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On the Horizon
The Sun Rises Yet Again
Chapter 6: On the Horizon

December 23, 1924


Two weeks have passed since Mosley proposed the first bills of his government. Kitson's had passed with flying colors as no one was able to sufficiently rebuff it. Thus, the first brick of many has been laid down in the long process of rebuilding the British economy. Makgills list of extra-judicial powers to be granted to MI5 has been delayed however, as Chambers' is still drafting a comprehensive article on the legality of it.

In the meantime, Mosley has been either debating in favour of the bill or working to build connections across Britain to further entrench the Victorian Union. Fuller arrived yesterday, just in time for Christmas. He decided it was time to have a conversation with him. The telephone wiring was going well, but it wouldn't be finished for some time. Fuller arrives in his office and sits down.

J. F. C. Fuller
"Hello Your Excellency."

Oswald Mosley

'Please Fuller, call me Oswald or Mosley. We are going to be together for many weeks and I would like to not hear that so often. It will drive me mad."

J. F. C. Fuller
"Of course Mosley. So why have you called me here?

Oswald Mosley
"As you know Spain is in a civil war right now between Communists in the East, supported by France and the Soviet Union, and Falangists in the West, supported by Portugal and Italy.

J. F. C. Fuller
"Of course. It's been very brutal."

Oswald Mosley
"And you know that Gibaraltar is in Spanish hands."

J. F. C. Fuller
"Yes."

Oswald Mosley
"I believe I have a plan to bring it back into British hands."

J. F. C. Fuller
"How so?"

Oswald Mosley
"We will strike a deal with the Falangists to help them in the war and to join our alliance in exchange for immediate ownership of Gibaraltar. I wanted to ask you what assistance would be best to help them, as well as to send some officers close to you down there to instruct them if they accept."

J. F. C. Fuller
"I see. I quite like this plan. I would suggest that you prepare a message to the British loyalists in Gibaraltar to establish a plebiscite so that if the Spanish do not agree, we can send it and once they vote in our favour we could potentially take it by force with popular support. As for support for the Spanish, we can send some of our more green divisions down there to train them. I will make sure I will send down skilled officers who will train them as well as take notes so that we can study the aspects of modern warfare "

Oswald Mosley
"An excellent idea. You, Joyce, David, and I will go on a state visit to Portugal, to reaffirm our alliance with Manuel as well as to get in contact with Franco and his men to negotiate a deal. Once we are done with that we shall head to Italy to meet Mussolini and attempt to bring them into our alliance as well. These three nations, combined with ours, will be more than enough to crush France, that vile bastion of communism, when the time arrives."

J. F. C. Fuller
"I also wanted to talk to you about the matter of our military training and education. It is woefully out of date and needs to be updated immediately. The longer we delay the more men who will serve with an antiquated view of warfare. I will need your public support in pushing these reforms as you and I are extremely popular amongst the army and combined will convince most to trust my reforms. This will require us to revitalise our institutions through modernising our texts and our training and instruction regimen from field marshals to NCO's to the common infantry. I would also like for you to include in the next budget some funds to be allocated to a special section of RTD devoted specifically to the advancement of tanks and motorised trucks. The military may also need an increase in funds in order to begin mechanising parts of the army."

Oswald Mosley
"How big would this RTD department be?"

J. F. C. Fuller
"I've been talking to some people in SIS, probing for information on the Landschiff-Projekt. I found what I was looking for, numbers, locations, procedures, ideas and even some blueprints of their more modern tanks. Of course we have the tank we captured in perfect condition after the Battle of Lyon to base our earliest efforts around. We will be very conservative with our resources until we know what we're doing, we just need to get our foot in the door."

Oswald Mosley
"I can do everything you ask for except for the funds towards mechanisation. Until we can pull Britain out of this depression we're all gonna have to work on a shoestring budget, unfortunately.

J. F. C. Fuller
"I understand. Thank you. May I be excused? I have much work to do."

Oswald Mosley
"Of course. Prepare your items as we will leave after Christmas. Thank you for your time Fuller."

Fuller exits Mosley's office and returns to his own. Mosley sits, contemplating about his situation. He begins to pack his possessions for the trip. It is snowing, the sky is dark. It is past midnight, the Sun is gone. But on the horizon, he sees it rise again. He knows this is the destiny of Britain. To sink low, but to rise once more and shine across the world again.

Scientists of the Landschiff-Projekt Taking a Photograph in Commemoration of Their Success
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The A7V, the Culmination of the Landschiff-Projekt
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A Painting of Kaiser Wilhelm II Looking From the Place du Trocadéro Across the Jardins du Trocadéro and the Seine River to the Eiffel Tower, Painted by Waldemar Rösler in 1915
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British Troops in Angoulême Heading Towards Bordeaux so as to Leave France, They Are Guarding the German Tank Captured at Lyon to Bring it Back to Britain. This Retreat Was Only Possible Due to the Legendary "Second Christmas Truce" of 1917 and the Heroic Resignation of the French Troops to Holding the Front Alone
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