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Post by allanryan on Jul 10, 2007 23:00:55 GMT -5
1600 Pennsylvannia Ave.
Washington, District of Columbia
September 1940
President Allan Ryan sipped his tea, his plane had arrived at Andrews AAF not too long ago and it had been a long flight back from San Francisco. He wrapped one arm around his wife's waist and kissed her on the cheek. Prime Minister Thomas Andrews was arriving from London soon. An Alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom would be perfect. With good relations in either Oceans the US wouldn't need to worry about any threats. It would also benefit the UK as well, having the strong industrial base of the United States would be a powerful ally, and together the US and the UK would be stronger than ever.
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Post by blackknight on Jul 10, 2007 23:20:35 GMT -5
Sir Thomas Andrews grinned a fair bit- his personal converted Avro Lancaster had just finished the second part of the two-leg journey from London. Having touched down in Maine, they made a quick stop for a refuel, before flying to Andrews.
As he debarked, the plane, he adjusted his trenchcoat slightly, making sure his apperance was straightened and he looked decent for his meeting. He was still a fairly young man; and for all that, he was conscious of his looks. He glanced at Jacqueline and Audrey Mannette; since Alain was deposed they had had to flee the country, assisted by foreign agents. They were unable to save Alain, but the two of them were alright, and Thomas had taken personal charge of them, as a favor to his now dead friend.
They were met by an armored limousine, and quickly began the trek to Washington, and more specifically, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. With a bit of a sigh, Thomas glanced over at the two women. He wished he'd have been making the trip with Alain, but such were the circumstances of life.
A short time later, as they were exitting the limousine and making their way into the White House, Thomas glanced down, grinning slightly at the insignia of the Knights of the Garter. He chuckled slightly, remembering the events that had led up to his earning that particular honor...
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Post by allanryan on Jul 10, 2007 23:33:04 GMT -5
"Prime Minister Andrews, excellent to see you. How was your flight?" He quickly gestured towards a waiter and smiled, "Sir Andrews, what is your drink?"
It took a while for the sight of the two women to register with Allan. One was somewhat tall while the other was somewhat short. They both looked ragged and defeated. It eventually sunk in that the taller woman, with her piercing green eyes, freckles, and brown hair tied into a bun, was the former Minister of Foriegn Affairs from France. The other wore a Royal Air Force Uniform, she took after Alain Mannette, Curly hair and brown eyes. He knew this girl, she was the daughter of Alain's late first wife. "Miss Manette, I'm glad to see you are alright we heard the worst from France. If you don't mind I will speak to you as soon as my meeting with the Prime Minister here is completed."
Both women nodded politely and left the Oval Office. Mrs. Ryan left shortly thereafter to tend to the two women.
"Well, where do we begin?"
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Post by blackknight on Jul 10, 2007 23:47:14 GMT -5
"Mr. President... I'm quite partial to your Kentucky Bourbons; whichever you have on hand will be quite sufficient."
He glanced at the other man, nodding slightly, as he shook hands with him. An average man, with an average build, President Ryan was two inches shorter than the Prime Minister who looked more like a German than the typical 'English' look. Still, the two men were cut from the same cloth, and it showed.
"Well, Mr. President... I've come with some plans for items you might be interested in. Particularly some military designs that I'm certain your excellent engineers could make good use of. In addition to that, as I expressed in my telegram, I'd like to see a formal alliance, both economically, and militarily..."
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Post by allanryan on Jul 10, 2007 23:58:07 GMT -5
"An Alliance? I completely agree." It almost seemed too simple. If only everything about the job was as easy as that. He nodded as the waiter handed the Prime Minister his drink.
"Our two countries have alot to offer one another and I'm happy to see that happen under my administration." He stared at the Prime Minister's briefcase. Allan felt like a child at christmas, or when he was about to get that medal for that action at Argonne Forrest.
"Now," he said with a thin smile, "I'm very interested to see these designs you speak of."
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Post by blackknight on Jul 11, 2007 0:06:00 GMT -5
Thomas grinned slightly. "Now now, don't be too hasty my friend. Would you mind if I smoked, while we discuss this? I'm afraid that I've been unable to for a while, out of respect for the ladies outside." He chuckled, pulling his pipe from a pocket, along with some tobacco.
"What I have here for you is the plans for the Merlin engine; a transport is loaded with several models, waiting on our agreement on this. Additionally, we have the specifications for our most recent anti-tank gun, the QF 17 pounder. It looks promising, with the beefing up of tank forces by several nations."
He chuckled a bit, and opened the briefcase, showing the documents to the man.
"What we would like in exchange is several shipments of your most recent carrier based aircraft, the F7F, I believe it's called; as well as the option to purchase more, at the end of this run..."
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Post by allanryan on Jul 11, 2007 0:16:37 GMT -5
Allan cleared his throat. "Well, I've heard of your Merlin Engine, puts out great performance, especially from what I've heard about the Spitfire." He smiled inwardly, Penelope, his eldest daughter was his personal expert on military aircraft.
"As for the 17 pounder Anti Tank gun, the US Army could benefit from the firepower that this puts out." The Sherman with it's 76mm Main Gun was somewhat under gunned compared to the latest German and Russian tanks as well as their new English Allies. The 17 pounder Anti tank gun would change that.
"It's a damned good deal for just the F7F. I'll send word over to Grumman and have them start up a batch for the Fleet Air Arm. Would 50 be an appropriate ammount? They enter production next month so I think I can send some your way in November."
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Post by blackknight on Jul 11, 2007 0:22:23 GMT -5
"Allan, fifty will do for now, but my friend, I'm going to want many more; as you know, the Royal Navy has been expanding under my guidance, and well, I'd like our carriers equipped with the best. Between the F7Fs, the Seafires, and the newly equipped Sea Maelstroms... we should be alright."
"Additionally... we'll put at your disposal some of the fellows from Vickers Wellington, the same fellows who were responsible for the Imperator. Between you and, I that tank is a godsend; especially speaking from the perspective of a former tanker..."
He grinned a bit, lighting his pipe, and puffing at it a bit.
"So friend, what else have we to discuss? I'm sure that there's plenty that we can figure out, while I'm here."
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Post by allanryan on Jul 11, 2007 0:43:16 GMT -5
Allan leaned back and took another sip from his tea. "The Royal Navy has always been a potent Force. If you need any assistance the US Navy will be there." He loved the US Navy, ever since his days as a Lieutenant JG on the USS New York.
"I can send some of our boys from Lockheed, they've been pulling out some amazing aircraft designs lately." The P-80 Shooting Star was possibly the finest fighter Aircraft he had ever set eyes on.
"Well Sir Andrews, I think that's it for now. Thank you very much for bringing the surviving Manettes to the US, I can attest to their saftey here in washington."
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Post by blackknight on Jul 11, 2007 0:56:58 GMT -5
"Very well sir; if you've any need of me, or if they've any need of me, don't hesitate to get in touch with me."
He took a deep breath, and turned for the door...
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