New Empires: The Return of Maxwell
For those who think the American Empire is too powerful and warlike, you ain't seen nothing yet!
Two years have passed since the events chronicled in New Empires: The Rise of Maxwell and General Arthur Maxwell is returning home. The great American warrior, liberator of the Middle East and conqueror of Russia, is arriving to free his homeland from those who wish to destroy it. America is in turmoil, no longer a "United States" but controlled by a disunited mob. The Congress is theoretically in charge, but has disavowed their Army overseas and impeached the President. The timid Commander in Chief, without influence and frightened by the anti-war protestors in the streets of Washington, has barricaded himself in the White House. The South is also in the hands of the protestors. With their base in Atlanta and controlling the satellite stations, they preach anti-Americanism, revolt, and chaos to the nation. California has virtually seceded from the Union. After throwing back the Chinese hordes in a great sea battle off San Diego, Admiral Duncan declares martial law over the entire West Coast.
The question now on everyone’s lips is "Where will Maxwell strike?" He is returning with the remnant of the American Expeditionary Force, 100,000 strong, and expected to invade the North, near Washington DC. This is exactly what Maxwell wants them to think, and prefers to keep his enemies in the Congress guessing. Instead the maverick general does the unforeseen, just as he twice defeated the Russians. In hundreds of militarized Airbus transports, borrowed from his European allies, his Army seizes the air port at Savannah Georgia, thus out-maneuvering his opponents. There he discovers tons of stores on the docks, intended for the Army, but held back by the war protestors. Anger at the anti-war crowd, and the Congress for not hindering them, reaches new heights.
The next move is even more confounding. Expected to continue north, he performs a reverse of Sherman’s March, and heads inland toward Atlanta. The anti-war mob frantically attempts some form of defense, but are up against the finest general of the Age, and their cause is doomed. At the end of the day, thousands of protestors are dead, with little loss in Maxwell’s forces. Now in command of the airwaves, he lists his demands for Congress to surrender and answer for the abandonment of the Army during the war with Russia, and for the present chaos in the country. Next, shocking the world, he puts the leaders of the anti-war movement on trial in a military tribunal, and sentences them to death. Over 1000 protestors are hanged live via satellite.
The great warrior’s plan is now clear. By taming the anti-war faction, and bringing peace to the South, he solidifies his support there. America is flocking to the General’s side, except in the North, where support for Congress remains strong. The West has gone its own way. Congress knows there is no turning back, and gears itself for war.
Resupplied from Europe, and reinforced by a British Corps, Maxwell marches north, following General Cornwallis’ fatal route to Yorktown over 200 years earlier. Meanwhile, a second Army, under the command of his brilliant subordinate General Spear, is sent westward toward the Mississippi, to guard Maxwell’s flanks, and to keep an eye on Admiral Duncan.
The 2nd Battle of Yorktown is the greatest clash in the history of the Western Hemisphere, with 3 million troops in total, 2/3 on the side of Congress. Unexpectedly the North is bolstered by the arrival of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Duncan belatedly and half-heatedly throws his support behind Congress. All seems lost for Maxwell, but the timely arrival of the fleet from Europe turns the tide. Duncan is reluctant to lose any of his ships, and after a short exchange, the Western dictator departs. Maxwell next launches his "vertical envelopment" tactic, first utilized in the Mid East, and his enemies are trapped. 2nd Yorktown ends with Maxwell in charge of the entire eastern seaboard.
Washington DC is soon occupied; the pathetic President is released and sent into exile. Most of Congress flees the country, and some commit suicide. Maxwell begins rebuilding his war torn nation. The Army which once destroyed is now restoring. A new Constitutional Convention is called. Congress is disbanded and all judicial, legislative, and executive powers are placed in the hands of a Supreme Commander of the US. The first Commander is, of course, Arthur Maxwell. Democracy is finished in America, but so is corruption and lawlessness.
And what of Admiral Duncan and the Western states? Sporadic fighting continues for several years across the Mississippi, with Maxwell’s forces under the able leadership of General Spear. Meanwhile, distracted by his building efforts, the Commander attempts to negotiate with the Admiral. Duncan is eventually assassinated by several of his officers who fear the Admiral plans betrayal. There is talk the assassins are supported by Maxwell, though this is never proven. Without a firm hand to guide them, the Navy soon surrenders to the Commander, and America is united again.
New Wars
The transformation of armies, navies, and airpower in the Digital Age.
The question now on everyone’s lips is "Where will Maxwell strike?" He is returning with the remnant of the American Expeditionary Force, 100,000 strong, and expected to invade the North, near Washington DC. This is exactly what Maxwell wants them to think, and prefers to keep his enemies in the Congress guessing. Instead the maverick general does the unforeseen, just as he twice defeated the Russians. In hundreds of militarized Airbus transports, borrowed from his European allies, his Army seizes the air port at Savannah Georgia, thus out-maneuvering his opponents. There he discovers tons of stores on the docks, intended for the Army, but held back by the war protestors. Anger at the anti-war crowd, and the Congress for not hindering them, reaches new heights.
The next move is even more confounding. Expected to continue north, he performs a reverse of Sherman’s March, and heads inland toward Atlanta. The anti-war mob frantically attempts some form of defense, but are up against the finest general of the Age, and their cause is doomed. At the end of the day, thousands of protestors are dead, with little loss in Maxwell’s forces. Now in command of the airwaves, he lists his demands for Congress to surrender and answer for the abandonment of the Army during the war with Russia, and for the present chaos in the country. Next, shocking the world, he puts the leaders of the anti-war movement on trial in a military tribunal, and sentences them to death. Over 1000 protestors are hanged live via satellite.
The great warrior’s plan is now clear. By taming the anti-war faction, and bringing peace to the South, he solidifies his support there. America is flocking to the General’s side, except in the North, where support for Congress remains strong. The West has gone its own way. Congress knows there is no turning back, and gears itself for war.
Resupplied from Europe, and reinforced by a British Corps, Maxwell marches north, following General Cornwallis’ fatal route to Yorktown over 200 years earlier. Meanwhile, a second Army, under the command of his brilliant subordinate General Spear, is sent westward toward the Mississippi, to guard Maxwell’s flanks, and to keep an eye on Admiral Duncan.
The 2nd Battle of Yorktown is the greatest clash in the history of the Western Hemisphere, with 3 million troops in total, 2/3 on the side of Congress. Unexpectedly the North is bolstered by the arrival of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Duncan belatedly and half-heatedly throws his support behind Congress. All seems lost for Maxwell, but the timely arrival of the fleet from Europe turns the tide. Duncan is reluctant to lose any of his ships, and after a short exchange, the Western dictator departs. Maxwell next launches his "vertical envelopment" tactic, first utilized in the Mid East, and his enemies are trapped. 2nd Yorktown ends with Maxwell in charge of the entire eastern seaboard.
Washington DC is soon occupied; the pathetic President is released and sent into exile. Most of Congress flees the country, and some commit suicide. Maxwell begins rebuilding his war torn nation. The Army which once destroyed is now restoring. A new Constitutional Convention is called. Congress is disbanded and all judicial, legislative, and executive powers are placed in the hands of a Supreme Commander of the US. The first Commander is, of course, Arthur Maxwell. Democracy is finished in America, but so is corruption and lawlessness.
And what of Admiral Duncan and the Western states? Sporadic fighting continues for several years across the Mississippi, with Maxwell’s forces under the able leadership of General Spear. Meanwhile, distracted by his building efforts, the Commander attempts to negotiate with the Admiral. Duncan is eventually assassinated by several of his officers who fear the Admiral plans betrayal. There is talk the assassins are supported by Maxwell, though this is never proven. Without a firm hand to guide them, the Navy soon surrenders to the Commander, and America is united again.
New Wars
The transformation of armies, navies, and airpower in the Digital Age.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
