Culture War
Page 14
“You are to secure the Legion Airbase at New Phoenix,” ordered the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Old Earth. “Use the First Division to retake New Phoenix from the rebels. Quick decisive action is what is needed. More troops are on the way from the other side of New Colorado and from Mars.”
“Perhaps we should just divide the planet up,” I suggested. “Cut our loses and welcome a new ally and cousin to the galaxy of nations. It’s a big planet with room enough for everyone.”
“What kind of treasonous talk is that?” asked the chairman. “Don’t tell me you are part of the rebellion, too! The Butcher of New Colorado would never join the enemy – would you?”
“I’m just saying the uprising is too big to stop without nuking the whole planet. And we still might lose. Humanity would suffer from that.”
As I spoke, I received a fax message containing a Declaration of Independence from the new government in New Phoenix. A congress was already in place, lead by newly appointed President Kalipetsis. The new president urged all Legion units to join the new United States of Colorado. He stated the armory at the Legion airbase at New Phoenix had already been seized.
I read the fax again, disconnected the communications feed from Old Earth, and sat back in my office chair. I sorted through a stack of mail, stalling, trying to calm myself and come to a rational decision. A large envelope stood out from the stack of mail. Sergeant Green had said the brown envelope had been delivered by Major Lopez, and was important. I examined the envelope with interest. It seemed to have some weight to it. I set it aside and called Major Lopez on his cell phone.
“Are you still pissed at me over how things went in New Memphis?” I asked. “It looks on TV as if our little world just got turned upside down. The entire planet is declaring its independence.”
“Where are you?” asked Major Lopez. “What action are you going to take against the rebels in New Phoenix? We need to secure our Legion nukes as soon as possible.”
“I’m in my office about to open my mail. What is in this letter you sent me? It’s not a bomb is it?”
Awkward silence followed. Not good, I thought to myself. It is a bomb.
“Are you going to move against the rebel government in New Phoenix?” Major Lopez repeated.
“I have orders to immediately secure the Legion airbase and nuclear armory at New Phoenix, and to attack the new government,” I replied. “But the airbase is already in mutiny. Anyway, I doubt legionnaires will attack a large human population in rebellion. That’s not what we are here for. I hung up on the Joint Chiefs of Staff a few minutes ago. Do you think that was a mistake?”
“No,” answered Major Lopez. “This has been brewing for a long time. The entire planetary elite supports independence. It’s just the natural evolution of the planet as it grows. A peaceful transition of power is in everybody’s best interests, especially until we know what action the Arthropodan Empire is going to take.”
“What about this letter?” I asked.
“Throw that letter in the garbage,” said Major Lopez. “Don’t open it. We are going to see America born all over again. We are going to live history and see the birth of a great new nation. Viva la revolucion! Viva la New Colorado!”
“Whatever.”
Major Lopez disconnected. I called Sergeant Green and ordered him to dispose of Lopez’s letter. Carefully.
###
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~AUTHOR’S NOTE~
The history of the world is a history of dictators, emperors, kings, despots, torture chambers, slavery, and extreme cruelty. Totalitarian governments have been the norm throughout humanity’s history, right up to our present. The American experiment of government of the people, by the people, and for the people is still a relatively new concept worldwide.
Freedom is not, however, an unappreciated concept worldwide. Despite much disinformation, jealousy, propaganda, and politics, the world looks upon America as a shining beacon on the hill to which they aspire. This is especially so, because most of the world still lives under dictatorship and repression.
I suspect citizens of alien civilizations across the galaxy would share humanity’s desire for freedom, and I thought it would be interesting to explore what might happen if they experienced American culture up close and personal. I hope you have enjoyed my tale.
Oh, one last chapter in this American saga. The Nike Corporation just signed a multi-million-dollar deal with the Emperor, putting the Nike Swooshstika on all Arthropodan marine uniforms. The deal is part of an advertising campaign promoting Nike’s new ‘Spiderwear’ sports products throughout the Empire’s six inhabited planets. And what about New Colorado? Well, you will have to read Book 7, America’s Galactic Foreign Legion: Enemies.
I hope you enjoyed reading the first six books of my America's Galactic Foreign Legion series. I have seven more AGFL books in the editing process. My intent was to entertain in a humorous manner.
However, I have received some political criticism. I tried to write fair and balanced, but I cannot please everyone. If there is a silent majority out there who supports the humor of America's Galactic Foreign Legion, please take this opportunity to let your voice and opinion be heard by writing a positive Amazon Kindle book review.
Humor can be a difficult thing. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Walter Knight
www.waltknight.yolasite.com
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~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Walter Knight
Walter played football on Tucson High School’s last state championship team (1971). He served three years in the army, and the GI Bill paid for his college education, helping him earn degrees from Fort Steilacoom Community College, Central Washington State College, and the University of Puget Sound School of Law.
Walter lives a very quiet and private life, residing with his family and horses, dogs, cats, and fish atop a hill in rural Washington. Walt enjoys taking road trips to explore ghost towns and casinos.
To find out more about Walter Knight and his books, visit his web site.
www.waltknight.yolasite.com
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