The plan revealed, pt. IV
Situation room:
After fielding a flurry of questions, Benito catches his breath. As he looks around he notices the entire room is carefully reading the details of his outlined plan. He decides to speak before more questions are asked...
Benito: "I can see the one question that has not been asked, still awaits an answer; How will this be possible? To me, that answer is obvious. Unity, strength, and Fascist ideals will lead the way. As for the details, we must soothe and possibly ally with our greatest neighbor to the north. This will only be temporary however! Their ideals do not match our own! Miklas, I understand the Nazi party has gained much strength in your country, we must quell them and pacify their desire to join with the north. You can accomplish this by flooding them with useless consumer goods and propaganda. Nagybanya, I understand there are tensions between your people and Germany, stress these differences and soothe their needs with goods. Your people will embrace the changes.
There is one rather serious detail not outlined in my plans. The manner of our storming Europe. We shall unite as one country, your staff will be able to run your provinces but, we shall be united under one banner to do so." Many sharp breaths are drawn as he says this. He speaks before they can... "Why, you may ask, should you surrender your banner? To draw attention away from your efforts and allow you to work unopposed. Also, the combined efforts of our industries and its workers, are much stronger unified than divided. All research will benefit all of us as one. We shall update your industrial base so that when the time comes to release your empires as separate from ours, you shall be much stronger than you were previous.
We shall play a ruse on the people of Europe for now. A small, fake war which will allow us to unify as one. Simply short stock ammo and supplies to your troops. Their fighting ability will be greatly reduced, allowing us to move quickly to capture your territories. I promise you this, we all want the least amount of bloodshed to accomplish this. My troops will have orders to capture, not kill."
Benito sees the faces of the dignitaries grow very serious, the idea of surrendering their country is scary. He must address this issue rapidly.
"I know not how I can assure you that my interest does not lie with your people and their rightful empires. I can only tell you this; Fascism for Europe is a greater thing than you, I, or this entire room put together. As one, we can right the wrongs done to us in these last few decades while bringing the continent together under one ideology. That is my goal, not to be King of Europe! You must consider this seriously... Miklas, ruler of Western Europe, Nagybanya, sovereign of Eastern Europe. Please, ask no more questions. Take your entourage and go into the conference rooms. Take the time you need and let us finish this discussion today. Europe awaits our decision but, I think she will not wait much longer."
Benito lets loose a small grin as he watches them file into the adjoining rooms. He feels they listened carefully but, how will they react? Only time will tell... He prays he will not have to enact his emergency plan to ensure his goals are not shared with the rest of Europe. Disaster could strike if anyone present here should go against him!
Hours pass while Benito goes over his goals with his staff and they discuss their available options. His staff certainly appears as shocked as the foreigners present here today. Yet, they are feeding off the confidence of Benito. They believe...
As the side rooms empty of the dignitaries, they look shaken. What will their answer be?
Nagybanya speaks first : "Mr. Mussolini, we have examined your plans and find them worthy. Consider yourself lucky, as we have been facing much pressure from the Nazi party as well. This new direction will be most welcome in our homeland we feel confidant it will be well received."
Benito almost jumps from his seat but, he controls the impulse.
Miklas is next speak: "Mr. Mussolini, we too find your plans worthy but, we are seriously concerned about the welcome it will receive with our countrymen. So many are of German descent and the Nazi is quite strong. Given time, we can make them believe in this new empire but, do not rush us into fighting our neighbor to the north, civil war may result."
Benito finally relaxes, his plan has won the day. Now he must act quickly and enact his plans. After many more hours pass and the sun sets into the horizon, a day is chosen for the upcoming ruse, April 15. Much sooner than he could have hoped!
Looking slightly tired but glowing with confidence, the new leader of the new empire speaks, "Gentlemen, let us end our discussions for the day. I will take the first step towards the building of our new empire. Ciano, dispatch the Yugoslavian ambassador immediately! The rest of us have much to think about and require some rest. Glory to our new futures!"
The room empties, and Benito remains. There remains one final person to sell on his new plan, Vittorio Emmanuale III. Considering the task set before him this day, that man would be a walk in the park. He will wait until the gears have started to grind, then inform him. Once set in motion, this new age for Europe would not be stopped.
Communications have been rapid and furious preparing for April. In March, an event confirms their worst fears. Germany is making moves... They are too late however...
The army has nearly concluded operations in Ethiopia, and the remainder of the troops are preparing for the upcoming war. All looks well for Italy and its new allies.
