Milk & Honey

[Dom Pedro II]

Part 5: The Alliance Fights Back

In the drab little bar, as in most other places in Japphia, the flag of Israel hung from the walls. This little pub was in the Joppa section of the city. Joppa was the municipality where the Japanese had made their assault. It was not to be confused with the city of Joppa, which was located on the mainland and facing out on the Tranquility Ocean. Leiutenent-Colonel Jericho and Sergeant David sat together in the bar relishing the taste of victory.

"Well, the Japanese have been kicked off our soil! The army has swept up the last of them," Jericho laughed.

"Except in Havor," reminded David.

"Ah, it's a few regiments on a hill. If they try to attack the city, they will be destroyed. It's one of the most heavily-defended cities in the Confederation."

"True."

"But don't get me wrong, boy!" declared Jericho, "I'm not saying this war is over. No. Far from it. We have to do more than just sign a peace treaty with Japan. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if the fat cats back in Jerusalem signed a peace treaty with them tomorrow! No, we have to hit them back and hit them hard. What they did was criminal and they must pay for their crime in blood and territory. Personally, I'd like to see the whole damn continent wiped out! But if we could just take back all of China's former territory in this war, that would be enough for me."

"Do you really think that can be done?" asked David.

"Not the way things are going now!" declared Jericho, "We've got allies who haven't done anything by this point, we have a government that won't commit us fully to the war effort, and we have a potentially hostile neighbor to our immediate north. We need to deal with all of these issues before total victory can be achieved. But that means not throwing in the towel when we get our first shot at the upper hand."

"Too bad General Canaan's going to get credit for the Japphia campaign, or else you might have been promoted or even better."

"Well, he thinks he's going to get credit for this, but he's got another thing coming. Canaan's a local big wig, but I've got better connections on the mainland. I made sure that one of my ships was already on its way when Japphia fell to explain exactly whose idea it had been. I expect I will be promoted. Then I might be in a position to tell these bureaucrats how they should be running things in a time of war!"

"How is it, sir, that you have so many of these connections?" asked David.

"Well, I was in the mining business for some time in Bethlehem. I got involved with the Bethlehem Gem Mining Company out in the mountains. Naturally, the kind of wealth that gives you makes you a target for politicians looking for campaign funding. After a few years of that, I decided it was more profitable to go into trading. Being a prospector is lucrative provided you buy the right land with a strong vein. If you make a mistake, you funnel money straight into that hole in the ground. That's why I turned to trade. There's more money for less risk… well, that is if your country doesn't go to war with the world's most powerful naval nation."

David nodded but did not make further comment.

"Yes, so in answer to the question you haven't asked me, I'm fighting this war because its my money being lost from the loss of trade. Well, that and my desire to see them punished for attacking us. You know, I was even involved in trade with the Japanese. I had my hand in the Silk trade in Japan. I tell you, boy, if mining gems is profitable, trading silk is like free money! I suppose that's my other reason for wanting to invade Japanese-held China. Silks, and Spice, and everything nice!"

"I see," David replied.

"But we need to get our priorities straight at home!" Jericho became serious again.

Suddenly, somebody burst in through the door. "Look at this!" the man cried holding up a newspaper, "The Egyptians are coming!"

"What?" David jumped to his feet.

"Says right here," the man explained, "The Egyptian fleet arrived in Samaria today! Ten of their finest warships! They'll be leaving tomorrow to begin clearing the stretch of see between Hebron and the mainland!"

"Thank God!" David laughed, "Thank God!"

"It's a miracle," Jericho sighed, "I never thought we'd see a single dingy from the Egyptian Navy… It's still only a good start. We can't be satisfied with just this."

"Nevertheless," David said, "The tide is beginning to turn."

"No," Jericho shook his head, "The tide will turn when it is our own ships bombarding the Japanese coast."

As if to underscore his point, the coastal fortress began thundering. Since the city had fallen, unsuspecting Japanese frigates had continued getting too close to shore thinking Japphia was in friendly hands. An addition five ships had been destroyed from that rouse.

Now, with the Egyptians in the waters, the Japanese might beginning pulling back. At the very least, he knew the Japanese were unlikely to attempt any new invasions. It was too risky to send a rickety, old wooden transport ship like a galleon out with an enemy fleet in the area. Still, Samaria was a good distance from where the fleet needed to be. Somehow David was certain that this was the beginning of something glorious.

To be continued...

[HOWTIS]

ur story is progressing nicly. i havn't replied to all your stories but i have read them all, and enjoy them all.


for some reason i especially liked the "Empire of the Rising Sun" one.

[Dom Pedro II]

Part 6: Leaving for Jerusalem

For a few months, the people of Isreal were overwhelmed with joy by the arrival of the Egyptian navy. The Japanese were turned back from Mount Judea and General Ezekiel was mounting a counter-offensive in the far northern island. Relations between Zululand and France were edging closer and closer to an alliance against Japan, and the Treaty of Orleans ended the war between France and Egypt. Still, the effect of the Egyptian allies in the Central Sea wore off soon. The fleet of a combined total of twenty ships was no match against the Japanese fleet of over five hundred Yamato and Izumo class frigates. At the Battle of the Gezer Straits, the Japanese navy was forced back, but the overall naval war was to be decided by shear numbers. The Egyptian navy was scrapped in a few weeks, and the only surviving Ra class vessels limped back to Egypt.

This was still a time of personal victory for Jericho who was promoted to Brigadier General. David continued to serve as Jericho's assistant, which brought him a certain level of prestige on Hebron. Jericho was also beginning preparations for a trip to Jerusalem since one plus of the Egyptian presence was that it had delayed any possibility of another invasion. He intended to bring his arguments directly before the Hebrew Confederation Congress.

The pair took the last surviving rail line from Japphia to Tanaach. From there, they were taken aboard a small transport clipper. It would have been faster to take a steamer, but since the war began, they were far too obvious targets. Their smoke columns could be seen for miles, and it attracted Japanese warships in the area.

The vessel took them across the small channel separating Hebron from the mainland, and they docked on the peninsular port city of Amman-Israel. The once bustling seaport was now on a shadow of its former self. Men walked along the docks without purpose kicking bits of paper and the occasionally tin can. People slept outside in the streets having been turned out from their homes because they had no more jobs to pay their rent.

Once they moved away from the waterfront in the horse-driven carriage, the city became a beautiful place. The first area they passed was the Old City. These were narrow, winding streets with old, tightly-packed houses. After a mile or so, they came into the new city. One of the last few governors had begun a massive construction project tearing down old houses and buildings and straightening out the roads and expanding many of the streets into broad avenues. It was here that the street market could be found.

"Wow! This is amazing!" David said.

"You've never been to the mainland?" asked General Jericho.

"No, sir," replied David.

"It's a nice place…" Jericho nodded, "But wait until you see Jerusalem."

They soon arrived at the large Amman-Israel train station. It was a brand new building since the railroad had only just reached the city. The building was an imposing brick structure. Unlike most of the city, it lacked any ornate design. It seemed to be strictly utilitarian. The inside was a bit nicer with high ceilings decorated with beautiful light fixtures and carvings along the lining.

The two soldiers got on their train to Jerusalem just after lunchtime. The new, mechanical beast flew along its steel tracks through the countryside at an ungodly speed of twenty-five miles an hour. David slept most of the way to Gaza, but Jericho sat reading The Concise History of Israel. It told about Solomon III's war against the Babylonians when they attacked taking advantage of Israel's weakness since it was fighting its first war with Japan then. Babylon soon realized its mistake, however. An army of Guardians of the Faiths rampaged into Akkad and then went north past Mount Sinai and took out the rest of Babylon. Meanwhile, the Zulu took Ninevah and the other Babylonian cities in the north. It was a good read.

The following day, the train pulled into Jerusalem. The city was an entirely different experience from Amman-Israel. There were no docks or waterfront. There was a river, but instead of an impoverished area, the river was thriving. Yes, internal commerce was still running strong through Israel. The train station of Jerusalem was the very symbol of decadence. It had grand statues, fountains, chandeliers, and ornate carvings on the wall. The travelers who passed through it could see the might of Jerusalem.

The city showed much of the same grandeur. It had the broad avenues, lavish architecture, beautiful city parks, and great sites one would expect to see in a world capital. Much of the work had been done by the great line of monarchs that had come before the Confederation, but the district governor had done much to beautify the city further.

General Jericho and David checked into one of the many hotels in town. The government was footing the bill for their stay, but David felt his room could have been better. The general, of course, received the nicer of the two suites. David went to bed early since the following day would be an important one.

[Dom Pedro II]

Part 7: The Council of Fools

The Congress convened the following day at the Capitol building. The general and his assistant were there bright and early. When the most pressing business had been pushed aside, General Jericho was ushered in. He was dressed in his finest military uniform, and his presence was commanding. He walked straight in and took his place at the podium.

"General Jericho," the old, enfeebled Speaker turned to him, "Why have you come before this Congressional assembly?"

"I have come before this Congress to report the dismal state of affairs regarding the war," Jericho began.
"Dismal state of affairs?" the Speaker raised an eyebrow, "General, it would seem that the war is going well for us."

"In the comfort of Jerusalem that may seem to be true," Jericho said coldly, "But on the coasts, it is unlikely that they could claim the same."

"General," the Speaker pushed aside the slight, "We have seen victory on every single front thus far… We pushed them out of Mount Judea, you yourself were instrumental in pushing them from Japphia, and the Egyptians have dealt them a harsh blow in the Central Sea…"

"We have been able to survive, yes," Jericho nodded, "But that is all."

"We have survived, and the Japanese know it," the Speaker declared, "Our diplomats have been talking with the Japanese ambassador, and it would seem he is giving indications of wanting to make peace."

"And what will we have won?" asked Jericho, "We are peaceful people, but will justice have been done with a peace of the antebellum world? They launched a surprise attack on us. They killed civilians. They blasted our fertile lands in Hebron to ground-up dirt. They invaded our home! How many of their cities have been burned? How many of their provinces have we captured? What new trade routes have been opened from this war? Where is the justice if they do not pay somehow for their crimes!"

"Sir, your overzealous nature is dangerous to this republic," the Speaker shook his head.

"And your apathy is fatal to Hebron and the rest of Israel!" thundered Jericho. At this, a flood of whispers passed through the room.

"General, are you trying to imply that this government does not care about this war?" the Speaker squinted his eyes in an accusing manner.

"That's exactly what I'm saying!" declared Jericho, "Why should Jerusalem, or Akkad, or Babylon, or Bethlehem, or any of the internal provinces care what happens in this war? You don't care because it doesn't affect you! You'd give away half the island provinces to Japan if you thought it could line your pockets with a little more Silk money or keep the trade lines open permanently."

"You're entirely out of line!" cried the Speaker.

"No, sir! I am not! As a general in this army, but more importantly as a citizen of Hebron, I have every right to tell you that you have turned your back on us and that a government who will not help its people is no government at all!

"If you want the overseas trade routes to be secure, build us a navy! We are being beaten because you have not even committed all of the resources this great nation has to the war. You have not demanded our superior industry to turn to producing warships. You have not put the proper pressure on the capitalists in the ship-building industry to put those ships into the water! Build us a navy! And with that navy we can take the war to Japan! We can still have our justice and make profit from it! But if you sign a peace treaty because you don't care to get your hands dirty, you're selling out our whole entire country!"

There was a long pause. Jericho looked around at the hundred or so representatives from the various states of Israel. He saw some faces who looked to be supportive. They came from Hebron, Samaria, Megiddo, Anyang, Umtata, and Havor. The others were all hostile, and unfortunately, they were in the majority.

"I think you fail to understand how business is done here, General Jericho," the Speaker calmed himself and spoke very clearly and distinctly, "You cannot simply come in here and expect to have a whole new set of rules by sundown. A Senator must bring a bill to the floor asking for an allotment of a certain amount of money for the purposes of the war, and then we must vote on it… but this pressure you suggest we put upon the industrialists… we simply do not have the power to do that. This government acts under the policy of laissez-faire, and we have no intention of changing that policy."

"If this government will not do what is necessary for its people, then I will look elsewhere!" Jericho turned and walked out of the room.

Jericho and David immediately left the building. David tagged close behind his leader.

"Where are we going now?" asked David.

"We are going to the last man who can help us," General Jericho sighed, "The President."

Jericho was in no mood to wait for tomorrow, and so later in the day, the two men went to the Executive Mansion where the President resided. It had originally served as the palace for the kings and queens of ancient Israel. Only a portion of the complex was actually lived in anymore. The rest was a museum, and one quarter was an office compound for the Confederal government.

A large iron gate surrounded the palace, but the security was light at best. The general was immediately taken in to see President Tobias Emmanuel. It appeared to David that this man Jericho had political pull even if he could not sway the entire Congress to accept new unorthodox methods of business. The President was in a meeting, but it was not long before he called the general and his assistant into his office.

"Hello, general," he rose and shook the hand of the military leader. "And you are?"

"Sergeant David."

"David… well, its nice to meet you," he took his seat behind the next, "What can I do for you gentlemen?"

"I am here to talk about this war, sir," Jericho said, "We just came from the Congress, and they refuse to budge on this."

"Well, what exactly is your complaint?" President Emmanuel asked.

"I have been sending letters to the Ministry of War for months with almost no reply," said Jericho, "I have demanded more ships. We get none. I have insisted upon forcing the industries to begin production of war materials and ships, and nothing has been done! The central provinces are contributing almost nothing, and Hebron is left to do all of the logistical work. What harbors and shipyards the islands have left cannot possibly produce the ships we need in the time we need them!"

"General, this government is fully committed to the war effort," Emmanuel sighed, "I can assure you of that. We here in Jerusalem are very sympathetic to the plight of the rest of the nation, but our abilities are limited. I don't think you realize the complexity of the issue. We simply do not have the backing needed to begin making policy along the lines your talking about. The Socialists in this country are in short supply, and what your talking about… it… it would be revolution! No, the government that governs best governs least."

"Sir, as long as this government continues to be unwilling to invest the time and money… the provinces' time and money, the industrialists' time and money, and the peoples' time and money from all over Israel, we are going to lose this war!" General Jericho was firm but not demanding.

"I think you're being rather negative, general," replied Emmanuel, "Why I even have here in front of me a report from our embassy in Tokyo that diplomats have been talking to the Japanese. They may be willing to settle this, no small thanks to you I might add! I say enjoy this moment of glory… don't trouble yourself with politics when a conclusion to this war is almost within our grasp. It's a very delicate diplomatic situation, if we start to build a massive navy for a counter-offensive, it may encourage the Japanese to go on fighting."

"Oh? And what happens if the Japanese are only stalling us while they prepare another invasion? What would there be to stop them? The Egyptian fleet is gone, and we have not seen hide nor hair of the French! Furthermore, the Zulu still have not entered the war on our behalf. Even if the Japanese are willing to sign a treaty, our allies will not be pleased that we made a separate peace. As a peaceful country, diplomatic alienation would kill us!"

"Well, the Japanese may still be strong in the Central Sea, but the number of ships here has dramatically. The reason is that they have been fighting the French Navy for months out in the Mars Ocean. You may not have seen it, but the enemy is already being bombarded on his own shores and his island possessions are in perpetual danger of being captured. If Japan wants peace, we will naturally talk to our allies first and try to hold a Congress to settle the terms of the peace. Please, do not talk diplomacy to me, sir… you are the general. Keep to war. It is what you excel at."

"I see that no one is willing to hear me out on this," General Jericho rose, "Well, I thank you for your time, sir… I shall return to Hebron and await the next Japanese offensive."

"I'm sorry I can't do more for you, general," President Emmanuel said in a strictly sunny political voice.

"I'm sorry too," Jericho shook his head and walked out.

David did not speak as the general walked silently from the office. He only continued in his tracks. "Fools!" Jericho finally said, "These damned Council of Fools and their glorious lead idiot are going to get this whole country dismantled piece by piece!"

"I'm sorry, sir…" David said.

"General!" a voice called from down an intersecting hall.

A young, handsome gentleman came up to him. He was dressed in a fine suit. "General, my name is Elijah Tischler."

"Senator… Elijah Tischler? From Hebron?"

"The one and the same," Tischler replied, "You really should have stayed for today's proceedings. I brought a bill to the floor advocating the allocation of fifteen million for the construction of warships. I even had a few Samaria and Megiddo industrialists and ship builders come in. They'd love to have that money…"

"And? What happened?" asked the general with a tone devoid of hope.

"Rejected. Only the coastal and island provinces voted in favor," replied Tischler.

"I figured it would be. Well, what can I do for you?" Jericho knew there was a reason besides a simple explanation of the day's events."

"Please, let's go for a walk," the Senator directed out the door. Nothing further was said until they were beyond the iron gates.

"We would like to bring a proposition to you," explained Tischler.

"We? What sort of proposition?" asked Jericho suspiciously.

"As you know, sir, since the war started, the political orientation of Hebron has swung dramatically from right to left. My party has completely control over the island, and the island and city governments certainly reflect that, but the Party has almost no authority in the Confederation. Furthermore, the Confederation stands as a polar opposite to our political beliefs, and many of us would like to see it shelved all together. Unfortunately, we can't do it without the support of the military. That's where you come in. Together we can bring about a new centralized government who can do some real good! Tell me, general, have you ever heard of a man named Karl Marx?"

"I have," General Jericho smiled, "Indeed, I have."

To be continued...

[Dom Pedro II]

Part 8: Red Star Rising

"I don't like it," General Yerik Herzhaft said rubbing his thumb and forefinger nervously.

"Come now, Yerik," Adam Jericho said, "You must see how important this is."

"I know, Adam," Yerik replied, "But overthrowing the government? It's… it's just not good. It's not smart."

"Yerik, you know as well as I do that this war is lost if we do not make some changes in the way we fight," Jericho said.

"Yes, but this war will be over shortly according to the Foreign Ministry," Herzhaft said.

"It may not be a decisive defeat, and the flag of the Rising Sun may not be waving over Jerusalem, but it will be a defeat," Jericho explained, "If we focus our industry on putting out warships, we can bring the war to Japan! But this government cannot and will not do that. At best, we march on Jerusalem and dictate terms to those bureaucrats, and at worst, we align ourselves with the Communist Party."

"Why must we befriend the Reds?" asked Herzhaft, "There are other alternatives. We could put a king back on the throne…"

"No, the people will never accept a king," Jericho shook his head.

"But they will accept a military dictatorship… and one dressed in the garb of Communism at that?" Herzhaft scoffed.

"The people will follow if we give them the incentive," David suddenly interjected at this point, "The Confederation has denied the people social and political reform. There is no old age pension or government welfare like in other countries… meanwhile, people are starving in the streets because no one is there to help them. The dictatorship will only be temporary until the threat is over."

"Adam, your protégé here is passionate, but he's also very naïve," Herzhaft breathed with a huff, "Boy, let me explain something to you. When people come to power, they don't usually let it go. Not without a fight."

"Yerik, we have no other choice," Jericho explained, "If we don't do anything, the Congress will make a peace giving Japan any concession they demand. If that happens, our allies will turn their backs on us. Zululand has already been considering whether or not to join the Japanese. If they see us fold, they will see us as weak and take advantage of our defeat. Worst yet, Japan will be able to renew war with us whenever they please! No, I can't let that happen!"

"Adam, I understand where you're coming from, but I still have to say no. What would inciting a civil war do to our chances of victory then? The Japanese would most certainly exploit that weakness."

"I understand that you're apprehensive. You're a patriot, it doesn't please you to think of doing such a thing. You'll be more of a patriot if you stand by your guns rather than your principles," Jericho said very calmly trying to finesse Herzhaft. He now took a new approach, "You will most assuredly be compensated for your service to your country. Perhaps that might ease your mind…"

"Oh, the money will help me sleep at night!" Herzhaft chuckled, "I will not argue that my cooperation can bought, but my practicality cannot be suspended at any price. I understand what you're trying to do, and I think it's the best thing for Israel, but somehow I think we'll be more likely to find ourselves swinging at the end of a rope for trying it."

"You think it will fail?" asked Jericho, "Is that the only thing?"

"Look…" Herzhaft pushed a finger against the table to emphasize his point, "Right now, you've got some of the army behind you. That's a good start, but the rest of the brass won't jump on board until their certain. If you bring me somebody in this with real muscle… and I mean the kind that comes on paper not the kind that comes out of the muzzle of a rifle, I and the rest of the army will back you."

******

Rabbi Asa Zahavah took a seat behind his desk. He was an elderly gentleman with a long gray beard and the usual dress for a man of his position. His look now was one of deep concentration. Jericho knew he was right to come to this man. He was shrewd, and he was perhaps more worldly than a man of faith should have been. Still, the Faith's interests were his interests, and if he thought a cause were profitable, he would back it.

"General," Zahavah said, "I don't know if I can really help you. I don't really see how it is in the interest of the Faith to help you…"

"What is in the interest of Israel is in the interest of Judaism!" declared Jericho in a non-threatening way.

"I fail to see how a Communist revolution serves either," sighed Zahavah, "Do not take me for an ignorant man, general! I know these Reds demand a world without god and seek to destroy all religion."

"It is not a Communist revolution," explained Jericho, "It's a Socialist revolution. It is a coalition force spearheaded by the military. The Communists are essential to the support of the islands, but it us who shall be dictating the terms of the provisional government. We have the army poised and ready. Join us, and you will be greatly rewarded. Think of it… a National Church of Israel. Not just a group of rabbis, religious intellectuals, and individual synagogues. No, an organized hierarchy."

"And a puppet of the State," Zahavah remarked cynically.

"It won't be if it's headed by the right man," explained Jericho, "And I think you would be that man."

"General, I have learned important concept over the years: Never accept a deal from a dead man," the rabbi did not hide behind euphemisms.

"I already have the full backing of the army," Jericho continued, "The military brass is entirely in cooperation with the coup. Even General Herzhaft is fully backing the move."

"Really? Interesting."

"Look, in the last revolution, the rabbis backed the king, the head of the Church, and the republicans won. I'm giving you an opportunity to back the winning side this time. Regardless of what you do or say now, the revolution will come and the Congress is going to be overthrown."

"And what do you think will happen then?" asked Rabbi Zahavah, "Let me tell you… the separate states will refuse to recognize your provisional government, and they will act entirely independently. You will have to march into every state capital and topple their governments one by one. There will be nothing but anarchy, and the Zulus and Japanese will exploit the opportunity and wipe us out!"

"Maybe," Jericho nodded, "That is why we need a uniting force behind us… that is where you come in. If the rabbis all back the revolution, the people will follow. The governors will be forced to accept the control of the new dictatorship. You will get your National Church, we will get the navy we need to beat the ships we need to crush the Japanese, and the Communists will get a few social programs to appease them taking the wind out of their political sails and they will collapse. The only ones who are losing are those bureaucrats of other parties in the Congress right now and the bourgeois. And the capitalists will be fine, as you know. They make money no matter what happens. Even if you and I are making two hundred dollars from taking control of their businesses, you know they're making three hundred…"

Jericho knew he had hit a chord. The bourgeois had been the dynamic force behind the creation of the Confederation. The liberal tide had turned against the king, mercantilism, the landed gentry, and the established religion. Titles of privilege became worthless, and the capitalist economy had replaced. Even a century later, the rabbis still opposed the transition.

"And what happens when war with Japan is over and it comes time to get rid of the dictatorship?" asked Zahavah.

"Well, a new constitution for a Federal States of Israel will be drawn up and free elections will be restored. We cannot allow this atrocity of a Confederation to be returned, but we must maintain the principles of democracy and liberalized trade."

"General, it has traditionally been the policy of the church to maintain a conservative stance even if the conservative side was the radical one a century ago…" the rabbi explained, "I see no reason to support a revolution even if it will restore an authoritarian government. No, no matter what you do, this war will be over in a few months, and stability will return to this part of the world. Your new government will be pointless and the coalition will collapse."

Jericho did not show any indication of having been defeated. Now, he decided to play his trump card. He suddenly appeared as though some terrible thought had just come to him, "I assume, sir, that you have received the reports from Hebron… when the Japanese invaded. I was there myself. I saw it with my own eyes. The Japanese have no respect for our faith, and they hate conquered peoples. They tortured and mutilated people simply for being Jewish. They burned the synagogue, and they killed the city's leading rabbi…"

"Yes, I know all about this."

"They did the same at Mount Judea. Only Mount Judea could not be saved fast enough. Thousands were slaughtered in the far north. We at least liberated Japphia early enough… Please, if you consider yourself a religious man, help us get justice for this… this genocide! We must make sure that this never happens again."

Zahavah bowed his head. The room was quiet for almost a full minute before he rose his head to speak again, "If the army can seize power in the district of Jerusalem, the rabbis will back the coup. Now, go."

General Jericho and David, who had remained entirely silent throughout the conversation, got up to leave. Only once they were outside in the street again did David decide to speak.

"You certainly have a way with people," David commented resignedly.

"I suppose you could say that," Jericho nodded.

"You also seem to have made a lot of compromises," David said with a hint of disappointment.

"It's necessary sometimes," Jericho explained, "This is certainly a coalition of strange bed fellows."

"So we aren't setting up a Communist State?" asked David softly.
"Not in a sense, no," replied Jericho, "It will have a socialist title, but I am only extracting the Marxist ideals of nationalized industry for the purposes of building our navy. To tell you the truth, I really don't care about the Communist ideology. In fact, I have always been a capitalist in practice for all my life. I made my money working hard and investing my savings and I am most certainly a member of the bourgeois financially speaking. If this war hadn't started, I would probably be entirely against the Communists."

There was silence. Almost out of nowhere David blurted out, "Why are you fighting this war?"

General Jericho stopped and looked at his assistant, "You mean patriotism aside?"

"Yes," For a moment, David had been frightened, but when he saw that Jericho was not insulted, he decided to see where this would lead.

"You want the honest truth? Even if it might taint your image of me?" asked Jericho.

"Yes."

"I don't know," Jericho shrugged, "I truly don't know for sure what it is. I mean, I am nationalistic, but I would not just do this as some patriotic crusade. I certainly am not doing this for government position since I was not looking to make a career in the military, and I certainly had no intention for power since I had hoped the Congress would take its own action. I am not really profiting from fighting this war directly. I suppose I have just been looking for some great project. I always love a challenge, and this has certainly been one. I am doing this for the glory of it all. Meanwhile, this nasty business involving the coalition is just the means to an end, and the end is victory."

David continued walking silently as he processed all of this. He felt somewhat uncomfortable now because he was not entirely sure whether his leader was telling what he really felt or just standing on the stump to make a speech. David could not say that he had been pleased with the secretive dealing that had been going on. Furthermore, David found himself increasingly sympathetic to the Communist Party, and it did not thrill him that they had become just pawns in Jericho's master plan. Still, it seemed like the social programs they advocated would come into being, and the goals of both the nationalists and the socialists would be solved.

The following week, an army marched on the capital.

To be continued...

[godinex]

[Dom Pedro II]

Part 9: A Whole New World

The army quickly seized control of the capital city. There was very little to stop Jerusalem from falling. The district's untrained militia either fled or joined the Hebrew regulars, and the non-Communist Congressmen were arrested and thrown in prison. The army commanders immediately elected General Jericho as the military governor of the free district. He and the other military officials in combination with the Party conspirators declared a new constitution and officially created the Jerusalem Commune.

In Hebron, Havor, Anyang, and Umtata, the Communists immediately recognized this new government as the official government of Israel. The rest of the provinces remained adamantly opposed to the new government. Rabbi Zahavah, using his influence among the religion community, openly supported the Jerusalem Commune, and in secret meetings convinced other rabbis to endorse the new government. In synagogues across the nation even in provinces unwilling to recognize the new government, the rabbis began insisting that with war with Japan still violently raging on, solidarity in the face of the enemy was the top priority. They urged the people to accept the Commune with open arms.

Governor Jericho's next course of action was to invite all of the major industrialists to a conference. He assured them that their businesses would not be taken from them, and he stated that government contracts were going to be made with all those willing, and those who did not volunteer would be forced to begin military production. Naturally, the industrialists followed suit rather than have their businesses nationalized right from underneath them. If they were given the offer of cooperating and becoming very wealthy men from the government's need for weaponry or to have their livelihood taken and being reduced to paupers, the decision was clear.

Meanwhile, the situation in the foreign scope had become disastrous. As the nation was plunged into anarchy, the international community descended into confusion. The diplomats who had been conferring with the Japanese in Tokyo about a possible cease-fire suddenly found themselves without a government to be representing. The Japanese ambassador was no longer sure if he was even negotiating with men who had any power left. Meanwhile, it appeared that the Japanese military brass were looking for another offensive against the Hebrews in the middle of the turmoil.

The allies were also becoming nervous as well. France and Egypt were not sure whether or not to accept this new government, and for some time it almost appeared that a possible French-Zulu-Egyptian alliance might develop against the Jerusalem Commune in order to put the Confederation back. The Egyptian fleet was docked at Samaria, which was now technically acting independently like most of the other states, but the military, who backed the Jerusalem Commune, was there in force. Jericho feared that the Egyptian commodore might attack the J.C. army thereby opening war between his government and the Egyptians. Realizing the situation was becoming explosive, Jericho sent a packet to both the allies explaining the position of the Commune. When it was understood by both Joan d'Arc and Cleopatra that the Commune intended to prosecute the war even more vigorously than the Confederation, the two declared a position of neutrality.

The situation with the Zulu became close to disastrous. Running the entire length of the Zulu-Hebrew border was the Babylon Line, a 1,500-mile system of fortress running through the Ninevah Mountains down into the Babylon Plains that had been constructed by Israel to protect against a potential Zulu attack. The Hebrews had over 50,000 troops stationed along the length of the line, and many in Zululand were becoming fearful in the wake of the instability. An army marched to the border with unknown intentions.

At the same time, the province of Babylon was teetering on the verge of declaring its independence from Israel. An army under General Herzhaft was immediately dispatched under Governor Jericho's orders to squash the rebellion and prevent a Zulu assault.

This was done, but it proved costly to the Hebrew Army. The citizens of Babylon were in all-out revolt. They built up barricades in the narrow streets of the city, and the mayor had fled. The governor of the province of Babylon, a Hebrew by birth, was considering whether to ride the nationalist fervor springing up there and resurrect the old Babylon by declaring a new republic or see if this new Jerusalem Commune would emerge as the dominant government in Israel.

As it turned out, he did well to remain silent. Herzhaft arrived short thereafter and crushed the riots in the streets. The rebel leaders were promptly executed, and the Hebrew nationals regained control of the province. The governor was then ordered to either assume control as head of the newly organized Department of Babylon encompassing all of the old Babylonian provinces, or he could consider himself one of the Confederates and an enemy of the Jerusalem Commune. When given the proposition, he quickly chose to be the department chairman.

From Jerusalem, Jericho immediately sent Herzhaft's army to the north where the Zulus were massing. At the same time, the show of muscle convinced France and Egypt to recognize the Jericho regime as the official government of Israel. In all of the gaiety and splendor the regime could muster, Jericho held a huge ceremony for the new government called the People's Republic of Israel, which included the islands, the coastal districts, Babylon, and Jerusalem. The eastern provinces were still calling themselves a part of the Hebrew Confederation, but the tide was turning against them. The next step was the creation of the National Order of Judea with Rabbi Zahava as its leader. The religious wave in the free provinces overwhelmed the state governments, and they conceded. The fight on the continent was over.

The northern territories were another matter. Nazareth and Mount Judea were vastly outside of Jericho's reach, so he made a deal. They had little to offer in terms of military strength or industrial capacity, so the governors agreed to abandon the Confederation, a dead political body but alive in spirit with many of the liberals, and become a commonwealth of the PRI. After more than five months of civil war, the PRI was now in total control of Israel. The next step was to turn back to the war with Japan.

The new diplomats under Jericho only goaded the ambassador and the emperor's cabinet to join with the military elite in a hard line policy against Israel. At the same time, the heavy bombarding of their western shores and the massive military construction projects beginning in the new Israel convinced the Japanese leaders that a grand campaign was going to be necessary to win the war. If the Japanese could score a decisive victory against a new Hebrew Navy and win on Hebrew ground, they could knock Jericho's regime out of the war entirely.

In the domestic ring, Jericho's government was doing much. The Hebrew economy was soaring within a few months. He effectively met the Communist Party's cries for poverty relief because the war industry created thousands upon thousands of new jobs. Jericho formed public works programs comprised of thousands of male labors to begin reconstruction of railroads, roads, farmlands, buildings, and canals damaged or destroyed by years of Japanese naval bombardment. Ration boards were created, and people were taken almost entirely off coal for heating. The lumber producers were pleased and greatly increased their output. Jericho's plan of organized economy was called the "national family". Everyone was expected to their part to help bring ultimate victory. Tischler, who became chairman of the Department of Propaganda, put much of the war rhetoric out for the people through posters, ceremonies, and the construction of Victory Square in Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, the war effort was not going as well as planned. A new ironclad, the HPS Japphia, rolled out from Ur harbor with the intention of being the first guard dog against the Japanese frigates who struck the coast almost daily. The ironclad, slow-moving and bulky, had only firepower and thick armor to contend with the quick Japanese fleet. In the end, one ironclad was no match for a squad of Japanese frigates, and after sinking one ship and heavily damaging another, the ironclad limped back towards Ur leaking and shuddering from the cannon fire. The crew realized she was lost and they scuttled her a few miles east of the city. The loss of the ship was a sobering reminder that victory would have to be earned.

David, meanwhile, continued as Chairman Jericho's assistant. He processed most of the reports coming in from the Central Sea. Months passed, the navy grew, the seas burned from wrecked ships on both sides, and a light began to appear at the end of the tunnel.

"Chairman," David entered Jericho's office carrying the latest telegrams.

"What's the news, David?" asked Jericho who was having a drink at that time.

"Another victory to report in the southern Central Sea, sir," explained David, "Our frigates sank an attack fleet of the Japanese. The reports are that we lost two ships, three sustained heavy damage, but the enemy had fifteen ships damaged beyond repair that would never make it all the way back to Japan, and six were sunk at the battle."
"Great news!" Jericho raised the tumbler, "Great news. Have a drink?"

"No thank you, sir," David replied, "There's more… we sustained heavy losses in the northern Central Sea near Ur. We lost five ships, the enemy reportedly lost none. There should be another ironclad coming out of the Ur shipyards in the next two weeks, but… well, I personally don't have high expectations for it, sir."

"Well, one problem at a time," sighed Jericho.

"Sir? Comrade Tischler has reported that the people are growing very wary about the fight in the northern waters… we've seen almost nothing but defeat, or at the very most, we manage to push back one attack squadron only to have another takes its place."

"Blast it, David!" Jericho shot up from his chair, "These things take time! Why can't the people understand that? For God's sake, we weed out the enemy in the southern seas with the help of the Egyptians, and the people say nothing. We cannot outmatch them yet in the north, and we must be doomed to lose the war! Naturally the northern war was going to be a harder theater! They have bases only a short jump from Ur, and Ur is the only city in the north capable of producing ships in the numbers we need right now… they have to be patient! Victory will come there as it has everywhere else."

"I understand that, sir, but -" Jericho cut David off.

"You know, winning a war is a delicate process! Victory will come though. We'll push the Japanese back. I know that they're planning a counter-offensive as we speak. They plan to hit us hard, I know it. Maybe they'll take a shot at Ur… they've been wanting it for years… Well, they'll never see another victory on Hebrew soil. Mark my words! We shall show them the determination of the Jewish people. When we're pushed… we push back and hard!

"You know something," Jericho continued with his speech, "Running a country is a lot like running a business. I've had a shot at both mind you. Sure, when something goes wrong, who do the customers and the investors blame? Not the lazy delivery boy, not the captain who decided to stop off for a pint before making the shipment at the next port. No, they blame the man in charge… me. But it's ok because it's my responsibility to hire competent people and manage things. Well, the entrepreneur may get the criticism, but he also gets the praise. A great man can steer through the storm to success… I'll do that."

David watched his leader and almost without thinking blurted, "You're a great man, sir."

Jericho turned to his assistant. He stood there a moment with a blank expression on his face, but to David's surprise a smile broke across his face. The smile turned to a chuckle, and the chuckle turned into a hearty laugh. "Alright, David, alright. You've heard enough speeches for today. Go on. Get out of here…"

"I'll leave these reports here for you," David placed them silently on the desk, and Jericho ignored them as he turned in his chair to look out at Jerusalem from his big picture window.

As David stepped out of the office, he saw Abegayle, the chairman's secretary, punching up a report on her new typewriter.

"Hello, Abegayle," David said sheepishly.

"Oh! Hi, David. How are you?" a bright smile spread across her face. Her sparkling green eyes seemed so warm and welcoming. David felt he could have soaked up the rays of sunshine she radiated all day.

"Fine. Just fine," David replied. Normally he would have said his good-byes, but today he took a bold step, "Abby… could… I mean, would you mind… I hear that the People's Victory Theater is putting on a new play this Thursday. Would you be interested in going?"

"Well, I don't know… I'll have to see if I can," she said, "But if I can, I would love to go! What's the new production?"

"I haven't the slightest idea," David laughed.

"Okay then," Abegayle smiled again, "I'll get back to about that invitation."

"Until then," David turned and went back to his office. There was perhaps a bit of a bounce in his step.

To be continued…



I would like to dedicate this story at this time to Avigayil, a very special girl. I'll miss you.