compadre!”

With utter disbelief, Carl was gazing after the messengers, who were driving away in a cloud of dust. God damn! What now? – Surrender prosperity for this stupid order? – But Bradley usually meant what he said, and he had no mercy for people who didn’t comply with his directives. – Damn! Damn! Damn!
Ginger came weaving from inside, brandishing a bottle. “H-hey, Ch-cha’ley, come t-to the p-party!”