The Dakota Territory
22-08-2005, 08:06
"Governor Hoeven, sir!"
A man in a sharp blue suit, his back turned, and the only noticeable feature of his appearance was his height, slenderness, and dusty brown hair, quietly spoke, "Yes?" His voice was subdued, but not because it had anything to with his personality, rather, he was apprehensive. He peered across the Capitol's lawn from his seventeenth floor office to the bronze statue of Sakakawea, her child bundled over her shoulder as she gazed across the expanse of land that would one day become a state, and a nation, or so he hoped.
The second man quickly caught his breath and lifted his head to speak. "Sir, I have a direct message here from Lieutenant General Hagen. Its urgent, sir, and for your eyes only."
Hoeven swallowed in anticipatipn, he tilted his head just a bit, enough to where you could see the edge of a dusty brown mustache. "Bring it to me." The aide complied handing the letter across his desk to the hand waiting to receive it. Hoeven pulled it to his eye's gaze and quickly maneuvered the flap open, producing a professional piece of paper, a thick piece at that. He slid it open, immediately noticing the green and gold coat of arms. His eyes skimmed over the header and hit the main body of the letter. As he read his heart thudded in his chest...
...Upon our arrival in Pierre on August 21st, elements of the First North Dakota Army immediately captured the region's rogue legislature and their apparant leader, Mike Rounds. An hour later and the great flag of the Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory was raised over the former capitol of South Dakota, for the first time in one hundred and sixteen years. Pierre, as the last position to be captured and integrated into the Democratic Republic, serves as a symbolic gesture, for once, the northern plains are united and fierce, their capitols combined to one, as they should have been since their creation. Mr. President, it is of my utmost gratification, appreciation, and solemn respect that I inform you that, from this day forward, we are now the completely unified Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory and that this mission is complete. May the combined territory forever last. God bless.
Governor, no, now it is President, he thought to himself with an internal grin, John Hoeven lowered his head, marveling at what he had done with this state, he corrected himself again, no, nation... He raised his head again and let his shoulders spread, letting his authorative voice arise, "Mr. Anderson... I would like you to inform Lieutenant President Dalrymple that we have, in accordance with the 59th North Dakota Congressional Session, completed the integration of South Dakota into the Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory. We are now one with our brethren. Lieutenant General Hagen and the First Dakota Army have confirmed that the Dakota Territory flag now flies above Pierre, the last bastion of defense for the seperatist and loyalist cause. The dissenters are gone, and now, my friend, it is time to celebrate. Spread the word. You may go."
It took awhile for the aide to realize what was happening, he quickly stammered a response as he realized the significance of what had happened... "Uh... Yes. Yes, sir..." He hurredly left the office, obviously ecstatic as he engaged in his mission to inform the rest of the government.
President John Hoeven, the charismatic, yet forceful leader of the combined Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory marveled at the significance... Ever since the sudden dissolution of the United States, the individual states had been vying for power. This is where true leaders stepped to the plate. John Hoeven was one of them. The time was ripe for a return to the days before November, 1889, when the two states of North Dakota and South Dakota were united. After a brief stint of seperation, the two were now once again united under a common flag and leader, to last forever, as long as the sun rose upon this earth. As he reminisced of the past, he began running through the history of the two states leading up to their integration into a common nation. Only a few months ago did the 59th North Dakota Congressional Session adjourn, leaving a doctrine that politically claimed that the two states of North and South Dakota were once again joined in unison. The same act, the Unified Dakota Act of 2005, called for a forceful military integration if the South Dakota legislature did not approve of the measure. They did not. Then-Governor John Hoeven quickly rallied forces for war, creating the First, Second, and Third North Dakota Armies and preparing for a grand military reintegration with the support of the people of South Dakota, who openly voiced against their government.
The preparation for war was soon overshadowed by the barbaric actions of the South Dakotan government, Governor Mike Rounds ordering the state's militia to openly fire on protestors to quell a rebellion he claimed as "the psuedo-insurgency." John Hoeven remembered the day the report came in, fourteen were dead already with unconfirmed reports that nearly a hundred rioters in Sioux Falls had been mercilessly gunned down. It was but a few minutes later that he authorized Lieutenant General Mike Hagen to invade the state. The second and third armies pushed in across the eastern edge of the state, swiftly capturing the urban landscape of South Dakota. The First Army, directly under Hagen's command, was facing stiff resistance as it neared Pierre, the state's capitol, and hiding ground for its 'rogue governor and legislature.' The other two armies swung around and began marching west, integrating unification-supporters into a 'Fourth United Dakota Army.' This is where he had left off, the fight for Pierre was the last roadblock and he yearned to hear how it went. He hurredly turned on a flat panel television mounted on the wall and tuned into the state's news channel. His finger hit the volume adjustment and the female voice arose from tranquility...
..."And after several days of intense street fighting in Pierre, the government of South Dakota finally capitulated after, on live TV, the South Dakota governor's helicopter was shot down via a First Army man-portable air defenseman, firing an upgraded Stinger missile system. As you can see in this footage, the helicopter was just lifting off when the soldier fired from this grove of trees. There's the missile as it rears up towards the helicopter's exhaust, igniting just before impact and tearing off the tail section of the helicopter. Miraculously, the governor survived the crash and he his now being treated at a unified army hospital for moderate wounds. He will undergo trial in two weeks, or after his wounds have healed. After the helicopter went down, and at around noon, the garrisoned legislature, protected by hundreds of militiamen and enraged citizens, emerged from the capitol building after hours of continuous gunfire and artillery and formally announced the legislature's overall decision, with no dissenting votes, that South Dakota would merge with the state of North Dakota." The woman paused as footage played of the moments immediately afterward, " Immediately, unchoreographed, and on live television, the elements of the First North Dakota Army, laid down their arms, beginning with this captain, the rest of the army following. Following his lead once more, they tore off the word 'North' from their uniforms, leaving only the 'First Dakota Army' and quietly emerged from their cover to embrace their countrymen, the defenders of the capitol. Members of the legislature were met with handshakes, hugs, and gratification that they, and not the governor, had ended this war. An hour later, members of the largely ceramonious 'Fourth United Dakota Army,' composed of a mixture of North and South Dakotans, raised the flag of the unified Dakota Territory over the former capitol of South Dakota, signalling an end to a 'war' that claimed hundreds of lives. After the break we'll be speaking with Captain David Piper, the man who laid down his arms and tore 'North' from his uniform in a sign of Dakotan solidarity. This is North Dakota Tele-News bringing you live coverage of today's historic revival of the Dakota Territory..."
It was a beautiful end to a war that killed over seven hundred South Dakotans and two hundred North Dakotans. Their deaths were not in vain, as the nation was united, and now those men, who's entrails graced the prairie, would be forever interred within a united land, their memories surviving millenia carved upon a granite marker which would tell of this day, the day of unification.
However, John thought to himself, I have more pressing matters to tend to... Immediately, he began inscribing a request to the joint Dakota legislature to begin rounding up those political dissidents still hell-bent upon a divided Dakota. Already, hundreds had been captured and given the choice to live free as unified Dakotans. Some decided to, most decided not, their fierce loyalty devoted to the former state of South Dakota, now a remnant of the past. He had the same problem with alot of North Dakotans, most far too proud to accept the fact they were no longer 'North Dakotans', but just 'Dakotans'. They would be dealt with too, but only if they were violent, he could handle peaceful demonstration, but if one man got hurt, it was a whole new ball game and Hoeven was the umpire, calling the shots.
Upon completion of his write-up, he turned to creating an international release...
"Men, and women, of the international scene, he recently Unified Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory wishes to announce its formal integration into the world stage. Once divided, Dakota now stands united, two peoples united by a common heritage, landscape, and personality. We stand before the international scene under a common flag and request full diplomatic recognition by the world's nations and peoples along with potential alliances and trade agreements. Thank you for considering this message."
-Signed
President John Hoeven
President of the Unified Democratric Republic of the Dakota Territory
A man in a sharp blue suit, his back turned, and the only noticeable feature of his appearance was his height, slenderness, and dusty brown hair, quietly spoke, "Yes?" His voice was subdued, but not because it had anything to with his personality, rather, he was apprehensive. He peered across the Capitol's lawn from his seventeenth floor office to the bronze statue of Sakakawea, her child bundled over her shoulder as she gazed across the expanse of land that would one day become a state, and a nation, or so he hoped.
The second man quickly caught his breath and lifted his head to speak. "Sir, I have a direct message here from Lieutenant General Hagen. Its urgent, sir, and for your eyes only."
Hoeven swallowed in anticipatipn, he tilted his head just a bit, enough to where you could see the edge of a dusty brown mustache. "Bring it to me." The aide complied handing the letter across his desk to the hand waiting to receive it. Hoeven pulled it to his eye's gaze and quickly maneuvered the flap open, producing a professional piece of paper, a thick piece at that. He slid it open, immediately noticing the green and gold coat of arms. His eyes skimmed over the header and hit the main body of the letter. As he read his heart thudded in his chest...
...Upon our arrival in Pierre on August 21st, elements of the First North Dakota Army immediately captured the region's rogue legislature and their apparant leader, Mike Rounds. An hour later and the great flag of the Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory was raised over the former capitol of South Dakota, for the first time in one hundred and sixteen years. Pierre, as the last position to be captured and integrated into the Democratic Republic, serves as a symbolic gesture, for once, the northern plains are united and fierce, their capitols combined to one, as they should have been since their creation. Mr. President, it is of my utmost gratification, appreciation, and solemn respect that I inform you that, from this day forward, we are now the completely unified Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory and that this mission is complete. May the combined territory forever last. God bless.
Governor, no, now it is President, he thought to himself with an internal grin, John Hoeven lowered his head, marveling at what he had done with this state, he corrected himself again, no, nation... He raised his head again and let his shoulders spread, letting his authorative voice arise, "Mr. Anderson... I would like you to inform Lieutenant President Dalrymple that we have, in accordance with the 59th North Dakota Congressional Session, completed the integration of South Dakota into the Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory. We are now one with our brethren. Lieutenant General Hagen and the First Dakota Army have confirmed that the Dakota Territory flag now flies above Pierre, the last bastion of defense for the seperatist and loyalist cause. The dissenters are gone, and now, my friend, it is time to celebrate. Spread the word. You may go."
It took awhile for the aide to realize what was happening, he quickly stammered a response as he realized the significance of what had happened... "Uh... Yes. Yes, sir..." He hurredly left the office, obviously ecstatic as he engaged in his mission to inform the rest of the government.
President John Hoeven, the charismatic, yet forceful leader of the combined Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory marveled at the significance... Ever since the sudden dissolution of the United States, the individual states had been vying for power. This is where true leaders stepped to the plate. John Hoeven was one of them. The time was ripe for a return to the days before November, 1889, when the two states of North Dakota and South Dakota were united. After a brief stint of seperation, the two were now once again united under a common flag and leader, to last forever, as long as the sun rose upon this earth. As he reminisced of the past, he began running through the history of the two states leading up to their integration into a common nation. Only a few months ago did the 59th North Dakota Congressional Session adjourn, leaving a doctrine that politically claimed that the two states of North and South Dakota were once again joined in unison. The same act, the Unified Dakota Act of 2005, called for a forceful military integration if the South Dakota legislature did not approve of the measure. They did not. Then-Governor John Hoeven quickly rallied forces for war, creating the First, Second, and Third North Dakota Armies and preparing for a grand military reintegration with the support of the people of South Dakota, who openly voiced against their government.
The preparation for war was soon overshadowed by the barbaric actions of the South Dakotan government, Governor Mike Rounds ordering the state's militia to openly fire on protestors to quell a rebellion he claimed as "the psuedo-insurgency." John Hoeven remembered the day the report came in, fourteen were dead already with unconfirmed reports that nearly a hundred rioters in Sioux Falls had been mercilessly gunned down. It was but a few minutes later that he authorized Lieutenant General Mike Hagen to invade the state. The second and third armies pushed in across the eastern edge of the state, swiftly capturing the urban landscape of South Dakota. The First Army, directly under Hagen's command, was facing stiff resistance as it neared Pierre, the state's capitol, and hiding ground for its 'rogue governor and legislature.' The other two armies swung around and began marching west, integrating unification-supporters into a 'Fourth United Dakota Army.' This is where he had left off, the fight for Pierre was the last roadblock and he yearned to hear how it went. He hurredly turned on a flat panel television mounted on the wall and tuned into the state's news channel. His finger hit the volume adjustment and the female voice arose from tranquility...
..."And after several days of intense street fighting in Pierre, the government of South Dakota finally capitulated after, on live TV, the South Dakota governor's helicopter was shot down via a First Army man-portable air defenseman, firing an upgraded Stinger missile system. As you can see in this footage, the helicopter was just lifting off when the soldier fired from this grove of trees. There's the missile as it rears up towards the helicopter's exhaust, igniting just before impact and tearing off the tail section of the helicopter. Miraculously, the governor survived the crash and he his now being treated at a unified army hospital for moderate wounds. He will undergo trial in two weeks, or after his wounds have healed. After the helicopter went down, and at around noon, the garrisoned legislature, protected by hundreds of militiamen and enraged citizens, emerged from the capitol building after hours of continuous gunfire and artillery and formally announced the legislature's overall decision, with no dissenting votes, that South Dakota would merge with the state of North Dakota." The woman paused as footage played of the moments immediately afterward, " Immediately, unchoreographed, and on live television, the elements of the First North Dakota Army, laid down their arms, beginning with this captain, the rest of the army following. Following his lead once more, they tore off the word 'North' from their uniforms, leaving only the 'First Dakota Army' and quietly emerged from their cover to embrace their countrymen, the defenders of the capitol. Members of the legislature were met with handshakes, hugs, and gratification that they, and not the governor, had ended this war. An hour later, members of the largely ceramonious 'Fourth United Dakota Army,' composed of a mixture of North and South Dakotans, raised the flag of the unified Dakota Territory over the former capitol of South Dakota, signalling an end to a 'war' that claimed hundreds of lives. After the break we'll be speaking with Captain David Piper, the man who laid down his arms and tore 'North' from his uniform in a sign of Dakotan solidarity. This is North Dakota Tele-News bringing you live coverage of today's historic revival of the Dakota Territory..."
It was a beautiful end to a war that killed over seven hundred South Dakotans and two hundred North Dakotans. Their deaths were not in vain, as the nation was united, and now those men, who's entrails graced the prairie, would be forever interred within a united land, their memories surviving millenia carved upon a granite marker which would tell of this day, the day of unification.
However, John thought to himself, I have more pressing matters to tend to... Immediately, he began inscribing a request to the joint Dakota legislature to begin rounding up those political dissidents still hell-bent upon a divided Dakota. Already, hundreds had been captured and given the choice to live free as unified Dakotans. Some decided to, most decided not, their fierce loyalty devoted to the former state of South Dakota, now a remnant of the past. He had the same problem with alot of North Dakotans, most far too proud to accept the fact they were no longer 'North Dakotans', but just 'Dakotans'. They would be dealt with too, but only if they were violent, he could handle peaceful demonstration, but if one man got hurt, it was a whole new ball game and Hoeven was the umpire, calling the shots.
Upon completion of his write-up, he turned to creating an international release...
"Men, and women, of the international scene, he recently Unified Democratic Republic of the Dakota Territory wishes to announce its formal integration into the world stage. Once divided, Dakota now stands united, two peoples united by a common heritage, landscape, and personality. We stand before the international scene under a common flag and request full diplomatic recognition by the world's nations and peoples along with potential alliances and trade agreements. Thank you for considering this message."
-Signed
President John Hoeven
President of the Unified Democratric Republic of the Dakota Territory