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HEIGHT: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Eleven meters WEIGHT CLASS: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Heavy SPEED: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Medium ROLE: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Skirmisher, strategic support |
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Mao Mao
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| HEIGHT: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Eleven meters WEIGHT CLASS: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Heavy SPEED: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Medium ROLE: ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Skirmisher, strategic support |
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══════||DOSSIER||══════ "Je Maintiendrai."  ══════════════════════════════ BASIC INFORMATION ► FULL NAME || Valentijn van Zalingen ► CODENAMES || Krielkip ► PRONOUNS || He/They ► TYPE || Cyborgs ► ETHNICITY || European ► AGE || 25 ► HEIGHT || 5"11 ► WEIGHT || 160 ══════════════════════════════ SKILLS ► [Resilient] || Valentijn is one resilient, or veerkrachtig in Dutch, bastard. Ever since joining military boarding school at 12, he overcame the setbacks and challenges imposed upon him by his peers and faculty. And then, after being rejected by the Grand Union at 18. Perhaps it has something to do with his childhood in the wilds. Or his hardened father. There isn't a concrete answer out there to uncover from the swamps. ► [Salvager] || Being a berger was necessary in the swampy wilds of the Low Countries. Valentijn had to salvage to survive at a young age, going from ruined cities to the remnants of long-forgotten battlefields. And even though he isn't part of the wilds anymore, that aspect of him will truly never fade out of existence—even if they were corrected in some way. ► [GU Strategist] || Under the guidance of the Grand Union, Valentijn was quickly assigned to the role of strategist at the age of 14. He received training til he was eighteen, when he had to apply for permanent residency. Upon his failure and deportation, all forms of education were suspended, but Valentijn somehow managed to learn more on his own. ══════════════════════════════ EQUIPMENT ► [Kracht, Bayard 20X7] || Gifted to Valentijn on their sixteenth birthday, the Bayard 20X7 is a semi-automatic pistol first mass-produced during the Judgement War. Unlike the standard-issue model, this variant has been modified to have engravings on the handle. Kracht translates to vigor or strength in English. ► [Bronze Pendant] || A faded, bronze pendant of the Leo Belgicus Dutch coin with a chain. it has been with Valentijn ever since he was first found in the wilds all of those years ago. And despite its being valueless (and quite frankly junk), it clearly has been cherished and treasured by its current and previous owners. ══════════════════════════════ | ══════||APPEARANCE||══════ "Ga niet op het uiterlijk af." Standing at the height of 6ft and weighing 152 pounds, Valentijn still maintains an athletic body long after boarding school. But unlike the enforced appearance standards from there, their light brown hair has grown quite long, reaching past the shoulders. And they have gotten several tattoos all over their body in recent years, specifically after being deported from the Grand Union. Although some aspects remain apparent, like in the way Valentijn presents themselves—wearing semi-casual wear often. ══════||PERSONALITY||══════ "Meten is weten." Valentijn is a curious person, almost daring to question their surroundings light-heartedly. Ambitious to a fault, willing to overwork themselves to the point of exhaustion. They want to make up for past failures while under the guidance of the Grand Union. It's what contributes to their low self-esteem from growing up in both the wilds and military boarding school. But that aspect of themselves is hidden well due to their adventurous spirit. More eager to spend time with others rather than being confined to their room for a day. |
══════||BACKSTORY||══════
"Nood breekt wet."
"Nood breekt wet."
Valentijn van Zalingen was presumably born in the wilds and raised by their parents for much of their childhood. Obtaining such information from them directly has proven difficult or borderline impossible. But for our own independent investigation, we have gathered that their grandparents were residing in Rotterdam when the sea defenses across the Low Countries instantaneously failed in the midst of the Judgement War. Their father was sixteen when the floods devastated the entire region, making him a lone orphan. Rescue efforts began almost immediately before it was discovered that the water had been contaminated in some manner. And with the Judgement War getting bloodier every day, the European Union announced that all rescue operations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels, and The Hague were to be suspended, citing health and security concerns. Millions of survivors, including their father, were left to fend for themselves as conditions worsened across the region.
Not much information could be found on their mother, but we think that she actually was in Amsterdam when the flooding happened. But for some peculiar reason, she chose to leave in favor of The Wilds. Eventually, both of them met and spent years together while having five children. Valentijn, the middle child of the large family, was forced to grow up at an early age in a hostile environment that was out to kill. Mutants killed the oldest sister at ten while the youngest brother got a crippling birth defect. But it wasn't til the father developed lung cancer that the decision was made to send one of their children to safety with the Grand Union. At the age of eleven, he chose to apply his middle child to a Grand Union boarding school at the cost of crippling debts. It wasn't til a year after random inspections and extensive testing that Valentijn was able to bed enrolled at the city of Brussels. The Grand Union provided them with basic needs in exchange for service to the corporation (that included inserting experimental cybernetics for trial usage only).
During their time at military school, Valentijn was selected for personalized learning in strategic studies at fourteen. The Grand Union took an interest in them due to excelling in the Strategy and War course offered by the boarding school. And for four years, the instructors contributed to steering toward the career of being a military strategist for the corporation. Then, Valentijn turned eighteen. All orphans are forced to apply for permanent residency in the Grand Union upon turning eighteen years old. So it was their turn. Unfortunately, they were rejected. Upon rejection, all failed applicants have access to basic needs and services suspended and are ordered to leave Grand Union territory. And to add insult to injury, a massive debt was issued to them with expected monthly payments in the hundreds of Universal Credits—some sort of parting gift. Valentijn retreated into the wilds to find work in scavenging long abandoned cities. But then, they went back to civilization just one year after their deportation to work from Wolfhound LLC.
Working for the largest private military company in the world paid well enough to live, but it wouldn't ever be enough to pay off the debt. So, upon hearing of openings in a nearby shell academy, Valentijn took a calculated risk and applied for a spot at the cost of accumulating more debt to their name. But thanks to their time at a boarding school, they were easily accepted and then graduated a few years later. And during that time, they managed to buy the entirety of Ijsvogel, a heavy skirmisher and strategic supporter shell (some by saving up and others by collecting more debt). Fortunately, being a pilot from Wolfhound paid slightly better than their previous jobs could ever. But it still wasn't enough to be debt-free. So Valentijn had to do better in their missions, often at the cost of their own well-being. But two years into being a mercenary, it finally paid off when they were invited to join the elite Vulture Squad. For the first time in a long while, Valentijn felt like all of the blood and sweat would finally pay off; however, this was only the beginning of a long bloody chapter.
Not much information could be found on their mother, but we think that she actually was in Amsterdam when the flooding happened. But for some peculiar reason, she chose to leave in favor of The Wilds. Eventually, both of them met and spent years together while having five children. Valentijn, the middle child of the large family, was forced to grow up at an early age in a hostile environment that was out to kill. Mutants killed the oldest sister at ten while the youngest brother got a crippling birth defect. But it wasn't til the father developed lung cancer that the decision was made to send one of their children to safety with the Grand Union. At the age of eleven, he chose to apply his middle child to a Grand Union boarding school at the cost of crippling debts. It wasn't til a year after random inspections and extensive testing that Valentijn was able to bed enrolled at the city of Brussels. The Grand Union provided them with basic needs in exchange for service to the corporation (that included inserting experimental cybernetics for trial usage only).
During their time at military school, Valentijn was selected for personalized learning in strategic studies at fourteen. The Grand Union took an interest in them due to excelling in the Strategy and War course offered by the boarding school. And for four years, the instructors contributed to steering toward the career of being a military strategist for the corporation. Then, Valentijn turned eighteen. All orphans are forced to apply for permanent residency in the Grand Union upon turning eighteen years old. So it was their turn. Unfortunately, they were rejected. Upon rejection, all failed applicants have access to basic needs and services suspended and are ordered to leave Grand Union territory. And to add insult to injury, a massive debt was issued to them with expected monthly payments in the hundreds of Universal Credits—some sort of parting gift. Valentijn retreated into the wilds to find work in scavenging long abandoned cities. But then, they went back to civilization just one year after their deportation to work from Wolfhound LLC.
Working for the largest private military company in the world paid well enough to live, but it wouldn't ever be enough to pay off the debt. So, upon hearing of openings in a nearby shell academy, Valentijn took a calculated risk and applied for a spot at the cost of accumulating more debt to their name. But thanks to their time at a boarding school, they were easily accepted and then graduated a few years later. And during that time, they managed to buy the entirety of Ijsvogel, a heavy skirmisher and strategic supporter shell (some by saving up and others by collecting more debt). Fortunately, being a pilot from Wolfhound paid slightly better than their previous jobs could ever. But it still wasn't enough to be debt-free. So Valentijn had to do better in their missions, often at the cost of their own well-being. But two years into being a mercenary, it finally paid off when they were invited to join the elite Vulture Squad. For the first time in a long while, Valentijn felt like all of the blood and sweat would finally pay off; however, this was only the beginning of a long bloody chapter.
══════||AUGMENTATIONS||══════
"Cybernetica is de grootste schat."
"Cybernetica is de grootste schat."
Ever since Valentijn was twelve years old, cybernetics were mandatory to combat the elements of the wilds. Although they were essentially a guinea pig for experimental cybernetics, the Grand Union only allowed a select few to remain. Bioartificial organs were medical necessities with constant updates to prevent a particularly nasty death. When they were selected for personalized training, the corporation allowed for bionic eyes that enhanced their performance while analyzing or planning. And their brain was subjected to clinical trial implants, which were temporary for a brief time period. It wasn't til recently they received an implant from Wolfhound LLC that established a connection between shell and its pilot. In addition, their limps still surprisingly remained made out of flesh and bone since leaving the wilds. Valentijn liked their augmentations and never rejected them outright if presented, but they weren't actively pursuing to be completely cyborg.
══════||WEAKNESSES||══════
"Een held op sokken."
"Een held op sokken."
An obvious issue made pretty clear from the get-go is the fact that Valentijn was raised in the wilds. That hostile environment has made them somewhat hesitate to trust others even after living under the Grand Union protection for seven years. That suspicion is specifically directed toward those with authority, not that they won't follow orders given to them. Then, there's the pressing fact that much of their cybernetics are getting closer to being obsolete. Unable to afford the necessary upgrades after being deported, a sizable fund is still required to be completely updated with the current augmentations. And, of course, Valentijn hides the fact they have low self-esteem very well. But it's still there and hard to forget when you realize it. They also hide that they are deep in debt, paying hundreds of UCs on a monthly basis or risk the debt collectors' wraith.
══════||OTHER||══════
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet."
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet."
TBD.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
"It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it."
HISTORY
In the autumn of 1920, an armistice was declared after eight years of a barbaric war between the European nations. The United States of America, having remained neutral throughout the conflict, was chosen to lead the peace negotiations. President Woodrow Wilson set forth several crucial points for enduring peace, including the creation of a "general association of nations," the abolition of secret diplomacy, and the decrease of armaments. But, before having the chance to finish composing his speech to Congress, President Wilson suffered a severe stroke that left him comatose and then passed away in the White House. With a lackluster Thomas Marshall assuming the presidency while the nation was mourning and yearning for normality, the Republican Party claimed a landslide victory in the 1920 election. This led to the United States withdrawing their delegates from the peace talks, signaling an end to their involvement in "European matters."
On the domestic front, the "return to normalcy" many people expected from President Warren Harding was far from ordinary. The post-war recession hit the country hard, and labor unions staged strikes to defend their wartime gains. President Harding sought compromises that only favored the companies rather than the workers. But with the collapse of the 1922 Great Railroad Strike, the labor movement reached its turning point. Labor groups set aside their differences and united in a widespread general strike across major industries. President Harding, seeing the revitalized organized labor movement as a threat to business, began efforts to combat it. However, it didn't deter union memberships from seeing record highs throughout the twenties despite encountering fierce opposition from local authorities and the state and federal government, regardless of political affiliation.
By the 1924 election, the United States was now riding high on economic prosperity, solidifying its position as the world's wealthiest nation per capita. So it came as no surprise when Republicans clinched another victory, having Vice President Calvin Coolidge step up after President Harding died of a heart attack in the days before his re-election campaign. President Coolidge took a hands-off approach to the labor problem, preferring to leave the matter to local and state governments. He even scaled back federal regulatory agencies during his time in office, upsetting much of his fellow Republicans. However, his refusal to support farm subsidies and military bonuses through veto power caused fierce frustration among farmers and soldiers. Despite the controversy, the public still held President Coolidge in high esteem, thanks to the thriving economy and a whopping $300 million surplus. It made his refusal to seek re-election evermore surprising to the nation.
The White House still remained in Republican hands after a decisive victory with Herbert Hoover taking the reins in 1928. His vision of a prosperous future free of poverty was shattered by the Stock Market Crash of 1929, followed by a global economic depression. President Hoover chose to prioritize strengthening businesses and initiating public works projects rather than direct federal interventions, a decision that ultimately failed to revive the economy. The situation was further exacerbated by the passage of the Tariff Act of 1930, which implemented protectionist trade policies, and President Hoover's refusal to enact relief measures. This led to significant losses for the Republican Party in the midterm, as control of the House shifted over to Democrats. The country witnessed the emergence of shanty towns and homeless encampments; all the while, the unemployment rate skyrocketed to 24%. It all reached a critical point when the "Bonus Army" set up camp in the nation's capital during the early summer.
In a dramatic turn of events, two months later, on July 28th, federal troops stormed the camp following riots caused by the death of two veterans at the hands of the District police. Under orders of President Hoover, General Douglas MacArthur began advancing upon the campground, intending to evict only the marchers and their followers from the area. However, chaos erupted as gunshots rang out and fires engulfed the shacks, leaving hundreds injured and dozens dead. Eyewitness accounts revealed that MacArthur ordered troops to open fire on the crowd without warning. During a committee hearing, MacArthur testified he witnessed individuals leaving a shack with weapons in hand, believing them to be part of a syndicalist conspiracy poised to attack the federal troops. Regardless, the harrowing event, known as the Anacostia Massacre, sealed the fate of the Hoover administration, extinguishing any ambitions of a second term in the 1932 election.
Pressure from the labor unions and military personnel, the Democratic Party nominated former mayor Jacob Coxey for president, with Henry Wallace as the vice presidential nominee, a move made to appeal to moderates within the party. Coxey championed the restoration of labor rights, financial reforms, and new programs, while Wallace worked to win over conservative Democrats and centrists. Their efforts paid off, leading to a landslide victory, with the party triumphing in all but five states. However, behind the scenes, the Democratic victory sparked concern among conservative businessmen, who feared significant changes to the status quo, including the potential end of the gold standard. In response, a desperate Republican Party was approached with a bold conspiracy—The Business Plot—in a bid to reseize power with military support from the "radical socialists in the White House."
As Inauguration Day arrived, the world was stunned to witness General Douglas MacArthur being sworn in as a temporary president. He announced in front of the U.S. Capitol building that the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect had been arrested for allegedly "orchestrating communist activities against the United States." The accusation sparked widespread protests organized by left-wing third parties, with some House and Senate Democrats vocal against the MacArthur administration. Despite the initial uproar, most politicians from both sides chose to remain silent on the matter. And amidst the turmoil, a committee was formed to find a replacement for the presidency, which only heightened the country's divide. After two weeks of intense closed-door negotiations, Senator Huey Long of Louisiana emerged as the surprising candidate, sparking even more unrest.
The Democratic Party immediately denounced the nomination and called for a general strike nationwide, while the Republican Party backed the committee's choice. Naturally, the House would have opposed such a controversial choice if it hadn't been for the nomination of William Lemke as Vice President. Lemke championed the causes of farmers at the onset of the Great Depression, with family-owned farmlands being subjected to foreclosures. That balance of power was enough to secure a narrow victory in the House, paving the way for the Republican-backed Senate to vote for the choices. Predictably, the left-wing third parties mobilized for an immediate protest in the nation's capital against the vote. Police and National Guard troops used force against the protesters, leading to a full-scale riot. It had gotten to the point that President-appoint Long had to enlist the help of William Pelley and his Silver Shirts to quell the unrest.
The Silver Legion sought to suppress the protests through aggressive tactics, leading to the detention of thousands and the injury of hundreds. But despite criticism from the National Guard and military personnel, Pelley found favor with the White House and solidified their friendly relations in the newly refurbished East Room. With support from radio evangelist Herbert Armstrong, his pro-segregationist, antisemitic rhetoric gained traction across the country, attracting numerous new followers. As tensions further rose, an exodus was beginning to take shape in fear of further violence. Their fears materialized when the headquarters of the Socialist Party of America was engulfed in flames, resulting in the tragic deaths of several party leaders and members. The surviving leadership, fearing arrest, fled to Chicago before going into hiding following the outlawing of leftist third parties.
Pelley's Silver Shirts gradually incorporated into the United States Military for their efforts in restoring order in the nation's capital. Many of the active duty officers were caught completely off-guard by the unexpected development. Then, a shocking revelation came to light—plans were leaked for the Long administration to grant pardons to high-ranking members of the Black Legion, who were serving life sentences for murder. This was the final straw for Major General Smedley Butler and Rear Admiral William D. Leahy, who hatched a daring plan to liberate Henry Wallace and Jacob Coxey from prison and flee to Europe aboard the battleship USS New Mexico. Unfortunately for them, Brigadier General Hugh S. Johnson, who was initially part of the conspiracy, tipped off the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the plot. So when the day of the escape attempt arrived, a task force ambushed Butler's militia at the prison, sparking an intense week-long siege at Barney Circle.
In the end, the escape attempt was a catastrophic failure that claimed the lives of Butler and Coxey and left Wallace severely injured. Meanwhile, Leahy and the crew had already been captured onboard the New Mexico prior to the ambush. This attempt led to a military purge known as The Grand Cleansing, which lasted until 1937, allowing the Silver Legion to consolidate significant power across the country. While the Ku Klux Klan experienced rapid growth, establishing chapters throughout the Midwest, and securing political influence at both state and federal levels. It fundamentally resulted in Huey Long winning a second term in the 1936 election, despite widespread allegations of voter intimidation in several states from the Democratic Party. During his second term in office, Long initiated the dismantling of antitrust laws and embraced pro-business policies while collaborating with Henry Ford and several businessmen to combat the Great Depression.
But during a week-long rally held in Savannah in 1939, a resistance group using the name "Sons of Liberty" launched a blazing attack on President Long. The fiery assault left President Long with minor injuries, while Vice President Lemke succumbed to smoke inhalation, and Pelley was gravely wounded. Even though the National Guard eventually overpowered the rebels, the assassination attempt was a devastating blow to the nation's security. Remarkably, the country did not spiral into total anarchy as President Long continued to fulfill his duties from his hospital bed. The Secretary of State served as a transient vice president before being swiftly replaced by Earl Long, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, in anticipation of the 1940 election. Concerns about a potential third term for President Long were raised from both sides of the political spectrum but were ultimately mitigated when the Republican Party gained control of the Senate for the first time in 1932.
This marked the beginning of the Long family's foray into politics. Although medical complications prevented Huey from seeking a fourth term, he passed the torch to his brother and aimed to reclaim his Senate seat in Louisiana. In the 1944 election, Earl Long clinched the presidency, and Republicans seized control of the House for the first time since 1928. Renowned as "Uncle Earl," he was a brilliant campaigner with an erratic political behavior, often demanding unwavering loyalty to him. Consequently, his administration ushered in a wave of new appointments and dismissals within the federal government, with loyalists assuming key roles at the expense of established civil servants. While Republicans savored their newfound power, the Democratic Party's feeble response allowed the country to descend into an autocracy as they sought to safeguard their dwindling political influence.
But after Earl secured a third term in office, his behavior grew increasingly erratic, causing his inner circle to start getting concerned. The administration was plagued with resignations and firings of political appointees, leading to instability. The Republican Party was willing to put up with the embarrassment until the 1954 midterm election. To their surprise, Republicans almost lost all the gains made in the House, while the Senate losses were modest. This close call prompted several members to call for Earl's resignation, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a handful of cabinet members. Although Earl initially refused to listen, he was eventually convinced by his brother Huey to resign and rerun for lieutenant governor of Louisiana instead. While it was a solemn moment in the history to many, others breathed a sigh of relief at his replacement.
In 1955, with the presidential election looming, the Republican Party was already plotting its comeback after the midterm losses. While some party members are pushing for a shift towards social and environmental justice policies, the majority are rallying behind the powerful Long family and their conservative politics, backing the potential candidacy of Russell B. Long. On the other side, the Democratic Party, taken by surprise by their recent gains, is resorting to a bold last-ditch effort to reclaim the presidency. However, they're facing stiff opposition from their rivals, including the formidable Federal Bureau of Investigation led by the unyielding J. Edgar Hoover, determined to quash any remnants of leftist ideals. And some Democrats are getting a little too cozy with the Long family, and it's stirring up talks of a potential party split. Meanwhile, whispers of underground resistance groups biding their time to restore democracy still persist, adding an air of intrigue to the rocky political landscape of the United States.
On the domestic front, the "return to normalcy" many people expected from President Warren Harding was far from ordinary. The post-war recession hit the country hard, and labor unions staged strikes to defend their wartime gains. President Harding sought compromises that only favored the companies rather than the workers. But with the collapse of the 1922 Great Railroad Strike, the labor movement reached its turning point. Labor groups set aside their differences and united in a widespread general strike across major industries. President Harding, seeing the revitalized organized labor movement as a threat to business, began efforts to combat it. However, it didn't deter union memberships from seeing record highs throughout the twenties despite encountering fierce opposition from local authorities and the state and federal government, regardless of political affiliation.
By the 1924 election, the United States was now riding high on economic prosperity, solidifying its position as the world's wealthiest nation per capita. So it came as no surprise when Republicans clinched another victory, having Vice President Calvin Coolidge step up after President Harding died of a heart attack in the days before his re-election campaign. President Coolidge took a hands-off approach to the labor problem, preferring to leave the matter to local and state governments. He even scaled back federal regulatory agencies during his time in office, upsetting much of his fellow Republicans. However, his refusal to support farm subsidies and military bonuses through veto power caused fierce frustration among farmers and soldiers. Despite the controversy, the public still held President Coolidge in high esteem, thanks to the thriving economy and a whopping $300 million surplus. It made his refusal to seek re-election evermore surprising to the nation.
The White House still remained in Republican hands after a decisive victory with Herbert Hoover taking the reins in 1928. His vision of a prosperous future free of poverty was shattered by the Stock Market Crash of 1929, followed by a global economic depression. President Hoover chose to prioritize strengthening businesses and initiating public works projects rather than direct federal interventions, a decision that ultimately failed to revive the economy. The situation was further exacerbated by the passage of the Tariff Act of 1930, which implemented protectionist trade policies, and President Hoover's refusal to enact relief measures. This led to significant losses for the Republican Party in the midterm, as control of the House shifted over to Democrats. The country witnessed the emergence of shanty towns and homeless encampments; all the while, the unemployment rate skyrocketed to 24%. It all reached a critical point when the "Bonus Army" set up camp in the nation's capital during the early summer.
In a dramatic turn of events, two months later, on July 28th, federal troops stormed the camp following riots caused by the death of two veterans at the hands of the District police. Under orders of President Hoover, General Douglas MacArthur began advancing upon the campground, intending to evict only the marchers and their followers from the area. However, chaos erupted as gunshots rang out and fires engulfed the shacks, leaving hundreds injured and dozens dead. Eyewitness accounts revealed that MacArthur ordered troops to open fire on the crowd without warning. During a committee hearing, MacArthur testified he witnessed individuals leaving a shack with weapons in hand, believing them to be part of a syndicalist conspiracy poised to attack the federal troops. Regardless, the harrowing event, known as the Anacostia Massacre, sealed the fate of the Hoover administration, extinguishing any ambitions of a second term in the 1932 election.
Pressure from the labor unions and military personnel, the Democratic Party nominated former mayor Jacob Coxey for president, with Henry Wallace as the vice presidential nominee, a move made to appeal to moderates within the party. Coxey championed the restoration of labor rights, financial reforms, and new programs, while Wallace worked to win over conservative Democrats and centrists. Their efforts paid off, leading to a landslide victory, with the party triumphing in all but five states. However, behind the scenes, the Democratic victory sparked concern among conservative businessmen, who feared significant changes to the status quo, including the potential end of the gold standard. In response, a desperate Republican Party was approached with a bold conspiracy—The Business Plot—in a bid to reseize power with military support from the "radical socialists in the White House."
As Inauguration Day arrived, the world was stunned to witness General Douglas MacArthur being sworn in as a temporary president. He announced in front of the U.S. Capitol building that the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect had been arrested for allegedly "orchestrating communist activities against the United States." The accusation sparked widespread protests organized by left-wing third parties, with some House and Senate Democrats vocal against the MacArthur administration. Despite the initial uproar, most politicians from both sides chose to remain silent on the matter. And amidst the turmoil, a committee was formed to find a replacement for the presidency, which only heightened the country's divide. After two weeks of intense closed-door negotiations, Senator Huey Long of Louisiana emerged as the surprising candidate, sparking even more unrest.
The Democratic Party immediately denounced the nomination and called for a general strike nationwide, while the Republican Party backed the committee's choice. Naturally, the House would have opposed such a controversial choice if it hadn't been for the nomination of William Lemke as Vice President. Lemke championed the causes of farmers at the onset of the Great Depression, with family-owned farmlands being subjected to foreclosures. That balance of power was enough to secure a narrow victory in the House, paving the way for the Republican-backed Senate to vote for the choices. Predictably, the left-wing third parties mobilized for an immediate protest in the nation's capital against the vote. Police and National Guard troops used force against the protesters, leading to a full-scale riot. It had gotten to the point that President-appoint Long had to enlist the help of William Pelley and his Silver Shirts to quell the unrest.
The Silver Legion sought to suppress the protests through aggressive tactics, leading to the detention of thousands and the injury of hundreds. But despite criticism from the National Guard and military personnel, Pelley found favor with the White House and solidified their friendly relations in the newly refurbished East Room. With support from radio evangelist Herbert Armstrong, his pro-segregationist, antisemitic rhetoric gained traction across the country, attracting numerous new followers. As tensions further rose, an exodus was beginning to take shape in fear of further violence. Their fears materialized when the headquarters of the Socialist Party of America was engulfed in flames, resulting in the tragic deaths of several party leaders and members. The surviving leadership, fearing arrest, fled to Chicago before going into hiding following the outlawing of leftist third parties.
Pelley's Silver Shirts gradually incorporated into the United States Military for their efforts in restoring order in the nation's capital. Many of the active duty officers were caught completely off-guard by the unexpected development. Then, a shocking revelation came to light—plans were leaked for the Long administration to grant pardons to high-ranking members of the Black Legion, who were serving life sentences for murder. This was the final straw for Major General Smedley Butler and Rear Admiral William D. Leahy, who hatched a daring plan to liberate Henry Wallace and Jacob Coxey from prison and flee to Europe aboard the battleship USS New Mexico. Unfortunately for them, Brigadier General Hugh S. Johnson, who was initially part of the conspiracy, tipped off the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the plot. So when the day of the escape attempt arrived, a task force ambushed Butler's militia at the prison, sparking an intense week-long siege at Barney Circle.
In the end, the escape attempt was a catastrophic failure that claimed the lives of Butler and Coxey and left Wallace severely injured. Meanwhile, Leahy and the crew had already been captured onboard the New Mexico prior to the ambush. This attempt led to a military purge known as The Grand Cleansing, which lasted until 1937, allowing the Silver Legion to consolidate significant power across the country. While the Ku Klux Klan experienced rapid growth, establishing chapters throughout the Midwest, and securing political influence at both state and federal levels. It fundamentally resulted in Huey Long winning a second term in the 1936 election, despite widespread allegations of voter intimidation in several states from the Democratic Party. During his second term in office, Long initiated the dismantling of antitrust laws and embraced pro-business policies while collaborating with Henry Ford and several businessmen to combat the Great Depression.
But during a week-long rally held in Savannah in 1939, a resistance group using the name "Sons of Liberty" launched a blazing attack on President Long. The fiery assault left President Long with minor injuries, while Vice President Lemke succumbed to smoke inhalation, and Pelley was gravely wounded. Even though the National Guard eventually overpowered the rebels, the assassination attempt was a devastating blow to the nation's security. Remarkably, the country did not spiral into total anarchy as President Long continued to fulfill his duties from his hospital bed. The Secretary of State served as a transient vice president before being swiftly replaced by Earl Long, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, in anticipation of the 1940 election. Concerns about a potential third term for President Long were raised from both sides of the political spectrum but were ultimately mitigated when the Republican Party gained control of the Senate for the first time in 1932.
This marked the beginning of the Long family's foray into politics. Although medical complications prevented Huey from seeking a fourth term, he passed the torch to his brother and aimed to reclaim his Senate seat in Louisiana. In the 1944 election, Earl Long clinched the presidency, and Republicans seized control of the House for the first time since 1928. Renowned as "Uncle Earl," he was a brilliant campaigner with an erratic political behavior, often demanding unwavering loyalty to him. Consequently, his administration ushered in a wave of new appointments and dismissals within the federal government, with loyalists assuming key roles at the expense of established civil servants. While Republicans savored their newfound power, the Democratic Party's feeble response allowed the country to descend into an autocracy as they sought to safeguard their dwindling political influence.
But after Earl secured a third term in office, his behavior grew increasingly erratic, causing his inner circle to start getting concerned. The administration was plagued with resignations and firings of political appointees, leading to instability. The Republican Party was willing to put up with the embarrassment until the 1954 midterm election. To their surprise, Republicans almost lost all the gains made in the House, while the Senate losses were modest. This close call prompted several members to call for Earl's resignation, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a handful of cabinet members. Although Earl initially refused to listen, he was eventually convinced by his brother Huey to resign and rerun for lieutenant governor of Louisiana instead. While it was a solemn moment in the history to many, others breathed a sigh of relief at his replacement.
In 1955, with the presidential election looming, the Republican Party was already plotting its comeback after the midterm losses. While some party members are pushing for a shift towards social and environmental justice policies, the majority are rallying behind the powerful Long family and their conservative politics, backing the potential candidacy of Russell B. Long. On the other side, the Democratic Party, taken by surprise by their recent gains, is resorting to a bold last-ditch effort to reclaim the presidency. However, they're facing stiff opposition from their rivals, including the formidable Federal Bureau of Investigation led by the unyielding J. Edgar Hoover, determined to quash any remnants of leftist ideals. And some Democrats are getting a little too cozy with the Long family, and it's stirring up talks of a potential party split. Meanwhile, whispers of underground resistance groups biding their time to restore democracy still persist, adding an air of intrigue to the rocky political landscape of the United States.
@Mao Mao so all our ships (bar one) got here by the intervention of an Ascended being known as Daniel who brought everyone together.
Would Daniel have done so without asking? Just pluck the ship out in an attempt to save them? Or would he have personally asked for assistance (or tell a little white lie)?
So I assume that the Normandy S-R2 is taken?
A celebrity going to a resort island. Would it be normal for the resort to get a ton of celebrities?
 "Uh, you think you can make a few trips? We got a few men down over here!"
Carrying someone through the uneven asphalt was quite the challenge—more so if said person was hurt. Lucas had to make sure that the injury was manageable, at least until he got to the vehicle. But then there was another problem: it was locked. The driver in question, Ivory, was seemingly preoccupied with god knows what at the worst time possible. And with the sirens getting ever so close to the school, Lucas carefully told Jack to lean on the car and then yelled out at Ivory (and everyone else still on the field indirectly). "We need the keys to LEAVE before it's too late from Jack!"
|    █ #1.02 CAUGHT IN THE CLUTCHES  too young to burn - sonny and the sunsets |
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I want to do an older renowned filmmaker who decided on Carabo for his final documentary for retirement with a film crew alongside, but kinda seems like the concept has been sorta taken.
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