Napoleon

by Stephen Arseneault

  “Half. With the remaining half I intend to follow their defense line going east. Our troops in Salisbury will follow it.”

  “What happened to the divide and conquer of only minutes ago?”

  Napoleon signaled to one of his staff. “Inform the commanders we will be moving ahead with option two.”

  Naffi paused the playback. “I did not appreciate the change in battle order without notice, but he again showed his brilliance. The walking artillery barrages decimated their lines. Our troops were able to walk along at a brisk pace, meeting almost no resistance. Before the day was out the defense at Winchester had been annihilated, and the southern advance was on the outskirts of Bournemouth. The following day that entire front collapsed, the retreating troops dispersing into the countryside.”

  Reno asked, “And the soldiers at Farnborough?”

  “As predicted, they began digging in. I won't bother with the details, but five days later the force at Farnborough surrendered. Following that, patrols were sent throughout the countryside to collect all foodstuffs that would have been headed to the markets of London. And the farmers were each paid a fair price for their produce.

  “Within a week we had captured from Bristol to Brighton and everything to the southwest. A week later the entirety of southern England, along with the majority of Wales, was under our control. The British force in London swelled to a half million soldiers. That is when our first radio set arrived.”

  Naffi slowly shook his head as he sighed. “Napoleon was so taken with it he ordered all advances to stop. He talked back and forth with Josephine in Paris for nearly twelve hours straight. That included several hours with his staff. It took myself and a number of his generals and aides to convince him the fight must continue.

  “The week that followed saw the fall of Birmingham and then across to Cambridge and Ipswich. The entirety of London was surrounded. It was now only a matter of waiting them out as there would be no more food coming in.”

  Reno looked at the display. “It says here you died a week after the Ipswich surrender.”

  “Yes. During a fight with another Scottish contingent. They were defeated and pushed back, but not before an artillery shell struck the ground beside me. I do somewhat enjoy being in the fight, but I probably need to stay back now that I have Napoleon's ear. Starting over could take many months to regain his trust, let alone gaining access to him at all.”

  Reno scanned through the archive data. “It says here he dies in a coup in three years and the Empire collapses after another six. I'm beginning to think he was a better warrior than administrator.”

  “Perhaps. He was a trusting man whenever he allowed you into his inner circle. I would venture to say the coup was probably conducted by those he considered close friends.”

  Reno nodded. “One of his generals and a brother-in-law. They were preparing to launch their campaign against America. Napoleon wanted a peaceful, negotiated settlement where the Americans joined his Empire willingly.

  “There was a large swath of land that he originally sold to the Americans. In this new existence that land was held on to, and New Orleans would be used as his new base to conduct business with America. It says Napoleon wanted to negotiate peace while his generals demanded an immediate attack. From that division came the coup.”

  “What of the three years before?”

  “It says he spent much of his time reforming the government conventions to include delegations from all the new provinces. His plan for each to have a high level of autonomy, excluding their militaries, was holding. There were no riots or protests. And he was actually trying to spend the wealth he had plundered on the very things he had stated, roads, schools, and equal justice for all. But those public works were moving along at a slow pace and were often mismanaged or preyed upon by corrupt politicians.”

  Naffi shook his head. “Some things are universal, I guess. I dealt with much of this same morass when attempting to get anything done with our own government.”

  “So, what is our next move?”

  “You go back and continue to seed in manufacturing and technological advances. I'm thinking when I go next I will try to focus Napoleon's efforts on the north of Africa and across the Middle East. After there we cross the Russian plains.”

  “You want to save the American continents for last? That is a change.”

  “I think it reasonable to assume they will be our toughest challenge. An ocean separates them and they are not dependent on trade for food. Napoleon will want to negotiate from a position of strength.”

  “How do we move forward with our holdings here? Europe, I mean.”

  “When you return you should focus on two things, aside from any military undertakings, that is. Expansion of radios so the people can receive a constant stream of propaganda that is friendly to the empire, and a train system for moving people and goods in bulk.”

  Reno tilted his head. “The Humans developed personal cars. Having the ability to move about freely in such a rapid manner was one of the things that unlocked their growth. Our own history shows a similar expansion due to inexpensive transportation. Would it not be better to accelerate that instead?”

  “I would like to follow their normal progression as closely as possible, accelerated of course, but in a similar order.”

  “Very well. I'll get to work on a technology timeline to take back with me, as memories.”

  Naffi stood and began to pace the room.

  Reno asked, “What is bothering you?”

  “The girl, Heather. I can't shake her from my mind.”

  Reno turned back to the console and typed. “She lived, another forty-seven years, had nine children. Married an officer just after the treaty of London was signed.”

  Naffi scowled. “That is only months after my death.”

  Reno chuckled. “Perhaps she was distraught over her loss and ran into the arms of the first man who came along.”

  Naffi stared at his friend. “These jokes are not helping the situation.”

  “When your clone returns, just go see her.”

  “She is behind enemy lines. I wouldn't make it five meters inside those walls without being arrested.”

  “I'm sorry, Naffi. I know this disturbs you. Perhaps it is just time to let her go.” Reno stood. “I'll go ready our next clones.”

  Jacques Lamonde, the clone of Reno, returned to a surrendered London where a number of factories were constructed to produce train locomotives and cars. A second trip was made to Berlin where the foundations of what would grow to be a huge steel plant were laid. Another trip followed, this one to the Italian countryside where a number of factories were constructed with the goal of making radio parts.

  Elsewhere in the Empire, roads between the major cities were being put into place. As a concession to the Spanish and Portuguese provinces, construction of a steam-powered merchant fleet was underway. And on farms throughout the fledgling Empire, new farming practices promised to make food for the masses plentiful and affordable.

  By the time the Reno clone was done with his initial spree of manufacturing and technology advancements, the assassination of Napoleon and the coup that followed... never happened. All who would have been involved were instead out trying to make their fortunes in an environment that was rich with opportunity.

  On the America front, the boundaries had settled on the United States owning everything from the St. Lawrence down through New England and the South, stopping at the Louisiana border and going up along the Mississippi River to the western shore of what would become known as Lake Michigan. The French territory of Louisiana was pushed westward, all the way to the Pacific.

  Trade with the America's had increased substantially, as had Napoleon's influence there. But the new countrymen of the Americas were not interested in joining the growing French Empire. Instead, they watched with concern as the Central and South American holdings of Spain and Portugal became Empire provinces. The same conversions happened with the Caribbean
lands as well.

  When the last of the radio factories was set in place, the Reno clone quietly ended its life, having spent eight years working on industrial progress.

  The clone of Naffi was readied.

  Reno asked, “Are you certain you want to go back to where you last were?”

  “I am certain. I want to see this surrender of London, and I want to see if I can contact Heather.”

  Reno slowly shook his head. “You would deny her a life of certain happiness?”

  “How do you know it was happy?”

  “Let's check the archives for information. Hmm. Not only has her life been extended by twelve years with the advent of new technology, but she had an additional child, and twenty-six grandchildren. That does not sound like an unhappy life. And her former military officer husband served out his life as a manager in the train locomotive factory.”

  “How do you know she would not find happiness with me?”

  “Because we have a mission to complete. Do you want to see your own family resurrected here or would you rather start a new one in the past?”

  “That is not a fair question.”

  “Each of these journeys is an adventure, of that there is no doubt. But our goal is to bring about change to the world of the Opamari. Taking a wife at the start of nineteenth-century Britain does not achieve any of what we set out to do.”

  Naffi was quiet in thought for most of a minute. “You are a man of reason Reno. And I often hate you for it.”

  “You will let her be?”

  “I will let her be.”

  “Would you prefer to make a change to your destination and time?”

  “I would not. Send me back into the midst of the battle against the Scots. I'll acquire clothing as needed.”

  “Very well. Oh. And just so you know, the clone of Marwal remained alive and confined during my entire stay. We have a number of years to make this work without his interference.”

  Naffi smirked. “This must be driving both Marwal and Nunol insane.”

  Chapter 14

  _______________________

  Roger Dumas came into existence as the smoke from the artillery round continued to clear. The remains of his former body were scattered and burned beyond recognition. The pants and boots of a nearby victim, pants that showed signs of the explosion, were taken. Dirt and char were rubbed across his face and arms. The clone then hurried toward the back lines for assistance. Two hours later he was cleaned up, dressed, and once again in the presence of Napoleon.

  “Admiral, you seem to have more lives than a cat. I was told your complete command was dead.”

  “And they are. I had just walked a short distance to relieve myself when the shell hit. Much of my uniform was burned. Which brings up a point I would like to discuss.”

  “Please. Go ahead.”

  “Our uniforms... they are both neat and professional. But they are also highly visible.”

  “Is that not a good thing?”

  “No, General. It is not. It makes us targets. I would agree that it might be best when on parade or in celebration, but in war it is a liability. We should instead consider uniforms that allow us to blend in with the surroundings. If we are more difficult to see, we become more difficult to kill.”

  “Interesting perspective, Admiral. I will give it some thought.”

  Naffi sped up the playback. “We have three weeks of nothing before the Brits finally agree to a negotiation. As a sign of good faith, a long wagon-train of food was delivered to the main western gate. It would feed everyone in the city for three days. I was opposed to it, believing it would only prolong the process. But I was wrong. The British negotiators came back with a list of demands for their complete surrender. Some I advised against, but Napoleon accepted.”

  “What demands did you believe to not be acceptable?”

  “They wanted the ability to have local, volunteer militias as a way to put down riots or to maintain peace. Napoleon thought it a good idea and sent an edict declaring it to be an Empire-wide endeavor. The second big concession was the amount of an Empire-wide tax. All governments were to forward five percent of all taxes collected. The British demanded that number be no higher than four percent. Again Napoleon agreed and again the concession was spread to the remainder of the Empire.”

  “It sounds like he is trying to unify the people.”

  “I suggested we get to work on a common language to be taught to everyone. He balked at that idea, but with some argument for it, he retracted his opposition and was at least willing to discuss it at a future date.”

  “A common language would bring everyone together. It would also allow a common culture to grow and flourish. Language has always been a divider among Humans.”

  Naffi paused the display with a chuckle. “Since when did you become a Human anthropology expert?”

  “It's merely an observation. And I would add that even if a common language was instituted, it would still take several generations before it would become accepted by the majority.”

  When the negotiations were finalized and a treaty was signed, the French troops surrounding London were sent home. A huge parade was had in the streets of Paris where delegations from each province had a representative group involved in the march. Similar celebrations were scheduled for each of the provinces.

  That particular clone of Naffi would not see any of those developments, having been lost in a violent storm when crossing the English Channel. A new clone was created and made a return to Calias for a visit to see Marwal... to gloat.

  “We now control Britain, Europe, and parts of the Middle East and Russia. The archives show that each of the provincial areas become staunch supporters of the Empire. Trade will be good and famines a thing of the past. And after a prolonged meeting of the provincial governors, it was decided that all schools would teach the English language. The French were of course opposed, but respected the decision of their Emperor. Paris had become the epicenter of the Empire and the people there practically worshiped the ground Napoleon walked on.”

  The Marwal clone asked, “And the Opamari ancestry?”

  Roger Dumas scowled. “It does not show any change, but we are only now getting started. The archives show this Empire ran another fifty-three years before falling into a soft breakup. A common language now being that which tied each of the provinces together. However, a second Empire will arise in the far east. And a great war will be fought.”

  “It does not sound as though you have had much success, Naffi.”

  “Here the name is Roger Dumas. And while the world is still not prepared to counter the Opamari raid when it happens, we are working to change that.”

  “Do you not find it odd that history seems to resist change?”

  “I don't find that odd at all. The existence of these people is complex. You cannot simply come in and make change without that change having unforeseen consequence. We are relearning that lesson with each new iteration of the archives. In the end, however, I believe we can achieve the change we seek.”

  “And let's say you manage to bring about a history that sees Dr. Nunol no longer in existence and the second Mentox station no longer in use to chase you down?”

  “If my family returns to the living I might come back as well. I can't speak for Reno, but I believe he would be happy if allowed to continue his research, if even only in a restricted manner, but again, I cannot say what drives him to exist, right now. It may be he has the bug to continue his adventures.”

  “He would still sacrifice our Empire to meet his goal of vengeance?”

  “I cannot say. Have you considered moving your family onto Mentox-II as a way to keep them safe?”

  “I brought up the idea but was rejected. I have to believe Dr. Nunol thinks I need that incentive to remain motivated. That is not how I work, so I do find it to be an irritant, but I am not in the position to change that.”

  Roger Dumas paced around the room in thought. “Hmm. Would you consider lea
ving Mentox-II if we would be accepting of you and your family on Mentox-I?”

  “An interesting thought. And I can assume you are aware that Nunol and the others now know of that offer as they will have fully reviewed the recording of this.”

  “I am aware that they will see this, but there was no offer given. Only a question of interest. And Nunol and the others are only likely to see and hear this question if you forward to it upon your return. You would certainly have the option of jumping past this discussion.”

  “So are you making an offer?”

  “Would you consider one if it were made?”

  “How would that work exactly? I do not wish for myself or my family to be confined to one of these stations for the remainder of our lives.”

  “Confined? Do you not find these travels fascinating? Would your family not consider them the same?”

  “You are suggesting that we all share this station and live out our lives journeying back through time? You do realize that if your family was returned, you could no longer travel, or allow Reno to travel, without risking their lives again, right?”

  Roger Dumas sighed. “I suppose that would be an issue. And of course any such conundrums would have to be worked out ahead of time. It's becoming increasingly difficult to discern what is happening in our Opamari present versus what has already happened back here in the past.”

  The Marwal clone reached up to scratch his head. “This prison you have me in... very effective. And to think I was so close to once again capturing you.”

  “You haven't been close since the Civil War.”

  “Not true. Let's take for instance the Human woman you know as Heather.”

  Roger Dumas stopped cold. “What of her? And how do you know of her?”

  “I know because it is my job to know. Who do you think moved her to London? I was certain you would follow.”

  “What? You persuaded her to move?”

  “Forced is a more appropriate term. She was quite enthralled with the French Admiral who was admiring her. I had hoped to lure you into a meeting with her in London, but you reached out and grabbed me before that happened.”