Meeting with a Kaiser - Part 1 (ATTN: Orlkjestad, CLOSED)

[Orlkjestad]

"First off, we'll start at the beginning- history. Let me hear about how your nation came to be, and events in the nation leading up to now."

[Wolfenium]

"Very well then," Schwarzlicht answered, in her usual robotic tone, "but before I commence, I have to apologize. Much of the empire's historical records had been lost or destroyed throughout the years. Until now, we still have yet to recover most of our nation's modern past. However, I can reveal to you what we have discovered so far.

Fredrick Staufen, Prince and Sovereign of Alstein, First Emperor of Wolfenium


Pyotr Mikhailovich Remitonov, Tsar of the Commonwealtg of Amythyst

Wolfenium as a modern nation was founded in 1770 A.D., Year 0 in our calender, by a young prince named Fredrick Staufen. Prior to its independence, the region of south Astol was formed by a vast number of city-states, each vying for dominance. Most, if not all, were vassal states of the Commonwealth of Amythyst, if not outright colonies. At that time, Prince Staufen was a newly crowned leader of the Principality of Alstein, situated in modern day Wolfsburg. A center for trade in south Astol, Alstein maintained a subservient relationship with the Amythysian monarchy, paying extensive tribute to the court in exchange for protection and autonomy. But that did not spare his people from suffering under the oppression of the northerners. Sickened by the Amythysians' brutality, Staufen made his stand clear to the world - he would not submit to the Tsar any longer. He and the people of south Astol would fight for their freedom - or die trying. With that word, he rallied the other city states in a battle against a colonial power which had control over the entire known world - a battle for freedom. The road ahead was arduous, tormenting and tragic, but in the end, the Amythysian colonials were finally driven out and Staufen was crowned emperor of a new nation - Wolfenium.

Sadly, this was merely the start of a long, painful journey to sovereignty. Civil war would break out in the newly formed federation and the nation would soon walk down the path from a free federation to a totalitarian state. Perhaps I could explain more at the archives... can this wait until then?"

[Orlkjestad]

"Yes, I suppose so. I'll tell about my nation once we're at the archives, hopefully that will jog my memory."

[Wolfenium]

"Affirmative," she replied. As she peered outside, she heard a familiar voice echoing over the corridor.

"...fine," grunted the Kaiser, as he talked over the phone, "I'll come over in a moment. But such matters are supposed to be your jurisdiction alone, Chancellor. You don't need me to preside over every session... Fine... I'll come over. Bye..."

As he hung up on his cellphone, he moved over to the room, pressing the door open. Noticing his aide already heading outside, he explained to the two, "I apologize. There's been an emergency meeting at the Reichstag. It's... serious. Chancellor Paulus demanded my presence at the proceedings. Damn woman... My guess is she just wanted to show off her rhetorics again. Sorry... you headed somewhere?"

"The archives, Mast- I mean Your Majesty," she replied, "the Grand Duchess just signed a deal with the Prime Minister-"

"Tell me later," he interrupted, holding up his hand to stop her. His gaze turned away as his eyes shifted to the floor, as if in deep thought, "I need to go. If you excuse me."

As the emperor hurried off, a hint of worry faded into her otherwise unfeeling eyes. Something was wrong, but she had other matters.

"Prime Minister, may I inquire..." she asked the Prime Minister, "what... worries people?..." Her eyes remained fixed at Karl's shadow, uncertain over her next actions. She was an A.I., she was not created to understand sapient nature. Still, the fact that she was able to feel at all meant that she could learn why.

[Orlkjestad]

"That question is, well...it's so easy, yet so hard. It could be anything, but most often, it's...danger. Danger of losing money, danger of losing life, danger of, well, losing anything. Parents worry if their kids have the danger of not making it in the real world, investors have the danger of losing all of their funds in an instant. Everything had a danger, even the most simple everyday tasks you take for granted. It's hard to describe, it's complex. I hope you understand." Eventually, a look of concern befallen the Prime Minister and his guards, worried that something had went horribly wrong.

[Wolfenium]

"Danger..." Schwarzlicht murmured, staring at the floor in thought, "...loss..." She knew for a fact that her master had suffered many losses, and stood to lose a lot more. There was only two things that could worry the emperor - his family and his nation.

"Follow me," she suggested, trying not to think of the issue, "I believe we're due to go to the archives?"

[Orlkjestad]

"Yes, we are. Has the public been notified of the alliance yet?"

[Wolfenium]

"As much as our nation's communications technology is advanced enough," Schwarzlicht, "information still take a fair amount of time to be reported, especially since only I and the Grand Duchess knows of such an alliance as of now. She would need to inform the Reichstag's spokeperson first, before the Reichstag passes the edict."

As she led the Prime Minister's entourage outside, there were signs that something was very wrong. Activity within the castle had spiked, with aides delivering papers at a blistering pace, as they reached the front gate, she passed a very concerned Eva, blustering on the phone in panic.

"What do you mean, skirmishes!?" Eva growled over her cellphone, "that attack had nothing to do with me! I never deal with terrorists! Why would I- I'll settle the issue right this moment."

As she hung up on the phone, she noticed the entourage looking over her.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she reasoned quickly with the Prime Minister, "something came up at High Command. The limo would have to wait. Maybe Schwarzlicht can be your guide."

"You seemed... worried..." the albino spoke, "had something happened?"

"Yeah..." Eva blurted, "nice timing too. I'll deliver the treaty to the Reichstag later. Right now, I got matters to attend to."

"Matters?" she asked ignorantly, "what do you mean?"

Eva bit her lips, she did not dare to tell them, her feet were carefully motioning away, as if trying to get away. As if the skies itself was giving a sign, dark clouds loomed over the city, signalling a storm ahead.

"I'm sorry," Eva apologized, "I have to go..."

[Orlkjestad]

He looked bewildered for a while, and then, with shock realized what happened. He quickly got up and said, "Aw, shit." He took out his phone, quickly dialed a number, and said with an obnoxious Loransk accent that he normally doesn't show, and quickly said in Orlkjestadi, "Get me the Generalissimus, we might have trouble." He waited for a while, and said, "What the hell does that mean? 'He's out'? Sick leave? Is there anybody I could talk to? Damn! Wait, I have to get it through Parliament? A day? AT THE LEAST?! This is fuckin' insanity!"" He sat back down, while hanging up his phone, with a look of frustration, putting his index and middle fingers to his temple, and said, his obnoxious Loransk accent still intact, "I think I know what's happening, and it's bad."

[Wolfenium]

"Umm..." Schwarzlicht uttered, "you do? What do you think it is?" She did not know what was happening, but from the look of the two, it was serious. Very serious.

Immediately, she cast a holographic monitor and keyboard in front of her, typing at breakneck speed as she tried to pinpoint the latest headlines...

[Orlkjestad]

"It's Amythyst, I think they've finally did it. They've finally attacked Wolfenium again." He kept his accent, and kept on trying to access any resource he had.

[Wolfenium]

"There it is," Schwarzlicht told the Prime Minister as she clicked on a live video feed on the national news network. As the headlines flowed out, disbelief overcame the otherwise stoic A.I.. For the first time... she was actually horrified.

"This... can't be..."

---

Artillery Showdown over DMZ
7 Dead, over 100 wounded as Cerise and other major cities are hit by artillery fire over Alisagrad terror attack.


Alisagrad Metro, hit by a terrorist bombing by the Schatten der Vergangenheit


Cerise, Southern Halkenginia, hit by artillery shells just 14 km away

Cerise, Southern Halkenginia. In what was to be the most serious military exchange since the Bruhl armistice, Amythysian artillery batteries stationed along the Zhukov Line behind the Demilitarized Zone fired over 250 rockets and artillery shells over the frontline into major cities and strategic bases all across Belka and Southern Halkenginia. In response, Wolfen artillery stationed along the Heidi Line launched artillery barrages on key locations across the DMZ. So far, 4 Wolfen military personnel and 3 civilians have been killed, most in the town of Cerise, and over a hundred wounded. The exchange lasted throughout the afternoon, with Cerise bearing the brunt of the attack while major cities such as Tristania, Ixpellia and Saint Olivie also suffered damage.

Amythyst claimed that the attacks were initiated by a rogue commander, who was provoked over the recent terrorist bombing of the Alisagrad Metro by the Schatten der Vergangenheit, an extreme nationalist group seeking to achieve Wolfen dominance in the region. The bombing, which had resulted in 3 dead and dozens wounded, was thought to be a meticulous assassination plot on the head of the Gvardiya's most elite Black Ops unit, the Nochʹ Ryeĭdera, who was killed in the blast.

Cerise itself, a frontline headquarters for Wolfen occupation forces in Southern Halkenginia, was devastated in the attack. Hundreds of residences were hit in the barrage while other areas, such as the military base, had also sustained serious damage. Civilians in the affected areas were swiftly evacuated into the bunkers as the first in three waves of artillery shells fell on the town.

There was smoke everywhere. We couldn't breathe. The buildings around me were ablaze. We didn't know what was happening. We thought the war had started all over again...

-An eyewitness account in Cerise

Chancellor Sibylle Paulus has strongly condemned the attacks, and demanded an international inquiry over the incident.

This was no isolated incident... This is a deliberate breach of the Bruhl Armistice. I call upon the sanctity of the Amythysian government to explain their actions, and to issue a formal apology to the victims for such an unprovoked assault on Wolfen sovereignty... If they truly wish to seek peace with us, then it is time they stop tormenting our citizens with such callous actions...

-Chancellor Paulus, in an emergency session in the Reichstag

Alisagrad had yet to issue a formal statement over the issue, although unconfirmed reports indicate that the Duma would send an arrest warrant for the people responsible for the attack. But for now, Cerise would have to lick its wounds as Astol watches in bated breath of the events to come. This is Sarah Junker, WINA, Cerise.

[Orlkjestad]

"Damn... I doubt this is isolated. A 'rogue commander', my ass... If they bring out this much artillery on a border town, it ain't just a rogue commander, it's at least a few squads of artillery. And in a DMZ, too? They're serious about it if they're willing to rake up this much worldwide infamy."

[Wolfenium]

"I only hope," Schwarzlicht uttered in fear, though she tried hard not to show it, "this doesn't end with war... His Majesty had worked tirelessly for a peace settlement with the Tsarina. I don't believe such a young soul would allow such a tragedy. Her political officials, however, are a different story."

[Orlkjestad]

"From what I've heard, her officials have the real power, and are fiercely anti-Wolfen. Must have been them, they might just be on the warpath..."

[Wolfenium]

"I really hope it would not come to this," Schwarzlicht answered, "from what I read in the archives, there are many parallels between Wolfenium's conflicts with the Commonwealth. This is far from the first time we went on the warpath and if this continues, it would not be the last. As you said, there is a high probability that this was orchestrated by the Amythysian government as a whole. I sincerely wish that my master's efforts are not in vain.

Of course, as your guide, I am obliged to escort you to wherever you wish. Do you wish to head to the archives then, or do you have a different destination in mind?"

[Orlkjestad]

"I still want to go to the archives, of course," he said.

[Wolfenium]

"Affirmative," replied the woman, albeit with less calm now. It was not like her to feel any worries. But having stood by a group of very emotional people for a long time, it's little wonder why the A.I. would change ever so slightly.

Just as she was about to call up transport, she spotted a MOWAG Eagle stopping over at the carpool. As the driver and passengers hurriedly got out of the jeep, she got over and asked one of the officers, "excuse me, I need to borrow that vehicle."

After a quick nod from the bewildered officer, she called out to the entourage, "I apologize if this isn't appropriate, but with everyone busy right now, I don't believe we would get any chauffeur services at this moment." She opened the door and gestured the group to come inside.

[Orlkjestad]

The group nodded, and quickly got inside the jeep.

[Wolfenium]

With the entourage inside, Schwarzlicht drove off into the city, down the mountainous road out of the White Citadel.

As they passed by the city, it was clear the mood had changed considerably. The once silent and sombre streets now exploded with rage and discontent. Protesters marched on the streets in a sea of amber, holding portraits of the Kaiser and angry slogans. One procession even held a burning effigy of the Tsarina, chanting 'Sieg' in unison. It was a scary sight, one at which the A.I. was quick to avoid, taking detour after detour. After a roundabout trip, they finally made it into the Imperial Archives, in the center of Independence Square

"Right this way," Schwarzlicht asked the Prime Minister, opening the door. As they cross the square grounds, they passed by another entourage, a more tense looking group as a familiar face passed by them.

"Emergency meetings, impromptu sessions... I didn't think they would be so stupid to start something like that," Chancellor Sibylle Paulus grumbled to her aides as they made their way to the Chancellery in the opposite direction.

"But think of it, Chancellor," went one of the aides, "the prospects are limitless. Their stupidity is our gain. And such actions on the Amythysians' part is bound to win us more allies. Did I mention that the Grand Duchess herself had just concluded a deal with a foreign head of government?"

"Wait... what?"

"I just heard from the castle aides," he spoke confidently, "it seemed she had formed an alliance just this day. Perhaps this could work to our advantage..."

As the Chancellor's group made a pass around the Orlkjestadi entourage, she caught a fleeting glance at the Prime Minister, before moving on. She knew that the Kaiser is meeting with a foreign delegate today, but she had other pressing matters to attend to, failing to recognize the man. As Schwarzlicht reached the doors of the archives, she asked, "well... here it is. You might want to keep your distance for now. The Chancellor is part of the ruling Nationalist Coalition. I'm sure you would not want to be dragged in to our domestic politics."

[Orlkjestad]

"Nonsense, us Orlkjestadi are born with a strong sense of civil duty, which means that we love politics. Unfortunately, if you mention anything too extremist outside of a beer hall in Orlkjestad, you'll end up with a heated argument, and if you mention the same thing inside a beer hall in Orlkjestad, you'll get somebody in the hospital, a rattled police officer, and a local gun shop slightly richer. Fortunately, I am not one of those people." Ignoring the albino's words, he approached the chancellor, stuck out his hand, and said, "Greetings, I am the right honorable prime minister of Orlkjestad and all her territories, former Generalissimus Adriaen Christiaansen. How are things going so far?" His heavy Loransk accent was still intact.

[Wolfenium]

Turning her head over to the diplomat, Chancellor Paulus raised an eyebrow, before finally recognizing him. She had glanced through the reports earlier, but given such meeting were the task of the royal family, she never really paid attention. Still, she quickly carried herself in regal fashion, shaking his hand, "umm... forgive me, Prime Minister. I was too preoccupied with state matters earlier. I am Archduchess Sibylle Kathrin Paulus, Chancellor of the Empire of Wolfenium. I had only been appointed a few months ago after my predecessor's untimely death. As of current, I would say things are... not well. I suppose you've watched the news?"

[Orlkjestad]

With a stern face, the Prime Minister said, "Yes, I have. Are there any updates or actions taken yet?"

[Wolfenium]

With a disappointed smile, she admitted, "not really... As I said during my speech, I was hoping to request for an international inquiry over the incident. I suspect this is revenge for the terror attack on their capital. We already made ourselves clear that we had nothing to do with the terrorists. Clearly, our words fall on deaf ears. But I'm sure that as a respected member of the international community, Orlkjestad can form an inquiry with your partners over this tragic exchange."

[Orlkjestad]

"I bet we can even do it without any more help. With our kind of military might, international respect, and economic prowess, we might just be able to squeeze the details out just by ourselves."