[center][h1]German-Australian Diplomacy[/h1]
[h3][u]in collaboration with MonkeyBusiness[/u][/h3][/center]

"Did you hear, mien Fuhrer?" Vice Chancellor Olo asked his emperor.

"About King Pagani getting shot with a pistol by a man who didn't want flintlocks to be brought into the country? Yes, quite ironic. Have our ambassador keep his ears open in Naples. We must know what happens. If the King is dead then Parliament will likely take over and place their own man on the throne. Wouldn't be surprised if those Italians were the ones who had him shot in the first place. But, if Parliament takes over they will undoubtedly try to take our lands back. We're not fully garrisoned there yet, but it's not the Italians I'd worry about. We could easily hold the forts against the peasant mobs. However, the dutch would most likely see this as an opportunity to get in their good graces." Kaiser Bismarck sat at his desk, reading over legislation proposals and foreign reports.

"Understood sir," Olo continued. "So, the dignitary from Australia has arrived at the palace and is just outside waiting to see you."

"Good, go ahead and send him in." Bismarck took the documents from his desk and tucked them into a drawer beneath, not wanting the diplomats prying eyes to catch something of note.

"Are you certain you have the time to do this yourself, Kaiser? That is why you appointed me, after all." Olo clearly didn't like feeling insignificant so soon after getting his position.

"No, he requested to see me personally. I should like to see what he has to say. You will, however, sit in for this meeting. It would not do well to appear that I am going around my Foreign Minister. After all, that is why I hired you," Bismarck smirked at his VC as the man made his way out to the waiting room.

"Sir, his holiness is ready to see you now." Olo led the Australian into the room and offered him a seat in front of Kaiser's desk, taking the one next to it. "Awe, Guten tag, Bismarck greeted, extending a hand. "I heard you arrived on a large airship. Most incredible. I would be most honored for the chance to ride on it while you are here. Speaking of which, I hear you are staying in a hostel here in the city. That is no good for a diplomat from the glorious Commonwealth. I will have the Vice Chancellor set up rooms in the Guest Hall of the palace for you and your men." The emperor took his seat. "Now, have they treated you, can I get you a refreshment?"
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Russel Harford straightened his suit as he walked into the room and took the seat across from the Germans. "You are most kind Kaiser. I shall take you up on your offer to stay in the Guest Hall, but as for refreshments I am quiet all right." He said with a smile and a nod of his head. "As for the airship you are welcome anytime you would like. I would like to show you around and display what the Commonwealth has to offer the mighty German Empire in regards of air power." 

"Forgive my rudeness, but I would like to get down to business right away. As you know, the Commonwealth of Australia is a country which is still growing and establishing itself and as such we would like hire some of your military to train our standing army. In return, we are willing to pay in either gold, blue coal or even airships if that is what you request." At this point, he stood up and opened the door to present his two guards carrying a chest between them who stepped into the room and placed the chest at Harford's side of the table. 

"I have brought some samples of our blue coal and gold from our newest mines." The diplomat explained as he opened up the chest and pulled a bar of gold out followed by a large rock of blue coal. Russel placed both items on the table in front of the Kaiser and Olo with a smile on his face. "This is the standard of product that is pulled out of our mines."
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Bismarck scratched his beard as he took in the offer. Sending troops all the way to the pacific would mean they had a long voyage to get home should something arise here in Europe. However, it also meant he would have a a garrison of troops along with a small fleet should anything arise on that side of the world. He would have troops in prime position to attack the Dutch East Indies should anything arise between them and the Netherlands over German mines in Italy. A military alliance would help as well.

He didn't want to appear too eager, however. "I'm no geologist," he said instead as he picked up the chunk of rock and inspected it. "I wouldn't know the difference between good quality coal, and bad," he chuckled to the Aussie. "I have a counter-proposition. If you let me put a proper military base in Australia with a garrison of... let's say a thousand infantry and three hundred Blue Panzers I'll send my most prestigious Colonel to oversee the training of the Australian military on both foot, and in tank. With this, I request a small squadron of, say three airships along with the schematics to produce our own. Also, you keep your gold. However, I'll pay for six monthly shipments of Blue Coal. That's approximately how long it will take to get our mines operational to a point where we can start exploiting our own Blue Coal."
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Harford already had his answer for the Kaiser, but drew out the silence a moment longer. "The Australian people would not like a entire garrison of German soldiers on the mainland along with tanks. We would be able to offer a garrison on the island of Papua New Guinea with transport being arranged by our own airships. This would only allow you to house one hundred Panzers due to the island conditions but your other requests we can accommodate." He told them with a slight bow as he knew the airships that were going to be given to the Germans would most likely be an older model, but that could not be helped as it would still be advanced to them. 

"As soon as I arrive back at the Commonwealth, we shall launch a fleet of transports to return and bring whatever supplies are needed for your garrison. We will also give you the schematics that you requested along with three battle-ready airships." The diplomat said with a smile as he gestured for his men to pick the chest up and leave the room. "You may keep the gift of coal and gold and we have also brought a gift of exotic life for your pleasure. If you would make your way to the front of the palace we have a Kangaroo to present as well."