January 4th, 1920
Washington D.C.
United States of America
White House Oval Office
"This man is dead."
Dr Grayson's words hit those in the room like a steam engine. They had called in doctors as soon as President Wilson had collapsed onto the floor, and had done everything they possibly could to revive him. But all their efforts were for naught, Woodrow Wilson was dead. At a time when the United States was facing a predicament and catastrophe the likes of which it had never before seen, the President of the United States was dead.
In Robert Lansing's mind, the only thing worse than Woodrow Wilson dropping dead in the Oval Office, was that Thomas R. Marshall was next in line for the presidency, at least for the next ten months. That terrified him, and most others in the room. Thomas Marshall was perhaps the most incompetent Vice President in the history of the United States, and that was saying a lot. It was no secret that Wilson had despised the man, which made Lansing wonder why he'd even been picked in the first place.
The man was shy and insecure, with the only quote ever attributed to him being "what this country needs is a good five-cent cigar."
What the United States now needed was a competent Vice President to take charge and guide the nation, Lansing thought bitterly. A man that was qualified to lead the nation through the disaster it was faced with. Thomas Marshall was not that man.
"Well, Mr Marshall, it seems that you are now the President," Lansing said, looking over at the man.
"No, no, this can't be happening!" he said, shaking his head back and forth as doctors lifted the dead body of Woodrow Wilson onto a gurney, and lifted him out of the Oval Office. Lansing and Chief Justice White just looked at each other, both shrugging, before Lansing spoke up.
"Chief Justice White is here to administer the oath so you can begin administering the affairs of state, and lead the nation through the crisis that now faces it." Lansing said.
Marshall looked wild-eyed with shock and looked like he was about to cry. "I can't do it! I just can't do it! I don't know anything about handling a crisis and don't want to! And I most certainly don't want to be president."
Half the men in the room stared unbelieving at the display put on by the Vice President, while General Pershing muttered,
"Dear Lord," just loud enough for March and Wood to hear it.
"You're the next in line," Justice White said sternly, as if talking to a schoolchild. "If you don't want to be president, you must formally step aside."
Marshall took a seat in a nearby chair, taking a few deep breaths, and finally composing himself.
"Gentlemen, I may not be a very smart man, but I consider myself to be an honest one, and know what I am and am not capable of doing. I am not capable of executing the duties of the President of the United States. I am wholly unqualified for the job, and if this crisis is as severe as I have so far been led to believe, I should not even be an interim president. In that case, wouldn't that make you next in line, Mr Lansing?"
"That he will," Justice White answered. "With the elected president dead, the vice president elect will become the president and will be sworn to serve out the rest of the term, just over a year. Whoever he appoints as secretary of state will be the next in succession as there is no constitutional provision to appoint or elect a new vice president. Marshall, your term of office will be extremely brief, little over a year. Then you can retire with honor back to Indiana."
Marshall shook his head.
"I am not qualified to lead this country, not now, not ever, and not in this crisis." He let out a tired sigh. "What happens if I decline to take the oath?"
"Simply declining would precipitate a constitutional crisis," White said. "You would have to formally step aside, at which time the current secretary of state, Mr. Lansing, will become president until he is sworn in for a four-year term next March by virtue of the fact that he is also the vice president elect."
"And Congress will not object?" Marshall inquired.
"I do not believe they will," Lansing said. "The Constitution says that Congress has to appoint a president in the event that neither the president nor the vice president are able to serve. The most recent legislation has identified the secretary of state as the third in line."
"Then I believe that problem has been solved, gentlemen," Marshall said, getting up from his seat, and walking over to a cabinet next to the Resolute Desk, opened it, pulled out a sheet of paper, and began to write. When he was done, he turned to Chief Justice White, and handed the paper to him.
"I presume this is satisfactory."
White glanced at it. "It is." He signed his name as a witness.
Marshall nodded sadly, "Every little boy says he wants to grow up and be president of the United States, and here I am turning that great honor down. Perhaps the only man in the history of the United States that ever will." Marshall laughed harshly. "And the dove was quite cunning, wasn't he? Wilson probably knew he wouldn't live out his next term, so he selected someone far more qualified than me to be the next in line. The only thing he didn't count on was dying before the inauguration in March. Wilson was a stubborn, willful, hateful man who despised me and now he has given me this last insult to endure. Well, damn him, I will not play his game, dead or not."
Lansing put his hand on Marshall's shoulder. "By resigning you will be honored in history as an example of an honest and virtuous man."
Marshall smiled appreciatively. "And you will go down as the man who finagled himself into the most miserable job in the world while I go and smoke a good five-cent cigar."
—--------------------------------------
January 5th, 1920
11:00 AM
Oval Office
It felt wrong for Lansing to sit down in the Oval Office the day after former President Wilson had died, but he had no choice. The United States was in a crisis, one that seemed to be getting worse with each passing minute, and there was still information he wasn't privy to yet, information that was being saved for the late Wilson. Information that was now saved for President Robert Lansing. Information that pertained to the state of the country, as well as the rest of the world.
"Give it to me straight, gentlemen," Lansing said tiredly. "What were you going to tell President Wilson, that I need to know now. Just how bad is the situation here and abroad."
"The situation is quite dire, Mr President," Admiral Coontz replied. "While you might have already guessed, most of the Pacific Fleet is now gone, which I'm sorry to say included a great many of our Battleships, old and new.
A reluctant Coontz had been in charge of enforcing the peace economies mandated by Woodrow Wilson. A number of warships had been decommissioned and were awaiting sale as scrap, and several naval bases had been closed. It had been an utter humiliation to the Navy, and now the hopelessly naive policies of the late Woodrow Wilson were coming back to haunt the United States Navy.
"Our entire battle force consisted of seven modern battleships and eight older ones before The Event." Naval Secretary Josephus Daniels added. "Six battleships alone were at Mare Island when The Event happened, three of which were the Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. They were the newest, while the older vessels were the Kansas, Minnesota, and Michigan. And that's just what was at Mare Island, Mr President. Once we put together the losses at San Diego, Puget Sound, and Pearl Harbor, as well as the loss of Admiral Rodman, has left the Pacific Fleet utterly gutted."
"And while we've managed to make wireless contact or even confirmed the presence of some ships off the West Coast, the picture being painted is not a good one." Coontz said, letting out a sigh of his own as now President Lansing's gaze fell upon him. "Out of all the battleships stationed in the Pacific, we've only made contact with one, the USS Arkansas. The rest of the ships we have made contact with are a mixture of cruisers and destroyers, one of which was made before the Spanish War."
President Lansing and Secretary of War Baker looked horrified at the news, while the others wore grim looks on their faces.
"What about the Caribbean?" Baker asked, first to Admiral Coontz, then to President Lansing. "What do you intend to do about the Cubans and Venezuelans? We can't just let what they did go unanswered!"
"There's nothing we can do at the moment, Mr Baker." Coontz replied, slightly aggravated. "Both times we engaged them we lost! We have to consolidate our forces and gather intelligence before we even think about trying to attack again!"
"But this is an act of war! If we stand by and do nothing-" Baker began, before President Lansing cut him off.
"There's nothing we can do, Secretary Baker. In fact, if you'd been listening, we did try something, and it failed! I will not throw away the lives of good American sailors until, and only when we have more information to go off of!" Lansing sighed. "What about the Philippines? You didn't mention the Philippines. Or Panama. Do we still control them?" Lansing asked, dreading the answer he'd receive. It was here that Admiral Coontz smiled slightly.
"Thankfully I can report that both the Philippines and the Panama Canal Zone were both unaffected by the current crisis." Coontz replied. "However, most of the Asiatic Fleet is composed of a few cruisers, destroyers, and outdated submarines. There is also one Scout Cruiser in Balboa, but are unable to leave due to current events in the region."
Admiral Coontz and Navy Secretary Daniels looked over to General March, who simply nodded in acknowledgement.
"And our garrisons are on full alert in both places, and are as prepared as can be against any attack." March said.
"And what about the rest of the Army? What shape are they in?" Lansing asked, and General March grimaced.
"The situation for the Army is only marginally less severe." General March said. "Before The Event, the Army had just over 50,000 men on active duty, scattered across the country, Hawaii, Alaska, The Philippines, and elsewhere. Hell, half the Army was overseas when The Event occurred. In all, we estimate at least ten thousand active duty soldiers gone, mostly in California, Hawaii. And that's before getting into the National Guard and reserves, which were barely twice that of active duty, and are in even worse shape than those on active duty."
"What are you saying, General March?" Baker asked, an angry look on his face.
"What I'm saying, Mr Secretary, is that if the United States were to go to war with anyone right now, we'd have a devil of a time trying. We had a devil of a time fighting Pancho Villa when General Pershing crossed into Mexico, and nothing since has changed. Half the reservists called up to fight in Mexico never showed up. The Army was in no position to fight a war before this happened, and it certainly isn't now."
"General March, is there any good news? Is there any good news at all, gentlemen?" Lansing asked. "We've lost seven states and two territories, with over six million Americans gone who for all we know are dead, the rest of the nation is in a state of chaos, and it seems as if we're at war with at least two nations. Is there anything good you can tell me?"
"I think so," March replied, looking over at Major General Pershing.
"Some old friends contacted me this morning with some interesting information. Elements of the 9th and 10th Cavalry in Montana and New Mexico made quite cordial contact with National Guard and Marine units in Arizona and Idaho. Contact that didn't end with shots being fired, and in some places, even traded beers with each other." Pershing said, which made some raise a curious eyebrow.
"How is it that the 9th and 10th manage such friendly contact, whereas almost every other encounter has led to the Army being attacked, and routed?" President Lansing asked. General's March and Wood looked nervously at each other as Pershing cleared his throat, and continued.
"Mr President, as you might recall, the 9th and 10th consist of mostly black soldiers, whereas units like the 3rd Infantry Regiment were all white. We've had problems in the past with white and black soldiers fighting together, and upon encountering the National Guard units out west, the all white units didn't take kindly to who and what they found. To put it bluntly, Mr President, the prejudices and racial beliefs of those units precipitated the engagements that occurred, especially when they refused to accept orders from black, Mexican, Chinese, or female soldiers of equal or greater rank."
"But they-" Baker began, but was ignored by General Pershing, who acted as if he hadn't even spoken.
"In the case of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, many of its members were from The South, and upon making contact with Guardsmen in Utah, harassed, insulted, and eventually opened fire on the Guardsmen, which resulted in their defeat, and eventual rout by said Guardsmen. These events were even recorded, and are in the process of being sent here for investigation."
"Good white men died and you-" Baker began once more, only for President Lansing to rise from his chair, and fix the man with a lethal glare.
"Secretary Baker, you will be quiet, and listen to what General Pershing has to tell us, do you understand me!" Lansing snapped. "We are facing a crisis unlike any this nation has ever seen, and we don't have time for your personal beliefs to interfere with it! Do you understand me!?"
"Yes, Mr President." Baker replied with barely concealed rage.
"General Pershing, please continue," Lansing prompted, to which Pershing merely nodded.
"With the 9th and 10th Cavalry, they weren't met with the usual hatred and prejudice from the Marines and National Guard they encountered, which allowed for a stabilizing of multiple locations in New Mexico and Montana, and friendly exchanges of information. Information that I believe is very important to how we go forward in dealing with the nine states out west, as well as the rest of the problems we now face." Pershing explained.
"Nine states?" Lansing asked, to which Pershing nodded.
"Yes sir, it seems that in the 21st century, Alaska and Hawaii both had been states since the 1950's. Which brings up something I believe is very important, the population census. The states and territories we lost on New Year's Day totaled to just over six million people. The states in question which have replaced them, total just over 69 million total, not including Americans overseas in other nations brought back from 2020, which I'm told includes at least another few hundred thousand."
As the words left Pershing's mouth, Lansing's eyes widened as his mouth fell open, while Secretary Baker blanched in shock, and even the other officers in the room looked at him as if he had just grown a second head. After a few seconds of silence, Lansing finally spoke up.
"69 million people? That number can't be right?" Lansing said, to which Pershing replied by shaking his head.
"No Mr President, it's not wrong. The reports are corroborated from units from Montana down to New Mexico, even by a unit in Colorado. They were all told the same thing when asked. In the year two thousand twenty, the United States had a population of over 330 million people, not counting immigrants, or those overseas. And one of the most populated regions was stated to be the West Coast, which holds the bulk of the population east of the Rocky Mountains." Pershing's answer did nothing to ease either Lansing or Baker's mind, or their reactions to such news.
"The entire population of the United States was just over 100 million according to the last census!" Lansing said, thinking of the sheer mess of adding 69 million people would create for the House and Senate. All that power and influence out west would make Democrats and Republicans both absolutely furious! "A sixty nine percent increase in our population is…hard to imagine. That will create interesting times here in Washington."
"I'm glad you brought that up, Mr President, because a number of Representatives and Governors in the western states are seeking to establish relations and trade with the United States, including military cooperation against Germany." Pershing said.
"What do they mean 'establish relations and trade with the United States'? They are part of the United States?" Baker interjected. "And what's this nonsense about 'Military cooperation with Germany'? We aren't at war with Germany?"
President Lansing glared over at Baker, whose repeated outbursts were annoying him, but allowed the outburst.
"I agree with Secretary Baker, please explain what you mean by this, General Pershing." Pershing took in a deep breath, looked at those in the room, and said.
"Sir, much of the information I've been handed is missing many details, and is fairly broad in its wording. For me to explain it completely, I will have to be blunt in telling you." Pershing explained, once again looking back at General March, and then to Admiral Coontz, both of which eyed him quizzically.
"For God sake General Pershing, just tell us!" Lansing said impatiently. Sighing once more, Pershing continued.
"I have been told that Woodrow Wilson's administration has gone down in history as one of the most hated in American history, due to his, and I'm merely repeating what I've been told, white supremacist policies and ideology. Especially his insistence on segregation of the government, and the refusal to allow black officers into higher rank or positions suited for their rank, plays a large role in how they see him, especially among their military."
It was then that Pershing paused for a moment, surveying the room, and looking at the slight, but visible expressions of unease across the faces of most of the room, except for Secretary Baker, who was silently seething as his face turned red.
"Moreover, in the time they come from, women and minorities of all races and colors, have and have had the right to vote for many decades. The Armed Forces especially have been desegregated for decades, since the end of what they referred to as the "Second World War", which saw the United States fight a two front war against Germany and Japan, which by the end saw over 12 million Americans under arms. As such, officers of any color, can lead men of any color. Hell, even women lead men, and the reverse is true. And one of the biggest things pointed out, is the marriage laws of the 21st century states. Interracial and homosexual marriage is completely legal in every state in the 21st century, and that includes the nine on our borders. Black men can marry white women, white men can marry white women, men marry men, and everything in between."
"Disgusting!" Baker spat. "Utterly fucking disgusting. They are utter mongrels! Niggers with white women! Queers allowed to marry! What deep pit of degeneracy had the United States fallen into to succumb to such deviancy?" No one in the room said anything, most just sitting in stunned silence, except for Pershing, who continued where he left off, and completely ignored Baker.
"Basically Mr President, they have made it explicitly clear they will not lose the rights they are accustomed to, or submit to what they perceive as a government led by people who'd gladly lynch most of them if given half a chance. Which is why they said none of their representatives will come to Washington, because they would be seen as nothing but what Secretary Baker sees them as." Pershing looked over to Baker as he said those words, daring him to say anything in reply, but he didn't. His face just turned an interesting shade of red, and Pershing continued. "They believe, and I believe said views have some merit, that it would be a repeat of the Caning of Charles Sumner in 1856."
For a while, no one said anything. It was obvious that most of them were shocked and appalled at what they had been told. Some wanted to say something, but they didn't know what to say. President Lansing seemed as if he was trying to process what he'd been told, while Secretary Baker looked as if he'd explode at any moment. After a minute, it was President Lansing that spoke.
"That certainly is interesting, General Pershing," Lansing said, an expression of disbelief still written on his face. "Albeit I'm left with many more questions than answers, and some of the previous questions asked are still unanswered, but one thing at a time. You said they wanted to meet?" he asked, and Pershing nodded.
"Yes, Mr President, that's what my contacts have reported. While they have intention of coming to Washington, they have suggested the use of Denver as a halfway point for any possible meetings, as well as to coordinate against Germany."
"Which brings me back to the same question from earlier, what's all this talk about war with Germany? We aren't at war with Germany, and I hope to God we never are!"
"That's…where this gets rather confusing, Mr President." Pershing replied. "It seems that wherever these people have come from, they have a history far different from our own. One which diverged significantly in 1914. To sum it up quickly and efficiently, the War of 1914 lasted until 1918 for them, which resulted in the United States joining the war, and the surrender and collapse of the German Empire. The reason the United States joined was because Germany offered Mexico the territory we took in the Mexican-American War, if we joined the war."
"WHAT!?" Lansing exclaimed.
"Yes sir, and the build up of German forces just south of the border has outright appalled them, especially after the fights that have broken out between them and the Germans. That and the number of prisoners they've gathered, at least a hundred or so, have said some rather…interesting things about just why they are here." Pershing said. "At least now we understand why Mexican ports are filled with German cruisers and Battleships, and why they've been building an army across the border."
"It doesn't make any sense!" Secretary Baker exclaimed. "We were not involved in the War of 1914, we helped broker the peace between the Entente and Germany! Why would the Germans seek a war with the United States? We've done nothing to wrong them!"
"Because they are Germans, and that's what Germans do!" Pershing replied. "It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Kaiser felt the war had been brought to an end quickly, before he could extract even more from France and Britain than what he got. We all know what he did to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Scandinavian countries. The Kaiser is a mad man intent on expanding his empire, there's no two ways about it."
"I agree with you, General Pershing," Lansing said, recalling the horrors enacted in Belgium by German troops, and shivering at the thought of them doing the same to American cities, and American citizens. "The Kaiser's actions in the past few years have shown he's looking to expand his empire, at the expense of other nations. And it seems the United States might be next. Roosevelt would have loved something like this."
"President Roosevelt is a warmongering barbarian! He urged us to get involved in the War of 1914, and look how it ended? His policies would have earned us Germany's ire!" President Lansing just glared at the man.
"Sometimes I wonder just how you got this position, Secretary Baker," Lansing said, shaking his head. "Roosevelt helped propel our nation onto the world stage, and Wilson undid so much of that progress. It's a damn shame he's still alive to see all this."
"Indeed sir," Pershing replied. "He's a fine man, finer soldier, and was an even finer president."
"On that we can agree," Lansing said, letting out a tired sigh afterwards. He well and truly didn't understand how, what, or why this was happening, nor did any of them have a full picture of the situation yet. So much of what Pershing had told him had utterly confused him, and while answering a few questions, opened up many more besides. So many questions left unanswered, and so many problems created by this Event. Even the information brought forward by Pershing had been full of holes, and would require face to face meetings with those in the Western United States to gauge just what was going on, and how to move forward.
"You said that the states out West want to open talks with us, General Pershing?" Lansing said tiredly.
"Yes sir," he replied.
"Very well." Lansing sighed. "General March?"
"Yes, Mr President?" March replied.
"I don't want any more of our boys dying uselessly. They are not to attack or antagonize any of the Army units out West. Hell, any units that aren't the 9th or 10th, pull them back from the border! I don't want a repeat of Evanston. Do you understand! The Army cannot take any more defeats like that!"
March nodded.
"Yes Mr President, I understand. Do you want the rest of the Army to mobilize in case of conflict elsewhere? To Florida and Texas perhaps?"
"Yes. I want us to be as prepared as possible for a possible invasion of Texas and New Mexico by the Germans and Mexicans, and in Florida against the Cubans. I won't tolerate any incursion or invasion into American territory by a foreign power! Admiral Coontz?" Lansing said, looking over at the Admiral. "That means the Marines as well. As many as can be mobilized, and sent to Florida immediately."
"Yes Mr President, I'll inform General Lejeune to commence immediately." Coontz replied.
"And recall all our remaining ships back to American ports. Norfolk, Newport, Portsmouth, wherever they can fit. I do not want any of our ships being ambushed at sea."
"What about the remnants of the Pacific Fleet, sir?" Coontz asked. "Nearly all the ships left in the Pacific Fleet that aren't in the Philippines, are off the coast of California or Hawaii, and most don't have the range to get from the West Coast to the Philippines."
"I don't want any of our ships being caught out in the open sea by hostile forces. We've taken too heavy of losses as it is. Instruct all ships still in Asian waters to Subic Bay, the rest are to take refuge in whatever port they are closest to."
"And if they are refused entry to said ports? Most of our ships will have nowhere to go." Coontz said. "The Arkansas could reach Subic Bay, but the cruisers and destroyers don't have the fuel."
"We pray that they don't." Lansing said grimly. "Which is why I want to send an envoy as soon as physically possible to Denver, to get this situation sorted out, and request permission to dock our ships for the duration of this crisis. The only question left is figuring out who to send."
"If I may, Mr President, I have an idea of who we could send as part of the envoy." General Pershing spoke up.
"By all means General, please." Lansing replied.
"I believe sending Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, would be a wise choice." Pershing said, which made Navy Secretary Daniels and Admiral Coontz stare incredulously at him. "In some of the transcripts sent to me, he's remembered extremely fondly in the eyes of 21st century America, and I believe he's the correct choice to send with any such mission to Denver."
Lansing blinked.
"Is there a mistake in the reports? Do they happen to mean Theodore Roosevelt?"
"No Mr President, that much was made quite clear in the messages. Franklin Roosevelt, not Theodore Roosevelt."
'Why in God's name would they want to speak with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Christ Sake?' Lansing thought in puzzlement before continuing.
"And why is he remembered so fondly?" Lansing asked.
"According to the report, he's regarded as one of the best presidents of the United States."