The Shadow of Savannah; The J Andres Saga; Chapter 9

[J Andres]

Chapter 9:
The Shadow of Savannah

"The aftershocks of these three giants shaking hands will be felt for years to come." -- PRN News Anchor, Fred Campbell, 2167

 

PREVIOUS CHAPTERS
Chapter 1: Deja Vu
Chapter 2: Excellence and Exodus
Chapter 3: Vengeance and Vendetta
Chapter 4: The Peace Dividend

Chapter 5: Crisis and Crusades

Chapter 6: The Powder Keg

Chapter 7: Armageddon

Chapter 8: Countdown to Crisis

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SUMMARY
It's been more than 80 years since the end of the Grand Mexican War and the world's cities and nations are once again humming with the industrial spark of humanity. Survival is no longer the primary concern for most, although many would argue that the crumbs that are left after the elite eat are insufficient.

In North America, the continental players have been separated from the contenders, leaving three regional powers. J Andres leads a regional hegemony in the east, well-connected to it neighbors by trade and influence. Cascadia controls the west and with its planes in the skies has a clear technological advantage against all others. The Augustine Empire is dominant in the south, and has the largest military by the numbers, but has many internal fractures it must hope doesn't rupture. 

These three powers signed the Savannah Accords in 2167, clearly demarcating their spheres of influence. None of the three powers trust each other, but the Accords has allowed each to take a breath but now the new Emperor Marshall Augustus is publicly denouncing the Accords.

The Accords have bought peace on the continent, but for how long? In a Cold War with sky-high tensions, which minor transgression will overboil the pot?

 

The Anchor Times

February 18, 2168

DIRECTOR MUELLER TO TRAVEL TO EMPIRE

Director of Foreign Affairs, Brooke Mueller

 

ENDOR CUIDAD -- Director of Foreign Affairs, Brooke Mueller, is headed to Pensacola today to meet with the new Emperor, Emperor Marshall Augustus. "The Empire is our partner in the Savannah Accords. I am eager to congratulate the Emperor on his election victory and am excited to work with him in the future," she said as she boarded the JAS Apollo. 

 

Although her words were gentle, the selection of Marshall, former Duke of Texas, to be the next Augustine Empire has caused alarm bells to ring throughout all the halls of government. In his first public address, Emperor Marshall denounced the Accords and the "constraints" it was placing on the Empire. With the Empire already controlling the southern portion of the continent, there are limited places for them to go if they are feeling constrained. 

 

While Director Mueller is in the Empire, her mother, President Eleanor Mueller will be traveling to Cascadia to reaffirm relations with the west coast nation.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

February 23, 2168

 

MUELLER'S TRIP SOURS

Director of Foreign Affairs Eleanor Mueller and the JAS Apollo

 

PENSACOLA-- Director Mueller's visit to the Augustine Empire was much shorter than expected. She met with the Emperor yesterday for what has been described as a "brief" meeting. "The Emperor has made it clear that he doesn't view the Savannah Accords as suitable for the empire. He didn't rule out the potential for future partnership, and identified a few opportunities which I won't discuss here," Mueller said brief radio address.

 

Her address also stated that she intended to sail further south and visit the three South American nations, and was supposed to embark on that journey today. However, when the JAS Apollo entered the Augustine Gulf on a trajectory that was not to follow the Floridian coastline, it was intercepted by Augustine Defense Craft. In a public statement, the Emperor stated. "The J Andres Director of Foreign Affairs entered the Augustine Gulf on a vessel of war for a planned trip to visit our capital of Pensacola. While we would prefer that visiting emissaries travel on ships without artillery, we understand the Director's need for protection in uncertain waters. However, when the Director deviated from the planned itinerary she was intercepted. The Augustine Empire will not permit vessels of war to transit within our maritime zones."

 

Given the Empire's control of Cuba and Hispaniola, the JAS Apollo will be skipping a visit to Solaria, and instead traveling to Fortaleza.

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

March 16, 2168

 

NAC AND DETCHITORIA REAFFRIM PARTNERSHIP

NAC President Anthony Cole and Detchitoria President Steven Bannister

 

KANSAS CITY-- The leaders of the North American Commonwealth and Detchitoria embraced today, as they continued their free trade partnership. "Our friendship with Detchitoria has benefits citizens on both sides of these borders," said NAC President Anthony Cole. "In the current continental climate, it is more important than ever for our two inland nations to stand united. We aren't going to let coastal powers dictate our future! Our future is ours to decide!"

 

 

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

March 28, 2168

 

OTTANIAN REVOLUTIONARIES CALL FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY

Revolutionary David Celeste

 

FÉRIN, OTTANIA-- Le Front Républicain, the most organized of the Ottanian anti-monarchy groups, released a manifesto today, requesting and audience with the King to discuss transitioning the nation to a constitutional monarchy. "The people deserve representation," said David Celeste, leader of the FR. "A constitutional monarchy is the most reasonable middle ground, allowing the royal family to maintain many of the privileges they enjoy while giving the people the right of self-determination."

 

King Mathieu has not responded to the request nor has he released a statement.

 

Support for the FR was nearly unanimous across the international community.

J Andres President Eleanor Mueller provided support, stating, "The Republican Front's request is reasonable and we urge our northern neighbors to consider its merits."

Acadian Prime Minister Caroline St. Onge also provided support, stating, "The fact that the Ottanian people have been crying for democracy for years, and they are still catering to the feelings of an unelected monarchy is despicable. A constitutional monarchy is literally the least the King should do. We urge our western neighbors to accept this meeting and act on this without haste."

Cascadian Prime Minister Elsie Huang provided support, stating, "Cascadia supports the people of Ottania in their plight for self-determination. A free and liberated people is key to preventing the wars of yesteryear and progressing humanity towards a better future.

Emperor Marshall Augustus of the Augustine Empire also provided support, stating, "A leader's responsibility is their populace, and a discontented populace is a sign of a poor leader. The Augustine Empire supports the people of Ottania in seizing what is theirs."

No statement was provided by the King of Alleghenia.

 

 

[J Andres]

Pacific Radio Network

TRANSCRIPT FROM PACIFIC RADIO NETWORK STATION 101.9 FM

 NIGHTLY NEWS WITH FRED CAMPBELL

April 2, 2168

WARRANT ISSUED FOR CELESTE

King Mathieu of Ottania & David Celeste of the FR

 

[CAMPBELL] A shocker in the north...

 

[Sounds of indeterminate chanting in French]

 

[CAMPBELL] This is Pacific Radio Network Nightly News, and I'm your host, Fred Campbell. Tonight, as most nights this week, we are heading north of our borders to Ottania. Riots and protests, peaceful and not so peaceful have rocked cities like Ottawa and Montreal for the past few years as the anti-monarchy voice as grown stronger and stronger there. With me tonight is Xavier Durocher, a PRN host from Trois Rivières. Welcome, Xavier.

 

[DUROCHER] Good evening, Fred. It is a pleasure to be on your program.

 

[CAMPBELL] Thank you. What can you tell us about Celeste and the Front Républicain?

 

[DUROCHER] As you know, Le Front Républicain released their proposal a few days ago. Up until this point, the voices in the street have been loud and growing, but there has been no actual proposal on the table. It was just anger and resentment.

 

[CAMPBELL] So, the FR changed that. Now there is something concrete to talk about?

 

[DUROCHER] Oui et non. Le Front Républicain is just one of many organizations that are protesting. They aren't even the biggest.

 

[CAMPBELL] But they are the most organized?

 

[DUROCHER] Perhaps? They are the first to put a proposal into writing. I believe that the FR believes that having a written proposal gives them a sense of legitimacy. They appear more suited to govern when they can walk and talk like politicians.

 

[CAMPBELL] And who is David Celeste?

 

[DUROCHER] Until a few days ago, he was no one. He is a descendant of Cynthia Celeste, the second Chancellor of Disparu. It was a role similar to your Premier. She was assassinated, so despite her death being nearly 150 years ago, her name is one that is recognizable within Ottania. 

 

[CAMPBELL] Okay. Now that we've got the background, tell us about what has happened today.

 

[DUROCHER] King Mathieu issued an arrest warrant for Celeste, saying he was wanted for acts of domestic terrorism. 

 

[CAMPBELL] Seems like the King isn't interested in the proposal.

 

[DUROCHER] Which is surprising.

 

[CAMPBELL] Is it?

 

[DUROCHER] Oui. As I mentioned, the FR is not the only group protesting. There are many others, and many of them are larger, and with much more significant demands. For many in Ottania, we see that the writing is on the wall. Whether it is this year, next year, or ten years from now, the Monarchy will be toppled. The offer for a constitutional monarchy should have been seen as a gift, a golden parachute instead of a guillotine. 

 

[CAMPBELL] What happens now?

 

[DUROCHER] Celeste has a few days to turn himself in, before the police will be sent to apprehend him.

 

[CAMPBELL] And what effect is this having on the ongoing protests?

 

[DUROCHER] The protestors are more enraged than ever. Even if the different groups are splintered, and even if they don't agree with each other on everything, they are certainly united on being opposed to the King's every move. 

 

[CAMPBELL] Thanks, Xavier. We are going to pause for a moment to hear from our sponsors. When we return, Xavier will take your calls and answer your questions about Ottania.

[J Andres]

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CASCADIA, ELSIE HUANG

April 10, 2168

 

We are nearing the 80th anniversary of the Grand Mexican War, the war which reversed human advancement for decades that only recently have we been able to reclaim progress. The Republic of Cascadia remains firmly committed to ensuring that the mistakes of our ancestors are never repeated. The sanctity of our Earth is paramount. Cascadia will always do what must be done to protect it.

 

The Republic of Cascadia declares that all North American Territory west of the 104th parallel, and north of the Augustine Empire is a protectorate of Cascadia. This territory will be be integrated into Cascadia proper, and protected for future generations.

 

[J Andres]

The Anchor Times

April 29, 2168

 

MARQUISE AND JTECH PARTNER TO BRING IMPROVED FILTRATION TO SYRACUSE

Marie, Marquise of Syracuse

 

SYRACUSE -- Syracuse has undergone a significant Industrial Revolution over the last four decades, beginning roughly with the opening of the steel foundries at Syracuse Steel. The foundries were followed by Salina Iron Works and Kaminski Aircraft as well as numerous smaller businesses. All of these industrial factories have spurred the economy of the region. Unfortunately, this has been at the expense of the water supply, primarily Onondaga Lake.

 

Marie, Marquise of Syracuse, and her husband, Paul Lumina, have worked with JTech to develop an improved water filtration system for the city's public water supply. While this means the water will be safe to drink once it passes through the filtration system, the water will remain closed for swimming.