In another city, another birthday party was taking place. There was much less pomp and certainly fewer celebrities but it was no less festive.
The adults had retired to another room while the teenage girls gather around the 'big' present of the day: a new electric phonograph. While still a pricey purchase, the newer, cheaper models were gaining wide acceptance. This followed a TvD practice of introducing a luxury version first for 'early adopters' and then a mass-market model afterward.
"Come on, Sarah, play a recording for us!"
Enjoying her (temporary) position of power, but not being obnoxious, she immediately opened a gaily decorated box. Nestled inside was another book of some sort. "Tah dah!"
"What's that?" The others looked in curiously.
Sarah pulled it out reverently. "This, my dear friends, is called a 'box set'." She continued before they could ask what that meant. "It's every recording released by Tanya last year in one set!" She turned it to one side so they could see the plethora of colorful album spines.
"Oh, it even has the Picture Album!"
"Mmm-hmm. They are in chronological order with a the Christmas Album at the end. From what Mother says, they have as much as promised that a net set will come out EVERY year!"
"Woooooow!"
One girl tentatively asked, "Would this include the, ummmm, Blue Dress album?"
"Anita!" "My!" "How bold!"
Sarah shook her head. "That's from this year, I think. So the next box set, I think?"
Anita looked depressed but the birthday girl put a hand on her arm. "If, no WHEN, I get the next boxed set, I'll be sure to invite everyone over to listen, okay?"
She brightened and nodded her head. "It's a promise, then!"
The girls played through all the songs, chatting over the music. They had listened to most of them before and only quieted down for favorites or ones they hadn't heard. "How does she come up with all these songs? This doesn't even include the Germanian and Francois ones."
"And Ildoan, I hear, but not too many of those."
"What I'm surprised by is everything else."
"What's that?"
She moved her hands expansively. "I mean EVERYTHING else. She is the most famous woman in the world, right? Not counting inheritances, likely the richest as well. She is the ambassador to the Unified States."
"My father is a contractor and says she is building a mini city inside of Chicago. We're going there for a vacation in a month or so."
"You see what I mean? And don't forget... she's just a little older than us. She's not even an adult yet!"
The girls were lost in thought for a moment while Tanya sang about rainbows in the background. "She's an orphan according to Childhood Lost."
"My parents won't let me read it. They call it Germanian propaganda."
"Well, I think it's the truth. But the important part is that she just a girl. One that started from nothing. And she changed the world."
The following silence was finally broken by Anita. "Doesn't that mean we could the same thing?"
While they continued to listen to the music, they planned how each of them might also put their mark on the world!
Three odd things happened that night, seemingly unrelated and never associated.
The first was a man who had stepped out to smoke thought he heard a weird voice mutter, "...that music. How can she make such music..."
The second was that the leftover cake vanished to the dismay of hungry teenagers.
The third, and this wasn't found until weeks later, was that the window sill outside of Sarah's room seemed to have gouges in it as if it had been gripped by some powerful creature.
* * *
Tanya, Helen, and by extension Lolita, were chatting while sipping champagne a table for three. It was a tall table with three tall chairs designed to put those seated elegantly on display. Tanya didn't realize this and was simply happy she didn't have to look up at everyone who walked by.
"I hoped you like my gift, Helen. I'm sorry I couldn't get it wrapped for you." Tanya grinned over her flute.
"Liked it? Liked it?! I loved it!" She put a hand on Tanya's arm. "I was hoping you would sing for me but those songs were all new!"
"Give me a few days and I'll have a mana recording to you." Realizing that Lolita might not be privy to Helen's abilities, she added, "I believe you have staff that can empower a mana phonograph."
"I do, but if you could send a standard recording when they are available..." her voice trailed off a pleading look in her eyes.
Even Tanya thought the look was adorable and wondered how long she had practiced it. "Of course... anything for my friends!"
Lolita, speaking for the first time after introductions said, "How long have you known each other?"
Tanya shrugged, "We could have hardly met too long ago."
Helen nodded. "Sometimes you find someone that you just make a connection with. A resonance, if you will."
Lolita rolled her eyes. "You're still talking like that. Aren't you an adult now?"
"Why would I since it's the truth? What do you think, Tanya?"
"Five years ago, even two years ago, I might have scoffed. Now, I'm more inclined to agree." She took another sip of champagne. It was, of course, an excellent bottle. "But it seems like you two have a history."
Helen said, "More of a situation, though we've known each other for years. I gave her father advice and he didn't like it. That's pretty much it."
Tanya cocked her head to one side. "Lolita Armour? Maybe you were predicting the downfall of the Armour company due to post-war situations?"
Lolita almost dropped her flute. "What?! How do you know that?!"
She quickly turned to Helen who held up her hand. "We've never spoken about this."
Tanya continued, "It's obvious since the military contracts will be ending soon and the company hasn't repivoted to consumer products." She smiled and said, "Tell your father if he wants to sell the parts of his business that are losing money, I'm in the market. I'm a bit of an expert where that's concerned."
"I'll... do that."
"Good, I'm glad to help. Make sure he knows, though, that it's losing value every day which means my offer will go down likewise. Or, should I say, he's losing money every day in general operations. The sooner he gets rid of it, the sooner he'll preserve his capital for more profitable things."
Lolita just nodded and mutely accepted a new round of champagne.
"Oh, before I forget, there is something you can help me with, Helen." Tanya had had a few rounds herself by this point and was feeling a little tipsy but you couldn't tell by her voice. Her inhibitions were lowered, however.
"Oh, please! Ask my anything."
"Remember when we, what you showed me in Strasbourg? Can we do that again? I need to see if anything has changed."
"Of course but, obviously, not here." She smiled and said, "One of the advantages of being the hostess and the main guest is I can decided when I leave and come back. If you'll excuse us, Lolita dear, we have something to do now but we'll be back. Please enjoy yourself!"
Lolita stared at the retreating duo, dumbfounded. Just what the hell happened in Strasbourg?!
* * *
[several months prior]
In a research lab in Germania, a few men were looking over one of von Degurechaff's idea sheets. This one was very unusual, however. Instead of a product to be created or an area of practical research, it was just a request for information. There were a few names to look up and one curious term. "Have you ever heard of radioactivity? Or a husband and wife who are both scientists named Curie?"
"Ha? No, never. Wait, hmmmm..." He pulled out a reference book and flipped through it. "Here we go. They are research chemists and worked on isolating new elements. Curium was named after the couple."
"What cheek! I'd never have the ego to name it after myself."
"I'm sure that's just because Schumacherium sounds foolish. No, she named it after her late husband who died before they could publish their work."
"Ah, shame that. Well write up what we found and a summary of their research to the Colonel. No telling why she needs it but I'm sure there's some good reason for it."
"As soon as I finish the joint stress tests and the distributed orb design."
"Oh, I thought it turned out to be impractical?"
"The President's practical experience with her 'lift' orbs gave us a clue so we've made great progress recently."
He looked curious. "You've come that far?"
"You'll be surprised. Very surprised!"
* * *
Tanya and Helen went up to the penthouse suite via the private elevator. The room was festooned with flowers and gifts and still had plenty of room to relax.
"I must say I'm surprised, Tanya. You aren't one to ask favors. Deals, yes, favors no."
The ex-Colonel sat on the very stylish (and very comfortable) couch and kicked off her heels. It was a habit she had gotten into after her feet were injured and it hearkened back to her habits from her first life. "I don't make deals with friends. Arrangements, partnerships, assistance and all that." She sighed, still tipsy from the champagne. And it's not a matter one can really put in on paper, you realize."
Helen gave Tanya a glass of wine and sat next to her, also kicking off her shoes and curling her legs underneath her. "It's not easy for you, is it? Asking for favors."
She nodded and took a sip, "I only realized that about myself over the last year. I prefer the clarity of contracts. The supremacy of rules and hierarchies. But that doesn't always work does it?" Tanya hadn't realized how good a vintage she had stocked in the penthouse was and took a longer drink. She felt stress she didn't even know she was carrying melt away.
"It's not a bad way to run a life. If everyone just made promises and kept them, the world would be a better place. But colder, I think."
"Uncertainty makes things more personal?"
Helen laughed! "Personal feelings makes things more uncertain, I would say. And I wouldn't like a world where there were no feelings."
"Hmm... you might have a point." She tossed back the rest of her wine. Dutch courage, as it was sometimes called, let her speak now when she normally wouldn't. "I was hoping you, could, if you would, umm..." She took a deep breath. "Check my magic like you did last time and see if I'm free of that, that taint. Since we last met, I came very very close to that thing." A shudder went through her. "It almost had me or at least its minions did. It was so close!"
"How do you feel now?" She put her hand on Tanya's and squeezed.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. Sometimes I think it's waiting there for me, just out of sight. Or I wake up at night panicked about something I can't remember. Sometime I wish it would attack me openly so I can at least fight back!" She looked at one of her few friends with a shadow of hopelessness lurking her eyes, rarely shown to anyone. "Please."
"You don't have to plead, Tanya, I'm here for you."
"W-what do I need to do? Err... like last time?" She steeled herself and then realized that wouldn't help so she tried to relax instead. "You said there were other methods as well."
"There are, and we could do those with a few hours of work. In addition, they can be quite accurate with certain limitations. But you can might gain something from using the old methods. Since it's your second time, why not try to feel what my magic is like as well? It's a more intuitive method but likewise more flexible."
"Won't that interfere with your analysis?"
She chuckled. "Hardly. Would me looking at you prevent you from looking at me? There's no guidance, just... feel."
Tanya swallowed and nodded.
Unlike the first time, Helen didn't 'surprise' the diminutive Colonel and gently pressed her lips on hers.
Trying, and failing, to ignore the physical act of being kissed by the woman, Tanya closed her eyes and tried to focus on 'feeling'. Confused as to what to do at first, she reached out as if she were trying to sense magic use like she had done thousands of times. There's nothing there, no, there's definitely something. It's different... more alive?
What she sensed was not a static mana wave but something dynamic. There were ebbs and flows, shading and depths. It was like the difference between touching a picture of a cat and stroking a real cat. They look similar but the feeling is so profoundly different.
Intrigued, she probed deeper and realized what Helen meant when she had spoken of her magic in the Republic. Her magic was all about branching lines and paths like pictures of fractals from her past life. Patterns and roads, rays and nodes, infinite patterns spread out to the horizon... Tanya could sense they were there but because it wasn't her type of magic, forever out of reach.
Everyone has their own magic and you can get an estimate of their potential, but it's so unique! Helen's abilities are... beautiful? Is that what she sees when she feels my magic?
Almost reluctantly, she pulled back. She could explore literally forever because she could never completely understand what she was sensing. It was amazing and humbling at the same time.
Tanya opened her eyes and realized she was straddling Helen while lying on top of her. Both of her hands were buried in the woman's hair and she was kissing her deeply and passionately. Is that moaning? Fuck, wait, that's me! She sat up suddenly, "Oh! I'm sorry! Scheisse! I didn't..."
Helen put a finger on her lips. "Ah, ha ha! Don't worry. That's a rather common reaction. I know you weren't trying to, ahem, overwhelm me." She smiled tolerantly. "I would have stopped you soon anyway lest I break several decency laws and do something you don't want to do."
Tanya blushed more than she had ever done before. In two lives! "I-I-I..."
"Don't fret, pet. I went into this eyes open, no harm done." She looked at Tanya's position. "Though if you are going to stay there, I might think you actually do want to continue, hmm?"
The blushing record, so recently set, was broken again!
* * *
On the cold and stormy Atlantic waters, a ship was moving from Europa to the Unified States. This was nothing unusual as trans-Atlantic shipping had gone back to pre-War levels almost immediately. What was strange is the ship itself... and its cargo. On the deck, exposed to the rain and weather were containers never before seen on the open ocean before. The sides of each was emblazoned with the TvD logo but revealing nothing inside. Silent, anonymous... potent.
Chapter 89 - Wingman
Needing an utterly necessary primping session, Tanya and Helen prepared to return to the party. Tanya was doing her very best not to think about what just happened except in the most vague and non-specific sense. "So, you are sure? The taint is gone?"
"Well, it was a very thorough examination and I can give you a clean bill of health. If anything, it's like your spirit space has been thoroughly scrubbed of the dybbuk's presence, though I imagine it was quite traumatic for you."
"I destroyed a city, Helen. I'm not even sure how I did it."
"Every magic has its own methods, so I can only guess. As you've discovered with your use of orbs, there's no sure method of 'storing' mana, yes?" She brushed out her hair efficient as it had gotten quite mussed from Tanya's fingers.
"Other than an – artifact – of my enemy, you are correct."
"But there is an exception, or rather a condition to this rule. Small magics can become large magics in the right circumstances. I work with paths, so if I can get more than one to converge properly then they can add up quite nicely. Of course, this takes preparation and every tradition I know of has a way to magnify their normal effects. The only common factor is the same, though: time."
Because this was a formal event, Tanya had arrived with makeup that was thoroughly messed up now. She was looking at the lip brushes and was about to forgo them altogether when Helen took over the task. "Hold still, I'll do that." She tut-tutted. "The army taught you so many things but nothing useful like this? No wonder you lost the War."
Tanya was going to retort but the other woman was skillfully painting her lips at the time. Still, it gave her an opportunity to think. Time, was it? Then it must have been when I was crated up. Dark feelings welled up in her and she ruthlessly shoved them down before they could cause her discomfort. That gave me the opportunity, but what was the the method? It has to tie into my magic somehow. Ah! That must be it!
"You thought of something? You didn't smile but your eyes did."
"Resonance. It has to be! I spent two solid weeks hating them so very, very badly. I... fuck." She felt tears start to form and it made her angry. She hadn't even cried when they found her, why was she so emotional now?
Helen hugged her and she stiffened before reluctantly allowing it. After all, she had done something considerably more intimate recently... or so she rationalized to herself. "It's okay, it's okay. You were so strong! But it's okay to be weak sometimes. To depend on others. Ah, I don't mean weak. I mean... connected. Friends. Comrades. I'm your..." She searched for the proper word.
"Wingman." came Tanya's bosom-muffled voice. Despite all the growth she had done over the past year, she was still shorter than most women.
"Wingman! What a delightful turn of phrase." When she finally released Tanya she smiled and shook her head. "I see I have to do your face again, hold still!"
* * *
They returned to the party, none the worse for wear though they pointedly did not answer veiled questions that Lolita threw their way.
As her duties as a hostess drew Helen away, Tanya made the rounds of the movers and shakers who were more than willing to talk to her. Whether music, politics or business, there was no end of people trying to make connections with the Argent tonight.
Though quite a few were focused on something a bit less cerebral. "So, Ambassador Degurechaff, I must know where you got this vintage!" He lowered his voice and said conspiratorially, "And is there any way I can perhaps..." He left the rest of the sentence hanging.
"Ah, mayor, all our wines, beers, champagnes are made right here at the consulate. We intend to have a full dozen world-class restaurants, with a full drink menus, plus several dozen other eateries and other outlets with a constantly increasing number of vintages." She smiled winningly. "I invite you to visit often as a guest of Germania."
The man seemed dismayed and then Tanya continued. "Think about it... half the nation's powerful men and women will be coming through these restaurants, this hotel. YOUR back yard, hmm? The chances to make connections will be legion... why would you want to drink elsewhere?"
The man blinked as if suddenly enlightened. "I see..." He smiled like the politician he was. "I look forward to working with you extensively, Ambassador!"
"I could even expand opportunities with the right support."
"Harumph! I heard some anti-progressive elements blocking a proposed purchase by the consulate. I assure you, that kind of obstructionism won't be tolerated under my administration!"
Tanya smiled. "I know this will be a fruitful relationship."
Her assistant spoke quietly to her (in Germanian) after the man left. "Isn't he as corrupt as they come? Can we really work with him?"
"Don't worry. He'll do what we want for now and we'll replace him with someone more honest when the time comes." She chuckled. "He's ALREADY looking for a way to blackmail us. That veiled request for us to smuggle liquor to him? Could he really be any more obvious? He would hold that over us as the ruler of the surrounding region. Seeing that that's his plan, why not turn the tables a bit? Increase our information gathering on him. You never know when Chicago might need a bit of 'Die Wahrheit', eh?"
* * *
General Rerugen, busy as always, saw something that he hadn't spotted in months: the surface of his desk.
He had taken a leaf from Degurechaff's playbook and held competitive trials to see who amongst his staff could 'triage' paperwork the quickest. And then somewhat outside of his staff. And then to anyone in all of central command. He finally ended up with a Corporal from the driving pool that was uncommonly enthusiastic; but efficient which was the only criteria he cared about.
In a similar manner, the downsizing of the military had proceeded apace. He ruthlessly 'retired', with the help of Rudersdorf, any of the old guard that was taking up space and adding nothing. After their defeat in the Great War, almost no arm-twisting was required and when it was... well, that's where Rudersdorf came into the picture.
Their soldiery, likewise, was put through semi-hellish 'basic training' to weed out those who couldn't perform at a proper level. Even the currently enlisted were required to go through this course! The old veterans mostly sailed through it but others were eliminated handily. With the current unemployment rates, they had many more hopefuls than they had spots to fill so they could be as choosy as they wanted to be.
"Do you have the enlistment figures, Corporal?"
"Yes sir!" He retrieved a report and gave it to the general. "I've also attached the financial statements, current and previous to match those figures."
A bit taken aback by this level of foresight, he took the reports wordlessly. Everything was in line with what he expected: their training costs had skyrocketed but their total expense were down significantly. They still hadn't met their manpower goals but he wasn't trying to adhere to some arbitrary figure: he would only take the soldiers who could carry out the mission.
I'm beginning to understand her more and more. On paper, this army looks flimsy compared to our height but in terms of actual ability? They are many miles ahead. Even the least recruit that makes it through the new Grundausbildung was equivalent to a 3-6 month veteran during the war... and much more likely to survive first contact with an enemy.
He remembered a long-ago conversation with Tanya as she was decommissioning...
Tanya made an off-handed comment as she was explaining her 'smaller, stronger, better' force concept. "Likely only 20% of new recruits are even able to fire their weapons the first time in combat so it behooves the leadership to expose them to that fear BEFORE their lives depend on it."
"How do you that?" he asked curiously.
She grinned in a most disturbing way, "Why, make them fear for their lives every day you are training them!"
"Wouldn't that lead to injuries... even deaths?"
She sighed and the predatory grin faded and was replaced a profoundly sad one most unexpectedly. "What's better, a fraction of a percent dying in training or 1 out 3 dying in the first month of combat? We're doing those trainees no favors by coddling them... we're killing them! That's not mercy, it's an abomination!" Suddenly remembering who she was talking to, she hastily followed up, "My apologies, General, I spoke out of turn."
"No, no Colonel, you've given me a lot to... think about."
Not long after, he drafted the modern Grundaubildung with a section that applied to wartime training and 'acceptable losses'. That evening, long after work, he sat alone as the day grew slowly darker.
He submitted the draft with no changes.
In peacetime, however, they took their charges to the EDGE of death but worked hard to keep them on the right side. A luxury that they might not have if a new conflict arose.
In the end, the genius of Degurechaff's suggestions was that they, on paper, followed the surrender terms precisely but developed their strength in areas that weren't covered. Less mages in the military, certainly. But more mages than ever in the private sector. Warship limitations, to be sure, but the new Flugzeugträger ships... aircraft carriers... weren't mentioned at all.
The allied forces thought they brought the Germanian dogs to heel but never saw the wolves in the shadows.
* * *
Visha had developed a new habit: whenever there was more work in a week than she could reasonably complete in a week, she delegated something... sometimes permanently. And, taking this tone from the top, her subordinates did the same thing. There was a constant stream of new projects, new businesses, new ventures, new everything!
This also meant new faces, of course.
TvD was constantly pulling in talent from their voluminous files of people seeking work but names were added daily so the records just kept getting larger. They were constantly adding new cabinets to handle the overstuffed drawers only to buy new ones a few days later.
One task, involving VERY new faces, she never passed on: Managing the Tanyajugend, the Tanya Youths that she was supporting across the country. They were like the Boy Scouts except they were open to children of both genders. This similarity was no accident as Tanya had urged her to read a book by Lt General Baden-Powell. Their oath contained the heart of what Visha was striving for: 'physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight'.
The project brought in no money, for no fees were charged for participation. In fact, many of the participants were also from the Kinder Project... TvD's support of orphanages all over the country (and a few in the Republic). In one way or another, more than half of them were either operated directly or supported by TvD.
Visha wished she could visit them all, the Youths and the Kinder but it was obviously impossible. Still, she made time, and continued to make time to visit them when she could, like today. She was visiting some of their more rural holdings, completing deals that required her physical presence and that let her meet
Today, to maximize her efficiency, a local farm was rented... one that had a conveniently large area to have a bunch of kids gather from surrounding orphanages and Tanyajugend clubs.
Visha was pleased by what she saw as she arrived. "That's quite a bit of food, Artur. Not quite an entire mountain, but getting close!"
"Ah, Vice President, we do our best. And I've never seen a child that wasn't constantly hungry, especially after exercise." He gestured to the surrounding area and there were clusters of kids playing, running around or engaged in more structured activities.
"It looks like they are enjoying our new toys." Plastic discs were flying around the fields and kids on shortened bicycles with thick tires were zipping around the dirt roads (and off the roads). Rubber band launched plastic planes were popular and, in a more highly monitored area, odd slingshots that were braced with a frame on forearms were causing squeals of delight.
"They are the best testers ever, ma'am. Anything they don't like, just sits in the box. We saved the less athletic toys to take back with them after the event and get their feedback on those later."
She nodded. "I see the Jugend are running things for the most part."
The man actually looked abashed but not apologetic. "We're trying to give them a taste of leadership. The older ones that are ready for it, of course."
Visha gave him a wry smile. "Artur... that's a good thing. We should encourage the young to learn such things. And I hope you don't forget that the President was leading men when she was eleven."
Now he looked a little embarrassed. "I hadn't forgotten but it's hard to compare her example to anyone else." He struggled a bit for words. "She's more a force of nature."
"I'm glad you're following her path, though. Having them take charge is exactly what the President would suggest and that means you really understand how she likes to run things." She gave him a playful punch on the arm. "Rejoice! You are more like her than you know."
As part of lunch, there was a very small speech by Visha followed by a Q&A session with the kids. They sat around her in concentric circles on the grass eating picnic style while she stood on a tractor... a makeshift stage to let people see her better.
"Okay, anyone have any questions? I don't want to keep you from your fun, after all!"
One child raised his hand and asked. "Is it true that President Degurechaff was an orphan?" He was dressed in clothing that was common to the kids in the crowd. One TvD factory was dedicated to making good-quality but inexpensive clothing that could be mass produced easily. For now, anything rejected for even the tiniest of quality reasons was sent to the orphanages which normally subsisted on donations of well-used clothes... something that had been more rare with the downturn in the economy.
"Yes she was. It was a poor place, much like what some of you have experienced but lacking in many of the basics. Food was always scarce and clothing was normally limited to whatever could be scrounged up having been passed down and patched many times." Many of the children contrasted their new clothes and food with what they were hearing.
A very young tot, not more than six, asked, "Is that why she's so short?" This drew scandalized looks from many but most were also curious!
"Probably? Even likely. The time she spent as a combat mage may have contributed. It's incredibly demanding... most active combat mages can eat 2-3 times what an average person does without gaining an ounce of weight. But this means even the best mage can be like a locomotive without coal. We need fuel, too!" No one crass enough to point out that her plate, formerly full, had held at least twice as much as anyone else's. After all, there was plenty to go around.
"Why did she join the army?"
"What she's always said is 'I had no other choice'. She's never elaborated and refuses to clarify. There are two main theories. The first is that this was her only path to survival in a world that gave a young, parent-less child few options for success. The second is that even so young, she saw the upcoming crisis, the tensions in the world that would eventually result in the world attacking Germania. This was her way of protecting the Fatherland, the only way available for a penniless child with no influence."
"What do you believe, ma'am?"
Visha smiled. "Oh, you can probably guess."
Chapter 90 - My kind of town!
In a seedier part of Chicago, run down but not yet decrepit, a meeting was taking place in a smoky room. Expensive suits, fine cigars and even finer whiskey were everywhere. The gathered men were each powerful in their own way but one drew the eyes, even when he wasn't speaking.
And when he spoke, everyone stopped to listen.
Currently, he was sipping his drink while a nearby man was complaining. He was a large man; big with a big voice to match. "I made her a sweet offer, the best she's likely to get. We'd have a local source of booze so we don't have to smuggle it from Canadia, and she gets to share the wealth. Instead that greedy sow wants to hog it all! Everyone needs to dance to her tune and she gets all the profit!"
His assistant commiserated. "Doesn't she understand that a small percentage of a bigger pie means more money for her?"
"How could she not? She's sharp, sharp enough to cut you if you take yours eyes off of her. I tell you, there's something afoot here. That bohunk bitch has some scheme and she's trying to cut me out! This is my town... mine!"
The quiet man finally spoke. "Bill, calm down. She wasn't insulting you."
And he did calm down. "What do you mean, Al?"
He tapped out his cigar cherry and took a drag before answering. "It's a negotiating tactic. She wants a bigger cut and, from where she's sitting, that sounds pretty reasonable, right? She has her fancy wall, her mages and base of operations set up. What she doesn't realize is that she's a very small fish in a very big, fucking pond."
"So what do we do to fix it, then? She seems like the stubborn sort."
"But this ain't The War and she can't just blow up people anymore. Me and the boys will go and negotiate with her."
"Yeah? What'll you say?"
Al Capone grinned at Mayor 'Big Bill' Thompson. "I'll just make her an offer she can't refuse!"
* * *
On a newly-constructed dock on what used to be an ammo depot, a ship was unloading cargo containers directly onto flatbed cargo transporters. Workers efficiently attached the two with clamps that seemed somewhat jerry-rigged but appeared to do the job properly. Each was loaded until the train cars were full and then somewhat less-full containers were filled for a long journey back to Europa.
Other than a few curious glances at the oddly corrugated shipping containers, no one paid them any attention as they sped toward Chicago.
* * *
Tanya, enormously pleased by the successful party, slept a bit late the next day. While the public opening of Tanyaland (or rather, the consulate) was happening, the registered guests at the hotels were going to get the first crack at the facilities and the rest only after noon. She trusted her subordinates to handle any issues and wake her if something truly unexpected occurred.
She yawned and got out of bed, trying to get her body working with a light series of stretches learned in her old life. What worked with the Salaryman's 30+ year old body was even better with one that was younger and in tip-top physical shape. All her 'adventures' hadn't left her any long-term sequelae so she counted herself lucky.
She yanked on a bell-pull (an artifact leftover from the original construction of the house that they chose not replace) and then brushed her teeth. She washed her face quickly and then exchanged her comfortable flannel pajamas with something she could use for the rest of the day. Somehow her clothing drawer and closet had been infested with lacy lingerie but she had disposed of the items to the consternation of her maids.
Just then Mercedes came in wheel a small cart. Coffee, pastries and a silver brush were on top and she carefully prepared Tanya's hair. "How would you like it prepared, mistress?"
"Something simple but professional. I have a lot to do today and only a day to do it in."
"It's not windy today, so straight down, with matching barrettes should do. Ah, the ones with emeralds will match your dress today!"
I have emerald hair accessories? Oh, wait, there was that noble fallen on hard times who traded us some heirlooms last year. I guess someone pulled them from the 'other' warehouse when I became ambassador. "That's fine but when did I decide to wear a dress, Meche?"
The maid sported a little moue . "Do you not remember? You told me to handle your wardrobe decisions as you were too busy at the time."
Damn, she's right. I'm sure she has some girly thing in mind. Well, I planted this mine myself, so I guess I need to get this over with.
As it turns out, due to weather and, perhaps, her maid's understanding of her distaste for dresses, the two-piece women's suit was as close to comfortable as was possible. The pleats in the skirt could almost be mistaken for pants (in bad lighting) and yet the ensemble didn't seem unattractive or unfeminine.
Tanya had long ago given up the 'underwear fight' but still refused the silky lacy things that were constantly thrust upon her. Mind you, every small battle won was just a reminder that she was losing the war, but she still refused to yield completely!
It didn't help, though, that they were honestly more comfortable that plain cotton. More research was required!
"Ah, you're correct. Well, carry on."
She went over brief reports while she sipped coffee and ate her pastry. She was going to make the rounds of the eateries today and would be sampling things here and there for quality control so eating lightly was important. "Hmmmm... all seems well. And the JH project is coming together. Tell them that I need a meeting with Yvette about that as soon as she can make time."
Oh, ho! What's this? She read a very tersely coded message but the gist of it was "Atlantis has eyes."
She laughed delightedly! "Oh, this is great!" After re-reading the memo, she tossed it in the fire and prepared to see the 'guests' of TanyaLand our and about.
* * *
Nigel's business depended on regular customers, industrial customers particularly because they bought it largish quantities on a fairly regular schedule. The War had been hit or miss for him but mostly hits. The need for industrial abrasives of all sorts were necessary for the war efforts for all countries. He had sold mostly to the anti-Germania faction but not without a few stealthy sales to the Empire.
Then the war ended.
Still, it wasn't a disaster. Germania, of all places, had increased their purchases, mostly to TvD and not so much to their pre-War customers. But sales to TvD had dropped to zero just two months ago. One month might be that they just had an oversupply but two months? No, that meant they were going out of business or they had found a different supplier.
His salesman had tentatively floated the suggestion that they put in an order, perhaps at a discount? The response was, "You can't lower your prices enough for us."
This prompted Nigel to visit TvD's Albish manager. TvD had a much smaller presence in Albion, at least when compared to the Republic or the Unified States, but their presence was growing daily leading to this visit.
"Ah, Mr. Barton, so good for you see me on short notice."
The affable TvD manager shook his hand. "Not at Mr. Smythe."
"Nigel, please."
"Certainly, Nigel. So how I can help you?"
"We noticed that your orders have dropped off and we just wanted to make sure that there was a problem with our product or our service. I assure you, if so, we can compensate and welcome you back."
"Ah. Well, to be honest, you have a good product and your salesman is quite friendly. He's not a Friday person, but would always get back to us by Monday, ha ha!"
"And yet..."
"Frankly, the issue is that we have no need of your abrasives. That being the case, further orders are unnecessary, you see."
"That seems unlikely unless you are getting out of all industry! There's no way I know of that you can operate without smoothing and shaping we provide."
"You misunderstand. We have no need of your abrasives."
Smythe looked stunned. "Is, is it Sussex Ltd? They are always after our customers!"
Before he could make another offer, he interrupted. "No, no. We are just making them in-house for much cheaper than you can provide." He sighed and continued. "When I say much cheaper, I mean at least an order of magnitude."
"The diamond dust?"
"Probably 5% of what you can get it for, if not less."
Nigel's shoulder's slumped. It wasn't just unfair competition, at those prices there was no competition at all. "There's no way we can match that, eh?" He straightened up with an inaudible sign and held out his hand. "I've appreciated your business and, if you ever need us in the future, you know how to reach us."
Barton had a thought and ignored the hand. "Actually, that brings up an idea. Sit down and see if this will work for you."
Nigel sat down, curious but cautiously hopeful. If TvD jumped into abrasives at those prices, they would be out of business inside a year.
"TvD uses, used, many of your products but it's not really what our President called 'core competency'. Honestly, we made our own solution because we couldn't match the price increases. No, no don't argue the point, we know that the price hikes were reasonable, just too much for what we do." He settled back in his leather chair. "Here's what I propose: we provide you the diamond dust and you do what you do best."
Seeing salvation in sight, he responded, "How much?"
"We can get you the dust, any size you want for half the cost you get it now."
"What quantities?" His mind was already going through the numbers. He knew TvD would be making huge profits from this... but so would he!
"Any quantities you need if you give us at least a month's notice. And, unlike your current suppliers, we'll sign a contract to guarantee the amounts so you can't be abused by them."
Nigel, no fool was trying to figure out what was going on here. Germania has no holdings outside of their own country. We would have heard of a new find but given their geography, that seems unlikely, even impossible. But that would mean... He looked up and said, "You mean you can...!"
Barton held up a finger to his lips with a smile. "So, how about it?"
* * *
While not the crowds she would expect in the future, there were a large number wandering around the consulate, looking at the sights and getting refreshments. Both housed establishments, the restaurants and pubs, and the unhoused ones like street vendors were doing a brisk business. Depending on what part of the consulate you were at, hidden speakers would play different music in the background to match the 'theme' of the section. Despite a slight chill in the air, even the ice cream stall had no lack of customers.
Tanya looked around, quite satisfied. It'll be a bit different when we have ten times these numbers but we can work out the kinks now. High society or no, even heiresses can appreciate a good ice cream cone!
Oskar, finally seeing how the consulate would eventually work, felt his misgivings melt away as he accepted the new paradigm. "This is rather remarkable, Ambassador. Honestly, I can't see any reason why your financial goals won't be met almost immediately."
"We have the best word-of-mouth in place with all the bigwigs here. And that was also the reason why I invited all those reporters. The entire nation will be abuzz with word of this place. We'll be taking reservations for the next year, much less the next month! Hmmm... that reminds me. Make sure both the Grand Hotel and the other places set aside about ten percent of the rooms for special guests."
Having grown accustomed to her way of thinking, he said somewhat drolly, "With special rates, no doubt."
"You wound me! And, yes." She almost laughed with avarice but remembered she was in public. "My only worry might be that they repeal that Amendment too soon but this VERY unlikely to happen. Politicians stubbornly cling to the misguided belief that they are always right. They are the second most firm of all professions in this opinion."
Second most? I wonder who's first, then? He was about to ask when Gisela walked up, holding a clipboard.
"Good morning, Ambassador, vice-Ambassador. All the stores are doing excellent business." Her eyes were a little round. "You would not believe how early reporters start drinking!"
Tanya smirked. "Somehow I'm not surprised. Any other news?"
"All according to plan, ma'am. Oh! The train with the shipping containers has arrived in the States. We can deploy the contents in two days."
"The contents?" Oskar asked, puzzled.
"You recall how the World's Fair is supposed to showcase the culture and achievements of the participants, yes? We have a shipment of products designed to do just that. Plus other things to kick off our various projects. It's inconvenient to be so far from our home factories, but I think the effort will more than pay for itself." She dismissed Gisela
"You are being quite circumspect. I assume you wish this to be a surprise?"
"Ah, you found me out! Well, these are things that should remain a secret for now as we don't want anyone aiming for our input materials." She looked around surreptitiously and lowered her voice. "We've patented a process over two years ago on anodizing metals, primarily aluminum. We can give the metal a super-hard, corrosion-resistant surface in a wide variety of colors that don't need dyes or paint afterward." Her voice returned to normal. "In addition to trinkets made from the stuff, we have some more impressive displays."
"You will have to tell me more when we can speak freely."
"I know, I know, and I am sorry. So much is going on and we most of the reports you get are for the diplomatic side of things, not the business side."
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, somehow managing to make it look even better than before he mussed it up a bit. "No need for apologies. But it seems there is no extricating business from politics here now is there?"
"Ha ha ha! You are more correct than you know! Our little enterprises here are but a spearhead into this nation... to bring us closer together in cooperation."
"Of course."
A most gentle spearhead into their business world. With care, they will welcome us with open arms. And wallets! Tanya pointed at a Germanian dessert shop. "Oh, we definitely need to try that place out. I hear they have just created a kirschwasser-soaked cake with a chocolate shell and candied cherries on top!"
As it turns out, the suggestion of dessert, even before lunch, was not just a distraction. Oskar watched Tanya alternate between the cake creation and a cup of coffee was they talked.
I respect her abilities, her accomplishments and her intellect. But I can't picture this sweets-obsessed girl as the Devil of the Rhine. Father assures me that the reports are accurate, even toned down from the actual facts! He sipped his own coffee, eschewing a heavy treat just after breakfast. "On a more political front, we've received an invitation from the mayor to talk about future plans."
"Ah. That's sooner that I thought. No rest for the wicked, indeed."
"You suspect them of foul play?"
"My dear Oskar, this is Chicago. Anything else would surprise me!"