Bruno awoke the next day, by now in the Winter of 1907. The man’s estate in Berlin was fully constructed. Though a luxury home befitting an actual prince, Bruno had made sure the building was constructed out of materials that made it a fortified stronghold.
Its appearance as a normal palace was… misleading, to say the least. Whether it was the actual layout of the estate, or the foundations it was built upon. This literal palace was far from as vulnerable as others across the world. In fact, it was the modern equivalent of an ancient castle.
One would need to drop a bomb of significant size directly on the estate’s primary residence in order to damage it in any meaningful capacity. Breaching the doors and windows? Not an option. Even a company of stormtroopers would have difficulty gaining access to Bruno’s new family home.
Simply put, as long as total war did not reach Berlin, or God forbid, nuclear Armageddon begin. Bruno’s family was safe and sound from any would be assassins. And this did not simply extend to their residence, but also their means of transportation, with the family car being rather covertly fortified against small arms.
In an attempt to compel the Russians to join together with the former central powers from Bruno’s past life. The man had made himself a target of a shadowy organization whose reach was entirely unknown to him.
There was no telling when some random civilian might try to end his life, or worse, try to get to him through his family. Because of this, Bruno’s family had armed security wherever they went, and that, of course, extended to the estate.
As Bruno sat in his new extensive dining hall, a servant in his employ handed him his coffee. His wife and children were all gathered at the table, which was far too long for them all. It was intended to entertain many guests when the need arose.
Frankly speaking, Bruno, in his new lavish attire, had a rather dull expression, one which Heidi instantly noticed and commented upon as the man read the newspaper.
“Anything interesting in the papers? Or are you perhaps still sour about moving away from our quaint old manor?”
Naturally, the reason for Bruno’s foul expression was the latter. Though there was, of course, an interesting mention in the paper. Which he was quick to announce as if it was the cause of his rather displeased attitude.
“The authorities tried to arrest the Leader of the SDP last night after it was discovered that he was attempting to rally his party into active rebellion against the Kaiser and the fatherland. He and his wife died unlawfully, resisting arrest. As it stands, the SDP has been disbanded and its members are either being rounded up and detained, or are fleeing the country…”
Though Heidi could easily surmise that Bruno was far from surprised by the news, as she had an inkling that the man was either in part, or wholly responsible for these developments. She had to admit that he was good at hiding his disdain for their new and excessive trappings, which surrounded them.
Hence why she smiled lovingly, before grabbing hold of the man’s hand, assuring him that this new change of scenery was for the best.
“You know, I miss the old home too, but honestly, Bruno, it left no room for expanding our family, you know?”
Bruno narrowed his eyes at his wife, who was staring at him as if she was trying to say something important without saying it overtly. He was quick to ask the question that immediately sprang to his mind.
“Don’t tell me that you’re actually—”
Before Bruno could finish the sentence, Heidi leaned in and kissed him, before picking up his empty plate and coffee mug. She left him with a cryptic answer as she sauntered off to the kitchen to perform the role of the help, having no desire to relinquish her command over her family’s meals and their preparation in the slightest.
“We will know soon enough…”
For most, the addition of another child was a daunting task. Even in today’s world, where the wealth of currency was backed by gold, having a new family member was often a costly affair. But Bruno had taken advantage of the fact that he was reincarnated over a hundred years prior to his previous death, and invested thoroughly in every enterprise he could think of.
His wealth would one day be unrivaled, and for the time being supporting another child was not the least bit a concern to him. In fact, this turned out to be the case. It would be a rather joyous occasion. He, after all, only had one son, and both he and his wife were still young. In today’s day and age, having a single heir to the family name was risky business.
It only made sense to expand their family while they still had time to do so. Hence, Bruno silently made a decision to be more active in that regard when he had the time to do so.
——————
The year 1907 had gone by rather quickly, with 1908 only being a few months away. Bruno had spent the year overseeing the modernization efforts of the German Reich, and focusing on his various enterprises, which he was invested in.
Creating the Volkswagen Type I alone had been an enormous effort, one that spanned years in the making. But the release of it on the market had resulted in extraordinary profit. Profit that was reinvested elsewhere.
Meanwhile, development of the various weapon systems Bruno intended to field in the coming war, specifically in regard to vehicle platforms. Such as Submarines, Destroyers, Tanks, Armored Cars, Armored Trains, Railway Guns, and 3 and a half ton trucks were all continuing with their development.
By 1910 at the latest these weapons would be perfected and given another four years to produce in significant quantities by the time the War was supposed to break out. And though the Great War could break out earlier. As the two primary factions had already been formed.
Tensions that had previously risen as a result of Bruno’s interference in the Balkans had begun to more or less cool down. At least global tensions. The Balkans were, as always, a complete and total shit show. With it appearing like war between the various states was becoming more and more of a certainty.
In fact, currently, in the near east, or more specifically what remained of the Ottoman Empire in the year 1907, the Sultan was speaking with his generals. The Ottoman Empire was far from being what one would refer to as an “industrialized” society. With its industry lagging behind even the Russians and Austro-Hungarians.
Rather, it was a largely agrarian Empire, one with many, many problems. The Multi-Ethnic, and Multi-Cultural makeup of the Empire in a time of fierce nationalism was, of course, a severe weakness. One that had been ravaging their borders for decades.
Speaking of this weakness, there was a group of exiled intelligentsias, from a variety of political beliefs, religions, and ethnic/cultural backgrounds, who were gathering power behind the scenes. The “Young Turks,” as they were known, was a loose collection of individuals who more or less agreed on one single principle.
The time of the Sultan’s autocracy needed to come to an end. And the constitution of the Ottoman Empire needed to be restored, simply put, Bruno’s actions in Russia, which had ended the Tsar’s own absolute rule, albeit also ending those dissenters who would eventually overthrow the House of Romanov altogether, had in some way or another inspired these would be revolutionaries to take action against the Sultan.
However, there was a greater concern the Young Turks had, and that was the hopes that restoring the Constitution would prevent the Great Powers from interfering in their dying Empire’s affairs. After all, Austro-Hungary, while effectively in control of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s administrative affairs, was eying the region lustfully with intent to fully annex it.
And in many ways, Bruno had secured this ambition for the House of Habsburg. It was simply a matter of time before they acted on it. As a result, men like Ahmed Niyazi Bey were currently gathered together in the winter before 1908 for a single purpose.
To plan their revolution, an act whose intent was to compel the Sultan to adhere to their demands through violent force if necessary. Because of this, the ethnic Albanian, who was one of the leaders of the Young Turks Movement, was speaking to his fellow would-be revolutionaries with a fiery passion as he did so.
“You have all seen what I have seen! The Great Powers of the West are moving in secretive and suspicious manners. I would not doubt if they were all plotting against the Sultan, and intend to make a move for the Balkans as a whole!
Time and time again the Sultan refused to answer to our demands! And because of this, I fear there is no peaceful solution left. Lest we be overwhelmed by the greed and avarice of the Great Powers! The time had come to choose a side!
Will you stand with me, and fight until the Sultan ends his tyranny, and restores the rule of law!?!? Or will you bow before him and continue to endure his abuse and humiliation until our enemies are marching through the streets of Istanbul?”
The room echoed with calls to war. As they all shared the same concerns as Ahmed Niyazi Bey. The time for peaceful solutions had come to an end. The time for war was now! Revolution was a matter of survival for the Ottoman Empire. Or so these men believed. Truth be told, the Empire was doomed to collapse even if they emerged victorious in the coming Great War.
But the future was hard to tell. Unless one had either come from it directly, or was granted the gift of foresight by the Lord God Almighty, neither of these two things did these men have. And thus, war was declared.
As the Young Turks Revolution began earlier than it had in Bruno’s past life. In January of 1908, a few months after this meeting was held, the Young Turks would make their demands known, and would begin fighting the Sultan and his forces immediately thereafter.
