GC 3Q1902

[Borys]

 6 July 1902

The river was just a shadow of its past self, a pathetic trickle dribbling down off a sharp ledge. The foamy pool at the "waterfalls"'s base in turn fed a muddy-red ribbon threading its way through the valley it had once carved out. How long it had been this way was difficult to judge, but the jungle was already doing its best to reclaim the dried-up beds and flood plains.

The cause of this change in the environment was, in all likelihood, just beyond the ridge that Sanchez and Batista were climbing. Certainly the plumes of smoke and dust and the loud yet indistinct noise suggested something significant was happening that way.

"So we've seen enough evidence to suggest that an Anahuac enclave has been established here in the Amazon basin", Sanchez remarked.

"Yes", Batista agreed. The priest was surveying the rock slope ahead of them, watching for threats whose approach might be concealed by the passage of the river.

"Then how have they managed to slip through the French defences and get here with those numbers?"

Batista replied, "I believe it is not so much a matter of slipping through defences as being allowed to slip through defences. Remember that the papacy is in France - I have had occasion to deal with Frenchmen and have found them to be deceitful, dangerous men."

"That's more believable, but still hard to accept", Sanchez remarked. "It would put French control over Brazil at risk. The bribe must have been substantial."

"If a bribe was involved, yes. But perhaps it was blackmail", Batista suggested.

"Blackmail over what?", Sanchez asked, then answered his own question: "The Canal."

"Indeed. The French were quick to initiate the project after Rohan scattered the Anahuac to the winds - arguably too quick.. That canal is a huge undertaking and would require years of planning. I would theorize that the French were planning the canal in conjunction with the Anahuac before the war began, and merely resumed it after the matter of tenure had been decided. Establishing the Anahuac government here, before the Rohirrim seized them, was the price the French had to pay for Anahuac silence."

"I could believe that", said Sanchez. "The French public would be in an uproar - never mind our own government or the Rohirrim."

"Just as our government, for all its faults, will be in a justifiable uproar if it learns that the Anahuac cancer has spread to the Amazon."

"We'll find out momentarily", Sanchez noted, now just feet from the top of the slope. "We'll see what sort of outpost they've established here." He reached the top and lurched to a stop.

A dam spanned the valley upriver of them. Water cascaded through tunnels at its base and streamed off in a network of canals and spillways through fields of corn and orchards. At the top of the dam, hordes of pedestrians, horses, and even a few horseless carriages crossed back and forth to either side of the dam.

To either side of the city centred on that dam. Over a dozen buildings in one area exceeded six stories in height, many others three or four levels. Thousands of homes surrounded these structures, spreading along the valley slopes in orderly terraces cut from weathered rock. The houses ranged from simple wooden huts to palatial compounds, while the larger buildings were cut from red granite with what appeared to be gold trim.

Down the valley, enormous quarries or mines had been carved out of the valley, and what looked like a smelter belched a thick column of smoke into the hazy air.

A temple had been carved out of a hill along the east side of the valley, its pyramidal shape identical to what the two Gran Colombians had read about in the Anahuac Empire. As if to make the point clear, a titanic eye had been etched into the rocky side of the temple - and a huge metallic eye, seemingly crafted out of gold, stood astride the tip of the temple.

"Jesus Christ", Sanchez boggled. "That's some outpost."

"It is impressive", Batista said with irritation in his voice, "But hardly cause for blasphemy."

approved by Maddox
   
Top
The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Aug 7 2006, 07:49 AM


Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06



   
15 July

Rio de Janiero was not an unfamiliar sight for Captain Bolivar. Gran Colombian warships sailing from one coast to the other often put in at Rio along the way, it being especially welcomed after a rough trip around the Horn. The city's reputation as a party town was without parallel in South America, and the sailors loved it.

Usually. The sailors returning from twelve hour shore leave were telling him very similar tales:

"I saw a protest that ended with police attacking the demonstrators with truncheons."

"There was a French businessman being mugged in an alleyway as I went by. There was a whole gang there - I couldn't have done anything."

"Anti-French graffiti all over. Even on the cathedral."

Bolivar sighed. What was the world coming to when it was acceptable to deface the House of God?

From a few hundred yards away, Valiente's horn sounded four times, paused, and then four more times. It was the signal for all men shore that they had two hours to return to ship. "Admiral's pulling the plug early, Sir?", a lieutenant remarked from nearby.

"And with good reason", Bolivar answered. "We have more important tasks than cataloging Rio's descent into anarchy. Killing communists, for one."

La Prenca Nacional: 24 July 1902

President Alizandro today announced a general embargo on exports to the Baltic League, the People's Empire of Sovereign Nations, and the territories they illegally occupy.

"These criminal regimes would surely export their madness to our peaceful land, so there is no logic in providing them with the materials they need to succeed. Coal, sugar, fruit, rubber: they shall not have a pound of it."

Our great leader called upon other nations to follow his brave stance. "I say to the USA, the UKA, Rohan, the CSA, France: you, too, can make a difference. Do not supply those who would tear down your society and replace it with chaos. Do not give them the coal their warships need to threaten your shores. Do not give them the foodstuffs their armed mob needs to intimidate innocent peoples. Give them nothing but full broadsides and a cheer for capitalism!"

3 August

They were done.

For once, the guards seemed in no hurry to send them back to camp. Maybe they, too, realized the significance of it.

Guillermo Renaldo leaned on his shovel, starting blankly at excavation before him. The Culebra Cut extended for miles ahead, a shallow valley carved out of hill sides by thousands of men and hundreds of machines. Its slopes were shallower and wider than had been planned - but the geologists had ordered this to reduce the number of mudslides, and they'd been proven right. Vegetation was also sprouting up, the roots binding the soil together and the leaves and stems drawing up water that might make the soil more fluid.

"I can hardly believe it", remarked Paulo Cardero. Just as Renaldo had once been a jouranlist, Cardero had once been an engineer, heading up a torpedo research project back in Caracas. Renaldo had saved his life during a mudslide, just days after his arrival. They'd become friends since.

"Don't get too excited - I'm sure they've something more for us to do still", Renaldo said.

"I know - but we've survived Culebra. So many did not, it must be worth some small amount of celebration."

Renaldo nodded. "I suppose. They won't need us to build the locks - assuming they haven't done so already. In a year or two, this place will be underwater."
   
Top
The Rock Doctor    
Posted: Aug 8 2006, 06:02 PM


Hegemon
*

Group: Head of State
Posts: 463
Member No.: 57
Joined: 4-January 06



   
The air in the Admiral's Lounge was, as usual, thick and blue, as the senior officers in the Armada sat down, drinks in hand, to talk shop.

"It surprises me to say this", began Admiral Ruiz, "But I'm told we can expect a budget increase next year."

His colleagues were visibly startled by this welcome but wholly unexpected news. "What prompted that decision?", asked Admiral Castillo, cigar in hand.

"The ongoing tension with the Communists", Ruiz replied.

"Ongoing...", Vice-Admiral Estrada muttered. "It would already be over if El Presidente had seized the opportunities presented to him." In most circumstances, the statement would have been sufficient to earn a bullet to the back of the neck - but the staff in the lounge, all formerly lifers in the navy, had been hand-picked and were ultra-reliable.

"Regardless - we now have to figure out how to allocate the new money", Ruiz stated.

"I'm guessing that the choice was framed as being between a battleship and an armored cruiser?", Vice-Admiral Castro said slyly.

"Preference was given to new armored cruisers", Ruiz said. He quickly pointed his cigar at Vice-Admiral Estrada: "Don't start. We know you hated the Protector sale. We all hated it. Doesn't change anything."

"Fine. Naturally, I favor two improved Campeon class armored cruisers to address the short-fall. Give them turbines, it should make them much better", Estrada explained.

"We need battleships to deal with the PESN and League fleets if we have it out with them", Castro reminded the room.

"We need both", interjected Castillo, "But with a building time approaching two years, neither type is likely to be in service in time to matter."

"Always the contrarian", Castro grimaced. "So? Enlighten us."

"More torpedo-boat destroyers are a must. Four or even eight. Otherwise, recall what the Spanish did to the Swiss merchant marine. We need additional trade protection cruisers."

"That'll be a tough sell to the Minister", Ruiz told him.

"You've seen the report on the Spanish anti-commerce campaign", Castillo replied, "Make sure that the bureaucrats in Agriculture and Industry see it too. They'll make our case for us."
   
Top
Maddox    
Posted: Aug 9 2006, 01:08 AM


Hegemon
Group Icon

Group: Sim Moderator
Posts: 1,160
Member No.: 43
Joined: 6-March 05



   
Current events, Paris, the offfices of Premier Palpaté.

Minister Dupré, how pleasant you found time to join me in this unofficial ,but crucial meeting.

Piere, don't mess around with me. We both know we have a deep shit situation in Brazil. And if you're not intending to give me a part of the militairy budget you bloated like a tick on a fat chick; don't waste my time, I have a crisis to solve, not like you playing general with real soldiers and ships.

MINISTER DUPRÉ, you will keep civilised. I'm not your lapdog, nor is it my intention to keep insulting idiots on my cabinet. You, for starters will call me Premier Palpaté, with the right tone of respect. Secondly, I will not lower the budget for the army and navy with 1 cent, nor will I raise your budget with 1 millicent.
I called you here to say you will stop all social and welfare money intended to go to Brazil. Martial law will be enacted, and all state personel will be recalled to the army base of Saõ Conçalo.
If we don't use the brute force, Rio will become a republical graveyard with anarchy and communisme dancing on the tombstones.

But, but, Premier Palpaté, we can't do that, it will be the death of 1000's even 10 000's. If France would have payed attention to the needs of the colony, and not just sucking it dry for resources, it never would have come to this.

(in a sweet, dry voice, dripping with venom)
Minister Dupré, it's your third 5 year run as minister of Welfare and social affairs. You had already 10 years to rectify that oversight. And every year your budget increased with 3% on avarage. Your cabinets grew with 2% .Your income grew with 7% each year, on avarage.
Not the basic wage all the minsters get, but the additional benefits. You know what kind of "French benefits" I mean. The restaurants with the right companions, the evening meetings in the more pleasurable spots in town.
If you dare to complain about the navy and armies budget, I'll bring out these numbers, not the nicely colored tabels and curves for the main public.
No, it's simple. The army and navy will restore order in Brazil.
Even if it costs 100 000's lives. After that it will be you that goes there, and start a new campagne to get the people to work and rebuild . Not to demand social welfare to do nothing. I want Brazil clean, a South American France. Rio de Janeiro was already a partytown, but it will become the Paris of the southern hemisphere.
Next month I want a full outline how you want to achive this. Without additional funding. Take in account that the army won't be nice or friendly.

But Premier Palpaté, you're asking for the impossible. The people are right in their complaints. They have all the rights of a French citizen.
Even with your insane plan, I cannot do this.

(venom oozes from this)
Dear Gerard, then it's simple. I'll have to ask you to resign, and I'll get a competent young liberal for your post. Or do you think we gave in so easy on the demand of your party to include at least 1 minister from them... After all, the Liberal/Royalist coalition are the ones who call the shots and deliver the ministers... We couldn't withould real democraty from our voters, can't we?

Premier Palpaté, I'll give you a plan for brazil next month.

Then I think you'll have a load of work to do, I won't keep you from it.

(1 minutes later, 1 Dupré beaten as a dog shuffling away)

Denise? Is Minister Capet with you?

Yes premier.

Send him in, and give him the newpaper from Gran Colombia.

*****************************************************

Ah Minister Capet, enjoyed the little wait with Denise?

It was very entertaining and interesting to hear how you got Minister Dupré's coorperation, Premier Palpaté.

Can you read Spanish. Yes you can.... I know. So, read the article on page 2, wherin france is called to action against the heaten and anti capitalist peoples thingies of Spain and the Baltics.
Don't say anything. Just read it, and work out a way for France to support both sides without saying anything. And if possible. Arrange for Gran Colombia to spend more money and resources on their army and navy. I want that Darien Canal slowed.

Thank you, that's all. See you tomorrow Minister Capet.
Denise, can you deliver my lunch now? It was a very busy morning.