The First Amplector Conference (ATTN: Vapor)

[Servoth]

The First ever Conference of Amplector Nations and Associates: 1903

"As strong as Amplector has ever been through out the ages it has never been threatened by any outside force. It is a common repitition seen through out our history.

It began in the the earliest days of the Rothian Empire and foward. Never once could the Germanic Tribes that now occupy the areas that now make up Wirbel, Servoth, and Vitzenburg truly beat back the Rothian Centurions of the day. Nor could Dalruanazkal in holy war with the Empire destroy the strong standing knights.

Nor could the very ancient religious rebellions of the Mishmahigians stop the influence of the Rothian god, nor could the tribes of Promethia stop the explores of Amplector of their days. And even the pirates that once plagued the Imogen could stop Amplector in honor and force.

And when it comes to enemies of foreign influence, the East stands upon a single rope across a grand canyon, having just bearly left their solid standing upon the side opposite of ours. So you the reader my ask me, what is it that Amplector has to fear or ever fear?

Well, quite truthfully there is nothing to fear except Amplector itself. Our continent has only to be slain by itself. Our nations, our kingdoms, our empires, are danger to the era of peace which so shall shortly pass if we do nothing to prevent ourselves from destroying ourselves.

So what will they, our governments, do to curve such an event of momential death and destruction? Tis questionable, if impossible to imagine."

-Dr. Josef Firner, political analyst and advisor to the Servothian State Government, exert from Amplector in Weakness.

To the leaders of the nations of Amplector and the associate of the continent, the nation of Cygnar

It has come to the attention of the State that our loving land of Amplector may be in danger. From what some of you may ask? Simple to answer, Amplector. Peace may be currently upon us all, but no, still danger lurks in the shadows, the shadows which we all refuse to see. Old rivalries and feuds still have roots in our current society, and soon those roots will sprout again and crack the stone of peace which we stand upon now into pieces. We are dangers to ourselves. So the State has devised a plan to curve any incident of war between us and a group of peoples.

We the State as a whole propose a conference between the nations of Vitzenburg, Wirbel, Inoroth, Gratia Infinitia, Vjiay, Cygnar, Dalruanazkal, Fanaglia, and Averi to send representatives to our capital city of Imperia; or if you wish another city of your nation's choosing; to discuss the idea of constructing an orginization to oversee trade agreements and conflicts to a sure all goes well and to avoid any possibility of war and magnified conflicts, currently. And to avoid further possibilities of war in the future.

So to all nations which share of our continent and culture, we ask to come to this conference to discuss such an application.

Thank you for time,
Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX, Kaiser of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth

[Wirbel]

Kohlenstoffburg, Wirbel

Alexandra (Gräfin) von Frakorr handed a sheet of paper, just recently printed, to General von Kohlenstoffburg.

"This is from Kaiser Krauss IX of Servoth," said the Gräfin.

"Ahh, Kaiser Krauss! Finally a message from someone worthwhile," said Kohlenstoffburg. "Thank you Gräfin."

General von Kohlenstoffburg took the message from Kaiser Krauss and sat down in a chair and started reading. Then, when he finished, he began to compose a reply.

Official Message From Wirbel
Subject - The Meeting
To - Kaiser Krauss IX of Servoth
From - General Heinrich von Kohlenstoffburg of Wirbel

Due to the fact that your nation is powerful and shares some interests with me, I will be coming in person to the 'Amplector Conference'. I wish to create a stable alliance with you, Kaiser Krauss and your nation. Together our two nations are more powerful and can more easily defend against outside threats such as the east, and other nations in Amplector.

Now, I must arrange for transportation. Because the distance between Wirbel and Servoth is not that great, I would like to take a train from Kohlenstoffburg to Imperia. If you have any information on that, please tell me.

[Inoroth]

To Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX of Servoth
From King Victor Emanuel Vichero of Inoroth

I understand and agree with your assessment of our continent's precarious position. There are many rivalries and feuds between Amplector's nations, most notable is our own age-old stand off with the Alkurdians of Dalruanazkal. The peace we all cherish and expect totters on the edge; a single simple push from any direction could propell us over the brink. The facade of peace cracks if any pressure is applied.

It is thus with great curiosity that we inquire of your nation's plans to mitigate the potential crisis. Trade agreements and conflict mediation already exist, and the threat of conflict is still very real. Nevertheless, I am confident that it is more than these, and look forward with great anticipation to our meeting, where the thing can be more fully explained.

Until our next meeting,

King Vinchero, Ruler of All Inoroth

[Cygnar]

Sorry for poor letter formatting...

Offical Diplomatic Message from Cygnar
Authorized Message from the High Council of Lords

---

To: Servoth
From: King Raelthorne
Subject: Amplectoran Meeting of Nations

---

We, the peoples of Cygnar, may not be phisically present within the continent of Amplector, but our roots belong there. Historically, Cygnar has mostly been a Amplectoran nation rather than an eastern one. Our major trading and political alliances are also with Amplectoran powers, and therefore, we are deeply honored to participate in this meeting, with wishes not only to avoid civil war within Amplector, but also to further extend our positive relations with the powers of Amplector.


Expect me in the meeting,

King Leto Raelthorne, ruler and protector of Cygnar and her dominions

[Fanaglia]

Queen Autumn was playing badminton in the courtyard with Alice Dufresne when Miss Alans had come searching for her. She stood and watched their game with some interest, waiting patiently for them to finish before delivering the Servothian kaiser's message.

She watched young Alice, as she had for over twenty years, and was still bewildered that this child had become a grown, and beautiful, woman. It seemed only yesterday that Miss Nell had brought her to the palace, cold and malnourished, having been sleeping in a pile of sawdust behind a pub for Lord knows how long. She had intended for her to serve as a servant to the queen, but quite a special relationship had blossomed between them. Miss Alans suspected that Autumn saw in her the baby sister she had been robbed of when her biological younger sister succumbed to pneumonia at the age of two; she also knew that Alice, likewise, felt a similar attachment to Autumn.

Autumn had once told Miss Alans that, given the unlikelihood that she would ever bear a child of her own (she was approaching her fiftieth birthday and had still taken no husband), she would like Alice to succeed her on the throne. To her knowledge, though, this was still a secret to Alice.

"Blast it!" Alice cursed as the shuttlecock touched down on her side of the net following a backhanded near-miss.

"That's fifteen-thirteen, my game, darling!" Queen Autumn gloated.

"Bravo!" Miss Alans called, giving a gentle and friendly applause. Autumn gave an exaggeratedly dramatic bow in thanks. "I have a message from Kaiser Krauss, your majesty. He wishes for a meeting of all the heads of state of Amplector."

Autumn groaned. "In Servoth? Oh, well, why does he want us?"

"Says he'd like to establish some sort of organization to..." she adjusted her glasses on her nose as she quoted from the communiqué, "construct 'an orginization to oversee trade agreements and conflicts to a sure all goes well and to avoid any possibility of war and magnified conflicts, currently. And to avoid further possibilities of war in the future.'"

"Isn't that more or less what I proposed back in Ticciano all those years ago, when we first agreed to have the Railroad built?"

"Yes, it is. Perhaps peoples' sentiments have changed."

"Peoples' sentiments were not the issue. That Pelley's sentiments were. I wouldn't consider him a person -- more like a pillock." They both chuckled. "Very well. Let's get it over with. Maybe it will be an opportunity for an 'I Told You So.'"

"Perhaps Young Alice should come along on this one, your majesty."

"Why me?"

"You've been around her majesty and her business more than half your life, dear. I think it's about time you start learning what we really do when we're not here at the palace, where we can call people pillocks all we want."

"I think she's onto something, there, Alice," Autumn added. "That is, if you'd like to come."

Alice's eyes lit up. "I'd love to!"

"Very well; I'll send my reply right away," Autumn nodded.

Royaume de Fanaglia
Kingdom of Fanaglia
Communiqué Officiel Diplomatique
Official Diplomatic Communiqué

---

To His Imperial Majesty, Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth
From Her Majesty Autumn, By the Grace of God, Queen of Fanaglia

Old friend, I do believe that you are right -- while the current political climate of Amplector may appear peaceful and stable, only a fool would be unwary of such a dense concentration of mighty power. I most sincerely hope that any attempts at a new establishment are more successful than the Railroad Council has proven to be. You can expect me at the meeting, along with Lucy Alans, my agricultural advisor whom you have already met, and Alice Dufresne, a sort of student of mine. I look forward to seeing you again.

May the wind be always at your back,

Autumn, By the Grace of God, Queen of Fanaglia

[Vjiay]

“Oh bloody hell, why do these blasted nations’ insist on all of these conferences?”

Tobias Thorpe cut a frustrated figure as he read the telegram inviting the nations of Amplector to a conference. He flung the paper down onto his desk and stood up abruptly, almost flipping his chair as he did so.

Pinching his eyes and slouching, he paced around his office, huffing as he did so.

When he came to office, he had big boots to fill. William Pelly was the politician of the age. Standing for Vjiayan Liberty and its spreading around the world. Sure, he hadn’t had many fans on the international stage, but the Vjiayan electorate had loved him and, as a result, Tobias had to emerge from his rather rotund shadow.

He had similar dreams to Pelly, of course. He wanted the world to realise that, though not perfect, the Vjiayan way was the right way. Rather than pissing the world off though, he preferred the diplomatic approach, over the wire and through gestures. If he accepted with open arms the invitation of nations such as Servoth and Wirble, who, lets face it, were hardly the epitome when discussing individual rights, he would be branded a lacky and a sell-out by the people and slaughtered by the media. It’s not as if the people felt any particular link to Amplector, either. The nation had fought alongside Vitzburgian, Inorothian and Fanaglian troops in Voerdeland, yes. But those nations had always been seen as proponents of a federal Amplector and besides, Vjiay could’ve gone into Voerdeland on her own and won.

This required careful political manoeuvring.

[Servoth]

To Herr General Heinrich von Kohlenstoffburg, Ruler of the State of Wirbel

Thank you, friend, for coming to the Conference. But I asure you, no internal strife shall burst forth from Amplector ever again, not after this conference. And yes, an alliance between our nations has long been over due, I shall look forward to it.

As for getting here to Imperia, I suggest you came close to our boarder and from the nearest train station, Volkstadt Central Station in the most northern city of Volkstadt, then straight down to Imperia. Or alternately, you could take an airship to Imperia's airport, as with your last trip to Servoth.

Thank you for your time-
Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX, Kaiser of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth

To Her Highness, Autumn Hyères, Queen of the Kingdom of Fanaglia

Thank you for agreeing with me, Amplector is a tricking time bomb if it isn't stopped, for this is the reason I convene this conference. I too hope that this conference pulls through. I shall also look foward to meeting you and your companions again.

Thank you for your time-
Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX, Kaiser of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth

To His Highness, Leto Raelthrone, King of the Kingdom of Cygnar
It is good to know that your are coming, you and your nation are a most vital piece to Amplector, you will be most welcomed at the conference. It will also be good to see you again, my friend.

Thank you for your time-
Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX, Kaiser of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth

To His Highness, Victor Emanuel Vichero, King of the Kingdom of Inoroth

Much of the really construction of the organization I am planning will need to discussed at the Conference, though to improve trade and the general economic status of Amplector as a whole, I plan to build a continent wide trade union and to standardize the currency across all member nations. To mediate conflict I was hoping to create a Regional Court to make sure justice and order is properly maintainted.

Thank you for your time-
Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX, Kaiser of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth

---

With many of Amplector's great leaders coming to Imperia, security measures had to be put in place. A curfew was installed, making sure all citizens are in their home by 21:00. Guards were posted on all major streets and infront of all importants buidlings. The Grand Central Train station and Velstompf National Airport were now heavily laden with guards and armed soldiers. Tanks and dog teams would patrol outside the city while the Kings, Queens, and leaders of Amplector were in the Capitol city and while the conference was in session. Spies and foreign terror makers must not be allowed to disrupt this conference before or after it begins and ends.

[Sri Tschow]

King Amano sat in the War Room of the Royal Palace, the same room that had been his board just a few weeks ago. Yet again, he was here, but this time not of war. The Royal Ministry of Intelligence had intercepted a secret Servother communique, detailing a conference in Amplector. A readout of the communique lay on the table:

FEDERAL TELEGRAPH OFFICE: IMPERIA
TO
ROYAL COMMUNICATIONS BEAURO: VIJAY

Greetings Stop. Conference to begin in Imperia to discuss possible alliance of Amplectorian nations to unite against the East Stop. In light of the recent war between AMEN and Sri Tschow Stop. Which led to a near-united Zhao Stop.

REGARDS:
HEINZ KRAUSS IX

The consensus was clear. They would use a spy, preferably one of Vitzen-Tschowan or Servother-Tschowan descent, to enter inconspicuously into Imperia, where he would then slip into the palace undetected and plant secret recording devices that would relay the audio on secure encrypted telegraph lines to a Tschowan forward outpost set up near Gratia Infinita, where they would then be relayed via a separately encrypted, secure telegraph connection to the Royal Palace. If the spy was caught, he was to commit suicide via a special poison pill he wore around his neck, disguised as a locket. The man for the job was Herbert Poschwanza, son of an immigrant from eastern Servoth.

T O B E C O N T I N U E D . . .

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

Der Zucker Himmel, Imperia, Servoth

Tzun Xian eagerly awaited his Servothian Mountain Cake. Ever since he had come to Servoth as an Agricultural Adviser, he had fallen in love with this particular delicacy. The cone cake was simply delicious! The luscious chocolate exterior, the soft breaded interior. It literally had brought tears to his eyes.

While he was ungracefully shoveling cake into his body, his associate, Kin Jong Dil, walked into the restaurant. Kin was of short stature, but very strong from his childhood on the farm. He was an expert at irrigation for large scale fields and Terrance farming.

Kin walked over to Tzun and sat down. Tzun kept stuffing his face. Eventually Kin reached over and slapped him.

"Who.. Wha...Oh you"*annoyed voice*
"Yes me! We had a business meeting 5 minutes ago! You blew me off!"
"But the Cake!"
"Enough with this fricking cake! You barely even eat Bread like a good Inesean!"
"But bread is boring! So is rice. That's all we ever eat in Inesea!"
"Look at you, your becoming like them! Whats next? Are you going to start eating with forks and spoons instead of chopsticks and your own hands? Are you going to start worshiping the Emperor?"
"Well Cake is easier to eat with a Spoon, and soup is hard to eat with chopsticks..."
"Gah! Why do I even bother?"
"Because I am the best float farmer?
"Shut up. Kinko is. Anyways did you hear the news?"
"What news? Like how that guy jumped into the Train at the Central Station? Heard it was messy."
"No you daft fool, the actual important news!"
"oh....Were staying here permanently!"
"NO IDIOT! Imperia is hosting the other Amplectorian Heads of States. Don't you see the tanks?"
"Tanks?"
"Yes Tanks. There at the major arteries here. And now there is a curfew as well."
"Well, guess you can't go to the pleasure houses anymore."
"Hey! How do you know about that?"
"When I get a bill from them, I know."
"Oh. Anyways, the Heads are trying to build a Amplectorian Alliance or Union or something like that."
"Cool for them, I care because?"
"With all these people, and all this security, people are going to be suspicious of Non-Amplectorians!"
"So...."
"Have you looked in a mirror recently?"
"No..yes"
"Yes or No?"
"Yes"
"What shape are your eyes, what color is your skin?"
"Eclipse and Heavily Tan."
"Look at the other patrons."
"Oh, yeah, we are kinda of sticking out."
"Yeah, I hope there is no ethnic profiling."
"There shouldn't be. No one is stupid enough to want to attack here."
"It begins with S and Ends with I"
"oh right, but they are so stupid, they'll send a guy who can't even speak Vothian."
"So true."
*Pays bill and Leaves*

[Inoroth]

Bridge and Primary Viewport of I.S.V. Dream
Airspace of Servoth, about 30 km from Velstompf National Airport
1,050 meters above the ground
20th October, 1903
11:56 pm

The countryside below was picturesque to the finest detail. Farmland and forest spread out like a patch-work quilt beneath the I.S.V. Dream, and here and there a town dotted the the landscape. There were no mountains along the route, as had been planned, but the gently undulating hills made for a spectacular and breathtaking panorama. If one really strained, they could make out the roads and rail lines others less fortunate were bound to tread, never feeling the freedom of the skies.

"Perfect flying weather, no Captain?"

Asked Inoroth's King. The tall grim figure nodded, not quite sure he agreed. Though near all the sky was clean and clear, and the sun shone brightly, to the south lay a gray mass of clouds far too low and far too dark for the captain's liking; after all, winds always came from the south in these parts... perhaps in an hour or so, they might be in the thick of it... still, better not to disagree with the king he reasoned.

It might have been better had he done so, for already the winds were picking up, and the turbulence was going to become an issue soon. But the King went on talking and the captain went on listening as they cruised towards Imperia, legendary capitol of Servoth, aboard the most luxurious airship in all of Inoroth.

[Fanaglia]

Aboard the Dumont d'Urville, her majesty's private rail carriage
Imperia, Servoth
20th October, 1903
13:10 Local Time

The train's whistle sounded shrilly as it began to slow on its approach to the Grand Imperial Station; Alice Dufresne could hardly tear her eyes from the window of the carriage. It was not as if there was much to see -- Imperia was somewhat of a marvel from a technical and engineering perspective, but even the most excitable architect could not call the vulgar towerings of industry clawing at the dreary drizzle with smoke-belching, soot-stained fingers from a crowded mess of gaudy structures beautiful. This also was not her first trip to Servoth, but it was her first trip to another nation's capital as a diplomat -- everything she saw, she was seeing with dipmomat's eyes, which, she felt, were different somehow.

The train eventually chugged and hissed and squealed to a halt inside the Grand Imperial Station -- a locale that certainly deserved its title, the beauty of its high ceilings and huge arches largely unmarred by the careless endeavors of progress that had taken its toll on the aesthetics beyond her walls. Alice excitedly followed Queen Autumn and Miss Alans to the platform where they then walked to the boxcar wherein was stored one of her majesty's favorite new toys -- a brand-new Evans Locomobile, in black with red and gold trim. It had the phaeton top affixed to it, which was a necessary shame, given the Servothian weather.

Within a few minutes, they were on the road -- the queen and Miss Alans in the back and Alice up front with the damp, but not unpleasant wind on her face, beside Monsieur Laloux, the driver. As the flagstones below them rattled away behind them, the passengers rode in relative comfort, thanks to Mr. Evans' innovative pneumatic tire design. Before they knew it, they were at the palace.

[Servoth]

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:10 Central Time

Reine Autumn, Miss Alans, young Miss Alice, and their driver were met with the wrought iron and gold gate of the Imperial Palace. A wide, 2.5 meter tall construct that guarded the front courtyard of the Palace, which had a beautiful Art Noveau style dragon and eagle on opposing side of the gate. The gate was quickly by opened by two standard uniformed guards, the motorcar drove in, and the gate was quickly closed by the same two guards.

The main courtyard was a large open cobblestoned area leading up to the large oaken front doors of the Imperial Palace. Amongst the cobblestone floor was a large tile decoration, a Servothian Eagle with wings outstretched and flanking it two red Solloskian Dragons, and large golden "S" behind the eagle. A symbol of a united Servoth.

General Brandt appeared from inside the Palace and walked to the group of three Fanaglians. "Greetings your Highness, Ms Alans, young Ms Alice, tis good to see you all hear to apart of this most momentous meeting of the age. Now if you will kindly follow me, I will show you inside and to your accommodations while here at the Imperial Palace." the good General said. With that Brandt turned and led the trio into the Palace.

The inner decorations of the Palace signature of the style held all around Imperia. The walls lined with oak panelling which had little flora and fauna carved into it, and every meter or so a black marble column was stationed, gold leaf painted into the dip that stripped up and down vertically on the stone mast. Between the columns and between the floor and ceiling, in the exact center, an electrical lamp fixture was placed. Between the lamps and the columns a painting would be placed, each depicting a person of great importance in Servothian culture. The floor was made of tile, a black and white checkerboard pattern, which had a red and gold sliver of carpet running the entire length of the Palace floor. The ceiling was painted; it showed a horizon continuously cycling through dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight.

But amongst all the beauty of the inner portion of the Imperial Palace was death. Every couple of meters a guard stood, but not a normal guard, danger new ones of the new age. These guards were near completely different from the one that were seen at the front gate. These guards were masks of black leather which had two glass eye ports and an apparatus at the level of the mouth, which connected to a tin can like thing with a small grate and the other a hose leading to a tank on the guard's back. But two tanks were on each guard's back; one was blue and attack to the mask via a hose, it had a large "O" painted on along with the word Sauerstoff; opposite of the blue tank was a white one with a green band and a large "Cl" painted on it like the blue tank, it include the word Chlor, this tank also had a hose but lead to a chemical sprayer. The guards each had this equipment; they also were dress in those masks, those gas masks, a pair of black jackboots, and black great coat, and a gray steel helmet that looked like a turtle which had a symbol and some lettering on it. The symbol a black circle with a multitude of triangle pointing out from the circles center, above the black sun, two black Sigel runes, and under the sun, the words in black, Schwarze Sonne.

"It is best you don't bother dealing with them," Brandt said, referring to the strange new guards, "it is best you don't even go near them. They are the Kaiser's new toys, dangerous men with dangerous new weapons. Just keep walking and steer clear, we are almost to your rooms!"

[Vjiay]

Kaiser Heinz Krauss IX, Kaiser of the Great Federal Empire of Servoth

Sir,

Thank you for the invite to this momentous gathering. Never before have we in Amplector had the opportunity to erase the chance of war on our great Continent. This has the potential to follow up on the great strides made when the Continental Rail-Line was developed in ensuring that all nations’ will prosper, together.

I wish, of course, that I could join the leaders of the great Amplectoran nations at this conference myself. Alas, fate has made it such that I cannot.

I will instead send a prominent member of this government to meet with you in your Capital, where he will arrive by train tomorrow morning.

Good luck,

Mr. Tobias Thorpe,
Prime Minister of Vjiay on Behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.

Thorpe finished the letter in his eloquent handwriting and signalled for it to be taken to the telegram office to be sent.

With a momentary pause, he signed the papers that would allow the Parliamentary Carriage - a rather wonderful locomotive that oozed Vjiayan style - to carry the man he had chosen to represent Vjiay at this Continental Summit.


Imperia, Servoth,
20th October, 1903,
15:30

The man was travel sick. Odd, really, considering he managed the high waves and jittery travel by ship. Something about locomotives though, he thought, that always got the better of him.

It was partly the reason that he had hesitated when offered the role of representative at this summit, though there were a multitude of other reasons he had been having second thoughts…

Still! He was here now, looking in the near distance at the crumbling masonry of the railway borders, and in the far distance the smoggy haze from which the dark silhouettes of many smokestacks and factories. Rather like Attwell in Vjiay, really.

A knock at the door,

“Come in,” he said weakly, swaying and clutching the mahogany windowsill for a little support,

“Five minutes ‘til we stop, sir,” the young man at the door, dressed in a deep purple and gold braided uniform said, tipping his hat as he did.

The man at the window nodded, making a concerted effort to reach his bed, where he pulled on his maroon jacket and dark trench coat.

He staggered down the hall to the lobby, an open space where he caught the attention of the numerous aides. A woman tried to dab some make up onto his pale and damp skin, but he patted her away, making instead for one that was usefully holding an ice bucket. Leaning over, he threw up. The vomit make a nasty looking concoction with the ice and the aide holding it was clearly disgusted, wanting nothing more that to drop the silver bucket and run.

“No matter,” the man said, with a trademark cheeky grin as the train pulled to a stop, “Better out than in.”

And to be fair, he did look better. A little colour back in his cheeks and walking a straighter. He made his way over to the door, where he grabbed his black bowler hat.

“Well then,” William Pelly asserted brusquely as a man opened the door and he stepped off, “Let’s get this show on the road.”

[Fanaglia]

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:10 Central Time

"Greetings your Highness, Ms Alans, young Ms Alice, tis good to see you all hear to apart of this most momentous meeting of the age. Now if you will kindly follow me, I will show you inside and to your accommodations while here at the Imperial Palace."

Before the words "It's a pleasure to meet you" could cross Autumn's lips, the man (a military sort of high rank, judging by his dress) turned to lead the three of them into the palace.

The palace, like the rest of what they had seen thus far of the city, was a tangible contradiction of stone and mortar -- its beautiful (if garish) architecture was glaringly contrasted by the black-clad, masked men who stood sentry over the halls with their long coats and strange spraying apparati. As if reading her wary mind, the man who had been leading them said to the queen, "It is best you don't bother dealing with them; it is best you don't even go near them. They are the Kaiser's new toys, dangerous men with dangerous new weapons. Just keep walking and steer clear, we are almost to your rooms!"

"I can't wait," Autumn said darkly, a weak smile on her face. Alice and Miss Alans maintained an uncomfortable silence. "When do we get to see the Kaiser?" She added, in an attempt to shake the discomfort of the heavy silence in which they walked.

[Inoroth]

Bridge and Primary Viewport of I.S.V. Dream
Airspace of Servoth, Above Velstompf National Airport
750 meters above the ground
20th October, 1903
2:31 pm

Winds howled at gale force, threatening to tear the seems apart. The twin-engines worked and whirled at maximum, barely able to keep her level, let alone keep here on track to the landing pad below. The smoke the engines produced hung in the air and clung to the lungs, the dampness in the air keeping it from dissipating. Rain, blinding sheets of rain smashed against the gasbag like waves do a conventional ship's hull at sea. Men scurried every which way, turning valves and pulling levers. The Dream was a seething mass of chaos.

Though the skies had threatened it for over an hour or so, they seemed always to be just a bit ahead of it. Just as their hopes were highest that they might make it, the storm struck: mere moments before they were to touch down, it broke with a fury of biblical proportions. However, the Dream was not yet in grave danger, for if the crew allowed an emergency hydrogen discharge, they might be able stick the landing and get the I.S.V. Dream berthed and tethered.

The sudden whoosh of escaping gas nearly drowned out the racket of the tempest outside, and all aboard felt the drop in their stomachs as the Dream accelerated downwards with a jolt. They were descending fast... perhaps too fast. The altimeter needle moved down slowly, the captain watching with great calm. The pair's tranquility stood starkly out of place in the tumultuous ship. The captain muttered calculations as the gauge slowly wound down:

"500 meters....450 meters..... 400..........300......250"

At two-hundred meters, the captain suddenly became animated again.

"Drop Balasts 1 through 9, NOW!!!"

He bellowed. Faint cries of "Aye sir" were heard, and the ship slowed her descent as one by one the sandbags were cut. In fact, the I.S.V. Dream barely tapped the tarmac in the end. Ropes were thrown out to waiting hands, and the crew members busied themselves securing their beloved vessel.

Through all of this, King Vinchero had stood by the wheelman, flanked by two Royal Guards, smoking a pipe. Although his attitude might have seemed incredibly calm to one unaccustomed with his habits, the king was actually quite shaken. Throughout the whole ordeal, he allowed himself to draw from his pipe rather heavily and far too often, a vice he reserved solely for times such as these... times of extreme stress and danger. Still, he had managed to keep the appearance of a collected nature, and the greatest dangers seemed past. Rearranging his rather damp royal apparel, he began making for the gangplank that had just been set before the door.

"Imperia at last!" He thought.

[Servoth]

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:11 Central Time

Finally, Brandt made a turn to a oaken double door, using a small silver ket he had in hand he unlocked the doors and led the trio inside. Unlike other parts of Palace this room was different. It was shaded in light purple, green, and blue. Each wall was a painted mural, depicting a group of nymphs playing amongst a field of flowers when the sun began dawning, each wall framed with carved wooden molding. At one side of the room was a large bed with four brass bedposts, and curtained with translucent silk fabric, to each side of the bed was a door, which led to Ms Alans's and Ms Alice's rooms. Opposite that, was a large dresser, chest of drawers, and a wardrobe. Opposite the double doors that led into the bedroom, was a pair of Fanaglian doors of glass and brass leading out into the Imperial Palace Gardens, placed so that one could view a water fountain of which showed the old Rothian goddess Deana and a buck.

"Ms Alans, Ms Alice, your respective rooms are through those doors on opposite sides of the bed here. This room is yours, your Highness, this use to be the Kaiser's sister's, young Anton's mother, before she died. He has set it aside for you and your company. But as to seeing the Kiaser, well that maybe a rare occasion. You see, since last year, he has not been feeling his full self, and as such, His Young Nephew Anton shall be conducting the Conference. My name is Adrian Brandt, do you have any other questions?" Brandt said.

---

Grand Imperial Station,Imperia, Servoth,
20th October, 1903,
15:30 Central Time

A young man with golden hair and blue eyes, about the age of 27, was standing in the middle of station. He was dressed in a gray driver's uniform, knee high black jackboots, and a gray peaked cap. In his hand, he was holding a small card which had "Representative of Vjiay". Smiling happily to be able to drive someone important around in a motorcar, the young man name: Herrison Junt.

---

Velstompf National Airport
October 20th, 1903
14:31 Central Time

General Harsch waited at the bottom of the gangplank, with a black umbrella extended. "Hello your Highness! My name is General Harsch, may I ask how was your flight?" Harsch asked.

---

Frith Street, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
14:18 Central Time

Like all days in the Residential District of Imperia, the rain poured, but the people were still out and about. People scurried up and down the street, children played in puddles on the street side, and street bands and performers tried to make a living huddled under large umbrellas over make-shift tents. Grayed and weatherd Servothian flags were strung across the street above the road and from people's closed windows. Occasionally a motorcar or steamtruck would quickly fly down the street and disappear out of sight.

A policeman was standing ontop of a wooden crate on one side of the street and was giving a public announcement.

"No foreign citizens, or citizens of the State, will be allowed to enter or leave the city, as of the most recent city order, unless they have an officially State Approved passport. Any one coming into or leaving the city found with photographic equipment, telegraphic equipment, abergraphs, phonographs, or any other type of recording or communication device will be immediately taken in for questioning; the equipment or device will be confiscated permenately. No one is allowed to be outside of their home, or place of residence, after the 17th hour will be arrested and taken in custody, unless said person is of the police force, active military, or has special orders from the State Government. Thank you for your time!" the Policeman said, then he hopped off the crate, lugged it over his shoulder and moved down the street to give the same public announcement elsewhere.
But before he did he stopped infront of Tzun and Kin and spoke to them, "You ching-chong foreigners do anything fishy and I am having you two thrown into the State Prison up in the Nord. I am watching you!" The moved on.

A rather bumish looking man, with a crack pork-pie hat on his head walked up to the two after the Policeman left, and commented "Well, he's an angry bastard, now isn't he?"

[Vjiay]

Grand Imperial Station,Imperia, Servoth,
20th October, 1903,
15:30 Central Time

Pelly cast a beady eye over the young man in front of him, “Representative of Vjiay?” he thought indignantly, “May as well have just put a bloody target on my chest. I expect my reputation isn’t quite desirable around these parts.”

Still, the man looked happy enough and apparently passed the Vjiayan’s test. With a neutral face he approached him, the ignorant Servothians around him rudely not making space for him,

“You there!” He got the attention of the driver, “Please help my aides with my travel cases and lead us onto your car!”

[Inoroth]

Tarmac beside I.S.V. Dream
Velstompf National Airport
Imperia, Servoth.
October 20th, 1903
2:35 Central Time

As King Vinchero descended the steps, under cover of a purple umbrella embroidered with gold and deepest blue, he hailed General Harsch.

"You may, General. The flight in was rather... shall we say wet? A pleasure to meet you I'm sure. But we'll talk properly once we're inside and a bit drier, no?"

[Fanaglia]

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:11 Central Time

"No, that will be all, General Brandt. Thank you," Queen Autumn replied respectfully, hesitating only slightly at pronouncing the man's prefix, on which she was only guessing based on his dress. She hoped she had guessed correctly.

When he had gone, she turned to Miss Alans to give her a look that said "What the Devil?" but her friend was already far ahead of her in doing the same. Alice was the first to break the silence.

"Well, now, that was different. I hope it isn't always like that."

"Heavens, no," Miss Alans responded, unsure at first if the younger woman was being serious. Her smile that followed, thankfully, told her that she was not.

"I supposed all that there is to do now is wait for the others to arrive or for when the Kaiser's nephew summons us," Queen Autumn sighed. She cast a hopeful glance at the balcony with what was surely a splendid view on a clear day, but the stark Servothian contrast between beauty and gloom was present there as well as the light rain continued to fall -- not heavy, pouring sheets, but more like the rain one might expect at the funeral of a really terrific man.

"Uncommonly strange that the Kaiser won't see us personally, after calling us all this way," Miss Alans observed passively.

"Yes," Autumn breathed, her words with the empty pensiveness of a woman whose mind was elsewhere far away, as she stared blankly into the doleful drear beyond the window.

[Servoth]

Grand Imperial Station,Imperia, Servoth,
October 20th, 1903,
15:30 Central Time

"Yes sir! It is good to meet you! Oh, you're... William Pelly. Well, the conference won't go well now, will it?" Herrison said, the latter part under his breathe. The young man rushed to take Pelly's travel cases and then to the car outside the Station, leading Pelly along the way. Herrison placed Pelly's thing in the motorcar's trunk and then opened the side door. On the seat was an Abergraph, waiting to be used. "The State wants me to give you this, it is the full history of Imperia on the Abergraph, I've heard it sixteens times. My advice, don't play it." Herrison said to Pelly, while holding an Abergraph disc for the Vjiayan to take.

---

Velstompf National Airport
October 20th, 1903
14:35 Central Time

"Ah, yes, the motorcar is just over this way!" Harsch said, pointing to the red and black automobile park just a little away from the airship. Harsch showed Vinchero to the car, opened the side door for him then trotted to the other side of the motorcar and got in too.

---

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:13 Central Time

Anton exited his Uncle's bedroom, the young man running his fingers through his hair. His Uncle's condition was strange. The man who had held power since he was 21 and lived through the death of his parents and the death of his brother, Anton's father, and his brother's wife's death and then ruled a country successfully for the last 36 years was now in a state of perpetual weakness. Truly something had to be done if a golden kaiser was to avoid untimely death.

A beautiful woman walked into the area of Anton. Lovely emerald green eyes, and wavy blond hair going just past her shoulders; almost a blond version of Servanthia, she dressed in a finely made crimson dress. Anton noticed and walked up to her, "Ms. Thinker! It is good that you received my message. I have a request to make, could you create some sort of device to help rebuild the my Uncle?" he asked.

Ms. Thinker, as he called her, looked at the royal, such a idiotic thing to say. "Your highness, I am a mechanical and electrical engineer. I designed and built the Owl. I spent my entire 20th year making it, but as a world renowned State secret, even I can't do the impossible, such as build some body new again. By the way, now that I am here, I am staying for the fancy food. Kay? Kay!" She said, handing Anton her floppy hat then walking past him down the hall, running a finger across the chest of the guards as she passed by.

Anton huffed, and left the area himself. He had another royal to meet. Within a short time Anton had made his way to the room of Queen Autumn. Anton knocked on the door and anounced his arrival to meet the Fanaglian queen, "Queen Autumn! Anton Krauss, here, I have heard that you may wish to speak to me. Do you still wish to?"

[Inoroth]

Motorcar on Tarmac
Velstompf National Airport
Imperia, Servoth.
October 20th, 1903
2:36 Central Time

Vinchero nodded a 'thank you' and entered, immediately slamming the door behind him to avoid becoming any more doused than he already was. The rain relentlessly battered the roof, like cannons mercilessly attempting to reduce a mighty fortress to rubble. But the car's defenses held, and Vinchero sat for a long moment just enjoying being warm after the whipping winds and torrential rains, which had stolen all his heat and left him shivering.

"Well, I've already had an adventure just arriving, General Harsch, I can't imagine what the rest of the conference will be like."

Vinchero cracked a wide smile, hoping to put Harsch at ease to perhaps gleam some information about what the conference really was about.

What on Gaia could the old Kaiser be up to that could possibly solve all our problems?

[Vjiay]

Pelly was visibly pleased that the young Servothian had recognised him. In such a backwards part of the mainland, he thought, it was surprising they even had motorized vehicles!

He climbed into the seat of the car, taking the abergraph and flinging it to one side,

“I assure you, I have read Servoth’s deep and fascinating history and am well aware of the current conditions in your fine nation.” Pelly said, looking disinterested out of the window. He was, of course, lying.

“Now, take me to your leader.”

[Fanaglia]

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:11 Central Time

Queen Autumn frowned alone out the large window to the gloomy courtyard, Alice and Miss Alans having retired to their rooms on either side of her own. When the knock came, it startled her out of her silent contemplation. "Queen Autumn! Anton Krauss, here, I have heard that you may wish to speak to me. Do you still wish to?"

"Oh! Archduke Anton! Yes, please -- do enter," she said, turning to greet him when he did so.

[Servoth]

Velstompf National Airport
October 20th, 1903
14:37 Central Time

"Well, Your Highness, from what I hear, the Kaiser has planned out a Supranational Confederation which will oversee the whole of its members. A constitution and a set of laws to standardize the laws and punishment for problems which plague the continent as a whole. He even proposed getting rid of all the different types of currencies held in Amplector and creating a type of currency called a "Ampleuro". He even goes so far as to cut down on immigration laws between states! If you ask me, it is crazy, how would you get the whole continent to bend to something like that?" Harsch said, showing obvious disbelief at what Kaiser Heinz had planned to propose.

---

Outside Grand Imperial Station,Imperia, Servoth,
October 20th, 1903,
15:32 Central Time

With all of Pelly (and his things) inside the Motorcar, Herrison hopped into the driver's seat and started up the automobile. The young driver put his foot flat down on the gas pedal, and sped off down the winding street of the Servothian capital city. Eventually, the two would make their way to the Imperial Palace, the motorcar pulled into the courtyard as the large wrought iron gates close behind the automobile.

"Here you are, Mr. Pelly. Would you like me to open the door for you or can you do that for yourself?" Herrison asked.

---

Imperial Palace, Imperia, Servoth
October 20th, 1903
13:11 Central Time

"Lovely! It is good to finally meet you, Your Highness." Anton said, before his brow showed concern, "You look, almost sad, You Highness, is something bothering you? How may I help?"

[Inoroth]

Motorcar on Tarmac
Velstompf National Airport
October 20th, 1903
2:38 Central Time

Vinchero's brow furrowed at Harsch's reply.

"So, it is to be like the AMEN of the East? Perhaps with more strength? I do not know that I approve of the idea... but, tis unfair of me to make my decision before hearing the good man out."

If General Harsch's information was correct, this would be a short and unproductive meeting. Surely Vitzenburg would not sacrifice her strong currency, nor shall I... and the immigration laws? Well, the German Nations won't budge on those. But we shall see... we shall see.