The Revolution Came

Chapter 9: Fight between Allies

Great Britain
Palace of Westminster

Winston Churchill — Prime Minister of the British Isles and the stalwart face of resistance against Germany’s reign of terror.

The war in Europe had taught him many harsh lessons. The old balance of power was crumbling. The specter of fascism marched from Berlin, while communism whispered across borders from the East. Yet in the shadows of this great conflict, another front had begun to smolder, far from the trenches and bombed cities of Europe.

The North Pacific, once a quiet colonial outpost, was now stirred by revolutionary fires. Britain could not afford to lose a foothold there, not when the Japanese Empire loomed across the sea, and the Americans teetered on the edge of joining the fight.

He barely had the men, ships, or time to quell rebellion at the edge of the world. But now he learned the French, or rather, President de Gaulle, had taken it upon themselves to support the revolutionaries.

An ally aiding insurgents in British territory.

It was time for a difficult conversation.

_________________

"Monsieur Churchill, it is an honor to meet with you," President de Gaulle said, offering a firm hand.

Churchill gave a curt nod, his face unreadable save for a flicker of exhaustion. "Likewise, Mr. President. These are trying times for us all."

They exchanged brief pleasantries before Churchill gestured toward the map behind him.

"I’ve received word," he began, his voice measured, "that your administration has decided to extend support to the revolutionary forces in the North Pacific."

General Gamelin, standing beside de Gaulle, exchanged a brief glance with the President.

"Oui, Monsieur. We have made our position clear on the matter."

Churchill slowly walked toward the map, his cigar smoke curling in the air. "Surely you understand the gravity of this. Britain is engaged in a war for the survival of civilization — against fascism, communism, and tyranny alike. And now, the King and War Cabinet are concerned your actions may jeopardize our position in the Pacific theater."

De Gaulle clasped his hands behind his back. "We are fighting for the same principles, Monsieur Churchill. Liberty. Order. But I will not stand idle while others, who fight for their own freedom, are crushed for the sake of... stability."

Churchill turned toward him, eyes narrowing slightly.

"And what of our garrisons in the Aleutian corridor? Those islands could be the key to containing Japanese expansion. If the revolutionaries prevail, we risk handing them, and perhaps the Americans, a foothold they may not return."

Gamelin stepped forward, voice calm but pointed. "And if they fail, they may be swept into the arms of fascists or worse. Would you prefer the Empire of the Rising Sun to gain another vassal?"

There was a heavy pause.

Churchill sighed and rubbed his brow, leaning briefly against the edge of the map table. "You French never make it easy, do you?"

De Gaulle allowed himself the faintest smile. "Nor do the British, I am told."

Churchill looked toward his aides. They remained still, expressions unreadable. He waved them off with a hand.