Embarrassing Embassies

[maddox]

Only a day from her destination -Tokyo- , Yma sees the captain turn pale after a look out yells "Smoke on the horizon"

[maddox]

"Captain, what is wrong?", Yma asks.

Lady, we got a radio message that China is blockading Japan, any Japanese merchant is now prey.  We also have gotten information where Japanese warships are, and where Chinese warships can be.
I hoped that by our approach vector, that we would avoid any Chinese blockade ship.  Unfortunatly, that smoke on the horizon isn't a Japanese warship, and by me , your unworthy servant, steering an uncommon course towards Tokyo, it would surprise me that it is another merchant.  If we are lucky, it is another merchant trying the same alternative as what I try.  If we are unlucky, my crew and I have to do our utmost to fullfill our duty to Sapa Inca.  And that means getting you and your lady in waiting to Japan.

We have a few options. But 2 practical solutions spring to mind.  Shutting down the  boiler, no smoke and go minimal sails, so we don't show up as easely, but crawling away into darkness, only 2 hours away.  Or go as hell, using every gram of steampressure and every square inch of sail to get away into the night before any warship can find us again in the darkness.

My dear captain, you have a third option, if the Chinese do play the diplomatic game as I know it.
I chartered your vessel under command of my Sapa Inca.  If I go full out, and this vessel flies the Inca colors and my personal banner, the Chinese have not a lot of options. 
Letting us sail on.
Diverting us to China, where you will be under my diplomatic protection. As I will name this ship and your crew and you under my orders for the Sapa Inca for this journey. After clearing this mess up, we can go on.
Or kill us all. If that last is their option, I suggest you let them board us. Yanua won't be displeased by that prospect. The only thing she would hate is to lose the opportunity for more "diplomatic" interaction.

[maddox]

Yes my lady,  we'll redo Hawaiï. 
It doesn't cost us anything to do so, even if it comes to a fight.

Yma raises an eyebrow, and squints: Captain, are you pleasuring me for my young naïve ideas and the hopelessness of the situation, or are you taking my words as a command?

Lovely Yma, your ideas have merit. And yes, you could command me to do your wish, if you're speaking for Sapa Inca, what you never did in the last 80 days. So, yes, I'm accepting the option you gave me, as it is just the best we have at the moment.

Again the crew starts hanging up gilded trinkets, lamps, and even solid gold artifacts. The steam engine is shut down, so the coalsmoke won't smudge the ship, and after the smoke is gone, pristine sails and flags are hoisted. Course is adjusted, low powered radio signaling is tried to get contact with the smokesmudge on the horizon.

But as the Sunbeam starts to glow in the almost setting sun reflecting on gold, the other ship, now recognized by the look out as a steamer merchant, is veering off, making even more smoke to get away....

What is that ship doing captain?
No radio contact, no recognition signals, and they have seen us clearly. I guess they know about the Qin-Shogunate war, and think we're a belligrent vessel showing off.
I ordered our chasqui to give them Inti's blessing and regret their reluctance to exchange messages.

[maddox]

Cuzco, July 15.

Ambassador Kogorō displays no emotion whatsoever, but it is his first meeting with Sapa Inca.  It took the Inca almost 2 years to realise there is a whole world outside their mountain and desert Empire*, and that his delegation was here to interact. 17 months without any progress, and then, in 5 months time, from unknown to aknowledged , maybe even favored trade partner. 
But still, the meeting with a man with the same, or even more direct power than his Emperor, induces some emotions that shouldn't be there.

The massive edifice, the royal Inca palace is a wonder. Huge stones are fitted together as if they are forged to fit. Seams that won't allow a thin knife to slide between, no mortar to be seen anywere, and each massive , or small stone individualy gilded. Not even the Imperial palace in Tokyo can show off like this. The artisans who gilded the stones even recognized the problem of reflection. They didn't go for the smooth polished surface, but a hammered one, so the sun will be reflected in a diffuse way,  making the whole edifice glow softly in the full mountains sun glare. During the night, electric arc lights try to mimic that effect, but the actinic light makes it a lot harsher.

The Japanese delegation enters the royal hall, being announced by a large female fullfilling the role of majordomo.

The royal hall is big, but only a dozen people in elaborate clothing are seen. But the imposing man on a throne is a dead giveaway of who he is. Sapa Inca. A man in his prime, well muscled, streaks of grey hair tell about his real age. He's a grandfather², even with his heir being unmarried.

Welcome honored Ambassadar Kogorō, at last our paths in life joined under the benevolent glow of Inti. But it seems Foxes are obscuring the light.



* Kogorō didn't travel a lot inside the Inca Empire, and knows mainly the desert area around Lima, and the route to Cuzco, again dry and mountainous. he has reports from jungles and other terrains, but no personal knowledge.

², one of his daughters became mother early as a very active Sipa... this situation isn't "solved" yet, as there is no father known.... The main question is, doesn't she know who? Or doesn't she want to tell...

[maddox]

Honored Sapa Inca, I thank you on the behalf of the Japanese Empire, and convey the best wishes of my Emperor, to grant me this audience.
(thinking, why is he refering to kitsune?*)

As Hunu Kuraka Achiyacu has seen to, we already prepared a great deal, and the first fruits of those preparations are already being plucked. Thanks to the generous sending of the long range radio equipment now in use at Manaus.
But there is more to the situation. The sunlight is being obscured by the black clouds of war. 
No Sapa Inca, this war shouldn't touch the Inca Empire. As it is a war of defence, months sailing away from here. My emperor came to the aid of the Ryukyu kingdom, being besieged by the Chinese. I'm humbly asking if the agreement about the Agricultural experts can be delayed, so the people and ships can help to support the oppressed Ryukyu kingdom.

We have recieved the stories of that war from my lorekeepers². I'm also eagerly awaiting the quipu from my ambassadar in Tokyo to get some facts straigth. Lightless heliograph doesn't convey nuances as good.
And the interaction between the Japan and my designated representatives do yield impressive progress for all of us. I wish to have this continued.
So, yes, the agreement on Agricultural expert exchange can be delayed. And we will help a bit in that respect. Merchant ships will be loaded with supplies, consumables and medical, and teachers that can help your medical in learning how the Incan medical practices work³. These merchant ships will return in time with the Agricultural experts for the proposed area.

Thank you Honered Sapa Inca.




* Foxes are a bad luck animal in Peru. (not a surprise with rabiës being a problem there) Kitsune -or badly translated, werefoxes- can be seen as guardians or tricksters.
² Capac also has gotten the information from China, and he's being practical. China is far away, and never interacted with the Inca, and the loreseekers didn't find anything that indicated that China had any interest in the unknown Inca, of course, this can change any time now, Yma and the Gold fleet will be the catalysts to draw the attention.
Japan does interact, and the embassy personel in Lima has a certain reputation, honorable, but rigid and aloof.
³ This can be seen as the price of buying the rotator guns.
Incan medical knowledge was rather impressive in the 15th century. And without the IRL collapse by Spaniard and diseases that should only gotten better.
Skull surgery , coca and other herbal based medicines are still used today, even obsidian is reappearing as surgical tool material.

[maddox]

At last, weeks of tedious voyaging, a beautifull and interesting interlude in Paradise. And a little bit of excitement followed by a big letdown, Yma sees the shores of another mountain country shine in the rays of Rising Inti.
A black smoke belching warship came out and is escorting Sunbeam to her destination. Tokyo Harbor.   
Soon this ship was joined by ships of any size and purpose.  From decorated steamers, to sleek sailing Yachts, even the simplest of fishing smacks. Radio traffic and heliographs transmit messages, the chasqui  operators under guidance of Yasunori to avoid any translation problems.

A droning sound from the sky accentuates this , and a huge condorlike shadow strikes over the ship.

One of the fabled aeroplanes* Yasonuri spoke about made a fly by.   Yma is watching the airplane raptured, as if KON has send his Messenger to aid her.

*

[maddox]

early 1913.

Inca Embassy , Tokyo.

Yma seeths with anger. She's in a gilded cage, protected even worse than her father did when she entered Sipay.
But the Japanese, ritualising everything to a boring standstill are impeccably polite, extremely helpfull, and still, nothing happens. Yasonuri, if he's available, rationalises it all away.

But this last bit, that was too much.  She will bring out the big guns now. 

Furiously, she starts knotting 2 quipu. One for her Father, Hunu Kuraka Achiyacu, and one for Sapa Inca.

[Desertfox]

Early 1913

Takaaki was a very busy man. The last few months had been a whirlwind of activity, from the peace talks with the Chinese to some successful talks with the Aztec and Iberians, to further but unfortunately unsuccessful talks with the Chinese and Romans, to planned discussions with both Siam and Rajasthan and possibly the Horde. Unfortunately all this activity had put the Incas on the back burner and word had reach him that the young Incan ambassadrice was getting restless and impatient. Well this was not the time to screw up a potential future ally. The Inca might not have had the military might of other powers but they could still be valuable friends in Takaaki's grand Pacific strategy, it would not do to keep their ambassadrice upset. Fortunately Takaaki had a couple of ideas that might interest the young Incan lady. The Imperial Japanese Navy was set to conduct some gunnery exercise to try out their new fire control, perhaps she would be interested in observing said exercises, in addition trials of the new zeppelin unit down in Sasebo had been progressive quite well, he could always arrange a ride for her on one of the new airships.   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat%C5%8D_Takaaki

[maddox]

A little step back, Late HY 02 1912.

Erica coast, north of Choco's.
Puriq is reviewing his options, with the new information from Cusco , by Lightless Heliograph. Invitations for diplomatic visits from everybody.
And an underhanded order from the Lorekeepers to get more information from the Aztecs, finding why some loreseekers disappeared and/or renounced their ties to Inti.
Keeping the gold fleet as 1 group is an option, but splitting up could be a better option. 
One of the frigates to the Aztecs. The 3 others to the West World, Byzantine , Parthia, Iberia. Maybe a short meeting with the New Ambassadar, Manko, in Rome.
What will be my own role? Loreseeker in the "Sultanate" or Diplomat with family in Byzantine. With my wife recently pregant, diplomatic duty seems a good option. But that's almost the same as retiring.
Are my wandering feet ready for that stage, or do I have more wandering to do before my soul is filled?"

[Desertfox]

Late February 1913

Assistant to the Foreign Secretary Yōsuke Matsuoka had had an eventful couple of weeks. Takaai had manged to stave off an international incident by promising the adventurous Incan lady a few interesting trips. It had fallen on Matsuoka to make those a reality. Miyakaze, the head of Japan's airship program, had proven very willing to host the Incan Ambassadrice. Hosting a foreign dignitary on such a flight was sure to help gain support for the nascent airship program and possibly lead to foreign sales down the road. Arrangements had gone smoothly for a flight in mid-March at the Lake Biwa test facility, all that was left was to arrange transportation for the ambassadrice and deliver to her a special set of "static-free" overalls.

The officer in charge of the submarine program on the other hand, had proven quite difficult to work with. He had been adamant that a submarine was no place for civilians. Eventually, it had taken a meeting with Togo himself to allow the Inca lady to participate in a couple of test dives. However, only the small research submarine was available and only after April, while the bigger operational submarines would only be available in July. Matsuoka hopped that the airship ride would be enough to keep the adventurous young lady occupied until then.

Image: First Japanese airship at Lake Biwa.

[maddox]

Anticipation raises expectations.
But this adventure is a month in the making.  After Yma's prowl on the Tokyo streets, making her displeasure known, rather publicly, embarrassing everybody.

Yasunori, still attached to the Inca Embassy as a liason officer* had to do something drastic, and by burning a lot of favors, he could divert her from her destructive spree. At least she didn't gouge any eyes.  It took technology and 2 doctors. Those new histeria curing wands are magical in that respect.

Oh well, he did see it well, her empty gaze upon the aircraft that overflew the ship when they arrived. So, he's lucky that his aquintance Yõsuke could arrange a flight in the experimental airship. And double lucky the people of that program are so accomodating.
Never tought a noble lady could be thrilled by a simple  cotton coverall. The airship people don't know Yma, and expected someone like a Japanese noble lady, in opulent, flowing silk clothing that would catch on anything. Or worse, create a spark by static.   Of course, she had to have the onepiece tailored, showing of her body like a Pacific islander primitive.²

In any case, he's not required to ride in those explosive gasbags. He likes his 2 feet on the ground, or in the stirrups on a good horse, bow in hand, with the most difficult targets in view.

The trice be cursed imported Roman³ motorised carriage nears Lake Biwa and the airship station....



*And hating every moment of it. The ambassadrice, beautifull in an exotic way, is the opposite of a Japanse noble lady. Impulsive, exurberant, promiscuous, even brutal and fearless. About everything that makes her repulsive. But duty is heavier than a mountain, bearing it, as death is light as a feather. At least she did stop her attempts to seduce him, after a few months on the ship.
³ Yanusori is a hardcore patriot. Son of Samurai, and dislikes Gajin and their impure technology, but will use it with fervor if duty asks for it.
The motorised carriage is a rebranded Fiat Zero, now running the Chrysanthemum Seal on the hood.   
²

[maddox]

Lake Biwa, a large floating barn houses a modern wonder of technology. A humongous rigid airship. 

She's going to fly like a albatros, gently gliding the blue sky, under the rays of Inti. Excitement is getting a hold of her, but she squashes the impulses, as this country doesn't like ladies with fire in the belly. Cold, aloof, but inwardly trembling she is escorted to the boat that will bring her, and her escort,  to the hangar.

From up close the enormous silver loaf of bread fills her entire view. The tiny proppellers added as an aftertought, sprouting from silver bathtubs slung under the huge body.

9 men in blue coveralls are lined up at the boarding plank.

One older guy steps forward.

Lady Yma, welcome at our humble attempt to reach the sky and travel it like the sea.
Thank you for your acceptance of our gift. The simple, sturdy cloathing and made it into a work of art. That is the other gift you gave us.

This is flight engineer Ryōichi . He will be your guide and teacher on this flight.

Wowsers, Yma thinks, a handsom man to teach me things.  Is Inti smiling upon me? Or is Mama Killa sending a sign?

[Desertfox]

July 2013

The Inca mission had been the most challenging posting of Kogoro's career, but it had proven to be most successful, with several deals already signed and a few more in the works.However, not all news were good and not all ambassadors had had his good fortune. Hikokichi's full report on his dealings with the Chinese had reached Kogoro and it was most disturbing. Having served across Europe, Kogoro was frankly appalled at how the Chinese regent had acted. Nations would have disagreements, it was no secret that Japan and China had had more than a few in the past, but in the end it was the job of diplomats across the world to reach across the aisle and resolve conflicts like civilized people. The actions of the regent had been most dishonorable and Kogoro knew that there would be voices [Army] back home pushing for war to clear that stain, he hoped and wished that more reasonable voices [Navy] would win the day.

In the meantime he had a dinner to attend with Chualpi and Hikokichi's report had given some very valuable ammunition. He was sure the Inca would not be pleased to find out they where mere subjects of his Imperial Chinese Majesty whims and wishes...

[maddox]

Inca Embassy, Aztec lands.  Fortress city of Tenochtitlan.

Ambassador Puriq, your guest has arrived. 
That is well. Guide him to the meeting room, and crank down the fountains, the room should be comfortable enough now. No need for water droplets on the documents.

A few minutes later, meeting room, a opulent room, with large windows letting in any breeze, but all shaded by thick stone or light colored cotton.
Where glass windows would be seen in the Inca mountain dwellings, here, a fine gauze guides a trickle of water so the breeze gets cooled down².

But the "youth" of the room can be felt, even in the compound build with centuries old stones.
It's not finished. Some of the water-dispensing top-window posts are plain wood, others intricatly carved and gilded. Copper tubing can be followed indicating where water is, or can be used.

As-Salaam-Alaikum عميد *.
(a long string of greetings and pleasantries exchanged)³
Your proposal is very interesting. Adapting Sultanate warships to our needs

To be continued....

* Peace upon you Commodore
² Adabiatic cooling.
³, if people want a more elaborate version, Tac and me can work it out

[maddox]

Continued

It is great to see the benefits of this transaction, Commodore.
A great use of the means both our empires have at hand.
I have to admit, 2 battletenders, mobile, armed and armored MTB bases, why it wasn't done before, that is a question the Lorekeepers should have an answer on.

We'll see ambassador, we'll see how this project works out.
It is interesting at least, and with all the information we gathered about the use of torpedos in naval battles, it has all the signs of succes.