Of Pride and Power - 40. Chapter 34: “Re-Create Yourself”

Jamie and I were escorted by Gard to the bunker where Takechiyo and Will were relocated, along with most of my royal court, after the attack on Whitehall Palace. It was close to midnight and Jamie had fallen asleep in my arms during the steady descent of the hot air balloon. When we entered the secure location, Nicolas Bacon and William Cecil greeted me along with Takechiyo and Will. Will’s lunge to hug me woke up Jamie.

Both boys embraced, having not seen each other since breakfast. Will couldn’t hold back his tears during the embrace, which set off Jamie's wailing. Takechiyo and I guided them into my private bedroom within the bunker, so my sons could have a peaceful place. I promised them I would join them later. I didn’t keep that promise until almost daybreak when I snuggled up in my extra-large bed next to my boys. There was too much to do and plan.

My first order was a procedural dispatch for the Medical College of London, whose student residents were waiting to assist the military effort. Despite not having Royal Marines in London under the legal compromises with Parliament, there were hundreds of doctors in training at the medical college, who were obligated to serve as field medics under a separate National Service Act, which was passed without notice, during conflicts including internal disturbances. There were several doctors in training, who did not answer my call to service. In my timeline, more liberal laws allowed for conscientious objectors to be exempted under religious or moral concerns from military service. In our current world, religion has been weaponized and cannot be used as an exemption. Any reasonable person would choose existential needs in a battle between belief and reality if they wish to survive. The objectors were expelled from the Medical College of London. They were also denied further access to future education or medical licensing, but I met with each objector afterward to hear their appeal arguments for reinstatement. It might seem contradictory to enforce a law for national service and offer people a process to appeal the law’s punishment without offering an exemption. Yet, I did not want to punish good Samaritans alongside bigots or grant exemptions under the law. Though, I thought the conscientious objectors were idealistic and naïve, many of them had no malice towards me or my nation. Despite my timeline’s many mistakes over the centuries, humanity created immense hope through such idealistic people, who followed the ancient principle of “not harm” through their medical knowledge. Being a military medic with orders such as torturing prisoners or performing surgery for the goal of maximizing spectacle without death would have violated such principles. I will not apologize for the harsh necessity to protect myself and those who follow me, nor will I punish those with ideals of non-violence. These two principles are not mutually exclusive, and I hope my descendants will remember this example in the future.

I ordered additional medics on standby near Westminster Abbey to re-attach the severed tongues of Thomas Radclyffe, Prince Dmitry, and the other soldiers. Robert and I had performed this surgery more than a decade ago with a fully severed tongue, but we did so with our exclusive supernatural abilities and knowledge. For them to perform reattachment surgery promptly with fewer skills, the captives’ tongues were still partially attached and topical anesthesia was used. It was a controlled test case for battlefield surgeons, which England was training under Robert and my direction. In our timeline, English military medics were nicknamed “butchers” for centuries due to their rush to amputate limbs and use boiling oil on flesh. I imported training and organizational structure from the offshoot nation of England known as the United States, which was developed ironically during its Civil War in my timeline by Jonathan Letterman. Concepts like triage, ambulance units to move injured, and field hospital protocols for cleanliness and prioritization by limited staff were taught at the medical college as part of the core curriculum. Additionally, drugs were developed for clotting, anti-inflammation, and pain reduction from the massive industrial complexes that were built across England under the ownership of their workers. I know it is hypocritical that I had ordered the same torture to be administered as Queen Mary did to heretics, who offended her. I could have used other methods to make these men temporarily mute, but I chose that route as a parent against their child’s murderer. Objectively, I was wrong to torture men who would and should have been allowed to die. Upon reflection several days later, a story from my old life circled through my mind as a moral tale. A speculative fiction anthology series created in England called Black Mirror had a story called “White Bear” about the live punishment of a child murder, observed by outsiders for vindication. Viewing that story, I originally thought it was wrong to punish someone endlessly for a crime for vindication, rather than killing them for what they did. Henry’s death changed my outlook.

After the medics were dispatched, William Cecil and Nicholas Bacon brought up the delicate issue of foreign policy after settling things in London.

"Your Majesty," Cecil began, his voice calm and steady, "we must tread carefully in these perilous times. The attack by the Russian Empire is a grievous affront, but we must consider the broader implications. The Habsburg Empire lurks like a viper, waiting for us to make a misstep. A cautious approach, leveraging diplomacy, will allow us to navigate these treacherous waters without further endangering our realm."

Bacon stopped his pacing and slammed a fist on the table. "Caution? Diplomacy? Our people demand justice, Sire! The death of Prince Henry cannot go unanswered. We must show strength, not weakness. An aggressive stance will deter our enemies and rally our allies. The Russian Empire must pay for their audacity, and the Habsburgs must know we will not be cowed."

I leaned back in my chair, my eyes narrowing as I considered both of their words. The weight of the crown seemed heavier than ever in this moment of crisis. I turned my gaze to Takechiyo Matsudeira, my trusted aide, who stood silently near the chamber's entrance, his presence a reminder of the distant yet powerful alliances that could be forged. History does not repeat, but it does rhyme. The last nation in my history to defeat the Russian Empire in open warfare was Japan. However, what few people realized was the fact that England had a major hand in that conflict under the Anglo-Japanese alliance. English spies and material resources, combined with Japanese technical ingenuity with naval design and boldness in warfare, won a war against a resource-rich nation like Russia. Additionally, the Anglo-Japanese alliance had secret covenants that countered the French and United States Pacific imperial expansion, serving both nations’ needs against major rivals. As Queen Victoria in my timeline said, “The Japanese nation is the Britain of the Orient". It was time to reactivate that alliance and create something stronger between the nation-states, but we needed someone with an understanding of both sides in Japan. Takechiyo, who was fated in history to become Japan’s third unifier, has spent a decade with me as a friend, confidante, and lover. I knew he had a destiny similar to my own. In the last three years, the Takeda Clan under the Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen, had launched a successful rebellion in western Japan with resources from Ming China and the Russian Empire according to the Habsburg radio intercepts we acquired. Oda Nobunaga needed help and based on Takechiyo’s impression of him, he seemed to be a more moderate member of the Corporate Consortium faction, who may be open to overtures from us. Plans for an envoy and diplomatic mission were prepared for next summer in 1570 when we could free up a full nettle group with a Dreadnaught class battleship to escort Takechiyo to Japan. All that had to be rushed.

"Takechiyo," I called, my voice commanding yet contemplative. "Step forward, my friend."

Takechiyo, with a dignified bearing and steely resolve, approached us and bowed deeply towards me. His Asian-based attire of light fabrics contrasted sharply with the opulent European dress of leather and cotton, yet he seemed entirely at ease as usual among us.

"Takechiyo, you have served me loyally and with great wisdom. Considering the recent atrocities, I propose that we support you in taking control of Nippon as we had discussed in the past. Your leadership there would be a formidable counter to both the Russian and Habsburg threats. Nicholas Bacon advocates for an aggressive policy, and I believe your strength could tip the balance in our favor."

Takechiyo nodded and spoke solemnly in crisp English. "Your Majesty, it would be an honor to serve England in this capacity. With your support, I will unite Nippon and stand as a bulwark against our enemies. Together, we will avenge Prince Henry and secure a future free from the shadow of our adversaries."

Cecil's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Your Majesty, while Takechiyo's prowess is undeniable, such a move could escalate tensions further between all the major forces. We must consider the long-term consequences."

I raised a hand to silence William Cecil, my decision was clear. "The time for caution has passed, my dear Lord Cecil. Our enemies have struck at the heart of our kingdom. We will respond with strength and resolve. Takechiyo will have our full support in this quest. Let it be known that England will not be trifled with."

Foreign policy is a messy situation with many variables. Some people like William Cecil advocate cautious approaches with limited actions. This tradition is a hallmark of peaceful nations, which is not negative for economic and social development. However, it must be weighed against existential threats to the nation that you serve, something many good leaders fail to note. In my history, a future Prime Minister named Neville Chamberlain pursued a course toward caution and promoted British policy first. An aggressive unified German Empire, like the Habsburg Empire with an Austrian as its leader, took such cautious actions from England as weakness. He carved out European territory for his Reich, massacred their peoples, and then turned their guns on England itself. The word “appeasement” and quotes like “peace in our time” became synonymous with this kind of cautious policy that ignores existential threats. In exchange for caution, Britain would be engulfed in a war that ended with its resources drained and its territories shattered. There is nothing wrong with those who seek peace, but you must know who your adversaries are. There was no chance of peace with any of the major factions from my timeline, who had traversed five hundred years to secure humanity’s destiny. As the Russian Empire attacked London, it meant the war was no longer avoidable.

The flickering incandescent light cast long shadows over the room as Nicholas Bacon's expression hardened with resolve. He turned to me, his voice steady and fierce.

"Your Majesty, sending Takechiyo to Nippon is a wise move. His leadership will secure us a formidable ally in the East. But we must also consider forging stronger alliances closer to home. The Hohenzollern House of Brandenburg-Prussia could be invaluable in our struggle. Though they are nominally under the Habsburg yoke through their Catholic branch in Romania, they are heirs to the Teutonic Knight Orders and historical enemies of Muscovy. An alliance with them would not only weaken our foes but also bolster our position significantly."

Nicholas Bacon was a brilliant man in his own right; though in my history, he’s overshadowed by his son’s abilities in philosophy and statecraft. He offered the idea of an alliance with the House of Hohenzollern in privy council meetings in the past, but the idea was dismissed. I knew in history that this family would one day usurp the power of the Habsburgs in Austria and form a new German Empire under their own Kaiser based on militarism and fierce nationalism. Allying with Hohenzollern was an example where long-term planning that William Cecil cautioned did play a major role as I assume my descendants have realized based on my decision and current events.

I nodded, appreciating Nicholas' strategic insight during such a terrible day, but I still had the forethought to temper the request, "Indeed, Nicholas. The Hohenzollerns have a history of animosity against Muscovy and its successor state in the Russian Empire. If we can secure their support, it will send a powerful message to both the Russian and Habsburg empires. However, I fear that empowering the House of Hohenzollern, who were formerly the grandmasters of the Teutonic Knights Order, and holding a history of aggression throughout their home region would pose a danger just as great to our descendants as it did during my timeline. If we do ally with them, we must be careful on how far any assistance can go.”

Bacon continued, his tone reflecting his deep personal connection to the matter. "Sire, Prince Henry's sacrifice saved my life and that of my son, Francis. I owe him a debt that can never be repaid. This attack was not just on our kingdom but on our families. We must respond with strength."

William Cecil, though visibly uncomfortable, interjected with a measured tone. "Your Majesty, while Nicholas's plan has merit, we must be mindful of the intricate web of alliances and enmities that define our world. The Hohenzollerns are a complicated ally, and their hatred towards the Habsburgs and Russians cannot be overlooked. How can we trust a foreign royal house, when our nobles cannot be trusted with maintaining their oaths of honor?"

I turned to William Cecil with empathy. "William, I understand your caution. The betrayals you have faced, especially from trusted friends like William Paulet, have shaken you. But remember, you were not at fault for their treachery. We cannot let fear of misjudgment cloud our future choices."

Cecil bowed his head slightly, acknowledging my words. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will strive to remember that. Our next steps must be calculated, but I will support your decision."

I stood and made gestures for the sleep-deprived royal court to hear what had been decided. I headed to a microphone near the back of the chamber that would broadcast my command to everyone.

"We will send Lord Takechiyo Matsudeira to Nippon with our full support and a modest fleet of ships, including our newly commissioned Dreadnaught. Privy Councilor Nicholas Bacon will initiate contact with the Hohenzollern House of Brandenburg-Prussia. Offer them a limited strategic alliance against our mutual enemies and persuade them to break away from the Habsburg domain. Their strategic location near the Baltic Sea will cut off the Russian northern fleet. William Cecil will continue to work on improving our domestic realm and ensuring the remaining nobles remain loyal. Together, we will avenge Prince Henry's death and secure the future of our kingdom."

Nicholas Bacon and William Cecil exchanged a glance, a rare moment of unity despite their differing views. They both knew the stakes were higher than ever, and their combined efforts would be crucial in the battles to come.