Skyhook Gateway completed.

The situation for the incumbent Russian Nationalist government is becoming almost untenable. As a way of diverting the masses' minds from their grievances, the President decides to invite the Romanovs to return to Russia and restore the Tsar as a constitutional monarch (based upon the British monarchy) rather than the autocratic tyrant that Nicholas II was.

2018.07.18 [Russia] 100 years and 1 day after his predecessor's murder, billionaire Alexis Iosifovich Romanov is crowned Tsar Nicholas III, emperor of all the Russias. The former president becomes prime minister. In September the Tsar hosts a convocation of the Orthodox church at St Petersburg. He announces the creation of the Tsar's Benefaction - a $100,000,000us trust fund to be used for the renovation of Orthodox Christian churches, throughout the CIS. Then in October, the Tsar begins his first royal tour to meet the people of the Commonwealth. During this Royal progress the Tsar's eagerness to use his position and influence to help his people becomes obvious. For example: in Kiev, he talks to a workers collective who want to buy their factory, but the banks have no faith in them, so the Tsar personally loans the collective the money they need. In Minsk, Nicholas refuses to allow the non-completion of a modern children's hospital due to lack of funds and pays for it himself. Acts like this are seen almost everywhere he stops.

Backed by a wave of public support the Presidents of Belarus and the Ukraine invite the Tsar to become the Head of State of their republics; Nicholas accepts. Later in the year the Baltic republics - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania follow their example. The southern, mainly Islamic, states resent the Tsar's blatant support of the Orthodox Christian church and are decidedly unimpressed by him.

The United States of America designs and deploys a series of armed, military spaceships. These are the first warships in space.

Colony established on Earth's Moon.

The Tsar continues his mainly charitable work, although much of his business empire is gradually relocated from Western Europe to the Ukraine and the other western republics. Although much of the Tsar's popularity has rubbed off onto the government, it is still unpopular and demonstrations against it occur repeatedly in Moscow. Rumours circulate Moscow regarding the eldest son, Constantine, and his "habits". They are suppressed by the government. The next twenty years are a time of popularity for the Romanovs and good economic fortune for Russia.

The leaders of the extremist group responsible for the assassination attempt on Nicholas III are kidnapped, smuggled into Russia and handed over to the regular police for trial. Media investigators dub the Tsar's shadowy group, the "Okrana" after Nicholas II's secret police. The Kremlin decides to turn a blind eye to their existence.

First EC and EUAR colonists/exploreres arrive on Mars.

After the destruction of Israel in 2027 and threat of a new world war centered in the Middle East, the colonies on the Moon and Mars {PRM, TBA} received a massive influx of people looking to escape a troubled Earth, and willing to build new worlds. The colonists consisted of refugees from war-torn (and also non-existent) nations as well as nervous members of the worldwide elite. Over the next decade, the Moon became "the new Switzerland" as people began transferring their money to off-Earth institutions.

Following Israel's destruction, the Ukraine accepts thousands of survivors, having the necessary infrastructure to deal with long term radiation sickness following the disaster at Chernobyl in the twentieth century. Rumours abound that the Tsar recruits some of the Mossad survivors as advisors/trainers for his Okrana.

The Okrana uncovers a communist plot to replace the Tsar with his more pliable son, Constantine, as a stepping-stone to once again removing the monarchy, this time permanently. The Heir Apparent's involvement cannot be proved. The government covers-up the plot and the traitors quietly disappear

Ambrose Polytechnic introduces the "Ambrose Power Cell". This became the heart of the HydroMagnetic Turbine (HMT) power plant commonly found on military vehicles. It produces an enormous amount of power for its size. It also has the benifit of being non-poluting.

In Russia, Tsarevich Joseph marries the English Princess, Mary, in the new Cathedral of the Holy Mother in Sevastopol.

The Tsar's first grandchild, Peter, is born to Tsarevich Joseph and Princess Mary.

Russia exceeds its quota of colonists allocated by the Vanuatu Accord by three times, there is some unhappiness from the other signatories but as they are having great difficulty in filling their quotas they turn a blind eye. {PRM, TBA} 99% of the Russian colonists are poor unemployed industrial workers, forcibly re-located by the Romanov government. The New Russian Democratic Party (NRDP, basically a Communist organisation, finds many recruits amongst the disgruntled colonists.

The destruction of Delhi triggeres a second wave of immigrants to the off-planet colonies. As the second most inhabitable world in the solar system, Mars became the destination of choice. By now, mining operations were being conducted in the asteroid belt. Soon, permanent colonies would be established on Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, and other asteroids as at first prospectors, then the new multi-planetary corporations, sought to collect valuable deposits of ice, metal, and frozen gases. {PRM, TBA}

Initial surveys of the asteroid belt are made.{PRM, TBA}

Another attempt is made upon the Tsar's life. This time the assassin is killed by the Okrana.

A general strike by the Russian Mars colony organised by the NRDP forces the Russian government to transport more hi-tech items to the Russian Martians.

Tsar Nicholas III dies suddenly. Foul play is suspected, but nothing can be proved.

With world Jewry in ongoing crisis, a small group of religious and social leaders slowly and painfully begin an attempt to comfort and re-unify a broken people. Among them are representatives of most major branches of Judaism, organized by a council of Rabbis and led by Yitzchak Avital (US), Efraim Feinberg (EC), Sarah Mendelovich (US), Daniel Cohen (Russia).

Prince Joseph hears of his brother's excesses and attempts to reason with him. For his efforts, the Tsar banishes Joseph to the Ukraine, forbidding him to return to Moscow on pain of death. Shortly after this the Duma empowers itself to sit for another five years without re-election. The Okrana officially disbands itself, disgusted by Constantine's antics. Most of the "agency" manage to reach Joseph in the Ukraine, here they unofficially resume their role in his service.

Borneo is overrun by IC. forces.

Asteroid G345 is boosted back to Earth orbit the first tangible benefit of the Russian asteroid mining program.

Constantine removes the Mayor of Moscow and appoints himself the Capital's ruler. The Duma ratifies his decision unanimously.

First shuttle manufactured on Mars.

Foreign Correspondents in Moscow dub the city "a place of fear" as Mafia gangs rule the streets and Constantine and his cronies do as they will. In Belarus, the Ukraine and the Baltic Republics, opposition politicians denounce Constantine as an evil dictator and demand that he is removed from his position as their head of state.

The Russian Martians stop sending asteroids to earth pending payment. Russia stops supply flights. NRDP continues agitation, urging radical action on the Russian Martian Assembly.

Wanting to test the mettle of the Tsar, the Chinese revive long redundant border claims on Siberia. A militarisation within the area leads, almost inevitably to skirmishes, which quickly snowball into heavy fighting. Constantine orders Joseph to assume command. Once there Joseph reinforces the Army's faith in him by letting the Generals do their job. Throwing back the Chinese assault, Joseph prevents a counterattack instead arranging a cease-fire with the Chinese commander. The EC is asked to negotiate a peace settlement. China demands nothing less than total demilitarisation of Siberia. Against the advice of the Military, Constantine agrees. Joseph is ordered back to the Ukraine after arguing with Constantine over his decision. American President Jonathan Toughly makes his famous speech labelling the Russian Federation "financially and politically bankrupt". The Kaliningrad Council meets for the first time. It consists of the Prime Ministers of Belarus, the Baltic Republics and the Ukraine and the Chief of the Okrana. They resolve to persuade Joseph to depose Constantine.

The Russian Martian Assembly resigns en-mass under pressure from an increasing agitated population due to its failure to conclude a deal with Russia over asteroid deliveries. The NRDP declares a People's Assembly.

Communist leaflets begin to appear throughout Russia, calling for revolution, likening Constantine to a Nicholas II waiting to implement total autocracy and return the citizens to serfdom. In the main they are ignored, but in Moscow and the surrounding area they receive a sympathetic audience. An assassination attempt on Constantine, by the so-called "True Okrana" fails. The government of Kazakhstan falls to a communist revolution. Despite pleas from his High Command, Constantine refuses to sanction an intervention. Colonel-General Vitaly Mikhailovich Rustov publicly labels the Tsar "an arrogant, spineless idiot" for his refusal. The next day, the members of the Russian High Command are executed for treason. The second "night of the long knives" is instigated by Constantine - a purge of Army officers who have made "disloyal" comments. Constantine appoints a new High Command more loyal to him.

The Brazilian firm 'Indústrias Do Armor De Aztec' introduced the next advance in the design of the GEV. They combined the HydroMagnetic Turbine (HMT) power cell with a powerful set of inine ducted fans (similar to a jet engine) to product what some have called the Ground Effect VTOL. The GEV used ducted fans to redirect the output of this powerful system in much the same way that the Harrier Jump Jet did in the late 20th century. The GEVs often would still employ skirts to gain the efficiency of Ground Effect, but they were no longer necessary to keep the craft aloft. The GEV had now overcome its biggest drawback, that of climbing steep hills.

There is a brief period of anarchy on the Mars Russian colonies. The NRDP splits into factions, those urging co-operation with their Chinese communist "brothers" and those claiming that Chinese communism is tainted by capitalism. There is little bloodshed and the episode is brought to an end when a small group of "true communist" NRDP men lead by Bobruisk Mackenov storm the colony control centre and proclaim the formation of the People's Republic of Mars (PRM). Mackenov re-names his faction of the now defunct NRDP to True Communist Party shortly after truncated to the Communist Party.

2047.02.18 [Russia] A coup, attempting to replace Constantine with Joseph, begins in Moscow. Initially unsuccessful, the revolution gathers support amongst the Military and 60% of the Army declares for Joseph, whilst the remainder mainly declare their neutrality and a handful of divisions declare for Constantine. Using these and the corrupt Moscow paramilitary police, Constantine manages to hold Moscow and the surrounding area from the revolutionaries' initial assault.
2047.02.25 [Russia] Joseph, appalled by the idea of a second Russian Civil War, calls for a cease-fire and a demilitarised zone of 100km around the capital. Both sides agree.
2047.03.02 [China, Russia] Seizing their chance the Communists incite a mass uprising amongst the citizens of Moscow and invite their fellow Communists, the Chinese, to come to their aid. Six divisions of Russian troops, previously undeclared and raised mainly in the Moscow area, defect to the Communists. Using sub-orbital aircraft, Chinese airborne troops arrive in Moscow within an hour of the counter-revolutionaries' request. Simultaneously, the Chinese launch their invasion of Russia. A blitzkrieg a assault from the north-western border of Kazakhstan is the main strike, with another heading north along the Urals to the Arctic coast, intending to cut Russia in half.
2047.03.05 [China, Russia] Outclassing their Russian opponents, the Chinese seize Volgograd within three days. Already beginning to partially mobilise due to the Russian internal strife, most of the world announces a full mobilisation of their Armed Forces. The Russian units that had declared for Constantine, arrest their CO's and the Tsar. He is surrendered into Joseph's custody.
2047.03.08 [China, Russia] In the Battle of Tambov (400kms south-west of Moscow), the largest armoured battle since World War II, Russian forces are decimated by the Chinese. Fighting occurs along the Ukrainian-Russian border as the Ukrainian Army attacks Chinese forces.
2047.03.10 The Chinese drive northwards reaches the Arctic Coast. Tsar Constantine is forced to abdicate and is removed to Kiev, under arrest to await trial for crimes against the people of Russia. Joseph succeeds Constantine as Tsar Joseph I.
2047.03.11 [China] Chairman Ziang, head of the People's Republic of China is assassinated by the Okrana.
2047.03.12 [China, Russia] The Chinese reach Moscow and link up with their forces there.
2047.03.15 [China, CIS, EC, Russia] The new Tsar makes his famous "they shall not cross this line" speech to the people of Russia, as the Russian Army pulls back to a defensive line drawn from the coast of the Caspian Sea, along the Caucasus Mountains to Grozny, north-west to Volgodonsk, then to Kursk, onto to Smolensk, then north east to Tver and finally north to Archangel. Neutral diplomats convey the Tsar's intent to use any weapon in his arsenal to protect this line, to the new head of the Chinese government. EC representatives inform the Chinese that they will support the Tsar in his cause.
2047.03.15 The new Tsar's diplomatic efforts pay off, as a British expeditionary force, supported by a Naval task force in the Baltic, lands in St Petersburg. At Ukrainian request German and French troops enter Ukrainian territory, while American Air Force planes fly into Lithuania and Latvia.
2047.03.19 For three days, the world has balanced on the brink of World War III. Finally a peace is forced upon a reluctant Tsar and Russian Military. The Tsar's "line that shall not be crossed" becomes the border between "Free Russia" and the newly formed EAU The United States agrees to provide UN badged troops to enforce the peace.
2047.03.21 The remaining surface elements of the Russian Pacific Fleet arrive in Pearl Harbour and surrender to the US Navy.
2047.03.22 The American troops arrive. For the rest of the year they allow refugees to escape the EAU into Free Russia, despite EAU protests.
2047.03.23 The Russian submarines from the Pacific Fleet arrive at the submarine base in Murmansk, having navigated Russia's northern coast under the polar icecap.
2047.04 Despite infrequent skirmishes on the new border, the peace is holding. The Kaliningrad Council meets with the Tsar and he makes the Kaliningrad Declaration, which founds the Hegemony of Romanov States (RH), by uniting Belarus, the Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Free Russia into a federation, is drawn up. Charges are also formally levelled against the Constantine.
2047.06 The American Supreme Court rules that although the Ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet are now the property of the EAU, the men of the Russian Navy should be repatriated to whichever state they wish to go to. Over the next few days 95% of the men declare for the Hegemony.
2047.09 The Second Iron Curtain begins to be "drawn" along the border between the RH and the EAU.
2047.10.20 Constantine Nikolaevich Romanov is found guilty of treasonable neglect in his duty to the People of Russia. The Court refers his sentencing to the Tsar.
2047.10.22 Tsar Joseph I hands down his historic decision. Constantine is to be executed.
2047.11.30 Constantine is executed at the Kaliningrad military prison, in an electric chair used for common criminals.

The first ever interplanetary war is fought between the fledgling EAU and the PRM. Despite having only two small armed freighters and some armed shuttles the PRM win by threatening to drop asteroids on Earth. Although saving their independence this action turns nearly every nation on Earth against the PRM. There are small skirmishes between PRM and EAU colonists.

The government of Free Russia names St Petersburg as its capital. The Republic of Georgia, threatened by the IF and its annexation of Georgia's neighbours Azerbaijan and Turkey, petitions to join the RH and is accepted.

Life in the PRM is hard as no supplies are forthcoming from any of the Earth nations.

EC colonists launch their first probes to the Asteroid belt. {PRM, TBA}

At his coronation in Tbilisi, the Tsar becomes Head of the Georgian State.

The US inspired Organisation of American States collapses and is replaced by the Brazilian/Argentinian dominated League of Latin American Republics (LLAR). The LLAR intimates that it will use force to recover territories occupied by "Colonial Powers". Britain advises that it will use any weapons in its arsenal to protect its subjects in the Falkland Islands. The LLAR backs down.

The Philippines are conquered by Indonesia and assimilated into the new Indonesian Commonwealth (IC). Japanese naval units act to protect the Gilderstein Foundation’s installation from IC aggression.

In response to the growing IC threat, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and a number of South Sea Island states federate to create the Oceanic Union (OU).

Taking advantage of the collapse of the US the PRM annexes the very small US Martian colony which provides a useful influx of skilled technicians and hi-tech gear. The haul is limited due to waning US support for the colony as the US economy plummeted. {PRM, TBA} Hoping to take advantage of the fact that the PRM militia are tied up with the annexation of the US colony {PRM, TBA} the EAU launches a surprise attack against the PRM. After initial EAU successes, PRM superiority in shuttles eventually forces the EAU to withdraw.

International Antartic Science Organization (IASO) founded. IASO purchases many of the polar islands.

Reinhart Wilcom becomes the first Prime Minister of the newly formed Nue Boer Commonwealth (NBC).

EAU refueses to acknowledge IAS. It fires all scientists with IAS citizenship and denies having sold its polar holdings to the IAS. PAU and EC deport IAS scientists to LLAR and OU. LLAR AND OU deport the refugees to IAS. The scientists of the world stop reporting results in protest. 135 days later, the International Artic Trade and Research Agreement is signed.

The first EC attempt to send an asteroid home ends in disaster as it breaks up under the pressure of the drive.

The EAU starts building the first orbital battle station designed to defeat incoming asteroids.

Due to the failure of its colonists to successfully move an asteroid the EC signs a deal with the PRM to supply asteroids.

The PAU launches its first mission to the asteroids. PAU immigration picks up.

The LLAR declares that the AC has no mandate to rule over the ex-Hispano-US peoples and decrees California, New Mexico and Texas as LLAR territory under foreign occupation and launches an invasion of these areas. The fifteen year War of the Americas starts.

Fearing that their monopoly is about to be broken and that the increased PAU immigration may make a second power on Mars, the PRM invades the PAU colonies. {PRM, TBA}

edited by Jerry Han