Three months after the collapse of the Junta
Berlin, Germany
The Reichstag was full of movement. There was a lot to cover after the fall of the Junta.
"Ah, what a mess. The paperwork is overflowing from the various damage reports."
As a basic overview, this is what they were going over:
Damage done to Germany: 100000 or so Reichmarks
50> dead 500 injured 2 missing
Damage done to Kingdom of Epruilon: approximately 36000000 Reichmarks
750000 dead 1200000 injured 2000000 captured (these are figures during conflict.)
The sheer amount of meat shield used by the enemy was staggering. The dead number alone could have dismantled a nation from the old world.
Epruilon infrastructure was decimated or undeveloped. Their facilities were all out of date compared to Germany. There was no universal education either.
Their only saving grace was the huge amounts of captured gold, silver and mines which were spoils of war.
"At least this would pay off the munition and soldier wages."
The minister sighed and slouched in his chair. His body has fat from not moving for many years but his mind was still sharp. He didn't need to move much so he spent most of his time in his office.
"Eliza, call in Jannik."
"Yes minister."
The secretary whose red hair contrasted with tan wallpaper picked up a phone and spoke into it.
Several minutes later a knock came from the door.
"Come in."
The man named Jannik entered. He wore a basic black suit with his Imperial German armband on his right arm. His brown hair was slicked back revealing his v hairline.
"Give me a report of the topography of the Kingdom of Epruilon."
"Jawohl. Well starting with the south, the land closest to our French border.
This area is called the southlands by the locals. It has undertaken partial desertification but water is plentiful from the enormous amounts of rivers and lakes which flowed to the Abysmal Bay.
The port city of Wallaceburg is stationed to the east near the bay as well in this land.
The main resources include tropical produce, oil and copper.
A bit north is the midlands which is covered is plateaus. This makes the land broken but agriculture is possible on the individual plates. The capital city of Minas in located on a large plate with many natural rivers to the northwest of Wallaceburg. This is the main breadbasket of the kingdom but has stores of iron, nickel, gold and lumber.
To the farthest north is the highlands. It's a maze of mountains and valleys which provide a natural barrier against the country to the north, The Emirate of Perseus. Natural resources include various rare chemicals and elements which are not found out lands.
We lost heavy water for our nuclear project from Sweden so it's a relief that we found traces of more in this region. There are however no uranium deposits known."
Jannik paused and looked up from his papers. The minister was rubbing his chin while thinking. The secretary Eliza was typing on her typewriter, probably a report of his report.
He took a breath and continued.
"We have scouted the northern border with the Emirate with heavy fighters and we could see several signs of civilization. We do not know what resources they possess nor if they have troops stationed on the border. However high command assures us that they have garrisons stationed there."
He then stopped. The minister scribbled on a notepad and spoke.
"This border nation. Do you know about religions? Usually Emirates follow eastern Islam, what about here?"
"Well according to internal reports from the NSS religions here have strong influences. However a strong cult of personality exists for the royalty. We can guess that the mountainous border stopped diffusion of most religions so the only religion that has prominence is something called Cainism which is a monotheistic religion which worships a creator god. Our Protestant Germany can most likely co-exist with this religion."
"That saves a lot of trouble. What about the Emirate?"
"We don't know enough to confidently conclude but we think that they are a land of is called 'night people'. Basically it's those who are accustomed to the dark twilight areas of the continent. I think we captured a few of them from the slaves."
The minister was spinning a pen around his fingers. Contrary to his body his fingers were lean and built from constant work. Callouses dotted his fingers which reflected his dedication to his work.
He thought for a moment. It was a lot to take in since they planned on taking these resources from the Soviets in an earlier plan.
Now all of those resources were under their jurisdiction.
"Give a report to the minister of internal affairs. I want jurisdiction to stores of oil for commercial use. This will boost our budget for next year. If they resist give them the Imperial decree I received a few days ago. All of these economic reforms require funding. We will spend the remainder of this year amassing wealth for these reforms. Failures will not be tolerated."
The secretary and Jannik continued to take notes. Once Jannik was finished he excused himself and left to call the secretary of the ministry of internal affairs.
The secretary Eliza was still typing a report of the exchange in the room when the minister asked her a question.
"Say Eliza. How would you feel if you were given equal rights to men."
She stopped typing.
"Pardon? I don't understand what you mean."
"E q u a l r i g h t s."
The minister articulated every letter as he spoke.
"What I mean is that if you were able to get the same jobs as men, would you?"
"I mean, if so I would. Yes."
"Good, keep that in mind."
Eliza was confused. The minister never joked. He was very staunch with his work and never tolerated anything unprofessional.
Eliza hears things in the ministry every here and there. She did vaguely recall a rumor of universal suffrage but these things were common.
""If the minister says it himself then maybe it is true?""
Eliza shot down her hopes. Previous regimes were very cruel when it came to preserving the patriarchal society.
She could not afford to lose her job.
———————
"How goes the assimilation?"
The ministry of internal affairs was struggling to assimilate all of the new regions of the kingdom.
Regions which were allies with the crown were happy to accept German occupation.
Others were neutral or hostile to the Germans. Regions to the north and northeast were especially hostile since they have close ties to the Emirate.
There was concern of a rebellion breaking out in the regions of strategic importance.
If they were to rebel and invite the Emirate in, they risk being dragged into a larger conflict.
Also stores of vital minerals and chemicals were located in these regions. They were confident that the locals would not destroy the resources but they fear that fighting will lead to its destruction.
"Minister of the interior, what do you propose?"
Ehren was one of the lesser bureaucrats which made up the ministry of internal affairs. He was a staunch conservative which aimed for German superiority.
The minister rubbed his chin will a withered hand. He was nearing his late 70s and was due to retire in a few years. He was old, he knew it. However he longed to put his name in the history books.
"Let us speak with those who lead the discontent. Allow us to demonstrate what we could offer and make bonds with them. Let us show them economic prosperity in which they will not refuse us."
"But sir, we could easily crush the discontent. Please send in the NSS and gestapo."
There was a collective murmur. Everyone knew the infamous gestapo. They were out of action by the Kaiser due to war crimes. To bring them back means violating imperial directives.
"Official Ehren, do you know what you are suggesting?"
Realizing his mistake the official tries to back out.
"I misspoke. I did not mean to mention the gestapo. However I believe an internal police force is necessary to keep the peace."
"I agree but subversive methods leads to more discontent. Send a request for approval for a public official police force of the kingdom and allow locals to join."
"Letting locals to join?? This is insanity!! We must preserve the German state with German people. Hell I don't care the Belgians and French are European enough, I rather the ranks be filled with them."
"I understand your frustration but these are not the enemy. They are our people now, the original people of our Empress. You dare to discriminate against them?"
"Ummmm, no I overstepped by bounds. I apologize."
Th minister waved the official off and he faded into the circle of bureaucrats.
The minister took a metal box from his pocket. He then fished a fat cigar from it. Lighting the cigar he took a long drag.
He exhaled and the smoke curled around the room.
"Any information on the other Epruilon heroes?"
"Jawohl, no sign of heroes described by the ones we captured. We didn't have access to the borders before last month so we couldn't document anything's before then. We did preform aerial reconnaissance and noticed significant movements through the mountains. Like discussed at the meeting two weeks ago they were most likely exiles fleeing."
The official pushed up his glasses with his right middle finger. Then he straightened his papers.
The minister leaned over and whispered to one of his aides.
"Well then. Forget the heroes for now. Although they are a threat to national security I believe we can handle them in the future. If they do return, arrest them."
"Then what about the communists?"
The room got uncomfortable. This was a topic which they were pushing back for a while.
What to do with the communists?
"We could always purge them. Root them out."
"Not a good idea. France is our gateway to the new lands, we can't risk a second French Commune."
"We could always give them the ability to be a political party. Then we can collapse them with unpopular support."
"That would be very risky. Also what if it backfires? We would cause more problems."
Discussions continued for a while. No one could decide on a course of actions.
"Let the Kaiser decide what to do. If we can't decide then let the monarchy do it instead."
The minister wiped his glasses. His statement was the final verdict. They would elevate this matter to his superior.
An aide leaned over and whispered into his ear.
"The minister of the economy asks for control over the Helena oil reserve. They presented a imperial seal and offered reasonings."
"I don't care. Give them the land. That fat snake knows what he's doing."
"Jawohl."
———————-
"Ahhhhh, I enjoy the fruits of a bureaucracy but they really had to push this onto me."
Wilhelm sighed. He was getting overwhelmed with work especially after the kingdom surrendered.
The duchess was freed and allowed to return to her lands.
The military was disbanded and the NSS conducted investigations into potential crimes against humanity committed by their side. This could be used as fuel to fuel pro-German sentiment.
Prince Joseph and the higher ups of his Junta were brought to Germany for trial.
They were dumbfounded with the discovery of mechanical machines.
The 5th prince let it slip that magical machines did exist in the north. Very valuable information.
Each person was questioned extensively. All were questioned separately to avoid collusion.
The lesser names were interrogated lightly and with more humility.
The more prominent prisoners were 'lightly' interrogated.
These interrogations provided crucial information which would give the Germans an edge in the peace conference.
Wilhelm, the minister of the state and minister of foreign affairs rode in a large convoy to Minas. Their objective was to finalize the peace.
The 2nd Army had a small victory parade in Minas when Wilhelm arrived.
Lines of soldiers marched past the Kaiser's car with residents watching through doorways and windows.
Their boots created one single clack on the stone pavement.
The Epruilon guards glanced with mistrust to the Germans.
"Ah General Manstein. Is am everything going well?"
"Yes Kaiser, all is well. Have you gotten a chance to view the city?"
"No. We just arrived."
"Ah, I recommend the Systine Dome as a first stop. A marvelous piece of work, large columns, fancy dome and a mausoleum."
"When I get the chance, thank you for your input."
Then General Manstein, the Kaiser and his ministers then proceeded up a flight of steps to the castle which was located in the center of the city.
When they entered German guards snapped to attention with their Epruilon counterparts.
They saluted as they walked passed where a secretary of sorts escorted them to a large conference room.
The room was filled with white marble floors and columns. The roof was a dome with black and gold plates covering the ceiling.
Several tapestries hung with a images of coronations, famous people and battles.
Already at the table was the many of the moderate nobles and those who were part of the crown faction and survived the war. Of all the royalty only the 3rd princess Jade Wallace was allowed to attend.
They were all very nervous to meet the people who effortlessly conquered their nation. It did help that they were in a marriage alliance but those tended to be unstable in the beginning.
The Kaiser sat at the opposite side of the table from the princess flanked with his ministers and generals.
Field marshal Kluge and generals Rommel, Paulus and Fedor von Bock were in attendance.
After being seated everyone had a short introduction.
The princess and nobility went first, quite a few low ranking nobles were in attendance with the most senior being Duchess Nina Wallace.
The Germans then introduced themselves starting from the ministers to the field marshal (AU: I can't write the German name on mobile). Finally Wilhelm got his turn.
"I am Kaiser Wilhelm X of the Imperial German Empire. Reichfürher of the state and leader of Europe."
Unbeknownst to the Epruilans Wilhelm called himself ruler of Europe meaning that he had control over a entire continent. This made Germany legally a superpower (AU: more about this later.)
Then the conference began.
"So, starting out I have an agreement with the 4th prince and 2nd princess in which the I will marry the 2nd princess and become de factor ruler of both Germany and Epruilon. We have discussed rights to resources already but I will assert this: we have final say, not you."
The room chilled with this threat.
"Um, well will we be able to keep our land?"
The duchess spoke up, she understood the military power of Germany and refused to offend them.
"Haha, we are nobles. This was our land for generations. Some foreign power can't just tell us to get off."
"Wrong. We can. All nobility will be demolished and but you will still have rights to your property. Anyone who opposes this will be completely erased and property seized by the state."
The room the bursted into outrage.
"What! You can't just take our titles away like that? How unfair!"
"We were your allies! You betrayed us!"
The insults and commotion continued for some time.
Wilhelm just sat there and tuned them out. He expected this kind of outburst.
He lifted his left hand and pointed his middle and index fingers together and flicked it at the door.
General Paulus walked over and knocked twice.
Suddenly a platoons worth of soldiers stormed in carrying the latest G3 experimental battle rifles.
The G3 was ordered half a year ago and a far cry from their modern copy. Despite this setback of mechanical engineering it was superior in quality to the StG series. However it was harder to make so more StGs were available.
The noise in the room ended abruptly with the entrance of the soldiers.
"Let me remind you that I have all of the high ground in these negotiations. I could just kill everyone and turn this nation into a proto-Germany. I could do anything actually. However I think it's fair to abolish the nobility but let the property still be in their hands. All new resources will be managed by the new government appointed my me. Also all property of arrested nobles and the such will be government property. You will follow all German regulations and laws to the print."
These were very harsh terms for the nobles but they didn't really have a choice. They could have lost everything but at least their property was safe (AU: for now.)
The ensuing treaty defined the rights of the nobles and the new government.
The Kingdom of Epruilon no longer held that status. They had become the Federation of Epruilon and under jurisdiction of the new government.
General Beck was called in from France to serve as its military governor before a permanent leader could be selected.
Prince Andrew was the best candidate for this post so he was assigned as vice-governor to learn from General Beck.
The nobles were relieved since a native to their land on top of being a royal will rule them over a foreign king.
They still will need to follow German laws.
The meeting adjourned with a hand shake between the duchess and the Kaiser which a photographer snapped.
The next day's headlines announced the victory throughout Europe.
The people cheered and large parties were thrown in the streets.
The soldiers were given leave to return home and share stories.
"Shall we do a triumph?"
"I don't know sir, we are not romans."
"But General Rommel, we are Indo-Europeans. It's in our blood to throw triumphs."
"Maybe in a few weeks when the army has calmed down from their party fever."
"Ah, yes. Let them enjoy themselves."
The two men walked back to their car where they would take a drive to a hastily constructed airstrip. From there they would fly back to Berlin for a party in the Reichstag.
As they drove down a cobblestone road. The constant jumps annoyed Wilhelm even if the suspension of the car cushioned most of the bumps.
Large trees with reddish pink hanging vines lined the sides of the road. A slight breeze shifted them.
"Strange that there not that many animals. I would think that a rural place like this would be overrun with them."
The minister of foreign affairs leaned over and pointed to a group of people entering the tree line.
"The land utilizes the natural magic in the people to routinely exterminate what they call 'monsters'. Well we can assume they are similar to those of Roman and Greek mythology."
"Hopefully. Then we know of their weaknesses."
"Ahaha, I don't see a monster blocking an anti-tank round."
"I hope not."
The car continued to airstrip.
After passing a checkpoint where Luftwaffe soldiers checked documents the car rolled onto the strip.
The partially paved airstrip was a safety hazard. The dirt which extended about 20 meters from the pavement remained a liability.
"Is this safe?"
"No. However the nearest airstrip will take two days to get to even with cars. We don't have a choice."
"How pitiful if I die here."
"Your safety is our priority Herr Kaiser."
Wilhelm then grabbed the railing to the plane. It's propellers we're building up speed.
Various support personnel were scattered along the runway.
Several bf-109s were being fitted behind them as escorts.
Once Wilhelm strapped into his seat in the luxurious cabin the plane started to roll down the pavement.
The roar of propellers shook the air as the plane gained air and lifted from the airstrip.
"No issues on takeoff."
"Good job pilot."
"Thank you sir."
The plane rose continuously with its pathway. The fighter escorts trailed behind them.
The trio of planes droned on towards France where they would refuel in Brest before flying to Berlin.
The full trip was about 4 hours.
On the plane the ministers, generals and Kaiser lounged in their chairs.
The seatbelts were only for the starting takeoff so they were milling around.
General Rommel poured a glass of French red wine in his and Wilhelm's glasses.
"Negotiations went well Erwin."
"Yes mein fühur. It did feel like we ordered them around."
"We are the victors, no?"
"Absolutely sir."
"I permit casual talk."
"Okay."
The two civilian ministers chatted in their chairs while marshal Kluge ordered something from a flight attendant.
The other generals were sitting around Wilhelm.
"Now that the war is over officially I want inquiries into all branches of the Wehrmacht. All faults are to be addressed and reported on. Send them to the ministry of production. I want a thorough testing of new ideas for planes. Whoever controls the sky controls the world."
"But what about the army?"
"Vital as well. However all have faults and we must cover each other. There will be no friction, we are all Germans."
"Jawohl!"
The plane touched down in Brest where a crowd gathered. They waved Imperial German and French flags while being held back by armed French National Guard.
Wilhelm took the opportunity to test a feature of his tab, language setting.
He then walked to a staff car and stood in its open roof.
He switched his language to French and began speaking to the crowd.
The crowd stunned with his fluent French and correct Brittany accent were moved with this gesture and fanatically cheered.
The guards struggled with the crowd who kept trying to get closer to the Kaiser.
After closing the Kaiser waved a few times and took a bouquet of flowers given to him by a French girl.
Photographers sent by local and national news stations snapped photos and interviewed him quickly.
After that they boarded the planes once more (which refueled during the speech) and took to Berlin.
The plane soared through sky above eastern France.
Suddenly the radio chattered.
"Berlin to Wolfpack, Berlin to Wolfpack do you copy?"
"Copy."
"Land in strip 2, welcome home."