This is my 2nd attempt at a story, unfortunately my previous attempt (Tokugowa Dynasty) died a death when I upgraded from 1.16 to 1.29 and so the save stopped working...

Anyway this is not a mod as the title might suggest as I am far from qualified to make any sort of mod, i wouldnt even no how to start! So I've simply selected that Americans as my civ, as of all the civs they bear the closest resemblance to Australia and changed names around :rolleyes: If I could add an Anzac unit I would but I cant so I wont. My own self imposed restriction is that when I can I must research Amphibious warfare to unlock marines as they are the closest approximation.

So without further adieu lets get this thing started!

Vanilla 1.29

Large Pangea 70% water
Wet, Temperate, 4 billion years old
Raging Barbarians
12 Random Civs
Emperor

Part 1 - The Inheritance
We do not inherit the earth from our fathers... we borrow it from our children

It is the year 4000bc and John Curtin has risen up to rule the Industrius, Expansionistic Australians! After 5 decades of searching they have come to settle here! On one end of the Murray River system, the people of Australia settled down to found the city of Canberra! No-one knows from where or for what purpose they are here.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9554/canberra5ux.jpg

The people began to tend to their cattle and initiatives were put in place to expand the workforce soon. However it was not long before the people of Australia found they were not alone. A people who called themselves the Apache tribe were discovered to the south-west and were peaceful. Some restless spirits asked the envoys of Australia if they could go with them to settle their own city and John Curtin concurred, and these people headed east for new lands.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5379/apachesettler5ai.jpg

After a century of wanderings the Apache Australians came to a mountain range overlooking the southern mouth of the great Murray River system and settled a new city their naming it Sydney.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9969/sydney7py.jpg

It wasnt long before the people of Australia once again encountered a foreign people. Like the apache the friendly tribe of the Teoihuacan's were keen to send some of their people out to join the Australians, these people vowed to Curtin that they would defend Australia with their lives.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8415/teoihuacan6en.jpg

After centuries of peaceful farming, and tending to their cattle a vocal group declared that Canberra must defend itself! And so to silence this restless people John Curtin decreed that a force of warriors be trained to protect the city. This was followed soon after by a second force of wariors. While in Sydney a group of the Apache had organised themselves into a local militia to protect their new home.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4214/warriors6tv.jpg

The explorers from Canberra continued their journey down the west coast of Australia and encountered another friendly tribe, the Incans. These people were great cartographers and offered to Australia detailed maps of the area however they refused to teach Australia how these maps were made.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/375/incan4jt.jpg

The people were wasting much of their harvest during the summer months leading to mass hunger in the winter so John Curtin ordered the construction of a granary to store food for the winter and help prevent waste.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4341/granary1ni.jpg

opinions so far? feedback?

edit* why doesnt the last picture work? link has been triple checked and the link is right
edit2* and yes i am aware that in those screenshots 'canberra' is called washington, that has been fixed now and i'm not quite sure how that happened seeing as how I NAMED it canberra :rolleyes:

Keep posting on the story, I think it will get interesting as you meet more civs.

Good start!:goodjob:

The Australian explorers continued southward and there they discovered a foreign people unlike any they had before encountered. These people were well organised and advanced. They called themselves the English and they were ruled by the despot Queen Elizabeth. These English had an air of superiority that irritated John Curtin and it was clear that he did little himself to please the English Queen. However during their meeting, on the plains south of Canberra a deal was struck. Elizabeth agreed to teach the Australian people their alphabet and language if in return Australian architects would show her people how to work stone effectively and if John Curtin was willing to supply her people with the sum of 23 pounds of gold.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/3369/english3ma.jpg

Canberra's granary was finished and the people were able to store more food and the city began to grow as a result. However it was not long before the people of Canberra became restless and a number of adventurous souls asked for permission to leave the city. Curtin allowed these people to go and the travelled southwest toward toward the river where they founded the city of Melbourne.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/3782/melbourne4ok.jpg

Australian workers from Sydney who were busy building roads through the forests to the east were alarmed when foreign warriors from a land they called 'Egypt' surrounded them. Fortunately these Egyptians were friendly. Like the English they too were ruled by a despot Queen, named Cleopatra. John Curtin found her a much more agreeable person than Elizabeth and took an instant liking to her, she kindly offered to teach the Australians the Egyptian method of Cermonially burning the dead in exchange for a small fee and Curtin was only too happy to oblige.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/4445/egyptwars8eu.jpg
http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/2645/egypt9yl.jpg

The lands were the first meeting took place, the Eastern Forests soon became something of a tourist attraction for those wishing to learn something of Australia's recent past and it wasnt long before a group of entrepeneurs created a camp site for tourists to stay, this small campsite however quickly grew into a small village, named Brisbane for the supervising workman who first encounterd the Egyptian warriors.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/8250/brisbane8ne.jpg

In 2230BC a strange, elderly man entered the government house of Australia. John Curtin and his advisors were intruiged by this strange fellow.
'Greetings Prime Minister Curtin, my name is Herodotus, I have travelled the world from tribe to tribe learning about them and their history. I have finished the first volume of what I call 'The Great History of the world', this volume is 'The Wealthiest Nations of the World.' Would you care to take a look?'
John Curtin hesitantly took the heavy book from the old man and opened it. His people knew the English alphabet well but this book was simply a blur to Curtin, he could not understand it.
'Ahem, maybe I should just read it to you shall I?' offered Herodotus.
'The Wealthiest Nations of the World...' began Herodotus.
'Why dont you just tell us who they are?' asked Peter Costello the treasurer.
Herodotus sighed, some people had no appreciation for the hard work he had put in.
'Very well, first is yourselves, the Glorious Australians! You're people are the richest I have ever seen and your empire boasts a wealth that other nations only dream of.'
As the list was read out John Curtin heard the names of tribes he knew nothing about, although he was delighted to hear that the English did not even earn a mention in the list.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/1213/wealthiest4jr.jpg

It was not long before more people in Canberra grew weary of the city life and yearned for adventure. Another group left the city and made their way north west to the coast were they settled the town of Adelaide. That same year members of the Apache tribe who lived in Sydney desired to return home and many of them left the city to journey back to their home lands. Their on the banks of the Darling river, which flowed from the Darling Downs mountain range, the decendants of the Apache tribe founded the city of Perth.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/6572/perth9wb.jpg

Clearly the wealth of Australia was attracting jealousy from all people, the barbarian tribe the Chehalis attacked the city of Melbourne seeking to pillage but the brave Australian warriors held their ground defiantly and the attack was repelled.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/2082/barbs18pa.jpg

People were now leaving Canberra almost as fast as the city was growing, one group travelled west from Adelaide where they rested for a time, to the Kimberly hills overlooking the western ocean and there they founded the city of Darwin. The people of Darwin set off to utilise their new land and in doing so discovered the Saxon tribe who were deeply religious and they taught the Australians the secrets of Mysticism, of communicating with the gods.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/1046/darwin0ck.jpg
http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/3283/saxmyst7wy.jpg

However the wealth of Australia was still attracting enemies, barbarians attacked the city of Perth but the brave members of the Apache tribe defeated the barbarians with ease.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/1083/barbs23uc.jpg
http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/264/barbsdef9nw.jpg

Another group of explorers from Canberra journeyed further south from Perth along the Darling River system and came to a fertile land with lovely forests, many wild game and where numerous cattle grazed and they decided to make this land their home. They named their city Hobart and so the Empire of Australia continued to expand.

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/4333/hobart1mo.jpg
However, danger, was just around the corner...
http://www.labor.iu.edu/organizeindiana/images/clip%20art/Danger%20Sign.JPG

And so for centuries more Australia continued to expand and grow. In this time many new cities were founded ranging from Hervey Bay on the south-west corner of the continent all the way to Cairns in the North-east.

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/8035/newcastle5ne.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/8715/richmond7ar.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2347/rockhampton3de.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2530/townsville3tl.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5933/balarat2gk.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/3889/bendigo3bw.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/8868/kimberley3hs.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5948/geelong0tn.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/1658/hbay6ng.jpg
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/6150/cairns9us.jpg

But though it was a time of great expansion and adventure it was also an era of an ever improving quality of life...

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/3071/incense2hx.jpg

...But also of more peril as more violent tribes came seeking to steal the wealth of Australia.
And sometimes these barbarians were succesful...

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2236/barbs0oh.jpg

...and had to be punished...

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6124/barbcamp0rt.jpg

It was during these years that Australia came into contact with many other tribes, some like the Anasazi were crude and primitive others however were not. Some of the tribes that the Australians met in this time were great sprawling civilizations who rivaled Australia. However it was not always so obvious whether these people were friend or foe. Some situations which seemed desperate...

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8673/aztec12xs.jpg

turned out to be meetings of great importance.

The new civilizations Australia encountered were very diverse, along with the Egyptians who valued hardwork and spirituality above all else and greedy English who wanted simply money and territory, there were

the warlike, yet spiritual Aztecs.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2364/aztec28xp.jpg

the greedy and aggresive Romans

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4503/rome4iz.jpg

and the peaceful religious traders of the Indians

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/573/india9ux.jpg

they all offered to teach the Australians secrets which had so far elluded Australia's scientists and thinkers.

Others like the fierce warrior-priests of the Japanese had little to offer but maps

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9185/jap19hy.jpg

and they were all particularly keen to get their hands on maps of Australia.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9425/jap26tj.jpg

These new tribes began to form relationships with Australia, some, like that with the Egyptians, Aztecs and Indians, were amicable. Others, like those with the Romans or English had a lot of tension. As the lands of Australia began to develop and as cities grew the people of Australia began to look enviously at their foreign neighbours. Word reached Australia of great accomplishments.

Stories from the east told of gigantic stone tombs for the dead, and the word was that a man had risen in England who spoke the will of the gods who was the divine incarnation of the gods on earth, a great prophet.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5327/pyramids2jx.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2262/oracle1rw.jpg

And word came from far away of two mysterious lands known as France and as Germany, where, rumour had it, there was a great statue of Bronze, 50 feet high, and even more impressively; tales of a Great Library wherein all the knowledge of the world was kept.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8692/lib8ii.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2148/col6rr.jpg

But John Curtin was not impressed by these rumours.
'What good is a 50 foot statue? What is so wonderful about tombs for the dead? We are a secular state, what do we care about the gods of other countries?' he told his advisors.
'Make Australia a wonder of the world. Let us be known not for the glory of a single structure but for the magnificence of our empire, the strength of our armies, and the power of our economy. The English call us weak, they look at us with contempt. Let us show them that Australia is not weak, let us show them that Australia is not inferior to them. Let Elizabeth stare in contempt at us when our armies stand on the threshold of her palace. Then let us see what the world makes at us.'

Curtin turned away from his advisors. 'Make it happen, make us great.'

Part 2 - Born in fire and bloodshed
No poor bastard ever won a war by dying for his country... he did it by making the other poor bastard die for his...

Curtin's advisors followed his orders and before long a fine army had been trained. Curtin ordered their deployment to the border city of Albury in preperation for war. The army was majestic to behold, the glittering ranks of spearmen, warriors, archers, swordsmen and the great wheeled monsters, catapults, were vastly superior to the English army.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/7673/sod2vv.jpg

It was then merely a matter of time and soon enouh the orders filtered through from Curtin himself.
'War has been declared. You are to advance on Nottingham and Canterbury immediately.'

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1230/wareng7lh.jpg
The army divided there, the warriors and spearmen were left behind as a reserve and to secure conquered territory while the 7 archer divisions headed southwest toward canterbury and the 12 swordsman divisions and their supporting catapults moved southeast in the direction of Nottingham.
The battle of Nottingham was a foregorn conclusion, the English defenders were easily defeated and the city was captured without any substantial damage to the Australian forces. And to the west the city of Canterbury fell with barely a flicker of resistance.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/9700/nott7uw.jpg

Once the city of Nottingham had been secured, reinforcements from Sydney and Melbourne arrived and were deployed to Oxford where in a fierce battle the city was captured, however with the English army advancing from the south it would be difficult to hold the city... and so Curtin gave the order...

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/2278/oxford3bs.jpg

The main body of troops who had assembled at Nottingham marched southward on London. The English army was broken and scattered and so although there were a few half-hearted counterattacks by the English these were easily repelled. The fighting around London was fierce and 2 whole divisions of swordsmen were killed in the battle...

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4480/batl4lndn3qv.jpg
...however in the end there could only be one result. London was captured and John Curtin made a point to visit the famous Oracle of London. He was not impressed by what he found, the 'oracle' did all the things one would expect him to for a conquering ruler, he told him he would rule the world, he told him he would preside over a prosperous people, he told him that his name would be remembered forever, but in the end, Curtin cared not for this man's prophecies.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1874/london6xa.jpg

While Australia's attention was diverted, Japan, in her greed, made demands of Australia.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6282/japdemand2jp.jpg

Curtin would not bow to such things and declared to Shogun Tokugawa 'No Australian will give to Japan so much as a gram of gold or a crumb of bread or a drop of water, Japan dares to make such demands of Australia, and we treat your demands as we shall now treat you... with contempt!'
Needless to say Curtin's proclamation did not go down well in Kyoto...

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6400/japwar1az.jpg

Curtin was nobody's fool. He had brought England to her knees by making sure he had the advantage at all times. He had picked where, when and how the battles would be fought but now that Japan had entered the war Australia had lost some initiative. Curtin knew that, though Australia was proud and confident and determined, she was not yet ready to fight wars against two great powers at once. And so Curtin went looking for allies. First he posted an ambassador in Egypt and Cleopatra was, as always, grateful to receive envoys from Curtin.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3363/egyptemb7mq.jpg

Curtin had to use every ounce of diplomatice muscle he had to persuade Egypt to enter the war on Australia's side against Japan but a deal was struck and Australia had regained the initiative, her flank was now secure.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/8070/egyptdeal7el.jpg
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/1022/egyptvjap4ss.jpg

The war with England continued unabated. Queen Elizabeth marshalled the bulk of her remaining armies in York and ordered a strike at the Australian fortified camp of New Oxford. Curtin took a risk and sent a small taskforce of swordsmen to attack the weakened garrison at York while the bulk of his eastern army clashed with the English army outside New Oxford.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/5746/engarmy8vl.jpg

The strike force reached York and attacked with venom, knowing that their strike was an all or nothing gamble for the Australian nation. Luckily for them the garrison at York proved even weaker then anticipated and the city was captured.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4369/york2qb.jpg

Perhaps distracted by the loss of their home the English army faltered at New Oxford and was defeated, it was here in the fires of battle that Edmund Barton rose to fame, the swordsman slew many English and rallied the Australian forces there. Curtin promoted him to General after the battle and put him in command of the 1st Australian Sword Army.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4765/mgl112vb.jpg
England stood on the brink of destruction, her capital lost and her armies scattered, her people had lost the faith. There was not so much as a ripple of resistance when Australian forces marched into Brighton.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2585/brighton5ur.jpg

Curtin sent envoys to Elizabeth telling her he was willing to negotiate peace.
During the war England had not neglected her trade links with the rest of the world, her people were vastly more advanced. The first envoys who returned, to say that Elizabeth was willing to discuss peace terms, said that on the streets of Warwick they saw incredible things. Courthouses where criminals were tried by judges, represented by lawyers, where there were precedents and huge volumes of law. Cartography shops where people designed maps of the known world. It was the arts first seen in the lands of the Incans but on a much greater scale. They told tale of marketplaces where traders from across England and from the rest of the world gathered to trade wares in exchange for small, individual pieces of gold. Of great construction works, such as the aqueducts that moved water from fresh water lakes and rivers to supply towns with water. They told of military forces who rode on horses, not pulled in chariots but actually rode on the horses themselves!
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6263/engtrib18xi.jpg

Curtin saw an opportunity there, he sent his envoys back with his demands.
'Australia will hereby cease all hostilities with England and provide England with reparations amounting to 190 pounds of gold, if England is, in return willing to provide the following.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6526/engtrib24zk.jpg

Elizabeth read over the list of demands and sighed 'Do I really have a choice?'
The envoy looked at Queen Elizabeth with a vicious look that should never be given to royalty. 'No your majesty, you don't.'

Let me know what you think everyone, as well as giving any suggestions for story style, changes to the format or even game ideas. I'll be away in Bangladesh for 2 weeks as of tomorrow so I won't be able to update till I get back but in the mean time please let me know your opinions!

Very good story, although I wouldn't ever choose the Americans in an Emperor game.

Could you please (when you come back) post a world map and some zoomed out pics? I can't understand anything because since the last map in post #5 there where a lot of new cities and of captured ones.

Well I dnt leave for another 4 hours so here we go!

The heartland of the Australian Empire

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4909/core0pg.jpg

The former english core
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8203/oldengcore5kq.jpg

the world map (following expansion phase and english conquests)
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6551/worldmap0ls.jpg

and the demographics
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/1593/demographics1bj.jpg

Strategy: Will take a 20 turn breath for infrastructure then when peace runs out will redeclare on england take them down to 1 city and then grab The republic and any MA techs I can for peace.

@Mirc: They arnt the Americans tho, they're the Australians ;)
But why wouldnt you pick the Americans for an Emperor game?

I like this. Keep it up.

First, their UU is a joke. It's way too late and unuseful. You can't use it for GA, because you usually get your GA before F-15.

The traits are not too good, and, another reason, but an unimportant one, I hate their color!

But looks like you can win with them.
I like this story too.

The story is good but I would add more dates.

I would say the free techs and extra settlers from expansionist were pretty good, and the extra productivity from industrious is not bad either. I agree the UU is not very good, but at emperor I think just about any civ should work if played properly.

I like this story. I read the Tokugawa Dynasty, and that was pretty solid too.

You're doing good and have a good number of cities, but I think you should fill in that empty land to the south before someone starts sending settlers through your land or England resettles. Otherwise, good job on whomping the English, and have fun on your trip

Thanks to all those who posted I'm back from my trip (though I never got where we were meant to cos of them pesky suicide bombers so it was pretty much free-form improvisation for 2 weeks :D )
Will hopefully have an update in a few hours

Burn down Egypt next. =o

190BC - The Empire of Australia

After John Curtin's brief holiday in a faraway land he resumed his regular duties beginning with a meeting with his foreign advisor Alexander Downer.
Downer informed him that despite the hefty rewards plundered from the Anglo-Australian War, Australia still trailed the rest of the world technologically, and in the areas of governance. Australia had come under critiscm from the rest of the world for their administritive style. While other nations had formed representitive governments Australia was still ruled completely by Curtin. However, Downer revealed that Caesar would be willing to explain the representitve government called 'the Republic' to Australia if Australia would allow Rome to use Australian currency, and provide her with a sample of it, and Australia would teach Roman engineers some of the English construction secrets as well as providing Rome with a detailed map of the known world. Curtin happily agreed and Caesar explained the complex system of the Republic.

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/2103/rometrade5ba.jpg

Meanwhile all was not well in Australia. After the Anglo-Australian War ended Australia and England had resumed sporting rivalry's. Australia had dominated at Cricket, her national sport, for years but then new captain Ricky Ponting lead the Australian Test side which lost the Ashes to England and the country collapsed into anarchy. Sandra Sully was the first to report the news.

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/9838/revolution5vc.jpg

One morning Alexander Downer stumbled into the palace of ousted leader Curtin to tell him that England, perhaps drunk on their Ashes success, had foolishly decided to declare war on Egypt.

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/8831/egyptveng0hv.jpg

*Wrong post

110BC - House of former Australian leader John Curtin

'For the last time Shane, no you cannot be King Shane! Why? Well we havent even discovered Monarchy for a start! What'd you mean you'll look into it? Stick to bowling leg spin Warnie.' John Curtin had finished his long distance communications with one of his close allies (the method of communication, relay shouting, was an Australian idea which would die a quick death and never reserve much international credibility). He had been hotly debating the issue of the nation's new leader. Shane Warne, the master leg spinner was convinced that as the test wicket world record holder he was entitled to lead Australia, claiming that he was 'just as well qualified as people with an education.'

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200503/r42323_108236.jpg

John Curtin was in a meeting with his advisors when a messenger raced in.
'Sir, sir i have amazing, fantastic, wonderful, incredible news!' panted the messenger.
'We've built a wonder?'
'The rest of the world has surrendered to us?'
'We've cured all disease?'
'People finally worked out Mark Waugh is about as interesting as a stump?'
The advisors rattled off possibilites. The messenger fixed them with a hostile stare.
'No... Mr John Curtin sir, the people have been calmed they have decided they want to hold elections for their new leader!'
'Excellent news!' beamed Curtin. He turned to his advisors, 'we will reclaim government. Yes we will have lost some of our power but nonetheless we will reclaim government. We will be the Combine for the Unification, Re-establisment of the Territories of Australian Nationals, or rather, the CURTAN Party.'

http://thecouriermail.com.au/extras/federation/images/curtin.jpg
His advisors, now party members nodded in approval.



3 days later at the ACB Headquarters

'Look Trevor I'm telling you, I've got charisma, talent, ambition, know-how, I know how to plan an attack and the people know me, I'm a sure-fire choice!' boasted Shane Warne.
'Don't be an idiot, look at your track record, you've hardly got a respectable image, do you Shane? You're overweight, and thick as two bricks. How do you honestly expect to be able to run succesfully for Prime Minister?' asked the Chairman of Selectors.
'Well I'll convince voters that if they vote for me then I'll lead a squad to reclaim the ashes.'
'What are you talking about Shane? To fulfill that promise you'd have to get us to make you captain of the test side...'
'Yer, well uh :blush: ... actually I was meaning to talk to you about that...' muttered the master Leg Spinner
'GET OUT!' roared Trevor Hohns.
Shane Warne slid out of the room quickly.
'Geez how big of an idiot is that guy?' asked Trevor Hohns turning to John Buchanan.
'I dunno mate but at the moment he's our first choice spinner and I need him in the side.'

http://www.abc.net.au/cricket/photoalbum/ausvzim1/images/06_hohns.jpg


7 months later - the electoral office
'Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, quiet please. I now call upon our Master of Ceremony's Eddie McGuire to read the results of the election,' boomed the priest. Eddie McGuire strode to the forefront of the room, looking resplendant indeed in his role as MC.

http://www.wintv.com.au/winnet/Images/weekly_shows/whot.jpg

'Good evening ladies and gentlemen it is my immense pleasure to announce today, the results of the recent elections that will shape the very future of our proud nation.
Without further time wasting lets get straight into it!'

McGuire opened the envelope.

'National Party... 211 votes. Liberal Party... 317 votes. Labour Party... 409 votes. Shane for King Party... no votes. CURTAN Party 3,556,472 votes. Well I think its pretty obvious who won,' said McGuire in a rather dissinterested tone.
A voice piped up at the back 'Check the 4th party's votes again Eddie!'
'Shut up Shane!'

7 months and a day later - Parliament House
'Quiet! Quiet in the House! I do hereby summon the first sitting of the Imperial Republic of Australia to order. MP's before you take your oaths of office I would first like to reiterate that you do not rule for your own benefit but that you rule as representitives of the people. Not as individuals but as a whole and that the continued development of Australia must be first and foremost at the front of your mind. Those of you willing to take the oaths of office please respond by taking your seats in the house when your name is read out.'
As the list of names was read out not one person remained standing. They were ready for what was to come.

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/pics/chamber.gif
http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/8162/republic2mt.jpg

2 hours after the first sitting of Parliament

John Curtin, the most powerful leader in the world, sat across the table from his closest foreign ally, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt.
'John, for so long now we of Egypt have proven to be a buffer between Japan and Australia. For so long it has been the people of Egypt who have fought, died, and suffered in the war with Japan while Australia has grown strong and has stayed out of the conflict you dragged us into. John I do not believe you value the friendship between our two people very highly.' Curtin moved to speak but Cleopatra cut him off. 'John I know you are a good man, and your people are brave and strong. Egypt can continue to protect you from Japan but we cannot fight a war on two fronts. We cannot deal with England as well, we do not have the troops to spare.'
Curtin nodded and opened his mouth but was again cut off.
'So John I implore you, my people do not think highly of Australia due to your general indifference to our plight against Japan, that opinion however, could be revised if you were to step in against England.'
Curtin took this as a cue that he was now allowed to speak, his cunning diplomats brain was picking over the possibilites here at a rapid rate.
'Of course your majesty however Australia will need support. We are weakened by the first Anglo-Australian war. We would need you to supply us with a detailed and complete map of the known world as well as some funds with which to equip and mobilize our army.

Something in this vicinity should do your majesty.'

Cleopatra read the hastily scrawled piece of paper Curtin pushed toward her.
'A complete world map, 40 pounds of gold and 6 additional pounds of gold every 20 years for the duration of the war?' Cleopatra smiled, she thought she had a great deal before her.
'Of course Egypt accepts your gratious offer Prime Minister, and we thank you for your support.'

Curtin took that as a cue that the talks were over and escorted the beautiful queen back to her barge.

Once she was gone Curtin turned to his minister for defence Kevin Rudd.
'Send a message to General Peter Cosgrove, I want our armies based in London, York and Nottingham mobilized within a week. This war won't last long.'
'Of course Prime Minister.'

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English city after English city fell to the Australian armies.

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and the ancient Egyptain city of Abydos was liberated

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Despite the complete destruction and conquest of her Empire Queen Elizabeth could not be found, and as one captured English soldier said
'as long as her majesty lives then hope will remain for England.'

Curtin was determined to find her.

After flatting England, how are you doing compared to other civilizations? Do any of them pose a threat to you?

In short: not really.
The Egyptians and Japanese are both about the same size as me but are locked in war atm, egpyt also has the misfortune of being on a peninsula between me and the main part fo the continent which makes them easier to take down. The Japanese are more spread out which means it will take longer to deal with them but it will still be very easy.

Part 3 - The Two Queens
I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long.



10AD - 50 AD

The year was 10 AD and John Joseph Ambrose Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia was not a content man. For years now his troops had scoured the world searching for the missing English Queen Elizabeth to no avail.
Finally after decades of searching he recalled his armies. They returned to their garrisons across the nation, the navy returned from far off foreign waters and the nation began to rebuild its infrastructure after the long and bitter Anglo-Australian wars. Across the nation new markets opened up everywhere, public libraries where built to encourage people to learn about the world, a major overhaul of the judicial system also took place and Curtin used that as an opportunity to build many new courthouses across the nation. Despite being a secular nation a religious movement called the 'Family First Party' started to grow in strength and through their lobying many new places of worship were built across Australia as well.

One day Cleopatra rode down the Darling River unexpected. Curtin was suprised but quickly arranged a meeting with the lovely Egyptian Queen.
They're meeting was very formal. Cleopatra was clearly in trouble back home.

'Prime Minister I am afraid I must be brief, these are trying times for me. As you are no doubt aware our formal military alliance against Japan expires in a months time and I would like to negotiate a new deal.'
Curtin nodded slowly, he was not sure where this meeting was going.
'We, I, would very much like you to commit to supporting us in this war for a continuing period of time.'
Curtin seized on this clear opportunity. 'And how would this deal be in the benefit of Australia Great Queen?'
'What do you mean Prime Minister?'
'Well your majesty we would of course be willing to continue our support for you... however, we have long been fascinated by your concept of Feudalism and the military benefits it entails. Perhaps you would be willing to teach some of my people these concepts in exchange for our support.'
The Queen's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.
'Perhaps Prime Minister, although that is a closely guarded secret. We would not be willing to part with it for nothing.'
'Well what must I offer you then?'
'Continue to support us against Japan, maintain our open borders traty and supply us with Furs and Incense, and help to fund our war efforts by supplying us with say... 17 pounds of gold every 10 years?'
'Very well your Majesty.'

One of Curtin's clerks had been hastily writing up a contract to the terms just mentioned. He passed it to Cleopatra who quickly checked the terms and then signed with her elegant, flowing signature. She pushed it across the table to Curtin. He hesitated for a moment, it was an expensive deal... then lifted his pen and signed.

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It was Christmas time and Curtin took his annual 3 weeks leave, this time deciding to go somewhere he never had before, heading down south to the newly built ski-resort of Perisha.

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However before journeying back north to Canberra he decided to see some of the pristine snowfields of the far south. To his horror during his trip there he was amongst the group that discovered an Aztec encampment!

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Curtin was furious but under current international law any lands not specifically occupied by a nation are considered to be unclaimed territory. Curting headed back for Canberra the next day.

To make matters worse, upon his return he learnt that Cleopatra had declared Elizabeth unlikely to be found and had so declared she was under no obligation to honour the terms of the alliance against England, nor would she continue to pay the terms of the contract included with it. Curtin was not a happy man. However he was suprised to receive a carrier-pigeon from Elizabeth just a few hours later. She was eager to end hostilities with Australia. Curtin wrote back declaring Australia would agree to a truce if England updated Australia's world map and she taught Curtin the concept of Monarchy (even if it would give Shane more ideas).
The pigeon returned swiftly which lead Curtin to suspect that Elizabeth may not be far from the shores of Australia. Nonetheless a cease-fire was signed.

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Australia's phony-war with Japan continued but Australia was now free to focus more attention on diplomatic missions and domestic policy. One of Curtin's main ambitions for his present period of office was to bring Australia inline with world standards on engineering. France was willing to provide skilled artisans and instructors to teach the Australian engineers, if Australia footed the bill.

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Circa 250AD - Kyoto

Japan had been at war with Australia and Egypt for centuries. And in this time the war front had moved little, for the deaths of thousands upon thousands. Shogun Tokugawa sat in his throne room. The monarch of Japan was a bitter man these days yet had grudgingly agreed to receive the Aztec ambassador.

'Greetings oh great King, Everlasting Monarch, ruler of all Japan,' said the Ambassador as he enterered, bowing deeply. 'I bring word from the God-King Montezuma of the mighty Aztecs!'
Tokugawa turned and surveyed the Aztec ambassador warily. He was a short man with a very broad forehead. Yet despite his size he was tanned and muscular and looked as though he was an impressive warrior.
'And what word would I receive from the God-King for humble Japan?' responded Tokugawa.
'Proud Montezuma has seen the cities of Matsuyama built within lands that rightfully belong to his people. This displeases him greatly and he demands you either abandon the city or hand it over to Aztec rule.'
Tokugawa was suprised to say the least.
'Lands that rightfully belong to the Aztecs? This from the ruler who was happy to build villages in the heartland of Australia.'
The ambassador's eyes turned to poisoned slits and he hissed 'I did not come to receive a lecture on international territory law from you. I came to deliver the demands of my great, wise and powerful ruler the God-King Montezuma! I shall be bitterly dissapointed to return with them unmet.'
'Do not worry,' said Tokugawa softly. 'You need not return dissapointed...'
And as if operating from an unspoken command two of Tokugawa's warriors
lept from the parapets and landed either side of the Ambassador.

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Before he could turn to face them he felt the cold touch of steel... and then he felt no more.

Circa 250AD - Tenotchitlan

The God-King Montezuma was a powerfully built man. Despite his age he was as strong as an ox and was still famed throughout the Aztec lands as a great warrior. He was at that moment walking through the fabled Hanging Gardens of Tenotchitlan
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when a messenger came racing up to him.
The messenger fell to the floor bowing and said, his voice somewhat muffled by the ground, 'Your greatness, there is a parcel for you from Tokugawa himself!'
Montezuma was suprised by this and hurried quickly to his palace where he found the parcel sitting unobtrusively on a golden table in the throne room. As he approached it his advisors and guards looked at it curiously, wondering what it could be. As Montezuma tore it open a loud gasp went up through the room. Montezuma turned his face red with fury and showed it to those assembled there. The head of his ambassador, with the words 'do not make foolish requests of me,' scrawled in blood across the forehead.
Montezuma could not contain his fury. 'BURN THEIR CITIES, RAVAGE THEIR LANDS, LEAVE NO MAN, WOMAN, OR CHILD ALIVE WITHIN THEIR BORDERS!'
No one said anything, no one had to.
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Circa 250AD - Canberra

Curtin walked through the city admiring every part of it. He could still recall when it had been founded, the small village on the north coast of Australia, but now it was the thriving hub of the same lands. With almost a million people going about the business of strengthening Australia. After lunch he returned to parliament house to deal with the matters of the day. As parliament was nearing a close at 5 o'clock in the afternoon a messenger came in and pulled Alexander Downer aside. A few minutes later he had returned and went up to the speaker and said 'Mr Speaker may I address the house?' The speaker nodded and Alexander Downer had the floor.
'Gentlemen I have just received word of new development in the Japanese-Australian war. Hours ago the Aztecs declared war on Japan.'
There were suprised looks exchanged throughout the house. 'In addition the Aztecs have signed into an alliance with the Indian people in this war.
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Finally I have also received word that Elizabeth, wherever she may be, has agreed to support Cleopatra against Japan as well.'
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Curtin looked suprised 'So Mr Downer what effect will this have on Australia?'
'Very little directly I suspect Prime Minister but I think that it will have a major impact on the global arena.'
'Why is that Mr Downer?' piped up one of the Labour frontbenchers.
'Because Mr Latham, Japan cannot possibly win.'

Circa 260 AD - Canberra

'Your greatness we are very keen indeed to have a meeting with the persians, what would you require to make that a reality?' asked Curtin of the God-King Montezuma.
'I think 50 pounds of gold would suit me fine Prime Minister,' came the reply.
Curtin grinned 'Of course your greatness.'
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Circa 260 AD - On board the Aztec ship '13th Black Monkey Skull'
'Aghhh, I hate the sea!' said Mr Downer.
'Be quiet Alex, you've been complaining since we left Canberra and I'm thoroughly sick of it. We shouldnt be any more than a few days.'

That night Curtin was awoken by a loud rumbling, he leapt to his feet and raced up onto the deck.
'What the bloody hell is going on?' demanded Curtin.
'The Persian ship is here,' came the reply from one of the sailors.
'Persian ship? Aren't you taking us to Persia?'
'No Prime Minister you wanted to meet the Persians, you said nothing 'bout taking you to Persia.'
Curtin frowned but his mood lifted when a few minutes later the Persian Emperor, Xerxes, boarded the ship and shook his hand.
'Emperor,' said Curtin. 'It is an honour to meet you your grace.'
Xerxes said nothing but motioned that they should go below decks. The meeting lasted into the wee hours of the morning, much negotiation took place. Curtin agreed to teach the Persians the concepts of Feudalism learned from the Egyptians, and the idea of Monarchy taught to them by the English. In exchange Xerxes' engineers would teach the Australians how to build great cathederals, supply them with a map of the Persian continent, and introduce them to the Zulu people and the Iroquois.

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Map of Persian Continent Circa 300 AD

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Map of the World Circa 300 AD

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Circa 300AD – Prime Minister’s house, Canberra – 2.00am

Curtin woke with a start. He had a dream that he had been courting a beautiful lady only for her to turn into a poisonous snake. Sweating he reached for his glasses and sat up. Standing over him was one of his aides holding a candle light and a piece of paper.
‘Sir, Mr Curtin Sir. I have bad news,’ said the aide.
‘What is it George?’ asked Curtin with a yawn.
‘Its Egypt sir… they have signed peace with Japan. This is a letter from Cleopatra telling you that as a result you needn’t worry about the war payments.’
Curtin rose from his bed.
‘So what you are saying George, is that our buffer between us and Japan no longer exists? That we are in fact at war with Japan?’
George nodded.
‘In that case wake the other members of the cabinet and organise an emergency sitting of parliament.’
‘Of course sir.’

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Circa 300AD – Parliament House, Canberra – 7.13am

‘Order! Order in the house!’ bellowed the speaker.
After a few moments silence descended, Curtin rose to speak.
‘So as you can see gentlemen we are now in a real war with Japan. The proposal this government puts forward is to seek a meeting with Japan and see if we can’t negotiate peace.’
There was a general murmur of ascent from the assembled ministers. One of the Liberal backbenchers spoke.
‘But Mr Prime Minister what do you expect will be the outcome?’
‘I believe that we will be able to negotiate for peace at no cost to ourselves. Japan has its hands full with the Aztecs and India without needing to worry about us as well.’

And indeed Curtin proved to be correct, peace was declared with Japan. As part of the peace deal Japan had agreed to teach some of Australia’s philosophers about the study of religion and faith and share with them some of their discoveries and in return Australia would supply Japan with a generous contribution to their war chest to help them against their many enemies.

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So despite the brief moment of trepidation for Australia the nation continued to grow as normal. However Curtin was not at all pleased with his former favourite Cleopatra. Curtin would not soon forget her treachery.

Circa 330AD - Canberra

Australia had grown further apart from their former-ally Egypt. Trading had ceased between the two peoples and there was notable hostility between the two leaders. It was perhaps inevitable that this hostility would erupt into outright violence. Curtin’s patience finally snapped when in January of 330AD a force of Egyptian troops traipsed through Australian lands. The Egyptians met Curtin’s demands that they leave with derision and their soldiers remained. Curtin was left with no alternative. On the 22nd January 330AD, Australia declared war on Egypt.

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Australia had not sat idle since their wars with England. They had developed and built their economy to rival any in the world, they had developed their country into an industrial powerhouse that could match any one else and they had continued to strengthen the Australian Army Corps. The force that Curtin quickly based in Rockhampton, in position to strike at Egypt, was the largest individual force ever assembled by Australia.
It numbered 15 companies of swords, 2 of them elite veterans of the Anglo-Australian wars, and 10 full catapult divisions.

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The force marched on Elephantine, the regional centre of Egyptian commerce and government. Despite the heavy bombardment from the catapults, which reduced the majority of the army to splattered mush on the grounds of the city, the Australians met with stiff resistance. The Egyptian defenders were armed with weapons the Australians had never before seen, long silver roads which belched fire and could kill even a heavily armoured swordsmen with ease. Spies reported that the Egyptians called these weapons ‘muskets’, Curtin’s generals simply called them dangerous.

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Four whole companies of swordsmen were killed in the fighting, including one of the elite Anglo-Australian War veterans. In the end however, for all of their courage, for all of their bravery and for all of their advanced weaponry, the Egyptians could not hold the city. Curtin knew that a city so important to Egypt would not be easy to hold, and he knew that the people themselves would do everything they could to help Egypt reclaim the city. So as much as it broke Curtin’s heart to burn such a beautiful city, he knew had no choice.

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The city was burned to the ground and the people were allowed to live on as immigrant workers on minimum wage. The Australian army hastily erected a fortified camp naming it Tubruk. As physicians, builders and workers came to help the troops and improve the camps defences, it wasn’t long before it turned into a small township.

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Some more war!

I wish I could beat emperor. I started a story, but I left it alone for about 2 weeks. Maybe I'll continue it, if I'll be able to reinstall civ3

Great Job! :goodjob:

Thanks, great to know that somebody is reading. I'm a lot further into the game then I've posted because it takes me a while to sort through the pictures. I'll take usually around 10 a turn, more while at war and then i need to decide which ones to use, then export them to JPEG's cos the screenshots r pdf files for some reason, then i need to upload them so it takes me a while to update because of that. Suffice to say that if you like war then you'll love whats coming shortly, theres a lot of fighting still to come. And it turns out i was wrong about the Egyptians and japanese being my mine threat...

as for winning on emperor its not that hard. believe it or not I hadnt beaten chieften when i first came onto these boards, now I have multiple diety wins under my belt. There is so much great advice here its scary. The articles in the War Acadamy are fantastic and there are heaps of great stories and SG's you can read to learn from. A great game to follow and learn from thats being played at the moment is Takeo's 'Takeo takes on Diety' aside from being filled with lots of great ideas its really well written.

Hey,

I agree. What a great story. I read a post of yours at zyxy01: Russian Polar Expedition. :goodjob: Just wonderful, so I had to read this. Plus I like your style of story telling.

And it turns out i was wrong about the Egyptians and japanese being my mine threat... :mad: Damn spoiler!!! :lol:


If you need to read a beautiful played and visually inspiring game read World War I... in 2051 A.D.!?!?. Be warned with 1,511 posted replies its a long one. ;)

Thanks for this great history tale.


Blaze Injun

@Blaze Injun: Thanks so much for you kind words! yes I've read 'World War I... in 2051 A.D.!?!?.' and along with Hail Caesar (if you haven't read it, its a terrific story, you can find a link in the legendary stories thread) it's my favourite story on these boards, I wish Coinich would write another one...

NOTE TO COINICH: Hint,hint ;)

Will update later today.

Meanwhile in the south General Edmund Barton lead his personal army as well as an additional 6 companies of swordsmen against the Egyptian mountain-city of Giza.
After arriving in the eastern hills Edmund Barton ordered his troops to remain there until catapult companies arrived to support them, but one of the companies grew restless and attacked anyway and recorded an incredible victory against the defending battalion of Muskets.

’Alright you filthy children of a filthy land, you know what’s going to happen to you don’t you? We’re going to burn your homes, cleanse this land of your foul presence. You’ll all be sent to detention centres, you’ll spend your lives building roads and mines and farms for Australia. You’ll never see your homes again. And do you know why? Its because we are people and you are dirt, your fathers were sailors who slept with a whore.’
Excerpt from Commander Steve Waugh of the 19th Sword Company

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Circa 335AD – 370AD

John Curtin sat reading the dispatches from the front. He was most pleased by the news of the victories at Elephantine and Giza and had instructed his commanders to continue the push into Egyptian territory. Word had reached him of a piece of artistic mastery never before seen; a chapel that was said to be more beautiful than any woman… and it was in Memphis in Egypt. Curtin was determined to have it, and had instructed his generals to make it so. However his generals protested that their forces were meeting with heavy resistance along the way. According the Barton, although his personal army and the 1st Australian Army Corps could meet en route to Memphis, this would leave the borders very lightly defended against counter attacks by the powerful, mobile warriors that Egypt employed.

‘George, get Daryl Williams here pronto,’ said Curtin without looking up.
‘Daryl Williams sir?’
‘Yes George, Daryl Williams. You know, the minister for communication, information and technology… for pity’s sake George he’s from your own electorate!’
‘Oh yes of course sir, my mistake.’

A few minutes later Daryl Williams entered the room. Curtin shook his hand.
‘Daryl my friend we need to discuss some urgent business,’ said Curtin hurriedly.
‘Of course Prime Minister, I assumed that’s why you sent for me,’ Mr Williams answered.
‘I’ll get straight to the point Daryl, our forces are not faring at all well against the weapons being employed by the Egyptians. First those new archers, then their muppets…’
Mr Williams cut him off.
‘You mean muskets sir.’
‘Yes whatever, muskets,’ Curtin continued ‘and now these ‘knights’. Our forces are being pushed hard to combat their armies.’
‘Yes sir, shouldn’t this be a matter for Kevin Rudd sir?’
‘No Daryl, Kevin’s doing his best. What I want to know is why your department haven’t developed any new weapons for so long?’
‘Well sir it’s a budget problem, we’ve been receiving practically zero funding for as long as I can remember.’
‘I see…’
‘If you want my opinion sir you’d be better off talking to Alex and finding out whether or not the French would be willing to sell some of the new weapons to us. If we had some samples we could replicate them.’
‘We can’t develop them ourselves?’
‘Probably not sir, starting now with no grounding it could take decades before we see any results.’
‘I see, thank you Daryl.’
‘Sorry I couldn’t be of more assistance sir.’
‘It’s quite alright Daryl. Could you send George back in please?’
‘Sir one last thing... the budget you have allowed us we have been investing in developing new commercial ideas and… well we have something that might be of use to Mr Downer as a trade tool. We believe we are the first in the world to have developed anything like it.’
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‘Thank you Daryl, send in George.’

Mr Williams left and George re-entered.
‘Yes sir?’
‘George get me Alexander Downer.’

It took several hours for the foreign minister to arrive but finally he arrived at the Prime Ministers home.
‘Alex good to see you. I have an important job for you,’ said Curtin getting straight to the point.
‘Of course sir,’ came the response from Alexander Downer
‘Alex first of all I want you to send envoys to all the major military powers in the world. Find out if any of them can be persuaded to support us against Egypt, I don’t like fighting a foe like them without someone guarding our flank. Secondly I want you to see if any of the same will be willing to sell us any of the new weapons going around.’
‘You mean those Longbows and Muppets?’
‘Muskets Alex, Muskets.’
‘Sorry sir.’
‘Yes those Longbows, muskets and this whole ‘knight’ concept. So far the Egyptian forces, although smaller have made great headway using these forces.’
‘Understood sir.’
‘Oh and Alex…’
‘Yes sir?’
‘You forgot to ask about your budget, most unlike you.’
‘Sorry sir, what is my budget for these missions?’
‘Whatever you think is reasonable’

Alexander Downer grinned
‘Of course sir.’
His results were quite spectacular.

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Circa 370AD- 460AD
With the new technologies Kevin Rudd had set about updating the Australian military. It turned out that, with some fiscal investiture and some additional training, Australia’s home guard horse brigade could be retrained as knights, as detailed graciously by the French. Although these new forces were yet to reach the front they were on their way and General Barton had ordered the 1st Australian Army Corps to advance on Memphis. In one of the greatest battles in recorded history the city was captured, and on the field of battle, a world of gunfire and swords, Don Bradman rose to fame. And under his orders the 1st Australian Mounted Army was formed.

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The city of Memphis was captured and John Curtin raced to the front. As a tribute to this great victory John Curtin commissioned the production of a great book entitled The Heroic Epic which would hopefully encourage others to follow the examples of Don Bradman and Edmund Barton.

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The Sistine Chapel was as beautiful as he had heard. He would normally have ordered the city to be burnt to the ground but he could not bring himself to destroy a work of such beauty. Instead he commanded that his forces consolidate there, they would make sure the city did not fall, however with such a great military force there they would need to be fed and as such many of the local Egyptian people still in the city starved to death.

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An elite battalion of swordsmen was ordered to strike the Egyptian port city of Heliopolis and in a brief battle the city was captured and destroyed, thus severing Egypt’s trade links with the rest of the world.

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The 1st Australian Army Corps was holed up in Memphis on Curtin’s orders but in the meantime another force had headed east, operating out of the fortified camp of Shoalwater Bay
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they attacked the city of Pi-Ramesses and razed it to the ground, killing most of the people and taking the rest as slaves.
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Curtin had recently issued new orders to his armies. These orders clearly stated that any Egyptian city taken must be razed in order to prevent recapture. Australian engineers and workers were rushing to the cleared land to build fortified camps so that troops could prevent Egyptians returning to these lands.

Shortly after the fall of Pi-Ramesses 6 divisions of newly trained Knights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne attacked Hiercanopolis. The fighting was fierce as the Egyptian muskets proved to be great weapons even against knights but in the end the elite of the Australian army proved victorious and the ancient city was destroyed.

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With Egyptian forces occupied against the Aztecs and Indians, Australia took the opportunity to consolidate its position and reinforce their armies. The arrival of dozens of new sword companies and knight divisions strengthened the Australian forces and a number of new towns were built in former Egyptian lands. Curtin could feel the end in sight. It had been a long and brutal war and his people were now actively protesting in the streets, they had seen enough of war and wanted to return to peace. But Curtin had one more prize on his mind before he would consent to peace… he wanted Thebes, the greatest city in the world.

Circa 460AD-550AD

Despite Australia’s best efforts the first siege of Thebes was a resounding failure and the defeat there weakened Australia’s belief in their military and led to more significant protests in major cities. However Curtin refused to be beaten. At great expense to the nation he formed a number of new companies of swords and knights and ordered the construction of new towns in former Egyptian-held territory in order to act as bases for his armies. The towns of Yeppoon
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5605/yeppoon5hi.jpg
and Yarra
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5224/yarra1go.jpg were custom built for this purpose. The Australian forces based there grew restless quickly though. Thebes was visible across the plains and the soldiers, longed to walk its streets and plunder its treasury, but Curtin said wait and so wait they did.
Finally after years of waiting Curtin ordered the 2nd Australian Army Corps to move on Thebes. However due to an administrative error the orders reached the 1st Australian Mounted Army and the 4th,5th,6th and 7th Knight Divisions before the rest of the Army Corps. As such these regiments attacked the city unsupported yet against all odds emerged victorious. Though each of these regiments suffered heavy losses the city was taken. However the people in the city were fiercely opposed to the Australian occupation. Australia had no friends in the city and every living person was an enemy so Australia was left with no choice. General Bradman ordered the city to be burned to the ground. The world’s greatest city had been reduced to a historic pile of ash, broken masonry and dead bodies.
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In the lands that were once called home by the people of Heliopolis, a band of Sydneysiders made their own. They called their new town Cronulla and the town’s spectacular ocean views made it a haven for people seeking a sea change.
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To the west of the ruins of Thebes a community of people founded the hamlet of Alice Springs

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And Curtin himself ordered the building of a new city. Curtin’s unprecedented order came after hearing that Thebes had been captured. He had raced to the front to see the city himself but was horrified to find it in ruins. He ordered that his people construct a new city nearby with the expressed purpose of being the commercial centre of the region and providing the Prime Minister with a second home, which would be known as ‘The Lodge’

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Finally Curtin felt that honour had been satisfied and that the Egyptian people had learnt their lesson for traipsing over Australia’s land. Curtin sent envoys to Cleopatra and made peace with her in exchange for what meagre treasury remained. As a separate trade Curtin agreed to teach the Egyptians the Australian banking system as well as the French Music Theory and 60 pounds of gold in exchange for Egyptian sailors teaching the Australians about Astronomy.
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2702/egyptpeace28cb.jpg

Circa 690AD

Australia had been blessed by more than a century of peace since the Austro-Egyptian War and they had not been idle. The Australians redeveloped the lands formerly belonging to Egypt and the new Australian towns in those lands were growing steadily in industry and population. Meanwhile the Aztecs had remained locked in a bitter war with Egypt. A war Egypt was losing. Since the end of the Austro-Egyptian War, the Aztecs had seemingly taken personal offence to Egypt’s very existence. The cities of Alexandria and Byblos were taken and fierce battles raged just north of the new Australian eastern border. Curtin commissioned the building of a new military outpost on the northeastern border, naming it Warrabinda. However it did not remain a military outpost for long. As the families of the soldiers moved in order to be with their husbands and fathers so did industry move to the town as well and before long it was a thriving community.
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/9320/warrabinda9zc.jpg

In the same year Australian thinkers set down the laws of economics, the study of commercialism, something no other country had thought of doing. France, whose sailors were the finest in the world offered to teach the Australians the secrets of navigation if in return the Australians would teach the French about economics.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9273/francdeal8jy.jpg

Circa 700AD - Queen Elizabeth’s yacht – the Pacific Ocean
Queen Elizabeth was not the Queen of much. Her ‘queendom’ now consisted of her personal yacht and little else. As she lay sunbaking one the deck one morning a carrier pigeon flew overhead and landed beside her. Taking the note from its leg she felt the cold stab of fear. It said simply
‘Hey Lizzie, we are going to kill you.
Love John Curtin’
Suddenly she heard a cry from one of the sailors ‘A sail milady! Its an Australian ship!’
She sat up just in time to feel her ship lurch as the Australian ship ploughed into it without stopping. Barely a minute later the ship had capsized and the Queen of a dead country, the last remnants of her people, sank to the great depths of the ocean. And an age-old enemy of Australia was finally gone.

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http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9787/deadeng2hj.jpg



Circa 730 AD – Lisht, last remaining stronghold of Egypt

Cleopatra hated the heat. It did not suit her, especially not the heat in this god-forsaken jungle, yet there was nowhere else to go. Where else could she go? Now that the Aztecs controlled the rest of Egypt that remained after the Austro-Egyptian War, there was nothing left. She sighed and moved uncomfortably in her carriage. She was touring the city with her advisors but she was distracted. She couldn’t help but wonder how it all went wrong. If only she had kept the friendship with Australia this would never have happened. Suddenly the carriage came to a stop. The sounds of the streets had died away. ‘What is going on?’ thought Cleopatra. She glanced out of the curtain onto the street and immediately wished she hadn’t. There were no street noises for a very good reason. The entire city had stopped moving. They all stared at something Cleopatra couldn’t quite see without getting out of the carriage. The other advisors were looking irritated that the carriage had stopped moving; they hadn’t seemed to notice the quiet.
Suddenly an arrow whizzed through the air less than a foot from Cleopatra’s carriage and found itself a home in the chest of a stunned looking villager. The silence ended instantly, people started screaming and running about wildly. Cleopatra leapt back in the carriage.
‘MOVE DRIVER! MOVE NOW!’ she screamed. The advisors looked stunned, one of them jumped out of the carriage to see what was going on. His look of slight annoyance turned to one of bewilderment and he twirled as he fell revealing a throwing axe protruding from the back of his skull. The other advisors didn’t move. They sat their white faced. The carriage started moving again but no one in the carriage was stupid enough to believe that was because the driver was controlling the horses, in all probability he was dead, because the carriage moved wildly, rocking from side to side, the horses were clearly out of control. The carriage gave a mighty heave and toppled sideways. As Cleopatra climbed from the carriage to avoid being trapped she looked down at her city. Columns of knights clad in green were moving steadily down the streets killing whoever they found, Longbowmen were plucking usable arrows from the corpses of their victims and warriors clad in feathers and wielding axes ducked in an out of alleyways searching for survivors. In the distance the city centre burned. Cleopatra fell to her knees in the street. It was over, all over. Her people were finished. And it was all her fault. As the enormity of this swept over her she didn’t even notice the knight coming up behind her. She never felt the horses hooves trample her into the mud. She probably didn’t even feel the cold touch of iron as the knight’s sword sliced into her back. She was already as good as dead.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/8894/deadegypt9oi.jpg

So you are about three times the size of all of the other civilizations left?

Who knows, maybe all of the remaining civilizations will gang up on you.

Good luck!

Part 4 - The Modern World Emerges
I think God's going to come down and pull civilization over for speeding.

Circa 780AD - Canberra

‘So we are agreed then Ghandi?’ asked Curtin.
‘Yes, yes, we are agreed Prime Minister,’ answered the leader of India. ‘You teach us metallurgy and we will pay you 7 pounds of gold per year for 200 years, supply you with 152 pounds of gold now, introduce you to the Germans and teach your scientists about physics. Metallurgy better be as good as you’ve told me.’
‘Oh it is my friend.’

The meeting with the Germans was a non-event. Considering Curtin often heard tales of the great colossus of Berlin the Germans were a hopelessly backward people. Curtin felt sorry for them and offered to explain the Roman complex of the republic to them and the Germans were very grateful. So grateful that they sent to Australia their most gifted musician, J.S Bach. Australian authors G.C Haigh and T.W McDougall jointly wrote a biography of the talented musician were they claimed that they alone could understand the difficulties that J.S Bach had endured growing up, having been cursed by their parents by christening him with letters instead of names. Curtin ordered the construction of a fabulous music hall for J.S Bach to perform in. Known dually as either the Sydney Opera House or J.S Bach’s Cathedral it was a place that brought joy to people around Australia.
http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/8283/j7sd.jpg

For those wishing to trace the history of Australia, the year 880AD is particularly important. For it was the year the whole basis of Australian society began to change. 880AD was the year that Australia’s scientists brought the industrial revolution to the world. This meant that communities began to change first from land and agricultural based communities to huge sprawling cities. It marked the beginning of a commercial drive that, combined with rapidly improving technology, would also completely revolutionise many things. Cottage industries, which previously had been responsible for Australia’s entire industrial sector, were replaced by factory production, where each person was just one link in the production line. While some argue that the Industrial Revolution didn’t truly begin until the advent of the steam locomotive in 960AD, the truth is that 880AD was the moment when Australia entered a distinctly age of its development.

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Circa 1010AD – Rome, capital and only remaining city of the Roman Empire

The Roman Republic had stood for almost two thousand years. It had, at its peak encompassed almost half of the Eastern world. However it had been in decline for centuries. Centuries ago Rome had joined in the great crusade against Japan, however while the rest of the world had withdrawn their forces and returned to peace Rome had not. This was not the fault of the senate; it was the fault of a family of brash warriors known as the Caesars, who commanded great respect and admiration in Rome. Now the last of the Caesars sat on the back of horse on the Capitoline Hill, next to his second in command; Brutus, observing the fields before them. He was not a great man like his predecessors. While he still commanded respect from the people, he had lost the trust of his soldiers. Many of his soldiers had fled from the Rome, leaving just a single legion and a company of spearmen to defend the city. The Japanese army in the fields ahead of him made him fearful, according to his spies it was the 1st Japanese Samurai Army under the command of General Hirohito. Then he froze as he saw the army begin to assemble in ranks in front of the gates of the city. A Japanese soldier, resplendent in shining gold armour moved forward to the gates. To the people of Rome he appeared to be the leader of the force, he read aloud from a sheet of parchment.
‘People of Rome, it is 3 centuries ago to the day that your ancestors brought war between our people. And yet now you cower behind walls that our ancestors helped you to build. They were never paid for the work, and your ancestors never paid for their greed and arrogance an warmongering. Now you shall pay for both! It is too late for reparations of the coin. Tiberius Caesar last of the line of Julius, you have the opportunity to save your people. If you answer my challenge then I shall spare the lives of your people. Refuse, and die hiding like a coward, and I shall spare no one who dwells behind these walls. I, General Hirohito, say to you now… Come out from your hiding place, come out from the safety of your walls, come into the open where I and all of your people can see you… come out and FACE ME!’

‘I think they want you sir,’ said Brutus.
‘Why thank you for that marvellous piece of insight Brutus!’ spat Tiberius. ‘If I die out there you’ll be sure to let me know?’
‘So you’re going then sir?’
‘Are you kidding? By Jupiter, I’d get killed!’ answered Tiberius.
‘But didn’t you just say, if you die out there…’
‘I know what I said! But I’m not fool, I’m getting on a ship and getting out of here!’
‘But sir, the port is blockaded by Japanese ships.’
Tiberius looked stunned.
‘Oh…’ was all he could manage.
‘So are you going then sir?’
‘You’re sure there’s no back entrance?’
‘Well there’s the sewers… they eventually lead to a lake about a mile and a half to the north.’
‘Bingo Brutus! Are you coming?’
‘I suppose so sir,’ sighed Brutus. Brutus would prefer not to live the rest of his life constantly running, he would prefer to be there at the final battle for Rome but he had no choice, he had to follow his leader.

Barely an hour later the empire that gave the world representative government had been reduced to the history books. As Rome burned Nero had played the fiddle. As Rome fell the last of the line of Rome’s emperors was fleeing northwards with his second in command through the sewers.

Circa 1010AD – The River Tiber 3 days later

Tiberius was a coward, and a weak and foolish one too, of that Brutus no longer had any doubt. The pair of them had set up camp on the banks of the river and Tiberius had insisted that Brutus find them food, he had planning to do apparently. As Brutus walked through the forest looking for some of the many game that lived her he thought of what Tiberius had said.
‘Phah! Planning?’ spat Brutus venomously. ‘Planning for what? How long we can survive here, like cowards… we should have died rather than abandoning Rome!’
Suddenly Brutus stopped.
‘We should have died rather than abandoning Rome…’
They should be dead. They had no right to be alive, Tiberius least of the pair of them.
Brutus turned and headed back to the campsite.


‘Ahh Brutus!’ beamed Tiberius. ‘So what have you brought for our supper tonight?’
His face fell as he saw Brutus carried nothing with him. A broad, but sinister grin spread across Brutus’ face.
‘I don’t think it’s what I’ve brought Tiberius… it’s what they brought.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Tiberius in a soft voice.
Then he saw it.
Perhaps forty men, clad in the traditional garb of the Samurai moved out from the trees, at their head stood Hirohito.
‘So Tiberius Caesar, descendant of filth you have become emperor of your own little 8’ by 5’ campsite. You left your city through the sewers Brutus tells me. How low can you get? You abandoned your city, the capital of your empire, the home of your forefathers, and for what? So you could live a little longer? So you would die like a coward? A coward hides, in the shadows he stays, but time will kill him anyway. Are you ready Caesar? Have you made peace with your ancestors? Have you even made peace with yourself? You have lived a life you are undeserving of having. Now is the time to end it.’
Several of the Samurai moved toward Tiberius. Tiberius looked to Brutus pleadingly, he saw that Brutus had drawn his short sword and was advancing as well.
‘Et tu Brutae? Vos interficio vestri imperator? Queror, queror cado Rome. Ego intereo!’ cried Tiberius and he threw his white cloak over his head and fell to the ground. Seconds later he was dead.
Brutus had not struck a blow upon Tiberius. The words had stung him. He looked around at the Japanese. What was he doing? These were his people’s ancient enemy, here he was consorting with them! How far had he fallen? He had abandoned Rome and fled through the sewers then he had helped his people’s ancient enemy to kill the emperor. He was disgraced, and he could not live with the shame. He placed his sword upon his wrist and pulled it across sharply. He fell to his knees, blood pouring from the wound. His vision began to blur and his breathing became heavy. The Japanese stood around him watching, finally he looked up.
‘Ego sum opprobrium , ego fugio ex pugna, proditor meus patria quod meus imperator. ego sum non opportunus ut ingredior Jupiter's viridis terra!’ he said weakly. And then he collapsed, unable even to support his weight on his knees.

And with that the Imperial Republic of Rome came to an end.

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Circa 1040AD - Canberra

John Curtin watched, full of pride, as the two ships set off from Adelaide. The ships, the HMAS (His Ministership’s Australian Ship) Rockhampton and HMAS Yarra, were carrying troops headed to Persia. This campaign had been a long time coming. Curtin had commissioned the training of four companies of Muskets and four companies of Cavalry especially for this mission. They would sit off the coast of Persia and wait for their orders, when they received them the companies would land and take the Persian city of Bactra and establish a beachhead. As the ships headed off Curtin wondered whether this was the right decision. His people did not like war, but the spoils from this war would surely make them happy. Curtin had selected Bactra due to its defensible location and its enormous wealth of gems that began with the Persian sapphire mines just outside the city, right through the mountain range. Curtin watched until the ships were out of sight, then he sent for Alexander Downer.
‘Alex, I want you to take this letter to the Persian embassy. Then place the ambassadors under house arrest.’
Alexander Downer nodded, he knew what was coming.

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/3561/persiawar0ja.jpg

Circa 1040AD – The coast of Bactra

Captain Juten looked across the water to the shores, and their goal, the glittering city of Bactra.
‘Lower anchor, prepare the boats! Get the soldiers ashore!’ yelled Juten to his sailors
‘Aye aye Captain,’ came the reply. It didn’t take long for the boats to be lowered, each one filled with soldiers carrying rifles. The horses couldn’t go in the boats and would have to swim ashore. Luckily they were a sturdy breed and it wasn’t far, horses aren’t made for swimming you see. The troops assembled on the shores less than half a mile from Bactra. At Dawn on the third day after the landing the 4th, 11th, 17th and 19th Cavalry Companies attacked Bactra. Although each of the companies suffered losses none of the companies were broken, and the city fell. As planned when the city was under control a blue flag was raised from the tallest building. The fleet off the coast recognised the signal and the musket companies bordered their boats and headed to shore.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5765/bactra3go.jpg

11th August, 1041AD - Bactra

The troops of the 4th, 11th, 17th and 19th Cavalry Companies and their 33rd, 34th, 35th and 37th Musket Brigades were being accommodated in the small barracks’ of the Persians, while the ships of the fleet remained in dry dock stocking up on food for the trip back to Australia. They had been in Bactra for several weeks and considered their part in the war over for the time being. They were very surprised to receive orders from Curtin himself.

‘Members of the 9th Australian Army Corps, congratulations on your flawless sortie at Bactra. On the 30th August 1041 AD, the men of the 4th and 17th Cavalry Companies are to advance on, and seize the Persian city of Sidon. I wish you all the best and hope that you will do your duty well. Congratulations again on the excellent start to the campaign.
Sincerely Yours
John Curtin – PM’

By September 3rd Sidon was an Australian city.

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/9102/sidon9by.jpg

Hey,

Again :goodjob: .

Question Time
1. But could you show more maps. Taticial maps and Theater maps.

2. Why are your ships using HMAS?

I asume that stands for His Majesty's Australian Ship. Would not HMS (His Majesty's) or AES (Australian Empire Ship) or ARS (Australian Republic Ship) or the least popular GAS :groucho: (Grand Australian Ship)

Thanks and :newyear:

Blaze Injun

@ Blaze Injun:

1. But could you show more maps. Taticial maps and Theater maps.


I don't quite understand what you mean... do you mean the ones where there are the big sweeping arrows showing troop movement? Or do you just mean show the whole area where the fighting is taking place rather than just the city being captured? If its the former thats not possible I'm afraid as my computer doesnt have paint, photoshop or nething like that :cry:

There's a world map at the start of the next update (I have about 10 updates worth already written, I just don't want to post the whole game at once) but thats because the traditional terrotorial boundaries are about to disolve, the world gets a new punching bag, and Australia is set to become a true super power

2. Why are your ships using HMAS?

I asume that stands for His Majesty's Australian Ship. Would not HMS (His Majesty's) or AES (Australian Empire Ship) or ARS (Australian Republic Ship) or the least popular GAS (Grand Australian Ship)


Yep you're right in what it stands for in real life but in this story

The ships, the HMAS (His Ministership’s Australian Ship) Rockhampton

The reason I'm using that is because I just personally think that HMAS sounds cool :goodjob: when I get aircraft they'll be part of the RAAF (Republic of Australia Air Force).

I'm going away on the 2nd so I'll put up most of the already written updates before then.

Happy new year to everyone... even though for me its still 10 hours away :D

I don't quite understand what you mean... do you mean the ones where there are the big sweeping arrows showing troop movement? Or do you just mean show the whole area where the fighting is taking place rather than just the city being captured? If its the former thats not possible I'm afraid as my computer doesnt have paint, photoshop or nething like that :cry:

:sad: Too bad. I would have loved to see troop movement maps.

The reason I'm using that is because I just personally think that HMAS sounds cool :goodjob: when I get aircraft they'll be part of the RAAF (Republic of Australia Air Force).


HMCS and RCAF are better :p

I have photoshop on my ultra old computer, I suppose I might be able to get it some internet access, download the uploaded pics off of Imageshack n then edit and reupload them from there. But I won't be doing any of that until after I get back from the beach though, I've been flat out finishing off the updates I am writting now with the pictures I already had done, so I'll see about doing that but you won't see the results in the next few updates. Don't worry though there is a major campaign I haven't written the update for, or done the pictures for yet which would benefit greatly from tactical and theatre maps. I'll look into it,
hope everyone had a great new years, I am so tired I havent slept since the 30th! :lol:

The World before this update

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3466/worldmap3yl.jpg

Circa 1060AD – The Lodge

Curtin was enjoying his summer at the Lodge. His home away from home had recently finished its lovely new palace and he loved sitting around the pool relaxing.
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7467/fp5xk.jpg
Unfortunately for Curtin he would have no time to enjoy the pool. His assistant George came out into the garden where the pool was.
‘Sir I suggest you get out of the pool now,’ said George.
‘Why’s that George?’ asked Curtin incredulously. Curtin trusted George implicitly and he knew George had a wonderful understanding of things that were important to him. If he didn’t Curtin probably wouldn’t even have dignified him with a reply.
‘Because sir. I truly think that there is something you need to read.’
Curtin got out of the pool, wrapped a towel around himself and followed his assistant into the palace.


‘When did this arrive George?’ demanded Curtin.
‘About fifteen minutes ago,’ came the reply. ‘The messenger is in the lobby waiting for a reply.’
‘I… I should have known, I haven’t… been concentrating obviously. I always prided myself on my diplomatic acumen… but I’ve let this slip…’ Curtin was downcast.
‘Its not your fault sir, this isn’t anybody’s fault. There’s nothing we could do about it obviously, this has probably been years coming.’
‘You’re right George,’ said Curtin, rereading the letter.
‘Sir, what do you want me to tell the messenger?’ asked George.
Curtin sat down and began to write; a few minutes later he was done.
‘Give him this letter, its for General Bradman and General Barton. Also I want you to arrange transport back to Canberra for this afternoon, Parliament will need to hear about this.’

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/7602/aztecwar1mr.jpg

Circa 1060AD – Warrabinda

‘This is not good. Not good at all,’ said General Barton. He was in the command post in Warrabinda with General Bradman and the newly arrived messenger.
‘Do our scouts have any idea of the numbers, Don?’
‘Well their conservative estimates are at around 12 divisions of knights and maybe half a dozen divisions of Longbowmen,’ replied Bradman.
‘I see,’ said Barton.
Bradman turned to Barton,
‘Ed, I will lead my army against the Aztecs just outside the city. The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Knight Companies will join me and we will attempt to rid the land of the Aztecs to the west. I suggest you take your army and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Companies and as many companies of swords we can spare, and secure the eastern and northern lands. Then send the 14th through 27th Sword Companies to attack the Aztec army near the lodge. I doubt if the Prime Minister is still there but we can’t take that risk. That city cannot be allowed to fall.’
‘I agree completely Don, but do we have enough troops to protect the city as well?’
‘We will just have to take that risk,’ replied Bradman.

Circa 1080AD

The Aztecs were defeated at Warrabinda but reinforcements were arriving daily, the 1st 2nd and 3rd Australian Army Corps were all operating from the city of Warrabinda but each one had suffered tremendous casualties. The troops morale was low but so far the lines had held. This was tempered however by terrible news in the South. The Aztecs in Tula had been drafted to form several divisions of Longbowmen, these troops attacked northward through the lands that once belonged to England. With the Australian Defence Forces occupied in the north there was no one to defend these lands. Curtin issued an unprecedented decree. The city of Bundaberg, in the path of the Aztecs, was abandoned.

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/7782/bundaberg8lr.jpg

The people packed up their homes and their belongings and headed north to the relative safety of Newcastle. Meanwhile the people of nearby cities were being drilled and organised into divisions of cavalry.
Three weeks after the initial incursions into Australian territory by the Aztecs the attacks stopped. General Barton led his personal Army, all the catapult divisions, a division of cannons and six companies of Swordsmen against Alexandria and the city, now unsupported by the Aztec armies, fell with ease.

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Meanwhile General Bradman and his personal army had succeeded in clearing the lands to the west of the Aztecs and so he, his personal army and all the companies of knights still at fighting strength attacked Asyut. The continuous fighting weakened every member of the army. General Bradman issued his famous speech.
Men, I will not lie to you. We brave the army of a commander who has never known defeat. And here in battle today the piled dead shall reach the heavens, but should we succeed then, in an age not yet dawned, we will be spoken of as gods! For our families, for our friends, for ourselves and for Australia… CHARGE!’

Although two companies of knights were killed the city was captured, and General Bradman ordered his men to rest in the city and tend to their injuries before they pushed on.

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3508/asyut2gg.jpg

Circa 1080AD – 3.42am Outside Tula
The hastily trained division of cavalry from Newcastle was outside Tula. They had skirmished and defeated two divisions of Aztec longbows already, yet the men of the division were far from confident. They could see musket barrels protruding from the walls of the city. One of the few professional soldiers amongst them, Captain Ponsford, rode out in front of the rest of the force.
‘Men of Newcastle, we are on the verge of a great battle, one that will decide the future of not only ourselves, but of the whole of Southern Australia. If we fail here today, then not only will we die. No, if we fail then the whole of Southern Australia fails with us. But if we are victorious then news of our success will ring out across Australia and we will be heroes. If any Aztec lives after tonight then make them remember our courage, make them remember our valour, make them remember forever the night they faced the men of Newcastle!’
The Aztecs could not stand up to the charge of the men of the 32nd Cavalry Division.

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3508/asyut2gg.jpg

With southern Australia secured Curtin drafted legislation to help provide financial support to the people of Bundaberg who had been forced to relocate, they were able to return to the area and established a new city called New Bundaberg

Circa 1090AD - Byblos

Byblos had been an unimportant city as part of the Egyptian Empire and under Aztec rule its significance was even less. It was the early hours of the morning and General Bradman was accompanied by his personal Army and the 3rd Elite Knight Company, their target was the Byblos. It was not so much about strategic value as cutting off the northern provinces from the main Aztec Empire. When he gave the signal his forces struck at 4.37am Tuesday the 22nd November 1091, the battle was just another feather in the cap of the great General Bradman.

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7969/byblos5pc.jpg

I should just make some notes, first of all I’ve referred to a number of organizations of troops differently. Just so you no an ‘Army’ usually will be something like 1st Mounted Army, is an actual army (the unit). An ‘army’ is what I refer to when addressing the total military. A ‘company’ is a vet unit, a ‘division’ is a reg unit, a ‘brigade’ is a vet unit of defence units although I may sometimes refer to the same unit as a company. The ‘Army Corps’ are SoD’s. Catapult and cannons (and later artillery) are usually referred to as divisions, although that may change, in the future planes will be referred to as squadrons.

Circa 1110AD – Byblos

General Bradman had the city secured, he had for some time now and according to the information he had he was under orders to proceed to capture El Armana very soon. He was just waiting for the final order to push ahead. So all in all he was quite surprised when a blue-coated captain named Captain Hassett arrived in Byblos and informed General Bradman he was here to for the assault on El Armana. Bradman at first thought that he was bringing reinforcements but then Hassett produced a letter from parliament.
Bradman was to remain in Byblos to keep the city secure while Captain Hassett would lead his Company against El Armana along with the 3rd and 9th Cavalry Companies, as they were still at full strength, which had previously been under Bradman’s control. Bradman was bitter, , he resented this brash young officer but first and foremost he felt as if he was being shunted sideways and after all he had done for Australia he was not happy. Still, for now he would do what he was told.

Captain Hassett was a Sydney lad, a talented cricketer and a member of the Australian Services Rugby XV that was one of the strongest around. He had graduated from Sydney University with a double major in History and Chemistry but had turned down many job offers and signed on as a junior officer at Canberra’s Duntroon Military College. Working as a supply officer at Alice Springs he had won praise for his courageous efforts in defending the city from Aztec attack at the beginning of the war and had won promotion to Lieutenant. He had been assigned to Newcastle’s 32nd Cavalry Division under Captain Ponsford and had been promoted following the battle of Tula. Now in command of his own company he was looking forward to further improving his name by taking El Armana.

The battle started late in the afternoon and saw the 3rd Cavalry Company strike from the hills to the east while the 9th Cavalry Company and Hassett’s own company attacking from the south at the main gate. Although the city was taken the 3rd Company was completely wiped out and the other two companies suffered heavy casualties. Nonetheless the city was under Australian occupation, Hassett’s job was done. Or so he thought.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/5272/armana4sc.jpg

Circa 1110AD – Byblos – Some weeks later

General Bradman was fuming. First that brash youth named Hassett had been through and now another had arrived. This one called himself Captain Ponsford, although at least his instructions didn’t involve him taking any more troops from his command. They were under orders merely to be resupplied here before moving on to attack Tzintzuntzen. The attack of Captain Ponsford was far better organised and carried out then Captain Hassett’s and all four companies under his command emerged relatively intact.

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/674/tzintzu0bm.jpg

Captain Hassett still stationed at El Armana heard of his former commander’s success and was determined that his name would not be pushed from the forefront of Parliament’s mind. He gathered what few troops were still in fighting condition from his three companies and followed the old Egyptian roads to the city of Lisht. The ancient Egyptian jungle stronghold had been under siege from the French for months and the Aztec defences were weak. Hassett waited until the French withdrew for the day before he charged his soldiers in, overwhelming the city. With the city now under Australian control Hassett demanded a withdrawal by French forces, the French generals wearily agreed. Australia had control of the area and Hassett’s name was again at the forefront of Parliament’s mind, though perhaps not quite as he envisioned it.

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Parliament was not happy that the captain had first disregarded his orders to remain in El Armana and had launched an unauthorized assault on Lisht. They were further distressed by his actions toward the French, many considered it fortunate that they had not resulted in war with the French. As punishment he was placed under strict instructions to remain in the unpleasant city of Lisht and had his leave cancelled for the year. He was also threatened with a dishonourable discharge if he abandoned his post again.

Circa 1140AD – Karachi

The city of Karachi was a strange city. Founded more than two thousand years ago by Indian settlers it had constantly changed ownership between the Indians and Aztecs as the border fluctuated. As a result the people were unsure of their identity. General Bradman had received authorization from Canberra and had taken his personal army and two companies of knights to the city which was currently under Aztec rule. In a short battle the city was taken and the people of Karachi seemed rather unfazed that once again their ruler had changed. Bradman hardly received a hero’s welcome but there was friendliness there which made a stark change to the open hostility he had received at all other occupied cites.

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Atzcapotzalco – the same day

While Bradman had been leading yet another successful assault on an Aztec city Captain Ponsford had received orders from Parliament to advance on the large Aztec stronghold of Atzcapotzalco, which was one of the region’s largest and most influential cities. His orders were to synchronise his assault with Bradman’s assault on Karachi thus preventing one from reinforcing the other. Ponsford’s lone Cavalry Company had met with stiff resistance and close to half his company had been lost. However in the end his forces had broken through and with the line cracked breached was no way back for the defenders and they were rapidly overwhelmed.

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Unlike Bradman’s reception Ponsford’s was hostile and his forces decided to garrison themselves outside the city to prevent problems with the citizens.

Hey,

Long live the 32nd Cavalry Division.



Blaze Injun

Circa 1190AD – Sydney

‘And finally I would like to thank Professor Darwin. His voyage around the world is impressive in itself but the information he has learnt during his scientific voyage will lead to incredible new discoveries in the field of atomic theory and of electronics,’ Curtin concluded to the assembled press. ‘This is the second great scientific achievement of ours along with the discoveries courtesy of Copernicus and his Observatory.’
‘Mr Prime Minister… Prime minister…’ called out one of the reporters trying to catch Curtin’s eye.
‘Yes Packer?’
‘Well I was wondering what you could tell us about the new Dam system being built in Melbourne?’
‘If you’re referring to Hoover’s Dam then, yes, the reports are true. It’s an impressive feat of engineering and I’m afraid I’m not able to provide you with details of it but I’m told it will increase production tremendously. Who knows ’
‘Sir many activists groups want to know how far away we are from Universal Suffrage? In particular the Suffragette movement are demanding the right for women to vote, what are your comments on that?’ asked another reporter.
‘Well I can confirm that Parliament in Canberra is working hard to draft new legislation on that very topic and we should see that come into effect within a few years. I’m sorry but that’s all the time I have for now, thank you.’ Curtin pushed his way out of the crowd. As he arrived back at Parliament House Kevin Rudd greeted him.
‘Tough press sir?’ asked Kevin Rudd.
‘Not quite Kevin, they’re just such a pain to deal with all the time, luckily we managed to side-step most of the questions about the ‘incident’.’
‘You mean Calixtlahuaca sir?’
‘Exactly,’ answered Curtin wearily.

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‘Sir how many times do I have to tell you sir?’ said Kevin Rudd. ‘It not your fault, captain Ponsford has already taken full responsibility for it, he told the media that he was acting of his own volition and not on orders.’
‘Yes but Kevin… half a million people… and he WAS under orders...’
‘Sir, with respect, its too late to be worrying about what might or could have happened. I suggest that we resume our efforts toward Tenotchitlan. If we don’t hurry the French could beat us to the city, and that’s the last thing we need.’
‘I know, I know. ‘ Curtin sighed. ‘Tell Bradman I want him to join the Cavalry Companies at Atzcapotzalco. And tell him I want him to take as many men as are fit. I don’t care if he has to cannibalise a company or two to do it. I want our troops to reach Tenotchitlan before the French. Consider it an order.’
‘Yes sir.’




Circa 1200AD – 12 miles from Tenotchitlan

Captain Ponsford was restless. From the hill they were situated on he had seen columns of French Cavalry march toward Tenotchitlan for hours. He knew he was losing ground on the French army headed there but if he had continued to force march his men they would not be fresh enough to take the city. He was getting very worried his forces would not arrive in time, or would arrive to few, and that France would claim the city that had long been the prize of the Aztec empire and one of the greatest cities in the world. As he drifted off to sleep he dreamt only of walking the streets of the fabled city, he dreamt of seeing its famous Hanging Gardens, of beholding its legendary Great Wall and of reading for himself the knowledge contained within the incredible Aztec book ‘the Art of War.’

The morning came quickly and as he dressed in his trademark light blue coat a messenger came running into his tent looking both puffed and distressed.
‘What’s the matter corporal?’ demanded Ponsford.
‘Its… its Tenotchitlan sir…’ puffed the messenger. Ponsford didn’t move, his face was blank but his insides were churning.
‘What about Tenotchitlan corporal,’ demanded Ponsford after a time.
‘The French… I mean we… I mean the French have… Oh god sir, we are too late!’
Ponsford collapsed onto his bed. 6 weeks… 6 WEEKS of marching and his forces had got there a day too late.
‘Inform Lieutenant Jamison and get him to write to Canberra saying what happened. Tell him to say I take full responsibility,’ said Ponsford looking ashen faced.

Circa 1240AD – Hoover Dam in Melbourne

‘Ladies and gentlemen I am proud to announce that after many years of work we have completed this project.’ Curtin read aloud from his prepared speech. ‘This project which has taken the better part of 50 years, is the largest and most impressive feat of construction in our history and has cost more than four hundred billion dollars. It is the belief of this government that this dam will not only serve to generate power for the city but that the blueprints will allow the construction of similar Dams across the country at very little cost and effort.’
The crowd burst into applause. The good and the great of Australian society were here to witness the opening of Hoover’s Dam so named for the engineer who designed it. Curtin smiled, he saw very big things coming because of this.

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… which began with the construction of the Hoover Dam. This golden age of domestic growth began in Melbourne and would see the empire turn from one of a number of great powers in the world into a fully-fledged super power. Industrially, economically and scientifically this was the moment that Australia stood aside from other nations and said ‘We are Australia’, this was Australia’s time of ascension. The Industrial Revolution began Australia’s transformation into a global super power but it was the construction of the Hoover Dam, which marked the first signs of that transformation, but many more were to come. 1260AD was the year in which the complexion of the world changed…

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World Map at the end of this update

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Keep pushing east!

Hey,

The world maps before and after is a nice improvement. :)


Blaze Injun

Circa 1260AD

Australia was in the grip of a huge political frenzy. Over the past decade or so the calls for women’s right to vote had grown stronger and stronger. So much so that the Australian government had been pressured into drafting legislation on that very subject. The trouble was that there was nothing in the constitution to allow it. While other countries allowed their parliament to make amendments to the constitution, Australia could not make changes unless they were passed at a referendum. It took a long time to organise but Australia eventual held the referendum where the question ‘Are you in favour of granting women the right to vote?’ was put forward. Part of the problem, argued the Suffragette Movement, was that as women did not have a right to vote it would only be men voting on the change. However to the immense surprise of the Suffragette Movement the change was passed, 63% to 34% with 3% abstaining, thus making Australia the first country in the world to move into an even more democratic society and granting Universal Suffrage. To celebrate the momentous decision the Australian government erected a statue in Canberra.

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Circa 1260AD – Melbourne

Melbourne had long been the home of Australia’s financial hub, Wall Street. Its reputation as the financial capital of the nation had begun almost five hundred years earlier when Adam Smith, Author of ‘the Wealth of Nations’, had set up his trading company there. Melbourne also was home to Hoover Dam, the finest piece of engineering in modern history. Melbourne was possibly the most modern city in Australia and this was reflected in everything. The Victorian state government had made sure that Melbourne had the first fully developed rail network in Australia, close to a century before Sydney or Canberra would do likewise. It also had a reputation for producing talented soldiers. Building on this reputation, the Victorian government had received a special grant from the Australian Parliament to construct a national Military Academy. There was already the officers college at Duntroon in Canberra but this was to be a very special academy. It would be used to train not just Lieutenants and Captains the ultimate goal of this facility would be to produce a swathe of more talented Generals for the Australian army. Currently only General Bradman, and General Barton were field officers of the desired capabilities, this facility would hopefully, in time, rectify that problem.

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Circa 1265AD – Military Tribunal – Melbourne
‘Captain Ponsford, would you care to explain to the tribunal why your forces did not reach Tenotchitlan in time?’ asked the military prosecutor.
‘As I said before sir, the men were not in a fit state to fight if they had got there. If we had reached the city before the time that French eventually arrived… we could have lost everyone,’ replied Ponsford.
‘I see, Captain are you aware that the French forces that attacked the city had been moving almost non-stop since they left Paris six months earlier?’
‘No sir, but with respect I would like to point out that the French forces weren’t attacked repeatedly along the way. If you had read my report you would see that…’
‘I don’t think you are in any position to be telling me what I should have done, Captain.’ The prosecutor virtually spat the last word. Everyone in the courtroom knew the history between these two, they had been rivals at the Military Academy and had both been in line to get the promotion to captain prior to the Tula attack. Ponsford had got that honour, but Douglas Reid, the prosecutor, had performed so well in an administrative capacity he had been promoted to Major and was one of the chief supply officers at Melbourne’s prestigious military academy. Ponsford resented Reid; he thought he was a coward. While war had raged on Australia’s borders he’d gone and taken a cushy administrative role, hundreds of miles behind the line.
‘Sir, the report clearly states what happened. The panel has read my report and…’ began Ponsford
‘And that is why you are here!’ snapped Reid, cutting him off. “You are here because your report did not satisfy the tribunal. You received direct orders, from John Curtin no less, to reach Tenotchitlan before the French, and you didn’t. Is that true?’
‘Yes sir its true.’
‘Then I put it to the members of the panel that this shows he acknowledges that he disobeyed a direct order. This deserves a dishonourable discharge. If you need further proof of this man’s recklessness, he burned Calixtlahuaca, making homeless five hundred thousand Aztec people. A dishonourable discharge is less than he deserves but it is what he should receive.’

The panel talked amongst themselves for a few minutes. Ponsford sat in the dock, fidgeting nervously. Finally one of the judges spoke.

‘Captain William Ponsford, it is the decision of this tribunal that your actions in Calixtlahuaca were abhorrent and deserving of a dishonourable discharge…’

Ponsford’s face fell, his career was over. However the judge continued.

‘… however you are not on trial for that today. With regards Tenotchitlan it is the decision of this tribunal that you acted in the best interests of your men while attempting to follow orders. We do not find you guilt of insubordination, or disregarding orders. We do however find you guilty of Failure to carry out Orders, and as such you are placed on six months probation. Court dismissed.’

Ponsford grinned, he was alright, he’d gotten off with just a slap on the wrist. He breathed a huge sigh of relief. On the other side of the courtroom, Douglas Reid looked mortified.

Although Ponsford was meant to face another hearing with regards to Calixtlahuaca, the continuing war in the south meant that he was pardoned. In the end it didn’t matter as the Indians made sure there was no political backlash over it from the Aztecs.

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Players Notes

I find that hilarious… the rampaging Indians… :lol:

Circa 1265AD

Following the end of the Aztec-Australian war in 1260, there were more than three million refugees in the former empire of the Aztecs. In perhaps the greatest humanitarian aid program to that point John Curtin, the Prime Minister of Australia, ordered the construction of scores of refugee camps to help the people regain some pride and to find work before finding new homes. However many of the refugees did not want to leave the camps and decided to make their homes there. In thanks to John Curtin the majority of them opted to become part of the Imperial Republic of Australia. It was in this manner that the towns of Canungra

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Port Arthur

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Hunter Valley

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Mt Kosciusko

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Auchenflower

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Gracemere

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Kakadu

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Botany Bay

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and Roselyn Bay

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were founded. This expansion was the fastest growth seen in Australia for years and impressive capital works being done by the government backed it up. Australia’s overcrowded road system was supplemented by a rail network that was the envy of the world over. It was at this time that India began to display the diplomatic muscle that would make it the main challenger to Australia’s supremacy over the next few decades.

Circa 1265AD

India continued to keep pace with Australia and the Indian scientists were not impressed by their Australian counterparts. India offered to teach Australia about the concepts of communism and espionage if Australia in turn taught them about atomic theory but Curtin felt that this prized asset should not be surrendered lightly. However Curtin’s stubbornness proved to be futile, Ghandi had his scientists working around the clock and they soon developed their own atomic theory. Seeing that Australia had lost an important advantage Curtin sent Alexander Downer to India with a very special proposal.

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Meanwhile in Persia Australia’s limited forces were making good headway. Although the bulk of the Australian army had been redeployed to the front to defend against the Aztec invasion, and then later to counterattack, Curtin had still managed to find the funds to retrain the musket brigades in Bactra with the new weaponry coming out of Australia’s research centres. Known collectively as the 1st Australian Infantry Corps the four brigades were tasked with defending the holdings in Persia. The cavalry companies had suffered appalling casualties fighting against Persian counterattacks and two of the companies had been all but destroyed. Field Marshall Peter Cosgrove had been sent from Canberra personally by Curtin to oversee the campaign. Cosgrove opted for an all out strike on Persopolis to hopefully cripple the Persian economy and military capabilities. He contacted Captain Juten and told him to take 3 companies of Infantry from Bactra and drop them off on the beach a half mile from Persopolis. Cosgrove, as supreme commander of the Australian Defence Forces, had commissioned four Ironclads to support the transportation of troops and then to provide bombardment and covering fire for the Infantry. On June 2nd 1266 the 1st, 2nd and 4th Australian Infantry Companies landed on the Persian beaches. The seaward bombardment had resulted in heavy casualties for the defending Pikemen who had been unable to hide from the shelling. The Infantry, checked their helmets, loaded their rifles and charged the city. Close to a thousand Persian soldiers were killed at Persopolis with enough slaves taken to form seven working parties. The battle tested the Australian forces and they proved themselves worthy, and were stronger for it. From here on the Australian government would consider these three companies to be the elite of their Infantry companies.

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However shortly after the city fell the leader of the force, Captain Morris, received a radio transmission ordering the city to be razed. Defence Minister Kevin Rudd had reportedly received information from spies in Persia that there was an underground resistance force in Persopolis who were plotting to retake the city and kill the garrison. So their orders were simple, burn the city.

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However Captain Morris was further confused when a team of engineers and builders arrived at their campsite just a few hours after the city had been torched.
‘We’re from Adelaide,’ one of them had explained. ‘We’ve been sent here to establish your fortified camp and to get a harbour set up here.’
‘A harbour?’ asked Morris. ‘What on Earth for?’
‘Orders from Canberra mate, Curtin wants the ivory stocks around here gathered up and consistent stocks of it to head back to Australia. Don’t ask me why, guess he thinks that’ll make the people happy or something, I dunno mate, I’m just an engineer.’
‘Right…’

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Further south along the coast similar engineering/builder teams were constructing fortified camps along the coast at Mt. Isa and Mt. Cootha

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Political analysts in Australia speculated this was to provide staging points for further Australian incursions into Persia but then Curtin made a decision that through all of these ‘experts’ theories out the window.

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Sorry thats all I could get done in the short time I'm at home for before I head back to the coast, I'v tried to get the photoshop to work n its a slow n difficult process... in future updates...

Think Real: Historically what happens when two rival nations want control of a city?
Think Real: Historically what happened to the infantry defenders in WW1 when tanks entered the battlefield?
Think Game Real: What happens to a latter-Industrial Age nation at war when they have no rubber?
Think Game Real: Whats the most annoying thing that can happen when your poised for the final, epic, assault on your rival superpower?

All that and more will be answered next time, when I return, on

THE AUSTRALIAN EMPIRE

Hey,

Now that was worth the wait.


Blaze Injun

Yes, I love how you play this game, almost always at war.

I like how you show the last few moments of each leaders life, as their empire crashes down around them. Keep it up.:goodjob:

Fun read and well done :godjob:

Hey all, thanks for the kind comments. Thats the sort of thing you want to hear when writing a story. There's a big update to come but I can't post it till next monday as I don't have access to the pictures at the moment. My apologies for the delay, but this update will be worth waiting for!

Part 5 - Megalomania
There is no good and evil… there is only power and those too weak to seek it

Circa 1355AD

The terrific 1200’s had been a golden age of Australian domestic growth and development but that growth had slowed and was all but over however. During this time Australia had strengthened its bonds with the Indian people and the two nations regularly exchanged technology, and when the Indians had been unable to develop new ideas themselves, the Australian’s had generously sold them valuable pieces of technology. One of the great technologies Australia made available to the Indians was the secrets of making steel alloy. The metal, which was many times harder than any previously discovered was used frequently in the construction of bridges and the skyscrapers which were now dotting so many cities in both Australia and India.

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But as Australia’s growth slowed their international ambitions grew. One of the new organizations which was formed during this time was ASIO (Australian Security and Intelligence Organization), based in Melbourne.

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They had numerous successes pursuing domestic matters, but Curtin, growing increasingly wary of other nations ordered that ASIO expand its operations into international affairs. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world agents were successfully implanted into high-ranking government organizations throughout the rest of the world.

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ASIO became Curtin’s favourite pet and with it he learned many things about foreign nations, their domestic income and spending, their foreign debt, and perhaps most importantly, their military numbers and divisions.

However Australia’s ambition lead to great strife. Ever since the fateful battle of Tenotchitlan when France had seized the heart of the Aztec empire from under the nose of Australia, there had been tension between the two nations. France had left a massive Army Corps in the southlands and Australia had continually eyed Tenotchitlan enviously. Perhaps war was inevitable given the circumstances but in the end it was France who made the first moves of aggression. ASIO was Australia’s ace-in-the-hole, its agents were undetectable, unstoppable and perfect. Or so Australia thought. Australia made the mistake of underestimating the weakness of humanity. In particular the weakness mankind has for certain fermented beverages. Who would have thought that such a thing could bring the death of hundreds of thousands and the ruin of a five thousand year old civilisation?

Circa 1355AD – le Plotholefiller (a high profile French Nightclub), Paris

Douglas le Blanc was a man with a masters degrees in theatre, world languages, world history and engineering from the University of Canberra. He was also a graduate of the ASIO Espionage College in Melbourne. He was a productive citizen of France, he worked hard for the Paris city council, he paid his taxes on time and he helped his elderly neighbours take out their garbage. He also, unfortunately had a weakness for alcohol. This particular night he had headed off to le Plotholefiller looking for a few drinks and maybe some pleasurable company. He’d achieved his first goal although his second had fallen flat. He ha hardly endeared himself to the female patrons by vomiting copiously all over his best suit. He sat hunchbacked at the bar, his formal attire increasingly whiffy.
‘Bar… bartender… barshlender… shotever… Vodka!’ he managed to burble. The bartender thought this man was in no fit state to have anything else to drink and said so in no uncertain terms.
‘You… you can’t take to me like that sshmelly!’ burped le Blanc. ‘Do… do you know who I am? I’m… I’m… well I forget but I’m the mosht important pershon in this eshtablishment punk!’
‘Yeah right drunky, get the hell out of here before I have you thrown out!’
‘Oh yeah..’ said le Blanc rising off his stool and doing his best to look menacing. ‘You can’t toucsh me cosh im aushtrahian… I’m from ae-shio!’ he bellowed.
The club went deathly quite. Everyone stared at him.
‘Yer… thash what I thought… punksh!’
It was only minutes before le Blanc found himself in a crumpled heap on the floor, yelling unprintable proffanities in front of President Joan d’Arc.
‘Can you explain to me captain why this ugly, smelly, foulmouthed… man… is lying on my nice clean floor?’ asked Joan d’Arc with a sort of cold fury.
‘Your ladyship… he says he’s from ASIO. It could just be the ramblings of a drunk me’lady but I don’t know if we should take that risk,’ answered the captain of the guard.
Joan glared at le Blanc.
‘Where are you from?’ she demanded.
‘I aint tellin’ you nushin!’ mumbled le Blanc.
‘Guards take him to a cell. When he is sober interrogate him fully. If he is from ASIO then Australia will pay… oh yes there will be a reckoning for this!’

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Circa 1355AD - Canberra

‘If it is a war she wants Field Marshall then it is war she shall get,’ said Curtin cooly.
‘Begin by deploying forces to the southlands. Seize ALL holdings there. Make Tenotchitlan a priority. I will vastly increase military spending to support you Peter. I want the Southlands under Australian control soon.’
‘Of course Prime Minister,’ answered Field Marshall Peter Cosgrove. As he left the war room he began thinking how he could possibly crack open a French defence whose lynchpin was well dug-in infantry. His solution was to hit them in their trenches with bombs and shells to break their moral and weaken their resolve before being overwhelmed by Australian troops. However his plan, although correct in principle would receive a baptism of fire, attempting to crack open the defences of Tenotchitlan where there were over forty divisions of French General Infantry and Musketeers. These forces, heavily entrenched and bitterly determined, were the toughest opponents Australia had ever encountered. However the investments in the military authorized by John Curtin had been wisely spent with close to a hundred divisions of artillery. Spread across the entire war zone in the southlands their numbers were still sufficient to be able to break up the tightly packed French defences and Australian Cavalry companies were able to overwhelm the weakened defences. The Southlands War was the first field test of Australia’s military academy. Half a dozen field generals had graduated already from the academy and their Cavalry Armies proved to be more successful in a short space of time even than the legendary Generals Bradman, and Barton.

The Southlands war lasted less than five years and resulted in the French being completely driven out. Australia troops saw more battlefields than during the entire Aztec and Egyptian wars combined. However the major battles were at:

The former Aztec city of Malinalco. The French defences were thinnest here and were attacked first. The capture of Malinalco although not a great military victory was significant as it cut the communication lines with mainland France and the Southlands. It also gave French morale a beating.
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Matsuyama was where the main body of France's offensive armies were located. The battle of Matsuyam pitted charging cavalry and artillery against defending cavalry. The result of the battle was never in question and victory here ended any chance of a succesful French counterattack.

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Cherbourg was always a French holiday city and this was reflected in its skeletal garrison. Cut off from mainland France and with the rest of the French army crumbling this city surrendered meekly to the advancing Australian armies.

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Poitiers was of no strategic value to Australia and its capture was an afterthought. Peter Cosgrove was merely carrying out Curtin's orders

Seize all holdings

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and of course Tenotchitlan

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The battle of Tenotchitlan was orchestrated by General Ponsford, the grandson of Captain Ponsford who had fallen short at the final hurdle in Australia’s original campaign for the city. This time Ponsford had lead dozens of companies of Cavalry into battle and the French defenders had fought bravely but futilely. The battle had lasted a day and a night as wave after wave of Cavalry was repelled but it was inevitable that the defences could not hold and in the end the walls were breached and the city had a third ruler in a little over a century.

Circa 1360 AD – Tenotchitlan

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General Ponsford walked down the streets of Tenotchitlan. It was more than a century since his grandfather had failed by a day to take the city before the French, well now he had restored his grandfather’s name by being the one who seized the city. Ponsford was amazed by the city. It’s gorgeous walkways, its ancient cultural buildings… that was not to mention the great wonders which dotted the city. The Pyramids filled the sky, rising hundreds of feet into the air, the Hanging Gardens near the former site of Montezuma’s palace was one of the most beautiful features of the city. Impressive beyond words it had become far and away Ponsford’s favourite place in the city. However Ponsford could not help his feeling that the cease fire, signed after France was driven out of the Southlands, would end shortly. As is so often the case with intuition, Ponsford was absolutely right.

Circa 1357 AD – Berlin

Agent 713 of ASIO had been living in Germany for two months. Agent 713, operating under the pseudonym ‘Michel Schneider’ was a very charismatic man. Tall, tanned and handsome, who exuded and aura of confidence, he was very athletic and intelligent and possessed great finesse. Perhaps his only weakness was a touch of arrogance, and even that he was able to keep under control when he needed to. His official purpose in Berlin was to keep tabs on the German military but he had already succeeded in working his way into a position of rank within the German Republic’s ruling party. As such ASIO had big plans for him, including perhaps gaining control a measure of control in the way Germany was run. At the current time ASIO believed that Chancellor Bismarck, the present ruler of Germany, had posted a covert agent in Australia. ‘Michel’s’ current assignment was to find out if there was, and if possible expose him. Michel had been making enquiries about Germany’s espionage with some of the officials in the ruling party but he had consistently met stony silence. His modus operandi had been to quiz his superiors when possible but the continuous failure of this method had lead him to contemplate a new approach.

One night he returned to party headquarters long after everyone else had gone home. He told the security officials at the door that he had left some important papers in his office and had come to retrieve them and the guards made no attempt to stop him, why should they? This was Michel Schneider Bismarck’s favourite, the biggest mover and shaker the party had seen since Bismarck himself! Michel went into his office and began rummaging through the filing cabinet, he did not expect to find anything but he needed the guards to think he was in his office. When the guards were getting a drink from a seller on the street Michel snuck through to Bismarck’s office, he didn’t have a key but something like that would never worry an ASIO Agent. Inside the office he began to search through all Bismarck’s files on foreign affairs. He was nearing the end when he saw a shadow pass in front of the door. He froze. The door opened and who should walk in but Bismarck himself. If he hadn’t been in mortal danger ‘Michel’ probably would have found the scene amusing: a great prospect for the party crouching on the floor of the party heads office sifting through files at three in the morning.
Bismarck looked stunned. He opened his mouth to speak and ‘Michel’ leapt to his feet and was out the door and out of the building quickly. He quickly made his way to the outskirts of Berlin and radioed ASIO.

‘Agent 713 calling ASIO, are you on channel Rick or James? Over,’ said ‘Michel’ into the speaker.
‘ASIO calling Agent 713 we are on channel over,’ burbled the receiver.
‘Operation Sting is compromised, my cover is blown requesting immediate evacuation. Over.’
‘Roger Agent 713, evacuation will be deployed in the next 48 hours. Be at the designated evac point at 0600 hours in four days time. If you are not there then ASIO will disavow any knowledge of your existence. Over’
‘Roger that ASIO, over and out.’

Unfortunately for ‘Michel’ the radio signal was picked up by German receivers, and Bismarck was not happy.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/2923/spygermany8pu.jpg

Agent 713 was evacuated as planned but after a fierce debate in the German senate Bismarck made this fateful decision.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4519/germanwar4pr.jpg

Fateful for Germany, not Australia, that is…

Circa 1359AD – Off the coast of Frankfurt, North Germany

General Ashgrove and his Cavalry Companies were some of the finest in Australia. They had been handpicked by John Curtin for this mission. The target; Frankfurt, the goal; control of North Germany, and their ship HMAS Byron was a beautiful galleon. Accompanying Ashgrove and his men in the fleet were the HMAS Ipswich, Biloela and Yeppoon. On board those ships were a dozen divisions of Infantry and four divisions of Artillery. They were hovering off the coast of Germany waiting for permission to begin the attack on Frankfurt. At 0200 hours on the 22nd of July 1359AD Australian High Command gave the order to commence the assault. Ashgrove and his men swept over the unprepared Germans with ease and the centre of northern Germany was in Australian hands.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1940/frankfurt7gf.jpg

However High Command’s orders were not just to capture the city. With it occupied one company of Infantry was ordered to garrison the city while Ashgrove and the rest of the 9th Australian Army Corps was to push on and capture Germany. They had a very short deadline with Curtin wanting the island nation within the next few years.

Ashgrove had earned a reputation as a ferocious task master who was prepared to fight large scale battles with skeletal forces. Perhaps that was on Curtin’s mind when he chose Ashgrove, perhaps not, it didn’t matter, the point was that there was no one in Australia better suited to the task at hand then the General who Curtin had personally requested handle the campaign.

Ashgrove divided his forces ordering the Artillery divisions and 8 Infantry divisions head west to Hamburg while he lead his personal army south to Heidelberg and Berlin.

The battles for Hamburg and Heidelberg were non-events. The German army was hopelessly outclassed. Still using weapons and tactics Australia had abandoned as inadequate centuries ago the twin cities fell without much fanfare or difficulty.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1084/heidleberg8xz.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9153/hamburg2px.jpg

Infantry divisions were left in each city as garrison while the combined forces moved toward Berlin.
The artillery opened fire on Berlin on the morning of November the 17th 1361 and reduced the city to rubble. However each shell that was fired merely added to the defencive cover available to the city’s defenders. When Infantry charged the city German Muskets barricaded behind fallen masonry drove back the first wave and a great cheer went up. However the second wave broke through the first line. The second line however held firmly against the Australian forces for days and sold their lives dearly. The battle for Berlin lasted six days and five nights and cost the lives of thousands on both sides. When the city was captured the Australian forces were left surveying not a city but a field of death. They had been made to fight tooth and nail, to bleed themselves dry for every square foot they took. But in the end it had been enough.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2039/berlin2ol.jpg

The city was in Australian hands and General Ashgrove began plotting how best to take advantage of Germany’s beaten and battered army. Planning was somewhat superfluous however. Germany’s army had been reduced to a few divisions of longbows and muskets, nowhere near enough to deal with the Australian forces. The rest of Germany fell quickly save for the city of Konigsberg.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6841/leipzig2vt.jpg

There are no records of what happened to Munich. John Curtin was never told. All historians can agree on is that it was there at one point but that by the time of the battle of Konigsberg the city had simply ceased to exist. Only one person knew what happened to the city, General Ashgrove, and he delighted in not talking about right up until the point of his death decades later.

Circa 1367AD – Diary of Josep Lehmann recovered from Konigsberg by men of the Australian 38th Infantry Division

January 16th
This is likely to be my last entry
Bismarck is bitterly, bitterly depressed. He has seen his people, who have risen from the dirt on a backward isle thousands of miles from true civilization, prosper from contact with the rest of the world but now he sees his people dying in droves of disease and famine just as much as from the rifles of the Australians. The last city of Germany, will not fall easily. That is what Bismarck has decided. He has called to the city every man capable of using a weapon and had armed his people with whatever they could. Be it bow, sword, dagger, musket or whatever else these people were no army. We were a rabble with no discipline or training, but each one of us was determined that if he should die then he will make his life worth something. Berlin is a lesson for us, that courage can hurt the Australians even with all their advanced weapons.
It can’t be hopeless. Two weeks ago as we sat around the campfire one of my comrades uttered those words. If he was looking for reassurance or sympathy he got neither for no one else spoke. I don’t know, one part of me can’t believe that but another part of my thinks he is right. How could we go on, fighting day after day with no end or chance of victory in sight if we genuinly believed that we can’t win. It can’t be hopeless. Tomorrow I go into battle and I will make Australia suffer. For every one of my comrades who dies I will kill a dozen Australians in retribution. For my life I will take a hundred of them with me. Bismarck will be proud of me.
It can’t be hopeless.

Meanwhile outside the city the Australian’s readied their artillery, cleaned and loaded their rifles and later that day they attacked the city and left no man who bore arms alive…
It can’t be hopeless?

The fate of Bismarck is to this day unknown. Speculative historians have suggested he died in the battle of Berlin years earlier and that he was already dead at the battle of Konigsberg. Others have suggested he was killed by artillery fire prior to the Australian charge, while some have even speculated he may have escaped the carnage and resumed life elsewhere. All that is known is that every body recovered from the battle was identified, and Bismarck’s body was never found.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8788/konigsberg6sy.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/157/deadgermany3pz.jpg

Players Notes; some of you may have noticed that the last German city is a modern city and that they had 2400 gold… this is because I made peace with them, gifted them up to the modern age and then bought their free tech (rocketry) for 2400 gold, then redeclared and captured the city and took my money back… unfortunately I couldn’t figure out how that could be written into the story…

this is because I made peace with them, gifted them up to the modern age and then bought their free tech (rocketry) for 2400 gold, then redeclared and captured the city and took my money back…

That will hurt your reputation, but at this point, who cares! You could take on all of the civilizations combined!

That will hurt your reputation, but at this point, who cares! You could take on all of the civilizations combined!

I know that but I'm well past the point where something like that mattered to me. I already lost my rep right at the start when i redeclared on england before the peace was up.

Great update, tupaclives!
Could you post a world map?

Circa 1362AD - Zululand

ASIO had suffered some major blows to its credibility in Australia in recent years. ASIO agents were originally portrayed as being the absolute pinnacle of perfection, however detection of highly rated agents in Paris and Berlin meant that the public at large no longer believed that ASIO could effectively protect national interests. Further doubts were cast on the quality of the agents when a third agent was detected, this time in the politically volatile arena of Zululand.

Agent 209 was of Aboriginal decent. He was a fantastic natural athlete and was very strong. When he was younger he had been an Australian champion boxer and retained the aggression and determination even if not the speed. He was lucky in that he had not suffered any intellectual impairment as a result of the sport. After his career had finished he had been asked to join ASIO. He graduated at the top of his class in most of the physical areas and his improvement academically was so impressive that by the end he was well and truly on top of his class in some of the more difficult aspects of the academy such as world languages, engineering and calculus. His first posting had been a very successful stint in Salamanca but Agent 316 had replaced him after four years. Presently he was posted to the province of Zimbabwe in Zululand. Currently operating under the alias of Shako he had worked hard and was a junior minister for military affairs in the Zulu democracy. As such his position had meant that he had been able to acquire for ASIO a full list of Zulu troop numbers and equipment. ASIO radioed him in the early hours on the 3rd of April, 1362 and said that his new assignment was to find out the location of all military forces in Zululand. He was fully aware of the cases of Agent 713 in Berlin and was determined that a similar fate would not await him, he would not fail. However his investigations were not in the least successful. He needed to gain access to some of the confidential papers and without authority from his senior minister he would not be able to do so.
Shako spent considerable time trying to gain permission from his senior minister but was repeatedly met with flat out refusal. After weeks of trying he radioed ASIO…

‘Agent 209 calling ASIO, are you on channel Rick or James? Over.’
‘ASIO calling Agent 209 we are on channel over.’
‘Operation Zulu is at an impasse, I have been unable to get even close to getting the required infomation. Over.’
‘Roger Agent 209, I will pass the message over to High Command, I don’t think they’ll be very pleased though. Are you sure you can’t get anything? Over.’
‘Affirmative ASIO, Requesting to be extracted at the nearest suitable opportunity.’
‘Roger that Agent 209, will pass your message on. Over and out.’

Shako hadn’t noticed his rival junior minister Xhosa enter the room midway through his radio transmission.

‘So Shako, I suppose we are not all as we first seem,’ said Xhosa cooly.
Shako spun around and a surprised look settled on his face.
‘Xhosa…’ he began. ‘I… uh… this isn’t what it looks like.’
‘Looks like? What do YOU think it looks like Shako? I’ll tell you what it looks like to me. To me it looks like you’re a rat, a traitor. Looks like you’re going to die for this as well.’ Xhosa had a nasty smile on his face. ‘And such a shame it will be too. Shako, Junior minister for defence, caught red handed in the act of treason. I’m going to enjoy watching you die Shako. I never really liked or trusted you.’
‘You… you can’t prove anything Xhosa. Its your word against mine, and they will believe me before you,’ offered Shako.
‘Oh I doubt that Shako, you see you’ve been acting very suspiciously lately, snooping around the ministers offices. Asking all those impertinent questions, do you really think our bosses won’t click to it?’
‘Why do you call them our bosses Xhosa? My bosses are ASIO, and I don’t think you’ve ever worked for anybody but yourself…’
‘It doesn’t matter either way Shako because the result is still the same. GUARDS!’

Shako swung a punch and knocked Xhosa flat on the ground. It felt good, it had been a long time since Shako had got the chance to use any of his old moves. The two Impi guards that entered look startled and Shako pushed past them and raced outside. He reached the street and looked around wildly. He took a wild guess and raced down the left lane. But he was too slow off the mark, his age and the years of inactivity had sapped his pace and the last thing he felt was the hypodermic dart puncturing his neck before he fell flat on his face, and then he felt no more.

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/9636/spyzulu7vg.jpg

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/3345/zuluwar8uz.jpg

Circa 1362AD – Melbourne

Curtin was fuming. He hadn’t been this annoyed since his doctor had inadvertently prescribed pulls to deal with constipation while he was suffering from the runs.
‘Can you explain to me please why, after all the millions of dollars we have poured into your department, the main result has been the initiation of three wars?’ asked Curtin.
‘Sir I appreciate that the other two incidents were the result of poor work by the agents themselves but this case could not be helped. From what we can gather from the radio transmitter which was left on is that Agent 209 got sprung during his conversation with ASIO operators by a Zulu official,’ responded the ASIO Director.
‘Well that’s all well and good but it doesn’t help me deal with yet another war started by your agency. What do you propose I do?’
‘Well sir the fact that we did not precipitate this war will be good for us. If you do not leak the details that the war was as a result of espionage operations we were conducting then the public will offer its full backing for the war. With Germany dealt with and all quiet on the northern front, we have more than enough troops spare to deploy for a lightning campaign against the Zulu. Couple this with the fact that we have a mutual protection pact with the Iroquois who are the Zulu’s neighbours and the long running tension between the Zulu and the Persians, we could even have them fight the war for us if you do not wish to get involved sir. However if I may offer a strategic suggestion, we could send a force of several divisions of Infantry to capture the Zulu city of Hlobane which has access to the Zulu’s spice supplies which our people like so much. By gaining access to them we would have sufficient amounts to trade, thus strengthening our economy and making our own people happier. In addition it would give us a strong foothold on the Eastern Coast of the continent.’
‘You seem to have this thought out very well… and you make a good case for it too… I’ll pass on you’re idea to Field Marshall Cosgrove and let him deal with it. But please, in future, try and stop getting agents caught. It’s making me a political pariah…’

Field Marshall Cosgrove thought that the idea was sound in every respect and so ordered the immediate deployment of half a dozen divisions of Infantry aboard three ships, with an escort of four destroyers to land the troops at Hlobane. The destroyers had a run in with the French navy along the way but sank the two French Ironclads with only superficial damage received in turn. It was several months before the small fleet reached the coast of Hlobane. The initial force was dropped off in the White Forests, to the north of the city and moved southward. The Zulu army, which moved to counter them, was comprised of thousands of warriors armed with just a spear and a large wooden shield. However their numbers proved to be no threat to the well organised Infantry divisions and with the army defeated the capture of the city was simple matter. The city was kept intact but a number of slaves were taken.

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/431/hlobane14pk.jpg

However just a few days after the capture of the city additional ships arrived. Major Thompson, in charge of the attacking force, had not received word from High Command that he was receiving reinforcements but to his displeasure the ‘reinforcements’ were simply a band of engineers and builders who had been ordered to cannibalise the ancient Zulu city and to construct a fortified camp with port facilities to transport the Spices back to Australia.

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/2295/city4qa.jpg

While the fortified camp was under construction Iroquois cavalry pushing up from the south took Zimbabwe and pushed the Zulu forces, marshalled by the ageing Chief Shaka right back to Ngome. The battle of Ngome was an epic struggle by the Zulu and the tale of the final hours of Chief Shaka were recorded expertly by a Zulu scribe and was included in the appendix for ‘The History of the World’.



9th December 1362
Lo and so as the hated Iroquois advanced, riding upon beasts of sinew and muscle whose footsteps were like thunder. The helmets of our foes glittered like starlight in the fading daylight, and yet our warriors held. We had survived their charge before and we were to do again. Our muskets, weapon gifts from the Glorious French Queen Joan, had failed us. Our warriors wielding them had been felled in the initial charge and it was left to the Impi. The glorious, unstoppable, traditional heroes of Zululand to hold the line and so they did. Yet each day we lament for the souls of hundreds of our fallen warriors. Our great chief Shaka does not show his sadness openly but I can see it in his eyes he is heartbroken by each death. Yet during each charge when the line seems broken Shaka has appeared to fill the breach himself. His huge bronzed body standing firm like an ancient god, he personally beat back attack after attack and inspires our noble warriors with his rousing battle cries.

http://www.stormfront.org/whitehistory/hwr56_files/retief_dead.jpg

If the Iroquois think that we will submit they are dreaming. We will fight to the death, and it is the hope of each warrior that if he must die he does so alongside our Great Chief, selling themselves well. Tomorrow the Iroquois shall came again, of that I have no doubt, but as surely as the sun rises we shall fight them off again. Ngome is Zululand now and without it we do not exist. Tomorrow when the charge comes we are so few in number I must fight as well. If I live after tomorrow I will tell you the tale of the battle seen with my own eyes.

10th December 1362
Lo lament and woe! Today we once again drove back the hated Iroquois but to do so cost us our soul, our spirit. Shaka is dead. He died a heroes death though fighting against a hundred of the enemy. The Iroquois came as always but we held firm and beat them back again and again yet still more come. Finally as the left flank fell Shaka himself charged alone into battle. He slew dozens of them yet for each he killed two more appeared and in the end even our Great Chief could not hold an army on his own. As clockwork the Iroquois will charge again tonight, but this time, without our guiding light I no longer think we can endure.

http://www.armenianhighland.com/images/nkarner/nkar_1569.jpg


And right he was as finally, after a week and a day of consistent attacks by the Iroquois the city finally fell.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/5256/deadzulu8hz.jpg

We should Raze the city
:rotfl:
10 char

I bet you are beginning to press the 66% Domination limit.

Congratulations on your 5-star rating!

Oh, BTW tupaclives, you changed your graphics? The sn00py graphics are way better than the original ones, aren't they?

Circa 1381AD – The League of Nations Kyoto

Nearly twenty years had passed without a war happening somewhere on the Earth. During that time the world’s greatest nations had set up an international agency known as the League of Nations whose job was to mediate disputes between nations and for the last twenty years it had worked. Today however there was a great debate raging at the League of Nations over the validity of Australia’s claim to the Southlands.
‘… and in conclusion ladies and gentlemen it is clear to see that Australia’s tenuous hold on the Southlands is an illegal one. France is the rightful administer and governor of those lands which Australia calls its own…’ the French ambassador said.
‘The rightful administer and governor?’ interrupted the Australian ambassador. ‘Rightful? By right these lands belong if anyone to the Egyptians and Aztecs. You have no more historical or diplomatic right to these lands then we do.’
The French ambassador stared at him coldly.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, founder and joining nations, France has sent me to deliver France’s proposal. Either Australia voluntarily relinquishes their control of the southlands to France or France will retake these lands by force. I have been ordered to say that France will stop at nothing and we are willing to use the full capabilities of our military might.’

Everyone stared at the ambassador in silence. They couldn’t believe what they were hearing, first that a founder nation of the League of Nations would stand here and openly threaten war on another founder member. Secondly, none of them could quite believe that France would threaten Australia; the worlds true superpower, so much.
After a time the Australian ambassador spoke.
‘Australia will not, and cannot allow itself to be bullied by anyone. Especially a friend. Sometimes when a friend tries to bully you, they are no longer a friend, and you will resist. That is what is happening here. We will not be bullied by anyone, not Joan, not Gandhi not Hiawatha not God not anyone. Take your empty threats elsewhere.’
The French ambassador shook his head and stormed out of the League of Nations. All eyes fell upon the Australian ambassador who briefly acknowledged the other ambassadors with his gaze, then he rose from his seat.
‘If you will excuse me ladies and gentlemen I need to inform my superiors of these events.’ He then packed up his documents and moved briskly out of the room.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/352/francewar19nx.jpg

Circa 1381AD – Malinalco

Captain Woodfull sat casually in his seat in the guardhouse. He loved his job, great pay, a uniform all the girls loved and it was good exercise. Plus there hadn’t been any fighting around this area for decades. He was playing checkers with a junior officer when a runner raced in and handed him a fax
‘Captain, the French army is descending on your position and should arrive in the next 12-14 hours. Fortify all divisions of Infantry in and around the city and await reinforcements. Good luck Captain
John Curtin’
After a few moments he realised just how much danger he suddenly was in.
‘Paul, get every man out of the barracks now! Get them suited up, get them armed! We’ve got incoming!’

Circa 1381AD – Canberra

‘We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated sir,’ said Kevin Rudd. ‘If the French are going to launch an all out strike on one of our cities we need to respond in kind. We lost five whole divisions to their attack. We almost lost that city, sir I suggest you attack while they are regrouping from their defeat there.’
‘Kevin,’ began John Curtin. ‘I will not authorize to send tens of thousands of men to their deaths in a foreign land with no chance of victory.’
‘But sir, our armies are the finest in the world, they are…’
‘They are beatable Kevin. The investment in manpower and time that it would take to make a significant impact in the war would be enormous. France itself is too well defended. I am hereby authorizing Admiral Peterson to take no more than twelve battleships and eighteen destroyers into French waters to harass the coastline. I will not authorize more.’
Everyone looked at each other finally Daryl Williams spoke.
‘Sir if your reason for not deploying troops to France is a lack of available manpower… what would you say if I told you we had a weapon that could crack open any defensive position… even one protected by Infantry? And what would you say if I told you they could do so without the aid of artillery?’
‘I would consider the possibility of an attack Daryl… why? What have your boys come up with this time?’

Daryl grinned and pulled out an A3 piece of paper from his briefcase.
‘Have a look at this sir…’ he said with a smile.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5803/motorized1pv.jpg

Curtin grinned. ‘Its hard to argue with a case like that Daryl. How long will it take you to build these things?’
‘I’d say maybe four years to get enough divisions built sir…’
‘Then do it. In the meantime continue with the naval operations. Also start teaching our generals about using these things to strategic effect in battle. I don’t want them to be ruined by inexperience.’
‘Of course sir.’

Australia had always considered itself to be a ‘modern’ country ever since it was first founded. However in the year 1380 with the development of the Automobile and motorized transportation, Australia finished becoming what we think of today as a ‘modern’ country. The new options for jobs, transporting of supplies, and general quality of life available to regular citizens all improved dramatically after 1380 as Australia entered a new era of prosperity.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9349/modern7zs.jpg

Circa 1382AD – The League of Nations

The League of Nations had fallen apart largely after the departure of France from its ranks. Persia was the latest country to join the claims for Australia to give up its territorial claims to the western coast of the sub-continent. Australia had consistently and stubbornly refused to give up any of their claims and Persia announced that it had signed a Mutual Protection Pact with France and intended to honour it. Persia allied itself with France and joined the war against Australia. However Australia and Iroquois shared strong ties and they had agreed to protect each other in the event of war. When Persia announced it was joining the war alongside France, the Iroquois declared that they would offer their full military support to the Imperial Republic of Australia. Japan who had a similar arrangement as Australia with the Iroquois joined the Iroquois against Persia but refused to fight against France.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6964/francempp1kh.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2072/irovpersia2ga.jpg

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1259/japvpersia6kw.jpg

Circa 1382AD – Canberra

‘Can anybody explain what to me just what the hell is going on?’ demanded Curtin.
‘Well sir as best we can understand it ourselves, the Iroquois have joined us against Persia but refuse to go to war with France, and they have dragged their ally Japan into the battle with Persia as well,’ answered his Aide.
‘Ah thank you George, at last someone speaking plain English. So what is the status of our armed forces? Kevin?’
‘Well sir thanks to your generous funding the ADF now comprises of close to two hundred divisions of Infantry, one hundred and twenty-seven divisions of Cavalry, one hundred divisions of artillery, thirteen battleships, twenty-six destroyers, eight submarines and within a few years Daryl tells me that we will have more than thirty divisions of tanks, a number we will be able to double every few years.’
‘Excellent Kevin, I want the battle with France to remain a naval one, also deploy additional Infantry reserves to the Persian front. Also I will authorize funding for the construction of our air force. We rule the seas and the war zones on the ground and I want us to do likewise in the air’
‘Yes sir,’ answered Kevin Rudd and he went to find Field Marshall Cosgrove and pass on his instructions.

Circa 1384 – The Persian Subcontinent

Although officially Australia had been at war with Persia for two years their had been no actual fighting between the two armies as Persia and the Iroquois had battled for control of the sub-continent. However with reinforcements from Australia having arrived, General ‘Archie’ Jackson, CO of the ADF in the sub-continent, was prepared to use some of his troops in an offensive role. He lead his own Cavalry Army, the 11th Mounted Cavalry Army, against Antioch and succeeded in breaking through the Persian Rifle divisions who occupied the city. Although his men suffered heavy casualties, once the city was capture he began moving some of the newly arrived reinforcements north to garrison the city which became a high-priority target for the Persians.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7185/antioch1wq.jpg

The other offensive campaign was conducted in former Zululand when three divisions of Infantry attacked Swazi. The city which was small and cold had little value, but its capture drew a high portion of Persian troops away from the Iroquois front for an extended period of time which was of great assistance to the Iroquois.

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1448/swazi4af.jpg

That was to be all the offensive operations undertaken by the Australian’s in the 3rd Parsa-Australian War. Australia was concentrating her energies on the bigger fish. France.


Players Notes:
@ stocktracker - Hey, thank you very much, and thank you to whoever it was who voted it like that :dance: yes i thought a similiar thing about the domination limit but I was suprised (i finished the game long ago) just how much longer it is before I reach that limit. It means there's still plenty of time for :hammer:

@ mirc - yep thats right abotu the graphics, i make reference to it in an earlier update when i say 'the year in which the complexion of the world changed' or something similiar

I wouldn't bother going to those League of Nations meetings to listen about small nations complaining about all of their problems. Take them all over!

Circa 1385AD-1415AD – The Battle for Mainland France

General Lillee of the 1st Armoured Tank army stood overseeing the scene before him. A mile or two ahead was the French city of Dijon. Its conquest would give Australia a foothold in mainland France. His plan was simple, at 0300 hours the battleships HMAS Sydney, HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Brisbane would open fire on the city from the water and hopefully create enough covering fire for Lillee’s tanks to get within range of the city, from there it would be simple with the main attack hopefully commencing at 0323 hours. However nothing is every quite that brilliant and it was a simple matter of General Lillee possessing a watch that was just 8 minutes slow. The fire from the ships had been stopped for some time when Lillee finally realised his mistake. Pushing his forces forward he sent Captain Loxton and his tank company ahead of the main force and watched his company shred the infantry defenders. However the artillery support fire from the back proved disastrous. The tanks broke down a few hundred metres short of the city and were destroyed by their own artillery support. A furious Lillee ordered that the artillery cease fire, and then he lead the main body of four companies to attack the main entrance to the city. The battle was very short. The rifles of the French infantry could not penetrate Tank armour, and the cannons mounted on the tanks hulls were able to blow apart defenders, even ones hidden in trenches. Finally at 0551 the city was under Australian control.

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While the tanks underwent repairs in the city General Ashgrove, recently returned from Germany and determined to prove his Cavalry were just as good as any new fangled contraption, lead his men against Rouen. Backed up by heavy covering fire which severely injured most of the defenders before the battle, Ashgrove and his men were able to completely destroy the garrison and take the city in just a few hours and with minimal casualties.

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Amiens was one of the major financial hubs of mainland France. The French stock exchange was located here and the economic importance of the city to France could not be overstated. As such General Lillee deployed five tank companies to assault the city. The Australian tanks hit the city hard following a day and a night of relentless shelling from Australian artillery. In just two brief hours the fresh green field were reduced to homes for charred and broken bodies, crushed weapons and was pockmarked by craters. The capture of the city meant that France was economically crippled in the short term.

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The battle of Tours was overseen personally by General Lillee and the 1st Tank Army. Following the successful assault on Dijon, Lillee employed similar tactics, sending a lone company forward first. However this time the artillery barrage concluded before the tank company reached the outskirts of the city so as not to endure a similar disaster with the first wave as there was at Dijon. Finally the assault of the 1st Tank Army was enough to crack open the city and leave it at the mercy of Australia’s occupying forces.

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General Ashgrove was now competing with General Lillee for conquests, however Ashgrove’s increasingly outdated Mounted Cavalry Army was beginning to struggle to compete with Lillee’s tanks and the tank armies falling under the control of new generals coming out of the military academy every few years. There were now over 20 Armies in the field and most of them were tank armies. France was going to feel the full force of Australia’s military power soon. Chartres was Ashgrove’s immediate target however. The lightly defended city fell in much the same manner as Rouen. Ashgrove, knowing his men lacked the firepower of the tank armies would soften the target with artillery escorted by a division or three of Infantry before the army charged in to capture the city. The combined force could then move on, rinse and repeat. Chartres was perhaps the battle where this tactic finally reached perfection. The city fell with only minimal casualties.

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Johnny Warren was nothing special. He was just your average working class man. Born in Newcastle his father had worked down the mines and had been keen for Johnny to follow suite. But Warren always had a passion for the military and when he finished school he had joined the ADF as a private. He was now a Brigadier-Corporal and was the gunner of one of the tanks in the 37th Tank Company. Warren made a name for himself at the battle of Avignon. The charge of the 37th Company was stopped by a determined French resistance and clever use of tank traps. With the majority of the company stopped dead and French Infantry using grenades to destroy immobilized tanks Warren began to pick off the tank traps that were coming in the way of his tanks tracks. His accurate shooting was also responsible for helping bring down 2 divisions of defending Infantry. Although 37th Company was almost wiped out, Warren’s brilliance on the battle field earned him the Victoria Cross – the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a military personnel and Warren himself was promoted to Major.

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Following Warren’s heroics the final assault on the city met almost no opposition and the city fell with ease.

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General Simpson was one of the new breed of Generals coming through the ranks. Unlike some of the previous greats the new style of generalship hinged less around tactical flexibility and skill as around man-management skills. Probably because tactics had reached a peak for the present period of time and so the ethos had become ‘keep your men happy and they will win you wars’. Nonetheless he began his field career with a flawless assault on Grenoble to take the city.

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Circa 1415-1480 – The Battle for Mainland France

John Curtin was eager to cut off the French supplies of rubber which were necessary to equip their Infantry force. So he entrusted the mission to severe their rubber supplies to Major Ponsford, the man who orchestrated the successful siege of Tenotchitlan. He would take the elite 1st Mounted Cavalry Army under his charge, accompanied by three additional companies of Cavalry and would attack the rubber mines. The sabotage mission was successfully carried out in December 1416 but the force found themselves well behind enemy lines. High command radioed them their orders, only only a few Rifle divisions lightly protected the French city of Rheims. The French government didn’t think anyone could strike that far into French held territory and so Ponsford was to hit them there, and then hold the city long enough for reinforcements to arrive. The charge caught the French defenders completely off guard. The 1st Mounted Cavalry Army lead the assault but after defeating three divisions of rifles they were forced to withdraw and allow the 88th Cavalry Company to deal with the remaining defenders.

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Orleans was the second city to join the French empire, thousands of years ago. It was the most productive city in France, the first to build factories and power plants. It was the heart of the French industrial powerhouse and without France would be brought to her knees. So Field Marshall Cosgrove began planning how it could be taken, for it was not lightly defended. Luckily there were no major cities between the new French front and the city itself and so Cosgrove’s plan was to deploy the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Tank Armies supported by twenty divisions of artillery to attack the city. Around midday January 7th the artillery barrage began and their fire broke up the clustered defenders and blew away tank traps en route to the city. The tank armies reached the city at 23 past 1 in the afternoon and proceeded to roll through the battered defenders seizing control of the city. Australia knew that they could afford to rebuild the city later and so the troops were ordered to destroy the city’s industrial centre, burning down the factories and power plants.

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The battle for the coastal stronghold of Lyons was a long affair. Battleships and destroyers had been harassing the city for years and in the lead up to the final assault the bombardment from the ships continued almost with halt for three months. When the first companies of tanks reached the city they found most of the city in ruins and the garrison almost completely wiped out. One of the few significant structures remaining in the city was the legendary Great Lighthouse which had in ancient times guided ships to shore from the sea safely thanks to fires burned at the top which provided a reference point and illuminated dangerous nearby cliffs s that incoming ships could see them. The city had very little of value now after the barrage but Curtin’s orders were that the city was to be held.

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With French troops being withdrawn to Paris the rest of France could not withstand the Australian forces. Besancon was the next to fall, assaulted in June 1473 by the 9th Tank Army under the command of General Douglas Swadling. The French defenders surrendered after the destruction of their front line and tank traps. And Swadling was ordered to continue his march onto Marseilles.

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However General Ashgrove moving up through Japanese held territories struck first and the seaside paradise fell to his elite Cavalry Army.

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Paris was today captured as the French defenders surrendered to our brave men of the armed services.
After five and a half thousand years under brutal rule, Paris can now join the free people of the world under the guidance of Australia.

Last night, the Australian 2nd Armoured Company under Major Philip Arthur was the first Australian force to enter the city, greeted by loud cheers from Parisians after many days of fighting between the ADF and French National Guard.

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The new Aus-Paris wireless station reported the French commander of the Paris region, General Philippe Leclare, signed a surrender at Montparnasse station in front of Major Arthur and General Ashgrove, commander of the 3rd Mounted Cavalry Army.

Ashgrove praised the Australian forces that fought the French and opened the way for the main army to enter the French capital. Ashgrove also noted his admiration for many of the French structures in the city such as Leonardo’s Workshop.

Story continued page 4, letters page 17...

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Circa 1479 December 13th – The Royal Palace, Paris

Joan d’Arc was extremely worried. She had become edgy, as the years had wound down, recent years had not been good at all to ancient France. Australia had for nearly the last century methodically picked France apart, from the colonies in the south to the great cities of the Empire. And now the combined ADF were at the gates of Paris ready for the final assault. Joan d’Arc glanced down at the bottle of arsenic at the end of the table.

'Your majesty, Prime Minister John Curtin of Australia has sent you an envoy,' said the servant. Joan was alarmed, but also partly excited. If she could convince Curtin to agree to peace then perhaps France could be saved.
'Yes, yes send him in at once!' replied Joan d’Arc.
The Australian envoy entered.
'Your higness, the Queen of France, Prime Minister John Curtin has for you an offer. He offers to you the chance of peace to your lands. In exchange he requires you to hand over your nations treasury control of Paris, and to give yourself up as a political prisoner,' said the envoy reading from his notes
‘That is not a peace offer!' spat Joan d’Arc.
‘Oh but it is your highness, it is offering peace to your people if you are willing to surrender unconditionally.’
‘Never!’ declared Joan proudly. ‘I will die before I would give up my nation!’
‘Captain show the Queen we are serious.’

As these words left the envoy’s mouth the palace shook and bits of masonry fell from the ceiling.
'What's going on?' cried Joan in despair.
‘It is to show you, your majesty, that we are serious. If you will not surrender than we will give very serious thought to the terms you proposed.’
‘What terms… I didn’t propose anything!’
The envoy smiled.
‘Didn’t you your highness?’

The palace shook again and a loud rumbling. Rushing to the palace balcony, the Queen could see a columns of tanks, cavalry and infantry sweeping through the city. Any resistance put up by either civilians or soldiers was quickly dispatched. In the distance the brand new Australian artillery were blasting massive holes in the ancient capital. People were dying from the shelling and the tanks and cavalry trample over the top of civilians and soldiers alike as they headed straight for the palace. With one last look at her beloved city, Joan d’Arc grabbed the arsenic. Fine then, she would take her own terms…


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Map of the World from the Cartography Archives of The Imperial Republic of Australia Circa 1480AD

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Wonderful reporting and a stimilating read :goodjob:

Ave a Bonza 'Stralia Day Mate :beer:

Not sure if anyone is still reading this but for those that are interested I'll be posting the final installment of the story in the next day or so.

^ Never have that attitude. Of course people are reading. It's a great story IMO.

I would like to see what path in which you end this game. You tactics on this game have been great, I have learned from this.

Part 7 – A Long Awaited Revenge
Know that our people have not died in honourable and justified battle. I killed them. My pride killed them, and now my pride has consumed me also…

Circa 1500AD – The Imperial Palace of Shogun-President Tokugawa, Kyoto

‘Shogun-President Tokugawa, I bring word from General Hirohito,’ the Samurai bowed so low that his head touched the ground. Shogun-President Tokugawa turned to his subject. Tokugawa was strongly built, lean and much taller than most of his people.
‘What is it Kinawara?’ asked Tokugawa, his brown eyes flashing slightly.
‘Hirohito says that his forces are in position on the former-French border and we can begin our assault at your discretion my lord.’
Tokugawa turned and looked out the window. He was unsure of this move. Could he afford to pit his nation, despite all the industrialization that had taken place, against the greatest and most powerful nation history had ever known? His patriotic pride said he could, and that he would be victorious. Yet in his heart of hearts he did not truly believe Japan could stand next to Australia in any sense.
‘Sir what is your decision?’ asked Kinawara gently. There was a pause, ‘sir if you wish him to strike, the time is now.’
‘Tell him… tell him to attack before sunrise.’
And with those words Shogun-President Tokugawa sealed the fate of his people.

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Circa1500 - Canberra

‘Gentlemen, Japan once again dares to threaten our people. For years since the end of the French war we have exported to Japan: Oil, Pig Iron and other valuable resources, which Japan has used to build the weapons, she will now attack us with. While we have built cars and refrigerators our enemies have built tanks and bombs.’ Curtin surveyed Parliament, no one said a word but there was a sense of outrage and determination evident throughout the room. Curtin continued, ‘Field Marshall Peter Cosgrove will now give us a status report on our armed forces that can respond immediately.’
Cosgrove stood and fiddled with his microphone.
‘Ahem… is this thing on… right… Gentlemen the ADF forces in former France number 113 Companies of Tanks of which eighty-eight companies are under the command of various generals. We have twenty-two Tank Armies in the field in former France as well as close to 130 Companies of Infantry, around seventy divisions of artillery and nearly eighty companies of Cavalry. In Australia our strategic reserve numbers seventy-two Companies of Infantry, twenty-seven divisions of artillery and sixty-eight companies of Cavalry. The RAAF, which can be redeployed to whichever front we wish, numbers thirty-six squadrons of Bombers, and twenty-five squadrons of F-15 Fighters. It is my belief that a rapid-response by the strategic Cavalry reserve against the outlying Romano-Japanese Provinces will break the spirit of mainland Japan allowing our Modernized army corps in France to strike at the heart of Japan.’
There was a general murmur of ascent throughout the assembly, after all Cosgrove was the pre-eminent tactician in Australia.
‘Very well Cosgrove, we will follow your suggestions. How long do you estimate this war will last?’
‘I would be very surprised, Mr Prime Minister, if it lasted any more than a few years. Japan is much weaker than ourselves.’
‘Excellent Cosgrove, gentlemen, it was many years ago that Japan first threatened Australia back when we lacked the strength to destroy them, and we had to beg Egypt for protection. Now the table is turned and Japan shall beg others for protection, she shall beg Australia for mercy and we shall give none. Gentlemen the time of our revenge has finally arrived. I, for one, will enjoy seeing Japan fall. Revenge, my friends, is a dish best served cold.’

Circa 1500AD – Veii

The four Japanese Cavalry divisions eyed Veii eagerly, barely two kilometres away was the lightly defended Australian city. Useless to the Australians but its loss would spark unrest in the country, which was openly opposed to war. The Japanese Cavalry moved to within striking distance and as ordered, just before sunrise they struck. The city protected by a solitary company of Infantry was overrun, although they made Japan pay, wiping out two of the divisions outright. However it was not enough and for the first time in her history it was Australian citizens who cowered in the streets as an invading army entered their city.

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Australia was shaken by the fall of Veii. Strategically, politically and economically it was nothing. Yet it was the principle of the thing. This was an Australian city, and an Australian army, losing to an ‘inferior’ opponent.
Curtin had no time to waste he ordered the city be immediately recaptured and the Japanese forces in the south destroyed utterly. It took less than three months after the fall of Veii for Japan to feel Australia’s vengeance.

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Even Japan's Persian holdings were not safe from the avenging wrath of Australia's armies.

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With the southern Japanese provinces totally overrun, Australia ordered its Strategic Cavalry Reserve, the SCR, to strike at the west coast of Japan in a pincer movement. Companies of Cavalry would sweep northwards from former Aztec and Egyptian lands while the Cavalry still operating in France would move southwards along the west coast. The Japanese resistance in these cities was pitiful. A few divisions of hastily conscripted Riflemen and a few Samurai leading them. By 1501 the Japanese West Coast and Southern provinces had been assimilated into the Imperial Republic of Australia and placed under the strict rules of the Salamanca Convention on captured cities.

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Circa 1502AD – Northern Japan

Already Tokugawa wished he had never made the order for war. His armies had been annihilated in the field and after the initial success at Veii; the defeats had come thick and fast. Australia’s Tanks lay just a few miles from the northern border of Japan and Tokugawa knew that his people could never hope to hold out. He sat down and began to compose his final words.

Dearest Sadako, by the time you read this news of my death will have reached you. Know that the weapons I believed we could tame are untameable, and the forces I believed we could destroy have proven far stronger than we anticipated. But whatever you may hear about what happens on the field of battle, know that our people have not died in honourable and justified battle. I killed them. My pride killed them, and now my pride has consumed me also. You will never see me again my love for tomorrow I will lead our armies from the front against an army we cannot hope to defeat.
Tokugawa

The battle referred to in the final letter by Tokugawa (see appendix 383.1G) is not known. It could have been anyone of the numerous field battles that took place in northern Japan. The biggest problem in deciphering what battle it was lies in that Tokugawa’s location at the time was not known. Although the Australian’s did not recover his body there is no doubt he died on the field of battle as many PoW’s claimed to have seen him die standing alongside them. However none could recall where the battle took place. What is known for sure is that following the date of the letter Tokugawa was no longer in control of Japan and control of the nation had in fact fallen jointly to a number of his most trusted generals who ran the country until the end of the war.

Circa 1502AD – Canberra

Field Marshall Cosgrove readied himself to present his report to Parliament on the state of the armed forces. He took a deep breath, adjusted his microphone, and spoke.
‘Gentlemen, the war with Japan has stretched our military capabilities to only a small degree. Our forces have, in the last two years, seized total control of the southern provinces, and of the west coast. Thanks to the promotion of careers in the armed forces, and substantial government funding the numbers of soldiers and personnel has actually increased. The Japanese army also appears to be using fewer and fewer troops in combat which suggests to me that their military power is dwindling, or as the troops like to say, they are gassed. My recommendation to Parliament is to make full use of the RAAF to encourage Japan to surrender unconditionally.’
John Curtin spoke up. ‘Yes Field Marshall thank you for your recommendations however Parliament has already reached its own decision.’
‘What is that Mr Prime Minister?’
‘We have decided that Parliament will not continue to spend billions of dollars on an army that never operates. The Army Corps in France will form ‘Operation Retribution’. Japan has never been made to pay for exploiting and bullying us while we were weak. Now is that time, Operation Retribution will be a campaign to seize control of all Japanese territories. The Franco-Australian Army Corps will move southward, systematically seizing all territories. Operation Retribution will continue until Japan as a whole is under the control of the Imperial Republic of Australia.’
Cosgrove was stunned. This seemed almost… excessive. The complete destruction of a nation… it seemed completely unlike the John Curtin that he knew, they were old friends and he was clearly losing his grip on reality, but what choice did he have? He was a soldier and he had to follow orders from his superiors.
‘Very well sir, Operation Retribution will commence as ordered.’
He could only hope that at some point before the end Curtin would regain his sanity.

Author's Notes Will post the conclusion of Operation Retribution, and the final fate of the world shortly

An update... Great! I really like your story!

Circa 1502AD – Japanese/French border

Operation Retribution had begun in full swing. The first target in the systematic sweep of Japanese territory was the northern city of Satsuma. Situated less than thirty miles from Kyoto, its capture was key in allowing for and advance on the capital. Curtin had demanded that nothing be taken for granted in this war and so had dispatched a number of companies of cavalry from the SCR deep into Japanese territory to destroy their saltpetre and iron mines, their coal fields and to burn their horse ranches. Curtin wanted no strategic resource available to Japan. He wanted to make sure they were the weakest people on Earth when he attacked. The 7th Australian Army corps, operating from Avignon, lead the assault on Satsuma. Japanese riflemen and cannons, lead by a force of dedicated and powerful Samurai marshalled the defences of the city. But no amount of courage or bravery or determination could ever allow a sword or an ancient gun to successfully defend against a column of tanks ten abreast and a hundred deep. The city, the first target of Operation Retribution, was captured without a hitch.

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Moving from the rapidly established bases in Satsuma twelve companies of tanks were diverted from the Kyoto drive to attack Osaka. Osaka was a well-developed, ancient Japanese fortress. Situated on the hills overlooking the river Oskato, it was a picturesque area. Children played in the fields the morning that the Australian tanks arrived, and they could only stare in amazement as the mighty steel demons powered their way across the land. The citizens of Osaka put up more of a fight then the pitifully trained division of riflemen who were the only defenders of the city. The resistance in the city would cause Australian troops trouble for nearly five years but for the time being, suffice to say that the city was captured and Australia became more convinced of their ‘victory right.’

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General Hammond was the CO of the 18th Australian Tank Army. While the main body of the 7th Australian Army Corps had driven on to Kyoto from Satsuma a small force had been dispatched to Osaka and his own army had been deployed to Nara along with the 44th, 77th and 78th Tank Companies and the 113th Cavalry Company. The city was well defended. Half a dozen divisions of riflemen defended the city stoutly and the initial charge of the 113th Cavalry Company was forced to retreat. However the later attack by the tank regiments broke through the lines and captured the city, seizing with it almost two hundred cannons, enough for a whole division.

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Circa 1502AD – Kyoto

Kyoto was a lovely city, site of the League of Nations and capital of the Japanese Republic it could stand alongside any major city in Australia save Canberra or Melbourne. The Japanese had marshalled the better part of a dozen rifleman divisions within the city to protect it against the Australian invaders. However the forces that moved toward the city number several thousand tanks. Thirty-eight divisions of tanks approached the walls of the ancient city. Before the defenders could prepare themselves to face the metal monsters of Australia’s army they were alarmed by a loud roaring noise from the sky. As Japanese soldiers looked up Australian bomber pilots unleashed their payloads on the unprepared Japanese defenders. Eleven squadrons of bombers were involved in the strike and it severly maimed the Japanese defenders, those that survived were in no fit state to resist the Australian army and the tanks rolled through the gates without opposition.

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Nagasaki was the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture. It was located on the eastern coast of Kyushu, one of the main provinces of mainland Japan. It was a center of European influence in medieval Japan from first contact through the isolationist era until the opening of Japan and the resultant modernization of Japan during the Meiji Restoration.

Nagasaki lay at the head of a long bay which forms the best natural harbor in the province of Kyushu. The main commercial and residential area of the city lay on a small plain near the end of the bay. A river divided by a mountain spur form the main valley in which the city lies. On the morning of April 3rd 1502 Australian tanks rolled down the hills into the valley in which the city was situated. Most of the Japanese forces had been withdrawn for the defence of Kyoto and had left Nagasaki relatively undefended. The 68th and 69t Tank Companies had little problem overrunning the defenders that remained.

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Circa 1502 – Canberra

‘You sent for me Sir?’ asked Peter Cosgrove standing at attention in the Prime Minister’s office.
‘Yes Field Marshall, I have some good news for you,’ smiled John Curtin.
‘What news is that sir?’ asked Cosgrove interestedly.
‘These!’ Curtin declared triumphantly pointing at a picture in the folder.
‘What is that sir?’
‘Only the most powerful land based vehicle ever developed.’
‘Sir?’
‘Field Marshall the tech boys have been working hard for some time now trying to improve the tank design. It took a considerable amount of time to get everything right but I think you are going to enjoy using these new toys. They are faster more dangerous and better armoured than the older models. This will form the backbone of the Australian Modern Armoured Brigade.’
‘I see sir, when will I have access to these?’
‘Straight away, the standard tank can be easily refitted to make use of the new technologies, I’ve already taken the liberty of ordering the entire of ht 7th Army Corps receive the upgrades for the Japanese war. I hope you enjoy these new babies, they are your toy now Field Marshall.’

Circa 1502-1504AD – The Business End of Operation Retribution

Tokyo. The new capital of Japan. The centre of Japanese Economics. The greatest city in the Japanese Empire was the next target of Operation Retribution. Though the city was well defended against ground assaults it was ill-equipped to deal with the relentless bombing runs by the RAAF. The city was badly damaged and the defenders disheartened by the time the assault actually began. When the new Modern Armoured Divisions rolled into the battle it was all over, untouchable by the Japanese rifles they devastated every opponent they encountered en route and in the end the hand over of control to Australia was inevitable.

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While the main body of the 7th Army Corps headed east toward the last major cities of Japan a small force of freshly produced Modern Armoured Divisions along with General Martyn of the 12th Australian Tank Army and a number of companies from the SCR moved toward the twin cities of Nagoya and Yokohoma. The two cities were cut off from the main Japanese territory and were easily dealt with. Japanese forces surrendered and there was nearly two dozen work groups formed from the prisoners of war taken in those two battles.

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The only province in the south that had so far resisted Australia’s forces was Antium. As it offered nothing to Australia it had been overlooked for now however with the main war reaching an end Parliament felt comfortable ordering several companies of Modern Armour to the province to bring it into the fold. For the first time however riflemen proved that with clever use of traps, potholes and barricades, the new modern tanks were just as susceptible as the older models. The defenders thanks to their clever use of tank traps in fact destroyed the 91st Modern Armoured Division however General Hussey commander of the 3rd Australian Modern Armoured Army was able to circumvent the traps and defeated the defenders in several key battles to claim control of the province.

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Circa 1505AD – The Province of Shimonoseki

Shimonoseki was located at the northeastern tip of Honshu, and was known for being the city of Fugu, or blow-fish..

The Kamon Strait was the site of a major battle of Operation Retribution and an the residents of Shimonoseki would in the future be more interested in the history of the battle than in any other place in Japan. Because so many died in the battle here, it became thought to be haunted. There was even a species of crab here which appeared to have the faces of warriors on their backs. When the Australian forces attacked the city the Japanese had marshalled all that remained of their army. Several Divisions of riflemen and the 1st Samurai Army under the command of General Hirohito fought valiantly against impossible odds as the Modern Armoured Divisions of the 7th Australian Army Corps battered against the walls of the city unceasingly for a day and a night. When the dust finally settled no warrior was left alive, none surrendered. The fought until they were all dead and earned their honourable death in combat. With the conclusions of this battle Japan had been completely conquered by Australia.

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Circa 1505AD – The final hours of the Council of the Samurai

Hirohito paced up and down anxiously, the other samurai – there were twelve of them – watched him. Finally after a long silence one of them spoke.
‘For pity’s sake Hirohito tell us what is on your mind, do not leave us in the dark like this. How can we help you if we do no not know what you are thinking?’
‘I… I am deeply worried my friends,’ Said Hirohito. ‘You must have realised now that we cannot win this fight.’
‘Of course Hirohito but we shall die gloriously in battle!’
‘Yes I know old friend, yet when the time comes it is strange… I do not wish to die. There are so many things I wish I had done, wish I had said. So many goals left unfulfilled… we failed the Shogun, we failed Japan. What can we do?’
‘We will sell our lives dearly. That is what we will do,’ said another speaking up.
‘Yes Kinawara, we will die serving Japan til the end, if we must die that is our destiny!’ declared another.
Hirohito turned sadly to them.
‘But we will fail, our duty was to serve the Shogun and he died because we could not save him… our duty is to protect Japan and she will fall because we are helpless to stop the forces that rampage across our land. We will die with honour but we will have failed none the less.’
The room was silent again.
It was a long time before anyone spoke but finally Kinawara spoke once more.
‘Hirohito if Japan must fail it is her destiny, if we must die it is our fate. We cannot control what the heavens have set in motion. I do not speak for anyone else on this council but I will die not regretting my failure, I will die making sure that what I do in battle is as much as is possible.’
Kinawara rose and left the room. The others watched him as he left. Hirohito sat down, ‘My friends, Kinawara is right. We cannot control what the heavens have set in motion but we will do our damn best…’
Hirohito leapt to his feet and moved to the door.
‘My friends I will not return to this room, battle and death awaits me. I will die today, alongside our brave warriors fighting an enemy greater and more terrible then any demon of the underworld, but perhaps I can send a few there before I go…’ and with that he turned on his heel and left the room for the field of battle.

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Circa 1542AD

Cosgrove was worried about Curtin. Curtin had not regained his sanity in the slightest since the defeat of Japan, now his eyes were fixed on Indian. He wanted them destroyed as well, yet Cosgrove could see no justification for such a thing. India and Australia had been friends and allies and trading partners for centuries. Cosgrove however had a plan, Cosgrove was not the first soldier who was sick of war but he had seen more than most. He had seen Australia rise from infancy, always as its commander, and now he wanted to see peace brought to Australia’s lands and so he did what he had to. He went to India…

Circa 1542AD - Delhi

‘Ahh my friend please sit down, would you like a nice vegetarian curry?’ Gandhi was just as warm and hospitable as he had heard, thought Cosgrove smiling.
‘No think you Mahatma, I bring you unhappy news.’
‘Oh what could that be I wonder?’ asked Gandhi kindly.
‘My leader, Prime Minister John Curtin wishes to declare war on India…’
Gandhi looked dumbstruck.
‘And I suppose you are here to deliver this declaration?’ asked Gandhi.
‘No sir, I am here of my own free will, to warn you. I am sick of war, I am sick of all the pain and destruction. I want peace brought to Australia.’
‘That is an admirable thing to wish for, but how do you propose to do it?’
‘Mahatma, I know this is unprecedented, but I… I hear you have a lovely daughter. My idea… well… it was that perhaps if she were to marry Prime Minister Curtin then he would not attack India. He has lost his grip on things and I believe he needs something like that to… well to settle him down, calm his spirit.’
‘I see Mr Cosgrove,’ said Gandhi slowly. ‘But how do you know that he would take any sort of interest in my daughter?’
‘I don’t Mahatma, I am hoping. I thought long and hard and it occurred to me that a marriage between to ruling personages of different countries could cement a relationship between the two nations permanently, as was done between nation-states in Ancient times.’
‘I will give serious thought to your proposal,’ said Gandhi. ‘And thank you for coming here to tell me of this, it is most unusual yet I believe you have done the right thing by yourself and your country as well as by us. The world has seen enough of war.’
‘When will I know your answer to my proposal?’ asked Cosgrove.
‘Go back to your home Mr Cosgrove. Back to Australia, whatever happens, you will know my decision soon enough.’


And so Cosgrove returned home to Australia and waited. But months past and no word came from Gandhi and then, one day while sitting in Parliament Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced that Australia was receiving a new ambassador from India to act as High Commisioner. Several MP’s jaws dropped open as in walked a stunningly beautiful Indian woman. She bowed to John Curtin as she passed and Cosgrove saw a pleasant smile drift across Curtin’s face.
She approached the Speaker and said
‘Hello Members of Parliament, my name is Anahita Gandhi, I am the daughter of Mohandas Gandhi…’ Cosgrove’s heart gave a delighted jump when he heard that, ‘…of India and I am here acting on his behalf.’
Curtin spoke ‘Thank you very much Anahita, please talk a seat with the other foreign diplomats.’

After the sitting of parliament that day there were drinks at a Parliamentary reception to welcome the new ambassador and Cosgrove went to great pains to make sure that Curtin and Anahita were able to spend plenty of time together at the reception…

Circa 1545AD – The wedding reception of John Curtin and Anahita Gandhi

‘Attention, attention please!’ yelled Cosgrove tapping his wine glass furiously with his fork, he had had more than enough to drink.
‘I would like to proplosh a toasht to the bride n groom!’
There was thunderous applause.
‘QUIET!’ yelled Cosgrove. ‘I haven’t finished yet… John…John… John… I love you man, for a long time. We are like brothers you and me… but what is time? Time is everything and I love you all the time… I wish you many dappy hays together you too!’
Cosgrove steadied himself.
‘To the bride and groom! And to the future relations between Australia and India!’
The gathered guests clapped enthusiastically.
As Cosgrove took his seat he couldn’t help but smile, he had taken a risk going to India in the first place but now that risk had paid off. Peace was brought to Australia and Gandhi’s wedding present for the couple had been to hand control of India over peacefully to the Australian Republic. Other significant diplomatic events in recent weeks including the signing of a unification agreemet between Persia and the Iroquois that had unified the north and the new nation had declared itself to be the eternal friend of Australia.
‘It took thousands of years of fighting and death, but now there will be peace on Earth for ever more.’

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Well it took several months to be finished by everything comes to an end.

Included in the following are some pictures so you can have a look at how I went.

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Well actually Tokugawa they were already dead :lol: you just got hammered :hammer:

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/3422/score3jc.jpg

As you can see once the war with the Aztecs started my score just went up and up without stopping.
This happens a lot on all difficulties, once you start the oscilating war strategy your score just rises and rises. Some things I should have done during this period include mobilizing as both my cores were up and running fully and any cities lost to culture flips (in the end none) could have been easily recaptured thanks to the vast quantities of troops I would have been able to produce, I went back and checked and I could have over thirty cities producing a tank a turn if I had mobilized, something I'll have to remember for the future.

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Very much the same as the score graph, once the war with the Aztecs started my core just kept producing offencive troops and as my territory and toop numbers rose, so did the power graph.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/5614/culture2bp.jpg

Culture is interesting in the way you can rapidly overtake a higher culture opponent. I was behind in culture most of the game but by the end I had so many cities and so much territory I was producing nearly 1000 culture a turn and India (the big culture player for most of the game) fell behind.

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9682/demographics0lx.jpg

As you can see from the demographics top in everything that counts: Land area, Annual Income, GNP, Manufactured goods and productivity. Also you can see how despite India having more high culture cities the fact that I had so many cities with culture made that irrelevant.

And history will remember me as

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9687/jcthemagnif2lu.jpg

John Curtin the magnificent!

All in all it was a fun game that I dominated from start to finish. I think the terrific start (4 turn settler factory was very easy to set up and required no micromanagement) and getting the settler out of the goody hut really made the game like a regent game - ridiculously easy. Also it shows the strength of the American trait combo. Industrious means that you can rapidly develop, and get the most out of, your territory while expansionist proved its power with the settler and the numerous techs, as well as the fact taht it makes it impossible to pop barbs out of goody huts.

Well now that its all done and dusted anyone who has read this story could you please give me your feedback. What you liked, what you didnt like, what i could have done better etc.

Cheers, and remember

Tupac Lives on!!

I enjoyed how you wrapped up your story with a possible real-world ending, instead of just saying you won. You had a very strong start, which led to a much easier game. You played great too, and made the game very exciting by being in war constantly.

Are you planning to do any other stories?

Crikey, a very well-played game! Congrats! :clap:

Thank you both very much

@stocktracker - yes that took me a long time to think of, I sat there looking at MS Word for ages wondering what the real-life equivelant of a Domination Victory would be. I was just glad it wasn't a culture victory :lol:
I was considering starting a new story soon, in the vein of you're own 'Japan on Regent' which btw I loved. Something like 'Rome on Deity' was what I was thinking of, but I have no plans to immediately start any new stories as i have a lot of school work that needs doing over the next few weeks.

Loved dis!!!!

Please don't bump old threads, especially stories and tales.

Usually in this forum there are some active stories and the others are on the front page just because the only replies are in active threads, and there aren't enough of them to occupy the whole front page.

I don't mind :mischief:

Seriously though, Mirc is right stories that are on the 2nd page (as this was) are not usually considered 'appropriate' to post in. OTOH thank you very much for letting me now what you thought! Good to see that the story is still being read by some even after it was finished :)