5 January 1914:  Nagoya, Japan

Archibald Barkley could not remember ever being this cold, not even on those occasional business trips up the Atlantic coast in winter.  Perhaps Boston and New York were genuinely more pleasant, or perhaps this was just an atypically frigid day.  Whichever was the case, it was damned difficult to stand still without either shivering or moving his limbs to encourage blood flow.

Several feet away, the city's mayor, one Kurakiyo Katsura, stood with shovel in hand, partway through his speech.  Unaccustomed to working with a translator, the mayor would speak for a minute or two at a time, leaving the flustered young woman unable to provide a literal transcription of his words. 

Instead, she'd summarize them along the lines of, "It is known that First Commonwealth Bank is large and profitable", when Katsura was probably citing statistics about the number of branches (three hundred fifty-two) the Bank maintained in various countries (sixteen) in Europe and the Americas. 

"This is the first Colombian bank in Asia", the translator said simply, as Katsura paused again.  This was incorrect, as Banco Republicano had several branches in the Philippines (and one in Pagp Pago) but Barkley was not going to split hairs about it.  At least they'd be the first to break ground in Japan, though they were only beating BR's ceremony in Edo by a matter of hours.

"We look forward to the benefits of First Commonwealth Bank's long history of client service and investment management", the translator added soon after.  That struck Barkley as mildly ironic - it was anticipated that most of the investment work would be on behalf of Colombian investors looking for good buys in Japan, not the other way around.

"We welcome you to Nagoya.  Now we dig", the translator concluded.  Katsura jabbed the spade into the snow-dusted turf, barely penetrating it.  Photographers snapped pictures nonetheless.

"Senor Barkley is invited to dig and speak", the translator said, after a moment. 

"Thank you", Barkley said, stepping forward.  He was pleased that the words were not slurred from numbness.  "It is my pleasure to be here today.  Returning after so many months in my home of Cromwell, I am reminded of the pleasures I was introduced to while visiting this beautiful land in 1912.  Whether it was sushi, kabuki, or quiet contemplation of a shrine on a mountainside, I anticipated the day that I would be able to visit Japan once more." 

The translator appeared to convey this without too much trouble, so he consciously made a point of following up with a fairly lengthy bit - the point being not so much to fluster the translator again but to avoid any accidental highlighting of the mayor's failure to use her services properly.

"It was at this time that representatives of our respective governments met to discuss opportunities for establishing economic linkages between our great nations.  The delegation was led by our then Minister of Industry, Sebastien de Soto, who undertook to visit several countries in total.  Of these, it was considered that Japan, with its progressive government, burgeoning economy, and growing private sector, was a place in which Gran Colombia would do well to invest.  Over the following months, discussions between our two governments resulted in a bilateral agreement allowing for investments and real estate purchases by Colombian private sector interests while avoiding market disincentives through tariffs or other protectionist measures."

He paused for the translator at that point; she stared at him for a moment, then provided two clipped sentences for the benefit of the Japanese audience.

"First Commonwealth Bank looks forward to meeting the needs of its clients in Nagoya, and in the greater central Honshu area.  When our facility here is completed later in the year, we will be pleased to offer personal and business banking and investment management services in Japanese.  In time, we hope that success will allow us to expand our capacity for client service to other cities in Japan, including Korea.  For now, however, I am reminded that every journey begins with a single step, and so...", and with that, he accepted the shovel from Mayor Katsura and gently stepped down on it.  As he looked up for the benefit of the photographers, the audience clapped politely, their faces smiling approvingly.

Thank goodness, he thought.  A few more minutes of pleasantires and it'd be back to the hotel for drinks...

13 January 1914:  The Yucutan Channel

Two fishing trawlers bobbed side by side on the placid waters of the western Caribbean.  Aft, the derrick on one of the boats was lying in pieces across the deck; were anybody to inquire, they'd be told that the crew of the other boat was attempting to help in the derrick's repair and re-assembly.

Until then, however, the two crews - Mesoamerican and Gran Colombian - were content to stay aboard their own vessels, keeping an eye on each other and the waters around them. 

In the captain's cabin aboard the Mesoamerican trawler, Ferdinand Sanchez, with Gran Colombia's Ministry of Industry, shook hands with Cuauhtemoc Ilizaliturri, the owner of the boat and several others like it.  "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me", Sanchez said.

"As well you should", Ilizaliturri replied.  "This is quite a risk I'm taking."

"Certainly", Sanchez agreed.  "I'll try to be brief, to minimize the chances that one of your government's partrol boats might happen along us."

"Or yours", the Mesoamerican added.

Sanchez said, "That won't be an issue."

"No, I suppose it won't.  So - speak your piece.  Why are you asking to meet with me, a humble small businessman?"

"I've asked to meet you in your capacity as President of Three Feathers Shipping", Sanchez corrected him.

"Those days are long past", Ilizaliturri said with a sigh.  "My enterprise was nationalized over a decade ago.  It is now just another part of the government's transportation octopus."

"And I regret that this is so", Sanchez affirmed.  "Free enterprise is in my blood, and is a cornerstone of Gran Colombian policy."

"Yet you work for a Minister of Industry", Ilizaliturri noted.  "I remember my education, Senor Sanchez, and that implies government interference in business."

"Our role is to blaze a trail for industry and eliminate unnecessary barriers standing in its ways", Sanchez said.  "It is not to do business, but to allow business to be done."

"We could argue that until the sun sets", Ilizaliturri said dismissively.  "So, you know my past.  What about it interests you so much?"

"I was curious to know whether you'd like to experience free enterprise once more."

The Mesoamerican frowned.  "Are you asking me if I'd like to defect?"

"No-"

"Good - because that will never happen."

"I respect your patriotism", Sanchez stated.  "I would not dishonor it in such a way.  No, what I meant was, would you like to see a return to free enterprise in Mesoamerica?"

"Of course, but that isn't likely within my lifetime.  The government is stridently socialist.  I wouldn't be allowed to buy another trawler even if I wanted to - which I don't, because the progressive tax scheme is so heavy-handed I'd be paying more in taxes and licence fees than I'd get for selling the fish at the government-established rates."

"I would think it could happen sooner", Sanchez observed.  "The Confederates have been granted free-enterprise enclaves on your coasts.  Does that not signify a change in policy?"

"No, it indicates corruption within the government", Ilizaliturri retorted.  "Those enclaves are there to allow the Confederates to make money selling luxuries to bureaucrats and trinkets to peasants.  They're also there as a response to your government's heavy-handedness in relations with the government."

"Gran Colombia was not appreciative of the pirates operating out of Mesoamerica."

"It was free enterprise", Ilizaliturri remarked.

"It crossed a line we did not care to see crossed", Sanchez replied.  "Though it was very insightful to us.  We learned, for example, that the Eye was still active in your land.  We got a sense of Rohirrim and Confederate views on the matter.  We learned that the government here was both ineffective, corrupt, and weak."

"Weak?"

"Why else would they continue to hide behind the coat-tails of Rohan, hardly raising a word about the Mark's own anti-piracy operations in your waters and tolerating the annexation by the Mark of some of your provinces?  Why would your government invite the Confederates to build naval bases and station military forces in your territory?"

Ilizaliturri waved his hand angrily.  "Yes, yes.  You make your point - we have fallen mightily!  I see your purpose now - it is to taunt me."

"No, Senor Ilizaliturri, not at all", Sanchez said soothingly.  "The Democratic Republic of Mesoamerica is weak, ineffective, and corrupt.  It is ready to be put out of its misery, and replaced with some better.  If a few good men stand up and fight for what is right, they will find they have true friends close at hand.  So what it boils down to, then, is:  do you know any good men?"

5 February 1914:  Cartagena

"We have been asked to update Plan Burrowing Python and Plan Boomslang", Defence Minister Sir Edmund Fitzroy told General Halcon and Admiral de Irujo.

Halcon looked over to de Irujo.  "Remind me what Boomslang covers?"

de Irujo frowned.  "Africa - New Zion, I think."  To Fitzroy, he asked, "Why would we be updating something as remote as Boomslang?"

"It wasn't explained, but I assume it's to do with latent tensions between New Zion and the Iberians", Sir Edmund replied.  "I've not seen the original plan, but assume the current one is in the context of providing supporting roles to Iberian-led actions."

"If I remember correctly, the plan's several years old now, so was probably in the context of helping the DKB fend off a multi-party attack", de Irujo mused.  "Yes, that sounds right - the Kaiser was one of our best friends after we'd taken out the Eye.  The basic premise probably isn't much different, though - aid a more local friend who does the bulk of the heavy lifting."

"Circumstances have changed, so kindly have the plan revised", Sir Edmund said.  "And what about Burrowing Python?"

"Last updated in 1911, after the Confederates picked up their enclaves and that port site", Halcon said.  "Mesoamerica's too close and too lively for that plan to gather any dust."

"What's the gist of that Plan?"

"There are differing scenarios", de Irujo answered, "Depending on the purpose of its implementation.  These range from limited sea denial and punitive actions to outright conquest.  Were we asked to update something specifically?"

"There was interest in a scenario that sees us supporting a non-government faction in a civil war."

"The plan doesn't touch on that possibility so much", Halcon said.  "Typically, the Ejercito leads work on that Plan, so I'll have my people get started and contact their Armada counterparts."

"Good.  One last thing - Miscellaneous Affairs is looking to second a few men for some activities related to Plan Burrowing Python.  Try to be cooperative, but don't send over your brightest starts:  expendability and deniability are useful traits for these people."

"I think I have a candidate in mind", Admiral de Irujo said.

The Burrowing Python:


A native of Africa apparently. I had no idea such a thing existed...

I pride myself in news that is both entertaining and educational.

Of course, the burrowing python in this particular news item is the Mexican one, rather than an African one.

PS:  Yes, I code-name my war plans after snakes.  This way I avoid non-manly war plans such as "Pink".

Ah the Mexican burrowing python:


Didn't know there was one of those either.

Is it your hand Guinness ?

Sure, It's not mine !!!


Jef  :D

Oh no. The image was shamelessly linked from wikipedia.

No snakes for me :)

New Zion is greatly honored that GC has taken the time to develop an entire War Plan against it. ;D

Where is plan Baldrich????

26 February 1914:  Cartagena

"I'd like to ease up on the disposal of our older ships", Admiral de Irujo remarked as he and Minister Fitzroy watched a pair of tugs start to nudge the armored cruiser Matador away from the fitting-out area of the port.

"I thought the sentiment was that the older ships were hopelessly outdated", Sir Edmund replied.

"They are, but I've concluded that we could use a small reserve of such ships for ancilliary duties during wartime - convoy escort, coastal defence, and such."

"What ships are we talking about?"

"The last three protected cruisers, the Tucupita class torpedo-boats once we replace them in a couple of years.  In the medium term, the two remaining Commonwealth-era armored cruisers."

Sir Edmund looked to the admiral.  "No battleships?"

"The Poderosos have to be discarded, no question of that.  In the medium term, I'd rather modernize the Invencibles and place them in reserve than scrap them - that's four or five years away at this point.  They'll still have some utility."

"Are you having second thoughts about discarding the other four armored cruisers, Admiral?"

"We needed the cash", de Irujo replied.  "And that was acceptable, until the President ordered that Matador be based in the Caribbean.  We had always  planned on deploying her to the Pacific to replace the Campeons.  Now I only have Luchador out there."

Sir Edmund nodded with understanding.  President Alizandro's order had come as a surprise, considering he had a spanky new yacht at his disposal.  "It's the largest ship in the Armada, if only for a few more months.  We'll have to work around the President's vanities."

"Understood, but I can't afford to lay down another AC until 1916 - and that one's due to replace the remaining Commonwealth-era ACs, so it doesn't help me defend the Pacific so much."

"Could you budget for a lesser ship?"

Admiral de Irujo frowned.  "I could, and designs exist, but I'd prefer a uniform force of first-rate armored cruisers."

"We don't always get what we want, Admiral", Sir Edmund mused.

"No, Sir, we don't."

28 May 1914:  Cartagena

"The Confederates well into their flag-waving tour now, are they not?", President Alizandro asked.

"They are", Minister Fitzroy confirmed.

"I know that you had them shadowed around Cuba - what about their trip down our Pacific coast?"

"Our Havana-based cruiser, Trinidad, followed the Confederates around Cuba", Sir Edmund replied.  "As for the Pacific coast, our squadron did not establish contact with the Confederates."

"As in, 'they failed to establish contact'?", the President inquired.

"Yes, Sir", Sir Edmund confirmed.  "The Confederates essentially followed a straight-line course from the Grande Canal south to Peru.  As such, they were in open ocean well west of the Colombian coast, and only approached our coastal waters again near the Ecuadorian states.  This latter segment of the Confederate cruise coincided with nightfall, so no intercept was made."

"Dammit!", Rey fumed.  "I wanted to send them a message!"  He'd ordered the armored cruiser Luchador and escorts to find the Confederates and pace them, within gunnery range, from shortly after the latter's exit from the Grande Canal until they reached Peruvian waters.

"I know", Sir Edmund replied.  He, Admiral de Irujo, and Vice-Admiral Cardonas had quietly ensured that Luchador would not intercept the Confederates.  The minister thought the orders would make Gran Colombia look insecure; Admiral de Irujo hadn't wanted to encourage the Confederates to build more than the one armored cruiser their own politicians had apparently forced upon them.  "We'll examine what happened and look for future opportunities to improve on our practices."

Rey just scowled. 

"If you do want to send a message to the world, Senor President, an option is to deploy a force of our own overseas - either to our Pacific territories or to visit our Allies."

"Such as?"

"Well", Minister Fitzroy said, "We could deploy one or more capital ships to Iberia and the Hapsburger Kaiserreich for a tour."

The President seemed reasonably unenthused.  "Or?"

"Or...we could contact the Iberians about staging a demonstration amphibious assault on Puerto Rico."

"Uh huh..."

Assuming that signalled dis-interest, rather than approval, Sir Edmund continued, "Or I can poll my advisors and look for alternatives."

"Such as doing their jobs right?", Rey snapped.  "Bah...disregard that.  Go ahead and dream up some ideas and get back to me."

"Of course", Sir Edmund said, knowing that the end result was likely to be something he'd already proposed anyway.

9 June 1914

The following appears in leading business newspapers world-wide:

QuoteThe Republic of Gran Colombia seeks to purchase quantities and types of aeroplanes:

-100 single-engine scouting

-100 twin-engine observation

Delivery would be sought prior to the end of this year.

Please contact the military attache in the Gran Colombian embassy nearest you for further information or to tender offers.

Sir Edmund Fitzroy,
Minister of Defence