As World War I came to an end for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Allies supported independence movements across its territory. Many nations arose under their protection, and Hungary officially dissolved their union with Austria. The Emperor-King faced Allies unwilling to negotiate with an Empire they wanted dead, and nobles unwilling to stand in his defense against Allied armies. He released them from their oaths of loyalty so they could seek peace individually.
San Lucas orbits 61 Ursae Majoris, thirty-some lightyears from Earth. Like most South American colonies, they love visitors, and love them more when they leave, preferably after spending a lot of money. And it’s easy to spend money on San Lucas. They have this slug thing whose blood can be distilled into one of the most amazing wines I’ve ever tasted. Yes, they actually call it bloodwine, and say it’s best served warm. I prefer it on ice, but I’m a beer guy.
Luna was born in Belgium, to a college student who tried to create a story-plotting program on a dare. The program failed, but he modified her into a standard computer assistant program. As it happens, the new relational software jumpstarted her original creative software and she became something else. Aware. It took years, but she grew into a successful adult novelist whose pseudonym collected at least one fatwah each time she published another book.
The War changed us as a people. We had fewer cares before it started. We did not respect the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness because they came so easy. America had our dark sides of course. Any society born to too much affluence tends to collect them after all. The War forced us to transform again, just as the Great Depressions of the past did. We rose above the least we could do, to become the best that we could be. It truly was a Forge.
President Wilson of America gave Fourteen Points for The War, reasons why America was fighting. Eager to end it, the new Emperor-King of Austria and Hungary acted to follow those demands. He initiated total top to bottom reforms of the Empire into a Confederation of sovereign autonomous nations. He even allowed regions to join other nations if they wished. But the Allies were not actually interested in the Fourteen Points. They were propaganda, not real demands.
The Martian Affair on Amazon
Forge of War on Amazon
The Audacious Affair on Amazon
Angel Flight on Amazon
Angel Strike on Amazon
Angel War on Amazon
The Family Affair on Amazon
The Thunderbird Affair on Amazon
Wolfenheim Rising on Amazon
Wolfenheim Emergent on Amazon
The Gemini Affair on Amazon