I avoid speaking about today's politics on story threads. AND being an "Internet Tough Guy", like in the original UNDF thread.
But with Antifa in the crowd? Nothing of value was lost, and I'll leave it at that.
BLM? They mean well, but they're still blindsided by their own biases and ignorance. Just like all of us regular folk. They're the only protestor group I feel sorry for out of that massacre.
And godDAYUM Quickdraw! You don't fuck around with this stuff! If it weren't for the fact that this actually is realistic, I would have asked to tone down the violence! This shits just… AUGHHHG! D:
For real though, fuck Antifa, they played a stupid and won a stupid prize.
I avoid speaking about today's politics on story threads. AND being an "Internet Tough Guy", like in the original UNDF thread.
But with Antifa in the crowd? Nothing of value was lost, and I'll leave it at that.
BLM? They mean well, but they're still blindsided by their own biases and ignorance. Just like all of us regular folk. They're the only protestor group I feel sorry for out of that massacre.
And godDAYUM Quickdraw! You don't fuck around with this stuff! If it weren't for the fact that this actually is realistic, I would have asked to tone down the violence! This shits just… AUGHHHG! D:
For real though, fuck Antifa, they played a stupid and won a stupid prize.
To put it bluntly, modern left or right wing protesters and rioters would get beaten down horribly or shot by 1940's era soldiers and police. This incident was no exception, and there's gonna be hell to pay on account of this.
Basically it could be argued the minute someone shot at them is the minute all hell broke loose, it could be argued that the militias wanted this to happened and basically caused it, hell if the helicopter was recording the entire thing it would show the militia with guns shooting at the guardsmen and caused the massacre.
Like with the New York battle, some news agencies, with or without permission, still fly limited sorties to get information. And in this case, the live feed transmitted via local towers was useful for police and National Guard.
Again, there's still some use for news helicopters as reconnaissance platforms. Out of all the things occurring in this chapter, this is what bothered you the most?
True, but they are also incredibly obvious and extremely vulnerable. Particularly if the downtimers have any sort of heavy weapons. Which they do, on the Shermans if nothing else. If there is something they don't want the uptimers to see (for instance, rounding up tge survivors (potentially including anyone they think might be sympathetic) and stringing them all up from the same bridge, or use of certain types of chemical or incendiary weapons), they can very quickly put an end to that, along with most if not any other credible eyewitnesses.
I'm also waiting for the point where all temporally displaced service members (but particularly those who are not white males) are advised to go nowhere off base on their own, and to most places not in small (less than 5-10) groups either. And/or are advised to carry sidearms whenever they are off base, whether or not they are in uniform.
Also thinking that the first time a black servicemember (particularly officers, especially one of higher rank) is lynched for the 'crime' of 'having the gall to pretend to be a soldier' or 'stealing a soldier's uniform and equipment', there will be hell to pay.
Also thinking that the first time a black servicemember (particularly officers, especially one of higher rank) is lynched for the 'crime' of 'having the gall to pretend to be a soldier' or 'stealing a soldier's uniform and equipment', there will be hell to pay.
You are overthinking this point way too much. They'd have no reason to open fire on any American aircraft, recording them or not, and their focus when being shot at, is to shoot at the bastards trying to kill them. And for another, there's plenty of security cameras and dash cameras on the squad cars of the Staties. There were people recording with phones and news crews on the ground, the latter of which has been a thing since it all begin, with them mostly interviewing soldiers from all three periods in time.
There also isn't gonna be any stringing up of survivors, unless the Army of 1943 wants the Oregon guard to send some Strykers and Bradley's over there and turn the Shermans inside out, and massacre the infantry. They will be rounding up survivors, wounded or not. But a mass lynching isn't in the cards for a number of reasons. And while there's alot of WW2 forces in Oregon, like the 101st airborne, the fighter and bomber units in Oregon are all the red tails as well.
For your second paragraph, this is also why uptime forces are spread thin. Police and military are watching all the downtimers wherever they go, and for good reason. There's also a plot point in story that's coming up soon that basically spells out that every pistol in their armory is being issued out to servicemen for constant carry and emergency usage. Horrible lessons are being learned and will be learned, and aside from places like north of Portland and the assorted airport's, downtime forces won't be allowed to just roam freely.
And as for the latter, uptime uniforms are distinctive enough from those of 1907 and 1943, and like when Harper was called "a worthless nigger" by that sailor, he found out real quickly those words didn't fly.
-------------------------
Additional Isolated and Stranded United States Military Units:
Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties: 369th Infantry Regiment, circa 1918. 1st-4th Military Police Battalions, USMC, circa 2020. 199th Infantry Brigade, circa 1991. 110th Field Artillery Regiment, circa 1989. 50th IBCT, circa 2008.
Ottawa County: Marine Anti Terrorism Battalion, circa 2012. Task Force Mustang, circa 2013. 17th Aviation Brigade, circa 2001.
Bartholomew, Johnson, and Johnson Counties: 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, circa 2014. 170th, 171st, and 172nd Infantry Brigades, circa 2012.
McLennan County, Texas: 3rd Brigade of the 24th Infantry Division, circa 1991. 72nd Helicopter Squadron, circa 1994. 18th Aviation Brigade, circa 1991
Vermont-New Hampshire Area: 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Circa 2012. 6th Cavalry Brigade, circa 1990. 50th Armored Division, circa 1989. VMFA-531, circa 1989.
Nantucket 2024: 102nd Field Artillery Regiment, circa 2003. 104th Infantry Regiment, circa 2003.
Puerto Rico: Operation Golden Pheasant American ground and air forces. 18th Aviation Brigade, circa 2001.
Upper Peninsula: 216th Air Defence Artillery, Battery D, circa 1991. 109th Military Intelligence Battalion, circa 2014. 1st and 2nd Brigades, 24th Infantry Division, circa 1991. 6th Cavalry Brigade, circa 2001.
Cook County, Minnesota: 166th Infantry Regiment, circa 1990. 507th Maintenance Company, circa 2003. 1138th Military Police Company, circa 2009.
2024 Wisconsin: 632nd Armored Regiment, 2000.
Fort Chaffee, Arkansas: 92nd Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Battalion, circa 2003. VM0-6, circa 1975.
Camp Robinson: 24th Infantry Regiment, 1875 and 1945.
West Virginia: 9th Infantry Division, circa 1989. Berlin Brigade, circa 1989. 3rd Marine Tank Battalion, circa 1991. VFA-1, circa 1991.
92nd Field Artillery Regiment:
1st Battalion, circa 1991
2nd Battalion, circa 1988
Northern Nevada: Task Force 1-41 Infantry, circa 1991
Oregon: 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 4th ID, circa 2013.
92nd Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Battalion, circa 1996
4th Battalion, circa 1993
76th Field Artillery Regiment, circa 2011
Utah/Idaho: 6th Infantry Division, circa 1989. 8th Infantry Division, circa 1991. 1st Battalion, 168th Field Artillery, circa 1991.
Reno, Nevada: Air Force One VC-137C SAM 27000, Specifications Circa 1990: Reno International Airport. Included are supporting crews and several dozen Secret Service Agents.
----------------------------------
South Dakota-Iowa Border: 7th Cavalry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, circa 1876. 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry
-------------------------------------------------------------
New York City, New York: 27th Infantry Division, circa 1918. 71st New York Infantry Regiment, circa 1991. New York Guard, Circa 2024.
Boston, Massachusetts: 26th Infantry Division, circa 1919
Augusta, Maine: 87th Infantry Brigade, 1941.
Baltimore, Maryland: All Federal and National Guard troops called up during the 1968 riots. 10,956 total. 158th Cavalry Regiment, circa 2009. 115th Infantry Regiment, circa 2005.
Chicago, Illinois: 6,700 soldiers of the Illinois National Guard, circa 1968.
Kansas City, Missouri: 2,900 members of the Missouri National Guard, circa 1968.
Selfridge Field, Michigan: 8,000 Michigan National Guardsmen, 360 Michigan State Troopers, circa 1967.
Fort Knox, Kentucky: 700 Kentucky National Guardsmen, circa 1968.
Wilmington, Delaware: 2,800 Delaware National Guardsmen, circa 1968.
Avondale, Ohio: 1,500 Ohio National Guardsmen, circa 1968.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 3,600 Pennsylvania National Guardsmen, circa 1968.
Washington DC: American Expeditionary Corps Tank Force, circa 1918. All Federal and National Guard troops present during the 1968 D.C. Riots, including members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 6th Cavalry Regiment.
Duluth, Minnesota: 224th Field Artillery Regiment, 2002. 85th Infantry Division, circa 1919.
Montgomery County: 8th Tank Battalion, circa 1991.
Fort Myer, Virginia: 92nd Field Artillery Regiment, 6th Battalion, circa 1972. 2,500 Federal troops from the Battle of Blair Mountain. Task Force Smith, circa 1950. Virginia Defence Force, 2024.
1968 Mississippi: Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, circa 1968.
St.Petersburg, Florida: 11th and 198th Infantry Brigades, circa 1971. 196th Infantry Brigade, circa 1972. 123rd Aviation Regiment, circa 1968.
Miami, Florida: 3,500 Florida National Guardsmen, circa 1980.
Redding, California: 14,000 California National Guardsmen, circa 1965.
Seattle, Washington: Task Force Faith, circa 1950.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Joint Task Force Los Angeles, circa 1992.
New Mexico National Guard units 1990:
720th Heavy Truck Transportation Company, 812th Medical Detachment, 150th Security Police Flight.
San Diego, California: 6th Marine Division, circa 1968.
Hickam Field, Hawaii:
VF-124, circa 1953
VFP-63, circa 1953
VP-92, circa 2001
71st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1981.
171st Infantry Brigade, 1964
----------------------------------------------------
Philippines: 4th Marine Regiment, circa 1941. 192nd and 194th tank battalions, circa 1941. 17th Ordnance Battalion, circa 1941. 26th Cavalry Regiment, circa 1941. Clark Air Field, with the entirety of the FEAF. All American servicemen who have died in the Philippines since 1898.
Cuba: All American servicemen who have died in Cuba since 1898. USS Maine, 1898 specifications.
------------------------------
Naval Assets off the Coast of New York City:
Bogue Class Escort Carrier USS Block Island, 1944 specifications.
USS Langley, 1934 specifications.
USS Arizona, 1934 specifications.
Clemson Class Destroyer USS Greer, 1942 specifications.
Gleaves Class Destroyer USS Turner, 1944 specifications.
Edsall Class Destroyer Escort USS Frederick C. Davis, 1945 specifications.
Q-Ship USS Atik, 1942 specifications.
---------------
Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Pacific:
USS Pueblo, 1967 specifications.
USS Liberty, 1967 specifications.
Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate USS Stark, 1987 specifications.
Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts, 1988 specifications.
Ticonderoga Class Destroyer USS Princeton, 1991 specifications.
Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer USS Cole, 2000 specifications.
Charles F. Adam's Class Guided Missile Destroyers USS Waddell and Conyngham, 1987 specifications.
Yellowstone Class Destroyer Tender USS Acadia, 1987 specifications.
Mars Class Combat Stores Ship USS San Jose, 1988 specifications.
Marlin Class Heavy Lift Ship MV Blue Merlin, 2000 specifications.
Heavy Lift Ship Mighty Servant 2
---------------------
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts:
Six Hamilton Class Cutters, FRAM Specifications, circa 1990.
USCGC Hamilton, Dallas, Chase, Sherman, Morgenthau, and Jarvis.
Reliance Class Cutters: Courageous and Durable, circa 2001.
USCGC Decisive, circa 2022.
-------------------------
Mississippi River:
Famous Class Cutter USCGC Thetis, 2020.
USCGC Dauntless, 2024
-----------
Alaska:
USCGC Acushnet, circa 2008.
USCGC Storis, circa 2006.
USCGC Tamaroa, circa 1991.
--------------------
Palmer Station, Antarctica, circa 2024:
R/V Laurence M. Gould, circa 2024.
RV Polar Duke, circa 1996.
USCGC Mackinaw, circa 2005.
USCGC Glacier, circa 1980.
Wind Class Icebreaker USCGC Westwind and Northwind, circa 1988.
Oregon State Capitol
Salem, Oregon
United States of America
21 Days Post Event
----------------------------------
Slowly and deliberately, Derrick Evanson flexed the fingers of his robotic arm as he looked down at the now unconscious marine slumped against the wall. The advanced prosthetic ran all the way up to his bicep once was. There wasn't a day that went by that he missed the flesh, blood, and natural muscle that was once there. Those terrible weeks in Pyongyang had taken much from him. Many friends killed or wounded grievously, many countless more mentally scarred after doing and seeing what they did.
But for all the horrors and pain it caused him, it's where he met his wife. The woman he loved, the woman who saved his life when a KPA tank column ambushed his platoon. When she was later shot down by a SAM site, it was thanks to a Stryker platoon form the 8th Armored, that he was able to save her in return. Despite whatever differences they may have had then, and still do now, they loved each other fiercely, and would do anything for each other.
And in Evanson's case, do anything to defend her.
"Courtesy of American, Korean, and Japanese robotics teams back in the 21st century. The best and the brightest minds in the world." Evanson said slowly and deliberately as he stared hard at his arm, studying how the components moved and responded perfectly to his exact thoughts. "Before this, men like me would be discharged from the military, seeing as you can't do much soldiering without an arm or a leg. Gives men and women like me purpose, lets us do what we're good at."
"What the fuck?" One of the Marines in the room muttered while crossing himself.
"Sweet Jesus!" A Soldier of the 25th Regiment said as he looked over at the groaning and writhing Marine who was struggling to pick himself off the floor.
"Let's me keep doing what I'm good at. Let's me continue to fight for my country, just as it did for thousands just like me. It also lets me fight for and protect those who I love." Evanson said, looking over at Aiko, who was staring back at him, the ghost of a smile starting to appear on her beautiful face. That same face he loved waking up next to in the morning. His hardened gaze then swung over to the marine who lay on the floor, clutching at his ribs, sobbing quietly as two of his comrades helped him up. "Helps me deal with assholes who try putting their hands on my wife."
As the Marine was slowly dragged out of the room, Evanson reapplied his synthetic skin to his arm, taking care to not snag or rip the irreplaceable cosmetic. Once it fully covered his arm, he stretched and rotated his elbow, flexed his fingers, and otherwise made sure everything looked normal.
"I hope that is the last time I have to make an example out of anyone. Because next time, they may not get up ever again."
—--------------------------------------------------- Oregon State Capitol
Salem, Oregon
United States of America
21 Days Post Event
16:30 Local Time
"You seen them sheriff types, First Sergeant?" Private Nathaniel Washington said as he looked over at the heavily armed and heavily armored Oregon State SWAT team who stood guard around and atop the Oregon State Capitol Building. "Those boys are better equipped than any regulars I've ever seen in my life, and they're just sheriffs!"
"They got better uniforms than I've ever seen too," First Sergeant Lewis Broadus replied. "Those boys could blend in better than any of us could in the woods. Well, the ones in that strange green and brown at any rate. Those boys in blue would stick out pretty badly."
"Sticking out or not, I wouldn't want to end up on the wrong side of em. We all remember those damned fools who tried to force their way past them." Washington remarked, remembering one of the incidents during the first days of the chaos after The Event. Some soldiers had tried to bull their way through into Oregon, and through a blockade of Oregon State Police and a small handful of National Guard.
"Yeah, those southern boys didn't like taking orders from a black man, and the stupid bastards paid with their lives." Broadus shuddered at the memory of it. He and his unit of the 25th Infantry Regiment had been watching from afar when the militia captain aimed his revolver at the black police officer, only to be gunned down with frightening speed by at least three of other officers.
The rest of the militia, about a dozen men in total, were hopelessly outmatched in the ensuing gunfight. They had Springfield Trapdoors and Krag Carbines against the advanced semi-automatic rifles the State Police and Guardsmen had. Even for the militiaman who had managed to hit one of the officers in the chest, his round failed to penetrate the bulletproof vest the man officer wore.
"Stupid sons of bitches is what they were," Corporal Titus Jones remarked. "Finally got what was coming to them if you ask me. After all the shit they been giving us all these years, it's about time they got some back."
"Yeah, these uptimers don't take kindly to hearing them call any of their own a nigger, or anything of the sort." Washington added. "Hell, me and Corporal Jones shared some cigars with them the other day. Not one of them was anything but friendly to us."
"Meanwhile our fellow white soldiers seem to hate that fact." 1st Sergeant Broadus said. "Our fellow soldiers that aren't these uptimers anyway." Broadus let out a tired and weary sigh. Even after everything they had done in the service of the United States, most whites saw Broadus and men like him, as nothing but dressed up niggers. No matter how many stripes or what metal they wore on their collars.
"Group of them got their asses whipped at a bar not too far away," said another soldier in the regiment, who wore a pair of glasses that were so big they looked ridiculous on him. His nickname had thus been 'The Professor' ever since he had joined. "Kept calling us and those Red Tails all sorts of nasty things, and just about every uptimer in the bar got up, and beat them black and blue."
"The Professor ain't lying neither," Corporal Jones affirmed. "Hell, we were both present when they told President Roosevelt about the attack on New York. That black Lieutenant, the female one, and her commanding officer gave the report. The brawl that ensued when one of those sailors called her a worthless nigger..." Jones trailed off, remembering the fight between over two dozen people that broke out in full view of the President and many high ranking officers and politicians.
The man who had said it, who had also gotten directly in the Lieutenant's face, was grabbed by his shoulder by her commanding officer, a tall blonde captain, who punched the man straight in the nose. Three more sailors proceeded to gang up on The Captain, who was in turn helped by said Lieutenant, who took a chair, and broke it over one of their heads, knocking him out cold.
When one of the sailors grabbed the Lieutenant, Corporal Jones smashed the butt of his rifle into the man's face. After that, it became a large brawl that saw all the uptimers, along with many of black soldiers, and a smattering of white marines, going against another dozen or so white soldiers and sailors.
It had only ended after State Police rushed into the room, and used weapons they called "Tasers" and "Pepper Spray" on the offenders. The sailor who had started the fight was one of the men who left on a stretcher, his face more closely resembling a grape than a human face. Many others, mostly his fellow white sailors and soldiers, were arrested.
President Roosevelt and the senior ranking officials in the room were horrified at what had happened, and it had made for a very tense next couple of days as a result. However, President Roosevelt did agree that the sailor who had started it all was out of line, and deserved punishment. Admiral's Nimitz and Halsey agreed with that, as did a few others in the room.
Admiral Evans however, was beyond furious, and wanted many of the uptimers arrested. It was also at that exact moment when an uptime Military Policeman told him where he could shove that request. That incident, coupled with yet another strange "Event" sweeping the nation, and news of skirmishes and battles taking place all over the country, made it seem as if the country was falling apart.
"It was mighty satisfying seeing her commander stand up for his subordinate," Private Washington said. "Lord knows ain't many white officers would do the same for us."
"These uptimers are well and truly a different breed." Came the voice of Captain Charles Young, victim of all the strangeness these last few weeks, and the only black officer belonging to the United States Army of 1907. "It's almost unbelievable how they act or don't act towards us. Even when I got to talking to that Lieutenant, the things she had to tell me seemed almost fanciful."
"That's the impression I got as well, sir," Broadus replied. "I had a conversation with that Lieutenant as well. Seems that was the first time in her life anyone ever called her a nigger, and it showed."
"Does seem like the future is a bright one, sir," First Sergeant Broadus replied. "But there are some things I still can't seem to wrap my mind around. The way these uptimers talk and dress for one. Just yesterday I saw a girl with hair the color of a rainbow, with a man who wore some of the tightest trousers I have ever seen on anyone."
"Yeah, these people are certainly strange, First Sergeant. But I'll take the strangeness and politeness over the familiar and hatred." The Professor said, and several other soldiers nodded their agreement. "Even if I never get used to it myself, I would rather live here in these uptimer lands than anywhere else in the country."
"Speaking of getting used to, did yall see that one uptime soldier? The one with the Japanese wife?"
"You mean the one with the metal arm who tossed that buckra into next week when he touched his wife?" Private William Moses replied. "Ain't many men scare me, but I'll be damned if I ever cross that crazy bastard." The Native Louisianian said.
"As long as you don't threaten the man's wife you'll be fine." Corporal Jones said.
"I don't think any of us will be doing any of that." Private Moses said. "Got to talking with a few of his soldiers earlier today. Say he's a great man as long as you do what's youse supposed to do. Ain't one for a whole lotta yelling either."
"A real leader only yells when he absolutely has to, otherwise you'll be seen as nothing but a damn fool." First Sergeant Broadus said as a small grin crossed his features. "After all, you boys do as you're told, and I rarely have to yell at you!" He laughed, and several other soldiers joined in. It was nice seeing the First Sergeant in such a friendly mood. Most others wouldn't be as jovial or friendly with their men in times like this. But then again, these weren't normal times.
Something they were reminded of as a trio of tan colored trucks, "Humvees", the uptimers called them, escorted by black armored cars with the word "SWAT" emblazoned on the side, pulled up in front of the Capitol Building, and men began pouring out, and forming a perimeter. They watched the heavily armed and armored men move with precision and with skill you'd be hard pressed to find in the regular army.
"Just what has happened in the future that has made it necessary for sheriffs to be armed like that?" Private Washington said as he stared out at the procession in front of him. His thoughts were echoed by many in the 25th ever since they entered Oregon.
"Nothing good, Private," Captain Young said, a dark expression on his face as he recalled a conversation with some of those same 'SWAT' officers over that same topic. North Hollywood, Waco, Norco, Columbine, and Sandy Hook. Just a few of the incidents the uptimers had told him about, all of which made Young sick to his stomach. The Second Amendment guaranteed a citizen's right to bear arms, but did arms like those used by the uptimers belong in the hands of regular people? When he saw some of the pictures provided by the officers and soldiers of those incidents, he had made up his mind right then and there. "Nothing good at all."
—----------------------- Oregon State Capitol
Salem, Oregon
United States of America
21 Days Post Event, Two Day Post Second Event
16:30 Local Time
When President Theodore Roosevelt was finally alone in his private office, he wept. He wept for the great calamity that was consuming his nation. In his unknowing and mysterious ways, God had seen fit to cast his great nation into an upheaval not since the days of the Civil War, only much worse than that.
His beloved country was split into several parts, with many states, including the entire Pacific Coast, being replaced with those from the future. Half of the states were from a few decades in the future, while the other half were from well over a century removed. Many millions of his fellow countrymen from his time were just gone! The fact that they had been sent to the future, and replaced by more advanced and powerful states meant little.
It meant little to the families and friends of all those who were now gone. It meant little to the economy which had been ravaged by these events, made worse by the fact that another event had occurred late days prior. It meant little when his countrymen couldn't stop fighting amongst themselves and unite against the common enemies they now faced.
When the attack in Astoria took place, Roosevelt was furious. Although the incursion by the Jap submarines had been dealt with swiftly, and brutally, and only a single Jap pilot survived that battle, it was still embarrassing for his country. But in that battle, Roosevelt had seen his countrymen, past, present, and future, work together to put down the yellow invaders. Granted, he knew there was a great deal of tension, but they worked together.
But when news of the Attack on New York came through, and the full color pictures started to come in, all that changed. Even when men and women from all three periods in history had wept at the sight of the Statue of Liberty missing her upper torso, Roosevelt remained stoic, even when he too wanted to join them. Everyone had agreed that those responsible would pay for the attack and god help the Germans dragged out of the water by the Navy and Coast Guard. But when soldiers and sailors started to put blame on the Americans from the 21st century, claiming they hadn't done enough to prevent the attack, the problems got worse.
When the negress Lieutenant, who delivered the news of the attack with her commanding officer, was verbally assailed by a sailor who had accompanied Roosevelt and Admiral Evans to the West Coast, it started a brawl between the American troops in the room. A brawl which had Roosevelt and every senior officer appalled at the brutality of. A brawl that ended with Military Police of the uptime variety dragging away almost exclusively men who weren't from their time.
When Admiral Evans had demanded that they also arrest the black soldiers in the room who had assaulted white men and officers, he had been told in no uncertain, and quite colorful terms, that they would not. In fact, the MP had even threatened to arrest Evans as well.
And this was not the first such incident to have occurred, just the most recent, and first he had seen. Then the news came about the massacre in Louisiana. In response to reports of "Roving bands of raping negroes" from Arkansas, Governor Blanchard ordered the National Guard to put them down, and to hell with what any of the uptimers thought.
His mindset had sent hundreds of good men to their deaths. Men whose talents could have been used against very real enemies just off America's shores. Indeed, the mindset of Governor Blanchard was shared by others as well. Governor Swanson of Virginia had also ordered National Guard troops into West Virginia, despite being explicitly told not to do so.
His ordering of the National Guard, against explicit presidential orders, resulted in a death toll that was still being counted, and scattered fighting that was still ongoing. As a result, Roosevelt ordered Federal troops into both Louisiana and Virginia to force the National Guard to stand down, and to arrest Governor's Blanchard and Swanson. If Roosevelt got his way, both of the men would hang. Then there was the battle in Portland…would this strife ever end? Roosevelt prayed that it would.
But that was only part of why Roosevelt felt the way he did.
The United States had enemies off both coasts, both of which were more advanced than the majority of the country, and most of his countrymen were fighting each other. This greatly upset Roosevelt. If they could not stop fighting and killing each other, then how could they hope to stand against Japan and Germany?
Both nations stood to gain much at the expense of the United States, especially with the internal turmoil wracking the country. Roosevelt did not like the thought of the United States having to concede to either the German or Japanese Empires, but if America was unable to sort out its internal issues, what other choice would they have?
"God, why have you done this to us?" Roosevelt asked as he looked up at the ceiling. "What have we done to deserve your wrath?" Roosevelt could now understand what Lincoln must have gone through during those terrible days during the War Between The States, waiting to hear news about what calamity had befallen the Union Army, or what great victory they had achieved.
Roosevelt was horrified at the thought of another American Civil War, one whose casualties would far exceed those of the first. The technological marvels of the states of 1943 were far superior to everything his regular army could field. The states from the year 2024…those were truly horrifying. If open conflict erupted between them, it would make the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg look like child's play. If the forces under his normal control had to fight either armies, it would be a slaughter like Cold Harbor and Mary's Heights.
That was another thing that bothered him. The United States had three different armies. Hell, it had three of every branch, plus an Air Corps, Air Force, and a Space Force! By God, the United States even reached the stars! And this wasn't counting those scattered units in Puerto Rico or elsewhere in the country.
But he knew that his control over the 'uptime forces' as they were being called, was nominal at best. He and the rest of his cabinet knew as such. They possessed weapons and equipment with capabilities they could never have imagined. They would obey his orders, but only to a point. His countrymen from the 21st century were so radically liberal that it befuddled him. Roosevelt couldn't help but wonder just what a presidential election, nevermind a congressional or senate election would look like in the upcoming years.
He let out a tired sigh. His nation, which was destined for greatness at such heights he had never dared to dream, seemed to be coming apart at the seams. If his nation could pull through it however, the United States of America would be the dominant nation on Earth for a very long time. If his young nation could pull through. With the way it was looking to him, that seemed to be in doubt.
Before he could dwell on it any further, he heard a knock at the door.
"Mr President," A female voice on the other side called. "Agent Blackford, Secret Service." One of the uptime Secret Service. A few dozen of them, along with an utterly massive blue and white plane, had appeared in Northern Nevada yesterday, That and a number of various military aeroplanes that even had most of the uptimers absolutely confused. Something about them having crashed decades ago or something to that effect. It didn't matter.
"You may come in, Miss Blackford," President Roosevelt replied, quickly using a handkerchief to clear up the fog from his pince-nez. It just would not do to let anyone know he was crying in private, even a member of the Secret Service. The door opened, and Agent Blackford, with three other Agents, and an Army Captain, entered the room.
"Mr President, Air Force One is ready to transport you back to DC, and our counterparts in the city have been informed, and are waiting as we speak." She announced. That was another thing that drove Roosevelt's desire to return to Washington. The capital had once again been the center of another Event, and if everything he had been hearing was correct, was massive.
"Am I correct in assuming that there is a suitable place for that magnificent airplane you all arrived with?" He asked.
"Yes, Mr President. There is an air base at Anacostia that we can land at. It's shorter than we're used to, but the pilots say they can do it."
"Very good then. What about congress, have they arrived in the city yet?" Roosevelt asked as he rose from his chair.
"As of right now, there is enough for a quorum, and more are converging on the city as we speak." Another agent replied. "There's just one problem some senators and congressmen face right now."
"And that is?"
"Those that aren't of our time, Mr President," A third Agent said, this time one of the ones who accompanied Roosevelt to Oregon.
"Many of those from the 21st century states aren't white and or male, Mr President," Blackford replied without hesitation. "Most, with great justification, believe they'll be lynched without protection. And many of those who will be protecting them also fall in those categories."
"And we will not segregate our forces to make southern senators happy," The Army Captain, whose name tag read 'Harrison' added.
"At this point the only thing to make them happy would be you fine people going back to your time." Roosevelt let out a tired sigh. "Very well then. I assume all the details have been worked out by you fine people?"
"Indeed they have, sir," Harrison replied. "In addition to the Secret Service escort, a number of Special Operations Personnel are being detached to Air Force Once as well. It's the least we can do since an air escort from here to DC isn't possible."
"I still can't believe that one either," Agent Blackford commented. "All these men being brought back from the dead, right?"
"Believe me, we're just as confused about that as yall are. But at least you'll have some Delta boys and Seals watching your back in DC." Turning to Roosevelt, Harrison said, "Are you ready to depart now, Mr President?"
"Almost, young man!" Roosevelt said as he practically leapt to his feet with a burst of energy that was unsurprising coming from a President who was as much a living legend in real life as he was in history. "I just have one request before we depart."
"And what is it, Mr President?" Harrison asked.
"I would like you to find that neg- I mean that colored Lieutenant, Harper was her name, yes? And send her to my office." Roosevelt requested. "I wish to speak with her over what transpired recently. Oh, and bring General Pershing here as well."
Harrison and the Secret Service Agents looked at each other puzzled for a moment, before nodding, and leaving his office to bring back the respective individuals. That was one final affair he needed to put in order before he left for Washington with Pershing and the rest of his cabinet. He was upset and angry over the brawl that had occurred in this same building only days ago, of which the repercussions were still being felt.
In the aftermath of that, Roosevelt and Pershing both requested a complete file of Lieutenant Harper's military record. Pershing had a professional curiosity regarding her military history, while Roosevelt was eager to learn about how a negro woman managed to achieve such a rank and position. When they both finally read her file, it became clear to the both of them just how she had managed that.
In light of that, General Pershing insisted, and Roosevelt agreed, that the least they could do for the young Lieutenant was apologize for the unwanted insults and assault levied upon her by those sailors. Well, that was likely to happen anyway, but in light of her accomplishments in the service of the United States, they felt it a more pressing matter to resolve.
"A Chinese submarine off Alaska?" Roosevelt muttered to himself. The thought was more than a little bewildering to him, but what the next century held was beyond even the wildest of imaginations of anyone in his time. "My Lord, is this what the future holds?
Oh Teddy, you have no idea. Well it's still a mess in America, and Lady Liberty got hit in the german invasion, hopefully she can be repaired (if not then the United States will have to build a new Statue of Liberty).
Probably won't show up next chapter, as it'll be covering the conversation between President Roosevelt, General Pershing, and Lieutenant Harper, as well as TR's return to DC, his watching Independence Day on Air Force 1, and discussions in Washington over how the hell to get America in order. But this will be coming soon, taking place at the Vermont-Canadian Border, between Border Patrol, ATF, local police, and some assorted soldiers, facing down about a thousand Redcoats, and a few sloops of war on the Canadian side of Lake Champlain.
So taking into account what certain people have mentioned repeatedly here and elsewhere, oil and rubber, but mostly oil, are something all three nations badly need. And without a major source of that outside the US that's already being extracted, it'd make parts of my story come to a screeching fucking halt. There's also no ports or docks in 1812 that can accommodate anything larger than a small cutter or rigged training vessel, which would hamper travel for everyone. So I needed to make some additions to the map, although nothing serious, or overpowered other than the actual location of the islands and nations on the new map.
I also got to realizing just how utterly screwed the British, French, Chinese, and Filipinos are right now and how it'll only get worse. So these minor additions should, in some way, alleviate the blow, but also up the stakes in certain regions between the US and the German Empire, as well as between the US and Japan. That and looking back at a map of German progression in September of 1914, I added appropriate edits to Europe, showing just how much of France was under German control.
Right um. Back in 1982, Argentina had a little thing going with being a dictatorship. The top leadership wanted to secure the people's confidence in their government, aaaaaannd invaded the Falkland Islands. Which were and still is under British control.
Of course, this war didn't go very well and they lost,. That's why the Chainsaw President is now in charge of Argentina.
The people there are still super pissed about the fact that they lost that war. And when Top Gear came through for an episode, they got rotten food and the like thrown at their cars when one of the license plates had 1982 on it.
I feel real bad for the people in the Falklands (I mean the Falkland Islanders), hopefully for them HMS Conqueror and the Liberation Taskforce have been moved through time as well
I feel real bad for the people in the Falklands (I mean the Falkland Islanders), hopefully for them HMS Conqueror and the Liberation Taskforce have been moved through time as well
