New Berlin's winter was in full swing, snow came down from the heavens in a furious storm, covering the city below in a blanket of cold ice and snow, city workers worked overtime to keep up with the continuous drift as it started to pile up, to keep ahead of the drift was a challenge in itself.
As the snow fell Joachim drank his coffee, ever grateful he did not have to go outside today, watched from the window as snowflakes drifted past the window of the conference room towards the streets far below. His gray suit seemed to reflect the skies clouds as they dropped their payload, taking a drink from his coffee he turned away from the window towards the conference table where the carafe and several mugs waited.
The building itself belonged to the Imperialist Party of Rheinland, it was one of several such buildings on New Berlin, however today it would serve as a meeting point between him and a person of some importance. If talks went well then perhaps the Bundestag would see changes for the better, if not then it's likely things would remain as they always were.
Still he had to at the very least make an attempt, there had been a surge of pro-Bundschuh supporters lately within lesser elements of the Bundestag, something had to be done to counter this and ensure order is maintained.
He put the mug down on the table, running a hand through his brown hair in a tired motion, he had been up late last night working late on a campaign speech for a Hamburg rally, he had almost forgotten about his meeting today in his tired state... That would have been quite awkward.
The snow covered roads made the approach to the Imperial Party's building a hassle, though a snowplow drove at the front of the convoy of four vehicles. The drift of snow had come early this year, emergency crews had been called into service to keep life in the Capitol going smoothly as it always would. Inside the middle vehicle sat a man of large statue, his hair a dark gray mixed with black, yet he was only in his mid forties. He was reading through a few files while across from him sat two bodyguards and an adviser.
The convoy pulled up to the rather majestic building, though not at the front door like many inside would probably have expected. The snowplow had continued down the road as the remaining vehicles turned into the back entry for the building. The doors opened on the lead and tail vehicle, armed men quickly stepped out and took up positions around the limousine in the middle. It's doors opened and the gentleman sitting inside, along with his entourage, they quickly vanished into the building.
Inside, the employee's were rather shocked at who had snuck in the back of such a well monitored place unnoticed, though noone said a word. The four man detail entered the elevators and took the ride up two floors. A slight ding signaled the arrival at the destination floor, the doors opened with a slight hiss and the man stepped into the room, heading right for two glass doors. Opening them he stepped inside, his advisor on his side, his two guards standing outside the doors.
"Joachim, it has been a while.." The man curled his lips in a friendly grin.
When he heard that voice his gaze turned upwards from the mug on the table towards the man who spoke, the man in question was one he was quite familiar with and it was difficult NOT to be familiar with the man considering his station.
"Herr Schulte, It has been some time indeed."he responded calmly, his eyes not leaving the man as he stood to his full height. He gave the man a brief look-over before nodding."I see you haven't gotten soft since taking up office.he commented lightly before picking up his coffee again and taking another drink from the energy-giving liquid. Beckoning the man to the table he sat down in one of the chairs with a small sigh of relief.
"Feel free to help yourself to Coffee gentlemen and have a seat, I am sure that we are all busy people and would prefer to get down to business as soon as possible."he suggested as he waited for them to be seated so that this meeting could be underway.
Schulte was the leader of the Nationalist Party, the current 'In Power' party in the Bundestag, both the Imperialist and Nationalist Parties had coinciding interests in the agenda such as the promotion of Rheinlandic interests over foreign interests and the restoration of their house as a house of strength. They were also opposed to the Bundschuh terrorist movement as well as their Red Hessian allies who helped to topple their empire from within. However with the outcasting of the Bundschuh Party the Imperialists in general considered the terms forced upon them as void, however they did not have the capacity to mount a counter-revolution so it was decided to regain the throne through the very legal system that the young Republic had set up through the political process.
"Coffee, Savior of Sanity in current Bundestag discussions."
Schulte eyed his opposite up and down as he did the same before moving to the table to take a seat across from Friedmann. Taking a mug from the middle of the table, he poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned back into the chair. What had brought them together was the uprising of smaller groups in the Bundestag, a happening neither of them liked. The nationalists and Imperialists had some similar interests, though they also split in other parts, it was Schulte's logical political ally in Rheinland.
"There is no time to grow soft, or weak. Rheinland needs a strong guiding hand, and a firm grip of the rod. Though often enough, barricades are put up and we simply turn in circles in the discussions on the floor. The smaller parties are slowly taking seats, I do not have a majority to push through my desired actions. We need to act, Joachim"
He leaned towards the table then, taking a rather long drink from his mug. He didn't beat around the bush much and went right to business, he had other happenings to attend after all, though this would be one of the most important in his current timetable. A glance at his watch then before he looked around the room.
"Own pocket, or tax payer money? The building, that is."
Schulte let out a hearty laugh then, looking over at Joachim across from him.
"Coffee, Savior of Sanity in current Bundestag discussions."
Joachim gave a brief chuckle at this comment, most if not all members of the Bundestag has had at least one cup of Coffee in their terms of office. As they all took their seats Joachim made sure to pay attention as Schulte made his opening statement. Even he had to admit Schulte had a flair for stirring the feelings of nationalistic pride when he was in his 'campaign mode'.
"There is no time to grow soft, or weak. Rheinland needs a strong guiding hand, and a firm grip of the rod. Though often enough, barricades are put up and we simply turn in circles in the discussions on the floor. The smaller parties are slowly taking seats, I do not have a majority to push through my desired actions. We need to act, Joachim"
As the man finished his statement Joachim was mildly impressed, however it took more than pretty words to sway him, he had to answer to his voters and ensure their voices were also heard.
"Indeed, however that is the price we pay for the Federal Republic Herr Schulte, barricades have a nasty tendency to crop up when such vast power is distributed to the masses. Thus we have parties like the Bundschuh and their ilk trying to ensure such instability continues as it serves their agenda to weaken our House, their cause influences the smaller parties to make more demands that would only come to create further harm to our Houses' interests. While I agree that action is called for I find myself wondering what the Nationalists seek from us to resolve this matter?"he asked, keeping his tone calm and even, he didn't dare look away from the man.
"Own pocket, or tax payer money? The building, that is."
The question was quite odd but he saw no harm in answering in total honesty as it was bought quite legally.
"The Building was bought with funds from my Family's Coffers, while the fall of the Empire wounded our stores my Father was a genius who knew when to turn a profit."he answered the man while pouring himself another cup of coffee.
"Your father was a man who knew his way around coin, indeed. This is a very impressive build."
Schulte nodded slowly as he listened to Friedman talk. The man did not let up on his ideals, strong in his resolve, not a feat easily found in today's world. He knew he needed Friedmann and the Imperialist Party to take full control of the representatives in Bundestag.
"The need is simple yet complex, easy yet hard to achieve."
He took a drink from his coffee as he paused, adding dramatic tension before he cleared his throat, his voice firm.
"The nationalist party needs the Imperialist Party. That is the gist of it. We must create a political alliance if we are to push Bundschuh and it's puppets out of government. They have been a thorn in my side for too long. Every time I have to listen to one of their representatives speak I wish I could light them on fire. Their agenda is faulty, their arguments used over and over again. It is moments like those I wish for more power, to make sure things in Rheinland are done as they need be.
I am sure you can relate."
Maximilian then leaned back into his chair, taking a deep breath which was released with a long sigh before he turned to another sip from his mug, his gaze never leaving Friedmann.
"Your father was a man who knew his way around coin, indeed. This is a very impressive build."
Joachim took the compliment as it was with a slight nod as they continued their business. He was curious as to what Maxmillian was proposing to 'correct' the error of the Bundestag's more Socialist-leaning parties and restore the balance.
"The need is simple yet complex, easy yet hard to achieve."
"The nationalist party needs the Imperialist Party. That is the gist of it. We must create a political alliance if we are to push Bundschuh and it's puppets out of government. They have been a thorn in my side for too long. Every time I have to listen to one of their representatives speak I wish I could light them on fire. Their agenda is faulty, their arguments used over and over again. It is moments like those I wish for more power, to make sure things in Rheinland are done as they need be.
I am sure you can relate."
That was something...Unexpected, while the Bundschuh had no offiical party anylonger with seats they still had great influence on the smaller Pro-Social Parties that still had a voice. An alliance between the IPR and Nationalists would cement a Right-Wing government and grant the Federal Government more reaching powers to push bills through. However even Joachim had people to answer to, his voters were expecting him to push for a restoration of the Monarchy in line with an amended Constitution, if he went through with such an Alliance he would have to have something to placate the voters with to ensure that Rheinland's aristocracy and Pro-Monarchists would be appeased.
He voiced his concerns to Schulte, his disposition unchanging as he pushed forward.
"Your proposal is intriguing, such a union would undoubtedly put a damper on the Pro-Socialist movement's own activities within the Bundestag. However you must understand that like you I also must answer to the people who vote for my party and it's interests, the IPR will want as the Libertonians say 'A Piece of the pie' as it were. In the event of such an alliance what could our party expect for our support in this matter?"
Schulte finished off his coffee before sitting up straight at the desk, his hands folded infront of him as he looked over at Friedmann
"You know I cannot promise you an empire, or a Monarchy. Atleast not right away. I need to think of the people and the voters, just like you do. Together though, if we move towards a push of some common goals, we can appease both sides of our voters, because we can push these goals through with our majority. A greater Coalition of our parties, for the People."
He had leaned back as he finished his explanation as to what he couldn't and could do. He knew he needed Friedmann and his voters to keep power and push out Bundschuh's puppets from the Bundestag, so he knew he needed to appease them all.
" It would be easier to hear what you expect out of the nationalists in the beginning to make such a coalition work."
He poured himself another cup of coffee then and began to sip it slowly.
"You know I cannot promise you an empire, or a Monarchy. Atleast not right away. I need to think of the people and the voters, just like you do. Together though, if we move towards a push of some common goals, we can appease both sides of our voters, because we can push these goals through with our majority. A greater Coalition of our parties, for the People."
That was only natural, such large-scale changes would only upset the stability of Rheinland and put themselves in an even deeper hole than before, change would have to come slowly in order to maintain a degree of stability within the region. Such instability would only allow the Red Hessians even more ground than before...
" It would be easier to hear what you expect out of the nationalists in the beginning to make such a coalition work."
With a nod Joachim finished off his cup of Coffee and replied to the Nationalist with his party's 'appeasement' from the Nationalist Party to ensure a working partnership in this enterprise.
"The IPR would expect an equal voice alongside the Nationalists, while we know a Monarchy cannot be acheived at this time we can ensure that the Rheinland people are taken care of and their rights ensured in the face of foreign interests such as Liberty, furthermore we would prefer to be consulted upon matters concerning the Left-Wing movement within Rheinland, our party's membership holds quite the grudge against them and knowing of actions our joint union will take against their seated members will go a long way to appeasing the more hard-liner members of our party."
he looked out the window, the snow was coming to a halt, finally, although it was likely extremely cold outside still, the mirrors up at the Ring would be directed to this area shortly to improve the conditions for the city workers to remove the snow from the streets and tram systems.
"What we want out of this is a partnership and to ensure that the Rheinlander, not the corporate lapdog of foreigners, is the one who is lifted up, show the people you want their well-being ensured and you will have the swing vote, particularly in these dark times."
"The IPR would expect an equal voice alongside the Nationalists, while we know a Monarchy cannot be acheived at this time we can ensure that the Rheinland people are taken care of and their rights ensured in the face of foreign interests such as Liberty, furthermore we would prefer to be consulted upon matters concerning the Left-Wing movement within Rheinland, our party's membership holds quite the grudge against them and knowing of actions our joint union will take against their seated members will go a long way to appeasing the more hard-liner members of our party."
Schulte would now slowly as Friedmann talked, it seemed like was agreeing in his head already before the man continued to speak.
"What we want out of this is a partnership and to ensure that the Rheinlander, not the corporate lapdog of foreigners, is the one who is lifted up, show the people you want their well-being ensured and you will have the swing vote, particularly in these dark times."
He folded his hands together on the tabletop in front of him, clutching the coffee mug between his hands as he stared out the window at the slowing snow, a mesmerizing sight. He shook his head shortly and then looked over at Friedmann.
"I can give you voice if you give me men, this I can assure you. Together we will be able to push ourselves past the puppet parties and gain control of a direct majority of seats. The nationalist and Imperialist parties will not be able to be stopped."
He then placed the mug away from him in the middle of the desk and stood up, walking to the windows to gaze outside into the white covered city and it's inhabitants.
" The People will lose nothing and gain everything.."