~The American Century~
Chapter 1 - Freedom Rises!
The Unified States of America, Grand District of Columbia
23 July 1920 United Years
I could just get grasp of what was going on.
While I could see how delusions were a must for when one was slowly meeting their respective demises, in my case a swift kill from good ol' truck-kun, my mind was having some issues trying to piece up the whole 'God' trying to make me his 'believer' through my last few moments of existence.
I mean, I might have been a fervent catholic until 16 and was quite certain that The Lord was something that existed in reality.
But when the very deity that had been there since my birth, with my growth, and during my worst years whined about trying to legitimate its existence in front of me... I'm sorry but the only thing he will get is the finger.
My first death was instantaneous. There was no pain nor any kill-cam to emphasize my passing and the terrible aftermath that ensued over my lifeless body.
I was pissed, mind you, but I was alone in that simple park as snowflakes continued to slowly fall from the clouds.
I could've gone somewhere to take cover from the minuscule messengers of cold, but I was incredibly angry. And confused.
I was alone, angry and incredibly cold. Not the best combination for a human being to be experiencing after what was supposed to be my 'last curtain'.
A cough just left my lips as I carefully stood up from the unforgivingly sturdy iron of this bench. I glanced around, trying to get a proper grasp over my surroundings and… I was alone to suffer this whole new predicament.
This place was unfamiliar, and I took the silence and loneliness to think further about what had just happened.
A reincarnation? Doubtful, I still looked the same as usual. Maybe better considered I got hit by a truck.
My clothes were the same as the one I had been wearing when I left my flat, and my documents were…
…
What is going- Okay, this has to be a joke.
Name: John Bivone
Place of Origin: Grand Columbia District, Unified States of America
Date of Birth: May 4th 1899 U.Y.
Occupation: Null
Peculiar attributes: Curly, brown hair; Glasses;
This has to be a joke! There is no frigging way I got Isekai'd in some pseudo-USA by some faux deity. Especially because I said no to his… or her whining request that I had to confirm their existence.
Seriously, I couldn't comprehend much from that mix of male and female voices.
Still this meant that I was somehow in another world similar to the one I came from and I was in... the 20s?
The period of Jazz, mad spending. The period between two grand wars and I was quite sure that there some economic depression in gestation as I was pondering.
I would say that I hit jackpot considering that the time period offered not only plenty of opportunities to make some interesting changes, most of which were hopefully see me taken in within the current government. Politics was my forte, same for economics and… I would say that I had a minor understanding of 'current' armaments.
And yet, despite the idyllic thinking, I felt like things were far from my reach as I continued to wait in that chilling bench.
I sighed. It was about time to leave this park for once and check my current whereabouts.
I decided to find some place that could resemble a market or a place where people were all concentrated in. I knew that in there I would find someone that was selling some newspapers I could check onto.
This city looked 'old' compared to what I was accustomed to, especially how 'antiquate' some buildings' style looked to be. But I was fairly happy that it wasn't too much old for me to deal with, nor that the style was nowhere ugly as what was before the nineteenth century.
I really dreaded wandering through some medieval village with how much inadequate my clothes where but with this period I should be able to pass as some kind of eccentric guy.
My walk was brief as I found myself pacing silently in the loud square filled by shops of various kind. I managed to snatch a newspaper from a distracted seller, starting to read through the lines of every single page in it.
Knowledge was power, and thus lack of knowledge meant being powerless before a 'newer' world.
The more information I could get from reading, the more I found out how wrong my initial assumption was to the reality of the my plight. This nation was already suffering something of an economic malaise after the great crash of '13. I was slightly confused as to why this was a thing, especially with the fact the United States reported grand economics issues only when the banks started to lose control of their own regulations.
In this novel scenario, two major corporations had already declared bankruptcy and thousands of workers were instantly jobless as the news reached far and wide. Numerous governments had fallen quickly over this instance, and the situation grew more and more dramatic as the years went by.
Still, only a single individual managed to stabilize the situation. Someone that had served in the army, someone that had some understanding of the American society and someone that knew how to entertain people with his speeches.
That man was-
"Let me tell you, good sirs and ladies! This once-prosperous country has fallen from its prestigious position because of the greed of few despicable fiends!" I closed the paper as my head snapped to stare at the origin of that booming voice. Intrigued by whatever the old man standing on some crates was telling, I decided to check what was going on.
The weary fellow was waaring an elegant set of clothes, very fine but also worn here and there after years of being used for multiple occasions. His hair were short, with most having already whitened because of old age. He had piercing dark blue eyes.
"The Unified States were once the prominent nation in the brave world, a shining beacon for a better future for its children," He continued with the same intensity, his tone never faltering. "We were the guiding force of justice and truth. We brought democracy where the people needed the most!"
He looked to deflate almost instantly. "Sadly, the greed of politicians has led us to the worst of the situations, where a simple mother can't give food to her children, where a husband can't find any work to sustain his own family-"
"You are just a clown!"
The voice came from the crowd in front of the stand and I glanced only briefly to try and see whom was interrupting. As the man resumed his speech, I was once more drawn to it.
"This is why, once more, I propose you the alternative." There was conviction, there was determination. "A third way from the 'Optimal Party' and the 'Popular Party', from the donkey and the elephant. The Bull-Moose Party, I would even dare to call it."
…Oh my God, how did I fail to recognize his features up until now?!
Grinning strongly, this world's version of Theodore Roosevelt continued to intrigue the crowd in front of him by narrating more of the terrible situation around them. He ignored the chattering reacting negatively to him, and that reminded me of the few stories that were known of the former president.
Sadly, his discussion was going for the general context of the issues he was presenting. He barely reached for the real core of any of the problems exposed in his words and soon some more people started to gang up to shout at the lone man doing this act.
It was a pathetic resembling of what really happened with the Progressive Party in my world, if not worse considering that he really seemed to lack more than what Teddy Roosevelt had as support from the Republican Party.
The people were still going to stick by the traditional two parties, ending up to ignore the formerly renowned politician for the sake of 'normalcy'.
But what if…
I approached the annoyed politician and soon I was right in the first line of the crowd. "Sir!"
He blinked, glasses turning to look at me. "Yes, young man? Is there anything you wish to say?"
"I wish to say something about what you just said, but I need to stand there," I explained quickly and politely. Maybe, just maybe- "May I?"
Confusion, little fear for possible assassination attempt and then resignation at the fact that there wasn't much to do at the moment.
"Sure, if you got anything to say, you have to say it," He stated tiredly, looking twice as old as he truly was. "You are one of America's sons, and you shall have the right to voice your thoughts and ideals."
...This man is good with his words, even when he was annoyed by unexpected developments like this one.
Carefully lifting myself onto the upper stand, I held close the newspaper and nodded at the politician, accepting his offer for a quick handshake.
I turned to the crowd, most of them confused at seeing someone unknown having the chance to stand beside this old man and yet I didn't pause a single moment to fully study the people giving me attention, focusing on the very improvised speech I was going to go with.
"While this good sir here has stated a considerable amount honest and legitimate concerns over the workings of the government, I feel like there is something missing," I started slow and steady. The important bit of a speech was to build up a momentum, to create sympathy between the crowd and the speaker. "The simple question I know many are asking is 'Why should this matter to us all?' and I will provide you with the simplest of answers that one could ever ask for."
The crowd started to mutter chaotically as I brought up the newspaper I had 'borrowed' just few moments ago.
"How many people can afford this paper?" I inquired with a fascinated tone. Then I looked around, trying to get some hands up from this. "How many can buy this paper, and still be able to go ahead with their life needs?"
No one lifted a hand or answered. It was immediate surprise and sadness that reached over them and I offered sigh at this disappointing case.
"The reason why this thing is not as common as before, sirs and ladies, is because the price is five times what it once was," I commented dryly. "Now it costs 5 dollars to buy something that should be easy to obtain for the people to read and understand what is going on."
"So what? What if we can't afford some stupid newspaper?"
I blinked at the heckler and prepared to answer when someone piped in.
"Yeah, why should we need to waste time reading what we already know. The States are poor and weak, great news!"
"If you intelligent individuals know that, then why are you not questioning the 'why' this is happening?" I remarked with a sterner tone. "I'm sure you all know why this is 'normal', or why there hasn't been a change to bring back some relief in everyone's life?"
My rebuke surprisingly didn't gather any reply and I sighed in relief as I knew I managed to avoid getting weakened by some of the hecklers around.
"The reason is actually in the newspaper you were so eager to ignore, to keep away from, to avoid the harsh truth of why the government is responsible for those prices."
I paused a moment and flipped one of the pages open, reading out-loud one of the titles.
"'Forde submits to the Congress' request to introduce new taxes, cars are now a privilege of the rich people'," I started to read out loud. "'Taxes for any farmers not registered in the Farmer Union of America'."
There were several other news held within that single newspaper. All were told to the even more surprised people in the crowd one at the time.
Minutes of reading the various titles ended up to get anger, frustration and stress from those that listened.
Once I knew that everyone was starting to slip away with their emotions, I acted on the opening.
"This situation has been allowed because people from a very restricted group fears the American people as a whole entity," I explained with a serious tone. "They fear what knowledge can do. They fear what the vote of every American can do to them, as the vote is our greatest weapon as a democratic nation."
There was some loud sounds of agreements at this explanation.
"The Founding Fathers bestowed us with freedom and liberty. The democracy was their answer to when the people needed to realize their hopes to. They needed a leader, a president to represent the people, to show a brave face at the terrible threats against our nations."
"They betrayed us!" Someone shouted, loud echoes perpetrating along the growing number of the crowds.
"They did, my brother," I stated strongly and fiercely. "But violence shan't be what will return us the pride and the respect of being the American people. The dignity of being alive in a true democratic nation is within the vote. The ballot box is stronger than the bullet, and we shall show that the people are tired of the spiteful parties that have long cheated their way to power by exploiting the people's plight."
"AYE!"
The chorus of agreement increased and I nodded, a feral smile developing as I knew that I was going to get a dang standing ovation.
"This is why I support the Bull-moose Party," I concluded as I turned to the surprised old politician. "They know what the problem is and they shall return America to its citizens."
I glanced back to the crowd, now waiting for my next words.
"God bless America and its people!"
The crowd exploded in cheers and shouts repeating my words as the entire square was lit with the voices of the dissent.
And as I let my shoulders sag a little in a sign of tiredness the old man beside me let out a chuckle, his palm slamming on my upper back.
"Outstanding speech, young man and… I would like to have a talk with you, if possible."
I nodded and proceeded to follow the 'Theodore Roosevelt' out of the square with his bodyguards, the people I have left behind rushing to buy the newspaper and see if I was telling the truth, ending up to once more vocally concede to the truth I had just unveiled to them.
Once we were all away from the loud voices, the man started to talk.
"I like what you did there, young man. I don't think I should introduce myself to someone this ardent to our cause, but I felt like I should," He offered a kind grin. "Theodore Roswelt, former president of the Unified States."
It was just the surname that changed. At least the changes to history weren't as extensive as I was worried about.
I shook his hand once again and he smiled widely.
"I wish to have you in my staff, young man. I wish to see more of this vibrant personality of yours in action."
I nodded. "That is a kind offer, sir. And I would be honored to accept."
Another nod, then a curious look replaced his fascinated one.
"By the way, may I ask your name?"
Another nod from me. "John Bivone, sir."
"John, I think you will go far if you join us," Teddy said with a convinced tone. "I think you will lead us far if you join us."
I didn't even hesitate to accept the offer and, in less than an hour of being in this new world, I ended up starting a political career.
My mind returned to this 'Deity' as it had tried to scare me to think that this new world was going to be something 'worse' than the one I had just left.
If only this dumb god knew how scary the world I had left truly was…
AN
So I did a Youjo Senki version of 'We need more paper'. More politicking, less fantasy and much, much espionage in the background.
Tanya is there but will appear later. In the mean time, I shall delight you all with some tactical election campaign on the making.
Also Quick Warning: The two traditional parties that are in the Unified States are loosely based on the Democratic and Republican ones. Their current management far more corrupt than anything that existed in RL past. Also, I will not polarize nor introduce any modern politics as it wouldn't be something connected to the story, so no talking about RL present politics as per rules of the Forums.