Destroyer Of Worlds

July 15th, 2004

in 1410, the heretical kingdom of Poland, placed under interdict by Pope Henry IV, defeats the Teutonic Knights of the Holy British Empire in battle at Tannenberg. Henry responded by excommunicating the King Wladislaw Jagiello and forbidding any Christian from obeying his orders. This tactic works; there is a general rebellion against Wladislaw in the winter, and a more friendly ruler is placed on his throne.

in 1789, the citizens of Paris organized their government into a commune, where they attempted to dole out duties to those who could perform them and resources to those who needed them. The movement retained power for many years, inspiring many Europeans, including a young Karl Marx. Although the movement retained many democratic impulses, it became increasingly autocratic over the years, until it finally crumbled with the formation of the French Republic in 1857.

in 4560, under the direction of Feng Xizhang, the Chinese Empire performs its first successful test of a Sun Bomb. Although Feng had no fear, some on his staff had believed that the test might ignite the atmosphere and burn away all the air in the world. The successful test, though highly destructive, was not the world-ending event they had feared. However, Feng was humbled by the power of the Sun Bomb, quoting scripture to the Emperor in his report: “I am become death, destroyer of worlds.”

in 1881, William “Billy the Kid” Bonney recovers from a near-fatal gunshot wound in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. He was shot after being surprised by Sheriff Pat Garrett, who left him for dead. Bonney proved stronger than the sheriff reckoned on, though, and lived through the evening. After recovering some strength, he went to a doctor of not-so-sterling reputation in Fort Sumner, who helped him get the bullet out and sew up the wound. After this near-death experience, Bonney changed his ways, somewhat. He still stole and murdered, but often gave a large part of his ill-gotten gains to the poor, and only killed lawmen and the wealthy.

in 1888, the Bandai volcano in Japan, dormant for a millennium, comes to life, but is shut down by the local Mlosh vulcanologist. Many vulcanologists across the globe come to study it, as its sudden heating up had come as something of a surprise. As this study progresses, a school of vulcanology sprouts up around Bandai, and it uncovers some disturbing facts. The passions that those findings light up are much harder to tamp down than the volcano was.

in 1971, Comrade President Gus Hall, in an attempt to revive his electoral fortunes, announces that he will go to China on the first official state visit since the fascist takeover of that country by Chang Kai-Shek. Many important trade and friendship agreements are signed during this visit, but it fails in Hall’s primary purpose; the Communist Party loses the White House for the first time in 16 years in the elections of 1972.

in the 45th year of Mikhaol’s reign, the last of the European rebels was driven from Egyptian shores. Mikhaol called a great council of his advisors, seeking to determine if he should follow the Europeans to their forests and wipe them out. Tetmos, chief of war, argued long and loudly that their actions merited nothing less; but Lekmotep, chief of diplomacy, won the day. “If we should wipe out the Europeans, what will the rest of our subjects think? Will they think that this was a righteous act against the rebellious?” Many chiefs, and the Pharaoh himself murmured affirmatively. “No, they will think, how long before I am that rebellious one? How long until the Pharaoh deems me dangerous? And, from that day forward, my Pharaoh, you will have not just one rebellious people; all of your people will be in rebellion.” The Pharaoh was persuaded, and the Europeans were shown mercy.

in 2003, the French and Australian units encountered a lone Martian patrol and engaged it. Jacob Sheridan had developed a jamming device which prevented the Martians from communicating, and the military units employed this to great effect. With only one casualty on their side, they managed to capture 3 Martians and a small flying disk, which they fled back to Australia with.