Bucharest Peace Conference

[Sabriel]

Catharine listened to her translator and flashed a cold smile to Zhang Ying. "I would be more than pleased to assist the dictator's victims in ensuring he is punished to their satisfaction."

[Markus Wilding]

"Atlanta is more than willing to support a people's trial of Horia Sima," Secretary Sharp said, nodding. "Furthermore," he added looking pointedly to the Korean ambassador, "Atlanta's aid was conditional on the basis that the Romanian United Front include a greater number of Socialist and Communist militias. As mentioned, we have not seen evidence to support this condition, and we are rightfully concerned, given past Romanian actions, of widespread Socialist oppression in the new government. But, this is rather fundamental - what terms and concessions does the Romanian government agree to?"

[Niobium2]

Atanasiu nods as the representatives speak and hopes of regaining Moldova and Sima begin to slip through his fingers. Thus, it is with some irritation that he considers Colin Sharp. Despite this, his face remains civilly placid as he addresses his response.

"As the Korean ambassador has pointed out, the sort of totalitarianism characteristic of the USSR must never return to any part of Romania. That is not to say Romania does not mean to be progressive; it is true that communist partisans opposed the fascists throughout the duration of the civil war. The constitution will have strong protections for unions and workers, and compel the government to break up monopolies. Mind you, the people of Romania fought for democracy, and so their governance will be determined by their consensus. Freedom of the press and of speech seem to be the most valiant principles of democracy, although denial of the crimes of Sima will not be tolerated. Mind you, the SRA will be paid in full for the equipment they lent us to topple him."

"Seeing as there seems to be a consensus on Moldovan agency, Romania will consent to this, if we may jointly oversee a fair referendum. There are many Romanian nationals who have settled in the Moldovan territory between the wars. They too must be included in the referendum."

"As for Sima himself, Romania will take no part is such barbarous medieval torture. We are above the fascists only so long as we do not become them. If Sima were given over, he would be tried thoroughly for his crimes, convicted, and civilly executed, by his own people. The same will happen to all others who had a part in his crimes, such as Florian Marinescu, who originated the heinous acts against Victorian aid workers. There is no purpose served by foreign forces turning the villain into a martyr."

"If the SRA will not consent to this, then I believe we are done."

[Cataphrak]

"You know, there is certainly room for compromise here," Carton de Wiart said softly. "The existence of a Communist Party need not be antithetical to the principles of liberal democracy."

Zhang Ying wasn't quite sure what she was hearing. Judging by the expression of Jin Kaoyun sitting next to her, she doubted he was quite sure either. Carton de Wiart's anti-communist credentials were impeccable. He'd spent years in Eastern Europe in the 20s and 30s at the height of the so-called "Red Scare", training the armies of the Poland and the Baltic States in their ultimately doomed attempt at resisting Soviet aggression. It had even been said that when the Red Army had invaded Poland in 1939, he had been waiting for them in a Polish country estate with a loaded shotgun, and that only the intercession of the British government had stopped him from making an appropriately gallant last stand.

But no, here he was, arguing for the existence of a Communist Party of Romania.

"-such a party would be able to win elections and form a government, and do all the other things a political party ought to. And perhaps, to ensure that such affairs stay that way, we might make certain assurances in this new constitution of yours? To ensure its legitimacy?"

He turned to the others gamely, a pleasant, almost grandfatherly smile on his face. "We could accept that, couldn't we? Gentlemen? Majesty?"

[Markus Wilding]

"Mr. Atanasiu," General Carson said, "all due respect, I do not believe that Romania is in a position to be making demands from the Socialist Republics."

"Most of the representatives here have agreed to the people's trial," Secretary Sharp added. "Including those of us who have done more than our fair share of the burden of engaging and destroying the fascist brigades. Furthermore, I believe that we are all in agreement in principle to Moldovan agency, but there seems to exist some confusion regarding the translation of the terms I used. Does Romania truly believe that Moldovan autonomy need be exactly the same as the former Soviet Union's, or that we implied such a thing? Atlanta has laid out only two conditions - Moldovan regional autonomy, and broader Socialist involvement in the new government. If you should find American requests disagreeable, sir, we would be more than happy to turn Sima over to Victorian authorities for them to conduct his punishment as they see fit."

General Carson shifted his weight in his seat, clearing his throat. "One more thing. You say you don't want to become the fascists. I like to imagine the fact that there is currently not a combined Chinese, Korean and American army standing outside this room to be point positive to that effect. If your government even hinted of fascism, sir, then we wouldn't be sitting here discussing such a thing."

[Alucard Tobor]

"I do believe General de Wiart makes a valid point." Kohler cut in, side-eyeing the American group. "If the people of Romania - and Moldova - wish to be governed by socialism, then let them vote upon it."

"And it is worth noting," Sim took up the thread, "That while Romania has managed to eliminate its fascist elements - at least, the most obvious and powerful ones - all countries must be vigilant of the threat of fascism. History would indicate that taking freedom for granted is a poor idea, at best."

[Niobium2]

"I agree with Mr. Sim." Atanasiu replies. "I do not hope, Mr. Sharp, that there is an imminent danger of fascist resurgence. I will do everything in my limited power to root out the last vestiges of the National Front. Of course, there will always be some loyalists to Sima and his ideology, those who will lurk in basements to conspire against the stability of the democratic regime and form societies in the vein of his same evil. Battling against such remnants will be harder if Sima is executed barbarously and by foreign forces. If I understand you - and, er... General de Wiart - you suggest that the SRA may be willing to grant us Sima in exchange for certain involvement in the drafting of the constitution and insurance of socialist liberty by the SRA itself?"

"I must emphasize that I do not hold the crimes of the Soviets against the Americans, Mr. Sharp. And given the debt we owe to your country, I would even be inclined to agree to such involvements as you propose, if it would mean the traitor could be executed by Romania. However, such a victory would be moot if we were forced to execute him in the barbaric fashion Victoria has demanded."

Atanasiu turns towards Queen Catherine, watching the SRA's representatives attentively.

"Your Grace, Sima has committed many of his most heinous crimes against your people. I mean in no way to lessen the significance of the mass murder of peaceful aid workers committed by fascist troops. I mean in no way to lessen this, when I say that the traitor must not die by the savage retribution you have demanded. We will not tarnish this fresh democracy with cruel and unusual torture, even of the most deserving and despicable criminals. Any length I might go to in order that your people might feel justice done, I will do so, even if that means flying up the families of victims to personally witness the trials of those that murdered their kin."

"If you will not yield in your demands, than your Grace and you, Mr. Sharp, must execute Sima. Such would be to the detriment of Romanian democracy, and so accordingly we would not be particularly grateful. If you will relent, he will be subjected to democratic justice along with his cabinet - and he will die all the same."

"And the concessions the SRA desires would be granted."

[Sabriel]

Catharine's face split in a wide smile as she faced the Romanian delegate. "You keep calling my justice barbaric and savage. What am I to think, that you openly refer to the ways of my nation like this?"

She let out a soft laugh and leaned toward the man, "I believe I was quite clear in what will happen with this petty dictator. I was quite clear even before he made his choice to attack the Red Cross, that any such action would result in severe chastisement. Do you truly think I am someone who does not hold to my word?" She laughed again. "Sima will burn. The only question that needs to be asked is whether he will burn alone, facing justice, or whether my Seraphim will enact Judgment on whatever city is harbouring him."

[Niobium2]

With Victoria, the SRA, and Romania at an impasse, it seems that the future state of Romania has been decided. Moldova will hold a referendum on its own future as an independent or semi-autonomous state, overseen by Korea, China, Victoria, the SRA, and Romania combined, while Victoria will retain select areas. Horia Sima will remain in the hands of the SRA to be executed, and shall be tried in absentia in Romania, along with his cabinet. Romania shall appoint a committee to see through the immediate election of a parliament and prime minister, permitting the formation of a communist party for various partisans who opposed the fascists.

Atanasiu thanks the delegates for their time and war support. He has, unfortunately, failed to secure either Moldova or Sima, although with war-torn Romania perched in such a delicate position, he had few chips with which to barter.

(Unless anybody would like to add anything, this is the end of the conference.)

[Cataphrak]

EPILOGUE

"What was that?" Zhang Ying snarled incredulously her nominal superior as their diplomatic car left the conference. "If your standing instructions were the same as mine, we were supposed to make sure the Communists held as little influence as possible."

Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart looked over with a beatific little grin. The old general had learned to stop correcting his junior's lack of military courtesy. Her rank aside, Zhang Ying would never be a "proper" soldier, and he supposed that was well and good enough. It seemed to him that both their times had passed now. "I assure you," he replied, "I am quite certain that I have fulfilled our orders to the letter."

"By putting the Communists in government?" Zhang Ying didn't like Communists much. Unlike most of China, she had seen what they had been like behind their sweet rhetoric and pretend camaraderie. When Mao had purged his "Yan'an Base Area" in '42, some of the escapees had joined her forces. She knew what they were, and she'd thought Carton de Wiart did too.

The old man in question shook his head and smiled. "My dear Colonel, have you ever seen a Communist Party actually try to function in a government where they actually have to answer to other people? I have. It's not a pretty sight. If they ever make it into a governing coalition, they will either run themselves into the ground and become a bad joke within five years, or they will have to compromise so heavily that they will become little more than trade unionists with red stars on their hats. I can guarantee it, madam."

Of course he could, Zhang Ying thought. in Five years, the old man would probably be dead. As for the rest of them...