Author's Note

Right, I have decided to try a new type of storytelling which is going to be more or less similar to the HOI4 event style since I want to also focus on the multitude of lives that are now effectively under a foreign government and the politics that goes on within the respective goverments. This will be conducted from time to time but the story will still focus on the main plot of the trio hardsuit soldiers.

Constructive critism is encouraged!

Now, without further ado, let's see what my lovely factory has created! (And no, I haven't forgotten about France)

(ALSO, DEEPEST APOLOGIES BUT THE FRENCH EMPIRE IS ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO BE CALLED THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE, ONCE AGAIN, I APOLOGISE FOR THE INCORRECT NAME)

Chapter 7

7th of January, 1007 ALB (1962 AD)

12:45 Hours

Kingdom of Aquileia, Aquila

Palais Royal

The Royal Palace in Aquila was a splendour. Inside it was luxury of the highest imaginable quality, adored with many paintings of old kings, battles and diplomatic meetings that altered the history of Aquileia forever. In every corner, there would always be furniture and retail of the highest form of quality, taloncrafted and hoofcrafted both for the Discret Dynasty. The palace always welcomed all manner of visitors at the pleasure of the King. However, today, the palace recieved the strangest kind of visitor, an alien diplomat that spoke the same tounge as did the Aquilians, nearly had the same culture as the Aquilians and more.

The heir apparent and Princess, Vivienne Discret, stared at the human diplomat that the ‘French’ had sent. The diplomatic envoy had introduced his nation as the ‘Kingdom of France’. Humanity had become more or less known throughout the world by now due to all the newspapers of the world covering the events that occured regarding the diplomatic meetings, not to mention the half a dozen reporters outside the palace simply waiting for the chance to get a sight at the human.

Normally the ruling monarch would get an audience with any diplomatic envoys sent for Aquileia, however due to King Moriset’s lesser tendencies and utter snobness, the Princess was tasked by her father to deal with the diplomatic envoy sent by the alien country. Much to Vivenne’s suprise, she quickly realized just how technologically superior they were in comparison to Aquileia when the envoy started to talk about his country and found the request - or rather demand - of handing over the north-west lands of the Duchy of Rila. This obviously troubled Vivienne as he would have to convince both her father and her uncle, Michel, of complying with this request. However, what the diplomat would say next would easily help her case in convincing her father and rather suprising.

“If you wish, Votre Altesse, the Kingdom of France will be more than willing to assist with your republican issue.”

Vivienne blinked as she thought about it for a few moments. Vivienne had no love for the republicans, as they had caused issues and chaos in her country various times before as she knew due to her first memories being in the emir of Saddle Arabia. Besides, her father would grab at any chance to destroy the republicans whatever the cost as he was beginning a “Second Reign of Terror” in order to kill the idea, however, she also thought his methods were rather cruel and unneccessary. But first...

“How do you know about that?” asked Vivienne, raising a claw to her lower beak in thought.

“Because we discovered several hideouts within the borders as designated by the map, we swiftly raided them, arrested the criminals and, after exthensive interrogation, they gave up several names and locations. Should your king allow my countrymen to live under our name and King, Jean I, the Milice and the Sécurité Publique will be avaliable for your usage. “

“A generous offer.”

“En effet, votre Altesse.” the diplomat nodded. “In kind to this generous offer, and I apologise if I am repeating myself however, His Majesty would like to recieve the territory given. Our allies in Britain can vouch for us and they, I believe, will also back up this offer with the MI6.”

“And why would you want to help us? Why not weaken us with the republicans?” asked Vivienne, albiet it was a dangerous question but curiosity got the better of her.

“None of us are enjoyers of republicanism. In the old world, even the most republicanistic societies were filled with corruption and ultimately failed. Belief is a greater teacher. Of course, I would imagine that neither my King nor Britain’s Queen would wish to see a republic directly on its’ borders. Especially since France had a rather.. ” the diplomat cleared his throat. “..turbulent history as a republic itself.”

This raised more questions than answers for Vivienne, however, she saw that the diplomat did not want to continue any further. So, she decided to simply nod and accept the generous offers that were being given to Aquileia. Perhaps then, the reign of terror will end faster.

“Very well, I accept the offer. And I am sure my father will as well.” Vivienne, at last, answered as she extended her talon to which the diplomat shook it. After a small shake, the Princess signed her name onto the document.

The fate of the revolutionaries was sealed.

ENHANCED INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES

Cerlona was breathing heavily. The griffon was tied to a table, her limbs stretched as her body was aching. But she did not falter. The ideals for liberty, equality and fraternity were too big to simply let go off. The royalists had arrested her a few weeks ago and had beaten her up hard in order to get any piece of information out of her. It was only normal that they tried since she had information regarding important depots where her fellow revolutionaries were stockpiling weapons.

A few hours ago, she had been knocked unconcious and, appearntly, moved to another location. She did not recognize it at all. She had heard some muffled discussions about her being handed over to the ‘French’ - who that is, she doesn’t know - and they were now getting involved within the Reign of Terror.

She scoffed mentally at that. Another nation wouldn’t make a difference. She would endure.

The door to her right opened as a furless montaur without horns came in. He removed his darkened sunglasses and looked down, the shadows in the dimly litted concrete room barely allowing the griffon to see his grin on his face on the brushy mustache of his. “Bonjur, mon cher.” his aging voice chucking as the man leaned back up, placing his hand on his covered stomach. “So much fur.” he chuckles as he looks at Cerlona.

Cerlona grunted. “Who are you?” she spat out bitterly.

“Who I am is none of your concern. What is of my concern, however,..” he said as he leaned down into her face, as she could smell the cabbage coming from his mouth. “..is what you know.”

I knew it. she thought before she hit her head against his, sending him slightly back. “I won’t tell you shit.” she shouted through gritted teeth.

The man merely stared at her, chuckling as he grabbed a piece of cloth out of his coat, wipping it against his forehead. “Such a frenzy.” he giggled as he placed the cloth into his pocket. He then let his arm loose. The man began to pace around the metal table, staring at the griffonness’s body before he stopped back at the point where he could stare directly at her eyes.

“My furry friends are telling me you are refusing to cooperate with them, and based on the fact that you hit me, I suppose we can’t do things civilized?”

Cerlona spat out a chuckle at that. “Civilized? You call this civilized?”

“Compared to what I am going to put you through, yes.”

“Please. I’ve endured beatings far worse. Whatever you are going to do, there’s no way in Tarturus that you are going to get anything out of me.”

The man’s face went stoic and bland. His lips were a flat line. “I am not going to beat you?” he said.

Cerlona was now confused. And she was starting to get concerned. “What?”

“Blood is too much for my stomach to handle. I prefer to use other methods.” he continued.

“What other methods?” her voice was a mixture of confusion and fear.

“More cleaner methods.” he answered, as the door open and another human walked through with a tray that had tiny medical bottles. “Such as hallucinogens. They are my truth serums until said serum gets invented. “ he said as he moved towards the tray as he grabbed a pair of medical gloves. “They are in developmental phases, of course.” he added as he grinned back again. “Now, I am going to inject you with a lighter version of a hallucinogen. As time goes on, the doses are going to become much harder.”

He then grabbed one of the bottles and a syringe, as he began to smile. Cerlona watched as the demon placed the needle into the bottle, the liquid getting pulled into the syringe. The man looked at her, his smile stretching across his face as his teeth were laid bare.

”Shall we begin, my dear?”

10th of January, 1007 ALB (1962 AD)

13:45 Hours

Griffonian Empire, Griffenheim

Imperial Palace, Residence Wing

The Imperial Palace in Griffenheim was a palace that was rivaled by none. A collection of buildings added together, all of them dedicated to housing the Imperial court and the Kaiser himself. Although sadly, the Palace had slightly degraded in splendour just as the Empire had degraded, however it was nonetheless a pretty sight to gaze upon.

Inside a meeting room, it was filled with paintings and potraits, large windows that allowed the sun in to shine into the room were at its’ left side and in the center was a large oak table that was beautifully engraved.

It was on that table, however, that was being discussed the meeting between two nations that both had the culture: the Griffonian Empire and the United Kingdoms of Germany. A bit of background is in order. When the newspapers were dispersed all over the world, the news about the new nations undoubtably reached Griffenheim. The sickly Kaiser Grover V had wished to meet with the Crowned Prince of Germany in the hopes of securing an ally from a nation that the Empire shared so much of its’ culture and tounge with. It was the last thing that Grover the Fifth could achieve before his timely demise and it was his wish to, at least, secure a form of friendship between the Grover Dynasty and the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.

However, to Otto, it was an awkard moment listening to Grover as he coughed heavily. He was in his imperial regalia, wearing the best clothes that he could get his hands on for this meeting. He had, obviously, brought his wife and 6 children along with him to Griffenheim, however upon seeing how sickly Grover was, he had his children play with the younger Grover VI in another room while his wife and Grover VI’s wet nurse looked over them.

Now, Otto wasn’t against this friendship as he saw the potential. However, the issue was discussing anything at all with this bird who was coughing without end. It was clear the griffon was nearing his death and Otto couldn’t help but feel pity for Grover V.

When Grover finally stopped coughing, Otto took his chance. “I read that you began this Empire’s industrialization with the railroads, yes?”

“Yes, sorry.” Grover said as he grabbed a blanket and wipped his beak. “These coughing fits are getting worse by the day.” he mutters before throwing it at the table. “But, yes, as I was saying, my dynasty has a rich history just as much as yours. From one of the books that the diplomat returned with, I read that your house once ruled an entire continent’s empires. “

“Yes, the different branches from which I may have some relations with. “ Otto shrugged. “Something that I find both funny and sad at the same time was the amount of imbreeding. “

Grover chuckled weakly, as he grunted softly. “Yes, I saw, the long chins yes?”

“Yes, those.” Otto nodded, also chuckling. The laughter of the children running around to play tag was heard as the two turned their heads to the doorway.

“Beautiful children you have.” Grover complimented as he turned his eyes back to the prince.

“I’m sure you are also proud of your child.” Otto said as he exchanged the gesture.

“Indeed, he is a bright one and I have no doubt that he will become a great Kaiser one day.” Grover’s voice got more heavier as he let out a sad sigh. “Although I fear for his future. “

Otto nodded. The pity was intensifying. But then, curiosity got the better of him. “Forgive me for asking but why is everyone in your lineage called ‘Grover’?”

The old Kaiser shrugged. “Boreas knows.”

The two parents simply just stared at the open doorway as the children continued playing. “They are getting along well, it seems.” commented Otto.

“Indeed.” replied Grover, as he sighed deeply once again. “Indeed they are.”

The First Immigrant

The train kept rolling onwards. It was the first train that was heading towards Imperial Britain rather than out of it. Ever since Imperial Britain had created relations with different griffon nations and opened borders with them, so far no one really wished to go into Britain through Aquileia. Rather, an exodus of ponies and griffons occured immediately after the British government had announced that they were opening the borders through normal regulation.

Due to rumors of the mass alien industrialization that was occuring within Imperial Britain, no creature wanted to visit the land of the humans out of a science fiction novel. So, the train bridge between Aquileia and Britain remained empty and unused. The British Rail Corporation that controlled the railway into Britain had tickets to be sold, but as mentioned above, none bought them..

..until today. The first british train left for Aquila at 10:30 Hours to pick up its’ first passenger. The griffon had boarded the train and was headed towards London. This griffon had heard the news all the way from the south-east of Griffonia and, when he heard that it was a nation that agreed with his notion of technology, decided to go there. He had used his old Griffonian Empire passport to get himself through the various nations he needed before he arrived into Aquileia. Once he arrived in Aquila, he immediately purchased a ticket for Imperial Britain and booked himself into a hotel.

Now, he was on that train as it was chugging its way back to London. The griffon was reading his newspaper of the British Newspaper Service and was already intrigued by what he was reading. This was everything he wanted and more. His feathers were getting ruffled further from his excitement. Especially this company called the Edison Imperial Eletric Company. They had been at the forefront of the Second Enlightenment with technology and had even managed to make their queen reach become semi-immortal, leading to her hundred-year-long reign!

The train shuffled slightly as it was now on the bridge and crossing into Britain’s border. The griffon sighed as he closed the paper, before he placed it down and reached to grab the clockwork he was working on. His talons were intricately working on the screws, as he continued to assemble his clockwork. It was his fifth and it was something he did when he was bored. It’s a shame that the Griffonian Empire never saw reason for his work, but he didn’t care any further. Now he could work for a nation that would appreciate and encourage his research and work.

Time passed by a flash as the griffon finished his clockwork. He looked at it with no small amount of pride. He had been so focused on working on the clock that he didn’t notice that he had arrived at the first train station stop. An officer from the Border Force slid the door to his cabind open as he stepped inside. “Hello sir.” the man nodded at the griffon. “Papers, please.”

The griffon nodded, before he grabbed out his passport, alongside his train ticket and entry visa, and handed it to the customs officer. The officer opened it as he looked inside. After a few seconds of inspecting, the man looked at the griffon. “What’s the purpose of your visit?”

“I’m within the intentions of moving here.”

The officer nodded before he closed the passport, and handed the griffon his documents. “Very well then. Welcome to Britain, Mr. Schmeller.” he said before he left, leaving the griffon alone.

After a few more minutes, the train began to move again, this time towards London as the intercom indicated. As he saw the megacity complex come into view,

Leopold Schmeller smiled. I am home.