String and Scissors [1898: erased from TL]

[Zimmerwald]

To: The Grand Vizer representing Emperor Malechim of the Haradrim Empire

As of this moment, we have declared a state of war between our two nations. We believe that the cowardly act that brought your nation to war with the Eluvatarians needs to be punished. This declaration of war will also extend to your allies should they involve themselves. May Heru protect you and if not, may you find your way to the Field of Reeds.

From: Tia Nonquith, Tui to the Hegemon of the Scholar of Scholars, Thoth Balmana, representing the Great and Grand Council of Hegemons and His Supremacy, Hegemon-Above-All, Osiana, of the Nihonite Hegemony

To: Tia Nonquith, Tui to the Hegemon of the Scholar of Scholars etc.

By your actions you have revealed your policy to be founded on a profound disregard for your own worth as a country.  Nihon needn't play the role of the wolverine, nipping at the heels of the Powers of this world in the hope one or the other might leave you some scraps, but you have travelled too far down that path for a simple note like this to dissuade you.  Only the force you have asked for can show you the fate of the Weak when they think to disrupt the destiny of the Strong.  The All-Bolu Khaganate recognizes that Nihon has declared war upon it, and will take measures necessary to defend itself and to illustrate to Nihon it's real place in the world.

Please note that your embassy will be closed by the time you read this note, and that any staff remaining will have been detained to face the Trials at the discretion of the Sihirbaz.

Nazir of Tongues Eda Sari, in the name of the Khagan

An Edict of the Khagan
November 12, 1898

The Batefendisi Fleet, including the Battle Squadron, the Armored Cruiser Squadron, the Fast Cruiser squadron, and any such escort units as may reach Haradrim-controlled ports without having to coal are to depart Batefendisi for said Haradric ports.  After putting in, they are to establish, by means of decisive battle, control of the seas around Nihon and especially the area between Nihon and the Rifi Coast.  Coastal defense duties against Canadian ships are to be taken over by light elements of the Hacibey Fleet.

For Life!
Beklarbek  Serkan, in the name of the Khagan

[Aquatoria]

Ship Master Jainom Balan was overlooking the final preparations of his new ship, the battleship Iannis, named after Mount Iannis on the Home Islands. Jainom was of the in'fayyum caste. Their patron god was the Crocodile God Fayyumti. His epaulettes resembled a crocodile's head. But the rest of his uniform was a blue color and a saber hung from his side. He wore a blue and white keffiyeh over his head and neck as all soldiers and sailors wore. But the heat wasn't going to get to Jainom on the open seas. He had recevied word that the All-Bulo had organized a powerful fleet to challenge the Nihonites. The Fleet of Righteous Sanity was steaming its way to the northern islands of Nihon to meet the enemy. The Iannis was one of four battleships that the Nihonite navy was going to send into battle. Jianom however just looked over the horizon. His second, Majordomo Kalan Iuann stood next to him. Jianom handed him the note.

"Look at this. The Assemblage of Military Talent indeed. They want our entire battle fleet to engage the Bolu. We only have a scattering of cruisers and ironclads protecting our trade routes. I don't like this, Majordomo Iuann."

Kalan nodded and crumbled up the note. " I agree. But these are our orders. Fleet Master Hunnan wants us to meet up with him."

Jainom just continued to stare at the horizon as the sun rose. "I just don't like it. The Bolu are going to have to engage our main fleet in an effort to control our sea lanes, but the question is...are we ready?" The Nihonite Navy hadn't faced a real oadversary ever in its history. These would be its first test of battle. The Navy was made up of both Nihonite built ships but a majority were foreign built. The Iannis was the only Nihonite-built battleship in the entire Navy. Jainom finally sighed and went into the bridge. From the bridge, he could see one of the new destroyers, and four torpedo boats around his ship. These was all the escort he got. But the Fleet of Righteous Sanity was three times this size. Jianom looked at the helmsman. "All ahead full. Port 32 degrees. I want to be in formation with the fleet in four hours." He turned back at Kalan as he looked at his pocketwatch. "Maybe I am just nervous about the ship. We will win this battle. We will defeat the Bolu here." Majordomo Kalan just nodded in return. He was only about twenty-seven. Young for a man who is a second on a battleship, but Kalan's father sat on Assemblage of Coercive Politics and was a war hero. All expected great things from him. Kalan however just joined in the gazing. May the gods watch over me.