Countdown to Crisis; The J Andres Saga; Chapter 8

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 4, 2141

ROSSINGOL VICTORIOUS AGAIN

Annan Enterprises Stadium in Rossingol

 

ROSSINGOL -- The winningest team in baseball brought home another championship last night as the Rossingol Robins (19-11) defeated the Boston Redhawks (18-12) in the fourth game of the series. This is Rossingol's fifth championship, impressive considering the league has only been around for ten seasons.

 

After the trophy presentation, EBC President and CEO Harry Templeton announced that the Atlantic Baseball League would be adding four expansion teams in the coming years. "In 2144, we will be growing the league to 10 teams, including at least one more international team, the Pittsburgh Hornets," he announced. There were no details provided about the other three teams or their locations, although a large construction project was initiated in Buffalo adding to the speculation that a stadium is being built.

Edited November 24, 2023 by J Andres

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 3, 2142

CHANCELLOR ANNAN ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT RUN

Chancellor of Industry, Douglas Annan

 

DANBURY -- Chancellor of Industry Douglas Annan has announced that he will not run for reelection later in the year. Chancellor Annan, who is also Earl of Danshire, has stated that he intends to spend more time with his daughters, aged 3 and 1, and return to Danbury.

 

Annan who will have served 18 years at the end of his term was well-regarded throughout his political career, and oversaw a booming economy buoyed by success in the two Ottanian Conflicts and successful management of the national companies, PQ Health and National Rail among many others. No candidates have yet been announced, but without the incumbent, and based on trends from the last election, a strong showing from the New Horizon candidate should be expected.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

April 19, 2142

ALLEGHENIAN KING VISITS WESTERN J ANDRES

King Robert of Alleghenia

 

BUFFALO -- King Robert of Alleghenia is traveling through J Andres this week. He arrived in Buffalo this morning where he is meeting with Alexandra Astor and Bank Erie about further foreign investments in Alleghenia. From there, he is expected to travel east to Albany, where he will meet with King Phillippe IV, President Chambers, and others. 

 

The economic connections between J Andres and Alleghenia have only grown stronger over the last few years. This is King Robert's first visit to J Andres since then.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 6, 2142

WIN FOR LIN

Chancellor-elect Alicia Lin

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- Alicia Lin of the New Horizon party defeated challengers from the Labor and Libertarian parties in the election to be the next Chancellor of Industry. Lin was an educator and opinion commentator for EBC prior to entering politics. Eastern Broadcasting Company contributors seem to be the pipeline for Eleanor Mueller's candidate recruiting. Incumbent Chancellor Annan announced earlier in the year that he would not run again. Lin's platform included vowing to raise pay at all of the government-owned companies by 15% and beginning a gradual divesture from Kensington Annan Shipbuilding, which would fund the increases. The goal is by increasing wages at the government companies, other private companies will be encouraged to provide similar benefits to remain competitive, and therefore keeping corporate profits in check.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

March 8, 2143

RAILWAY COMPLETE CONNECTING BUFFALO TO PITTSBURGH

Samuel Astor, President of OSR

 

PITTSBURGH -- The first train from Buffalo reached Pittsburgh today. Ottawa-Syracuse Railway President Samuel Astor was on hand, as was his daughter, Alexandra, traveling to Pittsburgh on the inaugural train. Service will run multiple times daily, although speeds are expected to be a little slower than in other areas as many trains will also be carrying many cars worth of coal into J Andres and Ottania for consumption.

 

King Robert of Alleghenia was among the welcoming party. "This connection link between our two nations is significant, and will only hasten this growing kinship between neighbors," he said, as he shook Astor's hand and welcomed him to Pittsburgh.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

April 19, 2143

KMS GOES PUBLIC

Kensington Mews Shipbuilding is the designer and builder of Queen Class battleships

 

ROSSINGOL -- Kensington Mews Shipbuilding, the nearly two-and-a-half century shipbuilding behemoth, is being denationalized. Chancellor of Industry made good on her campaign promise with the release of 5% of shares in an initial public offering this morning. Funds raised are expected to support increasing wages at the other nationalized companies. Another 5% of shares is expected to be released later in the year. The government will time such sales to be advantageous based on stock prices.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

June 30, 2143

JTECH NAMES TERESA KAMINSKI CEO

Teresa Kaminski

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- Teresa Kaminski has been named CEO of JTech Industries, following the death of former CEO Emily Lumina earlier in the week. Kaminski was formerly Vice President of Innovation, and is said to be championing projects to restore technology to what it was prior to the war. Sources claim that subsidiary Rossingol Motors is looking to develop an economical vehicle.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 24, 2143

KING AND QUEEN WELCOME SECOND CHILD, PRINCESS ELIZABETH

File Photo of Queen Victoria after the birth of her first child three years ago

 

NEWPORT -- King Phillippe IV and Queen Victoria have announced that their daughter was born shortly after midday. The new princess is named Elizabeth Victoria Bourbon and has been named Princess of Saratoga, a new peerage title and homage to the birthplace of Queen Victoria. The new princess is now second in line to the throne, after her brother, Prince Albert. The press office for Aquidneck Castle have stated that the Queen and baby are healthy and doing well.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 17, 2144

FEW DETAILS FROM HOUSTON SUMMIT

Emperor Marcus Augustus of the Augustine Empire, President Earnell Chambers of J Andres, and President Ethan O'Dargan of the New Tahoe Republic

 

HOUSTON -- Emperor of the Augustine Empire, Marcus Augustus held a summit in Houston this week with the Presidents of J Andres and New Tahoe. Very few details of the discussion topics have been made public, fueling rampant speculation. Unverified sources have claimed that the Augustine Empire is preparing for war with the Free City of Monterrey. Although, if true, it is surprising that the Emperor has selected to meet with J Andres and Tahoe, both nations far from the potential battlefield, and likely unnecessary allies to squash the small Free City.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

April 8, 2144

ALLEGHENIA AND J ANDRES GROW CLOSER THROUGH MARRIAGE

Prince Geoffrey of Alleghenia and Emily, Countess of Norfolk

 

PITTSBURGH -- J Andres and Alleghenia took another step closer to each other this afternoon after the royal marriage of Prince Geoffrey, heir apparent to the throne of Alleghenia, and Emily, Countess of Norfolk. Emily is a cousin to the king and is currently 6th in line to the J Andres throne.

 

Mildred Mercton, the youngest daughter of Addison, Duchess of Boston, has been named Countess of Norfolk to replace Emily as she moves to our southern neighbor.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

April 15, 2144

BASEBALL SEASON KICKS OFF WITH FOUR NEW TEAMS

Logos of the new expansion teams

 

BOSTON -- The next season of the Atlantic Baseball League begins tonight with defending champions the Boston Redhawks taking on expansion team the Pittsburgh Hornets. 

 

The Pittsburgh Hornets are the only new international team joining in this expansion. The franchise is owned by Canary Coal. The Endor Dragons is a new franchise owned by Sydney Vaughn from the hotel and hospitality industry. The Danbury Vampires is a new franchise owned by Douglas Annan, former Chancellor of Industry. The Buffalo Sirens is a new franchise owned by Erie Bank and funded by Alexandra Astor, whose father owns the Ottawa-Syracuse Railway and the Syracuse Stallions.

[J Andres]

STATEMENT FROM HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, EMPEROR MARCUS AUGUSTUS

June 4, 2144

 

The Augustine Empire desires only one thing, a safe and harmonious North America. The Empire considers itself a steward of this peace. Many of the diverse nations of North America that were formed at the conclusion of the last war desire the same thing.

 

There is at least one which does not.

 

The Free City of Monterrey is a criminal enterprise masquerading as a city-state. Organized crime is rampant. Its citizens flee and seek a better life within the Empire regularly. Honest businesses on Empire border towns are shaken down. The Augustine Empire will not sit idly by as our friends and neighbors are tormented by criminal enterprises that go unchecked.

 

The Free City of Monterrey has until the end of the year to control the organized crime that overflows its borders, or the Empire will seize the city and bring justice to the criminals ourselves.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

June 12, 2144

CHANCELLOR TAYLOR ADVOCATES FOR SUPPORTING THE AUGUSTINE EMPIRE

Chancellor of Defense Marty Taylor

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- Chancellor of Defense Marty Taylor, up for reelection this fall, stated in a press conference that he supports the Augustine Empire's ultimatum to the Free City of Monterrey. "I wholeheartedly agree with the Imperial plan. If we ever want to restore the continent to what it was before the war, we need to clean up the riff-raff that is hiding in the 'blank' spaces of the map. The Free Cities are a part of the problem. If it was up to me, we would be sending troops down to the Augustine Empire to support their cause. The Empire views J Andres as a bastion of strength in the East, New Tahoe as a bastion of strength in the West, and themselves as as the strong power in the South. They are a powerful ally that we want to keep on our side, and if that means helping to clean up the south, then that's what it means."

[J Andres]

STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW TAHOE REPUBLIC

July 23, 2144

 

The New Tahoe Republic support His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Marcus Augustus, and his plans to bring stability and eradicate crime in North America. 

 

The military of New Tahoe will coordinate with the Imperial Armed Forces and are prepared to support the Augustine Empire achieve their goals of peace and harmony throughout the continent.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 6, 2144

MIXED MESSAGES FOR NEW HORIZON PARTY; CHAMBERS AND TAYLOR WIN

President Earnell Chambers and Chancellor of Defense Marty Taylor

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- Incumbents proved successful in yesterday's elections, with President Earnell Chambers and Chancellor of Defense Marty Taylor retaining their positions. There will be some self-reflections necessary on both sides to examine how the electorate chose the mixed result for the New Horizon and Labor parties.

 

It is known that the New Horizon Party position that the Augustine Empire should be supported, but without active troops, was widely panned by the electorate. This appears to have cost Dennis Sparks the Chancellorship, but Chambers may have been buoyed by his overall positive track record.

 

How the New Horizon Party will move forward is anyone's guess. The New Horizon Party still has a majority on the Crown Council and still has the Presidency, so they are still able to implement their agenda if they choose, but will they decide to respond to the signals from yesterday's election?

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

October 17, 2144

STALLIONS VICTORIOUS OVER REDHAWKS

Logo of the Syracuse Stallions

 

BOSTON -- In a year that brought in four new teams to the Atlantic Baseball League, the playoffs featured only familiar faces this year. The playoffs were expanded to a four-team format, but it was Syracuse, Albany, Boston, and Rossingol who made it through. The Syracuse Stallions, who have never won the championship, but made it twice, the last time 10 years ago, were victorious over the Boston Redhawks 4 games to 2, winning their fourth game on the road at Richards Field.

[J Andres]

STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF J ANDRES

December 19, 2144

 

J Andres supports the Imperial Ultimatum provided by the Augustine Empire. Each powerful nation has a responsibility for maintaining their neighborhood. In the past decades, J Andres has helped provide security to others in our neighborhood, just as the Augustine Empire will likely do in a few short weeks.

 

However, J Andres believes its neighborhood is the northeast, and as such, J Andres will not be sending troops to Monterrey. With the consent of the Crown Council, I have authorized the deployment of some of our naval vessels to the Gulf of Mexico. Our vessels will not participate in bombardment of land targets, but will assist in the capture or sinking of enemy ships seeking to evade justice by way of the sea.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 2, 2145

AUGUSTINE EMPIRE INVADES MONTERREY

 

MONTERREY -- The Emperor made good on his promise, and shortly after midnight yesterday, troops of the Augustine Empire and New Tahoe invaded the Free City of Monterrey, seeking to destroy "organized crime."

 

Six J Andres Naval vessels are deployed to the Gulf of Mexico, ready to assist as needed. The J Andres fleet consists of one battleship, JAS Queen Madeleine, and five sloops, JAS Thomas Malvern, JAS Mickey Bethesda, JAS William Hahn, JAS Bruce Aurora, and JAS Nicholas Egorov.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 12, 2145

NATIONALIST PARTY DISBANDS

Gabriela Morales

 

PROVIDENCE -- After a string of poor election showings, including last years paltry 3%, the Nationalist Party has disbanded. Gabriela Morales, who had been the face of the Nationalist Party, especially since the split with the New Horizon Party, announced the disbandment this morning in Providence. "It is a sad day, as the party of Josef Mercton meets its end," she said. "The New Horizon Party has some viewpoints that are difficult to reconcile, but in the end, their message is mostly correct. We will do what we can within the framework that they have created."

[J Andres]

STATEMENT FROM HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, EMPEROR MARCUS AUGUSTUS

January 24, 2145

 

The Government of the Free City of Monterrey has surrendered and I've accepted their surrender.

In just three-and-a-half weeks, the safety and security of North America has been improved.

The job isn't done, and it will still be many months for to integrate the new territory into the Empire and find all remaining criminals and remove any lasting threats, but this was an important first step. 

The Empire thanks our friends in New Tahoe and J Andres for their support in upholding the peace.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

January 26, 2145

ANDREAN FLEET RETURNS HOME ONE SHIP SHORT

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- The war for Monterrey finished in record time and the New Horizon promise to not put boots on the ground was upheld, but the war was not without casualties. JAS Bruce Aurora was sunk off the coast in a skirmish with a small gunboat. Most of the 125 crew were saved, but 18 were lost to the sea.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

March 25, 2145

ASTOR UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE

Samuel Astor, CEO of the Ottawa Syracuse Railway

 

SYRACUSE -- The railroad business has been booming for OSR, especially after the completion of the recent connections to Pittsburgh. Samuel Astor has used his earning to refurbish or reconstruct many buildings on the grounds of Syracuse University and has announced the opening of Astor University, which will begin classes in the fall.

 

As part of the university, Astor also intends to open library branches throughout all of the major cities. The libraries will be free to all, and will be funded through the university.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

September 7, 2145

YOUNGER SISTER OF KING MARRIES

Marie, Marquise of Syracuse

 

NEWPORT -- Marie, the Countess of Lanier, and younger sister of King Phillippe IV has married Paul Lumina, grandchild of Emily Lumina, former JTech CEO. 

 

His Majesty King Phillippe IV bestowed his sister with a new title of peerage, Marquise of Syracuse, to mark the occasion.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

February 2, 2146

EASTERN UNION RAISES TARIFFS ON ALLEGHENIA

 

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eastern Union of Cities has raised tariffs on Alleghenia, claiming that the large scale coal mining and exporting is a burden on the environment. "In the decades since the conclusion of the war and in the absence of large fossil fuel consumption it seems that we have forgotten about climate change and its consequences," President Matthew Park said at a press conference. "Alleghenia is producing coal and exporting it across the region, fueling further consumption among its neighbors. We discourage this activity, and will be raising tariffs on all goods or services from Alleghenia."

 

Alleghenian and J Andres governments provided no comments for this article. The Republic of Cascadia applauded the efforts, stating "Cascadia supports all efforts to promote and improve the natural environment, including the migration away from fossil fuels."

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

March 12, 2146

SHERMAN ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY

Dylan Sherman

 

BOSTON -- Dylan Sherman, a newcomer to politics, has announced his candidacy for Chancellor of Foreign Affairs. Sherman has resurrected the Knights of Cromwell, a political party not active in half a century to launch his campaign from, and one with a troubled history. The Knights of Cromwell originally sought to the end the monarchy and nobility, and were not afraid of using extralegal means to do so. They peaked in power in 2084 when they won a small handful of seats in the Commune under the leadership of Susan Quincy.

 

This time it is not the nobility he hopes to topple, but the Crown Council, running for a seat on it to change it from within. "We must restore the Commune!" he announced. "Representative Democracy is not three elites sitting around a small table. It is true that the old Commune was unwieldy, but 3 people cannot represent the nation."

 

Sherman spent time in Acadia, observing their direct democracy system, and believes the Commune should be restored. The Labor and Libertarian parties do not appear to be running candidates this cycle, instead content to let Mueller win again, and save their resources for the 2138 cycle when she won't be on the ballot.

Edited November 28, 2023 by J Andres