The Australian Empire

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

[stocktracker]

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!

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

 

[Blaze Injun]

Hey,

Again .

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 (Grand Australian Ship)

Thanks and

Blaze Injun

 

[tupaclives]

@ 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

Spoiler :

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 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

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

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

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 when I get aircraft they'll be part of the RAAF (Republic of Australia Air Force).

HMCS and RCAF are better

 

[tupaclives]

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!

 

[tupaclives]

The World before this update

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.

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.’

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

 

[Blaze Injun]

Hey,

Long live the 32nd Cavalry Division.



Blaze Injun

 

[tupaclives]

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.

‘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.

… 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…

World Map at the end of this update

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

Keep pushing east!

 

[Blaze Injun]

Hey,

The world maps before and after is a nice improvement.


Blaze Injun

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

Players Notes

I find that hilarious… the rampaging Indians…

 

[tupaclives]

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

Port Arthur

Hunter Valley

Mt Kosciusko

Auchenflower

Gracemere

Kakadu

Botany Bay

and Roselyn Bay

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.

 

[tupaclives]

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.

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.

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.

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…’

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

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.