[Germania-Berun]
Chancellor Muller barked at his aide... at least that's what he intended. From him, it sound more than a little strained. Like a small dog trying to act fierce but, unlike that small dog, not even believing his own bluster. "What was that?! Say that again!"
His aide almost shrugged but decided on the better part of valor. "They are doing nothing Chancellor. They closed their stores to the public and are not conducting any business that can be detected."
"What about those trucks and vehicles? They are still on the road whenever I go out."
"Inventory transfers. They are moving things between locations they own. Their businesses, while not engaged in commerce, are still functioning. Food being grown, bread being made, and so on. We have informants and police monitoring most of these locations and we are almost certain none of it leaving the company."
"Do you mean to tell me they growing food for no-one. Cobbling shoes for no-one. Making those stupid pens for no-one at all?!"
"They do consume their own products, Chancellor. But not for anyone else. Frankly, it's puzzling. There's no way they can stockpile the sheer amount they can produce... there isn't enough warehouse space in all of Germania for that."
"And none leaves their property?"
He shook his head slowly. "We would have noticed... we're trying to 'catch' them, afterall, but not a thing leaves. People go in, supplies go in, the people work, and then they leave again."
"Could the workers be smuggling things out a bit at a time?"
"Perhaps a few pens but nothing of substance. It's difficult to sneak pallets of clothes or tons of agricultural supplies out in a handbag, sir."
"We need a casus belli and we need it now, man! Otherwise we have to wait for their annual returns to get any gold out of them."
"Perhaps we can... instigate something?"
"Their people are too loyal. We haven't been able to shake loose a spy or get any extra information."
"Not that... it's too hard as you say. But if have a legitimate reason to go onto their property, then all manner of things might be discovered that you can't find out from just observation." He went on to explain his idea after he made sure no one was listening.
The Chancellor gritted his teeth and said, "Go ahead and do it but make sure to only people you trust EXPLICITLY."
* * *
[Germania - Munich]
Herr Achen (and his restaurant) had survived the War. It had survived the recession afterwards. And, for a few years, it had done more than survive... it was growing again, recovering and even thriving. Their customers came to enjoy their food again and he had briefly seen a bright future on the horizon.
That was all gone now, though.
He was sitting outside his restaurant, alone, with nothing but a bottle of wine to keep him company that night. His neighbor walked up and said, "Eh, Achen? Why are you out here? Why aren't you open?"
He sighed. "I'm closing down, Rossi. I can't do it anymore."
The neighbor sat down on the other chair at the table. "Tell me."
"There were hard times but we were recovering. Prices were coming down so we could make a small profit even if our customers and then I lost most of my suppliers!"
"What? All at once? Are you being targeted by someone?"
"No, not precisely. Prices were getting insane with inflation and my customers aren't getting richer by any means. But, before things got too bad, TvD started offering raw ingredients and even some prepared products at massively lower prices. Sure you had to accept that their prices would change from day to day because it was tracked against gold but it was still so much cheaper than anyone else... with higher quality!" He scowled. "Then those damned politicos shut them down! Even if I had other suppliers, I couldn't afford their prices."
"You have a good place here... even your Idolan dishes are worthwhile. I have an idea, if I can ask a few questions first." Rossi was an Idolan ex-pat (second generation). He was clever in both business and food so his advice was likely cogent.
A tiny glimmer of hope lit in Herr Achen's heart. "Ask! Ask whatever you need to."
"What percentage of your customers are TvD employees right now?"
"Eh?" He thought back. The people were mostly the same but where they work had changed. He was a personable person and talked to them, knew about their lives. "Seventy percent, give or take."
"Haaaah, better than I thought. Question two: can you survive on just those customers?"
"Yes, definitely. I wouldn't become rich, but survival wouldn't be a problem." What is he getting at? These questions don't seem to be leading anywhere.
"Lastly, are you willing to take a different path... something you would have never tried if not for desperation?"
"I'm about to go bankrupt... what do I have to lose?"
"Before your business goes under, you should sell it to TvD."
He stood up abruptly! "Sell it? This is my legacy to my kids! It's been in the family for four generations!"
"I misspoke, calm down, sit, sit! If you merge with TvD then you are part of their company, ja? So you can only sell to their employees but you are allowed to get your supplies like you used to from TvD. The government has made a wall between Germania and Degurechaff. What you do is hop over that wall." He mimicked with his fingers hopping the basket of breadsticks on the table.
"That-that will work?"
"Of course! If it's all inside the company, it's just moving things from one pocket to another." He closed one eye wisely and held up a finger. "And, even better, there are NO taxes."
Achen sat up straighter. "No! Surely that can't be the case!"
"Remember, it's all one company. That's like taking money from your til and putting back in your safe."
"How can you be sure... this seems fantastic... impossible!"
He laughed! "How? I did it myself six months ago, before all this nonsense began. Just not having to pay taxes has made it all worthwhile. My vineyard and winery are doing better than ever." He leaned forward. "You say that 70% of your business is from TvD employees? Doesn't it make sense that 70% of everything in this town is in the company? Something to think about, hmmm?"
Achen DID think about it... and hard. Removing taxes will make it so that I'm just as profitable as before and not even have to worry about that annoying paperwork. And if he's right, and the whole town joins, won't I have a better business than ever? I won't be able to convert my profits to marks but no one wants marks these days. One thing Degurechaff's people always had was money... hard money. Why not? "What do I have to do?"
Rossi slapped him on the shoulder. "Leave it to me! We'll set up the meeting tomorrow and the paperwork will be done before dark. Go ahead and make your orders to TvD but tell them to deliver after the merger." He got up and continued his walk with a smile and a wave.
The restaurateur reached out to pour himself another drink but stopped and reinserted the cork. "No time for this, I have a business to run!"
The other man glanced a list of struggling businesses that had stopped buying his wine as he walked. "Four more today, I think." He looked at the streets of Munich and smiled. "Seventy percent is good, but a hundred is better, eh?"
* * *
[Francois - Arene]
Naturally, Tanya was kept up to date wherever she was but wasn't overly concerned. Plans had been long laid and she trusted her people to follow them, improvising as necessary. That being the case, she spent her time chatting with the people of Francois, practicing the organ and, in short order, talking to reporters about the new law.
The last time when she met a roomful of reporters to talk, it was about the failures of the Germanian government, and so it was this time. One major difference was that there was an international bent to the room and that their stature was several notches above the past. Another difference was that this was a suite in one of the newest, and best, hotels in Arene rather than the more utilitarian choice they had used in Berun.
"Please, I'm sure you have questions. For simplicity, and as a nod to our hosts, I'll speak in Francois as much as possible." She glanced over the room, "But if you have problems, I think I can manage... Anglish, Francois, Espangnan. I apologize but my Idolan is rather rudimentary."
They mutually agreed that Francois was fine.
"To save time, I'll lay down the facts. Yes, the Germanian government passed something they laughably call the 'Fairness in Taxation' law." She shook her head. "It's a name that has a Machiavellian bent that could only be crafted by a government agency. At any rate, they have blocked my company from doing business until their imagined crimes have been adjudicated and the blood money extracted."
The Berun correspondent raised his eyebrows. "Your rhetoric is more inflammatory than last time."
"Back then, I was more restricted as an officer of the Empire. As a free citizen, I'm quite a bit more free to speak."
"As an ambassador, though, aren't you under similar constraints?" The reporter from the Unified States asked.
"I'm an agent of the government, yes, but I'm speaking as a business owner. One does not forgo this identity as an ambassador the same way a soldier does. So, if you ask my my opinion on tariffs between Germanian and the Unified States, I would say one thing and would not contradict that in my private life." Her voice lowered and took on ominous tone. "But this is a matter of my company and I say this without qualification: a rabidly corrupt and greedy government has taken hold in Berun and they will drive the country to ruin."
The Albion report harumphed. "This sounds like a complaint rather than statement of fact."
She nodded, "Oh, it's a complaint, no doubt! But that doesn't mean it isn't grounded in reality. First, this action against TvD was done with no evidence. Not a single fact was posited just vague claims that I've been 'cheating' somehow." She smiled sardonically. "Apparently the definition of cheating is simply being successful!"
Even the savvy reporters were surprised by this. "They... shut down your entire company with no specific claims?"
She shrugged. "I haven't heard any. Apparently this new law has very broad powers of enforcement... actual evidence is unnecessary." She paused. "I mean that literally. If you read it, it basically states just the suspicion of 'illicit' activity is enough to punish. Oh, they call it as an investigative measure to prevent wrongdoers from sneaking off in the middle of the night with bags of gold, one assumes. But the vast majority of our assets are land, or buildings, or businesses. Do they think I'm going to hide that somehow? That would be quite the bag!"
The reporters chuckled, and not out of obligation. The Ildoan chimed in with a rather strong accent but proper pronunciation, "How has this affected your businesses?"
"Well, it's hurt us, obviously. But we are a very large company designed to handle adversity and privation. Basically, if we grow food, we eat the food and, unfortunately, we can't sell it our hungry countrymen."
The Germanian asked, "There have been reports that your Markts and some farms have been giving away surplus food."
"What else could we do with it? Our canning division has ramped up a lot to stockpile some of the food we can't eat, and we've funneled some of the remainder to our orphanages and charities but we still had too much to use so... we gave it away. We try to focus on those that are the neediest and there's no lack of those in my country."
"You only mention Germania..."
"Ah, yes, the law has no effect in other countries. Even my American holdings are a separate division and the consulate is 'borrowing' the land."
"So, overseas, it's business as usual?"
"Obviously. In fact, expansion plans are proceeding apace in all the countries we have established a presence."
"Not Ispangna, however," said a droll reporter from that country.
"Actually, the Selene line will be reaching a port in your country within the next two months? Roughly that timeframe, at any rate. We acquired a failing port and are installing container ship docks there that will connect it to both Europa and the rest of the world."
The reported looked surprised and jotted some notes to research after this interview. "This seems improbable as I live in that country and haven't heard this!"
"Ha ha! Well, all I can say is we build very, very fast. Long project times are time not spent making money. Extensive use of mages, new construction techniques, and high vertical integration make us the fastest operators in this industry." She shook her head. "Mostly connected, that is. I'm not sure how far they will stretch this new law and I wouldn't put it past them to confiscate cargo even belonging to other countries simply because the train cars say 'TvD' on the side."
Most of the reporters look shocked by this prediction. "Surely not! That's practically an act of war!" said the Francois.
"I think that as well. But stupid decisions are in the blood of this administration and reasonable choices are few and far between. Mark my words, when their plan to cripple us into submission by shutting our operations fails, they will get desperate."
Sensing an exciting scoop, they leaned forward. "Desperate... can you elaborate?"
Tanya thought and said, "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."
This quote was about to be printed all over the world.
* * *
Visha said cheerfully, "I think the interview went well!"
Tanya sipped her coffee with obvious pleasure. "It did indeed. Now it's a matter of timing and the competency of the central office."
"Competency?"
"Specifically, the level of competency we've predicted. Low, obviously, but there might be an issue if someone has an ounce of sense in their ranks."
"What if they are even less intelligent than you've guessed?"
"That... would be rather stunning considering how little credit I give them." She put down her cup. "You have made me nervous, Visha. I made a classic error of overestimating my foes. Let's head back to Berun in case they get overly stupid."
* * *
[Norden]
Astrid and Nova looked at the shores they had left years ago as they were on their mission of death... unsuccessfully as it turned out. They were quite pleased with the outcome, having worked hard to ride the razor edge between their promises and their souls.
Nova looked at the snowy rocks of the fjord and shivered. "I would like to say it's good to be home but somehow I can't muster up that feeling."
"Come, come, sister. You delighted in skiing, ice skating and snow forts. Keep that in mind!" She hugged her with a little laugh.
"Oh, I still like all those things! Just, ummm, I also like wearing less than three layers of clothes, swimming in seawater that isn't trying to kill me, and fresh fruit in fancy drinks."
"We worked hard for this reward and it's long past time to collect." For the first time, her normal unflappable expression turn hard. "How dare they use us like that! There will be a reckoning and I intend to collect."
"So how are we doing this?" She smiled with brilliant white teeth that looked like fangs to those who knew the young woman well. "We've spent a long time not killing a certain someone so we might be a bit rusty."
"Oh, I doubt it will come to that. The Council of Ten can be fairly reasonable if they have no other choice and you've made the options quite clear."
"And if they aren't reasonable?"
"Then we do it your way and see if a new Council is more... flexible."
Chapter 124 - Easy Answers
[Earth]
"Dross, drivel, drab, drafty, dregs, dreary... I'm sure there was at least one more. Oh, yes, dreadful."
A creature with no real name looked at a terrible night. To anyone else, it would be an average evening, perhaps a little rainy... just enough that you would debate between using an umbrella or simply air drying afterward while hanging up your hat and coat.
To it, however, it was just one more in an endless series of equally horrible evenings, separated by equally horrible days. This place, this damned place wore away at it like the patient scratching of a bird sharpening his beak on a rocky mountaintop. Day after day after day after day...
It never really distinguished between one day and another. All were the same. All were awful. All loathsome in comparison to the ideal state it had once enjoyed.
The fact that it had made this choice freely made no difference. It lacked the self-awareness to understand when it had made a mistake or to assign blame to itself. Once could say that was its fundamental flaw among others.
Still, its plans were moving forward, one plodding inescapable step at a time but, for now, it simply waited for the next act to begin. "Deceit, demise, destruction, defiance, desecration..."
* * *
[Germania]
Unused lands existed amidst a hilly region where the most significant feature were miles-distant farms and forests on land too irregular for easy logging. Several years ago, an investor had purchased hundreds of acres around for a pittance. Many of the previous owners were unaware that they had the rights to the lands and were happy to get a return on assets they didn't know about the previous day.
The Great War caused many properties to pass down two or three generations.
After the area was acquired, the purchasers had gone to work quickly. Roads were laid down but surprisingly little changed... where it could be observed. Beneath the land were a series of caverns that were known to locals but few others.
The unnamed caves had, once, been completely unassuming. They weren't fancy like those of Carlsbad, or archaeologically significant like the painted caves in Altamira, nor were they convenient to spelunkers, either amateur or professional. In fact, it was the lack of any of these things that made them ideal for the purpose they were being put to.
Beneath the bland exterior lay a series of underground rooms, both natural and artificial. A worker, here for the first time, was amazed. "I would think that these cavern rooms would be damp, and certainly quite cold, and yet it's quite comfortable." He shrugged off his jacket, well suited to the early morning chill above ground but unnecessary here.
His colleague grinned and slapped his shoulder. "Ah, that's the joy of efficient heat pumps, my friend. We can finely control the temperatures and humidity down here."
"You mentioned something about that, but I didn't understand."
"Ah, how to explain it? Under the earth, the temperature is very consistent. So it's easier to to cool things down from that temperature or to heat them up. In our case, both since the living areas need the heat and refrigerated rooms need to be kept cool."
"Oh, that makes sense! Like my Gran's root cellar was always nicely cool even during the summer."
He nodded. "I'll show you a storage room. Give you an idea how things work."
The two shrugged into clothes better suited to the arctic and not Germania (at least not outside of the coldest winter months). "To maximize efficiency, there's no direct air opening between inside and outside. The product is shuttled in through an air wall and also flexible barriers while we'll go in through an air lock system."
"Such complication... surely there's an important reason."
"It's about efficiency. The easiest way to keep things cold is to not let them get warm, right? This facility operates with minimal requirements as it would be... inconvenient... to pull too much power from public sources." He smiled. "All our chilling power requirements are less than what's used by a small house in its entirety."
They passed through a thick door while they were talking and moved into a small room. After shutting the outer door, then they opened an inner door and then closed it with a firm but muffled, thud!
The thick glass of the door window barely illuminated the area around around them. "Wait, let me turn on a light."
Line after line of lights came on in the high-ceilinged room. A massive warehouse lay before them with seemingly endless rows of shelves. "Mein gott! You've gathered so much so soon?!"
The more experienced man laughed! He tapped the door, highlighting a sign there: Room #17. "This is just the one that isn't full yet."
"I heard the boss liked to be prepared but this..."
"You'll get used to it. C'mon, I'll show you the dormitory and mess!"
* * *
[New York]
Two boys, nearly young men, were waiting impatiently by a newsstand. Other boys, much like themselves, were also waiting but perhaps with less patience.
"Is that the truck?" Joe pointed at the vehicle coming up.
Jerry nodded. "I think so!"
The vehicle pulled up and shuddered to a halt as the driver turned off the engine. With little fanfare, he started tossing down bundles of newspapers and other periodicals only to be stopped by Joe. "Hey, hey, mac, not so rough!"
"Whadyawant, kid? It's just some comics."
"Not just some comics!" the two said simultaneously.
"Geez, alright, alright!" He mockingly handed them a string-bound bundle. "There, satisfied?"
"Sure, thanks!" Not paying attention to his attitude, they carefully brought it to the newsie to inventory and put out.
To make sure they got theirs first, they had taken the step of pre-paying the man ahead of time to cut out even a the few seconds the transaction would take. Soon enough, they each had a copy of every comic they helped create.
They looked lovingly at the covers with their bold, colorful designs and high production values. Things that made theirs stand out from all the rest. Joe tapped the cover. "Look there, Jerry, our names right up front!"
"Sure, but what else is new? We saw that from the complimentary copies we received."
Ironically, the carefully framed #1 editions of the comics had been sent to them several days ago by courier but they were loathe to remove them from the beautiful frames they had been sealed in.
"No, no, you don't get it! Look at all those other covers... you see any names from the guys who made the things?"
"What, not even one?"
"Nah, I checked!"
Jerry thought about this a minute, the revelation even keeping him from opening his comics for the first time. "You know what this means, right?"
"Huh?"
"Look, they could have just hidden us away, not giving us any attention. We'd be happy for a paycheck doing something we'd probably do anyway just for fun. But this is more than that. The president is give us credit. The pay is nice, and the ro-yal-ties," he carefully pronounced the word they had learned just recently, "might add up to a few dollars someday. But this!" He waved toward the cover, "This means we're celebrities too, in a way. Famous painters sign their works and, famous authors have their name on their books, and this is what we are now. Famous!"
The two looked at the boys at the stand, most of whom had decide to sit right where they were and start reading. They knew most of the lads as they all lived in the same neighborhood. Suddenly one of them flipped to the front cover and his eyes grew wide. He pointed at Joe and Jerry and then said something to the other kids. Before long, they were coming over to them with many, many, MANY questions!
* * *
[Germania – TvD research lab]
Insulated, but not unaware of the chaos in the rest of the company, the researchers and engineers continued their work, confident that order would be resolved any day. In some ways, it was somewhat easier as they could focus on fewer projects as some were put on hold because of the interference by the central government.
Mila and Uwe were continuing work even through their lunch. "Red and green were so easy, why is blue so hard?" Uwe sighed.
"Because trees are different from bears? Honestly, I'm just barely keeping up with learning all the chemistry and physics and that's only so I can understand the chatter in the laboratory."
"To put it at its bluntest, there were chemicals that seemed tailor-made for red and green light. We had results almost immediately. The engineering of the two are almost the same, frankly."
"Soooo... everything was super easy at first and you're frustrated because blue is hard?"
He laughed and stabbed his wurst with his fork as if it had hidden the secrets from him. "Something like that."
"Why not explain it to me? Maybe that will shake some ideas loose."
"Okay, the color of light depends on how far an electron, errr, falls, so-to-speak. If we can get it to fall the exact right distance, we get the color we want. So we are producing 'wells' but they are too deep. They get us close but the light is too far into the violet and we can't get the well to the right depth. The notes the president left gave us a hint on the red and green ones but her suggestions for the blue were more just materials and didn't involve exact ideas." He shook his head. "I have no idea how her mind works... it's like genius ideas are bouncing around in there all the time and occasionally she sends them to us to work on. I should show you what we have planned fifty years down the road!"
Mila had been ignoring him, imagining the electrons jumping into a well. "So, you need the distance to be smaller, can't you make a little hill of some sort to offset the depth of the well?"
He was about to say that it was just an analogy but paused. Wait, that's not exactly a crazy idea. We could adjust the band-gap by adding a layer... His mind traveled down esoteric pathways, not realizing that Mila was finishing her lunch (and his) while watching him mumble under his breath. She was starting in on his dessert when he finally snapped out of it. "Yes! I think that might work!" He glanced down and saw his plate was empty. "Good, we're done with lunch, let's go to the lab. I think we'll have white LEDs out by the end of the year with any luck!"
As they walked briskly down the hall, they passed labs researching coherent light emission, cyanoacrylates, photovoltaics, polymerized hydrocarbons, and the oddly titled 'velcro', to name just a few...
* * *
[Between Arene and Berun]
Le Train De Tanya moved efficiently down the new tracks back to Berun. The omnipresent clatter of old rail gone leaving just the muted sounds of the wheels, some gentle mechanical creaking and the rush of the wind .
Tanya noted each element and compared it to the Shinkansen she had ridden so many times in the past. Not there yet, but getting closer. A more aerodynamic design would be ideal and we have the problem with the engine running on coal and steam. Still, it's enough to make the ride significantly more pleasant so all is going well. She glanced at the ripples in her cup of coffee, noting they were minimal... as it should be.
Whereas some had pushed for her to extend the lines with single tracks so they could go twice as far, she insisted on double-tracks everywhere, even if not immediately economical. Single tracks were a hazard no matter how good you were at shunting trains to avoid each other and they were definitely an impediment to efficiency. She noted with pleasure that the trains ran with near-modern efficiency.
For a moment she paused and examined herself, gathering her thoughts. Why am I so concerned about making things more like my 'old' Japan? Is it more convenient for me? Will it make me more money? Will it make more comfortable? Yes, yes, and yes. But why to do I feel there's something more to it than that? She bit her thumbnail as she pondered. I can't feel that bastard, Being X influencing me so this is all me. But then I'm back to why?
Visha came in with some reports, and a small tray of pastries. "You seem to be concentrating, should I come back later?"
"No, no. Please sit down."
She did so with the alacrity of a soldier not yet used to her civilian life. She put down the tray and stared at her friend, boss, and (by circumstances) daughter without speaking, knowing Tanya well enough to stay quiet for now.
"Visha, let me ask you: do I seem too... domineering? As if I'm driving everything and everyone toward a goal invisible to everyone else... something only I can see? That only I want?" Tanya closed her eyes and looked inside more than outside for the first time in a long time but saw no solutions there. "I hate how people try to dominate other people, break their wills, remove their agencty. Killing someone is one thing. It's usually wasteful, and usually unnecessary but sometimes you have no choice. It doesn't demean someone if you happen to end their life. That's one of the reasons I hate Communism so much... it reduces human beings to just cogs in the red machine, each replaceable as a blade of grass amongst an endless manicured field. No one allowed to do what they want or even think what they want. Most commies are deluded fools being ridden by masters they call 'comrades'. The ones who know that it's full of excrement are too afraid to break free from the system out of fear."
Visha tilted her head to one side, simply listening.
"The question I've been asking myself is if I'm doing the same thing? Twisting and pushing events to match my desire? Am I doing what those bastards are doing but with a capitalist label instead?"
Visha gently held Tanya's clenched fist until she relaxed her hand slightly. "It's not easy to see yourself but let me tell you what everyone around you can see so clearly about you." She held up a finger and said, "Just to preface my answer... have you ever forced anyone to buy TvD products, lied to them, or used any sort of trickery to support your goals."
Tanya shook her head slowly. "Outside of active warfare, I don't believe so. The essence of a free market is that all parties have accurate information with which to make informed decisions. This is the only way to maximize net wealth for everyone efficiently."
"Are you not one of the biggest supports of orphanages and hospitals for crippled veterans?"
"Yes, of course. It makes no sense to let perfectly capable and motivated people lie idle or suffer privation when they could be, or grow up to be, productive members of society."
"And do you not encourage technological and magical advances with a portion of our budget that would shock most accountants?"
"Increased efficiency and inventions are a resource and effort multiplier. Without pushing basic research, we'd all still be living in caves and wondering how to keep warm. In fact, every leap of technology, no matter what short-term detrimental effects, has advanced humanity's wealth and prosperity many times over." This was all basic economics and Tanya was wondering why Visha was recounting it now.
"And there's your answer. Simply put, you are trying to make a better world and you are inviting everyone to join you. That's it. No coercion, no trickery. Just a torch in the darkness, showing the way." She squeezed Tanya's hand more firmly. "Perhaps you are leading us to a future we can't see and know nothing about but I can't think of anyone better suited to the task and we follow willingly and with our eyes open."
Tanya sat stock still, absorbing this without speaking. Then, hesitantly, she said, "It's just that easy?"
Her friend nodded. "Yes. Sometimes hard questions have easy answers in the end."
Chapter 125 - Feuernacht
[Germania – Berun]
"Sir! We've received word that Degurechaff and Serebryakov are on their way to Berun!"
"Then start the plan." He paused upon seeing the other man's consternation. "Surely you're ready?"
"Yes, yes of course, but shouldn't we tell the Chancellor?"
The aide shook his head. "It's best this way. He can honestly say that he didn't know about the plan, who did it, or any of the details. Our goal is 'Plausible deniability'," he said firmly.
"Ah, interesting phrase that, but I understand what you mean. I'll inform our people to start immediately. We will coordinate so it will be impossible to block what we are doing or react in any way."
"Excellent. Make it so."
* * *
[Germania]
Since Degurechaff's train had a certain amount of celebrity of its own. Riding in it was the same as simply announcing one's presence. While much more familiar in Francois, it was unmistakable even in Germania. Tanya, uncharacteristically, told the crew to take their time on the trip. "No rush, gentlemen, I'm an Ambassador of the Fatherland. These people are, in a sense, our employers and if they want to talk to me, I have no objections."
At the station, townsfolk (both music lovers and others) had gathered quickly when they saw the train approaching. She disembarked and was quickly surrounded.
A woman asked worriedly, "Miss Degurechaff, are you okay?"
She scoffed. "Why wouldn't I be in good health?"
Another man answered her. "They've closed down all of your businesses! We though, that, well, they may have done more than that."
"Hardly! Please understand... if anyone were attacking me physically it would be very, very obvious and they would certainly come out the worse for it. I may not have wanted to ever be involved in the Great War but at least it has not left me defenseless!"
The woman put a hand on her chest in relief. "Ah, that's good! So you weren't forced to return to the Fatherland?"
"Not at all. Mind you, I did come back because of this blatantly unfair and ill-advised law. It's harming me... just not in a way that would leave scars. Moreover, it's harming countless employees of TvD who want nothing more than to do their jobs, serve their customers, and earn a fair wage." She looked at those around (and more were gathering by the minute). "But, tell me, how has it affected you?"
"It's been terrible! We can barely buy food, much less things like clothes. If I didn't know how to sew, my children would be in rags already," she said grimly. "It may be getting close to that soon... there's only so many times you can patch a shirt and even then the supply of cloth is growing scarce."
Another woman chimed in. "The prices change every day... they go up! My husband works in the coal mines so at least he has a job but they refused to raise his wage even when they know it doesn't go as far. How is that fair?!"
"What does your husband do at the mine? Has he been there long?"
"He started as a common miner when he was a teenager but has worked his way up to shift boss. He was about to become an engineer because he had a good eye for new veins but..."
"But something happened with shifts and how they were working?"
The woman blinked with surprise. "Yes, yes exactly!"
Tanya pulled out one of her anodized aluminum tokens. This one was green and resembled the TvD logo on one side and the Markt name on the other. She put it in the woman's hand and then folded her fingers closed over it and held her hands. "I'm going to send someone to help but, for now, take this voucher to the nearest Markt and feed your family."
She teared up, "Thank you! Bless you!" She bent over and kissed Tanya's hands and then rushed off.
Tanya was a bit surprised but didn't let it show on her face. She faced the crowed again, "That's not just for one person. If you know anyone who is truly suffering, send them to their local Markt and we'll do our best given the restrictions we're under."
A reporter, faster than his fellows, asked from the back, "Excuse me, Ambassador! But why would you do that? I'm sure this shutdown by the government has hurt your business. Wouldn't this make things worse?"
She tilted her head to one side slightly as if not understanding the question. "Let me ask you a question in return. If you've been stabbed but your neighbor had been shot, is it so strange to attempt to help them despite the pain? If you've lost your job but your brother is starving, is it so unusually that you would share your meal with him?" She looked at him calmly. "These are decisions we would make every day in the Great War as we all just tried to survive and do our duty. And do not doubt that we are in another sort of war right now. Unfortunately, our enemies aren't so kind as to wear foreign uniforms so that we can tell who they are at a glance."
"So what do they wear, Frau Degurechaff?"
"I'll leave that for you and your readers to decide. By their actions, you will know them."
She chatted about her time in the Unified States before someone asked, "Do you have a new song for us?"
Suddenly, everyone perked up, buoyed up from all the depressing talk.
She thought for a bit and then smiled. "Since we are talking about helping your neighbors, I think I have something for you..."
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on...
She sang the lyrics in a clear, soulful tenor with only a hit of a reggae nuance to make it seem a little exotic, but not so much as to make the listeners uncomfortable. Like the hint of a new spice in a familiar dish. The tune was simple enough that they were able to hum along quickly and follow along with the chorus quickly. Even those with long faces an hour ago were smiling as she waved them goodbye.
In the Train, Visha asked, "What was that about the coal mine? Do you already have a plan for that?"
Tanya sighed as she settled back in her rather luxurious seat. "The miners' wages have been locked but the mine is not doing well. That means whoever is paying them hasn't raised what they pay for coal. And the only one with that kind of power..."
"...is the government." Visha finished the sentence.
"Exactly. It's probably a 'temporary' measure because it's being used to pay the reparations. Normally, with the prices the way they area, the mine owners would just break the contract rather than being forced to operate at a loss. But Germania needs that coal to meet the surrender agreement."
"That is barely better than slavery!"
"Governments entering hyperinflation frequently try to implement price controls as if that could somehow change the laws of nature. They'll start with the necessities like rent, food and coal. All under the umbrella category of 'necessities'. Then they will make these things 'rights'."
Visha turned to her own assistant and asked him. "So, Becker, what would happen then?"
Surprised, the man stuttered, "W-well... hmmm." After thinking for a minute, he said, "No business or landlord can operate at a loss indefinitely so they would just shut down."
Tanya grinned. "Yes, exactly! Government controls only have two effects: either they are set artificially low and that results in runs on increasingly rare products which means nothing will become available. Or they are too high and the shelves are full... but no one can afford them. Without the free market to help set prices, it's left to bureaucrats to do what they want. Even a well-meaning and intelligent person can't match the wisdom of the markets."
"That sounds unstable. How can such a situation last?"
Degurechaff became grim. "The next step is what's euphemistically called 'nationalization' but basically means 'theft'. The government takes over industries either after they are bankrupt, for a pittance or sometimes by simple confiscation."
It was as scenario all-too-believable but still shocking to those who were listening to her. Images of greedy and incompetent politicians taking over the economy and ruining it one industry at a time filled their imaginations.
Visha shook her head. "Then what is the plan for the coal mine?"
"Oh! Actually, I didn't have any plans involving them... at least not at first. But if this coal mine is suffering like this, that means they probably ALL are. Now, let's say we acquire all, or even a large percentage, of these struggling mines. What happens then?"
Becker said, "The government would try to force you to sell coal despite losses."
Tanya drawled, "Aaaaaand....?"
A little bit quicker on the uptake, Visha started laughing! "Oh! Oh, that's too funny!" Tanya joined her laughter.
As the other two laughed, the man looked between them. "I must be stupid today."
Visha filled him in. "By law we can't sell anything. Nothing! If they try to force us to do so, we could make them to take us to court to litigate it. Their own law supercedes any 'coercion' they might brign to bear. It might be months before they get even a shovelful of coal but that would cause them to default on the reparations schedule."
The Colonel continued, "It gets even better!" She explained what would happen and how it fit in their plans.
Soon all three were laughing in way that would make the casual listener think witches had infiltrated the train to plot deviltry!
* * *
[Germania - Berun]
The TvD main office was quiet that evening. With business stopped, for the most part, there was little need to work late, much less through the evening. The area around the building had become substantially more affluent through both acquisitions by TvD and other businesses striving to get closer to source of so much recent wealth. They, too, were dark for much the same reason as the larger edifice.
The darkness wasn't to last, however.
A tiny, flickering light suddenly appeared behind a barred gate. Normally it was a parking area for vehicles or deliveries but it was uncharacteristically empty due to the slowdown. It resembled a candle flame... but only briefly.
Soon fire raced across the ground and up the sides of the building, blue flames mixing with red and orange as they spread with unnatural speed. Before even a minute had gone by the flames were nearly to the second floor.
A couple nearly a block away were walking from an evening at the theater. They had saved their money and wanted to forget about the continuous stream of bad news that dominated conversations. It was a Germanian release of the internationally popular "Tatiana and Anthony" which that had enjoyed greatly.
"Do you think that was a true story?" the wife asked while holding onto her husband's arm to avoid turning her heel on the cobblestone surface.
"What? Of course not. I'm sure those people never existed," he said with a little smile.
"Oh you! You know what I mean!"
"Maybe? I mean, it makes a lot of sense. Degurechaff is an extremely popular person from all those who have met her. Take the bombing attempt in Arene... she saved both the attackers even at risk to her own life."
"That poor boy! I can't imagine what he went through."
"Exactly. But even after her tried to kill her, she forgave him and let him go. From what I hear, she gave him an apartment and stipend along with the other Arenian refugees. Is it so impossible to believe that one of her guards would fall in love with her?"
"She's too young! Well, at least she was!"
He chuckled. "People grow up fast in wartime, they say. But, no, I don't mean romantically. She's an inspirational figure and incredibly charismatic. Attractive too, if you want to add that to the mix."
She arched an eyebrow. "Are you looking toward a wartime bride, hmmm?"
"Why would I when I have the best girl right in my arms here?"
"Good answer!" She was about to kiss him but noticed something in the distance. "Oh, what's that?"
He looked in the direction she indicated. "Is that a fire? I think it is!"
"Isn't that where the TvD offices are?"
He looked around, worried, "We have to find a phone!"
Before he could move, however, fire trucks with sirens blaring came from around the corner toward the scene. Vehicle after vehicle rushed there while they stood against a wall to stay out of the way.
He nodded firmly. "I guess we don't need that telephone, eh? It looks like the firemen have this well in hand."
"Good! But..."
"But what, love?"
"Didn't they get here a little too quickly?"
As the fire fighters did their best to put out the flames, few people paid attention to figures in the shadows with large books tucked under their arms slipping out of sight under cover of night and confusion.
Chapter 126 - SS weapons
[Germania – Berun – TvD Headquarters]
Tanya and Visha surveyed the burned out building. There was still trails of smoke coming from the ruins but all open flames have been doused. Dirty puddles of water were everywhere but since the surrounding buildings were mostly stone and brick, the damage was well-contained.
"Well, that's a complete loss," Tanya said while shaking her head. "Was anyone hurt?"
Visha said, "Our main building was empty and the fire didn't spread so there were no injuries at all. Oh, one of the firefighters slipped when the second floor collapsed. His injuries aren't life threatening but they are somewhat serious."
"Make sure the TvD doctors treat him so that there are no lasting injuries."
"Yes ma'am. Should we start rebuilding?"
"No, not yet. It's more valuable like this for now. Depending on how things turn out will determine what we do with this mess. In fact, don't clean up anything. I want it just like this."
* * *
[Germania – Berun – Political Office Headquarters]
Bruning, Muller, and Albrecht were meeting again. Due to their positions, such encounters weren't unusual but the frequency was beginning to be noted by those around them. Still, there was little option considering their burgeoning plans, so the meetings had become nearly a daily occurrence.
"So why are we here, Muller? Surely this could have waiting until this evening?" Bruning rapped on the table with a gold ring he wore on his pinky. The sound was surprisingly loud in the room.
Muller smiled unctuously. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find this well worth coming here so early in the morning." He pulled out a large ledger that was of a standard shape and size but the cover had the TvD logo clearly embossed on it.
Albrecht's eyes raised but he didn't move to touch the book. "Is that what I think it is?"
Muller stroked the surface. "Oh, it is, it is! Straight from their main headquarters. A good citizen who rushed in to see if there was anyone trapped in the burning building happened on it and 'rescued' it from the fire. We have found the contents MOST interesting."
Bruning spun the smoke scented artifact around noting that it was the general ledger for TvD. He knew enough of accounting to realize that this was like a spotlight on the master accounts for the com pany. He opened it delicately like he was undressing a reluctant girl, baring all her secrets to his gaze. Muller had conveniently put the attached bookmark to a specific account. His finger ran down the numbers to the final tally. "These totals... I assume you confirmed them." It was a statement not a question.
"As far as possible... my own accountants have worked all morning and the numbers are internally consistent. Although the internal workings of TvD are opaque to the point of the labyrinthine, this matches what we know about them."
He slapped the ledger with a bang! "This is perfect... exactly what we need! Break out the good champagne! Mark my words, soon we'll be hailed as the saviors of Germania!"
* * *
[Germania - Berun]
"Alger, what are you doing?" A long-time customer looked over the newsstand as the older man was re-arranging his displays in the early morning light. The old divisions of dailies vs. weeklies or local vs. foreign were gone and he couldn't quite deduce the new pattern.
"It is obvious, is it not? I'm updating my stand! I have heard, put things together that people buy together. If you sell paint, you put brushes with paint, yes?" He pointed at right side of his stand. "These are the papers that support Frau Degurechaff. This blank spot you look at? I put a copy of Die Wahrheit there soon."
"Eh? I thought they were prevented from doing business?"
"Ah ah ah! I have news for you! You get my joke, yes?" He laughed without waiting for a reply.
"She is sending a free copy of her newspaper to every newsstand, every library and every school. I will keep a copy here for people to see and read. The papers around that paper are ones that agree with her so people will buy them."
"Ah, quite clever! And the other side is..."
The old man's face darkened. "Something very strange. Until a month ago, even those who weren't so happy with TvD were more balanced, eh? But suddenly they are attacking her like a Francois invasion! I see everything..." he waved his hand toward his newsstand. "And what I see is a big plan... a big plan!"
"A conspiracy, you mean."
"Yes, as you say!" He scowled a bit. "Stupid people are fooled... so many of them."
"How can you tell they are stupid?"
"Why that's easy!" He pointed with a satisfied expression. "They buy papers from the left side!"
* * *
[Germania – Berun – undisclosed location in the countryside]
An entirely unballyhooed event was occurring in Berun. There was no invitation list... if you weren't meant to be there, you didn't know about it. Had the authorities gotten word of this clandestine gathering, it would have likely raised alarms at all levels of government. Fortunately for the attendees, security was tight and there would be no leak.
They looked at each other and then raised their glasses as one. "Welcome home, Colonel!"
Tanya grinned ruefully. "I'd like to say I'm surprised by this but you drunkards will use any excuse to indulge."
Weiss staggered as if he had been struck. "Why, Colonel, you wound me with such accusations!"
"Not enough that you've spilled your beer, I note." She raised her voice. "Well, you've come here to party, drink up! To the Fatherland!"
"Cheers!" Many tankards were emptied post haste!
She circulated among her former subordinates, chatting easily and sharing stories of the months where she had been overseas. Having known these men though blood and fire, they were as close to her as if they were siblings and she found herself genuinely enjoying herself. Huh. Honestly, they are closer to me than my relatives in my first life. Have I ever had anyone in Japan -- friends, family or coworkers -- that mean more to me?
The answer was so obvious, she didn't even bother continuing the thought.
I don't even dream of my life in Japan... everything has only been from this incarnation. Is that how it's supposed to work? Except that little part about forgetting my past life, that would make sense. So that damned Being X basically just broke the normal system to suit his own twisted ends. If he was my employee, I'd fire him in an instant!
She shook off that sour mood as she continued to talk to the members of the 203rd and the few from the Kampfgruppe that happened to be in Berun. Due to her former flight being semi-permanently stationed in the capital, nearly all of them were able to make it to this homecoming. Even, she noted, Anluk who was walking toward her with a confident stride.
"Well! You seem to be moving around well, my literary friend. I trust the research department has been taking good care of you?"
He smiled and raised a glass to workers not present. "Indeed they have! Or, shall I say, we've taken care of each other as I am one of their number now." He rapped on his pants leg with a knuckle and there was a slight metallic ring. "I'm wearing a very minimalist stahl tonight to assist my walking. It's nearly weightless compared to the uberstahls, of course, but it should be ready to distribute to those in need very soon."
Visha smiled and patted his arm. "I'm glad you were able to get one to come tonight."
"Able to get one? Why, Visha, I'm their lead tester!"
Tanya laughed! "Your testing hopefully isn't as dangerous as mine was!" I don't see how it could be with that madman Schugel retired. I haven't heard word of him in years so he's likely gone for good.
"How could it be? No, there have been no major explosions, deaths, near deaths, or even serious injuries. It hardly seems like research at all, right?"
The ex-Colonel said drolly, "Not at all. Oh, remind me... we set up a trust fund for the veteran donations, yes?"
Visha nodded. "Yes we did. So we can distribute those without interference because it's separate from TvD. It's a little complicated but we aren't selling anything, technically, so it should be fine."
"I don't care if we have to lose the funding from the military, I want those suits where they're needed as soon as we can produce them."
Anluk nodded, "The factory is gearing up now. By the end of the month, we won't produce handmade units anymore and will be able to rely on interchangeable parts. With a tiny bit of luck, we might even beat your price per unit prediction."
Tanya's eyebrows raised. I casually mentioned that we could cut costs by 90% and they actually managed it?!
"I'm glad to hear that," came an urbane voice from behind them.
Visha unconsciously stood up straighter. "General Zettour!"
"Please, please. I'm just an old man visiting his friends tonight."
Indeed he looked like a dignified academic in his civilian clothes. Frankly, Tanya found it odd to see him out of uniform. She didn't realize that many people thought the same about her. "And we're glad you could come, sir. How are things going in the army these days?"
He smiled with satisfaction as he sat with her subordinates, current and former. "Very well, I dare say... and so do the numbers. We're much smaller, to be sure, but much much smarter and tougher."
"Oh ho! How do they compare to our troops?"
"Each new soldier is equivalent to four at the beginning of the Great War."
"Impressive. Is that with force multipliers?"
"That's just through selection, training, and better organization," he said with a small smile. "Not quite with the qualifications of the 203rd, but more than acceptable. With better equipment, that's another factor of three improvement. Of course, that's a moving target since any potential foes can also adopt new technologies or copy our methods."
"With no immediate conflicts, what are the odds of that? People always think peace is forever when it's usually just a lull between wars."
He accepted a glass of whiskey from a sergeant. "Our analysts agree with you. Other than restocking munitions and vehicles, most nations are drawing down their forces."
"Most?"
Zettour shook his head. "The Federation is a notable exception... and a troubling one."
"Those, those, those, commies!" Tanya couldn't come up with a worse curse word than that to encompass how much she hated them. "I hadn't heard this at all. Is the intel reliable?"
"Very much so, unfortunately."
She bit her thumbnail as she thought. Those damned russies! They will careen haphazardly into advanced technologies – mostly by theft – but their main thrust will likely to just be SIZE. Bigger armies, bigger weapons, bigger vehicles. Unfortunately, with their natural and human resources, this strategy is pretty effective. Enough to beat the Empire along with their horrible winters and terrible mud! "We're working on some technologies that are almost ready that should help. They were specifically designed to meet future needs."
"Planning for the next war, not the last one, eh?"
"I'd like to say 'always' but that's your job now. Airpower will rule all future conflicts. Those that control the skies, control all. We saw some of that in the Great War but it will only get worse. What do you think about a technology that can sense incoming craft no matter what the weather? Space-based satellites to track troop movements? Guided munitions to make taking out aircraft and ships significantly more accurate?"
The General was shocked despite himself. Mein Gott! It's like she can read my mind. In order to use a smaller force, we need better intelligence, sooner, and more ways to concentrate our firepower to avoid waste. With our internal movement strategy, the only one that can work now, we need to move quickly and that depends on knowing about enemy action as soon as possible. "I'm sure those would be... convenient." He slapped the table with a laugh! "While I don't wish for a new war, I imagine it would be like you against the Dacians all over again!"
A sudden glint in Tanya's eye was missed by everyone. "Yes, it would be a shame to break this fragile peace just to eliminate the Russies." Combat is quicker but economic pressures will eventually throw them in dustbin of history. That might take decades, however. But if I ramp up the free market faster compared to my old world, they can collapse all the quicker. Why use guns when you can win with good food, blue jeans, and rock'n'roll?
Visha was more sensitive to her moods than most. "You don't think they will keep the peace?"
Tanya sighed. "They can't. The essence of communism is control and conquest. It's impossible for them to survive in a competition with a free society so they have to use force to have any hope of success. If I had to guess, the next World War will be against them as long Germania doesn't become the focus of the next big conflict. Strong ties with the Western powers, especially the Unified States, will keep us on the right side of victory."
Everyone within earshot understood what she meant by 'World War' and were chilled that she casually used the term as if it were as inevitable as 'tomorrow'.
Anluk listened with surprising dispassion. As if everything he heard, everything he saw was being filed away for later use. Finally, he spoke. "Ah, I understand! That's rather disgusting."
The blonde Colonel nodded. "You see, don't you?" She continued to explain to the others. "A normal, healthy society grows much like an animal or species. But Communism is like a disease feeding off of the bodies of the living and moving from host to host. It might appear to be strong and vital, for a time, but it's essentially destructive."
A newcomer, not having heard the previous conversation, broke the grim mood. "Ah, Tanya!" Ugar sat down at their table, a large mug of beer in hand. "I knew you'd be talking about something gloomy even during a party. So what is it this time? War, famine, disease, or death?"
"It's good to see you, Maximilian! War for now but we always have time for the other three. How is your family? Doing well, I trust."
The general looked good. In the post-war period, he actually appeared younger and healthier despite a few grey hairs starting to invade his scalp. "Amaryllis and the children are healthy and happy! The kids that can speak wonder what new delights will be coming this Christmas." He shrugged. "I tell them that you can't spend all day making toys but they somehow believe you are always in a secret workshop making new wonders yourself."
She smiled a bit wryly, "I would have to, to keep up with your brood. How many kids are you up to now? Seven? Eight? And how do you have any time to do your job?"
He, and the rest, laughed at this joke. "Just the four." He paused. "For now."
"For now?"
"Eh, my wife comes from a big family. She seems to think that anything less than ten children means she's a failure in some way."
"Well, then it's good that we have new products ready then! Visha, did we bring that prototype?"
"Yes! Let me get it!" The vice-president of one of the largest conglomerates in the world hustled off and came back holding a... thing. She handed it to Tanya with a grin.
Anluk said, "That looks vaguely like a weapon but it's so ridiculous that my mind refuses to categorize it."
Tanya held up the collection of colorful plastic parts that came together to make the toy. "This is the evolution of the water pistol. Instead of the propellant, so to speak, being just the pull of the trigger, you can charge up the air pressure reserve here which also functions as a storage area for water." She gave the device a few pumps and aimed at a wall, across the room on a second floor balcony. A stream of water shot a good forty feet away with little apparent effort.
Ugar was stunned. "Ah?! There's no magic or other trickery, right? Just pump and shoot?"
"We kept it as simple as possible as it's supposed to be for kids. What tricks would we put in?"
Visha cleared her throat.
"Ah, thanks for the reminder. We do have a mage powered one... just as research prototype. Max range was about 120 feet, accurate to about 60." She gave a little grin. "I wouldn't give it a child, though, as it packs quite a sting at short ranges! We don't intend to sell them but I did bring a few here."
"Oh ho!" Zettour's eyes twinkled. "Perhaps we can get a demonstration? As a desk jockey, I have no opportunity to see action and wouldn't mind experiencing it vicariously."
Tanya snorted. "The chief strategist for the Empire is hardly a 'desk jockey'. I also heard you saw more than a little action back in your youth."
"Ahem. Perhaps a did get into a scrap or two years and years ago."
Before WW2, most countries participated in wars of various sizes every decade or two. This 'mild mannered academic' has seen more combat than most soldiers. "Oh, I intend to gift them in a bit." She glanced over the room. "It's almost the right time. Once the alcohol supply falls to the one-quarter mark, we'll distribute them."
An hour later, the thoroughly drunk soldiers were given magic toys filled with indelible dye and set against each other in four companies of twelve men each with different colored dye and gun color. She announced with a laugh, "Fight hard! I suspect the loser might have a penalty waiting for them!"
"Oooooh!" Forty-eight of the greatest mages in Germania rushed around like schoolkids on holiday!