Imperial Capital: Lohengrammpolis, Fezzan
Goldenlowe Palace
Finally, she was done. The final stacks of reports and resolutions that had to be reviewed and signed were finished. It ate away a lot of time, including two skipped meals and another night of burning the midnight oil, but finally she was done. With that, Empress Hildegard von Lohengramm (or Hilda to her close friends) then stands and walks away from her desk approaching her secretary's desk. With a small smile, Hildegard observes her secretary who by now has already fallen asleep due to exhaustion. A young woman in her early 20s, her secretary reminded the Empress of herself during her younger years.
She could still remember those early days as if they were yesterday. The love of her life, a young upstart military official who would then create his own empire and usher in another golden age for Humanity (at the very least, on this side of the universe it would seem). A playful thought lingers in her mind. Somehow, her husband had it easy. He may have established a dynasty that now controlled hundreds of planets and billions of souls; however, he left everything to her following his death. His life was short, but it was one that shone brightest.
The aftermath of his death left a widow, a fatherless child, and an Empire without its Emperor.
The first few years of her rule was hard. Between her duties as an Empress and a mother, she had very little time to mourn. Her husband's death coincided with the death of the Minister of Military Affairs. Despite what many would say, the late man was a terrific statesman with unprecedented loyalty to the Empire. Perhaps too much loyalty that he would not hesitate to remove any threat to the Empire, even if it said threat was the Emperor himself. It was a trait her husband tolerated and highly admired. One she couldn't understand in her younger years, but learned to appreciate in time. Had he been alive, things would've been easier for her. But it was not a time to regret the loss of dead men. It was a time of action. The transition from an era of war to an era of peace is after all where the real work truly begins.
Slowly, she gained her footing. It was a daunting task, but she persevered. Armed with patience, hard work, and determination, she pulled through. Her husband mastered the art of conquest. She mastered the art of ruling.
An idea then crosses her mind. As she heads towards the door to exit her office, her bodyguard who has been sleeping all these time in one of the couches of the office suddenly wakes up.
"Your Majesty. Where are you going?" her bodyguard asks, by now abruptly waking up and trying to fix his now slightly crumpled clothing in an attempt to look more presentable.
Hilda simply chuckled at the man's actions. She raises a small hand to dismiss him. "It's alright, Johann. I'm just going to see my son."
Johann looks to a nearby wall clock. 1:30 AM. It wrote. "Then I should accompany you, Your Majesty."
"It's alright. I can take care of myself. You should get some rest." Hilda dismissed the young man. Protocol usually would state that a bodyguard accompany the Empress at all times. However, Hilda felt quite secure in the Palace even when walking alone. It was the safest place in Fezzan after all.
"I'm afraid I must insist, Your Majesty." Johann insisted.
Hilda simply shook her head in slight amusement. "Very well then. Follow me." she says.
"Should we wake her up?" Johann asks, pointing towards the still sleeping secretary.
"No. Leave her be. Let her sleep." Hilda then leaves an handwritten note on the sleeping figure's desk.
Johann simply nods. With that, they leave the office. The two walked further for a while until they could get to the Palace's library. Of all the places in the in the Imperial Palace, the library was located furthest from most gatherings within the place. Only a single long corridor connected the library to the rest of the Palace, but it's location assured most visitors who do go to the library to read, rest , or could find a peaceful haven away from the usually busy surroundings.
"Stay here." Hilda then orders Johann as they get near the entrance to the library. Hilda then leaves her bodyguard alone outside the door. She scans the place. The library was perhaps one of the most luxurious places within the palace. Ornately designed with the floors carpeted and beautifully painted walls and ceilings, the library also held a vast collection of antique relics and artworks. One could say that it also served as the museum of the Palace.
As she walks around, she scans the place for a familiar figure. After sometime searching, she sees the figure. Dressed in white, ornate robes which covered him from head to toe, Hilda sees him with his back on her, buried in stacks of books silently reading.
"Alex." Hilda calls to the figure. The figure, Alex spins himself around and looks at the Empress. A silver, emotionless mask greets her.
"Good evening, mother." the muffled voice from behind the mask greets the Empress. Alex then stands up and approaches Hilda and gives a small bow of respect. Hilda then gives a small smile. Alex returns to his seat and Hilda takes a seat across from Alex's own.
"It's quite late. Is there a problem, mother?" Alex asks Hilda simply shakes her head.
"No. I just want to see you." Hilda replies. "Remove your mask. I wish to see your face." Hilda says. Alex moves with hesitation but Hilda simply adds, "Be at ease. Johann is outside. It's just the two of us in this place."
Alex removes his mask and sets it on the side. Hilda gives out a small chuckle. "You are strange, you know that. You're father was quite vain when it came to his appearance. You on the otherhand would do all…this to hide your features. A shame, you have a handsome face." Hilda says.
"Mother…you do know why I do this" Alex simply mutters.
"Yes, I do know. And I understand." Hilda replies. Crown Prince Alexander Siegfried von Lohengramm was a mysterious figure to the public. In the eyes of many, the Crown Prince was a reclusive, shadowy persona that people know little about. Clad in white clothing that hid his features and a silver mask which covered his face, his dramatis personae created quite an intrigue within the Empire; rumors have spread as to the reason behind the appearance of the Silver Masked Prince.
It was quite simple really. With the secrecy surrounding his identity, the general public had no idea how the Crown Prince actually looked like. This allowed the Prince to live a more normal life. He was free from the prying eyes of the public and could essentially walk around anywhere he pleases.
"If Shan is to be believed, High Admiral Muller would've been in Coruscant by now." Alex suddenly speaks breaking Hilda from her musings. "I should expect a reply in the coming days."
"Should the Republic respond favorably to your request, it will make history." Hilda replies.
"Indeed. The first embassy outside of the Milky Way Galaxy." Alex adds proudly.
…
"Despite our initial preparations, I am still worried though about the political situation in the Republic." Alex suddenly adds.
"Why did you say so?" Hilda asks her son. Their own understanding of Republic geopolitics after all was rather limited to Jarrod Shan and his records before he left; and it was painfully outdated. Three years is a lot of time when it comes to geopolitics; especially for a hegemony like the Galactic Republic with so many players actively playing in the field.
"Years ago, an encounter between factions within the Republic happened. Although it was eventually resolved, this showed how weak the Republic has become. It's rather indecisive response to the crisis has caused dissatisfaction among member systems." Alex explains.
"You mean the Invasion of Naboo." Hilda answers, recalling the events Shan narrated to them.
"Yes." Alex answered. "It is easy enough to concur what could happen or what may have already happened in a span of three years since Shan was gone."
"Hmm…an open rebellion from the dissatisfied factions." Hilda concluded.
Alex nods his head in agreement. "From a political standpoint, the Galactic Republic and the Senate is a very influential political entity that could impose economic sanctions to keep its members in check. However, it lacked a central standing army that could enforce order should any of those dissatisfied sectors decide on a course of violence. Meanwhile, the opposing sectors could readily mobilize a force in open defiance and are actually self-sufficient. The Republic do have the Jedi and the Judicial Forces do exist but they are shorthanded should it erupt on a massive war, especially in a scale like this."
"Indeed. This would change our current plans to adjust to these possible changes." Hilda says.
"I agree, mother. I have already made the necessary proposals and have prepared for various possible scenarios. However, we still need to be able to wait for Admiral Muller's report." Alex confessed. "This gives us more time to prepare things on our side should things become more…unpredicted."
"Impressive. You truly are your father's son" the Empress complimented the young man.
It was unanimously agreed upon that for the time being, the Reich will have to keep the Galactic Republic's existence to the public a secret. Only key officials from both the Imperial Government and the Heinessen Autonomous Government actually knew of the existence of the wider galaxy in order to avoid mass hysteria. Should the Empire open up to the wider galaxy, internal and external policies will have to be drawn out as well.
Anyone who would think that opening up to the wider galaxy was an easy task clearly was an incompetent person. Things are more complex than simply opening up ones' home to a visitor. Policies needed to be discussed extensively. Trade, immigration, health policies among many others had to be well-thought off. Multiple factors have to be tied into. Unexpectedly, in one of their meetings, it were the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economic Affairs who were most thorough. In a stroke of genius, Galactic common has already been taught in various military academies in the guise of new military communication codes.
Fortunately for them the latest surveys says that the majority of the populace still view future alien contact/s in a positive note. This at the very least indicates that xenophobia at the very least would not be much of a problem for the Reich in the near future.
Hilda then gives out a soft yawn. "It's late. We should get some rest." Hilda reminded her son.
"You can go ahead, mother. I still have to read on a few more things." Alex replied.
"Very well then. Don't push yourself." With that Hilda stood from her seat, approached the boy and gave him a small peck on the cheek. Alex stood as well and gave her a light embrace to which she replied with a small smile.
As her mother left, Alex was left to his lonesome. After some time, he realized something. He touched his face and shifted his gaze at the silver mask lying atop a stack of books. He decides whether he should put the mask back on. In the end, he only gave out a playful shrug and left the mask lying around.
Timeskip: The following morning
Ministry of Military Affairs
Chief Fleet Admiral Fritz Josef Bittenfeld was reviewing some notes. Despite having grown more mellow with age, he still had a certain distaste for paperwork. Truth be told, he would've preferred to stay as a High Admiral. However following the early retirement of his predecessor, he was catapulted in the position.
His job was quite calm and boring; despite the rather tremendous amount of desk jobs it entails. It was an era of relative peace after all. Almost two decades of peace has made the old days of war seem like a distant memory.
Despite this, he cannot be complacent. The discovery of a wider galaxy outside the Milky Way was a cause of great concern for High Command. This especially has to put it lightly, caused long-term plans to reduce military spending on hold.
It was not that the Reich was planning to demilitarize. Simply put it, the maintenance of the massive fleets that the Reich had was expensive. The economy was strong, however trying to overhaul the whole navy with the newer equipment while keeping the older ones active so as to maintain the standing size of the navy was still an expensive venture.
The Brünhild-class battleship was powerful. It was based on the now decommissioned Brünhild used by the late Kaiser which was scrapped following the Kaiser's death. It had better features compared to the more traditional models used both by the Old Empire and the FPA. However, it was also far more expensive. A single ship of its class had an equivalent price of three ships of the the older models. However studies did predict that the design made it cheaper to maintain in the long run and was more efficient. And it wasn't only the battleships that had to be reformed. Carriers, cruisers, fighters, and many others were to be overhauled as well with development of newer models.
A ring from his communicator broke the silence in the room, distracting Bittenfeld from his reading. He abruptly pressed on his communicator and the face of his aide comes to light.
"Your Excellency, Chairman Schenberg is here." his assistant's voice rings through the room.
"Send him in." Bittenfeld replied.
"Yes, sir."
The wooden door of the office opens as a small, bald, old bespectacled man in formal clothing in his early 60s enters the room. This was Chairman Aeolia Schenberg, the CEO of Anaheim Energy Corporation.
Bittenfeld stands up and shakes the old man's hand. "Chairman." Bittenfeld greets the man and invites him to a seat. "I presume you have read our invitation."
"Straight to the point as always, aren't you, Admiral?" Aeolia replies as the old man take a seat. "I've studied the plans for the hyperdrive. Space travel is not my expertise, but I would say it is something ahead of our time and current technology." Aeolia adds.
"Indeed. We have made great strides with the development. However, there is one issue we have yet to resolve. I believe this one is your specialty." Bittenfeld replies.
"Ah. I would presume the hyperdrive generator?" Aeolia concluded.
"Indeed. At our level, we could not make it work efficiently." Bittenfeld answered.
"Indeed. I have already analyzed the blueprints. The idea is to jumpstart the hyperdrive which would then propel the object into hyperspace for FTL. However, our current technology is still not able to generate enough energy for the hyperdrive. At the very least none of our more conventional methods. The only other option is to use brute force, am I correct? Overloading the system with the use of an outside source that could give tremendous amounts of energy to jumpstart it." Aeolia concluded shortly.
Bittenfeld was surprised. That part was only known to those directly involved in the project. This man only looked at the plans a few days ago and already made the conclusion on his own. Aeolia saw the surprised look on the admiral's face and was mildly amused.
"Come now, Your Excellency. Energy production is my livelihood. I know whether a design would work or not. Also, I may not be an expert on space travel but that is basically how earlier models of our own space warp worked." Aeolia shrugged.
Bittenfeld gave a small chuckle. "You certainly live up to your reputation, Chairman."
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Aeolia says. "Back to where we where earlier. You could use an external power source: mainly a reactor which could give out tremendous amounts of energy. I reckon a nuclear reactor would work just fine. I do know that for some time now, using nuclear energy to power ships have been an out of practice with the discovery of more efficient sources, but I believe you will have no problem with that." the old Chairman explained.
"We have already done that, Chairman. While it works, we still have some problems." Bittenfeld replied. 'Mainly overhauling every single ship in the navy with nuclear reactors is a logistical nightmare. Not to mention, not all ships in the navy are actually designed for nuclear reactors. Also overloading the generator was dangerous in on itself.' Bittenfeld thought to himself.
"The risk of overload, I presume? " the old man concluded.
"Yes." Bittenfeld admitted.
"Hmm…the concept of this little project of yours is revolutionary. Whoever thought of this was a brilliant person. He or she must be someone out of his time. I would like to meet him or her one of these days." Aeolia thought out loud.
Bittenfeld held his tongue for now. The existence of the wider galaxy was a still a heavily-kept secret within the Imperial Government. The man in front of him had no idea it was an FTL system which existed long before the first humans on Earth began writing history. A scary concept truly. Despite priding itself for its achievements for the past one thousand years, it is painfully clear that they still had a lot of catching up to do.
The warp drive has served them well for the past centuries but it was still slower than a hyperdrive. Even the slowest hyperdrive was twice faster than the fastest warp drive they could offer (albeit one with the safest speed relative to human body). As such, the Reich needed a more efficient and faster means of FTL travel if they are to play on the same field as part of a wider galaxy. Project: Jumper was project made by the Reich in an attempt to study the hyperdrive technology and replicate it. Even Shan was involved. However, the Jedi Explorer's own understanding of the technology was rather limited. While limited reverse engineering of Shan's own ship did help them understand the system more, the ability to replicate the system was stuck in limbo.
It was in one of the discussions that one of their top scientists suggested that they seek the help of Chairman Schenberg. A highly respected man both in the field of science and business, Schenberg was also recognized as the leading authority on energy production.
"Tell me, Herr Schenberg, have you thought about our offer?" Bittenfeld asks. "We could use someone like you for the project."
Aeolia Schenberg looked deeply into the admiral. He then brakes his silence and says, "The offer is indeed tempting. However, I am a very busy man. I am afraid I must decline. I cannot commit myself to your little science project…besides, the pay was too low for my taste."
Bittenfeld sighed in disappointment. Aeolia Schenber after all still heads one of the largest private corporation in the Reich, and was a very busy person. He could strong-arm the man but he doubts the Empress would be happy if he forced a civilian into a military project.
"Do not worry. I am still willing to help around. Think of me as an outside consultant." the old man then adds as he sees the look on the admiral's face. "As a matter of fact, here. Have this checked out." he adds as he hands out a thumb-sized hard drive to Bittenfeld.
Bittenfeld accepts the drive. The admiral then inquires, "And this is?"
"An old project of mine during my younger years." Aeolia says. He then gives out a small chuckle. "Although I was never able to create a working prototype. I feel it could help you on your little project. I feel this project of yours will be big someday and I want to be a part of it, after all."
"Interesting..." Bittenfeld says as he toys with the drive in his hand.
"If we have nothing else to talk about, I need to be going.I still have work to do, Admiral." Aeolia says as he stands from his chair. Bittenfeld stands up and guides the old man towards the door.
"We will keep you updated on the project, Herr Schenberg. Until then, I expect that you would keep this project a secret." Bittenfeld reminded the old man. The old man nodded his head in assurance.
"You can count on my secrecy, Your Excellency." Aeolia answers before he leaves.
As he takes his seat, Bittenfeld tried to reassess the earlier meeting. Schenberg may have declined to directly work with the Empire for the project. However, whatever files are in his hand means that the old man is at the very least willing to lend a hand. He opens his computer and starts evaluating the files given to him by the old man. It seems to be a blueprint for some sort. He was no engineer after all, thus his own understanding of the topic was rather limited. Bittenfeld then clicks on his communicator and his assistant answers.
"Yes, your Excellency?" his assistant's voice rings from the communicator.
"Notify Minister Rosenberg. Tell him there's been some progress on Jumper. We'll be having some outside help." Bittenfeld says.
"Noted, sir. Anything else?" his assistant inquires.
"That will do for now. Thank you, Weidner."
"Very good sir."
With that, Bittenfeld turned off his communicator. The admiral then turns his look to the stack of reports in his desk. He sighs heavily. This will take some time, he concluded to himself as he resumes his earlier activity.
A/N: So here's another chapter. Thank you very much to those who reviewed and followed. This story took me some time to upload since I have been busy these past few days and I had to review my LOGH lore. I tried to run myself through the old anime; although I have yet to read the new one. Hehehe. Anyways, I am currently working on the fourth chapter at the same time well.
For those wondering, I based off Alexander Lohengramm's appearance to that of Baaldwin IV in the movie, Kingdom of Heaven.
I hope you guys would enjoy this. Read and review everyone! :)
Also, a big shout out to Perseus12 for convincing me to upload this chapter. Hahaha