Hello, I've been monitoring this forum on/off for some time now, but this is my first time posting. This is 1 of 3 related tales based on an interesting juncture in my most recent Civ3 game as the Americans. In this game I deviated from the normal strategy and tried for 100% peaceful co-existence. Read what happenned! I hope people enjoy this as I've enjoyed reading past posts from other authors here.
America: In Peril
Summary: The American President's daughter is called upon by the German Chancellor to help convince the President to honour a mutual protection pact.
World Map
Blue (North) = Deutschland
Blue (South) = Deutschland (conquered Azteca mainland)
Cyan = America
Dark Green = Azteca
Light Green (North) = Persia
Light Green (South) = Persia (conquered Babylon mainland)
Orange = United Kingdom
Pink = France
Purple = Iroquois Confederacy of Six Nations
Red = Babylon
The Chancellery Building, Berlin, Deutschland
A young private, barely beyond his teenaged years, smartly approached and sternly announced, “The Chancellor will see you now Frau Molders.” Anna Roosevelt Molders stared intently at the soldier's eyes for a moment trying to discern if the calamity of what was sure to come in any way moved the young man. If he held any emotion, his coldly professional outward expression revealed nothing. Anna rose from the plush red couch, tidied herself, and drew herself to her full 6' height. She nodded to the private, a good half a head shorter, to escort her down the hall to the Chancellor's office.
The Chancellor, accompanied by Field Marshal Helmut Schellinger and Ambassador Heinrich von Klein, rose to greet Anna while dismissing the private to resume guard outside the chamber. She was surprised to find them in rather good spirits. Ambassador von Klein had imperceptably slid behind her and offerred to take her jacket. She acknowledged him in the perfunctory manner and allowed him to take her coat. The monocled middle aged Heinrich always had a way of shadowing and talking to her that seemed to Anna to border on impropriety. It was rumoured that Heinrich had wives in both Persia and the former Azteca as well as at home in Deutschland.
She stepped away from the unpleasantness of Ambassador von Klein and shook hands with Field Marshal Schellinger. A hawkish man nearing his 70th birthday, Schellinger was a stern grandfatherly figure whose lifetime of military service had helped raise Deutschland to the status of a Major Power. Her husband spoke highly of 'Opa' Schellinger, but Anna saw only a lonely, and she imagined, somewhat spiteful old man. Yet when he gripped her hand and smiled it was gentle and kind and she wanted to believe that it was all right for him to wield the power of the greatest armed force in the world.
Otto von Bismarck had aged considerably since she last saw him personally five years ago at the Chancellery party celebrating the Germanic-American alliance. His presence was as stern and dominating as ever, but uncharacteristically spirited as he accepted her greeting, “Guten Tag Frau Molders. How is the wife of Deutschland's greatest hero?”
Anna forced a smile, “She is as well as can be given the circumstances. Thank you for asking.” She had loved Frederick Reinhardt Molders - “Frederick the Great”, but she never foresaw that she would spend her life so completely in his shadow.
Bismarck waved the small party to the magnificent cherry wood conference table. At this table transpired meetings that probably decided much of the Reich, and hence the world's, future. Bismarck unknowingly goaded Anna further, “You know we will make Frederick a Field Marshal when he returns from Tenochtitlan. Deutschland is truly blessed to have a man of his skill. You must be very proud.”
“I am Herr Chancellor,” Anna replied simply as she took a seat.
Ambassador von Klein chimed in as he chose a seat beside her, “I will personally see to it that Frederick returns to Berlin well in time for the birth of his fourth child. Congratulations.”
“Fifth,” corrected Anna pursing her lips. “I and my family thank you for your all your efforts in making sure Frederick returns home safely to us.” Anna had no idea what von Klein spoke of since as far as she knew military operations were not something the Ambassador had any control over. She only hoped her words seemed sincere.
The Chancellor sat at the head of the table next to von Klein. A monumental globe stand outlining the territories of the Reich in deep blue was situated at his right along with Schellinger. The globe rotated slowly through some type of spring contraption. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the Chancellor's office let in great radiant beams of autumn sunlight. Bismarck leaned back in his ornately carved seat and quietly evaluated the woman about to become a critical instrument of Deutsch state policy.
Anna's dossier indicated that she had grown up in the American White House, completed a university education in Boston, worked in the American civil service for her father for 3 years, and finally marrying Hauptmann Frederick Molders at 24 to become a German citizen. Sources indicated that life in the periphery of upper Reich government society never fully suited Anna where she made only half-hearted attempts to fit in with the many rules for German women, nobility, and aristocrats. Fluent in Deutsch and American, she has at times acted as a translator for the Reich news agency, but has primarily been a model German mother to four sons. Most importantly, Anna was the American President's beloved daughter and only child.
Bismarck opened bluntly, “Anna, President Roosevelt, your father, is refusing to honour the terms of the Greater Reich Prosperity Pact and aid us against the Iroquois Confederacy of Six Nations. I need you to bring your father to his senses before disaster falls upon both the American and German people.”
Anna had long since realized that this would be the Chancellor's request ever since she received the summons early in the morning. She had practiced her response, “Chancellor Bismarck, I am the President's daughter, but I can not dictate American policy. You know that the American government does not function that way. However, I will most certainly forward your concerns to my father if this is your will.”
Bismarck remained unreadable after taking in the glances of his two ministers. “You must and can do more Anna. I would not waste time pursuing this matter with you if I believed for one moment that this issue could be addressed through the normal channels. Your father feels that he must ask the American representatives for approval in this matter when the GRPP clearly states that America must come to our aid. We do not have time for this dalliance while Iroquois troops continue to advance. Tell your father to declare war immediately as required by the terms of the treaty. I feel he will listen to his threatened German daughter more so than the diplomatic corp.”
Anna pondered this for a moment looking first to Schellinger, who only stared solemnly at her, and then to von Klein who nodded in agreement. “Herr Chancellor. America is a nation of industrious peace loving people. It has never fought a war in five millennia of its existence. Its armed forces are for defense only and is certainly no match for the Iroquois in any campaign. It would be suicide for my father to declare war. I'm told that Deutschland's army is the finest on the continent. Is it not capable of handling the Iroquois? Of what possible assistance could American troops provide us?”
Field Marshal Schellinger knew his cue and interjected, “As you have already heard, two days ago the Iroquois Confederacy launched an attack against Bremen with over 20 units of Cavalry staged directly from American territory near Miami. Our own units are bravely resisting in the nearby mountains, but we fear Bremen will be lost within the week. As you well know, most of our forces are still engaged in pacifying the newly acquired Azteca territories far to the south of us. Your husband has been ordered to return with the 2nd Army Group to help try to encircle the Iroquois, but we fear he will not arrive in time.” The old Field Marshal sighed, “As skilled as the German professional calvary is, we are fighting a two front war and are temporarily outnumbered. We all know the Iroquois are fearsome mounted warriors. Should they break through the mountainous Bremen region and reach the open plains they would be in striking distance of Berlin within days.”
“We need time Frau Molders,” the Ambassador added. “We cannot allow them to establish a base at Bremen for further operations. America's unwillingness to declare war or obstruct the Iroquois armies in any way means a clear path for them to drive further into Deutschland. Once the news of this reaches the rest of country how do you think they will react to this American indifference?”
The Chancellor interpreted von Klein's inference ominously, “Deutschland would have no other choice than to garrison all bordering American cities for as long as it took to secure the frontier.”
The direction of this conversation made Anna uncomfortable. She was not a diplomat nor could she speak for America. Why were these men pressuring her so? She could only reply quietly, “My father - America - would not tolerate German occupation, Herr Chancellor.”
“Where the security of Deutschland is concerned I think only of the German people,” Bismarck stated flatly. The gravity of the situation dawned on Anna when the stone faced Chancellor next spoke, “The Reich has long looked kindly on America given it's favourable trade policies, monetary, and technological contributions to our nation. Deutschland has shielded America from foreign aggression for thousands of years, we provide luxuries and goods that help keep her prosperous. We do this to assist like a kindly father would for his son or daughter. However, as a parent must discipline its children, so too will Deutschland do the same to its dependents if required.”
Anna swallowed and looked about uneasily, “I understand and as a German citizen I sympathize with your point of view, but what is it that you wish me to say? How can I ask my father to choose between two forms of disaster?”
Ambassador von Klein took Anna's hand and grasped it with a mix of condescension and personal convenience, “Frau Molders, go to Washington. Inform President Roosevelt that the Reich is in jeopardy and urgently requests his assistance. Remind him of the historical cooperation between our to nations, but also that America is still part of the Greater Reich as is England and France and that his allegiance to the Reich is important to keeping this continent safe. Apeal to his patriotic heart. American products and entertainment are as dear to the hearts of Germans everywhere as Deutschland's art and institutions are to aspiring Americans. Tell him that his daughter and grandchildren are Germans. Only arbitrary lines on a map separate the two nations. You of all people know this.”
Anna extracted her hand without apparent emotion, but deep down a horrible sense of dread was building. She was a German now, but part of her would always be American. She had to ask, “And if he refuses?”
The men at the table all glanced at the Chancellor who said resolutely, “Four divisions of calvary destined for the Iroquois front will be diverted to Washington. The President of America will be replaced with someone willing to accept the responsibilities owed to Deutschland.” Field Marshall Schellinger nodded grimly.
Anna felt faint. There were probably not four divisions of cavalry in all of America. If there were any doubts as to the seriousness of Bismarck's earlier statements towards America they were now erased. Never could she have imagined that the day would come when she would have the responsibility of bringing a nation that had never participated in armed conflict into the largest continental war known to date. At stake - the independence of America - perhaps its very existence. Schellinger's repeated prompt snapped her thoughts back to the meeting, “Bitte, Frau Molders? We will require you to depart immediately. A company of the Berlin Rifles will escort you to San Francisco and then onwards to Washington.”
“Yes, of course,” Anna mumbled. Then collecting her thoughts she recalled, “My son Werner is ill I'll need to...”
Ambassador von Klein interrupted, “Do not worry. I'll have my personal physician look after him and my dear wife Clara will watch over them all until your return. You should be back within the week.” The Ambassador smiled at her and almost imperceptibly leaned closer, “You are as courageous as you are beautiful. Good luck and God speed.”
Anna thanked the Ambassador for his generosity and rose hastily from the table. The Chancellor walked her to the door again impressing on her the importance of her mission, bid her farewell, and left her in the care of the young door guard. The Chancellor watched the door click shut. He did not care for this plan at all.
Next: Anna tries to convince President Roosevelt to act in Deutschland's interest while the Bismarck Administration's plan takes a sinister turn.
I am glad you are enjoying it so far. I hope to post the next one during the weekend since I have only a little time to write stuff during the week.
Still working....
