NationStates Jolt Archive

Roger Darby had been working long days in the office. As the official Duke of Austin, Darby was easily the most powerful man in Texas, being in command of not just the main Texas Legion but also of the Legislature that for years came to define the entire Texan State.

He reflected on what he'd read about as a schoolchild, about the glory of the Texan State, and how he yearned for the Republic to become real again. He was a dreamer, but he was not alone. Ever since the Romans had come in and annexed Texas there were very few Texans who felt close to the liberal-minded Romans, and while they had no hard feelings towards Rome (except maybe for Dallas, because the Romans levelled it), many Texans were convinced that the Roman association simply wasn't working out.

That night, he made a new entry in his governmental blog that would shake the foundations of Texas forever. He wrote:

What a beautiful day this is! The Sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the people are smiling! What a great day for the Republic of Texas! It's time to realize the dream.

OOC: Hawdawg, if you want you can RP as the indigenous Texans for now. I won't be able to respond until Sunday night.

Even with all the trouble within the Roman Confederacy The Holy Republic of Hawdawg had maintained its extensive network of Embassies within Roman territory. A package arrived at the Hawdawg Austin Consulate along with all the other thousands of pieces of mail. The plain brown wrapper didn't reveal the potential bombshell it contained. Embassador Childs had heard some local rumblings in the Local Conservatives For Change paper, but nothing seemed out of place, yet. It was no great secret many Texans dispised the Romans for destroying Dallas and many had drawn parallels to the faint history story of some place called the Alamo. The undercurrent in Texas seemed ripe for a change.

Embassador Childs opened the package and was shocked by what he found. A bloody finger, an imperial stamp, and a blood splattered note. The note simply read:

"We thought this would get your attention. The stamp came from the Tax-Assessor in Travis county, we sent his finger along as proof we are serious. Rome shall tax us no more! We are organizing, and wish to plead to the nation of Hawdawg for defense of Texas. We will be in touch.

Signed,

The Vaqueros"


So the ball began to roll. Embassador Childs contacted his superiors and explained the situation and what the potential opportunity this might become. Hawdawg had always wanted Texas, its economy, climate, and people matched the populus of the home country closer than any other nation. A simple keep us abreast of the situation was all Embassador Childs was told from Stockholm.

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Jose Pinada looked old for his age, but the years of worry and troubles of war had long sinced plagued his life. Ever since he lost 3/4 of his family in Dallas he held nothing but anger resentment and hatred for the Roman Empire. As a result of Roman Rule Jose had started the underground network or The Vaqueros. This group orginally designed as a "self-help" group for surviving members of patriots lost in Dallas, slowly evolved into an Anti-Roman machine. The headquarters in Austin printed a weekly handbill called Conservatives for Change. The paper blasted the decisions of the Liberal Government and begged for a change back to the Conservative values and ideals once held true in the state. As the group grew, more members talked of murder, mayhem, and revolt. Anxious teens and College Students flocked to the cause, simply because the liberal society allowed for freedom of speech for all. This played into the hands of the group and they developed Chapters on all major College Campuses within the state.

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6th Street Bar
Austin, TX
11:30pm

Jose Pinata sat at a corner table drinking his usual combination of Tequila and Tabasco. He liked the burn. As he finished his 3rd shot, Jairo Cruz sat down in the chair across the table.

"It is done. The ball is in motion." Jairo said as he ordered a shot for himself.

"Very well. Send the signal we have begun. I have tomorrow's headline. Post it on the website. The other chapters need to begin to prepare."

Both men stood up and left the bar careful to exit at different times and going in different directions.

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Sunday Oct 2nd, 2005
Conservatives for Change

The Vaquero

"The Vaquero, spanish for cowboy, first orginated in South Texas. The Mexican's given this title where in charge of rounding up wild cattle in the Brush Country in and around the wild frontier's of Old Texas. Many a maverick were tamed, branded and sent to slaughter from there mark. History has a way of perpetually repeating itself. Romance is not lost, the Cowboy will reign free in this day."

OOC: I will admit, I envisioned this as more of a peaceful separatist movement not as an armed revolt, but every separatist group does have its violent members (Quebec had the FLQ), so we can have a little violence.

I also apologize if this is brief- I don't have much time to respond now.

IC: The situation in Texas rapidly deteriorated. Almost overnight, thousands of Texan groups sprung up, demanding the independence of the Texan state. Most of the protests were peaceful, but some had resorted to violence. The most vocal of the groups seemed to be this group called "Conservatives for Change", who never went a day without making cariactures of Roman Emperor Rodin Hartian.

Eventually, the news reached all the way back to Rome itself. Inside the Curia, the Senate and the Tribune of the Plebs debated the possibility of a referendum being called in Texas to resolve the question of Texan independence. They'd have to work very soon though, because something was going to snap pretty soon.

Ambassador Childs couldn't believe the opportunity that had befallen his nation. The State of Texas was rapidly dissolving into to a state of chaos. Sure the few extremists were making there presence felt, but a majority of the common people were demanding independence and a conservative agenda. From his desk he rang the Hawdawg State Department and recieved the necessary permissions to meet with the Governing Council in Texas. He would pitch his "protectorate" to the local government stressing the Conservative approach would win over the masses and quell any bloodshed. He hoped his plan would work.

He rang the local Roman Consulate:

"Yes, Publius Cornelius Marcus, this is Ambassador Childs I need to schedule a meeting promptly with you, its about the deteriorating conditions here in Texas. "

OOC: There is no governor of Texas. It's split up into various states. You can call the head of the Roman Union, however.

IC:

Publius Cornelius Marcus, the Prefect of the Roman Union, received an urgent call from the Hawdawgian representative. It was at 4AM so the call was a little unnerving.

"Hello? You want a meeting? Okay. I'll fly over to Texas tommorow." He then scheduled a flight and then went back to bed. He got up the next morning, fully rested, and boarded the plane for the meeting.

Meanwhile the situation in Texas only got worse. The states now refused to pay their tributes in a sign of protest and demanded to secede from the Union. A petition calling for the unity of Texas signed by over one million people- some even from Rome itself- calling for the independence of Texas would land in his hands the next day. He sat in the plane with a heavy sigh, just hoping things would work out.

OOC: Fixed post above

IC:

Hawdawg Embassy Compound

The air was thick and humid this morning, a heavy dew settled on the plants outside Ambassador Childs office. News from an embassy representative informed the Ambassador Prefect Marcus had arrived at the airport and was in route to the compound. The large gates of the Hawdawgian Embassy opened slowly creaking from the heavy weight of the iron frame. As the Prefect arrived, Ambassador Childs quickly prepared for the meeting.

A porter met the Prefect at the door and escorted him up the stairs to Ambassador Childs office. As he opened the large Oak doors into the office and offered an audience with Ambassador Childs he turned to the say:

"The Ambassador will see you now, have a wonderful day Prefect."

"Well hello Ambassador Childs," said Marcus to the Hawdawgian Ambassador as he heartily shook his hand. "How are you?"

"It sure is a nice day out there," continued Marcus. "A little humid, but humidity never hurt anyone. So let's get down to business- you say you have a proposal for me?"

Ambassador Childs began:

"I will be frank Marcus, the situation in Texas is deteriorating fast. The people are genuinely up in arms over Roman Rule. I have been authorized to offer 4 billion dollars to be paid to Rome for the chance to offer a "protectorate" to the Republic of Texas. Of course your government will be allowed to maintain its oil production capacity in the Gulf Region, we merely will ask for tax revenue from the production. We plan on expanding the natural gas capacity in the fields ourselves for a cheap power source for the region. In exchange we offer "Western Sahara" as a good faith jesture to your nation as part of this deal. Hopefully our Conservative Government can convience the seperatists to settle down and the economic impact of this flare up can be minimized."

The ambassador awaited a response.

OOC: I imagine we're going to build up to the actual agreed price, right? Because I think we settled for $9 trillion or something like that.

Also, have you considered my offer for England, Wales and Cornwall?

IC:

Marcus looked at Ambassador Childs with a reserved expression.

"We will gladly accept Western Sahara, as well as access to the oil fields" said Marcus to Childs, "but as far as your offer for Texas you're going to have to do much better than that."

Marcus awaited his response.

OOC: Ah yes, the key to negotiations is to start low and move up. I don't want to sell any parts of England at this time. When this war thing in the Pacific settles down and territory gets sorted out I will look at my options again.

Ambassador Childs smiled,

"I see Marcus, it doesn't hurt to ask. We really don't mind parting with Western Sahara, our citizens in the desert are truely having a rough go of it. Since we are in agreement with that exchange, the sticking point has to be the amount offered for Texas then."

Ambassador Childs pulled a small piece of paper from his vest pocket, glanced at it and placed back inside his vest.

"A noble piece of property indeed, I am authorized to offer 8.25 trillion dollars for the smooth acquisition and transition of governments. Any amount higher than this and I will have to contact my superiors at the State Department."

Marcus continued to look at him with a reserved look. He wasn't at all convinced that Ambassador Childs was making a fair offer considering his paltry original offer.

"Well then, contact your state office, because there's no way we're parting with Texas for $8.25 trillion. It is worth more than that to us."

Ambassador Childs picked up his secure phone and contacted the Hawdawg State Department. After a long pause a firm "I see" was given as he hung up the phone.

"Marcus we are willing to offer 9 trillion USD for Texas in exchange for Western Sahara, undisturbed oil production in the Gulf (with taxation of course) and we will throw in the coveted most favored trade nation status for the Roman Empire. We even have a large force of older model tanks and infantry fighting vehicles we would be willing to sweeten the deal with if necessary."

OOC: Mind if I take those vehicles?

"You have a deal then," smiled Marcus. "Throw in the vehicles too." He grinned, even though he just sold one of the Roman Empire's most profitable provinces, but, having just acquired California, it wasn't much of a loss, and peace was worth more in the long run.

"We're going to need to discuss the specifics of the transfer," continued Marcus. "Because, as we both know, it won't be easy."

Ambassador Childs:

"We have set the money aside in a special account at the World Bank in the Roman Empires name. Upon the transition your country will have full rights to draft on the account. We will leave the vehicles at Al Jawr Military Base in the Western Sahara. The current inventory includes 1,000 M1A1 Abrams Tanks, and 59,847 Humvees. As far as the delicacy of the transition we are keenly aware this process will be tedious what does the Roman Empire suggest?"

"I think our first order of business is to quell The Vaqueros," said Marcus. "We simply can't have them ruining things when we have a nation to run.

We also need to figure out who will be the new ruler in Texas. The Union divided the country into several different states and their leaders need to be consulted on every step of the transfer.

We'll also need some time to clear out our troops and officials, though I hope to maintain an embassy and a base there (ideally in Brownsville).

Other than that, there's nothing too pressing."

Ambassador Childs:

"The actions of the Vaqueros is troublesome, they contacted my office last week with news they were starting a revolution. Our government doesn't pay much attention to left wing or right wing fanatics. I took the liberty of contacting the Hawdawg branch of INTERPOL and have pulled the file on the organization. I can have a group of agents in here tomorrow scouring Austin "incognito". When they do pick the leaders up, this problem will end.
We plan to move our state police into reinforce the local entities anyway. We have a recruiting program on the drawing board which will bring back the state-wide "Rangers" to quell law enforcement problems in the future.

I think it is best to call a meeting of all the individual state leaders and have them help consult on some of these issues. I think they would have a better feel for who needs to be elected as the "go-to" individual for the state, particularly in this period of transition. Obviously myself will act as the official liason between the Texas government and the Hawdawg government.

The movement of troops is not a problem, we understand the logistical problems associated with moving. I have been asked by our DoD for an official list of military bases in Texas so the Defense Minister can determine exactly what resources he will deploy in Texas. During the transition period, we will deploy two divisions of Airborne Infantry and two divisions of Mechanized Infantry to strategic locations to assure the population no lawlessness will occur while the change takes place."

"Well, hopefully we can get the majority of the Texans onside in this situation," said Marcus, "because it is to my understanding that most want peace. We will work closely with your government to see to it that this transitition is as peaceful as we can make it. We shall also see to it that all the Texan leaders be called to a meeting as soon as we can to discuss the leadership problem."

OCC: So do you want to call a meeting or let this go from here?

-Hawdawg

OOC: Yes, we'll call a meeting. I can't start it now though (Tuesday).

OOC: Yes, we'll call a meeting. I can't start it now though (Tuesday).

Sounds good to me.

-Hawdawg

Austin, Texas

Although the room was quiet, there was considerable excitement in the air. There gathered the leaders of Texas- Austin Duke Roger Darby, El Paso Mayor Fransico Carlos, Governor of the Coast Tyler Hornsby and North Texas King Pablo DeMarcos- as well as Ambassador Childs and Prefect Marcus. They were there to decide the ultimate succession of the leadership of Texas from Rome to the Texans themselves, under the protection of the Hawdawgian government.

"Today will be a historic day for Texas," started Marcus. "However, today is also a decision day, and will involve a lot of complicated choices and thus we will need your full co-operation." Marcus said that specifically to the Texan leaders, who he feared would bicker over who should called the leader of Texas.

"Ambassador Childs, do you have anything to add"?

OOC: Hawdawg, how do you want to RP the leaders? I was thinking I could RP as two of them and you'd get the other two.

OOC: Sounds good I will take North Texas (since I live there) and the Coast (since I fish there).

IC:

Ambassador Childs: "Ahem, Thank you Marcus. It is an honor and a priviledge to be able to assist the Leaders of this great state with a decision of such magnitude. I know the problems we all face are unique to our locations, but I believe we can all pull together to make this State the rival of many. My government will provide the defense of the land so that the seeds of democracy and the growth of prosperity may be harvested for years to come."

King Pablo DeMarcos: "I first want to know the state of The Vaqueros. The actions of this group are troublesome."

Ambassador Childs: "I am glad you asked King Pablo. As of this afternoon 150 Internal Security Agents have been working the Travis County area. The leaders of this group have been apprehended and the paper they were printing has been stopped. With the main leaders in jail, the splinter groups of this organization will fade away.

As an added precaution we plan to bring back a Group so profound in Law Enforcement, insurgents, criminals and the like dare not set foot in-country. Upon completion of this conference we are planning on recruiting an elite force of lawmen based on the principals and ideals of the fabled Ranger Companies that once maintained order. Ranger candidates will be pulled from all law enforcement agencies within each region to guarantee local men and or women will be working in areas they are familiar with. These Ranger Companies will gradually take over all Domestic Security Issues on a statewide level, while local municipalities will handle zoned calls within there respected areas. This should end all concerns about internal security issues."

Governor Hornsby: "I think this is a splendid idea, but we need to get on with the real issue of naming a candidate to run the state. Who in this room is familiar with issues throughout the state?"

Darby immediately spoke up after Hornsby finished talking. "I will do it! I run the most important city in Texas, its former capital, and, bar none, I am the most influential man in this room. It was me that started this whole thing and it will be me who will finish it!"

"You keep on thinking you're special," replied a visibly bitter Carlos. "We all know here that all you do is talk tough and do nothing. You're just a dreamer and a schemer, and you're lucky that you even rule Austin, because that city is filled with stupid people."

Darby's face filled with rage but before he could talk, Marcus interrupted. "Please, let's try to keep this civil. I'd like to think we're all honourable administrators here.

"Maybe we all need five minutes to explain our positions here. Governor Hornsby, why don't you start us off, since you got the ball rolling here."

Governor Hornsby: "Thank you Marcus. I think it is important to note that we all have vested interests in a viable government in Texas. With the Coastal Region being the economic engine of the state, I think it is vital that I lead us into this transition of power. Often business has concerns about instability in regime changes and does dreadful things like pull out of areas. We cannot afford to loose our source of income for the people of the state. I already have extensive contacts within the petrochemical industry and I think I can quell any industry giants from jumping ship while we convert our state into what we all wish for."

King DeMarcus: "I see your point Hornsby, but what am I to tell my subjects when they ask why my status is to be sidelined for a central government? How, and more importantly what will all the leaders of each regions status be once we choose a designate?

As the only king in Texas, I feel it is a must that a devine leader chosen by royal blood and lineage naturally lead the state into its new metamorphosis. A king for a leader would definitely show a significant leader to the subjects, I mean, citizens and would provide badly needed moral and spiritual guidance for the people. I don't have any experience with the business types, but I am sure they would fall into line with the kings bidding."

Mayor Carlos: As the representative of one of the most important hubs in the Mexico-Texas trade and of one of the most important Hispanic cities in North America outside of Mexico, I believe that if I were made to be leader it would give our considerable Hispanic population a voice and send a strong message to them that they are not being bypassed in this process. I have worked tirelessly for the Hispanic people in this state and I will continue to do so after I become leader. The Hispanic people deserve a voice.

Duke Darby: Chicken(crap). We all know you stupid Latinos are good for nothing but cheap labour. Get back to the plantation. In fact-

Prefect Marcus: Please, Mr. Darby, be civil. No more obscenities or name calling.

Duke Darby: (Under his breath) Stupid liberal (expletive). Anyway, I lead the former capital of the State of Texas and I have been easily the most influential politician in Texas. I have been instrumental in the reconstruction process, and all of you owe your positions to me because it was my lobbying that made your states a reality. You all forget that we were a part of the Empire until I said something, and you all forget that I was the one that brought us here in the first place. My people have elected me on back-to-back terms with an approval rating of over 80%, and I have considerable support outside of the Duchy and even outside of Texas. Simply put, I am the only man qualified to run this country and will see to it that I am. Thank you.

Governor Hornsby: "Well we have all stated our positions, so how will we decide? I think it is quite obvious electing a King is out. This really leaves only two viable candidates myself and Duke Darby. I am a little concerned about your motives Duke. There seems to be a whole lot of the "me" in your speech when it should be "we" as in for the people."

Mayor Carlos suddenly got upset and rose with heated anger at Governor Hornsby. "How dare you ignore me! Is it because I'm Hispanic? Believe me, I am just as capable a ruler for Texas as you are. In fact-". He cut himself before he went too far unprofessionally, took a deep breath and carried on.

"I've been in this state my whole life. I started out, like most of my brethren, as an immigrant doing garbage jobs for virtually nothing. I fought tooth and nail for my job, and I helped many Hispanics get to where they are today. Under Rome, the conditions of my fellow Hispanics have risen exponentially and I'm not about to let any of you take away any of that."

"Cork it. Nobody wants anything to do with you and your 'we're an oppressed people' horse(crap)," said Darby. "In fact, ever since you got here all you've been doing is talking about your 'Latinos'. Hey, meathead, there's other people here too.

"...and to answer your question Governor Hornsby, I have done a lot for the people of Texas and will continue to do so. I am not 'all about myself' as you think. Rather, I was merely pointing out my accomplishments. You want to know what I intend to do for the Republic of Texas? I have a grand vision for this great country, centred around luring more businesses to Texas. My vision is to make this state as economically viable as it can be. I will do what I can to rebuild this state, contracting out the rebuilding project so that we can lure more jobs to this state. My goal is to make Texas a superpower." He then looked at the Hawdawgian Ambassador and continued, "together, your country and mine can accomplish great things. You can tell Prime Minister Wales you will have a fervent ally in Texas."

Ambassador Childs:

"We appreciate your forwardness Mr. Darby, but all members of this council have to agree on who will lead Texas, and judging from the divided feeling I am getting in this room, we haven't reached a concensus yet. How about we offer term limits as an olive branch? No one person can be head of state for more than an eight year term. Since we all know the legislature is an intregal part of the inner workings of a nation, we will request that all regions have equal representation in these bodies. This will ensure equal representation for all. Our nation would be willing to sign off on Mr. Darby as the provisional leader, if all the other leaders in the group here would agree to it.”

OOC: Hawdawg, I hope you don't mind I RP for you a little bit. I just want to get this thing moving.

IC:

Throughout the conference, Marcus had remained relatively silent, like his counterpart Childs. He didn't have high hopes for this bunch, since all they seemed capable of doing was bickering like two-year olds.

"Let's break for lunch," said Marcus. "I'm starving." The Ambassador agreed and everyone left the room to take an hour-long lunch break.

As Marcus walked with Childs to find some lunch, he asked the Ambassador about the proceedings. "So what do you think, Ambassador? I have my doubts. Governor Hornsby seems to be the most levelheaded in the room but I don't think he has a lot of respect for anyone else in the room. Ditto for Duke Darby, only that he's just a bombastic pain. Mayor Carlos seems to talk too much about the Hispanics and not enough about everyone else, and King DeMarcus seems trapped in the 15th century. We could be here for a while."

OOC: NP I have a solution

Ambassador Childs:

"Yes Marcus feeling out the room we definitely don't need Darby. He has imperialistic ideals that are quite scary. I am going to suggest upon our return from lunch that Prime Minister Wales has requested Governor Hornsby be named the Provisional Leader of the State and that all regions must have equal representation in the houses of the Legislature. The Provisional Leader will largely be powerless except in ceremonial duties and in steering some policy. This group will also be informed they are a protectorate of Hawdawg and will follow policies and procedures as best as possible passed down from our Nation. I think this will quell all problems we are having and while will infuriate some to start it will solve many of the problems we are facing in this negotiation."


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1pm Ambasador's Conference Room

Ambassador Childs called the meeting back to order a pulled an officially stamped document from his pocket.

"I received this official decree from Prime Minister Josey Wales while we were on break. He was distrubed that we weren't making progress with a decision. He expressed concern that a concensus couldn't be made on such a delicate subject so he has decided for you. Prime Minister Wales has selected Governor Hornsby as the Provisional Leader of the Republic. His term while appointed today will only last four years. He may be reelected again in four years but for only one more term, as the PM has requested a two term limit restriction for the office.

Prime Minister Wales also wanted to remind Governor Hornsby this position is mostly ceremonial in duties and only steered policy for the Republic in a small sense. The Republic is reminded that they are an official protectorate of the Holy Republic of Hawdawg and must adhere to our policies and government actions as best as possible.

To quell any concerns about abuse of power, each region will elect an equal membership to the newly formed legislature. All laws regarding taxation and spending must orginate through this body. A State Police Force will be created to serve as law enforcement of branch of the Republic. An elite group of candidates will be selected to revive the much legended Texas Ranger Companies. We will elaborate much more on this at a later date. Military spending will not be on the table for the Republic as Hawdawg will provide a military presence within the state. All members of the Republic will become Official Hawdawg citizens while remaining citizens of the Republic of Texas. All benefits and duties given to Hawdawg citizens will be open to Texas citizens.

The main government location will be in Austin. Governor Hornsby you will be required to maintain a residence there. You are further decreed to travel to all regions one day a month to meet with the people of the state. Failure to do so will result in removal from office by the Hawdawg Government.

Thank you and good luck gentlemen.

Signed,

Josey Wales
Prime Minister
Holy Republic of Hawdawg

"Horse(crap)!" Darby yelled. "I bust my ass for this country and all I get is a slap in the (expletive) face!"

"Now, now, Duke, would you prefer to do this differently?" said Marcus.

"We hold an election. All four of us against each other. Then we'll TRULY see who wins," said Darby.

Ambasssador Childs:

"Fine, if all the members present want an election, so be it. I would like to warn all members present that whatever the election results hold each region will honor that decision. In fact, I ask you all sign a pact before you leave stating such. We will not have any rogue splintering factions divide up this great state."

Darby immediately rushed over to Ambassador Childs to sign the pact. Fools. They know I'll be elected- they just fell right into my trap.

OOC: Do you want to determine who will win the election? I had it thought to be a battle between Darby and Hornsby- the former being the fiery orator who can whip the public into a frenzy and the latter being the level-headed man with a vision. What do you think?

Republic of Texas Election Day
“Super Tuesday”

As Texans flocked to the polls, one thing was clear the Race for the leadership of Texas would come down to two men Darby and Hornsby. Both men had set up campaign headquarters in there strongholds, Darby in Austin and Hornsby in Houston. As results poured in, Darby took the early lead capturing the majority of the votes in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex area. Hornsby was quick to counter winning San Antonio. The election would come down to Harris County, Hornsby’s stronghold or so he thought. Early on it was clear his popularity in Harris County was not as set in stone as his election bosses had hoped. At midnight, returns showed Hornsby the winner by a mere 2000 votes. The deciding boxes came from the 3rd and 4th Wards of inner city Houston.

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Hornsby Press Conference

“I would like to thank all who supported me through this endeavor. Texas has made a clear choice. We must honor that choice and move forward for a better nation. I would like to thank Mr. Darby for running a spirited campaign and wish him and the other challengers the best of luck in there future pursuits. On to Austin and on to prosperity!”

Darby Press Conference

“It is clear that improprieties have occurred allowing Mr Hornsby to steal this election. We will not stand for an injustice against the people of Texas. Major voter fraud issues have surfaced in and around the 3rd and 4th Ward voting locations in Harris County. We intend to take these problems to the Texas Supreme Court tomorrow through a series of filed motions to force a recount and/or new election in Harris County. The citizens of Texas deserve no less than that.”

As the battle raged over who the new leader of Texas would be, it was perfectly clear Darby would not go down without a fight. Many of his “associates” sat on the Supreme Court in Austin and the situation for Hornsby’s newly elected status looked in jeopardy.

Two days after the motion was filed a total of four days after the election, lawyers from both camps had presented evidence in Austin to the Supreme Court. After a mere thirty minutes, a ruling was presented for public airing.

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Texas Supreme Court Ruling

“We find sufficient evidence to remove Mr. Hornsby as the elected leader of Texas and replace him with Mr. Darby. Voter improprieties in Harris County, particularly in the 3rd and 4th Wards have been allowed. Voters were told who to vote for, and in some cases ghost voting occurred. We therefore formally issue a statement proclaiming Darby the winner until proper evidence can be given otherwise.”

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Hawdawg News
Stockholm, Sweden
(AP)

The strained situation in the protectorate of Texas just became a little more intense with the recent ruling by the Texas Supreme Court to oust duly elected leader Tyler Hornsby for the challenger and Austin insider Roger Darby. Minor civil unrest was reported in Houston and San Antonio, locations which in the election chose Hornsby for the leadership role. A source inside the Hawdawg State Department is saying the Hawdawg Supreme Court may become involved in this issue. Officially the Hawdawg government is tight-lipped about this issue and is obviously formulating a response to the latest incident in the very volatile Texas.


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Offices of Tyler Hornsby
Houston, Texas

Two weeks had passed since Darby had used his influence on the Supreme Court to take the election from Hornsby. Darby spent quite a bit of his political capital to take the election, but three of the Justices owed him big for being elected and covering up various indiscretions they had been caught up in as young district judges in 1988. Things looked lost for Hornsby until a messenger arrived at his offices in Houston. A simple one page letter along with a voter roster from McLennan County was presented to Hornsby.

The act by Mr. Darby will not stand. It is obvious that the Court was tainted. Therefore your representative lawyers are hereby summoned to present evidence of voter improprieties in the election to the Hawdawg Supreme Court in three days. Included in this package is evidence showing voter fraud in McLennan County. This voter roster shows 750 individuals that voted that are clearly listed as deceased in the New Haven Cemetery outside of Waco. All these individuals voted for Darby. Use this in your presentation to the Supreme Court in Hawdawg. Once a ruling is made in Stockholm, we are prepared to enforce it with blunt force if necessary to allow for a smooth transition in Texas. We have had quite enough drama within the last month and things need to settle down.

Signed,

Josey Wales
Prime Minister
Holy Republic of Hawdawg

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Darby was outraged that his present evidence in Hawdawg, but the handwriting was on the wall. If his lawyers didn’t show up in Stockholm, the public would know he influenced the Court in Austin to steal the win. It was a Catch-22. He gathered the documents he had proving his case, affidavits of people that had said they were told to vote for Hornsby and caught the next flight to Stockholm.


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Hawdawg Supreme Court
Stockholm, Sweden


Lawyers from both sides presented arguments to the court. Darby’s team went first, presenting the affidavits and showing complied computer demographics. When the dust settled no real hard evidence was shown, minus the sworn statements of 10 individuals.

Hornsby’s team then presented the bombshell. As they brought out the voting roster from McLennan County, and began to weave the trail that traveled through New Haven Cemetery Darby became visibly upset. So much so he let loose an outburst of, “F*** you Hornsby, I’ll eat your heart with a F****ing spoon you maggot! I won and you F***ing know it! Screw this!” Bailiff’s restrained Darby and removed him from the Court Building. Darby earned himself an extended stay in ASPEX-10, for 45 days for insulting the Supreme Court Chief Justice George Smarken.

Two days after both sides rested a ruling came forward.

“We find major improprieties in McLennan County allowing Roger Darby to win by a substantial margin. We have elected to throw out the results from this county. Evidence presented on voter fraud in Harris County was ruled circumstantial and therefore while questionable did not have enough merit to throw out the election results in the county. With our rulings today, by virtue of a shear vote count Mr. Tyler Hornsby is declared the winner of the election.”

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Cheers went up all throughout San Antonio, Houston, and in small pockets of Dallas. Through perseverance and tenacity, the true victor had pulled it out. As Darby sat in ASPEX-10 he heard the cheers outside and knew the results. He openly wept as his dream of a dominating position in Texas had evaporated, like a raindrop in July in Midland.