Stupid Luck and Happenstance, Thread III
- Thread starter Peabody-Martini
- Start date
Another thing that will shake things up is that the 1976 Summer Games will not be boycotted like in OTL.
Should he win any of the medals in the event in ‘76 or 80, he can (in his post event press conference) dedicate the victory to his Grandfather who, of course was denied the opportunity due to the Great War and the animus against Germany at the 1920 Games.
Last edited:
OTL Thompson finished the 76 games in 18th, and only came back into it at the 1980 games.
Of course, Bas will have Jurgen Hingsen to compete against before he gets to the olympics...
Random thought: We could have butterflied Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister and have almost certainly butterfied Thatcherism.
Without the crippling costs of WWI & WWII for the British and the huge rush to ditch the Empire, the British economy won't be so badly damaged that it required Thatcher's policies to drag it into the 20th Century kicking and screaming. or at least the damage from the decline won't really be noticed yet anyway, meaning that Thatcher will miss her time. Interesting to see who, if anyone picks this up?
Without the crippling costs of WWI & WWII for the British and the huge rush to ditch the Empire, the British economy won't be so badly damaged that it required Thatcher's policies to drag it into the 20th Century kicking and screaming. or at least the damage from the decline won't really be noticed yet anyway, meaning that Thatcher will miss her time. Interesting to see who, if anyone picks this up?
OOh - there was one more thing, is the German Army like the British Army in that if someone is particularly talented at a sport, they are "sponsored" allowing them to sign up and essentially train full time on Army pay. They're still liable to be deployed if the need arises, but generally they're used for recruiting purposes.
Could Bas end up in the Army, (or Navy or Luftwaffe), on that kind of deal?
Could Bas end up in the Army, (or Navy or Luftwaffe), on that kind of deal?
Bas is finally learning that being a smart ass doesn't get you anywhere except to the front of the line for KP.
This is a lesson his father had to learn the hard way in Vietnam in less than optimal conditions.
With sports being an incentive for better behavior Bas is also gaining rank even through he knows how little it really means in the scheme of things but also he will keep Niko grounded.
This is a lesson his father had to learn the hard way in Vietnam in less than optimal conditions.
With sports being an incentive for better behavior Bas is also gaining rank even through he knows how little it really means in the scheme of things but also he will keep Niko grounded.
Part 125, Chapter 2117
Chapter Two Thousand One Hundred Seventeen
22nd January 1972
Munich, Bavaria
“There is nothing anyone can do” Kiki said as she hugged Vicky, “I’m sorry.”
Vicky didn’t trust herself to reply without starting to sob again.
Looking at the form of her newborn son, Ludwig. Vicky felt it was a small mercy that someone had wrapped cloth around his head so that she didn’t have to look at the deformation again. He essentially had no cranium and his brain had hardly developed. According to the Doctors, he was blind, deaf, and incapable of feeling pain, so he wasn’t suffering. Still, it felt to Vicky that him being born this way was the most unjust thing she had ever witnessed.
Vicky felt terrible about what had happened, but it was exactly like how Kiki just said it was. There was nothing anyone could do. As was protocol in situations like this, her second son was christened Ludwig Karl von Bayern minutes after he was born. The public outside was waiting for news so that they could celebrate the birth of a new Prince, in a few minutes an announcement would be made that end that would change all of that as Ludwig was not expected to live for more than a few hours. Vicky had known this was coming for the last couple months since a scan had revealed something terrible. The term NRD had been whispered by the Technicians who were conducting the scan, not realizing that Vicky was studying for a Doctorate in Psychology. She had understood instantly that it meant a neural tube defect had been detected and had realized even before her Doctor had explained it to her that there was little hope of survival. When Ludwig had been born, the silence made it clear that something was very wrong, even before Vicky had seen his malformed head.
Vicky and Franz had tried to keep the matter a secret from the public, but Albrecht, Franz’s father had found out somehow. For him this was troublesome, he had the upcoming Olympics that were supposed to showcase Bavaria on the World Stage. He was planning on attending the Opening Ceremonies and other events with his family. Having Vicky present with his latest grandchild was exactly the sort of picture that he wanted the world to see. Instead, he was going to give a carefully worded statement, managing the public perceptions by telling them that all families experience tragedies and his own was no exception. He had done his best to offer Vicky his sympathies, but at the end of the day he had to play the role of King of Bavaria and everything he did had to be seen through that lens.
Charlotte, Suga, Kiki, and Ria had dropped everything to come be here for her after she had finally called them and told them what was happening. Charlotte had debated bringing Nella and Nan but had decided that having pair of twelve-year-old girls asking questions, getting bored and causing trouble was the last thing this situation needed. They had remained in Berlin, and Vicky was grateful for it.
Kiki’s own daughter had been left in the care of her husband and Nanny in Kiel where Kiki had been studying to be a Ship’s Pilot. That sounded strange, but it was perfectly in keeping with who Kiki was. Ria was running Galicia and Ruthenia in a way that few others could have. Recently, she had created a bit of a public uproar by formally acknowledging the key role that Gypsies and Jews had played in that new Kingdom’s formation. Ria’s public response was that she was simply telling the truth, if people had a problem with that then it spoke volumes about them. Charlotte and Suga had been continuing Charlotte’s efforts on behalf of the poor and destitute in the major cities. That included those who society would normally ignore because they were difficult to help for a variety of reasons. Suga was also preparing to leave for Japan so that she could play an important part in the Winter Games that were set to start in only a couple of weeks.
Franz and Anna were gutted by having this happen. They had all been excited when Vicky learned that she was pregnant again. Max was going to have a little brother or sister and they would have another addition to their unconventional family. All Vicky could do was cry and then she would have to get on with her life. Somehow that last part seemed to be particularly sad.
Pacific Ocean, Off Isla Campana
SMS Z66 “Schwertwal” was steaming south to resupply after weeks of frustrating blockade duty off the coast of Chile. They had operating under rules of engagement that caused the situation. They were to stop and search ships that were suspected of hauling war materials into Chile. The issue was they were not allowed to force compliance with American flagged vessels, because no one wanted to risk a wider war with a Nuclear Power. It was something that the U.S. Merchant Marine knew perfectly well as they had swanned in and out of Chilean Seaports. They barely acknowledged the German and Argentine ships that were patrolling the area. There had been a few operations where they had shelled those same seaports and had come under fire from shore batteries. The Chilean Navy hadn’t sortied, but everyone knew that they didn’t need to.
After New Year’s things had changed.
Rumors had floated around about what was happening and they had spotted few American ships. Mostly, word was that the war was coming to an end, and no one wanted to take any risks.
For the Schwertwal, having to steam south for the Strait of Magellan was matter of practicality. The fuel bunker was running low, and food was in short supply. The Captain had left Louis Junior in charge of the ship while he slept.
That was why Louis was on the bridge when the message came in and as he was reading it, he knew that it was welcome news indeed. Ceasefire has been declared as of 1300 hours local time for all Forces in South American Theater of operations. All Forces are to hold in place and only fire if fired upon.
“I need you to go wake the Captain” Louis said to the nearest Sailor who gave him a look of trepidation.
22nd January 1972
Munich, Bavaria
“There is nothing anyone can do” Kiki said as she hugged Vicky, “I’m sorry.”
Vicky didn’t trust herself to reply without starting to sob again.
Looking at the form of her newborn son, Ludwig. Vicky felt it was a small mercy that someone had wrapped cloth around his head so that she didn’t have to look at the deformation again. He essentially had no cranium and his brain had hardly developed. According to the Doctors, he was blind, deaf, and incapable of feeling pain, so he wasn’t suffering. Still, it felt to Vicky that him being born this way was the most unjust thing she had ever witnessed.
Vicky felt terrible about what had happened, but it was exactly like how Kiki just said it was. There was nothing anyone could do. As was protocol in situations like this, her second son was christened Ludwig Karl von Bayern minutes after he was born. The public outside was waiting for news so that they could celebrate the birth of a new Prince, in a few minutes an announcement would be made that end that would change all of that as Ludwig was not expected to live for more than a few hours. Vicky had known this was coming for the last couple months since a scan had revealed something terrible. The term NRD had been whispered by the Technicians who were conducting the scan, not realizing that Vicky was studying for a Doctorate in Psychology. She had understood instantly that it meant a neural tube defect had been detected and had realized even before her Doctor had explained it to her that there was little hope of survival. When Ludwig had been born, the silence made it clear that something was very wrong, even before Vicky had seen his malformed head.
Vicky and Franz had tried to keep the matter a secret from the public, but Albrecht, Franz’s father had found out somehow. For him this was troublesome, he had the upcoming Olympics that were supposed to showcase Bavaria on the World Stage. He was planning on attending the Opening Ceremonies and other events with his family. Having Vicky present with his latest grandchild was exactly the sort of picture that he wanted the world to see. Instead, he was going to give a carefully worded statement, managing the public perceptions by telling them that all families experience tragedies and his own was no exception. He had done his best to offer Vicky his sympathies, but at the end of the day he had to play the role of King of Bavaria and everything he did had to be seen through that lens.
Charlotte, Suga, Kiki, and Ria had dropped everything to come be here for her after she had finally called them and told them what was happening. Charlotte had debated bringing Nella and Nan but had decided that having pair of twelve-year-old girls asking questions, getting bored and causing trouble was the last thing this situation needed. They had remained in Berlin, and Vicky was grateful for it.
Kiki’s own daughter had been left in the care of her husband and Nanny in Kiel where Kiki had been studying to be a Ship’s Pilot. That sounded strange, but it was perfectly in keeping with who Kiki was. Ria was running Galicia and Ruthenia in a way that few others could have. Recently, she had created a bit of a public uproar by formally acknowledging the key role that Gypsies and Jews had played in that new Kingdom’s formation. Ria’s public response was that she was simply telling the truth, if people had a problem with that then it spoke volumes about them. Charlotte and Suga had been continuing Charlotte’s efforts on behalf of the poor and destitute in the major cities. That included those who society would normally ignore because they were difficult to help for a variety of reasons. Suga was also preparing to leave for Japan so that she could play an important part in the Winter Games that were set to start in only a couple of weeks.
Franz and Anna were gutted by having this happen. They had all been excited when Vicky learned that she was pregnant again. Max was going to have a little brother or sister and they would have another addition to their unconventional family. All Vicky could do was cry and then she would have to get on with her life. Somehow that last part seemed to be particularly sad.
Pacific Ocean, Off Isla Campana
SMS Z66 “Schwertwal” was steaming south to resupply after weeks of frustrating blockade duty off the coast of Chile. They had operating under rules of engagement that caused the situation. They were to stop and search ships that were suspected of hauling war materials into Chile. The issue was they were not allowed to force compliance with American flagged vessels, because no one wanted to risk a wider war with a Nuclear Power. It was something that the U.S. Merchant Marine knew perfectly well as they had swanned in and out of Chilean Seaports. They barely acknowledged the German and Argentine ships that were patrolling the area. There had been a few operations where they had shelled those same seaports and had come under fire from shore batteries. The Chilean Navy hadn’t sortied, but everyone knew that they didn’t need to.
After New Year’s things had changed.
Rumors had floated around about what was happening and they had spotted few American ships. Mostly, word was that the war was coming to an end, and no one wanted to take any risks.
For the Schwertwal, having to steam south for the Strait of Magellan was matter of practicality. The fuel bunker was running low, and food was in short supply. The Captain had left Louis Junior in charge of the ship while he slept.
That was why Louis was on the bridge when the message came in and as he was reading it, he knew that it was welcome news indeed. Ceasefire has been declared as of 1300 hours local time for all Forces in South American Theater of operations. All Forces are to hold in place and only fire if fired upon.
“I need you to go wake the Captain” Louis said to the nearest Sailor who gave him a look of trepidation.
Huh. So Kiki asking Berg about this condition way back when was foreshadowing after all.
I had to go back and look up where this was mentioned. Berg told Kiki that she had encountered two cases of Anencephaly over her career fourteen years earlier.
I don't know whether to be pleased or worried about the rise of 'fan theories' about foreshadowing in the plot. A sign that @Peabody-Martini's got an engaged audience.
I've re-read this once again all the way through recently. It takes quite awhile longer nowadays
ferdi254
Banned
First heart transplant OTL was 1968. With Germany in a much better shape it could have happened earlier TTL and in Germany but I do not think anybody will propose this under that circumstances.
Evrn today a lot of people are not willing to consider that and that is after decades of the government advertising the possibility.
Evrn today a lot of people are not willing to consider that and that is after decades of the government advertising the possibility.
Ludwig Karl will be given a quiet, dignified funeral and Bavaria will mourn.
Unfortunately, infant mortality was sadly still too common at this point, (I should have been the middle child when I was born in '73), which means that this will be one of those strange moments where Vicky will be "one of us" to the people of Bavaria in a much more personal way. Having such a level of public support may be comforting too.
Unfortunately, infant mortality was sadly still too common at this point, (I should have been the middle child when I was born in '73), which means that this will be one of those strange moments where Vicky will be "one of us" to the people of Bavaria in a much more personal way. Having such a level of public support may be comforting too.
And this is where the conflict between being grieving parents and being an example to the other families who may face this situation come in.
This is of course if infant organ transplants are viable ITTL at this time.
If this happens and is successful then that might spur the increase in organ donations but it may also spark an intense debate about "How barbaric" it is to rip open the bodies of a baby to harvest the organs so that they can go to a stranger's child.
Another problem is who do you want to ask Victoria and Franz about this, Kiki can be a blunt object at times, Albrecht is very much an Old Fashion Catholic and may have problems with the moral implications of such a relatively new procedure, Louis Ferdinand I think will not want to do anything that may add to Vicky's and Franz's grief, Charlotte on paper may be the best choice but Vicky was very much against Charlotte becoming her stepmother, that only leaves Rea and that is very unpredictable for so many reasons.
Once again this all supposes that infant organ transplants are viable.
The cease fire that just came through is a major victory for Helene and her party because they were able to change the government policy as it seems that the government was content to allow Argentina to inflict massive losses on Chile while it was Germany doing the heavy lifting.
This should translate in more votes in the next election for the Greens at the expense of the SPD and may force them in the next coalition government to choose Helene as the next Chancellor.
Young Louis Ferdinand has shown that he respects his position on the ship by immediately informing the Captain of the cease fire thus allowing the Captain to break the news himself.
This should translate in more votes in the next election for the Greens at the expense of the SPD and may force them in the next coalition government to choose Helene as the next Chancellor.
Young Louis Ferdinand has shown that he respects his position on the ship by immediately informing the Captain of the cease fire thus allowing the Captain to break the news himself.