World War One-Act One

[steelehc]

Dom Pedro, you too have read your Harry Turtledove. Yes, Jake Feathers is similar to Jake Featherston of Great War fame. However, that is where the similarity ends. I needed a name, and I shamelessly pulled one from a book I read recently, and one that I hoped no-one would notice. However, (again) you have a good idea, that I may try to incorporate into a future story, if you don't mind.

Steele

PS: The next part is on the way.

[steelehc]

Germany had been split into thirds. The central section, made up of Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, and Leipzig was controlled by American forces. The north and south sections, much larger then the American zone were still held by Germany. The war had turned from a war of motion into a war of attrition. Germany had more troops, though they were not as well equipped as their American counter-parts. The air war had largely ended, as the German air force had been crushed, and the American bomber crews were running out of targets. The naval battles, however, were as fierce and rough as ever. The American carrier fleets were holding their own, but taking ever increasing losses from the German fleet. The home fronts of both nations were being overrun by protesters.

Andrew Feathers had been a pimply teenager when the war broke out four years ago. All five of his brothers had been in the service; Jake, the oldest in the Army as a tanker; Tom as a infantryman; Peter as a bomber navigator; and both Fred and Marcus had been on the crew of a destroyer with Task Force One. Andrew was the sixth brother, and the only one still alive. Upon turning eighteen, he had been inducted into the army, but before he could be sent off, a huge wave of riots had swept the cities of America. His papers had been then turned over to the newly formed Special Service, designed to help “secure the home front.” He currently found himself in the home of a suspected “terrorist” along with five other members of his squad. Their orders were to quell resistance, and make an example of those who resisted violently. Andrew couldn’t see how this woman and her two eleven year old daughters could be violent resisters, but he knew not to question authority.
“Drag them out into the street, and hang them from a lamppost.”
“Sir?” Andrew protested.
“You heard me damnit, do it now or I’ll have you sent to the camps.”
“Yes sir.” Andrew and his squad mates looked at each other, and did as they were ordered.

Greg Othello was afraid to leave his house. He had barricaded himself inside, to keep out the rioters, the police, and the SS, all of whom roamed the streets shooting and burning at will. What had been the most culturally refined city on the planet had turned into a prison for its inhabitants.

“Sir, the SS is starting to weaken, they will not be able to keep the riots contained on their own for much longer.”
“Very well, General, you may initiate Operation 4.”
“Yes, sir.” The General left, leaving the President of what had been the world’s most successful nation to his suffering.

“Effective tomorrow, all persons suspected of resistance against the government will be subject to tribunal. If found guilty, they will be executed immediately, if found innocent, they will be sent to a concentration camp for processing.” The voice fell silent.
Greg and his family had been joined by a number of people who had fled their own neighborhood. They might want to leave again.

“Sir, all the measures we have taken, none of them are working. The cities are shut down, everything is closed, dissidents have been slaughtered by the thousands, but we cannot maintain this level. We must pull out of the war, and rebuild our economy.”
“Never. We went into this conflict with Germany knowing what could happen at home, and we planned for it.”
“Yes, sir, we did, but--”
“Rubbish. ‘But’ nothing. We can and will defeat our enemy at home, and turn our full attention towards Germany. Prepare the government for ‘alteration.’ We will change ourselves to meet this new foe.”
“Sir, we don’t fully understand the--”
“Bull****. I fully understand everything I am doing. Now move it.”
“Yes, sir.”

Within four hours of the Presidents orders, the SS began removing all traces of the existing Parliamentary Democracy from Washington. As a practical matter, the government had ceased to be a democracy nearly two years ago, but this would make it official.


Once again….
To be continued……

[Richelieu]

Hmmmmmmm3

I'm betting on a Communist America with the SS roaming the streets...

The times they are a-changing !

Still one of the best reads out there. And i like the details about the equipment... do you have a military background or did you just pick that up in books ?

[steelehc]

I don't want to ruin anything, but yes, "times are changing."

As for the equipment, I do have a military background, however I have gotten most of this from books. Tom Clancy comes to mind.

Steele

PS: Pt. 3 on the way soon

[sgrig]

Fantastic story, Steele!

I am very glad that you finally posted a sequel!

Greatly looking forward to the next part!!!

[Sovy Kurosei]

Hmmmm... Anybody ever clicked Despotism when they ment to click Democracy, during their change of governments? Just pray that your a religious race, hehehe...

I like this story... It is having some rather interesting turns going through it, and the occasional plot twist thrown into the whole shabbam. Keep up the good work!

[steelehc]

After the American News Service had finished its announcement, people began to look up. Maybe after years of suffering under the lack of order and the total collapse of society, things would return to normal. But things hadn’t changed, the SS still roamed the streets, people still disappeared seemingly at random, and food was stills scarce.

Jonathan Pierce heard the machine gun firing. Against his strongest instincts, he looked out a window, to see who was getting mowed down this time, if it was anyone he knew. To his utmost surprise, he saw seven SS soldiers lying dead, and four more hiding behind an overturned car in the middle of the street. They were shooting back at something, he couldn’t quite tell what—They came around the corner. Hundreds of them, waving rifles in the air, firing at the SS men. They charged the car, and the SS fled. As Jonathan watched, more people came out of houses, they took guns off the SS troopers, or were given them from the others in the mob. Jonathan ran outside. He looked for a leader, but couldn’t see anyone obviously in charge. He asked one man wielding a huge shotgun who was in charge, and the man just pointed. Jonathan saw a tall older man, who looked as though he should be dying somewhere, but here he was, and full of a vigor Jonathan had never seen before. He walked up to him, and asked if he could join this army.
“Do you know who we are, son?”
“No, but I’m willing to find out.”
“We are the National Kommissariat for Victory over Democracy, or NKVD. We are dedicated to restoring the freedoms of America, and to making everyone an equal provider and consumer.”
“What’s wrong with Democracy, I mean, giving the people a say in government is the way it should be, isn’t it?” Jonathan was getting intruiged.
“On the surface, yes, that is true. But the Democracy in America today is closer to Despotism; this great nation has been subjugated under the iron rule of one man. This is not a true Democracy. We want to bring America into the future, to create a Communist government, run by and for the people.”
“I see.” Jonathan was puzzled, but the army of men and women with guns drew him, it called to him, so he said:
“Can I join your army, then?”
“Yes, my son, you may.”

“Sir, the SS reports a large number of Communist groups converging on this spot. We must leave now.”
“Rubbish. I will have none of this. Gather my guards, I will fight to the last man.”
“Sir, many of the men… I have seen them conversing with known Communist leaders.”
“And?”
“And, sir, they may not be completely trustworthy.”
“Then I will fight to the last man on my own!!!” the President bellowed.
“Yes, sir.”

People’s Colonel Vladimir Il’ych Lenin led his column down the street to the Presidential Mansion. The building had been heavily fortified, but after four weeks of siege, most of the defenders had surrendered. Now it was time to take the palace. He had under his command seven hundred of his best fighters, all armed to the teeth with various assorted weaponry. Upon reaching the main gate, he asked his engineer,
“How long?”
“Impossible to tell, sir, it will be done, however.”
“Very good. Please hurry.”
“Of course.” The engineer began placing small cutting charges around the corners of the reinforced door, and started connecting them with wires. Lenin led his men back from the door, and they took shelter behind a series of tipped-over vehicles, placed there by the Democrats a few weeks earlier.

BOOM!!!

Lenin poked his head over what had been a very expensive Chevy Freedom, and saw a large hole in the building where the door had been. However, he also saw various body parts of his engineer scattered around on the field.
“Come on, men, this will be an easy fight.”
The army charged up towards the building. As they worked their way through the lobby, they saw evidence of numerous fights, with dozens of corpses scattered around, all in the uniforms of the American Guard, the men delegated to protect the president with their lives.

The president looked around. In the Circular Office, he had seven men, all hand picked, and completely trustworthy. Each had at least two automatic weapons, in addition to a single M-30E6 squad-level machine gun. He had enough food and water for his party for a week, and enough ammunition to supply a regiment in the army. But the army had either entirely deserted, been destroyed, surrendered, or was off in some foreign country, so this was the best he could do.
“This way, he’s in here.” He could hear voices in the passageway outside his office. He checked his weapons, and worked the action on the machine gun to load a round.
“Get ready.”

Lenin kicked in the heavy oak door. As the hinges had been almost completely removed, it came out of the wall. Almost instantly, a number of automatic weapons opened up, gunning down his men. He ran forward, firing into the air as he did so. A man in a black suit raised a weapon. So did Lenin. They fired at the same time. The impact of the bullets threw him back against the wall, and he found himself unable to move.

“You stupid commie sunza*****es, you want me, come and get me!!” the president screamed. He looked at his gun. The two-hundred round ammunition belt looked to have about fifty more bullets, and he had three more like it. He checked his pistol. He had two magazines of fourteen forty-five caliber.
“Mr. President, I’m out of ammo.”
“Here, don’t bother me.” The president handed the soldier the machine gun, and loaded the pistol.

The guard who had taken the machine gun from the president looked over the desk he was hiding behind, out the door. He could see at least thirty bodies lying on the floor. Suddenly, a face poked around the corner, followed by a rifle of some kind. The guard concentrated on the face…. who as it… it was familiar… Their eyes met, and the guard recognized his childhood friend, Jonathan Pierce.

Jonathan had seen at least twenty of his comrades fall in front of the machine guns of the doomed president. He stuck his head around the corner, and saw a man looking at him. The man looked familiar somehow…. Andrew! Andrew Feathers! They both held their fire, and reached a common understanding.

Andrew knew what he had to do. He took three steps back, so as to give himself a clear line of sight, and began raise his machine gun. One of the other guards saw this, and turned around. The machine gun was too heavy for him to raise quickly enough, he knew this, he thought it was the end…

Jonathan saw what Andrew was going to do, and respected him for that. He also saw another guard turning around, and had to do something.

The president saw the guard to his left get his head blown off by a burst of rifle rounds, and swore.
“Feathers, where are you?”
“Right behind you,” Feathers said, as the machine gun began firing.
As the other guard fell, the president suddenly realized that he was alone. He raised his pistol, and managed to get off three rounds, before being cut down by a hail of bullets from four guns from all sides.

To be continued......

[Sovy Kurosei]

Heh, Theocracy should have been allowed in Civ III, instead of being taken out.

Would have made alot of good Role Playing going on. In the name of God, I damn thee to an eternal fire!

Oh well, funny how democracy is overthrown by communism... But it will happen someday

[civman2000]

love it!

[Herr David]

Great Story!! I loved the way you described this war... and the revolution. Times truly are changing, comrade! However, I'm kinda surprised about Lenin being the leader of the American Revolution... where is Eugene Debbs?

Davai, tavar'ich! Victory is just around the corner!

[Herr David]

More more more more more!

[steelehc]

By popular demand, I will post the conclusion of my story. This has been an interesting experience, and I will write again, when I come up with a new plot basis.

Steele

[steelehc]

In the wake of the fall of the United States, the Communist party had the most popular support, and assumed control of the devastated country. Lenin had proclaimed himself General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Union of American Socialist Republics, or USAR. People expecting drastic changes in society, or a return to prosperity, were not disappointed, at least at first. Life in the streets returned to a semblance of normality, and people could now safely travel the countryside in groups smaller then an armored corps. Lenin promised America’s return to world supremacy, and defeat of her foes, at home and abroad.

Field Marshal William Merio was Chief of Staff of the USAR military, currently possessing very few units, but rapidly growing in size. The Army had twenty-nine divisions. Twelve tank divisions, ten artillery divisions, six infantry divisions, and a single division of Marines. The Air Force had ten squadrons of aircraft; three of Stealth Bombers, five of F-15 Fighters, and two antiquated squadrons of B-6B piston-engine bombers. The Navy was a joke. Seven ships. An America class Battleship, two World class Carriers, and four assorted frigates and destroyers.

“General, the comrade General Secretary wishes to know if you have finished the report yet.” An aide came into Merio’s office, interrupting the general’s depressing thoughts.
“Tell the comrade… Tell Lenin that his requested operational plan is impossible without a hugely revised OOB.”
“Yes sir. But perhaps it would be wiser for you to tell him.”
“What do you--” The general stopped short. Lenin had just walked into the room.
“Sir, this is a most pleasant surprise. You should have told me you were coming, I could have prepared a briefing.”
“Nonsense. Tell me what you have found out.”
“Well, sir, our military forces are in a very sad state. We have very limited ability to defend our borders, but none whatsoever to project power anywhere in the world. To meet your proposed OP, we would need to completely restructure our OOB.”
“OOB?”
“Order of Battle, basically a list of all our assets. I mean that we would need to hugely increase the size of our military forces, in every category.”
“General, you have the full support of the Communist party. Do what you need to, we must achieve our goals.”
“Yes, sir, we must.”

Jonathan Pierce had been made a General of the Army, only to discover the significant lack of military materiel. However, with the massive rebuilding programs the State was running, he was being given units to command. First a brigade, then a regiment, then a division. Now, he was in the driver’s seat for an entire armored corps. He had the most powerful weapons in the world at his disposal. Nearly twelve-hundred tanks, and over four hundred artillery tubes. He found himself dreaming of having this army during the revolution. The United States wouldn’t have had a chance.

Andrew Feathers was also a flag officer, but in the Air Force. He was in charge of the nation’s air defense network, including all squadrons of fighter aircraft. He only wished he had more with which to defend his homeland.

Lenin looked annoyingly at the TV apparatus set up in his office. He hated these appearances, but knew that to maintain power he had to maintain contact with the people, however much he hated doing so.
“Sir, we’re going out live in five, four, three,” the man went silent, holding up his fingers for “two” and “one.”
“Good evening, America, this is an important message from the leader of our beloved homeland, Comrade General Secretary Lenin.”
“Thank you,” Lenin said to the announcer. “People of America, today, three hours ago, we declared war on the nations of Germany, China, and France. Our military might is unmatched by any of these ‘civilizations’ and we will prevail. I ask you all to do what it takes to keep America strong, and lead us to victory. Good night.”

The war seemed to be going well for the American war machine. On the Chinese front, four cities had fallen in the first month, and five more in the second. On the French front, one city had fallen quickly, before the French launched a counter-offensive, delaying the American attacks. In Germany, the place known to every American where countless thousands of lives had been wasted in previous wars, the battles were going as expected, many casualties, on both sides.

“Sir, we have just received some dreadful news. The Germans have developed a new superweapon, one capable of destroying entire cities, and wiping out thousands of troops in an instant.”
“What is this nonsense?”
“They are called atomic bombs, I cannot tell you much about them, but they are incredibly powerful, and at present, unstoppable.”
“Why have they not used these weapons, then?”
“Since Germany is so far from America, they would be forced to use these weapons on their own territory, and this is not to be taken lightly.”
“Very well. Instruct the commanders to be careful and watchful; instruct the Minister of Science to look into making our own versions of these weapons, and if possible, a way to counter them.”
“Yes, sir. I will do so immediately.”

After several failed negotiations, attempting to bring about peace, the German Empire used its nuclear arms against the forces of America. The destruction was very near total, and what wasn’t destroyed by the atomic fire was soon captured or burned by the un-opposed French and Chinese armies. Within six months, the USAR had ceased to be a world power, three remaining cities, with a combined population of just over one million. The American army was once again a mere shadow. The navy and air force had vanished from existence.

After a further three months, the territories of America had become sovereign soil of France, China, and Germany.


The End.

[steelehc]

This rather lengthy story was based on a Diety game, where I was, as you may have guessed, the Americans. After my first two major wars, against the Germans and Chinese, I rebuilt, and eventually went back to Germany. That was a miserable failure. Not only did my armies suffer from poor planning, but my cities ALL rioted. Every single one, and to an extent not easily reparable by entertainers. Thusly, I switched to Communism, startes a new war, and was then destroyed with many nuclear weapons.

Thank you all for your comments and criticisms. I will write another story; I already have an idea.

Steele

[Coinich]

Steelehc, - good story man I was expecting you to win! Getting nuked sucks doesn' it