You feel the railcar rumble beneath your feet, the bright daylight intensified by the falling snow illuminates the telegraph in your hand. Taking a bite of your toast, you mull over the contents of the communique for a bit.

The situation back in Japan, it would appear, is rapidly deteriorating. More domains have declared their support for the deposed Mori Clan and the Satsuma lords that have taken them in. They have broadly formed a coalition calling for the dissolution of the Shogun’s position and a return to Imperial control of the government.

As it stands, over a third of the domains in Japan now either support overthrowing the Shogun, or at the very least have stated they will not stand in resistance to such a usurpation. The Emperor is the wild-card, however. Currently he remains silent in regards to the matter, and you can only hope that hasn’t changed in the month since the telegram was sent.

Matsudaira Katamori, your official employer and lord of the Aizu Domain, has left it up to your discretion whether to send this telegram along to the Shogun. You honestly wish he would’ve either sent it along himself or forbade you from doing it. Knowing what you do about the new Shogun, which is admittedly almost nothing, makes you wary of taking either course of action.

But, a course of action must be taken. Your time in the field has taught you that inaction is always the worst possible decision to make. Grimacing, you hand the telegram to Keisuke Otori. “Well, the Shogun is the boss, send it along.”

“Yes, sir.” He bows lightly, stepping out of the room and leaving you to your breakfast. In the distance, the city of Antwerp grows closer. After a few minutes, you hear the outer door to the railcar open and close, then there is a knock at the door of the compartment in which you sit.

“Come in,” you say above the noise of the clattering rails.

“Ah, General.” Herr Zorn, for one of the first times since landing in Europe, greets you. “How have things been for you over the last couple days?”

“Well enough.” You shrug. Finishing your eggs, you motion for him to take a seat, which he does. “I’m surprised at how little I’ve seen you since we landed.”

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Zorn chuckles, producing his pipe. “Well, I’m not particularly popular in Amsterdam or Brussels.” Lighting the pipe, he takes a couple puffs before continuing. “Antwerp, however, is a city in which I have some friends.”

You nod slowly. “What sort of friends?”

“Friends in the diamond industry.” His expression changes as he speaks. “And potentially a way for the Japanese government to come into a very large sum of money, for relatively little work.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Care to explain?”

Zorn leans forward, bringing his hands together gently. “As you may be aware, there are multiple gem-cutting houses in Antwerp. They regularly come into competition with one-another, sometimes in rather… Dramatic ways.” A slight smile tugs at the corners of his mustache. “I believe we could take advantage of that to not only make quite a bit of money, but also get into the good graces of one of the more influential of these houses.”

>”I’m interested. Continue.”
>”This sounds rather roguish. Would we be doing anything that could jeopardize our relations with Belgium?”
>”How much money could we stand to make?”
>”I already have enough intrigue to deal with back in Japan. I’d like to not go looking for trouble in Belgium as well.” (decline)
>Write-in.

>>4601863
>”This sounds rather roguish. Would we be doing anything that could jeopardize our relations with Belgium?”

>>4601863
>”This sounds rather roguish. Would we be doing anything that could jeopardize our relations with Belgium?”

“That sounds rather roguish,” you say. “Could it damage our relations with the Belgian government?”

Zorn shakes his head. “The politics that occur between the diamond-houses are kept within Antwerp. You’d be surprised how little the magistrates pry,” he trails off. “Though, it makes sense considering the deep pockets of the parties involved.”

“So you’re saying they bribe the authorities.” Frowning, you lean forward.

“I’m saying that there would be no risk to the diplomatic interests of Japan.” Zorn nods. A non-answer, but you’ll be the first to admit that he’s typically right in these sorts of things.

“What precisely would we be doing?” You rub your chin thoughtfully.

“Well, there are two diamond houses that are currently in serious competition. One with which I have a good working relationship is trying to undercut the business of an older house that has fallen on hard times.” He pauses to smoke his pipe. “With the help of the house, I believe we could secure the diamonds belonging to their competitor, of course with them taking a cut in exchange for helping us. When we arrive at Antwerp station, I would suggest allowing me to arrange a meeting to discuss the particulars.”

>”This sounds like a heist to me…”
>”And you’re sure it won’t come back on us?”
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”
>Write-in.

>>4602050
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”

>>4602050
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”
Excellent, just caught this quest after reading it in an archive binge a while ago.

>>4602050
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”

>>4602050
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”

Just wanted to tell you Zap I really enjoy your quest, I wish I had more free time to actively participate.

>>4602050
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”

Glad to see you back, was missing this quest a bit

>>4602050
>”Approximately how much could we stand to gain, financially?”
>”Very well, arrange the meeting.”

>>4602053
Ditto, i mean, why not follow the plot thread, might even net us some bling for the waifu

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“How much do we stand to gain from this, financially speaking?” You lean forward.

Zorn pauses, thinking to himself. “Enough to effectively double or even triple the size of your repeating-rifle corps, perhaps more.” He scratches his beard. “Of course, we will have to negotiate our cut during the meeting. I doubt they will ask for much, since they’ll just be happy to have their competition effectively removed.”

You think on it for a moment. Admittedly doubling the size of the New-Model Rifle Corps would come in handy, but your mind is also on the other uses for that kind of money. Weapons and equipment could be acquired here in Europe, the economy could be strengthened, so many potential uses…

Finally, you sit back and cross your arms. “Very well. When we arrive, arrange the meeting.”

Zorn grins. “Gladly, Herr General.”

It isn’t long before your train pulls into the station at Antwerp. As you and your party disembark, snow is falling steadily and a good half inch coats the ground. Donning heavy overcoats and tophats, you all make your way to the hotel which has been booked for you. As you enter the carriage with your officers, you discuss the financial nature of the city and its role in the greater affairs of the Belgian realm.

When you arrive at the hotel, Zorn gets your attention and pulls you aside. “I will be arranging a meeting with the diamond house we discussed soon. The diamond district is actually not far from this very hotel.”

“Good, that makes things simple.” You rub your chin, looking around at the fancy décor of the hotel. “When should I expect to meet them in person?”

“Within the next few hours.” Zorn crosses his arms. “That should give you enough time to unpack, yes?”

“Of course,” you reply.

“Good.” His expression tightens ever so slightly. “Do be sure to have your pistol loaded and carried on your person, just in case.”

You pat your side, where your Dragoon sits loaded. “You remember who you’re talking to, Herr Zorn?”

“Right, right.” He chuckles. “Also, do you plan to bring any of your men?”

>”Just Sato. I believe his clandestine touch could come in handy.”
>”Major Nakajima will accompany us. She always brings a level perspective to tricky negotiations.”
>”Yes, I’ll be bringing both Nakajima and Sato.”
>”Would you prefer if I didn’t bring my men?”
>Write-in.

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>>4602534
>>4602886
>>4602061
Thanks guys. Glad to know there are people looking forward to this quest.

>>4606492
>”Would you prefer if I didn’t bring my men?”

>>4606511
Ditto
>>4606493
Dude, i fucking love this quest, i can't wait until we get the 2A right enshrined for all japanese across the island

>>4606492
>”Would you prefer if I didn’t bring my men?”
>if permitted, I was thinking Sato. His...touch could be useful.

>>4606492
>”Yes, I’ll be bringing both Nakajima and Sato.”
>”Would you prefer if I didn’t bring my men?”

>>4606492
>”Yes, I’ll be bringing both Nakajima and Sato.”
>”Would you prefer if I didn’t bring my men?”
We aren't even pretending Naka isn't a guy now?

>>4610294
*is a guy

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“I intend to bring both Nakajima and Sato,” you say. “Would you prefer if I didn’t?”

Zorn seems to consider your reply deeply, rubbing his chin before offering up a reply of his own. “As long as it is only those two, I see little issue.” He crosses his arms, looking at your officers. “Herr Nakajima and Herr Sato are good soldiers, but they also have a head for subtlety.”

You nod. “So no problems?”

“None whatsoever,” Zorn grins. “Meet me here at dusk. We will prepare further before meeting our benefactors.”

“Understood,” you reply. With that, you turn to your officers and follow them upstairs.

Once again, you and Nakajima share a room, and upon arrival you immediately brief her to what you already know. “So Zorn intends to conduct some sort of diamond heist?” Nakajima frowns as she processes the details.

“I’m not so sure of it being a heist,” you admit. “Zorn has been a bit cagey with the details.”

Nakajima sits back in her chair, looking out through the window before speaking. “I think it is risky. Such bold actions could jeopardize our relations with Belgium, and the other European powers. We would not want to give off an image of ourselves as brigands.”

“So you think we shouldn’t proceed?” You cross your arms.

“I believe the die has already been cast, so to speak.” You wonder where she picked up that particular phrase. She doesn’t pause for long before continuing. “So we will have to do our best to avoid any suspicion falling back on the mission itself.”

“Do you think Sato will be on-board with this?” You frown.

“The only way to know is to ask him directly.” Nakajima shrugs. “I believe he is meeting with the two engineers we recruited in Brussels.”

>”Very well, I’ll go talk to him now.”
>”If you think it’s too risky, we can back out of this.”
>”I’m sure Sato will be up to it. For now let’s focus on the other things we’ll be doing here in Antwerp. We’ll need to plan a schedule.”
>Write-in.

>>4618648
>”Very well, I’ll go talk to him now. Can you prepare a possible Schedule or three for us while I am gone if your free?”

>>4618648
>”Very well, I’ll go talk to him now.”

>>4618655
Ditto

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“Very well,” you remark as you stand up. “I’ll go talk to him now. Could you prepare a couple different tentative schedules for me while I’m away?”

“Of course,” Nakajima nods. “I will meet with Keisuke and the delegates to see what ideas they have.”

You exit the room, heading to the parlor where Sato and the engineers should be. Opening the door to the parlor, you find Major Sato deep in conversation with the larger man, Bauer. “I see,” Sato says. “So the mechanism is timed in a way that allows the engine to constantly power whatever it is connected to…”

“Yes, valve timing is the most important aspect of making a steam engine run.” Bauer nods, his arms crossed. “Everything must be in perfect synchronization to keep the engine moving.”

“Hello, gentlemen.” You salute Sato as you approach the men. “Major, may I have a word with you in private?”

“Yes, sir.” Sato nods, gesturing to the adjoining smoking room. “Herr Bauer, I shall return to our conversation soon.”

Bauer nods politely as the two of you step away. Lighting a cigar, you stop by a standing ashtray and begin your briefing. “Zorn has informed me of a way to gain a considerable sum of money for the realm’s coffers.” Taking a drag as you look out the window, you pause. “There are apparently two diamond-trading houses involved in a sort of feud, and he thinks we can play this to our advantage, getting a large amount of diamonds, as well as the favor of one of the houses involved.”

Sato nods slowly as he listens, lighting a cigar of his own. After you finish, he exhales before speaking. “Gold, silver, diamonds, all are good to have as a means of strengthening the realm’s finances. Still, are you sure we should engage in political intrigues overseas?”

You nod, grimacing. “It’s risky, to be sure, but Zorn is confident it won’t come back on us.”

“How many others know?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Just you and Nakajima,” you say.

Sato grins slightly. “Good, the fewer people that know, the better. Personally, I think we should take any opportunity to put ourselves ahead of the anti-Shogunal forces we can get. Who knows how quickly the fires of subversion might spread?”

“So you’re in?”

Sato’s grin widens menacingly. “Of course.” Pausing to take another puff of his cigar, he leans against the wall. “Do you expect things to get violent?”

>”Well, Zorn suggested I bring my pistol.”
>”Likely not. Jewelers don’t seem like the sort to pack much heat.”
>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”
>Write-in.

>>4620430
>>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”

>>4620430
>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”

>>4620430
>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”

>>4620430
>”Well, Zorn suggested I bring my pistol.”
>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”

>>4620430
>>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”

>>4620430
>>”There’s a lot of wealth sitting in these diamond houses, they’d be fools to not be ready for some kind of fight.”

“There’s a lot of wealth sitting in those diamond houses,” you reply. “It’d be foolish for them not to expect some kind of fight.”

“As expected,” Sato nods. He crosses his arms, blowing cigar smoke out through his nostrils. It lingers around his face for a while, masking his expression as he speaks. Particularly, it hovers just beneath his eyes, and though they fade into the smoke, you can see a malicious glare as he grins slightly. “We may need more than pistols…”

You grimace, considering the possibility of a full-fledged gun battle. “I’ll leave your own armament up to you.” Admittedly, the possibility of seeing some combat gets your blood pumping, likely a reflex from seeing so much combat, you know all too well that you’ll need to tread lightly in foreign countries. “I’ll get back with you when we’re about to leave.”

“Understood, sir.” Sato nods. “I will make preparations at once.”

“Until then,” you salute Sato.

“Yes, sir.” He returns the salute.

As you turn around and head back towards your hotel room, you finish your cigar, noting that between the tobacco and the excitement of planning tonight’s operation, you’ve grown just a bit excited; restless even. Leaning against a railing, you look down at the hotel lobby, eyes wandering across the various people coming and going. Your thoughts wander back to the battle of Gettysburg…

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You remove your kepi, wiping your brow as you march. The thick, woolen uniforms are sweltering in the July heat. Artillery whistles overhead, thankfully overshooting your column by some great distance. Colonel Paddy O’Rorke, the young Irishman in charge of your company, approaches you from a distance. “Sergeant,” he greets you as you both exchange salutes.

“Colonel,” you reply.

He grimaces, looking over his shoulder at the nearby hill you’ve been told is ‘Little Roundtop.’ Turning back to you, he gestures toward the hill. “We’ve been ordered to assist in the defense at Little Roundtop. The 20th Maine have been having the Devil’s own day of it.”

“Right,” you nod. Turning to your soldiers, you raise your Dragoon in the air. “Come on, men! Let’s move!”

You feel your blood rush as you all hurry forward, quickly making your way up the hill. It is sparsely wooded, and the steep slope begins exhausting the men as you all climb, sometimes hand-over-hand, to reach the top. When you get to the crest, a musket ball whistles past your ear, nearly making your heart jump out of your chest. The enemy round hits one of your men in the neck, sending him down without any delay or ceremony; it takes but a second to see that he is doomed, and he bleeds out before you can even kneel to help. All of your men begin opening fire on the rebels at the bottom of the other side.

The Colonel draws his saber, shouting to the men. “Down the hill! Down the hill!” You all charge; men with rifle-muskets affix their bayonets, and men with swords have them drawn. You produce a large knife in the opposite hand to your Dragoon; in such close quarters, your Henry will be practically useless.

You all tear down through the underbrush, screaming at the top of your lungs. Powder fills the air, stinging your eyes. The Colonel takes a bullet to the arm and keeps moving. You shoot the rebel that fired the shot. Leaping into the unrelenting battle, the hell of close combat, your men collide with the Confederates at the bottom. You find a saber discarded on the ground, swinging it wildly after your Dragoon runs empty. You and your men beat through the enemy force; the troops of your brigade are fearless. There, in the confusing, gun-smoke hazed pit of chaos, you somehow feel complete in a way you never have. You feel, for the first time in your life, truly alive.

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That's all for this thread, thanks for playing! Our next session will likely be this weekend, schedule permitting. Until then please feel free to ask any questions or give feedback, I'll try to answer everything I can.

>>4632044
Thanks for running Zap, i always enjoy your quest

>>4632044
Thanks for running!

>>4632044
Are we losing ourselves too the glory of war, As it seems our flashbacks are getting alot more often?

>>4634285
Stockton definitely has some problems.

Session will go live in like 3 hours, maybe 4 depending on how long it takes me to get dinner going.

New thread:
>>4639711