Tyranny of Steel

With the focus of the German military primarily being on the war with Japan, the ongoing efforts of the Reich to purify and settle the new world and its other colonies had taken a back step in the public eye. By now, the Reich's military was so advanced that they no longer suffered any significant casualties when engaging in wars against primitive natives.

Whether it was the use of precise air strikes, or armored vehicles, the German soldiers no longer needed to fear the stone arrows of the native tribes, and while the Imperial German military continued to conduct raids against the Native tribes of what were once known as the Americas in Berengar's past life, the Caribbean was far more peaceful.

Currently, Malissa was standing on the balcony of her presidential suite within the most popular casino and resort that existed in the city of Neuhafen. The former prostitute turned pirate, was dressed in nothing but a luxurious silk bathrobe, while pouring herself and her guest a glass of champagne.

Sitting across from Malissa was none other than the CEO of the Bäcker Entertainment Group, who owned the lion's share of Neuhafen and its many casinos, resorts, and brothels. Henrick, who was the son of Gunther Bäcker, had been running Neuhafen since it was first settled, and while the majority of the island once known as Cuba in Berengar's past life continued to operate as an agricultural colony, Neuhafen had become the primary destination of those German citizens who had a little too much money to spend.

Malissa took one look at the city of neon lights and skyscrapers from the top of her balcony and smiled before sitting down in Henrick's lap. She kissed the man passionately before speaking about their illicit relationship.

"To think that my biggest competitor is also my secret lover, if the public were to find out that the eldest son of the venerable Gunther Bäcker was dating the woman who was once the most popular whore in Constantinople, I wonder how they would react?"

Henrick smiled and kissed the woman back while groping her mid sized breasts. After which he chuckled before flattering the woman about her background.

"Oh, you are so much more than a common whore. You were the second in command of the most successful crew of pirates and explorers this world has ever seen, and is the owner of the most popular destination in the world outside the fatherland.

What you have done in a few short years with this place is amazing. I must say I feel ashamed that none of my resorts come close to matching the quality of the Queen Honoria's Palace. Tell me, why did you name this place after the Kaiser's third wife? Were the two of you that close?"

Malissa snickered as she took another drink from her crystal glass before informing the man of why she had named her casino such a thing.

"While it is true that Honoria and I were on fairly good terms. In reality, the name of my casino and resort has nothing to do with woman herself rather it originates from the vessels we sailed upon. I know you haven't returned to the fatherland in some time, but even you should have heard about the exploits of Queen Honoria's Revenge and her crew?"

The wealthy German business owner chuckled as he nodded his head before speaking about some of the rumors he had heard about the legendary pirate crew.

"Indeed, a pirate crew made entirely of women. I have heard a thing or two about your exploits, and I daresay some rumors that nobody has been able to prove."

Malissa giggled when he heard this, before confirming that these rumors were, in fact, true.

"You mean the fact that we were all sleeping with one another? Well, for the most part, that is true. We often spent months alone at sea without ever seeing a man, and during this time, some of us became quite friendly with each other, so to speak.

However, Honoria herself never joined in the fun. She was always loyal to Berengar. Though I honestly believe there was something going on between her and Linde, I just have never been able to prove it."

Henrick took a particular interest in this gossip and raised his brow in curiosity as he asked the next question on his mind.

"You think that Honoria and Linde were intimate with one another? Why do you think so?"

To Henrick's surprise, Malissa simply chuckled before saying some even more shocking news.

"Not only do I suspect that Honoria and Linde were physically intimate with one another, but I suspect the two of them were in love, maybe even to the same extent that Honoria loved Berengar. I can't prove it, as I never caught the two of them in the act, but whenever I saw Honoria and Linde together, I would always see a look in their eyes that hinted there was something more between the two of them. But that's not important... What we should be discussing is the expansion of Neuhafen. How many marks did you bring in this year?"

A wide grin appeared on Henrick's face as he expressed his joy with the fortune he had made through his majority control over Neuhafen's many casinos, resorts, and brothels.

"About fifty billion. Of course, the Reich gets twenty percent of that due to corporate taxes, but I suppose you could say it is my way of giving back to the people, considering how much they waste on entertainment here in Neuhafen. But enough about my finances. How much did you make this last year?"

Malissa frowned when she heard such a substantial figure before admitting defeat.

"Around three billion, but I only own this place, while you own multiple locations across this city. So I suppose if we compared your most profitable casino, vs Queen Honoria's Palace, I would still come out on top."

Just when Henrick was about to respond to this news, the intercom rang, and a familiar voice shocked Malissa to the core.

"Malissa, you dirty little whore, I know you're hiding in there. How about you open these damned doors and let an old friend inside! I would blast them open myself, but your fucking guards disarmed me at the door!"

Malissa sighed when she heard the intoxicated voice of an old friend before downing the rest of her crystal glass and opening the door to her suite. Standing there in the doorway was a very drunk Elfrun, who immediately smiled and wrapped her arms around Malissa before kissing the woman passionately. Malissa had to fight the busty pirate captain off of her, and once she did so, the girl pouted before expressing her disappointment.

"Geez, I haven't seen you in like two years, and yet you won't even kiss me. What gives girl?"

It was only now that Elfrun noticed a rather handsome German man, in a fine suit, bedazzled in expensive jewelry, sitting on a sofa located within the balcony. When she saw Henrick, she lowered her voice so as to not catch the man's attention.

"Oh, you have company. Perhaps I should visit you some other time, then?"

Despite the fact that Henrick was watching the two women rather patiently, Malissa did not hastily return to him. She was more interested in Elfrun and why she was in Neuhafen.

"Elfrun, what the hell are you doing here? Last I heard, you were raiding shipping in Asia?"

Elfrun immediately began to bitch about her circumstances to her old friend while she hugged the woman once more.

"Oh, Malissa, it's horrible. Japan is on the verge of collapse, and they are completely blockaded by the Kriegsmarine. There's nothing left to raid, and Berengar will not permit us to attack the shipping over other powers in the region like the Ming Dynasty. So my girls and I have nothing left to do but retire...

After Honoria walked out on us, I felt it would be inappropriate to visit her in Kufstein, so I brought some of the girls here to Neuhafen, those who wanted to stick around with me, anyway. They're waiting in my room. If you want, you can join us. I'm sure we have a lot to catch up on."

Malissa bit her lip in distress, as she thought about whether it was a good idea to get wasted with her old crewmates, or stay with Henrick and discuss business. After all, those few girls who were left over when Malissa retired were relatively unfamiliar to her, aside from Elfrun, that is. Still, since Elfrun had asked, Malissa could not deny her.

"Fine, your stay here is on me. Order as much alcohol, drugs and girls as you want. I have quite a few exotic beauties in my collection who would be more than happy to service you and the girls. Just give me a moment to finish things up here, and I will head to your room."

Elfrun smiled and kissed Malissa once more. This time the woman did not resist, and became rather intimate with her old crew mate, before returning to Henrick and informing her that plans had changed for the night. Though Henrick was rather disappointed in how the evening ended up, he understood the need for Malissa to reunite with her old friends.

Malissa and Henrick would discuss at a later date how best to further develop the den of vice that was Neuhafen.