"Former noble lines, you say, Durchlaucht?" She took a deep breath. "Prinz, with all my gebührendem Respekt, I am Erbserzherzogin of Stuttgart. Mein Grandfather, Vizeadmiral Karl-Heinz von Thielau is still part of the unofficial Hochadel on Stuttgart. In the upper-class society the Adelssystem is still practised." Kara looks the prince in the eyes. "Our family has one of the most glorious histories in Rheinland aside your family, the Von Ehrenbergs and the Kochs. We honor your family, we will swear absolute loyalty if you become the new Kaiser, but in return, my family wishes to retain their honor. We are proud. Proud to be Rheinländer and proud of our past, as well as being part of the Hochadel, I know our elders would like to keep it this way. I don't know about the others, except Rheinhardt." She nods to the Konteradmiral. Then she turns around to the young Wachtmeisterin."Ah, prince, this young Wachtmeisterin, Zita von Karlsohn, she is my new Sonder Einsatzkommando Grüppenführerin of Stuttgart. Zita, maybe you tell the Prinz about your familie's status in the Adelsgesellschaft on Stuttgart?"
Solomon had been flipping over the charter, running it down his PDA. There were discrepancies that could be argued out in due time - reservations from a still-jellied newborn bureaucracy that would measure itself by these initial vagaries.
The Unioners never acted by executive fiat. The Syndicalist movements had always been one of aggregates, with frontmen who knew that their role was not just to project the ideas of the unions but also take gunfire on their behalf. What better than a man who has lost everything but ideas? Weisse had given his body, his people, and his cause, up to the prospect of a better Rheinland in his time. For most, that was theoretical. There would always be a break-point - family, safety, cautious precedent, that would hold a man back. Weisse was never given the choice of surrendering these privileges.
He looked Meyer in the eye. The young man appeared earnest in his suspicion. He had then naked, rare earnestness of a rich man who didn't feel as he had to compete with other elites, and shrugged the term. It wasn't understanding, but it was as close to empathy as the kid could reach for in his two million credit Houston leather shoes.
When stylus touched the PDA, Weisse signed, not in name, but in passion.
The tired activist rubbed his nose, coughed, and hurled the text into the roundtable's central display, silencing the clamour.
"We talk of alliances. Great powers deliberated in a single room. We talk of how to attain power, but not how it should be used. How it should be spread. This deadication to better, will live, or remain a fiction, depending upon how power is handed over. It must be done by the people's consent. The people must believe they are consenting. There must be no trickery, no emulation of the half-elections of brought-and-paid-for representatives that has defined our house for centuries. A corruption of which everyone in this room, has, at some point, gamed for their own power. We have all blamed one another for this process, whilst profiteering from it. We, at the bottom, the megacorporations, at the top of the circus. We must go against our own instincts, our own experience base. Imagine that we are building a new, hypothetical state, and not sick, invalid of Rheinland that we know, love, and survive."
"This will be difficult. Probably the most difficult endeavour of our lives. I expect all of us will in some way will fail to live up to expectation. But the benefits, for all of us, as well as the people, outweigh the comfort of doing nothing whilst our house is steadily colonised. Brother Mayer talks of signing compacts of trust - corporations depend upon written precedent for contracture. It is the fundamental of our economy, of corruption and order, exploitation and fair profit. It is amoral, but it has power. Laws operate on the same premise. They just answer to more shareholders."
"Since we must be new enough to not repeat the destruction of that which was glorious about the old Kingdom in our current times, the federals will lampoon us for disrupting the halff-compromise they have created since Von Rohe's day. A compromise that pleased neither the Republicans, Libertarians, Socialists, or Nationals, but pushed us all to extremism. Including those here in this room. We must search for that which unites us. Principles old enough to be foundational to Rheinland, that would inspire a new generation. A crown alone is not enough when people starve in the streets, the Intelligence Agencies run the news cycle, and the government is profiteering from retailing Gallic drugs to its own people."
The hologram spools back, adjusting to the frame of the main monitor. Green text from an ancient file scrolls across the screen.
"They need more. This document, is more. Promise to restore to them a way of life which is foundational enough to be celebrated within the lifetimes of folk heroes like Von Rohe and Jochaim Schiller - that history has proven can happen, without the decay of the Empire's later years. Surpass the federals. Take the sympathetic front."
Niklas Mayer looks to the prinz. I think its time you consider to sign this document. As you will read, this does not benefit myself, Republican Shipping or Unioners in anyway. This will only benefit Rheinland, your people, if you ascend to the throne. If ever you wanted to do something for Rheinland, or to show that the people comes first, sign this and at the soonest time, enforce it. Im sure as well that showing commitment to this would encourage everyone here to follow you. He turns to the others in the meeting. If any of you feel that you can contribute to this signing, sign the document as well. Even though your part is not stipulated here, each of your factions plays a part in the grand design. Like Rheinland Federal Polizei, we will rely on you for escorts and maintaining the peace. Admiral, we will rely on the Rheinwehr to bring order and to push back all of those that threaten Rheinlands life support.
He turns to the Unioner. Mr Weiss some time ago your organisation sent myself demands to be met. One of which is for me to step down as CEO and have a replacement take over. I can assure you that my replacement would not be here in this meeting, bringing this idea to the table, or even willing to be in the same room as you. As it would have been someone from the old way of Republican Shipping. Im sure some part of you is happy that I stood my ground. I am willing to put the past behind me if you truly are as well. Don’t get confused, I can put it aside and willing to work together, but I will not forget what happened. We can discuss a path forward between us once the dust has settled.
He sits back down in the chair by the desk. Yes corporations live and die by contracts, and in essence so does the law and government. So we need to start moving along to more important matters. He looks to the Unioners. Yes more important matters in order to put this contract in place. We each need to have our say of how we would like the government to work. Our idea of a “perfect” Imperial government. We can then put them together and take the bits that can work, and debate the rest. We need to know now what we all stand for, before we can move forward. If we don’t know what we stand for, we cant expect our people, Rheinland to know what we stand for in an Imperial regime.
He looked at each and every member of the room in the eyes, searching for anything that remotely resembled betrayal, treason or malevolent intent. None he could find, each waited upon his word, almost as though it were divine in nature. For such an occassion he stood, is full height being brought to bear upon those who stood now as witnesses. He read the document, and then re-read it, making sure he personally understood each of it's points clearly. Finally, he spoke If you wish for me to sign this, I shall need a pen. When one was presented, he looked at each of those assembled and said, Though I am not Kaiser, or even a Lord, each have you have come this far and have shown, through this document, a willingness to proceed further. For that, you have my eternal gratitude. As he wrote his name into the document, he knew the full implications of such an action. He had just committed High Treason against the sovereign state of Rheinland, by signing into what would one day hopefully be law, he had bypassed the current establishment and put himself above anyone else. By right of old he began by Ages passed and through the right that lies within my blood, I consent to this document and all it's parameters set herein. May it serve henceforth as a reminder to myself and all who be fortunate enough to follow in my footsteps as a reminder of duty and loyalty shown by the witnesses today. He paused, not really sure if he was to add anything else, before remembering a most blindingly obvious fact. I invite you all to sign this document, to ratify it here and now, so that it may, should the time come, be passed into law as quickly as possible. Let this document, in all it's marvelous simplicity, serve as a benchmark for future laws passed.
With the document now signed, the treason now done, he turned to the other members of what was beginning to look like an inner council and began to address their own personal concerns. Mister Weisse, I do not doubt your resolve sir, nor do I doubt the truth in your words, yet in my own professional career sir, I should warn against putting too much faith in people. Although they be the power upon which all governments stand, they are unstable and easily frightened. Courage, hope and an idea to aspire too are all required, but be wary sir, for they can turn against you just as quickly as the wind. We must guide them yes, but to bend to every wish they make? that I do not believe is at all wise.
He turned now to the republican shipping representative and smiled at the man, Your honesty is most refreshing, mister Mayer. Corporations have been sullied by the Libertonians I fear. You, however, have sense enough to see the common goal. I do not believe all corporations to be 'evil', but oversight is needed to ensure that people, the darkest and most wicked of our kind, do not destroy what faith people have in your organisation. You, I see are not totally opposed to such an idea. Corporations have their place, but we must always be wary of any organisation that wields power, even Government.
Finally, he turned to the young woman that was the Police representative. He couldn't deny her beauty, although such enthusiasm was far more attractive than any amount of looks. Miss Kara, rest assured the noble lines of old will not be cast out or struck down, they are needed, not to rule in my name, but to safeguard. We are not to be the hellish system that Liberty is, but rather the upstanding one that Bretonia aspires to be. They are a good case study to start with, perhaps in time we will be able to better them at their own game, but only if we are vigilant in our actions. He pasued before smiling And I should be very glad to hear what Zita has to say.
The young lady read the document carefully. She then looks at the prince and Mr. Mayer. "Ok, Herr Mayer, Durchlaucht, the Bundespolizei of Rheinland, as well as the Bundesgrenzschutz and the Sondereinsatzkommando Streitkräfte hereby formally accept the task to assure the support for this food production plan. I think no more words are needed for this." Kara took the stylus and signed the document. Then she passed the tablet back to Mr. Mayer.
Danke Inspekteurin, and Prinz. If anyone else wants to sign, ill leave it on the table.
Prinz, i believe that we all have desires and wishes that we want met, once you ascend to the throne. Outside of what Bretonia can offer us, but rather of what you can offer us, and what type of government we will have. I for one, dont want a tyrant or a warlord, but I also dont want someone that can easily be walked over either.
Let us hear from everyone, what type of government we would want, and start working towards a common goal.
Erwin Mannlicher waited patiently while the men talked. With a glance at his colleague and friend, Niklas Mayer, he adjusted his Daumann-themed cufflinks and strode up to the table. With the ease of practice he whipped a stylus from his jacket and signed his name to the document. "Gut, next?"
Admiral von Ehrenberg visibly bristled and the civilians' nonchalance. He straightened his back and recomposed himself before stepping forward. He nodded deferentially to the crown prince, before he swept his gaze around the room. His one good eye made contact here and there with the eyes of the others in the room, but the cold, ice blue gaze of his cybernetic eye glittered unnaturally in the greenish light of the conference room.
"Euer Gnaden, meine damen und herren... It is all well and good to stand here together and make great plans for the future, but..." He fixed his one good eye on the prince before continuing, "what the great houses of Rheinland want, mein prinz, only you can give them. There will come a time for oaths and for promises, and a time for how to build utopia. Right now, we must rally the people, we must win the war, and we must be clear amongst ourselves what our intent is."
He turned slowly to fix the bretonnian agent at the center of his piercing stare. "As for our Bretonnian friends. We need all that and more. It is clear enough, " as he spoke he gestured around the room, "that Rheinland is united, but that is not enough. We must have allies, we must have guarantees."
Turning to face the room in general, the Konteradmiral naturally fell into stance, his arms clasped behind his back. He spoke in a clear, commanding, voice to emphasize his final point. "Above all else: we need funds. Funds for new ships and new fleets, funds for more boots on the ground. Before we can prosper in peace, there is still a war to win."
Wolfgang, who recently had been promoted to Konteradmiral for his service at the front, stepped forward. The badges on his uniform were glancing goldish. He nodded to Konteradmiral von Ehrenberg. Then he looked at the crown prince. "Reinhardt is right, euer Hoheit. We won't have the capacities you would ask for to support major plans now. We indeed have to win the war against the Bambusratten first. I am sure, with all our new and old allies supporting you and the Rheinwehr, we can get these funds Rheinhardt talked about. This is something which should be seen as one priority."
The young Inspekteurin listened to the words of the Konteradmiräle carefully. "I understand the Militär's issue. I can tell you, euer Gnaden, the Polizei forces are strong these days. We have re-established a great structure of a working Polizeidienst. The Sondereinsatzkommando, our special forces, are ready at every time to " *she coughs* "arrest traitors. These troops are one-hundred percent loyal to myself and if I order it, they will serve you too without any doubt. Same goes for the other divisions who enforce the daily service."
"Herr von Ehrenberg, I cannot do promises concerning Bretonia, I am not in the position to do so. I can propose you something, however." Hanna pulls out her own Notepad. "Any of the here present representatives, you can tell me what you require from Bretonia, I can send these to my superior, as I am here on his orders, he can then pass these to the government."
The Prince mused over what the Admiral said, pondering his words carefully before saying anything. What of Rheinland you ask? An interesting question that, as is to be expected, has no clear answer. We are making these decisions on their behalf for their own good without their input. True, there will be those that will resent us for it, but I am a firm believer in the idea that people respect ability. If we show the people that we are competent, and I don't simple mean 'a little better than the Republic', rather a lot better, then we will find our support. If the Rheinland Military can win the war, if the Rheinland Police can begin to seriously dent the already out of control crime problem then we will have shown the people that we can, and are better. He paused, smoking a little more of his pipe before adding If our corporations can show the people that they care about the well being of Rheinland as well then all the better. These plans, admiral, cannot be achieved overnight by simply waving our hands. But they are good starts. How do we rally the people to our cause? by promising them a future that they can look forward to, one in which they feel needed, one where they believe they can contribute and one in which they can live in peace. We tell them that the road will be hard, but unlike their lives in the Republic, they will count for something, and then we prove it....By being capable. He wasn't aware just how angry he was at the Republic until he said all those things, and he realized that this was something he wanted because he firmly believed that he along with those with him, could do infinitely better than those already in power. And he wouldn't let anyone stop him from trying.
We can already say we are more competent then the Republic government. We all agreed already that on the top of our priorities is enabling our people to grow their own food on a scale to support Rheinland. It is just the start. We are going to need to make a plan about he Dark Matter storm in Munich. We dont know how soon it is going to hit Nuremburg, but we cant wait to move the population.
I know "we" as Rheinland have tried to make peace with Kusari, but let us try again as Imperial Rheinland. If it is successful, the people will follow us for sure. Admirals, if I may suggest, contact Kusari again and offer them the following. Rheinland seeks peace with Kusari as this war is costly and neither side asked for it. We ask you too stop your support for GMG and Rheinland will stop attacking Kusari with immediate effect. Both parties can send a delegation to conduct negotiations. I advise in Honshu or in Sigma 21.
He looks down to the floor and walks around. Off the record if GMG hits the delegations, Kusari may see that GMG are only interested in themselves and Kusari was a means to an end. We can negotiate that Rheinland holds claim to Sigma 21 seeing that we did successfully take control of the system. We will not ask any more of Kusari. Kusari then must put political pressure on GMG for a cease fire. We can negotiate terms for Sigma 13. Maybe we take control on our own or with Kusari to ensure the GMG doesnt try anything in the future.
What ever we decide, this war needs to end and preferably ends with the Imperial hand offering a successful treaty. This with other things we can do to help our people, they will see with the Imperial regime in place, it is no longer more of the same. But rather a positive change to a better Rheinland. Ever since the Republic has been in rule, they have let other houses dictate to use what we can or cant do in our own systems. We allowed Synthfoods, a Liberty Corporation stay in Rheinland to hold the monopoly on food, while our people gets pushed off their own lands. The reason why the LWB attacks the Republic is because the Republic chooses to do nothing about the situation. It is a result of inaction from the government.
Prinz, I suggest that when the time comes, hopefully soon, have an interview with the media. Answer the questions the best you can, and we may get more support than what we may think.