Chapter 22: “Keep Lyin’ and Tryin’”

Season Covered: Fall 1907 (Part I)

We have a little more time than normal due to the powers entering retreats more quickly than normal.  Austria retreated to Galicia, continuing his attack against Germany. Austria’s move made very little sense to either Germany or myself, so we decide to work on Austria.  I reached out to Austria to make sure he is okay. Discussed in Chapter 20. I also tell him what he needs to hear.

France reaches out to me after the Austrian retreat to Galicia.

At the same time, I pitch a three-way alliance (Austria/Germany/England), and let Austria know that he will soon be carved up by Turkey and France if he does not reverse course.

Austria tells Germany and me that he is against Turkey, and he wants Warsaw.   I think we can give it to him if Turkey can get me into Moscow.

“[S]chow” is not a misspelling. It’s a Nexus-ism, and meant to bond us together. Austria is definitely working with France. I ask him not to reveal anything to France, except I hope he reveals that I hope for tensions to be decreased, even though I don’t harbor any such hopes. I just want France to leave me alone.

Turkey hedges on supporting me to Moscow. I try to explain why that’s good for him. The following press excerpts reveal my thinking:

I don’t feel so dirty about talking about Austria, because I told him I would tell Turkey about this:

Meanwhile, based on the thread I quoted above, I think Austria may go with Germany and myself.  Austria may get swallowed up making a play for Warsaw, and Turkey is going to get bigger.  I'll take the risk because a bigger Turkey forces France to the Mediterranean and away from me.

Then I look at the map.

Can I make a credible move on Germany?  The thought freaks me out, and I decide to explore it in the morning.