Blood and Iron: The Conquests of the Chancellor

March 11, 500 AD

Imperial Palace Rose Garden
Imperial Palace, Berlin, Germany
11:25 a.m. B.S.T.

Chancellor Otto von Bismarck was helping his retired father tend his prize rose bushes when a knock sounded at the greenhouse door. “Come in!”

The chamberlain came in. “Forgive the intrusion, my Chancellor. The Military Minister is here to see you.”

“More news from the war, as like as not,” commented his father. The Chancellor nodded and replied, “Send the Minister in.”

The Military Minister entered, acknowledging his previous leader with a nod and bowing to the Chancellor as usual. “My Chancellor, the Navy Department has two reports of interest. The Wilhelm Tell sighted and destroyed a light barbarian galley in the southeastern Barents Sea. They report that a fleet of four heavy barbarian galleys are pursuing them, and request instructions.”

“I see. What do you recommend, Minister?”

“In theory the Wilhelm Tell should be able to defeat the force chasing her, after a difficult battle. There is always some risk in such a battle, however. The Minister produced a chart, showing the estimated position of the German galleon. “She could make for the harbor at Bremen. I could order cannon batteries to attempt to shell the barbarian fleet once the Wilhelm Tell lures them into range. It would be necessary to divert them from our defensive perimeter at Indus and Lahore and send them overland to Bremen.”

The Chancellor shook his head. “No, Minister. We need the cannons where they are. It will take far too long to bring the cannons to Bremen and into position in any event.”

“I would agree, my Chancellor. I have a different plan in mind. I propose that we order the Wilhelm Tell to proceed west, to a point near Bremen, and engage the barbarian ships at Captain Schnieder's discretion. If we succeed, the galleon can be repaired at the harbor, and then resume her exploration mission.” The Minister paused for a moment. “The crew also has a better chance of survival if the worst happens and the Wilhelm Tell were to be overwhelmed and destroyed by the enemy in the waters off Bremen than in the Barents Sea.”

“That sounds like a better plan, Minister. I suppose we could simply leave the Wilhelm Tell in Bremen harbor, but then we would have to build and field cannons to shell the barbarians as once we built catapults to weaken the North Sea barbarians.”

“We could do so, my Chancellor, but such an action would take years, during which time the Wilhelm Tell would be trapped in Bremen harbor. We need the Wilhelm Tell to continue her mission.

“Then she shall do so. Order the Wilhelm Tell to battle the barbarians as you have proposed, Minister. Have Captain Schneider use his discretion as to where and when to make his stand.” The Chancellor thought for a moment. “What is the second naval matter you mentioned?”

“My Chancellor, our spotters near Gibraltar report that three of the heavy pirate frigates in the area have moved southeast again. We believe that they are moving to intercept another Songhai galley again, but we cannot independently confirm that at this time.”

“Interesting. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that the Songhai are sending another galley towards German waters?”

“Not yet, my Chancellor. Horst tells me that Ambassador Mansa Musa professes to have no knowledge of such a venture by the Songhai.” The Minister noticed that the former Chancellor looked very tense at this. “Perhaps we should have our Ambassador in Timbuktu speak with King Sunni Ali and warn him about this, my Chancellor. I do not want the Songhai to get the idea that we are in league with the pirates.”

“Surely King Sunni Ali is not so foolish as all that, Minister.”

“My Chancellor, I do not have Horst's experience in diplomacy. I am old enough, however, to remember that the Egyptians harbored similar unwarranted suspiciouns, particularly after their newest caravel was destroyed by Mediterranean Sea pirates.”

The Chancellor nodded his agreement after a moment's consideration. “Very well, Minister. Please ask Horst to give the necessary orders to our Ambassador with the Songhai.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.” The Minister bowed to his Chancellor and quickly left the Imperial Greenhouse. The Chancellor turned to his father once the Minister was out of earshot. “Is there something else that concerns you, Father?”

“I think Karl is right, son. The Songhai have already sent several warships out to challenge the pirates, and none of them have ever returned home. The Songhai will sooner or later suspect that we have something to do with that. Anything we can do to ease these tensions will help our relations with the Songhai.”

“We do not have the available marks for a German armada to destroy these pirates, Father, and even if we did, I will not risk the lives of good German soldiers and sailors just to permit the Songhai to be able to sail the Atlantic as they wish. I would rather see the Songhai waste their gold and their men fighting the evil pirates.”

“It is of course your decision now, son. I believe that the Songhai will bear watching in future. We have not seen the last of them.”

OOS: I am pleased to introduce a first not only for "Blood and Iron", but for CivIII Stories & Tales-a crossover from a magnificent CivIV story "The Celestial Bureaucracy" by Tomorrow's Dawn! Enjoy, everyone!

A Storybook Princess Pt. 1

Stepping gingerly out of the carriage came a young woman with lush brown hair.
The brunette made a delicate curtsy and smiled slightly towards the assembled throng of aristocratic ladies.
"My name is Katarine von Leyen, daughter of Adam von Leyen."
"I'm pleased to meet my gracious family, and I entrust my care in your hands during my stay,"

"So polite!" one of the aunts exclaimed.
"You must be simply famished! Oh, when does the dinner start?" a gray-haired woman asked.
"The preparations are well underway, madam. Dinner begins in two hours," the butler present informed her.
"Oh you are so beautiful, darling," an older noblewoman remarked as she looked into Katarine's dark green eyes.
"We should get you changed, yes! A forest green dress would certainly highlight your features, my dear!"
"I would like that very much," Katarine smiled as she went along with the noblewomen.

At the dinner table, the brunette was the center of attention.
"So, is it true that your visit to our household is predicated on a possible marriage?" Katarine was questioned.
"Yes," she said shyly. "Father has spoken to Uncle Heinrich on the topic of marriage and has allowed me to come visit the estate so
I can form my own personal recommendation as to whom I wish to be married to.
I feel very fortunate that he would allow me such a privilege before I am to be betrothed,"
she said masterfully, hitting all the right notes.
"So have you formed an opinion yet?" Reiner, one of the elder blond brothers smiled at her.
She returned a smile in kind. "I have not had sufficient time to come to a suitable conclusion,"
"Well, Katarine, I have to say, your father would not be disappointed," Heinrich said from the head of the table.
"All of my sons have received the finest grooming and schooling a proud German
can possibly have. They should all surpass your expectations, you have my guarantee,"
"All but one that is," he said under his breath.
"But I do hope that you have enjoyed your stay here thus far in the Saxe-Gotha household, distant relatives we may be,"
"It has been delightful thus far and I expect it to remain such throughout," she answered.

"Katarine!" a little boy from across the table exclaimed. "You look like one of the princesses from my storybook!"
"Such a crass way to address our esteemed guest. Shame on you!" a noblewoman berated him.
"No, I'm very flattered!" she laughed. "And who is this fine young man?" Katarine asked.

"My youngest. Melchior," Heinrich said flatly.

"Do you like sweets, Katarine?" Melchior asked excitedly.
"Mmm, yes! I prefer pralines. What about you?"
"I love Turkish delights! They're my favorite because they're so sweet!"
The little boy, "But they can't be as sweet as you!"
Her laugh sparkled, warming the hearts of those around her, "That's very kind of you to say."

"But yes, dearest." Heinrich addressed his niece. "You shouldn't be disappointed.
But I do hope you are enjoying this dinner. I wouldn't want to be inhospitable after all,"

"No, no, anything but,"

****************************************

The following afternoon, Katarine found herself lounging by a table on the patio with one of Heinrich's sons.
Hubert was a tall, red-haired man of very noble grooming, charming in many aspects, but not exactly what she was looking for.
"Arranged marriages don't always end up happy. We're often just the pawns of our parents in their maneuvers to establish dominance.
You and I both know that. But when I saw you, I thought it could be different for the two of us, should you pick me," he pleaded.
"I'm flattered, but I haven't decided yet," she said, sipping her tea.
A little brown haired boy was walking across the grounds until he noticed Katarine waving slightly towards him.
Excitedly, he ran over to spend time with her; the lightness in his step indicated to her that he had perhaps been looking forward to this all day.
"Good day, Melchior," Katarine beamed. "How were your studies today?"
The little boy paused. "It was okay." He then noticed his older brother sitting across from her and looking a little dejected. "What happened?"
"We were just talking about marriage,"
"The only person she's going to marry is me!" Melchior exclaimed.
"That's very presumptuous of you, little brother," Hubert said.
"No it's not! It's true!" he said as he inched close to the beauty and set his bag down.
The three of them lounged in the patio until dinner diverted their attentions.
Katarine played some chess with her suitor afterwards until it was time for her to begin her beauty sleep.

***************************************

Katarine awoke to the light of the moon dancing across her bedroom floor as the trees outside wavered.
The brunette flung off her babydoll and began fitting herself into a black latex bodysuit.
She then bunned her hair up and soon left her personal quarters to sneak off into the night.

Through the winding corridors and hallways of the Saxe-Gotha estate she stalked,
until her senses caught the anomaly she was searching for. Her mental overlay of the manor's
construction indicated to her that it was located in a neglected part of the manor, and to access it directly,
she would undoubtedly alert the anomaly of her presence due to the shaky structural integrity of the surrounding architecture.
There was one other way in, and Katarine opted for the alternate approach. Opening a window slightly, she drew a grappling hook from her satchel and threw it onto the rooftop.
After making sure the line was secure, the brunette began to climb precariously up the manor wall, until she reached the top and began scaling downwards on the other side.
Rappelling down like a predatory spider, Katarine hung upside down as she caught sight of it through the window.

It was floating there, a little ball of blue light, hovering aimlessly in the cold night air.
The sophistication of the USB was rudimentary at best, but the potential was there.

Wait...someone was there. Katarine took to the shadows and took cover from behind the curtain.

The door squeaked open and it was Melchior, holding a lamp in the darkness.
The floating light became aware of the boy's presence when it noticed his arrival but stopped when the boy called out to it.

"Hey! Listen!"

The ball of light began to make its way over to the little boy and rested in his palms as he set down the lamp and sat down.
"I've missed you, Corinna. Yes, I had a terrible day at school, I wish Father would not make me go. Yes, the other boys teased me and called me names..."

Katarine watched on for some time before rappelling back up towards the roof. This was problematic.

A Storybook Princess Pt. 2

The next day, Katarine was strolling across the yard with a maid when she heard some noises coming around from the back of the manor, near the flower garden.
"What is that sound?" she asked the maid.
"It is nothing, my lady. Would you like to return to your quarters?"
"No, I hear arguing. It doesn't sound very pleasant,"
The maid hesitated and then spoke up, under Katarine's inquisitive glance.
"The young master was bullied at school again; it's been affecting his scores as well,"
"His father, your Uncle Heinrich, has been highly critical of him about it,
but I do not think it is fair, considering young Melchior is just a victim.
I do not wish to speak ill of the family, but the young master and
his father have never had a good relationship with each other."

Katarine could hear the angry words belting out of the boy's father as the abuse raged on.

"You never assert yourself. What kind of son are you? Your brothers never had this kind of problem."
"I repeatedly told your mother to put you off the wet nurse early, but she never listened.
Here you are, having been coddled by the nannies till just the past year and now look how you turned out."

"Father please!" the little boy cried, tears in his eyes.

"The other boys at school were right to bully you!
You couldn't even stand up for yourself if your life depended on it,"
"Look at you! How will you ever become a man at this rate?!"
Melchior flew at his father in a tearful rage, but was stopped dead in his tracks by his father's firm hand.
"Well that's a start," the mustached aristocrat said as he kept his son from getting at him with ease.
His expression of amusement soon formed into a piercing glare. "But too little, too late."
Heinrich exerted some minimal effort and knocked Melchior back over into the dirt,
then turned his back on his son and left without another word.

The boy was left sobbing in the dirt for some time until Katarine and the maid ran by to comfort him.
"Melchior? Are you okay?" as she knelt slightly and helped him up.

The little boy's tears stained her dress but she didn't care.
"I've been looking for you, Melchior."
"And why is that?" he said, still choking a little, eyes red.
"I wanted to give you a present, look." she said as she revealed a number of Turkish delights sitting atop a handkerchief.

"Thank you," he stopped for a second as he savored the sweets.
"What's wrong? You can tell me," she asked.
He choked a little bit before looking up at her and pouring himself out.
"I haven't told him my true desire. I want to be a confectioner when I am older, I don't want to be in the military like my brothers.
There was another boy at school that I told; I thought he was my friend, but he told all the other boys and now they all tease me every day. I can't stand going to military school now, it's unbearable!
I know Father won't let me quit though. And he would surely disown me if he knew what kind of work I wanted to pursue,"

"I want to make people like you smile, and if I opened my own sweets shop when I become older, I can make that happen." he said, looking up at Katarine. "That's so sweet," she smiled.
Poor boy. He would grow in a world of privilege but be denied a choice in such matters like his future, due to his birthright. If he were to breakaway and pursue his dream, his name and those of his descendants would surely be blackened in perpetuity. Katarine spent the afternoon with the young boy and made merry with him before they were called to dinner.

***************************************

At night, she returned to the chamber where the faerie was known to dwell. A part of her felt, after having spent so much time with Melchior, that what she was about to do constituted a form of betrayal, but she forced herself to disregard it. She had a mission to complete, and her devotion to the tenets of the Celestial Bureaucracy kept her convictions in place. The taint was here and she had a prime opportunity to snuff it out in its infancy.

There it was, floating idly in the moonlit chamber when she entered through the window to its surprise.

"You were expecting Melchior, and not me, yes?"
The ball of blue light quivered and began to float backwards away from her as she approached.
"You are right to fear me. I am everything and anything you might aspire to become,
if you were to be left to your own devices. But I'm not going to let that happen."

She drew the exorcists' sword from her back, the red tassels adorning the blade swishing in the wind, and rapidly advanced towards the frightened spirit.
Drawing near, Katarine thrusted the blade straight into the ball of light and extinguished it from the realm forever.
At that moment though, the door opened and Melchior dropped his lamp as he witnessed the death of the faerie.

"NO!!!" he shouted running up to try and salvage the small crystalline wings that were fading away into powder.
"It was my only friend! You killed my only friend!" the little boy sobbed as he crouched over the remnants of the faerie powder.
Melchior turned up to see that his friend's killer was his beloved cousin, Katarine, dressed in some odd clothing he could not even describe, holding a strange weapon he couldn't comprehend.
But only one thing mattered right now, and that was the fact that she had taken away his only friend in the world, and now he was truly alone like in all the years before.
The woman only stood still as the child pounded against her leg in vain.
"That wasn't your friend." she said calmly, but in a much harsher and alien demeanor than how she normally interacted with the boy.
"It was the nascent seed of a weed that could have ingrained itself throughout this world unseen and unbarred had I not crushed it here and now."
Melchior did not understand and howled in grief.

"It was attracted to you because it fed off of your despair.
It gave you hope in return, but only one of an artificial kind.
It was a parasite."

"You're tricking me! You're lying!"
"I'm not tricking you. But it's better that you don't know."
She kissed the boy on the forehead and while holding him, injected him with a serum.
Katarine carried him into his room and laid him to rest by his bear plush.
Young Melchior would forget all about the faerie and about what had happened.

"Agent Xishi reporting in. Mission complete.
The magic source detected in world designation MTB4884 has been eliminated.
I will be returning shortly, requesting extraction in 2400 hours,"

****************************************

Katarine's stay in the Saxe-Gotha household was to be cut short; with the sudden news of Adam von Leyen's untimely death, Katarine had to return home to properly grieve for her father.
The carriage was ready to take her from the countryside to Berlin, and the farewell party was ready to see her off.

"Will you return? The House of Saxe-Gotha would be glad to have a daughter such as you," Heinrich asked.
"I do not know, it is likely that my older brothers may manage my prospects following my father's burial
and I do not know if they hold the same opinions as my father. We will have to see, Uncle," Katarine responded.
"Goodbye, Melchior," the brunette hugged the little boy. "I will miss you the most,"
"I feel like there's something I need to tell you, but I can't think of it right now," the little boy frowned.
"That's okay," she kissed him on the forehead before entering the carriage.
And as he watched her leave, he thought he remembered something with that kiss,
but he couldn't grasp the fleeting memory. He only thought of how things would inevitably return to normal with her absence.

"Are you sure this is the address?" the carriage driver asked as they made a stop in an oddly empty street on the east side of Berlin.
He looked around and saw nothing but an empty back alley that looked like an odd place to drop off a noble young lady.
"Yes, you needn't worry about me," the brunette smiled at the driver. "If you say so, my lady," he said and with that he drove off.
Katarine walked down towards the end of the alleyway and touched the wall.
She then walked straight through and came out the other end into her own Berlin.
Turning back around, she closed the portal behind her and left the world behind for good.

***************************************

Sometimes, he had wished death on his own father, but after seeing how affected Katarine was by her own father's death, he wondered if he still might feel the same way if his own father died. He would miss his favorite cousin very dearly. As Melchior returned to his room to do some afternoon reading, he caught sight of some items on his desk that were not previously there before. A letter sat underneath a box of Turkish delights. His favorites! Melchior chewed on one of the candies as he opened the letter and read through it.

"To my dearest Melchior,

I have enjoyed my stay at your household mostly because of you and the company you've provided. There is something very genuine about your aspirations and your desire to see people smile has made me marvel at the beauty of your soul. Please have more confidence in yourself. You are absolutely wonderful and you shouldn't let anyone tell you or convince you any differently. You will grow into a fine man, believe me, but more importantly, you should believe it yourself. You will always remain a cherished part of my heart, and though I am unsure whether I will ever see you again, know that our time together will remain eternal.

Love always, your cousin,
Katarine von Leyen.

His eyes began to water as he read the last words in the letter and started to stain the paper as they dribbled down from his chin.
Melchior tried in earnest to wipe them away though. He would be strong, thanks to her encouragement.
Her kind words would give him strength and with it, what he needed to face the world.

"Thank you, Katarine."

March 19, 500 AD

Royal Palace
Samarkhand, Turkmenistan
2000 hours, local time

The official birthday party for the Sultan, delayed for a week to give the wounded Crown Prince more time to recover, was already in full swing when the German Ambassador Schmidt was admitted to the Sultan's suite. The Sultan himself greeted his guest. “Thank you so much for coming, Ambassador.”

The Ambassador bowed to his host. “The pleasure is mine, Sultan. What can I do for you this evening?”

“Straight to the point as always. That is something I have always admired about the Germans. There are a few things which bear discussion. I rejoice that the Crown Prince is recovering from his injuries, though the physicians did not permit him to remain long at the party. It is in large part due to the advanced medical knowledge which the Chancellor traded to our people that the Crown Prince survived at all.”

“Germany is indeed pleased to hear that, Sultan. Have you been able to learn anything further about those evil men who were responsible for this outrage?”

“Alas, it is not possible to interrogate the dead, Ambassador. I personally have little doubt that Indian partisans are responsible. Your General Tell was quite certain that the assassins were speaking Hindi, though we have not been able to otherwise confirm what language the assassins spoke.”

“General Tell may be relied upon in such matters, Sultan.”

“That, Ambassador, is why he was awarded the Order of the Golden Sturgeon for his valor during this incident. The difficulty is convincing the Turkish people that the Indians are truly responsible for this outrage. I have sought to keep my people out of this terrible war between the Germans and the Indians. Many of my people have sympathies for the Indians, and a great fear of German aggression, and it will take more than the word of General Tell to convince them otherwise.”

“The Indians are a threat to anyone who chooses to stand against them, whether German or Turkish. Neither of our peoples will be truly safe until the Indians are finally and completely defeated.”

“I am not so certain, Ambassador. I am certain, however, that continuing our policy of neutrality will be the best course for my people.” The Sultan paused for a moment. “There is another matter which indirectly affects Germany. I regret to tell you that the disease which plagues our main fur producing regions is getting worse. I have been forced to discontinue all fur exports for the time being, under the circumstances.”

“Germany is saddened to hear that, Sultan. We had hoped that fur shipments could resume soon. We will gladly assist you in finding a cure for the epidemic if we can.”

“I fear, Ambassador, that even the vaunted knowledge of Germany's scientists is useless in this matter. We believe that the disease must run its course. It may well be years before the fur trade recovers enough to permit exports to resume once more.”

I wonder how much of the fur shortage is due to the epidemic and how much is due to the Sultan's anger at India over the attempt on the life of the Crown Prince. Aloud the Ambassador replied, “I understand, Sultan. I will convey that to my superiors in Berlin at once.”

The Sultan smiled at his guest. “That is all, then. Thank you again for coming, Ambassador.”

“It is my pleasure, Sultan.” The Ambassador bowed to his host, and then took his leave. He had barely made it downstairs again when the Mongolian Consul walked up to him. “May I have a word, Ambassador?”

“Of course, Consul. What can I do for you?”

“I have received new orders from the Great Khan. It is his wise and prudent judgment that we shall not ally with the Indians at this time.”

“Germany will rejoice to hear that, Consul. The recent outrage against the Turkish Crown Prince is further proof, if such a thing were necessary, that the Indians cannot be trusted.”

“The Great Khan is concerned about many things, Ambassador. He has heard that the Germans have recently concluded a deal with the mysterious Korean people to obtain their maps.” The Consul looked carefully at his German counterpart. “The Great Khan wishes to know whether a similar deal could be made for the extensive and detailed maps of Mongolia.”

Is this the price of the Great Khan's neutrality? Aloud the Ambassador replied, “We Germans are always interested in expanding our knowledge of the world around us. What is it that the Great Khan desires, precisely, in return for a copy of the Mongolian maps?”

“The Great Khan has not specified this, Ambassador Schmidt. I believe he wishes the wise men of Germany to teach us the arts of heavy building. I have already made it plain to the Great Khan that Germany is unlikely to simply give us a complete copy of Germany's own maps.”

“I believe our word for 'heavy building' is construction, Consul.” I will contact Berlin for instructions, and I should have an answer for you in three days time.”

So quickly? The Consul bowed. “Thank you so much, Ambassador Schmidt. I trust the Chancellor's response to our proposal will be favorable."

I doubt that very much, Consul! “We shall see.”

July 19, 500 AD

Chancellor's Office
Imperial Palace, Berlin, Germany
11:45 a.m. B.S.T.

The intercom buzzed again as the Chancellor was finishing up his morning paperwork. “Yes?”

“My Chancellor, the Miliary Minister is here to see you,” replied the disembodied voice on the other side of the intercom speaker.

Now what? “Send him in, please.”

The Military Minister came in and bowed as usual to his leader. “My Chancellor, I have received two reports of interest concerning the barbarians in the central African jungles. The first is from the military attache of the Songhai Embassy, who reports that a major action was fought southwest of Kor two weeks ago between a Songhai impi division and a large faction of barbarian beserkers. It seems the Songhai were successful in defeating the barbarians, at the cost of half the division.”

“Interesting, Karl. How does the Songhai victory affect Germany, however?”

“My Chancellor, the Songhai have quite a number of wounded soldiers. The Songhai liasion officer requests permission for them to return home through German territory.” The Minister spread out a map of the area near Kor to show the proposed route. “We are building a rail line through the area, but otherwise we have little of importance in the vicinity. I recommend that we approve the Songhai request.”

The Chancellor nodded after a moment's thought. “I agree, Karl. However, I want you to detail a few cavalry troopers to keep an eye on the Songhai. I am not confortable with the idea of foreign soldiers in German territory even under these circumstances.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor. There is another issue I wished to bring to your attention. The 12th Viennese recently overran a barbarian encampment near the western African coast. They report that there appears to be a very large barbarian force well to the south, and request three additional cavalry divisions to destroy them.”

“Just how large is this barbarian force?”

“The estimates are some twenty barbarian beserker divisions, and five chieftain divisions, my Chancellor.”

“That is far too large to easily destroy, Karl! Besides, we need our cavalry troopers to maintain order in our captured cities. I am unwilling to send more in a never-ending quest to destroy every barbarian on Earth.”

“There is another matter to consider, my Chancellor. We also have reports that there are at least five, and perhaps as many as ten worker brigades held prisoner by the barbarians. We believe that some are former Egyptian nationals, who fled into the jungles after the fall of the Egyptian Republic and encountered these barbarians.”

The Minister's simple statement gave the Chancellor pause. “Are you suggesting that these workers will help the barbarians build an empire in the African jungles?"

“We are not certain of that, my Chancellor. However, it is prudent to keep a close watch on the situation. You will recall that the barbarians mounted a major assault on Kor recently, and this group is a far greater threat even now. It is also prudent to keep the Songhai from capturing these workers. Some may well be tempted to bargain their particular knowledge for better treatment, and in so doing, advance the state of Songhai science considerably.”

“I really do not like the sound of that, Karl. What cavalry forces do we have available to send?”

“The Hamburg 15th and the Leipzig 14th cavalry divisions should complete their formal training by the end of the month. I propose we send these two divisions to battle the African barbarians, and reevaluate the situation in a year's time.”

“Then send the divisions as you have proposed, Karl. Is there anything else to report?"

“Not at this time, my Chancellor. I shall send the cavalry divisions as you have commanded.” At least I do not have to worry about getting a straight answer when I make such requests! The Minister bowed again to his leader, and left the office at once.

OOS: Had to go out of town unexpectedly (argh). I should have the next installment posted shortly depending on RL work schedule. Planned topics for this week include Stay tuned, everyone!

December 3, 500 AD

Imperial Foreign Ministry Office
Berlin, Germany
10:15 a.m. B.S.T.

The intercom rang on the Foreign Minister's desk. I still have not learned to like that noise. “Yes?”

“Minister, there is a delegation from the Songhai city of Douala who wishes to speak with you.”

It took the Minister a few moments to remember where Douala was. “Very well, Hans,” the Minister replied, “send them on in.” He stood to greet his important foreign guests. “Good morning, gentlemen. I am Foreign Minister Horst von Steinberg. What can I do for you this day?”

The older of the two Songhai stepped forward, with a curious gesture, and replied in slightly accented German. “We are elders of the town of Douala. It is our desire, as well as that of the entire town, to join the German Empire.”

“Indeed, sir? This is a most unusual request indeed. I have had the honor of serving in the Foreign Ministry under three different Chancellors, and I do not recall that such a request has ever been made before. May I ask what prompted you to see this course of action?”

The same Songhai man spoke out. “There are a number of good reasons for our decision, Minister von Steinberg. Perhaps the most telling is the loss of the impi warriors raised from Douala. The entire division was overrun by the savage barbarians of the African jungles, with no survivors.”

“I can certainly sympathize whith that, sir. We have spent years fighting the evil barbarians as well.” The Minister paused to think. “I will contact the Military Minister, and together we will speak with the Chancellor to obtain an immediate decision. I believe the Chancellor will agree.” The Minister picked up the intercom. “Hans, please contact the Military Minister at once, and route the line here to my office.”

“At once, Minister,” replied the tinny voice from the speaker, much to the dismay of his guests. “What strange magic is this?”

The Minister smiled at that. “It is science, my dear sir, and not magic at all. We can send messages very quickly over long distances. It saves a good deal of time. This will be one of the bonuses you will enjoy as German citizens.” Seconds later the intercom buzzed again. “Minister, the Military Minister is on the line for you.”

“Good morning, Horst! What can I do for you today?”

“Karl, I have two elders from the Songhai town of Douala here in my office at this very moment. It seems they and the good people of the town wish to join the German Empire.” There was a silence for several seconds, accompanied by a rustling noise, as if the Military Minister was looking up the location of the town on a map. “Very interesting, Horst. I will be right over, so we can brief the Chancellor. I am almost certain that he will approve of this.”

“Indeed, Karl. I will set up the meeting with the Chancellor.” The line abruptly clicked off, as the Foreign Minister turned back to his guests. “I and the Military Minister will speak with Chancellor Otto this very day. I will of course have to announce the Chancellor's decision to King Sunni Ali II. He will be very displeased at the revolt of Douala to the German Empire.”

“Minister von Steinberg, the King has had no regard for Douala or the sacrifice of our people fighting the evil barbarians. The elders did not come to this decisions easily or in haste, and we are prepared to deal with the consequences of joining the German Empire.”

I wonder if you understand what that might entail! Aloud the Foreign Minister replied, “This is a new situation for me as well, sir. I wish to assure King Sunni Ali that Germany did not coerce or bribe you into taking this action. Our relations with the Songhai are not as cordial as one might wish.” He thought for a moment, and then pressed the intercom button again. “Hans, please contact the Palace, and make an immediate appointment to for Karl and I to see the Chancellor. I also want you to book a room at the Imperial Arms for our Songhai guests.”

“At once, Minister.” The intercom clicked off as the Minister turned back to his guests. “I will arrange for both of you to stay at the Imperial Arms.” He added, realizing his guests did not understand from their expressions, “The Imperial Arms is a sort of lodge for important foreign visitors to Berlin. You can stay there in comfort without public notice until the Chancellor is ready to formally welcome Douala into the German Empire. My aide Hans, will explain everything.”

“That is most gracious of you, Minister.” Both Songhai men stood and bowed to their host, with another curious gesture as a knock sounded on the door. “Come in!”

Hans entered the office. “The carriage is ready for our Songhai guests, Minister. You and the Military Minister have an appointment to see the Chancellor at 11:30, and I expect the Military Minister to arrive here shortly.” The Foreign Minister nodded as Hans continued, “Will you gentlemen follow me, please?” The Songhai elders followed Hans out of the office as the Foreign Minister leaned back in his office chair. How am I going to explain the revolt of Douala to Ambassador Mansa Musa and King Sunni Ali without sparking a war?

December 3, 500 AD

Songhai Embassy
Berlin, Germany
12:30 p.m. B.S.T.

The elderly Songhai Ambassador Mansa Musa was in his office in the Embassy when a knock sounded at his door. “Come in!”

The military attache entered. “Your Excellency, a messenger from the Imperial Palace has arrived. He requests a meeting between you and the Chancellor on 'a matter of great importance to both of our peoples.' What shall I tell him?”

The Ambassador stood up from his desk. “Tell him that I shall be delighted to meet him a convenient time. I should be there in...one hour from now.”

“As you command, Your Excellency.” The military attache left at once to deliver the message, and returned a few moments later. “It is most unusual for the Chancellor to make such a request. Do we have any idea what it is the Chancellor wishes to discuss?”

“I am sorry, Your Excellency. I know only what the messenger said when he arrived here.”

A chill went down the Ambassador's spine at this, despite the roaring fire in the office on this cold winter afternoon. “Has there been any military incidents of importance? Are the Germans massing troops on the border?”

“I know of no such incidents on our side, Your Excellency. We do have a group of impi warriors returning home for medical treatment after fighting a horde of those accursed barbarians, but their safe passage through German territory was arranged months ago. There is no indication that the Germans have stationed additional troops along our borders. Their armies are engaged on the other side of the Empire in their continuing war against the Indians.”

“Then I shall meet with the Chancellor, and see what it is he has to say. I want you to put the Embassy on alert in case of trouble.”

An hour later the Ambassador made his slow way up to the main doors of the Imperial Palace throne room. The Imperial chamberlain greeted him politely as usual. “Welcome, Ambassador. The Chancellor is expecting you.”

“Thank you, Rudi. I trust the Chancellor has good news for me.”

The chamberlain's expression revealed nothing. “If you will follow me, Ambassador?” The chamberlain signaled to the door guards, who opened the door as the chamberlain announced, “My Chancellor, the Ambassador of the Songhai Kingdom.”

“Welcome, Ambassador,” said the Chancellor. “I have a serious matter to discuss with you. Two hours ago, elders from the city of Douala visited the Foreign Minister. It appears they and the people of Douala wish to join the Imperial German Empire.”

The Ambassador's face hardened into a grim line at this. “Chancellor, I had not been previously informed about this. His Majesty will be furious when he discovers the Doualan treachery.”

“So I would imagine, Ambassador. This presents a difficult issue for me and for Germany. I have no desire to insult King Sunni Ali or the Songhai people. You have my word as Chancellor that the elders of Douala came here to Berlin on their own initiative and of their own free will.”

Can I believe the Chancellor? More to the point, will His Majesty believe the Chancellor? “I am most disturbed by this, Chancellor. I would like to contact Timbuku and ask for instructions. I fear that it will take some three weeks for a message to reach His Majesty, and another three weeks for a reply to arrive here in Berlin.”

“Actually, Ambassador, I have a better idea, so that we need not wait for six solid weeks to resolve this matter. I have ordered a message to be sent to our Embassy in Timbuktu. Ambassador Schoenberg will seek an audience with King Sunni, and request a meeting to be held in the German Embassy. I myself will then speak with the King over the radio, and I shall tell him what I have just told you.”

“Chancellor, I should like to speak with the Songhai traitors myself.” The Ambassador's tone and clenched fists left little doubt as to his own feelings in the matter.

“You will be permitted to speak with our Songhai guests, to confirm for your King that they are indeed acting of their own free will. I will insist, however, that the meeting be conducted with proper decorum in a reasonable manner.”

“Do you propose to accept the offer of these vile traitors to simply hand over Douala?”

“I propose, Ambassador, that you speak with the Songhai elders in question as I have stated. I will discuss the matter with King Sunni Ali before making my final decision. I would also like you to be present at the meeting. Germany's relations with the Songhai have always been honest and honorable, and it shall stay that way under my leadership as Chancellor.”

“There is no honor, Chancellor, in permitting traitors to His Majesty to revolt against his rule in such a fashion. How would you react if the situation were reversed and the burghers of a German city proposed to revolt and join the Songhai Kingdom?” The Ambassador's question hung in the air for a tense moment. “Chancellor, this will certainly anger His Majesty. It may even lead to war.”

“Ambassador, Germany is a democracy, and has been one for many years. It is not the policy of my government to turn away those who peacefully seek freedom from unjust and tyrannical rule.”

“You accuse His Majesty of being a tyrant?”

“The elders I spoke with, Ambassador, certainly believe him to be so. That is why they have taken this action. It might be well for the King to consider how his people became so displeased with his rule that they are willing to take such an unprecedented action.”

Only his many years of experience enabled the Ambassador to respond politely. “Chancellor, the opinions of vile traitors carry no weight with me, and certainly not with His Majesty. I hope that he will have more success than I in convincing you not to permit the traitors to get away with their plan.”

“I will speak with the King, as I have said. I expect that a meeting will be worked out in the next day or two.” The Chancellor gestured, and two Imperial Guardsmen, armed with new Mauser pistols, walked into the throne room. “The guards will take you to meet the elders, Ambassador. I trust that nothing untoward will happen.”

“I appreciate your prudent approach to this unfortuate matter, Chancellor. I will gladly meet with the..elders.” The lead guard, at a nod from his leader, saluted the Ambassador and said, “Sir, will you please follow us?” The small group slowly made their way out the north doors of the throne room.

A concealed door in the north wall opened after the Ambassador had left, and the Foreign Minister walked out. “Did you hear everything, Horst?”

“I did, my Chancellor. The Ambassador reacted just as I had expected. I fear the King will also be furious.”

“So what would you have me do, Horst? Am I to simply tell the citizens of Douala, 'Get lost! We do not want you?' I will not do that! The people of Douala are welcome to join the German Empire, so long as they are truly sincere.”

“That is not in question, my Chancellor. I fear that our relations with the Songhai will reach a new low. War is a distinct possibility. Our people are not prepared to fight the Songhai as well as the Indians at this time.”

“Then it may be necessary to prepare them, Horst. Please have Karl meet me in my office at once, and consult with the chamberlain as to an appropriate time to speak with the Songhai King.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.”

December 4, 500 AD

Royal Palace
Timbuktu, Kingdom of Songhai
10:30 a.m. B.S.T.

King Sunni Ali II called the meeting of his advisors to order. “I wished to meet one final time with you before I speak with the German Chancellor. First, do we have any idea why the Chancellor has gone to such lengths? Do the Germans plan to attack us?”

The military advisor spoke first. “Your Majesty, there is no evidence that the Germans are massing troops along our borders. They are still fighting the Indians, and they surely realize that fighting one enemy is better than fighting two at once. We also have reports of unrest within the German Empire. The German people are tired of fighting, even if the Chancellor is not.”

“What about our own situation near the former Egyptian lands? Has there been any more rioting or protests?”

The domestic advisor stepped in. “Your Majesty, we only have reports of unrest from Douala. The situation there is still dangerous, but manageable. The warning from the Turks came just in time for us to secure the city from the traitors.”

The King scowled at this. “How did the Turks find out about the situation in Douala at all? What do they know that we do not?”

“We do not know, Your Majesty, but we do have a theory. We know from the traitors we captured that two elders were sent to Germany. Apparently the plan was to simply hand over Douala to the Germans. What if they made it to Berlin, and presented their offer to the Chancellor?”

The King leaned back in his throne. “I can well believe that the Chancellor would gratefully accept such an offer. That would also explain why the Germans have taken such measures to speak with us as quickly as possible. That still leaves my original question, however. How did the Turks find out about the plan before the Germans did?”

The domestic advisor paled. “We do not know, Your Majesty. Perhaps the Turks used their mysterious telegraph system to send word home to Samarkand.” The King's angry reply was forestalled by the foreign advisor. “Your Majesty, it is possible that the Chancellor may reveal more when you speak with him. We suggest that you broach the subject first.”

“Yes...I believe I see how to proceed.”

One hour later, the King, the foreign advisor, and four handpicked impi arrived at the German Embassy. They were quickly ushered into Ambassador Schoenberg's office. “Welcome, Your Majesty. I will inform Berlin that you have arrived.” The Ambassador picked up a small metal object and said, “This is Ambassador Schoenberg. Are you receiving me?”

A tinny voice came over the speaker. “We are receiving you, Ambassador Schoenberg. The Chancellor is standing by.” Ambassador Schoenberg held out the metal wand to his royal guest. “Your Majesty, you need only speak normally while holding down this knob. Simply release the knob, and the Chancellor will reply for all of us to hear.”

“Thank you, Ambassador.” The King picked up the wand and, carefully holding down the knob, said, “Greetings, Chancellor. I believe I know the subject you wished to speak of.”

The surprise and confusion was evident in the Chancellor's voice, even through the distortion of the radio speaker. “Indeed, King Sunni?”

My advisors were right once again. “It has come to my attention, Chancellor, that two elders of the city of Douala have traveled to Germany falsely claiming to represent the wishes of the city. My loyal impi troops have crushed the traitorous rebellion and reestablished royal authority in Douala. Is this the subject you wished to discuss, Chancellor?”

There was a brief silence before the Chancellor's voice came over the speaker once more. “You are correct, King Sunni. I was told that the people of Douala freely wished to join the German Empire. I wished to speak with you before making a final decision.”

“Chancellor, Douala is a Songhai city, and it shall remain so as long as I rule here. I do not appreciate this German attempt to capture it.”

“King Sunni, this situation is not of our making. I give you my solemn word that I had never even heard of Douala until yesterday. Germany has no intention of capturing Douala, as you put it.”

This time it was the King who paused for a moment. “There is one other matter to discuss, Chancellor. I wish you to return the two traitors to me at once for trial appropriate punishment.” The King's tone left little doubt as to their fate once they were back in Songhai hands.

“I will have the Domestic Ministry examine the matter carefully, as German law requires. I will also permit Ambassador Mansa Musa to make his case for their extradition to the Songhai Kingdom, as required by German law and treaty.”

“Let me get this straight, Chancellor. Two traitors attempt to simply hand over a Songhai city to you, and your response is to simply say that the German Domestic Ministry will look into the matter! Am I to believe that you are entirely innocent in this affair?”

“Perhaps, King Sunni, you will believe your own Ambassador.” There was a brief silence, and then the voice of Ambassador Mansa Musa came over the speaker. “Your Majesty, I have myself spoken with the traitors. The Chancellor speaks the truth. I did my humble best to warn the traitors that their actions would have the gravest consequences. I am also certain that the Germans will be accomodating to our extradition request.”

“Then I shall be reasonable, Chancellor. I will expect the return of the traitors by the end of the month. Is there anything else you wished to discuss?”

“Only that we shall get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident shortly. Until we meet again in friendship, King Sunni.” The radio speaker fell silent as the King handed the wand back to Ambassador Schoenberg.

“Your Majesty, I will monitor the situation closely, and will inform you at once when I hear any further news from Berlin concerning this matter.”

The King nodded. “I appreciate the courtesy you have shown us this day, Ambassador. Until we meet again, then.” He stood up, gesturing the impi guards to precede him as the Songhai party left the Embassy.

December 5, 500 AD

Imperial Palace
Berlin, Germany
9:30 p.m. B.S.T.

The Chancellor was relaxing in his study when the chamberlain approached him. “Excuse me, my Chancellor. The Foreign and Military Ministers are here to see you.”

More news from Douala, no doubt. “Send them in, then,” replied the Chancellor aloud.

Both Ministers came in and bowed to their leader as usual. The Military Minister spoke first. “Good evening, my Chancellor. I have further news concerning the Douala situation. The military attache confirmed that the Songhai have secured Douala. There is little or no chance of a revolt of the city now.”

“Then King Sunni spoke the truth.” The Chancellor did not look happy. “I suppose the question now is what to do about the two elders from Douala. Should we send them back home to certain death as the King has demanded?”

The Foreign Minister spoke up. “My Chancellor, King Sunni will no doubt press the point. This entire incident, though not of our making, threatens to ruin our relations with the Songhai. I believe we have little choice but to yield to his demand.”

“And we are supposed to stand by and simply let two innocent men go to their deaths, Horst? We should permit them to stay here in Germany. They have broken none of our laws.”

“Karl, the Songhai consider these men to be traitors, not refugees. They knew what the consequences would be if they tried and failed to lead a revolt of Douala. Besides, they are Songhai subjects, not German citizens. King Sunni is within his rights to demand their return of his people. How would we have reacted if the situation were reversed and German traitors attempted to revolt?”

The Chancellor simply watched for the moment, listening to his advisors argue the point. “I have a question, Horst. What will the German people think if we hand these men over? Will they approve of this action?”

“My Chancellor, I cannot speak for the Domestic Minister, but I am certain the German people do not want war with the Songhai now, while we are fighting the Indians. I believe that we must either give up these men or face the very real prospect of war with the Songhai.”

“Karl, am I correct that we are not prepared for confict with the Songhai?”

“Sadly, my Chancellor,” answered the Military Minister, “we are not. The Songhai, however, are not prepared for war with Germany either. We have more and better troops than they do. We can also marshall our troops more quickly and more efficiently than the Songhai, and we will prevail in the event of war.”

“Karl, we will lose many of our own troops, after fighting a brutal war with the Indians! We cannot afford a war now!”

Again the Chancellor stirred. “Enough, gentlemen. I will need some time to make my decision.” He paused off for a moment. “Horst, is there any way to stall King Sunni?”

“I think not, my Chancellor. You yourself heard him give a deadline of the end of December. We simply have no other alternative at this time.” The Foreign Minister paused for a moment. “I do not like this any more than Karl does, but we must do what is best for the Empire.”

What is the best course of action for the Empire? “I will need a little time to decide, as I said before. Thank you both for coming in at this hour. I will want to see both of you in my office first thing Monday morning.”

"We shall be there, my Chancellor," said the Foreign Minister. Both Ministers bowed as usual and took their leave. An hour later his wife found him in his study still deep in thought. “Otto, aren't you coming to bed?”

“Not yet, my dear. I have a difficult matter of state to attend to. I will join you shortly.”

“All right, dear. Don't be too late!” Lady Eva kissed her husband tenderly and went upstairs.

OOS: I have been filling in for a couple of coworkers in RL, and so it will probably be Thursday or Friday before the next installment is posted. I have Stay tuned, everyone!

OOS: I was able to complete and post a crossover with Tomorrow's Dawn's magnificent story "The Celestial Bureaucracy" in the CivIV Stories and Tales forum. I'd encourage all the regular readers of "Blood and Iron" to take a look at Tomorrow's Dawn's truly remarkable and unique tale.

I should have the next "Blood and Iron" installment posted tomorrow, or Friday at the latest, depending upon RL workload. Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!

December 6, 500 AD

Imperial Palace
Berlin, Germany
8:30 a.m. B.S.T.

“My Chancellor, the Foreign and Military Ministers are here.”

“Excellent, Hans. Please send them in,” replied the Chancellor. The two Ministers entered the Chancellor's office, and both bowed to their leader as usual. “Have you made a decision in the Douala matter, my Chancellor?”

“Indeed I have, Horst. Germany is a democratic nation, and she stands welcome to receive those of good will who are fleeing from tyranny in other lands. I will not yield to the demands of the Songhai King and return his subjects simply to be executed.”

“My Chancellor, King Sunni will not see the matter in such a light. He will believe that we are harboring traitors. We are risking war with the Songhai with little benefit to the Empire.”

“We have principles which must be upheld. If we must fight the Songhai to uphold them, then so be it.” The Chancellor's indecision of the previous evening was gone, and the Foreign Minister chose not to press the point. “My question now is how to approach the King in this matter.”

“My Chancellor, we would do well to speak with Ambassador Schoenberg. He knows the King better than almost anyone else in the Empire.” Perhaps he can persuade the Chancellor when I have failed.

“A good idea, Horst,” replied the Chancellor. “Let us go to the radio room at once.” All three men made their way to the Palace radio room, where contact with the Songhai Embassy was quickly established. The Chancellor himself explained his decision to the Ambassador, and asked, “How, Ambassador, should we approach the King in this matter?”

“My Chancellor, I fear the consequences of this action. King Sunni will be most displeased. He may even choose to declare war upon Germany.”

“That, Ambassador, is not the issue. Again, how should we approach the King in this matter?”

“I could tell King Sunni that the matter is still being looked at by the German Domestic Ministry, my Chancellor. Perhaps that will buy us some additional time.” It may also buy us some time for you to change your mind!

The Chancellor considered the point for a few seconds. “No. The King made a specific demand for us to return these two Doualan elders back home. We must show resolve and strength to him if we would avert a war.”

“Then, my Chancellor, I will ask for an audience with the King and tell him what you have decided.” There was a pause for a moment, and then the voice of the Ambassador came back over the speaker. “My Chancellor, shall I evacuate the women and children and other dependents of the Embassy before I speak with the King?”

The Foreign Minister spoke up. “My Chancellor, evacuating the Embassy will be taken poorly by the Songhai. They will believe that we intend to attack, and war will be inevitable.” The Chancellor looked at the Military Minister, who nodded. “I agree with Horst, my Chancellor.”

“Very well, gentlemen.” The Chancellor thumbed the transmit button. “Ambassador, you will not evacuate the Embassy at this time. I will not hold you responsible if the Songhai declare war. I do want you to radio a full report of your meeting with the King.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor. Is there anything else you require?”

“Not at this time, Ambassador.”

“Then all shall be done as you have ordered, my Chancellor. Ambassador Schoenberg, out.” The Chancellor set the microphone on the table. “I want to be informed at once when Ambassador Schoenberg makes his report.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor,” replied the Foreign Minister. “There are some preparations we should make given the deteriorating situation with the Songhai.” The Military Minister nodded in agreement. “I will send a warning to our forces along the frontier to be alert, but not to take any offensive action without further orders.”

“Of course, Ministers. Take whatever actions you deem prudent. That will be all for now.” Both Ministers bowed to their leader as the Chancellor left the radio room and headed outside to the Palace greenhouse. His father, the retired Chancellor, was working with his prize roses as usual.

“Well, my son, you look much more chipper this morning.”

“I suppose so, Father.” The Chancellor turned serious for a moment. “I have decided that Germany has principles which we cannot ignore for the sake of expediency. King Sunni will just have to accept that.”

“And if he decides in his righteous rage to declare war on Germany?”

“Then, Father, I will lead our people into battle in defense of our principles and beliefs, much to the Songhai King's misfortune.”

His father nodded. “Then you have made the right decision, my son.”

January 9, 510 AD

War Council meeting room, Imperial Palace
Berlin, Germany
10:00 a.m. B.S.T.

Chancellor Otto von Bismarck called the delayed War Council meeting to order. “Let us hear of the current situation in Puri from the Military Minister. Karl?”

The Military Minister took the podium once again. “My Chancellor, our forces are consolidating their hold on Puri even now. Marshall Steinmetz reports that seven cavalry divisions are still available to ride west to Tanjore. I do not know whether this is enough to capture Tanjore.”

“Can we not reinforce our assault force, Karl?”

“We cannot do so easily or quickly, my Chancellor.” The Minister belatedly pulled down a chart of the area. “The Indians never built roads through the forests south of Puri, and so it will take a long time to bring additional troops to the battlefront. We have done well to get as far as we have under the circumstances.”

And yet we have not conquered the Indians completely. Someday we WILL finish the task. Aloud the Chancellor replied, “Then we shall proceed as you have suggested, unless the Council has any objections?” No one spoke, and so the Chancellor continued, “Approved. What is the status of the silk plantations surrounding Puri?

“The plantations are largely intact, my Chancellor. It may take a little time before shipments of silk can resume, however. There are two other issues which I must bring before the Council. First, the border patrols along the Songhai frontier are on high alert, given the rising tensions.. There are no reports of impi massing along the border. Finally, the Wilhelm Tell is now approaching Bremen harbor. Captain Scheider requests permission to make his stand against the pursuing barbarian fleet there.”

“Permission granted, Karl. Is there anything else we can do to assist him in the battle against the barbarians?”

“Not at this time, my Chancellor.”

“Very well. We must hear from the Foreign Minister now. Horst?”

The Foreign Minister slowly made his way to the podium. “My Chancellor, I have been in touch with the Turkish Ambassador. The consulate staff which we rescued during the battle will be returned shortly. It seems the Songhai consulate had already been evacuated, and the staff recalled, prior to our capture of Puri.”

“How odd, Horst. Do we know why this was done?”

“I have a theory, my Chancellor. I believe the Songhai Consul may have realized that any further diplomatic incidents would risk war between ourselves and the Songhai, and decided to leave Puri last month while he still could. I am certain, however, that this decision was not the result of any cowardice on the part of the Songhai.”

“Horst is right, my Chancellor,” put in the Military Minister. “The Songhai may lack our cavalry forces, but they do not lack for courage. It is a great mistake to underestimate them.”

“I understand, gentlemen. Is there anything further to report, Horst?”

“The Foreign Ministry has a request, my Chancellor. Ambassador Schmidt has been handling contact with the minor nations of Mongolia, China, and now Korea. We propose that we establish formal embassies with all three nations.”

This time it was the Domestic Minister who interrupted. “We cannot afford this expense, Horst! None of these three nations are important enough to require an Embassy, and we have pressing needs here.”

The Chancellor's upraised hand stopped the Foreign Minister's reply. “Enough, gentlemen. I believe there is an easier solution. Why not simply open consulates in all three nations? The costs to us are minimal, and we can always upgrade them to full Embassy status later after the war.”

Horst took a quick look around the War Council, and realized the other Ministers agreed with the Chancellor. “Very well, my Chancellor. I would prefer full Embassies now, but your suggestion has merit. Consulates will be easier and faster to arrange in any event.”

“Excellent.” The Chancellor paused for a moment, an odd look on his face. “I want to speak with the Consuls before they report to their respective posts.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.”

“Now then, what is the diplomatic situation with the Songhai?”

“I would characterize it as strained, my Chancellor. King Sunni does not particularly want war with Germany, but he is greatly displeased by our refusal to hand over the two Songhai elders. The good news is that our military successes have made it difficult for the Mahatma to offer trade goods to the Songhai. The situation remains dangerous and unstable.”

“I expected as much, Horst. Hopefully our relations with the Songhai will improve when the Indian War is over.” The Chancellor looked at the Domestic Minister for a moment. “I will save some time and simply ask if we have contacted the Mahatma concerning a peace treaty.”

“There have been a few discussions with the Turkish Sultan, my Chancellor, but not with the Mahamta directly,” replied the Foreign Minister.

“Then you will have an assignment before the next meeting. I want to see a detailed plan outlining your proposed peace terms on my desk in a week's time.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.”

“Now we must hear from the Domestic Minister. Stefan?”

The Domestic Minister took over the podium. “My Chancellor, you do not need me to tell you that our people tire of the war. We have crippled the Indian enemy, and now it is time to end hostilities and consolidate our gains.”

We only need a little more time! “Very well, Stefan.” The Chancellor paused for a moment. “I propose that we end the war by July 1st. All in favor?” There was a moment of surprise, and then every Minister's hand went up.

“Then so it shall be. Horst, please take account of this when you make your peace proposal.”

“Of course, my Chancellor.”

“Karl, you will send a message to the good Marshall Steinmetz. Tell him to use his discretion while approaching Tanjore. I also want you to contact Agent Tricky. Find out what the defenses of Tanjore actually are. I do not want to waste our troops in a futile assault.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.”

“Good. Is there anything further before we adjourn?” No one spoke, and so the Chancellor continued, “Meeting adjourned, then.” All stood as usual as the Chancellor left the War Council meeting room.

January 10, 510 AD

Great Hall of the Songhai
Timbuktu, Kingdom of Songhai
1330 hours B.S.T.

King Sunni Ali II, the absolute ruler of the Songhai people, looked coldly at his Military Advisor. “I want a better solution! The Germans refuse to return the Doala traitors to us for proper punishment! We must respond forcefully!”

“O King, it is not that simple. The Germans are a dangerous and ruthless enemy. The Chancellor has many horse soldiers at his command.”

“Most of his army is far to the east, fighting a desperate war against the Indians. We must strike now if we have any hope to succeed!”

“O King,” responded the Foreign Advisor, “we cannot hope to defeat the Chancellor and his armies on our own. We need to ally with the Turks and the Indians to succeed. The difficulty is that we do not have enough gold available to convince the Turks to betray their German friends.”

“Then what do we do! I will not sit idly by while more traitors plot against me! We must find a solution!”

A long, uncomfortable silence fell, which was finally broken by the Military Advisor. “My liege, we should reinforce the garrisons at all the border cities of the Kingdom. The timely warning which the Turks gave us made it possible to keep Douala from falling into German hands in the first place.”

“That is another good question which we must address! How did those Turks know more about what was really happening in Douala than we did? Where are they getting their detailed information?”

The Military Advisor smiled for the first time. “My liege, we think the Turks are using these.” He laid a strange box before his master. “This is a working message sender. We were able to obtain it by devious methods. The Turks are somehow able to send messages over great distances very quickly using these. Our Agent Kumbi has been tasked with learning more about them. We have another man working with the Indians, who reports that they have developed a dangerous new weapon, which they have codenamed Project Shiva.”

“What is this 'Project Shiva'?”

“My liege, we think it is a powerful boomweapon, similar in principle to the cannons used by the accursed pirate frigates, but much larger.”

“Larger?” The King seemed intrigued. “Even the mighty Chancellor fears the pirate armada and their terrible cannons. Are you saying the Indians have created a still better weapon?”

“My liege, the Mahatma is fighting for the very survival of the Indians as a people. Their best scholars are no doubt hard at work trying to devise a way to defeat the Germans, or at least stop them, before their entire civilization is conquered.”

The Foreign Advisor brought matters back on track. “O King, we still need to find a way to obtain the help of the Turks in any future conflict with the Germans. What if we contacted the Turks and revealed this information about Project Shiva to the Sultan? They did help us retain Douala, and this would be seen as simply returning the favor.”

“It is also possible”, continued the Foreign Advisor, “that the Germans would give a great deal for this information. We could speed up the research of our scholars by years virtually overnight.”

The King considered for a long moment, and then shook his head. “The Chancellor had his chance, and chose to put Songhai traitors before prudent policy. So be it. You will speak with the Turks about this Indian weapon, and get the best price you can for this information. At least it will help to improve our relations with the Turks.”

“As you command, my liege.” Both men bowed in the Songhai fashion before their ruler and left the throne room at once, leaving the King to brood over the situation.

OOS: There is a plot point or two in the next installment which references the crossover I wrote for "The Celestial Bureaucracy", located in the Civ IV Stories and Tales forum. Please check out Tomorrow's Dawn's magnificent story if you have not already done so!

***

January 12, 510 AD

Office of the Chancellor
Imperial Palace
Berlin, Germany, 3:45 p.m. B.S.T.

The Chancellor was almost finished with his daily paperwork as usual when once again the intercom system chimed. “My Chancellor, the Foreign Minister and a guest are here to see you.”

Guest? “Send them in, Hans.”

His visitors bowed to their leader. “Good afternoon, my Chancellor,” said the Foreign Minister. “This is Lille Kreitzberg, the Foreign Ministry's proposed candidate for the Chinese Consulate.”

“Interesting, Horst. Do sit down, both of you.” The Chancellor looked quizzically at the Foreign Minister. “I must ask why you have made this particular choice.” Horst wants a woman as our Consul to the Chinese? What on earth is he up to?

“I shall ask Lille to explain herself, my Chancellor.” She stood up to directly address her leader. “My Chancellor, I am an only child of a merchant family. My father brought his family along on our travels to the east while I was growing up, and I was able to learn both Mongolian and Chinese during our journeys.”

“My Chancellor,” put in the Foreign Minister, “there are very few in the Empire who have any knowledge at all of the Chinese language. Frau Kreitzberg is the only scholar I have in the Foreign Ministry who can also read their writing. It is unlike any writing system we know.”

“The Minister is quite correct, my Chancellor. My father actually spent a year with the Han scholars who originally developed their ideograph system.” She gave a wry smile at the memory. “I was a young girl at the time, and father used me as a sort of test subject. The Chairman himself suggested that if I could learn the language, so could the native Chinese.”

The Chancellor leaned back in his office chair. “This will not be an easy assignment, madam. You must understand that some in the Empire will question your abilities on general principles. Some may even wonder whether I intend some veiled insult to the Chinese by appointing a woman to this position. Are you prepared to accept this challenge?”

“I am, my Chancellor.” There was a definite suggestion of an iron resolution behind her polite and respectful reply.

The Chancellor considered the matter for a few moments. “There is one final test, then, before I appoint you as Consul.” He opened a desk drawer and unlocked a jewel box inside, and then handed her a coin. “What do you make of this?”

She examined it carefully in the light. “I have never seen a Chinese coin at all, let alone one with such workmanship before, my Chancellor. Where did you get it?”

“I am sorry, but that is an Imperial state secret for the moment.”

“My Chancellor, the Chinese do not have a system of coinage as we think of it. They exchange goods by means of barter and careful haggling and negotiations. We believe that they are developing a primitive coinage system, but it is far from complete.”

“Can you translate the inscription?”

Her brow furrowed as she thought. “This represents the number 5, and this ideograph the number 10. The ideograph below it is very strange. An approximate German translation would be 'gold of the central land'. My guess is that this is a reference to a currency denomination.”

“Is this a Chinese equivalent of our fifty pfennig piece, then?” .

“Why, yes, my Chancellor. This is what I might expect Chinese currency to look like. This coin has been minted with great skill. The edges are perfectly defined, and not at all blurred or distorted as primitive coins tend to be. This is as well made as our own coinage, and probably by a similar process. The Chinese could not possibly have made this on their own.” She straightened up and looked her leader in the eye. “Did you have this specially minted for some reason, my Chancellor?”

“No. The coin is genuine, as far as I know. I cannot reveal more than that now.” The Chancellor smiled for the first time. “Still, you have done well. I have spoken with other experts, who were unable to translate the inscription at all. It seems that you are the right person for the task, Consul Lille von Kreitzberg, and I shall expect you to take up your duties at once.”

“I gladly accept the position and the challenge, my Chancellor.” She bowed to her leader as the Foreign Minister struggled to his feet. “A moment, Horst. I want a word in private before you go.” The new Consul took the hint and left the Chancellor's office at once as the intercom sounded again. “My Chancellor, the Military Minister is here to see you.”

“Excellent. I was about to ask you to call him in any event. Please send Karl on in, and ask Madam von Kreitzberg to return to the Foreign Ministry.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.” The intercom system clicked off, and the Military Minister came in, acknowledging his fellow Minister with a nod and bowing to his leader as usual. “Welcome, Karl. You have some news of the war to report?”

“I do, my Chancellor. Agent Tricky has reported in. It seems the Indians are working on something they call 'Project Shiva'. It appears to be some sort of large cannon, presumably intended to defend their cities against German attack. The cannon can fire a shell weighing well over 100 kilos, and supposedly it has a range of six klicks. Agent Tricky has also provided a partial set of schematics for the new Indian weapon.”

“This is bad news indeed, Karl. Can the Indians field this weapon quickly?”

“The report indicates that the Indians have built at least one prototype to defend Tanjore. There is some good news, however. The experts I have consulted at the Ministry all agree that such a weapon would have serious disadvantages. The barrel would be too hot to handle for quite some time after firing, and moving a cannon weighing many tons into firing position is a most laborious and time consuming process. The weapon is probably more useful as a morale device for their own subjects than as a practical weapon of war.”

“I assume, Karl,” put in the Foreign Minister, “that explains why we have not attempted to develop this giant cannon ourselves.”

“Exactly, Horst. We are better off with multiple smaller batteries than one huge and unwieldly cannon, as the Indian raiding parties around Lahore have already learned to their misfortune.”

“Is there a way to confirm what the Indians are up to, Karl?”

“I propose, my Chancellor, to send out patrols west from Puri. The logical place for the Indians to field this weapon is in or near their new capital at Tanjore.”

“Very well. Send the patrols, and warn the senior officers about this Indian weapon.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor. I will of course omit any mention of Agent Tricky. It would not do for the Indians to discover how we learned of Project Shiva.”

“That makes sense, Karl. There is something else you and Horst should know about.” The Chancellor gave a curt nod to the Imperial Guardsmen, standing in their wall niches as usual, and both Guardsmen saluted their leader and left the office. The Chancellor then showed his Military Minister the same coin he had previously displayed to his new Chinese Consul. “This coin is the only physical evidence I have proving the story I am about to tell you is true.” The Chancellor proceeded to relate the story of his strange dream, and explained how he had awoken in his own bed with the coin in his nightgown pocket.

The Military Minister asked the inevitable question. “Are you quite certain this is not simply a particularly detailed dream, my Chancellor?”.

“It cannot be so, Karl. A dream would not explain this coin.”

“And that must be why you asked Lille to translate it,” put in the Foreign Minister. “The Chinese could not have made it themselves, and no one in the Empire knows enough of their language to create such a coin.”

“That is one reason,” admitted the Chancellor. “The other is that I wished to assure myself that I had not dreamed all this.”

“So why tell us about it, my Chancellor? What would you have us do?”

“Nothing, Karl, for the moment at least. I wanted both of you to know about this. Somehow, somewhere there is a German people who have been overrun by the Chinese. It is possible that we may hear from them again.”

February 4, 510 AD

Excerpt from Principles of Game Theory, Wilhelm Bayesich, p. 4, Krieger Press, Berlin, 920.

“The situation Captain Serich and his men faced has now become a classic problem in game theory. One path led to safety, and one path led to death. He had to outguess the Indian gunners in order for he and his men to survive. His choice and the consequences are a matter of historical record, but the qestions of the basic problem he faced persist to this day.”

Checkpoint Alberich
15 klicks ESE Tanjore, Indian Republic
1745 hours local time

Captain Axel Serich surveyed the scene. His squad had just crossed a marshy plain, and now stood in a meadow. Just to his left was a grassy plain, with a low but steep hill before it. To his right was more marsh, ending in another steep hill, and beyond were a series of hills stretching north into the great mountain ranges. What concerned him was just in front, only partially concealed by the mountain foothills of Tanjore.

He, as well as the other scouting squad leaders, had received the warning from Berlin concerning the new Indian superweapon, a massive cannon they had codenamed 'Shiva'. Captain Serich had told his men what they might be facing, though most of the squad had dismissed this as mere rumor. However, he could see through his field glasses the unmistakable sight of dozens of workers assembling what could only be the Shiva cannon. The reports from Berlin were true!

Captain Serich called over Sgt. Xaver Kniebel, a grizzled veteran with many years of service in the Imperial German army. It took but a moment for the veteran sergeant to grasp the seriousness of the situation.

“Captain, we cannot stay here on the open plan, nor can we retreat in time. Those Indian scum would cut us to bits before we could do anything. We'll have to hide behind one or other of those hills, sir. We can reach either by a night march morning, hide behind the hill during the day, and be clean away by tomorrow night. You said the Shiva weapon could only fire once, so if we choose the correct hill, we will be safe. Otherwise, well...”

The captain looked where his subordinate was pointing. Which should we choose? He carefully considered the options. “The left hill would seem to be the better choice. If the Indians fire at the other, we can escape easily to the south and warn the rest of the army. We would have to cross the marshes again if we took shelter behind the right hill. Both hills are high enough to shelter us from conventional Indian cannon fire.”

“Captain, those Indian scum are not fools. I'll wager the Turks gave them that big ol' gun, and a proper Turkish officer will decide which hill to fire upon with it. The enemy knows that the left hill is a better choice for us, and they'll blow us to kingdom come with the Shiva gun.”

The captain considered for a long moment, knowing that this decision meant life or death for the patrol. If only I could outguess the Indian enemy! “You are right, Serjeant. We will march to the right hill, then.”

By dawn Captain Serich and his men had crossed the marsh and were hiding behind the proper hill. Every man watched for Indian sentries as they waited to see which hill the Shiva cannon would fire upon. Captain Serich himself wrote a brief account of his actions in the official log. Just before noon a great boom resounded over the landscape. The Shiva weapon had fired!

Captain Serich and his men waited in an agony of suspense as the echoes of the Shiva gun's report died away. A new whistling noise could be heard, rapidly growing in volume as the massive shell began to plummet back to earth. My God! The Indians fired on our hill! They had just enough time for a quick prayer before the shell detonated in their very midst, with a roar that could be heard in Tanjore fifteen klicks away.

March 12, 510 AD

Sultanate Ballroom, Imperial Palace
Samarkhand, Turkmenistan
1930 hours

The Sultan's birthday party was in full swing as the German Ambassador was escorted to the Sultan's private box. The Ambassador bowed to his host. “Thank you, Sultan, for seeing me. It is always a pleasure to visit your court in such circumstances.”

“The pleasure is mine, Ambassador.” The Sultan made a small gesture, and an aide handed him a small journal from the folds of his robe. “I was given this by the Indian Ambassador this afternoon. This is the log of the leader of a German patrol who had the misfortune to encounter the Indian Shiva cannon, presented with the compliments of the Mahatma. It seems that the Shiva weapon is not quite useless after all.”

Ambassador Schmidt's face revealed nothing of his inner thoughts. Did the Indians develop this weapon entirely on their own, or did they have Turkish help? “That is surprisingly gracious of the Indians.” The Ambassador noted with revulsion that the upper edge of the journal was stained with blood. “I will see to it that this is returned to Berlin at once.”

“I believe the Indians wish to confirm that they are still strong, despite the military defeats they have suffered at the hands of the Germans. My father spent a great deal of time brokering a peace treaty between your people and the Indians. I would like to follow in his footsteps and offer my assistance in ending your current war.”

“Your illustrious father's efforts are still remembered by the German people. They also remember that you personally came to Berlin in a valiant attempt to end the war. I will gladly convey this to my superiors.”

“Perhaps, Ambassador, you could ask your superiors to make a formal peace proposal to the Indians. I will be happy to send it to the Mahatma, and inform you of his reply.” The Sultan considered for a moment. “I recall that then Chancellor Konrad demanded the surrender of several Indian cities. It is my understanding that your forces have now captured all of the cities he demanded in battle. Surely there is no need to proceed further.”

“That decision, O Sultan, is out of my hands. I will certainly contact Berlin for instructions.” The Ambassador smiled for the first time. “I wish you a happy birthday, Sultan, and many more in the years to come.” He bowed again to his host, and left to rejoin the party. He had barely reached the ballroom when another guest bumped into him.

“My apologies, Ambassador,” said the other man as he extended his hand. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” The Ambassador took his hand, as a note was passed to him. No one else appeared to notice the brief encounter as the Ambassador made his way to the veranda outside. He opened the note, which read, in the diplomatic code, “One from harem T defense. Tricky.” He quickly pocketed the note as his wife approached him. “So, how did your audience with the Sultan go?”

“Rather well, dear. We should go back inside now. The Sultan Harem Dancers will be performing shortly.”

“I knew there was a reason why you never miss any of the Sultan's birthday parties!” She smiled at her husband as they returned to the ballroom. The Ambassador had no way of knowing that they were being observed through an artfully concealed peephole by the Grand Vizier himself. So, the German Agent Tricky is still at large, somewhere in the Mahatma's entourage.

March 20, 510 AD

Chancellor's Quarters
Imperial Palace
Berlin, Germany, 8:30 p.m. B.S.T.

Lady Eva von Bismarck, the wife of the Chancellor, found her husband brooding in his study. “Otto? Is there something wrong?”

He turned to her with an effort, holding a notebook in his hand. “I am sorry, my dear. It is a matter of state. Father warned me that I would see matters in a new light once I became Chancellor.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” She smiled coquettishly at her husband. “There is always one way for a wife to make her husband feel better!”

Now that is the best news I have heard all day! A soft knock on the door interrupted the Chancellor's reponse. “Yes?”

The chamberlain came in. “Pardon me, my Chancellor. The Military Minister is here to see you.” He looked expectantly at Lady Eva.

Karl just had to report to the Palace now! Aloud the Chancellor replied, “Send the Minister in, then.” The chamberlain left at once, and the Military Minister entered, bowing to his leader as usual.

“Good evening, my Chancellor,” said the Military Minister. He acknowledged Lady Eva with a nod. “I have news that both you and Lady Eva may find of interest.”

“Indeed, Karl?”

“I trust, my Chancellor, that you and Lady Eva will remember the fate of the traitor Ludwig Gessler, who was shot by one of his own traitorous comrades outside the Imperial Theater.” It took only a moment for the Chancellor to remember that terrible night ten years earlier. “You have found the final Indian spy, then?”

“We think so, my Chancellor. He is operating right here in Berlin, under the code name of Agent Surat. The spy ring lair being raided this very night. I expect word of his capture and arrest to arrive at any moment.”

Lady Eva spoke up at this. “What will his punishment be, Minister?”

The Minister's expression grew still more serious. “He has committed murder and espionage, Lady Eva. His punishment shall be most severe indeed.”

“I trust that the raid will be successful, Karl.” The Chancellor paused for a moment. “Is there anything else to report?”

This time it was the Minister who looked carefully at Lady Eva. “I shall be with you shortly, my dear,” said the Chancellor, correctly realizing that his Minister wanted to discuss something alone.

“All right, then. Don't be too late!” The Minister waited until Lady Eva was out of earshot before continuing. “We have confirmed Agent Tricky's report about the defenses of Tanjore. The Indians have at least eight musket and pikeman divisions guarding the city, and reinforcements are arriving from the west. We only have seven cavalry units available to attack the city. It will be at least another year before we have the manpower to storm Tanjore.”

The Chancellor picked up the notebook from Captain Serich, which the Military Minister had given him the day before. “Then we shall not attack Tanjore yet, Karl. Prepare for a siege instead, until we have sufficient forces available to take the city. I will not send good German men to die in a futile assault.”

“I agree, my Chancellor. I propose that we send Marshall Bruner's forces to clear the Indian partisans around Punjab instead.” The Minister uncharacteristically hesitated for a moment.

“There is another matter I should address, my Chancellor. Captain Serich's fate is a tragic blow. However, we have done far more damage to the Mahatma and the Indians than they have inflicted on us. We have won this war, even though we have not succeeded in destroying the Indians completely.”

“That, Karl, does not help Captain Serich or the rest of his patrol who died in the service of the Empire. I doubt they would agree with that sentiment.”

“My Chancellor, they died in ther service of their people, their Chancellor, and their country. I grieve his loss as well. If I may be so bold, we must not lose sight of the cause for which they fought and died.”

“I suppose you are right as usual, Karl.” The Chancellor got to his feet. “Please inform me at once when you have any further news of the Indian spy.”

“It shall be done, my Chancellor.”