The WCRB Files
A 1983 Doomsday Record through the Nation's Eyes
**File 04 - Alpine Confederation - Republik Österreich/Republic of Austria - Roderich Edelstein**
"'Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube.' Those were the words House Habsburg associated with themselves and the realm they ruled for over 640 years. Through hardships and glories, their Empire triumphed as a bastion of order and enlightenment along the River Danube. At least, that was until the War to End All Wars brought their reign to an ignoble end, the last Emperor forced to leave a crumbling throne. Within a few years, we and our Hungarian equals lost much of our old power. And while Republik Österreich endured more trials and another Great War in the years after, some losses remained deep. I know this too well.
In time my people found stability as a neutral buffer along the damned Iron Curtain, safe if only but another pawn in that game called the Cold War. Then on the 26th of September, in the year 1983, a catastrophe blanketed the world in nuclear flame and ghostly fallout – one that denied even our small piece of consolation for such an event. In the blink of an eye, the Soviet Union took away the old Imperial capital of Wien in a glow brighter than the sun. So much history – so many lives lost forever, as the Communist hordes swarmed into my country, the remnants of my leadership in disarray. According to records from that time, Austrian soldiers valiantly fought back the Russians while Switzerland aided us in throwing those pitiful scum out of our borders permanently. Or so I've been told.
It seems so long ago now that my memories start to blur, though at times I wonder still: Gott, how did it ever come to this? No matter. Even during the worse of the turmoil, Austrians were no stranger to hardship or the ways of conflict. Despite it all, we survived, and though the so-called Austro-Swiss Union, order once more returned to our corner of Mitteleuropa. By the time Switzerland, Liechtenstein and I joined to forge the Alpine Confederation, a sliver of the Habsburgs' Empire seemed to return. Though in frankness, my partners seem to be savoring it more.
Compared to the two other Alpine nations, the Republic's citizens take pride in their history and culture, valuing honor, stoic resolve and other such traditions. Though the days of the Dynasty and Imperial Eagle are long gone, we still seek to uphold our heritage, be it music, philosophy or the arts. Ours is one of continuity and wisdom, a beacon and preserve of Old World splendor to a wasteland that has lost so much of it, even while many seek new destinies. We also cherish more living examples of our Imperial past however, such as the many German and especially Magyar survivors who now call the Confederation their home. My personal watch. Perhaps something of their resilience and stubbornness has affected me as well. Perhaps she would know for certain, if she were here.
The boundaries of our shared flag are marked by red bands, relics from another distant time. It is meant to signify Austria's role in binding the Confederation together and as one among equals. The truth of the matter though is that I have no delusions as to my real place with the Alpine sibling-nations – or who truly represents the future of the Alps.
Still, even if I, the first and last of my name, may not live to see my people's eventual fate or that of the Frontier – my duty remains. And I swear not to lose any more of my people or hers to Doomsday's lingering clutches. Not now, not ever."
"…és bízom benne ő szavahogy nem fog."
As for some trivia:
The "last Emperor" of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy was Karl I/Karoly IV (1887-1922).
In the Doomsday-verse and source material, the Alpine Confederation started out as the "Austro-Swiss Union," with Switzerland being the one more in control.
The Habsburg Dynasty has been the ruling house of Austria for over 640 years until the end of World War I (also known as "The War to End All Wars" and the Great War).
During the Cold War, Austria bordered the Iron Curtain with Hungary and was a neutral buffer between the American-led NATO and the Soviet Warsaw Pact.
Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube is Latin for "Let others wage war: thou, happy Austria, marry," which was symbolic for Austria's rise as a major power under the Habsburgs.
...Though take a guess who said that last line. She's definitely Hungarian.