Kasespatzle unt Schwartzwald Kuchen

Btw in my opinion everything else in this TL is plausible...the scale of austrian demands in italy is a bit far-fetched, as it would require a victory of a scale unlikely to happen by 1918, but I am notriously biased towards Austria, so I will not complain
 
The empire was the only thing that made britain the superpower it was...discard it and you have an tiny island nation with little resources and small manpower.
I agree with your post overall and also agree that the sale of part of Canada is implausible. But lets not get carried away. Even denuded of the Empire, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has 242,500 square kilometres of land area to Germany's (Core Germany 1870-1918) 215,000 and a population around 80% of that of Germany. And a considerable industrial base. Britain doesn't suddenly turn into Luxemburg whenever it loses the Empire.
 
I agree with your post overall and also agree that the sale of part of Canada is implausible. But lets not get carried away. Even denuded of the Empire, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has 242,500 square kilometres of land area to Germany's (Core Germany 1870-1918) 215,000 and a population around 80% of that of Germany. And a considerable industrial base. Britain doesn't suddenly turn into Luxemburg whenever it loses the Empire.
that is not the point...surely the uk is going to become a junior power in the world
 
Yes, her period of world dominance appears to be at an end. And as I said, I agree with you about Canada. But down wouldn't be the same thing as out.
 
That's what I was talking about...depsite common misconceptions britain was not critically dependent on repayment of loans after the war; that applies well for France, not for Britain...sure, the economy was in bad shape, but ni british politician EVER would practically throw away the empire without one enemy with boots on the ground in britain itself, all the while the army has all but won the war in the middle east. The empire was the only thing that made britain the superpower it was...discard it and you have an tiny island nation with little resources and small manpower.
Sure, as you say, francr having fallen and germany parking massive forces across the channel is threatening, but as history shows, during WW2 with france similarily occupied, and a much weaker Royal Navy, a much weker financial situation after years of crisis, and with the threat of german air raids, Britain did not surrender. And the us were not even at war
By late 1918 germany, even a victorious germanty was totally spent...totally...game over. Likely the british and the Americans would not be capable of invading Europe, true, but the american presence alone wipll assurr that bo german ever would set foot on british soil. In the meantime the social situation in germany is dangerously explosive. With victory in france you may avert the kiel mutiny,but food was lacking tragucally and it was aml matter of time before a civil war exploded. The eatern breadbasket in Ukraine, was by now a bloddy mess of warring factions that would take months to pacify, even in a best case scenario, and with the infrastructure largely gone and a huge amount of local agricultural arms spent in the war, thetr is noc chance it is going to supply food in adequate quantities anytime soon.
Oh and Austria-Hungary is cracking at the edges and threatens separate peace.
In such a scenario you may a white peace with england IF you are lucky. Even in a veeeeeeery implausible scrnario where britaon is willing to cede ground, it may trade some leaser african colonies, or renounce her gains in middle east, but there is no way, NEVER that the uk os going to do something like selling Canada. No matter how drsperayr they might be, it would be a suicidal move which would collapse the empire in an instant. To make a conparison, it is like france commanding the partition of germany at versailles...there is 0 chance of any German government, no matter how despaired would accept that, even in the face of occupation and civil war. Not counting that selling canada would pitt britain as a rogue nation.
Also any such move would havr needed to be ratified by the canadian parliament and I do not see that happening

Thoughtful post with very good points, it is noted that the state of the Allied economies in 1918 is sometimes debated but in this case I wanted to find a way to reinvigorate the British economy allowing for its use of finance as a means of world influence while giving it a reason to begin to decline a generation or two earlier than OTL. Canada was still fearful of a United States annexation even in 1911 with economic treaties being denounced as economic takeover with annexation essentially pending, meanwhile even in London the British showed that they were not as pro-Canada as they might have been with the international arbitration of the Yukon/Alaska boundary circa 1898 when the British Chief Justice sided with the United States to the disadvantage of Canada. Britain needs cash to rebuild and loses not only the war but so much capital in loans to France et al that are almost certainly never to see the light of day. Yes, she will get French land in return, but the blow to its prestige is enormous, not to mention the state of its economy. And please note that the UK will not be a junior anything, the world will simply be a bit different (more balanced?) going into the 1920s. Selling land seemed the most logical, and cutting the Canadians from the Pacific seemed to have the same eventual effect as what I proposed. Selling the Yukon, British Columbia, and Alberta just did not seem enough for money or territory, so here the massive wealth transfer will allow the US something it desperately wants and give the British something they desperately need.

Germany is spent but can plunder its conquests for some time, if only to get back on its own feet slowly at first. But a revitalized Germany will look different here, and perhaps the ECSC is an example of what may be in store for the years to come. We already know a bit of what to expect from Otto, and a victory can unite in the same ways a defeat can divide though the fate of Austria-Hungary will not be easily predictable. Russia is down, but not entirely out, and the fates of so many may boil down to the actions of a few yet still. And Germany is still dangerously explosive, the peace treaty is not even finalized yet nor has the money arrived in Britain yet! But more on that later.

Again, I appreciate your very thoughtful points. Thanks!
 
Thoughtful post with very good points, it is noted that the state of the Allied economies in 1918 is sometimes debated but in this case I wanted to find a way to reinvigorate the British economy allowing for its use of finance as a means of world influence while giving it a reason to begin to decline a generation or two earlier than OTL. Canada was still fearful of a United States annexation even in 1911 with economic treaties being denounced as economic takeover with annexation essentially pending, meanwhile even in London the British showed that they were not as pro-Canada as they might have been with the international arbitration of the Yukon/Alaska boundary circa 1898 when the British Chief Justice sided with the United States to the disadvantage of Canada. Britain needs cash to rebuild and loses not only the war but so much capital in loans to France et al that are almost certainly never to see the light of day. Yes, she will get French land in return, but the blow to its prestige is enormous, not to mention the state of its economy. And please note that the UK will not be a junior anything, the world will simply be a bit different (more balanced?) going into the 1920s. Selling land seemed the most logical, and cutting the Canadians from the Pacific seemed to have the same eventual effect as what I proposed. Selling the Yukon, British Columbia, and Alberta just did not seem enough for money or territory, so here the massive wealth transfer will allow the US something it desperately wants and give the British something they desperately need.

Germany is spent but can plunder its conquests for some time, if only to get back on its own feet slowly at first. But a revitalized Germany will look different here, and perhaps the ECSC is an example of what may be in store for the years to come. We already know a bit of what to expect from Otto, and a victory can unite in the same ways a defeat can divide though the fate of Austria-Hungary will not be easily predictable. Russia is down, but not entirely out, and the fates of so many may boil down to the actions of a few yet still. And Germany is still dangerously explosive, the peace treaty is not even finalized yet nor has the money arrived in Britain yet! But more on that later.

Again, I appreciate your very thoughtful points. Thanks!
you are welcome
 
10 May 1918 – Vienna, Austria

Stephan “Count” Burian von Rajecz beamed as he reported the treaty conclusion and details to Emperor Charles IV. His work as Austria-Hungary’s Imperial Foreign Minister proved especially fruitful today as preparations for the pending Treaty of Caporetto were being finalized. Thus far the remaining details were only in terms of economics, the occupation of Veneto was confirmed and in a surprise move the Italian government accepted the demand to join the European Union in exchange for avoiding the occupation of Lombardy and reducing that of Veneto to only ten years. That meant five less years of occupation in two provinces that they would have to help pay for, but it also gave Vienna an economically dominant position.

“What made them change their minds”?, asked the young Emperor in front of him. His youth and near-naivety for peace was a trait his predecessor definitely lacked, had Franz Josef been alive the occupation might extend to Ravenna or even further south.

“I suppose they saw the cost of the occupation as too dear, especially as they are financially barren until new taxes arrive. Already the prospect of devalued currency looms, we are only in a somewhat better position”.

“I know”. Perhaps his belief that the office of Emperor was divinely awarded but came with sacred duty would strengthen the Empire, or perhaps the political intrigues would prove too much for the young man to handle, Burian had not decided yet. “Food is also becoming an issue but one we are finding better than some of our neighbors”.

“Correct, sir, I understand we are even able to aid our new territories in Bosnia and Montenegro as they transition to our Empire”.

Charles looked over a small map he had of the Empire and held to the dream of his uncle, Franz Ferdinand. An Empire with representative states united under a hereditary executive branch though with some checks and limits to its power that would unite the country and its diverse pieces. “What is the state of the pending peace with the French, British, and Americans”?

“Our American opponents seem content to return to status quo antebellum with us, they are still negotiating with our German allies over a handful of islands and treaty rights to Mexico and asking about small reparations. I think the Americans see it for what it is and asked for the same in reverse, no active hostilities are in place and with France now under cease-fire I think we are merely wrapping up details there. France herself is going to dislike the final treaty I think but the factionalization and apparent civil war on the horizon makes a peace necessary before she shatters. Ultimately it will be at Versailles where a treaty will supposedly be signed, once again in the Hall of Mirrors”.

“Damn it”, noted the Emperor almost under his breath.

“What is wrong, your Highness”?

“We are shoving the treaties in these people’s faces and ask too much. All we are really doing is setting the stage for another war in a generation or two, one potentially far worse and far bloodier than this one”.

Burian nodded and pondered. He could not conceive the possibility of bloodletting on a worse scale, though the development of handheld automatic weapons, aircraft, submarines, and aerial bombardment meant it was possible. He hoped that was merely a nightmare, he certainly would not want to be around for that sort of bloodshed again. “Such is the way of things, your Highness, and thankfully we are on the winning side”.

“We are on the victorious side, Minister, the winning side is yet to be determined. It will be our children or our children’s children who will determine that. For now all we can do is try to be as honorable in victory as our Italian neighbors are in defeat. Ultimately though I worry for the Empire itself”.

Burian took a different tone, more surprise than curiosity. “Our victorious soldiers are cheered by crowds from the Alps to Zagreb, if nothing the victory has made our nation and its people stronger”.

“I disagree, it is merely a weak paste holding a concrete wall. Larger changes must be made, our fractiousness is our greatest weakness just as our diversity is our greatest strength. We are an economic powerhouse, but if the Empire tears itself apart the only victors are the Germans, Russians, Ottomans, and French”.

“You omit the Italians”.

Charles smiled. “I suppose I did, but they are often following Paris more than leading it”.

Burian nodded. “You know that is very likely to change, yes”?

“I know. They are set to lose so much and be made to join the Union as all but a satellite. And now I hear the country is on the verge of shattering like glass”.

“Indeed it is. In Marseilles the Bonapartists rally around Victor, Prince Napoleon, as they begin to strengthen in Provence and the surrounding areas with our covert aid as well as that of Italy. Toulouse is now home to Philip, Duke of Orleans, and his supporters now anxious to be rid of the Third Republic as well as his own opponents. Prince Jean, Duke of Guise, has set up a headquarters near the resort town of Vichy while a People’s Republic of France has set up a Triumvirate in a small country town whose name eludes me. An autonomous Breton region has emerged under Accion Francaise, the Third Republic is surviving around Paris, and everything north and east of the Seine is a demilitarized zone. Franche-Comte is now the independent Grand Duchy of Burgundy with eyes on most of the land around her but smart enough not to invite a war at this time. Northernmost France along the English Channel is being turned into Belgian territory as the population there is being given the option to leave, about half of the French speakers in southern Belgium and former French territories are fleeing into Third Republic territory. Otherwise there is also still a large group of British soldiers at Dunkirk and Calais under a so-called Soldier’s Council and reports of a severe flu-like illness. The entire area is quarantined for now”.

Charles sighed, he knew what was going on was demanding the absolute limits of what could be asked and made the victors more looters cashing in on a prize than just warriors seeking an honorable peace. He would have a lot of work to do in order to make his dreams of a more peaceful world come true, he thought, and the risk was tremendous. A durable world for his children and people were worth the price though, he thought, as he asked, “What about this rumor of rescue for the Russian royal family”?

Burian nodded, “Reports indicate a bloody battle with tremendous casualties and the deaths of all but the Tsar, three of his daughters, and a few of the soldiers who rescued them. Apparently the middle two daughters are safe in Ottoman territory and will be through Vienna on their way to Bavaria, where they are reportedly staying for the time being”.

“Why stay in Bavaria and not move on to England”?

“I wondered the same myself but apparently there are several castles the Russian family can use that are quite lovely. It also gives the Bavarian king a chance to match-make for his own line as a trade-off”.

Charles smiled at the idea. It was a shame none were closer in age to his son Otto but perhaps that was for the best as tensions still loomed between so many of the countries in question. “What about the Swedes and the so-called Northern Peace”?

“Sweden has taken its sphere of influence to include Norway and Finland, but Stockholm does not directly control them. Sweden’s King has resurrected many of the powers he gave up before the war though, so I think internally he won more than it may initially appear, and I doubt he will permit the rest of the kingdom to let him give up power again without a major fight. The monetary union of Scandinavia is reborn though, as is the idea of a common Scandinavian parliament minus Denmark which remains independent but firmly under the German eye”.

Charles noted the rapid ‘victory’ of the Swedes and was also curious how that would develop, he had predicted a Scandinavian merger in younger days until the Norwegians seceded less than a decade ago. How things can change to quickly in less than a decade. “Finally, do you have the map for our concessions in Montenegro, Polonia, Piave, and our newest Kingdom in Bosnia”?
 
May 12, 1918 – West of Tehran, Persian Empire

Augustus Dungerman still felt the shock of taking in the enormous aircraft he now sat in as the engines began to turn rather loudly. Although the bomb bay was converted for fairly plush quarters (four beds with blankets and some foam walls for minimizing the sound) and even had a crude (but working) toilet, the quarters would be second class at best on any train and third class on any ship. But with the range and speed to compensate along with an extra-large fuel tank to increase the range of the aircraft to 700 miles, the seven passengers and seven crew along with provisions enough to make a whole day were ready for departure. One crew member was missing as the pilot doubled as commander and another as the fuel attendant and co-pilot (alternated and) doubled as radio operator for this modified Zepplin-Staaken R. VI. With bunk-style beds for each of the passengers and ample food for the trip, the feeling of being actually in the air was offsetting to all on board save the main pilot, who produced a map shortly after take-off noting their journey. Berlin had sent for the aircraft with specific instructions to ferry the passengers directly to Versailles for the opening of the Second Treaty of Versailles conclusion and signature, starting with the presentation of Emperor Nicholas of All the Russias to the Allies as a gesture of goodwill and solidarity against the dreaded Communists. Per the itinerary supplied, the flight would land in Mardin at the very end of the existant railway bound to bridge Berlin and Baghdad/Basra, now slated to stretch to Tehran eventually, and refuel courtesy of the Ottoman Army. From there the aircraft would continue to the European side Istanbul, where the Royal Family was to be received by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V. From there, shortly after the aircraft was refueled and the crew rotated, the aircraft would proceed to an airfield south of Vienna for a reception by the Emperor Charles IV. Afterwards it was directly off to Versailles and, if all went well, arrival just in time for the rapidly-finalized Second Treaty. Just before the aircraft became airborne, Anastasia hopped onto the bed alongside Augustus and held on tightly, scared at the prospect of defying gravity and unnatural flight. He checked his own fear as Nicholas looked up from prayer, made eye contact, nodded his head, and went back to mouthing various rites of likely Eastern Orthodox origin. As the aircraft rose ever-higher, everyone became somewhat more at ease, though every bit of ‘rough air’ brought nerves back anew. Nicholas stayed steady as a stone for the early part of the flight, the maidservants tending to the Imperial family while the footman/batman stayed with Nicholas as he had before. Dungerman was not sure where the large man known only as Trupp was found, but if there were many more like the walking tree it was a wonder Germany had beaten Russia at all.

By the time half an hour elapsed, the Grand Duchess was fast asleep and laying in the bunk as Tripp and Nicholas got up and looked out one of the few windows. Tripp muttered something to Nicholas in Russian, who responded in kind, and the large man began to return to his bunk. He looked straight at Dungerman, squinted, breathed in deeply, paused for a few seconds, and left for his ‘room’. “He likes you”, said Nicholas, “and says his German is horrible but thanks you for looking after my frightened child”.

“Please tell him, ‘You’re welcome’, and I do not mind at all”.

“So tell me about your new title, do you get any sort of lands with it”?

Dungerman was aware of where the Palatinate, also called the Pfalz, was located. Known for its wines and a few interesting industries, the amount of land was huge to Dungerman but might not be so grand to the Emperor. “I find it more than enough for whatever needs I could have”, he noted.

“Humility is appreciated, but not required, but maintain that honesty in the future. It will serve you well, especially once you learn how to share it appropriately”.

“Politicking is an art I am still learning”.

Nicholas nodded. “It can save you or break you. For example, I found over the years that playing cards or enjoying time with your opponents – sort of keeping friends close and enemies closer, and always within close proximity to guards – served well…”

Anastasia opened her eyes slowly and looked over at her father and the German who saved them all as Tripp looked up at her from his bunk below. “You are quite smitten, Alexa, but at least you chose well”.

“Please keep quiet”, she muttered beneath the thick woolen blanket, “Father is talking to him now”.

“He has your father’s respect”.

“I see that, the man treats him like a surrogate at times”.

Tripp lost himself in thoughts of Alexei for a moment, the innocent boy had survived so much only to be killed by Communists who knew only how to follow orders. Certainly the Imperial family had their faults, and their Okhrana were only marginally less brutal than the Communist Cheka, but he doubted Russia could do better under the psychotic Lenin and his league of imbeciles than centuries of Romanov rule. “Your father has no son, on his death the crown passes to his cousin Cyril I think, the brother abdicated in favor of your father”.

“It is not the crown I want”

Tripp smiled, “That much is obvious, your highness”.

“Is it truly so obvious”?

“Your face blushes any time you look in his direction and your smile has yet to fade from the moment you boarded the airplane. Not to mention you were very quick to join him on takeoff”.

“I was scared out of my mind”!

“Yet you went right to sleep as soon as the plane was off the ground. We all see it, do not be embarrassed, it is expected”.

“Grand Duchesses are not supposed to show such things so obviously”.

“We’re not in court your highness, indeed we’re not even on Earth any more depending on how you see it. You have some time and freedom before returning to the world of courts and thinking about what comes next…”, as he said this the young lady smiled and blushed, …“not quite that way either, but seriously enjoy yourself over the next few weeks as once we reach France I think your father intends to take you to England or maybe Bavaria for safe keeping. Your chances of seeing him are likely limited once the flight is over”.

“Thank you, Alexei. I knew he had plans to get us all somewhere out of the country once we reached Versailles but he never said where. Somehow I thought California was on his mind”.

“He spoke of a place called Saint Francis somewhere on the Pacific Ocean, specifically an area called Napa Valley across a body of water where he could have a large home but be near a lot of good land. He talked of buying a thousand acres or so, and if not there a place called Saint Claire Valley, I think. Also apparently has some good farmland and a very good university where he could teach Russian and possibly History or Politics”.

Anastasia chuckled to herself, the idea of her father being a professor at a college was somewhat hilarious. But it made her think of the future albeit briefly, she had never felt for anyone what she felt for this man, and she wanted some control of her own destiny. Her mother would have proven helpful, but the only women in her life she truly trusted were in other countries…except for Anna…maybe she should begin asking some unusual questions before they landed…
 
May 15, 1918 – London, England

George V pondered over the latest estimates of the growing crisis among the Calais and Dunkirk camps while his Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour looked over at the preliminary treaty. Berlin was very specific in its demands, a few of them extreme, and a few more unexpected, and the return of her colonies would not sit well given their occupation by the Royal Navy and British Army. “I’ll be damned if they get Togo and Southwest Africa back”, noted George V, “I thought this was already settled, why are they going to push back even harder now”?

Balfour looked over the maps himself. “Our envoy managed to get them to release their demands on Malta and kept Portugal from being totally overrun by the Spanish. They make progress but the Germans asked for something in return”.

“Portugal is ever our ally even in her current shape but she’s lost her Empire entirely. They need a strong king, not a weak President”. George was absolutely correct in that regard, the weakness of the Portuguese Republic was such that even now monarchists were moving to reclaim the country by whatever means made themselves known. “I still think her king is worth putting back into power”.

Balfour looked stern but friendly. “Weakness on any part of the Portuguese government right now only invites Spanish occupation, if not annexation, and there is little we would be able to do about it”.

George nodded his head. “I accept the situation of course, but that does not mean I have to like it”.

Balfour laughed. Thankfully the King was in a good mood, he had every reason not to be as his grandson John was apparently dying and his nation had already lost the better part of her North American holdings as the South Africans had decided to go away from the Crown as a Republic. The other holding proved cautiously loyal under the cirucmstances though they asked for ‘reassurances’ they would not be sold or bartered. New Zealand, Australia, India, and the various peripheral holdings including Belize remained on station. Canada proclaimed herself loyal but would hold a referendum on independence with the province of Quebec asking to be allowed to do the same in reverse. “So what is this about Rome deciding to join the German customs union”?

“They were allowed to do so in exchange for no occupation of Lombardy, an occupation of Veneto for ten years instead of fifteen, and other concessions. Europe seems to turn on a Berlin-Vienna axis”.

“Please do not remind me of that”, noted the King in a less jovial voice, “but it seems they are being prudent – I do not blame them for that. What of the Americans and the German demands on them”?

Balfour nodded and produced a cable from Washington City. “Our agents there note that the Germans are eyeing Mexico, they have approached the various factions with plans for trade treaties, commercial agreements, etc. So far they have achieved the right to use Veracruz , Merida, and Acapulco as ports along with attempts to negotiate for a base at the end of Baja California and Guyamas, though these are so far to no avail. I find the situation ironic”.

“Why”?

“Germany has a great many more investments in Guatemala and a growing population there. Of the countries in the Central American sphere it would be most logical for them to build a base there”.

George thought about it for a few seconds. “Why reinvest in what you already have when you can expand into areas you don’t. Why focus attention to yourself when you don’t have to – if the Americans are eyeing Mexico we need to eye Guatemala. They have ports on both oceans in need of expansion and eyes on Belize – Germany could help them acquire both. Can we have our local man there put feet on the ground for more information”?

Balfour looked to the floor. “We asked him to do just that five days ago, sir”.

“Splendid! What did he have to report”?

“Nothing, we have not heard from him and he is two days overdue”.

George looked up at the man and chuckled, “At least we know where to send the next ones”.

Balfour noted the dry sense of Windsor humor that had not changed even if the name had. Surely he did not celebrate the agent’s death but tried to make light of a bad situation, after all, he had just been in charge of a war effort that had sent so many to their deaths and it visibly weighed in on his conscious. “We dispatched three men to explore the area as an ‘investment group’ under MI1 auspices. It will be a few weeks before they get a chance to report”.

“Good. Keep me posted when you hear something. What of my look-alike cousin and his family”?

“I hear the Ottoman sultanate received them warmly and joked about keeping the youngest daughter for himself only to be stopped cold by some German accompanying them. When the Sultan’s body guard tried to push the German out of the way it is said the two of them got into a fight”.

“I am sure that went over well in Berlin”.

Balfour pursed his lips somewhat. “The Sultan noted his man started the episode and apparently did more than eye the Grand Duchess Anastasia. Apparently the German has a black eye and cut cheek”.

George laughed. “What a marvel of the German people”!

“…but not before knocking out four of the man’s teeth and breaking several bones, the Turk was said to be skilled in some sort of Eastern combat art that the German wanted to learn more about. Apparently it was quite the show, by the end of it they decided to settle it in an ancient ritual with bare chests and knives. The German won, but in the tradition noted had to draw blood with the knife before putting it away”.

George thought about that for a minute. “Don’t our Indian subjects have a similar tradition? Sounds more Indian than Turkish”.

“Indeed they do. But in this case the German clipped a piece of the man’s left ear and sheathed his knife. The Turk rose, looked to the Sultan who nodded his approval, and apparently they were last seen joking together as the Turk gave the German some basic lessons in whatever combat art he was practicing”.

“Odd ritual but interesting nonetheless. How are the Romanovs”?

“Nicholas is still mourning the loss of his wife, son, and oldest daughter. Of the remaining three, Tatiana will be present in Paris for the signing of the treaty as will Maria both having arrived safely by train earlier today. Anastasia and Nicholas will arrive by aircraft where an honor guard will be ready to receive them. You mentioned they would be able to stay on the Isle of Man indefinitely, but it is rumored Nicholas has purchased about almost two thousand acres in California and helps support a struggling university there. It seems he intends to grow crops and establish a sort of estate there while teaching at the school”.

“Ha! I should like to donate to the school, what is it called”?

“It is named after the son of the man who founded it as a memorial, perhaps Junior University? I am not sure but will find out. One of her alumni was sent by the United States to coordinate relief for the starving people of Europe, his work on mining is considered authoritative and you might like him. His name is Hoover, Herbert Hoover”.

“I should be glad to meet him”. George rose from his seat and walked over to a cabinet, pulling out a glass and bottle of rich red liquid, pouring himself some of the exquisite Port wine before sitting down again. “I should also be glad to see this war ended. Though I wish the circumstances were different”. His large swig from the glass indicated his unhappiness at the situation.

“As do I sir”, noted Balfour, “as do I. But we also have the matter of the so-called Sinister Seven to account for”.

“Who”?

“France has a problem with the civil conflict as you understand, the factions being unable to provide much law and order in the countryside and a group of Communist brothers working for the Triumvirate, also known as the Sinister Seven, has begun to coalesce around the oldest brother Frederique. He is a master chemist and gifted with explosives, his brother Edouard is a gifted leader and organizer, some say the real brains behind the group. Another brother known only as ‘Red’ is known for his savagery and skill with knives, though he listens only to the other siblings and may be mentally deficient otherwise. Teodore, or ‘Ted’, is known for his ability to con even highly loyal and attentive officials into revealing secrets”.

“I see a pattern here”.

Balfour ignored the comment. “Finally, there is Robert, who is said to be a wonder with anything mechanical”.

George looked understandably puzzled. “So who are the other two”?

“There are no other two, at least not yet”.

“Why are they then called the Sinister Seven when there are only five”?

Asquith said, “That’s the trouble. Two other brothers dressed as French military personnel were able to get into Paris and threaten various officials in the city, ironically it was a German who stopped them before they could take advantage of the daughter of the Chief of Police. One of them named 'Dread' may have survived, albeit he would be so heavily scarred as to be hardly recognizable if he did, as the body was not found”.

“There were rumors of a German getting a medal from the French government, I guess they were true after all. Sounds like a hell of a situation, I’d love to ask him a few questions”.

“You’ll get the chance at the treaty signing sir, he is accompanying the Romanovs by aircraft and will be there in three days”.

“Same German that knocked the Turk around”?

“One and the same”.
 
18 May 1918 – Versailles, France

Dungerman was glad for the sunny Sunday as he remembered the aircraft touching down on the large fields just outside the French palace. Coming to the ground and realizing that he and the Romanovs travelled almost 3500 miles in barely a week, it had to be some sort of record. He truly wondered how fast someone might travel around the world with the new technologies, maybe someday travel by air would be as common as that by train. For now the exhilaration of flight was replaced by the solidity of ground – he was happy to be back on terra firma, as were the other passengers. Truly impressive was the multinational honor guard to welcome Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, Nicholas II Romanov, and his three daughters. Tatiana and Maria were already present and hugged their sister then their father. A picture snapped at the moment they all embraced would make headlines the world over, Dungerman noted to himself that he should like a copy someday. His own role in the war was enough to make him one of the ‘Twelve Apostles’ to be specially awarded Prussia’s highest medal in person by the Kaiser himself. Of all of the recipients only twelve would win it as non-noblemen, and the Oberst’s uniform found for him was promptly shoved his way. Surprisingly it fit rather well, perhaps senior officers got tailors and measurements, he mused, but the hat was somewhat too small. A familiar face stepped into the opposite side of the quickly-erected shack for the use of dress uniforms. He recognized the step, height, gruff voice, and demeanor of his commanding officer Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria, now his noble senior, as he approached. “It fits rather well, except for the hat. Apparently your head is bigger than I thought”.

“Should the metaphor become true remind me quickly that I can make amends”.

Ruprecht laughed. “Oh you know I will, Herzog, you know I will. Somehow I doubt it will be a problem for you though, if anything I wonder about you being too humble and setting a bad example for the rest of us. Where is your pin”?

“My pin”?

Ruprecht swiveled to his left and showed a trumpet with a bulge in the center, slightly sticking out of the collar and very easily mistaken for a particular medal of a minor German state if one did not know *exactly* what to look for. “I believe you got a chance to visit the salt church so deep underground”?

It was not a dream after all. “I’m not sure what cocktail you gave me afterwards but the headache was truly atrocious. I’d love the recipe in the future as to know what to serve people I do not like”.

“Easy, the main ingredients are absinthe, dendrotoxin, a smidgen of fugu poison, a small amount of ether, with a splash of tequila and champagne. But you can sample it again later if you wish, for now you are expected before the Kaiser himself”.

“Yes, sir”.

“And you get the final place as well, apparently you are being given medals from France and the Russian government-in-exile as well”.

“Yes, sir”.

“Remember that you reflect on your family, your state, me, and your country. Given where we are I am giving you a pair of ‘slap gloves’ laden with powdered lead and hard bakelite pads at the knuckles, they might come in handy if you run into any more rogue bodyguards”, as he chuckled.

“Yes, sir”. The crisp white gloves easily weighed five times that of the cotton ones he traded for them. They also fit…well, like gloves…

A page came into the area and waved his arm for the men to walk forward, “Your Kaiser awaits”!

The bright sunny fields were in stark contrast to the dark shack with electric lighting that made details somewhat difficult to see. By peering into the distance Dungerman watched trucks arrive and fill out the back of the enormous crowd – easily forty thousand people from Germany, France, Britain, and Austria at least – but too many were sneezing and coughing for the situation to be mere coincidence. He kept his eyes forward as his peripheral vision watched a few dozen walking amongst the crowd sneezing almost continually, hacking and coughing in the interim under the noise of the military bands playing various pieces of music from the American Battle Hymn of the Republic to La Marseilles (Ironically written by a man who, if born today, would be German, he thought) to Watch Over the Rhine. He also saw a scarred man walking among the crowd looking at various people in his front and rear as though they were steaks or targets, upon stopping for field inspection he mumbled something to the field guard who shook his head, ‘no’ as did the second one Dungerman tried to signal. His own men were mixed among the crowd and got the messages, disappearing and not reemerging visibly but blending in among the tourists, witnesses, and even the dignitaries. After completion of the third marching song by the brass section, the Imperial court began to play Mozart as Kaiser Wilhelm II emerged from a building behind and north of the large raised conference table in the center of the field. Dungerman had faced away from it when he walked into the field, seeing it only as he turned to face Wilhelm upon his approach. Already seated were the representatives of France, Britain, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Bulgaria, the various Commonwealth states, and the United States. Germany would be seated last as the Emperors and Presidents themselves emerged one by one, decorating the various heroes of their nations for all to see. It was an attempt at a propaganda coup, though in typical megalomaniacal fashion one that threatened to backlash as arrogance and grandstanding more than its intended purpose, Dungerman thought.

One by one, the ‘Twelve Apostles’ were awarded the Pour le Merite, ending with Dungerman himself. He stood as straight as a board as the ribbon was placed over his neck. A round of applause, hearty and louder with every breath, continued and drowned out any other audible noise. Kaiser Wilhelm raised his arms and hands, calling the crowd to silence. Dungerman could see Anastasia near the front of the crowd barricaded by guards carrying pump-action shotguns. As the crowd grew silent, the Kaiser lowered his arms. He looked Dungerman in the eye, saying simply, “Kneel”. As his left knee touched the ground, the Kaiser continued, “Some of you have heard of the recent actions of this young man, delving deeply into Russia against Communists, militias, and brigands of untold numbers. Against all odds, he masterminded the daring rescue of the Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, bringing to bear the strategic planning, coordination, staging, execution, and successful retrieval of a state leader against all possible odds with barely forty men. Assaulting a fortified headquarters and successfully liberating four members of the Romanov family, who are with us here today…”, the applause and cheering evident and uninterrupted for about a quarter-minute, then dying down once again, “…you show us what one man can truly do, or as it is said in Latin Suum Cirque. In doing so you brought my cousin and his children home to his family, and in doing so display the virtue and bravery we so often speak of but only see occasionally in our lifetimes. Oberst Augustus Dungerman of Saxony, Herzog of the Palatinate, it is my honor to welcome you to a circle of your peers – I hereby award you the Order of the Black Eagle and all responsibilities, rights, and privileges therein. Stand and be recognized”! As the Kaiser lifted his left arm into the air, his hand passing about the level of Dungerman’s shoulder, the glint of metal appeared in the crowd from the right side. Dungerman looked over, straining his eyes to see the short-barreled Fusil Automatique Rifle and watching the man’s hand begin to tighten. The distance might have been 100 meters, maybe 75, and the first guard had only caught sight of the man hiding behind two others when the shot began to cycle.

Instinctively, Dungerman pressed his one leg forward and tackled the Kaiser into the field ahead, drawing three guards to bring shotguns to bear as one found his head somewhat ventilated with the second shot. The others rapidly drug the Emperor away, blood pouring from the top of his arm indicating a bullet meant his neck that had only just missed. A sensation began to emerge, the world around him slowed down first only a little then somewhat more, to perhaps a quarter or fifth the speed he would normally perceive. ‘Here we go’, he thought, ‘Time slows down. The world gets sharp. And I become strong’. He looked over at the two bruisers guarding the shooter, running so fast the assassin believed he simply teleported. Tackling the entire trio, he proceeded to take his fist and fracture the assassin’s jaw in one blow forcing him to see double. One bruiser began to rise only to fall as the assassin pulled the trigger on his rifle, thinking he hit Dungerman but instead hitting the ‘double’ and killing his own man. As the second bruiser began to rise he reached into his coat as Dungerman put one foot forward and gave him a punch square in the sternum. It knocked the ogre back – the man had to weigh no less than 120kg – but only seemed to anger him. He pulled a Mannlicher pistol from his pocket as Dungerman used ‘a trick from the Turk’, swiveling his hips and roundhouse kicking the man square in the end of the volar bone in the nose and tip of his jaw, breaking the end third of his nose almost clean away from his face and causing the man to howl in pain. Blood poured from his teeth as he spit four of them out only to turn as a fist found its way into his remaining nasal socket. The unearthly ‘crunch’ was followed by copious sanguine liberation, the pain enough to subdue the large man as he crumpled to the ground like a wet bag of onions. Dungerman noted his own vision beginning to tunnel when a pain like that of being hit by a small log swing in the chest came to the upper part of his back and rear of his head, knocking him to the ground.

A large man with a Glascow smile stood over Dungerman and put one foot atop his chest. He held an American Colt pistol as he leveled it to Dungerman’s head. The French accent of German was unmistakable though the words were intelligible. “Pleased to meet you. Hope you guessed my name”. Dungerman nodded no. “Then what’s confusing you may be the nature of this game”. Dungerman nodded yes. “We will always have Paris, asshole”. It was the smile – one of the brothers who tried to rape the daughter of the Chief of Police. “We will kill the Czar and his daughters”. Anastasia screamed in vain. “And bring liberation to Europe. Russia was the first, soon enough the Commune in the center will spread, eventually engulfing Germany. I will personally find and extinguish –your– family for two generations in every direction, we have already begun with your nephew and sister”. Now he was just trying to provoke a reaction, and doing a damn good job of it. “We managed to switch her anaesthetic for childbirth with formaldehyde, if nothing else it was a fairly quick death. Your remaining family members will die a bit more slowly, and if I’m in a good mood you’ll get to watch as a cripple. Pray I miss…”

“KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY MAN”! Rapid blasts from a pump action shotgun turned the man’s head into hamburger along with the torso of the bruiser next to him and another Dungerman had not even seen. Another man in the back of the crowd went down as well, Anastasia reached down and helped pull Dungerman to his feet. She pulled him into her face and kissed him, the adrenaline making the kiss far warmer and thicker than otherwise expected. She leaned into his ear, whispering, “I love you and have no intention of waiting five years or five days, this time next year I want you holding our first child. We start trying tonight, understand”? Dungerman blushed and nodded, speechless, as she kissed him again, pulling away with a devilish smile. She reloaded the shotgun round by round, he guessed she was emulating one of the guards, and began hunting the remaining terrorists down. An explosion in the background was followed by a second then a third, apparently using people as both triggers and explosive devices themselves. Anastasia began looking around, then screamed, “Look for black wires just under the collars and bulges in the side of the chest! Stop the maniacs before…”

A single gunshot rang out from the hand of a man in a tuxedo who looked more like a diplomat than a soldier, Anastasia fell as the bullet went through her back and out her chest opposite the heart. Dungerman turned and saw her father build quickly into a homicidal rage, clasping his hand around something semi-transparent and probably about 2/3 the size of a chicken egg. He held the smooth end, the sharp edges jutting out at the palm as the ‘diplomat’s’ face repeatedly crunched under the berserker strength and Viking rage of a father mourning the death of two children and now likely about to do the same for a third. He hit the man so hard and so fast that his screams rapidly deteriorated from loud sharp wails to moaning to…gurgling…and the leftovers of the man’s face emerged as more of a work of Cubist art than a recognizable human face. Eight men ran up to Nicholas, four on each side and all facing his front as he pocketed the object in question. Nicholas drew two loaded Luger pistols, aimed ahead, shot twice and killed two men, flanked his arms out slightly and shot twice more to kill two more men, began to kneel as he shot twice more and killed another two before they could clear their pistols from their pockets, and knelt into a roll as he shot the final two before they could fire accurately. Nicholas looked at the ground and pointed a gun at Dungerman, recognizing friend from foe at only the very last second, and moving to Anastasia’s side. Dungerman looked over and ran to her too.

“Alexei and Victoria...I would have named our first son Alexei and our first daughter Victoria...”, she said, growing cold as the bleeding continued unabated. Her sister Tatania came over wailing and in tears, her father moving somewhere between mourning and completely homicidal. Anastasia looked Dungerman in the eye. “I do. Please, say it”.

With tears in his eyes he found the love for her she had not known nor could he confirm. “I do”.

She peckishly kissed him briefly. “Three things, then”. She groaned and knew her time was short. “Look after my family as you would your own, including my father”?

“Yes, my love”.

“My love…why oh why could you not have said it before this…”, she groaned again, now starting to grow visibly pale, “Mind the children and innocents whenever you can, the unfortunates have suffered enough and another war looms…you are a fighter, a precision instrument, and your war...is not over...”, her groaning louder and longer as her complexion began to fade, as did the light in her previously starry eyes.

Dungerman nodded as Anastasia took Tatania’s hand and put it into Dungerman’s. She looked at her sister, “If in five years you do not find someone to make you happy, or before that if you can, make each other happy. Maybe you will find…what it means to love…as I did…kiss me, Augustus…”. Anastasia Romanov died with her lips around those of the one man who captured her heart as her sister cried and crumpled into Dungerman’s arms. Tatiana and Augustus held each other tightly as they wept in unison, her makeup washing away on his shoulder just as Anastasia's blood soaked his trousers. Nicholas II wept, became solemn, then unexpectedly screamed in unholy rage. Dungerman saw one remaining armed man in a partial mask look up, shake his head ‘no’, drop his weapon, and quickly disappear.

Less than ten minutes later, the Kaiser appeared with his arm in a sling, looking straight at Dungerman. “You saved my life and perhaps that of the entire leadership here. How can I…”, he looked over at the dead Grand Duchess, “Mein Gott…”, he exclaimed, “Nicholas, I am so sorry…”. Nicholas balled his fists and acted as though he were ready to pummel the Kaiser – a surely suicidal move as the guards around him carefully moved their hands to the triggers of their shotguns – but then Nicholas simply broke down and cried with his head in his hands. Kaiser Wilhelm paused, walked over and embraced his cousin with his good/right arm still in full dress regalia, an exceptional sign of warmth from an otherwise emotionally cold man.

It was a photograph taken at that moment with Kaiser Wilhelm in full dress regalia holding a mourning Tsar Nicholas in his finest clothes would come to signify the birth of this post-war Europe for generations.
 
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Whoever said Nicholas was too German? That only happens when a complete and fucking idiot awakens the winter blizzard that lurks in every Russian's soul.

Communism is doomed. Even if the Americans or British decide to stop backing the Whites or the Blues or whatever the royalist faction in the Russian Civil War is now, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Italy, and probably even Japan won't.
 
21 May 1918 - central France

French Civil War 1920a.jpg


The hooded man opened the pocket map recently obtained from his contact in Paris shortly before leaving the city in the wake of the recent attacks. Of the forty men that came with him and his brothers, only two made it out alive - and the other had just suffered a tragic 'accident' as to keep him alive. Known only as Robert, he knew both a feeling of lamentation and vengeance. He had never, nor would he ever, intentionally kill an innocent, and witnessing the death of the young woman amidst the leaders of the conference - a Russian Grand Duchess, no less - rocked him to his core. She greatly resembled his young wife, and he shamed himself for weakness. She had held a shotgun after all, seeking out their human explosive terror weapons and successfully preventing half of them from going off. Upon the suggestion of his recently-discharged comrade to return to the Commune and its Triumvirate to prepare for a suicidal last stand, he declined. Anything potent enough to make the Bonpartists, Orleanists, and Third Republic put aside their differences was not something to be taken lightly. He would return to his wife, perhaps two months away from delivering their first child, and would flee to one of the new German territories. He had a cousin in Alsace who worked with some passionate and very high-end car maker from Italy, his own mechanical talents would be of good use there. Burgundy had just gained its independence but was not fully autonomous yet - perhaps it never would be - and nowhere in France nor the newly minted Demilitarized Zone north and east of the Seine was safe for them. Communists worldwide were denounced and the support for the Russian Whites had just increased six-fold, meanwhile the decision of the Commune leadership to permit the departure of the Russian autocrat following his announcement to leave for California was welcomed. There were bigger battles to fight, ultimately there would be no surrender and it was just as well, Robert thought, for he would have no part in suicide. He gathered his things and mused to himself that he needed to learn how to use a long-distance rifle, that would solve his concerns for looking his enemies in the eye, and perhaps...just perhaps...he could learn to make such a gun for himself someday. If he were lucky maybe he could kill the man who sent so man of his family to their deaths in the process...
 
To end the thread...
24 December 1944 – Stanford, CA

The auditorium was full to capacity as the introduction began, “This will be the last year of our annual Christmas Eve Lecture by our distinguished chair of the Department of History”. Murmurs began and were soon quieted down by the speaker. “At 77 years of age this man needs no introduction”, the speaker turned to his honored guest, “but he will get one anyway”. Light laughter erupted as the older man nodded his head, the two had been friends for over twenty-five years and good humor was always welcome. Thus the speaker turned back to his audience and continued, “Whatever title you care to assign him – from Chair of the Department of History to ‘Emperor and Autocrat of the Russians’ to Sovereign of the Order of St. Catherine to Mr. Chess – the influence of this man both locally and abroad is not left unchecked. Many teach history, but how many actually get a chance to mold it”?

Applause began to erupt as the auditorium, literally packed to standing room only, threatened to overwhelm speakers and guest alike. “Coronated at the age of 28, he ruled Russia for twenty years in some of its most defining times only to face and survive the worst that Communism had to offer. Coming to the United States shortly after losing most of his family, he came with enough wealth to purchase plentiful lands in the northern Bay area and restore old Fort Ross into the modern palace it is today. His investment in businesses near and far – many founded by Stanford alumni – brought prosperity to our university even with the Depression years. While others suffered, he donated millions of his own money, founding first Royal Motors, then Bay Burgers, and Imperial California Airways before Howard Hughes took it over only a few years ago. Please join me in welcoming our esteemed speaker, Nicholas Aleksandrovich II of the House of Romanov”.

Now wild applause erupted over the auditorium with standing ovations as the speaker slowly moved forward to the podium. He allowed the applause to continue for a full two minutes, dying down slowly as the man began to speak in somewhat accented English, “It is not every day that one is so honored by a former President of the United States”, some laughed and some remained whisper-quiet, “so regardless of politics please join me in applauding and honoring this man whose previous job I shall never envy”. Laughter mixed with applause as Herbert Hoover also received a much smaller round of applause. Nicholas began to speak once again, “As this is my final lecture, I hope not to look back but to look forward, to set the stage for the world as it is, and while some of you may find this controversial, I will begin by recapping the last quarter century”.

Silence emerged as the audience began to listen intently. “Few in the world are not aware of the Jeunesses Patriotes clique or its leaders Louis Darquier de Pellapoix, Xavier Vallat, or ultimately Rene Bousquet, among others. The rise of the Croix-de-Fes has caused the shattered French nation to recombine even as its titular Emperor Napoleon flees with his family in the face of increasingly Fascist tendencies. Some will say, ‘Why would a man who helped set the Croix-de-Fes in power flee France’?, but their open break with the monarchist past and increasingly violent language meant that even Vallat’s personal interventions could only last as protection for the royal family. With the reunification of unoccupied France their aggressive behavior pushed across the local terrain as Spain, London, Rome, and others came together to re-form the Allies against the Coalition of the German Empire, United States of Austria, and their like-minded brethren. Against and beyond these alliances lay the USSR and her leader Yosef Besarionis dze Jughashvili, the United States and her President Franklin Roosevelt and President-elect Thomas Dewey, and the Empire of Japan under Prime Minister Tojo with Emperor Hirohito. New weapons are under development around the world – Germany with her jets, France with her rockets, Britain with her computers, the United States of Austria with her so-called ‘Sturmgewehr’ rifles and fast-attack submarines, etc. War is almost certainly brewing across the world as these alliances now pervade South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and even North America. Germany has lost control of Burgundy to France while the remainder of Alsace-Lorraine has merged with the Pfalz as a distinctly German Grand Duchy”.

“One you are intimately familiar with, right”? Laughter briefly pervaded the audience.

“Indeed I am, young lady, as my surviving daughter and her somewhat reckless husband continue to develop their own capabilities with their eight children. I prayed long and hard, but it appears they are all healthy…so, so healthy…”. Nicholas regained his composure quickly as the memory of his dead daughters and son came flooding back as they tended to do from time to time, his quiet marriage and second family remained secret, especially as the beautiful Maria Anna had not disclosed her last name until the birth of their first son nearly fifteen years ago. He had known she was an Iturbide…With a sigh he returned to speaking. “Augustus is his own man. We talk every other day by that wonderful telephone system which now crisscrosses the globe. I pray he will remains as wise in rule as lucky in war. But we digress”!

“With the rise of the National Union Party in Germany, the Chancellorship becomes more and more bellicose under Kaiser Wilhelm III who is slowly acclimating his own son to rule. As the Crown Prince Wilhelm, who would have been Kaiser Wilhelm IV, stepped down to marry Dorothea von Salviati he has renounced his rights to the throne and I hear has two lovely daughters of his own. As a result Prince Louis Ferdinand is now the heir apparent, and personally I think that puts Germany in good hands. Although the Nordic League drifted away from Germany after the war, Stockholm remains the dominant partner with the allegiance of Denmark remaining a source of contention between the Tri-archy and Berlin. Officially a neutral power she would almost certainly join Berlin in a world war unless directly attacked by Germany, and although not a first-tier power it would be unwise to underestimate her. Mussolini controls Italy still, his industry limited and navy aging, but the Italians remain a wild card as her leadership shifts to a new generation. Personally I think her presence means more for geography than strategy, but recalling what an Italian general did for France barely a century and a half ago, who knows. Spain, or formally the Kingdom of Hispania, is a rising power, ironically, after her ‘dual union’ with Portugal re-invigorated the Iberian monarchy and consolidated control of the eastern and central Atlantic in one government’s hands. London herself remains interestingly weird, the Labour Prime Minister Oswald Mosely taking advantage of the troubles brought on by the Depression to assume power under the so-called ‘Birmingham Proposals’ with its gradual evolution into a ‘social welfare state’ or, according to some, ‘proto-Communist state’. Her technological edge is not diminished though, for where Germany has Heinkel the British have Power Jets, and the HeS 025 is perhaps only three to five years ahead of the Rolls-Royce Derwent and perhaps two ahead of the newly displayed Rolls Royce Nene engine with the ‘Vampire’ aircraft and the rumored HF-DF system pioneered by the Tube commission. American interest in scientific exploration is now well underway with Lockheed and GE leading the way here as well as in rocketry under Dr. Goddard, though France is perhaps five years ahead here as well. While American rockets are catching up quickly and now reportedly using some sort of ‘regenerative cooling system’ and a new guidance system to breach the speed of sound to altitudes over 100 miles, the French Papillion rocket edges closer and closer to space with the announcement of a possible ‘artificial satellite’ launch via the new ‘Diamant’ rocket in the next 10-12 months as it reaches almost 200 miles altitude”.

“Russia, or as it now calls itself the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, has industrialized faster than any prediction ten years ago forecast but at a terrible human cost. While its industrial output grows, its population shrinks thanks to mass-starvation tactics in Kazakhstan and the endless plains of Southern Russia. Without the Ukrainian breadbasket to feed them, the Aral Sea has all but dried up per reports, and food is being imported en masse though at decreasing rates with each passing year. Her army adopted tanks early and the combined arms tactics of internationally renowned General Tukhachevsky and the Red Army plowed into Chinese Turkmenistan only last year. Her refining technology and aerospace technology lag behind but efficiency with oil and aircraft are not as much a problem given the theorem that quantity and trump quality. Japan is advancing rapidly, pushing into China more and more, but becoming more reliant on the artificial oil refined in Manchuria. Rumors have it they found a massive oil field there, if true the crude though functional tanks fielded by the Empire might start appearing in greater numbers. If an equivalent tank is found and matched to the impressive ubiquity of the Nambu Type 75 Rifle, A7M aircraft, and I-201 high-speed submersibles, the Empire could become a very formidable foe indeed”.

“I save the United States of Austria for last, for although its demise was predicted almost universally, the talented governance of Charles I/IV and his even more impressive son, the recently enthroned Otto I, have united the populace in a way never thought possible. I credit part of this to their mandatory education of Esperanto in *every* school of their nation – no one ethnicity dominates, everyone has to learn a language that is not their own, and that becomes the means of communication. Even more impressive is their development in the last twenty-five years, indeed the highest standards of living in Europe are now found in Prague, Venice, Budapest, and Vienna. Interestingly, by a barely double-digit margin, Venice opted to stay in the United States of Austria as an ‘equal’ state. Even more interestingly, the best naval and aerospace engines in the world now come from Split and Zagreb while Prague may be the finest manufacturer of small arms on the planet. With the relocated expertise of many former-Belgian experts, the ‘Jackhammer’ magazine-loaded shotgun and development of the ‘StG 43’ system, there are still strong divisions that split the United States of Austria but pity the foolish nation or nations that think that is enough to stop them”.

"I have left many nations out of this very brief lecture, the state of the world into today now sees prototype jet passenger aircraft and potentially space-faring rockets just beginning to emerge. With Zuse in Germany bringing ever-more advanced ‘computers’ online as seen in the transmission of news and computation of research at its universities, the development of television makes or world grow ever closer by the year. I do not know what the future holds, but I envy many of you for the chance to see it. Many of you will be the leaders and knowledge workers in such a world, developing its industry and perhaps being responsible for some or most of its people. Remember your humanities and history, the mistakes of the past only echo in the future if we fail to remember them. In closing I leave you with the following question: In four generations will humanity pity our limitations or envy our achievements? Thank you for your time and with that I will take questions”.
 
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