The Pact of Steel! (Earth Empire)

[Florentine Italia]

The kingdom of Florentine Italia was centered around the nobility of Florence. It had no depth to the royal family and the small Italian royal family had no outside contacts. With the King's young daughter there was an opportunity to expand the horizons of the Medici family. A pretty young woman Mary Medici was petite yet very attractive. Her sweet heart shaped face conveyed her considerable intelligence but also a sensual vibe that made the petty Italian nobles simply ache with desire.

Franco studied the political landscape of the world and determined that Italy would crumble if it remained isolated like it was. Limited relations had been established with the Americans, and really no enemies, except the Austrians had been made. The major powers were simply to large however. By joining in such an intimate bond with Italy they stood to lose more than they could gain. Even so the Italians would simply become an unofficial puppet if they tried to join with a major body. No Franco looked to the north.

The Nordic Imperium was a great kingdom. It's infantry were the envy of Europe with their strict discipline and domination of northern Europe. It was true no one was as deadly as a Northman with a bayonet. Their only weakness would be their navy. They lacked off planet colonies and had very little ability to expand across the stars. Italy had a fledging interstellar empire, the Tuscany system was currently just short of a war zone but war always has to end, and when it did Italy would be that much stronger.

Franco decided that he would offer his daughter Mary to the Nordic Emperor, he quickly penned a letter to the Emperor.

To my dear friend the Emperor,
My dear friend I must say that times such as this are truly exciting aren't they? Europe is fast nearing war with those damned Austrians claiming Jupiter and the smaller but none the less proud nations like Italy and the Nordic Imperium could be swept up and destroyed by the war like slavs of the east and south. I trust you remember my daughter Mary, you met briefly at that diplomatic ball I had many years ago when I was simply a count. It must have been nigh on eighteen years ago. She was two and already could bow and say your majesty, which she did several time to honor your status as heir to the Nordic throne. I wish to inform you that she is of marrying age now and our two nations could use some friends. I offer her to you to marry her to one of your family and bring our two countries all the closer. I anxiously await your reply.
Your loving friend,
Franco Medici

[Nordic Imperium]

Emperor Carl XXII Gustaf looked over the letter from his great friend from Florence about a marrying his daughter to one of Carl's noble families. As he seat there thinking about this more is when he new that his younger son had no wife and Prince Carl Philip was in need of a good wife and Mary Medici would be a good match for the young Prince. But right now Carl Philip is away right now on military training, but he could be brought back to the palace at the wish of the Emperor. So, the Emperor began to write a letter to King Franco Medici.

My Dearest Brother,
I would be glad to have your daughter marry a member of the Imperium's Noble Family. I write to ask that you and your daughter come to Stockholm and join myself and my family to talk about this matter. I believe my young son Prince Carl Philip would be honored to marry your daughter and unite our two great nations in an alliance that would favor both our peoples. I look forward to your letter.
Always your brother
Carl XXII Gustaf

[Florentine Italia]

To: my dearest friend Emperor Carl XXII Gustaf,
I am very pleased that we can meet face to face to discuss the marriage and catch up. Since I wish to proceed with all speed to Stockholm I and my daughter Mary will be leaving Florence tomorrow evening. I will be sure to bring a particularly grand bottle of wine to velebrate the union of our two states in such a joyous manner.
From: Your eternal friend King Franco Medici.

Franco was very pleased that the marriage had been accepted. His daughter was a very good woman and he was confident the Nordic Prince would be pleased with her. He waved to his servants and said, "The first one who brings me the best bottle of wine in Italy will become a very rich man indeed!" The servants sprinted off to find an ancient bottle and have it readily wrapped by tomorrow morning. Franco chuckled at their eagerness and raised his ornate ivory telephone, "Yes, Minister Bondini, please call Mary and have her here in Florence by tonight." The internal minister quickly said, "Yes sire!" and set about his task. Truly this marriage would bring glory upon Franco's and Emperor Carl's houses.

[Nordic Imperium]

After Carl sent his letter to Florence he looked over everything. Then he called for his a servant. The servant came in, "Yes your Imperial Majesty?" Carl looked at the servant, "I would like to have you my son brought to the palace at once. Also have a rooms for the King of Florence and his family ready as they will be coming to the Palace soon. Also I want security to be doubled around the city also make sure that Foreign Ministry is ready as I will be making announcement about my son's marriage to the King of Florence's daughter. I would also like to open alliance talks with the King.That is all off you go." With that the servant bowed and left the room to do as the Emperor.

Carl got up and walked across his office to the window and looked out over the city and knew this was going to be great for their nations.

[Florentine Italia]

Franco and his ante-rough arrived in Stockholm to much pomp and fair. His great friend Emperor Carl greeted him at the foot of the imperial palace and together they went to the drawing room to discuss the marriage and general treaty. Mary was attended by several of her favorite handmaidens and spent the day picnicking in the country side.

Franco looked impressive with his dark satin tunic of burgundy and his silk pants of black. He slowly raised a glass of rich red wine to his lips and drank deeply before he said to the Emperor,

"My friend the entire situation with the Austrians has unnerved me greatly. It has led me to think that our alliance should be both one of mutual defense but also one of general friendship. The people of Italia are fearful of the greater powers of England and Russia deciding that they would not like to see a stronger Europe. If Italy and the Nordic Empire were to band together we could perhaps challenge the Russian puppets in the Ottoman empire or perhaps even the great bear herself."

Franco slowly rose and paced before his friend the Emperor. He paused before continuing,

"Florentine goods need markets, as I'm sure Nordic goods do as well. If we were to grant our respective merchants special rights in both of our respective empires then quite simply we will both be rich. Your great house and mine could both use some more currency in the vaults I'm sure, since there is never such a thing as too much money."

He sipped from his glass again savoring the rich taste of the wine. He sat back down and continued,

"As for our young lovers, Mary will have a dowry of either goods or money, you can decide my friend. As to where the couple will live, I would like if Mary and your son were to spend the winters in Italia and the summers here, though that is entirely up to you."

He waved to his servant who stepped forward and presented the ancient bottle of wine that they had found in a small town in the mountains of Abruzo. He poured the wine and Franco smiled, he awaited the Emperor's response.

[Nordic Imperium]

Carl was listening to Franco about what he would like to do and Carl thought this would be a great thing to do.

"Well my friend, as for the dowry, I request that it be neither money or goods but a alliance between our two nations. I am willing to have my military train and help defend your nation. As your nation has a large trade fleet. We would be willing to defend our two interest here on Earth and off world. We are thinking of expanding our navy both on planet and off-planet would like to know if your willing to take part in this matter and help both our nations expand to a great nation just like Great Britain and Russia. We are willing to even place a large number of economy and trade with your nation alone." Carl takes a drink of wine before going on, "Your Majesty I have no problem allowing our two newlyweds to summer here in the Imperium and winter you Italia with your great nation." Carl knows this would be a great thing for both him and Franco to have their children visit them. Carl thinkings more about the Austrian problem that is going to becoming worse of the foreseen future. "Your Majesty I am willing to talk with both England and Russia about this Austrian problem, but I think that if I was to send troops down to your great nation that it might be seen as a military threat and your nation might come under attack. I am thinking that I will send two regiments to your nation to help with my son's protection and request that you do the same as it would be seen as something for the joining of our two great families. We can also have military missions to our two nations. What do you think of this deal?" Carl walks over to his chair and sits to wait for the King to answer.

[Florentine Italia]

Franco smiled and said, "I agree on all counts. For my daughter's protection I will add one regiment of our Elite Alpinos to your two regiment bodyguard. As to off world colonization we will gladly aid you in this endeavor and even donate samples of faster than light technology. As to miitary mission I will contact my favorite General Alexander D'nofrio about raising an Alpinos division that will serve as both a personal police force for you my friend and also a bridge between our two countries."

Franco paused and took a sip of his wine before finally drawing a tiny pen knife and saying, "How about we settle this like the barbarian kings of old?" He pressed the knife to his index finger and a small bead of crimson appeared. He handed the knife to Emperor Carl and said, " A small cut on the finger, a blood oath like our ancient ancestors would have done." Franco loved symbolism so he added, "A union of our blood, like a union of our children!"

[Nordic Imperium]

Carl, looks on as Franco pricks his finger and draws blood. Franco loved symbolism so he added, "A union of our blood, like a union of our children!" Carl answers Franco, "My loving brother I offer my blood and my nation to protect our union of blood and our children's union." Carl takes the knife and cuts his finger just like Franco did.

Carl wipes the blood off after they finished with this honored union and takes a drink of his wine. "My brother I would be pleased if my son was to be granted a title and commission in your military as I am sure he will spend much of his time as he enjoys be with our military here in the Imperium. I am also granting you the honorary rank of Major General of the Imperium Army, Rear Admiral in the Imperium Navy. I hope this meets with your approval my brother? Also I would like to have a combined regiment be drawn from both our nations to serve the alliance." Carl took another sip of wine, before he goes on talking with Franco, "So, my friend when would you like to have this wedding for our two children as I have the Archbishop of Uppsala here to perform the wedding or would you like to have a Catholic Priest to perform the wedding as I am sure that I could get the Apostolic Nuncio that is here in Stockholm?" Carl just waited for Franco to respond to his remarks.

[Florentine Italia]

"Yes, He will receive a commission by all means. We will raise an entirely new Alpinos division for him, as well as make him an honorary captain aboard our lone battleship in space, the Emanuel. As to the Catholic priest, that would be very good thank you brother. The mixed unit will be most agreeable, we will send one regiment of regulars to contribute to it's founding at once. May this be a long a prosperous union!"

Franco drank the rest of his wine and stood. He bowed low to his friend and said, "Alas, I must e off my friend. It is late and I must turn in for the night."

[Nordic Imperium]

"I thank you my brother and I will get all matters taken care of before tomorrow. Also I will have the Apostolic Nuncio here tomorrow morning and by tomorrow night our two children will be married and we will have out two great nations becoming a peaceful union." Carl finished his wine and sent off for his Foreign Minister to have the Apostolic Nuncio here in the morning. They both got up and retired to their suites.

[Nordic Imperium]

::then next day::

Carl had got things started for the day that he would be getting these matter of the alliance and wedding with the Kingdom of Italy's Mary Medici to his son and that this would become a great new place in the Nordic Imperium. As Carl walked into the dinning room to meet with his guests as he would be sure that things would become a great moment for his son and future daughter in law. Carl walked to his place at the table and took his seat and looked at his servant to get him some food and coffee. Carl was also informed that Apostolic Nuncio has came to the palace to meet with both Emperor Carl and King Franco and their children. Also Carl started to began to expand the imperial military to fit this new alliance with the Kingdom of Italy.