Tyranny Of Steel



As the Reich continued to develop, and the reign of Hans continued, years went by, and for a while things across the world were mostly peaceful. Having been united under the prodigal scions of Berengar, most of the world's leaders were slow to anger towards their brothers, and because of this were more tolerant over offenses.

However, as time passed, one region in particular became disputed between two major players. The Crimean Khanate had extended to the borders of Mongolia, and shared its borders with several major powers, and though they had spent the last decade or so trying to establish a proper and modern nation state. They were in many ways behind those who got an earlier start.

For example, the Indian Empire had entered the age of steam power. It was not exactly difficult for them to achieve after reaching a peak pre-industrial society, and with his father's blessing, Arun, as well as many of his peers, entered the age of industry.

Because of this, many weapons were now being domestically manufactured, to supplant those German firearms which were purchased in bulk for the last few decades. These designers were less advanced. For example, they made use of black powder and much simpler repeating designs. But they were advanced enough to get the job done, and could be locally produced, meaning the reliance on Germany for military matters was starting to come to an end.

As a result of India's growing industry, they had naturally become at odds with the Crimean Khanate, who wanted to expand into Tibet, a region that had previously been a tributary to the Ming Dynasty.

But it had been many years since the Ming Civil War had begun, and there were no signs of it ending anytime soon. Millions had perished already, and undoubtedly millions more would die in the future. As a result of this chaos, however, two emperors began to eye Tibet as the next piece of their realms.

Emperor Arun of the Indian Empire had long since desired to expand into the region, but had been met with hostility from his little brother, Altan. Who also desired the region for himself. After all, it would allow him to get his hands on many precious minerals that could be used to fuel his own industry, when the day finally arrived that his people were producing machines.

Currently, two armies sat at the borders of Tibet. The Great Horde of the Crimean Khanate sat on one side, while the Indian Army sat on the other. Both were armed with an equal degree of firepower, and both were prepared to engage in a war to claim this land for themselves.

Altan knew that Arun would be a superior foe to those he had previously faced. After all, the Indian Army was organized and based upon previous standards that Germany had maintained prior to the invention of mechanized and aerial warfare. While the Great Horde was still largely based on cavalry, tachankas, and mobility.

Clearly, if war were to break out between the two powers, then Altan would not be able to lead his troops like he had done in years past. After all, the Indians actually knew how to effectively wield their artillery, and if he were so foolish as to lead the charge, then he would be a dead man.

Nonetheless, he had still shown up to command his army in this dispute, as had Arun. Thus, the two half brothers gazed through their binoculars and spotted one another. Whoever raised the white flag first would be the one to initiate negotiations. But neither of these two men wanted to do so.

Thus, they stood in the snowy mountains, dressed in their warmest clothes, while the cold icy winds of Tibet kissed their cheeks. Eventually, three days passed as this starting contest continued. And then, on the fourth day, something peculiar happened. Both men received a phone call within minutes of one another.

After all, Hans had left satellite phones in the hands of his brothers so that if he ever needed to contact them, he could. Clearly, German intelligence had been alerted to the standoff between the Indian Army and the Crimean Horde. Which forced Hans to intervene.

The call was one simple message from Hans before he hung up and dialed the other line.

"Lay down your arms, and come to Kufstein so we can negotiate this peacefully, or I swear to the gods I will annihilate both of your armies."

Knowing that Hans would damn well follow through on this threat, the orders to withdraw from the region were given to both armies, and they left Tibet without ever having fired a shot.

Arun and Altan both arrived in Kufstein and were treated as prized guests of the German Reich. It had been a long time since either of the two half brothers had been here. Arun had the luxury of growing up in Kufstein during his formative years and later moved to India to replace his uncle as its emperor. Whereas Altan was born and raised in Crimea. Because of this, the two men had very different feelings about their father, or the von Kufstein family in general.

This was clearly shown by the way Arun greeted Hans with a hug, as if the two men were truly brothers, whereas Altan just simply shook the Kaiser's hand with a rather stoic expression on his face. Hans was smiling as he asked the two emperors to enter his home. He was clearly excited to see Arun as he did so.

"Please come in brothers, it has been too long since the three of us have gotten together. And I fear the reason for your visits is not exactly the most kind of circumstances. Nonetheless, I know we can put our differences aside and come to an understanding which each of us will accept."

Altan simply scoffed at this remark, which caused Arun to frown and shake his head. Clearly Arun was thinking that his half brother should have more respect for his brothers. But this did not seem to bother Hans, who led the men into his office. Where a servant was quick to serve some tea and snacks.

Once the servant had fled the room, Hans finally brought up the dispute that had brought his two half brothers to his house.

"I understand that you both want Tibet for similar reasons. And although the Ming Dynasty may be in a civil war, we must also take them into account while we have this discussion.

Our father has always shown the Ming a certain degree of respect, and he would not want any of his sons to violate the treaties that he had established with them. So, what I am about to propose is something that I believe will satisfy all three of the parties involved in this petty dispute."

Altan stared at Hans in disbelief. It was unreasonable to give the Ming anything when they were in a state of civil war. To hell with what Berengar had promised. This was a matter of securing land and resources while the iron was hot, and he was quick to discuss this sentiment.

"You want me to abandon my claims in favor of the Ming Dynasty? What nonsense is this? I have the right of conquest to take that which is available. To hell with the promises our father has made! Since when did Crimea agree to such nonsense?"

Both Arun and Hans frowned when they heard these words of hostility come from their brother's mouth. And just when the Indian Emperor was about to speak up in Hans's defense, the man raised his hand and voiced his offer.

"Whether you agree or not, a promise was made by the Reich that the Ming Dynasty will remain independent and in control of their own sphere of influence. This is a promise I will not go back on. So, the way I see it is, until this civil war is over, the both of you can operate your mining corporations in Tibet. There are more than enough resources for the both of you.

However, once this civil war comes to an end, then Tibet will re-enter the Ming sphere of influence. That is, assuming the Ming Dynasty emerges victorious, and not one of the pretenders who seeks to claim the throne for themselves.

If that were to happen, then by all means we would have to re-negotiate this deal, as I would not recognize the legitimacy of the warlords and rebels who each claim to be the next emperor. So, do we have a deal?"

Upon seeing the stern resolve in his brother's eyes, Altan knew he would not be able to actually get his way. After all, might be right, and while the rest of the world had only just begun to enter the age of industry, the Germans were already sending men into space. Soon enough, they would operate on other worlds than Earth. And when faced with this overwhelming power, Altan had no choice but to humble himself before the Kaiser. Thus, he sighed heavily before agreeing to Hans's proposal. Naturally, Arun did the same and thus Hans had ended the war for Tibet before it had truly begun.

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