Sovereign

“ORP politicians protest the striking down of the ‘Women’s Conscription Bill’ which was meant to ‘equalize’ Orlish conscription policies. UOP MP Helena Vella expressed that the UOP would not vote for a bill that would ‘endanger the lives’ of millions of young women, citing that the RGO does not require conscripts but ‘volunteers and magically capable individuals’ instead. The OAF has already announced plans for the opening of all-female units since November, but the striking down of the bill has scrapped any further progress. It would appear that men would still stay as the main fighting force in the frontlines for now.”

- ROCN News

“The Federal Army encircles the City of Kolstadt! After the determined assault of the OAF in early December, the City of Kolstadt was captured by the Royalists. A recent local counter-offensive by Federal forces in Löt is now reversing these gains, and Kolstadt is along the recent news of victories as the Federal Army marches on back to resume the assault into Thein. The trapped Royalist forces in Kolstadt have refused to surrender, however, and the Federal Army is now gearing up for an assault against the city.”

- The Front News

+++

“Well, if that isn’t the awful news for today,” William said as he read the file. It was early in the morning, and Amelie was looking at the distant, peaceful skyline of Eutstadt as she sipped her tea. Nia herself was checking her schedule, while William checked the current updates from the OHC.

“Kolstadt, huh?” Amelie asked. “It’s a small city, isn’t it?”

“Approximately four hundred thousand people lived in that city before the war,” William said. “Much of the city was evacuated before the First Battle of Kolstadt back in June, however.”

“And the troops trapped inside?”

“Around twenty-eight thousand. Four badly depleted divisions, specifically.” William placed down the documents. “They’re probably going to surrender before the week is over. The local officer in charge, General Karl Von Helswig is running his mouth about ‘no surrender’, but that’s probably because he’s the son of a bigshot noblewoman and he has to prove something stupid. Winter is already intensifying in the Archduchy, after all. Without supplies, they would not last long.”

“Can the OAF break through?”

“Doubtful.”

Amelie sighed. Just another defeat to add to her list. Quite frankly, she expected that the OAF’s general counter-offensive would push the “Federal Republic” back into the Free State of Wuringen, but alas, after a few gains, the entire offensive was bogged down, and most fronts had to retreat back to their starting points (but thankfully, not in Eastern Orland) due to the determined counter-attack of their enemies.

“What about General Von Helswig? I do know that Countess Von Helswig is quite influential in the Parliament, so…”

“Come on, not like she would care if her son died.” William laughed. “That’s your first mistake. Well, she’d probably make some noise, but… In any case, that guy’s going down in that pocket. Sucks, but it’s the truth. There’s no rescue coming for him and those four divisions. They’re going to surrender, there’s no other option.”

“You sound quite uncaring about their plight, William. And you assumed too much about Lady Von Helswig’s character.”

“I’m just being realistic. And no armed unit can survive while cut off. They can die valiantly, yes, but that would be stupid. Order them to surrender. There’s no point for them to continue fighting like morons. The frontline moved by eighteen kilometers away from the Kolstadt pocket. No offensive is going to reconnect that shitshow.”

“That’s quite harsh, Major William,” Nia commented. “I mean, I’m sure they can take down a few more rebels with them for a while.”

“Yeah, well. But you’re not the one doing the dying, now, do you?” William laughed. “I’m telling you. Those guys should surrender, Amelie. Even I can see a pointless battle. Sure, they’re tying up a lot of the Federal Army in that area, but the OAF has already rebuilt its defensive lines for the winter. Ain’t nothing changing until then.”

“But, wouldn’t that make me look weak?” Amelie asked. “I do agree that they should surrender, but shouldn’t it come from the OHC themselves? Tell General Albrecht that he has my permission to give that order.”

“Well, if that’s how you want it to go, you do you. I’m just saying, that we can have a propaganda spin if the Queen herself tells her trapped troops to stop a pointless fight to ‘end the pointless bloodshed’. Makes you look more like a saint.”

“Ugh, you men and your propaganda nonsense,” Nia said. “It’s that again and again. Twisting words and reality just to appeal to the feeble masses.”

“Sure, whatever you say, Nia.” William turned to Amelie. “So, you agree?”

“Fine, I’ll do it. Permit General Albrecht to give the order, and I’ll make the official media announcement.”

“Good.”

And with that, William was out of her office, quite satisfied with the results. Amelie herself sagged in her seat. “Hah…even this far away from the frontlines, the damned war still haunts me.”

“I won’t say that. I mean, this still beats being stuck in that…bunker was it?”

“Of course it does, Nia.” Amelie sipped her tea again. “Remind me, who again is coming for an appointment today?”

Nia checked her notepad. “Well Porter, CEO of Porter Heavy Industries. And Michael Rudolf of the Rebenslof Group.”

“Oh…yeah. Those guys.” Amelie laughed a bit. “I thought Mr. Rudolf was bankrupt by now, especially with this war and all. But I suppose he’s still kicking.”

“You know him?”

“Met those two a lot back before this war started. They helped me manage the instability in Orland before the 2024 General Elections. And especially back during the General Strike.”

“Oh…” Nia looked up. “I remember that. It was almost as if all of Orland was burning back then. They were rioting everywhere.”

“Yeah, it was awful.” Amelie looked back at those days. The riots, the frozen and collapsing economy…everything. She may not have believed it at that time, but that economic crisis and the General Strike were indeed the greatest warning signs for this revolution of men. Ever since that day, they had nothing left to lose. And what was happening today was merely an extension of the state they found themselves in.

Amelie looked back at the skyline of Eutstadt. The peace, the stability…and wealth. The shining pillars of women’s domination and progress. Everything men didn’t have. Ironically, men built up Eutstadt for women, didn’t they? They were the ones who constructed nearly everything. Yet…they would not find themselves here but in some dirty trench line instead.

“But not as awful as the reason for those events.”

“Amelie?”

She looked back at Nia.

“Nothing.”

+++

Michael Rudolf and Well Porter arrived at their designated time. Well Porter seemed neutral, but Michael Rudolf was the polar opposite. While Amelie could see him smiling as they exchanged pleasantries, she knew that he was desperate.

“Your Majesty…” Mr. Rudolf started. “I…I would like to preface this by giving you a report on the current state of the Orlish Economy in regard to the Rebenslof Group. Would that be alright?”

“Please, do begin. I did get some words from the Minister of the Economy regarding the situation, but, I would like to hear your side as well.”

He sighed. “At the moment, we are hurting. The reason for the continuing decline of industrial production nationwide is that male-owned businesses are going bankrupt, and we’re still scrounging up without much subsidies. Global trade has also collapsed, and the prices of everything have risen. We are sustaining the production quotas imposed on us by the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Defense, but…”

“You’re going bankrupt faster?”

“They’re paying us with bonds, Your Majesty.” Mr. Porter bitterly said. “That…those things don’t work when we’re buying our raw materials from outside sources. And when do we know when those promissory notes are going to be paid?”

Amelie sighed, before looking at Nia, who pulled out a document. She cleared her throat. “If that’s the case, then Her Majesty would conduct a direct intervention.”

“What?” Mr. Porter asked.

“I’m partially nationalizing the defense sector,” Amelie said with a cold tone. “If the government would be the one to fund and subsidize your corporations during the duration of the war, then we would require a much more direct control on your factories and industrial base.”

“Wait…but, Your Majesty—” Amelie held up her hand, stopping the protests from Mr. Rudolf.

“I’ve already consulted the Minister of Economy regarding this. The reason why Countess Wittfield refused to enact a large-scale subsidy package was that she couldn’t entrust the defense of Orland to the private sector with the ongoing war around us. I’m sure you can understand, Mr. Porter and Mr. Rudolf.”

“This…we helped you.” Mr. Rudolf seemed distraught at the sudden turn of things. “We did everything for you back during the General Strike. During the elections. We even talked with the ORP to help you get that coalition.”

“And I know what you both did to contribute to my rule.” Amelie sighed. “But, that’s why I’m doing this. While this won’t be good for your own sake in the short term, rest assured, the plan to nationalize your corporations is a temporary measure. And nominally, both of you and the rest of the Rebenslof Group will stay in control, you would all just have to follow our whims.”

Well Porter seemed cynical at the proposition, but he laughed. “Which means we’d be your full puppets. Fine, whatever. Sure, it’s not like we can export much in the global arms market now that Orland is our main buyer. But, Your Majesty, this is nothing but outrageous. How can we know if you’re going to give us back our company once all this is over?”

“A written deal. Five years and the Orlish Government will be your one and only customer. You will meet our needs, and expand your factories as we deem necessary, all funded by our subsidies.” Amelie sighed. “And after that, a preferential deal to the both of you. Both for the Rebenslof Group and PHI. You will both be prioritized for government contracts post-war. So…what do you both think?”

“Look, Your Majesty, I appreciate the gesture, but all of those means nothing.” Mr. Porter said. “My fellow corporations controlled and owned by men are already being cannibalized, on the red, nearly bankrupt, and with us nationalized, what bite do we even have left? And what if, when all of this is over, and you women finally demand us men to pay for our ‘crimes’? At this point, why not just cannibalize us fully?”

“You don’t trust me?” Amelie asked, and the both of them nodded.

“How can we trust you, women? You’ve all left us in the air again and again. Now, you’re seizing whatever properties we built up for decades left and right all because our fellow men rebelled. Your proposal is sweet, but you will essentially kill any power we have.” He laughed. “But…not like we have a choice.”

“Indeed, you’re both desperate. At least you are both self-aware to know that.” Amelie smiled. “But, look. I wouldn’t do any of that. What kind of Orland would I build if those who helped me reach it were left behind the wayside? Mr. Rudolf and Mr. Porter, you won’t be sure. But would you not take the reassurance from the Queen herself that you will all still receive a place in the post-war world if you cooperate?”

The two of them looked down, frowning at their situation. Nia spoke up. “You both cooperated with Her Majesty already, right? It’s a difficult situation, but please understand. She won’t betray you.”

“Saying have faith is hardly believable at this point.” Mr. Porter said in response. “But alright. We’ll bite. We have no choice left. We thought…you’d help us.”

“And I am,” Amelie said. “But I cannot give you what you searched for. This is the only thing I can reasonably give, and I am sorry for that.”

“Screw this, I’m in.” Mr. Rudolf said. “Not like I’d be able to keep my steel works and mines without subsidies. I just hope what you are saying is true, Your Majesty.”

“It is. And if I do lie and betray my words, then do everything necessary to resist.” Amelie breathed out. “Deal?”

“Sure…” Mr. Porter said. “Deal.”