Chapter 20

Venus began working on the plan to help Aceh gain an advantage over the Dutch East Indies. She utilized advanced drone technology to create an illusion projection that posed as the representative of the mysterious organization. The drone was equipped with a holographic image of a human-like figure that was able to communicate with the Aceh palace without revealing the source of its power.

The holographic representative presented the strategic plan to the palace. The plan was designed to target the Dutch East Indies' weak points and exploit them to Aceh's advantage. It included the following strategies:

First - Blockade of Aceh Sea - Aceh would stop all ships from entering or leaving the Aceh Sea. This would prevent the Dutch East Indies from receiving reinforcements or supplies from their bases in Sumatra and Riau-Lingga Islands.

Second - Confiscation of Weapons - All weapons entering the Southeast Asia region would be confiscated, especially those on Dutch ships. This would weaken the Dutch East Indies' military power and prevent them from gaining an advantage over Aceh.

Third - Disrupt Trade Routes - Aceh would take control of the trade routes in Southeast Asia, including the Strait of Malacca. This would enable Aceh to control the flow of goods and prevent the Dutch East Indies from receiving any support from their allies in the region.

Fourth - Attack Dutch Strongholds - Aceh would launch surprise attacks on Dutch strongholds in Sumatra and Riau-Lingga Islands. This would weaken the Dutch East Indies' hold on these territories and force them to withdraw.

Fifth - Build up Military Power - Aceh would use the weapons and resources confiscated from the Dutch East Indies to build up their own military power. They would also continue receiving training in military science and tactics from the organization, who had knowledge of modern warfare.

The holographic representative from the mysterious organization assured the Aceh palace that they would receive full support in implementing this plan. The representative also emphasized the importance of keeping their alliance secret and not revealing the source of their power to anyone else.

Sultan Mahmud and his advisors were in deep discussion after the man, the supposed representative of the mysterious organization, left the room. They were contemplating the implications of the plan she proposed and the potential consequences of accepting it.

One of the advisors spoke up, "Your Highness, we have a long-standing relationship with the mysterious organization. They have helped us in many ways, including in our first expedition against the Dutch East Indies. We should seriously consider their proposal."

The Sultan nodded, "I understand that, but this plan seems risky. We would have to confiscate weapons from all ships entering Southeast Asia, including those from other colonial powers. It could cause a lot of tension with our neighboring countries."

Another advisor added, "Your Highness, we have to consider the benefits as well. With control over the trade routes in Southeast Asia, we could become a dominant force in the region. We could secure our position and prevent future invasions from the Dutch East Indies."

Sultan Mahmud listened carefully to his advisors and considered the proposal. He knew that the mysterious organization had been a valuable ally in the past, and their help had been instrumental in Aceh's victory in the second expedition. However, he also knew that accepting this plan could have far-reaching consequences.

After a few moments of contemplation, the Sultan made his decision. "We will accept the proposal from the mysterious organization. However, we must proceed with caution and ensure that we do not cause any unnecessary conflicts with other countries."

His advisors nodded in agreement, and they began to discuss the logistics of implementing the plan. They knew that they had to act quickly and carefully to avoid any potential backlash from other colonial powers.

As they continued their discussion, the palace buzzed with excitement and anticipation of what was to come. The future of Aceh was uncertain, but they were determined to take control of their destiny and secure their position in the region.

Governor-General James Loudoun sat in his office in Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies, looking at the report from the negotiations with the Acehnese. He shook his head in disbelief, unable to fathom how the situation had escalated so quickly. He had hoped for a peaceful resolution, but it seemed that war was now inevitable.

He called for his advisors to come to his office immediately. As they entered the room, he handed them the report and said, "Gentlemen, we have a problem."

The advisors looked at each other, clearly concerned. "What happened?" one of them asked.

Loudoun sighed. "The negotiations with the Acehnese did not go as planned. They have declared war on us."

The room fell silent for a moment as the advisors processed the news. Then, one of them spoke up. "What are our options, sir?"

Loudoun leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. "We must prepare for war. We need to fortify our defenses and gather our troops. We must also reach out to our allies for support."

Another advisor spoke up. "But sir, our troops are spread thin. We have conflicts with other nations, and we have been cutting back on military spending. How can we fight a war on another front?"

Loudoun narrowed his eyes. "We will find a way. We cannot let the Acehnese take control of the trade routes in Southeast Asia. We must protect our interests and maintain our dominance in the region."

The advisors nodded, but the tension in the room was palpable. They all knew that the situation was dire and that the outcome of the war was uncertain.

Loudoun stood up and addressed his advisors. "Gentlemen, we have a long road ahead of us. But we will not back down. We will fight to protect our interests and our sovereignty. We must be ready for whatever comes our way."

The advisors nodded in agreement, and they all left the room to begin preparations for war. Loudoun sat back down in his chair, staring at the report in front of him. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but he was determined to do whatever it took to secure victory for the Dutch East Indies.