tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59733515467314853412024-03-13T22:59:37.530+11:00Neues SudlandDal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-32388405475708249962016-10-23T19:43:00.000+11:002016-10-23T19:43:07.844+11:00Here's a comparison of the GasPatch turnbuckles and the smaller ones I made using tubing and an RB Motion 0.20" bras hex nut.<br />
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Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-89368831100807819692016-10-11T20:54:00.001+11:002016-10-11T20:54:21.855+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ep_mTboygeyenHb80fVvGEUgUokG6g6buMfxZuuJjHKaob25D6NJnnzh0ATebfjlhjJqjkrcsRzK8k-I1pVGJ0O6K20YDf9GmoYwuLhqCZEcsfJvuFAdhVMWT3eK5wIgb7cytZYq4hbH/s1600/blogN28_03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ep_mTboygeyenHb80fVvGEUgUokG6g6buMfxZuuJjHKaob25D6NJnnzh0ATebfjlhjJqjkrcsRzK8k-I1pVGJ0O6K20YDf9GmoYwuLhqCZEcsfJvuFAdhVMWT3eK5wIgb7cytZYq4hbH/s320/blogN28_03.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roden 1/32 Nieuport 28<br />
Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-18235260880399708882016-09-11T21:20:00.000+10:002016-09-11T21:20:04.778+10:00Home-made turnbuckles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIRDWIoAVVvCwQWSN9gP4u6IVKAtl3VRGfJ3NEC5u5FgEi5I1g7v_Bf_3yTINKr5I-7x2h-VwFgQFKzXlZElJCaYzb55WHa6GlQrURTN_RHD9ZVpV8js4G1Cwddc6Tf6tr_W4W8wuCi29/s1600/N28_mine71b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIRDWIoAVVvCwQWSN9gP4u6IVKAtl3VRGfJ3NEC5u5FgEi5I1g7v_Bf_3yTINKr5I-7x2h-VwFgQFKzXlZElJCaYzb55WHa6GlQrURTN_RHD9ZVpV8js4G1Cwddc6Tf6tr_W4W8wuCi29/s320/N28_mine71b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Home-made turnbuckles for a 1/32 Nieuport 28. They're made from a 0.2" brass hex nut from RB Motion sandwiched between two short (1mm) lengths of MFH 0.4mmOD tubing. The "rigging wires" are 0.15mm "invisible thread" monofilament. The tubing lightly grips the thread, and needs a thing cyanoacrylate glue to hold it all together before the excess monofilament is trimmed. I hadn't done that when I took the photo'.Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-43374859202922089852016-09-04T10:58:00.001+10:002016-09-04T11:01:04.079+10:00I'm just using my blog space to put up some photo's. Since I lost my server space at Westnet, I need to put up some photo's that I can then share on different discussion groups.<br />
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Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-15747558548673415952010-06-14T21:30:00.008+10:002010-06-14T21:57:15.651+10:00Herrschaden troops support Prussia!<div>In this weekend's game the Direktorate of Herrschaden's troops made their first appearance. Monte Christoan mercenaries, light horse and a 1/2 battery lent their support to Frederick II's forces in attempting to consolidate his hold on Silesia. The game ended in a draw, night fall bringing an end to the game before the Austro-Hungarian and Russian forces could destroy the agressor's host.<br /><br />Posted for posterity's sake are the photo's of the first battle in which the Herrschaden troops fought.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482596935388644658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNcQee-weE5icBLCzxqrt8pc6WDnVw7gC6HGiKpdObtXpMsFWB77ifSvbA4GIdWCnHBWb_S1f3HRGPiQzis0SmM6mPs7vx8Pm5-t0WSANuDK-QBhg4WFueKphtHfbYJmOMR9StGbezfvf/s400/T_Jun201006.JPG" /> <p align="center">Monte Christoan infantry in the Direktorate's service.</p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482592831263657810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeFyelexDwiywMxV78iKs-tkNFRetcXxN2Lw51ijm-wyQJVCG0prMXYerhSpJ29m1l2lkh5LaXW5F87d5lM07VHaIYbKFfhKlHUBJetwYzd9w1Y9IkS-JTtXZsjqq-8ep6AV2ro8aHk8t/s320/T_Jun201082.JPG" /></p><div align="center">The Light Horse return to the fight.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 105px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482594534292998002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UEP51KyayjhSjx6Gb8M8Fe9I_YkCASGtvkVGf0AfXqa1C5kFYKHThbF_8jjF1HDx6U85BWP-reGjQjA3rUgqRxdvyIsuptNoPutBEkVeQ9vY6RFJH4f0KyptMP9-Jw9rI6Cfegf-7hzs/s320/T_Jun201053.JPG" /></div><br /><p align="center">Rizhskiy take on the enemy cavlry</p><p align="left">It was a hard fought battle. The Russian Rizhskiy Horse Grenadiers covered themselves in glory, destroying the Prussian Billerbeck Hussars and mauling the Herrschaden Light Horse and Prussian von Zeithen Hussars before succumbing to superior numbers.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkxnfqJBG67hHA_EhW9TCtmIc1UDtXOok0bzFWJ2RDQN1__k8RC1FO7cY78ZbPymGu1vGcRae9XeRNhqs6QaA3lMizohm9ClowaVehUqFHtKth3-nS1FLKLR8ppbNwdBzPUmQ-ookFuuv/s1600/T_T_Jun201072.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482595561051745842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkxnfqJBG67hHA_EhW9TCtmIc1UDtXOok0bzFWJ2RDQN1__k8RC1FO7cY78ZbPymGu1vGcRae9XeRNhqs6QaA3lMizohm9ClowaVehUqFHtKth3-nS1FLKLR8ppbNwdBzPUmQ-ookFuuv/s400/T_T_Jun201072.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">The failed Prussian assault on the town.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Soon the first photo's of the Neues Sudland International Assistance team will take the field.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Dal.</div></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-47839724505906983002010-05-05T19:43:00.009+10:002010-05-05T20:30:14.104+10:00Not Neues Sudland, but...<blockquote><p align="left">Things are still rather busy and while I haven't been working on my Imagi-nation, I have been working on my historical SYW figures. And I even managed to have a couple of games! At the moment my armies consist of 1570 painted figures, which gives me:</p><ul><li><div align="left">20 Infantry battalions (53 figures each)</div></li><br /><li><div align="left">4 light infantry 1/2 battalions (27 figures each)</div></li><br /><li><div align="left">6 heavy cavalry squadrons (28 figures each)</div></li><br /><li><div align="left">3 light cavalry squadrons (27 figures each)</div></li><br /><li><div align="left">10 artillery batteries (11 figures, 2 guns and 2 limbers each)</div></li><br /><li><div align="left">43 staff and escorts</div></li></ul></blockquote>Bloody generals and staff always manage to make jobs up and bloat their numbers..... Pictures of the painted units can be seen at my site, <a href="http://members.westnet.com.au/DalGavan/syw.htm">http://members.westnet.com.au/DalGavan/syw.htm</a> and <a href="http://members.westnet.com.au/DalGavan/syw2.htm">http://members.westnet.com.au/DalGavan/syw2.htm</a><br /><br />Dal<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQrXIjgSTuplipxDhUjN1i4EjxIip-03Gn7cMw-kGKWeBXoP7uoa4390mTBQraEqsqP6sz6sl5aGdTzbaIkGs5FYIF8tXhkds2NtaJFxfLm0KsP0rtZIggzz6l5hcxO9HsL0beIE3QlyK/s1600/09OCT17.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467724976839449458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQrXIjgSTuplipxDhUjN1i4EjxIip-03Gn7cMw-kGKWeBXoP7uoa4390mTBQraEqsqP6sz6sl5aGdTzbaIkGs5FYIF8tXhkds2NtaJFxfLm0KsP0rtZIggzz6l5hcxO9HsL0beIE3QlyK/s320/09OCT17.JPG" /></a> View of the Prussian line from the Russian flank.<br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYug9bSPyniwZyXBThYIODiRj6zWhWfKtrYdsBvfFo_bgnRFQ37XYSVLRMCjoQrns-axpDECs4jaKiPtPqwhb6KjxWGmGNn17A1h_FrulvO7O1TaUjbHH-xKYW17Cq4-tz66_4ne8s9BtH/s1600/P5010033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467722693583122626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYug9bSPyniwZyXBThYIODiRj6zWhWfKtrYdsBvfFo_bgnRFQ37XYSVLRMCjoQrns-axpDECs4jaKiPtPqwhb6KjxWGmGNn17A1h_FrulvO7O1TaUjbHH-xKYW17Cq4-tz66_4ne8s9BtH/s320/P5010033.JPG" /></a> The Austrians advance</p><p align="center"> </p></blockquote><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs9l9q5ILC33wpOQRUwCc0qq9H24v0Qs8b3fLfdKQ6xbfH4C62tnfE8Zz410N4sYHEUzSl0JyXilBYR3U_B9Yle85rKr2303bUVg5BUsJapqDNgFECuULvBcLvV7nYZHTJPiqtp-Q1nX7/s1600/T_09OCT13.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467721291485769298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs9l9q5ILC33wpOQRUwCc0qq9H24v0Qs8b3fLfdKQ6xbfH4C62tnfE8Zz410N4sYHEUzSl0JyXilBYR3U_B9Yle85rKr2303bUVg5BUsJapqDNgFECuULvBcLvV7nYZHTJPiqtp-Q1nX7/s320/T_09OCT13.JPG" /></a> Prussians await the Russian onslaught.</div><div align="center"> </div></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467730541871115586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-tDtoW75vHC2S1B6HCCGJX_YSv1PrZHRVMxrDcOTmDr5bGJ0MyUnD21Levwz_XdyqKggyGG5W6dq_Pm_hyphenhyphen50ZW6pzovRnjD9exKnIq2UTCOSoKm3uzJfQJ8X4puXTggJIv8j6AXXqC7P/s320/P5010024.JPG" />Phil Barlow's Poitou advancing.<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-74717193459435820132009-07-26T10:19:00.003+10:002009-07-26T10:24:26.827+10:00Too busy<strong>Apologies for not posting anything but with things very busy at work, an imminent change of job and moving to a flat in Queanbeyan (the 260km round trip drive to work finally got too much for me) mean that I'm rarely able on get onto my computer, which remains in Tallong.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>If anyone wants to take the running with the murder of Paddy O'Gabhain in Saxe-Beerstein, please feel free.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Dal.</strong>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-52365263767471206972009-06-07T16:28:00.004+10:002009-06-07T16:36:00.582+10:00Murder by night<div align="left">Paddy O'Gabhain was feeling well pleased. An excellent meal, good wine and the attentions of two of Madame Ilse's young ladies had given his world a rosy glow.<br /><br />Things weren't going too well with his attempts to find more work for the regiments, but the strife around Europe would soon fix that. The 200 Liberties he expected to receive, for arranging the cantonment of a brigade on the Channel Isles, would fit nicely in his purse.<br /><br />Tomorrow he would head for Hetzenburg and then on to Stollen. They certainly looked as if they may be interested in some extra troops and he thought he may have another task there. He also had to present the Grand Star to Prince Bishop Heinrich of Gruntshoffen. He had been informed by letter today that the order was already waiting, with a trusted agent, for his collection. There were also some other nations, too. Saxe-Huack was also worth a visit. Any nation that had recently expanded was likely to look for extra troops, so as to hold those new possessions.<br /><br />The Roving Ambassador and Minister for War stiffened as the knife sliced into his back. Before he could do more, a second blow took all the energy from him. His legs buckled and he was dimly aware of being held up and then dragged.<br /><br />"Footpads.." was his last thought.<br /><br />The man who had murdered the minister released his hold and let the body slump to the ground.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Hurry up!"</span> his companion hissed.<br /><br />The man felt through the minister's pockets, taking whatever letters he found and handing them to his companion.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Take his money, too! It must look like a robbery, you idiot!"</span> The woman's voice was unpleasant, made harsh by her desire to leave before they were seen lurking in the doorway, where they had dragged the body.<br /><br />The man slit the coat lining and extracted a handful of gold and silver coins. His fingers then found a large, metal disc.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"The devil! What is this?"</span> In the poor light he could see the disc was gold, if its weight did not already tell him that. On one side was a pattern of stars and on the other bird, not an eagle, and the figure "5".<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Give it here, you may keep the rest. But where is the letter?"<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"It is not here. It was not in his rooms, either."</span><br /><br />At that moment the sound of marching feet reached them.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">"The watch! Drop the button, quickly! Come, leave him!"<br /></span><br />The pair disappeared around the corner. Behind them, a minute later, the watch sergeant and four troops marched past the doorway, not even glancing to see the body laying in the shadow. Once they passed another figure moved slowly over and knelt. A hand felt the cooling neck and a stream of French profanities was hissed. The figure stood, looked around and stepped onto the road, before striding back towards the Golden Swan. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><strong>**********</strong></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">"So. What do you think, Johannes?"<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">"Stabbed twice, sir. The one to the kidney is the one that killed him."<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">"Are you sure he's that man from the south? The one who calls himself a minister?"<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Yes, sir. Ilse pointed him out last night."<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">"And he has been robbed?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Sir."<br /></span><br />Lieutenant Gruenwalder was not surprised. The man obviously had plenty of money on his person. He liked to drink and made much of his own importance. And while murder and robbery weren't common in Fraudorf, a man showing that much money was taking a deadly risk.<br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Sir, look at this. It's a button, looks like it came off a uniform."<br /></span><br />The button was gilded, with a coat of arms on it. The Lieutenant didn't recognise the arms, which seemed to be some sort of tankard on a bordered shield.<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">"Watch Sergeant, you did well to send for us. Take the body up to the Golden Swan, please. The man may have left some money with Frau Keller, which will pay for his burial. Send my men back to me- tell them we ride for the capital. Someone there will know what this button is."<br /></span><br />Once his men rejoined him, the Lieutenant was surprised to hear that the murdered man's rooms had been thoroughly ransacked. There were no papers to be found, just clothes, a large some of money (though made up of coins from several nations), a pistol and case and a seal, showing a strange bird backed by crossed swords.<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">"We ride, now!"</span> The troop galloped off, first to report to their squadron commander and then perhaps to take the mysterious button to be identified.<br /><br />The watch sergeant watched them ride away. Then his eye caught on a reflexion from under the door. He bent down and pulled a small, silver buckle from beneath the door.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">"That's a lady's, Willie."</span> one of his men said. The sergeant was pleased. The buckle could bring a few coins at the Old Bear and Hounds.<br /><span style="color:#6666cc;">"OK. Let's get His Grace up to the Swan, boys, and then go for a small drink." </span></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-50480594761940522532009-04-19T21:37:00.020+10:002009-04-19T22:16:00.418+10:00Diplomacy in two flavours<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>"<span style="color:#cc9933;">Mr President</span>?" came the voice of Chen Chiqui, President Rapp's personal executive assistant. "<span style="color:#cc9933;">Minister von Albanees is here to see you</span>."<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>"<span style="color:#6600cc;">Send him in, please.</span>"<br />Antonio von Albanees strode in, clutching a number of documents.<br />"<span style="color:#009900;">Kelvin, I have just received a letter from the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. And I would also like you to please sign these two bestowments, for the Order.</span>" Antonio seemed rather hurried, a very unusual state for him.<br />"<span style="color:#6600cc;">What is in the letter</span><span style="color:#6600cc;">?</span>"<br />"<span style="color:#009900;">The Reich Duke would like to hire our 4th Regiment of cavalry as part of an allied foreign legion he is attempting to raise.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:#6600cc;">The 4th? Good, good! Do we have the ships to embark them? Could they catch our troop convoy if they left by Wednesday?</span>" President Rapp was mentally rubbing his hands together, thinking of the income this would produce.<br /><span style="color:#009900;">"Kelvin, you farewelled Colonel Finley and the regiment when it left for Darwin, three weeks ago. They're already on the convoy ships, heading for Europe. By now, with favourable winds, they may be putting in at The Cape!"</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Oh, even better! They will be there within a few months, then. Can we send a packet to the convoy, to redirect the regiment to the Duchy?"<br /></span><span style="color:#009900;">"We can. The old pirate, El Trujillo, should be able to catch them. If he doesn't go chasing a few pennies on board another whaler. We really should do something about him, you know!"</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">"He doesn't attack our ships and has caused no little bother to others, especially the Mormoans, so we'll leave him for now. Get a message, and orders for Fisher's troops, to him, please"</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"It's Finley. I will do as you ask. On the other matter..."<br /></span><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Antonio, those badges cost 1,600 quid each. EACH! Not to mention the 500 acres everyone also gets, when we award one! We are not going to shower them on every head of state in the world, it would bankrupt us!"<br /></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#009900;">"I know, but these two worthy individuals deserve recognition.<br /></span></strong></span><strong><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Furst Bruno von Ursa, Prince of Saxe-Bearstein, has done the world a great service with his diplomatic messaging service. It has greatly enabled communications between nations. And, to our benefit, has sparked more than one war.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Uber Gruntshuffen, whose current ruler is the Prince Bishop Heinrich XXXII von Wullfenbuttell, has supported the Republic since it began. While not one of the Great Powers, support from these nations has stopped the Republic withering on the vine.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I do urge you to support them. Besides, by raising the awareness of our nation, we also raise the awareness of our troops and their availability for hire. Think of it as some kind of an investment. A 'Future Fund', if you will!"<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Very well Antonio. Pass them here and I will sign."</span><span style="color:#000000;"> The president signed the Articles of Presentation with a flourish- and a barely suppressed sigh.</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Tell me, Antonio, how is our charming Ambassadress, these days. Quite the intelligent and pretty lady, isn't she?"</span> <span style="color:#000000;">President Rapp looked up, knowing he would see a little discomfort on Antonio's face. But he was shocked- Antonio was red-faced and trembling! And Antonio in a rage was dangerous.<br /></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"I'm so glad you took it 'pon yourself to deal with the lady. Having such an intelligent person necessarily given access to some of more sensitive, er..., governmental branches requires us to be particularly alert in our dealings with her. It would be a most onerous task, Antonio, and I am so glad you have proved equal to it."<br /></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#009900;">"Thank you, Mr President. Now, with your permission, I shall take these Articles, decorations and your orders to Colonel Finley and have them dispatched, immediately. The two new members of the order will of course be considered as founding members, it being only <em>your</em> oversight that stopped them being included in the original bestowments! Good day, Sir!"<br /></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">President Rapp watched him stalk out.<br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"That was a mistake!"</span> <span style="color:#000000;">he thought. Antonio controlled an important bloc in the Caucus. More importantly, he wasn't adverse to calling a man out, no matter what the man's station. He remembered two years ago, when Antonio had run the hapless Nickolai Vitlamovich through, after losing a substantial sum to one of the insurance schemes the man had perpetrated on several leading citizens. Vitlamovich was a leading citizen and son of a former President and member of The Party. That was bad enough, but the way Antonio had twisted his blade as he'd withdrawn it....<br />Rapp shuddered. He'd not bait his Minister again. </span></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">************* </span></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;">"Lieutenant Rien, please be at ease. And these are your tracker bosses?"</span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Major Rashid looked at the young officer. He was well turned out, for a militiaman. And had a look of competence. But the Major was more interested in the trackers. They would be invaluable once his squadron of the 2nd Horse stepped up to a proper patrol programme. Leaving O'Connel for this hot, dusty backwater hadn't been popular with the other officers. Nor the men, for that matter. But with both Kingdomer incursions, an occasional brush with the French colonist escorts and a few die-hards from the militia out bushranging, the men wouldn't be bored. </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Not to mention all the activity in the new Kingdomer fort opposite Alburburg. What were they up to?<br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Yes, Sir. This is Old Billy, our tracker Captain, Dirrigul, Durrigul and Moses. They've been leading parties on the Kingdomer side of the river, trying to find out what all the fuss over there is about."</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"And have you found anything, Captain?"</span><br />Billy blinked. The Major was talking to him, and calling him Captain!<br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#009900;">"Nothin' much we can see, Sir. Them Gunnigong fellas, and them other brown blokes wit' all them feathers, they not likin' us goin' across there, Sir. We had a few times got to run or fight and you said we not to fight them. But Dirrigul he had to fight and we kill two of them brown fellas. An' he got close enough to see them, Sir." </span><br /></span>Major Rashid knew that the "brown fellas" were the North American natives the Kingdomers had brought with them. Doughty fighters and trackers, they still seemed a little confused by the change from their homeland to New Holland.<br /><span style="color:#006600;">"What did you see, Dirrigul?"</span><br /><span style="color:#cc9933;">"It a big blue tent, boss, an' they tryin' to start a fire in it! An' it gets big and big, then it catches the fire, boss, and they all run around and try to put it out. Then one of them fellas in the red coats comes runnin' up and starts yellin' and wavin' his arms. That's all we saw when the currawongs come an' nearly get us, boss. But we see them and run off. They chase us, but Wombat an me, we get two of them wit' a spears and we got away, boss!"</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"Currawongs?"</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"Bown fellas, Sir. We calls them currawongs 'cause they put them feathers in their hair."</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"Ah, I see. Very good work, Dirragul. Lt Rien?"</span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Sir"</span><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;">"Good work, but I want you to stop. I can't say why, but all cross border activity is to stop.</span></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;">Now! </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;"><br />However, as of now any Kingdomer found on our side of the border, away from the towns and settlements, is to be taken, preferably alive, and brought to me. And as of today any 'bushranger' who is taken, wearing any part of Republic uniform, will win a reward of 10 Liberties for the troop which catches him.<br />And your old friend, Lieutenant Gris, I mean former lieutenant, will bring 50 Liberties for the lucky men who bring me his body."</span><br />The tight look on the young officer's face showed he knew that his old friend had just been sentenced to death. His trackers would soon spread the word about the reward. And this cavalry major knew it.<br /><span style="color:#000099;">"Understood, Sir! Is there anything else?"</span><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;">"No, Lieutenant. You may.... Wait, I nearly forgot. We can't have a mere lieutenant giving orders to a captain, can we? Even a tracker captain. You are promoted, Captain Rien, and you have been placed on the Reserve Officers List. So you will now be paid as a regular soldier, sir, and are reserve posted to the 3rd Foot. </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;"><br />Congratulations!"<br /></span>Rien stood there, not knowing what to say.<br /><span style="color:#000099;">"Thank you, Sir." </span><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;">"Captain, RSM O'Driscoll was very, very impressed with your work. And your regiment is raising two new companies, from the last batch of French colonists. That's why you were promoted. Not for any other reason. </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#006600;"><br />And if I had a friend who needed a , ah..., holiday, I'd tell him that the northern borders are far more relaxed than this one."</span> Rashid hoped the young officer was listening.<br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#333399;">"Thank you, Sir." </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#333399;"><br /></span>Rien and his trackers left. Rashid watched the door close. <span style="color:#006600;">"Sergeant-Major!"</span> he called.<br /><span style="color:#990000;">"SIR!"</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">"Bring in Troopers Shultze and Jenkins and three escorts. I'm in the mood to deal with those two now!"</span> </span></strong></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-20055905696065408212009-04-09T11:10:00.006+10:002009-04-09T11:18:47.505+10:00The close of the Reception Ball.<strong>The Reception Ball was closing. As was traditional (or will be, once they do it a few times), President Rapp stood up to make a closing speech:</strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Thank you for your silence, ladies and gentlemen.<br />It is my great honour to announce the founding of the Order of the Republic of Neues Sudland. This great chivalric order will have, as its members, only those heads of state who have proven themselves to be friends and allies of our great republic. Those who have contributed to the growth of this new nation. As you can see, the Grand Star of the Order is now on display at the other end of the hall. Those who wish to view it should pass between the red cords, in an orderly fashion. And please, if your are wondering, the guards do have their muskets loaded and have orders to use them, should anyone think of picking up the Grand Star for closer examination.<br />Appropriately, in honour of this momentous occasion, the first of member of the Order, and the first recipient of the Grand Star, will be King Phillip of the Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales. It is hoped that this award does bring our two countries closer in friendship. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br />The Articles of Presentation read:<br /><br />His Royal Highness, King Philip of the Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales.<br />It is the wish of the people and government of the Republic of Neues Sudland that you be made a Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of Neues Sudland for your friendship and assistance to the people of the Republic. The Grand Star of the Order is awarded you, so that you may have tangible evidence of the high regard in which the people and government of the Republic hold yourself and your nation.<br /><br />It is also our great honour to award you a small residence, situated on 500 acres of parkland near the Port of Darwin, that will be available for your use, should you ever wish to visit the Republc.<br /><br />Signed<br />K Rapp<br />President of the Republic"<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">He paused to draw breath.</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><strong><br /></strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>"The other recipients of this honour, and founding members of the Order, are-<br /><br />Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus II of the Grand Duchy of Stollen<br /><br />Grand Duke Karl of the Grand Duchy of Hetzenburg<br /><br />Reich Duke Wilhelm of the Duchy of Beerstein,<br /><br />Louys, Comte de Montecristo,<br /><br />Freiherr David von Linienblatt of the Freistadt of Tippelbruder,<br /><br />Mr William Pitt, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.</strong></span> "<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /><strong>All these worthies will receive an official residence in the Park of the Grand Order, which will be situated to the east of Port Darwin. It is also our pleasure to offer those nations in Europe who are currently at war the use of any single regiment of our army for the nominal sum of one Maria Theresa Thaler. They will also, of course, have to pay the wages and the provisioning of the troops."<br /></strong></span><strong><br />Antonio sat rubbing his temples. <span style="color:#009900;">"IDIOT, IDIOT, IDIOT!"</span> he thought. </strong><strong><span style="color:#009900;">"He's forgotten their honorifics, hasn't mentioned why they got the awards and mixed up their order of seniority. Doesn't he read briefing notes?"<br /></span><br />The crowd filed past the watching guards, making startled comments about the size and apparent expense of the decoration. Lady Amanda, Ambassador to the Republic, beamed as she was presented with the Article of Presentation and the Grand Star.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Bloody hell, it's heavy enough to put someone's back out! Who designed this?"</span> she thought to herself.<br /><br />In a far corner, a clinking bag found its way into the pocket of The Minister for Arts. This jewellery design lark may prove to be profitable. </strong><br /></span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-2857613792928359962009-04-08T22:22:00.014+10:002009-04-08T23:02:11.368+10:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3omjUCrMD75H7fnS7wCj5h4RD0T46MwStC3lF97Gr_7dpb6utDcnMlGWY2guXW-YsCI3jwHyzWAq7VxGLUYyO-WZ7WjD1csM9Q4jPrTdn8-rHwi-GYicyS9exTnsgUFq9QD113Fs_fP41/s1600-h/sign.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322299281799167650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3omjUCrMD75H7fnS7wCj5h4RD0T46MwStC3lF97Gr_7dpb6utDcnMlGWY2guXW-YsCI3jwHyzWAq7VxGLUYyO-WZ7WjD1csM9Q4jPrTdn8-rHwi-GYicyS9exTnsgUFq9QD113Fs_fP41/s320/sign.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1qnDivPPVrv-Hjw8ZdV8svHvlP5ruaPKeOhWBpfqWzmDRjWUWWsyIe_aa-xFCCK3edWQBEZV6d7hoqcOxQLOUeDYvOh9uZZOqCuwlZ6E-3WJ77sZfG7vpgZ_mxgQu_01gvd2t9Zrm2gc/s1600-h/tip.jpg"></a><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been on the road a fair bit lately. Which I blame for any over-silliness in this post.</span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">*******<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>A Star is Born and the Lady is the Ambassador</strong></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322295441047364690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPaLd_rYwVkEZ2yjbF7Ldoj7ESE8QhdiEqVWL7nVnD1Mt2oiYNRPpt0ZvOFvqst4HCc5e1tyimavH-n0RvePZgFTu1klDzMOuwFgjaOTmRhJqnmJ4Ok7Ku14vWFRG9k33z9BmHqBFTZh1/s320/zRNSorder.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><p align="center"><em>Grand Star of the Oder of the Republic of Neues Sudland</em></p><div align="left"><br /><strong><span style="color:#333399;">"It's hideous! Garrotte, you fool, we wanted something dignified, resplendent and evocative of the riches of this great nation! Not a gaudy, oversized piece of costume jewellery that even the girls at Uncle Ho's would be ashamed to wear!"<br /></span>In his hand President Rapp held the new decoration of the Order of The Republic. It weighed half a pound and was liberally sprinkled with diamonds, sapphires and, at first glance, dandruff.<br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">"Jeez, Kel, I kind of like it."</span> Juliette Buzzards eyes were firmly fixed on the glittering bauble. <span style="color:#cc66cc;">"Look at it sparkle!"</span><br /><span style="color:#996633;">"Monsieur President, I assure you that this design is neither gaudy nor costume jewellery! It is based on an order granted by ze Sultan Turkique to ze grandfather of Moe Ahmoud, ze gems are real and so is ze gold! It cost 1,600 Liberties to make and will make ze crown-ed 'eads of Europe swoon!"</span> Pierre Garrotte was determined to defend the first artistic thing he'd done in three decades.<br /><span style="color:#333399;">"Don't give me that accent, Garrotte. You were born just up the road from me.... SIXTEEN HUNDRED QUID??!! Are you MAD? Do you know how many votes we could buy with that?"</span> Rapps' face had gone an interesting puce colour as understanding of the cost of the star finally dawned.<br /></strong><strong><span style="color:#996633;">"You wanted big, you wanted gaudy and you wanted gold, diamonds and bloody expense, cobber! Well, yer bloody well got all of 'em! And my accent ain't.. iz not fake!"<br /></span><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Kel, settle down, mate." </span>Unusually Red Ned was playing peace maker.<span style="color:#990000;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Look, most of them inbred royal types haven't got the taste yer underwear gets after a month of hard riding, do they? All they'll see is expense, lots of expense. An' it's a big bludger, too. They're like magpies, mate- they'll love it. And we'll get a few orders for the regiments because they're too busy lookin' at the sparkles to worry about what the regiments cost."<br /></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;">"Besides, if we throw in 500 acres from that back 10 thou' near Darwin, they'll be in heaven, Kel. And really, it is pretty...."</span> Juliette looked mesmerised by the decoration.<br /></strong><strong><span style="color:#333399;">"Well, it's too late now! We'll give the first one to King Philip. We can present it to his ambassador tomorrow, when she presents her credentials. But who else? And let's keep the list short!"<br /></span><span style="color:#6666cc;">"One to the Poms, mate, for letting us house the troops on that island."</span> put in Stefan Smith, who had been woken by the President's shouting. <span style="color:#6666cc;">"An' we owe one to that Beer Duchy bloke too, for the one he sent you, mate."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">"And the Hetzenburgers, Kel. Apparently they're about to commission a woman! In the Artillery! That's unheard of in the Olde World. And don't forget Whatsisname from Montecristo, too. Those dresses he sent me, when we won government, were rooly nice. And I love his flag!"</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">"<sigh>Louys, Comte de Monte Christo, Juliette."</span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">"That's the bloke. Rooly nice."</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">"What about that bloke who came here and set up the government tailors? You know- he runs a Duchy in his spare time, when he ain't designing jocks and socks. Darrel, I think it was?"</span> Larry Fergusonsson was still breathing. And still in the cabinet.<br /><span style="color:#009900;">"You mean Freiherr David von Linienblatt, Larry? Of Tippelbruder?"</span> Antonio von Albanees knew that Larry was putting it on, trying to upset him. These cretins, and that abhorrent decoration, were bringing on another migraine. <span style="color:#009900;">"Without his advice our army would be wearing rags. If they were lucky. You remember, the rags your family used to make?"</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">"ENOUGH!! Very well, that will be enough!"</span> Rapp was hoping Fergusonsson would actually be silly enough to attack Antonio, but was disappointed. Ever since he dealt with those three footpads ("<span style="color:#6600cc;">Or is it feetpad?"</span> wondered the President) when leaving Madame Celeste's House of Divine Discomfort, nobody fancied taking on Antonio. It could be a terminal error.<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Antonio, please draw up suitable Articles of Presentation for the British Prime Minister, Monte Christo, Beerstein, Hetzenburg and Tippelbruder. And of course, our good neighbour, King Philip. Stefan, you can do up the titles to their house blocks."</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Now. we have to finish preparations to receive the Ambassador from the Holy Kingdom. If there's nothing else?"</span><br />The members of the cabinet filed out. </strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>******************** </strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">"....And so we welcome you to our great nation in friendship, Lady Amanda!"</span><br />On queue the battery of guns started their 19 gun salute, the company of the Rostov Militia forming the Guard presented arms and, after three hours of waffle, the President's speech finally ended. Lady Amanda Hugankiss, Ambassador to The Republic of Neues Sudland from The Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales, gracefully rose to give her reply.<br /><span style="color:#6666cc;">"Hurley burley, what a girlie!"</span> muttered Stefan Smith, who had been woken by the guns.<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">"Mate, there's hour glasses that she makes look shapeless! Gawd, she's gorgeous! An' she owns a brewery!"</span><br />Lady Amanda was indeed a most attractive and well proportioned woman. Her hair was shining like silk, she had poise and grace and, when she started to speak, her voice was melodious and yet carried across podium.<br />Antonio von Albanees sat there, totally transfixed. There was nothing he would not do for this elegant, well cultured and lovely woman. Nothing! <span style="color:#009900;">"I wonder if she likes to spank?"</span> flitted through his mind. </strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">"I have here a letter from His Majesty, King Phillip, to the people and government of the Republic of Neues Sudland, which I would like to read to you:</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000066;"><em><strong>To The Honourable President K Rapp</strong></em></span></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#000066;"><em>Allow me to introduce Lady Amanda Hugankiss.She is already well known in your Republic as the owner and brewer of fine beers and lagers that are consumed by your free and happy people.Today she presents her credentials as the Representative of The Holy Mormoan Kingdom Of New Wales.It is sincerely hoped she shall be received as such. It is My sincere hope, and that of my Government and People that our two great nations may co-habitat this great island continent in peace and mutual benefit.Of recent concern however has been cross border raids by criminal elements within your nation. I am assured by members of my Government that the persons responsible are brigands and criminal, (and probably sponsored by France). It must be said however that some within my council do suggest that these raids are actually the work of the RNS Army!I will leave it in your capable hands to confront this issue on your side of the border, and I will leave it to the Royal Army to deal with the problem on our side of the border.Lady Hugankiss will present members of a trade delegation to you. Primarily they represent wool and wheat growers.It is hoped that you will find their offers of trade and commerce agreeable.</em></span><br /></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>************ </strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">"I can assure you, Madame Ambassador, that the raids shall not be repeated. We recently hanged several bushrangers who had been responsible. They were deserters from a number of our regiments, who still wore the remains of their old uniforms. Hence the mistaken belief that regiments of the Republic were indeed responsible."</span><br /></strong><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">"I'm glad they met the end they deserved, Mr President. I also believe the fact that the Dragon d'Cooma have embarked for Europe will also hep keep matters calm, don't you think?"<br /></span>Rapp had been waiting for this.<br /></strong><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Indeed, Madame. And your aeronautical device should be able to confirm that they have been replaced by the 2nd Horse, who have now stationed a squadron at Alburburg, specifically so as to make sure that similar criminal acts do not occur again."<br /></span>Lady Amanda was puzzled. What was an "aeronautical device"? And he didn't seem bothered at all that she knew of the troops heading to Europe. Why?<br />The guests mingled, barbed compliments were exchanged and the Reception Ball tottered through the night. Few foreign dignitaries ever bothered to make the trip to New Holland. Far fewer bothered to make the trek to Ekaterinsberg. So all the capital's privileged and "respectable" people had used whatever dirty tricks, threats and bribes they could to secure an invitation to the first ever Reception Ball.<br />The bright and blessed enjoyed the night. The food and drink were both very good and free. Liveried staff wandered through the crowds, keeping glasses full and, more importantly, listening in to what conversations they could. In the ceiling, eyes watched and noted who spoke to whom from the spy holes placed among the ornately painted mouldings. And in corners deals, of both business and personal natures, were struck.<br />But nobody noticed Antonio, sitting quietly at the head table. His eyes never left the new ambassador. And his jaw clenched every time someone acted in a manner he thought was too familiar. Which was most of the time. </strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>********* </strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>At the docks in Darwin, Colonel O'Neill watched as the last company of men from the 8th Foot slowly climbed the gangway leading up to the deck of their troop ship. They were hours behind schedule and tempers had frayed long ago. He could hear the voices of officers and NCO's among the shouts of the ship's crew. Out on the harbour rode the rest of the ships, bar the one loading the last two companies of the 9th's 2nd Battalion. They'd missed the tide and wouldn't leave harbour now until midday, tomorrow. Still, there's no telling if the convoy from O'Donnell would meet them at Christmas Island or be delayed, either. At least the wet was ending, so they didn't have to fear storms. At least for now.<br /><span style="color:#666666;">"All our men are accounted for, Sir. There's no more deserted, so we only lost the 53. The battalion guns are aboard and tied down, too."</span> RSM Wendt was his usual, unflappable self.<br /></strong><span style="color:#006600;"><strong>"Well done, Lofty. We should be able to make up numbers at The Cape or when we get to Guernsey. I hope I can get a decent couple of horses there."<br /></strong></span><strong><span style="color:#666666;">"You should be able to, Sir. I see Commodore Wong is ready. Will that thing keep up?"<br /></span><span style="color:#006600;">"He says so. It looks like a pearling junk, but apparently it's as fast as these hulks the government is putting us on. And his little surprises on the gun deck will give anyone who tries to interfere with us a nasty belly ache. Let's go aboard!" </span></strong></div></span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-56417988719361291472009-03-04T21:07:00.005+11:002009-03-05T21:12:08.306+11:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#cc0000;"><strong>A Letter from Abroad</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">Banging his hand on the table, President Rapp finally brought silence to the cabinet room.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Thank you! As I was saying, we have today received a letter from Terry O'Gabhain. Terry is, as you may remember, currently in Europe. He is attempting to find employers for the regiments, a task that is not proving easy. One problem is the sea voyage to Europe. When the troops are required, they are generally required immediately. But the sea voyage to Europe takes at least seven months, often longer. And that has proven detrimental to his efforts.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">Just let me say this- we need the income generated by renting the regiments! Those damned clauses in the constitution ,that prevent royalties from mining being used for general revenue, have severely restricted our options in pursuing our aims to improve the standing of the Republic. But while our fellow Sudlanders refuse to pass referenda to change the royalties clauses.. SHUT UP NED! Like it or not, "royalties" is the accepted term!</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">Where was I? Ah, yes. Our roving ambassador has managed to find a way to negate this tyranny of distance. The British have agreed to allow us to barrack a mixed brigade of cavalry, infantry and supporting troops on the Isle of Guernsey. I shall read the letter to you and I suggest we follow Terry's suggestions:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="color:#009900;">President Rapp and my esteemed colleaugues of the Parliamentary Cabinet,</span></em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="color:#009900;">I hope this missive finds you all safe and well, the country at peace and the Wet coming to a close.</span></em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"><em><span style="color:#009900;">As you know, the situation in Europe is quite unsettled. Tradgardland, Stagonia, Saschen-Vindow, Hetzenberg and other states are either engaged in hostilities or about to become so engaged. Although we would normally expect this happy state of affairs to be most propitious for the employment of the regiments, to date I have had no offers for the regiments' employment.</span></em></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">When pressed the main reason given has been the delay in transporting the regiments to Europe. Most of the wars here are short affairs, unless one or another of the Great Powers becomes engaged. But those nations who most need the added strength our regiments can provide are the nations whose conflicts are ended well before the troops can set foot in Europe.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">After much consideration I approached an acquaintenace who is involved in the governance of the Channel Isles. He suggested I approach the British Parliament and put my case to the Prime Minister, which I have now done.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">In short, we are allowed to garrison a mixed brigade of four infantry battalions, a light infantry battalion, a cavalry regiment and one battery, including supporting pioneers and trains, on the Isle of Guernsey until such time as they may enter service. The offer is made on the following conditions-</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">The troops may not enter the employ of France, Austria nor any other Great Power.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">We must also supply two squadrons of cavalry, be they militia or regulars, to be used to contain the unrest in the Midlands of England.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">The troops may not be employed against Brunswick, Hannover nor an ally of those states.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">I appeal most strongly that a force of troops, consisting of a brigade of infantry, four companies of the Fuss-Jaeger, a regiment of dragoons, Kaufling's battery of guns and two squadrons of militia cavalry be embarked, with supporting troops and under the command of FML Leahy, for transport to Europe immediately. I caution you against sending the 3rd Foot, however, as many disparaging remarks have been made about this regiment, said remarks seeming to again originate from France.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">I leave you to your deliberations on this matter but also entreat you to act soon, if you choose to act.</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">Your Obedient and Humble Servant,</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">Terence Patrick O'Gabhain"</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">Rapp looked around the table.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Any comments?"</span> </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">He was utterly surprised when there were none.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333399;">"Very well, I propose that we send the 6th Brigade, the 4th Dragoons, Kaufling's Battery, three companies of the Jäger and a company of pioneers. They can hire train troops on arrival, if they are needed. For service in England may I suggest we send the Linlithgow Dragoons and a squadron of the Dragons d'Cooma."</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc6600;">"Send the whole regiment, Kel. They're nothing but trouble, raiding the Mormoan settlements across the Marches borders. And they'll not hold back with any rioters, if they have to be used by the Poms<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#cc9933;">!"</span> growled Ken Signet, the treasurer.</span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong></span></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#6600cc;">"Good idea, Ken. Someone wake up Smith, please, and have him prepare the orders. Rather than Leahy, though, I suggest we send General-Major Altarsch. After all, we expect the regiments to be employed in the Germanic states."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">And thus the regiments were prepared again to go to war in Europe. Soon couriers were riding out to the 8th and 9th Regiments of Foot and the gunners, while the Colonel in Chief of the 4th Dragoons was summoned to the Parliament, to see the Prime Minister.</span></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-16279275588425290302009-02-28T09:18:00.007+11:002009-02-28T22:16:45.551+11:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Patrolling on the River Maurier</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#333333;">Lt Rien was watching the wagon train with a puzzled look on his face. Spotted by Dirrigul and Old Billy three days ago, his peleton from the 4th Company had shadowed the train from the Republic side of the great river, which divided the Republic from the Holy Mormoan Kingdom. </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;">The train was obviously heading for Wodongatown and, at first glance, looked like yet more settlers for the Kingdom town that was building opposite Alburburg. But something wasn't quite right. There was the usual escort, this one looking like a company from the 4th Foot, by the red coats and black facings. And there were a few mounted men, probably from the 1st Dragoons, though they were in shirtsleeves in this heat and it was hard to be sure. There were also a few trackers and scouts with them, but all they could tell was that they were from the Gunnigong tribe, which lived around The Lakes to the east. They were far from their usual haunts.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;">There were also what appeared to be settlers- young men and women. But there were few children to be seen. It just didn't look like a normal settlers' train. It was too well run, too organised and, to be honest, too "military". And most settlers approached up the Broadford road, not from the east.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;">Lt Gris eased down beside him, opening his usual refrain-</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"Geoffery, I still think we should take a few of those settlers and have a quick chat with them."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#333399;">"You know our orders, Jean-Louis. There was all hell to pay last week, when word came from Katburg about you and your dragoons raiding that sqatter's place two months ago. We've been warned off. The Parliament wants things to stay quiet on our borders, so they can rent more regiments to the warring Europeans. So we watch, we don't raid. And we hope they cross the border so we <em>can</em> do something."</span></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"Merde! Rapp and his ministers didn't see what those Kingdomers did at Beaver Ridge! There is still blood to pay for that!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Yes. And if you cross the river again your regiment and mine will be disbanded- and all of us will be 'resettled' in the Kimberlies or Dead Heart. Are you willing to risk that?"</span> </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;">Jean-Lois' stream of profanity in reply was quite impressive<span style="color:#6600cc;">. </span><span style="color:#6600cc;">"He's been drinking with those bullock drivers from Begaville again.</span><span style="color:#333333;">"</span></span><span style="color:#333333;"> <span style="font-family:arial;">Geoffery thought. </span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Old Billy, can you get Sammy and Wombat over there again, tonight? But this time I want you closer, to try to hear what they say."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;">His scout scratched his head, not looking happy. <span style="color:#009900;">"Those Gunnigong fellas they got wid 'em are good, boss. They know we watchin', they know we try to get close. We get too close, we fight. And you say don't fight."</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;">Old Billy was right, of course. But Geoffery needed to know what these people were doing. Katburg's grand plans to rent the regiments were fine, if you were counting money and ignoring the rest of the world. But the Kingdomers were smart. They knew what was going on. And if the army in the Marches was reduced too much, he was sure the Kingdomers would raise their colours and swarm across the border.</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#cc6600;">"Sir, may I suggest we just watch for the present. If that's just settlers I'll eat my dress wig. But we have our orders, sir."</span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">RSM O'Driscoll was right. He was also annoyingly polite, never forgetting the young officer outranked him. But his suggestions were as good as orders. That's why the Freikorps was saddled with these "attachments" from the 4th Foot. Not because the Regulars needed experience in <em>la petite</em> <em>guerre,</em> because it was blindingly obvious they did not, but to keep the leash tight and the militias on the Republic side of the river.</span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Of course, RSM. We will do just that."</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">Lt Rien pulled back into the trees and gave his orders. They'd keep shadowing the damned convoy and try to learn what it was doing. But he also sent Durrigul and three of the scouts up the river, to cross over and head towards the coast. Perhaps they could find something out by scouting The Lakes. Whatever that convoy was, it was not settlers.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-42504282342233379772009-02-21T21:42:00.005+11:002009-02-22T08:10:51.892+11:00<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>A Diplomatic Quandary....</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Parliament House, Ekaterinsburg:</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Larry Fergusonsson, Special Minister for State, strides into President Rapp's office-</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;">"Oi, KRappy, there's some bloke from the Duchy of Beerstein with a prezzie for ya."</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Looking a little drawn</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">after having attended the funerals of two public servants, whom he'd had executed for leaking information to the press, Kelvin Rapp <span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#000000;">snapped.</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">" Lawrence, I've told you before not to call me KRappy! You address me as President Rapp!".</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;">"Yer can stick that where the sun don't shine, mate. Quite the little mandarin now, aren't ya?"</span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"<span style="font-family:arial;">Mandarin? Do you mean the fruit?"</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Don't be a smart alec, KRappy, I mean the Chinese kings or whatever they are. Startin' to fancy yerself as a bit of a monarchy now days, aren't ya?"</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Fergusonsson, don't call me Krappy! And I'm sick of your jokes. 'Duchy of Beer Stein' indeed! Do you think I was washed out of the midden in the last shower?!"</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Don't think you got washed out at all, mate. I think you had to be dragged out, with all the other sh...."</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"ENOUGH! What are you going on about?"</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"I told youse- there's some cove from the Duchy cons-yulate here with some sort of prezzie for ya</span>. Yer deaf or somethin' "?</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6633ff;">"For God's sake..!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;">"Got religion too, now? Yeah, yer turning into a right little mandarin, aren't ya? The Caucus, mate, will have something to say.."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6633ff;">"SHUT UP! Just show the bugg... I mean please ask his excellency to come in."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;">"Just remember, KRappy, the Eastern Marches righties won't always control the nominations, mate. And then yer for the chop. Yeah, yeah, keep yer jocks on, I'll go grab the bludger for you now!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">President Rapp composed himself. The thought that the incriminating evidence being placed in Fergusonsson's home would soon rid him of another dolt lightened his mood considerably. Fergusonsson's brother would object, especially about the execution no doubt. But with a seat in the ministry suddenly vacated, he could be bought off.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;">"President KRapp, may I present the consul from the Reich Duchy of Beerstein, Leftenent Kern'l Johannes Tooheys?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"YOU PIECE OF.... My apologies....Who? KEG?!! What are you doing here!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;">"<span style="color:#009900;">G'day, Kel. Mate, me olds were from Beerstein, see, and Dad's uncle sort of set this up for me. 6 quid a month for expenses, a real Duchy seal, enough sealing wax to block an elephant's ears (so's I can post me letters for free, see?) and a pension when I retire, though not as good as the ones youse blokes get. So I'm the consul for the Reich Duchy of Beerstein, mate, when I'm not busy at the Blood and Bucket. One day I hope to be an ambassy-door."</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Ambassador? Very well, so you're not only the publican of the most violent hotel in the city, you're also the consul of Beerstein? How ironically appropriate! Very well, Consul Tooheys, what can I do for your grand nation today?"</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#009900;">"What? Knock it off, Kel! Yer sound like one of them uppitty Pommy blokes at the Hound and Whistle. Here, they sent yer a gong, mate. Dunno why. It's real silver, too. I had Blue up at the assay office file a bit off, to check it."</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"You what? (sigh). Thank you, Consul Tooheys. It is my sincerest hope that the award of this most prestigous.."</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#009900;">"Gawd! Knock it off, Kel! I ain't got all day to listen to <em>you</em> rabbitin' on! This job's gone straight to yer 'ead, hasn't it? I'll show meself out, mate".</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#000000;">President Rapp stood looking at the Star of the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Tankard. Why Bluey Singh had decided to file the top point of the star, rather than a piece at the back where it wouldn't show, was beyond him. These cretins! The question now was how to respond?</span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Chen!"</span></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#cc9933;">"Yes, Mr President</span></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#cc9933;">?"</span> Chen Chiqui, his personal executive assistant (Rapp was proud of that job description- he'd thought of it himself), poked his head around the door.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#33cc00;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Please ask the Vice President, Assistant Minister Assisting the Minister for External Affairs, the Minister for Ceremonial Observances and the Parliamentary Secretary for Parliamentary Duties to come to my office, please."</span></span></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">2 hours later.....</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"...and what's more..."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"Put a sock in it, Kel!" <span style="color:#000000;">The Assistant Minister Assisting the Minister for External Affairs, Edward (Red Ned) Creene, had had enough of the tirade.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"Who needs gongs any way. Bloody monarchist stuff, gongs are. If the blokes do..."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#993399;">"Or shielas!" <span style="color:#000000;">Juliette Buzzard, Vice President and Minister for Women's Business, wasn't going to let that slip.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"Alright, blokes <em>or shielas</em> do something good then we give 'em a bit of land, pat 'em on the back and hope they'll starve before they tell anyone what a useless piece of land it is that we gave 'em. It's one good idea the Conservatives had! Some of 'em have actually turned their places around and made a good go of bein' cockies, too, so we get their taxes. Those that don't usually end up back in uniform, so we don't even starve that many." </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"So no, we haven't got gongs and I reckon we don't need 'em<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">! Monarchist s**t, gongs!"</span> Red Ned folded his arms and sat back, glaring at his president.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#009900;">"The point is, though, that when one receives one of these honours from another nation, one is supposed to reciprocate. Not to reciprocate is considered a grave insult. Worse, with the current unrest in Europe we have excellent opportunites to again rent out the regiments. Such an insult may damage those prospects</span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#009900;">!" </span>Antonio von Albanees, Minister for Ceremonial Observances, tried to make his comrades understand the ramifications. </span></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"Exactly! We can't ignore this!"</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#993399;">"Well, instead of a gong you could send him the title to that dodgy bit of land that Snowy Kimberley has been trying to flog off. 20 thousand acres isn't much, especially out there, but it's not as if this Duke bloke is going to come and have a look, is it? Besides, if we take it off his hands then Snowy might be a bit more generous with his donations at the next election."</span> </span><span style="color:#000000;">Juliette eyed her fellow Cabinet Members hopefully.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#009900;">"Inappropriate, I'm afraid. It will have to be the star of a Commander of an Order. And we don't have one. An order that is. For diplomatic purposes, and to get the Council of Generals on our side before the next election, I suggest we should establish an Order."</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"And I reckon we'll look like flamin' monarchists if we do! Next thing yer know we'll be up to our eyeballs in Dukes and Barons and that lot!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Ned, you thought that Coronet Lager should be banned as being Monarchist! And old Tom Coronet didn't give a cent to us after you made the pubs stop buying it by threatening them with new laws, if we won the election. Then there was all the fuss from the Republican Society of Birdwatchers when you renamed that cockatoo!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"It was a parrot. And you can't have a King Parrot in a republic!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc33cc;">"And it was sexist! Where were the Queen Parrots?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">"But this is about money! If we don't have customers for the regiments, we'll have to start standing troops down! Do you want a repeat of the '28 Rebellion or the Arakun again? Not to mention the loss of money to fund our election campaign! Without that money, how will we tell the citizens of all the work we've done? Leaflets and posters don't grow on trees!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">NO! We <em>need</em> an Order and a Star. Even if we do restrict it to foreign rulers!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Enough! We need an Order that represents this great country. Antonio, be so kind as to get the Minister for the Arts to design something suitable. " <span style="color:#000000;">President Rapp took control of the meeting, before it could degenerate further. He'd have to talk to his "helper" about planting some more evidence, soon.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">"Who?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Minister for the Arts! Pierre Garrotte! You know, the minstral fellow that we put into Rostov, to get the middle aged, middle class voters to change their vote."</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">"Oh, him? Are you sure? It's likely to look like a whale rogering a gum tree, if he designs it!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Keep an eye on him and make sure it's not too outrageous. Use plenty of diamonds, too. And gold, of course. That will get Billington and Kimberley on side. " <span style="color:#000000;">The President eyed his recalcitrant ministers.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"All agreed? Good. Let's get moving on this one. The ball's in our court and we can't afford to waste the possibilities of taking advantage of the synergies this could produce!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"What the...?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#993399;">"What?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;">"I beg your pardon?"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#009900;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">His ministers had that look again, the one he hated, that said they had doubts about his leadership! Well, they'd soon understand why he was their leader.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;">"Just do it! And wake up Smith and take him with you!"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;">As the bewildered ministers left his office, Juliette heard Red Ned mutter to himself </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#cc0000;">"Fergo was right about this bloke!"</span></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-31805001698319619762009-02-19T22:32:00.003+11:002009-02-21T21:38:50.227+11:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">The Militia</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Although intended as both an emergency military force and regional police force, many militia units are considered to be a little worse than bandits (it being considered that bandits are more competent at the criminal professions). They are usually entitled "Freikorps", in imitation of German practice, though there are some regiments of "Fencibles" and "Yeomen". </span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A small sample of government-supported militia units is shown. There are many strange and colourful uniforms, usually the more outrageous the design of the uniform is, the less likely it is that the government supports the unit. All belts are (generally) natural leather. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Officers, NCO's and musicians are habitually dressed in reversed colours, following early Austrian practice. Officers are not permitted to wear the gold and blue silk sashes used by the regular units, but must wear a yellow and green woollen sash. NCO's may be distinguished by button-coloured lace around their collars, but generally the reverse-coloured uniform is their only distinction. Mounted officers are supposed to use plain blue shabracques edged yellow, but the practice of using facing coloured shabracques with button-coloured edging is entrenched. Harnessing may be black, brown or buff leather.<br /><br />Cavalry units wear similar uniforms, albeit with cavalry boots rather than infantry shoes, and plain coloured shabraques (usually grey or a shade of blue). Few number more than a troop, though the Dragons d'Cooma, who well remember the massacre at Beaver Ridge, muster a full regiment of three squadrons that regularly patrol the southern border with the Holy Kingdom. It is even rumoured that the troops may raid isolated farmsteads across that border, but no substantive evidence has been produced.<br /><br />The militia units, in theory, carry a plain blue flag with a white, seven-pointed star in the centre. However variations based on the arms (granted or invented) of the unit's colonel or portraying the members' origins are also frequently seen. </span><br /></span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-79165498783823054262009-02-19T22:23:00.004+11:002009-02-21T21:34:46.552+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pz52YS7IxZUPSWOpmTvG0TXTH68MIJQbNSHIWrzVI3JoXpCQ3Lz-mirImjNGIrSt_lO9HXqCFVN7C2BEwJrEnqlAvqon7i30uUNW2bnjE4GYtOLgfDCCxrGK1j8DXETAZT1VU2gfuRDi/s1600-h/mFreikorps+Arakun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304467615193583266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pz52YS7IxZUPSWOpmTvG0TXTH68MIJQbNSHIWrzVI3JoXpCQ3Lz-mirImjNGIrSt_lO9HXqCFVN7C2BEwJrEnqlAvqon7i30uUNW2bnjE4GYtOLgfDCCxrGK1j8DXETAZT1VU2gfuRDi/s320/mFreikorps+Arakun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;">Freikorps Arakun</span></strong></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Cheap black cloth with mid green facings, grey small clothes, yellow metal buttons and undecorated hat. Two companies. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Formed from loyal Arunta natives and loyalist Dutch, this unit was raised to garrison the Arakun after the uprising of 1733. Trained to fire their muskets, the troops usually prefer to fire one volley and then use their bayonets. Although the use of native troops and bayonets, which invariably produce fatal wounds, originally caused much consternation among the Malay, Dutch and Scots rebels and citizens alike, their disipline and ability to track and apprehend criminals has seen them become not just accepted, but welcomed in the Arakun settlements. The unit's Sergeant-Major, Wonneputchal, is the first native soldier to reach this rank.</span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-42305876328156280722009-02-19T22:12:00.003+11:002009-02-21T21:32:57.837+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ-qkQsFFWBLFccVVd_GUHhKsxt4UkdL2XdQnBloD9g70wJ3A9utad2V25Z7znUxlenyNVUJH_s_4zki5dgFlbPbtlGg4edh__GvMNVAg5vuFWlpE9xLlqqr3yI-qzr2y_zev1mthnr3B/s1600-h/mFreikorps+de+Jour.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304464911150084258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ-qkQsFFWBLFccVVd_GUHhKsxt4UkdL2XdQnBloD9g70wJ3A9utad2V25Z7znUxlenyNVUJH_s_4zki5dgFlbPbtlGg4edh__GvMNVAg5vuFWlpE9xLlqqr3yI-qzr2y_zev1mthnr3B/s320/mFreikorps+de+Jour.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;">Freikorps du Jour</span></strong></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Grey cloth with mid blue facings, grey small clothes, yellow metal buttons and undecorated hat. Five companies.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Raised in 1699 as prison guards for the penal colony at Port Verdigris (now Port McQuarie), the five companies are usually deployed as two half battalions, to combat raids by natives, or by companies in support of the Dragon d'Cooma on border patrols. The original members came from the survivors of the Freedom War of 1707, who volunteered to serve on the border after the Battle of Beaver Ridge. Based at Cooma (1st and 3rd companies), Thredbo (2nd company) and Yass (4th and 5th companies). Have seen service in the Eastern Marches and Marches Borders. The 5th company claim to have captured a flag from Holy Kingdom raiders at Begaville, but the flag displayed at the unit barracks bears no resemblance to known Holy Kingdom flag designs.</span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-90943471093431149902009-02-18T20:34:00.000+11:002009-02-18T20:44:46.253+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWXWy8UB2vwiqPCqAnwkFFRaY68pMMgbqqG11cI88GbFFI2QkCCpCSUbU3bC-T9vNCRx6CzPfTCX-8XISw8fSpJmozlwbmulFqptSYkcztM2QT3gIGJSYeZgEEldGrSSdi4yY0kbn5Ykz/s1600-h/mFreikorpsMcquarie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304068617256401346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWXWy8UB2vwiqPCqAnwkFFRaY68pMMgbqqG11cI88GbFFI2QkCCpCSUbU3bC-T9vNCRx6CzPfTCX-8XISw8fSpJmozlwbmulFqptSYkcztM2QT3gIGJSYeZgEEldGrSSdi4yY0kbn5Ykz/s320/mFreikorpsMcquarie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Freikorps McQuarie</strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Grey cloth with burnt orange facings, grey small clothes, white metal buttons and undecorated hat. Four companies.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Raised in 1721 by an English captain of the 67th Foot, who had taken retirement to the Eastern Marches while it was still a French colony and who had established a small settlement at the Port that now bears that name. This unit provides militia protection for the northern areas of the Eastern Marches. Companies are stationed at O'Connell, Linlithgow, Port McQuarie and the western districts of O'Donnell. Has seen service in the Eastern Marches, on the Marches Borders and was part of General McLaughlin's abortive plan to attack the Western Districts of the Holy Mormoan Kingdom, for which he was cashiered.</span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-68254399763004243532009-02-18T20:31:00.000+11:002009-02-18T20:33:32.451+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtatYt2d89o3rz5o6thZL-oAuzvsmoJ_MdkZln_IvOqL8_fhMV1FGFk2nRWQd_lmoXWT51SNXY8TF6fIGLkYptSXg1-mTDlPhGa7mga3aI4pLN09Xd9xGzLdbX5dwD9ZLp9NysLJqO5NB/s1600-h/mKimberly+Yeomen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304067672829195314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtatYt2d89o3rz5o6thZL-oAuzvsmoJ_MdkZln_IvOqL8_fhMV1FGFk2nRWQd_lmoXWT51SNXY8TF6fIGLkYptSXg1-mTDlPhGa7mga3aI4pLN09Xd9xGzLdbX5dwD9ZLp9NysLJqO5NB/s320/mKimberly+Yeomen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Kimberly Yeomen</strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Red cloth with mid green facings, white turnbacks, yellow metal buttons, buff small clothes and undecorated hat. One company.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mainly used as mine guards and a police force, this unit also saw service in the Arunta Uprising, where it was praised for the excellence of its drill and courage when the government encampment was attacked. </span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-90356074102536278672009-02-18T20:26:00.000+11:002009-02-18T20:30:23.814+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3UDlHDGqew97NkF39bZpMsfBA3S6Fangy4FSrorL708StBkJe1H3nPEUlCshto1W8ql9V4aMD3-oHGPZP8FIx115aqN_g5s260VOL9A91wP_tmQ6rLwZtqiV_wfmRks00uxlul57N6SX/s1600-h/mRostov+Mititia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304066479859260370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3UDlHDGqew97NkF39bZpMsfBA3S6Fangy4FSrorL708StBkJe1H3nPEUlCshto1W8ql9V4aMD3-oHGPZP8FIx115aqN_g5s260VOL9A91wP_tmQ6rLwZtqiV_wfmRks00uxlul57N6SX/s320/mRostov+Mititia.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Rostov Militia</strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Dark green cloth with scarlet facings, yellow metal buttons, dark straw small clothes, yellow hat lace and red bow. Two companies.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">One of the oldest militia units, formed from discharged members of the original Russian garrison, this unit proudly maintains its Russian traditions in dress, drill and the language in which orders are given. Officers are disinguished by their unique use of gorgets. Has seen service in the Dead Heart. </span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-51967950535055824022009-02-18T20:22:00.000+11:002009-02-18T20:25:57.546+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvPfL0WbPEBJdBCTo15QlY9r141_IYBNgfvHClOAZy-y-ACvNenNJgNmXe_sLZG9k0EUEBG6Uh58LqZff95ES-SmwG9zNpxL-aJ6RZD6xat0gMzT__vSqQZqZgNFXlo3X01L3S_mFhLgy/s1600-h/mTenant+Creek+Watch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304065534407338242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvPfL0WbPEBJdBCTo15QlY9r141_IYBNgfvHClOAZy-y-ACvNenNJgNmXe_sLZG9k0EUEBG6Uh58LqZff95ES-SmwG9zNpxL-aJ6RZD6xat0gMzT__vSqQZqZgNFXlo3X01L3S_mFhLgy/s320/mTenant+Creek+Watch.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Tenant Creek Watch</strong></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Black broadcloth with scarlet facings, grey small clothes, yellow metal buttons and undecorated hat. One platoon.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Formed from Jacobite sympathisers transported from Scotland and northern England, the Watch is mainly used as a police force.</span></span><br /></span>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-67413807141661000432009-02-17T21:41:00.000+11:002009-02-18T20:21:52.830+11:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpdvwpjmDE-jCgTX9vHO05PjrOE_Jm4cHi4ad4nOrAM-yZNoj78_gOY8yZX-gVyR1QJ8pXGjHAv6UOs6gt-jZ8T-HCTOHgmtWdd6Uaj2ZTWgpvPocYEWbiww-MY048zCaPOGVlcDEnmew/s1600-h/mDragonsdeCooma.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304065071149359410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpdvwpjmDE-jCgTX9vHO05PjrOE_Jm4cHi4ad4nOrAM-yZNoj78_gOY8yZX-gVyR1QJ8pXGjHAv6UOs6gt-jZ8T-HCTOHgmtWdd6Uaj2ZTWgpvPocYEWbiww-MY048zCaPOGVlcDEnmew/s320/mDragonsdeCooma.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75VCalrv-9R9OqmOptnP_Qjy8vOOjk3IpqVd0snSOnQ46J3Tw6OIXv2EvL5BoNwPmVTrhBM4vcXmrgu-Kpi8EgLjkx_qImqgHgi8RcAV86N9Tq4Kn4yAXvowmF2X5ZRFdGe-0PVMvaNhJ/s1600-h/mDragonsdeCooma.jpg"></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Dragons d'Cooma</strong></span><br /><div><br /><div align="left">Red cloth with white facings and black lace buttonhole loops, white turnbacks, white metal buttons, red waistcoat edged black, straw breeches and French style dragoon stocking cap with red base, white stocking and black decoration. White belts. Black shabraque edged white with black harnessing. Regiment of 3 squadrons, armed as dragoons.</div><div align="left">Raised from the French citizens who did not join the ill fated exodus of settlers into Holy Kingdom lands after the Eastern Marches joined the Republic. The fate of their fellow countrymen inflamed those who stayed behind and the first two troops were formed and offered for militia service only two weeks after the Battle of Beaver Ridge. Since then recruiting parties have met every shipload of French settlers and their somewhat embroidered story has seen the regiment grow steadily. The regiment has seen service on the Marches Borders, western Germany and, unusually, in the Americas, where the 1st Squadron has been employed against natives and foreign colonies. This unit is considered to be as good as any of the regular units and has been hired out to several countries.</div></div></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-33177352129923951012009-02-17T21:34:00.000+11:002009-02-17T21:38:52.653+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyKkMLZyDPNVrfhJmx0_1TGHf3gDViaFdB6S7cBbF3XkBcVSjPdinITqmMM59VoV_ZO3N1Nmja68L0NKt2nKb7ORcc4tFBOe0S66ExeS-7KOHB4eKOkp9iXaJqg5FYtIDlOxk7iSxMTC-/s1600-h/mLudmilla+Cavalry.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303713101888413890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyKkMLZyDPNVrfhJmx0_1TGHf3gDViaFdB6S7cBbF3XkBcVSjPdinITqmMM59VoV_ZO3N1Nmja68L0NKt2nKb7ORcc4tFBOe0S66ExeS-7KOHB4eKOkp9iXaJqg5FYtIDlOxk7iSxMTC-/s200/mLudmilla+Cavalry.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Ludmilla Cavalry</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><div align="left">Grey cloth with dark blue facings and waistcoat, grey breeches, white metal buttons and undecorated hat. Polished brown belts. Plain brown shabracque with black harnessing. One squadron, armed as dragoons.</div><div align="left">Raised from the wealthier Russian- and Dutch-descended families living to the east of Darwin, the regiment is mainly employed in policing duties. During the Darwin Rebellions the regiment distinguished itself by garrisoning the government buildings and holding the rioters at bay. </div></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-63559630672867903762009-02-17T21:24:00.000+11:002009-02-17T21:34:08.429+11:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-ML-eoGEeNcKCy3_qnMqpn5rqmuCPdgMfxSzXMyuwhCtk3OVE35TvhLN9crI5VGXllfBRItNTB07IB-IYFQL4c_LQ9ntIep5ply57vdX-PZzyDLQh7kC6BnMplCH-54M6XXf-RgAuvQi/s1600-h/mNovaWien+Dragoons.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303710410230994738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-ML-eoGEeNcKCy3_qnMqpn5rqmuCPdgMfxSzXMyuwhCtk3OVE35TvhLN9crI5VGXllfBRItNTB07IB-IYFQL4c_LQ9ntIep5ply57vdX-PZzyDLQh7kC6BnMplCH-54M6XXf-RgAuvQi/s200/mNovaWien+Dragoons.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Nova Wien Dragoons</strong></span><br /><br /><div align="left">White cloth with mid blue facings, yellow metal buttons, red-edged-white waistcoat, straw-yellow leather breeches and and undecorated hat. Polished brown belts (officers' white). Dark blue shabracque with black harnessing. Two troops, armed as dragoons.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">One of the earliest militia units raised, this unit started life as hired guards for the more affluent area of Ekaterinsburg. Before the formation of the 4th Dragoons it was considered an excellent choice for young men of means who wished to pursue a (part time) military career. It still draws recruits from the best families, but has recently relaxed requirements to admit the sons of wealthier tradespeople and "notable citizens". The imperial eagle on the flag is tolerated in the republic as a sign of the unit's history. The unit has seen some service, particularly in the Darwin Rebellions and in the Dead Heart.</div></div>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973351546731485341.post-72528255860928813012009-02-14T07:49:00.000+11:002009-02-14T21:33:09.197+11:00<div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Artillery, Sappers and Trains</span><br /></div><p><span style="color:#ff0000;">Artillery.</span> The Republic's artillery arm consists mainly of 3lb Austrian pieces used as battalion guns. The republic also has two batteries of 6lb guns for field artillery and a battery of eight French 12lb guns, captured at Port McQuarie.<br /><br />When the Republic first took independence, it had no artillery arm. Nor was it considered that one was needed. Most fighting was little more than skirmishes, small affairs that would hardly be mentioned in the reports of a European General. The other consideration was that the most likely enemies were also deficient in this arm. Indeed, the three small cannon captured by the Republic when they freed the Eastern Marches from French dominance were dismounted and the barrels used to make a tasteless (and rather confusing) monument to the Battle of Bulli, which is mounted against the east wall of the Garrison Yards in O'Donnell. The French 12lb guns captured at Port McQuarie were placed in depot at that place, where a lack of attention soon saw the carriages in a poor state.<br /><br />However, failure to procure contracts in Europe, because the infantry lacked battalion guns, led to the purchase of 26 Austrian 3lb cannon in 1723. As well as the guns, a number of officers and artillerists were recruited from France and Austria. Two guns were assigned to each regiment and volunteers from the ranks were trained in their use. The remaining six guns were used to form a Battery of Support and Training, which is based at Rostov.<br /><br />Experience in Europe led to the purchase of 14 Austrian 6lb cannon in 1733. These were used to form two batteries, each of six guns, with the remaining two guns assigned to the Battery of Support and Training. One battery is garrisoned at Darwin and the second is garrisoned at O'Connell. Neither battery has seen active service.<br /><br />At the same time the carriages of the 12lb guns, stored at Port McQuarie, were repaired and the guns used to form a battery. This battery is deployed to defend the harbour at O'Donnell, with a section each properly emplaced on North Head and South Head. They have been used to fire upon an unidentified vessel of Chinese appearance, which turned away, and what is believed to be a frigate of either British or Holy Kingdom service, though both nations deny they have sent ships into Republic waters.<br /><br />Attempts to forge cannon and howitzers have not proven successful. However, attempts will continue once a new master forger can be recruited. The practice of having the master forger test fire the newly cast pieces, to prove they are safe and may be used, is also under review.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi0zVtPluUp09YHzI7fg5cpGYssSTV6r1Gs4Lm2HNIiISlgmRv-md4SAKNrAymbfuTxNbr3fm2kimobsexI3ZDP5DPQ01pYDferaADCn4a8mitOG3KYAWH8DEJYhBRhjGejDv9O9VQZPy/s1600-h/Arty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302387628445839026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 77px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDi0zVtPluUp09YHzI7fg5cpGYssSTV6r1Gs4Lm2HNIiISlgmRv-md4SAKNrAymbfuTxNbr3fm2kimobsexI3ZDP5DPQ01pYDferaADCn4a8mitOG3KYAWH8DEJYhBRhjGejDv9O9VQZPy/s200/Arty.jpg" border="0" /></a>The artillery uniform is a dark blue-grey with black facings, yellow buttons and dark straw small clothes. All belts and leather work are polished brown leather. Officers have gold laced hats and edging to their coat fronts and wear a gold and blue sash around the waist but inside the coat, NCO's are distinguished by gold lace around the collar. The guns are whitewashed wood with polished bronze barrels. Other metal work is painted a dull madder red. Battery drivers are dressed like the men. Their horse furniture is a plain blue shabracque and polished black leather tack.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Sappers:</span> Commanded by infantry officers who have studied the principles of engineering, and who wear their regimental uniforms ("real" engineers being needed for the RNS mines) while attached to the sapper companies, the sappers are used for all the usual engineering duties. Different companies specialised in mining, sapping or constructing defences, but these troops are few and therefore expected to whatever duties are necessary. There are six companies of sappers, garrisoned at Rostov, Kunnanurra, The Springs, O'Connell, Port McQuarie and Tindal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7098IMFtErlk-P486HRi_iNhoGPxMRfY3SloUPo1v73et_ZWNYF-fSJ9Tt5Luwlhec9EmeCw49CqXq5fN_U48jnhqxUb5gsGmNZowNUnHlxJjwSJkU5rFP1LrXGE3KlO7_nWJ5CrrgJzh/s1600-h/pioneers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302389009073052706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 82px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7098IMFtErlk-P486HRi_iNhoGPxMRfY3SloUPo1v73et_ZWNYF-fSJ9Tt5Luwlhec9EmeCw49CqXq5fN_U48jnhqxUb5gsGmNZowNUnHlxJjwSJkU5rFP1LrXGE3KlO7_nWJ5CrrgJzh/s200/pioneers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The sapper uniform is a undyed "black" wool with scarlet facings, yellow buttons and dark straw small clothes. Their head dress is a simple undyed woolen "beanie" and belts are natural leather. The cartridge boxes are worn on the left front, on the waist belt, and are undecorated black leather. Sappers are armed with infantry muskets, sabres and axes.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;">Trains</span><span style="color:#ff0000;">.</span> The trains, magazines, armouries and depots required by the army are still made up of contracted civilian personnel. While a military train and magazine corps was established (Army Train and Depot Battalion and Naval Chandlers Office) in 1739, claims by various business concerns that they could do the job more efficiently and for less cost led the then Minister of War, Peter Wreath, to disband the organisation and resume the use of a contractor for logistics support. Shortly after the decision was made the Minister resigned from Parliament and took up the position of the director of the company that won the contract.<br /><br />In the 10 years this state of affairs has existed the contract costs have increased markedly. The contract now costs far more than the upkeep of the Army Train and Depot Battalion and Naval Chandlers Office ever did. Logistics support for the garrisons, regiments and the Navy is so poor that many regiments hire their own trains when away from garrison and when on campaign. Peter Wreath has been challenged to duels by irate officers several times over this matter. However the former Minister (and now very wealthy citizen) is prevented from defending his honour by chronic gout and dyspepsia, reportedly much to his dismay. </p>Dal Gavanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168654557006846170noreply@blogger.com2