Archai

The 2nd Facepunch Republic wrote:

NICE AND LEGAL

A half dead man is brought in a stretcher before the high council of North Rome. He is the last remaining senator of the Roman Empire and thus is the legitimate ruler of the original Roman Empire. Emperor Peter Augustus sits in his throne that was robbed from Constantinople. In fact, the entire room was stolen much like the real life golden room. In case, you couldn’t tell it was the senate room of the Roman Empire. “You know why you are here.” Peter Augustus said calmly while for fidgeting with a pen. “You hold legitimacy and legal power over the treasury, Constantinople and the name of Rome. So here’s the deal…” Peter Augustus said as he signaled to a guard. Peter stood up and held a piece of paper to the senator. “Sign this treaty confirming the surrender of your government and the legitimacy of the north as the new Rome and all shall be well.” Augustus spoke in a firm manner. The Senator weakly shook his head from side to side. “Alright, I didn’t want it to come to this.” he said as he shook his head. “BRING THEM IN!” he shouted to another guard and the man’s family was brought into the room. “Now then partner, if you sign it, they will not be harmed. If you don’t, they shall be executed in a form more brutal than anything your government has ever done. And the best part is..” he said as he leaned closer, “You’ll watch every step of the way before your own eyes. So I’m giving you a chance, sign now and no one gets hurt.” The Senator looked at Augustus, at his family and back at Augustus before pulling the pen from his hand and signing the contract. “Yes, excellent.” Augustus said as he strode triumphantly back to his throne. “But I’m afraid you are no longer of any use to me and thus, there is no point in sparing you and your family. Take them away.” Augustus said sadistically. The senator tried to get up and strike Augustus but his broken limbs wouldn’t let him and he crumpled to a heap before his stretcher. Augustus laughed a high cold laugh. “You cannot even approach me without falling. Even if you could, you would meet a swift end.” Augustus flashed a cocked handgun he had up his sleeve. He then signaled the men carrying his stretcher to drag him to the department of torture and put the treaty in a briefcase. Later that day, the treaty was made public and North Rome became Rome. However, the methods by which the treaty was signed was not made public and would never get out due to the loyalty of the guards and the execution of the victims.

(This is 100% OOC)
Holy hell. That is just… absolutely brutal. If I had figured out about that, I would’ve condemned you until the end of time itself.
But, lucky you! I haven’t figured out yet!

Michael, after returning to Kykuit, decides to send an “expedition (really just the army)” to seize control of southern Morocco. On their way, they decide to claim Bermuda as their own. Some engineers stay back to build a large harbor on the island. The Expedition continues across the Atlantic.

The 2nd Facepunch Republic wrote:

THE ROMAN COMMONEALTH

After the fall of Roman imperialism, Peter Augustus realizes that imperialism is infeasible, even with the presidency system. So he decides on a more modern form, indirect economic exploitation and loan sharking. He creates the Roman commonwealth, an organization consisting of former Roman colonies. Being in the organization guarantees a mutual defense pact and economic aid. Since most nations that arose from the presidencies were unstable and poor, it was joined by India, Indonesia, the Swahili nation and the Free American Empire. All of these nations either had crippling poverty or instability. Roman troops rushed into India and America after they joined and began massacring rebels. At one point, the Romans put crosses carrying the bodies or whatever was left of them of rebel leaders on their tanks. After this show of force, those nations became stable for the moment and most of the troops left. Loans were also provided to these nations to “Help them grow financially.”

Michael Rockefeller opens the border with the Free American Empire for Refugees. Housing is to be provided in Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Economic Aid in the form of Stonkpapers is to be provided. The State Troopers in Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Michigan are to be set up at the major border crossings between the two nations. The major border crossings are broadcasted on national news channels, which are the following:
Beaverdam Checkpoint north of Lima
I-70 at West Jefferson/Lake Darby
I-79 at Charleston
I-64 near Hinton
I-81 near Christiansburg
I-40 near Mebane
I-95 at Dunn
I-40 near Wallace
Finally, temporary free healthcare, education, and transport I’ll also be provided.

The 2nd Facepunch Republic wrote:

Roman troops set up checkpoints on the other side of the New Stonkopolisian ones. Their goal is to stop anyone from escaping and to execute or imprison dissidents attempting to flee the nation. The incredibly slow process of “background checks” and “emigration approval” seemingly always ends in a denial of the right to leave. If dissident or rebel connections are found, the people seem to mysteriously vanish. Barbed wire is implemented at the border and Roman reinforcements arrive at New Orleans to further put down rebels. Meanwhile, the Constantinople citadel is under reconstruction in order to secure the Bosporus. However, there are no plans to rebuild the rest of the city.

Michael takes a trip to the border checkpoint at Lake Darby to note the conditions of the refugees temporarily housed there, and notices the Facepunch checkpoints across the border. He also notes the lack of any refugees. One of the Ohio State Troopers walks to Rockefeller and explains the situation there.

“So, after you ordered these posts to be established across the border with the FAE, me and my mates here spotted Roman soldiers, fully equipped, bring materials to construct those Checkpoints over there. We noticed this, and contacted the other Posts across the border. From what they said, it seems like they went for major points, namely here, Charleston, Minton, and Dunn. Then, more soldiers, accompanied by engineers, started putting up these barbed wire boundaries to separate the two borders. I have suspicion that they absolutely are not letting people through under any circumstances. We need to find a way to let any of these attempted refugees get across. I’ve watched many, many refugees attempt to get across. So far, I’ve seen arrests and denials. I haven’t heard of any that managed to get across the border successfully using the areas we’ve designated. And if they’re trying to leave in droves, I feel like some awful s**t is going on in Rome.”

“Alright, this must be settled in some way. I share the same sentiment with you, that we need to help these poor souls get out of hell. I’ll open up air and naval routes to get in the country. I’ll also call for a meeting between me and Peter Augustus in Pavillion du quai des Cageux in Québec City. I’ll try to extract some kind of concessions from Rome there. If I fail, I’ll reinforce the border patrols, to protect refugees the go across the border in… other… ways. I’ll also try to convince the Romans that getting rid of them without killing them’s better than getting rid of them by killing them. I’ll try to do anything to save these people from their Tyrannical Government. And I mean anything. Now, prepare to ‘aid’ refugees. And that’s an order.”

The 2nd Facepunch Republic wrote:

Emperor Peter Augustus sits in his throne playing Tetris on an old phone. He is about to beat the twelfth level before a Roman intern barges in and startles him causing him to screw up and lose. Immediately after, he slides his gun out and shoots in under a second, barely the missing the intern who stood terrified in the doorframe. “Have mercy on me.” She pleads “I have important news on the American front.” Peter Augustus snarls “This better be worth my time. Speak before I change my mind.” “Our Intelligence hints towards different routes being used. The checkpoints are receiving less and less people, not that you would be wrong of course. Increased security could be provided to stop the new escape routes. On a side note, Michael Rockefeller wishes to meet with you on the matter.” She says in a choked voice. “So, he’s trying to undermine and kidnap me. Tell Tussaud to send lookalike 2 with some beefed up security, a hidden video camera and a hidden earpiece. Also, tell him to investigate possible means of escape. Put the cities under closer watch and begin to put some semblance of border control on the Mexican border.” Augustus says. “Yes, sir.” She says as she proceeds to run out of the room. Later that day, a man heavily resembling Peter Augustus arrives in Quebec with fifty elite Roman soldiers.

”Damn, mate. Wasn’t expecting 50 men, Emperor.”
Clearly, Rockefeller’s shocked.
“But, it’s nice that you actually showed up, Peter. Now, I welcome you to Québec City. Now, let’s get to business.”
Michael leads Peter and his entourage into the large meeting hall. The former Tourist Attraction on the Saint Lawrence had been converted to a large Government building years ago, intent to be the main meeting area for foreign arrivals. The building’s filled with French and Québec art, Contemporary and Ancient. The designs inside mimic the Château de Versailles and ancient French architecture, statues, and general style. The area itself had basically been converted to a ‘New Versailles,’ with architecture similar to that from the times of the ‘Ancien Régime’ dominating.
“I would ask you questions about small things, but we all want to get straight to the point. I feel that the border between us and the FAE remained open, as it had before the escalation in tension. Now, I’m fully prepared to listen to your reasons why the border should be fully closed. It does seem that you guys are currently dealing with rebels in the FAE, indeed? If your nation opens the border with us, we’d be willing to aid you guys as effectively as possible to counter the uprisings.”

The 2nd Facepunch Republic wrote:

The Peter Augustus lookalike fumbles around looking like a beggar in Buckingham palace despite the formal suit. When he is asked the question, he waits a while and then says “I believe opening the border will lead to a brain drain, depopulation, increased rebellion and a base for rebels. Many people will flee the conflict and there may be a lack of skilled professionals in the nation. Furthermore, many average people will flee. People will rebel more knowing they have a safe area to the east and worst of all, rebels could establish a base in your nation and use it to attack American forces and then retreat to the safety of your nation. If that is done, it will bring about the threat of war.” He took as long a wait before he spoke as it took to say that message.

”You know, fair enough. I’ll let the border situation slide. But, I’ll be keeping the posts on our end stay. Plus, we’ll agree to also do background checks for whoever you let across. Although I doubt many people will end up going through us. Whoever you believe is good, we’ll make sure they’re good.
Sound great?”