DKB Not News, IC Stuff that isn't public knowlege, but is nice to read

[Sachmle]

On June 15, 1915 a "nondescript" person gains access to the giant covered dock in Brest where Masque is being built. The ship inside was not very far along and much to small to be Masque as described so he made some inquires amongst the yard workers, who responded "Work is advancing very well, but to build a steel island time is needed." They would make no comment on the design, even when bribed mercilessly.

Our man immediately began to wonder what was up and made the quick logical jump that Masque had been moved under darkness during the blackout. But to where?

[Sachmle]

June 22nd, somewhere in the dark side of Paris

Takeda: So, you've seen the inside of Masque's concrete cocoon have you Marcel?

Marcel: Oui monsieur, the plans are definitely not for the ship our information led us to believe was there. They show it being much to small.

T: Hmm...I wonder what Geon is up to this time. So either our info on Masque is wrong, or this is a different ship entirely. Which makes one wonder where Masque is hiding.

M: She looks nothing like any French ship I've ever seen. Her plans indicate raised turrets, which is certainly not French, as well as a clipper bow and symmetrical smoke stacks.

T: And what were the names on the plans?

M: Occitanie and Iena La Grande. And they looked almost Italian, except for the armor schemes which appeared almost Confederate-esque.

T: I will have to pay Geon a visit to see if I can glean what he's up to this time. Thank you Marcel, you may go now.

M: But monsieur, my payment?

T: Of course. Here is you payment. (Hands him a small box of miscellaneous ill-be-gotten artifacts)

[Sachmle]

Office of Admiral Geon
Paris, France
July 12th, 1915

Geon: Welcome Monsieur Takeda. I hope all has been well for you.

Takeda: Thank you, it has. And you? I hope your trip back to Paris was uneventful.

Geon: Yes, rather boring actually. Although it will be nice get a chance to see the city for a day or two before I have to return to Djibouti.

T: Yes, I would imagine. Now, as to why I asked for this meeting. We have heard rumors that the vessel being built in the covered slip in Brest is not Masque, but another battleship of a different design altogether. Is there any truth to these rumors?

G: Come now Takeda. There are some questions that just should not be asked. Even if I know what you were talking about, I could not give you an answer and you know it.

T: Of course Admiral, but I am not asking for me, but for the Kaiser. By his own pen was I ordered to make inquiries. Of course I believe that the Admiralstab and the Reichsmarineamt are more concerned with what isn't there than what is.

G: I see. Well, it is a moot point as I have no knowledge of this 'fantasy' ship you speak of. To the best of my knowledge Masque is under construction and on time. Now if you will excuse me, I have a lot of reports to read though before my meeting with Admiral Povoire of the Atlantic fleet.

T: Of course, Admiral. Thank you for your time. Perhaps we can have lunch sometime before you leave for Djibouti again. I've been looking for an excuse to go to Hotel Napoleon again, and a lunch with you would be the perfect reason.

G: Perhaps. It is hard to find good Escargots a l'aile in the Suez region.

T: Have your secretary contact mine and we shall set up a date. au revoir.

G: Au revoir my friend.

(Takeda leaves and Geon calls in his secretary)
G: Get me Monsieur Grange immediately! The Germans are on to us, and I demand to know how!.

[Sachmle]

July 24th, 1915
Office of Accounting
Neue Brandenburg

THERE WAS A WHAT?!?!

There was supposed to be a bi-annual payment to the Middle Kingdom for a concession in Hankow apparently, at least according to this document.

Where did you find that?

In the folder marked Miscellaneous.

His Majesty will have our heads, if we're lucky. Quickly, draft a payment slip for 10 RM to be sent immediately. I'll draw up a request for extension and explain as best as I can the issue that lead to this.

10RM, but the lease is only 2RM per 6 months?

Yes, but we are behind. And you know what the Dragon does to defaulters, don't you remember Hong Kong?

Ahh..so a little extra to hold them off hopefully.

Yes, if we're lucky no one will be the wiser.

I hope so Herr Gobrechts..or we'll be counting scorpions.

[Borys]

I hope so Heer Gobrechts..or we'll be counting scorpions.

Under the Habsburgs we'd be looking on the Kaiser's men skating on our still steaming entrails ... or so the afternoon papers say ....

[Sachmle]

October 27th, 1915
Personal Office of Kaiser Friedrich IV
Neue Brandenburg

Personnel present include:
Kaiser Friedrich IV
Großesadmiral Friedrich von Ingenohl - Secretary of State of the Imperial Naval Office
Generalfeldmarschall Helmuth Johann Ludwig von Moltke - Chief of the General staff
Generaloberst Walther Nicolai - Abwehr
Generaloberst Hienrich Karl von Töllburg - Reichsicherheitsdienst
Erich Hermann von Lindenhoff - Minister of Foreign Affairs

The five of them were led into the Kaiser's study, each feeling a little uncomfortable about the abruptness of this impromptu meeting. Once inside they saluted in unison and awaited the Kaiser's invitation to sit. When one was not extended a small rivulet of sweat formed on the brow of von Moltke. The Kaiser scanned each of them until his gaze finally set firmly on Nicolai, who immediately turned a shade or three paler. Finally the Kaiser spoke.

KF: Why is it, with a budget of 2 KM the Abwehr knew NOTHING of the unrest in Bharat!? Why did I learn of it second hand from a relayed wireless transmission from Bombay to Madrid!?

WN: Mein Kaiser, I am utterly ashamed of the performance of my personnel in this instance, but in my defense, Bharat was rather low on the list of nations to be leery of. We've devoted most of our resources to Orange, Italy, and Switzerland.

KF: THAT is unacceptable! I will NOT tolerate this kind of failure again, am I understood Generaloberst Nicolai?

WN: Abundantly mein Kaiser, and I swear it will not happen again.

KF: And what of YOUR resources in Goa, Generaloberst Töllburg?

HT: Unfortunately these Hindu trouble makers are very secretive and utterly refuse to have any meaningful communication in the presence of non-Hindus. I must apologize, but I have nothing to offer mein Kaiser.

KF: Why exactly is the treasury paying for the service of EITHER of you!!?

Both men shrank back at this last blast and stared at the floor for a long while. von Lindenhoff, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, felt a cold shiver go down his back as the Kaiser's gaze turned to him.

KF: And what of your resources, Minister von Lindenhoff, or do you offer me nothing but excuses and apologies as well?

EL: All I know at this time is that the Government of Bharat is placing the blame for these...demonstrations, as they call them, getting out of hand squarely on the shoulders of the local Chief of Police in Bombay. An arrest warrant for him has been issued to the local militia in Bombay, but it appears he has fled the area along with his family. There were reports of persons seeing him boarding one of the Iberian kreuzers in port shortly before it departed.

KF: FINALLY!! Someone has been doing their job. What do you think of the explanation by the Government in Poola as to the reason these, what did they call them...ah demonstrations, got so out of hand?

EL: Anything is possible, but somehow I would think the local militia brigade could have quelled things, if in fact the police were complicit.

KF: And what of things in Goa province? Are there problems there?

EL: Not as of yet, or at least not to the extreme as those in Bombay. There have been scattered reports of demonstrators reacting to requests from the local police to disperse. There was also one report of a Norman shop keeper in Panaji being assaulted by some locals, believed to be associated with the Hindu movement as we've begun referring to it.

KF: And what are our capabilities in the area IF things get worse?

HM: Currently the only forces available are the garrison at festung Goa and the II Division of XXII Infantry which arrived in Vasco on the 24th. Oberstleutnant Dormann has split the Division into it's three companies, with Anton company reporting to Panaji, Bruno company has been dispatched to Margao, and Ceasar company remaining at Vasco to be used as needed to relieve or support the other two companies.

KF: This seems acceptable for the short term. What of the other nations who have reacted to this? Is their any chance they will use this as an excuse to land troops and threaten our position?

HM: I doubt that that is the intent of the Iberians or the Austrians. As of yet they are the only nations to have dispatched military forces to the area. The Iberians have sent two kleiner kreuzers with a small detachment of stormtruppen to the best of my knowledge, and the Austrians have stated they would dispatch one division of the AFL to the area, but as of yet they have not arrived.

KF: Well, at least that appears to be one less thing to worry about. Großesadmiral von Ingenohl, what are our options at sea if we are wrong and must disrupt a landing or conduct our own?

FI: We have currently stationed at Vasco the große kruezer Arminius and the kanonbooten Tiger and Luchs. I've ordered the kleiner kreuzer Ägir to accompany the two liners to Vasco. It can remain on station there indefinitely as needed.

KF: What of reinforcement if necessary?

FI: The kleiner kreuzers Arkona, Undine, and Medusa could be dispatched from their current stations rather quickly, also the große kreuzers Freya and Athena are close enough to provide support if needed. Anything requiring heavier firepower than that would either have to come in the form of the linienschiffen Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm or from the Vaterland in the form of Admiral Letters 1SG. The schlatschiffen in Neue Brandenburg would take to long to arrive if it was a surprise attack.

KF: Very well Großesadmiral. Order the Akrona and Medusa to be one 12 hour status and the Undine on 24 hour status. Also have Medusa and Arkona's accompanying großestorpedobooten put on alert. If anyone sends anything stronger than a große kreuzer I want us to be able to make it hurt if they try anything, understood?

FI: Jarwohl Mein Kaiser. It will be done as you order. Shall I have the Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm be put on 48 hour status, just in case?

KF: Nein, that is not necessary at this time I don't believe. Thank you gentlemen for your honesty and opinions. Generaloberst Nikolai and Töllburg, I not only expect better performance from your personnel, I DEMAND IT! You are dismissed.

As the men shuffle out of the office they can't help but feel the two intelligence directors are standing on a knife edge, and a very sharp one at that.

[Sachmle]

TO: Premier Galpoux
FROM: Kaiser Friedrich IV
SUBJECT: Bharat

The Deutscher Kaiserreich Brandenburg hereby offers any and all assistance to France to overcome the blatant, naked, Bharati aggression on the Indian subcontinent. This offer is made unconditionally and is made in good faith and good will.

Royal Crest of Hohenzollern affixed for validity purposes
Signed this Twenty-Second day of March, in the year of our Lord Nineteen Hundred and Sixteen

[maddox]

Current events.

Paris, Premier Galpoux's  office.

Gentlemen, we have a problem, and not a tiny one.

I see a gift monsieur Grange, not a problem. Minister Lebrun, what is your  view on the  Deutsche Kaiserreighs offer?

I see a 180° turn in policies. But the reasoning behind it is solid. It's not unselfish, the offer of support.

Minister Lebrun, Premier Galpoux. My departement has made a report about Kolkata.  We enjoyed 40 years of prosperity in Kolkata.  Peace with the neighbors, good solid trading. 
And now Bharat troops are at the gates. In a few weeks they have overrun 90% of our peacefull colony, even if they know the risk.
When, or if France unleashes its might, or goes completely for an overkill situation and activates the Nassau Treaty defensive agreement  Bharat will seize to excist as a country.
Now, the options we have are few. And these will be talked about after our agents in Bharat get the rest of the information we need.

Monsieur Grange, It's the Offer From Allemange Orientale. Not the reasons of the Bharat idiocy. What do you want to tell us.
Come on Grange, what do you know?

Messieurs, it's simple. The last 40 years, only distance and fear gave the DKB the reasoning to leave France alone. Otherwise we would have had the 3th  and possibly 4 th Prussian war.  Do not forget we kicked those choucroutes butt in the 70's. And they swore revenge.  Democrasies like ours don't go for a long term commitment on revenge, but monarchies are exquisitly equiped for  generation long hatreds. 
My personal assesment , it's just a way to get Kolkata themselfs. land enough troops in and around Kolkata, get a deal with Bharat ,and take us from behind. Without the benefit of lubrificant.

Man, you're Paranoïd. Get a shrink, get a vacation.

Being paranoïd doesn't mean I'm wrong. But I do understand the ways of diplomacy.
What I propose- as long we don't have a minister of foreign affairs-.
1) We thank the DKB for the generous offer, but Glorous France can't accept the deaths of Valiant Kaiserliche Soldaten  on Kolkatan Soil. Our hearts already cry out for the losses of Habsburger troops.
will accept offers for humanitarian support- preferably by means of the green Cross.
2) We can buy material from the DKB, to show our good faith in them.
3) Offer resupplying at Ceylon. They have to pass by en route to Goa. Considering our current effords there, it should be possible to get  coal and other stuff at ready for them.

Monsieur Grange, one thing is for sure. With Admiral Geon already in the pacific, he'll travel to the DKB after his duty in Firenj.I expect your written recommendations on my desk as soon as possible.


As you order Premier Galpoux.

[Sachmle]

DATE: 1916-03-22
FROM: Kaiser Friedrich IV
TO: Kaiser Stefan II
SUBJECT: Bharati Aggression

My cousin, it is with sad heart I find myself writing this letter. I have been receiving word of the abject horror that the Bharati Government has let it's Hindu population unleash on the general population and now, as I feared, we see that the Bharati Government was oblivious to it because the not only condone it, but are now invading Kolkatta themselves. I express my sorrow and gratitude to you AFL corps in Kolkatta. While I would shed no tears for the French, I cannot sit back on watch not only my favorite cousin's troops be smashed against the rocks of a corrupt, barbaric foreign power, but I also cannot allow these ruthless cretins build up power for fear their blood lust turns on peaceful Goa next. I am hereby offering any and all assistance the Hapsburg Kaiserreich needs or wants to crush these heathens. I'm am willing to assist the French if it means future safety for my people. I suspect that under the combined boot of Austro-Germanic power, with minor assistance from the French, we will crush these backwards infidels.

Sincerely,
Kaiser Wilhelm Eitel Friedrich Christian Karl von Hohenzollern

[Sachmle]

August 24th, 1916
Personal Office of Kaiser Friedrich IV
Neue Brandenburg

Personnel present include:
Kaiser Friedrich IV
Großesadmiral Friedrich von Ingenohl - Secretary of State of the Imperial Naval Office
Generalfeldmarschall Helmuth Johann Ludwig von Moltke - Chief of the General staff
Generaloberst Walther Nicolai - Abwehr
Generaloberst Hienrich Karl von Töllburg - Reichsicherheitsdienst
Erich Hermann von Lindenhoff - Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dietrich Eberhardt - Minister of Internal Affairs

Gentleman, what is the current situation?

We have received word from our office in Hai Phong that a tramp freighter due to travel through the Dutch exclusion zone is overdue. My office has no indication of it's location or situation. Perhaps Walther has some information.

As far as I can gather from my contacts in south east Asia the vessel was either interned by the Dutch, or simply sent away from the blockade area. If the second she most likely encountered a Dutch mine, or possibly some other nation is also raiding merchant traffic, making it look like the Dutch. However the first appears more likely at this time.

More likely? That is not a very concrete answer, but under the circumstances I can see the issue with getting information from the area. So, under the presumption that the Dutch have interned her, what do we do about it? They were warned not to intern our shipping and backing down would show weakness that we can not afford at this moment in time, but without KNOWING she was interned by the Dutch going to war over it could make us look quite foolish as well.

At this time we've received no word from the Dutch one way or the other. I will have our office draft a letter immediately inquiring about the freighter.

Letters? Inquiries? Cordial correspondence? What are we, meek toads? They were warned, and all current evidence points to their actions, whether internment, or mine. We must not back down from them now. The Heer is nearing full mobilization in Nord Indokina thanks to our activation during the Sino-Burmese incident and we will have the ships needed to transport them to Siam in short order thanks in part to the Dutch blockade. More merchants than I care to count are sitting in harbor with no where to go. Whether bound for Siam, Nord Indokina, Burma, French Indokina, of somewhere in the NOI they are refusing to sail for fear of either Dutch or even an accidental Siamese attack. Combined with the liners there is sufficient hulls to move almost a full Corps at a time. We can move many units from the Vaterland as well with the vessels available. It will take time, but can be done. Now is the time to strike, while they are distracted by others.

What do you say Friedrich?

The Kaiserliche Marine is probably in the best condition to strike the Dutch NOI squadron now than it will be for the foreseeable future. Their newest schlachtkreuzers are in Europe, and while faster than our schlachtschiffen the units deployed in NOI are vastly inferior to ours. Our schlachtkreuzers in the area are faster then the Dutch units and can drive them to our schlachtshiffen for a decisive victory. Our one major concern is the Dutch submersibles and our current lack of hurting them while submerged. The conversions of the GTBs isn't scheduled to start until January and pulling them in now would leave us open to attack from Dutch torpedojagers.

Risk the deaths of thousands of Brandenburgians over the POSSIBILITY that the Dutch MAY have interned a TRAMP FREIGHTER?!? Ludicrous!

Back down and appear weak and foolish to those who intend us harm?!? THAT is ludicrous!

If I may your majesty. Now may be the time. Our agents are noticing a steady climb in discontent do to limited jobs in the vaterland. We NEED to expand to support our current standards and the NOI is vastly rich with the resources to propel our nation to the top were it belongs. Extracting those resources requires laborers, which means more jobs, which will quiet the discontent in the home front. I believe if we play this right the populace will support the effort. Just declaring war, and the prerequisite industrial expansion that goes with it will help alleviate the troubles here.

Everyone turns as the Kaiser stands

Gentleman, return to your posts and alert your subordinates. The Kaiserreich is at WAR!

[miketr]

Gentleman, return to your posts and alert your subordinates. The Kaiserreich is at WAR!

Son of %$#@!

Cue Music...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOX9qv_yRIM

Michael

[The Rock Doctor]

That was certainly a colorful conversation.

[Logi]

Waiting for the official declaration of war. I see it is nice the DKB choose not to give warning to the RRC about their involvement but chose to demand the RRC to give warning for any RRC involvement. A little arrogant are we? ;)

[miketr]

Till its official and the order of events is clear I would hold off on getting upset Logi.

Michael

[Sachmle]

Waiting for the official declaration of war. I see it is nice the DKB choose not to give warning to the RRC about their involvement but chose to demand the RRC to give warning for any RRC involvement. A little arrogant are we? ;)

Looks at title of thread, scratches head. I THINK it says 'stuff that isn't public knowledge' doesn't it?
RRC will get informed don't worry about that. We honor agreements in DKB.