RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 25-3: Reactions (Part 3)

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 25-3: Reactions (Part 3)

Inside a fortified meeting room in the Kremlin, the most powerful and brightest minds of the Rusviet Union are gathering around a single man, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. Usually, they would stay in this room, talking at length on end every week about Rusviet's development progress. But this time, it's different. Belka, perhaps their closest ally up to date, has made quite a major wave. And despite their closeness, being important trade partners for years already, the Rusviet Union is frazzled by the degree of Belkan's achievement on the High Sea.

"Allegedly, they sank three battleships and two battlecruisers without a loss of their own."

"This is baffling news."

"It proves that Belka's naval might has advanced by leaps and bounds."

"We will need to reassess our intel, they are obsoleted."

"Of course, they're obsoleted! Our spies have never been able to make a report since years ago!"

"If only the intelligence branch is competent enough to update our files."

"The funding for that department is better off invested elsewhere."

"That's not the point here people, we need to react accordingly to Belka's recent victory. As an ally, a major win is a worthy cause for celebration. But this is not just major, it's a landslide."

"Are we sure that it's not a clever ruse?"

"The Erusean losses are true, that it's certain. Our embassy confirmed the information with them, much to their chagrin."

"Our officials in Belka also confirmed, albeit with more details and pictures. However, none shed light on the Bismarck, we are still in the dark about its appearance. We assumed it to be an improved Scharnhorst-class, but even then, it's highly impossible for them to overcome the Erusean Home Fleet like that."

"Assuming the tale of Bismarck is true, how will our Gangut-class battleships fare against it?"

"Pfft! Ganguts are relics that are barely afloat. They won't stand a chance against older Belkan vessels, much less the newer ones that we don't know anything about. Our Sinop-class, though, will be a different matter. With them still being constructed, we can outfit them with better technology than whatever Bismarck is using. Soon, we will have the most modern fleet in the region."

"Or we can make a whole different class altogether. Sinop is made with the Baltic Sea in mind, but soon, we will need something to traverse the Atlantic and even the Pacific."

Sipping his tea, Churchill then says. "Do what you must, but I need a Vanguard to be sailing by the first quarter of next year. The people need something and the most modern battleship that can triumph over the Bismarck will be a great headline. We can think about retrofitting the Vanguards later when the storm dies down."

"What about the Spanish and Sardegna?"

"Appropriate remuneration has been given to the Spanish. Continue on the embargoes of Sardegna but I have no doubt that we will be short-handed. This will no doubt lower our already abysmal influence in the region even further."

"Blast those pilots! If only those Swordfishes weren't so blind, things would have been much easier by now."

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"Lady Lyssa." Pope Mussolini said while dismissing his serving nuns. "As the matter stands, the Meds are wide open for us to retake. The Royal Navy is scrambling their ships around, vulnerable to a surprise attack. If a single Belkan warship could take the enemy fleet out, then what's say our finest fleet? We will soon be able to dominate the region!

"I would advise not jumping the gun, my dear Pope." Said a disembodied voice. The mysterious Lady Lyssa is unavailable in person today, it seems. "Need I remind you that a major part of the Papal Navy is still in the process of being rebuilt? Furthermore, most of our active ships are being retrofitted with better anti-air equipment due to the regular Spanish air raids. The best we can do right now is to focus on getting supplies to our army on Spanish soil."

Lady Lyssa then says. "To ensure proper delivery, we will be needing blockade runners, very fast ones to be exact. And preferably those that are armed with good AA suites."

Pope Mussolini crosses his arms, posing in front of a vanity mirror while replying. "I think I remember signing for the construction of fast destroyers and light cruisers with anti-air artillery and only fitted with the finest God's Navy has to offer. They will be a fine addition to our cause against the heretics very soon. For now, though, we can use our available ships, utilizing the opening in the blockade, to reinforce our troops."

Lady Lyssa exclaims. "Good! Good!" She then chuckles ominously. "But before that, my dear Pope, I will be needing more materials, preferably fresh and active materials."

"The recent batch of Jews isn't enough?"

"Not quite, I need more materials that are... Lively. The Jews are more subdued than usual, much to my dismay. Efficiency has thus been reduced. Maybe the unruly Spanish will be fine specimens?"

"Then I will arrange for their transfer. Their sacrifice will serve the Will of the Lord."

"Deus Vult." Lady Lyssa smirked.