Hells Bells

Looming Instability

Originally Written In 2022,

(Yes I will still be marking the year I wrote it in until I catch up to newer drafts.)

August 8, 2025. Innerworld. Yensom Imperial Capital. Yensom Federation.

AMBASSADOR: So, let me get this straight. Your son, the next in the line of succession, tried to go out and meet the Hillions before they even crossed the border, and instead of just detaining him... you shot him?

The king stammers on his response.

KING: H-he attacked me when I told him so.

Commander Belchin standing behind the ambassador, rolls his eyes at the response. While also getting a flashback to his days as an MP.

AMBASSADOR: I don't give two shits on what caused you to shoot, the fact that you shot him can cause more instability. Are you aware that factions are forming behind each member state?

KING: I am aware, I'm not that daft.

The ambassador just shakes his head and stands up heading for the door.

AMBASSADOR: Came here to get a brief overview got jack shit. We're leaving to the Councils hall. unfuck yourself in the meantime.

He leaves the room, the guard goes to follow but pauses when Wyte stays still. The MP motions for him but Wyte waves him off. The MP shrugs and walks closing the door behind him. He walks forward sitting down and getting right down to business.

WYTE: So, you shooting your son could cause him to side with one of those factions forming, giving them legitimacy in their claims for the thrown or independence... Now I was sent to help the ambassador's group convince the council to send arms south to Philian, but when I heard of the incident I thought I'd postpone that, for a quick chat.

KING: And why does can a mere commander think he can talk to me, a king?

He leans forward and dead stares at the king.

WYTE: I have seen kingdoms fall and republics replace them. I have spent most of my career as commander of the 101st building a country alongside its government to make it stable enough to survive. So I know a few things.

The king bows his head in defeat and Wyte begins explaining. One of the king's servants brings out a map, laying it out across the table.

WYTE: First up is the management of frontier regions. This country along with others in the north of the continent have developed to the late Victorian era. Trains, pre-dreadnoughts, early prototypes of automobiles, and factories. You need to start laying down rail lines to further strengthen your grip on the frontier, and in case of war with Hillion it will help you transfer troops to the front faster. The frontier is where most of the farms are correct?

The king nods. Wyte points to the frontier region.

WYTE: Once the rail lines are down, you need to ship some experimental farming equipment to the farms and have them test them out. If we increase food output, it can help with starvation of an overpopulated city.

His finger traces along a major road until reaching the only port city in the main part of the federation.

WYTE: How many port facilities do you have...

He squints at the map and leans closer.

WYTE: in Mirah?

KING: Three.

WYTE: That's no good. Increase the output of ships and facilities, if you do that more people will flock to the frontier for work relieving stress on the overpopulated cities in the center of the country. You may also need to increase factories so you start eliminating unemployment and increasing weapon production to supply an under equipped military. 50% of this country lives in poverty, so if you increase the amount of jobs you will gain popularity from the lower class.

The king stares at the map showing great interest in the commander's words.

WYTE: Next let's move onto the government and the end of the factions. Now I'm gonna overstep my duties, so if my superiors ask, you stay quiet. Okay?

The king nods.

WYTE: Okay, remove the corrupt nobles. After that is done you federalize their private forces and send them to regions most likely to rebel. When all the dust is settled you will proclaim to the people the formation of a new legislative council composed of elected people whether their noble or commoner. Thus this new council will help counteract the Federal Council in case it decides to enact unfavorable policies.

KING: And what if these two councils can't come to an agreement?

WYTE: Then the king will step in and mediate. If the councils still can't agree you will do it for them. This council will be called the Royal Council.

KING: So splitting the government into three sects?

WYTE: No, 4. The Legislative Council, the Federal Council, the Royal Council, and the Judiciary Council. We split the main government into three parts and form a fourth more separate council, that will focus on upholding the law and punishing corruption. Now this is only the foundation, you can decide what else these councils can do, just don't give one branch too much power.

KING: I will do that.

WYTE: And one last thing. The Hillion naval fleet is composed of older vessels, but their navy outnumbers you. So when you get those port facilities up and running you need to focus on modern vessels. The reason I'm saying this is because Hillion is a naval based power, so if you out class their aging battleships you can force them into an unsavory position when conflict breaks out.

The commander pulls out a couple folded pieces of paper. He throws them on the table.

WYTE: I wasn't able to give all the advice I know, but I gave you enough to set the groundwork. Those papers are blueprints to a Connecticut class pre dreadnought, a class that served our nation on the rise to supremacy. You tell no one of our conversation.

KING: I am truly grateful, but I must ask why are you willing to help when the one appointed by your government to help does not.

WYTE:... My government doesn't care about your state collapsing or not as of now because our holdings are secured, but I for one on the other hand don't want that to happen incase I get stuck here just like the gods overseeing the building of another fucking country. Which will most likely give me enough stress to die of a heart attack at the age of 40. That a good enough explanation for ya?

Yensom's king just nods slowly, slightly concerned at the last statement. Wyte smiles and stands up extending his hand, the king does the same and the two shake hands. The commander then quickly rushes out of the room back to his assigned task. He jogs down the hallway running into the ambassadors group, with the ambassador reprimanding him for ditching the group. Wyte ignores him and opens a portal back to base Aquila. His meeting has set the groundwork, but will the new king follow it?