The Last Story on Earth Series

**The Last Story on Earth Series** is an ongoing series of social media posts from *Paradise Lost* developer PolyAmorous, featuring fictional historical documents that illustrate the alternative World War II setting of the game. A variety of documents are released every Monday and Thursday, including international newspapers, personal letters and notes, military reports, resistance intel, and underground newspapers of the Polish resistance.

## The End of Coal (December 12, 1938)

Various signs seem to indicate that in the near future, coal deposits, as a source of all energy, will be completely exhausted.

Man will cease laboring to extract heavy coal from the ground. Coal, in its current form, will disappear completely, and large industrial cities, dirty and eternally saturated with coal dust, will see their faces change beyond recognition. The problem of providing the world with an unlimited amount of cheap energy will soon be solved. Molecular energy will be released and harnessed. In half a liter of water there is an amount of energy potential equal millions of horsepower. This Nuclear energy!

## April 1939

The Potential of Nuclear Fission Technology in Military Applications

## For Radio Broadcast

So it is to be war! As of today, all other matters and issues will fade into the background. We must all put our lives, public and private, to the side as we enter this period of war. We must all be soldiers. The entire effort of our nation must be for one purpose alone - to fight for victory!

## Turkey Joins the Tripartite Pact (September 10, 1940)

Last night the Fascist party, currently in power in Turkey, joined the Tripartite Pact with Germany, Japan, and Italy. Government leaders insist that this is a peaceful action and that their only intention is to be able to enact a swift solution to their social-economic crisis with the aid of the Fascist perspective.

Martial law has been declared and the Cabinet has issued an appeal to the country, urging citizen to remain calm.

## Roosevelt Reelected! (November 5, 1940)

Upon his reelection, President Roosevelt bolstered the country with these words,

"The destiny of America was proclaimed in words of prophecy spoken by our first President in his inaugural address in 1789—words almost meant for, it would seem, this year of 1941: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment intrusted to the hands of the American people."

## Roosevelt Takes Action Against Japan! (August 1, 1941)

Despite being the head of a country holding very pacifistic views at the moment, President Franklin D. Roosevelt has imposed an embargo on oil and other product exports to Japan. Is this a step towards war for the US? Will the Japanese take steps towards retribution for this action? Read out political specialist's review on page 2!

## Jonas's letter

Dearest mother,

I hope this letter finds you all in good health. I miss everyone so much. Kiss little Gerda from me!

We're getting closer to our new life with each passing day. I've already met so many amazing people. And your favorite singer is here pm the train with us. Can you believe it? The pictures don't do her justice at all and her beautiful voice is even sweeter in person.

Wagner has a cart all to herself that no one else can enter, not even the train personnel. I'm happy to let you know that she's a polite, warm person, without a hint of the poshness you would expect from someone so famous. She sings in the evenings and we go near her cart and open a window to listen. It makes me think of my childhood. Do you remember, mother? Those warm afternoons, us gathering around the gramophone.

If the journey has been so lovely so far, everything will surely only get better. I'm looking forward to supporting my country in any way I can can. I can't wait to reach the Colony and work with everyone to make this project a success. There are so many opportunities ahead of us. Maybe I'll quit smoking.

Stay strong! The future us bright.

Love,

Jonas

## Note

I though I was pretty good at recognizing the symbols of tribes and clans from throughout the land but I cannot figure out where these icons are from. It's a weird mix of old and new, as if legends from our distant past had technology from the future. If that sounds weird, I know, but I can't think of any other way to describe it.

How is it possible that I've never seen any of this before?

## Letter

Hello again. I hope you got my last letter and everyone is in good health.

We finally got to the train station today and what a place it is! I've never seen anything so incredible! I wish you could see how huge it is—it's like all the buildings in our town out together.

It's not only massive, but it look more like a palace than a train station. It's like the world's richest man lives here. Everything is new and shiny and just...amazing. I don't quite understand how it all looks new and nice—it is a train station, after all—but my words just can't describe how impressive it is.

But what's not all. Not far from the train station is this, well, I'm not sure what to call it. I guess it's like a bunker. I can see part of it but apparently most of it is underground. People say it's enormous, even bigger than the train station. I've asked a couple of people about the bunker but no one wants to answer me. I don't know why. It's strange, almost like you're not supposed to talk about it.

I went to get inside but haven't been able to so far. I'll write again soon and tell you all about it.

## 1942

Order — A request from the Republic of Poland's government in exile in London to the Home Army troops located in Poland:

In connection with the German's planned, massive offensive in Africa, all actions should be taken to prevent the enemy from concentrating troops. In particular, focus would be given to sabotaging railways and military supply facilities.

## Moscow Falls To The Germans! (December 7, 1943)

Mr. Bullitt, the American Ambassador to Russia in Moscow, has remained in the capital to help with the orderly transfer of power in the city. Early yesterday morning he telephoned to Washington to say: "The Germany Army is inside the gates of Moscow. The city is quiet."

Mr. Anthony Biddle, the former United States Ambassador to Poland, currently in Vladivostok, sent on the message to the United States State Department in Washington. It was the first official news of the fall of Moscow.

Several hours later the Germans began their rejoicing. From the Fuhrer's headquarters came 2 special announcement announcing the "complete collapse" of the Russian line and the German occupation of Moscow. The Fuhrer's headquarters also issued an order for flags to be flow throughout Germany for the next three days, and that church bells should ring for 15 minutes.

This order was read over the German wireless followed by three minutes of silence, ending with the playing of "The March Into Moscow," which was "specifically composed for the occasion."

## The Death of Stalin (December 21, 1943)

To the Working People of the Union of Soviet Republics!

As you probably know, our beloved Leader, an extremely great man, has died. Although his great spirit was cheerful, his body could not withstand the stresses of the ongoing war and the problems that affected him as much as any worker of the USSR.

Oh great leader, I Lavatrii Beria I will continue Your Great Work to finally push the fascist invaders out of Mother Russia!

## Soviet Union Telegraphy Service

According to autopsy results, Prime Minister Stalin's death did not occur due to natural causes. Caution is advised when dealing with the new First Commissioner Khrushchev.

December 21, 1943

## American Tanks Are On Their Way To Russia! (January 27, 1944)

Russia has joined the Lend-Lease program! Thanks to American steel and expertise, the M4 Sherman Tank will be defending the frontlines of the East against German invaders.

## Now In The Latest Edition Of Captain Tank! (May 13, 1944)

See how Captain Tank defends the front lines against advancing enemy forces. Thanks to his courageous actions and dedication, the Russians are retreating safely to the East! More on pages 3-4.

## April 10, 1944

Commissioners,

In the coming days, you must bolster the Soviet soldier with righteousness and hope! You must prepare them for a new battle that will end in our final victory. Tell them about the Mothers of Russia calling them to fight, the children for whose future they are fighting, and the fields full of grain and factories producing tractors for them to live out their fruitful future! Ensure that are prepared for operation "Spring Awakening".

You will face the consequences if they are not.

## April 11, 1944

Report On The Use Of Equipment Granted Under Lend-Lease Program To Soviet In Light Of Recent Military Operations

## April 20, 1944

Dearest mother,

Father always said to obey Authority. But I don't know who to listen to anymore. Before, the commissioners had said that it would be a quick victory. That we would strike with a quick victory. That we would strike with new equipment and quickly push the fascists as far as Moscow.

Meanwhile, it's already the second week and we have not moved further than a few meters. I don't know if

## April 25, 1944

Here lie the men of my squad who died in just one day:

The terrain their blood bought: 0.5 meters

## May 9, 1944

Reasons And Measures By Which The Goals Set In The Operation "Spring Awakening" Were Not Achieved.