Chapter 32: We Demand Morea Action...!!!
"Batelli..."
"Sir."
Batelli stood appearing to take up far more space than his frame actually did. His commander looked in his general direction and started speaking.
"The President Prince has had enough. The patriots in Macedonia and Larissa have banded together enough support to force his hand, and he tells me we are going to war. He also tells me that he'd like this war to not exactly be a full declaration on the Greek Provinces. It could to easily be misconstrued as an action against the Greeks themselves, something that must be avoided. I need you to go to Morea and do some digging, and then on to Macedonia to speak with the Greek Leadership there. I need to know what we can weasel into, and see just what we can and can't do."
Batelli nodded, and asked the obvious question... "So not a war against the Greeks, but a war against the Greeks and anyone else who wishes to get in the way...?"
The commander's eyes widened a bit, and his head took on a bit of a tilt as he tried to follow the response. He decided to make it easy and reached for the map on his desk, then walking with it to the center table.
"The desired targets are Janina, Corfu and Achea... And of course the capital Morea, though that will come at a later date."
"The Prince wants the other peoples of the area to have a haven for awhile, to help keep tensions down.
The rub to the whole thing is that Morea has some very large, very powerful and very hungry friends. All of them would think nothing of a free opportunity to have at us at Morea's call.
While I personally feel this would be no real cause for alarm, it would come at a very inopportune time, as most of our forces are spread to the four winds. It's not that we can't defend, it's the sheer cost of getting them all here, and recruiting the additional regiments that would be necessary to fend off
such an invasion. The money involved would be horrific, to say the least.
It doesn't take Archimedes to see that this affair will require a rather delicate touch... If we'd like to get involved without taking on half the world.
This, so I am told, is a rather unique skill, particular to individuals such as yourself. So here am I, and here are you, and here we are..."
Batelli took a moment to let everything sink in. "I believe it safe to assume we're looking to use anything but the front door to get in...?"
"That's the idea I'm getting. I can speak to the President Prince again, but he was pretty clear that he want's it done, just not directly. Personally, I'd just kick the door in and be done with it. This cloak and dagger bit, and all those secret meetings in the dark... Bah..."
Batelli spoke to no one in particular... "If I work this out right, thousands of soldiers will sleep in their own beds come the morrow instead of face down in a field somewhere..."
The commanding officer turned, he went to pour himself a drink but stopped and thought better of it. "Damn." He shook his head poured the stiff anyways, downing it quickly. "I must tell you I don't like this business one bit." he finally let out. "Not one damn bit..."
Batelli had no such reservations, though he would have appreciated the drink, even if it was just past noon...
~ † ~
The next weeks were spent investigating, meeting and working various contacts. Some were new, some were useful. Those that were useful were kept track of for future projects, those that weren't were left to themselves. Their names were retained in case the wrong things were spoken of after he had left, but Batelli wasn't in the business of leaving a trail. Dead bodies started people talking, and in his line of work you only wanted people talking who actually had something useful to say. Besides, disinformation was such a powerful tool, in the mouth of a blabbering fool...
As the evening before his next meeting with the commander was closing, he pondered what he had found...
He had a way in. He had a plan. All he needed was for it to work...
~ † ~
The day was cool. Not cold as it usually was, just cool. Batelli wondered why it seemed so warm this time of year as he made his way to the meeting.
Maybe it was just the Brandy...
After the meeting, walking his horse back to work off the excitement and tension, he wondered how he had pulled it off. The commander was a hard man to convince, and the President Prince and his personal advisors even more so, but in the end they took his recommendation. All he needed do now was get word to his people and get it going.
It was certainly going to be a nice payday. He wouldn't have to work for at least the next year, maybe longer with any luck. He smiled to himself. He had been confident, forceful, persuasive...
In retrospect, maybe that was just the Brandy too...
~ † ~
Batelli sat nervously in the annex to the great hall. Alot of shouting was heard. Probably all the way out into the stables...
The assistant appeared and called his name, and he went inside. Once in, he stood before the desk of the President Prince himself. The commander stood off to the side, peering out the window.
This was definitely not the time to be delivering the news he had.
The President Prince spoke up, noticing his discomfort, and taking a little happiness from it if the facial expression held any truth to it. "So Mr. Batelli... The leader of the Greek movement with in my Parliament wants to know just when we're going to take care of that "thing" I agreed to take care of for him."
"And his people, my Prince..." his assistant chimed in.
"Yes yes yes... And his people. Always about the people. Who's bright idea was it to become a Republic anyways...?"
"If it weren't Sir, you wouldn't be here..." His assistant chimed in again.
"Don't you have a hobby? Somewhere to be? Something else to do? Somewhere else to do it?" The President Prince was just shy of red, and the color threat level was climbing higher by the second...
"I would be happy to go and get coffee, milk, tea...?" he offered.
"Brandy." Batelli spoke up. It suddenly dawned on him that there were three men all staring at him all of sudden. "If you don't mind..." He weakly added.
"I will take it that the news you have for me isn't good then..." The President Prince slowly put down the papers he had been shuffling, and the commander turned from the window and walked to the edge of the desk.
"I'll just go and get that, then" the assistant sputtered as he made fast paces for the door.
The commander spoke first... "You told me our chances were very good. In fact, one of the main reasons I went along with this charade was the fact you were rather emphatic about our chances being very good..."
"They were good..." Batelli offered, wishing that assistant would run, very fast, as he really needed that drink about now. His throat was tightening a bit, but he managed a small defense. "I calculated a success chance of 86% my Prince. Everything was in place, it was going very well."
"And yet you failed..." The President Prince took great pleasure in killing tedious explanations. "I want to know what happened and why. I don't want excuse or candy coated attempts to save face."
Batelli's savior arrived in an over sized snuffer on the most beautiful silver tray he'd ever seen. The fact it was covered in a red velvet cloth and he saw just a barely perceptible edge of silver made no difference at that point in time. They could have brought it on a pine plank and it would have been gorgeous.
"May I...?" he asked as he motioned to the tray...
"Pour one for all of us, I think we need it" the President Prince threw in.
"I can agree with that" the commander added, reaching for a glass as Batelli began to pour.
"That's the first thing we've agreed on all morning Vatelli..."
"Maybe this day won't all be shite after all" the commander shot back.
That the President Prince was referring to the commander by his name, and the commander wasn't getting upset about it caused a great wave of relief in Batelli. He dared not assume anything, but it was a very good sign he may not have to go meet with that firing squad later... He hoped not anyways, as this Brandy was very good. He decided at that point to drag this out a little. He may get another crack at it...
"Well Batelli... What happened..."
"Well"...:
Basically, we failed. Which was OK, because we had other things to do...
~ † ~
One thing we had to do was a slider move. As it wasn't really discussed much, I'd thought I'd make a move that wasn't to upsetting, going one to Quality. We have ample manpower, and with our tech level if I want more I can build regimental camps in good provinces and make more.
The move granted us a commandant, of the lowly one star variety. This marks the beginning of a long line of one and two star nobodies. A long, long, painfully long stretch of absolutely useless advisors.
~ † ~
There would be no further mistakes. There would be no more failures. Either he would succeed... Or he would die. Batelli resolved that the next time he saw the President Prince, it would be with smile in hand... Not with "Our contact got hit by a runaway coach the day before he was to put the false documents in the registry..."
The night was cold, making it easy to see if anyone was coming or not. The telltale waft of breath heading skywards was a sure sign of guards approaching. He and his accomplice had scarves wrapped tightly about, to prevent that very thing from alerting anyone to their presence.
After a tedious and danger filled night, Batelli found himself in his room, bundled in blankets and shivering from more than just the cold.
Everything was in place, and tomorrow was coming quickly.
When it came, the news was as it should be...:
After a long ride and a quick meeting, the President Prince made an appearance before the Parliament. Having found documents in the royal archives of Milan, and companion documents in the royal archives of Montenegro, which proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Milan had a legitimate claim to the lands of Zeta, The Grand Purple(ish) Republic of Milan had no choice but to pursue the liberation of said province and it's people with all speed and alacrity.
All told, Batelli was the only one who knew that the entire course of history was about to be altered over events that had transpired within a single 24 hour day.
It was an achievement worth having a Brandy over... Especially since the President Prince had just delivered a case of the perfection he had enjoyed in the office right to his very doorstep as a gesture of his appreciation.
As Batelli sat by his fire, enjoying the stiff, he wondered to himself if there were any other nations the President Prince might need help getting into war with...
~ † ~
"How to get rid of unwanted French allies in one easy lesson"
Step 1: Declare War.
That takes care of all but one reason for being dragged back into it with France again for awhile...
~ † ~
"I'm sorry, but are you serious...?"
"Yes Sir, I am. No one knows why, they didn't really explain. They just sent an envoy. He showed up this morning with word they're joining us in the war." The commander looked as puzzled as a doctor looking at a woman as she delivered a pony instead of a baby girl.
"What in God's name are they thinking...?" The President Prince stood and walked to the window. "Surely they can't think they'll gain anything from this...?"
"No Sir."
"Well, this sure has gotten a bit awkward to say the least...":
"What the hell are we going to do now...?"
The commander had no answer for his Prince.
~ † ~
The days that followed brought news, brought envoys, brought envelopes, addresses, meetings. Life was hell without the telephone or the internet. War would be so much simpler if he had email.
After all the dust settled, a clear picture emerged...:
The only unknown that remained was why the nation of Guyenne insisting on tagging along.
As a matter of routine, the commander and the President Prince called Batelli in, just to see if there was some sort of unintended connection that may explain why the French understudy had insisted on a supporting role...
After hearing the news, he expressed he was as baffled as they were as to the reasons behind the involvement. The President Prince thanked Batelli for nothing and motioned him on.
Batelli was almost to the door when he stopped. And then smiled. And then cocked his head slightly. And then smiled again, slapping himself on the thing and pronouncing a gleeful yelp.
"I say, what the devil are you carrying on about over there...!" The President Prince was beyond angry, and being thoroughly perplexed wasn't helping matters any.
"It's too simple..." Batelli baited.
"What are you talking about...?"
He would have wagered good money on the commander being the one to take the bait. He'd have to settle for knowing he would have won.
"What to do with Guyenne..."
The two men's attentiveness pricked up noticeably...
"Well, go on then" the President Prince insisted.
"We're at war with Hungary too, right...?" Batelli leaned in close and explained the plan. That both of the other men in the room not only smiled, but actually snickered at his ideas could only mean the best of receptions for his plan.
"That's genius" the commander lauded. "Absolute genius..."
~ † ~
I got the call for an election by the middle of February, and with all that was going on, I kept our dear President Prince on for another term. Being a 9/9/6 didn't hurt his chances any... Our BB is currently a cool 4.41... Having 0.90 and a diplomat for another 0.60 makes for a nice reduction.
To say I'm ready for war is like saying a turnip is good for juicing. I'm all over the place. And all the patrols for pirates are... Well hell, they just suck. I am very happy with how pirates are done in HT³. Never again will I have to do this carp.
The first battle is one of my patrol galleys disappearing, followed by that attacking fleet being wiped.
The first land battle of the war goes like this...:
Clearly we needed more decisive battles in the expansion... :rofl:
That's pretty much the war actually. There's a few more like that, and some sea battles. I actually lost a few battles too...
By April, The two "M's" were calling for white peace.
It took awhile to get everything together and in place so I could get it all done.
Guyenne actually snuck a few units up north in Hungary, but that's a good thing, just ask Batelli. We did have a little wrinkle appear as we were going along...:
Not a big deal, in fact rather nice. I may be able to take it now for 1 BB instead of 6, and Austria may actually develop the place a little for me. I just didn't expect to see it happen is all... especially the timing.
Portugal is having serious rebel troubles. They spill into Mellila every once in awhile.
As the first year comes to a close, some very nice news indeed...:
Sweetness. Time for some new INF mens... Land tech jumps to 14 years ahead of time, so I have to change venues for now. Production needs a little help, as PE is outperforming TE by quite a bit.
According to the ledger page, INF fire is 0.02 still, while INF shock is 1.0. CAV shock is 2.1, but they only have 0.02 fire. That makes INF with high shock and high morale pips better, So I go with Free Shooter INF for now. They have low fire numbers, but with such a pathetic fire rating they'll suck at that anyways. What they do have good offensive shock and morale, and decent defensive shock and moral. Tercio would be a good choice for defensive INF, as the shock numbers are near reverse.
Don't try this at home, but with no danger from enemy troops, I change types in the middle of the war with 7 sieges going on. Guess I won't be doing any assaults for a few months...
Our Production Tech hits 15 in Feb 1516 as we continue sieging everything we can get a man to. While we're warring and all that, we pop the Cessation of Church Functions event. The tax reduction hurts, but the 250d helps lessen the pain. Only other option is the almighty STAB hit, and I aint going there.
~ † ~
As the war winds down, We check the score card...:
With the two "M's" done, I decide to hold off for a bit to peace them out. Hungary has a bit to go, and the peace deal will be fun enough for them... They still have some useless ships running around. It's like fighting pirates in color instead of black and white...
Great Britain becomes Papal Controller, so I decide to bribe some cardinals for fun. I get 4 for me, so once it updates I should get to play at controlling his Holiness via remote control... Provided nobody bribes the others and steals it back.
I also get to fight some pirates, as all my patrols are junk now. I work on getting them back in order as Hungary finishes off.
Salzberg culture changes to Lombard, and my monopoly in Görz gets outed... Bastages.
The war is going so well, a general dies of happiness. Some more Portuguese Rebels pay me a visit, and my merchants struggle with sitting on their collective CoTs.
A revolt pops in Roussilon, the handy work of one Castille. Looks like they found some money and thought I was worthy of some attention.
With so many crappy things happening, I decide to cheer myself up...:
I follow that up with the Greek Road Show...:
That makes for one goal nearly done. Also makes for part of the connection too.
Sweden celebrates by going Bankrupt. (Again)
It's down to two provinces in Hungary, when they're done, the war's done.
I waste away the days building things in the newly acquired provinces like workshops and level two forts. (they help with conversion, and they're front line properties, so it's good both ways.)
I get some revolts, some garbage, some fun.
~ † ~
The Year of Our Lord, 1417 begins well. The first of our remaining sieges finishes on the 2nd, and the other is done on the 7th. In between those two dates I convert the heretics of Tlemcan and instigate Nationalist Rebels in Sus, just as a way of saying thanks to Portugal for all the fun times I've had with there riff raff lately.
With all of the provinces accounted for, I get the chance to implement Batelli's plan...:
The answer to the question, "What do you do with an upstart wanna be France spin off that insists on tagging along...?"
Why, you give them a few provinces to take care of.
If they're nice to you, you give them military access and let them play for awhile until Poland or Austria declares their lease is up. If they get stupid, you cancel said military access and laugh hysterically as they try to do something with this nice new baggage you've given them.
Either way is more fun than letting Hungary keep them. They've already demonstrated an inability to defend them.
Our cost for this little stroll down "make warry" lane...?
A little pricey, but as was mentioned, we had some BB to burn.
Right on cue comes the cry for access, which I grant. For now.
Right on the heels of this comes news of Castille trying to instigate revolts in The Azores. Ah Castille, Were not for having an agenda... And the fact you're GTY'd by both France AND Great Britain.
Seeing is everyone wants to fund rebellions, I fund nationalists in Sus again. I succeed, but the cat's out of the bag and Portugal isn't happy. Oh well.
~ † ~
Some fuel for the fire...:
That makes Protestant the winner of the first conversion award.
As of this time, Reformed has yet to even appear...:
Official score: PRO 1, REF 0.
Why is always on April Fool's Day all the good stuff happens...?
My 4K is so a scared they are is going to evaporate into the nothingness now...
~ † ~
So...
Yeah, I know what yer thinking...
Spectacle and all that.
Wars and rumors of wars...
Yeah, I know.
Well, here ya go...
Round Two:
I mean come on...
Isn't it about time we did something on April Fool's Day too...?
~ † ~
Till next time...!
T
NYC is actually fine if it weren't for all the traffic. You'd think with a multi-billion dollar budget they could find a few million to widen the roads, but it looks like a job for the Secret Order of Milanese Knights or whatever the exact title is. And if half of them are centigenarians, I don't think the Order is all that effective. Why do I have a strange feeling I'm going to see a horse's head in my bed soon...?
