Autumn Nights in Preßburg Countryside (ATTN: Engellex)

[Wieserreich]

Hofburg Palace, Preßburg
Saxony, Wiese - 4:30 pm

Preparations in the historical palace of the Saxon archdukes were being made for quite a while now. Hofburg had not only escaped damages from the attack on Augsburg, and thus was not in dire need of prestige repairs; it had also little to be jealous of from the Imperial palaces and the palaces of the Swabian Kings, too. Its long history included a peculiar custom: every Thießen royal from the Saxon branch of the family had been born here for what appeared to be centuries. And indeed, many had been raised here too.

In particular it was Friedrich Wilhelm's favourite palace. Although Nymphenburg, Belvedere and Schönbrunn were the more formal residences he was using, Hofburg was the place he called home. It was further away from the city than any of the other three was, too, and it felt like a place a hundred-year-old Emperor could retire at. But who was he kidding? Tradition forbade retirement no matter how much he tried to advertise his plan since the 1980s - for around 20 years now.

Today Hofburg was buzzing with activity. Imperial Guards were on heightened alert, and more were on duty too; and even a delegation of politicians form Augsburg, an almost unheard-of thing for this palace, were occupying the conference room. In a rare gesture, an effort of balancing internal pressure and lobby groups with foreign partnerships, Friedrich Wilhelm himself was planning to quietly attend the conference. If it could have been helped he would have avoided it - but this was about a world at war, and not even the Wieser Emperor was selfish enough to escape that.

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The conference room was large and full of 19th Century decorations and furniture. Decorated with expensive paintings and carvings, it had a very retro look; pretty much like the ceremonial uniforms of the Guard outside, with their feather-decorated hats and black-and-gold colours, or even the uniforms some of the government delegates were wearing in their capacity as former military officers. The Emperor was sitting in a small throne, away from the conference table, observing quietly.

The discussions were with an unusual, if important partner: a royal delegation from Great Engellex. It was true that Engellex had lost political favour in Wiese ever since its involvement in war with a great number of countries, as well as allying with two ultranationalist states that gave even the DNF goosebumps with their absurdity. But this does not mean Wiese did not possess financial or political interests in Engellex, or even aristocracy and royalty with blood ties to the royal family of the English nation.

The Imperial delegation was headed by the Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heinrich Maximilian Graf von und zu Babelfisch, in a political gesture that meant that the Chancery, and indeed the Emperor, were valuing today's talks and expected some results out of them. Sitting before their Engellexic partners, the Imperials nodded with a polite smile, and with a notable absence of small talk -a foreign concept in Wieser culture- they had the talks begin.

"Allow me once more to welcome you to Saxony on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor and His Excellence the Chancellor, gentlemen" spoke Babelfisch. In his early 60s, he was a junior of the Princely House of Babelfisch and brother of the current prince; his most notable feature were a monocle and a very thick hirsute and moustache that rivalled those of the (much older) Emperor himself. "May today's meeting serve the purpose of strengthening the friendship of our peoples, and solve our mutual practical problems."

Sitting in his elevated throne quietly, Friedrich Wilhelm merely observed and listened. After this meeting he would have to summon the Prince-Electors in yet another unofficial council, in order to secure some more opinions and advice. But until then, like an ancient statue, he observed quietly and with large immobility; as if he was playing on the rumours he were senile or catatonic due to his age.

 

[Great Engellex]

Hofburg Palace, Preßburg, Saxony, Wiese

Viscount Palmerston was on his knees. Mind and body were in distress. As the hour of negotiation with the Empire of Wiese approached earlier in the week, he threw himself at the mercy of the House of Lords. He had endured a week of wretched health, and political pain – from sustaining the pressures of the Lords. After days of weakness and exhaustion, he had finally reached the demands made by his sovereign and arrived in Wiese, only to find that the Royal Commission was indeed formed by less distinguished men and would certainly need his leadership. There would be no leaning back in this capacity, but he was the Northern Minister in the House of Lords. In the end Viscount Palmerston always did endeavour to succeed in a brilliant performance where diplomacy was concerned, whatever the odds.

The political career of Palmerston was peculiar. He had sat in four Parliaments without having taken part in any great debate, when remarkable events impelled him to advance and occupy a considerable position in the nation’s foreign affairs. The events were remarkable because no other peer felt capable of balancing the Northern Department, and as he put it :- We couldn’t have two commoners running the department. During his two years as the Lords Minister for the Northern Department, under unprecedented circumstances of great difficulty, he displayed some of the highest qualities of national character :- courage, a mastery for details, a clear intelligence, promptness, punctuality, and perseverance. A character which the Queen-Empress had come to admire and depend on. Viscount Palmerston had a profound influence over the withdrawal of support for the European Defence Federation, when the member states quitted continental peace for total war against Solaren. On that occasion the ministerial position of Secretary of State was offered to him and declined; only as the Lords Minister did he accept. He was an original supporter of the freedom and independence of self-determined lesser states in Europe which he felt were threatened by the aggressive nature of the Federation, and he would continue to uphold the policy of opposition to this grand enforcement of Federation Law against all pressures. Although he was no friend of the Federation, he always viewed with great frustration the condition in which the relations between Great Engellex and Wiese would have to assume as consequence.

Though usually an animated diplomatic performer, this occasion had only allowed him to rise to speak only with composure and deference. He bowed his head in respect and acknowledgement of the Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heinrich Maximilian Graf von und zu Babelfisch, and then stood himself to address the conference. Your Imperial Majesty; your Lordships, it is with a profound sense of emotion that I rise to press issue to-day. A considerable period has elapsed since her Imperial and Royal Majesty, the Queen-Empress, afforded the honour upon a most loyal subject of addressing the illustrious Empire of Wiese. In that interval great revolutions have occurred – of government, of opinion and revolutions of war, I can, however, assure you that on behalf of her Majesty the affection that was once without question for the City of Emperors remains unchanged. I appear before you this day influenced by the same sentiments that I have ever professed, and actuated by the same principles I have ever advocated. But, before I continue, unless I and this Royal Commission of her Majesty is permitted to enter these discussions with a clear and frank truths of our views, there is little chance of my acting with profit to you or to my sovereign.

I approach now the solemn subject of the Great Continental War. I deem it absolutely necessary that the questions held between us on this most unprecedented event should be forthwith grappled with. It is now impossible to avoid, and too late to postpone it; it must be met immediately – the question is, how may it be met efficiently? Viscount Palmerston summoned the strength, through his cane, to absorb the immediate reflection of his hosts to those words before sitting back down. Devoid of his usual charm, Palmerston was intelligently direct; the success of his question will be determined by how well his hosts are able to interpret his rather forward approach to these conference of sorts.

 

[Wieserreich]

As the Emperor sat quietly and observantly in his throne, his position elevated and separated from those of the negotiator as per Wieser protocols, the Foreign Minister of the Empire and everyone else in the room listened keenly for the Engellexic minister's reply. The Wiesers knew that the Emperor, King and Archduke was only expected to speak towards the conclusion of the discussions; this meant as a reminder to themselves, about who wielded the true executive authority of the state.

Babelfisch offered a polite, diplomatic smile at Palmerston before he spoke in response. The rest of the Imperial delegation sat somberly and quietly, some not really appreciating the foreign, exotic habits of going around and around with fluffy words, without really saying anything. Wieser habit, in general, was to be firm and precise, and not waste anybody's time; show-offs were reserved for titles and displays of wealth, power, and tradition. Nevertheless Heinrich Maximilian was not among these.

"This Commission shall enter negotiations with humbleness, frankness and the respect an international partner such as Engellex, with whom we share bloodlines, economic relations and history, deserves" Babelfisch proclaimed with a nod. "It is the will of the Kaiser and the People, the Gentry, the Peers and the Lords of the Reich that the beautiful relations between our two countries continue as eternally as possible" he said firmly. If one or two of his colleagues were allowed to arch their eyebrows, they would have. Especially concerning the order he chose to say all this - putting commons second and royals last!

"The engagement between the Kaisertum's historical allies and partners has greatly saddened His Imperial Majesty" continued Babelfisch, even daring to make a gesture at the general direction of Friedrich Wilhelm, who was listening with a heavy frown. "We understand the enmity between the united nations of the Defence Federation and Great Engellex. As a faction with no ill will towards either, and with very close relations to both, we are all deeply troubled by current engagements.

"However, we are realists. Allow me to be frank, Mr. Palmerston; once something has gone down the river, there is no returning upstream. Nevertheless, I am confident we can have very fruitful results today, with respect to your nation's victories, defeats, heroes and victims in this conflict. Allow me to present you the Chancellor's considerations for what he views as a prestigious solution to the Great War" the Count nodded.

He shuffled through his papers, bringing one to the surface; it bore the stamp of the Chancery.

"The war effort in Montelimar and Solaren is doing very well, as far as we realise. Great Engellex has displayed highly commendable military performance, and the EDF is punishing Solaris forces severely. What makes matters dangerous is the possibility of global escalation in Himyar... but frankly this is a different discussion.

"It can be mathematically predicted that, when Engellex's enemies in Solaren have completed their mission there, they are bound to bring extremely powerful reinforcements in Montelimar's aid. The EDF can severely outnumber and outgun Engellex, if its resources are combined in one front rather than two, three or four. I am sure you understand that.

"It is thus why we wish to see a solution now, that the war has not yet been critically decided against either the EDF or Engellex. Your nation has scored major victories, it holds a lot of bargaining chips. But it would be unwise to gamble everything against the combined might of half a dozen nations and their combined war machines, no?"

He flipped pages; the second one was in English. Pushing it gently towards the Engellexic minister, Babelfisch continued soberly.

"Here is our considerations. Our offer. You are the first man outside the Empire to see this offer, Mr. Palmerston; no other foreigner has."

The document was a simplified list of possible points for a peace treaty. It used certain keywords - "mutually beneficial", "zero-sum rule", and other such. It heavily emphasised this were to be between the -EDF- and -Engellex-, with no third parties involved.

"It is still incomplete of course. Monetary reparations, treaties of non-aggression, military transit rights, a number of symbolic victories such as keeping the banners of defeated units. But it allows no clear victor, and more than likely it does not have what your country hopes to gain out of this war, correct? Well, other than minimising financial and human losses."

He paused softly, momentarily glancing at the silent Emperor. He had barely moved all this while; yet he sat out there, like a hawk ready to devour every other man in the room if he deemed he had to.

"We can build on this together. Make an offer as irresistible as possible, and as beneficial as possible, to everyone involved... and, of course, Engellex gets to have the benefits of initiative here, without any formal involvement. Your considerations can be added, and Wiese can and will pressure the EDF for a counter-offer in what will seem as our own initiative" he nodded. "And Engellex keeps its hands clean, whether it succeeds or fails. No risk of your industry being bombed by incoming enemy reinforcements no risk of a crushing defeat that can bring the worst. You have won your war thus far, anyhow" he said encouragingly.

"So, here is option 1: build on this "neutral" peace proposal, or move on to option 2, which will concern our bilateral relations in relation to everything else happening. But I can assure you, there is no ulterior motive we have here, except to safeguard our business interests... on both sides of the curtain. And we can ensure you that, if peace is signed before another nation is destroyed, we can proceed with quick and efficient investments in your economic sectors that we find mutual interest into, thus minimising your post-war costs of the conflict."

Babelfisch finally leaned back, playing with his fat moustache for a moment. The Emperor had simply frowned more, as if Babelfisch had been way too direct in this. It made sense in Wieser diplomacy, to be direct; but it was gambling, to try and overcome the linguistic barrier so dramatically. A second later, the Germans were waiting on the Engellexic response.

 

[Great Engellex]

Hofburg Palace, Preßburg, Saxony, Wiese

This document put before Viscount Palmerston claimed to declare no outright victor, Babelfisch even spoke of monetary reparations and military transit rights, of course, the Royal Commission saw this for what it was – to relieve the Federation’s Western Front as to allow them to enjoy a single fronted campaign against Carentania. Not Solaren. This was a true statement as far as it went; but it was also true what they say on the delusions of the Federation and their perception of right to power, this proposal would enjoy no support from the Viscount Palmerston – certainly not of the Queen-Empress. The general attitude was summed up by a note from Lord Tapsell that was quietly passed to Palmerston, he wrote :- The implementation of this defeatist proposal would probably lead to the disintegration of European peace within a matter of months. Not ignoring the fact that it makes victors of the Federation. Palmerston had set off to Wiese in the hope of correcting this outdated and unrealistic view which was still jealously held within this landlocked kingdom. It was the strangest thing though, it appears they genuinely believe firmly that this document would do the trick of restoring peace between the Federation and Great Engellex.

Palmerston sat up, removing his eyes from the ill formed document, I am sorry that I shall not have seen the imperial city, Augsburg. I hope it is indeed recovering from its wounds. As a further expression of the disinterest in the proposal Palmerston stretched his left arm and slid the document back across the table. I cannot continue unless you are prepared to deliver a favourable answer to this war.

The document of the position of Great Engellex, that was then passed to the Germans by Lord Tapsell, contained no such delusion. The deliberation of peace and settlement here was in no way to be received by the entire European Defence Federation, the Engellexic document and Royal Commission was in Wiese to deal with affairs between Dulwich and Augsburg, nobody else. At the same time it pledged the guarantee of a conditional surrender to be sought from the Montelimarian government. The condition being no annexation. It also repudiated the Bill going through Parliament that would seize assets belonging to the whole Federation in Great Engellex and Montelimar, and introduce a ten year embargo of agricultural and industrial products; the former which the Federation relied on Montelimar for, not to mention the importance of national productions to the European agricultural markets. More than that, it called upon the Empire of Wiese to confront the realities of a rapidly changing Europe, and to engage with the Empire of Great Engellex on terms mutually beneficial and not desperately seek to maintain a dead status quo. Dulwich wanted Augsburg to withdraw from reinforcing the fruitless attempts of imperialism by the Federation. For good measure the Queen-Empress and the Ministers would negotiate the ceding of Fontaine-Harcourt to Wiese, thus establishing for Augsburg access to the Gulf of Lorraine, the Bay of Venetia, and subsequently the Long Sea. The document did not entertain obscene suggestions such as reparations and military transit rights.

The Engellexic document put an end to the serious misunderstandings between Great Engellex and Wiese, on terms highly beneficial to both. Dulwich was no longer interested in dealing with the Federation and would engage those who strangely associate themselves to it individually. The post-war era in Europe had been a myth on the power and ability of the Federation to confront and bring down any critic, regardless of ideology, but that myth had been dramatically smashed. Moreover, Great Engellex now saw itself as needing to point out such realities to those who are considered friends and potential allies. This, as Palmerston was compelled to inform the Germans on their proposal, flew in the face of the realities of Preuti-Borussia and the instincts of her Majesty the Queen-Empress. To counter this was the purpose of the document before you, it had been obtained from loose deliberations within the Council of State. Her Majesty is willing to match any concessions asked of Wiese to a concession of equivalent degree from Great Engellex, for we know that only that will truly deliver the restoration of European peace and address regional balance. I believe the independence of Wiese from the strings of Nurnberg would matter less than a counter strategy to the seizure of assets in Great Engellex and Montelimar. The Federation had already taken similar steps against Engellex with assets held in the Federation, and while damaging, it wouldn't come close to the damage of such a move to seize assets they held in Montelimar. A big and important piece of their economic collective. Unlike military experts, Palmerston was dubious about the value of military transit rights in a military sense, but politically he understood it clearly. The issue of the Federation arrogantly transporting military units through Montelimar against the backdrop of objections of Dulwich is what caused the war with the Federation. He hoped he would find little need to remind them that transit rights were an absolute no-go.