The Australian Empire

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

 

[tupaclives]

*Wrong post

 

[tupaclives]

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.'

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.'

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 ... 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.'

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.

'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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.'

English city after English city fell to the Australian armies.

and the ancient Egyptain city of Abydos was liberated

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.

 

[stocktracker]

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

 

[tupaclives]

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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!

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.

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

Finally I have also received word that Elizabeth, wherever she may be, has agreed to support Cleopatra against Japan as well.'

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.'

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.

 

[tupaclives]

Map of Persian Continent Circa 300 AD

Map of the World Circa 300 AD

 

[tupaclives]

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.’

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.

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

[Mirc]

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!

 

[tupaclives]

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.

 

[Blaze Injun]

Hey,

I agree. What a great story. I read a post of yours at zyxy01: Russian Polar Expedition. 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... Damn spoiler!!!


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

 

[tupaclives]

@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.

 

[tupaclives]

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

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.’

‘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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

they attacked the city of Pi-Ramesses and razed it to the ground, killing most of the people and taking the rest as slaves.

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.

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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

and Yarra

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.

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.

To the west of the ruins of Thebes a community of people founded the hamlet of Alice Springs

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’

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.