Rebuilding An Empire (Earth:Empires)

[Solar Ethiopia]

The Emperor was staring out of the window. He was looking over the Imperial Palace at Mogadishu, one of his many residences across the empire. Many were more decadent than this, but this was his favourite. However, he had just been brought news that displeased him.

Emperor Azubuike Salamake had risen to his office quickly. At 49, he was the youngest ever Emperor of the Abyssinian Empire. He had taken power in a bloodless coup d’état, taking over from the old tyrant that came before him. It was mainly bloodless because the old man had a heart attack when he saw Salamake walk in with a hunting knife and a pistol.

Emperor Salamake looked around himself. Whatever he had thought of the old man that preceded him, he built a good Imperial Palace. Aside of these thoughts, the Emperor was not in the best of moods. News had been brought to him that a group were trying to install the son of the old tyrant as Emperor. His guards had captured a man trying to sneak in to the Palace that morning. He knew that he could kill this man without a thought. But he had other plans.

“We know what you have been trying to do,” said the Emperor with a glance towards the window. “We know you are acting as a traitor to the Empire. I could have you killed for that, with a click of my fingers. I could have you lined up in front of a wall and shot. I could have you tied to a palm tree in the desert, and wait for the lions to tear you to pieces. I could send you to the Caliphate, and have them decide what to do with you,” He paused, to let the terror sink in to the young man. “But I won’t. I will let you go back.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you.” The young man began to kiss the ground where the Emperor stood.

“Don’t think I’m letting you off,” the Emperor snapped. “I’m going to send you back to your ragtag band of rebels, and have you report on what they do, to me.”

“No. I won’t do it. I won’t betray my friends !!”

“You have no choice. You have to.”

The young man was taken away. The Emperor was used to doing this. This was the way he had made his way to where he was today.

He called over to his main advisor. “Kisira, come with me. We need to talk about something.”

“Of course Sir.”

The Emperor walked to his office, overlooking the beautiful city.

“Kisira, our Russian allies seem to believe I have different policies to our ‘dearly beloved’ former Emperor. While that may be true, I wish to reassure them of my commitment to the Coalition. Call them to a conference here at Mogadishu. They shall be impressed.”

“Of course, Emperor. Right away.”

Emperor Salamake sat back in his chair and relaxed. Things were going well.

To: The Russian Empire, The Magyar Empire, The Eastern Roman Empire

I extend an invitation to meet His Highness the Emperor of Abyssinia, Azubuike Salamake, at a conference at the Imperial Palace in Mogadishu in one week's time, to discuss the future of Abyssinia and the Russian Coalition.

May Abyssinia Prevail

Kisira Balongo
Chief Advisor to the Emperor of Abyssinia

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Magyar Cossack State
The Magyar Imperial Palace, Budapest

The wind rustled through the open window, tossing a number of papers off of the ancient oak desk, and stirring the King from his slumber. As his surrounding slowly became more familiar he recalled he was in his private study rather than his personal chambers, the past few weeks had proved hectic at best for the youthful monarch; the centralization efforts had been going well he had gathered the recognition from the official Cossack Council in Budapest and had slowly started the process of purging the military of those considered doubtfully loyal, the cost for such ambition proved to be many sleepless nights of paperwork and long daytime hours of speeches before countless councils. This all brought him back to the cot he was lying on, he had brought it into his study to make lengthen the little time of sleep allotted. Rising from the cot, he walked slowly to the portrait of his father mounted behind his oak desk, he didn’t like it; the eyes seemed to follow him about the room.

“I am the heir to the Hapsburg Line; I will not fear a picture.” He announced boldly into the empty room, with a violent stroke he sent the priceless piece of artwork hurtling off the wall and crashing to the floor with a shatter. He had become increasingly prone to such violent outburst since the untimely death of his father, most of them triggered by the hideous watchful eyes of his father’s portraits, and busts.
“Highness?” Questioned a member of the Black Falcons, opening the door cautiously, obviously alerted by the crash. He had his hand on the hilt of saber, a weapon more for show than for combat- as it was inconceivable that any could penetrate so far into the Imperial Palace; though if someone did, he did have an old gun powdered weapon on him as well.

“What is it soldier?” The King stood over the broken remains of the frame still breathing hard and glaring, the Falcon was obviously startled and brought his feet to a sharp attention, clearing his throat.
“Commander Zoltan has requested your presence for the daily meeting- if you are so inclined.” It was not uncommon for the Commander to request a meeting with the King, they had been friends for decades and Marc had a powerful habit of falling into matters of state alone for days, especially as the nation had stabilized under his leadership and grew to accept the massive political power being concentrated into the hands of the King. The King nodded blankly and dismissed the soldier, throwing on the royal colors as he left the room and entered the ancient masonry corridor.

As the King entered the central conference room, he saw Commander Zoltan standing with his back to the door, marking on a large map of Abyssinia, and it appeared he had nearly every paper file the Empire had on the African state scattered about the tables in the room. The King had only a weak understanding of the nation, knowing it had been under the rule of the same Emperor for some time, but why such sudden curiosity now- when the Russian Eagle had finally awakened and was invading the North of Europe, Marc had presumed that would be the matter to discuss… not Africa.

“Are we being invaded?” Marc joked, walking over to his friend and signaling the servant outside to bring him a drink. The King shoved some of the folders aside to make room for the hot drink and leaned against it to hear the Commander’s response.

“No milord not invaded. Invited. Apparently there was a bloodless coup in Abyssinia, the former Emperor is dead and a man of no relation has claimed the thrown, and now would like to invite us to the celebration.” Zoltan spoke slowly, predicting an explosive response from the King, which was quickly received.

“We can’t have our allies overthrowing their governments damn it,” the King knew very well that it was the Magyar Empire, not the many other states of the world, that had suffered from frequent revolts, communist mostly. Budapest itself had been the scene of two major battles against Communist, and sense then the Empire had taken a very hard look on rebels, regardless of their grievances or nationality. Zoltan began to explain the most socially tactful way to sever ties with the new government when the King raised his hand for silence. “No, cutting off relations would only worsen relations with our allies Russia and Byzantium, and they are far more important to use than these Africans. Run a story in the National News Network, declare the former emperor died naturally and create a tie to the thrown for the new emperor.” The King stood fully to his height and clapped his hands, thus summoning two of the Imperial Cossacks, or Cossacks who had been born in Hungary Proper and had sworn loyalty to the Royal thrown. “I will go, in a grand fashion… I have secured my popularity here at home, and now must do so amongst our allies.”

To; The Empire of Abyssinia

From; The House of the Kaiser of the Magyar Empire

I, the Kaiser of the Magyar and Chieftain of the Cossack Tribes, would like to formerly extend the arm of friendship and honor of recognition by my Empire to your own. I will personally attend your conference, bringing with me five hundred members of the Imperial Cossack Legion to hold a parade in your honor. I foresee our nations being the very closest of allies over the course of your reign, and do hope you return similar hopes.

Victory to the Empire
Signed Marc Kovach von Hapsburg, Kaiser of the Magyar

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

The parade had been impressive to say the least; it had perhaps been too long since the people of Africa witnessed a powerful European army present in the name of celebration rather than occupation or colonization. Marc, did not however get out of the Imperial Limo, deciding walking around unprotected in a nation that had only recently undergone revolution was a bad idea. Still, the Imperial Cossack Guard had performed flawlessly, most of them mounted on the backs of pure-breeds from the Cossack planets; still some of them had sported their combat armor, perhaps mostly as a symbol to the Caliphate. Eventually however, the parade ended before the steps of the Imperial Palace and Marc stepped out of the Imperial Limo, flanked by two of the most senior Imperial Cossacks breathing, he assumed that he would be meeting the new Emperor of Abyssinia at the door, but the sun light of the cursed continent blinded him of anything so far off. As the King of the Magyar approached the steps, the lines of Cossacks fell to a knee in respect for his authority, he and his two guards made the way to the first step at which point he waved off the two men as he assumed proper security measures had been taken, and began the climb up the steps, as he reached the top every Cossack rose, now bearing flags of the Magyar Empire and Cossack Federation, and in the back mobile artillery platforms pounded the sky with colorful explosions- prompting cheers from the crowd.

“I do hope they aren’t all so… dark.” He muttered as he waved to the Imperial Guard and the black mass of civilians.

[Solar Ethiopia]

The Emperor's Office
Imperial Palace
Mogadishu

The Emperor was watching the Cossacks parade outside the window. It was certainly impressive how the Kaiser had turned them to his cause, especially since the Emperor had grown up knowing them as unruly space pirates, just looking for the next way to earn a few coins. He hoped that the Kaiser would be friendly enough, because of their similarities. Both young men, with extreme power in their hands. Both trying to confirm the loyalty of his people. He knew a lot of people didn't like the Africans, and didn't like him because of the revolution. But he wanted as many friends as possible.

Kisira walked into the room. "Emperor, the Kaiser has arrived."

"Show him to the conference hall Kisira. We cannot wait any longer for our friends from Russia and Rome."

"Of course Sir." Kisira walked downstairs, and began to greet their guests.

The Emperor changed into traditional Abyssinian robes, and placed a crucifix on his neck. Though he was a devout Christian, and prayed every morning in the Imperial Chapel, today would be the wrong day to forget it, as he did many days.

The Entrance Hall

When the Emperor told Kisira he was to greet the guests, he was secretly delighted. He had never been shown trust by anyone as much as Emperor Salamake had shown in the last month, despite being the eldest and longest-serving of the tribal heads. He thought that maybe it was because he came from a Muslim family. But he had thrown that religion away, and been baptised, almost seventy years ago now. He was, to all intents and purposes, a Christian. But some decided to treat him badly because of his past.

He crossed himself as he walked over to the door, as if confirming to himself his Christian faith. Then, he opened the door.

"Good day Kaiser. My name is Kisira Balongo, and I am the Chief Advisor to the Emperor of Abyssinia, Azubuike Salamake. If you would care to follow me, I shall show you into the conference hall."

As he walked away, he glanced back towards the door, where the weapons detector was embedded in the wall. The light flashed green. The Kaiser carried no weaponry. Kisira smiled despite himself, and walked on.

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

Marc nodded to the black man, and followed him. He was surprised about the splendour of the Imperial Palace, surely it had been built by French hands, Russian hands, and on the backs of the natives, and Marc considered it a stone’s throw from impossible that these “people” had managed to erect something of such beauty; it almost reminded him of his own Imperial Palace, in Budapest. He was so distracted by this “emperor’s” living conditions that he failed to notice the manservant had halted and quiet nearly ran into him. They were standing in front of massive doors, doors large enough to allow a herd of elephants to pass through; it seemed in custom with the monarchs of the world although Marc never understood why they insisted on having doors so bloody massive.

[Solar Ethiopia]

Kisira smiled, as he saw the Kaiser looking around, almost dazed with the impressiveness. Many people did not expect this from an African country, and the Kaiser was obviously the same.

He opened the massive doors with ease. They were perfectly balanced, and easy to open despite their size. He showed the Kaiser inside, and spoke.

"Take a seat please, Kaiser. The Emperor will be down in a few minutes."

He left the room, and walked upstairs to bring the Emperor down to the conference hall.

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

The King of Hungary, and Chieftain of Cossack Tribes was waiting… for a man of colour. Though they did not ask him to wait idly, there was on the table a banquet laid out, Marc grabbed a glass of what he assumed was the most expensive wine the nations could afford, and was surprised greatly when he noticed that this was the identical to what stocked alcohol stores across his Empire.

“I suppose all royals are the same, weather they reign in Budapest or this unpronounceable city.” Although as he spoke he recalled that not far to the West was the Caliphate, a nation of heretics and false believers, then again there were men in the Caliphate that looked very similar to what he expected this Emperor to look like, and he wondered if perhaps the Caliph ever went against the laws of Islam and also enjoyed, this same wine. Then he recalled, bitterly, that this was also his father’s preferred wine and the taste in his mouth grew sour, he sent the glass hurtling across the room and spat the foul liquid out. Brushing himself off, he glanced at the rug now wet with wine and shrugged, the Empire could repay the Africans a piece of carpet.

[Solar Ethiopia]

The Imperial Palace
Mogadishu

As the Emperor walked to the door of the conference hall, he heard a smash. He had done his research on the leaders visiting today, and had heard that the Kaiser was subject to fits of violence when he was reminded of his recently departed father. He presumed that this was one of those moments. It would hopefully not be overly expensive to the Empire.

He opened the door, and spoke with a smile on his face.

"Greetings Kaiser. I trust everything is alright in here ??"

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

The entrance of the Coloured Emperor was less than the grand event Marc had envisioned, he was expecting trumpets, a marching band, guardians, maybe a few mammals in a parade line, but instead the leader of the African kingdom entered with a simple question. He considered it rather surprising that this man felt no need to validate his claim to a throne in a land of colonies.

“A problem?” Marc asked, as though he hadn’t the slightest idea what the man was referring to, “Ah yes, you must mean the wine glass, I… didn’t much care for it, I’m not a heavy drinker you see, a few bottles of wine and next thing you know your dancing on the balcony of the Imperial Palace, I’m sure a monarch like yourself understands why we must restrain ourselves.” He said shortly and as though the concept was so basic even the most ignorant of youth would comprehend it. “Terribly sorry about the rug though, I’ll be happy to repay you for any trouble I may have caused.”

He stood tugged once at the sides of his blazer before approaching the Emperor of Abyssinia and shook his hand, the man had a firm, respectable handshake, and Marc decided he would have to at least pretend to be colour blind.

“Before we begin, I’d like to say that you and I, aren’t that different, despite outward appearances- no offense. We are young, and have our entire lives ahead of us, and in our hands is the future of our peoples. I hope that together we can create a new, stronger, united future for our peoples- a future our sons will be glad to inherit.” He handed the Emperor a glass of wine he had poured, making very sure to grab the red wine rather than the white wine of his father and offered a toast. “Despite what I said earlier, one drink couldn’t hurt.”

[Solar Ethiopia]

When the Emperor saw the Kaiser, he was surprised. It was like looking in the mirror, aside of the obvious difference in skin colour. Once he got over the shock however, he smiled. He mostly nodded at what the European was saying, shook the man's hand, and smiled whole-heartedly, when the Kaiser mentioned a long friendship between the two empires. But when he offered some wine, the Emperor shook his head.

"I don't drink. Not wine, anyway. I prefer whisky." With those words, he walked over to a cabinet and poured a double of the finest Scotch whisky. "To Abyssinia !! To the Magyar Empire !!" After the toast, he began to get down to business. "Now my friend, take a seat. I have a proposal for you."

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

“Certainly interested,” he said sitting down, eying the white wine suspiciously, “I’m not invading the Caliphate, if that’s what you’re interested in discussing,” he joked, fully aware of the tension along the border over the fates of two provinces which began with the letter “S” beyond that Marc had a very limited grasp of the conflict, having never thought it would come up in conversation. He did hope the conversation wouldn’t take too much time, as he only had another hour or so before he had to check in with security outside- not taking any escorts with him had made them especially cautious. “So what is it you’d like to discuss?”

[Solar Ethiopia]

"No, nothing to do with invading the Caliphate. I have no desire for a war right now !!" The Emperor chuckled. "No, no, I wish to discuss what the Cossacks do best. Weaponry."

He began to pull papers from a folder on the table, an antique that would probably be worth thousands if the Emperor bothered to check the value. "I first wish to get some weaponry for the Imperial Bodyguard. Powerful, but easily concealable. Secondly, a few hundred muskets, for if, God forbid, we should ever need them. Thirdly, some help building some offshore fortifications, for the same reasons. Do you think you could get it done ??"

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

Marc very near spat out his wine when he heard the suggestion, it was not very often people were so direct as to state the connection between the Magyar Imperial Leadership and the Criminal Cossack Syndicates. He tensed, swallowed hard and cleared his throat before speaking; he opened his mouth to speak and was again taken aback by the complete disregard for long held customs.

“Now, I know you aren’t insinuating that we are related to, or have authority over their criminal activities. We are not the Cossacks, and I’m sure you aren’t making such notions, you should be fully aware that we do not have any, any formal connections to them.” He stood up, as though he was outraged and looked about the room before sitting back down- not wanting a deal like the one the Emperor was offering to slip through his fingers.

“Of course, if we did have the ability to gather these items- it wouldn’t be cheap. We’d need heavy compensation, seeing as you’d be paying for my difficulties and those of our…. Contacts.” He said slowly, he almost smiled at the routine, it was one he had learned and rehearsed since childhood, the good old, ‘we are Magyar not Cossack’ speech, the Empire needed as much ability to distance itself from the criminal activities of their cousins as possible, that said there were still a few proud symbols of their unity and among those was the Almos Corporation.

The Almos Corporation owned a massive glass sky scraper in Belgrade, the capitol of their multi-system operations, and it was no secret that the Almos Corporation had more than a shady connection to the Cossack Host; in fact it was this Corporation that designed and built all of the Cossack signature vessels.

“There is a… Corporation that could gather what you need, easy. I could get you into contact with the CEO and you could go from there, no offense intended of course, but if your newly armed partisans require training, many of our troops were trained abroad and would be willing to step in and assist you, especially your armoured units, as the parade indicated, we are rather well known for our cavalry." He said handing the man a card and taking another drink of wine, only now getting over the shock.

[Solar Ethiopia]

"I apologise for any offense I may have caused Kaiser. I meant nothing by what I said." The Emperor was worried. He did say the wrong thing at times, but didn't want to lose a friend because of it. "On the point of business, would I be making an agreement with you, or the CEO personally ?? I just want a deal done as soon as possible, in case our 'friends' across the Gulf decide to do something rash."

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

“And here I could have sworn you said our meeting didn’t involve those filthy vermin occupying the desolation of the East,” Marc smiled and set the drink down calmly, “though I understand fully your need for a quick solution, those men are known to blow themselves up- I’d imagine therefore that rash behavior isn’t too far beyond their capabilities.” Marc laughed at his own joke, hoping to defuse the tension that had been built.

Many monarchs in Europe would have simply rolled their eyes at the classic “Magyar and Cossack” speech, but this man was not only from Africa but was to new also to leadership, and his youth in the field was clear. Still, Marc had decided this man was not too far different them himself, and perhaps it was possible color mattered less than he originally thought it did in determining intellect.

“Since you have only recently been… crowned, and due to the bright future between our nations, I will handle all of the actual cost for the supply, as a gift from our empire to your own, and as a symbol that we trust you’ll use it to annihilate, or” he cleared his voice and imitated the Empire’s elderly diplomats, “pacify and maintain the status quo’ of the Caliphate.” After speaking those few words Marc excused himself to phone the Chief Executive Officer of the Almos Corporation, and after only a brief conversation returned to the table. “The Corporation did say they’d be happy to provide you with the materials granted that you cleared some land for them to establish an Abyssinian Head Quarters,” he said trying to recall the same they had stated, “in a little place called the Dahlak Archipelago, of course you would still own the land, however they would use the area for the benefit of their Corporation, and probably raise the standing of living… all for free. I hope you’ll find these terms acceptable?”

[Solar Ethiopia]

"Completely acceptable Kaiser. I don't think there is much on the Dahlak Archipelago, so we won't have to cut down anything to give you the land." The Emperor smiled. "I hope we can make many more deals in the future Kaiser. I think our empires shall be friends for a long time to come. In fact, I propose a toast. To a long and stable friendship between us !!"

[The Magyar-Cossak State]

The Abyssinian Empire
Imperial Palace, Mogadishu, Somalia

Marc raised his glass and repeated the statement before drinking, he placed the now empty glass on the table and grabbed the asked to take a look at the files in the folder, and he glanced over the documents and specifications for the request- with special emphasis on the artillery weapons. It looked complicated, more so than the Empire had on hand in any quantity, but he trusted the Corporation to have the capabilities to produce, in mass, any weapon.

“Does that conclude our business then?” Marc asked, failing to see any farther matters to discuss, but wasn’t entirely sure the Emperor wouldn’t want something farther.

[Solar Ethiopia]

"Yes, that should be everything." The Emperor looked around quickly, as if wishing for the other delegates to arrive at the Palace. "All there is to do now is to wait for our friends from St. Petersburg and Constantinople."

The Emperor left the room, and breathed a sigh of relief. This was harder than it looked, this leadership business. He had thought it would all be feasts and fun and feeling on top of the world. But it wasn't. He needed a rest. He would take a quick nap, and then meet with the other two delegates. He hoped it would be easier the second time round...