The Phoenix Reborn Series. Book 1. The World Burns to Ashes

Rise of the Empire

Lincoln spent several days in the Capitol watching as the new Congress powered through his proposals. He had left many of the provisions he wanted watered down so they could be more acceptable, and was surprised when the Congressional Representatives strengthened them to what he truly wanted.

It had barely been 8 weeks since the bombs had fallen, and because of the training the civilians had begun 6 weeks earlier, they were now atleast considered the basest level of Military Officer. Most were now considered Privates, the researchers, doctors, and other critical personnel were put in the officer Corp, and were being trained past specialists and into officers starting at Lieutenant.

Emily Peterson walked into his office suite, and set a file on the desk that had been printed. "Sir, a bill has been presented in both Chambers that you should be made aware of. They are also refusing to consider it, unless you approve first." she told him. "Ms. Chalmers has requested you attend the briefing ceremony for the bill, and than give a speech based on what you would wish them to do."

Lincoln was a little surprised, as he had seen the rules established, and his new Vice President only received a vote in the event of a tie. All he could do what suggest a bill, and even submit his preferred text for that bill. "What is the topic they will be discussing?" he asked her a little curious.

"Changing the United States of America from a Democratic Republic, to a Democratic Empire." Emily replied as she opened the file so he could read it before they departed. "This is a copy of the proposed bill, Ms. Chalmers has asked that you read it and make any changes you feel would benefit us the most." she finished as he picked up the document and began reading it.

2 hours later Emily walked back in, and noticed he was still reading the proposal for turning America into an Empire. The Market Economy did not allow the State to create Corporations to sell services directly to the people. The changes were expansive, and this bill would create a 4 year window where they would lead while the will of the people was considered in a General Election every month with required participation of all those over 16.

"Sir, it is time to depart if you are going to attend the briefing this evening." Emily said getting his attention.

"Yes Ms. Peterson, we will be attending. It will be broadcast I assume?" he asked her as he grabbed his jacket and the exited the suite and waited for the elevator.

"Yes sir, the proceedings of both Chambers have been broadcast each day since they convened. It is actually now part of the rules that any meeting between 13 or more Congressional Representatives be broadcast." she answered as the doors opened and she pushed the button for the underground parking level.

Lincoln waited as the elevator made its way down, and as soon as they exited he walked to the car that the Secret Service guy was waiting next to. As soon as he and Emily entered the vehicle, the man closed the door and got in the front before they drove the rest of the way to the Congressional Chamber. The first structure barely accommodated the entire delegation, and when he entered he was surprised everyone else was already in attendance. The broadcast watched him enter and take his seat before Senate President Chalmers stepped up to the new podium they had made.

"Welcome Mr. President, it is an honor for each of us to welcome you this day. As has been required of each Congress since 1776, we are here today to decide on the future course of our country. Earlier today this Congress Authorized the formation of a Constitutional Convention, and with respect to our fore father's, we humbly reject the Constitution as it stands. A Republic has done nothing more than create an inseparable divide among the citizens of this great Nation. As such it is proposed that we take that which our fore father's have given us, and improve upon it.

"This is not a solution we will resolve in a single day, in fact it will likely take several years. In the meantime we must protect what we so nearly lost, and ensure as quickly as is possible, that it never occur again. The acts taken and passed before this day by this very body shall be condensed into the Emergency Powers given to President Masters until such time as an orderly vote on what we do over the course of the next few months.

"We have seen and each of us can bear witness to the failures of the past, and each of us now know we must do what is necessary to ensure the safety of our future generations. Prepared for you today is the outline of an eventual goal that has been proposed. It is so diametrically opposite of what our past has allowed, that we feel these measures must be approved by the majority of the people after they are approved by this body.

"As such, the first requirement is to hear from the current administration. President Masters, as the head of the Executive Branch, we invite you to add your concerns and ideas to this proposal before we take up further debate." Ms. Chalmers said before standing aside.

Lincoln stood and approached the Podium, looking at the delegates who were clapping and cheering his appearance. He motioned them to settle, and they did so within a few moments.

"Thank you President Chalmers, and Congressional Delegates. It is my honor to stand before you, in awe that for the first time since the Civil War this body has been able to focus on what must be done. It brings me no pleasure to be the President that shall forever be known as the man who changed a Republic to an Empire.

"As much as it pains me to admit, the shackles of the past must not limit what we can do to protect ourselves. As such, I must encourage and call upon you to vote however your heart tells you that you must. That your decision be made so that we can protect not only ourselves, but the lives of our future. The steps we take today, will ensure that we can protect our future citizens." Lincoln said before he sat down on the chair they had designed for him based on the podium used when the Presidential Address happened.

Stacy Chalmers stepped back to the podium, and banged her gavel. "Members, I call for a vote on Constitutional Proposal 1. That we change how our leaders are elected, the powers bestowed to the Executive Branch to ensure our safety, how our entire Nation operates so that the tragedy we faced just weeks ago never occurs again." she said before another stood and activated his personal microphone.

"I second the motion. As well as a Republic that the people quarreled over money, power, and every other conceivable thing served our past. An Empire that ensures the people are safe and secure, that the people can provide to as needed to ensure we all thrive is what will serve us best in the future." Senator Dillon Dennis said before sitting.

"All in favor?" Stacy Chalmers asked as their tablets opened the vote with 2 automatic ayes.

Within 60 seconds the bill that was 400 pages long and changed the entire Constitution passed Unanimously among both houses. Lincoln was amazed as the celebration occurred before him.

"Delegates, it shall be your responsibility to return to your districts and hold a general vote. As required by the new Emergency Measures enacted by this body, no person over the age of 16 may abstain from the vote. You have one week to return from your districts with the results of their votes." Stacy Chalmers ordered banging her gavel. One of the measures included in the new laws was everyone would be required to voice their vote at every election.

Lincoln watched as without ceremony, the delegates rushed for the exits, preparing their departures as they forwarded the materials required so their bases could be getting the equipment for the elections ready.

2 days later Lincoln took a tour of a new munitions factory that had just been brought online, and required only 4 people to operate. The machines took the raw materials needed to make several different types of munitions, and spit out live rounds at the rate of 15,000 per hour.

He was amazed when he entered the observation area for the Gunpowder room, and giant hoppers of materials moved over a gigantic mixing bowl with a grinder before releasing their contents.

"How much gunpowder is used per hour?" Lincoln asked the Engineer that ran the facility.

"2,000 pounds sir, per hour. We are also bringing the Battleship line online next week. That fortunately uses a different propellant, and is in a separate building. We will be able to make 20,000 rounds per week when we come online." he reported as this building had been converted quickly.

Lincoln knew that this was just one part of the vast industrial park they had taken over. The facilities had been relatively easy to change to produce what they wanted, even though the retooling was a long and tedious process. It was taking far longer than he would like to be able to produce tanks, planes, and missiles again. He had no interest in expanding his own arsenal again anytime soon, despite the orders he had issued to keep the systems operational, and to even make new and improved systems with the 2,800 warheads they had in inventory that were not attached to weapons yet. Each of them was 50 Megaton plus, as they had used most of the old arsenal as sacrifices to ensure their more powerful strikes actually had a greater chance of penetrating enemy defenses.

"Sir, is there any other questions I can answer?" the Engineer asked him.

"Depends on how much you know about the repairs to the infrastructure." Lincoln said as he knew he needed to get more updates.

"Most of the Nations energy grid was spared the worst effects. Some of the oldest segments were lost, and as a result we have initiated massive upgrades. 80 percent of the people who survived have power, and we are repairing it extremely quickly in preparation for upgrade. There is supposed to be an Engineering conference in 10 days to design how our new cities will be designed in order to accommodate the change in Economy." the Engineer replied shocking Lincoln.

"You're Military?" Lincoln asked.

"Retired Colonel 917th Engineer Corp Jack Watson. Currently serving as advisor to your Economic Advisor." the man explained.

Lincoln nodded knowing the man would be a valuable asset. "What is your assessment of the rest of our Economic Initiative?" Lincoln asked him.

"It is strange to not be concerned with the cost of what we are doing. It is also stranger to know that if we are in need of something, that procurement is as difficult as buying it. We have even began acquisition of manufacturing to make our own high demand items, and we can just order any number of them. That being said, people have been stepping into positions that need filled, no matter how often they are needed. With automation we hope to need only about 20 percent of the population on any day.

"Some expertise will obviously require a different level of commitment, and we are attempting to determine the best way to compensate them for the required additional duties." Jack said as they finished touring the base and he saw the brass being forced into rifle bullet casings, tri metal bullets being made to increase lethality, and the rounds themselves being assembled.

"We will have certain supplies that will be considered luxury goods. Things the Empire will not provide as necessary to survival. We will even provide a base salary so they can purchase these goods themselves. Determine a minimum threshold of activity from the average person, and derive the base salary off of that. For each additional unit of work required of a specialist position, they receive the equivalent increase in the Economic pay." he suggested surprising the Engineer.

"That is an excellent idea sir. What would be considered essential goods?" he asked.

"Shelter, food, water, medicine, security, economic opportunity and payment, communications, travel, anything at all a person must have to sustain a quality life. That however does not include entertainment, luxury goods, things not essential to life. Things we will have to hash out later with Congress." Lincoln said as they walked out and he looked around. "You know our major necessities, how long do you predict it will take us to be able to produce them all?"

The Engineer thought for a few moments before he replied. "A few of the expertise we are having to rebuild from scratch. We should be fully operational within 6 months." Jack reported before they both got in the car and toured the city for the improvements they had been making.

A week to the day he was back on the seat for when the President addressed Congress, and the Representatives simply reported the results of their canvas of their citizens. As soon as they had all take their seats as Stacy Chalmers stepped up to the podium.

"Delegates, each of you has reported your results to the Secretary, and she will read the results as calculated by her." Stacy said as an aide stood and read the results.

"The results of the General Vote as reported by the Congressional Delegates are as follows. In favor, of the 515 Delegations, 513 have voted in favor." she said dramatically. "2 Districts have voted against the United Empire, with a result of 52 percent. Overall the measure has passed with an overwhelming majority of 92 percent." the Secretary reported before she sat down.

"Today the measure to reorganize our great Nation into a Democratic Empire has passed. Let us celebrate this as we deserve. Tomorrow begins the hard work of changing our Nation into what our people need for the future." Stacy said as she slammed her gavel.

Lincoln watched as the Congressman left the Hall, and was a little shocked at how the vote had turned out. Stacy stayed and sat just below him, looking at her tablet that verified the results for any who wished to pursue them.

"Mr. President, I am sure we will make sure we make the world a better place for those that follow us." she said before she stood.

"Ms. Chalmers, it shall be interesting to see what we can do in the next 3 years. If they reelect me than, it will be a true surprise. Despite the relative calm we have now, I believe it will only be a matter of time before we must face our next challenge." he told her frankly as a larger picture was beginning to take shape in his mind. The only question was going to be how long It took before it happened and who it would be.

"We think that is an accurate assessment as well, and that the threat will be closer than it has ever been. Intelligence is beginning to suggest that Mexico is amazing troops to develop a threat somewhere." Stacy informed him.

"I am aware of the reports Ms. Chalmers, any ideas on what we should do in response to the buildup?" he asked her.

She considered it for a moment, before she replied. "We should muster additional battalions and position them along the border. Even if they move South, since they refuse to engage with us we cannot assume they will not attack." she replied.

Lincoln nodded as he appreciated her assessment and he agreed with it. "Thank you Ms. Chalmers, I appreciate the conversation. However I have a few things I must do tonight, might we have dinner in the next few nights?" he asked knowing her husband had been one of the ones who sacrificed himself to ensure the Bunkers would go unnoticed.

"Mr. President, are you asking me on a date?" she asked blushing a bit.

"Business, Casual. Doesn't matter to me, if you are open to a date we can get to know each other while we discuss business. If not, we can discuss business while we both satisfy a daily biological function at the same time." he said somewhat jokingly and was surprised she laughed.

"Mr. President, if I did not know better I would say you were flirting with me." she said with a smile. "Dinner would be good, and which we discuss, we shall find out at dinner." she said seductively before she walked out of the chamber as well.