Setting Jhamjarhistan Ablaze - Part the Ninth

Lev Davidovich Bronstein, better known as Leon Trotsky, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Red Army at the time of these momentous events which are taking place in Jhamjarhistan. Before the Great War, Trotsky had spent some time in London after escaping from exile in Siberia. He was writing for the revolutionary newspaper, Iskra (The Spark) alongside his Russian colleague, Vladimir Lenin.

During his sojourn in London, Trotsky met and had an affair with Lady Persephone Fotheringay-Featherstonhaugh , the wife of Sir Frobisher Fotheringay-Featherstonhaugh, the then Home Secretary. Lady Persephone fell pregnant and to avoid scandal, was taken away to the Swiss Alps where she gave birth to Arabella. Later returning to her position in society her daughter was accepted as a family member and grew up in the family home, Grey Gables in Ambridge, Borsetshire.

Trotsky was moving around a lot during the Great War as country after country deported him, first Switzerland, then France, Spain and eventually for a time the USA. He left New York after hearing the news that the February Revolution of 1917 had overthrown the rule of Tsar Nicholas II.

Leon Trotsky

Trotsky made secret enquiries about his daughter during the Civil War and discovered she had been educated at Roedean School and then on to Hilda Rumpole College, Oxford studying archaeology.

With Lenin ill, Trotsky’s influence and power was waning as his rival Joseph Stalin worked his devious machinations against him.

Trotsky’s agents in Tashkent have delivered the startling news that his daughter is in Jhamjaristan on an archaeological dig with her college.

Also, contained within this information are the rumours that the Golden Jhamjarh of Sticky Gods may be discovered in the vicinity. Trotsky rapidly comes to the conclusion that possession of the Golden Jhamjarh of Sticky Gods would restore the balance of power between himself and Joe Stalin. Indeed, perhaps put him ahead of the race to control the Comintern, should Lenin become too ill to fulfil his duties.

Accordingly, Trotsky sets out for Djelibad forthwith, with two aims in mind. He will reunite with his estranged daughter and also take the Jhamjarh for himself. As C-in-C Red Army, Trotsky has his own personal armoured train. Ordering steam up, the train departs Moscow’s Oktyabrsky Terminal for Tashkent. On board are Trotsky himself, the fearsome members of Trotsky’s personal train guard, plus one or two surprises, should he meet any opposition along the way.

To be continued...