FRENCH FILE NO. 1:

Russia

A tall man with fair, almost white hair. Empire in the east.

I'm going to meet him in the town of Tilsit. I need to make peace with him so I could to use hi… no, ally with him and proceed with my plans. I hope we can come to an agreement.

... ... ... ...

Summer, 1807

"Now that we have overcome our small differences, I wonder if I could ask you to do me a small favor?"

France asked casually, like the matter would not be very important to him. But during his harsh past Russia had learned to read between the lines, to understand things that were left to be said. France was acting – if even possible –more charming than usually. No, he was not going to ask for anything small from him.

Russia leaned back on his chair. It was a nice summer day, and even the temperature was just about right, not even the scarf that he always wore around his neck made him feel uncomfortable. Fortunately for France, they held their little meeting on a raft in the middle of the Neman River. Comfortable cool air flowed in.

"You can always ask"

Russia replied with a kind smile. He didn't like when someone was expecting him to obey his orders, but at least France seemed to treat him like an equal ally, not like a defeated enemy, even if he was here only because he had lost a war against France earlier. Oh, so painful memory, it made Russia's corners of the mouth twitch a little.

"I'm sure you already know" the Frenchmen started "That almost the whole Europe is under my command nowadays, my new boss is a genius. But only almost. Now that you are on my side and badly beaten, weak Prussia is no challenge for me –his military might is highly exaggerated - the only obstacle for my rule is England."

"England is always sticking his big nose where it doesn't belong, that's nothing new", Russia blurted. For some reason, France and England seemed to be always arguing about something, no matter what. But on the other hand, let them fight, Russia mused. It's always useful if possible enemies wore themselves out.

"It's not easy to put England on his knees, because the location of his house in the middle of the sea makes the place like a fortress. That's why I'm going to use it against him and isolate him." France continued, his smile looked almost shy "But I can't do it if I can't get his current trade partners on my side. That's where you step in, mon ami!"

"I step in?" Russia asked innocently, still smirking.

Things seemed to be progressing in the right direction, France noticed with satisfaction. Russia seemed to be genuinely curious about his request. He stood up from his chair, took some pictures from the near drawer, and slapped them on the desk; Stoic Sweden with a messy blond hair, grinning Denmark, who had even more messy blond hair, and Portugal, whose dark curly hair was on a ponytail, were posing in the pictures.

"I want you to help me to persuade them on my side, they are England's local allies and trading partners, as you know. I want them to stop all their dealings with England. When England is all alone, hungry, and isolated from everyone else, there is no other choice for him and his brothers than to crawl to me and beg me to take him as my underling."

So, that was his plan, Russia thought. Pretty clever, he needed to admit that, even he would love to see defeated England, begging for his help, that usually grumpy look now full of sweet tears…

"Your brutal force, uh… I mean amazing persuading skills will guarantee that his last allies will turn their backs on him." France woke him from his thoughts.

Russia looked at the pictures on the desk. He and France were already agreed to do some other favors to each other, and this didn't sound so hard thing to do, after all, they all were only minor powers nowadays.

"What do I get in return?" Russia asked.

"What?"

"I'm trading with England, too. I need to get something in return if I need to stop that now."

"Ah, you are at war with Turkey right now, right? I will gladly help you with the war. Is that enough?" France asked, hoping Russia wouldn't ask anything about Poland again. Poland was France's new, extremely loyal vassal state and they already had a small argument about his position. For some reason Russia thought Poland should belong to him. This small dispute shouldn't ruin everything.

But fortunately for France, Russia just shrugged "All right, it's a deal. This may even be fun."

"I knew I could trust in you!" France exclaimed and jumped up to hug his new friend. "Take Sweden as your first target, you live closest to him, I can deal with Portugal and Denmark. Use any methods you want; talk to him, charm him, threaten him, start a war, kidnap his partner and blackmail him to sign the treaty. I don't care how you do it, but you must turn him on my side."

"You mean all the means are permitted?" Russia made sure.

"Sure, do whatever you want to do, I don't care! You know, if I were you I wouldn't tolerate hostile Swedish guns so near beautiful Russian ladies, if you understand what I mean." France chuckled.