Country Austria
Game VIP newest patch, grand Campaign.
Diffuculty Normal/Normal
Extra info Fog of War is off (Metternichs spies
)
Chapter 1: An odd pursuit.
"What do you mean an odd pursuit?" asked Metternich becoming increasingly annoyed with his younger aide Schönbrunn.
"I mean that your plan is one that could cause the collapse of an Empire that has stood the test of time, one that has even outlasted Napolean!" stated Schönbrunn walking up and down Metternich's office glancing at the paintings of Austrian Royalty.
"Sit down" said Metternich firmly "and let me tell you why this is a plan that will not only work but will cause Austria to be feared and respected by those powers that now think it is slipping from power. Look at this map here"
"We are pinned in by the our German brothers to the north, by the Russian bear to the right, by the Ottoman Empire to the south and by the rebellious Italians to the east."
"Well why don't we just crush the Italians once and for all?" suggested Schönbrunn "Indeed it is you Metternich who states that Italy is just a geographical term nothing more nothing less surely the other powers cannot take much offense?"
"But they shall, they shall. The British because of their petty balance of power stance, the French because of their liberal ideals and the Russians, hmm the Russians may not mind but when a bear is at your doorstep you don't dare disrupt it even with the smallest of noises."
"But sir your plan is suicide, if we cannot expand let us wait for a chance build up our strengh and strike while we can."
"No we can't wait, while we wait Britain and Russia are expanding their empires, even the twice disgraced France with their new bourgeroise King are forging an Empire, we will do the same lest we fall behind and stagnate."
"I have a feeling a map is going to be shown sir."
"Your intuition serves you well Schönbrunn but your cheek is less helpful, anyway indeed here is my map given to me by my spies."
Just at that moment a soldier cam in out of breath, "Sir I have a representative from Carlist Spain wanting to know if Spain will support it against the liberal unrightful Spanish monarchy that is now in power."
Metternich paused for a while not liking to be interrupted like this, he pondered the various downfall in Spanish power and thought that it may not be worth the time and money of Austria to help Spain in any form. But then an ally was an ally, especially one that shared a border with France. "Send them a diplomat and give them some war funds but make it undercover, if any Spanish officals find out what we are doing France will not be very pleased, just as it wasn't when we didn't sign the London Treaty."
The soldier left the room coughing slightly Metternich smirked thinking that with what he had planned his soldiers would have the adventure of a life time.
In the next few months Austria built up her army by giving it 40,000 men in reserve and ordered 10,000 more men to its regular army, education was prioratised over crime fighting which meant several local crime netwroks grew very quickly. however because of the extra money some industry research was conducted helping Austria keep up with its rivals. Carlist Spain was fighting valiantly but losing the civil war against her foe. However Carlist soldiers had taken Bilbo in June 27th 1836 making Conservative minded countries like Russia and Austra give her more funds. Railroads were built in provinces surrounding the capital to try and stimulate industrial growth but a lack of machine parts means Austria isn't expanding at the rate many industrialists would like to see her expand.
"Columbia, Argentina, the USCA and Venuzula" Metternich pronounced each one in such a way that they rolled off his tongue with the grace of a well composed symphony, Metternich was happy and Schönbrunn knew why. "We want an Empire and we shall have one in South America!"
Schönbrunn couldn't believe what was happening maybe Metternich was losing his best quality, his ability to read the political climate and manupulate it. "Sir if we declare war on these countries the great powers will condemn us as a 15th century power with 15th century attitudes, are we going to ask the Pope to divide the countries up for us."
Metternich rose from his chair and sharply put down his tea, "You stupid child, how dare you talk to me a man who outwitted Napolean in such an inscolent manner! These countries I listed are not ones who we shall declare war on but those who we will gaurentee the independence of. We shall come across as a beneovolent protector of South American soveriegnty but in reality we shall be like a tiger waiting for someone to attack one of these countries and we shall strike them down like the pitiful bugs that they are. Once we have a foothold here we can dominate the continent."
Schönbrunn felt ashamed for his previous remarks and was just about to apologise to the now calmed Metternich who had just picked up his tea when a messenger came through.
"Sir it has happened, the USCA is breaking apart we are now at war."
"Quick get me a map said Metternich to the messenger" Metternich began to clear his table while the messenger look bewildered, Schönbrunn gave him a reassuring look and then grabbed a map of South America and laid it on the table. "Where is my ma.. ah Schönbrunn so you are useful for something now where is this country we plan to attack?"
"Here sir" said Schönbrunn who seeing Metternich in such an energetic state both physically and mentally felt the plan would be an utter success.
"Where is it Schönbrunn I can't see they all look the same."
"Right here."
"Ok now its time to see our plan in action, Schönbrunn get me our best general."
Schönbrunn knew exactly the man for the job, "ErzherZog Karl and his army of 30,000 are in the capital now I will send a messenger to tell him to get ready to board the transports."
"ErzherZog, hmm Austria's fate for the moment lies with him, under my watchful eye of course." Metternich muttered beneath his breath and then sat down and sipped his tea studying the map again then smiling.
Next time, Chapter 2 will the mission be a success or will it mark the first in a series of failures for the Austrian Empire?
