Chapter 94

Political Tensions in the Modern world

Arabia

1983

Once the Capital of a great Empire that spanned from southern Spain to the Persian Gulf the Arabian Empire was a shadow of its former self, its territory was now just the Arabian Peninsula, sadly even that was under threat these days.

Religious Zealot's and political factions had split the Empire apart all looking to control the Royal Family whose current head was a 10-year-old boy, the Empire was barely holding it together the only reason it had not been captured by the Empires of Europe like England or France was it was too close to Spartan borders.

And why Kassandra did not try to invade the Peninsula had been asked by many of her Generals and Councillors, her own family had asked her one day her response was very grim. "like us the people of Arabia are proud and dedicated to there Kings and Faith, to bring them to heel we would have to commit wholesale slaughter on the population to make them pliable".

Across the Atlantic the Americas were greatly changed, the United States was changed it still hosted a Large military but it did very little as many nations refused to host garrisons in their nations unless they were Part of NATO.

The Province of Canada was enjoying a time of peace and prosperity as trade Boomed across its land and with its fellow provinces and Britain itself, they were worried however as tension was growing between the Imperial Parliament and the Spartan Empire who were still annoyed about be charged toll to sail through the Gorgo Canal or the tariffs to buy and sell goods in Kassandria hoping that it wouldn't end in conflict.

In the South the Mexican Empire was trading with the newly independent French territory's the Emperor Augustus II believed he could slowly convince the nations that they could join his Empire and see all the benefits of being under Mexican rule.

In the south Argentina was still recovering from its disastrous war with the British Empire over the Falkland's they had not expected Prime Minister Thatcher and the Queen to sent such a large response, when the island was invaded it was not fully guarded it only had a garrison of 300 troops who quickly bogged down the Argentine advance as they pushed towards the capital of Port-Stanley.

They didn't expect within a few weeks the full might of the British Fleet would be brought to action led by the HMS Elizbeth II a new Battleship that replaced HMS Hood as the Flagship of the British Fleet.

She earned that place with her Victory over the Argentine Navy sinking 6 Argentine cruisers it allowed the British Air Forces to fly from Ark Royal and secure the Airspace above the Islands and the Royal Marines and the Army to land on the islands.

In Europe the EU was attempting to pressure more nations into joining the Union it had its Eyes on Italy, Germany and Britain however they also wanted Sparta wo to their shock downright refused them at the Borders.

However, things would take a sad turn on the 12th May 1983,

Peter and Paul Fortress

St Petersburg

Russian Empire

The Russian Royal Guard were in to lines alongside troops from the Other SRU Nations as the Coffin of Crown Prince Alexander Romanov was taken to its final resting place in the Imperial Tomb, just behind the coffin was the 82-year-old Tsarina Anastasia and her new Prime Minister the 31-Year-old Vladimir Putin.

He had served at the Head of Anastasia's personal Security Service Charged with protecting the interests of the Empire before deciding to go into Politics using what he had learned to become head of his Party and win the Election.

Upon becoming Prime Minister, he had been informed by his Empress of the Immortal Queen and the Magical world, in truth he did not really care as long as those who lived within the Empire contained to remain Loyal to the Empire.

Kassandra after the funeral sat with her old friend in the tomb in Private the Tsarina could allow her true emotion's out with her old Friend and Mentor. "Kassandra how do you handle it how did you get through the death of your Brother and Father and your friends over your life".

"To be honest Anastasia I'm not the best person to ask, I've known I would live forever since I was 18 for the first few centuries I focused on the Empire and its security until I met Hippolyta and we had our Daughters"

Taking her friends hand she smiled at her. "you still have your Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren they will look to you and the people of Russia look to you for guidance make your son proud".

15th June 1983

Imperial Palace Gardens

Kassandria Egypt

Diana had been enjoying a lovely day in the cool waters only to be disturbed by a messenger from Memphis apparently Pirates had started to stalk and attack merchant vessels in the Red Sea there had also been a foolish attempt to Board a Spartan Naval Cruiser.

Summoning her Naval commanders to the throne room she donned her outer robes and made her way there to see the gathered officers awaiting her. "Gentlemen I have received word of ships being attacked in the Red Sea we have to deal with this problem now before it gets out of control".

Looking at her officers she pointed towards the map of Egypt and the surrounding regions. "I want a quarter of the Red Sea Fleet out patrolling the Sea-Lanes at all times if need be, we will increase that to half, the last thing the Empire and our Queen needs is groups Like the EU demanding to allow their own Naval ships to enter our territorial waters to protect their Merchants it will make her and us look weak".

The commanders agreed by that evening Foreign Trade ships were treated to the sight of increased presence of the Imperial Navy with the occasional flyover by the Airforce to ensure no scum tried to disrupt the Empires Trade.

Thankfully it was just a group of Pirates from Arabia or at least that is what Diana was told by her commanders weeks later, she however was now worried why would people from Arabia be crazy enough to attack Spartan Shipping lanes it was a death sentence.

She would send this information to her mother who agreed there was something more going on then simple piracy, Kassandra would turn some agents to this issue but he main priority was what was going on in England, you see many large English firms were trying to pressure to government into demanding that Sparta to allow their ships to cross the Canal for free as well as trade in other Ports in the Mediterranean section of the Empire, so far the government had remained strong under Thatcher but times were changing and soon both old friends would once again be at each other's necks.

It wouldn't be until 89 that the Spartan agents received proper evidence that the Red-Sea Pirates had indeed been part of the Zealots who were fighting for control over the Arabian Throne they had gone very quiet for 2 reasons the first being the increase in Spartan naval ships in the area with the 2nd being there sight that they conducted there raids from had been bombed by the Royalist forces forcing them to retreat from the area.

And sadly, as Kassandra predicted the British and Spartan Empires would clash at the battle of Sicily where the Royal navy suffered its heaviest loss since WWII and all because of some merchant ships trying to force there way through the Gorgo Canal.

Authors Note: hey people the next chapter is the battle of Sicily and its aftermath until then.

Revan Shan 2077.