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The American Century (Youjo Senki AU OC-I)

The American Century

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As the Old Continent prepare for a Great War, the Unified States of America experience a renewal of their lost pride and honor. It's time to prepare the world for an American Century!
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Chapter 1
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    • JustBukharin

    JustBukharin

    Location
    Italia
    ~The American Century~
    Chapter 1
    The Unified States of America, Grand District of Columbia
    23 July 1920 Unified Years​

    I don't get it.

    While I can understand that delusions were a thing when one was slowly meeting their demise, in my case a swift kill from good ol' truck-kun, my mind was having some issues trying to piece up the whole 'God' trying to make me his 'believer'.

    I mean, I might have been a fervent catholic until 16 and was quite sure on His existence, but when the very deity that had been there since my birth, with my growth and during my worst years wants to legitimate its existence, I'm sorry but the only thing he will get is the bird.

    My first death was instant, no pain nor any kill-cam to emphasize my passing and the terrible aftermath that followed.

    I am pissed, mind you, but I was literally alone in that simple park as snowflakes continued to slowly fall from the clouds. I could have gone somewhere to take some cover from the minuscule messengers of cold, but I was incredibly angry.

    I was alone, angry and incredibly cold, not the best combination for a human being.

    A cough left my lips as I slowly stood up from the unforgiving iron of the bench. I glanced around and indeed I was alone to suffer this whole new predicament.

    This place was unfamiliar, a reincarnation? Doubtful, I still looked as ugly as usual, my clothes were the same and my documentations…

    …

    Okay, this has to be a joke.

    Name: John Bivone
    Place of Origin: Grand Columbia District, Unified States of America
    Date of Birth: May 4th 1899 U.Y.
    Occupation: Null
    Peculiar attributes: Curly, brown hair; Glasses;

    This has to be a joke! There is no frigging way I got Isekai'd in some pseudo-USA by some faux god because I said no to him… or her. Seriously, couldn't comprehend much from that mix of male and female voices.

    Still this meant that I was somehow in another world similar to the one I came from and… I was in the 20s?

    The period of Jazz, mad spending, between two grand wars and some economic depression in gestation.

    I would say that I hit jackpot and yet I felt like things were far from what I was envisioning from that chilling bench. I sighed and prepared to do some 'scouting' outside of that whitened park, deciding to find some place that could resemble a market or a place where people were all concentrated in.

    This city felt old compared to the 2019 standards, but I was fairly happy that it wasn't too much old. I dreaded wandering through some medieval village with how much inadequate my clothes where but with this period I should be able to pass as some kind of eccentric guy.

    My walk was brief as I found myself pacing silently in the loud square filled by shops of various kind. I managed to snatch a newspaper from a distracted seller and started to read through the lines of every single page in it.

    Knowledge was power and lack of knowledge meant being powerless.

    The more I read, the more I found out how wrong my initial assumption was. This nation was already suffering something of an economic malaise after the great crash of '13.

    Two major corporations declared bankruptcy and thousands were instantly jobless at the news. Governments fell quickly and only a single individual managed to stabilize the situation and that man was-

    "Let me tell you, good sirs and ladies, this once-prosperous country has fallen from its prestigious position!" I closed the paper as my head snapped to stare at the origin of that booming voice, intrigued by whatever the old man standing on some crates was telling.

    He was donning an elegant set of clothes, very fine but also ragged here and there. He looked like someone that had gone against some dragons to be there and I would also believe that his real 'sword' was the loud voice he had within himself.

    "The Unified States were once the prominent nation in the brave world, a shining beacon for a better future for its children."

    He looked to deflate almost instantly. "Sadly the greed of politicians has led us to the worst of the situations, where a simple mother can't give food to her children, where a husband can't find any work to sustain his own family-"

    "You are just a clown!" The voice came from the crowd in front of the stand and I glanced only briefly to try and see whom was interrupting. As the man resumed his speech, I was once more drawn to it.

    "This is why, once more, I propose you the alternative." There was conviction, there was determination. "A third way from the 'Optimal Party' and the 'Popular Party', from the donkey and the elephant. The Bull-Moose Party, I would even dare to call it."

    …Oh my God, how did I fail to recognize his features.

    Grinning strongly, this world's version of Theodore Roosevelt continued to intrigue the crowd in front of him by narrating more of the terrible situation around them.

    Sadly his discussion was going for the general context of the issues, barely reaching for the real core of any of the problems exposed in his words and soon some more people started to gang up to shout at the lone man doing this act.

    It was a pathetic resembling of what really happened with the Progressive Party in my world, the people sticking by the traditional two parties and ending up to ignore the formerly renowned politician.

    But what if…

    I approached the annoyed politician and soon I was right in the first line of the crowd. "Sir!"

    He blinked, glasses turning to look at me. "Yes, young man?"

    "I wish to say something about what you just said, but I need to stand there. May I?"

    Confusion, little fear for possible assassination attempt and then resignation. "Sure, if you got anything to say, you have to say it." He stated tiredly. "You are a son of America and you shall have the right to voice your thoughts and ideals."

    ...This man is good.

    Slowly lifting myself onto the upper stand, I held close the newspaper and nodded at the politician, accepting his offer to shake hands. I turned to the crowd, most of them confused at seeing someone unknown having the chance to stand beside this old man and yet I didn't pause a single moment to fully study the people giving me attention, focusing on the very improvised speech I was going to go with.

    "While this good sir here has stated some honest and legitimate concerns over the workings of the government, but I feel like there is something missing. The simple question I know many are asking is 'Why should this matter to us all?' and I will provide you with the simplest of answers."

    The crowd started to mutter chaotically as I brought up the newspaper I had 'borrowed' just few moments ago. "How many people can afford this paper?" I looked around, trying to get some hands up from this. "How many can buy this paper and still be able to go ahead with their life needs?"

    No one answered, surprise and sadness spreading around as I sighed.

    "The reason why this thing is not as common as before, sirs and ladies, is because the price is five times what it once was. Now it costs 5 dollars to buy something that should be easy to obtain for the people to read and understand what is going on."

    "So what? What if we can't afford some stupid newspaper?"

    I blinked at the heckler and prepared to answer when someone piped in. "Yeah, why should we need to waste time reading what we already know. The States are poor and weak, great news!"

    "If you intelligent individuals know that, then why are you not questioning the 'why' this is happening?"

    My rebuke surprisingly didn't gather any reply and I sighed in relief as I knew I managed to avoid getting weakened by some of the hecklers around.

    "The reason is actually in the newspaper you were so eager to ignore, to keep away from, to avoid the harsh truth of why the government is responsible for those prices."

    I paused a moment and flipped one of the pages open, reading out-loud one of the titles.

    "'Forde submits to the Congress' request to introduce new taxes, cars are now a privilege', 'Taxes for any farmers not registered in the Farmer Union of America' which one has to pay to be within it."

    There were several other news, all were one at the time told to the even more surprised people in the crowd. Minutes of reading the various titles ended up to get anger, frustration and stress from those that listened.

    Once I knew that everyone was starting to slip away with their emotions, I acted. "This situation has been allowed because people from a very restricted group fears the American people, they fear the vote as the vote is our greatest weapon."

    There was some loud sounds of agreements. "The Founding Fathers bestowed us with freedom and liberty, the democracy coming after when the people needed someone to channel their hopes to. A president to represent the people, to show a brave face at the terrible threats against our nations."

    "They betrayed us!" Someone shouted, loud echoes perpetrating along the growing number of the crowds.

    "They did, my brother." I stated strongly. "But violence shan't be what will return us the pride and the respect of being the American people. The ballot box is stronger than the bullet and we shall show that the people are tired by the spiteful parties that have long lied their way to power."

    "AYE!"

    The chorus of agreement increased and I nodded, a feral smile developing as I knew that I was going to get a dang standing ovation.

    "This is why I support the Bull-moose Party." I concluded as I turned to the surprised old politician. "They know what the problem is and they shall return America to its citizens."

    I glanced back to the crowd, now waiting for my next words. "God bless America and its people!"

    The crowd exploded in cheers and shouts repeating my words as the entire square was lit with the voices of the dissent.

    And as I let my shoulders sag a little in a sign of tiredness the old man beside me let out a chuckle, his palm slamming on my upper back. "Outstanding speech, young man and… I would like to have a talk with you, if possible."

    I nodded and proceeded to follow the 'Theodore Roosevelt' out of the square with his bodyguards, the people I have left behind rushing to buy the newspaper and see if I was telling the truth, ending up to once more vocally concede to the truth I had just unveiled to them.

    Once we were all away from the loud voices, the man started to talk. "I liked what you did there, young man. I don't think I should introduce myself to someone this ardent for our cause, but I felt like I should. Theodore Roswelt, former president of the Unified States."

    It was just the surname that changed. I shook his hand once again and he smiled widely. "I wish to have you in my staff, young man. I wish to see more of this vibrant personality of yours in action."

    I nodded. "That is a kind offer, sir."

    "By the way, can I ask your name?"

    Another nod from me. "John Bivone, sir."

    "John, I think you will go far if you join us. I think you will push us far if you join us."

    I didn't even hesitate to accept the offer and, in less than an hour of being in this new world, I ended up starting a political career.

    My mind returned to this 'Deity' as it tried to scare me with the new world being something 'worse' than the one I had just left.

    If only this dumb god knew how scary the real world is…

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    AN

    So I did a Youjo Senki version of 'We need more paper'. More politicking, less fantasy and much, much espionage in the background.

    Tania is there but will appear later, meanwhile I shall delight you with some tactical election campaign on the making.

    Lots of patriotism and freedom-giving, heck yeah!

    Also Quick Warning: The two traditional parties that are in the Unified States are loosely based on the Democratic and Republican ones, their current management far more corrupt than anything in the past. Also I will not polarize nor introduce any modern politics as it wouldn't be something connected to the story, so no talking about RL present politics as per rules.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 2 - 'The Long South (1)'
  • Threadmarks
    • ~The American Century~
    Chapter 2 - 'The Long South (1)'
    The Unified States of America, New Atlanta
    26     July 1920 United Years    ​


    This is the most interesting of things.

    While I have quite the knowledge over American History, the modern section that spanned from late 19th to the 21th century, I was inexperienced in delving in the complex political machine that consumed the entirety of the US.

    Lots of deals, agreements and alliances between the various politicians, from one side or a mixed front, the governments of the states were easily much more stable than the general one in the Grand District of Columbia.

    In two months from now there would be the Second Progressive National Convention to decide the candidates for the elections coming in November and the Popular were the favorites for this run. The detachment from the Optimal Party led to some weakening of their candidates, thus rendering them a minor adversary at best.

    Yet, just as I expected, the first thing after the great speech was moving out of the capital. A test to see how I worked under different circumstances as our first stop was New Atlanta, the capital of the state of Georgia.

    I was kind of surprised to learn that the damage the city suffered during the Civil War, which lasted for two more years than in the original timeline, and the efforts spent in rebuilding the ruins of the city made it possible to create a major colossus of a settlement that was easily equal to cities like the G.D.C. and Motor Bay (Detroit).

    New Atlanta housed several south-based corporations and industries, suffering considerably with the Great Crash as more than half of the population within the city was mostly rendered unemployed and forced to temporarily return to fill the missing industrial power with jobs related to agriculture and farming.

    The people were miserable, possibly in worse conditions that the ones in the capital as the government didn't have a need to relieve any possible assassination attempt against them from such distant place.

    The States were in a sorry state and that was disheartening.

    I requested from Theodore the chance to tour the city two hours before the speech to give a proper 'scouting' of the whole area. Permission granted, I decided to have this little walk around the massive metropolis.

    New Atlanta was possibly the closest thing to a modern city I have seen in recent days. There were some short skyscrapers, nothing overly-tall like the ones in Neo York, but still well expanded horizontally as it reached twice the width it should have in this period.

    A beacon of Southern industrialization that spanned thoroughly the state of Georgia, giving work and prosperity, now reduced to a desolate place for someone to live. A gloomy city with despairing people.

    My walk was fruitless at first as it was quite early in the morning and very few people were outside for work or buying groceries at the marketplaces. I decided to see which activity was open in that time of the day as I slowly started a brief search through the various shops that were active.

    Soon I found myself interested in a crowded bar, someone speaking loudly from within it. Walking inside I was greeted by a cheer directed to a single man that was gesticulating as he spoke.

    A strong and vibrant voice that sparked curiosity and intrigue, his appearance somewhat familiar.

    "And let me say that this people at the Railroad Commissions are all nasty idiots. Ah remember having to literally make an effort to remind them that this wasn't their little sport club to discuss about their favorite baseball player. Let me tell yah all that Ah remember dealing with some of the craziest bunch, unwilling to let go of that damn seats of theirs even through they were accused with evidence."

    The crowd looked positive to his narration and while he continued with his incendiary spiel, I decided to pick a stool and order some water, eyes fixed on this curious individual.

    "There was this bunch of fellas from the good ol' G.D.C. trying to 'recruit' me on some shady group. But let me that Ah did give them the fattest no, my good people."

    The more he spoke, the more hints were dropped about his identity. Someone that was born in the South, was part of a Railroad Commission and was recruited by some of the two parties. He gesticulates when speaking, seemed to be quite 'attached' to those that listened to him and the people of this region of the Unified States.

    …

    This can't be-

    "You showed them idiots back in the North, Kingfish."

    A chorus of agreement followed and the man smiled at the nickname, while I contemplated what I was just looking at.

    Huey Long was a controversial figure in modern USA history. Dictator, Demagogue and a proponent of Nepotism during his rule over Louisiana as a Governor, but also a populist that wished the best of the people and expanded the infrastructures in his state and made schoolbooks free for people to use for studies.

    A powerful person that rose from the low-middle class and became a strong voice of reform within moderation.

    But now as I could see him right now? This Long was not the possible Tyrant of America. This wasn't Kaiserreich and the man had yet to achieve a major position of power.

    What if someone influenced him? Would his worse details change for something a little less annoying to deal in the future?

    The speech ended with a warm reaction from the crowd and, as the man started to slowly descend from the stand, I decided to move and approach him as he moved towards the backdoor.

    "That was a truthful speed, sir. A good one." He paused to look at me, smiling at the compliment.

    "Just saying what Ah know of the mad world around us, lad." He stated. "By the way, did I see yah somewhere else?"

    "I might have had a speech three days ago in the capital-"

    "Ah remember yah! The crazy but honest lad that stood up against the nasty riches in their mighty stronghold. I hear and feel your words, lad, but let me ask yah, what are yah doing here?"

    "Just looking around, sir-" He sighed in annoyance, still smiling tho.

    "I ain't a sir, lad. I am Pierce H. Long."

    "John Bivone, I ain't a lad myself, sir." We shook hands as we exchanged a laugh.

    "Yah were saying that yeh were looking around? Why so?" He asked once more.

    "There will be a speech for the Bull-moose Party quite soon. Wanted to see how the city fared after that terrible Crash-" I was interrupted once more by his tired sigh.

    "John, that Crash might have caused the initial situation but it is all cause of those stupid governments that we can't recover."

    I nodded at his interjection. "The 'National Industry' Act and the 'Bank Relief' Reform."

    He whistled. "Those bureaucrats back at the big city wants to keep their butts on them couches until the situation is solved. But the situation will never be solved."

    "But what if it can be solved?" I muttered quietly, testing the grounds for a little initiative. "What if there was a group that wanted to do that?"

    He blinked. "Ah ain't an Optimal nor a Popular, lad. Ah will not join the crazy system-"

    "Sir, I am from a new party." He paused a moment at my words. "And we got someone good leading us."

    "I heard of Mr. Roswelt. That good man did help a lot with his tenure even here in the south. A good man indeed..."

    There was a moment of silence, then he hummed. "Yah want to recruit me, lad?"

    "Just for the speech, join up to show the real face of the ugly monster hurting the States."

    "No full recruitment attached?" He questioned. "What if I wanted to join?"

    "You could, but I think you should bring this up with Mr. Roswelt."

    "Then I guess I will accept yehr offer, lad. Do I get some invite or-" I handed him a small piece of paper with phone number and address of the current apartment that was housing the staff of the party. "-A nice business card yah got there."

    With some persuasion, I might as well try stack up the chances of winning the elections for Roswelt.

    --------------d-d-dd--------------d-d-d-d-----------d-d-d-d-------------d-d-d-d-------------d-d-d-d---------

    "Them traditional parties are trying to keep their butts stuck in their old chairs of theirs. Yet the Constitution is quite clear, Mr. Bivone. Could yah remind us what it says?"

    "It starts with 'We, the People', not with 'We, the greedy politicians', Mr. Long. The Presidents of both sides, chosen by the few, have been ignoring the terrible issues plaguing the Unified States and it is time for make a stand for the American People."

    There was a strong murmuring inside the large crowd forming around the stand and Pierce continued. "We are not going to let some uncaring bureaucrat born in the riches and unwilling to let the others be happy to rule this country just because some businessmen want power only among themselves. We want some freedom and justice, some proper education and reform!"

    A loud chorus of agreement echoed through the whole crowd, no hecklers this time as we continued with our speech undisturbed and gaining more potential voters to our side.

    At least that was until a lone voice managed to reach through the chaotic whispering of the crowd.

    "What about God?!" A preacher shouted loudly. "Do you believe in Him and His existence, John Bivone?"

    Long frowned at that outburst and the people turned to the priest in confusion, then back at me as I narrowed my eyes at that decrepit old man.

    Indeed, what are you going to reply to him? Deny my existence or just accept it as intended-

    "I believe in the God that blessed us with our nation, the one that doesn't need a validation from someone to exist and love His creations, that doesn't muse over the happenings of His children as he has long entrusted us with a duty, a duty of peace, freedom and democracy."

    You deny me, even through you… accept me?

    The priest was confused himself too but the crowd's yells of agreement buried him away as the people spoke in my favor.

    "I believe in the Lord that doesn't wish to see His children suffer, but endure such atrocities for the our freedom of thinking's sake. For a chance to be free from any of the yokes imposed unto us. In the past we rebelled against a King, an absolute figure that never accepted a different one than the ones he had. A figure that tortured and killed for the glory upon his name."

    ...I see…

    No, you don't.

    "This is why I believe the American people, free from any influence, shall be the real judges of their future. This is why I believe in the American dream our Founding Fathers believed into and I wish to restore what was lost to all of us."

    I stopped, my throat drying up from speaking so loudly and continuously, but my eyes widened as the large crowd had taken over the entire large square this speech was being delivered and the collective reaction was deafening as the shouts of agreement reached far and wide the entire city.

    But there was a reason this whole phenomenon was happening and that was for a big mistake of this fake deity.

    What did just happen?

    His confusion was somewhat entertaining, so much that the smile I currently was showing widened in response.

    You tried to make me fall on a very delicate topic for the people here, but you forget a very, very important notion you forget of the Americans.

    And that is?

    The God that loves us saved the American people. It wasn't something close to a whiny child that has his toys broken. You consider yourself on par if not the same with a being that transcend humanity not just by omnipresence but also omnipotence and omniscience. You are a cheap trickster trying to call himself Merlin, you crook!

    ...You confuse me.

    Good, then disappear and don't make yourself known for the rest of my life-

    I shall understand you, unbeliever, and then I shall pass true judgment upon your soul-

    Goodbye then, faker.

    There was silence, he had gone away. I sighed and enjoyed the standing ovation I managed to obtain because of the faker's interference.

    ------------d-d-d-d-------------d-d-d-d-----------d-d-d-d----------d-d-d-d------------

    "I still remember meeting for the first time Pierce Long. The young man was ambitious, a tone more than what John was, and yet the very presence of younger lad was enough to keep him to push too much over the limit, to keep some moderation and restraints. A paladin of the South, Pierce will always be remembered as a Hero for Louisiana and America." -Excerpt from Carlus Lindbergh's memoirs, 1958 UY.

    AN

    The Kingfish is here! Prepare your Kaiserreich Memes and- Apart all jokes, this man is a must to have around. While he was kind of a pseudo-tyrant, some of his initiatives are good enough to be passed, like free education for elementary to high school. Integrating his innovative program with the Bull-moose Party's one is going to further bolster the chances of winning the elections.

    ...What? John 'Jack' Reed? Well, I do plan to have him in the stories but… how he will appear and in which role? I don't know. Maybe an ally or maybe the real opponent for the elections but… who knows.

    Also little warning I thing everyone should know about: Youjo Senki is a wacky version of the original timeline with the 'Great War' beginning in 1923 and the Revolution in the Russy Federation having happened long before Tanya's birth, thus if some of the events might seem wrongly placed in the timeline, I am actually trying to abide with the rules of the series.

    About memes… not too many and definitively not something out-of-topic. Spam I will not accept. Capisce?
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 2 - 'The Long South (2)'
  • Threadmarks
    • ~The American Century~
    Chapter 2 - 'The Long South (2)'
    The Unified States of America, Beauregardville
    27 July 1920 United Years​

    Beauregardville was quite the different place from New Atlanta. Once named Charleston, the prolonged civil war led to the utter destruction of the city, only to be rebuilt starting from the former Fort Sumter. Trying to fix the terrible situation that afflicted most of the Southern USA, President Abeforth Lincoln pushed for major investments to restore the old settlements.

    New Atlanta became an industrial colossus, much like Motor Bay, while others just ended up returning to a more agricultural-centered economy. Beauregardville was the main example of this second path some of the cities took, its new name a reminder of the man responsible of its first capture under unionist forces, General de Beauregard.

    The economic crisis had little effects on the decentralized system within the city, but the social malaise and the racial laws were still going strong because of the lacking intervention of the governments that followed Lincoln's presidency.

    It was somewhat worse than Jim Crow's Laws, minus the Klans. I was kind of surprised to see that there was no KKK in the entire southern regions of the nation but the motivation found against any segregation-related laws was that the Civil War had been 'a good call' for many staunch slave-owners to stop and try to revert the situation after the Unionist Victory.


    Without a legal system that repressed them and hindered their attempts to gain proper education, black intellectuals started to appear largely in the South, preaching for equal rights to whites. Political debates were quickly stalled or left inactive by judicial intervention vouched by the various presidents, defusing the conflicts rising about those topics until the Crash happened.

    The cuts to the judicial system caused a sudden decrease of means to avoid direct confrontations between traditionalists and reformers, thus resuming the slow but steady growth of violence in those zones of the South.

    Police Departments were always working to keep things safe, but without proper funds it was starting to get quite difficult to do their proper jobs. The disappointing wages were also causing a rampant spread of corruption among officers and illegal activities were starting to be come a common thing in those places.

    But the visit to the city wasn't one to truly tackle down this major issue, or at least not in the general sense. The Forde Motor Company was facing the worst beating with the Crash still poisoning its funds, several factories suffering riots and occupations from their workers.

    Nothing on the scale of full-fledged communist/socialist revolts, but I dreaded the time those extreme ideologies started to rear their mugs in this world.

    Beauregardville was suffering from an ongoing negotiation between the directors of the Forde establishment in the city and a mix of its workers and intellectuals that joined up the chaotic mess brewing in there.

    The Governor of South Carolina, an Optimal, seemed to be ignoring this very tragic predicament, calling it a simple 'breeze' that was going to disappear in mere days. Sadly said statement only ended up to enrage the rebellious formation and some… incidents were quickly covered by the local newspaper.

    Beatings, robberies and other crimes were starting to happen in the quarter where the factory was sited and many members of the local police department quickly assured that more controls were going to be made to avoid things to escalate further.

    And so, without the Optimals and the Populars intervening in this situation, the Bull-Moose Party was going to try and 'solve' this situation the best it could.

    It was quite the desperate predicament as we hardly were people that could immediately apply any eventual promises about reforms. It was going to take a large effort to convince people in becoming pro-Roswelt's voters.

    Sitting in one of the two rear passenger seats of the Model 1 car, my eyes were absently and distractedly looking at the moving trees as the vehicle raced through the old paths that led to the city. On the other seat, Roswelt was frowning at the papers describing the situation we were supposed to face.

    Having to take a little detour because of some floods happening in the area, our entourage was stalled for a full day. Nothing tragic in the overall situation, but it did leave the strike to boil up another day and… make it even more difficult to gain their support.

    I was lost in my thoughts when the former president pointed out-loud.

    "Mr. Long is quite the ambitious man."

    Blinking, I glanced back at the tired man, the elder looking at the papers with a weary expression, mustache twitching once or twice per minute, annoyance painted in his face as he had long realized how dreadful this was going to be.

    "He is… quite eccentric." I replied with a muffled voice, my hand pressing on my lips as I was trying to get in some comfortable in that contraptions people of this time defined 'car'. Seriously, my back was starting to itch at how ruined the seats were.

    "And very good with the people here in the South." The leader of the party conceded. "Very attached to its land and cultures. I wonder if that is why he decided to go in Aiken."

    During the detour, Pierce had voiced out the fact he wished to visit the city, having learned that some strange agreement was going between government's representatives and members of the city's administration to 'implement emergency laws'.

    I didn't get much to study from this predicament, but my brief understanding was that new taxes and prohibitive sanctions were going to be added to the city. Thus Long marched to intercept the conclusion of this shady deals and personally 'promote the third way.'

    It was strange to see this version of this young Huey Long moving so eagerly to solve problems in the name of a group different from the respective version of the Democratic Party.

    The America Union Party was something of a necessity for the Governor of Louisiana, a mean to disprove the ancient leadership of the party he had tried to make a presidential bid with.

    Pierce was hot-headed when he wanted, just like his counterpart, but he was not influenced, 'polluted', by the traditional system.

    I wouldn't go as far as compare him with his less-known version in the Kaiserreich-verse, but the populist rhetoric was surely going to reach a unique level, different from his historical one, and possibly moderated by the 'new democratic' undertone he was unconsciously 'learning about' with his stay in the Party.

    The car groaned, the engine within it huffing, as the driver sighed at the umpteenth noise coming from the vehicle's inner-working.

    "Sir." My mouth let out a soft call and the man looked away from his paper, blinking his attention right at me.

    "Yes, John?"

    "How… How was your experience in the White House, sir?"

    The elder sighed, a tired smile still managing to go through the layers of painful memories written on his face.

    "Quite a difficult part of my life." He started. "Everyday a problem to deal with, either with some kind of support and hatred together with the need to make the hardest choices one man could do."

    There was a pause, I kept quiet as I knew he was far from over and, much to my surprise, I was correct.

    "It wouldn't be a job I would offer to someone like you, inexperienced and all." His voice wasn't giving off any malicious intent with the ambiguous statement. "But it is more of a mercy that you will hopefully never see to sit on that chair and witness the terrible responsibilities behind it."

    He scoffed. "War. I've been in a battlefield, in the frontline and in close fighting with the enemy forces, but never I would have thought that fending off against opposing politicians was going to be much more of a draining activity than a cavalry charge."

    "Sir-"

    "You are young, John. A young lion cub, fierce but also very unprepared for how terrifying things are on the unknown part of politics."

    He smiled and then nodded. "You will go far and hopefully much farther than a mere chair as a president."

    He looked back to his papers. "Maybe a position without the amount of paperwork I will have to face once more if we manage to win the elections."

    I hummed quietly, contemplating his genuine thought.

    "But what if I wanted to face that terrible outcome?" I muttered quietly, trying to keep my eyes away from whatever reaction my words were going to cause. "What if in the future, I wished to give it a try and-"

    "I will not stop you." His answer pulled me to stop. "You have the freedom of deciding if you wish to walk the painful road. Remember that you have that, the freedom, always!"

    The conversation ended there, but the smile that sparked from that warm support? I continued to have it until we had to stop half an hour later.

    A young man having some difficulties to get his own car going…

    -----------d-d-d-d-------------d-d-d-d-----------d-d-d-d------------d-d-d-d------------d-d-d-d-------------

    I groaned as I was finally given the sign to release the part of the vehicle I was supposed to keep up as the owner changed the damaged tire. The young man smile as he dragged the busted tire on the car's trunk.

    Introducing himself just as 'Bryant', the man was wearing an expensive set of clothes, good shoes and well-cared hair. This would have been a normal sight if we were either in New Atlanta or in the Steel Belt up in the North, but in a place like this? Some doubts were quickly turned into vocal questions.

    "Oh? I'm in a trip for Beaureguardville. My 'boss' needs me to be there before the end of today."

    "Truly?" Theodore exclaimed with some surprise. "What a coincidence! We are planning to reach the place too in few hours."

    Bryant blinked and smiled nervously. "T-That's a shocker. W-Well, I suppose I should- go." He gulped before nodding with a brief bow. "O-Once more I wish to thank you for the help, Mr. Bivone."

    I nodded. "It was nothing. Please, have a nice day."

    "L-Likewise."

    We both went for our vehicles and I noticed that the former president was glancing at the starting car with an odd glance. "Something's wrong, sir?"

    He hummed at my words. "Just feeling like I have seen this peculiar individual before." The leader sighed. "Still, I can't truly remember where."

    "Are you sure, sir?" I asked out of curiosity. "I mean, he does seem quite particular for someone doing just some 'minor business' here in the South?"

    "In fact I was referring to someone of the big industrialists, but I feel like… I am forgetting something important." There was some more moments of silent thinking before the old man sighed. "Nope, I can't… remember him."

    "Maybe we will see him again in the city? Maybe he is someone from the government?"

    "No, too prim and proper." The guessing game finished with this awkward epilogue and soon our journey resumed and, after two hours spent quietly through the whole trip, we finally reached the major city of South Carolina and… the situation was worse than we were expecting.

    Some buildings were barred with wood-boards, a group of police officers were garrisoning the entrance of the city with heavy weaponry, shotguns and early models of machine guns, and… Bryant was sighing as he continued to talk with one of the guards.

    As soon as we were ushered to another part of the entrance by two officers, we were quickly asked to slowly leave the vehicle. The moment Theodore walked out of the car, the guards seemed to pale in shock, recognizing whom they were supposed to control up.

    "M-Mr. President?"

    Roswelt sighed. "I wish, young man. But sadly I am here as the leader of the Bull-Moose party."

    The oldest of the two frowned, while the other looked confused. "So it is true, sir? You founded another party?"

    "One that differs from the Optimals and the Populars. I wish to address the current issue in the city."

    The officers nodded. "Sir, it would be a pleasure to escort you and-"

    "Oh? This is my protégé." He patted my back strongly. "This young fellow will assist to the process and help me where I need help."

    They spared me a glance and they nodded. "Sir, I will immediately alert the commissioner about your presence so we can allocate some guards-"

    "Nonsense, young man."

    What?

    We were all staring in surprise at him because of that interjection and the man sighed tiredly. "There are enough issues already stretching the current police pool, we will not require unnecessary escorting-"

    "B-But sir, there are violent criminals in the area-"

    "We will fare well, young man. Just let us pass and by the way..." There was a brief pause. "Who is that fellow sharing some chatting with that officer there?"

    He was pointing at Bryant and the more vocal of the two policemen spoke with some annoyance. "Just some businessman from the North. From my understanding someone from the Forde Company."

    It was in that very moment that the former president's eyes went wide, realization present in his face. Then he returned calm and sighed. "That one, young man, is not a mere businessman."

    There was another pause.

    "That young man is Bryant Forde, son of Harry Forde, founder of the Forde Motor Company."

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    AN

    DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN!

    Not a character that will join the crew, but someone that will be important in the sidelines of the current plot.

    Bryant Forde is Edsel Forde and… things are going to get intriguing during the negotiations next chapter.

    I picked Harry 'cause it is the 'spoken form' of Henry, not for any strange EE.

    Long is wandering and will bring his first long-standing follower and I think few will guess whom I am talking about.

    Lastly, does anyone know if the one that created the series actually released a map of the Unified States? I've been searching around but it all had come inconclusive. Maybe I didn't search enough but I would be glad to have something to know if there are some different borders than OTL (Like is there even Canada and Mexico in this universe?).
     
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    • Nice. The world needs more YS fanfic, and I like the alt-historical-focused themes quite a bit.
    JustBukharin said:
    I picked Harry 'cause it is the 'spoken form' of Henry, not for any strange EE.
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    But where on earth do you live that this is true? I have literally never heard of it before and I've lived all up and down the US East Coast, and like to consider myself fairly widely-read to boot.

    Hmm. Googling reveals that is indeed the origin of the name. Is it still actually used as a diminutive for Henry in some places? Every Harry I've ever known or heard has either been short for Harold or just named Harry outright.
     
    Just a minor thing, didn't the Union stifle the South's Industry after the civil war. I believe there were a set of restrictions or at least lack of support regarding southern industry as for quite a while up to the Second World War I bileve the south never fully recovers or develops Any major industry.
     
    SitzKrieg said:
    Just a minor thing, didn't the Union stifle the South's Industry after the civil war. I believe there were a set of restrictions or at least lack of support regarding southern industry as for quite a while up to the Second World War I bileve the south never fully recovers or develops Any major industry.
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    The Civil War was longer in this timeline and the worst the South had to suffer was a purge of the old political group here. That is why, with the introduction of fresh blood, some of the worst plans about crippling southern industry were put on the shelf.
     
    JustBukharin said:
    Lastly, does anyone know if the one that created the series actually released a map of the Unified States? I've been searching around but it all had come inconclusive. Maybe I didn't search enough but I would be glad to have something to know if there are some different borders than OTL (Like is there even Canada and Mexico in this universe?).
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    Well a longer Civil War would like mean an even more grumpy North and there were chances to cut off larger pieces of neighbors, along with picking up the Caribbean islands. The formation of the Empire also likely ruined some nations.

    Denmark was absorbed by the empire, meaning Greenland and the Danish West Indies are free. The UK probably picked up Iceland however.

    Belgium also is missing, so was likely conquered so the Congo is probably grabbed by someone else.

    Netherlands was absorbed also, probably freeing up the Dutch West Indies. There are a few South American nations but they likely would not have been picked up.

    For Canada the Alabama claims would be a pretty good level, that could have left the US to perhaps get British Columbia. That might be a time to finagle some additional territory.

    France and Mexico had very rocky relations due to the French invasion of Mexico. A longer civil war could have likely meant solid French control of Mexico and a potential second US - Mexican or French War. This could have led them to cut away some of the northern sparsely settled parts of Mexico.

    Another issue with Mexico is Pancho Villa. With timing shifted it would be another point to trigger a war, in say the late 1890's or 1900's.

    At one point the Dominican Republic was close to joining the US. If they do it could be possible that Cuba could have joined the US as a state then too.
     
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    I am curious if the Panama Canal was made or the alternate proposed? The Nicaragua Canal?

    Would both have been possible at the time?
     
    TerraBull said:
    I am curious if the Panama Canal was made or the alternate proposed? The Nicaragua Canal?

    Would both have been possible at the time?
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    With a stronger south and a stronger economy in the whole US, I think the Panama Canal would have been completed earlier than OTL. I think the 'Republic' would have sold it to the US earlier because of how unstable their governments are. So... Yeah, I think it would be Panama option.
     
    If this guy is from modern times will he push to sit out wars on the continent ?


    If so that will become interesting very quickly
     
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