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Post by killer spork on Sept 3, 2015 16:10:32 GMT -6
'' Take away the gun from our heads only to put a dagger to our hearts? '' The General said with a derisive snort. '' What guarantees do I have that these workers won't strike if the RWU dislikes the election results? Or is the RWU truly willing to accept the will of the people? '' His words dripped with sarcasm, this whole push was a farce.
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Post by RWU on Sept 3, 2015 16:19:32 GMT -6
"I take it the workers will strike if they dislike the results," Jensen quickly corrected. "That's how union democracy works. So if they were to strike, I'd bet the problem is who runs the polls, not who the masses actually support." The Asteran RWU organizer grinned. "Frankly I think you need a gun to your head or a knife to your heart: You're an Army General, exactly the kind of person who needs to be checked for Workers' Democracy to function. So which will you take?"
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Post by killer spork on Sept 3, 2015 16:22:29 GMT -6
There was the unmistakable 'click' of a gun cocking, Kruger's finger on the trigger though he didn't raise his weapon - yet. '' You should be shot like a dog in the street. '' Kruger spat. '' I want a full withdrawal of all RWU military forces and public promises of re-construction aid once the election proceeds. No further interference in Asteran domestic affairs. ''
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Post by RWU on Sept 3, 2015 16:30:36 GMT -6
Jensen scoffed with a smile, stretching out both arms as if to invite the General to fire. "Your kind would like to shoot us like dogs. Always happy to hire a factory hand until they 'stop knowing their place,' eh? Or do I remind you too much of the poor sods you sent to die like pigs at the slaughter after you'd already won the battle?" The figure's head shook in mock disappointment. "Give me a break. Just tell me your answer on where the union stays, in the factories and docks or in the barracks. If you abide by our terms there, then I'm sure we'll be happy to abide by your terms too. Full withdrawal and reconstruction aid."
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Post by killer spork on Sept 3, 2015 16:43:43 GMT -6
'' My objective was to win the goddamn war, not the battle. When the enemy exposes their jugular, you strike. Those men knew what they were sacrificing themselves for, to protect their homeland, their loved ones, and their comrades. Don't dress this up under the noble pretense of revolution or protecting the working masses. This is nothing short of a power play. The only true and real guardians of the Asteran people is the Asteran Army. '' He said raising the pistol and shoving it hard under Jensen's chin. '' Get off my planet and go crawl back to your masters in Victory City. '' The temptation to pull the trigger was nearly overpowering before he roughly pushed the Union agent back.
'' We have a deal. '' With that, the General was gone. But this war for control was far from over.
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Post by killer spork on Sept 12, 2015 5:03:09 GMT -6
Victory! ANF banners decorated the government district! The army was suspiciously absent from the Presidential Palace except for a thin line of military police that we're patrolling. They were far outnumbered by ANF supporters that were staging a rally nearby in support of the new government. With tensions with the RWU at an all time high, Jacobus Sidow had extended an invitation to Ambassador Kniov for a meeting. If Sidow had learned anything, it was that you could hate your rival but still do good business. Yet, the communists were a thick headed breed. The Army leftists Sidow could always buy off. They were always more interested in guns than more radical reforms making them uneasy partners... These sort of communists were different. Sidow expected his ears to be bleeding by the end of this.
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Post by RWU on Sept 12, 2015 17:20:33 GMT -6
Secretary Kniov was hard to surprise: He had been ambassador to Asteron since the very first days of RWU sovereign independence, and he had witnessed the transition from Ambrose's people's republic to Galiani's dictatorship. But never had he imagined that the Asteran bourgeoisie would claw their way back into power so quickly. He couldn't help but suspect that the military condoned the Asteran National Front more out of spite for the RWU than genuine commitment to democracy. He also suspected there were outside players at fault: Surely the Viscarri or the Kwazan or both had agents on the planet, and maybe the Wuxianese as well. Either way, his job was more dangerous than ever.
"Where is Comrade Abdulya?" the Foreign Secretary asked immediately upon entering the President's office. "What did you do to him?" In addition to throwing Sidow off with an unexpected topic, figuring out what had happened to his long-time counterpart was genuinely on Kniov's mind. "I haven't seen the man in weeks."
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Post by killer spork on Sept 12, 2015 18:48:20 GMT -6
'' Ambassador Kniov, I'm happy that you could finally join me. Please sit down. '' Sidow said, ignoring the diplomats pointed question. The President's expression was blank but those eyes brimmed with their own malevolence and they were pointed right at Kniov. '' Refreshment? '' He said, an aide stepping forward with tea. In truth, the President had seen neither hide nor hair of Abdullah sine he had assumed power. The military had been stripped of much of its official functions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been no different. There would be civilian rule here now. Asteron would be a nation of laws, not a country ruled by the threat of a bayonet.
'' When shall I be expecting formal congratulations from the President on my victory? I would like to thank the RWU for making this all possible after all. The military never would've folded without Ayar pressure. ''
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Post by RWU on Sept 12, 2015 18:56:45 GMT -6
Secretary Kniov frowned at the President's insulting remarks, but he said nothing until he had sat down and listened to Sidow diligently. He lifted up a hand to refuse the offer of refreshments, not wanting to take his chances against a possible poisoning.
"The Revolutionary Workers' Union is happy to oblige," he replied with a smirk. "The Generals' time had passed, and now it is nearly the time of the Asteran People. Nearly." Kniov's lips curled in a small, wry smile. "I take it, as a Party committed to democracy, that the Asteran National Front will not interfere with the people's right to organize collectively as workers? And, of course, that the Party will not object to thorough investigations of the election, since you clearly have nothing to hide."
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Post by killer spork on Sept 12, 2015 19:04:38 GMT -6
'' I have been given a mandate from the people Ambassador. I intend to fulfill it. This Revolution has brought nothing but pain and suffering to the Asteran Worker and Family, I have no interest in it or supporting it. What I will not tolerate is the RWU continuing to stick its nose in Asteran affairs. The elections were conducted freely and the army as far as I know has not been accused of vote rigging. Ms. Vos has challenged the results in court and I am expecting a judgement any day now from the Electoral Commission to determine if there were any irregularities wort investigating. Regardless, I am the legitimate President of the Union of Asteron. I would prefer if we could move our relationship forward in a productive manner, if not... '' A long pause... '' then I suppose we will have no choice but to sever relations. ''
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Post by RWU on Sept 12, 2015 20:57:21 GMT -6
"You've been given a mandate by the international bourgeoisie, you mean to say, correct?" Kniov countered. He chuckled and shook his head slowly. He would have liked to simply spurn the false President, but he couldn't entirely throw out the opportunity for a potentially beneficial arrangement.
"If you wish to move forward in a productive manner, you will have to prove you are not intent on crushing the Asteran peasants and workers under the heel of your class interests. Complete freedom of association and self-organization for all Asterans, and most importantly a promise not to expropriate the cooperatives and collectives, or destroy the unions, for capitalist accumulation. At the very least, the peasants who already control their own fields and the workers who already control their own facilities cannot be forced into subjugation and wage-slavery. If you can agree to such terms and keep them, I cannot promise you friendship, but I can surely convince the Union Council not to consider your government an Enemy of the People. In other words, our differences can be resolved in the political arena rather than the bush."
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Post by killer spork on Sept 13, 2015 6:34:34 GMT -6
'' I will agree not to breakup current RWU organized unions but I will not allow them to spread any further. Nor will your agents be given sanctuary here. If they are caught operating on Asteran soil, I will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law... and if you were ignorant of the punishment for spying, Mr. Kniov, then let me enlighten you. It is death. '' Hah! Hypocrite! Sidow found it interesting that the communist was willing to lecture his capitalist counterpart, but as long as he there was a profit to be made, then he wasn't willing to completely abandon the relationship.
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Post by RWU on Sept 13, 2015 14:48:03 GMT -6
"Our agents have always acted in full legality," Secretary Kniov pointed out sharply. He would not let Sidow get away with twisting the narrative. "But I am not referring to them alone. I am referring to the right of the Asteran masses to organize their own unions and associations, which also means the right of Asteran workers' cooperatives and peasants' collectives outside of RWU-aligned unions to keep their hard-won means of production. In other words, any attempts at imposing economic 'privatization' on social property will be seen as a threat to the Revolution.
"Furthermore, we demand that you order the release of all political prisoners recently arrested by the police and military. The right to protest is one even the basest of bourgeois democracies are bound to recognize."
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Post by killer spork on Sept 13, 2015 16:52:26 GMT -6
'' Your agents acted within full legality when attempting to preach unapproved unions to Asteran soldiers? The only reason they weren't arrested was because of the diplomatic repercussions. Such conduct will not be tolerated by my administration, whether you call it legal or not. '' Sidow folded his hands together, his voice softening.
'' Mr. Kniov, I am acting within the full confines of the law, that is a local issue for the courts to decide upon. Rioters and vandals will be prosecuted. I am willing to release prisoners that were held over from the previous regime, but only if the Red Guard show signs that they are willing to negotiate, disarm, and enter the political process. Furthermore, I will make no pledges or promises to you. I made a promise to the Asteran People that I would introduce liberal economic reforms. For too long, the state has strangled private enterprise and used its monopoly on the factory line to impose its will on the people. But I will make no moves to disband union. Workers should have rights and should be protected. But, as I said, I am bound by the law. I am not a tyrant or dictator, like Ambrose or the military junta that came before me. ''
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Post by RWU on Sept 13, 2015 19:07:59 GMT -6
"It is the soldiers' and the workers' right to choose whether or not to join our unions," Kniov parried, this time with more venom. "If an organizer can be arrested simply for talking to people and handing out union cards, then any freedom of assembly you claim to respect is a farce." The RWU Asteran leaned in onto the President's desk, looking him intently in the eye, and pointed a finger at him like some sort of gun.
"Don't make big claims you can't back up, Mr. Sidow," he began icily. "Forty-nine percent of Asteran voters voted for Syndicalism, and the other fifty-one voted either out of alienation from Military-Command "Syndicalism" or for the only candidate they could see in the news. Don't think for a moment that your bourgeois technocratic government represents the working masses. Don't even try to argue that your plans for Asteron involve anything other than enriching your class comrades while keeping the proletariat as it was under the junta. You would sooner bury yourself alive than see a society where the common folk truly rule themselves in the workplace and in the Capitol. Or, if you believe we are mistaken about what the ANF stands for, prove us wrong."
Kniov then leaned back and took a deep breath, allowing his body to relax once again. His lips returned to their wry, smiling state. "We know who you are and what you stand for, Mr. Sidow. The only reason the RWU is even considering recognizing your billionaire-class regime is because we do not wish to see another war in Asteron. On that point and that point alone, the workers and the capitalists agree."
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