Rebuilding the Union

[aaaa2222]

What's the population of the different nations now?

[izixs]

That's a very good question. In the timeline those numbers are highly unknown. Though I can say that there is between 500,000 and 1 million in the New Union with various population centers. Columbia, Cago, and Atlan would probably be in the 2-300k range each, with most of their populations centered around the major cities and falling off towards the frontiers. Most people live agrarian lives and with the exception of those in areas that have seen fighting (aka, most of the New Union at this point), many of those that live far from the cities only interact with traders and wandering representatives of their nations (aka, those that might collect taxes or to hunt down people causing trouble) beyond talking to nearest neighbors.

More will probably come out when a census happens.

[izixs]

Greater Memphis Period: 280-297

AP 280: With the death of the popular general, the Roh group decided that a new figure head for their faction was needed. The council was much more divided that year, so the resulting change didn't result in a Roh friendly general, but instead a new position, Council Speaker. The Council Speaker would be the chief diplomat of the New Union, as well as the one responsible for ensuring the council's will was being done in the nation. The Speaker would serve single five year non-consecutive terms (another condition of getting the change past). Each state would get one vote for the speaker.

The first Council Speaker was Deirdre Holbroc, a compromise candidate.

282: War breaks out between the O-hi Agreement nations and Columbia after some initial successes by Columbia, the war enters a stalemate.

283: Speaker Holbroc manages to get representatives from all American Alliance nations to visit Memphis. Among the representatives are Cali Metal, Prince Vow of Atlan, and Mayor Keelder, the leader of Twin. At the meeting, the representatives of the Iowa nations announce to the alliance that the three nations would be uniting as the restored state of Iowa. They also made clear that they were doing so on their own and that they would not become subservient to any one member of the alliance (as some nationalist New Unionists were hoping).

Also at the meeting, Mayor Keelder and the representative of Cago showed great interest in the city of Memphis itself. Of the known metros of the time, Memphis was only beaten by Cago in population, but the old city center was much more inhabited by the denizens than Cago. (Only Cago's elite were allowed into the old the old city center at the time. Sort of a forbidden city.) As such, the city center was less dilapidated despite nearly two centuries since the plague compared to most other city centers. And there had even been areas restored by this point.

The positive impression of the city convinced the Cago representative to admit to Holbroc that the leadership of Cago had thought the New Union a barbaric group and that their joining the alliance had not been as had been thought at the time, an opportunity and not much more. And further more, that his being there was in total to determine if continued involvement in the alliance was going to harm or help Cago. The rep told Holbroc that they would return to Cago to sing the praise of the New Union.

Also discussed was interest by Tulsa to join the alliance. As the alliance was already getting large and unwieldy, there was much resistance and the response was decided to be to tell them to wait five years for a decision.

Also discussed was the war in the O-hi region. It was decided in the end that the alliance would not as a group get involved and that any nation that did would be on their own.

285: The O-hi war comes to an end, with the aid of Pits and Mitchegan. Some minor territorial gains were had by some of the O-hi members as a term of the Columbia surrender.

Also that year, rumors of unrest reach Memphis from Caroline. The nation's president was apparently killed by an assassin, resulting in the coalition that controlled Caroline to fall apart.

Johnny Red becomes Council Speaker.

286: Johnny Red publicly backs  the formation of a new society: the Steam Society. Its goal is to build a railway along the Big River, and another going from Litter Rock to Tucky. The Steam Society was the brain child of Gerberty Herberty, a machinist. Unlike some of those interested in recovering or refurbishing lost technology, he wasn't interested in jumping in on the hard stuff as diesel or electric trains were not feasible due to lack of fuel or a working power grid outside a few communities.  So he had done his research and found had developed an older form of transportation involving steam power. Speaker Red was him self an old tech enthusiast and thus was able to pull the strings to get Herberty's group formalized by the council.

Rumors begin to reach Memphis about an attack on the Dakota nations. By years end the rumors turn to the Dakota's being overrun entirely by a strong army from further north.

287: Tulsa joins the American Alliance.

288: The first Steam Society train makes its way north from Memphis.

The nations of Colby and Spencer join the Prarie Pact.

289: Succession movements in Caroline begin to bear fruit. Over the year, six factions break from the Caroline republic. One of them joins the Federal Union Group as it was almost entirely surrounded by Caroline. The gambit works as the FUG is feared by the Carolines.

Cago's leadership announces interest in the Steam Societies new train system. Herberty proposes a line linking Memphis and Cago, work to be completed in around a decade. The main difficulty of course was not the finding of proper iron or other metals for the tracks, but the actual smelting, as there were still yet few foundries. But Speaker Red's favor with the Roh group and his campaigning for the Steam Society was helping change that.

290: Rumors of war in the Florida peninsula reach Memphis. Ularo Crass become Council Speaker. Speaker Crass another meeting of the American Alliance. The meeting is again in Memphis. In the years since the last meeting, the New Union council had worked hard to repopulate the old city of Memphis, even to the point of encouraging abandonment of farms near the city. Cali Metal, was amazed at how much better the city was looking since her last visit.

On the agenda this time was the petition of Green, a nation bordering Caroline and Atlan, to join the American Alliance. A surprise item was also on the agenda, the fate of Knox and The Kays. A number of other American Alliance members were concerned about the pseudo-occupations of these territories, and their being held in uncertain status. As the year was 40 years past, and even the once youthful Cali Metal's memory of it was fading, these two areas of contention were seen as black marks on the New Union's talk of being a representative nation.

Speaker Crass agree to push the New Union council to determine the ultimate fate of Knox and The Kays.

Green joins the alliance.

292: Omaha is attacked by an army from something called Edmunt's Empire

The New Union council finally agrees to act on Knox and The Kays. The Kays would be absorbed into Missy. Knox would be given the option of either joining the New Union or West Caroline. Knox votes and opts for the New Union. It is believed that this is the case as West Caroline had long been a rival of Knox even before the first New Union War.

Fearing Caroline rebels and O-hi influence, the towns of Western Virginia join the New Union as a new zone: Appalachia.

293: The Prairie Pact goes into action to try to repel the invaders of the far west Omaha lands. By fall it is known that the combined armies of the pact have been repelled.

The President of the Great Lakes Republic, Joseph Joseph Chrome Joseph, visits Memphis after hearing of its wonders in the yearly debate about their mutual boarder with Cago. The president wanted to see for himself why Cago was loosing people to the city of the New Union. In fact a number of families of the Cago elite had moved to Memphis in the last few years due to the rumors of a glorious city. The first new electric generator had been put to use only a few weeks earlier and so President Joseph was greeted by Speaker Crass in an electric light council hall. The president was impressed by made it clear that he was happy Cagoians were heading that way and that he would not be so easily swayed. But it would lead to Columbia trying to catch up...

295: A massive invasion of Omaha begins. Renewed efforts by the Prairie Pact to turn back the army of Edmunt's Empire seemed to only delay the onslaught. Lisa Moonshaker becomes Council Speaker.

296: Word came that Sioux Falls was entirely overrun Sioux was also being taken. Edmunt's Empire was reaching the Topeka boarder. The Prairie Pact turned to the American Alliance for help. All but West Saints out right refused. The last official act of the aged Cali Metal was to order assistance to defend Omaha. If she hadn't done such, word of the reality of the new threat would of not been brought back to the other major players of the American Alliance. That Edmunt's Empire had a seemingly large army, fully equipped with repeating fire arms.

297: Speaker Moonshaker brings the American Alliance back together again in Memphis, a city well on its way to attaining its former glory, to discuss Edmunt's Empire. Intelligence is shared. They figure out that the Empire was very mobile, heavily armed, and well supplied. The Empire likely came from either a placed called Montannia, or else the 'ice covered forbidden land of Cana-duh', as the Twin rep described the regions to their north. And what more, Edmunt's Empire had made no attempt to communicate in any way other than through force of arms.

A vote was had and the Alliance decided that this threat was to much and that several members would soon be in danger. Not much respect was had for the Prairie Pact's army at this point so they figured the pact would be overrun in under a year.

At the end of the meeting, Bonzi Metal, leader of Central Satins, announced his intentions to exit the alliance.

[izixs]

Religions of After Plague[/b]

Faith was a very important part of many people's lives immediately after the end of the old world and since. However, with only a couple exceptions, no central authority has yet to assert dominance over the various churches and sects the remain as left overs of the previous tapestry of faith in North America. In fact, most churches are wholly independent of each other other than sharing common names or rights.

The Faiths

Baptist - By far the most common faith grouping in the New Union, Dallas, and Atlan, baptist is used to describe the christian churches that still use the christian bible as the source of their faith, emphasize full body emersion for baptism, and which resist external control of the local church. Baptist churches do not believe that the plague was part of the end times as the full rapture and events of revelation never took place, and most importantly, that the second coming of Christ has not happened.

Free Catholics - More prevalent in the northern Nations (where they're allowed), the Free Catholics are another old school christian collection of churches. They disagree with the Baptists on the matter of specific ceremonial issues (such as the style of baptism and when), but share their independent zeal. However, they do at the very least, claim to be waiting for the return of the true Pope who will unite the churches from his castle in the long lost city of Vatica. Most Free Catholic churches have priests, a few have bishops or cardinals and only a few people know why.

Saintly Catholics - Before the First New Union War, Saintly Catholics was the official and only religion of The Saints. During the initial expansion of the Saints there was a pope appointed by the grower and the defender jointly. Eventually once the Metal line took over, only the reigning defender had say. The Saintly Catholics share most of the same rites and beliefs as the Free Catholics, but of course believe their own pope to be the one true pope to speak for all christians to God. Since the war, only Central Saints maintains the Saintly Catholic Church as the state religion as only the defender of Central Saints maintains the power to appoint that pope.

N'Arlens Catholics - Again, similar to the Free Catholics, but with more ritual and practices borrowed from the baptists and a few other faiths now unheard of in coastal south (such as Voodoo). The fifty seven priests of the N'Arlens Catholics elect a bishop of N'Arlens to manage their assets, settles disputes between churches, and to try to recruit baptist and free catholic churches into their coalition. The N'Arlen Catholic church is also viewed as very corrupt by outsiders, as the leadership is often seen enjoying an extravagant life style with no clear source of income. Adherents claim that such a perception of wealth is needed in the N'Arlens sphere of influence in order to keep the church from being bought out by merchant princes.

Methidox - The churches that self describe as Methidox are those that have agreed to adhere to the Decree of the Reversed Schism, which was a document written in AP 21 by a gathering of twenty seven holy men of the various churches of christianity near Cago. The decree declares that the various denominations of christianity of the previous world had been proven wrong by God's forsaking of the world, and that the end times were upon the world but that every single faith had been wrong on that matter, and that even worse, God had halted the final judgement as all whom had been judged so far had failed the test and thus a second chance was needed. The Decree of the Reversed Schism lays out clearly the rites of the faith and the basic tenants, which include a promise that if they follow through and seek salvation that eventually the end times will begin again and the process finished properly. Methidox churches are found in most known areas by AP 300

Second Islam - Found only in Columbia, Second Islam is based on a large number of holy books of whom the prophet Zunny claims each contains parts of the true word of the divine. Most of the practices, as the name would suggest, are most similar to that of pre-plague islam, and that there is only one God. The biggest divergence is that there also exists and number of adversaries to God and the good, all of whom are spirits and entities created by man in order to sow corruption into the cosmos. And that one must resist the efforts of these evil creations in order to find salvation. Some of these spirit adversaries come from holy books and myths, such as Ravana (from Ramayana), and others are from a more historical source, such as Hitler. Second Islam vests church authority in five hereditary judges whom settle disputes between believers and whom are responsible for spreading the faith.

Luthwin - Shares a great deal of their faiths and practices with the old Lutheran church and found mostly in the far north west. Very divided overall as far as governance and unification of practices, but the member churches keep in contact and actively seek to help each other when in need. Some believe the large Luthwin presence in Iowa helped with the unification efforts as Luthwin churches there had always ignored the claims of the factions and crossed boarders.

Cult of Vix - Founds mostly in Cago and Indianap, the Cult of Vix is the fastest growing after plague faith known. The Cult of Vix believes that one of the other faiths was correct about how the world came to be, but they don't care, and don't believe what ever divine force that acted then is still in effect shaping the world. They also believe that their founder, Vix, figured out a way to for a time seize the reigns of the cosmos and to end the plague. What more, that Vix control the cosmos for a time but grew tired of the labor and gave up the power to return to Earth and spread the good news that anyone could rise to seize the reigns of all creation and to give clues on how to do so.

Mormon - There are very few churches of mormon in the known world by AP 300, but rumors persist of a mormon promised land past the deserted western plains and hidden behind the cracky rocky teeth of the world. The latter day saint believers follow a faith almost unchanged since before the plague and have shown a great resilience in maintaining it. Mormons also tend to keep away from members of other faiths, and thus in some areas, are feared and used as scape goats. This of course perpetuates the isolationism.

-----

Authors note: I've resisted talking about religion much in my timeline, mostly out of fear of sticking my foot in my mouth. The religions of North America in this time line are not meant to be 100% continuations of what they are today. Also the world of AP 300 is still not very populated. The main sources of power are still military might and ideas, but most the big common ideas come from the lost heritage of America, as as the time line has been progressing, the main faction to use that idea (the New Union) has been doing so sparingly.

All the same, I'm interested in feed back on my evolution of religion into a new era for this time line. In a couple weeks I'll see about getting back to this thing a little more full time too. (like an update a week or something crazy like that)

[Psychic Octopus]

Excellent.

[aaaa2222]

Excellent.

[Kevinstat]

Ehhhxcellent.

[izixs]

I actually need to get back to this. I have a ton of maps to write history for! :-D

[aaaa2222]

PLEASE, post some more.

[izixs]

The Second New Union War Begins

Never before had any of the leaders of the American Alliance seen an army as well equipped with guns, supplies, and horses as that which had swept out of the north west. The days of the lone gunslinger were fading as the secret of building guns, and more importantly for anything beyond black powder muskets, ammunition, had been slowly leaking out or in some instances, right out bought. But a few thousand usable guns through the entire alliance was no match for what was believed to be upward of tens of thousands being employed by Edmunt's Empire if the rumors and witnesses were to be believed.

As the year After Plague 298 began to open, the American Alliance was in a panic. The New Union, Iowa, and Cago could easily together match the numbers the spies and scouts reported back from the prairie, but without matching fire power they'd be cut down easily. Cannons would only be so useful on the plains as well. They're limited use and great success in the First New Union War was bolstered by the terrain of East Tenn and the fact that the Knoxians couldn't move quickly to attack the guns directly. On the open plain, the guns were easy targets for a highly mobile force and thus a liability to have to defend. So it was decided early that if the New Union's artillery was to be used it would be only for defense of fortifications or advantageous positions.

So the plan to prepare for the oncoming invasion was decided. It would be two fold. The first would be to avoid direct confrontations with the Edmuntian army for the beginning of the war except to defend major settlements, but instead to move behind their lines when possible to sabotage their supply lines and otherwise make life difficult for their main force. As such, the soldiers whom would fight were quickly taught to make use of this tactic. The second bit was to find a way to counter the technological advantage the enemy had. Which meant that reliable, repeating firearms had to be mass produced. Each nation involved in the war that could (as in was not likely to be totally overrun if the invasion came before the alliance was ready) was assigned quotas to meet by agreement of the leaders of the allies. This of course meant the New Union would have the greatest burden to carry as it was easily the most capable of such a feat.

The New Union council appointed a new Supreme Commander, Urmanda Clay.

Speaker Moonshaker's main job as the preparations went under way was to be the one to put the most pressure on Bonzi Metal to rejoin the alliance.

In summer of 298, Edmunt's Empire attacked the remaining members of the Prarie Pact. Omaha surrenders and swears loyalty to Edmunt's Empire. The entire army of Topeka is slaughtered shortly before Edmunt's army enters their city. By October Edmuntian forces had seized all by the furthest flung parts of the prairie pact nations.

Oddly enough the invasion that was believed to be coming didn't start in the west. Instead the Wisconsin Alliance was the first to make their move. It would be later found out that several of its members had sought out the empire to help in a plot to take over northern Cago which they believed belonged rightfully to Wisconsinites instead of the 'degenerate Chi-cogs'. (to use Wisconsinite phrasing) Cago had long ignored the claims of the city states and principalities to their north but were a little surprised when they invaded. Most of the Cago forces had either been assigned to watch the Great Lakes boarder (in case they tried something while everyone else was busy) or helping Iowa ready its defenses, and thus an attack from the north was highly successful, quickly seizing most of Milwaukee in the first week.

The chaos this brought resulted in half finished fortifications being abandoned in Iowa as panicked Cago elites recalled their personal units (a prestigious honor to hold) to defend personal estates and lands back home, some even quite far from the Wisconsin invasion.

Before a formal complaint could be delivered to Cago, Edmunt's Empire attacked. The war had begun.

The empire's army had been split effectively four ways. The first part was being used to keep control of the prairie pact nations it had taken earlier in the year. One section was being sent south to attack Tulsa, by years end the enemy had pushed its way south to the edge of the capital. The third section was being sent out in a wide swath through Iowa and Twin in an attempt to seize the grain stores of the north before they could be brought back to the cities for safe keeping. This plan didn't go so well as Iowa and Twin had prepared for this possibility and knew that keeping their food would be the only way to survive the winter if the enemy attacked. The final section of the Edmunt army was sent straight for Kacity. As winter fell the city was over run and an Edmunt friendly leader, Doctorior Flip, installed to control the city state.

Tulsa, seeing incoming destruction, opted for a gambit. They surrendered, but not to the enemy empire, but to Oklahoma. The governor of Oklahoma not really knowing what to do and seeing the very public announcements by Tulsa as basically meaning that her city would be next, figured that they might as well, and thus joined sides with the American Alliance and rushed their ill equipped and small defenses forward to try to slow the empire near Tulsa.

During all of this, word came to Speaker Moonshaker of two other developments. Columbia had in fact opted to do something while the American Alliance was distracted, attack the O-hi nations. On the other side of things, several nations of old Texas had seen the writing on the wall and formed up a bloc against Edmunt's Empire. But they had no interest in helping out Oklahoma/Tulsa at present, but instead readying themselves, as the American Alliance had, for the coming attack. Greater Texas might eventually stand with the alliance, but not yet.

[Bo]

Great TL. Keep up the good work.

[izixs]

Second New Union War - 298 (Jan-March)

Jan. 7 - The three day battle of Muskogee ends with Edmunt's Empire routing most of the former Tulsan defenders. Tulsa itself falls shortly after.

Jan. 10 - The Wisconsins's Alliance begins to raid eastern Twin. Unlike with Cago, the distraction does work.

Jan. 11 - An Edmunt's Empire fighting force of 8,000 encounter a force of 5,000 from Twin on the road south near Owa-ton-na. The Twin army flees, leading the enemy north west in a delaying tactic meant to pull the more powerful army between a series of bottlenecks created by a number of near by lakes. The pinch points lead to ambushes of Edmunt stragglers.

Jan. 16 - The Watcher of Nashville reports to the New Union Council that he had caught a group of enemy spies. Interrogations for most were unhelpful, but two did let on that the arson the empire was invading and pushing east and south was to take control of the fertile lands of the midwest and that the empire was ruled by Emperor Scott, whom was likely leading troops in the war. No information is gained on who this 'Edmunt' person is.

Jan. 17 - Cago apologizes to the alliance for its failures so far during the war.

Jan. 21 - The siege of Des Moines begins. Edmunt forces encounter New Union artillery for the first time.

Feb. 3 - Wisconsin is stalled south of Milwaukee and thus make a push on other lines of battle further west.

Feb. 4 - Edmunt forces in Oklahoma seem to be reorganized. Some begin to travel west, grabbing control of towns along the northern edge of the Oklahoma.

Feb. 7 - Edmunt forces begin striking east out of Kacity. A group of Edmunt soldiers locate the resting home of Cali Metal, whom had been bed ridden for three years, and kill her. Acting West Saints leader, Burgess Metal assumes total control.

Feb. 8 - Edmunt soldiers encounter New Union fighters in the battle of Joplin.

Feb. 11 - Joplin falls. The New Union fighters flee with only minor losses and begin guerrilla fighting as instructed.

Feb. 17 - General Villie, nominally head of the New Union forces of Bama, attacks an Edmunt encampment south of Des Moines. The battle of Cumming results in the first major win by the American Alliance with the deaths of 2000 Edmunt soldiers compared to only 900 Iowans and New Unioners.

Feb. 22 - Possibly as a respone to the battle of Cumming, Edmunt forces start pushing east north of Des Moines.

Feb. 28 - Burgess Metal dies in battle defending Sedalia in the battle of the same name. Alister Metal takes nominal control of West Saints at the age of 15.

March 1 - The first 100 Bando Mk. 1 riffles roll off the production line in Jackson.

March 12 - Battle of Chillicothe results in the near destruction of the West Saints mobile forces. Que Metal of East Saints takes nominal control of West Staints defenses.

March 14 - Que Metal orders all West Saint fighters to avoid confrontation with Edmunt troops at all costs, but to instead go underground. Some defy orders and keep fighting directly.

March 22 - Edmunt troops reach the Cago boarder were Wisconsin forces meet them in friendship.

March 23 - The New Union attacks Edmunt positions in West Saints with mix success and many casualties. The Bando Mk. 1 riffle sees action for the first time.

March 25 - The main column of Edmunt troops based in Kacity begins to move north towards Des Moines.

[aaaa2222]

This is my favorite timeline, ever. Please continue.

[izixs]

Second New Union War - 298 (April-June)

April 1 - A force of New Union and East Saints soldiers raid the rear of the force of Edmunt's Empire moving on Des Moines. The commander of the raid soon finds the enemy following and opts to flee south east into Central Saints.

April 2 - Wisconsin attacks Twin from the east. The cities of Twin are besieged.

April 4 - Edmunt's Empire enters Central Saints in pursuit of the American Alliance forces. The American Alliance forces are already way ahead of them and have turned west to try to liberate West Saints towns.

April 5 - The Battle of Oklahoma begins. Edmunt forces have moved to encircle the old city. As Oklahoma hadn't really been in on the prep for the war, they're taken off guard by the weaponry and tactics used by the Edmunt army. But all the same the battle is valiantly fought but also very bloody.

April 7 - Twin falls to Wisconsin forces. Edmunt forces begin to redistribute on the front lines, pushing excess troops further south to help with Des Moines and Saints territories.

April 11 - Oklahoma City falls to Edmunt forces. But it will be still more days before the city is fully secure. The locals are not happy with the take over.

April 16 - Wisconsin and Cago share success and failure on the same day. In the east near the lake, Cago pushes Wisconsin allied forces north and out of Milwaukee. In the west, Wisconsin seizes De Kalb.

April 18 - Central Saints forces finally confront Edmunt troops in a direct attack. Needless to say the attack was a failure. Edmunt troops cut through Central Saints southward. Bonzi Metal dies in the encounter. Crow Metal takes over Central Saints.

April 27 - The large Edmunt force that had been cutting through the western half of Central Saints crosses the boarder into the New Union.

April 29 - The battle of Springdale. An expeditionary force from Edmunt's Empire attacks Litter Rock's north east corner and meets heavy resistance lead by the New Union, but also with a fairly large contingent of Atlan soldiers. The American Alliance forces managed a win and repulsed the expedition.

May 3 - Outside Des Moines, allied forces manage to repel a large assault but with heavy losses.

May 4 - With control over central Oklahoma more secure, the souther column of Edmunt troops splits in two to secure the rest of the nation, one group going south east and the other southwest.

May 11 - Rumors suggest and spies report that the repulse of the Edmunt forces from Litter Rock was noticed. The enemy at siege on Des Moines seem fewer and with Twin out of the picture the most northerly column of the enemy has dispersed further south. In fact, it would be later known that they were regrouping in Kacity.

May 12 - The enemy force that had cut through Central Saints turns west just north of the Litter Rock boarder.

May 17 - Cago attacks DeKalb and manages to win the town back. But not much more.

May 21 - With most of Misour taken by the enemy, unrest begins to seep into the collective consciousness of the New Union. The council begins to demand answers of Supreme Commander Clay. Clay responds with reiterating the win at Springdale and the fact that they don't have much contact with the friendly units working behind enemy lines.

May 29 - The battle of Branson. An expeditionary force is again spotted by American Alliance defenders a couple days out, with just enough time for friendly troops with guns to be brought to bear. They meet them near Branson and are evenly matched. But the battle turns as Edmunt reinforcements appear and push the defenders back and through the city. The American Alliance troops flee south and are pursued by the enemy.

June 4 - Battle of Alpena. Again a clash of American Alliance troops, mostly New Union and Atlan, armed with fire arms, and the army of Edmunt's Empire. This battle however ends in a slim win for the defenders. All the same, the defenders soon flee to try to find a better point to stall the enemy.

June 9 - Edmunt troops enter Amarillo territory. Soon the Gerater Texas alliance will be fighting along side the American Alliance.

June 10 - Battle of Brewer Lake. The American Alliance troops that had been stalling the Edmunt expeditionary force are surprised in the wilderness of Litter Rock by not just the expeditionary force, but the rest of the Edmunt forces that had been gathering in Kacity the previous month. The defenders are trapped on a hill with steep sides where they hold out for most of the day. But after night fall, the enemy manages to find their way up another route and destroy the American Alliance troops.

June 12 - With the main obstacle to their efforts in Litter Rock taken care of, Edmunt forces spread out and begin to systematically scouring the Ozark hills, looking for other New Union pockets of resistance and taking towns.

June 16 - Supreme Commander Clay realizes that the number of settlements in the New Union, Iowa, and even in the various Saints regions are what is slowing the enemy down the most. They had swept across the plains without much efforts as most of the countries there had concentrated themselves around major towns and cities, with only sparse settlement beyond. But in the more heavily populated regions, Edmunt's Army was having to secure territory, not just take over the main points of interest. Even so, they were very efficient at this and the pattern of the enemy's movements seemed to suggest that they wished to establish themselves tightly all along the edge of the great plains before winter. The invasion of Litter Rock was mostly to keep the New Union from being able to strike with impunity at Oklahoma or Misour areas from the hills there during the cold months later in the year. On the other hand, the siege of Des Moines was going slowly for the enemy. Partially due to the resiliency of the defenders, but possibly also the enemy wanted to make sure they were able to handle the city before taking it.

Supreme Commander Clay pointed this out to the New Union council as well as the allied military leaders. The goal for sharing this realization was to try to assure them that Kacity falling was a fluke and that they should have confidence in the abilities of the New Union to keep the enemy out of their major cities. Some of the side effects of course were calls to pull back to the cities and to abandon the country side. Something that would of course make Edmunt's Empire able to return to the tactics they used on the great plains.

June 17 - Battle of Clarksvilles. A united army of Greater Texas repel 3000 Edmunt troops shortly after they entered Dallas territory. The united army soon goes home, their leadership believing the enemy has been scared off.

June 20 - Cago attempts to seize Madison from Wisconsin but fails in one of the biggest blunders of the war. Wisconsin manages to kill over 500 Cago soldiers for only 13 losses of their own as the Cago expedition finds itself trying to pass through  several old factory buildings. The buildings were barely standing and several were collapsed atop the attackers.

June 21 - The first representative from Edmunt's Empire is brought to Memphis. After some unsettling treatment, they say they wish to make way for an official envoy from the empire to the New Union. It is eventually agree to, but the envoy would be brought to Nashville, not Memphis.

June 25 - The Edmunt troops in Litter Rock begin burning settlements and forcing the inhabitants to relocate to Forty Smith.

June 29 - The Edmunt representative is met by the New Union council in Nashville. The first thing 'Ambassador Bob' demands is unconditional surrender of all New Union territory west of the Big River. This is of course rejected. Ambassador Bob then points out that he can be the voice of the Empire to the New Union and for the New Union to the Empire until the end of hostilities. Despite a mob outside, Ambassador Bob is not ejected but is put under effective house arrest during his stay.

June 30 - The battle of Newton is a major success for the New Union. 700 enemy are killed when Edmunt troops enter what was supposed to be an abandoned town. American Alliance troops however had snuck in and set up traps for the enemy. When the allied forces popped up to grab their attention, the rush to kill or capture lead to the enemy quickly being tossed into disorder.

[aaaa2222]

Once again, this is the best timeline

[izixs]

I'm curious what appeals to you about it.

[aaaa2222]

I love apocalyptic future tales, and this is the only active one around here. I'm tired of other timelines, which stay relatively true to history, where this one just takes a completely new path.

[izixs]

Second New Union War - 298 (July-September)

July 3 - The Wisconsin Alliance opts to go on the offensive, beginning a long hard march towards flanking Cago on the west. The purpose for this wouldn't become obvious for a few more weeks.

July 4 - Edmunt forces mount a massive attack against Des Moines and finally take the city. However securing the city would delay them for almost a month. American forces flee to Cedar Rapids on that front but continue to harass the Edmunt troops when they can.

July 12 - Old Little Rock falls to Edmut's Empire after days of house to house fighting. The result leaves over half the city population dead as they had no intention of being conquered yet again.

July 15 - Working off successes on the Iowa and Litter Rock fronts, Edmunt's Empire attempts for a triple by attacking Dallas. However they're southern most forces are turned away and instead start tracking west ward to take advantage of the large open country there.

July 19 - Far from the New Union, some of the Republics of Colorado, having noticed a noticeable decrease in Edmunt forces near their boarders, attack into western Nebraska, liberating the few settlements there. However the decision on which of them would lay claim to Western Nebraska would take a little longer to settle.

July 28 - The Upper Peninsula joins the Wisconsin's Allies. This is made known to the leadership in Cago when a letter from Emperor Dark Wolf III is brought to them. (it had been affixed to a Cago defender's body when U.P. had attacked the town of Holyand.

August 1 - Central Saints fends off an Edmunt attack on their city. Crow Metal signals that Central Saints will rejoin the American Alliance if it can.

August 6 - The New Union demands that in exchange for being able to work with New Union soldiers and to get New Union troops Crow Metal must step down after the war and allow for an election of the next 'Metal'. Crow reluctantly agrees.

August 12 - Battle of Pontiac ends in a draw between Wisconsin and Cago. But it does halt the Wisconsin push for the moment. News of this would quickly come to Emperor Dark Wolf, whom had pledged his support contingent on Wisconsin begin able to cut off Cago from their eastern marches. He orders a slowing of their push into eastern Cago.

August 16 - Colorado soldiers attempt an expedition to Omaha but are repulsed. Abilene in Texas falls to Edmunt forces.

August 17 - Edmunt troops assault one of the Big River forts near the Saints boarder but are surprised by the artillery fire and are repulsed. However they dig in just out of range of the canons and begin to look for opportunities.

August 18 - Supreme Commander Clay, hoping to have a major victory before fall for which to report to the New Union council, attacks Edmunt forces in Litter Rock with a force of 500. They make it many miles into the territory before they meet the enemy. The battle is fierce and each side evenly matched for the most part. But for the around 500 Edmunt soldiers killed, all 500, including Clay are killed in the resulting battle.

August 21 - Edmunt troops move on Cedar Rapids and begin to siege the city.

August 29 - Cago again attempts to take Madison but is repelled even more easily than before.

September 8 - Commander Vernie Hops of Ark is elevated to Supreme Commander.

September 9 - A riot breaks out in Tellahoma over rationing practices hitting the city hard.

September 10 - Ambassador Bob let's on that he doesn't represent all of Edmunt's Empire, but Prince Darius Edmunt, one of the sons of the High King and Emperor of Edmunt's Empire. Prince Darius had hopped to be the one to leverage a New Union surrender to gain favor with the high king.

September 16 - The battle of Louis happens at the same time as the battle of Hope (also known as the 'Loosing of Hope'). The northern battle results in Central Saints repelling a massive attack by Edmunt decisively and capturing several of their commanders. The Battle of Hope however yields to the collapse of the defenses in western Ark, much to the dismay of Commander Hops.

September 22 - A request from Indinap for help against Columbia is ignored by the New Union with obvious justification.

September 26 - Unrest in Jackson nearly results in the city moving towards anarchy as violence breaks about between the residents and the soldiers collecting supplies for the war effort.

September 28 - The massacre of Corning Ark happens. The slaughter of an entire town shocked the New Union.

The first new Union War had been tough but had been fundamentally about controlling people and territory. The second new Union War was quickly becoming something different. And the New Union council wanted this to be well known as quickly as possible.

Thankfully for the New Union, despite the loss of Litter Rock, the enemy had been slowed to a crawl on various fronts. As later military experts would profess, the weak and lightly populated parts of the New Union and their allies were lost, but the core of the Alliance was still strong. But all the same, they faced many challenges. Edmunt's Empire still out gunned the allies and had taken several strategic points (Des Moines, Kacity, Litter Rock) and had come far south enough to be able to keep fighting through the winter if need be. What more, Cago was still being attacked by Wisconsin and the rest of the Alliance couldn't much help.




[Kind of a light update, but really most of the events during this update are just Edmunt's Empire taking stuff and being slowed down so its not that complex.]

[Psychic Octopus]

If I may ask, what is going on in California and Hawaii in this TL, as well as Europe and Asia.

[Psychic Octopus]

By the way, this is one of my favorite TLs. It's a very interesting concept, and you sir can write a captivating story.

[izixs]

Europe and Asia I haven't thought much about yet, but should get on to after this war. Hawaii has a rough confederation of island governments and tribes, but really Honolulu is in control. Every once in a while they get it in their heads to try to find the 'mystical main land' but half the expeditions come back with nothing, most the rest never come back at all, and a few find other islands. Hawaii is otherwise lightly populated and culturally a mix of American, Hawaiian, and Japanese that has become fairly homogeneous.

California on the other hand is a bit more chaotic. Its mostly broken up into a number of city states with the largest of course being Los Angeles (which itself was unified semi recently). But Los Angeles is still beholden to other city states for food and at times water so its not nearly the most influential.

And thank you for the compliment.

[aaaa2222]

Very, very good. Are there any powerful forces existing in Mexico?

[Eleden]

Tis' this the same izixs as the one who played Senate Seeker so very long ago? 

[izixs]

Oh snap Eleden found me.

As for Mexico yes there are a few large and powerful groups, but I haven't decided which (if any of the current ones) will be relevant in the timeline yet.

[Eleden]

Indeed.  Took a break from my day job as a swashbuckling pirate to browse these boards. 

Love the timeline.  Excellent work as expected.