Hoi 4 Chapter 20

Chapter 20 - Mar 1946:

Titus TBC returned to his family after his pardon by President Eternien. Since then, he has stayed out of politics, opting instead to focus on family and relaxation. It hasn't been easy, what with the president acting like a rabid dog about the War, but he is determined not to do anything, at until the election this July. Several candidates have approached him asking for endorsements, but all were turned away. Even more political activists and campaigners were turned away after offering to help him run for office. Perhaps in '50 he will run.

Protests against the war, and against the way Eternien was handling the war, continues throughout the country. There are still demonstrations outside the White House in Dover that draw crowds of over 50 thousand, while other cities, like Chicago and San Francisco, see tens of thousands march, declaring the president a war criminal and calling for impeachment. No president has ever been impeached, but the possibility remains for a first very soon.

The first of the Chinese garrison in Indochina is encountered on the 4th of April. Though fighting through intense terrain, the locals are quick to rally to the Americans' side. Their intelligence ensures quick movement through the jungles and mountains and easier combat with the Chinese.

The first stage of the invasion will be grabbing a sizable part of Burma as a staging ground, bringing in more troops, and constructing air fields. So far, the plan is working out, but the US is yet to experience true combat in China.

Reinforcements arrive and start doing their thing, pushing back the Chinese troops. Soon, most of Burma is under US control.

The prospective runner up against President Eternien is Maximus Forster, an extremely intelligent man, currently the governor of Florida. He promises, if he wins, an end to the use of nuclear weapons "by both sides" and a speedy victory for the Anglo Americans. He also promises an extensive reconstruction of the world and 'rehabilitation' for the Stali Pact, when the war does end.

The first troops reach the homeland of China before too long,  and much of it is unguarded. The foolish Chinese obviously thought their highest priority was aiding Russia to the West. They never expected a landing in Indochina. General Zen urges the men onward, and haste is given the highest priority by the President; if China could fall before the election, perhaps he would have a chance.

The Americans on the front lines of Russia make horrible discoveries as they push deeper into Russia; rather than allow the US to get their hands on their reactors or their technology, they destroy the facilities, often slaughtering the workers and scientists present, to keep the secrets out of US hands. This has led to several radiation leaks throughout the country.

In other news, in all the chaos, Persia expeditiously invades and annexes Iraq, expanding their empire slightly. Relations between Persia and Delhi have been growing tenser in recent months, due in most part to Delhi's 'occupation' of Baluchistan, which Persia claims should be a part of their growing Caliphate.

The pro surrender movement, which was gaining ground very quickly in America, has been stalling lately, but another political faction in America has been growing to take its place. This one calls itself the Democratic Coalition. Among them are many state governors, senators, and representatives, primarily from western states. Their main goals are the removing of President Eternien from office, the end of nuclear weapons, and the reconstruction of the world. At their head is Luke Sancronis, the governor of California, a radically opposing force to President Eternien.

For now, it is just a faction that is making splashes in the political arena of the US, but their growing backing could spell trouble for the current administration.

The real Chinese army finally reinforces the garrison at the beginning of June, and the push into China slows down. The closer the troops get to Wu China, the harder it will be.

The panic sets in for the Chinese mid June as US lines begin reaching their homeland from the west. The US push through Central Asia has been a huge success, and thousand of miles have been gained in just months.

Election day arrives, and the country sees the biggest turnout ever, at nearly 75% of the eligible population voting. It is a tense day in Dover. The candidates with a chance to win are the republican party's Eternien (15% estimated support), the Democratic Party's Forster (62% estimated support), and the Democratic Coalition's Sancronis (21% estimated support). The newspapers the day of confidently report that this will be an easy victory for the Democratic Party. But, as the votes come in and counting begins, things look less bright for Forster. The last of the votes come in the evening of the 7th, and the counting is finished the next day. Eternien wins a second term.

Outrage fills the nation, and no one believes the results. A recount is called, and, as it begins, Eternien declares himself victorious, calling the recount an unnecessary distraction. The recount yields the exact same results. Eternien remains the president of the United States.

An anonymous source from the Republican party leaks to the media mountains of evidence of vote manipulation committed by the party. The news hits on the 10th of July, despite fierce censorship attempts by the government, and the US breaks. The Democratic Coalition declares the President a tyrant who has held on to power through scheming and deception. Sancronis, who is an honorable man, says the victor should have been Forster and proposes a cooperative alliance between the Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Party to impeach the President, and Forster and his men accept.

All throughout the US the riots begin again, this time worse than last. As people call for justice, Eternien gives a speech calling the accusations alleged against him lies meant to bring him down, and calling the Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Party enemies of the state. His speech is given behind a glass barrier in front of the White House, the riots in Dover being just several hundred yards from him.

The worst happens on July 15th. Governor Sancronis declares California an independent state and sends terms to Eternien of returning to the Union: Eternien must retire as president, the vote must be retaken without his interference, and he must be brought to trial for his crimes. Of course, the terms are immediately rejected. Eternien, thinking that Sancronis' claims will easily be rejected by the rest of the Union, decides his opponent is bluffing. He could not be more wrong.

Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, New Mexico, and Texas join California in independence, and together they form the Republic of Deseret. This new republic, still headed by Sancronis, resends the demands to Eternien, promising that more states will secede if the demands are not met. Eternien's entire administration urges him to accept, or to flee and avoid arrest. Instead, he rejects once again, locking himself in the White House with his most loyal secret service members as security. Colorado, Washington, and Oklahoma secede after the second rejection.

A speech given by Eternien, from behind the closed gates of the White House, denounces Sancronis and the secessionist states. All around America, Americans watch the speech on their televisions (a relatively new invention). Eternien promises swift justice for the rebels, but offers pardons for any state that rejoins the union.

National guard units on both sides begin deploying to the borders, preparing for a fight. Overseas, the troops are put in a precarious situation. Loyalty to the nation and loyalty to their states clash, and units from the seceded states begin ignoring orders, making their way instead to ports to sail home. It will be a while before any of them make it back, but until then, conscription in the rebel states begin and state militia are formed.

Thus far, no shots have been fired, but this is surely the beginning of the Second American Civil War. With America at odds within, the World War will likely turn to the Stali Pact's advantage.