Karl: "Sir? Are you sure about this? It's only been half a year."
Bruno: "True, however we cannot stay cut off from the outside forever. Especially with the land bridge connecting us to god knows where. Sooner or later those outside will force contact, and we have no basis of understanding how this world works… this will come back to bite us."
Otto: "The worry is whether or not we are ready. It's true that we have grown significantly, larger and stronger than in our previous world, but it has only been 6 months."
Bruno: "Is the government running properly? Are the any issues regarding public security, civil registration, or emergency services?"
Otto: "No sir."
Bruno, turning to Curt: "Are there any issues with the military, its readiness, or issues revealed during drills?"
Curt:"No sir. Actually under your orders, I've worked closely with the enlisted, officers, and engineers establishing standardized weapons, munitions, and equipment."
Bruno, turning to the rest: "Are there any issues, pressing or not, that would interfere with our expansion or stability?"
Barenger: "There has been a recent increase in expenditures due to the immediate need for establishing a military presence along the land bridge, eating up a significant portion of income. We are still in the black, but as we continue to grow the gap will close."
Bruno: "This is part of the reason behind the need to increase our sphere of influence. We will begin with initiating dialogue, and open with trade. As time continues, I expect a significant increase in trade, and the opening of diplomatic relations with nearby countries. This will continue with a focus on increasing our presence importing and exporting a significant amount of goods, and gathering information on our neighbors."
Walter: "I agree we should start looking to contact our neighbors and start trade, however it sounds like we will start with importing significantly more than we export. I have no issues with this, but I must advise you it would be dangerous to rely on imports for sustainability."
Bruno: "I'm no fool. Our strategic reserves will remain and continue to increase. Imported goods will mostly be resold internally, and the remainder studied to gain a deeper understanding of that nations market. Further, imports will also target resources to add to our reserves. Exports will be limited to high value goods, such as alcohol, tobacco, sugar, and spices."
William: "What will we do regarding trade facilities? I'm assuming our current merchant fleet will be more than most of our neighbors can handle, restricted to deep water ports. We may even need to build the facilities needed for the loading and unloading of cargo."
Bruno: "We will cross that bridge when we come to it. For now we lay the foundation."
Seeing agreement from his ministers, Bruno again addresses Curt. "Mobilize the Expeditionary Fleet. Deploy the Titpitz, Graf Zeppelin, and half the support and escort ships. Establish and secure a forward operating base 80km into the land bridge. This will serve as a temporary barrier between any potential enemies and our citizens. The border will, in time, expanded well past its position."
Curt: "Understood. It will take a few days to secure the necessary supplies and equipment, but we should be able to deploy by next week."
Bruno: "Good. I want the position established as soon as possible. As for the rest of the expeditionary forces, have them recalled from their patrols. They will soon be deployed when we gather enough information, plotting a route to the nearest nation. Who knows how long they'll be out a sea, so also give them some leave."
Heinz: "If I may sir, I could order the Air Force to mobilize the 264s (referring to the Me 264), and have the bomb bays retrofitted for obervation and reconnaissance equipment. As the longest range aircraft in our air fleet it would have no trouble scouting beyond our borders, using its high service ceiling for protection against threats."
Bruno: "Do it. Have each of the major aerodromes deploy 2 264s, alternating their flight paths to have a constant stream of information flowing back at all times."
Heinz: "Yes sir, it will be done."
As the meeting draws to an end, Bruno and the others begin to change direction to discuss a few last minute details. Before long the meeting would draw to a close, and each of them would go their own ways to rest for the night. Tomorrow would be a long day as each will have a litany of tasks to complete on top of their current duties. Sitting in his study, Bruno pours himself a strong drink before lighting a cigarette, a half and half blend of tobacco and hemp, a bad habit he picked up to help calm his nerves and clear his head. Before his mind can wonder to what he saw and did during the war, reliving unpleasant memories, someone knocks on the door.
Bruno: "Come in".
Entering is Karl, who upon seeing Bruno frowns a bit before reprimanding him on his choice of vice. "You know those will kill you one day. Bruno, I'm not going to pretend I know what you've been through. War has changed dramatic since my time, but the drinking and smoking will destroy you from the inside. I've seen it more times than I care to admit."
Bruno: "I know….. but it's the only thing that helps. I'm not about to turn to opium or cocaine like some others. I can't afford to be addicted to such dangerous drugs, but I need a vice myself. If it takes a few years off me, then so be it. Speaking of it, how are the treatment centers doing?"
Karl: "It saddens me to see you like this Bruno…. sigh… Alright, just promise me you'll regularly see the family physician. As for the treatment centers, they are operating a full capacity. There were more addicts among the military, both active and retired, than expected. Fortunately the overwhelming majority of those you summoned have no addictions to speak of, so the overall effect on our military is limited…. "
While summoning one of the garrisons for a coastal position Bruno was reminded of the overuse of pervatin during the war, seeing signs of addiction in a private, and ordered an evaluation of the military and government to search for other cases. Those found would be sent to treatment centers in every major city to help them overcome such a dangerous situation, and return them to normal lives, an endeavor he has invested a SIGNIFICANT amount of funds into. Hearing that those who need help are getting it brings a small degree of relief to Bruno.
"On to what I came here for, are you sure it's time to reach out? As said in the meeting, it's barely been half a year since we've come here."
Bruno: "We can't afford to wait any longer. While I highly doubt we are the weakest, I can all be guarantee we are not the strongest country out there. If we wait and they force cantact first, we could vary we'll end up on the losing side. For all we know, there could even be magic, like in those old children's stories…. Do you have an answer for something like that uncle?"
Karl: "sigh…. No I don't. I'm just worried about how fast we are moving. We've only just stabilized, and gotten to the point where we no longer have to rely on you for everything. I just wonder if this is too much too soon."
While digesting his uncles worries, Bruno pours him a drink to share. After sitting in silence for a while, Bruno answers, "I don't know. We may be moving to fast, but I don't know what else to do. None of us are omniscient. All we can do is our best, and rely on each other for help along the way. That's all I'm doing…."
Saying this, Bruno stands up and turns to his uncle, his face expressionless almost stoic. To others this is the face of someone who is willing to do anything, regardless of how evil, to accomplish his goals. While this isn't exactly wrong, Karl, as someone who helped raise the young man, can see what lays beyond the facade. A will strong as iron and bathed in the blood of thousands, combined with a deep exhaustion and fear of failure. Failure of letting down the nearly 100 million who depend and rely on him. A truly soul crushing weight.
"Good night uncle, I'll see you in the morning."
As Bruno leaves the room Karl is left sitting alone in the study, watching the door Bruno just walked out of. A few minutes later he mutters under his breath, "Foolish Wilhelm, you should have recalled him from the front long before that day. I fear the boy I helped you raise is long gone….. sigh… I just hope he finds his way back."
As night falls across Berlin most people will return to their homes for rest before starting the next day; having no idea of the burden their happiness and prosperity brings upon the head that wears the crown, and no idea of just how much their lives will soon change.
Two weeks later, the reconnaissance flights would discover signs of civilization both across the sea and land bridge, setting into effect a series a events that would soon rock the world.