Building a Conglomerate in Another World

January 22, 1898

London, United Kingdom – Foreign Office

Inside the stately chambers of the British Foreign Office, diplomats, lords, and military attachés from across the empire gathered around a polished oak table. The room was buzzing with agitation. Copies of the Amerathian declaration of support for Japan were spread across the table, alongside intelligence reports and diplomatic telegrams.

Viscount Melrose, the Foreign Secretary, cleared his throat and stood. "Well, gentlemen, the Amerathianshave made their choice."

General Dunford, a stern-faced man in his late sixties, scowled. "They've gone and backed the Japs over the Russians. Unbelievable."

One of the younger ministers spoke up. "And yet, are we truly surprised? Hesh is no fool. He knows exactly what he's doing."

"Exactly," Melrose agreed. "This is not about sentiment or idealism. This is about the Pacific."

A murmur of agreement ran through the room.

"But what do we do now?" asked Sir Arthur Godwin, a senior diplomat. "Russia is asking us to condemn the Amerathians and join their campaign. The Tsar has made it clear—he expects us to stand with our 'fellow European brothers.'"

Melrose took a moment before answering. "Let me be perfectly clear. We are not going to war with Amerathia. Not over Japan."

There were surprised glances exchanged around the room.

"Why not?" Dunford asked gruffly.

"Because," Melrose said flatly, "we buy almost half of our advanced naval components from Amerathia. Our new class of dreadnoughts runs on Amerathian-designed engines. Their military exports fund half our rearmament efforts. And, most importantly, if we anger them, they will cut us off. No weapons, no parts, no trade. And we'll be the ones left scrambling while they take the Pacific."

A long silence followed.

"Besides," Melrose added, "Russia is an autocracy. Brutal, backward, and slow to adapt. Most of us merely tolerate the Tsar because we must. Hesh may be difficult, but he's rational."

"So we just sit back?" Dunford asked.

"No," Melrose replied. "We do what we always do. We wait. And we prepare—quietly. Let the Russians bleed. Let the Amerathians spend their gold. Then we'll see where the chips fall."

Paris, France – Élysée Palace

President Félix Faure leaned back in his leather chair, holding a telegram from St. Petersburg in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Across from him, his Minister of War, General Lafontaine, and his Foreign Minister, Émile Deloncle, sat uneasily.

"The Tsar is asking for our support," Deloncle said. "He says we must preserve the dignity of the West."

Faure chuckled. "Ah yes, the dignity of Europe. Always used as an excuse for war."

"But we are allies, at least on paper," Lafontaine pointed out. "If we do nothing—"

"Then we do nothing," Faure interrupted, more serious now. "We are not ready for another war. Not against Amerathia. Their industry dwarfs ours. Their navy could blockade our ports within a week. We cannot win that fight."

Deloncle looked frustrated. "Then what do we tell the Tsar?"

Faure downed the rest of his wine. "Tell him… France stands for peace."

Berlin, German Empire – Reich Chancellery

Kaiser Wilhelm II slammed his fist on the table. "Cowards! The British hide behind neutrality, and the French plead pacifism while Amerathia stabs the West in the back!"

His generals remained silent, knowing better than to challenge the emperor mid-outburst.

"We should form a coalition!" Wilhelm barked. "If the West unites, we can bring Amerathia to its knees."

General von Moltke cleared his throat. "Your Majesty… with respect, if we unite against Amerathia, we risk everything. Our rail systems rely on their engineering. Our new telegraph networks run on their protocols. If they sanction us, it could cripple our economy."

Wilhelm grumbled, gripping the edge of the table. "And yet we do nothing while a foreign power allies with Asia?"

Von Moltke nodded. "For now, yes. We watch. We prepare. And we wait for them to slip."

Rome, Kingdom of Italy – Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister Di Rudinì read the Russian telegram with a heavy sigh.

"Do they think we're fools?" he muttered.

"Russia wants us to denounce Amerathia," his aide said. "Claim they're betraying Western values."

Di Rudinì leaned back. "And when we do that, who will supply our rifles? Who will ship our coal? Russia?"

The aide said nothing.

"We will not condemn Amerathia. We will remain silent."

St. Petersburg – The Winter Palace

The mood in the Russian court was turning bitter.

Report after report flowed into the hands of Tsar Nicholas II. One by one, Western powers politely declined to support Russia. Some refused outright. Others offered vague statements of concern.

The Tsar paced furiously.

"They're afraid," he muttered. "Afraid of Hesh. Afraid of his weapons, his factories, his bloody empire of machines."

Alexei stood near the fireplace, quiet.

"Amerathia has become the center of the modern world," he said finally. "They produce more steel than Britain and Germany combined. They sell warships to everyone. They have allies in every continent."

Nicholas turned sharply. "Then what are you saying?"

Alexei didn't blink. "That we may have picked the wrong fight."

Washington, D.C. – The White House

Collins walked into the Oval Office with a file in hand.

"They're backing off," he said. "Britain, France, Germany, Italy—all of them are choosing neutrality. Some are still whispering about betrayal, but no one's acting."

Matthew closed the file he had been reading and sat back in his chair.

"They're not stupid," he said. "They know we hold too many of the cards."

"And Russia?" Collins asked.

"They'll keep pushing," Matthew replied. "But now they know they're on their own."

Collins looked out the window. "It could still get worse."

"It will," Matthew said quietly. "But we've made our move. Now it's Russia's turn."

He stood up and walked over to the window, watching the city lights flicker in the cold night air.

"They wanted a global war," he muttered. "Let's see how they handle being the only ones in it."'

"We are ready to commit all our forces in this, Mr. President."