Romania 1916

[TexanCowboy]

Admiral Burestai
Captian Fortin
Captain Decoppet

Admiral Burestai, the Commander of the Imperial Romahnian Navy, stepped onto the podium. He was flanked by Captain Fortin, of the French Navy, and Captain Decoppet, of the Swiss Navy. As he walked up onto the podium, he was beaming from ear to ear, partly becuase of the news and partly because of his wifes recovery from anthrax.

Gentleman of the press, I have excellant news beniffiting all of our contries. The Imperial Romanian goverment has purchased 7 destroyers of the excellant Pluche class. We have also purchased a Quebec class destroyer leader to lead this flotilla. When they arrive in January, we will be having a grand naval review in Constanta, to celebrate this turn of events.

In exchange for this, besides the obvious cash value of a undisclosed amount, Romania has agreed to provide a corp of troops to France, in case of need.

We have also agreed to purchase 4 of the G1-class, or ex-ACM, class gunboats and 1 of the C-class submarine.

Believe me, we were going to scrap these ships. Although in perfectly good condition, these ships were obsolete to a navy the size of the Swiss Republic's. However, they were excellant ships, and we were more than happy to provide them to a nation with the reputation of Romania.

Thank you, thank you.

[maddox]

Current events,

Paris, Offices of Premier Galpoux.

Ah Minister capet, what joy to see our estemeed minister of Foreign affairs. How is life treating you?

Premier Galpoux, you summoned me, and now you greet me with wonder. What is up?

Oh, I'm just surprised, and very curious how you could finaggle that deal with Romania, with concent of minister Lebrun, Admiral Geon, and the ministry of finance.

That was no finaggling, just good negotiations. The Romanians want to expand their fleet fast, and we have less than good ships we can replace now. Minister lebrun had already signed the papers on the Quebec class scrapping. So the sale of 1 to Romania isn't a big deal. And the Pluches, small destroyers or large, slow torpedo boats are at best harbor defence ships, easely replaced by a few of the Tigre B's that are getting worked up at the moment. So ,selling 5100 tons of scrappable warship for $4, or spend time and efford scrapping those ourselfs was even a no brainer for the ministry of finance.

The money/scrap part I can understand. But why the deal on the Romanian Corps? How can you be sure the Romanians will keep the promise?

I can't be sure, but the world knows about it, and that accomplishes more than requesting that corps in one or other war.

I never tought you would be so devious. I like the implications you mention. Let me buy you lunch.

[TexanCowboy]

The ambassador to France, Sir Muchati Trimana, headed for the French Foreign Ministers office. He was going to have to drop of a letter there, as his wife was expecting him. Besides that, he was almost scared of the French reaction. Buying a obsolete Quebec was one thing, but buying a modern Demarce II was quite another. As he reached the door of the Foreign Minister office, he dropped a letter into the box. It read

Minster Carpet, it appears that our naval forces are not appeased with the purchase of the Quebec. In fact, they find it to be quite counterproductive to their insistance of a fast navy. So, it is with great humility that we ask if we could exchange the Quebec for a Demarce II, or, if one is not availible, a ex-Rattlesnake. This will come with a price increase from $.7 to $1.5, or a price to be negtionated, or $1.4 for a ex-Rattlesnake. If neither is acceptable, we will accept a offer of a Leopald and a Chardon, for no price increase..

[maddox]

December 19th.

Bonjour monsieur L'ambassadeur. How can France help you?

Good afternoon, Minister Lebrun, thank you for your time.
I'm directed by my government to ask your support to conduct a naval matter.
As know, our small country bought the small destroyers of the Pluche class, and the aging cruiser Toronto.
By fortunate circumstances, Romania has funding for other ships.

Ah, is Romania reconcidering the lease of the battleship Napoleon the Great?

No, no minister Lebrun, nothing so large, we're a tiny country after all. My government asked to renegotiate the contract on the Quebec cruiser.
We wish to invest more money to aquire a faster, younger and larger ship.

Renegotiate the deal, you mean, France keep the Toronto, and sell Romania another larger, faster, bigger ship?

Yes minister, that's in short what Romania had in mind. I'm directed to ask you about a Demarce cruiser.

There are 3 Demarce classes in the Marine nationale, D II  D III and D IV. I think Romania would like a Demarce III.

Like yes, minister, but such a large and new ship we can't afford. The more modest Demarce II is exactly what Romania needs, or else the older Crotalus Primus.
We could increase the sum we're paying with $0.7

The money side is not what I'm concerned about, my job is to run the defences of France. And currently, France has some issues there. The 5 Quebec class cruisers are stricken from the Books, 3 more Ville Class crusiers are en route to Indochina. And NtG is going to have a rebuild.
So, taking 1 Quebec back into the books,and sending out a larger unit is a problem at the moment.

If it's a problem, I'm directed to ask for another ship. 2 Small ships actualy. A large torpedo boat of the Léopard class and an old sloop of the Chardon class.

I'm afraid a Leopard class ship is out of the question. All of those will have a small refit to remove the 20" torpedo tubes and replace those with 21" fish. And the Chardons, if Romania is willing to wait for them, they will become available after our new vessels can take over the tasks placed on those aging hulls.
No monsieur l'ambassadeur, I cannot arrange a last minute change of the contract made up before. But France will be willing to talk about such things when the current changes are ready, with 27 new ships entering the fleet in 1 go, it's confusing.

I see minister Lebrun, I'll convey the situation to my government.

Have a good day monsieur l'ambassadeur.  My secretary will lead you out.
(pushing a button, and "Gaston, can you lead monsieur L'ambassadeur out.)

For a full understanding

[TexanCowboy]

At the Naval Ministry

Ugh, they're refusing?

Yes Admiral, it looks like they are. We're stuck with them, unless...

What, captain?

Well, the Swiss do like their crazy ships, and they do have the Inflexible for sale.... we could sell it to them or it could be part of the trade for the Inflexible.

Good thinking, Captain. See what you can do.

[TexanCowboy]

When the clock struck 12 on New Years Eve, the Dutch ambassador were called to the Foreign Ministers office. There, they were handed a paper that read.

The Imperial Romanian goverment finds that it is needed to declare war on your nations.You will be evicted within 24 hours. On January 5th, we will begin attacking Ducth shipping. Any War Operation will only be conducted to the east of the Suez Canal's southern entrance. No warfare will be conducted within the local European area. Romania is at WAR!

[maddox]

January 2 1917.  Romanian naval port Constanta.

The French escadron, lead by the light cruiser Toronto and the 7 small  destroyers of the Pluche class arrive at Constanta. Followed by the old Aphrodite liner.
The ships, except the smudges from the coal, look brightly painted, but all the paint can't hide the fact als the hulls have scrapes and even dents, one of the Pluches shows an outlet on the hull spewing a black and rustbrown oilstained liquid.

Helped by 2 small harbor steamtugs, the ships get a place along the quays.

An exchange seremony takes place, interpreters having a lot of work.
The French squadron leader transfers an attaché case to his Romanian counterpart.
He says,

Les livres d'instruction rapides pour les bateaux, les boîtes avec les papiers des bateaux et des listes d'entretien sont sur le croisier Toronto

French seamen leave the ships with their belongings (and sometimes more, a few officers make sure this isn't obvious and the small items put back on board), and store those on the liner.  After that, they get shore leave for 12 hours.

The French officers and ranked engineers guide the designated Romanian naval personel trough their new ships.
It's obvious that the crew made a best efford to get the ships as clean as possible, but the result is like a brothel with to much lighting. The brass is polished, but scratches and dents make it less than perfect, new layers of paint over chipped layers , making for a strange effect upon close.
The engine and boilerrooms greasy and smelly from the use, a hot damp air clinging to the clothes, steam sizzles from pipes, gauges and other indistict places. The fireboxes still hot, but the fires put out, the boilers creaking from cooling and shrinking.

The interpreters, not accustomed to nautical,technical French do their best to convey the remarks from the engineers.
"this gauge is broken, it always points at half pressure, if the pressure goes over the set value of the safety valve, a puf of steam will erupt from that valve, when the steam is released in the smokestack, it gets hot, make sure you reroute the steam from valve and condencer pipe 17B to 2C "
"Do not try to run the turbines untill the temperature of the main bearings is at 123°C" 
"Boiler 7 has a corrosion problem, do not run it over 180 psi"

On Pluche 5, chief engineer Ducable, a dwarfish, bald man with burnscars over his body, takes time to instruct the Romanians who are following him, far past midnight. Fortified with coffee augmented with vinogel the men on Pluche 5 are having a steam course in UNK/French steam turbine technology.

[TexanCowboy]

Bucharesti Times
January 8th, 1917

Beware, enemies of Imperial Romania! The glourious Romanian Expeditionary Force has began to gather in Constanta, under the command of General Chuck Norris. His subordinates are, in command of I Corps, Lieutentant General Bruce Lee, and in command of V Corps, Lieutantant General Mr.T. Look out, Dutch, as General Chuck Norris and the REF are after you!

[The Rock Doctor]

I realize we have Bond villains in Japan, and so forth but would it be possible to attempt to have Romanian names for Romanian people?

Besides, Chuck Norris' expeditionary force would consist solely of himself.

[TexanCowboy]

I can try, but this way is more fun.  :).
But then I would have to rent a $4 task force for one person. What happens when he gets injured. BIG waste of money. Plus, he has Bruce Lee and Mr.T.

[Logi]

I sue! Bruce Lee is mine, China's!

[TexanCowboy]

But then Brure Lee will bring order to the RRC. We don't want that, do we. Fine, I'll replace Bruce Lee with the Godfather.

[Walter]

I realize we have Bond villains in Japan, and so forth but would it be possible to attempt to have Romanian names for Romanian people?

Japan has Japanese so I can use Japanese names. Japan has Manchurians so I can use Chinese names. Japan has Russians so I can use Russian names. Japan has Neo Swiss so I can use western names.

Yes. The Evilness of the Swiss has no limits. ;D

Regarding the Rumanian names, you should look at what might be common to those names and add that to the names you are using... something like Chuckov Norrisovich or so or Comrade T or Mr. Tsky. Alter it to make it fit your nation but keep it so that the name of the person you are using is clearly visible. :)

I sue! Bruce Lee is mine, China's!

*alters history* He's Manchurian! He's mine. ;D

[The Rock Doctor]

It's entirely possible that without a ceasefire to the current war, his ancestors might get killed on January 1.  Do y'all want that on your conscience?

[Walter]

But if you change the name, it is a completely different person (yet till the same). :)

Been looking a bit regarding Romanian names (the examples I gave above was me thinking a bit in the direciton of Russian). Perhaps something like Carlosca Rayu "Chuck" Norriseanu. :)