Cold War Rivals in a New World

Teaser for Chapter 11

Greenhamptington, The Muan Capital, October 12th, 1990

Since the arrival of the Soviet Union and the US, Muan society had changed quite a bit. While the culture shock was significant at first, it had now become normal to see American and Soviet tourists that were fascinated with the british looking cities and towns.

On the road, Ladas and American car models were becoming more and more common, gradually replacing Muan and Milishial domestic models.

The national railroad system had been slowly electrified, with noisy and smoking steam locomotives being replaced on most routes with electric ones, which was quite a sight to behold, with locomotives from the 70s and 80s pulling wagons from the 1920s and 30s.

In the air, things were changing too.
One Muan company, Muan Electric, had bought a copy of the Boeing B-29, and modified it to fit all sorts of roles, from cargo and passenger transport, bomber, as it was originally, and a testbed for secret Muan air force programs.

In terms of consumer goods, the market was changing as well. The hamburger quickly became a smash hit all over the Muan Empire, no matter the social standing or age, with local variations emerging everywhere. Among the wealthier, Beef Stroganoff was quickly becoming a favourite, while among the middle class, Pelmeni, or dumplings, became a ubiquitous dish.

When the first cats arrived in the Muan Empire, they were met with confused stares, since no one there had seen a cat before. Nevertheless, cats quickly claimed their place in many households, and even in the medical field, where they provided hospital patients with comfort through their suffering, while in the air force, it was not uncommon to see a cat becoming a squadron mascot.

In the Holy Milishial Empire, politicians and citizens alike were much more averse to American and Soviet culture, seeing it as weak, perverted and a distortion of man.

Conspiracy theories claiming the US to be in control of extraterrestrials ran rampant there, with the existence of exotic aircraft such as the YF-23 and SR-71 being used as "evidence". The supposed end goal of the claimed extraterrestrial government was the "perversion of all humans".

The Soviets were even more disliked because of their economic system, and claims that Gorbachev was an alien, with the birthmarks on his head supposedly confirming the claim. These conspiracy theories lead to an isolationist stance prevailing throughout the entire political spectrum.

While American and Soviet culture had mixed success abroad, there would soon be another opportunity.

31st of December 1990, somewhere above the sea near the Muan Empire.

"Engines 1,2,3,4,5,6, check."

"Nominal operation."

"Radio, check."

"Nominal operation."

"Computers check."

"Nominal operation".

A giant airliner was flying along the Muan coastline above the thunderclouds it had just broken through. Operational procedures required a full systems check by the crew after flying through any adverse weather.

"Navigator, give me the course. Any corrections needed?" asked the copilot.

"The course is clear, no corrections needed. ", the navigator replied.

Flying now at 13 kilometers altitude and with the sunlight behind them, the crew could relax and enjoy the view, with danger nowhere to be seen.

NORAD, however, definitely saw them as danger, and scrambled a flight of two F-15Cs and a KC-135.