Tweet
Introduction
Following a decade of warfare, an uneasy peace has been declared among the world's remaining powers. The War of Aggression has ended with the detonation of nuclear weapons and the total annihilation of the Russian state. The Triple Alliance, war weary with its armies spread thin across two fronts, finally succumbed to the military juggernaut of the Coalition of Nations and signed a peace treaty. So, as the world's greatest armies slowly dwindle to their pre-1954 size, the world prepares for what seems to be a necessary peace. For what nation could wage war, with the threat of a nuclear holocaust? Apparently, only one.
Berlin, 1968
"If the Minister of Domestic Affairs has nothing more to add, I now turn the time to the Minister of Trade & Commerce for his weekly report," Bismarck, Iron Chancellor of Germany, said.
"Danke," the Trade Minister said. "Our Spice-Furs trade with the Babylonians continues to show profit, and with the approval of the ministry, will renew it upon its expiration. Likewise with the French Incense-Oil agreement. The English are prepared to pay fifteen gold for our excess Furs, in an act of goodwill, and I am sure the Zulu would also be receptive to a trade agreement. And the Persians have, uh, once again made a request regarding our uranium, although they have been somewhat more forceful in negotiations."
From the look of the other men, this came as no great surprise.
"If that is all...?" Bismarck asked, glancing questioningly at the Trade Minister. He nodded. "We will forego the rest of the reports, as I have matters of great importance to attend to."
The other ministers, although surprised by this, dared not ask. They had seen the wrath of the Iron Chancellor, and did not want to try and brave it.
Bismarck stood and walked to the large window behind him. He parted the heavy curtains and gazed at the city that sprawled beneath him. "Auric, if you would stay for a moment."
The War Minister looked at the back of the chancellor's head. "As you wish."
Bismarck gazed contemplatingly at the capital for a moment more, then turned to face his war minister. "I just received a report this morning; an aerial surveillance report."
"I have also seen it," the Minister replied.
"And what is your interpretation? Merely the Persian withdrawal?"
The battle hardened soldier, never one for politics, didn't mince words. "The only thing to keep the Persian schweineshunds from attacking us has been the threat of a Russian or Zulu attack. Now that the Russians have been destroyed and the Zulu down to nearly ten cities, Xerxes has nothing to stop him from driving a dagger into our underbelly."
"Except our nuclear deterrence," Bismarck replied.
"Sir, with the bulk of our Panzers along the English front, the Persians could easily attack us and get as far as Munich before we were able to mount a serious defense. We must still worry about an English counterattack." The minister thought for a moment. Perhaps, if we enlisted the aid of the French..."
"I am meeting with the French ambassador in two hours," Bismarck said. "What is your suggested course of action?"
"I believe we must consider the Persians a threat to the Fatherland and possibly his allies. The Persians will attempt a blitzkrieg through our southern cities and try to capture our uranium deposits near Munich and Nuremburg, and commence building their nuclear arsenals immediately. Therefore, our only course of action to prevent this from happening, is to launch a series of strategic nuclear strikes against the Persian armies."
The room grew oppressively silent. "You realize what will happen if we drop more nuclear bombs?" Bismarck asked.
The old soldier met Bismarck's gaze. "I realize what will happen if we don't drop those bombs."
Following a decade of warfare, an uneasy peace has been declared among the world's remaining powers. The War of Aggression has ended with the detonation of nuclear weapons and the total annihilation of the Russian state. The Triple Alliance, war weary with its armies spread thin across two fronts, finally succumbed to the military juggernaut of the Coalition of Nations and signed a peace treaty. So, as the world's greatest armies slowly dwindle to their pre-1954 size, the world prepares for what seems to be a necessary peace. For what nation could wage war, with the threat of a nuclear holocaust? Apparently, only one.
Berlin, 1968
"If the Minister of Domestic Affairs has nothing more to add, I now turn the time to the Minister of Trade & Commerce for his weekly report," Bismarck, Iron Chancellor of Germany, said.
"Danke," the Trade Minister said. "Our Spice-Furs trade with the Babylonians continues to show profit, and with the approval of the ministry, will renew it upon its expiration. Likewise with the French Incense-Oil agreement. The English are prepared to pay fifteen gold for our excess Furs, in an act of goodwill, and I am sure the Zulu would also be receptive to a trade agreement. And the Persians have, uh, once again made a request regarding our uranium, although they have been somewhat more forceful in negotiations."
From the look of the other men, this came as no great surprise.
"If that is all...?" Bismarck asked, glancing questioningly at the Trade Minister. He nodded. "We will forego the rest of the reports, as I have matters of great importance to attend to."
The other ministers, although surprised by this, dared not ask. They had seen the wrath of the Iron Chancellor, and did not want to try and brave it.
Bismarck stood and walked to the large window behind him. He parted the heavy curtains and gazed at the city that sprawled beneath him. "Auric, if you would stay for a moment."
The War Minister looked at the back of the chancellor's head. "As you wish."
Bismarck gazed contemplatingly at the capital for a moment more, then turned to face his war minister. "I just received a report this morning; an aerial surveillance report."
"I have also seen it," the Minister replied.
"And what is your interpretation? Merely the Persian withdrawal?"
The battle hardened soldier, never one for politics, didn't mince words. "The only thing to keep the Persian schweineshunds from attacking us has been the threat of a Russian or Zulu attack. Now that the Russians have been destroyed and the Zulu down to nearly ten cities, Xerxes has nothing to stop him from driving a dagger into our underbelly."
"Except our nuclear deterrence," Bismarck replied.
"Sir, with the bulk of our Panzers along the English front, the Persians could easily attack us and get as far as Munich before we were able to mount a serious defense. We must still worry about an English counterattack." The minister thought for a moment. Perhaps, if we enlisted the aid of the French..."
"I am meeting with the French ambassador in two hours," Bismarck said. "What is your suggested course of action?"
"I believe we must consider the Persians a threat to the Fatherland and possibly his allies. The Persians will attempt a blitzkrieg through our southern cities and try to capture our uranium deposits near Munich and Nuremburg, and commence building their nuclear arsenals immediately. Therefore, our only course of action to prevent this from happening, is to launch a series of strategic nuclear strikes against the Persian armies."
The room grew oppressively silent. "You realize what will happen if we drop more nuclear bombs?" Bismarck asked.
The old soldier met Bismarck's gaze. "I realize what will happen if we don't drop those bombs."
I am sorry. If I do continue this story, it may be some time before I post more to it. I will more than likely start a new story from scratch. Thanks to johncmcleod for the positive feedback.
Hey c'mon! Finish the story!!
Comment