Nikolai Kosciusko 2: Nikolai Kosciusko, #2

By Richard R Lockwood

With the assassination of Emperor Napoleon Bonapart plans must be changed. The new Fleet Academy is begun in Corfu and the birth of the Terran Fleet announced. Nikolai decides to recruit his own Polish Legion for service to House Kosciusko. Their first big task will be freeing Poland from Russian domination. Nikolai is half Russian and would like to have good relations with the Tsar, but he is also half Polish. He plans to make up the loss of Poland by giving the Russians help in Central Asia. Nikolai leads a training mission to Georgia to help the Russian Army with the Persians.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard R Lockwood
• Release date: Nov 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215297957

Richard R Lockwood

Was born in Miami FL. Worked for the University of Florida until I retired. Been married to the lovely Cecelia for 40 years now, proof that I'm a lucky guy. Now living on the Nature Coast in Citrus County. Enjoy all kind of wildlife, especially reptiles and insects, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place. When I'm not writing I enjoy wood carving. Both of the heads beside me in the picture are cedar from the Chassahowitzka Forrest. I also love to walk my dog Bark Anthony. Probably need to go do that now. A Chronology of the Twins Alternate Universe novels and some thoughts and rationales - https://www.ricklockwood.net/Chronology.html My Books on Books 2 Read - https://books2read.com/ap/RaZ9Br/Richard-R-Lockwood  

Book preview

2

With a royal coronation to attend in Paris, and a royal wedding soon after in London, Dora and Cristina insisted on preparations. They began to frequent the best dressmakers in Paris and London, armed with floating boxes of gold coins and guarded by a squad of New Fleet marines.

Nikolai turned his attention to Corfu. The old town itself was well enough, he and his Council judged it pointless to disturb the many historic constructions, but there were opportunities elsewhere. Von Gneisenau was ordered to send a trio of his best construction engineers from Prussia. He complained; he had a mountain of offers from the Prussian government for canal and road building. Nikolai told him to raise his prices until the orders reached a reasonable level.

The engineers arrived at almost the same moment that Parr returned from Poland. Nikolai gave the engineers a shuttlecraft and orders to survey the island for likely building sites, then turned his attention to the ensign.

Parr had brought several men with him. Nikolai summoned Saint-Cyr and Willaumez and presided over an introductory meeting in the dining room of the BabyLux. He had met the Serbian Black George before, and the three Poles were easy to identify - grim looking, battle worn, serious and fair skinned men - but a young slender one armed man was not so easy to place.

Alexander Ypsilantis, my lord, said Parr as he brought him forward. Born in Trebizon, his family is Greek, served with the Russians, lost his arm at Dresden.

Nikolai was ready to trust Parr’s judgement in men. If he thought these men were exceptional and useful, then that was good enough. We aim to free Greece and the Balkans from the Ottomans. Any property owned by Turks will become ours and slavery will be abolished. The Greeks, Serbians, Bulgarians, all will rule themselves. My goal is to create a fighting force of the finest men and women on Earth, and use that force to defend our planet from enemies among the stars. As far as Poland, he turned his attention to that skeptical group, What is the situation there?

Austria and Prussia have bitten off large pieces of Poland, replied one. The Russians rule the Duchy of Warsaw and Konstantin calls himself King of Poland, he uses his secret police to spread terror.

Nikolai looked at the man and Parr sent his name by lace, *Dominik Dziewanowski, a former General.*

My goal, General, is to create a military force loyal to my family. A sort of royal guard. This force will be so powerful that it will be obvious to the Russians and the Prussians and everyone else, they would be smart to leave. It may take a short while to recruit and train this force, but when it exists, my Polish Company will be the strongest power in Northern Europe. You yourselves will invite Konstantine to leave Poland, and afterwards you will treat the Russians like little brothers. Annoying pests, but still brothers. Understood?

Ensign Parr has convinced us already,

Will you swear fealty to my House, and become a Knight of House Kosciusko?

I have already fought for Kosciusko, the Uprising of 1794. Parr claims you are a distant relative, no matter, we are ready to call you lord.

I’m not interested in fealty, interrupted the Serbian, though I’ll work with you in smashing the Turks.

Please wait outside then, said Nikolai.

Alexander Ypsilantis stayed. I have no other home, Count. I will gladly join your House.

Kneel and raise your hands. The Greek and the Poles obeyed. I swear, upon my honor, to be your shield while you support me, and your scourge if you desert me. Your families will be as my family, your enemies will be my enemies. Will you swear to obey my orders, and swear that there is no deceit or holding back in your hearts and minds as you take this oath?

Versions of ‘I do’, and ‘I will’ came from the kneeling men.

Nikolai cupped Ypsilantis’ hands in his own, Upon my honor I swear.

Ypsilantis repeated the words. Rise, Knight of House Kosciusko. He then repeated the oath with each of the other three. A glass of wine to celebrate, he said and called a tray over from the food service unit. He took a small box of lace pills from a pocket and handed them out to the new knights, You know of the lace? After the Poles nodded but Alexander did not he said, You are a special case, Alexander. When we finish here Ensign Willaumez will give them instruction on the gunship, and I will see if I can fix your arm.

Are you also a doctor, my lord?

Doubting me already?

With respect, my lord, the stories Parr has told are sure to be exaggerations.

The Poles had washed their pills down and Nikolai poured a refill from the decanter on the tray. Is he exaggerating when he says there are others willing to serve?

We left messengers and friends in Warsaw, my lord, Dziewanowski answered. We believe hundreds will answer our call.

One hundred, said Nikolai. I want only the best, men who can read and write and learn new things. Dominik, you will be the Captain of this Company. Your rank in the New Fleet will be sergeant of marines. For purposes of the New Fleet your men will be corporals and privates, but you may assign them any rank in the Company you please.

Understood, my lord.

Alright, I’m going to give you over to Jean-Baptiste. We will meet back here for dinner. They stood and filed out and he turned to Alexander, I’m going to make you my aide-de-camp. When you learn enough to be useful elsewhere, there will  be other jobs. Gentlemen, it is time to see if we can fix our new Knight.

He led Ypsilantis and Saint-Cyr and Parr out of the dining hall to the ship’s medical bay. A medical pod lay open and waiting and Nikolai motioned the new knight in. The machine will put you to sleep while it creates your new arm. When you wake it will be skinny and weak, but it will rapidly improve.

If Ypsilantis was afraid he did not show it, moments later he was unconscious. A nanobot spray began to dissolve his clothing as machine tendrils attached themselves to his shoulder. Nikolai leaned back and turned to Saint-Cyr, I’d like you to go to Poland with the new men, at least for the first few days.

Saint-Cyr nodded, I was going to suggest it. I’ve worked with Poles; good soldiers but they’re also good at getting into trouble when they don’t have anything else to do.

In that they are no different from any other soldier, said Parr. You don’t want me to go with them? he asked Nikolai.

Your job is at Corfu. Italy is nice but it belongs to Murat. I would like to make this island our new home. It will need many things. You will work with the engineers to improve the roads and whatever else you want. You’ve been here a while, you must have ideas.

Of course.

Black George also needs supervision, and your men need practice if we are to invade Greece in one month.

It will be child’s play, we have already sunk all their ships on the west coast.

Then you will have time to make us something nice here. Perhaps at Megapotamos, it seems a nice little river leading to a lovely coast, and hardly any inhabitants.

Parr nodded, then looked Nikolai full on, I am sworn to the fleet, not House Kosciusko.

True. I don’t think my father expected you would agree to it. When you are done with the New Fleet, we expect you to take off to a different timeline and start your own empire. Fealty to my House would be meaningless.

It makes sense for the Poles, offered Saint-Cyr. And Poland needs some structure anyway. They could have freed themselves if they would stop fighting each other. The magnates don’t care about the lesser nobility, half of them are always ready to make a deal with any invader, and no one cares about the peasants.

Parr took a deep breath, It is true, I am torn in many directions. I could not take your oath without reservations.

It’s not a problem, Leon. When the time is right, we’ll give you a big send off. Until then, you might enjoy being King of Greece.

Parr took another breath, I’m not sure I would. I’ve been Emperor of the French. I think anything else will be very much second best. And what if Marie-Caroline and I have children? She will not want to leave their kingdom when I am ready.

Ahem, said Saint-Cyr, as Emperor of the French you’ve been deposed and assassinated. Might want to lower your sights for a while.

Ah, no, said Nikolai. Remember, gentlemen, we fly starships. When you are lord of one of the arms of the galaxy, Leon, you will laugh at this conversation.

Leon brightened, Nikolai, I am already amused by it. I have duties, monsieur.

Nikolai nodded and Leon departed.

Speaking of arms, said Saint-Cyr, looking into the pod, there seems to be some sort of spider’s web under construction.

It’s a lattice the bone particles will attach to, then nerves and muscles and veins.

Interesting. Not the way lizards regrow their tails, is it.

I don’t think so, but then I’m just a baby doctor.

Laurent did not reply for a moment and Nikolai was ready to find something more interesting, but then, I was at Dresden, where he lost that arm. So was Leon, and Murat.

Perhaps Alexander is here to get his revenge?

Saint-Cyr snorted at that, He does not seem driven, merely homeless. You know, this boy might make a better king than Leon. He’s a Greek, anyway. Let Leon be governor of the Balkans until he’s ready to go. At least it will keep him busy.

An interesting idea, Laurent. And what will keep you busy, or happy?

You mentioned Egypt. I confess to no enthusiasm for it.

Then what?

I am a peer of France, but I find no love for it in my heart. I thought I was happy to retire, but I was restless, or I would not be here. Now, you have raised my sights again, and I see honor and purpose in House Kosciusko.

You wish to swear fealty?

I do.

You honor me, Laurent. I will do my best to deserve it.

3

The men were finishing dinner when the ladies returned to the BabyLux at Corfu and immediately added interest and animation to the group. Dora naturally made herself the center of attention and insisted on introductions while Cristina gave Nikolai a quick report.

*Baron Rolland has sponsored a new restaurant in Paris, cherie. We stopped by for a snack, but when he heard we were there he came by and insisted everything was free. Of course we had to feed the soldiers then.*

Nikolai put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, *That’s how the wealthy stay wealthy, darling. No one lets them pay for anything.*

*Oh, the dressmakers let us pay. The jewellers, they still owe you for those boxes of jewels. Dora has some things she wants to wear for you tonight.*

*Just jewelry? I’m ready to kick these louts out.*

*Let her have a little fun, I’m not done reporting.*

*Oh?*

*Rolland told us that the Count d’Artois is still furious over the death of Napoleon. Even though his older brother Louis XVIII died, the Count is rounding up and exiling or executing anyone who might have had a hand in the Emperor’s death. He does not like assassination.*

*Interesting, but it’s the same thing he would do if he were covering his tracks.*

*Oh, why can’t men just have fun and make babies with a pretty girl.*

*A rhetorical question?*

*Perhaps, though Dora is wondering why she’s not pregnant. The way she used to drop them...*

*I’m not fertile unless I want to be, and neither is she, or you.*

*What? And that is not a rhetorical question.*

*We’ll talk about it later, but I’m far from ready to be a father.*

*Ready to conquer Europe, but not get a girl pregnant? My, you men from the future are different.*

*Yes we are.* Gentlemen, We’ve had a busy day and many things to do tomorrow. Will you and your men spend the night, Captain?

We will return to Warsaw, my lord, Dziewanowski replied. As you say, there is much to be done. The Marshall, er, Ensign Saint-Cyr, has offered to accompany us. We are grateful beyond words, my lord, to you and to him.

Nikolai nodded his leave and they left. Alexander, I’ll assign you a cabin. Leon can show you to it and make sure you know how to work everything. Tomorrow I want you to follow Leon around in the morning and get to know the island. Introduce him to the Mayor of Corfu city, Leon, and the church Patriarch. I’m sure we’ll have many things to talk about with them.

I too am grateful, my lord, and not just for my arm. It’s like a new sun has risen in my life...

"Woah, that’s overdoing it, Alexander. How is the arm?"

Strange, my lord. I could feel it before, when it wasn’t there, but now it feels like I have a new guest, or perhaps like a new pet.

Don’t forget to feed it a healthy breakfast.

Yes, my lord.

After they left Nikolai summoned the ship’s lifting pad and accompanied his ladies across a short distance outside to their own ship. Once in the entryway Cristina announced I learned something very important, Dora dear.

Oh? Tell me darling.

Our lord is not fertile unless he wants to be, and neither are we.

What! How can...? They entered their suite and she put her hands on her hips, You mean, all this work we’ve been doing, was actually just play? Nikolai! She spoke sternly but her eyes were laughing.

Am I in trouble?

I guess not, since we’re not in trouble, but how?

It’s an option with the lace. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything.

Heavens above, Nikolai, isn’t that sinful? To just turn it off and on like that?

Is it? He looked at Cristina, Do you want to turn on Valerie’s?

My God, I hadn’t even thought of her.

How is she, by the way?

Fine, the architect she hired to renovate Dora’s theatre was a good choice, so she is watching everything he does, but don’t change the subject.

You still want to talk about trouble? Boring!

No doubt this is one of the tricks his father taught him, said Dora. But how can I stay mad when I want to show off our new things?

How can you stay mad when you’re not really mad?

"Clever boy, you think you know all my tricks..."

Nikolai smiled and reclined on the couch, Show me a new one.

4

In the morning they were visited by his father. He had two companions as he stepped off the landing pad into the MicroLux entry. Nikolai identified a native American, though he dressed in a black utility uniform like the Admiral, and a boy he already knew.

Freddy! Learning how to get into trouble from the best?

He’s learning, said Kosciusko. Surfs like a seal, the Hawaiians want to adopt him. And this, he indicated the native, Is Matho, a Brule Lakota. We’ve been teaching him to airboard.

Welcome to Corfu. This is Cristina. Dora takes a little longer to get ready in the morning, but you’ll meet her soon. Sorry the place is a mess. Come in and have some coffee.

They proceeded to the dining room and were served. Freddy almost leaped over to the viewing port, This is fantastic. You live here, miles above everything?

Miles above the taxmen, Freddy. So, are you ready to become my uncle?

No. Bob says we’ll be more like brothers. You’re only a year older than I.

Bob? Oh, you mean Big Daddy? That’s what the Fleet calls my father.

Ahem, we’re not here to spread silly stories, son. I’m here to congratulate you. You’ve been doing nice work, and I wanted to let you know.

I appreciate that, Pere. So, a pat on the head?

Kosciusko looked over his son with a smile, I’ve mostly been goofing off, playing around before my wedding and getting to know people in the Northwest. You’ve been getting things done, despite the mess in France. I like what you’re doing in Italy, it’s a good place to have a good friend. Anyway, I’m also arranging things in Alaska, and as my heir I thought I should invite you to look over a few things there. One of them is your new fief, since you are now the Prince of Kodiak.

And my California property? Are you keeping an eye on that for me?

Flying over it. If you want to do anything with it, let me know and I’ll hire someone. Otherwise, it’s, you know, the wild west.

California property? asked Cristina.

From San Francisco to the Great Salt Lake, said Kosciusko. Lots of nice things there, I thought it would make a nice Dukedom when he’s ready to rule it.

Cristina looked at Nikolai and he smiled, Yeah, I have a long list of things to do.

Dora bustled into the room and introductions were made. She was fascinated by the native Matho; although he seemed about the same age as Freddie the two boys were polar opposites in gravity. But she was only momentarily distracted from the Admiral and offered him her hand.

My future mother-in-law. I’m charmed, but somewhat surprised to find you here.

Nikolai kidnapped me.

There’s a history of that in our family.

So you’re rewarding him and making him a prince?

You don’t want me to?

Well, he has been nice to me. I suppose it’s alright.

Freddie had been about to burst but he was well trained in protocol. However, when she turned her gaze to him, he surged forward to hug her, Maman, you look so young! I thought it couldn’t be you, but when you began speaking...

And you’re getting so tall! So you’ve missed me?

We all have, Maman. Amelia cries each night, and that woman Father brought to meet us... I’m glad Bob asked me to be his aide.

He looks like the kind of man who could use some good help, she replied, glancing over at him with a smile.

And glad to have it, too, Kosciusko replied.

Does anyone want breakfast? asked Nikolai, Matho?

We’re a bit farther along in our day, son, it’s almost midnight in PNW.

PNW? asked Dora.

Pacific North West, said Nikolai. Dad loves his abbreviations. But you’ve got to love him, and thanks for making me a Prince.

*I’m also promoting you in the Fleet, son. No doubt your ensigns will enjoy becoming Lieutenants, especially Saint-Cyr. He’s a great addition to House Kosciusko.*

As usual, Nikolai felt a bit uneasy that his father could watch over anything he did, but he had been enduring it all his life and long ago learned to shrug it off. He smiled and nodded.

Kosciusko rose. Sorry to rush. Do you want to stay and visit with your mother, Freddy?

Freddy was clearly torn, but then composed himself. I’m sure you’re busy being kidnapped, Maman.

Oh, you devil. You’re right, it has kept me busy, but once your sister is married we’ll all do a lot of visiting in Oregon, right?

We’re all looking forward to that, Maman. Nikolai, it was good to see you again, and congratulations.

Thank you, Freddy. It was good to see you again, too. We’ll have to go surfing together sometime. If I recall correctly, there are some fine waves in California.

Freddy glanced over at Kosciusko, Big Daddy has convinced the Hawaiians to give him a nice piece of Oahu. I’ve heard it’s the best surfing on the planet.

*Traded a few gunships for it,* sent his father, *The Hawaiians will keep Hawaii in this timeline.*

*No wahines involved?*

*Hush up about the wahines, maybe you’ll get one for Christmas.*

Nikolai smiled and saw his father off. When he returned to the dining hall he announced, When I am King I promise I won’t shake things up wherever I go.

Hah! said both his ladies in unison.

5

Alexander had arranged a meeting with the Mayor of Corfu for the next day. His new arm was improving by the hour; already he could grasp things and bend his elbow. Nikolai had him watch tutorials and in the afternoon they toured the island with the German engineers in a gunship.

Roads were straightforward; just improve the existing ones and upgrade or install any bridges needed. Castles were on almost every low to moderate hill; should he build bigger and better ones on the summits only flyers could reach? The leader of the trio was named Konrad Kugel. Nikolai remembered him as von Gneisenau’s assistant from Poznan Road. What do you think the island needs most, Herr Kugel?

Some gloomy weather would make it more like Germany, Prince, Kugel joked, but other than upgrading the roads it seems fine the way it is.

That doesn’t help, Herr Kugel, but I agree, it does seem fine. It’s too bad the island is always being fought over, but that’s in the past. Well, I’ll talk to the mayor tomorrow and ask him if he needs anything. In the meantime, he pulled the ship up and made the short hop over to the mainland. This little town of Ksamil, the lagoon next to it seems like a good spot to plant one of my father’s pyramids. You can find the plans in the archives. I want you to develop a site plan around one here, and surrounding parks, scenic canals, etc.

That’s a town, mein Herr?

He dropped them off at their shuttle craft and transferred to a cruiser. The cruiser can scan the area far better than a gunship, he told Alexander. Once I’ve got a good model of the area I’ll send it to Kugel and he can work on it back in Germany. Then once it’s ours we can start building.

I am eager to help you, my lord, I dare to think I might be able to use a shovel soon.

You will never use a shovel on my orders, Alexander, Nikolai joked.

*Something is happening at the Corfu docks, Nikolai,* sent Parr. *No blood so far.*

Nikolai moved the cruiser immediately over the city and zoomed the display down. It seemed the fuss was over an old man with a trio of Ottoman troops keeping the crowds away.

He must have just arrived from that small ship there, my lord.

It’s the only way he could get through the blockade. Anything larger flying an Ottoman flag would have been sunk.

Nikolai got onto the cruiser’s landing pad and the two floated down to the dock. Parr had ordered marines to disarm the guards and search the old man. When he was satisfied he turned to Nikolai and waited. Nikolai turned to Alexander, He speaks Greek, question him.

Alexander moved in front of the old man and they inspected each other for a moment. I am Alexander Ypsilantis, kyrie, aide to Prince Nikolai. You are?

Alexander Mourouzis, former dragoman, former galley slave. Am I the first envoy to reach you?

I have heard of you. Congratulations on escaping the galleys. You are an envoy? From the Sultan?

I have heard of you as well, but I thought you in Russia, working for the Tsar. Yes, an envoy from the Sultan. They have sent at least three they told me.

My lord is not interested in talk at this time, kyrie. But I hope we can offer you hospitality. He turned to Nikolai.

Of course, said Nikolai in French, Send the guards back to the mainland. He stepped back onto the pad and looked back to see if his aide and the old man followed.

You are in a new world now, said Ypsilantis, taking the old man’s arm and guiding him onto the pad.

Nikolai summoned the BabyLux instead of taking Mourouzis into the cruiser. They rose and entered it, then stepped off at the dining deck and Ypsilantis guided the old man to a chair.

Tea? Coffee? Something stronger? asked Ypsilantis.

Tea is fine. What am I inside?

"A space yacht.