CIV3 Story - America the Brutal

[cutlerd]

Chapter One – The Council of War

The council chamber was full of senators and state representatives from all over the island nation of America, including the ceremonial representatives of the Iroquois people resplendent in their ancient ceremonial headdresses, polished cosmopolitan city dwellers from the north in dapper suits and bow ties, and rustic plainsmen from the central wastes in ten gallon hats and well-worn jeans. All were abuzz at the prospect of this special session of the United States legislature called by President Cutler, for such a session, though legally allowed in the Constitution of the Republic of 1135, had not been called to order in the over 550 years since.

Since the faded years at the dawn of history when the American people had settled near Pike’s Peak, where they discovered tons of iron ore scattered in once volcanic globs on the face of the mountain, and had used that iron to fashion weapons by which to dominate the neighbouring Iroquois tribes and wrest control of the entire island of America, the Americans had known nothing but peace. From the fertile grasslands to the north of the continent-sized island they had migrated south into the central wastes, settling along the coasts and finally colonizing the southern Iroquois lands in the rugged southlands.

Certainly, the Zulus across the narrow ocean channel to the east had at times raided the coastal villages and fishing hamlets of the U.S. East Coast, and twice the Zulus, angered and jealous of American prosperity had demanded tribute be paid and, when refused, even declared war upon the peaceful people of America, but when Shaka’s troops landed near Atlanta and found Impi and light horsemen face to face with mounted knights encased in good old American platemail forged from Pike’s Peak iron, the few survivors to return to Zululand made certain that Shaka and his people would never threaten America again.

So why the emergency session now? Hadn’t America proved to be the beacon of culture for the rest of the world? Were not American musicians the most renowned anywhere? And with its female citizens now given the right to vote and to engage in workplace, wasn’t America now the most productive and commercially successful nation on earth? Its diamond and emeralds were craved the world over for their luster and craftsmanship and in its position in the center of Eastland, the great Continent to the east, and the islands to the west, the U.S. also served as a trade hub, taking taxes and tariffs to fill its coffers.

And so, while the eight nations of Eastland Continent fought their petty wars and maneuvered against each other politically, commercially, and economically, the U.S. was content to improve itself and bask in the glory of its splendid isolationism.

Until now.

[cutlerd]

A hush fell over the chamber as the President walked up to the podium, folder in hand, and motioned for the legislators to be seated. With a nod to his chief of staff, President Cutler opened his folder and began to speak.

“My fellow Americans. I come to address you today because we have always thought of America as a rock…a strong rock that stands steady in the turbulent seas that surround it. Our sailors even affectionately refer to our great nation as “The Rock” when they espy it standing tall on the far horizon.

But be not fooled, for the analogy is an apt one. We are a rock in turbulent waters. And these are turbulent times, and I foresee even more so ahead of us. Gentlemen, no rock can stand against the relentless assault of thousands upon thousands of waves beating upon it. Eventually, the rock is gone and only the waves remain. That is the nature of things.

And that is where we find ourselves today. As you all know, the great nations of the world discovered the Isle of Faragost two hundred and fifty years ago more or less. And it was decided that the Isle would be neutral territory to be settled by the great nations of the earth and that upon the Isle an assembly would be built and the nations would discuss and resolve their differences in that assemblage and so the Compact of Faragost was signed.

But now our agents in the British concessions in Egyptland have sent by way of urgent dispatch word that a great fleet sails from Egypt to Zululand. An invasion fleet. Yes. A full-scale invasion that exceeds the proprieties and limits of petty warfare handed down by the Compact. It seems that Chinese patriots, ever eager to reclaim their lost homelands from the Zulus, are acting as a sort of Fifth Column to pave the way for the Egyptian invasion. What the Egyptians have promised the Chinese in return I cannot say.

We all know of Egypt’s desire for glory and supremacy. And we all know that the Zulus are a backwards people who have managed to hold onto a large and desirable tract of land due to their strategically central location on Eastland. But if the Egyptians succeed in their invasion, not only will the Compact be violated, but the entire world order of the past millennium will be shattered. Even decadent France will be tempted to turn from her drunken stupor and involve herself in this war.

Peace has always been maintained through Balkanization. No one nation has ever been large enough to dominate the rest. But if Egypt, in its bold gambit, succeeds, she will soon be large enough to dominate all of the states of Eastland, with the possible exception of France and India, and once the southern states fall, it will be too late for France to wake up or for India to throw off its Pacifist mantle.”

As the President paused to let this news sink in, the senator from Alabama stood up and, leaning on his ivory cane, said “Mistuh President. This is shocking news ta say tha least. But what do y’all suggest we do about it? Go ta war with Egypt? Is that what y’all are possibly recommending to this august body?”

The President smiled as the elderly senator seated himself. “No Mr. Senator. I am not suggesting that. Egypt is a very powerful nation, and it is now clear she has been mobilizing her armies for some time. I do not want those invasion fleets diverted towards our lands. Moreover, we do not know what sort of alliances and webs of deceit have been crafted over in Eastland. We could find that the Egyptians have allies. Do we want to take on Egypt and, say, Persia combined?

No, what I propose is that we have to stop being The Rock. We have to instead begin to ride the waves. Someone must make certain that there is always a nation to match or counter all others. That is the way of peace. If Egypt is to conquer and grow fat and powerful from it…then so must we!”

A dreadful silence descended upon the legislators. None of them spoke, not even in whispers. All were contemplating what this meant.

The President resumed. “We will not be the first to break the Compact, but we will be the second. We will send a message to Egypt by our actions that we will not lie still and be dominated. We will not be passive. We will not await our turn in an inevitable chain of Egyptian conquests. We will send this message without actually coming into direct conflict with Egypt. Hopefully, if this message is received, the Egyptians will be satisfied with Old China and the world may forge a new Compact.”

The representative from Boston now stood and addressed the assembled. “But waht nation will be on the chopping blohck Mistah President? Whom do you intend to bully and waht excuse will be given?”

President Cutler pulled a cloth from his folder and cast it down at the feet of the representative from Boston. The representative picked up the cloth, unfolded it, and displayed it to the assembly.

It was the flag of Greece.

[cutlerd]

Chapter Two – The Sack of Greece

Captain Slim Hawkins surveyed the wreckage of Thermopylae, last bastion of the Kingdom of Greece. There had been no doubt about the outcome of this campaign. The Greeks, a peaceful people, were always backwards, not only in their outmoded form of government, worshipping their kings as incarnations of their storm god Zeus, but also in their weaponry. True, their iron was almost as good as Pike’s Peak ore, but platemail was no match for lead bullets and cannonballs. The only counter attack from the Greeks in the entire 10-year campaign came from the Spartans. You had to admire their balls…charging serried ranks of American Dragoons with longbowmen. At the Battle of Falonika Gap they even managed to massacre a battalion of US Cavalry before being decimated.

But other than that, the war was quite successful and enjoyed the support of the American people once President Cutler, now in his 3rd term, explained the necessity of it and also promised his constituents that the war would be short, result in few US casualties, that the Greeks would be treated fairly and as new citizens once hostilities were over, and that the Greeks would benefit from being raised up from their heathen and backward society into the light of U.S. knowledge and monotheistic religion.

It turned out the President was right. The Greeks were actually outrageously happy that their despotic kings had been deposed and the northern cities were already enjoying the comforts of American living. There was little or no dissent in the States, other than some hardline Iroquois in the south who objected to what they saw as a parallel to their own ancient defeat to the Americans.

Thermopylae was the southeastern most city in Greece and one of its major trading ports, and already Persian ships were anchored in the harbour seeking to trade with the newly Americanized Greeks and eager for hard American greenback currency.

Slim could hear his men nearby, reveling in their victory and enjoying both the ouzo and the Greek women, and their hoots and yahoos hardly jolted his ponderings until a messenger brought a dispatch from headquarters.

He opened the sealed pouch and read:

Captain Major Slim Hawkins – 17th Cavalry Division, Houston Dragoons, Army of Greece.

From Major General Stoneford Wallace – Commander in Chief of the Greek Occupation.

Major Hawkins. Congratulations on your capture of Thermopylae (damned Greek names…so hard to pronounce and to write! We should perhaps rename some of the cities. How do Stoneford or Wallaceton sound?) . Commendable effort even if resistance was lighter than expected. Make sure those Persian merchants are kept in line. We don’t need a repeat of the dock riots of Corinth from two years ago.

You are hereby ordered to muster your men in two week’s time and proceed by land to Pharsalos for eventual embarkation to Houston.

Also, Intelligence wishes to know if any of your men are fluent in Japanese. You are not to inquire of the men if any are so fluent. Merely bring any examples you already know of to my direct attention when you arrive in Houston.

End of Dispatch

Five thousand miles to the north, in Washington D.C., President Cutler was conferring with his advisors.

“Gentlemen, the Greek campaign was a success…and an astounding one at that, except for that little incident near Sparta that is. I am truly glad that Hearst decided to play ball with us and keep the extent of the massacre toned down in his papers.

The Egyptians have thrown us for a bit of a loop. As you know, in the ten years we have managed to subdue the entire Greek sub continent, the Egyptians have merely managed to capture two Old China cities from the Zulus.”

The President opened two wooden doors hung on the wall behind him, displaying an expertly crafted map of the world showing geographical and political boundaries in great detail.

“Now” he resumed, “ we all know that Egypt is one of the most powerful military forces in the world. Why would they hold back like this? What do they hope to gain from such a low grade and limited form of warfare? Are we simply more competent than they are in the arts of war? As much as I would like to think so, for it would send the desired message to the Egyptians – that we can take 8 enemy cities in the same time they have taken 2 – I fear this is not the case.

What I wonder is if they have somehow forced our hand or put us into a position wherein the rest of the world might see us as the aggressors and unite under Egypt against us? Is this possible?”

The Secretary of State stood and addressed the President. “Sir, all indications from our diplomats around the world indicate that all eyes are on the Egyptians still. This is logical given that our move against Greece threatens at most Babylon and Egypt, while the Egyptian move threatens four times as many nations. Yes, we are condemned in many circles, but our press is doing a good job of showing how well the Greeks are being treated and how they stand to fare under us, and while this may cause concern to totalitarian monarchs and dictators around the world who are uneasy at our display of forceful benevolence, they are having a difficult time mustering any support amongst their people.”

The National Security Advisor now stood. “Sir, our information says that the Egyptians pulled back a great deal of their forces when we declared war on Greece a mere week after they had fired the first shots on Zululand. I think perhaps the Egyptians intended a full scale invasion of the kind we enacted, but while they had already committed to war against Zululand, they could not halt that invasion for fear of losing face and prestige, but at the same time, they were off balance and could not potentially reprise against us. The best they could do, my sources indicate, is guard their now expanded shoreline open to invasion by us while at the same time continuing with their war in Zululand. Even though their war is moving slowly, they can still term it a success, and do so in their press.”

The Secretary of State continued. “None of the other nations of Eastland seem to be mobilizing, though the Persian warfleet has been sighted off of the coast of Thermopylae heading from their colonies on Faragost to the homeland. Perhaps our well publicized lend leasing of Pike’s Peak ore to the Zulus and the slow progress of the Egyptians has convinced them that the Zulus can take care of themselves and that they need not worry.”

“Mmm…yes,” mused the President, “ or perhaps they are deliberately slowing the pace of their conquest so that the other nations will not object until it is too late.”

“Now,” he continued, “we need to discuss the contingency plans I asked you to work on. If Egypt does conquer Zululand, we need to be ready for our next move should they have designs in Eastland beyond that. I think we all agree that our next move should be against Japan and Germany in the far south of Eastland. It is most logical that Egypt will move out of Zululand against an adjoining nation, either France, India, Russia, Aztlan, or England. We must, in that event, move to further contain them, so that their expansion is limited. Both Japan and Germany are small nations, backwards and helpless. They would be easy to occupy and their governments are repressive regimes, which helps sell a war against them to the American public. The question is, can we support an invasion halfway across the world? We cannot afford a failure in this regard, as we are attempting to bluster and bluff the Egyptians into submission, and if the initial invasions fail, we cannot easily reinforce our troops. I want a full report and briefing on this topic with the Joint Chiefs by the end of the month.”

What that, the President left the office as his aides scrambled to get the plans together.

[cutlerd]

The story is based on my current CIV3 game....huge map, regent level, 16 civs. I would include a screenshot if anyone can tell me how to take a screenshot of the map on a PC.

[trickey]

great story! keep writing, you will only get better

[Metaliturtle]

What he said, it's really good, go to the storywriter's union thread and request membership

[civman2000]

great! reminds me of an old story, "crazy lincoln" by curlyboy42

[cutlerd]

Chapter Three – The Demise of Zululand

President Dvorak fiddled with the desk calendar set in the Oval Office. It read Tuesday, March 23, 1758 American Date (A.D.). Was it really almost 50 years ago that President Cutler had launched his nation out of their splendid isolationism and into the center for world affairs? Cutler had been determined that isolationism would spell doom for the nation, and his successful campaign and assimilation of the Greeks was legendary.

But that action had started a chain of events that led to the rather unpleasant meeting he was forced to take in just a few short minutes. While Cutler’s occupation of Greece had been nothing short of brilliant, his grandiose plans to seize the southern nations of Eastland was pure fantasy. Conduct an invasion halfway around the world? And to what end? To rule over a resource poor and savage people with the mighty Persian Empire on our northern borders? Certainly, Persia, seeing us attack Japan, would have themselves taken out Germany, limiting us to a tenuous foothold on the continent…one that could be wiped out by the Persians at will.

And then there was Cutler’s misreading of Egyptian intentions. The records of the senate and President Cutler’s own cabinet meetings had shown the confusion and doubt sown into the American leadership over the molasses pace of the Egyptian invasion of Zululand. It was only during the last Presidency, when Aztlan, India, Persia, Babylon and England had declared war on Zululand and began a full scale rapine of the land of Shaka did inklings of the Egyptian plan become clear.

Egypt was not interested in all of Zululand…they only wanted Old China. Why? Why covet a resource poor flatland and throw away the rich and fertile Zulu heartland? The only distinguishing characteristic of Old China was an ominous one. It was the closest point of land to the American island and the closest foreign soil to Washington D.C. The only reason the Egyptians could want Old China was as a base for an invasion of America! Of course, no proof was then to be had…and Egypt claimed it was merely doing a favour for the poor Chinese, whose last city was a concession on the Egyptian homeland. They claimed, with the help of Chinese propagandists and Chinese auxiliaries serving in the Pharaoh’s armies, that the Egyptians would liberate Old China from the Zulus and hand the land to China. And China believed it. What choice did they have otherwise…the poor bastards!

Thank God almighty that old Cutler had decreed by law that the U.S. should have a standing Expeditionary force of at least 12 divisions ready to sail at a moment’s notice at all times. And thank God the people had seen through the Pacifist Party’s old Iroquois whining and seen fit to elect Dvorak’s party into office. Just 2 month ago he had taken the oath of office, and it was the very next day that he had sent orders for the expeditionary fleet to sail.

The office door opened and an aide appeared. “Mr. President, the diplomats from the other nations have arrived…together…and they wish to meet with you…together.”

Dvorak smiled. So that was how it was going to be eh? So he couldn’t play one off against the other. Well, he could refuse to see them en masse…but that would look bad in the papers, especially in those other nations. No, he had the weapon he needed against them right here in his desk drawer. He would see them, and he indicated so to the aide.

[cutlerd]

Into the room filed the ambassador from England, Lord Raymond in his coattails and top hat, ambassador Helcazzadur from Babylon, with his ornately tied beard and ceremonial robes of office, ambassador Niri from India, with shaved head and wire rimmed glasses, ambassador Tlaloc from Aztlan wearing a silver heart pendant, remnant from the older, bloodier times of Aztec religious practices, and ambassador Xertus from Persia, affecting the French mode of dress with beret and goatee. The men seated themselves in chairs that were slightly lower to the ground, forcing them to look upward at the President. As each seated himself and noted this, a scowl crossed his face, bringing an inward chuckle to Dvorak.

“Gentlemen,” said Dvorak, “we Americans have a reputation amongst you Eastlanders…” at this the ambassador from Babylon frowned, for he was not an Eastlander, and Dvorak’s wording was meant to point out this difference to the assembled ambassadors.

“…for crudity and lack of diplomacy. Well, we Americans like to think of it as coming to the point. So let’s dispense with all of the frivolity and diplomatic hoo-hah and come right to it. You are here to discuss our invasion force which has landed in Old China.”

“Quite so,” began Lord Raymond, “we are quite puzzled as to why America has chosen to intervene in an Eastland matter.”

“An Eastland matter? I was not aware that Egypt and Babylon had relocated to Eastland.”

“Hrmmm well, touché Mr. President,” continued Lord Raymond, “but you see, although no one invited the Egyptians, they were acting on behalf of China, which has, as I am sure you will recognize, legitimate, if ancient claims to their ancestral homelands so long defiled by the Zulus. As for our friends the Babylonians, you will note that they provided no land troops, only propitious shore bombardment, and for that we invited them, for they have the largest fleet in the world and seemed best suited to aid in our counter attack against the Zulus.”

“Counter-attack?” queried Dvorak, “the Zulus never declared war on you. To my constituents gentlemen, your invasion of Zululand looks to be naked aggression.”

Tlaloc spoke up “The Zulus have raided our borders for years. They were a weak government incapable of providing law and order to their own countryside. Their land became a haven for criminals, bandits, and ne’er-do-wells who used the sanctuary of the national borders as a base of operations for crimes into my country and the countries of all of the worthies who are here today. Many times we requested the Zulus take measures to halt these incursions, and every time such things were promised, and aid was even given to them to fund such operations, but every time nothing was done. No doubt the heirs of Shaka were busy enriching themselves with our funds.”

“Now that we have provided you with our rationale” said Xertus, an oily man with an even oilier voice, “can you please tell us what we should relay to our superiors as to the reason for American intervention?”

“Well distinguished ambassadors, it is well known that the Zulus raided our homeland en masse in the largest act of aggression prior to 1710 since the beginning of the American Dating system. Although we drove them out of our lands, there was a terrible loss of life amongst our farmers and villagers.”

“That is ancient history Mr. President”, spoke Niri in a thick Hindi accent. “Should we give credence to Iroquois patriots who even to this day demand back their lands from you as a result of ancient aggressions by your people? Let us not dwell on the distant past sir. The fact is that America is an opportunist and an aggressor here. They have only 50 years ago directed a war against a nation that had done them no harm ever, and now they cross the sea to begin a conquest of Eastland. Is there no end to American aggression sir?”

Dvorak smiled at the obvious ploy the ambassadors used by having the pacifist Indian ambassador speak the most incendiary words of the meeting. He would not be thrown by the contradiction. He sat back and spoke softly, forcing the ambassadors to lean forward to hear what he was saying.

“Gentlemen…I told I was going to speak frankly. And I am. We are all aware that Zululand was a corpse ripe for the picking. These bandit incursions and border disputes you are likely to bore me with for the next four hours, if I let you, are hogwash and you know it. Egypt invaded Zululand for anything but altruistic reasons. Before they did so, they pacted with you and gave you permission to take the rest of Zululand. They bought you all off because they wanted only Old China and they wanted to be sure you all did not take their invasion as a threat and turn against them. And so, like hyenas at a carcass you tore up Zululand and even now rush across Shaka’s grave to see who can grab up the best pieces before the others.”

The ambassadors began to rise, Lord Raymond turning red and flapping his jowls in feigned indignation, but Dvorak rose suddenly, pounded his fist on the desk, and yelled “SIT DOWN GENTLEMEN! I AM NOT FINISHED!”

The room became quiet and the ambassadors sank into their low seats.

Dvorak opened his desk drawer and handed to each ambassador a piece of paper.

“Gentlemen, the news reached me by dispatch today, and no doubt given the weather on the high seas your own messengers were delayed, but our forces have already taken Beijing and Canton. Our own operations in Old China are finished and even now our engineers are preparing earthenworks and fortresses to barricade the roads from the Egyptian frontlines and the Aztec front lines. We are declaring our portion of Old China to be sovereign American territory and any incursion by any foreign power into that territory will be an act of war.”

“As to why we are in Old China to begin with…I direct your attention to this letter, taken from the German embassy in Beijing from ambassador Zimmermann. I assure you it is quite authentic, though the original was in code. Shall I read it to you?”

“From his lordship Anubi Rast, Commander-in-chief of the Armies of the Nile

To his excellency Baron Stillel Von Zimmermann, attaché to the German mission in Zululand

Dear Sir:

I thank you for relaying our requirements to your esteemed colleagues and partners in Angle, Hindu, Persu, and Coatland. Your government is doing us a great favour by acting as go-between and your service will not be forgotten.

We need to hear from your partners before winter. Please impress upon them the logic of the situation. The only possible reason we could have for our action in Old China is as stated, to provide an eventual launch point for an attack upon America. We have no designs on Eastland, and we would be willing to sign a secret protocol agreeing to evacuate Old China entirely once we have a secure beachhead in America and once Washington is in our hands.

As to the proposal that Babylon be invited to the party, the Pharaoh has agreed that they can be invited to assist in your attack on Zululand if you need their help, but they should not be made privy to Egypt’s ultimate aim.

Our new ships of war are coming on line soon, and they will make America’s ironclads look like toy boats in a child’s bathtub, but we need to strike before American starts to build her own upgraded navy.

Please use all of your efforts and wiles to get our partners to agree. They can divide the rest of Zululand as they wish or not attack at all. It matters not to us.

Once again, thank you for your help. And please destroy this message after you have decoded it.”

Dvorak looked up and removed his glasses. “It seems gentlemen, that Von Zimmermann did not quite trust Commander Rast, and I guess he kept this little memento as a means of blackmail. Unfortunately, Zimmermann passed away in the assault on Beijing.”

“Gentlemen, I can make this letter public. If I do, you will have war between America and Egypt. I can also assure you that Babylon will not take to kindly to a few sentences in this letter and will read a threat into it. With English colonies in Egyptland and with American and now Egyptian colonies on Eastland, you might have a world war on your hands. And in such a war, there will be few winners and many losers.”

Dvorak cast a grim countenance upon the ambassadors. “With our action in Old China, we have managed to cutoff the Egyptian occupation from the rest of the mainland. We are in position now to keep an eye on any Egyptian buildup and to, if necessary, move against the Egyptians in Old China if need be. Hopefully, our actions will forestall the Egyptian plans. That is our intent. Our invasion of Old China is purely defensive and purely a counter to impending Egyptian aggression. Like the Egyptians, gentlemen, I don’t give one holler as to what you boys do with the rest of Zululand. Fight amongst yourselves for all I care. But you have nothing to worry about from us. Old China is essentially an American-Egyptian affair and I think you all should stay out of it.

You can take those copies back with you to your superiors. Tell them as long as things remain as they should be I will not release the letter. Good day gentlemen.”

As the ambassadors filed out of the Oval Office, Dvorak sighed heavily, hoping he had just staved off world war.

[civman2000]

Great diplomacy! This is gonna be a classic someday!

[Metaliturtle]

Lots of good stories now, seriously, request membership to the storywriter's Union

[cutlerd]

Where do I request membership?

[cutlerd]

And can anyone tell me how to take screenshots on a PC so I can illustrate with pictures? Mapshots would really help readers to see what's going on.

[Metaliturtle]

membership: go to the NEW storywriter's Union thread

[Giovanni Wine]

Originally posted by cutlerd
And can anyone tell me how to take screenshots on a PC so I can illustrate with pictures? Mapshots would really help readers to see what's going on.

Screenshots:

Press Print Screen in your Keyboard
I picture will open
Save it as bmp, jpg gif or any other image file your computer can edit
Crop, resize, cut, paste, do whatever you want
Save it as jpg
Attach it to your post!

Oh... Really Great Story!
I'm amazed by how many talented people are writing on these boards

Saluti