Forge of Empires II - AH RP [IC/Open!]

[Uragarr]

Reserved for the Mameluke Empire

-Responding to Aragonese proposal
-Responding to Russia
-Strategic Planning
-Miscellaneous developments

[Baja California y Sonora]

República de Venezuela

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Maracay
October 31st, 1911

The Venezuela dictatorship was entering it's 10th year; Gomez ruled unchallenged and at his peak. He had accomplished a great marvel of public works and personal goals. Venezuela was back on its feet since the collapse of the South American Federation. Today Venezuela stood as a small regional power in Northern South America, but tomorrow would be different, for tomorrow Venezuela would be South America's dominant nation. Gomez could stare at his beautiful nation, his bustling small capital that was colloquially known as the Garden City, and the bright faces of his people. A dictatorship or not, Gomez was only doing what he thought best for his people, yet he would do whatever it took to remain in power. Since he began his reign over Venezuela, he had begun employing agents that would inform him of every move of potential rivals of his. Because of this he was always one step ahead.

As of late Venezuela had been militarizing, rebuilding their navy, and increasing her army reserves. Gomez was the mastermind behind this, as he had the ultimate goal of humiliating the Hispanic Federation for what they did to Venezuela in 1873. Threatening to invade his home country was an offense that would never be pardoned, no matter the years that would pass. He had been preparing his nation for this, to take down the Hispanic Federation, he urged to invade Spanish soil, to take their colonies away from them, he wanted to destroy them and their ashes pulverized even further. The Hispanic Federation is his-no, Venezuela's greatest enemy and rival, and a rival must be taken down. Also by all means, Gomez knew that eliminating the HF's presence in the Caribbean would lead to his country filling up their shoes.

Lazy/Irrelevant/Shitty Post

[Sveltlana]

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Bataafse Republiek
Batavian Republic



SMALL STATES BY CONCORD FLOURISH

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-THEME-

2. To prosper
1 · 3
10 November, 1911

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Antwerp, Antwerpen
Offices of the General Staff
10 November 1911

"It is undeniable, gentlemen. War is certain to occur shortly. And if our beautiful country were to be caught in its midst..." The Chief of General Staff, Dirk van Zelhorst, made a brief pause as he imagined the consequences and allowed his peers to do the same. The Chief, as well as the ten men seated in the round table, were dressed in the simplest way high officers of the military could dress.

But simple was still an understatement.

"Nonsense!" cried the Quartermaster-General. "If the Germans attempt to advance through Batavia, or if the Anglo-French were to attempt to advance through our country as well, it would be impossible for them to escape the international ire that will spark upon an attack on a peaceful and neutral country!"

There was silence for a while.

"We have but three great forts in the south. Liege, Namur, and Luxembourg. Do you want to count how many the Germans have in Elsass-Lothringen? How deep the trenches are in Verdun? Strategically speaking, advancing through the south of Batavia, through the lower Netherlands, is a brilliant move. The railroads are developed, there are but three major fortifications, and it is rather simple to flank the enemy with a foothold in the north."

"Then what do you suggest?" said the Quartermaster. "Build more forts? We'll never do that in time!"

"No, dear friend. Suppose that the international community did in fact flare up. What would be done? Forces from Scandinavia and Scotland will not come to repel the invasion for us."

"Yes, that is true."

"But suppose, Quartermaster, that we received some kind of a diplomatic insurance against the invasion in the first place..."

"Sir?"

"Germany, my dearest friend, Germany is the solution. They regard us as their sphere of influence — very well. Let them hold on to that sphere. Now, if we could secure any sort of guarantee from Germany..."

"Why not the Anglois, sir? After all—"

"No, not the Anglois. Nationalism will tear the nation asunder within the next twenty years, less if they are defeated in the war. Get the telegraph. We're sending a message."

Antwerp, Antwerpen
Offices of Foreign Relations
10 November 1911

"Why, a telegram? The general staff hasn't sent one of those in three days! Lads must've been busy planning and whatnot."

Tienhoven opened the folded sheet of paper.

Code: Select all

To the Minister of Extr. Rel.:

Greetings, van Tienhoven;

You are to attend the next meeting of the General Staff tomorrow, the 11th of November. Bring two of your secretaries, as much work will have to be discussed and agreed upon, and minutes to be recorded.

Dirk van Zelhorst
Chief of General Staff

-domestic issues
-general staff meeting
-respond to Suez Canal company
-respond to Aragon

---

Correspondence from the
Batavian Republic

To be delivered to the
Foreign Relations Offices of Savoy

---

Esteemed sir(s):

On behalf of Batavia and her people, I would like to extend our condolences towards the Republic of Savoy. The death of seven members of parliament is indeed a terrible tragedy and we would like to give our support in this difficult situation.

We will be sure to have our representative in the Republic of Savoy to attend the funerals of these good and noble statesmen, who have perished while serving their country.

My most sincere condolences,

G. A. van Tienhoven
Minister of Extr. Relations
Batavian Republic

---

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Correspondence from the
Batavian Republic

To be delivered to the
Foreign Relations Offices of the German Republic

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Esteemed sir(s):

On behalf of Batavia and her people, I would like to propose to the German Republic a plan for the bilateral lowering of tariffs between our two nations.

It is not without cause that we believe that increased trade between our nations will help attain our fair nations and their respective denizens greater wealth.

At the present, tariffs are at approximately 5%. Where these to be reduced to 3% or 2%, we believe that the halving of the tariffs would greatly contribute to the incentive to trade between our two countries.

This is particularly true for more expensive goods brought from overseas, a wealth often diluted through Europe rather than kept in our two countries.

A friendly greeting from the people of Batavia, the foreign minister of that people, and myself.

I wholly place myself at your service,

A. W. von Rantzau
Minister of Commerce
Batavian Republic

---

[South New Caledonia]

La République de Savoie|La Repubblica di Savoia
Chapter 2: A New Era of Prosperity

November 1st 1911,
11:55
Nice Main Square

*behind the curtains*
-"You only have one minute left Mr. President, May I suggest that you prepare?" - One of Presidential advisors said.


Taking a gulp of his tea, Aurélien Amyot stood up and approached the stage entrance, another advisor came from the stage and nodded to the President saying "Your People are waiting for you Mr. President". Just a small moment after president walked onto the rostrum, all of his listeners applauded loudly and started cheering "Amyot! Amyot!".

After everyone stopped cheering, President slowly announced:

-"I Hereby Announce the end of 12th Savoyard Parliamentary Elections, Out of all citizens who were eligible to as much as 73% voted. The Party that gained the biggest number of seats in Parlement Savoyarde is... the pressure reached its peak point, as the President was about to reveal the most important information to the populace
Parti Communiste de Savoie with 148 out of 300 seats in the Chambre des dignitaires and 23 out of 50 seats in the Congrès Fédéral. One of my advisors will announce the full list of results, The last thing I would like to do is to give Congratulations to The Communist Party of Savoy, which I'm affiliated with for Winning and all other parties for taking part in this election.

Thank you for your Attention People of Savoy, my advisor is currently en-route to the Rostrum. - President Amyot finished with a smile on his face, stepped down and approached the exit as his advisor was entering the Rostrum.

Nice Main Square,
13th October 1911
13:10
-"Dear Comrades, Our Revolutionary Struggle has finally ended, I hereby announce that The Federalist Party and The Communist Party of Savoy join together to form The United Revolutionary Party of Savoy. I guarantee you that with Supermajority in the Parliament which we already have, reforming Savoy into a Marxist Utopia. President Amyot said loudly, with a communist propaganda voice tone from the rostrum."First we mus remove the enemies of the Revolution from the Parliament, I'm sure that can be done even today. When it comes to foreign capital invested into our country and, everything will be confiscated and nationalised. Our Revolutionary Foces need to make sure they are capable of holding off an enemy invasion, as many will try to threaten the neutrality of our glorious Republic."
WORK IN PROGRESS

Official Letter
From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Savoy
To: His Excellence, Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso

Your wise Majesty,
Your proposition is indeed wise and profitable, therefore we present Your majesty with a cheap development loan of 300 000 Savoyard Dinars which would let your nation build and maintain farms, manufactures and other profitable businesses. This loan should be used to create jobs for Tibetan people and make Tibetan economy self-substainable.

However as it is a loan Tibet will have to return us 345 000 Savoyard Dinars until 1920, we believe that this money used properly and wisely will make Tibetan economy thrive rapidly and that no other country can propose a loan on such good terms as The Glorious Republic of Savoy.

Humble Servant of the Republic of Savoy at your service,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Modeste Serge Petit

Sealed by The Republic of Savoy

Post reserved for Savoy, the mightiest GP in the world!
Stuff to do:
1.Respond to Tibet done
2. Election results, cause I changed my mind Federalists and Commies win and Liberals say good bye..
3. Dunno yet, maybe another letter or two, perhaps to Russia or Batavia, you know, business first.

[Black Marshes]

The Kingdom of Romania

November 11th, AD 1911

Palatul Regală, București
The late autumn sun shone over the vast capital city, with only the thin towers of smoke rising from the city's factories into the clear azure sky. Around the bricked forest of Bucharest lay countless acres of farmland, finalising the last of the year's bountiful harvest before the arrival winter and her cold embrace. This left the great meadows a strange blend of greens, oranges, and browns, as it did every year, before being blanketed in the white frost of the Romanian winter. A cool breeze blew through the ornate doors of the royal study, escaping through the large windows that overlooked the Piața Palatului and rustling the dog-roses that grew on the window sill.
There he stood, staring out over the great city that now stood as the capital of Romania; his land, his people. God had been kind to Romania this year, giving a good harvest to provide a strong backbone for the economy, with the factories providing a substantial premium. The king twisted his forefinger in his long white moustache, fiddling and stroking its old thin strands. Despite this beautiful day, the world was taking up arms and preparing for war, a great war that would overshadow every conflict in history, being fought over multiple continents by millions of soldiers on either side, and Romania would be part of it.
King Alexandru turned away from the window, and gazed upon the desk at the centre of the chamber, its glittering gold and smooth ivory carvings reflecting the sunlight to create a beautiful shine that almost seemed to illuminate the varnished oak desk. Atop its surface lay scattered documents and forms, as well as envelopes waiting to be filled. Beside these was his pen, a small onyx capsule lined with gold at either end, its ebony ink ready to be scribbled in the name of the king.
He strode across the room to the desk, perching on his oaken chair adorned with intricate engravings, his ‘second throne’, as his sister called it. He grasped the pen tightly, its cold stone pressing against the palm of his rough right hand. He stared for a moment, thinking of what to write, before beginning the many letters to be sent and commands issued.

To the most esteemed President of the German Republic,
I write to you to request the shipment of arms and ammunition to supply the Romanian Army for the coming war. I would also request that you send one of your many respected generals to drill Romanian troops in the art of modern warfare, and to instruct my commanders in these new tactics. In return, I wish to offer the German Republic a military alliance with the Kingdom of Romania, as well as any other tributes you may wish to receive.
Sincerely, Regele Alexandru I Cuza, King of the united principalities of Wallachia and Transylvania and Protector of the Romanians.

To the most esteemed Tsar of Russia,
I write to you to offer a military alliance between our two nations, strengthening both of our positions in the Black Sea and Balkan Peninsula. I would also like to propose the purchase of the territories of Moldavia and Moldova. In return I would offer the Russian Navy use of the port of Constanta as a strategic base of operations in the Black Sea and valuable replenishment post, as well as any other payments you might suggest.
Sincerely, Regele Alexandru I Cuza, King of the united principalities of Wallachia and Transylvania and Protector of the Romanians.

To my dear brother Prince Georghe,
I write to you to inform you that Europe is on the brink of war, and for this reason you must raise the Armata Transilvania and prepare defensive positions at our borders with Austro-Bohemia and Serbia.
Your brother, Regele Alexandru I Cuza, King of the united principalities of Wallachia and Transylvania and Protector of the Romanians.

To my dear brother Prince Vlad,
I write to you to inform you that Europe is on the brink of war, and for this reason you must mobilise the fleets and prepare them for military operations in the Black Sea and Upper Danube in case of conflict.
Your Brother, Regele Alexandru I Cuza, King of the united principalities of Wallachia and Transylvania and Protector of the Romanians.

With that the messages were sealed and taken by a courier to be delivered to the telegraph office, which would relay the messages to their respective recipients, and the king called for his son.
“You summoned me, my liege?”
“Yes. Europe is on the brink of war and I feel that Romania will be caught at the heart of the fighting. For this reason I am mobilising our forces and preparing for the worst. I want you to raise the Armata Valachia and prepare defensive positions at our borders with Bulgaria and Serbia, understood?”
“Yes, my liege,” he responded calmly, before turning around and rushing to issue his father’s commands. Mihail had been wearing his military officer’s uniform, as he had normally done, reminding the king of his younger self.
He smiled at the thought. “Oh, how easy it was back then,” he said to himself, before returning to the window to watch third son march across the Piața Palatului to the military headquarters on the other side, from where the orders would be relayed. Its impressive facade cast a shadow over much of the square, its darkness reminding the king of the dark times ahead.
He had had enough of staring out his window for one day, so he closed the curtains and left his study in search of his sister, whose company and counsel he admired greatly.

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

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The Kingdom of Scots

Kinrick o Scots | Rìoghachd na h-Albais

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13 November 1911
Greenock, Scotland
Scott's Shipyard

"Another fine work, Mr. Scott. Without your family and the Clyde, our empire never would have been."

The Scottish submarine
King James VIII c. 1911

"Why thank you, Earl Seaforth. Without the government that employs us, our shipyards would have never been."

"A fair point indeed. Now that you have completed the HGS King James VIII, when will the HGS Queen Ulrica be completed?"

"Before we finish the HGS Stuart, Sir. We predict we will finish her in early spring of next year. The Ulrica should be completed by January, weather permitting."

"Excellent, excellent news indeed. The Stuart and her class shall both be revolutionary."

"Yes indeed she shall. The Stuart-class should change Scottish naval warfare."

"And, should all go according to plan, I am certain we will be looking to acquire a second."

"The King James IX, perhaps?"

"Preciously."

14 November 1911
Royal Deeside, Scotland
Balmoral Castle

"She is intolerable, Lizzie." James IX said as he took a sip of his whiskey, of which was temporarily residing in a teacup. "I do not know how much longer I can stand living under the same roof as that woman."

"Oh Jamie you are being too dramatic." his sister said in reply. "I am sure it cannot be all that bad." Princess Elizabeth was fair and gentle by nature. She had the deepest of concerns for every member of her family, including her mother. "I am just sorry I am unable to be there with you and the twins, seeing as it sounds like I am needed."

"You are needed here, Liz. You have your own family now, you must not worry too much about us."

"I know, I know. But I do worry about Mother quite often."

"The woman thinks she talks to Father, we all worry about it."

"I worry about the twins too. The way you make it sound they lack a mother and a father now."

"They do have us, Elizabeth." Earl Midlothian chimed in. "While our relationship is not conventional by any means, the twins at least seem to get on fine with your brother and I around."

Balmoral Castle circa 1906

"And for that we are very fortunate, most notably I. Without Alexander I would certainly go mad, likely as mad as Mother."

"Oh hush Jamie. She is still your Mother as mad as you claim she may be. his sister retorted. "Enough talk of Mother now.Have you anything of interest to share?"

The King took a few moments to think before he gave his answer. "The Prime Minister has begun his 'Fair Deal', although undoubtedly you have heard of that by now. I have spoken to him about two acts I wish to see in Parliament soon and believe Earl Rosebery will include them in his reforms."

"Oh do share." his sister said as she put down her teacup.

"I have asked him to push for women's suffrage."

"Oh that is most just, Jamie. Will the public know it was your request?"

"Heavens no." the King said with a chuckle. "They must not know I hold any political influence over government policy. However, this is a cause that is certainly crucial to any 'reforms' Rosebery's government is planning."

"I could not agree more, James. Tell her about your other suggestion." Earl Midlothian said as he took a sip of James IX's "tea".

"Oh yes, right. I asked him to strike all anti-sodomy laws from our books. It is a tad hypocritical for the King of Scots to get away with violating the sodomy laws -"

"Quite often might I add." Earl Midlothian added with a chuckle. Princess Elizabeth herself began to laugh as well.

"If you want to violate the law later tonight Alexander, I suggest you hush." the King said in reply. "Now, as I was saying. It is hypocritical for the King of Scots to get away with violating these archaic laws while his subjects are imprisoned for them. Besides, the Speaker of the House is a well known homosexual among political circles. So it is not just Alexander and I."

"Do you think he will go for it?" Elizabeth asked.

"The Fair Deal is about granting as many rights and liberties to the citizens of this country as possible, so I am sure he will."

"The response from the Church will be most interesting."

"Well it is James who is King of Scots, not the old dustball in St Andrews."

A knock on the door was heard and a servant entered. "Dinner is served! Please make your way to the dining room as soon as possible."

Balmoral Castle was one of the private estates owned by the royal family. Her owner was King James IX, who let his eldest sister and her family take up residence in the palace. The castle found itself in the hands of the Stuarts following its purchase by King Robert IV, who personally designed the renovations with aid from the School of Architecture at the University of Edinburgh. A memorial cairn was built on the grounds for the late King, as well as a statue much closer to Balmoral itself. It was a favorite retreat of the Stuarts, who would often visit Princess Elizabeth, and a personal favorite of the King and Earl Midlothian. The two quite enjoyed the beautiful grounds of Balmoral, the two often riding some of the horses kept in the private stables. The Stuarts also kept an automobile on the grounds that would be driven for their amusement, and on occasion a second would find its way onto Balmoral's grounds and a race would begin.

King James IX and Earl Midlothian decided to take a trip to escape the stress the King found under the roof of Holyrood. The two considered bringing the twins with them, as they feared for them solely being in the hands of the Mad Queen Dowager, but they did not wish to disrupt their studies and also preferred to have some time alone with one another. With the Fair Deal underway, the King felt his government was safe in the hands of Earl Rosebery, which indeed it was.

[The Enclave Government]

Sofia, Bulgaria
November 20th
Castle Vankov

King Vankov was in his throne room. As usual, he had many things on his mind. Chief among them the pressure he was under to declare war on Greece. He knew quite well that it would benefit Bulgaria immensely - literally all trade by land from Europe to the Latin Empire and the middle east would run through Bulgaria, which meant taxes put more money in the coffers and gave Bulgaria huge amounts of leverage on other nations. He also knew that doing so alone would be quite a waste of men. He'd spoken with his advisors and decided to send a letter to Macedon asking if they would partake in the conflict. He knew the Macedonians wished to retake their ancestral lands. As such, he wrote it, then sent it to their King. After that, he ordered the Military to take up positions against the Greek border and await orders.

Letter from the King of Bulgaria
To the King of Macedon

Hello,

I am asking if you and your nation would be interested in a war with Greece to reclaim both of our rightful lands. I only ask you do not touch lands I border - for I intend to take all of them if you accept. If you accept, I will in gratitude reduce taxes and tariffs on trade between our nations.

Regards, His Imperial Majesty, Venko Vankov

[Terminus Alpha]

Kingdom of Macedonia
November 17, 1911

Unlikely Allies

While the government was still being resettled after the Enabling Act, King Vladmir had attended, with his diplomatic ministry, a meeting with their counter-parts from Serbia. The fact that the Serbs had agreed to the meeting of the monarchs was astounding - previously Macedonian diplomats had assumed that the Serbs simply wished to conquer them. The meeting began very banal and cordial, with the treaty that the two sides hashing out being a simple trade and friendship agreement. This simple discussion consumed the first two days of the discussion, but the turning point happened on the third day of the treaty discussions. The new Administrative Council had been elected, and the vast majority of the new legislators were by some degree Pan-Slavist. They had pressured the King to make this treaty with the Serbs something more, and he did.

When he returned to the negotiation table, he brought with him a new document, one that would serve to bring the two neighbors together. Upon these pieces of paper, lay written the ground work of the United Pan-Slavic Forum. The UPSF was conceptualized as trans-national entity that would speed diplomatic communications between the two nations, but as negotiations progressed, it evolved into something much more. By the end of negotiations, the UPSF was both a special economic zone between the two nations - allowing freer trade - and a military alliance, with the tools to accept more members. The founding of the UPSF was seen as a great victory for Pan-Slavists in both nations, and a further defeat for the Nationalists of Macedonia.

---

A Bulgarian Proposal

A young aide strode into the Diplomatic Ministry confidently. His demeanor was one of a second or third son of nobility, carrying all of the arrogance of the aristocracy, with little of the talent or power. He continued through the building, towards the Office of Official Diplomatic Communications. He passed rows of typewriters and bureaucrats, all hoping to compose some part of the official communiques. The Editing Committee had been favoring pathos, so most simply typed up compositions full of emotion. Past these rows, storage rooms, and past those was the Office of the Editing Committee, where he was heading.

As he entered, the Young Noble waved the letter he had been given in front of his face, before silently placing it upon the desk of the High Editor. He departed the room, with the same imperial speed and gait.

"Ah, something from the Bulgarians." stated the High Editor.

"What does it say?" asked one of the lower-ranked editors.

The High Editor skimmed the letter before speaking again.

"They want us to declare war upon Greece with them... I don't like the idea of it, what say you?"

"I think that our King would much like to reclaim the Macedonian Coast of Greece, but Winter is upon us. This is no time to begin a war."

"Agreed."

---

Official Communique of the Kingdom of Macedon

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To our dearest Bulgarian brothers and sisters,

I hope this letter finds you all well. We in Macedon welcome the opportunity to reclaim our ancestral lands from the Greeks, but as it stands now, we are unable. To begin mobilization in Winter would be foolish, as we need our menfolk to continue to prepare their fields for the coming spring. Our army is also on Winter Leave, and would take weeks to muster in the face of an offensive war. The King means you no ill will, but for now we must reject this offer. Our apologies.

[Liecthenbourg]

The Republic of Germany



Chapter 3: Drilling Mughals, Screwing East Asia and Hammering Some Firms.
November 22nd, 1911

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The Bundestag, Munich

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"Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze..."

Hellwog rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn as he watched Ebert once again stand up from the podium beneath him, defiantly clutching the documents in his hands. The man, for a leftist, had been showing quite the spine as of late. That would not do, Hellwog needed him on the leash. Inside the Bundestag on this fine morning were more than just representatives and ministers, but two firms representatives as well. A tall figure, clad in top hat, suit and pointed black boots whom could scarcely stop twirling his thin moustache or tilting his monocle. The other was shorter, built up bulkier and gave a rather uncanny resemblance to an upright boar with his hulking physique. He too wore a top hat but no spectacles on his scarred face.

"Hans Loewe and Heinrich Fokker, quite the men of repute across the German military industrial complex."

Ebert coughed roughly, grabbing his dangling spectacles from around his neck and placing them on the bridge of his nose as he held the documents high and began to read them aloud to the gathered people. "Ludendorff writes to us that he is currently performing very successfully in drilling the Mughal forces that required it, as he puts it; "kicking a bit of German into every soul on this bloody peninsula." " A soft chuckle emerged and Ebert continued his reading. "He also informs us of the aforementioned information given to us, with the funds that Tirpitz sent to pre-purchase the Mughal Super-Dreadnought already in his hands." A clap of approval occurred within the halls of the Bundestag and many a-German look proud from their seats.

"Nice to see potentially plunging the Orient into a one sided war got them together."

Ebert now shuffled the papers contently and brought forth the next document to the table. "In response to the advancements required by the German nation in terms of aviation, the German Republic hereby grants the "Fokker Company" a firm to create a suitable monoplane for the future. Additionally, to service this monoplane it hereby requests that the DWM Arms Manufacture develops a machine-gun capable of being mounted on an aircraft without destroying the wings nor propeller." Nods of approval escaped both businessmen in their corner and many-a-minister smiled broadly at the proposition.

"Additionally." Ebert continued, rather matter-of-factly. "We have already put forward Tirpitz's order for 30 more of the U-Boat SM U-19 classes, due to their successful use of a diesel engine. They are to be built at Danzig, Kiel and other such ports in the North and Baltic Seas. Additionally, word reaches our ears that the Karl's Benz Company and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft have made their partnership rather official, under a new namesake; Mercedes-Benz"

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Kiel, Germany

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A crisp and cool air blew across the harbour of Kiel, one that in years gone by would have pushed forth the Danish Ships-of-the-Line and raiding parties from Southern Sweden in ages gone by. Street vendors rolled their new-fangled carts along the piers, handing out freshly made pastries and pies to hungry onlookers that had accommodated themselves on benches and tables by the black as night railings separating them from the sea. The tides were calm this fine day and amongst the inquisitive populace was the keen figure of a man wielding a large pair of binoculars. A spotter. His vision shifted left, right, left and right again as he scanned the nearby sea for the sight all wished to see. Not much more than the circling of gulls, the dark patches upon the water of travelling schools of fish, and the odd row boat passing by were spotted by the man. He had almost pried the device away from his eyes had it not been for a small cry of "Look!" and a response of "Right!".

It was a monumental cacophony to the ears, as water splashed up into the air and came back down, gulls squawked and flapped their wings furiously away from the new addition to the otherwise relatively calm bay. The expression from the civilians was one of pure shock and bewilderment, as if Atlantis herself had rose out of the waves and reclaimed her former glory. The truth was less so. Across the water, with several sea birds perching on the majestic black metal, was the obvious sight of the new SM U19. The submarine rose valiantly and nobly out of the water and soon enough her top hatch was opened by what appeared to be the Captain. A wave was given by him to the civilians and he turned back down to his crew.

"Who wants a fucking drink?"

---

Shahjahanabad, Mughal Empire

---

Ludendorff sat at his office, cups of tea to his right and a large teapot to his left as his fingers worked methodically upon a type-writer, it clicking rhythmically as the document was produced. Exactly one month had passed since he had received his request from the Lord-Militant Tamer Gurkhani and if he had said so himself, he had indeed done a good job of himself. Many Mughal companies, that he had personally selected, were already beginning to be drilled and trained by his guiding hands.

To: Lord Militant, Tamer Gurkhani.
From: General Ludendorff.

Greetings Lord-Militant, Tamer Gurkhani.
I send you this letter to inform you, as requested, on the progress that had been made during the past month. Things have been going along swimmingly and aside from some minor communication error, on which I blame upon my accented Bengali and some mistranslations between your translators of Marathi, Tamil, Punjabi and other such languages. Regardless, they are taking to my methods well and seem more than willing enough tyo be able to learn to these drilling techniques. I am confident given a few more months and they shall be hardy and unflinching warriors ready for seasoned battle.

Additionally, there seems to be a promising member amongst the Tamil soldiers, he told me he goes by the name "Prabhu Deva" and I saw the need to mention him to you, as of his brilliance in executing an order to the letter. I'm growing quite fond of him. I may request to keep him around.

Yours Respectfully,
Ludendorff.

He could recall the first days in the drill yard now, as if they had only occurred a few minutes prior. It was a soldering hot day that day and Ludendorff had risen up early, broke his fast on several flat breads with a mango sauce and made his way to the drill yards where rag-tag looking divisions had assembled in their poor excuses for lines. The Prussian had seen this before, no doubt but this was new. He straightened his pickelhaube, tugged on his colour and stepped forward. It was quite the interesting day, to be sure, he recalled. First training had been a large forced march in unison...

Ludendorff marched to the right of the now much more organised morass of men, whom he had organised into much more proper lines and columns. Each had an almost identical rifle in hand with an identical uniform to boot. He set a beat for them to march to and it initially went well, until a mistake amongst one of the men had caused them to lose their beat and everyone was all over the place. The got the Prussian mad, and so he barked:

"Let's get down to business
To train the young.
Did they send me men,
Or the women I'm among?

You're the saddest bunch I ever met
But you can bet before we're through
Mister, I'll make a man
Out of you."

Ludendorff commanded for the one who has caused the commotion to come forward, and when he did Ludendorff barked at his face on how his failure in battle could cost the men around him their lives. The training continued.

"Tranquil as a forest
But on fire within.
Once you find your center
You are sure to win.

You're a spineless, pale pathetic lot
And you haven't got a clue.
Somehow I'll make a man
Out of you."

The march continued and now several Mughal officers had become onlookers to the whole affair. Ludendorff even began to hear several odd remarks coming from the common soldiery as they approached a river.

"I'm never going to catch my breath!"
"Say goodbye to those who knew me!
"Boy, was I a fool for cutting gym! - Generic Soldiers

"This guy's got them scared to death!" - Mughal Officers.

Ludendorff paid this no mind however and no even as he performed his quite inspirational lines as they marched, he was certain there was a chorus behind him shouting.

"BE A MAN!"
"We must be swift as a coursing river!"
"BE A MAN!"
"With all the force of a great typhoon!"
"BE A MAN!"
"With all the strength of a raging fire!"
"Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!"

"Time is racing toward us
'til the Siamese arrive.
Heed my every order
And you might survive!"

They soldiers seemed more inspired now, with their marching becoming more in unison but Ludendorff would give them no break from their march. He kept at it, leading the tempo.

"BE A MAN!"
"We must be swift as a coursing river!"
"BE A MAN!"
"With all the force of a great typhoon!"
"BE A MAN!"
"With all the strength of a raging fire!
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!"

"BE A MAN!"
"We must be swift as a coursing river!"
"BE A MAN!"
"With all the force of a great typhoon!"
"BE A MAN!"
"With all the strength of a raging fire!
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!"

By this time, they had returned to the drill yard and the last words to escape the mouths of the Mughal soldiers before most of them systematically flopped onto the floor was

"Hoo-rah!"

These were quite the powerful recollections of memory as he stood aboard GKS Baburha for a naval review with the Mughals. That was sure to be interesting.

To: Tsar Nicholas II
From: President Bethmann-Hollweg

Greetings Tsar Nicholas II, Emperor of all the Russias.
It is good to hear you aim to support the Mamelukes, but I fear it is not worth waging a potential war across Europe for the sake of the backwards Mamelukes. We here in the Republic have also already messaged the Italians for their input and we are sure to act accordingly in both the information you and they have given us.

I do not claim ownerships to the lyrics of this song, even if they are slightly edited. All rights and that jazz go to the Disney Corporation.

[Kisinger]

The State of Japan

日本の国家

---

Setting the Tone

---

---

Chapter 3: The Samurai Watches

November 25th, 1911

Edo, Japan

日本の国家

Dear, Tsar Nicholas II

Unfortunately we will have to decline such proposals as previous politically endeavors prevent us from doing a non-aggression treaty at this time. As well concerning the movement of Japanese Fleets in the Area around Port Arthur, that is to project our power of our fleets to the Chinese and show that our dominance of the East China Sea.

"We must not tempt the Russians into thinking we are going to attack!" Yelled Foreign Minister Fukishama, as he recieved stares from all the other Ministers and the three generals. "Well then what do you propose we do then? Hide?"Replied the Minister of the Interior Tokishama.

Several of the ministers and Generals laughed as General Hoshina silenced them, "Enough! Now back to what we were discussing previously.... What actions are currently avliable to us as we need to secure additional resources and possibly another Port which has already been built up, such as Vladivostok or Port Arthur. General Asano, you said you had a plan?"

General Asano stood and bowed "Yes..." Pointing to a map potrayed on a nearby wall of Korea, Manchuria, Vladivostok and Northern China. "I suggest, after a quick Naval Strike at Port Arthur, mounting a Quick Offensive into Manchuria sweeping North and then East cutting off Russian and Manchurian Forces in both the Korean Peninsula and Vladivostok, Port Arthur will be a late War objective, which we will attack with the Imperial Marines with assistance from our fleets." He said taking in a deep breath before exhaling, "Any questions?"

Minister of War Yinishama, a former General, "What of our Western Flank and defenses along the Korean Peninsula? Will they be to launch a counterattack and cut us off from doing what we do?" General Asano smiled and looking back to the map, "We will of course launch a Massive offensive against Manchuria, if the orginial offensive fails to build up, we will focus on striking them out with force and cutoff Port Arthur and lay siege while we defeat the Manchurians and Russians. If we are to disable the Enemy we must take out them out early with the Naval Victory at Port Arthur and then a Land Victory by forcing them as far away from Korea as possible."

November 28th, 1911

Nagasaki, Japan

General Hoshina walked along the Naval shipyards of Nagasaki watching as a new Dreadnought and several cruisers and destroyers were being built for the ever Expanding Japanese Navy, smiling the whole time as he had came down on a whim to see the new ships being built for the Empire.

He had left his aides and such back at his headquaters nearby for the Naval district as he just wanted to take a day away from running the Empire, he now finally understood how the Emperor had seemed to age rapidly as it was one of the hardest and most stressful jobs he had undertaken in years. Sighing he pulled of his cap and ran his hand through his hair as the wind seemed to breeze by him.

[The Vaktovian Empire]

Empire of all the Russias

November 23rd, 1911
Russian Imperial Palace, Moscow, Western Russian Province

Nicholas had been awaiting the reply from Germany. He was disappointed that the others hadn't gotten back to him yet, or at least, not to his knowledge. However, he sat back in his chair in the Palace, and began to write a quick response to Germany.

To: President Bethmann-Hollweg
From: Tsar Nicholas II

I agree. The Mamelukes are not worth European War. However, should the Aragon Crown continue to expand into Mameluke, instead of just into Palestine, like rumors have told me they plan on accomplishing, then we will need to act. Aragon cannot control the entire Eastern Mediterranean. It is a power imbalance and would leave us strategically open to attack. Then, when our biggest enemies have this advantage, European War will begin again, as it always does. However, I received a letter from the Romanians, a mostly English ally. They are offering trade deals in terms of land purchases from us in exchange for a military alliance, and other such treasures. If both of us can work with them, they may have potential for a switch in allegiance in terms of the factions in the coming war. As well as this, my esteemed strategists have planned out a conquest of Persia, which should be a little easier for the Prime Minister to have to agree upon if the propaganda we have planned to spew about the Persians sways the general public of Mother Russia in our favor. My ears are always listening, and my informants are many amiss across Southern Europe and the Balkans. When I find new information, you shall be the first to know. Likewise, I would expect the same of you, dear friend.
Sincerely,
Nicholas II, Emperor of all the Russias

Nicholas put his pen down and pushed away from his chair. He called one of his servants, and they brought him a glass of sweeter, cheaper wine, and bobka bread, from the Polish Province. He brought it to a large love seat, where Nicholas was entertained by a short performance by his private symphony. He then got up, and proceeded to call another servant, and his Head Attendant; Master Derjic for his car to be started and brought to the front entrance. As the servants followed him, as well as two men from the Royal Guard, and his chief security official General Oborski, of the Imperial Royal Guard. The car was brought to the front. Just as Nicholas took his first step onto the car, an official from the telegram office at the other end of the Palace came running from down the hallway yelling to the Emperor. He stopped from getting fully in the vehicle, looking at the crazed man with one eyebrow raised. "Sir, there's been a bombing in Novgorod, the Communists!" He said. "They've begun a full bombardment of the city with artillery guns! The telegram says it is not known where they're from but they also have large scale cars and trucks they're using as well, and Machine Guns!" He said. "The troops there are holding, but they won't for long. There's another Regiment in the vicinity, Shimsk! A city to the Southwest, adjacent to Lake Ilmen!" He said. "Give the order to mobilize that Regiment, and where's the next biggest troop deposit after that?" He questioned. "A 100 man Battalion in Kresttsy, to the Southeast on the other side of Ilmen, and then three 200 man Battalions in Soltsy. The Communists are reported to have no more than around 700 men, sir." Said the messenger. "Alright, mobilize the Regiment, move one of the Battalions from Soltsy to Shimsk. Then, send a direct order to the Base Commander at Kresttsy to set up defenses. If Lenin's forces break through Novgorod, the Enterstate National Road that goes threw Kresttsy can eventually lead them to Moscow. What city did they advance from?" He asked. "The report says a riot took place in Chudovo, to the North of Norvogord, and then forces there were taken over, and not reported about until a day later. The siege has been apparently going on since yesterday." He said. "Alright, follow my orders, and get a message to the city North of Chudovo, I think it's Kirishi, that the Battalion Commander there mobilize whatever men he has to corner them at Chudovo, and then rally surrounding smaller units in the neighboring towns as well to bring the fight Southward, until we've got them trapped on the outskirts of Novgorod." Nicholas said, all without a map. His knowledge of Western Russian Province geography was exceptional. Alexander III had taught him well as a young boy. "Yes sir," The messenger said. A servant closed the door of Nicholas's car as the messenger ran back into the Palace. As the car sped off into busy Moscow, Nicholas stared out the window, General Oborski sitting next to him, beginning to go into a series of deep thought. "I suppose the time has come. The war has begun inside rather than out." He thought.

November 24th, 1911
Northern Sector, City of Novgorod, Western Russian Province

Colonel Abar Sarislaw had not had an easy job as Head Commander of Novgorod Imperial Army Operations. The morning of November 22nd, 1911, Communist forces, under an unknown commander himself had attacked Novgorod. They had trashed the Enterstate National Road coming from Chudovo. First attacking the Northern sub-town of Trubichino, they had taken the Russians by surprise with heavy artillery ordnance. The Garrison in Northwest Novgorod in the sub-town of Syrkovo, and where Sarislaw's first major loss had occurred was bombarded by the artillery. He had been forced to retreat due Southeast, to come to bin parallel latitude with the enemy. Now, the two sides had stared eachother down for about 48 hours. It was round 8:00 am, and the ground was soggy, the harsh cold air coming across Sarislaw's chapped, dry mouth.
He surveyed, using his binoculars, the enemy trenches just around 200-250 yards from theirs. The artillery was much farther away, behind their line of overall forward progress to shield them from close range warfare. However, they had smaller cannons and such they had been firing on the trenches. The 34th Regiment, Sarislaw's Regiment, had originally had 1,000 men in it. On previous notice of the attack, they could have taken the Communists easily. They numbered, maybe 700, if the estimates Sarislaw had made were near correct.
However, they had not known of the advancement of Communist forces until it was almost too late. Thus, Sarislaw had lost around 1,500 men in the initial bombardment, which had totally destroyed the Garrison. Now, what supplies they quickly gathered and vehicles and horses they escaped in stood or sat behind or in the trenches they had dug for a long, dug out conflict.
Not one gunshot had been heard since the earlier day, the 23rd. A small scrimmage had occurred. It claimed the lives of 30 of Sarislaw's men. They had only killed about 7 Communists as well. Their line was well stocked and defended. Machine Gun nests, barbed wire, and stone walls on some of their areas. In just two days time they had constructed something meant to last a decade. It was short, and only covered the width of the road, as well as the surrounding cleared area. The real strategic value was in the trees on either side of both of the lines. The problem was they were seasonal, Summer trees. No leaves sat on them, and for every 4 of them, there was one pine tree. And everything was covered in a thin layer of ice and snow. The visibility was very good. So any troops not in the trenches were either laying down, or had dug smaller trenches in the forested region as well. At that moment, engines were heard. They came from the South. Men to the very back of the established trench area they had dug ran over to the trench. Most of the Communist weapons did not have a range of that long, or at least, they didn't want to risk firing. "Sir, reinforcements have arrived!" shouted the Lieutenant who came fumbling into the trench from behind. "A fresh Regiment from Shimsk!" the officer said to his subordinate. "They're commander will be arriving shortly, their vehicles are stacked up around the bend!" said the man. The bend, was a bend in the road, which diverted the view because there were other buildings and such at that point, where the area between the trenches was barren land, and the area behind the Communist trench was as well.
Within minutes, the Regiment Commander; Major Zakhar Filipov came and shook Sarislaw's hand. "Nice to meet you." Said Filipov. "Now then, I have 1,000 men here. Can we simply rush them, charge them, you know, outnumber them and take them?" He said. "I'm afraid not, they have machine guns lined throughout that line and even pinching from the forested sides in a pincer movement would give us many casualties." He said. "I'm not willing to put your or my men in danger. We will need to come to a better strategy." He said. "For now, start constructing a wall along both sides of our trench in parallel with ours, across the tree line, with the abundance of supplies your units have brought. In my opinion, I expect this is where the war will start, and end." Sarislaw said.
The next day, not a bullet fired. The scene was the same; the Communists and Imperials had not changed position. However, with reinforced supplies, the Imperials had constructed a larger, 2 foot high wall, and trenches across both sides of the tree line, in a 50 foot long spread.
This was the case for the entire day of the 25th. Not a bullet was fired, not a sound heard.

[Super-Llamaland]

Ayutthaya

The entire congress was in uproar at the recent reports of a Mughal attack at the Mughal-Burmese border, and there were quite a few Thai Conservatives that wanted to declare war immediately.

Thaksin Vermajiva was not one of those. The prime minister was not quite old enough to be in the hyper-nationalist founding party of the Conservatives, yet at forty-six he was also not young enough to count himself amongst the militaristic younger politicians. More moderate than his fellow party-members, he was therefore popular enough amongst every Congress member, and, more importantly, Rama IX, the previous king, who had been extremely liberal.

In fact, Thaksin was attempting to defuse the situation. "Order!" he called. "It is no great secret that the Siamese are mighty warriors-"

Cheers and bloodlust. For a room that was majority buddhist, they were awfully militaristic about things.

"-but!" he called out. "If we war against the Mughals on our own, we may find ourselves stalemated, for their vast numbers will be enough to challenge our mighty army! We need allies to defeat the Mughals and send them back marching, tails between legs, to their rightful borders! I therefore propose we attempt to defuse this diplomatically- and then! Then, with the colonial powers on our side, we will roundly destroy the Mughals and expand greater Siam! I call on us to remember Siam's peaceful roots and to seek a non-peaceful way."

The matter was decided quickly, and letters were drafted up. Siam would seek the peaceful way first, but still everywhere they prepared for war...

TO: Sir John Sinclair, Scottish Minister of Foreign Affairs
FROM: Thaksin Vermajiva, Siamese Prime Minister; His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam

Dear Sir Sinclair,

In light of the recent Mughal attacks on a Siamese border outpost that killed five Siamese, we are inviting members of your noble government to participate in Siamese-Mughal diplomatic negotiations in the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. We hope that you will accept this role in helping to deflate border tensions between the two nations.

His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam
Thaksin Vermajiva, Prime Minister, The Siamese Empire

TO: Zihar Shaljan, Shahashan of the Dominion of the Indus and Ganges, Khan-Emperor of the Lands of Kublai, Sovereign of the Teardrop Throne, Archduke of Media and Persia, Lord of the Southern Isles, Coast-Master of the Far Homes
FROM: Thaksin Vermajiva, Siamese Prime Minister; His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam

Noble Shahashan,

In light of the recent Mughal attacks on a Siamese border outpost that killed five Siamese, we are inviting members of your noble government to participate in Siamese-Mughal diplomatic negotiations in the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. We hope that you will accept this role in helping to deflate border tensions between the two nations.

His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam
Thaksin Vermajiva, Prime Minister, The Siamese Empire

TO: Zihar Shaljan, Shahashan of the Dominion of the Indus and Ganges, Khan-Emperor of the Lands of Kublai, Sovereign of the Teardrop Throne, Archduke of Media and Persia, Lord of the Southern Isles, Coast-Master of the Far Homes
FROM: Thaksin Vermajiva, Siamese Prime Minister; His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam

Noble Shahashan,

In light of the recent Mughal attacks on a Siamese border outpost that killed five Siamese, we are inviting members of your noble government to participate in Siamese-Mughal diplomatic negotiations in the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. We hope that you will accept this role in helping to deflate border tensions between the two nations.

His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam
Thaksin Vermajiva, Prime Minister, The Siamese Empire

TO: Chancellor Friedrich Ebert
FROM: Thaksin Vermajiva, Siamese Prime Minister; His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam

Dear Chancellor Ebert,

In light of the recent Mughal attacks on a Siamese border outpost that killed five Siamese, we are inviting members of your noble government to participate in Siamese-Mughal diplomatic negotiations in the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. We hope that you will accept this role in helping to deflate border tensions between the two nations.

His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam
Thaksin Vermajiva, Prime Minister, The Siamese Empire

TO: Dalai Lama the 13th Thubten Gyatso
FROM: His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam

Your Holiness,

The Siamese Empire would be interested in investing in your nation and working out a diplomatic alliance. Please reply if interested - Siam would be pleased to have a new Asian ally and would request that we hold a conference to work out the terms of such a possible alliance in Lhasa or Ayutthaya.

His Majesty Rama X of the Greater Siam

[Liecthenbourg]

The Republic of Germany



Chapter 4: Spreading the Iron Cross.
November November 30th, 1911

---

The Bundestag, Munich

---

"Brüderlich zusammenhält..."

"The Romanians ask for our help. The Russians seem it wise, we are to crack the yolk of the Austrian Morass with a few favours, military training and a well refined spoon."

The assembled ministers guffawed and chortled to their hearts content about the joke the President had just made, despite it being perhaps one of the worst puns to ever exist on the face of the earth. Hellwog was not a humorous man and little he did was determined funny by anyone - running the most politically important and most military powerful nation in Europe had a sense of importance and seriousness to him, something which he would often think to himself when dealing with the more jolly of Germania's ministers.

"I'm TRYING to run a fucking country, you morons! I've no time to listen to your own personal problems!" Was but a common thought that would be trailing the President's head every so often; the signs of his frustration were quite visible, if you knew where to look. A subtle grating of the teeth behind closed lips, incessant fiddling of the fingers and long strides as he walked away from you. So far, to his merit, the only individual whom he knew had noticed this side of him was the plump and content Ebert, whom would hastily fumble an excuse about his mother when he saw the President's signs betray him.

Putting those angering thoughts behind him and narrowing his brow with his left index and middle finger, Hellwog looked up to the relatively peaceful gathering of ministers.

"Are we in agreement? Shall we assist Romania?"

Romania was to be grasped in the caring hands of Germany.

To: Regele Alexandru I Cuza, King of the united principalities of Wallachia and Transylvania and Protector of the Romanians.
From: Friedrich Ebert, Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the German Republic

Greetings to you, sir.
I write this letter to you with the voice of the President at my back.
It amuses my person to believe a war would be arriving soon, I'd deem it slightly narcissistic but alas I am not one to judge. Germany will be willing to sell to your nation an exact 18,000 Gewehr 98s, which would be an estimated -insert price here, I do not know-. Ammunition will also be sent. Additionally, we will be willing to send to you the respected Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, freshly arrived from Africa, where he will be sent back to once his services are complete, to train your forces. Germany will also be accepting the military alliance with Romanian, and wishes to invest in your rather prosperous raw materials industries. Specifically, your mining and oil production.

I await your response.

---

Ayutthaya, Siam

---

Gerhold Armbruster strolled across the streets of Ayutthaya confidently, followed close behind by his attendant, whom was holding a plethora of papers against his chest as the diplomat kept walking forward briskly. It created quite the comical scene across the streets of the city. Armbruster shrugged it off and continued to walk, wanting to get this whole diplomacy business out of the way. The thought of having to do his embassy duties, for once, instead of shooting at local wildlife with a permit was quite the bother to the ageing man from Holstein. He'd broken his fast quite early in the morning, as he generally did, but as he was leaving with his rifle to go hunt, he was intercepted by a message from the German Government. Grunting his annoyances, he awoke his assistant and merely began to stroll towards the parliamentary building of the Siamese.

To be honest, Armbruster had no idea why the Germans were even being called to this diplomatic meeting. Sure, the Germans and the Mughals liked to play buddy-buddy, with many of the German Higher Ups commenting on how they have "civilised" the Mughals. A blatant lie in Gerhold's eyes, they merely provided a gateway to the technologically advanced west and the Mughals opened a gateway into the extensive markets of Asia. It was quite the deal. On the other side, he could clearly understand why the Scottish had been invited; "The puppet cannot act without he whom holds the strings." was the only comment Gerhold had given to his secretary when the fellow had asked why the Scottish where there.

The doors to the Ministry slowly opened in front of the Ambassador and his assistant and they quickly stepped inside the structure as the doors closed behind them yet again. Twirling his cane, Gerhold approached the receptionist and rubbed his eyes roughly.

"Ambassador Gerhold Armbruster, on behalf of the German Empire, here to represent my Government in the tidings you have called of us."

---

GKS Baburha

---

Ludendorff smiled contently as he turned to the Mughal whom approached him. He clasped the other man's hand firmly with his own and shook it, a small wind picking up on the deck of the vessel.

"It is truly an honour to be here." Ludendorff smiled, twirling his cane in an idle fashion. "I have reported to the Lord-General of my current state of affairs with the drilling and we seem to be going well with it indeed. But alas, I am here to speak to you about the matters of the fleet. It is well known that Germany will be purchasing one of your super-dreadnoughts; it has also reached my attention that the Mughal Fleet command wishes for Submarines to be made part of her navy. It would be possible for the Republic to send forth several experts on these crafts here to India to assist in your own developments."

[G-Tech Corporation]

November 25th, 1911

Foreign Quarter, Ayutthaya
Kingdom of Siam
Sound and Fury

Ambassador Mulalim was not a happy man. That could be taken as a general statement- a sour fellow, dipped in too much vinegar and left to pickle, Mulalim had been raised by serious and pious parents, and had about as much humor in his bones as a graveyard's dead. But it could also be a more specific rejoinder; upon receiving a missive from the Foreign Office, he had to abandon his normally comfortable chambers and the luxury of the embassy to deal with bloody Siamese. He liked the people, but the government, especially the conservatives, had their self-righteous undergarments on eighteen sizes too small. Dealing with them was like dealing with a man made of the stiffest wood, implacable and stuck back before man banged two rocks together to make fire. But such was his job, and one did not refuse the Khan-Emperor when he named you ambassador to one of the Mughal's nearest neighbors after twenty long years as a governor. Mulalim trod down the runner from his carriage, and nodded to the two Blackguards as he entered the Foreign Ministry of Siam.

Always obsessed with recapturing some old glory. The newsheets talked of the empire, expanding it. An amusing proposition, with Siam caught between colonies of the likely the greatest merchantile power on the planet, and a neighbor who could swallow her thirty times over. But, ah, at least it kept the rabble content. Mulalim was a practical man. A bit of saber-rattling could keep the masses' minds off of Siam's decaying economic status, her slow attempts to industrialize- any number of problems could be glossed over if one manufactured a more emotion-rousing one for the people to steam their blood with. It was a rare man who could riot over education standards, a much more common one who could march to war with his heart full of nationalistic falsehoods. So the Ambassador was here, in the rich mahogany halls of the Ministry, to talk to some Siamese over another one of these delightful distractions.

He nodded to one of the receptionists, one he was familiar with from ten years of association. "Ambassador Mulalim, here to meet with the council at their request. It seems there has been a crime they want me to talk to them about." His well-oiled beard shook back and forth he displayed sadness at the need. But such was his role here, in Siam. As the Emperor willed it.

Forecastle, GKS Baburha, Northern Andaman Sea
International Waters
The Armada

High on the forward observation tower stood the German officer, Erich von Ludendorff. Fleet Admiral Ashar ibn Hashtar took a small amount of pleasure from the stiff posture of the soldier as he stood looking out over the eastern squadron of the Grand Fleet. Annual maneuvers had coincided nicely with the man's visit to the Empire, a representative of the Mughal Empire's most stalwart European partner in both trade and diplomacy. Though the Khan-Emperor had held himself aloof from any of the entangling strands in the Continent, as the westerners were so fond of calling it, even he could not avoid the web of economic ties and trade recipients that spanned the world over. Many of their cruxes were in Europe, the inception points of that immense latticework of gossamer strands that tied every man and beasts on the planet together via invisible strings. A steelworker in Kolkata had no need to think of the area beyond Bengali lands, but his foreman cast his eye to all of the Empire, and the foundry boss to the entirety of the planet- to ignore the implications of events in Rumania or Vinland was to march a step behind the beat of the drum of progress. And Ashar had never been a man but to lead the lockstep charge.

His polished boots, deep as the fathoms of the sea over which the Baburha sailed, rang on the walkway as he ascended to the forecastle. The Teuton did not turn, but the Admiral was under no illusions as to the experienced warrior's knowledge of his surroundings. Even now those blue eyes were drinking in the lines of the Juggernaught, the most recent addition to the Grand Fleet, as she steamed alongside the flotilla assembled for practice.

"A magnificent specimen, is she not?" The Admiral bowed slightly at the waist as Ludendorff turned to regard him. "I have the honor to be Fleet Admiral Ashar ibn Hastar, very much at your service." The Mughal commander straightened, and his own eyes went to the ponderous power of the super dreadnought. "The War Office is pleased you could make it down here from the Scarlet Palace for our review. With your government already paying the funds for her sister ship once she is launched, I thought it only wise that at least one formal representative of your republic apprise the value of your purchase ere you take delivery. Hopefully later you shall have the opportunity to witness her firepower. Though not as long ranged as your dreadnoughts, the engineers assure me she is truly a formidable beast." He smiled. "We let you and the Anglois do the exploratory engineering, and saved the funds to build some truly monstrous islands of steel and shot."

Garin Shipyards, Kochi
Mughal Empire
A Titanic Vessel

The MES Magnificent lay at harbor in Kochi, prepared for her maiden voyage. All the way to San Francisco, across the Pacific. It would be a long trip, but if there was ever a way to travel, it was on board the Magnificent. Named with no small irony by her wealthy northern financiers and a cabal of Alaskan shipping magnates, her luxury was unparalleled- her size was larger than even the mightiest of dreadnoughts, even the Juggernaught class battleships. Displacing over fifty two thousands tons when fully stocked, she could carry thirty five hundred souls. Her hull was lauded as unbreakable, a fifteen compartment bulkheaded arrangement- even if the worst befell her, Magnificent could survive any marine disaster short of the end times. More like a floating hotel than a ship, her cabins and common areas were appointed in the exquisite high Empire style of architecture so beloved of the prominent hoteliers of the civilized world; when aboard the floating monolith to man's achievement, man and women could play squash, take a Turkish bath, and even watch a respectable library of moving pictures. Even her steerage quarters were a testament to the rising standards of the South Seas Shipping Line. While European quartering for third class passengers was often a matter of stuffing as many bodies as possible into open dormitories with inadequate food or facilities, the Magnificent had cabins for the passengers, well-appointed and each capable of carrying up to ten passengers. The single men and travelers were quartered on the forward bow, and the single women and families quartered aft.

And she was full, and moving, her enormous foghorn sending watchers clutching at their ears in laughter. This was the dawn of a new age, a grander age of travel. And the testament to man's might sailed without a care in the world.

Devil's Ballroom, Khan Zihar Land
Antarctica
A Polar Plunge

Through the snow the six men trudged, each weighed down by the burden of equipment against the subzero temperatures, and a weight of sadness. The slaughter of the dogs had been hard, especially for the Norwegian, the great burly fellow, but it was necessary. The twenty that remained to haul the sledges were good beasts- without the food of their fellows, though, the expedition should have been hard put to press onwards, for their supplies from the outset would have been too great. Karan briefly removed his googles to wipe ice from them, closing his eyes against the glare of the sun. The cold was biting, a physical force that wanted to tear his skin from his bones. With alacrity he resealed the protection, and just focused on putting one foot in front of another.

A fine party they were, a German, a Russian, two Alaskans, a Norwegian, and a Mughal. Before they had left the plan had been to head to the north pole, a fact Karan had had to conceal from his teammates. But they got over it. Now they were more worried about making sure they made it to the pole before the Anglois. Buggers had set out behind the expedition, but the vagaries of fate down in this frozen land were impossible to account for. But the Pole, ah, that would be the prize. Over this trembling glacier, full of hidden crevasses, the explorers pushed forward. Even with the best winter gear it was like swimming in a frozen river. But ambition is hotter than even the greatest summer sun.

Cyrogenics Laboratory, University of Bihar, Shahjahanabad
Mughal Empire
Absolute Zero

Shiraz Achmed entered the laboratory chamber, his mind far afield in the realm of mathematics even as his feet carried him to the experiment. Several assistants greeted him happily and the balding man in his wire-framed spectacles nodded back absently, an automatic reaction bespeaking his politeness, not the attention he was paying to his colleagues. Without words he gestured towards the man who maintained the low-pressure cylinder, and with a hum of electrical motors the test began. His deep chocolate eyes were glued to the dials as the temperature began to drop- this was the last of several cooling stages, and with the introduction of the liquid helium soon Shiraz would see if his theory and the idea shared by several prominent physicists was correct. The white crawling fluid was invisible within its carefully maintained confines, but its effects were obvious. As the current passed through the pure mercury, the resistivity began falling- just as he had predicted. Around the room excited voices spoke in low whispers. The professor would not brook any higher conversation, but the implications of the experiment were astounding.

Downwards the dial crept, tracking the fall of the low-pressure helium towards the universal point of temperate conditions. Earlier experiments had taken the liquid down to one point five Kelvins, but such measures would not be needed here, if the theoretical models were accurate. One hundred Kelvin. An hour ran by. Ten Kelvin. Morning turned to afternoon. Five Kelvin. Shiraz had just taken tea as he watched the valves, when a slow smile began to spread across the old man's face. Four point two Kelvin- the resistance of the mercury had all but disappeared. For all his genius, Lord Thomson and his house of Kelvin could go get stuffed. Electrons did not cease to flow at low temperatures- they accelerated infinitely. This was wondrous news, but her implications Shiraz could not fathom. The conductivity of the metal was at a level he had never seen before. A cause for celebration, low temperature supraconductivity.

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

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The Kingdom of Scots

Kinrick o Scots | Rìoghachd na h-Albais

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30 November 1911
Edinburgh, Scotland
Holyrood Palace

"Must we really meet this man again. He is such a pompous ass." Earl Midlothian said with a heavy sigh.

"Unfortunately we do. It is St Andrews Day after all, and he is the Archbishop of St Andrews. While he may be a pompous ass, he's the pompous ass that runs the Church in our country. Now come, at least we get to celebrate."

"Are you implying we are going to celebrate in front of the Archbishop? I am sure he is livid enough with the end of the anti-sodomy laws, I do not think he would take kindly to us fucking right in front of him."

"Oh you ass. Now shush, put on a smile, and get ready. He will be on his way."

"Then it would be best we meet up with the Queen Dowager and the Twins."

"Ever so unfortunately, Alexander."

As the two carried on, elsewhere in Holyrood the Archbishop of St Andrews made his way towards the dining room where he would be greeted by the royal family. It was not his first trip the the palace, and had been visiting ever since he first became Archbishop of St Andrews in accordance with the celebratory traditions of the royals and church leaderships. He was an old fashioned man who loathed anything modern. The Fair Deal to him was nothing but hot air with flavors of blasphemy. He was no fan of the ending of the anti-sodomy laws and had thus far privately loathed the fact women could now vote in the next general election. His role in government was no more, and his sole task was to place the Crown of Scotland on the head of the sovereign. Much to his dismay, he was isolated from the government. In his mind, he would be able to fix it and restore Caledonia to her former glory.

As he approached the doors to the dining room they opened simultaneously and he made his way into the royal dining room. He smiled at the royal family.

"Welcome Cardinal! I am so happy you are dining with us tonight!" the Queen Dowager proclaimed. The King rolled his eyes and looked at Earl Midlothian, who smirked back.

The Queen Dowager in 1910

"It is my pleasure to be in your home, Your Highness. And of-" the Archbishop was abruptly cut off.

"This is my home, Archbishop. Not that of my mother." the King sneered.

"Oh shush James, that is no way to treat a guest." his mother said as she glared at her son.

"My apologies, Your Grace. Thank you for having my in your home. I cannot wait for dinner to begin."

"Nor can I. Might I introduce you to my guest, Archbishop?"

"Please address me as Cardinal, Sir. And certainly." the Archbishop said while taking offense at the King's refusal to address him by his proper title.

"This is Alexander Ramsay, Earl of Midlothian."

The Archbishop approached the young Earl and had to fight a look of disgust. He knew exactly who Midlothian was and was offended by his very presence. It was bad enough he had to tolerate the King, and now he had to tolerate him. Reluctantly, the Archbishop extended his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Earl Midlothian."

"The pleasure is mine, Cardinal."

The party sat down to dinner and was served the traditional meal for St Andrew's Day. First they were given a bowl of Cullen Skink, followed by a plate of smoked haddock bake and a plate of roasted shoulder of lamb, served on top of potato and onions. Casual conversation was had between the Archbishop and the Queen Dowager, with the King and Earl Midlothian seldom making contact with anyone but one another. The Twins ate and chatted with one another, often poking at their elder brother and his friend for entertainment, which was always met with a reply to their satisfactions. All had been peaceful, until the servants cleared the table and it was time for desert. The Archbishop decided it was then time to strike.

"These are ever changing times we live in. Quite dangerous times indeed. Especially such when our government appears to be declaring open war on the Bible and the Church."

"I do not quite know what you mean, Cardinal. Could you please elaborate?" the Queen Dowager prodded, taking the bait carefully laid out by the "holy man".

"Indeed I could, Madame, and indeed I shall. His Grace's government has decided it would be best to legalized sodomy. I am sure His Grace knows the Church does not approve of such disgusting acts."

"What the Church approves of is none of my concern, Archbishop." the King retorted.

"Cardinal! I am a Cardinal!"

"Beg pardon. Cardinal. Your Church is of no concern to me."

"Do you deny your own faith? Do you now deny the God and Church that allows you to rule over this realm?"

"God allows me to rule over the Scots. Not you, and not your Church, Cardinal."

"And it is the Church that I serve that does the work of God on earth."

"Does it? Does it really? Or does it just serve the interests of the few and privileged group of pompous pricks that run it? There is nothing Godly about your profession, Cardinal."

"I will not stand here and be insulted by a filthy sodomite! How da-" the Archbishop cried as a candlestick flew past his head, crashing through one of the windows and landing on the palace grounds.

"Get out of my son's home, you arrogant old pig!" the Queen Dowager shrieked. "Get out right now or by God my husband will remove you himself! Out! Out! OUT!"

The Archbishop attempted to gather his composure and quickly left the dining room. For the evening had not gone a plan, and instead would start a war of its own between His Grace's Government and the Archbishop of St Andrews.

3 December 1911
St Andrews, Scotland
St Andrews Cathedral

The first Sunday of December had come and the reading from the Gospel had just been completed. In a rare occurrence, the Archbishop himself was going to give the sermon. He had carefully planned out his sermon and would use it to attack the government's Fair Deal. Thus far in Scotland, the Fair Deal was well received by the vast majority of the working population. The kingdom's business elite reluctantly got on board and were at least thankfully they were not being shattered like their counterparts (as much as monopolies can be counterparts) in New Scotland. Women applauded the new voting rights allotted to them, with famed suffragist Helen Priscilla McLaren, daughter of the legendary Priscilla Bright McLaren - the Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage and Lord Provost of Edinburgh, applauding the Representation of the People Act (More commonly known as the Equal Suffrage Act). The Archbishop was by no means a supporter of this act, nor was he a supporter of any other proposed or by the Leslie Government. The Fair Deal was now the in the sights of his loaded rifle, and he was ready to fire it right in front of those gathered at St Andrews Cathedral.

"Brothers and Sisters. As Children of God we have a duty to protect his kingdom here on earth from the evils often encountered in this world. I am calling you to action, for it is true my Brothers and Sisters that your very own government has declared war on Our Lord and His Kingdom!" the Archbishop declared dramatically, resulting in whispers among the parishioners.

St Andrews Cathedral, circa 1887

"Yes it is true indeed! The government of Earl Rosebery has fired the first shots of their unholy war against Our Lord. The Fair Deal is truly a work of the devil himself. Sodomites may legally violate the Lord's will! Women now have the right to vote, receiving equal status to men! Current acts in drafting, so I am told, are even proposing more equal rights for the savages that live in our colonies! I say to you my Brothers and Sisters! I say to you right here and right now, it is your duty to stop the irresponsible actions of your government and defend the earthly kingdom of Our Lord!"

The congregation's murmurs grew much louder as the Archbishop concluded, ending his rant with "May God guide us through these turbulent times." He had fired back at the government, however Earl Rosebery and his allies in Parliament would quickly fire back.

---

The Scotsman

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Government Condemns St Andrews!

4 December, 1911

5 Shillings

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Yesterday morning during his sermon at St Andrews Cathedral, the Archbishop of St Andrews denounced the Liberal government's Fair Deal program. He specifically attacked the Representation of the People Act, of which gives the right to vote to all citizens of Scotland, and the Scottish Penal Code of 1911, of which decriminalized sodomy among other points. Cardinal Maxwell Hay even likened the Fair Deal to the work of the Devil himself.

The elderly head of the Church in Scotland is now under fire, from both Rosebery's government and fellow members of the clergy. A government spokesman said "The Archbishop's views are outdated and represent all that is wrong with the Catholic Church. After all, it is His Grace's Government that determines the laws of our nation, not the papal puppet in St Andrews."

The Bishop of Edinburgh told journalists that "The Archbishop's sermon is most unfortunate. Rather than working with the government and hailing it for improving the life of the common man, Cardinal Hay has decided to denounced fair and equal laws."

Holyrood has been silent on the issue as has the Archbishop since his sermon. At what is now a crucial turning point in Scottish history, the Archbishop of St Andrews is surely stuck in the past. Many in Scotland have been calling for Cardinal Hay's sacking as the Archbishop of St Andrews, claiming he does not accurately represent the will of the Scottish people.

The growing rift between Rome and Scotland may prove to be most damaging to the Church's status throughout the Scottish Imperial Union, it is rumored that the Scottish ambassador to the Holy See has been recalled and the consulate ordered closed until further notice. However, there is no official government confirmation of this occurring.

((>>More on Page 3))

7 December 1911
Ayutthaya, Siam
Scottish Embassy

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TO: Thaksin Vermajiva, Siamese Prime Minister
FROM: Sir John Sinclair

A Mughal attack on Siam is most concerning. In order to discuss the issue and hopefully maintain peace, I have dispatched the Scottish Ambassador to Siam, Lord Malcom MacDuff, to attend this conference in my place. I am unable to attend myself as I am participating in the meeting of the Scottish Imperial Council, and for that reason the Governors of the Scottish East Indies and Scottish Indochina are also unable to attend in my place.

May peace be a guiding force in our time.

[Super-Llamaland]

AYUTTHAYA

"Good morning, Ambassador Mulalim. How are you today?" the receptionist warmly greeted. The Mughal ambassador was lead to his own rooms, to wait for the arrival of the German and Scottish representatives. Soon, they came, and the day after the last of them arrived, Thaksin Vermajiva invited the three of them to talk with them over dinner.
---
They had all agreed to meet for dinner and discuss the future of the Greater Indochina, and presently Thaksin was being taken towards Rama IX's palace - it was traditional for politicians not to live close by. He couldn't help but fear for what could happen at the conference - but whether he liked it or not, all of Siam's future could depend on that night.

The other delegates arrived within three minutes - all punctual, to the Siam Nationalist's infinite pleasure. He cleared his throat and began.

"Thank you for attending. I hope we can trust each other to remain somewhat silent about these proceedings until our nations reach an agreement." he said. "As you know, we are here to discuss the short-term consequences of a Mughal-caused attack on a Siamese border post. We are willing to peacefully accept that this was indeed caused by despicable nationalist warmongers not affiliated with your government. However. We are willing to make amends to avoid war -"

"Firstly, good Ambassador, we would like the nationalists who spread such blatant propaganda to be punished severely for their crimes. Secondly - both of our nations must drop their claims on the others' half of Yindu. The territory will remain split." he coughed. "If these terms are met, we are willing for a peaceful resolution."

This was a serious risk for Thaksin. Three-quarters of the Thai Conservatives would want his head for even bothering to propose peace. But the Scots were making negatory noises about Siamese requests for full military support and any war against the Mughals and Germany was going to end poorly. Not just "below-average" poorly, either. Something on the scale of "losing the entirety of Myanmar" poorly. He watched the Mughal ambassador carefully.

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THE SIAMESE-MUGHAL BORDER

Sunya Chaisurivirat was pissed. Every new examination of him his nervous subordinates made revealed a new aspect of his complete upsetness - his ramrod-straight back, the throbbing vein on his neck, what was likely a furious expression on his beet-red face if the border guards had dared to look higher.

"IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL BORDER SECURITY?" Chaisurivirat screamed. One guard tried to hide the playing cards he was holding behind his back; Sunya stepped on his hand with a firm boot while he tried this, causing him to gasp out. "THE MUGHALS HAVE ALREADY SHOT FIVE OF OUR BEST MEN-" here he was embellishing - in truth, the five Mughal casualties were only heroes because they'd been shot dead. Otherwise, they were extremely similar to the lazy guards that Sunya was ranting at. "-WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO INVADE SIAM? HM? WOULD THAT LET YOU WISE UP AND BECOME REAL SOLDIERS!"

"Sir, we were just-"

The guard's voice trailed off as Chaisurivirat turned and glared scornfully at him. "What was that?"

"Nothing, sir."

"The new reinforcements will be arriving shortly," he said coldly. "Thaksin Vermajiva has ordered border security increased by fifty percent. Wait until I tell him what the real state of the Mughal border is. I expect you to sharpen up in the next week before they come. Do not disappoint," he said, loosening his boot off the fingers of the cards-player and walking away.

MESSAGE FROM HIS GLORIOUS KING OF SIAM, RAMA IX, AND PRIME MINISTER OF SIAM, THAKSIN VERMAJIVA

TO: Dalai Lama the 13th Thubten Gyatso

Dear Your Holiness,

This message is coming from the Buddhist Kingdom of Siam. In these dangerous times, the Muslims to our south have already attacked our joint border and we would like to ensure your friendly relations with us in a possible upcoming conflict - although we are attempting to negotiate a diplomatic end, we still need to prepare for the inevitable. We are willing to ship all manner of goods across the Himalayas to Tibet.

[G-Tech Corporation]

November 25, 1911

Forecastle, GKS Baburha, Northern Andaman Sea
International Waters
Discussing Devilfish

Admiral Ashar nodded, his head inclined towards the Juggernaught who was getting up steam just fore of the Mughal flagship. His dark hands rested on the polished steel balustrade as the trim white-attired sailor looked out over the frothing gray waters of the Andaman Sea next to Ludendorff. "Quite so. Submarines, my superiors and I agree, have a vital role to play in this rapidly shifting ocean of naval warfare. Out here in the Indian Ocean, away from your confined passages of the North Sea and the English Channel, fleet engagements have traditionally been very rare. Our predecessors, the first Empire to bear the name 'Mughal' pursued a strategy of basing their navy around shore engagements, one which served them well. Though their notions are now somewhat antiquated with the increase in the quantity of our trade around the world, we still find wisdom in them."

Turning to look at Ludendorff with bemusement in his deep eyes, the Admiral continued. "Our strategists, and Fleet Command, agree that control over commerce is the most important part of our naval strategy from here on out. Despite the innovations in dreadnoughts and ironclad steam-powered men of war, our engagements in the Persian War during my father's time painted a clear picture- shore batteries, even manned by less than adequate troops and unsupported, are a great threat to even the most powerful of sailing vessels. That axiom has not changed from then to now. In the same manner, a torpedo is more fearsome than many shells, for she can carry a payload larger and more concentrated than even our heaviest guns. Fleet Command considers dreadnoughts a class with no future- they are too slow, too vulnerable to attack from destroyers or submarines, to have a real place in naval engagements."

With a wave of his hand, Ashar drew his Teutonic guest's attention to the Juggernaught. "And so, we devised the Juggernaught, what some newsheets are calling a super-dreadnought. We intend to use her not for fleet actions- for she is very valuable, and too fragile to risk- but for shore bombardment duty and commerce raiding. Any man who wishes to fight at sea in the Indian Ocean must control coaling ports, or be supplied by ship. The Juggernaught is fast enough to keep pace with lighter vessels and outmanuever fleets equipped with slower dreadnoughts, and so may bombard enemy ports, destroy enemy supply dumps and coaling yards, or harass enemy supplies with impunity. Her only weakness is submarines, one we hope to rectify with your aid."

Off the side of the Baburha the ocean frothed white, nearly a hundred yards from the place where the two men stood. "And so," continued the Admiral, "we have devised the Bonefish. Formally named the Depth-Strider, her men call her so because she is a hunter-killer submarine, equipped with a revolutionary echo-sounder device of our own manufacture, and the best hydrophones we've been able to come up with. With the aid of some experienced Republic engineers from your esteemed government, we could build a vessel capable not only of hunting enemy shipping, but of fighting their own subs on a thoroughly unequal basis."

Ashar paused. "Indeed, the scientific journals have had to be kept very silent about our innovation. Instead of being forced to rely on visual observation or imprecise hydrophone readings, the Bonefish can get rough depth and heading bearings on the hulls of vessels, even submerged vessels. Obviously, you can see the advantage in this construction. Originally it was patented to find sunken wrecks from shipping along the East African coast, but we saw the utility immediately, and brought her inventor into the service of the Khan, and the fleet. Once Bonefish's five siblings are launched, within the next year Allah willing, no submarine force in the Indian Ocean will be able to match us. The Scots will have more vessels, but they will be as lambs to the slaughter- of course, I speak theoretically only. The Scots are good friends to the crown, as I'm sure you are aware. Not as good as your Germany though."

Foreign Quarter, Ayutthaya
Kingdom of Siam
A Game at Dinner

The heavyset Mughal man looked bemused as the Siamese fellow- Thaksin, was it?- skipped right over formalities and got to the reason he had requested the three ambassadors take dinner with him at the palace. Mulalim nodded as the man wound down his speech, whispering at his side to one of the servants to bring a nice full-bodied red for the meat. A rather secular Muslim, the ambassador had never really concerned himself with dietary restrictions- as long as one was not drunk when they said the prayer, and indulged in wisdom, a little wine gladdened the soul without harming the body. Smiling over his well-trimmed black beard, the representative of the Khan chuckled, and addressed the Siamese dignitary.

"Most Honorable Thaksin, I am growing on in my years, and I am certain I must have misheard you. It is a common problem of holding discussions in large airy castles; they echo terribly, and can distort what one man says and what another hears. In my hearing it seemed as if you called for the imposition of both judicial punishments without a fair trial, and the dictation of the policy of the Khan-Emperor, with war being the answer if your terms are not met. I cannot think that a man as learned and wise as you would say such things, so I must ask you to clarify- threatening a good neighbor of many years over a small criminal matter is not the course of wisdom for any nation, so I must have misheard you."

Mulalim turned, smile fading a little to a mere neutral expression of the face as he regarded the men from both Germany and Scotland, Lord Malcom and Ambassador Armbruster. He had hunted with Armbruster before, and taken a fine Bengal tiger in the chase, but this was a far more serious affair.

"I know, of course, of the incident that has our Siamese friend in such a tiff. His government lost five border soldiers, with signs of gunplay evident at the site. My government has not thought it a matter for their concern, but we are certainly content to dispatch investigators if Siam feels a need to press forward with her narrative of Mughal infiltrators. From the reports I have received on the matter, elements of our border security believe the attack to have been the work of smugglers, neutralizing an outpost to move a particularly valuable set of goods over road instead of through the jungles. Such violence and disorder is regrettable, and my Emperor certainly strives to secure our mutual border against the will of such criminals, but obviously no system is perfect. Excepting smugglers-" and now he turned back to Thaksin "-have you considered dissidents from your own nation?"

The servant returned with wine, which the Ambassador happily sipped to wet his whistle, as the saying went. "I will not deny that there has been a recent groundswell of anti-Siamese sentiment within our eastern provinces. Steps are being taken to contain the more radical elements of this movement, but trying to divert the storm of public opinion is like trying to drink the Mekong. Our people will think what they think, and his Imperial Majesty's government does not believe this is a political upheaval that will do anything except burn out in a month or two. If Siam wishes to inflame that public opinion by accusing my master of border provocations without evidence, that is your own affair, but it is not one that will endear us to our neighbors."

Mulalim shrugged. "As for your terms, if we capture any criminals committing homicide, they shall certainly be tried under the rule of law. As for the matter of the Yindu, that is one that can only be resolved in the minds of the people themselves- you know, as do we, that the Khan-Emperor does not lay any territorial claims to the lands of your 'Greater Siam', despite how that land was hacked from the corpse of the dying Celestial Empire. Those who were once part of the Empire feel strong kinship, and I am given to understand that part of this public sentiment has to do with perceived Yindu marginalization within Siam herself. It would scarcely be diplomatic of me to note any such phenomena, but if your own advisers note such situations, perhaps you should address them. Men want better lives for their families, their friends, Thaksin. If you cannot give them those, should you wonder when they want to live under a ruler that does?"

As the Mughal finished speaking, small platters of appetizer were borne into the room, which he attacked with ravenous hunger restrained into diplomatic nicety. He had already had his first course, a starter of fumbling nationalism and breast-beating, and Mulalim found it most unpalatable.

Border Guard Headquarters, Silchar
Kingdom of Siam
The Fire Rises

It was the night of the Kartik Poornima, the holy night when Lord Vishnu returned to the lands of his people after sojourning in Bali. Beneath the full moon the people danced in the streets, and bathed as was auspicious to celebrate the Deva-Diwali. The city was flooded with people, pilgrims from the rural regions come to bathe in the holy river of the tunnel beneath the immense city of Silchar. Though men of Siam and the Thai ruled the city from their mansions and homes, this was the land of the Yindu and Indians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and ancestor worshipers. Buddism had its adherents, but tonight was not their night. Silchar was swelled to almost double her normal size, every byway packed with the low dwellings of men come for a few days, a thousand white eyes peering out from the murky shadows at passersby and the deep white light of the face of the night sky. Amongst their numbers walked men in similarly grubby tunics, looking nothing so much as unassuming farmers come to celebrate. And indeed they were- but beneath their baggy cloaks the Sons of Justice carried more than just traditional food offerings. They were going to make their own offerings, not to lord Vishnu- though they had done so earlier in the day- but to the consort of Shiva. Here tonight they were preparing a sacrifice to Kali, and a sacrifice to the altar of freedom, a lesser known god.

They walked by at a slow pace, passing the high brick walls of the headquarters of the Border Guard. This was a risky proposition- the border had been reinforced, and there were more men here than there had been. But that was all to the best. For the Kartik the guards had taken delivery of some barrels of fine toddy, the palm wine beloved of many even this far north. A friendly turnkey had been approached by the Sons, and a favorable storage site for the "toddy" secured. Now all the men had to do was wait. One of the Sons had acquired a home in the packed quarters of the inner city overlooking the garrison- casually half a dozen men entered the building, staggered by several minutes off of the street, and the hour of midnight approached. Violence was forbidden during the Devi-Diwali, for Lord Vishnu did not brook with it. The men waited. Guns were in their hands, bolt action rifles brought with ammunition across the border when the border guards lay in pools of blood. The Mughal ambassador's assumption of smugglers was correct, after a fashion. Sons of Justice did not smuggle drugs though- they brought weapons.

Midnight came, the streets around the guard station full of revelers- the entire city full of revelers. Then the barrels of palm wine in the cellar under the headquarters exploded, that is, the time-bomb of shaped tnt exploded. With a rushing hammer of sound and fire the headquarters leapt skywards for a brief second before collapsing into the crater where its underbelly used to be. Men's deep bellows were added to the screams of women as the shoals of humanity parted and began fleeing away from the explosion- some might have been mildly injured by flying debris, but the steward had planted the bomb carefully. Dozens of guards would be dead, or wounded, and then the steady chatter of gunfire began.

From second story windows and the roofs of houses the Sons began firing, assorted small arms, hunting rifles, and even one or two pistols cracking as they fired on the guards tumbling out of barracks and posts to respond to the calamity. Many men went down quickly, barely aware of what was happening as their attackers executed the planned assault. Bullets tore through canvas tents indiscriminately, the temporary housing of the reinforcements leaving them no place to hide from the withering barrage. From the top of one of the largest buildings, revealed from under a tarp of empty rice sacks and entrenched behind a low wall of mud-bricks, a Scottish-pattern machine gun provided by a contact in the Siamese levies opened up, the muttering wail of its warm barrel adding to the din of urban war.

December 2nd, 1911

Harmir's Seat, Provincial Palace, Quetta
Persia
At Table with Balochis

Rehmad Garshan was a happy man- his hunger had been quenched by good roast camel, one of his favorite dishes, and more to the point, the dignitaries of the five provinces had all come to supper when he had invited him. They had even all been on time, a rarity in a society that valued lateness as a sign of importance. Perhaps he had underestimated the nobility of Persia; a difficult task, but certainly possible when one walked in the right circles. Rising from the table, he held up a goblet of the thick refreshingly pungent date wine that the men were drinking and spoke in a voice with a smile. "A toast, to valued friends and honored guests." With some exchanged nods the five men raised their glasses as well, chorusing the sentiment, and draining each of the filigree-worked silver chalices in unison. These men knew how to live, and were sensible. His words then, with the favor of the Almighty, would find purchase in many hearts.

As he seated himself, the Mughal merchant spoke in more somber tones, almost contemplatively. "I have known you all for many years, my lords, years of plenty and of famine. I'm sure you all wonder why I have invited you to sup with me, here where the honorable Governor Quamat has allowed me to host this fine affair." Heads dipped in agreement around the table, some more slowly than others, but all within a heartbeat or two. Though the rich steel magnate often worked with each man, for many were interested in standardizing rolling stock in their lands, never had all the men of Baloch been together with Rehmad before. "My heart was troubled by tidings from the west and north; an ill winter wind has disquieted it, and these things should be shared to all who stand to benefit, less disaster overtake them from the withholding of information."

With a sigh, Rehmad lifted his eyes from his goblet, and regarded each man in turn, his formerly cavalier manner now grave. "Gentlemen, my contacts in Moscow speak of war." None of the dark eyes regarding him blinked; all knew that public opinion in the northern European state was against men of the faith, and had been ever since the new crusaders had assailed Palestine and the Mamelukes. Christendom fought amongst itself so often, but now the heathens were looking towards the desert regions in their lust for power and markets for their goods. "While the Tsar prepares his armies for combat, Shahashah Qajar does nothing. The Boy-King is not wise in the ways of nations and state actors, as his father was not wise before him. When the Mad Emir was executed by the men of my land, and your people were freed from their oppressor by Mughal arms, Russia was benevolent and kind, helping to raise the good lord Mahamud to the throne, flesh and blood of my lord Zihar. But when he died childless, the lady wife married a lesser man, and now you see the troubles of the time of the Mad Emir coming again."

The room was silent save for the night breeze and the far hubbub of the largest city in eastern Persia beyond the compound walls. Each man seemed to agree with Rehmad, though none would speak so aloud- perhaps this was treason, but if it was not quite that, it was not wise to antagonize the Shah Qajar, for he was an unstable man. The steel boss nodded, taking silence for the accord it was. "So, gentlemen, I am here in a strictly unofficial capacity, but with strongly official backing. The Khan-Emperor holds the valor and wisdom of the people of Persia in high esteem, and remembers their bonds of blood and faith with his people. He is ill-obliged to see your kinsmen wasted warring for a lord who does not deserve their loyalty. If you cling to the fealty of the Khan-Emperor, he offers each of you and your immediate heirs governance of the lands you hold, and Mughal military support in case you need it- though I doubt the weak fool in Tehran has the stomach for war, you never know with his mad mother behind the throne."

Clapping his hands, Rehmad left the men to consider, smiling and calling for the desert of iced milk-cake.

Palk Strait, Off of Mannar, Ceylon
Mughal Territorial Waters
The Lonely Isle

Low waves, mere kisses compared to the breakers out beyond the lee of the island, caressed the fishing boat. She had no name, for only great ships were given names by their masters, but for three generations her stalwart hull and indomitable sails had served the fishermen of the Ungmal family as they drew their living from the sea in flopping silver and scales. Here the shoals were yet large, providing both sustenance for the villages dotted along the shoreline and a source of cash for both taxmen and development when they were salted and shipped on to larger inland ports. Some days the two men who fished, Roshin and his son Kyran, would sell their catch in Mannar, where the British held sway, some days their paths would lead them back home to port upon Mughal shores. It mattered little. The British did not have the numbers nor inclination to levy import dues on humble fisherfolk, though they would try if they could, so the men of the sea followed the prices where the sweat of their brows would earn them the most coin. Who cared if they were Mughal dinars or British scrip issued for colonies? Mughal coins spent better with their weight in precious metals, but you could get more for scrip if you knew who to sell to. A little man didn't mind whose cash he had from which side of the straight, and indeed Mughal dinars found much currency as an unofficial second medium of exchange upon Ceylon.

Roshin had heard some folk of larger cities muse as they stared across the straight at the land of Lanka that the British had no right to Indian land. The Tamils and Buddhists of the land were of a blood with the men of South India, though somewhat wary of their kin for the despotic rule of the ancient King of Kandy; even so, beneath the Anglois yoke they labored for a foreign master who tried to impose the way of the Christ upon them, something the Mughal Khan-Emperor cared little about. Nestorians, Catholics, even Orthodox lived in the lands of the Sunni Shahashan, but his people were so varied and vastly different that Zihar could care less who the men at his back worshiped, so long as they were upright. The Anglois were not so. One day, perhaps, there would be a reckoning, and the Sinhalese would live free again. But a fisherman cared little about such things, and the old weathered hand shrugged mentally, going back to working the tack to take the little dhow out to where the fish schooled. A good catch would be had this day, with the hungry water stirred up by the threatening rain.

Nagpur East Central Rail Station, Nagpur
Mughal Empire
Iron Horses

Lower Minister Hirwan Ciryu was ecstatic as he stood on the low concrete platform next to the new rail line; he had to be. This proposition was one he had staked his appointment as Undersecretary of Logistics on when he was elevated by the Ministry of Logistics, and there were always men watching who reported to someone. The crowds lining up to border the passenger transports seemed less enthusiastic about the affair in the same way a candle will be outshone by the sun. He ran around like a veritable headless chicken, pumping hands, exclaiming over beautiful babies, commiserating over the complaints of travelers. For some of the men and women traveling on the Nagpur Circular the view of the somewhat portly Yindu man waddling to and fro was amusement enough to excuse having to wait for the next train, but others seemed a bit put out by the delay. Watchers in the know took that as an auspicious sign though; some of the city to city rail lines were comparatively underused, but with the profusion of parallel tracks and local hubs, the fact that train cars were departing completely full was very good. Such public enterprises rarely made money, and indeed the fee was largely nominal and to provide misuse, but the central government was certain such endeavors would pay dividends in productivity and economic acceleration. Before the introduction of the Circular and her ilk across the large cities of the Empire, travel times from outlying fringes of such sprawling metropolises could range from an hour to three by foot or beast of burden, and those hours were hours wasted. Not every urban workers could travel by train, of course. One had to have a little bit of money to spare, and be able to find a spot on the train, but if you could you could be to the city center within ten minutes. And time saved was money earned.

To Antonio Brusci, Minister of Trade and Commerce of Italy,

Salutations. As discussed with the members of your economic commission and your ambassadorial staff, it is the pleasure of the Mughal state and myself, standing in knowledge of the Khan-Emperor, to accept your propositions for tariff reductions and the lifting of barriers on Italian investment. My ministry shall see that all measures are in place and functional before the turning of the year.

I remain,
Gurkhani Kasha, Magister of Foreign Commerce, servant of the Crown

[Liecthenbourg]

The Republic of Germany



Chapter 5: An Ambassador in Ayutthaya
November December 3rd, 1911

---

The Bundestag, Munich

---

"Von der Maas bis an die Memel..."

"It would appear that Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck has already begun his train journey to Romania."

"Most excellent news, the shipment of arms has also been sent and it will arrive in Moscow, to be sent to Bucharest via the rails." Hellwog replied, earning staunch nods from Ebert and the other ministers. "Hopefully they will accept the terms for our help in investing in their economy so Germany will have access to valuable oil, to be used for her submarines. On the terms of the submarines, Ludendorff is also proposing as we suggested to send the Mughal's several important developers of the submarines to assist them in developing them."

The Bundestag was most pleased by that and for once in quite a while of her recent speakings, seemed quite content in what they had achieved.

---

Forecastle, GKS Baburha, Northern Andaman Sea

---

Ludendorff stared impressively at the Juggernaught, his hands held behind his back as Admiral Ashur spoke to him. "I agree, a vessel of that magnitude would be too costly to waste in a typical naval engagement, shore bombardment is most definitely her true calling." Despite the fact Ludendorff believed it could probably not face the might of the DM Humboldt, it was certainly a monumental vessel and already was he pleased that the Republic would be purchasing her sister ship. The Teuton wiped his brow with his handkerchief, he still had not become used to the heat of India, and folded it once more.

Now, the Bonefish. She was an impressive craft from what the Admiral had told the General-Diplomat and Ludendorff smiled. "I shall send word to the Republic to dispatch some of her currently unoccupied engineers. However, this... development made by your own scientists, that is truly remarkable. It would please our own developers in Kiel and Danzig and other ports and firms to incorporate it into the Republic's own submarines. Would it be possible to send the schematics to us?" Ludendorff continued to stare at the Bonefish, watching her as she rose out of the sea majestically.

---

Foreign Quarter, Ayutthaya

---

Ambassador Armbruster had strode into the dining chambers with a rather relaxed expression on his often stern face, once again, he'd have rather have been hunting across the jungles of Siam. He never did hunt for sport however, Armbruster was the kind of fellow whom would shoot an animal and then cook it over a fire. He even kept a small little checklist, a meagre book in his coat's inner pocket, of animals he wanted to try to eat. He shot these first. But he was not here for that now. Now he was to play a happy man, the "strongarm" of the Mughal Empire in Europe and little more than its perhaps most cordial of allies.

Keeping to Siamese dining etiquette and general politeness, he merely sat and listened whilst Mulalim responded to the propositions set forth by Thaksin. He never would have guest a regular hunting companion, generally a brutish and tenacious fellow when dealing with his prey could be so polite at the dinner table with a man he probably had no interest in dealing with. Aye, but the stern demeanour was there. Armbruster had noticed this general trait amongst Mughal individuals, the hidden dagger in their tongues beneath their sweetly put words, however blunt they probably were.

Armbruster adjusted his monocle to an appropriate degree of fashionable sense before tucking in the napkin provided into the open chest area of his suit. His senses had grown to love the sweet and sour, savoury and spicy, hot and cold meals of Siam. They were very delectable pieces of cuisine, but alas, nothing could beat a good frankfurter sandwich in the eyes of the Ambassador, save a good strudel and a mug of beer. He tucked into the meal quite calmly and had engaged in small talk with the Lord Malcom, speaking about how he hoped the situation in Asia would cease to boil. But now, as the respective ambassadors had finished their appetizing meals he turned to both Mulalim and Thaksin.

"It may be wise to send a group of Germans, Scots and Siamese to assist with your government's inspection of the borders, if you would so wish it, Ambassador Mulalim. I for one now the Mughal men are men of most high honour, and I personally believe that they would not resort to such butchery ordered or not. We are probably dealing with rogues, those who seek, as the Mulalim said, to cause tensions between the Mughals and Siamese. Horrendous thoughts, truly, but perhaps ones we must consider." He brought the wine to his lips, sipping the fine liquor with much gusto.

[Promethius Prime]

El Gobierno de la
República de Cuba

---

Domestic Policy
Economic

Owing to the significant net value of the Sugar, Tobacco and Coffee plantations in Cuba the decision has been made to invest significantly in native production enterprises of these crops. It is hoped that through increased investment the government will in time see promising returns in the long term. Investment money is to be set aside for the purchase of modern equipment, additional land and the adoption of modern farming and processing methods to improve the overall efficiency of these vital sectors; a total of 5% of the Cuban national budget is to be set aside each year for the next five years for economic investment in this manner, at which point the investment shall be re-evaluated accordingly. In addition to this investment tax incentives and subsidies are to be enacted to encourage small scale farmers and local businesses to step up production and remain competitive within the Cuban economy; this it is hoped will not only generate wealth in the long term but also broader employment. The government is committed to helping as many small businesses to thrive and succeed as possible.

With this investment in Sugar, Tobacco and Coffee, which are intended to be growth industries over the next five years, concerns have been raised both within government and outside it that the food production capacity of Cuba will be negatively impacted. Thus to combat this all existing farms which are producing food crops shall have their land protected and set aside specifically for that purpose so that private interests cannot move in and change it to produce cash crops. This new law will not prevent the sale and purchase of such land, merely its repurposing for other crops, except where judged appropriate by a government commission. Additionally the Banco Nacional de Cuba has been instructed to provide reasonable business loans to farmers growing food and has been given a grant equal to 5% of the national budget per year with which to buy up the existing debts Cuban food and subsistence farmers have accumulated from private banks. It should be noted that the sale of debt by private banks is not a requirement.

Additionally a new Cooperativa Agrícola is to be set up which existing food farmers may join, but which is principally intended to increase agricultural output by opening up new land to agriculture. This cooperative shall issue land grants to any Cuban citizen or family who is prepared to pay the grant fee and work the land for the purposes of cultivating food produce. In this manner the government hopes to improve the balance of food imports and exports so that Cuba is no longer reliant upon foreign imports of food; an emphasis shall be placed upon the cultivation of rice, millet, cassava (yuca), mango, papaya, pineapple, avocado, guava, coconut, bananas, plantains and anonaceae. Naturally this leaves the question of meat production which shall be supplemented by similar incentives and subsidies for fishermen and ranchers.

In urban areas, such as they are, the government intends to offer subsidies and tax incentives to new business owners and entrepreneurs looking to establish new factories for the processing of sugar cane, coffee and tobacco; this shall include the production of rum, alcohol, ground coffee and tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars. Particular attention shall be paid to the viceless goods from the processing of coffee. Improving the output of processed goods from our plantations is to be considered vital to the long term strength of the Cuban economy and an emphasis is to be placed upon employment figures, wages and labour laws. As such over the coming term the Social Democrats shall look to pass new laws to protect worker's rights, without infringing upon the profitability of such factories and cooperatives.

Infrastructure

A large 10% allowance from the annual budget is to be set aside each year for infrastructural maintenance and construction projects. The principal goal of the government's infrastructural policy for this term shall be the completion of a completely paved modern road with at least two lanes in both directions which shall run along the spine of the country. From this road several arterial roads are to be built linking all major urban centres to the central highway; additionally a second major roadway running from Pinar del Rio to Havana, then from Havana to Santa Cruz del Norte and through to Matanzas from where it shall follow the coast as far as Puerto Padre, linking all major urban centres along the way. Numerous local arterial roads are also to be contructed throughout the country; it is hoped that within ten years 80% of the nation's roads shall be fully paved.

Out of the 10% allowance a sum shall be set aside for the construction of a central rail line, running from Pinar del Rio to Havana, then south to run parallel with the central highway as far as Guantanamo. This two way rail line shall be primarily reserved for freight, but limited passenger services shall run once a week. To fuel this rail line the government shall seek contractors to provide sufficient charcoal and timber to be used by the engines.

---

Foreign Policy
Trade

It is the intention of this government to form a solid and positive mercantile relationship with the Alaskan Federation and to a lesser extent the rest of North America. In particular this government wishes to attract the investment of Alaskan companies in Cuban urban industries, as well as benefit from Alaskan technological innovations in the areas of mass production, assembly lines, automobiles and rail lines. At this point the government intends to try and agree the establishment of a Cuban based automotive industry which imports vehicles, parts and designs to Cuba for domestic use, paid for on license. Should this be successful then this government believes Cuba's economic future shall be secure.

In addition to trade with Alaska, Cuba hopes to open itself up to certain European markets, including Germany, Anglo-France, Aragon, Scotland and Scandanavia, with the highest priority to be placed on firm ties with Germany and Scandanavia. This government has little to no interest in opening trade through the Mediterranean at this time, and recognises that though desirable in the long term, Asiatic trade is not presently practical. With regards to the South Americas this government hopes to maintain cordial trading relationships and recognises our similarities. While investment from nations such as Venezuela and Nova Roma are desirable our priorities economically speaking lie elsewhere at this time.

It should be stated that this government expresses particular interest in the technical and economic achievements of the German nation.

Cuba has no interest in trade in the Central Americas at this time.

Diplomatic

This government hopes to pursue positive and significant diplomatic relations with the government of the Alaskan Federation, believing that strong bilateral ties can be highly beneficial, provided that the Federation is prepared to view Cuba as an ally and friend while respecting our independence and right to self determination. This government has a strong interest in signing a Non-Aggression Treaty and Mutual Defence Treaty with the Alaskan Federation, as well as entering closed talks to discuss a number of key issues of great importance to the Cuban nation.

With regards to European relations this government desires closer ties with Germany, but accepts that our priorities are very different at this time. This said it is our belief that we have much to gain by mutual trust, friendship and understanding and would be interested in seeing a wider dialogue between our two governments. Naturally Cuba is in no position to uphold a Mutual Defence Treaty, however wishes for a Non-Aggression Treaty and invites German diplomats to attend talks in Havana to discuss matters of mutual importance.

Military

This government wishes to rapidly modernise the equipment of the Cuban military, in particular its navy, so that phasing out of the obsolete coastal iron-clads can be affected. While Cuba is suitably equipped with good quality arms this government looks to German technical achievements in this field with great interest and would be greatly interested in hosting German military instructors and advisors for the purposes of training, both in the ranks and among our officer cadre. This said we do not wish to exclude the Alaskan Federation in this regard either and would likewise welcome observers and advisors from their nation. Naturally all person sent over would be suitably housed and compensated for their troubles.

With regards to our navy, this government expresses an interest in the purchase of additional destroyers and monitors from the Alaskan Federation as well as the purchase of hospital and troop ships.

El Gobierno de la
República de Cuba

---

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

TO: The Government of the Alaskan Federation
From: The Cuban Foreign Office

To Whom It May Concern,

Sirs, I would like to cordially bring your attention to the attached statement of new government policy in Cuba. I am forwarding this document to you as it bears relevance to our future relations; as such I would like to invite your government to dispatch a diplomatic party to Havana to begin talks with our President on the subjects of trade and our mutual relations with one another. Naturally every due provision and courtesy shall be extended to your chosen diplomats during their stay.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours Cordially,
Raul Rodriguez
Secretary of State, Foreign Affairs

El Gobierno de la
República de Cuba

---

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

TO: The Government of the Republic of Germany
From: The Cuban Foreign Office

To Whom It May Concern,

Sirs, I would like to cordially bring your attention to the attached statement of new government policy in Cuba. I am forwarding this document to you as it bears relevance to our future relations; as such I would like to invite your government to dispatch a diplomatic party to Havana to begin talks with myself on the subjects of trade and our mutual relations with one another. Naturally every due provision and courtesy shall be extended to your chosen diplomats during their stay.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours Cordially,
Raul Rodriguez
Secretary of State, Foreign Affairs

[Altito Asmoro]

Lhasa, Tibet

The much-needed investment from Savoy was quickly used to improve the agricultural and the livestock of the Tibet's economy in order to produce more income. In other thing, the military of Tibet also in need of modernization, especially to modernize the army's Chinese rifles and pistols.

To:
Zihar Shaljan, Shahashan of the Dominion of the Indus and Ganges, Khan-Emperor of the Lands of Kublai, Sovereign of the Teardrop Throne, King of Media and Persia, Lord of the Southern Isles, Coast-Master of the Far Homes

Greetings to Prime Minister Nicolas Bonnet of the Republic of Savoy
We of the Tibetan Empire send you this message, as we are of looking into modernizing our military and since Mughal is one of the closer nations with Tibet, and being the very powerful one. We want to buy 7,000 of Mughal's rifles and the munitions as well in order to modernize our military. We are also looking into improving our relationship into a better one.

Sincerely yours,
Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso

[The Industrial States of Columbia]

Snipped

[The Vaktovian Empire]

Empire of all the Russias

December 8th, 1911
Russian Imperial Palace, Moscow, Western Russian Province

Nicholas II grew weary of the situation at hand. His nation called for war, as thousands crowded Moscow streets chanting Russian slogans for war and violence. They agreed that a change in European power was necessary, and the time had come for the Western Powers to learn where their influence and entitlement seized. However, Brundovich had been successful in gaining a large anti-war populace in Moscow as well, and they too, protested for the end to this warfare and demanded Russia resign from the Triple Alliance. 'Over my dead corpse' though Nicholas. He would never lower himself to the standard of listening to one of his peasants, especially those who would attempt to uproot him and his authority and judgement. In this time of waking though, with the Triple Alliance now in the hot seat, and negotiations with several key strategic allies for the coming war in question, Nicholas wanted to one last time make sure he knew where the line was drawn. He sent a message to two of his closest potential allies in question; the Scandinavians and the Mughals. He needed both for his plans to work. As well as this, an unexpected ally; the Alaskan Federation was the recipient for the last piece of paper planned to be stained with ink. He dipped the pen and wrote, neatly, so the telegrapher would translate it clearly and efficiently to the system.

To: The Scandinavians
From: Tsar Nicholas II

I realize our negotiations have gone successful and solid within the past couple months. The preparations and plans for the White Sea Canal are in progress, and as you know and may have witnessed, all Russian military forces and citizens who wish to remain in Russia have been pulling out of Karelia since the terms to our agreement and the official contract was signed by both parties. As such, as the threat of a Great War looms over us, I would like to know I have your loyalty on our side of any conflict. As you have said in the past, you wish for closer and tighter relations between yourself and Russia. We have taken a step. Now, my friend, I need you to. You see, the Great War all are talking about is going to be one for the ages. Whether it is the end for our civilization or the West's is one thing. But we cannot lose. Our ideologies might not be the same, as in West vs. ourselves, but we are human just the same, and have a right to our ideology and our culture. And our spheres of influence are what will draw us into conflict and violence. As such, I ask you, friend, and ally, will you back us and support us in the Great War, primarily against the slimy and scum-like Anglis populace whose success will depend on their own Naval strength and success in the North Sea, of which you can affect highly with your territorial control over the Baltic Sea, and parts of the upper Northeastern portion of the water formation.
I will humbly await your reply.
Sincerely,
Nicholas II, Emperor of all the Russias

To: Mughal Empire
From: Tsar Nicholas II

Hello Friend. I realize our negotiations have been shaky in the past, but we've discussed the possibility of a joint Russo-Mughal invasion of Persia to help further the spheres of influence for both of our nations. While your agreement and thoughts on the matter have been few and far between, I know that you wish for your sphere of influence to continue to prosper, if not increase in size. As such, I come to you with another proposition.
The Japanese have threatened Russian interests in Northeastern Asia, and have made advances in terms of attempting to discourage our efforts to properly maintain and operate in our sovereign territory, as well as that of the Manchurian Government. Thus, the Japanese are attempting to further their influence into mainland Asia. While this is not as directly near or close to you, China is not the power of the continent, in comparison to your humble state. Thus, if the Japanese were to invade, China would not the power necessary to beat back a powerful and advanced Anglois-backed nation such as the Japanese.
I come to you asking for no direct involvement, just a few troop movements and discouraging strategies here and there. An expansionist, imperialistic Japan will do good for neither us, nor yourselves, and especially not the Chinese buffer state which is still taking its time in development. Thus, I ask you to flex and flaunt your power a little to discourage the Japanese from making further advances and even attempt to communicate with them diplomatically.
I would also hope you'd be on the side of the Triple Alliance, should the 'Great War' that everyone is talking about break out. Russia, Germany and Italy will be way less likely to try to expand into your sphere of influence, and try to mettle in your affairs than the Anglois people and the Aragonese, both expansionist, aggressive powers that in the same way are trying to encourage the Japanese to disrupt other's spheres of influence and sovereign territory the same way they do.
I will await you apply my friend.
Sincerely,
Nicholas II, Emperor of all the Russias

To: Alaskan Federation
From: Tsar Nicholas II

I realize our two great nations have barely negotiated or communicated within the last 10-20 years. You were a much larger ally and more in our way of communication when my father and grandfather were on the throne before me. I come to you, not for some stupid, silly, ignorant, and unimportant quest, but for a relevant, and might I say quite relevant reason.
The Japanese Empire. As you know, backed by the Anglois for the longest time, to which I do not know and am not aware of whether you are a strong ally or mediocre acquantance with, the Japanese have attempted to mettle in Russian sovereign affairs, and are expanding their military might in terms of Naval and mobile troop strength into the Sea of Japan.
As such, Russia sees this as a threat not only for Russian interests in Asia, but to the those of the collective free world all of us have been trying to establish in this region. Japan is no toy soldier army, and with technology and equipment from the Anglois which have highly advanced their quest for military dominance on the sub-continent, they are a grave threat to everyone's interests for collective security and freedom for all of the nations including Siam, the Mughals, China, and the Alaskans in the Philippines. I realize your influence in the Pacific is one of the prized possessions of your great and ever-expanding nation.
While I realize relations between the two of us have been strained since you gained independence from us as a free nation, I come to you now with the utmost respect and kindness towards your free state. I ask for your assistance, not only because it endangers my nation's position and possessions in this region, I come because, as I stated, it damages and threatens the position and possessions of the collective.
As such, I assume you are already aware of the subject, I just ask that Russo-Alaskan joint efforts to quell the Japanese advance and to further protect interests of the collective in the region, and subcontinent.
Thank You for your time, I will await your reply.
Sincerely,
Nicholas II, Emperor of all the Russias

Satisfied with his penmanship and silver-tongued diplomatic skills, Nicholas had a servant carry all the ink-stained sheets to the telegram office down the corridor to be sent as soon as possible to the humble leaders who would receive them.

[Bujahla]

Random Events #1

Riots in Belgrade - Dec 3rd

"Working with Macedonia is a crime against Serbia!" "Pan-Slavism? Pan-Serbia!" "Reconquer the unworthy!" "Long live the Empire!"

These phrases and many words were being thrown around Belgrade as soon as word of the cooperation between the two traditional enemies became apparent. A nationalist journalist published a piece in the local paper Оне Србија. The news that the two nations were cooperating became front page across the capital and nation. Many Serbian citizens, if not everyone, felt betrayed. The populace was overly nationalist. Well over 90% of the public wanted to see the Balkans under Serbian control once more, and any cooperation with the Macedonians was a stab in the back to the populace. The riots in Belgrade were spontaneous and eventually involved upwards of 50,000 people in the capital. Many more showed support and the press soon was out of control. Polls were taken of the PM who's popularity was severely dropping. How would Serbia handle this?

Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgrade secretly calls for coalition to contain Macedonia - Dec 2nd

The Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgrade, Petar Runin, was a strong anti-Macedonia figure in the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. Working in Belgrade, he maintained a high position of power in the civil service and was well respected. He often overstepped his boundaries and would do so again. Soon after the death of the Macedonian king and the violent crackdown that followed, the Bulgarian minister scheduled a meeting with the Serbian Foreign Minister and presented him with a plan for a joint war to contain Macedonia, liberate the minority groups, and the stabilize the situation there. The Foreign Minister was notoriously pro-war, and went on to accept this. But would he be able to convince the PM, Minister of War, and the rest of the cabinet of the need for a war against their new found partners?

Russian Rail Company in Manchuria bombed - Dec 14th

On December 14th a Russian railroad company was attacked in the southern parts of Manchuria, relatively not that far from the border with Korea. The attack was a bombing that derailed a train and lead to a significant amount of precious cargo and aid to not be sent to the capital. While no official connection to Japan, Korea, or the Anglois was made, the Russian Deputy PM to the Far East, Aleksandr Chernyaev believed that the attack was a direct attack on the Russian interests by the Japanese. He soon leaked this info to a nationalist press group that began rallying support in cities such as Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. Was war on horizon? Chernyaev definitely wanted it and would lobby for it.

[Black Marshes]

The Kingdom of Romania

December 4th, AD 1911

Palatul Regală, București
The deathly chill of the winter winds was beginning to arrive in the Romanian capital. Already, the men of the 3,000 Infanterie Garda were donning their long,thick coats of dark cobalt and their heavy winter boots, preparing for the blankets of ice that were to soon cover the streets of București. Alexandru held his monocle over his right eye as he reviewed the many report scattered across his desk, as they always seemed to be. The chamber was filled with the sound of the burning chestnut wood in the great marble hearth, whose regular simmers and cracks echoed throughout the study, warming the king along with his great cigar, at which he puffed casually.
Amidst these documents there also lay the day's newspaper, with which the king always amused himself to see what the general public would know of world events. The main headline read 'Belgrade Riots', which detailed the violent uprisings in the Serbian capital the day before due to their co-operation with the Macedonians. This only reminded Alexandru of the grim truth- that Serbia had not forgotten its old empire, and wanted it back. For this reason the King of Romania always kept a close watch on his neighbour, and never left his border undefended. In the grand scheme of things, it was but another omen that a great war was looming, and that the Balkans would become one great battleground.
Because of this he prepared Romania for war, and the German cooperation meant that his men would be trained and armed well.

TBC

[Greater Istanistan]

Thessaloniki

As the hangman looped the noose around the neck of his next client, ready to perform the last service the unfortunate bastard would ever receive, he reflected on the ultimate futility of getting worked up about things. Really, life was short and fleeting. It was there and gone again in a single brief moment, and then it was off to the fire eternal or heaven with you. You had seventy years at best on Earth to enjoy yourself, see new sights, and broaden the mind. After that, it was over for most. Just seventy years to grow up, play with friends, find love, explore the world, do exciting things, maybe open up a little shop in Corinth, watch your kids grow up and have kids of their own, and then experience the glorious sunset years of life. For the life of him, the executioner couldn’t possibly figure out why someone would throw that away and force him to end all of these opportunities. Why? Why would anyone do it?

Around this duo on their wooden stage, a crowd of sullen Greek peasants were gathered, staring with undisguised loathing at the man who would shortly die. One or two threw tomatoes. The rest just stared the stare of a people who have been wronged so much that revenge alone is not enough to sate their hatred. And in many ways, they were wronged that much. But they would have to settle for revenge, because there was nothing much more that could be done. And if there was any less that would be done, the hangman would be out of a job.

Almost tenderly, he adjusted the hood over his charge’s face. The young man in question, masked, was quietly sobbing under the mask. The hangman liked to think that perhaps he understood what he’d thrown away for his stupid little cause and his stupid but not so little crime of pumping ten rounds into some poor bastard soldier for the glory of a country he didn’t live in. The hangman really only felt particularly sympathetic towards the young man’s victim – he’d survived the five-year insurgency in Thrace, living through bullets, plague, starvation, heatstroke, booby traps, cold nights, dawn raids, dusk raids, night raids, noon raids, and every other kind of goddamn raid. He’d gotten out, and then he’d been perforated by the young man here, who had now thrown away two lives for the sake of his stupid little ideas.

The hangman was really quite philosophical about his job – if he wasn’t, then he would have gone mad a long time ago.

As he did a last check on the noose around the crying murderer’s neck, heard his last whispered prayers to God delivered in Bulgarian (silly fellow – God only listened to Greeks), the hangman reflected on the irony of an intensely nonviolent person such as himself hanging boys for the murder of other boys in the name of nonexistent countries as part of wars that had already been won. It was insanity.

But then again, so was hanging dozens of people and wishing for an end to the killing.

The hangman was satisfied with his work. All was in place.

He gave his lever a perfunctory yank. The young man’s praying and blubbering came to an abrupt stop as the trap door beneath him opened up and he engaged in what many referred to as a short drop and a sudden stop. There was a loud crack that resounded through the air – the sound of the boy’s spine breaking, no doubt. The dull-faced peasants muttered their approval, sullen faces and sullen eyes staring sullenly at the broken corpse of a fifteen-year-old fool, as young as their children in body but aged a thousand years by his moment of rash idiocy.

The hangman was pleased with his knot-tying skills. The break was clean. It was the least he could do for anyone. In his own strange way, he was doing all these unfortunates he hung a favour by doing it quickly. The crowd would not have been so kind.

It was a strange thing, the philosophical executioner thought as he packed up for the day and headed home to his own family, that his murder was a mercy. Was the world truly so cruel that people had to be removed from it?

He decided to stop thinking about this. In the end, he realized, the truth of the world was too hard. It was better to merely accept things as they were and hope they got better.

Behind him, the vacated body of a patriot for an aborted nation swung in the breeze.

The Foreign Ministry

The bloody Bulgarians were at it again. Their troops were wandering like lost children up and down the border, and some idiot somewhere was probably screaming bloody murder about how Greece wasn’t a real country and deserved to be annihilated. The Latins were troubling because they still wanted to absorb Greece, the Macedonians were annoying because they continued to exist as a nation, the Aragonese were pretentious and arrogant beyond all reasonable means and as such were likely to start the war that Greece really didn’t need, and the Mamelukes were pretty much pointless.

The government had no coherent foreign policy that any of its factions could agree upon. Greece couldn’t fully commit to their old Anglois as long as the Latins were sitting on the border and parading Aragonese-built artillery through the streets of Constantinople, but they also couldn’t switch over to the Russo-German axis so long as Bulgaria was gearing up to fight. It couldn’t stick with neutrality because then it would be alone and get invaded by everyone. As soon as it showed even an inkling of leaning to any one side, it would get itself invaded by the other. Then attacked by the Bulgarians on principle.

In short, Greece couldn’t keep doing nothing. It also couldn’t do anything. It existed within a decaying limbo which could not realistically be sustained for any further period of time without some exceptionally clever diplomacy which would probably be overturned the next time the President’s approval ratings dipped below 50% and he decided to have a pogrom as some sort of absurd form of stress relief. Nothing could happen, nothing should happen, and something had to happen all at once.

In other words, it was Tuesday. And Foreign Minister Elpheris Vangelios needed something stronger than weak tea. Unfortunately, that’s all they served at his place of work because the government had sold the Foreign Ministry’s vodka to buy cartridges and melted down the Ministry-issue hip flasks that every employee used to care so they could get an extra four feet of rolling stock.

What a wonderful nation he lived in, where one couldn’t do diplomacy dead drunk. Real shame – now he had to actually tolerate the presence of his negotiating partners instead of merely zoning them out in an alcoholic haze.

But sacrifices had to be made for the greater good, so the Foreign Minister was going to have to pull through. Even without alcohol.

He had telegrams to write.

To: Zihar Shaljan, Shahashan of the Dominion of the Indus and Ganges, Khan-Emperor of the Lands of Kublai, Sovereign of the Teardrop Throne, Archduke of Media and Persia, Lord of the Southern Isles, Coast-Master of the Far Homes Zihar Shaljan, Shahashan of the Dominion of the Indus and Ganges, Khan-Emperor of the Lands of Kublai, Sovereign of the Teardrop Throne, Archduke of Media and Persia, Lord of the Southern Isles, Coast-Master of the Far Homes (or, should he not be available, any one of his honourable servants)

My gracious lord,

The Greek nation is, to be frank, in constant danger. All of our neighbors pose a threat to our country, and wish to wipe us out or annex our lands. If we are to survive, we must defend ourselves. The Mughal Empire is known by almost all as the nation which could provide us with the means to do just that. The Republic of Greece is interested in procuring large quantities of light and medium artillery, along with machine-guns and medium mortars. Our budget is extremely generous, and the only stipulation is that these wares be delivered to us by year’s end so that we may be ready to defend our ancestral lands from all comers.

Should the Mughal Empire be able to provide what we need, the Republic of Greece may consider lowering trade barriers and allowing greatly increased commerce with the Mughals in addition to whatever the Mughals consider fair and equitable.

With thanks,

Foreign Minister Elpherios Vangelios, Democratic Hellenic Republic of Greece

To: Prime Minister Asquith of the Dual Kingdom of England and France

Esteemed Prime Minister,


I hope that this telegram finds both you and your nation in good health and humor.

I write on behalf of the Greek Republic to officially lodge a protest. Your close allies, the Aragonese, have in recent years been financially and ideologically supporting the ruling party of the Latin Empire, known as the PNORN to your people. The PNORN has repeatedly stated its avowed intention to annihilate our Republic entirely and crush both our people and our faith under their iron heel. With Aragonese funding, I fear that this may come to pass.

The intention of the Latin government as controlled by this pernicious movement is clear. If they had their way, the ancient Greek culture of democracy and toleration which we espouse would be crushed. Our museums would be pillaged and our nation’s soul casually stripped away. The democracy which our people fought, bled, and died for would be taken away. We would be enslaved, shackled to a throne we owe no loyalty to. The Latins would kill the men of this nation and abduct the women. Our children would be forced to convert to Catholicism, stripping away our ancient Orthodox faith which Greece has followed for over a thousand years. Our nation would become the colony of this monstrous nation.

Greece acknowledges and is grateful to the acts of the noble French and English who supported our cause. The heroism of men such as Lord Byron, who spoke and fought for our nation, will never be forgotten. But all the memories of kindness and hope in the world cannot compensate for the feelings of the peasants now – the Anglois back the Aragonese, and the Aragonese back our would-be oppressors. This cannot stand.

On behalf of all that Greece holds in common with the Anglois and all that we hold dear, I beg you to help our poor nation. We are already surrounded by enemies – Macedonia and Bulgaria are bad enough – and now the country which we love above all others is, by connection, the close friend of a regime which threatens our destruction. One more foe is not something we can easily handle. Encircled, outnumbered, and increasingly alone, we beg this of you:

Please, use whatever means you can to end the Aragonese financing of the Latins. Save our poor people from the misery of occupation and oppression. The Greek soul dies without freedom, and now only the Dual Kingdom can save it.

I beg of you – please help us. We can fight the Latins as we have fought every other wave of invaders which has sought to end our liberty. But so long as the Aragonese back the Latins, we cannot truly stop them.

With gratitude and hope.

Foreign Minister Elpherios Vangelios, Democratic Hellenic Republic of Greece

Ministry of National Defense

It was a generally accepted fact that Greece could never win a conventional war against any of its neighbors, let alone any great power that blundered by. It just couldn't be done. The Greeks were a nation of three million facing six million Latins, six million Bulgars, and at least four million Macedonians. They couldn't just expect to defeat the foe through weight of numbers or quality of troops, because they had neither the money nor the time. In order to survive, Greece had to find cheap and inventive solutions to major problems.

The most easily resolvable was naval power. Although the Greek fleet easily outweighed any two of its local foes, the moment they either combined - or, worse, called on their Great Power foreign backers - the Greek fleet would be all but worthless. And without naval supremacy, Greece's long coastline became an immense vulnerability which could and would be exploited maximally. In order to counter this weakness, the Greek fleet turned to a new measure: torpedo boats.

Although destroyers and dreadnoughts were costly and took years to build, especially for the resource-strapped Greeks, torpedo boats were simple. Take a standard pattern of civilian motor craft, improve the engine, slap a machine gun or two and some plating on the sides, and put a dual-barreled single-shot torpedo launcher in the middle of the deck, and you have a weapon capable of stopping a destroyer in its tracks. In packs of five or six, they could sink battleships. Cheap, easy to build, and simple to hide in any one of Greece's innumerable small coastal villages in preparation for naval guerrilla warfare, they were a relatively good way to control Greece's coastal waters without monumental expense.

THINGS I PLAN TO ADD TO THIS POST:

-Message to Romania offering defensive pact against Bulgarian aggression
-Message to Mamelukes asking for trade deal
-New economic policies aimed at further liberalizing industrial sector to allow for urban growth, improving efficiency of agriculture, expanding port facilities to increase trade capacity, improve hotels and policing in key cities to make tourism more attractive
-Reinforce borders of Thrace, build up Greek nationalist resistance networks across the nation in case of foreign occupation
-Begin selling Greek bonds in order to finance economic expansion, appeal to expat community, philhellenes worldwide for help in building a better Greece
-Full citizenship, rights for Bulgars, Macedonians, Albanians, Catholics within borders and appeal to common liberal democratic values