When Shall Free Men Stand?

[Faeelin]

When Shall Free Men Stand?

O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

[Faeelin]

The End of the Beginning

It was a cold, wet winter morning. Tendrils of fog wrapped their way through the city’s streets, and the condemned’s feet splashed in puddles along the dank, muddy streets. There had been no snow yet, but a storm was coming. Everyone could feel it in their bones.

On prison ships at sea, thousands lay in chains, while thousands more were scattered to the winds, their homes prey to ravenous looters, their property forfeit as traitors to the Crown. His own estate, he knew, would end up in the hands of a colonel, if it had not already been burned by loyalists.

For a normal hanging, there would have been crowds on hand, to watch the procession of the condemned, and to cheer him to his grave or offer him words of encouragement. Even a murderer, in happier times, would have been offered a drink by someone in the mob. Yet for the condemned, there was no one. And yet he was not alone. He could feel the eyes upon him, both those in the houses on the street and those from generations yet unborn.

As he walked to the square, the condemned couldn’t help but smirk at those present. A few British officers, a few old women, shawls wrapped closely to them, but only a scattering of men. He was touched by the presence of one man there, and as he stepped off the cart nodded politely. “Lord Howe.”

The man returned the nod. His breath smelt of liquor, the condemned noted. “I apologize, General.” He shook his head. “It should not have come to this.”

The condemned smirked. “You tried, sir. If all Englishmen were as decent as you, it would never have come to this.”

There was a moment of silence, and it began to rain once more. “Your wife,” said Howe, “will be taken care of. That I can do, and promise to you.” Howe seemed to want to say more, but paused, and saluted. “General.”

The condemned tried not to let his relief show. At least Martha would be alright, or as alright as she could be, in this fallen world.

The noose around his neck, the condemned spoke. The coarse rope chafed his neck, and he had felt feverish for days. He took the noose from the hangman, felt it around its neck. “A good rope,” he said sagely. “Make sure you put the knot under my right ear.” The hangman nodded, and draped the noose around the criminal’s neck.

The magistrate in charge of the affair looked on, and nodded gruffly. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word, everyone knew. Kind to his horses and servants. “Any last words?”

The criminal spoke them, a few words that were short and to the point. And then the floor fell out. The condemned choked to death as his tongue distended, while beneath a white sack his eyes bulged out. His britches, already stained and worn from his time in prison, became foul as the man’s face spasmed. And, in keeping with custom, the executioner decapitated the traitor after his death, presenting his ghoulish visage to the few onlookers. It had been a clean cut, at least, even as the rain fell upon the man’s corpse, trickling down his sallow face.

A poor way to die, even the diehards admitted. But most of the officers present were satisfied. “That’s the end of it, then.” Howe, lost in thought, only nodded.

And yet, as Washington’s last words echoed through the colonies, and across the ocean, something changed. For as the man had stood before the officers, as his courage had departed in the face of death, he had given them one last parting shot.

“You have cut down the tree of liberty. But it will grow back, for its roots are strong and deep.”

____________________

Thoughts?

[trekaddict]

What did you do to my beloved fatherland? And how come it is the American and not the British Empire? But since I am sure we shall find out in due time, I will sit back, watch and enjoy the ride, because let's face it, I love it when the Colonials over the pond get a damn good thrashing for their impertinence.

[Eams]

A definite A man for all seasons feeling to the execution, although for some reason it wasn't hard to guess that it would be Washington.
It shall be interesting to learn more of the background, and I certainly hope that you'll play as the American Empire, because they're more democratic, and the idea of George VI as the leader of the free world is strangely attractive.

[Faeelin]

Originally Posted by trekaddict

What did you do to my beloved fatherland? And how come it is the American and not the British Empire? But

Why is it Canada and not "British province 54b?"

Anyway, Germany's fate is interesting. And as the saying goes, when the Frogs croak, the Germans ribbit.

Though I admit the Rhine border leaves me with strange feelings.

Originally Posted by Eams

It shall be interesting to learn more of the background, and I certainly hope that you'll play as the American Empire, because they're more democratic, and the idea of George VI as the leader of the free world is strangely attractive.

Eh. Things aren't terrible there, and I'd choose it over Stalin's Russia, but it's not as free as FDR's America by any means.

[Eams]

Originally Posted by Faeelin

Eh. Things aren't terrible there, and I'd choose it over Stalin's Russia, but it's not as free as FDR's America by any means.

Oh no, but they're less than suitably democratic and they claim to be socialists. In other words, they're hypocrites. Social Liberals may be a hit wobbly and bleeding-hearty, but at least they mean well and only rarely murder their political enemies.

[Arilou]

ANOTHER alternate history eh? Let's see how this works out!

Oh, and do we get any express tigers between Marseilles and Paris? that was always my favourite Utopian crackpottiness

EDIT: And it's obviously "The American Empire" because it no longer controls Britain. Did a certain Corsican drive them out? If so, as long as they stay out of invading Japan or upsetting their princes of the blood things should go fine...

[Faeelin]

Originally Posted by Arilou

ANOTHER alternate history eh? Let's see how this works out!

This time we've got a war planned from the get-go. The only better angels of our nature will be the Valkyrie bombers.

EDIT: And it's obviously "The American Empire" because it no longer controls Britain. Did a certain Corsican drive them out? If so, as long as they stay out of invading Japan or upsetting their princes of the blood things should go fine...

Le Douche is staying far, far away.

[caffran]

Excellent!!

If only that had happened in reality the world would be a far better place.

Be interesting to see where you take this.

later, caff

[Faeelin]

Originally Posted by caffran

Excellent!!

If only that had happened in reality the world would be a far better place.

Interesting; why do you think so?

[caffran]

no American's for a start

No mythology surrounding the 'founding fathers', who in reality were a bunch of bloody crooks. the 'revolution' had nothing to do with liberty for the masses and all to do with the continental congress getting the tax money they paid to Britain for things like defence, trade, building grants, agrarian subsides, etc,etc.

The Genocide of the native Americans would never have happened.

Japan would not have been forced out of it's peaceful feudal state and into an industrialised nation with worldwide aspirations. would not have copied American ideals of 'expansion' amd then got slapped down hard due to making America nervous.

Plus if the British empire had the resources of the whole of North America, do you seriously think World War I would have happened? or WW II?


i could go on but you get the idea.

later, caff

[Faeelin]

As I stood next to His Majesty, I looked across the vista beneath us. We had floated above the mills of Pittsburgh, where the roar of industry hammered day and night. We had swept past the endless farms of the Ohio Country, the breadbasket of a world. And now we were approaching New York, its opulent skyscrapers the wonder of the world.

One of the modern tunes that had floated up the Mississippi was playing softly on the radio, an odd contrast to the furniture in the room, which was a monument to Empire. His majesty was holding onto a wooden railing, a glass of brandy in hand. He hadn't said much since we'd left Franklin. He had mostly looked out the window, watching the landscape below and drinking.

His Majesty turned towards me. "Some men, you know, would say this was enough. America stretches from sea to shining sea. What need have we for an American Empire?" Some of the men who spoke such words were at camps now in the Yukon, or the frozen wastes of Alaska. Not many, though. Not yet.

He was so full of fire, then. He was full of plans and schemes, to make a better world for his country and his people. All of them. And so I spoke carefully. "This was forced upon us," I consoled him. "The Dons have been a nuisance to the Empire for decades now. They stabbed your family in the back during the Revolution, and they would do so again, if they could."

His Majesty nodded. "Quite." He knocked back his glass of brandy, and I frowned; he would need to be sober for whatever he did next. "And yet I wonder where it will end." He burst out in laughter. "My grandfather dreamt that he would return to Buckingham. And here I am in New York, plotting the destruction of the British Empire."

"What Empire?" I asked. "It's a Commonwealth of Nations, bound together by fraternal ties and loyalty."

His Majesty laughed. "Indeed, and its peoples are so loyal that India and Britain are conducting a trade war." He shook his head.
One of the zeppelin's staff walked into the chamber, dapper in his Royal Air Force uniform. "Your Majesty, I am to inform you we'll be landing shortly."

Somehow, His Majesty had lost any trace of inebriety, giving the lad an affable grin. "Splendid job, captain, especially against these headwinds."

With a salute, the captain walked off, and I found myself shaking my head. "I still can't believe you purchased a zeppelin to travel in. The expense alone…"

His Majesty shrugged. "A nation needs pomp and ceremony, and an empire moreso. A plane is more practical, but it leaves something to be desired as a symbol of my people." He walked past me and began fixing a glass of Hanover whiskey.

Before he could take a sip, I raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps, Sire, you shouldn't have any more to drink. We'll be landing soon, and you should best be sober regardless of what you decide."

His Majesty gave me a queer look. "Do you have so little faith that you think I'd decide matters of state drunk? I gave the orders before we left Franklin."

And by the end of the day, we were at war.

[Faeelin]

Originally Posted by caffran

No mythology surrounding the 'founding fathers', who in reality were a bunch of bloody crooks. the 'revolution' had nothing to do with liberty for the masses and all to do with the continental congress getting the tax money they paid to Britain for things like defence, trade, building grants, agrarian subsides, etc,etc.

This seems a bit odd. Americans after the Revolution paid more in taxes and engaged in a costly struggle for... a few pence? What, did they not have cost-benefit analysis in 1775 Boston?

The Genocide of the native Americans would never have happened.

Tell it to the Tasmanians.

Japan would not have been forced out of it's peaceful feudal state and into an industrialised nation with worldwide aspirations. would not have copied American ideals of 'expansion' amd then got slapped down hard due to making America nervous.

Herm. Japan copied a great deal from Britain, you know.

[El Pip]

This could be quite a quick war, if Bevan and Baldwin are anything like their OTL counter-parts expect idiocy, incompetence and a ruined economy. Of course I could be wrong, but our author does have form here so I'm expecting nothing but misery and pain for Britain.

Though with a caddish monarch in a Zeppelin who cares? I'm rooting for the debauched king with the RAF flunkies, hopefully he can knock some sense into the clearly not very bright and very naive narrator.

[trekaddict]

A British republic. We are dooooooooooomed! Doomed I tell you! That said, it should be fun to see how the Monarchy tries to hold on.

[rule_them_all]

Originally Posted by Faeelin

This time we've got a war planned from the get-go. The only better angels of our nature will be the Valkyrie bombers.


Le Douche is staying far, far away.

maybe they should create a new techteam to make knightmares
I'm looking forward to see the chinese federation

[Fancykiller65]

looking forward to this. Is America facist? Or what? I'm confused.

[SovietAmerika]

Originally Posted by Fancykiller65

looking forward to this. Is America facist? Or what? I'm confused.

It says America is Social Liberal on the first post, and John Nance Garner is HoG, despite most of Texas is in Mexico.

[Faeelin]

Originally Posted by SovietAmerika

It says America is Social Liberal on the first post, and John Nance Garner is HoG, despite most of Texas is in Mexico.

I am not going to get a bunch of new pictures and change them so you people can see heads of states that look differently.

Originally Posted by Fancykiller65

looking forward to this. Is America facist? Or what? I'm confused.

No no, fascism is what those frightful continentals do. America is a nation of laws. Laws which fall more harsly upon some than others, especially after emergency acts in Parliament.

Originally Posted by rule_them_all

maybe they should create a new techteam to make knightmares
I'm looking forward to see the chinese federation

It's really, really hard not to come up with an armored unit called that at some opint.

Originally Posted by El Pip

This could be quite a quick war, if Bevan and Baldwin are anything like their OTL counter-parts expect idiocy, incompetence and a ruined economy. Of course I could be wrong, but our author does have form here so I'm expecting nothing but misery and pain for Britain.

Note you don't actually know who the war's with. The King-Emperor has a plan, you see. Although he works for the colonials, not against them.

Though with a caddish monarch in a Zeppelin who cares? I'm rooting for the debauched king with the RAF flunkies, hopefully he can knock some sense into the clearly not very bright and very naive narrator.

Oh, come now. The Narrator was obviously being sarcastic.

[El Pip]

Originally Posted by Faeelin

Oh, come now. The Narrator was obviously being sarcastic.

A man who can't see the point of recreational Zeppelin (doubtless Helium filled as this is the US) is not very bright and lacks any sense of flair, style or sophistication. Thus I have a decidedly low opinion of the narrator and will believe the worst of him unless proven otherwise.