October 26, 1936.
Berlin
Rain swept down Wilhelmstrasse.
Inside the Reich Chancellery annex, under dim chandeliers and thick velvet drapes, Germany and Japan came together for something that will change many things or rather align it as the original future.
Joachim von Ribbentrop sat at the long oval table, legs crossed.
On the wall behind him, a large map of Eurasia bore lines drawn in red and black.
Across from him sat Ambassador Hiroshi Oshima, erect, unreadable, and dressed in a sharply pressed military uniform with no insignia to betray Tokyo's ambiguity.
"I trust the latest language satisfies your General Staff?"
Ribbentrop asked, sliding a sheat of German-scripted clauses across the polished wood.
Oshima adjusted his gloves before replying.
"In principle, yes. Clause Three, however, still requires clarification."
Ribbentrop gave a nod to the aide behind him, who stepped forward with the Japanese draft.
