Before clicking: "Ah how nice, Tanya gets to be the most ardent follower of Nwabudike Morgan!"
After clicking: "Oh, poor Tanya, it's Human Hive."
A Young Girl's Delinquency Record (Youjo Senki/Saga of Tanya the Evil)
- Thread starter Gremlin Jack
- Start date
- Mature Fantasy Alt. History
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- Tags
- youjo senki
After clicking: "Oh, poor Tanya, it's Human Hive."
Not gonna lie, while Human Hive doesn't suit my playstyle, I've always found their faction lore fascinating. Mainly because they and the University are the two factions that most deeply prize rational thinking and intellectual integrity.
Chapter 37
A\N: I emerge once more from hibernation…Recap for those still around:
Mary and her Interpol team are in Europe looking into accusations of treaty violations. Tanya's proxies continue to extend her business interests in Africa, often in ways she would find concerning. Nations continue to eye each other with distrust.
However, Tanya's biggest concern is that she and Visha are now an item. With someone to worry about beyond herself, Tanya has decided she needs to be a bit more aggressive in her business ventures…
A\N 2: Uncensored version of this chapter available on Questionable Questing and Archive of our Own, where I post with the same user name.
Somewhere in the Turkmen countryside, December 19, 1932
"You know, on de whole, it is very fortunate you are here, fraulein. After all, de good Doktor is very curious on de exact effects of intense radiation exposure on de human body. We appreciate your cooperation witt our inquiries."
The gorgeous redhead in form hugging leather clothes glared up out of the confining pit at her chief captor, a menacing monocle-wearing blonde woman petting a white cat. "Do you really expect me to talk?"
"No, Dame Blaze. I expect you... to die."
"And CUT! That's a wrap!"
In a flash, the defiant glare was replaced by a bright grin. "Sweet! We're done!" A quick scramble up a concealed ladder, and the red haired girl was arm in arm with her former captor. "So, what are your plans for the day?"
I gave a tolerant smile at Jenny's clinginess. It had been over a year since we'd last seen each other. Even now, weeks after shooting started on Hughes' latest cinematic extravaganza, she was still taking every chance to spend time with her 'big sis'. Normally I'd wonder what she was hoping to wheedle out of me, but after being with Visha for the last few months, I'd started getting used to the concept that people might enjoy my company for the sake of it.
It all still felt rather odd, but there was no accounting for taste.
So, I just squeezed her arm and hummed in thought, even as I let the disguise magic adjust. The villainess who looked suspiciously similar to an aged up Tanya Degurechaff was immediately replaced with the younger appearance of Jennifer Ecks.
Once I was certain my Ecks appearance was settled, I gave my response. "I have a meeting with John, might take the rest of the day. But tomorrow… want to go help Joe prepare for the big fight scene?"
I had to admit, when John Hughes wanted something, he could move fast. When I called him, indicating I was once more available for a collaboration, he'd thrown together the essentials for a filming setup in the Anatolian hinterland in a matter of weeks.
Hughes' haste had benefited me as well. Without any of the established labor pool he normally had available in Hollywood, I was able to subcontract a lot of unskilled labor and bit roles to Velvet Iron staff. It didn't pay as much as their usual line of work, but at least it kept them employed, which was no small thing in the current global economy. I was even able to snag Joe Barrow a large role as the deadly muscular aide to "Frau von Hammerstern".
Jenny was nodding along, then started laughing to herself. I knew that laugh, it was the one where someone was about to get hurt in what Jenny thought was a humorous way. At my raised eyebrow, she explained, "Can you imagine Bogie getting in a ring with Joe? I sat in on their rehearsals and I still don't believe they're going to be able to sell it as anything other than a joke."
"Well, that's why we made Mr. Bogart's character a full mage. Going up against a lesser mage, he has every chance in spite of the physical differences."
"Yeah?" Jenny smirked. "I remember the look on his face when you held a full contact spar with Joe to show what a fight like that looks like in real life. Man looked like he was seriously questioning his life choices."
"You exaggerate," I sniffed. "Mr. Bogart threw himself into the training with verve and aplomb. Unlike you, he's an actually good actor, so I've no doubt he will leave the audience in awe of his martial prowess."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a big fan. Why do you like the guy so much anyway? I mean, sure he's decent, but he's hardly a big name. But when we first got introduced I swear you wanted to ask for his autograph."
I made a mental note not to reveal I had, in fact, acquired an autographed poster. Humphrey Bogart might have been a legendary figure in my world, but right here and now he was a minor name who'd only snagged this role as John's leading man because every actor before him declined to travel to the Turkmen Empire.
Still, as a professional he was hardworking and disciplined. One could easily see how he would eventually succeed in his chosen career. I just hope his involvement in Hughes' latest flight of fancy didn't derail his future career's trajectory. I was counting on that poster to contribute to my retirement fund.
Putting thoughts of memorabilia sales out of my mind, I turned the conversation to more immediate topics. "How is Denvers settling into her new job?"
When Lena had moved to Zuri in the Waldstatten Confederacy as the new CEO of Manpower Plus, she'd promoted her former second to the leadership of Velvet Iron. Agatha Denvers had been with Velvet Iron for years as Lena's executive officer, and years before that as my personal secretary, so she certainly knew the ins and outs of the job. But technical skill alone wasn't always enough.
"Not bad," Jenny replied. "She and Blake get along fine, and the other guys and girls like her too."
"Good, that's good." Blake was the leader of Velvet Iron's field operatives. As long as he approved of her, the transition of power should be relatively smooth. "How about you, Jenny? You've been splitting your time between Hollywood and Velvet Iron. Made a decision, yet?"
"To be honest, I'm thinking I might have to move to Europe. Maybe settle in Zuri with Lena."
"Oh? Why?"
"Oh, it's this new morality code by Hays, can you believe the utter bullshit…!"
"Ah, yes, I remember!" I hurried to cut her off. Jenny had already written me multi-page rants on the horrors of the new censorship regulations, I had no desire to hear a lecture on it. "Still, is it bad enough to make you leave the country?"
"In Europe, they can at least make movies worth making. Instead of bland mush spoon fed to toddlers."
I thought about it for a bit. "From what you told me, this is not a government action. Rather, the whole thing is being enacted by ideologues within the motion picture industry."
"Yeah…?"
"Well, the best way to counter an ideological movement is with a counter-movement. That, and lawsuits. Lots of lawsuits."
"Lawsuits? About what?"
"Anything! The point isn't to win. It's to find ways to delay the implementation until the ones pushing this new code either give up, tone it down, or are removed from power. Of course, it's best if you bring pressure from multiple angles. At the same time as the lawsuits, you'd need to start forming a lobby to campaign for an alternate set of censorship standards, one more to your taste. And maybe see who the biggest supporters are, and find ways to sabotage or remove them."
"That all sounds like it would take a lot of work. And money…" muttered Jenny thoughtfully.
"Well, you're the one who's so worked up about this," I pointed out. "If you don't like something, change it. No one likes a whiner."
Truth be told, I didn't really expect Jenny to get anywhere. From what little I remembered from her letters, the new code was being supported by all the major Hollywood studios. But I was hoping she'd learn something about working around the rules, instead of butting her head against them as was her wont.
"Yeah… you're right," she said softly. "This bullshit pisses me right off, and I ain't the only one. Yeah, I got some people to talk to…"
"That's the spirit! Just remember, it's not the end of the world. Remember to have fun!" I cheered. "Now, I have to get in there to meet Hughes. I have no idea how long this will take, so I'll most likely see you tomorrow."
Our feet had taken us to the large cottage that Hughes was using as a combined residence and office. One last hug and squeeze, and a thoughtful Jenny wandered off as I knocked on the door.
When John's secretary ushered me in, I found Visha was already there. Soon, it was just me, Visha, John Hughes, and John's lawyer. The lawyer's presence assured me that what we were about to do was, at least technically, legal.
But, as my own war crime trial had proven, 'technically legal' was sometimes a matter of interpretation. It was always best if no one ever raised the question. Which is why Visha spent the next several minutes sweeping the room for listening devices both magical and mundane, and I carefully constructed a white noise barrier.
Raising the barrier only took a few seconds, so while we waited for Visha to finish, I exchanged knowing nods with the two men before starting to browse the charcuterie board. I had to give it to Hughes, he knew how to cater a meeting. I mentally took notes, even as I layered my plate with cold beef, crackers, fruit and Gorgonzola cheese.
Looking at the food had reminded me I'd just come off a hard day's work, so I was halfway through the plate by the time Visha joined us. Snagging a loaded cracker from my plate, she soothed my incipient annoyance by passing me a glass of white wine. Settling into her chair with a glass of her own, she joined me in looking expectantly at Hughes.
Something about the gravity of the situation seemed to be affecting him, as the normally effervescent playboy stayed silent. Instead, he gravely opened a suitcase, before reverentially removing two computation orbs from the padding within.
This. This was the real reason we were all here. I might have been getting paid very well for my role, but John could have shot the movie with far less difficulty and cost in America. What the movie did is give an impeccable reason for him to be here for an extended period of time with a great deal of fancy equipment.
Visha and I took the orbs in our hands, and then we focused our entire attention on the devices. I threw my mind into the inner workings of the machine, tracing mana flows and testing gears and switches. My world narrowed down to the circuits of mana and the conceptual cogs tugging on the strings of reality.
When I finally emerged from my trance, I could feel the wide grin stretching my face. "Congratulations John. You have a functioning dual core prototype."
He sat back with a sigh of relief. "So, it's working?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that not why you hired me? To turn your theoretical design into a functional prototype? Was there ever any doubt?"
Truth be told, I was laying it on a bit thick. Hughes Magic Works had already gotten most of the way there. What they were lacking were the few intuitive leaps made possible for the Germanians thanks to the existence of the Type 95. Leaps I was more than happy to help them make once they agreed to my price.
Visha emerged from her own diagnostic trance, face flushed with excitement. "Colonel, this is way better than the best we've got right now!"
"And I'm sure we'll find ways to improve it further, once we get to testing." I tucked the orb into my pocket before returning my attention to Hughes. "I'll have my men run it through its paces. Expect a full report on possible improvements by the end of tomorrow."
"That's fine. But even as it stands, it's working?" the man asked.
"Oh yes, quite well in fact. But, I hope you realize, even after we get all the kinks out, it still won't be an equal for the Germanian standard dual-core?" I had to give the warning, lest Hugh develop inflated expectations. It was my estimate that even at its best, this new orb won't exceed 95% of the Type 97's performance.
Hughes snorted. "As long as it gets us within shouting distance of the Germanians, the Army is going to be over the moon. Especially since we're not charging the earth for it."
That was an excellent point, and the truly remarkable thing about this prototype. It could give a performance close to the Type 97, at about 70% of the cost. Combined with America's vastly greater resources, and I could easily see them converting their entire Mage Corps to dual core orbs. That would definitely put them ahead of the Empire, who last I heard were just barely getting a second Type 97 battalion off the ground.
"I hope you remember to include the new training regime when you make your pitch," I remarked. "Dual cores require specialized training to bring out the best in them."
"Well, that's up to you. You said you'd have trainers ready when I needed them."
"And I will. As long as we're agreed on the payment?"
Hughes nodded. "I'll supply you with everything you need to equip a full battalion. It'll take a while, though. Even after we get production ramped up, I can still only send over one or two a month if we want to stay discreet."
"Acceptable for the later ones, but I want the first twelve by March."
Hughes sighed. "I'll record them as a batch destroyed in testing."
"Then we have an accord." Wine glasses clinked together. "To a long and profitable partnership."
The meeting didn't end there, of course. A lot of details needed to be hammered out. Schedules for delivery, meetings with the scientists that had accompanied Hughes, finding a discreet location to conduct live testing of the prototypes… All in all, it was another hour before I could take my leave.
But, at the end of it all, I almost felt like singing. I was so close, a few more months and I'd have a force that could at least inconvenience the old 203rd. It didn't make me immune from my pursuers, but it was one more obstacle between my enemies and myself, and a substantial one.
"It's rare to see you so excited," murmured Visha as we walked back to our cabin.
Looking at my lover, my eye was caught by the way the last rays of the setting sun refracted through her lustrous brown hair, making it almost shine. She noticed, of course, and her smile grew mischievous. "Perhaps we should… celebrate?"
I thought furiously for a moment. Did I have any work that couldn't be put off until tomorrow? No, I did not. I could feel a grin growing on my own face.
"A celebration does seem to be in order. But you'll need to prepare for it."
"Prepare?"
"Mmm, yes. I need you to go ahead and put on a pot of coffee. And then..." I moved closer so I could whisper in her ear exactly what else I wanted her to do.
Visha blinked, and then her face turned visibly red as she processed my instructions. "U-umm....?"
"That was an order, Visha," I growled, even though I couldn't stop smiling.
She gave a jerky nod and hurried off, face redder than the setting sun. I slowed my own walk to give her time to follow my instructions.
And follow them she did. It was good to know being my lover hadn't negatively impacted her discipline. I spent the rest of the excellent evening showing Visha how much I appreciated her obedience.
Zuri, Waldstatten Confederacy, December 24, 1932
"My superiors would like to extend their congratulations for the successful launch of Energizer. This new 'energy drink' idea is catching on shockingly fast. We expect Dark Earth to garner tremendous interest from investors in the next year."
Lena nodded her head at the man's patter. Lena liked Anton Jaffe. The man was an efficient banker, he could flirt without being creepy, and knew how to take a 'no' with good grace. Even better, he had been extremely useful when it came to sorting out the labyrinth that had been Manpower Plus's various holdings and investments.
It was the consolidation of some of those investments, particularly in Africa, that had led to the realization of Tanya's latest moneymaking scheme. It also led to this Christmas Eve party, hosted at Manpower Plus's plush new office, where a number of financial bigwigs were coming together to pat themselves on the back for having had the foresight to back Tanya's idea.
With Lena's help, Dark Earth had spent the last few months expanding out of the Seychelles into Ethiopia, Djibouti, and other parts of Eastern Africa in its effort to acquire a steady supply of khat. The native plant, commonly chewed on for its stimulating properties, now had been converted into the primary ingredient in what was being sold throughout Europe and the wealthier parts of Africa as an 'energy drink'.
Lena had tried it herself, and had found it a sweet and fizzy substitute for strong coffee. Tanya, in her conversations on the topic, had indicated she saw it as a softer and more socially acceptable option to drugs like opium. As far as Lena could tell, the drink was more competition for coffee and the cola drinks coming out of America. It was early days yet, but the initial sales figures had her optimistic. If it did well enough, she'd see about shipping it across the Atlantic, give the Coca-Cola company some actual competition.
But all that was speculation for the future. No matter how promising the launch, it was going to be several months at best before Dark Earth recouped its initial investment, let alone showed a profit from the drink. Which is why after disengaging from Anton, Lena moved across the ballroom to someone with whom she had some more immediately profitable business. That the man was an old friend was a bonus.
"Alain, you hound, how have you been? Any husbands try to murder you lately?"
The slim dark-haired handsome Frankish man smiled back. "Lena, ma cherie, as always I am persecuted by narrow-minded ingrates who do not appreciate my excellent advice - with demonstrations! - on how to best please their wives. But they have not caught me yet!"
"Probably because they need to get in line behind all the women wanting to castrate you. What's this about you proposing marriage to some girl in Parisee?"
"Alas, she turned me down. It is sad, no?"
"I'd sympathize. Except for the part where you are already married." Lena's expression grew colder, as the amusement leaked out of her voice. "Alain, I love you, but you cannot be running afoul of the bigamy laws of all things. This deal involves pulling a fast one on Interpol and the Empire. You HAVE to be squeaky clean when they inevitably come looking to see why the numbers don't add up."
Alain's face grew serious to match. "No worries, Lena. I'll be more careful with the wine. No more slip-ups. So, you're all ready on your end?"
"Yes. The Swiss are more than happy to help the Franks cheat on the treaty with the Empire. With the kind of paperwork tangle we're setting up, even if Interpol gets on the case, they'll have merry hell proving anything. Provided," Lena gave Alain a quick glare, "No one gives them an in to put pressure on any of the participants."
Alain held up both hands in surrender. "Merci, merci. Murdoch already tore me a new one. Lesson learned, je promets."
Lena relented, and turned to more pleasant topics. "How is Murdoch doing? Has he gone fully legit or does he still have some fingers in the old pies?"
"It's mostly honest work these days. But he still remembers his old friends. Good to keep one's ears to the ground, no?" Alain's eyes grew softer. "I offered to hold down the fort back in Albion, so he could come visit you instead, you know? But he insisted I had to be the one."
"Of course he did," Lena sighed. "Doesn't matter how high he goes; the minute he opens his mouth the Parisee snobs will know him for a Calais slum-rat. You're the only one in his crew that he trusts with a deal this big who also got the fancy education to pass himself off as high society."
Alain clicked his tongue. "You and Murdoch are both the same. Always the business before pleasure. You will both end up the same. Old, rich, and alone."
Lena opened her mouth to protest that she and Murdoch had spent a pleasant few days together at Le Havre where she had stopped on her way to Zuri, but then paused. Alain would already know this, so he was clearly just trying to get a rise out of her. Instead, she chose a different angle. "So, tell me about her."
"Her?"
"The girl in Parisee. I know you Alain. You'd seduce anything in a skirt, but marrying isn't something you do on a whim, even when drunk."
"Does it matter, dear Lena? It's all water under the bridge."
Lena blinked, then glared at Alain in deep suspicion. "You're still seeing her aren't you? Don't lie. If it was over, you wouldn't deflect."
Alain crumpled. "You do not understand… we have not done anything! It is just… what is happening to her, it is terrible!"
Lena was unimpressed. "Do tell."
Alain needed no further invitation. "Imagine if you will, a girl, pretty enough, but with a body to die for! The arms, the legs, power and poetry in motion! Michelangelo would throw out David and use her as his ideal! But alas, everywhere she goes, she is accompanied by the le modele classique of feminine beauty. As such, all men, shallow fools they, have only eyes for her blonde friend, but none for the modest brunette with the body of a goddess! And the worst part is, she believes it just! She has accepted it! No, I cannot let this stand! So, any time we meet, I must do my best to try and get her to see herself the way I do! It is my calling, my raison d'etre!"
Lena took a small step back to avoid Alain's rapidly moving hands as he gestured passionately. The worst part was, she knew he was being at least partly honest. For all his willingness to flirt with anything female, Alain had a type. That type being women who could break him in half. Just like his wife. Lena considered it a testament to either the woman's patience or Alain's skill in bed that she hadn't already murdered him for his many, many indiscretions.
She sighed in defeat. "Just promise you're not going to get her pregnant."
Alain laughed. "You overestimate my powers, Lena. Mary, she is a good devout girl. I simply want her to know she is desirable. Just because her blonde friend is so willing and able to hold a room, does not mean she has to fade in the background. Besides, it is but a side-project. We only meet at the occasional business party. I expect to see her again at this New Year's event I am attending, but who knows after that."
And this, Lena reflected, was why Alain was so dangerous around women. The man was a romantic at heart, and knew how to express it. At least it seemed he wasn't too serious about the girl, his type or not. "You say you've been running into her at business parties? Like this one?"
"Oui, it is all the big Frankish industrialists. Many of whom are involved in our little arrangement."
"So what's this Mary doing there?"
"Mostly, accompanying her blonde Germanian friend. It is this Elya who seems most interested in getting to know all the rich and powerful men. Probably angling for a rich husband. Mary is just along for support. But at the same time, you can tell it hurts for her to see everyone looking at her friend and none at her…"
"Yes, yes, and you're a crusader of love and justice," Lena groused. "Although… Mary? Elya? Something about those names…"
"You know them?"
"No, no, but I did hear similar names somewhere… No, it's gone. Maybe it'll come to me later." Shaking her head, Lena refocused on Alain. "Anyway, that's enough about Mary. Let's talk about the routes we'll be using to ship the goods into Waldstatten. There's a few weak spots we need to nail down…"
Hughes movie camp, Turkmen countryside, December 31, 1932
It might not be the most socially acceptable thing to skip a New Year's party, but I could only be glad of it. Judging by the noise outside our cabin, the whole camp had devolved into a loud, alcoholic mess. Which was about what I expected considering Hughes had planned it. And the man himself wasn't even here! He'd taken off to America, to spend New Year's schmoozing with some Washington bigwigs.
You'd think the local religious beliefs would at least slow down the flow of liquor, but apparently such laws are beneath the notice of the rich. No, I preferred my own way of celebrating. A quiet glass of wine and cuddling with Visha under a warm blanket, the radio softly playing classical music.
We were also working. Most of my business concerns were in places that did celebrate Christmas, and my employees had rushed to wrap up their projects and send out their reports before going on vacation. And thanks to the limitations of early 20th century communication, they all arrived at my desk just in time for New Year.
Now, normally I'd put off the reports for later and give Visha my full attention. But this time around, a whole lot of dormant projects had suddenly started going active. Not to mention the rather… unusual… report that had come from Staelle, the woman I'd put in charge of the Silver Lance security detail hired by my multi-millionaire friend Kelust Gulbenk.
In fact, far from having to apologize for my preoccupation, Visha had joined me in going over them. Putting aside the reports from Lena, which was mostly good news, I focused on the ones that needed some immediate decisions. There were three of them.
First and simplest. It had taken longer than I expected, but I had finally received confirmation that both the Empire and the Unified States had started seriously exploring the potential of nuclear power. Even better, they were aware of the other country's interest, and had started discreetly jockeying for access to the necessary resources. Uranium ore was suddenly a commodity that was seeing a lot of demand.
Black Diamond, the company I'd started in Albish Rhodesia, was finally about to fulfill its reason for existence. I had to strike while the iron was hot. It wouldn't take long for the Empire to modernize the Katanga mines to meet their needs. And while the Americans didn't have a reliable large-scale supplier, they had the wealth to solve the problem in short order. The uranium shortage would only last for a few months before the situation stabilized. In that time, I had to get the best possible price for the stockpile that Black Diamond was sitting on.
Fortunately, Black Diamond's CEO was on the ball. Bertrand had written to me with a marketing plan to approach both countries, and to further garner their interest by playing up the very high purity of the ore.
The ultimate target would be the Americans. After all, that ore had been sourced from a mine in Germanian territory. Once the Empire got off its ass and started developing that part of the colony properly, they'd quickly have unlimited access to the same rich ore. The Americans, on the other hand – if they ever wanted to work with the world's highest purity uranium ore, now was the time.
It was a good plan, made even better by the currently cool relations between the two countries. No chance of them colluding to drive down the price. Once I'd reviewed it, I decided to have Bertrand start the ball rolling as soon as humanly possible. I also decided to send a personal message to Koenig. He was head of Black Diamond's security, and he was the man who would ensure there was no last-minute chicanery getting in the way of a big payday.
The next one was a bit trickier. After years of research, Sunrise Botanicals had managed to make some headway with the herbal mix that Shaman Abara of the Congo had used to achieve such interesting effects of mind and divination magic. Their new product was an injected serum which, according to the report, greatly increased the efficiency of the reflex enhancement spell.
At least, that was the effect the drug had on the C-rank mages that they had tested it on. But now Sunrise Botanicals was seeking permission to test it on more powerful mages. What made it worrisome, is that the drug was noted as having a significant amount of variance, depending on the power and skill of the mage involved. What effect it would have on an aerial mage was very much an open question.
There was no question that the testing would have to happen here. Silver Lance employed dozens of aerial mages, whereas my holdings in the Americas had only a few. And I could keep a personal eye on the testing, make sure there were no cut corners or unnecessary risks.
Unfortunately for that plan, it was conflicting with the headache that Staelle had dumped in my lap. The third issue and undoubtedly the thorniest of them all. Somehow – and even after reading the reports it was still unclear how – Staelle and her team had stumbled on an ancient order of magical assassins while carrying out their duties as Gulbenk's bodyguards.
And not just any order of magical assassins. It was THE Assassins. The people who caused the word 'assassin' to be added to the Albish language.
Only to hear Staelle tell it, they didn't really kill people anymore. The order had gone largely defunct hundreds of years ago. What they had preserved, and what had caught Staelle's attention, was the traditional clothing worn by their members. White and red trim robes, largely indistinguishable from common Persian attire, but which, by some strange process, suppressed the magic signature of the wearer. And, perhaps even more terrifyingly, when worn by a mage using the correct spell, the clothes would actively make the wearer harder to notice.
In a touch of absurdity, Staelle's report notes that it is uncertain if the Assassins themselves know of the second function. A lot of their knowledge had been lost over the centuries, and the remnants currently had no strong, trained mages to take full advantage of the attire. Staelle herself only discovered it by accident, while trying on a set she had purchased from them.
Personally, I was a bit suspicious of how many accidents seem to be involved in the whole affair. I well remembered that Staelle had once been Shaman Abara's prized apprentice, and that old man frankly unnerved me with his ability to know things he really shouldn't.
But, whatever the process, the end result was that I badly wanted a whole new set of uniforms for every mage in Silver Lance.
The trouble is, the Assassins were a tiny sect. Only a handful of families, keeping to some hoary old rituals, making traditional clothes by rote using methods they barely understood. To produce enough clothes to outfit even a group as small as Silver Lance, I'd need to pretty much import the entire sect, then reverse engineer their methods to figure out the actual principles behind it, before converting the whole system to modern methods of production.
Of course, uprooting multiple family units is easier said than done. For such a tight-knit community, I'd need to garner enthusiastic support from a strong majority before any of them would even budge. Which meant someone high up in Silver Lance would have to go to Persia to negotiate with them.
I wanted that person to be me. I was burning with curiosity about Staelle's discovery. But that would mean I couldn't be on hand to oversee the drug trials, which I also wanted to begin without delay.
"Why is this such a problem?" Visha asked once I gave voice to my dilemma. "The drug trials are important, but they're still just a bunch of tests. I can see your brain fizzing trying to make sense of what Staelle is saying. You and I both know Persia is where you want to be right now. Just leave someone you trust in charge, you've done it before."
"Visha, this is serious. The employees of Silver Lance have trusted me with their lives. I owe it to them to make sure a bunch of uncaring scientists in search of a breakthrough don't put them at unnecessary risk."
Visha sat up and wrapped her arms firmly around me. "You're oddly worked up about this. What's going on? Do you think the tests are going to be that dangerous?"
"Well, no, but still…"
"Tanya, you regularly toss artillery spells at those people in training. What's this all about?"
I bit my lip. I knew why I was so concerned. I don't think I'll ever forget the madman who repeatedly strapped an unstable bomb to my chest in the name of research. It was irrational, I had carefully followed the early tests and Sunrise Botanical's staff had shown themselves to be steady, reliable people. But I still couldn't let go of the worry that something will go wrong if I'm not there to keep an eye on things.
For a long moment I kept silent, afraid Visha would think less of me for my fears. But no, I trusted her with my life, I'd trust her with this.
"I know it's silly, Visha. But… I'm worried…. that one of the doctors might turn out to be a second Schugel."
Visha made a soft sound of understanding, and her grip around me tightened. "Schugel was a monster. When I heard about the things he put you through… and you were the lucky one!"
"Yes. I know it's unfair, these all seem like good people… but…"
"But Schugel had also looked good on paper," Visha finished. "I get it. But you realize, if you want the Assassins working for you, then it really has to be you negotiating with them, right? No one else can make the kind of decisions you can."
"You see the problem."
"Well, I also see the solution. You go off to Persia. And you leave me in charge of the drug tests."
"You?"
"Yes, of course. Might I remind you that I know most of the Silver Lance people better than you do? If any of them start having problems, I can spot it just as quickly as you…"
"No, no, I understand the logic," I interrupted. "It's just… we're together now. And doing this means we'll have to be apart for weeks, maybe months."
Visha giggled. "Ooh, is someone feeling clingy?"
I could feel my face redden. "I am not clingy! It just seems like a lot of stress to put on a new relationship. I want this whole thing to work for a long time, you know."
"Yes, yes, I'm very happy to hear that. But before being lovers, we were partners for years. We've spent months apart plenty of times before. Why should this be any different?" Visha leaned forward and pecked my lips. "Someone is being irrational."
Using my own words against me! I wanted to refute it, but I couldn't see any way of doing it without calling Visha's competence into question.
And then Visha decided that the one quick kiss was not enough, and proceeded to derail the debate entirely for the rest of the evening. By the time morning came around, I found I was somehow fully on board with Visha's plan.
Truly, all women are creatures of natural cunning, no matter how cheerful and naive they might first seem like. I was born a man, so I am at a natural disadvantage. I'll just have to be more alert in the future.
Mary and her Interpol team are in Europe looking into accusations of treaty violations. Tanya's proxies continue to extend her business interests in Africa, often in ways she would find concerning. Nations continue to eye each other with distrust.
However, Tanya's biggest concern is that she and Visha are now an item. With someone to worry about beyond herself, Tanya has decided she needs to be a bit more aggressive in her business ventures…
A\N 2: Uncensored version of this chapter available on Questionable Questing and Archive of our Own, where I post with the same user name.
Somewhere in the Turkmen countryside, December 19, 1932
"You know, on de whole, it is very fortunate you are here, fraulein. After all, de good Doktor is very curious on de exact effects of intense radiation exposure on de human body. We appreciate your cooperation witt our inquiries."
The gorgeous redhead in form hugging leather clothes glared up out of the confining pit at her chief captor, a menacing monocle-wearing blonde woman petting a white cat. "Do you really expect me to talk?"
"No, Dame Blaze. I expect you... to die."
"And CUT! That's a wrap!"
In a flash, the defiant glare was replaced by a bright grin. "Sweet! We're done!" A quick scramble up a concealed ladder, and the red haired girl was arm in arm with her former captor. "So, what are your plans for the day?"
I gave a tolerant smile at Jenny's clinginess. It had been over a year since we'd last seen each other. Even now, weeks after shooting started on Hughes' latest cinematic extravaganza, she was still taking every chance to spend time with her 'big sis'. Normally I'd wonder what she was hoping to wheedle out of me, but after being with Visha for the last few months, I'd started getting used to the concept that people might enjoy my company for the sake of it.
It all still felt rather odd, but there was no accounting for taste.
So, I just squeezed her arm and hummed in thought, even as I let the disguise magic adjust. The villainess who looked suspiciously similar to an aged up Tanya Degurechaff was immediately replaced with the younger appearance of Jennifer Ecks.
Once I was certain my Ecks appearance was settled, I gave my response. "I have a meeting with John, might take the rest of the day. But tomorrow… want to go help Joe prepare for the big fight scene?"
I had to admit, when John Hughes wanted something, he could move fast. When I called him, indicating I was once more available for a collaboration, he'd thrown together the essentials for a filming setup in the Anatolian hinterland in a matter of weeks.
Hughes' haste had benefited me as well. Without any of the established labor pool he normally had available in Hollywood, I was able to subcontract a lot of unskilled labor and bit roles to Velvet Iron staff. It didn't pay as much as their usual line of work, but at least it kept them employed, which was no small thing in the current global economy. I was even able to snag Joe Barrow a large role as the deadly muscular aide to "Frau von Hammerstern".
Jenny was nodding along, then started laughing to herself. I knew that laugh, it was the one where someone was about to get hurt in what Jenny thought was a humorous way. At my raised eyebrow, she explained, "Can you imagine Bogie getting in a ring with Joe? I sat in on their rehearsals and I still don't believe they're going to be able to sell it as anything other than a joke."
"Well, that's why we made Mr. Bogart's character a full mage. Going up against a lesser mage, he has every chance in spite of the physical differences."
"Yeah?" Jenny smirked. "I remember the look on his face when you held a full contact spar with Joe to show what a fight like that looks like in real life. Man looked like he was seriously questioning his life choices."
"You exaggerate," I sniffed. "Mr. Bogart threw himself into the training with verve and aplomb. Unlike you, he's an actually good actor, so I've no doubt he will leave the audience in awe of his martial prowess."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a big fan. Why do you like the guy so much anyway? I mean, sure he's decent, but he's hardly a big name. But when we first got introduced I swear you wanted to ask for his autograph."
I made a mental note not to reveal I had, in fact, acquired an autographed poster. Humphrey Bogart might have been a legendary figure in my world, but right here and now he was a minor name who'd only snagged this role as John's leading man because every actor before him declined to travel to the Turkmen Empire.
Still, as a professional he was hardworking and disciplined. One could easily see how he would eventually succeed in his chosen career. I just hope his involvement in Hughes' latest flight of fancy didn't derail his future career's trajectory. I was counting on that poster to contribute to my retirement fund.
Putting thoughts of memorabilia sales out of my mind, I turned the conversation to more immediate topics. "How is Denvers settling into her new job?"
When Lena had moved to Zuri in the Waldstatten Confederacy as the new CEO of Manpower Plus, she'd promoted her former second to the leadership of Velvet Iron. Agatha Denvers had been with Velvet Iron for years as Lena's executive officer, and years before that as my personal secretary, so she certainly knew the ins and outs of the job. But technical skill alone wasn't always enough.
"Not bad," Jenny replied. "She and Blake get along fine, and the other guys and girls like her too."
"Good, that's good." Blake was the leader of Velvet Iron's field operatives. As long as he approved of her, the transition of power should be relatively smooth. "How about you, Jenny? You've been splitting your time between Hollywood and Velvet Iron. Made a decision, yet?"
"To be honest, I'm thinking I might have to move to Europe. Maybe settle in Zuri with Lena."
"Oh? Why?"
"Oh, it's this new morality code by Hays, can you believe the utter bullshit…!"
"Ah, yes, I remember!" I hurried to cut her off. Jenny had already written me multi-page rants on the horrors of the new censorship regulations, I had no desire to hear a lecture on it. "Still, is it bad enough to make you leave the country?"
"In Europe, they can at least make movies worth making. Instead of bland mush spoon fed to toddlers."
I thought about it for a bit. "From what you told me, this is not a government action. Rather, the whole thing is being enacted by ideologues within the motion picture industry."
"Yeah…?"
"Well, the best way to counter an ideological movement is with a counter-movement. That, and lawsuits. Lots of lawsuits."
"Lawsuits? About what?"
"Anything! The point isn't to win. It's to find ways to delay the implementation until the ones pushing this new code either give up, tone it down, or are removed from power. Of course, it's best if you bring pressure from multiple angles. At the same time as the lawsuits, you'd need to start forming a lobby to campaign for an alternate set of censorship standards, one more to your taste. And maybe see who the biggest supporters are, and find ways to sabotage or remove them."
"That all sounds like it would take a lot of work. And money…" muttered Jenny thoughtfully.
"Well, you're the one who's so worked up about this," I pointed out. "If you don't like something, change it. No one likes a whiner."
Truth be told, I didn't really expect Jenny to get anywhere. From what little I remembered from her letters, the new code was being supported by all the major Hollywood studios. But I was hoping she'd learn something about working around the rules, instead of butting her head against them as was her wont.
"Yeah… you're right," she said softly. "This bullshit pisses me right off, and I ain't the only one. Yeah, I got some people to talk to…"
"That's the spirit! Just remember, it's not the end of the world. Remember to have fun!" I cheered. "Now, I have to get in there to meet Hughes. I have no idea how long this will take, so I'll most likely see you tomorrow."
Our feet had taken us to the large cottage that Hughes was using as a combined residence and office. One last hug and squeeze, and a thoughtful Jenny wandered off as I knocked on the door.
When John's secretary ushered me in, I found Visha was already there. Soon, it was just me, Visha, John Hughes, and John's lawyer. The lawyer's presence assured me that what we were about to do was, at least technically, legal.
But, as my own war crime trial had proven, 'technically legal' was sometimes a matter of interpretation. It was always best if no one ever raised the question. Which is why Visha spent the next several minutes sweeping the room for listening devices both magical and mundane, and I carefully constructed a white noise barrier.
Raising the barrier only took a few seconds, so while we waited for Visha to finish, I exchanged knowing nods with the two men before starting to browse the charcuterie board. I had to give it to Hughes, he knew how to cater a meeting. I mentally took notes, even as I layered my plate with cold beef, crackers, fruit and Gorgonzola cheese.
Looking at the food had reminded me I'd just come off a hard day's work, so I was halfway through the plate by the time Visha joined us. Snagging a loaded cracker from my plate, she soothed my incipient annoyance by passing me a glass of white wine. Settling into her chair with a glass of her own, she joined me in looking expectantly at Hughes.
Something about the gravity of the situation seemed to be affecting him, as the normally effervescent playboy stayed silent. Instead, he gravely opened a suitcase, before reverentially removing two computation orbs from the padding within.
This. This was the real reason we were all here. I might have been getting paid very well for my role, but John could have shot the movie with far less difficulty and cost in America. What the movie did is give an impeccable reason for him to be here for an extended period of time with a great deal of fancy equipment.
Visha and I took the orbs in our hands, and then we focused our entire attention on the devices. I threw my mind into the inner workings of the machine, tracing mana flows and testing gears and switches. My world narrowed down to the circuits of mana and the conceptual cogs tugging on the strings of reality.
When I finally emerged from my trance, I could feel the wide grin stretching my face. "Congratulations John. You have a functioning dual core prototype."
He sat back with a sigh of relief. "So, it's working?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that not why you hired me? To turn your theoretical design into a functional prototype? Was there ever any doubt?"
Truth be told, I was laying it on a bit thick. Hughes Magic Works had already gotten most of the way there. What they were lacking were the few intuitive leaps made possible for the Germanians thanks to the existence of the Type 95. Leaps I was more than happy to help them make once they agreed to my price.
Visha emerged from her own diagnostic trance, face flushed with excitement. "Colonel, this is way better than the best we've got right now!"
"And I'm sure we'll find ways to improve it further, once we get to testing." I tucked the orb into my pocket before returning my attention to Hughes. "I'll have my men run it through its paces. Expect a full report on possible improvements by the end of tomorrow."
"That's fine. But even as it stands, it's working?" the man asked.
"Oh yes, quite well in fact. But, I hope you realize, even after we get all the kinks out, it still won't be an equal for the Germanian standard dual-core?" I had to give the warning, lest Hugh develop inflated expectations. It was my estimate that even at its best, this new orb won't exceed 95% of the Type 97's performance.
Hughes snorted. "As long as it gets us within shouting distance of the Germanians, the Army is going to be over the moon. Especially since we're not charging the earth for it."
That was an excellent point, and the truly remarkable thing about this prototype. It could give a performance close to the Type 97, at about 70% of the cost. Combined with America's vastly greater resources, and I could easily see them converting their entire Mage Corps to dual core orbs. That would definitely put them ahead of the Empire, who last I heard were just barely getting a second Type 97 battalion off the ground.
"I hope you remember to include the new training regime when you make your pitch," I remarked. "Dual cores require specialized training to bring out the best in them."
"Well, that's up to you. You said you'd have trainers ready when I needed them."
"And I will. As long as we're agreed on the payment?"
Hughes nodded. "I'll supply you with everything you need to equip a full battalion. It'll take a while, though. Even after we get production ramped up, I can still only send over one or two a month if we want to stay discreet."
"Acceptable for the later ones, but I want the first twelve by March."
Hughes sighed. "I'll record them as a batch destroyed in testing."
"Then we have an accord." Wine glasses clinked together. "To a long and profitable partnership."
The meeting didn't end there, of course. A lot of details needed to be hammered out. Schedules for delivery, meetings with the scientists that had accompanied Hughes, finding a discreet location to conduct live testing of the prototypes… All in all, it was another hour before I could take my leave.
But, at the end of it all, I almost felt like singing. I was so close, a few more months and I'd have a force that could at least inconvenience the old 203rd. It didn't make me immune from my pursuers, but it was one more obstacle between my enemies and myself, and a substantial one.
"It's rare to see you so excited," murmured Visha as we walked back to our cabin.
Looking at my lover, my eye was caught by the way the last rays of the setting sun refracted through her lustrous brown hair, making it almost shine. She noticed, of course, and her smile grew mischievous. "Perhaps we should… celebrate?"
I thought furiously for a moment. Did I have any work that couldn't be put off until tomorrow? No, I did not. I could feel a grin growing on my own face.
"A celebration does seem to be in order. But you'll need to prepare for it."
"Prepare?"
"Mmm, yes. I need you to go ahead and put on a pot of coffee. And then..." I moved closer so I could whisper in her ear exactly what else I wanted her to do.
Visha blinked, and then her face turned visibly red as she processed my instructions. "U-umm....?"
"That was an order, Visha," I growled, even though I couldn't stop smiling.
She gave a jerky nod and hurried off, face redder than the setting sun. I slowed my own walk to give her time to follow my instructions.
And follow them she did. It was good to know being my lover hadn't negatively impacted her discipline. I spent the rest of the excellent evening showing Visha how much I appreciated her obedience.
Zuri, Waldstatten Confederacy, December 24, 1932
"My superiors would like to extend their congratulations for the successful launch of Energizer. This new 'energy drink' idea is catching on shockingly fast. We expect Dark Earth to garner tremendous interest from investors in the next year."
Lena nodded her head at the man's patter. Lena liked Anton Jaffe. The man was an efficient banker, he could flirt without being creepy, and knew how to take a 'no' with good grace. Even better, he had been extremely useful when it came to sorting out the labyrinth that had been Manpower Plus's various holdings and investments.
It was the consolidation of some of those investments, particularly in Africa, that had led to the realization of Tanya's latest moneymaking scheme. It also led to this Christmas Eve party, hosted at Manpower Plus's plush new office, where a number of financial bigwigs were coming together to pat themselves on the back for having had the foresight to back Tanya's idea.
With Lena's help, Dark Earth had spent the last few months expanding out of the Seychelles into Ethiopia, Djibouti, and other parts of Eastern Africa in its effort to acquire a steady supply of khat. The native plant, commonly chewed on for its stimulating properties, now had been converted into the primary ingredient in what was being sold throughout Europe and the wealthier parts of Africa as an 'energy drink'.
Lena had tried it herself, and had found it a sweet and fizzy substitute for strong coffee. Tanya, in her conversations on the topic, had indicated she saw it as a softer and more socially acceptable option to drugs like opium. As far as Lena could tell, the drink was more competition for coffee and the cola drinks coming out of America. It was early days yet, but the initial sales figures had her optimistic. If it did well enough, she'd see about shipping it across the Atlantic, give the Coca-Cola company some actual competition.
But all that was speculation for the future. No matter how promising the launch, it was going to be several months at best before Dark Earth recouped its initial investment, let alone showed a profit from the drink. Which is why after disengaging from Anton, Lena moved across the ballroom to someone with whom she had some more immediately profitable business. That the man was an old friend was a bonus.
"Alain, you hound, how have you been? Any husbands try to murder you lately?"
The slim dark-haired handsome Frankish man smiled back. "Lena, ma cherie, as always I am persecuted by narrow-minded ingrates who do not appreciate my excellent advice - with demonstrations! - on how to best please their wives. But they have not caught me yet!"
"Probably because they need to get in line behind all the women wanting to castrate you. What's this about you proposing marriage to some girl in Parisee?"
"Alas, she turned me down. It is sad, no?"
"I'd sympathize. Except for the part where you are already married." Lena's expression grew colder, as the amusement leaked out of her voice. "Alain, I love you, but you cannot be running afoul of the bigamy laws of all things. This deal involves pulling a fast one on Interpol and the Empire. You HAVE to be squeaky clean when they inevitably come looking to see why the numbers don't add up."
Alain's face grew serious to match. "No worries, Lena. I'll be more careful with the wine. No more slip-ups. So, you're all ready on your end?"
"Yes. The Swiss are more than happy to help the Franks cheat on the treaty with the Empire. With the kind of paperwork tangle we're setting up, even if Interpol gets on the case, they'll have merry hell proving anything. Provided," Lena gave Alain a quick glare, "No one gives them an in to put pressure on any of the participants."
Alain held up both hands in surrender. "Merci, merci. Murdoch already tore me a new one. Lesson learned, je promets."
Lena relented, and turned to more pleasant topics. "How is Murdoch doing? Has he gone fully legit or does he still have some fingers in the old pies?"
"It's mostly honest work these days. But he still remembers his old friends. Good to keep one's ears to the ground, no?" Alain's eyes grew softer. "I offered to hold down the fort back in Albion, so he could come visit you instead, you know? But he insisted I had to be the one."
"Of course he did," Lena sighed. "Doesn't matter how high he goes; the minute he opens his mouth the Parisee snobs will know him for a Calais slum-rat. You're the only one in his crew that he trusts with a deal this big who also got the fancy education to pass himself off as high society."
Alain clicked his tongue. "You and Murdoch are both the same. Always the business before pleasure. You will both end up the same. Old, rich, and alone."
Lena opened her mouth to protest that she and Murdoch had spent a pleasant few days together at Le Havre where she had stopped on her way to Zuri, but then paused. Alain would already know this, so he was clearly just trying to get a rise out of her. Instead, she chose a different angle. "So, tell me about her."
"Her?"
"The girl in Parisee. I know you Alain. You'd seduce anything in a skirt, but marrying isn't something you do on a whim, even when drunk."
"Does it matter, dear Lena? It's all water under the bridge."
Lena blinked, then glared at Alain in deep suspicion. "You're still seeing her aren't you? Don't lie. If it was over, you wouldn't deflect."
Alain crumpled. "You do not understand… we have not done anything! It is just… what is happening to her, it is terrible!"
Lena was unimpressed. "Do tell."
Alain needed no further invitation. "Imagine if you will, a girl, pretty enough, but with a body to die for! The arms, the legs, power and poetry in motion! Michelangelo would throw out David and use her as his ideal! But alas, everywhere she goes, she is accompanied by the le modele classique of feminine beauty. As such, all men, shallow fools they, have only eyes for her blonde friend, but none for the modest brunette with the body of a goddess! And the worst part is, she believes it just! She has accepted it! No, I cannot let this stand! So, any time we meet, I must do my best to try and get her to see herself the way I do! It is my calling, my raison d'etre!"
Lena took a small step back to avoid Alain's rapidly moving hands as he gestured passionately. The worst part was, she knew he was being at least partly honest. For all his willingness to flirt with anything female, Alain had a type. That type being women who could break him in half. Just like his wife. Lena considered it a testament to either the woman's patience or Alain's skill in bed that she hadn't already murdered him for his many, many indiscretions.
She sighed in defeat. "Just promise you're not going to get her pregnant."
Alain laughed. "You overestimate my powers, Lena. Mary, she is a good devout girl. I simply want her to know she is desirable. Just because her blonde friend is so willing and able to hold a room, does not mean she has to fade in the background. Besides, it is but a side-project. We only meet at the occasional business party. I expect to see her again at this New Year's event I am attending, but who knows after that."
And this, Lena reflected, was why Alain was so dangerous around women. The man was a romantic at heart, and knew how to express it. At least it seemed he wasn't too serious about the girl, his type or not. "You say you've been running into her at business parties? Like this one?"
"Oui, it is all the big Frankish industrialists. Many of whom are involved in our little arrangement."
"So what's this Mary doing there?"
"Mostly, accompanying her blonde Germanian friend. It is this Elya who seems most interested in getting to know all the rich and powerful men. Probably angling for a rich husband. Mary is just along for support. But at the same time, you can tell it hurts for her to see everyone looking at her friend and none at her…"
"Yes, yes, and you're a crusader of love and justice," Lena groused. "Although… Mary? Elya? Something about those names…"
"You know them?"
"No, no, but I did hear similar names somewhere… No, it's gone. Maybe it'll come to me later." Shaking her head, Lena refocused on Alain. "Anyway, that's enough about Mary. Let's talk about the routes we'll be using to ship the goods into Waldstatten. There's a few weak spots we need to nail down…"
Hughes movie camp, Turkmen countryside, December 31, 1932
It might not be the most socially acceptable thing to skip a New Year's party, but I could only be glad of it. Judging by the noise outside our cabin, the whole camp had devolved into a loud, alcoholic mess. Which was about what I expected considering Hughes had planned it. And the man himself wasn't even here! He'd taken off to America, to spend New Year's schmoozing with some Washington bigwigs.
You'd think the local religious beliefs would at least slow down the flow of liquor, but apparently such laws are beneath the notice of the rich. No, I preferred my own way of celebrating. A quiet glass of wine and cuddling with Visha under a warm blanket, the radio softly playing classical music.
We were also working. Most of my business concerns were in places that did celebrate Christmas, and my employees had rushed to wrap up their projects and send out their reports before going on vacation. And thanks to the limitations of early 20th century communication, they all arrived at my desk just in time for New Year.
Now, normally I'd put off the reports for later and give Visha my full attention. But this time around, a whole lot of dormant projects had suddenly started going active. Not to mention the rather… unusual… report that had come from Staelle, the woman I'd put in charge of the Silver Lance security detail hired by my multi-millionaire friend Kelust Gulbenk.
In fact, far from having to apologize for my preoccupation, Visha had joined me in going over them. Putting aside the reports from Lena, which was mostly good news, I focused on the ones that needed some immediate decisions. There were three of them.
First and simplest. It had taken longer than I expected, but I had finally received confirmation that both the Empire and the Unified States had started seriously exploring the potential of nuclear power. Even better, they were aware of the other country's interest, and had started discreetly jockeying for access to the necessary resources. Uranium ore was suddenly a commodity that was seeing a lot of demand.
Black Diamond, the company I'd started in Albish Rhodesia, was finally about to fulfill its reason for existence. I had to strike while the iron was hot. It wouldn't take long for the Empire to modernize the Katanga mines to meet their needs. And while the Americans didn't have a reliable large-scale supplier, they had the wealth to solve the problem in short order. The uranium shortage would only last for a few months before the situation stabilized. In that time, I had to get the best possible price for the stockpile that Black Diamond was sitting on.
Fortunately, Black Diamond's CEO was on the ball. Bertrand had written to me with a marketing plan to approach both countries, and to further garner their interest by playing up the very high purity of the ore.
The ultimate target would be the Americans. After all, that ore had been sourced from a mine in Germanian territory. Once the Empire got off its ass and started developing that part of the colony properly, they'd quickly have unlimited access to the same rich ore. The Americans, on the other hand – if they ever wanted to work with the world's highest purity uranium ore, now was the time.
It was a good plan, made even better by the currently cool relations between the two countries. No chance of them colluding to drive down the price. Once I'd reviewed it, I decided to have Bertrand start the ball rolling as soon as humanly possible. I also decided to send a personal message to Koenig. He was head of Black Diamond's security, and he was the man who would ensure there was no last-minute chicanery getting in the way of a big payday.
The next one was a bit trickier. After years of research, Sunrise Botanicals had managed to make some headway with the herbal mix that Shaman Abara of the Congo had used to achieve such interesting effects of mind and divination magic. Their new product was an injected serum which, according to the report, greatly increased the efficiency of the reflex enhancement spell.
At least, that was the effect the drug had on the C-rank mages that they had tested it on. But now Sunrise Botanicals was seeking permission to test it on more powerful mages. What made it worrisome, is that the drug was noted as having a significant amount of variance, depending on the power and skill of the mage involved. What effect it would have on an aerial mage was very much an open question.
There was no question that the testing would have to happen here. Silver Lance employed dozens of aerial mages, whereas my holdings in the Americas had only a few. And I could keep a personal eye on the testing, make sure there were no cut corners or unnecessary risks.
Unfortunately for that plan, it was conflicting with the headache that Staelle had dumped in my lap. The third issue and undoubtedly the thorniest of them all. Somehow – and even after reading the reports it was still unclear how – Staelle and her team had stumbled on an ancient order of magical assassins while carrying out their duties as Gulbenk's bodyguards.
And not just any order of magical assassins. It was THE Assassins. The people who caused the word 'assassin' to be added to the Albish language.
Only to hear Staelle tell it, they didn't really kill people anymore. The order had gone largely defunct hundreds of years ago. What they had preserved, and what had caught Staelle's attention, was the traditional clothing worn by their members. White and red trim robes, largely indistinguishable from common Persian attire, but which, by some strange process, suppressed the magic signature of the wearer. And, perhaps even more terrifyingly, when worn by a mage using the correct spell, the clothes would actively make the wearer harder to notice.
In a touch of absurdity, Staelle's report notes that it is uncertain if the Assassins themselves know of the second function. A lot of their knowledge had been lost over the centuries, and the remnants currently had no strong, trained mages to take full advantage of the attire. Staelle herself only discovered it by accident, while trying on a set she had purchased from them.
Personally, I was a bit suspicious of how many accidents seem to be involved in the whole affair. I well remembered that Staelle had once been Shaman Abara's prized apprentice, and that old man frankly unnerved me with his ability to know things he really shouldn't.
But, whatever the process, the end result was that I badly wanted a whole new set of uniforms for every mage in Silver Lance.
The trouble is, the Assassins were a tiny sect. Only a handful of families, keeping to some hoary old rituals, making traditional clothes by rote using methods they barely understood. To produce enough clothes to outfit even a group as small as Silver Lance, I'd need to pretty much import the entire sect, then reverse engineer their methods to figure out the actual principles behind it, before converting the whole system to modern methods of production.
Of course, uprooting multiple family units is easier said than done. For such a tight-knit community, I'd need to garner enthusiastic support from a strong majority before any of them would even budge. Which meant someone high up in Silver Lance would have to go to Persia to negotiate with them.
I wanted that person to be me. I was burning with curiosity about Staelle's discovery. But that would mean I couldn't be on hand to oversee the drug trials, which I also wanted to begin without delay.
"Why is this such a problem?" Visha asked once I gave voice to my dilemma. "The drug trials are important, but they're still just a bunch of tests. I can see your brain fizzing trying to make sense of what Staelle is saying. You and I both know Persia is where you want to be right now. Just leave someone you trust in charge, you've done it before."
"Visha, this is serious. The employees of Silver Lance have trusted me with their lives. I owe it to them to make sure a bunch of uncaring scientists in search of a breakthrough don't put them at unnecessary risk."
Visha sat up and wrapped her arms firmly around me. "You're oddly worked up about this. What's going on? Do you think the tests are going to be that dangerous?"
"Well, no, but still…"
"Tanya, you regularly toss artillery spells at those people in training. What's this all about?"
I bit my lip. I knew why I was so concerned. I don't think I'll ever forget the madman who repeatedly strapped an unstable bomb to my chest in the name of research. It was irrational, I had carefully followed the early tests and Sunrise Botanical's staff had shown themselves to be steady, reliable people. But I still couldn't let go of the worry that something will go wrong if I'm not there to keep an eye on things.
For a long moment I kept silent, afraid Visha would think less of me for my fears. But no, I trusted her with my life, I'd trust her with this.
"I know it's silly, Visha. But… I'm worried…. that one of the doctors might turn out to be a second Schugel."
Visha made a soft sound of understanding, and her grip around me tightened. "Schugel was a monster. When I heard about the things he put you through… and you were the lucky one!"
"Yes. I know it's unfair, these all seem like good people… but…"
"But Schugel had also looked good on paper," Visha finished. "I get it. But you realize, if you want the Assassins working for you, then it really has to be you negotiating with them, right? No one else can make the kind of decisions you can."
"You see the problem."
"Well, I also see the solution. You go off to Persia. And you leave me in charge of the drug tests."
"You?"
"Yes, of course. Might I remind you that I know most of the Silver Lance people better than you do? If any of them start having problems, I can spot it just as quickly as you…"
"No, no, I understand the logic," I interrupted. "It's just… we're together now. And doing this means we'll have to be apart for weeks, maybe months."
Visha giggled. "Ooh, is someone feeling clingy?"
I could feel my face redden. "I am not clingy! It just seems like a lot of stress to put on a new relationship. I want this whole thing to work for a long time, you know."
"Yes, yes, I'm very happy to hear that. But before being lovers, we were partners for years. We've spent months apart plenty of times before. Why should this be any different?" Visha leaned forward and pecked my lips. "Someone is being irrational."
Using my own words against me! I wanted to refute it, but I couldn't see any way of doing it without calling Visha's competence into question.
And then Visha decided that the one quick kiss was not enough, and proceeded to derail the debate entirely for the rest of the evening. By the time morning came around, I found I was somehow fully on board with Visha's plan.
Truly, all women are creatures of natural cunning, no matter how cheerful and naive they might first seem like. I was born a man, so I am at a natural disadvantage. I'll just have to be more alert in the future.
- Location
- Leeds
Okay, this isn't one snowball turned avalanche its like 5, and they're all going in different directions and I don't know which are going to collide and which are going to miss.
Especially since, I don't think the Persia detour was on anyones bingo card.
Especially since, I don't think the Persia detour was on anyones bingo card.
I don't either! Fun, isn't it?
Tanya's Corporations
The various companies owned by or allied with Tanya von Degurechaff (as of Ch. 37)
Companies owned by Tanya von Degurechaff:
Manpower Plus
This is Tanya's holding company through which she controls all her other business interests. Originally founded as a shell company with no staff and a fictitious owner, designed solely to exist as a legal entity so Tanya could own other companies without having to put her name on the paperwork.
In recent months, it has become more active, with an actual staff, as Tanya appoints trusted people to take a more active role in overseeing her business interests.
Business interest: Holding company; Investing, financing, and administration
HQ: Zuri, Waldstatten Confederacy
CEO: Lena Hernandez, now going under the name Lena Brown. A former Londinium waitress who got caught up in a shoot-out trying to defend Tanya. Accompanied Tanya to the US where she was for some years CEO of Velvet Iron Protection. Left the US and moved to Zuri when the FBI started asking questions about the false identity she'd entered the country with. Long-term girlfriend to Murdoch (see below under Tilbury Security).
Velvet Iron Protection
Tanya's first company. High-end security service providers. Known for discretion, and aggressive 'self-defense' methods. Employs a few low-rank mages as part of their elite, including the fearsome if kind-hearted Joe Barrow. Offers their services mostly along the American East Coast. Reducing operations due to ongoing recession. Their current big money-maker is the arms export license they have with the Colombian government, and their weapons and military surplus are finding buyers in Africa and South America.
Business interest: Security services and bodyguarding; Arms, ammunition, and military surplus
HQ: New York, Unified States
CEO: Agatha Denvers. Originally mentioned as Tanya's personal assistant, later Lena's second-in-command, before rising up to take the top spot after Lena left.
Household Magicks
Founded by Tanya to reverse-engineer and exploit Feng Shui, has grown into a dominant magical service provider on the American East Coast and still expanding. Has some political influence through the patronage of the very influential John Hague Junior, Mayor of Jersey City.
Business interest: Quality-of-life magic rituals for home and work; Magical research into esoteric and historical traditions
HQ: Jersey City, Unified States
CEO: Changying Lin. Low-ranked mage that Tanya poached from a Chinatown massage parlor in order to help her reverse-engineer Feng Shui. Personally trained by Tanya into optimizing her magical ability. Still maintains contacts with Chinatown triads. Notably aggressive and expansionist in her business practices.
Sunrise Botanicals
Founded in Colombia to farm and manufacture opioids for the American medical market. Later expanded into cannabis and coffee. Their surplus products have a habit of 'getting lost' and finding their way into the American black market, and they have a strong lobby in Washington fighting against increased drug regulation. Has a small but capable research staff who are currently experimenting in combining mind-altering drugs with mental magic, after Tanya's exposure to the same in Africa.
Business interests: Coffee; Cannabis; Opium and opioids; Medical research on stimulants
HQ: Bogota, Colombia
CEO: Jesus Vargas, former Colombian lawyer, hired by Tanya with generous incentives to manage the company after he helped found it. Cautious, preferring slow and steady growth.
Black Diamond
Founded in Albish Rhodesia with the primary purpose of stockpiling uranium ore in anticipation of the rise of atomic research. Profited from participating in the local copper cartel before it's collapse, has generally expanded to surveying for minerals and supplying Rhodesian copper and 'imported' Congolese metals to whoever will buy them, primarily to new infrastructure projects in Djibouti and Ethiopia. Currently looking to take advantage of the long-awaited rise in atomic research to sell their large stockpiles of uranium ore.
Koenig of the 203rd is a vice-president and Tanya's direct contact.
Business interests: Copper refining; Metal trading; Surveying and prospecting
HQ: Ndola, Albish Rhodesia
CEO: Bertrand Emsworth. Chosen to provide an Albish 'face' to the company, an unimaginative but competent manager who's happy to do what he's told and collect a fat paycheck.
Dark Earth
Founded in the Albish colony of the Seychelles by Cold Steel (see below) before being transferred to Manpower Plus's ownership. The one company Tanya was not involved in setting up.
An import/export business with a strong political bent, geared towards ending the mostly Frankish landlords' monopoly on the Seychelles economy by unifying and coordinating the South Asian farmer population. Involved in transporting necessities and luxuries through the island chain and the eastern coast of Africa. Allied with the Oceanic Affirmation Party, a civil rights movement for the South Asian immigrant population in the islands. Now expanding into energy drinks produced from the khat plant native to Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Business interests: Consumer goods import/export and logistics
HQ: Port Victoria, Seychelles (Albish Commonwealth)
CEO: The Honorable Harold Cromartie. Younger son of Albish nobility. After a distinguished military career earlier in the century, he sees the job as a nice way to spend his older years - making money, living large, and getting to put a thumb in the eye of some snooty frogs. Intelligence, charm, and a fine political instinct has rewarded him with steady success.
Silver Lance
Tanya's current concern, a mercenary aerial mage company. Funded with the wealth from her other enterprises, recruiting mostly from the ignored Turkmen female mage population, led by 203rd veterans, and equipped with a mix of Colombian and Germanian single-core orbs. Tanya is always on the lookout for improving them and will be slowly equipping them with the new American dual-core orbs. Current strength at 23 active mages, 42 more in training.
Business interests: Mercenary aerial mages; security, training, protection
HQ: No permanent location, currently a camp near Ancyra, Turkmen Empire
CEO/Colonel: Tanya von Degurechaff
Companies allied with or influence by Tanya von Degurechaff
Cold Steel
Originally founded by Tanya to take advantage of the raw materials trade with the interior of Germania's post-war African colonies. Tanya later sold out her majority share when the company went public, and used the money to help found Silver Lance. She still has a minority share in the company through stock held by Velvet Iron and Sunrise Botanicals, but she is no longer in charge.
The company has been involved in buying, selling, farming, mining, gun-running, smuggling, anything that can turn a profit, even if legally dubious. After slavery scandals wrecked much of their competition, they are a strong economic force in Germania's African colonies.
They are currently quietly occupying and exploiting some very valuable territory in Ispagnian Angola while the Ispagnians are busy with a civil war in their homeland. They also have a discreet understanding with various illegal mining operations in the Katanga plateau.
Becker, a former 203rd veteran, is head of Cold Steel's security, leading their illegal operations in Angola, and Tanya's direct contact.
Hughes Industries
Owned by millionaire playboy John Hughes, his company has had many profitable dealings with Tanya. She is an investor in and a consultant for his computation orb development lab, Hughes Magic Works, first helping them secure the orb contract for the Unified States aerial mages, then helping them refine a dual-core orb. She has also been a supporting star in Hughes' biggest motion picture success, and is currently shooting for another.
Hughes Industries is involved in several small ways with Tanya's other companies, mostly as technology providers. They are also soon to be the primary orb suppliers to Silver Lance.
Tilbury Security (and others)
Founded by Londinium gang boss Murdoch with Velvet Iron's help, Tilbury is nominally a security service provider and the Murdoch's de facto private army that helped expand his criminal empire to the point where he could go mostly legitimate. By this time, Murdoch too has expanded his affairs to multiple companies to handle his various interests.
Long-term boyfriend to Lena, their relationship has ensured a smooth working relationship between his and Tanya's respective businesses. Murdoch supplied shipping for Cold Steel, he helped Velvet Iron run weapons into Ethiopia, he's invested in various of Tanya's ventures on Lena's recommendation. Currently he is planning to make a great deal of money by coordinating with Manpower Plus through his trusted friend Alain with the goal of helping the Francois cheat on their treaty with Germania.
Companies owned by Tanya von Degurechaff:
Manpower Plus
This is Tanya's holding company through which she controls all her other business interests. Originally founded as a shell company with no staff and a fictitious owner, designed solely to exist as a legal entity so Tanya could own other companies without having to put her name on the paperwork.
In recent months, it has become more active, with an actual staff, as Tanya appoints trusted people to take a more active role in overseeing her business interests.
Business interest: Holding company; Investing, financing, and administration
HQ: Zuri, Waldstatten Confederacy
CEO: Lena Hernandez, now going under the name Lena Brown. A former Londinium waitress who got caught up in a shoot-out trying to defend Tanya. Accompanied Tanya to the US where she was for some years CEO of Velvet Iron Protection. Left the US and moved to Zuri when the FBI started asking questions about the false identity she'd entered the country with. Long-term girlfriend to Murdoch (see below under Tilbury Security).
Velvet Iron Protection
Tanya's first company. High-end security service providers. Known for discretion, and aggressive 'self-defense' methods. Employs a few low-rank mages as part of their elite, including the fearsome if kind-hearted Joe Barrow. Offers their services mostly along the American East Coast. Reducing operations due to ongoing recession. Their current big money-maker is the arms export license they have with the Colombian government, and their weapons and military surplus are finding buyers in Africa and South America.
Business interest: Security services and bodyguarding; Arms, ammunition, and military surplus
HQ: New York, Unified States
CEO: Agatha Denvers. Originally mentioned as Tanya's personal assistant, later Lena's second-in-command, before rising up to take the top spot after Lena left.
Household Magicks
Founded by Tanya to reverse-engineer and exploit Feng Shui, has grown into a dominant magical service provider on the American East Coast and still expanding. Has some political influence through the patronage of the very influential John Hague Junior, Mayor of Jersey City.
Business interest: Quality-of-life magic rituals for home and work; Magical research into esoteric and historical traditions
HQ: Jersey City, Unified States
CEO: Changying Lin. Low-ranked mage that Tanya poached from a Chinatown massage parlor in order to help her reverse-engineer Feng Shui. Personally trained by Tanya into optimizing her magical ability. Still maintains contacts with Chinatown triads. Notably aggressive and expansionist in her business practices.
Sunrise Botanicals
Founded in Colombia to farm and manufacture opioids for the American medical market. Later expanded into cannabis and coffee. Their surplus products have a habit of 'getting lost' and finding their way into the American black market, and they have a strong lobby in Washington fighting against increased drug regulation. Has a small but capable research staff who are currently experimenting in combining mind-altering drugs with mental magic, after Tanya's exposure to the same in Africa.
Business interests: Coffee; Cannabis; Opium and opioids; Medical research on stimulants
HQ: Bogota, Colombia
CEO: Jesus Vargas, former Colombian lawyer, hired by Tanya with generous incentives to manage the company after he helped found it. Cautious, preferring slow and steady growth.
Black Diamond
Founded in Albish Rhodesia with the primary purpose of stockpiling uranium ore in anticipation of the rise of atomic research. Profited from participating in the local copper cartel before it's collapse, has generally expanded to surveying for minerals and supplying Rhodesian copper and 'imported' Congolese metals to whoever will buy them, primarily to new infrastructure projects in Djibouti and Ethiopia. Currently looking to take advantage of the long-awaited rise in atomic research to sell their large stockpiles of uranium ore.
Koenig of the 203rd is a vice-president and Tanya's direct contact.
Business interests: Copper refining; Metal trading; Surveying and prospecting
HQ: Ndola, Albish Rhodesia
CEO: Bertrand Emsworth. Chosen to provide an Albish 'face' to the company, an unimaginative but competent manager who's happy to do what he's told and collect a fat paycheck.
Dark Earth
Founded in the Albish colony of the Seychelles by Cold Steel (see below) before being transferred to Manpower Plus's ownership. The one company Tanya was not involved in setting up.
An import/export business with a strong political bent, geared towards ending the mostly Frankish landlords' monopoly on the Seychelles economy by unifying and coordinating the South Asian farmer population. Involved in transporting necessities and luxuries through the island chain and the eastern coast of Africa. Allied with the Oceanic Affirmation Party, a civil rights movement for the South Asian immigrant population in the islands. Now expanding into energy drinks produced from the khat plant native to Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Business interests: Consumer goods import/export and logistics
HQ: Port Victoria, Seychelles (Albish Commonwealth)
CEO: The Honorable Harold Cromartie. Younger son of Albish nobility. After a distinguished military career earlier in the century, he sees the job as a nice way to spend his older years - making money, living large, and getting to put a thumb in the eye of some snooty frogs. Intelligence, charm, and a fine political instinct has rewarded him with steady success.
Silver Lance
Tanya's current concern, a mercenary aerial mage company. Funded with the wealth from her other enterprises, recruiting mostly from the ignored Turkmen female mage population, led by 203rd veterans, and equipped with a mix of Colombian and Germanian single-core orbs. Tanya is always on the lookout for improving them and will be slowly equipping them with the new American dual-core orbs. Current strength at 23 active mages, 42 more in training.
Business interests: Mercenary aerial mages; security, training, protection
HQ: No permanent location, currently a camp near Ancyra, Turkmen Empire
CEO/Colonel: Tanya von Degurechaff
Companies allied with or influence by Tanya von Degurechaff
Cold Steel
Originally founded by Tanya to take advantage of the raw materials trade with the interior of Germania's post-war African colonies. Tanya later sold out her majority share when the company went public, and used the money to help found Silver Lance. She still has a minority share in the company through stock held by Velvet Iron and Sunrise Botanicals, but she is no longer in charge.
The company has been involved in buying, selling, farming, mining, gun-running, smuggling, anything that can turn a profit, even if legally dubious. After slavery scandals wrecked much of their competition, they are a strong economic force in Germania's African colonies.
They are currently quietly occupying and exploiting some very valuable territory in Ispagnian Angola while the Ispagnians are busy with a civil war in their homeland. They also have a discreet understanding with various illegal mining operations in the Katanga plateau.
Becker, a former 203rd veteran, is head of Cold Steel's security, leading their illegal operations in Angola, and Tanya's direct contact.
Hughes Industries
Owned by millionaire playboy John Hughes, his company has had many profitable dealings with Tanya. She is an investor in and a consultant for his computation orb development lab, Hughes Magic Works, first helping them secure the orb contract for the Unified States aerial mages, then helping them refine a dual-core orb. She has also been a supporting star in Hughes' biggest motion picture success, and is currently shooting for another.
Hughes Industries is involved in several small ways with Tanya's other companies, mostly as technology providers. They are also soon to be the primary orb suppliers to Silver Lance.
Tilbury Security (and others)
Founded by Londinium gang boss Murdoch with Velvet Iron's help, Tilbury is nominally a security service provider and the Murdoch's de facto private army that helped expand his criminal empire to the point where he could go mostly legitimate. By this time, Murdoch too has expanded his affairs to multiple companies to handle his various interests.
Long-term boyfriend to Lena, their relationship has ensured a smooth working relationship between his and Tanya's respective businesses. Murdoch supplied shipping for Cold Steel, he helped Velvet Iron run weapons into Ethiopia, he's invested in various of Tanya's ventures on Lena's recommendation. Currently he is planning to make a great deal of money by coordinating with Manpower Plus through his trusted friend Alain with the goal of helping the Francois cheat on their treaty with Germania.
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Small Nerd
Meganekko
- Location
- Out There
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It's wonderful to see this story again. I'm excited to see where things will go in the future. No doubt things will go pear-shaped in the funniest way possible.
Stratagemini
Totally a Fire Ferret.
- Location
- Central Park
- Pronouns
- He/Him/They/Them
That sounds like a fucking terrible idea. Does Tanya know?
"But what if Tanya is setting the Unified States against the Empire, both with nuclear weapons... Maybe she actually wants to destroy the world! So that from the ashes, a new one would be reborn. Her world... We must stop this madwoman at once!"
"Mary, no."
"Mary, yes!"
"Mary, no."
"Mary, yes!"
TimEd
Meteor maker
No, it's a great money making idea especially right now when basically all countries are focusing on a money war with each other.
Tanya already has an Albish company thumbing their noses at Francois, now it's time for them to help Francois to thumb their nose at the Germania.
- Location
- East of Sun, West of Moon
Look, they're years away from The Bomb, and decades from the kind of volumes that actually pose a serious threat to the world as a whole.
And with the global financial situation being what it is, any wars will probably be brush-fire affairs, smoldering for at least a decade before they gather enough momentum to start up a major conflict.
A decade in which Tanya will be actively growing her reach and power....