Superiority Chapter 2
#3 of Superiority
Superiority
Chapter 2
The sun shone brightly through the windows of the throne room as the Emperor was given his hourly report.
"The numbers are up again this week, your majesty", said the Emperors new errand boy, obviously nervous being in his presence.
"That's good, but how many ar-". He was cut short by a hailing from his intercom.
With the press of a button General Nosov was on the screen.
"I trust you have a good reason for using the emergency line Dimitri?"
"Yes, your majesty." Said the general in a thick russian accent. "The canadians once again refuse requests to disclose the reason for mobilizing their troops. They have been moving them closer to the edge of the Yukon Territory."
The Emperor froze in his chair.
The canadians were never accepting of his invasion of America, and he was still unprepared for a full out war.
"How large are their forces Dimitri?"
"As far as we can tell not visibly very large, but intel suggests most are being hidden as to not alarm us. I don't believe our bluff will hold out much longer."
He was right. To keep Canada, and Mexico off his back as he built his forces, he informed both nations that he had planted the same amount of nuclear warheads in their countries.
He could not currently win a full on war. He had to admit to himself that he wouldn't have won the Lupinus-American war had he not used nuclear devices in the way he did.
He had bombs of course, but after the American invasion, both Canada, and Mexico had tightened security to an extreme level. He was so far only able to place three total bombs. Two in Toronto, and one in Mexico City.
Enough to do some damage, but not enough to win a war.
"What is the percentage level of captives who have been agreeing to join the military?" Asked the Emperor.
"Not nearly high enough, I'm afraid. Only one in two hundred seventy six are willing to serve." Said Dimitri in a disappointed voice, his head hung low.
He couldn't bring it upon himself to initiate a draft. He wasn't going to be that kind of Emperor.
"Thank you very much Dimitri, I will consider the implications of this. You are excused." Said the Emperor.
The screen went blank and his attention turned towards the errand boy again.
"As I was saying. How many of the captives are being proven useful?"
"Higher percentages this week, your majesty, The transitioning department is doing wonders turning them into productive citizens." Squeaked the nervous young wolf.
"Excellent, you are excused." Replied the Emperor.
A look of relief washed over the errand boys face as he turned around and almost ran out of the room.
The Emperor was used to the kind of intimidation one gives off when he kills millions, but still he sighed. He hated that his people couldn't get close to him. Such was the price of obtaining anything through war.
He stared across the large room before he stood to take lunch in his study.
He ate quietly as he stared out the window of his study, admiring his beautiful capitol city.
The Imperial Palace overlooked the shining glory that was Lupinium. The city was cut into the side of a large mountain, and the view was breathtaking. He never could get used to it.
He longed for the days he could walk the streets, and speak with his people. But those days were long gone. The assassination attempt of 59' changed all of that. Now he rarely left the palace. He couldn't even hold public audience anymore.
His thoughts returned to the problem at hand. He didn't want to initiate a draft, but there seemed to be no other option. There were not nearly enough wolves in his military, and even fewer capable of being productive past being a simple gunslinger.
It would have to be done, he decided. Even if his people hated him for it. They probably already hated him anyway. More than half of his people were captured humans, full of hatred.
He sat staring out the window for another hour or so before he heard a gentle ringing on his study door.
"Come in." He said in a sad tone.
"Your Majesty?" Said the quiet little errand boy.
"Yes?" Replied the Emperor.
"The Secretary of Defense requests I bring you the budget for approval."
"Just set it on my desk, thank you." Said the Emperor. Instantly relieved. If there was one thing he could count on, it was his strong economy.
There was a lot of oil, and other resources, near the capitol. He had lifted all drilling bans, and the sea was full of oil rigs, generating a lot of profit for his country.
He skimmed over the budget, and quickly sent his approval to the Secretary of Defense.
"At least, I can buy a lot of weapons, even if I don't have anyone to give them to." He chuckled to himself.