A travel agency in Germany
"Hello, Herr Müller! Nice to see you, what can I do for you today?"
"Hello, Elena! We are planning this year´s holidays, so we need your capable hands to get it done."
"Ah, no problem. Some nice spot in the Spreewald again?"
"No, this time we want to travel outside of Germany. Dirk and Lisa made their Abitur (A-level/High School diploma) with high grades, so as a reward we will go abroad."
"Congratulations at the two! Do you have anything special in mind?"
"No, Elena, not really, just no expedition into the unknown level please..."
"Oh, and I had this very special voyage to the backside of Morrslieb for just 5 Marks-"
Both burst out laughing at the over-the-top whiny tone.
"But seriously, while still most of the world is off-limits for tourists, new vacation spots pop up year by year. I doubt that it will ever get to a point like old Earth, there are just too much problems for it to happen, but nice places are there for picking.
The easiest way - and with a high standard of living - to experience something different is to go to Neupapenburg, Neuschlesien and Nanseitoshi. Politically they are part of Germany, but culturally there is still a way to go. While Neupapenburg is still in the process of building up tourist infrastructure, it has the tropical weather and the contacts with the Slann going for it, not to forget the Space Center. Germany´s next top model shot one season there, so the beaches are quite known."
"Yeah, I remember seeing some of it and my wife would not be adverse to stay there a few days, but she says that Neupapenburg is still mostly a space center with a twon, so not much beside that."
"Your wife is not off, but with beach tourism on the rise, other parts of Neupapenburg are made usable for tourists. And the Slann bring about some spots of interest not found elsewhere.
But I can see where you get from.
Unlike the other new territories in the West, Neuschlesien is mainly settled by immigrants and refugees from Bretonnia. So this is the best spot for a holiday with a French feeling to it on all of Warhammer. But I have to warn you that only the eastern part with the capital of Dreiquellen is really safe. Close to the Reik and the border with Bretonnia much can happen. But Dreiquellen is a Mini-Paris and feels like it. The city feels more like the Paris in the Maigret novels than the Paris on Earth."
"Interesting, but considering Dreiquellen is roughly a decade old, it is a bit like Neupapenburg, or? With limited possibilities beside landscape."
"Well, you are not wrong on this, the museums are small for the time being and our city, not one of the largest, is three times as large as Dreiquellen, but if you want places to visit...
Off these three options, Nanseitoshi has the, by far, best established tourist infrastructure. This can be a boon and a burden for the travellers. On weekends and holidays the bordering federal states visit Nanseitoshi in numbers. Ringomori or Kagoshima, for example, have adapted quite well. They enlarged their museums, modernised the infrastructure and you can eat traditional German food beside Nipponese one and the cities are old, so you have many spots of interest. "
"Hmm, not bad."
"Yes and personally speaking, if you want to see Nippon and at rather low costs, you have to go to Nanseitoshi. Sumeto or Shirasagi-Onsen are naturally even more Nipponese, but cruising over to Nippon proper is a lot more expensive than to hop on the train or into your car and drive down to Nanseitochi."
"Hmm, quite right."
"Now if you would visit the Empire, that is the other big hotspot, beside the rest of Germany with her new additions, for tourists lately. City trips to Altdorf, Middenheim or Nuln, to name just some, are IN. And while the major cities rope in the majority of visitors, some 'smaller' ones are playing catch up, especially those where you can see the changing of the times. Pfeildorf, Steingart, Hergig, Norden, Kemperbad or Heideck have rapidly growing tourism. and those are just a sample.
Likewise a hot seller, especially for families with kids are holidays on Imperial Farms.
Normally these farms are in Raiffeisen villages along the railways, since these villages are a bit more modern and 'closer to the 21th century', but I know that some of the wiser rulers in the Empire have not only started making their cities tourist friendlier, but some, mainly showcase, farms as well. Reikland, Nordland, the Ostermark or Averland come to mind, where there are farms for tourists."
"Interesting, but Lisa and Dirk are too old for farm holidays."
"I know, I know, but I just wanted to show you the options. There are holidays for more grown-ups as well. The Mootland, centered in and around the city of Sauerapfel, has begun to advertise for gourmet holidays. I tell you, this is becoming bigger every few months. Both the humans and Haflings in the Mootland are really good cooks and they are savvy enough to make money with it. Among the Imperials these gourmet weekends and holidays are rising in popularity as well.
Hiking in the Empire has become a big tourist thing too. Hiking in the Black, Grey, World´s Edge
Mountains and the Hochland is not that big a thing among the Imperials who prefer city life now, but here among our German compatriots it is popular.
A good friend of mine is a serious hiker and she is totally enamored with the landscape there.
And last but not least, one has to give credit where it is due, Sylvania uses it´s 'unique features' to lure tourists quite competently. It is not only Goths who holiday in Sylvania. The rulers of Sylvania play up the haunted nature of the state in the correct way. Strong enough to give a 'good show', but light enough to give a pleasing visit.
Besides, you can make a rather standard holiday in Sylvania too and reap in the results of low costs."
"Berenike", Black Gulf, 24 hours later.
The water was went from the pail into the sea contained more than a few chemicals and a lot of black color. It caused a brief pattern of deeper blackness in the sea before it dissipated without leaving any trace of its brief existence. The hands that held the pail were slender, well-muscled and had the ruddiness of skin scrubbed hard. It belonged to a Asur wearing the robes of those High Elves who had made their lives at sea. The crew around him held a mixture of nationalities as it could be found on many merchant vessels eking a meager existence from the changed trade patterns.
He made his way below deck, heading for a small cubicle made from sail cloth he called his own when he was intercepted by the Blood Knight.
"So, is this quest fulfilled?"
"Yes Werner, it is fulfilled in the eyes of our patron."
"So when is this next quest of his?"
"We will learn in good time. Remember kneed to know?"
"Yes, yes, I do. Still, just four more challenges like this and I will have salvation."
"You will have a helicopter trip to a dragon and a "Panzerfaust" rocket launcher with three rockets, that`s what you`ll get if you complete your tour of duty."
"As you say, I`ll have my chance at salvation."
"Yes, you`ll have."
Aeolus, formerly of the House of Ethelorne, former aide to the Asurian ambassador dropped on the slim cot he called his. Sleep would take some time coming, that was for sure, he had too much on his mind.
Yes, taking out a coven of Tzeetch mages was a worthwhile target in itself. That a suborned Achaes directly in the way of an important trade route would be bad for German business was a given. That the mages would have given Germany a bad name in this part of the world if not taken out a bonus. Still the main reason for all the intelligence-gathering and killing performed by his team was probably a test.
Ottokar Proktor wanted to know what his newest, most deniable team of killers, could do or not do. He was pretty sure they had performed acceptably.
Inner wall, L'Anguille, Bretonia
The gibbet swung slowly in the breeze. It hung from the wall Taubert de L'Anguille stood on. Even after so many months a sickly smell arose from the mutilated remains of Godemar Fitzgodric, former head of the Brethren of the Lighthouse. He was not alone, there were other gibbets and spikes that served as the last resting place for the heads of the lesser traitors. They were a blight in Taubert de L'Anguille's sight as were so many things these days. When his host had lost twice against the rebellious serfs, when mere flesh and blood could not best pike and crossbow he had withdrawn the army into the Harbor Fortress that gave its name to the province and his family. He had never wanted to be here, he despised the moneygrubbing merchants and traders. He hated the Galleon Squadron stationed at L'Anguille by royal decree, the cannon-toting ships stood against everything the knightly ideals were about.
He loathed the many narrow alleys and paths that meandered between the houses that stood so close to each other, he hated the smell of so many people in one place. He had disdained the Brethren of the Lighthouse before and when they had dared to suggest "discussing offers of neutrality in the civil war" and "honorable surrender" this disdain had flared up into hatred. His knights might not be able to beat the Rebels in the field presently, but they had been able to put down these traitors with ease.
There had been a reckoning, one that served justice and put a salve on Taubert`s shame. Now things were quiet enough, even if some would say this was the quiet of the grave. The town was under siege, but even that was a strange one. As the harbor was open, supplies were no problem, even when the Royals could not send much in the way of reinforcements.
The baron`s gaze fell on the fields before L'Anguille. They would not bear much these days. The rebellious serfs had shown their true colors when they laid siege. Instead of a challenge for honorable combat or a glorious siege they had started digging like the rodents they were. They had dug trenches and crude fortifications, had put spikes in the ground and themselves below it. It looked crude and barely fit to house swine, let alone humans. As he had found out it was surprisingly good at keeping his knights out and the Rebels safe. He would have to wait for reinforcements or until the Royal army finally bested the dastardly Rebels.
When he turned around he saw the harbor, a three-quarter circle nearly a kilometer across. Parts of it looked like a denuded forest as so many masts rose from the ships below them. There were fat-bellied galleons carrying grain and other supplies, there were the fast Corsairs who looked for Rebel ships and carried dispatches. The most impressive were the Galleons. L'Anguille's squadron had been reinforced by those ships that had survived the Battle of Soreil. Useless wastes of Bretonia`s money if one asked Taubert, but nobody did. The navy disregarded the laws of chivalry, mounted cannon and used black powder as if the Lady did not exist. And still they were unable to do their job. The baron had found a use for them still and had moved them so they were now facing the merchant quarters. Their cannons would not penetrate Rebel armor but they could still frighten the unruly merchants and longshoremen into compliance.
Both sides of the harbor entrance were guarded by towers which had more cannon and between the two a huge chain spanned the entrance. It was lowered when a ship was to enter and leave the harbor, it kept all unwanted out. When he looked further out to sea a small speck of grey contrasted with the darker waters. And it led two specks which followed. Taubert still mused what these might be when the bells rang the alarm.
Liberte`, before L'Anguille
Maurice Emeriau had earned the usual reward for doing good work, more of it. He had felt out of place when he had commanded the casemate warship "Liberte`" during the Battle of Soreil. Now things had not improved any as he now commanded a small squadron of such ships. And while Pierre Laval had rectified a lot of the mistakes made during Liberte`s hasty construction her sisters were even more experimental. And the time to train had been rather short, so there were lots of things that could go wrong.
And yet he had been given some tools that might just make his mission possible. Wireless sets were a godsend, any attempts to communicate by flag had met mixed results so far. He had working GPS receivers, decent maps and marine radio with weather forecasts. The latter were the most important requirement for the operation. Maurice shuddered at the thought of having to weather a storm in these vessels. Their freeboard was lousy, they were top-heavy and lacked power. But the weather forecast was good and so he steamed straight at the enemy`s lair in bright sunlight. Which would allow his no longer quite-so-green sailors to do their jobs and presented a clear target to the enemy. He did not have the slightest idea if Liberte`s armor would withstand the coastal guns used by the Royals. Some of them were said to have a huge caliber. He was about to find out, even through the small vision slot he could see the barrels that were run out from the portside tower.
There were some blasts, muzzle flame and smoke followed by splashes that were wildly off his ships. The barrel became visible again nearly a minute later and more splashes rose, this time closer to the small Rebel fleet. This was not good and would become worse when they had to come to a stop to take care of that chain. This would not do, time to do something about it.
"Francois, get on the horn and have Egalite` take care of that tower. Send Fraternite`to the chain. Helm, get alongside Fraternite``, we need to be between them and the guns. And tell the lads to batten down the hatches, this is going to suck."
Liberte`s refit had given Maurice something new to play with and he really liked it . The small vision slots were hard to use, offered a limited field of view and were still dangerous. Now he looked into a tube that gave him a view from a pipe that rose two meters from the small armored bridge. He could turn around as he desired and had a much better view. The Royal guns still fired, even if they had gone to single shot as their crews loaded at different speeds. Liberte` rang like a bell twice when rounds struck the rails that made its armor, and more shots skipped from the plated deck. A hatch had lifted on top of their sister ship and the top of a huge barrel was barely visible. It did not take long before a subdued "thump" reached Maurice`s ear and a bit of fog appeared for a few seconds. The dynamite gun needed to be too close for comfort and took some time to build up pressure but the results were worth it. An explosion sent stone fragments all over creation, made an impressive bang and rattled everybody too close. None of that made the enemy cease doing his wont and Emeriau was about to call corrections to the gunners when he remembered that this was not his job.
Liberte` rang again when more shots connected and then she was alongside Fraternite`. Both ships had slowed down considerably as they were approaching the chain that closed the harbor. In this place, the middle of the entrance, it was about two meters below the waterline, exactly the depth that would allow it to rip open hulls. Liberte` kept a few meters distance whereas Fraternite` went forward a few more meters. A small crane dipped forward and a claw was lowered into the black waters at the end of a steel cable. It came back when the next shots tried to dent armor. Two very brave sailors stepped forward while handling a strange contraption consisting of a long tube and a pipe. And while all around them waterspouts rose they lit the tip of the tube with something that burned too brightly to watch directly. And then the tube itself started to burn itself. Maurcie had heard about it during the briefing of course and was still not use that this was magic. Somehow this "oxygen" was pushed through an iron tube and now the tube itself was supposed to burn. But who had ever heard of burning iron? And what did 7000 degree mean besides that it was very, very hot? Things became clearer in the Commodore`s mind when the tip of the tube started to burn itself through the huge chain.
"Helm, closer to "Fraternite`." I think the Royals will learn what we do any minute now and then they might get the thumb out."
"Closer to Fraternite`, aye Sir."
Maurice turned around and managed to see death in the eye. For a long second he did not understand what he saw. That maw on top of that wall could not possibly be a cannon, couldn`t it? But when it moved outwards it became more and more obvious that this indeed was some gun. It was probably something very old, not made of cast iron, but welded together from rods. Its muzzle had a diameter that seemed close to a meter. It was very unlikely that this monster was loaded with iron balls, a stone projectile was far more likely.
He had grave doubts that the improvised armor on his ship would withstand a single hit. If he gave the command now, Liberte` could make its way from the line of fire. It would be easy and he would be obeyed. It would also expose Fraternite` which was not even half done.
"Damn the guns, dead stop besides Fraternite`."
"Dead stop beside Fraternite` aye."
Liberte`s guns could not elevate enough to bear on the tower`s guns and he could not expose the men working frantically on Fraternite`s deck. His fate, like that of all on his ship was in the hand of others. That was the seafarer`s lot, he was familiar with it.
"Tell the lads to brace themselves and rouse damage control. Pray to Manann while you are about it."
"Aye aye."
The next minutes were the longest in Maurice Emerieu`s life. The men with the thermal lance worked as fast as they could and even the massive chain could not deny the flame at its tip. It burned through the link before it at a snail`s pace, but even a snail`s pace is fast when cutting through iron is involved. Maurice saw the cut go through the upper part and then enter the lower half of the link. The first centimeters went really fast as the iron was not very thick there and then slowed down considerably. Still it went in and the Rebel commodore started to believe they might make it before the monster gun was ready. And then the iron tube the lance burned to cut through the chain was at its end. Maurice nearly screamed in frustration when the men started to fumble with a new tube. He cringed when the first attempt to light it failed and cheered when his world ended.
He found himself on his back with a ringing head and watched a band of dust slowly settle from the low ceiling. He needed three tries and a slug of brandy before he trusted his voice again.
"Damage control, damage control, tell me what happened."
His periscope showed only twisted ruins on the foredeck and worse , a small amount of smoke accumulated above the armored casemate. His ears would not allow him to hear any inrushing water, not in the state they were in and he did not trust his footing enough to detect any developing list. Any second that went by without a report was an eternity and he had to keep himself from grabbing the runner by the lapels.
"Compliments from Lieutenant Bearns. The supports in the front casemate are staved in. Gun no. two will not be able to fire as the gunport won`t open. The Lieutenant says we cannot take one more like this in that area. He says his men extinguished a small fire"
"Give Lieutenant Bearns my compliments then. He is to shore up the supports as We cannot move from here till the guys in Fraternite`are done."
When the runner was gone Maurice used his periscope to get his bearings. It was not easy, like trying to watch through a straw. He was about to order more viewports opened when the second explosion took his breath away. This time he was not thrown anywhere and his ears seemed to work moderately well. He waited for damage reports with baited breath and one came. The answer revealed itself when the viewports indeed opened and revealed smoke and ruin where a gun-toting tower had been before. Egalite` had come through after all.
The cheers still reverberated through Liberte` when the chain fell away from Fraternite`s claw and the way for the three warships was clear.
"Helm, all ahead slow. Francois, line forms behind us, Egalite` takes up tail. And I want soundings taken every minute. It would not do to run aground here and now."
"Aye aye."
