Prelude to Conflict 2000-2018

Prelude to Conflict: Franco-Mexican War of 2018 (2000-2018)

                The Prelude to Conflict for the Franco-Mexican War wasn’t much of a Prelude to Conflict, and more of small border skirmishes.

       Arvin Astor (1996-2008)

                In 2001, Japanese Troops poured into mainland China, while the world just watched. Luckily, no nuclear war between France and Japan was sparked, unlike the predictions of French Politicians and Analysts. By 2004, the Japanese had secured the entire Chinese Coast.

                In 2007, French Air National Guard Units in Border States with Mexico and Japan received upgrades. In 2008, a Mexican ship fired on an American Cargo Ship. French Aircraft sunk the ship. Due to a recent mutiny onboard that Mexican ship, no action was taken by Mexican officials.

                Arnaud Bault (2008-2016)

                In 2009, Prime Minister Bault’s office was moved from Paris to the new Gold Building outside Paris. The Building doubled as housing for the Prime Minister. In 2011, Bault authorized Production of the Sherpa IV. In 2015, the Murat LMV, Rhino MRAP, and several other vehicles hit production. There would be war.

       Joachim Murat (2016-2028)

                On April 3, Murat authorized a secret new French Program, called “Project Snake Bite”. By 2018, three Space Navy Frigates would be deployed. In 2017, Murat prepared all units for war as Mexican forces massed on the French bored. On September 9, 2018, Mexico would be attacked. 

Franco-Japanese Cold War (1945-2000)

The French-Japanese Cold War (1945-2000)

                The Franco-Japanese Cold War lasted officially from 1945-2000, although the threat of Japanese attack would remain prevalent until after the Franco-Mexican War (2018-2027). This time would be a very rocky and unpredictable time for the French Federal Union.

       Xavier Lonance (1945-1950)

                Following the 2FIW, PM Lonance brokered a very wise (at the time) peace settlement between his country and the Eastern European Powers. Russia would be divided at Moscow. The East, Japan, the West, the British, Americans, and French. In 1946, however, Lonance’s government would release something the world had never seen. In March, Lonance’s head of Science took a video clip of a Nuclear Explosion. Several Images of this clip would be distributed through news channels, newspapers, and would be seen on the windows of small shops for half a decade, until the Japanese came out with a worthy counterweight.

                In 1947, Lonance authorized production of the F9 Kitty Hawk III Jet Fighter; the first mass produced Jet Fighter ever. Also in 1947, Parliament gave the slight sliver of China conquered in the Franco-Chinese War Statehood. In 1949, the British, French, and Americans merged their Russia into West Russia and gave it independence.

                In 1950, Lonance’s Canadian State Minister, Diane Waters, announced her running in the next election.

                Diane Waters (1950-1962)

                Diane Waters, the first woman Prime Minister, was elected in the 1950 election. Her post was a vital one in the coming decade, with Japan’s constant threats. In 1951, Diane Waters authorized creation of the French Nuclear Defense Corps, the sixth branch of service in France.

                In 1952, Japan fielded their first nuclear missile. Their tests had taken place in an element of Mexico, one of their closest allies, that was uninhabited, known as “White Sands”. In 1953, Waters’ Administration ordered the production of the U13 Prowler, a spy plane designed to take pictures of Japan. The aircraft was created in Dassault’s Lackshack, which was named “Lackshack” due to its extensive use in the 1FIW to repair aircraft, although it often would not have the correct parts to do so. Waters would expand this facility in 1955.

                In 1954, Waters launched the GRASP (GReater AeroSpace Program) with its headquarters in Quebec. Two launching sites, both 500 square miles big, each with a launching site and a landing site, were built just off the Hudson Bay in a town called Winstown and another in Anchorage, the latter in Alaska.

                In 1955, Waters expanded the Dassault Airfirm by folding it into the Department of Sciences. Dassault then was granted 2,500 Square Miles of Land in Alaska, close to the nearby Fort Yukon, which would be a vital base by 1980.

                In 1956, Waters authorized the creation of the Department of Military Sciences, under the Department of Sciences, and Dassault, Juneau Naval Laboratories, Toulon Naval Laboratories, and Paris Military Science Laboratories were quickly folded into the new branch.

                In 1958, Waters was informed of the creation of a new Air Defense System. The new system was product of nearly ten years of French Scientists. A new missile, radar enhanced to track down and kill enemy missiles using the new system, would cost the French Military 600 million apiece. Only 3 would be ever produced. In 1959, Waters ordered development of a laser system to shoot down satellites and nuclear missiles.

                In 1961, Waters gave Vietnam Statehood, and Morocco soon followed in 1962. This would successfully stop the rebellions that took place in Vietnam.

       Chandler Joson (1962-1973)

                In 1963, two U13 Prowlers over Egypt spotted disturbing evidence of a troop buildup, but that wasn’t all. The Prowlers spotted a triangle formation of five nuclear missiles, pointed in the general direction of France. In the coming days, three more were spotted.

                In March, newly elected PM Joson authorized creation of a new Special Forces unit, called the Legion Special Forces, part of the French Foreign Legion. By May, three eight man units were primed for combat. In early June, they learned of their objective.

                On July 3, the first unit would enter Egypt as civilians, but would hide submachine guns under their robes. On July 7 and 10, the second and third units would follow. At midnight July 13, these men would go to separate missile sites, grab the nuclear warheads, and leave by a helicopter escorted by the newest French Aircraft, the F4 Doghound.

                On July 13, the attack went off without a hitch.

                In 1966, Joson again increased the land for The Lackshack and the space for Fort Yukon soon followed. In 1967, The Lackshack began testing equipment at Yukon, the F4C Doghound being the first of these tests.

                In 1969, Joson created the Foreign Naval Fleet, a wing of the French Foreign Legion, consisting of a carrier, 15 Frigates, 4 Cruisers, 3 Amphibious Assault Ships, and seven submarines. In 1972, the FIIS discovered hidden finance charges in Joson’s Federal Profile. An investigation ensued, and Joson was subsequently impeached.

                Jacques Oreleans (1972-1984)

                Following the conviction, impeachment, and jailing of Ex-Prime Minister Joson, Oreleans ran for Prime Minister. He would win by a landslide, easily replacing Joson. In 1973, Joson granted a production grant to Canadian Arms, who would produce the French Automatic Assault Weapon (FAAW). The FAAW would become standard issue Assault Rifle to the French Military by 1976. In 1977, the French Federal Union under Oreleans re-established a Military Alliance with the Turkish Republic (practically a reformed Ottoman Empire). In 1978, Luxembourg requested Admittance as a Province into the Union, which would be granted in 1979.

                In 1980, Oreleans granted Canadian Arms, French Arms, and Midwest Arms admittance into the Department of Military Sciences. In 1981, the Lackshack in Alaska tested the F119A Super Cat Stealth Air Superiority Fighter, and tested it on March 5, 1982. Parliament immediately granted a production grant to the French Federal Union. By 1984, Armee de la Air would have over 300 over the aircraft.

                Louise Falisse (1984-1996)

                Prime Minister Falisse, the second Female Prime Minister, and the first, who had gone to an overseas college (Harvard University), would weather the French Federal Union through a technological boom and into the first Olympics (Summer 1984).

                In summer 1984, the French Government hosted the first Summer Olympics in Paris. Despite an attempt to bomb the stadium by a Palestine Terrorist Group, the French Government deemed it a rather large success.

                In 1985, the first Personal Computers were put up for sale on the civilian market. In 1986, the first Winter Games were held in the French Province of Switzerland. The first Japenese Mobile Phones went up on the market in 1988, and the French Phones followed in 1989. In 1993, Japanese Parliament voted to put East Russia under an independent government due to increasing revolts.

                In 1996, the third Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta.

                Arvin Astor (1996-2008)

                Prime Minister Astor was the founder of the company “Viking Land Systems”. In 1998, VLS sent in a request for inclusion to Department of Military Sciences. It was quickly accepted. In 1999, Astor’s second child, Danielle, was born. In 2000, Mexico moved their capital from Mexico City to Phoenix. Soon after, 25,000 Legionnaires were deployed on “Training Exercises” in British Colombia. They would remain there for 18 years. 

Bay and Brickfair

I'm sore. On nearly every part of my body. Joy. The Bay was fun, and I caught 2-ish fish. Anyways, I have three days until Brickfair. Three. Whoa, Three. It really snuck up on me this year. I am bringing 19 MOCs, and 3-4 pieces for Magnus' MLS Layout. Should be so much fun. I'm PUMPED.

Disregard the red boxes OR stay as far away from them as possible. Whatever suits you :). I will be attending all four days as an Exhibitor. The difference between an exhibitor and an attendee is that the attendee can't display Lego MOCs and can only go on public days (Saturday or Sunday). The Exhibitor can display his/her MOCs and can go all four days. To go as an exhibitor it costs 67$, however, and the Attendee is something like ten-ish.

I'll be with my faction, the French Federal Union, and with Legosim, Matt Hacker, and Andrew. If you are bored and/or want to just drop by and see some epic Lego Creations, drop by and say hello on Saturday the 4th or Sunday the 5th. The Convention is at the Dulles Expo Center.

Now I will be at the Large Military Table. You will see a very skinny white guy with glasses and a hat, that is Evan (referred to as Legosim on this post), and follow him and/or look around him for me. I should be near him or Magnus, Aleks. I would highly advise staying away from the Vendors tables until absoulutely necessarily, from my 3 years of experience I found this is a very good idea.

I should also have a naked fat Lego Lady on my brick badge, so it's a dead giveaway that is me.

Brian

French Federal Union Flag: Five Things you didn't know

So this is a little pre-Brickfair post about my Center Piece MOC at Brickfair 2012, called "Seattle Flagraising".

In the Center, my UFF (French Translation comes out to UFF) Flag is displayed. Here is several things you didn't know about it.

- In September, my original sketches displayed the Latin Motto (picked up and added to the Tri Colour in 1919) in Blue & Red. It was originally Accipe Hoc

- In September, just days later, the motto was changed to Salus In Arduis, meaning Safety in high places.

- In October, I added the Eagle in the memory of the late Jack Donaldson. The backstory for the eagle would come later.

- I decided Salus in Arduis originated in 1915 in units of the French Alpine Division as a motto. No other military unit could fight in high altitudes like them.

- I decided the Eagle originated from the purchase of Alaska, when a Sec. State got an eagle to land on his shoulder. It symbolizes power.

Cheers,
Brian

Big Things come in Little Packages

Alas, Poor Yorick by Shadow Viking is an example of this phrase. Not the entire scene itself, just the freaking epic Road Block things on the right side of the scene. So his scene reminded me to do something I've really wanted to do for a long time. Type out a list of epic techniques for small things, mainly boxes, Roadblocks, trees, etc.

(Alas, Poor Yorick by Shadow Viking on Flickr)

So let's break down this scene rather quickly. The first thing that caught my eye when I clicked on the flickr page is the Roadblocks. Dude, those freaking things are SWEET. Another thing is the destroyed car behind the roadblock. Now lets move slightly forward, just in front of the roadblock. You see two dark tan boxes. The technique is a very common one, surprisingly, and is absolutely perfect. Amazing. Next, the crosswalks. I know most of my readers are either inexperienced builders or NFOLs (Non-Fan of Lego) so this probably seems slightly odd, but it is seen in basically every good scene that has street. Pretty much common sense, but I feel Shadow Viking did an outstanding job with his.

The Cottage in the middle scene has raised some questions on the flickr page. Shadow Viking (I hate using username, so I'm referring to him as 'Peter', his real name) has received some questions about the odd feeling of the building. This critque came first from Bruɴo who noted that the center building seems kind off with the cottage, medieval style appearance and the 2070 billboards. Peter responded with this:

"Basically, it is. Rouen is famous for it's medieval Norman half timbered houses, many of which are hundreds of years old, dating back to Anglo-Norman rule in the 11th and 15th centuries.

The adboard and other technological details are meant to reflect the idea of human cyberization."

I found that response very thoughtful and clearly showed that Peter had done his research. If you take a look at the wikipedia page for Rouen you will find the pictures do contain very old, cottage-esque buildings. France is epic guys, as I keep telling you ;)

So Maybe y'all will get another one of these showcases Tomorrow or Thursday. Also expect a full video from Airsofting tomorrow. Should be epic!

AMX-4 Fox Armored Fighting Vehicle

Wow. So today I woke up at 9 AM, and just chilled. Brutal headache is brutal. Anyways, I'm Skyping with Josh and Ian and building at the same time. I started work back up on the AMX-4 Fox AFV, something I have been meaning to do for awhile, but since I'm such a lazy butt I never got around to it.

(Lynx by Magnus Lauglo on Flickr)

When I originally started this model, it was after a WAMALUG meeting. Magnus had brought along his Lynx AFV, and I looked at it for a few minutes and was like "Whoa, this is sweet," and started building my Fox AFV when I got home. The Fox is very different from Magnus', but you can see where I got my inspiration. I should get pics up  in this space before Brickfair. 

2nd French Imperial War

Second French Imperial War: 1936-1945

Xavier Lonace (1938-1950)

                In 1936, the fourteenth French Prime Minister took power. Following his election, he ordered production of the D19 Bonaparte Tank, the P9D Jackrabbit Monoplane, and two French Aircraft Carriers, bolstering the French fleet from three to five. He was a keen supporter of Anti-Eastern European Power Movements, and would remain so through the coming war. In 1937, he dispatched seven undercover agents of the French Integrated Intelligence Service (FIIS, oftentimes called Fish) to Germany. In 1938, they returned with disturbing news. Germans were exterminating their black population.

                In March 1939, 400,000 French Troops under the command of Durant Camonne attacked the German border tenaciously, commanding respect from the Italians, who would not enter this new war. This attack was supported by seventy Dive Bombers that streaked in from the FNS Bristol and the FNS Brussels. The dive bombers (D1K Kitty Hawk IIs) destroyed the Rhineland, blowing German Military Positions into oblivion.

                By May, the French Troops had seized the Rhineland in the center, and had linked up with 15,000 Alpine Infantrymen in the South, who had come through the Alps. In June, however, the Russians entered the war. This proved to be a huge mistake, however, as the Ottomans again attacked in the South. This diverted Russian strength to the south, where they were seeing a bigger threat than seen even previously in the First French Imperial War. This Second French Imperial War would become huge.

                In July 1939, 50,000 British Troops in the Netherlands attacked German Positions in the North, and by September, another 100,000 British Troops under Sir John Harris landed in theater, where they reinforced the previous 50,000 British Troops. In early October, French Troops liberated the first Black Extermination Camp. All of the occupants were sent back to the aid stations, and subsequently, to France.

                In January 1940, the allies’ advance was ground to a halt as the Germans took to the air, shelling and bombing the allies from their troop’s positions and airfields. In March, the French had finally drafted a plan for their next Operation. Operation Waterloo was to be in three phases. The pre-assault phase, the assault phase, and the advance phase.

                The pre-assault phase was to be conducted by D1K Kitty Hawks and P9D Jackrabbits, conducting strafing & bombing runs against German Airfields, trains, and railroad hubs. The other element of this phase was conducted by the B76 Thunderdog Heavy Bombers, bombing factories and troop positions extensively. This phase would start in May and end in August.

                The assault phase was to be conducted by 2,500 of the experimental Alpine Airborne Infantry in the South, 25,000 French Airborne Soldiers in the center, and then 25,000 more British Airborne Soldiers. These troops would be tasked with holding key objectives and key German Towns as French and British Mechanized and Armored Divisions linked up with these Soldiers, anywhere from 5 to 9 miles behind enemy lines. This would be conducted in little over a week.

                The advance phase would follow the link-ups. The Battle Group in the center would push onwards, hoping to be gaining at least 5-10 miles a day. The British would hope to gain 3-4 miles a day, as would the French in the south.

                Following the preassault phase, the airborne dropped in. In the center, the French Airborne and Glider borne Units were scattered, perhaps causing as much or more confusion to the Germans than it caused themselves. In the early morning, at about 0800 scattered reports of Companies, Battalions, and then Regiments seizing their objectives came in.

                A week later, the land troops began their forward movement through Germany, towards the Airborne Units besieged around their objectives. By the second week the Airborne were under siege, the reinforcements still hadn’t arrived. On Friday, August 17, 17 days after the airborne landings, the first Armored Units arrived to relieve the newly coined “Embattled Bastards of Berlin,” despite the unit was not around Berlin.

                This had broken an almost definite stalemate. On September 19, 1940, the French units successfully surrounded nineteen German Divisions, and annihilated them. This “Battle of the Siege” would be one of the bloodiest and hard fought by the Germans.

                By October, the allies had liberated only a quarter of the Extermination Camps, and began to realize most must be in Russia or East Germany. In early January 1941, P9Ds eliminated seven key Dark One officials.

                In March 1941, twenty thousand French Troops began an advance on Berlin. By June, Berlin fell, and Germany surrendered. In July, the Russians fell back into Poland as reserves for the French Army were called up once more.

                In September 1941, 500,000 Colonial Troops were called into active service with the French Army, and another 100,000 with the French Marines. Another 100,000 Colonial Troops remained in Alaska under the alias “National Guard”, despite in actuality they were Active Duty Army.

                By June 1942, all troops had been called up and put into the defensive lines. In October, French and French Canadian High Command began planning their assaults. They came to the decision that 100,000 Vietnamese and Chinese should be called into Active Duty Service to defend French Colonial Positions. The Ottomans would continue their slam into Russia from the South, and the French and Japanese would attack from the East, and again in the West.

                In July 1943, the attacks began. By the fourth week of this joint attack, French Troops had liberated Warsaw and were preparing for the thrust into Russia. French Troops in the East had seized more than 100 miles with a mechanized attack, and the Japanese in the Southeast had also seized roughly 150 miles, with little to no opposition. Total casualties in the East were 43 killed, 125 Wounded, and no one missing. The casualties in the west were far worst, although both advances remained deadly quick.

                By January 1944, the French and British and Ottomans had linked up for the final push on a besieged Moscow. In March, the attacks began. After three months of fighting, Moscow proper was surrounded. By July, the advance in the east was nearing Moscow. There would be a bloodbath. In October, the French and Japanese Task Force finally reached Moscow. Moscow was now fully surrounded.

                In January 1945, the Allies attacked Moscow viciously, but would only take ten blocks in the first month. In March, the Russians surrendered. The Second French Imperial War was over.

Prelude to Conflict, 2FIW: 1919-1938

Peacetime France: 1919-1938

                Following The First French Imperial War, France recovered quickly using debts from the Eastern European powers, prospering the country once more by 1921. Winston Georges, the current Prime Minister, had returned to France in 1918 as the French Colonial Armies pushed back the frontline German, Russian, and Italian Forces (numbering 15mil on the Western Front), and the Ottomans swung into Southern Russia, crushing Moscow and killing the Russian Czar.

       Winston Georges (1919-1924)

                Winston Georges, the twelfth Prime Minister of France, had weathered France through her first large scale war since the French Shipping War of 1815. In July 1918, the Parliament had outlawed Segregation and discrimination by race. In 1919, Georges presented his “12 Terms” for the surrender of the Eastern European Powers. It was signed in early April 1919,      and the Germans and Italians would begin sending debts starting in May 1919. In early June, when a French message requested the first Russian payment, no answer would be received. The news had yet to reach France (it would come from Germany following the next debt payment), but the Russian Czar had been overthrown and killed. Now a communist Russia had been founded, leading to increased hostilities between Russia and France.

                In 1920, the French invented the Radio, leading to radar in the late 1920s. In 1922, the French Air Force adopted the new Dassault Kitty Hawk, a variant of the American Biplane Company Kitty Hawk’s Kitty Hawk Variable Combat Plane. The Kitty Hawk was to be the first French aircraft used off Aircraft Carriers (in 1924) and would also become the first French Dive Bomber.

                In 1923, the French Colonial Corps was ordered to stand down, but her soldiers were given the option to transfer to an active duty unit. The French Armed Forces gained 300,000 Soldiers this way. In 1924, Georges ordered 100,000 soldiers to the border with Germany, and another 10,000 to the Swiss Alps for Alpine Training.

                Zacharie Flumer (1924-1936)

                Zacharie Flumer, (Pronounced Flumer, not Floomer) was elected as thirteenth Prime Minister of France in 1924. In 1925, he authorized the airman John Fulsom, an American, to land in Paris following the first ever Trans-Atlantic Flight.

                In 1926, he then authorized the French Airman Jeremy Courtemanche to start France Air, the first French Airline. In 1927, Flumer created the French Army Department of Sciences, and in the following year, the Department would employ 10,000 personnel and would invent the Radar. In 1929, the Germanic Dollar Crashed due to massive inflation. This would result in a thickening, horrible, almost apocalyptic Depression for the German People. While France and her allies sent aid to the Germans, a German Group known as “The Dark Ones” would take 95% of the shipments to provide for their own organization.

                In 1932, unbeknownst to the rest of the word, German council member Fredrick Von Hinsleburg, a secret Dark One, would be voted Chancellor. The German parliament voted him the Supreme Chancellor Position in early 1935 due to his supreme popularity with the German People. In 1936, Hinsleburg secretly began his extermination of Germanic Blacks, blaming them for the loss of WW1.

                 

1912-1919: The First French Imperial War

First French Imperial War

                The First French Imperial War marked one of the most important chapters of French History. It would be the bloodiest and scariest of all the conflicts France would be involved in.

                Winston Georges (1912-1919)

                As his first move as Prime Minister, Winston Georges’ Administration immediately declared war on Germany and her allies. Britain and the United States soon followed. In 1913, 200,000 German and Italian Troops poured over the Rhine, and within 4 weeks, 100,000 Russians poured over the Rhine. The 100,000 French Troops on the line were overwhelmed, and fell back within six months (November 1913) to the city of Nancy, where a defense line stretched all the way down to the France Switzerland/German/Italian border lay. The French Troops could only hold this line for so long, and soon (March 1914), another defense line, held by Australian, Indian, British, French, Japanese, and American troops stretched from Calais to Monanco.

                In June 1914, this defense line fell, and the Troops on the defense line pulled back to Grasse, and then a slightly curved line led north. In July 1914, with the Defense Line stronger than ever at its position 45 miles outside of Paris, Georges and his Administration and Government were flown to London, where Georges immediately activated the Colonial Corps, numbering 1,500,000 Strong. He ordered this to be done without Racial Segregation. The Legionnaires gathering the units took this to heart, recruiting over 750,000 Blacks, Asians, and other minorities for the cause. All of these units’ Aircraft were also flown to France.

                In April 1915, the task at hand had been completed, and Operation Groundhogs was initiated, and the 1,500,000 man unit was gradually taken to France in the dead of night, escorted by several ships. Fighting continued along the defense line, however, and the French were certainly worried about losing Paris. Most of the people were moving out, and 45 deaths within the city had been reported.

                By March 1918, all 6,000,000 troops had been taken into France. In April, two years after the first divisions of French Reinforcements landed, Operation Jumpy Tornado was launched, with the first phase initiated in an area called the “French Corridor”.

                In the wee hours of April 17, 1918, 1,000,000 French Troops under the Command of a Legionnaire Brigadier General (A massive “lolwat” moment for the French Military, it would result in the court marshaling of several high ranking generals), a largely Black Man’s unit, the 1^st through 5^th African Corps, attacked and effectively destroyed a pocket of Germans. The 1^st Corps, on the far left flank, did a left face and continued down the trench, reinforced by the newly minted 1^st French Tank Brigade and 55 French Aircraft, destroyed the German lines for a good 10 miles. The 2^nd Corps moved around to the 1^st Corps, reinforcing the flanks. The same movement was executed on the right flank. The break in the German Lines was now 35 miles long.

                Just a mere hour later, 50 miles south, 1,000,000 Troops under a Legionnaire General crush Italian lines, supported by two tank brigades (one on each flank), breaking a hole that is 50 miles wide, 20 from the original attack, then expanded twenty on the left flank (going north), and fifteen in the south. The gap between the two attacks is closing quickly, going from 35 miles to 30 miles within 6 hours.

                In the North, 5,000,000 Troops under a joint command between a Legionnaire General and direct commander of American Soldiers in theater, John “Blackjack” Pershing, attack along a 100mi Front. The Russian/German Defense Line there falters but holds at first, following the first 500,000 man wave.

                Then wave 2, a 2,000,000 Man wave, crushes the Germans and Russians, killing them and quickly overrunning the trenches. Despite direct orders, an American Commander, Lt. Col. Marcus Dankon rallies 10,000 Soldiers along his front and continues forward, crushing German Railguns just behind their lines. The Railguns are then turned on retreating Russians and Germans, and the following three hours is a blood bath.

                By 0600, all of the objectives in the assault, along the entire front, have been attained. On April 19, 10,000 French Alpines attack into Italian Switzerland, taking the area within the next three months. German Switzerland soon follows.

                On May 1^st, the entire German Air Force is finally fully grounded, resulting in fully Ally Air Superiority in the North. On May 3^rd, Operation Early Garden is executed, and 9 million Ottoman Troops pour across the Russian-Ottoman border.

                On May 7^th, the Ottomans have seized Russian Oil Fields and continue forwards, the first American and British Brigades arriving. On May 12^th, the Ottoman forces have pushed into Russian Territory by 23 Miles.

                By Late-September, the Ottomans are knocking on the Kremlin’s door with their artillery, and the Allies have pushed to Rome in the south and are nearing Berlin in the North. In early-November, Russia surrenders to the Ottomans and her Allies, the Ottomans attaining more land.

                By late-December, Rome has fallen, and her people are screaming for Surrender in the streets. In the chaos, a group of 80 ragtag Italian Militiamen attacked 10 American Soldiers. They are all killed. On December 31, Italy surrenders.

                On February 5^th, 1919, the German Empire falls. Their surrender is quick following the destruction of Berlin, and Denmark is inherited by Britain, the Netherlands, and German Belgium is quickly annexed by France, and Finland and Sweden are made independent by the United States of America. Peace has been attained, but at a scary cost.

                During the war, 1 million French Troops are killed, another 4 million wounded, and 25,000 are missing. She has the largest allied casualty list. Germany has lost 4 million, 9 million wounded, and over 90,000 missing in action (mostly in the Ottoman Front, where the Ottomans swiftly took the German Middle Eastern Territory).

A/N: I moved through that quickly! Now for peacetime France, probably their first total peace in 36 years xD. The Ottoman Empire will "fall" sort of kind of in 1924, so that should be interesting. 

                

1888-1912: Prelude to Conflict

Prelude to Conflict: The First French Imperial War (1888-1913)

                The Prelude to Conflict of the First French Imperial War (in the future, this will be referred to the 1FIW) is one of the most important chapters of nineteenth Century French History. During the Prelude to Conflict, 2 Prime Ministers would lead France into the bloodiest War in all of French History.

                Karolek Bellerose (1888-1900)

                As the eleventh Prime Minister of France, Karolek Bellerose would become the first Canadian Prime Minister, and hence, would create Colonial Ministers (later State Ministers) in Quebec, Algiers, and later in his term, New Orleans.

                In 1888, PM Bellerose’s Administration, along with the Parliament of the time period, accepted a shaky military alliance with the United Kingdom, sent by the British Prime Minister himself, to France. This alliance had come following the German and Anglo War of 1885, in which the British Colonies in Pakistan fell, and later, most of the British Colonies in India.

                In 1889, France authorized creation of the African Defense Corps, drafted from mainly Morocco, Algeria, Djibouti, Syria, and Israel. Following the order by France, the Germans would deploy 35,000 German Troops into Egypt to keep an eye on French and British Troop Movements in the region.

                In 1890, 45,000 French Legionnaires under the command of General Marcus Adams attacked elements of Southern China from Vietnam, quickly occupying a good portion of the coastal region of the country. In 1891, a year after the war had begun, Chinese Diplomats surrendered good portions of their coastal lands to the French.

                In 1892, the Child Protection Act of 1892 was passed, resulting in the discontinuing of French Liaises-Faire policy. The Act set a minimum wage, and made any sort of Child Labor illegal, and it also began the National French Industrial Monitoring Bureau (NFIMB), designed to monitor legal French Companies. By 2015, this Bureau would house almost 55,000 Jobs.

                In 1893, Bellerose’s Administration opened up an Alliance with Australia and the newly minted state of Israel. These allies would prove to be a vital investment for the next century and a half.

                In 1894, Bellerose’s Administration openly discontinued relations with the German Empire. This action by the World’s superpower grinded German attacks in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark nearly to a halt as troops was positioned along the Rhine, a position that would remain a heated zone for the next 18 years.

                In 1895, 100,000 French Troops were positioned along the Rhine following the finishing of German Campaigns in Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. The Swedish and Finnish would cry for independence three times before the start of the 1^st FIW but would be crushed quickly and harshly by the German Military.

                In 1896, Bellerose’s Administration publicly discontinued relations with the Italian Empire, following a small shooting engagement between Italian Troops and Algerian Militia. In 1897, Russia would discontinue relations with France.

                In 1898, five thousand French Guards troops were trained for Alpine Infantry purposes, an asset that would prove useful in the coming war. In 1899, Bellerose’s Department of Science created the Airplane. This Airplane was converted to a military version in 1900, becoming the Dassault Francais.

Yohann Acrhambault (1900-1912)

       In 1901, Yohann Acrhambault created the French Army Air Force. In 1902, 126 Dassault Francais, the largest amount of Aircraft in one military at that time, entered service. In 1907, 256 had been created for the FAAF’s Paris Headquarters, 201 for the Quebec Headquarters, 114 for the New Orleans Headquarters, and 298 for the Algiers Headquarters. The FAAF had the largest Air Unit in the world by this time, dwarfing the Luftwaffe (203 Total), Russian Air Force (98 Total), and the Italian Air Force (78 Total)

.

                In 1908, the Ottoman Empire and the French Federal Union signed a secret treaty. This treaty practically bonded the Ottomans and the French at the hip for the next century, and would remain strong to present day. On French prodding, 345 Aircraft entered the Royal Ottoman Air Force the next year. The United States, also on French prodding, purchased 230 Dassault Francais Aircraft in the next year. The Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom soon followed.

                In 1909, Acrhambault’s Administration started the Next Generation Fighter Competition, resulting in the production of the Dassault Quebec, which by 1913, would fully replace the Dassault Francais in all FAAF units.

                In 1910, Parliament passed the Air Force Act of 1910, in which the Armee De La Air (Army of the Air, literally, or the French Air Force) was created. In 1911, the first seven French Submarines (the first submarine, USS Savannah, had been set sail in the 1860s, however the United States did not disclose any information to any allies until 1900, and by that time, the French had focused on the FAF) were launched from Toulon, and would serve a vital purpose in the coming war. These early submarines could submerse themselves only 30 feet, however, but no other European Power had any knowledge of French Submarines.

                In 1912, a German assassin, funded by the government, killed Acrhambault. His successor and Vice Minister, Winston Georges would destroy the German will to fight in the next six years.

A/N: This Prelude to Conflict is setting up to the First French Imperial War, which in the future will be referred to as the 1st FIW. 

F8A Disciple II

This particular F8A Disciple II represents "Roadrunner", Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) Richard Porter's F8A Disciple II in the paint scheme "Air Urban" during the Preemptive Strike, Operation Eager Hurricane on April 7, 2018, when four squadrons of twelve aircraft (501st, 502nd, 503rd and 504th) of the Texas Air National Guard (OTL Louisana and right half of Texas hit various Mexican Airfields deep inside Mexican Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

(F8A Disciple II "Roadrunner" flown by Lieutenant Colonel Richard Porter)

The next image displays the Roadrunner's Tailart, and Squadron Serial Number (RE). The tailart on Roadrunner is that of the 501st Fighter Squadron, "Night Spooks", a more detailed backstory can be seen on my previous post.

(Tailart)

I hope you guys enjoyed the post.

Brian

501st Fighter Squadron "The Night Spooks"

So I woke up this morning at exactly 9:14 (2 hours on the dot earlier from yesterday, 11:14), with thoughts of Squadron Names for the F8A Disciple II I'm making. I settled on the 501st Fighter Squadron, French Foreign Air Wing, under the command of Lt. Col. Richard Porter. The F8A I'm replicating will be Porter's personal fighter, with "Lt. Col. Richard Porter" on the left side just below the cockpit.

(501st FISQ's Squadron Tail Art)


The Tail Art pictured above is original from an AC-130 Squadron. But anyways, the 501st also belongs to Texas Province Air National Guard's Foreign Legion wing. This unit has massive strategical importance due to the strategic location of Texas on the Gulf Coast. Mexican Forces would launch a large offensive there following the preemptive strike from the 501st and the 502nd Fighter Squadrons, earning the former it's new nickname, the Night Spooks, and the 502nd the name "Hellcats".

F7F Disciple Air Superiority Fighter: Lego

So earlier, after viewing Aleksander Stein's MiG-35 SMF, I decided to revamp my then-F7E Disciple. So first I was just going to do the engine, just like on Alek's MiG-35. Then I recalled a conversation Evan & I had a few nights ago on the topic of F15-esque Vertical Stabilizers. So I was like "Okay, lets put in some Vertical Stabilizers," and put the Brick-built (not plate-built like the other ones) on the Aircraft, and was like, "Oh, Alek's fuselage looks nice", and so I built his fuselage. Then I got to the point I am at now. Insignias.

(Alek's MiG-35 SMF)

So then I took a look over at Matt Hacker's Photostream and his Condor Fighter. After seeing the Condor, I was like "Ohey, those Tail Insignias are epic" (his Condor was one from a Fighter Squadron out of South Dakota), and I found some drawings my friend Louis Falisse gave me in like 5th or 6th Grade, and they were pretty epic. So I was like "Ohey, those could be some epic Tail Insignias". So I uploaded them to flickr and will edit them later.

(Top: My Insignias. The left two will be put on the jet, the right will be on the Helicopter. Bottom: Matt's Condor Jet. I hope to do the insignias like that)

So later today I'm gonna upload my Before-Brickfair SitRep on what I want to do before Brickfair 2012, August 2-5.

Brian.

1815-1888: A History of the French Federal Union

The 1800s: Policeman France

                By the 1800s, the World had been flipped upside down by the string of revolutions within the great powers. However, following the French reforms in the late 1700s, the new France, the French Federal Union, remained the dominant world power.

                In 1815, as the third Prime Minister, Napoleon Bonaparte was elected.

Napoleon Bonaparte (1815-1827)

                In early 1815, two convoys of seventeen French Shipping Vessels, heading to Djibouti (OTL) Colony were intercepted off South Africa by a fleet of seven British Navy Battleships. As a third fleet of French Shipping Vessels sailed towards South Africa, they again were intercepted, but Napoleon had authorized a detachment of fifty French Marines onboard each vessel. The French Marines (and a detachment of Sailors to run the captured ships) onboard quickly overwhelmed the British, capturing the vessels. When these men were to return home, their country would be at war.

                In June 1815, 30 French Battleships and 34 British Battleships engaged in the first engagement of the war in the English Channel. At the end of the battle, seventeen British Ships had been sunk, to nineteen French Ships.

                In July, 35,000 French Troops of the Guards Infantry attacked British South Africa, punching a large hole in the North. By early August, the British had lost 13,123 Troops of their 45,000 stationed in South Africa, and the French had lost 10,000. On August 9, seventeen French Battleships and ten troopships, headed for South Africa to stab the British from the sea.

                On August 20, seven British Battleships engaged the French out to sea, but only one limped home. On August 21, 20,000 French Guards Marines landed in South Africa, stabbing the British from behind. On August 25, these French Marines meet their first resistance in the form of 17,000 British Soldiers.

                The French Marines swept aside the British, inflicting 6,000 Casualties at the end of the week-long battle. By September, the British surrender to the French in South Africa, resulting in a French takeover. This treaty also results in the loss of Australia and some Middle East territories.

                In 1817, France annexes Western Canada, something PM Bonaparte has been pushing for since July of the previous year. This annexation results in increased tensions with Mexico (one reason for these tensions is the support for Texas in the south), and even sporadic border skirmishes with Mexican settlers.

                In 1818, France grants statehood to Newfoundland and Quebec, and Algeria and The Midwest soon follow. By 1819, Bonaparte is a elected to a third and final term, but one where he will possibly have the most influence. In 1820, Bonaparte brokers a deal with the United States, selling Mississippi to the United States in return for larger amounts of American cotton. In 1824, Bonaparte purchases Alaska from the Russians. By 1827, the French Government officially recognizes Napoleon Bonaparte as the first great Prime Minister.

                Zacharie Courtemanche (1827-1835)

                Prime Minister Zacharie Courtemanche, the fourth Prime Minister of France, was a former American Revolution Colonel in the French Army. Courtemanche, often overshadowed by Bonaparte, would become the only French Prime Minister in the 1800s to have employed an isolationist policy effectively.

                Courtemanche, in 1829, created the French Secret Service, designed to protect key government officials. He would authorize the creation of the PM’s cabinet. His Cabinet, the first in the history of the New Union, was well chosen (Bonaparte and Durant Cartier serving as Secretary of War and Secretary of State) and employed. He also authorized the alliance between the United States and France, which had been trade partners for the past 40 years.

                Durant Cartier (1835-1847)

                Prime Minister Cartier ran against his boss, Prime Minister Courtemanche in the 1835 Prime Minister’s Election. Cartier’s Administration would weather the French through the First French and Mexican War (1837-1843).

                In 1836, Cartier was the first Frenchman to publicly declare his support for the Texan Liberation Movement. In early February, Cartier authorized the creation of the French Foreign Legion. In March, Cartier’s government officially recognized the Republic of Texas. By November, 15,000 French Troops under Major General Jacques Duncan were stationed in the Province of Louisiana, poised to strike out at the Mexicans.

                In 1837, as Mexican troops poured over the Texan border, 15,000 more French Soldiers enter Duncan’s command and by March, the French Troops have linked up with Texan Militia, 25,000 Troops under General Tommy Franks. As 65,000 Mexicans attacked the French and Texans in the Battle of San Antonio, a massive French Cavalry attack encircled 30,000 Mexicans and annihilated them. The attack demolished the Mexican forces, but by the end of the day, the French and Texans retreated to defensive positions.

                In 1843, the war came to an end after a 5 year stalemate. In 1844, the Texans were brought into the French Federal Union. In late 1844, the Mexicans signed the Treaty of San Paulo, granting Panama Independence. The French, in 1847, began creation of the Panama Canal Shipping Route.

       Jacques Duncan (1847-1859)

                In 1847, Jacques Duncan ran against Blanche Cambronne, beating his opponent by a landslide. Duncan’s administration would weather the 1850s, discontinue the slave trade, and set French Foreign Policy for the latter half of the nineteenth century.

                In 1849, Duncan authorized the French Foreign Legion Canada Station in Quebec. This new station became the first of seven in the New World. In early 1850, Duncan’s Administration allowed Independence of the Native Tribe in the Great Lakes. The Huron Nation owned most of OTL Michigan. In 1851, Duncan’s administration ordered the British to cease Colonization in Africa, in the Duncan Doctrine, a near copy of the earlier Monroe Doctrine. The British, still weary of their 3 defeats to the French in the past century, decided to abide by the Doctrine, saving the French and British from another Colonial War.

                In 1852, following continually heated Slavery debates in the United States, Duncan rules that any ship carrying Slaves to the New World maybe subject to French Naval Interception and Annihilation. An illegal slave trade, although somewhat smaller, continues, although many of its ships are intercepted. Only two for every five ships make it to the United States and back.

                In 1853, Duncan’s Administration, feeling increasing pressure from the United States, Spain, Haiti, and Germany, set the Haitians free in an act of good will, one not received well at home, but very well on an international scale. Thankfully, this does not hurt him in the election of 1855.

                In 1854, Duncan hosts the Treaty of 1854 between Spain and their rebellious colony of Peru’s peace talks in Paris. Peru was considered the victor, gaining her independence. In 1858, France would start the first Legion Station in Peru.
 Blanche Cambronne (1859-1863)

In 1859, Cambronne is elected Prime Minister, and will broker a peaceful settlement to the United States during their troubled times as they are on the brink of Civil War. In 1860, the CSA and the USA agree to come back together after secession in 1859. Slavery is abolished; however Indentured Servants will remain for the next 40 years.

In 1861, Cambronne’s Administration narrowly avoided war with Germany during a diplomatic treaty over Belgium. The French got the French side in the end, the Germans the German side.

In 1863, Cambronne is ousted as Prime Minister by Darnell Janvier.

Darnell Janvier (1863-1875)

In Darnell Janvier’s time as Prime Minister, France undergoes vast changes domestically. In 1864, Janvier’s Administration begins official support for Suffrage, although the Parliament is still split on the issue of Suffrage.

In 1865, Janvier and his administration continue to support Suffrage movements in both France and foreign countries, despite negative responses he is getting from Anti-Suffrage movements. In 1866, Janvier gave Belgium Statehood, increasing support for the current Prime Minister by 30%. In 1867, Germany, France and Italy would annex Switzerland and split it upon linguistic lines. Austria would soon come under German power as well. In 1869, Janvier released South Africa to be independent, and the French Troops in South Africa supervised the annexation of Madagasgar in the early part of 1870. In 1871, Parliament’s Anti-Suffrage Movement finally relented to Suffrage, resulting in the right for Women to vote in the 1875 Election. Vietnam was annexed in 1874.

Arvin Lothaire (1875-1887)

In 1875, France’s Seventh Prime Minister, Arvin Lothaire was elected. Lothaire was a huge supporter of Suffrage. He had commanded the French North American Command from 1855 to 1875. He would lead France through a peaceful twelve years, without the constant threat of War as France had been for the past Eighty Years.

In 1876, in Lothaire’s first large movement as Prime Minister, he increased Government spending for the French Foreign Legion, seeing their promise.

In mid-1877, Lothaire increased Defense Spending at large. By late 1877, the Army, Navy, and other service branches were the best in the world. In 1879, France brokered the Paris Treaty of 1879 for the British and Australians following the Australian War for Independence. In 1880, Lothaire deployed 36,000 Troops to Alaska as part of Operation White Sprinkle, to reinforce France’s New World possessions.

In 1881, Lothaire gave Madagascar statehood. In 1882, Vietnam soon followed, and in 1883, Newfoundland, the last Canadian Colony to receive statehood. In 1884 and 1885, French Polynesia was incorporated. In 1886, French Foreign Legionnaires stationed in Haiti crushed a rebellion on behalf on the Haitian Government.

French Federal Union: 1730-1815

1700s: Golden Age of French Colonization

                Despite the original intentions of France, by the mid-1730s, King Louis XIV realized the British intentions in the New World, which were to effectively control the New World. Louis XIV would continue in depth Colonization until the start of the Nineteenth Century.

                By 1754 and the Seven Years’ War, the French Empire seemed poised to overwhelm the British and control the New World. In North America in the coming two decades, there was bound to be a bloodbath.

                Seven Years’ War (1754-1763)

                In the early parts of the North American Campaign, Lieutenant Colonel George Washington of the Virginia Militia led his troops against the French Troops at Jumonville Glen. Despite the secrecy of the attack, French led Native American Scouts had alerted the French Garrison of the oncoming British Troops, resulting in a heightened awareness level. When Col. Washington and his troops attacked the Garrison, the first attackers were cut down by musket fire. Col. Washington made the decision to fall back after the second wave of attackers was cut down.

                The French Troops, seizing the advantage, pursued Washington to Fort Necessity. The French Troops surrounded the fort and attack relentlessly until the surrender of Washington, whom they let go. Only 34 of the Virginia Regiment survived. Col. Washington would be reprimanded for the loss of life.

                Much like in OTL, the French experienced large successes in the war until 1757. In 1758, the British Troops under William Pitt took Louisbourg, and the successful capture of Fort Duquesne and Fort Frontenac contributed to British success.

                Meanwhile, at the Battle of Carillon, the 4,000 French Troops repulsed 16,000 British Troops, an embarrassing defeat for the British. This defeat was all the more embarrassing when the next morning, the surviving British woke up surrounded by the French, who had been reinforced by 16,000 French Troops and 900 Natives.

                The survivors surrendered the next day, following a long battle for survival by the British. By 1759, the war in North America had become even more vital for the French, who shipped 35,000 Troops by January 1.

                At the Battle for Fort Carillon, the surrounded French were nearing surrender when 15,000 French Troops attacked the British lines from behind, sending the British into mass chaos. The Battle at Fort Niagara was won by the French as well, forcing the British to retreat in chaos.

                By 1760, the British troops were pulled from theater and brought themselves to the negotiation table with France.

       The American Revolution (1776-1781)

                After the Seven Years’ War, the French Government watched the faltering British Colonies with growing interest. By 1776, the French had been preparing to assist the Americans for three years in a much larger, much more overt role than OTL.

                In 1776, the young scholar Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and British Troops engaged the Americans in street to street fighting in Boston. These minutemen gave the French Military, massing in the North in Canada, time to come to the aid of the United States of America.

                Major General Lafayette and the 70,000 French Infantry under his command rushed to the assistance of General George Washington following his retreat from New York City in the Spring of 1778. When the British crossed the river, they were met outside the city of Present-day Newark.

                The British, numbering at only 25,000 Soldiers were met by the Militia and US Soldiers, who created a diversion as 35,000 Soldiers under Lafayette surrounded the British. As the British surrounded the Continental Army, the French moved out from behind the British, firing into their lines from behind, killing most of the British Force within 15 minutes. The remaining British, numbering at barely 5,000, retreated towards the river. No other large-scale attack would be made against New Jersey.

                Meanwhile, the Continental Navy made their first major sea engagement under John Paul Jones at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, where John Paul Jones’ aggressive tactics resulted in the retreat of the British Navy trying to land troops in Baltimore.

                George Washington and 25,000 of La Fayette’s Infantry moved from the Hudson to further south starting in Spring 1779. His objective was to reach Virginia by Summer, where the British were experiencing slight successes.

                In Georgia, 30,000 British Troops landed in Savannah, Georgia, catching the Southern Continental Army off guard and quickly overwhelming and taking the city. The British Troops began moving North, where they would finally arrive by Autumn.

                Back North, in Maryland, Washington and his 35,000 men engaged the British at the Battle of Ligonier, where Washington’s 35,000 men, and 750 men residing in the Fort under the command of Colonel John Wellshire, engaged 25,000 British Troops moving North to New York City to surround and eliminate La Fayette’s threat.

                By noon, Washington’s left flank was under attack by the British, but holding, and his cavalry had engaged the British Cavalry under Captain Duke Carter 15 miles North, preparing to attack Washington from behind. The British and the American Cavalry pulled back leaving no clear winner, but the Americans would remain at a camp 5 miles north of Washington, sending Patrols throughout the day and into the morning.

                At roughly three o’clock, after enduring seven waves of British attacks, the left flank faltered and pulled back, resulting in the Continental Army’s withdrawal to the next ridgeline. At midnight, two British Infantry Regiments struck at the American Right Flank, but a surprise movement of a company of Cavalry surrounded the British, who were captured in the wee hours of June 17^th, a huge blow to the British Forces and resulting in a shake up of commands.

                At dawn, Washington decided that he would surround any oncoming British Units as they charged. By noon, two Cavalry Regiments were on each side of the American Lines. This unit deployment would be one of the smartest moves of the Americans during the Battle of Ligonier.

                After Washington’s request for reinforcements the previous day, 10,000 Troops under General Thomas Gunfrey arrived at Washington’s disposal. The units were laid down behind the ridgeline for Washington’s next move.

                At two o’clock, two regiments of Infantry Reserves charged British Lines, retreating by two thirty. Two of the four British Corps charged at American Lines, pushing the American Infantry back. As they crested the ridgeline, rifle fire from awaiting 40,000 American and French Troops cut down 95% of the British. When the final British man of the two corps made it back to camp, it was decided of the 15,000 British troops whom charged, only 4,232 Remained in fighting condition. Roughly five thousand where killed, and six thousand wounded.

                At five o’clock, the British Commander surrendered.

                On June 27, 1781, British Troops in North America surrendered following a humiliating Naval  and Land Defeat at New York.

The World Turned Upside-Down (1771-1800)

                Following the British defeat to the United States, the French would stand up to the British once more in the final battle for glory.  

                In 1794, great reforms within France took place, resulting in a Constitutional Monarchy much like Britain OTL. By 1796, the first Prime Minister, Marquis de La Fayette, hailed as a hero for his actions during the American Revolution, is elected. He will reign for 12 years, replaced by Joachim Murat, who would be assassinated in office by a bitter Englishman in 1815. 

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Author's Note: Sorry for so little posting! In the coming days, watch this space for the next chapter in the Timeline, 1815-1900. 

Writer's Block

So as of right now I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I'm in a small Writer's Block. Writer's Block is when someone can't find inspiration to write for whatever reason.

So in the meantime, I've been building for Brickfair 2012. I also have been reading storys on FictionPress and FanFiction.

If there is anything you want to see, let me know!

The Warehouse Youtube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI4VeEAa2UA3UdhCgV1vtkQ

The Warehouse Youtube Channel features Videos. Of all types and genres.

If You Go Down to the River Tonight: Part 2

If you go down to the river tonight…

                Cold metal smacked him in the face again, for probably the thousandth time in his 3 days in captivity. He knew his jaw was broken.

                “What do you want?” he said, spitting out blood at the cartel member walking circles around him, as if a predator.

                “What were you doing!” the man shouted back, again, he realized, for probably the one thousandth time.

                “John Vasquez, United States Border Patrol, 09231-17, Sergeant,” he said, spitting blood on the other Hispanic. He was reciting his Name, Rank, Serial Number, and Organization, as required by the Geneva Convention.

                “We don’t play on the Geneva Convention!” the cartel member shouted, slapping the gun in Vasquez’s face.

                “Fine,” shouted Vasquez, who was holding his jaw, “Come close, I’ll tell you.”

                Vasquez noticed the hand restraints were placed in front of him, a rookie mistake. This man would pay for it, too. As the Cartel member leaned in, he grabbed the man’s neck using his cuffs and broke it. He removed the key from the man’s pocket- another rookie mistake- and pulled off the cuffs, then grabbed the man’s pistol and a shotgun from the corner, slipping the pistol into his pocket. He shouldered the shotgun and lifted it to the door. He blew open the lock with ease, surprising the guards on the other side, who were shot quickly. He picked up their AK47s. He dropped the pistol on the metal floor. More guards would be coming soon. He blew open the lock on Charlotte Kelly’s door, and she jumped from her metal seat in surprise as 7.62 rounds slammed into her interrogator’s chest. He tossed her an AK.

                “How’d you manage this?” she wondered aloud, cocking her AK. 

            “Guards were dumb,” he said, tightening his lips. He moved to the door in silence, shooting the guards rushing down the hall to their stricken comrades. Charlotte followed.

                “Nice, Vasco,” she said with a smile, then noticed his swollen cheeks, “What happened?”

                Vasquez noticed the lack of bruises on her cheeks. They had some dignity. He shook his head solemnly.

                They kicked open the makeshift Prison Camp’s doors, running across the road to a white pickup with a machine gun on the top.

                “You drive, I’m on the gun,” he said to her, and she nodded and smiled. She was evidently curious about his cheeks. She flipped open the door to the truck bed.

                “Vasco, there is a map in here!” she shouted. He smiled in excitement, then took it from her as the sped away.

                “20 mikes from the river, just stay on this road,” he said, throwing the map back to her, as he stepped up to the M2 Browning on the pickup as Cartel trucks pulled up behind them.

                The mass of hot metal shuddered with each bullet, and he saw as each truck sped off the road, it’s driver hit. He grimaced at the dirty work, but it had to be done.