The History of Free Norway
This history begins not with Norway, as one would expect, but with Prussia. In 1887, the Prussians tested a new Astronef, utilizing technology that was still in the formative stage, stolen from native Martians and the British formula for Cavorite. The massive vessel, while the largest ever built, was almost entirely space for transportation of men and goods, and was to be the next stage in Teutonic efficiency for moving armies to Mars to help with efforts there. Something went badly wrong. Originally christened the "Fatherland", the vessel crashed during a lightning storm over the mountainous spine of Norway. The Prussians were unable to recover it, as they could not admit that it existed, due to the stolen technologies used in its creation. They decided that there was not enough left of it to worry about, and left it where it was.
The astronef was discovered by a native Norwegian scientist in 1889 who had been schooled in the best British universities, and had only recently returned from the university in Cologne. He had heard rumors of a failed experiment crashing in the mountains of Norway, and decided to search for it. His success had been supported by cousins of the old line of Kings in Norway, who then began gathering as many people as were willing to leave, and had some mechanical training. In 1892, the vessel was rebuilt, and ready. Rechristened the "Frigga", she awaited her crew. While she was being repaired, teams of Norwegian commandoes had been put in place in British aeronef factories in Scotland, German factories in Cologne, Swedish factories in Stockholm, and Belgian factories in Antwerp. They infiltrated the factories as workers, learning all they could about the manufacture and repair of the vessels, and when the signal came via telegraph, they were ready. Each team stole as many Aeronefs as they could handle safely, and set off for Norway. Upon their arrival, the Frigga launched for Mars, and none of the major powers was able to stop her. The Prussians managed to stop 2 of the 5 stolen Aeronefs, and the British 3 of the 7 stolen from her yards, but the Norwegians lived up to their Viking heritage, and took 7000 of their own men, women, and children besides.
Upon launch, the scientist was crowned King, and he took the name King Olav I, of the Monarchy of Free Norway. The Norwegians steered their vessel to the northern pole of Mars, where the cold had prevented most natives from settling heavily. When they landed though, they ran into one major problem - Green Martians. After an initial battle, which ended in as much a draw as anything, the King entered into negotiations. His daughter went with him as well as many other officials. They managed to form an alliance, but the exact details were never made public. Afterwards, his daughter changed her name to Princess Freyja, and insisted that the capitol city be called Brisingamen, which it was.
The state of Free Norway is now a minor power on Mars, and has continued growing. The Frigga has made several more trips to Earth, picking up disaffected Norwegians, and more stolen vessels and technology. Their alliance with the Green Martians seems secure, and they have begun trade with the cities of Helium, as they have managed to earn John Carter's respect due to their stubborn refusal to quit, and ingenuity in the face of overwhelming odds.
31 July 2008, 08:55:31 PM