Nuclear Supremacy

[Verto]

I'm trying to finish up my other story, Manifest Destiny, shortly. What I'd like to know is, would anyone like me to try and finish this story? If not, I'd like to hear ideas for future stories.

[Knightblade pDM]

Verto, I've read both of your stories so far, and am looking forward to you continuing both of them. I personally want you to continue this one. And as one writer to another, you're doin a damn good job Keep em comin!

[TheGuitarist]

I agree with Knightblade. This is a great story and I strongly urge you to finish it.

However, I'm also impressed by Manifest Destiny and I don't want Nuclear Supremacy to distract you too much.

Keep going with both - as soon as possible!

[Verto]

Alright, I'm picking up where I left off. I don't know how long this story will be, that is dependent on how much time I have, feedback and the general interest in the story, and my own interest in the story.

I will try to find them maps for this story, and make some new ones. Bear with me.

[Verto]

Map, pre-1968

[Verto]

This is the map showing how far the Germans have reached as of now, when I write the next installment.

[Verto]

Berlin Weekly Post

For two months, the world has watched, both in astonishment and fear, as Persia slowly disappeared against the mighty forces of Germany, like the sand in an hourglass. The Persian Empire, secretly attempting to build nuclear weapons in which to terrorize the world, was caught off guard and sent reeling by a preemptive strike ordered by our Chancellor. Unopposed, German Panzers struck deep into the heart of treacherous Persia, reaching the Northern Plains within weeks. Encircling the capital of that treacherous country, the unstoppable juggernaut of envied Germany slowly tightened the noose around Persepolis, and the cowards hidden inside those crumbling walls cowered, fearing the arrival of those who would finally bring them to justice for their attempted betrayal of Germany.
Our brave men, fighting in that cess pit of traitors and cowards, are expected to return home soon, to a thankful Germany, and a world which will forever be in their debt.





I know this isn't much, but I may or may not be leaving for a day or two, and would be away from a computer.

Just consider this a teaser for the next part, which I have christened Chapter II: Beyond the Brink, and as always, let me know what you think about the story - the good, the bad and the ugly.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Thanks Verto for coming back to this,I'm looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

[TheGuitarist]

Excellent

Keep it coming.

[Verto]

Chapter II: Beyond the Brink

A small, wiry aide quietly opened the door and peered inside. The vaulted chamber, built nearly two hundred years ago, was filled with heated debate.

The multi-sided table which dominated the room was caught in the middle of a battle between the various ministers, shouting back at each other.

He ducked outside when someone turned his way, then cautiously looked back into the room and listened.

"We have to take Persepolis!" Bismarck shouted. "I want that city!" He was waving his arms jerkily, his clothes rumpled. His hair was uncombed and he had grey stubble from not shaving.

"You have to face facts," the War Minister replied from the opposite side of the table. "We've lost nearly a tenth of our Panzers. Those left are damaged, their crews fatigued. The city's population is being armed and trained to fight us. If the bombers had been delayed by two days, Persepolis would have been taken. However, they weren't delayed; Persepolis is still in Persian hands. Our Panzers need to fall back - no more than thirty miles, to the nearest city. That way, they will be protected by the little AA defense we have, until the factories in Munich finish the first fighters."

Bismarck glared at the minister, his expression changing from anger to rage to insanity. "Retreat?! Three miles away from Persepolis and you want us to retreat?!"

"Only-" the minister started to reply.

"Never!" Bismarck shouted, slamming a fist on the table. "Germany does not retreat! We do not falter!"

"Then Germany will lose," the Minister of War replied calmly, seemingly oblivious to Bismarck's outburst. He wore his dark uniform, which he had donned since the war started.

"Might I suggest, if I may, that we enlist the aid of France and Babylon? We have brought Persia to her knees - let us be magnanimous, and allow our allies to help us cut up Persia into territories?" the Minister of Trade said.

"That would take time, but it is our wisest course of action," the Foreign Minister agreed.

"I agree, the War Minister said. "If we allow our allies take the eastern cities left, it would free up men to fight."

"What? You want me to give Persia to those SPECTATORS? Where has the Babylonian Navy been? At anchor - certainly not helping Germany. We gave them back their island, and in return? They stand by while we fight Persia.

No!"

"Ah, perhaps if we told them the truth, the seriousness of the situation, they would be persuaded to send reinforcements? England - possibly even Zululand - allied with Persia? A defeated Germany? They would most certainly have to help."

"DEFEATED? Germany is not defeated until Berlin is under siege! Cowards, all of you! If we cannot control Persepolis, then no one will! If Persia will not bow to the Fatherland, then they will accept their fate! If Germany cannot have Persia, nobody will!"

The aide, realizing what he was hearing, quickly shut the door and hurried down the hall, away from the wrath of Bismarck and the terrible words he had heard.

[Verto]

I was going through the different stories in the forum, and I noticed that the posts for each story varied in length. I'd like to hear from everyone on how long you like the story posts to be, and if mine are too short, too long, etc, as well as the format. Do you like the spaced paragraphs?

Finally, how important are maps to you? I myself love stories with maps to accompany, so that I can understand the geography of the story, etc. That is why I always try to have a few maps/pictures with my stories. Just let me know how you feel about all this.

[Verto]

Part II of Nuclear Supremacy: Beyond the Brink

October 28, 1968


General Schmidt read the hastily decoded report quickly, and paused when he reached the end. He looked up at the dishevelled soldier standing in front of him, the one who had brought the message to him, then back down at the report.

A stiff breeze brought a short relief from the oppressive glare of the sun and caused the paper to ripple; the printed letters glinted with sunlight, momentarily blinding Schmidt. Winter was right on schedule in Germany; here, it seemed as if summer wasn't quite ready to relinquish its grip over the land. He blinked, both against the dust the wind had brought and the salty sweat that had fallen from his brow. The words, hastily written, were still clearly readable, and the direct orders left no room for mistake, or negotiating.

Military Directive Order 03917

3rd Corp

Top Secret

URGENT

Organize and commence general withdrawal of the 3rd Corp to a position five miles north of the Hannover River (Schmidt almost smiled at the arrogance of whoever had decided to rename the captured cities, mountains and rivers before the war was over) immediately and coordinate with 1st Corp to set up a defensive perimeter against possible English strike.

All troops and equipment must in place 5 miles north of Hannover by the 3rd of November and maintain position there. No troops are to be allowed to cross the Hannover. Radio blackout in effect from Nov. 3rd to the 5th for all ; radio transmissions to resume at 1200 hours on the 5th. All troops are to be in quarters at 0100 on the 4th, and remain so until 0200.

He didn't bother to reread the last paragraph, a 'personal message from Bismarck to all the brave Germans fighting for their homes'.

Hannover? Schmidt folded the report and tucked it into his breast pocket. Withdraw nearly forty miles? When they were right on the outskirts of Persepolis? It didn't make sense - if Berlin would just provide air cover, send him more men and equipment, and if that idiot Kregel wasn't stuck in those marshes...it was all a matter of 'ifs'.

What was this business about radio blackouts? They want us to coordinate a defense against an English attack, and do so without radio?

He gazed at the rolling hills to the north, dotted with short stubby trees and surmounted by a tall, lone mountain peak in the distance. Thirty miles beyond that edifice lay the murky waters of the Hannover. That was where they had to be in seven days. He intended to make it there in half that time, even with the injured and the nearly disabled Panzers. The sooner he was there, the sooner he would be able to find out what all this was about. He dismissed the lieutenant, who had been standing at attention while Schmidt had studied the message.

Something tugged at the back of his mind, something he could almost remember. Almost.



Persepolis

"Look!" the black haired boy shouted. They're leaving! The Germans are going!"

At first, only silence greeted his announcement, and he frowned at that. Then, slowly, his companion stood up and took the boys binoculars from him and looked out at the charred plains.

"The-the Germans are leaving!" he cried, grabbing for his radio set. He quickly announced the news to the other men on duty, and soon the entire district was filled with cries of joy, astonishment, doubt and fear. Rumors spread as quickly as the news. An army from England was marching on Berlin; Babylon and France had come to the aid of Persia; the Germans had been fed up with Persia and were going to burn the entire country down; the generals had defected and a coup de'tat was going to overthrow Bismarck; Xerxes had capitulated to Germany. As the German army slowly disappeared, so did any semblence of order. Soldiers and civilians, both armed against the German attack that seemed imminent, broke into celebration, their posts abandoned.

Only the boy remained, watching in silence as the German Panzers slowly disappeared along with the last rays of sunlight.

[Verto]

As always, let me know what you think.

[unscratchedfoot]

Fine story. Keep going. Want it longer, more fighting.

I got an idea for the germans to try here: the next day they go back to Percepolis and the people in the city freak and get stressed. Then the germans leave again and the people party. Then come back again etc etc until the people in the city have nervous breakdowns from the emotional extremes.

[Verto]

I have other plans for Persepolis