1 day after the incident
POV Tanya
Tanya von Degurechaff's house
I woke up, my whole body aching, yet I saw no bandages, no wounds, no new scars. Also... This was my house? What in the hell happened?
"Hello… , anybody home… ?"
The silence that filled my house quickly filled with a pair of shoes moving on the wood. It sounded like someone was there. And it was probably Visha.
"Good morning Tanya. I thought it would take you longer to wake up" She said, she was in her military suit and looked spotless. Obviously the first thing she did when we got home was a long bath. She always did.
"Why the hell am I home and not in a hospital? I was wounded in battle. Right?"
She laughed lightly, putting her hand over her mouth. She obviously seemed to enjoy my unfamiliarity with the current situation.
Wait. Being Y. What in the world happened? My memories are fuzzy. I squeezed my head and rocked it slowly to ease the headache.
"Because you just fainted they felt you could be at home as long as there was someone watching you 24 hours a day. And guess who volunteered even though no one knows I live with you?"
"Obviously it was you. What happened to the war? The eastern front?"
My headache was killing me, I tried to get comfortable in my double bed. I looked around. This old mansion I bought with my savings. It was nice to have a fixed house. It gave a sense of tranquility that made it worth the investment. Plus because of its isolation I could do a bit of what I wanted.
"It's... difficult to explain. And since I'm not in the mood to explain, let's sum it up in the fact that all our enemies have disappeared. By order of the Kaiser planes and ships have been sent to all known locations to find life. However, at the moment we have confirmation that Ildoa, the Entente, Francois, Albish, Russy and Magna Rumelia have disappeared".
I regret so much that I woke up. I noticed how my headache increased.
"And Dacia? What happened to our troops abroad?"
Visha came over to the bed, laying down on it and hugging me. This was really going to cause me problems one day. Lesbianism is frowned upon and I don't want to know how my career would be affected if people found out that my subordinate was my partner.
"Dacia, it's all good. Our troops, from what I hear, seem to be in the same places they were before. But the locals have disappeared. It is strange. Everything is gone too, the buildings, the roads. It's an unbelievable thing but the Kaiser is going to make a speech to the nation in two days".
Visha hugged me and intertwined our legs, closing my eyes and settling into the bed and myself. I looked down at what I was wearing, this being my nightgown. I sighed in apathy, I told a powerful being to fuck off and yet when Visha does things, I always remain passive.
"I've already woken up, there's no order?"
Visha frowned, keeping her eyes closed. Showing displeasure.
"I tell you we have survived a war we expected would come to Berun. Years and years of fighting just to survive and the first thing you say after waking up is, are there orders?"
She made a notch with her mouth, rising to her feet and pulling a letter from her uniform.
"Tomorrow, at the imperial palace, at 9am."
She left the letter on the bedside table, took off her trench coat and placed it on top of the bedside table.
"Now that you know, you have more than 15 hours of absolutely nothing, let's spend some time together. How long has it been since we've had a holiday?"
Since the fall of Pariisi. And it lasted less than two days...
I thought a little about what had happened in these years of the war, but the gentle touch of Visha's hand against my leg and his grip on my chin brought me back to the real world.
"More than a year without privacy. I will show no mercy."
I'm fucked. Literally
—-
1 day after the incident, 9 o'clock in the morning
Imperial Palace
Before me stood His Majesty's palace. Tanks surrounded the palace and there was a large military presence. Could there be a danger of a communist revolution? Between the bombardment of our farmland and the lack of manpower due to the military mobilization, the fields were at a very low efficiency. This led to starvation. If there was a time communists grew at all, it was when there was famine.
"I have a bad feeling."
I started walking towards the palace. And to my surprise no soldier dared to stop me, sometimes being a veteran and a hero meant this. That everybody knew who you were. And in theory everyone respected you.
That is why I was not surprised how the younger ones did the military salute when I passed close enough to them. Even though it was not necessary considering the exceptional situation. I returned the military salute as a form of respect and continued my way into the imperial palace. Soon I passed the palace gates and entered.
"Tanya! Here!" said a voice I recognised.
"Zettour!"
Quickly we both approached, shaking each other's hand in a handshake. Over the years we had become great allies in all matters concerning the army.
"Do you know the situation we find ourselves in? The Kaiser has requested an emergency meeting regarding this situation. It was my idea to invite you. I think it's time you were introduced to the political world."
I looked around, noting how we were relatively alone. Even if there were people around, they were far enough away not to hear us.
"I really appreciate this opportunity you are giving me".
He nodded slowly, ending the handshake.
"In this time of crisis, the army has only itself. The civilian government has, for far too long, failed the Empire."
I understood. There were conditions for such privileges. The enmity between the army and the civilian sector grew more and more as the war continued. The rationalist army and the irrationalist civilian government. And the Kaiser in the middle of this battle for influence. I seemed to be a new actor in the war between the civilian and military sectors. In any normal case I would side with the civilian government. But after years at the front and seeing how our civilian sector acted, I realized that on this occasion the army was right. We were the only rationalists in the Empire.
"What is my job?
Zettour paused for a second, thinking as he touched his big mustache.
"Nothing at the moment. However, the 203 will be assigned as the Kaiser's personal guard. The situation is problematic. Communist plots, and more, are forming in the heart of the country. So until further notice your mission will be to protect the Kaiser."
I nodded. Protect the Kaiser against troublesome civilians? This was going to be an easy job. I didn't have to worry about anything if the military gears were working properly.
"May I ask. What has happened to the economy? Now that the war is over... now that all the known nations have disappeared."
Zettour quickly pulled out a cigarette, lit it and began to smoke. If he was smoking in front of me he must have been very stressed. He knew I hated tobacco smoke.
"The banks are collapsing, the citizens are withdrawing all their money from the bank. The bourgeois are also getting nervous. That is why it is important to suppress any civil revolt. If the economy collapses the communists will have the perfect excuse to launch a rebellion. If we break all the rebellious cells in the nation even if the economy collapses we can eventually recover."
It made sense. With economic collapse imminent, it had to be ensured that no one actor could take advantage of the situation to bring down the government.
"I feel I will have the easy part protecting the Kaiser."
He nodded. "Yes, it will be the easy part, but a very important one. The only legitimacy there is in the Kaiser. We need him for when we put an end to irrationalism once and for all."
Put an end to irrationalism? Coup d'état?
"My mission as his guard will be to isolate him from the world while you eradicate irrationalism?"
He smiled.
"You understand quickly."
I sighed. We had been moved to who knows where. Our economy was going to collapse and we had a communist revolution. And the army was going to stage a coup. Although, considering that I know Zettour personally. Surely the nation would be better off that way.
These may have been turbulent times. But once they were over there should be peace. A smile filled my face.
"Glory to the Empire."
Zettour put his left hand on my shoulder and let out a small laugh.
"And death to traitors."
I would feel sorry for the civilian government. However, my side was the one that was going to carry out the coup d'état. And it was not I who was going to antagonize my greatest ally.
Then a small bell rang. I turned to see a butler and next to him the Kaiser. An imposing figure, elegant and commanding. Worthy of being called Kaiser.
"Please, all present, enter the conference room."
Zettour looked at me nodding, I nodded back and we walked together towards the conference room. It was a hugely decorated room with parts that looked like they were made of gold. A large table beautifully decorated and made. Not to mention the chairs and the floor which surely had more budget than a hospital.
Zettour chose a particular chair, I sat next to him and we simply waited for the room to fill up. Politicians, bankers, military and other social strata filled the room. Clearly the elites of the elites. I also saw the occasional scientist, but they were the fewest in the room.
"I would like to say good morning to all present. As you know we have been fighting a war for years until this incident happened. We still don't know what it is or what has happened. But we have already sent out investigation parties all over the world. However a bigger problem falls on our shoulders. Economic collapse is imminent.
However, even with that I would like to report a recent discovery directly from the University of Berun."
Quickly one of the men pulled out a map exposing it to the public. With a paranoid attitude and erratic behavior he began to point to the stars.
"Nothing is where it should be, none of the stars that light up the sky are known, none of the planets that were close to us exist, but the sky has new stars, new planets.
A blurry picture of something that appeared to have oceans and land was put up.
"A new planet very similar to earth has appeared close to ours. We don't know if it has life but it is at the distance of Mercury. Although it seems to follow the same rotational trajectory as us, they are on the other side. So we are in parallel.
Most of the elites here were not bothered by this. I, however, was concerned. I had already dealt with Being X. Whatever Being Y has planned, it doesn't have to be good. A planet similar to ours? Sounds like a world-destroying alien race.
The Kaiser nodded and with a wave of his hand ordered the master to sit back down and put away his findings.
"The situation is very confusing. However, there is little that can be done about it. Given the situation, I feel it is important to give full knowledge to the public. Trust in the government must be increased in times of instability. And the best way to do that is with honesty. On the war. Tomorrow morning the demobilization will be declared and the war economy measures will be removed."
Zettour and everyone in the room seemed to agree, including the chancellor who was the imperial government at present.
"Martial law will also be declared to deal with any group that threatens the government of the nation. The professional army will be used to break up all rebel hotbeds. The rationing of all agricultural and livestock products will be continued, and by my personal order all banks will be nationalized."
Quickly the bourgeois rose up and began to complain. I looked at Zettour who seemed to be happy.
"Was it in your plans?" I whispered to Zettour.
"The civil government depends on the bourgeois, if there are no bourgeois they no longer have a part of their power" he whispered back.
It was a good plan. And I have to say that nationalizing banks in times of crisis was not such a bad idea, many countries had highly profitable public banks despite not focusing on profits but on national development. It was not dangerous for the state to gain control of the banks now.
—-
The hours and hours passed without much glory, the most interesting thing being only what he said at the beginning. The discussion ended and we all got up. Soon the Kaiser was mobbed by politicians and bourgeois, on the contrary the military walked out of the room. Zettour stopped me just before I left.
"Every action counts, the politicians and bourgeois don't stop interfering in the government. The army does not. These small actions are what will make the Kaiser peacefully accept change. Operation 66 will take place in exactly two months".
We continued walking out of the palace at last, the light from the street lamps the only thing that kept us from being blind. So many hours had passed?
"Understood. You want me to manipulate the Kaiser in some way?"
He shook his head, pulling out a cigarette and turning to smoke again in front of me.
"Negative. The Kaiser is smart, smarter than he looks or many say. When they tell you the Kaiser was an idiot who led us into war, don't believe them. It's either propaganda or they are incompetent people who believe it. The Kaiser has been in secret negotiations for years to make peace. The Kaiser tried to prevent us from invading the Legadonia Entente, however he was unable to do so because as the Kaiser he does not have that much power nowadays. ".
It was surprising to have this new point of view.
"And he doesn't know about the coup?"
Zettour continued to smoke, the snow began to slowly fall on us.
"Surely he knows that. Welcome to politics, Tanya. This is a power game and surely the Kaiser is seeing which group is profitable for him now. That's why we must redouble our efforts. Show loyalty and secure interests. The politicians and the bourgeoisie still don't know that we are in a chess game for who gets the power. And they have made the first mistake. Rejecting the Kaiser's measures. Any more such mistakes and the Kaiser will personally ask me to stage a coup d'état".
I nodded and looked up at the sky, where in the distance I could see the planet that looked like ours. It looked close. There was also our moon. Which was a relief. I wouldn't want to know how the lack of moon would affect the oceans and seas.
"Understood."
—-
January 4, 1928
Imperial Palace
I saw the 203rd fly over the Imperial Palace. Doing a constant patrol. The mission to protect the Kaiser was very comfortable and peaceful. The years of war were over and this was relaxing. I could almost fall asleep standing here.
"It's a fine day for winter," said the Kaiser beside me. He was in the gardens with the Crown Prince and his two daughters.
"Yes, it's definitely a great day father," said the older sister as she sipped hot chocolate. This strange family reunion seemed anomalous. However, it was not my mission to tell the Kaiser how to handle his family in the case of a mass teleportation of the nation to another unknown location.
The crown prince, unlike the daughters and the Kaiser, seemed impatient, he had a little nervous twitch in his leg. The snow under his foot was constantly being hammered by his winter boot.
"Father, I don't understand how you can be so calm," said the crown prince out of nowhere. He looked at his father. Yet he kept the nervous twitch.
"Son, if you are ever going to rule this country, you must avoid nervousness. Don't move that leg."
The crown prince seemed frustrated and sighed, trying to stop his leg. The Kaiser didn't even flinch until the crown prince's leg calmed down.
"Well, about your question. If I, the Kaiser, were to get nervous about this, then imagine the civilian population. As a future Kaiser you must learn to remain calm even in the most desperate situation. Whatever happens, I cannot control it. So I simply look at the situation and make decisions. Calmly".
That last "calmly" was spewn out with venom. It seems that the internal relations of the monarchy were hairy. Not my problem. I just had to stand here, as long as it looked like I was doing something...
So two months until the coup d'état.
What a bore. I'd rather do paperwork.
—-
January 15, 1928
Imperial Palace
"Bankruptcy" Said the Kaiser in his royal office as he looked at a piece of paper. I stood beside him like an immobile statue. Basically what I have been doing for the last few days. Following the Kaiser like a dog and making sure nothing bad happens to him.
"What do you think Brigadier General Degurechaff?"
His question caught me by surprise. It was the first time he had spoken to me in all the days I had acted as his bodyguard. I had to show professionalism and give impeccable answers.
"About what specifically?"
The Kaiser moved different papers around on his desk. Then he leaned back in his chair, slowly lighting a cigar. After several puffs he turned back to me.
"On economics. Bankruptcy is a very serious thing."
My military training did not imply any knowledge of economics. However, I had studied economics in my past life. Plus, showing qualities to the most hierarchically powerful person in the Empire was a safe investment.
"All this opinion I say from my limited knowledge."
Although I always had to leave room for him to interpret that I was not a professional. Which would save me from any mistakes I made in my analysis.
"However, I don't think bankruptcy will be a problem for the Empire".
The Kaiser stops the cigar before he puts it in his mouth. He looked at the cigar and then at me for a few seconds and then put it back in his mouth with a puff.
"Go on."
Good. I had his interest.
"The danger of bankruptcy is the immediate loss of the lenders. They could go to other countries, if, after lending to the state, they still had considerable wealth. However, that part is solved. There is nowhere to run. Not civilized at the very least. They can run away and isolate themselves on an island if they want. I doubt they'll get anywhere, though."
One of the big problems was that private entities would stop lending to you. However, I doubt that will happen. There is only one state for the lenders to lend to and the banks were nationalized.
"On the state deficit I am not familiar with the state accounts. However, now that the military is being demobilized and millions of soldiers are returning home, it is a question of recovering the economy. However, our economic resilience is much higher. I consider in a non-professional opinion that the unemployment situation can be solved by creating public works. As far as we know, the world is ours now. The creation of motorways, extractive towns and cities is of vital importance. Mining the resources of Ispagna. Cultivate the fields of Kieva. However, expansion will not be possible if we do not facilitate transport. And for that we need to build ports, trains and highways".
"That is why I consider that bankruptcy is not a problem .In the grand scheme of things".
The Kaiser, who had finished his cigar, nodded slowly.
"Public works. Sounds like an interesting project you propose, Degurechaff".
I nodded. Silence again took over his majesty's office.
—-
February 13th, 1928
Imperial Palace
An astronomy expert entered His Majesty's office. He looked worried and was sweating. Which implied that he had run a lot as it was still winter. Although the snow was over, it was still cold.
"Your Majesty. You must read these reports from all our astronomical stations".
Quickly, several dossiers were placed on the table, from one of them stood out a black and white picture that I recognized as...
A spaceship?
It looked like something out of a science fiction world.
I didn't like this. I looked at Kaiser's reaction. From the look on his face, he didn't seem to care about the discovery that there were aliens flying in our skies.
"This is disturbing," said Kaiser. Without any panic in his voice.
"I guess we'll have to get the army ready."
—-
February 18th, 1928
Imperial Palace
There was the Kaiser dining alone. I was in the distance. When you spend so many hours in silence, standing and sometimes walking, one begins to ask questions. Why am I the only one with Kaiser? The rest of the 203 are always either on patrol or outside the palace. I am the only one inside the palace. Does that make any sense? Not that I can ask out loud.
I noticed that out of nowhere two servants came in and started preparing food for a second person. Was the Kaiser expecting a visit? Perhaps the conversation would bring me a little amusement. I have become quite talkative with myself since I started this task. Was that how the UK palace guards felt? Maybe.
The table was ready for a second guest. And soon the servants left.
"Have a seat Degurechaff"
I was taken by surprise by the Kaiser's invitation. However, I didn't hesitate and started to approach the chair where the dishes were prepared.
"Thank you very much Kaiser"
He didn't reply back and simply waited for me to sit down.
"Please eat as much as you like."
I looked around carefully, seeing an incredible feast. I nodded and began to timidly pick up this quality food.
I ate the food slowly and carefully. Remembering the rules of etiquette when eating at the table. I could not give an image of barbarism in front of the Kaiser.
"It looked like you were partially right. The public works project is working quite well I must say. To my surprise and that of the civilian government. Unemployment has been reduced from 20% to 10%. It's amazing how sometimes such an easy answer was a viable solution."
I nodded. Although I didn't want to know what he had to do to get the public funds that allowed these projects to work, I was glad that the Kaiser made my side work. And more importantly. That he gave the credit for the idea to me.
"I'm glad to know that."
He nodded and continued eating. For a moment I thought this would be it, however I found out how wrong I was when the servants came in at the start of the meal. Taking away all the dishes and placing alcohol on the table. Quickly, the Kaiser lit a cigar.
"I have been investigating your career with great interest. And I think you are the ideal candidate for this problem I have".
I looked at Kaiser. Who for some reason scared me more than Mary Sue.
"I want my son to get into 203. He has magical abilities."
That was a bad idea. A spoiled child wouldn't survive such training, not without breaking a lot of laws about how to treat royalty.
"I regret to say that in 203 I treat everyone equally. And the conditions under which I treat my soldiers are very harsh to ensure the quality of my soldiers."
The Kaiser smiled. Almost wryly.
"That's what I hope for, Degurechaff. I fear my son is too weak. Something a prince heir to the throne cannot afford. That boy has to become a man and I would like to ask this favor of you, Degurechaff. Make a man of my son."
Apart from how that might sound bad if it was given a double meaning. It was dangerous for my career to make the future Kaiser hate me.
"I still insist it's much worse than the reports say. My training is hellish to guarantee absolute results in a short time."
Kaiser put out his cigar and rose from his chair.
"You will not be punished for any harm my son receives, Degurechaff. As long as he survives he will be fine."
To deny the Kaiser's wish any longer was dangerous. And he had assured me that I would not be punished.
I swallowed hard. This was going to be trouble.
"When do you wish me to begin?"
The Kaiser, who had risen, looked in a small cupboard in the dining room. He didn't know what was inside, but he searched for a long time.
"In May he will be sixteen. On that day he will enter 203 and I wish him to become a man as long as he is in 203. I doubt there will be wars for many decades to come because of the situation we are in. So my son will be safe."
I nodded. The rules were clear. As long as I didn't die he could act.
"In May I will make the crown prince an adult Kaiser."
—-
March 1st, 1928
Imperial Palace
Operation 66 was underway. The army should by now be taking over the Reichstag. Lines of communication between generals not committed to the cause had been cut, and the 203rd de facto controlled the Imperial Palace. All this without the Kaiser's knowledge.
"A coup d'état."
Right. Yes he did know. Damn it.
"A change of government, a military dictatorship in cooperation with the royal family. Not a bad idea. What were your orders Degurechaff?" Said the Kaiser as he unceremoniously read some documents.
"I'm afraid I can't say, Kaiser. At least until I receive Zettour's message. Although I believe he will speak to you personally once the coup d'état is over."
There was no situation in which hiding the fact that there was a coup d'état from the Kaiser would end well. So telling the truth was the best option. The fact that the Kaiser had not taken any countermeasures against the coup was in itself good news now that he thought about it.
"I see. I see. I want you to know that I still expect you to make a man out of my son in May."
I nodded and let the uncomfortable silence settle. With the sound of paper rustling as the Kaiser finished his paperwork. Occasionally a gunshot could be heard in the background in Berun. But overall it was safe to say that the Berun quiet was incredible.
Hours later. Zettour entered the Imperial Palace. Reaching the Kaiser. In an attitude of respect Zettour bowed to the king. I gave a military salute in Zettour's presence.
"At ease Degurechaff".
I abandoned my military salute and watched as Zettour sat down in front of the Kaiser. And quickly the discussion began
"Legitimize the military dictatorship, Kaiser".
The Kaiser without thinking simply put down his documents, taking out from one of the drawers of his table Whisky and two glasses.
"Degurechaff, permit me this insolence, but could you bring some ice? We have to decide the future of the nation."
I nodded and walked over to the room's built-in freezer. I sighed mentally and as I took out the ice I could see the faces of Zettour and the Kaiser. Both statesmen and my superiors. Why I was more afraid of them than Mary Sue I did not know. But I sincerely did not wish to discover the consequences of getting them angry.
I put the ice in their glasses and took my usual position. To watch the political chess game that Zettour and the Kaiser were going to have for the next few hours.
MY PA-TRE-ON:
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