Schönbrunn Palace.
Led by a Court Official, Baron Thugut hurried into the room and bowed to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, General Grasalkovich's troops have arrived in Orth. They will enter Vienna the morning after tomorrow."
Grasalkovich was the commander of Hungary's Debrecen Legion, and he had brought four thousand soldiers this time.
Franz II immediately felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The beast-like roars of the protesting crowds in the distance now seemed like nothing more than ignorable noise.
But then he remembered the price demanded by the Hungarian Parliament, and his heart ached anew.
To bring in this army, Imperial Tax collection in Hungary would henceforth require approval from the Hungarian Noble Parliament.
Thugut handed over another document. "Your Majesty, this is the warrant of authorization for General Grasalkovich. It requires your signature."
Franz II flipped through it casually and saw that the authorization included searching homes throughout the city, requisitioning any supplies, and interrogating those involved in the riots.
And executing rioters without trial.
Franz II suddenly hesitated and looked to Thugut. "Are you certain we must use the army? Perhaps we still have other options..."
The latter answered firmly, "Your Majesty, you must not show the slightest weakness. It will only make the mob more brazen. It may even encourage the French."
Franz II considered it, then nodded forcefully. "You are right."
He signed the warrant and handed it back to Thugut. "Bring this to an end as soon as possible!"
Meanwhile, in a small tavern in Vienna's Southern Suburbs, seven or eight low-ranking officers were carefully passing around a pamphlet.
A Captain whose face bore the marks of Smallpox said indignantly, "His Majesty the Emperor actually intends to use the army to suppress the protesters!"
The Lieutenant beside him frowned deeply. "Those people are