Volume 1 Chapter 5: Caesar Has Crossed the Rubicon
Two months later
Inside a command station in Frankfurt a communications officer monitored his staff. They are awaiting the orders to mobilize. Rumors were spreading that they might go to war again but this time they were on the offensive.
Several weeks ago a radio report from Berlin detailed the plight of three fugitives from the far west lands who identified themselves as runaway royalty. The neo-SS (NSS) (AU: purged of all extremist ideologies and loyal to the Kaiser. All war criminals were put on trial and a large number of them were executed for crimes against humanity) confirmed the validity of the claims and the Kaiser has been engaged to the 2nd Princess of the Kingdom of Epruilon. They had oil and strategic bases which were vital to the survival of the German Empire.
Suddenly one of the radiomen called out.
"Captain: Caesar has crossed the Rubicon! I repeat: Caesar has crossed the Rubicon!"
That was the signal they were waiting for.
The enigma machines used by the Germans scrambled the 26 letters of the alphabet which made them very hard to crack. In this world they didn't really need to encode messages but it was a security concern so they kept doing it.
"Notify the generals, its time for war."
All across the German Empire thousands of troops were mobilized and armed for combat. Reserves were called up and volunteers streamed to recruitment centers. This was a romanticized war, the Ministry of Propaganda was hard at work to forge this image with daily radio broadcasts, posters and fliers.
In total the Germans had:
{AU: to all of you war junkies out there please spare me. There was too much information to sort so I made up a lot of things. Usually in the OG games things are never historical. I added and removed a bunch of aircraft and ships. It may look like a lot but this Germany is huge. It encompasses all of western Europe and Norway. This may even be too little based off the huge coastline but I will add to the number later. Ship names will be updated later.)
[Heer]
150 infantry divisions with communication, reconnaissance, medical, supply, engineer and signal companies. Also artillery, air and anti tank support units were spread out among the ranks.
18 light tank divisions: filled with Panzer I, II, 38t and other captured tanks (S35, 7TP and others).
5 medium tank divisions: kitted with Panzer III, IV, experimental Panzer Leopard I which was ordered into construction by the Kaiser himself (early version of an attempt at a Leopard I MBT).
2 heavy tank divisions: equipped with Grosstraktors and Tiger I (AU: I just realized that this is not accurate as they were debuted in 1942 but oh well. HOI4 games are never historical anyways. Always rush artillery and 20w infantry divisions).
30 motorized divisions: filled with Opel Blitzes and various types of halftracks. They work with infantry divisions to shuttle troops, heavy artillery and supplies. (those divisions have their own motorized companies but this is for large scale assaults).
12 light motorized divisions: equipped and trained to act separately from the main motorized units. They accompanied tanks in blitzkrieg strikes.
7 mountain divisions: trained in mountain warfare
3 marine divisions: experimental as they have no combat history yet
6 paratrooper divisions: ace card for emergency attacks. Equipped with light glider tanks for more protection.
[Kreigsmarine]
7 carriers:
5 French carriers and 2 German 1940 era Graf Zeppelin Class
12 battleships:
8 French and 4 German
14 battlecruisers:
6 French and 8 German
27 heavy crusiers:
2 Polish, 1 Norwegian, 3 Belgian, 2 Dutch, 10 French and 9 German
54 light crusiers:
Various from many nations
104 destroyers:
Easiest to make so many were built by all nations
229 submarines:
Mostly 1936 Type VII and some newer 1940 ones
1047 assorted scout, supply, oil, transport and commercial ships
[Luftwaffe]
Fighters
4000 > fighters, many older biplanes but many Bf-109s and Fw-190s in service
CAS (close air support)
2000 > CAS, mainly German Ju-87
Tactical bombers
1300 ~ Henkel 111, Do-17s and many others
Multi-purpose
2000 ~
(AU: honestly German fighters are a mess. There are so many variations that it makes no sense to sort them all out. I will just use the more well known ones for now).
Half of the total forces of the OKW (AU: combined armed forces known as the Wehrmacht but abbreviated as OKW) were positioned on the French border.
The other half were spread out across all other coastlines and borders.
About two million men stood at the west border. 12 infantry divisions supported by a tank division were scheduled to cross within a week.
———————————————————————
One month before
The armies were halfway done mobilizing. Wilhelm wanted to have a parade.
The parade was staged to occur a two weeks time in Berlin. Similar paraded were scheduled in Prague, Warsaw, Paris, Vienna and Oslo.
The minister of propaganda was working hard to get ready to boost public opinion of the Kaiser.
June 17th, 1941 (AU: they don't know what year it is in the new world).
A huge crowd gathered for that parade in Berlin. A large multi-tiered stand rose in front of the Reichstag. Lines of ceremonial soldiers lined the road.
At the opposite side a large army band was playing various tunes as the army prepared to march at the far left side of the stands.
The crowd murmured as the band stopped playing. Then the Kaiser walked into a flat terrence above the stands.
"People of the German Empire! Feast your eyes on your young men who proudly wear our colors. We do not know where we are in this New World but we are not without friends. Our ally to the west was consumed by evil, brother killed brother as sister killed sister. This cannot and will not be tolerated. As a result our grand military has mobilized. There is no UK or US to stop us. There is no force on this planet which can stop us. Let the sounds of our boots of today become the echo of the machine that turns the wheel of the world tomorrow!"
Then the Kaiser raised his left hand and the crowd exploded into cheers. The army units were pounding the butts of their weapons on the pavement.
In the VIP box behind Wilhelm Prince Andrew, Princess Adriana and the marshal listened with great care.
"What a speech."
The marshal commented on what he just heard.
The Kaiser has just told his people that he would make them the rulers of tomorrow. Now it was just up to them to observe the parade.
Parades back in the kingdom were usually led by the King. Here however the Kaiser just watched from afar.
The band started playing once more and the first columns of German troops started "goose-stepping" (AU: nickname given to the marching style of German soldiers but was stopped in 1940. For simplicity I will still use it).
"4th NSS regiment, 300 strong."
An announcer spoke through the loudspeaker located at the top of a pole which were scattered throughout the city.
Columns of troops marched through the road. All uniforms were clean and weapons shined. The synchronization and organization was perfectly in sync .
The three watched closely as the lines of soldiers slowly turned to cavalry. Hundreds of officers with sabers trotted down the road.
They were followed by lines of cars and trucks hauling companies of soldiers. The 221st motorized regiment rolled past the stands to the cheers of the crowd.
The motorized faded into halftracks with infantry and halftracks hauling artillery pieces, anti air and anti tank guns. The guns ranged from smaller Pak 36 anti tank cannon to larger Flak 88 41s. Huge guns carriers followed with mounted Flak 39 cannons on display. In the back two experimental halftracks mounted nebelwerfer 41s drove by.
After the cannons came the tanks. 40 Panzer Is followed by 20 Panzer IIs led the light tanks.
After the light tanks came various models of Panzer IIIs and newer Panzer IVs. The larger KwK 39 guns displayed on the Panzer IIIs instead of the KwK 37.
The road shuddered as the weight of the approaching heavy tanks echoed down the street. The clacking of heavy tracks overtook the band's music as a fleet of Tiger Is thundered past.
Following the Tigers were various SPGs, tank destroyers and self-propelled anti air tanks like the Flakpanzer I. Their large guns and speed of vehicles stunned the crowd. More importantly the marshal was pressed against the glass window to study the huge guns more. Finally a cannon bigger than all of the previous ones thunders into view.
"Oh my gods. What is that?"
Princess Adriana gasped. A moving cannon larger than the entire building trudged down the road. It was the Karl-Gerät, a 124 ton behemoth. It's 54 cm Gerät 041 cannon was tilted towards the sky.
It slowly inches past shaking the entire block as it drove by. Following the mobile cannon were Bergepanzer III or ARV (armored recovery vehicles) Panzer III. These were used to haul spare parts, help load ammunition and carry heavy equipment necessary to fire the gun.
Seven of these monster cannons were currently in service.
Prince Andrew smiled. He knew what this weapon was already. He had been studying furiously at the Bundeswehr. He learned about many types of land tactics. This included armored thrusts and flexible defense lines. He was drilled the importance of air support to hammer enemy lines and quickly take out defensive structures. In mock battles he extensively relied on mobile artillery to quickly attack and run away from larger formations to weaken them before ambushing with motorized infantry. His marks in the school were very good and he was promoted to the rank of Oberst (colonel) (AU: for future chapters should I stick to American ranks or German ranks? For now I will transition to German ones.)
He was to be transferred to the 14th flak division on the western front. His affinity with cannons earned him the nickname "Kanonenprinz" or cannon prince. He loved the flak 40 gun for its high power and maneuverability. Andrew marveled at the Karl-Gerät but understood it's limitations.
After a flyby by Bf-109s and Henkel He-111s the parade was over.
The Kaiser waved a few more times before heading inside. The VIP room was very luxurious with carpets and couches. Adriana smiled at her husband. They had gotten married a few weeks after their engagement.
"Dear, your nation is truly powerful. We can avenge our older brother now. I am fully convinced that you can do this."
Over the past month and a half the two have gotten close. They spent time together doing many things together such as skiing in the Alps and boating in the Rhine.
Adriana was amazed at what this new land had to offer. There were so many items never seen before like sausages and beer. The only alcohol that existed back home were disgusting mead and heavy wine. Beer however was light and lovely, the German people loved it.
Adriana has no doubts that her husband could defeat the Junta.
She remembered her wedding. It took place in a very large cathedral in the middle of Berlin. Hundreds of minister, officers and wealthy businessmen attended. It was luxurious and highly reported in the media. The minister of propaganda had a field day making posters with her image.
Soon she became a national icon. People recognized her and sympathized with her plight. She responded in interviews and live speeches to the German people. The ministry of propaganda made good work of her and improved their image significantly.
Then Andrew shook her from her thoughts.
"When do we invade?"
The Kaiser thought for a moment.
"Final preparations are to be finished in a month. Andrew go to the west and join your unit. Get familiarized with the crew and equipment. Preparation never fails a great military officer."
"Agreed."
Andrew turned 18 last week. He was of age to officially join the German Army as a commissioned officer. He was burning with eagerness to go fight. He wanted revenge for his brother, his lands and his honor of losing to two soldiers of commoner standing.
The marshal decided to retire from frontline service. He was diagnosed with osteoporosis and couldn't hold his sword like he used too. The bullets from the last fight didn't damage him but they worsened his condition even if physical damage didn't occur, internal damage was significant.
However he still served by the side of Adriana as her aide. His resigned to his new position as her personal assistant. His butler uniform now fit with his job.
"Erik."
"Yes my lady?"
"Fetch me a pencil and paper, I need to send a word to the press."
"Yes my lady."
The Kaiser waited for his wife to finish her letter. Once a messenger took it from her the two departed together in a staff car.
Adriana gazed out of the window, what would happen to this land if they were to fight her homeland?
———————————————————————
One month, one week until the invasion
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
A cup slammed into the wall above the 5th prince's head. Shards of the cup and hot tea spilled all over his body.
The prince stifled a scream and remained standing.
"You told me that your elite squad killed them! What is this letter? Why am I receiving reports of huge numbers of unknown soldiers at our southern border? You said that they were killed in the south. What is this? Explain yourself!"
"Um, your highness."
"What?!"
"My head officer told me that he killed them. He tricked me!"
Not really believing his brother the 2nd prince growled at him. Then he got tired and waved him off.
He ran to the door and bowed furiously.
Several military officers appeared from the shadows. They were watching the young prince and his temper.
"Your highness, we should call up the levies. We must prepare for the worse."
"I agreed, we should enact conscription of the commoners. Within a month we can field about 500,000 soldiers and summon about 10 million summons. Our allies of the Roawan Empire and Perseus Emirate are willing to provide 5 million magic crystals to help with the summons. Hopefully we get a few hero class summons."
The prince smiled. These two were his closest allies and knew how to satisfy him. Summoning soldiers appealed to him.
"Excellent, proceed immediately."
"Yes your highness."
The 5th prince was fuming. How dare a lowly officer deceive him like that?
He wanted him dead, right away.
Outside his chauffeur waited for him at his carriage.
He stormed in and they took off to his estate. He ordered the officer to report to his office.
He never arrived.
Instead he decided to run away.
The prince was furious. Absolutely malding.
"Donald! Get in here right now!"
A burly man with a thick mustache walked in.
"Yes your highness."
"Find officer William Bryan right now!"
"Yes sir."
———————————————————————
One week later
A gathering of nobles, officers, advisors, the 2nd prince Joseph Wallace, 3rd prince Zane Wallace, 5th prince Charles Wallace, 1st princess Elizabeth Wallace and 3rd princess Jade Wallace all stared at a empty chamber.
"Your highness, all of the crystals are ready."
"Good, the Princess Elizabeth will start now."
"Okay I am ready."
The princess started to kneel and chant. Around her wizards and priests joined her.
A huge glowing orange circle with crossing lines and text extended on the floor.
The air pressure strengthened significantly and collapsed many guards to their knees. Only the summoners were unaffected.
Then a blinding light emerged from the circumference of the magic circle and then faded out.
In the middle of the circle was a group of students and their teacher. All of the students were dressed in dark uniforms with a strange patch on their right arm that read 'IUD1' and they all glanced around surprised.
"Oh Heroes of this land!"
The 3rd prince stood up and announced to the group of students.
"Our second princess and 4th prince have betrayed this land, the corrupt crown prince has cast a curse on this land. The princess and prince lead an army in the thousands (AU: they have bad information) from a foreign nation to destroy our way of life."
He paused and motioned the 1st princess to him. She walked over and continued.
"Oh great heroes! Your hearts responded to our plea for help. We implore you to lend us your innate strength to fight this great evil. If you wish to return home we will reward your efforts when we can get enough power to send you back! Those who fight with us will be rewarded with spoils and fame!"
There was a collective murmur among the students. Then one piped up.
"Umm... what do you mean we are heroes?"
"Our magic only can detect those with potential! You all have potential!"
The wizards and priests walked around to each student and shouted 'status'.
In front of all 13 students a screen made up of highly dense air materialized. The air had no color to it other than warped the light that went through it but the students and wizards could see the status as energy was emitted from the dense mass of air and formed letters and numbers in the minds of those who viewed it.
Info Dump:
All sectors will be ranked from I - X respectively | can get promotions
Stats will be given I-V rank (example: Dex III) can be upgraded, Dex V cannot since it is the max however its undefined.
Basic attributes: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Light.
Uncommon attributes: Life, Chaos, Dark, Soul, Holy and Evil
Extremely rare attributes: Godly and Demonic
All ranks are approximates. There is no such thing as accurate measurements, they are just placeholders. Those with V can be 2x or 1000x stronger than a freshly promoted V.
[Jake Harrison]
Age: 19
Occupation: Fire Swordsman II
STR: II
DEX: II
AGL: II
SEN: I
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: II
[Maria Vasquez-Hernandez]
Age: 18
Occupation: Soul Archer II
STR: II
DEX: I
AGL: II
SEN: II
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: II
[Célia Moreau]
Age: 18
Occupation: Life Healer I
STR: I
DEX: I
AGL: I
SEN: II
INT: III
LUK: I
CRT: I
[Johan Rivera]
Age: 20
Occupation: Earth Tank II
STR: II
DEX: III
AGL: I
SEN: I
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: I
[A-Yeong Choi]
Age: 19
Occupation: Dark Scout
STR: II
DEX: I
AGL: II
SEN: II
INT: I
LUK: II
CRT: II
[Carlos Maria de Ana]
Age: 19
Occupation: Air Cavalry Spearman II
STR: II
DEX: II
AGL: I
SEN: I
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: I
[Andrew Zhou]
Age: 17
Occupation: Earth Legionnaire I
STR: I
DEX: II
AGL: I
SEN: I
INT: II
LUK: I
CRT: I
[Allyssa May]
Age: 17
Occupation: Water Pirate I
STR: I
DEX: I
AGL: II
SEN: II
INT: I
LUK: II
CRT: I
[Christopher Young]
Age: 18
Occupation: Holy Mage I
STR: I
DEX: I
AGL: I
SEN: II
INT: III
LUK: II
CRT: II
[Claire Yoon]
Age: 19
Occupation: Godly War Maiden II
STR: III
DEX: II
AGL: II
SEN: I
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: II
[Ryan Cohen]
Age: 20
Occupation: Chaos Brawler II
STR: II
DEX: II
AGL: II
SEN: II
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: I
[Antonio Medici]
Age: 18
Occupation: Life Bard II
STR: I
DEX: I
AGL: II
SEN: III
INT: II
LUK: II
CRT: I
[Christiana Mercy]
Age: 17
Occupation: Light Mage II
STR: I
DEX: II
AGL: I
SEN: II
INT: II
LUK: I
CRT: I
[Hans Schmidt]
Age: 19
Occupation: Dark Sharpshooter II
STR: II
DEX: I
AGL: II
SEN: II
INT: I
LUK: I
CRT: II
After displaying all of their skills before the crowd the 2nd prince spoke.
"Such wonderful skills and abilities. In this world which is not like your own you are given occupations and statistics to match."
The Earth Legionnaire Andrew Zhou then spoke out.
"Why is everything in numerals? Why can't be a fixed number?"
"It is impossible to assign a number so ranks are given instead. They are approximate so a rank I can be 2x or even 4x stronger than another rank I. You will need to train to get a feel to your abilities and limits. Please follow the 3rd prince Zane Wallace and 3rd princess Jade Wallace to the grand hall."
He motions his siblings to guide the group. After they leave the chamber, the doors close.
A shadow approaches the prince from his left.
"Ah there you are, how is the summoning of lesser beings?"
"All on schedule your highness. So far we have summoned 2 million monster people, 3 million beast people, 1 million winged race people, 2 million otherworldly humans and 2 million demon folk. All of them were subdued and enslaved using binding magic."
"Good. We need all the forces we can get. After crushing the traitors we can expand our realm."
A low crackling can be heard coming from the closed doors.
AU: I forgot to add this earlier, this is an update. The heroes were not enslaved since the power of the gods protect them in case of corruption. It takes a lot of magical power to summon heroes so the gods add the protection as an initial warranty.