GC 4Q1903

[Borys]

 8 October: Cartagena

"The UKA has launched an assault on Newfoundland", Benicio Delgado informed the cabinet during the daily meeting.

"Is the League resisting?", asked Ricardo Alizandro.

"From what little information has leaked out, yes. But is likely a moot point. The UK will have complete control over the island and its adjacent waters for two or more weeks, assuming the League chooses to contest the matter."

"More than enough time to shuttle over divisions as required", Ricardo noted. "Sucks to be the League."

13 November: Johi, southern Guyana Province

Padre Batista was back in the jungle, making rounds from village to village, performing the usual litany of confessions, blessings, masses, weddings, and so forth that were required at each stop.

Alejandro, the village foreman, was waiting for him as he strode up the trail, shotgun in one hand, machete in the other. "Padre!", he called out. "You are late!"

Batista smiled ruefully. "My apologies, my friend, I was detained."

"For two months?"

"I had some work to perform for the government."

Alejandro frowned. "Nobody should ever have to work for that government. I'm sorry to hear of it. I imagine it was tedious and tiresome."

"Tortuous and troubling would be a more apt description", the priest replied. "So, my son, what have I missed in my absence?"

"Eleven babies born - nine still with us. We have lost four elders and, I fear, also, Tito."

Batista sighed. "Good Lord, have mercy on his soul. Was it Salma?"

"What? No, not Salma. He didn't lay another finger on her after you spoke with him last time. Snake bite."

"I'm sorry to hear that", Batista said, as Alejandro fell in beside him. "I will have to visit his grave. How is Salma coping?"

"She is sad, confused and, I daresay, perhaps slightly relieved. Tito may have stopped beating her, but their relationship was far perfect."

"I will make a stop to see her, too", the priest noted. "Anything urgent that I should attend to before I start preparing for the mass?"

"Actually, there is", Alejandro said, in a sort of mysterious tone that immediately pique Batista's interest. "Two days ago, a foreigner stumbled into Pedro's hut. Five steps from death's door, I would say. Emaciated, feverish. We are nursing him as best we can, and I think that he will live - but nobody in the village can understand a word he says. And he's saying a lot of words."

"Pardon the foolish question, but why do you say he's a foreigner?"

"He wears a uniform that is not of our army, and his skin is much too pale. We wondered if he might be a wayward Dutchman."

As they entered the village proper, Batista was mobbed by well-wishers of all ages. It took over an hour to satisfy them all with greetings, handshakes, and quick blessings, at which point he said to Alejandro, "I should see the foreigner first, just in case."

"Follow me."

The village had a small nursing station, staffed solely by a nun slightly younger than Methuselah. The wizened little woman laughed with delight upon seeing Batista. "You are here to see the stranger, and not me? Outrageous!", she exclaimed with feigned hurt, then cackled. "Come on, he's back here."

A pale, scrawny younger man lay on a cot in a back room, a wool blanket draped across his lower body. He eyed Batista with what looked like resignation and muttered, "Great, another person who can't understand me", in German.

"I understand you perfectly", Batista commented, and the man's eyes widened.

"Thank God!", he exclaimed. "I need to send a report home - can you do that for me? I don't think I'm up to any exercise just yet." He laughed bitterly at his words.

"I can send a report", Batista confirmed. "I am Padre Batista, my son, a servant of God who spends much time in these parts."

"A genuine pleasure to meet you, Father. I am Thomas Miklas, a captain in the Austrian army."

Batista frowned. "You're a long way from Austria, Captain. How do you come to be here?"

"Where, precisely, is it that I am?"

"Southern Guyana, in Gran Colombia."

"Thank God", Miklas said again. "I was afraid I was still in Brazil somewhere. How did I get here? The short answer is I ran faster than the Anahuac that slaughtered everybody else. Did you know that they are in Brazil?"

"Yes", Batista replied.

"Oh", Miklas mumbled. "Well, they are, indeed. I was part of an observer team attached to the French Sixteenth Legion, Les Algerienes. We were supposed to be going into the jungle to fight some of these rebels we hear about. Instead, we found ourselves constantly harassed and ambushed by the Anahuac. The French seemed surprised at this, but for the wrong reason. It was if they felt they had been betrayed."

"They may have", Batista said. "It happens that the Anahuac are on the continent because of the French. They established a colony in the rain forest, southwest of here. I suspect the French believe they control the Anahuac"

"That just figures. Stupid French. When will they learn that meddling in other people's affairs just causes trouble?"

Batista shrugged.

"Yeah", Miklas muttered. "They just kept coming at us and coming at us, whittling us down, yet for some reason we never retreated. I think the commanding officer was just too stubborn to admit defeat. Our numbers kept decreasing, and one day, perhaps eight or nine weeks ago, the legion lost cohesion and routed. Some units stayed together, mind you - I was with a battalion which decided to go north rather than go back the way we'd came. So far as I know, I'm the only man to have survived the experience."

"I've not heard of others", Batista said quietly. "How do you feel?"

"Tired. Very, very tired. A bit warm. I'm hoping it's not the pox or something."

"It may just be sunstroke and fatigue", replied Batista. "I should leave you to your rest for a while. I have a mass to perform this evening - perhaps afterward we can speak more of this?"

"Certainly", Miklas agreed.

Outside the nursing station, Alejandro said, "So...?"

"He's Austrian. He was with a French unit in Brazil that encountered the Anahuac in force."

"He's lucky to be alive", Alejandro said.

"God was with him", Batista agreed. "As soon as he is able to travel, I need to take him back north."

"Give Sister Patricia five days and he should be able. I will send some of the men to help you, of course."
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 25 2006, 11:45 PM


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3 november 1903 Port Au Prince.

Monsieur, we got information from GC. It seems they have information from Brazil. Do we know anything of Anuhuac in Brazil?

Only that they are helping to squash the rebelion of the Portugese. Why?

That is strange, as we have information that a Habsburger officer has been found in GC and is talking about Anuhuac attacking a Legion Etrager.

Or it is a diversion to relieve pressure from the Darien canal, or we have serious troubles. We have indications that it is possible. To be sure, send a team to check it out, and if possible, retrieve the Habsburger.

I already dispatched Pablo, he got the funding to buy himself a team.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 25 2006, 11:55 PM


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Maddox: I've changed the date of the Batista story to fit previously posted news from yourself. You'll need to bump back the date of your response.
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 12:27 AM


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No need too, all information here is correct. The little anachronisme is changed in the past.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 12:28 AM


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14 November: Cartagena

News of the Profitable incident had reached Cartagena days earlier; it did not come as a total surprise to anybody in the Gran Colombian cabinet. They'd suspected that the French ships loitering outside national waters were up to something. Now, it seemed, there was proof.

Certainly the Rohirrim had thought so. Their statement three days earlier had made their concerns clear, althought it had fallen well short of the best case scenario, that being a revocation of the French lease on their canal zone.

The Brandenburger response had been more restrained than the cabinet had hoped, too. But at least they had made their concerns known.

Now the cabinet found themselves with a telegram from France to consider:

QUOTE
Dear sir,

We regret to be forced to post a heavy fleet unit nearby your national waters. But you see the urgent reason to do so.  We all, of nations of good will, don't want to lose a piece of evidence that can lead to the capture of the arch criminal Agrival.

Minister Capet, in coorperation with Minister Paixhans.


"Smells like trouble", Ricardo Alizandro opined. "I say we send a fleet up there and tell Capet we'll f*****g sink the lot of them if they enter our waters."

Foreign Minister Torres blanched. Minister de Soto smirked.

Enrico Alizandro shook his head slightly. "Sinking the French is out of the question, but I support the idea of bolstering our naval presence there. What did you have in mind?"

"Audaz and Astuto, two cruisers, and four torpedo-boats", Ricardo stated.

"Those are our oldest battleships. Don't we want something newer?"

"There are two of them, versus one French battleship. If we're not going to actually be shooting at them, it gets the point across that we're at least keeping a close eye on them."

"And you have other eyes closer to the canal itself, I hope?"

"I've given orders for part of the Cuban Squadron to take up station in Colon. That would be the coastal battleship Osado and a protected cruiser. They'll join the cruiser and torpedo-boat already there."

"I'm not certain I like the idea of stripping forces from Cuba", Enrico commented, a deep frown etched on his face.

"Cuba's fine, Enrico", Ricardo said. "They're only needed until El Leon is completed in March."

"Alright", Enrico conceded. "Perhaps, we need to move some troops in to Darien?"

"We have six divisions there already", Ricardo observed.

"Another two or three wouldn't hurt", Enrico pressed.

Ricardo leaned back in his chair. "We need the other divisions elsewhere. In the south, to be precise."

"Deploy a corps to Darien", Enrico said flatly.

Ricardo was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'll cut the orders."

"Good", the President said. "Good. Now, let's get a response drafted for the French..."

15 November

QUOTE

Dear M. Capet,

Thank you for your telegram from yesterday.  We can certainly appreciate your interest in retrieving all possible evidence from the scene of last week's incident.  We are equally concerned about the event, and are alarmed at the possibility that Agrival Mars may be active in the Caribbean.  To that end, we will be deploying a battle squadron of our own to Colon to further ensure law and order in the region.

We will be undertaking aggressive patrols within our territorial waters, and would suggest that French merchantile traffic remain outside these waters, lest one be mistaken for a vessel in Agrival's employ.  We certainly do not wish for a terrible accident to take place on account of zealous warships encountering unexpected vessels.

Sincerely,

Eduard Torres
Foreign Minister

   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 12:53 AM


Hegemon
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French Naval Headquarters in Port Au Prince.

Sir, Iena does Marconi in that the Colombians have send a fleet of their own.

Oh, what is the banana force?

2 battleships with escort.

Merde, we don't have any available ships to support Iena. And we can't get reinforcements from France.
Oh well, I'm confident that Iena can do the Job, and if it comes to Blows, in a pure mathematical level I know that France can stand the exchange of 1 battleship against a primitive fleet of an upstart country.
But still I would like another battleship or large cruiser on the salvage mission there. Just to show those junglemonkeys who is the biggest on the block.

A message from Paris explains a lot Sir.
They send in the word that French Merchants have to avoid the waters along the darien canal and the feeble tries of the New Swiss at a canal.

No problem. I'll set it on the "messages for the sailors"

QUOTE
To Monsieur Torres

We appreciete your support in the hunt for the international criminal Agrival, and we will warn our merchant vessel operating in the vincinity to avoid Gran Colombian canal works. And give our ships a detour to the Great Canal.
Please do not interfere with the great Canal Works Trafic with your patrols. Our merchants got a warning that they have to comply with Gran Colombian vessels

Minister Capet


Some time later.

Without explanation of France, the search and salvage fleet leaves the waters. A day later, at selected spots, huge waterspouts are seen, as if massive explosions happened on the seabed.


   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 11:12 AM


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22 November 1903

"The French sailed off yesterday", Ricardo Alizandro commented. "I hadn't issued new orders to our squadron yet, so they remained on station. This morning, they reported disturbances in the water, in the location that the French salvage team had been anchored."

"By disturbances you mean...", Industry Minister de Soto suggested.

"Underwater explosions", Ricardo confirmed. "Destruction of evidence."

"Figures", murmured Agriculture Minister Escalante.

"You certainly can't expect them to leave evidence behind for us to collect later", Benicio Delgado noted. "On this topic, a source in Paris indicated that your squadron's arrival caused some alarm to the French government."

"Mission accomplished, then", Ricardo proclaimed.

"Not yet", Delgado cautioned, "For now that we've established that the French are using merchant ships for nefarious purposes, we would be well advised to keep a close watch on the others that remain. If France can build a Greater Napolean, it can certainly afford another modified freighter."

"Fair enough", Ricardo conceded. "I can cut orders for a longer term deployment. Colon can handle it."

"Then send the Cuban contingent back to Havana", Enrico Alizandro directed.

Unable to find an argument against that logic, Ricardo could only reply, "Okay. How much longer until this damn thing is finished and we can maybe forget about the French trying to stop it?

"If you mean, when's the canal going to be finished", Minister de Soto responded, "Substantial construction is essentially finished. The Gatun Dam was completed in October, so now we have to wait fifteen months or so for the lake to fill up. Otherwise, it's a matter of completing the supporting infrastructure such as the mule lines, traffic direction stations, and such. Things like the locks are complete."

"So maybe I should have a minefield laid in front of the locks", Ricardo suggested, half seriously. "Okay, so the building's more or less done - why'd we bother with those Swiss troops, then? What're we doing with these guys and the penal labor?"

"For the most part, they're either digging or planting shrubs and grass on the cut slopes."

Ricardo snorted. "You've got them farming?"

"No", Minister Escalante sighed. "The men who are digging are clearing away debris from when the canal sides slump. The men who are planting are doing so because the roots of that vegetation will bind the soil and make it less likely that the ground will slump."

"Ah", Ricardo said with dis-interest. "But they'll be done soon, right? I'd like to send them south to help establish more infrastructure along the Brazilian frontier."

"Infrastructure for what?", Minister de Soto asked.

"For our invasion of Brazil", Ricardo replied. "As I laid out in the briefing note you all received."

"I didn't get a note to that effect", de Soto stated. Other voices around the table echoed him.

"I had the note pulled", Enrico said. "I don't intend to take action until the canal is operational. For which purpose, I intend to put the laborers and contractors to work in preparing land defences around the canal."

Ricardo sputtered, "You pulled - pulled the note? Land-based defences?" He set his pen down heavily, stood, and walked out of the room, shaking his head.

The gathered ministers braced themselves for an explosion, but President Alizandro merely said, "Next order of business?"

"A point related to Brazil", answered his son, Rey. The security minister said, "I received a telegram from Sauriwaunawa, in Guyana, yesterday. From Padre Batista, in fact. It said that he was heading to Cuidad de Jorge with important information. Unfortunately, he didn't say what it was."

"That doesn't really tell us anything", Enrico observed. "Did he forget to tell us something during his de-brief?"

"He was very thorough", Rey replied. "I assume he has new information and is protecting it from unwelcome ears."

"It had better not be more sob stories about the poor Indians in Brazil."

"We'll find out", Rey said awkwardly.
   

[Borys]

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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 12:57 PM


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27 November: La Prensa Nacional

In Agricultural news, wheat futures were up two percent in heavy trading following word that Gran Colombia had purchased significant stockpiles of wheat from the Confederated States of America. The move was unexpected given that Gran Colombia's traditional source of wheat imports is the Union del Sur-America, but Agriculture Minister Jorge Escalante said, "We are merely acquiring a reserve, and fully intend to buy our usual quota from the USA once it has been harvested. We remain commited to our southern friends as our preferred supplier."

Minister Escalante also noted that he and his Sur-American counterpart had re-affirmed commitments to existing trade deals between the two nations. "A matter of confirming what we already knew, that Gran Colombia and the USA will ensure each other receives the full ordered quota of wheat and corn, or coffee, cocoa, and bananas, as the case may be. Regardless of annual variations in yield."

The market interpreted this as an indication of expected shortfalls in crop production across the board, with banana futures most heavily affected. January futures were up almost nine percent as of the close, leaving them just shy of the record-high set during the height of the recent war in the Pacific.

2 December: Colon

Capitan de Corbeta San Martino Rafael San Martino grinned from ear to ear as the torpedo boat Cucuta knifed through the calm Caribbean Sea at twenty-five knots. It didn't get any better than this, he thought, if one discounted that night with the Costanza twins.

For a time he'd thought it strange that he'd gotten this promotion - and command - as a result of panicking, shooting a man in the leg, and stealing his ship. When he'd analyzed it further one night, though, he'd concluded that it had been the outcome that had been rewarded, not the means that got him there. That outcome had been the damaging and evasion of a French sloop and the delivery of two thousand, four hundred, and eight-five Swiss contractors to safety in Gran Colombia.

Then, after downing a couple more cervezas, he'd looked back further at the Niuew Matterhnorn incident. He'd panicked then, too. It had driven him to desperate action, buying the old scow from New Switzerland in the middle of a sea battle. That it had worked had astonished him (and the freighter's crew, no less) to no end.

Just before passing out, he'd had a brief conversation with the old family gardener, So Hi - although he rather now suspected it had been drunken delirium, the words stuck with him anyway.

He'd said, "So Hi, whenever trouble rears its ugly head, I panic and do crazy things."

So Hi had nodded sagely, of course, and asked, "What happens when you do these crazy things?"

"Explosions and death - yet here I am", he'd answered.

"You panic, act, and a satisfactory outcome is accomplished", So Hi had re-iterated. "How do you interpret this sequence of events?"

He'd imagined himself shrugging. "I'm lucky? God is watching out for me?"

So Hi had shaken his head, his long, thin, white hair rippling around him. "Those are one and the same. Luck is just the divine's way of demonstrating favor for the virtuous. Yet this is not a correct interpretation. It is more correct to note that when you take action, satisfactory outcomes are accomplished."

"So panicking is good?"

"No, you fool!", So Hi had spat. "Panicking is an unrelated weakness which you can now avoid by recognizing that when you take action, satisfactory outcomes are accomplished."

San Martino had stared at the old Chinaman. "So..."

"Be respectful! Use my full name if you are addressing me."

"Sorry, I meant...I shouldn't panic in a crisis because I can solve the crisis."

"Precisely", So Hi had replied with a nod.

6 December: Cartagena

Enrico and Ricardo Alizandro contemplated each other warily from across the president's huge oak table. They'd been hardly speaking to each other for days now, and Enrico had grown tired of it.

"Brother, I recognize that you're agitated over Brazil, and I assure you it will be dealt with. But I need you to support me until we get to that point", he said.

Ricardo exhaled heavily. "Enrico, it's hard to support you when you're being such an idiot. The canal has been a money pit. Cuba a pretty distraction. The Anahuac are the problem we must face - otherwise, one day, you'll find yourself on an altar getting your heart cut out with an obsidian blade."

"And I will deal with it, as soon as the canal is done and Cuba is secure", Enrico replied, pointedly ignoring the insult.

"The canal is done, as de Soto pointed out two weeks ago. We're just waiting for the water to come", Ricardo riposted. "And Cuba is secure. Do you hear Juan bleating about getting it back? No, he's busy trying to rebuild the scraps of Spain he still controls."

"The canal is in constant danger from the French and their agents", Enrico said, "You know this."

"Sure - and that's why I haven't argued proper deployments there. But that doesn't mean we have to be paralyzed everywhere else."

"We can't fight the French in Brazil and in Darien", Enrico protested. "We don't have the power."

Ricardo slapped his forehead. "Enrico, we're not going to be fighting France in Brazil. They don't have it any more. It's just the Anahuac and a bunch of rebel factions fighting it out. Left to their own devices, the Anahuac will prevail."

"Palpete thinks Brazil is French, and he's the one who matters", Enrico snapped.

"Not a single other nation on Earth will come to the support of the Anahuac", Ricardo stated. "They may not care for us at times, but we are by far the lesser of two evils. Even Palpete can not act against the rest of the world."

"I can't take that chance", Enrico said. "Perhaps after the next French election, things will be different. Until then, we focus on what we can do - secure Cuba and the canal."

"You mean until then we'll fiddle while Rome burns", Ricardo snapped.

"Excuse me?"

"Sorry, you probably weren't expecting a classical reference out of your gruff, pig-headed brother. How about 'We'll piss on the outhouse while the hacienda burns down'?"

Enraged, Enrico snarled, "Have you not been listening to anything I've just said? If you can't see the logic of what I'm saying, perhaps you ought to hand me your resignation letter, for I certainly don't need this kind of obstruction in my cabinet!"

"Don't want a voice of reason in the cabinet, hey? Be careful what you ask for!", Ricardo shouted back.

"I-", Enrico began, and then stopped as the service door opened to admit an unfamiliar young serving girl with a tray of silverware.

******

The shouting didn't bother Enrico's secretary. The walls were sufficiently thick that even the most strident yelling only reached his ears as muted rumbling. There had been certainly been a great deal of that over the past weeks as the President and the Defence Minister had either not communicated or done so at full volume.

The stop in the shouting prompted him to look up to his clock. Ah, yes, coffee time. The brothers would pause while they were served, then resume bickering after the help had departed. Couldn't have the masses seeing discord in the cabinet.

The secretary was, therefore, surprised to hear loud sounds from the office just seconds later, for the servant couldn't possibly have left yet. Surprise turned to horror as he recognized the muffled thumps for what they were: gunshots.
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 06:52 PM


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"Banana Republic Presidential Elections are currently underway..."
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 06:55 PM


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Bonedry, really bonedry.
   
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Borys    
Posted: Nov 26 2006, 09:30 PM


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OOC
Ahoj!
Sumpfhuen - I think the poor darlings are being assassinated ...

Borys
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 27 2006, 06:56 PM


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8 December: Cartagena

The interior of the Cathedral of San Miguel reverberated with the hushed mutterings of four hundred people, most of whom were standing in a line that slowly wound its way up the centre aisle, past the casket, and out of the building like an over-gorged python. It was a lengthy serpent, this throng of mourners, stretching almost two kilometres along the Avenida de Bolivar, where its end was constantly replenished with freshly arrived Gran Colombians come to see their fallen president.

Beside the casket, the widow sat in an armchair, clad in black. She had wept for a time, then fallen silent other than the occasional response to the many expressions of "I'm sorry" or "He was a great man". Her facial expression was one of abject misery, part from the grief of her loss, part from the unpleasant duty she was now performing, and could expect to perform, for another day and a half.

Rey Alizandro had stood with his mother for much of the morning, but he'd felt the need to take a break from it all. One could only stomach the platitudes for so long before the urge to scream, "Let me be!", became overwhelming. Fortunately, Cardinal Rodriguez was right there with his mother the moment Rey had excused himself. He wasn't certain she'd noticed the change.

"This seems unreal. Almost exactly as I remember Grandpapa's...", he mused.

Standing beside him, Ricardo Alizandro nodded slightly. "And as I remember his father's..."

"I don't care for this feeling of being on display", Rey commented.

"You'd better get used to it", Ricardo said. "It isn't going to stop now."

Rey sighed as his mother broke down again. He took a step toward her but halted as Ricardo muttered, "Stop." As Cardinal Rodriguez laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, Sebastien de Soto - her brother - rushed over and took her other hand in his.

Ricardo said, "You are president now. Everything you do will be scrutinized and analyzed by all who see and hear of it. Pardon me for saying so, but rushing to your mother's side will be seen as a weakness."

"Staying away could be interpreted as a sign of disrespect or callousness", Rey replied quietly.

"Either of which are acceptable attributes for a head of state", Ricardo answered.

Rey pondered this for a few seconds. "It shouldn't have been so soon. I'm not ready for this, Uncle. "

"No, you're not", Ricardo agreed. "Nonetheless, here you are."

"I almost wish you were president now. That you'd made up some story about Papa naming you as his successor with his last breath."

"That would have been wrong", Ricardo replied, his voice almost breaking on the final word. More gruffly, he added, "Anyway, I'm not cut out to be head of state. I speak too bluntly and my usual solution to a problem is to shoot people or blow something up."

"Those aren't attributes acceptable for a head of state?", Rey asked lightly.

"No. You have to learn fancy double-talk like Torres spouts, and at least occasionally solve a problem without using violence. It keeps the other heads of state guessing." That earned Ricardo a very mild snort of amusement from his nephew.

"I think they're useful attributes in a minister responsible for defending the state against its enemies", said Rey. "I know this isn't really the time or place, but I hoped you were willing to stay on in that role."

"You'd have had quite the battle to get rid of me, nephew", Ricardo replied quietly. "Your mother has composed herself. This would be a good time to return to the 'reception line'."
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Nov 27 2006, 07:16 PM


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"And with 100% of precincts reporting, the new President of the Banana Republic claims victory by a margin of .38..."
   
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Borys    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 02:00 AM


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OOC
When Miklas gets to cvilization he'd want to contact the Austrian Embassy. And I'd like to react to that.
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 03:01 AM


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That my dear Borys, will to be seen...

[Borys]

swamphen     
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 10:13 AM


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meanwhile at the other end of Brazil:

mid-December, 1903
Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul province

"The French are pulling out. Completely! It seems obvious that things are much worse than they've been letting on to us."

"But of course. But what do we have to worry about? It's not like these mystery raiders have been doing anything down here..."

"We are not that far from Sao Paulo, my friend."

"Bah. What would the jungle bunnies want down here?"

"They may not be the natives. I've heard rumours they're Anahuac."

"Anahuac? Now that's a laugh. Yeah a few of 'em got away, but here? No way that could happen."

"It has." Everyone turned torwards the door, where the owner of the strained, weak voice had entered, a young man who looked like he'd been wrestling elephants.

"Gut himmel, over here, man, let's get some lager into you. Barkeep!"

"Now what's this about Anahuac you were saying?"

"The raiders, they're Anahuac, they're here."

"You've been out in the sun too long..."

"No! Here." The man fumbled in a pocket, then pulled out a small amulet, tossing it on the table. "I took this from the first of the swine who attacked me."

One of the men picked up the charm, then threw it back to the table with a curse. On its osbedian surface was carved the symbol of the Eye. "I don't believe it."

"It's true. I was about 30 klicks north-west of here when they got me. First the one, then five more. I don't know how I escaped."

"And here we are sitting pretty with the bloody Frogs having pulled everything out."

"We could ask for help from the old country..."

"Pah! You mean that bunch of bloody Socalists? And the ones who aren't are in France's pocket."

"Brandenburg?"

"Even if they would, you know how long it would take to reach here from the other side of the world? No, we're on our own."

"He's right." The battered man looked up from his beer. "They want all of Brazil, and then some, they're not going to let us be, it's just beginning."

"But how will it end?"

The man threw the rest of the lager down his throat before replying.

"In fire."
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 11:39 AM


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6 December: El Canton, south of Lago de Maracaibo

Gran Colombian's Great Northern Railway started at Ciudad de Jorge in Guyana, wound its way up to Barrancas, at the head of the Orinoco Delta. and headed west to El Tigre. From there it traced a route parallel to, but just south of, the Cordillera Oriental until it reached El Canton. From there, it took aim at the mountain pass occupied by San Christobal and Cucuta before curling up and around the Serrania de Perija and heading west to Cartagena.

El Canton's railway station was one of the busiest in the nation, as it not only lay along this main line but served as the northern terminus of spur lines that went southeast to Puerto Inirida and along the arcuate Yopal-Villavicencio-San Jose del Guaviere-Mitu route. Thousands of passengers came through the station each day, along with all manners of freight.

So Padre Batista had to grudgingly admit that it was impossible to keep an eye on everybody, and that was how he found himself in a throng of people with some hoodlum holding a pistol to his spine. "Padre", a rasping voice murmured from behind his left ear, "I'm going to explain how this is going down so you understand your role and don't do anything unfortunate. Okay?"

"Okay", Batista replied.

"Good. My associates are now in the bathroom, along with your two Indian friends and the foreigner. Your friends will be tied up, laid out with a sap, and tucked away in two of the stalls. The foreigner will be taken to our employer who, I should point out, is not in El Canton, so there is no point in staying here to look for him.

"While this takes place, you and I will stay right here, until such time as I decide to leave. After a suitable pause, you will be free to retrieve your friends and do as you see fit. Any questions?"

"Yes. Who is your employer?", asked the missionary.

The thug chuckled. "I wouldn't tell you that if I knew, which I don't. Suffice to say he's not from around here."

"Why not take me with you? I may have heard something incriminating."

"That may be, Padre, but you have a reputation as the baddest son of a bitch in a collar that's ever been seen. I figure it's better to put as much distance between you and us as possible." After a pause, the voice added, "Besides which, I interpret my contracts narrowly, and it said nothing about wasting or taking anybody besides the foreigner. I'll only do that if I'm paid to, or forced to."

"You realize that he has information vital to the security of the nation?", Batista inquired.

"That's probably why my employer wants him", the voice agreed.

"That information will help us defeat the Anahuac, an evil unlike any on this Earth. Gran Colombia needs him."

"One man isn't going to make a difference, Padre. Wouldn't surprise me if you knew more about them than the foreigner, what with all your contacts down that way. Your best bet is probably to get back on the train and go tell the mucky-mucks in Cartagena what you've learned."

"What's going to happen to him?", Batista demanded.

"I don't know, and don't care. It's outside my contract." Several seconds passed. "Okay, Padre, it's time for me to go. I want you to stay absolutely still and count to sixty. If you turn around before that, I will start shooting people at random. When you get to sixty - do what you want."

"Fine", Batista seethed. The pressure at his spine vanished and he began to count, his eyes flicking from left to right in case the criminal had the nerve to walk past him.

At sixty, he exhaled slowly and turned about. No gunshots punctuated the din. He pushed through the crowds to the men's bathroom and grunted as he saw a sign on the door that read, "Out of Service."

Entering the bathroom, he quickly located the two young men Alejandro had sent with he and Miklas. Both had nasty welts on their heads, but otherwise looked okay once they finally came 'round.

"We're sorry, Padre - they surprised us", Luis apologized, holding his head.

"Are we going after them?", asked Wilmer.

"I forgive you both, for these were practiced criminals who knew what they were doing", Batista replied. "We aren't going to catch them at this point. Miklas is lost, God preserve him."

"Then what do we do?"

"I will continue to Cartagena and relay what I know to the President. Miklas told me a great deal, perhaps enough that I can convince the Hapsburger ambassador of the truth of the tale." Batista's eyes narrowed and fixed his two companions. "As for you two: I was told just now that one man doesn't make a difference. I disagree. Return home, and spread word through out the rainforest that I seek the aid of righteous men. It is time to jab a spear in the Eye."



OOC: Sorry, Borys. That's the hand I was dealt.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 12:24 PM


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7 December

Official Communication from the Office of the President to all Foreign Missions in Gran Colombia:

"It is with profound sadness that Gran Colombia confirms the fatal shooting of President Enrico Miguel Alizandro. The heinous act was committed yesterday afternoon in his office by a young female assassin, who was immediately shot and killed by Defence Minister Ricardo Alizandro. Minister Alizandro was not injured in the attack. Gran Colombia has initiated an investigation aimed at determining whether the assassin was acting on her own or on behalf of a third party.

"The body of Enrico Alizandro will lay in state at the Cathedral of San Miguel for two days, with a state funeral planned for November nine.

"Per Gran Colombian law, Rey Alizandro has been sworn in as President. He will be announcing his new Cabinet in the near future and will schedule meetings with Foreign Missions as time becomes available."
   
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Borys    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 01:09 PM


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OOC
Ahoj!
No problem.
Please say by when news of the abuduction reaches Vienna.

IC

Austria makes the customary noises, the amabassador attends whatever there is to attend.
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 01:19 PM


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(I assume those last two dates were supposed to be December?)
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 02:48 PM


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Those last dates are indeed meant to be December. I'll edit that.

Borys: Unless Maddox seeks to delay Padre Batista, I expect I'll have him visitng your ambassador shortly. Stay tuned.
   
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swamphen    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 02:54 PM


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mid December
Legion Kondor HQ, Neue Brandenburg, Neue Preussen, DKB

"Colonel?"

Oberst Anton Hammer, commander of the mercenary company officially known as the Legion Kondor, and better known populary after its actions in the Rohan-Anahuac War of 1900 as "Hammer's Slammers", interrupted his paperwork planning the Legion's next training exercise and looked up to his secretary. "Ja, Erika?"

"There's a man here to see you, he says on behalf of Gran Colombia."
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 03:00 PM


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Caracas, an office in a very busy warehouse.

Felipé, you and your men did a marvelous job. Here's the payment, and a bonus Be sure no straw hat pick up the trail.
Felipé opens a suitcase and ruffles trough uncut and unpolished gems and gold nuggets.
Senor, it seems me and my men had a profitable time in the jungle, al the hard work is very rewarding. I hope to return to the placer were we get this bounty.

It is very well possible. My boss can always use good men who know the busines. I'll contact you , don't try to contact me.

Gracias Senor.

A few hours later. On a non descript ACM freighter.

Sorry for the discomfort Capitain Miklas, but we had to use this way to save you from a fate we don't recomend to our worst enemies. Also, France has to repay you for the ordeal you had. We arranged a meeting with the Habsburg consul in Port Au Prince, and from there you will get first class passage to Venice.

So you're in French pay? You know that all my men and most probably the whole corps legionairs is slaughtered in the jungle because all the follies of France? Who says you're not just going to feed me to the sharks. It's not that being driven by gunpoint in the kidneys, being gagged and tied up, trown around in a freigh crate inspires a lot of trust.

Captain Miklas, whoever gave me orders is not of your concern. I do appolegise about your treatment, but alas, when working in Gran Colombia you need to cover all the tracks. If you would been recaptured by straw hats, they gladly would have interrogated you very vigorously.
You know the straw hats?

I heard only a few remarks from padre Batista; he doesn't like these policemen. I wouldn't say he fears them, but his behavior indicates a serious wearyness. Can you tell me more then?

To put it simple. If straw hats, a trademark for this not so secret police, this Banana Okhranka, have a target it will suffer. They are ruthless, sadistic and guided by only 1 thing. How to keep the Alizandro's at power and enforce their will. I'd rather kill myself than to undergo their tender administration to get information.

But why abduct me then? If I would have gone directly to the officials, they would have listened to my story and then transfered to the Habsburger embasy. Now I stand the chance to be seen as something else than a victim of a large conspiracy.

I believe you would have ended up digging up the Gran Colombian canal, like a few 1000 New Swiss and a very large group of "criminals" who's worst crime was to speak the truth to loud. Another of Gran Colombias attrocities. You know that at least 100 000 people died digging that ditch trough mid America? Oh well, you'll learn about the truth soon enough. Even if you don't trust me, you are free to roam the ship. It's only 60 kilometers southwest to Caracas.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 03:18 PM


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Lies! Lies!

Interior Security does the torturing where foreigners are concerned. The Straw Hats address "civilian compliance".
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 03:30 PM


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The straw hats are the more visible part of the convincion forces of Gran Colombia... Ask any Gran Colombian José what he understands under Interior Security and he will ask "what?"

Straw hats on the other hand.... Doors and shutters slamming closed....
   

[Borys]

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Borys    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 04:11 PM


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OOC
Ahoj!
Would it be possible for these Gran Columbian/ Miklas developments to happen in January?
It would make it possible for me Stefan and Wilhelm to react "live", not retrospectively.
I'm having a busy week and will write more tommorrow evening.

Borys
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 28 2006, 05:40 PM


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Borys: I'd prefer not to change the dates, as the December timing is consistent with my plans. See your PM for further comments.
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 29 2006, 02:07 AM


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The dates as said by Rocky, december are correct. Not to change.

Miklas will be in France in Q1. If nothing goes wrong... there is a certain mastercriminal who has a vested interest in annoying France.
   
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The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Nov 29 2006, 11:15 PM


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15 December: Cartagena

There weren't many priests in Gran Colombia that found themselves invited to a cabinet meeting, but Padre Batista was one of them. The cabinet was, to a man, most interested in hearing about Captain Miklas, and so Batista had, after expressing his sympathies to Rey and Ricardo Alizandro, recounted what had happened.

"Have you informed the Austrians?", the new president inquired.

"I visited their embassy as soon as I arrived in the city", Batista replied. "However, I was directed to a relatively junior diplomat and I have doubt that he believed what he heard."

"You have to admit it's a bizarre story", Information Minister San Christobal remarked.

"I do admit it", the missionary conceded. "Nonetheless..."

"There it is", Foreign Minister Torres said. "I recall that the ambassador was taking a trip to Grenada for some reason. I should pay him a visit upon his return."

"Do that", Rey Alizandro agreed. "I don't know whether the Austrians would consider joining or not but every bit of evidence helps."

"Senor President?", Batista inquired. "Join what?"

The young president looked uncertain for a moment, then Benicio Delgado spoke up. "Better that he know than not, Senor President. He can be of great service."

"Very well", Rey said. "Join the liberation of Brazil. We're planning a spring campaign."

"That is good to hear", Batista replied, silently wondering whether liberation was the appropriate description for the operation. "You'll be able to make the most of the high water levels in the the river system."

"It'll be essential for supply purposes, if nothing else", Ricardo Alizandro declared. "The logistics down there is a bitch."

"I imagine so", Batista agreed. "Once you reach the Amazon and main tributaries, you can move rather easily, but it is a test to get there in the first place."

"We have some progress, at least", Industry Minister de Soto noted. "Within two months of gaining Amazonas, we started pushing the railhead from Mitu over towards the juncture of the Rio Vaupes and the Rio Negro. It's only just halfway there, but it's a start."

"We're also looking at using the Putamayo", Ricardo added.

Batista nodded. "Just a few day's march from Quito, and navigable by river boat all the way down. A long route, but adequate. The simplest route, of course, is from the Atlantic up the Amazon right to Manaus - you'll recall I did the trip in reverse not so long ago. Is that an option?"

The men around him looked uncertain. "It is the simplest route for travel", Benicio Delgado agreed. "It is rather more complicated from a diplomatic and military aspect."

"Indeed. The French may not permit it", the missionary affirmed.

"Even if they step aside - which isn't a given - there's still a possibility we'd have to fight the Anahuac on the river."

"Your torpedo boats and even protected cruisers can steam right up to Manaus", Batista pointed out. "Other than the Austrians - who is committed to the liberation?"

"The Austrians haven't been approached yet, so for now, just ourselves", Eduard Torres answered. "We are starting to contact like-minded nations but are making an attempt at discretion given how long it will take to build up the army there.

"Padre", Rey requested, "Will you remain here and aid in the planning of this operation?"

Batista shook his head. "Your government, collectively, knows what it must in order to prepare for the liberation. My duty is to return to the jungle and provide what your bureaucrats can not: information, and jungle power."

"Jungle power?", Ricardo repeated, clearly skeptical.

"The native peoples of the jungle", Batista explained. "For all their ferocity and reputation, the Anahuac have only been there a few years. These people have been there since Creation. They know the jungle like I know the Bible. They will be the ears and eyes and guiding hand that leads the righteous to victory over the Eye."

22 December

It was a hell of a party, considering Christmas was still three days away.

The Annabella Ribiero had been anchored a few miles south of the island of St. Lucia since the previous day, and things were in full swing. The band was taking a break, but the wives were playing shuffleboard on the quarterdeck while the men were smoking cigars and bullshitting down in the lounge.

It had been almost two years since they'd arrived here, fleeing a shattered life in a ragged flotilla of warships and freighters, most of which had since been discarded, sunk, or sold. Fortunately, those freighters had been carrying a small fortune and it had been enough to get them back on their feet within weeks. In Gran Colombia, money didn't just talk, it grabbed you by the lapels and shouted.

"Gentlemen? A toast", proposed Joaquim Ribiero, former chairman of the board of the Associacao Comercial do Mundo. "To new starts in life!"

"Wait, wait. I need a refill", interjected Bernardo de Aguiar, the former CFO. "Waiter! Come over here. Quick, now!"

Being that Annabella Ribiero was a yacht, the individual in question should have been referred to as a steward, but the youth was not about to correct his employer's guest. He marched into the lounge and topped up the champagne flutes held by each of the four men, and retreated just as quickly.

"Better. To new starts in life!", Ribiero proclaimed, raising his flute high.

"And a new trophy wife!", Joao Pimental added.

"And days without strife!", Ernesto Correia contributed.

"And, uh...", de Aguiar began. "F**k it. Bottoms up!"

The flutes were rapidly drained and set down on the iron-wrought table at the centre of the lounge.

"Not bad", Correia observed. "Bit of an aftertaste, though."

"It's giving me a buzz already, so it can't be all that bad", de Aguiar remarked.

Riberio grinned. "There are enough varieties aboard that I don't have the same drink twice on a cruise. Whatever brand it is, I haven't had it yet."

"When we get the waiter back in, make sure we get the name. I should order some for my cellar", de Aguiar declared.

"You like getting buzzed this quick, Bernie?", Pimental inquired. "What kind of conneisseur are you? Only the cheap stuff should do this." He rubbed his temples slowly.

The four men sat back, each fidgeting or reacting to the unpleasant effects the champagne was having on their heads. After a minute, Correia murmured, "Something's wrong, Joaquim."

Ribiero attempted to shout, "Steward!", but the call only emerged from his dry mouth as a hoarse whisper. Further efforts met with diminishing returns, and the quarter began to notice numbness in their extremities.

Perhaps three minutes later, the waiter/steward re-entered the lounge and squatted beside Ribiero. "Mister Chairman, gentlemen, I'm aware of your discomfort at the moment. Rest assured, it will pass in due course."

"What...did...?", Ribiero managed to whisper.

"...I do? Added a certain chemical substance to your champagne after popping the cork", the steward said. "Why did I do that? As luck would have it, Gran Colombia is in need of a product that only Agrival Mars can sell - and Senor Mars is very particular about the terms of payment."

***

The Annabella Ribiero was finally boarded on 27 December by an Armada torpedo-boat. The boarding party found no evidence of the four former ACM directors, their wives, or the nine crew. There was no evidence of foul play, but piracy was immediately suspected and alerts were posted throughout the region.

Upon hearing of the mysterious discovery, Rey Alizandro ordered the Armada to search nearby vessels and expressed his outrage. Eduard Torres gave a polished speech about the dangers of international piracy. Sebastien de Soto mourned the loss of his close friends in the business world.

Benicio Delgado, meanwhile, simply gave thanks that the Ribieros and Correias had left their children with a nanny on St. Lucia...
   
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Maddox    
Posted: Nov 30 2006, 12:47 AM


Hegemon
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Ow.... Now I get some of the PM's Agrival did send me.

Poor directors... Most unpleasant I guess.

[Borys]

swamphen     
Posted: Nov 30 2006, 09:19 AM


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Veddy interestink...

Of course a "spring campaign" is relative in the equatorial lands. wink.gif

I'd not thought about Manaus before; that will make for a nice inland port for the Amazon Fleet - and a spur to secure the river to the Atlantic...