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Resurrection: Rebirth of the United States

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First, I must say, nice Vijay game... and I must admit I'm impressed with Prussia's positioning, but moreso with yours! Outstanding work, sir.

AS for this wonderful collection of disasters befalling our heroes, I see Tom having one helluva a fight in front of him. That's not good, not good at all, especially since he and John are seemingly at odds with each other... AGAIN!

Originally Posted by CatKnight
"I'm responsible," he whispered. "I'm responsible for all of it."

"You were doing your duty."

Tom looked up with red rimmed eyes and met her gaze. "That's no excuse."
Click to expand...

The sign of a true leader! Hopefully Tom will be able to do something good and lasting before that sentiment burns him out from the inside! :eek:
 
Cat, when I described the Branchville prison as a concentration camp, I was thinking of the British camps during the Boer War (I'm pretty sure that it was the Brits who "invented" concentration camps, albeit as literally a place to concentrate a potentially hostile population (the Boer civilians), rather than the German atrocities that followed later). A horrible place rather than an evil place, one where the people suffer because of overcrowding and undersupply rather than by design. But I guess that the term concentration camp nowadays means the Nazi variety and that, clearly, is not what Branchville is. Not yet, at least.

I'm still holding out some hope that Tom and Preston can have a meeting and come to an agreement as to the current situation and what's going on, and more importantly, what needs to be done about it. Maybe, if they both get a good night's rest and can have a cool, rational discussion. But the signs are not good. That Preston and Heyward clashed over Branchville prison doesn't worry me overly: Heyward's been there, Preston hasn't, so he doesn't truly know what's goin on. However, it was Preston's comment about rounding up the "seditious elements" that most dashed my hopes. That suggests that Preston's still not aware of what's going on and how Rutledge/Black are manipulating matters.
 
Hmmm, Preston might come round. Pigs might Fly.

I like the way in which you annihilate the "Order defence" that was so popular in Nüremberg and at other trials. Orders should never be an excuse.

I also think Thom could never succeed without Anne. Let's hope things get better rather tahn worse, but I have no high hopes. I also wonder what cornet Harding is doing.


Nice update! DW
 
He really has no idea what is in store for him from Black. It's like going to a horror movie and hollering at the screen for some soon to be dead person to get away. No matter how much you want to yell, it won't work.
 
I suppose Tom can claim that the war was won with that last battle and he just came back to report the good news. :D We are nearing the stage where a miracle is going to have to happen for Tom to survive. I still say Black has to have a serious misstep for Tom to figure out what is going on and survive. Maybe Black will think he's won and we will have a scene where he gloats and reveals to Tom who he is. After all that's always happens in the movies, otherwise the hero won't get there in time to save the day. Oops Toms the hero. :eek:

Joe
 
Well, sir, I just waded through all forty-three pages of this beast, and I must say this a masterpiece. Normally I don't like EUII AARs, but this one and one other are exceptions to that rule. Looking forward to the bloody confrontation with Rutledge/Black. :)

A question. Why is it that the bad guys have a supervillain, and the good guys don't have a superhero? Stewart and Heyward were both from 1946. Black seems to be like the Devil, except that you let us know that he isn't. Ah, well. All will be made clear through time, eh? ;)

And...bring Georgia back in! :D

I also remind y'all that CatKnight promised four parts to this tale. He has not stated to my knowledge that Part III is over yet. Therefore we have many more cliffhanger-ridden updates to survive. :p
 
General Notes:
First, sorry folks for running silent. The last weeks have been real bears offline. I haven't kept up with my reading or anything. I barely had five minutes each day to go online and see what was happening.

J. Passepartout: We're going to check in with John again in a little bit. It might help explain why he's thinking the way he is.

jwolf: Heyward's in trouble, no question about it.

Draco Rexus: It's always darkest before the dawn. Or before the anvil falls on your head. Take your pick! :D

Stuyvesant: I figured that's what you meant by 'concentration camp', but I wanted to be crystal clear since Paradox gets unhappy when people talk about the German version. :) You're right that Preston doesn't realize how horrible Branchville is. Whether it'd matter...I'm not sure. Again, we'll have to stop by and see where John's coming from. In a sense John is where the "real" Ed Rutledge was: He wants to protect Charleston against all comers. He's yet to realize that Black is the greatest threat Charleston's ever faced.

Dead William: Hey, pigs don't fly until the next installment! Also yes, I was thinking of Nuremberg when I wrote Thomas' last line.

coz1: If it makes you feel better, Tom's about to find out EXACTLY what the score is.

Storey: Villians? Gloat? I'd never succumb to such a simple trick. I mean, that's almost cliche. Kinda like cliffhangers. :)

fj44: Good to see you, and welcome! Let's see if I can answer your questions:

The good guys don't have a 'superhero' for two reasons: First, Tom hasn't failed while Stewart clearly did. Black was willing to let Stewart handle it - until he proved he couldn't. Then he took matters in his own hands.

The 'good guys' have been active, but in far more subtle ways. The most overt example I can think of is when Tom's coin happened to deflect Stewart's knife. Tom's been in a few situations where logic probably dictated he got his butt kicked. The good guys are going to be a tad more overt soon.

As for Black not being the Devil....he isn't. However, I chatted with 'Black' pondering his reasons for what he's doing, and the answer he/I came up with is actually pretty close to Christian theology. He's not 'the Devil', but if you want to say he's 'a' devil you'd probably be close enough.

And you're right: There are at least four parts to this tale (possibly five... see below), and we're still in Part III. The AAR that refuses to end isn't over.

General Notes II: I may continue to be relatively slow for a bit though: First, life continues to be challenging and I expect to be moving shortly. (Black's interfering again!) Second, I thought I knew how part 4 progressed, but I'm not sure I like it...so we might be at five parts. I have to think about how to wrap this beast up within our lifetimes. :)
 
-= 138 =-​

April 1784
South Carolina

"Thomas! Come in!" 'Rutledge' stood from behind his oak desk and smiled cordially. "You are looking quite fine, sir. Please have a seat." He waved to a chair in front of his desk, ornate and stiff backed. He turned his attention to the soldier who served as his personal guard, a thin youth wearing the red sash of the Carolina Guard. "Bring Thomas a drink if he wants, then leave us. We'll be safe I'm sure."

The youth wasn't so sure, having seen the murderous look in Heyward's eyes when he presented himself in the pouring rain, but merely bowed. "Sir?"

"I'm not thirsty," Tom snapped. Rutledge looked the same as always: a tall, thin man in his thirties. Today he wore his lawyer's wig, slightly curled and powdered white, and dressed in a white waistcoat over crimson shirt and leggings with blue trimming. He could almost be mistaken for a British soldier. Tom sat in the offered chair and immediately realized they weren't alone. He snapped his gaze to Rutledge's other guest, seated in a high back chair next to him.

"I'm sure you remember Captain Pierce?" Black smiled.

"We missed you at the battle," Heyward glared at the former commander of his personal guard, a thin, blond haired man in his twenties. Pierce had the integrity to look embarassed. "How did you find home?"

"Quite well, except my family's larder was bare as I feared when we spoke. I appealed to Mister Rutledge's mercy for myself and my family and he was able to help."

"Yes, Mister Rutledge is quite the man."

"Captain Pierce was telling me of your time together," Black interrupted, still smiling. "He says you were quite thorough in your prosecution of the campaign. Not an Indian within miles of the army. You're to be complimented."

"It was my men who were thorough," Tom replied shortly.

"Yes, but under your orders. Or at least with your understanding." Black's grin broadened.

"I do not need you to remind me of my part in this!"

"You sound upset, Thomas. Are you sure you don't want that drink?"

"No. I'm here to discuss your role in this campaign!" Tom turned once more to Pierce. "You can go."

Black raised his hand sharply. "This is still my office, sir," he smiled. "Still, perhaps the good general is right, Kyle. Thank you for your report. It was most thorough."

Once they were alone, Tom returned his gaze to his adversary. "Report?"

"Yes, sir." Black folded his hands and leaned close. "I encourage any citizen to come to me with their concerns and interests. That is the very definition of democracy is it not?"

"As I said, you're quite the man."

"Now Thomas," Black purred. "You sound positively churlish. What has you in such distemper?"

"I don't know what you're playing at, but..." Heyward shook his head. "I know about Branchville!"

"Ah yes, quite a shame, th..."

"I'm not done! I know you created a food shortage by stopping the slaves from working last year. I know you raised a massive draft to keep the men from taking the shortfall or noticing what you're doing. I know you intentionally created a crisis so you would be awarded emergency powers. You've used those to crush any who speak against you. You've encouraged excesses and cruelty in my men."

"That is quite a theory, Thomas. Another man might consider you paranoid."

"I don't know what you're about, but I'm going to end it!"

"That sounds like a threat, Thomas."

"It is!"

Black arched his brows. "What is wrong, Thomas? Your men played too rough with the Indians and you're offended?"

"Don't condescend to me!"

"I have always found, Thomas, that the quality of a soldier can best be measured by the quality of his commander. If you don't like what happened there, then firstly I say you are a fool for not realizing that cruelty is a part of war - especially with inferior breeds. Secondly, I would look in the mirror. Your men acted as they did because you allowed them. Alan was quite clear about your contempt for the Carolina fighting man, sir. Look in the mirror. Look in the mirror."

"I know my part! Do you know yours? Tell me about Branchville!"

"A necessity. They must be controlled."

"Even if it means starving them?"

"Their fate does not interest me. All that is important is the security of the state."

"Ah yes, emaciated and sick men are a horrible threat to Carolina!"

"Why do you continually stand up for these people, Thomas? It is clear that there are superior bloodlines and inferior ones. Allowing the inferior to continue merely dilutes everyone else." Black leaned back and shook his head. "You puzzle me. Unless, perhaps, your blood is already soured."

"My blood is fine!"

"Is it? You continue along these lines and people may begin to wonder, Thomas. Where is your army? You abandoned them, didn't you? They disgusted you. Don't you love Carolina?"

The sudden change in topic caught Tom off guard. "Of course I love Carolina!"

"Then why did you leave? Couldn't stand watching your Indian friends get slaughtered any more? Or didn't they let you have the woman you wanted?"

heyward lunged across the desk and grabbed his neckcloth. Black grabbed his wrist and met his gaze. "Abandoning your post is treason," he said softly.

"Let he who is without sin," Tom growled.

Black laughed. "Oh Thomas, Sin is the least of your problems. Desertion. Failure to report. I know you tried to redirect supplies to Branchville earlier this morning. And now assault? However I realize you are in distemper. Stress has brought down greater men, and perhaps you are merely ill. Are you ill, Thomas?"

"I am fine....Ed! And when I tell the world what you have done..."

"You will be condemned as a paranoid or delusional, and spend the rest of your life in an asylum. Would you like to call the meeting, or shall I?"

Tom stood straight, eyes blazing.

"I am your friend, Thomas, so I will make you the same offer our God does: Beg me for forgiveness and we will pretend today never happened."

"Go to the devil!"

"Oh, about that." Black grinned. "Would you like to know what my plan is, Thomas? What I'm really 'at' as you so wittily put it? Come with me into the study. I have everything arranged." He stood and studied his guest. "It's really quite simple."

Curiousity got the better of Heyward, even as a quiet alarm went off in the back of his head. He looked around alertly: Still alone.

"Good." Black opened a side door. "Close the door after us, will you? There's a bit of a draft." Black took a lamp.

Rutledge's study was cozy, with a few chairs near an unlit fireplace and bookshelves on the wall. A globe sat on a brass base. Someone had shoved a dagger into North America like it was a scabbard. Black walked past this and pointed up to a large piece of black, red and white cloth. "The new Carolina flag. What do you say, sir?"

Tom followed his finger and stared. His eyes widened and he turned pale, his jaw slackening. He'd only seen that flag once before in his life. Only once. Many years ago...or many years from now. He backed up slowly, still staring. Bumped into the door. Shook.

"So it is you, Thomas," Black said without looking away from the flag. "Henry did try to tell me, but I didn't believe him."

"You're a Nazi," Thomas whispered.

Black shook with silent laughter, still staring at his banner. "You still don't understand, do you Thomas? I didn't join the Nazis..."

He whirled, eyes as crimson as his shirt. "THEY....JOINED.....ME!"

nazi4eu.gif

Flag of the Carolina Federation (1784)
 
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UGH! Now Black mad e a few good points, but still, that was a nasty conversation. Let's hope

A) Black likes torturing Thom so much he won't kill him outright.

B)"The other side" interferes before anything worse happens.

c) The real Rutledge kicks some Demon but...

Great update Catknight. Now you've got me really worried... Thanks!

DW
 
Due to the way this page loaded, I saw the flag before I was able to see the post, but still the whole thing has some kick.

Mr. Black is making a mistake in revealing this to Heyward. Thank the lord.

If Mr. Black is 'a' devil, I wonder if he is working for 'the' devil, or if this is something else entirely, and what the significance of that is upon his statement about the Nazis joining him.
 
Some heavy stuff lately.

Sorry that I haven't made comments in a while. Things have just been hectic, however I do make sure to keep up on this fine work and many others. Sometimes I just can't comment. :(
 
I think one of Dead William's ideas is probably Heyward's best hope right now. Let's hope the real Rutledge, buried deep inside, can sufficiently distract Black long enough for Heyward to get away.

On the other hand, Black is clearly enjoying how Heyward's been powerless to stop him so far. He seems to get a kick out of it to know that Heyward knows, but still is unable to do anything (?) about it. As the evil villain himself stated, if Heyward goes public, it'll just mean a padded cell for Thomas (assuming they had padded cells back then, it might just be a cold, stony cell). So maybe Black will let him go, assuming that even with the knowledge of Black's evil designs, Heyward won't be able to convince anyone to stand up against him.

Good luck with life in general and your move specifically, Catknight. We'll be waiting. And as to the 'AAR that refuses to end', I know a few that have been going on even longer than yours. And anyway, it's not the fact that it's taking a long time, it's the fact that you haven't abandoned it that matters. To me, as a reader, at least. Can't judge for you as the writer, obviously. ;)
 
Stuyvesant said:
And anyway, it's not the fact that it's taking a long time, it's the fact that you haven't abandoned it that matters.
Click to expand...
That's right. Take your time, CatKnight. Keep giving us quality stuff to read. :D

Interesting. Unsure how Heyward's going to get out of this one. Perhaps it's time for the good power to be less 'subtle'. :D
 
This is a truly marvellous AAR! It took a while to read the whole thing, but it was definitely worth it. :)

However, one minor point; you have two chapter 136s. ;)
 
A powerful ending to an already powerful post. When Rutledge/Black said this: "...Or didn't they let you have the woman you wanted?" I knew Thomas would act. If anything, I wonder if he held back given how close that comment might have sunk.

And the end. Now that Heyward knows, surely Black must have him taken care of. But then again, he is the main character...so many possibilities. :D

And hey, take your time if you need it. We aren't going anywhere.
 
Well that certainly looked like gloating to me. :D Tom is now really going to need that miracle I was talking about. :eek: It's funny how a story will change before you have a chance at writing it down isn't it? Sometimes I'll have the plot set up and realize that I don't like where its headed and change directions. ;)

Joe
 
*wanders in from the Rogue Isles and Paragon City of City of Heroes/Villains where he's been since August*

So I see something on the forums there about EU3 and I think "ooh, that's cool.." and the next thought is to come see how this AAR's doing. Looks like it's still going awesomely. :)

A couple of questions though.. first, is it safe to assume that Black's mission isn't like Thomas'? I mean whereas Thomas' was to create the USA to help in WWII, is Black also thinking for the future, or is he trying to create a new Reich?

And the other question isn't really to Catknight but to everyone.. how do we know Thomas' the one that's meant to stop Black? For all we know, he could've been sent back in time to get Preston to his cause so Preston goes on to help solidify the USA in the future once Black's gone or something.
 
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