To Struggle and Strive: The Combined Syndicates of America in 1932. A Kaiserreich Quest

You are Samantha White, and you have the day off from school. Some madman started a fight outside it last night, and things escalated into a riot. You would be thankful for the opportunity to go out with your friends, but unfortunately, your mother is aware and has strictly forbidden you from any such endeavors. So instead of spending your day trawling the half-abandoned speakeasies for entertainment or enjoying the brief and unseasonable warmth of October, you are enclosed in your room.

Admittedly, it's not a bad room at all. As the only child of your family, you have never wanted for anything, although they have kept two of the bedrooms empty in case they have another child. The other two have become yours, with a tiny passageway between them. You used to enjoy pretending it was a secret passage. One room is a study and hobby room, well-stocked with school supplies, a typewriter, and various accouterments for the entertainment your parents allow. It also has a prominently displayed shelf of a select set of books you like to rotate frequently. The other you use for sleep and storage: it has a deep closet with outfits sorted by suitability, shelves filled with old schoolwork and journals, neat notebooks with people's names and your planned affairs meticulously organized, and ramshackle, chaotic, ever-shifting piles of books.

Seeing that mess frequently annoys you, but it serves a purpose (some of your books would not be acceptable to your parents), and when you sort through it looking for something to read or new books to transfer over to your study, you occasionally find something interesting.

So, with a long day trapped in your house, you decided to sort through the piles. And that is how you found a book you must have gotten from...somewhere. After a moment, you frown.

It's quite odd you can't remember buying it, you only rarely treat yourself to the pleasure of book shopping, on days when you and your best friend Sylvia can take their time and linger over the titles and compare covers and occasionally gasp and giggle at a scandalous novel that mysteriously found its way into the stores you frequent. And you certainly wouldn't have gotten it as a gift, especially since it seems to have been bought second-hand.

You study the cover in more detail, which shows a tall blonde woman in a rather...closely fit black suit, carrying a sword in one hand and a gun in the other. Across the top, the words "Vanessa: Spy, Soldier, Assasin" are emblazoned in bright red, with "By A. E. Omaha" in smaller writing beneath it. There's nothing else distinct about the book.

As you put it down, you find yourself curious. Where did this book come from?

It's not really significant, you know, but it's something out of place, and you want to find a category to put it in. The past few months have been chaotic, perhaps solving this mystery will be relaxing. Your mother might remember, or you could try and call Sylvia...perhaps it wasn't even your book and one of the servants had tried to do some reading on the job. Or maybe you should do as your father says, and not worry about oddities that do not really matter and just enjoy the book.

[] It's not important, just read it. It's an exciting tale, if not a particularly literate one, but whoever this "A. E. Omaha" is, you want to give them a piece of your mind for some of the crudity and contempt they have for their betters.

[] Why don't you ask your mother? You doubt she is busy today. However, it turns out she is having guests over for tea, forcing you to take part. You do learn some interesting things during the stuffy affair, so it is not all bad.

[] Perhaps one of the servants left it here. You find the butler and ask him...and his reaction proves to be an utter shock.

[] You call Sylvia to see if she can remember the book. That girl has an elephant's mind. However, when you call her you learn about something else instead.

Crime Prevention Units: 2 Influence, 36+72+30=132

The charter of these new "Neighborhood Protection Forces" is very carefully created. While local neighborhoods are of course free to modify it for local conditions, the model implemented in New York City is intended to serve as a basic demonstration.

The first and most significant part of the charter is that the forces are highly localized and entirely unarmed. Members are elected on a monthly basis, with recallability and term limits. They have no power to arrest, interrogate, or investigate. They are to serve as nothing more than a friendly presence, to keep an eye out for mischief and encourage better behavior.

Several additional caveats are added to the charter, regarding inter-locality conflict, intra-Force discipline, and cooperation with police in regards to investigations and enforcement. Members of the Forces are given small additional stipends, as compensation for their time and to hopefully discourage corruption. And at the insistence of several of the more conservative elements of the CAS, the working-class character of these Forces is emphasized, but so too is their impartiality: they are not the National Guards, to harass and attack on suspicion of one's political affiliations.

Several other stipends are added to the charter, and then the first elections are held. Interest varied greatly, with some neighborhoods, particularly in the remaining rich areas, outright rejecting the proposition. (Some, however, accepted it, seemingly to get around the unofficial prohibitions for them to have their own militias. The Red Guards took care of that problem, despite objections from some elements of the police.)

However, the majority have at least a skeleton of a Neighborhood Protection Force, helping free up law enforcement and militias by keeping order. Vandalism, petty theft, public drunkenness, and other such "crimes" have been handled with relative efficiency, although there were several incidents where escalating political arguments or domestic disputes proved too complicated for a neat resolution. And there is the usual spate of complaints about corruption and harassment, which are duly investigated. Relatively little comes of the accusations.

Even so, the program is spreading rapidly, seeing use in small towns and large cities across the country. Some anti-syndicalist groups have even adopted it, presumably using the same logic you did.

Result: Unarmed, democratized law "enforcement" groups established.

Empower the Chief of Staff: 1 Influence, 94+20=114

As part of the preparation, Waters joined you on your campaign train in Columbus, where he had come from inspecting the local branch of (unusually disciplined and well-equipped) Red Guards. Meeting him is an interesting experience. He doesn't seem to lack charisma, nor organizational skills, ably managing a broad team of military men, including several fellows with suspiciously foreign accents that you do not pay any attention to.

For all his competence however, you are left...uncertain regarding his actual politics. You suspect had he been treated better by the federal government, he would still be working for them. His answers on his vision and goals are vague, he doesn't seem to take a great deal of interest in the various non-military debates that spring up on the train, although he does seem to have a great deal of personal respect for women and minorities.

Frankly, you like the staff he is chief of much better. It's members are young and vibrant, brimming with revolutionary (in every sense of the word) ideas for how to wage war and anticipation for the revolution, although they frequently have to be corralled to more practical matters by Waters and the foreign volunteers. They also have the occasional virulent debate which Waters has to soothe, and do so carefully to avoid offending anyone lest he lose their confidence.

Finally, Waters and the staff must depart from your route as they return to Chicago to confer with Butler, and you are left to consider how you will make your case on Waters and his staff to the CAS.

You could...

[] [STAFF] Emphasize Waters as the head of the staff and a man Butler trusts. His vague politics will lead some to question his loyalty, but his dedication on social issues will win him some plaudits, and he is undeniably a competent, intelligent man. Having the CAS invest additional authority in the man and the office will be a great boon to Butler's efforts, especially since it will mean he can corral the...occasionally spirited staff he shepherds. (2 Influence committed, possible loss of CAS support from the more radical factions, Butler gains 4 Influence and biggest increase in bonuses, empowers the Chief of Staff as an office).

[] [STAFF] Emphasize the staff as a collective, democratic, and revolutionary institution for a democratic and revolutionary military. This will impress the CAS, and the energy and diverse ideas of the staff will surely aid Butler greatly. However, official backing might lead to the clashes of personality and ambition among the staff into something uglier, and it's possible Waters could lose control of them in that case. (1 Influence committed, possible gain of CAS support from the more radical factions, Butler gains 2 Influence, diverse gain in bonuses, risk of increasing division in the staff, empowers the Staff as a collective organization).

[] [STAFF] Emphasize the internationalist nature of the venture. This will truly impress the CAS, even if it will annoy the most conservative elements of it and possibly embarrass the SyndIntern, but it won't set any dangerous precedents. It also won't risk dividing the staff, creating a Napoleon, or damaging your relationship with Butler. The only risk you can imagine is a leak. (2 Influence committed, possible gain of CAS support from the more radical factions, possible loss of support from the more conservative factions, risk of damage to popular appeal or SyndIntern relations, Butler gains 3 Influence and second-largest bonuses).

[] [STAFF] Just have a few quiet words with people like Lippmann, Foster, and Goldman to see some more support is sent the way of Butler and Waters. (1 Influence committed, no political costs, Butler gains 1 Influence and smallest bonuses).

Create the Commission of Procurements: 2 Influence, 91+29+32=152

Letters from syndicalists, socialists, and anarchists who suffered through the bloody horrors of the Weltkrieg have made one thing clear: the key to victory in modern warfare is to out-produce your opposition.

Fortunately, it is the worker's movement that has the majority of the industrial might of America in their grasp. Now, that must be used.

Logisticians and quartermasters from a dozen different roles, from military and civilian life, create what will become the Commission of Procurement. They spend long days arguing and long nights debating what weapons will be best, what can be stored, what needs to be produced more...the sheer variety of things they discuss is mind-boggling. It's not just weapons and ammunition they worry about. Food, fuel, shoes, medical supplies...all of it will need to be transported hither and yon. It is a Herculean task and an impossible burden. But it is a task that must be completed, a burden that must be shouldered, if the coming class war is to be a victory.

Finally, the group is prepared, with extensive plans and schemes devised. The only thing left to decide is how to present them to CAS, especially since most of these people were picked by Butler with relatively little concern for democracy, to them not being in the chain of command. You have managed to soothe away a great many concerns through a variety of methods: reassurance, persuasion, and the occasional bit of bribery to some of the less upright and ideological CAS members, but there are still going to be those who view this as a dangerous precedent, despite the general increase of support for you and Butler.

[] [PROCURE] They are merely advisors for Butler and his staff, with no formal power of their own. If they try and get something done, they will have to go through Butler. (No additional commitment of Influence, no loss of support in the CAS, Butler gains 1 Influence and significant logistics bonuses)

[] [PROCURE] They are an organic advisory group attached to the Red Guards organization as a whole. They can give suggestions to anyone but no commands of their own. (Commit 1 Influence, high chance of minor losses and small chance of moderate loss of support in the CAS, Butler gains 2 Influence and significant logistics bonuses)

[] [PROCURE] They have the same authority as any other component of the CAS bureaucracy. (Commit 2 Influence, high chance of moderate loss of support in the CAS, Butler gains 4 Influence and significant logistics bonuses)

Security Procedures: 1 Influence, 17+30=47+1=48

The process of teaching Red Guards basic security procedures continues, with a great many frustrations and obstacles. Schenck thinks they aren't suspicious enough, Butler thinks they are too suspicious. The two of them also argue several times about the risks of subversion and the dangers of revolutionary backsliding.

Although you have seen some improvements in how various Red Guards and other militias behave, the Revolutionary Guards who accompany you everywhere still far outmatch them. You didn't expect anything better, but you do understand why Schenck feels there needs to be more done regarding securing the revolution. Some of his ideas are a touch...ambitious, however, even if he does not see them as an immediate priority under the circumstances.

Result: Security of SPA facilities improved.

State Police Forces: 2 Influence, 96+80+20=196

The city police forces have steadily been co-opted and controlled, as Red Guard militias and socialist politicians worked in concert to destroy their ability to function as reactionary hammers. While there are plenty of former police left, they are disarmed and most do not view them as dangerous despite some alarmist concerns.

The next target must be the various statewide police forces across this nation, as attacking the National Guards in such fashion would be too incendiary.

On October 7th the process began. Leadership figures were fired and escorted away by Red Guards militias who put them under watch. Organizational structures within each force were broken up, as individuals were transferred about and loyal socialists used to fill in the gaps. Those who resisted or hesitated were fired, disarmed, and in some cases arrested.

Despite complaints from newspapers like the Chicago Tribune, there has been little bloodshed in the process, although some reactionary groups within the Red Belt have made this another of their pet issues, and the ranks of Retired Policemen Clubs across the country have grown.

But without the weapons locked away in armories, their resistance will be impotent.

And with the loyalty of the state police forces secured, a series of changes are made. Democracy is introduced into their structures, enforcement priorities are changed, and the armaments are transformed.

While the ordinary patrolling weaponry is restricted to a billy club, "emergency weaponry" stockpiles are established by the dozen, full of rifles, mortars, and a few machine guns.

The strength of the revolutionary army grows.

Result: The loyalty of state police forces is secured with a minimum of backlash or resistance, their weaponry is dramatically increased.

Report from Smedley Butler: 2 Influence on Instill Discipline, Pt. 3, 21+71+20=112, 1 Influence on Street Medics, 33+20=53

Ever popular among the men who follow him, Butler again puts that popularity to use to make demands of the Red Guards. And they love him for it, even as time and again he tells them they are not good enough.

But he also tells them they can be better, and leads the long, slow charge to make them better. He publicly praises those who attempt to achieve, and privately shames those who falter. He meets any challenge given, showing he keeps to every standard he sets.

Meanwhile, he also demonstrates the fact that he cares for the Red Guards under his command, encouraging the creation of medics and field hospitals and their integration into Red Guards units. Bandages and a small doses of a few medicines like morphine and sulfa are distributed in kits for the use of these medics, with select members of the Red Guards choosing to be given greater training.

Report from Charles Schenck: 2 Influence on Infiltrate the Army, 10+69+10=89,

Schenck continues his efforts to infiltrate the army, with more recruits being sent under false pretenses. Their aim is to subvert as much as possible, in the hopes of causing internal uprisings and desertions that will cripple the army. It's perhaps an overly ambitious plan, one that by necessity leaves the brave men who will be carrying it out without support and reliant on only their own judgement, but any damage that can be done will surely be invaluable in the coming civil war.

Into the Navy: 2 Influence, 59+1+15=75

And even as more men slip into the training camps across the country, your attention and Schenck's both turn to the fleet. On every coast, the Navy patrols, the imposing bulk of the ships a silent statement that no matter how decrepit and unstable the country is, it is still mighty. It is a symbol that must be subverted.

The process is simple enough: those who volunteer sign up and make contacts among the sailors, taking advantage of the immense class divide in the Navy to help gain support.

Similar to the army, they were supposed to be effectively independent. However, something one sailor found made him attempt to desert and make contact with a local SPA office in Seattle. Marines arrested him before he made it, provoking a brief riot.

About two weeks later, you began to hear rumors of the military trying to clamp down on "subversion" and "infiltration."

Result: Infiltration of the US Navy has begun.