Civil War

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

(November 30, 2016)

In the Oval Office, President Davidson is taking a moment alone to try and destress a little bit...something that is desperately needed for him right now.

The political situation over the last few days has been terrible. The outcry from the international community, and throughout the US, in the aftermath of the US airstrikes on the rebel states that killed a number of civilians has been massive. Sanctions have been increased against the US, with 11 more countries joining in the wave of sanctions against the US. And domestically, secession talk has increased all across the country.

Defections to the four secessionist states had increased in the last few days. Most of the defections were from personnel native to the three new secessionist states. However, not all, as had been evidenced when, on November 28, two submarines defected to Florida. One was a Virginia class attack submarine, but the other was the ballistic missiles submarine West Virginia. The defection of the West Virginia greatly changed the game, as it now gave the secessionists nuclear weapons. Davidson was tempted to order nuclear strikes against Florida as a pre-emptive measure, but was convinced not to by his advisors, who made it clear that would only invite nuclear strikes in return and would permanently destroy all foreign relations the United States had.

Currently, Davidson is watching CNN on the television in the office, which is reporting on the recent sanctions levied against the US. One of the reporters is talking about some sanctions that were announced earlier that morning by Saudi Arabia. This is one of the sanctions announcements that has Davidson the most worried.

However, Davidson is feeling extremely tired from the lack of sleep he's had lately. He slowly starts to nod off on the couch. However, right as his eyes are about to close, he suddenly hears the report cut off, and he sees the screen switch to a screen showing "Breaking News!" He quickly opens his eyes again, worrying what might be happening.

After a few moments, the screen shifts to a CNN reporter, standing on the roof of a building with a city in the background. It takes Davidson a moment to recognize the shot as being in Mexico City.

"We are here live in Mexico City where President Claudia Pardo has announced a presidential news conference. The subject matter is unknown, but the president is going to begin speaking in two minutes," the reporter says.

The camera shifts to a press room, with Mexican flags behind the podium, confirming the location. Davidson is confused, and he sits in silence as he waits for President Pardo to take the podium.

After two minutes, the president appears in the camera frame and steps up to the podium. However, to Davidson's shock and horror, a moment later, Ted Cruz steps into the camera frame, standing a few feet from the podium, but still in view of the camera.

"Good afternoon," President Pardo greets the assembled reporters, speaking in English. This is unusual, since she's usually more comfortable with her native Spanish, so he knows something big is going on.

"In the last two months, the United States has been rocked by much chaos as a result of the independence movements taking shape, and because of the authoritarian moves taken by the current president of the United States. Given our historic relationship with the United States, and our shared border, the government of Mexico has taken a great interest in the developing situation."

"Over the last two months, we have been particularly observant of the former American state of Texas, which declared independence from the United States on September 25 of this year. The reaction we have seen from the United States government has been horrifying, and confirmed to us the justice of what Texas has done and its pursuit of independence. Given our border with Texas is almost as long as our border with the United States, Mexico has a vested interest in the situation in Texas. Due to the ongoing authoritarianism in the United States of America, Mexico wishes to have a closer relationship with the government and the people of Texas."

Pardo pauses for a moment, then continues, in almost triumphant tone, "Today, I am here to announce that as of this morning, after a vote by the Congress of Mexico, the United Mexican States hereby recognize the Republic of Texas as an independent, sovereign state. We have invited Vice President Ted Cruz of the Republic of Texas here to Mexico City for this announcement and to formally establish official diplomatic relations with the government of Texas."

"We have recognized the independence of Texas and their Constitution. We hope that the disputes between Texas and the United States of America can be resolved through peaceful talks in the future, but as of this moment, Mexico will go forward in recognizing Texas as independent and sovereign."

There is applause in the room from those assembled. Meanwhile, in the Oval Office, shock ripples through Davidson before it is overcome by a searing rage. This is a step he desperately wanted to avoid. In the first Civil War, one of the reasons the Union won was because they were able to prevent any country from granting formal recognition to the Confederacy. Now, Mexico recognizing Texas has thrown a serious wrench in his attempts to end the war, because not only is likely Mexico will expand that recognition to other secessionist states in time, but it will encourage other countries to recognize the secessionists.

Davidson had not expected this at all. Although he feared some countries might soon start to recognize Texas and the others, he thought the first ones to do so would be in Europe. He had not expected Mexico, especially given the contention in Texas historically regarding illegal immigrants from Mexico. However, thinking over it, he also realizes now why this had happened. Tensions with Mexico had strained greatly during his administration, partly due to public rhetoric that showed him as being somewhat prejudiced against Mexico, and also due to economic policies that Davidson had introduced that seriously hurt Mexico. He also recognizes the fact they share a border with the US would make them very concerned about the revolution Davidson is trying to introduce in the US spreading to Mexico. With Texas as a free, independent, democratic country along Mexico's border, their border with the US has now been cut almost in half, giving further security to Mexico.

On the TV, President Pardo speaks again as she says, "I now invite Vice President Ted Cruz of the Republic of Texas to speak." She then steps aside, allowing Ted Cruz to take the podium.

"Thank you, President Pardo," Cruz says before he begins to address the cameras, "I express my gratitude for President Pardo inviting me here today. This historic announcement has come after many days of negotiations between the Republic of Texas and the United Mexican States. As representative sent by President Abbott, I express the gratitude of the people of Texas for this move by the government of Mexico, and express our wish that this will be the beginning of a new stage of friendship between the people of Texas and the people of Mexico. We also appreciate their willingness to recognize the authoritarian nature of the current United States government and their willingness to support those who fight for freedom."

Cruz continues to give a few more remarks before turning the podium back to President Pardo. And all the while, in DC, Davidson is alternating between panicking and raging as he realizes just how much the situation has changed.

(December 2, 2026)

As the sun is setting over Washington DC, the city is beginning to wind down for the night. However, in the White House, President Davidson is watching another news report with clenched teeth.

On the screen, President Lai Ching-Te, the president of Taiwan, is addressing the world. Davidson is clenching his fist as Lai says to the world, "Today, I am pleased to announce that the Republic of China has voted to grant official diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Texas. We have been in talks with the government of the Republic of Texas, and while formal diplomatic relations between our two countries have not yet begun, we wish to grant Texas the official recognition of the Republic of China. We commend the people of Texas for their willingness to stand up to oppression and fight for their liberties, and we will support them in whatever way is feasible."

To say Davidson is angry is an understatement. Of course, since his administration began, he had cut almost all ties with Taiwan, keeping only what was needed to allow the US access to Taiwan's semiconductor industry. And although Taiwan still remains unrecognized by the vast majority of the world, including Texas it seems, the fact that a second country has joined Mexico in granting official recognition to Texas will only embolden more countries to do the same, and will only embolden more states to try to secede.

This does it for Davidson. Tomorrow, he will address the nation and the world regarding this new development, and then, he will see to it that this rebellion is crushed once and for all.