The Second American Revolution - The Building of an Empire Page 23

  Cuba added a rich heritage and a fantastic vacation resort to the Empire. Although its climate was tropical, temperatures rarely soared above 90 degrees in the summer. Furthermore, Cuba possessed beautiful beaches with white sand and clear, blue waters.

  Cuba possessed large petroleum reserves located along the northern coastline. The Empire used this petroleum to invest in Cuba, fostering its growth.

  Havana was the capital and was an old, rustic city that Christopher Columbus had discovered. Under the Communist regime, the government ignored the maintenance of Havana’s buildings where most buildings had fading and peeling paint for 70 years, but the buildings’ structures remained in excellent condition.

  Empire rehabilitated Havana into a strikingly, beautiful city, competed with Paris and Venice. Indeed, Cuba became a wonderful addition to the Empire.

  President Davis greatly expanded the size of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers because they became the Empire’s redevelopment agency. The President elevated the commander of the corps to a general and expanded the staff from 35,000 to a half million.

  The President put Robert L. Williams in charge, who tackled the challenging public works projects. President Davis often said, “If the military can knock it down, then it can turn around and rebuild it again.'

  Several days after the invasion, the President was walking with Carlos and Robert along a street in Havana as a contingent of soldiers and guards surrounded and protected them.

  Day was beautiful. Sun was shining, and the temperature hovered at 70 degrees. A cool, salty breeze blew through the city.

  “Havana is absolutely beautiful, stunning,” the President stated.

  “Yes sir, we can be thankful the Communists didn’t destroy these beautiful buildings. Everything looks the same when I escaped Cuba as a child,” Carlos said.

  “How fast do you think it would take to renovate these buildings, repave the streets, and upgrade the infrastructure?” The President asked.

  “Sir, I believe the Corp of Army Engineers can finish construction in three years. These buildings look sturdy and are structurally in good condition,” Robert concluded confidently.

  “Ensure the Cubans understand we came here to renovate and redevelop Cuba. Soldiers can only shoot at Cubans if Cubans shoot first. Also, find those stupid House Books and use them to transfer property to the residents,” the President stated.

  “Sir; I do not understand,” General Robert asked perplexed because he didn’t know about the house books.

  “Cuba is probably like the Soviet Union; bureaucrats created documents for everything. All family members living in a residence must register in the House Book. We can utilize these books to establish property titles,” the president posited.

  “Oh, those house books. I remember my parent complaining about them. They said you needed a document from the Cuban government for everything, even if you were going to take a large dump in the toilet,” Carlos replied jokingly.

  They exchanged laughter as they walked down the street.

  President Davis loved surrounding himself with movers, shakers, and doers, especially if they possessed a sense of humor.

  After they had toured several neighborhoods, the President, governor, and the general toured several schools and the University of Havana.

  Group rested by the entrance, where a large fountain sprayed a three-foot water stream in the air.

  The President glanced at the sign written in Spanish, 'University of Havana, 1728.'

  Group stared in awe at some of the buildings because the early buildings used the Roman style with impressive columns and facades.

  Although communist screwed up most of the country, the communists did fund higher education, producing a few good teachers and medical doctors.

  President Davis privatized the Cuban education system and subsidized the schools, colleges, and universities for five years. He ensured these institutions grew and flourished. Unfortunately, capitalism is cruel to people, who do not know how to compete.

  President Davis granted Cuba five years to adjust to the new system. Then he would unleash the cruel, cold forces of a competitive, efficient market system.

  ***

  Jerrick Ray Davis knew he became a powerful man. Total power reared its head from time to time, even in small subtle ways.

  For example, one day he stood on the Truman Balcony on the third floor in the Whitehouse, examining the Whitehouse lawn. He did not see the Washington Monument because a large oak tree obscured his view.

  A staff member rushed towards the President, “Sir; Senator Hacket called and wants to speak with you. He wants you to join him and several other Senators for lunch tomorrow.”

  The President did not look at the staff but kept studying the lawn.

  Then the President said, “Come closer young man.”

  Young man stood next to the President while the President directed him to look over the south lawn.

  “Can you see the Washington Monument? Trees are obscuring the view.”

  “Yes sir; you can barely see the top of the monument over that tall oak tree,” the staff member replied, pointing to the tree that blocked the view.

  “I guess my eyes are getting old. I can barely make out the top. Very well. Tell the senator my schedule is free tomorrow. I will have lunch with them.”

  “Yes sir; I’ll let the senator know,” then the staff person trotted to the interior of the Whitehouse.

  Several days later, President Davis wanted some fresh air, and the beautiful Whitehouse lawn and gardens relaxed and soothed him. Stepping onto the Truman balcony, the President noticed something strange.

  He saw the whole Washington Monument. Someone had removed that pesky oak tree. Where the tree once stood, the President saw a perfectly green, manicured lawn as if the tree never had existed.

  The President realized he just gained total power. His staff and workers comply with every wish and desire. Any hint, suggestion, or comments became commands.

  Jerrick Ray Davis cannot crack any jokes, or say playful comments. Otherwise, someone can take these jokes out of context, transforming into commands that harm innocent people. Innocent people could vanish as if they never had existed.

  Invasion of Mexico

  The President met Jennifer and James Gordon at Jennifer’s Office, located at the end of a spacious work area. Workers arranged a hundred desks like an elongated classroom, and Jennifer placed her office where a teacher would stand if she were teaching her pupils.

  At Jennifer’s department, everyone shared the same facilities. To the left of Jennifer’s Office, workers used a small kitchenette with a microwave, refrigerator, and a sink while on the right were the bathrooms.

  At each desk, a person sat and stared at a computer screen, occasionally typing something on a keyboard.

  As President Davis passed a desk, he greeted the worker.

  Jennifer stood and watched the President, wondering how long he needed to reach her office.

  The President would meet everyone because that was his nature. He treated everyone with dignity and respect.

  After several minutes, the President strolled to Jennifer’s Office.

  Jennifer closed the Venetian blinds and shut her door. She usually kept both the blinds and door open, so any employee could pop in any time to talk to her.

  President Davis was anxious and started, “Have the military contractors finished the Star Wars Program?”

  “Yes, NASA began launching the first rockets at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Astronauts will assemble the first Star Wars satellite. Then they will assemble two more by the end of the month. They will place the first satellite along the U.S.-Canadian border above Detroit-Windsor. Another satellite will hover above the Gulf of Mexico, 100 miles off the shore from Miami, Florida, and the third will be off the West Coast, 100 miles away from San Francisco.”

  “What is their predicted accuracy?” The President inquired.

&n
bsp; “We predict the satellites have a 99.9% accuracy when activated. Special intelligence chips control the weapons. Satellites use two defenses. First, a powerful, computer-guided x-ray laser locks onto a rocket or satellite and blasts it. Second, each satellite contains 500 rockets that are fast and can destroy any rockets or satellites in space. Rockets have a range of 1,000 miles. You can also use the Star Wars defense system as an offensive weapon. Satellites can blast their weapons down onto cities and armies, destroying dams, electric power plants, or battalions of soldiers.”

  “Those intelligence chips are very accurate. How do we know these chips will not malfunction? Do you trust these chips to control these powerful weapons?”

  “”Occasionally, these chips go haywire. We have an override that disables the rockets and lasers, when this happens. Override first resets the chip. If a chip still has problems, then the override permanently disables the chips and the weapon.”

  “Why do the chips go haywire?”

  “These are analog difference chips, which are different from the regular computer chips. Regular computer chips use two states: on or off. These chips in theory have an infinite number of values between 0 and 1. It introduces randomness into its calculations?”

  “Why would we do that?”

  “These chips process 100,000 times the information as a standard 32-core processor that most computers use today.”

  Then James reached into his pocket and pulled out a small clear plastic case containing a little square-shape black chip and handed it to the President.

  On the bottom side, it had 100 gold pins. The President removed the chip, gently turning the chip over in his hand inspecting each side. Then he handed the chip to Jennifer.

  The President stated, “Amazing! What do you think Jennifer?”

  “I have seen the specifications. They do work. They process 100,000 times the information as our standard computer chips. Some psychologists are experimenting with these chips to form intelligent neuronal systems.”

  The President chuckled and said, “So, you think we are on the verge of mimicking human consciousness?”

  “We believe in another 50 years, we’ll be able to replicate the brain.”

  “God, help us,” the President said amidst several chuckles.

  Jennifer and James were puzzled.

  The President noticed the confused expressions on their faces and added, “Don’t you guys remember the classic movies, like the Terminator and Matrix series. Those movies came out 25 years ago. Man invents robots and machines with intelligence. Then they decide man is the problem and attempt to exterminate mankind.”

  Then Jennifer and James joined in the laughter.

  “I know I work everyone to death, but you guys need to get out more,” as the President chuckled.

  ***

  President Davis gave the military the highest priority in the budget. He expanded the U.S. military to 3 million active troops by 2023. He also promised the military the best toys, like his Star Wars Defense System.

  The President promised he would plan his invasion of Mexico. He built new army bases in San Diego, California, Tampa, Florida, and Laredo, Texas. He also expanded the naval base in San Diego and constructed a new naval base in Corpus Christi, Texas.

  President Davis knew the capabilities of Mexico because he studied them for years. Mexico enlisted 200,000 troops, dispersed among 12 military regions. Government stationed most soldiers at the Mexican army base in Mexico City, the Distrito Federal, Mexico’s capital and largest city.

  The President would capture each region one by one until he controlled all Mexican states.

  Although Mexican government was modernizing its armed forces, the 2008 Financial Crisis struck Mexico hard like a sucker punch to the stomach. Consequently, the Mexican government never modernized its armed forces and used ancient equipment and hardware from the United States. Some equipment was relics of World War II. Thus, these aging weapons should be on display in a museum and not on a modern battlefield.

  President Davis remained suspicious of Canada and kept a watchful eye on them. The Canadians didn’t have a large military, but they stationed troops from other countries.

  The President placed a new military base outside of Detroit, Michigan; Watertown, New York; and greatly expanded the army base in Fort Lewis, Washington. He expanded the naval bases in Brunswick, Maine and Everett, Washington.

  President Davis greatly expanded the Empire’s navy. He wanted the best navy in the world and added 20 amphibious assault ships. These ships appeared like aircraft carriers but no airplanes. Decks held battalions of soldiers and their equipment, and the ships transported them across the oceans and seas. Then sailors would unload the soldiers, so they can carry out their mission. The Empire had 30 of these monstrous ships.

  President Davis added 21 new Nimitz class nuclear aircraft carriers, giving the Empire 32 mighty floating fortresses. He also expanded the Los Angeles class nuclear submarines to a fleet of 146. They carried the infamous Tomahawk missiles that strike fear and terror to any opposition.

  Finally, the President split the Navy into two: one for the West coast and the other for the East coast. The navy protected the Empire’s coastal waters as these metallic beasts sailed up and down the coast, searching for enemies.

  ***

  President Davis invaded Mexico on Monday, January 9, 2023. The troops spent time with their families for Christmas, resting before the invasion.

  The President believed the invasion would be quick and decisive, but complications can arise. He planned carefully, but unexpected problems always popped up.

  President Davis showed his big stick to the world, when he stood in full uniform on a stage’s center in Laredo, Texas, on the day of the invasion. He saluted the troops as they marched by in formation.

  Government officials sat on bleachers along the stage’s back wall.

  Large 50-foot American flags draped downward on the back wall of the stage, blowing in the wind.

  Spotlights illuminated the stage and flags, impressing all the spectators and audience.

  The President stood in a firm salute as the soldiers marched across the border into battle. This marked the day the President Jerrick Davis joined the ranks of the great conquerors.

  The President sent the Empire’s troops, stationed near Mexico across the U.S. -Mexico border.

  Soldiers from the army base in San Diego crossed into Mexico at the base of the Baja Peninsula. They conquered their first city, Mexicali, being next to Tijuana. Mexicali, the capital of the state Baja California, is one of Mexico’s military districts with a million residents living in this urban sprawl.

  Army traveled along Interstate 2, known as the La Rumorosa Highway. This scenic, magical highway cuts through mountainous plateaus and desert terrain. On clear days, the sky is a beautiful, pure blue.

  Soldiers crowded on benches on the large Light-Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTV). Thick camouflage tarps covered the truck beds, protecting the soldiers from the sun’s intense rays.

  Other trucks transported the Paladin tanks, the weapon of choice for President Davis. These tanks were fast, mobile, and used computerized weapons. Computer-controlled guns locked onto unfriendlies with precision and fired. Furthermore, these tanks could quickly stop, fire the artillery gun, and speedily move again, thwarting any attacks.

  Army transport truck after truck drove through the customs stalls on the border. On the U.S. side, the customs stalls were empty as the customs officials received a warning not to report to work.

  As the army drove through the stalls, the Mexican customs officials scrambled, running away. Small buildings shook as the procession of large army trucks drove through.

  The Empire’s army headed straight to the government complex buildings, flanked on both sides by Blackhawk helicopters.

  Mexican army soldiers stood behind makeshift barriers and started firing at the Empire’s army trucks with FX-05 assault rifles, t
he choice of rifles for the Mexican army. Mexico produced their own weapons, the FX-05, so Mexico didn’t rely on foreigners.

  Soldiers of the Empire quickly unloaded and took positions behind buildings, returning fire.

  Other soldiers unloaded 20 Paladin tanks that approached the government buildings menacingly.

  They fired artillery shells at the buildings, causing massive chunks of the buildings to fall as the powerful shells punched large gaping holes into them.

  As the Blackhawks approached the buildings, they broke formation and surrounded the buildings, firing their M230 machine guns and Hydra-70 rockets.

  Blackhawks continued firing their powerful rockets and guns, blowing large chunks in the buildings like Swiss cheese.

  After an hour of mayhem, the Mexican government buildings lay in ruins.

  The Empire’s soldiers did a last sweep, cleaning out the buildings for hostile fire.

  Once the soldiers cleared the buildings, they reloaded onto the trucks.

  Unfortunately, 20 soldiers of the Empire were shot while Mexico suffered over 1,000 casualties.

  A battalion remained behind to control the state government until President Davis appointed a new governor for the State of Baja California.

  Procession of army trucks drove along the Trans-Peninsula Highway through the Baja Peninsula. After 8 hours, they reached La Paz, the capital of the State Baja California Sur. Empire’s soldiers approached the abandoned, government buildings.

  Government officials fled hours ago and hid after they had heard the news that the United States invaded Mexico. Mexico was losing badly.

  A battalion of soldiers remained at the state capitol, maintaining control over it.

  Remaining troops drove to the southern tip of the Peninsula, Los Cabos, a famous resort for Americans on the Pacific coast.

  Los Cabos has a large harbor that can dock massive ships, usually cruise ships. However, it docked the Empire’s naval ships today.

  The Empire’s army rendezvoused with the Empire’s Navy, where five amphibious assault ships were waiting for them.