Corporation Government & Government Corporation: Cromesia

Cromesia

Volume I: Cromesia

In the year 2008, the world had become a stage for a new kind of war, one fought not with armies but with whispers, deceit, and shadows. The Greater German Empire, standing proud in the heart of Europe, was a colossus of industry, culture, and power. Its cities buzzed with life, its people enjoyed a standard of living unmatched across the globe, and its government was as efficient as it was feared. The scars of the old wars that had once ravaged Europe were but a distant memory, kept alive only in history books and the stories of the elderly.

Berlin, the empire's capital, was a city of grand boulevards and towering monuments, where the past and the future seemed to merge. It was here that the true power of the world met in secret, behind the thick walls of the Reich Chancellery. But even in a city as grand as Berlin, there were places that the light never touched, where deals were made in the dark, and where men like Ludwig Höchberg thrived.

Ludwig was a man of unremarkable appearance—tall, thin, with pale blue eyes that seemed to see everything and reveal nothing. He moved through the corridors of power with the ease of someone who belonged, yet his presence always brought a chill. Those who knew him spoke of his intelligence, his ruthlessness, and his uncanny ability to manipulate situations to his advantage. He was the CEO of Cromesia, an organization that had started as a diplomatic entity but had grown into something far more sinister.

The story of Cromesia's rise began seven years earlier, in 2001, when the world had witnessed a sudden and violent end to communism. The coalition between the Greater German Empire and the United States had been swift and brutal, leaving behind a world where the old ideologies had crumbled, and new powers had emerged. In the chaos that followed, Cromesia had been born—a network of diplomats, spies, and criminals who saw opportunity in the ruins of the old world.

The year was 2003, and the room was cold, lit only by the dim glow of a single lamp on the large oak desk. Ludwig sat behind it, his fingers steepled, his expression calm as he listened to the men before him. They were powerful men, representatives of the coalition, sent to offer him a proposal that would change the course of history.

"We need someone to execute this plan," one of them said, his voice low and urgent. "Italy is ripe for a change, but it must be done in a way that doesn't draw attention to us. Cromesia has the resources, the network. You can make this happen."

Ludwig's eyes flicked up to meet the man's, a small smile playing on his lips. "And what exactly is this plan?"

"Italy must fall," the man replied, leaning forward. "It must descend into chaos, but not too quickly. It has to be gradual, controlled. We need you to orchestrate a coup, but make it seem like it came from within. Then, once the country is in ruins, Cromesia will step in as the savior, reestablish order, and expand its influence."

There was a moment of silence as Ludwig considered the proposal. His mind worked quickly, analyzing the risks, the potential rewards. Cromesia had always been about control—of information, of power, of people. This was an opportunity to expand that control on a global scale.

"Well, then I'll execute the plan, my friend," Ludwig said finally, his voice soft yet firm. "Be my guest, and let's be the bad guys of this story."

The men exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. They had found their man.

Italy in 2006 was a nation in decline. Its economy was struggling, its government was corrupt, and its people were disillusioned. The perfect conditions for what Cromesia had planned.

Ludwig had spent the last three years preparing for this moment. His network in Italy was vast—politicians, military leaders, media moguls, all had been brought under Cromesia's influence through bribes, blackmail, or the promise of power. When the time came, the coup was swift and decisive.