For the Chinese community, Sun Tzu and Sun Wu were discussing different topics.

“Brother, are you sure you will be alright? Your “episodes” haven’t seemed to have gotten any better ever since you came back,” Sun Wu said with concern.

“I must do what I must do. The “episodes” do not matter,” Sun Wu replied.

“Attempting the challenge was a foolish decision. You should’ve known that. The others that went with you, we could have used in the Death Match Tournament.”

“They were too weak, their failure was on them.”

“You lost your will to fight for nearly 500 years! You barely made it out of there alive yourself, the others…”

“There is no use talking about that, brother. What’s done is done.”

“Fine, then what is your plan? Leading Italy to victory is going to be an uphill battle, even for you.”

“Not to worry, there is but one course of action for me if I am not able to secure any meaningful alliances, then I can only count on Africa to put me ahead.”

“Africa? Aren’t you pinning your hopes on that continent too much?”

“Perhaps-” Just then, Sun Wu fell over and fainted.

This did not surprise Sun Tzu. He had seen this time and time again from his greatest ally. It had been occurring on and off ever since he attempted Luca’s challenge, all those hundreds of years ago. “Looks like the challenge is still too much for the human mind to comprehend. I hope this doesn’t affect your performance in the solo match,” Sun Tzu said as he picked up Sun Wu off the floor and laid him to rest on the bed. He left without saying anything else.

Herbert Plumer was seeking an audience with one of the two queens of the British community, Queen Gwendolen. She was the most respected person in the British community. The way she had ruled over and fostered talents for generations had earned her the title of the absolute monarch.

“My Queen, it is nice to see you again after so long,” Herbert Plumer said with as much respect as he could.

“And you, my dear Herbert. What brings you here?” The Queen asked.

“I was hoping to talk some strategy with you regarding the solo match and if I could receive some feedback.”

“Oh? I suppose I can lend you my ears, at the very least. What have you got in store so far?”

“Seeing as I am going to be commanding the Chinese people, I thought it best to take it slow and hopefully not ruffle too many feathers. This time in China’s history is chaotic. I want to try and calm everything down before I make any of my moves.”

“This cautious plan of yours might come back to bite you. There isn’t much I can say. However, I will tell you one thing, Herbert. The reason that I had chosen you to focus more time on was, and is still because you are modest both in character and in your goals, you think things through, the risks you take are calculated well.”

“Um, thank you, my queen.”

“Let me finish. Unlike your peers in the same generation as you, you take the spot of the weakest strategist. But being a strategist is not just about fighting. It also has to do with the human aspect of war, something that is sorely lacking on this depraved planet. So, my only advice to you is to follow what you believe is right. That’s what makes you unique.”

“I understand, my queen.”

On the French side, Napoleon Bonaparte was talking to Marshal General Turenne about the solo match that was coming up.

“So what do you plan on doing with the Indians, Turenne?” Napoleon asked.

“What can I do? This position has far more disadvantages than advantages. For one, without Britain helping me out, I will almost certainly be one of the first to be wiped out,” Turenne responded.

“Well, being in disadvantageous positions has never stopped you from excelling before, I don’t see why this time is any different.”

“Heh, the way I see it, there are only a handful of options left open to me. Create alliances with Britain, and if that doesn’t work, hopefully, China will. Sort of an Asian Coalition thing. I do not have much hope for either of these outcomes. Something else I can do is to kick the British out first and then use national pride and governmental policy to kickstart an industrial revolution in India.”

“Oh, I like that idea. However, your political skills are...lacking. Are you sure you’re going to be alright?”

“What other choice do I have? Unless you’ve got some fantastic idea.”

“No, this is your fight. I won’t get involved in it. We are from different factions in France, after all. You being the sub-leader of the Marshal Generals of France faction and me being the leader of the Emperor’s faction.”

“You’re usually so domineering. Why are you acting so gentle for once?”

“You are one of the few people I respect Turenne, everyone else is not worth the time to change my attitude.”

“You had better watch carefully, Napoleon. After all, you will most likely be the one to participate in the solo match of the Death Match Tournament.”

“I know that. Trust me, I will be studying this simulation for centuries to come. I’m expecting a lot of outplays from some of the more disadvantaged players.”

“That the understatement of the afterlife.”

On the German side, Erich von Manstein was planning his strategy alone. He was the overall planner of the German community, so he didn’t need the input of the others. Manstein had been one of the commanding officers of Germany when World War II broke out. However, this time he would be commanding Greek forces. Something of a step down from his German roots.

If he wanted victory, he would first have to shore up his defenses considerably. His mastery over defensive strategies, plus the natural land defenses of the mountains made it so that defending wouldn’t be too hard. However, Greece was surrounded by water. If he didn’t have a sizable fleet by the time the war started, he wouldn’t stand a chance if someone decided to go at him full force.

The closest competitor to Greece was Sun Wu, who was leading Italy. All of the others were too far to make much of a difference in his grand scheme. Thus, an alliance with them wasn’t necessary. If he could secure a non-aggression pact with Sun Wu, then few other matters concerned his chances of making it to the top 6 at least.

On the Russian front, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov was talking with Georgy Zhukov about potential strategies.

“Canada, Canada, Canada. Why did it have to be Canada? I can’t believe I have to lead the Canadians to world domination!” Suvorov vented.

“Don’t fret, Suvorov. Your skill is leagues above most of the others. You have nothing to be afraid of,” Zhukov said.

“How can I not? The Americans are a powerful group, and they’re led by Suleiman. They have a knife to my throat right when the war begins.”

“That is tough, I will admit. However, given what my sources suggest, our technology should be well above what they have.”

“That is nearly irrelevant in this situation. The Americans have a manufacturing capacity 15 times that of Canada, on the conservative end. I daresay this is almost as bad of a starting position as Poland. Setting one of the most disadvantageous positions paired right next to the most advantageous positions...those Chinese sure know how to make it interesting.”

“Right, but Suvorov, there are but few options available to you now.”

“Unfortunately. It’s either cooperating with Suleiman or finding a way to take him out: assassination, or otherwise. Honestly, I don’t feel too confident about the former option.”

“Could you not perhaps-”

“-There are a million ways to fight a war. If you add politics into it, that number goes up to infinity. Fighting America using Canada’s forces is not even a David and Goliath battle, it is more akin to a pregnant cat fighting against a polar bear.”

“Then, we can only reveal our aces in this solo match, is that what you are saying, Suvorov?”

“Yes, Zhukov.”

“I am on board, but we still need 2 out of the other 3 to agree as well. Given our current state, I don’t know how willing they will be.”

“Then we can only make our case as strong as we can.”

“I suppose so.”

As for Maksim Mikhailovich Belov, he was making conversation with Nicholas Adam, the man who provided Baron’s group matches with some much-needed insight.

“Haha, Maksim, your position in Poland is laughable,” Nicholas teased.

“This is not a funny matter, Nicholas,” Maksim shot back.

“I know, I know, but you have to admit, it’s pretty funny. I mean, you are right in the middle of the conflict in Europe, and not only that, you don’t even have enough firepower to defend yourself that well. Plus, Poland was one of if not the first country to be conquered in the war.”

“Are you done making fun of me?”

“Haha, yea. I don’t usually get to see you in such desperate positions. I just had to.”

“Well, get your laughs out now because I have something that will boost my chances of winning; no matter how terrible the circumstances.”

“What did you have in mind, Maksim?”

“All I have to do is ensure that Poland is in no danger from invasion or even having the means to defend myself for a period of a few years after the war begins. My skills in espionage, politics, and propaganda will likely be of more use in this simulation than my military skills.”

“Hang on, do you plan on overthrowing the other contestant’s governments so that they won’t have a country/army to lead?”

“Precisely. Why would I use my military to win battles I can win using a little bit of ingenuity and public dissent? Half of the others likely aren’t even trained in politics and how to quell rebellions effectively. Once there is a tipping point, nothing will stop the masses. After all, a country that collapses from external wars can be revived, but those that fall from internal disputes are a lot harder to bring back.”

“Who will you start with then?”

“That...I have not yet decided on. Germany may be the closest one since Poland shares a border with them, but I can go with any country I like. I’m leaning towards starting small, perfecting my formula, then rolling it out with the other, more well-defended countries.”

“That’s brilliant, Maksim. Although I wonder how you will be able to defend yourself long enough for all that to be possible.”

“Don’t worry, the satellites that I have in my arsenal will allow me to track any armies that march towards me. As an added precaution, the unmanned drones and simple robotic soldiers that you have been developing these past few years will finally get their spotlight in this simulation. That should be enough.”

“Those blueprints hot off the press. I can't guarantee you anything, as I have not had the time to test most of it.”

“Not to worry, this will be their testing ground. I’ll make sure that I find a use for them, one way or another.”

“To set up these types of programs in only ten years...that will be a challenge, especially with the infrastructure in place for 1950’s Poland.”

“I don’t have much of a choice, do I? It’s either adapt or die.”