“HOCHVERAT”
Presidential Palace
Adamar, Sozialistenrepublik Erquin
President Franko Hilary felt a cold sweat fall from his balding head, making its way down his forehead slowly and almost painfully. With shaking hands he used his handkerchief to wipe the perspiration from his face. Ignoring the rant of the man in front of him, Erquin’s head of state glanced towards the closed window to his right. Was it hot in here, or was it just me?
“Mr. Hilary, are you even listening to me?” demanded the man across the table, who pounded it with his fist. Heinrich Sonneborn, Chancellor of the Volksrepublik Wanka, stared into his soul with eyes like daggers.
Hilary did not respond, and Sonneborn continued his monologue.
“The Saxon War proved that Sylva is unable to defend herself, much less her allies. The time of Sylvan regional hegemony is over – now, it is time for the German people to take their rightful place as masters of this continent. Yet, in light of our victories, and in light of the new hope that the addition of Atramentar and Helmarra into to Nuremberg Alliance brings, you instead turn to the defeated League? Turn away from your German brothers and sisters?”
“Do not talk to me about turning away from the German people,” Hilary said, fretfully yet with a growing hint of stern resolve. “I was there, in Nuremberg, when NAZI was ratified. At that time, it was two nations agreeing to meet the challenges of the world together, more specifically, the aggression of other states. That was when your predecessor, Meinhof, was in power. She believed, as I do, that the way to peace was not further antagonizing our enemies. I could support it when the SL attempted to cut our oil supply, and thus cripple our economies after the Spinelli Refinery disaster. And though I advised against it, I supported her when she invaded the Sellenland and secured its resources. But this most recent conflict…nearly a million people were killed, and for what? So you can call Saxony ‘Sachsen’ and replace the Sylvans’ puppet with a puppet of your own? This is not standing against aggression, Heinrich. This is creating it.”
“The Sylvans were poised to launch an invasion into our heartland from that wretched country,” Sonneborn replied. “And may I remind you, they struck first-”
“Oh, bullshit!” Hilary snapped back, standing. The nervousness was gone as anger and frustration took over as his primary emotions. “You had plans to launch an invasion the very next week! And your whole nuclear program? How did you expect the Sylvans to react when a madman begins building weapons of mass destruction? You didn’t simply expect them to stand idly by, did you? Of course not. Because you wanted the Sylvans to strike. You wanted to fight them – you wanted a war! And then you expect Erquin to finance your little crusade into Saxony? And then, when the war doesn’t go well, you attack my soldiers and try and provoke a war between Erquin and Sylva?”
“Those men were not acting under my orders, Franko. You know I would never spill my brothers’ blood, no matter what was to be achieved.”
“Never spill German blood...” Hilary replied in disgust. “Liar! Why don’t you tell that to the Weissman family? Oh, that’s right – your Abwher agents massacred them in their ancestral home to serve as provocation for your involvement in the Sellenland. I’m tired of your games, Sonneborn. It’s over. Erquin will not support your aggression any longer – we are withdrawing from the Nuremberg Alliance.”
“You are correct,” Sonneborn said calmly, still seated. “when you say I am a liar. I have spilled Germanic blood, and for that I am sorry. But the future does not come without a price. And if a few more bodies must be buried for the German people as a whole, I will oblige. There are many in your country that support our cause, even if you do not.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I am simply reminding you that the combined forces of the Nurmberg Alliance are prepared for every contingency.”
“You are mad,” Hilary replied. “And this meeting is over.”
“You choose the battlefield over the negotiating table?”
“The same way you choose your own grave over your current throne, Sonneborn. You are discontent with owning Wanka, with owning the Sellenland, and owning Saxony. No, you will not be satisfied until you own the world – but I suspect that the Sylvans, the League, or your own people will have run you out of Kronstadt long by then. As the Sylvan First Minister said, your twisted ideology is not eternal, and neither are you.”
“Some day I will shove those exact words down your own throat,” Sonneborn said, getting up to leave. “And then I will see you hanged like the dog that you are.”
Middle District
Alfeld, Sozialistenrepublik Erquin
Rain pattered down and thunder echoed in the sky as Generalfeldmarschall Johannes Dalton walked across the cobblestone street, glancing down perpendicular alleyways as if something – or rather, someone - was to jump out at him at any moment. The Chief-of-Staff of the Erquinian Army shuddered in the cold, or maybe it was anxiety – what he was planning to do was tantamount to high treason.
Dalton had commanded Erquin’s defense forces for barely two years, but had an extensive military background and was a declared Hero of the Sozialistenrepublik for combat injuries and prowess. He was also a fierce nationalist, and ardent imperialist, and a staunch supporter of Sonneborn’s rule of the Volksrepublik. The two had originally met during Dalton’s time as a military advisor during the Sellenland War, and had become fast friends, sharing a nearly identical view of politics. They also shared an identical view of Dalton’s commander-in-chief, President Franko Hilary. He was in their minds a spineless, corrupt, and cowardly man who would rather collect his bribes than support his Germanic brothers in Murovanka. Furthermore, they had abandoned Wanka not once, but twice, first in the Sellenland and then in Saxony. But perhaps where the two most agreed was in their opinion that it was time for change.
Dalton stopped at a house marked 1356 OLMSTEAD and knocked three times. Almost immediately a heavyset man in his mid forties answered the door. Dalton immediately recognized the Elite Erquinian Armored (EEA) tattoo on his neck and tensed for a moment – the EEA, as they were known, were Erquin’s republican guard forces. They often fought alongside conventional troops, but were both respected and feared because of their…brutal legacy. They were also known to be fiercely pro-government, indoctrinated from the get-go that the State was above all else…
“Relax, Johannes,” a familiar voice said, coming from behind the heavyset operator. “He is a friend.” The speaker, a man at least twenty years older and a full foot shorter than the doorman, said. He appeared behind the man, offering his hand to Dalton as he stepped inside, out of the rain. “That is Eric Von Ulfric. He’s an ex-EEA grenadier turned to our side. We have him answer the door to scare away anyone that might show up and try and poke around.”
“That’s a good ploy,” Dalton said, hanging his overcoat on a rack alongside his uniform hat. “Its great to see you again, Laurent.” Despite the heavy peacoat his uniform underneath had gotten wet, and the Generalfeldmarschall shivered. The chief of Wankan Geheimploiezi, Laurent Blanc, waved him over by the fireplace, which was emanating a warm, crackling heat.
Blanc sighed and sewed the flames with a fire iron. “I’m sure you’ve heard the news. It will be released publicly tomorrow morning in the mainstream media, but the Nurmberg Alliance is being dismantled. With Erquin leaving NAZI, theirs no use for it anymore. Instead, Wanka will be joining Atramentar in AEGIS. They have agreed to pick up the financial slack that the loss of Erquin’s loans has created.”
Dalton sat in silence, taking in the news.
Blanc continued. “This calls for an immediate acceleration of our plans,” the Geheimploiezi director said. “and we must save the bond that Erquin and Wanka share. We must preserve the German volk, and all that it stands for. Hilary has bought into the lies spread by Sylva and the Organized States; De La Calle, and his childish belief that their can be peace between superpowers. There can only be one. And that will be us, the Germans. With your help, we can ensure an unprecedented era of German dominance. Where all nations will tremble at our might, and Sylva will burn until its surface is but glass. A return to the days of the Reich.”
Dalton nodded, engrossed in the man’s words. “Hilary dares to create a split in the bloodlines of the volk. He aspires to break the bond our two nations share…and we will not allow it. What do you want me to do?”
Blanc smiled. “The Erquinian military, as you very well know, are very supportive of Sonneborn and the cause of a pan-Germanic empire. I’m sure you can find considerable support for a coup de etat, in which you, as Highfeldmarschall will become Erquin’s new head of state in a short, and virtually bloodless revolution. It is simply a matter of removing Hilary, his cabinet, and his political supporters, from office.”
“Even so,” Dalton said, “What I – what we – will be doing is nothing short of hochverat, high treason. There will no doubt be citizens, servicemen, and indeed, foreign powers against this coup. They could form together, and potentially, destroy any chance of this plan working. We must take measures to ensure that any opposition to the new government is swiftly and decisively crushed.”
“We will give your rule an ere of legitimacy,” Blanc said. “The Geheimpolizei and the Abwher have a meticulously planned operation in mind I’m sure you will take a liking too.” Blanc handed him a folder with the words CLASSIFIED stamped in bold red letters over a smaller black box of text, reading ‘Operation : Patrioten.’
Geheimpolizei Headquarters
Kronstadt, Volksrepublik Wanka
“Obviously you don’t remember my father,” said Laurent Blanc, as he rose from his office chair. “He was a division commander and hero of the Fatherland during the Black War. He commanded our forces in the Battle of Ulm, the only victory our country achieved in that cursed conflict. So to imply that there is a lack of intelligence in my family is to go to far.”
Blanc felt certain that he was only person in Wanka who could take such a tone with the Chancellor Heinrich Alfeld Sonneborn and live to see the sunrise the next day. Nevertheless, he knew the risks of talking in such a manner. There was, after all, always the chance that he would not survive the conversation…
But Blanc would not allow Sonneborn to insult his family name, no matter the cost. And for the insult to come from a man whose own father was a corrupt politician in the days of the Wankan Empire, who’s personal fortune had come from smuggling in narcotics and pimping prostitutes during the Dark Ages. How dare Sonneborn take such a tone with him!
Perhaps he would not survive this conversation!
“That doesn’t change the fact that this failure is completely unacceptable,” Sonneborn said. “The Sylvan dogs have convinced Hilary to break away from the Nurmberg Alliance. Of course, their next step will be to bring Erquin into the Septentrion League.”
“Relax, Heinrich. I’ve already told you, the Geheimpolizei and the Abwher are working together to formulate a plan to remove Hilary from power. All of our pieces of this plan are almost in place. Within a week, at most, we should be able to launch Operation : Patrioten and bring Erquin back into the Wankan fold. Even better, with Generalfeldmarschall Dalton in charge, Erquin will be no more than an economic puppet to us. I’ve talked with Seigfried, the economic minister – he agrees. With Erquin under the rule of a Wankan puppet, we should be able to extend ourselves some very gracious financial levies. Furthermore, Erquin’s mining industry will be of much use to our manufacturing sector.”
As much as Sonneborn ranted about the success of his military industrial complex, the reality was a bit more complicated. The massive military buildup that Sonneborn had ordered had been extremely beneficial to the nation’s economy. However, it had cost the government almost a trillion dollars, making it the most expensive military funding program in the region’s history. The treasury had gone hundreds of billions of dollars in debt financing the buildup – which had been covered, luckily, by Erquin’s extensive currency reserves and gracious loans. When Erquin split from the Nurmberg Alliance, those financial lifelines dried up.
“Don’t tell me to calm down, Laurent. Without Erquin’s financial support, the economy cannot sustain itself. Even with Atramentar’s loans, our treasury is in the toilet and our credit devastated unless we can get the Erquinian Central Bank to extend us loans again. So, Laurent, I’m leaving it in your hands to fix this mess. And if you don’t, I will find someone who will. Do I make myself clear?”
“Kristal, Heinrich. In the meantime, you should focus on your job. Let me do my mine.” Blanc shut off the video call, and slammed his fist on the table, which was highly unlike him. Part of him hated Sonneborn. The arrogant little man at the seat of power. Sonneborn was lucky and charismatic, but not much else, even though he would always credit his military and political victories to his own intelligence and his failures to his staff. It was infuriating to Blanc.
But at the same time, Sonneborn had taken Wanka from the poor corner of Casaterra to a rising Septentrion superpower He had beaten the Sylvans in Saxony, and as such left the rest of the continent ripe for the picking. But was it really him? Or was he just taking credit for it?
Though Sonneborn constantly said in his speeches that the Sylvan army had been smashed,that the Wankan LARVE was invincible, and that Saxony was finally free, the facts told a different story. The Sylvans had deployed less than half their army to defend Saxony, and had came remarkably close to defeating a force nearly four times their size. The Wankans had lost a large portion of their most experienced and well-equipped Category A divisions in the war. And statistically, Saxons were much happier under Sylvan rule than Wankan. Not that any of that mattered to Sonneborne. His countrymen – most of them, anyway – still believed his rhetoric. And those that didn't could easily be disposed of, courtesy of Blanc’s Geheimpolizei.
But what had Blanc himself become? Rumors spread by and through his subordinates said he slept only two hours a night, and that he was perhaps some part machine, constructed by the government to do its ultimate bidding. And though he was quite obviously not a cyborg, he felt like it at times, doing Sonneborn’s bidding without so much as a peep of protest – well, until recently. It wasn’t that he was a slave to the Wankan Chancellor – no, far from it. Blanc simply shared a similar vision about the future with Sonneborn. A vision that it was Wanka’s destiny to conquer and rule the Casaterran continent. To restore the Fatherland to greatness, and bring Sylva to her knees.
At fifty-nine, there weren’t many things that still mattered to Laurent Blanc.
War was one of them.
And while slightly annoying at times, it was still terribly fun.
Wolfsbach Castle
Waldenstein, Sozialistenrepublik Erquin
Wolfsbach Castle was the oldest and largest festung in Erquin. For years, during the age of the Wankan Empire, it had been the seat of power in Erquin, where the regional Viceroy controlled those below him. It had eventually grown to dwarf its inspiration, the Potsdam Castle, in Wanka. When the Empire had collapsed, however, and the Socialists overthrew the monarchy in Erquin, they had decided to build a new capital, Amadar, to replace the former seat of royal power.
But Wolfsbach had not drifted into the annals of history. No, no – it had been bought by the Erquinian Army, who repaired and refurbished it before making the castle their headquarters some time ago. Eventually, it was replaced by a newer Defense Ministry building in Amadar itself, but Wolfsbach remained an important strategic asset of the Erquinian Defense Forces. Particularly to Generalfeldmarschall Dalton, Chairman of Erquin’s Joint Chiefs of of the General Staff, who saw it is a reminder of what Erquin was – and more importantly, what it could be.
Gathered around Dalton on a long wooden table were Holbrook, Commander of the Air Force, Vizeadmiral Krueger, Commander of the Navy, and General Manstein, Commander of the Army and Dalton’s subordinate. They were, respectively, the most powerful military men in the country, each in charge of their respective branch of the Erquinian Defense Forces.
“Good afternoon,” Dalton said as he sat at the head of the table. “Thank you for coming here under such short notice and strange circumstances. I’ll skip the preambles today, since we have much to discuss, and unfortunately, not much time. As all of you now know, Hilary has issued an executive order that will nullify our alliance with Wanka, and cut ties with our German brothers. Instead, Hilary wants to join the Septentrion League, and befriend the Sylvans. Personally, I can see no greater heresy. There are millions in Erquin that feel the same – but I, for one, am not willing to just let this happen. Do not mistake me. What I am proposing is nothing short of hochverat…a military coup, that will usurp President Hilary and restore our ties with the Volksrepublik. I am for this, however, I will abandon my plans if any of you object, because I want the full cooperation of your respective branches. If I don’t have it, the coup cannot succeed.”
“I agree that Hilary should be removed from power,” Manstein said. “But I would need assurances that afterwords, Erquin does not become a dictatorship. We must return the power of government to the people, not keep it for ourselves. That is the basis of democracy, which I joined to protect. Furthermore…the constitution must remain. If you can assure me that, I will assure you the Air Force’s support.”
“Hilary already violated the democratic model,” Dalton said. “Ten year terms? That’s not democracy, that a dictatorship. In that sense the Erquin is just like Maracaibo and the Allied Nations – tyranny under the façade of a republic. And I want that to change just as much as you do.”
“I can promise the Navy’s support either way…but the we’ve long since been the redheaded stepchild of the Defense Forces, and I want that to change. You see, we’ve had our eyes on a decommissioned carrier once belonging to the Atramentari Navy. You see, we had a deal going through, but with Hilary’s recent anger outburst most likely destroyed that deal. We want that carrier. And some new radars for our PH-9s while your at it. Something that will put the Erquinian Navy back on the map.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“I agree with you. Hilary needs to go…but not like this. The end does not justify the means. A military coup? That’s worse than what Hilary is doing to begin with. If we go through with this…the Erquinian state will not survive. I’m sorry…but I can’t support this.”
There was a tense silence as Dalton parched his lip. “Very well,” he said, sighing. “I said I needed a unanimous vote, and I meant it. We’ll find another way to get rid of Hilary.”
Manstein and Krueger exchanged glances. The latter shrugged, then stood. “I’ll contact you if anything changes,” he said as the Navy Vizeadmiral left the main hall. Mantsein followed shortly thereafter, shaking hands with both Dalton and Holbrook.
“I’ll walk you out,” Dalton said to Holbrook. Initially, there was an awkward silence as the two generals approached the car waiting for Holbrook.
“You know I’m right,” Dalton said, with a sigh. The two stood outside of Wolfsbach castle, after the other two generals had departed. “I wish you would change your mind. Erquin needs a new executive. And there is no way that Hilary would ever allow one to be elected democratically. We would have to wait another seven years anyhow…”
“I know, Dalton, but this isn’t the way. We cant compromise the very values we are trying to defend.” Holbrook sighed but gave a conciliatory smile. He glanced at the black sedan waiting to drive him back home. He offered a hand to Dalton, which the Generalfeldmarschall accepted. He held on to it for a tense moment, before the two longtime friends shared a friendly hug. “Best of luck, Holbrook.”
Dalton watched as the car drove off, turning slowly on the gravel road before accelerating on the cement. Dalton waited silently, in the rain, before the flash of orange flame momentarily interrupted the falling rain. There was the sound of screeching tires and a crash, which is when Dalton turned back towards the castle. A small tear was the only thing that accompanied the Generalfeldmarschall as he dialed Laurent Blanc on his cell.
27. Fallschirmjäger Division
Potsdam AFB, Volksrepublik Wanka
“I apologize for the secrecy,” Generalmajor Gerhard Muller said to his assorted officers. The briefing room was too small for the divisional staff – only the brigade and regimental commanders had room to sit, while the battalion captains had to stand. Nevertheless the room was completely focused on Muller as he began to speak. “The Geheimpolizei have insisted on absolute secrecy for this next mission. That means no calling home and telling your girlfriends or your kids where your going. No letters home. And as of right now there will be no leave – the entire division is on standby until we finish this operation. Now, I’m sure you are wondering – what is the mission? Gentlemen, we will be invading the Sozialistenrepublik. I don’t know all the details, but the Geheimpolizei and the Abwher have been working out a plot to overthrow the Erquinian President, Franko Hilary. We will be working with Erquinian military units to enforce order and root out insurgency. Furthermore, High Command is worried that the Sylvans or the Mozrians may intervene once shit hits the fan. In that case, we are the first line of defense.
"We will be deploying some time in the next seventy-two hours, so make sure all the men, down to the platoon level, know their assignments by the time we take off. 34. Fallschirmjäger and 35. Fallschirmjäger regiments will be landing at Inssbruck alongside the U-Truppen. 36. Fallschirmjäger will be landing Passau. After securing these initial landing zones, the 34. Regiment will advance east, via Highways 38 and 15, towards Waldenstein and Esenauch. Here they will reinforce Erquinian Army units that will form the primary bulwark to any Mozrian advance. 35. Regiment will advance south of Passau down Highway 12 towards Steiermark alongside the 36. Regiment. Once Steirmark is captured, both prongs will advance via Highways 5 and 7 towards Amadar, where we will help secure the capital.
“Our main issues will be any loyalist Erquinian army forces and, likely, the Sylvans and Mozrians. The Sylvans will likely be moving their Ninth Armored and Fourth Mountain Divisions into the area. The Mozrians, on the other hand, have the 39. Guards Tank and 45. Guards Motor Rifle Divisions. Both are category-A formations, and present the largest threat to our operations due to their proximity to our operational headquarters at Innsbruck.”
“Sir, if I may,” it was one of his regimental commanders. “You’ve stated there are four enemy heavy divisions ready to move into the country. How could we, a single light division, expect to combat that firepower? They’d overrun us with sheer numbers.”
“The Geheimpolizei has said that the Erquinians will have the majority of the army supporting the coup. Any stragglers will be disorganized, and more importantly, uncoordinated. We will be working in conjunction with the Erquinian Army, which will do most of the fighting. If that’s not enough, High Command will be airlifting the 18. Füsilier division and the 101. Gebirgsjäger division, the infamous Edelweiss fellows. They’re the Heroes of the Sellenland and saw action in Saxony as well…and we get the honor of fighting alongside them. We can also expect reinforcements in the form of a Panzer brigade and whatever the Atramentari bring to the table. However, in order for the full weight of our forces to be brought to bear, we need to capture the airfields at Waldenstien and Steirmark.”
“What can we expect in the realm of close air support?”
“The Erquinian Air Force will be providing us overwatch,” the Generalmajor said. “Our JTAC controllers will be outfitted with Erquinian codes and radio bands, so that we can better coordinate. Nevertheless we’ll have our own organic aircraft on station, Gu-23s. Though I wouldn’t expect much in the form of helicopters – High Command says they are too big transport via air across the continent for us. Which unfortunately limits our mobility once on the ground.”
“This may seem like a stupid question…but, we have safe passage over the United Territories?”
“They aren’t directly supporting either side as of right now and we don’t expect that to change. The Territories have always been a isolationist and non-confrontational, almost to a fault. They most likely will not raise a finger…but if they do, the Abwher assure me they have a plan to confront those dragon-worshipping scum. As for the Sylvan and Mozrian air forces…it will be an ongoing battle. The Atramentari have been moving hundreds of planes into eastern Wanka – you may have seen some of them here, at Potsdam. Since our air forces haven't recovered yet from the beating they took in Sachsen, the Atramentari will be providing the majority of air cover for our trip over the United Territories.
"Alright, men. Brief your respective regiments, and be ready. We’ve got less than three days before wheels go up.”
