Chapter 370: Conspiracies and False Flags
The world and humanity’s place within it was forever changing, not only as a result of natural phenomena which shaped the earth and the way which its denizens interacted with it. But also as a result of changes within human society and civilization.
Nothing lasted forever. Soon enough, time eroded even the most stalwart of institutions and monuments. And the same could be said for the current state of the world. Things were changing, mutating, and evolving at a rate that was perhaps unparalleled in human history.
Civilizations were competing on a global stage in a war waged for a variety of reasons: natural resources, failed diplomacy, ideological differences, and of course, pride. Pride in a nation, pride in a faith, pride in the might have one’s brother in arms as they marched to the drums of war.
It was an inescapable reality from the shores of Gibraltar to the Cape of Good Hope, and all the way to the tropical woodlands of south-east Asia. One by one the nations which represented a reform form pre-enlightenment ideals towards liberty, and justice by the will of the people, rather than the divine right of kings and dynasties to rule and provide for their people fell by the wayside.
A tidal wave of steel overwhelmed them, while the individuals composed of their martial force were cut down like wheat to the scythe. The central powers had proven unstoppable as they ravaged Serbia, humbled Bulgaria, chained the Ottoman Empire and brought its foundations to utter ruin.
Next came Italy, so prideful in their own inadequacy that they thought they could seize the lands which they long since proclaimed ownership of, and spank those who had formerly snubbed them.
The might of the British Navy had been swallowed by the Leviathan that was the German Kaiserliche Marine, particularly its insidious sea monsters lurking ever beneath the waves, hounding and hunting for any ship unfortunate enough to be caught in their path.
Alone they were deadly, but when grouped together into a "wolfpack" even more capable naval fleets must remain vigilant and cautious in passing through waters which had just two years prior been under their protection.
The end result was the British Empire brought to heel and forced to bow out of the conflict prior to its absolute end. The disruption of social order within the homeland and its colonies had forced Parliaments’ dissolvent after its members proved utterly incapable of finding an adequate solution.
Now all that remained was France. Their only hope for victory lied in an ally across the Atlantic which had in years passed reinforced the Monroe Doctrine and went full isolationist.