Ludwig's greatest gambit.
A messenger arrives in "Congress" with several notes in hand, which he proceeds to discreetly hand to the various gentlemen siding against the radicals. They are all signed von Stroheim.
Gentlemen, it appears my decision to leave for Carniola was a fortuitous one. Godwilling you may leave this chamber intact, or at least alive. If you get such a chance, there is to be a boat docked in Trieste painted in the colours of my state. It shall only wait for two days from when you receive this message. Godspeed to you all.
Yours faithfully, von Stroheim.
Before he leaves, the messenger hands a final note to the Speaker.
From this moment forward, Carniola stands by the Federation of the Danube, and against this "Danubian Republic". The State of Carniola no longer recognises the federal government, and instead will act in concert with its fellow loyalists across the Federation. Due to the nature of current affairs, I have appointed Friedrich Lasker to the position of State-President.
~
Crises. The Federation was full of them. It seemed no law could be proposed without some form of extremist making a fuss. The nation was tired of dealing with it, the world was tired of watching it. A constant state of war had become the norm: the Russians, Ottomans, Tunisians and the Spanish...even ourselves. A growing left, seeing that populism would not win them victory, sought their prize through blood, and iron. It was in the an earlier uproar - that of the Adriatic Trading Company - that von Stroheim saw his opportunity. From that point it was only a waiting game:
The ATC had controlled the Federation's Mediterranean trade for several years, but the harsh measures of the Federal government and various States broke the monopoly of the ATC and opened the market. Into this gap flew Stroheim, who quickly erected the Carniolan Trading Company. Ostensibly it's purpose was to spread the name of Carniola across the seas and bring wealth back to the impoverished state, and for several months it did jus that. Yet with all eyes focused on firstly on Tunisia, then on the referendum, then Spain...I need not go on...the CTC patiently amassed a small army and the ships to transport them.
It was around this time that politically driven investigations began into Stroheim, challenging his legitimacy as State-President. At first this seemed like an endangerment to Stroheim's plans, yet he soon realised what a boon it would be; if the Federal authorities were hung up on the elections, they were even less likely to notice his growing fleet, and frequent misuse of the State militia. Indeed when he read Minister Sykora's report on him Stroheim's laughter filled the streets of Laibach; the useless fool had completely failed to notice the "military drills" that he had ordered to continue round the clock. That the drive to unseat von Stroheim was led by Sykora himself only enhanced Stroheim's good fortune - the man was a known incompetent, and more importantly was known to despise Stroheim. If nothing else this ensured that Stroheim would find much support from his colleagues in the Hofburg, even those on the opposite bench, all too eager to jump to von Stroheim's aid.
Von Stroheim's last night in Carniola was a lonely one. He had sent his family to Britain during the referendum in case of violence, a move that was fortuitous. It seemed like the people knew what was coming - even as they loved him no one expected Stroheim to let himself be shot against a wall. As he reached the port a thick fog rolled in off the Adriatic, the masts of the Carniolan Trading Company seemingly sprouting from the air. Five glistening steam ships painted in the White, Blue and Red of the Carniolan flag and moored in the waters of Trieste. Each ship was full to bursting with supplies and men, enough of both for the expedition that was now upon them. While he had had done what he could to keep the purpose of the CTC a secret, many had openly questioned where he had gained the money to provide for such a personal extravagance. After all, the CTC had only started trading several months prior, and these ships were clearly of high quality. Rumours abounded that Stroheim had inherited from a wealthy relative, that he had called in a favour from contacts in Federal government, or indeed had siphoned a small fortune from the State. No one but Ludwig was sure of the truth, and he was more than happy to keep it that way.
As he and the last of his men rowed towards the flagship, he thought of the 'federal experiment' he was departing. With a last glance he spat in the water; his men swore they heard him mutter the words "burn in hell", but could make out nothing more.
))
