Reds fanfic
- Thread starter E. Burke
- Start date
This is very non-canon, but is simply meant to stimulate discussion on this topic. I didn't want to annoy people on the main thread with questions on this, so I decided to write something myself. I don't want this to be canon, just restart
SUBJECT: CLASSIFICATION OF NUCLEAR FISSION RESEARCH
On the 7th of September, 1938, a team of physicists at the University of Chicago, led by Prof. HC UREY, Prof. ENRICO FERMI, both of the University of Chicago, and Prof. LEO SZILARD of Columbia, confirmed that, after bombarding samples of Uranium 235 with neutrons, that barium was detected. This confirms the theory of "nuclear fission", where uranium atoms belted with neutrons will split into barium atoms. This process releases high amounts of energy. This research elaborates on the studies Prof. FERMI conducted at Sapienza University in Rome. The results were first independently confirmed by Prof. OTTO HAHN and Prof. FRANK STRASSMANN of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in December of 1938. HAHN and STRASSMAN's former colleague, LISE MEITNER, in exile in Stockholm due to the Anschluss, had already written a theoretical explanation on the mechanics of nuclear fission following the University of Chicago experiment, along with nephew OTTO ROBERT FRISCH, in October of 1938, formally explaining that such a process could potentially release a lot of energy. After the completion of the experiement, and the publications of Prof. MEITNER's paper, as well as hearing of the German experiments, Prof. Szilard, having considered the implications of the experiment, sent a copy to the Secretariat of Defense. He enlisted the help of Prof. ALBERT EINSTEIN, in getting the attention of SecDef.
[...]
After reviewing the paper, as well as the theoretical explanation by LISE MEITNER, it is the recommendation of this committee to hereby classify all information pertaining to nuclear energy and research, and to set up a committee exploring possible defense uses for nuclear fission."
- Memo sent from the Science section of the Worker's Communist Party to various state organs, circa late 1939.
SUBJECT: CLASSIFICATION OF NUCLEAR FISSION RESEARCH
On the 7th of September, 1938, a team of physicists at the University of Chicago, led by Prof. HC UREY, Prof. ENRICO FERMI, both of the University of Chicago, and Prof. LEO SZILARD of Columbia, confirmed that, after bombarding samples of Uranium 235 with neutrons, that barium was detected. This confirms the theory of "nuclear fission", where uranium atoms belted with neutrons will split into barium atoms. This process releases high amounts of energy. This research elaborates on the studies Prof. FERMI conducted at Sapienza University in Rome. The results were first independently confirmed by Prof. OTTO HAHN and Prof. FRANK STRASSMANN of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in December of 1938. HAHN and STRASSMAN's former colleague, LISE MEITNER, in exile in Stockholm due to the Anschluss, had already written a theoretical explanation on the mechanics of nuclear fission following the University of Chicago experiment, along with nephew OTTO ROBERT FRISCH, in October of 1938, formally explaining that such a process could potentially release a lot of energy. After the completion of the experiement, and the publications of Prof. MEITNER's paper, as well as hearing of the German experiments, Prof. Szilard, having considered the implications of the experiment, sent a copy to the Secretariat of Defense. He enlisted the help of Prof. ALBERT EINSTEIN, in getting the attention of SecDef.
[...]
After reviewing the paper, as well as the theoretical explanation by LISE MEITNER, it is the recommendation of this committee to hereby classify all information pertaining to nuclear energy and research, and to set up a committee exploring possible defense uses for nuclear fission."
- Memo sent from the Science section of the Worker's Communist Party to various state organs, circa late 1939.
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'38 seems a bit early. I think it would be more plausible for the UASR to classify any findings after the confirmation of nuclear chain reaction. That's only a year later, but this discovery is what prompted the famous Einstein and Szilard letters to Roosevelt. Fission by itself is not confirmation that huge energy can be generated. But the chain reaction puts things in another perspective.
I got 1938 from here:
Although I agree that's a bit early. Actually, the date on the memo was an error. It was supposed to be 1939.
So, another nuclear based update, this time pop culture based:
Excerpt from "Atoms, Missiles, and Monsters: Nuclear Physics and Popular Culture", a book on the use of atomic and nuclear physics in popular culture, 2002
In the pages of the March, 1944 issue of Speculative Worlds, the story "Deadline", by Cleve Cartmill was in the back pages. It depicted a weapon developed by the "Sixa" alliance of Ynamre and Ylat developing a weapon, which utilizes the splitting of U-238 atoms to release energy, and the attempts of the "Sniota" alliance to stop the development of this weapon. While the story was generic, and by most accounts, quite terrible, the depiction of the weapon sounded suspiciously similar to a secret Red Army weapon under development. The story found itself through the number of Spec. World readers among the engineers and scientists developing the weapon. Not wanting to risk a potential leak by fascist spies, Public Safety acted swiftly to prevent this. Cartmill was surprised to be taken in for questioning. He was held in a local jail for several days while authorities searched his house, and interviewed his friends. During his interrogation, several acquaintances, like Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov (both of whom were working as civilian workers at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard) were also questioned for their relationship to Cartmill. After proving Cartmill's lack of affinity for fascism, and finding that the story likely got its source from pre-war sources on nuclear chain reactions, Cartmill was released, but a memo was sent to all science and science fiction publications , stating any article in the publications must not mention "Uranium", U-238", "Splitting of atom", or "atomic" until the end of the war.
Excerpt from "Atoms, Missiles, and Monsters: Nuclear Physics and Popular Culture", a book on the use of atomic and nuclear physics in popular culture, 2002
In the pages of the March, 1944 issue of Speculative Worlds, the story "Deadline", by Cleve Cartmill was in the back pages. It depicted a weapon developed by the "Sixa" alliance of Ynamre and Ylat developing a weapon, which utilizes the splitting of U-238 atoms to release energy, and the attempts of the "Sniota" alliance to stop the development of this weapon. While the story was generic, and by most accounts, quite terrible, the depiction of the weapon sounded suspiciously similar to a secret Red Army weapon under development. The story found itself through the number of Spec. World readers among the engineers and scientists developing the weapon. Not wanting to risk a potential leak by fascist spies, Public Safety acted swiftly to prevent this. Cartmill was surprised to be taken in for questioning. He was held in a local jail for several days while authorities searched his house, and interviewed his friends. During his interrogation, several acquaintances, like Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov (both of whom were working as civilian workers at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard) were also questioned for their relationship to Cartmill. After proving Cartmill's lack of affinity for fascism, and finding that the story likely got its source from pre-war sources on nuclear chain reactions, Cartmill was released, but a memo was sent to all science and science fiction publications , stating any article in the publications must not mention "Uranium", U-238", "Splitting of atom", or "atomic" until the end of the war.
Reading that incident on wikipedia... Oh god, how can you be so lax? Its almost as bad as that time the BBC literally announced an assault on Argentine positions during the Falklands War, and the Argentines didn't act on it because of course it was a deception, no country would ever broadcast their war plans on national television.
teg
Marvels
Marvels is a critically acclaimed 4 issue miniseries published by the Marvel Comics Group, written by Kurt Buisek, and drawn by Alex Ross, released in 1994. The series revolves around the experiences of Phil Sheldon, during what was Marvel's so-called "Golden and Silver Age."
The story follows journalist Phil Sheldon, who, as a teenager with J. Jonah Jameson, is first seen witnessing the birth of the original Human Torch. He later witnesses the arrival of Wonder Woman to the world of men and the birth of Captain America. At first, he fears these strange new beings called "Marvels", especially as more (The Flash, Green Lantern) arise, but as he sees their heroism, he realizes that he has virtually nothing to fear from them. He is invited to cover the first meeting of the Justice Society, despite some initial trepidation. During the war, he covers the activities of the Captain America Squadron, as well as the activities of a Jewish Fighter group. He begins to fall in love with Sarah, one of the Polish fighters . After witnessing the heroism of the Captain America Squadron liberating a concentration camp, despite going blind in one eye, Sheldon loses all fear of the Marvels.
Flash forward 20 years, in 1960, Phil Sheldon has married Sarah, and has twin girls. He is excited by the reemergence of the Marvels, with the arrival of the Fantastic Four, the introduction of the new Captain America, and the formation of the "Justice League of Avengers". However, there is a growing suspicion of them, particularly by young people. In particular, his former association, the Daily Bugle, under the tutelage of his former friend Jameson, is making daily editorial on the "menace" of Spider-Man. Sheldon is also becoming concerned with the Avenger's activities in Indochina, backed by the military organization SHIELD. He is particularly dismayed when Metropolis is wrecked by a rampage of "The Atom", destroying several landmarks. Finally, after Spider-Man fails to save his girlfriend Gwen Stacy (represented in the seminal 1971 issue "The Night Gwen Stacy Died"), Sheldon can't reconcile the duty of Marvels with their failures, and decides to retire. He takes one last photo with one "normal boy" (actually the first incarnation of "Ghost Rider,").
Marvels is a critically acclaimed 4 issue miniseries published by the Marvel Comics Group, written by Kurt Buisek, and drawn by Alex Ross, released in 1994. The series revolves around the experiences of Phil Sheldon, during what was Marvel's so-called "Golden and Silver Age."
The story follows journalist Phil Sheldon, who, as a teenager with J. Jonah Jameson, is first seen witnessing the birth of the original Human Torch. He later witnesses the arrival of Wonder Woman to the world of men and the birth of Captain America. At first, he fears these strange new beings called "Marvels", especially as more (The Flash, Green Lantern) arise, but as he sees their heroism, he realizes that he has virtually nothing to fear from them. He is invited to cover the first meeting of the Justice Society, despite some initial trepidation. During the war, he covers the activities of the Captain America Squadron, as well as the activities of a Jewish Fighter group. He begins to fall in love with Sarah, one of the Polish fighters . After witnessing the heroism of the Captain America Squadron liberating a concentration camp, despite going blind in one eye, Sheldon loses all fear of the Marvels.
Flash forward 20 years, in 1960, Phil Sheldon has married Sarah, and has twin girls. He is excited by the reemergence of the Marvels, with the arrival of the Fantastic Four, the introduction of the new Captain America, and the formation of the "Justice League of Avengers". However, there is a growing suspicion of them, particularly by young people. In particular, his former association, the Daily Bugle, under the tutelage of his former friend Jameson, is making daily editorial on the "menace" of Spider-Man. Sheldon is also becoming concerned with the Avenger's activities in Indochina, backed by the military organization SHIELD. He is particularly dismayed when Metropolis is wrecked by a rampage of "The Atom", destroying several landmarks. Finally, after Spider-Man fails to save his girlfriend Gwen Stacy (represented in the seminal 1971 issue "The Night Gwen Stacy Died"), Sheldon can't reconcile the duty of Marvels with their failures, and decides to retire. He takes one last photo with one "normal boy" (actually the first incarnation of "Ghost Rider,").
A Reds version of one of my favorite films:
Pan's Kingdom is a 2006 Spanish-Mexican co-produced dark fantasy film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro.
The film opens in a small unnamed Mexican village in 1934. The country is still going through its agarian revolution, and collectivization. Young naive Ofelia lives with her mother, after her father is killed during the fighting. She spends her days going through her family's small farming fields, daydreaming. Her mother, Carmen begins a relationship with a local Army chief, General Vidal,one who intends to remain loyal to the government at all costs and prevent the communist takeover. She is now pregnant by the General. One day, Ofelia finds a small insect, whom she assumes to be a fairy. The insect leads Ofelia to a strange entrance. However, her mother stops her from going in, not able to actually see the entrance. However, later, she wakes up to find the same insect, who leads her to the entrance, where a mythical faun finds her. The faun proclaims her the reincarnation of the "Guardian of Worlds", and instructs her to achieve three tasks to achieve immortality and do her duty.
Meanwhile, with news of Mexico City's fall looming, Vidal announces that the Federales will increase activities in the village to root out any Communist or Zapatismo rebel. This is bad news for a group of Marxist rebels hiding in a small village, one of whom works secretly as a maid in the General's household. Ofelia achieves her first task by getting a key out of the belly of a giant toad safely. Her mother has a somewhat difficult pregnancy, so the Faun instructs her to find a Mandrake root from a "Child eating monster" to help her mother. Despite being told not eat any of the monster's feast, Ofelia accidentally eats two grapes, prompting the monster to wake up, and chases her. The Faun is enraged at her disobidenience, and refuses to issue the third task. Meanwhile, Vidal tortures several captured rebels, but after his doctor euthanizes a few of them (exposing himself as a Marxist collaborator), he finds Ofelia with the Mandrake root. Carmen, enraged under the stress of pregnancy, throws the root into the fire, which causes her immense pain. She eventually dies giving birth to the child. However, Vidal learns that the maid, Mercedes, is the spy. While Mercedes protect Ofelia by locking her away. The Faun approaches her, and states that he will forgives Ofelia's transgression, and give her the final task. She takes her newborn half brother away, causing Vidal to give chase.
At the climax, it's revealed that Mexico City has fallen, and the rebels begin their battle with the Federales. Soon, they overtake them, and quickly take over the village. After heading out into the fields, she finally sees the Faun, who instructs her to shed the blood of her brother. When she refuses, the Faun disappears, and General Vidal confronts her. He shots her at point-blank range. However, he is confronted by the rebels, who have taken over the town. Realizing that his cause is lost, he hands over the child, and is killed without another word.
The film ends with Ofelia waking up in the new kingdom, whom she now has the duty to protect, with the Faun revealing that the final test was actually a trick to see if she would spill the blood of an innocent.
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Pan's Kingdom is a 2006 Spanish-Mexican co-produced dark fantasy film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro.
The film opens in a small unnamed Mexican village in 1934. The country is still going through its agarian revolution, and collectivization. Young naive Ofelia lives with her mother, after her father is killed during the fighting. She spends her days going through her family's small farming fields, daydreaming. Her mother, Carmen begins a relationship with a local Army chief, General Vidal,one who intends to remain loyal to the government at all costs and prevent the communist takeover. She is now pregnant by the General. One day, Ofelia finds a small insect, whom she assumes to be a fairy. The insect leads Ofelia to a strange entrance. However, her mother stops her from going in, not able to actually see the entrance. However, later, she wakes up to find the same insect, who leads her to the entrance, where a mythical faun finds her. The faun proclaims her the reincarnation of the "Guardian of Worlds", and instructs her to achieve three tasks to achieve immortality and do her duty.
Meanwhile, with news of Mexico City's fall looming, Vidal announces that the Federales will increase activities in the village to root out any Communist or Zapatismo rebel. This is bad news for a group of Marxist rebels hiding in a small village, one of whom works secretly as a maid in the General's household. Ofelia achieves her first task by getting a key out of the belly of a giant toad safely. Her mother has a somewhat difficult pregnancy, so the Faun instructs her to find a Mandrake root from a "Child eating monster" to help her mother. Despite being told not eat any of the monster's feast, Ofelia accidentally eats two grapes, prompting the monster to wake up, and chases her. The Faun is enraged at her disobidenience, and refuses to issue the third task. Meanwhile, Vidal tortures several captured rebels, but after his doctor euthanizes a few of them (exposing himself as a Marxist collaborator), he finds Ofelia with the Mandrake root. Carmen, enraged under the stress of pregnancy, throws the root into the fire, which causes her immense pain. She eventually dies giving birth to the child. However, Vidal learns that the maid, Mercedes, is the spy. While Mercedes protect Ofelia by locking her away. The Faun approaches her, and states that he will forgives Ofelia's transgression, and give her the final task. She takes her newborn half brother away, causing Vidal to give chase.
At the climax, it's revealed that Mexico City has fallen, and the rebels begin their battle with the Federales. Soon, they overtake them, and quickly take over the village. After heading out into the fields, she finally sees the Faun, who instructs her to shed the blood of her brother. When she refuses, the Faun disappears, and General Vidal confronts her. He shots her at point-blank range. However, he is confronted by the rebels, who have taken over the town. Realizing that his cause is lost, he hands over the child, and is killed without another word.
The film ends with Ofelia waking up in the new kingdom, whom she now has the duty to protect, with the Faun revealing that the final test was actually a trick to see if she would spill the blood of an innocent.
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I also like this movie. Only the scene can not be changed.
Interestingly - and looked as though Hellboy?
Sorry! I wanted to say place of action. Just seems to me that Spain is also suitable.
Spain (if I can remember the current canon, it's as fluid as the plasma on the sun), I think is split between a Falangist North and Socialist South in 1944,so I think the explicit anti-fascist message wouldn't really work as well there. I suppose it could be set in the Falangist section, but a Mexican Civil War setting seemed more unique and conducive to retaining the message.
I think it was more on the line of a Catalonia-based anarchist federation iirc.
After going back a bit, here's what I found:
One of the discussions on the main thread mentioned the "Spanish Free Soviet Republic", so I think this is still canon.
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