Crossing the Rubicon (New Earth Only)

[Anglian Kingdom]

The King smiled, only partially recognizing the subtle demotion of Aleksander's retinue to little more than helpers on this occasion. After all, he supposed that his own friends and Royal Household were being much of the same for this, as his Private Secretary lamented in his usually doleful mannerisms.

"Yes, of course." Richard said, looking towards his own retinue. "Sir Merrills, make sure that our guests are adequately entertained."

"Sir."

Richard turned away with Aleksander and quietly left the room as the remainder of the delegation chatted among themselves, probably both worried and curious at the prospects of the meeting just across the hall. The Prime Minister surely was, but he respected the notion of a private meeting between the two, and so did his best to be occupied with other duties for the day. They crossed into the deserted hall and Richard held open the door to the White Drawing Room, allowing Emperor Aleksander to enter first.

Inside was very extravagant room, an presumed hallmark of any royalty really, but nevertheless a beautiful sight. From the vaulted ceiling hanged a central chandelier, with four more in each corner, and the room was lit by a series of Greek-inspired lamps; although the majority of the light came from the bright sun that shined in through the side windows. Above the mantel of two fireplaces were the paintings of former sovereigns of Anglia, specifically King William III, the first king of the Adair family, and the Bonnie King Charles I, who is considered one of Anglia's most beloved kings.

Ignoring the embroidered red rug that covered much of the room, the White Drawing Room got its name from the white and marbled appearance of the walls and ceiling, the only other main color being gold that covered much of the furniture and embellished the walls. Most of the furniture was still as it was before, but in the corner near the Bonnie King's fireplace was a set of armchairs around a round table, on which was two fine porcelain cups and a teapot.

The King inhaled for a second upon entering, closing the door behind him and walking in front of Aleksander.

"I understand you wanted to speak about things. Face to face that is, maybe without that usual air of politics that seems to get in the way of everything." He said with a clear and simple voice. He gestured over to the chairs by the fireplace, sitting down as Aleksander did. "As I said before, you've come a long way for this, so I can imagine it's of great importance."

He looked down at the table and lifted the teapot, pouring himself a cup.

"Tea?"

[Aeuria]

White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace
"Please."

Aleksander watched as King Richard poured the tea; just the right amount of steam escaping the teacups as he did so. Taking the cup, Aleksander took a small sip. Looking around the palatial room, he was impressed by his Anglian counterpart. Despite ruling for less than a year, he handled himself with a graceful confidence. He knew how to speak undeterred, even to a foreign despot decades his senior.

"I suppose some would consider it of great importance but I think it a simple matter to speak of peace, wouldn't you say?" the Emperor started simply before turning his gaze to King Richard. "Though we may possess different levels of political power, as sovereigns we share a responsibility to ensure our peoples are not subjected to unnecessary violence; especially in a conflict that could easily be resolved before it occurs." Leaning back in the armchair, Aleksander crossed his legs before taking another sip of tea. "I presume you're familiar with Lake Tanganyika?" he asked casually, admiring the portrait hanging on the wall. "It would benefit the Congo to control its entirety and surrounding land, no?"

[Anglian Kingdom]

Richard took a sip from his teacup, looking up at Aleksander as he mentioned Lake Tanganyika and nodded profusely.

"It is anyone's good responsibility to protect their people where possible," he said setting the cup down. "It is a system of modern morality that's led to our safer world today." The King looked at Aleksander for a moment, then his eyes fluttered away to the fireplace before he continued. "As for the lake, yes, I am familiar with it. In fact I've seen it in person; my family has made many visits to Kivu and Katanga over the years, it's a pleasant place that has much significance to the locals there. I do not believe it would be remiss to say that people in our colonies would benefit immensely from ownership of Tanganyika."

He looked back to Aleksander, thinking about the abruptness of mentioning the lake in conversation. It was really the dividing factor between Anglia's interests in Africa, since the days of colonial expansionism were probably over for the country. Of course Richard remembered the IDC and their own desires in Africa, but unless America was really prepared to face off in a disastrous struggle over what was unarguably insignificant land, not much could ever happen. The Kingdom did spare it's advisers where possible, trying to aid the people of East Africa in their violent struggle, but the effect was diminished from the instability of the continent.

Ah, but such is life, Richard thought, gathering his words.

"My reign has marked a new age of decisions to be made, I imagine the same could have been said for you. Perceptions in this country have changed and as Sovereign of the people, it is my duty to best represent these wishes. Our colonies in Central Africa have long been considered not as significant, and to the great shame of my countrymen and myself, we have permitted less-than-ideal circumstances for the people there. My hope is to change that."

[The Scandinavians]

Foreign Offices of the Fatherland Party, Stockholm

"I still fail to understand why you bother to support that irrelevant backwater of a country. Not only is it quite literally surrounded on all sides now, but-" Wulff spat back with the typical Nordic hatred saved for the last bastion of the Finns burning brightly clearly visible by the American ambassador to behold. Cutting off what would surely devolve to a rant that would re-affirm Party doctrine and beliefs of why Estonia should be obliterated from the surface of the Earth he leaned back into his chair and paused to enjoy his cigarette as his counterpart sat across the desk from him, filling his office with near complete silence save for the sounds of birds outside the building.

"The Party does have a second offer for you should you choose to accept it gearing more towards the economic side" Wulff said after recollecting himself from his brief outburst and handing over a new binder in green towards Brown. "As arbitrary or even dumb as this proposal seems, we believe it would suit our collective interests well".

The second proposal was one stepped in controversy among the higer-ups of the Fatherland Party, mostly due to its origin from Det Lederen rather than the Riksdag of more hardline supporters of the Union's doctrine and individuals with greater experience than the Leader. The Leader is one who prefers quick and short term results rather than long term strategy and victory to pump up his own résumé and ego. Demilitarization of the waters around Jan Mayen and its surrounding seas was a goal the previous Lederen Hylen before his untimely demise, and while it was an objective of the Party it was hardly a primary goal. The Riksdag disagreed with its worth for several thousand Finnish civilians in particular.

[Aeuria]

White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace
Aleksander smiled at Richard before setting his teacup down. "I'm glad we can agree the conditions for the people of Africa must be improved, and there's no better time than the present to make that change. I see no reason why Anglia should not have full ownership of Tanganyika; it is, after all, on the border of one of your largest colonies. It makes sense to control its entirety, from an economic point of view, of course. As you said, the people of your colonies would benefit greatly from total access." the Emperor schmoozed, taking his teacup again.

"I realize the current climate in Africa is rather... well, chaotic. I accept responsibility for the creation of this affair but I don't wish to see it escalate into something larger and far more dangerous. I recognize your government and the IDC as a whole is unhappy with my efforts to restore Aeuria's African holdings but I don't see why that should hinder cooperation between us to establish a renewed peace between the people of our empires. A harmonious relationship in Africa between us would serve everybody's interests, including - I believe - the IDC's. The financial prospects of such a union would be staggering indeed." Aleksander noted, leaning back in his chair as he sipped his tea. "Discussing such matters is much easier when there's not a room full of politicians and diplomats, no? Better to worry about making faux pas in front of a single person than a whole room."

[The United Continent of North America]

Foreign Offices of the Fatherland Party, Stockholm

"Oh dear Lord. This again?" Brown thought to himself as he read the contents of the document. "Is this in response to the Newfoundlander who was shot at last summer?" he mused as he quickly finished scanning the proposal. The UCNA was none to pleased by the incident that happened off the island's shores that July morning, the idea of having a fisherman, more specifically an American, shot at by the Scandinavian coast guard well within North American territorial waters was practically grounds for war in the minds of some within the rooms of Parliament. Jan Mayen has remained an increased area of tension between since, now even more so with rising tensions between UFIN and the IDC as well as a proper naval presence stationed in the waters surrounding the island and eastern Greenland following a brief unofficial "war" between the American and Nordic fishermen.

"Correct me if I'm reading this incorrectly" Brown said closing the binder contents. "demilitarization of the area surrounding the island and opening up for negotiations regarding mutual exploitation of the natural resources there on our end, and in exchange the Party will hand us these individuals?" he said putting the binder down and looking back towards the one containing the information on the Finnish civilians.

[Anglian Kingdom]

White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace

Richard was surprised at how quick Aleksander moved into the statecraft of the meeting, dividing up portions of land and entire people's fates with a few generous concessions. He felt he should be skeptical, after all nearly everyone knew that Aeuria was prone to perfidy - their reputation in Europe a backstabbing villain - but there was a degree of certainty behind the decision. He understood that the Emperor was likely in his own world game, and apparently it could be made acceptable for Anglia to own Tanganyika. In return it made sense to entertain such notions.

"I imagine that any attempt to talk you out of this African business will fall on deaf ears." Richard said, pausing to take a drink. "So I won't bother with that. I agree that we stand in the position of changing the conditions of Africa, rather unanimously since we are the major powers."

He leaned forward and placed his cup back on the table, clasping his hands as he continued.

"Africa is an unstable land. It has always been. So I think that any peaceable agreement between us is for the best, for our nations and the people of Africa."

[Aeuria]

White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace
"I'm happy to hear you say so; indeed I feel my trip would've been wasted otherwise." Emperor Aleksander replied, clearing his throat as he sat forward returning his teacup to the table. Gently scratching his cheek with a single finger, the monarch paused before meeting Richard's eyes. "I do hope you can forgive the unique nature of this audience. I mean no offense when I say so but I feared if I had approached your Prime Minister with this proposal, he would've become rather disagreeable. I realize I'm not a very popular man here in Anglia - little more than a tyrant really - but you and your ancestors have long held the respect of the public."

Pausing to collect his thoughts, Aleksander let out a pensive sigh. "This job is far less complicated without those bureaucrats. While I know you cannot personally form policy, I believe we can establish how the business in Africa could play out to benefit both Anglia and her colonies. As we've already discussed, your military would be justified to seize control of Lake Tanganyika to safeguard peace and the interests of the Congolese. Aeurian military personnel in Africa will be instructed to respect your government's claim to the lake nor will it be contested at any point in the future. However, mobilization of Anglian or IDC military personnel or equipment into former Aeurian colonies will be seen as a breach of this understanding: this goes for the entirety of what used to be Aeurian Africa."

Leaning back in his chair, Aleksander straightened his uniform's jacket with a firm tug. "I'll be blunt, Richard - this African affair is approaching its final chapter. Conditional surrenders are being negotiated in Somalia and South Africa as we speak and the Imperial Army continues to make significant advances up the Tanzanian coast all the way into Kenya. The African people have become weary and fearful of the continuation of this conflict. They have suffered enough already, let us not subject them to the further terror of an international war." Taking his teacup from the table, Aleksander finished its contents with a final sip. Examining the porcelain with pursed lips, the Emperor let the quiet of the room take over for a moment. "Would you say we are in agreement?" he asked, turning to Richard.

Imperial Palace, Praevalidus
Crown Princess Marie yawned as she stretched both her arms as high as she could. Letting out a satisfied groan as her joints cracked, she looked out over the palace's grounds through the wide window. Lazily pulling the silk dressing gown from the small hook on the wall, she tied its belt before walking across the room towards her vanity. Removing a cigarette from an ivory paneled box, she quickly lit it before making her way out of the bedroom. Stepping into her apartment's vast living room, she inhaled deeply from her cigarette before throwing open the doors to the balcony.

Overlooking the palace's grounds, the view was dotted with a few groundskeepers going about their business. Resting both arms on the stone railing, Marie sighed contently as she listened to the morning calls of the songbirds. It was still early, the sun only just beginning to climb above the horizon. Taking a slow drag as she observed the majesty of the sunset, the princess's morning routine was abruptly brought to a halt as a thunderous boom ripped through the air. Throwing her arms up in surprise, Marie's cigarette went flying over the edge as she instinctively jumped back from the railing. Looking around wildly for the source of the terrible noise that continued to reverberate, she saw a massive cloud of smoke rising from the Cultural District.

"Oh my god..." she gasped, watching as the black cloud rose higher and higher into the air.

The doors to her apartment suddenly burst open, Frumentarii officers running through and onto the balcony. "Your Highness, you need to get inside immediately!" one of the men yelled, locking arms with her as he skidded to a halt. "Come on, Ma'am!"

Fumbling inside, the Frumentarii quickly closed the doors and drew the curtains before escorting Marie out of her rooms and towards a saferoom in the core of the palace.

"What was that explosion? Was that an attack?" Marie asked as she walked briskly down a flight of stairs.

"We don't know, Ma'am, but it's a possibility. That's why we're moving you to a safer location while we assess the situation."

"Well surely we would know if any kind of urban demolition was scheduled. That cloud of smoke certainly wasn't a firework." the princess pressed, frustrated at the lack of information.

"Emergency services are responding and we've already taken steps to assess the nature of the situation. Right now, it is more important we get you to safety should the capital be under any form of attack."

Letting out a sigh of frustration, Marie shook her head and gave up on the conversation: evidently it would take more than a minute to know the nature of an explosion visible from her balcony. She swore loudly as she remembered her father was in London. Was she to respond to this? Surely not. The High Council or Senate would likely be convened and her father informed immediately. Turning the corner, the vault door of the saferoom came into view. She hoped the blast was an accident - a gas line or tanker - but gritting her teeth as she crossed the door's threshold, she doubted that possibility entirely.

[Anglian Kingdom]

White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace

Richard reflexively pulled on the sleeve of his jacket, the quietness of the room again returning as Aleksander gazed at his cup, leaving him to consider his own position for the moment. He felt his sensibilities were in line with Anglian society, but at the same time there was this clear feeling that Emperor Aleksander was abusing them. Maybe to some degree their interests did align, but the demand that Anglia and the IDC refrain from operating in Africa was a return to reality for the King.

Of course that was to be expected, this was still some game of politics even if the ministers of state were forced outside. Richard had been briefed well enough on the approaches of the Aeurian Empire, their serpentine manners not unknown. While his own opinions on Aeuria and Aleksander were less than certain, the majority of the democratic world felt strongly on it.

He looked up as the Emperor spoke, smiling as he finished.

"Yes, I do believe we're in agreement Aleksander. I will fully consider everything you've said and pass it on to my government, with my own personal assurances that I find it suitable for Anglia. I do think that brings our meeting to a close however," the King said as he stood up. "It was a pleasure to meet you. Send my regards to your family."

[The Scandinavians]

Foreign Offices of the Fatherland Party, Stockholm

Wulff took his time answering the American ambassador's question pausing for a few moments to finish his cigarette before placing it down in the ashtray on his desk. He could tell by his interest that he had done his work was completed, all he had to do now is say a simple "yes" and then the Party and the military would handle the finer details of kicking the Finns out.

"You're correct" he responded, though pleased with Brown's apparent interest decided to hold back any sort of emotion until the agreement was finalized and signed. "Presumably the military will take care of moving the population from Nyland to an agreeable location for you to pick up. That, however, is not my Ministry's responsibility" he mused as he sat upright and moved his chair forward. "So Herr Brown, are these terms acceptable to you?"

One Month Later

Lederen's Office,
Rikskansliet, Stockholm

The Fatherland Party was more than pleased by the outcome of the nationalist coup to the south with even Det Lederen himself sending a letter congratulating the leadership who orchestrated it. At last the Baltic was almost entirely secured by either themselves or by governments whose interests for the most part aligned with the Party's save for one glaring problem: the American bases being established in Estonia had to be dealt. A sense of urgency took hold over the Nordic leadership to break the flimsy Parisian treaty signed several months prior and fulfill the promise made to Nowistrana to carve the land up before the Americans either reinforced their position in the region or the socialist Khedrovina made a move to capture it.

"Our fleets are re-entering the Baltic as you've requested. If all goes to plan, and with renewed support from the east, we can crush the Estonian bastards within the next few weeks" Grand Admiral Magnus said with confidence and eagerness for a new and proper invasion of Estonia, standing among Svansson's cabinet.

"Fantastic" Det Lederen said finalization signing and sealing a letter due to be delivered to the Nowistranan leadership on Scandinavia's intentions. "I must say gentlemen, with the success Aeuria's invasion of Africa and the coup in the Edelreich, that we are looking towards an increasingly optimistic future for the Party. Now only a few small details remain to the success of our nation."

[Aeuria]

Buckingham Palace
"A pleasure indeed." Emperor Aleksander noted with a smile as he stood. "I wish you the best of luck."

As the pair returned to the throne room, Aleksander's retinue waited anxiously as the monarchs said their final goodbyes. The Emperor made his way across the room, motioning for his men to follow as the delegation was escorted out of the palace. Quickening his pace, Minister Bordeaux walked next to the Emperor.

"How did it go?"

"Quite well, Richard was receptive to the idea. I believe they'll take Tanganyika as agreed."

"Good... good." the Foreign Minister sighed with relief. The plan was risky and fraught with more than one political landmine. King Richard ultimately wouldn't be making the decision but he was happy to hear the monarch at least entertained the idea. "Do you think the Prime Minister will go for it?"

"Hard to say. Working with us carries a political cost to any Western politician. I don't know if you've noticed but the Anglian public aren't exactly thrilled about what we're doing in Africa. But I think I underestimated Richard's capacity. He could very well insist and Holland might actually agree." Aleksander said with a small laugh.

Colonial Museum, Cultural District, Praevalidus
The sirens of countless emergency vehicles filled the air as thick smoke continued to rise from the museum. The explosion observed by the Crown Princess came from a van which had rammed through barriers to the museum's doors before exploding. Much of the neoclassical building's facade had been blown away, the roof of the lobby collapsing in the ensuing fire. Flames had spread to consume much of the front of the building despite the many fire trucks feverishly dousing the area with water.

A convoy of 3 black sedans rapidly approached the scene before slowing to a halt. From the cars came a pack of Frumentarii, immediately making their way to the ranking official overseeing the effort - an Imperial Police Lieutenant. Turning from two of his officers, the man seemed unfazed by the presence of the intelligence officers.

"Report, officer." one of the Frumentarii demanded, raising a hand to cover his brow as he watched the streams of water shoot into the museum's windows.

"Lieutenant Fielder, Imperial Police. Casualties are already in the dozens, hundreds more injured. We were lucky it's still early." the man replied, resting his hands on his hips. "A civilian van was observed crashing through security barriers before detonating in what can only be an act of terrorism."

"An astute observation, Lieutenant." another Frumentarius chided dryly as he walked past the man closer to the inferno. "Did anyone get a look at the driver?"

"Yes. Dark skinned fellow, definitely an African. We're running the plates now, hopefully we can get the bastard's name, see if he was a citizen, colonial, or foreign national."

"Gonna be hard to ID without a body. I presume you've shut off the surrounding streets? No press?"

"Uh yes, Sir." Fielder replied, slightly confused at the man's priorities.

"Well we can't have this picture plastered all over the morning news, now can we Lieutenant?" the Frumentarius yelled, pointing at the museum before a large portion of its facade collapsed, throwing a cloud of debris into the smoke-filled air. "I want this censored." he continued, now talking to his colleagues. "No rampant public speculation or outrage until we can put something together for a report. Report a gas line explosion. And get some more ambulances down here."

A few of his men nodded, one taking Lieutenant Fielder by the arm and explaining what was going to happen. The remaining men returned to the sedans and sped off back to the palace.

Imperial Palace, Praevalidus
Princess Marie lit a cigarette as she leaned back in her chair. Nodding, she dismissed the Frumentarii Colonel before returning her gaze to Vice-Consul. "Well, Felix?"

Shaking his head, Vice-Consul Westlander folded his hands and rested them on the table. "Don't convene the Senate for this, Ma'am. This is already going in the direction of a cover-up, no need to make 100 aristocrats aware of the facts. No, we rest on the gas line story until your father returns."

"Have they gotten ahold of him yet?"

"About half an hour ago. He used some rather colorful language I'd rather not repeat, Ma'am." the Vice-Consul said before taking a few puffs from his pipe. "They were just about to stop to fuel in Dubai when we spoke so I imagine he'll be back by the afternoon."

"Good. I can't be free of this mess soon enough. Terrorism on Aeurian soil. Can you believe the gall of it, Felix?" Marie asked with a tone of umbrage.

"Whoever's responsible has certainly made a fatal mistake, Ma'am."

[Anglian Kingdom]

Royal Colony of Kivu
Burundi-Kivu Border

"This is certainly not how I saw this going down," Colonel John Edwards thought to himself as he paced down the Anglian military camp on his way to see off the departure of secondary reinforcements to the border. His 3rd Mercia Regiment was called up pretty much the second Madagascar was occupied, and learning of Aeuria's designs for Africa, shipped off to Kivu in a hurry. Aeuria was the designated enemy; he was supplied with piles of papers detailing Aeurian combat strength, weaponry and tactics, so when he arrived and learned that his regiment would be invading Burundi, he was understandably confused.

The General Staff was all so certain of an Aeurian engagement, the Colonel thought. The division's Major General was clear on the conditions on the ground as they flew over, and when Edwards took command of the 3rd Mercia, the assumption of a prolonged engagement against Aeuria was clear. The Air Staff and Admiralty were even drafting up potential counter-deployments.

Instead, the Colonel was now in Africa in order to see his regiment through Burundi, then down the coast to secure the lake.

"A bloody lake," he thought while approaching the commotion towards the end of camp. "All this for a lake?!"

Clearly the reputation of Anglia would suffer, he assumed. America probably wouldn't care, or at least wouldn't want to risk future cooperation with Anglia; a similar thing went for Europe, and how could Aeuria find a leg to stand on in any foreign game. Instead the ones who would suffer the most, and likely harbor an intense but deserved hatred, would be the Africans themselves. Anglia had come in as a perceived hero, doing more for the African states than even the UCNA was, and now they were turning their rifles against them. Might as well just be Aeurian allies, the Colonel groaned.

He reached the end of the camp, watching the deployment in process as soldiers hurried back and forth, a series of convoy trucks and auxiliary armored vehicles also idling as the time to leave approached. The Colonel just watched in a silent gaze, knowing that even now Anglian forces had crossed into Burundi, and a state of war probably already existed between them. He could see the squirming face of Secretary Pinnick already, trying to justify the move. "A temporary occupation." He'd probably say. "If we don't secure the region, then Aeuria will take it."

Bullshit. Aeuria would take it, but this was the Devil's deal, not some benevolent act.

Edward sighed and waved off the convoy, watching it depart slowly and the base returning to a silent lull. Surely the world was in interesting times.

[Aeuria]

Imperial Palace, Praevalidus
"... and the Namibian government has been most cooperative. We've already reached a preliminary agreement with their President that will see him appointed as landed nobility with a role within the Viceroyalty. It seems they're actually keen to return to imperial rule - their country never really developed as it was supposed to. However, we continue to have significant resistance in South African despite their formal surrender. It seems the central government was more than exaggerating their level of control over their provinces. I would suggest a purge of local leaders to be replaced with members of the central government." Foreign Minister Bordeaux said, gently tapping the ash from his cigarette. The man sat across from Grand-Marshal Louis Gaspard on a balcony connected to the latter's office at the Imperial Palace.

The Grand-Marshal shook his head slightly, setting down his drink. "Too much friction. These governments will ultimately be dissolved and replaced with the colonial system, it serves nobody to start killing upstart politicians. What about the Anglians and Tanzania?"

"They have moved into Burundi to secure the eastern shore of Tanganyika, and we expect them to move swiftly south. We've been in contact with their commanders and have agreed the Imperial Army will respect the border and steer clear of any encroachment. We've assured them a demilitarized buffer zone extending 20 kilometers from their front lines. Final borders will have to be agreed upon but the details of that arrangement rest with His Majesty. Forgive me for asking but my office's attempts to reach His Majesty have all gone unanswered and today, instead of giving him this report, I'm giving it to you. Has there been a development?"

Louis-Gaspard looked coldly at the Foreign Minister, picking up his glass and taking a small sip. "The Emperor has elected to delegate certain aspects of the war effort to the High Command. You and your office will now report directly to myself and the High Command in regards to any African operations. Without betraying his trust, I can simply tell you this whole affair has been taxing on His Majesty. This war supposed to be a series of quick and decisive blows to a band of backwaters - instead we've become bogged down. The number of casualties alone is enough to make a man weary, not to mention the collateral damage to civilians and infrastructure. The Army puts an estimate of some 50,000 African deaths so far."

"Fifty-thousand?!" Bordeaux gasped. "Surely that is not going to be publicly reported."

"Of course not, don't be daft. It's rather hard to convince a continent, let alone the international community, you're there to help if you slaughter that many just kicking the door down."

"Well that explains why His Majesty has removed himself from this - he doesn't want to be associated with that number if it comes out!"

"That's enough speculation about His Majesty, Bordeaux. This conversation is over. If there was nothing else in your report?" the Grand-Marshal trailed off, slowly motioning towards the doors.

Clearing his throat, the Foreign Minister quickly placed his documents back in his briefcase. "Of course, Your Excellency. My apologies."

[Aeuria]

Johannesburg City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
Governor Lucia Tau sat with her hands crossed, nervously bouncing her leg as she waited in her office. With her sat members of her administration currently tasked with overseeing the occupation of South Africa's largest city. Her deputy, Alfred Montel stood behind her, smoking as he peered out the window while the city's ranking Frumentarius, Colonel Gaius Faucius, sat patiently on one of the room's couches.

Clearing his throat loudly, Deputy-Governor Montel turned from the window and stubbed out his cigarette. "He's here."

Nodding to the guards who flanked the doors, Governor Tau stood from her chair and straightened her uniform. "Let's just hope he's in a good mood."

Colonel Faucius let out a laugh. "Unlikely." he said simply before returning to his stoic state.

Glaring at the man, the Governor ringed her hands together as the guards pushed open the room's double doors. A few minutes passed before the black uniform she was expecting crossed the threshold. Taking a look around the room, the man dismissed the guards with a single wave of his hand.

"General Vulpes, we are honored by your visit to Johannesburg." Tau offered, bowing slightly to the General.

"This visit is hardly an honor, Governor." Vulpes sighed dismissively, removing his hat as he took a seat before the Governor's desk.

Exchanging a nervous glance with her deputy, Tau sat back down in her own chair, setting her hands on the desk. "I must admit, we were surprised to learn you were personally coming all the way to Johannesburg, Sir."

"And I too have been surprised by what's been happening in what is becoming a backwater of a city."

Tau let out a nervous laugh. "If you are referring to the insurgency, I can assure you-"

"In the absence of a Viceroy, you have had a single, simple objective, Governor. To protect the empire's political and industrial interests here - interests which are vital to our consolidation of the continent. But instead of protecting those interests, you have allowed a cell of insurgents to flourish right under your nose. Am I correct?"

Tau's gaze fell to her hands as she cleared her throat.

"And Colonel Faucius - have you just stood idly by while this rabble has attacked our men, destroyed our property, and disrupted our supply lines?" Vulpes asked of the Frumentarius, only slightly turning his head towards him. "A mere 60 guerrillas captured alive? You'll have to do far better than that if you are to get any actionable intelligence."

"I have utilized every resource in our efforts to neutralize the cell, Sir. They are better equipped than expected and have proven to be most elusive. There's no denying their territorial advantage, they know the terrain far better." Faucius replied calmly from the comfort of the couch.

Clearing his throat as he crossed his legs, Vulpes reached into his uniform before producing a cigarette case. Flipping it open, he lit a cigarette before leaning back in his chair. "I don't need to remind any of you that the Emperor intends to tour the colonies within the month. Ensuring cities like this have been pacified and properly brought under heel is the only goal you should now be concerning yourselves with."

"Of course, General." Tau nodded.

"The Emperor's safety must be ensured absolutely. Even an attempt on his life would spoil the image of the tour. Whatever remains of this insurgency and any of their operations within Johannesburg will be handled with the highest priority. Make use of the IDF personnel that have been assigned here and maintain order on the streets. The colonies must appear content and intact. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir. Completely."

"Good." Dropping his cigarette into the ashtray on the desk, Vulpes stood up and returned his hat to his head. "Colonel Faucius, you are to work with IDF leadership and coordinate operations with your own men. Use whatever means necessary. Now I hate to cut this short but I have more than a few cities remaining before I can return to Praevalidus and I must inspect this city's garrisons while I'm here. Governor, gentlemen." Nodding to the group, the General left the room just as quick as he had entered.