Das Büro des Großadmiral

[Traudel Habermeyer]

Traudel only sits down after both Karl-Heinz and Jurgen did so, her every move stiffer than the previous one.
Großadmiral von Thielau talked - so there was but one thing to do. To listen. With each word the Reinwehr soldier became more and more concerned, only partially masking it by putting up a stern facade. Not a particularly strong one, as it shattered the second the Großadmiral focussed his unrelenting gaze upon Traudel and only Traudel. Freezing right on the spot, like a deer in headlights.
As if that alone wasn't enough already, the prospect of having to voice her own take on this conundrum made her heart skip a beat. At least it took her mind off the potential discharge. Swallowing once, Traudel collects her thoughts.

"Jawohl, Herr Großadmiral." Bright blue eyes fixate on the right flag behind Karl-Heinz.
"Allow me to preface my view on this with a simple warning, i may not be the most politically astute pilot out there. But i listened to Vizeadmiral Herzsprung plenty of times, now that she has returned. As i like to serve Rheinland for as long as i can, following her example seems like a solid idea to me. That ouf of the way ... let me see. I value loyalty a great deal." The table is being looked at, gets replaced by a random corner of von Thielau's office and in the end Traudel's attention simply wanders around while talking.
"First and foremost i see a possibility, a chance. A way to influence dealings outside our usual control, sir. Whatever the Gallic Royalists view as potential enemies, if they are, by any chance, undesirable in the eyes of Rheinland as well... or about to become that in the future... how do i put it? Use the Gallic Royalists as a secret proxy for our designs. We could cause damage to those undesirables without being directly involved or breaching any form of current status quo we are otherwise unable to affect. Consolidate our own power, while neighbouring systems get placed under more stress."
Frowning once, Traudel stares at the right flag again - that of the Kaiserliche Rheinwehr. "If they succeed in their own plan to overthrow the current government of Gallia, they owe us. We'd have a strong ally, one that is not held back by long-winded discussions in congress or postponed decisions. A few voices, or just a single one even, are always quicker. In order to ensure they do not 'forget' this continuation of good relations later down the line, whatever assistance we may render should, of course, offer the possibility to pull the rug from under their feet." Traudel takes a deeper breath, right hand gesturing a little now. "Weapons cease functioning once required ammunition as well as key maintenance parts are no longer delivered. Specific food, medical aid or other means, which are out of reach for the Royalists, will leave a gaping hole in any logistics chain once we stop providing. 'Randomly' undefended borders that held strategic value for them... and so on." One hand runs through Traudel's hair.
"All of this has to happen mostly in secrecy for the start, i see no benefit to letting anyone know of it. Which, in turn, means little stands in the way of proceeding as planned so far with Bretonia. They are economically and militarily crippled you say, Herr Großadmiral? Excellent - yet another house that'll owe us in the long run. And if anyone complains later on... let them. None of them put their eggs in one basket either, i am quite sure of that. All they'll do is out themselves as the hypocrites they are then. The Rheinland i wish to see does not, nor did it ever, rely on the likes of spineless yea-sayers or a house that is nothing more than a banner in the wind! Changing its mind or side, depending on whatever currently is the most appealing." Traudel huffs once, adjusts her uniform and notices one small detail about herself in this very moment. She was standing - and shaking! Must've gotten up during the last parts of her little speech. Taking a few breaths, the Rheinwehr soldier sinks back into the chair and grasps her hands. Focussing on calming herself again.

"Entschuldigung..."