Summoning America

Chapter 5: The Drums of War

June 10, 1639

Washington D.C.

President Lee twirled a pen around his fingers as he listened to Steven's report.

"... and with the approval of the HHS and CDC, we've issued the green light for our companies to start sending construction workers and surveyors over to Qua Toyne and Quila."

President Lee smiled. "That's great. We can finally begin our economic recovery... say, did Senator Greene get my message? I need her committee to increase the funds available to construction companies. A lot of them are still wary about the circumstances, and we need to be able to reassure them with our wallets."

"Yes, she's agreed to help out and is currently working to push for additional funding, but her committee is struggling to justify the partitioning of funds. Everyone else is fighting for the money, declaring their plans to be the most important."

"What, two trillion ain't enough? We're not even spending anything on foreign countries anymore. Why can't they just siphon the money from that category?"

Steven scratched his head. "Err... Senator Jensen already removed anything related to foreign policy, since he thought we needed to maintain isolationism and focus on redeveloping our economy first."

"What?! Doesn't he realize that that's exactly what we're trying to do? Oh, goodness. Remind me to give him a call later. Now, anything else?"

Steven flipped through the reports. "Hmmm Ambassador Hendricks was turned away by the Lourians. Something about us already having relations with Qua Toyne and Quila."

"Huh. Why's that?"

"They didn't say. According to the Pentagon though, Louria seems to be massing troops along the borders of Qua Toyne. They might be planning to go to war."

Lee folded his hands. "I see... so that's why they were so desperate for a defense treaty. In any case, we can't lose our only trade partners in this world. We especially cannot lose the metals and fuels! Have Director Klein see me again. I think we may have to expand our operations..."

"Of course, sir. Also, the emergency reactivation of the Missouri and New Jersey was approved. They should be up and running in about a couple years. About a year if we entirely focus on one of them."

"Good, good!" Lee exclaimed, excited as he was also a battleship enthusiast. "We probably could've just made a few more Burke's, but man this was a pretty good excuse to get them back up and running, huh?"

"Indeed it was, sir. The military budget was expanded by a hundred billion this year, so we have a bit more freedom. NASA and the DoD also want to use some of this to put up new satellites. Because this world is larger, we need more satellites to compensate for the increased surface area. We also still don't know where we are in the universe, or if we're even in the same universe at all!"

"Troubling," Lee reflected, putting his pen down. "See to it that they get the resources they need."

——

U.S. Embassy, Qua Toyne Principality

Ambassador Anders looked out a window, admiring the beautiful gardens outside. Truly, Qua Toyne was an agriculturally blessed land. Colorful blossoms decorated the embassy, creating a dichotomy of Elven architecture and modern infrastructure. Already, fluorescent lighting was installed in the building, making it shine brighter than any other local structures.

Anders' peaceful day was cut short when one of his assistants approached him. "Ambassador Anders, the Qua Toyne diplomat, Sir Yagou, wishes to speak with you. It is urgent."