Tyranny of Steel

The funeral for Vetranis was held not long after his death. As for Alexandros, he immediately became entrenched in managing the nation's affairs and seldom escaped from his study. Even his young fiancee Zenobia was unable to get the man out of his office who was stubbornly preparing for something rather serious. 

It was only after the funeral was over, did Alexandros approach his father and mother, who were front and center for the entire ceremony. The moment Berengar laid eyes on his son, and the stern expression he was making, he knew that the boy wanted something from him, and thus waited patiently for the new Byzantine Emperor to make his request. 

Alexandros sequestered his father away from his mother who was in tears for a private conversation before he spoke with the dignity of an Emperor. By the tone in his voice, and his choice of words, it became abundantly clear that Alexandros was speaking not as a son, but as the Emperor of Byzantium. 

"Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein, as the newly crowned Emperor of Byzantium, there is a request I would like to make of you..."

Berengar silently nodded his head, giving the boy his approval to speak. Which Alexandros quickly took advantage of.

"As you know, several hostile states surround the Byzantine Empire on its eastern borders. I intend to remedy this by invading the near east, and annexing the sultanates. While my army is prepared and willing to wage war against our neighbors, I would humbly request that you honor our alliance and provide air support for my forces." 

Berengar instinctively wore a cruel smile when he heard his son's request. It was no secret that over the past five years the Reich had been rapidly modernizing its forces, so much so, that there were several new supercarriers designed that were based on the Nimitz-class from his past life.

An entire fleet of these new carriers had already been laid down, and was only waiting upon the construction of a dedicated nuclear power supply in order to be completed. It would only be a matter of months before they were outfitted with twin molten salt reactors that generated considerably more power than the small modular nuclear reactors, which were becoming standard across the Reich. 

From then on, the ten Kaiser-class carriers which were currently in service would be replaced with the new and improved super-carriers. With another ten of such vessels being produced within the next ten years. By the end of the decade, the Kriegsmarine planned to have a total of twenty super-carriers operational across the globe.

Naturally, Berengar wanted someone to test these new weapons on, especially his new F-5e Tiger II fighter jets, which were capable of carrying air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and a 1100 kg bomb. 

By now, the Entirety of the Luftwaffe's fighters had been replaced with these new Jets, which not only served the role of an air superiority fighter but also as a multirole fighter, as well as a reconnaissance fighter depending on the variation produced. 

There had also been new supersonic Strategic Bombers based upon the B-1 Lancer that had replaced all previous bomber designs, as well the introduction of attack helicopters such as the AH-1 Cobra, and dedicated close air support jets like the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Naturally with such new and overwhelming air power, Berengar wanted nothing more than to test it in the field, so after hearing his son's request air support in his war against the Arab sultanates of the near east, he was more than happy to accept this offer. 

"Of course, my son. All you need to do is ask, and the Luftwaffe will be there to support you. Although I would prefer if you waited a few months before you declare war. The Reich is currently close to completing new aircraft carriers that would allow us to project an even greater amount of force abroad.  Once the first of these vessels enters service, I will be more than happy to provide all the air support that you need."

Alexandros thought about this carefully and nodded his head in agreement with the terms his father had set forth. He then shifted his sight back over to his mother, who was being comforted by Linde as she grieved her father's recent passing. Concerned for the woman's wellbeing, Alexandros finally spoke up. 

"How is mother doing? I know she was not particularly close with her family, but it must be a heavy thing to watch your father be interned into the earth?"

Berengar did not even need to glance over at Honoria to understand her conflicted emotions. He sighed heavily before responding to his son's question with a defeated expression on his handsome face.

"Your mother will be fine. She just needs some time to process her emotions. After all, she was not exactly the best daughter, and she will have to come to terms with that. Still, to think, the old man finally kicked the bucket.

I thought for sure he was too stubborn to die. Personally, I always wanted to go out on the battlefield in a blaze of glory, but nowadays I think dying in my sleep would be more ideal. I never would have thought that Vetranis would die of shock after hearing you announce the formation of a new dynasty." 

Alexandros shot his father a dirty look when he heard his last few words. His grandfather was about to expire any minute from the moment he first entered the throne room. It was not his fault that death claimed the man only after he made such an announcement.

Seeing the way that his son was looking at him, Berengar chuckled before patting Alexandros on the back while reassuring the boy that he wasn't being serious with what he had said. 

"Lighten up son, I was only joking. It's honestly a miracle that the stubborn old bastard was even able to place the crown on your head. Honestly, Vetranis was unfit to rule over an Empire as mighty as Byzantium. The wisest thing he ever did in life was make you his successor. Speaking of, I trust you are keeping a watchful eye on your uncles."

Alexandros could find no fault with what his father had said. After all, he had been working tirelessly these past few years making up for the horrific decisions his grandfather had made, which resulted in the near annihilation of the Byzantine Empire.

After five hard years of work, the Empire was finally on the right track, so much so that they could now afford a war with their neighbors. Now was the time for the Romans' vengeance, something that Alexandros planned to make an example of. While thinking about this, Alexandros looked back to his grandfather's tomb before speaking about the man.

"It is true that grandfather was not a very good Emperor, and the Lord only knows how much work I have been forced to endure just to bring this Empire back from the brink of collapse. But he was still my grandfather, and your father-in-law. You should show him more respect. But considering how he felt about you, I won't force you to do so. 

Berengar nodded his head in agreement with his son's words before switching the subject back to business.

"Six months. In six months, I will have the first of my super-carriers operational, which I will deploy from Cyprus. Give me six months, and then you can have your war. Although, do you mind if I give you some advice? You know, from one conqueror to another?"

Alexandros looked at his father with a stern expression on his face. The man had given him all the knowledge he needed to be an exceptional ruler in his own right and had created a powerful example for him to follow.

Thus, whatever words he had on the subject of conquest were bound to be enlightening. With this in mind, the young Byzantine Emperor slowly nodded his head in anticipation of his father's words, which were as follows. 

"If you are going to be waging a war of vengeance against the Arabic sultanates: a group of people who have spent the last millennium engaging in acts of aggression against your people, then you cannot show them any mercy.

The Vienna Accords be damned. You bring forth both fire and fury on such a scale that your newly conquered subjects never dare to rise up against you, or your descendents. I need to remind you that the Luftwaffe can only provide you with air support against military targets, however; it is up to you to determine what qualifies as such. Do you understand me, boy?" 

Alexandros soaked in his father's wisdom for a few moments in silence, before nodding his head with a determined look on his face. When he finally opened his mouth, he made a solemn vow to himself, and his father one that would seal the fate of the near east. 

"I will bring the wrath of God upon the Saracens. When my enemies are defeated, and broken, they will kneel before me and declare that I am emperor." 

Berengar took note of the look in his son's eyes and nodded his head with a smile on his face as he said a single word. 

"Good..." 

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