Post

A Deal with the Devil
Nhasa, Capital of the Celestial Empire
August 19, 1911 - In Collaboration with the Military Genius Falkenberg

Jesse had been pouring over battle plans for weeks now. Meetings with top generals from across the Empire revealed one thing: Crush the rebels now, or face a much larger, more difficult to control revolt. Though Jesse wished he could just snap his fingers and solve the Empire’s issues, he knew that it would take an act of the gods to pull the Empire from its current predicament.

Civil war wasn’t on anyone’s mind when the coalition formed to oust Gong. Gong was a usurper; his forces centralized in Nhasa. The provinces had united and in one fell swoop knocked him from the throne he’d stolen. It was an uprising done in brotherhood to save the Empire from a tyrant. Now Jesse worked to save the Empire from something else: Total ruin.

The clock on the wall chimed. Was it so early already? He stood, stretching his back after hours of stationary sitting. His notes were strewn about the table, the nearby floor filled with piles of scrap paper crumpled into tight balls. Rubbing the sleeplessness from his eyes, Jesse strode from his office in the Palace of Admirable Tranquility to the Hall of Virtue across the inner courtyard.

The hall was small, but at least there was a table where he could sit. Freshly brewed tea had already been poured, and he downed his first steaming cup with enthusiasm. Pouring a second, he waved over the beady-eyed Sean.

“Is our guest here?” Jesse caught the faintest hint of a nod from the corner of his eye. “Good. Send him in.”

Admiral Von Katzfield, second commander of the Celestial Squadron and governor of Reichskrieg's holdings, stepped through the doors flanked on either side by men wearing a drab gray and helmets shining with gold and black. His own uniform was rather simple, with only his rank stripes on his sleeves and gold buttons catching anyone's immediate attention, alongside the suitcase in his hand opposite his sheathed sabre. He stroked his beard as he looked about the Hall of Virtue, before turning his attention towards O'Rourke and beginning over.

"Good day, Supreme Regent." He spoke, extending a gloved hand. "Admiral Von Katzfeld. It's a pleasure."

The Supreme Regent stood, his drab grey suit a mockery of the office he held. "Admiral Von Katzfeld," he said, taking the man's hand in a firm grip, "it is good to finally meet you." He withdrew his hand, taking his seat again as he motioned toward the chair opposite his. "Feel free to help yourself to some tea. Alternatively I can arrange for other refreshments."

"Tea will do fine." He said as he took a seat, allowing himself some tea as he sipped. He placed his briefcase beside himself with his free hand. He silently took note of the tired features of the Regent as he pushed in slightly. His guard took up posts by the door and silently regarded the meeting.

"I do hope," Jesse said, eyeing the guards, "that your men aren't armed. Bringing weapons into the presence of the Regent or the Emperor is strictly prohibited."

"So I've heard. Do not worry, we stowed them away before arriving." He waved a hand to dismiss the worry. "It's simply protocol, and all of that."

Shifting in his seat, Jesse steeled himself before the foreign invader. That he was here to negotiate with the Supreme Regent at all should have been an honor for the man. Jesse half smirked to himself. Perhaps it was time he went back to the Temrisian countryside. Humility was beginning to escape him. "I am glad that you have come to understand and appreciate our customs. Perhaps you will one day do the same for the integrity of the Empire I represent."

"And perhaps the Imperial Government will be strong enough to keep its provinces to heel in due time. On the topic," He grabbed his case and flicked it open. "The matters we are here for, yes?"

The Supreme Regent brushed the slight aside. He'd had enough of the provinces’ rebellious activity. Now it was time to bring the most troublesome to heel. "Yes. The Celestial Empire finds itself in a peculiar situation. The province of Kalquen has risen up, and without help I am afraid that it will undo the hard work of this administration. Work that has resulted in a hard fought peace."

"So I have heard." The Reichskrieger spoke, stroking his beard. "So you seek Reichskrieg's help in quashing this rebellion, then?"

"No." Jesse shook his head, his fist balling briefly by his cup of tea as he leaned forward. "I am not asking for your kaiser to help us." Realizing his mistake, Jesse took a deep breath. As he exhaled his fist loosened and he leaned back. "I am asking for Admiral Von Katzfeld to help us."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Elaborate." He said, taking a sip from his own tea.

"The relationship between the Celestial Empire and Reichskrieger is... tense. While things are, perhaps, still on icy terms with your own territory here in the Empire, I think it would be easier and better if our negotiations remained within the confines of the Empire," Jesse said, tracing the edge of his cup with his finger. "I see no need to involve the Kaiser."

The Admiral was silent for a moment before nodding his head. He was no stranger to the Kaiser's hotheadedness, and he was to first and foremost secure Reichskrieg's celestial holdings. War was typically bad for that. "Very well then. The Celestial Squadron can lend its assistance to the Celestial Empire on its own accord..." He tapped on the table. "Given the offer is sufficient, naturally."

Jesse's lips pursed as the admiral finished. He knew this was coming, but had hoped that Von Katzfeld was a man of greater honor. "And what," he began after a moment, drawing out his words, "is it that would suffice?"

"I have come prepared for such a question," He said as he produced a document from his briefcase and slid it to the table's center. "This should answer all your questions, I believe." On the paper, below the seal of the Reichskrieg colonial office, was a list of demands entailing concessions across the coast of the Empire, among less drastic requests such as permanent recognition and guarantee of Reichskrieg's celestial holdings.

"You are asking for quite a lot here," Jesse said, taking a sip of his tea before putting the cup down upon the proposal. "You've recently been awarded territory near Luhai, the site of a recent conquest. Shouldn't that suffice?"

"Perhaps in different scenarios, but a full commitment of the Celestial Squadron and its resources is quite the expensive undertaking." He said, allowing himself to lean slightly forward. "And to do so with no further gains would simply be unthinkable, to anyone in a position such as this."

"These are more than simple 'further gains.' This is an assault on the sovereignty of the Empire I steward. This is blackmail at its finest."

"But was it not you who came to me requesting assistance? If you do not want it, you are more than welcome to see what the wolves in Morsain and Dayan would take in exchange for what I offer."

Spencer bit his lip. As blood pooled near his teeth he thought long about the admiral's words. He was right. Morsain, Dayan, even Great Tarst and Alstin would take full advantage. "Territorial exchanges can be arranged in the rebellious provinces," Jesse finally said, licking his lips to clear the blood. "But I will only promise them when we win. Not before."

The Admiral allowed himself a slight smile. "Very well, Supreme Regent." He extended his hand once again, across the table. "It is good to do business."

"Business? This isn't business. This is diplomacy. I am depending on you and your men to do their jobs, Admiral. Do them well and I may not reconsider our arrangement." Jesse stood, his tea in one hand and the proposal in the other. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have an Empire to keep together."