A Shift in Priorities - Sequel

There is no such thing as an unconscious no.
(Sigmund Freud)

It was a real shame! He had contrived the legal construct that had made Nono Hollitschek a rich man. But it had only been designed as a temporary step, not as steady state. However, when the Vienna police had killed Sepp in a firefight five years ago, he suddenly had been forced to realise that his scheme was deficient. Nono was the exclusive owner of all assets: twelve houses, four country estates, three night clubs, two brothels, four vineyards, a yacht and a lot of petty stuff. And he – could be glad and grateful that Nono still employed him as his lawyer.

It was Hanne, Nono's common–law spouse, who had to be blamed. Nono was a bozo. He would easily have wrapped him around his little finger – and have appropriated the whole lot, if not Hanne had counselled Nono. Hanne was an ordinary whore, or rather had been – she was playing the grande dame now, but she was clever. As long as Nono owned everything – and she was his mate, she was posh. If Nono lost the clobber, she was back to patrolling the streets. Well, the little slut had pulled it through.

Okay, being Nono's lawyer – and asset manager – wasn't that bad. There were worse fates. Yet, it meant working. While Nono and Hanne were touring the glitterati world, he was left to graft here in Vienna. Oh, sure, some morsels he was able to secure for himself routinely. Hanne didn't mind, and Nono never noticed. Nevertheless, it was vexing. Why couldn't he be on that yacht, cruising the Riviera, hosting some complacent girls who gingered him up?

A letter had arrived, signed by Nono and – surely – written by Hanne. They had heard about the impending ice age and wanted to buy real estate on Sardinia. It was not a totally stupid idea, Sardinia was far–off, even if Italy was swamped by refugees from Germany. Yes, he would have to get in contact with local estate agents. He wrote a short note for Emma, his secretary, to establish telephonic contact with some offices in Cagliari.

It was a general problem. Estate and house prices in Vienna were falling. Nono's assets were rapidly losing in value. At the same time, charges in Italy, Spain and Portugal were reported to be skyrocketing. Fortunately, one had a well–stocked bank account – and several filled lock boxes at diverse banks. Kurt Schuschnigg sighed. He would do what he could to salvage as much as possible. After all, if Nono became pauperised, he was ripe for the soup kitchen as well...
 
From the rocket we can see the huge sphere of the planet in one or another phase of the moon. We can see how the sphere rotates, and how within a few hours it shows all its sides successively...
(Konstantin Tsiolkovsky)

As it was, NASA did surpass RRA in establishing a space station by a wide margin. – Having already constructed one before, they had the procedures and the required equipment ready. Freak weather had kept them from launching, but not from accumulating hardware. In fact, the decision to mount a new space station had been taken earlier and quite independently from the scheme to set up solar mirrors.

Kósmos–3, the missing element of the ill–fated first station, now formed the first one to be shot up for the new station. On July 15th, 1953, a Nositelnitsa–A launch vehicle hoisted Kuryér–4 and Kósmos–3 into orbit. On July 17th and 23rd, Kósmos–4 and 5 followed. The Kuryér–4 crew, Poruchik Pyotr G. Sosslov and Poruchik Dmitriy F. Dobrynin, both experienced space farers, assembled the station, which received the name Svyosdniy Óstrov, the Star Island, in stable 450 km orbit.

Sosslov and Dobrynin now were forming the first crew of Star Island. They had, however, ample time for space familiarisation, as none of the components of the planned solar mirrors were ready yet. Observing earth from space, though, was an important activity. It was a pity the space farers were no trained meteorologists. But they could be coached by experts via radio; and Dobrynin, the first to land again, would bring a whole pouch filled with negatives down with Kuryér–4.

That Russia – once again – had beaten the Germans in the space race was only of fleeting interest. Everybody was aware that the missions in space had become a joint struggle against the ice.
 
Just to let everyone know, I've nominated rast for the Robert P. Perkins Award. ASIP just had it's 8th Birthday and rast has consistently updated it for those 8 years. I think he rightly deserves to be rewarded for his brilliant work. Please second his nomination and remember to vote for him when the polls are up. Thank you.
 
Just to let everyone know, I've nominated rast for the Robert P. Perkins Award. ASIP just had it's 8th Birthday and rast has consistently updated it for those 8 years. I think he rightly deserves to be rewarded for his brilliant work. Please second his nomination and remember to vote for him when the polls are up. Thank you.

heartily seconded
 
Each man delights in the work that suits him best.
(Homer)

Choe Kyung-jae was looking around full of curiosity. He was a well–travelled man, but he never before had been to India. Kolkātā, he had been told, was very much a British creation. It had been the capital of British India for a long time, until the overlords had moved the capital to Dillī. – Well, what he saw looked lordly indeed. He didn't know a lot about those fabulous Britons, but they recognisably must have had a knack for showmanship.

Samsung had been awarded the contract for building a power plant, which was part of a new reservoir dam to be constructed on the Tista River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. Actually, it was a case where zaibatsu and chaebŏl were working together. Fuji was going to deliver the hardware; Samsung would install it. Another chaebŏl, Gwangju, was already busy erecting the dam.

Choe had been involved in the construction of the new nuclear reprocessing plant at Goheung. This had been accomplished by the chaebŏl without zaibatsu participation. – He was wary of the Japanese as co–operators. They weren't used yet to treating Koreans as equals. He could live with them playing the haughty overlords, but keeping aloof, like at Goheung.

Working directly hand–in–glove, however, might become extremely delicate. Even if Fuji was only supposed to supply the machinery, Choe could imagine a lot of causes for frictions of all kinds. – He had co–operated with Canadians, Costa Ricans and Rumanos, all of them were rather difficult to deal with, but stood no comparison with Japanese. How was he supposed to get all the information he needed?

And there were the Indians he had to reckon with as well. From what he had gathered already, they had been expecting Japanese – and now were getting Koreans. Collaboration between Indians and Japanese had a long standing tradition dating back to Indian independence. However, the caste–sensitive Indians were used to view Koreans as downright menials, lowly serfs of the Japanese.

Nevertheless, he was looking forward to establishing the construction site and starting the work. He was the general manager, not a specialist. The specialists were working for him. Samsung could do it, no doubt. Goheung had been pretty ambitious, the Tista hydro–electric dam was a stock commission by contrast – or rather should be, if everything went smoothly...

Well, it was his job to make it smooth. He had a preliminary list of people he had to see here in Kolkātā. Were Indians wired like Koreans? Or like Japanese? Or were they another kettle of fish entirely? – How about punctuality? And veracity? He had got along with Mesoamericans, who had been masters of neither. He would get along with the Indians as well, but he was avid to know more.

It didn't start encouraging. The bloke he was supposed to meet wasn't in office. His secretary thought he might be back in one or two hours. Would he like tea and munchies?
 
A land flowing with milk and honey.
(Bible – Exodus)

It was too cold. Tom Keller Senior had meticulously measured soil temperature since seedtime. Some seedlings might sprout nevertheless, but the bulk had to be considered blighted. The implication was epic – and simple at the same time: one had to leave. Abandoning the farm was no mean matter, but a fairly evident line of action for all. However, where should one go to?

Martha, Tom Senior's in–law, was suggesting British Columbia. They had wonderful forests over there, hadn't they? The trees would keep away the cold northern wind. And it was still Canada, after all, which meant one could garner subsidies of all kinds, as the system was still supporting food production. – The ocean was close by, so, perhaps, it would not become as cold as here on the Great Plains.

Gloria, his wife, thought one should move south, to the US – but away from the Great Plains. How about Florida? Or Texas? It would be a long trail, sure, but these were warm countries. She was loath of the eternal coldness.

Tom Junior, the oldest child, was for California. This was because he had heard about the Malibu and Santa Monica beach girls, but that he wouldn't say. Farming was good in California – and the region would not be affected by whatever happened on the Great Plains.

Victoria, the second oldest child, agreed with her mom. Florida would be great. And one had access to the Caribbean, where it always was warm.

Claire, the next daughter in the row, wanted to go to a country where horses were available for everyone. Texas would be it, definitely.

Matthew, youngest but one, didn't want to leave at all. This was home. One couldn't go away – just because...

Edith, the youngest, didn't mind the destination – as long as she could take the dogs along.

Tom Senior had, of course, considered the situation – and gathered information. The Great Plains in the US had been hit by the freak weather as well. Hardly recovered from the Dust Bowl, the farmers over there had been drowned – or almost, and their crops washed away. Many had moved to California, or to the South, where The Troubles had created new opportunities for farmers. Hence, nobody in the US was actually waiting for some destitute Canadians.

No, the US weren't a promising destination. Mexico was better. One could get land cheaply, because many Mexican farmers couldn't live from what they produced. For buying the land, bank credits were available – for experienced and literate people like the Kellers. – Yes, there would be a language problem, but not for very long. Spanish wasn't Chinese, it was easy to learn.

The family wasn't exalted. But slowly, Tom Senior was winning them over. Gloria and Martha were coming in line just because he was the man, and Victoria didn't mind swapping Florida for Tampico. The dogs could come along together with the donkeys. That secured Edith' vote. Tom Junior, day–dreaming of sultry Mexican girls, agreed as well. And Claire, assured that horses were available galore in Mexico, chimed in too. – Yes, the Kellers would move to Mexico.
 
The greatest gain from space travel consists in the extension of our knowledge. In a hundred years this newly won knowledge will pay huge and unexpected dividends.
(Wernher von Braun)

The German space effort finally commenced on August 6th, 1953, when an A12 launch vehicle hoisted Raumschrat–5 and Element A into orbit. The RRA space station, which would bear the name Raumpunkt 1 – Space Point 1, was to consist of four elements and a central transom. Completed, it would look like a lying H, where the four elements formed the upright parts, while the transom was the horizontal connector. It would be parked on a 600 kilometres orbit.

In fact, the elements were converted Große Schwestern, viscerated and modified DELAG transport shuttles. Forced to find a quick solution for constructing a space station, the RRA scientists had turned to the spacious DELAG vehicles. They were reasonably large, larger than anything RRA could muster at present, spaceworthy, technologically up–to–date – and they allowed flanging all kinds of equipment. – The transom, the connecting passage, was a plain custom–made ashlar, not designed to accept any complicated equipment.

Oberleutnant zur See Erwin Markwart and Leutnant Otto Seiffert, on board Raumschrat–5, had to steer the tandem into position, a task that was accomplished in good time. The routines of space navigation had sunk in, obviously. That mission accomplished, Markwart now exited Raumschrat–5 and boarded Element A. He would remain in space, waiting for reinforcements. – Seiffert steered the Raumschrat back to earth and landed it safely in the Gulf of Guinea.

However, reinforcement for Markwart was already standing ready on the launch pad at Prerow: Raumschrat–6 and the transom went up on August 10th. This time, after he had connected the transom to Element A, Leutnant Ferdi Leiplinger joined Markwart, while Elke von Bredow piloted the Raumschrat home. – Raumschrat–7 and Element B followed suite on August 16th. The jockeys of this mission, Leutnant zur See Karl Richter and Anneliese Volkert, both returned to earth after accomplishment.

On Raumpunkt 1, Markwart and Leiplinger were struggling with the cupric oxide solar cell arrangement, which had to be installed between elements A and B. Siemens said the device was sufficient for supplying electrical energy for the whole space station. However, it hadn't been tested under outer space conditions yet. If it worked, everything was alright. If not... – one would have to find a better supplier.
 
If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.
(Nikola Tesla)

The first cupric oxide solar cell panel on Raumpunkt 1 was up – and indeed producing electricity. The panel was four metres long and six metres high. On these twenty–four square metres, 475 watts were generated. That wasn't much, but definitely better than nothing, thought Hans Konrad Ziegler, one of RRA's electronics and electrical engineering specialists.

Once the second panel had been installed – the first panel was placed on the centreline between elements A and B above the elements, the second one was to be mounted below them – 950 watts would be available. With elements C and D in place, two more panels were to be added, raising output to 1,900 watts. – The problem was that one had no practical experience with this cupric oxide stuff.

It was working under laboratory conditions; and Siemens had constructed two experimental sites, one in the Harz mountains, the other near Kolberg in Pomerania, which were generating power – sometimes, when there were no clouds. – In orbit, the panels should work at a stretch, as the 600 km orbit allowed placing the space station in constant sunlight, which was considered advantageous.

Well, with the panels in operation, one could do without batteries, in theory. For all practical purposes, there nevertheless were scores of batteries on board the elements. In case of emergency, one had to have power available, of course. Hence, about half of the output went into recharging the batteries. – But, granted, in case of requirement, one could also mount additional panels.

For a first time venture, however, one was doing quite well – in the matter of energy. But Ziegler wasn't content yet. Using solar energy was the adequate method for space travel, but the production capacity of the elements was pretty low. Slightly less than 20 watts per square metre was rather underwhelming. Something like 60 would be much better.

He would have to discuss this matter with the Siemens engineers – once again. Walter Schottky, Siemens' chief solar energy and semi–conductor physicist, had formulated the theory of photovoltaics already in 1939. But while the cupric oxide stuff was fairly thin–gauge and hence easy to transport, its output was indifferent, at best. Perhaps Schottky could identify another semi–conductor with improved efficiency?
 
All the birds had flown away, save only the great, grotesque penguins.
(H. P. Lovecraft)

The figures were scary. And there was no hope of improvement. The state farms were reporting continuously – about crop failure and declining supplies. – The 1953 wheat harvest was going to be a debacle. – But also the fields of Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick wouldn't yield crops worth mentioning. It was too cold, everywhere; cultivated plants evidently didn't withstand temperatures perennially two–point–five degrees below normal. Canada was done.

Subsequently, Britain would go starving as well. It was a tragedy. – But it wasn't his fault. He had done everything that conceivably could be done. – Fred Rose thought it was time to bail out, lest he was made the scapegoat and punished. Red Albion wasn't known to be kind to those who didn't meet the requirements. – He was, however, prepared, because he had made provisions for escape.

That the prime minister of Canada should bolt certainly would surprise the public, if they ever came to know about it. Yet, being shot for failure wasn't his goal in life. Canada did produce sizeable stocks of gold, which Westminster was using to acquire urgently needed foreign commodities. He had managed to put aside quite some ingots. They should allow him a decent life – in the Cape Republic.

But first, he had to get away. Getting rid of his bodyguards wouldn't be easy. They were MI5, of course, his MI5, but he nevertheless couldn't trust them. His gold was in New York, filling several locker boxes at 23 Wall Street. Therefore, he had to duck and skedaddle, leave Canada on the quiet, collect his gold and sail to Cape Town. Once he hit the US, the worst would be over.

It was essential to act swiftly. Right now, the impending crop failure was still his secret, because nobody else was in a position to connect all incoming agricultural reports. He would scoot in the middle of the night, when his custodians considered him sleeping. With wig, spectacles and fake beard he should become invisible. From Ottawa, he would move to Montreal, and from Montreal to the border to Vermont.

He had all the documents he needed to morph him into Edward Baker, a US citizen from Trenton, New Jersey, a buying agent with permanent permit of residence in Montreal. – Once arrived in New York, he would charter a yacht – and leave the Americas forever. Fortunately, there was no family to slow him down. And – après moi, le déluge... No, the ice age...
 
Last edited:
Hopefully, Fred Rose would end up getting caught and that he ends up having to answer for what he's done. Ironic that after bashing the US for years and proclaiming the continued success of the Communist experiment, he's the one who has all the secret accounts in Wall Street and seek to use the US as a transit point to get out of the country. However, since Montreal is still a part of Canada, and that its well, forbidden for the US to be doing business with the Red Canadians, I wonder if customs officials will pick up on that?

The other question is, well, who is going to govern Canada now?
 
However, since Montreal is still a part of Canada, and that its well, forbidden for the US to be doing business with the Red Canadians, I wonder if customs officials will pick up on that?

Doing business isn't generally forbidden. The Canadians restricted access for private US citizens when commodities became scarce, but big business always was flourishing (within the limitations of an command economy, which has only a very limited scopes to offer).
 
Ah, so the Canadians decry capitalist activity, but when it comes to the cadres they're all for it behind the scenes?
 
Ah, so the Canadians decry capitalist activity, but when it comes to the cadres they're all for it behind the scenes?
It is always the same, most people only support something to the extent it benefits them and won't even hesitate to take actions that fit the supposedly opposite ideology. Like in capitalist countries big business always wants government to bail them out at it's cost when something goes wrong. Or when things are going right too if they can possibly argue it.
 
In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.
(Miguel de Cervantes)

Yes, it had been too cold for the seeds to survive – north of a line Amsterdam – Dortmund – Hannover – Berlin – Posen. South of that line, crops – generally – were fair to middling, depending on altitude and lay of the land. And between rivers Main and Danube, they seemed to be quite alright. Beyond the Danube, up to the Alps, however, the seedlings also had been ruined by lasting cold.

It didn't matter. Imperial Chancellor Otto Schmidt was determined to carry on. Either one succeeded with the current venture – or Germany was past history. Individuals, families, even large groups, could run away from the ice, but the nation couldn't. The structures of the Reich could not be put on wheels. Perhaps a new German state would be created in the south – afterwards, by survivors, but the Reich would stand here and fight. One would either win or perish.

Schmidt wasn't sure whether the Weizsäcker Sun would hold what its inventor promised. But what else remained to do, except running away? One was committed to slug it out. The Reich would build the Weizsäcker Sun, the Russians – their overall situation was quite alike – would build solar mirrors. Perhaps one of the two stunts would indeed do the trick. One could only hope...

Egad! Even if all went well, one still was going to be broke. Well, better broke and debt–ridden than dead. – Germany would recover, Schmidt was certain. If the Reich wasn't destroyed, its people – well–educated and having all ducks in one row – would quickly redeem the losses. Mobilising them for the effort had been easier than anticipated. True, they had already been mobilised by fighting the Transportation Crisis, but nevertheless...

Some were taking flight, moving to the countries of the Mediterranean or to Middle Africa. That couldn't be helped. But, thank goodness, the bulk was staying put, including the elites. And also the smaller nations were keeping still – yet. They were watching the spectacle of the German and Russian space efforts – and were praying for accomplishment.

If, however, suns and mirrors turned out to be flops, there would be no holding back. Everything would descend into chaos. – Schmidt thought he would move to Hannover, his constituency where his family possessed a house, if that was still possible, and wait for the end to come. – But these considerations were moot and futile. He had to concentrate on success. Weizsäcker's sun would shine and the cold would go away. Mercifully, one was capable of lifting men and material into space.
 
Jesus, this is getting apocalypse level depressing. :|
The Scandinavians, the Baltics, the Benelux, all smaller countries can only look on as all hope rests with two nations.
 
I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.
(Isaac Newton)

On August 27th, 1953, Raumschrat–8 and Element C went up into orbit. This time, only one space farer, Karl Grabowski, a civilian electrical engineer, was piloting the spacecraft. This was because both, the man and the vehicle, were destined to remain out there. Coupling took some time, as the course of the nascent space station – as was found out in the process – had to be recalculated.

September 2nd saw Raumschrat–9 and Element D leave earth and join the station. Raumpunkt 1 was complete now. Leutnant Karl–Heinz Gottschling transferred to the station, while Dorothea Opitz guided the Raumschrat back and landed safely in the Gulf of Guinea. – The initial space crew, Markwart, Leiplinger, Grabowski and Gottschling, were busy now erecting the other solar panels and adapting the interior.

On September 10th, a DELAG Große Schwester filled with supplies and equipment arrived. Subsequently, Raumschrat–8 could be filled up and parked at a dedicated docking bridge. – Evidently, the German space venture had caught up with the Russian one – and even bested it. Both, Raumpunkt 1 and Svyosdniy Óstrov, were now circling around earth, while on the ground the preparations for the next step were running at full speed.
 
I just hope this works so the TL can go past this whole Ice Age thing.

Assuming this ends could weakened Germany, Russian and others lead to a less divided (in regional blocks) world?

by your estimate how many people have already died?
 
Natural rights, nonsense; natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense, elevated nonsense, nonsense going on stilts.
(John Stuart Mill)

From the air, the sight was overwhelming. The helicopter, of US manufacture, a huge Piasecki tandem rotor transporter, was heading straight north. Kông Yŏngmĭn was peeking out of a window, trying to match his map with what he saw. It wasn't possible. The shrubland was lush and green, no trace of civilisation could be spotted. At least the ruins of Chángchūn, traversed five minutes ago, had still been visible.

Kông's report had triggered the reconquest of Jilin and Heilongjiang. General Zhang Yunyi had been tasked with the operation. It was about nailing the Qing colours to the mast, before Russians or Japanese were getting cloudy ideas. One didn't have the resources to resettle the area. And without the much–valued US allies, one wouldn't have the material essentials for intrusion either.

Kông had been amazed to see all the gadgets that kept coming across the ocean. While he had been stumbling through the desolate wilderness, a cornucopia had been opened for the Great Qing Empire. He wondered what the Americans were expecting of the deal. – But why worry? Just make use of the stuff and enjoy... After living in the wild for long months, he didn't mind some luxury.

The advanced camp came into sight. The cargo master beckoned him to sit down and fasten belt. – Five minutes later, an orderly led him into Colonel Wei's tent. Wei was the local commander. His task was to secure the border along the Heilong Jiang. Although Kông hadn't seen any Russians, Wei was anticipating to meet them. After all, one couldn't put anything past these Russian barbarians.

Wei had fought the Russians in the FEW, Kông had learnt on the first meeting. He wasn't interested in retrieving the wandering bands of hunters and gatherers roaming the realm, he wanted to find the Russians and oust them. – Wei and two other officers were standing at a photographic map and planning the further advance of the task forces. He motioned Kông to sit down and be quiet.

Aerial reconnaissance had found marks of tracked vehicles south of the Heilong Jiang! Russians! Wei seemed to be happy – well, really gleeful, one might say. Kông sighed inwardly. Hopefully, General Zhang in Jǐnzhōu was aware what these gentlemen here were about to stage...
 
Fortunately, at the last hour, there were always a few soldiers to save civilisation.
(Oswald Spengler)

Drat! The prime minister of Canada, a certain Freddy Rose, had disappeared, and Tom Wintringham wanted her to take over the reins in Ottawa. The cable had just arrived. Westminster was sending a long–range recce plane to pick her up. – She had no clue of the situation in Canada, but, at least, she had the Duck Brothers to dump a load of suss.

Okay, yes, they had left the country when Edith Rowley had still been alive. And they couldn't contribute anything pertaining to the changed weather conditions. Nevertheless, their knowledge was essential to understand the importance of Canada for Red Albion.

It was important, way more important than shoddy Nigeria. Yes, she could understand now why Tom required her presence in Ottawa. Was it a mark of confidence – or just despair? The Ducks were making noises concerning the wheat crop. They claimed to be capable of reading between the lines. There might be a massive problem...

Well, it didn't matter. She was used to pulling chestnuts out of fires. – It certainly wouldn't be fun, but it might become damn interesting. The Ducks would come along, her trusted bodyguards. – The plane was going to take them to London, where Tom would brief her face–to–face. Still on the same day, another plane would shuttle them to Ottawa.

Kevin Fenwick, the local NOPEC mandarin, had been selected to replace her. Kevin was innocuous, he would do no harm. Well, in fact, he wouldn't do anything. But that was alright. He who did nothing could not do anything wrong. Well, Nigeria could bear it.
 
Top